Mike Ross

USC receiver Mike Williams and safety Mike Ross, both freshmen from Florida, are happy to be back in their home state for the Orange Bowl. "It's almost like a storybook," Ross said Friday after the Trojans' went through their first practice, a one-hour workout in shorts. Ed Orgeron, USC's defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator, is even more pleased. Williams' emergence as one of the top receivers in the nation has opened the door for the Trojans in the Sunshine State.

Rep. Mike Ross, one of the few conservative Democrats who survived the midterm elections of 2010, announced Monday he won't stand for reelection in 2012. In a letter announcing his decision, Ross cited the "tough political environment" he'd face in seeking a seventh term, and he bemoaned the current state of Congress. "While I have worked hard to bring folks to the middle to craft common-sense solutions to the many problems that confront our nation, Washington is mired in gridlock, gamesmanship and constant partisan bickering," he said.

Twenty-three years ago when he was born, doctors advised Mike Ross' parents to place him in foster care or an institution because he was a Down's syndrome baby. Today, Mike Ross--IQ of 60, developmentally disabled all his life--is a success: He lives independently, or at least reasonably so with some supervision, attends a work training program, looks forward to being employed and enjoys a social life that includes not one but two girlfriends.

USC receiver Mike Williams and safety Mike Ross, both freshmen from Florida, are happy to be back in their home state for the Orange Bowl. "It's almost like a storybook," Ross said Friday after the Trojans' went through their first practice, a one-hour workout in shorts. Ed Orgeron, USC's defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator, is even more pleased. Williams' emergence as one of the top receivers in the nation has opened the door for the Trojans in the Sunshine State.

It was not much of a tournament for Mike Ross, not until the final pitch. Ross, Cal State Fullerton's cleanup hitter, no less, had gone 3 for 18 in the NCAA South Regional here. In his previous at-bat, he had grounded into a double play. But with two on, two out and the score tied in the bottom of the ninth Monday, Ross lit into a belt-high slider, making the ball's destination so clear that the Texas A&M outfielders hardly bothered to move.

"What a dump, man," scoffed Matt Dike, surveying the tiny, cluttered Hollywood office of the independent label Delicious Vinyl Records. "It's hard to tell what's debris and what's not," said his partner Mike Ross, pushing some papers off a chair so he could sit down. "Who cares?," said Dike, 27, plopping down on a chair and putting his feet on the desk. "It's funky--it's home." Lanky and long-haired, wearing rumpled, mismatched clothes, Dike had that walking-disaster-area look of a '60s hippie.

Rep. Mike Ross, one of the few conservative Democrats who survived the midterm elections of 2010, announced Monday he won't stand for reelection in 2012. In a letter announcing his decision, Ross cited the "tough political environment" he'd face in seeking a seventh term, and he bemoaned the current state of Congress. "While I have worked hard to bring folks to the middle to craft common-sense solutions to the many problems that confront our nation, Washington is mired in gridlock, gamesmanship and constant partisan bickering," he said.

Poly 26, Van Nuys 7 KEY PLAYS Poly's Shawn Campbell recovered a blocked punt in the end zone to break a 7-7 tie with 2:26 left in the second quarter. . . . Poly quarterback Joey Speakes hooked up with Mike Ross for two sec1869505581scoring pass. . . . Van Nuys' only score came on an 80-yard pass play from quarterback Cesar Parra to Fred Bryant in the first quarter. . . . Van Nuys lost five fumbles.

Rex Peters had three hits and scored two runs Sunday to lead Cal State Fullerton past Stanford, 6-5, in a nonconference collegiate baseball game at Palo Alto. For the Titans (4-4), Mike Ross had two hits, including a two-run homer run. Shane Flores had two hits, including a home run, and Brent Mayne had two hits. Mark Beck pitched six innings to get the victory. Stanford (3-3) trailed, 5-1, in the seventh before rallying to close to 5-4.

Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills representatives on the city's annexation task force on Saturday recommended that those communities join Lake Forest. The Sphere of Influence Community Task Force was formed in February to increase communication between east side representatives and city officials. Task force members told a meeting of the Foothill Ranch Civic Council that annexation would be "our best alternative, given our choices," member Mike Ross said.

"What a dump, man," scoffed Matt Dike, surveying the tiny, cluttered Hollywood office of the independent label Delicious Vinyl Records. "It's hard to tell what's debris and what's not," said his partner Mike Ross, pushing some papers off a chair so he could sit down. "Who cares?," said Dike, 27, plopping down on a chair and putting his feet on the desk. "It's funky--it's home." Lanky and long-haired, wearing rumpled, mismatched clothes, Dike had that walking-disaster-area look of a '60s hippie.

It was not much of a tournament for Mike Ross, not until the final pitch. Ross, Cal State Fullerton's cleanup hitter, no less, had gone 3 for 18 in the NCAA South Regional here. In his previous at-bat, he had grounded into a double play. But with two on, two out and the score tied in the bottom of the ninth Monday, Ross lit into a belt-high slider, making the ball's destination so clear that the Texas A&M outfielders hardly bothered to move.

Twenty-three years ago when he was born, doctors advised Mike Ross' parents to place him in foster care or an institution because he was a Down's syndrome baby. Today, Mike Ross--IQ of 60, developmentally disabled all his life--is a success: He lives independently, or at least reasonably so with some supervision, attends a work training program, looks forward to being employed and enjoys a social life that includes not one but two girlfriends.

Cal State Northridge was held to one extra-base hit, a Lenn Gilmore double, as Cal State Fullerton defeated the Matadors, 13-0, in a nonconference baseball game Wednesday at Fullerton. Starter Fili Martinez (0-3) absorbed the loss as Fullerton collected 14 hits, including two home runs and two doubles, off four Northridge pitchers. CSUN had 8 hits and committed 5 errors. Mike Ross hit a two-run homer for Fullerton to open the scoring in the first inning.

It's hard to comprehend the message T. J. Simers was trying to convey in his article about LPGA golfer Natalie Gulbis [April 6]. After spending several hours with her playing golf, what does he tell us? The first third of his article dwells on the fact that -- get this -- a pro golfer has calluses on her hands! Wow, there's a scoop. From there, Simers goes downhill. After a brief, almost passing and clearly reluctant acknowledgment of her talent, the remainder of the article seems determined to disparage her by unfair comparisons to Anna Kournikova and castigating her for her good looks.