This is just wrong

Who will save the world from the evil clutches of Value Creation Man?

The Walt Disney Company said Monday that it would buy the comic book giant Marvel Entertainment for about $4 billion.

Under the terms of the deal, Marvel shareholders will receive a $30 a share in cash plus about 0.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own. The boards of both companies have approved the deal, which was valued at $50 a share.

With the acquisition, Disney will acquire more than 5,000 Marvel characters, including Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk and the X-Men.

“We believe that adding Marvel to Disney’s unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation,” the chief executive of Disney, Robert A. Iger, said in a statement.

Continue reading This is just wrong

Shooting the Bull

Ace Herald-Sun reporter Ray Gronberg joins Kevin and me tonight as we take a first look at upcoming municipal elections in Durham. Three ward seats on Council and the Mayor's office are up for grabs this year.

7:30 pm, 88.7 FM WXDU, or listen online here.

Continue reading Shooting the Bull

Be My Baby

Ellie Greenwich 1940 - 2009

Continue reading Be My Baby

End of an Era

Edward M. Kennedy 1932 – 2009.

Rest in Peace.

Continue reading End of an Era

Your best entertainment value

N&O commenters.

Sigh. A little girl is dead for no reason at all, and this is the best you morons can do?

Continue reading Your best entertainment value

Durham Ukelele Orchestra

We threw a little hukilau on Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Hawaii's statehood. And the Durham Ukelele Orchestra stopped by to help us.

These guys are awesome.

Give a listen here (the player is about halfway down the page on the right side), or take a look:

Continue reading Durham Ukelele Orchestra

Just visiting this planet

Continue reading Just visiting this planet

That was then, this is now - updated

A few days ago i asked Durham PD spokesperson Kammie Michael to talk about the apparent discrepancy between Chief Lopez' statements about small signs in traffic circles being likely to lead to driver distraction and increase the chances of an accident, while large electronic billboards on our freeways, in his "professional opinion," would not distract drivers.

She replied that she had forwarded my question, and several others, to the Chief for his response. Here's the full list of questions, by the way:

1 - is the information about the PACE Car program accurate? did it have 1500 participants? i can't recall the last time i heard Eric Hester talk about it at
a PAC meeting.

2 - can the group legally raise money for you to re-implement the program? how much money was budgeted for PACE Car the last year it was operational?

3 - can you tell me the statute under which you think "By law, if a motorist reasonably believed that his or her property might be damaged, the person who posted these signs could be subject to criminal charges."? i've emailed the group, and they say their legal advice dismisses this possibility.

4 - Chief Lopez was recently quoted as saying that in his "professional opinion," electronic billboards on the highways would not be a distraction. Can you reconcile this with DPD's statement yesterday that "We fear that these signs could be a distraction to even the most law-abiding motorists and possibly cause collisions."

I'm obviously too small potatoes for the Chief to respond too. Maybe one day i'll be a respectable source of information like Stanley Chambers.

Continue reading That was then, this is now - updated

Morons

What's next, a Donte Stallworth beer koozie?

If you own a dog and a twisted sense of humor, the NFL is ready and willing to help turn your four-legged friend into a Michael Vick fan for the small fee of $39.99 plus tax and shipping.

That's the price you'll pay for the "custom pet jersey" selling on the NFL's Web site at NFLshop.com, where a Daily News reporter placed an order Wednesday for a Philadelphia Eagles dog jersey, size large, with the No. 7 and the name "VICK" on the back.

At the NFL, that's business as usual.

"Like any other player, (customers) can obtain that name and that jersey if they wish," league spokesman Greg Aiello said. "As far as putting it on the dog product, he's working with humane societies, working to educate others on this issue, so we don't see a problem."

Hopefully Greg Aiello is being well compensated to spout such bullshit. Otherwise he's the stupidest fucking person on earth™.

Continue reading Morons

Hawaii

Admitted to the Union 50 years ago today.

Enjoy some Gabby Pahinui

Continue reading Hawaii

Didn't see that coming

Tom Ridge, the first head of the 9/11-inspired Department of Homeland Security, wasn't keen on writing a tell-all. But in The Test of Our Times: America Under Siege...and How We Can Be Safe Again, out September 1, Ridge says he wants to shake "public complacency" over security. And to do that, well, he needs to tell all. Especially about the infighting he saw that frustrated his attempts to build a smooth-running department. Among the headlines promoted by publisher Thomas Dunne Books: . . . was pushed to raise the security alert on the eve of President Bush's re-election, something he saw as politically motivated and worth resigning over.

Well, except that he waited, until a month after the election, didn't he?

Continue reading Didn't see that coming

Shooting The Bull

Tanya Olson, the creative mind who keeps Durham's Third Friday art extravaganza going each month will join me and Kevin on Shooting the Bull tonight at 7:30 on WXDU, 88.7 FM.

Third Friday looks like a particularly tasty event tomorrow, so tune in to find out all the details.

Continue reading Shooting The Bull

So long, and thanks for all the fish(wrap)

I've just learned that one of my favorite reporters, Matt Saldaña of the Independent Weekly, is heading back north to pursue a career as a legal advocate. We wish him the best. His coverage of the various Jordan Lake stories, both at the Indy and as a featured guest on our radio show Shooting The Bull, has been enlightening and comprehensive.

And it's good to learn that former N&O reporter Samiha Khanna is going to taking over his desk at the Indy.

Best wishes, Matt.

Continue reading So long, and thanks for all the fish(wrap)

I love my health insurance company

As soon as i saw the headline, i knew this would be about United Health Care.

At least one major insurer is urging its employees to participate in tea parties.

Last week, UnitedHealth Group--the second largest health insurance company in the country--sent out a letter to its employees urging them to call UHG's United for Health Reform Advocacy Hotline to speak with an advocacy specialist about health care reform. The advocacy specialist, according to the letter, is there to help UHG employees write personalized messages to elected officials, and to arm them with talking points to use at local events in order to better oppose the public health insurance option.

Glad to see my premiums are being put to good use.

Continue reading I love my health insurance company

Toast

I just wanted to take a minute to note the lovely meal Mrs. D and i had at Toast last night. Kelly and Bill really know what they're doing over there.

Continue reading Toast

Deep thought

Interesting that the City Council's express support of marriage equality was not the most talked about story in Durham today.

Continue reading Deep thought

That was then, this is now

Durham Police chief Jose Lopez commenting on electronic billboards on the Interstate back in July:

“This is my professional opinion, not a personal one. There is no indication billboards cause accidents. It could only help in getting law enforcement message across.”

Durham Police department statement yesterday in response to a 17" x 22" 3 foot tall sign on a neighborhood surface street:

We fear that these signs could be a distraction to even the most law-abiding motorists and possibly cause collisions.

A request to DPD spokesperson Kammie Michael for a comment on the apparent discrepancy has so far gone unanswered.

UPDATE: Kammie Michael has responded with a note saying she has referred my question to Chief Lopez directly.

Continue reading That was then, this is now

Your best entertainment value

WRAL commenters.

. . . and it looks like our Angry Neighbors have a blog!

Continue reading Your best entertainment value

Drudged!

Wow.

Continue reading Drudged!

Latest from "Angry Neighbors"

Got this from the folks behind the Angry Neighbors brouhaha this morning. Hope to have a response from DPD and/or the city sometime soon.

Angry Neighbors With Paintball Guns are amazed and gratified at the reaction to the first step of our citizens' campaign to reduce speeding on neighborhood streets in the city of Durham. We posted three small signs in two locations in one neighborhood. We received top story coverage on local television news, more than half a dozen requests for interviews from local media outlets, and generated hundreds of comments on blogs, media websites, and Facebook. We received numerous requests from individuals who wish to receive their own copies of our sign. We inspired the creation of a Facebook group. We clearly touched a nerve in the city of Durham.

The Durham Police Department has issued an eight paragraph statement in response to our signs. We have the utmost respect for the officers of the Durham Police Department. They put their lives on the line for us every day.

Durham PD's statement includes a series of statistics relating the number of traffic tickets written in July 2009 in a 3 block area near the locations where our signs were installed. They state that 46 hours of police activity resulted in 64 citations being written.

We have two responses to that.

First, the problem of speeding in our neighborhoods is not confined to one area in Durham. It is a citywide problem. The city must adopt a unified approach to the problem. It is unfair to the citizens of Durham to approach the problem in a piecemeal fashion. It is unfair to the overwhelming majority of law abiding citizens in Durham to wait until problems become so serious on any one block that neighbors feel their basic safety is threatened. The culture of people driving as fast as they please through neighborhood streets without any regard for the safety of the neighbors who live and play there must change. Part of that change must come from an increased commitment from the leadership of the law enforcement community.

Second, if the police wrote 64 tickets in 46 hours of monitoring one small area over a one month period, how many could they write with 200 hours of monitoring the entire city? Traffic studies in many neighborhoods consistently place the 80th percentile of traffic speeds 10, 12, or even 15 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. In some cases, the response of the city of Durham has been to propose raising the posted speed limit!

Many of us, as individuals, have tried to work to resolve this problem. Here are two immediate steps the city of Durham can take to help.

One, restore the citizen participation PACE Car program. We are discouraged to read that the city has neither the time nor the money to continue this very successful program. Over 1500 citizens signed up to participate in the 18 months the program was operational. Bring it back. Tell us how much money you need. We'll raise it.

Two, get serious with city employees who violate speed limits and other traffic laws. Set an example by cleaning up your own house. When we see you driving 45 mph or 50 mph in a 35 mph zone, we realize that you don't care about our city and our neighbors. Join us, don't fight us.

Stay tuned for further developments.

AngryNeighborWithPaintballGun@gmail.com

Continue reading Latest from "Angry Neighbors"

Marriage equality resolution passes Durham City Council

No link yet, but all my Facebook friends are saying it, so it must be true.

Unanimous vote. Good for us.

Why were the local media playing up the "controversial" aspects of this?

Continue reading Marriage equality resolution passes Durham City Council

Durham police statement

As posted at NBC-17:

The Durham Police Department is aware of the news release sent out by Angry Neighbors with Paintball Guns that mentions concerns about speeding in neighborhoods.

The Durham Police Department enforces traffic laws and we plan to continue to be responsive to traffic concerns from residents throughout the city. We have recently focused on traffic enforcement in the neighborhood where these signs appeared this morning and residents have complimented us on our response.

While we are concerned about speeding in neighborhoods, the Police Department believes that these signs are inappropriate and potentially dangerous. We fear that these signs could be a distraction to even the most law-abiding motorists and possibly cause collisions.

Citizens who engage in the activities advocated by these signs could be subject to civil and even criminal sanctions. By law, if a motorist reasonably believed that his or her property might be damaged, the person who posted these signs could be subject to criminal charges.

We ask residents with concerns about speeding to contact our Traffic Services Unit at 560-4935.

The Pace Car program is inactive at this time due to budget and staffing constraints.

The Police Department's Traffic Services Unit has been active in the neighborhood this summer (these statistics are just from the Motorcycle Unit and do not include tickets written by other officers) -

July 2009
Mangum between Lynch and Trinity: 20hrs - 4 warning tickets - 33 citations.
E. Trinity between Glendale and Mangum: 14hrs - 3 warning tickets - 19 citations.
June 2009
Mangum between Lynch and Trinity: 7hrs - 0 warning tickets - 11 citations.
E. Trinity between Glendale and Mangum: 5hrs - 0 warning tickets - 11 citations.

So, in the month of July, the Durham Police Department spent 46 hours observing traffic violations in the surrounding area. In that 46 hours, they wrote 64 tickets.

About 1.5/hour. Umm, I can find that many speeders on those streets in 2 hours. But even giving them credit for that bit of enforcement, what's 46 hours over the course of a month? And what about the rest of the city that's not between Lynch and Trinity?

I believe the point remains, the City of Durham does not recognize the extent of the problem.

And this is gold: "The Pace Car program is inactive at this time due to budget and staffing constraints."

Let's do better than that, please.

And on a totally separate note, if this is true: "We fear that these signs could be a distraction to even the most law-abiding motorists and possibly cause collisions." Then what does that say for the distractive ability of billboards, especially those electronic billboards that Fairway advertising wants to install on our roads where 65 mph travel is the norm?

Continue reading Durham police statement

Facebook

Looks like the "Angry Neighbor" campaign has inspired the creation of a Facebook group.

I'm in.

Continue reading Facebook

Angry neighbor update

Sent an email to the address in the release. Got this response:

"Who we are isn't important. What is important is that the city of Durham realize this is a problem that needs to be solved.

Stay tuned for further developments."

I haven't been this intrigued since Blazer Manpurse left us.

Continue reading Angry neighbor update

Enlightened

Good to know that Republicans don't have a monopoly on Teh Stupid.

If there ever is government-run health care, the first ones to sign up should be the president and every member of Congress, including myself.

Hey, Mike! I pay for your government provided health insurance. Can i get a refund?

Continue reading Enlightened

Angry neighbors

With paintball guns?

Received this morning:

Angry Neighbors With Paintball Guns announces the beginning of a citizens' campaign to reduce speeding on neighborhood streets in the city of Durham.

We are a small group of neighbors who have reached the limits of our patience with the city's inability, some might say unwillingness, to address this issue. We are disappointed that the city has stopped funding and promoting its PACE Car program, which was a successful first step in reclaiming our neighborhood streets from those who abuse the privilege of driving. We are frustrated by the ongoing problem of city of Durham vehicles, including garbage trucks and DATA buses disregarding posted speed limits in our neighborhoods with impunity.

By posting these signs in strategic locations throughout the city, we seek to make those individuals who threaten the safety of our neighborhoods by their thoughtless and dangerous behavior aware that our patience is at an end. We also seek to make the city of Durham aware that the problem is no longer one that can be safely ignored.

Contact - AngryNeighborWithPaintballGun@gmail.com

Continue reading Angry neighbors

Oh, I get it

Women don't count.

Not only did the 37-year-old South Korean become the first Asian player to win one of golf's majors — the PGA Championship — he took down none other than the sport's No. 1 guy to do it. Phil Mickelson, David Duval, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia — they all tried and failed.

Same article, a dozen or so paragraphs later:

Since Se Ri Pak won the LPGA Championship and U.S. Women's Open as a rookie in 1998, seven Korean players have combined to win 11 majors on the LPGA Tour.

Hey, good for Yang, whose second shot on 18 today was pretty damn classic. But, do women count, or not?

Continue reading Oh, I get it

One Two Three What Are We Fighting For?

Title in honor of Woodstock 40th anniversary.

Guardian:

Afghanistan has quietly passed a law permitting Shia men to deny their wives food and sustenance if they refuse to obey their husbands' sexual demands, despite international outrage over an earlier version of the legislation which President Hamid Karzai had promised to review.

Continue reading One Two Three What Are We Fighting For?

Town hall?

So i've gotten one first hand report from someone who went to last night's town hall at NCCU. Alas, arriving at 7 PM meant the hall was already full and closed to new arrivals. Outside, supporters outnumbered opponents by 60 - 40, according to my correspondent.

The Herald-Sun notes:

The pro side also got some help from the "Billionaires Against Health Care," a group of protesters who, tongues planted firmly in cheeks, came dressed in gowns and tuxes and waved champagne glasses and hats. "Let them eat Advil," "Let's widen the healthcare gap," their signs stated.

"Less health, more wealth," the protesters chanted.

Good. More of that, please.

And maybe it's because i'm stupid, but i don't see any coverage over at the N&O site, either in the Durham section or the State and Local section.

Hmmm.

Meanwhile, the crack N&O political team reports that some Democrats are avoiding the town hall format, but Josh Marshall is wondering why nobody is reporting on Republican Congress critters who are not holding town halls, or restricting admission?

When George Bush rolled through Raleigh in February of 2005 on his "Shut down Social Security and spend his political capital" tour, admission was restricted, and opponents were confined to a small park across the street and away from the cameras. Quite a far cry from what's going on in Montana today, as Obama holds his second public meeting in a week.

As Atrios said succinctly earlier this week, "nobody could've predicted that electing a black man president would drive this country completely fucking insane."

So, any of you go to last night's Town Hall? What did you see?

Continue reading Town hall?

Fuck the Eagles

. . . and their fans.

Michael Vick is back in the NFL, landing a job with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Agent Joel Segal confirmed the quarterback's signing, shortly before the team announced it in a text message. The Eagles gave Vick a one-year deal with an option for a second year.

Adding, if the Eagles can afford $1.6 mil (with an option that could bring it up to nearly $6 mil) on Vick, maybe they could contribute an equal amount of money to spy and neuter programs and animal shelters in the Philadelphia area which, i'm sure, are suffering from cutbacks at the local government level at this time.

I won't hold my breath, though.

Continue reading Fuck the Eagles

Shooting the Bull

Chris Kromm, director of the Institute for Southern Studies, which publishes both the Southern Exposure journal and the Facing South online magazine, will be my guest tonight. 7:30 pm on WXDU, 88.7 FM. Listen online here, or catch the podcast on iTunes over the weekend, if you're pre-occupied at a Town Hall event tonight.

Continue reading Shooting the Bull

Town Hall tonight in Durham

You too can get in on all the action you've been reading about in the papers.

Senator Kay Hagan* and Congressman David Price tonight at the Miller-Morgan Building on the campus of NC Central University. M-M is on Nelson road, between Fayetteville St. and S. Alston Ave. (NC 55).

UPDATE: Word is that the forum has been moved to the larger BN Duke auditorium at the corner of Lawson and Fayetteville, on the NC Central campus. The map link is still good.

The fun starts at 6:45. Try to get there at least an hour early.

On a side note, i simply cannot believe they picked a Thursday night when i'm hosting a radio show to have their Town Hall. I'm counting on you all to represent.

===============
* There is apparently some confusion as to whether both David Price and Kay Hagan will be at tonight's Town Hall. Rep. Price will definitely be there; Senator Hagan? Unconfirmed at this time.

Continue reading Town Hall tonight in Durham

Great moments in marketing

Ass effects.

Seriously. You guys didn't listen to a single commercial you produced?

Continue reading Great moments in marketing

Suh-wing batter!

Minor League Baseball will hold a free, public Grand Opening at the renovated Durham Athletic Park (DAP), in Durham, N.C., this Saturday, August 15, from noon until 5 p.m. The event will feature a softball game with Durham politicians, area baseball coaches and former Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball players; several Minor League Baseball, city and local college mascots; free food and drinks; the Durham Divas cheerleaders; and a child’s play area, among other activities.

Looking forward to watching Howard Clement rounding third and heading for home myself.

BTW - Mrs D has designed one of the new outfield fence ads. Hope it looks as good on the filed as it did on the computer.

Continue reading Suh-wing batter!

Whatever happened to . . .

that case involving Durham County Democratic party officers and Satan? Google news search shows absolutely nothing, and Google web search has nothing newer than, say, last October. Last i heard it was kicked upstairs to AG Roy Cooper, who was deciding whether or not to press charges, but that was last fall.

Aren't accused entitled to a speedy trial under the US Constitution, or does that document only pertain to morons defending themselves against Obama's euthanasia squads?

Continue reading Whatever happened to . . .

Well, yeah

Except this is the Democratic Party you're talking about. When your opening gambit is compromise, it's hard to take a stand on principle against a load of bullshit so deep it could swallow the Capitol building whole.

It seems to me that our Democratic representatives are becoming caught up in these types of conversations time-after-time at the so-called town meetings. Wouldn't a much more effective approach at this point in the game be simply be to look at one of these tea baggers in the eye and say "sir, you are misinformed, you are listening to lies." Simple, quick clean and strong.

Um, no.

The correct response is "you're a fucking moron, and i can't believe you're wasting the time of the good citizens who showed up here tonight with your insane bullshit."

Continue reading Well, yeah

Honeydew

Buying melons is always a crap shoot. My techniques, the thump and the sniff, are trustworthy but not completely reliable.

That said, i've picked up three near perfect honeydews in a row the past week that are among the best i've ever eaten. One of my favorite flavors ever, and one of my grandmother's few indulgences when i would spend a summer week or so with her in her Bronx walkup as a small boy. Hot streets, transistor radio playing the WMCA Good Guys, and cool chunks of pale green melon.

Even better than Mr. Softee.

Continue reading Honeydew

No wonder

Watching whoever was driving police cruiser H-271 blow through the Roxboro/Knox intersection around 8 this morning, while a pedestrian was crossing the street in the crosswalk, i realized why Durham doesn't enforce pedestrian right-of-way laws. It's because the cops don't know they exist.

I'm sure Chief Lopez will be addressing this shortcoming in the immediate future, right after he gets around to jumpstarting the PACE Car program, which has languished since Eric Hester's retirement.

Right?

Continue reading No wonder

Things I learned today

There is a show on A&E called Parking Wars.

The people you love to hate - the men and women of the Philadelphia Parking Authority - are back, ticketing, booting and towing the cars of problem parkers who express their outrage in furious Philly fashion.

Fortunately, no need for a parking authority in Durham.

Continue reading Things I learned today

Saturnified

Awesome parade and concert honoring Sun Ra yesterday through downtown and at the Arts Council.





The second stop is Jupiter.

thanks to Ms. Kaferine de Nerve for some photos.

Continue reading Saturnified

Ummmm, AP?

Lots of bloggers are justifiably mocking the AP for some of the positions they've taken regarding use of their content.

I want to mock them for their content.

Here's an actual AP headline:

Collision over Hudson interrupts idyllic day

Nine people died in that collision. I'd guess their idyllic day was a bit interrupted, no?

Continue reading Ummmm, AP?

Whiskey

Couple of folks asking me over the past two days what's up with Whiskey, the new bar at Five Points that's been closed the past couple of nights.

Good news - they're open tonight, after some infrastructure repairs shut them down Thursday and Friday.

Continue reading Whiskey

WTF? Updated

Last week, we noted the shooting of a bicyclist in Asheville by a driver who was apparently upset that the guy was toting a kid around behind him.

Here's the latest:

A grand jury in Asheville, North Carolina has reduced the charge against a motorist who allegedly shot a cyclist in the head from attempted first-degree murder to felony assault.

According to reports, on July 26, Alan Simons was shot by Charles Diez after a confontation along a busy road. The shooting took place in front of Simons' wife and 3-year-old kid. Diez was reportedly angered that Simons was riding a bike with his child seated behind him. Simons was wearing his bike helmet at the time. Miraculously, the bullet missed his head.

The article goes on to note that the penalty for attempted murder is 13 years in stir, but only two years for the felony assault charge. The DA submitted both charges to the grand jury, and has no explanation for why only the assault charge was returned.

Continue reading WTF? Updated

Happy Birthday Abbey Road

Holy moly, 40 years ago today.

As i recall, first record i ever bought on the day it was released.

Something i learned about Abbey Road just this year: the song "Her Majesty," possibly the first bonus track ever, was originally part of the side 2 medley, fitting in between "Mean Mr. Mustard" and "Polythene Pam." Paul didn't like the song flow, so he had it sliced out of the rough mix, but an Abbey Road recording engineer saved the tape and spliced it onto the end of the reel after 14 seconds of leader tape. That's the ending chord of MMM that opens Her Majesty, and the closing note is lost in the opening chord of PP. After i learned that, i recreated the original sequence in Audacity to give it a listen, and i actually like it better.

Which explains why Paul McCartney has a Sir in front of his name, and i don't.

Continue reading Happy Birthday Abbey Road

Unknown Hinson tickets

This is an experiment for me. I've ended up with a pair of tickets to see Unknown Hinson, star of Adult Swim's Squidbillies, tonight at Greene Street in Greensboro. But i can't use 'em.

So i'm giving 'em away to a lucky reader.

Here's the catch.

These are actual physical tickets. So you'll have to meet me in downtown Durham this afternoon to claim them. First person to send an email to DependableErection AT gmail DOT com gets 'em. We'll make the pickup arrangements from there.

UPDATE - Tickets are spoken for. Thanks.

Continue reading Unknown Hinson tickets

Two stories, noted without comment

Donte Stallworth:

Suspended Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth feels he has done "irreparable harm" to the family of the man he killed while driving drunk and said he is ready to accept whatever ruling NFL commissioner Roger Goodell makes on his future.

Stallworth, suspended indefinitely by the league for killing Mario Reyes while driving drunk in Miami, met with Goodell in New York on Wednesday about a possible reinstatement.

Stallworth was recently released from jail after serving 24 days for the DUI conviction.

. . .

The league has given no indication when Goodell will rule on Stallworth, who struck and killed Reyes on March 14, just a few hours after drinking at a Miami Beach club.

Stallworth had a blood-alcohol level of .126, above Florida's .08 legal limit.

The Browns have deferred all questions about Stallworth to the league. Coach Eric Mangini said Wednesday the team will address Stallworth's situation after Goodell makes his decision.

Adrian Mutu:

Adrian Mutu is facing a bill in excess of £14.6m after a Fifa compensation award to Chelsea was upheld by sport's highest court. The sum was for Mutu's breach of contract relating to his having tested positive for using cocaine in September 2004. He was sacked a month later and after the five-year-long legal battle that ensued, the Court of Arbitration for Sport today definitively rejected the Fiorentina and Romania striker's arguments.

. . .

"The CAS Panel concluded that the appeal brought by the player was to be dismissed and the measure of damages, as awarded by the DRC, was to be confirmed. Adrian Mutu must therefore pay €17,173,990 (£14.6m) to Chelsea."

Chelsea have so far declined to comment.

. . .
But for now, at a time when there is significant dispute among the anti-doping authorities and player-representation organisations about how to deal with positive tests for recreational drugs, the CAS's decision is a stark warning to any sportsman thinking of dabbling in prohibited substances.

Continue reading Two stories, noted without comment

Shooting the Bull

Just wanted to give you all a heads up that Donald Long, Director of the Solid Waste Management department for the City of Durham, will be joining me and Kevin tonight on Shooting the Bull. We'll try to get to the bottom of why the new recycling program has been so difficult to bring into operation, among other things.

WXDU, 88.7 FM at 7:30, or listen online.

Podcast on iTunes this weekend. I promise.

Continue reading Shooting the Bull

Just wond'rin'

Are there any Republican members of Congress who have given up their government paid for and run health insurance plan in favor of the private insurance market?

Continue reading Just wond'rin'

Don't be fooled

Who knew?

And, at the Scrap Exchange:

Outer Galactic Costume Creation

Workshop to be held Saturday, August 8 from 3 to 4:30 in our Make-N-Take room, in celebration of the Durham Art Guild show featuring a touring exhibit of Sun Ra ephemera, Pathways to Unknown Worlds: Sun Ra, El Saturn and Chicago's Afro-Futurist Underground, 1954-68.

Jim Kellough is helping plan a free-form, pre-exhibit Spectacle which will include a sidewalk procession from Durham Central Park to the Durham Art Council building on Saturday, August 8 beginning at 4:30pm.

This procession will feature Sun Ra-inspired costumes and music and will meander throughout downtown, ending at the Durham Arts Council where there will be a combination of film and music within the empty DAG gallery space.

For more information, contact Jennifer Collins-Mancour, Director, Durham Art Guild at 919-560-2713 or by email at artguild1@yahoo.com. www.durhamartguild.org

More info here, and here.

Continue reading Don't be fooled

Tonic Water Update

So, belated thanks for the tonic water suggestions form a couple of weeks ago.

Here's how things shook out.

I tried the Whole Foods cane sugar sweetened tonic water. Definitely better than Canada Dry or Schweppes. Not as good as the boutique stuff, and certainly not what i'd call "dry," but better than the torpedoes on the supermarket shelf. And $2.50 or so a six pack, which made it pretty attractive.

Obviously, i'm not the only one who thinks so, since it's out of stock at every Whole Foods in the Triangle. No joke. Talked to someone at the Chapel Hill WF yesterday, and he say's it's been two weeks since they got any in, and they have no idea when it will be back in stock.

Southern Season? All they carry is Stirrings. It was discounted down to %5.49 for a 4 pack of 6 oz bottles. That's a bit more than half of what Parker & Otis was getting for the Q Tonic. P&O also selss Stirrings at $6.99 a 4 pack. Oh, yeah, maybe it's because they're closed for inventory, but SS didn't have any on the shelf, anyway. And the stirrings was not much better than the WF; certainly not worth 5 times the price.

I did follow up on the links to powdered cinchona bark (quinine) for making my own tonic water. And guess what? All sources of powdered quinine on line are back ordered. This is definitely getting a bit weird. Could we truly be running out of quinine? I mean, it's not even the first choice for anti-malarial any more.

Any clues?

Continue reading Tonic Water Update

Billy Lee Riley

Continue reading Billy Lee Riley