14 September 2008
Local Mother, Daughters Try Skydiving
20/09/2008 05:21
A Whole New Experience
For Local
Women
SINC SAYS:
During a routine e-mail exchange recently, I discovered that Bad Girlz clothing owner Barb Freysteinson had gone skydiving. I was fascinated by the prospect of a mature woman jumping out of a small plane and asked Barb if she might share her experience with St. Albert’s Place readers. she graciously agreed and put together this first person account. Thanks for sharing your story Barb!
SINC SAYS:
During a routine e-mail exchange recently, I discovered that Bad Girlz clothing owner Barb Freysteinson had gone skydiving. I was fascinated by the prospect of a mature woman jumping out of a small plane and asked Barb if she might share her experience with St. Albert’s Place readers. she graciously agreed and put together this first person account. Thanks for sharing your story Barb!
(That's Barb in
the upper left photo and daughter Brandy in
the lower right. Click on pictures to see
larger images.)
By Barb Freysteinson
This summer I decided to try something that I’ve spoken of doing lots in the past.
Skydiving.
I did some research and decided that Eden North was the place for me to try it. (Okay, to be honest, I looked through the staff photos and saw a bunch of cuties there, so decided if I’m going to die, I want the last person I see to be HOT!)
After e-mailing them a few times I booked tandem jumps for my two daughters and my girlfriend.
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon that we were out there. They sat us down and had us fill out forms and watch a video on the dos and don’ts of tandem jumping. Then we were free to wander until our turn came to gear up.
I headed for the parachute packing area to watch how parachutes are packed. To see if it was complicated and room for error or pretty straight forward. Everyone there seemed very skilled at packing their chutes.
They paged us and we went in to gear up and meet our instructors who would be tied to us.
The plane ride through the field was bumpy but just a small detail when you think that soon you will be jumping out of the plane.
We got airborne and Dean, my instructor showed me his wrist altimeter as we climbed.
When I saw how far his dial had to go before our time to deplane, it hit me just how high up we’d be. 12,500 feet.
Dean asked me how I wanted to leave the plane. Backwards so I can watch the plane leave? NO! Head first? NO!
I asked him if we could go out with the least amount of movement. The gentlest way possible. He probably began to wish he had someone braver tied to him at this point. Two solo jumpers jumped before our turn came up. One was Dean’s 16 year old son.
I’ve never seen anyone jump out of a plane that I was in so as they jumped, you could hear their clothing flap in the wind and then they quickly dropped below the plane. That really unnerved me, but Dean was scooting us towards the door so no time for second thoughts.
We jumped out sideways, and yes, as we fell backwards I saw the plane leave. I changed my mind the second he let go of the plane, but what can you do? Call the pilot to come back?
Then we did a few barrel rolls and one summersault. There was no up or down at this point. It seemed like we were inside a big gray cloud.
He opened the small chute (beats me what it does. I heard it slows us down so when the big chute opens, it won’t get ripped in the wind. Good idea!) and we stabilized, then took the skydiving position of arms out, hips arched back.
After the plane left there was silence other than the wind ripping past my ears. That’s when I realized what I did. I was falling to the ground.
It seemed like an eternity before Dean took mercy and opened the parachute. My tummy did a flip as we slowed down from our mile and half free fall. When we could hear, Dean asked me how I liked it.
I replied that I’ve never been more frightened in my life and asked how he could do it over 3,000 times.
That’s when I realized who I was tied to. A hero!
Not only does he serve our country in the military, but somehow talks himself into doing that for that many times. I heard he is or was a Skyhawk. Plus he admits it still gets him going a bit too. Something none of the younger guys would admit.
We drifted back down to the ground calmly, mostly because Dean had such a chicken tied to him. He was so wonderful at calming me down though. Everyone else had already landed even though we jumped out first.
Our landing wasn’t exactly the “tiptoe” landing that I was expecting. Perhaps I shouldn’t have distracted him with a question right before the landing.
My hands were sweating every time I thought about skydiving for about a week after. Then it went away and I missed the adrenaline rush.
I would highly recommend Eden North for any other adventurous souls. They are very safety conscious and run their jump site very professionally.
We are going back next year! Again and again! We’re hooked!
By Barb Freysteinson
This summer I decided to try something that I’ve spoken of doing lots in the past.
Skydiving.
I did some research and decided that Eden North was the place for me to try it. (Okay, to be honest, I looked through the staff photos and saw a bunch of cuties there, so decided if I’m going to die, I want the last person I see to be HOT!)
After e-mailing them a few times I booked tandem jumps for my two daughters and my girlfriend.
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon that we were out there. They sat us down and had us fill out forms and watch a video on the dos and don’ts of tandem jumping. Then we were free to wander until our turn came to gear up.
I headed for the parachute packing area to watch how parachutes are packed. To see if it was complicated and room for error or pretty straight forward. Everyone there seemed very skilled at packing their chutes.
They paged us and we went in to gear up and meet our instructors who would be tied to us.
The plane ride through the field was bumpy but just a small detail when you think that soon you will be jumping out of the plane.
We got airborne and Dean, my instructor showed me his wrist altimeter as we climbed.
When I saw how far his dial had to go before our time to deplane, it hit me just how high up we’d be. 12,500 feet.
Dean asked me how I wanted to leave the plane. Backwards so I can watch the plane leave? NO! Head first? NO!
I asked him if we could go out with the least amount of movement. The gentlest way possible. He probably began to wish he had someone braver tied to him at this point. Two solo jumpers jumped before our turn came up. One was Dean’s 16 year old son.
I’ve never seen anyone jump out of a plane that I was in so as they jumped, you could hear their clothing flap in the wind and then they quickly dropped below the plane. That really unnerved me, but Dean was scooting us towards the door so no time for second thoughts.
We jumped out sideways, and yes, as we fell backwards I saw the plane leave. I changed my mind the second he let go of the plane, but what can you do? Call the pilot to come back?
Then we did a few barrel rolls and one summersault. There was no up or down at this point. It seemed like we were inside a big gray cloud.
He opened the small chute (beats me what it does. I heard it slows us down so when the big chute opens, it won’t get ripped in the wind. Good idea!) and we stabilized, then took the skydiving position of arms out, hips arched back.
After the plane left there was silence other than the wind ripping past my ears. That’s when I realized what I did. I was falling to the ground.
It seemed like an eternity before Dean took mercy and opened the parachute. My tummy did a flip as we slowed down from our mile and half free fall. When we could hear, Dean asked me how I liked it.
I replied that I’ve never been more frightened in my life and asked how he could do it over 3,000 times.
That’s when I realized who I was tied to. A hero!
Not only does he serve our country in the military, but somehow talks himself into doing that for that many times. I heard he is or was a Skyhawk. Plus he admits it still gets him going a bit too. Something none of the younger guys would admit.
We drifted back down to the ground calmly, mostly because Dean had such a chicken tied to him. He was so wonderful at calming me down though. Everyone else had already landed even though we jumped out first.
Our landing wasn’t exactly the “tiptoe” landing that I was expecting. Perhaps I shouldn’t have distracted him with a question right before the landing.
My hands were sweating every time I thought about skydiving for about a week after. Then it went away and I missed the adrenaline rush.
I would highly recommend Eden North for any other adventurous souls. They are very safety conscious and run their jump site very professionally.
We are going back next year! Again and again! We’re hooked!
Jesus In The Drywall And On The Ceiling Too
20/09/2008 05:02
Jesus in the drywall
may sound like the title of a country song but
two subcontractors in Gulf Shores say that's
what seems to have appeared inside a house they
are working
on.Inside what will be the kitchen of a new house in Gulf Shores, Omar Craddock was just getting to work.
"We were in here doing some work. I happened to be looking around and I seen something going on that I normally wouldn't see."
An image, in the drywall. "We were working and my brother-in-law Omar said 'Hey come look at this'," says John Gissendanner.
"When I first seen it," says Omar, "the first thing to come to my mind was Jesus."
Details here.
Jesus Appears On
CeilingARKANSAS CITY, Kan -- He's popped up on trees, sandwiches and even a Cheeto and now Jesus is leaving his mark, so-to-speak, on a ceiling in Arkansas City, Kansas.
The image appeared at the One Stop Body Shoppe, a low-impact weight loss clinic for women, after a rain storm.
"A client was laying here looking up and told me, Michelle, you have Jesus on your ceiling. I just kind of looked at her, and she said you do, Jesus on the ceiling," said Michelle Beech, Manager.
"I think its the silhouette and kind of a partial beard," said Dominique Sartin, Body Shoppe staff member. "She said if it had leaked a little more it would be a beard on the other side too."
So is seeing believing?
"Believing is believing. Regardless of what you see," said Sartin.
The tile has been there for three weeks, and whatever they decide to do with it, they say it won't be hard to say good-bye.
"We're tired of cleaning up the water. Maybe he'll be the only tile we won't replace."
They're considering selling it on E-Bay.
You may remember that the image of the Virgin Mary on a grilled cheese sandwich sold on the site for $28,000 in 2004.
SINC SAYS:
He's everywhere, he's everywhere!
The Beauty Of Fall In St. Albert
20/09/2008 04:53
I love this time of year for all the glorious colours that surround us.
It's a great time to take a drive into the country to see the trees changing to their fall coats.
But every street in St. Albert has its own special beauty.
Here's a look at a couple of trees in our neighbourhood.
How about your street?
Do you have a shot
of some trees to share with St. Albert's
Place readers?
If so please send them along to us and we'll put them here for all to see.
Our address is:
mybirdie@telus.net
The Ventures' Nokie Edwards Big Hit
20/09/2008 04:49
Nokie Edwards and the band were a big hit last night at his special appearance at LB's Pub here in the city.
The former lead guitarist for the legendary band, The Ventures, played to a packed house last night.
Thanks to Pat Beier of LB's for sending along these shots very early this morning!
Online Vote-Swapping Legal But Voter Beware
20/09/2008 04:44
Elections Canada
warningCanada's electoral watchdog has deemed online vote-swapping to be legal but warned that the scheme could be used to dupe voters into casting their ballot for certain parties.
Elections Canada began looking into the issue after a Facebook group surfaced last week urging people living in ridings likely to have tight races to swap votes as a way to keep Stephen Harper's Conservatives from winning a majority.
James Hale, a spokesman for the federal agency, said the act of encouraging someone to vote in a particular way is allowed under the Elections Act.
It's also acceptable for people to invite voters to participate in an organized strategic voting plan, whether on the internet or through other means, he said.
But, he said, "electors should be cautious for a couple of reasons."
More from CBC News.
SINC SAYS:
I still vote the old fashioned way by going to the poll and voting for the candidate I prefer.
Tattoo Removal On The Rise In Germany
20/09/2008 04:40
Tribal style
lower-back tattoos known as Arschegeweih, or
“ass antlers” in Germany, were popular in the
1990s.
But now a herd of
Germans are stampeding to get them removed as
they and other tattoos go out of fashion.
“The number of laser removals for tattoos has almost doubled in the last five years,” Heinz Bull, president of Germany's GÄCD plastic surgery association, told news agency DPA on Thursday. “Now young people who got tattoos on the spur of the moment want to have them removed.”
It's important for people looking to shed their inky antlers search for qualified doctors, because different ink tones require different lasers, Bull stressed.
Dermatologist Walter Trettel has laser clinics in Hamburg, Kiel and Preetz that each remove the names of old lovers and other unwanted markings for some 20 patients per week. “This costs about three to four times more than the original tattoo,” he said, adding that is also more painful than getting a tattoo. Removing “ass antlers” requires between six and ten sessions, which can cost between €100 and €300.
But today's laser removal is still gentler and more effective as earlier methods, Trettel said. “When I first began at the Kiel university clinic we would cut tattoos out or grind them down,” he said, adding that this often left large scars behind.
SINC SAYS:
I heard another name recently for these ugly types of tatoos. “Tramp stamps”. Seems rather appropriate, non?
“The number of laser removals for tattoos has almost doubled in the last five years,” Heinz Bull, president of Germany's GÄCD plastic surgery association, told news agency DPA on Thursday. “Now young people who got tattoos on the spur of the moment want to have them removed.”
It's important for people looking to shed their inky antlers search for qualified doctors, because different ink tones require different lasers, Bull stressed.
Dermatologist Walter Trettel has laser clinics in Hamburg, Kiel and Preetz that each remove the names of old lovers and other unwanted markings for some 20 patients per week. “This costs about three to four times more than the original tattoo,” he said, adding that is also more painful than getting a tattoo. Removing “ass antlers” requires between six and ten sessions, which can cost between €100 and €300.
But today's laser removal is still gentler and more effective as earlier methods, Trettel said. “When I first began at the Kiel university clinic we would cut tattoos out or grind them down,” he said, adding that this often left large scars behind.
SINC SAYS:
I heard another name recently for these ugly types of tatoos. “Tramp stamps”. Seems rather appropriate, non?
He Said, She Said . . .
20/09/2008 04:19
He said to me . .
. I don't know why you
wear a bra; you've got nothing to put in it.
I said to him . . . You wear pants don't you?
He said to me . . . Shall we try swapping positions tonight?
I said to him . . . That's a good idea. You stand by the ironing board while I sit on the sofa and pass gas!
He said to me. . . What have you been doing with all the grocery money I gave you?
I said to him . . . Turn sideways and look in the mirror!
He said to me . . . Why don't women blink during foreplay?
I said to him . . . They don't have time
He said to me . . . How many men does it take to change a roll of toilet paper?
I said to him . . . We don't know; it has never happened.
He said to me . . . Why is it difficult to find men who are sensitive, caring and good-looking?
I said to him . . . They already have boyfriends.
I said to him . . . What do you call a woman who knows where her husband is every night?
He said to me . . . A widow.
He said to me . . . Why are married women heavier than single women?
I said to him . . . Single women come home, see what's in the fridge and go to bed. Married women come home, see what's in bed and go to the fridge.
Four Fans Go Toe-To-Toe In Kick For A Million
20/09/2008 04:19
They hail from across the country, range in age from 23 to 36, and were randomly selected from more than 2.8 million total entries. On September 27, four Canadians - two from Eastern Canada and two from Western Canada - will compete in regional quarter-final events in Toronto and Vancouver for a berth in the semifinal round of TSN's fourth annual, international award-winning million-dollar giveaway, Wendy's Kick for a Million.
The quarter-final events will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Rogers Centre in Toronto and B.C. Place in Vancouver during halftime of the Calgary @ Toronto and Hamilton @ B.C. games, respectively. Highlights and results from the quarter-finals will be featured during the 4th quarter of the Argonauts and Lions games, with both quarter-final events also available on-demand at TSN.ca.
The lucky foursome randomly selected to take part in the regional quarter-finals are:
Eastern Canada Participant #1 – Bryan MacLean of Sackville, NB; Male; Age 30
Eastern Canada Participant #2 – Omar Kassim of Kitchener, ON; Male; Age 34
Western Canada Participant #1 – Dallas Salahub of Saskatoon, SK; Male; Age 23
Western Canada Participant #2 – Kevin Vosburgh of Calgary, AB; Male; Age 36
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It would be really nice to see somebody relieve Wendy’s of that cool $1 million cash as happened two years ago.
Oilers Aware Of Pitfalls Caused By Injuries
20/09/2008 04:18
EDMONTON - The Edmonton Oilers are well aware that putting a hockey team together during training camp is one thing, but keeping it together for the balance of a season is another.
After staggering through a 2007-'08 campaign that saw them lose a club-record 346 man-games to injury and miss the playoffs for a second straight year, the Oilers start putting the pieces together again Saturday with their first on-ice session of training camp.
That means new faces like Erik Cole and Lubomir Visnovsky mixing in with familiar ones like Sheldon Souray, Shawn Horcoff, Fernando Pisani and Ethan Moreau, all of whom were expected to play big parts in coach Craig MacTavish's plans last season but for didn't.
Given Edmonton's injury woes last year, it's fair to characterize this year's camp as a do-over for MacTavish and his staff.
''We feel like everybody is surgically rebuilt,'' MacTavish told reporters Friday at Rexall Place while the Oilers took medicals and did fitness testing. ''You never say never in this business, but it's going to be almost impossible to think we're going to have an injury problem to the extent we've had the last couple of years.''
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The first casualty of 2008-2009 would appear to be coach Craig MacTavish, who will miss the first couple of practices nursing his surgically repaired pinky finger. Let’s hope this is not a sign of things to come for the Oil this year.
Class Of 2008 Includes Some Of CFL’s Best Ever
20/09/2008 04:17
HAMILTON - Doug Flutie says his time in the CFL were the best years of his football career.
The legendary quarterback is being inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame this weekend along with his contemporaries, running backs Michael (Pinball) Clemons and Mike Pringle, as well as offensive lineman John Bonk. The four were at Ivor Wynne Stadium on Friday for the Hall of Fame game between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Flutie, 46, spent eight seasons in the CFL, won three Grey Cups (one with Calgary and two with Toronto) and was named the league's outstanding player six times. He threw for 41,355 career passing yards and 270 touchdowns in the CFL before leaving for Buffalo and the NFL.
Flutie, a Heisman Trophy winner who came to Canada after being passed over south of the border due mainly to his size, says his time in the CFL ''put the fun back in football for me. They were probably the most enjoyable years of my football career.
''The first year back in Buffalo things went really well. It was a fun year. But overall, in the NFL, it's a lot of work and they make it a job . . . I always felt relaxed on the field here. I wouldn't have changed those eight years for anything.''
More from Canadian Press.
The class of 2008.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Congratulations to the “Class of 2008.” These names are synonymous with the CFL, folks – Doug Flutie, Mike Pringle, Pinball Clemons and John Bonk.
Americans Take Early Lead After Day One Of Ryder Cup
20/09/2008 04:16
Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - The Americans were in unfamiliar territory at the Ryder Cup on Friday.
They were in the lead.
The United States grabbed a 5 1/2 - 2 1/2 lead over Europe after Friday's two sessions at Valhalla, marking the first time it held the day-one advantage since 1995.
In afternoon fourballs, the U.S. took 2 1/2 points to win both sessions in a day for the first time since 1981.
After a 3-1 win in foursomes in the morning, the Americans' first Friday morning victory since 1991, the U.S. finds itself in a commanding position after day one.
But, U.S. captain Paul Azinger is not about to get cocky. The Americans have lost five of the last six Ryder Cups, including the last three. The last two losses were historic, nine-point drubbings.
More from Canadian Press.
Faldo benches Westwood, Garcia for Saturday matches.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Might it be as Jack Nicklaus predicted folks – that the Americans would win this year's Ryder Cup matches “easily?”
Tiger-Cats Pay Tribute To The "Little General"
20/09/2008 04:16
HAMILTON - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats paid tribute to the late Ron Lancaster prior to Friday night's game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Ticats showed a video montage honouring Lancaster, who passed away Thursday at the age of 69. Members of Lancaster's family wept as the tribute was played.
After the montage, the videoboard read Forever Loved, Remembered, while fans at Ivor Wynne Stadium observed a moment of silence.
The death of Lancaster, one of the top players, coaches and executives in the history of the CFL, came just over a month after he announced he was being treated for lung cancer.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
While tonight’s tribute was very well done and moving, methinks it will pale in comparison to the tribute to the “Little General” in Taylor Field before tonight’s ‘Rider/B.C. game.
Reader Wants Driving For Dummies Revived
19/09/2008 05:26
Hey Don,
Do you still do that “Driving For Dummies” thing you used to do? If so, I’ve got one for you!
You know by the Shell station there on Hebert Road? If you are coming from the Trail, there is a left turn exit to go into that mall across the street from the Shell.
But people who are coming towards the Trail always try to use that exit as an entrance to the Shell by turning left off Hebert into the Shell.
I’m telling you, I see it two or three times a week. It even has a “no entrance” keep right sign from that side and the dummies keep ignoring it.
All the cops have to do is sit in the Shell and wait for tickets to drive right up to them.
Give them that dummies award for me, would you?
Mike R.
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Well Mike, I think we got your point and here’s your award.
“The Ventures” Lead Guitarist At LB’s Pub Tonight
19/09/2008 05:08
The crowd is in for
a special treat at LB’s Pub tonight with a
special appearance by Nokie Edwards. For
those of you who don’t recognize the name,
here is a little
history:In 1959, while Nokie was playing lead guitar for Buck Owens, he was approached by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, a couple of guitarists from Washington. They asked Nokie to join them in forming a band which later became known as The Ventures (a band that went on to become the most popular rock instrumental band in history).
The group’s first single was a remake of guitarist Chet Atkins’ ‘Walk Don’t Run,’ which was written by jazz guitarist Johnny Smith. The tune was released in 1960 on Josie Wilson’s Blue Horizon label and garnered a lot of requests in the Seattle area. The group then signed with Dolton Records which was owned by Bob Reisdorff. Dolton later became a subsidiary of Liberty Records, and ‘Walk Don’t Run’ was released nationally, with the tune peaking at #2 on the charts.
The Ventures followed up the hit single with an album appropriated entitled "Walk Don’t Run". While touring with The Ventures, Nokie played lead on many famous hits that were recorded by Nokie and The Ventures by such as ‘Hawaii 5-O’ , ‘Fugitive’, ‘2000 Pound Bee’, ‘Yellow Jacket’, ‘Hokkaido Skies’, ‘Driving Guitars’, ‘Surf Rider’ (also known as ‘Spudnik’,) ’Moon Child’, ‘Pedal Pusher’, ‘Sleep Walk’, ‘Let’s Go’,’ Slaughter on Tenth Avenue’, ‘Wipe Out’, and ‘Pipeline’, to name a few.
SINC SAYS:
So folks, if you’re a fan of 60s music, don’t miss this chance to see one of the greats.
Student Makes Sticky Sculpture
19/09/2008 05:03
THIS art student made
his A-level art project entirely out of chewing
gum.Ally Rosenberg got 50 pals to chew a thousand pieces of gum in the school library.
The 17-year-old then mixed them together to create the 'skin' for his bust of an old woman's head.
The masterpiece was inspired by a woman he met in a pet shop.
Ally said: "She had flowing ginger hair and no teeth, and she interested me.
"She would probably not be very pleased with the result but I'm proud of it."
Ally is now working on his next A-level project – making a bust from teabags, dipped in liquid latex.
We're sure his sculpture will stick in people's minds!
SINC SAYS:
Can you imagine working with gobs of gum chewn by 50 other people? Yuk! No thanks.
The Things That People Send Me . . .
19/09/2008 04:55
The correct way to
weigh yourself . . .
I can't believe I
was doing it wrong all these
years.
Italian Model Plans To Sell Virginity For 1M Euros
19/09/2008 04:53
An Italian model who
swears she has never had sex plans to sell her
virginity for one million euros, or
£792,000.Raffella Fico: Her family insist that despite her good looks and sexy image, she remains a virgin
Showgirl and men's magazine model Raffella Fico, 20, told an Italian magazine: "I can't wait to see who's going to pull out the money to have me."
Miss Fico, who appeared in the Italian version of Big Brother earlier this year, said she would use the cash to buy a house in Rome and pay for acting classes.
"I don't know what it's like to have sex," she told the magazine, Chi, adding that if the man who bought her virginity was ugly then she would quickly get over it.
"If I don't like him I'll just have a glass of wine and forget about it," said the aspiring actress from Naples - hometown of screen siren Sophia Loren.
Her family insisted that despite her good looks and sexy image, she remained a virgin.
"She's never had a boyfriend. I swear on my mother's grave. She's a devout Catholic and prays to Padre Pio every night," her brother told the magazine.
She is the not the first woman to auction her virginity for a large sum. An 18-year-old US student in San Diego, Natalie Dylan, recently told the Howard Stern show she would have sex for the first time for $1 million to pay her college fees.
In 2005 a Peruvian model, also 18, put herself up for sale to help pay her family's medical bills but ended up having second thoughts and turning down $1.5 million.
SINC SAYS:
Devoted Catholic eh? Seems to me this kind of thing might just be a tad off base with the Pope.
Quiz for People Who Know Everything
19/09/2008 04:45
This is a quiz for people who know everything! I found out in a hurry that I didn't. These are not trick questions. They are straight questions with straight answers.
1. Name the one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends.
2. What famous North American landmark is constantly moving backward?
3. Of all vegetables, only two can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons. All other vegetables must be replanted every year. What are the only two perennial vegetables?
4. What fruit has its seeds on the outside?
5. In many liquor stores, you can buy pear brandy, with a real pear inside the bottle. The pear is whole and ripe, and the bottle is genuine, it hasn't been cut in any way. How did the pear get inside the bottle?
6. Only three words in standard English begin with the letters 'dw' and they are all common words. Name two of them.
7. There are 14 punctuation marks in English grammar. Can you name at least half of them?
8. Name the only vegetable or fruit that is never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form except fresh.
9. Name 6 or more things that you can wear on your feet beginning with the letter 'S.'
Answers To Quiz:
1. The one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends Boxing.
2. North American landmark constantly moving backward. Niagara Falls (The rim is worn down about two and a half feet each year because of the millions of gallons of water that rush over it every minute.)
3. Only two vegetables that can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons. Asparagus and rhubarb.
4. The fruit with its seeds on the outside. Strawberry.
5. How did the pear get inside the brandy bottle? It grew inside the bottle. The bottles are placed over pear buds when they are small, and are wired in place on the tree. The bottle is left in place for the entire growing season. When the pears are ripe, they are snipped off at the stems.
6. Three English words beginning with dw. Dwarf, dwell and dwindle.
7. Fourteen punctuation marks in English grammar. Period, comma, colon, semicolon, dash, hyphen, apostrophe, question mark, exclamation point, quotation mark, brackets, parenthesis, braces, and ellipses.
8. The only vegetable or fruit never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form but fresh. Lettuce.
9. Six or more things you can wear on your feet beginning with 'S'. Shoes, socks, sandals, sneakers, slippers, skis, skates, snowshoes, stockings, stilts.
Creatures Make Biannual Mass Migration
19/09/2008 04:39
Looking like giant
leaves floating in the sea thousands of
Golden Rays are seen here gathering off
the coast of
Mexico.
The spectacular
scene was captured as the magnificent
creatures made one of their biannual mass
migrations to more agreeable waters.
Gliding silently beneath the waves they turned vast areas of blue water to gold off the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula. Sandra Critelli, an amateur photographer, stumbled across the phenomenon while looking for whale sharks.
She said: 'It was an unreal image, very difficult to describe. The surface of the water was covered by warm and different shades of gold and looked like a bed of autumn leaves gently moved by the wind. 'It's hard to say exactly how many there were, but in the range of a few thousand.
'We were surrounded by them, without seeing the edge of the school, and we could see many under the water surface too. I feel very fortunate I was there in the right place at the right time to experience nature at his best.'
Measuring up to 7 ft (2.1 meters) from wing-tip to wing-tip, Golden Rays are also more prosaically known as Cow Nose Rays. They have long, pointed pectoral fins that separate into two lobes in front of their high-domed heads and give them a cow-like appearance. Despite having poisonous stingers, they are known to be shy and non-threatening when in large schools. The population in the Gulf of Mexico migrates, in schools of as many as 10,000, clockwise from western Florida to the Yucatan.
SINC SAYS:
Wow, that is one impressive sight.
Gliding silently beneath the waves they turned vast areas of blue water to gold off the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula. Sandra Critelli, an amateur photographer, stumbled across the phenomenon while looking for whale sharks.
She said: 'It was an unreal image, very difficult to describe. The surface of the water was covered by warm and different shades of gold and looked like a bed of autumn leaves gently moved by the wind. 'It's hard to say exactly how many there were, but in the range of a few thousand.
'We were surrounded by them, without seeing the edge of the school, and we could see many under the water surface too. I feel very fortunate I was there in the right place at the right time to experience nature at his best.'
Measuring up to 7 ft (2.1 meters) from wing-tip to wing-tip, Golden Rays are also more prosaically known as Cow Nose Rays. They have long, pointed pectoral fins that separate into two lobes in front of their high-domed heads and give them a cow-like appearance. Despite having poisonous stingers, they are known to be shy and non-threatening when in large schools. The population in the Gulf of Mexico migrates, in schools of as many as 10,000, clockwise from western Florida to the Yucatan.
SINC SAYS:
Wow, that is one impressive sight.
Britain's Naked Giant Got A BIG Makeover
19/09/2008 04:36
My arms feel as if
they have done ten rounds with a Sumo wrestler,
I have a nasty gash on my left thumb, my back
is in spasm and I can barely stand, having
tripped myself up and rolled like a human
doughnut down a precipitous
slope.But this is what happens when you take on a giant, especially when it is Britain's last and most celebrated one. I refer, of course, to the Cerne Abbas giant in verdant Dorset.
The club-wielding figure, which is 180ft from head to toe and is administered by the National Trust, is carved into the hillside. It is finally due a makeover.
Thirty volunteers are restoring the giant - infamous for its gargantuan genitalia - to its old glory, re-digging its silhouette, which has been blurred by overgrown weeds and the footprints of animals, and re-chalking its outline.
No one is quite sure when the giant first appeared. Some say he is a pagan fertility symbol and that if a childless woman and her partner spend the night camping between the giant's legs, she will be a mother within two years.
Big story here.
SINC SAYS:
Do you think that mankind maybe, just maybe knew things in days of old we have now forgotten?
A Different Drug Problem . . .
19/09/2008 04:35
The other day,
someone mentioned that a Meth lab had been
raided just outside of the city, and asked,
“Why didn’t we have a drug problem when we were
growing up.
I replied that I did have a drug problem when I was young:
I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug there too for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials too.
I was drug to the woodshed if I was disrespectful to adults, disobeyed my parents, told a lie or didn’t speak with respect of a teacher.
I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed with soap if I swore. I was drug to the garden to help pull weeds. I was drug to the homes of family or friends when they were in need.
Those drugs are still in my veins and affect what I do to this day. They are stronger than cocaine of marijuana or heroin and if today’s children had that kind of drug problem, the world would be a better place.
Azinger Hopeful Of Ending European Dominance
19/09/2008 04:27
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Paul Azinger had pairings in his pocket and butterflies in his stomach.
As the last of his American players headed to the 10th tee for the final practice session Thursday at the Ryder Cup, Azinger acknowledged some nerves for the first time all week at Valhalla.
It was different from being a player. He felt more like a parent sending his child off to college.
Azinger has done all he can to stop Europe's recent dominance in the Ryder Cup. He overhauled the qualifying process to field the best team. He set the course up just like he wanted, with moderate rough that should yield lots of birdies. He tried to convince his players that the past - Europe has won three straight and five of the last six - means nothing.
"It's like drawing back a bow string," he said, motioning like an archer. "You pull it back for two years, and now you've got to let it fly. All you can do is hope you've got it pointed in the right direction."
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The Ryder Cup matches, which begin on Friday just outside of Louisville, Kentucky, should be very interesting. They pit two very good teams against one another. It will be very interesting to see if the U.S. can end the European dominance, which has prevailed through the last three Ryder Cup matches.
The "Little General" Passes Away
19/09/2008 04:26
Football lost a legend today with the passing of former CFL quarterback and coach Ron Lancaster, who died of an apparent heart attack Thursday. He was 69-years old.
"Our league has lost its 'little general'. And our country has lost a giant of a man," said CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon. "Ron Lancaster is deeply loved across Canada, as a CFL player, coach, broadcaster and mentor, but most of all as a true friend. His career spanned eras, bridged west and east, and delighted our fans. But his life transcended sport, because the young man who came here from Pennsylvania grew into a true Canadian hero - a role model who often towered above the rest, and yet remained resolutely down to earth, at the same time."
A native of Pennsylvania, Lancaster began his CFL career with Ottawa in 1960, winning the Grey Cup in his rookie season. He was dealt to Saskatchewan after the 1962 season and he stayed there for 16 years. He led the Roughriders 14 consecutive playoff appearances and five Grey Cup games, winning in 1966.
After being the runner-up in 1966, he was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 1970 and again in 1976. Lancaster was named an All-Canadian in 1970, 1973, 1975 and 1976.
More from TSN.
‘Riders to honor Lancaster on Saturday.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The CFL has lost an icon. There is nothing more that I can say, other than RIP Ronnie Lancaster – October 14, 1938 – September 18, 2008.
TSN2 Now Available On Shaw And Star Choice
19/09/2008 04:25
TORONTO (September 18, 2008) – TSN2 confirmed today that the channel will be available to even more Canadian sports fans. Shaw and Star Choice have added Canada's newest sports network beginning Friday, Sept. 19. Star Choice and Shaw customers will have access to hundreds of live sporting events on TSN2, including live coverage of this weekend's CFL game featuring Edmonton @ Montreal, on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. ET.
TSN2 will be available on Star Choice channels 401 (standard definition) and 269 (HD). Shaw will launch TSN2 in most markets on channels 147 (standard definition) and 226 (HD).
"Canadian sports fans want access to more live sports and we are thrilled that Star Choice and Shaw have joined our roster of distributors in bringing TSN2 and this weekend's CFL game to sports fans," said Phil King, President, TSN.
TSN2's jam-packed line-up features 800+ hours of live major league sports action annually, with an average of one exclusive live event/game per day. TSN2 also delivers better timeslots for Western-based viewers with time-shifted showings of TSN programming.
Details on TSN2's exclusive NHL and NBA games will be announced in the next few days.
TSN2's powerful live sports roster will also include curling, international hockey, golf, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, IndyCar Series, Grand Slam Tennis, boxing, mixed martial arts and NCAA football and basketball.
TSN2 is available through television service providers across the country, including nationally on Bell TV and Star Choice. For more information on TSN2 and a complete list of participating television providers, visit TSN.ca.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Never ever underestimate the whining, bitching and complaining of Edmonton Eskimo fans.
Goodell Warns NFLers To Play Safe
19/09/2008 04:25
NEW YORK - NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has followed up his suspension of a Tampa Bay cornerback by re-emphasizing safety issues and warning that even first-time offenders will be subject to discipline.
"From this point forward, you should be clear on the following point: Any conduct that unnecessarily risks the safety of other players has no role in the game of football and will be disciplined at increased levels, including on a first offence," Goodell wrote in a memo obtained Thursday by The Associated Press. . "Playing by the rules shows respect for your fellow players. No one wants to see unnecessary injuries."
Goodell ordered that the memo be read and distributed to all players on all 32 teams.
The memo was sent out Wednesday night, a day after the league announced the one-game suspension of Tampa Bay cornerback Elbert Mack for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan last week. Mack, an undrafted rookie from Troy, had been fined US$5,000 for unnecessary roughness against Houston quarterback Alex Brink during the Bucs' exhibition finale on Aug. 28.
Mack, who plays in nickel and dime defences and on special teams, will miss Sunday's game with Chicago.
Goodell's letter was a follow-up to the one sent to Mack by Ray Anderson, the league's vice president for football operations.
"Your actions are of particular concern in light of the emphasis that our office has placed on developing and enforcing rules designed to protect players from injury, including concussions," Anderson wrote. "The safety of our players is paramount to all of us in the NFL."
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
There is nowhere in organized football for helmet-to-helmet hits.
Council Needs To Stop More Taxation
18/09/2008 07:44
An editorial in
yesterday’s St. Albert Gazette asks the burning
question, “How much will St. Albert taxpayers
suck up to ensure they continue to live in what
Mayor Nolan Crouse calls "the community of
choice?"
It goes on to make a few key points:
"It could be argued that residents have reached a point where the property taxes we pay for being better are approaching a level that might not be viable. Many might point to the debacle over the operating deficit at Servus Place and the subsequent subsidy. Others, however, might argue that was anger over council and administration’s lack of oversight, rather than the cost to taxpayers. Many might remind council that market value assessment drove up property taxes on the city’s more modest homes, where lower to middle-income families faced municipal tax increases of as high as 40 per cent as house prices were dropping to more reasonable levels."
And further states this:
"Crouse believes we are still prepared to pay. "We have to reinforce all the good things, continue to provide all the services and infrastructure so we are a community of choice … that’s going to come with a cost of higher taxes.""
And it rightly concludes:
"If residential development continues to outstrip non-residential and St. Albert wants to become a community of suburban bliss with all the bells and whistles, it will close its doors to all but the wealthy."
I think they have raised an important question and I don’t think Crouse and his council have got the message from taxpayers yet.
Read taxpayers lips council: “No more tax increases!”
I have yet to meet a local resident who feels that we are not taxed to the extreme and enough is enough.
It is time Crouse and his council listened up and did the bidding of those who elected them. Stop more taxation and stop it now. Even if it means cutting back on services. And if council needs help deciding where to cut back, try killing the $ervu$ Place subsidy.
Is that so hard to understand Mayor Crouse?
“The Ventures” Lead Guitarist At LB’s Pub Tomorrow
18/09/2008 06:14
The crowd is in for
a special treat at LB’s Pub tomorrow night
with a special appearance by Nokie Edwards.
For those of you who don’t recognize the
name, here is a little
history:In 1959, while Nokie was playing lead guitar for Buck Owens, he was approached by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, a couple of guitarists from Washington. They asked Nokie to join them in forming a band which later became known as The Ventures (a band that went on to become the most popular rock instrumental band in history).
The group’s first single was a remake of guitarist Chet Atkins’ ‘Walk Don’t Run,’ which was written by jazz guitarist Johnny Smith. The tune was released in 1960 on Josie Wilson’s Blue Horizon label and garnered a lot of requests in the Seattle area. The group then signed with Dolton Records which was owned by Bob Reisdorff. Dolton later became a subsidiary of Liberty Records, and ‘Walk Don’t Run’ was released nationally, with the tune peaking at #2 on the charts.
The Ventures followed up the hit single with an album appropriated entitled "Walk Don’t Run". While touring with The Ventures, Nokie played lead on many famous hits that were recorded by Nokie and The Ventures by such as ‘Hawaii 5-O’ , ‘Fugitive’, ‘2000 Pound Bee’, ‘Yellow Jacket’, ‘Hokkaido Skies’, ‘Driving Guitars’, ‘Surf Rider’ (also known as ‘Spudnik’,) ’Moon Child’, ‘Pedal Pusher’, ‘Sleep Walk’, ‘Let’s Go’,’ Slaughter on Tenth Avenue’, ‘Wipe Out’, and ‘Pipeline’, to name a few.
SINC SAYS:
So folks, if you’re a fan of 60s music, don’t miss this chance to see one of the greats.
Reader Writes To Express Views
18/09/2008 04:22
Hi Don,
Firstly . . . thank you for posting the video clip on the dog trying to get the ball out of the pool . . . had me as they say roftl . . . hilarious!
My comment . . . re: "Mickey Mouse Must Die, Says Saudi Arabian Cleric", things like Mickey Mouse et al. have been around entertaining our children for decades. Just as my favourite was Bugs Bunny and his bunch as a kid . . . What, I wonder all of a sudden makes these people go crazy on things that we consider perfectly acceptable and OK for the kids entertainment?
I have to wonder if they decided the whole world should abide by their laws around the time "someone" south of Canada decided they should abide by our laws? I could be dead wrong, but I always subscribed to "live and let live". If only both parties would observe that.
I know it's more complicated than just that, but the world seemed to keep these things separated "back when". Not anymore.
Thanks for listening to my two cents,
Diane Koke
Calgary
SINC SAYS:
Thanks for taking the time to write Diane. We love to hear from all of our readers.
By George, We Need To Check Those Gas Pumps . . .
18/09/2008 04:16
Hi Don:
Thought you and your readers just might be interested in the following;
Monday evening my wife and I were watching CTVBC (Vancouver) news at 7:00 P.M. and a very interesting subject was brought to the attention of the public.
It was discovered that a number of gas stations in the lower mainland had gas pumps that were not registering correctly. example:
A chap drove in to fill up his tank and when completed the pump registered 60 litres - the only problem is that his tank only holds 50 litres. With further checking going on it was discovered that a number of other gas stations also were registering a wrong bit of info related to the amount of gas actually pumped. As was stated a gas station if it continued could be receiving a large amount of money that was not correct - in fact into the thousands of dollars.
I would think that it would up to the car owner to know exactly what his tank is supposed to hold and watch just what he/she is receiving and in turn paying for. The correct amount should show on a owners manual.
My question that should be looked into is here in the province, which government department that handles weights and measures look into periodic checking and if a pump is found to be inaccurate is it immediately closed until corrective action is take, Further how often do these check take place.
Like I said this is quite interesting.
I might add if you want to read the latest follow-up to this story just go to CTVBC.CA . . . quite an interesting comment in regards to the testing of pumps by officials. I wonder if it would also apply here?
Example: One gas pump was last inspected in 2002. Makes one wonder.
George Proulx
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
A great point George, but we should also look into the gouging of consumers by gas companies that took place last week. Texas hurricane or not, the gas was in the tank in the ground and made here in Edmonton when they jumped the price by 13 cents a litre. That is not only wrong, it is offensive.
Millions Of Nickels Spill In Fatal Semi Crash
18/09/2008 04:11
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla.
-- Millions of nickels shut down part of I-95
in Brevard County most of Wednesday morning
when two big rigs
crashed.
One of them was
carrying fresh nickels from the U.S. Mint in
Philadelphia headed for the Federal Reserve in
Miami.
The crash forced the closure of southbound lanes of I-95 near Mims to be closed for several hours, but at least one lane was open by 11:15am.
The driver of the other semi said he didn't even know what was on the ground when he hopped out of his truck. He just rushed to help the two armed guards.
The money that poured out of the truck added up to $182,000, over 3.5 million nickels.
"It was very shocking, very shocking. Like bam!" explained driver Ferlandis Green.
Get your nickels worth here.
SINC SAYS:
I think they call individual nickels, “money for nothing”.
The crash forced the closure of southbound lanes of I-95 near Mims to be closed for several hours, but at least one lane was open by 11:15am.
The driver of the other semi said he didn't even know what was on the ground when he hopped out of his truck. He just rushed to help the two armed guards.
The money that poured out of the truck added up to $182,000, over 3.5 million nickels.
"It was very shocking, very shocking. Like bam!" explained driver Ferlandis Green.
Get your nickels worth here.
SINC SAYS:
I think they call individual nickels, “money for nothing”.
Woman Finds A Strawberry Inside A Tomato
18/09/2008 04:05
Esther Walker found
the fruit when she cut into a tomato from her
vegetable
patch.Esther, 48, of Cheltenham, Gloucs, said: “It definitely looks like a strawberry in a tomato and it tastes like a tomato but a bit sweeter.” She added: “We’re keeping it in the fridge in case an expert wants to look at it.”
SINC SAYS:
Which reminds me, this is the time of year that people find unusual veggies in their garden. Any readers with oddball veggies care to share a photo?
Spitfire Ace Is Among The Last Of The Few
18/09/2008 04:00
THE sound of a
Spitfire engine stirs mixed memories for
91-year-old Jimmy Corbin because it reminds him
of when he lived life on the edge, writes Ian
Read.For Jimmy is one of the band of pilots Winston Churchill dubbed the 'Few'- the men who won the Battle of Britain.
But as Jimmy ruefully admits they are getting fewer every year.
The former Sergeant pilot is unique as he's the last survivor of ten young men who put down their innermost impressions of those hectic days.
When Ten Fighter Boys came out in 1942 it was an instant success but by that time five of the authors were dead.
Last year he wrote his own autobiography and when that was a success the original book was reprinted with Jimmy writing the foreword.
Full story here.
SINC SAYS:
While it is sad to see the last of these heroes, all good things must come to an end.
Sophomore Jinx Doesn’t Phase Gagner, Gogliano
18/09/2008 03:58
It is a devastating blow to his confidence, and certainly not what he needed heading into a pressure-filled second season.
Despite an impressive first season that saw him score 13 goals and 49 points, Sam Gagner's player ranking on EA's NHL 09 video game has gone down.
"Last year at the end of the season I was a 79," he explained with a grin. "I guess I got worse over the summer with a 76 coming into this year. All my buddies back home were giving it to me, saying if I hit the 50-point mark maybe I could have been an 80."
But that is not the case, as linemate and roommate Andrew Cogliano had fewer points than Gagner, yet still had a far superior ranking of 83.
"It seems about right," said a smiling Cogliano, who scored 18 goals and 45 points in his rookie season with the Edmonton Oilers. "There's a lot of guys ranked higher than me," added Gagner jokingly. "It's a bad break, but there's nothing you can do."
All kidding aside, both players still have a lot to prove once the video game console is turned off and the real NHL season begins. The pressure will be on and Edmonton's promising young tandem won't be surprising any opponents this year. In fact, the dreaded sophomore jinx questions are already coming.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Well, if the two young lads have years anything like they did last year, there will be absolutely nothing to worry about for Oiler fans.
Garcia Prepared To Lead European Ryder Cup Charge
18/09/2008 03:57
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Except for the freckles and playful grin, it's a wonder anyone recognizes Sergio Garcia at the Ryder Cup.
The Spaniard who can't seem to make a four-foot putt with a major championship on the line, can't seem to miss from 20 feet when playing for a golf trophy he has to share.
Garcia is considered the best player to never win a major. For one week every two years, he is simply the best.
There are no excuses at the Ryder Cup, only celebrations.
''He brings a lot of passion to this team. When you see Sergio, you see Seve,'' European captain Nick Faldo said Tuesday, referring to Seve Ballesteros, Garcia's countryman and former Ryder Cup star. ''They love this event. Obviously, match play is different, isn't it? And he gets fired up. He's great off the golf course. So he's a key member to the team.''
More from Canadian Press.
Poulter ready to answer his critics at Ryder Cup.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The matches, that begin on Friday, at the Valhalla Golf Club just outside of Louisville, Kentucky, should be very interesting, indeed. Catch all of the live action on TSN and TSN-HD starting Friday - much to the chagrin of Edmonton Eskimo football fans.
NHL Owners Keep Close Eye On Global Economy
18/09/2008 03:57
TORONTO - A tumultuous period for global stock markets has caught the attention of NHL stakeholders.
Even though the U.S. economy has been hit hardest over the last year with the housing-market collapse, the NHL's six Canadian franchises are also concerned about the affect the current economic situation could have on them.
''The last couple of weeks - wow - it's been killer,'' said Edmonton Oilers president and CEO Patrick LaForge. ''I think we're all concerned. I can only speak for Edmonton but I can say that these are very interesting times, what the stock market is doing and the impact on our major clients, which are businesses.
''I think we have to all be very mindful that these are tough times. The Canadian teams are not exempt.''
The current economic landscape is one of a number of topics the NHL's board of governors was briefed about during a meeting on Tuesday.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It seems that the global stock markets have a profound effect on everything, not the least of which is the NHL, don’t they?
Wie Moves Into Second Place At LPGA Q-School
18/09/2008 03:56
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. - Michelle Wie shot a bogey-free 7-under 65 on Wednesday in the second round of an LPGA Tour sectional qualifying tournament, putting her in second place in a field of 164.
Displaying the ability that has put her in contention in major championships, Wie birdied five of her final nine holes on the Palmer Course at Mission Hills Country Club to finish at 9-under 135. The 18-year-old Wie was three shots behind South Korea's Sun-Ju Ahn halfway through the 72-hole competition.
Ahn followed her 6-under 66 in the first round on the Palmer Course with another 66 on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course, home of the LPGA's Kraft Nabisco Championship.
As was the case after the first round, Wie declined requests for media interviews. With 36 holes remaining in the tournament, all on the Shore Course, Wie seems certain to finish among the top 30 players and ties, which would move her into the final qualifying tournament in December for 2009 LPGA Tour exemptions.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Well, looks like so-far-so-good for Michelle Wie at the LPGA Q-School.
Olympic Organizers Unveil Vancouver 2010 Look
18/09/2008 03:56
VANCOUVER - No beavers. No beer.
In designing the visual aspects of the 2010 Winter Games, organizers say the challenge was to reflect Canada and the host region for the Olympics but stay away from cliche.
The resulting effort was revealed Wednesday to muted applause at a luncheon in downtown Vancouver - graphics of ribbons in natural colours and patterns, woven through urban and environmental icons.
"We talked about how every country has amazing cities and amazing natural environments but they are so connected here and particularly in the host region," said Ali Gardiner, the director of brand and creative services for the organizing committee.
"The fact that you can see bears and eagles and killer whales in your backyard and then be downtown in 15 minutes is really what makes Canada so unique."
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
As long as they don’t make the Canadian team wear pajamas this time around.
The Photography Of Al Popil . . .
17/09/2008 06:06
You Might Say This Dog Is On The Ball
17/09/2008 06:05
This is one smart
dog folks. Watch how he figures out how to get
a ball without getting wet.
Mickey Mouse Must Die, Says Saudi Arabian Cleric
17/09/2008 06:01
Mickey Mouse is a
corrupting influence and must die, a Muslim
cleric has
declared.Sheikh Muhammad Munajid claimed the mouse is "one of Satan's soldiers" and makes everything it touches impure.
But he warned that depictions of the creature in cartoons such as Tom and Jerry, and Disney's Mickey Mouse, had taught children that it was in fact loveable.
The cleric, a former diplomat at the Saudi embassy in Washington DC, said that under Sharia, both household mice and their cartoon counterparts must be killed.
Mr Munajid was asked to give Islam's teaching on mice during a religious affairs programme broadcast on al-Majd TV, an Arab television network.
Warped details here.
SINC SAYS:
What is the matter with these people anyway? It seems if it’s a western culture or tradition, it’s “Death to America” time.
MEN VERSUS WOMEN AT THE ATM
17/09/2008 05:59
A new sign in the
Bank Lobby reads:
'Please note that this Bank is installing new Drive-through ATM machines enabling customers to withdraw cash without leaving their vehicles.
Customers using this new facility are requested to use the procedures outlined below when accessing their accounts.
After months of careful research, MALE &FEMALE Procedures have been developed Please follow the Appropriate steps for your gender.'
*******************************
MALE PROCEDURE:
1. Drive up to the cash machine.
2. Put down your car window.
3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.
4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw.
5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.
6. Put window up.
7. Drive off.
*******************************
FEMALE PROCEDURE:
What is really funny is that most of this part is the Truth.
1. Drive up to cash machine.
2. Reverse and back up the required amount to align car window with the machine.
3. Set parking brake, put the window down.
4 Find handbag, remove all contents on to passenger seat to locate card.
5. Tell person on cell phone you will call them back and hang up.
6. Attempt to insert card into machine.
7. Open car door to allow easier access to machine due to its excessive distance from the car.
8. Insert card.
9 Re-insert card the right way.
10. Dig through handbag to find diary with your PIN written on the inside back page.
11. Enter PIN.
12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN.
13. Enter amount of cash required.
14. Check makeup in rear view mirror.
15. Retrieve cash and receipt.
16. Empty handbag again to locate wallet and place cash inside.
17. Write debit amount in check register and place receipt in back of checkbook.
18. Re-check makeup.
19. Drive forward 2 feet.
20. Reverse back to cash machine.
21. Retrieve card.
22. Re-empty hand bag, locate card holder, and place card into the slot provided!
23. Give dirty look to irate male driver waiting behind you.
24. Restart stalled engine and pull off.
25. Redial person on cell phone.
26. Drive for 2 to 3 miles.
27. Release Parking Brake.
SINC SAYS:
This yarn was courtesy of our son Greg from Halifax, N.S. Now, any of you ladies have one about the men?
ANT 'FROM MARS' . . .
17/09/2008 05:56
Pale ant with no eyes
and mouthparts like forceps comes from the
oldest living ant lineage yet
foundA new ant discovered in the Amazon looks so odd that scientists are choosing Latin names that playfully suggest the creature comes from Mars.
Yet the species Martialis heureka could help rewrite the history of ants on Earth.
Found in Brazil, the ant has a pale body and no eyes, says Christian Rabeling of the University of Texas at Austin. Its mouthparts stick out like sharp forceps and are longer than the rest of its head.
Its DNA may be even more interesting. Genetic analysis puts the new ant so far from other species that it deserves its own subfamily, Martialinae, Rabeling and his colleagues report in an upcoming Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It’s the first new subfamily described for a living ant since 1923, the discoverers say.
Details here.
SINC SAYS:
There are likely untold thousands of plants and animals that man has yet to discover on this old globe.
BRITAIN'S WORST JOKE . . .
17/09/2008 05:53
AFTER being swamped
with entries in our crazy Britain’s Worst Joke
Competition we’ve found the top groan-worthy
gag.
Two weeks ago we launched the fun competition to celebrate the return of the family TV classic The Muppet Show.
A special collectors’ edition of Season Three of the show, hosted by Kermit the Frog, is out now on Disney DVD.
And we asked for your one-liners with a line too many and gags that get groans, not guffaws, to mark the occasion.
Now we can reveal the winner – chosen by The Muppets’ own bumbling funnyman Fozzie Bear – it’s Tracy Burns, from Manchester.
Tracy walked it with this terrible joke: “I could tell it had been raining cats and dogs – I nearly stepped in a poodle.”
Yuk it up here.
SINC SAYS:
Some of these are just hilarious. Check out the story via the link for more like this one:
“Police arrested two kids yesterday - one was drinking battery acid, the other was eating fireworks. They charged one and let the other off. “
Stolen Mechanical Gorilla Returns Home
17/09/2008 05:50
EAST MACHIAS, Maine
(AP) - An 8-foot-tall mechanical gorilla is
back home at an eastern Maine flea market-style
store two weeks after being "kidnapped" and
later dumped in a corn field in
Vermont.A pickup truck carrying the somewhat battered and torn gorilla arrived at Sandy's Sales in East Machias on Saturday afternoon a day after being picked up at a Vermont police barracks.
It was accompanied by a caravan of cars led by a Washington County Sheriff's Department cruiser with lights flashing and siren blaring. At the store, the pilfered primate was greeted by a University of Maine-Machias ukulele band that played "Gorilla of My Dreams" among its selections.
The gorilla drew international attention after being stolen from outside the store on Labor Day weekend and turning up a few days later in Vermont.
SINC SAYS:
I guess he didn’t meet the gorilla my dreams, but we had to do this follow-up to ease your mind.
Witness In O. J. Trial Returns For Cross-Examination
17/09/2008 05:48
LAS VEGAS - The witness who fell ill during the first day of testimony in the trial of former football star O.J. Simpson returned to the stand Tuesday morning, giving defence lawyers another crack at cross-examination.
Bruce Fromong, one of two memorabilia dealers Simpson is accused of robbing, apologized when he returned Tuesday. Simpson had already earned notoriety when he was acquitted in 1994 of the murder of his ex-wife and her friend in a high-profile criminal trial.
Paramedics were summoned Monday after Fromong, 54, became lightheaded while undergoing cross-examination. They examined Fromong but left without taking him to a hospital.
"It was a long day; I might not have had enough water," Fromong said as he returned to court Tuesday. Fromong has had four heart attacks in the past year and is "medically fragile," his lawyer says.
The break Monday had interrupted a pointed cross-examination by Simpson lawyer Gabriel Grasso, who bored in after Fromong said for the first time that during the hotel room confrontation a year ago, he heard "somebody in the room saying, 'put the gun down."'
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Let’s get this trial over with and get “The Juice” behind bars, where he belongs, for the rest of his life.
Young Roy Pleads Not Guilty To Assault Charge
17/09/2008 05:47
SAGUENAY, Que. - Patrick Roy's son has pleaded not guilty to assault following his attack on a fellow Quebec Major Junior Hockey League goaltender.
Jonathan Roy of the Quebec Remparts was not in court in Saguenay, Que., today as his lawyer entered the plea on his behalf.
Lawyer Jean-Louis Lemay has asked to get more evidence and the case has been put off until Nov. 10.
Roy, who faces a maximum fine of $2,000 or up to six months in prison, skated the length of the ice and attacked Bobby Nadeau in a playoff game against the Chicoutimi Sagueneens last March 22.
Nadeau, who now plays for the P.E.I. Rocket, says he didn't retaliate because his coach had told him never to fight.
Although the incident prompted some Quebec politicians to call for a fighting ban, the league has not gone that far but has introduced stiffer penalties.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I’ve seen the videotape replays of the incident and, in my humble opinion, the courts have to send a strong message to all hockey players, both young and old, through their verdict in this case.
Melnyk Launches Ottawa MLS Expansion Bid
17/09/2008 05:47
OTTAWA - Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk recalled his childhood Tuesday, one in which he spent hours alongside his grandfather in Toronto's Stanley Park, watching the Toronto Ukrainians compete in the old National Soccer League.
The 49-year-old businessman cited those fond memories as part of the inspiration behind his drive to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Ottawa in time for the 2011 season.
"Hockey may be Canada's game, but soccer is the world's game," Melnyk said after his group, Senators Sports & Entertainment, unveiled plans for a new soccer-specific stadium that would seat up to 30,000 supporters and is the backbone of Ottawa's bid for an expansion team.
"We want to bring the world's game to Ottawa," he said at a news conference at Scotiabank Place, home of the NHL's Senators. "It's a strong, exciting brand of soccer and we want to be part of it."
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Isn’t this just great folks, another failed (before it starts) professional sports franchise for the Ottawa area? I think Melnyk would be wiser investing his money to try to resurrect a viable CFL franchise in Ottawa.
Lindros Donates $5 Million To Health Centre
17/09/2008 05:47
LONDON,Ont. - Former NHL star Eric Lindros was known for his presence on the ice - and now in retirement he'll be known for his generosity off it.
Lindros was on hand in London, Ont., on Tuesday for the unveiling of the Lindros Legacy Research building, made possible by his $5-million donation to the London Health Sciences Centre.
The gift is believed to be the largest one-time charitable donation by a Canadian sports figure.
Doctors at the London Health Sciences Centre helped heal Lindros's various injuries during his career, which was cut short by concussions.
In a release, Lindros said he was pleased to donate to an ``organization that helps so many.''
Lindros retired from the NHL last November after stints with the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Don’t mind me, but why can’t I get by this feeling I have that this is all somehow self-serving on Lindros’ part?
Has “The Don” Lost His Mind?
17/09/2008 05:45
The following from TSN football analyst Duane Forde:
A few thoughts on the Toronto Argonauts' decision to change up starting quarterbacks on Monday.
Looking at the CFL resume of Cody Pickett compared to that of Kerry Joseph, one can't help but wonder if Don Matthews has lost his mind.
But Matthews has history on his side.
His moves are usually bold and often shocking. But his personnel decisions are never rash. And they're also usually right.
He launched his last stint with the Argonauts in 1996 by moving future Hall of Famer Mike 'Pinball' Clemons from running back to slotback. Clemons became an All-Star at that position.
When he was hired by the Montreal Alouettes in 2002, he benched star running back Mike Pringle and rebuilt his offence around quarterback Anthony Calvillo, who became a 6,000-yard passer under Matthews.
These moves accomplished the secondary goal of getting his team's attention.
More importantly, they were key factors in leading those teams to Grey Cup wins in Matthews' first year.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I don’t think “The Don” has lost his mind. I just think he’s, er, well . . . “The Don.”
Mayor Responds To Dog Poop By-Law Question
16/09/2008 05:13
Elke,
You were wondering about how the issue of dog park could qualify as an in-camera item this upcoming week.
Generally, an in camera item is for land, legal or labour issues that, if done in public may compromise the corporation, violate personal rights, expose personal information about people, or share information about corporation(s) who wish to keep their matters private.
In the case of the dog park, our staff is recommending to council that we discuss in camera a matter that is related to lands. In order for us to respond to historical public input about dog parks, off-leash areas, and deal with one of this council’s stated priorities, we must look at future lands that the city does not currently own. In this case we will be discussing negotiating with a landowner who has not been made aware that we are contemplating this on their property. It would be inappropriate for Council to discuss publicly this matter without first discussing this with the landowner. Conversely, our administration staff will not begin discussions with the landowner until Council gives the go-ahead to do that.
That is the basis for not doing this in public in this particular case; totally etiquette-related, not intended to be in-camera for any other reason.
Thanks for asking and anyone who has questions about Council can email me at this email address or call me at 780 459 1606.
Mayor Nolan Crouse
City of St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
The response above was sent to Elke Blodgett of the city and copied to St. Albert's Place as the question appeared here originally. Readers are welcome to ask questions of the city on this public forum at any time they choose. We forward all questions to Mayor Crouse.
Alberta Must Take Steps To Head Off Seniors Care Crisis
16/09/2008 03:51
Downloading costs
onto individuals and families is not the way to
goTo mark Grandparents Day, Sept. 8, I would suggest that baby boomers think very seriously about what the Alberta government has in store for them as they become seniors.
The demographics of an aging population have been known for decades. In 2011, the first of the baby boomers will turn 65. The number of seniors in Alberta is expected to increase by 40 per cent in the next 10 years and will double today's number in less than 20 years.
This knowledge has in fact been the basis of government action for many years -- action to divest itself of responsibility for seniors' care. Using the spectre of supposed unsustainability, the government has been systematically transferring that responsibility to the private sector and ultimately onto seniors and their families, as the paying consumers of these care services.
More in the Edmonton Journal.
SINC SAYS:
This story will be of interest to a lot of our readers.
These 50-Year-Olds Aren’t Too Mature To Throw Pie
16/09/2008 03:45
At age 18, Dan
Johnson and Malcolm McDowell Woods vowed that
when they turned 50 — a laughably remote
destination to anyone that young — they would
have a pie
fight.They saw it as a way to ward off the excess maturity often linked to aging. If they engaged in something so childish and foolish at 50, they wouldn’t be old.
Thirty-two years have passed in a blur of jobs, mortgages, wives, kids and pets. So next weekend, Dan and Malcolm will fling pastry at each other and invite friends and family to join in.
The two men will be wearing tuxedos, and they’re urging their guests to dress formally to simulate the high-society pie fights that broke out when the Three Stooges were around.
It’s remarkable, first, that they’ve remained friends so long. And, second, that they could remember any promise made over drinks and cheese fondue at the old Captain’s Steak Joint at 27th and Morgan back in October of 1976.
Details here.
SINC SAYS:
Such a waste of a perfectly good pie, isn’t it?
16/09/2008 03:43
In libraries, do they
put the bible in the fiction or non-fiction
section?
How old are you before it can be said you died of old age?
If K.F.C Stands for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Why do they play sweet home Alabama on the comercials?
If people with one arm go to get their nails done, do they pay half price?
If you had a three story house and were in the second floor, isn't it possible that you can be upstairs and downstairs at the same time?
Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
Spat Over Scattergories Prompts Police Call
16/09/2008 03:43
PORTSMOUTH — Police
were called to a Gosling Meadows residence
Sunday night for a report of a fight which
turned out to be a loud dispute over a board
game.At about 7 p.m. Sunday, a caller phoned the police emergency dispatch line to report a fight was in progress in the densely-populated neighborhood, according to police radio transmissions. Responding officers located the residence, interviewed witnesses and concluded the so-called fight was a disagreement between parties playing the game Scattergories.
Police were called to the same public housing neighborhood last week for a report of a fight over a television, according to the city's public police log. The area has also played host to several actual fights, with arrests and/or injuries.
SINC SAYS:
They should have been playing Monopoly, or has the mortgage division of that game collapsed too?
Oldest Bowling Alley Rolls To 100
16/09/2008 03:19
MILWAUKEE -- The
walls that line the pair of lanes in this tiny
bowling alley seem close enough to make a
bowler feel
claustrophobic.But at a 100th anniversary party Saturday, the walls of Holler House felt like the wide-open arms of family.
In a city synonymous with beer and bowling, Holler House tavern and bowling alley has been an enduring landmark.
It's the nation's oldest bowling establishment -- a claim confirmed by the U.S. Bowling Congress.
Milwaukee resident Matt Hersel, 49, came to the Holler House when he was 17 for his first beer and became a regular. It's where he met his wife, and he bowled there for 23 years, until a bad back forced him to quit.
He recalled old-timers who told stories of living through the Depression.
''Guys here were tough as nails,'' Hersel said. ''You didn't come here to party, you came to get to know guys like that.''
Tavern owner Marcy Skowronski, 82, says she has no intention of retiring. ''Nope, I'm going to die behind the bar,'' she said.
SINC SAYS:
Do people actually bowl these days? I haven’t met anyone who bowls in decades.
Whatever It Takes
16/09/2008 03:16
Profiles of ordinary people who go to extraordinary lengths to get fit, and stay that way
EDMONTON - Gord Schroder really tackles his fitness.
He doesn't believe full-contact, get-down-and-dirty football is a young man's game. So there he is, the centre of the Edmonton Stallions, snapping the ball, using his 51-year-old body to block and protect the quarterback, the oldest player in the eight-team amateur Alberta Football League. He's played with them for five years, almost as long as the league has been around.
Before the AFL season this year, he spent three months playing semi-pro in Montana with the Missoula Phoenix of the Rocky Mountain Football League AAA.
Most of the guys Schroder plays with weren't even born the last time he put on a helmet in high school, or when a knee injury at a Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp ended his hopes of playing pro.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Heck, this guy is older than me. Maybe this is what I need to get back in shape. Good on you Gord!
Fire Destroys Grimshaw Arena
16/09/2008 03:15
GRIMSHAW - Minor hockey players in Grimshaw watched their arena burn down this morning as they were evacuated from neighbouring schools.
"This is absolutely devastating to our community, to our young hockey players," said Colleen Jackson, who became president of Grimshaw Minor Hockey on Thursday. "I'm just thankful nobody's hurt."
She said students in the northern Alberta town, about 20 kilometres southwest of Peace River, saw the arena burn as they were ushered out of the elementary and high schools on either side.
The fire was called in around 9 a.m., said Terri Dupuis, an administrator for the Grimshaw fire hall. Volunteer firefighters and crews from four other departments battled the blaze into the afternoon.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
This, again, is a very sad story. Seems to me that a number of smaller community arenas have gone up in smoke this summer.
Gretzky In Talks To Join Team Canada In 2010
16/09/2008 03:15
Hockey Canada wants Wayne Gretzky to once again be part of Canada's Olympic team when the Games are played in Vancouver in 2010.
According to Sun Media, Gretzky and Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson are in talks about what role 'The Great One' would assume.
"We have had some recent fruitful discussions in the past several weeks," Nicholson told Sun Media.
Gretzky was executive director for Team Canada at both the 2002 Games in Salt Lake, where Canada won gold for the first time in 50 years, as well as in 2006 when the team finished out of medal contention in Turino.
This time around, the options appear to be more open. Gretzky could replace Pat Quinn behind the bench as Team Canada's coach, or serve as a consultant.
A run as executive director for a third straight Games is also a consideration if it doesn't interfere with his daily coaching duties with the Phoenix Coyotes.
When asked about what position he might occupy, Gretzky told Sun Media: "That's ultimately up to Bob Nicholson."
Nicholson said that he hoped to have the Gretzky situation worked out by the end of October.
Yzerman could lead Team Canada; Gretzky in a supporting role.
Gretzky not GM, but may help Team Canada.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
You just can’t help but feel the team will be a little bit better with the Great One involved, can you?
Eskimos May Show Sunday’s Game On Jumbotron
16/09/2008 03:14
Sunday's game against Montreal to be broadcast on so-new-that-almost-nobody-subscribes-to-it secondary channel TSN2
Edmonton Eskimos fans are owed an apology from the Canadian Football League and TSN.
What the league gave them instead on Sunday was merely an explanation, but it beats TSN's offering to its Edmonton subscribers, which is to say absolutely nothing at all.
The league sent out a release stating that due to "a scheduling conflict," next Sunday's game between the Eskimos and Alouettes in Montreal will be shown on the so-new-that-almost-nobody-subscribes-to-it secondary channel TSN2 (my description of the channel available on Bell TV, not theirs), the TSN French-language equivalent RDS and streamed live on the Internet at TSN.ca, but will not appear on the mainstream TSN channel.
TSN will instead be showing the final day of golf's Ryder Cup tong war between Team USA and Team Europe, and just imagine the moaning around here if the victory is already in the bag before the final Sunday matches begin.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I will still be able to watch the game on TSN2 in the comfort of my living room, as I am a Bell TV subscriber, but there’s no question TSN and the CFL fumbled the ball badly on this one. And why is it their fumbles always seem to involve the Eskimos?
Matthews To Start Pickett Ahead Of Joseph Against Stamps
16/09/2008 03:14
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - It didn't take Toronto Argonauts head coach Don Matthews long to start making changes.
Matthews dropped a bombshell Monday, announcing that sophomore Cody Pickett will start ahead of veteran Kerry Joseph, the CFL's outstanding player last season, when the Argos visit the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday night. The move comes three days after Joseph threw three interceptions in Toronto's embarrassing 39-9 home loss to Winnipeg, Matthews' first game back with the Double Blue.
"The quarterback is going to get way too much credit and way too much blame," Matthews said. "That's exactly what the case is that's going on here.
"Is this a permanent move? I can't tell you that. Certainly both quarterbacks have been apprised of the situation. It is what it is."
Matthews' decision to shake up the Argos roster wasn't surprising. Whenever the CFL's winningest coach joins a new team - this marks his third stint in Toronto - he often likes to get the players' attention by making a big-time move.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Well, folks, it didn’t take “The Don” long to start stirring things up, did it? And, I imagine the spoiled, papmered Kerry Joseph, last year’s former CFL MOP, will be pouting all week now. He doesn’t have Kent Austin and Eric Tillman around to treat him with kid gloves anymore.
Wonderful Late Summer Weather At Seba Beach
15/09/2008 11:13
We're camped right on
the beach at a friend's cottage at Seba Beach.
I peeked out the window this morning and saw
the beginning of a sunrise, so got up, grabbed
the camera and got the following shots of the
sunrise and the beach in full light later.
Eating Veggies Shrinks Your Brain
15/09/2008 10:39
MELBOURNE: Scientists
have discovered that going veggie could be bad
for your brain-with those on a meat-free diet
six times more likely to suffer brain
shrinkage.Vegans and vegetarians are the most likely to be deficient because the best sources of the vitamin are meat, particularly liver, milk and fish. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause anaemia and inflammation of the nervous system. Yeast extracts are one of the few vegetarian foods which provide good levels of the vitamin.
The link was discovered by Oxford University scientists who used memory tests, physical checks and brain scans to examine 107 people between the ages of 61 and 87.
Chew on the details here.
SINC SAYS:
Take that PETA!
Can 365 Nights Of Sex Bolster A Marriage?
15/09/2008 10:30
When Their Marriages
Fell Into The Doldrums, Two Long-Married
Couples Took
ActionIf you decided to have sex every day, would your relationship benefit?
Two long-married couples decided to find out. When lovemaking fell off their respective "to-do" lists, they ditched the sweats, bought sex toys and books, stepped up exercise, lit candles, and took trips. Then they chronicled their "sexperiment" in two recently released books, Just Do It: How One Couple Turned Off the TV and Turned On Their Sex Lives for 101 Days (No Excuses!) by Doug Brown and 365 Nights: A Memoir of Intimacy by Charla Muller with Betsy Thorpe.
But will daily sex really help a relationship that's hit a rough patch? Some experts say yes; others aren't so sure. As for the two couples who tried it, the Browns and the Mullers, both say the experiment strengthened their marriages in -- and out -- of the bedroom.
Charla Muller had been married for eight years to her husband, Brad, when she embarked on what she calls "the year of the gift" as a way to celebrate her husband's 40th birthday Rather than fixing anything wrong in her marriage, she writes that frequent sex made her happier, less angry, and less stressed.
Make out the rest of this story here.
SINC SAYS:
I wonder how many guys will be calling their wife over to the computer to read this story?
Cat Saves Chicken By A Whisker
15/09/2008 10:24
A farmhouse cat has
adopted a chicken after she became the only
survivor of a fox attack.
Snowy and Gladys: The best of friends Photo: ARCHANT
Tiny chick Gladys was rescued by its owners and brought into the house two and a half months ago.
But it was Snowy the cat who took over the job of looking after the traumatised chicken and now the pair are inseparable.
Jane Etheridge, of Middleton, Suffolk. said the unlikely alliance began when one of her bantam hens hatched 14 chicks including Gladys.
But after just two days she found just three of the birds left and a pile of feathers after a fox paid a visit.
Two of the chicks later died but Gladys survived and was brought into the farmhouse in a box to build her strength where she was befriended by 10-year-old Snowy.
Mrs Etheridge, 69, a pony breeder who is married to Albert, 70, said: "Snowy cleaned her and washed her. Gladys is now about two-and-a-half months old and is our pet. She still comes into the house to play.
"She comes in and bounces up and down in front of Snowy and he just stands there and takes it and puts his arm around her.
"They are the best of friends, very much so, and when she first started going out she would not go unless they went together.
"They are a strange couple but we love them both very much."
SINC SAYS:
Perhaps there is a possibility for a new TV show here. Lemme see, maybe call it the Odd Couple?
Woman Mistakes Skunk For Cat, Gets Sprayed
15/09/2008 10:24
MOUNT CARMEL, Pa.—A Pennsylvania woman who thought she was petting a neighbor's cat got a smelly surprise when it turned out to be a skunk.
Not only did the skunk spray the woman before dawn Monday, but it ran into her Mount Carmel home. Police spent hours at the home before leaving the scene; there was no immediate word if they were able to remove the animal.
SINC SAYS:
I don’t know about you folks, but last time I checked I could tell the difference between a cat and a skunk quite easily.
Your Car Is Crawling With Bacteria: Study
15/09/2008 10:10
If you're a
germaphobe who takes your car to work every
morning, you may just want to skip this story -
or you could be doing more spraying than
steering.
A British study has come to some shocking conclusions about what you're driving around with in your car on your way to and from work every day - and it's not those carpoolers beside you.
The research from Aston University in Birmingham shows the average vehicle has about 283 different types of bacteria inside of it in every square centimetre. And that's not all. One of the worst offenders is the place you touch the most often - the gear shift. That was found to be home to about 356 different germs.
Even more alarming is your trunk, where some 850 bacteria were found to be happily going along for the ride. In one case, scientists also discovered traces of excrement there, noting it's the same place where many people put their groceries after coming home from a shopping trip.
Not surprisingly, microbiologists determined those who transport kids and pets had the most germ filled cars.
More details here.
SINC SAYS:
Don’t believe it? Next time you wash your car, put a little windex on a clean cloth and give the steering wheel a wipe down. The result will surprise you.
Russ Howard Leaves Odishaw To Join Grattan’s Rink
15/09/2008 10:08
After ten successful years, it appears longtime teammates Russ Howard and Grant Odishaw are parting company.
According to the Times & Transcript, Howard has joined James Grattan's new rink, which includes Jason Vaughan, Peter Case and Howard's son, Steve.
Meanwhile, Odishaw has not committed to another rink yet but has agreed to play part-time with a squad skipped by
his brother, Terry.
"We had a good run and I'm sure it was difficult for Russ but some of the best curlers in the world change rosters so I wish him and his team well,'' Odishaw told the Times & Transcript. ''It's a smart decision for him. With James he has a rock-solid mate and a perfect skip who can step up at anytime. We didn't have that last year and at times it was very tough.''
Howard had nothing but good things to say about Odishaw, who has been a teammate since the former world champion moved to New Brunswick.
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIP SAYS:
Many would say that Russ Howard should retire as one of Canada’s most well-known and successful curlers. But, I guess Russ had a dream of playing with his son, Steve, in the big leagues.
Asper Makes Another Pitch For New CFL Stadium
15/09/2008 10:07
WINNIPEG - Media mogul David Asper is taking another run at getting a major new football stadium and amateur sports complex built in Winnipeg to replace the aging Canad Inns Stadium where the Winnipeg Blue Bombers play their home games.
Asper announced Saturday that he's willing to put up $100 million towards the cost of a stadium complex at the University of Manitoba, subject to a combined $35 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments.
Asper says this represents a doubling of his investment in the project, but cuts in half the amount of government money he's seeking.
This is the third site proposed by Asper for a new stadium after a proposal to replace the existing stadium at Polo Park was rejected, followed by the rejection of a site in the core of Winnipeg known as Point Douglas.
The latest offer from Asper, whose family controls Canwest Communications, includes a 30,000-seat stadium than can be expanded to 45,000 seats; a 700-stall parkade; and a major upgrade to the university's existing stadium.
The design would see the CFL stadium built eight metres below ground with an inflatable bubble to cover the facility during the winter months so that it could be used as an amateur sports complex.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The continuing saga of David Asper and the new Winnipeg CFL stadium is getting just a bit ridiculous. Winnipeg’s city fathers, provincial and federal politicians and residents should realize they don’t really have too many choices and maybe take up Mr. Asper on one of his offers.
Great One Says Rebuilding Leafs On Right Track
15/09/2008 10:07
TORONTO - The Great One thinks Cliff Fletcher is doing a great job for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Maple Leafs interim GM has been calling for patience since accepting the job in January and that's exactly the kind of strategy the franchise needs, according to Wayne Gretzky.
"Toronto's going to be fine," Gretzky said Saturday. "Obviously, it's difficult every year to be on top. Sometimes you've just got to be patient.
"I think Cliff's doing the right thing, he's going to be patient here. He's a good hockey man."
Fletcher spent nearly six years as an executive with Gretzky's Phoenix Coyotes before making his return to the Maple Leafs.
He made headlines earlier this week by offering a blunt assessment of his hockey team, saying that the Maple Leafs had only one true top six forward. That's not such a bad thing, says Gretzky, who believes the franchise needs to go through a couple down years for it to rebound.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Not even you, Mr. Gretzky, could help the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Underdog Americans Out To End Ryder Cup Drought
15/09/2008 10:06
Even without Tiger Woods, the Americans are running out of excuses in the Ryder Cup.
They have one victory against Europe in the last 15 years of this biennial grudge match, and that required a miracle putt from Justin Leonard that only slowed the shift in power. They have not led after any day, any session since that Sunday at Brookline in 1999.
Not that they haven't tried.
Hal Sutton thought he created a juggernaut by pairing Woods and Phil Mickelson in 2004, a move that got torpedoed. They lost both matches, and an inspired European team went on to its most lopsided victory.
Woods tried to get more involved in 2006. He took four rookies out to dinner - even paid the bill - and then agreed to fly to Ireland for two days of practice to show this U.S. team was unified. Europe won by the same score, 18 1/2-9 1/2.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The Europeans have assembled a pretty strong team. Don’t look for the U.S. drought to end any time soon.
Holy Smokes! Was That Car Ever Moving!
14/09/2008 07:59
You have to watch
this video to believe it folks. It all happens
very quickly right after you click the start
button so pay attention to the left side of the
screen.
What you will see is one car pass another on a highway at what appears to be a very high rate of speed.
The camera then pans down to the speedometer in the car from which the video was being shot and it was travelling at 160 kilometres per hour. (That's 100 miles per hour!)
Knowing that fact, just how fast do you think that other car was going when it passed the camera car?
What you will see is one car pass another on a highway at what appears to be a very high rate of speed.
The camera then pans down to the speedometer in the car from which the video was being shot and it was travelling at 160 kilometres per hour. (That's 100 miles per hour!)
Knowing that fact, just how fast do you think that other car was going when it passed the camera car?
New Saint City News Web Site Launched
14/09/2008 06:44
I see the Saint City
News has revamped its web site. That being
said, it is so much better they should be given
a pat on the back.
It’s easy to use and easy to read and you get 100% of the paper online.
A word of caution though, you do have to turn off the pop up blocker on your browser to use the site. While this is not a big deal, I forgot to turn mine back on after visiting the site and got a lot of pop ups which are annoying.
But there is no doubt that SCN’s new site is right up there in quality, next to the digital edition of the Edmonton Journal. There is one downside that needs a little work though. The darn thing takes forever to load on my high speed connection. If you have a low speed or dial-up, forget it.
That leaves the St.
Albert Gazette’s site in the dust. They post
only selected stories to their site, not the
entire paper, the thinking used by papers in my
day when the internet was something to be
feared.
You see back then, you never wanted to give readers anything for free to force them to buy your newspaper. Now that papers are free, it matters not and the entire paper should be online.
Well done SCN!
Taller People Have Edge When It Comes To Happiness
14/09/2008 06:39
NEW YORK (Reuters
Life!) - Taller people are happier on average
than shorter people, with each extra inch in
height giving as much satisfaction as a four
percent increase in income, according to a
U.S.
study.
Data from a Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index study found taller people were more satisfied with their lives, more likely to report positive emotions like enjoyment and happiness, and less likely to report emotions like anger, sadness, and stress.
"On average, men who gave their lives the worst possible rating were more than three-quarters of an inch shorter than the average man," the researchers said in a statement.
The Gallup data suggested it would take a 29 percent increase in income to have the same effect on men's life satisfaction as moving from below-average to above-average height.
Measure up here.
SINC SAYS:
I was wondering why I wasn’t happy lately. I used to be 5’ 11”, but I’ve shrunk to 5’ 10” with age.
Data from a Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index study found taller people were more satisfied with their lives, more likely to report positive emotions like enjoyment and happiness, and less likely to report emotions like anger, sadness, and stress.
"On average, men who gave their lives the worst possible rating were more than three-quarters of an inch shorter than the average man," the researchers said in a statement.
The Gallup data suggested it would take a 29 percent increase in income to have the same effect on men's life satisfaction as moving from below-average to above-average height.
Measure up here.
SINC SAYS:
I was wondering why I wasn’t happy lately. I used to be 5’ 11”, but I’ve shrunk to 5’ 10” with age.
4-Foot Lizard On Loose
14/09/2008 06:34
Officials Trying To
Find Nile Monitor In
SalisburyBOSTON -- A lizard that is at least 4 feet long is on the loose in a Salisbury neighborhood.
Environmental, local and state police with a K-9 unit are searching for the Nile monitor lizard in the area of Elm Street. The lizard is not poisonous, but can bite.
Police already seized a Savanna lizard from the home at 37 Elm St., where the other lizard escaped. That lizard was taken to Rainforest Reptile in Beverly, as officials continue to search for the larger lizard.
Both types of lizards are illegal to keep as pets in Massachusetts. The homeowners, Frank and Calandra Pinette, are each being charged with one count of importation of illegal wildlife.
Nile monitor lizards are usually found in western and central Africa and can grow up to 6 feet.
SINC SAYS:
I just scratched Boston off my list of places to visit.
Dog Calls 911 To Help Owner Having Seizure
14/09/2008 06:31
Dog knew what to
doSCOTTSDALE - An assisstance dog calls 911 and saves his owner's life last week in Scottsdale.
A dispatcher with the Scottsdale Police Department took a call from an assistance dog who barked on the other end of the line.
The dog was trained to call 911 whenever his owner lays down and is unresponsive. All the buttons on the phone are preprogrammed to dial 911.
This isn't the first time the dog has called 911.
SINC SAYS:
Just one more installment from a series on those amazing animals.
Things Everyone should Know . . .
14/09/2008 06:28
A full bladder is
roughly the size of a soft ball.
It takes food seven seconds to get from your mouth to your stomach.
One human hair can support 3 kg.
Human thighbones are stronger than concrete.
The attachment of human muscles to skin is what causes dimples.
The average man's penis is three times the length of his thumb.
A woman's heart beats faster than a man's.
If the average male never shaved, his beard would be 13 feet long when he died.
Men with hairless chests are more likely to get cirrhosis of the liver than men with hair
There are about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet.
Side by side, 2000 cells from the human body could cover about one square inch.
Women blink twice as much as men.
The average person's skin weighs twice as much as their brain.
When you are looking at someone you love, your pupils dilate.
They do the same when you are looking at someone you hate!
It takes twice as long to lose new muscle if you stop working out than it did to gain it.
Your ears secrete more earwax when you are afraid than when you aren't.
Your body uses 300 muscles to balance itself when you are standing still.
If saliva cannot dissolve something, you cannot taste it.
The average woman is 5 inches shorter than the average man.
All you guys looked at your thumbs, didn't you?
TSN2 Now Available Nationally To Bell TV Subscribers
14/09/2008 06:28
More games, more sports, more choice – and now in more Canadian homes! TSN2, Canada's newest 24-hour sports network, announced today that it is now available across Canada on national digital television provider Bell TV. TSN2 is now available on the service, giving Bell TV customers access to hundreds of live sports events.
Bell TV customers who subscribe to TSN will automatically receive TSN2 on channel 403. TSN2 will also be available in HD on channel 848.
"This is a big win for Canadian sports fans," said Phil King, President, TSN. ''We've heard loud and clear from our viewers that they want TSN2 available in their homes, and we are thrilled that Bell TV has joined our growing roster of distributors in giving Canadians more big games and more choice when it comes to watching live sporting events. There is simply no substitute for watching games live, and in just the first few weeks of TSN2's launch, the network has given Canadians exclusive live coverage of major events that couldn't be seen anywhere else. We're thrilled that Bell TV subscribers will now be able to join us for all of the action."
"Bell is thrilled to be among the first TV service providers to offer this great new channel to Canadians,'' said Kevin Crull, President of Bell Residential Services. ''With the addition of TSN2, Bell TV continues to be Canada's leading digital TV provider, offering more HD channels than any other provider coast to coast."
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I checked this morning and, lo and behold, there it was on channels 403 and 848. This is GREAT news for we sports aficionados. I’ll now be able to watch the Eskimo game vs. Montreal on September 21, that will be shown on TSN2, as the Ryder Cup is scheduled to be broadcast at the same time on the main TSN network.
NHL Rookie Class An Impressive Bunch
14/09/2008 06:27
Last year Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Niklas Backstrom, Milan Lucic and Tobias Enstrom all turned heads as freshmen and this year should produce another bumper crop of young, exciting NHLers.
You can pretty well take it to the bank that Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos will be a standout (the surrounding cast he has to work with pretty well guarantees that fact) and is easily the front-runner in the early race for the Calder Trophy.
But who else?
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
For hockey analyst Jeff Marek’s complete run-down of the rookie class of 2008-2009, click here.
Helmet Phone Lands Kid’s Football Coach In Hot Water
14/09/2008 06:26
A minor-league football coach in Winnipeg has been suspended after he outfitted a 10-year-old quarterback's helmet with a wireless communication device.
An official noticed the coach of the St. Vital Mustangs was communicating from the sidelines with his quarterback on the field using a Bluetooth-equipped cell phone during a game on Aug. 24.
The coach has been suspended for two games, and the Mustangs had to forfeit that game, which they had won, said Rob Berkowits, executive director of Football Manitoba.
Berkowits stopped short of accusing the coach of cheating, saying instead that he "didn't use the best judgment."
"The coach thought it would maybe provide him an opportunity to have some sort of an edge against the opposition," he said.
Football Manitoba has never seen a similar situation before, and doesn't believe it will happen again, Berkowits said.
"It goes against the spirit of the game, in my opinion," he said. "The other concern that I had was about safety in terms of altering the helmet, because you void the warranty of the helmet."
Berkowits said he wouldn't be surprised if the Manitoba Minor Football Association implements a rule prohibiting communication devices in helmets.
Paul Nellis, the president of the Mustangs Football Club, called the incident an "error of judgment," and said the coach has served the suspension. The issue has served as a "life lesson" for the players, he said.
Wireless communication devices are illegal in the Canadian Football League, but are regularly used south of the border in the NFL.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
What next folks? As I’ve always said, minor sports is for the parents.
Red Wings – Model Of Consistency
14/09/2008 06:26
From now through the start of the NHL season on Oct. 4, TSN.ca presents '30 Teams In 30 Days,' a quick glimpse at each NHL club as the 2008-09 campaign approaches. Get the lowdown on every lineup, storylines to follow and Scott Cullen's fantasy analysis. It continues today with the Detroit Red Wings.
There isn't a team in the National Hockey League that has been run more successfully over the last 15 years than the Detroit Red Wings, and the team proved its worth on and off the ice once again last spring, winning their fourth Stanley Cup in 11 seasons.
And they have what it takes to do it again this season.
No team has won back-to-back Stanley Cups since the Wings did it in 1997 and 1998, but this year's addition of the team - which kept the core of its lineup intact over the summer and even made some dramatic improvements - doesn't seem to have any obvious weaknesses on paper.
That's not a promising outlook for the league's 29 other clubs, who could be hoping the Red Wings suffer a bit of post-championship complacency.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
For TSN’s complete analysis of the Detroit Red Wings, click here.
Mom Uses Daughter’s ID To Become Cheerleader
14/09/2008 06:25
GREEN BAY, Wis. - A 33-year-old woman is accused of stealing her daughter's identity to attend high school and join the cheerleading squad.
Wendy Brown is charged with felony identity theft after enrolling in a Wisconsin high school as her daughter. The criminal complaint says Brown admitted to telling school officials she was 15 because she wanted to get her high school diploma and join the cheerleading squad.
She allegedly attended practices, received a cheerleader's locker and went to a pool party at the coach's house.
The complaint says Brown has a history of identity theft.
Her daughter lives in Nevada with Brown's mother.
There was no lawyer listed in Brown's online court records and her home number could not be found.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Hmm . . . this gives a whole new meaning to living out your childhood fantasies, doesn’t it? And, she certainly doesn’t look 15 to me, either!