Archive for the ‘General’ Category
Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak tweaked New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Monday night:
Wheel of Fortune is playing in front of crowds at Madison Square Garden in New York City this week. Host Pat Sajak took the opportunity to poke a little fun at America’s leading paternalist, Michael Bloomberg. Sipping from Big Gulp-sized soda — with many in the audience laughing on — Sajak informed the crowd that he had just discovered “cola is better with trans-fats in it.”
Why did he do it?
“Not much to say. It was Monday night on Wheel, our first night of four weeks at Madison Square Garden in New York. Not sure why everyone laughed; I was just thirsty,” Sajak told Human Events.
God bless Pat Sajak for tweaking Bloomberg. Bloomberg is out of control. The best way to stop his antics at this point is to ridicule him mercilessly for acting like NYC’s nanny. That’s precisely what Sajak did.
About an hour ago, St. Cloud State punched their ticket to get into their first Frozen Four tournament. Playing stellar hockey all weekend, St. Cloud State just wouldn’t be denied. The line of Cory Thorson, Joey Benik and Brooks Bertsch played a monster of a game, scoring all 4 of the Huskies’ goals against Miami.
The game started with the fastest first period I’d ever witnessed. It took 31 minutes to play a 20 minute period. Both teams entered with reputations of pushing the tempo. Benik got the Huskies on the board first just 5:28 into the first period. After that, Miami put on some pressure, twice hitting the pipe with shots on the same shift.
Benik provided the second goal of the game, too, getting his fourth goal of the weekend 5:36 into the second period. after Miami scored to make the score 2-1 Huskies, the “Thorson line” (Coach Motzko’s name for it) went to work again. This time, Cory Thorson lasered a shot past Miami’s Ryan McKay to give SCSU another 2-goal lead. For those who didn’t watch the game on ESPNU, Thorson’s shot is what’s known as a goal scorer’s goal, the type of shot few players are capable of making.
For the game, the Thorson line was a +10, with Thorson being on the ice for 4 even-strength goals, with Bertsch and Benik being on for 3 even-strength goals each.
What was most impressive for me was watching the Huskies playing with such total confidence. I suspect that’s because they went through the competition of a grueling WCHA schedule. No disrespect intended towards Notre Dame or Miami of Ohio but it’s tough to get frightened after facing the likes of North Dakota, the Gophers, Mankato State and Wisconsin.
The Huskies played like they belong in the Final Four from the drop of the puck against Notre Dame to Cory Thorson’s empty netter with .2 of second left in today’s game.
The telling stats for me weren’t what you’d expect. It wasn’t that Ryan Faragher was the second coming of Patrick Roy or Ken Dryden, though he certainly played well. The first stat that jumps out at me is that SCSU didn’t give up an even-strength goal all weekend. The other statistic that’s worth noting is that they gave up 3 shots in the second period and 5 shots in the third period against Notre Dame, then essentially did the same thing today, limiting Miami of Ohio to 5 shots in the second period and 7 shots in the third period.
The Huskies put a thorough thumping on Notre Dame and Miami of Ohio this weekend. Their defense was strong all weekend. They moved the puck out cleanly most of the time, which is impressive considering how Miami was buzzing today. Their ‘third line’, aka “the Thorson line”, dominated throughout the weekend. Ryan Faragher gave up a goal Saturday and another today.
If they play like this when they get to Pittsburgh, there’s no reason to think they can’t win the last game of the NCAA hockey season and bring home the big hardware.
Admittedly, I jumped on the Huskies’ bandwagon late this season. That said, they’ve given hockey fans reason to get excited. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if more jumped on the bandwagon.
The Huskies’ flight is expected back to the St. Cloud Airport at 10:30 tonight. I plan on being there. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a big gathering at the airport tonight.
This afternoon, I watched the SCSU Huskies utterly dismantle the top-seeded Notre Dame hockey team, winning going away by a score of 5-1. Ben Hanowski got the Huskies started 11:32 into the opening period on a great lunch pale goal.
Notre Dame appeared to tie it just 24 seconds later, only to have the goal waved off because the Notre Dame forward clearly kicked the puck. To be fair, the Irish forward appeared to be trying to kick it to his stick. Regardless, he didn’t get his stick on the puck.
After that, Notre Dame didn’t have any life to their game.
That wasn’t the case with the Huskies. They dominated the Fighting Irish in the second period, scoring 3 goals in 5:25. This time, the snipers were Joseph Benik, Cory Thorson and Jonny Brodzinski. Benik’s goal his first of 2 power play goals, with both coming on big rebounds that happened while he snuck in on the goalie’s weak side. Brodzinski’s goal was a pretty give-and-go-give play.
Ryan Faragher made 10 saves in the first period, then faced a total of 8 shots in the second and third periods. Combined.
Steve Summerhays gave up 4 goals in the first 2 periods on 18 shots, including giving up 3 goals on 7 shots in the second period.
Thanks to today’s performance, SCSU is just a win away from their first appearance in the Frozen Four, collegiate hockey’s equivalent of basketball’s Final Four. I’ll be watching tomorrow’s game on ESPNU but I’ll have my radio tuned into KNSI so I can hearn Don Lyon’s call of the game.
For those who haven’t heard Don call a hockey game, make sure you listen. He’s an NHL-caliber play-by-play announcer. For those of you outside KNSI’s range, follow this link to tune into the livestream of the game. I promise you won’t regret it.
8:25 — AFL-CIO’s Jennifer Schaubauch testifying that Obamanomics failed, with high wage jobs declining, low wage jobs increasing.
8:29 — “Now is the time to raise the minimum wage to $10.55 an hour.”
8:31 — Next testifier talking about how awful Obamanomics is. She’s talking about how she’s been forced to stay in a low-wage job for 3 years after graduating from college.
8:37 — Andrea Kieffer is rock star. She’s asking Ms. Schaubauch if it’s the state’s responsibility to solve a business’s turnover problems.
8:45 — Benjamin Gerber of Minnesota Chamber of Commerce testifying: “60% of people living below the poverty line are unemployed. Raising the minimum wage won’t help people who are unemployed.” Later, Mr. Gerber noted that Minnesota’s teen unemployment rate is higher than “South Dakota, North Dakota and Iowa.”
NOTE: Testimony from Mr. Rademacher listed the Democrats’/DFL’s attacks. Fed tax rate went from 35% to 39.6%, state tax rate proposed from $7.85% to 9.85%. Now Rep. Winkler is proposing a 71% increase in minimum wage.
9:20 — Rep. Simonson, who replaced child molester Rep. Gauthier, is getting upset. He’s getting defensive, too, saying that it isn’t just kids getting paid minimum wage.
9:25 — Paul Rademacher, grocery store owner, responds to Rep. Simonson, saying that raising the minimum wage won’t increase people’s purchasing power because product prices will increase, too.
The most dangerous place is between Sen. Klobuchar and a photo op. Apparently, the safest place in Minnesota is between Sen. Klobuchar and a townhall meeting:
These constituents have lots of questions for Sen. Klobuchar. Unfortunately for them, Sen. Klobuchar hasn’t shown much interest in hearing from her constituents.
The DFL storyline is that Sen. Klobuchar is the most popular senator in the United States. That’s because she isn’t a leader who takes tough stands on important issues. It’s also because she’s refused to take questions from her constituents.
That isn’t leadership.
Sen. Klobuchar’s accomplishments have been minimal, an amazing thought considering the fact that she’s never served a day in the minority since she arrived in DC in 2006.
There’s an advantage to staying up late at night. Tonight, a thunderstorm rumbled through St. Cloud at 2:10am. When the cell first hit my neighborhood, the temperature was an uncomfortable 84 with humidity sitting at 81%.
A short 36 minutes later, the temp had dropped to 68. We’d received .43″ of rain in those 36 minutes.
Pea-sized hail was reported on the southeast corner of town. Thunder is still booming in the background. The great news is that the temp has dropped 16 degrees to the point where it’s great sleeping weather.
The downside is that the next wave is just hitting my neighborhood. It’s 2:55 as I type this. Based on where the thunder is coming from, the storm won’t hit me as hard as it’ll hit outside of town. I’m just guessing but I’d bet the heart of this cell is 2-3 miles east of St. Cloud.
Now that the last cell has passed, it’s time to celebrate with the best storm song of all time. Enjoy.
Sartell City Administrator Patty Gartland started the press conference by saying “We were aided by 14 additional fire departments that go beyond the boundaries of Central Minnesota. The outreach has been massive. Area law enforcement agencies have also been helpful in response.” She then introduced Matt Archambeau, the plant manager of Verso.
Archambeau started by saying “Sadly, you all know from yesterday’s conference that we had a fatality at the mill. I can confirm the name of the employee is Jon Maus. He is from Albany. Both John’s family and Verso are grateful for the outpouring of support and concern. We ask for your support and please keep Jon and his family in your prayers.”
Archambeau then said that they “had 4 employees who were treated and released” and that “another of these employees chose not to seek medical help.”
After thanking the first responders and the area businesses “that have been supporting us through this ordeal”, Archambeau addressed the structural problems. “At this point in time, we don’t know the cause of the incident.”
Follow this link for more information, including amateur video of the scene, on this heartbreaking tragedy.
Minutes ago, Minnesota Republicans endorsed Kurt Bills to challenge Sen. Klobuchar this November.
During his acceptance speech, Rep. Bills said that “we can’t afford more crony capitalism that benefits the wealthy and protects them from free markets.”
Chairman Shortridge then addresses the faithful by saying that “There’s plenty on the room on the bus,” referring to the bus Rep. Bills said he and his family will hop on and campaign across Minnesota
Rep. Bills said that Republicans’ values “aren’t extreme values. They’re mainstream values.” Bills then rattled off that it’s mainstream to want business owners to compete in a free marketplace. He added that it’s mainstream to protect life.
The highlights of his speech, based on the applause, were introducing his family to the delegates and his saying “Econ 101 is going to Washington, DC to get rid of Klobamanomics.”
Bills faces an uphill fight against Sen. Klobuchar. His presentation, however, indicated that he isn’t daunted by that task. Bills was supported by the Ron Paul delegation and by many members of the Minnesota House GOP Caucus. The fact that he was nominated by Rep. Keith Downey, another of the rising stars in the legislature, bodes well for Republicans.
Downey will have a high-profile Minnesota Senate race this fall. The picture of Bills and Downey campaigning together in the northern suburbs is a picture that will play well in the suburbs.
Rep. King Banaian said that “It was an honor to work with Rep. Bills in the House,” adding that there will “be no more conversations about macroeconomics” with Rep. Bills. (Rep. Banaian is a college economics professor while Rep. Bills is a high school economics teacher.)
Follow this link for more on Bills’ victory.
It’s now 6:40 and the thunderstorm/tornado cell has moved into the St. Cloud/Sartell area. Accompanying those cells are pea-sized hail & medium heavy raid.
I was downtown until about 6:15. While driving across the St. Germain St. Bridge, I encountered pea-sized hail & fairly heavy rain.
To my friends, don’t worry about my blogging. I’m blogging from my basement. I’ll do that for the duration unless the storms take my power out.
A friend of mine just called me as he drove down Division St. He was encountering heavy rain. Jim said he wasn’t getting hit with hail so that’s a positive thing.
Based on the reports I’m hearing, the major cells split up near what natives frequently refer to as the St. Cloud Wall. That’s where a major cell is heading directly for St. Cloud, then it splits apart just west of St. Cloud, usually around the St. Joe/St. Johns area.
The rain had let up but it’s now 6:45 & the rain is picking up again. The temperature has stabilized, which means hail isn’t dropping at this moment. That doesn’t mean hail can’t redevelop. It just means that it isn’t right now.
UPDATE: According to Channel 20, there are reports that a tornado was spotted east of St. Cloud. Specifically, it was spotted near the juncture of State Trunk Highways 23 & 95. For those not intimately familiar with St. Cloud, the 23/95 intersection is approximately 4-5 miles east of St. Cloud.
Based on what I’m seeing on radar, it looks like things will clear up once the cell passes. BEWARE: That’s what it looks like. Storms of this nature can redevelop & turn dangerous quickly.
Reports are now coming in from St. Joe, which is 10-12 west of St. Cloud, that quite a few cars have severe hail damage & broken windshields.
UPDATE II: It’s now 7:00pm and the rain has definitely slowed. Reports are still coming in of damage to vehicles & standing water in the streets.
The alley is pretty much flooded but there’s little standing water in my back yard.
UPDATE III: I should’ve kept my mouth shut. The rain’s picked up again.
UPDATE IV: The weather channel says that we’ve had 2.52″ of rain this pm. That explains why the alley is flooded & creeping up into people’s yards. We’ve had a ton of rain since 5:00 pm so it isn’t surprising that the system isn’t keeping up with it. Simply put, the system is getting taxed to the maximum tonight.
UPDATE V: It’s 7:30 & I’m back upstairs. The storm appears to be changing from a storm into a good soaking raid. The line of heavy thunderstoms has definitely moved to the east & no longer affects St. Cloud. People in Foley, Princeton, Santiago & Isanti should stay alert, though.
Though the storms appear to have passed St. Cloud, that doesn’t mean Central Minnesota isn’t in the path of these rapidly developing storm cells.
This afternoon, I visited Powerline and was amused with the pictures in John’s post titled “Seasons of the Absurd.”
For Minnesotans, it’s a rarity to see a bikini-clad woman wading in the shallows of a lake in March but that’s what happened.
This evening, I called a longtime friend who’s lived in Anchorage, AK since the late 1970′s. I called mostly to brag about the beautiful weather we’re having but also to see how my friend is doing.
When I told Joe about the high temperatures this week, Joe sighed and said that their high today reached into the 20′s. Joe then said that Anchorage had their biggest snowfall in 30+ years this winter. The snowplows have been out so often that they’re piling up snow outside of town.
Joe said that the mounds have turned into mini-mountains, with some being a block long and 60 feet tall. He then told me to look at their Facebook page.
Joe is almost as tall as me. (I’m 6’4″.) Let that be a reference for you for this picture:
That snow is in Joe’s front yard. I figure it’s at least 7 feet tall. They’ll have lots of flooding in Alaska this year. Unless it dramatically changes, we’ll have a drought this spring.
Our snow is gone. Ditto with the ice on the Mississippi in St. Cloud. So much for the theory of global warming.
Tags: St. Cloud, Minnesota, Drought, Anchorage, Alaska, Blizzards, Flooding, Mountains