26 October 2008
$ervu$ Place Still Costing Taxpayers Plenty
01/11/2008 05:37
Well folks, here is
yet another good news story from city council
on that white elephant we all know as $ervu$
Place. It's located on page 48 of this week’s
issue of the Saint City News (See link below).
The third-quarter repot show that $ervu$ has “only” lost $825,000 and is “on track” to lose a total of “only” $1.6 million this year.
And here is the rest of the “good news” - “Statistics show a decrease in total memberships from about 7,000 in 2007 to 6,000 in 2008." But wait. It gets better. “The chart shows a similar decrease from last year in the previous four months.”
Yeah that’s something to celebrate all right.
When will council understand that 89.5 percent of 57,000 plus local residents who never use the facility are tired of paying the taxes to support the fun of the 10.5 percent (6,000) of people who do?
Is it time to lock the doors and throw away the keys?
I can only shake my head and open my wallet for something that has zero benefit for me and my family.
See SCN page 48 for complete story.
Stunt Plane Lands Without Right Wing?
01/11/2008 05:08
Hi Don:
The following defies the laws of gravity. I have never heard of this happening before. I received it from a fellow director of the Museum of flight on the West coast.
George Proulx
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
I’ve researched this on the internet George and there is a general concensus that this video is a fake for a number of reasons. Anyone see anything suspicious when watching this? Look closely at the left wing before the right wing is lost is the clue. The landing is likely done with a model aircraft.
Boy Finds Cheetah In His Garden
01/11/2008 05:02
When a nine-year-old
boy ran to his mother shouting that there was a
cheetah in the garden, she dismissed his claims
as childhood
excitement.Akea, a 6ft, 66lb cheetah, had escaped from Hamerton Zoo in Cambridgeshire - and found its way into the Taylors' back garden.
But when Julie-Ann Taylor looked out of the kitchen window she realising the surprising truth and saw a big cat attacking her son's bicycle.
The 6ft long animal was just 15 feet from her son Toby when he spotted it. He dropped the bicycle he had been playing with and fled.
As he reached the house the three-year-old, 66lb (30kg) cheetah bit chunks out of the saddle and ripped the tyres with its claws.
It had escaped from a nearby animal sanctuary.
Mrs Taylor, 41, a housewife, said: "I started to have a go at Toby for slamming the door when he ran up to me shouting 'Mummy, there's a cheetah in the garden'.
"I thought he was pulling my leg but he was white, shaking and shrill.
"We peered out of the kitchen window and there it was, sitting bang in the middle of our lawn, looking towards the house.
Full story here.
SINC SAYS:
I guess the cat’s outta the bag on this story.
Bowler Collapses, Dies After Rolling 300 Game
01/11/2008 04:55
RAVENNA, Mich. (WZZM)
- Teammates in his bowling league think after
rolling a perfect 300 game Don Doane's heart
just gave
out."You get nervous shooting a 300," says teammate Todd Place. "The pressure keeps building," says bowling alley owner Jim Nutt.
Minutes after achieving the life long goal of a perfect game the 62 year old bowler collapsed and died at Ravenna Bowl in Ravenna. "Don just collapsed," says alley owner Nutt. " At first we thought he just fainted." "Then when I rolled him over I realized it wasn't good," says teammate Place.
The teammates say he was giving a high-five minutes before. They tried to revive him but Doane never spoke another word. He died of what was apparently a massive heart attack "He looked fine, reached across the table and gave me a high-five and he fell over," says Place.
"I think he died by the time he hit the floor." Don Doane was a member of the "Nutt Farm" bowling team at Ravenna Bowl for 45 years. His teammates says its strange not to see him on league nights.
"It was like a book, a final chapter," says Place. "He threw his 300 game with all of his friends, gave each other high-fives and it's like the story ended. He died with a smile on his face."
"Don will be a legend," says Nutt. 'It's something that will never be forgotten as long as people bowl here." Ravenna Bowl is planning a memorial ceremony for Doan's' wife Linda and son Chad.
More details here.
SINC SAYS:
Talk about dying doing something you love. There’s likely a lane in heaven reserved for him.
The Musings Of Maxine And Marvin . . .
01/11/2008 04:50
A man's face is his
autobiography.
A woman's face is her work of fiction.
----------------------------
When a man talks dirty to a woman, it's sexual harassment.
When a woman talks dirty to a man, it's $3.95 a minute.
A woman's face is her work of fiction.
----------------------------
When a man talks dirty to a woman, it's sexual harassment.
When a woman talks dirty to a man, it's $3.95 a minute.
Police Officer Directing Traffic Sees Thief . . .
01/11/2008 04:47
Driving toward him in
his own
truckFRISCO, Texas (AP) _ A police officer directing traffic outside of a concert in suburban Dallas noticed a familiar-looking truck driving by — his own. The startling sight led to the arrest of James Matthew Herring, 22, who is charged with theft and evading arrest, police said.
Officer Jerry Varner said he parked his maroon pickup about 100 yards from where he was directing traffic Saturday night. He said he didn't notice anyone breaking in but recognized his truck coming toward him.
Varner ordered the driver to pull over. Instead, the man put the truck in reverse and attempted to flee, striking several vehicles, police said.
Police cars eventually surrounded the truck. The driver tried to run but was soon caught, police said.
SINC SAYS:
I bet that cop had to look twice to believe his eyes.
Man And Machine Team Up To Save Life
01/11/2008 04:43
EDMONTON - Trevor Forest had always been an active, healthy athlete who played recreational hockey with a group of friends for nearly 35 years.
But two weeks ago, while taking a break between scrimmages at the NAIT hockey arena, the 58-year-old Air Canada pilot collapsed after his heart stopped.
His quick-thinking teammates brought him back to life by resuscitating him with CPR and an automated external defibrillator, a portable device that sends electricity to the heart to get it pumping.
"These guys are more than my teammates, they're my buddies. And that night, they became my heroes. Without their quick-thinking response, I would not be here today," Forest said at a Thursday news conference at NAIT, flanked by his 14 teammates clad in bright blue hockey jerseys.
Forest is the first person to be resuscitated by a defibrillator from the Edmonton Heart-Safe program, a partnership that includes emergency medical services, Alberta Health Services and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, N.W.T. and Nunavut.
He credited his longtime friend and teammate Kevin Pollitt for having the training to apply the public defibrillator to save his life.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It’s nice every so often to hear a story with a “good news” ending, like this one, isn’t it?
NHL Players Deny Having Sex With Frost
01/11/2008 04:43
NAPANEE, Ont. - To hear it from two of David Frost's former players, nothing much out of the ordinary went on among the Quinte Hawks during the 1996-97 season, or in following years.
In testimony at Frost's sexual exploitation trial Thursday, both players contradicted evidence from several witnesses when they vehemently denied being controlled by Frost, seeing assaults in the dressing room or participating in three-way sex with their then-girlfriends and former coach.
At one point, assistant Crown attorney Sandy Tse suggested one of the players was lying and sticking up for Frost, who in the past referred to himself and a group of his players as a "cult," the court heard. The player was shown a letter written by Frost for "Xmas 2000" in which he passed along advice to his players and stated "we will never stand alone, we have a bond that cannot be broken ever."
"Isn't that what you're doing today? You're standing together, keeping the bond and protecting Mr. Frost?" Tse asked the player, who responded: "I'm telling the truth."
More from Canwest News Service.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The judge’s decision in Frost’s sexual exploitation trial, expected November 28, should be very interesting indeed.
“The Don” Resigns As Argos Coach
01/11/2008 04:42
Don Matthews' third stint with the Toronto Argonauts is over, as the veteran CFL coach handed in his resignation to the team on Friday.
Matthews was 0-8 as head coach of the Argonauts this season after taking over for Rich Stubler in September. The team finished the season with a record of 4-14, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
''Our owners are very passionate people and I wish I could have given them more because they live and breathe football,'' Matthews told The Canadian Press. ''I think my time has come.''
In his first go-round with the Argonauts, he made the playoffs in 1990 with a record of 10-8. In his second tenure, he won Grey Cup titles in 1996 and 1997.
But the third time was not a charm as the Argonauts dropped a 45-38 decision to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday in dubious fashion. In the dying moments of the game, Matthews called for a fake punt on 3rd and 9 inside the Argonauts 40-yard line. The snap was fumbled and the Roughriders turned it into the game-winning touchdown.
"That (fake punt) was a called play," Matthews said after the game. "The blocking was there, I think it would've gone a fair distance but the snap was a little hard."
Matthews leaves holding the record for most wins as a head coach with 231, with B.C. Lions head coach Wally Buono not far behind at 227.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Good riddance, "The Don."
Forbes Names Leafs NHL’s Most Valuable Team
01/11/2008 04:41
NEW YORK - For the third straight year, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the NHL's most valuable team, worth US$448 million.
The Leafs increased in value by nine per cent and easily were valued ahead of the New York Rangers in Forbes' annual rankings. The Rangers are worth $411 million.
Third on the list were the Montreal Canadiens at $334 million, followed by the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings ($303 million) and the Philadelphia Flyers ($275 million).
But the biggest increase in value was made by the Pittsburgh Penguins, who made the Stanley Cup finals last spring and boast stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh is worth $195 million, up a whopping 26 per cent.
More from Canadian Press here.
For more from Forbes, copy and paste the following into your browser: www.forbes.com/nhl
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The Toronto Maple Leafs, who haven’t won the Stanley Cup since 1967, are worth $448 million? What a joke!
Kiffin Files Grievance Against Raiders For Salary
01/11/2008 04:41
ALAMEDA, Calif. - Former Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin filed a grievance with the NFL on Wednesday to claim the lost salary he maintains he is still owed by the team.
Kiffin was fired late last month for cause because of what owner Al Davis described as acts of insubordination and lying by his second-year coach.
Kiffin was still owed about US$2.6 million from the three-year contract that he signed in January 2007. But Davis has refused to pay, leading to the grievance. Commissioner Roger Goodell will ultimately rule on the grievance, but there was no date for a hearing scheduled.
Raiders executive John Herrera issued a statement to The Associated Press refuting Kiffin's claims, saying ''Mr. Kiffin was terminated for cause. The grievance is without merit.''
The statement says that Kiffin's grievance ''completely ignores the fact that Mr. Kiffin repeatedly made reckless statements that attacked players, assistant coaches and the owner of the team and were damaging to the Raiders organization.'' The statement also alleges that Kiffin made false statements to the media that damaged the Raiders.
The Raiders said that Kiffin's grievance did not address provisions in his contract that required him to avoid any conduct that would ''would embarrass, discredit or disgrace'' the Raiders, as well as an NFL resolution passed in April that required coaches to ''avoid actions that undermine or damage the club's reputation or operating success.''
Kiffin's agent Gary Uberstine declined to comment because of the pending litigation.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I’m sorry folks, but after witnessing some of the shenanigans of Raiders’ owner Al Davis over the years, I hope Kiffin wins his grievance. This is precisely the reason Davis was trying to force Kiffin to resign, so he wouldn’t have to fire him and pay him the remaining salary he was owed under his contract.
The Photography Of Al Popil . . .
31/10/2008 07:39
Hi Don,
Attached is an image from the cemetary at Fedorah, north of Bon Accord.
The image was shot using the HDR (high dynamic range) method, then sepia toned.
Al Popil
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Thanks for the shot Al, our readers always comment on your photos. I hung on to this one for a couple of weeks thinking it would be a fine shot to lead the day on Halloween.
Attached is an image from the cemetary at Fedorah, north of Bon Accord.
The image was shot using the HDR (high dynamic range) method, then sepia toned.
Al Popil
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Thanks for the shot Al, our readers always comment on your photos. I hung on to this one for a couple of weeks thinking it would be a fine shot to lead the day on Halloween.
The Halloween Spookiness Of LB's Pub . . .
31/10/2008 07:30
You Got A Crush On My Missus?
31/10/2008 07:23
Take
that!JILTED plant hire boss Martyn Wright took revenge on a love rival – by destroying his car with a 13-ton digger.
Wright, 30, turned Anthony Simpson’s Toyota Land Cruiser into a heap of metal.
He went berserk after discovering risque text messages from childhood friend Simpson, 22, on his partner Linda’s mobile.
Yesterday he was given a conditional discharge after admitting criminal damage, but said: “I’ve no regrets about it – he deserved it.”
District Judge Liz Harte told him at Chesterfield Magistrates Court, Derbys: “I have listened carefully to the circumstances in which this offence was committed.”
Wright, of Hartington – who is now back with Linda – said: “I’ve known Simpson for 15 years. This is something you just don’t do to your mates.”
SINC SAYS:
Serves the guy right for having a crush on his girl.
24 Year Pub Crawl Is A New Record
31/10/2008 07:17
FOUR pub-loving pals
have drunk themselves into the record books by
visiting boozers in every county in England,
Wales, Ireland and
Scotland.The Black Country Ale Testers began their quest in 1984 and have just visited their 14,000th bar, The Stags Leap in Rugeley, Staffs.
Leader Peter Hill, 52, John Drew, 45, Karl Bradley, 45, and Peter’s dad, Joe, 77, got bored with their local The Old Crown in West Bromwich, West Mids, and began the charity tours which have raised £10k.
They have drunk 84,000 pints of real ale and plan to visit all 60,000 UK pubs — but it could take until 2084. Peter said: “It turned from a bit of fun to a serious hobby.”
SINC SAYS:
I’ll drink to that. Well done lads!
2010 Tickets Snapped Up At $34,500/Couple
31/10/2008 07:13
Organizers confident $4,000 to $21,000 offerings will sell out quickly
Avid sports fans hoping to plunk down $34,500 on one of the luxury ticket packages to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver are out of luck, according to the Games' official hospitality provider on Wednesday.
The 120 pricey packages available -- which included guaranteed seats to the men's gold-medal hockey game, along with perks like hotel stays, meals, airport pickups and host services -- sold out Tuesday, two weeks after they went on sale, said Jean-Paul Modde, president of CoSport.
"The package sales are going very well, better than we expected," he said Wednesday.
Available on a first-come, first-served basis, the packages were sold for $34,500 per couple.
More from Canwest News Service.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Well, obviously, folks, there are a lot of people out there with a heck of a lot more money than me. $34,500 per couple for Olympic tickets? Surely, they jest!?
St. Paul's Jamie Sadlowski Long Drive Champ
31/10/2008 07:12
St. Paul native Sadlowski says it's beef, not the water, that makes Alberta golfers big hitters
Another Alberta golfer has laid claim to the title of World Long Drive Champion.
St. Paul's Jamie Sadlowski won the title this past weekend at the Re/Max World Long Drive contest in Mesquite, Nev. One of the golfers he beat was Calgary's five-time world champion Jason Zuback.
"They were kidding us that it must be the water but I think it's the Alberta beef," said Sadlowski.
Only five-foot-11 and 165 pounds, Sadlowski broke the Re/Max finals record with a blast of 418 yards. The previous record of 412 yards belonged to Zuback.
The win was worth $250,000.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
You must be kidding – 418 yards and he’s only 5’ 11” and 165 lbs? Only in my dreams, my wildest dreams!
John Daly Drunk, Detained In North Carolina
31/10/2008 07:11
PGA golfer John Daly spent a night in jail this weekend after Winston-Salem police found him drunk outside a Hooters restaurant, police said.
Daly, of East Collierville, Tenn., was held early Sunday at the Forsyth County Jail to sober up, Lt. Tyrone Phelps said.
About 1 a.m., paramedics went to the Hooters on a report that Daly had passed out, Phelps said. They called for police, who arrived to find Daly intoxicated and unwilling to go to the hospital.
Officers said Daly smelled of alcohol.
"He didn't want to talk to them," Phelps said.
Daly had been traveling in a tour bus and told police that the people on the bus didn't want him back on it. Hooters was closing, so the officers decided to use a state law that allows them in some cases to take someone to jail to be held overnight to sober up, Phelps said.
Daly was later released. A friend, Ira Lee Dean, 39, of Chapmansboro, Tenn., was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct.
"The friend got a little excited and got out of hand and called the officers names, so he was arrested," Phelps said.
Dean was released on an unsecured bond.
Daly, 42, is a two-time major champion who hasn't had his PGA Tour card for the last two years. He burst onto the scene in 1991 when he came out of nowhere to win the PGA Championship. He was the ninth alternate but got into the tournament and won it.
More from the Winston-Salem Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The downward spiral of pro golfer John Daly continues. It’s really quite sad, isn’t it folks?
Obama, McCain To Appear On MNF
31/10/2008 07:11
BRISTOL, Conn. - Are Barack Obama and John McCain ready for some football?
ESPN says the presidential candidates are planning to participate in one-on-one interviews via satellite that would air during "Monday Night Football," the day before the election.
ESPN's Chris Berman will do the segments earlier Monday, if the candidates' schedules permit, and they'll air at about 10:15pm et.
Monday's game is the Washington Redskins hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers. It can be seen live on TSN at 8:30pm et/5:30pm pt.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Notice the dateline on this story? Bristol? As in Sarah Palin's daughter, Bristol. Is that ironic or what?
Argos Point Fingers After Yet Another Dismal Season
31/10/2008 07:11
After a season of disappointment and turmoil on the field, the Toronto Argonauts are reportedly looking for answers in the front office.
A report in the Globe and Mail on Tuesday hints at friction between Michael (Pinball) Clemons and team management over who is at fault for some of the decisions made this season.
The Argonauts raised eyebrows around the league this season with several high profile moves. The biggest saw the team acquire 2007 Most Outstanding Player Kerry Joseph from the Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders. With Joseph in camp, the Argonauts did not trade former starter Michael Bishop and set themselves up for a quarterback controversy.
Bishop was eventually traded away to the Riders in late August.
The report in the Globe and Mail raises questions about who had final say on the Joseph deal.
Clemons admitted to the newspaper that he played a small part in the trade but said he was not part of the final decision.
"If they say no, it's done," explained Clemons to the Globe and Mail. "I got no say in that, got no decision in that. If they say, 'No, we don't want Kerry Joseph,' it's a done deal. There's no more conversation. Conversation is over. So they said yes, and the process continued. That's what happened, football ops said yes."
According to the Globe and Mail, sources within the Argonauts told them that the team's football operations were not overly excited about making the move.
The sources also told the Globe that general manager Adam Rita and former head coach Rich Stubler were in favour of trading Bishop before the start of the regular season but Clemons disagreed and vetoed them.
Clemons explained the team's management structure to Globe and Mail and told them the final decision on every move was Rita's.
"Adam Rita is the general manager and so he is the one who operates football," Clemons said to the Globe and Mail. "He is in control of the football operations. He has a head coach and he has [Greg Mohns] who is his director of player personnel.
"Ultimately, the buck stops with Adam Rita."
Sources within the team and the Canadian Football League told the newspaper Clemons was a factor in the higher profile moves during the season.
When contacted by the Globe and Mail, Rita declined to make any comment on the story.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It’s nice to see nothing has changed with the “Good Ship Argo!”
Aquaholic Drinks Himself To Death
30/10/2008 07:14
By gorging on a
garden
hoseFatal attraction: Due to a bizarre condition, Andrew Else drank so much water from a garden hose that his heart failed
A man suffering from a rare 'aquaholic' thirst was found dead after drinking a massive volume of water directly from a garden hose, an inquest has heard.
Andrew Else, 51, was found drenched and lifeless outside his care home after staff spotted him drinking from the hose.
He is said to have developed an unquenchable thirst after suffering a stomach condition in his 20s.
He would go to extreme lengths to satisfy his cravings, regularly drinking from bathroom taps.
Staff at the home were told to monitor him after he was seen drinking from the hosepipe but he was soon spotted again standing by the tap in soaking clothes.
Watered down details here.
SINC SAYS:
I’ve seen some drinkers in my day, but nothing that compares to this guy.
The Definition Of Old . . .
30/10/2008 07:11
THE PERFECT HALLOWEEN COSTUME
30/10/2008 07:02
A bald man with a wooden leg gets invited to a Halloween party. He doesn't know what costume to wear to hide his head and his leg so he writes to a costume company to explain his problem. A few days later he received a parcel with the following note:
Dear Sir,
Please find enclosed a pirate's outfit. The spotted handkerchief will cover your bald head and, with your wooden leg, you will be just right as a pirate.
Very truly yours,
Acme Costume Co.
The man thinks this is terrible because they have emphasized his wooden leg and so he writes a letter of complaint. A week goes by and he receives another parcel and a note, which says:
Dear Sir,
Please find enclosed a monk's costume. The long robe will cover your wooden leg and, with your bald head, you will really look the part.
Very truly yours,
Acme Costume Co.
Now the man is really upset since they have gone from emphasizing his wooden leg to emphasizing his bald head so again he writes the company another nasty letter of complaint. The next day he gets a small parcel and a note, which reads:
Dear Sir,
Please find enclosed a bottle of molasses and a bag of crushed nuts. Pour the molasses over your bald head, sprinkle on crushed nuts, stick your wooden leg up your butt and go as a caramel apple.
Very truly yours,
Acme Costume Co.
A Halloween Tale . . .
30/10/2008 06:56
My ex-wife started
taking flying lessons about the time our
divorce started and she got her license shortly
before our divorce was final.
Yesterday afternoon, she narrowly escaped injury in the aircraft she was piloting when she was forced to make an emergency landing because of bad weather. Thank God our kids were with me at the Beach House this weekend.
The NTSB issued a preliminary report, citing pilot error: Judy was flying a single engine aircraft in IFR (instrument flight rating) conditions while only having obtained a VFR (visual flight rating) rating.
The absence of a post-crash fire was likely due to insufficient fuel on board. No one on the ground was injured. This photograph, taken at the scene show the extent of damage to her aircraft. She was very lucky.
Phillies Win World Series, Longest Game In History
30/10/2008 06:53
PHILADELPHIA - From losingest team to longest game, the Philadelphia Phillies are World Series champions.
Strange as that sounds.
Strange as it was.
Brad Lidge and the Phillies finished off the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in a three-inning sprint Wednesday night to win a suspended Game 5 nearly 50 hours after it started.
Left in limbo by a two-day rainstorm, the Phillies seesawed to their first championship since 1980. Pedro Feliz singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh and Lidge closed out his perfect season to deliver the title Philly craved for so long.
Bundled in parkas and blankets, fans returned in force to Citizens Bank Park and saw the city claim its first major sports championship in 25 years. No more references needed to the Phillies and their 10,000-plus losses.
It was among the most bizarre endings in baseball history, a best-of-seven series turned into a best-of-3 1/2 showdown when play resumed in the bottom of the sixth inning tied 2-2.
Two Rays relievers warmed up to start, and there was a pinch-hitter before a single pitch. ``God Bless America'' was sung rather than the national anthem and the seventh-inning stretch came quickly.
Despite low TV ratings and minus the majors' most glamorous teams, fans will always remember how this one wrapped up. And for the first time in a long while, kids saw a World Series champion crowned before bedtime.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Congrats to the Phillies for winning the series for the first time in 28 years. They were doing their best Saskatchewan Roughrider imitation last night. Oh, I’m sorry – it was only 20 years for the ‘Riders when they finally won the Grey Cup again last year.
Second Witness Had Group Sex With Frost
30/10/2008 06:52
A second witness has testified to having sex with one-time NHL agent David Frost when she was a minor and he was the coach of a junior hockey team.
The sex took place in the fall of 1996 when she was 16 and dating a player with the Junior A Quinte Hawks, the witness said Tuesday at Frost's trial in Napanee, Ont.
Frost, 41, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual exploitation against two former Hawks players.
The witness, who is now 28, told Judge Geoffrey Griffin of the Ontario Court of Justice that she met her hockey player boyfriend when Frost arrived in Deseronto, Ont., with several star players to begin coaching the Hawks and begin living with three team members at a local motel.
The woman said Frost, who was 29 at the time, pressured her and her boyfriend into having a threesome just months after they'd begun dating. After that, she testified, it happened "umpteen times."
In fact, said the woman, the couple rarely had sex alone and when they did, it was only after her boyfriend received permission from Frost.
She also talked about having sex with some of the other players because Frost ordered her to.
Another woman gave a similar account on Monday.
Tuesday's witness said she and her boyfriend often fought because she didn't want to have sex with Frost anymore. She also testified that years later, when her boyfriend was playing hockey in the United States, Frost would be there when she visited. At the time, Frost told the couple he didn't want them to have sex if he wasn't involved, he said.
During that same year, the girl worked at a hockey camp with Frost and the players, many of them living at Frost's house. One day she, another player and Frost were in a trailer at the camp and Frost ordered the two to have sex, she testified. When asked why, he said, "Because I want you to," the woman told court.
When Frost, the witness, then 19, and several players were staying at a cottage during the summer of 1999, it was Frost's idea to have a foursome, she testified.
It happened in a room so small the bed practically touched the walls on each side, she testified.
More from CBC Sports.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
If any of the testimony we’ve been hearing this week is true, Frost in one sick young man.
CSA Releases Five-Year Plan
30/10/2008 06:51
The Canadian Soccer Association needs to revamp its structure and more than double its budget to a minimum of $25 million by 2013, the organization says in a new five-year plan released Tuesday.
More than a year in the making, the association's "Strategic Plan" and "Strategic Activities" 2009-13 documents are billed as "the starting points to a coordinated approach to soccer's future in Canada."
The documents are long on good intentions and, at this stage, largely short of specifics other than identifying a myriad of areas that have to be fixed or improved.
Still it recognizes that the sport in Canada needs to be fixed.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Well, you have to give the Canadian Soccer Association credit, folks, for realizing that soccer in Canada needs to be “fixed.” It was kind of hard to miss, but, even so, give credit where credit is due.
Bruce Smith, Shannon Sharpe Among HOF Candidates
30/10/2008 06:51
Canton, OH (Sports Network) - Defensive end Bruce Smith, tight end Shannon Sharpe and defensive back Rod Woodson headline the list of players, coaches, and other contributors who are in their first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2009.
The total preliminary list includes 110 players, seven coaches and 16 contributors - nominees who made outstanding contributions to pro football in capacities other than playing or coaching. Contributors include former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, and longtime team owners Jerry Jones, Art Modell and Ralph Wilson.
The list of 133 will be whittled to 25 semifinalists later in October, and then trimmed to 15 by a mail ballot. The Class of 2009 -- as few as four and as many as seven new members -- will be chosen at the selection committee's annual meeting on Saturday, January 31, 2009, in Tampa, Florida, the day before the Super Bowl.
Senior nominees Bob Hayes and Claude Humphrey are already ensured a spot in the Hall. They were selected in August by the Hall of Fame's Senior Selection Committee.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The selection committee certainly couldn’t go wrong by choosing Smith, Sharpe or Rod Woodson.
No Beckham, No Deal, No Galaxy/Aussie Match
30/10/2008 06:50
BRISBANE, Australia - David Beckham's proposed loan deal with AC Milan has caused the postponement of a December match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Australian team Queensland Roar.
A Galaxy spokesman said that the MLS club could not guarantee that Beckham would play in the Dec. 11 match at a 52,500-seat stadium in Brisbane, the Australian Associated Press reported.
"We were not in a position to absolutely guarantee David Beckham's availability," Galaxy's business operations president Tom Payne was quoted saying. "To avoid disappointment for the many fans that were expected to travel to Brisbane from all parts of Australia, it was decided to postpone this game before tickets went on sale to the general public."
Tickets were due to go on sale Thursday.
The Galaxy confirmed a Dec. 6 match against an Oceania All Star team in Auckland, New Zealand would go ahead and organizers would try to reschedule the match against A-League club Queensland Roar.
Beckham scored with a trademark, curling free kick in the Galaxy's 5-3 loss to Sydney FC at a packed 80,000-seat Olympic stadium in Australia's biggest city last November.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder is negotiating a loan move to Milan to maintain match fitness in the MLS off-season and boost his chances of selection in the national squad. Beckham had said he intends to return to the Galaxy for the start of the next MLS season.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The headline just about says it all, doesn’t it folks? The Aussies weren’t coming out to see the L. A. Galaxy play soccer. They were coming out to see David Beckham play soccer. What’s so hard for Galaxy brass to understand about that?
Doctors Say Ballesteros Is Improving
30/10/2008 06:50
MADRID, Spain - Seve Ballesteros is improving after last week's surgery on his cancerous brain tumor.
The La Paz hospital said Wednesday in a one-sentence statement that the 51-year-old golfing great remains in intensive care and has also undergone a tracheotomy, a procedure it called common in cases like his.
The hospital said Ballesteros' condition was "evolving favorably."
Ballesteros underwent a 6 1/2-hour operation Friday on the brain tumor and the hospital said the surgery went better than expected. The operation removed what remained of the tumor and reduced the swelling on his brain.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
We wish you a full and speedy recovery, Seve.
The Evening Beauty Of Big Lake . . .
29/10/2008 05:26
Don,
At sunset time tonight (Tuesday October 28), ducks and geese had to share the last bit of open water on Big Lake.
As the flocks arrived, one by one, the birds in the water had to make room for the new arrivals.
A coyote circled them on the fragile new ice.
Elke Blodgett
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
That is indeed a peaceful shot Elke. Have a photo you have taken you would like to see featured here on St. Albert’s Place? E-mail it to us and we’’l put it up for all to see.
You Know You Are Too Old To Trick Or Treat When:
29/10/2008 05:21
10. You get
winded from knocking on the
door.
9. You have to
have another kid chew the candy for you.
8. You ask for
high fiber candy only.
7. When
someone drops a candy bar in your bag, you
lose your balance and fall over.
6. People say:
'Great Boris KarloffMask,' and you're not
wearing a mask.
5. When the
door opens you yell, 'Trick or...' and can't
remember the rest.
4. By the end
of the night, you have a bag full of
restraining orders.
3. You have to
carefully choose a costume that won't dislodge
your hairpiece.
2. You're the
only Power Ranger in the neighborhood with
awalker.
and the number one reason Seniors should not go Trick Or Treating . . .
1. You keep having to go home to pee.
No matter, have a HAPPY HALLOWE'EN anyway.
and the number one reason Seniors should not go Trick Or Treating . . .
1. You keep having to go home to pee.
No matter, have a HAPPY HALLOWE'EN anyway.
Monitor Shifts From Print To Web-Based Strategy
29/10/2008 05:17
The Christian Science
Monitor plans major changes in April 2009 that
are expected to make it the first newspaper
with a national audience to shift from a daily
print format to an online publication that is
updated continuously each
day.The changes at the Monitor will include enhancing the content on CSMonitor.com, starting weekly print and daily e-mail editions, and discontinuing the current daily print format.
This new, multiplatform strategy for the Monitor will "secure and enlarge the Monitor's role in its second century," said Mary Trammell, editor in chief of The Christian Science Publishing Society and a member of the Christian Science Board of Directors. Mrs. Trammell said that "journalism that seeks to bless humanity, not injure, and that shines light on the world's challenges in an effort to seek solutions, is at the center of Mary Baker Eddy's vision for the Monitor. The method of delivery and format are secondary" and need to be adjusted, given Mrs. Eddy's call to keep the Monitor "abreast of the times."
No more newsprint here.
SINC SAYS:
I’ve been predicting the death of the printed newspaper for years now. It won’t be long until that comes true. Smart newspapers have already began full online editions. Those who have yet to follow suit, are behind the times.
Doorknobs And TV Remotes Are Germ Hotbeds
29/10/2008 05:13
WASHINGTON (Map,
News) - Someone in your house have the
sniffles? Watch out for the refrigerator door
handle. The TV remote,
too.
A new study finds
that cold sufferers often leave their germs
there, where they can live for two days or
longer. Scientists at the University of
Virginia, long known for its virology
research, tested surfaces in the homes of
people with colds and reported the results
Tuesday at the nation's premier conference on
infectious diseases.
Doctors don't know how often people catch colds from touching germy surfaces as opposed to, say, shaking a sick person's hand, said Dr. Birgit Winther, an ear, nose and throat specialist who helped conduct the study.
Two years ago, she and other doctors showed that germs survived in hotel rooms a day after guests left, waiting to be picked up by the next person checking in.
Grab a Kleenex here.
SINC SAYS:
I just knew everyone should have their very own TV remote.
Doctors don't know how often people catch colds from touching germy surfaces as opposed to, say, shaking a sick person's hand, said Dr. Birgit Winther, an ear, nose and throat specialist who helped conduct the study.
Two years ago, she and other doctors showed that germs survived in hotel rooms a day after guests left, waiting to be picked up by the next person checking in.
Grab a Kleenex here.
SINC SAYS:
I just knew everyone should have their very own TV remote.
Puppy Finds Feline Mom At Animal Shelter
29/10/2008 05:08
Baby Bear, a
3-day-old puppy at the Humane Society of
Harrisburg Area, has a surrogate mother -- a
cat.Jelly Bean, a mother cat at the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, may think her third "kitten" looks and smells a little strange, but she is letting him nurse and cuddle just the same.
Baby Bear, a chocolate Labrador retriever, came to the Humane Society as a 3-day-old puppy abandoned by his mother. Shelter workers fed him from a bottle and used a heating pad to keep him warm.
Then Jelly Bean stepped in and allowed Baby Bear to nurse with her two kittens, Jelly Roll and Jelly Belly. Nearly the same size as Baby Bear, the two kittens treat him as their brother, Humane Society spokeswoman Kelly Hitz said in a written release.
Baby Bear will be eligible for adoption when he is about 8 weeks old.
SINC SAYS:
Funny how Ma Nature steps in when she feels it to be necessary, isn’t it?
Ex-Agent’s Trial Hears Of Three-Way Sex
29/10/2008 05:01
NAPANEE, Ont. - Former NHL agent David Frost was twice involved in a sexual threesome with one of his players and the player's then-girlfriend, a court heard Monday.
Kristy Boyer, now a 28-year-old personal trainer, testified she had three-way sex with her then-boyfriend and Frost in January and March 1997, around the time Frost coached the Quinte Hawks.
Boyer said the topic of a threesome arose in discussions with her boyfriend after she heard other girls had been involved in similar sexual activity at hotel where Frost, then 29, lived with some of his players. Boyer said she was persuaded into the activity and that she was inexperienced with sex and naive at the time.
But defence lawyer Marie Henein questioned Boyer's credibility, suggesting the allegations against Frost may be lies and noting that a diary recounting some details of alleged incidents was not given to authorities until after Boyer and her friend, Jennifer Hicks, who was also allegedly involved in three-way sex with Frost, found out some charges against him would be dropped.
More from Canwest News Service.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The longer this trial goes on and on, the more bizarre the behavior of David Frost seems. It’s frightening to think that one individual could exercise so much control over other peoples’ lives and actions.
CFL Announces Individual Player Awards Nominees
29/10/2008 05:01
Cameron Wake of the B.C. Lions has been nominated for the CFL's outstanding player award, one of several individual honors for which the finalists were revealed on Tuesday.
The defensive end has a league-leading 20 sacks, and was chosen unanimously as a nominee in the outstanding player category as well as the top defensive player category by the Football Reporters of Canada and the eight head coaches of the CFL.
For the West Division, quarterbacks Henry Burris of Calgary and Ricky Ray of Edmonton were chosen unanimously as outstanding player nominees, as was Saskatchewan running back Wes Cates.
Among the nominees for the East Division is Montreal's Anthony Calvillo. The quarterback, the CFL leader in passing yards (5,633) and touchdowns (43), was a unanimous selection.
Toronto standout Dominique Dorsey also made the list, as did Winnipeg defensive tackle Doug Brown and Hamilton defensive back Chris Thompson.
Brown will also be considered for Bombers' top defensive player and outstanding Canadian, making him the only triple nominee.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
For a complete list of all the nominees, click here.
Canadiens Honor Coaches Irvin, Blake And Bowman
29/10/2008 05:00
MONTREAL - The Montreal Canadiens honored the three most successful coaches in their history on Tuesday when they unveiled columns in the Bell Centre mezzanine for Dick Irvin, Hector (Toe) Blake and Scotty Bowman.
The line of columns on Builders' Row is to feature the 10 former Canadiens coaches and executives in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Each has pictures and brief biography of the coaches, who between them won 16 of the Canadiens 24 Stanley Cups.
The unveilings were part of the club's 100th anniversary celebrations.
Irvin, who died in 1957, was represented by his son, broadcaster Dick Irvin Jr., while several members of the late Blake's family were also there. Bowman, now an adviser to the Chicago Blackhawks, attended the ceremony.
Irvin, a native of Hamilton, coached the Canadiens from 1940 to '55, when one of his former star players, Blake, took over until '68. Bowman Coached the Canadiens from 1971 to '79.
Irvin had previously coached in Chicago and Toronto before he took over in Montreal and helped the Canadiens end a 13-year Cup drought with a championship in 1944. In 896 games with the team, his record was 431-313-152.
Blake's Canadiens, led by Jean Beliveau, Doug Harvey and others, won a record five Stanley Cups in a row from 1956 to 1960 and three more in the 1960s. The Victoria Mines, Ont., native left with a record of 500-255-159.
Bowman was behind the bench for the Canadiens team that four straight Cups from 1976 to '79, with Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden, and the Big Three on defence - Serge Savard, Larry Robinson and Guy Lapointe.
In eight seasons, his record was 419-110-105, a stunning .744 winning percentage.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
When you say those three names – Irvin, Blake and Bowman - you’ve said just about all there is to say about coaching in the NHL.
Dubin, Broke Drug “Code Of Omerta,” Dead At 87
29/10/2008 04:59
Charles Dubin, who was best known for heading an inquiry into steroid use by athletes, has died.
A spokesman at the Ontario Court of Appeal has confirmed that the one-time chief justice of Ontario died Monday at age 87.
Dubin's assistant at Torys LLP, the Toronto law firm where he worked, says the former judge died of pneumonia and was in hospital for the last week.
Dubin was well known in the legal world for his keen intellect and a no-nonsense manner.
He had vast legal experience, but also happened to be a "huge sports fan," said longtime friend, Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Robert Armstrong.
"Basically, his approach was to leave no stone unturned — to go out and get the evidence and then put it before him," he said.
Dubin was perhaps best known to the public for a high-profile commission he headed in 1989.
Known as the Dubin inquiry, the commission was formed after sprinter Ben Johnson lost his gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics because a banned drug was detected in his urine samples.
In a groundbreaking report, Dubin exposed doping secrets that had been unknown outside the secretive world of track and field, and he recommended a broad range of anti-doping measures.
The inquiry also broke the "code of omerta" about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports, said Canadian Olympic official Dick Pound, who served as president of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
More from CBC Sports.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
What sports fan will ever forget the “Dubin Inquiry” into steroid use in sports, formed after sprinter Ben Johnson was stripped of his100-metre gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, because a banned drug was detected in his urine samples?
Penalty Stroke
29/10/2008 04:59
SEOUL - A South Korean golfer has paid a heavy price for an embarrassing shot that landed his caddy in hospital.
The country's supreme court has fined the golfer two million won ($1,400) for the incident at a club in Gunsan Province two years ago.
Media reports said he had wound up for a huge swing at the third hole but slipped and sent the ball rocketed off to strike his caddy -- standing eight metres behind him -- in the stomach.
The caddy needed seven weeks of hospital treatment.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
This is the first I have ever heard of a golfer being fined for hitting somebody with a golf ball. And, it was his caddy to boot. Never mind the seven weeks of hospital treatment that was required, the golfer was lucky he didn’t kill the caddy.
Whatever Became Of The Requested Pesticide Ban?
28/10/2008 08:22
Don,
Reading that the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment has lobbied the government for a ban on pesticides prompts me to ask what became of the petition asking our council for the same?
(The above fact from the Edmonton Journal, p. A16, Oct. 26, 2008)
Yours truly,
Carol Price
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Well Carol, I don't know the answer to your question, but I do know someone who will. So I forwarded this item to Mayor Crouse and will advise you of his reply when I receive it. Thanks for writing to ask.
Boy, that was quick. The mayor replied within minutes.
MAYOR'S RESPONSE:
Penciled in for the November 17 council meeting.
Regards,
Mayor Nolan Crouse
City of St. Albert
More Tax Increases - City Salaries Up 70% Over 2000?
28/10/2008 05:38
Don,
Since it is a bit boring to sit and watch council, I perused the huge budget binder they left lying around. (Residents can actually purchase a copy of the budget.)
Well, I just checked the residential tax increase proposed for a couple of price ranges of homes.
for a $400,000 home, add: in 2009, $209.48, in 2010, add 213.96l, in 2011, add 237.32
for a $500,000 home, add: 261.85, 267.44, 296.65.
Allowing for typos, at this hour, it still adds up to a heck of an increase! I withhold personal comments.
Elke Blodgett
St. Albert
---------------------------------------
Don,
I went to the Administration presentation on the 2009-11 budget this evening. I found it very interesting how it was presented, with administration using comparisons that "favoured" the message they wanted to give out.
An example was the chart on cost of staff as a ratio to expenditures, which showed it as stable. Of course when you jack up the budget to include a whole bunch of debt related to large capital expenditures and Pay-as-you go items as has happened in the last 5 years, you can get that result.
No where do they talk about the fact that municipal employees (or full time equivalents) have increased by 70% from 2000 to 2008 and if the budget is improved, by 2011 that will be 96%!
Just one little thing I noticed.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Lynda Flannery
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Thanks for the updates ladies. Lynda, that last bit of information is truly shocking. Imagine that. A 96 percent increase for city employees over the year 2000 by 2011 is possible under this proposal, nearly 10 percent per year. If that alone does not enrage taxpayers, I don't know what the hell will. Is it time to get rid of this city administration beginning at the very top? Given their track record over the past seven years, yes, indeed it is. Ask any taxpayer but a member of council and they know what to do. Council on the other hand appear to be bamboozled by these guys.
I went to the Administration presentation on the 2009-11 budget this evening. I found it very interesting how it was presented, with administration using comparisons that "favoured" the message they wanted to give out.
An example was the chart on cost of staff as a ratio to expenditures, which showed it as stable. Of course when you jack up the budget to include a whole bunch of debt related to large capital expenditures and Pay-as-you go items as has happened in the last 5 years, you can get that result.
No where do they talk about the fact that municipal employees (or full time equivalents) have increased by 70% from 2000 to 2008 and if the budget is improved, by 2011 that will be 96%!
Just one little thing I noticed.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Lynda Flannery
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Thanks for the updates ladies. Lynda, that last bit of information is truly shocking. Imagine that. A 96 percent increase for city employees over the year 2000 by 2011 is possible under this proposal, nearly 10 percent per year. If that alone does not enrage taxpayers, I don't know what the hell will. Is it time to get rid of this city administration beginning at the very top? Given their track record over the past seven years, yes, indeed it is. Ask any taxpayer but a member of council and they know what to do. Council on the other hand appear to be bamboozled by these guys.
We're Not Alone When It Comes To Tax Increases
28/10/2008 05:37
Hi Don,
Thought you might enjoy some "company in misery" when it comes to City Councils and their penchant for raking in money.
In fact I wonder if your Mayor and
my Mayor were not hatched from the same pod?
In addition to the water and sewage rate hikes they are suggesting in the linked article, they've already slapped me with a property tax hike for 2008 of roughly 5%, if I recall correctly. I pay that on their monthly plan and that includes approx. $20/mo. for the people (not me) who wanted the alley paved for the next 10 years. Slipped off on a tangent... sorry, makes me furious... they also want to charge us $4/mo extra for garbage collection and $8/mo extra for recycling collection. This is a new charge due to start next year.
Anyway... that's about it. Greetings to your Elke Blodgett, I don't know her but I like her!
Details on our council here.
Diane Koke
Calgary
SINC SAYS:
It's nice to know we're not the only ones being hosed by our city council. Thanks for the link to a similar situation Diane.
Dallas Breaks World Record With Big Beach Ball
28/10/2008 05:28
Everything's bigger
in Texas and that goes for a beach ball that
was dropped on Elm Street and bounced around
downtown
Dallas.It was all part of Carnival Cruise Lines' attempt to break a record for the world's largest beach ball.
According to Guiness the ball needed to be at least 10 meters in diameter and had to be made of real beach ball material.
It took several adults to get the ball moving down Elm Street.
Not only did Carnival succeed in getting into the Guinness Book of World Records, the company got a commercial and free TV time out of it.
Watch the video here.
SINC SAYS:
Well, that’s certainly a new definition of that old saying, “we’re havin’ a ball!”
The Death Of Common Sense . . .
28/10/2008 05:20
Hi Don,
Thought you might like this for your column.
Al Popil
Subject: Obit from the London Times
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
SINC SAYS:
Thanks for this Al. Sadly, it makes too much sense given the times.
The End of Manual Labor?
28/10/2008 05:16
The stick-shift is a
fast-fading icon.
Manually shifted transmissions are an endangered species. In 1980, more than 35 percent of cars sold had a stick; in 2007 the number had dropped to 7.7 percent.
Is the manual transmission — the tormentor of generations of driver’s ed students — going the way of the buggy whip, the eight-track, the Hummer? That sounds like heresy to driving purists like me, who have always assumed that automatics are for wimps, for people who couldn’t tell a clutch pedal from a daisy petal.
Yet here I am, flying at 140 mph down the banked straightaway at Pocono Speedway in the new BMW M3. This 400-horsepower beauty of a sports sedan happens to be equipped with BMW’s latest high-tech, no-clutch-pedal 7-speed automated-manual transmission — basically a manual gearbox that can shift by itself.
A right-hand turn approaches, and it’s time to stand on the brakes. But instead of mashing the clutch, yanking the stick and blipping the gas with the same foot that’s squeezing the brake — the old “heel and toe” downshift maneuver — I simply flick a little metal paddle attached to the steering column. Both hands stay put on the steering wheel, making it easier to stay on path.
Driving details here.
SINC SAYS:
I was surprised to find out just how many people can’t even drive a stick shift. In my day, one could not take your driver’s test on an sutomatic, it had to be a standard. Automatics were not considered “real driving”. I still own one stick shift vehicle, my 1949 Meteor.
'Shocking' Donation At Thrift-Store
28/10/2008 05:13
Worker finds more
than $10,000 with
clothingDAYTONA BEACH - Police were trying to find a store regular who dropped off several bags of clothes and more than $10,000 at a thrift store.
"It was shocking," said Rene Adams, spokeswoman for the Junior League of Daytona Beach, which runs the store. The man, whose name employees do not know, goes to the store regularly.
He dropped off several plastic grocery bags of clothes a few days ago. When a store employee went through them one day this week, she found the money.
The store contacted police, who locked it up and put out a call Friday, hoping to identify the donor. Police did not answer questions Friday about the case, and Adams was cautious about saying too much, worried that people with no connection might use the details to make a claim.
She would not say how much money was found, what the denominations were or what kind of clothes it came with. But she said she was sure the donor did not mean to leave it at the store.
SINC SAYS:
You don’t suppose that the dough might have been drug money do ya? No, too far fetched.
Million Dollar Shootout Returns To TSN
28/10/2008 05:08
Hockey history could be a wrist shot away, as TSN announced today details of the return of its third annual, international award-winning million-dollar giveaway, the Chevrolet Traverse Million Dollar Shootout. This year, one lucky fan will take to the ice at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa during the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to win $1 million and up to four new Chevrolet Traverse Crossovers.
The event will air live nationally in High Definition on TSN HD on New Year's Eve (December 31) during the first intermission of the World Juniors broadcast featuring Canada vs. USA (game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET).
"What a way to ring in the New Year! The Chevrolet Traverse Million Dollar Shootout is one of TSN's most successful fan giveaways ever and this year the high-profile promotion is paired with one of the biggest games at the World Juniors on New Year's Eve, as Team Canada faces off against Team USA," said Phil King, President, TSN. "The contest has evolved into a marquee event, giving everyday sports fans the chance to step up to the blue line and win big, just like Darwin Head."
The contest begins today and runs through December 7. Fans are invited to enter online at TSN.ca/Traverse. Those who visit the site can also earn additional entries by playing the Chevrolet Traverse Shootout game for up to 40 bonus entries per day or referring friends to the contest.
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Hmm . . . sounds exactly like my kind of contest!
Cam Wake Gets Nod As TSN.ca MOP In West
28/10/2008 05:08
Already a lock to win the Most Outstanding Defensive Player award, Cameron Wake has been given the nod by TSN.ca users to be the West Division nominee as Most Outstanding Player.
In a poll conducted on TSN.ca, the B.C. Lions defensive end garnered 34% of the vote and edged out Saskatchewan Roughriders' running back Wes Cates (30%) and Stampeders' quarterback Henry Burris (29%).
Wake has enjoyed an outstanding season leading the Lions' defence and collecting 20 quarterback sacks. With one game remaining in the regular season, he is 6.5 sacks short of the single season record of 26.5 held by former Lion James 'Quick' Parker.
Wake's value doesn't always translate on the stats page because his disruptive force makes those around him better. It's no accident the Lions hold down the top three spots in the sacks race with Aaron Hunt (11) and Brent Johnson (10) taking advantage of the fact that teams have to double up on Wake to minimize his effectiveness.
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
This will be a great controversy when Henry Burris is nominated to be the western conference “torch bearer” for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player award, as voted by the CFL sports writers of Canada.
Umpires Admit Another Blown World Series Call
28/10/2008 05:07
PHILADELPHIA - For the second time in two days, umpires acknowledged they missed a key call in the World Series.
The Philadelphia Phillies scored in the first inning of Game 4 on Sunday night after Jimmy Rollins scampered safely back to third during a rundown. But television replays showed he was tagged on the backside by Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria and should have been called out by third base ump Tim Welke.
"He's seen the replay. He knows he missed it," Mike Port, Major League Baseball's vice president for umpiring, said Monday.
This is the first post-season in which baseball is using replay - though only to review home run calls.
Longoria swiped his arm in frustration after Rollins was called safe, and Rays manager Joe Maddon came out for a brief argument.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It’s nice to see that in major league baseball the umpires at least acknowledge when they were wrong. The CFL could learn a lesson or two here.
Mike Singletary Apologies For Rant
28/10/2008 05:06
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Mike Singletary realizes a public apology for his team's poor play and his post-game trashing of tight end Vernon Davis were the most memorable highlights of the San Francisco 49ers' sorry season.
Just don't expect the interim coach's next post-game news conference to be as entertaining as his animated debut.
"Maybe I'll drink a little more water," Singletary said Monday. "Maybe I'll breathe a little bit."
After a day to cool down from the 49ers' 34-13 loss to Seattle, Singletary was ready to have a calm discussion with Davis, whose reaction to a personal-foul penalty drove Singletary to banish the tight end from the field.
"Vernon is not a problem guy," Singletary said. "Vernon just forgets sometimes that the team is more important."
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
If the San Francisco 49ers had only half the passion of their new head coach, Mike Sintletary, they wouldn’t be the bottom feeders they are now.
2011 World Junior Hockey Championship
28/10/2008 05:06
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The 2011 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships will be held along the shores of Lake Erie, USA Hockey announced Monday.
The 10-day tournament is the premier international event for the best male players under the age of 20. Ten different countries will be represented, and 31 games will take place over 10 days starting on Dec. 26, 2010.
"This is a city with a reputation of a hockey town, and a franchise that has a reputation of being very good in the community," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "We believe this will be the most successful World Championship held in the United States."
The Buffalo Sabres sponsored the bid on behalf of the city, which was immediately considered a favourite because of its proximity to hockey-mad Canada - particularly Toronto, just 90 minutes away. Buffalo is also among the NHL's strongest markets and successfully hosted the NCAA Frozen Four tournament in 2003.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Sabres owner Thomas Golisano attended a Monday afternoon news conference for the announcement.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I am confident Buffalo will do a great job hosting this tourney.
Mayor Responds To Riel Dust Complaints
27/10/2008 05:24
SINC SAYS:
Yesterday in this space, local resident Elke Blodgett sent an open letter to Mayor Crouse regarding the large volumes of dust created by construction in south Riel and the football fields. She spoke on behalf of several residents in West Heritage Lakes citing health concerns and wanted to know why water has not been used to quell the dust. Today, with the permission of Mayor Crouse, here is a copy of his response to Elke:
Elke,
Thanks for the email about dust.
Certainly it was dusty on Saturday with gusts of up to 102 km per hour, which were highest ever recorded for an October.
I am pleased that this project is coming to its current phase of completion. The capping of the old lagoons and landfill site have been a long-awaited plan and to see that area turned into a Rotary Park, a Kinsmen Park, a Multipurpose sport area makes be pleased. The social benefit of that area will be tremendous for generations to come.
The wind blowing in some ways is a God-send to keep construction going this fall. The completion of this area, South Riel Park construction, Campbell Park construction are all going to benefit by such great weather. This weather will allow for construction on all sites to continue into November and ultimately the sooner the underground servicing is done, the sooner we get economic development and the sooner we get non-residential tax revenue. The underground electrical is being completed at the Kinsmen area is key to having the RV park ready in the spring. That is 90+ stalls; getting ready for use for the Rainmaker.
As far as asking for spending tens of thousands of dollars yesterday in watering down various construction sites during those winds would be unwise. Those are tax-payer dollars, not to add to the fact that we would be burning fuel driving around making it happen during a day when it (spreading water) would not have made a difference. Farmers fields were blowing dust as well as every construction site in the area. It would be like spending money to clear snow on a fluke June blizzard. A waste of money when it would melt the next day. Similarly, yesterday it would been a waste of money and wrong for the environment to stop construction so we could spread water; delaying the environmental capping completion, delaying the drainage construction, delaying the RV park construction and adding cost and delaying the important social benefits of that park area.
That site is going to be a great site in the spring; a completed environmental remediation project, a modernized RV park, a great parking area for hundreds of visitors; new grounds for the Rainmaker Rodeo; a multipurpose recreation field; better access road down Rodeo drive and the wonderful beginnings of the new Rotary Park.
Regards,
Mayor Nolan Crouse
City of St. Albert
Meet Mr Green Genes
27/10/2008 04:59
The world's first
glow-in-the-dark
catGlowing: Mr Green Genes glows green under fluorescent light
His eyes glow ghoulishly in the right light, just like any other cat's - but so do his nostrils, gums and tongue.
Mr Green Genes of New Orleans in the U.S. is the country's first 'glow in the dark' ginger tom.
In daylight he looks normal, but put him in a darkened room and switch on an ultraviolet light, and his face will beam out a bright green.
The six-month-old cat was created by scientists who are trying to combat a range of diseases such as cystic fibrosis.
They modified his DNA to see if a gene could be introduced harmlessly into an animal's genetic sequence.
To track where the gene went, they decided to use one that glowed under ultraviolet light.
The particular gene in question, known as green fluorescence protein, is likely to express itself in mucous membranes - hence his freakish mouth and ears.
Lit up story here.
SINC SAYS:
Well, I guess he would make a good night light on the bed at night.
Ohio Woman Gives Birth to Triplet Granddaughters
27/10/2008 04:54
CLEVELAND (AP) — Not
only has a 56-year-old Ohio woman given birth
to triplets, but they're her own
granddaughters.Jaci Dalenberg of Wooster carried the babies as a surrogate for her daughter, Kim Coseno. The two identical twins and their sister were born by Caesarean section Oct. 11 at the Cleveland Clinic's Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights and are still in the hospital's care. They were more than two months premature and each weighed less than three pounds.
A Cleveland Clinic news release says infants and grandmother are all doing well.
According to a Clinic spokesman, Dalenberg offered herself as a surrogate when Kim Coseno and her husband, Joe, were waiting to adopt. The couple used in vitro fertilization, and embryos were implanted in Dalenberg's uterus
SINC SAYS:
The lengths that some people will go to astound me.
Tourism? It's Just National Prostitution
27/10/2008 04:07
So says Prince
PhilipPrince Philip branded tourism 'national prostitution' while speaking to Dr Maja Uran in Slovenia last week
Prince Philip has branded tourism ‘national prostitution’ in his latest unfortunate gaffe.
He made the shocking comment to a professor during his State visit with the Queen to Slovenia last week.
Dr Maja Uran revealed that the 87-year-old Duke told her: ‘Tourism is just national prostitution.’
He went on: ‘We don’t need any more tourists. They ruin cities.’
Goofy viewpoint here.
SINC SAYS:
So, the prince and his wife and her merry band of misfits who’ve been “tourists” in nearly every country of the world don’t like tourists? Time to lock them all up in Windsor castle and keep them there.
Police Chief Rebukes Thomas For Involving Daughter
27/10/2008 03:54
NEW YORK - A suburban police chief likened the conflicting accounts of an accidental overdose at Isiah Thomas's home to a ''cover-up'' and rebuked the former New York Knicks coach Saturday for saying it was his teenage daughter who required treatment.
"It wasn't his daughter," Harrison Police Chief David Hall told The Associated Press. "And why they're throwing her under the bus is beyond my ability to understand."
Authorities were called early Friday to Thomas's Westchester County home, where police said a 47-year-old man was taken to the hospital and treated for an overdose of sleeping pills. Several media outlets reported that police confirmed it was Thomas who went to the hospital.
But reached on his cell phone Friday, the 47-year-old Thomas told the New York Post he had not been treated for a sleeping pill overdose, and that it was 17-year-old daughter Lauren who had a medical issue.
"(It) wasn't an overdose," he told the newspaper. "My daughter is very down right now. None of us are OK."
Hall forcefully refuted Thomas's statement.
"My cops ... know the difference between a 47-year-old black male and a young black female," Hall said. "These people should learn something from Richard Nixon - it's not the crime, it's the cover-up."
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It would appear that Mr. Isiah Thomas has more than one problem, folks.
Canadian Women Biathletes Grin, Bare It To Raise Cash
27/10/2008 02:43
Members of the Canadian women's biathlon team are taking their clothes off to raise money for training and competition expenses heading into the 2010 Olympic Games.
Canada's five elite female biathletes launched a nude calendar Wednesday by roller-skiing through downtown Calgary. They were clad in shorts, tank tops and race bibs and had their rifles strapped to their backs.
The 14-month calendar themed Bold Beautiful Biathlon features photos of Zina Kocher of Red Deer, Alta., Calgary's Sandra Keith, Rosanna Crawford of Canmore, Alta., Megan Imrie of Falcon Lake, Man., and Megan Tandy of Prince George, B.C.
Crawford is the younger sister of Chandra Crawford, an Olympic gold medallist in cross-country skiing.
On the website, the team said it is "in dire need of funding" and that they hoped the calendar would "empower women and girls through inspiring quotes and expressing the beauty of an athletic body."
The biathletes follow a number of athletes who have posed nude for calendars to raise money for their sport or for charitable organizations.
The third edition of a curling calendar was released last month featuring curlers from several countries, including Canadians Christine Keshen and Chrissy Cadorin.
The Canadian women's rugby team has also published a 24-month calendar with rugby balls and Canadian flags strategically placed on their otherwise bare bodies.
The biathlon calendar goes on sale Nov. 1 for $25.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Is it just me, or are all of these “ideas” becoming passé, folks?
NFL Says No To Haslett’s Win-Based Contract
27/10/2008 02:42
ST. LOUIS - The NFL denied the St. Louis Rams' attempt to rework a contract with coach Jim Haslett that would ensure him a job beyond this season if he won six games because of a requirement that minority candidates be interviewed for head coaching vacancies.
Team president John Shaw said Saturday in a telephone interview with The AP that the league office cited the Rooney Rule when informing the Rams earlier this week, "either Tuesday or Wednesday." The story was first reported by ESPN.
"We gave them the language with the incentive bonus and they said the contract wouldn't qualify," Shaw said. "We were looking for a provision that would ensure him an extension if he won a certain amount of games."
Language in Haslett's contract refers to him as the head coach, not the interim coach. But Haslett's agent said his client has no problem going through the interview process and wanted to make it clear there was no intent to sneak a deal past the NFL.
"We are 100 per cent behind the Rooney Rule, the intent, the goal and the application of it," Peter Schaffer told The AP. "We will do nothing to try to circumvent that rule.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
You know, it’s nonsense like the “Rooney Rule” that makes me absolutely livid, folks. The NFL has to interview “minority” candidates for head coaching position vacancies? This sounds like the Canadian federal public service to me. Whatever happened to the most qualified candidate getting the job?
Gracious Host! Garcia Wins His Own Tourney
27/10/2008 01:41
Castellon, Spain (Sports Network) - Sergio Garcia made his first tournament as a host a memorable one.
Garcia posted a four-under 67 on Sunday to win the inaugural Castello Masters Costa Azahar. He finished at 20-under 264 and won by three at Club de Campo del Mediterraneo, his home course and the site of his first tournament in the role of host.
"It means so much," said Garcia, who won this year's Players Championship on the PGA Tour. "It was something extremely special for me and my family. To come out on top, and do it playing well like I did, it was awesome."
Garcia first played this course when he was three years old. He is now the tournament's first winner and dedicated the victory to his ailing fellow countryman, Seve Ballesteros.
"I can't help myself but think of Seve," admitted Garcia. "Obviously he's going through tough times. We're all there with him and hopefully this helps him get a little better."
Garcia won by three shots, but the tournament was much closer.
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I could care less about Spain, as long as he doesn’t win any tournaments on the PGA Tour.
Wings, Hawks Choose Retro Jerseys For Classic
27/10/2008 00:41
The Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings will don commemorative vintage uniforms when the two teams battle in the Winter Classic on New Year's Day at Chicago's Wrigley Field.
The sweaters were unveiled during Saturday night's game between the Wings and Blackhawks, which Detroit won 6-5 in a shootout.
Chicago will sport a predominantly black sweater with red and beige stripes that the club wore in 1936-37. The crest features the classic version of the Blackhawks logo.
Detroit players will wear a white-based jersey with a single red stripe the team initially donned in 1926-27. The crest is highlighted by the Old English "D" in the centre. The shoulders feature the team's classic winged wheel logo on each shoulder.
"These retro jerseys only strengthen what is going to be a historic day for our organization, the NHL and the city of Chicago," said Jay Blunk, Chicago's senior vice-president of business operations. "The Blackhawks and Red Wings logos are second to none in professional sports and seeing them on these jerseys only makes us more excited for the Winter Classic."
The game follows the successful 2008 edition at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo. Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins scored the deciding shootout goal in a 2-1 win over the Sabres on a snowy day in front of nearly 72,000 fans.
The game was watched on the CBC by the second-largest audience ever for an afternoon NHL game. It was also the most watched regular season game in the United States in over a decade.
NBC will again broadcast the game in the U.S. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
The NHL's previous foray outdoors was the Heritage Classic in Edmonton on Nov. 22, 2003. Over 57,000 endured frigid temperatures at Commonwealth Stadium as the Oilers battled the Montreal Canadiens.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Yawn!! Everything being done here is just “copy-catting” what was done in the previous two NHL outdoor games.
One Dead As Fierce Winds Blow Through Area
26/10/2008 06:01
EDMONTON - The wind
that rocketed through central Alberta at speeds
of over 100 kilometres per hour killed at least
one man and forced the evacuation of hundreds
of
people.The day-long storm knocked out power for at least 4,000 city residents while winds breathed new life into rural grass fires, threatening lakeside communities. Snow also fell on some parts of Edmonton.
By noon, the wind had killed a 60-year-old man near Sandy Beach when it snapped a large tree at its base.
As the man travelled east along Highway 642 in a sedan with his wife, the tree trunk crushed the passenger side of the car's hood, killing him at the scene.
"To have the winds blow a tree over at the same time as you're driving by, it's a freak accident," said Const. Brendan Schikosky of the Morinville RCMP.
Details in the Edmonton Journal.
SINC SAYS:
The winds played havoc with many local residents as well as the pictures below attest. A tree fell on a car in Grandin and residents fences took a beating in the high winds. The winds were so fierce they blew the vent cover off the roof of our motor home. Those covers are designed to stay on at highway speeds, so the gust that took it had to be very high. Our thanks to Elke Blodgett of the city for the picture of the tree on the car. Fence picture by Sinclair.
High Winds Create Local Problem With Air Quality
26/10/2008 05:58
Mr. Mayor,
This it what the residents of West Heritage Lakes have to live with. I have several times sent in photos and asked for dust suppression at the two construction sites, South Riel and the football field area.
There are human beings living downwind of this mess! You are supposed to suppress dust. That is required. The dust pretty well spreads all over the Grandin area too. Sorry the photos are not very good, but it was getting dark.
Yes, it is windy, but why could the crews not have wetted down the South Riel site before they quit for the day? It is bad enough every day when they are at work, and not any better after they leave.
People with asthma, anybody really, should not have to be exposed to this health hazard. The fine dust particles creep in everywhere.
Have you ever been there and watched this, and what are you going to do about it? We need immediate action.
It has been going for at least two months, and there is no end in sight until the snow covers it all.
There is all this talk about air quality and our feedback is requested. I think CASA will get it.
Elke Blodgett
SINC SAYS:
The wind was unreal yesterday and it was such a large wind system it stretched from here to Regina as evidenced during the football game last night in Regina.
The Henday construction has dust blowing everywhere the past few days too and contractors should be forced to wet down that mess they have created. And to think, this will go on until it opens and isn’t that 2011?
When Are Enough Taxes, Enough?
26/10/2008 05:48
Don - I don't know if
you've seen this
yet, but our taxes
are going up even more than was first thought.
It's crazy! I don't know how much longer I can afford to live here!
When is enough, enough?
Please Don't Print My Name
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Well Please Don't, if you want the truth, enough will come when citizens revolt in sufficient numbers to force council to budget a zero increase for 2009. They must show some restraint and leadership if they are to regain the confidence of we who elected them.
But it will take a backbone from citizens to effect any change and hiding behind a “No Name” does not help. People need to develop the guts to stand up and be heard by their real names. You know, the one on the tax notice you can no longer afford. I do it every day here.
As it sits now, they are viewed as a bumbling bunch who favour subsidizing $ervu$ Place on the back of the poor as a playground for the rich.
The whole bunch of them deserve to be tossed out on their sorry butts if they dare to raise taxes as much as those in administration are suggesting.
I too have had it with this tax and grab gang of n’er do wells.
Enceladus Up Close
26/10/2008 05:32
Saturn's tiny, icy
moon Enceladus has recently been visited by
NASA's Cassini orbiter on several very close
approaches - once coming within a mere 25
kilometers (15 miles) of the
surface.
Scientists are learning a great deal about this curious little moon. Only about 500 kilometers wide (310 miles), it is very active, emitting internal heat, churning its surface, and - through cryovolcanism - ejecting masses of microscopic ice particles into Saturnian orbit.
Cassini has been orbiting Saturn for over 4 years now, and has provided some amazing views of tiny Enceladus, some collected here.
Another close flyby is scheduled for Halloween, October 31st.
See 25 more great photos here.
SINC SAYS:
It never ceases to amaze me how technology can bring us detailed photos like these.
5 Indispensable Halloween Specials
26/10/2008 05:30
For those of us who
grew up in the pre-cable era, cartoons were a
rare treat. At best you could expect a couple
of solid hours of toy tie-in animation after
school on weekdays and a glowing Saturday
lineup that always seemed to implode around
noon.
What we typically
didn't have, in those days before Nickelodeon
and Cartoon Network, were cartoons shown in
primetime.
The exceptions to this rule were the holiday specials: a then meager chain of seasonal shows that would regularly pop up in the autumn and winter months, much to the delight of animation-starved children of decades past.
Each year many of us watched the same handful of shows without fail, and along the way they became a viable part of our cultural heritage. And while we often wax nostalgic about The Year Without a Santa Claus and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, it was the Halloween specials that always proved my favorite.
Submitted for your perusal are these five classic examples of old school animated specials. Before The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror changed the game, they were all we had. And we loved them in spite of their unbridled cheesiness.
Read about all five here.
SINC SAYS:
Don’tcha just love Halloween? It’s fun for the “kid’ in all of us!
The exceptions to this rule were the holiday specials: a then meager chain of seasonal shows that would regularly pop up in the autumn and winter months, much to the delight of animation-starved children of decades past.
Each year many of us watched the same handful of shows without fail, and along the way they became a viable part of our cultural heritage. And while we often wax nostalgic about The Year Without a Santa Claus and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, it was the Halloween specials that always proved my favorite.
Submitted for your perusal are these five classic examples of old school animated specials. Before The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror changed the game, they were all we had. And we loved them in spite of their unbridled cheesiness.
Read about all five here.
SINC SAYS:
Don’tcha just love Halloween? It’s fun for the “kid’ in all of us!
Bras Hung On Overpass Delay Traffic
26/10/2008 05:25
FARMINGTON HILLS --
Dozens of bras hung from the Middle Belt
overpass to Interstate 696 were taken down
after the morning commute and donated to the
homeless, Farmington Hills police said.
The bras were displayed as a show of support for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is held in October, police said.
A group then took the bras down and gave them to another group that helps the homeless, police said.
The early morning commute slowed to a crawl on westbound I-696 as gawkers watched the spectacle of the bras flapping in the wind, police said. The eastbound commute also was slowed, but not as much, according to broadcast media reports.
Police did not release the name of the group that displayed the bras.
SINC SAYS:
Want to bet it was the male drivers that slowed down?
St. Albert’s Nick Holden Still In Awe Of NHL Experience
26/10/2008 05:22
Nick Holden is still pinching himself after playing in his first National Hockey League (NHL) game.
“It was unreal,” said Holden. “It’s kind of a dream come true. Growing up you always wanted to play in the NHL and it was just preseason, but still it was in the NHL and I got that chance.”
The St. Albertan had 22 shifts in more than 19 minutes of action in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ 3-1 loss to the Nashville Predators on Sept. 27.
Holden was assigned to the Blue Jackets’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the next day, but he says the game helped him discover what he needs to do to get to the NHL full-time.
More from Saint City News.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It’s really frightening to think that SWIVEL HIPS played hockey against Nick’s uncle, Geoff Holden, folks!
Giants Receiver Burress Fined $45,000 By NFL
26/10/2008 05:21
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress was fined US$45,000 by the NFL for verbally abusing an official and tossing a ball into the stands during last weekend's game against San Francisco.
Burress was fined $20,000 for comments to head linesman Phil McKinnely after the official called him for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the second quarter, and $20,000 for inappropriate comments after the game on the officiating.
McKinnely had called Burress for offensive pass interference against cornerback Nate Clements on the previous play. After the next play, Burress drew the unsportsmanlike penalty for some choice remarks to the officials.
Burress was assessed another $5,000 fine for throwing a ball into the stands after catching a touchdown in the third quarter.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It’s refreshing to see a professional sports league that has a conduct policy that actually has some teeth in it. Maybe the CFL should take notice?
Suggs Steps Back From Bounty Comments
26/10/2008 05:21
Owings Mills, MD (Sports Network) - Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs issued a statement Friday in which he clarified comments he made on a radio show about "bounties" being set for hits on two Pittsburgh Steelers players.
Suggs, in an appearance on a syndicated radio show based out of Atlanta on October 17, said that bounties were out on Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward and running back Rashard Mendenhall during Baltimore's 23-20 overtime loss to Pittsburgh on September 29. Mendenhall suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the game on a hit by Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.
Bounties -- money awarded for hits on certain players -- are banned by the NFL, and the league said it has been investigating Suggs' comments. Suggs did his best to backtrack from his bounty comments with the statement released Friday.
"We, the players, don't pay each other to take another player out of the game. And you know coaches don't do that," Suggs said.
"As I said before, we prepare to stop the other team's best players every week. Those are the players who can beat you with big plays. For example, we've focused all this week on stopping the Raiders' running backs. We've focused on them in practice and in meetings. They are marked men by our defense -- we have to know where they are on every play, and we can't let them get rolling on Sunday.
"When I did the radio show in Atlanta, that's what I meant and I thought that's what I said. I did repeat the word bounty early in the interview after the guy asking me the question used the word. That was a mistake. I misspoke, and I'm sorry for that.
"I hope that clears this up."
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
There’s no place for “bounties” anywhere in sport, but Suggs just “misspoke,” folks. I’m glad he cleared that up and, if you believe his story, I’ve got some prime real estate you might be interested in buying in Florida! There must be something about having the first name "Terrell."
Blues’ Legace Injured On Carpet Set Out For Palin
26/10/2008 05:20
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Blues goalie Manny Legace left after one period Friday night with a hip injury that occurred when he slipped on the carpet placed on the ice for Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
The Alaska governor dropped the ceremonial first puck before the Blues hosted the Los Angeles Kings. A narrow carpet walkway was placed from the gate at the Blues bench to centre ice for Palin, her husband and two of her daughters.
Just before the ceremony, Legace was the first player onto the ice for St. Louis. A team official pointed to the carpet. But Legace said the official moved his own foot from the carpet just as Legace stepped down, causing the carpet to slide.
Legace fell, then gingerly made his way to the crease.
After Legace's mishap, the official rolled up enough of the carpet so other players wouldn't have to step on it.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Coincidentally, Palin was the centrepiece of a similar ceremony on Oct. 11 in Philadelphia. The Flyers dropped that game 4-3 to the New York Rangers and proceeded to drop their next five games. Do you think there is a message here somewhere, folks?
Brady Undergoes Two More Procedures On Knee
26/10/2008 05:20
Boston, MA (Sports Network) - New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has reportedly undergone three procedures to clear out an infection in his left knee that could delay the rehabilitation process.
The Boston Herald reported Thursday that doctors have performed two procedures in addition to the one that Brady confirmed on his official web site last week, in hopes to quell the infection.
Brady suffered what has widely been reported to be tears of his ACL and MCL during New England's season-opening victory, and, according to the Herald, underwent surgery to repair the ligaments on October 6 by Dr. Neal ElAttrache at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles. Brady has stayed on the West Coast, and has received his follow-up treatment at the same clinic.
The Michigan product confirmed on his web site last week that he had undergone one arthroscopic procedure to clean out and test the wound in his left knee, but according to the Herald, two more similar procedures have been needed since.
The Herald story cites a source close to Brady as saying that there is a fear that the infection could compromise the patellar tendon graft used to replace his ACL, forcing an entirely new reconstructive surgery, and further delaying Brady's return.
The 31-year-old Brady, last year's NFL MVP, threw a league-record 50 touchdown passes in 2007 as the Patriots went 16-0 in the regular season before losing to the Giants in the Super Bowl. A three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time Super Bowl MVP, Brady has thrown for 26,446 yards and 191 touchdowns in his nine-year career, spent entirely with New England.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
This knee and hip infection stuff is pretty serious folks. I saw it first-hand when I was in the hospital. The fellow across the room from me had a knee replaced, which became infected. They actually had him hooked up to a pump that was pumping him full of antibiotics 24 hours a day. It was touch and go for a while as to whether he would lose the leg or not.