Bits ‘N Pieces From Our Readers

11/07/2009 01:35

Don,

It’s not exactly my garden, but the river is in full bloom too.

Elke Blodgett
St. Albert

P1000775

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Hey Don,

I just thought I’d let you know I love the Oscar Mayer ‘Wienermobile.’

Jim Starko
St. Albert

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Thank you so much for posting the info I sent you about Lyme disease.

I just posted a link to your site on Eurolyme message board. who knows you just might hear from a few more Brits!

Anon
St. Albert

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Sinc:

Thought you might want to see these. Pretty neat! Hope all is well.

A Reader
London, ON.

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Lost in Nova Scotia! Only a Canadian would get this...
Two American tourists were driving through Nova Scotia. As they were approaching Shubenacadde (shoe-been-aack-id-dee) they started arguing about the pronunciation of the town's name.
They argued back and forth until they stopped for lunch.
As they stood at the counter, one tourist asked the employee, "Before we order, could you please settle an argument for us? Would you please pronounce where we are... ver-r-ry slo-o-owly?"
The waitress leaned over the counter and said; "Tiiimmmmm Hoorrrrttoooonnns."

Loves A Joke
St. Albert

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Hey Don,

How about that, eh – you get to pay an extra $1.00 per month on your TV bill for the pleasure of seeing Dolly baby on a nightly basis and having Classen bring you the weather!

TV Watcher
St. Albert

Ultimate Stair 600x200

Street Sign Skivvies Puzzling Police

10/07/2009 11:36

Someone airing their dirty laundry on public poles

Most people prefer not to air their dirty laundry.

Someone around Beecher Avenue is reveling in it, keeping police trying to figure out who is hanging dirty underwear over street signs — and why.

Jacksonville police received a complaint about 7:10 a.m. Thursday about people in the area partying every night and leaving trash all over.

Not to mention hanging discarded drawers on street signs.

A responding officer found a pair of skivvies hanging from a “no parking” sign on West Beecher Avenue.

The officer went to a nearby residence to investigate, but no one answered.

After a brief attempt to hamper the offender, police decided to, ahem, clothes the case.

SINC SAYS:

Yikes, they’re sticky enough to cling to a sign?

Origami City: Model Crafted Entirely From Paper

10/07/2009 11:34

An origami artist from Japan, Wataru Ito, has spent four years crafting an incredible model city from paper - but now plans to burn it down.

Mr Ito, 25, started building his 'Castle on the Ocean' when he became bored during his university entrance exams.

Using just a knife and glue, the art student built up an entire cityscape over four years by cutting and folding hundreds of pages of craft paper.

The finished piece is now being displayed for the first time at an exhibition on the artificial island of Umihotaru, near Tokyo.

But incredibly, Wataru, a second year student at Tokyo University of the Arts, plans to set his work on fire when the show is over.

He said: "I'm very happy to display my work at a place where people who don't have an interest in arts can come and see it.

"Looking back now I sometimes ask myself 'did I really manage to create this?'

"I am devoted while I am working on my projects but I quickly lose interest when I complete them.

"When the exhibition is over I will burn the castle. I thought I could see it rising up from the ashes if I took a video and played it backwards."

Wataru, who lives in Tokyo but is originally from Saitama, Japan, started working on the castle while he was studying to become an art student.

After failing a university entrance exam three times he focused on this project, which became so large he had to sleep under a table in his tiny flat.

The city's centrepiece is a castle which is loosely based upon El Temple de la Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona, Spain, .

The central tower is surrounded by a cathedral, school, theme park, factory and airport and comes complete with electrical lights and a moving train.

Incredibly, the entire piece - which measures 2.4m by 1.8m and is 1m high - has been crafted using only paper, which Wataru stuck together using craft glue, an art knife and holepuncher.

Couldn’t Hair Less . . .

10/07/2009 11:33

THESE new-born macaque monkeys look a little lost without a layer of fur to hide behind.

But they needn't worry. All stump-tailed macaques like them are born hairless. And within months they will be as covered in fur as their mom and dad.

The family were pictured at a nature reserve in Mount Wuyi, China. The monkeys are among the few animals that suffer later age baldness like humans.

The forest dwellers can live for more than 30 years.

SINC SAYS:

I couldn’t resist monkeying around with this story.

Bumper Stickers That Make You Smile . . .

10/07/2009 11:31

Babies You Seldom See . . .

10/07/2009 11:28

Family Sees Image Of Michael Jackson In Tree Stump

10/07/2009 11:27

A Stockton family believes that the image of Michael Jackson appeared in their tree stump the day he died.

A Stockton family says the image of Michael Jackson appeared on his tree stump the day the King of Pop died.

Like the "Virgin Grilled Mary" or "Cheesus," the family thinks they've got an unusual spiritual image staring right at them from their own front yard. Felix Garcia has lived in the house for 22 years, and has never noticed the apparent image in his birch tree stump.

"I was standing by that bush, and I looked up and saw that image here," Felix said.

Many people in the crowd who gathered to look at the stump Sunday afternoon saw the resemblance, but why would Michael Jackson appear instead of a religious figure -- or even any of the other celebrities who recently passed away?

"Because Michael Jackson was an icon to us," said one neighbor. "To Stockton, Michael Jackson meant more to us than Jesus, to some people. I think they're both about even."

Jackson did visit the city 20 years ago, following the Cleveland School fatal shootings.

From afar, it looks like any other tree. From up close, it looks like any other stump. Not all neighbors are convinced -- some say it looks more like the Scarecrow, and some say it looks like Jesus.

The family says they don't expect their tree to become a shrine to Jackson, but they do hope that nobody tries to cut it down.

SINC SAYS:

Yeah, right.

Pictures That Make You Go Awwww . . .

10/07/2009 11:25

Wisdom To Ponder . . .

10/07/2009 11:23

One Year Deciding What To Wear?

10/07/2009 11:23

Women will spend almost one year of their lives deciding what to wear, a study found.

Choosing outfits for work, nights out, dinner parties, holidays, gym and other activities means the average female will spend 287 days rifling through their wardrobe.

The biggest chunk of that time is used up picking a killer ensemble for Friday or Saturday nights out or selecting the right clothes for a holiday.

Experts found on average women spend 16 minutes every weekday morning deciding what to wear and around 14 minutes on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

A spokesman for clothes giant Matalan, which compiled the results after polling 2,491 women, said: "What you wear has a direct impact on how you feel about yourself and it is important a woman feels exceptional in her outfit.

"Whatever the occasion your clothes portray an image and we understand this is fundamentally important to women."

The study - which was based on an adult lifetime from the age of 16 to 60 - found most women will spend around 20 minutes deciding what to wear before hitting the town on a weekend night.

Week nights out can take up to 20 minutes a time too.

Deciding on what clothes to take on holiday uses up to 52 minutes each time.

While on holiday, ten minutes a morning will be taken up trying to find an acceptable outfit with another ten minutes spent picking evening clothes.

On top of that dinner parties, Christmas parties and black tie events - at around 36 minutes a time six times a year - adds up to three and a half days.

The study also found on average women will try on two outfits each morning before coming to a final decision. And one in two women spend 15 minutes the night before work working out what to wear.

SINC SAYS:

I could get in a lot of trouble commenting on this story, so I won’t say anything about my wait times.

The Smart Car Started Something . . .

10/07/2009 11:19

Unique Vehicles . . .

10/07/2009 11:17

Airport Closure Will Not Impact Edmonton Indy

10/07/2009 11:16

Edmonton's Indy race will not have its wings clipped by the closure of a runway at City Centre Airport.

Officials with the airport and Northlands, the race operator, confirmed Thursday the event will go forward as planned July 26 and again in July 2010.

"We have an agreement with Northlands through 2010 and we will honour that agreement," said Traci Bednard, the airport's vice-president of communications. She said the closure of runway 16-34 will have no impact at all on the race this month or next year.

The three-year sanctioning deal between Northlands and the Indy Racing League expires after the 2010 race and there have been no discussions yet on an extension, according to IRL and Northlands officials.

However, Northlands president Ken Knowles said on Thursday that Northlands would talk to the IRL when they get here for the Rexall Edmonton Indy later this month.

"We will be sitting down with the IRL when they're in town," Knowles said. "We do have one year remaining on a contract and we will be negotiating on a go-forward basis with the IRL to try to bring some longevity to the race.

"I do think it's too premature to speculate on what might happen down the road.

"We'll be working very closely with the city of Edmonton to find out what the plans are and the timing of the schedule (of closing the airport)."

Edmonton city council voted 10-3 Wednesday to shut down the airport in stages, beginning with the closure of runway 16-34, which runs parallel to NAIT. The Indy track does not incorporate or intersect that runway. The track uses a portion of runway 12-30 which will stay open for the time being.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Um, hmm, . . . sure. Let’s see what happens after 2010.

Danica Patrick Shifts Into Victory Mode

10/07/2009 11:16

Danica Patrick has been cruising along in the fast lane since the Indy Racing League got underway.

Of the nine starts she has made on the open wheel race circuit this season, seven have turned into top-10 finishes.

Of those seven finishes, five have been top-five results, including a third-place finish at the prestigious Indianapolis 500.

Close has been good enough to keep her thinking another victory could be around the next corner.

"Running consistently every weekend says you are going to have a chance at that win at some point. If you consistently run in the top five, the odds should be in your favor. You should have that opportunity to come across the line first," said Patrick, who is in Toronto preparing for the first Canadian race of the season.

In two weeks time, she'll be back in River City to challenge the City Centre Airport track at the Rexall Edmonton Indy.

"It is quite rough at Edmonton, so you have to hang on and be on top of that car but it makes for better racing on tracks like that are more open. You have an opportunity to pass," Patrick continued.

"There's somewhere to go if you go into the corner and maybe get sideways. On other tracks, you'll hit the wall."

Last July, in her first go-round in Edmonton, Patrick was 13 laps from the finish line when she was bumped by teammate Marco Andretti. Left with a flat tire and a car in need of a restart, she had to make an unscheduled pit stop, which cost her all the ground she had made up earlier in the race.

She was 18th by day's end. She had started in the 14th spot.

That was then. That was in the midst of a season where Patrick, now 27, had taken the checkered flag in Japan in April 2008, becoming the first woman to win an Indy race. She turned more heads with some of her pit lane arguments--most notably the post-race debate she had with Milka Duno.

This season hasn't been without controversy either. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Patrick was asked if she could take a performance enhancing drug that would enable her to win Indy but not get caught, would she do it.

"Well, then it's not cheating, is it?" she responded. "If nobody finds out? . . . In motorsports we work in the grey areas a lot. You're trying to find where the holes are in the rule book."

She later issued an apology and said again on Thursday used the defence that she was just kidding.

"I know from now on that it's something I won't be joking about," she said.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

It will be great to have Danica in the field for the Edmonton Indy on July 26. Wouldn’t it be great if she made the Edmonton Indy her first victory in 2009?

Aussie Masters Tickets Sell Quickly, Tiger In Field

10/07/2009 11:15

MELBOURNE, Australia - Tiger Woods' first scheduled appearance in Australia since 1998 is already paying dividends for Australian Masters organizers.

Tournament officials said Friday that premium grandstand seating on the 18th hole had sold out for every day of the Nov. 12-15 tournament at Kingston Heath.

All daily passes have been purchased for Friday's second round, and less than 10 per cent of daily passes for Sunday's fourth round remain to be sold. Organizers have placed a limit of 20,000 spectators per day on the course to ensure high security.

The Victorian state government, which is contributing to Woods' reported US$3 million appearance fee, welcomed the news of the ticket surge.

"Melbourne is the only place fans will see the world's greatest golfer compete in Australia for some time so I'm not surprised at the unprecedented level of interest," state Premier John Brumby said.

"Thousands of tickets have been sold to interstate and overseas tourists who will come to Melbourne helping to boost tourism and securing jobs for Victorians."

It will be Woods' fourth tournament appearance Down Under and first since the 1998 Presidents Cup, when the U.S. lost to the International team at Royal Melbourne.

His first visit was at the 1996 Australian Open on The Australian course in Sydney, where Woods finished tied for fifth, 12 strokes behind winner Greg Norman.

He played in the 1997 Australian Masters at Hungtingdale in Melbourne, where he finished tied for eighth in the event, seven shots behind winner Peter Lonard of Australia.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I think if I had the chance to watch Tiger golf live, I’d snap up a ticket too. As a matter of fact, I’m going to make that one of SWIVEL HIPS’ new priorities. It looks like the $3 million appearance fee the Australian government is giving Woods is already starting to pay off.

Fans Line Up To Pay Respects To Steve McNair

10/07/2009 11:15

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Steve McNair's pastor and close friend cautioned against judging the ex-NFL quarterback Thursday, reminding people who gathered for his memorial not to cast the first stone when talking about his life off the field.

McNair, who was married, was shot to death at his condo early Saturday by his 20-year-old girlfriend, Sahel Kazemi, who then turned the gun on herself.

"Drop your stone the next time you write about Steve McNair. Drop your stone the next time you text somebody. Drop your stone the next time you twitter.

"Drop your stone, those of you in the barbershops, the beauty shops. Those of you walking the streets on the corner, drop your stone," Bishop Joseph W. Walker III told thousands of people, among them family members, fans and more than 50 former teammates, gathered at Mount Zion Baptist Church.

"What I do know about this man was that he loved God though he was just like us: imperfect," Walked said. "But he knew God."

Among those in the audience was McNair's wife, Mechelle, who later left wearing sunglasses. Walker called her an amazing woman.

"You have inspired us all to endure hardship as a good soldier," he said.

It was her first public appearance since her husband died, and news photographers were asked not to take pictures of her or other family members.

Fans had lined up starting Thursday morning to view McNair's closed silvery-gray casket at a funeral home and later outside the church.

A helicopter provided live TV footage as McNair's body was moved by hearse, and three of four local TV stations showed the memorial service live.

McNair's casket was on display at Mount Zion Baptist Church, where he had attended services since moving to Nashville in 1997. It was flanked by a large photo of him posing with his 2003 NFL MVP award on the right and another of him holding a football on the left.

The program included a statement from the McNair family.

"Today in our loss, our hurt, and our pain we recognize our gains in you our friends and loved ones ... They have all been a source of strength and comfort at this time to our family," it read.

Titans owner Bud Adams, Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean all attended.

Among those speaking was Titans coach Jeff Fisher, who recalled a hit McNair took to his chest in September 2000 that had the NFL quarterback ready to quit the game.

He was in so much pain that he spent a bye weekend with the team's former chaplain in Houston.

Then McNair, who struggled to breathe, watched his backup knocked out of the Titans' next game. Fisher said McNair looked at him, winked, tossed two passes and then drove them down the field to a game-winning touchdown.

Fisher said he caught up to McNair walking off the field that day in Pittsburgh and started to talk when the quarterback interrupted and pointed to the sky.

"No more turf toe, no more sacks. No more shoulder problems, and no more interceptions, only touchdown passes. I'm going to miss you No. 9," Fisher said.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

McNair was one helluva quarterback.

Witt Gets Roll In 2018 Munich Olympic Bid

10/07/2009 11:14

MUNICH - Two-time Olympic figure skating champion Katarina Witt will have a leading role in Munich's bid for the 2018 Winter Games.

The 43-year-old Witt was presented Thursday as the head of a 23-member board of trustees for the bid. The board also includes soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer, who brought the 2006 World Cup to Germany, and former Olympic skiing champion Rosi Mittermaier.

Other members include interior minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Richard von Weizsaecker, a former German president.

Witt, a former East German, won gold in Calgary in 1988 and in Sarajevo four years earlier.

Pyeongchang, South Korea, and Annecy, France, are also in the running for the 2018 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee will choose the host in 2011.

"I promise that we in the board of trustees will do everything so that the IOC can only say in 2011: 'The Games must go to Munich,'" Witt said.

Munich is aiming to become the first city to host both the summer and winter Olympics. The 1972 Summer Games were held there.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Katarina Witt is the main reason I started watching women’s figure skating. She had some real nice 'outfits' in the late-1980s . . .

Judge Blocks Suspensions Of Vikes Kevin, Pat Williams

10/07/2009 11:13

MINNEAPOLIS -- A judge on Thursday blocked the NFL's plan to suspend Minnesota Vikings linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for violating the league's anti-doping policy, a move their lawyer said should let them start the season.

Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson granted the players' request for a temporary restraining order that keeps the NFL from suspending them until their case is decided. The order also prohibits the league from subjecting them to extra drug testing.

The Williamses "would suffer a significant loss of playing time" without the restraining order, the judge wrote, and they have shown "some likelihood" of winning their lawsuit.

Peter Ginsberg, a lawyer for the two players, called the order a "major victory" and said that at a minimum it should allow them to play for the early part of the upcoming season. He said it also protects them from stepped-up drug testing that they consider to be retaliation for standing up to the NFL.

The NFL had intended to enforce the players' four-game suspensions at the start of the season. The first pre-season game is Aug. 14 and the season-opener is Sept. 13 at Cleveland.

The NFL still wants to enforce the players' four-game suspensions at the start of the season. The first preseason game is Aug. 14 and the season-opener is Sept. 13 at Cleveland.

The judge also scheduled a July 22 hearing on whether he should put the state court proceedings on hold while a federal appeals court considers other issues in the case. The federal appeals process could take several months and could further delay any suspensions if Larson decides to wait.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the court order "effectively exempts" the Williamses from the league's collective bargaining agreement.

It also "illustrates the critical importance of a uniform policy for all teams in the league and why this matter should be governed exclusively by federal law," Aiello said. He said the NFL believes its federal appeal, which argues that the players' state claims are barred by the union contract, should be resolved before the start of the season.

Ginsberg said he and the Williamses are ready to go to trial. He said it wouldn't be fair to anyone to have a trial that conflicts with the season.

The defensive tackles, who are not related, tested positive last summer for a banned diuretic that can mask the presence of steroids, though they've never been accused of taking steroids. They took the weight-loss supplement StarCaps, which contained a diuretic, bumetanide, that wasn't listed on the label.

The NFL has acknowledged it knew StarCaps contained the banned drug, and the players say the NFL wrongly failed to share that information.

U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson last month dismissed most of the Williamses' original lawsuit and a related case filed by the NFL Players Association, but sent the Williamses' case back to state court to resolve two remaining claims under Minnesota law. Those claims involve whether the NFL violated the players' rights under a state law that regulates drug and alcohol testing in the workplace, and under another state law that governs disciplining employees for consuming legal products off their employer's premises during non-working hours.

The Williamses, the players union and the NFL are all appealing various parts of that order. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has tentatively scheduled oral arguments for Aug. 18 in St. Paul.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I think the Williams’ should forget these ‘stall tactics’ and take their punishments like men.

Ex-NFL Great Bruce Smith Convicted Of Drunk Driving

10/07/2009 11:07

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia -- NFL great Bruce Smith was convicted of drunken driving on Thursday by a judge who rejected his claim that old injuries, not alcohol, were responsible for his poor performance on field sobriety tests.

Smith declined to answer reporters' questions after his trial in Virginia Beach General District Court. He promptly appealed the verdict to Virginia Beach Circuit Court, which set a hearing in the case for Aug. 27.

Smith also was convicted of speeding and refusing to take an alcohol breath test. Judge Teresa McCrimmon gave Smith a 90-day suspended jail term and fined him $350 for drunken driving. She also suspended his driver's license for a year for refusing the breath test and fined him $90 for speeding.

The appeal is scheduled less than three weeks after Smith's Aug. 7 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Smith, 46, ended a 19-year career with the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins as the NFL's all-time sacks leader. The defensive lineman played in 11 Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro selection nine times before retiring after the 2003 season.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Is it just me, or are there a lot of former and current NFL football players getting themselves into hot water with the law these days?

Phelps Erases World Record In 100-Metre Butterfly

10/07/2009 11:07

INDIANAPOLIS - Michael Phelps has broken the world record in the 100-metre butterfly at the U.S. national championships.

The 14-time Olympic gold medallist swam the two-lap final in 50.22 seconds at the Indiana University Natatorium on Thursday night. He lowered Ian Crocker's mark of 50.40 set at the 2005 world championships in Montreal.

Phelps had once owned the 100 fly mark for a day at the 2003 world meet in Barcelona. But Crocker took it from him a day later, then lowered it twice more.

Phelps' victory gave him a spot in the event at the world championships later this month in Rome. He already qualified in the 200 fly and 200 freestyle as he continues his transformation from swimming middle distances to sprints.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Ho, hum . . . another world record bites the dust, courtesy of Michael Phelps.

Added Note To Blue Bag Letter Of July 8th

10/07/2009 04:22

I see Jim Starko's message of July 8th, and raise him one more level of insanity.

In Sturgeon, we had Waste Management trucks picking up the large green toters from those selected homes that subscribe to that service instead, as well as the standard garbage truck, and the recycling truck.

So that's 30 % more entertainment in our neighbourhood.

Bixman
St. Albert

SINC SAYS:

Most residents have already decided that the blue bag recycling program is a colossal waste of time and effort and is bad for the environment with the extra exhaust of the added big trucks.

Ultimate Stair 600x200

LIME FOR LYME

10/07/2009 04:22

These beautiful lime coloured Begonias seen at Hampton Court RHS show yesterday have inspired me to write this post, something everyone, but particularly gardeners and especially journalists should know.

The Infectious Diseases Society of America’s new Lyme disease guidelines review panel will hold a one day hearing on July 30 2009. This hearing is part of the antitrust settlement that the Connecticut Attorney General negotiated.

On May 1st of 2008 the Att. General announced this review, after investigations of the previous panel members had found significant conflicts of interest financial in Insurance,Vaccine production and research. They were found to have excluded members from the board who had a divergent point of view and had excluded research articles that had a different view whilst supporting their view by their own research.

It's an unprecedented action - the first time a medical society has been investigated and forced to re-examine its guidelines.

Full story here.

SINC SAYS:

This is important information for those who live with Lyme disease. It would seem it is finally going to get the attention it deserves to assist victims.

Playing This Weekend At LB's Pub

10/07/2009 04:21

Oscar Mayer, Retired Chairman, Passes Away

10/07/2009 04:21

Oscar Mayer has died. The retired chairman of the famous Madison hot dog and lunch meat company passed away this week in Fitchburg at a hospice care unit. He was 95.

He was the third Oscar Mayer in a family which founded the company that bore his name.

His father, Oscar G. Mayer Sr., died in 1965.

And his grandfather, Oscar F. Mayer, passed away in 1955.

Mayer retired as the company’s board chairman in 1977 when he was 62.

The firm had just recorded its first year with $1 billion in sales.

SINC SAYS:

That is sad. I always loved that little kid that sang their theme song. And who could forget the wienermobile?

dave'sad

The Musings Of Maxine . . .

10/07/2009 04:21

The Best Of National Geographic

10/07/2009 04:21

Passengers' Mid-Air Terror

10/07/2009 04:21

A passenger's photograph shows the damage done when a propeller came off the Great Barrier Airlines aircraft's engine in mid-flight.

Passengers on a Great Barrier Airlines flight watched in horror as a propeller came off in mid-air, smashing a window on their aircraft and ripping a door off.

"It was like an explosion going off inside the plane," one told the Herald yesterday.

"The propeller came off and hit the side of the plane ...
"Both propeller blades came off - the whole thing just destroyed itself. It just completely self-destructed.

"A door got ripped off and the side of the plane got smashed in - we all got covered in glass.

"There was a huge amount of debris that we were just covered in. There were chunks the size of golfballs that came back and hit you."

The passenger said the 11.30am Sunday flight to Auckland from Claris Airfield was a six-minute nightmare.

The plane made an emergency landing at Claris.

The man, who did not want to be named, was one of 11, including the pilot, on board the three-engine plane.

He said the impact of the propeller, which came from the engine on the right wing, was terrifying.

Passengers noticed the Trislander engine wobbling during takeoff.

"It was just lucky there was one seat spare - that was where it hit and pushed the side of the aircraft in.

"If someone had been sitting there they would have been injured quite severely.

"Everyone remained fairly calm on the aircraft but everyone was fairly nervous of what had happened - thinking 'are we going to survive this? Is the aircraft going to break up?"'

One passenger pulled his camera out while the plane was still in the air.

"The guy I was sitting beside, he had the initiative to grab his camera out, but he was shaking so much he had some trouble taking pictures so I did it."

SINC SAYS:

I have twice in my life been on board a plane in trouble and I remember the feeling well. Not a nice experince, I can assure you.

Some Cats Will Sleep Anywhere . . .

10/07/2009 04:21

When Cars Were Cars . . .

10/07/2009 04:21

Each one was a thing of beauty and a work of art.

1957 Chrysler 300C Convertible

1959 Mercury 4-Door Hardtop

1950 Studebaker Starlight

Colorado Company Offers Banana Coffins

10/07/2009 04:21

DENVER - Casket makers catering to natural burials have offered biodegradable coffins made of such materials as recycled newspapers or cardboard.

Ecoffins USA, based in Montrose, Colo., is selling caskets made of banana sheaves.
They take six months to two years to biodegrade.

Marketing director Joanna Passarelli says the company sold $40,000 worth of banana-sheaf or bamboo coffins to funeral homes last year.

At least 14 funeral homes around the country offer them.

"We either get an, Oh, my,' or, That's very interesting,' " Passarelli said. "Some people think it's a great idea. We've had funeral directors look at them and say, I guess you can go to hell in a handbasket now.' "

In natural burials, bodies aren't embalmed and eventually decompose into the earth.

Ecoffins USA is the sister company of The SAWD Partnership, which has helped fuel the "green" funeral movement in the United Kingdom.

Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home and Crematorium in Franklin, Ill., has sold one banana Ecoffin since it started offering Ecoffins in the last several months.

Stephen Dawson, owner and president of Sax-Tiedemann, said it's not that far removed from the woven baskets funeral homes used in the 1950s and 60s to pick up bodies from hospitals and nursing homes.

Passarelli contends the bamboo and banana coffins, made in Asia, are better for the environment than the cremation process.

Her interest in ecofriendly coffins grew after her son's school showed the movie "An Inconvenient Truth" in which Al Gore warns of climate change. Her son came home wondering why he should bother with homework if the world would be destroyed.

"I said if everybody did one little thing it would have a snowball effect," she said.

SINC SAYS:

I wonder if they put a cherry on top?

The Farm Paintings Of Robert Duncan . . .

10/07/2009 04:21

Pictures Taken At Just the Wrong Time . . .

10/07/2009 04:21

TSN 25: The Trade That Shocked The Nation

10/07/2009 04:21

In honour of TSN's 25th Anniversary, TSN.ca is taking a look at some of the top sports stories over the last 25 years. Next up, the Edmonton Oilers' trade of Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings.

On August 9, 1988, Edmonton Oilers owner Peter Pocklington shocked the sporting world when he traded superstar centre Wayne Gretzky, along with defenceman Marty McSorley and left winger Mike Krushelnyski to the Los Angeles Kings for centre Jimmy Carson, left winger Martin Gelinas, three first-round draft picks (in 1989, 1991 and 1993) and $15-million in cash.

The trade sent shockwaves through the sporting world. Not since Babe Ruth had the best player in the game been sold off in his prime and the fan outrage was immediate; not just from Oilers fans, but from Canadian hockey fans in general, who felt that a national treasure was being lost as a result of the trade.

In the aftermath of the deal, Gretzky's wife, actress Janet Jones, who Gretzky had married in an extravagant ceremony less than a month before, was labeled as the Yoko Ono to Wayne's John Lennon; the public assuming that Jones was responsible for pulling Gretzky away from his team in Edmonton and down to Hollywood, a location that was more advantageous to her career.

In hindsight, economics were at the heart of this trade, as Pocklington was swimming in debt and knew that selling Gretzky, his most valuable asset, could help him in that respect.

Conversely, Kings owner Bruce McNall was a mover and shaker in NHL circles and saw the potential of Gretzky as an investment. (Of course, McNall had his own financial troubles, but those wouldn't come to light until years later.)

The fallout of the Gretzky trade has, not surprisingly, been dramatic.

One of the obvious realizations that came out of the Gretzky trade is the knowledge that if the best player in the league can be traded, then anyone could be moved.

"There's no player in any sport that isn't trade bait," said McNall, and that principle now comes up seemingly every year as high-profile players simply can't dismiss the thought that they could be traded.

After all, if Wayne Gretzky could be traded, it takes a special kind of audacity to think that would make a current player exempt from that same kind of treatment and that may, in some small way, be the incentive for so many current NHL players to seek no-trade or no-movement clauses in their contracts.

Perhaps the most notable long-term result of the Gretzky trade was providing the impetus for the NHL's southern expansion, with new teams in Anaheim, San Jose, Dallas, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Florida, Atlanta, Nashville and Phoenix all owing some measure of thanks for their existence in the league to the profile that The Great One brought to hockey in Southern California.

"I remember the first weekend I was in L.A.," Gretzky told TSN. "I was going by these tennis courts and I stopped the car and told my friend, 'If we were in Canada, people would be playing inline and ball hockey here.' A year later there was a sign on the fence that read, 'No Inline Hockey Allowed.' It's come a long way; there are minor hockey teams in California now and in Arizona that can compete with the top teams in Canada and they're very good. There aren't as many, but we are getting to that point."

While the success of the southern expansion is certainly fair game for debate, there's no denying that Gretzky's impact in L.A. was the reason it has gained any traction whatsoever.

The trade of Wayne Gretzky, just months after the league's best player led his team to its fourth Stanley Cup championship, also disillusioned Canadian sports fans to the point that it could be considered the sporting equivalent of the JFK Assassination a generation before - everyone seemed to recall where they were when the heard the news.

For all the major trades that have occurred in sports over the last 25 years, there isn't another that comes close to resonating the same way for so many people.

So, where were you when you found out about the Gretzky trade? How did it make you feel? What has been the long-term effect? Have your say using the Your Call feature.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I’ll never forget where I was on that day.

Joe Sakic Retires After 20 NHL Seasons

10/07/2009 04:21

DENVER - Stoic Joe Sakic finally cracked, allowing for a rare show of emotion.

Delivering a speech that had kept him up most of the night fretting, the longtime Colorado Avalanche captain broke down, his voice betraying him as he stared into a room packed with family, friends and teammates -- even the governor of the state.

Sakic officially hung up his skates Thursday, ending his standout 20-year career. Try as he might, he simply couldn't get through his prepared speech without choking up.

"So many great memories," Sakic said, fighting back tears.

The pride of Burnaby, B.C., Sakic had hoped to play one more season, possibly culminating his career by suiting up for Canada at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

His body simply wouldn't allow it.

Sakic missed most of the 2008-09 season with an aching back that required surgery to repair a herniated disk. He tried to make his way back onto the ice before the end of the season, but couldn't.

That's when he suspected his career was finished.

"I didn't think I could be the player I wanted to be," said the 40-year-old Sakic, who has been the face of the franchise since the team moved to Denver in 1995. "I always said to myself that the minute I thought I'd slipped, and not be the player I wanted to be, it was time for me to go."

Sakic announced his retirement in the same room of a Denver hotel where John Elway did. Only fitting, since both were icons in the Mile High City.

"We can't put into words what he meant to this franchise and to our hockey fans," Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix said.

Sakic's No. 19 sweater will also be retired, getting raised to the Pepsi Centre rafters during a ceremony at the season opener, which is not yet scheduled.

It will be just the third in the 14-year history of the Avalanche, joining Patrick Roy (33) and Ray Bourque (77). The organization also retired four when they were the Quebec Nordiques.

"He's such a great leader. He made the team top-notch," Paul Stastny said.

Sakic once played alongside Paul Stastny's father, Peter, the two on the same power-play unit in Quebec.

"He was a complete player and one of the greatest in history," Peter Stastny said in a statement.

Sakic certainly had an impressive resume.

He wore the captain's "C" for 16 straight seasons and guided the team to Stanley Cup titles in 1996 and 2001, won league MVP honours in 2001, was a 13-time all-star and led Canada to an Olympic gold medal in 2002.

Sakic also won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship in 2001, showing his true character by handing the Stanley Cup over to Bourque after winning the title and letting the longtime defenseman hoist the trophy.

It was a moment that friend and longtime teammate Adam Foote mentioned in his speech Thursday.

"A humble superstar that you are, you stood back, you let a gray-bearded, 22-year seasoned veteran, who was waiting patiently like a young boy on Christmas morning, hoist his first Stanley Cup," Foote said.

"That class act of yours might go down in history as one of the NHL's most memorable moments that united the entire hockey world."

Foote will remember Sakic as much for his class as his clutch play on the ice.

So will Lacroix, who choked up repeatedly when giving his speech. Sakic waited to announce his retirement until Lacroix was healed following complications from a knee replacement surgery.

"My family and I are privileged to know you. We're better people because of that," Lacroix said. "You make everyone around you so much better."

Known for his lethal wrist shot and precision passing, Sakic leaves the game among the NHL's career scoring leaders. He's eighth in points (1,641), 11th in assists (1,016) and 14th in goals (625).

He was never an intimidating presence -- he's only five-foot-11 and 195 pounds -- but made up for it with determination and intelligence.

There are only four players in league history that have scored more points with one franchise than Sakic: Gordie Howe (1,809) and Steve Yzerman (1,755) with Detroit, Mario Lemieux with Pittsburgh (1,723) and Wayne Gretzky with Edmonton (1,669).

Sakic was originally taken by Quebec with the 15th pick in the 1987 draft. He made his NHL debut on Oct. 6, 1988, picking up his first assist against the then Hartford Whalers. Two nights later against New Jersey, he scored his first goal.

That would be a familiar occurrence for the quiet superstar.

"I'm sad to see him leave the game," former teammate Peter Forsberg said in a statement. "I'm glad I got the chance to play alongside him for many years ... He's a very classy person and a great team leader."

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

What a classy guy and what a great leader.

Whitlock Looks Forward To Carrying The Load

10/07/2009 04:21

MONTREAL -- In Arkee Whitlock's eyes, the main difference between him and the man he's replacing as Edmonton's starting running back is very obvious.

Already deprived of their prized free agent acquisition Jesse Lumsden in week two of the Canadian Football League season, the Eskimos have placed their faith in a rookie who presents a very different look for defences to start against the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday night (TSN, 7:30 p.m. ET).

"I'm a lot smaller," Whitlock said with a laugh Wednesday when asked to compare himself to Lumsden. "Obviously Jesse's a bigger, more powerful back that also has speed. I think I'm just a little different because I use my speed and vision to avoid a lot of contact. I'm a very instinctive runner."

The oft-injured Lumsden did not survive the first quarter of his first game in green and gold, separating his shoulder on a hit by Winnipeg linebacker Siddeeq Shabazz in a season-opening 19-17 win, an injury that will cost him at least nine weeks.

Eskimos GM Danny Maciocia said he knew Lumsden came with a risk, considering his problems with shoulder, knee and ankle injuries over his five years with the Hamilton Tiger Cats.

This is why Maciocia felt it was important to have a backup plan, and he said Whitlock has been on his radar for the last couple of years. Whitlock had a prolific collegiate career at Southern Illinois University, claiming the school's all-time records for all purpose yards, scoring and rushing touchdowns in only three seasons.

He signed as a rookie free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2007 and spent the past two seasons on their practice roster before signing with the Esks in April.

"We knew, just because of Jesse's history, that if something did happen we'd have to be able to punch someone in there and pick up where we left off," Maciocia said. "We didn't think it would be in week two, but (Whitlock) has to take this opportunity and run with it."

"A lot of guys wait in the shadows for this kind of opportunity, and I'm one of those guys," he said. "I'm trying not to get over-excited. I just want to maintain focus and remember first and foremost that I have to take advantage of this opportunity."

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

As I have said before, Arkee Whitlock is one of most exciting running backs SWIVEL HIPS can ever remember in the Eskimos’ lineup. He reminds me a lot of John Avery, when Avery first came to the CFL with the Eskimos a number of years ago. Let’s hope he just burns the league up.

Tavares Welcomed As New Face Of Islanders

10/07/2009 04:21

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- John Tavares' confident stride, friendly wave, broad smile and polished words didn't give away nervousness that had to be running through him on his first real day as the face of the New York Islanders.

Not even two weeks after the 18-year-old centre from Ontario lived a dream by going No. 1 in the NHL draft, Tavares dealt with the reality that he's joining a team in the early stages of a rebuilding process and coming off the worst record in the league.

He said the right things Wednesday after he was introduced to a crowd of about 500 loyal fans and drew applause and cheers from the die-hards, who came to Nassau Coliseum in the middle of the summer with hopes of better times ahead in the winter.

Tavares' name and face were plastered on the centre-ice scoreboard that was lowered to provide a backdrop to the makeshift stage on the bare arena floor. Season-ticket holders bought T-shirts with his name and No. 91 on the back, and yelled encouragement at him.

To say he's being counted on to restore lost glory would be a gross understatement.

"I don't think I'm looking to be the saviour. I'm just one player of many, part of a team and an organization to bring a winning tradition back here," Tavares said.

The trouble is, playoff-starved Long Islanders are expecting big things from him and the young core of players such as past first-round picks Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey.

Patience has worn thin.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I wonder if John Tavares will have as big an impact on the New York Islanders as Sidney Crosby had on the Pittsburgh Penguins?

John Daly To Play In Canadian Open

10/07/2009 04:21

OAKVILLE, Ont. -- John Daly is coming to the Canadian Open.

Daly, one of golf's biggest attractions, has accepted an invitation to play in the tournament later this month near Toronto.

Daly, whose last appearance in Canada came in 2007, is in the process of reviving his PGA career. He had been playing on the European Tour since he was suspended six months by the PGA Tour last winter for conduct off the golf course, including one night in a North Carolina jail to get sober.

"John has dealt with some personal and health issues that have affected him both on and off the golf course," Canadian Open tournament director Bill Paul said in a statement.

"But in my most recent conversations with John, he is committed to his PGA Tour career."

The two-time major champion returned to the PGA circuit in June at the St. Jude Classic, where he tied for 59th. Daly is set to play at the British Open next week at Turnberry.

"When Bill called to offer me the exemption I reassured him that I'm healthy and looking forward to getting back to Glen Abbey," said Daly. "I've always enjoyed coming up to Canada to play in this event and am extremely grateful for all the support I've received from Canadian golf fans over the years."

The final field of confirmed players for the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club will be unveiled on July 17th.

The event can be seen on TSN starting on Thursday, July 23rd.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

‘Big’ John Daly’s presence will certainly be a boon to the Canadian Open. After all, it can use all the help it can get.

Police Confirm McNair Killed In Murder-Suicide

10/07/2009 04:21

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Former NFL star Steve McNair was shot dead in his sleep last week by a 20-year-old girlfriend distraught about mounting financial problems and her belief that he was seeing someone else, police said Wednesday.

Investigators may never know why Kazemi shot McNair four times as he dozed on a sofa early Saturday before turning the gun on herself, Police Chief Ronal Serpas said.

But interviews with friends revealed that she was making payments on two cars, her rent was doubling and she suspected the married McNair was having a second affair with another young woman.

She told a friend on Friday that "My life is a ball of s--- and I should end it," Serpas said.

Police earlier had labelled McNair's death a homicide, but waited for further tests and the revelations about Kazemi's personal problems before concluding that she pulled the trigger in a condominium McNair rented with a friend.

McNair, 36, a quarterback for the Tennessee Titans most of his career, met Kazemi six months ago at a restaurant where she was a waitress and his family often ate. She seemed happy and eager to build a life with him, but something went wrong.

"We do know that she was clearly sending a message during the last five to seven days of her life that things were going bad quickly," Serpas said, though there was no indication she told anyone she planned to harm McNair.

Serpas said detectives learned that Kazemi recently found out about another young woman she thought McNair was romantically involved with and had even followed that woman home, though she did not confront her.

Serpas said police believe McNair was asleep when he was killed because there were no defensive wounds. After shooting McNair in the head, Kazemi apparently shot him twice in the chest before shooting him again in the head.

Before shooting herself, she sat next to his body and "tried to stage it so she would fall in his lap," Serpas said. She did, but her body slid to the floor and ended up at McNair's feet. The gun was found underneath her.

Kazemi's family told reporters that the woman was so confident McNair was divorcing his wife of 12 years that she was preparing to sell her furniture and move in with him.

But associate Mike Mu, who has worked with McNair's charitable association for years, said McNair's wife, Mechelle McNair, "didn't know who this girl is." No records of divorce proceedings have surfaced.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

While the ending to this story is truly tragic, the story itself is, unfortunately, not all that uncommon.

Montreal Organizers Hope Federer, Nadal Are In

10/07/2009 04:21

MONTREAL - Organizers of the Rogers Cup tennis tournament said Wednesday they are keeping their fingers crossed Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will be able to play next month in Montreal.

Nadal's chances of appearing at the Aug. 8-16 event are good despite the Spaniard's knee injury which prevented him from playing at Wimbledon, tournament director Eugene Lapierre told a news conference.

Lapierre said he received word from Nadal's entourage this week that the defending champion will be ready for Montreal.

"When he decided not to play Wimbledon, I contacted his spokesperson," Lapierre said. "I saw a rumour that he was going to be off until the U.S. Open.

"He (the spokesman) responded to me right away. `This is complete nonsense. We will see you in Montreal.' His answer was as short as that."

And Lapierre said the same spokesman was back in touch this week to say Nadal's handlers were insisting the world's second-ranked player would be in Montreal.

But the news regarding his great rival Federer was not as clear.

His spouse Mirka is scheduled to give birth just as the tournament gets going and the Swiss superstar hasn't indicated yet whether he will be at the event.

"I'll tell you that right after Wimbledon, I was maybe a bit pessimistic," Lapierre said. "I told myself it would be difficult with the birth and with the fact he had just accomplished everything he had set out to (win the French Open and Wimbledon to give him a record 15 Grand Slam titles).

"But then I heard him say he was going to take five weeks of rest, which would take us up exactly to the beginning of the tournament. On his Internet site, he said he expects to play the Rogers Cup. And he also said he wants to keep playing and remain the world's No. 1. To do that, he has to keep winning and do well at the U.S. Open. And to do well at the U.S. Open he has to play events beforehand."

Lapierre said organizers are pulling out all the stops to lure Federer.

"If ever his wife has already given birth, we're offering him a house, along with a nurse, instead of having them stay at a hotel. And if she hasn't, we're giving him the option of flying back as quickly as possible on a private jet to be there for the birth."

Top-ranked players who are scheduled to play include Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick.

Canada's Frank Dancevic and Peter Polansky have been given spots in the main draw.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I’ll tell you what, folks, if Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are both entered in the Rogers Cup tennis tournament in Montreal next month, it has the potential to be one hell of an event and Montreal-area tennis fans are very lucky.

Carolyn Bivens Out As LPGA Commissioner

10/07/2009 04:21

Bethlehem, PA (Sports Network) - The LPGA Tour has decided not to retain embattled commissioner Carolyn Bivens for the final two years of her contract, according to a Golfweek magazine report.

According to the report, which was posted on the magazine's Web site Thursday, the LPGA's Board of Directors has decided to move forward with a search to find a replacement.

A tour media official told The Sports Network in an e-mail that Bivens has not resigned her position.

The Golfweek story comes on the heels of reports of a player revolt among some of the tour's top stars.

According to published accounts, a group of players that included Lorena Ochoa, Michelle Wie, Juli Inkster, Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr, penned a letter asking the board to remove Bivens from her post. Some of the players confirmed they signed the letter.

Concerns about the tour's direction under Bivens have increased over the past several years as events -- seven since 2007 -- have fallen off the schedule.

There are only 10 tournaments confirmed for 2010.

Bivens, hired in 2005, is open to a buyout of the contract that reportedly pays her $500,000 a year, according to another report posted Thursday on the Web site of Sports Business Daily.

A statement from LPGA chief communications officer David Higdon said the tour is focused on play at this week's U.S. Women's Open.

"Out of respect to the USGA and the amazing work that they've done and continue to do in producing and hosting this great event, we will not respond to media reports on internal matters related to the LPGA business," Higdon said in the statement.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Well, folks, it looks like the palace revolt worked.

Pictures From Our Reader's Gardens

09/07/2009 05:32

This reader wrote: "Unusual Colored Peonies from one of your Birdies . . ."

Ultimate Stair 600x200

New Blue Bag Program Inefficient And Too Costly?

09/07/2009 05:32

Yesterday was pickup day for garbage in my neighbourhood.

I put out my one black bag a month. That's all I ever have. Properly tagged.

The truck went to houses on either side of me and picked up many black bags, including piles of newspapers not in a bag, but left my one bag.

I had to call in and ask them to come back. Cost and time efficiency?

Cost to me: $11.55 per month for PAYT, (1 bag every 2 weeks), plus the new blue bag fee, I think $5.50 That is what it costs to put one bag at the curb a month, and hope it gets picked up. Still waiting.

Oh yes, two big trucks had to make the rounds, one for blue and one for black bags. Great for air quality and impact on our crumbling roads!

No Name Please
St. Albert

SINC SAYS:

So there you have it folks, a brilliant move to cause retirees yet more expense for poor service with no way to opt out. Sometimes all one can do is shake your head.

Drunk Badger Blocks German Road

09/07/2009 05:32

BERLIN (AFP) – German police called to clear a road of a dead badger found the animal in question had in fact gorged itself on over-ripe, fermented cherries and, blind drunk, staggered out into the middle of the road.

"The animal's stomach had turned the fruit to alcohol and the badger was, to put it crudely, drunk as a skunk," said a police statement on Wednesday. "In addition, the badger was suffering from diarrhoea studded with cherry stones."
Prodding the reluctant beast with a stick, officers managed to persuade it to leave the road near the town of Goslar in northwestern Germany and to sleep off his night of excess in a nearby meadow.

"It could not immediately be established whether the badger got into trouble with his wife when he came home in such a state," the tongue-in-cheek police statement concluded.

SINC SAYS:

Hehehe, that cop has a great sense of haha!

Bull Sharks Take To Louisiana Swamp

09/07/2009 05:32

HENDERSON, LA (WAFB) - Bass, catfish, and perch make for a great fish fry down on the bayou, but lately, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has found sharks in inland waters of the Atchafalaya Basin Swamp.

Most people have a preconceived notion that sharks are found in the ocean. While that's certainly true, sharks are also being found among the beautiful cypress trees in the waters of the Atchafalaya. "Well, I guess this is a swamp, shark that lives in the swamp," said Mike Walker with Wildlife and Fisheries. "You could call it a swamp shark."
Walker has pictures of bull sharks that were caught among the inland waters in Louisiana. He says sharks have likely been around these parts for decades. However, they're noticing them more because they now take huge samples of species in different waterways in Louisiana and that's turning up sharks. It's no surprise for long time Atchafalaya swamp tour guide Curtis Allemond. "Oh, I used to catch 'em up on the river when the river's low, yeah (laughs)," he said when asked if he had ever seen any sharks in the swamp.

The bull shark is particularly troubling for Walker, in part due to their natural threatening nature. "They're fairly aggressive sharks. They're probably responsible for the majority of the attacks on human beings." Walker says there are no known inland shark attacks in Louisiana. The bull sharks are not just hanging around the bayous and swamps. They have been caught some 900 miles up the Mississippi River.

"They have been captured in St. Louis. They have traveled 2500 miles up the Amazon. They have some mechanism in their make-up that allows them to process freshwater and not require high salinity to live." It may seem hard to believe that in the deep swamp of Louisiana bull sharks, one of the most dangerous species of shark, are swimming in the swamp.

SINC SAYS:

And that story folks, is no bull.

Babies You Seldom See . . .

09/07/2009 05:32

The Farm Paintings Of Robert Duncan . . .

09/07/2009 05:32

9 Phrases To Ban From Restaurant Menus

09/07/2009 05:32

Restaurants, let's not forget, are in the business of selling you food (emphasis on the word "selling.") All too often, restaurateurs rely on tired menu cliches that they believe make the food sound better. But we see through it.

--"Grilled to perfection"

What is perfection? Can you boil cabbage to perfection? We want a stove with a "perfection" setting.

--"World famous"

Having a German tourist say she liked your chicken salad does not make it world-famous.

--"Kobe burger"

If it grazed in Idaho, it's not Kobe. It's only Kobe if it comes from the Kobe region in Japan.

--"Shrimp Scampi"; "Eggplant alla melanzane"; "With au jus"

Respectively interpreted as "shrimp shrimp"; "eggplant in the style of eggplant"; and "with with juice."

--"Garden Fresh"

Rick Bayless garnishes with microgreens grown in his Bucktown garden. He has the right to say garden fresh. You don't, Subway.

--"Homemade [anything]"

Whose home? The busboy's? Restaurant food should be made in the restaurant.

--"Melt in your mouth"

If a piece of steak literally or even figuratively melts in your mouth, there's a good chance it's not steak.

SINC SAYS:

Oddly enough, they don’t bother me a bit. I quit going to restaurants some years back now.

The Best Of National Geographic . . .

09/07/2009 05:32

The Musings Of Maxine . . .

09/07/2009 05:32

Louisiana Parish Revolts Against Speed Cameras

09/07/2009 05:31

Sheriff in Livingston Parish, Louisiana dumps photo radar

after church forced to tow illegally parked speed camera van.

Neither the churches nor law enforcement in Livingston Parish, Louisiana want anything to do with photo radar. In a statement yesterday, the parish sheriff's office explained that it has become fed up with Redflex Traffic Systems, the Australian company that uses a Ford Escape SUV to issue automated tickets worth between $100 and $464 each within the parish.

"Due to a recent series of events regarding Redflex and its representatives, the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office is discontinuing its participation in the parish's photo enforcement program commonly referred to as 'the speeder van,'" the statement explained.

The mobile vans operated by Redflex in Louisiana frequently park unattended on private property, including on residents' lawns. This practice became too much for the Carroll Baptist Church in Walker. On Tuesday, the church had the van towed off its property where it had been parked without permission. Redflex was not happy about having to pay the towing fees to recover its vehicle.

"It was brought to the attention of sheriff's officials that improper comments were made to the towing company employees by the Redflex representative regarding the towing of the vehicle," the sheriff's statement explained.

The van has stirred controversy in Livingston Parish ever since officials approved the contract one year ago. In April, the Louisiana State Police pulled the Redflex speed camera van over and gave the driver a $182 ticket for failing to signal on Interstate 12. Another trooper threatened to tow the van off of the Interstate. A Denham Springs police office issued the van a parking ticket for stopping on the interstate. At the end of April, the sheriff's office was forced to refund 2488 tickets because Redflex unfairly set the van in a location where the speed limit suddenly dropped from 70 MPH to 60.

A total of fourteen states now ban photo enforcement.

SINC SAYS:

Would it not be nice if people here revolted against photo radar? The damn vehicles here park wherever they want and many residents dislike the fact they ruin lawns. Heck, they’ve even been caught parked in handicapped stalls in their fervor to raise money.

Pictures Taken At Just The Wrong Time . . .

09/07/2009 05:31

Simply Great Photos . . .

09/07/2009 05:31

Time For Esks' Receivers To Mann Up

09/07/2009 05:31

Speedy Campbell has left some very big cleats to fill downfield for Edmonton's remaining pass catchers

Edmonton Eskimos receiver Maurice Mann has set some lofty goals for himself this season.

If he achieves them, it'll go a long ways toward convincing everyone that he's the right man to replace 2008 sensation Kelly Campbell.

Campbell is down south trying to earn a spot in the NFL, while Mann, who has been on the practice roster of three different NFL teams, spent his first training camp in Edmonton and is being looked upon as the man to fill the huge void left by Campbell.

"Kelly is a great, phenomenal receiver and I'm just going to do what I can and, hopefully, that's good enough to pull us through," said Mann, who played three games with the Eskimos in 2007 and seven in 2008 after joining the team partway through both seasons.

"If Kelly comes back, I'll still be here, still doing what I do and still putting in the production. It's all about what have you done for me lately, so I'm going to go out there and do what I can do and, hopefully, it'll be something close to what Kelly Campbell did."

All Campbell did last season was catch 54 passes for 1,223 yards, seven touchdowns and a CFL-high 22.6 average yards per reception.

In his seven games in 2007, Mann had 40 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns.

"There's always room for improvement, so I just need to build on what I did last year," he said Tuesday after the team practised in the pouring rain, then packed its gear and headed to Montreal for Thursday's game against the Alouettes.

The six-foot-two, 190-pound native of Seaside, Calif., wants to see that improvement take huge steps this year, thus he's set some lofty goals.

"If you have a goal, you're looking toward something and it makes you work a little harder. Personally, like every receiver, catching double-digit touchdowns, being a 1,000-yard receiver is pretty good, a CFL all-star would be pretty nice. Some of those tangible things are within my grasp if I do what I know I can do."

Eskimos head coach Richie Hall is confident Mann can do what he's capable of because he finally got to go through the team's training camp.

"The thing that we've been fortunate to have is Mo was here for training camp rather than coming halfway through the season," said Hall. "From a timing point, from a confidence thing, that's like night and day.

"When you have a guy here from Day 1, he gets into a rhythm. He had a great training camp and we're looking for big things out of Mo because he has the ability to be a big-time player. It's just a matter of the more he plays, the more he feels comfortable."

While the Eskimos are familiar with Mann and confident that he can produce big numbers, newcomer Jamaica Rector is more of an unknown, yet he also comes with great expectations.

Slotback Kamau Peterson, who last year predicted big things for Fred Stamps (and got them), has named Rector his "sleeper" this season.

The 26-year-old from Celeste, Texas, who was NW Missouri State's all-time leading receiver by his junior year, smiles at Peterson's nomination.

"We bonded last year when I came," said Rector, who joined the club on the practice roster last October.

"We'll see. I still have to perform. It's a good situation here. Any chance any guy gets to play, you can't ask for much more."

Because he's surrounded by veteran receivers like Peterson, Mann and Andrew Nowacki, it may be tough for Rector to get his share of passes from quarterback Ricky Ray, but he's both patient and impatient.

"I'm a receiver, you know," he said with a laugh. "I like getting all the balls. I'm hoping every single play. But I know I have to do my job and my job is sometimes to be a decoy and open it up for the other guys. I'm not a selfish player. They say all receivers are selfish, but I'm not. I'm here to do my job.

"Ricky is a great quarterback. He'll make his reads and whatever he makes I'm OK with as long as we keep the ball moving and are scoring touchdowns. If the ball comes to me, I'll make the best of it. I'm going to be open, I'm going to give him the chance to throw to me."

Hall likes Rector's tenacity and the youthfulness and energy he brings to the office.

"He's a very gifted receiver," Hall said. "I think it's easy to get lost when you have a KP, when you have a Stamps, when you have a Mann.

"He is that sleeper, but he has just as much talent as the other players. The only thing he lacks is being on the field and people getting a chance to see him."

Esks can’t fall behind in Montreal: Nowacki

Ray finds holes in the zone.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

The Eskimos really miss receiver Kelly Campbell. For purely selfish reasons, I hope he’ll be back from his NFL tryout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in September.

Scona Pool Given Short Lifeline By Edmonton Council

09/07/2009 05:31

EDMONTON — The Scona pool was given a short lifeline by city councillors Wednesday morning, but the fate of the 52-year-old facility beyond the end of this year remains unknown.

Council voted to spend $122,000 from the council’s contingency fund to keep the pool operating until the end of 2009, and spend $90,000 on a detailed building assessment. But a bid to secure a budget for the pool in 2010 was turned down.

The pool, located at 10450 72nd Ave. next to Strathcona High School, was to be closed on June 30 due to low usage, expensive upgrades, and pressures to save money. But a council committee meeting in late June recommended the city spend almost $500,000 to keep it open for another 18 months.

Coun. Karen Leibovici argued Wednesday that more funds for the Scona pool would prompt councillors from every ward to seek more money for pools in their areas.

“We seem to be setting Scona apart as a special entity versus all of the other pools in the city,” she said.

But Kirby Feng, a volunteer swim coach for the Scona swim team, said the pool has already been treated differently than other pools — by having its operating hours slashed. The pool is currently open for about 15 hour per week, he said, which has contributed to low user numbers.

“Other places are dropping from 105 to 98 (hours) and they’re complaining?” he said.

Feng said that providing funding until the end of the year only will make it difficult to find an operator. The pool is expected to be closed this summer for maintenance and reopened in September, Feng said.

“If I say we’re going to hire (a contractor) for a year, but in three months time we’re going to fire you, are you going to take that job or not,” he asked. “The whole situation is kind of disappointing.”

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I think Edmonton City Council would be well-served to come up with the funding to keep the Strathcona Swimming Pool open indefinitely. What Scona pool users really need is Elke Blodgett and her 'kiddies choir' chanting, "Save our pool, save our pool" at an Edmonton City Council meeting.

Lumsden Can’t Quit Now: Chris Schultz

09/07/2009 05:31

By Chris Schultz
TSN Football Analyst

Week 1 in the CFL season saw the Toronto Argonauts look polished and professional in their 30-17 win over Hamilton. The Alouettes exacted some revenge over the Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders, Richie Hall got his first win as head coach with Edmonton and the Saskatchewan Roughriders beat the B.C. Lions 28-24.

It was also a week that saw Jesse Lumsden experience another serious injury - this time a separated shoulder. When you look at his short career, he's gone through enough tough moments to crush any individual. In his days with McMaster, Washington, Seattle, Hamilton and Edmonton, there's always been some sort of physical ailment that has prevented him from finishing the year.

It has nothing to do with mental of physical toughness, but his durability is an issue and for any CFL team with enforced salary cap restrictions, it's a problem.

No Jesse has already stated that he is coming back, hopefully before this season is over. And in many ways, he has.

I say that because if Jesse decided to retire - or even more distressing - if a doctor said you have to retire, he would be haunted by these injuries for the rest of his life. If Jesse had hurt his knee three times the way he hurt his shoulder, it would be over.

Now I'm not familiar with shoulder injuries the way I am with knee injuries, but three injuries to any area is tough and dangerous to overcome.

Many football players have to deal with some sort of physical ailment or another once they retire. And unfortunately, Jesse is on that track right now. There will be a moment about eight months from now when a team doctor, or even his father Neil, suggests that he retires.

It will be a painful and tough moment, based on the fact that a fourth shoulder injury could affect him for the rest of his life.

But he's not going to do it - and he shouldn't do it.

Lumsden is 26 years old and is too young to give up on football. He has a love affair with the sport that has to continue.

If he retires, 'what could have been' will be on his mind forever. Trust me, what you tend to remember after you step away from the game is what you didn't do rather than what you did. And if Lumsden steps away he will go a little 'nuts' for the rest of his life.

He has too much passion and respect for the game to leave so soon.

When the injury happened, all four of us on the CFL on TSN panel reacted with a near-collective groan.

We could see the moment his body went limp. We all speculated on what the injury was, but when you saw the trainer pulling and pushing on his arm, the shoulder was the easy conclusion.

Now there's thing I share with the other two experts on our CFL panel - we have all suffered through physical challenges on the field.

There's video of Jock Climie being knocked out, Dunigan tearing his Achilles tendon and me destroying my ACL. And Dave Randorf is respectful of the adversity we all had to overcome, not once, but several times.

And all of us can relate to Jesse Lumsden's history, it's not ego. But when you retire when you still have the ability to play, it's tough to rationalize and accept later in life.

So instead of criticizing and labeling Jesse Lumsden as injury prone, respect his courage to get up again after getting knocked down. He will go through countless meetings with doctors and trainers, but he needs to try and establish himself as a top running back.

If he doesn't, he will regret it forever - which is more painful than any rehabilitation.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I’ve gotta agree with Schultzie on this one, folks.

CFL Players Find Social Networks Useful

09/07/2009 05:31

Some of us couldn't give a tweet about Twitter and others wouldn't want to be seen on Facebook, but the social networking websites are all the rage, even with Canadian Football League players.

Take Kitwana Jones for example. The Edmonton Eskimos defensive lineman was traded west by Saskatchewan earlier this spring. The story didn't break in print or on television or radio, but on Facebook, of all places. Of course, it was all of his own volition.

"I communicated to one of my friends that I had been traded and it spread like wildfire," laughed Jones, who has more than 500 friends on the popular website. "I told one of my boys that I was an Eskimo, then suddenly I was getting phone calls and I must have had more than 100 messages on Facebook. We were just communicating and it just kind of got crazy."

Jones was communicating with former teammate Anton Mckenzie, who had also left the Riders, only through free agency. The Facebook frenzy that occurred is just an example of what can happen online, and not all of it is good.

"I'm in a situation right now where someone is hacking my Facebook, pretending it's me and it's got crazy. It's not good at all," said Jones.

Communications personnel across the league have spread the word that media sensitivity is a delicate issue when it comes to online messages, especially when it comes to emotional issues. Earlier this season, former Toronto Argonaut Riall Johnson posted thoughts on retiring after being traded to Winnipeg, but later retracted them.

"Social media is like any other communications tool; it can be helpful, but it has to be used with discretion and a great deal of common sense," said Matt Maychak, vice-president of communications for the CFL. "We all have to be disciplined about thinking before we post or tweet or even e-mail, especially when upset.

"We should keep our messages as positive as possible, and we should always assume that what we say in these forums is as public as speaking into a tape recorder or television camera, as everything can be forwarded, shared and seen and heard outside of its original context."

It comes down to a very simple message, says Eskimos director of communications Dave Jamieson.

"Obviously we're concerned about what might be out there from the team's perspective, but also on a personal level they have to be aware that, because of their status as a member of the Edmonton Eskimos, people will find you," said Jamieson. "So think before you press send and don't be afraid to use delete."

Jamieson addresses the team as a whole prior to the season and has now added the social networking systems as part of his message.

"We're obviously very aware of the power of social networking and some of the pitfalls," he said. "It's a completely new portal for people where I live, in the area of media relations. Before, you would have the traditional outlets--newspapers, television and radio. Now what's been created is this whole other entity. I guess control isn't the right word for it, but you certainly have to be acutely aware of your brand.

"Players that use Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and some of the other ones out there have to be careful with what they are conveying out there and what they are choosing to share. I wouldn't call it an issue. I wouldn't call it a problem, but it is something that you ask the players to govern themselves properly and you hope for the best."

The bottom line is simple, according to Jamieson.

"I tell them in a succinct way, 'Guys be careful with your brand. Step aside from the Edmonton Eskimos for a minute with just you on the Internet. What you're saying, what pictures you might be posting.'" But the sites also can carry positive messages.

More from the Edmonton Journal.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I want to go on record as saying that social networking and social networks are among some of the biggest problems in our society today.

Dentist Cleans Up At GWN Half Ironman Triathlon

09/07/2009 05:31

Support our home and native land

Dentist Tom Evans came to town with his wife Lesley last weekend and went home $7,250 richer.

"I knew he was coming to pick my pocket," quipped Wade Church, executive-director of Stony Plain's Great White North(GWN)Half Ironman triathlon. "But I loved it.

"It was good for our race and the triathlon, one of the fastest-growing sports in the world."

Evans, a former Harry Ainlay student who studied dentistry at the U of A, lives in Penticton, B. C., and does a little tooth carpentry.

When we say a little, we mean he is equally likely to be found swimming, biking and running through the Okanagan Valley.

On Sunday, he shattered his own record in the GWN, a two-kilometre swim, a 90-kilometre bike ride and a 21.1-kilometre run.

He clocked three hours, 49 minutes and nine seconds, taking one minute and 11 seconds off the record he set in 2004, the year he won Ironman Canada in Penticton in 8:28:06.

That's a time few have equalled.

"No one has come close to breaking his record here," said Church. "When he called me, he warned me that he was in really good shape and was going to break the record and earn $5,000."

Had Church wanted to keep the $5,000 he gave to Evans, he could have told the athlete that every spot had been taken.

The race is in its 20th year and when registration opens every September, the 700 spots are grabbed within 48 hours.

"This means that Alberta athletes in the know claim the lion's share of entries," said Church. "But the word is out that we have a great race. It's been the national long-course championship five times. But we still had representatives from nearly every province and territory in Canada.

"We also had a fair number of entries from across the U. S. A handful were from much farther afield."

Evans completed the swim in 24 minutes and 28 seconds, which is about as fast as many people walk.

He pedalled the 90 kilometres over rolling hills in two hours and six minutes, nearly half the speed of a car on the highway.

And he ran the 21 kilometres in one hour and 18 minutes.

"I had my eye on the clock the whole way," he said at the finish.

"I thought if I got a couple of minutes behind I may as well go and have a few beers."

That was a joke. He was determined to take the record for a couple of reasons. (He picked up another $1,500 for the win and another$750 for winning the swim, bike and run legs.)

"This race was for my father, Jim, who passed (away) six weeks ago," he said. "My wife Lesley is pregnant with our twins and it was important for me to do well. You never know if you will complete a triathlon again."

It's hard to imagine the triathlon scene without Evans. He smashed the Ironman record in Florida last year, his second win there, and he's also won in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

He competed in the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, and I don't think his wife has ruled out a return there.

"Triathlons are so much part of our life, I'm almost certain they will be in our future," said Lesley.

She could have words with her dad and her brother if training time ever became a factor, which friends say it won't.

"My dad and brother were out cycling in 2001 and ran into Tom, who was in town training," said Lesley. "They told me he was a really nice guy and set me up. We were married in 2002."

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Hmm . . . I wonder if this guy is any relation to the GWN over at esksfans.com?

Police Yet To See Clear Motive In McNair Murder

09/07/2009 05:31

Nashville, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee's state medical examiner said Tuesday that investigators have been hesitant to conclude that Steve McNair's girlfriend killed the NFL star and herself because she didn't appear to have a motive, but that murder-suicide is the most likely scenario.

After the couple was discovered shot to death on Saturday, police were quick to label McNair's death a homicide. He had been shot twice in the head and twice in the chest, while 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi was dead from a single gunshot to the head. Under her body was a gun she had purchased less than two days before the killings.

Investigators were waiting on ballistics tests on the weapon before issuing a ruling on Kazemi's death, which medical examiner Bruce Levy said could come in the next few days. Kazemi's gun purchase, which was revealed on Monday, is a strong indication that she was responsible, he said.

"If we had known on Sunday about the gun I think we would have been very comfortable in ruling murder-suicide," he said. "I'll be very surprised now if they rule it isn't."

Levy said an apparent lack of motive by Kazemi has made investigators careful about exploring every possibility, including the unlikely scenario that a third party could have staged the scene. Their relationship lacked typical indicators of trouble - such as concerned family members or police reports and protection orders.

"The thing we always hear is, 'We should have seen this coming,'" he said.

But Kazemi's family has said she was very happy.

"She just had it made, you know, (with) this guy taking care of everything," Kazemi's nephew Farzin Abdi said on Monday.

Levy said the 36-year-old McNair was shot in each temple and twice in the chest. Three of the shots were taken from a distance, but one of the shots to the temple came from just inches away.

The gun that killed Kazemi was in contact with her head when it discharged, he said.

Police spokesman Don Aaron said Monday McNair wasn't with Kazemi when she bought the semiautomatic pistol that was found at the scene. Police have declined to release the caliber of the gun or the name of the person who sold it to her.

Aaron said the case may not be as neatly resolved as people would like.

"It may be we'll never know exactly why this happened," he said.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

We will probably never know what really happened, folks.

Dunigan: Slow Start For QBs Across The League

09/07/2009 05:31

By Matt Dunigan
TSN Football Analyst

The passionate and talented sports writers from across Canada have often wrote about how the first few weeks of the season are basically an extended training camp. There is much truth to this; however it is still extremely important to get off to a fast start.

Go back to 2008 when the Lions stumbled out of the gate starting the season 0-2 and how we heard the Lions coaches and players trying to convince everyone that all was okay. The fact is the Western Division was as competitive as we have seen in a long time, maybe ever, and the Lions sure could have used those four points at the end of the season as they finished third in the West. Remember the '08 Bombers (the team that was in the '07 Grey Cup game) and their 0-4 start. They finished strong but never recovered from that slow/poor start.

Only three of the eight starting QBs looked comfortable or in midseason form as the '09 CFL season kicked off last week. No need for panic as this is easily understood.

The short training camps and two game preseason schedules are not conducive for the much needed reps it takes to find a rhythm to play the most difficult position in all of sport.

Only Calvillo, Ray and Joseph looked to be in a nice rhythm early on.

A.C. was good on his first 14 attempts and started the season on fire completing 75 percent of his passes and looked sharp (not to mention svelte too). But I know if you asked the reigning MOP he would not be satisfied with his red zone production and the missed opportunities in the score zone.

Ray found a way to get it done in the rain minus one of his most lethal weapons, when Lumsden went down early with a dislocated left shoulder. It was not pretty at times but he found a way to Git-r-Dun, passing for over 300 yards and completing over 70percent of his passes. He distributed the ball to (get this), nine different receivers. Ray & Co. got it done by committee.

Joseph looked like he was extremely comfortable in Bart Andrus's offense. Kerry did not have to use his legs often which at this point of the season and his career are key. Coach Andrus said he will cater to Joseph's strengths which are his mobility and arm strength. All though Kerry did not have but one yard rushing the ball he put pressure on the defense with his legs utilizing a nice boot series creating room for himself and time for his receivers to get deep into the Hamilton secondary. He made the most athletic play of week one behind the LOS using his mobility to elude a defender and strong armed a missile while off balance converting on a critical second down play.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

For some ‘quick snaps’ from TSN football analyst Matt Dunigan, click here.

NBA Salary Cap Reduced By $1 Million Next Season

09/07/2009 05:31

NEW YORK -- The NBA salary cap has been set for next season at US$57.7 million, a decline from 2008-09, allowing teams to begin signing players.

The figure the league announced Tuesday night was about $1 million less than last season's cap of $58.68 million, even though league-wide revenue rose 2.5 per cent. The number is expected to drop further next season when the full effect of the economic difficulties hits.

The new salary cap went into effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday, ending the NBA's moratorium period and allowing free agents to sign deals with teams.

Teams and players were able to begin negotiating on July 1. Ron Artest agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Detroit Pistons reached agreements with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva during the moratorium.

The luxury tax level also dropped to $69.92 million. Any team whose salary exceeds that will have to pay $1 for every $1 it goes over. The tax level last season was $71.2 million.

The midlevel exception will be $5.85 million.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Everybody seems to “get” the world financial crisis – except NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, that is.

Is City Council Trying To Hide Something?

08/07/2009 06:29

Monday, July 6, 2009:

Council advertised a Public Hearing on the proposed potential alignment of the Heartland Transmission line along the south and east boundaries of St.Albert. The council meeting was advertized as being broadcast by Shaw cable at 6.30.. It was not. It appears it was broadcast earlier, but not many residents knew about that.

City Hall just tells me that one can get a DVD of the hearing at City Hall. Since this proposed alignment--one of four--will greatly impact St.Albert, I would suggested residents pick up a copy of the Public Hearing.

Elke Blodgett
St. Albert

SINC SAYS:

They wouldn’t be trying to hide anything - would they?

READER RESPONSE:

I don't think Council in this case is trying to hide something, just unable to communicate in a timely fashion.

Elke Blodgett
St. Albert

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Is City Council Out Of Whack?

08/07/2009 06:29

Don,

Here’s a perfect example of why our property taxes and utility rates are so outrageous in St. Albert.

Today was the first day of the new curbside recycling program in Grandin. So, I watched with interest and wasn’t disappointed. The regular small garbage truck came around, picked up the household waste from each house, and left all of the clear “blue bags” on the boulevards. About an hour later, a much larger truck, complete with refuse collector standing on the back platform, pulled up in front of the houses and picked up all of the clear “blue bags.”

So, now instead of having one truck and one crew coming around and collecting the household refuse, we have two trucks and crews – one for the household refuse and one for the clear “blue” recyclables.

Another thing I noticed is that most of the neighbors here on Grandora indeed put out clear “blue bags” containing recyclable materials on the boulevard. This can only mean that they, like most St. Albert taxpayers, said the hell with it – if I’m paying for curbside recycling, I’m going to use it and stop taking my own recyclables to the recycle depot as I have done in the past. After all, it’s far less hassle for the homeowner, isn’t it? The materials don’t have to be sorted and you don’t have to drive over to the recycle depot in Campbell Park. Now, isn’t that efficiency and cost-effectiveness at work? What a joke.

This city and this city council are completely out of whack, Don.

Jim Starko
St. Albert

SINC SAYS:

Out of whack is a bit of an understatement in this case.

Clare Cops Buy Doughnut Shop

08/07/2009 06:29

Nine Officers Purchased

113-Year-Old Bakery

CLARE, Mich. -- A few Mid-Michigan police officers are creating the ultimate cliché.

When the Clare Police Department got word that their beloved bakery and doughnut shop was shutting down, the department decided to buy it.

The guys ribbed for spending too much time at doughnut shops outright bought one and they’re getting a lot of smirks and raised eyebrows from customers.

It turns out the previous owners were running low on dough and were just weeks away from folding up the 113-year-old bakery.

So to everyone’s surprise and muted laughter, Clare’s nine fulltime cops saved the town’s doughnut shop.

Now creampuffs and handcuffs – in a sense – go hand in hand, giving the phrase ‘protect and serve’ more than a dozen glazed, sprinkled or custard-filled meanings.

The officers will volunteer their time and won’t be getting paid.

The store will be staffed by college and high school students.

SINC SAYS:

Oh, the humanity of it all.

How Government Works . . .

08/07/2009 06:28

The little town looks totally deserted. These are tough times, everybody is in debt, and everybody lives on credit.

Suddenly, a rich tourist comes to town. He enters the only hotel, lays a $100 bill on the reception counter, and goes to inspect the rooms upstairs in order to choose one.

The hotel proprietor takes the $100 bill and runs to pay his debt to the butcher.

The butcher takes the $100 bill, and runs to pay his debt to the pig farmer.

The pig farmer takes the $100 bill, and runs to pay his debt to the supplier of his feed and fuel.

The supplier of feed and fuel takes the $100 bill and runs to pay his debt to the town's prostitute that in these hard times, gave her "services" on credit.

The hooker runs to the hotel, and pays off her debt with the $100 bill to the hotel proprietor to pay for the rooms that she rented when she brought her clients there.

The hotel proprietor then lays the $100 bill back on the counter so that the rich tourist will not suspect anything.

At that moment, the tourist comes down after inspecting the rooms, and takes his $100 bill, saying that he did not like any of the rooms, and leaves town.

No one earned anything. However, the whole town is now without debt, and looks to the future with a lot of optimism.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how your Government is doing business today.

SINC SAYS:

And that includes our own local council who continue to blindly forge ahead with frivilous spending on birthday parties when Rome is burning.

The Best Of National Geographic

08/07/2009 06:28

Relaxing Shots To Enjoy . . .

08/07/2009 06:28

Neighborhood Repeatedly Hit With Metal Debris.

08/07/2009 06:28

ROGERS - When Kevin Montondo mows his yard, he puts on his hardhat.

On some days, he adds a camouflage down-lined coat, the closest thing to Kevlar that he owns. It's a comedic image until he pulls out the 5/8-inch nut that fell on his car or the bits of rebar that hit his house.

"What's hitting will literally kill you," Montondo said.

He collects the projectiles from his yard in Ziploc bags, an estimated 25 pounds so far. Some days there's more than a dozen nuts, bolts, marbles, ratchet bits and other hard, launchable objects. He finds most of them in the morning because the barrage comes at night - every night for the last two months.

Montondo said the Blackburn subdivision in southeast Rogers has been under a self-imposed lockdown since the assault began about two months ago. At the peak of summer vacation, the neighborhood's nearly 30 children are nowhere to be seen because there is no telling when the metal will fall. The earliest Montondo has noticed it was 11 a.m., but debris was also reported hitting at 4:17 a.m. After dark, the falling objects can seem like a hailstorm.

"The night the rebar was coming in, it was like it was raining," he said.

Details here.

SINC SAYS:

Wow, talk about needing a hard hat in the back yard.

From The Sky Above . . .

08/07/2009 06:28

The Farm Paintings Of Robert Duncan . . .

08/07/2009 06:28

Passenger Fixes Faulty Airliner

08/07/2009 06:28

Holidaymakers avoided a long delay to their flight home when a passenger fixed a mechanical problem with their plane.

Passengers on Thomas Cook flight TCX9641 from Menorca were told to expect an eight-hour wait while an engineer was flown out from the UK.

One passenger then identified himself as a qualified aircraft engineer and offered to try to remedy the fault.

He was successful, and the plane landed in Glasgow only 35 minutes late.
A spokeswoman for Thomas Cook said the company followed strict procedures to ensure the man was qualified to work on the aircraft, a Boeing 757-200, during the incident on Saturday.

The passenger worked for another airline, Thomsonfly, which has a reciprocal maintenance agreement with Thomas Cook.

"When they announced there was a technical problem he came forward and said who he was, " she said.

"We checked his licence and verified he was who he said he was, and he was able to fix the problem to avoid the delay.

"We are very grateful that he was on the flight that day."

Holidaymaker Keith Lomax, from Stirling, was travelling home from a week's break with his wife when the plane's captain announced the expected delay.
"We were in the plane, ready for take-off, when he announced there was a technical problem and that an engineer might have to be flown out from Manchester to fix it," he said.

"Then a stewardess told us there was an engineer on board and they were checking out to see if he could work on it. He was obviously successful. When he came back onto the plane there was a round of applause from the back of the aircraft.

"It was reassuring to know the person who had fixed it was still on the aeroplane. What are the odds of something like that happening?"

SINC SAYS:

If the guy had not got back on, there would have been a stampede for the door.

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Bumper Stickers That Make You Giggle

08/07/2009 06:28

The Beauty Of Animals . . .

08/07/2009 06:28

Thorpe Wants Enthusiasm To Fuel Special Teams

08/07/2009 06:28

Thorpe wants his players to get excited over a blocked punt, big play

Judging by Noel Thorpe's reaction --cheering and clapping and yelling to his players--one would almost think the blocked kick at Monday's Edmonton Eskimos practice happened at a pivotal time of a regular season or playoff game, not just at a practice in the second week of the CFL season.

The Eskimos assistant head coach and special teams co-ordinator gets excited whenever his special-teams unit blocks a kick and for good reason.

"It's a point of emphasis for us," he explained after the club's practice in preparation for their game Thursday in Montreal against the Alouettes. "We want to get excited when we block a field goal or a punt in practice because that's something we're working on and something that's going to be a dynamic part of what we do.

"When I get excited the players are going to get excited and that's something we feed off. It's not just me, it's the 12 guys on the field as well."

Thorpe's special teams could once again play a huge role in the outcome of the Thursday game, just as it did in last fall's Eastern final, a 36-26 loss in Montreal when Larry Taylor returned six kicks for 203 yards and two touchdowns, Edmonton's Tristan Jackson returned 13 kicks for 242 yards and one touchdown in a good news-bad news day for the special teams.

"The success we had was overshadowed by the fact they returned two," said Thorpe. "We played very well at points and we had those two returns which were very disheartening. We opened the game with a blocked punt for a touchdown, we established some great field position. Tristan Jackson had two great returns, one was called back on a holding.

"In one respect you felt really good about how we played special teams-wise, but on the other side it was obviously disappointing."

That disappointment came from the performance of Taylor who eluded Eskimo tacklers far too often last November.

"We had him cornered and he found some small seams and he's got the ability to take it to the end zone every time he touches the ball," said Thorpe.

Tim St. Pierre, one of the Esks' key coverage players on special teams, said everyone remembers what Taylor did to them.

"That's the reason we don't have a ring on our fingers right now," St. Pierre said. "It only takes a couple of little things when you have a guy that shifty and that fast. It only takes a small step here, a little mistake there and he turns it into an 80-yard return.

"We have to pay attention to detail and make sure we're in the coverage lanes. "It's two great special team units, both well coached, both like to fly around on both units so it'll be exciting."

Jackson, one of the league's premier kick returners, said the key to stopping players like Taylor--and himself it should be added--is to "get to him before he starts making all his moves.

We have to have more than one player on the ball to stop him."

In the Eastern Final' the Eskimos had players on Taylor but still couldn't stop him.

"Last year we had him on those two (touchdown) plays, dead to rights, we should have made the tackle," said Thorpe. "We had an unblocked defender at the ball and we didn't make the tackle, so we have to make the tackle.

"A big focus this week is making sure we're looking at attacking and tackling his numbers, key on his midsection because he's a small guy who uses head and shoulder fakes. "So we're not going to get our eyes high on him.

"We have to be aggressive on what we do and we can't break down."

The first step to stopping Taylor --and Jackson--is, naturally, to keep the ball out of their hands, kick away from them to prevent them from even getting a chance at a runback.

"That's the obvious first thing," agreed Thorpe.

More from the Edmonton Journal.

Lumsden sits out for nine.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

While the Esks’ special teams have come a long way in the last two years with Noel Thorpe at the helm, they still have some work to do.

Guy Doucette Makes This Call For Himself

08/07/2009 06:28

Referee Guy Doucette appears to have as much fun officiating at the Brick Invitational super novice hockey tournament as the young players have playing in it.

So, after 20 years, it was with mixed feelings that Doucette officiated his last game during the final of the renowned tournament at West Edmonton Mall's Ice Palace on Sunday as Team Brick Alberta edged the Toronto Bulldogs 3-2.

"I was refereeing the first Brick tournament 20 years ago," said Doucette, 39, who was asked by a friend to help out in the tournament's first year.

"But I have three kids at home and I told my wife she would have more of my time. She's been very understanding."

Doucette made the best of it on Sunday, as he wore a special jersey for the final to mark the occasion.

"I went to a referee school for the Western Hockey League and (NHL referee) Kerry Fraser was one of the instructors," said Doucette. "He autographed a jersey for me, so I thought I'd wear it for my last game."

Doucette, who will continue officiating games in the Alberta Junior Hockey League next season, has participated every year at the Brick, and had become the head of officiating for the tournament. This year, he oversaw the work of 12 officials.

"It's been fun watching a lot of these guys make the NHL," he said about the nine-and 10-year-old players.

"The neat thing is the kids remember this tournament years after they've played in it ... and I think it's because they're treated so good. From the time they get here, they're treated like pros."

Doucette is also a teacher at H. E. Beriault Junior High School in Edmonton. He said his teaching is extended in his role as an official.

"At this level, you can really teach the players the rules," he said.

He carries plenty of fond memories from the tournament over the years. He smiles when he thinks about one particular game between Edmonton and Detroit when the fans got a little carried away.

"Somebody from Detroit threw an octopus on the ice," said Doucette. "Then someone from the Edmonton team threw a T-bone steak. I asked my partner to go pick it up and then we started the game."

"It's been a great experience," he added after blowing his final whistle on Sunday.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

As SWIVEL HIPS knows, it takes a special kind of person to devote a large part of his life to volunteering as a minor hockey referee.

Esks Place Lumsden On Nine-Game Injury List

08/07/2009 06:28

EDMONTON — Less than 80 hours before they take to the field in Montreal to meet the explosive Alouettes, the Edmonton Eskimos were still sorting out a couple of key decisions that will have short and long-term impacts on the team.

Running back Jesse Lumsden, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in the season-opener last Thursday against Winnipeg, was officially placed on the nine-game injured list, along with defensive back Willie Amos.

Head coach Richie Hall already has Arkee Whitlock ready to take Lumsden’s spot in the backfield but the decision that Hall and his staff will make in the next day or two is who will replace safety Scott Gordon who was also injured in the Winnipeg game. Both Canadians Elliott Richardson and Jason Nugent were working in the spot Monday. Whoever starts, the Eskimos will be without Gordon’s experience.

“The backups are two young guys … so you lose some experience,” said Hall. “They just have to do what they’ve been doing in practice, during training camp. There’s a reason you’re here, it’s because you can play so don’t put more pressure on yourself, just go out and do what you’re supposed to do. The players around you will do what they’re supposed to do and everything will be OK.”

With Lumsden out the Eskimos put import Whitlock on the roster to replace him, necessitating an adjustment to their import-non-import ratio.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the experience,” Richardson said of the possibility of starting against Montreal, with quarterback Anthony Calvillo and his all-star cast of receivers.

“It’s going to be an experience going against probably the best passing offence in the league,” he said. “Montreal’s a fantastic atmosphere to play in so the nerves will be on full go but I’m sure things will work out well.”

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

At least this way, Lumsden’s salary for the next nine games will not count against the salary cap.

Mickelson’s Mother Diagnosed With Breast Cancer

08/07/2009 06:28

SAN DIEGO - Six weeks after Phil Mickelson announced his wife had breast cancer, his mother was diagnosed with the disease and is to have surgery later this week.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on its website that Mary Mickelson discovered she had breast cancer last week. She is to have surgery Friday at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, the same hospital where Mickelson's wife, Amy, had surgery last Wednesday.

Mickelson's sister, Tina, told the newspaper she wanted to make her mother's condition known so she could receive the same outpouring of support and prayers that meant so much to Amy Mickelson.

Mickelson has not spoken publicly since the U.S. Open where he was a runner-up for a record fifth time.

His parents live in the same San Diego house where they raised their three children. Mary Mickelson was honored in 1998 as "Mother of the Year" by the San Diego chapter of the March of Dimes. She said at the time, "I don't know if I've done anything extra than other mothers. We've always been involved and have just been there."

Mickelson said at Bethpage Black that it was "highly unlikely" he would play the British Open, and said his schedule the rest of the year depended on his wife's battle with cancer.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Wow, talk about a double whammy for Phil Mickelson. First, his wife, Amy, is diagnosed with breast cancer six weeks ago, and last week his mother is also diagnosed with breast cancer. Our wishes for speedy and full recoveries go out to both Amy and Mary Mickelson and the families.

McNair’s Girlfriend Bought Gun Last Thursday

08/07/2009 06:28

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The star quarterback and the waitress met six months ago, at a restaurant where she worked and his family often ate. He was married and 16 years older, but she seemed happy and eager to build a life with him.

Steve McNair was retired from the NFL and spending time again in Nashville, where he had spent the best years of his career. Sahel Kazemi was 20 years old and swept up: He gave her an Escalade for her birthday and took her on trips to Las Vegas and Key West.

"She just had it made, you know, this guy taking care of everything," her nephew, Farzin Abdi, said Monday.

They were found dead on the Fourth of July -- McNair from two gunshots each to the head and chest, Kazemi from a single shot. Kazemi bought the handgun found under her body less than two days before the shooting, police said. They haven't yet linked the weapon to the shootings.

On Monday, as the coach of the Tennessee Titans remembered McNair as the man who put the franchise on the map and police continued their investigation, more details of their relationship came to light.

Kazemi appeared confident the pair would last and had introduced her family to McNair, her nephew said. Abdi quoted her as saying McNair was divorcing his wife and that it would be finalized soon.

"I think she had already put her stuff up for sale on Craigslist," Abdi said.

The first sign of trouble was early Thursday morning. Police stopped Kazemi on Broadway, not far from the honky-tonks where throaty country singers belt out tales of unfaithful spouses. She was driving the Escalade SUV that McNair gave her for her birthday in May.

According to an arrest affidavit, Kazemi had bloodshot eyes and alcohol on her breath. She refused a breath test and told an officer "she was not drunk, she was high." She was charged with DUI.

McNair was with her but not charged. He later made her bail.

The two then apparently spent some time apart.

According to police spokesman Don Aaron, McNair wasn't with Kazemi when she bought the semiautomatic pistol that was found at the scene. Police have declined to release the calibre or the name of the person who sold it to her.

The next night, McNair was out late with friends, but he and Kazemi got together soon after at a downtown condo within sight of the Titans stadium, a pad McNair shared with a friend. A witness told police the quarterback arrived between 1:30 and 2 a.m. ET. Her car was already there.

When McNair's roommate, Wayne Neeley, got to the condo at midday, what he thought he saw was his friend sitting on the couch and Kazemi lying on the floor. So he went into the kitchen. Then he saw the blood, police said.

Officers said they found a gun under her body. There were no signs of forced entry into the condo. Police labelled McNair's death a homicide Sunday but said they were reviewing every possibility before labelling Kazemi's.

Mechelle McNair, his wife of 12 years and mother of two of his four sons born between 1991 and 2004, has been described by police as very distraught about his death and has not commented on it.

No court records of divorce proceedings have surfaced so far. The strongest public evidence that the McNairs might have been estranged is that their 14,000-square-foot Nashville home has been up for sale recently, listed at US$3 million.

Some close to McNair -- his brother Fred and his agent Bus Cook -- have said they knew nothing of Kazemi before the shootings. Titans coach Jeff Fisher said Monday, "The Steve that I knew, if he were here right now, would want to say, 'Mechelle, I love you."'

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

This is a very tragic story, indeed. Oh, what a tangled web we weave . . .

LPGA Players Seek Commissioner’s Resignation

08/07/2009 06:28

ORLANDO, Fla. - A meeting last week of more than a dozen players has resulted in a letter sent to the LPGA Tour's board urging that commissioner Carolyn Bivens resign, according to a published report.

Golfweek Magazine reported Monday that key players stated in the letter the LPGA Tour's woes cannot be blamed on a poor economy, and they said the tour should find a new leader to rebuild relationships with longtime sponsors.

The magazine cited a player who had received a copy of the letter.

Among those at the meeting last week in Toledo, Ohio., were Lorena Ochoa, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Morgan Pressel and Natalie Gulbis, among the most prominent players in women's golf.

Golfweek said players in favor of Bivens' resignation attached their names, although it didn't say how many signed it.

LPGA spokesman David Higdon did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

The meeting came two days after the LPGA Tour lost another tournament when the Kapalua LPGA Classic asked for a year off to find a title sponsor. Instead, the LPGA said it would use all legal remedies to hold Kapalua to the remaining four years of its contract.

The tour has left two stops -- Rochester, N.Y., and Toledo -- uncertain if the contracts will be renewed for next year, and it already has lost the popular Corning Classic. Also up in the air is the Michelob Ultra Championship in Virginia.

The LPGA has lost seven tournaments since 2007, including all three events staged in Hawaii.

Seoul Broadcasting Systems was offended when Bivens announced during the SBS Open in Hawaii that it had a new television contract with another Korean network. That ended SBS' sponsorship, and it then signed a 10-year with the PGA Tour to sponsor the season-opening tournament at Kapalua, won this year by Geoff Ogilvy.

The U.S. Women's Open, which is not run by the LPGA Tour, is being played this week outside Philadelphia. After that, the LPGA Tour will not have another tournament in the United States until the last week in August.

Golfweek reported that at a player meeting last month at the State Farm Classic, players were told 10 contracts with title sponsors had been signed for 2010.

"We're getting to the point where we don't know who to believe, which is hard," Katherine Hull told the magazine. "When tournaments that have been very loyal to us start withdrawing, that's really a red flag to me."

Bivens, who took over for Ty Votaw in 2005, has two years remaining on her contract.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Hmm . . . sounds like the beginning of the palace revolt to me, folks.

NHLPA Files Grievance Over Mishandled Offers

08/07/2009 06:28

Sources tell TSN the National Hockey League Players Association has filed a grievance over the Chicago Blackhawks mishandling of a number of its qualifying offers and intends to argue the players affected by the mishap, who remain unsigned, should be ruled unrestricted free agents.

The NHL will be notified and can agree with the NHLPA's filing, or the league can disagree and the case will move on to an expidited hearing.

"In response to various media inquiries, the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) confirms today that it has filed a grievance regarding the failure of the Chicago Blackhawks to submit Qualifying Offers to its 2009 Restricted Free Agents prior to the deadline stipulated in the CBA. The NHLPA will make no further comment on the matter, which is now pending before the Impartial Arbitrator," said Jonathan Weatherdon, NHLPA Spokesperson.

At this moment, it's the Players' Association's contention, these players are unrestricted free agents and free to negotiate with any team.

The NHL is sure to fight back.

If the PA is accurate and the players involved are deemed unrestricted free agents, the Blackhawks could lose both forward Kris Versteeg and defenceman Cam Barker to the open market.

The interest in these two players league wide as UFA's would be significant. In Barker's case, one league source cites his value at $3 million on the low end, and as much as $5 million on the high end.

The Chicago Blackhawks have cap issues and may not be able to afford to compete in the feeding frenzy without making drastic moves to free up money.

This issue is far from resolved, but early indications suggest it may not end well for the Chicago Blackhawks.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I told you the union wouldn’t just leave it alone, folks.

Hawks Sign Barker To 3-Year, $9.25 Million Extension

08/07/2009 06:27

The Chicago Blackhawks have responded very quickly to a grievance filed by the NHL Player's Association of mishandling their qualifying offers to restricted free-agents by signing defenceman Cam Barker to a three-year, $9.25 million contract extension.

Barker was one of five players whose qualifying offers from the Hawks reportedly were mailed but didn't arrive on time. Had Barker not agreed to a deal, and the grievance had gone through, he could have potentially become an unrestricted free-agent.

23-year old Barker had six goals and 34 assists in 60 games for Chicago last season and added three goals and six assists during the Blackhawks' playoff run.

The Winnipeg native was originally selected third overall by the Blackhawks in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

'Atta way to stick it to the union, Hawks!

Taxpayers Send Open Letter To Council

07/07/2009 04:34

Mr. Mayor and Council:

Yesterday I was invited to an outdoor meeting between Erin Ridge residents and city administration staff regarding the planned walkways off Erickson Drive and Eldorado. There were 30-40 residents in attendance. Most of them were unaware of the project until a flyer was dropped off at their doors, and they were concerned they had not been consulted and now, with an August construction date, would not be heard.

The primary message given by the residents to the City was that “no one here is in favour of building this walkway, we want it stopped now” and asked “Why is Council spending $2 million on a project no one in the neighbourhood wants”.

Facts cited by the residents included:

• The developer Qualico was constrained by prior owners of the land, the Hole family, to leaving the stands of willows intact.

• The treed area was why these residents purchased these lots/houses.

• They want to know: Why is the city ignoring the caveat the Holes put on the land when it was sold to the developer?

• They are concerned the walkway will be a magnet for misbehavior and fires.

The residents want to know how to get this walkway stopped.

Recreation staff explained that it was part of a broader initiative in St. Albert to provide walkways for recreation purposes throughout the city. They also were very open to changes in the design standards of the walkway and to removing a minimum of trees from the area.

However, they could not tell residents how to get the ASP changed to delete this walkway. The residents asked if a petition would stop the development and wanted to know how large it would be.
The St. Albert Taxpayers Association is concerned that Council is spending $2 million on a project that the citizens of the area do not want.

Why couldn't these dollars be be redistributed to other services high on the importance list for St. Albert Taxpayers or be rebated back to the taxpayer?

We and the taxpayers of Erin Ridge await your reply.

Lynda Flannery
President
St. Albert Taxpayers Association

SINC SAYS:

The utter stupidity of this council continues to astound even me. Good Lord, can they not see they are driving this city into a state of depression and financial ruin? This is sheer madness.

Ultimate Stair 600x200

The Bag Lady Tale . . .

07/07/2009 04:34

A little old lady is walking down the street dragging two large plastic garbage bags behind her. One of the bags rips and every once in a while a $20 bill falls out onto the sidewalk.

Noticing this, a policeman stops her and says, "Ma'am, there are $20 bills falling out of your bag." "Oh, really? Darn!," says the little old lady. "I'd better go back and see if I can find them. Thank you for telling me."

"Well, now, not so fast," says the Police Officer. "How did you get all that money? You didn't steal it, did you?"

"Oh, good gracious, no," says the little old lady. "You see, my backyard is right next to the football stadium parking lot. On game days, a lot of fans come and pee through the fence into my flower garden. So, I stand behind the fence with my hedge clippers.

Each time some guy sticks his thing through the fence, I say, '$20 or off it comes'."

"Well, that seems only fair," laughs the policeman. "OK! Good luck! By the way, what's in the other bag?"

"Well, you know," says the little old lady, "not everybody pays."

More On Alberta Health Care

07/07/2009 04:34

Hi Don,

I find that a lot of people aren't aware of "who" is on our healthcare board, which isn't really too hard to understand as they quickly run it by the people once or twice on some TV news segment and then it's on the internet etc. in places that aren't what I'd consider as #1 for being easiest to find. Not to mention the whole thing has become IMO very confusing.

However this is what I find:

(Board Members)

(President & CEO)

It's all set up very much like a corporation and there are members, including the CEO who have no business (again IMO) on our healthcare board. The CEO is from Australia, and check out Mr. Clifford from New Jersey...

I'd say I'm a little concerned.

Regards,
Diane in Calgary

SINC SAYS:

One certainly should be oncerned when we begin hiring foreigners to run our own systems. That in itself is mistake number one and cause for both concern and alarm.

North Korea Airs Beer Commercial On State TV

07/07/2009 04:34

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — In an apparent first, North Korea — a country that struggles to feed its 24 million people — has aired a beer commercial on state television.

The advertisement, which lasted nearly three minutes after a news program on Thursday, showed a grinning Korean man with sweat on his face holding a glass of beer, with a caption that read, "Taedong River Beer is the pride of Pyongyang."

The commercial said the beer relieves stress and improves health and longevity. It also showed images of a pub it said was in the capital of Pyongyang, filled with people drinking.

Normally, there are no advertisements on television in North Korea, an isolated, communist country that tightly controls its economy and is wary of capitalistic influences.

Programming consists of news, factory descriptions, some children's animation shows, and documentaries on leader Kim Jong Il and his father Kim Il Sung, interspersed with propaganda slogans and music, according to a South Korean Unification Ministry official.

The official, who has been monitoring the North's television for more than two decades, told The Associated Press that it was the first time he had seen any sort of advertisement for food, much less beer — although he has seen programs on North Korean cuisine. He asked not to be identified as he was not authorized to speak to media.

The commercial assured viewers of the beer's quality and nutritional value, saying it was made of rice and contained protein and vitamin B2.

It was unclear how much the beer cost and how many North Koreans could afford it. The country is among the poorest in the world, with an average per capita income of $1,065 in 2008, according to the South's central bank.

The North faces chronic food shortages and has relied on food aid to feed its population since a famine that is believed to have killed as many as 2 million in the mid and late-1990s.

Kim Jong Il, the North Korean leader, apparently enjoys beer.

Kenji Fujimoto, a Japanese sushi chef for Kim, said in a 2003 memoir that he traveled the world for the leader, buying Czech beer as well as Chinese melons, Danish pork and Thai papayas.

Kim's wine cellar was stocked with 10,000 bottles, the chef said, and banquets often started at midnight and lasted into the morning.

SINC SAYS:

Quote: “The commercial said the beer relieves stress and improves health and longevity.” Oh joy, I’m gonna live forever!

Babies You Seldom See . . .

07/07/2009 04:34

Pictures To Make You Go Awww

07/07/2009 04:34

Being Married Can Cut Alzheimer's Risk In Later Life

07/07/2009 04:34

People who have a partner in middle age are at half the risk of developing dementia as those who live alone, says a study.

Getting divorced and becoming widowed in mid-life raises the risk three-fold.

People who have a partner in middle age are at half the risk of developing dementia as those who live alone, a study has revealed

The study by Swedish researchers is one of the first to focus on marital status and the risk of dementia.

Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, which cause shrinkage of the brain, affect more than 700,000 people in the UK.

Previous research has suggested social isolation or lack of personal contact carries an increased risk of dementia and mental decline.

An American study last year found significant links between feelings of loneliness and the chances of suffering Alzheimer's.

In the latest study, researchers, led by Professor Miia Kivipelto from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, interviewed 2,000 people aged 50 on average and then again 21 years later, drawing conclusions from three quarters of those initially involved.

They found that middle-aged people who live alone have double the risk of dementia compared with those who are married or have a partner.

Details here.

SINC SAYS:

Whew, glad to know I’m safe!

Jeanne Ad 4 St Albert's Place

The Musings Of Maxine . . .

07/07/2009 04:34

Oh, Those Animals . . .

07/07/2009 04:33

We'll Always Have Paris, Even In Saskatchewan

07/07/2009 04:33

Small Prairie town is very proud

of its faux Eiffel Tower

The centuries-old Paris-of-the-Prairies debate officially ended at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.

That was when the Village of Montmartre, population 500, opened its very own replica of France's most recognizable landmark, solidifying the farming community's claim to a moniker that has been exploited by the likes of Winnipeg, Calgary, Saskatoon, Chicago and others over the past 100 years. It all unfolded to the tune of an accordion and the crack of champagne bottle on steel.

“We have the name, we have the tower,” proclaimed village Councillor Patsy Fisher.
“We are the Paris of the Prairies.”

The centrepiece of the Saskatchewan town's claim is an exact, 1/38-scale model of the Eiffel Tower.
Situated in the centre of the village, the 8.5-metre structure represents the town's new marketing push, but also the gumption of its residents.

“This went from a dream to a reality in under 2 1/2 months,” Ms. Fisher said.

Details here.

SINC SAYS:

Momtmartre is on the way to the wife’s home town. We will have to check it out on the next trip through as it is a regular lunch stop on our way to visit her family.

When A Photo's Not Just A Photo

07/07/2009 04:33

Pictures To Wow You . . .

07/07/2009 04:33

Richardson Welcomes Shot At Facing Calvillo

07/07/2009 04:33

The thing about losing Jesse Lumsden is you know what you're getting in replacement Arkee Whitlock, who had an outstanding CFL pre-season and has obvious talents in running the ball.

The bigger question is how do the Edmonton Eskimos replace Canadian safety Scott Gordon, who is out of the lineup with a leg injury that could keep him out for at least a couple of weeks?

Simple. Just throw in another raw rookie and see what happens.

At practice on Sunday, fellow Canadian Elliott Richardson saw most of the reps on the first defensive unit, which is an interesting story in itself. He could join fellow rookies Bobby Keyes and Lamar Herron at the corners against none other than veteran Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo in Montreal.

"Yeah, it's kind of an interesting situation, going in against one of the most prolific passers in the CFL in the last 10 years," said Richardson, knowing full well what he might be up against.

"I think he put up more than 5,000 yards passing last year and more than 50 touchdowns. I just have to make sure I'm doing the little things right and it shouldn't be too much of an issue."

That's 5,633 yards and 43 touchdowns, actually. But no pressure, eh, kid?

"No, not at all, it's just football, right?" smiled Richardson, who is virtually an unknown, having come to camp from Acadia University. "I came in here a month ago, fourth on the depth chart, so ... Even before I came out here my friends asked me, 'So what are you planning?'

"I said, 'Well, you know, we'll see. Maybe end up on the practice roster this year, eventually make the transition, kind of chip away.' Now it's three weeks later and I'm potentially the guy on Thursday. We'll see how it goes."

Yes, we sure will. But one thing the 23-year-old Toronto native has going for him is he's a quick study. The two-time Academic All-Canadian rooms with Gordon and has picked the veteran's brain from Day 1.

"I've taken a lot of the reps. That's all it is right now," Richardson said of Sunday's outing. "Maybe I'll take some more tomorrow. I'm just trying to take advantage of every (rep)I get and try and show them that I can do what's required to be the starter on Thursday and let them decide."

What's the chances the diminutive five-foot-nine, 190-pounder will start?

"There's a good chance he (will)," said head coach Richie Hall. "We have Richardson and we have (Jason) Nugent. They'll both be platooned in there and we'll make a decision. But we feel very good regarding both of them. Neither one has the experience that Scotty does, but there is a reason they're on the football team."

WHITLOCK TO START

With Lumsden out, Whitlock is officially in as a tailback.

"Finally; it's been a long time coming. I'm trying hard not to get too excited and too anxious," said Whitlock, who made the 46-man roster, but sat out Game 1.

He had a terrific exhibition season with 108 yards on 14 carries for a 7.7-yard average and two TDs.

"I've still got a bit in the tank, you know, from my momentum from the pre-season," smiled Whitlock. "I've been doing the same things, hoping for the opportunity to play."

He has it now.

MORE CHANGES?

Gordon was not at practice and FB Mathieu Bertrand and DB Willie Amos sat out without pads. Don't be surprised to see Jason Goss replace Herron at wide-side corner with Lenny Williams moving to half.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Certainly, this is not the way the Eskimos wanted to begin the season – losing two starters for extended periods of time in the first game. If Montreal and Edmonton play anywhere near the way they played last week, this is going to be a very looooooooong game for the Edmonton Eskimos. They’ve got to pick it up a few notches – particularly offensively.

Rutledge Hands Hahn A Gift

07/07/2009 04:33

Veteran's miscue in playoff gives second-year Canadian Tour player sweet victory

Rexall Place and Commonwealth Stadium have been out of the running, but the one place in Edmonton where you can always count on a playoff game is the Glendale Golf and Country Club.

For the fourth straight time the Telus Edmonton Open has played at Glendale, 72 holes weren't enough.

Veteran Jim Rutledge and second-year Canadian Tour player James Hahn ended regulation play in a tie at 16-under.

Any Sunday afternoon suspense, however, ended quicker than you can yell, "fore!"

Inexplicably, it was Rutledge, who had played as steady as William Tell with a bow and arrow all week, who made the miscue. His tee shot on the first extra hole ended in a hazard -- in the middle of four-foot high bull rushes.

Essentially, that was the tournament.

"I couldn't believe it," said Hahn, who won $24,000. "You just don't expect that from a veteran player of his calibre. I turned back and thought, 'Did that really happen?' It was almost a gift."

Hahn was going to hit a driver. But when he saw where Rutledge's drive went, Hahn immediately put that club back in the bag and pulled out a 2-iron, which he nailed 280 yards straight down the middle of the fairway.

Forced to take a penalty-stroke drop, Rutledge put his third shot on--but 30 feet away. Meanwhile, Hahn, easily hit a sand wedge to 15 feet.

If it wasn't over before, it was then.

"It's what you dream about. To come true is almost surreal," said Hahn, 27, born in Seoul, South Korea, but now living in Oakland, Calif.

"I was happy just to be in a playoff with him, just so I could tell my friends I was in a playoff with Jim Rutledge."

The first Canadian Tour victory for Hahn, his previous best finish, ironically enough, was a tie for eighth at last year's Telus Edmonton Open.

"I'll come back every year now," said Hahn, who has also played on the Korean PGA and the California Players Tour.

Classy as always, Rutledge, who won $14,400, shrugged off the loss. "It's OK; it's all right. I played very good. I got off to a hell of a good start," he said of birdies at Nos. 1, 4, 5 and 6."

As for the playoff tee shot, Rutledge shrugged that off as well.

"I hit it solid. I just pushed it."

While Rutledge roared out of the gate, so did Hahn, who made early birdies on Nos. 1, 3,5 and 6.

Saskatchewan's Graham DeLaet, who started Sunday's final round with a two-shot lead, could never really get anything going. His four straight par start immediately lost him ground to Rutledge and Hahn and then bogeys on Nos. 7, 10 and 13 essentially did him in.

Ontario's Andrew Parr got off to a similar hot start to Rutledge and Hahn. But Parr couldn't maintain it and finished with 10 straight pars.

While you can't play out of the trees at Glendale, Rutledge showed you can play out of the sand. He made two great up-and-down birdies from short-side bunkers on Nos. 9 and 14 to take a one-shot lead over Hahn.

But then Hahn tied Rutledge for the lead on No. 17 when he got up and down on the par-5 from a downhill lie, to a short pin that he had to hit over a bunker.

Despite the obvious difficulty of the shot, Hahn said: "I've practised that shot thousands of times. We used to throw balls into the worst lies you could and the guy that got closest to the pin would win a dollar.

"I knew I could make that shot," said Hahn, who put it within eight feet and made no mistake.

Meanwhile, on the same hole-- playing one group ahead of Hahn --Rutledge had his eight-foot birdie putt horseshoe around the cup.

"It hit an indentation, a little depression in the cup where it looked like someone had either pressed down or held the pin against the hole," said Rutledge.

Both players had chances to win it in regulation on the final hole. But both players birdie putts gave up inches short.

"It's what you dream about," said Hahn. "Needing a birdie to win."

But winning in a playoff wasn't so bad either.

"Unbelievable," said Hahn. "I'll replay this every single night."

STOCK REPORT--The top five money leaders on the Canadian Tour after the Telus get to play in this week's Wayne Gretzky Classic, Nationwide Tour event in Toronto. Because Rutledge and Rafael Gomez were already exempt -- already having Nationwide status -- that means that Edmonton's Stuart Anderson will be one of the five. The others are Mauricio Molina, who shot a 66 on Sunday to finish tied for fifth, Byron Smith, Graham DeLaet and Mike Grob.

Sherwood Park's Danny Sahl ended up tied for 23rd after starting the final round just three shots off the lead. However, while Sahl had four birdies he also had two double-bogeys and two bogeys.

Brady Stockton, who started the day just two shots off the lead, ended up tied for 58th after shooting an 83. His troubles included a drive hitting a rules official's cart and going out of bounds, his next tee shot never to be found and having to go back to the tee box to try it again.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

It would have been nice to see a Canadian win the Telus Edmonton Open.

New Wolf Bares Its Teeth

07/07/2009 04:33

Ponoka-area resort opens 'very Scottish' links-style nine holes

There are two unmistakable aspects of the new nine holes that just opened at the Wolf Creek Golf Resort south of Ponoka.

One, it is definitely "the Wolf"-- wild, untamed, tall fescue, blow-out bunkers, waste bunkers, sod walls. In short everything that people have come to know and love about the original east/west Wolf Creek layout that opened a full 25 years ago.

Two, it is definitely Rod Whitman, the architect of Wolf Creek, Blackhawk and dozens of other top courses world wide--four that have made the Top 20 of Golfweek Magazine's top 100 modern courses and seven of the overall top 100 in that list.

"Very Scottish," Whitman said of the new nine-hole links course which was designed as a sister to the south nine, giving Wolf Creek a total of 36 holes.

The original east/west course-- undoubtedly not by accident--is now known as the Old Course, like the famed St. Andrews.

The new 18, composed of the south nine and the new layout is being called the "Links Course."

"We've turned back the clock to the earliest of times," said Whitman.

The renowned architect has always believed that a good golf course should feel like your favourite old pair of jeans, and he doesn't believe in anything artificial.

What you see is what should appear to have been around forever and that is exactly what the new nine holes at Wolf Creek are.

If you didn't know better you would think they were hundreds of years old and imported directly from Scotland.

Unlike the original east/west course, both the south and the new nine have wider fairways simply because, unlike the 148 acres on which the Old Course was built, the Links Course is on more than 200 acres of land.

That let Whitman do one of the things he does best -- provide for two lines of approaches to the greens. Depending on pin placement, one is always superior to the other.

"But to allow for that strategy you need a lot of room and we have that here," said Whitman, who started working for legendary architect Pete Dye and then moved on to work for Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw--the team that designed courses like Nebraska's Sandhills which has been described as the best new course in the last decade--before going out on his own.

"Bill told me to read the old books on golf course design," said Whitman. "Books by people like Alister MacKenzie from the 1920s and 1930s. 'Study those and you can learn a lot about golf course design,' he told me."

Several holes on the new nine are perfect examples of both of those philosophies: the old and the strategy that is, or should be, required to play the game.

More from the Edmonton Journal.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Just looking at the Wolf Creek golf resort from the QE II is more than enough for me, folks.

Tambo Not Happy Heatley Trade Details Went Public

07/07/2009 04:33

The names of the Edmonton Oilers who would have gone in a trade for disgruntled Ottawa Senator Dany Heatley were made public, and Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini isn't happy about it.

The Senators tried to move Heatley to the Oilers before midnight on Wednesday, when the two-time 50-goal scorer was owed a $4 million US bonus.

In return Ottawa would have received forwards Andrew Cogliano and Dustin Penner and defenceman Ladislav Smid, but Heatley killed the trade, refusing to waive his no-movement clause.

Tambellini said Friday that disclosure of the names of the Oilers' players was "not fair to them — I'm not happy about that," and added that he hasn't given up on trying to sign Heatley.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

How do these things happen, you ask? Well, certain individuals within the Oilers’ organization with loose lips talking to the news media – that’s how.

Federer: ‘I Don’t Know If I Can Ever Top This’

07/07/2009 04:33

WIMBLEDON, England -- Roger Federer certainly is not ready to stop at a record 15 Grand Slam titles.

Still, he figures his recent run of success is about as good as it gets: a first French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam and tie Pete Sampras with 14 major championships, followed immediately by a sixth Wimbledon trophy for No. 15 overall.

"I don't know if I've had a more happy period in my tennis life. I don't know if I can ever top this," Federer said Monday at the All England Club, less than 24 hours after beating Andy Roddick 16-14 in the longest fifth set in major final history.

"These last months, with all the records on the line, and coming through both times," said Federer, who also returned to No. 1 in the rankings. "Knowing what it means to me, it's quite amazing."

After attending the Wimbledon Champions Dinner on Sunday night, Federer managed to squeeze in two hours of sleep -- from 7-9 a.m. -- before rising Monday.

"Sleep is so overrated," he said with a smile. "Then you wake up, and you're like, 'Man, you did it again."'

This one did not come easily: Federer was not able to break Roddick's serve until the 77th and last game.

It was a welcome change for Federer, who lost a 9-7 fifth set to Rafael Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon final.

Nadal didn't defend his title at the All England Club, citing sore knees. That came after a loss in the fourth round at the French Open, where Nadal won the previous four titles.

Federer was asked whether it mattered that Nadal wasn't around this year at Wimbledon.

"No. Not at all. Sure, people might see it this way, and I wish I could have played him again," Federer said.

"Rafa was part of the French Open -- I didn't play him there in the final, and it didn't take anything away, in my opinion. Some people are always going to say, 'You should have beaten him to do that.' I disagree," Federer continued. "(Bjorn) Borg walked away from tennis at 27 -- does that take anything away from John McEnroe or the legacy he had? No. You only have to beat who's across the net, and that's what it takes, and you can't always play the other biggest rivals. But I'm sad for him that he didn't even get a chance to defend Wimbledon."

Sampras attended Sunday's final, sitting in the front row of the Royal Box near Borg and Rod Laver, who each won 11 majors.

After the match, Sampras repeated what he's said before: He thinks Federer could wind up with 18 major titles or more.

Federer didn't disagree.

More from Canadian Press.

Wimbledon win returns Federer to No. 1.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I think Roger Federer can top this, no question. The frightening thing is that he still has a ton of great tennis left in him – the guy’s still right at the top of his game. If Rafael Nadal weren’t around, it’s really scary to think of what Roger Federer might have done.

Olympic Village Construction Shortcuts Risk Mould

07/07/2009 04:33

Contractors taking shortcuts on the construction of Vancouver's Olympic Village could lead to costly mould problems for future owners of the condominium units, according to a union official.

Lee Loftus, the business manager of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers, alleges there are problems brewing behind the drywall where shoddy work may result in energy losses and a mouldy mess for future owners.

The union took photographs of some of the pipes at the athletes' village that appear to show subcontractors installing pipes without the insulation required under Vancouver's building bylaw.

"You have cold water pipes condensing, pooling at the bottom of the walls. You have hot water pipes beside it. That will certainly lead to mould and mildew," Loftus said.

It also means the buildings aren't as energy-efficient as they are supposed to be, according to Loftus.

The developer said the uninsulated pipes were an isolated problem, which has been fixed. But Loftus told CBC News he went back twice and saw no changes during construction.

City inspections underway
Vancouver city staff plan to meet Monday morning to talk about the latest controversy surrounding the $1 billion project.

City manager Penny Ballem said she wants the public to know that the city does regular inspections on the village. "If people aren't satisfied or people have any doubt, the city will do whatever it takes that people can feel reassured and confident," said Ballem on Sunday.

"They're going to want some assurance that five to 10 years down the road they're not looking at a significant cost to remove mould," said Simpson on Sunday.

The Olympic Village is supposed to be a showcase for green and sustainable living, but financing problems, cost overruns, and a tight construction schedule have made it one of most controversial parts of the 2010 Winter Olympics preparations.

The city has already invested more than $450 million in the Olympic Village and owns the commercial real estate on the ground level. It hopes to make its money back when the residential condos are sold after the Olympic Games.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

This Olympic Village has been the biggest fiasco of Vancouver 2010.

Andre Agassi To Be Honored At U.S. Open

07/07/2009 04:33

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Andre Agassi is coming back to the U.S. Open.

The two-time champion will headline the Grand Slam tournament's opening night ceremony on Aug. 31, celebrating athletes' charity work.

He began the Andre Agassi Foundation in 1994, the year of his first title at Flushing Meadows.

He also won the 1999 U.S. Open for the fifth of his eight Grand Slam titles.

Agassi ended his 21-year career there when he retired after the 2006 tournament.

Among his foundation's main efforts is the charter school in Las Vegas named for the tennis star. It graduated its first senior class in June, sending all 34 students to college.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Not only was Agassi a great tennis player, he’s now doing great work for charity.

Woods Extends His Lead In World Rankings

07/07/2009 04:33

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Tiger Woods claimed his 68th PGA Tour win on Sunday and extended his lead at the top of the world rankings.

Woods, after winning his own tournament, the AT&T National, extended his lead over No. 2 Phil Mickelson from 1.84 to 2.82 average points.

Paul Casey remained No. 3 and was again followed by Kenny Perry and Sergio Garcia.

Geoff Ogilvy and Henrik Stenson exchanged places with Ogilvy up to six, while Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh remained eighth through 10th.

Camilo Villegas inched up one to 11, knocking Padraig Harrington down to 12, and he was followed by Sean O'Hair, who stayed put at 13. Anthony Kim took third behind Woods and moved up one to 14th this week, bumping Robert Karlsson down to 15th.

Ian Poulter and Lucas Glover remained 16 and 17, while Lee Westwood was up one to 18 and Open de France winner Martin Kaymer jumped nine to 19th. Rory McIlroy dipped two to 20th and Ross Fisher slipped out of the top 20 this week.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

The scary part is, folks, that he’s still getting better and, for the first time in his career, he’s playing on two healthy legs.

About That Alberta Health Care Story

06/07/2009 05:12

Don:

I was very interested in the comments by George Proulx and Jim Starko on your Website yesterday about pensions and health care. They reflect what I believe is a fairly common sentiment in Alberta about the sense of
entitlement and arrogance that characterizes the Stelmach government.

This government’s behaviour is typified by extreme, even obscene, generosity to people who for one reason or another are insiders and cronies, and mean-spirited parsimony and outright hostility toward programs that benefit ordinary taxpayers or society as a whole. Gold-plated pensions for well-connected senior managers are an example of the former; attacks on funding for pensioners’ pharmaceutical needs and on our public health care system are examples of the latter.

George is completely correct when he suggests it is nonsense to claim capable and talented people won’t do good work for salaries much more in line with what the rest of us are paid. And Jim is quite right to state that anything done by the Minister of Health must have the approval of the Premier. That’s how our Parliamentary system works. But I am growing impatient with suggestions like Jim’s that Premier Stelmach should pay attention to “what Albertans are trying to tell him.” Why should he? We never hold him to account.

Really, we Albertans have no one but ourselves to blame for this sorry state of affairs. We are perpetually dissatisfied with the government’s policies. We constantly complain we weren’t informed of the government’s agenda during election campaigns. And we regularly return this government to power with massive majorities. Is it any wonder they seem to grow more arrogant with each passing year? What would they have to do to incur our displeasure in the polling booth? Drop an atomic bomb on us? I fear the survivors would crawl out of the rubble and vote Conservative!

Questioned about their voting behaviour, Albertans often ask, “What alternative is there?” But really, shouldn’t the question now be, “What alternative could be worse?” At this point, letters to the editor, or letters to our Conservative MLAs, are not going to do any good. The only remedy that will work is to demonstrate our dissatisfaction by voting for opposition candidates on voting day. If we can’t bring ourselves to do even that, I guess we deserve our fate.

David Climenhaga
St. Albert

SINC SAYS:

I suspect there is much truth in what you write David, but until the NDP or the Liberals come up with a charismatic leader, a real leader, they will remain in the political wilderness in Alberta. Brian Mason is boring and tired and is seen as the bus driver he once was by most voters. The Liberals keep trying and failing to find that person as well.

Tired old familiar opposition faces just don’t cut it in Alberta. They need much younger people involved. Someone with vision and foresight and the guts to enact popular programs and protect seniors, but not forgetting all Albertans. That elusive mystery leader of either opposition party is still very much at large.

Ultimate Stair 600x200

About That “Ghost” Cat Video . . .

06/07/2009 05:12

Hi Don,

Hate to burst the spiritual bubble, but that "ghost" was a small bug walking across the cameral lens.

Bob F.
St. Albert

SINC SAYS:

Hey Bob, never even thought of that. Don’tcha just love it when our readers solve mysteries?

St. Albert Taxpayers Continue The Good Fight

06/07/2009 05:11

Hello all members St. Albert Taxpayers Association:

At the June 29th, I spoke to Council on their plans to start to build what amounts to an historic village in St. Albert. The cost? Over 12 million dollars over the next several years.

You can see the presentation made to Council by ISL (who is being paid a bundle for the functional plan) and will likely be a favoured bidder for the detail phases, at the cities website.

Please write to your favourite councilor on this topic to see if we can get this initiative stopped in its tracks. It is another example, along with the $800,000 Founders Walk, the $150,000 city monument, and the $500,000+ birthday bash, or spending on nice to haves, that particularly in these economic times represent a cavalier attitude to the spending of taxpayers dollars.

ST. ALBERT TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION SUBMISSION TO COUNCIL: HERITAGE SITES FUNCTIONAL PLAN

City Council Meeting, June 29, 2009 by: Lynda Flannery, President

Mr. Mayor and Councillors:
• Council is asked to approve the Heritage Sites Functional Plan so that it can move forward with Phase I. While sounding innocuous, this plan is about building a Heritage Park for an estimated cost of $12.6 Million dollars. Almost $10 Million of this is to be spent by 2014. It is unclear whether this includes purchase costs for River Lot 23.
• Secondly, Counil is asked to approve funding for design and cost estimation for Phase 1, which is basically part of the Grain elevator portion of the project.
• The other phases of the project include development both a Metis and French Canadian farm, which includes restoration of some heritage homes, as well as a nature park and all types of supportive infrastructure.
• The St. Albert Taxpayers Association expresses concern with expenditures of this type particularly given all the more necessary infrasturcture needs coming up for St. Albert. These are in the hundreds of millions of dollars over the next 10 years.
• We are even more amazed at this type of expenditure given the provincial government decreases in MSI funding. Funds allocated to the Heritage Park become unavailable for other more necessary infrastructure.
• In addition, in the recent city Branding work being done by Mr. Brooks, his comments were that history is not going to entice anyone to drive 200 miles to St. Albert. This is regardless of whether it is an interpretive site, a historic park, a museum, founders walks etc.. Rather, it is an extra, you might visit once you are here. So why is the city moving forward on these types of historical initiatives in light of this type of visitor dynamic.
• Also disturbing is what is missing from this analysis: a cost benefit study that includes both capital and operating costs. This would indicate the return St. Albert can expect from this significant expenditure. Will it return anything to the city, or will it just be a draw on capital and operating funds.
• It is clear that no one has asked if this type of development is economically feasible. Even the major sites like Fort Edmonton and Heritage Park in Calgary are seasonal venues and struggle for funding.
• In addition, your own satisfaction survey of taxpayers does not rate these type of facilities highly in comparison to the key municipal services areas. Heritage sites ranked last of 26 city services in importance to the taxpayer.
• As a result, even though these are “laudable” initiatives, on behalf of SATpA, we ask Council to indefinitely delay this initiative.
• Quite simply, the purse of the St. Albert Taxpayer cannot continue to be drained by these types of initiatives.
• As we stated previously to council, 77% of taxpayers replying to your satisfaction survey, said hold the line on tax increases to no more than the CPI, or alternately decrease taxes. The impact of these types of “nice to have” initiatives on both the operating and capital budgets, do not move us in this direction.

Lynda Flannery
President
St. Albert Taxpayers Association

SINC SAYS:

So lemme see. 77 percent of residents don’t want taxes to increse eh? My prediction? Council will plow ahead with little or no regard for taxpayers opinions unless voters get off their butts and scream long and loud.

Firefighters Save Elderly Woman From Her Burning TV

06/07/2009 05:11

. . . By changing the channel

ZURICH (AP) — It must rank among the easiest fires ever to put out.

Zurich authorities say police and firefighters were called to the house of an elderly woman early Thursday after she reported her television set was burning.

When they arrived, they discovered no signs of fire or smoke.

They found instead that the TV was tuned into a German station that in the early morning hours aired the constant image of a fireplace.

"The fire was extinguished with the press of a button," police said in a statement.

SINC SAYS:

Ah yes, the old fake fireplace channel trick.

Pictures That Make You Say Wow!

06/07/2009 05:11

Best Of National Geographic . . .

06/07/2009 05:11

IF MY BODY WERE A CAR . . .

06/07/2009 05:11

If my body were a car, this is the time I would be thinking about trading it in for a newer model. I've got bumps and dents and scratches in my finish and my paint job is getting a little dull.

But that's not the worst of it.

My headlights are out of focus and it's especially hard to see things up close

My traction is not as graceful as it once was. I slip and slide and skid and bump into things even in the best of weather..

My whitewalls are stained with varicose veins.

It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed. My fuel rate burns inefficiently.

But here's the worst of it.

Almost every time I sneeze, cough or sputter, either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires!

Oh, Those Animals . . .

06/07/2009 05:11

Simply Great Pictures . . .

06/07/2009 05:11

Aussie Smokers Face $20 Cigarette Packs

06/07/2009 05:11

CIGARETTES could cost more than $20 for a packet of 30 and come in plain wrapping if radical proposals now under consideration by the federal government are accepted.

The government is considering a cigarette tax hike and a ban on all remaining tobacco advertising and sponsorship in response to its yet-to-be-released Preventative Health Taskforce report.

The landmark report, now being examined by Health Minister Nicola Roxon, urges the government to slash smoking rates over the next decade to nine per cent, reducing the number of people aged 14 and over who smoke daily from three million to two million.

Under the changes, some of which were canvassed in a discussion paper released late last year, cigarette packets would be generic and plain, with larger graphic health warnings taking up about 90 per cent of the front and 100 per cent of the back.

Tobacco companies also face a blanket ban on all sponsorship, Internet sales, public relations activities and "corporate responsibility'' donations, Fairfax Newspapers say.

The plan has been strongly backed by anti-smoking organisations such as the Public Health Association, the Cancer Council and the National Heart Foundation, but has alarmed cigarette companies, which claim it could be unlawful.

SINC SAYS:

Sounds like something they should try here. As one who smoked for over 40 years, but quit nearly 10 years back, I don’t miss the damn things at all.

When A Photo Is Not Just A Photo

06/07/2009 05:11

Tree Houses From Around the World

06/07/2009 05:11

seattle-tree-house-architectural-designers

Eskimos’ Jesse Lumsden Out For 10 Weeks

06/07/2009 05:11

EDMONTON - There is no definitive timeline for Jesse Lumsden’s return to the playing field, but it will definitely not be for the next 10 weeks.

Said to be facing season-ending shoulder surgery or weeks of rehabilitation, Lumsden has not made up his mind which route he will take in hopes of repairing his left shoulder dislocation.

“Best-case scenario is I’m back in 10 weeks and I’m ready to go for the remainder of the season and a playoff run. Fired up and nothing is going to get in my way,” said Lumsden, speaking to the media for the first time since the injury occurred on Thursday.

“We all know that he’s not going to be playing in the next couple of weeks. It’s a process that’s going to go two-and-half months. Having said that, nine-gaming him has to be a possibility that we have to explore. That’s something we’re probably going to do in the next 24 to 48 hours,” said general manager Danny Maciocia.

Going on the nine-game injured list means the earliest he could return is Sept. 20 at Saskatchewan.

On Sunday, the Edmonton Eskimos running back spoke about the dark cloud that seems to be hovering above him so far in his short Canadian Football League career.

“I know it’s not the way I wanted the first press conference to go. There are options that I have to work with, that’s something I have to take some time to think about,” said a disappointed Lumsden.

“Decisions at this point you have to try to keep some emotions out of it and do what’s best for myself and the Eskimos.

“It’s information I’m not fully clear on yet. I need to get some more information about rehab and then coming back or surgery to clean up what’s in there. I’m not sure what the rehab time is for this type of surgery,” he insisted.

In the meantime, Ciatrick Fason, a last-day Eskimos cut, is back in the fold for practice on Sunday. Arkee Whitlock has been activated for the Montreal game on Thursday.

One thing is certain, Lumsden — who has faced previous shoulder, knee and ankle injuries — isn’t about to quit.

“I’m 26 years old. I plan on leaving football when I can’t contribute anymore,” stressed Lumsden. “I know that I can contribute and I know that I can play. It’s a very, very frustrating thing what I’m going through. Me not playing football is not even in the thought process right now.”

Lumsden said he went into shock when he took Siddeeq Shabazz’s hit flush on his left shoulder with just 33 seconds left in the opening quarter of Thursday’s 19-17 win over Winnipeg.

“I knew the sensation of what happened. To be honest, I can’t remember,” he said of the incident. “I’ve seen the play a couple of times, but I went into shock. I felt that my shoulder was out and came off and talked to the people I had to talk to.

“In terms of pain, that’s not an issue, not a big deal for me.”

Meanwhile, the Esks will be without safety Scott Gordon for up to four weeks with a leg injury.

Lumsden confident he’ll return from latest injury.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

This is an interesting development, indeed. I thought the injury was career ending, or, at the very least, season ending.

Roger Federer Is Simply The Greatest Of All-Time

06/07/2009 05:11

Wins record 15th Grand Slam title in marathon Wimbledon final as Laver, Borg and Sampras look on

WIMBLEDON, England - Roger Federer won his record 15th Grand Slam title Sunday when he outlasted Andy Roddick for his sixth Wimbledon championship in a marathon match that went to 16-14 in the fifth set.

Federer served 50 aces and overcame the resilient American 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14 to break the record of major titles he shared with Pete Sampras and enhance his reputation as arguably the greatest player of all time.

The 30 games in the fifth set established a record for the most games played in any set in a Wimbledon singles final. The previous overall record for games in a set was 24, and 16 games for a decisive fifth set.

The match finally ended when Federer broke for the first time in the match, with Roddick hitting an errant forehand.

Watching it all from the front row of the Royal Box was Sampras, a seven-time Wimbledon champion who flew in from California to see history made in his first appearance at the All England Club since playing here for the last time in 2002. Also on hand were Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.

Federer also reclaimed the No. 1 ranking he lost last year to Rafael Nadal, the man who beat him in the epic 2008 final but missed this year's tournament because of knee problems.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I thought last year’s Wimbledon final between Federer and Rafael Nadal was the greatest tennis match I had ever seen. And, it was. However, today’s match between Federer and Andy Roddick is, no doubt, the greatest tennis match that I have ever seen and, probably, the greatest tennis match of all-time. I mean 16-14 for Federer in the fifth set? I know I’ve never seen a fifth set go 30 games before – and look at the overall score in favor of Federer – 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6 and 16-14. Simply unbelievable. What fabulous tennis by two absolute warriors.

Living Down To Expectations

06/07/2009 05:11

Lumsden's body, Heatley's attitude re-affirm long-held public perceptions

The over-under on Jesse Lumsden was supposed to be 14 games, not 14 minutes.

But one particularly vulnerable part of the poor kid's body continues to insist it wasn't meant for the occasionally devastating physical contact that most of him is willing to take head-on. Lumsden was to meet with a team doctor Saturday, and word is the running back has been given the option of season-ending surgery on his dislocated left shoulder or several weeks of rehabilitation. It's believed Lumsden will choose the latter and be fitted for a brace upon his return to action later this season.

It is likely, though not definite, that he will be shuffled to the nine-game injured list, which would shield his contract from the salary cap but put him on the shelf until the second half of the 18-game campaign.

The Eskimos postponed a Saturday announcement regarding Lumsden's prognosis until today. The only good news will be that he did not tear the labrum again. His left shoulder required surgery and several months of rehab in 2007 and 2008 after he tore the labrum in both cases, but in different places.

After ankle, knee, clavicle and zthose previous shoulder injuries limited him to just 19 games over the 2007 and '08 seasons, this setback is indeed a sad one for Lumsden and the Eskimos, but hardly surprising. Lumsden is who we thought he is, an unlucky, injury-prone back who has fought a losing battle to stay out of the trainer's room.

And there ought to be a lesson in this tale of woe for the Edmonton Oilers, because Dany Heatley is exactly who we think he is. He is a one-dimensional sniper who will score goals and be among the more selfish and high-maintenance players on the roster if the Oilers' persistent begging puts him in their colours.

If he wanted to play for Edmonton, even a little, he would have OK'd the trade from Ottawa days ago. If he finally relents, he will do so only because there is no other option that could fulfil his whiny trade demand, and that will only add resentment to his other unfavourable characteristics.

Crazy old Dennis Green had it right when he said the Chicago Bears are who he thought they were. It was a delicious rant. His sadsack Arizona Cardinals gagged on a 23-3 third-quarter lead on Monday Night Football in 2006 and lost 24-23.

"The Bears are what we thought they were. If you want to crown'em, then crown their ass," he yelled during his post-game press conference. "They are who we thought they were. And we let 'em off the hook."

People are who they are. Lumsden can no more escape the Achilles heel in his left shoulder than Heatley can override his dominant sense of entitlement. It's part of his personality. As Todd Bertuzzi would no doubt opine, it is what it is.

And if it seems odd that the Oilers would fall all over themselves to get Heatley's grudging approval, it's because they are who we think they are, a non-playoff team desperate for goal scoring. Their crushing need creates both a weakness and a willingness to view Heatley in only the most optimistic light. Will he score 40 goals on a top line with Ales Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff? Of course. Maybe 50. Will he play defence if head coach Pat Quinn asks him to do so? How could he refuse such a tenured bench boss? Will he accept a demotion to the second power-play unit if the first one isn't getting the job done? To do otherwise would allow ego to hurt the team and that can't happen. Right?

More from the Edmonton Journal.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I think it’s terribly unfair of Dan Barnes to talk about Jesse Lumsden and Dany Heatley in the same breath.

Woods Wins His Own Tournament By One Shot

06/07/2009 05:11

BETHESDA, Md. -- Tiger Woods made it a hat trick of victories in tournaments hosted by PGA Tour stars, this one the most meaningful of all because it was his own.

Woods lived up to his hopes of being a "greedy host" Sunday, leaving Anthony Kim in his wake and then making a 20-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole to overtake hard-charging Hunter Mahan for a one-shot victory in his AT&T National.

He closed with a 3-under 67 at Congressional for his third victory of the year, the others coming at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill and Jack Nicklaus' Memorial Tournament.

The challenge came from a rising star, just not the Californian anyone expected.

Mahan made six birdies on the back nine for a 62, tying the course record that Kim had set on Thursday. The final birdie on the 18th gave him a share of the lead, and Mahan had to wait more than an hour to see if Woods could top him.

Woods twice scrambled for par to stay tied for the lead, then looked as though he squandered a good birdie chance on the par-5 16th when his chip from the rough came out heavy and stopped 20 feet from the hole. Backing off once, he rolled in it, then walked stoically to the hole, nodding his head.

He closed with routine pars to finish at 13-under 267. The 68th victory of his PGA Tour career moved him to the top of the money list and the FedEx Cup standings for the first time this year.

Whether it gives him any momentum will be determined in two weeks at Turnberry.

All three of Woods' victories this year have come in his final start before a major, and he finished four shots behind in both the Masters and the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black two weeks ago.

The next stop is the British Open on a links course Woods has never seen.

As for the golf he played Sunday -- that was nothing new.

Woods kept mistakes to a minimum -- he failed to make par on the 11th hole for the fourth straight round -- and took advantage of his birdie chances when he had them.

Kim simply couldn't keep up.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Well, this outcome was totally predictable, folks. All I can say is don’t bet against Tiger at Turnberry in the Open Championship in two weeks time.

Calendar Slam Not Beyond Federer: Rod Laver

06/07/2009 05:11

LONDON -- Roger Federer has achieved pretty much every record in the book, and Rod Laver sees no reason why the Swiss maestro cannot push on and emulate the Australian and win the much-vaunted 'calendar' slam.

Victory in Sunday's final against Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon singles final would propel Federer to a record 15th grand slam title, one more than Pete Sampras and four more than the 70-year-old Laver, nicknamed the 'Rockhampton Rocket'.

Laver is the only man in the modern era to have claimed all four slam titles - the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open - in one calendar year when he dominated the sport in 1969.

He achieved the same clean sweep in 1962 as an amateur and then turned professional, prompting a exile from the sport's majors until the game itself turned pro in 1968.

Making a rare return to the All England Club, Laver said the calendar slam - also achieved by American Don Budge in 1938 - was not unthinkable even in the highly competitive men's game.

"Is it still achievable now for him? Yeah, I would have thought so," Laver told a news conference.

Federer has won three of the four majors in a single year on three occasions.

"I certainly thought that Roger would be the odds on to repeat a Grand Slam in the same year," Laver added.

"But it hasn't happened. You know, the Australian, the U.S. and Wimbledon was pretty easy for him when you look back at his career, winning three of each one.

"But (Rafa) Nadal came along and pushed him back. I think he would have won a Grand Slam if Rafa wasn't there. It all has to line up in a way that you have to be fortunate to play your best tennis at the right time. That's the way it is."

Laver has never been easily drawn into the debate about the greatest player of all time, despite his name being compared with the likes of Federer, Sampras, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, saying that it is futile to compare players of different eras.

Yet the Queenslander, who along with fellow Australians Ken Rosewall, Lew Hoad, and Roy Emerson, dominated the game in the 1960s, is the first to show his respect for the 27-year-old Swiss and the artistry he brings to the sport.

"I think the public should just watch his feet, just watch Roger and not the ball, and you'd see how great a player he is to pull off some of the shots," said Laver. "When he's half volleying winners off the baseline, you just marvel at his ability to do that.

"You almost think about table tennis when you start thinking about the way Roger plays with the racket."

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

‘Rocket’ Rod Laver was truly one of the all-time tennis greats. It would be kind of neat for Roger Federer to join him and claim the French Open, Wimbledon, Australian Open and U.S. Open titles all in the same calendar year.

Ex-NFLer Steve 'Air' McNair’s Death A Homicide

06/07/2009 05:11

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair's shooting death was a homicide, police said Sunday but they stopped short of saying it was a murder-suicide committed by the 20-year-old girlfriend found dead by his side.

McNair, 36, was shot four times, twice in the head, by a semiautomatic pistol, Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron said. The woman, Sahel Kazemi, was killed by a single gunshot wound and the pistol was found under her body, Aaron said.

Aaron said the two had been in a "dating relationship for past several months."

Asked if the deaths could have caused by a lover's quarrel, Aaron said, "That's a very important part of the investigation as we work to ultimately classify Miss Kazemi's death."

Police said they need to do more interviews with friends of Kazemi and McNair before they rule on whether her death was a suicide, Aaron said.

McNair, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, was married with four children. He and Kazemi were found dead Saturday afternoon at a Nashville condominium he shared with a friend, and police said Sunday that it appears the two died in the early morning.

Police earlier said they weren't looking for any suspects and do not believe McNair's wife was involved. Mechelle McNair, mother of two of his four sons, was expected to collect her husband's belongings from authorities. Funeral arrangements were not expected to be finalized until Monday afternoon at the earliest.

"She's still very upset, very distraught," agent Bus Cook said.

McNair led the famous Tennessee Titans' drive that came a yard short of forcing overtime in the 2000 Super Bowl, before the Titans traded him to the Baltimore Ravens in 2006. "On the field, there isn't a player that was as tough as him," the Ravens' Derrick Mason said.

McNair retired last year and had recently opened a restaurant in Nashville, where he shared a condo with a friend.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

This is truly a tragic story. Oh, what a tangled web we weave . . .

NHL Probe Of Hawks Over, Awaits NHLPA Response

06/07/2009 05:10

The National Hockey League has concluded its portion of an investigation into the Chicago Blackhawks mishandling of a number of qualifying offers made last week.

At the request of the Players Association, the league has forwarded its findings to NHLPA and now awaits reaction to determine what happens next.

Unless the NHLPA chooses to grieve the situation, the issue could be dead.

Last week, sources with hands on knowledge of how qualifying offers have to be filed told TSN that some restricted free agents on the Blackhawks who didn't received proper notification from the team.

Blackhawks stars Kris Versteeg and Cam Barker are among that group.

Dale Tallon told TSN he believed all of the qualifying offers were post marked for June 29th and didn't sound concerned when the matter was discussed on Friday.

Tallon acknowledged there was a mistake made and wondered if the July 1st holiday may have interfered with the players and player agents receiving the qualifying offers via mail, on time.

Multiple sources say it's clearly stated in the collective bargaining agreement, qualifying offers, or QO's, as they're commonly referred to, are not supposed to be mailed, but rather faxed or delivered by courier.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

My advice to the NHLPA – let the issue die. But will the union? Of course not.

U.S. Beats Canada, Wins World Junior Football Title

06/07/2009 05:10

CANTON, Ohio - Bryce Petty threw three touchdown passes as the United States won the gold medal at the Junior World Championship Sunday with a 41-3 victory against Canada.

Virginia Tech running back David Wilson rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown to help the U.S. win the first world tournament of American football for players age 19 and under.

The U.S. roster of incoming college freshmen crushed France and Mexico in the first two rounds by a combined score of 133-0 and led top seed Canada 18-3 lead late in the third quarter.

Petty, a Baylor recruit, connected with Kevin Cummings for a 53-yard touchdown, then came back two minutes later with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Erik Lora that put the United States up 32-3 entering the fourth quarter Petty was 14-for-14 passing for 190 yards.

Lirim Hajrullahu's 38-yard field goal late in the first for Canada was the only score the Americans allowed in the tournament.

Steven Lumbala rushed for 32 yards on 10 carries for Canada and quarterback Jeremie Doyon-Roch completed 5-of-17 passes for 45 yards, but his first-quarter interception gave the Americans an early start.

Storm Klein of Ohio State stepped in front of a pass on the second play of the game to give the Americans the ball on the Canada 17-yard line. Petty threw a touchdown pass to Jamal Davis on the following play.

Wilson's 29-yard run late in the first quarter gave him eight touchdowns in the tournament, tops among all players.

Japan won the bronze medal, Mexico finished fourth, Germany was fifth, Sweden was sixth, France was seventh and New Zealand was eighth.

Canada received the top seed for its strong history in junior international play, and the U.S. received an automatic bid for serving as the host. The remaining six countries clinched bids by winning regional qualifiers around the world.

The next Junior World Championship is scheduled for 2012, and will be played every two years thereafter.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Shows you what I know. I didn’t even know there was such a competition as the World Junior Football title.

St. Albert

St. Albert's Place On The Web - http://mybirdie.ca

By Don Sinclair