The Dangers Of Buying Deli Meats

30/08/2008 07:44

We all do it and don’t give it a second thought. Until that is, Listeriosis raises its ugly head and we all react by throwing out certain brands of sliced meats we have purchased.

But do you think about the process itself of buying from the Deli counter? Or are you so wrapped up in the “it’s better fresh sliced” syndrome, that you miss the most obvious health hazards?

And most of those hazards are happening right before your eyes folks. You’re just not paying attention.

The next time you order that 200 grams of thinly sliced roast turkey breast, stop and watch what actually happens during your purchase.

First note the nice person behind the counter slip on a pair of those latex gloves that are supposed to protect us from things like Listeriosis.

Now watch closely as they pick up the pair of tongs lying on the counter that have touched nearly every piece of meat sold that day. Did you notice they don’t sterilize the tongs? Mistake number one.

Then watch as they grab a portion of the pre sliced product and place it on a piece of wax paper on the scale. Whoops, some of the slices made contact with the scale surface as they got plopped onto the paper and overhung just a bit. Mistake number two.

Watch carefully as they note they have grabbed 250 grams and they now use the tongs to pick up a few slices to put back in the original pile in the cooler. Notice the ones that touched the bare surface of the scale got tossed back into the pile? Mistake number three.

Now watch as they grab a plastic bag and then with those gloved hands, scoop up the wax paper and the meat and insert it into the bag, wrap it up and place the price sticker on the bag. Did you notice the gloves touched the bare surface of the scale? Mistake number four.

But wait, don’t leave with your potentially tainted meat purchase just yet. Stick around for a minute and watch them wait on the next customer.

Did you notice if they wiped down the scale surface with a disinfectant? Did you notice if they changed to a fresh set of gloves before they handled that order of head cheese they just sold the guy behind you?

If you hung around for a few more customers, did you see that they wear that same set of gloves for far too long? And did you note how many things they touch that could be carrying germs of whatever kind with those gloves?

And also did you note of the number of times they stop to disinfect the scale, tongs or anything else they touch outside the cooler where things can “grow” at an alarming rate?

Don’t get me wrong here folks. I’m sure those nice folks who work in the Deli are trying to make your purchase a safe one. Trouble is they are failing miserably.

Still think that fresh Deli stuff is the best?

Let me know what you see on your next trip to a local Deli counter.

New Sturgeon Hospital Parking Bad For Patients/Visitors

30/08/2008 07:43

Don,

The parking lot expansion behind Sturgeon Community Hospital is now finished, but guess what? It is for public parking! Doesn’t sound bad does it? But wait!

The two lots closest, yes I said CLOSEST to the Emergency department that were for public parking are now closed to the public. Yup they are now staff only parking lots.

Yes, the sick, the injured, the handicapped and any other member of the public that has business at the hospital must now park at the BACK of the hospital located at the farthest point from the Emergency Dept. I cannot believe this asinine idea. The sick, the injured, the handicapped and yes, any public visitor must now find their way from the public parking lot at the rear of the hospital.

I wouldn’t want to try this if I was one of the sick or injured that do not arrive by ambulance. If you arrive after 8:00 p.m., you must make your way from the back all the way around outside of the hospital to the emergency doors just to get inside.

If I was one of the sick, injured or handicapped I sure as hell wouldn’t want to attempt that trek at any time of day; let alone in the middle of the night or in the winter and -20 degrees. My 77 year old mother who frequently stays later than the 8:00 p.m. curfew to comfort my 84 year old father with Alzheimer's now has to make her way through the hospital to the emergency doors to leave and then walk all the way back around the outside of hospital to the rear parking lot in the dark. All the while looking at an almost empty staff parking lot (any time of day) much much closer to the emergency department and after hours public exit.

This gross decision must be changed and changed immediately. By the way, Sturgeon Hospital is the only place in St. Albert that charges for parking. What a gross way to treat the sick and injured and their visitors.

If this is any indication of the “New Capital Health Board” I think we are in big trouble

Bill Kimball
St. Albert

SINC SAYS:

Sounds to me like the planners of the new facilities didn't put much thought into this Bill. Priority should be given to the sick and those who visit them.

Another Reader Thinks City Is Wrong

30/08/2008 07:31

Hi Don

I couldn’t agree with you more on the recent stories in the Gazette regarding city council.

The so called Mayor’s task force and the issue with the ravine on the trail. I continually shake my head. I mean what planet are these people from anyways?

As you mentioned St. Albert will never have a downtown that this so called task force is trying to envisions and implement.

Keep in mind that this is St. Albert, not a major city. I find the downtown quite fine just the way it is. What exactly are we trying to accomplish here. An Art’s district? What is that? Major cities have arts districts. New York, Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver. St. Albert? I don’t think so. Carol Watamaniuk? This is all she seems to care about. Who are these people that voted her in?

I guess these guys have never heard of planning ahead. As I have commented to you before, typical of Council and Administration to charge ahead with something with no forethought whatsoever and just see what happens. Then spend more money to fix the problems as they occur. Lets just knock down all the trees and then do an assessment of the situation.

Well that’s my rant for now, thanks for listening.

Mark Fraser

St. Albert

SINC SAYS:

Everyone's entitled to a rant now and then Mark. Feel better now?

Gizmo The Boxing Cat . . .

30/08/2008 07:30

A St. Albert’s Place reader sent along this video of a cat who loves to box.

Some days I get the feeling that all our readers are animal lovers. I guess that’s not such a bad thing, is it?

St. Albert's Place Reader Recipes

30/08/2008 07:25

Don,

Being a good Ukrainian boy, and this being the season for fresh garden vegetables, I thought I would pass along my recipe for one of my favorites, homemade Borscht.

Cheers,

Jim

Jim’s Borscht (Beet Soup)

Get your daily recommended veggies with this quick and easy Borscht recipe. Beets are the main Borscht ingredient, are a great source of folic acid and potassium, and this Borscht soup recipe is abound with beets. Serve with Tea Biscuits or bread and butter for a balanced, nutritious meal.

Ingredients

• 3 cups diced beets
• 3 cups diced carrots
• 3 cups diced potatoes
• 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 cup diced onion
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dill
• 7 cups water
• 2 teaspoons vinegar
• sour cream (optional)
• Large sauce pan with lid

Preparation

Add ingredients (not sour cream or vinegar) to large sauce pan. Simmer all ingredients until beets, potatoes, peas, carrots, celery and onions are cooked. Flavor to taste by adding vinegar and serve, adding sour cream as a garnish.

The Things That People Send Me . . .

30/08/2008 07:23

Proposal Triggers UFO Alert

30/08/2008 07:21

Straubing - An ardent proposal of marriage by a 29-year-old suitor triggered an unidentified-flying-object (UFO) alert, police in the south-eastern German town of Straubing said on Thursday.

As he asked his 27-year-old girlfriend, on the bank of the Isar river to marry him, he released into the air 50 tiny hot-air balloons made of paper, with little candles burning under them.

Several shocked residents phoned police on Wednesday night to report strange lights in the sky.

Police who tracked down the couple enjoying the magic sight together reported that she accepted. They are to marry this autumn.

SINC SAYS:

This is one UFO sighting that got solved very quickly.

About The Creator of Maxine . . .

30/08/2008 07:15

Mother and grandmother inspired Hallmark artist John Wagner to create Maxine.

Whatever pops into her mind, Maxine says. Ordinarily, folks might be offended.

But instead, millions of Americans have identified with the crabby, irreverent Maxine,

The popular Hallmark character that lambastes everything from holidays to aging, and does not hesitate to tell it like it is - or as she sees it.

Maxine keeps up with the times. 'I'd like to try day trading,' she says. 'I'd start by trading Mondays for Saturdays.'

Or she might snap, 'You're a year older?...Want me to moon the birthday fairy for you?'

Nobody and nothing is sacred to Maxine. She's not your typical warm and fuzzy greeting-card character.

The only thing warm and fuzzy about Maxine is her bunny slippers - and her dog Floyd!

She points and shakes her finger at you. She dishes out philosophy to any one who will listen:

'When life hands you lemons...tuck 'em in your bra. Couldn't hurt, might help.'

John Wagner, Hallmark artist since 1970, says Maxine was inspired by his mother, his maiden aunts and his grandmother, the woman who bought him art lessons when 'fill in the pumpkins' was about the extent of his art classes at St. John's Catholic School he attended in Leonia, N.J.

John remembers doodling as a preschooler, and says both his grandmother and his mother encouraged his artistic interests. He eventually attended the Vesper George School of Art in Boston, and landed at Hallmark as part of a new artists group.

But it was the birth of the humorous Shoebox Greetings (a tiny little division of Hallmark) in 1986 that added a new dimension to John's professional life. The Shoebox way of seeing the world unleashed his talents and he created Maxine.

'Cartoonists are sensitive to the insanities of the world; we just try to humanize them,' John says.

'If Maxine can get a laugh out of someone who feels lonely or someone who is getting older and hates the thought of another birthday, or if she can make someone chuckle about stressful interpersonal relationships, then I'm happy. Putting a smile on someone's face is what it's all about.'

Those smiles have led to Maxine's becoming a bit of a celebrity. She (and John) have been the subject of media stories, including People, USA Today, Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, St. Petersburg (FL) Times, and Las Vegas Journal-Review, and they have been included in a major Associated Press story.

Collector and trade publications have reported that fans nationwide are collecting Maxine items. Letters from consumers and fans to John and Maxine reveal a very personal connection to Maxine. Many people say they are just like Maxine.

Why the name 'Maxine'? 'People at Shoebox started referring to the character as 'John Wagner's old lady,'

And I knew that would get me into trouble with my wife,' John says. The Shoebox team had a contest among themselves to name the character, and three of the approximately 30 entries suggested 'Maxine.

John says the name is perfect.

John, who says he's humbled by such acceptance of Maxine, admits he's proud of her.

SINC SAYS:

And so he should be judging by the response of St. Albert's Place readers. Maxine is one of the longest running and most popular features ever to be used on this site.

Giant Rabbit Brings Up Giant Litter

30/08/2008 07:13

At 24lbs, Continental giant rabbit Willow is eight times the size of a normal bunny.

And Jemima is resting away from the world after giving birth to an incredible 13 kits in June, smashing the average number of five to eight to the astonishment of breeder Denise McGill.

Denise, of Singleton Way in Fulwood, said: "People who come to see our giants are usually quite surprised when they actually see how big they are.

"Jemima is unusual because she has brought up a litter of 13 kits. It's very unusual for all the kits to survive but they have and they are all in excellent health – this is down to Jemima who has proven to be an outstanding mum."

Denise has kept rabbits since she was seven-years-old and she and fellow breeder Elaine Simmonds have 48 between them.

Denise, who is registered with the British Rabbit Council, said: "It was about seven years ago when I first saw a giant when I was visiting someone in Southport.

"I fell in love with them and within a couple of weeks I bought my first British giant.

"Soon afterwards I moved on to breeding the larger Continental Giant. They love the attention they get through interacting with people, they also love playing with toys which we put in their hutches.

"Each one has a different character but the boys are the most mischievous. They have a loving temperament and are inquisitive, they are often referred to as gentle giants."

SINC SAYS:

Seems to me that these big guys are breeding, well, like rabbits.

GlobalCell_700x150

Habs To Retire Roy’s #33

30/08/2008 07:12

MONTREAL - The Montreal Canadiens plan to retire jersey No. 33 of goaltender Patrick Roy in November, Montreal La Presse reported Friday.

A Canadiens spokesman would not confirm the report, saying the team does not comment on jersey retirements.

Roy, meanwhile, told the newspaper that he was unaware of any plans to retire his number.

"I don't know what's going on with that," said the Hall of Famer. "For sure it would be a great honour."

Roy led Montreal to Stanley Cups in 1986 and 1993 and is considered as one of the top goaltenders in NHL history, posting a record 551 wins in 19 seasons with the Canadiens and the Colorado Avalanche.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Despite his many faults and quirks, you can’t take away the fact that Roy was one helluva goalie.

Aussie Swimmer Says Phelps Was “Lucky"

30/08/2008 07:12

SYDNEY, Australia - Mistakes by his rivals helped American Michael Phelps win eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, Australian swimmer Eamon Sullivan said Friday.

Sullivan, who broke the world 100-metre freestyle record in the semifinals at Beijing but finished second in the final, said Phelps was able to break Mark Spitz's record of seven golds at one Olympics through good fortune and some small errors by rivals.

"There was an element of luck," Sullivan said.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Jealousy will never get you anywhere. Phelps was lucky alright, pffft!

Cahoon Makes It 100 Straight Games Against Lions

30/08/2008 07:11

MONTREAL - Consistency has been a mainstay through Ben Cahoon's career in the Canadian Football League and now he has a nice round number to prove it.

The 36-year-old slotback made a catch for the Montreal Alouettes in their game against the B.C. Lions on Friday night, giving him at least one pass reception in 100 consecutive games.

"I hope it happens because it means that I at least caught a pass and contributed in some form or fashion," Cahoon said Thursday.

It is far from a CFL record. Donald Narcisse caught a pass in 208 straight games for the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 1987 to 1999.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Ben Cahoon did, in fact, make it 100 straight games in which he has caught at least one pass last night versus the B.C. Lions. What a great accomplishment for a truly great receiver.

Weir Shoots Personal Best 61 To Lead Deutsche Bank

30/08/2008 07:11

NORTON, Mass. - Mike Weir shaved his "playoff beard" when his wife and children flew into town this week, but that had no bearing on his golf Friday. This was a round to enjoy, not explain.

Determined to get off to a better start, Weir birdied the first four holes and one-putted his final nine greens in the Deutsche Bank Championship to tie the course record at TPC Boston with a 10-under 61, the lowest round of his PGA Tour career.

The Bright's Grove, Ont., native had a three-shot lead over a group of four players that included Vijay Singh, whose victory last week at The Barclays put him atop the standings in the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedEx Cup.

Singh previously had the TPC Boston course record to himself, a 61 in the third round two years ago. And the Fijian set the tone for a day of low scores when he ran off five birdies in a six-hole stretch for a 64.

It took Weir only 10 holes to catch him.

More from TSN.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Wow. Great for Mike Weir, a 61. Personally, I didn’t think he had it in him.

Cart Before The Horse On Grandin Ravine Issue?

29/08/2008 07:03

This story in Wednesday’s St. Albert Gazette should further raise concern for local taxpayers on their council’s action.

It describes recent events to do with a piece of property that has neighbouring residents concerned for the environment being destroyed by the developers. The story entitled, “Grandin ravine project put on hold”, reads in part:

“A controversial development that would back onto Grandin Ravine is on temporary hold after council agreed more time is needed to study options with the proponent and worried neighbours.

Council delayed verdicts by about a month for a road closure and land sale for 214 St. Albert Road. The land is needed so developer St. Albert Crossing Inc. can begin construction on a three-storey office building between Socrates restaurant and an Esso gas bar.”

The story goes on to state:

“Neighbour Takashi Ohki, who filed the original appeal to the SDAB, noted the restricted covenant idea is new and unfamiliar to most neighbours. He also noted the province is still reviewing whether the ravine is a natural area and subject to environmental restrictions.

"The result of this investigation may affect the proposed commercial building," Ohki said, before asking council for time for all parties to talk.

By adjourning the public hearing the developer can continue stripping and grading the site. Elfar said his client is following Alberta Environment guidelines for working around a watercourse.

In the meantime, council asked for an update about a provincial review on whether the ravine is a natural area or part of the city’s stormwater system.”

Excuse me if my thinking is out of line here folks, but hasn’t the city put the cart before the horse by approving a construction start before they have properly concluded an investigation of all the details?

And further, did council act out of turn by accepting the recommendation of consultants when granting approval? It would appear that the approval process is somehow flawed and uncertain as to its future, but construction continues. Why?

Drive by like I did, and take a look at the gaping hole that now exists on that site.

As if the poor advice given council on $ervu$ Place, the west regional road, the football fields and the old garbage dump hasn’t been bad enough, now this. How much longer will city council put up with an administration who continue to make blunder after embarrassing blunder?

No ground should have been broken until all the avenues to ensure the environment was not at risk were exhausted.

Is the city’s long term record protecting the environment tarnished by so many avoidable mistakes?

Reader Response: You're Wrong About Downtown

29/08/2008 06:56

Your skeptical side

dominated your

logical side:

Don:

I often (not always) agree with your point of view on St. Albert issues, but this is one I think your skeptical side dominated your logical side, and I really think you are off base.

Our Mayor really needs to be congratulated for taking an initiative to get things going from an economic development point of view.

If we want to even think of achieving an 80/20 split in residential versus commercial/industrial tax revenues, we need to start applauding those initiatives that at least attempt to address some of the issues.

I am not sure how much this will cost the taxpayer, but my experience with these type of committees is that there is an awful lot of volunteer time that is expended, and there may be some staff support from City Hall, but that is usually about it.

From what I see this is about revitalizing downtown, so people use if for more than the farmer's market in the summer and to go visit their doctor, lawyer or visit city hall to pay our taxes.

Many shops have tried to make a go of it in the area, and have had to close because of the lack of daily, weekly and yearly traffic.

We should promote the initiative, and not look for the negatives in every action that comes from City Hall. Lord knows, there are enough real problems that emanate from that place, but this is not one of them.

Andy von Busse

SINC SAYS:

Well Andy, we can't agree all the time, but I should tell you I spoke with four local business owners yesterday who are not located downtown who agreed with my opinion. They all said you can do what you want, but St. Albert will never have a viable downtown. They also stated that if the city coughs up money for downtown, they will approach council for the same treatment for their venues, just to be fair. And those four business owners pay taxes too. Opening Pandora's box creates a slippery slope indeed.

Reader Response: You're Right About Downtown

29/08/2008 06:46

Another Prime Example Of How Things Are Done:

Don,

Re: “Loaded Task Force To Study St. Albert’s Downtown?”

First of all, let me say your editorial is spot on.

This is just another prime example of how things are done in St. Albert and who is involved in doing them.

When push comes to shove, what is the traditional model of problem solving in St. Albert? Inevitably, our city fathers always throw good money after bad, commissioning some sort of study or task force to examine the issue and come up with recommendations. Case in point – the $ervu$ Place fiasco. Did we need to go through a lengthy charade involving five separate task forces, or studies, to tell us what was already the preconceived solution – that taxpayers will be on the hook in perpetuity for all $ervu$ Place operating deficits? I think not.

However, this study is even more flawed. “The mayor will lead a new task force that will look at ways to improve St. Albert’s charming yet underutilized downtown . . .” The task force begins with the premise that St. Albert’s downtown is underutilized. Who says so?

And, furthermore, the composition of the focus groups is a joke. The focus groups are to be comprised of the Downtown Business Association, Chamber of Commerce, Amacon Developers (who are building an urban village on the Grandin Mall site), downtown residents and “certain (other) people who are influential in the downtown.” There is certainly no bias or vested interests in that group, is there?

When I studied Marketing in university, we were taught that focus group participants were to be selected on a random basis from the total population base, so that you would get a representative sample of the population. This is nothing more or less than the city stacking the deck to ensure the desired, preconceived outcome and, as such, is a complete farce. However, it will give city council the ammunition they need to justify the expenditure of more taxpayer dollars on yet another downtown “revitalization” to follow all of the previous failed downtown revitalization schemes. This is just another example of St. Albert’s self-appointed, self-proclaimed “power brokers” dictating to the rest of us the way things are going to be in this city. I, for one, am just sick of it.

Jim Starko

SINC SAYS:

I knew when I wrote that piece that many people share your views.

Selecting The Jury Predicts The Outcome:

Don:

Good to see you yesterday.

You are right on with your comments re the Mayor’s task force. Since he will be selecting the jury, then he can predict the outcome.

If I get a few extra minutes I will send you something on the Grandin Ravine.

Have a good day.

Bob Russell

SINC SAYS:

I enjoyed our conversation yesterday too Bob. Be sure to send along those comments on the Grandin Ravine. There is a lot of interest in how that issue will play out.

Fantastic Beer Bottle Orchestra

29/08/2008 06:43

Every once in a while, ones runs across a video so unique it grabs your attention.

Such is the case with this video by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in a made for TV commercial for a beer company.

Not only is the performance amazing, you can tell the orchestra members are having fun doing it.

Enjoy!

Clean Jokes For Twisted Minds . . .

29/08/2008 06:41

Bagpipes Provoked Olympic Alarm

29/08/2008 06:37

Mr Aitken got into the stadium days after the security alarm

A bagpipe player sparked a security alert at the Olympics - after Chinese police mistook his musical instrument for "some kind of weapon".

Charity walker Andrew Aitken, from Galashiels, arrived in Beijing on the same day as the opening ceremony.

He decided to warm-up his pipes near the stadium, not realising he was close to a major electricity station.

A police car pulled up and Mr Aitken said it was only thanks to a passing tourist guide that he avoided arrest.

The Borders piper was in China to carry out a sponsored walk along the Great Wall to raise funds for the National Deaf Children's Society.

Details here.

SINC SAYS:

There is a haunting beauty to the dirge of the pipes. Not that I’m Scottish or anything.

Headlines Missed By The Editor's Pen . . .

29/08/2008 06:34

Oddly enough, the following headline could be real here in St. Albert:

Swedish Woman In Airport Muddle

29/08/2008 06:28

It was unclear if the woman thought this was a new check-in method

An elderly Swedish woman tried to get herself on board an international flight by climbing onto an unmanned luggage belt after her suitcase.

The incident happened at Stockholm's Arlanda airport.

The unnamed 78-year-old thought she was just following instructions on how to check in for her flight.

She carefully lay down on the conveyor belt and was whisked into the baggage handling bay where she was rescued by surprised staff.

"It was a bit unfortunate," said Ari Kallonen of baggage handling firm Nordic Aero. "The little old lady arrived at the airport and had to take care of herself.
"Unfortunately, she did not understand when she was given check-in instructions. She took the belt together with her bag. Luckily it wasn't a long ride - only a couple of metres."

The woman did not reportedly suffer any injuries, managing to catch her flight to Germany, police said.

The airport does provide a service, on request, to help guide elderly or vulnerable people through the departures process.

SINC SAYS:

It is a sad thing that an elderly lady was not given better instructions and an escort to her gate. Airlines just do not care.

GlobalCell_700x150

A Mouthful – In Any Language

29/08/2008 06:26

Learn English or face suspension really about LPGA losing sponsors

If the 45 Koreans on the LPGA Tour learn only rudimentary English, just imagine what they might become after their golf careers are over.

President of the United States. Manager of the Chicago White Sox. Lead singer for Hootie And The Blowfish. FOX News anchor. Iraqi information minister.

Yes, indeed, the potential for lasting self-improvement is practically mind-boggling, particularly if any of the 121 international players on tour choose to take their now-mandatory lessons from notable English-speaking, North American sports stars like Allen Iverson, Yogi Berra, Rickey Henderson, Raffi Torres, Shaquille O'Neal, Ryan Smyth, several NASCAR drivers and NFL first-round draft picks, Joe Namath, Pete Rose or Joe Frazier. The list, sadly, is endless.

With such laudable linguistic guides, the five Lees, seven Kims and six Parks on Tour could then regale audiences with tales of what they do when they're not playing. "We're talking about practice man. We're talking about practice. We're talking about practice. We're not talking about the game. We're talking about practice," said Seon-Hwa Lee.

More from the Edmonton Journal.

Ames speaks out against LPGA rule.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

That’s what professional golf tours are all about, isn’t it - sponsorships? Without the sponsors, there is no tour.

Edmonton/Calgary To Host 2012 IIHF World Junior’s

29/08/2008 06:26

CALGARY, AB/ EDMONTON, AB - Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), announced on Thursday that the Province of Alberta will host the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, in Calgary and Edmonton.

The 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship will take place from late December 2011 to early January 2012 in Alberta at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary and Rexall Place in Edmonton.

"This is an exciting day for hockey fans in Alberta and throughout Canada," said Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson. "The bid group from Alberta put forward a great plan, and the site selection committee was particularly impressed with the bid's focus on making tickets affordable for all hockey fans. We had two outstanding bids to consider and both groups would have been great hosts of the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship. Today, after completing the selection process, we feel that Alberta will present an event that will make all Canadians proud."

The schedule will consist of 31 games, created and approved by both the IIHF and the 10 competing nations. The game schedule will not be determined or announced until early 2011.

More from TSN.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

This is certainly a major coup for the cities of Edmonton and Calgary.

Texans’ Williams Walks For First Time Following Injury

29/08/2008 06:25

Suffered vertebra and ligament damage in neck against Cowboys

For the first time since injuring his neck and spine last week, Houston Texans receiver Harry Williams has walked by himself.

Houston television station KRIV reports that Williams walked without help Thursday morning at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas.

He suffered a cracked vertebra and severe ligament damage in his neck Aug. 22 during a pre-season game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Williams told the station, "I started walking today. I brushed my own teeth today, sat up in a chair today, fed myself today.

"I'm doing good, man."

Doctors say it's unlikely he'll be able to play football again, something the 26-year-old says he accepts.

Williams was on the New York Jets and New York Giants squads in 2005 before signing with the Texans in 2006.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

This is certainly very, very good news.

Phelps Dives Into TV Gigs For MTV, SNL

29/08/2008 06:24

Record-setting swimming star Michael Phelps, who was ubiquitous both in official Olympics coverage and in advertisements, will get even more TV face time in the next few weeks.

The U.S. swimmer, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, will be a presenter at the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards, organizers announced Thursday.
Other celebrities slated to help hand out MTV's Moonman hardware at the Sept. 7 gala in Los Angeles include Miley Cyrus, Lindsay Lohan, Ciara, and actors from the High School Musical franchise and upcoming film Twilight.

Taking the stage to perform will be acts such as Katy Perry, T-Pain, Rihanna, Pink, T.I., The Jonas Brothers and Lil Wayne.

About a week later, on Sept. 13, "Phelps Phans" will be treated to another side of the 23-year-old when he hosts the season premiere episode of Saturday Night Live.

Producers announced Wednesday that Phelps would host the first show of SNL's 34th season, with Lil Wayne to appear as the evening's musical guest.

Last week, a U.S. publisher announced that Phelps will pen a book revealing the story behind his amazing performance at the Olympics, his philosophies on training and competitions, as well as on his childhood growing up in a single-parent family.

The book, tentatively called Built to Succeed, is slated for release in December.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

It’s amazing what eight gold medals will do for you, isn’t it?

Monty Aiming To Press Home Ryder Cup Claims

29/08/2008 06:24

GLENEAGLES, Scotland (AFP) - Ryder Cup specialist Colin Montgomerie says he's confident of pressing home his claims on one of captain Nick Faldo's two wildcard choices by winning this weekend's Johnnie Walker Championship.

This is the final event before Europe's 12-man side for Valhalla next month is known, and even if Montgomerie wins on Sunday the highest that the 45-year-old Scot - a star of the last eight matches against the Americans - can finish on the points table is 15th.

Ten players are selected off that, and then captain Faldo will name his two wild cards. Paul Casey and Darren Clarke - a winner on Sunday in Holland - are the favorites.

But Ian Poulter is now in the mix as well and the British Open runner up's decision to stay in America this week when fifth place in Scotland could have qualified him has complicated the issue.

More from yahoo.com

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Some of the best golf Monty has ever played has been in Ryder Cup matches. He loves the competition of playing for his country against the Americans and also seems to love the format.

“Loaded Task Force” To Study St. Albert's Downtown?

28/08/2008 07:55

There is an interesting story in yesterday’s St. Albert Gazette that’s worth reading if you happen to be a taxpayer and my bet is that you do pay taxes. It’s headed, “Mayor leads downtown effort” and can be viewed online here:

The story states in part:

“The mayor will lead a new task force that will look at ways to improve St. Albert’s charming yet underutilized downtown.

Council approved the structure for the Mayor’s Task Force on Downtown Initiatives Monday. Up to 100 residents and business owners could participate, spread over 10 focus groups that will conduct meetings starting this fall.”

And it further goes on to state:

“Crouse said he’ll recruit "100 people who care about the downtown" to sit on 10 focus groups. Membership will be broad, including the Downtown Business Association and St. Albert Chamber of Commerce members, as well as downtown residents and developers like Amacon, which is building an urban village in place of Grandin mall.

"It’s going to be a combination of those that are interested and those we want to be interested. We’re going to have certain people who are influential in the downtown become involved. We’re going to have to tap them on the shoulder."”

I guess this version of the story is intended to make city taxpayers feel good about yet another study, this time to determine the future of our downtown, but the piece overlooks one very critical aspect of this task force.

Did you notice the deck is stacked in favour of the downtown by virtue of those whom the mayor will recruit to provide the input? Or didn’t you read the part that says, “It’s going to be a combination of those that are interested and those we want to be interested. We’re going to have certain people who are influential in the downtown become involved”.

Did you also notice that not one taxpayer who might oppose further downtown development is being included in the task force? Where are those taxpayers and why do they have no voice?

Don’t you think that the task force should in fact be comprised of 50 percent of people who are not cherry picked in advance as supporters of spending our tax dollars on yet another downtown improvement project?

I call foul on such a task force. It is missing the fundamentals of a democratic portion of our taxpayer base and should be viewed as biased in the extreme to force those taxpayers who have no interest in downtown to part with more of their hard earned incomes through more taxation to prop up a small part of the community.

But that of course is just my way of thinking. More importantly, what do YOU as a taxpayer think of such a model for a task force and are YOU willing to let pre-picked residents with a common goal dictate how your tax dollars will be spent?

I certainly hope readers have the intestinal fortitude to call a stacked deck, a stacked deck. And call city hall too.

It’s high time the mayor and council showed some bipartisan leadership and renounced the “old boys stacked deck thinking” and get out the tax rolls and appoint 50 percent of this group from an unbiased side to set some balance into this equation.

That being said, I would be very surprised to see either the mayor and council or sadly complacent taxpayers care enough to even bother to consider such action.

Should I be so cynical? You bet. And so should you. Hang onto your pocketbooks folks. Here we go again.

Welcome Aboard To New Advertisers

28/08/2008 07:53

Today we welcome a couple of brand new advertisers to St. Albert’s Place.

Please take a minute to click on their ads as they are hot linked to their individual web sites offering services and merchandise unique to our area.

Check out “Cameo Creations” and “Images From The Rim” and the fine ladies who run them.

One thing about the internet folks is that you can use services like these from the comfort of your home, even though they are miles away.

I hope you will give these ladies your support.

1001 Uses For A Leaf Blower . . .

28/08/2008 07:46

Well folks, I’ve seen everything now.

A couple of weeks back I came around the corner of my garage and there was my neighbour using his leaf blower.

Not on any leaves mind you, but rather he was blowing sawdust off his son after completing some work under the eaves of their house.

Dad had a big smile on his face and told me what he was doing, but this is a family web site, so I can’t share it with readers.

How’s your imagination working today?

P.S. to the two Johns. Told you I would use this shot!

'Inconsolable' Baby Elephant Back With Mother

28/08/2008 07:41

New mom stunned Oregon zookeepers by kicking calf following his birth

The mother of a newborn baby elephant is no longer tethered, and is now together with her baby, nursing it.

It's an exciting development for zoo handlers after the elephant mother Rose-Tu initially displayed aggression toward the newborn elephant.

Zoo staff have been busy since the baby elephant's birth, working to insure the baby's survival.

On Monday, Oregon Zoo Deputy Director described the scene to Portland news station KGW, which has been reporting the story from the beginning.

"Rose-Tu and her calf have been together since 5 p.m. last night," said Keele. "The staff has been working day and night to help ensure this critical reintroduction is successful."

Uplifting story here.

SINC SAYS:

Sometimes when man interferes with nature, things go badly. It is nice to see a situation like this resolved.

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Introducing Fortune Cookies to China

28/08/2008 07:39

By THE NEW YORK TIMES

Are fortune cookies Chinese?

Clearly not. They are arguably more American (by way of Japan), judging by the way that people in China react to fortune cookies — with a mixture of confusion and amusement. As part of research for my book, The Fortune Cookie Chronicles, I went around China handing out fortune cookies to random people (my bellhop, people on the street, vendors) and recorded their reactions.

Often times, they would put the cookies in their mouth, and then be surprised when they found a piece of paper either in their mouth or in a cookie.

Fortune cookies are not intuitive. This was confirmed when I discovered a woman named Nana Shi who was making fortune cookies in China. But she too put instructions on the red wrapper telling people to break the cookie before eating them because they were necessary.

Americans find high emotional attachment to the slips inside their cookies, looking to them for winning lottery numbers and becoming upset when the fortunes inside are unfortunate. The Chinese, on the other hand, would often tell me after trying the curved vanilla-flavored wafers, “Americans are so strange, why are they putting pieces of paper in their cookies?”

SINC SAYS:

Who’da thunk it? Chinese not knowing what a fortune cookie is?

Headlines Missed By The Editor's Pen . . .

28/08/2008 07:37

Raft Made Of Junk Crosses Pacific In Three Months

28/08/2008 07:25

HONOLULU - Tanned, dirty and hungry, two men who spent three months crossing the Pacific on a raft made of plastic bottles to raise awareness of ocean debris finally stepped onto dry land.

"We made it," hollered Marcus Eriksen to a crowd of about two dozen gathered at Ala Wai Harbor on Wednesday. "Where's the food?" Friends greeted Eriksen and fellow eco-mariner Joel Paschal with lei, fresh food and beer to celebrate the end of their nearly 4,200-kilometre voyage on what they call the JUNK raft.

"We got used to eating fish and peanut butter," said Eriksen, who celebrated his 41st birthday at sea.
The pair left Long Beach, Calif., on June 1. Their nine-metre vessel had a deck of salvaged sailboat masts, six pontoons filled with 15,000 plastic bottles and a cabin made from the fuselage of a Cessna airplane.

While at sea they realized they were traveling less than a kilometre per hour and it would take them much longer to reach Hawaii than the previously anticipated six weeks.

Complete story from CBC News.

SINC SAYS:

Can you imagine being tossed around by waves for 90 days? Count me out as a rafter.

cfcw

Clean Jokes For Twisted Minds . . .

28/08/2008 07:22

Firemen Battle Blaze At Their Own Fire Hall

28/08/2008 07:17

De QUEEN, Ark. - Local firefighters didn't have to go far to tackle one recent blaze.

The De Queen fire station is closed on weekends, so when a call is received the firefighters go to the station to get their gear before heading out. But when they gathered at the station Saturday to answer a call about a burning utility pole, they discovered they had another problem on their hands.

"One of the firemen called me and said the place was full of smoke," said De Queen Fire Marshal Dennis Pruitt. "I thought he was joshing me."
Firefighters called a dispatcher to get the Southwestern Electric Power Co. to disconnect the station's electrical service.

"We told them the fire department has a fire. SWEPCO said 'Yeah, the fire department has a fire.' The dispatcher told them, 'No it's the fire station on fire!"' Pruitt said.

Burning details here.

SINC SAYS:

This reminds me of an episode of the old Keystone Cops series. Oh well, I suppose the up side is the response time was pretty good.

JOHN THE BAPTIST!

28/08/2008 07:14

Matthew 18:4-5 ~ 'Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.'

Johnny's Mother looked out the window and noticed him 'playing church' with their cat. He had the cat sitting quietly and he was preaching to it. She smiled and went about her work.

A while later she heard loud me owing and hissing and ran back to the open window to see Johnny baptizing the cat in a tub of water.. She called out, 'Johnny, stop that! The cat is afraid of water!'

Johnny looked up at her and said, 'He should have thought about that before he joined my church.'

Ranking Canadian Talent in the CFL

28/08/2008 07:13

Along with good coaching and strong quarterbacking, the quality of a team's Canadian players is generally viewed as one of the key elements of success in the CFL. The following is a look at where each team stands in that regard.

TERMINOLOGY

Elite Players: All-Star calibre players at their respective positions.

Up and Comers: Primarily second- and third-year players who are poised for a breakthrough.

Top Prospects: Rookies and other drafted players for whom teams have high expectations.

Ratio Buster: A non-import player who plays a position usually occupied by an import.

Ratio Flexibility: The ability of a team to manipulate its roster easily, while still meeting ratio requirements (seven non-import starters).

To see TSN Football Analyst Duane Forde’s rankings, click here.

Rider Lineman Tackles Minor Football In Report To Premier

28/08/2008 07:13

The provincial government has received a playbook for helping minor football in Saskatchewan — and spending money to help more leagues get started is one of the recommendations.

A 20-page report, commissioned by Premier Brad Wall, speaks glowingly of the benefits of a football program for youngsters, saying it contributes to "character, teamwork, dedication, commitment, sense of community and more."

The report, released Monday, was prepared by Gene Makowsky, a teacher and professional athlete who plays on the Saskatchewan Roughriders' offensive line.

Makowsky's report also identifies the many barriers to establishing and maintaining a quality football program, including finding and retaining good coaches, overcoming startup costs associated with equipment and a lack of suitable playing fields.

"Football is unique in that it requires some equipment and getting all that equipment up front is a significant cost," Makowsky said at a news conference on the University of Regina Rams practice turf, a facility which he noted in his report is expensive to rent.

"Facilities are an issue, especially here in Regina where there are so many kids who want to play."

Wall said he wants to see the sport grow and remain open to all kids.

"It's got to be accessible," the premier said. "And, if we're going to make this an opportunity in our inner city neighborhoods or, for example, on our reserves as Gene has noted, we've got to make this accessible financially."

Wall, an avid minor football coach in his home community of Swift Current, said he will act on Makowsky's recommendations before the report gathers dust.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Congratulations to Gene Makowsky on a job very well done.

Former CFL Star Mike Walker Joins Argos Coaching Staff

28/08/2008 07:12

The Toronto Argonauts are bringing in a fresh face to help solve some of their defensive woes.

Mike Walker, a standout defensive lineman in the Canadian Football League in the 1980s, has joined Toronto as a defensive consultant after working as a guest coach at the B.C. Lions' training camp earlier this summer.

The former Hamilton Tiger-Cat will spend most of his time with the Argos' defensive line.

A three-time CFL all-star from 1982-89, Walker has spent the past 11 years as defensive line coach with the Washington State Cougars, his alma mater.

"Mike brings a great deal of expertise on the defensive line," said first-year Argos head coach Rich Stubler. "We're excited to utilize his knowledge to help us in our quest for a Grey Cup."

Walker, who helped former Ticat Grover Covington become the CFL's all-time sack leader, appeared in four CFL championships in his 10 seasons, winning in 1986.

Walker, who spent his final two years with Edmonton, will try to figure out a Toronto defence that has fallen on hard times after being ranked at or near the top in many statistical categories in recent years.

The unit currently sits last in several categories, including average yards rushing allowed per game (155.8), average gain per rush (6.4 yards) and first downs allowed on the ground (79).

Walker and the Argonauts will take a 3-5 record into Monday's Labour Day Classic at Hamilton. (7:30 p.m. ET).

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Do I think Walker will make a difference? I think not. This year already seems to be a write-off for the Argos. And, it all began with the Kerry Joseph/Michael Bishop quarterbacking controversy.

Upshaw’s Death Could Affect NFL Harmony

28/08/2008 07:11

Former Players Association president’s statement decrying salary cap system will be hard to ignore

For those of you who have followed the National Football League only for the past 20 years, start preparing yourself for a rude awakening.

You don't remember the nine-game season followed by a 16-team playoff in 1982 (sounds almost like something college football playoff fans would die for).

You don't know about Tony Dorsett calling Randy White "Captain Scab" as the defensive tackle crossed the Cowboys' picket line in 1987 ... only to be followed the next day by Dorsett when he learned the deferred payments in his contract would be voided if he continued to stay on strike.

For fans, the NFL has been pain-free for 20 years, at least on the labor front in terms of a nice, clean, 16-game schedule brought right into your living room big screen each weekend.

More from the Dallas Morning News.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Let’s hope that all continues to go smoothly between NFL owners and players in the wake of Upshaw’s death. I think a big part of his legacy was the harmony that was achieved between players and management during his tenure.

Hayes, Humphrey Finalists To Hall Of Fame

28/08/2008 07:11

CANTON, Ohio - Claude Humphrey and Bob Hayes were nominated by the seniors committee Wednesday as finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Hayes, an Olympic gold medallist as a sprinter, played for Dallas from 1965 to '74 and San Francisco in 1975. He averaged 20 yards a catch for his career and led the NFL with a 20.8-yard average per punt return in 1968.

He was a seniors finalist in 2004 but did not get the necessary 80 per cent of the vote to make the hall. He died in 2002 at the age of 59.

Humphrey was a regular finalist two years ago, his final year of eligibility.

He played 11 seasons with Atlanta before finishing his career with Philadelphia from 1979 to '81. He was considered one of the best pass rushers in the game during an era in which sacks were not an official statistic.

They will join 15 modern-era finalists yet to be determined in the final selection the day before the Super Bowl in Tampa on Jan. 31.

The two seniors finalists are voted on separately. A total of seven can be elected - the two seniors and up to five modern candidates.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Let’s hope that both of these men, who really deserve it, are elected to the NFL Pro Football Hall Of Fame.

CFCW Changing Frequency On The AM Dial

27/08/2008 04:13

This is a bit of a scoop for St. Albert’s Place, in that we have learned that Edmonton/Camrose radio station CFCW will no longer be broadcasting at its customary 790 spot on the AM dial in the new year.

Apparently 790 is one of the most used spots on the AM dial in the western USA, Canada and Alaska. That causes too much interference for a good clear signal, so CFCW has applied to the CRTC to change frequencies.

Be prepared to tune in CFCW at its new home, 840 on the AM dial some time in the new year.

But now the burning question for CFCW Program Director/Operations Manager Jackie Rae Greening of St. Albert:

Will it then become the eighth caller through to qualify for all those prizes the station gives away?

JACKIE REPLIED: Very funny . . . And you're right . . . we'll probably have to go to the 8th caller! - JR

Majestic Rare Albino Whale Shark Graces The Ocean

27/08/2008 04:10

Sometimes, Nature puts on a show that leaves Man awestruck.

And these spectacular displays by two denizens of the deep left all who saw them beguiled by their grace and beauty.

Divers were stunned by the sight of a 33ft albino whale shark as it glided through the waters off the coast of Darwin, an island in the Galapagos group.

Half a world away, a rare snow-white albino whale calf held spectators spellbound as it swam off western Australia - so white, in fact that one observer described it as 'sticking out like a neon lollipop'.

Both creatures are believed to be white because of a lack of pigmentation in the skin but they are expected to gradually turn to a darker colour as the years go by.

The female whale shark, believed to be the only one of its kind, was first spotted by diver and naturalist Antonio Moreano in the Galapagos islands when he took a group of tourists on a nature cruise.

See more photos here.

SINC SAYS:

There are days when Ma Nature puts on a show that puts man in awe of her beauty. This is one unique creature she created.

Headlines Missed By The Editor's Pen . . .

27/08/2008 04:08

Delayed By Her Bra, Air Passenger Is Indignant

27/08/2008 04:04

OAKLAND -- When Berkeley resident Nancy Kates arrived at Oakland International Airport to board JetBlue flight 472, she thought she was heading off on a routine journey to visit her mother in Boston. Instead she ended up in a standoff with Transportation Safety Administration officials over her bra.

In the post-Sept. 11 world of heightened airport scrutiny, Kates, like most travelers, is familiar with the drill: Take off shoes and belts, open the laptop, carry shampoo in 3-ounce bottles.

For Kates, on Sunday, though, the security check got too invasive. A big-busted woman wearing a large underwire bra, she set off the metal detector. She was pulled aside and checked by a female TSA agent with a metal-sensitive wand.

"The woman touched my breast. I said, 'You can't do that,' " Kates said. "She said, 'We have to pat you down.' I said, 'You can't treat me as a criminal for wearing a bra.' "

Try this story on for size here.

SINC SAYS:

You would think by this story, the situation is brand new. I’ve been told similar stories by many women and it was no big deal.

Clean Jokes For Twisted Minds . . .

27/08/2008 04:02

500 North Texas Students Suspended Over Belts

27/08/2008 03:58

Dress code violations at Seagoville High School caused serious problems today.

Somewhere between 150 and 500 students were banned from class because of their belts.

Total enrollment of the school is about 1,200.

The belts are supposed to be plain black or brown with a standard buckle. Anything else -- like holes in leather -- is considered a decoration, and a violation.

Those who didn't follow dress code were put in in-school suspension or sent home with parents.

Many say the rule is too harsh - too soon.

"They need to be concentrating on what they learn not how they are dressing," said Rosa Banda, a mother.

A DISD spokesperson says the district supports Seagoville High's principal, saying he's sending a message early in the school year, so they don't have to deal with dress code issues once learning starts in earnest.

See the video here.

SINC SAYS:

Wait a minute. They can’t be serious. A “belt” dress code? I guess they are if you watch the video.

27/08/2008 03:58

Are You A Martha Or A Maxine?

27/08/2008 03:53

*MARTHA'S WAY*

If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.

*MAXINE'S WAY*

Go ask that REALLY cute neighbor if he can open it for you.

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Villegas Wins Inaugural Notah Begay III Skins Game

27/08/2008 03:53

VERONA, N.Y. - Camilo Villegas apparently likes the skins game format.

The rising Colombian star won a chipoff Tuesday against Vijay Singh, Mike Weir, Stewart Cink, and Notah Begay III to walk away with top money at the inaugural Notah Begay III Foundation Challenge at Turning Stone Resort's Atunyote Golf Club.

Villegas' winning pitch on the extra hole of the skins game competition boosted his earnings for the day to US$220,000. Singh won two holes to finish with $180,000, and Cink finished with one skin worth $100,000 from the total purse of $500,000.

The event, a collaboration between the Oneida Indian Nation of New York and San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians of California, is an effort to aide Native American youth and their communities.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Villegas obviously likes the Skins format. This is the second “Skins” event the young Columbian golfer has won this year, winning the Telus World Skins Game earlier this summer at Predator Ridge, just outside of Vernon, B.C.

CFL And Reebok Announce Five-Year Deal

27/08/2008 03:52

The Canadian Football League and Reebok Canada announced a new five-year deal on Tuesday.

"We're thrilled to extend and enhance our partnership with Reebok, one of our most important and visible partners," CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon said at a news conference at Reebok's flagship store at the Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre, north of Toronto.

"Aligning ourselves with a partner that excels on the field, in the marketplace, and around the world speaks volumes about the strength of our brand and Reebok's commitment to our country and our league."

The money involved in the deal was not disclosed, but both sides confirmed it was seven-figures annually, and that Reebok would be the exclusive supplier of uniforms and sideline apparel for the league.

More from TSN.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Okay, CFL players, prepare to burn all that is not Reebok!

Video Replay Effective In MLB Thursday

27/08/2008 03:51

NEW YORK - Major League Baseball reversed its long-standing opposition to instant replay and will allow umpires to check video on home run calls in series that start Thursday, a person familiar with the announcement told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement was authorized before commissioner Bud Selig made the announcement at 5 p.m. Tuesday ET.

Three series are scheduled to start Thursday, with Philadelphia at the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota at Oakland and Texas at the Los Angeles Angels. For other games, replays will be available to umpires starting Friday.

The start date comes nearly 10 months after general managers voted 25-5 to use the technology, and following MLB agreements with the unions for umpires and for players.
For now, video will be used only on so-called ``boundary calls,'' such as determining whether fly balls went over the fence or whether potential home runs were fair or foul.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Once Major League Baseball makes a decision, they move quickly, don’t they?

LPGA To Require All Players To Speak English

27/08/2008 03:51

ORLANDO, Fla. - The LPGA Tour boasts players from all over the world, and it wants all of them to be able to speak English.

Golfweek magazine reported on its website Monday that speaking English will be a requirement starting in 2009, with players who have been LPGA members for two years facing suspension if they can't pass an oral evaluation of English skills.
The tour held a mandatory meeting with South Koreans last Wednesday at the Safeway Classic to inform them of the new policy.

"Hopefully, what we're talking about is something that will not happen," deputy commissioner Libba Galloway told Golfweek. "If it does, we wouldn't just say, 'Come back next year.' What we would do is work with them on where they fell short, provide them the resources they need, the tutoring . and when we feel like they need to be evaluated again, we would evaluate."

There are 121 international players from 26 countries on the LPGA Tour, including 45 players from South Korea.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

This is indeed a very interesting new policy. It's about time we here in North America took a stand.

Williams’ Football Career Likely Over

27/08/2008 03:50

Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Houston Texans wide receiver Harry Williams is expected to walk again after having surgery to fuse together his cervical spine, but his football career is likely over.

"Harry Williams is currently in the post-surgical recovery phase at Presbyterian Hospital-Dallas and will remain under observation," said Texans orthopedist Dr. Walter Lowe. "Given the severity and depth of the injury to his neck and spine, it is highly unlikely that Harry will return to football."

Williams was carted off the field on a stretcher following a blow to the head early in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys last Friday. The injury occurred on the ensuing kickoff after Houston capped the opening drive with a 44-yard field goal by Kris Brown. Williams was attempting to tackle Dallas' Isaiah Stanback when he slid off the runner and collided with teammate Nick Ferguson.

The special teams standout lay face-down on the field and medical personnel immediately called for a stretcher. The game was delayed nearly 10 minutes while they tended to Williams.

More from TSN.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Williams’ injury is eerily similar to the broken neck suffered by Edmonton Eskimo Jason Tucker. Although they both will thankfully fully recover, unless I miss my guess, the football careers of Williams and Tucker are probably over.

Eight Belles Laid To Rest At Churchill Downs

27/08/2008 03:50

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The remains of Eight Belles have been buried at Churchill Downs.

A wooden box containing the filly's remains was buried at the Kentucky Derby Museum during a quiet ceremony Monday. Eight Belles was the only filly to run in the 134th Kentucky Derby in May, finishing second to Big Brown. She was euthanized on the track after breaking two ankles.

Museum spokeswoman Wendy Treinen says Eight Belles was "interred without fanfare."
There will be a public memorial service Sept. 7. A plaque will be dedicated under a magnolia tree where the thoroughbred's remains were interred.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

RIP, Eight Belles.

Another Questionable Decision By City Planners?

26/08/2008 06:10

Scene and noted:

I see the bank of Montreal is opening yet another branch, this time in the far (westerly) end of the Gateway (Safeway) Mall on Hebert Road, which is not the item.

You know that tiny little opening between that mall the and the Superstore Liquor Store? The one that is so busy it is already a hassle to get through?

Well, be prepared for that to become one of the biggest bottlenecks in the city thanks to BMO whose misguided planners have decided to open a drive through at that new location.

They poured concrete curbing as barriers all over the place and reduced that opening to a tiny hole. It will be like threading a needle to get any big trucks through there and trust me, big trucks use that entrance.

I can hardly wait for winter when the snow covers all that concrete and vehicles begin bouncing off it on a daily basis. Where are city planners when such obviously flawed decision making is allowed to progress unchecked?

There are days I wonder if there is one realistic person left in the city’s planning department. The ones there now seem to revel in allowing development that is nothing more than organized confusion.

Lost And found Department . . .

26/08/2008 06:08

Hi Don,

I found a Digital camera by the BLESS platform at Big Lake.

Owner can contact me at 780-458-3454.

Sam Thompson
St. Albert

SINC SAYS:

That’s the spirit Sam. Find something and contact St. Albert’s Place to try and help find the owner. I sure hope somone reads this and gives you a call. Please let us know how it all turns out.

Headlines That Need To Be Rewritten . . .

26/08/2008 06:05

U of C Researchers Make Interesting Discovery

26/08/2008 06:05

From CTV News

University of Calgary researchers think they've discovered what's killing bats at wind farms in southern Alberta.

Researchers were finding up to 18 dead bats under each wind turbine, but the majority didn't show signs of physical trauma.

Team leader, Erin Baerwald, brought in the skills of Brandon Klug, who performed necropsies on the dead bats.

He found massive internal bleeding.

The researchers say the 40 metre blades create a low pressure zone that can spin upwards of 250 kilometres an hour.

Researchers believe the zone is concentrated to a small area around the blades.

Klug says it's a small change, but it's enough to kill the bats.

"So when you get in a situation where there's rapid changes of pressure on the outside the air inside the lung can expand so quickly, like it can't escape so it just expands the lung so quickly it just ruptures the capillaries around the lung and then you get a whole bunch of blood loss, and blood in the lungs and that's basically what drowns the bat."
Researchers say this could have an ecological effect as far south as Mexico because the bats are migratory.

Right now no one knows the full impact of the bat deaths.

SINC SAYS:

Sometimes no matter how hard we try to do the right thing, we wind up hurting some part of our world. I just hope the problem’s not driving them batty.

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More Pictures From B.C. Trip

26/08/2008 05:56

Don,

The first shot is a photo of a couple of "burned out" condos in Panorama. They must have had a fire there recently.

The second shot is a photo of a river running through Panorama and the third, a mountain lake that we just happened upon with a single row boat on it and you can see the reflection of the trees in the water.

The water is so clear, you can see right to the bottom of the lake.

Jim and Bob Starko

SINC SAYS:

Many thanks for the travelogue guys. Some nice shots there.

It's Chicks Out For The Vlads

26/08/2008 05:53

NO wonder the Russians have been slow to leave Georgia.

Sailors aboard the first ship to head home after the fighting were greeted by these burly Black Sea beauties.

The formidable fans were on the quay as the missle-carrying vessel Mirage moored in the port of Sevastopol, Ukraine.

Large numbers of Russian armoured vehicles also withdrew from Georgia.
But top brass said some troops would remain inside “zones of responsibility”.

SINC SAYS:

Well, they did come out in their swim suits to greet the boys. But they might just be scaring them off.

TO: GOD - FROM: THE DOG

26/08/2008 05:45

Dear God: Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell one another?

Dear God: When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it still the same old story?

Dear God: Why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not ONE named for a dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We do love a nice ride! Would it be so hard to rename the 'Chrysler Eagle' the ' Chrysler Beagle'?

Dear God: If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?

Dear God: We dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's, electromagnetic energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths .
What do humans understand?

Dear God: More meatballs, less spaghetti, please .
Dear God: Are there mailmen in Heaven?
If there are, will I have to apologize?

Dear God: Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must remember to be a good dog .

1 . I will not eat the cat's food before they eat it or after they throw it up.

2 . I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc . , just because I like the way they smell.

3 . The litter box is not a cookie jar.

4 . The sofa and the carpet are not 'face towels'.

5. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.

6 . I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet.

7 . Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is an unacceptable way of saying 'hello'.

8 . I don't need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm under the coffee table.

9 . I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house - not after.

10 . I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt.

11 . I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch.

12 . The cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he makes that noise, it's usually not a good thing.

P. S. Dear God: When I get to Heaven, may I have my testicles back?

cfcw

Heteroflexible: Girls Kissing Girls Is The Latest Trend

26/08/2008 05:42

Imagine that you hear that your 18-year-old daughter was kissing another girl at a party last weekend.

What races through your mind? "O my gosh, she's exploring same-sex attractions. She must be a lesbian."

Hold up, Mom and Dad. You're showing your age. Chances are, your daughter's not fixed on the pretty young blonde she's locking lips with. There may be something entirely different and unexpected going on.

"Girls making out with each other to turn on guys is the latest craze at high school and college parties," according to the online magazine Salon.com.

Still don't believe it? Listen to this summer's monster hit song, "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry. It's an international phenomenon -- topping the charts all summer in America, Canada, Australia and Great Britain. A few weeks ago, Perry was a headliner at the Warped music festival at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, belting out the song's provocative lyrics:

I kissed a girl and I liked it,
The taste of her cherry chapstick,
I kissed a girl just to try it,
I hope my boyfriend don't mind it.
It felt so wrong, it felt so right.

Perry cagily maintains that her song is about drunken curiosity regarding same-sex attractions. But her music video, which features gyrating women in lingerie, is clearly designed to give the male libido a jolt.

We baby boomers like to think we invented and defined the sexual revolution. But our offspring are tossing out the categories we took for granted, including the view that "gay or straight" is preprogrammed.

Young women whom Salon.com interviewed about the girl-on-girl trend said they had initially kissed other females to get a free beer at parties or on a dare from guys. But they soon saw it as a way to signal to males that they are "sexually open and adventurous."

"It was like, look, I'm the center of attention!" recalled one 16-year-old.

SINC SAYS:

The older I get, the crazier this old planet becomes. Just how many more words can we invent to define the sexes?

The Awful Truth About Taxes . . .

26/08/2008 05:37

At first I thought this was funny...then I realized the awful truth of it.
Be sure to read all the way to the end!

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me
to my doom...'

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Airline surcharge tax
Airline Fuel Tax
Airport Maintenance Tax
Building Permit Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Death Tax
Dog License Tax
Drivng Permit Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment (UI)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Gasoline Tax (too much per litre)
Gross Receipts Tax
Health Tax
Hunting License Tax
Hydro Tax
Inheritance Tax
Interest Tax
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Mortgage Tax
Personal Income Tax
Property Tax
Poverty Tax
Prescription Drug Tax
Property Tax
Provincial Income Tax
Real Estate Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Retail Sales Tax
Service Charge Tax
School Tax
Telephone Federal Tax
Telephone Federal, Provincial and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Water Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and Canada was one of the most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt, had a large middleclass, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the hell happened?

Can you spell 'politicians?'

Amtrak Train Runs Out Of Fuel

26/08/2008 05:34

80 passengers stranded for two hours

From CBC News

SAN DIEGO - It was the little engine that couldn't - because it was thirsty for fuel.

Officials say a planned quick train trip down the U.S. west coast turned into a long haul for more than 80 Amtrak passengers Sunday night when their Los Angeles to San Diego train ran out of fuel.
Amtrak spokesman Cliff Cole said the train sat for about two hours on the northern edge of San Diego before another engine came along to push it the last several kilometres into the train station.

The train, which had left Los Angeles at 8:30 p.m., didn't get to San Diego until 1:15 a.m. Monday, two hours late.

Cole described having a train run out of fuel as "an unusual occurrence" and said Amtrak officials will be looking into how it happened.

SINC SAYS:

All I can say is that it was better than an airplane running out of fuel. They turn into Gimli Gliders.

GlobalCell2_700x150

Canadian Olympians Return Home To Hundreds Of Cheering Fans

26/08/2008 05:34

Hundreds of enthusiastic fans and families descended on airports across the country Monday to greet returning Olympians as they arrived back on Canadian soil.

Krista Guloien, who competed in quad rowing and finished eighth, was the first to walk down an escalator and into a throng at Vancouver International Airport.

"It's really great to represent Canada and I hope I made everyone proud," she said. "All the hard work of the past four years is worth it."

Silver medallist Karen Cockburn and the rest of Canada's trampoline team were met by dozens of cheering people at Toronto's Pearson airport.

Young fans waved welcome signs from their parents' shoulders as the Canadian gymnasts came out the gates, and cheering and hollering filled the arrivals area.

More from CTV Sports.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Congratulations to all of Canada's Olympic athletes. It's quite an accomplishment and an honor to represent your country and compete against the world's best.

Ames To Defend At LG Skins Game

26/08/2008 05:33

Defending-champion Stephen Ames, Phil Mickelson, K.J. Choi andRocco Mediate have been announced as the four-man field in the US$1-million LG Skins Game this November.

Taking place Nov. 29-30 at the Celebrity Course at Indian Wells Golf Resort in Indian Wells, Calif., Ames will be looking for his third victory in as many years at the event where he's earned more than US$1.2 million.

"I've had a wonderful time at the LG Skins Game the past two years and winning has just been an added bonus," said Ames in a statement. "I'm a big fan of the Skins Game format, it's fun for both the players and the fans, and I'm thrilled about the chance to return this fall looking for a `three-peat."'

Joining the Calgarian is Phil Mickelson, who has agreed to compete at the Skins Game for the first time in five years. He previously played in the 2002 and 2003 events, where he finished second and third, respectively. The two-time Masters champion, is currently third on the official money list with over $4 million and is ranked second in the world.

Choi has posted three top-10s this year, including a win. Choi is currently ranked 17th on the official money list with almost $2 million, while Mediate, who challenged Tiger Woods in a 19-hole Monday playoff at this year's U.S. Open, has a career-total of five PGA Tour victories and has posted two top-10 finishes this year.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Let's see if Stephen Ames can make it a three-peat this November at the LG Skins Game in Palm Springs.

Castro Defends Cuban Olympian Who Kicked Ref

26/08/2008 05:32

Fidel Castro on Monday defended the Cuban taekwondo athlete who kicked a judge in the face at the Beijing Olympics, saying Angel Matos was rightfully indignant over his disqualification from the bronze medal match.

Taekwondo officials want Matos and his coach banned for life from the sport. But in an essay published Monday in Cuba, Castro expressed "our total solidarity" for both Matos and his coach, Leudis Gonzalez. He also said, without providing details, that the coach had been offered a bribe.

Matos "was predisposed and indignant," after being unjustly disqualified, Castro wrote. "He couldn't contain himself."

Matos was winning 3-2 in the second round when he fell to the mat after being hit by his opponent, Kazakhstan's Arman Chilmanov, and was awaiting medical attention when he was disqualified for taking too much injury time. Fighters get one minute, and Matos was disqualified when his time ran out.

Castro also alleged that Olympic judges stole semifinal fights from two Cuban boxers.

More from CBC Sports.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Well, Fidel, I guess that's one of the reasons you're not President any more.

Barry Bonds Seeks Dismissal Of Case

26/08/2008 05:32

SAN FRANCISCO - Barry Bonds asked a federal judge Monday to toss out most of the government's perjury case against him that charges the slugger lied to a federal grand jury about his alleged steroids use.

In a filing made in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, lawyers for baseball's home run king argue that many of the charges stem from ambiguous answers to ambiguous questions posed by prosecutors.

Bonds is charged with 14 counts of making false declarations to a grand jury in December 2003 and one count of obstruction of justice. His lawyers on Monday asked a judge to toss out 10 charges. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts and is scheduled for trial on March 2.

Bonds, an unsigned free agent, hit .276 last year with 28 home runs, 66 RBIs and a major league-high 132 walks. He doesn't admit nor deny using steroids in the latest court filing.

Instead, Bonds' lawyers argue that "the questions posed to Mr. Bonds by two different prosecutors at his grand jury appearance were imprecise, redundant, overlapping and frequently compound."

For instance, they argue that when Bonds denied if he had "taken anything like" steroids, he was answering a "fundamentally ambiguous" question.

A spokesman with the U.S. Attorney's office in San Francisco declined comment.

The 15 counts pending against Bonds are contained in a second federal indictment charging Bonds with repeatedly lying when he testified that he never used performance-enhancing drugs.

A federal judge threw out the first indictment and ordered prosecutors to draft a new one after she found the document had too few charges alleging too many lies.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Let me see if I understand this - the judge threw out the first indictment because, ". . . she found the document had too few charges alleging too many lies . . ." Ah, er, okay.

A Cruel Trick To Play On Old Men . . .

25/08/2008 04:15

One mischievous St. Albet's Place lady reader sent this along to us for publication.

I don't find it the least bit humourous, but I wouldn't want to disappoint our faithful reader.

Don't pay any attention to this one guys.

Marvelous Magazine Ads From 1904

25/08/2008 04:09

I believe that one of the best ways to reduce spending is to limit your exposure to advertising.

Marketers employ powerful persuasive techniques to circumvent our rational minds, encouraging us to spend our hard-earned money on things we don’t really need. (Click on ads to see larger image.)

This isn’t anything new. Advertising has been a pervasive part of American culture for more than a century. I recently picked up some 100-year-old magazines for cheap at a garage sale.

One is the May 1904 issue of Women’s Home Journal. The other is the October 1909 issue of Collier’s.

While it’s fun to read the articles — the Wright brothers fly a plane over Manhattan! Admiral Dewey at home! — it’s even more fun to look at the ads. They provide a fascinating glimpse of the rise of U.S. consumerism.

See all the ads here.

SINC SAYS:

Those old ads sure bring back a lot of memories. I can remember some of these things from back in the late 40s and early 50s still being used.

Clean Jokes For Twisted Minds . . .

25/08/2008 04:07

Trina Robbins To Appear At Edmonton Venues

25/08/2008 04:06

ESPA & Happy Harbor Comics are thrilled to present underground comix legend Trina Robbins at two special events . . .

A/V Presentation
Date & Time: Thursday Aug. 28 @ 7pm
Location: Happy Harbor Comics Vol. 1 (10112 124 St.)
- and -
Book Signing
Date & Time: Friday, Aug. 29 @ 5-7pm
Location: Happy Harbor Comics Vol. 3 (10326 81 Ave.)

Trina Robbins was an early and influential participant in the underground comix movement, and one of the few female artists who helped define the medium in the late 60s along with underground luminaries such as Robert Crumb, Roberta Gregory, Bill Griffith, Denis Kitchen, Spain Rodriguez, Gilbert Shelton, Art Spiegelman, S. Clay Wilson and many more. Her first comics were printed in the East Village Other and she later joined the staff of a feminist underground newspaper It Ain't Me, Babe, with whom she produced the first all-woman comic book by the same name. She became increasingly involved in creating outlets for and promoting female comic artists, through ground-breaking sex-positive projects such as Wimmen's Comix (1970-'92). She was also the penciller of Wonder Woman for a time in the '80s, and since 1990 she has become a prolific writer and feminist pop culture herstorian. Aside from her award-winning books on comics from a feminist perspective (The Great Women Cartoonists was listed among Time Magazine’s top ten comics of 2001), she has written books about goddesses and murderesses, and she currently scripts GoGirl!, a girl-positive teen superheroine comic illustrated by Anne Timmons. There are plenty of feminists, plenty of comic artists, and plenty of underground artists - Trina Robbins is one of the few true living legends who's successfully combined all three throughout an artistic career spanning almost four decades. Please join us for her first trip to Edmonton! (Free admission but donations gratefully accepted.) woo hoo!

On August 28 Trina will be giving a 2 hour audio-visual presentation including excerpts from her PopPrint* presentation, about early 20th century women artists and why women cartoonists were left out of the infamous Hammer museum show called "Masters of American Comic Art" in 2005. In an effort to not duplicate PopPrint, she will also address issues of the underground and be available for a post-presentation Q & A, giving us the nittie-gritties about life as an acclaimed underground feminist comic artist. On August 29 she will engage die-hard fans with a book-signing and general socializing at Happy Harbor's south-side location. (Free admission but donations gratefully accepted.)

Books by Trina Robbins:
http://books.google.ca/books?as_auth=Trina+Robbins

* Trina will also be presenting at the PopPrint Conference at the U of A, Aug. 27-30. See more info here:
http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/popprint/

This event is a pre-festival feature of the 2008 North of Nowhere Expo: A Multidisciplinary Festival of Independent Media & Underground Art (Oct. 17-31, 2008) - more info coming soon! Thanks to Happy Harbor Comics, On Spec Magazine, the Edmonton Arts Council, the City of Edmonton and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts for their support.

~ please forward to interested parties ~

Edmonton Small Press Association (ESPA)
P.O. Box 75086 RPO
Edmonton, Alberta
T6E 6K1 Canada
780-434-9236
http://www.edmontonsmallpress.org

Town Enlists Feds' Aid In Dealing With Chickens

25/08/2008 04:01

WEIRTON, W.Va. -- Weirton officials have enlisted the federal government's help in figuring out what to do about at least 70 wild chickens that are roaming a city neighborhood.

City Council approved a contract this week for a study that will be conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Services.
Weirton Police Chief Bruce Marshall says the federal agency will conduct a preliminary site investigation and then design a plan for the birds' possible removal.

Marshall says an estimated 70 to 100 wild chickens live in the Kings Creek Bowl area.

Resident Christina Foley has said the chickens are running free in the neighborhood, hiding in trees, roaming the streets and generally ruling the roost.

SINC SAYS:

Where’s Colonel Saunders when ya really need him?

The Musings Of Maxine . . .

25/08/2008 03:59

Lethal Star Trek Blade Seized In Knives Amnesty

25/08/2008 03:56

Force for evil: inspector Mac McGarry with the blade, believed to be a lethal Star Trek replica

This horrifying five-foot weapon has been recovered by police during a knife amnesty.

The three-handled sword with a blade at either end, designed to be swung like a paddle, shocked officers who took custody of it.

They are using it to publicize a five-week amnesty during which they hope around 30,000 weapons will be handed in, mainly from youngsters.

A spokesman for police in Gloucester, where it was surrendered, said: "It is a particularly nasty weapon that can, literally, take someone's head off. We are very glad it is off the streets and we want more weapons handed in."

The blade is believed to be a stainless-steel copy of a Klingon weapon used in the science fiction series Star Trek. "It's an extremely dangerous weapon," said a martial arts expert last night.

Other blades surrendered so far include lock-blade flick knives, exotic swords and a 'swordfish jaw' weapon with razor-sharp teeth.

Cutting edge story here.

SINC SAYS:

I can understand a person carrying a knife. I have done so since I was a young boy and do so to this day. I use it to peel fruit, cut string, open parcels, bare wire and a thousand other things that do not include using it as a weapon. Too bad today’s young thugs carry knives for a single purpose.

Sports Commentator Bloopers

25/08/2008 03:50

Here are the top nine comments made by sports commentators that they would like to take back:

1. Weightlifting commentator: 'This is Gregorieva from Bulgaria. I saw her snatch this morning during her warm up and it was amazing.'

2. Dressage commentator: 'This is really a lovely horse and I speak from personal experience since I once mounted her mother.'

3. Paul Hamm, Gymnast: 'I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father.'

4. Boxing Analyst: 'Sure there have been injuries, and even some deaths in boxing, but none of them really that serious.'

5. Softball announcer: 'If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again.'

6. Basketball analyst: 'He dribbles a lot and the opposition
doesn't like it. In fact you can see it all over their faces.'

7. At the rowing medal ceremony: 'Ah, isn't that nice, the wife of the IOC president is hugging the cox of the British crew.'

8. Soccer commentator: 'Julian Dicks is everywhere. It's like they've got eleven Dicks on the field.'

9. Tennis commentator: 'One of the reasons Andy is playing so well is that, before the final round, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them. Oh my God, what have I just said?'

Nude Cyclists Protest Arrest At Naked Bike Ride

25/08/2008 03:47

Naked cyclists converged on Vancouver's main police station Saturday after a man was arrested with his three-year-old son during a nude ride earlier in the day.

Naked Bike Ride spokesman Conrad Schmidt said six squad cars and a paddy wagon showed up as the group of about 75 naked cyclists arrived at English Bay.

He said the boy was in tears as police took him and his father away.

Schmidt said the arrest prompted the group to cycle through downtown Vancouver to the police station.

The ride went down the city's crowded Robson Street, stopping both vehicle and pedestrian traffic and drawing hoots and horns.

Story barely here.

SINC SAYS:

Nude demonstrations accomplish as little as the clothing they wear.

Rocket Man To Jet Over Channel

25/08/2008 03:44

A Swiss airline pilot and adventurer, known as Rocket Man, has moved closer to becoming the first jet-powered bird man to cross the Channel.

Yves Rossy completed a 10-minute test flight last week with his jet-powered wing strapped to his back. He flew for more than 22 miles, equivalent to a flight from Calais to Dover – the route first flown by Louis Blériot in 1909.
The test flight, which had been postponed several times because of engine problems, saw Rossy jump out of a small plane 7,500ft above the town of Bex, in Switzerland. Reaching 180mph, he flew through clear skies to Villeneuve and back.

Rossy, wearing a heat-resistant suit similar to those worn by racing drivers, steered by shifting his weight or simply turning his head and shoulders. He deployed two parachutes at 5,000ft and 4,000ft to land at Bex airfield with two litres of fuel left.

Details here.

SINC SAYS:

You have to give the guy an “A” for effort, but again I have to ask, what’s the point?

GlobalCell2_700x150

Honor Roll: Canada's Medal Winners

25/08/2008 03:43

Kayaker Adam van Koeverden's silver-medal performance on Day 15 of the Beijing Games pushed Canada's medal tally to 18 — three gold, nine silver, six bronze.

With no Canadians scheduled to compete Sunday when the Games close, Canada's medal haul equals the total from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

The Beijing Games marks the country's third-best performance at the Olympics — Canada won 22 medals in 1996 in Atlanta and 44 in 1984 in Los Angeles, which were boycotted by the Soviet Union and several Eastern Bloc countries.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

For a complete list of Canada's medal winners, click here.

Quebec Moves To Curb Hockey Violence

25/08/2008 03:42

Young hockey players in Quebec may think twice about using their hockey gloves as boxing gloves in the wake of strict penalties announced Wednesday to curb on-ice violence.

Hockey Quebec is targeting unsportsmanlike behaviour such as fighting, checking the back of the head and verbal abuse in the minor leagues.

Among the new rules:

Players who fight, instigate, or jump into an on-ice brawl as a third combatant will be suspended for two games on a first offence.
A second offence puts the player out for four games and means a trip before a disciplinary committee.
A third offence means an indefinite suspension.
If the fight happens in the last five minutes of play or overtime, the players involved will be penalized an additional game and their coaches will also be suspended for one game.
A variety of other penalties and suspensions were also laid out Wednesday by Hockey Quebec in the case of other offences.

Penalties will increase in the cases of repeat offenders.

Provincial Sports Minister Michelle Courchesne praised the sanctions, which came about after she issued a call for tougher stands against hockey violence.

The call came last spring after a brawl during a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff game between the Quebec City Remparts and the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

Quebec City player Jonathan Roy, the son of NHL legend Patrick Roy, who is now the coach of the Remparts, has been charged with assault in the incident.

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is to announce its position on new rules in the coming days.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Anybody who thinks the new rules are a little "harsh" has the Roy boys, Patrick and son Jonathan, to thank.

Flag-Bearer Another Magical Moment For Cockburn

25/08/2008 03:42

BEIJING - The Olympics have given Karen Cockburn many magical moments, so being the Canadian flag-bearer in Sunday's closing ceremonies at what are probably her last Games added one final enchanting memory.

Cockburn, 27, won a silver medal in trampoline in Beijing. It goes with the silver she won at the 2004 Athens Games and the bronze in 2000 when the sport made its Olympic debut in Sydney.

"It's such a honour to be able to represent Canada three times at the Games," said the Toronto native. "The Olympics are just magical.

"All three of them have been so special in their own way."

Cockburn is one of five Canadians to win medals in three consecutive Games in a non-team or non-relay event.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I still think Canada's flag-bearer for the closing ceremonies should have been 61-year-old Equestrian Ian Millar, who takes home Silver in his record ninth Olympic Games appearance.

Argos Trade Bishop To 'Riders

25/08/2008 03:41

TORONTO - So much for the Toronto Argonauts' quarterback controversy.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced Saturday that the team has acquired import quarterback Michael Bishop from the Argonauts for a conditional draft pick in the Canadian Draft.

"Our coaching staff is very pleased to be reunited with Michael," Riders general manager Eric Tillman said in a statement. "As you know, Kenny (Miller), Paul (LaPolice) and Gary (Etcheverry) all worked with Michael in Toronto, and they believe he brings many assets to our organization.

"In fact, Michael's playing rights were acquired from Calgary while Gary was the head coach of the Argos."

Bishop, 32, is in his seventh season with the Argos but has played sparingly this season behind starter Kerry Joseph. The six-foot-two, 223-pound Bishop has completed just 19-of-42 passes this season for 326 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.

The trade ends the Argos' patience with Bishop, who for years appeared on the cusp of being capable of being the club's starter, only to revert back to relying too heavily on his strong right arm making poor decisions throwing the football.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Saskatchewan Roughriders - home of the mediocre quarterback since 1989! Well, folks, I guess Marcus Crandell wasn't the second coming after all . . .

Cuban Attacks Judge After Losing Taekwondo Match

25/08/2008 03:41

BEIJING - Cuba's Angel Matos deliberately kicked a referee square in the face after he was disqualified in a bronze-medal match, prompting the World Taekwondo Federation to recommend he be banned for life.

''We didn't expect anything like what you have witnessed to occur,'' said WTF secretary general Yang Jin-suk. ''I am at a loss for words.''

Yang also recommended Matos' coach be banned.

Matos was winning 3-2, with 1:02 left in the second round, when he fell to the mat after being hit by his opponent, Kazakhstan's Arman Chilmanov. Matos was sitting there, awaiting medical attention, when he was disqualified for taking too much injury time. Fighters get one minute, and Matos was disqualified when his time ran out.

Matos angrily questioned the call, pushed a judge, then pushed and kicked referee Chakir Chelbat of Sweden, who will require stitches in his lip. Matos spat on the floor and was escorted out.

''This is an insult to the Olympic vision, an insult to the spirit of taekwondo and, in my opinion, an insult to mankind,'' Yang said.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

There may be a place for this nonsense in Cuba, but not in the civilized world.

Speaking of Cubans, I wonder if CTV Sports Director Dave Mitchell has found the Cuban "baseball defectors" he was so earnestly searching for yet?

Photos From My Files . . .

24/08/2008 05:19

Farm gardens grow so huge and that has not changed as evidenced by this shot from Windthorst, Saskatchewan:

Here is a close up of a Poppy from that same garden:

Click on photo to see larger image.

700x100

Reader's Shots From The Road . . .

24/08/2008 05:13

Movie Theater, Water Wheel and Wagon Rider At Fort Steele

Here is another set of shots from the Starko brothers trip to Radium, B.C. Do you have vacations photos to share? Send them along to us please.

Listeria Outbreak Linked To Recalled Meat Products

24/08/2008 05:11

Maple Leaf Foods expands product recall "as a further precautionary measure"

Tests have established a link between a deadly nationwide bacterial outbreak and recalled meat products from Maple Leaf Foods, Canadian public health officials said Saturday night.

"Results of genetic testing from three samples of the products recalled by Maple Leaf Foods show that two tested positive for the outbreak strain of listeria," the Public Health Agency of Canada said in a statement.

It said test results for the third product were a close match to the outbreak strain, but showed a slight variance.

"While these results are highly significant, and indicate that the investigation is on the right path, the investigation is not complete," the agency said. "Test results on additional food samples expected next week will advance the investigation further."

Sickly detail here.

SINC SAYS:

Would somebody please sound the death knell for Maple Leaf Foods? I know I will never purchase another of their products, will you?

The Musings Of Maxine . . .

24/08/2008 05:09

Extra Pounds May Be Costly For Workers

24/08/2008 05:06

Alabama No. 2 in national obesity rankings behind Mississippi

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama, pushed to second in national obesity rankings by deep-fried Southern favorites, is cracking down on state workers who are too fat.

The state has given its 37,527 employees a year to start getting fit — or they’ll pay $25 a month for insurance that otherwise is free.

Alabama will be the first state to charge overweight state workers who don’t work on slimming down, while a handful of other states reward employees who adopt healthy behaviors.

Alabama already charges workers who smoke — and has seen some success in getting them to quit — but now has turned its attention to a problem that plagues many in the Deep South: obesity.

The State Employees’ Insurance Board this week approved a plan to charge state workers starting in January 2010 if they don’t have free health screenings.

Fill up on details here.

SINC SAYS:

When I go to restaurants, the portions are so damn huge it is no wonder people are fat. I no longer patronize restaurants for this reason. Far too much food winds up in the garbage and portions need to be cut in half for a start.

Clean Jokes For Twisted Minds . . .

24/08/2008 05:02

Thanks to faithful St. Albert Place reader Marc Glassman of St. John's NL. for this one folks.

Chaplains To Ride With Ambulances

24/08/2008 05:00

Chuck Kish was driving near Carlisle a few months ago when he came upon a fatal traffic accident. Kish, pastor of Bethel Assembly of God Church, noticed tarps covering bodies.

"I saw an emergency medical technician walk over to one of the bodies. They lifted the corner of the tarp and he turned away," Kish recalled. "I'll forever remember the look on his face. I thought, he needs a chaplain."

That traumatic moment planted a seed that will germinate next month when four volunteer chaplains from his South Middleton Township church begin riding with crews from Carlisle's Cumberland Goodwill Ambulance company.

It might be the first such program in Pennsylvania. The chaplains, Kish among them, will be at the elbows of the emergency medical technicians to help those crews, patients and families deal with the physical and emotional pain ambulance workers encounter on a daily basis.

Ride along here.

SINC SAYS:

One would think it would be the patients who need the chaplain, wouldn’t you?

The Vengance Of A Mother-In-Law . . .

24/08/2008 04:53

(Click on invitation to see larger image.)

Here's a picture of the bride:

Amorous Gibbons Keep Neighbours Awake

24/08/2008 04:32

For the loving couple, their duet was simply a natural expression of romance. Neighbours of the gibbons' zoo home, however, found their dawn singing was more of a rude awakening.

Now Samuel and Duana, a pair of agile gibbons, have been placed under curfew to give residents nearby some respite from their mating rituals.

Zoo keepers are under instructions to confine the pair inside their housing on "Gibbon Island" for three nights a week.

The male and female became star attractions at Bristol Zoo when they arrived as part of a breeding programme, and were described as the "all-singing Kings of the Swingers". They had the run of the outdoor area complete with playground equipment and trees to swing on, and were even allowed to roam the space at night.

Seven-year-old Duana was the first to come to Bristol, from the Fota Wildlife Park in Cork, in November. Samuel, 11, followed a few weeks later from Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire.
But some locals complained that their sleep was being interrupted by the pair's early morning mating rituals, which include a love duet. Environmental health officers from Bristol City Council spent several mornings monitoring the singing and upheld the complaints.

Hear their calls here.

SINC SAYS:

Wow, the noise these things make would wake the dead. Give it a listen via the link provided above.

GlobalCell2_700x150

Houston Texans' Harry Williams Breaks Neck

24/08/2008 04:32

IRVING, Texas - Houston Texans receiver Harry Williams was taken off the field on a stretcher and hospitalized Friday night after being hit in the head during a collision with a teammate.

Williams was kept in the hospital and was expected to have surgery this weekend to fuse two vertebrae. The operation was to be performed by Dr. Drew Dossett, one of the Dallas Cowboys' team physicians who is a nationally recognized spine surgeon.

Williams, who was trying to make a tackle on a kickoff return by the Cowboys, was face down on the field when the play ended. Medical personnel immediately called for a stretcher and the game was delayed for about 10 minutes while they tended to Williams, who was said to have a neck injury.

"He's got movement throughout his body," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said after Houston's 23-22 loss. "All the feedback I'm getting is that Harry will be fine."

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I was watching this game on Friday night and saw the injury occur. It was very scary stuff, folks.

Williams' injury is frighteningly similar to the broken neck suffered by Edmonton Eskimo Jason Tucker a few weeks ago, and the surgery that Williams will undergo to fuse two vertebrae in his neck is also similar. We wish Harry Williams all the very best and, with movement throughout his body, the prognosis for Williams, as with Tucker, is for a full recovery - which, with this type of injury, is great news.

Van Koeverden Redeems Himself With Silver in 500-Metre

24/08/2008 04:31

BEIJING - Adam van Koeverden had mastered winning so well that people were practically adding his gold medals to Canada's tally at the Beijing Olympics before the he had even paddled to the starting line.

The star kayaker had the results to support the assumptions. The Oakville, Ont., native dominated the K-1 events this year, winning five of six World Cup races.

He was a double medallist at the 2004 Games in Athens and earlier this week, he blew threw the preliminary rounds at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park, breaking a world record in the 500 metres in the process.

All the pressure and expectations didn't seem to faze him in the least, helping feed the notion that he was a sure thing. How could he not be?

But there's no such thing as a sure thing at the Olympic Games.

Instead of two golds, van Koeverden will leave Beijing with a single silver medal. For many athletes, it would be satisfactory. For van Koeverden, finishing second will never be quite good enough.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Well it would appear that Van Koeverden has redeemed himself and SWIVEL HIPS stands corrected.

Mike Weir Grows Playoff Beard

24/08/2008 04:30

After making commercial with Gretzky about hockey traditions, golfer goes for it
Mike Weir decided to take some of Wayne Gretzky's playoff advice to heart

The two men are currently featured in a PGA Tour commercial where Gretzky advises the Canadian lefty to grow a beard for the FedEx Cup playoffs just as hockey players do for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Lo and behold, Weir arrived for The Barclays tournament this week in New Jersey sporting some facial hair.

"Yeah, it's definitely psychology," Weir said Friday after shooting a 4-under 67 at Ridgewood Country Club. "I was on vacation last week down at a lake and let it grow. [When I] got back I thought, 'hey, it's playoff time, maybe I'll just keep it.'

More from CBC Sports.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I hope Weir isn't planning on keeping the beard until he wins again, or we could be looking at the second coming of Rip Van Winkle!

Woman Completes 523-Kilometre Swim Of Pennsylvania River

24/08/2008 04:30

PITTSBURGH - A 21-year-old woman completed a 523-kilometre swim of the Allegheny River, a month after beginning her journey.

Perhaps the end came too soon. "I love swimming. I could keep going," said Katie Spotz on Thursday, a couple minutes after emerging from the river at the base of the fountain at Point State Park, where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers form the Ohio.

"I've had a blast, I wasn't afraid or anything. I'm so glad I was able to embark on this journey," said Spotz, of the Cleveland suburb of Mentor, Ohio.

Spotz swam to raise money and awareness for the Blue Planet Run Foundation, a nonprofit whose goal is to bring clean drinking water to the estimated 1 billion people worldwide who lack it.

More from CBC News.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

What a very noble cause. Where's MIchael Phelps when they could really use his help!?

Katie Spotz is a remarkable young lady. In addition to this swin, in 2006, she road her bike 3,300 miles to raise money for the American Lung Association.

NFL Honors Upshaw With Moment Of Silence

24/08/2008 04:29

Hall of Fame player and longtime NFL union head Gene Upshaw will be remembered this weekend with a moment of silence at NFL exhibition games.

Upshaw, who served as the executive director of the NFL Players Association for 25 years, died Wednesday night of pancreatic cancer at his home near California's Lake Tahoe, just days after learning he had the disease. He was 63.

The NFL said Friday that it had sent a memo to the teams hosting the pre-season games to ensure Upshaw would be honoured. The moment of silence will be held before the game when all the players are on the field.

The first remembrance took place in Atlanta before the Falcons hosted the Tennessee Titans on Friday night. A picture of Upshaw was shown on the video board at the Georgia Dome as the public address announcer gave a brief review of the Hall of Fame guard's playing career.

Fans and players then observed a moment of silence before the national anthem.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

What a classy move by Roger Goodell and the National Football League.

St. Albert's Place

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By Don Sinclair