Retractable Roof

INDIANAPOLIS -- Lucas Oil Stadium is about to open up a new world for the Colts and the city of Indianapolis. There's the retractable roof, the giant sliding window in the north end zone and an economic package owner Jim Irsay says he believes will keep his team competitive for decades to come. To the Colts, the brick building with blue seats represents more than a new home. It's a lifeline to the future. "This was never about becoming the L.A. Colts, and nothing like that was ever even suggested in negotiations," Irsay told the Associated Press in a telephone interview.

NEW ORLEANS - Joe Flacco has come in from the cold. In five seasons, the Baltimore quarterback has played only eight games in indoor stadiums, and only three in true domes: at St. Louis (2011), Atlanta (2010) and Minnesota (2009). He's 4-4 in domes or retractable-roof stadiums. Sunday, he'll play in the Superdome for the first time. "Is that all I've played in domes? … That's pretty crazy," he said. "The truth of the matter is, when I get in here and start throwing the ball around, you really get kind of excited about it just because you can tell the difference.

The latest concept for an NFL stadium in downtown Los Angeles — a $1-billion venue next to Staples Center — has, The Times has learned, something none of its scuttled predecessors had. A ceiling. Although that might seem like a minor distinction, proponents of that project say that a retractable roof would greatly enhance the versatility of the building, making it ideal for major sporting events such as the Final Four, championship title fights, and all sorts of national conventions.

WIMBLEDON, England -- The match began under the blue sky of a humid English late afternoon. It ended in the Twilight Zone. A kid from the Czech Republic who never even had qualified for Wimbledon before now, a kid who is ranked 100th, stunned the tennis world by defeating one of the game's all-time greats, Rafael Nadal. All that Lukas Rosol had in common with Nadal was his age, 26. But Rosol, hitting every shot, serve, forehand, backhand, as if he were intent on smashing the ball halfway to France, upset Spain's Nadal, 6-7 (9)

The Coliseum, Rose Bowl and Dodger Stadium are dumps. Staples Center, which replaced the North Hall of the Convention Center 11 years ago, has been a tremendous success. Even the Clippers draw big crowds. Now there is talk of the same people who built Staples Center building a NFL stadium attached to the Convention Center ? where the West Hall now sits. It makes so much sense. And, as an added bonus, it probably will force Frank McCourt out as Dodgers owner if his wife is unsuccessful in doing so. But more on that positive development in a moment.

Actor Larry Hagman and his wife, Maj , have listed their longtime mountaintop home in Ojai, a 43-acre spread befitting "Dallas' " J.R. Ewing, for $11 million. The nine-bedroom, 14 1/2 -bathroom Mediterranean-style estate was designed and built for the couple in 1992. Sitting behind iron gates, the 18,000-square-foot main house has an open floor plan with walls of sliding glass doors, painted murals, an indoor grotto-style spa and a retractable roof over a 40-foot saltwater lap pool in the grand room, which has accommodated parties of up to 200 people.

There are many elements that the sport of tennis must endure and one of those is the weather. When it is played outdoors it must be played outdoors without the use of a retractable roof should it get too hot. This is just pandering to the weakest player who cannot sustain the heat, as was the case for Serena Williams in her match against Svetlana Kuznetsova. A retractable roof's function should be utilized solely for inclement weather, specifically rain or snow. Interesting that the roof was utilized for the women's match, who play only two out of three sets, but not for the men, who play three out of five.

What next? No more strawberries and cream? The storied jewel of tennis tradition -- Wimbledon -- took a dramatic step into the future Tuesday when All England Club officials announced a solution to combat another British institution -- rain. A sliding roof will be built over Centre Court. Work on the project, which also includes a provision for increased Centre Court capacity to 15,000, will begin in 2006. Officials are hoping for completion in time for the 2009 championships.

Heaven may be a little closer in New York these days, especially in Manhattan, where hotels' rooftop bars are among the best places to enjoy summer. A few are restricted to guests, such as those at the Surrey, the Trump SoHo and the Thompson LES, but there are plenty of newer roof decks that are open for those who want their own little piece of the sky. Top of the Strand, the Strand Opened: December This 21st-floor lounge at the Strand has a retractable roof as well as cabanas and built-in banquettes with silk throw pillows.

WIMBLEDON, England -- The match began under the blue sky of a humid English late afternoon. It ended in the Twilight Zone. A kid from the Czech Republic who never even had qualified for Wimbledon before now, a kid who is ranked 100th, stunned the tennis world by defeating one of the game's all-time greats, Rafael Nadal. All that Lukas Rosol had in common with Nadal was his age, 26. But Rosol, hitting every shot, serve, forehand, backhand, as if he were intent on smashing the ball halfway to France, upset Spain's Nadal, 6-7 (9)

The Coliseum, Rose Bowl and Dodger Stadium are dumps. Staples Center, which replaced the North Hall of the Convention Center 11 years ago, has been a tremendous success. Even the Clippers draw big crowds. Now there is talk of the same people who built Staples Center building a NFL stadium attached to the Convention Center ? where the West Hall now sits. It makes so much sense. And, as an added bonus, it probably will force Frank McCourt out as Dodgers owner if his wife is unsuccessful in doing so. But more on that positive development in a moment.

Heaven may be a little closer in New York these days, especially in Manhattan, where hotels' rooftop bars are among the best places to enjoy summer. A few are restricted to guests, such as those at the Surrey, the Trump SoHo and the Thompson LES, but there are plenty of newer roof decks that are open for those who want their own little piece of the sky. Top of the Strand, the Strand Opened: December This 21st-floor lounge at the Strand has a retractable roof as well as cabanas and built-in banquettes with silk throw pillows.

The latest concept for an NFL stadium in downtown Los Angeles — a $1-billion venue next to Staples Center — has, The Times has learned, something none of its scuttled predecessors had. A ceiling. Although that might seem like a minor distinction, proponents of that project say that a retractable roof would greatly enhance the versatility of the building, making it ideal for major sporting events such as the Final Four, championship title fights, and all sorts of national conventions.

Actor Larry Hagman and his wife, Maj , have listed their longtime mountaintop home in Ojai, a 43-acre spread befitting "Dallas' " J.R. Ewing, for $11 million. The nine-bedroom, 14 1/2 -bathroom Mediterranean-style estate was designed and built for the couple in 1992. Sitting behind iron gates, the 18,000-square-foot main house has an open floor plan with walls of sliding glass doors, painted murals, an indoor grotto-style spa and a retractable roof over a 40-foot saltwater lap pool in the grand room, which has accommodated parties of up to 200 people.

TODAY'S FEATURED MATCHES None. BURDEN OF ROOF Clouds menaced. Skies darkened. Excitement buzzed. Architectural history beckoned. As Andy Murray began to play Viktor Troicki at just after 6 Saturday evening, rain seemed imminent. Clearly the lucky retractable-roof aficionados in attendance finally would see Centre Court's $140-million roof in action.

There are many elements that the sport of tennis must endure and one of those is the weather. When it is played outdoors it must be played outdoors without the use of a retractable roof should it get too hot. This is just pandering to the weakest player who cannot sustain the heat, as was the case for Serena Williams in her match against Svetlana Kuznetsova. A retractable roof's function should be utilized solely for inclement weather, specifically rain or snow. Interesting that the roof was utilized for the women's match, who play only two out of three sets, but not for the men, who play three out of five.

Ah, the joys of owning a convertible. The road noise. The leaky roof. The fear of knife-wielding thieves. For these and other annoyances of the ragtop, the auto industry thinks it has found the solution: the retractable hardtop. At the turn of the millennium, there were two mass-production retractables on the market, both built by Mercedes-Benz. Now, 10 models are being sold under nine nameplates, and more could be on the way.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- It's more than an NFL stadium. It's the gleaming new home of the Dallas Cowboys, a $1.2-billion palace with glass walls, a translucent retractable roof, two quarter-mile-long arches and a high-definition video screen that stretches from one 20-yard-line to the other. The place has all the over-the-top features you might expect from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, the modern-day P.T. Barnum of the sports world. It's the Y'all Mahal.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- It's more than an NFL stadium. It's the gleaming new home of the Dallas Cowboys, a $1.2-billion palace with glass walls, a translucent retractable roof, two quarter-mile-long arches and a high-definition video screen that stretches from one 20-yard-line to the other. The place has all the over-the-top features you might expect from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, the modern-day P.T. Barnum of the sports world. It's the Y'all Mahal.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Lucas Oil Stadium is about to open up a new world for the Colts and the city of Indianapolis. There's the retractable roof, the giant sliding window in the north end zone and an economic package owner Jim Irsay says he believes will keep his team competitive for decades to come. To the Colts, the brick building with blue seats represents more than a new home. It's a lifeline to the future. "This was never about becoming the L.A. Colts, and nothing like that was ever even suggested in negotiations," Irsay told the Associated Press in a telephone interview.