AltaLink Relocation On "Hold" Yet Again?

18/10/2008 10:54

City of St. Albert AltaLink Relocation

Agenda Item October 20, 2008

Don,

Any chance to put this little item on the site? Here is the link to the item pictured left.

Administration recommends "that the project be deferred to the 2009 Budget review for consideration in the context of all of the Capital Business cases."

Thanks,

Elke Blodgett
St. Albert

SINC SAYS:

Looks to me like someone does not want to make any progress on this issue. How about you folks?

Annual City of St. Albert Tax Gouge

18/10/2008 03:13

Hi Don,

Here we go again eh! The annual tax grab by the city. I will however remain optimistic that this is the year that the citizens of St. Albert will say enough already.

The Taxpayers association is starting to gain some serious momentum. I write this as a call to the taxpayers to join our organization and fight this.

With strength in numbers I believe that we can do something about the redundant incompetence at City Hall.

Mark Fraser
St. Albert

SINC SAYS:

I sure hope you are right about that strength in numbers thing Mark. Unless council is faced with an open revolt, you can bet they will stick it to taxpayers again for three more long years.

The Things That People Send Me . . .

18/10/2008 02:54

Lego Heads For Record Sales Year

18/10/2008 02:47

As parents ditch cheap Chinese toys in favour of quality

Lego, the toy company, is on track for a record year as British parents struggling with the economic downturn shun buying lots of cheaply-made toys in favour of one, well-made present for their children.

The toy industry is facing a very tough year, as parents and grandparents contemplate the previously unthinkable – cutting back on presents for their children this Christmas. Sales fell in September by 3 per cent, compared with a year ago.

However, trading figures suggest that long-established companies are bucking the downturn as parent plump for brands they recognise and trust, with Lego and Playmobil both enjoying very strong sales in recent weeks.

According to John Lewis, sales of Lego are up 42 per cent, Playmobil is up 19 per cent.

Stuart Grant, buying director at The Entertainer, the country's largest chain on independent toy shops said: "All three brands are doing unbelievably well, despite the credit crunch. There is a real move from parents towards saying, 'I have just £100 this year to spend on presents. I want something really good quality and not something that will end up being discarded on Boxing Day'."

Details here.

SINC SAYS:

This story is especially for a St. Albert Place lady reader who collects Lego.

To Put A Smile On Your Face . . .

18/10/2008 02:38

This little gem comes to us from Shirley and Grahame Allen of the city, currently vacationing in Vernon. Thanks guys!

One day, a man came home and was greeted by his wife dressed in a very sheer nightie. 'Tie me up,' she purred, 'and you can do anything you want.' So he tied her up and went golfing.

*****************************************
A woman came home, screeching her car into the driveway, and ran into the house. She slammed the door and shouted at the top of her lungs, 'Honey, pack your bags. I won the lottery!'
The husband said, 'Oh my God! What should I pack, beach stuff or mountain stuff?' 'Doesn't matter,' she said. 'Just get out.'

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Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right, and the other is a husband.

      *************************************
A Polish immigrant went to the DMV to apply for a driver's license. First, of course, he had to take an eye sight test The optician showed him a card with the letters

'C Z W I X N O S T A C Z.' 'Can you read this?' the optician asked. 'Read it?' the Polish guy replied, 'I know the guy.'

    ***********************************************
Mother Superior called all the nuns together and said to them, 'I must tell you all something. We have a case of gonorrhea in the convent.' 'Thank God,' said an elderly nun at the back. 'I'm so tired of chardonay.

       ********************************************
A wife was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her husband. Suddenly, her husband burst into the kitchen. 'Careful,' he said, 'CAREFUL! Put in some more butter! Oh my gosh! You're cooking too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need more butter. Oh my gosh! WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER? They're goi ng to STICK! Careful. CAREFUL! I said be CAREFUL! You NEVER listen to me when you're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you CRAZY? Have you LOST your mind? Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. USE THE SALT! THE SALT!' The wife stared at him. 'What in the world is wrong with you? You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?' The husband calmly replied, 'I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm driving.'

***************************************************************
Fifty-one years ago, Herman James, a North Carolina mountain man, was drafted by the Army. On his first day in basic training, the Army issued him a comb. That afternoon the Army barber sheared off all his hair . On his second day, the Army issued Herman a toothbrush. That afternoon the Army dentist yanked seven of his teeth. On the third day, the Army issued him a jock strap. The Army has been looking for Herman for 51 years.

Fried Steak And Metal . . . Smell Of Outer Space

18/10/2008 02:35

NASA has commissioned a specialist to recreate the smell of outer space – which has been described as being similar to fried steak and hot metal.

The research is being conducted so astronauts can get an idea of the kinds of conditions they will experience.

Steven Pearce, a chemist and managing director of fragrance manufacturing company Omega Ingredients, has been working since August to recreate the smell – he hopes to be finished by the end of the year.

“We have a few clues as to what space smells like. First of all, there were interviews with astronauts that we were given, when they had been outside and then returned to the space station and were de-suiting and taking off their helmets, they all reported quite particular odours,” Mr Pearce told Daily Mail.

“For them, what comes across is a smell of fried steak, hot metal and even welding a motorbike.”

Mr Pearce said he has successfully produced the smell of fried steak, but recreating the smell of hot metal has proven to be quite difficult.

SINC SAYS:

You don’t have to go to outer space to smell like that. Just wrap a steak in tin foil, toss it on your manifold and go for a two hour drive.

Here Is Something You Likely Didn't Know

18/10/2008 02:30

Do not swallow your chewing gum!

See what happens!

Thanks to a long time reader of St. Albert's Place for this little giggle.

cfcw

Perfect Arrow Shot Saves Life

18/10/2008 02:28

It was a one-in-a-million shot, but luckily for Ron J. Leming, his father accurately fired the arrow from his bow the one time it counted the most - as a 500-pound grizzly bear chased him downhill.

Ron J. and his father, Ron G. Leming, were archery hunting for elk up the South Fork of the Shoshone River in northwest Wyoming in mid-September, about 15 miles into the Washakie Wilderness from the trailhead. It's an area they are familiar with, having hunted there for the past 15 years.

For three days they'd bugled, cow-called and worked the woods, hoping to shoot a big bull. Fall is when elk breed. Big bulls bugle to challenge other bulls in hopes of breeding more cow elk. Hunters imitate the sounds in hopes of luring the testosterone-amped bulls into range.

The elder man, 62, had missed two shots on the two previous days. He has never shot an elk with his bow. But the father and son were calling in bulls, so when they left camp on horseback Sept. 12, hopes were high for success.

Details here.

SINC SAYS:

It is truly remarkable how some people can act under extreme pressure. I’d have been changing my pants.

Wood Carving Masterpieces

18/10/2008 02:25

YOGURT CAN HELP TO BEAT CANCER

18/10/2008 02:22

Eating two pots of yogurt a day can dramatically reduce the chance of developing bladder cancer, research suggests.

People who ate it saw their risk of suffering from the disease drop by 40 per cent compared to those who rarely touched yogurt.

Researchers believe bacteria in yogurt gives the protection.

They looked at the diets of more than 80,000 volunteers over nine years and found that the 500 who developed bladder cancer were likely not to have eaten much yogurt.

The scientists said that having about two average-sized tubs of yogurt a day reduced the risk by 45 per cent in women and 36 per cent in men.

Details here.

SINC SAYS:

My wife encouraged me to eat yogurt daily. It took a long time to cultivate a taste for it, but now I have one every day. I guess that means my risk is only reduced by 18%?

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Now Why Didn't I Think Of That?

18/10/2008 02:20

Stony Plain Names Arena For “Mr. Goalie”

18/10/2008 02:19

STONY PLAIN -- At first, Glenn Hall didn't much like the idea of having the local rink renamed after him.

When you have a famous face and live in a small town in Western Canada, you treasure being able to fit in as just another guy around town.

Hall, of course, could never be anything else. It's hard to imagine a more soft-spoken, unassuming great in any game.

And that's why, after all these years, Stony Plain mayor Ken Lemke explained, that they wanted to rename the rink the town built back in 1967 the Glenn Hall Centennial Arena.

If it was because he was simply a hockey legend living in their midst, they could have named the barn after him back when they built it in the first place.

No, they didn't do it for who he was when he played a record 502 consecutive games in goal without wearing a mask in his Hall of Fame career from 1955 to 1971.

They did it because of the way he was when he arrived, a kid from Humbolt, Saskatchewan, to play goal for the Edmonton Flyers in the old Western Hockey League from 1952 to 1955. For the way he fit in as one of them, living on his farm just outside town throughout his entire NHL career. And for the way he's been ever since, living here with the same sense of community.

Lemke, upon unveiling the large, classy sign for the building and an even more impressive 80-foot mural on the front of the rink, said the honor was to say thanks "for giving so much to our community."

More from the Edmonton Sun.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Glenn Hall was one of the greatest goalies of all time – and one of my absolute favorites. He holds a NHL record that will never be broken – 502 consecutive games in-a-row without wearing a face mask between 1955 – 1971, although late in his career with the St. Louis Blues, Hall finally capitulated and put on a mask. And, don’t forget – this was a man that had to face Bobby Hull’s slapshot in practice every day most of his career!

Yzerman – Executive Director Of Olympic Team?

18/10/2008 02:18

TORONTO - Hockey Canada will officially introduce Steve Yzerman as the new executive director of the 2010 Olympic team on Saturday in Ottawa.

The team's management staff for the Vancouver Winter Games will be announced at an afternoon news conference.

Yzerman takes over from Wayne Gretzky, who held the job for the past two Olympics.

"I don't think it's any secret that (Yzerman) is obviously going to take over the team," Gretzky told the Ottawa Sun this week. "I'm always somehow and some way going to be connected with Team Canada because I've been around so much and so often. But quite frankly, I'll have a minimal role."

Yzerman is currently in his third season as a vice-president with the Detroit Red Wings and has served as Canada's GM at the last two IIHF World Hockey Championships.

Those Canadian teams combined for a 17-1 record, winning a gold medal in 2007 and silver last May.

More from Canadian Press.

Yzerman, NHL GM group for 2010 to be named today.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

As I said earlier, I think this is a great choice by Hockey Canada. The 2010 Canadian men’s Olympic hockey team is in good hands.

Frost’s Trial Told He Physically Intimidated Players

18/10/2008 02:17

NAPANEE, Ont. - David Frost's sexual exploitation trial is hearing that the former hockey coach and agent used intimidation and aggression to motivate his teenage players.

A former Quinte Hawks player told a Napanee, Ont., court Friday that Frost punched one player for his poor play, threw a full water bottle at another, swung a stick at him and made others cry.

Jason Flick says Frost's only form of motivation was "intimidation."

The Crown has said character witness testimony will prove Frost had total control over the teens he coached and was able to convince some to participate with him in sexual acts.

Frost has pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual exploitation against two former players, who cannot be named.

His lawyers say Frost will deny that the acts took place.

Under cross examination, the defence suggested top level coaches are known for being aggressive and throwing things in dressing rooms.

Flick agreed and said several players did like Frost and thought he made them better hockey players.

The majority of the players on that Quinte Hawks team were either drafted to a higher level or got scholarships, Flick told the court.

Flick also said he had no knowledge of any control Frost may have had outside hockey rinks over the two players linked to the charges.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

The more truth that comes out, the more intriguing this case gets.

Ottawa CFL Group To Unveil Lansdowne Park Plan

18/10/2008 02:17

OTTAWA - The group looking to bring the CFL back to Ottawa will unveil a proposal for the revitalization of Lansdowne Park on Friday.

The group, led by Ottawa 67's owner Jeff Hunt, will hold a news conference at the Ottawa Civic Centre to discuss the proposal, which will include a stadium for both football and soccer as well as community sports activities and major concerts.

Hunt will is scheduled to attend the news conference, along with partners Roger Greenberg, the chairman of The Minto Group; John Ruddy, president of Trinity Development Group; and William Shenkman, chairman of the Shenkman Group of Companies.

The CFL awarded Hunt's group a conditional expansion franchise in March. There has been no specific timeline for Ottawa's return to the league.

Ottawa has been without a CFL club since the league was forced to mothball the Renegades franchise prior to the 2006 season.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Let’s hope the next Ottawa CFL franchise works out much better for all concerned than the last couple.

This Weekend At LB's Pub

17/10/2008 10:28

Workout For Brain Just A Few Clicks Away

17/10/2008 04:37

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Searching the Internet may help middle-aged and older adults keep their memories sharp, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.

Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles studied people doing Web searches while their brain activity was recorded with functional magnetic resonance imaging scans.

"What we saw was people who had Internet experience used more of their brain during the search," Dr. Gary Small, a UCLA expert on aging, said in a telephone interview.

"This suggests that just searching on the Internet may train the brain -- that it may keep it active and healthy," said Small, whose research appears in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Many studies have found that challenging mental activities such as puzzles can help preserve brain function, but few have looked at what role the Internet might play.
"This is the first time anyone has simulated an Internet search task while scanning the brain," Small said.

His team studied 24 normal volunteers between the ages of 55 and 76. Half were experienced at searching the Internet and the other half had no Web experience. Otherwise, the groups were similar in age, gender and education.

Both groups were asked to do Internet searches and book reading tasks while their brain activity was monitored.

More brain power here.

SINC SAYS:

Many of our readers are among the group exercising their brains.

17/10/2008 04:34

A woman is in a grocery store and happens upon a grandpa and his poorly-behaving 3 year-old grandson. At every turn, it's obvious gramps has his hands full with the kid screaming for candy in the candy aisle, cookies in the cookie aisle; same for fruit, cereal & soda. Meanwhile gramps is working his way around saying in a controlled voice, "Easy Albert, we won't be long, easy boy"

Another outburst and she hears gramps calmly say, "It's OK Albert, just a couple more minutes and we'll be outta here, hang in there.

At the checkout, the little terror is throwing items from the cart and gramps again in a controlled voice is saying, "Albert, Albert, relax buddy, don't get upset -- we'll be home in five minutes; stay cool, Albert".

Very impressed the woman goes up to gramps as he's loading the kid and the groceries into the car and says, "You know sir, it's none of my business, but you were amazing in there. I don't know how you did it. The whole time you kept your composure and no matter how loud and disruptive he got, you just calmly kept saying things would be OK. Albert is very lucky to have you for his grandpa".

"Thanks, lady," said gramps, "but I'm Albert . . . the little bugger's name is Johnny".

Breathtaking Backroads Of North America . . .

17/10/2008 04:30

Teen Pleads Guilty To Taking $140K From House

17/10/2008 04:30

A 19-year-old partygoer accused of stealing $140,000 from the Arkansas home of the chairman of Tyson Foods Inc. pleaded guilty Tuesday to transporting stolen goods.

The Dec. 27 theft occurred during a party thrown by John Tyson's daughter at the family's home in Johnson, a rural town about 141 miles northwest of Little Rock. Ryan Matthew Silvey, 19, was arrested Feb. 13 in Olathe, Kan., and police recovered about $30,000 of the missing money on him.

Silvey appeared Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Fayetteville. Prosecutors said he could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Authorities are still searching for Bryce Kelly Anderson, also 19, who is accused of taking the money with Silvey at the party. State charges were dropped against a third person initially named by authorities.

Upton said Anderson is being sought for unlawful flight and for transporting money across state lines. Authorities are searching in Texas, where he has family, and states across the South where Anderson had been working odd jobs at the time of the theft, Johnson police Detective Denny Upton said.

"We are very concerned about his well-being," Upton said. "He's a 19-year-old boy who has not been in touch with family members or friends for a period of time after he was in constant contact with family members. They have expressed their concern as well."

Tyson reported the theft Jan. 10 and issued a statement saying he was saddened by the incident and would no longer keep cash in his house. A spokesman for the Springdale, Ark.,-based Tyson Foods said Tyson was traveling Tuesday and could not be reached for comment.

SINC SAYS:

A 19 year old boy? I’d say he’s a 19 year old man by law who also happens to be a thief. And anyone who leaves that much cash laying around the house has waaaaay too much money.

The Best Of National Geographic Photos . . .

17/10/2008 04:24

Why The Chips Are Down For The Humble Potato

17/10/2008 04:21

THE art of cooking a humble jacket potato is lost on almost half of the under-30s, a survey has found.

A similar number have no idea how to prepare roast potatoes to accompany a Sunday joint or simple dishes such as shepherd’s pie, fishcakes, and leek and potato soup.

But 60 per cent said they would cook more often if they knew how to make easy meals using basic ingredients.

The Potato Council, which ran the poll, called the trend “worrying”.

Marketing director Kathryn Race said: “It is disappointing that a whole generation simply can’t make a meal with one of our most loved staple foods.”

SINC SAYS:

I just don’t understand why so many young people cannot cook. I was taught by my mother when I was a pre-teen to cook and I do so regularly to this day.

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Still Smoking? You Might Want To Consider Quitting

17/10/2008 04:19

Grandmother's Curiosity Squashes Scam

17/10/2008 04:19

CARTHAGE, Mo. - Delpha Speak has 13 grandchildren and she didn't think it was completely implausible that one of her grandsons-in-law would call her to say he was in trouble.

The 72-year-old retiree could tell something was wrong, and she wanted to do whatever she could to help.

But it was that concern that almost caught her up in what the state attorney general's office said is a common scam targeting older folks.

"He said, `Grandma,' and I said, `Which grandson?" Speak said. "He said, `Guess,' and I said, `Oh, it's Jamie,' and he said, `Yeah, it's Jamie.'"

She said her grandson-in-law lives in Kansas City and frequently travels for business, so when he said he was in Niagra Falls, Ontario, Canada, she believed him.

"He said, `Grandma, I'm really in trouble,'" she said. "He said, `I've had a car wreck and I have to have $5,000 to get out of the police station.'"

The caller urged her to wire the money via MoneyGram at Wal-Mart and begged her not to call her granddaughter.

"By now he was crying almost," Speak said. "He said, `Don't tell anyone, because I didn't tell anyone I was coming here.'"

After she hung up, she told her husband about the call and he headed to the bank to get the money. Then her curiosity got the best of her and she called the police station.

Hang up on this scam here.

SINC SAYS:

It pays to be careful out there folks. Always double check anything to do with sending anyone money.

Weird Trees From Around The World . . .

17/10/2008 04:12

Publication Ban For Frost’s Trial Discussed

17/10/2008 04:11

With briefcase in hand, David Frost arrived at court by himself for Day 2 of his sexual exploitation trial.

In court, Frost sat silently as lawyers for the Crown, defense and media argued the merits of a publication ban on some of the witnesses sought by the crown.

The Crown wants just the names of everybody involved in this case who was under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged offenses to not be mentioned by the media.

"What's the big deal about a name? That's the question," said Justice Geoff Griffin.

Among the names of witnesses, the Crown doesn't want reported the five women - who were all under the age of 18 at the time. Two of them are complaintants in this case and are the ones alleged to have had two-on-one sex with players of the Quinte Hawks and David Frost.

Two of the others were alleged to have been watched having sex with different members of the hockey team, but these incidents did not involve Frost.

More from TSN.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

This is such a fascinating story, I hope we get to hear as much of it as possible.

Seve Has Complication After Brain Surgery

17/10/2008 04:10

MADRID, Spain - Five-time major champion Seve Ballesteros suffered a complication following surgery on a brain tumour, but is in stable condition, Madrid's La Paz hospital said Thursday.

Doctors removed a piece of Ballesteros' skull to relieve pressure that was building up on the brain following Tuesday's surgery. The hospital said in a statement that the 51-year-old former golf star is stable but still in intensive care.

On Tuesday, doctors removed a sizable part of Ballesteros' tumour. It was not immediately known if it was malignant.

The hospital said Ballesteros had presented a "decreased level of consciousness by brain swelling," adding that a decompressive craniotomy had been carried out.

Decompressive craniotomy involves part of the skull being removed to allow a swelling brain room to expand. Doctors say it is not uncommon after such operations.

Ballesteros, who won three British Opens and two Masters, briefly lost consciousness and on Oct. 6 was admitted to the hospital, where the tumour was discovered. On Sunday, he acknowledged having a tumour and said he faced the "hardest challenge of my life."

Ballesteros, who won a record 50 tournaments on the European tour, retired last year because of a long history of back pain and has since concentrated on golf course design.

Ballesteros transformed European golf. After the Ryder Cup was expanded to include continental Europe in 1979, Ballesteros helped beat the United States in 1985 to begin two decades of dominance. He also captained Europe to victory in 1997 at Valderrama, Spain.

Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal made one of the most formidable partnerships in Ryder Cup history, with 11 wins, two losses and two halves.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

From the story, it sounds like a malignant brain tumor and that, folks, is certainly not good news. All the best Seve as you continue to battle this monster.

Canadiens Unveil Ring Of Honor At Bell Centre

17/10/2008 04:10

The Montreal Canadiens began their centennial celebrations in fine fashion on Wednesday night, unveiling their Ring of Honor at the Bell Centre.

The exhibit, displayed along the back wall of the arena's upper deck, pays tribute to the 44 players and 10 builders the team has sent to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Players on the ring include Howie Morenz, Georges Vezina, Aurel Joliat, Newsy Lalonde, Joe Malone, Sprague Cleghorn, Herb Gardiner, Sylvio Mantha, Maurice Richard, Joe Hall, George Hainsworth, Jack Laviolette, Didier Pitre, Albert Siebert, Bill Durnan, Ken Reardon, Toe Blake, Tom Johnson, Bernard Geoffrion, Doug Harvey, Jacques Plante, Lorne Worsley, Frank Mahovlich, Ken Dryden, Jacques Lemaire, Bert Olmstead, Serge Savard, Jacques Laperriere, Buddy O'Connor and Patrick Roy.

Dick Duff, Larry Robinson, Steve Shutt, Guy Lapointe, Jean Beliveau, Dickie Moore, Henri Richard, Yvan Cournoyer, Guy Lafleur and general manager Bob Gainey were on hand for the pre-game festivities, while Emile Bouchard and Elmer Lach - the two oldest surviving Canadiens dropped the puck for the ceremonial faceoff.

The Ring of Honor is one of several events taking place in Montreal honoring the team's 100th season.

The team will retire Patrick Roy's No. 33 on Nov. 22, host the NHL All-Star Game in January and the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in June.

As well as events, this season will see the release of a documentary release on DVD of the team's most memorable games, a special set of Upper Deck anniversary cards and a Canadiens edition of Monopoly.

The Royal Canadian Mint will issue 10 million one dollar coins and Canada Post will issue four million stamps honoring the Canadiens anniversary.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Wow. Reading through that list of names brings back memories of some of the all-time, all-time greats of North American professional hockey, doesn’t it?

Tiger’s Tourney To Shift To Aronimink For Two Years

17/10/2008 04:09

Bethesda, MD (Sports Network) - The Tiger Woods Foundation announced Thursday that the AT&T National will shift to the Aronimink Golf Club in suburban Philadelphia for two years, while the tournament's normal host course, Congressional, is unavailable.

"I'd like to thank the board and the members for allowing us to hold our tournament there for two years. Aronimink is an amazing course with a rich history in golf," Woods said in a statement released in his website. "We are thrilled to bring the AT&T National to the local Philadelphia community, knowing that fans can expect the same exciting golf that has quickly become a tournament tradition."

The members of Aronimink unanimously voted Wednesday evening in favor of hosting the tournament.

"We are very pleased to be hosting this prestigious tournament, adding to the list of top-level tournaments contested at Aronimink, including the 1962 PGA, the 1977 U.S. Amateur, the 1997 Junior Amateur and the 2003 Senior PGA," said Mike Higgins, Aronimink's president.

Congressional Country Club is the normal host for the tournament. However, Congressional is slated to host the 2011 U.S. Open and will be unavailable in 2010 and 2011 precipitating this move.

Woods, who has not visited Aronimink, has never played professionally in the Philadelphia-area. He could visit the area three times in four years though with the two years of this event and the 2013 U.S. Open being played at nearby Merion Golf Club.

Several PGA Tour players competed in the '97 Junior Amateur at Aronimink, including Lucas Glover, who lost in the third round of match play; Adam Scott, who fell in the second round; Hunter Mahan, a first-round loser; Sean O'Hair, who lost in the semifinals to eventual runner-up and current Masters champ Trevor Immelman. The South African dropped a 1-down decision to Jason Allred in the final.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

The entire golf world stops for the U.S. Open, doesn’t it folks?

Pacman Jones Headed For Alcohol Treatment

17/10/2008 04:08

Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Dallas Cowboys suspended cornerback Adam Jones will reportedly begin alcohol treatment at an undisclosed location somewhere in Dallas.

According to the Dallas Morning News, Jones, who was suspended indefinitely without pay Tuesday by the NFL for an alcohol-related altercation with a personal security guard at a Dallas hotel last week, will begin treatment on Thursday.

The 25-year-old Jones was not disciplined by the Cowboys, but NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decided to suspend Jones for his latest incident.

In a letter to Jones, Goodell described his findings as "a disturbing pattern of behavior and clearly inconsistent with the conditions I set for your continued participation in the NFL."

Jones will be able to apply for reinstatement after he misses four games.

Before the season, Goodell reinstated Jones, formerly known by his nickname "Pacman," after a one-year suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Jones, then with the Tennessee Titans, had numerous run-ins with the law in just two NFL seasons, including an alleged involvement in a shooting at a Las Vegas strip club during the NBA's All-Star weekend in February 2007. That incident left an employee of the club paralyzed from the waist down.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Ah, ha! I knew if we waited long enough, we’d get the real story. It happens every single time.

Prius Against A BMW In Gas Mileage Test

16/10/2008 05:07

Here’s a little test to show all those green types who think that hybrid cars are economical and environmentally friendly, they had better think again:

The Things That People Send Me . . .

16/10/2008 03:41

Drive-In Theaters Still Popular After 75 Years

16/10/2008 03:36

LAKELAND, Florida (AP) -- The view from Row 2 of the Silver Moon drive-in has changed hardly a whit in 60 years.

Take a gander, and you'll see:

To your left, a yellow wooden post supporting a cast-aluminum box with a single volume knob and a tongue that hooks to an open car window -- a monaural speaker, from the days of President Truman.

To your right, in the rear of a Ford pickup lined with quilts, sleeping bags and goose-feather pillows, three jammie-clad youngsters devouring popcorn the way squirrels do acorns while Papa snoozes and Mama sips lemonade.

And dead ahead, the gods of Hollywood filling a gargantuan silvery screen beneath the grandest of all templates: the coal-black heavens, cluttered with thousands of points that flicker like diamond chips.

Not a place to miss if you happen to be in the neighborhood -- or even if not.

Ask Donovan Padgett, 44, who rolls his Ford F150 into the lot of the Silver Moon, on average, three times a week, making a 50-minute trek from his north Tampa, Florida, home.

He shrugs off the inconvenience. "There ain't many things left in this country you can call 100 percent, true-blue Americana," he says. "But this place, right here, is one of 'em. It's got a feeling to it. Homey."

Remember when here.

SINC SAYS:

One day there will be a resurgance of the Drive-In theatre here too. If they charged half what a regular movie does, families would flock to the movies seven months a year, April through October.

Wal*Mart Sells An Empty Box Instead Of A Laptop . . .

16/10/2008 03:33

But You Bought It With Stolen Credit Cards

You know how sometimes in football both teams will screw up on the same play and the penalties will offset? We've just found the fraud version of that situation. Three men brought a laptop computer box to Walmart and said that they'd been sold an empty box. Walmart thought they were being scammed, so they called the police. That's when all hell broke loose.

When the police arrived on the scene, one of the three men ran away, dropping credit cards on the ground. It turns out that these credit cards were fakes encoded with real stolen credit card numbers. The men were arrested and there's now an ongoing
investigation as to the origin of the numbers... but here's the hilarious part — Walmart actually did sell these guys an empty box instead of a laptop.

SINC SAYS:

You would think the lack of weight in the box would have tipped off either the sales clerk or the crook. That’s hilarious!

'Punch Drunk' Pony Rescued From Swimming Pool

16/10/2008 03:30

The pony, named "Fat Boy", escaped from its stable, broke into a nearby garden with another pony, and began munching the fallen apples.

It is thought that the rotten fruit had begun to ferment, causing the animal to become 'drunk'.

Twelve-year-old Fat Boy stumbled across the garden, and fell into the outdoor swimming pool which was covered by tarpaulin.

Sarah Penhaligon, 28, owner of the bungalow in Newquay, Cornwall, was woken at night by a "huge" splash and found the Moorland Pony in the shallow end.

She said: "I looked outside, saw this massive animal in the dark, and thought the Beast of Bodmin was in the pool. I was terrified, but when I took a closer look I realised it was a horse.

"I didn't have a clue what to do next - who do you call when there's a horse stuck in your swimming pool?

"I dialled 999 and they asked which service I wanted and I said I didn't know, I just had a horse in my pool and needed help."

Fire crews spent two hours building a set of hay steps in the pool, and hoisted the animal out of the water at 5am with the help of several harnesses.

The pony had escaped from the nearby Trenance riding stables. A spokesman said horses were known to get 'punch drunk' from eating too many apples.

She said: "It looks like he was scrounging for apples in the garden and fell in when he trod on the tarpaulin over the pool.

"It's a good job he's got a lot of bulk, as it kept him warm while he was stuck in the water.

"After he got out he was taken back and checked over by a vet, but luckily he's fine."

SINC SAYS:

This must be some kind of new record. That’s the second drunk horse story in a week.

Do NOT lose your Grandkids in the Mall...

16/10/2008 03:28

A small boy was lost at a large shopping mall.

He approached a uniformed policeman and said, 'I've lost my grandpa!'

'The cop asked, 'What's he like?'

The little boy hesitated for a moment and then replied,

Jack Daniels and women with big boobs.'

Never Say Die: Why We Can't Imagine Death

16/10/2008 03:24

Why so many of us think our minds continue on after we die

Almost everyone has a tendency to imagine the mind continuing to exist after the death of the body.

Even people who believe the mind ceases to exist at death show this type of psychological-continuity reasoning in studies.

Rather than being a by-product of religion or an emotional security blanket, such beliefs stem from the very nature of our consciousness.

Everybody’s wonderin’ what and where they all came from.
Everybody’s worryin’ ’bout where they’re gonna go when the whole thing’s done.
But no one knows for certain and so it’s all the same to me.
I think I’ll just let the mystery be.

It should strike us as odd that we feel inclined to nod our heads in agreement to the twangy, sweetly discordant folk vocals of Iris Dement in “Let the Mystery Be,” a humble paean about the hereafter. In fact, the only real mystery is why we’re so convinced that when it comes to where we’re going “when the whole thing’s done,” we’re dealing with a mystery at all. After all, the brain is like any other organ: a part of our physical body. And the mind is what the brain does—it’s more a verb than it is a noun. Why do we wonder where our mind goes when the body is dead?

Shouldn’t it be obvious that the mind is dead, too?

Full story here.

SINC SAYS:

The old life after death debate with a new twist. Anyone out there survived a near-death experience they want to share?

The Best Of National Geographic Photos . . .

16/10/2008 03:22

Squirrel Roughs Up Iraq Veteran In Park

16/10/2008 03:19

Frank Garren is tough guy. The 6-foot, 4-inch former Army sergeant was awarded a Purple Heart after surviving a roadside bomb while deployed in Iraq in 2004. He knows about combat and quick reactions.

An angry squirrel is another matter, said Garren, who reported just such a run-in recently in Washington Park.

“You might expect a mugging in the park, but not to be attacked by a tree rodent,” the 34-year-old Springfield resident said Monday. “I never thought a squirrel could kick my (behind).”

He said the animal, which Garren estimated weighed 2 to 3 pounds, pounced on his head after he simulated a squirrel call to get its attention Sunday afternoon.

Garren walked away with several scratches on his face and head, and a newfound respect for a squirrel’s agility.

“I think next time I’ll keep my distance,” he said.

Nutty story here.

SINC SAYS:

On a recent camping trip at Seba Beach, a squirrel jumped up and scratched the face of a guy feeding it peanuts.

cfcw

Still Smoking? You Might Want To Consider Quitting

16/10/2008 03:15

Frost Pleads Not Guilty To Sexual Exploitation Charges

16/10/2008 03:15

NAPANEE, Ont. - A trial is expected to hear allegations that former NHL agent and hockey coach David Frost engaged in "three-way sex" at a hotel with two of his teenage players and their girlfriends, a court heard Tuesday.

The allegations emerged during the first day of Frost's trial on sexual exploitation charges, as lawyers argued whether the Crown should be allowed to bring forward evidence on Frost's coaching style.

If permitted by Justice Geoffrey Griffin, some witnesses will testify that Frost was controlling and physically and verbally abusive to his players.

Frost faces four sexual exploitation charges dating back to the 1990s when he coached a junior hockey team in Deseronto, about 215 kilometres east of Toronto. Arriving to a throng of media, he stood in the courtroom to plead "not guilty" to the charges.

Crown prosecutor Melanie Adams argued that testimony from five witnesses will show the nature of Frost's relationship with his team and is "directly relevant" to the charges laid against him.

Evidence would be expected to include Frost swearing at and berating players, hitting them with hockey sticks and dumping garbage on them, punching one boy and throwing a water bottle at another, the court heard.

But Marie Henein, Frost's lawyer, said her client was in a position of authority as a coach and that the evidence the Crown hopes to introduce is not relevant to the charges he faces and isn't connected to determining whether sexual exploitation occurred.

The case is being tried by judge alone.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

This is really an incredible story, if true. It’s stories like this that tend to give Junior hockey a black eye. We can only hope the judge comes to the right conclusion.

Caddies And Bosses To Do Battle In Skills Challenge

16/10/2008 03:14

Aventura, FL (Sports Network) - The 2008 version of the ADT Skills Challenge will feature a significantly different motif, as four PGA Tour veterans will team with their caddies in the annual event on November 3.

The quartet of Greg Norman, Peter Jacobsen, Fred Couples and Rocco Mediate will be paired with their caddies, Greg Norman Jr, Mike "Fluff" Cowan, Joe LaCava and Matthew Achatz, respectively.

Known for toting the bag of Tiger Woods and now Jim Furyk, Cowan was ecstatic about the invitation. "When they first told me I was invited, my reaction was disbelief-and that was before I knew anything about the $820,000 prize money. I've worked the event two or three times for Peter years ago when it was eight tour pros competing. I don't think that will give me an edge, though. You still have to hit the shots."

This year's challenge will once again be staged at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club in Miami, Florida and features a $820,000 purse.

Fred Couples' long-time looper, Joe LaCava is certainly up for the challenge. "I love this format because when I play golf, I never lay up or chip out. I'm playing more now with some time off from the regular tour schedule. One of my goals is that I don't want to embarrass Fred."

Sanctioned by the PGA Tour, the event will be taped for broadcast on NBC, December 27-28. The competition includes eight events, such as long drive, trouble shots, putting and chipping.

Last year, LPGA star Natalie Gulbis teamed with former NFL Great John Elway to capture the event. Dating back to 1992, this event boasts some amazing champions, such as Jacobsen (three wins), Gary Player, Nick Price, Vijay Singh, Nick Faldo and Mark McGwire. Billy Andrade and Brad Faxon each won this event twice.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

You might be very pleasantly surprised by just how good golfers some of these caddies really are. This unique event gives them an opportunity to showcase their talents alongside their “bosses.”

Furyk Clips Harrington To Win Grand Slam Of Golf

16/10/2008 03:13

Tucker's Town, Bermuda (Sports Network) - Jim Furyk sank an 8-foot putt for eagle on the first playoff hole to defeat Padraig Harrington and capture the 26th annual PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

This event is reserved for the year's four major champions. Since Harrington won two, the British Open and PGA Championship, and U.S. Open winner Tiger Woods is on the mend, Furyk and Retief Goosen were invited to join the fray, along with Masters champion Trevor Immelman.

Tied for the lead after the opening round with two-under 68s, Harrington and Furyk battled back and forth throughout the day. Harrington claimed the lead right out of the box with birdies on the first two holes, however Furyk answered with birdies on three and six and coupled with a Harrington bogey on five, Furyk was in front by one.

Goosen, who started the day two shots back at even-par, reached three-under for the tournament with birdies on three of the first four holes, however a bogey on seven and a triple-bogey on 12th, squelched his chances. With a birdie on the last, Goosen placed third at one-over-par.

Harrington moved back in front with birdies on eight and nine to reach five- under and then a birdie on 11 pushed his lead to two. After both players bogeyed 12, Furyk tied Harrington with a birdie on 13.

Furyk took the lead after a Harrington double-bogey on the long, par-4 15th, however a Harrington birdie and a Furyk bogey on 17, put the three-time major championship winner back in the lead. Furyk, who captured the 2003 U.S. Open Championship for his only major, birdie the last to force the playoff, as the duo finished regulation at four-under, 136.

Furyk, who has appeared in this event three straight years, won this tournament back in 2003, while Harrington also lost to Cabrera in a playoff last year. Goosen placed third for the third time in this event and Immelman was appearing for the first time.

Immelman finished a distant fourth after carding a one-under 69. His up-and- down round included one eagle, three birdies and four bogeys.

This year's event was staged at the Mid Ocean Club for the second consecutive season and will move to nearby Port Royal Golf Course in 2009.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Not bad for a guy who didn’t even qualify to be there. You have to give Jim Furyk credit, folks. He sure knows how to make hay while the Tiger rehabs! And, a beautiful holiday in Bermuda to boot? Who could ask for anything more.

Hockey Canada Soon To Appoint Yzerman

16/10/2008 03:13

As reported on the NHL on TSN on Tuesday, Hockey Canada is expected to name Steve Yzerman its Executive Director for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver within the next ten days.

Following his appointment, sources suggest Yzerman will construct a committee of NHL general managers to help assemble the team.

Hockey Canada isn't expected to announce Team Canada's coaching staff until the end of the NHL season.

Yzerman, who works in the Detroit Red Wings' front office, was been tabbed as the front runner for the position after Wayne Gretzky indicated to Hockey Canada last month that he was not interested in reprising his role as executive director.

Yzerman was general manager of Team Canada for the 2007 and 2008 World Championships and put together silver and gold medal-winning squads over the last two springs.

Gretzky added last month he would only be interested in an advisory role, although it is still possible to emerge as one of any number of candidates to be head coach of the team.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I think this is a great choice by Hockey Canada. Canada’s 2010 men’s Olympic hockey team is in good hands.

Seve Stable After Brain Surgery

16/10/2008 03:12

Madrid, Spain (Sports Network) - Five-time major champion Seve Ballesteros is reportedly stable after undergoing brain surgery on Tuesday.

The Spanish news agency, Efe, reported Wednesday that Ballesteros had a 12- hour procedure on Tuesday at La Paz Hospital.

"He is now conscious and in stable condition, but may not receive visitors in the coming days until he has recovered from the surgical process," the hospital said in a statement.

Ballesteros, a three-time winner of the British Open and two-time Masters champion, collapsed at a Madrid airport on Monday. Further tests through the week diagnosed a tumor.

The Spaniard is the all-time wins leader on the European Tour with 50 and has totaled 87 career wins worldwide. He has also accumulated a 20-12-5 record in eight Ryder Cup appearances.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Well, we still don’t know whether the tumor is benign or malignant. Wow, a 12-hour operation – that certainly doesn’t sound too good, but we continue to wish Seve all the best as he battles this monster.

Huge Tax Increases Previewed In Proposed City Budget

15/10/2008 02:21

If you subscribe to the electronic version of the Saint City News, you had better take a look in your e-mail inbox this morning folks.

SCN published an e-mail update on last night’s election results, which to no one’s surprise was won by the Conservative candidate.

What is a surprise though, is they also included a sneak peek at the first round of budget figures the city has in mind for 2009, 2010 and 2011.

You better get a firm grip on your wallets people, because this time they’ve gone completely crazy with tax increases. No hold the line or reduced services to live within our means here folks.

Instead they call for big increases every single year.

The SCN story states:

“Stagnating growth combined with higher prices for delivering municipal services will mean an 8.39 per cent increase in property taxes for St. Albertans in 2009.
The City of St. Albert presented a preview of its 2009-2011 budget to a meeting of the Finance and Audit Committee on Tuesday afternoon, which also calls for increases of 8.42 per cent in 2010 and 7.84 per cent in 2011.
Finance and Audit Committee chair James Burrows said that the tax hike was "a little bit more than I thought it was going to be," but he was glad to see it kept in the single digits, unlike other Capital Region communities.
That said, though, Burrows said he hoped to see a "bare-bones, keep the lights on" budget as deliberation play out over the next six weeks or so.
"I don’t think there’s a real appetite right now among the citizenry to have taxes go any higher than they are right now," he said. "In fact, I would suggest that we’ll see a united front to have it even lower. If that means restricting or cutting back on some services, we might have to do that."”

Folks if those figures were to hold, the combined three year whack in your wallet, when compounded would result in a drubbing of 26.7 percent in total tax increases in three short years if my figures are correct.

Good God in the morning, what the hell are these people thinking?

But don’t lose the faith folks. There’s likely a method to their madness and it will probably go something like this when the budget is finalized: “when we started the budget procedure, it was gonna whack you nearly 27 percent over three years. We’ve whittled that down to only 24 percent, way better than Edmonton. Aren't we good showing such restraint?” (Edmonton by the way budgets one year at a time which is exactly what we should be doing.)

Anyone want to bet that will be the line council will use on our tired wallets?

After the $ervu$ Place debacle, it’s high time this council voted to live within its means and deliver a zero increase budget year by year over three years.

If that means reducing services, so be it, but council should know here and now that the first service taxpayers want reduced is $ervu$ Place itself. Stop using tax dollar subsidies for the benefit of the few on the backs of the many. Then there is the big growth in payroll over the past six years. That should be whacked next and whacked hard.

I could go on and on, but right now I am so sick and tired of all this taxation that I want to throw up.

The current bad economic times are about to get much worse courtesy of your very own council. I hope there are riots in the streets. Maybe then this bunch of out of control spenders will listen.

But don’t hold your breath. Just hold onto your wallets is the best you can do for now. Either that or develop a spine and tell this bunch to stop the madness. Maybe that Taxpayers Association will benefit us after all, as council are playing right into their hands with this opening salvo on a new budget.

Any readers have anything to say on the budget? Or will you bend over and take yet another one for this city administration and council?

Granny Runs Teen To Ground Over Snatched Purse

15/10/2008 00:38

It was an unequal chase: a 68-year-old grandmother against a teenage thief who had just run off with her bag.

The bag-snatcher had no chance.

Janet Lane was sitting on a park bench when three teenagers grabbed her handbag containing £100 in cash, her mobile phone, an umbrella, a first-aid kit and a present that she had just bought for a friend.

What the thief did not know was that Mrs Lane had won the Yorkshire cross-country championship as a schoolgirl in 1953 and had kept herself in shape ever since.

As he and his two accomplices ran away, Mrs Lane set off in pursuit, chasing them 100 metres across a park and into the grounds of a hotel. Despite wearing sandals, the 5ft 6in (1.68m) tall grandmother managed to catch up and grabbed one of the youths by the collar. The youth, aged about 15, dropped her bag and begged to be let go. All three escaped empty-handed.

Details here.

SINC SAYS:

Good for Granny and shame on those boys.

The 2008 North of Nowhere Expo

15/10/2008 00:34

Festival of Independent Media & Underground Art

Oct. 17-31, 2008

Some Highlights:
• ESPA 10th Anniversary Retrospective Art Exhibit at ArtsHab Studio Gallery (now through Oct. 30)
• Award-winning & critically-acclaimed Independent Films:
• "Unrepentant: Kevin Annett & Canada's Genocide" (Residential School System) Oct. 23
• "Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land" (Media Bias & Palestine) Oct. 27
• "The Real Dirt on Farmer John" (Community-Supported Agriculture & Creative Eco-Activism) Oct. 27
• Award-winning Forum Theatre: "Shattering" (about Addictions) Oct. 24 & 27
• "Black Cat Ball" Hallowe'en Party for Progressives, Oct. 31
Hosted by ESPA & the Council of Canadians, featuring live entertainment by The Kubasonics!

For more info about all events see http://edmontonsmallpress.ca/nonexpo.html, find us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18332213920 (much more info about all events including photos and external links) or call 780-434-9236. Many of ESPA's events are free admission and are always otherwise free to low-income.

--
Edmonton Small Press Association (ESPA)
P.O. Box 75086 RPO
Edmonton, Alberta
T6E 6K1 Canada
780-434-9236
http://www.edmontonsmallpress.org
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18332213920

The 2008 "North of Nowhere Expo: Festival of Independent Media & Underground Art" Oct. 17-31, 2008

The Things That People Send Me . . .

15/10/2008 00:32

A Look At How The Other Half Drinks

15/10/2008 00:29

Amid all the news of economic gloom and doom, there are still some businesses that seemingly remain unaffected.

This is a little look at those businesses, those bars in particular, that are unruffled by dipping Dows and sliding stocks.

They are places where the rich, or at least those in denial about no longer being rich, congregate to overspend on bottles of wine, on glasses of vodka, on glittering nights of frivolity and fun.

Here's a look at some of the most stunningly expensive ways these last few big spenders can, in fact, spend big.

The Millionaire Margarita ($25), at the Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa
300 Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park
623-935-3811
wigwamresort.com
The drink at Red's Steakhouse, doesn't cost a million but it may just make you feel like a million. Indulge on a smaller and more wallet friendly scale and sip on this marg made with Jose Cuervo "La familia" tequila and 150 Anniversary Grand Marnier. It's not the priciest on the list, but if you lose your inhibitions your credit card could get a little workout with more than one.

Drink menu here.

SINC SAYS:

Check out the prices of the other drinks on this site folks. Some top three grand. Yikes!

The Musings Of Maxine And Marvin . . .

15/10/2008 00:24

Women will never be equal to men.

That is until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are beautiful.

------------------

Women like silent men.

They think they're listening.

Man Loses Vision After Being Punched In Eye At Bar

15/10/2008 00:22

Police say a Lawton, Iowa, man is blind after he was punched in the eye for the second time in three months.

Sioux City Police Sgt. Tony Sunclades said Scott Bennett, 48, of Lawton was assaulted early Sunday morning at Mavericks, a men's night club at 416 Cunningham Drive, Sioux City.

Bennett was taken to a local hospital for treatment, but Sunclades said Bennett's injuries were severe enough that he lost his eye.

Sunday's assault left Bennett without any vision. Sunclades said the man lost his other eye in an assault three months earlier at the same business.

Ryan J. Brodie, 34, of Sioux City was arrested in connection with Sunday's incident. Although he was initially arrested for public intoxication, Sunclades said additional charges are likely pending.

SINC SAYS:

What are the chances of lightening striking twice? And why, when you lost an eye there once, would you return?

cfcw

Now Why Didn't I Think Of That?

15/10/2008 00:20

Pubs May Be Family-Friendly

15/10/2008 00:17

But drinkers would like children to be kept behind bars

They turn rowdy without touching a drop of alcohol, they are always accompanied by a minder, and a stern word can make them burst into tears.

In pubs across Britain, they have become the most unpopular customers among other drinkers. Because no one seems to know just how to deal with other people’s badly behaved children.

An increasing trend towards more “family friendly” pubs has not created the atmosphere of similar establishments on the Contintent. The “baby lager louts” who run wild and are left unchecked by parents have triggered a record number of complaints to compilers of The Good Pub Guide 2009.

Rising numbers of protests about children in bars have been registered from pubgoers who say that relaxing over a pint or a meal out is increasingly likely to be ruined by children’s unruly behaviour.

Full story here.

SINC SAYS:

Pubs are no place for kids, period. Why any parent would want to take them to a pub is beyond me.

newsbanner

Weird Trees From Around The World . . .

15/10/2008 00:12

Rob Murphy To Appeal CFL Fine

15/10/2008 00:10

Lions offensive lineman Rob Murphy intends on appealing the fine handed down to him by the league Monday for his actions against Eskimos defensive back Jason Goss in Friday's game.

"Plain and simple, the fine I got yesterday is because I am - apparently - a repeat offender," Murphy told Team 1040 in Vancouver. "But I mean; I'm not changing the way I'm playing."

Murphy forced Goss to fumble the ball in the second quarter. Goss rolled over onto his back and Murphy squatted over him and then used one hand to pin Goss's head and neck to one side against the turf.

"I have never choked anyone in a game," Murphy told the radio station. "I've held people down. I mean, if I'd choked someone - they'd be dead, because I would choke someone. So I'm not choking someone on the field, I'm just pinning them down. Anyways, it was because he poked me in the eye."

The league reviewed the play and found that Murphy's conduct was clearly inappropriate but not enough to warrant a suspension.

"Murphy's actions alone did not constitute an unnecessary risk to Goss that was severe enough to merit suspension under the new player safety standard established recently by the league," the league said in a statement.

The two teams clash again this Friday in a rematch at Commonwealth Stadium, live on TSN, TSNHD and streamed on TSN.ca at 8:30pm et/5:30pm pt.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

What a joke. I can’t believe this, folks. Never mind a fine, Murphy should be thrown out of the Canadian Football League.

Bush Welcomes Red Wings To White House

15/10/2008 00:10

WASHINGTON - U.S. President George W. Bush welcomed the Detroit Red Wings to the White House Tuesday, celebrating a Stanley Cup championship team that overcame odds and age and even had one player who scored a goal with his teeth.

With the Stanley Cup on display near the podium, Bush paid tribute to forward Darren McCarty, a popular player who came back from alcohol problems and injuries to help the Red Wings' playoff run.

Bush said McCarty "had a problem - he drank too much. And it brought his career to an early end. But Darren McCarty did not give up. Darren McCarty decided to do something about it."

Bush recounted McCarty's decision to clean up his life, return to the minors and work his way back to the NHL. "This guy got his life back together, seized the moment, and scored the opening goal in Game 2 of the series against Nashville. That is a stout story."

Bush noted that 46-year-old defenceman Chris Chelios became the oldest player to win a Stanley Cup and the second-oldest player to play in the NHL. "That guy is going to play a lot more."

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

What a thrill for the Red Wings, I’m sure!

Cherepanov May Have Died Due To Negligence

15/10/2008 00:09

MOSCOW - Russian hockey player Alexei Cherepanov, who collapsed and died during a game, had heart problems and probably should not have been allowed to play, a regional investigator suggested Tuesday.

Yulia Zhukova said Cherepanov, who died Monday playing for Avangard Omsk in a Continental Hockey League game outside of Moscow, apparently had chronic ischemia - a medical condition that occurs when the heart or other organs do not get enough blood.

"Checks will be conducted to clarify, in particular, why the sportsman with such an illness went onto the ice," Zhukova said.

Cherepanov's agent, however, said NHL tests showed him to be healthy.

A lawmaker suggested that the 19-year-old first-round draft pick for the New York Rangers may have died due to negligence on the part of paramedics.

Pavel Krasheninnikov, who sits on the Russian Hockey Federation's supervisory council and is a member of the State Duma, said there was no ambulance on duty at the Moscow region arena where Cherepanov was playing.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

When you hear stories like this, there certainly is much to be said about the Canadian medical system, isn't there folks?

Trial For Ex Player Agent Frost Begins

15/10/2008 00:08

With his lawyer by his side, David Frost entered a Napanee courthouse on Tuesday around 10am et as the first day of his trial got underway.

Frost pled not guilty to four counts of sexual exploitation, with the charges dating back more than a decade to his involvement as coach of the Quinte Hawks - a Tier-2 junior team in Deseronto, Ontario.

In a trial expected to be he said/she said, most of the incidents allegedly took place in Deseronto's Bay View Inn.

The alleged victims in this case, who were between the ages of 14 and 16 at the time, cannot be identified under publication ban.

The day did not get off to a very good start for the prosecution. Early on, Justice Jeffrey Griffin said to the Crown after asking for break just after taking a 30 minute recess, "the independent observer might wonder if you have your act together?"

Throughout the first day of the trial, the 41-year-old Frost appeared relaxed, took notes, and turned occasionally to glance at a clock.

A majority of the time was spent arguing whether or not the testimony of five Crown witnesses will be admissible.

Their testimony pertains to Mr Frost's character, which brought this response from Mr Frost's defence counsel. "He's not on trial for being a mean, nasty coach," said Frost's lawyer Marnie Henein. "I'm not going to say he's warm and fuzzy. That's not the question."

The former hockey agent left the courthouse without saying anything to the media.

The first witnesses in the case are expected to be called on Thursday. If convicted under Section 153 of the Criminal Code, Frost faces up to a maximum 10 years in prison for each of the four counts.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

This guy David Frost is a prime example of all that is wrong in this world folks.

Pacman Jones Suspended Indefinitely by NFL

15/10/2008 00:08

FORT WORTH, Texas - Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam (Pacman) Jones was suspended for at least four games by the NFL on Tuesday for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will then determine the full length of the suspension following the Cowboys' game in Washington on Nov. 16.

Jones was in repeated legal trouble while with the Tennessee Titans and was involved in an alcohol-related scuffle Oct. 7 with one of his bodyguards at a private party in Dallas.

In a letter to Jones on Tuesday, Goodell cited a ''disturbing pattern of behaviour and clearly inconsistent with the conditions I set for your continued participation in the NFL.''

The disturbance at an upscale Dallas hotel came only six weeks after Goodell reinstated Jones from a 17-month suspension.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Just another example of a malcontent that never learned how to behave properly. Looks good on him, folks.

New Baby Giraffe At Memphis Zoo

14/10/2008 04:04

Sarabi nuzzles her newborn baby who is just a few hours old at the Memphis Zoo.

The second new baby in two months was born to the zoo Friday morning around 7am.

Until about three years ago, the zoo had gone 15 years without a successful birth.

The babies are born while the mother is standing, they then drop to the ground; the gestation is about 14 months.

SINC SAYS:

You gotta admit that is the cutest darn picture, isn’t it?

The Things That People Send Me . . .

14/10/2008 04:02

Man Killed In Romania By Drunken Horse

14/10/2008 03:59

MOSCOW, October 14 (RIA Novosti) - Traffic police tested a horse for being over the alcohol limit after it went out of control and killed an elderly man in the southwestern Romanian county of Gorj, the Ananova news agency said on Tuesday.

Police made the unusual request after an 86-year-old-man died from injuries sustained when he was hit by a cart, which was being pulled by a horse that "looked out of control."

Ion Iliuta, head of the local veterinary authority, said: "We never had such a request before. Maybe to see what kind of blood it is, yes, but to find out if the animal was drunk, never."

The blood test came back positive.

The 56-year-old owner said he was returning home after having bought the horse earlier at a fair.

Police believe the horse was given alcohol to make it appear stronger and healthier.

SINC SAYS:

The must have fermented his daily ration of oats.

Why Didn't I Think Of That?

14/10/2008 03:57

Elk Rivals Lock Horns Outside School

14/10/2008 03:53

LOVELAND - All Tina Burke wanted to do was to get to her bus stop Thursday. But there was something in her way.

That something: two elk locking horns outside Walt Clark Middle School in Loveland. In fact, a whole herd of elk decided to camp out at the school.

9NEWS viewer Danny Dodge, who is also a producer of the TV show “Living the Wildlife,” sent us some video.

SINC SAYS:

See the video here.

Couple's 150-Year-Old Tortoise Missing

14/10/2008 03:50

For 65 years, Butch has been a fixture in the Monta Vista neighborhood in Cupertino, wandering around Opal Carle's yard, nibbling on roses and grazing around her feet.

But now, Butch, a threatened desert tortoise, is missing and the family he lived with for two generations is beside itself with worry.

Opal Carle was 93 when she died this summer. Butch is 150 and was expected to carry on for many more years under the care of Opal's son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Penny Carle.

"It's like losing a child," said Penny Carle, the only one Butch will come to when his name is called. "I'm sitting here looking at his picture."

Hare raising story here.

SINC SAYS:

C’mon now folks, how much of a head start could a turtle have anyway?

cfcw

More Amazing Food Carvings . . .

14/10/2008 03:48

The Musings Of Maxine And Marvin . . .

14/10/2008 03:44

Have you ever wondered why A, B, C, D, DD, E and F are the letters used to define bra sizes?

If you have wondered why, but couldn't figure out what the letters stood for... It is about time you became informed:

A ... Almost Boobs.
B ... Barely there.
C ... Can't Complain!
D ... Damn!
DD... Double damn!
E ... Enormous!
F ... Fake!

Weird Trees From Around The World . . .

14/10/2008 03:42

CFL Hands Out Fines To Murphy, Romero

14/10/2008 03:41

The Canadian Football League has fined B.C. Lion offensive lineman Rob Murphy an undisclosed amount for his conduct in Friday's game versus the Edmonton Eskimos.

Murphy forced Eskimo defensive back Jason Goss to fumble the ball in the second quarter. Goss rolled over onto his back and Murphy squatted over him and then used one hand to pin Goss's head and neck to one side against the turf.

The league released a statement saying that ''a thorough review found that, while Murphy's conduct was clearly inappropriate, and the subsequent involvement of other players compounded the risk to Goss, Murphy's actions alone did not constitute an unnecessary risk to Goss that was severe enough to merit suspension under the new player safety standard established recently by the league.''

The league also handed Eskimos defensive tackle Dario Romero an undisclosed fined for his conduct during the incident.

The two teams clash again this Friday in a rematch at Commonwealth Stadium, live on TSN, TSNHD and streamed on TSN.ca at 8:30pm et/5:30pm pt.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Surely, after Rob Murphy’s despicable display on Friday night, they must be kidding!?

What's very apparent, is the Commissioner, Mark Cohon, doesn't feel he can make the automatic suspensions he decreed in his unilateral "player safety standards" policy, that he announced about two weeks ago, stick without the agreement of the CFL Players' Association.

This league, The Canadian Football Bush League, continues to be a laughing stock and embarrass itself.

NHL Still In Growth Mode: Bettman

14/10/2008 03:40

WASHINGTON - The NHL is "still in growth mode" despite the economic downturn, commissioner Gary Bettman said Monday, noting that ticket sales have increased this season.

"We're acutely aware of what's going on out there, but it hasn't yet impacted us," Bettman said before attending Monday night's game between the Washington Capitals and Vancouver Canucks.

"I have no doubt that, over time, if it's long enough and bad enough, it will have some impact, but based on what we're seeing right now, our business seems to be strong."

Season-ticket sales are four per cent higher than a year ago, and single-game tickets were up nearly 13 per cent as of a week ago, Bettman noted, calling that data "remarkable - if not startling - numbers, in light of what we hear is going on."

Bettman emphasized the need to be cautious moving forward and said the NHL will closely monitor revenues and expenses moving forward.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Huh? Is this guy Gary Bettman for real?

CFL Announces Grey Cup Halftime Entertainment

14/10/2008 03:40

TORONTO - Theory of a Deadman, Suzie McNeil and Andree Watters will be the halftime entertainment at next month's Grey Cup game, the CFL announced Sunday.

"This entire year has been a celebration of our league, our country, and the bond between the two - past, present and, most importantly, future," CFL commissioner Mark Cohon said in a statement. "So it makes perfect sense to cap the season by celebrating young Canadian artists on our country's biggest stage, centre-field at the Grey Cup, the nation's largest single sporting event."

Theory of a Deadman is a rock band originally from North Delta, B.C. It has seven top-10 singles, two platinum albums and their newest release, "Scars and Souvenirs," has been already been certified gold.

McNeil, a native of Mississauga, Ont., was the last woman standing on the CBS reality show "Rock Star: INXS." A 2008 Juno Award nominee for best new artist, McNeil starred in the Toronto debut production of "We Will Rock You."

Watters, 25, of Quebec City, is a two-time winner of the Quebec Felix Award, the French language version of the Canadian Juno Awards. She won for best rock album in 2003 for "AW" and 2006 for "A Travers." Watters, who moved to Montreal as a teen, has starred in the musical theatre production of Dracula and played herself in the theatrical movie event.

The Grey Cup will be held Nov. 23 at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Cheez, celebrating young Canadian artists, what a novel idea Mr. Cohon! Do 'ya think, Mr. Commissioner?

Ranger Prospect Cherepanov Dies During KHL Game

14/10/2008 03:39

New York Ranger prospect Alexei Cherepanov collapsed on the bench at or near the end of Omsk's Kontinental Hockey League game and died a short time later, he was 19.

Omsk head coach, Wayne Fleming said Cherepanov collapsed on the bench during the third period of the game and did not see anything that happened on the ice that may have contributed to it.

Fleming also said medical authorities tried to get Cherepanov's heart beating again after it had stopped.

Sources in Russia tell TSN that the ambulance that is normally at all games had already departed and had to be called back.

It is not clear exactly how long it took for Cherepanov to be transported from the rink to the hospital but one source in the arena told TSN it was "probably 15 or 20 minutes."

Also, there is some question as to whether defibrillators at the arena were in good working order.

No further details are available at this point.

"He was a great kid," Cherepanov's agent, Jay Grossman told TSN. "He had a great smile and was an outstanding player with a great future on and off the ice. It's both shocking and devastating news for all of us. "

He had seven goals and 12 points in 14 games played this season in KHL.

Cherepanov helped lead Russia to a Bronze Medal at the World Junior Championships in 2008, scoring three goals and adding three assists with a plus-three rating over his six games at the tournament.

Cherepanov was drafted by the Rangers in the 1st round, 17th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Wow. What shocking and truly sad news. Only 19 years of age.

Big Brown Injured, Will Never Race Again

14/10/2008 03:39

NEW YORK - Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown's racing career is over after injuring his right front foot during a workout at Aqueduct on Monday.

Trainer Rick Dutrow said the 3-year-old colt, who was preparing for the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 25, appeared to kick himself while working on the turf course at Aqueduct with stablemate Kip Deville. Big Brown was able to complete the six-furlong work when Dutrow noticed blood coming out of the foot.

"It looks like he grabbed himself in a bad spot," Dutrow said.

Though the extent of the injury is unknown, Michael Iavarone of IEAH Stables, co-owners of Big Brown, said the horse who captivated the racing world during his Triple Crown bid will not race again.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

More bad news in an all too tragic sports day yesterday. If there is a silver lining in this story though, folks, it’s that none of us will have to put up with Big Brown’s so-called “trainer” Rick Dutrow any longer.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

13/10/2008 05:16

The World's Hardest Game . . .

13/10/2008 05:08

Folks, if you thought that little game we brought you the other day was tough, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

Here is one that is not only tough, it is damn near impossible.

The object is simple enough. Just get the little red square from the left side over to the right side, but do so avoiding the little blue circles that scan back and forth.

I’ve tried it many times with no success.

Can anyone out there figure out how to beat this game?

Give it a try here.

Flying Deer Hits Hippo

13/10/2008 05:04

LOGAN TOWNSHIP, BLAIR COUNTY --- A freak accident with a deer in Blair County sends one man to the hospital.

A Logan Township man was just taking a walk by his house. Before he knew it, a deer came flying through the air and knocked him to the ground.

This weird chain of events happened just before 9:00 a.m. Thursday morning. A man was driving his truck along Grandview Road in Logan Township. That's when the deer jumped out of nowhere. The driver slammed on his brakes, but he couldn't stop in time.

He hit the deer, and the impact sent the animal flying across the street. While this was happening, Donald Hippo, 66, was walking along the side of the road.

When the deer was airborne, it flew into Hippo. Logan Township Police said it knocked his feet right out from under him. Hippo landed on his back and got a big cut in his head.

Police said Hippo doesn't have any serious injuries. He was getting treated for the cut at Altoona Regional Medical Center.

The truck driver was not hurt, but the deer didn't make it. Hippo just retired from the Logan Township Highway Department. He was less than 100 yards away from his house when the deer hit him.

Police said Hippo is doing fine, and he was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time.

SINC SAYS:

Oh deer, what a story. You can’t make this stuff up folks, but I have to admit I had fun writing the headline.

Sidewalk Chalk Drawings Continue To Astound Walkers

13/10/2008 05:04

Bear-Shaped Beehive Sets Big Bend Driveway Humming

13/10/2008 04:53

Big Bend - It was the old man's head that got Andy Hemken to thinking.

He saw it as he and his wife, Cheryl, strolled through the darkened Streets of Old Milwaukee at the Milwaukee Public Museum. The head, about three feet high, was in the European Village, and Andy Hemken knew right away it was meant to house bees.

“He said, ‘That’s cool. I can do that,’ ” his wife recalls.

A beekeeper who works as a safety consultant by day, Hemken had a reputation with his wife for taking on unusual and seemingly unwieldy projects.
“He’s built a lot of furniture. He built all our kitchen cabinets,” she says of their late 1800s farmhouse. “He’s a putzer. Big projects. So to me, this was something else he was going to do.”

She adds, “Things that are unusual to other people just kind of happen here a lot.”

Which is how an 8-foot-tall bear with a friendly-enough expression and a belly full of bees — 30,000 or so honeybees who live in a hive in the bear’s back and go in and out through his mouth — ended up in the Hemkens’ driveway, just past the big yellow sign that says “Slow: Bee Crossing.”

Buzz details here.

SINC SAYS:

That’s one bee-utiful job of carving he did on that old bear.

cfcw

More Amazing Food Carvings . . .

13/10/2008 04:50

Actress Has Bum Pinched At Restaurant

13/10/2008 04:47

EMMERDALE actress Roxanne Pallett has been left shaken after being groped by a reveller in a busy restaurant.

Roxy, who plays domestic violence victim Jo Stiles, was in Manchester’s swanky Panacea restaurant and bar when a stranger grabbed her behind.

Luckily, the pervert backed off when the 25-year-old threw her drink in his face.

Now pals of the actress have urged her to contact police – but Roxy did not bring the incident to the attention of the management.

Bravely speaking about the attack, Roxanne said: “I was out for a quiet drink with my friend when this guy just came up to me and pinched me on the bottom. I was furious.

“I ended up pouring my drink over him because I was so annoyed.”

Legal experts say bum-pinchers can be charged with common or even sexual assault.

Last year a bottom pinch on a Channel 4 News reporter led to a police investigation.

Sue Turton was groped live on air while reporting on flooding in Oxford but she chose not to take the culprit, jobless Rufus Burdett, to court.

SINC SAYS:

I don’t know how a guy can screw up the courage to pinch a lady’s behind. It’s beyond me.

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Way Back When . . .

13/10/2008 04:43

I can clearly remember building and playing with the crystal radio set as a kid.

Golf Legend Ballesteros Diagnosed With Brain Tumor

13/10/2008 04:42

MADRID, Spain - Seve Ballesteros has a brain tumour and will undergo a biopsy Tuesday.

The five-time major winner announced the news Sunday in a statement issued by Madrid's La Paz Hospital. It was unknown whether the tumour was benign or malignant.

The 51-year-old golfing great was admitted to hospital for tests after briefly losing consciousness last week. Ballesteros, who made the announcement after telling his three children and their mother, said doctors will decide how to proceed after the biopsy.

"After an in-depth check up which has been carried out on me in the La Paz Hospital they have detected a brain tumour," Ballesteros said in the statement.

The former Ryder Cup star, who won a record 50 times on the European tour, also was admitted to a hospital last year and was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.

"Throughout my career I have been among the best at overcoming challenges on the golf course," Ballesteros said. "Now I want to be the best confronting the hardest challenge of my life, with all my strength, counting on all of you who are sending me encouraging messages."

Ballesteros did not give any more details on the test results - including if the tumour was benign or malignant.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I’m sure golf and sports fans everywhere wish Seve all the best. Having had a member of my family pass away from a malignant brain tumor, let’s hope and pray Seve’s tumor is benign.

Five NHL Coaches Under The Gun This Year

13/10/2008 04:41

Long-haul hope springs eternal for NHL clubs in October, but there's also a need for most coaches to post immediate results, or else.

Two seasons ago, St. Louis, Columbus, Philadelphia and Chicago all made coaching changes before December.

Some of those teams made modest gains after the switch, but none compared with how the Washington Capitals fared last season when Bruce Boudreau took the helm after 21 games.

Boudreau took an uninspired crew and infused an offensive style, with the team winning two-thirds of its remaining games for the franchise's first playoff berth in five years.

You can debate whether a 61-game NHL coaching neophtye should win the Jack Adams award when Mike Babcock has inexplicably never won it, but it was clear that Boudreau knew how to lead.

To consider which coaches could be in jeopardy of not lasting the entire 2008-09 season, conduct the following exercise: Go through each NHL club and consider whether the coach would remain if the team won just five of its first 20 games, or 10 of its first 30 or so.

The nine new coaches aren't going to be let go so capriciously, and there are at least that number who either earned another full season after 2007-08 success or are entrenched veterans — Boudreau and Claude Julien being in the first category, and Lindy Ruff and Dave Tippett among those in the latter group.

That only leaves, at most, about a dozen candidates who could be sent packing before the season is out. Here are five of those candidates:

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

For more on the CBC’s take of which five coaches could be sent packing, click here.

NBA Holds First Outdoor Game In Decades

13/10/2008 04:41

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - Whether it was the wind, the temperature or just a different environment to play in, the NBA's first outdoor game in more than three decades was an offensive struggle.

The Denver Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns 77-72 on Saturday night in the exhibition game billed as "NBA Outdoors!" at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Both teams struggled from the field and the free-throw line and combined to go 3-of-27 from three-point range on a night when the temperature dipped into the mid-teens with some wind hitting the court by the end of the game.

"If you shoot a ball and it starts slicing right, well .." said Phoenix guard Steve Nash, who led all scorers with 16 points. "But that's not really the point of the game, to shoot a high percentage. The point was to come out here and see what it is like to go up and down outside and put NBA players in this situation."

J.R. Smith led Denver with 12 points.

"The players said they couldn't sweat, the ball was slippery and the wind, I think, was a factor in the poor shooting and the poor free throw shooting," Denver coach George Karl said. "But I'm glad we did it. It's an experience. We might want to start the game at 5 o'clock maybe instead of 7."

Phoenix (1-2) shot 31.6 per cent, while Denver (2-0) shot 36.3 per cent and made just 18 of 38 free throws.

The game lacked some star power for the crowd, announced at 16,236. Amare Stoudemire didn't play for the Suns because of an eye injury, while Allen Iverson (knee) and Carmelo Anthony (hand) sat out for the Nuggets.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Having outdoor games, in professional sports that are traditionally played indoors, must be the flavor of the month in the 2000s. First, the NHL jumps on the outdoor bandwagon with games in Edmonton, Buffalo and, this coming season, Chicago, and now the NBA has an outdoor game in Palm Springs. My goodness, what’s next? Outdoor poker!

Province, Feds At Odds Over 2010 Security Budget

13/10/2008 04:40

VANCOUVER - The release of the security budget for the 2010 Winter Olympics is being held up by cost-sharing negotiations between the federal and provincial governments and one critic says that leaves planners with a blank cheque for spending.

Almost a year after the multi-agency force led by the RCMP to oversee Olympic security submitted a revised budget, they are still waiting for word on how much they're allowed to spend on the Games.

"It's the equivalent of a blank cheque," said Chris Shaw, of No2010, an Olympic watchdog group.

"If they don't have a fixed budget they have written a blank cheque that all the agencies will take advantage of because of the nature of bureaucracy."

The initial budget for securing the Games was pegged at $175 million, though even the Integrated Security Unit itself said that was far too low.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I don’t know about you, folks, but in this day and age, with all of the important issues we can’t provide funding for in our society right now, I really resent spending upwards of $175 million to provide security for this sporting event. How about you?

Canada Won't Compete In World Cup, Again

13/10/2008 04:39

Canada's woeful World Cup drought continues.

Canada suffered a 3-1 road loss to Honduras Saturday in their CONCACAF semifinal qualifying game, a result that officially eliminates the Canadian team from World Cup contention.

Canada has only qualified for the World Cup once — in 1986 in Mexico when it failed to score and lost all three of its games.

After four games in the semifinal round, Honduras and Mexico are tied for first place in the group with nine points apiece. Jamaica, which earned a 1-0 upset win over the Mexicans Saturday, is third with four points. Canada is fourth (one point).

After four games in the semifinal round, Honduras and Mexico are tied for first place in the group with nine points apiece. Jamaica, which earned a 1-0 upset win over the Mexicans Saturday, is third with four points. Canada is fourth (one point).

Only the top two teams in the group move on to the final qualifying round, which will determine which three teams from the CONCACAF region will go to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

More from CBC Sports.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Canada has only qualified for the World Cup of Soccer once – in 1986. To say that Canada’s soccer program needs to be revamped, is quite an understatement, indeed.

With the number of kids that play organized soccer in this country, we’re behind Honduras, Mexico and Jamaica in our group? My friend, Darrell, the amateur soccer coach for a million years, will be simply apoplectic.

The Man Song . . .

12/10/2008 04:43

Here's a snappy little ditty to brighten your day:

Firetruck Puts Mystic Man In The Dough

12/10/2008 04:34

Christopher Owens stands beside his firetruck-turned-mobile pizza unit in Mystic on Thursday. Owens' venture began when he decided he wanted to buy the truck, which was up for sale at the Noank Fire House, then wondered what he might do with it. It didn't take him long to realize it would make a great mobile pizza restaurant.

Mystic - When Christopher Owens saw the shiny red firetruck for sale in front of the Noank Fire House, the little kid in him took over.

”Oh, man, I gotta buy that firetruck,” he thought.
But the adult in him quickly butted in: “What will you do with it? Where will you put it?”

Owens' thoughts drifted to a flatbed truck he'd heard of that sells pizza in New Haven. So he envisioned an oven inside the firetruck that was beckoning to him and saw himself selling pizza from his Mystic restaurant, Pizzetta, out of the truck.

Fire up details here.

SINC SAYS:

But now what’s he going to do if the pizza oven catches fire?

The Things That People Send Me . . .

12/10/2008 04:32

The Wonderful World Of The Toilet

12/10/2008 04:21

Not much can be said about the white porcelain thrones in our bathrooms without entering into foul joke territory.

Toilets are the unsung heroes of sanitation in our homes, and have their month of recognition in October for National Toilet Tank Repair Month.

The month is dedicated to increase awareness of the amount of wasted water that results from a leaky toilet or other plumbing problems. A running toilet can waste nearly 200 gallons of water a day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and causes homeowners' water bills to skyrocket.

John Mabry, co-owner of the full-service plumbing and drain cleaning company Mr. Rooter, said residents can save a significant amount of money by attending to every leak.

"It should be fairly apparent if something malfunctions with a toilet because it will sound as if it's running continuously or water will trickle into the bowl," Mabry said. "With the rising cost of utilities, including water, it's wise for customers to be proactive about making their homes more energy-efficient."

Mabry said the most common items on a toilet that break are the water control diaphragm, or flapper, and the fill valve.

The flapper is usually made of rubber and covers the hole between the tank and the bowl. It's on the device the chain is attached to that flushes the toilet.

Flappers deteriorate as they age and don't seal the hole as well, allowing water to seep through.

Flush with details here.

SINC SAYS:

I can’t even think of a toilet joke, so the pictures will have to do.

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Weird Trees From Around The World . . .

12/10/2008 04:19

The Musings Of Maxine And Marvin . . .

12/10/2008 04:14

My credit card was stolen, but I didn't report it.

The thief was spending less than my wife.

--------------------

The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday?

Forget it just once.

Bright Orange Lobster Bests Changing Leaves

12/10/2008 04:11

OWLS HEAD: In the thick of leaf-peeper season, what should show up painted as bright a red-orange as the most dazzling of Maine’s deciduous? Why, a lobster, of course.

Here in the Midcoast it only makes sense that the famed tourist-attracting crustacean should come up with a way to outdo the current visual fire of the forests.

The rare day-glow lobster was hauled in by F.J. O’Hara, 50, of Owls Head. O’Hara’s surprising catch on Sunday was made aboard his boat, the Sandpiper.

Terry Watkinson, 51, owner of Owls Head Lobster Company, is the current innkeeper for the orange female one-pounder. Watkinson said he is not sure what he will do with the unusual lobster. “You want it?” he asked, then added, “maybe Hannaford would want to have it.”

One place that would like to have, and display, the orange beauty is the Maine State Aquarium, located in West Boothbay Harbor and operated by the Maine Department of Marine Resources. “We’d love it!” said Aimee Rodriques, the aquarium’s director and natural science educator.

Details here.

SINC SAYS:

The only orange lobsters I’ve ever seen were on my plate.

Way Back When . . .

12/10/2008 04:06

The games we had for our kids.

Alberta Entry ‘Golden’ In HNIC Anthem Challenge

12/10/2008 04:06

School teacher Colin Oberst takes home $100,000 and half of lifetime royalties

Canadian Gold is the new Hockey Night in Canada anthem.

After 14,871 entries flooded in and thousands of voters cast their ballots for each of the two finalists, a Celtic-themed piece by Beaumont, Alta.'s Colin Oberst was chosen to introduce Canada's longest-running television program

His victory was announced on Saturday's Hockey Night broadcast featuring Toronto hosting Montreal and Vancouver in Calgary.

Toronto teenager Robert Fraser Burke's Sticks to the Ice finished second.

"I'm thrilled that it's an ordinary Canadian whose passion for hockey will be forever associated with the show," said Scott Moore, executive director of CBC Sports. "The process has shown the passion that Canadians have for hockey, Hockey Night in Canada and for music.

"I think it's so appropriate that such a passionate hockey fan is the final winner."

More from CBC Sports.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Congratulations to Beaumont’s Colin Oberst. It’s about time someone from the west, and particularly the Capital Regon, won something of note. It was most sweet to see Oberst’s tune best the tune from the kid from the ‘centre of the universe’.

In addition to his song being the new 'anthem' for CBC's Hockey Night In Canada, Oberst walks away with a cheque for $100,000 and half the lifetime royalties his song generates. Judging by his wife's reaction on TV, she is already quite interested in the $100,000!

Danton Claims Government Denying Jail Transfer

12/10/2008 04:05

It appears Mike Danton wants to return to Canada but he says the Harper government is holding up his potential transfer out of an American jail.

According to the Ottawa Citizen, Danton is asking the Canadian government to allow a prison transfer that would see him return to his native land.

"I feel like a piece of meat that my own government doesn't care about," Danton told the Ottawa Citizen in a jailhouse interview. "I want the prime minister to know that one of his Canadians is in prison in America, and it's not America holding up the transfer, it's his government."

In 2004, Danton (formerly known as Mike Jefferson) was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder with his agent, David Frost being the target. Danton is currently serving his sentence in Minnesota.

More from TSN.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

The Mike Danton saga is a really sad story about what can happen when a talented, young kid surrounds himself with, what can I say, rather questionable hangers-on, one of whom happens to be your so-called "agent".

Dollar Daze - How Will Financial Crisis Affect Esks?

12/10/2008 04:04

VANCOUVER -- How will the North American financial-market crisis impact the Edmonton Eskimos?

It's a question that executives with the CFL team would love to know the answer to.

But right now, there is no answer.

As stock markets fell - once again - in Canada and the United States yesterday, there is concern among Eskimo brass.

"I am not really sure what (the stock market crisis) is going to do to us. In the area of marketing and sponsorship I think it is probably safe to assume that it is going to be (a) more challenging environment out there to maintain the dollars you have and attract new ones," said Eskimos marketing and communications director Dave Jamieson before the kickoff of the Edmonton-B.C. Lions game last night at B.C. Place.

More from the Edmonton Sun.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

What’s very clear, folks, is the financial crisis we are presently in, through no fault of our own, is going to, unfortunately, affect every single aspect of our lives – including if we have and where we choose to spend our entertainment dollars.

Sarah Palin Drops Puck At Flyers Home Opener

12/10/2008 04:04

To a mixture of boos and cheers, Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin dropped the ceremonial first puck Saturday night at the Philadelphia Flyers' home opener against the New York Rangers.

The Alaska governor and self-described "hockey mom" heard a few boos when she walked onto the ice, but that soon turned to polite applause as she headed to centre ice with Mike Richards of the Flyers and Scott Gomez — from Alaska — of the Rangers.

Palin waved to the crowd and smiled as she dropped the puck to applause and cheers.

Cathy O'Connell of Erdenheim, Pa., joined Palin on the ice as the winner of a team promotion for the "Ultimate Hockey Mom."

Last month, Palin visited a Philadelphia bar with Flyers owner Ed Snider, who has donated money to Republican presidential nominee John McCain's campaign.

The NHL said it did not view the Flyers' invitation to be politically motivated.

"Gov. Palin is a supporter of the sport, which she has proclaimed publicly," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. "As a public figure who has a very public connection with hockey, her recent associations with the Flyers and other NHL franchises is not surprising and, in our view, not inappropriate."

There were no apparent signs of protest outside the arena, and one fan held a sign that read "Vote Obama" behind New York's net. A few other held "Obama-Biden" signs behind her.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Sarah Palin. Oh, man, gag me with a spoon!

COC Presents Money To Medal Winners

12/10/2008 04:03

The Canadian Olympic Committee rewarded Beijing Olympic medal winners for the first time in its history Saturday, presenting 34 athletes with cheques for their accomplishments.

A total of $515,000 was handed out under the Athlete Excellence Fund, a financial incentive program unveiled last November.

Under the fund, Canadian Olympians received $20,000 for each gold medal won, $15,000 for each silver and $10,000 for each bronze.

Lou Ragagnin, the committee's chief operating officer, praised the group of athletes who gathered in Toronto Saturday before presenting the cheques.

He called the money a "well deserved" and a "small token of our appreciation," before saying he hopes in the future the committee will distribute even more cash.

Liam Parsons, a rower from Thunder Bay, Ont., said training is a full-time pursuit and the award will help many of the Olympians recoup costs incurred on the way to winning the medal.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Well, I guess it’s better than a kick in the rear end with a wet boot, but not by much.

St. Albert's Place

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