27 July 2008
Big Valley Jamboree Entertains Thousands
02/08/2008 08:37
The setting sun on
the main tents left an eerie glow last night:
Trisha Yearwood had concert goers dancing on the grass last night:
By the time Trace Adkins hit the stage, the sun was setting and a very chilly evening was set to unfold:
Trisha Yearwood had concert goers dancing on the grass last night:
By the time Trace Adkins hit the stage, the sun was setting and a very chilly evening was set to unfold:
How Did Ewe Get Up There?
02/08/2008 08:34
THIS sheep looks
like it’s staging a hoof-top demo — after
clambering onto the top of a two-storey
house.Fire crews rescued the baa-my animal after it wandered into a neighbour’s garden, hopped onto an outbuilding and skipped up to the roof.
Its antics resembled a protest by dads’ rights group Fathers 4 Justice.
Crowds flocked to the scene in Harrogate, North Yorks, as rescuers tried to grab the male sheep using an ariel ladder.
But it ran on to an adjacent slippery slate roof, fell off and broke a rear leg. Neighbours were looking after it.
Fire station watch manager Ben Cairns said: “It’s the most unusual animal we’ve attempted to rescue from a roof.”
SINC SAYS:
I don’t think I am going to offer any baaaaaad comments on this story.
Amazing Chalk Sidewalk Drawings . . .
02/08/2008 08:32
Julian Beever is an
English artist who's famous for his art on the
pavements of England , France , Germany , USA ,
Australia and Belgium.
These are just some of his creations:
These are just some of his creations:
No Injuries Reported In Fish Tank Fire
02/08/2008 08:31
STAUNTON —
Firefighters responded to a report of a fish
tank fire Thursday morning inside an apartment
at 322 Kalorama Street, the Staunton Fire
Department
said.Capt. Jeff Smith said the fire started shortly before 10 a.m. inside a unit that contained a light and oxygen pump, both of which sat atop a 120-gallon fish tank. Flames managed to get inside a nearby wall, but damage was minimal, Smith said. He estimated the apartment, located on the second floor of a building that houses Fauber Freightways, suffered about $2,000 in damage.
The fish were not injured, Smith said.
SINC SAYS:
Well duh, wouldn’t it be kinda hard to burn a fish in a tank anyway?
Bear Drops By U.S. Senior Open
02/08/2008 08:26
COLORADO SPRINGS
(MyFOXColorado.com) – A black bear caused quite
a stir during Friday’s round of the U.S. Senior
Open at the Broadmoor Hotel.
The bear wandered out of the foothills and crossed several fairways, including the 13th fairway near golfer Bernard Langer, before wandering back into the wild without causing any trouble.
Black bears are frequently seen in residential areas in Colorado searching for food. State wildlife officials respond to dozens of reports each week of bears resting in trees, digging through trash and eating pet food in backyards.
Most of the time, the animals are tranquilized and released back into the wild. On occasion, however, bears are euthanized if they repeatedly wander into populated areas.
SINC SAYS:
He couldn’t have played anyway. I mean look at her. She forgot her clubs (or cubs). Whatever.
Some Websites Unblocked For Olympics, But Not All
02/08/2008 08:25
BEIJING - Olympic organizers unblocked some Internet sites at the main press centre and media venues Friday while others remained off limits for journalists covering the Beijing games.
The move falls short of the "free and unfettered access" the organizers and Chinese officials had promised for months. However, it was an improvement from earlier in the week when sites for the likes of Amnesty International or Tiananmen Square could not be opened.
Senior International Olympic Committee officials met late into the night Thursday with their Chinese counterparts and said they reached an agreement to unblock sites, although the IOC statement said the details were still being formulated.
"We trust them to keep their promise," the International Olympic Committee said.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
As I have said before many times, folks, just one more reason not to care about the Beijing Olympics.
Wie Misses Cut In Men’s Tourney For 8th Time
02/08/2008 08:24
Michelle Wie failed in her eighth attempt to make the cut on the men's PGA Tour, shooting a second-round 80 at the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open on Friday in Nevada.
Parker McLachlin tied the course record with a 62 to take the lead into the clubhouse at 14 under par.
Wie was 1 over par 73 Thursday as she attempted to become the first woman since Babe Zaharias, in 1945, to make the cut on the PGA Tour.
But a quintuple-bogey nine Friday helped push her to 9-over 153 at the par-72 Montreux Golf and Country Club.
The 18-year-old, who was making her first PGA appearance since January 2007, had two bogeys and one birdie through her first nine holes and was within striking distance of a cut line that was hovering around even par with several golfers still on the 7,472-yard mountain course.
More from CBC Sports.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
What’s that saying, something about third time lucky?
Gretzky Sends Reavie Note Of Congrats
02/08/2008 08:24
AKRON, Ohio - Chez Reavie was still basking in the excitement of his win at the RBC Canadian Open last weekend when a note of congratulations came from an unlikely place - Wayne Gretzky.
The Great One sent Reavie a text message after his three-shot win over Billy Mayfair at Glen Abbey.
Both men are members of Whisper Rock Golf Club in Arizona but have never met.
"It would be easy for him to find my number," Reavie said Thursday, "but I was really surprised that he took the time and the effort to do that."
It was the first PGA Tour victory of the 26-year-old's career.
Reavie lives in Arizona and has recently started getting into hockey after attending a Phoenix Coyotes game with instructor Peter Kostis.
He's also aware of the Nationwide Tour event that Gretzky has started hosting in Canada and is impressed by the Great One's commitment to helping golfers.
"He's got the bug, and he really enjoys watching young people come up and become successful," said Reavie.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Nice touch from “The Great One.” He still has significant influence in the sports world.
Federer To Carry Swiss Flag In Beijing
02/08/2008 08:23
BERN, Switzerland - Roger Federer will carry the Swiss flag at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
The top-ranked tennis player will celebrate his 27th birthday next Friday by being his country's standard bearer for the second straight Olympics.
"It's wonderful that I can carry the flag for the Swiss delegation on my birthday," Federer said in a statement released Friday on the Swiss Olympic website.
Federer has struggled with his form this year, and suffered another upset on Thursday, losing to Ivo Karlovic in the third round of the Cincinnati Masters.
He now risks losing his No. 1 ranking after 235 weeks to Rafael Nadal if the Spaniard wins the Cincinnati tournament.
Still, winning an Olympic gold medal could help salvage what has been a disappointing year for Federer, in which he has failed to add to his 12 Grand Slam singles titles.
"I still have a score to settle with the Olympics and being handed this honour for a second time will give me extra motivation," he said.
Federer was the top seed at Athens four years ago but lost in the second round to Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Now that Roger will most likely lose his official number 1 world ranking, maybe “Flag Bearer” will be his new “calling?”
Favre Ready For Media Frenzy At Training Camp
02/08/2008 08:23
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Brett Favre's agent says the three-time MVP understands he would be walking into a media frenzy by showing up for the Green Bay Packers' training camp, but he's willing to deal with that rather than have retirement forced on him.
''He's prepared to deal with it,'' James (Bus) Cook told The Associated Press on Thursday. ''He's ready to go back, but he can't go back until the commissioner reinstates him.''
That didn't happen Thursday. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is giving the Packers and Favre at least one more day to resolve their standoff before granting the quarterback his reinstatement.
Meanwhile, a pair of potential solutions reportedly were emerging late Thursday night.
The Wisconsin State Journal and ESPN reported that Favre was considering a 10-year, US$20-million marketing and licensing deal offer from the Packers - and staying retired. And the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported the Packers and Cook were in ''serious'' discussions with the New York Jets about a trade.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I just can’t believe how ludicrous this situation has gotten. The Packers are now willing to pay Favre $20 million over 10 years to stay home?
Sunset At The Big Valley Jamboree . . .
01/08/2008 08:04
This week I am at
the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose which starts
today.
This was the sunset that ended our first night here and I wanted to share it with readers.
Click on the image to see a larger version of a beautiful sunset indeed.
More on BVJ tomorrow.
Amazing Chalk Sidewalk Drawings . . .
01/08/2008 08:03
Julian Beever is an
English artist who's famous for his art on the
pavements of England , France , Germany , USA ,
Australia and Belgium.
These are just some of his creations:
These are just some of his creations:
Retreat To An Ewok Eco Sphere In The Trees
01/08/2008 07:59
What if we told you
you could own a piece of your very own tropical
island eco-resort - and do so with an awesome
Ewok-meets-Aarnio eco-sphere hanging
treehouse?
Not only is Our Planet Retreats building bubblicious eco spheres in the trees of exotic and far flung places, but they make owning one a plausible reality.
Through smart design and creative, communal financing, this innovative company has figured out a way to help you buy in for less than a tank of gas.
Details here.
SINC SAYS:
Not a bad little thing if you like just hanging around.
The Wisdom Of Will Rogers . . .
01/08/2008 07:52
Will Rogers, who died in a plane crash with Wylie Post in 1935, was probably the greatest political sage this country has ever known. Enjoy the following:
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.
You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.
One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young.
Spoiler Alert: Criss Angel's 'Escape' Revealed
01/08/2008 07:46
Exclusive footage
reveals a possible
explanationTAMPA - Expectations were high when illusionist Criss Angel announced that he would use the implosion of a Clearwater Beach hotel as a platform for his last death-defying stunt. But after the Wednesday night escape appeared to go awry, some viewers were skeptical of what they had just seen.
Thursday, some of us here at FOX 13 spotted inconsistencies in the footage, including a suspicious shadowy figure on our own SkyFOX video.
So was it magic? We report, you decide.
SPOILER ALERT! DO NOT READ ON OR WATCH THE VIDEO UNLESS YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW CRISS MAY HAVE PULLED OFF HIS 'ESCAPE.'
What the show claimed would happen:
Criss Angel was supposed to escape from his handcuffs and pick the locks on his sixth-floor balcony door, then pick several more locks en route to the roof of the building. Once there, he would be whisked to safety by helicopter moments before the building blew.
Read what actually happened here.
SINC SAYS:
This guy has always kind of creeped me out anyway. Nice to know it's all trickery.
Oil Hire Steve Tambellini As GM
01/08/2008 07:45
The Edmonton Oilers have named Steve Tambellini as their new general manager, moving Kevin Lowe into the role of President of Hockey Operations for Rexall sports.
Tambellini, 50, has been part of the Vancouver Canucks hockey operations staff for the past 17 seasons and was most recently the Assistant General Manager and Vice-President of Hockey Operations.
Tambellini played 553 career NHL games between 1978-1979 and 1987-1988 with the New York Islanders, Colorado Rockies, New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks.
Tambellini and Lowe have previously worked together as members of Team Canada's management team, helping lead Canada to success on the international stage.
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Well, folks, it certainly didn’t take Daryl Katz long to start making his mark on the hockey team, did it?
TSN, CFL Mourn Loss Of Leif Petterson
01/08/2008 07:44
TSN and the Canadian Football League lost a great friend on Thursday with the passing of Leif Pettersen.
Pettersen joined TSN as a game analyst for the CFL in 1986, the first year the network began televising CFL games.
"Leif was a great friend to CTV and TSN where, as an expert analyst, he was an integral part of our commentary teams for more than 20 years," said Rick Brace, President, Revenue, Business Planning and Sports, CTV Inc. "Always a quick wit and first in on a practical joke, he was fun to be around and added a great deal to our family. Our thoughts go out to his wife Lee and his daughters Kate and Ali."
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague Leif Pettersen, a consummate gentleman who was part of the TSN family for 19 years," added TSN President Phil King. "Leif was widely respected by his peers, fans and the entire CFL community for his passion and commitment to the game. Fans embraced Leif as a game analyst for the knowledge and enthusiasm he brought to each telecast, making a strong connection with viewers both as a broadcaster and former player. He had the innate ability to make those around him feel welcome and appreciated, all with a wonderful sense of humour. In honour of Leif, TSN is dedicating tonight's CFL doubleheader to his memory. We extend our sincere condolences to his entire family. He will be greatly missed."
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Wow. Only 57 years old. We extend our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to Leif's family and loved ones.
Roy’s Son Charged With Assault After March Brawl
01/08/2008 07:44
SAGUENAY, Que. - The son of Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy has been charged with assaulting a rival during a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff game last March.
Quebec Remparts goaltender Jonathan Roy, 19, faces one count of assault against Chicoutimi Sagueneens netminder Bobby Nadeau.
The single charge was filed in court today in Saguenay, where the brawl occurred.
In a fracas that was replayed countless times across the country, Jonathan Roy skated the length of the ice and pummelled Nadeau, who made no attempt to fight back.
It was the most notable of a series of fights during a heated battle between the two hated Quebec league rivals.
Patrick Roy, the Remparts' coach and general manager, was suspended for five games and his son for seven over the melee.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
What’s that saying, “Like father, like son.”
Amid Criticism, Wie To Play Against Men In Reno
01/08/2008 07:43
RENO, Nev. - Michelle Wie has heard the criticism of her decision to play in the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open this week instead of attempting to qualify for the Women's British Open.
Like most teenagers, the 18-year-old just wants to have a good time. She isn't worried about what Annika Sorenstam and other top LPGA players think of her decision, either.
"There are going to be criticisms entering this tournament, but at the same time I'm just doing what I feel like I want to do and it's going to be a lot of fun," Wie said.
Reno sports books have made Wie a 500-1 long shot in the second-tier tournament, which opens Thursday. They aren't her only doubters.
Sorenstam, who failed to make the cut in her only PGA appearance, said at the Women's British Open earlier this week that if Wie can't qualify for a women's major, she has no business playing with the men.
David Leadbetter, who has worked with Wie for years, blamed her family for making bad choices and said she has more to lose than gain by playing at Reno this week.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Frankly, I really don’t understand what the big “kerfuffle” is all about.
Former Esk Warren Moon Pleads Guilty To Negligent Driving
01/08/2008 07:43
KIRKLAND, Wash. - The lawyer for Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon said Moon pleaded guilty to negligent driving, a reduced charge from the drunken driving count that followed his Dec. 28 arrest by police in Medina, Wash.
Lawyer Jon Scott Fox said Wednesday the 51-year-old Moon received a 90-day jail sentence, with 88 of those days suspended. Moon was sentenced Tuesday by Kirkland Municipal Judge Michael Lambo.
Fox says Moon must serve either two days in jail or opt for five days of being electronically monitored at home.
Moon, who led the Edmonton Eskimons to five Grey Cup championships, is now the Seattle Seahawks' radio analyst for regular-season games.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
As this is certainly not the first incident related to alcohol Moon has been involved in, is it possible Warren may have a personal problem?