It's Sunday

It's Sunday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is December 25th, the 359th day of 2011. Merry Christmas to you and yours! There are 6 days left in the year.

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Time to go slushing -- ice build at CBP moves forward.

Jason Zucker named captain for Team USA at WJC.

Visit the official league website, http://www.nhl.com.

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It's About Time Week starts today.

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Tampa, FL. -- It took 20 years to happen, but Phil Esposito will finally get his due as the founder of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

On New Year's Eve, prior to the game between the Lightning and the Carolina Hurricanes, the team will unveil a life-size bronze statue of Esposito -- in time to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the franchise being awarded to Tampa Bay.

Read the rest right here.

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On this date in 1223, St. Francis of Assisi assembled one of the first Nativity scenes, in Greccio, Italy.

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Robservations ... There is life after Andy Fantuz.

Punter-kicker Chris Milo is proud of his accomplishments with the Riders.

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

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Gen. George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River for a surprise attack against Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey on this date in 1776.

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The 2011 NFL season is underway. Here's the week sixteen results:

Week 16

Thursday, December 22nd

At Indianapolis 19, Houston 16

Saturday, December 24th

Oakland 16 at Kansas City 13
At Tennessee 23, Jacksonville 17
At New England 27, Miami 24
At Cincinnati 23, Arizona 16
At Buffalo 40, Denver 14
At Pittsburgh 27, St. Louis 0
NY Giants 29 at NY Jets 14
Minnesota 33 at Washington 26
At Carolina 48, Tampa Bay 14
At Baltimore 20, Cleveland 14
At Detroit 38, San Diego 10
Philadelphia 20 at Dallas 7
San Francisco 19 at Seattle 17

Sunday, December 25th

Chicago at Green Bay 8:20 PM

Monday, December 26th

Atlanta at New Orleans 8:30 PM

Week 17 (Final week of regular season)

All times Eastern

Sunday, January 1st

Carolina at New Orleans 1:00 PM
Buffalo at New England 1:00 PM
Chicago at Minnesota 1:00 PM
NY Jets at Miami 1:00 PM
San Francisco at St. Louis 1:00 PM
Detroit at Green Bay 1:00 PM
Tampa Bay at Atlanta 1:00 PM
Baltimore at Cincinnati 1:00 PM
Pittsburgh at Cleveland 1:00 PM
Dallas at NY Giants 1:00 PM
Washington at Philadelphia 1:00 PM
Indianapolis at Jacksonville 1:00 PM
Tennessee at Houston 1:00 PM
Seattle at Arizona 4:15 PM
Kansas City at Denver 4:15 PM
San Diego at Oakland 4:15 PM

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On this date in 1818, "Silent Night" was performed for the first time, at the Church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorff, Austria.

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Tampa, FL. -- Turnover problems continued to plague the Buccaneers on Saturday as four more — three lost fumbles and an interception — led to 24 points and helped the Carolina Panthers rout Tampa Bay 48-16.

It was the ninth consecutive loss for the Bucs, who fell to 4-11 on the season after starting 4-2.

Read the rest here.

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On this date in 1868, U.S. President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all persons involved in the Southern rebellion that resulted in the Civil War.

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Daddy, Jimmy and Santa.

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On this date in 1846, John Philip Sousa finally titled the melody "The Stars and Stripes Forever."

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Today in Elvis History:

1959 - Elvis Presley arranged to have a French poodle delivered to Anita Wood.

1959 - Priscilla Beaulieu gave Elvis Presley a set of bongo drums.

1965 - The Elvis Presley single "Puppet On A String" hit #14 in the U.S.

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The Mt. Van Hoevenberg bobsled run at Lake Placid, New York opened to the public on this date in 1930. It was the first bobsled track of international specifications to open in the U.S.

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Today in Beatles History:

1959 - Richard Starkey, 18, who later would be known as Ringo Starr, received a drum set for Christmas.

1967 - Paul McCartney and Jane Asher become engaged, but they never married.

1981 - Michael Jackson called Paul McCartney and suggested that they write and record together. The call prompted McCartney to fly to Los Angeles and work on the song "The Girl Is Mine."

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Lawrence Tibbett was the featured vocalist as radio came to the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City on this date in 1931. The first opera was "Hansel und Gretel" and was heard on the NBC network of stations.

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Today in Sports History:

1894 - The University of Chicago became the first Midwestern football team to play on the west coast. U.C. defeated Stanford, 24-4, in Palo Alto, CA.

1914 - During World War I, British and German troops observed an unofficial truce and even played soccer together on the Western Front.

1971 - The longest pro-football game to date finally ended when Garo Yepremian kicked a field goal in the second quarter of sudden death overtime. The Miami Dolphins defeated Kansas City, 27-24. The total game time was 82 minutes and 40 seconds.

1989 - Former baseball player and manager Billy Martin died in a truck crash in Fenton, NY.

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"A Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens, was read on CBS radio for the first time on this date in 1939.

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Coming up:

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Monday --

Nothin' Doin'

Tuesday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Philadelphia Flyers 7:30pm EST

Wednesday --

Nothin' Doin'

Thursday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens 7:30pm EST

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Carolina Hurricanes 5:00pm EST

Sunday --

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons 1:00pm EST (Final game of regular season)

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It's December 25th. Sleep in. Get up. Open presents. Watch tee vee. Amid all the holiday happiness, remember that this was the day marking the birth of the Christ child. The one sent for us from God.

May you and yours have the most blessed of holiday seasons. God's blessings on you, from The Meissner's. John, Kim, Jimmy, Snoopy and Smoke.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Matthew 1:20-23

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Luke 1:32-33

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That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by, I hope that you'll do so tomorrow too. Thanks again!