I am talking about the US Open tennis tournament and the incredibly great weather that followed in the wake of Hurricane Irene’s sweep through New York the day before the tournament’s official start.

To be expected, attendance dropped by a few thousand on the opening day, but by the end of the week a new record was established when 62,062 showed up on Friday, Sept. 2.

Like many others, I had planned to be in New York on the first day of the tournament, but the tropical storm and the airline schedule dictated otherwise.

Arriving on the second day of the US Open proved to be rewarding, the balmy, sunny weather contrasting nicely with the oppressive heat that I endured at this time last year.

Better than the weather condition at the Flushing Meadows complex was the opportunity to witness one of many first round upsets.

In a first in the Open Era, none of the three Grand Slam women’s champions from this year advanced past the first round of the US Open.

Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters, the two-time defending US Open champion, was forced to pull out with an injury, a most unfortunate way for someone to exit.

The day before I arrived, Petra Kvitova, from the Czech Republic, who won the women’s title at Wimbledon in July against Maria Sharapova in straight sets, was defeated soundly by Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania.

On the second day, I witnessed the stunning upset of French Open champion Li Na of China, who was knocked out of the tournament in straight sets by unseeded Romanian teenager Simona Halep.

Another pleasure of visiting the US Open in the early going is the chance to watch the unseeded perennial New York crowd favorite, James Blake.

Blake, who has never advanced past the quarterfinals, has a style of play that is great fun to watch, but he’s also erratic and prone to mistakes that can prove costly.

Fortunately, Blake didn’t do himself in on the first round, as he dispatched, though not easily, Jesse Huta Galung from the Netherlands in three sets to one.

Not attending the first day caused me to miss Roger Federer, the previous winner of five US Open titles. But seeing him in a contest with an unknown is like watching a cat swat at a mouse.

The guy I really wanted to see on the first day was the highest ranked American. Mardy Fish, who won this year’s US Open Series, is poised for a deep run this time.

Ranked No. 8 in the world, Fish has come a long way, because in the past he has never gone beyond the quarterfinals of a major tournament. In 2008, Fish was defeated in the quarterfinals of the US Open by Rafael Nadal.

So far, as I write this story, Fish has won his first three rounds in straight set victories. If he keeps winning, Fish would likely have to face Roger Federer in the semifinals.

Rafael Nadal, the talented Spaniard, is defending the US Open title he won last year. Though he won at the French Open in June, Nadal is now struggling after burning his hand on a hot plate.

On the second day, I got a chance to watch Nadal in his first round victory. Beating Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan should have been easy, but Nadal had to rally to win the second set in a tie-breaker.

The best match that I had a chance to see pitted two highly-ranked women, Australian Samantha Stosur and Russian Nadia Petrova, in a marathon slugfest.

The third round match between Stosur and Petrova clocked in a three hours and 16 minutes, making it the longest women’s singles match in recorded US Open history since the advent of the tie-break in 1970.

On a disappointing note to men everywhere, the reigning beauty of the court, Maria Sharapova, seeded third, did not survive the third round. Sadly, she has struggled since her championship run in 2006.

The US Open concludes this year with the men’s singles final on Sunday, Sept. 11, a momentous day for reasons having nothing to do with tennis.

Fittingly, upon the tenth anniversary of the attack on America, a 9/11 memorial ceremony will take place on the tournament’s final day.

Queen Latifah will preside over the memorial tribute. For both the women’s and men’s singles championships “9-11-01” will be painted on the stadium court as part of this memorial tribute.

In the few days remaining before the end of the US Open, you can catch the action on CBS, ESPN or the Tennis Channel. Better yet, make your travel plans for next year.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. with local favorites Without A Net opening for Rogers.

Rogers' recording and performance resume reads like a record label catalog.

The list includes Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Miller, Allen Toussaint, Miles Davis, Taj Mahal and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott.

In a professional career spanning four decades, Rogers is the consummate musician and producer.

He has produced two Grammy nominated albums for Elliott. For four years he toured with the legendary John Lee Hooker and produced four Grammy nominated albums for the Boogie King, two of which were awarded the top accolade from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Roy Rogers’ movie soundtrack contributions include “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” and “The Hot Spot.”

This year Rogers has two CD releases, “Translucent Blues” with Doors co-founder Ray Manzarek and “Slidewinder” featuring duets with Allen Toussaint and John Lee Hooker.

Tickets for this concert, a benefit for Lake County Community Radio, are $25 and are available at the Soper Reese box office, 707-263-0577 or www.SoperReeseTheatre.com; and at Catfish Coffee House, 14624 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, 707-995-0470.

The evening of art and music will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the gallery, 325 N. Main Street, Lakeport.

New works from the following local artists will be introduced: Carmen Patterson, landscape oils, Lake County scenes; Dennis and Evelyn Robison, pastels; Patricia Skoog, Concerts in Library Park – watercolor; Carol Yanagitsubo, oils and jewelry.

Currently showing at the gallery are Richard Seisser, landscape scenes in pastel; Ron Snider, figures with the “old master’s touch”; Jim Aldridge, fantastic wildlife photo collection and landscapes ; Walter Dreis, landscape oils, mostly in miniature ; Leonora McKenzie , colorful photo collection of landscapes; Karen Whittington , acrylic wildlife paintings, up close and personal; Colleen La Plante, artistic, colorful fused glass table settings and more; George Waterstraat, one-of-a-kind burl wood – maple, redwood, walnut, bay laurel and ash – vases and bowls; Curtis Westfall, handcrafted tooled leather goods; and Lois Feron, acrylic botanical and landscapes on canvas and boards.

There will be finger food, a chance to meet the artists, music by Michael Barrish and Tom Nixon, and wine poured by Moore Family Winery.

For more information contact the Main Street Gallery at 707-263-6658.

Nightcats (left to right) Kid Andersen, Rick Estrin, Lorenzo Farrell and J. Hansen. Courtesy photo.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Between a tour of the East Coast and an upcoming European swing, Rick Estrin and the Nightcats will make a stop at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake on the Monday evening of Labor Day.

This popular group will headline the third annual Blue Wing Labor Day Blues Extravaganza in the garden between the Hotel and the Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant from 5:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 5.

When the Lake County Fair comes to an end and things start to wind down, this musical special promises to be a relaxing and upbeat way to top off the traditional end-of-summer weekend holiday.

Rick Estrin ranks among the very best harmonica players, singers and songwriters in the blues world today.

For more than 30 years and nine albums, Rick fronted the swinging Little Charlie and the Nightcats, featuring guitarist Little Charlie Baty.

With Baty's retirement from touring, Estrin takes the lead on his own along with the Nightcats’ longtime rhythm section of J. Hansen and Lorenzo Farrell and a new member, fiery guitarist Kid Andersen.

Besides his songwriting and musical skills, Estrin is among the most entertaining and colorful showmen around.

His quick wit and signature look – coifed hair, pencil-thin mustache and sharp attire – add even more color to his performances. More information can be found on his web site, www.rickestrin.com.

Gerald Mathis and Starlight will again open for the Blue Wing Labor Day event as they have done to enthusiastic receptions the past two years.

Besides Mathis on keyboards, this Sacramento based group features the talented Anthony Dillard on sax, Tim Hankins on guitar, Greg Anderson on bass and Frank Lemmon on drums.

Also for the third year in a row, Gregory Graham Wines of Lower Lake will co-sponsor the Labor Day event along with Allora DaCar Productions of Nice and KXBX FM 98.3.

Additional sponsors of the event are Glamazon Wines of Upper Lake, Chic le Chef of Middletown, and the October 1 Konocti Challenge Bike Ride sponsored by the Lakeport Rotary.

Beside the music, the ticket price of $50 in advance ($55 at the gate) plus tax includes a gourmet barbeque dinner served in the garden.

Tickets are available by calling the Tallman Hotel at 707-275-2244.

More information including barbecue menu is available at www.tallmanhotel.com/concert.

Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh and the infamous shower scene can be viewed on the big screen on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the Soper Reese Community Theatre, 275 S. Main St. in Lakeport.

Suggested donation is $5. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the film begins at 6 p.m.

This special Lake County showing is part of a new Classic Movie Series recently debuted at the theater that runs on the second Tuesday of every month through June 2012. Check the theater's Web site, www.soperreesetheatre.com, to see what other classics are coming up.

The Soper-Reese Community Theatre is a restored, historic, performing arts venue established in 1949 and seating 300 patrons.

Run by an all-volunteer organization, the theater operates under the guidance of the nonprofit Lake County Arts Council.

The Soper-Reese brings dance, music, plays and poetry to all members of the Lake County community and to visiting tourists.