Friday, November 30, 2012

McDowell Leads in Thousand Oaks;Orangemen Overcome Razorbacks

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell established a comfortable lead in the World Challenge Presented By Northwestern Mutual at Sherwood Country Club,Thousand Oaks,California.McDowell shot a cushy second round  9 under par 66,praising the golf course's undulating backdrop.It's a fun course,he said,noting that his win there in 2009 was a prelude to his successful 2010 season.
The course is set in the scrubby beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains.After the tournament,McDowell plans to take ten weeks off to spend time with his family and work on his game for 2013.The PGA 2013 season begins with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii from January 4-7.
In college basketball,Syracuse handled Arkansas 91-82 at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.James Southerland came off the Syracuse bench for a career night,scoring 35 points with 6 rebounds.Arkansas' B.J. Young posted 25 points with 5 rebounds,while teammate Marshawn Powell added 19 points and 7 rebounds.
The Orangemen's victory puts the Big East over the SEC 5-2 in the conference Challenge.#6 Syracuse is 5-0,while Arkansas is 3-3.
A zonal flow jet stream pattern is keeping most of the cold and snow locked up in Canada,ensuring a generally mild to moderate week ahead for most of the US.

Friday, November 23, 2012

McNeil River Brown Bears

Alaska brown bears(Ursus arctos) are visible from the viewing platforms at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's McNeil River Wildlife Sanctuary and Refuge.The record is 74 bears at one time as the fearsome animals flock to McNeil River and Mikfik Creek in search of spawning salmon from June to August.
A photo of a brown bear cub taken at the site is featured in the previous post.It was a National Geographic Photo of the Day.
A bearcam also streams live webcasts from the area.
Spots on the viewing platforms are allocated by lottery under the strict conservation regimen imposed by the Department.Viewers are escorted by guides and accompanied by an armed warden.To date,no bear/human incidents have occurred at the site.
The roadless Sanctuary and Refuge consist of some 200 square miles.
Grizzly bears(Ursus arctos horribilis) are a subspecies of brown bear with grizzled fur that has also been called silver-tipped.They are smaller than the brown bears of Southern Alaska because the southern bears have a richer diet and warmer climate.The Kodiak bear(Ursus arctos middendorffi) is another subspecies of brown bear that is limited to Kodiak Island and is the world's largest brown bear.
Brown bears also occur in Western Europe in very small numbers,and in large numbers in the wildlands of Russia.The grizzly bear subspecies once ranged into Mexico and as far east as Lake Erie.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Grizzlies Replace Knicks;Air Force Earns Bowl

A spate of late games delayed publication tonight.At FedEx Forum in Memphis,the Memphis Grizzlies knocked the New York Knicks out of top position in the NBA and seized it for themselves with their 105-95 victory.Down by 21 points in the fourth period,the Knicks reduced that gulf to eight points,but couldn't close the deal.Shooting was lackluster by the Knicks,who had come into the game with a 6-0 record.
Leading the Knicks was Raymond Felton with his 18 points and 3 rebounds;Zack Randolph notched 20 points and 15 rebounds for the Grizzlies.At 7-1,the Grizzlies have a 4-0 record at home.The Knicks continue to top their Atlantic Division,with the Brooklyn Nets being second at 4-2.
In college football,Air Force dominated Hawaii 21-7 at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs,earning bowl eligibility for a school record 6th straight season.The Falcons scored all their points on the ground;indeed,they didn't throw one pass the entire game.Cody Goetz ran for one touchdown,while Wes Cobb added two more.
Goetz says he is mocked for his diminutive stature by opponents,but they shut up when he runs the football into the end zone.He is able to hurtle over them.
Air Force held Hawaii to zero first down conversions in the second half.They are expected to play in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl on December 29 in Fort Worth,Texas.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Knicks Stay On Top;Sandy Suffering Continues

The New York Knicks continued their outstanding start to the new NBA season Friday night,topping the Dallas Mavericks 104-94.The Knicks are now 4-0,and are the only unbeaten team in the NBA.It is their best start since 1993-94,when they went on a 7-0 run to begin a road to the NBA finals.
Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 31 points and 7 rebounds.For the Mavs,OJ Mayo contributed 23 points.
Let's pause to remember the suffering that still goes on in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.Our thoughts,prayers and other support are needed in the New York/New Jersey area,where many thousands continue to lack lights,heat and easy access to food and medicine.Some are stuck on the upper floors of high rises.They rely on the American Red Cross and other helpers.
The lower third of Manhattan remains in the dark.To contribute,please visit www.redcross.org

Friday, November 2, 2012

A Terrific Sandy Telethon;Knicks Win

It was a big Friday night for New York/New Jersey as a terrific telethon was held for Hurricane Sandy relief and the New York Knicks won their NBA season opener.The telethon,"Hurricane Sandy:Coming Together" was broadcast on the networks of NBC Universal.The phones will be open all night at 1-800-HELP-NOW,1-800-435-7669.Proceeds go the American Red Cross for hurricane relief.
We will do all we can to help,because every one of you matters,promised Christina Aguilera.The singer opened the live performance before a studio audience at Rockefeller Center with her strong and amazing voice in "You Are Beautiful.".She is a native of the devastated Staten Island.
Host Matt Lauer noted that,ironically,the people we're trying to help can't watch the telethon because they have no power.Text 90999 to donate 10 dollars to the Red Cross.
Steve Tyler,Jimmy Fallon,Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen joined in a rendition of the classic "Under The Boardwalk,"so appropriate given that much of the Jersey Shore boardwalk was lost to the superstorm.Donate to the Red Cross on Twitter at #SandyHelp.
Jon Bon Jovi performed a mournful medley of "Who Says You Can't Go Home" and "Living On Prayer."He is a New Jersey native and resident.
The music was interspersed with film clips of the destruction and survivors pleading for assistance.
Aerosmith performed  the haunting "Dream On."Sting rendered an acoustic version of "Message In A Bottle"with its apt refrain "Sending out an SOS."
Corporate sponsors of the program included Allstate;Bank of America;State Farm;Google;and JP Morgan Chase.
One affecting still photo shown on the telethon depicted National Guard troops rescuing an English sheepdog from the flood.The show was concluded by Bruce Springsteen singing a committed "Land Of Hope And Dreams."
In  NBA basketball,the New York Knicks reopened the sporting life of their damaged but not defeated city with a 100-84 victory over the Miami Heat.Carmelo Anthony starred with 30 points for the Knicks,while LeBron James led with 23 points for the Heat.
The phones are open all night at 1-800-HELP-NOW,1-800-435-7669 to donate to the American Red Cross hurricane relief.Twitter #SandyHelp.Thank you from another New Jersey native.