15 February 2009
The Continuing "Bad Taste" Generated by $ervu$ Place
21/02/2009 00:09
Hi Don,
Both local paper’s are in raptures in regards to the recent $ervus Survey.
In reading their coverage of this momentous event one thought springs to mind:
Who the hell gives a damn about what $ervus members think about the place?
Regards,
Robert Hartley
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Well, Robert, I had another thought that was more in line with who fed them this information and why did they give it so much attention? It’s a non newsworthy event, but you would think both the members and the city would be gracious enough to acknowledge that those “$ervu$ Place members” have all their fun at the expense of taxpayers, many of whom cannot afford the “privilege”.
Those folks, and in particular the council and city administration simply don’t give a damn that the levy is hurting many people, some of them seniors on fixed incomes. (‘Course they don’t matter either, do they?) Council won’t even give them a $100 a year break. Nice of them down at city hall, isn’t it?
And you know what else I can’t figure out? How does the credit union sponsor stand to have their name continually being dragged through the mud and ridiculed by half the population for a couple of years now? If they think the stench is ever going to go away, they are sadly mistaken.
Both local paper’s are in raptures in regards to the recent $ervus Survey.
In reading their coverage of this momentous event one thought springs to mind:
Who the hell gives a damn about what $ervus members think about the place?
Regards,
Robert Hartley
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Well, Robert, I had another thought that was more in line with who fed them this information and why did they give it so much attention? It’s a non newsworthy event, but you would think both the members and the city would be gracious enough to acknowledge that those “$ervu$ Place members” have all their fun at the expense of taxpayers, many of whom cannot afford the “privilege”.
Those folks, and in particular the council and city administration simply don’t give a damn that the levy is hurting many people, some of them seniors on fixed incomes. (‘Course they don’t matter either, do they?) Council won’t even give them a $100 a year break. Nice of them down at city hall, isn’t it?
And you know what else I can’t figure out? How does the credit union sponsor stand to have their name continually being dragged through the mud and ridiculed by half the population for a couple of years now? If they think the stench is ever going to go away, they are sadly mistaken.
BLIND MECHANIC IS MOTOR PRO
21/02/2009 00:09
A BLIND car mechanic
can repair broken down vehicles - relying only
on his trusty bare
hands.Col Collewijn lost his eyesight aged eight but still manages to work his way around a curvy body with ease, according to austriantimes.at.
He said: "As long as my tools are in the right place and no screws drop to the ground I get along alone very well."
The motor expert will probably get much more up close and personal with your engine than anyone down at the local garage.
He continued: "I do everything by trusting my senses and my hearing."
And his talent isn’t just a stroke of luck either – he’s made a career out of it in Nuis, Holland, for 30 years.
He added: "And I have one big advantage over other mechanics - I can repair cars in the dark."
SINC SAYS:
You really do have to admire the human spirit whether it is flying a plane with no arms or repairing cars with no eyes.
Backward Green Comet Makes One-Time Only Visit
21/02/2009 00:09
WASHINGTON - An odd,
greenish backward-flying comet is zipping by
Earth this month, as it takes its only trip
toward the sun from the farthest edges of the
solar
system.The comet is called Lulin, and there's a chance it can be seen with the naked eye - far from city lights, astronomers say. But you'll most likely need a telescope, or at least binoculars, to spot it. The best opportunity is just before dawn one-third of the way up the southern sky. It should be near Saturn and two bright stars, Spica and Regula.
On Monday at 10:43 p.m. EST, it will be 61 million kilometres from Earth, the closest it will ever get, according to Donald Yeomans, manager of NASA's Near Earth Object program.
The story behind the comet is more intriguing than its appearance - the greenish tinge may be hard for many to discern. The colour comes from a type of carbon and cyanogen, a poisonous gas.
Lulin was discovered by a Chinese teenager two years ago. It still has many of its original gases - gases that are usually stripped away as comets near the sun. Unlike most comets viewable from Earth, this one hasn't been this close to the sun before, Yeomans said.
While all the planets and most of the other objects in the solar system circle the sun counterclockwise, Lulin circles clockwise, said NASA astronomer Stephen Edberg. And thanks to an optical illusion, from Earth it appears as if the comet's tail is in the front as the comet approaches Earth and the sun.
"It essentially is going backwards through the solar system," he said.
It came from the outskirts of the solar system, 29 trillion kilometres away. Once it's made the journey around the sun, Lulin will gain enough speed to escape the solar system, Edberg said.
"If you are interested in comets, make sure you see it," he said. "But it's not going to be a real great blast for the general public."
SINC SAYS:
Thanks to St. Albert’s Place reader Holly S. for tipping us off on this story. Get those binoculars out on Monday folks.
Giant Rat Caught In China
21/02/2009 00:09
A giant rat with
one-inch-long teeth has been caught in the
southern Chinese province of Fujian.
The rat, which weighed six pounds and had a 12-inch tail, was caught at the weekend in a residential area of Fuzhou, a city of six million people on China's south coast.
The ratcatcher, who was only named as Mr Xian, said he swooped for the rodent after seeing a big crowd of people surrounding it on the street.
He told local Chinese newspapers that he thought the rat might be a valuable specimen, or a rare species, and had to muster up his courage before grabbing its tail and picking it up by the scruff of its neck.
"I did it, I caught a rat the size of a cat!" he shouted out afterwards, according to the reports. Mr Xian is believed to still be in possession of the animal, after stuffing into a bag and departing the scene.
The local forestry unit in the city identified the nightmarish creature as a bamboo rat from initial photographs, but said that it would need to examine the rat more closely before making a final identification.
Chinese bamboo rats rarely grow beyond ten inches and are found throughout southern China, northern Burma and Vietnam.
However, the Sumatra bamboo rat, usually found in the south-western Chinese province of Yunnan and in the Malay Peninsula can grow up to 30 inches long, including tail, and can weigh up to eight pounds.
A "Giant Rat of Sumatra" is mentioned in the Sherlock Holmes tale: The Adventure of a Sussex Vampire.
SINC SAYS:
Yeah right, that guy in the picture is using the old fisherman’s trick to show off his catch. Any fool knows if you hold the fish at arm’s length towards the camera it makes it look much bigger.
How To Get Through February!
21/02/2009 00:09
Our thanks go out to
St. Albert's Place reader Madeline Diaz for
submitting this story in pictures. It is just
too cute to ignore.
First, you . . .
First, you . . .
Sleep as much as
you can.....
Read
books that you enjoy....
Play
with simple things....
Do
whatever you want -- whenever you
want...
Look
for affection when you need
it....
Get
serious once in a while....
Forget
about diets....
Show
some affection....
Get
angry once in a while....
Change
your looks....
Above
all, be happy, regardless of what your
challenges may be....
Have a great month!
Study Suggests Peanut Allergy Can Be Overcome
21/02/2009 00:09
CBC News
Doctors in Britain are closer to finding a cure for severe nut allergies, according to a study published Friday.
A research team at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge exposed children gradually to tiny amounts of peanuts over six months to build up their tolerance.
It is the first time such a desensitization program has been used to treat a food allergy.
Four children — who risked fatal anaphylactic shock from contact with traces of peanut — took part in the study published in Allergy.
The children were initially given a dose of five milligrams but by the end were able to tolerate 880 milligrams — equal to five peanuts.
"We've shown it works. We've shown it can be done safely. Now we're at the stage where we need a larger trial and perhaps a control group, so that we can show it has a large effect," said Dr. Andy Clark, the study's lead researcher.
The research provides hope for the one in 50 young people in Britain with a nut allergy, he added.
"Every time people with a peanut allergy eat something, they're frightened that it might kill them. Our motivation was to find a treatment that would change that and give them the confidence to eat what they like," Clark told the Guardian.
Thirteen-year-old Carl Morris took part in the study.
"I got pretty scared when I was eating things with traces of nuts, but now I can just freely explore different foods that may have killed me before," he said.
Kate Frost is the mother of a nine-year-old boy who participated in the study.
"It's very hard to describe how much of a difference it's made, not just in Michael's life, but for all of us," Frost told the BBC.
"A peanut allergy affects the whole family. You can't go out to a restaurant. If your child goes to a birthday party, he takes a packed lunch."
It's estimated that more than 150,000 Canadians suffer from peanut allergies. About two per cent of people can have an anaphylactic reaction to an allergen, and peanut allergies account for 50 to 100 deaths in the United States every year.
SINC SAYS:
While this is wonderful news for allergy sufferers, it is even better for all of us who suffer due to allergies. Just think, we just might be able to eat peanuts at football and baseball games again.
Zoo Locks Down After Monkey Escapes
21/02/2009 00:09
SEATTLE -- A Woodland
Park Zoo monkey that escaped from his pen has
been caught by
zookeepers.The male Debrazza's monkey managed to jump out of his outdoor exhibit.
Thursday morning, prompting zoo officials to lock down the zoo and escort visitors out. No animals, staff or visitors were injured.
Zookeepers quickly spotted the 12-year-old monkey near his exhibit area and tranquilized him with a dart about 45 minutes after he escaped. The monkey has been at the zoo since May 2008, but was just being introduced to an exhibit after participating in a breeding program. Thursday was his second day in the exhibit.
Adult Debrazza's monkeys have black and white fur, weigh about 11 pounds and live in trees. They are native to central Africa.
The monkey has been taken to a holding area not open to the public.
SINC SAYS:
After what that pet monkey did to that lady last week, they were likely concerned.
2009 Tournament of Hearts: Balancing Act
21/02/2009 00:09
Some big names are out and several lesser-known skips are in as the 2009 Canadian women's curling championship promises one of the most evenly matched fields in years
No Kelly Scott? No Shannon Kleibrink? Not even Sherry Middaugh or Suzanne Gaudet?
What the heck has happened to the Tournament of Hearts?
Calm down. Though a few big-name players will be absent when the 2009 Canadian women's curling championship begins Saturday in Victoria, there's plenty to like about a balanced field that promises to be among the most competitive in years, says CBC curling analyst Joan McCusker.
"It's a good field because the bottom is better and there is no dominating top," says the woman who won three national titles in the 1990s as the second for the late Sandra Schmirler.
"It makes it very interesting for the spectators because we don't know who's going to win."
So what happened to those star skips? Scott, the 2006 and '07 champion, didn't get past the club level in the qualifying process in her home province of British Columbia. Kleibrink, the 2006 Olympic bronze medallist and last year's Hearts runner-up, dropped the Alberta final to Cheryl Bernard. Middaugh, a four-time national semifinalist, bowed out in the playoff rounds in Ontario. Gaudet, P.E.I.'s representative in five of the last six Hearts, lost to eventual winner Robyn MacPhee in the provincial semis.
But don't worry. Reigning world champion Jennifer Jones is back to try for her third Canadian crown against accomplished veterans like Quebec's Marie-France Larouche and Saskatchewan's Stefanie Lawton.
Plus, all those upsets at the provincial level show that the Canadian Curling Association's new focus on trying to expand the country's depth of talent by spreading resources across more teams may be working.
"I think it's good for women's curling," says McCusker. "If you look at the [World Curling Tour] this year, there was a different team winning every weekend.
"There's been an improvement in the level of play across the board. No one's just going to victory to party. All these teams think they have a chance."
Call it the rise of the middle class. And don't be surprised if this increased parity leads to more than a few upsets over the next week. You may even be shocked at who ends up earning a ticket to Korea for the worlds in March, and a berth to the Olympic trials.
"The middle teams are experienced enough to know how to hang in there and beat the top teams," says McCusker.
"The door is open."
Jones the skip to beat at Scotties.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
For the breakdown on the entire field, plus McCusker’s take on each team, click here.
Over 60 Hours Of Scotties Coverage On TSN
21/02/2009 00:09
The best in Canadian women's curling get set to compete for the national championship at the 2009 Scotties Tournament Of Hearts, February 21 to March 1.
Coverage on TSN begins Saturday and includes more than 60 hours of exclusive live coverage featuring – for the first time ever on TSN – all morning, afternoon and evening draws as well as playoffs and final.
In addition, encore presentations of all TSN Scotties Tournament Of Hearts coverage will air on TSN2 on a three-hour delay.
All weekday morning draws are also available live at TSN.ca. All of TSN's television coverage will also be available on-demand at TSN.ca following the conclusion of each live broadcast.
Defending champion Jennifer Jones returns to represent Team Canada as she and her team will be in tough against eleven other rinks including 2008 Canada Cup winner Stephanie Lawton's Team Saskatchewan, Alberta's Cheryl Bernard and Quebec's Marie-France LaRouche.
TSN's acclaimed curling broadcast team is on-site with Vic Rauter calling the action alongside analyst and Olympic gold medallist Linda Moore and analyst and former Brier champion Ray Turnbull.
Also joining TSN's broadcast team is three-time Tournament of Hearts winner, Cathy Gauthier, who will provide rinkside updates throughout the tournament. Two-time World and Brier champion and 2006 Olympic gold medallist Russ Howard will serve as analyst for the morning draws alongside SportsCentre's Bryan Mudryk who will make his debut in the broadcast booth handling the play-by-play duties.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Canada’s most comprehensive curling coverage. Catch the action starting this afternoon at 1:00 p.m. local time on TSN.
Vancouver 2010 Security Five Times Over Budget
21/02/2009 00:09
VICTORIA - The security budget for the 2010 Winter Olympics in British Columbia has been set at $900 million, more than five times the original $175 million estimate.
Federal and provincial officials released the budget late Thursday after more than a year of negotiations. The main holdup had been how much each jurisdiction would contribute to protecting and policing the Games.
The federal government will pay $647.5 million, as well as cover any unexpected costs. British Columbia's share is equivalent to $252.5 million, but only a fraction of that will actually be spent on security.
Instead, the two sides struck a deal that sees Ottawa pick up a greater portion of the security tab but give B.C. less for new buildings and roads over the next three years.
In its latest budget, the federal government announced billions of dollars for infrastructure projects with matching provincial funds to rebuild roads, sewers and other projects to help stimulate the economy.
So, B.C. will actually pay $87.5 million toward the overall security budget, and spend an extra $165 million on $14-billion worth of infrastructure the province has planned over the next three years to fight the financial crisis.
B.C. Finance Minister Colin Hansen said the deal was a win-win for provincial taxpayers as the province finds itself in a deficit situation.
"This allows us to take what was going to be a pressure on the operating budget and cap it, so we didn't have to divert dollars away from other programs in the province such as health care and education to live up to our Olympic security obligations," he said.
Hansen gave details on the province's share of the budget at a hastily called news conference at the same time as the federal government posted the deal on its website.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Nearly $1 billion for security? As I said here yesterday, the fine taxpayers of Vancouver are finding out the hard way what a big, black, money-sucking sinkhole the Olympic games are.
MP Linda Duncan To Propose National Hockey Day
21/02/2009 00:09
Family Day. Hockey Day in Canada. And now, National Hockey Day?
Far from a done deal, it would fall around the same time as the aforementioned days, but would not be a statutory holiday.
So says Linda Duncan, who won the riding of Edmonton-Strathcona for the NDP in last October's federal election. She plans to table a private member's bill in the House of Commons Monday to have the third Friday in February declared National Hockey Day.
"In a time of recession and depression, why not a little good news?" she told the Globe and Mail in explaining the purpose of National Hockey Day.
Duncan was expected to announce her intentions at Vimy Ridge Academy on Friday, an Edmonton school with a hockey team comprised of girls and boys.
"I'm not adverse to it becoming a national holiday," she said.
'Unifying force'
Canada already recognizes Flag Day on Feb. 15, while Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island celebrate holidays in February.
Professional hockey would not be the focus of National Hockey Day, but rather the national game as a significant cultural force in communities.
"Hockey has served as a unifying force throughout our history and it is a significant facet of our national identity," Duncan told the Globe.
Upon tabling her private member's bill, Duncan would need someone to second the bill or it will vanish.
Private member's bills usually don't pass, but former Hamilton-Wentworth MP Sean O'Sullivan proposed declaring the beaver as a "symbol of the sovereignty of the Dominion of Canada" in 1975. Conservative leader Joe Clark seconded the bill and it was passed.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It’s just as we always knew, folks. These politicians simply don’t have enough to do.
IOC President Says Phelps Deserves Second Chance
21/02/2009 00:09
BRUSSELS - IOC president Jacques Rogge said Friday that Michael Phelps failed in his duty as a role model but deserves a second chance after being photographed with a marijuana pipe.
Rogge said the American swimmer's apology and promise not to do it again earned him the benefit of the doubt.
Phelps won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. He was suspended by the U.S. swimming federation for three months after a British newspaper published the photo of Phelps holding the pipe at a party in South Carolina.
Rogge said Phelps was not guilty of a doping offence because the incident occurred outside competition but warned, ''This is not something he should repeat.''
Rogge acknowledged that Phelps has to dig himself out of a deep hole.
''Michael Phelps had a duty to be a role model. It is not just enough to win eight medals,'' he said. ''He has a role to play for youth. He has to be an example. He failed in that.''
The Olympian found out this week that he won't face drug charges after a South Carolina sheriff said there wasn't enough physical evidence to charge the 14-time gold medallist.
''It's a mistake I won't make again,'' Phelps said in the statement.
''I tend to believe he will not do it,'' Rogge said Friday at the opening of an IOC liaison office with the European Union. ''We have to give him a second chance.''
It was not the first embarrassing episode for Phelps after an Olympic triumph.
In 2004, a few months after winning six gold and two bronze medals in Athens, the swimmer was arrested on a drunken driving charge at age 19. He pleaded guilty and apologized for the mistake.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Michael Phelps must really be the IOC’s ‘golden-haired’ boy, because talk of giving second chances is completely out of character for Jacques Rogge and the IOC. It’s so out of character in fact, it’s almost unbelievable. If it were anyone else, they would have been banned and suspended from competition indefinitely – plus stripped of their medals.
Ti-Cats Release High-Priced QB Casey Printers
21/02/2009 00:09
The Casey Printers experiment is over in Hamilton.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have released Printers, who was scheduled to earn in the neighbourhood of $380,000 this season.
Printers struggled from the start of the 2008 campaign and lost his starting job midway through the year. In 10 games, he amassed 1,693 yards passing but also threw twice as many interceptions (10) as touchdowns (5).
The Tiger-Cats finished the season with a dismal 3-15 record and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season.
After being released by the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, Printers signed a three-year contract with the Tiger-Cats midway through the 2007 season, making him the highest paid player in the league at the time. He has two years remaining on the deal.
Printers was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player following the 2004 season, when he guided the B.C. Lions to an appearance in the Grey Cup in his rookie campaign.
The heir apparent in Hamilton appears to be Quinton Porter, who also appeared in 10 games last season. The rookie from Boston College finished the year with 1,496 yards passing, registering 10 touchdowns while giving up four interceptions.
There is also speculation the Tiger-Cats are interested in acquiring Blue Bombers quarterback Kevin Glenn, whose days in Winnipeg appear to be over with new head coach Mike Kelly taking over.
According to CKNW Radio in Vancouver, the Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders are interested in Printers' services.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Well, I guess Printers was not the ‘savior’ he was cracked up to be. I’d really like to see Casey end up in Saskatchewan with the ‘Riders.
70 Percent In Fact Unsatisfied With $ervu$ Place
20/02/2009 08:36
Well, it didn’t take
long to confirm my suspicions that the city’s
poll was slanted in their favour. When we asked
readers to confirm those results were correct,
St. Albert's Place reflected the real view of
the electorate.
A total of 70
percent of local residents rejected the
results and expressed there dissatisfaction
with $ervu$ Place.
Just goes to show you that you can make a survey say anything you want by selecting the right questions and more importantly the right respondents.
I’d say the city’s poll was exactly what I called it on day one. A steaming pile of BS.
All that remains to be said is "nice try" city hall, but it appears to be nowhere near the truth.
Just goes to show you that you can make a survey say anything you want by selecting the right questions and more importantly the right respondents.
I’d say the city’s poll was exactly what I called it on day one. A steaming pile of BS.
All that remains to be said is "nice try" city hall, but it appears to be nowhere near the truth.
Family To Sell Cave Home On eBay
20/02/2009 08:33
FESTUS, Mo., Feb. 19
(UPI) -- A Missouri family says the credit
crunch has forced them to put up for sale the
17,000-square-foot home they created in a
cave.Curt Sleeper told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he and his family, like so many others, are victims of the credit crunch. He has been unable to obtain mortgage refinancing for the cave.
"We don't want to move," he said. "But we need to protect our equity. We put everything we had into this home."
So the Sleepers have listed the cave on eBay.
The couple, who have two children and are expecting a third, bought the cave, a former mine, five years ago. In the late 1950s, it had been converted to a roller rink and night club called Caveland, where Tina Turner and other major stars played, the newspaper said.
The Sleepers lived in tents for several years while they worked on the cave, calling their temporary quarters Tentworld.
The family told the Post-Dispatch the cave in Festus, Mo., about 30 miles south of St. Louis, is peaceful, considering that it is only a few hundred feet from major highways and below a subdivision. It is located in a small box canyon with a bog and an assortment of wildlife.
SINC SAYS:
You know, when you think about it, an underground home would be OK given today’s energy costs. It ought to be warm and cozy without high heating bills. And it better be cheap to own as the opening bid is $300,000.
Here's That Local Picture In National Magazine . . .
20/02/2009 03:35
A few days ago we
told you about local photographer Garnet
Boutette of St. Albert, and friends, Al Popil
and Derald Lobay, were taking photos at night
near Drumheller when Garnet captured this
stunning shot of the hoodoos and a lightening
bolt which happened to strike just as he took
the picture.
The picture
appeared in “Our Canada” magazine’s latest
issue.
St. Albert’s Place is pleased that Garnet consented to allow our readers to share his shot and we thank him for the privilege.
We have some great talent living here in the city and it is nice to see national recognition for a job well done. Click on photo to see larger image.
St. Albert’s Place is pleased that Garnet consented to allow our readers to share his shot and we thank him for the privilege.
We have some great talent living here in the city and it is nice to see national recognition for a job well done. Click on photo to see larger image.
Parked Car Gets Moved In Collision
19/02/2009 19:43
Prompting wannabe cop
to give him a
ticketWhen his parked car was hit by a runaway van, Hugh Tuckerman probably thought his day couldn't get any worse.
But to add insult to injury, a parking warden promptly hit him with a £60 fine after spotting that his damaged vehicle had been shunted onto the pavement.
Despite witnesses remonstrating with the official, the attendant refused to rescind the ticket.
Now Mr Tuckerman will either have to pay the fine in full or go through the process of getting it annulled.
Tonight the education consultant described the situation as simply 'unbelievable'.
'Parking attendants around here have such a heavy-handed way of operating,' he added.
'This isn't the first time I've had problems with them.
'I know they have a job to do but there's a level of sensitivity that needs to be addressed when dealing with exceptional cases like this.
'Who would deliberately park like that? It's just unbelievable.'
The incident happened in Edinburgh's Infirmary Street at 10.15am today while Mr Tuckerman, 65, attended a meeting.
The driver of a van pulled up in a parking space while he unloaded bottles of water for delivery.
It is thought the handbrake was not fully on, resulting in the van rolling forward and hitting the front left-hand side of Mr Tuckerman's car.
Although the damage was not extensive, the driver left a note of his name and phone number, along with a description of what happened.
In the meantime, a parking attendant had approached the car and issued it with a parking ticket.
Another delivery company was delivering furniture across the road and one of the fitters, David Stephen, witnessed the episode.
He said: 'I noticed the driver of the van explaining to the parking attendant what had happened and that he was taking the blame for the car being shunted out of its space.
'I went over to explain that I was a witness to what happened and that the Skoda owner was not at fault, but the attendant just replied: "If he has a problem with it, he can appeal his ticket".
'I couldn't believe how unreasonable he was being and it's a perfect example of the pig-headed nature of parking attendants.
'Despite a well structured discussion, he just wouldn't listen so I took a note of his officer number for future reference. I'm here as a witness if the owner of the car wants to take things further.'
Mr Tuckerman, of Livingston, West Lothian, added: 'I'm a bit shocked at what happened but I'm just so thankful that the driver had the decency to leave me his details and that.
'Mr Stephen has so kindly offered to be a witness if and when I decide to appeal against this ticket.'
SINC SAYS:
Kinda reminds me of some wannbe cop bylaw officers in a certain city I know.
'Local Boys' In Speedboat Free Dolphins
19/02/2009 19:34
Residents of Seal
Cove, N.L., venture out on to the ice Thursday
to help rescue a pod of white-beaked dolphins
trapped by ice. Photograph by: Norma Miller,
For Canwest News
ServiceA group of local men braved dangerous broken ice and frigid waters in a fibreglass speedboat to rescue a small pod of dolphins and help them back to open water, the mayor of Seal Cove, N.L., said Thursday.
"We didn't get any response from (Department of Fisheries and Oceans). It takes so long to get things done when you go through government departments," said Mayor Winston May. "So, some local guys decided to put out their small speedboat and put on their survival suits and didn't they put a channel through the water to where the dolphins was at."
The dolphins had been stranded by a slab of ice since Sunday in White Bay off the coast of Seal Cove, a village of about 400 people. A chunk of ice was rapidly closing in around the animals and threatening to suffocate them.
May said it took the four men about three hours to break a channel in the ice with their boat, and one — a 16-year-old youth — got into the water and helped calm one of the dolphins weakened by the ordeal so they could tow it to open water.
Details here.
SINC SAYS:
Anyone care to join
me in a round of applause for the “Boys of
Newfoundland”?
More About That Armless Lady Pilot
19/02/2009 12:58
Hi Don,
A friend of mine sent this to me. It is a little more of the girl who can fly the airplane with no arms.
Mark Fraser
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
We got a lot of reaction from readers Mark and a couple sent along this extra information. Thanks for the update and we hope readers enjoy the following.
Jessica Cox, 25, a
girl born without arms, stands inside an
aircraft. The girl from Tucson, Arizona got the
Sport Pilot certificate lately and became the
first pilot licensed to fly using only her
feet.
Jessica Cox of Tucson
was born without arms, but that has only
stopped her from doing one thing: using the
word "can't."
Her latest flight
into the seemingly impossible is becoming the
first pilot licensed to fly using only her
feet.
With one foot manning
the controls and the other delicately guiding
the steering column, Cox, 25, soared to achieve
a Sport Pilot certificate. Her certificate
qualifies her to fly a light-sport aircraft to
altitudes of 10,000 feet.
"She's a good pilot.
She's rock solid," said Parrish Traweek, 42,
the flying instructor at San Manuel's Ray Blair
Airport.
Parrish Traweek runs
PC Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Services and
has trained many pilots, some of whom didn't
come close to Cox's abilities.
"When she came up
here driving a car," Traweek recalled, "I knew
she'd have no problem flying a plane."
Doctors never learned
why she was born without arms, but she figured
out early on that she didn't want to use
prosthetic devices.
Jessica Cox, 25,
earned a license to fly airplanes on October
10, 2008. Jessica also has two black belts in
Tae Kwan-Do, a college degree in Psychology,
and a thriving career as a motivational
speaker. What doesn't Jessica Cox have? Arms.A
bilateral congenital limb deficiency doesn't
stop Ms. Cox from achieving and surpassing her
goals. From birth on, her feet became her
hands. She can drive a car, type 25 words per
minute, and fly an airplane using her feet,
without any special adaptations. She is the
first woman without arms to earn a license to
fly.
"I highly encourage people with disabilities to consider flying," Cox said. "It helps reverse the stereotype that people with disabilities are powerless into the belief that they are powerful and capable of setting high goals and achieving them."
Jessica earned her Sport Pilot certificate after training with Able Flight, a North Carolina flight training company that specializes in helping people with disabilities learn to fly. Ms. Cox won an Able Flight scholarship and was able to train with instructor Parrish Traweek free of charge.
A friend of mine sent this to me. It is a little more of the girl who can fly the airplane with no arms.
Mark Fraser
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
We got a lot of reaction from readers Mark and a couple sent along this extra information. Thanks for the update and we hope readers enjoy the following.
Jessica Cox, 25, a
girl born without arms, stands inside an
aircraft. The girl from Tucson, Arizona got the
Sport Pilot certificate lately and became the
first pilot licensed to fly using only her
feet.
Jessica Cox of Tucson
was born without arms, but that has only
stopped her from doing one thing: using the
word "can't."
Her latest flight
into the seemingly impossible is becoming the
first pilot licensed to fly using only her
feet.
With one foot manning
the controls and the other delicately guiding
the steering column, Cox, 25, soared to achieve
a Sport Pilot certificate. Her certificate
qualifies her to fly a light-sport aircraft to
altitudes of 10,000 feet.
"She's a good pilot.
She's rock solid," said Parrish Traweek, 42,
the flying instructor at San Manuel's Ray Blair
Airport.
Parrish Traweek runs
PC Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Services and
has trained many pilots, some of whom didn't
come close to Cox's abilities.
"When she came up
here driving a car," Traweek recalled, "I knew
she'd have no problem flying a plane."
Doctors never learned
why she was born without arms, but she figured
out early on that she didn't want to use
prosthetic devices.
Jessica Cox, 25,
earned a license to fly airplanes on October
10, 2008. Jessica also has two black belts in
Tae Kwan-Do, a college degree in Psychology,
and a thriving career as a motivational
speaker. What doesn't Jessica Cox have? Arms.A
bilateral congenital limb deficiency doesn't
stop Ms. Cox from achieving and surpassing her
goals. From birth on, her feet became her
hands. She can drive a car, type 25 words per
minute, and fly an airplane using her feet,
without any special adaptations. She is the
first woman without arms to earn a license to
fly.
"I highly encourage people with disabilities to consider flying," Cox said. "It helps reverse the stereotype that people with disabilities are powerless into the belief that they are powerful and capable of setting high goals and achieving them."
Jessica earned her Sport Pilot certificate after training with Able Flight, a North Carolina flight training company that specializes in helping people with disabilities learn to fly. Ms. Cox won an Able Flight scholarship and was able to train with instructor Parrish Traweek free of charge.
Family Plagued By Callers After Moving Into 'Brothel'
19/02/2009 11:52
A FAMILY who
discovered they had moved into a former brothel
by mistake were harassed by late-night callers
demanding "a good
time".Linden and Karen Bonson and their three young daughters were looking forward to a new life when they moved into the three-bedroom flat in Kew.
But they were continually plagued by up to five late-night callers a day.
They then discovered their Kew Road home had been raided by officers from the vice squad only months before.
Mr Bonson, 39, asked police what to do and was advised to put a sign on the door saying "no businesses operating from these premises".
He said: "None of the callers were ever aggressive. They all made embarrassed excuses about getting the wrong address, or that their friends must have moved, and left quickly.
Details here.
SINC SAYS:
An interesting scenario indeed. It seems they should have done just a bit more research before moving in, don’tcha think?
Big Payout For Gay Airport Guard
19/02/2009 11:23
After woman colleague
wobbled
her breasts at
him
A gay airport security guard has been awarded more than £60,000 after being sexually harassed by a female colleague.
Allwyn Rondeau, 47, was today awarded £62,525 by an employment tribunal after his life was 'ruined' by Lucy Chilton.
She wobbled her breasts at him, put his hand on them and told him he 'wouldn't know what to do with a woman anyway', the panel heard.
Employment Tribunal Judge Richard Byrne said Ms Chilton clearly spoke and acted the way she did towards Mr Rondeau because of his sexual orientation.
'There is no other logical interpretation of her comment,' he added.
The award comes after Mr Rondeau successfully sued Ms Chilton and boss Brian Johnson for discrimination, citing not only the initial harassment but also the different ways complaints by him and by Ms Chilton were handled.
After Mr Rondeau spurned Ms Chilton's advances, she falsely accused him of harassing her and he was 'frogmarched' from work at G4S, stripped of his pass and suspended.
But when Mr Rondeau made a complaint about her behaviour, she remained at work though under investigation.
Double barreled details here.
SINC SAYS:
My guess there are a ton of guys who would love to have this guy’s job and working conditions.
A gay airport security guard has been awarded more than £60,000 after being sexually harassed by a female colleague.
Allwyn Rondeau, 47, was today awarded £62,525 by an employment tribunal after his life was 'ruined' by Lucy Chilton.
She wobbled her breasts at him, put his hand on them and told him he 'wouldn't know what to do with a woman anyway', the panel heard.
Employment Tribunal Judge Richard Byrne said Ms Chilton clearly spoke and acted the way she did towards Mr Rondeau because of his sexual orientation.
'There is no other logical interpretation of her comment,' he added.
The award comes after Mr Rondeau successfully sued Ms Chilton and boss Brian Johnson for discrimination, citing not only the initial harassment but also the different ways complaints by him and by Ms Chilton were handled.
After Mr Rondeau spurned Ms Chilton's advances, she falsely accused him of harassing her and he was 'frogmarched' from work at G4S, stripped of his pass and suspended.
But when Mr Rondeau made a complaint about her behaviour, she remained at work though under investigation.
Double barreled details here.
SINC SAYS:
My guess there are a ton of guys who would love to have this guy’s job and working conditions.
Woods Announces Return Next Week At Match Play
19/02/2009 11:13
Marana, AZ (Sports Network) - Tiger Woods has committed to compete in next week's World Golf Championship - Accenture Match Play Championship according to his website.
Woods, the defending champion, has not played since defeating Rocco Mediate in last year's U.S. Open. Later that week, Woods had surgery on his left leg and has been unable to compete since.
"Elin and our new son Charlie are doing great," Woods said on his website. "I've enjoyed my time at home with the family and appreciate everyone's support and kind wishes."
Woods needed 91 holes to defeat Mediate in an epic U.S. Open last June. For Woods, it was his third U.S. Open crown and 14th major championship title.
Woods, who also won the Match Play crown in 2003 and 2004, competed in just six events in 2008 due to his knee injury. In those six events, Woods' worst finish was at the WGC - CA Championship where he took fifth place.
He collected four wins in those six starts and feels he is ready to continue those winning ways.
"I'm now ready to play again," Woods stated.
The Accenture Match Play starts Wednesday and runs through Sunday. This year's event has moved to the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain.
"We received confirmation today that Tiger Woods has committed to play in next week's World Golf Championships - Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson, Arizona," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said in a statement. "We are delighted that Tiger is returning to competition and look forward to watching him compete next week."
Last year, Woods rolled Ryder Cup teammate Stewart Cink, 8 & 7, to win this title for the third time. That match took place on the Gallery Golf Club at Dove Mountain.
Woods' win over Cink was his 63rd on the PGA Tour, which moved him past Arnold Palmer and into fourth place on the PGA Tour's all-time wins list. Woods now owns 65 PGA Tour wins.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Look out, PGA Tour golfers – he’s baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
For Whom The Bell Tolls
19/02/2009 11:04
Special teams player jumps from Winnipeg to Edmonton at last minute
Of all the big signings the Edmonton Eskimos made over the past three days, Graeme Bell's story may be the most compelling.
That's right, Graeme Bell.
The obscure Regina native, a fullback more known for his special teams abilities, is lucky to be back playing professional football after an incident outside a Saskatoon nightclub.
The now 28-year-old was struck by a bat-wielding thug and an accomplice on May 12, 2007, just after Bell signed a new contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
"It was a person attacking people with a bat. He had struck three or four people already, so I said that was enough of this and stepped in," Bell recalled.
After voicing his concerns to one of the attackers, Bell took the full brunt of a blow to the left side of his head and was later rushed to hospital, where he had emergency surgery for an epidermal hematoma and a fractured skull.
"I couldn't speak," Bell recalled of those dark days afterwards. "I lost the mechanical ability to speak, which was quite concerning, and I had to learn how to speak all over again." During a four-hour surgery, a metal plate was inserted in his skull. It remains there today. The procedure was closed with 52 staples.
"The doctors told me I wouldn't play again. But they always give you the worst-case scenario," said Bell. "I wrote on a piece of paper that I would. In the end, it all worked out." But not without its frightening moments, as his attempt at being a Good Samaritan turned horribly wrong.
The Bombers eventually placed Bell on the nine-game injury list. He didn't play the entire 2007 season while Winnipeg advanced to the Grey Cup, but he was back on the field again in 2008.
Bell became a free agent Sunday night and had actually faxed in an agreement to rejoin the Blue Bombers -- he acts as his own agent.
"I basically had come to terms with the Bombers, faxed it in at nine o'clock and went to a movie with my father," said Bell. "Winnipeg called later and said the fax came through blank, but Danny Maciocia (the Esks general manager) started calling while I was at the movie.
"We started talking and I eventually decided to make the move." Bell, a product of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies who played in the 2002 and 2004 Vanier Cups, said he took a pay cut to come over.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Well, Bell’s story gives a whole new meaning to that saying, getting slapped upside the head with a baseball bat, doesn’t it folks?
Vancouver Takes Over $700-Million Loan For Olympic Village
19/02/2009 11:03
In a move it says will inject stability into the troubled Olympic Village development, the City of Vancouver bought out Fortress Investment Group's high-interest loan to Millennium Developments on Wednesday.
The decision removes one major obstacle to getting the 1,100-unit village finished in time for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
It gives the city access to substantially lower borrowing costs, which Mayor Gregor Robertson said has already saved taxpayers $90 million in interest.
But it also keeps taxpayers on the hook for about $700 million in loans Fortress and the city gave to Millennium, as well as money needed to finish the project.
The city paid Fortress the $319.4 million it was owed on the project, including a $4-million interest penalty fee.
City manager Penny Ballem told city council the city is now in control of the project. "Basically, at this time we have now bought out Fortress," she said.
In return, Fortress relinquished all rights to the project, giving the city control and eliminating a politically problematic "completion guarantee."
Robertson said the buyout has released the city from terms with Fortress that had exposed taxpayers to extreme risk. "We have gone from an agreement that clearly was not in the best interests of taxpayers to an agreement that puts Vancouver taxpayers first," he said.
"The city was already bearing the full risk of the project with the completion guarantee to Fortress. This way we have control of the project going forward and we can steer it to more positive outcomes that benefit taxpayers."
The deal was crafted after the Bank of Montreal, Vancouver's bank since 1886, provided a low-interest line of credit based on the city's good credit rating. Vancouver used some of that money and also temporarily borrowed funds from the city's working capital to pay off Fortress.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Even though this move was made to save Vancouver taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in interest charges, the fine taxpayers of Vancouver are finding out just how costly a venture hosting the 2010 Olympic Games really is - and finding out the hard way.
Taking Stock Of Those Who Were Lost
19/02/2009 11:03
Shabazz, McGrath, Ralph all on new teams
Of course much has been written about the Edmonton Eskimos' new recruits as general manager Danny Maciocia drastically changed the look of his CFL team.
The free agency splurge has provided lots of talent, most of it Canadian, an important cog in the gridiron wheel.
But what of those who left?
The Eskimos have said goodbye to Siddeeq Shabazz, who was a tremendous soldier for the Green and Gold. Not to mention receiver Brock Ralph and offensive lineman Joe McGrath.
"Well, I'm not really sure, but I didn't even try to give it too much thought," Shabazz said of his trade to Winnipeg for Kai Ellis. "I know what I was and wasn't for this organization these past two years and I look forward to moving forward with the Blue Bombers.
"You can drive yourself bananas trying to figure out what these coaches and owners are thinking, but I've learned to just take it in stride and make the best of it. I enjoyed Edmonton thoroughly -- the fans, the history, the coaches, my teammates, and it was a great run last season. Now I'll enjoy it all from a new perspective."
It will be a lot tougher on Ralph, a Raymond native, who moved back to Alberta a year ago, mainly for his now four-year-old daughter, Oakley, who has autism. This province provides the best services in the country for families who live with the disorder.
"I'm gonna have to figure out some solution that's going to work for my family," Ralph told a Winnipeg paper.
It's been a difficult year for the southern Alberta product, as he struggled with a rib injury early on and then went on the nine-game injured list when he cracked two pieces of bone off his spinal cord in the Labour Day clash.
"If I can stay healthy and do what's expected of me and what I expect of myself, I think my best seasons are ahead. I really do."
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Yes, the Eskimos did lose some good ball players in the last couple of days, but I think when you compare what they gained versus what they lost, they’re going to have a much better football team in 2009 than they had in 2008. Danny Maciocia really has done a good job of building a number of CFL teams this year, hasn't he folks?
Blue Bombers Legend Stegall Announces Retirement
19/02/2009 11:02
The Canadian Football League called him the Most Outstanding Player.
He called himself Turtle Man.
After an illustrious 14-year career donning the blue and gold, Winnipeg Blue Bombers slotback Milt Stegall announced his retirement from playing professional football in the CFL.
"I have enough stored up right now where I can really ride into the sunset and really enjoy and not be sad that it's over, but be happy that I got a chance to go through it," Stegall said. "It was a great experience and I'll miss it, but I'm not sad it's over.
"I'm happy that I actually got a chance to experience all these things."
Stegall will be joining TSN throughout the season as a guest analyst on the CFL on TSN.
Considered by many to be the greatest receiver in CFL history, Stegall leaves the game as the league's career leader in touchdown grabs (144), receiving yards (15,153) as well as career TDs (147). He holds the CFL record for most touchdowns in a season (23 in 2002) and yards per catch in a season (26.5-yard average in '97).
"Milt's career has set so many new standards on and off the field. His professionalism and contribution to the Blue Bombers and the CFL will be very difficult to replace," President and CEO Lyle Bauer said in a statement.
"It is challenging to describe a career such as that of Milt Stegall. He will be in our record books for years to come," Bauer said.
Stegall also holds the Bombers club mark for most 1,000-yard receiving seasons with 10 and was named the CFL's outstanding player in 2002 when he established career highs with 105 catches for 1,862 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also retires as the third-highest scorer in team history behind kickers Troy Westwood and Trevor Kennerd.
The only accomplishment to elude Stegall was winning the Grey Cup. He played in the season-ending game twice - 2001 against Calgary and 2007 versus Saskatchewan - but was unable to secure a title.
However, Stegall said that's not a regret he'll carry.
"My legacy has nothing to do with what I did on the football field, it was just a plateau that I used to go on and do bigger and better things," Stegall said. "Football didn't make me who I am.
"It was something that I did and now I move on."
Bauer also announced on Wednesday that Stegall will go immediately into the Bombers' Hall of Fame this summer as its lone inductee.
"It is only fitting that Milt walk off the field and directly into the Hall of Fame," Bauer said in a statement. "His accomplishments are remarkable and they will set a high standard for years to come on and off the field."
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Milt Stegall was truly one of the best – better than all the rest. And, he did it with class. I look forward to listening to Stegall’s insight on the TSN football broadcasts this upcoming year.
CFL Invites Fans To Propose Rule Changes
19/02/2009 11:01
For the first time, Canadian Football League fans are being asked to propose rules changes that can "make our great game even better," says commissioner Mark Cohon.
Fans are asked to send their ideas by visiting CFL.ca/rules or by emailing rules@cfl.ca by Friday, Feb. 27.
"We know our fans have the best interests of our game at heart, that they cherish its traditions, understand what makes it unique, and yet want to make it even stronger," Cohon said after inviting fans to submit their suggestions to the league's rules committee.
"So it makes perfect sense to include them in our annual discussion of rule changes. It's part of what we mean when we say This is Our League: it belongs to every Canadian who cares about the CFL, and supports it."
They will be shared with the members of the league's rules committee as it prepares to meet as part of the annual CFL Congress, this year in Hamilton on March 3 and 4.
"That's the spirit in which our rules committee gathers each year during CFL Congress. A collection of team presidents, general managers, coaches and officials, along with a representative of the players' association, it meets to discuss which rules should be replaced, changed or tweaked to make our game even better," Cohon said.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Now, isn’t this a novel concept? You have to give the CFL credit for trying to involve its most important stakeholders, the fans, in the decision-making process.
Calgary Curler Martin’s Fifth Man
19/02/2009 11:01
Meek plays with Morris, Hebert in men's league
Terry Meek kept putting off buying his tickets for the Tim Hortons Brier Canadian men's curling championship.
"In fact, Cheryl (Bernard, his partner) was giving me hell because I hadn't bought any yet," said a chuckling Meek on Wednesday. "I was saying, 'I'll get in, don't worry.' And I ended up getting pretty good seats." You might say that -- he'll be at ice level, seated behind the scoreboard for all of Kevin Martin's games at the Brier, March 7-15 at the Pengrowth Saddledome, after being picked as the Alberta champions' alternate player earlier this week.
Meek, 46, had competed for more than 20 years in pursuit of a trip to the Brier, getting to a provincial semifinal on a few occasions, but never closer.
Two members of the Martin foursome -- third John Morris and lead Ben Hebert -- curl with Meek in a Calgary men's league. That went into the decision to ask him to join the team as its fifth player.
"The last couple of years, we've taken someone new (last year, Adam Enright; the year before, Blayne Iskiw), and we just think it keeps everything fresh," said Morris. "And Ben and I have gotten along really well with him. He's an easygoing, easy-to-deal-with kind of guy. He's come close to the Brier a couple times and we thought this would be pretty exciting for him.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
While I don’t think he’ll see much action, it should be quite an experience for Meek nevertheless.
86 Percent Approve Of $ervu$ Place? Not Likely!
19/02/2009 07:14
Here is a
link to a front page story
in yesterday's St. Albert Gazette titled Servus
survey positive, which states in
part:"Phone questionnaire of 300 residents finds 86 per cent satisfaction rate with users, and an 18 per cent jump in annual members
Servus Credit Union Place is finding its groove with customers, according to new numbers from city hall.
A survey of more than 300 area residents suggests 86 per cent said they found some level of satisfaction with the overall facility. The phone and Internet survey was conducted Nov. 27 to Dec. 12 by Bannister Research & Consulting Inc. and will be used for strategic planning."
----------------------------------------------
Well folks, this is
another pile of steaming BS sitting down at
city hall. This time it is in the form of a
survey the city is touting on the satisfaction
rate of $ervu$ Place.
You see the city had a 300 response phone and internet survey done by a research firm, and you read the results above. Which begs the question, why could not the city make the phone calls and tabulate internet responses using current staff without hiring researchers and waste even more taxpayers money?
But I digress, as the real point of this startling announcement seems to be a well planned PR move to boost the ratings of that white elephant.
Why would I think that, you ask? Well folks, I don’t have a lot of faith in the city stating there is an 86 percent approval rating among local residents, when 83 percent of those surveyed were members of $ervu$ Place at the time they were surveyed.
That’s where the PR BS comes into play. I mean really, who do they think they are kidding? And how does something like this rate front page play in the local paper?
This announcement by the city is clearly a setup and nothing more, in my humble opinion. I have opposed this financial disaster from day one when I cast my ballot against it and will continue to contest this type of shameless promotion of the joint using apparently stacked figures.
Let’s find out if that 86 percent approval rating holds true among St. Albert’s Place readers. Please enter your opinion in the survey below and we’ll see if we get a matching result.
Please do it now and encourage every member of your household, your friends and neighbours to also answer the poll questions. My bet is that we will see quite a different result than the one being promoted by the city.
Poll Closed.
Giant Rabbits To Return To Spanish Menus
19/02/2009 05:52
Spaniards will soon
be enjoying a diet of giant rabbit under plans
to reintroduce the rare breed for human
consumption.The Valencia Agricultural Research Institute has launched a breeding programme of the rare Valenciano rabbit and predicts that it could be on supermarket shelves within three years.
It is hoped that the animals, which can grow as big as a lamb and produce 7kgs (15lbs) of meat, will prove popular as a healthy and cheap alternative to red meat.
The Valenciano breed was established in 1912 when farmers cross bred large domestic Spanish rabbits with the imported Flemish Giant variety and for decades it appeared on dinner tables across the nation.
Vicente Garcia, the agricultural engineer in charge of the project, said: "These animals were valued by farmers for their meat and the speed at which they bred, often producing up to 16 young in each litter."
During the first half of last century the enormous rabbits were exported across Europe and to Cuba, Argentina and Chile but by the 1970s they were close to extinction in Spain.
"Only a very few examples of the breed still exist in Spain," Mr Garcia told Spanish newspaper 20 minutos. The breed had only survived in two isolated areas of Spain, he added, because the giant rabbits were bred by enthusiasts as pets.
The three year project, funded by the Department of Agriculture of the regional government of Valencia, involves selectively breeding those animals with large domestic rabbits with a view to building up the breed for the general market.
"We have already started a breeding program and will test the productivity and profitability of the Valenciano with the goal that it will once again be viable to produce for human consumption," he said.
They are about the same size as the renowned German grey giant, but honey coloured.
SINC SAYS:
I happen to like rabbit. It is great meat and resembles chicken, only sweeter. I guess if you really want some, you could pop down to City Ford and round up some of those cute little critters than run around the car lot.
The Things That People Send Me . . .
19/02/2009 05:52
This picture was sent
to us courtesy of Randy Horan, CN conductor.
Note this is taken from a train. Just think how
big that moose is in real life.
Alligator Falls In Love With Sanitation Truck
19/02/2009 05:52
Sarasota, Florida-
Animal caretakers at Jungle Gardens say one of
their female alligators has fallen for a most
unlikely
match."Attitude", as she's known at the family attraction, is a 25-30 year-old American alligator who has been in captivity at the park for 10 years.
Recently, caretakers noticed unusual behavior coming from Attitude each time city garbage trucks would show up to pick up trash.
"It's very consistent. Every time they come, she'll pick her head and tail up and let out a huge roar," said Julie Harder, Attitude's caretaker.
"It's very loud and intimidating if you're not expecting it."
The behavior, called bellowing, is how alligators communicate with one another during mating season.
Experts at Jungle Gardens believe Attitude may be mistaking the garbage truck's low rumble for a male alligator's mating call.
"The reverberations, coupled with the sounds of the giant metal hydraulic arms dumping the bin, ignite passion and love in the reptile," says Jungle Gardens Marketing and Groups director Chris Costanzo.
"We're not quite sure if she is in love with the garbage truck or if she's trying to tell it to get out of her territory," Harder says.
Either way, the bellowing sound consistently gets Attitude excited and now caretakers at the park are trying to find out if other captive alligators have had similar garbage truck attractions.
SINC SAYS:
Don’t believe me? Watch the video here.
Man's Penis Injured In Grinder Accident
19/02/2009 05:52
A man whose penis met
an ill fate with a grinder in Brisbane's north
this afternoon has been rushed to
hospital.It is understood the 23-year-old was working in Northgate when he was injured just after 2pm.
A Department of Emergency Services spokeswoman could not identify the type of grinder that had injured the man or detail how he came in contact with the device.
Although the extent of his injuries is not known, paramedics who treated the man at the scene were able to stem the bleeding.
He was transported to the Royal Brisbane Hospital.
SINC SAYS:
I tell you true folks, you just can’t make this kind of stuff up.
European Truck Art . . .
19/02/2009 05:52
READER
RESPONSE:
In regards to your "European Truck Art" please note that this is the work of someone who has applied the art to a photograph. If you look you will note that the truck is located on the exact spot in each picture - the background is the same, the divider line is the same, in fact a close look at the truck undercarriage is also the same.
George Proulx
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Yes George, the wonders of Photoshop are a marvelous thing indeed, which is why I called it “art” and not pictures. To be fair to the trickster though, not all the pictures are identical. Whoever did it tried to blur the background to simulate movement in a couple of them, and that brick pillar is not included in every picture.
EU Commission Demands A Single Cell Charger
19/02/2009 05:52
The European
Commission is getting ready to force all mobile
phone companies to use a single connector on
their chargers, in order to eliminate the
mountains of e-waste generated by switching
chargers every time you switch
phones.
Transformer bricks
with esoteric connectors are the most common
form of electronic crap I see on
street-vendors' blankets around the world (at
least a hundred of them yesterday on Brick
Lane in London, and literally thousands and
thousands of them in Mumbai's Chor Bazaar),
and given that they all put out nearly the
same voltage and amperage, it really does seem
like pure waste.
Many devices seem to be converging on a mini-USB, which means that when you travel abroad, the only adapter needed is a laptop and its USB ports.
The European Commission plans to force mobile phone manufacturers to manufacture one mobile phone charger for all mobile phones, according the European Commissioner for Industry, Gunther Verheugen in an interview with the German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle. Verheugen said that his patience has been tested enough by the mobile phone industry, which was given several chances to develop one charger for all mobile phones, and he does not exclude severe measures to force the manufacturers to come with a solution. The main reason for his demand is trying to decrease the volume of electrical waste within Europe, which is become a major environmental problem. The current situation that requires users to purchase a new mobile charger with each new mobile phone has become unbearable according to Verheugen. In a reaction, the president of the European Information & Communications Technology Industry Association (EICTA), Tony Graziano, told Deutsche Welle that Verheugen's demand is legally and technically impossible to due differences in voltage and battery requirements within the European Union, although he acknowledged the increasing burden of mobile phone chargers on the environment. He also said that the industry is not likely to develop one charger for all brands. Verheugen also said that he rather sees the industry to develop such a charger voluntary, but warns that the EC has the legal and political means to force such development.
SINC SAYS:
My current cell uses a mini USB to charge and every future phone should be the same. My bet is phone companies make a greater profit on the chargers than the phone itself, thus the proliferation of the damn things.
Many devices seem to be converging on a mini-USB, which means that when you travel abroad, the only adapter needed is a laptop and its USB ports.
The European Commission plans to force mobile phone manufacturers to manufacture one mobile phone charger for all mobile phones, according the European Commissioner for Industry, Gunther Verheugen in an interview with the German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle. Verheugen said that his patience has been tested enough by the mobile phone industry, which was given several chances to develop one charger for all mobile phones, and he does not exclude severe measures to force the manufacturers to come with a solution. The main reason for his demand is trying to decrease the volume of electrical waste within Europe, which is become a major environmental problem. The current situation that requires users to purchase a new mobile charger with each new mobile phone has become unbearable according to Verheugen. In a reaction, the president of the European Information & Communications Technology Industry Association (EICTA), Tony Graziano, told Deutsche Welle that Verheugen's demand is legally and technically impossible to due differences in voltage and battery requirements within the European Union, although he acknowledged the increasing burden of mobile phone chargers on the environment. He also said that the industry is not likely to develop one charger for all brands. Verheugen also said that he rather sees the industry to develop such a charger voluntary, but warns that the EC has the legal and political means to force such development.
SINC SAYS:
My current cell uses a mini USB to charge and every future phone should be the same. My bet is phone companies make a greater profit on the chargers than the phone itself, thus the proliferation of the damn things.
Lethal Weapon
19/02/2009 05:52
Bruiser with plenty of outside speed brings new dynamic to offence
Jesse Lumsden will be wearing the same Green and Gold jersey that his father, Neil, wore back in the Edmonton Eskimos' glory days.
Only with a different number.
The younger Lumsden on Tuesday signed a one-year deal plus an option with the Eskimos. Financial terms are said to be a $75,000 base salary, with a number of unknown incentive-laden bonuses.
What is known, is he makes the Eskimos -- a team that lacked a stable running game -- that much better.
"Wow, to get a person of his calibre. He makes our offence even more lethal than it currently is," said Eskimos head coach Richie Hall. "He's one of the quality running backs in this league. I'm just so excited to have that type of a weapon."
Unlike his dad, who wore No. 32, Jesse will don the No. 28, left behind by Siddeeq Shabazz, who was dealt to the
Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday. And CFL defenders are likely to see that number blow by them, if he can stay healthy.
Lumsden, a 26-year-old bruiser of a running back with plenty of outside speed, has had productive seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, averaging 6.7 yards per carry over the last two CFL campaigns. But he has been hampered by shoulder problems. Two surgeries have limited his play to just 19 games the past two seasons.
"The shoulder is great. I'm to a point where I'm going to be pushing more weight around," Lumsden said of therapy. "That's all in the past. I know I can play a full season. When I get to Edmonton I don't want to talk about injuries anymore. People have to remember that this is a high-collision sport. There is nothing I could have done any differently."
Lumsden's father, Neil, was a similar bruising fullback with the Eskimos from 1980-85 and won three Grey Cups.
The difference is, Jesse's speed gives him the ability to bust it outside.
"I always joked with Neil that Jesse got his mom's long legs, heart and ability," joked Eskimos linebackers coach Dan Kepley, a former teammate of Neil's. "And coach (Hugh) Campbell used to joke with me saying, 'If guys coming up the hole would ever beat the (crap) out of you, we'll trade for him.' Neil was one of those guys."
"Jesse is the same type of bruiser who can drop his shoulder and run right through you. The difference is Jesse can get outside," chuckled Kepley.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
This is the most excited SWIVEL HIPS has been entering an Eskimo training camp in many, many years. With the acquisitions of Lumsden and Mo Lloyd, I think the Esks have a real legitimate shot at being on the field in Calgary in November contesting the Grey Cup game.
Troubling Numbers
19/02/2009 05:52
Oft-injured lad has played 30 games, missed 42 in four CFL seasons
The Edmonton Eskimos had to be careful while fattening Jesse Lumsden's wallet.
No sense having the big fella separate a shoulder while carrying the extra weight around his new Canadian Football League address.
Or wrenching his back picking it up. Or bruising his gluteus maximus by sitting on it.
Or suffering any number of indignities to which the oft-injured lad may succumb between now and the end of his first Eskimos season, be that in August or November. The 26-year-old contused and bruising fullback is built like a pile of bricks, though apparently without quite enough mortar to keep them from falling apart on impact.
We kid.
He's either living under a black cloud or is something of a medical mystery wrapped in an enigma, swathed in bandages. His father, Neil, played 10 years as a sure-handed, though somewhat less-than-sculpted fullback in the CFL, including six with Edmonton, and averaged 14 games per season back when they were 16 games long.
"But I blew out my ACL in Edmonton, tore a bicep and broke my radius," said Neil. "When you play a position where you get hit a lot or do the hitting, things are going to happen. That's all this is." But the chiselled, six-foot-two, 225-pound Jesse, who will wear No. 28 and sit in his dad's old dressing room stall, has averaged less than eight games per campaign over four years and has never played more than 10 in any one season. Shoulder injuries cut short last year and the one before that for Lumsden, late of the Ticats. In four seasons he has played 30 games and missed 42.
Those are troubling numbers. The Eskimos hope the sad skein doesn't continue and they structured the first-time free agent's one-year-plus-option deal in a way that protects them financially if he's back on the shelf for an extended period. At least, it sounds like they did.
"Have we thought it out? Absolutely," said general manager Danny Maciocia. "I fully expect Jesse to play, to play well and to play 18 games. If it doesn't happen, we'll be fine because we have a plan in place." If games missed was the only relevant stat, the Eskimos wouldn't have signed Lumsden on Tuesday, nor would the Argos, Ticats and Bombers have been in there pitching for his services since CFL free agency opened Sunday night. If it takes blind faith to do it, get past the debilitating physical vulnerability and you'll find his career yards-per-carry number of 6.3 smacks you between the eyes.
His real name is Jesse Everett James Lumsden; his nickname ought to be second-and-short.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
A lot of Eskimo fans do not like this deal. They say Lumsden is injury prone and won’t last the season. I happen to love the deal and have been advocating for it for a long time now. Jesse Lumsden is the premiere running back in the CFL.
Because the Eskimo offence will not be built around him here in Edmonton (it’s built around Ricky Ray) as it was in Hamilton, Jesse will not take the physical pounding he took there. Also, platooning with Calvin McCarty will mean less of a toll will be taken on his body. Look for Lumsden to start all 18 regular season games for the Esks this year and have his best season ever, by far.
Christmas In February?
19/02/2009 05:52
Esks players, coaches, fans thrilled team able to acquire Lloyd, Lumsden
Maurice Lloyd one day, Jesse Lumsden the next.
Fans shouldn't be surprised the Edmonton Eskimos, as expected, opened up their vault to grab what are likely the best defensive and offensive players available, respectively, in Canadian Football League free agency.
Eskimos general manager and director of football operations Danny Maciocia nabbed Lloyd on Monday and added Lumsden on Tuesday.
Players and coaches are even more thrilled than the fans, expressing their joy on websites and chat boards.
Ricky Ray, for one, is tickled to have both new recruits on his side, especially Lloyd, who laid a lick on the Esks quarterback in a 55-9 drubbing in Saskatchewan back on Oct. 25.
"There were a few cobwebs after that hit," admitted Ray, who was absolutely demolished by Lloyd, taking a helmet to chin hit at Mosaic Stadium, which led to a fumble and seven points the other way. "One hit I'm glad I won't have to take again. I'm glad he's on our side."
He's not alone in his thoughts.
"Who said Christmas doesn't come in February?" said Eskimos linebacker coach Danny Kepley, who can't wait till Lloyd arrives in town.
"I am absolutely thrilled that, No. 1, we got a middle linebacker, because up until that deal we didn't have any," he chuckled. "And, No. 2, we got the best one in the business at it."
One who is being paid handsomely.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
For a die-hard Edmonton Eskimos fan, this indeed does feel like Christmas in February!
Stevie: Tiger ‘A Few Weeks’ From Returning To Action
19/02/2009 05:52
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Tiger Woods is "a few weeks" away from a return to the PGA Tour and could decide within days where that return will take place, his caddie Steve Williams said Wednesday.
Williams told Television New Zealand in an exclusive interview that Woods is close to ending his long injury layoff and will return to the tour mentally stronger than before.
"It's going to be any time, shortly," Williams said.
"He's probably 95 per cent of the way there. He was waiting for the birth of his second child which just came last week so he's ready to go. He just needs a little bit more walking. He hasn't been able to walk too well," he added.
"Any time in the next few weeks he's going to tee it up. He definitely wants to play a couple of tournaments before Augusta so any day now he's going to make a decision when he's going to play."
Speculation has increased over the past week that Woods would make his return at the Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson, Arizona starting Feb. 25. His wife, Elin, gave birth to their second child - a boy named Charlie Axel - earlier in the month.
Woods has not played since reconstructive surgery on his left knee a week after winning the U.S. Open in June.
Williams said Woods had remodelled his swing to accommodate his injured knee and had been refreshed mentally by his long break.
"He's just got a couple of little issues but when he tees it up that will be a sign to say 'I'm ready to go' because he won't play unless he's 100 per cent. It's getting closer," Williams said.
Woods had been doing six hours a day of rehab on his knee to get fit again, Willliams said.
"He never tees it up unless he believes he can win and he's ready to go."
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Did you hear that, PGA Tour players? You still have a few more weeks of grace.
Taste Of Olympic Curling On Tap For Mississauga
19/02/2009 05:52
Curling fans in the Toronto area will get to witness a reasonable facsimile of the 2010 Olympic men's curling competition at a World Curling Tour Grand Slam event this October.
Olympic teams from eight countries, along with leading Canadian Olympic team contenders Kevin Martin and Glenn Howard, will contest the Masters of Curling event in Mississauga from Oct. 21-25, organizers announced on Tuesday.
It will be the first major international curling event held in the Greater Toronto area since the 1986 World Curling Championships.
"This Slam will be a great opportunity for teams to see how they match up with the world's best leading into Vancouver," said Howard, whose team has won the past three Masters of Curling events. "There's no doubt that the level of curling will be exceptional and the tournament's format will provide a great deal of entertainment for the fans."
Martin, the current world champion, and Howard, the 2007 world champion, will be joined by two other Canadian teams that will have qualified directly for the Canadian Olympic curling trials in Edmonton in December.
Also in the field will be Thomas Ulsrud of Norway, China's Fengchun Wang and Germany's Andy Kapp, who will represent their countries in Vancouver in 2010.
The U.S., France and Great Britain have each confirmed that their as-yet undetermined Olympic qualifier will also compete at the October event, while Switzerland will send one of its Olympic hopefuls to Mississauga.
With the absence of a pre-Olympic curling tournament leading up to Vancouver 2010, the World Curling Tour Players' Association elected to temporarily change the 2009 Masters of Curling into a special invitation-only event, featuring the world's top Olympic qualifiers and hopefuls.
Normally, teams would qualify for the Masters by accumulating points at other World Curling Tour events.
"It's not very often the world's best teams get together -- especially right before an Olympic Winter Games," said Pierre Charette, interim president of World Curling Tour Players' Association. "For any team which has an eye on competing in Vancouver, this tournament will be a key part of their preparation leading up to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games."
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
This will be a great “tune-up” for Vancouver 2010 for the Olympic curlers and curling fans all over the world. Kudos the the World Curling Tour Players’ Association for thinking of it.
Golf Federation Aims For 2016 Olympics
19/02/2009 05:52
A total of 120 golfers would compete in a four-round stroke-play competition to determine the medal winners if the sport is added to the 2016 Olympics.
The International Golf Federation submitted a 76-page paper to the International Olympic Committee on Feb. 15, detailing the group's plans for adding golf to the Games.
Under the plan, the top 60 men's and women's golfers, based on the official world rankings, would compete in the Olympics. The top 15-ranked players would be automatically eligible, regardless of the number for a particular country. A maximum of two players from each country that doesn't already have two or more among the top 15 also would be eligible.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It’s good to hear that golf may be an Olympic sport in 2016. As SWIVEL HIPS has said many times before, the whole process for determining what is and what is not an Olympic sport needs to be thoroughly reviewed and changed.
Can Anyone Help Out Photographer Al Popil?
18/02/2009 06:44
Hi Don,
The only surfing I have been doing for the last couple of months is for camera gear.
I smell spring and spring means new photo stuff.
Maybe a reader of yours knows of, or has a Canon EF 500 mm f4 for sale?
I'll check out your site and see what I have been missing.
Al Popil
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Al send me a link and I replied and asked if he had seen the item on he and his buddies pictures in Our Canada, thus the foregoing message. If anyone knows of a lens like the one he seeks, please let me know and I will pass it along to Al.
Peanuts on Northwest Airlines Prompt Protests
18/02/2009 06:44
ATLANTA, Georgia
(CNN) -- The return of peanuts to the snack
menu at Northwest Airlines this month has
prompted a spasm of protests from travelers
with
allergies.The change comes four months after Northwest merged with Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and in the midst of a national salmonella outbreak involving Peanut Corporation of America. Georgia, where the company has a plant, is the top peanut-producing state in the country.
Northwest began handing out the goobers as snacks on February 1, as Delta has been doing for years.
In Minneapolis, where Northwest is based, news of the change has resulted in a flood of responses on the Web site of the Star Tribune, a local newspaper.
"This is a very disappointing development," wrote one man who responded to the story. "My wife's allergy is so severe that if someone is sitting next to her and eating peanuts, the odor is enough to trigger an allergic reaction."
"Northwest is really out of touch with its customers and the reality of allergies to peanuts," wrote another reader.
"What's wrong with pretzels?"
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 3 million Americans are allergic to peanuts or tree nuts, while nearly 7 million are allergic to seafood. Combined, food allergies cause 30,000 cases of anaphylaxis, 2,000 hospitalizations and 150 deaths annually.
Delta says it will make accommodations for those with peanut allergies, if a request is made.
"We'll create a buffer zone of three rows in front of and three rows behind your seat," the airline's Web site says. "We'll also advise cabin service to board additional nonpeanut snacks, which will allow our flight attendants to serve these snack items to everyone within this area."
SINC SAYS:
We live in a warped society when 1% of the population with allergies dictates how the other 99% must live. It’s their unfortunate problem, but it is they who must avoid the problem, not everyone else.
Vulture Shatters Airplane Windshield
18/02/2009 06:44
A south Florida pilot
has only minor injuries after a turkey vulture
shattered his windshield, forcing an emergency
landing.Authorities say the unidentified pilot left a Fort Lauderdale airport headed for Bimini when he hit a flock of vultures a few minutes into the flight at about 600 feet in the air.
The birds cracked the window of the Cessna twin engine plane and the pilot radioed that he would make an emergency landing. He landed safely at the airport with the bird still impaled in the window.
SINC SAYS:
What’s with airplanes and birds these days? It seems things run in threes. Two down and one to go, so when will the third bird-plane collision take place?
The Next Stall . . .
18/02/2009 06:43
This could happen to you!
I was barely sitting down when I heard a voice from the other stall saying:
'Hi, how are you?'
I'm not the type to start a conversation in the restroom. I don't know what got into me, but I answered, somewhat embarrassed,
'Doin' just fine!'
And the other person says:
'So what are you up to?'
What kind of question is that? At that point, I'm thinking this is too bizarre so I say:
'Uhhh, I'm like you, just sitting here.'
At this point I am just trying to get out as fast as I can when I hear another question:
'Can I come over?'
Ok, this question is just too weird for me. I figured I could politely end the conversation. I say:
'No........I'm a little busy right now!!!'
Then I hear the person say, nervously:
'Listen, I'll have to call you back. There's an idiot in the next stall who keeps answering all my questions!!'
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words
18/02/2009 06:43
See the motorcycle?
No?
Then check the
bottom
photo.
St. Albert’s Place readers Shirley and Grahame Allen send along this item to shock you into the danger of speed. Thanks guys.
The Honda rider was traveling at such a 'very high speed', his reaction time was not sufficient enough to avoid this accident. Swedish Police estimate a speed of 250 KM/h (155 mph) before the bike hit the slow moving car side-on at an intersection.
At that speed, they predicted that the rider's reaction time(once the vehicle came into view) wasn't sufficient enough for him to even apply the brakes. The car had two passengers and the bike rider was found INSIDE the car with them. The Volkswagen actually flipped over from the force of impact and landed 10 feet from where the collision took place.
All three involved (two in car and rider) were killed instantly. This graphic demonstration was placed at the Stockholm Motorcycle Fair by the Swedish Police and Road Safety Department. The sign above the display also noted that the rider had only recently obtained his license.
At 250 KM (155 mph) the operator is traveling at 227 feet per second. With normal reaction time to SEE-DECIDE-REACT of 1.6 seconds the above operator would have traveled over 363 feet while making a decision on what actions to take. In this incident the Swedish police indicate that no actions were taken.
In other words, they didn't even have time to say, 'Oh, ####!'
SINC SAYS:
That old saying speed kills certainly applies here.
St. Albert’s Place readers Shirley and Grahame Allen send along this item to shock you into the danger of speed. Thanks guys.
The Honda rider was traveling at such a 'very high speed', his reaction time was not sufficient enough to avoid this accident. Swedish Police estimate a speed of 250 KM/h (155 mph) before the bike hit the slow moving car side-on at an intersection.
At that speed, they predicted that the rider's reaction time(once the vehicle came into view) wasn't sufficient enough for him to even apply the brakes. The car had two passengers and the bike rider was found INSIDE the car with them. The Volkswagen actually flipped over from the force of impact and landed 10 feet from where the collision took place.
All three involved (two in car and rider) were killed instantly. This graphic demonstration was placed at the Stockholm Motorcycle Fair by the Swedish Police and Road Safety Department. The sign above the display also noted that the rider had only recently obtained his license.
At 250 KM (155 mph) the operator is traveling at 227 feet per second. With normal reaction time to SEE-DECIDE-REACT of 1.6 seconds the above operator would have traveled over 363 feet while making a decision on what actions to take. In this incident the Swedish police indicate that no actions were taken.
In other words, they didn't even have time to say, 'Oh, ####!'
SINC SAYS:
That old saying speed kills certainly applies here.
Loneliness Just As Bad For You As Smoking
18/02/2009 06:43
A new study links
loneliness to a passel of health
risks.We're sure your eight cats are wonderful company, but it might be time to get out more. Join a club. Take a class. Do it for your health.
According to researchers at the University of Chicago, isolating yourself from human contact triggers all sorts of terrible bodily responses, including upping your blood pressure, releasing a stress hormone called cortisol (which, p.s., makes you fat), and makes you a prime candidate for Alzheimer's Disease. It'll also probably mess with your sleep habits, ding your immune system, and make you depressed.
In fact, said John Cacioppo, who revealed the research findings at the annual conference of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the overall health difference between a lonely person and a popular person was akin to that between a smoker and a non-smoker.
So even if you don't smoke, drink, or overeat, you might want to at least join Facebook, or you may as well have been doing shots of Jaeger before breakfast. And conversely, if your idea of healthy living is a dozen Krispy Kremes slathered in duckfat with a Stoli chaser consumed among friends, you'll be fine. (The experts didn't actually come to this conclusion, but we find it comforting.)
SINC SAYS:
So c’mon down to the corner pub and join us for libation.
Judge Dismisses Charges Against Batman
18/02/2009 06:43
TAMPA -- Batman gets
his mask back.
Hillsborough County Judge John Conrad ordered authorities today to return the custom-made Batman mask they confiscated from Walsh Ian Nichols after arresting him last fall for allegedly violating a state law that forbids wearing a mask on a public right of way.
The judge also
granted a defense motion to dismiss the
misdemeanor charge against Nichols, who
frequently shows up in Ybor City dressed as
Batman.
Prosecutors did not
object.
Nichols' attorney, Kevin Hayslett, said police didn't read the whole law. It is only illegal to wear a mask, he said, if the person is violating someone's civil rights or committing a crime.
"He was eating sushi," Hayslett said.
The attorney said his client promised a "triumphant return to Ybor City this weekend."
Hayslett also offered some possible headlines for this story:
"Tampa is safe once again."
"The real Batman returns."
"A bright day for a dark knight."
SINC SAYS:
Holy raw fish Batman, how do you eat sushi with a mask on?
I'M SO GLAD I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS!
18/02/2009 06:43
The correct way to weigh yourself:
I can't believe I was doing it wrong all these
years.
Eskimos Snag Jesse Lumsden
18/02/2009 06:43
Jesse Lumsden is coming home.
A CFL source requesting anonymity told The Canadian Press on Tuesday that the speedy running back has agreed to terms with the Edmonton Eskimos. Lumsden is an Edmonton native and his father, Neil, is a former Eskimos player.
Edmonton was one of four CFL clubs in the running for Lumsden’s services: Toronto, Winnipeg and Hamilton were also interested in the former Hec Crighton Trophy winner.
The six-foot-two, 226-pound Lumsden, who grew up in Burlington, Ont., has the enviable blend of speed and size that makes him a threat going wide while also being able to get the tough yards inside. However, Lumsden, 26, has been forced to shut it down early the last two years due to season-ending shoulder surgery.
Lumsden rushed for 584 yards on 87 carries (6.7-yard average) with five touchdowns last season for the Tiger-Cats after running for 743 yards on 98 carries (7.6-yard average) and three TDs in 2007.
In four CFL seasons — all with Hamilton — Lumsden has run for 1,797 yards on 285 carries (6.3-yard average) and scored nine TDs. The former McMaster Marauders star has recorded 49 career catches for 630 yards (12.9 yards per reception) and two touchdowns.
Lumsden becomes the last of the big-name CFL free agents to come to terms as the other top names made their commitments Monday on the opening day of free agency.
The addition of Lumsden certainly addresses a need for the Eskimos. The club was last in the CFL in rushing last year, averaging just 85.2 yards per game. Hamilton led the league with an average of nearly 141 yards per game.
By comparison, Edmonton led the league in passing, averaging 335.1 yards per game with veteran Ricky Ray under centre. That’s prompted a lot of talk that the Eskimos lacked balance and their offence was too predictable and one-dimensional.
The Eskimos have long lacked a consistent runner with the ability to break off long runs. A.J. Harris was the club’s leading rusher last season with 557 yards on 99 carries (5.6-yard average) and six touchdowns.
Edmonton has only had four 1,000-yard rushers since 2000, with Hall of Famer Mike Pringle achieving that twice (2003-’04). Troy Davis was the last running back to surpass that plateau in 2006 with 1,060 yards.
Neil Lumsden spent the final six seasons of his CFL career with the Eskimos (1980-’85), helping the club win three Grey Cup titles (1980-’82). He was named the outstanding Canadian in the ’81 championship game.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
As I have said earlier, I am very happy.
Lloyd's Signing Bonus Is T-h-i-i-i-i-i-i-s Big
18/02/2009 06:43
Deal with more money up front helps linebacker choose Esks over Argos
The Edmonton Eskimos made a big splash on the Canadian Football League free agency market on Monday.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a lesser team for it, but it cost the Eskimos handsomely.
More to nab Mo, as it were.
Edmonton general manager and director of football operations Danny Maciocia managed to sneak in and steal away Riders linebacker Maurice Lloyd in a bidding war with the Toronto Argonauts. It came at a hefty price, as sources say Lloyd attracted a $100,000 signing bonus to go with a $65,000 base on a one-year deal, plus an option. That means he can opt to sign with a National Football League club next winter.
The Argonauts were pitching $75,000 as a bonus and a $100,000 salary. The bonus is subject to a lower tax bracket for American players.
"It feels good to get it over with," Lloyd said, minutes after agreeing verbally to the deal. "Yes sir, it came out to be a bidding war. In the end it came down to who I feel more comfortable with. It's a defence I know and a coach I feel very comfortable with."
Lloyd, a five-foot-11, 235-pounder who had 74 tackles and five sacks last season, said he weighed his pros and cons. The pros included head coach Richie Hall, whom he played for the last three years in Regina, and a familiar defence. The con is having to move further from his family; wife Kaysie and children, Jayde, 8, and Jared, 4, live in Connecticut.
He is reunited with former teammate Fred Perry and is joined in Edmonton by Riders safety Scott Gordon, whom Maciocia also managed to attract.
The Eskimos GM then nabbed offensive lineman Kyle Koch -- to replace Joe McGrath, who signed with the Riders -- and fullback and special-teams player Graeme Bell, both from Winnipeg. Non-imports Gordon and Koch have signed for two years, plus an option. The other deals are verbal agreements and, like Lloyd, the Esks swooped down on Winnipeg to steal Bell with a last-minute deal. There is no doubt Lloyd was the No. 1 priority for the Eskimos.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Eskimos’ General Manager Danny Maciocia had a good couple of days on Sunday and Monday. SWIVEL HIPS is very happy.
Ellis’ Past No Concern To Eskimos’ Coach
18/02/2009 06:43
'Coma' comment made after trade from Montreal
The Edmonton Eskimos' newest recruit comes with a bit of a reputation after a controversial comment made last year.
Kai Ellis, well respected for his on-field abilities, was at the centre of a vocal barrage with the Montreal Alouettes, after being released and joining the Winnipeg Blue Bombers a handful of games into the 2008 season.
The Eskimos picked up Ellis, a 28-year-old defensive end, late Sunday in a trade with Winnipeg for safety Siddeeq Shabazz.
Ellis was released by the Alouettes after five games in 2008. At the time, Ellis claimed Montreal GM Jim Popp twice asked him to renegotiate his contract to take a pay cut. After refusing the second time, he was cut after 21/2 years of service and took out his anger on Popp.
"I wish he was playing this game because I'd try to put him in a coma," Ellis told a Winnipeg newspaper prior to facing his ex-Alouettes team. The comment sent shockwaves throughout the league.
"I felt like I was disrespected not as just a player, but as a man," Ellis said at the time, adding the term "sneaky" in describing Popp and his assistant GM, Marcel Desjardins.
But as far as the Eskimos are concerned, they are very aware of what the six-foot-four, 255-pound import brings to the team both on and off the field, having played for Esks assistant coaches Noel Thorpe and Jim Daley in the past.
"I don't see it as a controversy with the Edmonton Eskimos. What happened with players in the past has nothing to do with us now," stressed Eskimos head coach Richie Hall. "It has nothing to do with us acquiring him, or it has nothing to do with the contributions he's going to make on the football field.
"I look at it like this: All of us might not be best buddies with everyone that we come across. Listening to Noel Thorpe and Jim Daley, because they both coached him, they feel the complete opposite. The only thing that I'm concerned with is that he comes in, buys into what we're doing, and goes out and plays hard. Outside of that, we'll never have an issue."
What Hall likes most is Ellis is his ability to play either defensive line or linebacker.
"He's young, he's gifted, he's athletic. He plays multiple positions and that's one of the things we look at, being more than one-dimensional as a player," said Hall. "He's a good person in the locker-room, a good person to be around, so right now we have upgraded our football team in that manner, prior to even free agency."
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Ellis’ versatility and salary allowed the Eskimos to make some of the other moves the've made over the past couple of days.
Should Canada Send All-Star Team To Games?
18/02/2009 06:43
Players believe team chemistry has more importance than individual skill
It was a simple, straight-forward question: should the Canadian Olympic Committee bring Olympic curling in line with other team sports and pick an all-star team to send to the Games?
The answers were just as simple and direct: No.
"No chance," said John Morris, third for Kevin Martin's rink, which successfully defended its Alberta men's curling championship on Sunday.
"They tried that in 1988 (when curling was a demonstration sport in Calgary). They put two teams together (for the trials), I think one team was 1-7 and the other about .500. My dad actually got called to be on one team and he declined."
Morris and former four-time world champion skip Randy Ferbey said curling isn't like other team sports like hockey or basketball. He said picking an all-star team just won't work.
"That's the way the Olympics want it done because they don't understand our sport," said Ferbey.
"In every other sport you have your best (teams or individuals), but in curling there are 25 or 30 good teams. It would be almost impossible to pick a select four players from across the country. Who is to say who is the best lead, second, third, skip? We don't have any timed events or way of measuring."
Other countries, like Scotland and Norway, have used the system and made it work to a certain level of success by picking the team a year in advance and letting it play together for the 12 months leading up to the Olympics.
"But here in Canada that won't work," said Ferbey. "It would be a shame to do it."
Part of the reason it wouldn't work is that there are so many excellent players at each position and, for the best teams, it's like a full-time job as they compete in league and bonspiels to earn the money needed to continue playing.
"Scotland does that and we've talked to some of the players and they say it's very stressful," said Morris.
"They narrow it down to six players, but they never know who will actually be on the team. It's a pretty stressful experience and I don't know if I would go through that.
"And then it becomes political."
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
This is just another one of the insane ideas the IOC comes up with from time to time, folks.
Pierre McGuire Reveals His Picks For 2010 Olympic Team
18/02/2009 06:43
The 23-man roster that will represent Canada at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver has been set, or so it would seem if hockey analyst and former player/coach Pierre McGuire were executive director of Canada's men's hockey team.
With 365 days before the puck drops in the opening game of the tournament, McGuire unveiled the players he believes should make up the men's national team - a list that includes 12 members of the old guard.
In the blue paint, Martin Brodeur was selected to be the starting goaltender for the country's Olympic team. The 36-year-old has missed most of the 2008-09 NHL campaign following elbow surgery in November but with the Montreal native on the mend, McGuire feels his resume is too deep to ignore.
"A staple in the Canadian net since the 2002 Salt Lake City games, Martin Brodeur is Canada's ultimate pressure-treated goaltender, winning three Stanley Cups, Olympic gold and a World Cup during a glittering professional career."
Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo is number two on the list. The hometown favourite is considered Brodeur's heir apparent as Canada's international goalie, partly on the strength of two gold medal performances at the World Championship.
Montreal's Carey Price is McGuire's third selection to represent the maple leaf. Struggling with his NHL team of late, Price won over the country at the 2007 World Junior Championship when he stared down the U.S. in a semifinal shootout showdown and then beat Russia for gold.
On the blueline, there are a lot of new faces wearing Canada's crest with only two returning defenceman from the 2006 Torino Games - Jay Bouwmeester and Scott Niedermayer.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
To view all of TSN hockey analyst Pierre McGuire’s picks, click here.
Armless Pilot's Goal Is To Inspire Others
17/02/2009 00:04
Motivational speaker
says lack of faith in self is only true
disabilityThe first time she piloted a plane, Jessica Cox had a memory flash from first grade, when she couldn't swing on the monkey bars or climb the ladders to the tall slides on the playground.
She spent most of her time in the sandbox, imagining she was Superwoman flying over the schoolyard and taking her friends one at a time for a flight.
"It shows you the power of the imagination," she says. "The imagination with intention."
Throughout her life, Cox has impressed people with her ability to negotiate without arms. But she has attracted some international fame with her latest achievement: earning a Federal Aviation Administration sport pilot's license. The 2005 University of Arizona graduate also has started her own company, and the product she sells is herself.
Standing on a bright-blue 1946 Ercoupe 415C airplane at Ray Blair Airport in San Manuel, northeast of Tucson, Cox uses her left foot to place a clipboard on the wing. Attached is a list of 30 things she must do before flying, including checking the oil, making sure there's no wing damage and checking the gas level. She ticks off each item with a pencil she holds with her right foot.
"I like it when it's less windy, but this plane can handle 20 knots," she says. "The manufacturers of this plane wanted to make it simple, use the concept of driving and apply it to a plane. But it's still the most difficult thing I've ever done."
She already has spent about 25 hours doing solo flights without instructor Parrish Traweek. Her goal is to reach 150 hours and become a sport pilot instructor.
Much more here.
SINC SAYS:
The human sprit is a wonderful thing and it is young ladies like this who prove it.
Tonight At LB's Pub . . .
17/02/2009 00:04
Come on out and enjoy
the night with our two great friends Ross and
Andrew. These guys are on stages at least three
nights if not four a week and are currently
hosting what’s become known as the jam to be
at.We are honoured to have them join us for Moosehead beers and some fun rockin bluesy stylin music. Come play with us.
A look at our featured guests for the Ammar’s Moosehead open stage for Tuesday February 17th show.
February - 17th Show - 231 - Andrew White and Ross Damude.
Andrew has got to be one of the busiest people in the music industry in Edmonton for sure. A renowned sound and stage tech Andrew has worked in every major room in and out of town. When the big shows hit, he is the guy you want to be around. Andrew has brought us some great well known names in the music industry and even put my daughter Kate and myself on stage with Shaun Verrault from Wide mouth Mason. He has currently formed the band The Vindicators who all host what’s become one of the best open stages in the area every Sunday afternoon. Andrews vocal cords are made for a rock blues style of play and he doesn’t hold back when it comes to stage presence and vocal power.
Ross Damude - Ross is definately one of Edmonton’s if not Canada’s premier guitarists. I’ve watched Ross for the past two years get back to where he used to be years back when he toured around Canada as an A circuit guitarist.I’ve watched him perform with Wide Mouth Masons Shaun Verrault, Jordan Cook and recently he hit the stage with the grandfather of Canadas blues scene Big Dave Maclean. Ross was a huge influence to Shaun and Jordan and many more of the now big names blues acts who are becoming the scene in Canada. You can see who Ross is to these newcomers by the way they watch and play along his side on stage. The band Wide Mouth Mason look up to Ross as a father figure who helped and inspired their careers to become a world renowned blues rock band. I have to thank Dave Berry for our introduction to Ross. This will be a fun all out show showing off two great stage players.
Ammar’s Moosehead Tuesday Open Stage
Every Tuesday night from 9 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
L.B,s Pub - 23 Akins Drive - Appleyard Square -St. Albert, AB - 780-460-9100
Hosted by Mark Ammar and Noel (Big Cat) Mackenzie
Moosehead Beer Specials
Sponsored by Moosehead Beer
Amazing Bird Fishes Like A Human
17/02/2009 00:04
Wow, this bird
actually learned how to fish using bait.
Borough To Crossing Guard: No More Hats
17/02/2009 00:03
Larry Douthwaite
wears many hats. He is a husband and father of
three, pastor of the Living Faith Evangelical
Church and the morning crossing guard at Queen
and Myrtle streets in
Littlestown.But it's this last job where Douthwaite wears most of his hats - 103 of them to be exact. Known to locals as the "hat man," Douthwaite has spent mornings for the last 15 years helping children cross the street on their way to school, always wearing one of his often-crazy hats. But earlier this week, the borough told Douthwaite no more hats.
On Monday, Douthwaite received a call from Littlestown Chief of Police Donald Baker telling him he could no longer wear his hats while on crossing guard duty because of a recent traffic incident at Douthwaite's corner. Baker read Douthwaite a memo from Borough Manager Linda Hess indicating Hess recently witnessed a car swerving while a hat distracted the driver. "I'm not sure how she knew it was the hat," Douthwaite said. "It could have been someone using a cell phone or looking at a pretty girl or yelling out to a friend."
He said the situation is unfortunate because the hats are a fun gimmick local kids enjoy - and because, in his 15 years, he's never had a traffic incident while wearing one of his hats.
Details here.
SINC SAYS:
Such silly nonsense with the Mad Hatter. Where’s Alice when you really need her?
Esks Make Big Splash On Free-Agency Day
17/02/2009 00:03
EDMONTON — The Edmonton Eskimos have made their big splash on the Canadian Football League free agency market, attracting linebacker Maurice Lloyd from the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Sources say they signed Lloyd to a one-year plus an option deal.
Maciocia also managed to attract free-agent safety Scott Gordon from the Riders and replaced the loss of offensive lineman Joe McGrath with the signing of Kyle Koch from Winnipeg.
Fullback and special-teams player Graeme Bell also joins the Esks as a free agent from Winnipeg. Both Koch, who played at McMaster, and Bell are non-imports, who affect the Canadian ratio.
The Eskimos were said to be still conversing with Canadian running back Jesse Lumsden, but he is expected to remain in Hamilton.
Earlier the Esks had lost McGrath, a Moose Jaw native, to the Roughriders and traded safety Siddeeq Shabazz to Winnipeg for defensive lineman Kai Ellis.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Getting Mo Lloyd was huge for the Eskimos. Sportsnet has reported the Eskimos are also close to signing Hamilton Tiger-Cat running back Jesse Lumsden to an incentive-laden deal. If the Esks can also nail down the services of Lumsden, SWIVEL HIPS will be extremely happy.
Ferbey Can’t Compete With Arch-Rival Anymore
17/02/2009 00:03
Wainwright - A year ago, Randy Ferbey was prepared to continue bashing his head against the brick wall as if there was no definition of insanity.
"Nobody is quitting this team. Nobody is getting fired," the legendary skip said after losing the 2008 Alberta men's curling final to crosstown rival Kevin Martin in Spruce Grove, the last and obviously most damning of three such losses that week.
"Everybody has a job for the next three or four years if they want it. We've just got to keep doing what we've been doing and, hopefully, it works one day." A year later, it still isn't working.
It didn't work any of the three times Ferbey lost to the Brier-bound Martin foursome here this week.
It most obviously didn't work in Sunday's lopsided, embarrassing final, won 7-3 by a Martin foursome that totally outclassed its opponent from the opening rock to the eighth-end handshake. The script was practically the same as last year, two close games during the week, but with a Brier berth finally on the line, Martin surged and the Ferbey Four sagged again.
In their prime, Ferbey's rink rose to these occasions. Is Ferbey now ready to change something? "Absolutely," he said. "We have to change something because what we're doing right now is not working." Personnel? "No. Unless they want to get rid of me." What they want to shed is their losing streak, but you cannot simply will away something as dominant, youthful, energetic and confident as Martin's team, which includes John Morris, Ben Hebert and Marc Kennedy.
They are the reigning Brier and world champs and only seem to be improving, rather than resting on their considerable laurels. They apparently endured a bout of complacency near Christmas that was remedied with the throwing of "thousands of rocks," according to Martin.
Practice apparently makes short work of the provincials as they cruised to a 5-0 record and a third straight Brier trip together. On Sunday, they didn't miss a shot that hurt them, not really, and they made some good ones, too, though Ferbey's team was so pedestrian there was no need to uncork the circus shots for which Martin has become famous.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Kevin Martin is simply the best. Better than all the rest.
Martin Performance A Masterpiece
17/02/2009 00:03
WAINWRIGHT — Kevin Martin won his 10th Alberta men's curling championship Sunday with one of the most decisive wins his rink has ever had over arch-rival Randy Ferbey.
The final score at the Boston Pizza Cup was 7-3 in eight ends, and it flattered the Ferbey team.
"They came out and played better than us from the first rock to the last rock, not much else I can say," Ferbey said after the one-sided decision, his rink's sixth straight loss to Martin during the last two provincial championships.
"They are the best. Bottom line, they're definitely the best team I've ever played against. When they're winning, they're very confident and they demoralize a lot of teams and they did it to us today." Martin and his rink of third John Morris, second Marc Kennedy and lead Ben Hebert were sharp from
the opening rock, showing the type of confidence expected of the reigning world champions.
The Ferbey foursome of Dave Nedohin, who throws skip rocks, second Scott Pfeifer and lead Marcel Rocque didn't show the same confidence, plus too many of their shots were just slightly off the mark. It seemed like Nedohin was looking at two, three or four Martin counters almost every end.
"We didn't show up right from the first end," said a dejected Nedohin. "We had three or four misses in the first end. It was really poor execution. Today we stunk." Martin jumped on Ferbey right off the bat, drawing for two in the first end.
"I don't think we missed any shots as a team," Martin said after claiming his fourth straight Alberta title.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Do us proud at the Brier, Team Martin. Don’t bet against them bringing home a second straight Canadian men’s curling championship, either.
Rain Gives Johnson Win At Pebble Beach, Weir Second
17/02/2009 00:03
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. - Dustin Johnson walked out the door and into the rain Monday morning, still expecting to show up on the first tee with a four-shot lead to play the final round at Pebble Beach.
He won not with a big drive or a clutch putt, rather a phone call.
"It was Michael Letzig, one of my buddies out here," Johnson said. "I was walking out the door to go have breakfast. He called to congratulate me and I didn't know what he was talking about."
Some 40 hours after hitting his last shot of the tournament, Johnson won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am when rain washed out the final round for the second straight day.
Mike Weir of Bright's Grove, Ont., had to settle for second.
Pebble Beach was soaked by enough rain to create a tiny river in one fairway and produce puddles on most of the greens. It was the first rain-shortened tournament on the PGA Tour in nearly three years, and the first 54-hole event at Pebble Beach since the late Payne Stewart also hit the winning shot on Saturday in 1999.
And it was historic for at least one reason.
"I've never won a tournament in tennis shoes," said Johnson, who came to the course to collect his trophy, thank the rain-soaked volunteers and grasp the timing of his great week, even if he only got in three rounds.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It must be nice to be able to win a tournament without even leaving the club house for the final round.
Gretzky Wants No Part Of Team Canada 2010
17/02/2009 00:03
As Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman prepares to make some tough calls in regards to the 2010 Olympic hockey team, there is one that he will not have to make.
The Calgary Herald is reporting that Phoenix Coyotes' coach Wayne Gretzky wants no part of the 2010 Olympic experience.
Speaking to reporters Saturday at the Jobing.com Arena, Gretzky stated that he had no interest being a head coach or even an assistant.
“I don't know how many times I can say this,” Gretzky told reporters. “I'm not involved. I don't plan on being involved. I really enjoyed my time with Team Canada. I think it's a privilege to be part of Team Canada. It was a great honour for me. And I loved it.
"But I really felt stepping aside and having a new regime take over - a fresh start heading into Vancouver - was the best for Canada."
There had been plenty of speculation that Gretzky could be added to Team Canada's coaching staff as the team attempts to rebound from an embarrassing performance at the Torino games in 2006. Despite helping lead Canada to gold in 2002 in Salt Lake, the “Great One” stated that he would use next year's Olympic break to rest. He says he believes that even in his absence, Canada will not be lacking in suitable candidates.
"From Alain Vigneault to Mike Keenan to Ken Hitchcock, Claude Julien, Guy Carbonneau, Lindy Ruff and, of course, Mike Babcock, there's a lot of quality coaches out there that group can choose from. I'm sure they're going to choose the best guy, and the right guy."
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I don’t know why they just don’t leave the poor guy alone.
No Charges Against Phelps After Bong Photo
17/02/2009 00:03
COLUMBIA, S.C. - A South Carolina sheriff said Monday he was not going to charge swimmer Michael Phelps after a photo of the 14-time gold medallist showed him smoking from a marijuana pipe.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said during a news conference that he didn't have enough physical evidence to charge the swimmer, but he defended his investigation.
"Michael Phelps is truly an American hero ... but even with his star status, he is still obligated to obey the laws of our state," Lott said.
The photo showed Phelps smoking from a marijuana pipe at a party in November when he visited the University of South Carolina. Lott said he seized the marijuana pipe, known as a bong, that was in the photo but couldn't prove Phelps had smoked from it.
"We had a photo and him saying he was sorry for inappropriate behaviour. He never said, 'I smoked marijuana.' We didn't have physical evidence," Lott said.
Phelps has called his judgment bad and said he would learn from his mistake.
USA Swimming suspended Phelps for three months in the wake of the photo, and Kellogg Co. said it would not renew its endorsement deal with him.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Michael Phelps can consider himself very, very lucky.
Readers Like Our Style And Leadership
16/02/2009 05:23
Hey Don,
A while back, David J Climenhaga wrote that the Gazette had copied your style and started an online blog to publish daily news about civic affairs.
To be honest they haven’t reached your level yet and unlike you, they are still pussycats, afraid to upset the power structure down at city hall.
Well, I just finished reading the Saturday Gazette and I see they are at it again with their editorial in that issue.
On Friday, the day before they printed, you wrote in part on St. Albert’s Place titled: “The Ongoing $inkhole That Is $ervu$ Place”:
“And the honourable thing to do, and I realize honour is in short supply these days during tough global financial times, is the money should go nowhere but back to taxpayers. If this council and administration had but a single shred of decency, it should go back to taxpayers in the form of a downward tax adjustment on the $ervu$ Place tax levy for 2009.
Is that so hard for administration and council to understand?
Maybe, just maybe if they made that simple conciliatory move towards the people who pay their salaries, the disdain 50% of local residents have for that white elephant, money sucking hole that is called $ervu$ Place would lessen somewhat.”
Then "mysteriously" on Saturday, the Gazette published an editorial about that same $ervu$ Place surplus titled: "Servus reserve tough to swallow", which read in part:
“Their preliminary recommendations, however, require a lot more work and direction. Administration is going to have to make a very strong case for allowing Servus Place to keep any of that money in order to avoid infuriating the public again.”
Like they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the Gazette continues to flatter St. Albert’s Place.
Thanks Don, for leading the way to set the Gazette on the correct course with widely held opinions.
Now if only you could teach them the proper way to spell "$ervu$" Place.
Keep up the good work!
No Name Please
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Ah shucks, thanks, but yes, since I coined the correct way to spell $ervu$ Place, it has become the term of choice for locals to use when they refer to that white elephant. I notice also that many now use the term “Robbing Hood and his Band Of Merry Men” to refer to the city manager and administration whom I dubbed with that moniker a few months back. As for the subject matter in the editorials, I'm sure it is only coincidence.
Yet Another Vegas Show Bites The Dust
16/02/2009 05:22
After 23 Years, The
Final Evening At La Cage In
VegasFor more than two decades, Frank Marino, left, dressed himself up as Joan Rivers for his headliner job in "An Evening at La Cage" at the Riviera. But on Monday night, after the show, the producer summoned the cast to a meeting and announced that the show was going on indefinite hiatus at once. According to Marino, that is how the cast learned that after almost 24 years they had just performed the drag show for perhaps the final time.
Marino said he was aware La Cage had problems a few months ago when he saw discounts appearing for shows that usually do not discount at the 2-for-1 booths where he would go regularly to schmooze. "When I noticed it really is when Cirque shows started coming to the 2-for-1 booths. I was no longer the king of the 2-for-1 booths. La Cage used to do very well there. There were all these little shows there and La Cage was the kingpin show. We would give them a certain number of tickets and we would always do really well. Nowadays, you see Cirque shows and major headliners and it is really a different market. Everyone is having problems with shows; it is really expensive right now, even for the advertising. And, unless you are a major show with a lot of money to hold you through the tough times, you are in real trouble now."
"An Evening at La Cage" joins the Tropicana's "Folies Bergere" as the second longtime Vegas show to announce its demise in the barely started 2009. Both had large casts which meant big payrolls. But even smaller shows are folding almost on a daily basis. The Motown tribute "Hitzville — The Show" is in the words of Thursday's press release going to take "a break from Vegas to go on the road." And, the family variety act, 'Scintas,' are also bringing to an end their latest Vegas run at the Las Vegas Hilton.
SINC SAYS:
Yep, even Las Vegas is not recession proof. Look for some great vacation pagkages soon.
Tastiest Obama-Lincoln Comparison Ever
16/02/2009 05:22
Zilly Rosen, a pastry
artist in Buffalo, took her treats to
Washington this weekend, constructing
side-by-side portraits of Barack Obama and
Abraham Lincoln using more than 5,600
cupcakes.But the edible exhibit, on display Saturday at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in honor of Lincoln’s 200th birthday, had a short shelf life.
Just before 5 p.m., after a five-hour display period, the cupcakes started flying off the ground as salivating spectators devoured the mural from the outside in. Within minutes nearly all of Lincoln’s face had disappeared. But an hour later — thanks to either full stomachs or a respect for the sitting president — the majority of Mr. Obama’s face was left intact.
The mural had something for all tastes: Lincoln, on the right, was recreated in vanilla cupcakes with chocolate butter-cream frosting. Mr. Obama’s likeness, on the left, was made out of chocolate cupcakes with vanilla butter-cream frosting. The stripes on the American flag backdrop were red velvet.
Ms. Rosen and a few helpers assembled the mural in a matter of hours Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. It was on public display on Valentine’s Day from noon until 5 p.m., when visitors were invited to help de-install the artwork. The whole affair was broadcast live on the museum’s Web site. The video and a time-lapse feature of the portrait’s journey from construction to crumbs will be available on the museum’s blog, Eye Level, next week.
Ms. Rosen, the proprietor of Zillycakes, a custom cake shop in Buffalo, first fused gastronomy and politics on Election Day, creating a 1,240-cupcake portrait of Mr. Obama, which she served to volunteers at his campaign’s Buffalo headquarters Nov. 5, according to her Web site.
“It started as a crazy love poem in food dedicated to an amazing candidate,” Rosen wrote. She calls her work “equal parts installation, performance, homage, and dessert.”
SINC SAYS:
What a waste of good cupcakes. They should have fed them to those in need and used something inedible for the portrait.
Understanding Engineers
16/02/2009 05:22
Three engineering
students were gathered together discussing who
must have designed the human body.
One said, 'It was a mechanical engineer. Just look at all the joints.'
Another said, 'No, it was an electrical engineer. The nervous system has many thousands of electrical connections.'
The last one said, 'No, actually it had to have been a civil
engineer. Who else would run a toxic waste pipeline through a recreational area?'
'Sweetheart Sweep' Nets 16 Arrests
16/02/2009 05:22
Police Pose As
Delivery
MenNORTHGLENN, Colo. -- The Northglenn police department arrested 16 people with outstanding warrants Friday and Saturday using a fake delivery van and balloon bouquets.
The undercover operation is dubbed the "Sweetheart Sweep."
"We have to be a little creative sometimes and come up with a ruse to get them to answer the door,” said Lt. Commander Jeremy Sloan.
For two days, three teams of undercover officers went to the doors of suspected fugitives under the pretense they were delivering a valentine gift. Officers then confirm identification and make the arrest.
Crimes attached to the warrants include failure to appear, theft and sexual assault on a child.
"I have a delivery for him, do you know when he'll be back," Officer Mike Digiovanni said on the doorstep of a home Friday.
While the plan sounds simple enough, officers have found themselves in sticky situations in the past when spouses become suspicious about the delivery.
"That can ultimately lead to arguments, so we have to be cautious about how we reveal ourselves." Sloan said.
He added similar valentine stings are conducted around the country. This was the eighth year for the fugitive roundup in Northglenn.
SINC SAYS:
Maybe the local cops should try this on some of those gang members they have trouble catching?
And Then The Fight Started . . .
16/02/2009 05:22
A woman is standing
nude, looking in the bedroom mirror. She is not
happy with what she sees and says to her
husband, 'I feel horrible; I look old, fat and
ugly. I really need you to pay me a
compliment.'
The husband replies, 'Your eyesight's damn near perfect.'
And then the fight started.
------------
I tried to talk my wife into buying a case of beer for $14.95.
Instead, she bought a jar of cold cream for $7.95.
I told her the beer would make her look better at night than the cold cream.
And then the fight started.
------------
My wife asked me if a certain dress made her butt look big.
I told her not as much as the dress she wore yesterday
And then the fight started.
When Insults Had Class . . .
16/02/2009 05:22
The exchange between
Churchill and Lady Astor: She said, "If you
were my husband I'd give you poison," and he
said, "If you were my wife, I'd drink it."
A member of Parliament to Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease. "That depends, Sir," said Disraeli, "on whether I embrace your policies or your mistress."
"He had delusions of adequacy." --- Walter Kerr
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." --- Winston Churchill
"A modest little person, with much to be modest about." --- Winston Churchill
"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." --- Clarence Darrow
"He has never been known to use a word that might send
a reader to the dictionary." --- William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway). "Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?" --- Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)
"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." --- Moses Hadas
Martin Wins Fourth Straight Alberta Curling Title
16/02/2009 05:22
WAINWRIGHT — Kevin Martin won his fourth straight Alberta men’s curling championship with a convincing 7-3 eight-end win over arch-rival Randy Ferbey at the Boston Pizza Cup this afternoon.
Martin and his rink of third John Morris, second Marc Kennedy and lead Ben Hebert, were sharp from the opening rock, showing the type of confidence expected of the reigning Alberta and world champions.
The Ferbey foursome of third Dave Nedohin, second Scott Pfeifer and lead Marcel Rocque didn’t show the same confidence, and too many of their shots were just slightly off the mark. It seemed like almost every end, by the time Nedohin came to throw last rocks he was looking at two, three or sometimes four Martin counters.
Martin jumped on Ferbey right off the bat, making a routine draw for a deuce in the first end. After Ferbey blanked the second, Martin stole a pair in the third when Ferbey and Nedohin both missed their first shots. With Martin sitting four Ferbey conceded a steal but was hoping to cut it to a single only to have Nedohin’s final draw attempt into the eight-foot come up light, leaving Martin with a deuce.
After blanking the fourth end, Ferbey again found himself facing Martin counters — this time two — and was forced to take a single with Nedohin’s last-rock draw.
Martin came right back in the sixth with another pair. Nedohin was light on an attempted raise of his own stone and left Martin a draw inside the four-foot for three. But he came up inches light and settled for two and a 6-1 lead.
From there he just kept control and didn’t give Ferbey an opportunity to get back into the game.
With the win, the Martin foursome moves on to represent Alberta in the Brier in Calgary, March 7-15.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
If there was ever any doubt, Kevin Martin beat Randy Ferbey three times in this provincial championship event alone.
Free-Agent Frenzy Begins Tonight
16/02/2009 05:22
Riders' Lloyd, Mckenzie; Lions' Murphy; Ticats' Lumsden expected to draw plenty of interest from GMs
The Canadian Football League free-agency feeding frenzy begins tonight at 10:01 Edmonton time.
And while the $4.2-million salary cap will keep most general managers from gorging on delights, there is expected to be a steady diet of movement.
The Eskimos are likely to be prominent diners, but just what -- or in this case who -- is on the appetizer list, who becomes the main course and how much room is left for dessert depends on whether Danny Maciocia can foot the entire bill.
"Some teams will obviously go out and pursue it. It is a quality group of guys who will be able to jump ship," said Maciocia, the Eskimos general manager and director of football operations. "But you're always thinking you can find a Fred Stamps or Kelly Campbell coming out of college.
"My priority is to put the best possible team together and stay under the salary cap."
At the top of everyone's menu tonight are Saskatchewan Roughriders linebackers Maurice Lloyd and Anton McKenzie, B.C. Lions offensive lineman Rob Murphy and Hamilton Tiger-Cats running back Jesse Lumsden.
A deal for the latter, who has played just 17 games over the last two seasons due to shoulder injuries and surgeries, may be easier to swallow if he can accept an incentive-laden contract. Of course, there will be several CFL teams looking to step up to that table.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
‘Good class’ of free-agents await CFL teams.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I’ll be happy if the Eskimos can land Mo Lloyd and Jesse Lumsden. I’ll be ecstatic if they can land Lloyd, Lumsden and Anton McKenzie or Willie Pile.
Also-Rans Will C You Later
16/02/2009 05:22
Appelman among those inevitably consigned to bottom-event finish as Martin, Ferbey dominate
One difference between the elite curling teams in Canada and the rest of the field is expectations. The Kevin Martin and Randy Ferbey rinks go into every event, including this week's Boston Pizza Cup Alberta men's championship, expecting to win.
Like many of the other rinks, the Ted Appelman foursome from Edmonton's Saville Centre came here hoping, but realistically looking pretty much at where they ended up -- the C event semifinals.
"Unless you're Ferbey or Martin, you can't come in expecting to win," third Tom Appelman said after the team was eliminated by an 8-5 loss to Kurt Balderston. "It's obviously disappointing we didn't qualify (for the championship event) and don't have a chance to win it. We didn't really expect to win, but we wanted to."
The foursome of the Appelman brothers, second Brandon Klassen and lead Brendan Melynk struggled out of the gate, losing their first two games before winning two to get into the C semifinals.
"We definitely didn't have the start we wanted," said Ted Appelman. "But realistically, you look at the teams here, Martin, Ferbey, (Kevin) Koe, we're trying to qualify out of C basically. So we were where we wanted to be. We thought definitely we had a great shot to win the C, and you never know what will happen after that. We were right where we thought we should be."
Still, it's a disappointing result because the foursome came into the event feeling pretty good about their season to date. They qualified for the provincials by leading the Alberta Curling Tour points list and had won three major cashspiels.
"We've made progress," Ted said of the season. "We're playing the Canada Cup the end of March, another big event in Victoria, and then probably the Players' Championships, so for the first year it's gone pretty darn well.
"We were playing well, were confident, but at the same time we're not quite on the level of the top teams. They're definitely a step ahead of us."
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It’s going to be extremely difficult for anyone else to get out of Alberta until Kevin Martin, Randy Ferbey and Kevin Koe retire. I just can’t see it happening – unless it’s a total fluke.
Teen Sensation Takes On PGA
16/02/2009 05:22
Media army follows Japanese star to California tourney
A record number of golf reporters is expected to cover next week's Northern Trust Open mainly because the tournament will feature Japan's Ryo Ishikawa, organizers said on Wednesday.
Schoolboy sensation Ishikawa, already one of the biggest sporting celebrities in his homeland, will make his debut on the PGA Tour in the Feb. 19-22 event at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California.
"We're still a few days away from the tournament and we've already credentialled 144 outlets and 375 media," Toby Zwikel, media manager for the event, told Reuters.
"This is our largest ever number and compares to a total of 106 outlets and 346 media in 2008. When all is said and done, I'm sure we will have at least 400 media at Riviera."
When world No. 1 Tiger Woods last played at Riviera in 2006, the media numbers totalled 209.
"When we learned that between 100 and 200 Japanese media covered Ishikawa playing in the world junior championship in San Diego last year, we figured there was no way our existing media tent could cover all those people," said Zwikel.
"So we decided to expand the tent and it is considerably bigger than anything we have had before. It is 60 feet longer and a little bit wider."
Zwikel said the Ishikawa factor had more than made up for the drop in numbers of U.S. and Canadian golf reporters covering the event.
"No doubt due to the economy and budgets, we don't have as many domestic and Canadian media as we've had in the past," he said.
"But we have about the same number of English and Irish media and about 100 Japanese, largely because of Ishikawa."
The 17-year-old Ishikawa, widely seen as the saviour of the flagging JGTO men's tour, shot to fame in May 2007 when he became the youngest winner on the Japanese tour at 15 years, eight months.
He won his first tournament as a professional in November at the ABC Championship after joining the paid ranks at the start of 2008.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Good for Ishikawa. 17-years-old, eh? Gosh knows, the PGA Tour desperately needs more young, rising young stars. When Tiger’s not playing, it’s boooooooring!
‘Riders Cut Dominguez To Avoid Paying Bonus
16/02/2009 05:22
Receiver Matt Dominguez has been cut by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
According to various media reports, the Roughriders cut the 30-year old a day before he was due a large bonus with the team.
Dominguez, who had 19 catches for 267 yards and one touchdown last season, injured his knee for the third time on August 2 and could only return for two late season games. He was however not included on the playoff roster.
"I'm a veteran and you can see things coming," Dominguez told the Regina Leader-Post on Friday. "I'm like a lot of guys at this time of the season . . . I was due a bonus and some particulars in my contract. They wanted to re-work my contract and when they do that, then they have to release you."
Dominguez told the Leader-Post that his knee was feeling good, and he was even dunking a basketball.
Neither side has ruled out Dominguez's return for next season if he can show that he's healthy enough to contribute, though he will likely have to make less than the $120,000 per year plus bonuses that he reportedly made on his last contract.
"This isn't necessarily the end of the story, it's just pushing the pause button on Matt Dominguez," a Riders source told the Leader-Post.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I think this is a real chinsy and dirty move by the ‘Riders organization – although, typical. Even though CFL contracts are not guaranteed, I’d be in favor of the player’s association looking into moves like this. And, if I were Dominguez, I’d be damned if I’d re-sign with the ‘Riders.
Weir Second, Going Into Final Round At Pebble Beach
16/02/2009 05:22
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — American Dustin Johnson surged past overnight leader Retief Goosen to grab an early four-shot lead in Saturday’s third round at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, while Canadian Mike Weir moved up to second with another solid round.
Two strokes off the pace overnight, the long-hitting Johnson fired a sparkling 5-under-par 67 at Poppy Hills, one of three venues being used this week.
While South African Goosen slipped back with a 74 on the more difficult Spyglass Hill layout, Johnson birdied four of the last nine holes for a 15-under total of 201.
Canadian left-hander Mike Weir carded a 69 at Spyglass Hill to lie second, a stroke in front of two-time U.S. Open champion Goosen, who is hunting his first PGA Tour title in more than three years.
“My first two rounds I played pretty error-free golf, just down the middle and on the green and had a lot of birdie putts,” said the Bright’s Grove, Ont., native “Today was a little different. My first nine holes was a little scrappy, missing fairways, missing some greens, but made some nice up-and-downs.
“Then I got to my front side and just started playing a little better, started stringing some better shots together.”
As usual, the elements played a factor at Spyglass.
“Yeah, we didn’t have the umbrellas out on our course, at Spyglass, so it didn’t rain on us, but it was tough,” said Weir. “The wind was up-and-down and it was gusting pretty darned hard out there. You know, 205 yards and I’m hitting a full-out rescue club on 6 as hard as I can hit it. A shot like that is probably playing close to 235 with the wind into you. So it was a factor out there.”
More from the Edmonton Journal.
Bad weather delays final round at Pebble Beach.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS: I guess we’ll have to wait until this afternoon to find out if Canada’s Mike Weir can win this year’s AT & T National Pro-Am, played at the fabled Pebble Beach Golf Links. It’s about time, isn’t it folks – Weir hasn’t won now in a couple of years.
Local Link To Magazine Story . . .
15/02/2009 07:22
Hi Don,
Regards to the Our Canada article you recently published on St. Albert's Place On The Web . . . While I cannot directly assist with submission of photographs local to St. Albert, I am very proud of my cousin's accomplishments and able to share notice of his spread featuring Eastern Canada.
Here is Greg Ferens
with his beautiful winter display in the
February/March 2008 issue of Our Canada
Magazine. Many additional photographs,
including breath-taking wildlife pictures, can
be located on his personal websites which I
have provided links to below. : )
Velvet Martin
St. Albert
Cape Breton Stock Photography and Greg Ferens Photography
Greg Ferens, Ingonish, N.S.
Greg photographed a bald eagle perched on a stump at the mouth of Cape Breton’s Clyburn River. The photo appeared in Our Canada Magazine October-November issue. The work of art was nominated for photo of the year 2007.
Velvet Martin
St. Albert
Cape Breton Stock Photography and Greg Ferens Photography
Greg Ferens, Ingonish, N.S.
Greg photographed a bald eagle perched on a stump at the mouth of Cape Breton’s Clyburn River. The photo appeared in Our Canada Magazine October-November issue. The work of art was nominated for photo of the year 2007.
SINC
SAYS:
Seems there is
always a local link to some story or other,
isn't there?
A Verrrrrrrrry Long Load Set To Go
15/02/2009 07:22
From Saskatoon to
Fort
McMurrayOne of the longest and heaviest loads ever to navigate the roads of Saskatchewan is set to leave Saskatoon for a slow journey to Alberta's oil-patch at Fort McMurray.
A pressure vessel, manufactured at the Hitachi Canadian Industries plant in Saskatoon, will take two days just to reach the Alberta border.
The dimensions of the tank dwarf anything ever moved in Saskatchewan, according to Brett Bergermann the project manager for Mammoet Canada Western Ltd., which is in charge of the load.
"The vessel itself weighs 384 metric tons. It's well over 200 feet long and 20 feet wide," Bergermann told CBC News as crews prepared for the trek.
When upright, the vessel towers about 19 stories.
Bergermann said it took one year to work out the logistics of transporting the vessel.
"It's like every kid's dream: getting to play with the big toys," he added, with a chuckle.
Just getting the vessel out of the manufacturing shop and onto the transport trailer will take three days.
The movers plan to hit the road at the stroke of midnight, on Monday. They will manoeuvre the streets of Saskatoon throughout the wee hours of Tuesday morning, until they reach Highway 7.
At that point, they will pull over and wait for daylight to arrive, as it is not safe to travel the highways with such a load in the dark.
In addition to the moving crew, assistance will be provided by SaskTel and SaskPower, to deal with overhead lines.
There will also be police escorts.
SINC SAYS:
Pity the poor folks who will travel highway 63 on the days this monster is moving. Thanks to St. Albert's Place reader Margaret in Regina for alerting us to this story.
Researcher: Trees Make For Better Lives
15/02/2009 07:06
CHICAGO, Feb. 14
(UPI) -- A U.S. scientist says people living on
tree-lined streets are happier, healthier and
less likely to be victims of
crime.Frances Kuo of the University of Illinois reviewed studies on the effect of trees, The Daily Telegraph said. She reported her findings to the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Chicago.
"Nature calms people and it also helps them psychologically rejuvenate," she said. "They are better able to handle challenges which come their way."
Kuo said study after study shows benefits from living near trees and grass. In Japan, researchers found that the elderly have higher life expectancy if they live within walking distance of a park.
Other studies have shown that greenery appears to help children with attention deficit order and that crime rates are lower when streets are planted with trees.
"In our studies, people with less access to nature show relatively poor attention or cognitive function, poor management of major life issues, and poor impulse control," she said. "The relationship between crime and vegetation is very clear: the more trees, the fewer crimes."
SINC SAYS:
Well, that cinches it. With the amount of trees on local streets, we all must be happy. Except about $ervu$ Place that is.
Mayor Hands Out Free Viagra To Elderly Men
15/02/2009 07:02
Is his distribution
of Viagra a PR move or legitimate way to help
poor men?Mexico City has a new plan to help the poor.
The government is handing out free Viagra to poor men, the New York Times reported.
If you are 60 and over, poor, and need a little extra excitement in your love life, Mexico City just might be the place to be.
"Everyone has the right to be happy," Mexico City's mayor, Marcelo Ebrard, told the New York Times.
The New York Times also reported:
Ebrard is up for re-election in July, and this little Viagra move might just help him get re-elected.
Ebrard not only is giving out Viagra, he's also dumping sand at public pools to create beaches and turning major roads into bike paths on Sundays. He's staged a "kiss-in" on Valentine's Day to increase awareness of domestic violence. He's built the largest skating rink in the world.
But it's the Viagra that has many men excited.
“Now, I’m able to fulfill my wife,” Mr. Posadas, a grandfather of six, told the paper.
Angel Posadas Sandoval, 74, was a little more vague, but still got his point across by telling the paper, "things have changed."
He added, “I’ll enjoy whatever time I have left.”
SINC SAYS:
This reminds me of the old story about the old guy who wanted the doc to prescribe him a quarter of a viagra pill. He said he just needed enough to stop peeing on his shoes.
A Professional Relationship . . .
15/02/2009 06:49
A guy at the pub told
me that the object of his desire at the office
always turns down his advances.
He said she told him that she would perfer to keep their relationship professional.
So I told him to offer her money.
Free Rooms In Exchange For Sex?
15/02/2009 06:45
SLEAZY men are taking
advantage of Sydney's rental crisis by placing
online advertisements offering women free rooms
in exchange for sex.
The zero-rent ads, targeting desperate women looking for somewhere to live, are becoming increasingly common on popular "share house'' rental websites.
Although there have been numerous complaints about the ads, which some website users have dubbed "offensive'', they do not breach policy guidelines for sites such as flatmates.com.au
A statement on flatmates.com.au says that if the site were to impose a ban, the ads would merely go underground, making the process unsafe for women.
One advertisement offering free rent for a female to "share a room'' was placed by a 32-year-old Auburn man calling himself Atiq.
Atiq told The Sunday Telegraph he was looking for a relationship with a woman in a "clean'' one-bedroom unit.
"Yes, I am alone and the rent would be free. I am looking for a girl to share my room and, yes, in the same bed,'' he said.
Bedroom details here.
SINC SAYS:
Some guys have all the luck. Or is that lucky?
Stunning Light Graffiti
15/02/2009 06:39
Created with nothing
but torches and a
cameraAn artist has swapped paintbrushes for torches to create a range of stunning works which are created entirely with the use of light.
Welsh artist Michael Bosanko creates the amazing light graffiti effect using only five coloured torches and by leaving his digital Canon camera on a long exposure.
The 39-year-old has spent the past five years perfecting his art which is created in a similar way to how people write their names with sparklers on Bonfire Night.
Light up more pictures here.
SINC SAYS:
Those “torches they refer to are flashlights folks. The brits name everything funny. Torches are fire on a stick ya know.
Stanford Rallies Past Wie To Win SBS Open
15/02/2009 05:52
KAHUKU — Hawai'i's Michelle Wie had a three-shot advantage with eight holes to go in yesterday's final round of the SBS Open at Turtle Bay, but could not hold off Angela Stanford, who won her third tournament in seven starts.
Stanford birdied three straight holes on the back nine and fired a 2-under-par 70 to beat Wie (73) by three shots. Stanford's final total of 10-under 206 tied the tournament rec