It's Friday

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

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

Today is November 30th, the 335th day of 2012. There are 31 days left in the year.

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

CBA mediation with League, Union unsuccessful.

Kings PA announcer David Courtney dies, 56.

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

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

Today's Birthdays: Director Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator) is 75; Billy Idol is 57; Ben Stiller is 47; American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken is 34.

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

U.S. National Sled Team Heads to Calgary This Weekend for World Sledge Hockey Challenge Team USA begins 2012-13 season against Norway, Japan and Canada COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team kicks off its 2012-13 campaign at the 2012 World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Calgary, Alta., Dec. 2-8. In addition to Team USA, the tournament includes Canada, Japan and Norway. Team USA has won the last three major international events, including the 2009 International Paralympic Committee World Sledge Hockey Championship in Ostrava, Czech Republic; the 2010 Paralympic Games in Vancouver, B.C.; and the 2012 IPC World Sledge Hockey Championship in Hamar, Norway. Goaltender Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.), defenseman Taylor Chace (Hampton Falls, N.H.) and forward Alexi Salamone (Buffalo, N.Y.) – who were each named to the all-tournament team at the 2012 IPC Sledge Hockey World Championship – highlight the U.S. squad. For the complete tournament roster, click here. The U.S. has participated in each of the five previous World Sledge Hockey Challenge tournaments, with one title to its credit, that in 2009. FASTHockey will provide live streaming coverage for all tournament games. Those interested in watching should sign up for a free account in advance at USAHockey.FASTHockey.com. 2012 World Sledge Hockey Challenge Dec. 2-8 - Calgary, Alta. - Markin MacPhail Centre Date Opponent Time (Local/EST) Sun., Dec. 2 Norway 12:00 p.m./2:00 p.m. Mon., Dec. 3 Japan 7:00 p.m./9:00 p.m. Wed., Dec. 5 Canada 7:00 p.m./9:00 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 6 Semifinals 12:00 p.m./2:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m./9:00 p.m. Sat., Dec. 8 Third-Place Game 12:00 p.m./2:00 p.m. Championship Game 5:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. NOTES: Jeff Sauer (Madison, Wis.), former men's ice hockey head coach at the University of Wisconsin, is the head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, while Guy Gosselin (Grafton, Wis.) is the assistant coach ... Follow@USAHockey and @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament and join the conversation by using #WSHC. For additional coverage, visit usahockey.com and USA Hockey's Facebook ... Media wishing to cover the camp should contact Brian Smith (briansm@usahockey.org) of the USA Hockey communications staff ... Taylor Lipsett (Plano, Texas) will miss the tournament due to injury. Billy Hanning (Festus, Mo.) has been called up from the U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team ... Dan Brennan is the general manager for the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team ... The U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team for the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, will be chosen next summer.

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

Funeral services for my wife, Kimberly C. Meissner, are scheduled for Saturday, December 1st, 10:00am at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 3200 McMullen Booth Road (Right across from Mease Countryside Hospital) in Clearwater, Florida 33761. If you can make it, that would be great. If not, prayers during that time would be greatly appreciated. Out of respect to her memory, the Johnny Blog will be taking tomorrow off. God bless us all.

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




Corvallis, OR. -- The wacky regular season for the No. 15 Beavers is about the end, one week late, as the Nicholls State Colonels traverse from Louisiana to Corvallis for the final game of the 2012 Pac-12 Conference regular season. The 8-3 Beavers look to make it a true turnaround from last season’s 3-9 mark and solidify one of their best bowl appearances in the history of the program.

Read the rest here.

Visit the Oregon State Athletics department official web site.

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

Today is the 30th anniversary of the release of Michael Jackson's Thriller album.

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






Ultimate Replay: 100th Grey Cup.

101st Grey Cup Festival launched in Saskatchewan.

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

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

President Obama and Mitt Romney had lunch at the White House yesterday (Thursday). [They worked on a plan to solve the Lindsay Lohan crisis.]

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

Tampa, FL. —Virtually every key figure from the 2002 Super Bowl team is returning on Dec. 8-9 for a 10-year reunion of their championship season.

Read the rest here.

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

Denny's opened a restaurant on Thursday in Las Vegas with a wedding chapel where couples can tie the knot after a meal. This Denny's also has a full bar.

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

Captain America Jimmy kicks the soccer ball.

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

You're reading the Johnny Blog. Beats watching Oregon Duck football, doesn't it?

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

Today in Elvis History

1963 - The Elvis Presley film "Kid Galahad" premiered in the U.K.

1993 - The Elvis Presley album "From Nashville To Memphis - The Essential '60s Masters I" was certified gold by the RIAA.

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

Buying online is easy. Click, pay, and it's delivered to your front porch. And then it's stolen by thieves. Wait, what? Yep, police are seeing a huge spike in front porch package thefts this year. Although electronics are the most attractive items, thieves are grabbing everything from clothing to children's bicycles. Advice: If you're not going to be home, have a neighbor watch out for your package.

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

Today in Beatles History:

1960 - The Beatles performed at the Kaiserkeller in Hamburg for the last time.

1972 - Wings released their single "Hi, Hi, Hi." The BBC banned the record because it declared that the lyrics were "unsuitable" for broadcast.

1976 - George Harrison appeared on BBC-2-TV's "The Old Grey Whistley Contest." 

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

Betty White is auctioning off a date with her to benefit the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles. In an auction starting December 3, fans will be able to bid on a dinner date with Betty at one of Betty's favorite restaurants.

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

Today in Sports History:

1971 - ABC-TV aired "Brian's Song." The movie was about Chicago Bears' Brian Picolo and his friendship with Gale Sayers.

1991 - In the first Women's World Cup in soccer, the U.S. team defeated Norway 2-1.

1992 - The video "NFL Country," by various artists, was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1993 - The NFL awarded the league's 30th franchise to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

1996 - Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls) scored his 25,000th NBA career point. He was only the 10th player to reach the mark.

2005 - The Boston Bruins traded captain Joe Thornton to the San Jose Sharks for Marco Sturm, Wayne Primeau and Brad Stuart.

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

NUMBER FOR THE DAY - 25,000: Children injured each year by shopping carts.

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

Coming Up:

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

College Football -- Oregon State Beavers vs Nicholls State Colonels 2:30pm EST

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at University of Tampa 3:30pm EST

Sunday --

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Denver Broncos 4:05pm EST

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

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!

It's Thursday

It's Thursday. Here's what's happening....

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

Today is November 29th, the 334th day of 2012. There are 32 days left in the year.

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

NHL, Union meet with mediators Wednesday.

Wild's Harding diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

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

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

Today's Birthdays: Garry Shandling is 63; Howie Mandel (America's Got Talent) is 57; Don Cheadle (Iron Man flicks) is 48; Anna Faris (Scary Movie) is 36.

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

USA Hockey To Announce Preliminary Roster for 2013 U.S. National Junior Team on Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET Training Camp set for Dec. 16-18 in New York COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey will unveil the preliminary roster for its 2013 U.S. National Junior Team on Tuesday (Dec. 4) at 10 a.m. ET exclusively on USAHockey.com. Players named to that preliminary roster will participate in a training camp, Dec. 16-18, at the New York Rangers' Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, N.Y. From New York, the camp will move on to Helsinki, Finland, Dec. 19-23. The final 23-player U.S. National Junior Team roster will be announced Dec. 23. The U.S. National Junior Team will play in the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia, Dec. 26, 2012-Jan. 5, 2013. In August, 45 players attended the 2012 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y. Complete details from that camp can be found here. NOTES: Phil Housley (South St. Paul, Minn.), head boy's ice hockey coach at Stillwater (Minn.) High School, is the head coach of the 2013 U.S. National Junior Team. He will be assisted by Mark Osiecki (Columbus, Ohio), head men's ice hockey coach at Ohio State University and Grant Potulny (Minneapolis, Minn.), assistant men's ice hockey coach at the University of Minnesota and David Lassonde (Denver, Colo.), assistant men's ice hockey coach at the University of Denver ... Jim Johannson (Colorado Springs, Colo.), USA Hockey's assistant executive director of hockey operations, is serving as the general manager of Team USA for the fourth consecutive year. Tim Taylor(Guilford, Conn.) is the director of player personnel ... Team USA will compete in a group with Canada, Germany, Russia and Slovakia at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship. For more information about the tournament, clickhere.

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

Funeral services for my wife, Kimberly C. Meissner, are scheduled for Saturday, December 1st, 10:00am at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 3200 McMullen Booth Road (Right across from Mease Countryside Hospital) in Clearwater, Florida 33761. If you can make it, that would be great. If not, prayers during that time would be greatly appreciated. God bless us all.

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




Corvallis, OR. -- The games roll on, and there are two more for Oregon State — Saturday’s regular-season finale against Nicholls State at Reser Stadium and a bowl game, some time, somewhere.

Read the rest here.

Visit the Oregon State Athletics department official web site.

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

The new movie The Hobbit opened in New Zealand. The premiere audience was filled with grown men dressed as elves. [Obviously, people who like The Hobbit are just as fanatical as the people who like Twilight. The difference is Hobbit fans can totally be trusted around your sister.]

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






Etienne Boulay credits Jones for Grey Cup success.

Kevin Glenn: "I'm a starting quarterback."

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

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

From the guys who gave the world Baconaise and bacon-flavored lip balm comes Bacon Shaving Cream. But if you're hearing this and thinking, "My man would LOVE this under the tree on Christmas morning!", you better order fast. Only 2,500 jars of this pork-scented lather of the gods have been made. You can buy it for $15 at BaconShavingCream.com.

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

Tampa, FL. —Adding another personal touch to the Glazer Family Foundation's long-running and impactful "Cheering You On!" program, a group of Buccaneer players and cheerleaders visited Florida Hospital Tampa on Tuesday.

Read the rest here.

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

A new survey found middle school students are cheating with their smartphones. More than a third of youngsters are using their phone to help them find answers to their homework. 88% of kids admit that they're not allowed to bring their phones into the classroom, and 66% said they couldn't bring their tablet to school.

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

Jimmy.picks out a piece of candy.

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

You're reading the Johnny Blog. Beats watching news of the NHL Lockout, doesn't it?

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

Today in Elvis History

1958 - Elvis Presley's single "I Got Stung" hit #8 in the U.S.

1965 - Elvis Presley bought a Greyhound bus that he planned to refurbish and use to drive to and from California.

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

Congratulations to Ryan and Amy of Malden, Massachusetts on the Thanksgiving Day birth of their baby boy. The little guy's father's last name is Gobble.

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

Today in Beatles History:

1963 - The Beatles' fifth single "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was released in Britain.

1969 - John Lennon was convicted of possession of cannabis and fined $360 in London. Yoko Ono, who was arrested with Lennon on October 18, was cleared of charges.

2001 - George Harrison died at the age of 58. He had been undergoing treatments for cancer.

2005 - Paul McCartney's CD single "Jenny Wren" was released. It contained the songs "Jenny Wren", "I Want You To Fly", "This Loving Game" and "Summer of 59". A single for "Jenny Wren" had been released on November 22 with only the first two tracks.

2010 - George Harrison's limited edition vinyl box set "All Things Must Pass" was released in the U.K. 

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

Katy Perry will develop a line of signature scents with French perfume company Coty. The beauty company will distribute the songbird's new creations on a larger scale than her previous perfumes, Purr and Meow.

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

Today in Sports History:

1890 - Navy defeated Army by a score of 24-0 in the first Army-Navy football game. The game was played at West Point, NY.

1962 - Major league baseball decided to return to only one All-Star Game a year beginning in 1963.

1980 - "Monday Night Football" was on the cover of TV Guide.

1987 - Joe Montana (San Francisco 49ers) completed a record 22 consecutive passes.

1987 - Venice Glenn (San Diego Chargers) ran back an interception for 103 yards. It was an NFL record.

1987 - Bob Frosse (New York Rangers) became the second NHL goalie to score a goal. It was later ruled that he should not have been credited with the goal.

1992 - Jerry Rice caught his 100th NFL touchdown pass.

1992 - Dennis Byrd (New York Jets) was paralyzed after a neck injury in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

1995 - Grant Fuhr (St. Louis Blues) became the 11th NHL goalie to win 300 games.

2002 - Pierre Turgeon (Dallas Stars) played in his 1,100th NHL game.


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

RANDOM LINK - It's a showerhead with a speaker.

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

Coming Up:

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

College Football -- Oregon State Beavers vs Nicholls State Colonels 2:30pm EST

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at University of Tampa 3:30pm EST

Sunday --

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Denver Broncos 4:05pm EST

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

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!

Winterhawks sanctioned by WHL

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today the disciplinary action which has been taken against the Portland Winterhawks franchise for a series of violations of the WHL Regulations.

As a result of a series of player benefit violations which have occurred over the past four seasons, WHL Commissioner Ron Robison has suspended the Portland Winterhawks from participating in the first five rounds of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft and the forfeiture of their first round selections in the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 WHL Bantam Drafts. Should the first round selection in 2014 not be available due to a conditional trade, Portland will surrender their second and third round picks in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft. The WHL also announced the Portland Winterhawks have been fined $200,000 and Winterhawks General Manager and Head Coach Mike Johnston has been suspended for the balance of the 2012-13 season, including the 2013 WHL Playoffs.

"All WHL Clubs understand they are required to fully comply and respect our League Regulations or they will face significant consequences," stated WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. "WHL Clubs are required to fully disclose all commitments they make to a player in the WHL Standard Player Agreement. Our independent investigation in this case revealed there were multiple violations over an extended period for player benefits that are not permitted under WHL Regulations and were not disclosed to the WHL. It should also be noted through the course of the investigation there was no evidence of any payments or enhanced education benefits provided to players that would be contrary to WHL Regulations as previous media reports indicated."

The Western Hockey League will not make any further public comments on this matter.

Portland had a statement following the handing down of sanctions by the league:

What follows is a summary of the league's findings, and a statement from Johnston:

The Winterhawks were found to have committed the following violations:

• A player contract signed in 2009, involving flights for the player's family and a summer training program
• Over the last five years, seven families were provided flights 2-4 times per season based on financial need and their distance from Portland
• Twice in the last five years the team paid for two players to each have a one-week summer training regimen
• The Winterhawks provided a cell phone for its team captain for a period of three seasons

The WHL's audit found no violations involving monetary payments made to players, their families or agents, or any violations related to the league's educational packages.

"After fully cooperating with the league's investigation, we were extremely surprised at the excessive nature of the sanctions, and we don't feel they are in line with the scope of the violations we were found to have committed," said Johnston.

(Thanks to rodpedersen.com for the heads up on this story.)

It's Wednesday

It's Wednesday. Here's what's happening....

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

Today is November 28th, the 333rd day of 2012. There are 33 days left in the year.

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

A numerical look at 1,000-point scorers.

City of Glendale Approves Revised Lease Agreement.

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

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

Today's Birthdays: Musician Paul Shaffer (Late Show With David Letterman) is 63; Ed Harris is 62; S. Epatha Merkerson (Law & Order) is 60; Judd Nelson (Breakfast Club) is 53; Jon Stewart (The Daily Show) is 50.

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

University of Minnesota Continues No. 1 Streak in USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Women's College Hockey Poll USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine 2012-13 Women's College Hockey Poll - #10(first-place votes in parentheses) Rank School Last Week's Ranking 2012-13 Record (W-L-T) Weeks in Top 10 1 University of Minnesota, 190 (19) 1 16-0-0 11 2 Clarkson University, 164 3 12-2-0 8 3 Cornell University, 142 2 9-2-0 11 4 Mercyhurst University, 124 4 12-1-1 11 5 Harvard University, 113 7 6-1-0 9 6 Boston College, 101 6 8-3-2 11 7 Boston University, 90 5 9-3-1 11 8 University of North Dakota, 42 10 9-5-0 11 9 Northeastern University, 39 9 8-3-2 8 10 Ohio State University, 22 8 11-5-0 8 Others receiving votes: Wisconsin, 18. NOTES: The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are the defending NCAA national champions and earned their eleventh straight week as the unanimous No. 1 ... The Western Collegiate Hockey Association, Hockey East Association, and ECAC Hockey all boast three ranked teams while College Hockey America has one ranked program ... A total of 11 teams received votes. ABOUT THE POLL: The 16th annual USA Today/USA Hockey MagazineWomen’s College Hockey Poll is conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from coaches and journalists representing each of the four NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences, as well as composite votes from officers of the AHCA and USA Hockey. Sixth Annual Hockey Weekend Across America Set for February 15-17 Fan participation themes scheduled for each of the three days COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey will lead the nation in the sixth annual Hockey Weekend Across America presented by CCM, Feb. 15-17. "Hockey Weekend Across America has become a signature event on the hockey calendar," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "This weekend is about celebrating our great game and those involved at all levels and also about exposing our game to new audiences as we continue to expand the reach of our sport." Each of the three days of Hockey Weekend Across America features a special theme, including Wear Your Favorite Hockey Jersey, sponsored by ShopUSAHockey.com on Friday; Try Hockey Day, sponsored by the National Hockey League on Saturday; and Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes on Sunday. For full information surrounding the weekend, visitHockeyWeekendAcrossAmerica.com. Visitors can seek out activities around their community or across the country, participate in exciting giveaways and download promotional materials. Associations and teams celebrating Hockey Weekend Across America are encouraged to submit their event plans to USA Hockey on this site. "Wear Your Favorite Jersey Day" on Friday, Feb. 15, is the day for fans to show off their hockey pride by wearing their prized hockey jerseys. USA Hockey's Facebook and Twitter pages will accept photos from families, friends, and colleagues in search of the most passionate hockey fans. On Saturday, Feb. 16, hundreds of rinks nationwide will host "Try Hockey for Free" clinics, allowing thousands of children to experience hockey for the first time. Arenas interested in hosting an event and players wishing to take part should visit HockeyWeekendAcrossAmerica.com for more details. To cap off the weekend, "Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes" day on Sunday, Feb. 17, encourages hockey programs nationwide to develop ways to honor their local hockey heroes. USA Hockey invites all to post pictures and stories on its Facebook and Twitter pages. The day also includes NBC's Hockey Day in America coverage, which includes an NHL doubleheader on NBC and coverage of a third NHL game that evening on NBC Sports Network. Along with its game coverage, NBC will also produce content in and around the games showcasing hockey at all levels in the United States. Hockey Weekend Across America was created by USA Hockey in 2008 to engage the hockey community in celebrating the sport of hockey at all levels and exposing the sport to new audiences.

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

Funeral services for my wife, Kimberly C. Meissner, are scheduled for Saturday, December 1st, 10:00am at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 3200 McMullen Booth Road (Right across from Mease Countryside Hospital) in Clearwater, Florida 33761. If you can make it, that would be great. If not, prayers during that time would be greatly appreciated. God bless us all.

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




Corvallis, OR. -- The 116th regular season of Oregon State (8-3, 6-3 Pac-12) football concludes Sat., Dec. 1 when the Southland Conference’s Nicholls State Colonels (1-9, 0-7 Southland) visit Reser Stadium. The game will air on the Pac-12 Networks beginning at 11:30 a.m. PST. The game is a reschedule of what was to be the season opener for both teams Sept. 1; however Hurricane Isaac forced several universities to close, including Nicholls State, forcing the change of date. The Beavers enter the contest No. 15 in the BCS, No. 16 in the AP and No. 17 in the USA Today polls.

Read the rest here.

Visit the Oregon State Athletics department official web site.

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

Consumer Reports says that most of the U.S. pork supply is tainted with all sorts of things including a growth hormone. [Which explains how a pig was able to win the Tour de France.]

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






Argonauts parade Cup through downtown Toronto.

Scianitti: Younger the glue that held Argos together.

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

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

The Powerball jackpot drawing, which will be held tonight (Wednesday), has a $500 million jackpot.

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

Tampa, FL. —The Bucs have placed S Cody Grimm and T Jeremy Trueblood on injured reserve, bringing their 2012 seasons to an end.

Read the rest here.

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

A new survey found 68% of Americans prefer stores with signs that say "Merry Christmas" over "Happy Holidays." Can we move on now?

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

Jimmy.tosses the football through the hole. Way to go Jimmy!

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

You're reading the Johnny Blog. Beats watching most anything on TruTV, doesn't it?

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

Today in Elvis History

1956 -In Memphis, TN, Elvis Presley went to a matinee showing of "Love Me Tender."

1957 - Elvis Presley went to see Pat Boone's new movie "April Love."

1964 - Elvis Presley's song "Ask Me" hit #12 in the U.S.

1970 - Elvis Presley's single "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" hit #11 in the U.S.

1970 - Elvis Presley's single "I've Lost You" hit #9 in the U.K.

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

The so-called Cleaning Fairy who broke into an Ohio house, cleaned up and left a bill, was this week sentenced to one year of probation + community service. Susan Warren broke into a home May 22, cleaned up and left a bill for her services.

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

Today in Beatles History:

1970 - George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" was released.

1979 - Ringo Starr's (Beatles) home in Los Angeles, CA, burned down. 

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

TV: CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER - (8p ET, NBC) The 80th-annual tree-lighting ceremony in New York includes performances by Trace Adkins, Mariah Carey, CeeLo Green, Rod Stewart and Il Volo. Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker host.

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

Today in Sports History:

1929 - Ernie Nevers (Chicago Cardinals) set an NFL record when he scored 40 points in a game. He scored six touchdowns and kicked four extra points.

1948 - Dippy Evans (Chicago Bears) became the first NFL player to score two touchdowns on recovered fumbles in a game.

1969 - The New York Knicks set an NBA record when they won their 18th consecutive game.

1977 - Larry Bird was introduced as "College Basketball's Secret Weapon" with a cover story in Sports Illustrated.

1979 - Billy Smith (New York Islanders) became the first goalie in NHL history to get credit for a goal. Smith was the last Islander to touch the puck before Rob Ramage (Colorado Rockies) put it into his own net.

1982 - Ron Sutter began his NHL career as a Philadelphia Flyer. With his start a record was set when 5 brothers all played in the NHL. His brothers were Brian (St. Louis), Darryl (Chicago), Brent (Islanders) and Duane (Islanders). Ron's twin Rich signed with Pittsburgh a year later to make it six Sutters brothers in the league at one time.

2002 - Michael Jordan (Washington Wizards) announced that he would retire for the third and final time at the end of the NBA season.

2002 - The Dallas Mavericks lost their first game of the season to the Indiana Pacers. The Mavericks had won the first 14 games of the season.

2002 - LeAnne Rimes performed at the half time show at the Dallas Cowboys-Washington Redskins Thanksgiving Day game. 

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

TV: SNL CHRISTMAS - 9p ET, NBC) This new, 2-hour special is a collection of the funniest holiday sketches from 37 years of SNL.

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

Coming Up:

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Thursday --

Nothin' Doin'

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

College Football -- Oregon State Beavers vs Nicholls State Colonels 2:30pm EST

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at University of Tampa 3:30pm EST

Sunday --

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Denver Broncos 4:05pm EST

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

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!

It's Tuesday

It's Tuesday. Here's what's happening....

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

Today is November 27th, the 332nd day of 2012. There are 34 days left in the year.

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

Federal mediation time for NHL, NHLPA; will this end the lockout?

NHL players help Sandy victims.

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

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

Today's Birthdays: Director Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, the upcoming Zero Dark Thirty) is 61; TV personality Bill Nye (Bill Nye the Science Guy) is 57; Michael Vartan (Alias) is 44; Jaleel White (Family Matters) is 36.

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

Boston College Extends No. 1 Streak in USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's College Hockey Poll

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine 2012-13 Men's College Hockey Poll - #8(first-place votes in parentheses) Rank School Last Week's Ranking 2012-13 Record Weeks in Top 15 1 Boston College, 509 (33) 1 10-1-0 9 2 University of New Hampshire, 473 (1) 3 9-1-2 6 3 University of Minnesota, 427 4 9-2-2 9 4 Miami University, 379 5 7-2-3 9 5 University of Denver, 361 2 9-3-0 9 6 University of Notre Dame, 325 6 9-4-0 9 7 Union College, 314 8 8-2-1 9 8 University of North Dakota, 267 7 6-4-2 9 9 Boston University, 223 10 7-4-0 9 10 Western Michigan University, 193 9 6-3-1 9 11 Dartmouth College, 157 11 5-2-2 3 12 Cornell University, 115 13 4-3-2 9 13 Yale University, 87 NR 5-2-1 1 14 University of Nebraska-Omaha, 79 14 8-3-1 2 15 St. Cloud State University, 54 12 7-5-0 3 Others receiving votes: Quinnipiac University, 40; Harvard University, 33; Colorado College, 13; Ferris State University, 12; Niagara University, 12; St. Lawrence University, 4; Providence College, 2; University of Michigan, 1. NOTES: The Boston College Eagles claim sole possession of the No. 1 ranking for the sixth straight week and seventh time this season; Minnesota and Boston College split the preseason No. 1 ranking. ... The Western Collegiate Hockey Association leads all conferences with five ranked programs this week. ECAC Hockey has four ranked teams while the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and the Hockey East Association each have three ranked squads ... A total of 23 teams received votes. ABOUT THE POLL: The 18th annual USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men’s College Hockey Poll is conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from coaches and journalists representing each of the five NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences, as well as composite votes from officers of the AHCA and USA Hockey Magazine, the most widely distributed hockey magazine in the world.

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

A Chinese company plans next year to build the world's tallest skyscraper in only 90 days. [The company is busily stocking up on building supplies, triggering a worldwide shortage of Legos.]

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




Corvallis, OR. -- The Oregon State Beavers will play in either the Alamo Bowl or the Holiday Bowl, and cornerback Jordan Poyer was asked Monday for his preference.

Read the rest here.

Visit the Oregon State Athletics department official web site.

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

Today is Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday serve nationwide as the day for including charity in our celebrations.

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






Steinberg's MMQB: Argos play smart, win big.

Argos DE Ricky Foley named Most Valuable Canadian.

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

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

New York artist Kyle M.F. Williams had the idea of a covering a razor scooter in Razr phones as a piece of sculpture. On eBay, he found a lot of 44 Razr phones from a seller who appeared to be a electronics repair shop. Williams assumed they would all be broken, or wiped, but when he got them he found that half of them still had texts, sexts, pics, and videos. So he took a couple days and figured out how to dump all the content from the phones onto his computer. Then, using Amazon.com's print on demand publishing service, he started selling a paperback book out of the images, titled Razr.

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

Tampa, FL. —Tampa Bay's 2012 cornerback roster has gone through a series of changes in midstream, but the young group currently getting the snaps is playing with confidence and improving by the week.

Read the rest here.

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

Want to ring in the new year with Kim Kardashian? If you're willing to pay $125 for a ticket you can do just that. Kim is scheduled to spend New Year's Eve at 1 OAK Nightclub at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

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

Jimmy.does the football toss.

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

You're reading the Johnny Blog. Beats watching re-runs of Sports Center, doesn't it?

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

Today in Elvis History

1958 -Elvis Presley achieved the rank of private first class in the U.S. Army.

1963 - The Elvis Presley movie "Fun In Acapulco" premiered nationally in the U.S.

1969 - The Elvis Presley double album "From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis" hit #12 in the U.S.

1977 - The Meditation Gardens at Graceland were opened to the public.

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

NEW ON DVD TODAY: The Apparition (Ashley Greene)
Lawless (Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce)
Men In Black 3 (Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin)
ParaNorman
Sparkle (Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston)
Step Up: Revolution (Ryan Guzman, Kathryn McCormick)
Hot in Cleveland: Season Three
Cagney & Lacey - The Complete Series

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

Today in Beatles History:

1967 -Capitol Records released the Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour" album in the U.S.

1970 - George Harrison released his solo album "All Things Must Pass." 

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

NUMBER FOR THE DAY - 4,615: How many people, on average, who go to the emergency room for a snowblower injury each year.

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

Today in Sports History:

1942 - Ben Hogan won his third straight Vardon Trophy.

1960 - Gordie Howe (Detroit Red Wings) scored his 1,000th point.

1980 - Dave Williams (Chicago Bears) became the first player in NFL history to return a kick for touchdown in overtime.

1994 - Joe Montana (Kansas City Chiefs) became the 5th quarterback to surpass 40,000 yards passing.

2003 - Luc Robitaille (Los Angeles Kings) earned his 700th career assist. 

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

The Twilight Saga's Breaking Dawn Part 2 remained the No. 1 film over the Thanksgiving weekend, earning $66 million over five days. Skyfall came in second with Lincoln in third.

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

Coming Up:

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Wednesday --

Nothin' Doin'

Thursday --

Nothin' Doin'

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

College Football -- Oregon State Beavers vs Nicholls State Colonels 2:30pm EST

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at University of Tampa 3:30pm EST

Sunday --

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Denver Broncos 4:05pm EST

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

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!