County health officials perform tests at Garrido home – San Jose Mercury News
September 4, 2009
County health officials perform tests at Garrido home – San Jose Mercury News
 BBC News |
County health officials perform tests at Garrido home
San Jose Mercury News Police officers from different agencies work the crime scene in Antioch, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, where Phillip Garrido, 58, a registered sex offender and his wife Nancy Garrido, 55 lived. The Garrido's were arrested in … Jaycee Family's "Uncontainable Happiness" Phillip Garrido's past reveals another rape charge Garrido's '72 rape case: Girl wouldn't testify |
Chinese police use teargas to break up deadly protests flare in Urumqi – guardian.co.uk
 Times Online |
Chinese police use teargas to break up deadly protests flare in Urumqi
guardian.co.uk Five people have been killed and 14 injured in protests in Urumqi, state media said tonight, after thousands of Han Chinese took to the streets for a third day of demonstrations. They claimed officials had not protected them from syringe attacks and … China official: 5 killed during Urumqi protests Urumqi protesters confront police over syringe attacks Five killed as police face protesters in restive Chinese city |
Will Your Kids Be Watching Obama’s Back-to-School Speech? – ABC News
 ABC News |
Will Your Kids Be Watching Obama's Back-to-School Speech?
ABC News Some parents are talking about keeping their children out of school Tuesday to avoid President Barack Obama's address to schools, while some school districts are refusing to show the speech. Barack Obama on education back-to-school-message. … Gibbs: Furor over school speech is `silly season' Obama School Speech Upsets Some Parents Obama's speech to kids causes uproar in schools |
TV show contestant delayed flight aft… – The Associated Press
August 28, 2009
TV show contestant delayed flight aft… – The Associated Press
 Sydney Morning Herald |
TV show contestant delayed flight after wife died
The Associated Press BUENA PARK, Calif. — A reality contestant wanted in the gruesome murder and mutilation of his ex-model wife didn't start his 1000-mile dash for his native Canada until 24 hours after her body was found and he moved out of his penthouse and picked up … Police say slain model's car showed evidence of a struggle Condition of Dead Model Jasmine Fiore's Car Suggests Bloody Fight 'Person of interest' questioned in model's slaying |
Q+A: Japan opposition may face dilemm… – Reuters
 Washington Post |
Q+A: Japan opposition may face dilemma on US security ties
Reuters TOKYO (Reuters) – The opposition Democratic Party of Japan, which looks set to win Sunday's national election, has vowed to forge a more equal alliance with the United States while keeping ties with Washington at the center of … Japan jobless rate hits new high Japanese economy hit by 'double nightmare' Candidates make appeals ahead of Japan elections |
Two Koreas to restart family reunions – AFP
 Boston Globe |
Two Koreas to restart family reunions
AFP SEOUL — South and North Korea agreed Friday to restart a reunion programme for families divided by their 1950-53 conflict, in the latest sign of an easing of tensions after more than a year of hostility. The reunions will be held from September 26 to … Two Koreas to restart family reunions Deal 'close' on Korean reunions Report: SKorea seeks joint fan squad with NKorea |
CIA Will Cover Legal Fees – Washington Post
 HotIndieNews.com |
CIA Will Cover Legal Fees
Washington Post CIA Director Leon Panetta decided Thursday that the agency will ensure legal representation for case officers who become caught up in investigations of alleged interrogation abuses of detainees at overseas locations, … Abuse Issue Puts the Justice Dept. and CIA at Odds Obama Could Face Trouble Over CIA Investigation Administration to Investigate Torture |
Tiger Woods meets the Ailsa Craig
August 26, 2009
Tiger Woods meets the Ailsa Craig
If ye can see Ailsa Craig, it’s gaun tae rain. If ye canny see it, it’s already raining.
There’s just something magical about the sight of one of the world’s greatest athletes – Tiger Woods – working his magic before the looming presence of curling’s greatest natural landmark.
(Click on the Associated Press photo by Jon Super to magnify the reverence)
Golf’s British Open – or simply The Open Championship – has returned to the Ailsa Craig course at Turnberry after an absence of 17 years.
As a result, everyone in the high-profile golf world are stumbling over each other to lay breathless praise on the Ailsa Craig itself, the monolith of volcanic rock which sits some 12 miles out in the Irish Sea and thus provides glorious background imagery for fellows like Tiger.
A preview story earlier this week by Associated Press writer Paul Newberry summed up the importance of the reverent Ailsa Craig to our sport, curling:
On a sunny day – and that’s how the weather broke around lunchtime – the hill provides the best spot to gaze on the Ailsa Craig, a massive island of rock in the Firth of Clyde that measures two miles around, rises 1,129 feet above the sea and is best known these days for its role in a decidedly different sport – curling.
“Someone was telling me that every curling stone in the world comes from that island,” Geoff Ogilvy said. “That’s got to be a myth.”
Not really. The isle’s unique granite is believed to provide the best material for carving out the stones used by the sweepers on ice. Since curling became a Winter Olympic sport in 1998, every stone got its start on the Ailsa Craig.
Well, actually… as most curling fans know, the Ailsa Craig is the legendary source, but newer quarries in Wales and Finland are providing the curling world with more options, as the Craig supply is gradually depleted.
And we would probably change that last line to read “Since curling became a Winter Olympic sport in 1998, not every stone got its start on the Ailsa Craig.” Anyone agree or disagree?
To sum up all things Ailsa Craig, we suggest the following links:
• the “official” story from Wikipedia
• a cool story from Times writer Lynn Truss
• Kays of Scotland, the official stone manufacturers
• another outfit, offering Craig jewelry and curling collectables
• the hotel in Edinburgh
• the indie rock band from Leeds
• the unknown Canadian village in southwestern Ontario
• the sociology professor in Newfoundland, Canada
And finally, USA Curling is auctioning off an authentic Ailsa Craig curling stone that will be autographed by the 2010 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic curling team members. To bid on this one-of-a-kind item, search for “Team USA Autographed Curling Stone” on eBay… or just click here.
Anything else for a Friday?
• A reminder of today’s Rockin’ The Gold curling fundraiser in Toronto, which we told you about here. Looks like blogTO has a promo writeup, too …
• Were the Canadians a wee bit too intense at the recent Tropicurl summer spiel in Pittsburgh?
• Curling in Corner Brook, Newfoundland may be wiped out this coming season …
• And finally… is this what the kids are doing these days?
“I’ve seen the game evolve,” says Morris. “The old stereotypes about curlers just aren’t true anymore. If you look at the top players, nearly all of them are very fit athletes with Olympic aspirations who devote a great deal of time to physical conditioning.”
Morris points out that high-performance curlers aren’t the only ones who can benefit from the sport-specific training offered in the book.
“The book is written so that curlers of all levels can follow a program that suits them,” says JoMo. “Even the recreational player who curls once or twice a week and competes in a couple of bonspiels will enjoy the game more by working out just a few hours a week. They’ll be able to contribute more when they compete and feel better about their overall level of fitness.”
Filled with color photography of many of the world’s top players – the pics are supplied by CurlingZone’s Dallas Bittle, SWEEP! chief Jim Henderson and, of course, Anil Mungal of this here The Curling News – the book details the physical demands of the sport and offers three levels of training programs – with calendars – to “make it easy for people to incorporate a fitness routine into their life. Even the typical curler who juggles family, career and the sport can find time for the workouts – many can be completed in less than an hour.”
Morris, who also skipped teams to world junior titles in 1998 and 1999, also suggests that “Whether you’re delivering a stone or sweeping from end to end, curling places unique demands on the body. It only makes sense to follow a training program that will help you feel fresh and perform better on the ice.”
Morris wrote the book with Dean Gemmell, who played lead for Quebec in the 1988 Brier and now produces a popular podcast called The Curling Show from his home in Short Hills, New Jersey. A side benefit of working on the book, remarks Gemmell, is that “I’m a more fit curler at 42 than I was at 20.”
Gemmell also notes that one dollar from the sale of every book in Canada will be given to the Canadian Curling Association to support junior curling programs throughout the country.
“John believes strongly in the value of curling in the life of a young person,” says Gemmell. We hope that this might help introduce a few more kids to the sport or keep them playing.”
Fit to Curl is available for purchase as of now through the official website and in curling pro shops. Shipping commences on September 8.
The website offers a 17-page preview download, which includes the table of contents and some fine pics, including one classic from 1993. Yes, John, Sav’s hair is worse than yours.
White House Sharply Increases Project… – Washington Post
August 25, 2009
White House Sharply Increases Project… – Washington Post
 FOXNews |
White House Sharply Increases Projections of Future Deficits
Washington Post The $787 billion economic stimulus package President Obama signed earlier this year is likely to cost "tens of billions of dollars" more than expected, helping to drive projections for next year's budget deficit to $1.5 trillion, … SCENARIOS: Impact of US budget reports Deficit Projection Goes Through Roof White House, Congress projects record deficits |
Most recent SAT scores show dispariti… – USA Today
 News Channel 7 |
Most recent SAT scores show disparities by race, gender, income
USA Today Average national SAT scores for the high school class of 2009 dropped two points compared with last year, a report out today says. And while the population of test takers was the most diverse ever, average scores vary … SAT scores dip for high school class of 2009 Washington SAT scores down a bit from last year Top 25 Georgia high schools by average SAT scores` |
Palestinian PM seeks aid for embryo s… – Reuters
 ABC News |
Palestinian PM seeks aid for embryo state
Reuters RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – An international airport for a future state of Palestine, national institutions and new rail links were listed by the Palestinian prime minister on Tuesday in a government program needing foreign … World Agenda: Netanyahu's Europe charm offensive is one big … Three Gazans killed in Israeli airstrike, tension escalates Pro-Palestinian protesters gather at Brown's office in London |
Obama appears to be serious about hav… – Los Angeles Times
 FOXNews |
Obama appears to be serious about having fun on vacation
Los Angeles Times On Martha's Vineyard, it's golf today with the first lady and friends. Tomorrow, more golf. A pile of books to read. In between, the Fed chief is renominated. Then it's back to relaxing. By Christi Parsons Reporting from Oak Bluffs, Mass. … Martha's Vineyard's African American Legacy Obama's privacy top priority President Obama on Vacation |
Obama keeps Bernanke as Fed chairman – KABC
August 25, 2009
Obama keeps Bernanke as Fed chairman – KABC
OAK BLUFFS, Mass. — President Barack Obama has announced he wants Ben Bernanke to get a second four-year term as head of the Federal Reserve, praising his “calm and wisdom” in the face of a near financial collapse. Bernanke , credited with guiding the economy away from its worst recession since the
Congress projects smaller deficit than White House – Seattle Times
Congressional budget analysts project a cumulative $7 trillion deficit from 2010-2019, a figure roughly $2 trillion less than the one projected by the White House budget office. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, in a report that came out on the same day as the White House midyear budget
Jessica Biel is ‘most dangerous celeb on the web’ – Economic Times
August 25, 2009
Jessica Biel is ‘most dangerous celeb on the web’ – Economic Times
LONDON: Hollywood Hottie Jessica Biel can spell doom for your computer as she has been named the ‘most dangerous star on the Internet’. Fans of the ‘Blade Trinity’ actress are more likely to end up falling victim to spy ware and virus threats on their PCs while searching for information on the
Obama faces tough Afghan choice – Detroit News
Washington — With the nation’s top military officer calling the situation in Afghanistan dire, President Barack Obama soon may face two equally unattractive choices: increase U.S. troops to beat back a resilient enemy, or stick with the 68,000 already committed and risk the political fallout if
Del. sports betting plan tossed – NorthJersey.com
PHILADELPHIA — A federal appeals court ruled Monday that sports betting in Delaware would violate a 1992 federal ban on such wagering, essentially halting the state’s plans to start taking bets on individual National Football League games next month. The plan was opposed by the professional sports
Justice to probe alleged CIA abuse – Politico.com
August 24, 2009
Justice to probe alleged CIA abuse – Politico.com
Attorney General Eric Holder has named a special prosecutor to investigate alleged CIA interrogation abuses – a move that could lead to the criminal prosecution of CIA officers and contractors and reopen the debate over how far the United States should go to get information from terror suspects
Anadarko, Okla. newspaper publishes after fire – WNYT
(AP) ANADARKO, Okla. – A fire that destroyed the building that housed The Anadarko Daily News isn’t stopping the newspaper from publishing. The Saturday morning fire that began in a bar next door to the newspaper in southwest Oklahoma destroyed the printing press and 60 rolls of one-thousand pound
Venezuela repeats at Miss Universe contest – KGO
Venezuelan Stefania Fernandez won the 2009 Miss Universe pageant in the Bahamas on Sunday night. Dressed in a flowing red gown, Fernandez embraced runner up Miss Dominican Republic as the announcement was made, and received the crown from last year’s winner, Dayana Mendoza, of Venezuela. The
NASA preps Discovery for launch Tuesday – Winnipeg Sun
The space shuttle Discovery sits on the launch pad early Monday morning Aug. 24, 2009 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Seven astronauts are scheduled to liftoff early tomorrow morning for a trip to the international space station. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida
Venezuela repeats at Miss Universe contest – KGO
August 24, 2009
Venezuela repeats at Miss Universe contest – KGO
Venezuelan Stefania Fernandez won the 2009 Miss Universe pageant in the Bahamas on Sunday night. Dressed in a flowing red gown, Fernandez embraced runner up Miss Dominican Republic as the announcement was made, and received the crown from last year’s winner, Dayana Mendoza, of Venezuela. The
Anadarko, Okla. newspaper publishes after fire – WNYT
(AP) ANADARKO, Okla. – A fire that destroyed the building that housed The Anadarko Daily News isn’t stopping the newspaper from publishing. The Saturday morning fire that began in a bar next door to the newspaper in southwest Oklahoma destroyed the printing press and 60 rolls of one-thousand pound
Justice to probe alleged CIA abuse – Politico.com
Attorney General Eric Holder has named a special prosecutor to investigate alleged CIA interrogation abuses – a move that could lead to the criminal prosecution of CIA officers and contractors and reopen the debate over how far the United States should go to get information from terror suspects
Obamas begin Martha’s Vineyard vacation – Seattle Times
President Barack Obama played tennis with his wife and golf with his buddies Monday, starting his first vacation in office on Martha’s Vineyard, a picturesque island known as a refuge for the wealthy and privileged. Obama began the day with a workout at his rented retreat, then tennis with Michelle
Gas prices steady despite oil surge – CNN Money
August 23, 2009
Gas prices steady despite oil surge – CNN Money
(CNN) — Prices at the pump held steady over the past two weeks, leaving the nationwide average at $2.64 for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline, according to a survey published Sunday. The Lundberg Survey, which tabulates prices at thousands of gas stations nationwide, found the average was a
Green Bay Police Department hires first black officer in its 152-year history – Los Angeles Times
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay has a black police officer for the first time in the 152-year history of its Police Department. Solomon Ayres starts the first phase of a 17-week training regime this week. He says he expects some resistance from both black and white residents. But thinks his life
Scottish leader defends Lockerbie bomber release – Houston Chronicle
August 23, 2009
Scottish leader defends Lockerbie bomber release – Houston Chronicle
LONDON — Scotland’s government defended itself Sunday against unrelenting criticism from the U.S. over the decision to free the Pan Am Flight 103 bomber on compassionate grounds. Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, a Libyan convicted of killing 270 people in the 1988 airline bombing, was released Thursday
NY Yankees @ Boston: – Sportsnet.ca
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees traded blowout victories to start their weekend series at Fenway Park, but Sunday night’s pitching matchup has the look of a more tense affair. Aces CC Sabathia and Josh Beckett will square off to decide the archrivals’ first series of the season that won’t
Gas prices steady despite oil surge – CNN Money
(CNN) — Prices at the pump held steady over the past two weeks, leaving the nationwide average at $2.64 for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline, according to a survey published Sunday. The Lundberg Survey, which tabulates prices at thousands of gas stations nationwide, found the average was a
Quentin Tarantino, Brad Pitt find box-office glory, put ‘Basterds’ on top with $37.6M weekend – Minneapolis Star Tribune
LOS ANGELES – Brad Pitt and Quentin Tarantino have landed their history lesson on World War II at the top of the box office. Their war epic “Inglourious Basterds” took in $37.6 million over its first weekend to continue a late-summer revenue boost for Hollywood. The haul for “Inglourious Basterds
