It's Thursday

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

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

Today is November 21st, the 325th day of 2013. There are 40 days left in the year.

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

Kings' Quick out until at least Christmas: Lombardi.

Panthers' Thomas still has Olympic aspirations.

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

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

Today's Birthdays: Actor-director Harold Ramis is 69; Goldie Hawn is 68; Nicollette Sheridan (Desperate Housewives) is 50; Football player-turned-TV host Michael Strahan (Live With Kelly and Michael) is 42; Carly Rae Jepsen (Call Me Maybe) is 28.

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

Los Angeles, CA. -- Tampa Bay Lightning captain Martin St. Louis skated in his 1,000th career NHL game Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. He became the 286th player in NHL history to reach the 1,000-game milestone.

Read the rest here.

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

On this date in 1620, the Mayflower reached Provincetown, MA. The ship discharged the Pilgrims at Plymouth, MA, on December 26, 1620.

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

Fourth Annual USA Hockey Sled Classic, Presented by the NHL,Begins Tomorrow in Pittsburgh 15 Members of 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team to Participate COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The fourth annual USA Hockey Sled Classic, presented by the National Hockey League and hosted by the Pittsburgh Penguins, will take place this weekend (Nov. 21-24) at Robert Morris University Island Sports Center and Blade Runners Ice Complex in Pittsburgh, Pa. Additionally, the Penguins' CONSOL Energy Center will be the venue for each of the three divisional championship games Sunday (Nov. 24). The event is part of the third annual Come Play Hockey Month, a joint effort of USA Hockey and the NHL. All tournament games will be streamed live at USAHockey.FASTHockey.com. Among the 200-plus competitors at the USA Hockey Sled Classic will be 15 current members of the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team. On Saturday (Nov. 23), Team USA will be signing autographs at RMU Island Sports Center from 5-7 p.m. "The NHL and its member clubs have been tremendous supporters of the USA Hockey Sled Classic," saidJeremy Kennedy, manager of membership and disabled hockey for USA Hockey. "With the 2014 Paralympic Games just a few months away the interest in sled hockey is significantly increasing. This year's tournament in Pittsburgh includes the addition of two more teams and a third division." Each of the 16 competing teams are affiliated with NHL clubs – Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals. Sled hockey teams will represent their affiliated NHL club by wearing official NHL licensed jerseys with local club marks and logos. For full tournament results, statistics and game recaps, as well as photos and video content from the weekend, click here. All tournament games will be streamed live at FASTHockey.com. Those interested in watching should sign up for a free account in advance at USAHockey.FASTHockey.com. NOTES: The Colorado Avalanche hosted the inaugural USA Hockey Sled Classic in 2010. The Colorado Avalanche Sled Hockey Team won the four-team tournament … In 2011, the Philadelphia Flyers held the event in Vorhees, N.J., where the Buffalo Sabres Sled Hockey Team took first place among nine teams … A year ago, the Buffalo Sabres put on the tournaments in Williamsville, N.Y., with the Dallas Stars winning the 'A' Division and the Washington Capitals capturing the 'B' Division ... Participating teams in the tournament must have an official affiliation with an NHL member club … For more information about the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, click here ... For more information on the sport of sled hockey and to view a list of sled hockey teams in the U.S., click here.

************************************************ According to a new study, kids today can't run as fast as their parents did when they were kids. [Well, they don't need to. For example, why should they race home to watch their favorite TV show when they can just program the DVR?] ************************************************ 101GC: Sex Before Game Day? Ticats' Austin relishing first year back in CFL. Visit the league's official website, http://www.cfl.ca. ************************************************ The first successful flight was made in a hot air balloon on this date in 1783. The pilots, Francois Pilatre de Rosier and Francois Laurent, Marquis d'Arlandes, flew for 25 minutes and 5½ miles over Paris. ************************************************ Regina, SK. -For most of his career Geroy Simon was a big wheel who his team could ride to victory. Read the rest here. Next up for the Riders is the 101st Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium in Regina against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, on Sunday, November 24th. Kickoff on 620CKRM, 620ckrm.com, the Rider Radio Network, TSN and NBCSN is set for 6:00pm EST. ************************************************ North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on this date in 1789. ************************************************

Tampa, FL. — Three prominent former Buccaneers are among the final 25 players, coaches and contributors being considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2014.

Read the rest here.

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

Dan Dierdorf announced Wednesday that he will retire from NFL broadcasting at the end of this season. He spent 30 seasons broadcasting the game after 13 years on the field.

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

Corvallis, OR. -- Oregon State Athletics is proud to host Fan Appreciation Day this Saturday night when the Beavers play the Washington Huskies in the home finale to the 2013 season at 7:30 p.m. at Reser Stadium.

Read the rest here.

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

Thomas A. Edison announced the invention of his phonograph on this date in 1877.

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

Spider Jimmy does an impromptu treat inventory.

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

You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as going back to the same doctor as yesterday to deliver medical records, isn't it?

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

Today in Elvis History

1962 - The Elvis Presley film "Girls! Girls! Girls!" opened in the U.S.

1963 - The Elvis Presley film "Fun in Acapulco" premiered.

1964 - Elvis Presley's single "Ain't That Loving You Baby" hit #16 in the U.S.

2006 - The album "Elvis at the Hayride" was released. The live show was the a remastered version of the original recording.

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

Four women are set to graduate from the Marine Corps' combat infantry training school, becoming the first female Marines ever to complete the 59-day course that preps Marines for war. Fifteen women began the training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on September 24, but only four made it through.

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

Today in Beatles History:

1960 - George Harrison was deported from Germany for being too young to perform there with the Beatles. 

1968 - Yoko Ono suffered a miscarriage.

1995 - The "Beatles Anthology I" set a first-day sales record, selling 450,000 units.

2006 - The Beatles album "Love" was released. The soundtrack to the Cirque de Soleil show contained 26 tracks.

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

A new survey shows the average amount we plan to spend on our kids this Christmas is $224 -- per child.

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

Today in Sports History:

1934 - The New York Yankees purchased the contract of Joe DiMaggio from San Francisco of the Pacific Coast League.

1959 - Major league baseball lifted the ban on inter-league trade.

1964 - The Detroit Red Wings began a streak of 47 straight wins when leading after two periods. The streak ended on January 23, 1966.

1977 - Walter Payton (Chicago Bears) ran for an NFL record 275 yards against the Minnesota Vikings.

1982 - The National Football League (NFL) resumed its season following a 57-day players' strike.

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

The mayor of a town in Utah will keep his job for another two years after "forgetting" to inform residents that it was time to hold municipal elections. Wallsburg, Utah's four city council members will also be reappointed by default after the screw-up that is being blamed on a city employee in charge of election oversight.

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

Coming Up:

Tonight --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at San Jose Sharks 10:30pm EST

Friday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Anaheim Ducks 10:00pm EST

Saturday --

College Football -- Oregon State Beavers vs Washington Huskies 10:30pm EST

Sunday --

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions 1:00pm EST

CFL Football -- 101st Grey Cup Game, Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Regina, Saskatchewan 6:00pm EST

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

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