It's Thursday

It's Thursday. And it's Rider game day! Here's what's happening....

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Today is August 18th, the 230th day of 2011. There are 135 days left in the year.

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Today's Birthdays: First Lady of the United States Rosalynn Carter is 84 ... Director/actor Roman Polanski is 78 ... Actor/director Robert Redford is 75 ... Comedian/actor Martin Mull is 68 ... Comedian/actor Denis Leary is 54 ... Actor Edward Norton is 42 ... Actor Christian Slater is 42 ... Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner is 41 ... Celebrity daughter Frances Bean Cobain is 19.

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Verification line, shallow nets ideas that make sense.

Variety of tie-breaking formats examined at RDO camp.

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Today is Bad Poetry Day.

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Guy Gosselin Named Assistant Coach of U.S. National Sled Hockey Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Guy Gosselin will serve as the assistant coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, it was announced today by USA Hockey. He will work alongside newly appointed head coach Jeff Sauer throughout the 2011-12 season.

The two-time U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team member (1988, 1992) and three-time U.S. Men's National Team member (1986, 1990, 1991) is currently a regional manager of USA Hockey's American Development Model.

Prior to joining USA Hockey, Gosselin served 14 years as general manager of the Ozaukee Ice Center in Mequon, Wis. He helped found the NCAA Division III Concordia University Wisconsin men’s and women’s ice hockey teams, and implemented on- and off-ice youth programs.

Gosselin played professionally for parts of six seasons, including a five-game stint with the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets following the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. In North America, Gosselin skated two seasons (1988-90) with the Moncton Hawks of the American Hockey League and finished his career with the International Hockey League’s Kansas City Blades in 1993-94. He also skated in Sweden for two seasons (1990-91, 1992-93) with Skellftea AIK.

The University of Minnesota Duluth graduate played parts of five seasons (1982-87) with the Bulldogs’ men’s ice hockey team and helped lead them to back-to-back (1984, 1985) Western Collegiate Hockey Association championships and NCAA Men's Frozen Four appearances.

NOTES: The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team roster was announced last month, and can be found here ... Team USA will compete in three international events during the course of the 2011-12 season, including the Hockey Canada Cup in Calgary, Alta, in November and December; an exhibition series against Canada in Montreal and Ottawa in February; and the International Paralympic Committee Ice Sledge Hockey World Championship in March and April. Exact game dates and times will be announced at a later date ... For more on USA Hockey's American Development Model, visit ADMKids.com.

Shannon Webster Named Coordinator of Program Services

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Shannon Webster has been named coordinator of program services in USA Hockey's membership development department, it was announced today. She will work with local associations to help coordinate existing programs and resources, create and deliver educational opportunities and assist with additional initiatives to further develop youth hockey participation in America.

"We're excited to welcome Shannon," said Pat Kelleher, assistant executive director of membership development for USA Hockey. "Her passion and experience will be of great benefit as we continue our efforts to grow our game."

Webster played four years (2005-06, 2007-10) of NCAA Division I hockey at Boston College, and helped the Eagles to the NCAA Women's Frozen Four in 2007.

Along with her playing experience, Webster has also served as an assistant coach with the Colorado Select Girls Hockey Under-16 AAA team. She joins USA Hockey after serving as an operations intern at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

2011-12 U.S. National Under-17 Team Roster and Schedule Announced

Granato to Lead Team USA in First Season as Head Coach

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, which celebrates its 15th season on ice this season, today announced the roster and schedule for its 2011-12 U.S. National Under-17 Team. The squad, comprised of some of the top American-born players in the 1995 birth year, will compete against teams from the United States Hockey League and North American Hockey League, in addition to taking part in three international competitions during the course of the season.

The 21-player roster features seven defensemen, including Gage Ausmus (Grand Forks, Minn.), Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis.), Trevor Hamilton (Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.), Clint Lewis (Burnsville, Minn.), Steven Santini (Mahopac, N.Y.), Scott Savage (San Clemente, Calif.) and Keaton Thompson (Devil’s Lake, N.D.).

The 12 forwards include Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.), Connor Chatham (Belleville, Ill.), J.T. Compher (Northbrook, Ill.), Dawson Cook (Cadillac, Mich.), Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn.), John Hayden (Greenwich, Conn.), Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.), Kevin Lebanc (Staten Island, N.Y.), Anthony Louis (Winfield, Ill.), Michael McCarron (Macomb, Mich.), Tyler Motte (St. Clair, Mich.) and Luke Voltin (Blaine, Minn.).

Backstopping Team USA will be Curtis Frye (Northwood, N.H.) and Hunter Miska (North Branch, Minn.).

To view the complete roster, click here.

Don Granato is in his first season at the NTDP and will serve as the head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team for the 2011-12 season, while Chadd Cassidy, who worked with the U.S. National Under-18 Team last season, will serve as assistant coach.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team kicks off the 2011-12 campaign on the road with a NAHL exhibition contest Sept. 10 against the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings. It will begin its 34-game USHL regular-season schedule Sept. 30 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube against the Youngstown Phantoms.

The U.S. will compete internationally at the 2011 Four Nations Cup Nov. 5-13 in Russia; at the 2011 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Windsor, Ont., from Dec. 18, 2011-Jan. 6, 2012; and at the 2012 Vlad Dzurilla Under-18 Tournament Feb. 7-13 in Piestany, Slovakia.

For Team USA's complete schedule, click here.

NOTES: The 21 players on the U.S. roster represent 10 different states. Michigan and Minnesota both lead the way with five natives on the roster, while Illinois boasts three … A total of 15 members of Team USA have already verbally committed to NCAA Division I schools … A full-time elite development program in Ann Arbor, Mich., USA Hockey's NTDP includes both the U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams. The teams will count jointly as one team in the USHL standings as a member of the Eastern Conference. Should the NTDP qualify, the U.S. National Under-17 Team will compete in the Clark Cup Playoffs … The U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams train with The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary new software program that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com.

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Today is Mail Order Catalog Day.

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The Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Toronto Argonauts put their matching 1-6 records up against each other at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario tonight. Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri call the action on 620 CKRM and the Rider Radio Network beginning at 7:30pm EDT. Listen link is on the right side of this blog. The game can also be seen in Canada on TSN and in the U.S. on the NFL Network (I hope. I mean, they say they are carrying the game, but they ditched broadcasts they previously said they were going to carry two or three times this season already) and online at ESPN3.com.

The view from Regina: Roughriders ready to take on Argonauts.

The view from Toronto: Down but certainly not out.

Visit the team's official website at http://www.riderville.com/.

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Analysis of a piece of lunar rock brought back to Earth by the Apollo 16 mission in 1972 has shown that the Moon may be much younger than previously believed -- maybe by 200 million years.

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Cauz: Toronto and Regina - A tale of two cities.

By the Numbers: Week #8.

Changes on the Roughriders horizon?

2011 CFL Schedule is here.

Donate to the Tony Proudfoot Fund.

Visit the leagues' official website, http://www.cfl.ca/.

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Today is Birth Control Pills Day.

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Jimmy crawls through the baseball glove tunnel.

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A woman in Minnesota got up early Saturday morning to answer the call of nature. She happened to be standing next to her fridge when a gas leak blew up her house and dropped her roof. The fridge kept her from getting flattened. Sheltered by the appliance, Harms, the only person in the house at the time, was found in a small gap beneath the rubble.

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BOSTON -- David Price finished off what James Shields and Jeff Niemann started on Tuesday by delivering a dominating pitching performance Wednesday afternoon in leading the Rays to a 4-0 win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park with 37,747 watching.

The Rays (66-56) claimed the rubber game of the series while moving to within eight games of the Red Sox for the American League Wild Card spot.

Read the rest here.

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The "Black Cow" Root Beer Float was created on this date in 1893.

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ATLANTA -- In earlier generations, Matt Cain would have been a test pilot or bare-knuckled boxer. The Marlboro Man or even Dirty Harry might have suited him as a fictional character.

Any alter ego for Cain would have to be unyielding, unafraid and uncompromising. Needing Cain's special stubbornness Wednesday night, the Giants received every ounce of it in a 7-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves that plugged a few holes in San Francisco's leaky hull.

Read the rest here.

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Weeks ago a source had confirmed that all three American Idol judges would be returning. End of story, right? Nope. Last week we learned that Nigel Lythgoe, Idol's producer, was confirming everyone's return. Then yesterday (Wednesday) Fox confirmed that everyone would be back.

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Today in Elvis History:

1956 - The original version of "Hound Dog," by Big Mama Thornton, was released. 

1960 - In Dallas, TX, Elvis Presley's film "G.I. Blues" had a sneak preview.

1965 - Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits) interview Elvis Presley for the "New Musical Express."

1973 - The album "Elvis" hit #52 in the U.S.

1977 - Elvis Presley's funeral service took place at Graceland. It was followed by a ceremony and burial at Forrest Hill Cemetery.

2007 - It was announced the Lisa Marie Presley had founded a new orgraniztion called Presley Charitable Foundation. It was created to help people in need. The first Presley Place was in New Orleans, LA. 


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But wait... The Lone Ranger may ride again. It appears producers aren't willing to let the film ride off into the sunset just yet. Quite a few script changes and fee cuts are under way in an attempt to bring the film's budget closer to around $200 million. Either way, Johnny Depp gets paid. (Tell ya the truth, I'd just as soon they drop this project all together. It makes as much sense as Cowboys and Aliens.)

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Today in Beatles History:

1962 - Ringo Starr made his first appearance as a Beatle at a Cavern Club show. 

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The capital city of the U.S. moved to Philadelphia from New York City on this date in 1790.

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Today in Sports History:

1915 - Braves Field was inaugurated with Boston defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1. 

1956 - The Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Braves combined for a National League record of 10 home runs. The Reds won 13-4. Bob Thurman (Cincinnati Reds) hit three of the home runs.

1960 - Lew Burdette threw a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies. The final score was 1-0.

1973 - Hank Aaron set a major league record with his 1,378th extra base.

1980 - George Brett of the Kansas City Royals had his batting average reach the .400 mark.

1981 - Herschel Walker of the University of Georgia took out an insurance policy with Lloyd’s of London. The all-American was insured for one million dollars.

1982 - The longest baseball game played at Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL, went 21 innings before the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cubs 2-1.

1987 - Earl Campbell announced his retirement from the National Football League (NFL).

1992 - Larry Bird, after 13 years with the Boston Celtics, announced his retirement.

1995 - Tom Henke (St. Louis) became only the seventh major league player to record 300 saves.

1996 - Frank Thomas (Chicago White Sox) became the fourth player to reach 100 RBIs in each of his first six seasons.

1996 - Wade Boggs became the 41st major league player to get 2,000 career singles.

1968 - At the Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Mike Powell set a record when he jumped 29'4½" in the long jump. 

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A weather map was televised for the first time on this date in 1926. It was sent from NAA Arlington to the Weather Bureau Office in Washington. 

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Coming up:

Tonight:

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves 7:10pm EDT

CFL Football -- Saskatchewan Roughriders at Toronto Argonauts 7:30pm EDT

NFL Preseason Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New England Patriots 7:30pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Houston Astros  8:05pm EDT

Saturday --

Nascar Nationwide Series -- NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villenueve 2:30pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Houston Astros  8:05pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway 1:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners 1:40pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Houston Astros  2:05pm EDT

Monday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers 7:10pm EDT

Tuesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres 10:15pm EDT

Wednesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres 10:15pm EDT

Thursday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers 1:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Houston Astros 10:15pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 7:07pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway 7:30pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Houston Astros 10:15pm EDT

Saturday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 1:07pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway 7:30pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Houston Astros 9:05pm EDT

Sunday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 1:07pm EDT

IZOD Indy Car Series -- Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway 4:00pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Houston Astros 4:05pm EDT

Monday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 7:07pm EDT

Tuesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers 8:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Chicago Cubs 10:15pm EDT

Wednesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers 8:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Chicago Cubs 3:45pm EDT

Thursday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers 8:05pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 10:15pm EDT

Saturday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles 6:10pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Great Clips 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway 7:30pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 9:05pm EDT

Sunday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles 1:40pm EDT

IZOD Indy Car Series -- Baltimore Grand Prix at Streets of Baltimore TBD

CFL Football -- Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers 4:00pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 4:05pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway 7:30pm EDT

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That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to tell your friends about us. See you tomorrow.