It's Friday

It's Friday. Here's what's happening....

************************************************

Today is January 27th, the 27th day of 2012. There are 339 days left in the year. (This is a leap year.)

************************************************



Who will win? Breaking down All-Star teams.

Jackets' owner: Howson safe, but changes are coming.

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

************************************************

Today's Birthdays: Actor James Cromwell (Babe films, Deep Impact, 24) is 72; NFL wide receiver-turned-broadcaster Cris Collinsworth is 53; Actress (Single White Female, A Simple Plan) Bridget Fonda is 48; Rapper/producer Lil Jon is 41; Reality star Jake Pavelka (The Bachelor) is 34.

************************************************

Kanata, ON. -- My 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend has officially begun. I arrived in Ottawa this afternoon and I'm trying to take as much of it all in as I possibly can before heading over to the All-Star Fantasy Draft.

It seems at least like there is a good buzz around the city and that the fans here in Ottawa are excited about all of the events going on this week. Even on the way from the airport to our hotel, you could see all the banners hanging off the street light poles advertising the All-Star Game. It's definitely going to be a fun event and I'm sure the fans are looking forward to it too.

Read the rest of the Steven Stamkos All-Star Blog right here.

************************************************

Demi Moore is out of the hospital. She was released Thursday after a three-night stay to recover from, well, any number of ailments or drugs, depending on what gossip blog you believe.

************************************************

Tampa, FL. -- Although it might be hard for their faithful to admit, the Bucs are a team still under construction. So when they went in search of a new coach, they looked for someone who could build a lasting contender.

They are convinced Greg Schiano has the blueprint.

Schiano, 45, who took Rutgers from a laughingstock to perennial Big East contender, was hired Thursday.

Read the rest here.

************************************************

Today is Auschwitz Liberation Day, Holocaust Memorial Day (Linky Link), International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, National Pre-School Fitness Day, Thomas Crapper Day, Viet Nam Peace Day and Fun at Work Day.

************************************************






Stamps eager to build connection with QB Jyles.

Arland Bruce extends with Grey Cup champs.

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

************************************************

The NFL Pro Bowl plays Sunday in Honolulu.

************************************************

The 2011 NFL playoffs are underway. Here's the Super Bowl schedule:

Super Bowl XLVI

All times Eastern

February 5th

New England Patriots vs New York Giants 6:30pm

************************************************

Newt Gingrich told his supporters this week that if elected, he would establish a colony on the moon. [Newt's been fascinated with the moon ever since he learned that he'd weigh much less there.]

************************************************

Jimmy's on the prowl for more toys.

************************************************

A mysterious Super Bowl teaser popped up on YouTube Thursday, with Matthew Broderick bringing back his role as Ferris Bueller, 26 years after his fateful day off. Bueller, er Broderick, seems to be in a hotel room so perhaps he's selling for a hotel chain?

************************************************

Today in Elvis History

1956 - Elvis Presley's debut single for RCA Records, "Heartbreak Hotel," was released.

2004 - Master Tape Collection, based out of New Jersey, began selling 2-inch sections of reel tape. The tape contained original recordings (the "Sun Sessions) of Elvis Presley. The 2-inch cuttings preserved in a plaque sold for $495

************************************************

Want to make someone you don't even know feel instantly lonely? Do NOT look at them. A study found those who received a glance and a smile from a passing stranger felt less disconnected from others. Conclusion: Stop staring at your phone while walking.

************************************************

Today in Beatles History:

1965 - John and Cynthia Lennon flew to the Alps for a ten day skiing vacation.

1967 - The Beatles signed a 9-year contract with EMI.

************************************************

Negotiating together, Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms are asking for base salary of $15 million each to revisit their Hangover roles. Their base for H2 was $5 million each.

************************************************

Today in Sports History:

1965 - Ulf Sterner became the first Swedish-born player to appear in the NHL. Sterner only played four games in the NHL.

1967 - Paige Cothren became the first player to sign with the New Orleans Saints.

1973 - The UCLA Bruins won their 61st consecutive game to break the NCAA record held by the University of San Francisco.

1984 - Carl Lewis beat his own two-year-old record by 9-1/4 inches when he set a new indoor world record with a long-jump mark of 28 feet, 10-1/4 inches.

1984 - Wayne Gretzky set a National Hockey League (NHL) record for consecutive game scoring. He ended the streak at 51 games the next night against the Los Angeles Kings. The streak began on October 5, 1983.

1991 - Whitney Houston sang the "Star Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XXV.

1992 - Former world boxing champion Mike Tyson went on trial for allegedly raping an 18-year-old contestant in the 1991 Miss Black America Contest.

2002 - The Montreal Canadiens became the first NHL team to score 10,000 home goals. The feat was achieved in the Canadiens' 2,675th regular season game. The goal was scored by Sergei Berezin who had come to the team only two days before from the Phoenix Coyotes.

************************************************

IN THEATERS THIS WEEKEND - The Grey; Man on a Ledge; One for the Money.

************************************************

Coming up:

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Space Coast Hurricanes 5:00pm EST

Sunday --

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Space Coast Hurricanes 11:15am EST

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Florida Junior Blades 1:30pm EST

NHL Hockey -- All Star Game at Kanata, Ontario 4:00pm EST

************************************************

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