GA Russell

Hamilton Tiger-Cats 43....Winnipeg Blue Bombers 22 http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4095070.htm I missed the first quarter of this one, but heard the rest. The Bombers led 8-7 early, but after that the Ticats prevailed. Jesse Lumsden on his birthday had two very long runs for TDs. Richard Karikari has landed with the Ticats; but he was removed in the first quarter (I don't know why, maybe an injury) so his future with the team may be in doubt. Speaking of doubtful futures, Troy Westwood missed three FGs (and made two), so he may be back on the healthy scratch list again. This was the Ticats' first win of the season, and it was against the first place Bombers. With the Bombers sporting a 3-2-1 record, it looks like for now the East is wide open. Maybe again this year the fourth place Western team will cross over for the playoffs. Nick Setta, who I learned went to Notre Dame, missed a chip shot FG, so he is now I think 16 for 19 on the year. After so many years with bad kicking, it's nice to see the Ticats enjoy strength in that department.

I was never moved to buy a Clancy Brothers record, but I always enjoyed seeing them on TV. Here's his LA Times obit: Tommy Makem, 74; Irish folk musician, storyteller From Times Wire Services August 3, 2007 Tommy Makem, a musician, singer and master storyteller who teamed up with the Clancy Brothers to popularize traditional Irish folk music around the world, has died. He was 74. Makem died of lung cancer Wednesday in Dover, N.H., where he lived for many years, his son Conor told the Associated Press. Playing banjo, tin whistle and singing in a deep baritone, Makem was known as the Godfather of Irish music for bringing Irish culture to audiences. His original songs, such as "Four Green Fields" and "Gentle Annie," have become Irish folk music standards. "He was a great entertainer," his lifelong collaborator Liam Clancy told Ireland's RTE state radio. "He had a knack of making an audience laugh and cry, holding them in the palm of his hand." Working with the Clancy Brothers — Liam, Tom and Paddy — Makem shot to fame in the late 1950s and early 1960s, playing to sold-out audiences at New York's Carnegie Hall and London's Royal Albert Hall. They appeared on the "Ed Sullivan Show," "The Tonight Show" and other TV variety programs. Three weeks ago, Makem visited his home county of Armagh in Ireland and traveled to Belfast, where he was presented with an honorary doctorate at the University of Ulster. Makem was born in Keady, County Armagh, in 1932. He got much of his musical education from his mother, Sarah Makem, a folk singer. The songs she taught him provided the foundation for his later work with the Clancy Brothers and as a solo artist. Seeking a career in acting, Makem moved to New York in the 1950s. He appeared on television, in summer stock and in off-Broadway shows. He began singing professionally in 1956 when he was asked to perform at the Circle in the Square Theater in New York's Greenwich Village. He became friends with Pete Seeger and the other members of the folk group the Weavers. After he teamed up with the Clancy Brothers, they were signed to Columbia Records by talent scout John Hammond, who also discovered Bob Dylan. Along with Joan Baez, Makem was named the most promising newcomer at the 1961 Newport Folk Festival. In 1962, when playing for President Kennedy, whose ancestors came from Ireland, Makem introduced a song about Irish immigrants in America: "This song is about some people who came and got a rather black welcome," Makem said. "I think, all things considered, some of them didn't do too badly." Makem left the group in 1969 to pursue a solo career before teaming up with Liam Clancy from 1975 to 1998. Tom Clancy died in 1990, and Paddy died in 1998. "In life, Tommy brought happiness and joy to hundreds of thousands of fans the world over," Irish President Mary McAleese said in a statement. "Always the consummate musician, he was also a superb ambassador for the country, and one of whom we will always be proud." Besides Conor, Makem is survived by sons Shane and Rory.

Week 6 previews: http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4094727.htm ***** First Week 6 results: Montreal Alouettes 29....Toronto Argonauts 27 http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4094880.htm Saskatchewan Roughriders 21....British Columbia Lions 9 http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Gam...4389800-cp.html ***** The Als' Mike Vilimek is out for the season with a torn ligament in his right knee. I'm under the impression that he is the best blocking back in the league, but some of you may have your own favorite.

That's an easy one for me. Paul Desmond!

Happy Birthday tomorrow Lon! One in three chance of a complete cure sounds pretty good to me. Aren't the chances usually worse? I'll keep you both in my prayers.

Thanks for that info, John. The NFL pays a lot more, so they have the first pick of all the players. (Of course, the NBA with Charlie Ward and MLB with Bo Jackson show who really have the first pick.) So I have met many Torontonians who assume that everyone in the NFL is better than everyone in the CFL. They don't appreciate that they are different games, and that the ability to play American rules football doesn't prove that you have what it takes to play Canadian rules football (and vice versa). ***** Here's Ian Busby's weekly view: RANKINGS (WITH PREVIOUS WEEK IN BRACKETS) 1. (1) B.C. Lions -- Starters dropping all over the place. 2. (2) Winnipeg -- End of record chase takes heat off. 3. (4) Saskatchewan -- Defence causing fits for even the best of QBs. 4. (5) Calgary -- Could be a championship contender if turnovers are cut down. 5. (3) Edmonton -- Everyone gets blown out at times. 6. (7) Montreal -- Fully earned win in Toronto but need to prove worth at home. 7. (6) Toronto -- Finally Allen and Avery get jobs back. 8. (8) Hamilton -- Frustration building but there are positive signs every week. --- CRYSTAL BALL OUR PREDICTIONS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD Toronto at Montreal -- Als continue to struggle on home turf. Argos by 3. Saskatchewan at B.C. -- 'Riders get revenge for earlier loss. Roughies by 3. Winnipeg at Hamilton -- Tabbies finally cut out penalties and get first win. Ticats by 3. Calgary at Edmonton -- Esks get back to basics in beating provincial rival. Edmonton by 7.

Happy Birthday Herb!

I see that the league's website, cfl.ca, is offering the television broadcasts of its games on the internet again this year. The price for those outside Canada is $9.95 USD. "Archived" games are $3.95. The 2006 Grey Cup game is free. Why they would want to offer that one as a free sample is a mystery to me. That was the most boring Grey Cup game in memory. If I were them I would offer for free the 1996 Grey Cup game, which I went to, with the snow coming down and Doug Flutie scrambling. http://www4.insinc.com/cfl/ ***** PS - Ian Busby won the 50/50 last week! His take was $19,000+. He said in his column that it was difficult to write about the game because he was so excited to win.

I lived in Pittsburgh when Bill Robinson played for the Pirates in the late 70s. Each year for the 4th of July the Pirates would have a Fireworks Night. So we went one year, and Robinson won the game in the bottom of an extra inning with a home run. We went the next year, and Robinson won it again with a single in the bottom of the ninth!

BClug, you think this may be the week the Lions lose one? Yesterday I saw a headline at cfl.ca (which is no longer there for me to give a link) that said that somebody (the Eskimos?) released Val St. Germain. He had a great career, but I guess he is done now. Do you think he will be elected to the Hall of Fame?

Man, Paris Hilton stories are all over the internet tonight. I swear I'm not googling Paris Hilton looking for them! This is from Fox News. Now the Hiltons are denying the original story. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,291395,00.html Paris Hilton Still a Grandpa's Girl Monday, July 30, 2007 By Hollie McKay Rumors that Paris Hilton may be out of pocket when her papa passes have been dismissed, according to her rep. Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that the Barron Hilton, the last remaining Hilton with a large share in the hotel chain, was so humiliated by her wild ways and drink-driving charge that he cut her inheritance by $60 million. However, Barron believes he has been misrepresented. "Barron Hilton (Paris's grandfather) was contacted and said the characterization of his feelings towards Paris or his will are inaccurate," a spokesperson for the hotel heiress told FOXNews.com. While no comment was made regarding whether his will has been changed, a spokesperson for the "Simple Life" sensation said Paris's relationship with her grandfather remains strong. "Paris said that when she was in jail she had a lot of time to reflect on what's important," added the rep. "She intends to devote more of her time to charity work and helping those in need and that is what she has been doing."

This may be related: http://www.nickelj.com/hilton-selling-her-...for-45-million/ Hilton Selling Her Crib for $4.5 million Paris Hilton has listed her Hollywood Hills home for sale. The 1926 Spanish-style house went on the market on Friday for $4.25 million.Paris Hilton Hollywood pic house “This is a very special celebrity-owned home,” according to a description on the internet listing service. The house has 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms an a separate guest quarter and office. One bedroom was converted into what they say is the “ultimate closet.” Hilton’s publicist, Elliot Mintz, confirmed the house was put up for sale but declined to comment further. The 26-year-old hotel heiress and reality TV star was let out of jail a month ago after a three-week stay in which she was briefly released to home confinement and after a lot of negative press was sent back screaming to a lockup. She was sentenced to 45 days for a probation violation. A hoard of reporters and paparazzi staked out the home above Sunset Boulevard last month, capturing her every move on her way back to the slammer. The onslaught caused some residents to circulate a letter advising neighbors to call police about the noise and traffic. All I ask is where is the dog house? How much will that cost or is it part of the 4.5 million?

I've seen guys get bad press for having difficult personalities (like Don Matthews) and for off-field behavior (like Lawrence Phillips), but I've never seen anyone in the CFL get such bad press for poor play as the Argos QB Mike McMahon has received. He must have really stunk the two games he played in. Did anyone see him on TV? ***** Now let's see if this works. Here are the current standings: East Division W L T Pts GB PF PA at Home vs DIV Streak Winnipeg Blue Bombers 3 1 1 7 0.0 142 117 2 - 1 - 0 3 - 0 - 0 2 W Toronto Argonauts 2 3 0 4 1.8 123 103 1 - 2 - 0 1 - 1 - 0 2 L Montreal Alouettes 2 3 0 4 1.8 103 101 0 - 2 - 0 2 - 2 - 0 1 W Hamilton Tiger-Cats 0 5 0 0 3.8 70 154 0 - 2 - 0 0 - 3 - 0 5 L West Division W L T Pts GB PF PA at Home vs DIV Streak BC Lions 5 0 0 10 0.0 149 88 2 - 0 - 0 3 - 0 - 0 5 W Saskatchewan Roughriders 3 2 0 6 2.0 151 92 2 - 1 - 0 2 - 2 - 0 1 W Edmonton Eskimos 2 2 1 5 2.3 102 157 1 - 0 - 1 1 - 2 - 0 1 L Calgary Stampeders 2 3 0 4 3.0 120 148 2 - 1 - 0 0 - 2 - 0 1 L

Bruce, I remember it a little differently. My recollection is that the headline screamed to the effect "Man Hasn't Opened Ken Burns Jazz CDs Yet". The story went on to say that he bought the 5-CD set because he thought that women would be impressed, but he has still never gotten around to listening to any of it yet!

Uh oh. Barron Hilton, who for me will always be the founder of the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers, has had enough of the antics of his progeny; and has decided to leave the proceeds of his sale of Hilton stock to his father's charitable trust. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22157708-2,00.html Paris Hilton loses inheritance July 30, 2007 02:16pm Article from: The Daily Telegraph PARTY princess Paris Hilton is $60 million out of pocket after her billionaire grandfather - appalled by her jail term for drink-driving offences - axed her inheritance. Family patriarch Barron Hilton was already embarrassed by his granddaughter's wild behaviour - notably when her home sex video was leaked on the internet. But the 79-year-old considered her 23-day sentence last month the last straw. "He was, and is, extremely embarrassed by how the Hilton name has been sullied by Paris," says Jerry Oppenheimer, who wrote a biography of the clan called House Of Hilton. "He now doesn't want to leave unearned wealth to his family." Hilton senior, the only member of the family left with a sizeable stake in the huge hotel chain, has let it be known that he intends to donate to charity the $2.4bn he will gain from this month's sale of the company to private equity firm Blackstone. The money will go to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the charity set up in the name of the founder of the family business.

Running low: Willie Nelson - The Great American Songbook

I read one of his books. Wish I could remember its name. It was very enjoyable and informative. It was about coaching, and my guess was that it was for the benefit of other coaches. Walsh always seemed to me to be a gentleman.

I'm going to add Rava's Tati to my queue unless someone recommends against it. Anybody have an opinion on that one?

No mention of Da Duva! I saw A Stye in the Eye on television many years ago and enjoyed it. I never really gave him a chance. When I was a junior in high school I went to see an exciting French mystery called The Sleeping Car Murder, and it became one of my favorite pictures. Also on the bill was The Seventh Seal, which I hadn't gone to see, but I thought I would give it a chance because after all it was free. After that exciting French movie with its fast-paced ending, Seal with its chess match was way too ponderous in its beginning and I got up and left. Also to be recalled is the Woody Allen movie, don't remember which one, that had the guy playing tennis with death!

Apparently he was bitter about his Catholic upbringing and the Catholic Church in general. I think he referred to himself as a "recovering Catholic".

Late in his life Frank Sinatra said that there were only three "saloon singers" left - himself, Tony Bennett and Mel Torme. For the past three weeks I have been really enjoying a new album by a singer who fits that bill. His name is John Vance, and the CD is called Dreamsville. There are 13 songs, 12 standards and one original. Vance sings them all straight - no scatting or other improvising. The backup band is a piano trio led by the album's arranger Jeff Collela (who was Lou Rawls' musical director) which is occasionally augmented by trumpet or guitar. Vance's singing is perfectly effortless, just the way I like it. He sings like a hip Julie London. His second-tenor voice is clear, and he has excellent diction. This is Vance's second album. He is also an actor, and played Malcolm's teacher in Malcolm in the Middle. CDBaby sells this for $12.97. I've noticed that the prices of the new records I'm liking are coming down from the $18.99 watermark of not long ago. Highly recommended if you like the effortless style like I do. 4 1/2 stars. You can listen to the songs here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/johnvance2

Week 5 results: Montreal Alouettes 26....Toronto Argonauts 13 http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Gam...4371533-cp.html Winnipeg Blue Bombers 36....Hamilton tiger-Cats 18 http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4093755.htm Saskatchewan Roughriders 54....Edmonton Eskimos 14 http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4093905.htm British Columbia Lions 32....Calgary Stampeders 27 http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4093962.htm

Milt Stegall broke the record for career TDs tonight! http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4093741.htm http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home George Reed set the old record with his last TD in 1975. So the record is just a little bit older than Henry Aaron's record, to put it in perspective.

Happy Birthday md!

Week 5 previews: http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4093378.htm USA Today reports this morning that the Lions are two point *underdogs* against the Stamps.