I know that we have seen tremendous growth in our expeditions to the polar regions (Antarctica and the Arctic)," says Jennifer Gregoire, media relations manager for Lindblad Expeditions, via e-mail. The voyages have been sold out far in advance, prompting the company to purchase a second ship for the polar regions. The National Geographic Explorer is expected to set sail in June.

Denise Landau, executive director of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, says the increase has nothing to do with climate sightseeing: "It's a fantastic place to go, more vessels available for people to travel on, and there are more companies who are established around the world. I've actually gotten that question a lot, and our operators don't believe it has anything to do with global warming."

Online: www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com; www.iaato.org

- Low-lying islands

A tiny Polynesian island nation called Tuvalu already has discussed evacuation plans if the sea continues to rise.

Hossa's, Richards' different debuts

It wasn't the coming-out party Marian Hossa or his new club was looking for. Not only did the Penguins offense look all out of sorts in the first half of Thursday night's 5-1 loss to the Bruins, but Hossa also was forced out of the game after accidentally going knee on knee with Glen Murray. The prognosis isn't too devastating: A first degree MCL sprain. Translation? Hossa will be out about a week -- just in time to pair up with Sidney Crosby when he returns. Crosby was originally due back earlier, but the Penguins chose not to rush things.

Before Hossa's knee crumpled, coach Michel Therrien was shuffling more than your average blackjack dealer. Lines were seemingly thrown together with reckless abandon, and nothing worked. Sure, chemistry can't always be fostered instantly, but breaking up the trio of Evgeni Malkin, Ryan Malone and Petr Sykora appeared to be a wretched error nonetheless.

Carty: Don't make excuses for Rodriguez's exit strategy

I just hope more articles get written about the direction and future of U-M football and not just what happened or didn't happen when the U-M coach left WVU. The manner in which he left is history and can't be changed. Can't we just all move along, Jim?

Plaque in memory of legend Ball

Ball commanded the midfield in his playing days for Blackpool, Everton and Arsenal and helped England to success in the 1966 World Cup.

SGA Presidential debates focus on many issues

Music artist Common will be Program Boards concert guest this semester. It was announced at last Wednesdays SGA assembly meeting that he will perform at Clowes Hall on April 3. Time of the concert and a date for ticket sales have yet to be announced. .

Not cricket, though

Drama unfolds at the cusp of impossible situation and improbable challenge. The plot is multi-dimensional, throwing light into the mind of the performers. Among sporting games, cricket alone has the capacity to hold a mirror to the intricacies of life. It is a microcosm of the society that it belongs to. That is why a C L R James was able to trace and picture the sociological history of the Caribbean islands through the prism of cricket. Football, howsoever universal maybe its appeal, couldn't have afforded him that opportunity. Cricket always provides a canvas to mount something bigger than the obvious picture. That is why it lent itself to sublime verse.

Alas, the Twenty20, the latest offspring of the avuncular game, seems precisely to rob the quintessence of the game.