It's Friday

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

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Today is January 30th, the 30th day of 2015. There are 335 days left in the year.

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Can't miss: Surprise military reunion in Tampa.

AHL to feature five California teams for 2015-16.

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

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Today's Birthdays: Gene Hackman is 85. Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney is 74. Christian Bale is 41. Wilmer Valderrama (That ’70s Show) is 35.

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Tampa, FL. -- Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper was visibly upset after the Bolts’ 4-2 loss in Carolina on Tuesday, calling the team’s performance during the first 10 minutes of the game in which the Bolts fell behind 2-0 “terrible” and “unacceptable.”

Read the rest here.

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A farmer has become a YouTube celebrity by turning cow herding into an art form. Derek Klingenberg from Kansas manipulated his cattle into the shape of a smiley face and used a drone to film it from above. | VIDEO

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EIGHTH ANNUAL HOCKEY WEEEKEND ACROSS AMERICA, PRESENTED BY CCM, JUST THREE WEEKS AWAY Registration Open for More Than 300 "Try Hockey for Free" Events, Presented by Kraft COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey will lead the nation in the eighth annual Hockey Weekend Across America, presented by CCM Hockey, Feb. 20-22. "Hockey Weekend Across America is something the hockey community looks forward to each year," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "From grassroots programs across the country to the National Hockey League and every level in between, this weekend is about celebrating all the wonderful things about our sport and also giving new people a chance to try our game, whether it be on the ice as a player or as a fan attending a game." Each of the three days of Hockey Weekend Across America features a special theme. "Wear Your Favorite Jersey Day" on Friday, Feb. 20, sponsored by ShopUSAHockey.com, is the day for fans to show off their hockey pride by wearing their prized hockey jerseys. USA Hockey'sFacebook and Twitter pages will accept photos from all in search of the most passionate hockey fans. Saturday, Feb. 21, is "Try Hockey Day," sponsored by the National Hockey League. Hundreds of rinks nationwide will host Try Hockey for Free clinics, presented by Kraft, allowing thousands of children to experience hockey for the first time. To find a participating rink near you and register, visit TryHockeyforFree.com. To cap off the weekend, "Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes" day on Sunday, Feb. 22, encourages all involved in the game to develop ways to honor their local hockey heroes. USA Hockey invites fans to post pictures and stories on its Facebook and Twitter pages. The day, which falls on the 35th anniversary of Miracle on Ice, also includes NBC's Hockey Day in America coverage that comprises an NHL tripleheader. The day begins at 12 noon ET with a half-hour pre-game show on NBC in advance of two games on the network (Washington at Philadelphia; Boston at Chicago). NBCSN will conclude Hockey Day in America coverage on Sunday evening with the Dallas at Minnesota game. Along with its game coverage, NBC will also produce content in and around the games showcasing hockey at all levels in the United States. Fans can register for the Hockey Weekend Across America CCM "Tacks Are Back" Sweepstakes now through Feb. 22. Three grand prize packages will be awarded (one on each day of Hockey Weekend Across America), each including a CCM hockey stick, helmet/facemask combo, hockey bag and skates. Second and third place prizes will also be awarded. Visit HockeyWeekendAcrossAmerica.comand click "Sweepstakes" in the top menu to enter. At 18 NHL games in American cities as part of Hockey Weekend Across America, two young officials will have the chance to meet with NHL officials working the particular contest prior to teh game and then stay to watch those NHL officials in action. For full information surrounding the weekend, visit HockeyWeekendAcrossAmerica.com. Associations, teams and communities celebrating Hockey Weekend Across America are encouraged to submit their event plans to USA Hockey at this site. Promotional materials, including posters and logos, are also available for download. Use the hashtag #HWAA on Twitter in association with the event. NOTES: 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 ... Liberty Mutual and Total Hockey are sponsors of Try Hockey for Free Day.

************************************************ A quarter of Americans believe that God personally controls who wins the Super Bowl. The survey (by Public Religion Research Institute and the Religion News Service) showed that 26 percent of Americans, and 27 percent of those who describe themselves as sports fans, believe God plays a role in determining which team wins a sporting event. ************************************************

Buono inks free agent receiver Collie.

Coach Calvillo: Als name passing leader receivers coach.

Please visit the league's official website, http://www.cfl.ca.

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A wealthy Houston businesswoman married herself. [But not before insisting on a seriously detailed pre-nup.]

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Phoenix, AZ. -- Davin Joseph was as shocked as Buccaneers fans when Tampa Bay went 2-14 under first-year coach Lovie Smith.

Read the rest here.

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On this date in 1933, "The Lone Ranger" was heard on radio for the first time. The program ran for 2,956 episodes and ended in 1955.

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Corvallis, OR. -- After re-writing the Pac-12 Conference passing record books, quarterback Sean Mannion was selected to participate in the 17thannual Quicken Loans All-Star Football Challenge. The competition which was held in Arlington, Texas on Monday, will air Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN2. It will also be broadcast Sunday, Feb. 8 at noon PST on ESPN and again Sunday, Apr. 26 at 1 p.m. PST on ESPN.

Read the rest here.

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On this date in 1950, NBC-TV debuted "Robert Montgomery Presents." The show lasted for seven seasons.

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Jimmy watches the action at the Lightning Guys game.

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You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as your morning coffee, isn't it?

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Today in Elvis History:

1956 - Elvis Presley recorded "Blue Suede Shoes." 

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Robert Bonilla met his fiancée, Meredith, at a Costco store in Santa Maria, California. So it felt natural for the couple to be married in the store, attended by family and friends. Costco allowed the wedding in the frozen food section after closing.

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Today in Beatles History:

1967 - The Beatles recorded a promotional clip for "Strawberry Fields Forever." 

1969 - The Beatles made their last-ever public appearance as a group. The performance of "Get Back" was filmed for the movie "Let It Be." The performance took place on the roof of London's Apple Records. 

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At her Thursday Super Bowl press conference Katy Perry was asked if she has her eye on a specific NFL cutie and she responded in the most perfect way: “I’m just here so I don’t get fined.”

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Today in Sports History:

1910 - Work began on the first board-track automobile speedway. The track was built in Playa del Ray, CA. 

1920 - Joe Malone (Quebec Nordiques) scored seven goals against the Toronto St. Patricks in a 10-6 win. 

1960 - The women’s singles U.S. figure skating championship was won by Carol Heiss. 

1994 - Natalie Cole sang the U.S. national anthem at Super Bowl XXVIII. The Dallas Cowboys won 30-13 over the Buffalo Bills. 

1994 - Dan Jansen of the United States set a world record of 35.76 when he became the first to skate 500 meters in less than 36 seconds. 

2000 - The New York Mets announced that Garth Brooks would begin training with the team on February 20. 

2000 - John Rocker (Atlanta Braves) was suspended from major league baseball for disparaging foreigners, homosexuals and minorities in an interview published by Sports Illustrated.  

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IN THEATERS - Black or White (PG-13); The Loft (R); Project Almanac (PG-13)

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

NAHL Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild at Kenai River Brown Bears 11:30pm EST

Saturday --

USPHL Empire Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Atlanta Junior Knights 5:00pm 

EST

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets 7:00pm EST

USPHL Elite Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Atlanta Junior Knights 8:00pm EST

NAHL Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild at Kenai River Brown Bears 11:30pm EST

Sunday --

USPHL Empire Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Atlanta Junior Knights 8:00am EST

USPHL Elite Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Atlanta Junior Knights 11:00am EST

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