Firehouse: Still Rocking after all these years

What a difference a week makes! Today I woke up to snow and cold - feels more like December than October, that's for sure! Last Saturday was much more fall-like - because it was dark and rainy, I decided to skip the Cold Spring Oktoberfest last Saturday. Instead, I watched the Twins battle the Kansas City Royals in their push towards a playoff berth for a while, then head to St. Cloud for a matinee showing of the new Matt Damon movie, The Informant. After the movie, I then decided to head down to the Paramount Theatre for a performance by 90's rock band Firehouse.

I hadn't been to the Paramount for a concert in a few years, but I was able to get a $20 ticket at the door and snag an eighth row seat shortly after 7 p.m. The show started about a half-hour later. I had seen Firehouse perform at the old Del-Win Entertainment Center in St. Joe about 8 0r 9 years ago, and the lineup of singer/keyboardist C.J. Snare, guitarist Bill Leverty, and drummer Bill Foster remained the same from the last time I saw them. Together with new bassist Allen McKenzie, the band launched into their greatest hits for a 90-minute show.

Although I didn't know all the songs Firehouse played that night, it was good to hear the newer material as well as old favorites like "Don't Treat Me Bad" and "All She Wrote." The lighters and cellphone cameras came out in the crowd when it was time for their classic ballads "When I Look Into Your Eyes" and the wedding reception staple "Love of a Lifetime."

I also enjoyed getting to chat with the band members after the show as they signed a copy of their latest album , 2003's Prime Time, that I had just purchased. I had to compliment Foster on his powerful solo during the middle of the band's set. Although I hadn't originally planned on going to this show before, I'm glad I did - it was a great way to end a rainy Saturday night. For a band that started in 1990, Firehouse is still going strong after all these years.

Metrodome Memories

As the Twins play their final regular-season home games at the Metrodome this weekend, some of the sports highlights on TV have focused on memorable moments at the dome over the course of its 28-year existence. There's the World Series wins in 1987 and 1991 of course, but this got me thinking.

Here's a list of my most memorable Metrodome moments at games I attended:

1. Watching Twins catcher Tim Laudner crush a pair of three-run homers to left during a blowout of the Cleveland Indians in 1988. My brother and I also got pitcher Frank Viola's autograph in the parking lot before the game.

2. Watching Viola get one of his 24 wins later that year with a 3-1 complete game win over the California Angels in July 1988.

3. Watching Oakland A's rightfielder Jose Canseco play a Kirby Puckett triple like what was later described in Sports Illustrated as "a pregnant Saint Bernard." Had fun listening to the fans jeering at Rickey Henderson in left field that game too.

4. Watching Twins pitcher Scott Erickson toss a shutout over Dave Winfield and the Toronto Blue Jays in the early 90's. The Twins' offense featured a home run by light-hitting backup catcher Lenny Webster.

5. Watching Seattle Mariners superstar Ken Griffey play in the same outfield as his father Ken Griffey Sr. in another Twins win.

6. Watching legends like Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson, 1965 AL MVP Zoilo Versalles and others play in an Upper Deck Legends game, which also for some reason included the Twins' 1987 Series menace Tom Lawless.

7. Watching Jack Morris get his 200th win during his only season as a Twin in April 1991 over the Mariners.

Those are the memories that come immediately to mind - what do you remember most about Twins games at the Dome?