GA Russell

Born August 15, 1951

TTK, Whisky Advocate recommends tiki cocktails! https://www.whiskyadvocate.com/summer-tiki-whisky-cocktails/

The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings (2 CDs) - $13.29 prime https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UE27X8

I found a new (to me) website. Power Rankings CFL Power Rankings – Week 1 – 13th Man Sports

Week 2 picks https://3downnation.com/2021/08/12/3downnation-cfl-picks-stamps-elks-look-for-big-bounce-back-performances/ https://rodpedersen.com/thursday-commentary-the-picks-are-in/ https://thegruelingtruth.com/football/cfl-week-2-preview-and-predictions/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/piffles-charity-pickem-week-2 https://doorfliesopen.com/2021/08/12/cfl-beat-129/ ***** Week 2 game notes https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/12/cfl-ca-game-notes-look-week-2-3/

I see two of my most favorite albums here. Paul Bley - Copenhagen and Haarlem Attila Zoller - Gypsy Cry And if you are in the mood for pre-fusion jazz-rock, I can recommend the first Dreams album too.

Week 1 recaps Nobody had played in over 600 days, and there were no pre-season games, so the quality of play was somewhat sloppy as you might expect. A number of passes were dropped that should have been caught. The defenses looked better than the offenses. The pundits last week wondered if the Ticats could go undefeated, and if the Redblacks would go winless. Surprise! The Ticats lost, and the Redblacks won. History was made. BC's backup QB is a Canadian rookie named Nathan Rourke. Michael Reilly's elbow or shoulder is sore, so Rourke started. The CFL corporation was founded in 1958, and for the first time since then a Canadian rookie quarterback started his first game as a pro. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/09/steinbergs-mmqb-observations-week-1/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/09/landrys-5-takeaways-week-1-3/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/10/start-vs-sit-feeling-rosters-week-1/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/10/cauz-went-0-4-picks-soul-isnt-crushed/ https://3downnation.com/2021/08/07/six-players-who-can-make-the-ottawa-redblacks-a-playoff-team/ https://rodpedersen.com/50379-2/ ***** Winnipeg 19....Hamilton 6 https://www.cfl.ca/games/6134/hamilton-tiger-cats-vs-winnipeg-blue-bombers/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-hamilton-tiger-cats-winnipeg-blue-bombers-recap-1.6131631 https://3downnation.com/2021/08/06/ticats-offence-tantalizes-to-start-terrible-to-finish-in-2021-season-opening-loss-to-bombers/ https://3downnation.com/2021/08/06/bombers-bash-ticats-on-banner-night-at-ig-field-17-other-thoughts/ ***** Sask 33....BC 29 Sask took a quick 31-0 lead, and then held on to win. https://www.cfl.ca/games/6135/bc-lions-vs-saskatchewan-roughriders/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl https://3downnation.com/2021/08/06/canadian-qb-nathan-rourke-starts-in-place-of-injured-michael-reilly-against-riders/ https://3downnation.com/2021/08/07/the-good-the-bad-and-the-dumb-from-the-riders-33-29-win-over-the-b-c-lions/ https://3downnation.com/2021/08/07/quarterback-chaos-and-eight-other-thoughts-on-the-lions-loss-in-regina/ ***** Toronto 23....Calgary 20 Calgary is now the league's youngest team. https://www.cfl.ca/games/6136/toronto-argonauts-vs-calgary-stampeders/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl https://3downnation.com/2021/08/07/mcleod-bethel-thompson-outduels-bo-levi-mitchell-as-argos-sink-stamps/ https://3downnation.com/2021/08/08/bo-levi-mitchell-felt-stampeders-gift-wrapped-win-to-argos/ ***** Ottawa 16....Edmonton 12 https://www.cfl.ca/games/6137/ottawa-redblacks-vs-edmonton-elks/ https://www.tsn.ca/ottawa-redblacks-defensive-plays-edmonton-elks-week-1-1.1679345 https://3downnation.com/2021/08/08/ottawas-defence-dominates-as-redblacks-upset-elks/ https://3downnation.com/2021/08/08/redblacks-put-the-l-in-elks-and-11-other-thoughts-on-ottawas-upset-win-in-edmonton/ https://3downnation.com/2021/08/08/elks-suffer-failure-to-launch-10-other-thoughts-on-edmontons-spoiled-season-opener/ https://3downnation.com/2021/08/08/elks-self-combust-in-opener-and-10-thoughts-on-the-biggest-miracle-in-a-long-time/ ***** Week 1 Plays of the Week https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/09/defence-dominates-in-the-timber-mart-plays-of-the-week/ ***** Week 1 QB Index https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/10/qb-index-showing-week-1/ ***** Power Rankings https://3downnation.com/2021/08/09/3downnation-power-rankings-shuffling-the-deck-after-just-one-week/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/safimods-2021-power-rankings-week-2 https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/09/power-rankings-come-winnipeg/ ***** The staff at 3DownNation will track this year's MOP candidates. https://3downnation.com/2021/08/10/mop-watch-mcbeth-leads-week-1-most-outstanding-player-rankings/ ***** Gossip! https://3downnation.com/2021/08/11/insider-talk-player-vaccinations-global-kickers-potential-gm-hires/ ***** Week 2 picks http://17degreesports.com/index.php/2021/08/11/cfl-week-2-preview/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/11/prediction-time-cfl-ca-writers-week-2-picks/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/11/weekly-predictor-betting-argonauts/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/11/editors-desk-week-2-horizon/ ***** Today's view count is 171,351.

I'll have to study up on my Herb Alpert history!

I'm pretty sure that the back cover of Going Places had a photo of the band. It's been 55 years! Also, the sound is much different from that of the Whipped Cream album.

I had forgotten about that one! I remember it had The Third Man Theme, and was the first to have band members rather than studio musicians.

Episode Seventeen https://artpepper.bandcamp.com/track/straight-life-episode-seventeen

Q'd Up Closes a Chapter of Its Own History with "Going Places," Set for Release October 8 on Tantara Records Album Features 11 Exploratory Originals For the BYU Faculty Band's Last Outing with Two Longtime Members, Multi-Instrumentalist Ray Smith & Keyboardist Steve Lindeman August 9, 2021 Q’d Up celebrates its enduring creative bounty on Tantara Records’ October 8 release Going Places. The venturesome quintet, formed in 1983 out of the jazz faculty at Brigham Young University, packs their seventh recording with eleven original compositions of hard-charging, straight-ahead jazz with bold progressive touches. Going Places also marks a sunset of sorts for the band. Its founding saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist, Ray Smith, and veteran keyboardist Steve Lindeman have both put in their retirement papers from the BYU School of Music after decades of service. Other longtime faculty members and Q’d Up players Eric Hansen (bass), Jay Lawrence (drums/vibraphone), and Ron Saltmarsh (guitar) will carry the torch, but the band’s chemistry and sound will inevitably take a new shape with two of its key members saying farewell. “With Steve’s departure and Ray’s retirement in a year, this is the end of an era,” says Lawrence. “We’ve worked together for so long, recording and performing together for nearly three decades. It’s been a lot of fun.” One might imagine that sentiment would color such a changing of the guard. Instead, Going Places finds Q’d Up as exuberant and inquisitive as ever. Even the album’s lone ballad, Lawrence’s beautiful “Timpanogos Snowfall,” is shot through with joy and energy that snap the listener to attention. If that’s the band at its most mellow, pieces like the fusion-injected “The Twilight Train,” the lively Afro-Caribbean “Arumana,” and the soulful groover “Perfect Pizza” are nothing short of electrifying. Front row: Ron Saltmarsh, g; Hayley Kirkland, voc. Second row: Ray Smith, saxophones; Steve Lindeman, keyboards. Third row: Eric Hansen, bass; Jay Lawrence, drums. As has been their habit, the band also brings in some friends to help out on a few tracks. Two former members, drummer Ron Brough and bassist Matt Larson, add memorable contributions to “Timpanogos Snowfall” and “Escarlatta,” respectively. The latter tune, along with Lindeman’s irresistible second line “Tchoupitoulas,” also feature the zesty vocals of Hayley Kirkland, a BYU alum who recently joined the jazz faculty in her own right. With colleagues like these on hand, Going Places suggests that in its next chapter, the band will remain as fruitful and accomplished as it ever has. Lawrence, who with Smith’s retirement becomes the senior member, says, “We’ve always been flexible. I’m optimistic about the future.” Q’d Up is the brainchild of Ray Smith, a native Utahn and graduate of Indiana University’s prestigious Jacobs School of Music. He arrived at Brigham Young as the professor of saxophone—one of more than thirty instruments he plays—in 1982; a year later, he and a group of his colleagues came together to form what was then called the Faculty Jazz Quartet or Quintet (FJQ—the Q was versatile). The band’s next longest-tenured members, drummer/vibraphonist Jay Lawrence and keyboardist Steve Lindeman (a classmate of Smith’s at IU), both came to BYU and the band in the mid-1990s. Shortly after their arrival, in 1998, the FJQ dropped its first two initials and reconfigured the last into the more playful moniker Q’d Up. This new incarnation established itself in 1999 with its self-titled debut recording, featuring bassist Lars Yorgason (a founding member in 1983) and drummer/percussionist Ron Brough (who was with the band since 1984) alongside Smith, Lawrence, and Lindeman. After a few more albums and personnel changes, Eric Hansen took the bass chair for Q’d Up’s fifth album, 2018’s Never Better; guitarist Ron Saltmarsh arrived for 2019’s Zagranitsa: Mystical Wonderland. (This configuration of Q’d Up has recorded one additional album, Dawn Fire Mist, the group’s eighth, which releases in tandem with Going Places.) Q’d Up—and its members, all of whom are prolific and in-demand musicians in Provo (BYU’s home base), Salt Lake City, and throughout Utah—remains one of the state’s hidden treasures. As Smith, who also produces the album, remarks in its liner notes, “If you don’t know the group, you are in for a very happy and exciting discovery.” Photo: Jared Wilkey Q'd Up Web Site ‌ ‌

Thanks, jc!

Gossip! https://3downnation.com/2021/08/04/insider-talk-elizondos-culture-fit-torontos-free-agent-signings-boyko-starting-at-tackle-for-riders/ ***** Season Previews https://www.themaineedge.com/sports/three-down-renown-a-2021-cfl-season-preview https://thegruelingtruth.com/football/cfl/2021-cfl-season-and-week-1-predictions/ https://www.cfl.ca/crash-course-everything-need-know-ahead-week-1/ https://www.tsn.ca/dave-naylor-s-kickoff-buckle-up-for-a-cfl-season-unlike-any-other-1.1678046 https://www.sportsnet.ca/cfl/article/cfl-west-division-preview-blue-bombers-look-repeat-long-layoff/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/02/steinbergs-mmqb-bold-predictions-2021/ https://3downnation.com/2021/08/04/3downnation-contributors-fearlessly-predict-2021-cfl-award-winners/ https://3downnation.com/2021/08/05/ten-way-too-early-candidates-for-most-outstanding-rookie-in-2021/ https://3downnation.com/2021/08/06/what-to-expect-from-the-edmonton-elks-in-2021/ https://www.tsn.ca/bo-levi-mitchell-leads-a-calgary-stampeders-lineup-with-a-lot-of-new-faces-1.1677657 https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-back-in-action-players-to-keep-eye-this-season-1.6128088 https://pifflespodcast.com ***** ESPN will again carry every game this year, but almost every one will be on their internet channel ESPN+. ESPN+ is $5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Here is the schedule. https://3downnation.com/2021/08/04/espn-unveils-cfl-schedule-for-american-television-audience/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/04/espn-networks-espn-carry-entire-2021-cfl-season/ SiriusXM will also carry every game. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/04/siriusxm-canada-carry-every-cfl-game-2023-season/ ***** Week 1 picks https://doorfliesopen.com/2021/08/05/cfl-beat-128/ https://rileysportsblog.wordpress.com/2021/08/04/2021-cfl-standings-and-week-1-predictions/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl https://3downnation.com/2021/08/05/3downnation-cfl-picks-holy-crap-theres-football/ https://rodpedersen.com/wednesday-commentary-the-picks-are-in/ https://www.cfl.ca/thewaggle/#273 https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/04/weekly-predictor-nye-makes-week-1-picks-2/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/05/the-cfl-is-back-in-2021/ https://www.tricitynews.com/national-sports/ticats-blue-bombers-to-open-cfls-return-minus-some-notable-performers-due-to-injury-4194056 https://edmontonsun.com/sports/football/cfl/edmonton-elks/jones-fresh-faces-abound-in-cfl-week-1-including-on-the-elks https://www.saltwire.com/prince-edward-island/sports/football/new-head-coaches-familiar-qbs-but-do-elks-or-redblacks-hold-the-advantage-100621199/ ***** Week 1 game notes https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/05/cfl-ca-game-notes-look-week-1/ ***** Power Rankings https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/safimods-power-rankings-week-1 ***** Here is a new book about the Bombers' 2019 championship season - Against All Odds. https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football/cfl/winnipeg-bluebombers/relive-the-ride-sun-commemorates-bombers-2019-championship-with-new-book ***** Today's view count is 171,144.

$17.95 https://www.hamiltonbook.com/roy-brooks-understanding-compact-disc

In the past year, I have heard this on the radio a number of times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl5usKhGz60

Now Carmelo has joined the Lakers.

Season Previews https://3downnation.com/2021/08/03/3downnation-contributors-fearlessly-predict-the-2021-cfl-standings/ https://www.sportsnet.ca/cfl/article/cfl-west-division-preview-blue-bombers-look-repeat-long-layoff/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-back-in-action-players-to-keep-eye-this-season-1.6128088 ***** Week 1 picks https://freepicks.picksandparlays.net/cfl/toronto-argonauts-at-calgary-stampeders-8721-cfl-picks-and-predictions https://freepicks.picksandparlays.net/cfl/ottawa-redblacks-at-edmonton-elks-8721-cfl-picks-and-predictions https://www.docsports.com/free-picks/cfl/2021/hamilton-tiger-cats-vs-winnipeg-blue-bombers-prediction-8-5-2021-cfl-pick-tips-and-odds.html https://www.docsports.com/free-picks/cfl/2021/bc-lions-vs-saskatchewan-roughriders-prediction-8-6-2021-cfl-pick-tips-and-odds.html https://www.docsports.com/free-picks/cfl/2021/toronto-argonauts-vs-calgary-stampeders-prediction-8-7-2021-cfl-pick-tips-and-odds.html https://www.docsports.com/free-picks/cfl/2021/ottawa-redblacks-vs-edmonton-elks-prediction-8-7-2021-cfl-pick-tips-and-odds.html ***** Power Rankings https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/03/footballs-back-week-1-power-rankings/ ***** The Ticats will produce their own radio show for CHML and the internet - five hours each gameday! https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/03/tiger-cats-launch-ticats-audio-network/ https://3downnation.com/2021/08/03/ticats-hire-rj-broadhead-and-luke-tasker-as-radio-broadcast-team-for-2021-season/ ***** The league has announced a cancellation policy in case of covid problems. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/03/cfl-moves-prevent-game-cancellations-due-covid-19/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl https://rodpedersen.com/cfl-announces-covid-cancellation-policy/ ***** The league and the union have agreed to amen the collective bargaining agreement for this year. https://3downnation.com/2021/08/03/comprehensive-collective-bargaining-agreement-amendments-for-2021-cfl-season/ ***** TSN's Top 50 Players. Speedy Banks is #1. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/03/banks-headlines-tsns-top-50-players-2021/ *** Today's view count is 171,012.

Let's see if we can get caught up with the headlines. Edmonton cut Kenny Stafford in a surprise move. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/21/elks-release-receiver-kenny-stafford/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/21/edmonton-elks-release-veteran-receiver-kenny-stafford/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/21/elizondo-elks-released-kenny-stafford-because-he-was-not-a-cultural-fit/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/25/kenny-stafford-responds-to-jaime-elizondo-saying-he-wasnt-a-cultural-fit-with-elks/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/29/kenny-stafford-jaime-elizondo-attacking-my-character-was-a-low-blow/ ***** Chuck McMann has died at 70. RIP. I saw him play for the Als in the '78 and '79 Grey Cup Finals. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/21/cfl-stampeders-mourn-loss-chuck-mcmann/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/chuck-mcmann-who-won-grey-cups-as-cfl-player-and-coach-passes-away-at-the-age-of-70-1.6111865 https://3downnation.com/2021/07/21/b-c-lions-mourn-the-loss-of-former-special-teams-coordinator-chuck-mcmann/ ***** The Elks unveiled this year's green jersey. Not much change, https://3downnation.com/2021/07/22/edmonton-elks-unveil-new-jerseys-for-2021/ ***** James Wilder, Jr., has come out of retirement to join the Elks. https://3downnation.com/2021/07/23/running-back-james-wilder-jr-setting-the-standard-in-elks-training-camp-after-brief-retirement/ ***** The Als cut Naaman Roosevelt. https://3downnation.com/2021/07/26/alouettes-release-former-riders-1000-yard-receiver-naaman-roosevelt/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/26/alouettes-release-wr-roosevelt-14-others/ ***** Doug Falconer has died at 69. RIP. https://3downnation.com/2021/07/29/redblacks-offer-condolences-following-passing-of-former-gee-gees-star-hollywood-producer-doug-falconer/ ***** Lin-J Shell has died at only 39. RIP. https://3downnation.com/2021/07/29/former-cfl-all-star-lin-j-shell-has-passed-away-at-39/ https://www.tsn.ca/former-cfler-lin-j-shell-dead-at-39-1.1675273 ***** Sid Spiegel, one of the Als' owners, has died. RIP. It looks to me like he was the money behind the new ownership group, so there may be problems ahead for the Als. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/30/als-cfl-statements-passing-team-co-owner-sid-spiegel/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/30/alouettes-co-owner-sid-spiegel-has-passed-away/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl ***** Sask's Friday opener is sold out. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/30/riders-home-opener-sold/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/30/roughriders-announce-sellout-for-august-6-home-opener-at-mosaic-stadium/ ***** The Redblacks revealed this year's uniforms. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/31/redblacks-unveil-new-jerseys/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/31/breaking-plaid-redblacks-unveil-new-uniforms-ahead-of-2021-season/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/31/new-era-gets-passing-grade-with-ottawas-new-look/ ***** I was reminded this week that Trevor Harris is 35, and one of the oldest players in the league. https://3downnation.com/2021/08/01/elks-franchise-qb-trevor-harris-delves-further-into-the-tb12-method-to-prolong-cfl-career/ ***** Calvin McCarty has returned from retirement to sign with Calgary. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/25/stamps-pull-rb-calvin-mccarty-retirement/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl ***** Sask's Tim Williams tore his Achilles tendon. That makes five for the Riders. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/26/riders-tim-williams-tears-achilles-sterling-shippy-breaks-foot/ ***** The Argos cut Terrell Sinkfield. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/28/argos-release-wr-sinkfield-dl-ollie-4-others/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl ***** The final training camp cuts have been made. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/31/ferguson-landing-spots-surprise-cuts/ ***** Power Rankings! https://3downnation.com/2021/08/02/3downnation-power-rankings-grey-cup-rematch-features-cfls-two-top-teams/ ***** Season previews. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/08/02/steinbergs-mmqb-bold-predictions-2021/ ***** All caught up! Today's view count is 170,962.

Season Previews League CFL Beat: Your 2021 Season Overview – [DOOR FLIES OPEN] CFL Beat: East Division Preview – [DOOR FLIES OPEN] CFL Beat: West Division Preview – [DOOR FLIES OPEN] http://17degreesports.com/index.php/2021/07/29/2021-cfl-season-preview/ https://www.cfl.ca/thewaggle/#271 https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/26/steinbergs-mmqb-easts-intriguing-players/ https://www.tsn.ca/video/what-will-the-cfl-season-look-like~2247872 https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/one-week-away ***** 7/29 checking down https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/29/checking-latest-news-final-cuts-loom/ ***** Top 50 current players http://17degreesports.com/index.php/2021/07/29/2021-top-50-players-in-the-cfl/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/31/here-is-how-i-filled-out-my-ballot-for-the-cfl-of-tsn-top-50-players-list/ ***** This week's Thursday and Friday games will be on ESPN. The western Saturday game will be on ESPNEWS. ***** Today's view count is 170, 911.

I don't understand the NBA's salary cap. Washington has traded Russell Westbrook to the LA Lakers. Why are the Lakers allowed to have so many big stars every year?

Let's go back to July 8, and see how many headlines we can find. Michael Soles has died of ALS at only 54. RIP. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/08/cfl-als-mourn-passing-michael-soles/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/08/alouettes-mourn-loss-of-a-true-soldier-following-passing-of-fb-michael-soles/ https://www.tsn.ca/dave-naylor-former-alouettes-rb-soles-dies-from-als-at-age-54-1.1665645 ***** An extraordinary number of guys are suffering torn Achilles tendons, which means they will probably be out for the year. The Riders lost four guys on one day! https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/08/four-riders-including-dean-suffer-achilles-injuries-ahead-camp/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/08/four-riders-suffer-achilles-injuries-during-standard-thursday-workout-including-two-starters-second-overall-draft-pick/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/10/four-season-ending-achilles-injuries-gut-shot-for-riders-head-coach-craig-dickenson/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/10/it-was-straight-out-of-a-movie-riders-qb-cody-fajardo-was-on-field-when-four-teammates-hit-turf-with-achilles-tears/ https://www.tsn.ca/saskatchewan-roughriders-achilles-injuries-cfl-1.1665640 https://3downnation.com/2021/07/08/roughriders-linebacker-larry-dean-suffers-torn-achilles-at-mosaic-stadium/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/13/riders-lb-larry-dean-undergoes-surgery-on-torn-achilles-to-start-the-road-to-recovery/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/19/argos-trade-db-darby-bombers/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/19/bombers-db-mercy-maston-suffers-season-ending-torn-achilles/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/28/winnipeg-blue-bombers-lose-receiver-blake-jackson-to-torn-achilles/ ***** More retirements. https://3downnation.com/2021/07/10/starting-offensive-tackle-nila-kasitati-announces-retirement-from-calgary-stampeders/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/10/stamps-offensive-lineman-nila-kasitati-announces-retirement/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/19/ticats-centre-mike-filer-announces-retirement/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/veteran-centre-mike-filer-announces-retirement-after-eight-seasons-with-tiger-cats-1.6108124 https://3downnation.com/2021/07/19/fan-favourite-and-longtime-ticats-canadian-ol-mike-filer-retires-from-the-cfl/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/09/elks-make-roster-moves-day-camp-opens-draheim-retires/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/11/als-announce-lauzon-seguin-retires-sign-three-players-roster/ ***** Former Chicago receiver Cam Meredith is trying to make the Bombers roster. He was good for the Bears until he hurt his ACL. https://3downnation.com/2021/07/11/former-nfl-star-cam-meredith-taking-aggressive-approach-to-making-blue-bombers-roster/ ***** Denver spent its 2016 first round pick on QB Paxton Lynch. He is now trying to make the Riders roster. https://3downnation.com/2021/07/11/riders-offensive-coordinator-jason-maas-wont-put-bust-label-on-former-first-round-nfl-qb-paxton-lynch/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/12/paxton-lynch-very-excited-to-be-with-riders-absolutely-wants-to-return-to-nfl/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/13/paxton-lynch-wants-to-use-cfl-as-rebound-into-long-successful-career-in-the-nfl/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/15/cauz-paxton-lynch-sticks-cfl/ https://www.tsn.ca/dave-naylor-lynch-the-latest-former-nfl-first-round-quarterback-trying-to-revive-career-in-the-cfl-1.1667729 ***** Damon Allen will be an assistant coach with Las Vegas this year. https://www.tsn.ca/damon-allen-hoping-to-launch-coaching-career-with-raiders-1.1670846 https://3downnation.com/2021/07/12/hall-of-fame-quarterback-damon-allen-to-coach-raiders-as-part-of-diversity-initiative/ ***** This year's wildfires are causing air-quality problems for the camps of BC, Edmonton and Winnipeg. https://3downnation.com/2021/07/12/rick-campbell-conditions-really-good-thus-far-but-wildfires-remain-a-factor-in-b-c-training-camp/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/17/elks-head-coach-jaime-elizondo-cancels-scrimmage-as-wildfire-smoke-looms-in-edmonton/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/20/cflpa-forces-league-to-cancel-bombers-practice-due-to-poor-air-quality-from-forest-fires/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/28/b-c-lions-cancel-wednesday-practice-due-to-poor-air-quality/ ***** Gossip! https://3downnation.com/2021/07/14/insider-talk-saskatchewans-achilles-tears-expensive-o-lines-are-xfl-talks-really-dead/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/21/insider-talk-derek-dennis-contract-bombers-argos-trade-co-gm-paul-lapolice/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/28/insider-talk-naaman-roosevelts-release-terran-vaughns-shoulder-hamiltons-left-tackle/ ***** In a surprise move, Toronto traded DB Alden Darby to Winnipeg. https://3downnation.com/2021/07/19/bombers-acquire-veteran-defensive-back-alden-darby-in-trade-with-argos/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/23/alden-darby-winnipeg-way-fits/ ***** Derek Dennis has walked back from his decision to retire, but he doesn't to honor the contract he signed with Edmonton. He wants the Elks to trade or release him. https://3downnation.com/2021/07/19/derek-dennis-wants-the-edmonton-elks-to-release-or-trade-him-report/ ***** Tyler Crapigna immediately signed with Winnipeg (who need to replace the recently retired Justin Medlock) upon being let go by Montreal. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/19/als-release-national-kicker-tyler-crapigna/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/20/bombers-sign-kicker-tyler-crapigna/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/20/blue-bombers-signing-canadian-kicker-tyler-crapigna/ ***** Checking Down July 10 https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/10/checking-news-notes-day-1-tc/ July 16 https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/16/checking-news-notes-training-camp/ July 22 https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/22/checking-latest-news-training-camp/ ***** Here is the running tally of the guys who have been let go. https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/19/taking-shape-tracking-roster-cuts-across-cfl/ ***** That takes us through July 20 plus a little extra, More soon. Today's view count is 170,845.

Dusty Hill, the bass player of ZZ Top, has died at 72. RIP. ZZ Top legend Dusty Hill dead at 72: 'You will be missed greatly, amigo' (houstonchronicle.com)

Opening Day is coming up - August 5. I expect to see some good season previews, which I will post promptly while I catch up with the other news. League https://www.tsn.ca/2021-cfl-season-kickoff-guide-1.1673760 https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/19/steinbergs-mmqb-wests-intriguing-players/ Calgary https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/07/mitchell-stamps-receivers-im-really-confident-guys/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/09/battle-tested-3-key-defensive-veterans-calgary/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/26/six-thoughts-on-stamps-training-camp/ Winnipeg https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/08/looking-bombers-hoping-go-back-back/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/09/2021-team-preview-winnipeg-blue-bombers/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/26/collaros-hopes-thrive-w-full-camp-winnipeg/ Montreal https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/08/way-montreal-looking-defence/ BC https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/12/lions-not-taking-camp-for-granted/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/20/balancing-act-cooper-looks-emerge-lions-offence/ https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/27/lions-o-line-working-let-reilly-offence-thrive/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/06/michael-reilly-has-high-expectations-after-lions-allowed-league-worst-58-sacks-in-2019/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/11/new-names-to-know-for-2021-training-camp-b-c-lions/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/16/b-c-lions-offensive-line-enters-2021-with-a-chip-on-their-shoulders-as-ol-coach-kelly-bates-forges-new-group-identity/ Sask https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/12/looking-repeat-keys-success-fajardo-riders-offence/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/08/major-questions-facing-the-riders-ahead-of-the-2021-cfl-season/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/20/its-cody-fajardo-and-the-rest-riders-looking-for-quarterbacks-behind-starter-to-separate/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/22/loaded-group-of-canadian-receivers-going-to-make-life-tough-for-riders-decision-makers-with-roster-cuts-looming/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/25/main-takeaway-for-craig-dickenson-from-riders-green-and-white-scrimmage-they-werent-ready-to-play-football/ Hamilton https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/13/tiger-cats-riding-explosive-offensive-attack-21/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/10/position-battles-that-arent-qb-to-watch-at-ticats-training-camp/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/10/ticats-quarterback-competition-not-bigger-than-the-game-dane-evans/ Toronto https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/16/pick-poison-argos-brass-will-evaluate-deep-offence/ Ottawa https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/19/redeem-team-redblacks-offence-looks-serve-crow/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/06/redblacks-general-manager-marcel-desjardins-sends-strong-message-to-doubters-well-prove-you-wrong/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/10/the-definitive-ottawa-redblacks-training-camp-primer/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/11/redblacks-unveil-training-camp-roster-new-player-numbers/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/12/redblacks-season-ticket-renewal-rate-at-96-97-percent-of-what-it-was-before-covid-19-pandemic/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/14/heres-what-ottawas-revamped-offensive-line-looks-like-in-training-camp/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/24/six-things-weve-learned-so-far-from-redblacks-training-camp/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/27/paul-lapolice-doing-things-differently-in-first-training-camp-as-head-coach-since-2012/ Edmonton https://www.cfl.ca/2021/07/22/little-things-elks-offence-new-appreciation-game/ https://3downnation.com/2021/07/10/edmonton-elks-embracing-change-fueling-competition-as-training-camp-opens/ ***** More soon. Today's view count is 170,774.

Michael, I don't know anything about it. It looks good for the price, doesn't it? AFAIK, Sony still routinely overcharges for their merchandise. But this is so heavily discounted, it might be a good buy.