As we now sink deep into winter I thought I would remind my Southern California readers how lucky they are living in a warm and relatively dry environment. This writer grew up in the Midwest and attended college at St. Lawrence University. St. Lawrence University is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in the village of Canton in Saint Lawrence County, New York. Founded in 1856, it is the oldest coeducational university in the state of New York. It has roughly 2300 undergraduate and 100 graduate students, about equally split between male and female.
This is a typical winters’ day at St. Lawrence:
7:00 AM outside temperature -10 degrees – dress in long underwear and multi layers to go out and start the car; first unplug the electrical connection to the battery that keeps the engine warm overnight and then pray the car starts.
12:00 Noon outside temperature 0 degrees – walk to class or to work, with the temperature it hurts to take a breath.
3:00 PM outside temperature 5 degrees – the warmest time of the day, the sun is shining but who cares your feet and hands are numb, your face feels like gravel and your nose is turning an odd purple color.
6:00 PM outside temperature is again 0 degrees – You are back inside but there is so much frost on your windows you cannot see out. A man resembling Jeremiah Johnson is giving the weather forecast for tomorrow; a heat wave 11 degrees tomorrow!!!!
9:00 PM outside temperature -8 degrees – now it is windy and snowing, they call this a white out – so you head to the Hoot Owl for a refreshment; a famous Hoot Owl custom, take your 10 ounce glass of beer outside, throw the contents into the air and watch it turn into beer snow in seconds, never hitting the ground.
And you wonder why real estate is so high in Southern California….
CHINA IS WORLD'S BIGGEST LENDER - China has lent more money to other developing countries over the past two years than the World Bank, a stark indication of the scale of Beijing's economic reach and its drive to secure natural resources. China Development Bank and China Export-Import Bank signed loans of at least $110bn (£70bn) to other developing country governments and companies in 2009 and 2010. ... The equivalent arms of the World Bank made loan commitments of $100.3bn from mid-2008 to mid-2010, itself a record amount of lending in response to the financial crisis.
--N.Y. Times "Business Day" front, "Wal-Mart Takes a Healthy Turn: A 5-Year Plan to Reduce Fats, Sugars and Salt in Food," by Sheryl Gay Stolberg: "Aides say it is the first time Mrs. Obama has thrown her support behind the work of a single company. The plan [is] similar to efforts by other companies and to public health initiatives by New York City ... Wal-Mart and White House officials said the company was also pledging to press its major food suppliers, like Kraft, to follow its example. ... Leslie Dach, Wal-Mart's executive vice president for corporate affairs, [said the] changes will be introduced slowly ... to give the company time to overcome technical hurdles and to give consumers time to adjust to foods' new taste ... 'It doesn't do you any good to have healthy food if people don't eat it.'"
FOURTH QUARTER STATS - The U.S. economy, fueled by gains in consumer spending, grew at a faster pace in the fourth quarter, raising hopes that it's on self-sustaining path, government data showed Friday. In its first estimate of growth for the final three months of 2010, the Commerce Department said gross domestic product rose at a 3.2% annual rate, faster than the 2.6% pace seen during the interval spanning July, August and September.
HAPPY NEW YEAR - The eruption in Egypt has dampened spirits in the Obama White House, where officials were having their best run in more than a year. "We're struggling to figure all this out," said a top official who spent much of the weekend on the crisis. Obama's closest aides have been enjoying three Rs: political resurgence, economic recovery, and a White House reorganization that most West Wingers applaud. But now these officials fret that new instability in the Middle East will 1) distract from President Obama's jobs-and-innovation message, 2) dim hopes for a breakthrough in the peace process, and 3) stall the economy if the revolutionary tsunami spreads to other Arabian states, driving up the price of oil. In a live special last night, CNBC warned of "economic contagion."
Those are the big-picture threats. More immediately, aides are debating how aggressively to prod President Mubarak to step down and/or get the ball rolling on free elections. Western diplomats are convinced Mubarak is UNLIKELY to survive in office. But stranger things have happened in that neck of the woods, so President Obama is being cautious, both to avoid a backlash if the U.S. is seen as trying to engineer a successor, and in deference to other Arab allies. "It's just a very tough line to straddle," a senior administration official said. "If [Mubarak] guts this out and stays, we're going to continue to need him and work with him, and he might not appreciate that we pushed. Bottom line, Egypt's destiny is Egypt's to decide, and we'll work with whoever emerges or is left standing."
Moreover, administration officials confess that they are uncertain who should replace him. "There's no horse to bet on," said a Democrat with intimate knowledge of the conversations. "There's no opposition leader to get behind." So the government now is trying to parse the leaders of the revolt, to build an on-the-fly Who's Who of potential post-Mubarak powers. The top official added: "There isn't a natural successor. And if we were to embrace a particular person, it does more harm than good. It's a classic dilemma for America."
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – Birthday wishes and thoughts this week to Ernie Banks (80), Christie Brinkley (57), Don Cherry (77), Alice Cooper (63), Retief Goosen (42), Ina Garten (57), Former VP Dan Quayle (64), Roger Staubach (69).
NFL PICK OF THE WEEK – Season to date (7-14).
SUPER BOWL XLV
Packers Favored in Closest Super Bowl Point Spread in 27 Years - The Green Bay Packers are 1 1/2- point favorites over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl, according to Las Vegas oddsmakers, the narrowest spread for the championship game in 27 years. The Packers will be seeking a record 13th National Football League championship when the teams meet Feb. 6 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. ... 'Most of it is public opinion,' said Andrew Patterson, an oddsmaker for Las Vegas Sports Consultants. 'The Packers have been the hot team in Vegas for several weeks and this is the continuation of it.' The last Super Bowl to have a point spread of less than three points was played after the 1983 season, when the Washington Redskins were 2 1/2-point favorites over Oakland and lost to the Raiders 38-9. In the Super Bowl's 44-year history, only two other games had point spreads of less than a field goal. The 1981 San Francisco 49ers were favored by one point over Cincinnati and beat the Bengals 26-21. Nine years earlier, the Miami Dolphins were one-point favorites and completed an undefeated season with a 14-7 win over Washington. The favorite of Las Vegas oddsmakers has won 32 of 44 Super Bowls -- a 73 percent success rate."
--Rink Rats like Pittsburgh to win their record seventh Super Bowl, too much talent and too much experience, sorry GB.
--Super Bowl XLV takes place at Cowboys Stadium in North Texas on Sunday, February 6 (FOX, 6:30 PM ET).
COLLEGE HOCKEY GAME OF THE WEEK – Friday 2/4, #6 Michigan Wolverines (17-7-4) @ #11 ranked Miami of Ohio RedHawks (14-9-5), 7:35 ET, FSN. This CCHA contest in Oxford Ohio at Steve Cady Arena (Steve Cady, St. Lawrence ’75) should be a good one; the Wolverines are playoff ready and smell another run to the national title. We like Red Berenson’s team to win at Miami. Season to date (1-3).
THE KINGS SPEECH - Colin Firth's SAG award for playing a leader with difficulties speaking bodes well for Sarah Palin.
TOP FIVE STATES – the top five states in debt (all in billions): (1) California $22.5, (2) Texas $10.0, (3) Illinois $8.5, (4) New Jersey $7.9, (5) New York $7.0. Good luck to you all.
Next week, early Oscar picks.
Until next Monday, Adios.
Claremont, CA
January 31, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Obama II
Though the U.S. stock market ended last week in mixed fashion, the Dow is now riding an eight-week winning streak - a period in which it's gained 7%. Interestingly, it hasn't had a triple-digit gain since December 1 and 2 - the first week in that streak.
DRIVING THE WEEK - Obama's State of the Union Address (and the bipartisan seating arrangements) on Tuesday will dominate the first half of the week. The president is expected to kick off a reelection run to the center with a call for toned down rhetoric and a focus on deficit reduction and corporate tax cuts along with targeted "investments" in clean tech and infrastructure (among other things) to help generate jobs. Few specific policy proposals or deficit reduction commitments expected ... CEOs and top bankers gather in Davos, Switzerland, for the annual World Economic Forum schmooze-fest with the European debt crisis and rising fears over global commodity prices likely to be two main topics, along with more positive signs of economic recovery ... House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday morning unveils the latest SIGTARP report (likely to once again hammer Treasury on HAMP and AIG accounting) and holds a hearing to discuss it with testimony from Treasury's Tim Massad, who runs TARP day-to-day. Look for SIGTARP findings to start leaking today or tomorrow.
ECONOMY THIS WEEK - Fed wraps up a two-day meeting Wednesday and is expected to maintain its program of buying around $75 billion worth of Treasury bonds a month (with a goal of $600 billion total) while also acknowledging that the economy is slowly getting better ... Big economic number comes Friday when the Commerce Department reports fourth quarter GDP. The consensus estimate is for 3.5 percent growth driven by increased consumer spending, up from a 2.6 percent rate in the third quarter.
THE NEW POTUS - New York Times Magazine article by Peter Baker, "The White House Looks for Work: Inside Obama's struggle to bring down unemployment": "Three days before Christmas, President Obama gathered his economic team in the West Wing's Roosevelt Room to review themes for his State of the Union address ... [H]e was looking for bold ways to bring down unemployment. The ideas presented to him, though, seemed familiar and uninspired. 'You know, guys,' he said, according to someone in the room, 'I've told you before, I want you to come to me with ideas that EXCITE me.' Nothing he was hearing excited him. Obama's frustration could set the tone for the remainder of his term. For all the trials of war and terrorism, the economy has come to define his presidency. ...
"Obama has been casting about for ideas. He held two unpublicized meetings last month with outside economists, a group of liberals one day and a group of conservatives the next, soliciting suggestions while deflecting criticism. (He was 'a bit defensive,' one participant told me.) He likewise met with labor leaders and convened a four-hour meeting with chief executives from Google, General Electric, Honeywell, Boeing and other corporations. Obama was so intent on the conversation that he canceled a lunch break and asked the executives to bring their chicken, fish and pasta back from a buffet so they could keep talking. Some of those who met with him repeated the common complaint that he has yet to articulate a coherent strategy. ...
“The [economic] team never embraced the no-drama-Obama ethos. Over the last two months, I interviewed nearly all of the team's main figures, past and present, and when we talked about their relations with one another, it was like picking through the wreckage of a messy divorce. With Geithner as its anchor, a new economic team is being built around Bill Clinton-era figures like William Daley, Gene Sperling and Jack Lew, a group assembled to joust with Republicans instead of one another. Rather than responding to crises or putting into motion grand macroeconomic theories, they will focus on pushing the recovery into higher gear while at the same time figuring out how to reduce the deficit - two goals that some see as incompatible in the short term. And along the way, they need to convince Americans that the president is focused on jobs, jobs, jobs. ...
"Obama plans to use the State of the Union to present himself as a fiscal conservative. But it will be a delicate balance for someone who believes government spending helped turn the economy around; he hopes to make the case that he can rein in the deficit but that the deepest cuts should wait until after the recovery gathers momentum. 'We have to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time,' [OMB Director] Lew said. 'I deeply believe that this would be the wrong time to hit the brakes.' The burden clearly weighs on Obama as he searches for that magic combination. He has made a point of talking more lately about jobs and associating himself with the burdens of employers and employees alike. He announced [economic adviser] Sperling's appointment this month not at the White House but at a factory in Maryland, where he expressed sympathy for the stresses of running a business in hard times." Peter Baker is a White House correspondent for The Times and a contributing writer for the magazine.
REMEMBERING "SARGE" SHRIVER - Jonathan Martin: "R. Sargent Shriver - the first Peace Corps director, one-time vice-presidential nominee, and most famous Kennedy in-law - died Tuesday in his native Maryland. He was 95 ... While he never held elected office, the idealistic Shriver had one the most of distinguished records of public service of any American from the World War II generation. ... A devout Catholic who attended Mass most every day when he was alive, the elder Shriver thought his failure at winning elected office ... was a sign from above that he was meant to do a different sort of public service. ... The Shrivers had five children -- four boys and one girl, Maria Shriver ... The eldest, Robert Sargent 'Bobby' Shriver III, is a member of the Santa Monica, Calif., city council. Shriver is survived by all of his children and 19 grandchildren."
JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY, age 43, was inaugurated the 35th president, 50 years ago this past week: "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – Birthday wishes and thoughts this week to Chris Chelios (49), Former VP Dick Cheney (70), Wayne Gretzky (50), Gene Hackman (80), Mariska Hargitay (47), Dominik Hasek (46), Dean Abe Helou …distinguished educator, Norah ODonnell (37), Keith Olbermann (52), Tom Sellick (66), Curtis Strange (56), Oprah Winfrey (57).
NFL PICK OF THE WEEK –
Season to date (7-14)
SUPER BOWL XLV
Packers Favored in Closest Super Bowl Point Spread in 27 Years - The Green Bay Packers are 2 1/2- point favorites over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl, according to Las Vegas oddsmakers, the narrowest spread for the championship game in 27 years. The Packers will be seeking a record 13th National Football League championship when the teams meet Feb. 6 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. ... 'Most of it is public opinion,' said Andrew Patterson, an oddsmaker for Las Vegas Sports Consultants. 'The Packers have been the hot team in Vegas for several weeks and this is the continuation of it.' The last Super Bowl to have a point spread of less than three points was played after the 1983 season, when the Washington Redskins were 2 1/2-point favorites over Oakland and lost to the Raiders 38-9. In the Super Bowl's 44-year history, only two other games had point spreads of less than a field goal. The 1981 San Francisco 49ers were favored by one point over Cincinnati and beat the Bengals 26-21. Nine years earlier, the Miami Dolphins were one-point favorites and completed an undefeated season with a 14-7 win over Washington. The favorite of Las Vegas oddsmakers has won 32 of 44 Super Bowls -- a 73 percent success rate."
--Rink Rats Super Bowl pick will be next week.
--The 2011 Pro Bowl (FOX, 7:00 PM ET) will be played on Sunday, January 30 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, one week before Super Bowl XLV takes place at Cowboys Stadium in North Texas on Sunday, February 6 (FOX, 6:30 PM ET).
COLLEGE HOCKEY GAME OF THE WEEK – Saturday 1/29, the #20 ranked Princeton Tigers (11-6-1) travel to the north country to face the St. Lawrence University Skating Saints (7-12-4). On paper Princeton should win, but the Saints need a victory to get back in the ECAC playoff picture. Appleton Arena will be rocking with the students now back from holiday break, we pick St. Lawrence. Season to date (1-2).
JACKASS OF THE MONTH – In remarks on the House floor last week, Democratic Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen likened the Republican attack on health care reform to the propagation of false rhetoric in Nazi Germany. Cohen, who spoke to a largely empty chamber, was arguing on behalf of health care reform law during floor debate over the GOP’s bill to repeal it.
“They don’t like the truth so they summarily dismiss it,” said Cohen, who is Jewish. “They say it’s a government takeover of health care, a big lie just like (Nazi propagandist Joseph) Goebbels. “ In his remarks, Cohen warned against the repetition of false information – using the Holocaust to exemplify his point. For this classless behavior we welcome Rep. Cohen to the JACKASS Club for January.
Keith Olbermann, a Jackass alumnus was shown the door this week by MSNBC, back to the sports desk for Keith.
Next week, winter in Canton, New York.
Until next Monday, Adios.
Claremont, CA
January 24, 2011
DRIVING THE WEEK - Obama's State of the Union Address (and the bipartisan seating arrangements) on Tuesday will dominate the first half of the week. The president is expected to kick off a reelection run to the center with a call for toned down rhetoric and a focus on deficit reduction and corporate tax cuts along with targeted "investments" in clean tech and infrastructure (among other things) to help generate jobs. Few specific policy proposals or deficit reduction commitments expected ... CEOs and top bankers gather in Davos, Switzerland, for the annual World Economic Forum schmooze-fest with the European debt crisis and rising fears over global commodity prices likely to be two main topics, along with more positive signs of economic recovery ... House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday morning unveils the latest SIGTARP report (likely to once again hammer Treasury on HAMP and AIG accounting) and holds a hearing to discuss it with testimony from Treasury's Tim Massad, who runs TARP day-to-day. Look for SIGTARP findings to start leaking today or tomorrow.
ECONOMY THIS WEEK - Fed wraps up a two-day meeting Wednesday and is expected to maintain its program of buying around $75 billion worth of Treasury bonds a month (with a goal of $600 billion total) while also acknowledging that the economy is slowly getting better ... Big economic number comes Friday when the Commerce Department reports fourth quarter GDP. The consensus estimate is for 3.5 percent growth driven by increased consumer spending, up from a 2.6 percent rate in the third quarter.
THE NEW POTUS - New York Times Magazine article by Peter Baker, "The White House Looks for Work: Inside Obama's struggle to bring down unemployment": "Three days before Christmas, President Obama gathered his economic team in the West Wing's Roosevelt Room to review themes for his State of the Union address ... [H]e was looking for bold ways to bring down unemployment. The ideas presented to him, though, seemed familiar and uninspired. 'You know, guys,' he said, according to someone in the room, 'I've told you before, I want you to come to me with ideas that EXCITE me.' Nothing he was hearing excited him. Obama's frustration could set the tone for the remainder of his term. For all the trials of war and terrorism, the economy has come to define his presidency. ...
"Obama has been casting about for ideas. He held two unpublicized meetings last month with outside economists, a group of liberals one day and a group of conservatives the next, soliciting suggestions while deflecting criticism. (He was 'a bit defensive,' one participant told me.) He likewise met with labor leaders and convened a four-hour meeting with chief executives from Google, General Electric, Honeywell, Boeing and other corporations. Obama was so intent on the conversation that he canceled a lunch break and asked the executives to bring their chicken, fish and pasta back from a buffet so they could keep talking. Some of those who met with him repeated the common complaint that he has yet to articulate a coherent strategy. ...
“The [economic] team never embraced the no-drama-Obama ethos. Over the last two months, I interviewed nearly all of the team's main figures, past and present, and when we talked about their relations with one another, it was like picking through the wreckage of a messy divorce. With Geithner as its anchor, a new economic team is being built around Bill Clinton-era figures like William Daley, Gene Sperling and Jack Lew, a group assembled to joust with Republicans instead of one another. Rather than responding to crises or putting into motion grand macroeconomic theories, they will focus on pushing the recovery into higher gear while at the same time figuring out how to reduce the deficit - two goals that some see as incompatible in the short term. And along the way, they need to convince Americans that the president is focused on jobs, jobs, jobs. ...
"Obama plans to use the State of the Union to present himself as a fiscal conservative. But it will be a delicate balance for someone who believes government spending helped turn the economy around; he hopes to make the case that he can rein in the deficit but that the deepest cuts should wait until after the recovery gathers momentum. 'We have to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time,' [OMB Director] Lew said. 'I deeply believe that this would be the wrong time to hit the brakes.' The burden clearly weighs on Obama as he searches for that magic combination. He has made a point of talking more lately about jobs and associating himself with the burdens of employers and employees alike. He announced [economic adviser] Sperling's appointment this month not at the White House but at a factory in Maryland, where he expressed sympathy for the stresses of running a business in hard times." Peter Baker is a White House correspondent for The Times and a contributing writer for the magazine.
REMEMBERING "SARGE" SHRIVER - Jonathan Martin: "R. Sargent Shriver - the first Peace Corps director, one-time vice-presidential nominee, and most famous Kennedy in-law - died Tuesday in his native Maryland. He was 95 ... While he never held elected office, the idealistic Shriver had one the most of distinguished records of public service of any American from the World War II generation. ... A devout Catholic who attended Mass most every day when he was alive, the elder Shriver thought his failure at winning elected office ... was a sign from above that he was meant to do a different sort of public service. ... The Shrivers had five children -- four boys and one girl, Maria Shriver ... The eldest, Robert Sargent 'Bobby' Shriver III, is a member of the Santa Monica, Calif., city council. Shriver is survived by all of his children and 19 grandchildren."
JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY, age 43, was inaugurated the 35th president, 50 years ago this past week: "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – Birthday wishes and thoughts this week to Chris Chelios (49), Former VP Dick Cheney (70), Wayne Gretzky (50), Gene Hackman (80), Mariska Hargitay (47), Dominik Hasek (46), Dean Abe Helou …distinguished educator, Norah ODonnell (37), Keith Olbermann (52), Tom Sellick (66), Curtis Strange (56), Oprah Winfrey (57).
NFL PICK OF THE WEEK –
Season to date (7-14)
SUPER BOWL XLV
Packers Favored in Closest Super Bowl Point Spread in 27 Years - The Green Bay Packers are 2 1/2- point favorites over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl, according to Las Vegas oddsmakers, the narrowest spread for the championship game in 27 years. The Packers will be seeking a record 13th National Football League championship when the teams meet Feb. 6 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. ... 'Most of it is public opinion,' said Andrew Patterson, an oddsmaker for Las Vegas Sports Consultants. 'The Packers have been the hot team in Vegas for several weeks and this is the continuation of it.' The last Super Bowl to have a point spread of less than three points was played after the 1983 season, when the Washington Redskins were 2 1/2-point favorites over Oakland and lost to the Raiders 38-9. In the Super Bowl's 44-year history, only two other games had point spreads of less than a field goal. The 1981 San Francisco 49ers were favored by one point over Cincinnati and beat the Bengals 26-21. Nine years earlier, the Miami Dolphins were one-point favorites and completed an undefeated season with a 14-7 win over Washington. The favorite of Las Vegas oddsmakers has won 32 of 44 Super Bowls -- a 73 percent success rate."
--Rink Rats Super Bowl pick will be next week.
--The 2011 Pro Bowl (FOX, 7:00 PM ET) will be played on Sunday, January 30 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, one week before Super Bowl XLV takes place at Cowboys Stadium in North Texas on Sunday, February 6 (FOX, 6:30 PM ET).
COLLEGE HOCKEY GAME OF THE WEEK – Saturday 1/29, the #20 ranked Princeton Tigers (11-6-1) travel to the north country to face the St. Lawrence University Skating Saints (7-12-4). On paper Princeton should win, but the Saints need a victory to get back in the ECAC playoff picture. Appleton Arena will be rocking with the students now back from holiday break, we pick St. Lawrence. Season to date (1-2).
JACKASS OF THE MONTH – In remarks on the House floor last week, Democratic Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen likened the Republican attack on health care reform to the propagation of false rhetoric in Nazi Germany. Cohen, who spoke to a largely empty chamber, was arguing on behalf of health care reform law during floor debate over the GOP’s bill to repeal it.
“They don’t like the truth so they summarily dismiss it,” said Cohen, who is Jewish. “They say it’s a government takeover of health care, a big lie just like (Nazi propagandist Joseph) Goebbels. “ In his remarks, Cohen warned against the repetition of false information – using the Holocaust to exemplify his point. For this classless behavior we welcome Rep. Cohen to the JACKASS Club for January.
Keith Olbermann, a Jackass alumnus was shown the door this week by MSNBC, back to the sports desk for Keith.
Next week, winter in Canton, New York.
Until next Monday, Adios.
Claremont, CA
January 24, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Service
VOLUNTEER – This time of year, after the holidays and in celebration of Martin Luther King, a call is made to serve. Volunteer your time to people and organizations that need your help but cannot pay for your services. Rink Rats has found the smallest contribution of your time can help: give blood on a by-monthly basis, coach youth sports teams, regularly recycle household items, maintain the area around your home or apartment, all these seem small but they all add to the quality of life around us.
Should you have the time or desire volunteer at your local senior citizens center, give your time to your local schools and universities, help at food banks and homeless shelters, and above all us just smile. When I walk down my local community street and receive a smile from a passerby it feels good, you all should do the same.
NEWSPAPERS – With the glorification of smartphone, itablets, Facebook and Twitter lately there is still nothing better and informative then reading your daily newspaper. Be it national and international news stories from the New York Times, Los Angeles Times or Wall Street Journal, to local news, newspapers offer greater detail and variety to your reading. Technology is a good thing, but to a point.
FED MAKES RECORD PROFIT - FT's Robin Harding reports: "The US Federal Reserve made a record profit of $80.9bn in 2010 and sent $78.4bn to the US Treasury as income poured in from its programme of quantitative easing. The figures show how the financial crisis has turned the Fed into the most profitable bank in history, earning income of $88.1bn in 2010 but paying only $2.7bn in interest and $4.3bn in operating expenses. ... From the Treasury's point of view, profits from the Federal Reserve have compensated for some of the other costs of the financial crisis, such as rescues for the auto industry."
PRESIDENT KENNEDY - To help mark the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy, David S. Ferriero, Archivist of the United States, and Caroline Kennedy, President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, will unveil the nation's largest online digitized presidential archives [at the National Archives] ... The Digital Archive ... will be available to teachers, students, scholars, authors and the general public through any internet connection at www.jfklibrary.org. ... The Digital Archive includes over 200,000 pages, 300 reels of audio tape containing over 1,245 individual recordings of telephone conversations, speeches and meetings, 300 museum artifacts, 72 reels of moving images and 1,500 photos that have been digitized, described and loaded electronically.
THE BEST DONUTS – The best donuts in the world, outside of the Franklin Cider Mill in Franklin Michigan, are at the Donut Man, 915 East Route 66 in Glendora, California. Originally at this location as Foster’s Donuts, since 1975, they offer the best Maple Bars, Apple Fritters, and above all else Strawberry-filled donuts. Late night munchies, this is the place to go. Depressed with world events, the workplace, your sport teams, the Donut Man is the place to get back on the beam. On the Rink Rats ratings of 0 to 10, the Donut Man receives a 9, only the Franklin Cider Mill is better.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – Birthday wishes and thoughts this week to Muhammad Ali (69), Mike Bossy (54), Kevin Costner (56), Jack Nicklaus (71), Michelle Obama (47), Dr. Laura Schlessinger (64), Joe Schmidt (79).
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICK OF THE WEEK – Our College Football Pick of the Week season is now over; Rink Rats was an impressive 16-4 in major college football picks this past season, also in Small College picks Rink Rats was 12-3. Too bad this expertise did not carry over to the NFL.
NFL PICK OF THE WEEK – Season to date (6-13).
NFL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS PLAYOFF WEEKEND
Sunday, January 23
NFC: 3:00 PM (ET) – Green Bay at Chicago (Fox-TV) The Packers are 3.0 point favorites, Rink Rats picks the Packers.
AFC: 6:30 PM (ET) – New York at Pittsburgh (CBS-TV) The Steelers are 3.5 point favorites, Rink Rats likes the Jets.
--The 2011 Pro Bowl (FOX, 7:00 PM ET) will be played on Sunday, January 30 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, one week before Super Bowl XLV takes place at Cowboys Stadium in North Texas on Sunday, February 6 (FOX, 6:30 PM ET).
COLLEGE HOCKEY GAME OF THE WEEK – Friday 1/21, Boston College Eagles ranked #3 in the country (15-6) at #16 ranked Boston University Terriers (10-5-6), 7:00 PM ET, NESN. This intense rivalry continues in Bean Town, Boston College has been on a roll, we pick the Eagles at Jack Parker rink.
Season to date (0-2).
WORDS OF THE MONTH – exculpate \EK-skuhl-payt\, transitive verb: to clear from alleged fault or guilt; to prove to be guiltless; to relieve of blame; to acquit. “Each member is determined to exculpate himself, to lay the blame elsewhere.”
noticia, noun: news. ”Tengo una buena noticia que darte.”
Next week, our monthly finance update and our first Jackass of the month award for 2011.
Until next Monday, Adios.
Claremont, CA
January 17, 2011
Should you have the time or desire volunteer at your local senior citizens center, give your time to your local schools and universities, help at food banks and homeless shelters, and above all us just smile. When I walk down my local community street and receive a smile from a passerby it feels good, you all should do the same.
NEWSPAPERS – With the glorification of smartphone, itablets, Facebook and Twitter lately there is still nothing better and informative then reading your daily newspaper. Be it national and international news stories from the New York Times, Los Angeles Times or Wall Street Journal, to local news, newspapers offer greater detail and variety to your reading. Technology is a good thing, but to a point.
FED MAKES RECORD PROFIT - FT's Robin Harding reports: "The US Federal Reserve made a record profit of $80.9bn in 2010 and sent $78.4bn to the US Treasury as income poured in from its programme of quantitative easing. The figures show how the financial crisis has turned the Fed into the most profitable bank in history, earning income of $88.1bn in 2010 but paying only $2.7bn in interest and $4.3bn in operating expenses. ... From the Treasury's point of view, profits from the Federal Reserve have compensated for some of the other costs of the financial crisis, such as rescues for the auto industry."
PRESIDENT KENNEDY - To help mark the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy, David S. Ferriero, Archivist of the United States, and Caroline Kennedy, President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, will unveil the nation's largest online digitized presidential archives [at the National Archives] ... The Digital Archive ... will be available to teachers, students, scholars, authors and the general public through any internet connection at www.jfklibrary.org. ... The Digital Archive includes over 200,000 pages, 300 reels of audio tape containing over 1,245 individual recordings of telephone conversations, speeches and meetings, 300 museum artifacts, 72 reels of moving images and 1,500 photos that have been digitized, described and loaded electronically.
THE BEST DONUTS – The best donuts in the world, outside of the Franklin Cider Mill in Franklin Michigan, are at the Donut Man, 915 East Route 66 in Glendora, California. Originally at this location as Foster’s Donuts, since 1975, they offer the best Maple Bars, Apple Fritters, and above all else Strawberry-filled donuts. Late night munchies, this is the place to go. Depressed with world events, the workplace, your sport teams, the Donut Man is the place to get back on the beam. On the Rink Rats ratings of 0 to 10, the Donut Man receives a 9, only the Franklin Cider Mill is better.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – Birthday wishes and thoughts this week to Muhammad Ali (69), Mike Bossy (54), Kevin Costner (56), Jack Nicklaus (71), Michelle Obama (47), Dr. Laura Schlessinger (64), Joe Schmidt (79).
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICK OF THE WEEK – Our College Football Pick of the Week season is now over; Rink Rats was an impressive 16-4 in major college football picks this past season, also in Small College picks Rink Rats was 12-3. Too bad this expertise did not carry over to the NFL.
NFL PICK OF THE WEEK – Season to date (6-13).
NFL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS PLAYOFF WEEKEND
Sunday, January 23
NFC: 3:00 PM (ET) – Green Bay at Chicago (Fox-TV) The Packers are 3.0 point favorites, Rink Rats picks the Packers.
AFC: 6:30 PM (ET) – New York at Pittsburgh (CBS-TV) The Steelers are 3.5 point favorites, Rink Rats likes the Jets.
--The 2011 Pro Bowl (FOX, 7:00 PM ET) will be played on Sunday, January 30 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, one week before Super Bowl XLV takes place at Cowboys Stadium in North Texas on Sunday, February 6 (FOX, 6:30 PM ET).
COLLEGE HOCKEY GAME OF THE WEEK – Friday 1/21, Boston College Eagles ranked #3 in the country (15-6) at #16 ranked Boston University Terriers (10-5-6), 7:00 PM ET, NESN. This intense rivalry continues in Bean Town, Boston College has been on a roll, we pick the Eagles at Jack Parker rink.
Season to date (0-2).
WORDS OF THE MONTH – exculpate \EK-skuhl-payt\, transitive verb: to clear from alleged fault or guilt; to prove to be guiltless; to relieve of blame; to acquit. “Each member is determined to exculpate himself, to lay the blame elsewhere.”
noticia, noun: news. ”Tengo una buena noticia que darte.”
Next week, our monthly finance update and our first Jackass of the month award for 2011.
Until next Monday, Adios.
Claremont, CA
January 17, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
A Hard Winter
The events of this past Saturday in Tucson again are those that tend to weigh you down with sadness and a feeling of emptiness at trying to understand why there is such hatred in the world. We only hope that those who were directly affected by this tragedy heal and can find peace.
I wonder who Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham, Stephanie Miller and Keith Olbermann will blame for this horror. I hope they take a long look at themselves and how they conduct their professional lives.
WINTER GARDENING - Even in Southern California, it’s starting to get chilly! While early winter isn’t a time when Southern Californians revel in their gardens’ bounty, there are still some things you can (and should) do to enjoy your favorite pastime this time of year. (And brisk weather or not, gardening will probably be a welcome relief from everyday holiday activities.)
First off, there’s still time to sow some seed. When it comes to your vegetables, plant asparagus now (it may take time to germinate), as well as your beets, carrots, cabbages, kales, and head and leaf lettuces. You’ll get your crop of leaf lettuce first because head lettuce takes longer. I suggest trying several leaf lettuces, including the red ones, and mesclun and romaine. And don’t forget to start your short-day onions from seed, as well as garden and sugar peas. (Of course, if you want immediate gratification, you can buy most of these as starter plants.)
And don’t forget the flowers! Winter’s the perfect time to sow seed of calendula, cosmos, ageratum, lobelia, alyssum, mimulus, nasturtium, annual salvia, silene and sweet pea. With proper care, you’ll enjoy these beauties for months.
BACHMANIA BEGINS: Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann is openly encouraging speculation about a possible run for president in 2012, after ABC News reported Tuesday that she's traveling to Iowa this month as she weighs a bid. The conservative third-termer responded in a statement that sounded more like an announcement tease than a denial: "We need to repeal ObamaCare and we cannot do that until we repeal Obama. The voters repealed Nancy Pelosi in November and I am doing everything I can to make sure we repeal President Obama and Harry Reid in 2012." The congresswoman told MinnPost.com: "We're going to have a deep bench for 2012, I have no doubt, and I think what people are asking for is a bold, strong, constitutional conservative."
LINKEDIN PICKS BOOK RUNNERS - Reuters' Nadia Damouni reports: "LinkedIn, the social networking site for professionals, plans to go public in 2011 and has selected its financial underwriters, three sources familiar with the process told Reuters. Morgan Stanley, Bank of America and JPMorgan are among the book runners. ... Bankers made their pitches to the privately-held company in November. ... Internet companies such as LinkedIn and Zynga ... are considering offerings well ahead of a potential IPO of Facebook. ... Sales of its stock on online secondary market exchange SharesPost gives LinkedIn an implied valuation of around $2.2 billion."
AUTO SHOW PREVIEW - Reuters reports: "The U.S. auto industry snapped a four-year sales decline in 2010, including three consecutive sales months above the 12 million unit annual rate to close the year. ... Just 18 months after emerging from government-funded bankruptcies, GM and Chrysler have vehicles that were named finalists for the North American car and truck of the year. The winners will be announced Monday at the show. GM completed its public share offering in November, the largest ever, and its shares are up 18 percent from the IPO price. Chrysler is expected to launch its own IPO in the second half of 2011."
CALIFORNIA BUDGET PREVIEW - Sacramento Bee reports: "The budget Jerry Brown will propose Monday includes deep program cuts, a June election to extend tax increases and a broad reordering of state and local government to close a deficit estimated at $25 billion to $28 billion, according to sources familiar with the plan."
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – Birthday wishes and thoughts this week to Clarence Clemons (69), Ben Crenshaw (59), Maureen Dowd (59), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (50), George Foreman (62), AJ Foyt (76), Joe Frazier (67), Natalie Gulbus (28), Rush Limbaugh (60), Frank Mahovlich (73), Bobby Rahal (58), Howard Stern (57), Jill Wagner (32).
COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL PICK OF THE WEEK – Monday, 1/10, our last game of the College football season, #2 Oregon Ducks (12-0) vs. #1 Auburn Tigers (13-0), 8:30 PM ET, ESPN. All indications are Oregon vs. Auburn will be a high-scoring affair. Both offenses have looked unstoppable at times. The matchup features two of the nation's best players in Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and Oregon running back LaMichael James. The game may, however, come down to who can step up on defense. Oregon is ranked 14th in the nation in scoring defense. Auburn is 54th. The Tigers are 1.5 point favorites, Rink Rats picks Auburn to win and claim the BCS title for 2010.
Season to date (15-4).
NFL PICK OF THE WEEK – Sunday 1/16, #6 seed New York Jets (12-5) at the #1 seed New England Patriots (14-2) 4:30 PM ET, CBS. Rink Rats has been very poor this season in NFL game selections but we aim to pick winners from here on to the Super Bowl. The Pats are 9.0 point favorites over New York, give the points and pick New England to win in Foxboro.
Season to date (6-12).
NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF WEEKEND
Saturday, January 15
AFC: 4:30 PM (ET) – Baltimore at Pittsburgh (CBS-TV)
NFC: 8:00 PM (ET) – Green Bay at Atlanta (Fox-TV)
Sunday, January 16
NFC: 1:00 PM (ET) – Seattle at Chicago (Fox-TV)
AFC: 4:30 PM (ET) – New York at New England (CBS-TV)
--The AFC (CBS, 6:30 PM ET) and NFC (FOX, 3:00 PM ET) Championship Games will be played on Sunday, January 23.
--The 2011 Pro Bowl (FOX, 7:00 PM ET) will be played on Sunday, January 30 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, one week before Super Bowl XLV takes place at Cowboys Stadium in North Texas on Sunday, February 6 (FOX, 6:30 PM ET).
COLLEGE HOCKEY GAME OF THE WEEK – Friday 1/14, Minnesota Golden Gophers (9-8-3) at #2 ranked North Dakota Fighting Sioux (16-5-2), 8:30 PM ET, FSN North. This mid- season WCHA game will prove a mismatch as North Dakota, winners of seven straight, will be too much for the Gophers.
Season to date (0-1).
Dear Rink Rats:
I’m not sure when graciousness went out of style, but lately I’ve been invited into people’s homes and waited for more than an hour before being offered so much as a glass of water. Is is proper to ask for a drink if the host doesn’t offer one?
- Parched
Dear Parched:
That depends: Are you thirsty? If so, knock yourself out. Try to avoid saying things like “graciousness is dead.” It makes you sound smug and Republican – and the kind of person who shouldn’t be offered a drink. Your hosts may have been distracted, but they were gracious enough to invite you over.
NHL STAR PLAYERS FOR DECEMBER – Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Roberto Luongo (Vancouver Canucks) and Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings).
NHL HALFWAY POINT – here are the top five teams through the halfway point of the NHL season: 1). Detroit Red Wings. 2). Vancouver Canucks, 3). Philadelphia Flyers, 4). Pittsburgh Penguins, 5). Tampa Bay Lightning. Top five worst teams at the halfway point: 1). New Jersey Devils, 2). New York Islanders, 3). Toronto Maple Leafs, 4). Edmonton Oilers, 5). Florida Panthers.
Next week, our monthly political update and the words of the month.
Until next Monday, Adios.
Claremont, CA
January 10, 2011
I wonder who Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham, Stephanie Miller and Keith Olbermann will blame for this horror. I hope they take a long look at themselves and how they conduct their professional lives.
WINTER GARDENING - Even in Southern California, it’s starting to get chilly! While early winter isn’t a time when Southern Californians revel in their gardens’ bounty, there are still some things you can (and should) do to enjoy your favorite pastime this time of year. (And brisk weather or not, gardening will probably be a welcome relief from everyday holiday activities.)
First off, there’s still time to sow some seed. When it comes to your vegetables, plant asparagus now (it may take time to germinate), as well as your beets, carrots, cabbages, kales, and head and leaf lettuces. You’ll get your crop of leaf lettuce first because head lettuce takes longer. I suggest trying several leaf lettuces, including the red ones, and mesclun and romaine. And don’t forget to start your short-day onions from seed, as well as garden and sugar peas. (Of course, if you want immediate gratification, you can buy most of these as starter plants.)
And don’t forget the flowers! Winter’s the perfect time to sow seed of calendula, cosmos, ageratum, lobelia, alyssum, mimulus, nasturtium, annual salvia, silene and sweet pea. With proper care, you’ll enjoy these beauties for months.
BACHMANIA BEGINS: Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann is openly encouraging speculation about a possible run for president in 2012, after ABC News reported Tuesday that she's traveling to Iowa this month as she weighs a bid. The conservative third-termer responded in a statement that sounded more like an announcement tease than a denial: "We need to repeal ObamaCare and we cannot do that until we repeal Obama. The voters repealed Nancy Pelosi in November and I am doing everything I can to make sure we repeal President Obama and Harry Reid in 2012." The congresswoman told MinnPost.com: "We're going to have a deep bench for 2012, I have no doubt, and I think what people are asking for is a bold, strong, constitutional conservative."
LINKEDIN PICKS BOOK RUNNERS - Reuters' Nadia Damouni reports: "LinkedIn, the social networking site for professionals, plans to go public in 2011 and has selected its financial underwriters, three sources familiar with the process told Reuters. Morgan Stanley, Bank of America and JPMorgan are among the book runners. ... Bankers made their pitches to the privately-held company in November. ... Internet companies such as LinkedIn and Zynga ... are considering offerings well ahead of a potential IPO of Facebook. ... Sales of its stock on online secondary market exchange SharesPost gives LinkedIn an implied valuation of around $2.2 billion."
AUTO SHOW PREVIEW - Reuters reports: "The U.S. auto industry snapped a four-year sales decline in 2010, including three consecutive sales months above the 12 million unit annual rate to close the year. ... Just 18 months after emerging from government-funded bankruptcies, GM and Chrysler have vehicles that were named finalists for the North American car and truck of the year. The winners will be announced Monday at the show. GM completed its public share offering in November, the largest ever, and its shares are up 18 percent from the IPO price. Chrysler is expected to launch its own IPO in the second half of 2011."
CALIFORNIA BUDGET PREVIEW - Sacramento Bee reports: "The budget Jerry Brown will propose Monday includes deep program cuts, a June election to extend tax increases and a broad reordering of state and local government to close a deficit estimated at $25 billion to $28 billion, according to sources familiar with the plan."
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – Birthday wishes and thoughts this week to Clarence Clemons (69), Ben Crenshaw (59), Maureen Dowd (59), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (50), George Foreman (62), AJ Foyt (76), Joe Frazier (67), Natalie Gulbus (28), Rush Limbaugh (60), Frank Mahovlich (73), Bobby Rahal (58), Howard Stern (57), Jill Wagner (32).
COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL PICK OF THE WEEK – Monday, 1/10, our last game of the College football season, #2 Oregon Ducks (12-0) vs. #1 Auburn Tigers (13-0), 8:30 PM ET, ESPN. All indications are Oregon vs. Auburn will be a high-scoring affair. Both offenses have looked unstoppable at times. The matchup features two of the nation's best players in Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and Oregon running back LaMichael James. The game may, however, come down to who can step up on defense. Oregon is ranked 14th in the nation in scoring defense. Auburn is 54th. The Tigers are 1.5 point favorites, Rink Rats picks Auburn to win and claim the BCS title for 2010.
Season to date (15-4).
NFL PICK OF THE WEEK – Sunday 1/16, #6 seed New York Jets (12-5) at the #1 seed New England Patriots (14-2) 4:30 PM ET, CBS. Rink Rats has been very poor this season in NFL game selections but we aim to pick winners from here on to the Super Bowl. The Pats are 9.0 point favorites over New York, give the points and pick New England to win in Foxboro.
Season to date (6-12).
NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF WEEKEND
Saturday, January 15
AFC: 4:30 PM (ET) – Baltimore at Pittsburgh (CBS-TV)
NFC: 8:00 PM (ET) – Green Bay at Atlanta (Fox-TV)
Sunday, January 16
NFC: 1:00 PM (ET) – Seattle at Chicago (Fox-TV)
AFC: 4:30 PM (ET) – New York at New England (CBS-TV)
--The AFC (CBS, 6:30 PM ET) and NFC (FOX, 3:00 PM ET) Championship Games will be played on Sunday, January 23.
--The 2011 Pro Bowl (FOX, 7:00 PM ET) will be played on Sunday, January 30 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, one week before Super Bowl XLV takes place at Cowboys Stadium in North Texas on Sunday, February 6 (FOX, 6:30 PM ET).
COLLEGE HOCKEY GAME OF THE WEEK – Friday 1/14, Minnesota Golden Gophers (9-8-3) at #2 ranked North Dakota Fighting Sioux (16-5-2), 8:30 PM ET, FSN North. This mid- season WCHA game will prove a mismatch as North Dakota, winners of seven straight, will be too much for the Gophers.
Season to date (0-1).
Dear Rink Rats:
I’m not sure when graciousness went out of style, but lately I’ve been invited into people’s homes and waited for more than an hour before being offered so much as a glass of water. Is is proper to ask for a drink if the host doesn’t offer one?
- Parched
Dear Parched:
That depends: Are you thirsty? If so, knock yourself out. Try to avoid saying things like “graciousness is dead.” It makes you sound smug and Republican – and the kind of person who shouldn’t be offered a drink. Your hosts may have been distracted, but they were gracious enough to invite you over.
NHL STAR PLAYERS FOR DECEMBER – Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Roberto Luongo (Vancouver Canucks) and Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings).
NHL HALFWAY POINT – here are the top five teams through the halfway point of the NHL season: 1). Detroit Red Wings. 2). Vancouver Canucks, 3). Philadelphia Flyers, 4). Pittsburgh Penguins, 5). Tampa Bay Lightning. Top five worst teams at the halfway point: 1). New Jersey Devils, 2). New York Islanders, 3). Toronto Maple Leafs, 4). Edmonton Oilers, 5). Florida Panthers.
Next week, our monthly political update and the words of the month.
Until next Monday, Adios.
Claremont, CA
January 10, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
2011: Predictions
Happy New Year to all Rink Rats friends and readers, we begin our ninth month with a few predictions for 2011 –
Scarfs – Women will realize that scarfs are “geek-chic” and will send them back to the closets.
Facebook Obsession – Intelligent people will realize that telling the internet world they are getting up at 3:00 AM to go to the bathroom and their cellular phone is not working is ridiculous and a complete waste of time. How about spending time on your life, relationships or perhaps volunteer at your local Senior Citizens Center.
John “Tan” Boehner – Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner will really be crying this year when he realizes being Speaker is a thankless job. Imagine dealing with pie in the sky Democrats and without a clue Tea Party members, Speaker Boehner stock up on the handkerchiefs.
College Presidents – Incoming College Presidents will soon realize life as a Provost is much more enjoyable.
Bankruptcy – At least two states will declare insolvency in 2011; Illinois and New Jersey are leading candidates.
Gas Prices – Gasoline will be $4.00 per gallon by July 1, $5.00 per gallon by January 1, 2012.
Tablescape – Sandra Lee’s tablescapes will be ruled illegal by the New York State Assembly.
Denver Broncos – John Elway will take over day to day operations of the Denver Broncos.
Unemployment Rate – November 2010 = 9.8%, July 2011 = 9.5%, December 2011 = 9.0% - good luck President Obama.
San Francisco 49ers – To our dismay Jim Harbaugh will be the new coach of the 49ers.
Michigan Wolverines – Rich “No Defense” Rodriguez will be fired, the new coach will be … who cares just get him out!
College Parking – Parking at the University of La Verne will deteriorate to the point of fights breaking out in the Circle K parking lot between members of the College of Business and the College of Education, there will be no winners.
Forget the New Year’s resolutions; people break them by February 1.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – Birthday wishes and thoughts this week to David Bowie (64), Helena Bonham Carter (44), Katie Couric (54), Dick Enberg (76), Doris Kearns Goodwin (68), Lou Holtz (74), Bobby Hull (72), Laura Ingraham (48), January Jones (33), Diane Keaton (65), Joe Kernen (55), Nancy Lopez Knight (54), Nigella Lawson (51), Howie Long (50), Jimmy Page (67).
COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL PICK OF THE WEEK – Monday, 1/3, #4 Stanford Cardinal (11-1) vs. #13 Virginia Tech Hokies (11-2), 8:30 PM ET, ESPN. ACC champion Virginia Tech, which became the first FBS program to win 11 straight games after starting the season 0-2, will face a Stanford program that believes it is the best one-loss team in the country and has made its case with three shutouts and a Heisman-contending quarterback in Andrew Luck. This will be Jim Harbaugh’s last game at Stanford before he heads to Ann Arbor to coach his alma mater Michigan (Please!). Stanford is 3.0 point favorites give the points and pick Stanford to win the Orange Bowl.
Season to date (14-4).
NFL PICK OF THE WEEK – Saturday, 1/8, #6 seed New York Jets (11-5) at #3 seed Indianapolis Colts (10-6), 8:00 PM ET, NBC. The playoffs begin we hope Rink Rats perform better in the post season. We like the Colts to win, their running game is back and the Jets’ offense is not playoff caliber.
Season to date (6-11).
NFL WILD CARD WEEKEND
Saturday, January 8
NFC: 4:30 PM (ET) -- New Orleans at Seattle (NBC-TV)
AFC: 8:00 PM (ET) -- New York Jets at Indianapolis (NBC-TV)
Sunday, January 9
AFC: 1:00 PM (ET) -- Baltimore at Kansas City (CBS-TV)
NFC: 4:30 PM (ET) -- Green Bay at Philadelphia (FOX-TV)
NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
Saturday, January 15
AFC: 4:30 PM (ET) -- Indianapolis or Kansas City or Baltimore at Pittsburgh (CBS-TV)
NFC: 8:00 PM (ET) -- Seattle or New Orleans or Green Bay at Atlanta (FOX-TV)
Sunday, January 16
NFC: 1:00 PM (ET) -- Philadelphia or Seattle or New Orleans at Chicago (FOX-TV)
AFC: 4:30 PM (ET) -- Kansas City or Baltimore or New York Jets at New England (CBS-TV)
--The AFC (CBS, 6:30 PM ET) and NFC (FOX, 3:00 PM ET) Championship Games will be played on Sunday, January 23.
--The 2011 Pro Bowl (FOX, 7:00 PM ET) will be played on Sunday, January 30 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, one week before Super Bowl XLV takes place at Cowboys Stadium in North Texas on Sunday, February 6 (FOX, 6:30 PM ET).
PLAYOFF ODDS - The Jets are 2 1/2-point underdogs for the first-round game ... The Ravens are favored by 2 1/2 points on the road against the AFC West-champion Kansas City Chiefs ... The Saints probably will be favored by six to seven points ... against the Seahawks, who won the NFC West with a 7-9 record. The betting line will depend on whether Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck can return from a hip injury, said Dan O'Brien, an oddsmaker for Las Vegas Sports Consultants.... In the NFC's other first-round matchup, the NFC East- champion Philadelphia Eagles are favored by 2 1/2 points at home over the Packers.
COLLEGE HOCKEY GAME OF THE WEEK – Saturday, 1/8. #9 ranked Maine Black Bears (9-5-4) at #17 ranked Merrimack Warriors (9-4-4), 7:00 PM ET, Mystery Channel. This Hockey East contest will prove to be a good start to our College Hockey Pick of the Week. Rink Rats likes Maine to win in Massachusetts.
Season to date (0-0).
OBAMA AS REAGAN - Bloomberg's Mike Dorning reports: "As Barack Obama prepares to confront a strengthened Republican opposition to his tax, spending and immigration priorities when Congress convenes this week, his advisers are comparing him to another president who faced similar circumstances: Ronald Reagan. ... Before leaving for a year-end vacation, Obama sought advice from Reagan chief of staff Ken Duberstein and David Gergen, an image adviser to both Reagan and Clinton ... Obama's agenda will include items that appeal across party lines, such as an education overhaul that expands teacher merit pay and encourages more charter schools, a rewrite of the tax code, and steps to reduce the long-term budget deficit."
ONE FINAL NEW YEAR THOUGHT - I have not visited any foreign countries in my time, except for Canada, but I do know this is the greatest country on earth; more freedoms, the greatest opportunities, and 175 channels on cable TV. But this country is far from perfect. For example, when I see soccer Moms with their Land Rovers, cellular phones in their ears, too much makeup, velvet Nike sweat suits and fake tans treat people like second class citizens I must complain. When I see people denied the proper respect and civil rights because they choose to share their life with their own gender I must complain. When I see people choosing to have a 95 inch plasma HD television and sneakers that cost $295 instead of insuring their children have the proper diet, clothes and education I must complain. When I see individuals paid salaries that would warrant sound decisions, respect for their employees, respect for the people who support their salaries, and above all common sense but I only see greed, ignorance and a blame it on others attitude I must complain. So let us make 2011 a better year for one and all.
Next week, Dear Rink Rats and winter time domestic helpful hints.
Until next Monday, Adios.
Claremont, CA
January 3, 2011
Scarfs – Women will realize that scarfs are “geek-chic” and will send them back to the closets.
Facebook Obsession – Intelligent people will realize that telling the internet world they are getting up at 3:00 AM to go to the bathroom and their cellular phone is not working is ridiculous and a complete waste of time. How about spending time on your life, relationships or perhaps volunteer at your local Senior Citizens Center.
John “Tan” Boehner – Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner will really be crying this year when he realizes being Speaker is a thankless job. Imagine dealing with pie in the sky Democrats and without a clue Tea Party members, Speaker Boehner stock up on the handkerchiefs.
College Presidents – Incoming College Presidents will soon realize life as a Provost is much more enjoyable.
Bankruptcy – At least two states will declare insolvency in 2011; Illinois and New Jersey are leading candidates.
Gas Prices – Gasoline will be $4.00 per gallon by July 1, $5.00 per gallon by January 1, 2012.
Tablescape – Sandra Lee’s tablescapes will be ruled illegal by the New York State Assembly.
Denver Broncos – John Elway will take over day to day operations of the Denver Broncos.
Unemployment Rate – November 2010 = 9.8%, July 2011 = 9.5%, December 2011 = 9.0% - good luck President Obama.
San Francisco 49ers – To our dismay Jim Harbaugh will be the new coach of the 49ers.
Michigan Wolverines – Rich “No Defense” Rodriguez will be fired, the new coach will be … who cares just get him out!
College Parking – Parking at the University of La Verne will deteriorate to the point of fights breaking out in the Circle K parking lot between members of the College of Business and the College of Education, there will be no winners.
Forget the New Year’s resolutions; people break them by February 1.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – Birthday wishes and thoughts this week to David Bowie (64), Helena Bonham Carter (44), Katie Couric (54), Dick Enberg (76), Doris Kearns Goodwin (68), Lou Holtz (74), Bobby Hull (72), Laura Ingraham (48), January Jones (33), Diane Keaton (65), Joe Kernen (55), Nancy Lopez Knight (54), Nigella Lawson (51), Howie Long (50), Jimmy Page (67).
COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL PICK OF THE WEEK – Monday, 1/3, #4 Stanford Cardinal (11-1) vs. #13 Virginia Tech Hokies (11-2), 8:30 PM ET, ESPN. ACC champion Virginia Tech, which became the first FBS program to win 11 straight games after starting the season 0-2, will face a Stanford program that believes it is the best one-loss team in the country and has made its case with three shutouts and a Heisman-contending quarterback in Andrew Luck. This will be Jim Harbaugh’s last game at Stanford before he heads to Ann Arbor to coach his alma mater Michigan (Please!). Stanford is 3.0 point favorites give the points and pick Stanford to win the Orange Bowl.
Season to date (14-4).
NFL PICK OF THE WEEK – Saturday, 1/8, #6 seed New York Jets (11-5) at #3 seed Indianapolis Colts (10-6), 8:00 PM ET, NBC. The playoffs begin we hope Rink Rats perform better in the post season. We like the Colts to win, their running game is back and the Jets’ offense is not playoff caliber.
Season to date (6-11).
NFL WILD CARD WEEKEND
Saturday, January 8
NFC: 4:30 PM (ET) -- New Orleans at Seattle (NBC-TV)
AFC: 8:00 PM (ET) -- New York Jets at Indianapolis (NBC-TV)
Sunday, January 9
AFC: 1:00 PM (ET) -- Baltimore at Kansas City (CBS-TV)
NFC: 4:30 PM (ET) -- Green Bay at Philadelphia (FOX-TV)
NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
Saturday, January 15
AFC: 4:30 PM (ET) -- Indianapolis or Kansas City or Baltimore at Pittsburgh (CBS-TV)
NFC: 8:00 PM (ET) -- Seattle or New Orleans or Green Bay at Atlanta (FOX-TV)
Sunday, January 16
NFC: 1:00 PM (ET) -- Philadelphia or Seattle or New Orleans at Chicago (FOX-TV)
AFC: 4:30 PM (ET) -- Kansas City or Baltimore or New York Jets at New England (CBS-TV)
--The AFC (CBS, 6:30 PM ET) and NFC (FOX, 3:00 PM ET) Championship Games will be played on Sunday, January 23.
--The 2011 Pro Bowl (FOX, 7:00 PM ET) will be played on Sunday, January 30 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, one week before Super Bowl XLV takes place at Cowboys Stadium in North Texas on Sunday, February 6 (FOX, 6:30 PM ET).
PLAYOFF ODDS - The Jets are 2 1/2-point underdogs for the first-round game ... The Ravens are favored by 2 1/2 points on the road against the AFC West-champion Kansas City Chiefs ... The Saints probably will be favored by six to seven points ... against the Seahawks, who won the NFC West with a 7-9 record. The betting line will depend on whether Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck can return from a hip injury, said Dan O'Brien, an oddsmaker for Las Vegas Sports Consultants.... In the NFC's other first-round matchup, the NFC East- champion Philadelphia Eagles are favored by 2 1/2 points at home over the Packers.
COLLEGE HOCKEY GAME OF THE WEEK – Saturday, 1/8. #9 ranked Maine Black Bears (9-5-4) at #17 ranked Merrimack Warriors (9-4-4), 7:00 PM ET, Mystery Channel. This Hockey East contest will prove to be a good start to our College Hockey Pick of the Week. Rink Rats likes Maine to win in Massachusetts.
Season to date (0-0).
OBAMA AS REAGAN - Bloomberg's Mike Dorning reports: "As Barack Obama prepares to confront a strengthened Republican opposition to his tax, spending and immigration priorities when Congress convenes this week, his advisers are comparing him to another president who faced similar circumstances: Ronald Reagan. ... Before leaving for a year-end vacation, Obama sought advice from Reagan chief of staff Ken Duberstein and David Gergen, an image adviser to both Reagan and Clinton ... Obama's agenda will include items that appeal across party lines, such as an education overhaul that expands teacher merit pay and encourages more charter schools, a rewrite of the tax code, and steps to reduce the long-term budget deficit."
ONE FINAL NEW YEAR THOUGHT - I have not visited any foreign countries in my time, except for Canada, but I do know this is the greatest country on earth; more freedoms, the greatest opportunities, and 175 channels on cable TV. But this country is far from perfect. For example, when I see soccer Moms with their Land Rovers, cellular phones in their ears, too much makeup, velvet Nike sweat suits and fake tans treat people like second class citizens I must complain. When I see people denied the proper respect and civil rights because they choose to share their life with their own gender I must complain. When I see people choosing to have a 95 inch plasma HD television and sneakers that cost $295 instead of insuring their children have the proper diet, clothes and education I must complain. When I see individuals paid salaries that would warrant sound decisions, respect for their employees, respect for the people who support their salaries, and above all common sense but I only see greed, ignorance and a blame it on others attitude I must complain. So let us make 2011 a better year for one and all.
Next week, Dear Rink Rats and winter time domestic helpful hints.
Until next Monday, Adios.
Claremont, CA
January 3, 2011
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