Chris Zane, CEO of Zane's Cycles, talks on the CEO Show with Robert Reiss about how a passion for providing unequaled customer service helped grow his business 23 percent per year over the past three decades. Zane explains how he puts the long term interests of his customers first and the reasons for separating his brand from competition. The interview presents a classic American success story, illustrated with intriguing personal examples that reveal reasons for Zane's success. - February 09, 2008 .

Production notes

In Dupree's case, though he begins cycling to get into shape, his aspiration to greatness is taken to the nth degree, adding yet one more item to help raise Carl's ire.

Joe Russo relates, "Dupree has this fascination with Lance, and the second half of the film where he starts to become motivated and look for a healer to motivate him...it turns into Lance Armstrong. Lance came in and did such a great cameo for us."

On the day that Lance Armstrong made his appearance at the San Pedro Harbor, the energy was palpable. When word spread that he had arrived, seasoned crewmembers-accustomed to working with the most famous of celebrities-stopped to stare. When he climbed on his bike in front of the blue screen to shoot a scene that would later translate into a surreal dream sequence, cast and crew alike gathered around like young kids to watch.

Spontaneous catastrophe: Notes from a recent 'Bakken Evening Out'

Behind the thick stone walls and arched windows of an impressive 25,000-square-foot home on Lake Calhoun, one might expect to find fine wine and food, enlightened conversation, entertainment and music. And one would find all of these things in this beautiful structure, mingling with some lunatic dressed as Ben Franklin, a machine that electrocutes you, strange fish, Frankenstein’s monster and a little miniature house that explodes. Welcome to the Bakken Museum, second Tuesday of the month.

The home sits tucked away on the west shore of Lake Calhoun, almost out of sight from those touring the lakes by bike or car. No extravagant sign marks the spot, although being a museum of electricity, the proprietors could surely think of something to grab the attention of passersby.

Crowd hits the Skywalk for annual golf outing

More than 1,700 golfers teed off in the middle of downtown Des Moines this morning as part of the 23rd annual Skywalk Open Golf Tournament.

The miniature golf event, totaling 54 holes spread over three courses and 3.2 miles of downtown walkways, drew competitors ranging from new Tiger Woods-wannabees to entire families whove made a habit of mid-winter togetherness.

COMICS REVIEW / 'Real': The manga that thinks it's about basketball

Turning to the last page of Vol. 7 of Real, I found myself saddened and disappointed. Takehiko Inoue, the artist and writer behind this manga, seemed at first to be cashing in on his hugely successful Slam Dunk series, which was about a basketball team, by having Real be about a wheelchair basketball team. Sensing a retread, I had opened Vol. 1 of Real with lowered expectations.

Yes, the story (which has sold 9 million copies so far) centers on the Tokyo Tigers, a wheelchair basketball team struggling to become the top of its division. Despite this being the setting, though, the story is much more of a so-called human drama in which the characters deal with their disabilities, be they physical, mental or--in the case of character Nobuhisa Takahashi--personality-based.

Rowland predicts 2008 will offer retail growth

Cleveland City Mayor Tom Rowland predicted 2008 will be the citys year of retail explosion, transportation improvements, tourism growth and economic expansion during his annual State of the City address Thursday. Rowland

Rowland told the Kiwanis Club of Cleveland a retail explosion is coming like a big boom.

The area has also had a "banner year" in tourism, Mayor Rowland said.

A Different Perspective

Yogi Bear stood at the entrance to Jellystone National Park. He scouted unattended picnic baskets while awaiting Boo Boo Bears arrival home on the school bus. Yogi and Boo Boo were co-owners of a playoff fantasy team. As Yogi considered himself smarter than the average bear, he figured his team had a decided advantage, but he needed Boo Boos help in researching and deciphering the most recent data before submitting teams for the next round of games. So he waited anxiously and kept a look out for Ranger Smith. The school bus screeched to a halt at the entrance and Boo Boo climbed down the steps, dragging his back pack behind him. The bus roared off in a cloud of dust and rubble. Hey, Boo Boo! Were still in first place in our fantasy league. Lets go look at the stats and make our picks. I dont want to play anymore, Yogi.

Cyclists not welcome in Scottsdale neighborhood

Homeowners and bicyclists are squaring off in a gated community on Scottsdale's border with Fountain Hills. Homeowners in Hidden Hills complain that cyclists are using 145th Way, a steep private street at the end of Via Linda, as a training ground where they speed down the long, curving hill en masse and invite accidents. Cyclists say homeowners are exaggerating problems with a minority of riders and reneging on their subdivision's 2000 agreement with Scottsdale to allow a non-motorized connection to Fountain Hills. .