31 May 2009
An Open Letter To St. Albert Council
06/06/2009 06:31
To Mayor Crouse And Council:
The Mayors enthusiasm for his “Downtown Vision” is well documented, and it comes as no surprise at all, that council supports this vision.
I wonder however just how much of this enthusiasm for “The Vision” is shared by those residing in St. Albert outside of the little clique at city hall.
To that end I pose these questions:
1. Do you agree that you were elected to office to represent the residents of St. Albert?
2. Have you sought public opinion (canvassed) regarding this issue?
3. What is the cost estimate for this project?
4. From where will the funds be realized?
5. Will you support a plebiscite to determine the outcome of this project?
6. Are you confident enough, to make this an election issue?
7. Can you give assurance that a new civic building is not, and will not, be part of equation?
Your response to these questions is anticipated and will be appreciated. As you can see I have copied St. Albert’s Place and will be posting your response/non-response there also.
Regards,
Robert Hartley
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Mr. Hartley sent a copy of this message to each member of council. While I wish him luck in getting individual responses, my bet is that there will be 50% of council or more who will snub Mr. Hartley without so much as a reply to his questions. Had it been me, I would have posed one more question, that being, “When will you screw up the courage to fire the city manager?” For those that do reply, I predict not all questions will be addressed. It is the political way you know.
Of Fine Eating Spots And Selling Kids
06/06/2009 05:20
Hi
Don,
My daughter and I are always looking for somewhere different to eat and found this place at 11019 - 107 Avenue:
We had no idea what the food would be like or what to drink with it so asked our server. Loved his choice. Food was incredibly tasty, service was great (not overwhelming) and YES, I will be back preferably in the company of friends.
Then on the way home I spotted this at (I think it is still called) Northgate:
Anyway, I will not be going to Indigo just in case they try to sell me a kid or two! I have two and now that they are grown up and away from home and I have no desire to start again! I do wish people would read what they write and give it some serious thought before making their words public!
A. G.
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Don’tcha just love it when readers send in stuff like this? I mean where better to get a restaurant recommendation than from a neighbour? And thanks for the chuckle with the Indigo sign. Cute.
My daughter and I are always looking for somewhere different to eat and found this place at 11019 - 107 Avenue:
We had no idea what the food would be like or what to drink with it so asked our server. Loved his choice. Food was incredibly tasty, service was great (not overwhelming) and YES, I will be back preferably in the company of friends.
Then on the way home I spotted this at (I think it is still called) Northgate:
Anyway, I will not be going to Indigo just in case they try to sell me a kid or two! I have two and now that they are grown up and away from home and I have no desire to start again! I do wish people would read what they write and give it some serious thought before making their words public!
A. G.
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Don’tcha just love it when readers send in stuff like this? I mean where better to get a restaurant recommendation than from a neighbour? And thanks for the chuckle with the Indigo sign. Cute.
Furious Driver Dumps Lemon Outside Showroom
06/06/2009 05:16
. . . emblazoned with a list of its
'faults'
It is not the best advertisement to have outside your car dealership.
This Range Rover Sport HSE is convincingly decorated like a ‘manager’s special offer’, but it promotes a set of features that are far from appealing.
The owner has daubed it with a catalogue of the faults it allegedly suffered after he bought it for £50,000 at Lookers Land Rover showroom in Colchester, Essex.
Eye-catching: The signs are inspired by dealership advertising but warn against buying
When the dealership failed to deal with his complaints to his satisfaction, he parked the negative advertising outside.
As the vehicle is on a public road, the showroom has no power to move it. Staff refused to reveal the owner’s identity.
Large yellow vinyl letters along one side of the car read: ‘If you want trouble free motoring do not buy one of these!!!’
On the side and rear windows it lists: ‘Problems with . . . 6 front ball joints, 4 front arm bushes, new seat base, front and rear n/s [nearside] struts, full n/s suspension unit, anti-roll bar bushes, air con.’
Bad publicity: The dealers cannot move the unflattering advert because it is parked in a public road
A passer-by said: ‘It looks really realistic until you actually read what the words say. Then it’s obvious someone has put it there to have a dig at the dealership. It’s a brilliant idea.’
Mark Foster of Jaguar Land Rover said: ‘Land Rover operates a comprehensive warranty programme and a strong goodwill policy.
'All necessary repairs to this vehicle over 42,000 miles have been carried out under warranty.
'However, we are disappointed this customer’s experience has been unfortunate and as such we have made a goodwill offer towards helping him into a new vehicle.’
SINC SAYS:
Not a bad idea at all. I wish I had thought of it when I owned a couple of lemons over the years.
It is not the best advertisement to have outside your car dealership.
This Range Rover Sport HSE is convincingly decorated like a ‘manager’s special offer’, but it promotes a set of features that are far from appealing.
The owner has daubed it with a catalogue of the faults it allegedly suffered after he bought it for £50,000 at Lookers Land Rover showroom in Colchester, Essex.
Eye-catching: The signs are inspired by dealership advertising but warn against buying
When the dealership failed to deal with his complaints to his satisfaction, he parked the negative advertising outside.
As the vehicle is on a public road, the showroom has no power to move it. Staff refused to reveal the owner’s identity.
Large yellow vinyl letters along one side of the car read: ‘If you want trouble free motoring do not buy one of these!!!’
On the side and rear windows it lists: ‘Problems with . . . 6 front ball joints, 4 front arm bushes, new seat base, front and rear n/s [nearside] struts, full n/s suspension unit, anti-roll bar bushes, air con.’
Bad publicity: The dealers cannot move the unflattering advert because it is parked in a public road
A passer-by said: ‘It looks really realistic until you actually read what the words say. Then it’s obvious someone has put it there to have a dig at the dealership. It’s a brilliant idea.’
Mark Foster of Jaguar Land Rover said: ‘Land Rover operates a comprehensive warranty programme and a strong goodwill policy.
'All necessary repairs to this vehicle over 42,000 miles have been carried out under warranty.
'However, we are disappointed this customer’s experience has been unfortunate and as such we have made a goodwill offer towards helping him into a new vehicle.’
SINC SAYS:
Not a bad idea at all. I wish I had thought of it when I owned a couple of lemons over the years.
Texas Girls Night Out . . .
06/06/2009 05:13
Red-Light District Hit By Tight-Fisted Tourists
05/06/2009 22:09
Eva, a 25-year-old
prostitute in Amsterdam's red-light district,
gestures angrily in the direction of a rival
who has slashed her rates as the economic
crisis emboldens sex tourists to
haggle."People like her make it very difficult for the rest of us," scowled the tall, blonde Estonian in skimpy black-and-white lingerie as she dragged on a cigarette while posing for men passing the window in which she offers herself.
"Some of the girls are now doing it for 30 euros (A$70). My price is still 50 euros, but the men are playing us off against each other. Some want to pay only 20 euros," she said.
Eva is not the only one complaining.
As the credit crunch keeps away sightseers and business travellers, owners of brothels, escort agencies and sex shops grumble that visitors who still do indulge in the pleasures of the flesh are increasingly tight-fisted.
"Things are bad," said Dave Doeve, who owns Casa Rosso sex shop in Amsterdam's red-light district where neon-lit prostitutes' windows normally draw hoards of tourists.
"There are no people, as you can see. And those who come buy small things, condoms, cheap things."
Brothel owner Willy van der Sloot, herself a former prostitute, said she had never seen the sex market so depressed.
More tight-fisted news here.
SINC SAYS:
That “tight-fisted” comment in the story and the headline had me giggling out loud. ‘Course the boys at the bar tell me you should drop over to their house if you wanna see a depressed sex market.
Sex Workers Say They're Being Ripped Off
05/06/2009 22:06
Sex workers angry
about the cost of advertising in local papers
will mark International Whores Day today by
protesting outside New South Whales Parliament
House.The Scarlet Alliance wants anti-discrimination laws to protect sex workers, saying at the moment its members are the victims of unfair bias from banks, lenders, local councils and in advertising.
Sex worker Ivy McIntosh said people in her profession were being overcharged when they placed ads in local papers.
"I'm paying too much for a measly two inches," she said in a statement.
"Sex work is legal in NSW.
"Why am I charged hundreds of dollars to advertise in local papers when other trade occupations are charged less than $100?"
The sex workers will dress in red and carry red umbrellas in the demonstration for International Whores Day, which started in France in 1975.
SINC SAYS:
The comment that caught my eye to run this story was, "I'm paying too much for a measly two inches." Man could I give her some advice.
Receiver Ware Shows Flashes Of Brilliance
05/06/2009 21:14
Eric Ware offers blazing speed, strength and good hands
Eric Ware believes he can be a difference-maker, and the Edmonton Eskimos are going to give him every opportunity to prove himself.
The diminutive five-foot-nine, 175-pound former University of Central Arkansas wide receiver is known for his speed -- a flat-out roadrunner.
Yup, beep, beep, he's gone -- tongues wagging behind.
After all, a 4.3-second, 40-yard dash at pro evaluation day in college tends to get one noticed.
"Eric Ware is somebody we're going to keep an eye on," Eskimos general manager Danny Maciocia said of the recruit.
"He's a sub-4.4-second guy and he's electric when he carries the ball. Yes, he's undersized, but you'll see it in camp, he is put together," added Maciocia.
"He's a strong physical kid who, pound for pound, can compete. When he has the rock in his hands, he tends to do something exciting." The new GM wasn't kidding. Ware was one of several receivers to show flashes of brilliance during the first day of Eskimos rookie camp, and he's confident.
"To be as fast as I am, I also believe I have great hands. Some speed receivers have problems catching the ball, but I like where my hands are," said Ware, despite fighting the pigskin a little on Day 2.
That comment sounds almost Kelly Campbell-like, although his attitude is far less flamboyant.
But can he, or does he even need to be, the replacement for Campbell, the talented former Eskimos receiver who opted for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League? That will likely be the comparison Ware receives as rookie camp progresses.
"I've watched film on Kelly, but I just want to come in with a good mindset, stay humble. It feels good to know that they look forward to me being a difference-maker here," said Ware. "I just want to go out and get to work and show them what I can do.
"Just come in and stay focused. You have to have a good mindset. You have to be ready to learn as much as you can, as fast as you can," he added.
He survived Day 1 on Wednesday, after possibly a nervous bobble early on, but overall looked impressive, making catches in and out of traffic.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It will be really interesting to see if Ware has the wherewithal to replace Kelly Campbell in the Edmonton Eskimos' starting lineup this year, or not.
Dan Comiskey Combined Football And Family
05/06/2009 21:14
Offensive lineman announces retirement
It can seem a bit incongruous when locker-room tourists hear outsized, tough-as-nails football players wax on about blocking and tackling in one breath, and love and passion and family in the next.
But there never seemed to be a clear line between football and family for Edmonton offensive guard Dan Comiskey, who on Thursday announced his retirement after 12 years in the CFL, seven with the Eskimos.
"This is a mixed day for me because I've obviously got a lot of friends in the room, a lot of people on this club that I really love and care about," Comiskey said at an afternoon news conference.
"It's one of those things where you have to move on when it's time.
"Throughout my career, I've always believed that I wanted to leave this game and be able to play one more game the day I left. That's how I feel today. That's what I had to do.
"The rest of my life is set up. My family's moved to Nova Scotia and it's time to be a father and a businessman and take care of that." Comiskey leaves with little left to accomplish in the sport. He played in four Grey Cup games, including three with the Eskimos, in 2002, '03 and '05, emerging a winner the last two times. He also played in the CFL championship game in 1997 as a rookie with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Last season, Comiskey lined up shoulder-to-shoulder with his 28-year-old brother, John, the Eskimos centre, although not exactly as either sibling had long dreamed.
That was because Dan suffered a broken ankle in the season opener in Regina and missed the next 10 games. He returned for the final seven regular-season games and the club's two playoff matches against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Montreal Alouettes.
How would he characterize that experience, he was asked.
"You know, (it was) the bow on the present, or the nail in the coffin," said Cominsky, drawing a laugh even as his emotions began to show.
"It's been a dream of ours to play together since I first started playing in the CFL," Comiskey continued. "I just really enjoyed being in the room, even when I was injured, and watching how he led the team, watching the way he took control of the huddle, watching the things he had to do.
"Seeing him as a player, it makes me very proud. At the same time, playing with him was just a new and fantastic thing. You're playing with your brother, you can't compete with that." The brothers showed their love of family during the national anthem before every game they played together last season, when they raised their helmets skyward in silent tribute to their lost brother, Patrick, who died at the age of nine of leukemia.
At season's end, Comiskey talked about returning for one last go-round with the Eskimos. He even embarked on an off-season regimen prescribed by his ex-teammate and business partner Bruce Beaton.
Comiskey believed he could come back and play at a high level this season.
"I can't say (retirement) wasn't in my head a little bit at the end of the season," Comiskey said. "I'm sure it's no secret I've had a few injuries in the last few seasons -- minor little things, you know, ruptured muscles and broken legs and things.
"I was excited about coming back, but it's one of those things, sometimes you have to hear it from someone else. Sometimes you have to look at yourself in the eye and say, 'OK, what's the reality here?' "And the reality is I'm 37 years old on June 30 and ... if I come back, I'm jeopardizing being the provider for my family, jeopardizing being a contributor the way I know I can.
"At some point, you look your kids in the face and you know you can't make that decision." Comiskey said his first Grey Cup victory with the Eskimos in '03 was probably the first among many career highlights.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Big Commie is an outstanding offensive lineman who will be missed by the Eskimos. However, they’ve still got 11 other guys in camp chomping at the bit to take his place.
U of A Students Revved Up, Ready For Race
05/06/2009 21:13
Marcus Beaudry and his fellow engineering students have spent the past nine months working tirelessly to build the University of Alberta's formula race car, the ABR09.
The 16-member team was up until 2 a.m. Wednesday putting the final touches on the car.
After more than 16,000 hours spent on perfecting the vehicle, Beaudry and his team took the car out of the garage for its grand unveiling and test run on Thursday afternoon.
"The car feels absolutely amazing this year," Beaudry, 20, said after the first test run. "We've done a lot better job in designing it; it's an amazing thing to drive."
Yan Kiyashitsky, 21, compared driving the car to being on a rollercoaster you control.
"You're getting thrown around everywhere, but you're actually controlling it."
The team flies to California at the end of June for a four-day international Formula SAE competition, where they'll race against student teams from more than 80 countries.
Last year, the U of A team placed best in Canada and 15th overall, the best it had done after nearly a decade of competing.
"We're aiming for top 10 this year, and we're pretty sure we'll be able to hit that," Beaudry said confidently. "Our car is 50 pounds lighter and handles significantly better than last year's car."
The small, sleek, black race car weighs under 500 pounds and is made of Kevlar fibre, the same material used to make bulletproof vests.
ABR09 is able to zip from zero to 100 kilometres an hour in just 3.9 seconds and tops out at about 160 km/h. "There's no reason why we shouldn't make it into the top 10," Kiyashitsky.
In California, the race car will be judged on design, look, cost, marketability and performance, as well as how it performs and places in a 30-lap race.
"Almost half the cars fail during the endurance race," Beaudry said.
Aside from actually competing and placing, the team is just happy to head to a place filled with like-minded "motorheads" and to see their hard work pay off on the track.
"It's so cool being a part of this," Beaudry said. "To go down there and have everyone share their knowledge.
"You just know that everyone's been through the same thing you have, staying up until 2 a.m. working on the car, that kind of thing -- it's great."
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Once thing you can’t say is that the U of A’s engineering students lack ingenuity. Good luck to them in California later this month at the Formula SAE competition. Here’s hoping they improve on last year’s 15th place finish.
Experience Makes A Difference
05/06/2009 21:12
Jamaica Rector stands on an island of his own so far at the Edmonton Eskimos rookie camp.
Rector, a five-foot-10, 183-pound receiver from Northwest Missouri State, has been snagging everything thrown his way the first two days.
In traffic, out of traffic, high, low -- it matters not for the Cleburne, Texas, native, who spent some time in the NFL with both the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals.
"I'm trying, that's all I can do," said Rector, who easily stood out among the younger recruits.
Of course, the talented slotback benefits from having spent the last month of the 2008 season on the Eskimos practice roster.
The 27-year-old veteran is taking full advantage of his experience.
"It definitely helped because I was able to see the waggle, the motions and how that worked and just learn Canadian ball," he admitted.
Eskimos receivers coach Jason Tucker said Rector has looked good.
"He has that advantage because he was here a little bit, got to see the system. He's catching everything. Traffic? It doesn't matter, and that's what you want to see." Rector may be at the head of the class, but he's getting some company. Jason Barnes, Willie Thornton and Alan Turner are also in the mix at receiver -- one of the more talented groups at camp.
UP-HILL BATTLE
A stitched-up left pinky finger is getting in Efrem Hill's way.
Hill suffered a cut during one-on-one drills on Day 1 of rookie camp, and was unable to practise for the rest of Wednesday's session or on Thursday.
"First day, that's disappointing because you're
trying to get back in the swing of things and something like that happens," said Hill, a six-foot-one, 185-pound wide receiver out of Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., who looked very good in early stages of the Wednesday workout.
"I'll be back, though. I know I can compete. I just have to get back on the field."
Hill, who is expected to miss two days, spent the past two seasons on the Cleveland Browns practice squad after a year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice unit.
"He started off good," said Tucker. "But at this point, anyone can get hurt. You want to go out and showcase all you can, and it's hard when you're standing on the sidelines."
AND ...
- Running back Arkee Whitlock has been a no-show, which brings rookie camp numbers down to 36.
- Edmonton Wildcats product Kevin Wuthrich celebrated his 21st birthday by making a few nifty catches on Thursday. The five-foot-10, 160-pounder has two years of junior eligibility remaining.
- Wildcats kicker/punter Ryan Elaschuk was a late addition to rookie camp on Wednesday.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
There’s bound to be a couple of pleasant surprises among the "rookies," at this year's camp – maybe Jamaica Rector will be one of them.
Federer To Meet Soderling In French Final
05/06/2009 21:11
Paris, France (Sports Network) - Sunday's men's French Open final will pit three-time runner-up Roger Federer against first-time Grand Slam finalist Robin Soderling.
The second-seeded former No. 1 Federer came from behind to stave off a major scare from fifth-seeded Argentine Juan Martin del Potro 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the second semifinal Friday at Roland Garros. The first semi saw a 23rd-seeded Soderling upend 12th-seeded Chilean Fernando Gonzalez 6-3, 7-5, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4.
If the Swiss Federer can beat the Swedish Soderling on Sunday, he would become only the sixth man in history to win all four Grand Slam events and would tie Pete Sampras for the all-time men's record in Grand Slam titles, at 14.
After winning the first set in easy fashion, del Potro was going for a two-set lead in the second-set tiebreak against Federer, but a tight forehand into the net on the first point paved the way for Federer to roll in the extra session and level the match.
Del Potro, however, cruised through the third set by breaking Federer twice, including one that gave the 6-foot-6 Argentine a 5-2 cushion. He closed out the third with a hold.
In the fourth set, Federer got a key break to grab a 3-1 lead on his way to an easy set victory to force a fifth, as del Potro appeared to be tiring at this point.
Federer broke to open the final set and was leading 3-1 before del Potro mounted a bit of a comeback. The towering Argentine got a key break of his own to tie the stanza at 3-3, but Federer broke right back in the seventh game to grab the lead for good.
The Swiss held for a 5-3 cushion and then held again in the 10th game to reach the final here for a fourth consecutive year. The game del Potro saved a match point while serving at 3-5, but Federer closed him out on his second match point by swatting a forehand winner after 3 hours, 29 minutes of quality tennis.
Del Potro lost despite firing 11 more aces (16-5), recording five more winners (55-50) and tallying one more break (5-4). Unfortunately for the Argentine, he also committed five more double faults (6-1) and 11 more unforced errors (40-29).
Federer is now 6-0 lifetime against del Potro, including a quarterfinal victory at the Aussie Open back in January and a second-round win at Wimbledon in 2007. The Swiss had never dropped a set against the Argentine before Friday (12-0).
The great Federer will appear in his 19th major final, going 13-5 in his previous 18. All five losses have come against his nemesis Rafael Nadal, including setbacks against the super Spaniard in the previous three French Open finals.
More from TSN.
Safina, Kuznetsova set for all-Russian French Open final.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
So, we’re going to have a Swede and a Swiss face off for the men’s singles’ title at Roland Garros, eh? I predict we’re going to witness history this weekend, folks, as Roger Federer ties Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slam titles in his illustrious career.
Dubai Course On Hold Because Of Economic Woes
05/06/2009 21:11
DUBLIN, Ohio - The first golf course Tiger Woods is designing might not be the first to open.
Woods said Friday that construction on Al Ruwaya Golf Course in Dubai is on hold because of the economic meltdown in the United Arab Emirates, pushing back the scheduled opening by at least six months.
"It's six months as of right now," Woods said in an interview at the Memorial. "It's going to be behind schedule. Obviously, the economy has turned over there and they've slowed down construction because of it."
The course was to open this fall, but Woods said it could be next summer.
"It all depends," he said. "The economy needs to turn around. If it gets stimulated, we can pick up to the point where we might open earlier, but who knows? It's out of my hands."
The project is called the "Tiger Woods Dubai." It includes 100 villas, 75 mansions, 22 palaces and a 360,000-square-foot boutique hotel. It also is to feature at 139,000-square-foot clubhouse and a golf academy. The developer is Tatweer, a division of Dubai Holding, which is owned by the emirate and its rule, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Woods said Beau Welling, his chief architect at Tiger Woods Design, has continued to travel between Dubai and two other courses under construction in North Carolina (The Cliffs at High Carolina) and Mexico (Punta Brava).
His course in Dubai had only three holes under construction when work was suspended.
"We're making sure we get the holes completed -- the holes we have," he said. "I think we have three holes right now."
He said the course in Dubai needs irrigation to keep the sand in place because of arid conditions and the wind. Woods said on one of his visits, the sweeping wind "changed the whole outline of one hole."
Woods said his courses in North Carolina and Mexico are awaiting various permits, but otherwise are on schedule. The Cliffs at High Carolina is expected to be finished in the middle of 2010, while the Mexico course with spectacular ocean views is not scheduled to be completed until late 2010.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Well, well, well . . . the world economic crisis even affects Tiger Woods.
Creamer, Licicombe, Wie To Play CN Canadian Open
05/06/2009 21:10
CALGARY - LPGA Tour stars Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome and Michelle Wie will all vie for the 2009 CN Canadian Women's Open title.
The trio confirmed their attendance Friday for the US$2.75-million tournament Aug. 31-Sept. 6 at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club.
"Paula, Brittany and Michelle are three of the young stars on tour today and I'm sure all will be fan favourites at Priddis Greens this year," tournament director Sean Van Kesteren said in a release.
Creamer is an eight-time LPGA champion and is third on the women's world golf rankings and sixth on the LPGA official money list with over US$500,000 in earnings this season.
The 22-year-old finished tied for second at the Corning Classic two weeks ago, her second top-three finish this season. Creamer finished tied for eighth at last year's CN Canadian Women's Open in Ottawa.
Lincicome, who won the Kraft Nabisco Championship earlier this year, is 23rd on the rankings and 10th on the money list, and returns to Canada hoping to better her 38th-place finish last year.
Wie is one of the world's most recognized international athletes, making headlines since she started playing in LPGA Tour events as a 12-year-old.
The 19-year-old has earned more than US$1.1 million since she turned pro in 2005. She's 46th on the world rankings and 16th on this year's money list.
Wie will make her third consecutive appearance at the Canadian event. She finished tied for 12th last year.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It sounds like a strong field for this year’s CN Canadian Women’s Open in Calgary.
Report Card Flunks Kids On Physical Activities
05/06/2009 21:10
Most Canadian children continue to earn failing grades when it comes to getting enough physical activity, according to a national health and fitness report card issued this week.
While there are signs of gradual improvement, Active Healthy Kids Canada reports that too many parents and educators are mistakenly replacing time for sports and play with academic studies in a bid for higher grades.
"It really is of value to ensure that physical activity remains an important part of their school," said Art Quinney, chairman of Active Health Kids Canada's board of directors and senior adviser to the University of Alberta's office of the provost.
"Physically active children do perform better in school than children who are not active."
Time spent on physical play helps improve memory, concentration and attention span, according to research cited by the report card. It also boosts a child's self-confidence, self-esteem, self-image and connection to school.
This is the fifth year the charitable organization, formed to promote physical activity for youth, has issued the report card in conjunction with ParticipACTION and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute.
This year's report card awarded letter grades in 19 areas, from screen time to the availability of recreation facilities, based on current statistics and research. It marks the third year in a row the report card awarded an F when it comes to children's physical activity levels, although it notes some minor improvement. The report card says that 13 per cent of children spent the recommended 90 minutes a day moving in 2008, up from nine per cent in 2006.
The report card also highlights the organization's concerns about the amount of time children spend in front of TV and computer screens, awarding a failing grade in that area too. Only 10 per cent of Canadian youth meet the recommended guideline of two hours or less of screen time per day.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Although this is sad, I can’t say as I’m surprised. In my day, kids made their own fun. We were kicked out of the house and did all sorts of things to amuse ourselves - like playing soccer, football, baseball, tennis, hockey, basketball, hide-and-seek, dodge ball, red rover, etc.
What do kids do now? Sit on their duffs in their houses in front of their computer screens, talking on their cell phones, while listening to their i Pods, and playing video games, while eating potato chips and drinking coke, for at least 12 hours a day.
Mayor's Vision Out Of Touch With Reality?
05/06/2009 05:47
Don,
In his proclamation of his "vision" for St. Albert last Monday, the mayor mentions that he wants to see more powerlines put underground.
Now why did he not support burying the Altalink powerline at LHCPP underground?
Elke Blodgett
St. Albert
---------------------------------------------
Hi Don,
The mayor, this council and the grand puppet master (city manager) are turning life here in St. Albert into a real nightmare, for far too many of our good neighbours.
It’s our seniors and those with limited income that I feel for, causing distress and driving these folks from their homes.
Could this also be a part of the mayors vision?
Robert Hartley
St. Albert
Letters, We Get Letters . . .
05/06/2009 05:47
Don,
I have to laugh especially hard at your story of the young man eating the piglet testicles. Why?
Our son, (now 31) was suspended from school for a day because he ate the science classroom's goldfish. For the reward of $20, he was dared by his buddies to swallow the little comet goldfish. He CLAIMS (still, to this day) that he wasn't REALLY intending to consume it, only feign like he was about to for the amusement of his friends. He picked the little thing up by it's tail and suspended it over his open mouth like he was about to drop it in. Goldfish, being slimy, are hard to hold on to. It slipped from his fingers and hit the far back of his throat - it was ether swallow or inhale! He chose swallow and was instantly revolted! BAAAAAahhhaahah!
Today he is disgusted by the thought of sushi and won't touch it - but we never fail to remind him that he has already eaten it.
Kim
(In Calgary)
SINC SAYS:
Thanks for sharing Kim. Tell your son I won’t touch sushi either, but I’ve never consumed a live fish.
This Weekend At The St. Albert Legion
05/06/2009 05:47
Hi Don,
Hope all is well with you.
Can you put this little blurb on your website, ‘St. Albert’s Place’?
This Friday from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm, the band ‘Woodbend’ will play in the lounge of the St. Albert Legion.
Meat Draws are from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm approximately.
Join us, enjoy the music, and dance! Come early enough to get something to eat, and try your luck on the meat draws!
Thanks, Don.
Debby Burr
Administrator,
The Royal Canadian Legion NO. 271
SINC SAYS:
If you’ve never been to the Legion folks, give it a try on Friday. It’s a happenin’ place.
05/06/2009 05:47
Hello all and welcome to summer!
Your feedback on the draft strategy is needed by June 19th!
At our May meeting I made a presentation outlining our draft strategy. To reiterate, I indicated that our Strategy is used to help us:
get from where we are now:
where Council and Administration spending and taxation is excessive and inappropriate for the average taxpayer
to where we want to be in the future:
where all can afford to live because taxes are affordable and Municipal spending is on items we need as a community and in the best interest of the majority of taxpayers rather than special interest groups.
The strategy helps us know what we can do and when to do it. It keeps us on track, rather than following ad hoc issues that may not be key to helping us get to where we want to be.
There are four Strategic Areas to guide our actions. Under each of these you will see one or more Goals that guide us in moving forward in the Strategic Area. Under each goal are Tactics which are the big how to's of achieving each goal, and under Tasks are the specific pieces of work that need to be done.
I hope this helps you better understand what the St. Albert Taxpayers Association hopes to achieve and how it will do so.
Please send me your comments on whether or not you think this document is consistent with your hopes for the association and any changes, additions or deletions you would like to see and/or what you percieve the priorities and timing to be.
At our June 23rd regular meeting, the strategy will be discussed again, and approval will be sought for the Strategy Document. Note that the document is not written in stone and as circumstances change, may need to be adjusted or priorities or timing changed.
Lynda Flannery
President, St. Albert Taxpayers Association
SINC SAYS:
Keep up the good work Lynda. We're all pulling for you.
You can download and read the strategy here.
An Irish Doctor Goes Golfing . . .
05/06/2009 05:47
A doctor in Dublin
wanted to get off work and go fishing, so he
approached his assistant
"Murphy, I am going fishing tomorrow and don't want to close the clinic. I want you to take care of the clinic and take care of all me patients".
"Yes, sir!" answers Murphy.
The doctor goes fishing and returns the following day and asks: "So, Murphy, how was your day?"
Murphy told him that he took care of three patients. "The first one had a headache so he did, so I gave him Paracetamol."
"Bravo Murphy lad, and the second one?" asks the doctor.
"The second one had indigestion and I gave him Gaviscon, so I did sir" says Murphy.
"Bravo, bravo! You're good at this and what about the third one?" asks the doctor.
"Sir, I was sitting here and suddenly the door flies open and a young gorgeous woman bursts in so she does. Like a bolt outta the blue, she tears off her clothes, taking off everyting including her bra and her panties and lies down on the table, spreading her legs and shouts: 'HELP ME for the love of St Patrick! For five years I have not seen any man!'"
"Tunderin' lard Jesus Murphy, what did you do?" asks the doctor.
"I put drops in her eyes".
Purple Tomato 'May Boost Health'
05/06/2009 05:47
The tomatoes are
full
of a beneficial
pigment
Scientists have developed purple tomatoes which they hope may be able to keep cancer at bay.
The fruit are rich in an antioxidant pigment called anthocyanin which is thought to have anti-cancer properties.
A team from the John Innes Centre, Norwich, created the tomatoes by incorporating genes from the snapdragon flower, which is high in anthocyanin.
The study, published in Nature Biotechnology, found mice who ate the tomatoes lived longer.
This offers the potential to promote health through diet by reducing the impact of chronic disease
Anthocyanins, found in particularly high levels in berries such as blackberry, cranberry and chokeberry, have been shown to help significantly slow the growth of colon cancer cells.
They are also thought to offer protection against cardiovascular disease and age-related degenerative diseases.
There is also evidence that the pigments have anti-inflammatory properties, help boost eyesight, and may help stave off obesity and diabetes.
The John Innes team is investigating ways to increase the levels of health-promoting compounds in more commonly eaten fruits and vegetables.
Tomatoes already contain high levels of beneficial antioxidant compounds, such as lycopene and flavonoids.
Colourful story here.
SINC SAYS:
Their new ad campaign should be that old Sheb Wooley hit, “Purple People Eater”.
Scientists have developed purple tomatoes which they hope may be able to keep cancer at bay.
The fruit are rich in an antioxidant pigment called anthocyanin which is thought to have anti-cancer properties.
A team from the John Innes Centre, Norwich, created the tomatoes by incorporating genes from the snapdragon flower, which is high in anthocyanin.
The study, published in Nature Biotechnology, found mice who ate the tomatoes lived longer.
This offers the potential to promote health through diet by reducing the impact of chronic disease
Anthocyanins, found in particularly high levels in berries such as blackberry, cranberry and chokeberry, have been shown to help significantly slow the growth of colon cancer cells.
They are also thought to offer protection against cardiovascular disease and age-related degenerative diseases.
There is also evidence that the pigments have anti-inflammatory properties, help boost eyesight, and may help stave off obesity and diabetes.
The John Innes team is investigating ways to increase the levels of health-promoting compounds in more commonly eaten fruits and vegetables.
Tomatoes already contain high levels of beneficial antioxidant compounds, such as lycopene and flavonoids.
Colourful story here.
SINC SAYS:
Their new ad campaign should be that old Sheb Wooley hit, “Purple People Eater”.
Boise Will Be Boise
05/06/2009 05:47
Fiesta Bowl miracle worker Zabransky aims to revitalize football career with Eskimos
Jared Zabransky has told the story thousands of times.
Yes, that was him who pulled the old Statue of Liberty play -- on a two-point conversion, no less -- that eventually won the 2007 Fiesta Bowl for Boise State in dramatic fashion, 43-42 in overtime over Oklahoma. And, indeed, it was he who started the old hook-and-lateral (some say hook-and-ladder) trick play that tied the game to force the extra session.
Not that the quarterback ever gets tired of telling the tale, which instantly became Boise State folklore. It's just that he's eager to write a new chapter in his career -- his pro career, specifically. That began on Wednesday as the Edmonton Eskimos pivot launched his Canadian Football League adventures, battling with Tulane product Lester Ricard for the third-string job behind veterans Ricky Ray and Jason Maas.
"You know, I don't get tired of talking about it because it's a good memory, and if my name is synonymous with that performance and that game, then that's great. It would have been a little different if it (the score) had been the other way around," said Zabransky, in between scarfing down four hard-boiled eggs -- just the whites, mind you -- before going through medical testing at Commonwealth Stadium.
"It's become a trademark of Boise State. When you think Boise State, you think Fiesta Bowl and the win over Oklahoma." But you also think of just what a talent the six-foot-two, 212-pounder was through his college days. Zabransky finished with 612 completions on 983 attempts for 8,256 yards and 58 touchdowns in 48 games (39 starts) at Boise. His collegiate experience -- he started as a backup to Ryan Dinwiddie, who is now competing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers starting job -- included the Fiesta Bowl heroics and earned him the honour of being on the cover of EA Sports' NCAA Football '08 video game.
But that's all in the past, as are two short stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans of the National Football League.
"I have come here to compete to get a job, but I'm not done there. I'm going to push myself to the nth degree and try and be a starter in this league," said Zabransky, who majored in communications and graduated on the dean's list.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I’m really excited about the type of CFL quarterback I think Jared Zabransky can be for the Eskimos.
Esks O-Lineman Dan Comiskey Calls It Quits
05/06/2009 05:47
EDMONTON - About a month shy of his 37th birthday, Dan Comiskey, a bulwark on the Eskimos offensive line for seven seasons in a stellar 12-year CFL career, announced his retirement on Thursday.
"It's a mixed day for me because there are so many people in the room that I love and really care about," Comiskey told a news conference, attended by many of his ex-teammates.. "It's one of those things where you have to move on when it's time.”
Comiskey played in three Grey Cups with the Eskimos, helping them win the CFL championship in 2003 and 2005. He also was on the Eskimos team that lost in the 2002 Cup game to Montreal, a game played at Commonwealth Stadium.
In 1997, Comiskey was a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who lost in the Grey Cup to Toronto that year. Four Grey Cup appearances in 12 seasons is a mighty nice ratio.
"Throughout my career I've always believed that I wanted to leave this game and be able to play one more game the day I left,” he said. "That's how I feel today and that's what I had to do.
"The rest of my life is set up. My family has moved to Nova Scotia and it's time to be a businessman and a father and take care of that."
In his final CFL season, Comiskey got the chance to play alongside his 28-year-old brother, John, the Eskimos' offensive centre, although not exactly as either might have hoped.
Dan Comiskey suffered a broken left ankle in the season-opener in Regina and missed the next 10 games. He returned for seven late-season games and the club’s two playoff matches against Winnipeg and the Montreal Alouettes.
In the aftermath of the Eastern Final, which Edmonton lost 36-26 to Montreal at Olympic Stadium, Comiskey spoke passionately about returning to play one more season side-by-side with his brother and about a season that ended too soon.
“To us, not winning the Grey Cup is a huge deal, obviously,” Comiskey said on the November Sunday the Eskimos cleaned out their lockers. “But, the stories and the friendships and the love in this room are what you’re going to remember forever.”
Following some off-season reflection, Comiskey chose to move on. He was the last member of a stellar, veteran offensive line that helped the Eskimos to their 13th Grey Cup victory in ‘05.
He began that season in Hamilton, after an off-season trade, but was sent back to Edmonton, along with running back Troy Davis that October. That was just in time for the playoff push that saw the third-place Eskimos win all three post-season matches on the road en route to their most recent Grey Cup.
Following that season, Bruce Beaton, Chris Morris and Kevin Lefsrud all retired. Tim Prinsen, then the club’s offensive centre, soon followed, owing to a career-ending injury.
Last season, Morris’s name was added to the Wall of Honor that rings Commonwealth Stadium. Don’t bet against Comiskey’s name being added, at some point.
If injuries began taking a toll late in his career, the six-foot-four, 310-pound man mountain seemed indestructible early in his time in Edmonton. He didn’t miss a game from 2002 through 2004. In ‘06, a concussion sidelined him for a while, and in ‘07, he missed 14 games, including nine with a torn triceps.
But his biggest battle in recent years was dealing with the emotional turmoil that came after his twin daughters, Lauren and Jane, were born in March 2005. Lauren nearly died owing to complications at birth that left her with damaged kidneys.
The infant required five surgeries in her first 17 months of life. While Comiskey and his wife, Raina, believed dialysis and an eventual transplant would be necessary, Lauren’s condition has improved dramatically over time. The Comiskeys also have a three-year-old son, Daniel Thomas Patrick.
This year, the Eskimos brought 12 offensive linemen to camp, including highly touted rookies Greg Vojt and Gord Hinse of the University of Alberta.
However the line is configured, it will be infused with youth. The three oldest offensive linemen in camp are Garrick Jones, 30, Patrick Kabongo, who turns 30 on June 27, and Aaron Fiacconi, whose 30th birthday is Nov. 12.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Big Commie was one of the good ones. His influence on the Esks offensive line is going to be missed, but maybe not so much this year as it would have been in other years with 11 other O-Line hopefuls in camp.
It’s Horse Sense – Thoroughbred Beats Human Racers
05/06/2009 05:47
Blue Heron Bay leaves competition in the dust in novelty promotion for weekend competition
If only they were taking bets.
In perhaps the worst matchup in racing history, four-year-old thoroughbred horse Blue Heron Bay beat out five humans on Wednesday afternoon in a 1/16th-of-a-mile sprint at Northlands Park.
Hugh Huston, the horse's jockey, guessed he had a slight edge coming into the race.
"I would have been even money or better," Huston said. "They beat me to the gate. Other than that, I didn't see too much competition."
The event was a promotional stunt for a one-mile road race Friday at Northlands Park, when racers of all ages from as far as the United Kingdom will compete in eight races around the park grounds.
More than $5,000 is up for grabs in two elite races at the end of the night. And no, Blue Heron Bay won't be there.
Darcy Berard placed a distant second while Jennifer Kemp was third in Wednesday's race. Berard, 33, blamed the loss on an unfamiliar track and a poor training regimen.
"I think if we had more access to the track, I think we could end up racing here on a regular basis," Berard said, vowing to bring soccer cleats for better traction for future forays in the soft dirt track.
For amused onlookers, the race was a nice lunchtime diversion.
Ali Schymizek exercises horses at the track every morning and watched the race with co-workers. Minutes before the race, Schymizek, 20, made a bold prediction based on her 17 years of riding, as well as her inside knowledge of the jockey's strategies.
"The horse could do this sideways, backwards and on its head and could probably still win," Schymizek said. "I think it's hilarious."
While Berard may have expected to win, other competitors had more modest aspirations.
Kemp, 25, said she just hoped she wouldn't finish last. Kemp is currently training as a middle-distance runner and said the novelty was worth the risk that Blue Heron Bay might run right over her.
"I just thought it'd be a cool experience," she said.
The organizer of Friday's road race, Matt Norminton, finished fourth.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
CTV Edmonton sports' Adam Cook was also in the race and finished a disappointing second last. Way to go, Cookie!
As Many As Eight Rookies Will ‘Make A Difference’
05/06/2009 05:47
Danny Maciocia sounded like a proud father when queried about the roster put together heading into rookie training camp.
The Edmonton Eskimos general manager and director of football operations stands by the collection of 37 first-year Canadian Football League players.
"I'm extremely excited about this group," said Maciocia. "Maybe it's because of the amount of time I was able to spend with our scouting department.
"I think that, easily, there will be five to eight kids who can potentially make a difference."
From Tumbo Abanikanda, a linebacker from Southern Mississippi, to Jared Zabransky, the big-name Boise State quarterback, the Eskimos believe in this talented assembly.
"Speed is just one (characteristic). Their ability and desire is just relentless, especially on the defensive side of the ball," said Maciocia. "Obviously, we've upgraded. Their speed and strength and ability to cover, moving from sideline to sideline, is terrific."
That can only add to the depth of the organization.
"You know, when you look at what we were able to do last year -- I really think we turned the corner, getting to double digits in wins," Maciocia said of the 10-8 regular season.
"Now I think we've upgraded in certain areas and we've provided depth, which should, again, make us a couple of games better."
Numbers problem?
Maciocia's problem may be getting down to the official 68 main camp invitees plus non-counters (drafted players and athletes who have not been to pro camp).
"I want to be there come Saturday night. I'm not going to keep people here if they're not worth their salt," Maciocia said.
The problem is, the Esks had 83 players on their list when rookie camp opened Wednesday. Maciocia wouldn't say where his numbers were with non-counters, but some veterans may fall by the wayside before even getting started.
"We'll be down to 68 and non-counters by Saturday night. I can guarantee you that," said Maciocia.
They said it
- "Day 1 of many, I hope" -- Eskimos second-round pick Gord Hinse, who will attempt to crack the lineup as an offensive lineman.
- "I'm looking to see who will be carrying my shoulder pads later on" -- linebacker Maurice Lloyd, about initiating some of the rookies
- "You're not running no 40 (yard dash), are ya? I ain't run no 40 since '07" -- Lloyd, kibitzing with rookie QB Jared Zabransky
- "Maybe only if you're chasing me" -- Zabransky's quick reply
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
As I have said many times before, I am very excited about this upcoming Edmonton Eskimo team and for the 2009 CFL football season to begin.
Stegall Breaks Down 2009 CFL Season
05/06/2009 05:47
Retired CFL star receiver Milt Stegall has been doing prep work for his new part-time job as a TSN guest analyst this CFL season.
In his own words, the league's all-time touchdown leader offers his take on how the teams will stack up this season (teams listed in order of predicted finish):
West Division
Calgary Stampeders: "If you look at the West, you have to say, of course, Calgary is the favourite. For the most part, they didn't pick up anybody, but they didn't lose any of their main core."
Edmonton Eskimos: "Right now, they have to figure out exactly what direction they're going in, bringing in the new coach (Richie Hall). They made some key additions on defence, the linebacker they got from Saskatchewan (Maurice Lloyd) and, of course, (ex-Bomber DB) Kelly Malveaux. He's almost like a Shannon Garrett clone. (Retired Eskimos DB) Shannon Garrett played so many defensive positions and Kelly, he can do the same thing... And, of course, when you have Ricky Ray throwing the ball, you really don't have to do too much."
B.C. Lions: "I think they're somewhat on a decline. Their defence is somewhat solid. They lost their defensive end (Cameron Wake) and their starting tailback (Stefan Logan) and I don't know how for sure their quarterback situation is right now, so I think that's going to be a key factor."
Saskatchewan Roughriders: "I know fans in Riderville will hate me, but I think they're at the bottom when you're talking about the West because they just don't have a starting quarterback and they've lost too many defensive guys right now."
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
For TSN football analyst Milt Stegall’s thoughts about the CFL’s eastern division for 2009, click here.
MacT Wants To Coach, Won’t Comment On Wild Report
05/06/2009 05:46
EDMONTON - Craig MacTavish won't comment on reports in Minnesota that he has been interviewed for the vacant Wild job, but he isn't ready to put his feet up and retire.
"I want to coach again," said the former Edmonton Oiler coach, who turns 51 in August.
MacTavish, who lost his job April 15 after 656 games behind the Oiler bench, won't talk about the Wild or any other NHL jobs but he knows Minnesota's organization and players better than most coaches. He's coached against them 51 times since they entered the NHL in 2000-01 because they were battling for the same playoff positions in the Northwest Division. If he were interviewed, he could certainly talk confidently about what he saw from the Minnesota club.
The Wild just hired former Pittsburgh assistant general manager Chuck Fletcher as their new GM and he's conducting a coach search, hoping to get a bench boss by the June 26-27 draft. He has interviewed San Jose Sharks assistant Todd Richards, who was also on the Oilers' short list before they hired Pat Quinn and Tom Renney last week.
Fletcher has also reportedly had a conversation with one-time Carolina Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette, who has worked for TSN the last few months as a commentator. If Fletcher has talked to MacTavish, too, he's not letting on. But sources in Minnesota say MacTavish did talk to the team, and he would be an excellent choice.
He's won 301 NHL games, one of only 35 coaches to have won 300 or more.
Oiler president Kevin Lowe said last week that teams didn't have to ask permission to talk to MacTavish and there was no impediment in his Oiler contract against him taking a job with a Northwest Division rival, should they want to hire him.
One possible team was Colorado after Tony Granato was fired Wednesday, but the Avalanche have already announced the hiring Joe Sacco, who was coaching their farm team.
If MacTavish doesn't get another NHL coaching job this season, he would ideal for the broadcasting business.
"It would be safer," joked MacTavish.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Good luck to Craig MacTavish landing another head coaching gig in the NHL. MacT is one of the good ones.
Former CFL Star Milt Stegall Is Joining TSN
05/06/2009 05:46
Milt Stegall hasn't spent his first few months of retirement reminiscing in a rocking chair.
That wouldn't be his style.
The former Winnipeg Blue Bombers star receiver has been keeping busy since calling it quits over the winter after 14 seasons in the CFL.
"My wife, she can't believe I'm still working out like I'm playing because that's all I know," the 39-year-old Stegall said earlier this week from his Atlanta home.
Football has also been part of his daily routine since he retired in February.
He's been combing the Internet gathering information for his part-time gig this season as a guest analyst for TSN's CFL broadcasts, and started a receivers camp for college and high school players in May.
Never one to sugarcoat his opinions, he'll use that same approach in the studio for the 15 games that are on his agenda.
"They want Milt Stegall to be Milt Stegall," he said. "I can be somewhat outspoken.
"The one thing I told them is I'm going to be honest. I've been telling all the guys I've trained with, `Don't be mad, I'm going to be honest. If you're doing well, I'm going to hype you up, but if you're suffering, if you're doing bad, I'm going to let you know about that also.'
Still, he isn't going to throw people under the bus.
"I know a lot of things about a lot of guys that a lot of people who are on the panel and do broadcast don't know because I've been around so many guys, but I would never do anything to demean or backstab people."
He didn't shy away from making some early predictions, forecasting the regular-season finish in the West Division will be Calgary, Edmonton, B.C., and Saskatchewan, and in the East he's expecting a Montreal first-place finish, a tie for second between Hamilton and Winnipeg and Toronto in the cellar.
Stegall's first game for TSN is July 11 when Saskatchewan visits Toronto.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I really look forward to Stegall’s analysis of CFL football on TSN this year.
No Reiging In Tiger’s Parade
05/06/2009 05:46
Woods chips in to knock off Nicklaus in battle of generational bests
On a miserable day to watch golf, no one was about to miss a single shot.
Not with Jack Nicklaus in his familiar crouch, grinding over a birdie putt that everyone wanted him to make. Not with Tiger Woods, down to his last shot, delivering in the clutch with a 12-foot par everyone knew he was going to make.
The final cheer and the biggest prized belonged to Woods.
Muirfield Village may be Jack's course, but this is Tiger's era. In a closest-to-the-pin chipping contest on the 18th hole, Woods won the Memorial skins game on Wednesday by holing his chip from 25 yards in the rough.
"Didn't surprise me," Nicklaus said. "Didn't surprise him."
They first played with each other at Augusta National in a practice round before the 1996 Masters, after which Nicklaus predicted 10 green jackets or more for Woods.
They last competed against each other in the opening two rounds of the 2000 PGA Championship, which Woods won in a playoff for his third straight major.
"Do you remember what I said that day?" Nicklaus recalled. "I said there is no more passing of the baton. It's been taken."
The record still belongs to Nicklaus, who set the standard in professional golf with 18 majors. Woods is closing in, capturing his 14th major last summer at the U.S. Open.
Nicklaus believes Woods will break his record in the next three years.
Wednesday was more about charity, and the rare occasion to bring together the best of their generations. The skins game replaced the traditional pro-am when sponsor Morgan Stanley withdrew its presence this year because of scrutiny over corporate entertainment.
"That's one of the great things about our sport," Woods said.
"Guys from past generations -- not just one generation removed, but a few -- can still compete out here. Not at the highest level, but for nine holes. A few holes, they certainly can play with us, and even beat us."
Nicklaus did just that on the par-5 11th, hitting an eight-iron to four feet for a birdie to win two skins. Woods answered on the 13th hole with a
25-foot birdie putt to win two skins. Stewart Cink collected a skin with a birdie on the 14th. Kenny Perry, the defending champion at the Memorial, looked like he would take four skins on the 18th with a par save from the bunker until Woods made his 12-footer.
That's when the fun began.
Woods was the second to play, and his chip was landed perfectly and began rolling toward the cup until it disappeared, a shot Nicklaus has seen him make before at the Memorial.
Nicklaus was next, and chip looked good until the final few feet when it broke below the hole. Woods figured he would make it, just like Nicklaus made birdie on his final hole at the PGA Championship nine years ago, just like the Golden Bear made birdie on his final hole in a major championship at St. Andrews in 2005.
"Oh, yeah. Are you kidding me?" Woods said. "He was eyeing it, too."
Perry, the only player without a skin, was last to hit and watched his chip burn the right edge of the cup.
But as far as the fans were concerned, there really were only two players on the golf course.
And it was a blast.
Woods and Nicklaus play again, with familiar outcome.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
What a phenomenal site, folks, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods playing golf together in the same group. That’s truly one for the ages.
Mayor Annouces Downtown Proposal
04/06/2009 04:35
SINC SAYS:
Mayor Crouse sent along these two documents for our readers to pursue. It would seem that there are some who take issue with this "ramming through" of the game plan in spite of taxpayer opposition to the plan.
Will the mayor or council EVER listen to concerns and STOP spending our tax dollars on questionable projects?
Not bloody likely is my guess. At any rate, if you want to see where your taxes are going to be picked from your pockets yet again, read on.
The agenda can be downloaded here.
The plan can be downloaded here.
And by the way, hang on to your wallets. Again.
This council has no idea and no mercy when it comes to spending. The very idea that Mayor Crouse thinks he has a mandate to continue to spend shows an extreme lack of understanding of the current burden taxpayers are carrying. That's not leadership. I have another word for it, but not for publication here.
And for the record, downtown St. Albert is far from an exciting, vibrant place. It's deader than a door nail.
Resident Questions Mayor's Actions
04/06/2009 04:35
Hi Don,
Through you to the Mayor.
It was quite an eye opener reading the “Mayor unveils downtown plan” article in yesterday’s Gazette.
A couple items that struck me as particularly disturbing (this time around) was the mayor's quote “I am very aware of the criticism and skepticism (scepticism) this may evoke, I am also acutely aware of the sense of responsibility that I have to provide leadership in the face of that criticism”.
The other item being the quote from Councillor Garrity “With these kinds of things you need somebody to stand up and say, this is the way it has to move forward".
OK guys, you have my attention. Now if you would just be so good as to explain: 1. Who will pay, and 2. Why! Why does this have to go forward?
And Mayor Crouse, it seems to me that you are a little too carried away with your own importance, as you were voted to office with 8857 votes, hardly a landslide, and certainly without a mandate to proceed with decisions of this type.
It is the responsibility of you and your council to represent the residents of St. Albert. If you are confident that this is the way to proceed then put it to a plebiscite, see if St. Albert agrees. Even better, make it an election issue next time around. Is it just me or has this whole issue right from the start carried the dreaded aroma of “hidden agenda” ?
Regards,
Robert Hartley
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Robert, while you make some good points, I am sad to say I have lost all confidence in this mayor and council. They just don't get it, and if they think we will forget come next election just because they are about half way through their term. I for one vow to bring every move like this back in their faces come the campaign. Enough already.
READERS NOTE:
Mayor Crouse was given the opportunity to respond to Mr. Hartley's questions via e-mail today. Here is his response:
Don,
"I am out of town for a few days and can't read this so have to pass."
Nolan Crouse
Mayor of St. Albert
I guess readers can now draw their own conclusions as to the mayor's intentions on the matter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
READER RESPONSE:
Don,
Re: Mayor Crouse’s response to Robert Hartley’s questions.
Yes, Mayor Crouse is out of town for a few days. He is attending the infamous FCM convention in Whistler, B.C. – again at St. Albert taxpayers’ expense, no doubt with an entire entourage from City Council and administration.
No Name Please
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Thanks for the feedback on the mayor's whereabouts, but readers should note the "entourage" comment is an assumption, not a fact.
A Great World War II Story
04/06/2009 04:35
Look carefully at the B-17 and note how shot up it is
- one engine dead, tail, horizontal stabilizer and
nose shot up.. It was ready to fall out of the sky.
(This is a painting done by an artist from the
description of both pilots many years later.) Then
realize that there is a German ME-109 fighter flying
next to it. Now read the story below. I think you'll
be surprised.....
Charlie Brown was a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot with the 379th Bomber Group at Kimbolton, England. His B-17 was called 'Ye Old Pub' and was in a terrible state, having been hit by flak and fighters. The compass was damaged and they were flying deeper over enemy territory instead of heading home to Kimbolton.
After flying the B-17 over an enemy airfield, a German pilot named Franz Steigler was ordered to take off and shoot down the B-17. When he got near the B-17, he could not believe his eyes. In his words, he 'had never seen a plane in such a bad state'. The tail and rear section was severely damaged, and the tail gunner wounded. The top gunner was all over the top of the fuselage. The nose was smashed and there were holes everywhere.
Despite having ammunition, Franz flew to the side of the B-17 and looked at Charlie Brown, the pilot. Brown was scared and struggling to control his damaged and blood-stained plane.
Aware that they had no idea where they were going, Franz waved at Charlie to turn 180 degrees. Franz escorted and guided the stricken plane to, and slightly over, the North Sea towards England. He then saluted Charlie Brown and turned away, back to Europe. When Franz landed he told the CO that the plane had been shot down over the sea, and never told the truth to anybody. Charlie Brown and the remains of his crew told all at their briefing, but were ordered never to talk about it.
More than 40 years later, Charlie Brown wanted to find the Luftwaffe pilot who saved the crew. After years of research, Franz was found. He had never talked about the incident, not even at post-war reunions.
They met in the USA at a 379th Bomber Group reunion, together with 25 people who are alive now - all because Franz never fired his guns that day.
When asked why he didn't shoot them down, Stigler later said, I didn't have the heart to finish those brave men. I flew beside them for a long time. They were trying desperately to get home and I was going to let them do that. I could not have shot at them. It would have been the same as shooting at a man in a parachute.
Both men died in 2008.
This is a true story http://www.snopes.com/military/charliebrown.asp
This was back in the days when there was honor in being a warrior...they proudly wore uniforms, and they didn't hide in ambush inside a mosque, or behind women and children, nor did they use mentally retarded women as suicide bombers to target and kill innocent civilians...how times have changed.
Charlie Brown was a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot with the 379th Bomber Group at Kimbolton, England. His B-17 was called 'Ye Old Pub' and was in a terrible state, having been hit by flak and fighters. The compass was damaged and they were flying deeper over enemy territory instead of heading home to Kimbolton.
After flying the B-17 over an enemy airfield, a German pilot named Franz Steigler was ordered to take off and shoot down the B-17. When he got near the B-17, he could not believe his eyes. In his words, he 'had never seen a plane in such a bad state'. The tail and rear section was severely damaged, and the tail gunner wounded. The top gunner was all over the top of the fuselage. The nose was smashed and there were holes everywhere.
Despite having ammunition, Franz flew to the side of the B-17 and looked at Charlie Brown, the pilot. Brown was scared and struggling to control his damaged and blood-stained plane.
Aware that they had no idea where they were going, Franz waved at Charlie to turn 180 degrees. Franz escorted and guided the stricken plane to, and slightly over, the North Sea towards England. He then saluted Charlie Brown and turned away, back to Europe. When Franz landed he told the CO that the plane had been shot down over the sea, and never told the truth to anybody. Charlie Brown and the remains of his crew told all at their briefing, but were ordered never to talk about it.
More than 40 years later, Charlie Brown wanted to find the Luftwaffe pilot who saved the crew. After years of research, Franz was found. He had never talked about the incident, not even at post-war reunions.
They met in the USA at a 379th Bomber Group reunion, together with 25 people who are alive now - all because Franz never fired his guns that day.
When asked why he didn't shoot them down, Stigler later said, I didn't have the heart to finish those brave men. I flew beside them for a long time. They were trying desperately to get home and I was going to let them do that. I could not have shot at them. It would have been the same as shooting at a man in a parachute.
Both men died in 2008.
This is a true story http://www.snopes.com/military/charliebrown.asp
This was back in the days when there was honor in being a warrior...they proudly wore uniforms, and they didn't hide in ambush inside a mosque, or behind women and children, nor did they use mentally retarded women as suicide bombers to target and kill innocent civilians...how times have changed.
600 Foott Jellyfish Crop Circle Found In Field
04/06/2009 04:35
A 600ft jellyfish
pattern has appeared in a barley field in
Kingstone Coombes, Oxfordshire, in what is one
of the most intriguing crop circles ever seen
in
Britain.The vast pattern appeared in the field last week and experts are claiming it to be the first of its kind in the world.
Karen Alexander, a crop circle expert, said: "We have seen butterfly and bird patterns in the past, but this is the first jellyfish crop circle in the world.
"It is absolutely huge - roughly three times the size of most crop patterns and extremely interesting. People have been aghast at the size of it. It is a complete monster.
"We are looking into the meaning of it, but at present it just seems to have appeared out of nowhere."
Crop circle theorists known as 'croppies' - believe the patterns are created by UFOs during nocturnal visits, or caused by natural phenomena such as unusual forms of lightning striking the earth.
But it has been proven the patterns can be easily created artists.
Last year a crop circle described as the most complex ever to seen in Britain was discovered in a barley field in Wiltshire.
The formation, measuring 150ft in diameter, was a coded image representing the first 10 digits, 3.141592654, of pi.
Michael Reed, an astrophysicist, said: "The tenth digit has even been correctly rounded up. The little dot near the centre is the decimal point.
"The code is based on 10 angular segments with the radial jumps being the indicator of each segment.
"Starting at the centre and counting the number of one-tenth segments in each section contained by the change in radius clearly shows the values of the first 10 digits in the value of pi."
SINC SAYS:
Now, could someone please explain to me how two guys with a board did that one overnight?
Roli Patiently Awaits Offer
04/06/2009 04:34
Unrestricted free agency fast approaches for goaltender, but Oilers still have first shot
The NHL's free-agent doors swing wide open in 28 days, but goalie Dwayne Roloson still hasn't received a contract offer from the Edmonton Oilers.
Roloson's age obviously is a factor -- he turns 40 in October -- so the Oilers may not be willing to pitch anything more than a one-year deal.
"We haven't started talking at all," Roloson said in a telephone interview on Tuesday. "But they've had other issues to get resolved ... lots to do with hiring coaches and firing coaches."
Oilers general manager GM Steve Tambellini, who attended meetings in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, said the two sides would begin serious negotiations on a new contract very soon. But how many years the Oilers want to offer and how much money is available is anybody's guess.
Roloson is finishing up a three-year contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $3.67 million US.
There are not a lot of NHLers -- goalies, defencemen or forwards -- getting multi-year deals when they're approaching forty-something status, but Roloson may have a case that he should be the exception. He played in 63 games last year, the oldest NHL goalie to play that many, and only five guys, no matter how old -- Miikka Kiprusoff, Marty Turco, Niklas Backstrom, Cam Ward and Ilya Bryzgalov -- played more.
OPPOSED TO BACKUP ROLE
Roloson, who didn't play his first NHL game until he was 27, doesn't have as much wear on his tires as other players his age. He's only played 462 games; contrast that with, say, Curtis Joseph, who is 42 and has played 943 games.
Roloson and Sheldon Souray were the Oilers' best players last season, but, so far, the team isn't rushing to get him signed with less than a month until he can sign elsewhere.
"We're going to try and negotiate with the Oilers, but if not, we'll see what's out there," said Roloson, who doesn't really want to be a backup, even on a Stanley Cup contender.
"I know I can still be a starting goalie. I think I proved that I can still play, that I'm capable of playing lots.
"I haven't really thought about other places, but if the Oilers don't offer us anything, then we'll do some research and see what other teams are out there to target.
"We'll have to take a look at other team's depth charts."
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Dwayne Roloson had a great year last year and he deserves a contract offer from the Edmonton Oilers. Clearly, Roloson and Sheldon Souray were the Oilers’ best players last season. I’m not sure Roloson deserves much more than a one-year deal at his age, but he still deserves an offer.
Local Trainer Had Chance To Buy Derby Winner
04/06/2009 04:34
Red Smith took a gander at Mine That Bird
What if? What if Mine That Bird, the favourite for Saturday's Belmont stakes, was running in Edmonton or Winnipeg instead of New York? It's not as preposterous as it sounds.
Local trainer R.K. (Red) Smith took a look at Mine That Bird. Winnipeg trainer Aaron Sayler was even the underbidder on the Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up.
"I went to $9,000," said Sayler. "He sold for $9,500." So what if? What if Sayler or Smith had bought him instead of Toronto trainer Dave Cotey? "I probably would have done the same thing as Dave. Sold him," said Sayler.
"And in Winnipeg I wouldn't have got near what Cotey got ($400,000)." Smith actually went looking to buy a colt by Birdstone, the winner of the 2004 Belmont and the sire of Mine That Bird.
"But I bought the other one and paid twice as much for him," said Smith.
The Birdstone colt Smith bought has yet to run.
Mine That Bird, on the other hand, has won more than $2 million and become one of the best racing stories in decades -- coming from last place, 30 lengths back, and winning the Derby at odds of 50-1.
Just to prove that his Derby win wasn't a fluke, Mine That Bird ran second to the great undefeated filly Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness.
Unfortunately, a rematch isn't in the cards. Rachel Alexandra won't run in the Belmont.
What if Smith had bought Mine That Bird instead of the Birdstone colt he named Ben's Magic? "I probably would have lost him in a claiming race," laughed Smith.
"The only thing I would have done the same as Dave Cotey is that I would have gelded him as well." But Smith said he hardly even gave Mine That Bird a second look.
"I looked at him in the catalogue, but when I went to look at him individually I didn't like him. He wasn't my type. He was a little small, a late foal and he toed out quite noticeably.
"He was plain and unappealing.”
More from the Edmonton Journal.
Mine That Bird ready for Belmont; Borel tries for history.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I’ll bet you Red Smith is kicking himself right about now.
‘Toxic Jocks’ Face More Risks Than Other Athletes
04/06/2009 04:34
From the hockey rink to the playing field, a surprising new study finds the attitude Canadians bring to the game can have real implications for their health.
In surveying nearly 600 college students with a history of participation in organized sports, researchers at the University of Buffalo discovered a small but significant number could be described as "toxic jocks," an identity that put them at a much higher risk for health-compromising behaviors.
While people who described themselves as athletes tended to be task-oriented, defining their sports involvement by personal mastery of a skill and the pursuit of excellence, self-identified jocks were largely driven by ego: They were more likely to conform to stereotypical expectations of hyper-masculinity, as well as to engage in such risky activities as substance abuse.
"There's also a fair amount of research showing kids that get involved in sports are more likely to be problem drinkers and to engage in other risky behaviors," says Kathleen E. Miller, the study's lead author and a research scientist at the University's Research Institute on Addiction.
Of the 581 sports participants surveyed, nearly one in five "strongly identified" themselves as jocks. One-quarter of men adopted the jock persona, as did eight per cent of women, most of whom scored highly on the "conforms to masculine norms index," which assessed attitudes related to winning, violence, risk-taking and "playboy" sexual behavior.
Miller's study, which appears in the Journal of Sport Behavior, suggests jocks are more likely to see sport as a tool for demonstrating dominance and "beating the other guy" than a way of pushing themselves.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
So, that’s what happened to me – I was a ‘toxic jock.’
Federer Reaches Another Grand Slam Semi Final
04/06/2009 04:34
Paris, France (Sports Network) - Three-time runner-up Roger Federer and rising Argentine Juan Martin del Potro were a pair of straight-set quarterfinal winners Wednesday at Roland Garros.
The second-seeded former world No. 1 Federer handled 11th-seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils 7-6 (8-6), 6-2, 6-4 in a rematch of a semifinal played here last year, which was also won by the mighty Swiss, while a fifth-seeded del Potro hammered 16th-seeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
The great Federer continued to add to his record run of consecutive Grand Slam semis, as he'll appear in his 20th straight major final four.
Federer and del Potro will square off in the semifinals here on Friday, as the Swiss will carry a perfect 5-0 lifetime record against the Argentine into the match. Federer beat del Potro in this year's Australian Open quarters and topped the tall Argentine in the second round at Wimbledon two years ago.
The other men's semi, which was determined here on Tuesday, will pit 12th- seeded Chilean Fernando Gonzalez against 23rd-seeded Swede Robin Soderling, who shocked four-time reigning French Open champ Rafael Nadal here in the fourth round on Sunday.
Nadal beat Federer in the last three finals on the famed red clay here.
The reigning five-time U.S. Open champion Federer seemed to break Monfils' spirit by pulling out the first-set tiebreak on Day 11, as the outcome of the match was never in doubt after that. The Swiss icon breezed through the second set, as Monfils appeared to battle an upset stomach, and in the third stanza, Federer got the key break he needed in the ninth game and then held his high- quality serve to erase his French counterpart in 2 hours, 10 minutes.
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
We’re two matches from history at Roland Garros, folks.
Sayonara Serena - Williams Ousted At Roland Garros
04/06/2009 04:34
Paris, France (Sports Network) - Former runner-up Svetlana Kuznetsova upended former champion Serena Williams on Wednesday to reach the semifinals at the French Open.
The seventh-seeded Kuznetsova outlasted the second-seeded Williams 7-6 (7-3), 5-7, 7-5 on Court Lenglen on Day 11 at Stade Roland Garros. Kuznetsova's semifinal opponent on Thursday will be 30th-seeded Aussie Samantha Stosur, who landed in her first-ever Grand Slam semi by handling 19-year-old unseeded Romanian Sorana Cirstea 6-1, 6-3 on Court Chatrier in Wednesday's other quarterfinal.
The former U.S. Open champion Kuznetsova was the 2006 Roland Garros runner-up to Belgian great Justine Henin.
Kuznetsova dismissed Williams in 2 hours, 47 minutes, despite being out-aced (10-3) and recording 11 fewer winners (44-33). Both players wound up with six service breaks, and Williams tallied a couple more unforced errors (39-37) in the disappointing setback.
After winning an ultra-tight first set via tiebreak, Kuznetsova ran out to a quick 4-1 lead in the second and appeared on her way to a straight-set victory. The Russian broke her American counterpart, with a backhand winner, to assume a 5-3 advantage in the stanza and then tried to serve out the match.
Williams, however, had other plans, as she won four straight games by breaking back, holding serve, breaking again and then holding again to steal the set.
In the third set, Kuznetsova held a match point while leading 5-4 with Williams serving, but the American staved off elimination to pull even. Kuznetsova responded with a hold and converted on another match point in the next game to break Williams and secure a spot in the final four here for the third time in her career. The Russian also reached the semis here last year.
The former No. 1 Williams was trying to reach a fourth straight Grand Slam final, having won this year's Australian Open, last year's U.S. Open and finishing as the runner-up to her older sister Venus at Wimbledon last summer.
Serena is a 10-time major champion, with her lone Roland Garros title coming seven years ago when she beat Venus in the final. Serena hasn't reached a French Open semi since 2003.
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I’ve never liked either of the Williams sisters – especially Serena – when she opened her mouth a few months ago and declared she was the best female tennis player in the world, contrary to the official world rankings. I guess she was wrong.
Ricky Ray Excited About Esks Defence
04/06/2009 04:34
Addition of Lumsden should mean a running game and more explosive offence
He is the face of the franchise, although younger Edmonton Eskimos fans of the female persuasion will surely turn to newest pretty-boy recruit, Jesse Lumsden, for entirely different reasons.
Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.
Hey, girls will be girls, but it's hard to argue that this isn't Ricky Ray's team -- and likely will continue to be -- until his current contract runs out in 2011.
So what are the 29-year-old Canadian Football League pivot's thoughts as quarterbacks and rookies report to training camp today, with the main camp beginning with medicals on Saturday? Ray admits to being both excited and anxious as the Green and Gold prepares for the 2009 season.
"It is a little bit of both," he said. "I'm obviously anxious to see just how Richie (new head coach Richie Hall) is going to run things, and how we all adjust to his program.
"Then you're excited about building off what we did at the end of last year." What the Eskimos accomplished was a good playoff run -- after a late regular-season lag -- in defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the East Division crossover semifinal after a 10-8 CFL campaign. The Esks were then ousted by the Montreal Alouettes in a game they actually led and could have easily won.
There have been plenty of changes since that 36-26 Eastern final loss on Nov. 15 at Olympic Stadium. A major move sees two thorns in Ray's side joining the Eskimos from Saskatchewan, following coach Hall out west.
It was linebacker Maurice Lloyd who put a hellacious hit on Ray just three minutes into a 55-9 pasting in Regina on Oct. 25. The hit forced a fumble, which Kitwana Jones quickly gobbled up and turned into an 54-yard touchdown.
"Yeah," chuckled Ray. "They're both on our side now, which makes me happy. Not having to go against Richie Hall's defence in Saskatchewan is another thing.
"What I'm most excited about, though, is seeing what our defence is going to do this year." The addition of Lloyd, Jones, former Riders safety Scott Gordon, as well as defensive end Kai Ellis and defensive backs Kelly Malveaux and Anthony Malbrough dramatically changes the look of the defence.
Heck, Lumsden himself said it a few weeks back on a CFL conference call: "Bringing in Mo Lloyd; you know I'm sick of playing against him. I feel like I'd rather have him on my team." The combination of the free-agency additions and trades was a big reason why Lumsden came over from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Never mind Ricky Ray and Jesse Lumsden - I’m excited about this Esks’ defence! And, so is SINC.
GMs Against Automatic Penalty For Hits To Head
04/06/2009 04:34
Managers feel players must learn to protect themselves at all times
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke said the National Hockey League was wrong in flagging Detroit Red Wings defenceman Niklas Kronwall for an interference major and game misconduct penalty for a hit on Chicago's Martin Havlat in the first period of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Western Conference final.
"That was a beautiful bodycheck," Burke insisted on Tuesday. "Nothing wrong with it at all."
The topic was raised during Tuesday's NHL general managers meetings in Pittsburgh, where the discussion centred around head shots.
Most GMs scoffed at any notion that they might consider following the Ontario Hockey League's lead and institute a rule that calls for an automatic two-minute minor for hits to the head.
"In every league that's done that, there's less bodychecking," Burke suggested -- and he had plenty of company
"The OHL philosophy?" Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey asked rhetorically.
"It wasn't really an issue that had any weight behind it. There's not any appetite among this group for that sort of rule."
According to the National Hockey League Players' Association, there's quite a hunger for the rule among its members, with a poll of players determining that more than 70 per cent of NHLers think it's necessary.
"I'd like to ask all the players myself," NHL senior vice-president of hockey operations Colin Campbell said.
He'll get that chance later this month in Las Vegas, where the players will meet and make a proposal of their own to the league.
The GMs also feel the players must take personal responsibility for protecting themselves from injury due to head blows.
"It's a tough, physical game and you have to protect yourself, too," Burke said.
Gainey compared the issue to traffic-flow problems.
"It's like when you drive your car," Gainey said. "In every city, there are those intersections where more accidents occur and when you come upon those intersections, you tend to be more aware of your surroundings.
"It's the same on the ice. There are traffic areas that you go into where the likelihood of a collision is much higher. As a player, you have to be aware of that."
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Pardon me, folks, but at some point the NHL is going to have to decide what it really wants.
Cohon Envisions Drug Policy In Place By 2010
04/06/2009 04:34
Commissioner Mark Cohon says he hopes to have a drug policy in place in the Canadian Football League by the 2010 season.
The league has been in conversation with players' association reps and Cohon envisions a policy established once the current collective bargaining agreement runs out in June of next year.
"We have a first draft of an agreement that, in principle, we all like, but we've agreed that our collective bargaining discussions will start this year," said Cohon, of chief operating officer Michael Copeland's talks with CFLPA reps Stu Laird and Ed Molstad.
"Our CBA ends three days before training camp begins in 2010, so we want this to be part of the new agreement in 2010.
"I think we have a great product on the field ... at the same time we have to be cognizant of what's going on in sports around the world," he said, likely pointing to Major League Baseball's mess. "We have to be a part of that. That's been the discussion with the union. There is a will on their side, there is a will on our side and I think it will be in the new CBA." Cohon suggested that, as far as the league is concerned, a drug policy is a must-have for 2010.
"That's our position and I think that's their position, too," he said, of the union.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It’s about time that somebody dragged the CFL into the 20th century, don’t you think?
Dare To Eat Pig Testes Sends Teen To Hospital
03/06/2009 00:02
"I ate
what?
Oh, man, I should
have gotten more
money!"
Gross! A Plano ninth-grader ate fetal pig parts for a classroom dare, according to a Dallas Morning News story.
The 15-year-old at Shepton High School in Plano was taken to the hospital after eating parts of a preserved fetal pig being used in a biology dissection. The parts in question? Testicles.
Classmates of the teen proposed the dare and offered him $50 if he agreed. He collected $40 of their bet after the dare, but now owes his mother $100 for the hospital visit following the consumption.
A trip to the hospital was probably a good idea; the fetal pigs used in dissection are preserved with formaldehyde, a toxic substance that preserves tissues.
"It wasn't that bad," the boy tells the DMN, "It was just like swallowing a pill." Even though he claimed the taste wasn't an issue, after returning from the hospital the boy brushed his teeth...three times.
SINC SAYS:
I bet he doesn’t have the balls to try that again.
Gross! A Plano ninth-grader ate fetal pig parts for a classroom dare, according to a Dallas Morning News story.
The 15-year-old at Shepton High School in Plano was taken to the hospital after eating parts of a preserved fetal pig being used in a biology dissection. The parts in question? Testicles.
Classmates of the teen proposed the dare and offered him $50 if he agreed. He collected $40 of their bet after the dare, but now owes his mother $100 for the hospital visit following the consumption.
A trip to the hospital was probably a good idea; the fetal pigs used in dissection are preserved with formaldehyde, a toxic substance that preserves tissues.
"It wasn't that bad," the boy tells the DMN, "It was just like swallowing a pill." Even though he claimed the taste wasn't an issue, after returning from the hospital the boy brushed his teeth...three times.
SINC SAYS:
I bet he doesn’t have the balls to try that again.
'DEFLOWER DEAL' GUY PULLS OUT
03/06/2009 00:02
NATALIE DYLAN STILL A
VIRGIN
AS BUYER BACKS
OUT
She won't be taking her golden chastity belt off anytime soon.
The 22-year-old California virgin who auctioned off her virtue online for $3.8 million has yet to meet her winning bidder in the flesh - because his wife won't let him.
Natalie Dylan (not her real name) admitted the deal had fallen through.
Last week, she got a phone call from the rogue Romeo, a 38-year-old Australian real-estate businessman, who said he had to back out.
"I told him to go back into marriage therapy," sniped Dylan.
The Aussie cad then sheepishly asked for his $250,000 deposit back. Dylan said no hard feelings; it would be returned.
Now Dylan, who launched the online campaign last fall through the Moonlite Bunny Ranch - a legal brothel in Carson City, Nev., owned by Dennis Hof - is back on the auction block.
SINC SAYS:
I keep telling you folks, you just can’t make this kinda stuff up.
She won't be taking her golden chastity belt off anytime soon.
The 22-year-old California virgin who auctioned off her virtue online for $3.8 million has yet to meet her winning bidder in the flesh - because his wife won't let him.
Natalie Dylan (not her real name) admitted the deal had fallen through.
Last week, she got a phone call from the rogue Romeo, a 38-year-old Australian real-estate businessman, who said he had to back out.
"I told him to go back into marriage therapy," sniped Dylan.
The Aussie cad then sheepishly asked for his $250,000 deposit back. Dylan said no hard feelings; it would be returned.
Now Dylan, who launched the online campaign last fall through the Moonlite Bunny Ranch - a legal brothel in Carson City, Nev., owned by Dennis Hof - is back on the auction block.
SINC SAYS:
I keep telling you folks, you just can’t make this kinda stuff up.
TWO DIFFERENT DOCTORS' OFFICES
03/06/2009 00:01
Boy, if this doesn't
hit the nail on the head, I don't know what
does! Two patients limp into two different medical clinics with the same complaint. Both have trouble walking and appear to require a hip replacement.
The FIRST patient is examined within the hour, is x-rayed the same day and has a time booked for surgery the following week.
The SECOND sees his family doctor after waiting three weeks for an appointment, then waits eight weeks to see a specialist, then gets an x-ray, which isn't reviewed for another week. Finally he has his surgery scheduled for six months from then.
Why the different treatment for the two patients?
The FIRST is a Golden Retriever.
The SECOND is a Senior Citizen.
Next time take me to a vet!
Bandit Wore Beer Carton As Disguise
03/06/2009 00:01
Police Say
Robbery
Caught On
Video
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Police in Nebraska are looking a man who stole cigarettes while disguising himself with a beer carton on his head. Lincoln police Capt. Bob Kawamoto said the man walked into a Kwik Shop convenience store before dawn Monday wearing an empty Bud Light box on his head as a mask.
Kawamoto said the man also had wrapped something around one of his hands, suggesting he was armed. But the man never showed a weapon.
Police said the bandit left with nine packs of smokes valued at nearly $50.
Police spokeswoman Katie Flood said Tuesday morning that the robbery was captured on video. She said the man also dropped the empty 12-pack box as he fled, and it will be checked for fingerprints.
Sinc Says:
No wonder I couldn’t find that last empty case to put my empties into!
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Police in Nebraska are looking a man who stole cigarettes while disguising himself with a beer carton on his head. Lincoln police Capt. Bob Kawamoto said the man walked into a Kwik Shop convenience store before dawn Monday wearing an empty Bud Light box on his head as a mask.
Kawamoto said the man also had wrapped something around one of his hands, suggesting he was armed. But the man never showed a weapon.
Police said the bandit left with nine packs of smokes valued at nearly $50.
Police spokeswoman Katie Flood said Tuesday morning that the robbery was captured on video. She said the man also dropped the empty 12-pack box as he fled, and it will be checked for fingerprints.
Sinc Says:
No wonder I couldn’t find that last empty case to put my empties into!
Alaska Prosecutes Man Who Feeds Wild Bears
03/06/2009 00:01
ANCHORAGE (AP) —
Charlie Vandergaw's love of bears landed him on
a recent Animal Planet series -- and in trouble
with the
law.Vandergaw's knack for winning the animals' trust was showcased in a documentary made last year by a British filmmaker at Vandergaw's remote Alaska cabin and aired as part of Animal Planet's series "Stranger Among Bears."
The videos show Vandergaw scratching the belly of one black bear as if it was the family dog, feeding a cookie to a large black bear sitting under a tree, and feeding dog kibble to a cub from his outstretched hand.
Vandergaw has been coexisting with bears this way for the last 20 years, and he wants to be left alone.
That is not likely to happen now that the state is using a beefed-up law to prosecute Vandergaw for feeding bears. Game officials consider feeding bears a danger to humans, especially if others duplicate the behavior.
More than you can bear here.
SINC SAYS:
If that guy’s not careful, he’s gonna wind up being dinner himself.
Eskimos Should Show Steady Improvement Under Hall
03/06/2009 00:01
By Chris Schultz
TSN Football Analyst
There are three new head coaches in the CFL this year and of them, Richie Hall has the best chance to win consistently and immediately.
Winnipeg's Mike Kelly has gone through massive personnel changes and therefore, you don't know. In Toronto, Bart Andrus is brand new to the league so again, you just don't know. Of course, Edmonton has Ricky Ray and that, well, we all know.
The best way to describe Hall is 'progressive improver'. That is what he will demand from his players, both individually and collectively; just a nice steady flow chart of constant improvement, putting a priority on not making the same mistake over and over. Perhaps you can make a new mistake so that you can improve on that one and then take it out of the possible mistake list process.
Coach Hall reminds me of Marcel Bellefeuille in Hamilton because he's more cerebral than emotional and more analytical than confrontational when making decisions. Then again, it's just an observation because behind closed doors in a pro football locker-room, you never know unless you're a witness. And the only witnesses are the players themselves.
One thing that must be gratifying to all involved in coaching is that this head coach deserves this opportunity. I know it, he knows it and everyone in the league knows it. After almost two decades as a defensive positional coach and defensive coordinator, it is time to lead as much as teach. The extra money is great and the public notoriety is great but the responsibilities expand and in many situations, these responsibilities have little to do with preparing a team to play winning football.
If the Eskimos players adapt Coach Hall's priority enforcement of never-ending improvement, they have an excellent opportunity to anger every Stampeders' fan in existence on November 29th.
The other interesting story in Edmonton this year is free agent running back Jesse Lumsden. I remember watching his father Neil coach him the fundamentals at Nelson High School in Burlington, Ontario and thinking to myself, it will never happen, a son following his father to a pro football career. Boy, was I wrong!
Jesse Lumsden is as physical a specimen as there is in the league. He is very well trained and very focused on his preparation to be the best he can be but the never-ending question remains: Is he injury prone?
I answer with a strong NO because I received that classification in my second year at the University of Arizona. After six significant injuries from August to the end of November, nobody thought I could stay healthy, myself included. The next year, I didn't suffer one injury and made every practice and played in every game.
One thing that is tough for Lumsden is that he is tall for a running back. He is a legitimate 6'3'', which means there is a greater distance from his hip to his foot and thus a greater opportunity to get rolled on from behind or the side. Being 6'8'' myself, my injuries always seemed to come from angles from which I could not protect myself. This is similar to Lumsden's situation.
Quality Canadians win Grey Cups and if the football gods can show some compassion toward Lumsden's durability issues, he and Calvin McCarty will be the best 1-2 punch the league has seen in a long, long time at running back.
So does it really become as simple as a solid 18-game performance from Jesse Lumsden and a progressive improvement scale of accomplishment from each and every player? Well yes, because if those first two priorities are created, the third will fall into place, as well. And that is the calm, cool and collected Ricky Ray winning the close games. The first two conditions are unknowns but the third I would bet on every time.
Could you imagine if the Eskimos beat the Stampeders to play in the 97th Grey Cup in Calgary? I can!
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
As I have said before, I can hardly wait for this football season to start.
Now just wait a minute here . . .
SINC SAYS:
Neither can I Swivel Hips. Man, that Saskimo team Edmonton has put together ought to kick some butt!
Ed Hervey Climbs To Top Of Esks Scouting Ranks
03/06/2009 00:01
Maciocia sees former receiver as one of league's top young minds
Ed Hervey's promotion from west coast scout to head scout of the Edmonton Eskimos on Monday came as a total surprise to the former receiver.
"They caught me off guard," admitted Hervey, after the late afternoon announcement. "I guess it shows their appreciation for what I've done.
"It wasn't something I expected. You know me, I just come to the office to work hard every day and come prepared to do so.
"Helping the Eskimos improve is a complete team effort, it's never one man's responsibility," added Hervey, shunning the spotlight.
But it's been a very quick and easy transition for the former standout receiver, who made the immediate move to scouting from athlete. Hervey played eight seasons as a wide receiver with the Eskimos from 1999 to 2006. Over 118 games, Hervey hauled in 476 catches for 6,715 yards and 43 touchdowns.
Twice named a Canadian Football League all-star, Hervey also played in eight playoff games and three Grey Cup games, winning two championships in 2003 and 2005 with the Green and Gold.
"In just two years, Ed has developed into one of the top young football minds in the CFL with an especially keen eye for both talent and character. This new role and title reflects the broad scope of the work he does for the Eskimos," said general manager and director of football operations Danny Maciocia.
Hervey made the smooth transition to scouting in 2007 and was heavily involved in the 2007, '08 and '09 CFL drafts. He also has helped co-ordinate several Eskimos open tryout camps the past two springs, assisting in the identification of future talent.
Talent that will hit the field on Wednesday when about three dozen rookies check in to Eskimos camp, along with quarterbacks.
"I think it's probably one of the better groups of athletes we've had here in some time," offered Hervey, of the first-year corps.
"There is a lot of team speed here already and this rookie group will only add to that."
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It’s great to see ‘Swerve’ get this promotion. One day he’ll be running the Edmonton Eskimo football club.
Soccer’s Elite To Play In Edmonton
03/06/2009 00:01
FA Cup runners up will meet unnamed opponent in July
Local soccer fans will get a chance to watch two of the top professional teams in the world next month.
Everton, the English Premier League side, who narrowly lost in the FA Cup final to Chelsea last Saturday, has signed a contract to play an exhibition game at Commonwealth Stadium on July 25, according to sources.
Everton's opponent has not yet been named, but Mike Traficante, the past present of the Alberta Soccer Association and current technical director for the Canadian Soccer Association, said on Monday that organizers are trying to secure a top team from Argentina.
The July game is meant to be the centrepiece of the 100th anniversary of the provincial association.
"It's a huge achievement for us," said Fred Kern, its current president, adding that it's also a huge opportunity for Edmontonians and Albertans to see some of the world's best professional players in action.
Earlier this year, it was expected Italian league champion Inter Milan was going to be the showcase team to play in Edmonton. Those plans, however, unravelled.
Everton is comparable to Inter, but given their narrow 2-1 loss to Chelsea in this past weekend's FA Cup Final, may have a higher profile.
"I'm more than excited. This is like having dessert," said Kern. "They (Everton) are one of the best teams in the world."
Kern said Mel Kowalchuk, president of the Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League, of which the Edmonton Drillers belong, was putting it all together.
When contacted on Monday, however, Kowalchuk, said: "Given what happened with Inter Milan, I'd rather not say anything."
Traficante, who is also instrumental in getting the game for Edmonton, said: "My understanding is that what was signed with Inter Milan was a letter of intent, but this one is the real contract."
Inter Milan is also playing three other games in North America from July 19 to July 26 and did not want to play a fourth game.
A press conference to announce the July 25 Everton game in Edmonton is expected in the next few days.
Everton, which got to the FA Cup Final by defeating Manchester United, was missing three of their top players when they lost to Chelsea on Saturday -- midfielder Mike Arteta and key strikers Phil Jagielka and Yakubu Ayegbeni.
Ayegbeni joined Everton for a club-record fee, the equivalent of $20.2 million Cdn. He was the first Everton player to score more than 20 goals in an English Premier League season since 1992.
Jagielka was named Everton's player of the season as well as the player's player of the season.
In the 2-1 loss to Chelsea, Louis Saha scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history -- just 25 seconds into the match.
Other top players for Everton include keeper Tim Howard, midfielder Tim Cahill, captain Phil Neville, the former United midfielder who has six Premiership titles, three FA Cups, a Champions League winner's medal and a World Club Cup title, and youngster Marouane Fellaini.
Everton has maintained a place in the Premier League since its inception in 1922.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
As part of the Alberta Soccer Association’s 100th anniversary celebrations, this is a great opportunity for Edmontonians and Albertans to see some of the world's best professional players in action. Let’s hope a big crowd shows up at Commonwealth on July 25.
Chris Osgood Unable To Get Respect
03/06/2009 00:01
Detroit netminder often written off as average goalie on great team
The series looks lopsided.
It isn't.
But the disparity in goaltending in this Stanley Cup final has been glaring.
Marc-Andre Fleury has been erratic. Chris Osgood has put a down payment on the Conn Smythe Trophy. Hands down, no contest, if the playoffs ended today, Osgood is it.
If he were playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, they would be fending off questions about a possible sweep of the Detroit Red Wings, instead of wondering what hit them as they prepare for Games 3 and 4 today and Thursday at Mellon Arena, down 0-2 to the defending champs.
Not only has Osgood been the best player on the best team in hockey since the post-season began, he is closing in on his fourth Stanley Cup -- his third as the Red Wings' starting goaltender -- and this spring has outshone regular-season phenom Steve Mason of Columbus, Anaheim sensation Jonas Hiller, the Nik Khabibulin/ Cristobal Huet entry from Chicago, and is in the process of delivering a humbling lesson in big-game performance to Fleury.
So why -- even though Detroit's Steve Yzerman is the executive director and Detroit's Mike Babcock a slam-dunk for head coach of Canada's 2010 Olympic hockey team -- is their own goaltender never in the conversation?
Why does everyone's guess-timation of possible invitees to the Olympic summer camp in Calgary three months hence always begin with Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo, but never include the baby-faced 36-year-old from Peace River?
I realize this is quite a crow-eating mission from a guy who, 11 years ago, suggested that Osgood was but a passenger on the 1998 Red Wings team and that the only reason they weren't unanimous picks to sweep the Washington Capitals that year was because he was between the pipes -- an observation that caused all of the goalie's immediate and distant family members to cancel their Edmonton Journal subscriptions.
So naturally, Detroit swept the Capitals, and Osgood was terrific.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
Osgood the difference in Stanley Cup Final.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I’m not sure about Chris, but his dad, John, was sure ready for the Stanley Cup finals from what I saw of the St. Albert elementary school principal on CTV Edmonton sports on Monday night.
Calvin Borel Chases Triple Crown By A Jockey
03/06/2009 00:01
Calvin Borel is back on Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and thinking about another Triple Crown victory.
"We're gonna win, no questions asked," Borel predicted after a workout Monday at Churchill Downs, where the gelding did a half-mile in 50 seconds.
That was his Derby-winning formula.
"He worked in :50 seconds and out in 1:02, just like before the Derby. He is doing everything the same," the jockey said.
"After those two hard races (the Derby and Preakness), I think the (gelding) is very happy."
It seems like everybody in Mine That Bird's camp is happy these days.
That starts with Borel.
He would have ridden Kentucky Oaks and Preakness Stakes winner Rachel Alexandra if the filly had entered the Belmont Stakes. But Barbara Banke, wife of co-owner Jess Jackson, says they're looking out for her future and passed on the race.
Borel said he is committed to ride Rachel Alexandra next year.
So Borel is back on Mine That Bird, with a chance to win all three legs of the Triple Crown on two horses, something no jockey has done.
He's already way past his dream of just winning the Kentucky Derby. He's done that twice, the first time aboard Street Sense in 2007.
What does he and Mine That Bird need for a win Saturday?
"We just gotta get lucky," Borel said, wearing a Mine That Bird hat, before the horse's morning work.
"Me and the horse fit good."
The horse was still bouncing and kicking when he came off the track on his way to a cool-down walk and bath under the watch of trainer Chip Woolley.
"I was thinking last week, he's probably training better than he did going into the Derby," Woolley said. "Calvin got the work I wanted out of him this morning. ... They just looked like they were bread and butter."
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It would certainly be interesting – and unique – if Borel is able to win the Belmont on Mine That Bird. He would then have won all three legs of the Triple Crown as a jockey, riding two different horses.
Mickelson To Play Next Week And In U.S. Open
03/06/2009 00:01
Scottsdale, AZ (Sports Network) - Phil Mickelson will reportedly return to the PGA Tour next week at the St. Jude Classic and then will tee it up the following week at the U.S. Open.
Mickelson put his season on hold when it was announced almost two weeks ago his wife Amy had breast cancer.
According to the report in GolfWorld, Amy's surgery won't be scheduled until late June or maybe July. Mickelson will play these two events, then his schedule will be dictated by his wife's health.
Mickelson missed last week's event at Colonial, where he won last year, but Saturday's "Pink Out," in which players, caddies, spectators and broadcasters all wore pink in support of Amy, lifted the Mickelsons' spirits.
On Mickelson's Web site last week, he said, "we have a wonderful team of doctors helping us, and it is believed that we caught this early. We are anxiously waiting for a number of test results that will help guide us in the best possible direction."
Mickelson will play next week in Memphis as a tune-up for the season's second major championship at Bethpage Black. He finished second there in 2002 and became a huge favorite with the New York galleries.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
There’s no use in Phil sitting around home on the couch and worrying about it if Amy’s not having surgery until late June or July.
IndyCar’s Patrick Back Tracks On PED Comments
03/06/2009 00:00
IndyCar racer Danica Patrick insists she was joking when she said using performance-enhancing drugs would only be cheating if she got caught.
Not so funny, says the leader of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
USADA CEO Travis Tygart said Patrick's comments, printed in Monday's edition of Sports Illustrated, were "totally irresponsible."
"In one interview, she undercut what millions of parents try their best to teach their kids everyday in this country, that winners never cheat and cheaters never win," Tygart said.
In an interview with Dan Patrick published in Sports Illustrated, Danica Patrick was asked, if she could take a performance-enhancing drug and not get caught, would she do it if it allowed her to win the Indianapolis 500.
"Well, then it's not cheating, is it? If nobody finds out?" she said.
Dan Patrick responded: "So you would do it?"
Danica's answer: "Yeah, it would be like finding a grey area. In motorsports, we work in the grey areas a lot. You're trying to find where the holes are in the rule book."
Danica Patrick later said her answers were a joke and she apologized if they came across differently.
"It was a bad joke," she said in an interview published on the USA Today website. "There is a lot of sensitivity in our culture about (performance-enhancing drugs). With all the baseball stuff, I've followed it and this is a real problem. It's a shame kids think they have to do this to get ahead. It's very dangerous."
Patrick's agent, Lewis Kay, told The Associated Press that Patrick felt she had "addressed the matter thoroughly with her comments to USA Today."
Patrick finished third at Indy last month. Her contract with Andretti Green Racing expires after this year and there's speculation about her possibly moving to NASCAR or Formula One.
NASCAR, meanwhile, is taking a much more active approach against drugs in the garage. Six crew members and driver Jeremy Mayfield have been suspended since NASCAR began random testing this year.
Tygart said he was glad Patrick apologized for her comments.
"Although joking about the use of dangerous and unhealthy drugs that cheaters use to rob clean athletes of their dreams is no laughing matter," he said.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Obviously, Danica had a very severe case of foot-in-mouth disease. I hope she’s over it now.
Nicklaus, Woods To Play In Same Group Today
03/06/2009 00:00
DUBLIN, Ohio -- Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods will play together in the Memorial Skins Game, only the second time they have competed against each other in the same group.
The Memorial Skins Game is Wednesday at Muirfield Village and involves four players in two groups. Nicklaus and Woods will be joined by Stewart Cink and Kenny Perry, the defending champion at the Memorial. The other group will have Vijay Singh, Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk and Camilo Villegas.
The only other time Nicklaus and Woods played in the same group was the 2000 PGA Championship, which Woods won for his third straight major.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Tune in if you can, folks. This is something you may never see again. The two greatest golfers to ever play the game paired together in the same group. Catch all of the action of the Memorial Skins Game today starting at 11:00 a.m. local time on the Golf Channel (Bell channel 416 and 853-HD).
Potty Training Demo By Fidget The Dog
02/06/2009 07:17
OK, for anyone
interested in "potty training" a small dog . .
. we have cleaned up Fidget's and he agreed to
demonstrate the using of his
"potty".
Remember we have to make some adjustments as he is a male and as such will raise his leg, as demonstrated. Girl puppies won't need the cardboard on the sides for extra height. This particular potty is a plastic "flat" I found at Ikea which measures about 30" x 32" across.
You can use disposable liners and stuff, but I found them to be expensive, less effective (price going up, product getting crappier in quality) etc. So now I use these things called Pooch Pads in the 36" x 36" size. I rotate 3 of them right now . . . when two are dirty I wash them while Fidget uses the last clean one and so on.
You can order them from PetSmart and they WILL set you back at first . . . I don't remember exactly now but even with meeting a "free shipment" deal I paid over about $100.00 CAD for them! But have they been paying off? A resounding YES! I don't mind washing them, the washer does it, not me. You of course need to pick up "solid matter" when it occurs and dispose of it, again doesn't bother me.
If you are dealing with a male, you could try to find a container that is more than 7" deep which is all mine is and he can overshoot it. You just have to provide a space low enough that's easy to jump in, although Fidget jumps in pretty much where he wants.
So I use the cardboard sidings, good quality duct tape and put some strips of that at the right height and you can clean with some paper towel and windex for quite some time and then replace it. Replace cardboard as well when needed. This has not happened yet here since I chose a good sturdy container (hot water tank) to cut down and use.
I also use some duct tape to secure the Pooch Pad's edges to the cardboard sides so we don't have "stuff" running behind the edges. It would help if they made something in between 36 x 36 and 48 x 48 but they don't. One is a little on the small side and needed a little imagination and the other is way too big, but we have one of those for the bed room floor for when the "potty" is in there at night to prevent any "issues".
Now for Fidget's kind demo, and yes, Don you may use this if you feel it would be of service to others.
Diane
(In Calgary)
SINC SAYS:
Potty training a dog eh? Well, never knew it could happen, but our readers are just full of ideas. Thanks for sending it along Diane.
02/06/2009 06:47
This will be a great
night of blues featuring two local blues
artists who are diligently promoting blues in
and around Edmonton. Blues at its best with a
wicked harmonica player and a
very traditional blues
guitarist.Show # - 246 - June 2nd - Jimmy Guiboche and Crawdad - Jimmy is to me the ambassador of the blues in the Edmonton area. His traditional blues style is well recognized and he frequents St. Albert quite often laying the blues down like no other. One of my favourites to be on stage with as he sets the groove and song tempo with body motion and has great feel. Jimmy is the major called upon blues guitarists for the big name blues acts that come in from all over the world. Crawdad is hands down the best harmonica player I have come across in my 6 years at the open stages. We met at open stages in St. Albert a few years back at Buds lounge through my good friend and open stage scene guru Carmen Cook. He has a true knack for blues and was a major part of the band Jimmy and the sleepers that was fronted by Jimmy Guiboche. Currently Crawdad performs with Old Porch Front Review formerly known as Coming In Our Kitchen. Crawdad ia a major part of keeping the live music scene afloat especially on the south side where he co-hosts a renowned open acoustic jam at The Newcastle Pub on sunday afternoons. This will be a night of blues you do not want to miss.
Ammar's Moosehead Tuesday Open Stage
Every Tuesday night from 9 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Hosted by Mark Ammar and Noel (Big Cat) Mackenzie
Moosehead Beer Specials
Sponsored by Moosehead Beer
Demand Growing For Squirrel Pie
02/06/2009 06:47
The grey squirrel has
forced the red out of many areas of
EnglandA pest controller who has already helped to cull more than 22,000 grey squirrels in the North East is moving south to feed demand for squirrel pie.
Paul Parker, 45, from Newcastle, is part of a conservation group trying to rid areas of grey squirrels and preserve native reds.
Now he says demand for greys from top chefs means he needs to expand.
He is working with landowners in the south of England to maintain supplies of squirrels for restaurants.
The father of three is a founder of the Red Squirrel Protection Partnership (RSPP), which says trapping and shooting greys is the only way to save native reds from extinction.
His method has been so successful grey squirrels have been eradicated in many parts of Northumberland and the reds have returned.
In the past 18 months, the group have caught 22,622 using a network of spring-loaded boxes.
Mr Parker uses spring loaded boxes to catch grey squirrels
Mr Parker said: "I cannot personally get enough of these grey squirrels, people are eating them.
"If I was getting 100, they would take 100 each and every day, the demand is so high. They are sold as soon as they hit the counter.
"They are going to top restaurants, butchers, the working man. They are a delicacy.
"Two years ago I was catching up to 1,000 a month and slowly it has just dwindled down to a small handful a day."
The RSPP was formed in 2006 by Mr Parker and Rupert Mitford, the 6th Baron Redesdale.
It relies on a 900-strong army of volunteers including game wardens, families, farmers and pensioners to help stop the spread of the greys.
SINC SAYS:
Paul ought to move his business here to St. Albert. There’s enough of the pesky little varmits running around here to keep him busy.
The Wisdom Of Will Rogers . . .
02/06/2009 06:47
If the world comes to
an end, I want to be in Cincinnati. Everything
comes there ten years later.
If you can build a business up big enough, it's respectable.
If you ever injected truth into politics you have no politics.
If you make any money, the government shoves you in the creek once a year with it in your pockets, and all that don't get wet you can keep.
If you want to be successful, it's just this simple. Know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing.
To The Ends Of The Earth
02/06/2009 06:47
To stop smoking - man
to
exile himself on
island
He has tried nicotine patches, gum, self-help books and willpower - and all have failed.
Now Geoff Spice has decided that his only chance of giving up smoking after 43 years is to maroon himself on an uninhabited Scottish island.
The 56-year-old retired banker, who smokes 30 cigarettes a day, will live in a tent on Sgarabhaigh in the Outer Hebrides for a month with only sheep for company.
Geoff says he will miss his family but he hopes his month on the island 'may lead to many years of extra life that I'll be able to spend with them'
And to take his mind off the inevitable cravings, Mr Spice, who lives in Montenegro, will also bring his iPod, loaded with 120 books, and a guitar, which he intends to learn how to play.
Mr Spice, who will have his last cigarette before arriving on the island on August 1, said: 'I don't plan to take any aids like patches with me. I will just be in a position where I cannot get cigarettes no matter how much I want one.
'I'm hoping my month on the island may lead to many years of extra life that I'll be able to spend with my family.'
The island has no home - except for three derelict bothys - so Mr Spice, 56, will have to camp.
Currently moving from Montenegro back to the UK, he began smoking 43 years ago.
'I first thought about staying on an uninhabited island about 10 years ago when I was living in Australia. It was just a thought which came into my mind from time to time but not something I thought about very seriously. In any case I wouldn't have really fancied staying on an Australian island which might be uninhabited by humans but inhabited by snakes and spiders,' said Mr Spice.
He has tried nicotine patches, gum, self-help books and willpower - and all have failed.
Now Geoff Spice has decided that his only chance of giving up smoking after 43 years is to maroon himself on an uninhabited Scottish island.
The 56-year-old retired banker, who smokes 30 cigarettes a day, will live in a tent on Sgarabhaigh in the Outer Hebrides for a month with only sheep for company.
Geoff says he will miss his family but he hopes his month on the island 'may lead to many years of extra life that I'll be able to spend with them'
And to take his mind off the inevitable cravings, Mr Spice, who lives in Montenegro, will also bring his iPod, loaded with 120 books, and a guitar, which he intends to learn how to play.
Mr Spice, who will have his last cigarette before arriving on the island on August 1, said: 'I don't plan to take any aids like patches with me. I will just be in a position where I cannot get cigarettes no matter how much I want one.
'I'm hoping my month on the island may lead to many years of extra life that I'll be able to spend with my family.'
The island has no home - except for three derelict bothys - so Mr Spice, 56, will have to camp.
Currently moving from Montenegro back to the UK, he began smoking 43 years ago.
'I first thought about staying on an uninhabited island about 10 years ago when I was living in Australia. It was just a thought which came into my mind from time to time but not something I thought about very seriously. In any case I wouldn't have really fancied staying on an Australian island which might be uninhabited by humans but inhabited by snakes and spiders,' said Mr Spice.
Hearse Driver Stops For A Cold One
02/06/2009 06:47
(UPI) -- The hearse
driver for a Bogota funeral home stopped for a
beer and failed to deliver a body to the
cemetery while the family waited, police
said.The Latin American Herald Tribune reported Wednesday that relatives and friends of Tito Vasquez waited for several hours Sunday at the Campos de Cristo cemetery for the hearse to arrive so that they could bury their loved one.
Vasquez's family said they could not understand why his body was not being delivered for the funeral.
Police said Vasquez's body was found in the hearse in the parking lot of a motel in Bogota's San Bernardo neighborhood, the newspaper reported.
SINC SAYS:
I keep telling you folks, you just can't make this stuff up.
Fernando Vincente’s Anatomical Paintings
02/06/2009 06:47
These may be correct, but they are definitely weird .
. .
Thousands Get Moving At Little Big Run
02/06/2009 06:47
Kelly Dobler was not the fastest man at the Little Big Run on Sunday, but he was one of the most inspiring.
Dobler got out of his wheelchair and leaned heavily on his cane to slowly walk the event's one-kilometre route with help from his mom, Jean Dobler.
"I was told that I would never walk, and so I have found that to be a good boot in the butt -- to try and achieve a lot more than I was told I ever would," said Dobler, who is recovering from a cerebral hemorrhage three years ago.
"It's been a long road and I have a long way to go."
"Everybody's calling him their hero," said Jean Dobler. "He's my hero."
About 10,000 people participated this weekend in The Edmonton Journal's third-annual Little Big Run, designed to get people moving and to promote active, healthy lifestyles.
The main event Sunday started at 8 a.m. in Sir Winston Churchill Square. People of all ages and abilities gathered to walk and run the one-kilometre, five-kilometre and 10-kilometre courses.
The 10-kilometre run was a major accomplishment for April Brack, who has lost 110 pounds since she started going to the gym in September. The 35-year-old single mom only started running eight weeks ago.
After she pushed a jogging stroller carrying her two-year-old son, Aiden, across the finish line, Brack hugged her friends, beaming.
"This was kind of like a milestone moment for me," Brack said. "My goal was to run the whole thing without walking and I did it and I'm so happy.
"I had got up to 268 pounds and at 268 pounds you just don't function well, and I'm a nurse so health is important. You have to practice what you preach."
Brack started off the run behind a recruit class of 15 firefighters, which offered a "nice view," she said with a laugh.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It doesn’t really matter what you’re doing to be active or to increase your physical activity, as long as you’re doing something.
Kamau Peterson Shows Speedy Progress
02/06/2009 06:47
Edmonton Eskimo receiver Kamau Peterson is only into his third week of instruction with Windermere golf professional Cam Martens.
Peterson may not see it, but Martens said: "I haven't seen anybody make as quick a progression as Kamau. There has been massive improvement." Peterson, however, said while it's going "real well," it has also been "frustrating." Then again, you have to understand that Peterson is a self-described perfectionist.
"I played a round with Cam and, towards the end, I hit some good shots and made some pars," said Peterson, who wants to be a single-digit handicap golfer.
"I'm getting more consistent; making better contact." The drill that Martens has Peterson working on is called "The Map." The intent is to continue to flatten out Peterson's backswing.
"He still often has his left arm too high, his right elbow too high and cups his wrists at the top of his backswing," said Martens. "That's what we are fighting with. When he makes his downswing, he has to get everything settle back in on plane. That's the struggle.
"He hits it far, but he also hits it too high and is erratic. Some shots go right. Some go left." It's certainly not for a lack of practice. Peterson has been at the range so often, some of Windermere's members must be wondering if he lives there. Same with his wife.
"But she's out of town for a while, so it hasn't been a problem. She's gone to visit her family to show off our new baby," Peterson said.
Specifically, what Martens has been doing is have Peterson stand up straight, take the club back to the top, and then stop before lowering his arms so that at no point does anything get above the shoulder plane.
"From there I've just had him bend over towards the ball and swing.
"The idea is to get everything more on the same plane, the elbow down and the angle of the club shaft on the same plane as his shoulders.
"This week, we're working into a progression of the drill to make it a more athletic motion."
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
If Kamau shows similar progress on the football field again this year, the Edmonton Eskimos will be in business.
Hockey Business A Territory Of The Heart, Mind
02/06/2009 06:47
Oilers' Tambellini, Quinn, Renney braided together like strands of DNA
It's a truism that pro hockey is more precisely, and profoundly, a way of life than a mere career, and that is certainly true for Edmonton Oilers associate head coach Tom Renney.
Renney has been a lifer since his childhood years in Cranbrook in B.C.'s East Kootenays, but no moreso than Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini, who grew up in a hockey family in the West Kootenay city of Trail.
One season, back in their junior B playing days, they were rivals:
Renney an 18-year-old for the Cranbrook Colts; Tambellini, a 15-year-old up-and-comer with the Trail Jr. B Smoke Eaters.
"I remember thinking, 'That guy is a good player,' " Renney said in a telephone interview over the weekend from New York, where he was preparing to move north and west.
"He was a smooth, effortless skater, a guy who made a great pass and had a rocket for a shot."
The young Tambellini was the son of Addie Tambellini, who had helped the Trail Smoke Eaters win the 1961 world hockey championship, the last Canadian amateur team to do so.
Steve Tambellini went on to star for the Jr. Smokies, then lit it up for three junior seasons with the Lethbridge Broncos, including 1977-78, when he scored 75 goals among the 155 points he collected in the Western Hockey League.
Tambellini would enjoy a solid 10-year career as an NHL winger, and even compete for Canada at the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary.
Renney would move on to university, first in Victoria, then with the University of North Dakota, then back to Trail, where he began to seriously scratch his coaching itch.
He coached junior B in Trail and neighbouring Rossland, and moved up to lead the Jr. Smoke Eaters of the B.C. Junior Hockey League.
He got to know Addie Tambellini, who was the recreation director in Trail, he sopped up that community's rich hockey history, and he made connections that continue to the present.
"It's unique, no question about it," Renney said of the many life and career threadlines that began to interweave back then.
"My mom and dad were very supportive of me, but hockey wasn't their life -- their kids were.
"I was absolutely driven by and passionate about the game, and a lot of it comes from those days in Trail where it was all around you with (former Smoke Eaters) like Seth Martin, Dave Rusnell, Pinoke McIntyre, Tambellini, Jackie McLeod and the rest."
For a time, Renney owned a clothing store in Trail. It was during those six or seven years that Renney met and married Glenda Gare, the daughter of Ernie Gare, who also had sons Danny, Morey and Ernie Jr.
Danny would become an NHL star with the Buffalo Sabres; Morey now is the Oilers head pro scout.
Ernie Gare Sr., coached at Notre Dame University in Nelson, 90 kilometres up the road from Trail. He was a hockey innovator, and friendly with Bob Nicholson, a Penticton guy who would become president of the Hockey Canada.
Ernie Gare Sr. and Nicholson wrote a hockey drill book that became the blueprint for grassroots hockey instruction in Canada. They also ran a summer hockey camp in Victoria, the B.C. Jr. Olympic program, a boot camp for promising teenagers.
That was an early version of the Program of Excellence that Nicholson would implant years later at Hockey Canada, the template for the hugely successful under-18 and under-20 teams that regularly win gold medals and polish the games of a lengthy parade of elite Canadian players.
More from the Edmonton Journal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
A more appropriate headline for this story is, “It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know.”
Federer Reaches Quarter Finals, Roddick Done
02/06/2009 06:47
Paris, France (Sports Network) - Three-time runner-up Roger Federer dropped the first two sets against Tommy Haas before charging back to win his fourth- round match, while sixth-seeded American Andy Roddick came up a loser Monday at Roland Garros.
The second-seeded former world No. 1 Federer trailed two-sets-to-love before battling back for a 6-7 (4-7), 5-7, 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 decision over the former No. 2 Haas on Court Chatrier, while Roddick succumbed to 11th-seeded heavy French crowd favorite Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 on Court Lenglen.
Federer needed 3 hours, 7 minutes to fight off the Haas challenge, which he did with the help of 16 aces and seven service breaks. The Swiss won nine straight games at one point to level the match, and closed out the affair by winning the last five games.
Haas was leading 4-3 in the pivotal third set and was a point away from serving for the match, but Federer managed to hold his serve. The German then led 40-15 in the ninth game of the stanza, but promptly committed four straight unforced errors and fell behind 4-5. Federer then held to take the set and would cruise from there.
Federer advanced on his second match point when Haas missed wide on a forehand return. Haas saved a first match point with a backhand winner before Federer set-up a second with a drop-shot winner.
The oft-injured Haas settled for 11 aces and two breaks en route to defeat.
"When you're that close to winning, it hurts," Haas said. "I gave it all that I had out there today, and I came up short."
Federer is now 14-12 in his career five-set matches, including five wins after falling behind by two sets.
"It's maybe a good sign," Federer said after the tight win. "It was a great battle for me, and I'm thrilled to be through and given another chance here."
The 27-year-old Federer is now 9-2 lifetime against Haas, including eight straight wins. Surprisingly, this marked their first-ever meeting on clay. Federer is 3-1 in their career Grand Slam meetings.
The 13-time major champion Federer still needs the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam, a feat that has been accomplished by only five men all- time. The Swiss great was the runner-up to Rafael Nadal the last three years here and also lost to Nadal in the semifinals in 2005. Nadal, of course, was shocked by Swede Robin Soderling in his fourth-round bout here on Sunday. The amazing Spaniard had been a perfect 31-0 lifetime at Roland Garros and was seeking a record fifth straight French Open championship.
"It caused a bit of a shock in the locker room," Federer said of Nadal's shock dismissal. "All the players are a bit relieved. Everybody suddenly sees that things are much more open."
Federer also needs one more Grand Slam title to equal the record set by American legend Pete Sampras.
The five-time reigning U.S. Open champion Federer's quarterfinal opponent will be the athletic Monfils, who lost to the super Swiss in the semifinals here a year ago.
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
As I said yesterday, folks, I think we will be watching history at this year’s French Open.
Aleksandra Wozniak Reaches End Of The Line
02/06/2009 06:47
PARIS -- Aleksandra Wozniak's dream run at the French Open ended Monday with a humbling loss to second-seeded American Serena Williams.
The 21-year-old native of Blainville, Que., the first Canadian woman in 17 years to make the fourth round at Roland Garros, lost 6-1, 6-2 in just 53 minutes.
Playing on the tournament's showcase stadium, against one of the biggest names in women's tennis, Wozniak admitted her nerves may have got the best of her.
"You really want to win badly and there's so many things going on," said Wozniak. "It was my first time on Philippe Chatrier court. Emotions get involved and you just get tight and you can't play really your game, so it's tough."
In the pair's only other meeting last summer, Williams withdrew in her Stanford semifinal with Wozniak due to an injury. Wozniak won the first title of her career a day later.
The clay of Roland Garros was a different story for the 24th-seeded Canadian, who converted the only break point she earned in the sixth game of the second set. But seeded Williams quickly got it back in the next game.
"My most focused match so far," said Williams, who stretched her Grand Slam winning streak to 18 matches.
Wozniak managed to save a match point in the final game before pushing a forehand into the net to end the best Grand Slam performance of her career.
"I have memories when I was little girl, and I was watching Monica Seles playing on TV," said Wozniak. "I said I would love to play on that court one day. But today I was tight and couldn't play my game. I was also playing a really big champion."
Despite the loss, Wozniak said it was a dream to play on one of the sport's biggest stages.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I guess there’s no shame in Wozniak being eliminated by Serena Williams.
Millions At Stake For Gretzky If Balsillie Bid Fails
02/06/2009 06:46
It appears Wayne Gretzky has a vested, financial interest in Jim Balsillie's bid to acquire the Phoenix Coyotes and move the team to Hamilton, Ontario.
According to the Toronto Star, court documents show that Gretzky could lose up to $9.3 million US should Balsillie's bid fail in the bankruptcy case.
The report indicates Gretzky would receive as much as $22.5 million of the $212.5 million bid, including $8 million in deferred payments and $14.5 million to resign as the head coach of the team.
Despite this apparent windfall, Gretzky has thrown his support behind a bid from Jerry Reinsdorf, the current chairman of the NBA's Chicago Bulls and MLB's Chicago White Sox.
Gretzky has deferred salary in order to help the team through its financial hardships but, the Toronto Star report indicates his claim to be "unsecured" and "nonpriority" in court documents, meaning the Hall of Famer would be one of the last creditors to receive money from the sale of the team.
Balsillie is expected to apply to the NHL for relocation today, a legal move that could lead to an anti-trust lawsuit should the NHL reject the application.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Oh, what a tangled web we weave . . .
Habs Hire Jacques Martin As New Head Coach
02/06/2009 06:46
The Montreal Canadiens began their offseason moves with a bang on Monday, as general manager Bob Gainey announced that the club has hired Jacques Martin as their new head coach.
Montreal will be Martin's fourth NHL stop as head coach after working for the St. Louis Blues and Ottawa Senators and holding the head coach and general manager positions for the Florida Panthers. The Canadiens also announced that goaltending coach Roland Melanson would not be returning next season.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to join this organization," Martin told a news conference in Montreal. "When you look at the players who are in the organization, there is a strong nucleus, a strong base, to build a winning team and I'm really looking forward with excitement to leading this team next year."
The move reunites Martin with assistant general manager Pierre Gauthier and head of amateur scouting Trevor Timmins from their time together with the Senators.
"I really believe this organization is rich in people and that is a very important ingredient," said Martin. "We had the opportunity to discuss at length, to talk about philosophy, talk about operations, talk about players, talk about the league. I was really excited by those conversations with Bob. It's good chemistry."
It also marks the first time since 1992-93 that the Canadiens have formally hired a coach with NHL experience. The team hired former Blues and Red Wings coach Jacques Demers that season, and have since hired first-timers Mario Tremblay, Alain Vigneault, Michel Therrien, Claude Julien and Guy Carbonneau.
The Canadiens were in the market for a new coach after the club fired Carbonneau in March. General Manager Bob Gainey took over as interim head coach for the second time in his tenure with the club, guiding the team to an eighth-place finish and a first-round exit at the hands of the Boston Bruins.
Martin spent five years with the Panthers after joining the club in May 2004 as the team's head coach. He served as the coach for three seasons and assumed the duties as general manager in 2006. Last May, Martin agreed to a contract extension to remain as general manager through the 2011-2012 season.
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I guess Martin has the most important prerequisite for coaching the Montreal Canadiens – he parlez vous francais.
Stricker Up To No. 8 In World, Woods Still No. 1
02/06/2009 06:46
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Steve Stricker moved up five places in the world rankings to No. 8 following his playoff win Sunday over Steve Marino and Tim Clark at the Crowne Plaza Invitational.
Tiger Woods remained No. 1 ahead of his return to the PGA Tour at this week's Memorial, while Phil Mickelson, on hiatus while his wife battles breast cancer, held steady at No. 2.
Paul Casey and Sergio Garcia remained third and fourth, followed by Geoff Ogilvy, who switched places with Henrik Stenson this week. Kenny Perry stayed in seventh, followed by Stricker and Vijay Singh.
Padraig Harrington dropped two places to 10th, while Camilo Villegas, Robert Karlsson and Sean O'Hair dipped one spot apiece to 11-13.
Jim Furyk and Anthony Kim were 14th and 15th again, Ian Poulter was up three places to 16, Rory McIlroy dropped one to 17 and Ernie Els remained 18th. Zach Johnson moved up a spot to 19th and Lee Westwood slipped three to 20th.
Christian Cevaer rejuvenated a bad season with a win at the European Open and moved up 320 places to No. 129.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
No surprises here, folks.
Alaska Family Saves Moose Calf
01/06/2009 05:05
Big Lake, Alaska,
resident Randy Richards and his family didn't
take it lying down when an Alaska state trooper
suggested a baby moose they rescued should be
shot. The newborn calf had somehow become separated from its mother and was chased into the Richards' yard by a pack of dogs; the family rescued it and tried to find its mother, to no avail. The calf was so young its umbilical cord was still hanging from its navel.
The family placed the calf in a fenced area overnight and called the state troopers, who were less than optimistic about its chances.
The calf caused some commotion during the rainy night from Wednesday to Thursday, running around the yard and crying for its mother. But morning arrived and Mama Moose still was nowhere to be seen.
So Richards started making calls.
Nick Cassara, a fish and game technician Richards spoke to that morning, was making calls too. He said the Milwaukee County Zoo had applied to the state for two moose. The application wasn't yet approved but the Alaska Zoo, where a lot of moose orphans end up, agreed to take care of the calf until it was.
Cassara loaded the moose in the back seat of his pickup and delivered it there Thursday.
The calf will be cared for by Alaska Zoo staff for another month or so, at which point it'll be taken to its new home in Wisconsin.
SINC SAYS:
Awww, isn’t he just the cutest little guy?
Stinking Corpse Flower Due To Bloom
01/06/2009 05:05
St. Louis -- Oh sure,
there's a lot to be said for delicate, fragrant
flowers. But it's a super big, stinky one
that's drawing visitors to the University of
Missouri in St.
Louis.The school has opened a greenhouse to the public in anticipation of the imminent bloom of a "corpse flower."
The plant hasn't bloomed in eight years, and opens for less than a day. It gives off a pungent odor similar to rotting meat, to attract the beetles that pollinate the plants.
The plant comes from Sumatra, and the university's greenhouse manager, Kathy Upton, has been growing it for 14 years after receiving seeds from a collector.
SINC SAYS:
I thought this type of thing only happened in that Dennis The Menace movie with Walter Mattheau.
UFO Crashed Into Meteorite To Save Earth?
01/06/2009 05:04
Millions of downed
trees ringed the Tunguska site for years after
the 1908
explosion.Did a UFO deliberately crash into a meteor to save Earth 100 years ago? That's what one Russian scientist is claiming.
Dr. Yuri Labvin, president of the Tunguska Spatial Phenomenon Foundation, insists that an alien spacecraft sacrificed itself to prevent a gigantic meteor from slamming into the planet above Siberia on June 30, 1908.
The result was was the Tunguska event, a massive blast estimated at 15 megatons that downed 80 million trees over nearly 100 square miles. Eyewitnesses reported a bright light and a huge shock wave, but the area was so sparsely populated no one was killed.
Most scientists think the blast was caused by a meteorite exploding several miles above the surface. But Labvin thinks quartz slabs with strange markings found at the site are remnants of an alien control panel, which fell to the ground after the UFO slammed into the giant rock.
"We don't have any technologies that can print such kind of drawings on crystals," Labvin told the Macedonian International News Agency. "We also found ferrum silicate that can not be produced anywhere, except in space."
SINC SAYS:
Methinks somebody ought to pour this guy another vodka.
Dying Man Wins Bet He Would Live
01/06/2009 05:04
A Buckinghamshire man
diagnosed with terminal cancer is to collect a
second winning payout of £5,000 after betting
he would stay
alive.Jon Matthews, 59, from Milton Keynes, was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos, in 2006 and told he had months to live.
He placed two bets, each with a £100 stake at odds of 50/1, that he would be alive in June 2008 and in June 2009.
A third wager will earn him a further £10,000 if he lives until 1 June 2010.
The widower will collect his second lot of £5,000 winnings on Monday.
Mr Matthews said: "I think I'm the first person in the world to bet on my own life.
"When I was diagnosed I was told mesothelioma was a death sentence.
"I wasn't that fussed because everyone has to die some time.
"But the interesting thing for me was how long it would take - would it take weeks or years?"
Mr Matthews said he planned to give away most of his winnings to charities, including the cancer charity Macmillan.
William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe said: "We had never been asked to accept a bet of this nature before.
"But as Jon approached us directly and was adamant that it would give him an additional incentive to battle his illness, we offered him the bets he wanted.
"Never in 30 years in the business have I been so pleased to pay a winning client £10,000, with, I trust, a further £10,000 to come next year."
Mr Matthews said he would give most of the money to charity
SINC SAYS:
Now there’s a sporting chap, giving all his winnings to charity.
THE COSTA DEL WHERE?
01/06/2009 05:04
WHERE IS
IT?
Bangkok cannot be
located by a quarter of those surveyed
ONE-in-five Britons admits that they happily jet overseas to holiday destinations they cannot pinpoint on a map.
And some – around four per cent – have even landed abroad with the wrong currency.
“It may cause a few laughs,” said Bob Atkinson, of researchers travelsupermarket.com, “but it is worrying that a considerable proportion of the British public don’t know where in the world they are when they are on holiday, especially when so many go back to the same places year after year.”
Around two per cent of the 2,000 adults polled admitted going to the wrong hotel, or even the wrong destination, after booking a trip abroad.
The Thai capital of Bangkok proved a mystery to a quarter of the interviewees, who could not find it on a map.
Others easily confuse Palma, in Mallorca, and La Palma, in the Canaries.
SINC SAYS:
Hmm, that’s nothing, I know quite a few local residents who can’t find $ervu$ Place on a map. They have never been there either.
ONE-in-five Britons admits that they happily jet overseas to holiday destinations they cannot pinpoint on a map.
And some – around four per cent – have even landed abroad with the wrong currency.
“It may cause a few laughs,” said Bob Atkinson, of researchers travelsupermarket.com, “but it is worrying that a considerable proportion of the British public don’t know where in the world they are when they are on holiday, especially when so many go back to the same places year after year.”
Around two per cent of the 2,000 adults polled admitted going to the wrong hotel, or even the wrong destination, after booking a trip abroad.
The Thai capital of Bangkok proved a mystery to a quarter of the interviewees, who could not find it on a map.
Others easily confuse Palma, in Mallorca, and La Palma, in the Canaries.
SINC SAYS:
Hmm, that’s nothing, I know quite a few local residents who can’t find $ervu$ Place on a map. They have never been there either.
Fallen Four Marathon Draws ‘Amazing Support’
01/06/2009 05:04
690 runners register for event honoring slain Mounties
A June 21 marathon race commemorating the Fallen Four RCMP officers from Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt has attracted runners from across Canada, and as far away as Australia.
"The race has taken on an almost magical life of its own," says Tina Prodaniuk, one of the organizers.
"For a start, the distance between Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt is 42.2 kilometres, the exact distance of a marathon race. It's uncanny."
Both communities were devastated on March 3, 2005, when Mayerthorpe officers Const. Peter Schiemann, Const. Leo Johnston and Const. Brock Myrol were gunned down along with Const. Anthony Gordon of Whitecourt.
To date, 690 runners have signed up for the relay-marathon portion of the race on June 21.
"The numbers show amazing support for a first-time race," says Running Room president and founder John Stanton, invited to help organize events.
Prodaniuk, Whitecourt's crime prevention co-ordinator, says the idea of a marathon sprang from the very successful five-kilometre run her community has staged for a number of years.
"I approached Staff Sgt. Mike Martel in Whitecourt and Staff Sgt. Mark Mathias in Mayerthorpe about a possible marathon, and the event began taking on a mind of its own."
Kim Spence of Calgary-based Alliance Pipeline, a company working in the area, chipped in $20,000 seed money.
"That enabled us to stage a Kids' Marathon, free to our community's children, as well as an RCMP fun run, on June 20," says Prodaniuk.
"We recruited runners from schools in Whitecourt, Mayerthorpe, Sangudo and from the Alexis Band."
Some 360 youngsters have signed up to run 40 kilometres in increments before the marathon day and then finish the full distance by running the final 2.2 kilometres on race day.
Each will receive a medal and a special commemorative T-shirt.
"RCMP runners from detachments from nearly every province will join other runners in the marathon," says Prodaniuk. "More than 20 RCMP relay teams have also signed up and will compete for a plaque for the fastest team.
"The shooting was something no one could do anything about. But this is a way people can show positive support. Our communities appreciate it."
Twenty-five per cent of funds raised will benefit the Fallen Four Memorial Society; 50 per cent will go to crime-prevention initiatives and the balance will assist the Mayerthorpe and Area Aquatic and Recreation Society. The society's arena was recently destroyed by fire.
"People in our communities who weren't runners before are runners now," says Prodaniuk. (To register, go to "races" at www.runningroom.ca.)
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
What more can I say other than this is another example of fabulous support for a very worthwhile cause.
Martin, Jones Leading Contenders At Curling Trials
01/06/2009 05:04
Defending Brier champion Kevin Martin leads a trio of Edmonton based men's teams that have earned a direct berth into the Canadian Olympic curling trials.
The Canadian Curling Association named four men's and four women's teams Wednesday that have earned automatic spots in the Olympic trials, which will take place Dec. 6-13 in Edmonton.
Martin, who placed second at the world championship in Moncton, N.B., earlier this month, is joined by Randy Ferbey and Kevin Koe.
Glenn Howard of Coldwater, Ont., the 2007 world champion, rounded out the top four.
Defending Scotties Tournament of Hearts champion Jennifer Jones earned the top seed in the women's trials. Her Winnipeg foursome will be joined by Shannon Kleibrink and Cheryl Bernard of Calgary and Stefanie Lawton of Saskatoon.
The teams qualified by winning three specific events over a three-season period (2006-2009) or by their cumulative points total on the Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS) during that time.
A pre-trials event, held Nov. 10-14 in Prince George, B.C., will feature 12 men's and 12 women's teams vying for the four remaining spots in the trials.
The men's field includes reigning Olympic gold medallist Brad Gushue of St. John's, N.L., former world champions Jeff Stoughton and Kerry Burtnyk of Winnipeg, two-time world champion Wayne Middaugh of Toronto, 2006 Brier winner Jean-Michel Menard of St-Romuald, Que., and 2000 world champion Greg McAulay of Richmond, B.C.
Mike McEwen of Winnipeg, Bob Ursel of Kelowna, B.C., Joel Jordison of Moose Jaw, Sask., Ted Appelman of Edmonton, Pat Simmons of Davidson, Sask., and Jason Gunnlaugson of Winnipeg round out the men's qualifiers.
More from CBC Sports.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The Canadian Olympic Curling Trials, or the ‘Roar of the Rings,’ as it will be called, will be the greatest curling spectacle of all-time, bar none – even the Olympic Games curling itself.
Nadal’s Run At French Comes To Stunning End
01/06/2009 05:04
The bigger they are, the harder they fall
Paris, France (Sports Network) - The unthinkable occurred Sunday at the French Open, as Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal finally lost on the famed red clay at Roland Garros, falling in four sets to unheralded Swede Robin Soderling in fourth-round play.
Nadal, the top seed and world No. 1, had won each of his 31 matches without tasting defeat on the way to four straight French Open titles, but Soderling ended the amazing run with a 6-2, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) triumph on Chatrier Court. Soderling, seeded 23rd, had never been past the third round of a Grand Slam event in 21 previous tries before this week,
Also Sunday, Scotland's Andy Murray and Fernando Gonzalez of Chile were fourth-round winners.
The third-seeded Murray worked through a pair of tough sets before cruising in the third to post a 7-5, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 victory over Croatia's Marin Cilic, while the 12th-seeded Gonzalez blasted Romania's Victor Hanescu, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.
Murray and Gonzalez will meet in the quarterfinals. For Murray, a three-time winner this year and last year's U.S. Open runner-up, it will mark his first French Open quarterfinal. Gonzalez, the 2007 Australian Open finalist, previously reached the round of eight at Roland Garros in 2003 and last year.
The other men's fourth-rounder scheduled for today features 10th-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko against eighth-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
This was the first match Nadal has EVER lost at Roland Garros, and he was the four-time defending French Open champion. The demise of the world number one and, unquestionably, the world’s best clay court tennis player, leaves the door wide-open for Roger Federer to claim his 14th Grand Slam title and tie Pete Sampras’ record. We could, indeed, be witnessing history at this year’s French Open.
Bettman: Stanley Teaches About Troubled Teams
01/06/2009 05:04
DETROIT - Gary Bettman doesn't have to look very far to find some evidence that the Phoenix Coyotes situation can be turned around.
The NHL commissioner noted during his annual address before the Stanley Cup final that both the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins were once struggling franchises.
The Penguins even filed for bankruptcy protection a decade ago in a situation that looked bleaker to him than what is currently playing out in Phoenix.
"Truth be told, it's probably fair to say that the Pittsburgh Penguins -- during their bankruptcy period -- were in worse shape," Bettman said Saturday before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. "Because they didn't even have at the time the prospect of a new building. And look at where they are today. ...
"We didn't walk out on Pittsburgh, we fought to fix their problems. We're fighting for Phoenix because of our covenant with the team and the fans there."
Not surprisingly, the Coyotes situation dominated the discussion during his press conference.
The commissioner went to great lengths to point out that he had no personal problem with Jim Balsillie, who is hoping to buy the NHL team and move it to Hamilton. Instead, Bettman said his main issue with the situation is that the team should only be allowed to relocate under the process laid out in league bylaws.
"From my standpoint, it's not personal," said Bettman. "It's about league rules and it's about doing the right thing in terms of the stability of this game and this league."
The commissioner pronounced it a "strong, solid season in all metrics that we measure."
Despite the current economic downturn, Bettman said the NHL experienced four per cent real revenue growth over the last year. He indicated that next season's salary cap will end up somewhere between US$54 million and its current spot at $56.7 million.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Once you understand that Gary Bettman is an American who does not like Canada or Canadian teams in the NHL, and that he is in denial about the plight of the Phoenix Coyotes as well as the current world economic situation, it all makes complete sense, folks.
MacTavish A Wild Candidate
01/06/2009 05:04
Craig MacTavish hasn't come up for air in the seven weeks since he parted ways with the Edmonton Oilers, but his name is certainly out there for the Minnesota Wild coaching job.
"They don't have to ask permission from us to talk to Mac," said Oilers president Kevin Lowe, who feels his buddy wants to jump back on the coaching horse.
Other candidates for the Wild include San Jose Sharks assistant Todd Richards and former Carolina Hurricanes head man Peter Laviolette.
New Minnesota general manager Chuck Fletcher is still compiling his list of coaching candidates but wants somebody by the June 25-26 National Hockey League entry draft.
The Oilers have to pay MacTavish for another season, but Lowe said there are no caveats for him coaching a Northwest Division rival like the Wild.
"There were no clauses in his contract (against that)," said Lowe.
If MacTavish doesn't want or get a coaching gig for next season, TSN or Hockey Night in Canada should be all over him. MacTavish has long been one of the game's most astute and quoteable guys.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
We wish Craig MacTavish all the best on landing a new job in the NHL. MacT is one of the ‘good guys’ in hockey.
There’s Still No Quit In Red Wings’ Chris Chelios
01/06/2009 05:04
Red Wings' blue liner not ready to retire at age 47
When Chris Chelios was 16 years old, people said he should quit hockey. He wasn't good enough to play in the NHL, they said. Time to move on.
When Chelios was a 37-year-old Chicago Blackhawks captain, the team hinted that it was almost time for him to quit hockey. The Blackhawks refused to give him a contract extension, then shipped him to Detroit.
When Chelios was a 40-year-old Norris Trophy finalist and Stanley Cup champion, the crowd at the Red Wings' championship parade chanted, "One more year! One more year!" Chelios was incredulous. "One more year?" he said. "I'm gonna play five more years!" People thought he was joking.
Chelios is 47 now. I am not going to tell him to quit hockey. But it has become pretty clear that he is entering his final series as a Red Wing. If Chelios wants to play next year -- and if we know one thing about Chelios, it's that he always wants to play next year -- he almost certainly will have to do it for another team.
"That remains to be seen," he said Friday. "It seems like three weeks ago, a month ago, there was no role. All of a sudden, two guys go down, I'm right in the middle of things again. At my point, at this age, I'll take it day by day."
Chelios is the surest of Hall of Famers, such a lock that you can't imagine a Hall without him. But he played only 28 regular-season games this season, logging only 326 minutes.
How many Hall of Famers are willing to do this? Can you imagine Bruce Springsteen traveling around the country with somebody else's band, ready to step in if the lead guitarist gets sick?
Chelios' old Chicago buddy, Michael Jordan, doesn't get it.
"He keeps asking when I'm going to retire," Chelios said. "I say, 'Why? So I can do it four or five times like you did?' "
More from the Detroit Free Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Like him or lump him, you have to admit that Chris Chelios’ longetivity as a NHL hockey player is amazing.
Steve Stricker Rallies, Wins Colonial Playoff
01/06/2009 05:03
Fort Worth, TX (Sports Network) - Steve Stricker needed a chip-in birdie on 17 and a Tim Clark bogey on the 18th in regulation to get into a playoff Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Invitational.
Stricker birdied the second extra hole to win his fifth PGA Tour title.
He closed with a two-under 68 as did Steve Marino to join Clark (70) in the extra session at 17-under-par 263.
On the first extra hole, No. 18, all three players had birdie chances. Marino missed first from 31 feet, then Stricker missed a 17-footer. Clark had the best chance from seven feet, but pulled it left of the hole.
The threesome headed to the 17th for the second extra hole. Marino was in trouble from the start as he found the left rough off the tee. His second came up short and he pitched his third to 17 feet, where he two-putted for bogey.
Clark and Stricker were in the fairway and Stricker played first. He stuffed his second within four feet of the cup. Clark looked to be in as good of shape as Stricker, but his approach ricocheted off the flagstick and rolled 22 feet away.
The South African missed his birdie effort opening the door for Stricker.
Stricker drained the four-footer for birdie and his first win since 2007.
More from TSN.
McNulty wins Principal Charity Classic playoff.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
When Tiger Woods isn’t playing, it’s just amazing what a lack of interest there is in the PGA Tour, isn’t it folks?
Mentor A. J. Foyt Gives Paul Tracy A Whirl
01/06/2009 05:03
Injury to Meira at Indianapolis 500 allows eager Canadian racing icon to drive for a second time
Occasionally slipping into a race car to massage a machine kicking out more than 650 horsepower, and flying around a track at more than 220 miles per hour, well, that's the easy part for Paul Tracy.
It is the weeks stretched between races that plague the Thrill from West Hill.
The outspoken, lead-footed Canadian has had just two starts in the IndyCar Series in the last two years, although he may be on the verge of securing a longer-term ride with his mentor, A.J. Foyt.
Tracy will race at Milwaukee today in the No. 14 car in place of Vitor Meira. Meira suffered a lower back injury in the closing laps of the Indianapolis 500 and could be out for several weeks.
"I know when Paul gets in the car, you're going to have to beat him. It wasn't hard to decide," said Foyt, who recruited Tracy after the veteran finished ninth at the Indy 500 last weekend.
His other start was at the 2008 Rexall Edmonton Indy. Just 10 days before the race, he got word that a sponsor was on board and that he was in business for the event. He finished fourth.
"When I'm not racing, I get mad about it. I'm not happy about it," Tracy said before making his way to the one-mile oval in Wisconsin earlier this week. "It's tough to keep motivated and to keep working out and to keep focused on wanting to go racing when there's nothing. There hasn't been a lot on the horizon.
"I got that one race in Edmonton, and then nothing happened after that, nothing happened over the winter, so then you have to switch your focus from your career of being a race driver to becoming a sponsor-finder. And that's not what my specialty is.
"That's the hard part. You've got to dedicate a lot of time these days to finding money to make the wheels turn on these things. And that's not what I've ever had to do.
"It's not hard to get in the car and drive," he continued. "I've been doing it since I was six-years-old." One of the front-runners in the Champ Car series, Tracy, 40, was left in the dust following the unification of open-wheel racing as team owner, Gerald Forsythe, announced he was not going to race in the IRL-sanctioned series.
Tracy eventually got a deal to compete in Edmonton with Vision/Walker Racing and then drove the KV Racing Technology No. 15 car at Indy. KV had agreed to get Tracy on the track in Edmonton (July 26) and Toronto (July 12), a deal he will still honour.
If Foyt wants Tracy for the races between then and now, he said he'll find another driver for the two Canadian events.
"I've watched Tracy race through the years. That's the type of driver we need to beat Penske and all these rest of the guys," Foyt said during a conference call.
"You can't go out there, lay dormant, and think you're going to beat them. You have to have somebody that wants to challenge.
"Vitor was our primary driver but ... racing goes on with or without you. It's a tough sport. When you hook that seatbelt, you don't know if you're going to be the one to unhook it or not." It's no coincidence that the two men have that same hard-charging approach to the sport, and that they have crossed paths on the track. Foyt recalled a time at Indy, on a restart, when Tracy came flying up on the inside, catching his ire.
"I thought, 'Where in the hell does that boy think he's going? He'd better get it straightened out before we get in trouble,' " Foyt said. "But he was a good, hard racer. That's the only way you can win. That's what's wrong with a lot of the racers today. Some of these guys, they just give up. If they ever get a win under their belt, they might change their habits." It was Foyt's son, Larry, who called Tracy as the native of Scarborough, Ont., was whipping across the States on his way from Indianapolis to Houston in his motor home. He was hell bent on getting to Texas to buy a black-on-black 1964 Lincoln Continental when he blew a tire. As he was trying to keep the vehicle on the road, A.J. got on the line.
The conversation was a short one.
"I had to cut A.J. off ... but I'm just grateful for the opportunity," Tracy said. "Obviously, I want to race as much as I can. We'll see how this weekend goes and then go from there."
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The legend, A. J. Foyt, is my favorite racing car driver of all-time.