tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79600885928399487212024-03-13T23:26:12.544-04:00Open MikeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.comBlogger327125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-16637933715626168292013-02-21T12:57:00.000-05:002013-02-21T12:57:45.290-05:00Mass. boy, trying to avoid bedtime, calls 911
<br />
<div>
BROCKTON, Mass. (AP) — Police in Massachusetts say a 10-year-old boy called 911 because he didn't want to go to bed.<br />
Brockton
police say the boy called 911 just after 8 p.m. Wednesday and told the
dispatcher he was calling to report his mother because he did not want
to go to bed.<br />
There was no emergency.<br />
The Enterprise (<a href="http://bit.ly/YoKmJZ">http://bit.ly/YoKmJZ</a>
) reports that according to the police log, an officer went to the
boy's home and explained to him when it was appropriate to call 911.<br />
No charges were issued.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-4566333697366793122013-02-13T13:49:00.003-05:002013-02-13T13:49:43.759-05:00Grad student sues to get grade changedA Lehigh University grad student is suing a professor and the school after she received a C-plus grade in 2009 that she claims kept her from reaching her dream of becoming a licensed professional counselor.<br />
<br />
On Wednesday, a judge chastised both sides in the case.<br />
<br />
Read the <a href="http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-lehigh-university-student-sues-over-grade-0213-20130213,0,1852962.story">story</a> from the Allentown Morning Call.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-58039260000315846582013-02-09T23:27:00.000-05:002013-02-09T23:27:25.364-05:00Mass. bride has a white weddingSaturday's blizzard shut down a lot of New England, but it couldn't stop one Massachusetts bride from getting married.<br />
<br />
<div class="art_para" id="2">
Kathryn Jussaume, 30, of Lowell, and Jason Destroismaison, 32, of
Tyngsboro, have been planning their wedding for seven months now. They
picked a heck of date.
</div>
<div class="art_para" id="3">
<br /></div>
<div class="art_para" id="3">
<a href="http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130209/NEWS04/130209375/for-mass-bride-a-nice-day-for-a-white-wedding#full_story">Here</a> you'll find the rest of the story.</div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-8388836549170496052013-02-05T17:01:00.000-05:002013-02-05T17:01:01.371-05:00Armstrong, Te'o topped Most Disliked ListForbes magazine released its list of the most disliked athletes in America. Topping the list based on a Neilsen survey at 15% appeal were disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong and Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o.<br />
<br />
Golfer Tiger Woods was third at 19% appeal, followed by Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace at 21% appeal<br />
<br />
Here's more on the <a href="http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2014/february/lance-armstrong-and-manti-te-o-are-america-s-two-most-disliked-athletes.html">story</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-9925424654798053082013-02-05T16:47:00.003-05:002013-02-05T16:47:35.577-05:00Teens lose fingers playing tug-of-warA boy and girl in Los Angeles lost fingers in a game of tug-of-war on their schoolyard.<br />
<br />
<div class="art_para" id="2">
According to the Associated Press, the boy and girl had stable vital signs Tuesday after undergoing
hours of surgery, but no information was disclosed on whether doctors
reattached their fingers.
</div>
<div class="art_para" id="3">
<br /></div>
<div class="art_para" id="3">
A get-well banner hung at the South El Monte High School campus,
and counselors consoled students after the horrific start Monday to the
traditional Spirit Week celebrating homecoming.
</div>
<div class="art_para" id="4">
<br /></div>
<div class="art_para" id="4">
Schools have conducted such games for years, El Monte Union High School District Superintendent Nick J. Salerno said.
</div>
<div class="art_para" id="5">
<br /></div>
<div class="art_para" id="5">
“I’ve never heard of anything like this happening,” he said. “It’s unbelievable to me, it’s shocking.” </div>
<div class="art_para" id="5">
<br /></div>
<div class="art_para" id="5">
Read more <a href="http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130205/NEWS04/130209663#full_story">here</a>. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-75603499712828344392012-12-13T11:13:00.002-05:002012-12-13T11:13:48.844-05:00Busted! Woman's breast implants stuffed with cocaineMany thanks to my Digital First Media friends for pointing out this odd blurb.<b><br /></b><br />
<figure style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;"><img alt="" class="thinglinkFetching" src="http://s1.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20121212&t=2&i=683903693&w=460&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&r=CBRE8BB1AOA00" style="height: 236px; width: 358px;" /><figcaption><i>Reuters/Spanish Interior Ministry</i></figcaption></figure>Of all the ways to enhance your bust line, stuffing yourself with <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/12/us-spain-cocaine-breasts-idUSBRE8BB16L20121212" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cocaine-packed implants</a>
is probably not the best idea. You will certainly appear to be a drug
smuggler, to say the absolute very least.<br />
A Panamanian woman with
cocaine breasts was caught at a Spanish airport Wednesday after border
police discovered fresh scars and blood-stained gauze on her chest,
reports Reuters.<br />
A good indicator that this was an attempt to get drugs
through the airport in Barcelona are these photos, which clearly show
that cocaine implants will make your chest lumpy. Officials found 1.38
kg of cocaine in the makeshift implants.<br />
— via <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/12/us-spain-cocaine-breasts-idUSBRE8BB16L20121212" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reuters</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-58177730140106369112012-12-12T11:19:00.000-05:002012-12-12T11:19:23.710-05:00Best clutch peformance by Philly athlete wearing No. 12In honor of today being 12-12-12, here's a look at the best clutch performance by a Philadelphia athlete wearing No. 12 in recent memory.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=3618349">http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=3618349</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-20717018578274741882012-12-08T22:59:00.000-05:002012-12-08T22:59:19.478-05:00Finding the purrfect way to bond with cats<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ELxD1qOlhE0/UMQMUcX7jnI/AAAAAAAAALE/BEOc64FSQ_g/s1600/gastonandlefou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ELxD1qOlhE0/UMQMUcX7jnI/AAAAAAAAALE/BEOc64FSQ_g/s320/gastonandlefou.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gaston and LeFou curled up on our couch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When my youngest stepdaughter Kristen graduated from high school in June, I never thought I would hear the pitter-patter of little feet running through our house.<br />Weeks later, I discovered I would. <br />But it’s not what you think.<br />In July, our middle daughter Kelly flew back to the nest after being on her own for 18 months. It was nice to welcome her back home, but there was one thing – well, actually 2 things -- that I would have to deal with upon her return: her cats, Gaston and Lefou. Being the wonderful humanitarian that I am, I wasn’t going to make Kelly give them up. <br />I have never been fond of cats. Oh sure, they are cute, but whenever I was around them, they were just too annoying for my tastes. Way too annoying. Give me a dog any day.<br />So on those rare occasions when the prospect of adding cats to the household was mentioned, my response was always the same. “I’ll NEVER have cats in my house.”<br />Well, as John Lennon once said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” <br />So on July 1, I started a life with cats in it.<br />It was an interesting start for the cats on their ride from Kelly’s apartment near Poughkeepsie, N.Y. The pet carriers she purchased were too small for them, so they made the ride back to Pennsylvania in alcohol boxes on the back seat of my car.<br />To ease the transition to their new home, Gaston and Lefou – and yes, they are named after characters from Kelly’s favorite movie, “Beauty and the Beast,” – were given free reign in a room in our basement, complete with Kelly’s wraparound couch, their food and water dishes, scratching post and the litter box. They also had access to a bar, but I don’t think they used it.<br />We rigged a hotel-room style lock on our basement door which left just enough room for the cats to come upstairs when they so desired. It also kept our yellow Labrador from racing to the basement and eating the cats’ food.<br />After about a month or so, the 2-year-old cats got comfortable in their new surroundings and began exploring the rest of the house, with Gaston being the more adventurous one. That’s when I discovered that he apparently likes me. <br />One late summer evening while watching TV, Gaston hopped in my lap and made himself comfortable. It was awkward for me. My wife, of course, thought it was cute.<br />Since then, we’ve bonded. Gaston enjoys inspecting my closet – my wife says it’s his man cave. When he hears the door open, he rushes into the bedroom to see what he can get his paws and mouth on or rub up against. He especially admires a belt that hangs from a hangar – and I have the teeth marks on the belt to prove it.<br />He also has gotten into the habit of hopping on the bed early in the morning and curling up on top of my wife or I. You can tell his comfort level by the amount and loudness of his purring. <br />Anything new that comes into his field of vision, Gaston needs to inspect it – sometimes with a dose of hilarity. My wife adorned a sliding glass door with some holiday cling-ons more than five-feet high on the glass. Well, it’s been Gaston’s daily mission to try and knock the decorations off the glass. He’ll just stare at them for awhile, then jump more than 5 feet in an attempt to grab one. He usually succeeds.<br />And since the weather has turned a bit chillier, Gaston has found a new place to stay warm: by sleeping on the cable box!<br />What about Lefou, you ask? He’s the opposite of Gaston: an introvert — or just very depressed. Lefou is still afraid of our dog, and heads into the basement when we have company. He pretty much keeps to himself — though we’ve discovered he likes sleeping on Kristen’s bed since she’s away at college — and is only seen or heard when he’s hungry.<br />While Gaston and I have bonded, he still does things that annoy me: hopping on tables and counters; scratching furniture; playing with connections to the TV; or attacking my shoelaces when I’m trying to put on a shoe. <br />For the past two weeks, the cats have been curious about the Christmas tree. They found the strings of lights fascinating as we were putting them on our Blue Spruce. The same fascination occurred when adding the ornaments.<br />Lefou has found a spot under the tree to take naps, and we’ve caught Gaston drinking water out of the tree stand. <br />I hope that’s where the fascination ends. I wouldn’t want them to end up like the feline in “Christmas Vacation.”<br /><br />Mike Spohn is The Mercury’s Sunday editor. E-mail him at mspohn@pottsmerc.com or follow him on Twitter @Merc_MikeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-71476128577114660302012-09-08T23:53:00.003-04:002012-09-08T23:53:31.625-04:00My Eagles previewThe Eagles kick off their season Sunday in Cleveland with much at stake, including the futures of head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Mike Vick. The two are likely tied together.<br />
<br />
A disappointing 8-8 season a year ago in which they needed to win the last 4 games to get to that mark left Reid on the hot seat. If the coach is there, so is the quarterback.<br />
<br />
The Eagles' success pretty much hinges on how much Vick can stay on the field over the course of a 16-game schedule -- and he took only 12 snaps during the pre-season because of injuries.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8_yzIMQmCus/UEwOFv4IJiI/AAAAAAAAAK0/48LgAOVQrPc/s1600/Eagles+Browns+Footbal_Spoh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8_yzIMQmCus/UEwOFv4IJiI/AAAAAAAAAK0/48LgAOVQrPc/s200/Eagles+Browns+Footbal_Spoh.jpg" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AP Photo<br />Eagles head coach Andy Reid expects<br /> to improve on last year's 8-8 record.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Despite some upgrades on the much-maligned defense from 2011, there are still question marks, particularly at linebacker and safety. And defensive coordinator Juan Castillo has much to prove in his second year after moving to the other side of the ball from offensive line coach.<br />
<br />
I've lost confidence in Reid as a head coach. The Eagles have regressed in each of the last 3 seasons; their last playoff win was in January 2009. Reid bears a good portion of the blame for poor coaching and talent acquisition. their last playoff win was in January 2009.<br />
<br />
I don't believe Vick is a Super Bowl quarterback, either, and not just because he has trouble staying on the field. When he is behind center, he has a tendency to hold onto the ball too long and last year he turned the ball over 24 times in 13 games.<br />
<br />
While there are plenty of skill players on the offense, the loss of left tackle Jason Peters to an Achilles' injury will be difficult to overcome.<br />
<br />
So what do I see in the my crystal ball? Maybe just a slight improvement over last season. A double-digit win season is possible with a few breaks, but I forecast a 9-7 record and a playoff spot. Whether it's as NFC East champions or as a wild card will come down to the season's final game against the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants.<br />
<br />
And one more thing, Eagles. I guess I took it for granted that you'd win a Super Bowl before I turned 50. Well, guess what? This is your last chance for that to happen.<br />
<br />
As far as the opening game goes, the Birds should have no trouble with the Browns. Final score...31-13.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-69254460687525245232012-05-22T15:15:00.000-04:002012-05-22T15:15:37.287-04:00Reds fan grabs back-to-back home run ballsBaseball fans dream of catching home run balls.<br />
<br />
On Monday, one fan in Cincinnati accomplished something that has likely never happened in the history of the game. He caught back-to-back home run balls.<br />
<br />
Caleb Lloyd, 20, was sitting in the first row in left field when Reds pitcher Mike Leake blasted his first career home run.<br />
<br />
"It hit my hand," he said in an Associated Press story. "I didn't expect to actually catch it. I never actually caught a home run ball. It hurt really bad."<br />
<br />
Moments later, Cincinnati shortstop Zach Cosart sent a shot in the same direction. Lloyd managed to grab that one, too.<br />
<br />
"The second one bounced behind me and bounced right into my lap," he
said. "I was like, 'Oh my gosh, that's just crazy!' I couldn't believe
my eyes. Right now, I still can't believe it's happening."<br />
<br />
However, Lloyd left the park with neither ball. He gave Cosart's home run ball to his friend who provided the tickets to the game. He gave Leake's home run ball back to the pitcher in exchange for an autograph.<br />
<br />
For more, go <a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7958478/lucky-cincinnati-reds-fan-snags-balls-back-back-homers">here</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-56680346225862807262012-04-21T23:48:00.000-04:002012-04-21T23:48:11.951-04:00A loving farewell to my best friend<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yerPp3a80QQ/T5N-1iaVLAI/AAAAAAAAAII/wqVhRZp2G1E/s1600/disney+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yerPp3a80QQ/T5N-1iaVLAI/AAAAAAAAAII/wqVhRZp2G1E/s320/disney+photo.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disney, a 10 1/2-year-old black Labrador, <br />was a great companion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I lost my best friend recently.<br />We watched a lot of TV, hung out on our deck, played ball, went for walks together. And she loved it when I rubbed her belly.<br />The best part? My wife didn’t mind it a bit. <br />My best friend was Disney, our 10½-year-old black Labrador mix whom we had to put down suddenly a few days before Easter. One morning, Disney and I took a nice walk. Twelve hours later, she had trouble walking. The next day, she couldn’t get up off the bedroom floor.<br />Just seven months removed from knee ligament surgery (I wrote about her recovery in December), we didn’t want to put our beloved family member through more tests, X-rays or surgery. Maybe the knee surgery and subsequent rehabilitation and recovery put more stress on her body than we thought.<br />I was devastated. That was by far the most difficult morning of my life. Later that day came the truly hard part — arriving home from work and knowing Disney wouldn’t be racing to greet me with her tail wagging excitedly. I’m not ashamed to admit that for a few days I shed a lot of tears when I approached our front door.<br />The last image I have is of Disney in my arms as I carried her to the car, then from there to the veterinarian’s office, where she lay with pained eyes on an exam table as we said our goodbyes.<br />As the shock of her loss wears off as each day passes, I think of all the good times our companion gave us. <br />Disney was an awesome dog. We got her for $20 from a farm in Douglass (Berks) in August 2001 when she was just a puppy. I repeatedly told my wife it was the best investment we ever made. And yes, Disney was named for the resort which we had visited just a month before she joined us.<br />Disney wasn’t your typical Labrador; she was actually a pretty laid-back dog. When we tossed a ball to her she’d chase it, but would usually drop it on her return trip. We joked that she was only half of a retriever!<br />Unlike most Labradors, Disney didn’t like water. We made one visit a few years ago to French Creek State Park with some friends. As our other dog, a yellow Labrador, and our friends’ two Golden Retrievers swam happily in the lake after a tennis ball, Disney would go into the water just enough to get her belly wet.<br />As she grew older, Disney hated loud noises — especially motorcycles. And she despised thunderstorms. I particularly hated the ones in the middle of the night when Disney would wake up panting and shaking and I’d have to escort her to the basement where she’d settle down and stay until morning.<br />Our most vivid memories about Disney revolve around food. One Valentine’s Day, my wife gave me a box of chocolate-covered pretzels. I left them on the headboard in the bedroom and we went out that night. Apparently, I didn’t close the box tightly because when we returned, the box was barren — and Disney was the only one home.<br />On several other occasions we’d arrive home to find an empty bag that once contained bread or rolls on our kitchen floor. We knew Disney was the guilty party.<br />The best Disney story happened on our wedding night, and my wife and I didn’t find out about it until a few days later. <br />After taking the wedding gifts, flowers, etc., into the house and getting my stepdaughters situated with a cousin who was going to stay with them for a week, my wife and I left for our airport hotel, from where we would leave the next morning for … Disney World. But in all the commotion of getting everything into the house and put away, several slices of the leftover wedding cake — Orange Creamsicle wedding cake — were left on the kitchen counter.<br />Well, Disney wouldn’t let this golden opportunity pass. So she helped herself to a few slices of wedding cake — and had orange icing all over her face. Unfortunately, no one caught it on camera.<br />These memories and hundreds of others will live on in our hearts, and I hope that we reciprocated Disney’s love. I’m sure she’s been showering angels with all the love and affection that she showed us for more than 10 years.<br />I just wonder if she ate any of the angels’ Easter candy?<br /><br />Mike Spohn is The Mercury’s Sunday editor. E-mail him at mspohn@pottsmerc.com or follow him on Twitter @Merc_MikeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-65711168843311034152012-04-03T16:16:00.000-04:002012-04-03T16:17:00.610-04:00Wrestling hold at party turns deadlyWatching pro wrestling turned deadly of a 24-year-old Louisiana man, according to FoxSports.com<br />
<br />
According to the report, Stephen A. Arceneaux III was hosting his own "Wrestlemania 28" party when he and a 14-year-old cousin acted out a wrestling hold. Arceneau died after he refused to "tap out" of his younger cousin's "rear naked choke hold" and caused him to stop breathing, police said.<br />
<br />
The story goes on:<br />
<br />
Arceneaux and his cousin began wrestling on an inflated mattress
at the party and the teenager, who weighed just 110 pounds, placed his
arm around the 220-pound Arceneaux's neck.<br />
<br />
Witnesses said Arcenaux was in the hold for 30 to 40 seconds, but refused to give up or "tap out."<br />
<br />
When one of the witnesses saw Arceneaux turning blue, they told the
youngster to let go, but by that stage Arceneaux had already stopped breathing,
the report said.<br />
<br />
Arceneaux's girlfriend tried unsuccessfully to revive him before he was
transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.<br />
<br />
No arrests have been made and the investigation is continuing.<br />
<br />
"It's bizarre," said Sheriff's Office spokesman Capt. Pat Yoes. "We're
still investigating it. But when you have violent horseplay like that,
it just goes to show you that anything can happen."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-6062088454358739322012-03-07T10:58:00.000-05:002012-03-07T10:58:23.636-05:00It's National Cereal Day<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uyyvt54f-X8/T1eFcikpqEI/AAAAAAAAAIA/zCY7liQxpZY/s1600/250px-Wiki_cheerios.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uyyvt54f-X8/T1eFcikpqEI/AAAAAAAAAIA/zCY7liQxpZY/s1600/250px-Wiki_cheerios.jpg" /></a>Today is National Cereal Day.<br />
<br />
To celebrate, I had a bowl (or 2) of my favorite, Cheerios, which I believe is the favorite cereal of my 2 granddaughters, Arianna and Alayna. Some days I may have a bowl of Honey-Nut Cheerios.<br />
<br />
Others I eat on a regular basis: Frosted Flakes, Captain Crunch, Lucky Charms, and Rice Krispies.<br />
<br />
What's your favorite?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-76030179518638812132012-02-14T17:40:00.000-05:002012-02-14T17:41:55.390-05:00The groundhog was wrong<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d8i7gTzOFEg/TzrgzNeM8xI/AAAAAAAAAH4/OXnB1UlQ2eo/s1600/Sports+Illustrated+Sw_Spoh%281%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d8i7gTzOFEg/TzrgzNeM8xI/AAAAAAAAAH4/OXnB1UlQ2eo/s400/Sports+Illustrated+Sw_Spoh%281%29.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate Upton is the cover model for<br />
this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A couple of weeks ago, Punxsatawney Phil predicted 6 more weeks of winter. I beg to differ, and it has nothing to do with the warm winter temperatures and lack of snow we've experienced.<br />
<br />
There are 2 reasons for me to be thinking spring.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fcPOKYwmytg/TzrfXMnb4dI/AAAAAAAAAHw/toN1H2CjvCU/s1600/0eac713f87092104070f6a7067000cd0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>First, the Phillies loaded a tractor-trailer with equipment on Sunday that was heading to Clearwater, Fla., for spring training. The 5-time National League East champions open camp this Sunday when pitchers and catchers report for their first workout.<br />
<br />
And this week, another sure sign of spring bloomed again: the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. Model Kate Upton graces this year's cover.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-37778466969483875462012-01-31T17:53:00.002-05:002012-01-31T18:00:16.420-05:00Another voice silenced First it was Richie Ashburn in 1997. Then Harry Kalas in 2009. Now, another voice of my youth has been silenced.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UjlR-9cVlx4/Tyhwmohvb2I/AAAAAAAAAHo/uCgfvwsKOQI/s1600/012912-andy-musser-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UjlR-9cVlx4/Tyhwmohvb2I/AAAAAAAAAHo/uCgfvwsKOQI/s320/012912-andy-musser-400.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy Musser was a Phillies broadcaster for more than<br />
25 years.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Andy Musser, the third member of the Phillies broadcast team that was together for more than 20 years, passed away Jan. 22. Musser didn't get the acclaim that Kalas and Ashburn received from fans, but he was a solid baseball announcer.<br />
<br />
He was also very versatile, broadcasting Sixers, Eagles and Big Five basketball games. Before joining the Phillies full-time, Musser also worked for CBS Sports where he did the Super Bowl and the Masters golf tournament.<br />
<br />
Here are a few of his most famous <a href="http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20077955&c_id=phi">Phillies calls</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-44458683292103877432011-12-30T11:42:00.000-05:002011-12-30T11:42:24.596-05:00The legend of Roy Halladay growsSince being traded to the Phillies in December 2009, Roy Halladay has become a folk hero.<br />
<br />
In his first season with the team in 2010, he won 21 games -- including a perfect game against the Marlins -- and won the National League Cy Young Award. And, oh yeah, he threw a no-hitter against Cincinnati in his first post-season start.<br />
<br />
This past season, he won 19 games and finished second for the Cy Young Award. His final game was a 1-0 loss to St. Louis in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.<br />
<br />
So Halladay's been a larger-than-life figure for Phillies fans. That legend may grow after something that happened before Christmas. <br />
<br />
According to the blog <a href="http://www.zoowithroy.com/">Zoo with Roy</a>, Halladay, while on a fishing trip in the Amazon with professional angler Skeet Reese and others, saved a <a href="http://www.zoowithroy.com/2011/12/roy-halladay-travels-to-amazon-and.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed:+IWantToGoToTheZooWithRoyHalladay+%28I+Want+to+Go+to+the+Zoo+with+Roy+Halladay%29">native boy from an anaconda attack</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Also on the trip was Halladay's best friend, St. Louis pitcher Chris Carpenter, who was the winning pitcher in Game 5.<br />
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<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-89550107032704590862011-12-28T17:31:00.002-05:002011-12-28T17:34:42.113-05:00UPDATE: Accounts question claim of chimp's ownerAccording to an Associated Press story, some accounts from Hollywood are questioning if the chimpanzee that died in Florida on Christmas Eve was indeed Cheetah, who was a sidekick to Tarazan in some movies in the 1930s.<br />
<br />
Here is the new story:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span id="_oneup">A Florida animal sanctuary
says Cheetah, the chimpanzee sidekick in the Tarzan movies of the early
1930s, has died at 80. But other accounts call that claim into question.</span></span><br />
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Debbie
Cobb, outreach director at the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary along
Florida's Gulf Coast, said Wednesday that her grandparents acquired
Cheetah around 1960 from "Tarzan" star Johnny Weissmuller and that the
chimp appeared in Tarzan films between 1932 and 1934. During that
period, Weissmuller made "Tarzan the Ape Man" and "Tarzan and His Mate."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">But Cobb offered no documentation, saying it was destroyed in a 1995 fire.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Also,
some Hollywood accounts indicate a chimpanzee by the name of Jiggs or
Mr. Jiggs played Cheetah alongside Weissmuller early on and died in
1938.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">In addition, an 80-year-old chimpanzee would be
extraordinarily old, perhaps the oldest ever known. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">According to many
experts and Save the Chimps, another Florida sanctuary, chimpanzees in
captivity live to between 40 and 60. Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee,
Fla., has a chimp it says is around 73.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">A similar claim about
another chimpanzee that supposedly played Weissmuller's second banana
was debunked in 2008 in a Washington Post story. Writer R.D. Rosen
discovered that the primate, which lived in Palm Springs, Calif., was
born around 1960, meaning it wasn't oldest enough to have been in the
Tarzan movies of Hollywood's Golden Age.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cobb said Cheetah died Dec. 24 of kidney failure and was cremated.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Unfortunately,
there was a fire in '95 in which a lot of that documentation burned
up," Cobb said. "I'm 51 and I've known him for 51 years. My first
remembrance of him coming here was when I was actually 5, and I've known
him since then, and he was a full-grown chimp then."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">More than one chimpanzee appeared as Cheetah in the Tarzan movies of the 1930s and '40s.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Film
historian and Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osbourne said the
Cheetah character "was one of the things people loved about the Tarzan
movies because he made people laugh. He was always a regular fun part of
the movies."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">In his time, the Cheetah character was as popular as Rin Tin Tin or Asta, the dog from the "Thin Man" movies, Osbourne said.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"He was a major star," he said.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">At
the animal sanctuary, Cheetah was outgoing, loved finger painting and
liked to see people laugh, Cobb said. But he could also be ill-tempered.
Cobb said that when the chimp didn't like what was going on, he would
fling feces and other objects.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-67843351215323329992011-12-28T11:54:00.001-05:002011-12-28T11:58:20.266-05:00Chimp from 'Tarzan' movies in 1930s dies<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="_oneup"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I should know that primates live long lives, but I was still surprised to read this morning that Cheetah, the chimpanzee sidekick from the Johnny Weismuller "Tarzan" movies from the 1930s, died recently at the age of 80. That's a long life, even for a chimp!</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eSd64nIXz1U/TvtJW4sA8dI/AAAAAAAAAHU/BjvZOIA9RPg/s1600/Obit+Cheetah_Spoh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eSd64nIXz1U/TvtJW4sA8dI/AAAAAAAAAHU/BjvZOIA9RPg/s320/Obit+Cheetah_Spoh.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AP Photo<br />
Cheetah, with Maureen O'Sullivan as Jane and<br />
Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;">Cheetah died on Christmas Eve of kidney failure, the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary in Palm Harbor, Fla., announced. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Here's the rest of the Associated Press story:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Sanctuary outreach director Debbie Cobb on Wednesday told The Tampa Tribune (<a href="http://bit.ly/rRuTeJ">http://bit.ly/rRuTeJ</a>
) that Cheetah was outgoing, loved finger painting and liked to see
people laugh. She says he seemed to be tuned into human feelings.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Based
on the works of author Edgar Rice Burroughs, the Tarzan stories, which
have spawned scores of books and films over the years, chronicle the
adventures of a man who was raised by apes in Africa.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Cheetah was
the comic relief in the Tarzan films that starred American Olympic gold
medal swimmer Johnny Weissmuller. Cobb says Cheetah came to the
sanctuary from Weissmuller's estate sometime around 1960.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Cobb
says Cheetah wasn't a troublemaker. Still, sanctuary volunteer Ron
Priest says that when the chimp didn't like what was going on, he would
throw feces.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-75494249256755411492011-12-27T14:51:00.001-05:002011-12-27T14:51:24.372-05:00Animals make news at live Nativity scenesA couple of interesting news items happened over the Christmas weekend involving live Nativity scenes.<br />
<br />
First, a goat in Minnesota fled the scene from a Nativity at Bethlehem Church in Fergus Falls, Minn. The 3-year-old Angora goat escaped its leash on Christmas Eve afternoon and remained on the lam on Monday.<br />
<br />
The goat's owner said he tried to chase the animal for two hours, but a lack of snow made tracking it difficult.<br />
<br />
There was some happier news Christmas Eve involving a Nativity display at The Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati.<br />
<br />
There, the conservatory reports, a night watchman oversaw the delivery for a sheep that was part of the live animal display. Officials say the birthing went well and the mother and lamb were doing fine.<br />
<br />
Officials said they may name the female lamb "Merry."<br />
<br /><span id="_oneup" style="font-size: 11px;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-43637292695816822972011-12-05T16:12:00.001-05:002011-12-05T16:33:50.851-05:00Hard to keep a good Lab down<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2PXFKxdxo3o/Tt03YZIQ9pI/AAAAAAAAAHA/gEXHSqMnnOQ/s1600/disney+with+a+cone2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2PXFKxdxo3o/Tt03YZIQ9pI/AAAAAAAAAHA/gEXHSqMnnOQ/s320/disney+with+a+cone2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My black Labrador Disney -- wearing a cone <br />because of her knee surgery -- lays in the yard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nm4EoyD52RA/Tt03bp0zh1I/AAAAAAAAAHI/tjIGRDOb_7Q/s1600/disney+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nm4EoyD52RA/Tt03bp0zh1I/AAAAAAAAAHI/tjIGRDOb_7Q/s320/disney+photo.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disney poses for a photo after getting a bath<br />months before her knee surgery.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the past eight weeks, my wife Sharon and I have been health care workers. But we weren’t providing care to an ill child, or comfort to a relative. No, our patient has been our 10-year-old black Labrador, Disney.<br /><br />
In early October, Sharon and I were walking our two dogs when Disney lunged toward a pack of dogs that was being walked on the other side of the street and suddenly started limping on her right rear leg. Naturally, we were at the farthest point from our house, so I walked back home with the other dog to get the car to return and pick up Sharon and Disney.<br /><br />
The next day I took Disney to the vet. The diagnosis was a cruciate ligament tear. I was surprised, but apparently this injury is very common among Labradors, especially aging ones.<br /><br />
A few days later Disney had an appointment with an orthopedic specialist, who confirmed the diagnosis and set up a time for surgery to fix “the football injury,” as he called it. The surgery went well, but the doctor also found severe arthritis in the knee. I felt a little sad when Disney was brought out wearing a plastic cone around her head to keep her from picking at her sutures and with her right hind quarter shaved.<br /><br />
We received a long list of discharge instructions to help Disney in her recovery, among them changing her diet, limiting walks to “elimination” only, and keeping her confined — for 8 weeks!!!<br /><br />
That last one was going to be a little difficult for a dog that has had the run of the house for the past 10 years. The surgeon wanted us to keep Disney in a room about the size of a doctor’s examination room. But living in a two-story townhome, there are no small rooms on the first floor.<br /><br />
So we had to make do. We have some paneling in the basement, so we used a piece or two as a divider between the living and dining rooms. And to aid the “elimination” process, my dad built a ramp out of plywood to put on the deck so Disney could avoid using the steps.<br /><br />
For the first week of Disney’s recovery, I slept on a couch in the living room. No, I wasn’t in the dog house. But Sharon and I agreed that was probably best to keep Disney from whimpering. The patient also needed pain medication three times a day, and one of those times was usually around 2 a.m. — or whenever I woke up in the middle of the night.<br /><br />
But after that first week we needed another confinement plan. Disney learned that by using her cone, she could move the paneling and walk around downstairs. So we borrowed some baby fencing from our oldest daughter and set up a small pen for Disney in the dining room.<br /><br />
Her recovery was going well. Two weeks after the procedure, she returned to the surgeon to get the sutures out and lose the “cone of shame.”<br /><br />
But free of the cone, Disney was again using her ingenuity to get out of her confinement. She realized that if she put her nose on the floor, she could lift the pen and crawl underneath. It was a bit surprising to come home from work some nights and see that Disney had escaped. This happened so many times, we called her “HouDisney.”<br /><br />
I know she didn’t understand why she had to be confined, and probably thought she was being punished. But it’s not like I could talk to the patient and tell her about the recovery process.<br /><br />
Another two weeks passed quietly and a first set of X-rays on the repaired knee showed good progress. But then the surgeon said something that caused me a lot of angst: because her knee was healing, Disney would want to be more active and therefore her confinement had to be more strict.<br />He wasn’t kidding. The past four weeks have not been easy. <br /><br />
We used dining room chairs as clamps to keep Disney from getting out of the makeshift pen, but that didn’t stop her. She still managed to escape a few times. The issue was especially bad when we went to bed and Disney had to stay downstairs. For a couple nights in a row, we could hear the rustling of Disney trying to get out. <br /><br />
In one instance, Sharon went downstairs to scold Disney and saw her trying to CLIMB out of the pen. That was the last straw. So at 10:30 on this particular night, we were at Walmart buying a crate for our ornery patient. Disney didn’t like being crated, but we had to keep her as confined as possible. So close to the end of her recovery, we didn’t want her to screw up the surgery.<br /><br />
Being the stubborn old lady that she is, Disney hasn’t gone in the crate willingly. We’ve had to put a leash on her, then walk her into the crate. But she gets something out of it, because the only way Sharon or I could get her to move was when we said “treat.”<br /><br />
Disney’s final X-rays were scheduled for Saturday. To be honest, when we’ve been home we haven’t kept her totally confined. On Thanksgiving, she was walking around a lot as we entertained a house full of people, and she’s also climbed the stairs once or twice over the past 10 days.<br /><br />
She seems to be recovering nicely. Disney’s moving around about as well as she did before her injury — with a slight limp — so I expect the X-rays to show she is nearly healed. And based on inquiries from our neighbors, Disney’s been missed my many.<br /><br />
Our work isn’t done, however. Next are weeks of rehabilitation as we have to build up the strength in Disney’s injured leg. I only hope the rehab process is a little less aggravating than her recovery.<br /><br />Mike Spohn is The Mercury’s Sunday editor. You can e-mail him at mspohn@pottsmerc.com, or follow him on Twitter @Merc_Mike.<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-53237681560213065672011-11-17T13:07:00.001-05:002011-11-17T14:05:26.527-05:00If the Bradys used TwitterI'm a fan of "The Brady Bunch," so I had to open an e-mail I received recently.<br />
<br />
The e-mail was for an article from another blog titled<a href="http://www.internetservice.net/2011/5-ways-the-brady-bunch-could-have-used-twitter/"> "5 Ways the Brady Bunch Could Have Used Twitter"</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9HE1YqVr3ss/TsVYsQ5cRPI/AAAAAAAAAG4/5t16exNdfIY/s1600/logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9HE1YqVr3ss/TsVYsQ5cRPI/AAAAAAAAAG4/5t16exNdfIY/s320/logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
When "The Brady Bunch" debuted in 1969, there were no personal computers, no e-mail, no smart phones. Only letters, snail mail and land lines. As the article states," there was no 'virtual' reality, just 'real' reality." This article looks out how some of the situations the Bradys got into would be different today.<br />
<br />
One example was the episode where Mr. Brady installed a pay phone in an effort to keep the telephone bill lower. Today, Mike would be upset over the kids' cell phone use, complaining that they weren't using unlimited texting or tweeting their friends.<br />
<br />
The article gave four other examples, but here are some of my own: <br />
<ul>
<li>After Marcia was hit in the face by an errant photo, she would have been tweeting "oh my #nose, oh my #nose."</li>
<li>When Peter knocked out the neighborhood bully, his tweet could have been "take that #Buddy #Hinton."</li>
<li>While Greg and Bobby were locked in the freezer at Sam's Butcher Shop, Greg could have asked for help: "Locked in #freezer @SamsButcherShop. Please #help."</li>
</ul>
Well, you get the point. "The Brady Bunch" in 2011 would be a lot different than it was 40 years ago.<br />
<br />
Can you think of other examples? Leave a comment or e-mail me at mcspohn@gmail.com<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-11511095013276358182011-10-21T16:58:00.002-04:002011-10-21T16:58:48.132-04:00Eating while drivingOak Park, Ill., is trying to crack down on distracted drivers. <br />
<br />
A story came out recently that lawmakers in the community outside of Chicago want to create a comprehensive bill banning all distractions while driving. That means talking, texting, grooming and yes, apparently, even eating.<br />
<br />
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
According to this <a href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-10-12/news/ct-met-eating-while-driving-20111013_1_hand-held-cellphone-texting-hands-free">story from the Chicago Tribune</a>, if Oak Park ultimately passes an outright ban
on eating while driving, it might become one of the first in the nation
to do so.</div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
<br /></div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
Oak Park Village Trustee Colette Lueck, who is
initiating the push against distracted driving, said she would like to
ban applying make-up or drinking, in addition to eating and cell phone
use.</div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
<br /></div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
“To me, this is an issue of public safety,” she
said. “This isn’t government overreach; this is the government
protecting people. Distracted driving puts everyone on the road in
danger.”</div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
<br /></div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
Almost anything could be considered a distraction while driving: fiddling with a car radio or CD player; scratching an itch or blowing your nose. More and more, municipalities are allowing digital billboards along their roads and highways. Who's paying attention to the road when their watching the signs change?</div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
<br /></div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
</div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
Eating while driving a distraction? Yeah, probably. And if it is, I'm guilty.</div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
<br /></div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
It's almost a pre-requisite as a journalist to master the art of eating while driving.</div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
<br /></div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
In my former journalistic life as a high school sports writer for a weekly newspaper, eating in my car was essential. There were many Fridays or Saturdays in the fall where I would cover a football game in the afternoon, then another that night. The only way to find time to eat was to go through a fast-food drive-thru and scarf down a burger and fries on my way to the next event.</div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
<br /></div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
I wrote a column in the late 90s on the best fast food to eat while driving. (Unfortunately, that column is unavailable on The Mercury's website.) At the time, my unscientific study revealed that is was a McDonald's quarter-pounder with cheese. Now, it would be anything off a fast-food restaurant's value menu.</div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
</div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
I don't eat as much in my car as I once did, but when I do, it's usually a breakfast sandwich or pastry instead of a burger and fries. And I don't believe it's ever been a distraction.</div>
<div class="HEAD_Semibold">
<br /></div>
If you can't master the art of eating while driving, you mustn't be much of a driver!<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-3450733899965708742011-10-05T15:15:00.003-04:002011-10-05T15:15:58.590-04:00Are "The Simpsons" nearing an end?I"ve been a fan of "The Simpsons" since it first started on FOX in 1989 and for years it was the best show on television. But now, the longest-running animated TV show in history may not make it much further.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ISgkDDrGzbM/ToysxOM-nCI/AAAAAAAAAGw/GBn0cl5A4QE/s1600/TV+Fox+The+Simpsons_Spoh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ISgkDDrGzbM/ToysxOM-nCI/AAAAAAAAAGw/GBn0cl5A4QE/s320/TV+Fox+The+Simpsons_Spoh.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
"The Simpsons" producer said Tuesday that the show's current financial model may keep it from continuing. A report said that producers are demanding a 45 percent pay cut from the six voice
actors, who reportedly make nearly $8 million each for a season. The
website said the voice actors have offered to take a 30 percent pay cut
in return for a portion of the show's syndication and merchandise
revenue.<br />
<br />
According to the Associated Press, the Fox network reportedly loses money
each year on new episodes, even as all the old episodes run in
perpetuity in reruns and are a cash cow for producers and creators. <br />
<br />
"The Simpsons" is averaging 7.1 million viewers for its new episodes
this fall, down 14 percent from last year. Back in the 1991-92 season,
an average of 21.7 million people watched it every week, Nielsen said.<br />
<br />
For more, go <a href="http://www.pottsmerc.com/articles/2011/10/05/entertainment/doc4e8c62b8321bb366926626.txt?viewmode=fullstory">here</a>. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-46623496372240512692011-09-30T16:37:00.000-04:002011-09-30T17:03:40.584-04:00World Series or bust<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r1Hvv5kd13I/ToYnzZJDWeI/AAAAAAAAAGs/NpxZeFGpI44/s1600/NLDS+Cardinals+Philli_Spoh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r1Hvv5kd13I/ToYnzZJDWeI/AAAAAAAAAGs/NpxZeFGpI44/s400/NLDS+Cardinals+Philli_Spoh.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manager Charlie Manuel watches the Phillies <br />
work out Friday at Citizens Bank Park. AP Photo</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the Phillies signed free-agent pitcher Cliff Lee in the offseason, they instantly become the favorites to win the World Series this year.<br />
With a club-record 102 wins and a fifth straight National League East crown on their resume, the favored Phils begin their quest for a 3rd World Series title on Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals.<br />
Expectations are high, but there's a lot to be concerned about:<br />
<ul>
<li>The offense: Sure, this team stuggled A LOT to score runs. But I believe
that with the regular lineup on the field since the acquisition of
Hunter Pence, the team is undefeated. Yes, it's only a handful of games,
but you get the point. Manager Charlie Manuel's late-season change to
put Chase Utley in the No. 2 spot, Pence third and Shane Victorino fifth
seems to be the best use of his personnel this postseason. The key will
be leadoff man Jimmy Rollins. If he gets on base, it will have a
trickle effect down the lineup and guys on base for cleanup hitter Ryan
Howard, who knocked in 116 runs. As Rollins and Howard go, so go the Phillies.</li>
<li>The bullpen: During the final month of the season, Antonio Bastardo, who dominated the first 5 months, struggled to get hitters out. As the lone lefty in the bullpen, his resurgence is crucial to postseason success. As is Brad Lidge. The former closer missed the first 3 months of the season with arm troubles, but was solid in the 2nd half of the year. He'll likely pitch in the 8th inning with the game on the line.</li>
<li>Health: The Phillies struggled with injuries all season and they are the oldest team in the National League. Howard has a sore left ankle/heel that he will play through, but who knows how it will affect him at the plate. Third baseman Placido Polanco has had problems with an elbow and a sports hernia. Utley missed the first 2 months of the season with a knee issue, but seems healthy now. Rollins was on the disabled list recently with an injured calf. Ironically, left fielder Raul Ibanez, the oldest player on the team at 39, was one of the few regulars not to spend time on the disabled list.</li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UVbVmD5KaWE/ToYnj8NfSJI/AAAAAAAAAGo/MEcyfkLoQHQ/s1600/Cardinals+Phillies+Ba_Spoh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UVbVmD5KaWE/ToYnj8NfSJI/AAAAAAAAAGo/MEcyfkLoQHQ/s320/Cardinals+Phillies+Ba_Spoh.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phillies players celebrate their fifth straight<br />
National League East title. AP Photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But one thing not to be concerned about is the starting pitching. Roy Halladay, Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt are all playoff tested. Oswalt missed two months with a back issue, but based off his performance in September, he's healthy. Halladay threw a no-hitter in his first postseason start last year. Cliff Lee is 7-2 in the postseason, his only losses coming in last year's World Series when he pitched for Texas. He was 4-0 with the Phillies in 2009. And Cole Hamels was the NLCS and World Series MVP in 2008. <br />
<br />
The Cardinals, who ralled from an 8 1/2-game deficit to claim the Wild Card berth thanks to the Phillies' 3-game sweep of Atlanta in the season's final series, led the league in hitting and have future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols anchoring the lineup. But last year, the Reds led the league in hitting and the Phillies disposed of them in 3 games, including Halladay's no-hitter and a shutout from Hamels in Game 3.<br />
<br />
This series will come down to the Phils' offense. If they can score 4 runs a game, they should have no problem with Halladay, Lee and Hamels lined up. They looked ready to go during their sweep of the Braves.<br />
<br />
The Phillies are expected to get to -- if not win -- the World Series. Not winning the World Series will be a disappointment. Not getting there would be considered a failure. The Cardinals won the season series from the Phillies, 6 games to 3, which may cause some anxiety. But the Phillies are the better team, and they take their first step to the World Series against the Caridnals.<br />
<br />
Phillies in 4.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960088592839948721.post-34876339105185764092011-09-21T12:01:00.005-04:002011-09-21T12:01:58.520-04:00Man gets 2 DUIs in 1 night<br />
So much for learning a lesson.<br />
Police in western Pennsylvania have charged a man with driving drunk twice in the same night.<br />
According to the Associated Press, Robert Brodnick, 58, of Washington, was arrested twice by state police for DUI -- the second
time about 15 minutes after they released him into the custody of a
friend.<br />
<div>
Brodnick's
blood-alcohol limit was at least double what the law allows when he was
arrested, police charge. Trooper Joseph Christy says troopers released Brodnick to the
custody of a "responsible party" but say that person must have dropped
of Brodnick at his vehicle because the same trooper who arrested
Brodnick saw him driving again.<br />
Brodnick tells WPXI-TV that he had two or three beers and just wanted to drive his new car home.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15553037256099988511noreply@blogger.com0