30 November 2008
Reader's Christmas Cactus In Full Bloom
06/12/2008 03:26
Hey Don,
I am forwarding a shot of one of my Christmas Cactus’ that is blooming, guess what? . . . Just in time for Christmas!
What makes this plant rather unique is that if you look closely, it has two different colored flowers on the same plant – some are red, while others are white.
Kind of neat, I thought.
Cheers,
Jim Starko
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
That's a great shot of the cactus Jim, thanks for sharing it with our readers. Anyone else have a flowering plant picture to share?
And while we're at it Jim, I'm told that today is your brother Bob's birthday, so St. Albert's Place is pleased to offer him our best wishes along with a fancy birthday cake!
Have a great day Bob!
Studley Toolchest, Ideal For A Man
06/12/2008 03:18
This incredible tool
box for repairs of pianos has been created and
perfected in the course of 30 years by Henry
Studley, a carpenter and bricklayer who worked
for Smith Organ Co. and then Poole Piano
Company of Quincy,
Massachusetts.Using various types of wood, amazing systems of pulleys and beautifully, he managed to make a real work-of-art that contains over 300 tools. When closed, and hung on a wall, is approximately 39 inches by 20 inches with a depth 9 inches and opens when you become 40 inches by 40 inches. It is made of mahogany, rosewood, walnut, ebony and mother of pearl, materials that were probably taken from Poole Piano as scrap.
Studley died in 1925, after having been retired for 80 years, the case was borrowed by Studley grandson, Peter Hardwick, as part of an exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, until it was bought by a private collector and Current owner continues to lend to the Smithsonian.
SINC SAYS:
Pardon me while I get a cloth. I need it to mop up the drool from all the guys looking at this set right now.
Lost City Of 'Cloud People' Found In Peru
06/12/2008 03:14
Archaeologists have discovered a lost city carved into the Andes Mountains by the mysterious Chachapoya tribe.
The settlement covers some 12 acres and is perched on a mountainside in the remote Jamalca district of Utcubamba province in the northern jungles of Peru's Amazon.
The buildings found on the Pachallama peak are in remarkably good condition, estimated to be over 1,000 years old and comprised of the traditional round stone houses built by the Chachapoya, the 'Cloud Forest People'.
The area is completely overgrown with the jungle now covering much of the settlement but explorers found the walls of the buildings and rock paintings on a cliff face.
The remote nature of the site appears to have protected the site from looters as archaeologists found ceramics and undisturbed burial sites.
Archaeologist Benedicto Pérez Goicochea said: "The citadel is perched on the edge of an abyss.
"We suspect that the ancient inhabitants used this as a lookout point from where they could spot potential enemies."
The ruins were initially discovered by local people hacking through the jungle. They were drawn to the place due to the sound of a waterfall.
The local people "armed with machetes opened a path that arrived at the place where they saw a beautiful panorama, full of flowers and fauna, as well as a waterfall, some 500 metres high," said the mayor of Jamalca, Ricardo Cabrera Bravo.
Initial studies have found similarities between the new discovery and the Cloud Peoples' super fortress of Kulep, also in Utcubamba province, which is older and more extensive that the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, but has not been fully explored or restored.
Little is known about the Chachapoya, except that they had been beaten into submission by the mighty Incas in 1475.
When in 1535 the Spanish Conquistadores arrived in Peru, they found willing allies in the Cloud People for their fight against the Incas.
Spanish texts from the era describe the Cloud People as ferocious fighters who mummified their dead.
They were eventually wiped out by small pox and other diseases brought by the Europeans.
The women of the Chachapoya were much prized by the Incas as they were tall and fair skinned. The Chronicler Pedro Cieza de León offers wrote of the Chachapoyas.
"They are the whitest and most handsome of all the people that I have seen in Indies, and their wives were so beautiful that because of their gentleness, many of them deserved to be the Incas' wives and to also be taken to the Sun Temple."
SINC SAYS:
I am always fascinated when things like this are uncovered. The skills and abilities of ancient man are astounding.
World's Weirdest Hotels
06/12/2008 03:02
The digs at these
hotels are every bit as strange as the dreams
you'll have when you lay your head on their
pillows. (Word to the wise: They can be costly
to visit, but our slide show is
free.)Meet the giraffes
Without sacrificing its estate-in-the-country dignity—or all of it, anyway—Giraffe Manor in Langata, Kenya, is arranged so that roaming giraffes can poke their heads into any open window or doorway with impunity and lather guests with their sticky, prehensile tongues. Your guesthouse is their guesthouse, so the silly creatures pop up everywhere, including over the breakfast table, in the lobby, and through the curtains of the five guest rooms for adults. Regrettably, as of this writing, the U.S. government had issued a travel warning for Kenya. For the latest info, visit the State Department website. 011-254/20-890-948, off-hours: 011-254/20-891-078, giraffemanor.com.
Read on and see for yourself.
SINC SAYS:
It’s a good thing the headline says these places are weird.
O. J. Simpson Faces Up To 33 Years Behind Bars
06/12/2008 02:57
LAS VEGAS - A broken O.J. Simpson was sentenced Friday to at least nine years in prison for a hotel armed robbery after a judge rejected his apology and said, "It was much more than stupidity."
The 61-year-old football Hall of Famer stood shackled and stone-faced when Judge Jackie Glass quickly rattled off his punishment soon after he made a rambling, five-minute plea for leniency, choking back tears as he told her: "I didn't want to steal anything from anyone. ... I'm sorry, sorry."
Simpson said he was simply trying to retrieve sports memorabilia and other mementos, including his first wife's wedding ring, from two dealers when he stormed a Las Vegas hotel room Sept. 13, 2007.
But the judge emphasized that it was a violent confrontation in which at least one gun was drawn, and she said someone could have been killed. She said the evidence was overwhelming, with the planning, the confrontation itself and the aftermath all recorded on audio or videotape.
Glass, a no-nonsense judge known for her tough sentences, imposed such a complex series of consecutive and concurrent sentences that even many lawyers watching the case were confused as to how much time Simpson got.
Simpson could serve up to 33 years but could be eligible for parole after nine years, according to Elana Roberto, the judge's clerk.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It may have taken 14 years, but what went around finally came around yesterday - that's twice in one day - it also came around for Sean Avery yesterday. It happens every single time. Sweet retribution is all I, and the Goldman and Brown families, have to say about Orenthal James.
Adams Deep-Sixes Howard At ‘The National’
06/12/2008 02:57
Grand Slam of Curling heavyweight Glenn Howard is in danger of being knocked out of The National after Thursday morning's 6-0 upset loss to Shawn Adams of Halifax.
The stunning shutout defeat in Quebec City dropped Howard — the winner of the season-opening Masters of Curling — to 1-3 through seven draws.
With just two draws remaining and only the top eight skips (and ties) in the 18-team field advancing to the playoffs, the Coldwater, Ont., skip is on the outside looking in. Six teams are already assured of finishing with a better record than Howard's, and five more boast a mark of either 2-2 or 2-1.
Howard has one game left — a tough one Friday evening against Toronto's Wayne Middaugh (3-1). Howard's only win so far came against hapless American Jason Larway (0-4), while he's lost to Adams (2-2), and Winnipeggers Mike McEwen (3-1) and Kerry Burtnyk (3-1).
Middaugh dealt Burtnyk his first defeat Thursday morning, 6-3, while McEwen knocked off Larway by the same score.
Edmonton's Kevin Koe evened his record at 2-2 by beating Bob Ursel by a score of 6-4. Ursel, from Kelowna, B.C., fell to 1-4.
Pat Simmons of Davidson, Sask., also moved to 2-2 with a 6-4 win over Greg McAulay of Richmond, B.C., who dropped to 1-3.
Only two undefeated skips remain. Edmonton's Kevin Martin (4-0) wraps up his round-robin schedule on Friday afternoon against China's Fengchun Wang (0-3). Winnipeg's Jeff Stoughton (4-0) faces Joel Jordison (1-3) of Moose Jaw, Sask.
UPDATE:
Tomorrow morning's quarter-finals that go at 9:00 a.m. local time on CBC-TV and CBCSports.ca will feature Edmonton's Kevin Martin against Trois-Rivieres Quebec's Martin Ferland; Toronto's Wayne Middaugh against Winnipeg's Kerry Burtnyk; Edmonton's Randy Ferbey against Winnipeg's Jeff Stoughton and Winnipeg's Mike McEwan against St. John's, Newfoundland's Brad Gushue.
Since Team Howard has now been officially eliminated, Team Kevin Martin, as a qualifier this week, will take over both the 2009 World Curling Tour points and money leads from Team Howard.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
CBC Sports will broadcast today's quarter-finals (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 9:00 a.m. local time) and semifinals (Bold, CBCSports.ca, 4:00 p.m. local time), and Sunday's championship final (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 10:00 a.m. local time).
Frost Says Danton’s Father Target Of 'Hit' Plot
06/12/2008 02:56
Ex-agent given control of NHL player's money, credit fraud trial hears
KINGSTON - The David Frost saga took yet another strange twist yesterday, when the former hockey agent told a court that doctors told him that former NHL player Mike Danton's biological father was the target of a murder-for-hire plot -- not him.
Mr. Frost made the claim, under oath, during cross-examination at his one-day trial on allegations of credit card fraud. He is accused of using Mr. Danton's credit card to buy $89.11 worth of gas, chocolate bars and lottery tickets at a Kingston gas station on March 14, 2007.
The trial is the latest court battle for Mr. Frost, who was acquitted last week of sexual exploitation in connection with allegations involving two of his teenage players and their girlfriends in the 1990s, when he coached the Junior 'A' Quinte Hawks.
Mr. Frost's close relationship with his players, especially a close-knit group he has known since their pre-teen years -- including Mr. Danton, who has shunned his parents and changed his birth name -- has caused some people to believe he has a certain Svengali-like control over the players.
Some of the players have denied this. A letter from Mr. Danton, dated July 9, 2008, and filed in court yesterday, states further court proceedings against Mr. Frost are an "obvious malicious pursuit" of the former agent.
More from the Ottawa Citizen.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I can hardly wait for the verdict of Frost’s credit card fraud trial, which is expected February 9, 2009, although the verdict of his previous trial for sexual exploitation certainly surprised me.
06/12/2008 02:56
Dear Valued Buyer,
"My commitment to you is offering great service, paying attention to detail, and placing your needs above all else on these two excellent Morinville homes."
Selling or buying a home can be a very stressful and emotional time. As your REALTOR®, you will enjoy the buying or selling experience and be comforted that I am working for you.
Please allow me, Peter Müller, to take care of your real estate needs. Whether it is to talk about how the market is affecting your home, giving you a FREE home evaluation, or by allowing me to SELL or FIND you a home at the best price possible. When you’re ready to look for that perfect house, allow me to assist you to make it your home.
Call me at 780-458-8300. Cell 780-996-0208 or e-mail me at peter@makeityourhome.ca or visit my web site.
Wie Shoots Even-Par 72, Tied For Third At Q-School
06/12/2008 02:56
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Michelle Wie offset her mistakes with enough birdies Friday, shooting a par 72 that left her two shots behind and still in good shape at the LPGA Tour qualifying tournament.
Mollie Fankhauser shot a 66 on the tougher Legends course, host of all the top players in the third round, and finished at 12-under 204. She has a one-shot lead over Japan's Shiho Oyama, who had a 71.
Wie was another shot behind at 10-under 206 with Stacy Lewis, who made 12 straight pars until finishing with a birdie for a 71. Lewis won an NCAA title at Arkansas on the Legends course at LPGA International.
The 90-hole tournament concludes Sunday with 20 players earning their LPGA cards for 2009. If necessary, a playoff will determine the 20th spot. The field will be reduced to the top 70 and ties after the fourth round Saturday.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
So far, so good for Michelle Wie. Three rounds down, two to go. Wie’s current position of tied for third place puts her in excellent shape to earn her 2009 LPGA Tour card on Sunday. The top 20 finishers in the five-round Q-School tournament will be rewarded with earning their cards and complete privileges on the LPGA Tour in 2009.
NHL Hands Avery Six-Game Suspension
06/12/2008 02:56
The National Hockey League came down hard on Dallas Stars superpest Sean Avery Friday, handing him a six-game suspension for making inappropriate public comments prior to the Stars' game in Calgary on Tuesday.
The move is retroactive to Tuesday's game against the Flames, with four more games to be served.
Avery also agreed to seek professional anger-management evaluation and, if necessary, structured counseling in light of his pattern of behavior, which the NHL has deemed unacceptable and antisocial behavior. Avery will not be eligible to play again for the Stars until Dec. 16, when Dallas hosts the Phoenix Coyotes.
"Mr. Avery has expressed remorse for his recent comments and has sought a professional anger management evaluation," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a league-issued statement. "I will require that he follow through with that process as a condition of his returning to the ice and that he complies with any and all recommendations."
The decision to suspend Avery came less than 24 hours after he had a hearing inside the NHL's New York offices Thursday.
More from TSN.
Stars’ affiliate in AHL not interested in Avery.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Never mind the six-game suspension by the NHL, the best part of this whole story is the Dallas Stars don’t want Avery back, nor does any other NHL or AHL (American Hockey League) team. So where does he go, or what does he do now? As that old saying goes, “What goes around, comes around . . . ”
Montreal Canadiens: 100 Years Of Glory
06/12/2008 02:56
New Humane Society Building Threat To Local Business
05/12/2008 08:05
Don,
Recently as I'm sure
you are aware the Edmonton Humane Society is
building much needed a new facility on St.
Albert's doorstep.
Last I had heard
the money raised for the project was over
the $22 million mark. Money has been donated
by the province, the surrounding
municipalities, the city of Edmonton and
generous private citizens and businesses.
In fact the small business where I work was donating $300/month to the Humane Society. However we have recently pulled our donation box from our front counter and stopped our monthly contributions. It has come to our attention that the Humane Society plans to open "several revenue generating venues" including doggie daycare, a separate training facility, self grooming and a retail shop.
Revenue generating businesses that will be in direct competition with our business which is located 10 minutes down the road in St. Albert.
I hate to sound like the bad guy, and I realize the challenges faced by animal shelters because my parents have run a non-profit animal shelter for more than 20 years. My father even used to sit on the board for the Alberta SPCA for a brief time.
I'm not against building a new facility for the Humane Society they have desperately needed more space for a long time. However I'm against the fact that they have been government funded to put local small business out of work. I don't believe that people realize what is being done with their money and sadly this reminds me of the Red Barn all over again.
The Red Barn was government funded, little old ladies donated their life savings to help the animals but shortly after that they sold out and you had better believe somebody made money on that, while at the same time Al Oeming's Game Farm received no government funding.
I've taken a look at drawings of the new facility, it looks pretty fancy. I'm afraid too much money has been spent on glamour and putting local small businesses out of work and not enough on more space for the rescued pets.
The new facility will only expand the Edmonton Humane Society’s capacity for dogs by adding six kennels. 22.5 million dollars seems pretty expensive for only six new kennels. It is my guess that there will be some horror stories come out of the new facility and it will end in disaster.
It is just too bad that they may take my job first.
Sincerely,
Roseanna Gullekson
Dog Trainer at Makin-Trax Canine Care and Training Center
SINC SAYS:
Well Roseanna, I knew they were building a new facility, but I had no idea they spent so much money for so little gain. If the new facility has the effect you think it will have, it sounds like taxpayers have footed the bill to fund a private for profit centre and that is just plain wrong.
In fact the small business where I work was donating $300/month to the Humane Society. However we have recently pulled our donation box from our front counter and stopped our monthly contributions. It has come to our attention that the Humane Society plans to open "several revenue generating venues" including doggie daycare, a separate training facility, self grooming and a retail shop.
Revenue generating businesses that will be in direct competition with our business which is located 10 minutes down the road in St. Albert.
I hate to sound like the bad guy, and I realize the challenges faced by animal shelters because my parents have run a non-profit animal shelter for more than 20 years. My father even used to sit on the board for the Alberta SPCA for a brief time.
I'm not against building a new facility for the Humane Society they have desperately needed more space for a long time. However I'm against the fact that they have been government funded to put local small business out of work. I don't believe that people realize what is being done with their money and sadly this reminds me of the Red Barn all over again.
The Red Barn was government funded, little old ladies donated their life savings to help the animals but shortly after that they sold out and you had better believe somebody made money on that, while at the same time Al Oeming's Game Farm received no government funding.
I've taken a look at drawings of the new facility, it looks pretty fancy. I'm afraid too much money has been spent on glamour and putting local small businesses out of work and not enough on more space for the rescued pets.
The new facility will only expand the Edmonton Humane Society’s capacity for dogs by adding six kennels. 22.5 million dollars seems pretty expensive for only six new kennels. It is my guess that there will be some horror stories come out of the new facility and it will end in disaster.
It is just too bad that they may take my job first.
Sincerely,
Roseanna Gullekson
Dog Trainer at Makin-Trax Canine Care and Training Center
SINC SAYS:
Well Roseanna, I knew they were building a new facility, but I had no idea they spent so much money for so little gain. If the new facility has the effect you think it will have, it sounds like taxpayers have footed the bill to fund a private for profit centre and that is just plain wrong.
The Things People Say About The Coalition
05/12/2008 07:27
Hi Don,
I do not care which party you vote for, I just hope that you were one of the few who bothered to get out and vote at the last election. If not then don't whine.
I wish Canada was like Australia.
If you do not get off your butt and vote you are fined!
This gets more people out to vote and makes money for the government from the people who choose not to vote!
Alison Glass
SINC SAYS:
Anything that would improve our percentage of people who turn out at the polls would be welcome Alison.
-------------------------
Sinc,
Well, now that we're prorogued, we all have time now to watch the coalition fall apart in days rather than weeks, had they achieved power.
You've all probably watched Dion's performance over the last few days, screaming uncontrollably in the House about Harper's lying, his sad, out of focus effort at rebuttal on the tube last night, being reminded as I was of Don Knott's portrayal of Barney on The Andy Griffiths Show.
Sadly lacking in leadership, in the event of an early election the criminals have to finish off Dion now, before they vote for the new head criminal on May 2nd. His early departure will be ugly. Probably a fine man in his element, and probably feeling as low as a truly beaten man can feel, I wish him well in any future endeavor out of politics.
Now on to the man of the hour. The CPC must be awakening to the fact that Harpoon has to go. I'm a large and small C conservative, but even I'm having trouble with this guy. The House has been increasing in rancor over the last few years, but even seasoned Hill journalists are expressing shock at the level of rage, even hatred, that Harpoon has been able to generate. The GG probably did what she had to do, but the precedent is very dangerous. Now proroguing will become the last refuge of the scoundrel, and Robert Mugabe comes to mind.
Canada is a kind and gentle country, and I like it that way. Hell, we even allow separatists to sit in our beloved Parliament, our nation's heart and soul. I don't like that, but I'll settle for it as long as they don't get uppity and try to press their advantage.
Regards,
BC
Calgary
SINC SAYS:
Geez, why don't you tell us how you really feel?
----------------------------
What Canadians Are Saying:
* I for one am glad Harper didn't simply hand over Canada to people who didn't rightfully EARN it. The boys wanted to play a game and the outcome was not what they expected. And now the bellyaching will have to continue for 8 more weeks. Bring on another election, it'll be the best 300 million spent this Xmas.
------------------------------
* It's funny how many people want a coalition headed by a man who was not only rejected by the majority of Canadians, but by his own party. A party which lost 26 seats in the last election.
------------------------------
* Let's remember that only 25% of Canadians voted for Harpo just a month or so ago. Compare that to the 40% that voted "None Of The Above"
---------------------------------
* If they want power as a coalition they should run as a coalition - even if this means a snap election. I have a pretty good idea how a Westminster parliament works - but a strong mandate from the people still gives the government more legitimacy. Personally, I wish the GG could demand that all four leaders resign (and Elizabeth May too while we're at it...), as four byelections and four leadership conventions are cheaper and easier than another general election. But she doesn't have that sort of power.
------------------------------
* The Bloc is the problem with this coalition. The Bloc's raison d'etre is to facilitate the cause of Quebec separatism not Canadian unity. They haven't, up to this point, had much chance to cause a lot of mischief but will they be able to resist the chance to create discord if the opportunity presented itself. I've no objections to a Liberal/NDP coalition, in principle, but the Bloc anywhere in the coalition makes me a tad nervous. I've been through the joys of two referendums already and have no desire to go through a third. I wonder if the Liberals or NDP have thought of the ramifications of the Bloc's ultimate aim in their quest for power?
An Important Message About Getting Old . . .
05/12/2008 07:10
Crap! Now I
forgot what I was gonna tell
ya.
Quick Change Artists Baffle Judges
05/12/2008 07:09
Demo The Randy Orangutan
05/12/2008 07:06
Gets all THREE of his
females pregnant at the same
timeI'm the daddy: Orangutan Demo has mated with all three of his companions
A red-haired and red-blooded male orangutan is doing his bit for his endangered species by getting all three of his female zoo companions pregnant.
Demo - a virile 10-year-old Bornean orangutan - will soon be the father of three babies after mating with Gambira, Mali, and Chinta.
Staff at Paignton Zoo in Devon were amazed by the three pregnancies and are waiting anxiously for the births, expected within the next three months.
Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment , said: "We hope they give birth and rear their youngsters naturally - but we have made plans in case some or all of them do not.
"If any of them are unable to rear their youngsters then they will almost certainly be reared at one of the European ape nurseries."
Demo and Mali, 13, arrived at Paignton Zoo from Munster Zoo in Germany in November 2007.
Gambira, 11, was born in Paignton, whereas Chinta, 18, was born at London Zoo.
Orangutan youngsters are born after a gestation of 260 to 270 days (8.5 - 9 months).
According to a recent study, there are now just 50,000 Bornean orangutans left in the wild - sparking fears the species could become extinct.
The Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) is threatened by hunting, the pet trade and the destruction of its rainforest habitat in order to create palm oil plantations.
They are more solitary than the other apes, with males and females usually coming together only to mate.
They spend most of their time in the rainforest canopy and rarely come to the forest floor despite being the second largest ape after gorillas.
Orangutans are generally regarded as the most intelligent ape after humans, with higher learning and problem solving ability than chimpanzees.
SINC SAYS:
Some guys have nothing better to do.
Hockey Fans Warned: Beware Of Ice Cleaners
05/12/2008 06:57
A Quebec public health doctor says hockey-loving communities across the country should be wary of air poisoning related to the use of ice-surfacing machines after dozens of people became ill after attending hockey games last Sunday.
Some 35 people either checked into hospitals or saw doctors after suffering from symptoms of nitrogen poisoning related to a faulty ice-surfacing machine at Saint-Ubalde arena, west of Quebec City.
Quebec health authorities said Wednesday they wanted to make sure participants of a minor hockey tournament played earlier in the day get in touch with them if they experienced similar respiratory problems. They said that sometimes symptoms appear later.
Participants of a garage league tournament Sunday evening started feeling ill hours after playing, said Dr. Henri Prud'homme of the Quebec City-area public health agency. One of the players was still reported to be in intensive care Wednesday.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Hopefully, this is a very isolated incident because, frankly, what would hockey do without the ‘Zamboni’ machine? I guess we’d have to go back to the army of ice scrapers descending on the ice between periods and the two arena staffers pulling the hot water-filled, 45 gallon drums on wheels!
Strain, Style, Workload - Root Of Goalie Injuries
05/12/2008 06:56
By CBC hockey analyst Kelly Hrudey
The game's most important player is more injury prone than ever in today’s NHL.
There are many reasons that goalies like Roberto Luongo, Martin Brodeur, Rick DiPietro, Marc-Andre Fleury, Nikolai Khabibulin, Cam Ward and Evgeni Nabokov have all found themselves on the sidelines for varying amounts of time.
The most obvious reason is simply the way these guys play today naturally causes more wear and tear on their bodies.
Imagine falling to your knees around 40 times each period, then quickly bouncing back up to your feet, moving quickly side to side another 40 times all from a hunched-over, prone position.
We know approximately 85 per cent of all adults have a bad back of some sort during their lives and we also know most of them have never put their bodies through the kind of stress or duress that an NHL goalie has.
The next reason is the skaters in today’s game move the puck around more than in any other era, which compounds all the little crease movement needed to try and make a save.
All this movement puts an enormous strain on the hips, groins, knees and more than ever, ankles.
More from CBC hockey analyst Kelly Hrudey.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
There’s no doubt at all in my mind that my 15 years as a minor hockey goaltender contributed significantly to early arthritis, and eventually two hip replacement surgeries. I’m truly amazed my knees aren’t shot as well – touch wood.
World’s Best Curlers At ‘The National’ In Quebec
05/12/2008 06:56
QUEBEC CITY - The National, that started yesterday at ExpoCité in Quebec City and runs from December 3-7, 2008, features Canada’s top male skips, including World Champions Kevin Martin (Edmonton, Alta.), Glenn Howard (Midland, Ont.) Randy Ferbey (Edmonton, Alta.) and Wayne Middaugh (Midland, Ont.) as well as Olympic gold medalist Brad Gushue (St. John’s, Nfld.).
The National marks the second consecutive year that Quebec City has played host to a men’s Capital One Grand Slam of Curling event. In November 2007, ExpoCité hosted Quebec’s first major curling event in 30 years as Martin’s team captured the BDO Classic Canadian Open.
“We are extremely excited to be hosting Canada’s top teams at ExpoCité for another great week of world class curling,” said Chantal Poulin, President of the Local Organizing Committee for The National. “Last year’s tournament was a tremendous success and we’re thrilled to be bringing back a Capital One Grand Slam of Curling event as part of Quebec City’s 400th anniversary celebrations.”
An elite, annual Canadian curling event, the Capital One Grand Slam of Curling is a series of eight premier men’s and women’s events that feature this nation’s deepest and strongest curling fields. The top 14 ranked Canadian teams and the top two Quebec-based rinks on the Capital One Order of Merit rankings as of November 2, 2008 will automatically qualify to compete at The National. The remaining two entries in the 18-team field will include a team from China and a squad from the United States of America.
“We’re thrilled that Quebec City is once again hosting one of the four legs of the men’s Capital One Grand Slam of Curling series,” said skip Martin Ferland of Trois-Rivières, Que. “Last year’s event was a great experience for our team as we reached the semi-finals. The support we received from the fans was unbelievable and we’re looking forward to qualifying for The National so that we can experience it all over again in December.”
The Capital One Grand Slam of Curling events are closely tied to the Canadian Curling Association's qualifying process for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Through their performance in the Capital One Grand Slam of Curling events, rinks can earn a significant amount of points towards securing a berth at the 2009 Canadian Trials.
UPDATE:
Kevin Martin of Edmonton and Jeff Stoughton of Winnipeg lead the pack with 4-0 records, while Kerry Burtnyk of Winnipeg is 3-0, through the first six draws as of last night. Former World Champion Glenn Howard of Coldwater, Ontario is in danger of missing the playoffs with a 1-2 record so far.
More from worldcurlingtour.com
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The National is the second of the five 2008-09 men’s Capital One Grand Slam of Curling events. Team Glenn Howard captured the opening event of this year’s series - the Masters of Curling in Waterloo, Ontario last month. With the field assembled this week in Quebec City, look for ‘The National’ to be just a ring-a-ding-dong-dandy competition as well. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will be broadcast live on CBC-TV this Saturday and Sunday.
As part of the men’s 2008-09 Capital One Grand Slam of Curling series, the BDO Classic Canadian Open, which goes from January 21-25, 2009 at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, will feature the debut of the Capital One Million Dollar Button. As part of the Capital One Million Dollar Button contest, one lucky fan will win the chance to throw a rock to the button for $1 million (CDN), live on CBC Television.
05/12/2008 06:55
Dear Valued Buyer,
"My commitment to you is offering great service, paying attention to detail, and placing your needs above all else on these two excellent Morinville homes."
Selling or buying a home can be a very stressful and emotional time. As your REALTOR®, you will enjoy the buying or selling experience and be comforted that I am working for you.
Please allow me, Peter Müller, to take care of your real estate needs. Whether it is to talk about how the market is affecting your home, giving you a FREE home evaluation, or by allowing me to SELL or FIND you a home at the best price possible. When you’re ready to look for that perfect house, allow me to assist you to make it your home.
Call me at 780-458-8300. Cell 780-996-0208 or e-mail me at peter@makeityourhome.ca or visit my web site.
Wie Shoots 65 To Lead Q-School After Two Rounds
05/12/2008 06:55
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Weaving her way through a narrow hallway next to the grill room Thursday, Michelle Wie was stopped by a woman who asked if she would pose for a picture with her young daughter.
Focusing her camera, the woman asked how she played.
"OK," Wie said with a smile and shrug.
If that were an honest assessment, Wie should be in good shape at the LPGA Tour qualifying tournament.
Changing her tactics off the tee on the more forgiving Champions course at LPGA International, the 19-year-old from Hawaii hit driver on all but two holes and ran off four straight birdies late in her round for a 7-under 65 that put her in a tie for the lead with Shiho Oyama of Japan after the second of five rounds at Q-school.
Oyama shot 70 on the Legends course and joined Wie at 10-under 134. The top 20 players after the 90-hole tournament Sunday earn their LPGA Tour cards for next season. Through two rounds, Wie was eight shots clear of the cutoff.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It will be interesting to see if Wie, the former teenage phenom, can earn her LPGA card this week. So far so good – two rounds down and three to go. A first round 3-under 69 on Wednesday, followed by a 7-under 65 yesterday is pretty impressive, indeed. Keep up the good work, Michelle!
PGA Tour Lines Up New Sponsors
05/12/2008 06:54
NEW YORK - PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem has held discussions with energy, retail and environmental companies to replace some struggling auto and financial sponsors of the American golf tour if needed.
The PGA, which operates the main professional U.S. golf tours, depends on corporate sponsors such as American automaker General Motors to help support its tournaments. However, the turmoil in the auto and financial services sectors has left the sport vulnerable to a loss of marketing and advertising dollars.
Ballesteros out of ICU.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Both of these are ‘good news’ stories for the PGA Tour and others.
Eight Canucks In Final Stage Of PGA Q-School
05/12/2008 06:54
The funny thing about the PGA Tour's qualifying school is that past experience doesn't always help ensure future success.
Just ask Jim Rutledge. Or even Jon Mills. Even though they've each held membership on the world's best golf tour in recent years, neither of them did so as a Q-school graduate. Instead, they earned their trips to the big league through consistently solid play on the Nationwide Tour.
It highlights an interesting point. Guys like Rutledge and Mills have demonstrated that they have the game to play on the PGA Tour so why doesn't that always show up at Q-school?
"There's so many people and you're playing for 25 spots," Mills said this week. "You've got to obviously play some good golf, but at the same time, you have to just relax and have fun with it.
"I would say with so much on the line, trying to have fun with it is a tough thing for players to do."
Fortunately, both guys have another chance to create some good memories this week. They're among a group of eight Canadians that will tee it up in the final stage of qualifying that starts Wednesday in La Quinta, Calif.
More from Canadian Press.
Nitties leads PGA-Q School, DeCorso tied for fourth.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Good luck to each and every one of our eight Canadian professional golfers who are competing for the coveted 25 available spots on the 2009 PGA Tour.
The Man With The Balance Of Power . . .
04/12/2008 03:56
My e-mail box is
overflowing with messages asking me to use the
site to reach people regarding the current
political fiasco in Ottawa.
All of the messages urge me to make contact information available for Canadians from every walk of life to make their viewpoints known regarding the “power grab” currently being orchestrated by the Liberals, the NDP and the separatists in Quebec. (You can read a sample of the messages in the item below.)
The coalition will result in the balance of power being held by Gilles Duceppe and his separatist Bloc party from Quebec. Imagine the Liberals and the NDP freely handing power to a provincial separatist party to govern Canada.
Oddly enough of over 50 messages to date, only one is in support of the unholy coalition and it should not be too difficult for readers to guess where that message originates.
Need a hint? Think NDP. Specifically, think Alberta NDP. They would have you call and express support for their lone Alberta MP and the separatist Quebecers who will hold the balance of power in this deal with the devil.
Further they would have you express support for Stephane Dion becoming our Prime Minister, a man who just completed the very worst showing by a Liberal leader ever in the past election, not to mention not being remotely understandable using the English language.
That of course is to get their man, the opportunistic Jack Layton a post in cabinet and perhaps even deputy PM. The man is scary enough with his spending proposals, never mind having any real power.
I, like most of the readers here, reject that NDP proposal and outright reject Stephane Dion and his separatist buddies from grabbing power.
There is only one clear way out of this mess and regretfully, that is to call yet another election. It is the only way to ensure the stability this country needs to weather the economic storm we can expect to continue for two years or more.
But that is only if Canadians choose to elect a majority this time around.
If you want the right to have a say in your country, and reject a Bloc Quebecois controlled government, take a minute and compose an e-mail now requesting an election and send it to each of the addresses below:
Stephane Dion - The Liberal Party of Canada
Dion.S@parl.gc.ca
Jack Layton - The NDP Party of Canada
Layton.J@parl.gc.ca
The Governor General of Canada
info@gg.ca
The Bloc Quebecois
Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca
Do yourself and your country a favour.
--------------------------------------
READER
RESPONSE:Hi Don:
The last thing our country needs is to be governed by . . .
LARRY CURLY and MOE.
THE THREE STOOGES!
George Proulx
St. Albert
Readers Don't Want Separatists In Ottawa
04/12/2008 03:53
The Liberals and NDP
seem poised to form an alternative government
by joining forces in a coalition -- supported
by the separatist Bloc
Quebecois.
This unholy alliance
is saying they simply want to spend more money
to stimulate the economy, but when asked for
details, they don’t have an answer.
Apparently they’re
prepared to take the "ready, shoot, aim"
approach to spending and sign blank cheques to
bail out industries in financial trouble
without even knowing what will actually help
specific industries, without knowing what
Barak Obama has planned, and without working
in concert with the other G-20 countries. It's
a recipe for a fiscal disaster.
More importantly, it's a democratic disaster. During the campaign, Liberal leader Stephane Dion said he would not and could not have a coalition with the NDP, because their policies would destroy the economy. Apparently that principled position has now gone out the window.
More importantly, it's a democratic disaster. During the campaign, Liberal leader Stephane Dion said he would not and could not have a coalition with the NDP, because their policies would destroy the economy. Apparently that principled position has now gone out the window.
Now we have the
prospect of the Liberals (with 77 seats)
joining with the NDP (with 37 seats) to unseat
the democratically elected Conservatives (with
143 seats). Of course, the only way to do that
would be with the support of the separatist
Bloc Quebecois, who bring their votes to the
table in exchange for their separatist agenda.
The three left-leaning parties in Parliament
are willing to risk it all in order to gain
power through the back door, power that was
denied to them in a general election.
An organization called Canadians for Democracy has put together a petition urging Members of Parliament not to change governments without an election. Given the speed at which the Liberal/NDP/ Bloc coalition is moving towards their goal of overthrowing the duly elected Government of Canada without an election, the petition should probably be addressed to the Governor General. But the coalition is moving very quickly and I urge anyone who would oppose the potential coalition to sign this petition:
The Petition
PETITION TO THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT OF CANADA:
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED RESIDENTS OF CANADA, draw the attention of the House to the following:
THAT in the recent federal election concluded October 14th, 2008 Canadian voters provided the Conservative Party with a clear and strengthened mandate to lead Canada through the current global economic crisis.
THAT the opposition are looking to impose an unstable, unelected Liberal-NDP-separatist coalition that during said election they promised they would not entertain, with the Liberal leader expressly rejecting such a move as being bad for the economy.
THAT Canadians have the democratic right to choose who will govern them and not have a surprise Prime Minister chosen through an unseemly and undemocratic backroom deal.
THEREFORE your petitioners call upon Members of Parliament to oppose any political arrangement that would replace Her Majesty’s democratically elected government without first consulting Canadians in an open and democratic election.
Sign the petition at: http://www.canadians4democracy.ca/. It takes only a couple of minutes and may help to save Canadian democracy.
Respectfully Yours,
Greg Steele, Agent
Commercial-Residential
RE/MAX Real Estate
St. Albert
-------------------------------------------
To: The Governor General
Subject: political crisis
Madam;
I want to register my deep concern at the prospect of the three-party coalition, Liberals, Bloc and NDP, toppling the duly elected and properly functioning government of Canada. I am disappointed in the recent performance of this government, but do not see that as a reason to send the country into crisis.
I am 60 years old and like many Canadians, am watching all I have worked and saved for disappear in the global economic situation. We need a strong, focused government in charge now, not this grotesque parody that is playing itself out on the national stage.
I respectfully ask you to allow another election.
Ian McLennan
Calgary, Alberta
----------------------------
Dear Friends,
I have just read and signed the online petition: "Our Right to Vote on the Coalition Government"
hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition
service, at:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/CANADIAN/
Please sign it.
Kelly Boyd
--------------------------------
Your Excellency:
Outraged as I am at the behaviour of Prime Minister Harper and his government in recent days, I am even more appalled at the prospect of a new government being formed that has the separatist Bloc Quebecois holding the balance of power in a coalition.
Canada is far too precious to be placed in jeopardy by backroom gamesmanship and political opportunism.
The people of Canada must render the verdict on this, in an election.
With great respect,
Oren Robison, CM
Nipawin, Saskatchewan
---------------------------------------
Have a look at this guys:
Please take a moment to express your thoughts about our current political situation! PLEASE FORWARD to as many CANADIANS as possible.
No – this isn’t a chain letter. No, you won’t have good luck or win the lottery, but you may just get the opportunity to exercise your right to vote, instead of having your vote erased by those that claim to “know better” than we as the Canadian electorate.
Signing takes only a minute, forwarding just a second – the results can last a lifetime!
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/CANADIAN/petition.html
Linda Bolger
------------------------
Many constituents have called or written expressing similar concerns. They, like you, are outraged about the prospect of a bloodless coup by power hungry opposition parties. Just merely six weeks ago Canadians elected a Conservative government (8 shy of a majority). Now an opposition coalition wants to ignore the voters of Canada and take their rights way. If the Governor of General allows the coalition it is a sad reflection on a democratic country like Canada and Canada will be at the mercy of the separatist BLOC who can veto decisions or hold the coalition hostage by demanding more money.
Deeply concerned citizens have asked what, if anything, they can do to stop the coalition from taking effect. They are determined to take action. Opposition leaders need to know how Canadians feel and in order to assist our constituents, we have compiled a list of calls voters may want to initiate.
Liberal Party leader, Dion’s office: Tel. 613-996-5789; Fax 613-996-6562 or email at DionS@parl.gc.ca
Gilles Duceppe at 613-992-6779
NDP leader, Layton’s office: Tel. 613-995-7224; Fax 613-995-4565 or email at Layton.j@parl.gc.ca
Governor General of Canada’s office: Tel. 613-993-8200 or toll free at 1-800-465-6890 (but mailbox is full). Email: info@gg.ca.
News at CBC: 403-521-6336 or voice your concern by email at yourturn@cbc.ca
News at CTV: 403-240-5600
To email members of Parliament, go to www.parl.gc.ca which lists all members and their telephone numbers and emails.
We are blessed and fortunate to live in a democracy and it’s important Canadians protect and cherish it. As you know, democracy means “rule by the people”. The situation that is unfolding in Ottawa is unprecedented and Canadians want to have their say. The Liberals and the NDP have signed a coalition agreement aimed at defeating Canada's government with the support of the Quebec separatists.
Canada is not a banana republic in a third world country. Now is the time to stand up for democracy, and stand up for Canada. Rallies are being held across Canada. Attend a RALLY FOR CANADA – SATURDAY, DEC.6 at 11:00am at Calgary City Hall. Also, please be sure to let your friends and relatives know about this important rally.
And sign the on-line petition http://canadians4democracy.ca.
The Conservative Party is fighting back and will air ads. If you wish to make a financial contribution, call toll free 1-866-808-8407 or do so line at www.conservative.ca.
Hopefully this information is beneficial and will motivate voters to take positive action and protect democracy in Canada.
Sincerely,
Margaret Hoppe
---------------------------
I recognize that many of my friends vote differently than I do and that diversity makes this country the best in the world.
You may not agree with the present government but voting against this coalition is the right thing to do as consent will undermine all that our forefathers have worked hard to build: DEMOCRACY.
Approval of this coalition open's a 'Pandora's Box' and most importantly sends a clear message to our youth that their vote DOES NOT count.
(The best thing about Canada is that a democracy gives you the right to agree, sign & forward this e-mail, or disagree and delete )
Please take a moment to express your thoughts about our current political situation! PLEASE FORWARD to as many CANADIANS as possible.
No - this isn't a chain letter. No, you won't have good luck or win the lottery, but you may just get the opportunity to exercise your right to vote, instead of having your vote erased by those that claim to "know better" than we as the Canadian electorate.
Signing takes only a minute, forwarding just a second - the results can last a lifetime!
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/CANADIAN/petition.html
Peter Brown
----------------------------
CANADIAN DEMOCRACY
I hope I have not stepped on too many toes by sending this out to a number of friends and associates but this whole gamesmanship political situation really upsets me and I wanted to do something other than write the G.G. and my MP.
Please sign the petition:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/CANADIAN/petition.html
-----------------------------
Her Excellency, The Right Hon. Michaelle Jean
Governor General of Canada
Dear Madame Jean:
As a Canadian citizen, I am appalled at the situation the government and Parliament of Canada currently finds itself in.
In considering your options in determining a course of action for Canada, I respectfully ask you to consider the following. Canadians did not vote for a Liberal government, a New Democratic Party government or a Bloc Quebecois government. Nor did we vote for a coalition government made up of members of the Liberal and NDP parties and supported by the Bloc Quebecois.
In my humble opinion, the only way out of the current mess we find government in, and to re-establish the stability that will be required in our government and our nation to enable us to tackle and overcome the world economic crisis we presently find ourselves embroiled in, is for you to immediately call another election and be guided by the wisdom of the Canadian electorate. I assure you, Madame Jean, we will not make the same mistake again.
Yours truly,
James D. Starko
St. Albert
-----------------------------
An organization called Canadians for Democracy has put together a petition urging Members of Parliament not to change governments without an election. Given the speed at which the Liberal/NDP/ Bloc coalition is moving towards their goal of overthrowing the duly elected Government of Canada without an election, the petition should probably be addressed to the Governor General. But the coalition is moving very quickly and I urge anyone who would oppose the potential coalition to sign this petition:
The Petition
PETITION TO THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT OF CANADA:
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED RESIDENTS OF CANADA, draw the attention of the House to the following:
THAT in the recent federal election concluded October 14th, 2008 Canadian voters provided the Conservative Party with a clear and strengthened mandate to lead Canada through the current global economic crisis.
THAT the opposition are looking to impose an unstable, unelected Liberal-NDP-separatist coalition that during said election they promised they would not entertain, with the Liberal leader expressly rejecting such a move as being bad for the economy.
THAT Canadians have the democratic right to choose who will govern them and not have a surprise Prime Minister chosen through an unseemly and undemocratic backroom deal.
THEREFORE your petitioners call upon Members of Parliament to oppose any political arrangement that would replace Her Majesty’s democratically elected government without first consulting Canadians in an open and democratic election.
Sign the petition at: http://www.canadians4democracy.ca/. It takes only a couple of minutes and may help to save Canadian democracy.
Respectfully Yours,
Greg Steele, Agent
Commercial-Residential
RE/MAX Real Estate
St. Albert
-------------------------------------------
To: The Governor General
Subject: political crisis
Madam;
I want to register my deep concern at the prospect of the three-party coalition, Liberals, Bloc and NDP, toppling the duly elected and properly functioning government of Canada. I am disappointed in the recent performance of this government, but do not see that as a reason to send the country into crisis.
I am 60 years old and like many Canadians, am watching all I have worked and saved for disappear in the global economic situation. We need a strong, focused government in charge now, not this grotesque parody that is playing itself out on the national stage.
I respectfully ask you to allow another election.
Ian McLennan
Calgary, Alberta
----------------------------
Dear Friends,
I have just read and signed the online petition: "Our Right to Vote on the Coalition Government"
hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition
service, at:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/CANADIAN/
Please sign it.
Kelly Boyd
--------------------------------
Your Excellency:
Outraged as I am at the behaviour of Prime Minister Harper and his government in recent days, I am even more appalled at the prospect of a new government being formed that has the separatist Bloc Quebecois holding the balance of power in a coalition.
Canada is far too precious to be placed in jeopardy by backroom gamesmanship and political opportunism.
The people of Canada must render the verdict on this, in an election.
With great respect,
Oren Robison, CM
Nipawin, Saskatchewan
---------------------------------------
Have a look at this guys:
Please take a moment to express your thoughts about our current political situation! PLEASE FORWARD to as many CANADIANS as possible.
No – this isn’t a chain letter. No, you won’t have good luck or win the lottery, but you may just get the opportunity to exercise your right to vote, instead of having your vote erased by those that claim to “know better” than we as the Canadian electorate.
Signing takes only a minute, forwarding just a second – the results can last a lifetime!
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/CANADIAN/petition.html
Linda Bolger
------------------------
Many constituents have called or written expressing similar concerns. They, like you, are outraged about the prospect of a bloodless coup by power hungry opposition parties. Just merely six weeks ago Canadians elected a Conservative government (8 shy of a majority). Now an opposition coalition wants to ignore the voters of Canada and take their rights way. If the Governor of General allows the coalition it is a sad reflection on a democratic country like Canada and Canada will be at the mercy of the separatist BLOC who can veto decisions or hold the coalition hostage by demanding more money.
Deeply concerned citizens have asked what, if anything, they can do to stop the coalition from taking effect. They are determined to take action. Opposition leaders need to know how Canadians feel and in order to assist our constituents, we have compiled a list of calls voters may want to initiate.
Liberal Party leader, Dion’s office: Tel. 613-996-5789; Fax 613-996-6562 or email at DionS@parl.gc.ca
Gilles Duceppe at 613-992-6779
NDP leader, Layton’s office: Tel. 613-995-7224; Fax 613-995-4565 or email at Layton.j@parl.gc.ca
Governor General of Canada’s office: Tel. 613-993-8200 or toll free at 1-800-465-6890 (but mailbox is full). Email: info@gg.ca.
News at CBC: 403-521-6336 or voice your concern by email at yourturn@cbc.ca
News at CTV: 403-240-5600
To email members of Parliament, go to www.parl.gc.ca which lists all members and their telephone numbers and emails.
We are blessed and fortunate to live in a democracy and it’s important Canadians protect and cherish it. As you know, democracy means “rule by the people”. The situation that is unfolding in Ottawa is unprecedented and Canadians want to have their say. The Liberals and the NDP have signed a coalition agreement aimed at defeating Canada's government with the support of the Quebec separatists.
Canada is not a banana republic in a third world country. Now is the time to stand up for democracy, and stand up for Canada. Rallies are being held across Canada. Attend a RALLY FOR CANADA – SATURDAY, DEC.6 at 11:00am at Calgary City Hall. Also, please be sure to let your friends and relatives know about this important rally.
And sign the on-line petition http://canadians4democracy.ca.
The Conservative Party is fighting back and will air ads. If you wish to make a financial contribution, call toll free 1-866-808-8407 or do so line at www.conservative.ca.
Hopefully this information is beneficial and will motivate voters to take positive action and protect democracy in Canada.
Sincerely,
Margaret Hoppe
---------------------------
I recognize that many of my friends vote differently than I do and that diversity makes this country the best in the world.
You may not agree with the present government but voting against this coalition is the right thing to do as consent will undermine all that our forefathers have worked hard to build: DEMOCRACY.
Approval of this coalition open's a 'Pandora's Box' and most importantly sends a clear message to our youth that their vote DOES NOT count.
(The best thing about Canada is that a democracy gives you the right to agree, sign & forward this e-mail, or disagree and delete )
Please take a moment to express your thoughts about our current political situation! PLEASE FORWARD to as many CANADIANS as possible.
No - this isn't a chain letter. No, you won't have good luck or win the lottery, but you may just get the opportunity to exercise your right to vote, instead of having your vote erased by those that claim to "know better" than we as the Canadian electorate.
Signing takes only a minute, forwarding just a second - the results can last a lifetime!
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/CANADIAN/petition.html
Peter Brown
----------------------------
CANADIAN DEMOCRACY
I hope I have not stepped on too many toes by sending this out to a number of friends and associates but this whole gamesmanship political situation really upsets me and I wanted to do something other than write the G.G. and my MP.
Please sign the petition:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/CANADIAN/petition.html
-----------------------------
Her Excellency, The Right Hon. Michaelle Jean
Governor General of Canada
Dear Madame Jean:
As a Canadian citizen, I am appalled at the situation the government and Parliament of Canada currently finds itself in.
In considering your options in determining a course of action for Canada, I respectfully ask you to consider the following. Canadians did not vote for a Liberal government, a New Democratic Party government or a Bloc Quebecois government. Nor did we vote for a coalition government made up of members of the Liberal and NDP parties and supported by the Bloc Quebecois.
In my humble opinion, the only way out of the current mess we find government in, and to re-establish the stability that will be required in our government and our nation to enable us to tackle and overcome the world economic crisis we presently find ourselves embroiled in, is for you to immediately call another election and be guided by the wisdom of the Canadian electorate. I assure you, Madame Jean, we will not make the same mistake again.
Yours truly,
James D. Starko
St. Albert
-----------------------------
SINC SAYS:
And last (and certainly least in most people's minds), here is the Alberta NDP's pitch to allow separatists to govern our country:
Subject: Coalition: Yes! - Rally this Thursday!
Friends:
We have a chance to take action to shape Canada’s future.
As you no doubt have heard, we are faced with an economic crisis, yet the governing Conservative party refuses to take any meaningful action.
Instead, it has provoked a crisis by bringing in a hard-core neocon agenda that attacks labour, women and the democratic process itself – with no economic stimulus package for the sectors of the economy hit hardest.
The Conservatives have begun to fight back on talk radio, with advertising, with rallies, and with scripted talking points – well my friends, they will have their work cut out for them. But we need your help.
Join the Coalition Rally.
Show your support for the 62% Majority.
Coalition Yes!
6 PM, Thursday, Nov. 4.
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton.
Bring Banners, Signs, AND Brian & Jeff will bring clever NEW Buttons!
Forward this Email widely.
Tell your friends that we can stand up to Harper’s anti-Labour, anti-democratic, anti-Family Government.
Sign the Official Petition.
www.62percentmajority.ca
Write to Your MP.
http://canadianlabour.ca/en/coalition-government-en
Join the Official Facebook Group.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=37994407715
In Solidarity!
Jeff Sloychuk
Organizer, Alberta NDP
And last (and certainly least in most people's minds), here is the Alberta NDP's pitch to allow separatists to govern our country:
Subject: Coalition: Yes! - Rally this Thursday!
Friends:
We have a chance to take action to shape Canada’s future.
As you no doubt have heard, we are faced with an economic crisis, yet the governing Conservative party refuses to take any meaningful action.
Instead, it has provoked a crisis by bringing in a hard-core neocon agenda that attacks labour, women and the democratic process itself – with no economic stimulus package for the sectors of the economy hit hardest.
The Conservatives have begun to fight back on talk radio, with advertising, with rallies, and with scripted talking points – well my friends, they will have their work cut out for them. But we need your help.
Join the Coalition Rally.
Show your support for the 62% Majority.
Coalition Yes!
6 PM, Thursday, Nov. 4.
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton.
Bring Banners, Signs, AND Brian & Jeff will bring clever NEW Buttons!
Forward this Email widely.
Tell your friends that we can stand up to Harper’s anti-Labour, anti-democratic, anti-Family Government.
Sign the Official Petition.
www.62percentmajority.ca
Write to Your MP.
http://canadianlabour.ca/en/coalition-government-en
Join the Official Facebook Group.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=37994407715
In Solidarity!
Jeff Sloychuk
Organizer, Alberta NDP
Show Off Your Christmas Lights
04/12/2008 03:21
It’s the season of
lights and St. Albert is aglow with many great
displays.
This year we want to invite you to get out that digital camera and send us a shot of your home for all to see.
Thanks for the idea goes out to Jim Starko of the city who says his brother Bob does most of the work to decorate their home. Jim sent along this picture to kick off the idea.
Please send your photos to mybirdie@telus.net so many who can’t get out can enjoy the lights at home on their computer screens.
Online Clock Tells Time In Unique Way
04/12/2008 03:12
A reader sent in a
link to an online clock.
See it live here.
People seem to be intrigued that the clock tells them the correct time in such a unique manner.
All is not as it appears though, as the clock is preprogrammed to display the time on your computer’s internal clock.
Don’t beleive me?
Try changing the time on your computer, then revisit the site.
Unmasking Goalie’s Pains – What’s Behind Injuries?
04/12/2008 03:04
Style of play, rule and equipment changes may be behind toll of injuries: experts
A curious David Marcoux strapped on Miikka Kiprusoff's pads prior to the National Hockey League's latest round of changes to goalie equipment.
He then found the nearest phone to inform NHL goaltending supervisor Kay Whitmore of the potential injury risks, should the league and NHL Players' Association tweak the knee protectors at its meeting in Toronto last June.
It was Marcoux's belief that changing the width of the knee-strap pads and inner-knee risers from 5.5 inches each would increase the chance of injury. In the end, both parties agreed to keep the status quo entering this season.
"When goalies go down on their knees, the angle of the pads is much better than it used to be because of those cushioned protectors, so it puts less stress on the ankles, knees and hips," said Marcoux, one of several people who spoke to CBCSports.ca about the growing list of injuries to netminders this season.
Through the first seven weeks of the 82-game schedule, no less than 17 goalies had suffered injuries ranging from day to day, to indefinite.
So, if netminders are considered by many to be better protected nowadays, why are they dropping more quickly than the Canadian dollar?
Goaltender Kevin Weekes of the New Jersey Devils said the style of play coming out of the 2004-2005 NHL lockout that stressed speed and less obstruction is a factor, a point shared by former NHL goalie Glenn Healy, Ottawa Senators goalie coach Eli Wilson and Marcoux.
Others, like former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender coach Steve McKichan, believe it's a combination of rule and equipment changes.
For instance, one rule change introduced this season has teams facing off in the offensive zone to start a power play.
"You could be facing seven to 10 power plays a game and a few 5-on-3s. You're pretty much under siege killing penalties," Weekes said.
The introduction of shootouts post-lockout also has forced goaltenders to make more explosive saves and extend themselves, said McKichan, who believes such a manoeuvre led to San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov suffering a lower-body injury on Nov. 8 and missing seven games.
More from CBC hockey analyst Doug Harrison.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Being a former minor hockey goalie for 15 years, it’s possible for me to believe the current rash of injuries to professional hockey goaltenders could be a combination of their present day style of play, rule and equipment changes.
‘Religious Exemption’ From Helmet Policy Allowed
04/12/2008 03:03
BC Hockey has changed its new mandatory helmet policy for coaches to allow exemptions due to religious observances, after a challenge from a Sikh minor hockey coach.
The province's governing minor hockey body announced Monday that coaches who can't wear helmets due to religious reasons can sign waivers to be exempt from the policy, which took effect the same day.
The policy requires all minor hockey coaches to wear CSA-approved helmets during any BC Hockey on-ice sanctioned events.
The policy change means coaching can continue for Harb Bains, a devout Sikh man in Surrey, B.C., who challenged BC Hockey.
"An exemption to the helmet policy may now be requested on the basis that the wearing of a helmet would interfere with the observance of a religious custom," BC Hockey said in a release.
"The granting of such an application will require the applicant to provide a signed BC Hockey Helmet Policy Waiver form to participate in any BC Hockey sanctioned activity."
The mandatory helmet ruling was put in place after two coaches — both in Alberta — suffered head injuries earlier in the season while they were on the ice during practices with their teams. One of the coaches died.
"These injuries may have been prevented if a CSA-approved helmet was worn and have led to a number of branches of Hockey Canada adopting similar helmet-on-coaches policies," BC Hockey said.
British Columbia is the seventh province to have a mandatory helmet policy for minor hockey coaches. Hockey Alberta is introducing a similar policy on Jan. 1, 2009.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I don’t know about you folks, but I’m getting just a bit sick and tired of this kind of nonsense in our country. How far do you think I would get if I told BC Hockey that I had to wear a toque 24/7 because of my religious beliefs and therefore, couldn’t wear a helmet? I wouldn’t be coaching hockey in B.C., I’ll tell you – that’s about how far I would get.
NHL Suspends Avery For Lewd Personal Remark
04/12/2008 03:03
The NHL has suspended Sean Avery indefinitely for conduct "detrimental to the league or game of hockey."
The league says the Dallas Stars winger, who is known as a pest for being an agitator on the ice, made inappropriate comments not pertaining to hockey on Tuesday.
In Calgary for a game, Avery made a public comment that seemed to be directed at Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf, who is now dating a Canadian actress who once dated Avery.
"I'm really happy to be back in Calgary. I love Canada," Avery said in front of cameras. "I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about, but enjoy the game tonight."
Phaneuf is dating Elisha Cuthbert, who is best known for her role on the television series, 24. She dated Avery until the summer of 2007.
Stars management issued a statement saying the club supported the NHL's decision and would have suspended Avery if the league had not.
The ban is indefinite pending a hearing with commissioner Gary Bettman.
Avery has made many enemies through his behaviour on and off the ice. In a poll last year, 66 per cent of NHL players said Avery was the most hated player in the league.
More from TSN.
Avery crosses line - again.
McKenzie: Avery's future with Stars in doubt.
Avery apologizes for remarks about ex-girlfriends.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Don’t be looking for any sympathy here. Sean Avery is a complete jackass that deserves everything he gets.
Norman, Langer Join Field For Champions’ Skins
04/12/2008 03:02
KAANAPALI, Hawaii - Greg Norman and Bernhard Langer will debut in the eight-man field of four teams in the Wendy's Champions Skins Game at Kaanapali Beach Resort in Hawaii next month.
Langer will partner with Gary Player, while Norman will pair with Jay Haas.
Fuzzy Zoeller and Peter Jacobsen are the defending champions, with the other team Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, who won last year.
The made-for-TV competition from Jan. 17-18 will be in its fourth year as an alternate-shot team event after 18 years as a four-man individual tournament.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The Champions’ (or Seniors' ) Skins Game has never been the same since it switched to an ‘alternate-shot, team event’ four years ago and Arnold Palmer stopped playing in the event.
SWIVEL HIPS will never forget attending the 1995 Senior Skins Game at the Mauna Lani Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii. The event poster and program cover, complete with the autographs of that year’s participants, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Ray Floyd, hangs prominently and is displayed proudly, on his living room wall.
Burress Suspended For Season And Playoffs
04/12/2008 03:01
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress is done for the year.
The New York Giants fined and suspended Burress on Tuesday for four games - the rest of the regular season - after he accidentally shot himself in the right thigh over the weekend at a Manhattan nightclub. The team also placed him on the reserve non-football injury list, which means the wide receiver couldn't come back for playoffs, either.
The team punished Burress a day after he was charged with illegal weapons possession, which carries a penalty of 3 1/2 to 15 years in prison if he's convicted. Burress is due back in court again on March 31, unless he reaches a plea agreement.
Burress arrived Tuesday morning at Giants Stadium, and met individually with Giants president John Mara, general manager Jerry Reese and coach Tom Coughlin. He left for a medical test and returned in the afternoon for another brief session with team officials.
Even as they suspended him for conduct detrimental to the team, Giants officials made conciliatory statements about Burress, who caught a touchdown pass from Eli Manning that gave the Giants a 17-14 Super Bowl win over New England in February.
"As we have said since Saturday morning, our concern is for Plaxico's health and well-being," Mara said. "This is an important time for him to take care of his body and heal up and also deal with the very serious legal consequences and other issues in his life. When I spoke with Plaxico he expressed great remorse for letting down his teammates."
Neither Burress nor his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was immediately available for comment.
More from Canadian Press.
Prosecutor focuses on illegal gun possession by Burress.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It’s heartening to see that there are still a few professional sports franchises left in this world, like the New York Giants, that believe in discipline and appropriate player conduct.
Ballesteros Undergoes Additional Brain Surgery
04/12/2008 03:01
MADRID, Spain - Golf great Seve Ballesteros underwent more surgery Tuesday, this time to drain fluid from his brain.
Ballesteros was in stable condition in the intensive care unit after the operation to implant a valve in his brain, La Paz hospital said in a statement.
Doctors also repaired a bone defect stemming from one of the procedures he had undergone since his initial operation on Oct. 24 to remove a malignant brain tumor.
A hospital official declined to say if the latest surgery meant the 51-year-old Ballesteros had taken a turn for the worse in his recovery. He had been released from intensive care Nov. 18 but remained hospitalized.
Ballesteros was first admitted on Oct. 6 after fainting at Madrid's international airport.
Ballesteros, who won a record 50 tournaments on the European Tour, has called the situation the "hardest challenge of my life."
The Spaniard won three British Opens and two Masters and is often praised for having transformed European golf. He also helped Europe beat the United States in the 1985 Ryder Cup to begin two decades of dominance, and captained the European team to victory in 1997 at Valderrama, Spain.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I would guess the prognosis does not look good for Seve, folks.
100,000 Visitors And Counting . . .
03/12/2008 07:55
Sinc, Ol' Pal,
I've been watching with delight as your "free counter" edges ever closer to a milestone 100,000 hits. [99,852 as I write.]
I may be indulging in visions of sugar plums at the exact moment, so in anticipation of that historic click, congratulations, my friend.
Cheers from Nipawin, Saskatchewan,
Oren Robison
SINC SAYS:
Oren and I toiled together many moons ago at the Swift Current Saskatchewan, Sun, where he served as city editor and I as production superintendent in the 1960s. We shared many an edition that included laughter and tears, but always included a friendship that has endured for well over 45 years now. Thanks for the kind words old friend.
READER RESPONSE:
Hi Don!
Congratulations on the success of your website!!
I was just reading your response to Dad’s message and had to laugh. You’re dating me by saying that the Swift Current days were many moons ago!!!
Cheers to continued success!
Shannon Robison
Saskatoon, SK.
--------------------------
Don,
Congratulations on your 100,000th visitor to the website (St. Albert’s Place).
It’s the only medium (media) in St. Albert where an average person gets a fair, unbiased, unfettered opportunity to express their opinions.
Keep up the good work!
Cheers,
Jim Starko
St. Albert
-------------------------------
Hi Don
Great job on reaching 100K. As you said I read the site every day and look forward to it. You have my continued support. Here’s looking to the next 100K.
Mark Fraser
St. Albert
--------------------------
Don,
Congratulations on your 100,000th visitor to the website (St. Albert’s Place).
It’s the only medium (media) in St. Albert where an average person gets a fair, unbiased, unfettered opportunity to express their opinions.
Keep up the good work!
Cheers,
Jim Starko
St. Albert
-------------------------------
Hi Don
Great job on reaching 100K. As you said I read the site every day and look forward to it. You have my continued support. Here’s looking to the next 100K.
Mark Fraser
St. Albert
Thanks To One And All . . .
03/12/2008 07:48
Today we made history
here on St. Albert’s Place On The Web as we
surpassed the 100,000th visitor mark to this
site.
When I opened this independent site back in May after moving it from Google’s Blogspot, I never once imagined such a lofty figure being attainable. Boy was I wrong.
The response to, and affection shown for this web site is a thing of beauty indeed. By and large our readers love the site and go to great lengths to support it.
My e-mail is filled every day with responses from all walks of life both here in the city and from loyal readers across the country and indeed around the globe.
I continue to be in awe of the reach of this page both here at home and around the world.
We grew from humble beginnings when I would sit and hold my breath as the counter would tell me a handful of people had dropped by that particular day.
Every time I got an e-mail from a reader, I asked them to send the page address on to friends and family and in turn ask them to do the same.
At one point in the development of this page, just about a year ago now, I thought it might be wise to place an advertisement in a local paper to not only make more people aware the site existed, but to wish those who supported me a Merry Christmas in the process. I was denied that opportunity when the publisher of the paper refused to accept my paid ad.
I look back on that incident now as a blessing. I found my own way to increase readership without the assistance of traditional media and that has made the site stronger for the experience.
A special thanks to the advertisers for their generous support. This site would not exist without them.
And thank you most of all, to our gentle readers along with a special thanks to each and every one of you who participated on this site by sending your views for publication here.
If you did not actively participate in the past year, but instead only read, please consider becoming an active part of this site in the coming year.
And please remember to mention the site to anyone and everyone you meet or work with, or bump into on the street. There is strength in numbers and if we try, we can do a lot better in the coming year.
This site is your voice and it will reflect public opinion more accurately with more participation.
And finally, if you are in a position to help out by buying some ad space here, it would be appreciated. Our start up costs will take a long time to recover at the small fees we charge. But we can guarantee that the people who sit here for a few minutes daily, read the site thoroughly.
And remember our readers do so once a day for 10 minutes or so. Compare that to waiting four, or even seven days to get a copy of the local paper if the carrier doesn’t forget you.
I would be remiss if I did not thank my dear wife of 43 years too, for her patience and understanding as I have my nose buried in my laptop for many hours a day to produce this site.
Thank you one and all.
Remembering Hollywood Squares
03/12/2008 07:38
If you remember the
original Hollywood Squares and its comics, this
may bring a tear to your
eyes.
These great
questions and answers are from the days when '
Hollywood Squares' game show responses were
spontaneous, not scripted, as they are now.
Peter Marshall was the host asking the
questions, of course.
Q. If you were pregnant for two years, what would you give birth to?
A. Paul Lynde: Whatever it is, it would never be afraid of the dark.
Q. According to Ann Landers, is there anything wrong with getting into the habit of kissing a lot of people?
A. Charley Weaver: It got me out of the army.
Q. It is the most abused and neglected part of your body, what is it?
A. Paul Lynde: Mine may be abused, but it certainly isn't neglected.
Q. Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on his head,what was he trying to do?
A. George Gobel: Get it in his mouth.
Q. Who stays pregnant for a longer period of time, your wife or your elephant?
A. Paul Lynde: Who told you about my elephant?
Q. If you were pregnant for two years, what would you give birth to?
A. Paul Lynde: Whatever it is, it would never be afraid of the dark.
Q. According to Ann Landers, is there anything wrong with getting into the habit of kissing a lot of people?
A. Charley Weaver: It got me out of the army.
Q. It is the most abused and neglected part of your body, what is it?
A. Paul Lynde: Mine may be abused, but it certainly isn't neglected.
Q. Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on his head,what was he trying to do?
A. George Gobel: Get it in his mouth.
Q. Who stays pregnant for a longer period of time, your wife or your elephant?
A. Paul Lynde: Who told you about my elephant?
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Fascinating Last Pictures Taken
03/12/2008 07:24
The words “Last
picture taken” before his or her death conjure
up many emotions, whether in front of the
camera or behind
it.
This is just one of
the last time stamps in history taken of and
by some fascinating individuals. If anyone has
new or conflicting information concerning the
photos or information in this list I hope you
will share it in your comments.
Albert Einstein
b.1879 d.1955
This photograph is the last known picture of Einstein, taken in March, 1955. There are not a lot of details concerning this photo but he is probably at his home near Princeton, New Jersey. A month later on April 17, 1955, Einstein experienced internal bleeding caused by the rupture of an aortic aneurysm, which had previously been diagnosed and reinforced. He went to the hospital and took a draft of a speech he was preparing for a television appearance commemorating the State of Israel’s seventh anniversary with him. Unfortunately he did not live long enough to complete it. The following day Einstein died at the age of 76.
Interesting Fact: Einstein’s brain was removed within seconds of his death (without the permission of his family) in hope that future neuroscience would be able to discover what made Einstein so intelligent. Recent scientific studies have suggested that regions involved in speech and language are smaller, while regions involved with numerical and spatial processing are larger.
Albert Einstein
b.1879 d.1955
This photograph is the last known picture of Einstein, taken in March, 1955. There are not a lot of details concerning this photo but he is probably at his home near Princeton, New Jersey. A month later on April 17, 1955, Einstein experienced internal bleeding caused by the rupture of an aortic aneurysm, which had previously been diagnosed and reinforced. He went to the hospital and took a draft of a speech he was preparing for a television appearance commemorating the State of Israel’s seventh anniversary with him. Unfortunately he did not live long enough to complete it. The following day Einstein died at the age of 76.
Interesting Fact: Einstein’s brain was removed within seconds of his death (without the permission of his family) in hope that future neuroscience would be able to discover what made Einstein so intelligent. Recent scientific studies have suggested that regions involved in speech and language are smaller, while regions involved with numerical and spatial processing are larger.
Mike Kelly Named Bombers’ Head Coach And OC
03/12/2008 07:19
As expected the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have named Mike Kelly as the 27th head coach in team history replacing Doug Berry who was fired following the end of the season. The Waterbury, Connecticut native will also serve as the team's offensive co-ordinator.
"Some people want to be a head coach. I've always wanted to be the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers," said Kelly in a statement. "When I told my two daughters, who were both born at the St. Boniface hospital, that I was becoming the head coach in Winnipeg, they both said ‘Dad, this is your dream job.' It really is."
This will be Kelly's second tour of duty in Winnipeg as he also served as the team's offensive co-ordinator between 1992 and 1996. He helped the team capture three regular season East Division titles while appearing in two Grey Cups.
The Bombers offence set 29 club records in Kelly's tenure as coordinator, including Matt Dunigan's CFL record 713 yards passing in a single game.
"Mike's experience, passion and track record made him an ideal candidate for this job," said Blue Bombers President and CEO Lyle Bauer in a statement. "He has always said to me that his ideal job is to be head coach of this team. And that has become a reality."
Kelly later served as the offensive coordinator for the Orlando Rage in the XFL, and then moved the NFL where he worked as an advance scout in pro personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2002, he was promoted to the role of an offensive assistant, and helped the Eagles win two division titles. Kelly also coached in the 2003 Pro Bowl as a representative of the Eagles.
After that he joined the Washington Redskins as a pro personnel assistant and stayed through the 2005 season.
Before joining the Eskimos, Kelly had been working as a professor of sports management at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Kelly's only major head coaching experience came as the top man at Valdosta State University from 1997 to 1999.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Congrats to Mike Kelly!
However, this is a huge loss for the Eskimos, as evidenced by what Kelly did with their receiving corps this year. Two receivers, Kamau Peterson and Kelly Campbell, each had 1,000 yards receiving this past season, and it would have been three if Fred Stamps had not been injured and missed the last five games of the season. As well, Peterson was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian Player.
Packers Tops In Brand Strength, Canadiens 12th
03/12/2008 07:18
The Green Bay Packers enjoy the most passionate local fan base of any pro team - at least they did before the club's messy divorce from Brett Favre.
The franchise has the strongest brand in its local market of any North American team in the major sports leagues, according to a consumer survey of thousands of fans.
"What this is saying is the following the Packers have is more intensely loyal to supporting the Packers than any other team," said Len Perna, president and chief executive of New Jersey-based Turnkey Sports & Entertainment, which released the 2008 Turnkey Team Brand Index on Monday.
"What this basically says is that all other things being equal, a sponsor gets more value in sponsoring the Packers than any other team."
The Packers ranked first among 122 team brands in the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball. Some 12,000 fans in 47 U.S. and Canadian markets participated in the second annual survey in June by the market research and executive search and recruiting firm.
The Montreal Canadiens were the top-ranked Canadian team, coming in 12th.
They were followed by the Edmonton Oilers (24th), Calgary Flames (29th), Ottawa Senators (31st), Vancouver Canucks (49th), Toronto Blue Jays (66th), Toronto Raptors (80th) and, surprisingly, the Toronto Maple Leafs (91st).
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It’s not surprising to me that the “Cheeseheads” are the most loyal professional sports fans in the world. What is surprising is that the Edmonton Oilers were so high on the list, ranking 24th in brand and fan loyalty among 122 professional sports teams branded in the survey. Way to go Oilers!
03/12/2008 07:17
Dear Valued Buyer,
"My commitment to you is offering great service, paying attention to detail, and placing your needs above all else on these two excellent Morinville homes."
Selling or buying a home can be a very stressful and emotional time. As your REALTOR®, you will enjoy the buying or selling experience and be comforted that I am working for you.
Please allow me, Peter Müller, to take care of your real estate needs. Whether it is to talk about how the market is affecting your home, giving you a FREE home evaluation, or by allowing me to SELL or FIND you a home at the best price possible. When you’re ready to look for that perfect house, allow me to assist you to make it your home.
Call me at 780-458-8300. Cell 780-996-0208 or e-mail me at peter@makeityourhome.ca or visit my web site.
Phelps Named Top Sportsman By Sports Illustrated
03/12/2008 07:17
NEW YORK - Michael Phelps has achieved another unprecedented feat: The first swimmer honoured as Sports Illustrated's sportsman of the year.
Phelps broke Mark Spitz's iconic record with eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in August and became the winningest Olympian ever with his 14 career victories.
Olympians in other sports have earned the award before in its 54-year history, but never a swimmer. In 1972, the year Spitz won his medals, UCLA basketball coach John Wooden and tennis great Billie Jean King were honoured by the magazine.
"Honestly, I feel like the same person I've been my whole life," Phelps told The Associated Press at a recent photo session where he posed for the Sports Illustrated cover. "I'm doing what I love. I was able to accomplish what I wanted to accomplish this year. It's been a dream come true of a year, and I definitely couldn't ask to change anything."
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It’s simply amazing what winning eight gold medals will do for you, isn’t it folks?
Japanese Schoolgirl Knuckleballer Signs Pro Contract
03/12/2008 07:16
TOKYO - A 16-year-old Japanese girl signed with a regional baseball team Tuesday, becoming the country's first female professional baseball player.
Eri Yoshida, a knuckleball pitcher, will play for the Kobe 9 Cruise in a new independent league starting in April 2009. The team selected her last month along with 31 male players in the league draft.
"I still don't feel like I've really become a pro baseball player, but I want to do my best," Yoshida said at a news conference after signing her contract. "My specialty is the knuckleball, so I really want to be able to get batters out using it effectively."
The Cruise are more like a farm team and a far cry from Japan's mainstream pro teams such as the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants. But the five-foot 114-pound Yoshida has broken a barrier in baseball-crazy Japan, where women are normally relegated to amateur, company-sponsored teams or to softball.
Yoshida, who started playing baseball when she was in second grade, said she wants to emulate Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, who has built a successful major league career as a knuckleballer.
The fledgling Japanese League, which is based in western Japan, is hoping to find enough success to eventually challenge the likes of the long-established Central and Pacific leagues. Those leagues, home to the best Japanese players, have become an increasingly fertile ground for talent headed to the U.S. major leagues.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It will be very interesting to follow Eri’s career – especially if she’s ever in a position to jump to U.S. Major League Baseball. Will we ever see the day a woman plays major league baseball?
NHL’s Future Lies In Canada, Report
03/12/2008 07:15
Jim Balsillie's most recent attempt at NHL franchise ownership seems to indicate his intention of bringing another team to Canada hasn't waned, despite NHL commissioner Gary Bettman's sticking to the vision of growing the game in non-traditional U.S. markets.
But when looking at the economic case for a new team in Canada, compared with struggling U.S. franchises, sports economists routinely suggest there is no comparison.
"If you just look at the way things are right now, Canadian teams are in a better position than they have been at any time in the immediate past," said Ian Hudson, an economics professor at the University of Manitoba.
With a combination of a stronger Canadian dollar, revenue-sharing and salary-cap systems born from the NHL's 2004-2005 season lockout and a struggling economy that has forced people to focus their entertainment dollars, mid-sized Canadian cities such as Hamilton have become a sounder bet for long-term success.
"A place like Southern Ontario is no worse off than most of the United States. So if you are hunting for a franchise, you don't have to necessarily be fantastic, you just have to be better than other places that the franchise could go," Mr. Hudson said. "So if the economy is tanking in Southern Ontario, chances are good at least that it is going to be tanking in the United States."
More from the National Post.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Are you listening Gary Bettman?
Media Mogul, Visionary Ted Rogers Dead At 75
03/12/2008 07:15
TORONTO - Ted Rogers, creator of Canada's largest cable-television and mobile-phone company, has died at his Toronto home at the age of 75.
The founder of Rogers Communications Inc. had been treated in hospital in October for an existing heart condition.
A statement from the company early Tuesday said he was surrounded by loved ones when he died.
"Ted Rogers was one of a kind who built this company from one FM radio station into Canada's largest wireless, cable and media company," said Rogers Communications chairman and acting chief executive officer Alan Horn.
Rogers, long listed as one of Canada's wealthiest people, earlier handed over his corporate duties to Horn.
In addition to the Rogers cable, wireless, radio and television businesses, the company owns the Toronto Blue Jays and their home the Rogers Centre, five City-TV stations and an array of other media properties including Maclean's and Chatelaine magazines.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Ted Rogers was a keynote speaker at a conference I attended in 2000. He was a very interesting man, indeed. RIP, Ted.
Making Better Use Of What We Have
02/12/2008 03:51
To Mr. Sinclair:
I would greatly appreciate it if you could include this letter in your column, as it directly affects us as citizens of St. Albert.
When I attended a meeting of the St. Albert Taxpayers’ Association last week, one of the major themes that emerged in the discussions was the need to more efficiently use what we have, instead of simply raising taxes yet again, as the upcoming budget proposes to do.
It was pointed out, for example, that the city government spends a fair amount of money on renting office space for its employees, while Servus Place remains underutilized with a lot of empty facilities. Instead of spending money to rent offices, for example, why don’t we use the empty space we’ve got at Servus Place? We’d save the money we’d be spending on rent, and at the same time get more mileage out of Servus Place. If we already own it, and we’re running a deficit on it, why don’t we just use the excess space ourselves, instead of paying for both Servus Place and outside offices?
We’ve got a number of other projects being discussed right now too, most of which seem unnecessary. One request was for funding for a new library building, to which Mayor Crouse pointed out-quite rightly, I might add-that the existing library works quite well and that it’s not busy at all. Again, if the library needs extra room for storage, why don’t we just use some of the extra space at Servus Place? Another subject of discussion was a new administration building-again, if City Hall needs the space that badly, why don’t we just use what we have more efficiently?
The problem, of course, is that we as citizens need to let our elected officials know how we feel about our tax hikes. It’s one thing to complain when we receive our tax bills in the summer, but talking directly to City Council and letting them know how you feel can have more effect than you’d think. Their contact information is available here, or here, where you can find more information on the city’s budgeting, if you’re interested.
The problem, of course, is that we as citizens need to let our elected officials know how we feel about our tax hikes. It’s one thing to complain when we receive our tax bills in the summer, but talking directly to City Council and letting them know how you feel can have more effect than you’d think. Their contact information is available at http://www.stalbert.ca/id/266, or at http://www.saintcitytaxpayer.org/, where you can find more information on the city’s budgeting, if you’re interested.
We all pay into the system, and we all have the right to make our voices heard and let the people in charge know what we think of the job they’re doing.
Jared Milne
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
You point out some very sensible and interesting options Jared. The utilization of $ervu$ Place is one I have suggested many times, but alas the idea to date has fallen on deaf ears in council chambers. Maybe this time around, given the financial mess this and other councils have placed us in, they will finally listen to reason.
Drug Police Raid Grandmother's Home
02/12/2008 03:46
After mistaking
TOMATO plants for
cannabisAs Lulu Matheson was warming herself by the fire at her remote rural cottage, police and sniffer dogs burst through the door.
The officers were sure that the house was a cannabis factory – and refused to accept that her pot plants weren’t . . . well, pot plants.
Despite protestations by the 79-year-old widow that they were looking at her family’s prized tomato crop, the officers insisted on sending samples of the plants to be analysed.
Mrs Matheson, who has lived in the cottage for 53 years, said: ‘I got a terrible fright and I couldn’t understand what they were doing here because I knew we had nothing more than tomatoes in the window. I don’t know what the neighbours must be thinking.’
The high-profile police operation took place in the picturesque village of Shieldaig in the Highlands of Scotland a week ago.
Mrs Matheson’s 47-year-old son Gus, a former driver, was looking out of the window when he spotted police cars screeching to a halt.
He said: ‘I wondered what on earth was going on. I opened the door and they more or less barged past, saying that I was growing cannabis on the windowsills.
‘I started laughing because I knew they were tomato plants but it wasn’t so funny when they frisked me and then started tearing the house apart.’
Full story here.
SINC SAYS:
I’m no drug expert and I’ve never seen a real cannibas plant, but I’m pretty sure I can recognize a tomato when I see one. Perhaps I should apply to be an instructor at the police college?
More Than One Way To Get Information
02/12/2008 03:43
A woman called a
local hospital. "Hello. Could you connect me to
the person who gives information about
patients? I'd like to find out if a patient is
getting better, doing as expected or getting
worse."
The voice on the other end said, "What is the patient's name and room number?"
“Sarah Finkel, room 302."
"I'll connect you with the nursing station."
"3-A Nursing Station. How can I help you"
"I'd like to know the condition of Sarah Finkel in room 302."
"Just a moment. Room 302? Mrs. Finkel is doing very well. In fact, she's had two full meals, her blood pressure is fine, to be taken off the heart monitor in a couple of hours and, if she continues this improvement, Dr. Cohen is going to send her home Tuesday at noon."
The woman said, "What a relief! Oh, that's fantastic. That's wonderful news!"
The nurse said, "From your enthusiasm, I take it you are a close family member or a very close friend!"
"Neither! I'm Sarah Finkel in 302! Nobody here tells me nothing."
Now You May Kiss The Bride
02/12/2008 03:39
Forget sex.
Claudaniel and Melody vowed never even to kiss
on the lips until their wedding
day.
Living by the rules
they teach, the two abstinence educators
waited . . . and waited . . . and waited . . .
until Saturday.
So what is it like to kiss a girl for the first time ever, after she has become your wife?
"It was surreal," said Claudaniel "CD" Fabien, 30, after his marriage to Melody LaLuz Fabien on Saturday. "It was like, my other self came out and said, 'Look dude, you're kissing her!' "
Claudaniel, 30, and Melody, 28, had pledged to be abstinent before marriage -- but went a little further by agreeing not to kiss each other on the lips before their union was official.
Why so strict? They didn't even want to get close to temptation, instead waiting until the minister said the magic words: "NOW, you may kiss the bride."
Both Claudaniel and Melody Fabien are abstinence educators -- Claudaniel for the nonprofit Confederation of Spanish American Families. Melody is director of the "What's Good" program for the LYDIA Home Association, a Christian service agency. Both teach abstinence programs within the Chicago Public Schools.
Too much info here.
SINC SAYS:
Do you think maybe that they took the school sex ed instructor on their honeymoon?
So what is it like to kiss a girl for the first time ever, after she has become your wife?
"It was surreal," said Claudaniel "CD" Fabien, 30, after his marriage to Melody LaLuz Fabien on Saturday. "It was like, my other self came out and said, 'Look dude, you're kissing her!' "
Claudaniel, 30, and Melody, 28, had pledged to be abstinent before marriage -- but went a little further by agreeing not to kiss each other on the lips before their union was official.
Why so strict? They didn't even want to get close to temptation, instead waiting until the minister said the magic words: "NOW, you may kiss the bride."
Both Claudaniel and Melody Fabien are abstinence educators -- Claudaniel for the nonprofit Confederation of Spanish American Families. Melody is director of the "What's Good" program for the LYDIA Home Association, a Christian service agency. Both teach abstinence programs within the Chicago Public Schools.
Too much info here.
SINC SAYS:
Do you think maybe that they took the school sex ed instructor on their honeymoon?
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Lion Pride Gets A Chilly Awakening
02/12/2008 03:33
As temperatures
plunge below zero across the
UKThere's nothing a lion likes better than stretching out in the sun to take a lazy afternoon nap.
But if they had any hopes of warm weather, this pride in Scotland were in for a big disappointment when temperatures dropped below zero yesterday.
The shivering group of lions certainly don't look too impressed with the cold, as they prowl on the icy grass at the Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling.
The freezing conditions couldn't be more different from the semi-arid plains of their native Africa.
And unfortunately they'll have to get used to the cold, as forecasters have warned temperatures are set to plunge as low as minus 8C in the north of Britain.
But the chilly beasts were in for another seasonal surprise to raise their spirits.
Staff brightened up the twelve-strong lion pride enclosure for St Andrews day by decorating it with the Scottish national flag.
SINC SAYS:
Why would snow in Scotland come as any surprise?
How To Avoid The Flu
02/12/2008 03:31
Eat
right!Make sure you get your daily dose of fruits and veggies. Take your vitamins and bump up your vitamin C.
Get plenty of exercise because exercise helps build your immune system. Walk for at least an hour a day, go for a swim, take the stairs instead of the elevator, etc.
Wash your hands often. If you can't wash them, keep a bottle of antibacterial stuff around.
Get lots of fresh air. Open doors & windows whenever possible.
Try to eliminate as much stress from your life as you can.
Get plenty of rest.
OR . . .
Take the doctor's approach. Think about it . . . When you go for a shot, what do they do first? They Clean your arm with alcohol.
Why? Because Alcohol KILLS GERMS.
SO . . .
I walk to the liquor store. (exercise) I put lime in my Corona . . . (fruit) Celery in my Bloody Mary (veggies) Drink outdoors on the bar patio . . . (fresh air) Tell jokes, laugh . . . (eliminate stress) Then pass out. (rest)
The way I see it, if you keep your alcohol levels up, flu germs can't get you!
SINC SAYS:
My grandmother always said, 'A shot in the glass is better than one in the a- -!'
My grandmother always said, 'A shot in the glass is better than one in the a- -!'
The Gonad Gourmet
02/12/2008 03:28
With the Thanksgiving
turkey behind us, here's something else you
don't eat regularly: meaty
balls.
Check out The
Testicle Cookbook: Cooking with Balls by
Serbian chef, Ljubomir Erovic. This multimedia
cookbook tells you how to peel and slice
animal testicles to make such wonders as
Testicle Pizza - just add your own toppings!
Wouldn't you know *it* tastes like chicken. But *it* works like Viagra!
Ever since I was a little boy I listened to the elderly talking about testicles, when well prepared and cooked, can stimulate sexual activities. It seemed funny and stupid to me then, until as a grown up man I tasted delicious goulash at a party sometime at the end of the ‘80s. I was told that it was a rabbit goulash. I couldn’t sleep that very night because I became incredibly aroused and felt a real ``charge of positive energy`` that I had to use somehow. I had never experienced anything like that before.
The next day, after the wild night, I found out from a friend that the dish we ate was testicle goulash. I suddenly realized that it could be a great way to help the sexually troubled ones and through the cooking contests discover the strongest aphrodisiac to conquer the world. The way to better sexual life through food and not drugs is the idea that keeps running through my mind.
If I had to choose one recipe from my book and recommend it to someone who's eating testicle meat for the first time it would have to be Erovic Style Goulash with Stallion or Bulls Testicles. This is because Stallion and Bulls testicles are the tastiest, and the combination of flavours works best with the testicle meat. It also happens to be my favourite recipe, which I created myself!
Like every other meat, testicles taste differently depending on which animal they come from. But in general it is quite similar to other white meats, and once it is cooked a lot of people think it is actually chicken!
From Erovic's introduction to the Ball Cup, the Testicle Cooking Championship.
Gentlemen, don't be squeamish, fire up the barbie and invite the neighbors over. See what kind of positive energy you can cook up at home.
SINC SAYS:
Hmmmmm. Why am I suddenly thinking of Jerry Lee Lewis? You know, the “Great Balls Of Fire” guy.
Wouldn't you know *it* tastes like chicken. But *it* works like Viagra!
Ever since I was a little boy I listened to the elderly talking about testicles, when well prepared and cooked, can stimulate sexual activities. It seemed funny and stupid to me then, until as a grown up man I tasted delicious goulash at a party sometime at the end of the ‘80s. I was told that it was a rabbit goulash. I couldn’t sleep that very night because I became incredibly aroused and felt a real ``charge of positive energy`` that I had to use somehow. I had never experienced anything like that before.
The next day, after the wild night, I found out from a friend that the dish we ate was testicle goulash. I suddenly realized that it could be a great way to help the sexually troubled ones and through the cooking contests discover the strongest aphrodisiac to conquer the world. The way to better sexual life through food and not drugs is the idea that keeps running through my mind.
If I had to choose one recipe from my book and recommend it to someone who's eating testicle meat for the first time it would have to be Erovic Style Goulash with Stallion or Bulls Testicles. This is because Stallion and Bulls testicles are the tastiest, and the combination of flavours works best with the testicle meat. It also happens to be my favourite recipe, which I created myself!
Like every other meat, testicles taste differently depending on which animal they come from. But in general it is quite similar to other white meats, and once it is cooked a lot of people think it is actually chicken!
From Erovic's introduction to the Ball Cup, the Testicle Cooking Championship.
Gentlemen, don't be squeamish, fire up the barbie and invite the neighbors over. See what kind of positive energy you can cook up at home.
SINC SAYS:
Hmmmmm. Why am I suddenly thinking of Jerry Lee Lewis? You know, the “Great Balls Of Fire” guy.
02/12/2008 03:25
Dear Valued Buyer,
"My commitment to you is offering great service, paying attention to detail, and placing your needs above all else on these two excellent Morinville homes."
Selling or buying a home can be a very stressful and emotional time. As your REALTOR®, you will enjoy the buying or selling experience and be comforted that I am working for you.
Please allow me, Peter Müller, to take care of your real estate needs. Whether it is to talk about how the market is affecting your home, giving you a FREE home evaluation, or by allowing me to SELL or FIND you a home at the best price possible. When you’re ready to look for that perfect house, allow me to assist you to make it your home.
Call me at 780-458-8300. Cell 780-996-0208 or e-mail me at peter@makeityourhome.ca or visit my web site.
Report: Frost, Danton Team Up To Launch Website
02/12/2008 03:25
A former Ontario hockey coach acquitted in a recent sexual exploitation trial has purportedly launched a website promising the inside skinny on the sport and a blog by a former NHL player currently in prison for a failed murder plot that allegedly targeted him.
Hockey God Online is a website "featuring Hockey's number 1 bad boy controversial figure former NHLPA agent Dave Frost."
The blue, red and white-toned, Canadian-registered site tags itself as "Hockey's most knowledgeable source" and says it offers David Frost's "behind the scenes expertise look, that no one else will tell you about today's game."
Frost, a former agent and junior hockey coach in eastern Ontario, was found not guilty Friday on four counts of sexual exploitation relating to his time as a coach of the junior A Quinte Hawks team in 1996 and 1997.
At the trial, prosecutors alleged the 41-year-old married father of two exerted such control over his players that he took part in threesomes with them and their young girlfriends.
In November 2004, former St. Louis Blues player Mike Danton pleaded guilty to a failed murder-for-hire plot that named Frost, his agent, as the alleged target.
Danton was sent to a U.S. federal prison for 7 1/2 years.
According to the website www.hockeygodonline.com, Danton will pen a monthly blog from prison giving his "unedited take on what has happened to him and the world of hockey through his eye's."
More from CBC Sports.
SWIVEL HIS SAYS:
What next, folks, what next? Who said crime doesn't pay?
‘Boring’ Iggy Ready For Encounter With Avery
02/12/2008 03:24
It should be an interesting encounter Tuesday in Calgary when the Flames host the Dallas Stars. It will be the first meeting between the two teams since Stars' forward Sean Avery singled out Flames' captain Jarome Iginla for being "boring."
In one of his infrequent media sessions, Avery slammed the NHL for not properly marketing the game and its stars. In an interview with ESPN, Avery stated:
"Our commissioner hasn't realized that he needs to probably do a better job of marketing the game and certainly some of the players in it. Nobody cares about Jarome Iginla and guys like that. They're just not exciting enough. They don't bring enough to the game."
At Flames practice Monday, Iginla shrugged off the slight.
"He says a lot of things," Iginla told TSN. "It's not the first time he's said something publicly or whatever. He's always talking on the ice, that's what he does. He says a lot off the ice, and that's fine. That's his way. From our point of view, it's not even about getting even or anything, it's just about playing and getting better and winning. We haven't even talked about it for weeks."
Iginla is enjoying another typically excellent season, leading the Flames in goals, assists and points while his team continues to battle the surprising Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild for the Northwest Division lead.
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Whatever happened to just playing the game, folks?
Giants’ Burress Appears In Court, Posts $100,000 Bail
02/12/2008 03:23
NEW YORK - Taken to court in handcuffs, Plaxico Burress posted US$100,000 bail on weapons possession charges Monday as a frenzy grew around the case of the Giants star receiver who accidentally shot himself in a nightclub.
Authorities said teammate Antonio Pierce was being investigated over his role in the shooting, while the Super Bowl-champion Giants weren't sure what action they would take against Burress.
The NFL said it was monitoring developments and Mayor Michael Bloomberg also weighed in, saying it would be an outrage "if we didn't prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."
Burress shot himself in the right thigh in the VIP section of the Latin Quarter nightclub in Manhattan about 1 a.m. Saturday, police said. He did not have a permit to carry a handgun in New York.
A witness reported hearing a popping sound before Burress' legs began to shake, according to a criminal complaint. It said the person saw a bloody pistol fall out of his pant leg and land on the floor before Burress said, "Take me to a hospital."
It's believed Pierce took Burress to the car and then left with him, according to police. Burress was treated at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and released later Saturday.
Burress was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, which could result in a prison sentence of at least 3 1/2 years. He was not required to enter a plea Monday and is due back in court on March 31. Burress did not say anything in court
"He is standing tall. He is a mature adult," said Benjamin Brafman, his defence lawyer. "I think any professional athlete in this situation would be concerned."
He said Burress is feeling OK. "If they let him play, he will be able to play. ... I think he will be a superstar for the rest of his career."
Originally, police had said that running back Derrick Ward was with Burress and Pierce at the club, relying on information given to them from security guards at the bar. But police said later that it was unclear if Ward was at the club, and the running back denied that he was.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It makes you wonder exactly who the bullet was really intended for, doesn’t it folks? It’s kind of hard to play football from prison, isn’t it?
Red Sox Fans Show Loyalty For Eternity
02/12/2008 03:23
ROCKLAND, Mass. - Lifelong Red Sox fans can now take their love of the team to the next level - eternity.
A Massachusetts funeral home recently took delivery of the first Red Sox casket, which features the team logo on the exterior as well as the inside. The casket is manufactured by Eternal Image of Michigan, which has a licensing agreement with Major League Baseball.
Bob Biggins, co-director of Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home in Rockland, tells The Boston Globe families in mourning often want their loved ones buried with favourite items. In the past that's included Red Sox paraphernalia; the casket takes it to the next step.
Biggins says the family that chose the $3,000 Red Sox casket bearing serial number 0001 did not hesitate in picking it for their father.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Talk about 'die-hard' fans!
Pit Martin Dead After Snowmobile Accident
02/12/2008 03:22
MONTREAL - Quebec provincial police say Hubert (Pit) Martin, a four-time NHL all-star in the 1960s and '70s, has died after his snowmobile plunged into an icy lake.
Const. Marie-Josee Ouellet says Martin, 64, was driving the vehicle on Lake Kanasuta in northwestern Quebec on Sunday when the ice cracked and he plunged into the freezing water.
Ouellet says another man who was driving a separate snowmobile at the time has confirmed Martin ended up in the water.
Divers are still attempting to retrieve Martin's body.
Martin would have turned 65 next week.
He played 1,101 NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, and Vancouver Canucks, amassing 809 points from 1963 to 1979.
Martin was part of one of the biggest blockbuster trades in hockey history in 1967, when he and two other players were shipped to Chicago in the deal that made Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield part of a Bruins dynasty.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I’ll never forget that trade that eventually made the Bruins a dynasty, seeing them win the 1969-1970 and 1971-1972 Stanley Cups.
Trail System For All Citizens, Not Just Erin Ridge
01/12/2008 02:34
To the Editor,
In recent weeks some Erin Ridge residents have expressed a concern with the looming trail development in their neighborhood. After considerable thought, I must urge council not to bow to this pressure and rather continue to move forward with the extension of St. Albert’s beloved trail system through the Erin Ridge ravine. All Erin Ridge residents should have been well aware of the plan for a trail in the proposed location, and would have been had they done their homework prior to purchasing their homes. A two minute internet search reveals that the Area Structure Plan clearly shows a walkway through the ravine. Not only is the walkway front and centre on Figure 2, there is a note indicating that the “proposed trail alignment is subject to change”.
More importantly, the trail system belongs to all St. Albert residents, not just those that back onto it. St. Albert is well known for it’s extensive trail system – one which connects every neighborhood to the Sturgeon River valley through picturesque urban natural areas. To this day, a simple walk down one of our tree lined trails evokes memories from my childhood. Whether it was playing on the gnarly tree just off the Lacombe Park lake trail, the bike rides to and from ESSMY through Forest ravine or even the peaceful connection between Lions Park and Big Lake, they all have one thing in common: they allow us to escape the hustle and bustle of the city even if it is just for a few minutes. Not to mention there are few sights more beautiful than the canopied Breaside ravine in the fall. Trails meandering in and out through natural areas is one of the many things I love about St. Albert and I strongly believe that this needs to continue in our newer subdivisions.
The challenge the city has is to balance the need to protect these environmentally significant areas, the desire to build on our wonderful trail system, and the concerns of the neighboring residents. I fully acknowledge that this will be difficult; there are drainage issues, trees to save, and privacy to protect. That being said, it will be nearly impossible to please everyone, and the ultimate goal should remain the completion of the trail through the ravine.
Sincerely,
Neil Korotash
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Your views are right on the money Neil and you will get no argument from me. Erin Ridge residents who opposes the plan are indeed selfish.
What Would Jesus Buy?
01/12/2008 02:34
Reverend Billy &
The Church of Stop
ShoppingHost: Edmonton Small Press Association, Theatre Yes
Type: Music/Arts - Exhibit
Time and Place
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008
Time: 7:00pm & 9:00 pm
Location: Zeidler Hall (Citadel Theatre)
Street: 9828 101A Ave.
City/Town: Edmonton, AB
DOCUMENTARY FILM: WHAT WOULD JESUS BUY? follows Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir as they go on a cross-country mission to save Christmas from the Shopocalypse: the end of mankind from consumerism, over-consumption and the fires of eternal debt! From producer Morgan Spurlock (SUPER SIZE ME) and director Rob VanAlkemade comes a serious docu-comedy about the commercialization of Christmas.
Bill Talen (aka Reverend Billy) was a lost idealist who hitchhiked to New York City only to find that Times Square was becoming a mall. Spurred on by the loss of his neighborhood and inspired by the sidewalk preachers around him, Bill bought a collar to match his white caterer's jacket, bleached his hair and became the Reverend Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping. Since 1999, Reverend Billy has gone from being a lone preacher with a portable pulpit preaching on subways, to the leader of a congregation and a movement whose numbers are well into the thousands. Through retail interventions, corporate exorcisms, and some good old-fashioned preaching, Reverend Billy reminds us that we have lost the true meaning of Christmas. WWJB is a journey into the
heart of America – from exorcising the demons at the Wal-Mart headquarters to taking over the center stage at the Mall of America and then ultimately heading to the Promised Land… Disneyland.
Will we be led like Sheeple to the Christmas slaughter, or will we find a new way to give a gift this Christmas? WWJB may just be the divine intervention we've all been searching for.
DEC. 4 @ 7:00 & 9:00 P.M.
ADMISSION $8 Suggested Donation (sliding scale)
Lifetime, No See
01/12/2008 02:26
They're brothers.
They live six blocks apart. And for 80 years,
neither knew the other
existed.Brothers Lew Manilow, left, and Jack Shore sit together in Chicago's Seneca Park, September 25, 2008 (Tribune / Chris Walker / November 30, 2008)
Neither man had a clue what to expect that morning last March as they stood toe-to-toe, 42 stories above the city.
The men were guarded yet friendly, as they sized each other up, trying to decide whether to shake hands or hug. After all, they were strangers.
The younger of the two was Lewis Manilow, prominent Chicago lawyer and real estate developer, co-founder of the Museum of Contemporary Art and major fundraiser for cultural institutions and such Democratic party luminaries as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. The other man was Jacob "Jack" Shore, an international patent attorney who wrote the patent application for the insanely popular TMX Elmo doll, the 2006 Toy of the Year.
Over the course of their long careers, the two men have taken part in countless negotiations. But never with each other and never anything like this. Not in their wildest dreams.
Full story here.
SINC SAYS:
What are the odds of that? Life holds many surprises and I have been on the receiving end of a couple of dandies with my family history. So not much surprises me anymore.
San Pablo Bay Lighthouse Needs New Keeper
01/12/2008 02:18
A Richmond nonprofit
is looking for a couple to serve as lighthouse
keepers on East Brother Island, a 1-acre rock
in San Pablo
Bay.
The winning
applicants will keep tabs on the flashing
Fresnel light and a pair of foghorns, and will
run the inn housed in the 1874 lighthouse,
which still has a functioning Coast Guard
light.
"We've loved it out here," said outgoing lighthouse keeper Elan Stewart, 30, who's held the job for the past three years with his wife, Katy, 32. "It's definitely isolated but it's pretty easy to get to the city, so we get the best of both worlds."
The Stewarts, their two dogs and their 11-month-old son plan to move to Tacoma, Wash., to be closer to family.
"We'd probably stay forever if we could figure out how to get a pizza delivered," said Katy. "But it's been great. I love the independence of it. And the view, of course. And the neighbors."
The nearest neighbor is the harbormaster at Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor, a 20-minute boat ride around the point and into the harbor. Nonhuman neighbors include seals, sea lions, pelicans, cormorants, seagulls and the occasional lost turkey.
See the light here.
SINC SAYS:
If my portfolio keeps taking a whipping, I may just have to apply.
"We've loved it out here," said outgoing lighthouse keeper Elan Stewart, 30, who's held the job for the past three years with his wife, Katy, 32. "It's definitely isolated but it's pretty easy to get to the city, so we get the best of both worlds."
The Stewarts, their two dogs and their 11-month-old son plan to move to Tacoma, Wash., to be closer to family.
"We'd probably stay forever if we could figure out how to get a pizza delivered," said Katy. "But it's been great. I love the independence of it. And the view, of course. And the neighbors."
The nearest neighbor is the harbormaster at Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor, a 20-minute boat ride around the point and into the harbor. Nonhuman neighbors include seals, sea lions, pelicans, cormorants, seagulls and the occasional lost turkey.
See the light here.
SINC SAYS:
If my portfolio keeps taking a whipping, I may just have to apply.
K. J. Choi Wins 2008 Skins, Takes Home $415,000
01/12/2008 02:07
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - K.J. Choi holed an 11-foot birdie putt worth US$270,000 on the 18th hole Sunday to win the 26th Skins Game with $415,000.
Calgary's Stephen Ames missed a nine-footer that would have tied the hole and forced the foursome including Phil Mickelson and Rocco Mediate into a playoff.
Instead, Choi's putt gave him $340,000 for Sunday's nine holes and made him the fifth international player to win the title.
''I'm very proud to have won the Skins Game, the first time ever for a Korean player,'' said Choi, who said he watched the Skins Game and the Masters growing up in South Korea. ''I'm very, very happy today.''
Ames, looking for a third consecutive title in the event, won $250,000 on the first hole of the day with a birdie to finish second. Mickelson was third with $195,000, while Mediate earned his $140,000 with a birdie on the 16th hole.
It is just the seventh time that all four players in the event have won money.
''I thought it was a good day. Everyone was able to win a skin today,'' Mickelson said. ''It was a fun few days. We all would have liked to have gotten the last skin. I just didn't make the putts. I though Stephen and I each had putts to carry over some skins.''
Choi started the day with the lead but fell behind Ames on the first hole. Mickelson won $170,000 on the par-4 13th with a tap-in birdie. Choi added $70,000 with a four-foot eagle putt on the 14th hole.
Mediate, frustrated when his long birdie putts were tied by other players three times over the two days, finally broke through with a three-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th for his $140,000. Again, Ames missed a six-footer that could have tied the hole and carried the money over.
On the 18th, all four players hit the green, but Mediate and Mickelson missed putts from about 11 feet, while Choi made his uphill birdie putt. Putting down the same hill, Ames' putt slipped to the right, giving Choi the title.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It was kind of nice to see that all four players in the Skins won money this year – only the seventh time in the history of the event that all four players have taken home money. I was cheering for the sentimental favorite, 2008 U.S. Open runner-up, Rocco Mediate, who took home $140,000 with a birdie on the 16th hole.
‘Roar Of The Rings’ – One Sizzling Hot Ticket
01/12/2008 02:06
From here on in, Jackie-Rae Greening is going to stick to what she does best, selling tickets and promoting curling.
Predictions and gambling are not in the cards.
"I lost our pool, by like 2,000. Obviously I'm not a gambler," chuckled Greening, speaking to Saturday's launch of ticket sales for the 2009 Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings, Olympic curling trials.
As of 3 p.m. on Saturday, 3,000 full-event packages were sold.
"It's been an unbelievable start, way beyond what we expected," said Greening, chairperson for the Dec. 6-13, 2009, event, which will determine Canada's men's and women's representatives at the Vancouver Games in 2010.
"That is pretty amazing, considering only three of the 16 teams competing are known. But this is such a knowledgable curling city. It's a huge testament to the curling fans."
A total of roughly 16,000 seats are available at each draw, but if the group manages to sell 16,000 full-event packs, then that caps the Rexall Place attendance.
To date, Edmonton's Kevin Martin and Ontario's Glenn Howard are the only men's teams to have qualified, while Winnipeg's Jennifer Jones is the lone women's team. Eight men's teams and eight women's teams will qualify for the prestigious event.
Tickets -- gold packages are $695, silver $550 and bronze $475, plus service charges -- are on sale at Ticketmaster.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I’m not surprised the tickets are going like hot cakes. This event promises to be the best curling the world has ever seen, or maybe ever will see.
I’m A 'Hockey God': David Frost
01/12/2008 02:06
Dave Frost, the vilified former hockey coach and NHL agent freshly acquitted on sexual exploitation charges involving teenage players, has launched a website designed to unleash secret stories about the NHL, closely-guarded playbooks and advice for young players trying to make the big league.
Frost, 41, has long caused a stir in rinks across the country for being abrasive and violent, and gained international notoriety when one of his most loyal players, NHLer Mike Danton, pleaded guilty in a U.S. plot to hire a hitman to kill his longtime coach and mentor-turned-agent.
Although Ottawa Citizen investigative reports sparked an Ontario Provincial Police investigation into the sex exploitation allegations, Frost, who said nothing to the media as he walked out of a Napanee, Ont., courtroom Friday, spoke exclusively with the newspaper on Saturday.
"They (the authorities) played me up to be the bad boy of hockey; well, now I'll show them how much of a bad boy I can be," Frost said.
On his website, www.hockeygodonline.com, he bills himself as the No. 1 bad boy of Canadian hockey.
It includes "Frosty's favorites" — his take on top players — hockey pool information, premium details for aspiring players, and a "Hockey Hottie" of the month, a feature that has a place for pictures of female hockey fans wearing nothing but a jersey with the chance of winning prizes.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Frost may be a lot of things, but, trust me, a 'Hockey God' is not one of them. He is obviously one very sick man who should have been put away when the authorities had the chance.
01/12/2008 02:04
Dear Valued Buyer,
"My commitment to you is offering great service, paying attention to detail, and placing your needs above all else on these two excellent Morinville homes."
Selling or buying a home can be a very stressful and emotional time. As your REALTOR®, you will enjoy the buying or selling experience and be comforted that I am working for you.
Please allow me, Peter Müller, to take care of your real estate needs. Whether it is to talk about how the market is affecting your home, giving you a FREE home evaluation, or by allowing me to SELL or FIND you a home at the best price possible. When you’re ready to look for that perfect house, allow me to assist you to make it your home.
Call me at 780-458-8300. Cell 780-996-0208 or e-mail me at peter@makeityourhome.ca or visit my web site.
Sorenstam Leads Internationals To Lexus Cup Win
01/12/2008 02:03
Singapore (Sports Network) - Annika Sorenstam made her last appearance in an LPGA Tour sponsored event a memorable one.
Sorenstam, the International team captain, defeated Asian team captain Se Ri Pak, 3 and 2, as the International team won the Lexus Cup, 12 1/2 - 11 1/2, on Sunday.
"There is nothing like a team event and when you pull it all together, the atmosphere and camaraderie is one of a kind," Sorenstam said. "It's great to finish on a high like this."
Sorenstam is slated to play one more event in Dubai before stepping away from the game.
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
What a fitting way for Sorenstam to go out in her last LPGA Tour-sponsored event.
Sweet Taste Of Success
01/12/2008 02:03
Alberta duo win their World Cup opener
This time last year Calgary's Helen Upperton started the 2007-08 World Cup bobsleigh season with a win over the powerhouse Germans on her home track in Calgary.
This season she's upped the ante. Upperton and Edmonton brakeman Jenny Ciochetti won the 2008-09 World Cup opener at Winterberg, Germany, Saturday, upsetting the host country's Sandra Kiriasis. Kiriasis, a two-time Olympic medallist, usually dominates on the Winterberg track.
"It was definitely nice to get some redemption here in Winterberg," Upperton, who finished fifth on this track last season, said in a news release.
Upperton and Ciochetti had runs of 58.04 and 57.82 seconds for a combined time of one minute 55.86 seconds.
It was Upperton's fourth career victory on the World Cup circuit, which visits Whistler Feb. 1-7.
"Jenny was absolutely great again today and played a critical part in this win," Upperton said of Ciochetti. Upperton will also have Heather Moyse, of Summerside, P.E.I., in her sled again this year. That duo helped Upperton to five World Cup podium finishes last season.
Calgary's Kaillie Humphries and Shelley-Ann Brown, of Pickering, Ont., finished sixth in 1:56.62. Lisa Szabon, of Nanton, Alta., equalled her best result on the World Cup circuit with an eighth-place finish. She teamed with Amanda Moreley, of Surrey and clocked 1:57.25 in the 21-sled field.
The World Cup circuit usually opens in Calgary. That makes this win even sweeter for Upperton.
"I said to some of the girls today that we likely never realized how lucky we were to start the season at home every year because you know the track so well, know exactly what runners to use and are so comfortable," said Upperton.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Congrats, Helen and Jenny!
Swedes Karlsson, Stenson Claim World Cup Of Golf
01/12/2008 02:02
SHENZHEN, China - Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson of Sweden came from behind today for a three-stroke victory in the World Cup of Golf, shooting a remarkable 9-under 63 to overtake third-round co-leaders Spain and Australia.
Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal finished with a 70 - three behind.
The Australian pair of Richard Green and Brendan Jones slumped to a 76, nine off the pace of Sweden's winning total of 27-under 261 at Mission Hills in southern China.
Ryuji Imada and Toru Taniguchi (68) of Japan also finished nine shots behind while Martin Kaymer and Alex Cjeka (73) of Germany were 11 shots back.
The Canadian team of Calgary's Wes Heffernan and Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., (73) finished in a tie for 13th place at 11-under 277, 16 strokes off the lead.
Americans Ben Curtis and Brandt Snedeker (73) were 14 shots behind while defending champion Scotland (72), led by Colin Montgomerie, finished 20 strokes off the pace.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Not a very good showing at all by Canada.
Cleaner Who Turned In $20,000 Can Keep It
30/11/2008 05:37
SPAIN - A Peruvian
immigrant who found $20,000 (16,000 euros)
while cleaning an airliner and turned it in to
the police can now call the booty her
own.Marisol Aguirre, 47, said the airline Iberia contacted her last week to say no one had claimed the cash and that under Spanish law it belongs to her.
"Just imagine! I could hardly believe it," Aguirre told The Associated Press Thursday.
Aguirre found the money in 2005 while working for a company that cleans planes at Madrid's Barajas airport.
She had almost forgotten about the find — $20,000 in cash in a plastic bag in the first-class section of the plane she had been cleaning.
Under Spanish law, someone who finds an abandoned object, no matter what the value, gets to keep it if the owner does not come forward within two years and one day.
Aguirre said Iberia "has been very honest and treated me very well. It is like a miracle."
At the time she found the money, Aguirre's father in Peru had just died and she had to take out a loan to fly home and bury him.
Now, she will use her windfall to settle that debt, cover other expenses and send money home to her mother.
"The soul of my father and God have illuminated me," she said.
SINC SAYS:
I found a dime on the sidewalk a few weeks back and just kept it. I’m darned if I was waiting two years and a day to spend it. I spent it in the Legion Poppy fund box.
Your Christmas Shopping Plans For 2008
30/11/2008 05:25
With the economy being what it is in recent months,
one wonders what effect, if any, it will have on
local merchants. Will sales remain the same as last
year, or will they go up, or more likely down?
To test the mood of local Christmas shoppers, we've come up with this simple little poll that should give readers an idea what to expect. (And besides, we figured out how to use a poll on the site so we had to try it out! )
Free Online Polls
To test the mood of local Christmas shoppers, we've come up with this simple little poll that should give readers an idea what to expect. (And besides, we figured out how to use a poll on the site so we had to try it out!
)
Free Online Polls