03 August 2008
A Little Something To Brighten Your Day
09/08/2008 12:52
This has to be the funniest, most enjoyable video I
have ever seen and I wanted to share it with
readers.
St. Albert Fraudster Scams WCB Of $770G
09/08/2008 07:35
Case manager took WCB
to the
cleanersA St. Albert woman who was a former case manager with the Workers' Compensation Board admitted in court yesterday she defrauded her employer of nearly $800,000.
Sandra "Sam" Plumite, 40, also owned up to accepting $117,500 in illegal payments to her bank account from an injured worker who was getting extra WCB money he was not entitled to as a result of her doctoring his claim.
Even the fraudster's resume was phoney as court heard Plumite had bolstered her job application by falsely claiming she had received two diplomas from Grant MacEwan College and lied about a previous bank job.
Plumite pleaded guilty in Court of Queen's Bench to charges of fraud over $5,000, corruptly accepting a secret commission and uttering a forged document.
A sentencing hearing is set for Sept. 26 and 17 further charges of fraud, theft and uttering a forged document are expected to be withdrawn. The defence will also call psychologist Reuben Lang to testify on Plumite's behalf.
Details in the Edmonton Sun.
SINC SAYS:
One is left to wonder how anyone could go undetected for over two years with those kinds of funds involved. Where is the accountability factor at the WCB?
St. Albert Has Its Own Mosaic Mural . . .
09/08/2008 06:23
Hi Sinc,
Mural Mosaic has a St. Albert connection. It is owned and operated by three local artists Lewis and Paul Lavoie and Phil Alain. St. Albert has its own mural mosaic "What inspires a child", commissioned by the Arts and Heritage Foundation. It's located on the Gaffney building, overlooking the parking lot of Dryden Insurance.
There's a photo of it on the Mural Mosaic website - click on murals (at top of home page) and then scroll down. It was unveiled in December of 2004 and was a fund raiser for AHF programs.
Ann Conlin
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
You know Ann, I have driven by that mural hundreds of times and never really stopped to look at it, so yesterday I went downtown and took this shot of it for all to see.
The Folk Fest - Friday Edition . . .
09/08/2008 06:17
Hi Don
Some Pics from Friday night at the Folk Fest.
Mark Fraser
SINC SAYS:
Although I have never been (too old to sit on the ground for hours), many locals tell me it is the highlight of their year.
Some Pics from Friday night at the Folk Fest.
Mark Fraser
SINC SAYS:
Although I have never been (too old to sit on the ground for hours), many locals tell me it is the highlight of their year.
Plane Makes Emergency Landing On Manitoba Highway
09/08/2008 06:11
This Northways
Aviation Cessna 207 Skywagon made an emergency
landing on Highway 8 near St. Andrews Airport,
north of Winnipeg, Friday
afternoon.
A pilot who ran into trouble north of Winnipeg Friday afternoon managed to bring his light plane down safely in an emergency landing on Highway 8.
The Northway Aviation Cessna 207 Skywagon took off from St. Andrews Airport with a pilot and three passengers — two women and a baby — aboard.
It was headed to Bloodvein, Man., 200 kilometres north of Winnipeg, when it ran into trouble minutes after takeoff from the small airport 20 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
Kerry Seabrook said he was driving his vehicle north of Winnipeg on Highway 8 when he noticed a plane in trouble, heading towards him.
"I had to pull my truck off into the ditch and even by the time I did that, his wing passed about five feet from my truck," Seabrook said. "I could hear his landing gear touch down right beside me. I had my window open."
Interesting details from CBC News.
SINC SAYS:
If you read the rest of the story, this is the second encounter with an emergency landing for that truck driver. What are the odds of that?
Man Killed In Wild Monkey Attack
09/08/2008 06:09
A man has died after
being attacked by wild monkeys in the Indian
city of
Delhi.The man - SS Bajwa - was the deputy mayor of the city. He died after the monkeys went for him on a terrace at his home.
He fell from the first-floor terrace when trying to fight off the monkeys and died the next day.
The city has a long-running problem with wild monkeys snatching food and scaring people.
Last year, a court ordered city officials to try to solve the problem.
Monkey catchers and bigger monkeys have been brought in to try to frighten off the ones which cause the trouble.
Many people are opposed to killing the creatures because people who belong to the Hindu religion have a monkey god called Hanuman.
For this reason, they think the monkeys should be left alone and often feed them bananas and peanuts.
SINC SAYS:
The darn things look so cute you wouldn’t think of them as violent, would you?
Amazing Chalk Sidewalk Drawings . . .
09/08/2008 06:06
Julian Beever is an
English artist who's famous for his art on the
pavements of England, France, Germany, USA,
Australia and Belgium.
These are just some of his creations:
These are just some of his creations:
McConaughey To Plant Son's Placenta In Orchard
09/08/2008 06:04
New York (AP) --
Matthew McConaughey says the birth of his son
will help bring a little joy to others in the
world
someday.
The actor kept the
placenta from the July birth of his son and
plans to plant it in an orchard, he tells
CNN's "House Call with Dr. Sanjay Gupta" in
interview scheduled to air in two parts Aug. 9
and Aug 16.
McConaughey says he hopes it will fertilize the land, a ritual long followed in several cultures.
"It's going to be in the orchards and it's going to bear some wonderful fruit," he says, according to an interview transcript. "When I was in Australia, they had a placenta tree that was on the river ... and all the placentas of all that tribe, all that clan, whatever aboriginal tribe that was, all the placentas went under that one tree and it was this huge behemoth of just health and strength.
"This tree was just growing taller and stronger above the rest of Mother Nature around it. It was gorgeous."
McConaughey also says he and his girlfriend Camila Alves have enjoyed integrating their new baby, Levi Alves McConaughey, into their lives. Already they've started introducing him to the "sights and the sounds" of the world — including a John Mellencamp concert.
"You're never told in our house, 'Shh, Levi is sleeping.' No. Get used to the ambiance. Come with us. That's how I was raised," he says.
SINC SAYS:
Where do movie stars get their weird ideas anyway?
McConaughey says he hopes it will fertilize the land, a ritual long followed in several cultures.
"It's going to be in the orchards and it's going to bear some wonderful fruit," he says, according to an interview transcript. "When I was in Australia, they had a placenta tree that was on the river ... and all the placentas of all that tribe, all that clan, whatever aboriginal tribe that was, all the placentas went under that one tree and it was this huge behemoth of just health and strength.
"This tree was just growing taller and stronger above the rest of Mother Nature around it. It was gorgeous."
McConaughey also says he and his girlfriend Camila Alves have enjoyed integrating their new baby, Levi Alves McConaughey, into their lives. Already they've started introducing him to the "sights and the sounds" of the world — including a John Mellencamp concert.
"You're never told in our house, 'Shh, Levi is sleeping.' No. Get used to the ambiance. Come with us. That's how I was raised," he says.
SINC SAYS:
Where do movie stars get their weird ideas anyway?
20 Kg Cat Prince Chunk Gets New Home
09/08/2008 06:01
The fat cat of New
Jersey, who drew attention across America for
his mammoth size, has a home.
A family in southern New Jersey will get the 20kg cat nicknamed Prince Chunk next week, according to the Camden County Animal Shelter. The shelter won't disclose the family's identity.
About 500 people applied to adopt the 10-year-old cat found lumbering around Voorhees, New Jersey, after his owner lost her home to foreclosure.
Catherine Harr, president of the animal shelter's board, said the cat's new family is a couple with a teenage child. She said they are building a castle to go over Prince Chunk's litter box.
Weighty details here.
SINC SAYS:
If you do the math folks, that sucker weighs over 40 pounds.
The Folk Fest - Thursday Edition . . .
09/08/2008 05:56
Hi Don
Here are a few shots of last nights edition of the Folk Festival. I will
send more as the weekend progresses.
Mark Fraser
SINC SAYS:
Thanks Mark. It looks like an enjoyable festival. Anyone else attending with pictures or stories to share?
Here are a few shots of last nights edition of the Folk Festival. I will
send more as the weekend progresses.
Mark Fraser
SINC SAYS:
Thanks Mark. It looks like an enjoyable festival. Anyone else attending with pictures or stories to share?
China Strides Onto Olympic Stage As Beijing Games Open
09/08/2008 05:56
BEIJING - Once-reclusive China commandeered the world stage Friday, celebrating its first-time role as Olympic host with a stunning display of pageantry and pyrotechnics to open a Summer Games unrivaled for its mix of problems and promise.
Now ascendent as a global power, China welcomed scores of world leaders to an opening ceremony watched by 91,000 people at the eye-catching National Stadium and a potential audience of four billion worldwide. It was depicted as the largest, costliest extravaganza in Olympic history, bookended by barrages of some 30,000 fireworks.
To the beat of sparkling explosions, the crowd counted down the final seconds before the show began. A sea of drummers - 2,008 in all - pounded out rhythms with their hands, then acrobats on wires gently wafted down into the stadium as rockets shot up into the night sky from its rim.
United States President George W. Bush and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin were among the glittering roster of notables who watched China make this bold declaration that it had arrived. Bush, rebuked by China after he raised human-rights concerns this week, is the first U.S. president to attend an Olympics on foreign soil.
Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson represented Canada.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
In just a few short days, it will all be just a distant memory.
Holmes Leads PGA, Only Player Under Par
09/08/2008 05:55
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - J.B. Holmes and his monster length turned out to be a good fit for Oakland Hills.
With one black glove and a scowl on his face, Holmes hammered one tee shot after another Friday and kept most of them in the short grass, leading to a 2-under 68 for a one-shot lead going into the weekend at the PGA Championship.
Holmes was at 1-under 139, the only player to break par over two rounds on a course known as "The Monster." It was the first time since 1972 - at Oakland Hills, not so coincidentally - that only one player was under par through 36 holes of the PGA Championship.
"When I hit my driver like I did today, this is an easy sport,'' Holmes said.
It sure didn't feel easy to anyone else.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
With Tiger Woods out of the mix, the battle for top spot is certainly wide-open, isn’t it?
Catch all of the third round action live at 9:00 a.m. local time today on TSN or TSN-HD.
Anti-China Protests Abound As Olympics Begin
09/08/2008 05:54
LONDON - An anti-China protester set himself on fire outside the Chinese Embassy in the Turkish capital and demonstrators raised the Tibetan flag Friday in defiance in London in protests worldwide timed to coincide with the start of the Beijing Olympics.
In Ankara, a demonstrator suffered second-degree burns after setting himself on fire during a rally by several hundred ethnic Uighurs, officials said. He was identified as a 35-year-old from Turkey's local Uighur community, an ethnic minority in China seeking independence or greater autonomy.
In Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, thousands of Tibetan exiles demonstrated at the Chinese Embassy, shouting, "China, thief: Leave our country. Stop killing in Tibet."
Police forcibly dispersed the protesters, some of whom tried to storm the embassy, police official Ramesh Thapa said. More than 1,000 people were detained for violating a ban on demonstrations - the largest number of Tibetans detained in a single day in Kathmandu.
More than 2,000 protesters marched in Dharmsala, a north Indian hill town that is home to the Tibetan government-in-exile and the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
All of this commotion and extra-curricular activity is really unfortunate.
"Brett The Jet" Arrives In NYC; Meets Mayor
09/08/2008 05:54
NEW YORK - Cameras flashing by the dozens, a wide-eyed Brett Favre took his first steps into the New York spotlight.
"Just like home," the Jets' newest quarterback said Friday with a deep breath and a sheepish grin.
Get used to it, Brett. This is only the beginning.
"Time will tell, but I don't want to say 'Be patient,'" Favre said Friday at a City Hall news conference. "I have to get a lot done in a short amount of time. They wouldn't have signed me if they didn't think I could do that."
Having won three MVPs and led two Green Bay teams to the Super Bowl, Favre is more than just a country boy from Mississippi. But even he seemed a little awed by his welcome to jaded New York. Mayor Michael Bloomberg greeted him, showering the star quarterback with a number of gifts - including some cheesecakes - designed to help with his transition.
"The legendary No. 4 has now become Jet Favre," Bloomberg said, "and we're delighted to welcome him to City Hall."
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
“Brett The Jet,” yeah, right!
What Kind Of Spider Is This?
08/08/2008 07:08
(Click on picture to
see larger version)
St. Albert's Place reader Alison Glass writes:
"A friend was picking raspberries near St. Albert when she found this beauty!!"
SINC SAYS:
Do any of our readers know what kind of spider this is?
A Work Of Art And Of The Mind
08/08/2008 07:03
Cochrane Mural - look
closely and click on any part of the
muralCochrane is NW of Calgary and east of Banff, in the foothills of the Rockies.
This mural was unveiled at the Cochrane Ranch House.
Each tile is one foot square, is it's own individual picture and each is by a different artist. All of them together form this huge mural.
You can click on each of the tiles to see them in detail.
Check out the horse's eye.(check out the other murals as well when you're finished viewing this one!)
See many more murals here.
SINC SAYS:
This is a truly amazing site folks. The way the murals are composed is hard to believe.
Chicago Cop Suspended For Demanding Free Starbucks
08/08/2008 06:57
From CBC News
CHICAGO - A Chicago police officer has been suspended for 15 months for demanding free coffee and baked goods from six different Starbucks.
Officer Barbara Nevers, a 14-year veteran, has also been ordered to have counselling.
The Police Board ruled in May that 55-year-old Nevers intimidated Starbucks employees by screaming at them and flashing her badge, handcuffs or gun when they wanted her to pay. The board released its findings Thursday.
Nevers' lawyer says her client never used her job to demand coffee. She says some coffeehouses gave it to her for free because she was an officer.
SINC SAYS:
When I first read this story, I thought it typical. That is until I noted it was a lady cop. Go figure.
Are you a Martha or a Maxine?
08/08/2008 06:57
*Martha's
Way*
Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
*Maxine's Way
*
Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake! You are probably lying on the couch with your feet up eating it, anyway!
Elks And Blondes Shape Sweden's Image Abroad
08/08/2008 06:49
When foreigners think
of Sweden they think of elks, royalty, the
great outdoors and beautiful women, according
to a new survey from
VisitSweden.VisitSweden (formerly the Swedish Travel & Tourism Council) asked a group of 1,000 British, German, French and Dutch people for their views on the country as a tourist destination.
Many thought of the cold, the snow, the winter and the high prices. Others answered: nature, countryside and the expansive forests. There was some variation across the nations however with every tenth Frenchman citing the beautiful women and every tenth German noting the (beautiful) elks and the royal family.
VisitSweden is jointly owned by the Swedish government and the tourism industry and is focused on marketing the country to overseas visitors and investors.
"We want to shift the focus of Sweden's image towards the exotic," said Thomas Brühl, VisitSweden CEO.
More here.
SINC SAYS:
I’m not a big fan of wild game, but the blond does sound intriguing. I must admit that I have never associated Sweden with an Elk though.
Amazing Chalk Sidewalk Drawings . . .
08/08/2008 06:47
Julian Beever is an English artist who's famous for
his art on the pavements of England, France, Germany,
USA, Australia and Belgium.
These are just some of his creations:
These are just some of his creations:
Man Gets Stuck Humping Steel Bench
08/08/2008 06:44
Last night in Hong
Kong, the police received a disturbing call
from a man in
trouble.Xing, a 41 year-old man, was calling from LanTian park in the middle of the night. The lonely and disturbed man had apparently thought it would be fun to have sex with one of the steel sit-up benches around the park.
The bench has numerous small holes in it, which Xing used to attempt to satisfy himself. However, once he became aroused he found that he was stuck and could not get his penis out of the small hole.
He panicked and called the police to help him.
When police arrive they found Xian stuck face down where he had been stuck for some time.
When doctors arrived on the scene they tried to release some of the pressure by removing some of his blood, but the penis was so swollen that they ended up having to cut the entire bench free and take it, with Xian attached, to the hospital.
4 painful hours later, Doctors finally separated Xian from his bench.
Doctors stated that if he had been stuck for even an hour longer, they would have had to remove his penis.
Lets just say this is probably one bad date that Xing will never forget.
SINC SAYS:
Honest folks, you can’t make this kind of thing up, but it did give me quite a chuckle this morning when I stumbled across the story.
Edmonton Accused Of Hiding Facts In Arena Review
08/08/2008 06:43
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is accusing Edmonton city officials of hiding some important facts in its review of a $450 million NHL hockey arena proposed for the downtown.
A city-funded report released in March recommended that Edmonton build a new arena to replace its aging Rexall Place and that the project be funded through a mix of private and tax dollars, a formula that has been used in many U.S. cities.
The city would fund about 70 per cent of the project by borrowing against future downtown tax revenues.
But a draft copy of the report, obtained by CBC News and the CTF, says the NHL arenas in Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto were built with private financing alone, a detail that was omitted in the final version of the study.
"I don't think most Edmontonians know that most other NHL arenas in Canada were built with 100 per cent private financing and I don't think the committee wanted them to know, either," said Scott Hennig, CTF's Alberta director.
More from CBC Sports.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I don’t know what this is all about, but Mayor Stephen Mandel is already on record as saying that using taxpayer dollars for funding all or any part of this arena is not an option.
The concern of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation is valid, however. It's better they ask the questions, and find out the answers, now, rather than run the risk of a situation like we have here in St. Albert where not only were the capital costs of our Wreck Centre ($ervu$ Place) paid for with tax dollars, but annual operating deficits are also covered by the St. Albert taxpayer.
Runners Take Olympic Torch Up China’s Great Wall
08/08/2008 06:43
Runners carrying the Olympic torch ascended the Great Wall of China on Thursday in a well-controlled relay ceremony just one day before the Beijing Summer Games officially begin.
Rousing music blared through speakers, backed by live drums and the crash of cymbals in a carefully choreographed ceremony. A local Communist party secretary was the first to hold the torch aloft as the crowd was showered in confetti.
Completed in the 14th century, the 6,400-kilometre-long Great Wall dates back to China's first dynasty in 220 BC as a barrier against nomadic raiders from the north.
More from CBC Sports.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
One thing I’ve always wondered – how the heck did the Chinese build that fortified, 6,400-kilometre wall in 220 BC? It truly is one of the wonders of the world.
Spots Up For Grabs On Azinger’s Ryder Cup Team
08/08/2008 06:42
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Paul Azinger loves the way his Ryder Cup team is shaping up going into the PGA Championship, the final tournament to earn one of the eight automatic spots on the U.S. squad.
By putting so much emphasis on the majors, though, there could be a surprise addition from Oakland Hills - even a club pro.
The PGA of America announced a purse Wednesday of US$7.5 million, with $1.35 million going to the winner. Because each $1,000 is worth one point, and with the majors counting double, the winner gets 2,700 points. And because Steve Stricker is holding down the No. 8 spot at 2,603 points, any American in the field is still mathematically alive.
Such are the dynamics of this criteria that Azinger believes will give the U.S. its most qualified team in years. Even so, the captain focused on the players among the top eight going into the PGA Championship.
"It's going to be impossible to make the team based on last year's performance alone," Azinger said Wednesday. "You had to have played decent this year.
"And if you look at the list, I don't think you could make an argument that anybody in that top eight hasn't had a nice year."
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Their showing over the past few Ryder Cups certainly has to be an embarrassment to the Americans.
Brett Favre Traded to New York Jets
08/08/2008 06:42
Brett Favre's time in Green Bay is over but he will be writing a new chapter to his career with the New York Jets.
Both the Jets and the Green Bay Packers confirmed late Wednesday night that the veteran quarterback was dealt to New York. While the exact compensation taht the Packers will receive from New York is not officially known, it's believed to be a fourth-round draft pick that increases in value depending on how the Jets perform in the 2008 season.
The NFL Network adds that the fourth-round pick will become a third-round pick if Favre takes 50 percent of total snaps with the Jets this coming season. If he takes 70 percent and the Jets make the playoffs, the pick becomes a second-round pick. If Favre he takes 80 percent of the snaps and the Jets get to the Super Bowl, it would become a first-round pick.
"I am looking forward to seeing Brett Favre in a New York Jets uniform," New York Jets Chairman and CEO Woody Johnson said in a statement. "He represents a significant addition to this franchise, and reflects our commitment to putting the best possible team on the field. Mike Tannenbaum and his football administration staff did a great job of navigating this complex process. I am excited about welcoming Brett, Deanna and their family to the Jets organization."
An hour after the deal, Favre's No. 4 jersey went on sale on the Jets' website.
"We just felt like this was an opportunity to go get somebody of Brett's stature and what he's accomplished," Jets GM Tannenbaum said in a conference call early Thursday. "We felt it was in the best interest of the team, and when the opportunity presented itself, we felt it was the right move for us to make and we went ahead and did it."
Packers CEO and president Mark Murphy and general manager Ted Thompson also issued a statement.
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Brett Favre a New York Jet? No way.
Last Night's Lotto 649 Winning Numbers . . .
07/08/2008 07:28
Lotto 6/49 : Wednesday, August 6, 2008
10, 18, 22, 26, 34, 38, Bonus 39
Western Extra : 2211943
__________________
*Lottery numbers are unofficial, check lottery retailer for official numbers*
SINC SAYS:
The big pot was split between two winners and neither of them was me. Was it you?
Two Eggs A Day May Keep Weight Away
07/08/2008 05:27
Eggs In Low-Calorie
Diet Help Shed
PoundsA low-calorie diet that starts with two eggs for breakfast did a better job of helping people lose weight than a one with a bagel, researchers said.
A team led by a psychologist from Saint Louis University put 152 overweight or obese people into four groups: two groups were told to have two eggs with breakfast every morning, and two groups were told to have a bagel that was equivalent in calories. Half of the egg people and half of the bagel people were also put on a low-fat diet with about 1,000 calories a day less than they would usually eat.
After eight weeks, the people on the restrictive egg diet had a lost an average of 5.7 pounds, compared to 3.4 pounds for those on the bagel diet. That is a 65 percent greater weight loss.
They also had a 34 percent greater reduction in waist size and a 16 percent greater drop in body fat, the researchers said in a news release.
SINC SAYS:
I love eggs for breakfast, but my diet allows only four per week.
Man Makes 3 Photocopies Of His Buttocks
07/08/2008 05:23
Chose courthouse for
his
anticsCLAYTON, Mo. — Police arrested a man who allegedly dropped his pants in the crowded lobby of the St. Louis County Courthouse and made photocopies of his buttocks.
Police found Daniel Everett holding two copies he had already made. He was making a third. ''What did I do? What did I do?'' witnesses said Everett asked police.
Everett, an immature 38, told police that the copies were intended as a practical joke for his girlfriend.
SINC SAYS:
I just can’t get my mind around his girlfriend being impressed with those photocopies. Can you?
Family Learns Of Man's Hospital Death Five Days After
07/08/2008 05:17
An investigation
underway in Kelowna, B.C., is aimed at finding
out why hospital officials waited five days
after a patient had died to tell his
family.Barry Bordeniuk, 53, died in Kelowna General Hospital on June 8 after being admitted for treatment for cirrhosis of the liver, his mother Blanche Bordeniuk told CBC News on Tuesday.
She and the rest of the family didn't know he had died until five days later when hospital staff called to ask what to do with his belongings.
"It is a shock and it's very sad he had to die alone," Blanche Bordeniuk, 74, said. "He's probably wondering, 'Where is my family? Don't they care?'"
Details here.
SINC SAYS:
Uh, did I miss something here? Wouldn’t you think the family would notice during visiting hours?
Couple’s Home Mistaken For Brothel Down The Road
07/08/2008 05:13
The other green door:
Ben and Wendy outside their
homeA Staines karate master has finally discovered why he was mistaken for a brothel madam, after a raunchy raid a few doors up.
Burly black belt and ex-karate instructor, Ben Craft, 48 who lives with his girlfriend Wendy Samson in London Road, said he has been answering the door to "smirking drunken men" ever since he painted his door green last May and for months he was confused as he turned each one away.
But when he read in last week's Staines Guardian that the The Green Door brothel had been discovered in his street, all became clear.
Shift worker Mr Craft, said he saw the funny side now but because he often had to get up at 5am for work, the late night callers had started to try his patience. "We made a joke of it, especially as I opened the door in my dressing gown once - I think I gave the guy a bit of a shock," he said.
“It was a bit of a surprise, but it doesn’t bother me in the slightest what people get up to behind closed doors.”
"But, when I saw the police activity, the penny dropped. Yes, it was a relief to read what was going on."
Miss Samson, 42, said she answered the door a few times to men she now suspects as brothel customers.
The most recent was at 7.30pm a few weeks ago.
She said: "Luckily Ben's been there every time - I would have found it less funny if I was here alone."
The easy-going couple share a live and let live attitude to the sex business operating up the road, Miss Craft adding: "It was a bit of a surprise, but it doesn't bother me in the slightest what people get up to behind closed doors."
They are deciding on a new colour for their front door to paint over the green. "I think we'll avoid red too," said Mr Craft, "Maybe we'll go for blue."
SINC SAYS:
This yarn reminds me of that old one hit wonder, “Green Door”.
Amazing Chalk Sidewalk Drawings . . .
07/08/2008 05:13
Julian Beever is an
English artist who's famous for his art on the
pavements of England, France, Germany, USA,
Australia and Belgium.
These are just some of his creations:
These are just some of his creations:
Blow-up Church Looks To Lure Italian Beachgoers
07/08/2008 05:07
ROME (Reuters) -
Catholic nuns and priests in Italy are
following their flocks to the beach this
summer, establishing an inflatable church and a
beach-convent in the sands to lure
sunbathers.The 30-metre (98 ft) long blow-up church -- staffed by priests ready to take confession -- will debut on Saturday on the Adriatic coast in the Molise region, an organiser said.
"There will be four or five people singing, with music about God," said Chiara Facci with Catholic group Sentinelli del Mattino. Night time activities, which will not include Mass, will run from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The first attempt to inaugurate the inflatable church last month on the holiday island of Sardinia failed after strong winds forced organisers to relocate, she said.
Big cities like Rome and Milan empty in August, when Italians head to the beach for summer holidays, leaving streets empty and many businesses closed. Churches are hardly immune, and also see their congregations thin.
On the Mediterranean coast, nuns from a convent near the southern Italian city of Naples have relocated to beach cabins to join holidaymakers saying the rosary. An adjoining altar was set up under two tents.
"The concept of a beach-convent is something that is appreciated by vacationers and the nuns themselves," priest Antonio Rungi, who helped spearheaded the initiative, told Italian news agency ANSA.
SINC SAYS:
Stories like this always blow me away.
CFL Legend Ron Lancaster Battling Lung Cancer
07/08/2008 05:07
Former CFL great and current Tiger-Cats senior advisor to organizational development Ron Lancaster announced on Wednesday that he is once again battling cancer.
The 69-year old Canadian Football Hall of Famer, who has been working with the Ticats radio broadcast, has been diagnosed with lung cancer and will begin radiation and chemotherapy treatment. Lancaster discussed the details of his struggle in a statement.
"As much as I love the game of football, there are some things more important than what happens on the field of play," said Lancaster. "Five years ago, I survived a battle with cancer, and now we have another battle on our hands. In July, I was given the news from my doctors that another form of cancer has appeared. Over the last few weeks I have begun radiation and chemotherapy treatments and therefore I will not be around the office at 1 Jarvis St and out in the community as much as I have been in the past. The goal is to get this taken care of and move forward just like I did five years ago. We will approach this the same way and I thank you all in advance for your kindness as I am on my path to recovery."
Lancaster is hopeful that he will be able to return to his role as the Tiger-Cats radio colour analyst in the near future.
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, “Little General.”
Demonstrators Protest China’s Human Rights Record
07/08/2008 05:06
OTTAWA - Demonstrators in Ottawa and Vancouver used petitions, chains and even a mock tank on the eve of Beijing Olympics to protest Chinese human-rights abuses and the occupation of Tibet.
A handful of protesters calling for a free Tibet chained themselves to the main gate of the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa for a short time Wednesday before unlocking their bonds at police request.
Later, members of Amnesty International Canada were ignored when they tried to deliver a petition to the embassy urging China to ease human-rights abuses.
In Vancouver, demonstrators set up a fake tank outside the Chinese consulate in another protest in support of Tibet. The activists blocked the entrance to the consulate as a protester dressed as a Tibetan monk dipped his arm into a bucket of wet cement.
The RCMP arrested the man on potential charges of trespassing and later loaded the makeshift tank on to a flatbed truck and took it away as evidence.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Don't get me wrong, but while I think human rights is definitely important, it’s really a sad indictment on our society when every single “high profile” event has to be used as a platform for every group that has a cause.
Olympic Team Opens Games With Flag Raising Ceremony
07/08/2008 05:06
BEIJING - With the Olympic rings several storeys high shining brightly as a backdrop and amid the buzzing of cicadas in the trees overhead, the Maple Leaf went up at the Olympic Village on Wednesday.
The traditional flag-raising kicked off Canada's participation in the Olympics, which officially begin Friday with the opening ceremonies. And for the 200-odd Canadian athletes and officials - clad in the Canadian colours of red and white - who attended the ceremony, the Olympic spirit was starting to sink in.
"It's super exciting just walking around the village and seeing the rainbow of nations with every country's colours and the different shapes and sizes of the athletes," said kayaker Adam van Koeverden, who will carry Canada's flag into the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest. "It's just really, really cool. It just kind of brings that Olympic spirit to a head."
Canada has over 330 athletes at the Games, which will feature over 10,000 athletes from 200 countries competing in 28 sports.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Since over one-third of the Canadian Olympic athletes will be forced to miss Friday’s opening ceremonies, this was a nice way for Team Canada to open the games and demonstrate their spirit, national pride and team unity.
NFL Announces New Fan Code Of Conduct
07/08/2008 05:05
NEW YORK - The NFL implemented a new code of fan conduct Tuesday, warning that spectators who misbehave will be ejected from stadiums and barred from coming back.
The policy, first recommended by commissioner Roger Goodell at league meetings in April, is aimed at conduct that the league said "detracts from the gameday experience."
It includes bans on:
-Behaviour that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal.
-Drunkenness and signs of alcohol impairment that result in irresponsible behaviour.
-Foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.
-Interference with the progress of the game, including throwing objects onto the field.
-Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel.
-Verbal or physical harassment of fans from the opposing team.
"The in-stadium experience is critically important to the NFL, our clubs and our fans and it will be a major focus this season," Goodell said in a statement. "We are committed to improving the fan experience in every way we can -from the time fans arrive in the parking lot to when they depart the stadium."
The league also left teams the option of adding additional provisions to the code based on local circumstances. It said the guidelines would be contained in mailings to fans and signs posted at stadiums.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
From what I’ve seen, they could use something similar in the CFL and NHL.
Tough Lesson For Golfer Hunter Mahan
07/08/2008 05:05
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - He complained about the money, control, time and extravagance at the Ryder Cup, some of the same issues that David Duval raised nine years ago without ever having played in one.
At least Hunter Mahan did not call it an exhibition.
The 26-year-old American has a lot on his plate at Oakland Hills this week. Mahan is trying to validate his potential by winning the final major of the year. He is No. 10 in the Ryder Cup standings and needs a strong week to qualify. And he is busy making the rounds with PGA of America officials, apologizing for critical comments about an event he has never played.
"They took it personally, and I don't blame them," Mahan said after meeting with PGA president Brian Whitcomb and CEO Joe Steranka. "I deserve what I get. I take full responsibility for what I said."
Mahan brought the wrong kind of attention to himself with an interview in Golf magazine in which he was asked to explain why the Americans keep losing the Ryder Cup. Among other things, he said the PGA of America "could care less about winning" because they decide where it is played based on where it can make the most money.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
And you thought the Americans didn’t take the Ryder Cup seriously?
Local Environmentalist Questions Project
06/08/2008 08:54
Don,
There used to be a very-much-alive wetland at this spot near Riel Drive. It was full of creatures: the chorus of frogs could be heard from far, and ducks were nesting in the protective shelter of the surround brush and grasses. Then progress moved in and during the past couple of months, the wetland was destroyed.
There were severe restrictions imposed by Alberta Environment on activity in that area: "The Approval Holder shall not conduct any vegetation removal, filling or drainage in the water bodies between April 15 and July 31. This requirement is to protect nesting and brood rearing migratory birds. Alternatively, the approval holder shall conduct a search for migratory bird nests or flightless birds prior to conducting the activity in the unnamed wetlands if the activity occurs during the period of April 15 to July 31. Nests or birds are to be protected or relocated in accordance with instructions provided by the Canadian Wildlife Service."
This photo was taken on July 28, 2008, well within the restricted time.
Nobody from Alberta Environment seems to be interested.
Elke Blodgett
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Uh, oh, do we have another apparently questionable project for the environment?
Welcome to Toastermuseum.com
06/08/2008 07:07
The world’s largest
Online Toaster Exhibition . .
.The revelation that somebody collects toasters often leads to the same reaction: awkward pause, nervous laugh, then: "...Toasters?" The problem is not, to collect toasters. The problem is, to have hundreds of them. The result: They simply call you crazy. Well, and sometimes I think they are right!
Let's toast together, enjoy and have fun!
Story pops up here.
SINC SAYS:
I thought I had seen all the toasters possible. Wrong.
Thousand Of Couples Plan To Marry On Friday
06/08/2008 07:02
To clinch lucky
triple
8sIt may not be as big as 7-7-7, but thousands of couples are heading down the aisle Friday, hoping the date August 8, 2008 brings them luck and an easy to remember anniversary date.
The number eight has long been considered fortuitous in China, where people pay extra to have it in phone numbers and licence plates.
The opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympic Games falls on Aug. 8.
Upcoming bride Denise Becker, a 26-year-old middle school teacher in East Northport, New York, says eight has always been lucky for her and her fiance.
She says they always find themselves in Seat 8, Row 8, at movie theatres with eight screens.
She started planning her wedding 1 1/2 years ago and was surprised to find that most venues were already booked.
Wedded bliss here.
SINC SAYS:
We got married on October 8, some 43 years ago. I’m happy to report that it also was a very lucky date for us.
Man Dials 911 Twice To Complain His Sub Had No Sauce
06/08/2008 06:53
From CBC News
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The sauce for a spicy Italian sandwich was apparently a must have for one Florida man.
The man, Reginald Peterson, called 911 twice after a sandwich shop left off the sauce.
According to a police report, Peterson initially called the emergency number Thursday so that officers could have his subs made correctly.
The second call was to complain that police officers weren't arriving fast enough.
Workers at the Subway sandwich shop told police that Peterson, 42, became belligerent and yelled when they were fixing his order.
When officers arrived, they tried to calm Peterson and explain the proper use of 911, but those efforts failed, so he was charged with making false 911 calls.
SINC SAYS:
Saucy subs eh? Never heard of putting sauce on a sub.
Amazing Chalk Sidewalk Drawings . . .
06/08/2008 06:53
Julian Beever is an
English artist who's famous for his art on the
pavements of England, France, Germany, USA,
Australia and Belgium.
These are just some of his creations:
These are just some of his creations:
Man 'Proud' Of His 12 Fingers And 14 Toes
06/08/2008 06:47
Holding the record
for the most recorded number of fingers and
toes in a living person might be seen as a
blessing to some
people.Heramb Ashok Kumthekar, a 22 year old marketing student from Pune was born with 12 fingers and 14 toes Photo: BARCROFT MEDIA
Pianists, typists and tailors might all look on green with envy at Haramb Ashok Kumthekar, of Goa in India, who has six digits on each hand and seven digits on each feet.
But for Heramb, 22, it means he cannot even wear a pair of simple flip-flops, nor can he find a pair of gloves that fit his hands in the winter.
Even more frustrating is the fact that Heramb does not even hold the official Guinness world record for most digits on a person because some of his fingers are technically attached, even though they have separate bones.
The official Guinness honour belongs to his fellow countryman Devendra Harne, a 13 year old boy from Kolkota, who has 12 fingers and 13 toes on his feet.
Count them up with more pictures here.
SINC SAYS:
Last time I counted, I had 10 of each that matched. Well, that is except for that one black nail that tangled with a hammer.
Only From Maxine . . .
06/08/2008 06:45
Last night my sister and I were sitting in the den and I said to her, 'I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle to keep me alive. That would be no quality of life at all, If that ever happens, just pull the plug.'
So she got up, unplugged the computer, and threw out my wine.
She's such a bitch.
Why Do Fender Benders Cost So Much?
06/08/2008 06:42
This Nissan Altima,
left, sustained a total of $4,507 damage
when it struck the back of a Nissan Murano at
10 mph.Trucks, vans, SUVS don't have to comply with bumper regulations
There’s a reason cars have bumpers. They’re designed to absorb the impact of a minor crash to prevent damage to fenders, grilles, headlights, taillights, and other expensive parts. For this to work, bumpers on both vehicles must be the same height.
That’s why federal regulations require all car bumpers to be 16 to 20 inches off the ground.
But federal bumper regulations do not apply to SUVs, pickups, and minivans. Without a regulatory height requirement, the bumpers on these vehicles tend to be higher than car bumpers. It makes them look more sporty and rugged. But in a crash — even at low speeds — these higher bumpers often ride over the car bumpers and cause more damage to both vehicles.
Full story here.
SINC SAYS:
There ought to be a standard height for all vehicles to avoid this kind of thing.
Favre, Packers At Loggerheads
06/08/2008 06:42
Green Bay, WI (Sports Network) - Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre has reportedly asked the team for his release.
ESPN.com reported that Favre acknowledged that he was at loggerheads with the organization and believed the "best thing for this team is for us to part ways."
"We're at a stalemate," Favre told the Web site. "(Coach) Mike McCarthy and I both agreed last night that me being out there is a distraction and will continue to be a distraction. We all know the reason I'm here is because the commissioner [Roger Goodell] reinstated me so we have a lot of things to figure out. It's simple and complicated, both at the same time."
Favre also said the team once again rejected his request to talk to teams about a trade within the NFC North.
Favre is friends with Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress, as well as offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, and it's believed the signal caller would like to play with Minnesota this season.
Favre originally faxed his letter requesting reinstatement to the league on Tuesday of last week.
The 38-year-old Favre retired in early March at a tear-filled press conference, but has apparently had the itch to return for a 17th season. He met last Wednesday with club president Mark Murphy in Mississippi.
After Favre's retirement, Aaron Rodgers was given the starting QB job, a position from which the Packers have remained steadfast.
Favre leaves Lambeau Field, maybe Packers for good.
Report: Favre close to being dealt to Bucs.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
You know, before this whole Favre fiasco, I was quite a Green Bay Packers fan. Not anymore. For all that is football, for goodness sakes, Packers, give Favre his frickin’ release.
Even With Game On Decline, John Daly’s A Draw
06/08/2008 06:41
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Kids reached out to touch him. Grown men shouted his name. Women smiled and begged for an autograph.
It's been 17 years since John Daly, his moon face beaming below a blond mullet, strode up the 18th fairway at Crooked Stick, a shocking winner of the PGA Championship. And it's 13 years since the burly golfer pulled off another stunner, winning the British Open at, of all places, St. Andrews.
But as it was evident Monday morning near the practice range at Oakland Hills, site of this week's 90th PGA Championship, the years melt away when a gallery spies Daly.
Despite the tawdry headlines about his failed relationships, erratic behaviour, indifferent practice regimens and personal excesses, Daly remains a much-loved favourite of the fans in a sport where proper dress, proper manners and proper decorum are usually the rule.
"Yeah, it does," he said Monday when asked if returning to a major championship reminded him of his breakthrough win in 1991 at Crooked Stick. "It's always nice."
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It seems like just yesterday, but it was 17 years ago at Crooked Stick when Daly, as the ninth and final alternate in the field, burst onto the PGA Tour by winning its PGA Championship with his bombshell 350 yard + drives.
Last Chance For Mickelson At Oakland Hills
06/08/2008 06:41
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Phil Mickelson already had crossed the finish line the last time he showed up at Oakland Hills.
Now he can only hope he is hitting his stride.
Mickelson is the betting favourite at the PGA Championship, his last chance to win a major in a year that has been filled with disappointment at the biggest events.
There was a 75 in the third round of the Masters that knocked him out of contention. There were no drivers in his bag at the U.S. Open for two rounds. And he lost a ball at Royal Birkdale on his way to a 79 in the first round, a major that ended before he could settle in for a cup of tea.
Not that this year has been a disaster by any means.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Not only is this the last chance for Phil, it’s the last chance for a lot of golfers to win a major this year, as the PGA this week at Oakland Hills, just outside of Detroit, wraps up the major championship circuit on the PGA Tour for 2008.
Catch all of the action starting at 11:00 a.m. local time on TSN and TSN-HD.
Countdown To Beijing Olympic Games
06/08/2008 06:40
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The Olympic Summer Games officially open at 6:00 a.m. local time on Friday, with a total of 331 Canadian athletes there to represent the Maple Leaf in Beijing, China.
TSN Olympic broadcast schedule.
2008 Olympic Games schedule.
2008 Canadian Olympic Team.
Canadians to watch.
China Tightens Security After Deadly Attack
06/08/2008 06:40
KASHGAR, China - Soldiers gripping clubs patrolled the streets Tuesday where bomb-tossing attackers killed 16 police in China's western Xinjiang region, triggering a full security alert in the restive Muslim territory just days before the Olympic Games.
Police were boarding vehicles and searching passengers' bags on the roads leading into Kashgar, the city near the Afghan-Pakistan border where Monday's attack happened. Government offices, schools and hospitals were being placed under greater watch as part of the alert, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Sixteen officers were killed and another 16 injured in the attack in which two assailants rammed a dump truck and hurled explosives at a group of police during their morning jog.
Kashgar's Communist party secretary, Shi Dagang, called the attack an act of premeditated terrorism and told reporters that the two attackers prepared written statements beforehand saying "they had to wage 'holy war,' " Xinhua reported.
China's Olympic organizers immediately pronounced security precautions were ready to ensure safety in Beijing and other Olympic venues when the games open Friday.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Let’s hope these Olympic games come off without incident and that the IOC does not regret awarding this year’s games to Beijing.
If Other Communities Can Do It, Why Can't We?
05/08/2008 04:32
SINC
SAYS:
Today St. Albert’s
Place is pleased to announce another
volunteer has stepped forward to assist us,
in bringing you the reader, more local news.
St. Albert resident Mark Fraser has submitted his first report with a look at other communities who appear to have got much more bang for their buck with their recreation facilities.
We welcome Mark to the crew and look forward to others who might be interested in becoming a correspondent for St. Albert’s Place.
We are particularly interested in finding a teen and a woman to submit items from time to time of interest to local readers. If you would like to try your hand at an occasional report, just drop me an e-mail and we’ll work out the details.
Here’s Mark’s first report:
Hi Don
Consider this my first report as Cub reporter for St. Albert's Place
As you and our readers are well aware, not only did the citizen's of St. Albert get shafted on the "Wreck Centre" but a promised Football Field never did materialize in the so called plan.
This is the facility in Spruce Grove, a city half the size of ours. Not only do they have a premiere facility, but they have two fields, concession, locker rooms, a scoreboard
(two actually, one for each field) etc. etc.
I am sure that theirs cost a pretty penny, but from what I can see it was a well thought out plan and the result is magnificent. Unlike here where there never seems to any forethought whatsoever. Its just spend, spend, spend and let the chips fall where they may and then spend more money to fix the problem.
Well rather than go on and on in words, I will let the attached pictures speak for themselves.
Mark Fraser
(Please click on images to see larger versions.)
St. Albert resident Mark Fraser has submitted his first report with a look at other communities who appear to have got much more bang for their buck with their recreation facilities.
We welcome Mark to the crew and look forward to others who might be interested in becoming a correspondent for St. Albert’s Place.
We are particularly interested in finding a teen and a woman to submit items from time to time of interest to local readers. If you would like to try your hand at an occasional report, just drop me an e-mail and we’ll work out the details.
Here’s Mark’s first report:
Hi Don
Consider this my first report as Cub reporter for St. Albert's Place
As you and our readers are well aware, not only did the citizen's of St. Albert get shafted on the "Wreck Centre" but a promised Football Field never did materialize in the so called plan.
This is the facility in Spruce Grove, a city half the size of ours. Not only do they have a premiere facility, but they have two fields, concession, locker rooms, a scoreboard
(two actually, one for each field) etc. etc.
I am sure that theirs cost a pretty penny, but from what I can see it was a well thought out plan and the result is magnificent. Unlike here where there never seems to any forethought whatsoever. Its just spend, spend, spend and let the chips fall where they may and then spend more money to fix the problem.
Well rather than go on and on in words, I will let the attached pictures speak for themselves.
Mark Fraser
(Please click on images to see larger versions.)
05/08/2008 04:01
What happens to an irrisitable force when it hits an immovable object?
If there's a speed of sound and a speed of light is there a speed of smell?
Why do overalls have belt loops, since they are held up at the top by the straps?
Do the security guards at airports have to go through airport security when they get to work?
Why are all of the Harry Potter spells in Latin if they're English?
What do Greeks say when they don't understand something?
Loose Lips Can Get You Arrested
05/08/2008 03:59
Or, why you shouldn't
talk to the police
So, the police are investigating a crime, and in the course of their investigation, they come to chat with you about what you know or may have seen. You've done nothing wrong, so you have no objections to sitting down with the investigating officers and telling what little you may know. But the questioning becomes more intense, you find yourself stumbling over facts that don't seem important to you, but have the police pricking up their ears. And suddenly you realize that you're not just a helpful witness; now you're a suspect.
What did you do wrong?
The answer, unfortunately, is that you talked yourself into trouble -- yes, even innocent people can do that. You've probably heard that before from your paranoid brother-in-law, or a lawyer friend, but you didn't do anything. Who would have believed that your life could be turned upside down by a few words?
Watch the video here.
SINC SAYS:
Who knew?
Amazing Chalk Sidewalk Drawings . . .
05/08/2008 03:57
Julian Beever is an
English artist who's famous for his art on the
pavements of England, France, Germany, USA,
Australia and Belgium.
These are just some of his creations:
These are just some of his creations:
Woman Hit Hubby With Lasagna
05/08/2008 03:54
ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla.,
Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Police in Atlantic Beach, Fla.,
said they have charged a woman with domestic
battery after she allegedly struck her husband
with a frozen
lasagna.Investigators said Amanda Trott allegedly used the frozen food as a weapon during an argument with her husband, whose first name was not released, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, Fla., reported Monday.
"Mr. Trott claimed that Mrs. Trott had slapped him across the face several times and threw a frozen lasagna at him that struck him at the top of his head," police Sgt. David Cameron said.
Cameron said Amanda Trott admitted to officers that she had used the frozen block of lasagna to hit her husband.
"In my opinion, it hurts very much and will cause welts. It's like throwing a block of ice, and it's very heavy," Cameron said.
Trott's husband was also arrested on unrelated charges.
"Later during the investigation, they discovered that Mr. Trott had a violation of injunction. He was also arrested," Cameron said.
SINC SAYS:
My wife throws lasagna at me occasionally too, but it is hot and on the table. Note that I detest the stuff.
Abandoned Newborn Sea Lion Gets Swimming Lessons
05/08/2008 03:53
An abandoned newborn
sea lion got her first swimming lesson last
week from a teacher without any
fins.Ella, a 47-day old California sea lion pup, took her first swimming lessons at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom’s Sea Lion Stadium pool Friday with the help of a trainer.
The 26-pound sea lion was recently given a clean bill of health after a mandatory quarantine period.
Ella was born on June 16 and she was abandoned shortly after her mother gave birth to her on a beach in Santa Barbara.
The mother was apparently scared off by well-intentioned but unknowing passers-by, according to Six Flags.
After the individuals interfered with the new mother, she panicked and fled into the ocean, leaving Ella behind.
Shortly after authorities contacted Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo to see if sea lion experts at the park could conduct 24-hour care and provide a permanent home for the pup.
Because she is now imprinted on humans, she will never be able to survive on her own without the valuable lessons learned from her mother, according to the park.
On Friday, with the help of her trainers and a bottle of milk, Ella took baby steps from her kiddie pool with six inches of water to tank that holds 271,000 gallons.
The park now has 12 California sea lions.
SINC SAYS:
Wouldn’t you think the pup would learn some of these things from the other eleven sea lions at the park?
Olympic Village Gets Thumbs Up From Athletes
05/08/2008 03:33
BEIJING - The food is good, the beds are comfortable and the venues great.
The Olympic flame won't officially be lit until Friday but so far Canadian athletes and support staff like what they see at the Beijing Summer Games.
"Everything is pretty good," Grant Golding, a gymnast from Calgary, said Monday. "The (athletes') village is really nice. The gyms are great."
Things are going so well that Sylvie Bernier, the Canadian team's chef de mission, is actually looking for something to complain about.
"I am trying to find problems," the former Olympic gold medallist diver said while eating lunch at the athletes' village. "We are working out the little details, making sure the athletes are comfortable.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Well, at least there seems to be something positive about the Beijing games.
Junior Champ Catches Fire At Right Time
05/08/2008 03:32
Recent, consistent rounds in 60s makes St. Albert's Shane O'Neill one of favourites for this week's national championship
There's probably a golfer out there hotter than St. Albert's Shane O'Neill.
But the guy would have to be sitting in a sauna, eating chili peppers and drinking tabasco sauce straight out of the bottle.
Last week O'Neill won the Edmonton Junior. By 10 shots. He could have played the last nine holes blindfolded. Then again, after his opening round of 68 that had him six shots clear of the field, he probably could have won using 19-inch plastic clubs and driving-range balls.
The week before that he won the CN Future Links Western Championship at Wolf Creek. By four shots. Against a field from all over Western Canada. It was the second year in a row he won that tournament.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Best of luck to O'Neill as he tees off this week in the RCGA's Canadian Junior Boys Championship, which has attracted the best 18-year-old and younger golfers in Canada, at the Edmonton Petroleum Club.
Favre Makes Return To Packers Camp
05/08/2008 03:31
GREEN BAY, Wis. - There was no parade, no motorcade, and no photo opportunity - hardly the way you'd expect Brett Favre to return to the Green Bay Packers after spending most of the past month as the league's longest-running daytime drama.
If Favre did report to the Packers as expected Monday, none of the fans and media members staking out several entrances to Lambeau Field managed to catch a glimpse of him.
And while a team security official told a few hundred fans gathered near the entrance to the players' parking lot that Favre already was in the building shortly after he was expected to report at 1 p.m. ET, Packers officials weren't immediately available to confirm Favre was present.
Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ruled Monday he found no violations of league policy in the Packers' tampering complaint against Minnesota Vikings. And Minnesota coach Brad Childress denied reports the Vikings have talked to the Packers about a potential trade for Favre.
"We haven't had any contact (with the Packers)," Childress said.
More from Canadian Press.
Vikings cleared of tampering; have yet to talk to Packers.
Quarterback Brett Favre flying under the radar in Green Bay on Monday.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I’m just sitting back with baited breath in anticipation of just what’s going to happen next in this continuing saga.
Down To Bare Basics In World Naked Bike Ride
05/08/2008 03:30
ST. LOUIS - Fewer clothes and lots of skin have made a political point in a public park in St. Louis.
Hundreds of mostly nude bicyclists joined curious spectators in the city's Tower Grove Park on Saturday night for a 16-kilometre "World Naked Bike Ride."
The ride has been staged in 70 cities worldwide since 2004 as a way to protest society's dependence on oil.
St. Louis police were on hand to ensure the riders wore the bare minimum, which included thongs, pasties, loin cloths, bathing suits and even body painting.
However, officers didn't seem to notice one rider wearing nothing but a pink derby hat.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
A pink derby hat, eh?
CFL Rules Armour’s Ejection Unwarranted
05/08/2008 03:30
The Canadian Football League has determined the ejection of Calgary Stampeders' linebacker JoJuan Armour from Saturday's game with the Saskatchewan Roughriders was unwarranted.
Armour is eligible to play in Thursday's rematch on TSN (10pm et/7pm pt).
On the Roughriders' second play from scrimmage, Armour was ejected for making contact with an official during the course of play. Upon review of video footage, it was determined the contact resulted from prior contact between Armour and an opponent.
"We sincerely regret that this officiating error was made and cost Mr. Armour the opportunity to play during last night's game," said CFL Director of Officiating Tom Higgins in a statement on Sunday. "Our officials are professionals and do a tremendous job, but when a call is missed we take it very seriously and have an internal review system to deal with it appropriately".
More from TSN.
Hufnagel happy with CFL’s decision to overturn suspension.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The CFL really has to do something about its officiating because that was the most ridiculous call I have ever seen in my life.
04/08/2008 07:39
Did Noah have woodpeckers on the ark? If he did, where did he keep them?
Why are builders afraid to have a 13th floor but book publishers aren't afraid to have a Chapter 11?
How do you handcuff a one-armed man?
In some books, why do they have blank pages at the very end?
Why can't donuts be square?
Why put a towel in the dirty clothes basket if when you get out of the shower you are clean?
Man Presumed Dead In 1976 Flood Found Alive
04/08/2008 07:34
From CBC News
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - A man believed to have died in a Colorado flood in 1976 has been found living in Oklahoma.
Sixty-three-year-old Darrell Johnson told the Fort Collins Coloradoan newspaper Friday that he didn't know he had been counted among the 144 victims of the Big Thompson Canyon flood until a resident called him last year.
Barb Anderson said residents didn't want his name on a memorial plaque without proof he was dead.
Johnson and his family had decided to leave their shabby cabin the morning of the flood after just one night. A few hours later, the resort was washed away.
How Johnson ended up on the victims list remains a mystery.
He now directs funerals in Oklahoma City and acknowledges he was lucky to get the bad cabin.
SINC SAYS:
Imagine that, a supposed dead guy running funerals. Ironic or what?
Kids Need The Adventure Of 'Risky' Play
04/08/2008 07:31
A major study says
parents harm their children's development if
they ban tree-climbing or
conkersIt is a scene that epitomises childhood: young siblings racing towards a heavy oak tree, hauling themselves on to the lower branches and scrambling up as high as they can get. Yet millions of children are being deprived of such pleasure because their parents are nervous about exposing them to any risks, new research has revealed.
A major study by Play England, part of the National Children's Bureau, found that half of all children have been stopped from climbing trees, 21 per cent have been banned from playing conkers and 17 per cent have been told they cannot take part in games of tag or chase. Some parents are going to such extreme lengths to protect their children from danger that they have even said no to hide-and-seek.
'Children are not being allowed many of the freedoms that were taken for granted when we were children,' said Adrian Voce, director of Play England. 'They are not enjoying the opportunities to play outside that most people would have thought of as normal when they were growing up.'
Details here.
SINC SAYS:
Too many kids get coddled by their parents and turn out having zero respect for either authority or discipline. And that’s sad.
The Wisdom Of Will Rogers . . .
04/08/2008 07:29
Will Rogers, who died in a plane crash with Wylie Post in 1935, was probably the greatest political sage this country has ever known. Enjoy the following:
One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.
Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it's called golf
If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you are old.
Where Will Lightning Strike Next?
04/08/2008 07:20
"I watch the skies
all the time," says Kim McNairn. "I've been
leaving my bike, not wanting to head out into
the storms we've been having for the past 10
days.
Every bit of
lightning, every plane overhead, I look. Even
though I'm a rational person, a journalist,
you still look and hear the sounds again."
The sounds she's referring to were apocalyptic – the roar of lightning under her tent. She was camping with her husband, Globe and Mail reporter Les Perreaux, in northern Quebec when a wild storm broke at around 2 a.m. on July 16, she says by phone from Montreal, where the 32-year-old is producer of the local CBC Radio afternoon show.
"You could hear the thunder getting closer, we were counting the time from lightning to thunder, three seconds, two seconds, one second. It sounded like a bomb. An explosion. I felt it was in my head, right there. Our tent is orange and the light coming in was orange, but there was a bright white light and flashes of blue."
Most horribly, they smelled their hair burning, though when they examined themselves later they found no trace of burns. For a moment they were engulfed in the astonishing and mysterious world of lightning, and they survived.
Full details here.
SINC SAYS:
If I smelled my hair burning, I am not sure what I would do.
The sounds she's referring to were apocalyptic – the roar of lightning under her tent. She was camping with her husband, Globe and Mail reporter Les Perreaux, in northern Quebec when a wild storm broke at around 2 a.m. on July 16, she says by phone from Montreal, where the 32-year-old is producer of the local CBC Radio afternoon show.
"You could hear the thunder getting closer, we were counting the time from lightning to thunder, three seconds, two seconds, one second. It sounded like a bomb. An explosion. I felt it was in my head, right there. Our tent is orange and the light coming in was orange, but there was a bright white light and flashes of blue."
Most horribly, they smelled their hair burning, though when they examined themselves later they found no trace of burns. For a moment they were engulfed in the astonishing and mysterious world of lightning, and they survived.
Full details here.
SINC SAYS:
If I smelled my hair burning, I am not sure what I would do.
Edmonton Boasts 21 Olympians
04/08/2008 07:20
Athletes bound for Beijing include eight competing in track events
Tim Berrett cuts a solitary figure as he walks for hours upon hours through Edmonton's lush river valley training for the Beijing Olympics.
Obviously, this is a man who enjoys his own company.
"Yeah, I can be a bit of a loner," agreed the four-time Canadian Olympian in the 50-kilometre race walk. "But it's nice to have some familiar faces around."
Some familiar faces? Berrett, a father of two, can look forward to all kinds of homegrown company in the Athletes Village, Aug. 8-24 in Beijing.
According to the Edmonton Sport Council, the Edmonton-and-area Summer Olympic contingent features 21 athletes who were born in, or choose to train in, the Edmonton region.
Some of the big names include track star Tyler Christopher, the world indoor champion in the 400 metres, triathlete Paul Tichelaar and Canadian soccer goalkeeper Erin McLeod.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Do us proud in Beijing, guys and gals!
Favre Reinstated, Ready To Go To Packers’ Camp
04/08/2008 07:19
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Brett Favre is back. It remains to be seen whether he'll still be the leader of the Pack.
The Green Bay Packers reluctantly embraced Favre's forced return to the football field Sunday, after failing to come to a financial agreement that would manage to make Favre happy while staying retired.
The NFL announced Sunday that Favre will be reinstated and added to the Packers' active roster on Monday. Commissioner Roger Goodell had held off on granting Favre's request for reinstatement for nearly a week, hoping Favre and the team could resolve their standoff.
''Although we built this year around the assumption that Brett meant what he said about retiring, Brett is coming back,'' said team president and CEO Mark Murphy. ''We will welcome him back and turn this situation to our advantage.''
A private plane carrying Favre, wife Deanna and agent James (Bus) Cook arrived in Green Bay shortly after 8 p.m. ET Sunday night. Favre exited the plane and waved to a crowd of several hundred fans gathered at the airport - in a severe lightning storm, no less - before driving off in an SUV.
More from Canadian Press.
Commissioner Wants Favre, Packers Dispute Settled By Monday.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Good for Goodell. Enough already.
Third Cuban Baseball Player Goes Missing In Edmonton
04/08/2008 07:18
EDMONTON - Another Cuban baseball player is missing from an international baseball tournament in Edmonton.
This brings the total number of Cuban players expected to have defected to three.
Two players were reported missing from the team's roster last week.
Tournament chairman Ron Hayter says it happens at most major international sporting events, and he's not losing sleep over the issue.
Hayter says it's not up to organizers to be keeping tabs on players to make sure they don't leave their team.
On Friday, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro rebuked Edmonton in an Internet column, calling it a "dumping ground" for Cuban athletes.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I wonder if CTV Sports Director Dave Mitchell has found the first two Cubans yet?
Olympic Protesters Must Apply Days In Advance
04/08/2008 07:18
Anyone interested in demonstrating at one of Beijing's recently approved protest sites will need to apply five days in advance, the security chief for the Olympic organizing committee said Sunday.
Liu Shaowu, security chief for the Beijing organizing committee, outlined the requirements on the official Olympics news website Saturday, but he also stressed the country's outright ban against gatherings deemed "harmful" to national interests.
"Assembling to march and protest is a citizen's right. But it must be stressed that when exercising this right, citizens must respect and not harm others' freedoms and rights and must not harm national, social and collective interests," Liu said in the statement.
The application process differs for foreigners and locals who wish to rally at one of the three officially approved protest sites near far-flung sporting venues, which were announced by Liu at a news conference in Beijing on July 23.
Chinese citizens are required to submit a written application to police, while foreigners must submit an application to the border entry-exit administration.
Liu said that potential protesters would receive a decision from Chinese authorities at least two days prior to the planned protest date. He added that if the applicant doesn't hear from police, that can also be taken as approval.
More from CBC Sports.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Hmm . . . I guess they really must do things differently in China after all!
Former Redskins Headline Hall Of Fame Ceremony
04/08/2008 07:17
CANTON, Ohio - The Hall of Fame induction ceremony turned Hog wild Saturday.
Darrell Green and Art Monk walked across the stage waving their arms and urged thousands of Washington Redskins fans to give them one more salute. Emmitt Thomas, the former Chiefs player and Redskins coach, simply waved back.
And they applauded the three other inductees without Washington ties - Fred Dean, Andre Tippett and Gary Zimmerman - knowing they would have fit in with the Redskins' blue-collar reputation.
''Standing up here on this platform is much different than I imagined,'' Monk said. ''The reality of getting into the Pro Football Hall of Fame didn't really hit me till a few days ago. And then to see the magnitude of all of this, and all of you, it's been something amazing.''
Almost as shocking as the partisan crowd that turned Canton, Ohio, into a temporary home for the Redskins.
From the burgundy-and-yellow clad crowd to the pig's snouts to the responses whenever the Dallas Cowboys were mentioned, the ceremony looked more like a team induction than a league-wide enshrinement.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Ah yes, "Mem'ries, Light the corners of my mind, Misty water-colored memories, Of the way we were . . ."