Jockstrip: The World As We Know It

THE LIBERTY TREE LIVES ON

More than 230 years ago, a tulip poplar in Annapolis, Md., served as a meeting place for those plotting the American Revolution. This "Liberty Tree" managed to survive wars, lightning strikes, vandalism and even souvenir hunting -- but it couldn't match Hurricane Floyd, which hit in September 1999.

The 400-year-old tree was cut down a month later after experts concluded it had become a safety hazard.

Now, the legacy of the Liberty Tree is being preserved with the limited edition Liberty Tree Guitars, unveiled Wednesday by Taylor Guitars. Only 400 of the guitars, crafted from wood from the Liberty Tree, are being made.

A portion (5 percent) of the proceeds from the sale of each Liberty Tree Guitar will be donated to the American Forests Historic Trees Nursery Project, which propagates offspring from trees of historical significance.

In early May, Taylor Guitars and Historic Trees will present one of 14 seedlings from the last Liberty Tree to White House representatives during a reception on Capitol Hill. This first tree will be planted in the new U.S. Botanic Garden. The other 13 seedlings will be presented during the next few months to the governors of states that were the original 13 Colonies, beginning with Maryland.

(Web site: taylorguitars.com)

THINGS WE DON'T UNDERSTAND

Plans for Moscow's first bullfight were canceled last year after Mayor Yuri Luzhkov decreed it cruel and sent the imported Spanish bulls off to "a nature reserve," which turned out to be a farm in the nearby village of Protasovo.

Maybe they'd have done better in the ring. Russian bullfighter Lydia Aratamonova complains that the bulls nearly froze in the Russian winter, and are being kept in overcrowded conditions in a stall that has not been cleaned since mid-August because the farm workers have not been paid. And now two of the young bulls have mauled a third to death.

(From UPI Hears)

NEWS OF OTHER LIFE FORMS

The legendary 1977 Triple Crown Winner Seattle Slew is in the news -- moving to new digs from the farm he's called home since 1985.

In a letter to the owners of stock in the horse, veterinarians announced that Slew will be leaving Hill 'n' Dale Farms, near Lexington, Ky., and the famous Three Chimney's breeding shed so he can "lead a solitary life for a while."

Slew is recuperating from recent neck surgery. He had two vertebrae fused on March 2 and doctors feel that he needs to concentrate on getting well, not making whoopee.

Slew is the only living Triple Crown winner and is the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner. He's in his late 20s.

(Thanks to UPI's Dennis Daily)

TODAY'S SIGN THE WORLD IS ENDING

Megadeth is disbanding after almost 20 years together.

The impetus for the break-up was the serious nerve damage singer and lead guitarist Dave Mustaine suffered to his left arm and hand last January while the heavy metal band was on hiatus from two years of touring and promotional appearances. In a statement released Wednesday, Mustaine said his doctors have told him it'll take about a year to recover from the injury and that they're not sure how complete a recovery it'll be. He added that he hopes he'll be able to play guitar again someday.

Mustaine said he plans to explore other areas of the music business where he might make a contribution, and also hopes to spend more time with his wife and two children.

Megadeth was founded by Mustaine in 1983 after he was fired from Metallica.

Megadeth's first-ever live album -- the double CD "Rude Awakening" -- hit stores March 19, and the accompanying DVD and VHS home video is due out next Tuesday. Both the "Rude Awakening" CD and DVD include 24 songs spanning Megadeth's entire career -- including such tracks as "Hangar 18," "Symphony of Destruction," "Dread and the Fugitive Mind" and "Burning Bridges."

(Web site: megadeth.com)

AND FINALLY, TODAY'S UPLIFTING STORY

The coaches and some of the players of the pennant-winning New York Yankees visited the Pentagon Wednesday, touring the reconstruction project underway following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Among the group were manager Joe Torre, coach Don Zimmer, center fielder Bernie Williams and pitchers Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and Steve Karsay.

A number of the Yankees volunteered for relief work at World Trade Center recovery sites.

(Thanks to UPI Pentagon Correspondent Pamela Hess)