GA Russell

Here's a story about Taylor Swift. The Italian restaurant chef was so happy to meet her that she left a $500 tip. http://thestir.cafemom.com/food_party/158925/taylor_swifts_tip_to_restaurant?utm_medium=sem2&utm_campaign=prism&utm_source=outbrain&utm_content=0&non_us=

Bert Lance has died. As the obituary suggests, he was the first person I ever heard of to say "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." http://www.latimes.com/obituaries/la-me-passings-20130817,0,179274.story

Hamilton Tiger-Cats 37....Winnipeg Blue Bombers 18 http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4616867 http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429912 The first half was good. Hank was very sharp, but the Ticats led only 17-7 at the break. The second half was not as well played by both teams, and the Bombers seemed to run out of gas.

Here is yesterday's Sporting News article about NASCAR's new television contract. I note that it says that the TV ratings have declined 42%. http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2013-08-15/nascar-tv-coverage-network-contract-fox-sports-1-nbc-deal-ratings

Here's my trivia answer: Doc Cramer, who played for 20 years ending in 1948, and who was with the Tigers when they beat the Cubs in the World Series in '45, the last time the Cubs were in the Series. Cramer finished with 2,705 hits, and a .296 batting average.

Here's a trivia question for you. Who had the most career hits of anyone whose career ended before 1975 who wasn't elected to the Hall of Fame? Answer in my next post.

Lowell Ullrich Week 8 picks http://www.cflblogzone.com/2013/08/week-8-in-the-cfl/

Chris O'Leary Week 8 picks http://www.cflblogzone.com/2013/08/week-8-cfl-picks-esks-seek-consistency-another-big-calgary-game/ ***** Globe Week 8 picks http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/cfl-week-8-picks/article13805012/ ***** CFL.ca Week 8 look http://cfl.ca/article/2013-cflca-game-notes-a-look-at-week-8 ***** The Lions have released Hugh O'Neill. http://www.cfl.ca/article/lions-release-canadian-kicker-oneill

Here is a video of Humpy Wheeler discussing what he feels has gone wrong with NASCAR. I particularly agree with his view that people want to watch a race, not a points race. http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/23127646/humpy-wheeler-on-nascar-weve-messed-it-up-got-too-fancy NASCAR's TV ratings have fallen 32% since 2005. http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/print-edition/2013/08/09/nascar-adapts-to-the-new-normal.html?page=all

The Als, who have the rights to Tim Tebow, have signed former Heisman winner QB Troy Smith. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429790

Google has filed a brief in court that says that sending an email to a gmail account waives any expectation of privacy. http://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/GOOGLE-If-You-Use-Gmail-You-Have-No-Legitimate-4730587.php

The Argos have signed six-year NFL veteran (five with Atlanta) running back Jerious Norwood. Anybody familiar with him? http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429757

3rd Rock from the Sun: Complete Series - $20.49 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BM2JVAA/ref=pe_164500_31879360_email_1p_9_ti ***** Married With Children: Complete Series - $34.20 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CGI4EG/ref=pe_164500_31879360_email_1p_0_ti ***** The King of Queens: Complete Series - $29.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005D0OHA6/ref=pe_164500_31879360_email_1p_2_ti ***** The Office (BBC): Complete Series - $8.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NHZAFK/ref=pe_164500_31879360_email_1p_4_ti ***** Roseanne: Complete Series - $32.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BUWD7E8/ref=pe_164500_31879360_email_1p_13_ti

Andy Fantuz ha been out since Week 2 with an injured hamstring. The doctors have cleared him to play this week. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429747 ***** Greg Xenakes Week 8 picks http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4616148

The SEC has confirmed its participation in nine bowl games this year. http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/sec_signs_with_nine_bowl_games/

JC Sherritt broke his left thumb Aug. 2, and will be out indefinitely. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429678

Happy Birthday Soul Stream!

Tompall Glaser has died. I didn't know that he sang on Ring of Fire. RIP. http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-tompall-glaser-20130814,0,1921305.story

The Bombers signed Sandro DeAngelis today. Think he will ever regain his form? http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429682 ***** The Bombers made it official today that Kyle Walters will be the club's acting General Manager. http://www.tsn.ca/winnipeg/story/?id=429674 ***** The Als have brought back Anwar Stewart. The guy is 37, for Pete's sake! http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429677

Michael Pedicin is a favorite of mine, and I'm looking forward to hearing this one very much. "Why Stop Now ... Ubuntu," 12th CD by Tenor Saxophonist Michael Pedicin, To Be Released September 24 by His GroundBlue Label Pedicin's Working Band Includes Pianist Rick Germanson, Bassist Andy Lalasis, Drummer Vic Stevens, & Frequent Collaborator Johnnie Valentino on Guitar CD Release Shows Planned for Oakland, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Los Angeles August 13, 2013 A passionately soulful improviser, tenor saxophonist Michael Pedicin is in the midst of an impressive creative surge clearly reflected in his prolific work as a recording artist and composer. His new CD, Why Stop Now ... Ubuntu, is his 12th as a leader -- and 5th in the last six years. Scheduled for release on September 24 by his GroundBlue label, the disc reconfirms his status as a masterful post-bopper. Much of the music on Why Stop Now was inspired by the 2012 Newtown tragedy, including the haunting ballad ("Newtown") by guitarist Johnnie Valentino and Pedicin's glowing impromptu solo passage ("Ubuntu"), which closes the album. "'Ubuntu' means 'human kindness,' an African philosophy focusing on our connections with one another," says Pedicin. "It echoes my constant hope for peace and connectedness in our world." Along with Valentino, who's been an essential collaborator on all of Pedicin's recent recordings, the saxophonist is joined by regular bassist Andy Lalasis and two newcomers to his working quintet, tasteful drummer Vic Stevens and rising young pianist Rick Germanson. Pedicin continues his relationship with producer Joseph Donofrio, best known in the jazz world for his work on Pat Martino's Grammy-nominated Blue Note recordings and also at the helm for last year's Pedicin CD Live at the Loft. Why Stop Now contains four originals by the leader, including "Trane Stop," a tribute to his musical hero, as well as two by Coltrane himself, "Tunji" and "Song of the Underground Railroad." "I lived my life admiring and idolizing Trane, every day, all day," Pedicin says unabashedly. "I identify with everything about him." Michael Pedicin, 65, grew up in a musical family in the Philadelphia suburbs. By the time he was 13 and had heard saxophonist Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson in person and Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley on record, he knew he wanted to spend his life playing saxophone. At 20, Pedicin began earning his living as a member of the horn section at Philadelphia's Sigma Sound Studios, where he worked for producers Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell, playing on sessions by such artists as the Spinners, the O'Jays, and Lou Rawls. He also went on the road with Maynard Ferguson, Stevie Wonder, and David Bowie. In 1980, Pedicin made his first album, Michael Pedicin Jr. (Philadelphia International). Subsequently he toured with Brubeck, and was a mainstay in the Atlantic City casinos, hiring orchestras and playing behind such singers as Frank Sinatra. Pedicin has since played a lot of straight-ahead jazz, formed his Brubeck Project (which released its debut CD in early 2011), and toured with such notables as guitarist Pat Martino. He also earned a Ph.D in psychology and, in addition to his musical activities, has a private psychology practice specializing in helping creative people. He's an active educator who founded Temple University's jazz studies program and is currently a Professor of Music and Coordinator of Jazz Studies at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. As part of the promotion for Why Stop Now ... Ubuntu, Pedicin will make two Bay Area appearances with the Johnnie Valentino Quartet on 9/14, at Duende in Oakland, and 9/15, at Chez Hanny, San Francisco. He'll perform with his working quintet at Chris' Jazz Cafe, Philadelphia, on 10/5; Noyes Museum of Art in Oceanville, NJ, 10/6; and Vitello's, Los Angeles, 10/10. "As I began preparing my thoughts and writing the music for this CD, I wanted to fulfill the opportunity of bringing forth a message of unity," says Pedicin. "I feel that I must continue to create, and that my inspiration must continue to evolve in a way that brings me to new places. My hope is for enduring connectedness, peace, and human kindness in our world through the voice that I have -- the saxophone. Ubuntu." Photography: Paul Dempsey Web Site: www.michaelpedicin.com Follow Michael:

More Bomber news: Justin Goltz's career as the starting quarterback for the rest of the season lasted one game. Next in line Max Hall will start Friday against the Ticats. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429656 ***** The Bombers have signed three sponsorship deals, one for over $2 million, with crown corporations. That should help some. http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/cfls_blue_bombers_announce_three_major_deals/ http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429452

Adrian Peterson will soon be on the Wheaties box. http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/vikings_star_peterson_to_feature_on_wheaties_boxes/

The Als have released Ejiro Kuale. I guess when you trail 31-0 in the second quarter, it behooves you to make changes on defense. http://www.canada.com/sports/football/cfl/Zurkowsky+Devine+gets+some+time+road+Kuale/8775643/story.html

Sandro DeAngelis is in Winnipeg, and worked out with the Bombers today.

ZZ Top: The Complete Studio Albums 1970-1990 (10 CDs) - $39.98 http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Studio-Albums-1970-1990-10/dp/B00CQGU9GG/ref=sr_1_73?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376332261&sr=1-73&keywords=original+album+series ***** Wilson Picket: Original Album Series - $13.35 http://www.amazon.com/Original-Album-Wilson-Pickett/dp/B003U7RP80/ref=sr_1_100?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376332452&sr=1-100&keywords=original+album+series ***** Anita Baker: Original Album Series - $13.37 http://www.amazon.com/Original-Album-Anita-Baker/dp/B0052034ME/ref=sr_1_119?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376332552&sr=1-119&keywords=original+album+series ***** The Byrds: Complete Columbia Albums Collection (13 CDs) - $32.45 http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Columbia-Albums-Collection-Byrds/dp/B005APT8A8/ref=sr_1_124?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376332665&sr=1-124&keywords=original+album+series ***** The Lovin' Spoonful: Original Album Classics - $15.25 http://www.amazon.com/Original-Album-Classics-Lovin-Spoonful/dp/B0062EKXNC/ref=sr_1_125?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376332756&sr=1-125&keywords=original+album+series ***** Soft Machine: Original Album Classics - $12.59 http://www.amazon.com/Original-Album-Classics-Soft-Machine/dp/B003ZBX84G/ref=sr_1_137?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376332843&sr=1-137&keywords=original+album+series ***** Modern Jazz Quartet: Original Album Series - $13.64 http://www.amazon.com/Original-Album-Modern-Jazz-Quartet/dp/B008MMFBOS/ref=sr_1_142?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376332906&sr=1-142&keywords=original+album+series ***** Johnny Cash: Complete Columbia Albums Collection (63 CDs) - $162.41 http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Columbia-Album-Collection/dp/B008DDC874/ref=sr_1_179?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376333063&sr=1-179&keywords=original+album+series