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December 7 – 13, 2011
Visit us online at www.Blitzweekly.com
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
December 7 – 13, 2011 Photos Courtesy: Randall Chancllor, Cliff
SPORTS NEWS
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SEC-eding from the Union
SPORTS NEWS On Deck 3 Must See TV 3 Runners Are You Ready 4 UFC 140 Preview 4 TCU Bowl Preview 5 SMU Bowl Preview 5 Last Run For Lance Dunbar 5 Mavs News 6 Stars News 7 The NY Giants Come To Town 8 We Fell On A Cactus Again 8 Cover Story The Heisman: Blessing or Curse? 9 2011 – Year Of The Quarterback 9 BCS Bowl Previews 10-11 College Bowl Schedule 11 Blitz babe of the week Heather 12 Restaurant Review Café Pacific 13 BLITZ Entertainment Seven Things In Seven Days 13 Hollywood Profile 14 Movie Review 14 Leafblowers Anonymous 15 Absolutely Reluctant 15 2013 Lexus GS 350 & GS 450H 16 Gadgets 16 The Joystick 16 Blitz Funnys Jokes/Horrorscopes/Weird News 17 The CLOSER Weekend Relaxer 18 Finding Answers To Sandusky 18 2-Minute Drill 18 Publisher Kelly G. Reed Editor C. Patterson Graphic Designer: Damien William Mayfield Food, Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor Judy Chamberlain Photo Editor Darryl Briggs Cover Design: Damien William Mayfield STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS John Breen, Gregg Case, Steven Hendrix, Rick Leal, Kevin Jacobson, Joe Lorenzini, Chuck Majors
STAFF WRITERS Hannah Allen, Tony Barone, Geoff Case, Vivian Fullerlove, Robin George, David Goodspeed, Jack E. Jett, Frank LaCosta, Mark Miller, Jesse Whitman CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Malleus Brando, Kevin Dooley, Joseph Dowling, Manny Flores, Kent Gilley, David Goodspeed, Alex Gonzalez, KT King, Michael Li, Savannah Lindsley, Matthew Lynch, James M. Phelps, Jake Putnam, Marcos Joel Reis, James Santelli, Brennan Schnell, James D. Smith, Aaron Webb, Capn Matt, Heidi, Jypsvgen, Susie B, Maiba, marsmet552, Mr TGT CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joe Avezzano, Brian Beard, Jay Betsill, Mika Bradford, Sonny Capps, Andrew J. Hewett, Keysha Hogan, Ash Lee, Mateeka Lanee Quinn, Tommy Smith, Joe Stumpo
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Back in August, ESPN partnered with the University of Texas to bring you wall-to-wall Longhorn coverage. This 20-year $300 million dollar deal has essentially turned a major network from an impartial broadcaster into an invested party in Team Austin. But while the money is flowing on Sixth Street, Texas fans have to say farewell to their reliable archrival at Texas A&M. This may be the saddest southern separation since Brooks and Dunn and here’s why: Exhibit A: Second verse of the Aggie War Hymn: Good-bye to Texas university So long to the orange and the white Good luck to dear old Texas Aggies They are the boys that show the real old fight When the heart of your fight song takes time to taunt your enemy, you know this union was built on a deep seeded repulsion. For Texas natives, you we’re raised a Longhorn or an Aggie and the discussion was closed. A&M is already fired up over their new opponents in the SEC, but when the feelings run this deep, you never forget your first.
Exhibit B: The Ousting of Sherman Recently, former Texas A&M coach Gene Stallings said, “They’re going to do what’s best for Texas, and we’re going to do what we think is best for Texas A&M.” And “what’s best” has turned out to mean a quick renovation of Kyle Field and the unceremonious firing of head coach Mike Sherman. After four seasons, Sherman went 25-25; including 6-6 this season, which meant for Aggie management the glass, was half empty.
By Keysha Hogan @TheKeysha
The layoff was leaked to the media and Sherman found out he was unemployed from someone on the street instead of from the brain trust at A&M. Entering the SEC with a new man at the helm is going to be tough, because teams like LSU and Alabama are going be gunning for the new kids straight out of the gate. Only time will tell if Aggie Nation is prepared to charge headfirst at a new enemy while leaving the familiar one behind. Exhibit C: Unfinished Business On Thanksgiving, A&M handed over a halftime lead with four turnovers to a hungry UT offense. The 20 points scored in the last half of the game lead to a 27-25 Texas victory over A&M. This storied 120-year rivalry was brought to a close by a controversial personal foul penalty on the final drive. If this match up had ended by one team being destroyed and pulled through the mud then I think the state would be at peace. But instead it feels like the fight for the better team, school, and fans never found a decisive winner. I realize all good things must come to an end, but I honestly wasn’t ready. At stake in this divorce were egos, state politics and an identity shift for two prestigious institutions. With A&M’s move they will receive an equal share of the revenues and earn an increased national profile. Meanwhile, UT will continue to make history with the Longhorn Network. So let’s toast the end of an era by indulging in the great jokes that fueled the flames of Texas football for many years. For the Longhorns: Why do Aggies like smart women? Because opposites attract.
Sat. December 10 – 1:30PM – FedEx Field – CBS
Be patriotic, watch one of the fiercest rivalries in all of college football go at it. Neither team is bowl bound so this is their bowl game. Neither team passes the ball well, but Army does have a better running game. Navy is slightly favored in this one since Army is fielding a young team. The pregame and halftime shows are also worth taking in.
L E A R N T O P L AY P O L O NO RIDING EXPERIENCE NECESSARY WWW.DALLASPOLOCLUB.ORG
C ALL 214-979-0300 ext.1
@BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
If the Mayans are right and the world does end in 2012, at least there wouldn’t be any more presidential debates.
For the Aggies: How do you get an UT graduate off your porch? You pay him for the pizza.
MUST SEE TV NCAA: Army vs. Navy
Dallas Polo Club
S av i n g y o u f r o m c a r pa l T H UM B s y m p t o m s !
NFL: Giants vs. Cowboys Sun. December 11 – 7:20PM – Cowboys Stadium – NBC
The G-men come to town for a colossal match up with the Cowboys; the first of two regular season games this month. The winner will have a decided advantage for the division lead in the NFC East. Manning vs Romo, North vs South – anyway you look at it it’ll be a battle. Can Romo lead the Cowboys to victory? Watch and learn…
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December 7 – 13, 2011 4 Photo Courtesy: Alex Gonzalez
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
UFC 140 Saturday – Dec. 10 – 8PM
Watch it at:
UFC 140 Preview Jon “Bones” Jones (14-1-0) vs. Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida (17-2-0): Big Bad Jon has been on a mission of devastation in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, destroying everyone. I’m honestly not sure why Machida is getting this shot at the title so soon but what the hell. Both of these guys are very unorthodox, very effective strikers. Machida has excellent footwork and is very elusive. He better be on his A-game because Bones Jones
Runners Are You Ready, Set, Go!
By Mika Bradford CN, CPhT comments@blitzweekly.com This time of year you can find a marathon or half-marathon happening in any major city across the country. Whether you’re running in the Route 66 Marathon & Half Marathon in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Space Coast Marathon in Cocoa, Florida or just ran the White Rock Marathon in Dallas, Texas, one thing is for sure: participating in a marathon or triathlon requires extensive preparation and planning. Exercise regimens, proper nutrition, equipment and clothing are essential to support performance and enhance endurance. Whether you are a seasoned runner or preparing for your first event, supplementation with the right nutritional supports can put your feet on solid ground. A balanced diet is essential, but when physical demands are increased beyond regular daily activities an increased need for vitamins, minerals and antioxidants occurs. These nutrients are the basic building blocks in the production of cellular energy, proper response to inflammation and cellular repair, allowing the body to respond and recover from intense physical exertion. Here are a few essential nutrients that all athletes can incorporate into their workout regimen, ensuring maximum results: Multivitamin – A comprehensive vitamin formula with additional B, A, C and E provides protection from oxidative stress while supporting metabolic processes responsible for the production of cellular energy. Vitamins and minerals are important co-factors necessary in proper immune system response. This is significant to runners as they are constantly subjected to changes in the weather, temperature and environmental elements this time of year. Omega-3 - Omega-3 supplements provide essential fatty acids used in energy metabolism and cardiovascular functioning and have naturally occurring chemicals essential in the management of inflammation. Omega-3s are readily available from fish oil in gel caps and
By Brian Beard comments@blitzweekly.com
liquid. Omega-3 supplements may look similar; however, the level of active ingredients can be dramatically different. When purchasing Omega-3 supplements confirm the product label specifies the volume of Omega-3’s, EPA and DHA. EPA chemically supports a proper response to inflammation and DHA supports cellular communication and integrity and nervous system functioning. Pantothenic Acid - Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B-5, is essential for energy production from dietary proteins, fats and carbohydrates. For runners, B-5 provides an invaluable service as it assists in the removal of lactic acid. Accumulation of lactic acid in muscle tissue can contribute to the pain and inflammation experienced after exercising. B vitamins are water-soluble substances and are not generally stored in the body in appreciable amounts. Therefore, an adequate supply of B vitamins on a daily basis must be acquired from food and dietary supplement sources. Protein Powder/Amino Acids - Amino acids are building blocks in the formation of muscle tissue and can be converted through the Krebs cycle, providing glucose which boosts energy levels and helps prevent hypoglycemia. Quality protein powders and amino acid supplements provide a convenient option for active individuals on the go. Without the appropriate levels of proteins and carbohydrates in the diet the body will revert to burning muscle tissue as a fuel source. These are just a few of the most basic of dietary supplements. While good nutrition and dietary supplements are important don’t forget training and recovery aids like compression sportswear, heart rate sensors, strength training tools, topical analgesics and pain relievers. Together, these tools of the trade may be exactly what you need to get a leg up on the competition.
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comes from everywhere and will mollywhop him if he isn’t careful. On the ground Jones has a big advantage. His ground and pound is as good as I have seen and he is not one to look to etch out a decision. He is a finisher. I believe that he is going to be too much for Machida in this one and that he will finish The Dragon via submission in the third round. He is a bad, bad man. Frank Mir (15-5-0) vs. Minotauro Nogueira (33-6-1): This is a rematch of a title fight from 2008. Neither fighter has been too active since then. Both of these guys have an excellent ground game. Big Nog (yes he is Antonio’s brother) has great boxing and in the first fight, that was thought as the X factor that would allow him to win. As you may know, Mir learned to box somewhere and beat the brakes off of Nog, winning the title and shocking many. Nog will be looking to avenge his loss in a big way. He feels the first fight was a fluke and he will be hunting for Mir’s head. Big Nog is very, very
tough, but I feel Mir wins again. I’m going to call a unanimous decision on this one in a battle that will see all facets of the game. Tito “People’s Champ” Ortiz (17-9-1) vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (19-50): In the cage, there is nothing that these two warriors haven’t seen. Both of these guys have fought some of the toughest fighters in history and succeeded. That being said, neither one is in their prime so this is a good matchup. Ortiz has improved his standup throughout his career, but Nog has really good boxing. Ortiz has the advantage in the takedown department, but on the ground it could go either way. Tito and his big head have some vicious ground and pound but Nog is a BJJ world champion. I see this fight ending via TKO in the second with Nog being the victor. Ortiz will hopefully retire and go into the UFC Hall of Fame as an all time great who had twins with Jenna Jameson. Raw guy.
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
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December 7 – 13, 2011
By Tony Barone tbarone@blitzweekly.com
By Sonny Capps hhhup88@gmail.com
The TCU Horned Frogs could have busted into the Bowl Championship Series again after their third consecutive outright - and unblemished Mountain West title, which they clinched with a 56-9 victory over UNLV. The Horned Frogs ended up ranked number 18 in the final BCS standings released Sunday night. And because TCU is in a non-automatic qualifying conference and not ranked in the top
Mustangs in BBVA Compass Bowl
TCU to Poinsettia Bowl
In 2009, June Jones led the SMU Mustangs to their first bowl appearance in 25 years when the Ponies cruised to a 45-10 victory over the University of Nevada. Saturday January 7th the Mustangs will be banking on their second bowl victory in three years when they take on the Pittsburgh Panthers in the BBVA Compass Bowl. The game played at Legions Field in Birmingham, Alabama, matches Big East versus Conference USA teams. Pittsburgh makes the postseason with a 6-6 record while SMU finished the regular season at 7-5. This will be the sixth meeting between the two schools who played each other in the 1983 Cotton Bowl. SMU defeated Pitt in that game 7-3. The series between the two schools is tied at 2-2-1. SMU is 5-7-1 in their bowl history. The school’s first bowl game was the 1925 Dixie Classic played January 1st in Dallas, TX. If you
16 in the final BCS poll, which would have virtually guaranteed them of going to their third consecutive BCS game, they will not be playing in a BCS bowl this season. Instead, TCU will be headed to the Poinsetta Bowl for the third time in its history to play the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs of the Western Athletic Conference. “We are very excited to have the opportunity to play in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl,” TCU Coach Gary Patterson said. “Our players have had an unbelievable experience in our past trips to the game. The bowl committee and the redcoats are outstanding with their hospitality. Bowl games are a great reward for your players. We are looking forward to making the trip to San Diego. “We have a lot of respect for Louisiana Tech and coach Sonny Dykes. They’re conference champions and have had an outstanding season with some very impressive wins. They’ve gone on the road and beat an SEC team. They are very skilled on both sides of the ball.” This will be the first meeting on the gridiron between TCU and Louisiana Tech. The Horned Frogs will be facing an opponent from the WAC for the first time since the 2008 Poinsettia Bowl, when they defeated Boise State 17-16.
can remember, the Mustangs fell short to West Virginia Wesleyan in that one 9-7. The Panthers are 12-15 all time in bowl appearances. They will be looking to defend the Compass Bowl Trophy as they beat Kentucky in this game last season 27-10. This will be Pitt’s first bowl appearance under first year head coach, Todd Graham, who said, “Our team is excited for the chance to put that Pitt helmet on one more time for the BBVA Compass Bowl. Birmingham is a great college football town. We’re looking forward to our visit and playing SMU in front of a national ESPN television audience.” These two teams will both benefit from the long lead up time to the game by getting to spend an extra month together this winter. The bonus practice time should pay off for both schools as they prepare for this match up and plant some new seeds for the 2012 season.
TCU vs. LA Tech Wed. Dec. 21 - 7:00pm - ESPN Qualcomm Stadium
SMU vs. Pittsburgh Jan. 7 – Noon – ESPN Legion Field
Dunbar’s last run for the Mean Green
By Sonny Capps hhhup88@gmail.com
“Whatever I can do to help the team win.” RB Lance Dunbar stated in the press conference following UNT’s loss to WKU. As his college career was coming to a close, his hopes of going to a bowl game gone, and to top it off only getting selective duty in his second to last game, that was his statement. No pent up emotions, bitterness or complaining, just the same unselfish Lance thinking about the overall good of the team. Running sprints before the game, standing up front on the sidelines and giving encouragement to not only the offense but defense as well during the game he viewed mostly from sidelines. Since coming to UNT in 2008 from Haltom High School Lance has contributed in every way to this program. He made his first collegiate start against Rice and played in five games before going down with an injury. He set records in High School and maybe sitting out part of his freshman year set up what was on the way to come. In 2009, the Sun Belt conference was introduced to the Dunbar that North Texas has grown accustom to watching. It must have felt like it was high school all over again, or maybe easier, Lance led the Sun Belt conference in scoring, ran for 1,378 yards and was starting before mid-year. By the end of the year Sports Illustrated named him an Honorable Mention All-American. As 2010 Lance diversified his skills even further amassing over 1800 all-purpose yards which ranked fourth in the nation. Back again was the All-American being honored with the Odus Mitchell Award and half a dozen other honors. Bringing us to the current, Lance has broken school records, conference records, received countless honors and awards, and to top things off is a Doak Walker candidate. As UNT’s football season came to a close and we watched one last time as Dunbar ran loose up and down the Apogee field. Lance managed to smash Patrick Cobbs (in attendance) UNT all-time rushing record of 4,224 by posting 313 yards on 40 totes, this 313 yards also surpassed the single season mark per game set in 2004, and not lastly, the most rushing yards for any NCAA player this year in a single game. Having the aforementioned awards, honors and records, in the closing press conference, Lance again gave all the credit and game ball to none other than his offensive line. Lance has the mindset and leadership of being a team player, this proven by his comments and actions on and off the field. As the Mean Green gave tribute to 26 other seniors in their final game last Saturday, Lance was the one in the spot light, but to Lance he was just another senior. Hopefully Lance will set records and continue with his career in the NFL next year as he will be replaced here. Yes, Lance Dunbar will be replaced next year, but his replacement has a “Bar” that is awful high to clear. All the best Lance.
RUSHING RECEIVING SEASON ATT YDS AVG LNG TD REC YDS AVG LNG TD 2011 269 1115 4.1 60 10 29 350 12.1 83 2 2010 274 1553 5.7 83 13 28 332 11.9 66 3 2009 200 1378 6.9 71 17 28 300 10.7 60 2 2008 39 178 4.6 24 1 12 51 4.3 12 1 Follow blitz weekly on twitter and facebook
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December 7 – 13, 2011
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
MAVS Should the Mavs resign Chandler?
Obviously, the answer is yes. Chandler was arguably the missing piece that helped the Mavericks win their first championship in franchise history. However, Tyson has said recently that he believes he will be on another roster come opening day. This is because there are reports that there are some teams out there that are willing to offer Tyson a max contract deal and the Mavericks are rightfully taking a deep breath. Tyson is an impact player but I think the Mavs have got to be realistic about what he really is moving forward especially within the new CBA landscape on the horizon. Let’s take a look at several factors the Mavericks should take into consideration when deciding whether Tyson is really worth a contract on par with LeBron, Dirk, or Kobe. Reasons they shouldn’t: The Kidd Factor Tyson needs to be with a point guard like Kidd to get him the rock in the right spots or else he brings nothing offensively. (Haywood already has the offensively anemic defensive center roster spot on lock-down) If Kidd retires after this season it will dramatically reduce the value of Chandler. Kidd may stick around for longer than that but I’m going on what we know and all indications are 1-2 more years at best. Chandler is 100% not worth a max deal if there isn’t a dynamic table setting point guard on the roster. Chandler is a good player that can be elevated to a greater level if the conditions are right and Jason Kidd is one of those conditions and it’s got a short shelf life. Injuries Tyson stayed healthy last season but that isn’t normally the case. Teams should always be weary of injury-plagued guys playing big during contract years. However, the Mavs doctors have a pretty good understanding of what is going on in Tyson’s problem areas. This is the least of my concerns because I know it’s already on the Mavs radar. Expectations I’m willing to bet we’ve already seen TC peak Visit us online at www.Blitzweekly.com
By Geoff Case comments@blitzweekly.com
Preseason Schedule: 12/18 Oklahoma City 7:30 p.m. 12/20 @Oklahoma City 8:00 p.m. Regular Season Tip-off Schedule: 12/25 Heat 1:30 p.m.
as a player and that he won’t ever achieve the same statistical numbers we saw last year. Going forward we need to decide if we are going to retroactively pay him what he was worth last season for the next 3-4 seasons. My gut tells me that the Mavs will be grossly overpaying Tyson for most of a max contract and if Kidd retires it is a certainty. A large contract will create tension within an organization and the fan base if a player isn’t living up to expectations. Reasons they should: Dirk’s Window When Dirk won his first championship last summer it felt like we were all removing a huge gorilla off our backs. All the hard work and long hours at the gym finally paid off and he was able to deliver a championship to Dallas. The Mavericks organization resigned Dirk last off-season at a discount rate so they could surround Dirk with better talent for the next few years. If the Mavericks don’t resign Chandler wouldn’t that go against the agreement of that understanding? After all, Dirk only has about 3-4 more years playing at a peak level to make another championship run. Final Verdict: Make no mistake; this will be the toughest decision the Mavericks have had to make since letting Steve Nash go in 2004. Do they sacrifice their flexibility in the future to make another title run by resigning a player that most likely won’t live up the deal? I think the answer is yes. I watched the Finals over again specifically isolating Chandler and his contributions. He affected the game in so many ways that didn’t show up on the stat sheet it was astounding. He directed the defense, changed opponent’s shots, provided an emotional toughness the Mavs never had before. Chandler isn’t worthy of a max contract but you could justify the cost for a certain type of team. The Mavericks are that type of team.
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
December 7 – 13, 2011
STARS Unexpected Help key Stars Success
Adding scoring depth was a priority for Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk this season, and the Stars have been getting that from their third and fourth lines lately. The contributions are coming from some unexpected sources and are helping the Dallas Stars achieve early season success. A look at the box score for Saturday night’s disappointing 5-4 loss to the lowly New York Islanders highlights the success of the grinder lines. Fourth liners Jake Dowell and Tom Wandell scored their first goals of the season, and third liner Eric Nystrom continued his strong play with a goal of his own. While top-line players like Jamie Benn, Loui Eriksson, Mike Ribeiro and Michael Ryder have
consistently paced Dallas offensively, the recent play of Nystrom and fellow third liners Radek Dvorak and Vernon Fiddler has helped the Stars win four of their last seven games following a dismal five-game losing skid. Earlier in the week, Dvorak had a goal and an assist, Nystrom scored the go-ahead goal and Fiddler added an assist in the Stars 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators. At least one member of that line has had a hand in nine of the Stars 20 goals over the last seven games. “There’s no special formula to what we’re doing,” said Nystrom, who has five goals and two assists during the team’s last seven games. “We’re just working hard, getting in on the forecheck, shooting the puck and getting to spots where we can get shots off. It’s not like we’re doing anything fancy, we’re just grinding away and it’s been working.” Acquired from Minnesota in an Oct. 12 trade, Nystrom has ten goals in 21 games this
By Tony Barone tbarone@blitzweekly.com
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Upcoming Schedule: 12/8 @Sharks 9:30 p.m. 12/10 @Kings 9:30 p.m. 12/13 @Rangers 6:00 p.m. 12/15 @Islanders 6:00 p.m. 12/16 @Devils 6:00 p.m. 12/19 Ducks 7:00 p.m. 12/21 Flyers 6:30 p.m.
season - one goal shy of his career high set with Calgary in 2009-10, when he played all 82 games. “I just think you see some maturity now with him, and getting around the net, he has some more poise,” Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan said of the six-year veteran. “He still works as hard as he ever did and he’s putting them in.” With starting Goalie Kari Lehtonen sitting out with an injury, back up Andrew Raycroft was effective during the Star’s two game win streak
against Colorado and Ottawa, stopping 68 of 71 shots after losing his first four starts of the season. Raycroft faltered in his attempt for a third consecutive victory Saturday against the Islanders, giving up five goals on just 27 shots, with 4 of those goals being scored by the Isles Winger Matt Moulson. Despite a losing record over their last 10 games (4-5-1), the Stars sit alone at the top of the Pacific Division with 31 points. The team now embarks on a two-week road trip, which sees them playing two games on the west coast before crossing the country to play three games in New York and New Jersey. Injuries continue to hamper the Stars, with Brenden Morrow (back), Trevor Daley (back), Alex Goligoski (broken thumb), Adam Burish (broken hand), and Kari Lehtonen (groin) all sitting out games last week. Follow blitz weekly on twitter and facebook
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December 7 – 13, 2011
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
Cowboys 7-5
COWBOYS The NY Football Giants Come To Town
By Jay Betsill @thefamousjay For their third straight trip to battle the Arizona Cardinals (5-7) at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, the Dallas Cowboys (7-5) dropped a heartbreaker in overtime. Last Christmas, Arizona beat Dallas 27-26 on Jay Feeley’s 48-yard field goal with five seconds to play. In 2008, the Cardinals won in overtime 30-24 that resulted in Mat McBriar breaking his foot in the first time in NFL history that a blocked punt for a touchdown ended a game in overtime. This year’s game was nearly as bizarre as Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett called a timeout just prior to rookie kicker Dan Bailey’s successful 49 yard field goal that would have won the game for Dallas. When Bailey’s next attempt fell short and to the left, it sent the contest to overtime and had fans all over the world questioning
the timeout call. On the day that saw Tiger Woods win his first golf tournament in two years, the top trending topics on Twitter were “#Tiger” and “#iceyourownkicker.” “The play clock was running down. We just wanted to make sure that he had a real clean opportunity at it,” Jason Garrett explained. “It was at about 6 (seconds) and we were still getting settled in, so we banged a timeout to give him the opportunity to get the snap, hold and kick as clean as possible.” By the time Cardinals backup running back LaRod Stephens-Howling took the short Kevin Kolb pass for a 52-yard game-winning touchdown, the ending had already seemed like a formality. The Cowboys momentum that accompanied their four-game winning streak was over with the
meaty part of their schedule set to begin. “I was glad they iced their kicker so I didn’t have to,” said Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt. Here Come the G-Men The Cowboys lead the Giants by a single game with four remaining -- including two against the G-men. The first comes this week as Dallas welcomes New York to Cowboys Stadium for the NBC Sunday Night Football game at 7:20. New York is coming off a 38-35 loss to the Green Bay Packers that saw Aaron Rodgers complete passes of 24, 27 and 18 yards in a dynamic five-play drive to
Upcoming Schedule: 9/11 @ NY Jets 24-27 loss 9/18 @ SF 27-24 win 9/26 Washington 18-16 win 10/2 Detroit 30-34 loss 10/9 Bye 10/16 @ New England 16-20 loss 10/23 St. Louis 34-7 win 10/30 @ Philadelphia 7-34 loss 11/6 Seattle 23-13 win 11/13 Buffalo 44-7 win 11/20 @ Washington 27-24 win 11/24 Miami 20-19 win 12/4 @ Arizona 13-19 loss 12/11 NY Giants 7:20pm 12/17 @ Tampa Bay 7:20pm 12/24 Philadelphia 3:15pm 1/1 @ NY Giants Noon
set up a 31-yard field goal by Mason Crosby on the game’s final play. Giants quarterback Eli Manning -- 24/40 for 347 yards, three touchdowns and a QB rating of 100.7 against the defending Super Bowl champions -- has to be salivating at the thought of taking on the Cowboys defense that surrendered 327 yards to the Cardinals. WR Victor Cruz already has 55 catches for 957 yards on the season while Hakeem Nicks has 50 grabs for 772 yards. New York’s running game is also bolstered as Ahmad Bradshaw has returned from a foot injury and Brandon Jacobs is coming off a season-high 7.4 yards per carry against the Packers. “We know we have to play them
twice,” Eli Manning said of the Cowboys. “And we know that if we handle our business and play the way we can and win out, then we’ll be in the playoffs.” The NFC East is shaping up to be a division that no team wants to win as all four teams are coming off a loss. That being said, either the Cowboys or the Giants will likely win the division and this weekend’s game in Arlington will give the winner a huge upper hand.
We Fell On a Cactus Again And what happens when you fall on Cactus. You get stuck in the *** and it hurts like hell! The only place where this is a possibility is traveling to play the Arizona Cardinals in The University of Phoenix stadium. They’ve changed the stadium over the years but the results are predictably the same. And that result means a far tougher game then expected and/or a loss. In this case it was the third straight loss in this stadium and the second straight overtime defeat. This one turned out 19-13. While there may be no logical explanation to occurrences like this I do know that sometimes basketball players like some arenas more, some baseball players like to hit in some ballparks more than others and the Dallas Cowboys do not like going to Arizona. There are many things to analyze after a gut wrenching defeat like this. But I focus on three aspects that drove me up a wall. First: In the first quarter on their second possession the Cowboys had 3rd and 1 on the Arizona 36 yard line. Romo threw a pass incomplete on third down and then lined up to go for it on 4th but called time out and attempted a 53yard field goal. 3rd and 1 on the 36 is a two down to make 1-yard situation. You don’t punt and you don’t try a 53-yard field goal. The percentage of making 53-yard field goals is ex-
By Joe Avezzano www.hattricksdallas.com tremely small. The Cardinals then went down for a field goal. You can’t make 1 yard on two runs? You’re kidding me. Second: In the latter part of the game the defense stopped Arizona on three and out and forced a punt to Bryant which resulted in a 35-yard return. Game over; kill time for a short field goal. Nope! A penalty on Scandrick negated the play. It was a foolish, unnecessary penalty that had nothing to do with the play. Third: The whole sequence at the end of regulation. 3rd and 11 and Romo threw a 15-yard first down pass to Bryant. They waste 24 seconds before spiking the ball. They had two time outs and could have used one and moved the ball closer than a 49-yard field goal. Then, why do you have to call your own time out because the field goal unit supposedly wasn’t set? Why weren’t they set? That amazes me and shows how just a few plays in a game like this makes all the difference in the world. There were positives on both sides of the ball. Five sacks. Bryant probably playing his best overall game…the controlling of Patrick Petersen as a punt returner. Now some may credit the kicking game as the reason for eliminating Petersen but I don’t. Other than one very good punt by McBriar pinning Petersen to the sideline, to me the credit goes to the offense, as they constantly moved the ball to at least mid-
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field for a punt which negates a punt return by the very fact of field position. The Cowboys didn’t eliminate any of their goals that are out there. They just made it harder. All other aspects of the playoff run fell into place yesterday as Chicago, Detroit, NY Giants and the Falcons all lost. Those are the primary opponents for Division or Wild Card considerations for the playoffs. Now the NY “football” Giants are coming to town. The Cowboy offense better come to play and be productive. The Giants have weapons on offense and will be hard to limit. The game very likely could be a higher scoring game than the Cowboys have been in recently. The Giants have been playing much tougher opponents and the Cowboys have been winning small against lesser opponents. The Cowboys have just made it harder on themselves. It’s a good thing this game isn’t being played in Arizona! Joe Avezzano can be heard Tuesday nights at 7pm on 95.3FM and on all Cowboy postgame shows on 105.3 The Fan. He can be seen on Channel 21 on Wednesday nights at 7:30pm. Join him for great food, sports, music and his TV show on Wednesday nights.
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
December 7 – 13, 2011
The college football season has come a long way since the Ohio State debacle that saw the dismissal of Jim Tressel. Now that the regular season is over and the bowl games have been announced, let’s take a look at the best quarterbacks from this season. Many of these Heisman hopefuls have put up some great numbers.
Heisman Trophy THE
Andrew Luck – Stanford Cardinal The ultimate field general decided to forego the NFL draft to return for one more year. Will he replace Peyton Manning in Indianapolis? Without Luck (pun intended), Stanford probably doesn’t go to a bowl.
Blessing or Curse?
CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA TD RAT 261 373 3170 70.0 8.50 35 167.5
By Frank LaCosta flacosta@blitzweekly.com
Doak Walker – SMU He has his own award named after him which honors the top college football running back in the nation. Roger Staubach – Navy While Roger didn’t win the national title that year; he did go on to lead the Dallas Cowboys to a pair of Super Bowl victories. He’s also in the Ring of Honor and the Hall of Fame, as well as, being instrumental to bringing Super Bowl XLV to Dallas. Doug Flutie – Boston College Immortalized for the “Hail Flutie,” Doug played in the NFL, CFL and USFL. He was a Grey Cup champion three times, was the MVP in all three as well, and was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player six times (a record). Charles Woodson – Michigan Charles has done it all! He won a national title the same year he won the award. Won a Super Bowl last year. Has been awarded the NFC Defensive Player of the Year and several other awards.
Eric Crouch – Nebraska Crouch, a Cornhusker legend, was drafted by the St. Louis Rams. The standout quarterback was converted to wide receiver. He was injured in the preseason and never played a down in the NFL. Charlie Ward – Florida State Ward might not qualify as unlucky. Prior to the NFL Draft he let it be known that if he wasn’t drafted in the first round he wouldn’t play football. He wasn’t even drafted. He went on to play in the NBA for the New York Knicks. O.J. Simpson – USC “The Juice” actually had a productive NFL career playing for the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers. He was the first running back to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season (14 game season) and received tons of awards and accolades. He had a successful movie career and a great Hertz commercial. Then came the drama of the wrongful death civil trial, tax problems and the Las Vegas robbery case. He now sits in jail and is up for parole in 2017.
CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA TD RAT 383 534 5099 71.7 9.55 45 177.9
Ernie Davis – Syracuse He won the Heisman in 1961. He was drafted but was diagnosed with leukemia in 1962 and passed away in 1963, never playing a down of professional football.
Case Keenum – Houston Cougars If not for a season ending injury last season, Keenum wouldn’t even be on this list. He’s been on everyone’s radar since 2008. The Cougars were undefeated up until the C-USA championship game last Saturday. Prior to that game he had only thrown three interceptions all season!
Matt Barkley – USC Trojans Thanks to the screw up of Reggie Bush there will be no bowl game for Matt Barkley. He performed admirably against his opponents this season. Barkley must make a decision to enter the NFL draft or return for another season. CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA TD RAT 308 446 3528 69.1 7.91 39 161.2
Davey O’Brien – TCU He has his own award named after him and is presented to the nation’s top quarterback annually.
On the other hand, winning the Heisman Trophy hasn’t been the “end all be all” of good luck. Many who won the Heisman did not win the national title that year (hence the curse). Here’s a list of those who were not so lucky after all…
CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA TD RAT 267 369 3998 72.4 10.84 36 192.3
Kellen Moore – Boise State Broncos Hailing from the land of the blue turf, Moore has been the model of consistency. Playing in an offense that spreads the ball a lot and runs gadget plays quite often alleviates pressure for the helmsman. Only a missed field goal against TCU prevented Moore from playing in the BCS title game this year. CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA TD RAT 300 405 3507 74.1 8.66 41 176.8
For some of the recipients winning the trophy truly has been a blessing and has propelled them to success in the NFL and beyond. Here’s a list of some that have had success:
The Cursed
Robert Griffin III – Baylor Bears RGIII is the best player to ever lead a Baylor team. The dual threat quarterback has it all – meaning he can beat defenses with his feet or his arm. It must be noted that RGIII rushed for almost 650 yards and scored nine TDs this season. Will he return for his senior year or go to the NFL?
Brandon Weeden – Oklahoma State Cowboys If at first you don’t make it as a New York Yankee then try to make it as a college quarterback. Weeden must have used his age and wisdom to his advantage by coming back this season to light up opposing defenses. It also helps having Justin Blackmon as your main target. CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA TD RAT 379 522 4328 72.6 8.29 34 159.1
The Heisman Trophy is “The Most Prestigious Award in College Football.” Named after John Heisman, the bronze statue depicts a football player side-stepping and straight arming a would-be tackler. The award weighs 45 pounds and is 14 inches long, 13 and a half inches in height and 6 and a half inches in width. It was designed by New York sculptor Frank Eliscu. The award is presented to an individual who deserves designation as the most outstanding college football player in the nation. The first recipient was Jay Berwanger, a running back from the University of Chicago in 1935. However back then for that year and only that year it was called the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy, the following year it was renamed the Heisman Trophy. Only Ohio State’s Archie Griffin has won the award twice. For some it has been a blessing and for others a curse.
Counting Their Blessings
9
Photo Courtesy: Michael Li, Matthew Lynch, Joe Lorenzini, James Santelli, Jake Putnam, KT King
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10
December 7 – 13, 2011
Jan. 2 – 4PM - ESPN By Mark Miller mmiller@blitzweekly.com
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
Jan. 2 – 7:30PM - ESPN
Jan. 3 – 7:30PM - ESPN
Jan. 4 – 7:30PM - ESPN
By Sonny Capps hhhup88@gmail.com
By Sonny Capps hhhup88@gmail.com
By Frank LaCosta flacosta@blitzweekly.com
Rose Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
Sugar Bowl
Orange Bowl
Two teams with national collegiate championship aspirations when the 2011 season started will meet January 2 in the 98th Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio in Pasadena, California. Pacific 12 Conference champion Oregon and Big 10 winner Wisconsin had enough talent to be playing in the biggest game rather than their leagues’ traditional bowl. But an opening loss to LSU and November 19 defeat to USC ended those hopes for the Ducks while consecutive October losses to Michigan State and Ohio State did likewise for the Badgers. Oregon earned its Rose Bowl spot with a 49-31 league championship win over UCLA. Wisconsin beat Michigan State 42-39 in the Big 10 title game and seeks to avenge a 21-19 Rose Bowl loss to TCU from last season. Both teams feature high-powered offenses led by strong running games. LaMichael James led the Ducks with 1,646 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns closely followed by Kenjon Butler with 909 yards and 11 scores. Wisconsin was led by Montee Ball with 1,759 yards and 32 scores. His 38 overall touchdowns are one short of the all-time record by Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders. Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas threw for 2,493 yards, 30 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson led the nation with a 72.5 percent completion rate while throwing for 2,879 yards, 31 touchdowns and three interceptions. The Ducks were third in the nation in scoring offense at 46.2 point per game while the Badgers were fourth at 44.6. While Oregon yielded 23.3 points per game, Wisconsin was No. 6 in scoring defense at 17.0. This will be Wisconsin’s eighth Rose Bowl with victories in 1994, 1999 and 2000. Oregon is making its sixth appearance with its lone win in 1917. Most recently, the Ducks lost to Ohio State in 2010.
As Larry Bird stated in the 1st three-point shootout...“Who’s playing for 2nd”? This is what this game comes down to; both Oklahoma State and Stanford slipped on easy opponents with their shots for the top spot and now find themselves playing each other in hopes for maybe the second ranking when the dust settles. Oklahoma State manhandled everyone this year except the lowly Cyclones of Iowa State. Walking over four Top 25 teams and just of late dismissing state rival Oklahoma, the Cowboys are primed and ready to show anyone they should have been placed another notch up. QB Brandon Weeden is a nightmare for defenses and if he’s not on target, well he keeps firing until he gets it right. With a plethora of passing outlets it’s just a matter of time before Justin Blackmon is found to make an impact. OSU gives up a TD
This game is all about who can fill the stands and produce the most interest for a post January 1st bowl game, pay no mind to this, this will be an exciting game to take in. Coach Frank Beamer and his Hokies will bring their well-rounded offense and extra stout defense to New Orleans for another showing against a ranked opponent. The ranked opponents are the only
What might be initially viewed as the weakest of the BCS bowl games might not necessarily be true. Expect lots of offense and some serious passing in this one. West Virginia under first-year head coach were the preseason choice to win the Big East. However the offense didn’t run as smoothly as expected however QB Geno Smith does have a complete understanding of what is needed. He passed for almost 4,000 yards with 25 TDs this season. He likes to spread the ball around and expect his tandem of wide outs to step up. Steadman Bailey and Tavon Austin are the go-to receivers for the Mountaineers. Dustin Garrison, who is a short shifty back, will try to keep the offense balanced handles the running game. The West Virginia defense is an area of concern. They lost seven starters from last season. The young defense is prone to giving up points and aggressive. This might be the difference maker in this one. The Mountaineers came from behind in eight of their nine wins this season. The Clemson Tigers shocked the college football world with their repeat winning performance over Virginia Tech in the ACC championship game. The team
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here and there but when your second in the nation in points scored who cares. In the words of Lee Corso...“Not so fast!”…Enter QB Andrew Luck and Stanford, their only slip, was against current #6 Oregon. These Cardinal players are just as lethal with the pass as anyone and have a running game to boot. Stanford hasn’t played as big a schedule as OSU but have shown they can put a good defensive stance if need be. Expect QB Luck to exploit OSU secondary and if they can adjust RB Taylor will have some breaks of his own for Stanford. Expect a close game with whoever wins whining about how they should have been in the BCS Title Game.
ones that have given Va Tech any trouble this year. Sophomore QB Logan Thomas has shown he is the next coming for the Hokies and has been able to manage the games throughout the season. Problems arise when they run up against a viable opponent, taking losses to two of three ranked teams. Coach Beamer can’t be underestimated, his game preparation and playing calling is one of the best, but is that enough to out last one more high powered football school? QB Denard Robinson for Michigan has been one of the most exciting QBs to watch this year in college football. He does carry arrogance with him but hey, he has been able to back it up. Don’t get me wrong, mistakes will and have been made, but as the junior grew and developed throughout the year guess which one outweighed the other. Michigan’s schedule hasn’t been that of an SEC school but the BIG 10 isn’t too far behind. Expect Michigan and QB Robinson to pull out all stops as they try to get this Bo Schembechler team of old back on track as one of the dominating football schools in the country.
started off on a hot streak winning their first eight games this season. First-year QB Tajh Boyd leads them. The gunslinger threw for over 3,500 yards and 31 TDs. Boyd’s safety valve is TE Dwayne Allen when the pressure is on. Look for true freshman receiver Sammy Watkins to be the game changer. He reeled in 11 TDs and ended up with 1,153 yards receiving for the season. In addition to a shaky offense, the Tigers defense has been inconsistent. That Achilles’ heel might cost them the game if the offense isn’t clicking.
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
December 7 – 13, 2011
College Bowl Schedule
Jan. 9 – 7:30PM - ESPN
BCS Title Game The consensus amongst the pundits seems to be that the BCS got it right by calling for the rematch between LSU and Alabama, but don’t try telling that to Oklahoma State fans. Although the Cowboys are not the only on- loss team in the country that could make a case for the big game, OSU came extremely close to surpassing Alabama after their commanding 4410 win over Oklahoma Saturday. The computers basically made the difference for the Crimson Tide leaving the Pokies out of the title game and sending them on to the Fiesta Bowl to take on 11-1 Stanford. The thing that seems so wrong about this outcome is that Alabama sat on their couches Saturday and made the title game, while LSU and Oklahoma State both impressed in their conference championship appearances. Oklahoma State did all it could in its victory over the Sooners but in the end it just wasn’t enough. After the decision Oklahoma State Head Coach Mike Gundy said, “We were very disappointed. We felt like our team had worked very hard, we had a tough loss but we came back to do everything we could do to dominate the game against Oklahoma.” In the end it will be the two tough defenses of LSU and Alabama going at it again in the title game instead of the high-powered offensive attack of OSU. This matchup is the first rematch in the 14-year history of the BCS and will guarantee that an SEC school will win the national title for the sixth consecutive time. These two squads faced off in Tuscaloosa November 5th and played to a 6-6 tie in regulation.
By Tommy Smith – tsmith@blitzweekly.com
LSU’s kicker Drew Alleman sailed one through the uprights from 25 yards out in overtime to clinch the victory for the Tigers. The win put LSU in the driver’s seat for the title game, and that is where the Bayou Bengals have stayed for the remainder of the season. The loss left Alabama on the outside looking in, but a litany of things that needed to happen for the Tide to make it to the big dance did happen, and here they are.
“I think our team is very deserving of having the opportunity to play in a National Championship Game. I’m proud of the way they competed all year. We played a great football game against a great LSU football team and ended up in regulation in a 6-6 tie and lost the game in overtime…” said Alabama Head Coach Nick Sabin, who will be making his attempt at a third National Championship title. Sabin would be the first ever coach to do so if the Tide were to change the outcome to their favor this time in the rematch. To do that the Crimson Tide will have to contain the LSU of-
fense that has taken off since the November 25th meeting. LSU has not scored less than 41 points in four games since they beat Alabama. The Tigers overcame the danger of playing in a conference title game by beating Georgia 42-10 last Saturday. Georgia jumped out to a 10-point lead in the game and could have led by more but a few mistakes by the Bulldogs left the door open, and the Tigers went roaring through it in the second half. LSU scored 21 points in the third quarter and only gave up five yards rushing to the Bull Dogs in the second half. Look for that same type of stifling defensive performance by Head Coach Les Miles’ Tigers in the Championship Game. “We look forward to playing Alabama, a very quality opponent, certainly somebody we are familiar with.” Miles will be making his second appearance in a title game. Alabama will have not played a game in 45 days when they make the trip to New Orleans to take on LSU in the Superdome. That gives Coach Sabin plenty of time to prepare the Tide for a second chance at the Tigers. That, coupled with the fact that these two teams are so familiar with each other, should make for another tight defensive struggle. Both teams will be looking to run the ball and control the clock. Alabama will look to running back Trent Richardson to tote the rock January 9th while LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson will be looking to close out his college career with a defining win. Either way it will be the SEC holding the trophy at the end of the season, something we should all be quite used to by now.
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Gildan New Mexico Temple vs. Wyoming Dec. 17 – 1PM – ESPN Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Ohio vs. Utah St. Dec. 17 – 4:30PM – ESPN R+L Carriers New Orleans San Diego St. vs. La-La Dec. 17 – 8PM – ESPN Beef ‘O’ Brady’s St. Petersburg Florida Int’l vs. Marshall Dec. 20 – 7PM – ESPN S. D. County Credit Union Poinsettia TCU vs. La Tech Dec. 21 – 7PM – ESPN MAACO Las Vegas Arizona St. vs. Boise St. Dec. 22 – 7PM – ESPN Sheraton Hawaii Nevada vs. Southern Miss Dec. 24 – 7PM – ESPN AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl Missouri vs. North Carolina Dec. 26 – 4PM – ESPN2 Little Caesars Western Michigan vs. Purdue Dec. 27 – 3:30PM – ESPN Belk Louisville vs. NC State Dec. 27 – 7:00PM – ESPN Military Bowl Pres. By Northrop Grumman Toledo vs. Air Force Dec. 28 – 3:30PM – ESPN Bridgepoint Education Holiday California vs. Texas Dec. 28 – 7PM – ESPN Champs Sports Florida St. vs. Notre Dame Dec. 29 – 4:30PM - ESPN Valero Alamo Washington vs. Baylor Dec. 29 – 8:00PM – ESPN Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl BYU vs. Tulsa Dec. 30 – 11AM – ESPN New Era Pinstripe Bowl Rutgers vs. Iowa St. Dec. 30 – 2:20PM – ESPN Franklin American Mortgage Music City Miss. St. vs. Wake Forest Dec. 30 – 5:40PM – ESPN Insight Iowa vs. Oklahoma Dec. 30 – 9PM – ESPN Meineke Car Care of Texas Texas A&M vs. Northwestern Dec. 31 – 11AM – ESPN Hyundai Sun Bowl Georgia Tech vs. Utah Dec. 31 – 1PM – CBS AutoZone Liberty Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt Dec. 31 – 2:30PM – ABC Kraft Fight Hunger Illinois vs. UCLA Dec. 31 – 2:30PM - ESPN Chick-fil-A Virginia vs. Auburn Dec. 31 – 6:30PM – ESPN TicketCity Houston vs. Penn St. Jan. 2 – 11AM – ESPNU Outback Bowl Michigan St. vs. Georgia Jan. 2 – Noon – ABC Capital One Bowl Nebraska vs. South Carolina Jan. 2 – Noon – ESPN Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl Ohio St. vs. Florida Jan. 2 – Noon – ESPN2 Rose Bowl Game Presented By VIZIO Wisconsin vs. Oregon Jan. 2 – 4PM – ESPN Tostitos Fiesta Stanford vs. Oklahoma St. Jan. 2 – 7:30PM – ESPN Allstate Sugar Bowl Michigan vs. Virginia Tech Jan. 3 – 7:30PM – ESPN Discover Orange Bowl West Virginia vs. Clemson Jan. 4 – 7:30PM – ESPN AT&T Cotton Bowl Kansas St. vs. Arkansas Jan. 6 – 7PM – FOX BBVA Compass Bowl SMU vs. Pittsburgh Jan. 7 – Noon – ESPN GoDaddy.com Arkansas St. vs. N. Illinois Jan. 8 – 8PM – ESPN Allstate BCS National Championship Game LSU vs. Alabama Jan. 9 – 7:30PM - ESPN Follow blitz weekly on twitter and facebook
12
December 7 – 13, 2011
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
Blitz babe of the week
Visit us online at www.Blitzweekly.com
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
December 7 – 13, 2011
Restaurant review
13
Café Pacific ‘familiarly different’
Have you ever walked into a restaurant for the first time and immediately felt as if you’d been there before? I just did, and the warm, inviting atmosphere of Café Pacific in Highland Park is enough to make you fall in love with this adorable place. I’d say there’s one in every town, but not many towns have a neighborhood restaurant as quaintly elegant as Café Pacific. Of course, not many towns have a Highland Park, either. Café Pacific and Highland Park, as almost anyone who knows Dallas knows, are in the rarified Highland Park Village, where the shopping experience rivals that of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. It is expensive. A shrimp-stuffed tomato appetizer costs $9, while a lunchtime open-faced blackened redfish sandwich is priced at $20 and a Thai beef noodle salad is listed on the menu for $16.95. There’s lagniappe - a platter of assorted crudités (celery and carrot sticks), served chilled in a low bowl of ice. With this comes a little pot of butter, which makes no sense at all. Maybe the butter is supposed to go with the julienned sweet potato fries, also presented to the diner as a pre-entrée gift of sorts. Or did they forget to bring the bread? Those of you who have traveled
By Judy Chamberlain jchamberlain@blitzweekly.com
along the Gulf, especially in the vicinity of New Orleans, will be familiar with the term “lagniappe;” a free, good-faith gesture given to the customer along with a pur-
one has decided that the mostly over-55 crowd would enjoy a format I’d call “house” music. Yikes, hot holy Buddha Bar elevator music! We are talking very anti-mel-
chase. This is one gorgeous little restaurant, with perfectly spaced booths in the bar and old-fashioned, sophisticated black and white tiles on the floor. The clientele – and the gracious service - match the décor. The entire effect is one of pampering and bespoke luxury. And then there’s the music. It’s a total disconnect from the rest of what’s going on here. The warm, intimate bar where old-school Dallas lingers over cocktails and fine food is right out of Downtown France, circa 1967. Give me some Edith Piaf, please! But no, for some reason some-
ody, with loud and unresolved atonal instrumental sounds far better suited to a low-budget radio commercial than a high-end bistro with a tiny bar area. I didn’t care for the highly-touted clam chowder, which I thought was way too thin and watery. But the lemon aioli on my lobster roll sandwich, respectably built on a proper hot dog roll I was told is made from scratch in-house, and the Maine lobster used for the lobster salad with which it was mixed, made for a delicious lunch. The freshly house made chips that accompanied the sandwich were irresistible. People-watching is fun here.
A gentleman at a nearby table made a recommendation, telling me “if you don’t like it, I’ll buy your lunch.” To which he quickly added, “If you DO like it, you can buy OUR lunch.” Very clever, these oil men. In the corner, a beautiful woman swathed in layers of camel-colored cashmere waited patiently for her companion to arrive. A former wine salesman relaxed at the bar, as did a few businessmen. From start to finish, the staff here knows how to behave. The greeting at the door was flawless and gracious. The bartender was cordial, just the right amount of attentive professionalism. I was having such a great time drinking coffee after I’d inhaled my lunch that I lost track of the time and was nearly late for a meeting a few blocks away. Oh, well. That’s when you know you really like a place. Café Pacific 24 Highland Park Village Dallas, Texas 75205 (214) 526-1170 info@cafepacificdallas.com
Lunch: Monday - Saturday 11:00 am - 2:30 pm Dinner: Monday - Saturday 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm Brunch: Sunday 11:00 am - 2:30 pm
Photos Courtesy: Brennan Schnell, Mr TGT, Capn Matt, Kevin Dooley, James M. Phelps, Aaron Webb, Maiba, jypsygen
WED. 12/7
My Morning Jacket Verizon Theater – Grand Prairie How often can you find a band named after a clothing garment? MMJ will bring their tunes and distinct sound to the D for a night of genuine rocking out. 7:30pm.
thurs. 12/8
Wine Tasting at i Fratelli i Fratelli Ristorante – Irving Pull up a chair and treat your palate to some extraordinary yields of the fruit of the vine, all while attempting to win the title as king wine swallower. Begin sipping at 5:30pm.
fri. 12/9
Golden Tee Tourney Volcanoes Sports Bar & Grill - Hurst Showcase your skill of the iconic arcade game and claim this year’s title. You may not be earning a green blazer, but you will get highfives all around and that’s just as good. 7:30pm.
sat. 12/10
Breakfast with Santa at the Zoo Dallas Zoo – Dallas The bearded one himself will be making a special appearance to sit and eat breakfast with you and your littles on a rare vacation day from the rigmarole of the North Pole. 9am.
sun. 12/11
Trans-Siberian Orchestra American Airlines Center –Dallas The original rock opera is coming to town to deck the halls Eddie Van Halen style. The official musical choice of Santa’s misfit elves, TSO, will make any Christmas merry. 2pm & 7pm.
mon. 12/12
MNF @ Pokes Poke’s Bar & Grill – Addison Enjoy the game how it was originally intended by the football gods…surrounded by HD flat screen TVs! Drink up $1.99 pints, $3 wells, and more. Kickoff’s at 7:30pm.
tues. 12/13
Sip & Shop Wild Salsa – Dallas Make your night go a whole lot better by giving her the credit card to attend Sip & Shop where she can experience sweet sips and exclusive shopping. Maybe she’ll get you something. 6pm.
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14
December 7 – 13, 2011
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
HollywoodProfile What do you get when you take the world’s most irresponsible babysitter, give him three of the world’s worst kids, and have an overnight adventure through the streets of the New York boroughs? You get one unforgettable film, the likes of which haven’t
been seen since 1987’s Adventures in Babysitting. The star of the hilarious flick The Sitter, Jonah Hill, sits down to share some of his thoughts on the film, the cast, and off-camera shenanigans. Your character in The Sitter is a bit unreliable. How did he wind up in charge of people’s kids?Noah Griffith is a guy who is really irresponsible really unfocused. He just got kicked out of college, his
By Vivian Fullerlove vfullerlove@blitzweekly.com girlfriend treats him awfully and he’s kind of in a rut and he ends up wanting to do something nice for his mom, who hasn’t had a date in a long time, so he agrees to babysit these kids so she can go out on this date. Then all hell breaks loose and throughout the
course of the evening the guy figures out the girl he’s dating sucks and he gets his act together. Where does the movie take you? I think there are all these movies that people made where it’s like you don’t want this guy watching your kids and its some cheesy dumb movie. The point of us making this movie was like you really, really don’t want this guy watching your kids they might die or worse.
How was it working with costars too young to see most of your movies? The kids were awesome and so cool and so fun to work with. I don’t know, kids I like improving a lot and kids are very unexpected in their choices and in their comments. So Dave would kind of just let them run loose and I would have to react. It adds a whole different level of spontaneity because their brains are so ADD and crazy that they just go to really strange cool places and it’s fun to act with them. So it was pretty fun then? Kids are great they’re fun. These kids were great I would work with kids again in a second if it were going to be like working with these guys. They knew all their lines they were really professional and they would come up with their own fundamental stuff for their characters that no one asked them too. All in all, was it a great adventure? I think we made like the punk rock cool crazy insane version of this movie. I think it’s me with a bunch of kids and it is as hardcore as you would want or expect that to be.
Starting December 9 you can check out The Sitter at theaters all round the Metroplex. It is rated R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language, drug material and some violence.
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Answers to Nothing
By M. Lanee’ Quinn mateekalanee.wordpress.com
with Jonah Hill
Ingrained in the core of human nature is the concept of making connections. Sometimes, hard times help us realize that we have more in common with our fellow man than we first thought. In art, movies like Crash explore this theme, as well as music, when artists of different genres throw verses together for the sake of raising money for a cause. In Answers to Nothing, Writer/Director Matthew Leutwyler uses the case of a missing girl to mesh a group of people who seem otherwise dissimilar. The film stars the likes of Julie Benz (Dexter), Zack Gilford (Friday Night Lights), Erik Palladino (Make It or Break It), and stand-up comedian Dane Cook, who takes a dark turn as a therapist in need of some healing of his own (sexual healing, from the looks of it). While it seems, at first glance, that the characters, while riveting in their dysfunctions, have almost no thread of connection, as the movie progresses, we realize that, well, they kind of don’t. There are powerful scenes that bring characters together, but it is in the individual stories that the heart of the story truly lies. Cook’s character in the film, Ryan, is a man whose marriage is in a downward spiral, and who seems to be trying to save it by making babies with anyone but his wife. He turns to musician Tara (played by Aja Volkman of the band Nico Vega) for some strange form of help. After a special online screening of the film, Cook opened up a forum for questions from journalists around the country, discussing such matters as the nature of his character, his goals in acting, and…Call of Duty? In what ways do you, if any, relate yourself to your character? DANE COOK: I relate to my character in that we all experience distance w/ emotions. We are not always connected to them. It takes work to be present and to live in a present state. It’s difficult. I understood some of the behaviors in feeling detached. I lost both of my parents to cancer and when you experience something like that, you really hold onto those moments and hope you can grow from them and become present. But I understand distance. I thought Ryan was distancing himself from people and emotions and wanted to play on that. See full Q&A on www.BLITZweekly.com
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
December 7 – 13, 2011
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Leafblowers Anonymous: The Fall Newsletter Leafblowers everywhere, of every creed and color – both legal and illegal – I feel your pain. Autumn can be an especially difficult month with golden, crispy leaves fluttering in the fall breeze and scattering incessantly all over streets, lawns, and sidewalks across America. Like a bad case of tree dandruff, the leaves just won’t stop, and all that fascist foliage is probably right back in the pile of dirt you so thoroughly blasted away right outside people’s bedroom windows at 7am. Leafblowers have a thankless and difficult job. To most people they just blast dirt in the air and make a lot of painful noise, usually very early in the morning. While many don’t fully understand the great importance of leafblowing, since the dirt and leaves that get blasted off the sidewalk onto the street just get sloshed right back where they were by the street sweepers later that night. But au contraire! The leafblowers hold the power of the wind in their hands,
By Jesse Whitman jwhitman00@gmail.com and with such power comes grave responsibility. Being the god of wind during the morning shift is no easy task with the leaves being your diminutive peasants fleeing your unharnessed power. So it’s no wonder leaf management can be so addictive. Many leafblowers have trouble sleeping, especially on a windy night. But really, how could anyone sleep with all those leaves fluttering all over the place? And taking a romantic stroll with your darling can turn into a nightmare as you shudder in horror at the golden leaves fluttering above a tree-lined avenue. But leafblowers, there is hope. Now is the time to take control before things get really out of hand. You don’t want to be the one leafblowing at 4am or blasting at the same pile of dirt for 30 minutes. Or God forbid, find yourself pushing 90 years of age with a hip replacement and leafblowing on a steep roof. And you know you’ve really hit rock bottom when you’re
leafblowing in a rainstorm. Don’t think it can happen to you? I have witnessed all of these scenarios on several occasions. The first step is recognizing when appropriate leaf management turns from an aesthetic manipulation of outdoor turf into a battle with your imaginary demons. Now, step away from the leaves and repeat after me: There are no sidewalk ninjas lurking under that crunchy path waiting to nunchuck and slap-chop your unsuspecting ankles. Let go of the obsessive desire to obliterate wayward leaves and lay bare the cold gray pavement. Reign in the power and might of that wind canon and use it sparingly and in judicious applications. Consider, perhaps, the more zen
practice of raking, and reflect upon the painful blisters that lawn implement will produce. I was always told as a child, when wanting to take up the leafblower, of the character that blisters bestow. Fluttering leaves on a brick lane, illuminated with an apricot hue filtering through from the setting sun, are pretty, like a Thomas Kinkade painting in the lobby of a Holiday Inn. So consider it unnecessary to blast them away with an internal combustion engine leafblower that has the power to bust out the eardrums of small children and which emits more exhaust fumes than 80 cars on a busy freeway. Savor the crunching beneath your feet and be mindful of your responsibility. Autumn reminds me of that verse in Ecclesiastes “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”... and it doesn’t say a freaking thing about leafblowing!
Absolutely Reluctant In Everything That Is Conforming Every once in a while you get a night filled, start to finish, with exceptionally good local music. I say exceptional because sometimes a horrible opening band will mar the course of the evening, the second act’s prowess will eclipse the headliner you went to see and the clean-up act will be so bad you’ll leave half your Jack and Coke on the bar after hurriedly tabbing out. This scenario can be broken down into multiple combinations. I’m not even sure I’ve experienced them all, yet. But when the evening consists of four acts that blow you away it’s the equivalent of that elusive Royal Flush in a hand of poker. With the holidays approaching I find I’m staying in more to pinch those pennies so the opportunity to hear my husband play and grab a pint of the newly unveiled Deep Ellum Brewing Company’s stout at The Anvil Pub was a bit of a treat. Praying the evening would not disappoint I savored (and then swilled, let’s be honest) a few glasses of the seriously tasty stout and marched down to 2826 Arnetic with a healthy buzz. Years ago the building that housed this new-
By Hannah Allen comments@blitzweekly.com ish music venue across from Café Brazil on Elm St. was once a dance club with a line of women who made poor choices in the amount of skin they should show and their intimidating male counterparts stretching around the corner. It wasn’t the sort of place I frequented but back then not much of anyone frequented the streets of Deep Ellum. In the last year the vacant building has been gutted, renovated and blossomed like the rest of the neighborhood. While the raised stage makes for great sight lines the serious lack of seating around the entire (incredibly huge) venue is irritating. Their soundman is a particularly awesome person and the sound in the house probably my favorite in the area but almost every band I’ve spoken with after a set complains about the dodgy inconsistency from their position on stage. The prices of dinks aren’t any more outrageous than most of the bars in the neighborhood but the bar staff is slow to serve and one should be prepared for them to run out of whatever you’re drinking that evening. The other crap shoot is that they don’t seem to book an evening based solely on genre
so you’re musical feast might have many, widely varied elements. True to form the sound on the night of my most recent visit was crazygood. Tweed EQ, a trio playing a delightful combination of blues rock and quirky pop were already playing when I walked in an ordered a Shiner. These guys seem to defy all pigeonholes no matter how hard you try and stick them in one. They’re incredibly engaging but surprisingly simplistic in their delivery and execution. Next was a Roots Rock Reggae group called KAPOW. Another trio who blur lines of their own as their brand of reggae takes on a mysterious Middle Eastern influence at times. The three incredibly creative members never stick to one format when expressing the layers of what reggae can be. Frankly, I’m eagerly anticipating
their next show. Ugly Lion followed them and filled the sparse stage with their five-piece powerhouse. Over the last few months they’ve refined their new sound and deliver a stirring and emotional set that errs of the “rock” in the Roots Rock Reggae genre. Headlining was a band called Katsuk. I’m a huge fan of their bass player, Anson Brody and his solo work but had never heard him in the context of a band. A little afraid of disappointment I suspended all expectation and was rewarded with another interpretation of tribal reggae vastly different from the previous acts. Anson is a monster bassist in all of his incarnations and ranks with the greats. Check him out if you don’t believe me. I’m amazed every time. All of the bands I mentioned are all on Facebook and well worth a “like.”
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December 7 – 13, 2011
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
2013 Lexus GS 350 & GS 450h: Toyota Back In The Game
By David Goodspeed dgoodspeed@blitzweekly.com Buyers of luxury sport sedans may never take their vehicles to a track or enter them in an autocross event but they certainly want to know they can. Lexus understands this and has been attempting to provide a mid-luxe model capable of offering a sound alternative to the German stalwarts but have always come up a bit short – until now. The fourth-generation Lexus GS sport sedan is no game changer but it finally puts the luxury division of Toyota in the game. Arriving in February, the 2013 GS 350 and GS 450h will introduce a new corporate look for the division while also providing the best partnership of sport and luxury from this Japanese automaker. “The 2013 GS is the new Lexus,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “The whole package comes together in one great looking sports sedan and shows the GS offers the best of all worlds with its performance, connectivity, and available options that will
suit the needs of many drivers.” Gone is a V-8 offering as Lexus is content to let its new 338hp GS 450h fill the power void while also producing some of the best fuel economy figures in this segment with a big jump over the previous GS hybrid. Lexus expects 29 mpg city and 34 mpg highway from the new ride, up from 22/25 respectively. The GS 350 still draws its power from a 3.5-liter V-6 engine but power has been tweaked to 306 ponies and it is backed by a slick six-speed automatic gearbox with manual and sport modes and steering wheel shifter paddles. When questioned about why engineers chose to equip the car with a six-speed transmission while the competitors have gone to seven and eight gears Lexus stated they were able to achieve performance targets with this arrangement while an eight-speed gearbox had the powertrain “hunting” for the right gear too much for their tastes.
GS 350 models will be available in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive configuration with the 450h models arriving in rear-wheel drive only. Trim levels for the GS 350 include Premium, Luxury, or (my favorite) F SPORT packages. We also see the debut of the Lexus Enform 2.0 Application Suite (Toyota calls it Entune in its vehicles). Enform is an infotainment technology package that pairs drivers smartphones (iPhone, Android, and Blackberry only) with their vehicles and this Lexus version offers Yelp and Facebook over and above its Entune counterpart. At the heart of this technology interface is the voice-recognition software (Lexus uses Voicebox whereas SYNC/MyFord Touch uses Nuance) and just like with the Ford and Lincoln vehicles Enform demonstrated a few
minor glitches during our testing. Interior and exterior appointments and styling in this new GS are stellar, especially when adorned with the new F SPORT package and thanks to updated battery technology (Toyota/ Lexus still using Nickel Metal Hydride as opposed to Lithium-Ion) trunk space has been improved in the GS 450h. And check out the new “spindle” nose design – almost looks like Lexus engineers “pinched” the vertical grille bars for something a bit out of the ordinary. While wheelbase and overall length remain the same the 2013 models get two more inches across and rear seat comfort is greatly improved. And in true Lexus form we found more acronyms in our press kits, this time being LDH (Lexus Dynamic Handling) and DRS (Dynamic Rear Steering) which come as an
option on GS 350 F SPORT models. LDH monitors vehicle speed and yaw rate, steering angle and speed, and lateral G-force to calculate any required rear wheel steering input needed for enhanced vehicle stability and handling. The DRS system can alter the rear wheels up to two degrees. At most speeds below 50 mph the front and rear wheels turn in opposite directions while at speeds over 50 mph the wheels turn in the same direction. Driving enthusiasts rejoice as you now have a Lexus alternative to those European snobs (just don’t bring up M, AMG or even V). No word on pricing just yet but this fourth-generation GS is going to really stir things up, especially as Lexus expects half of its sales to be conquests from other brands.
The Difference Between a Man and a Boy is the Price of his Toys! these are for sure to make your want list! Mossberg Just in Case Kit In case of emergency. In case of zombie outbreak. In case of rabid squirrel attacks — whatever the case, you can rely on the Mossberg Just-In-Case Kit. This allin-one survival pack includes a 12 gauge Mossberg 500 Pump-Action shotgun inside a re-sealable clear bag, inside a waterproof synthetic carrying tube which also holds gear like a “Survival Kit in a Can” and a multi-tool and serrated knife combo pack. Price: $360
Glass Multi-Touch Keyboard & Mouse And you thought Apple’s input devices were minimal. This Glass Multi-Touch Keyboard & Mouse uses infrared LEDs placed at the edge of the glass — in conjunction with one or more cameras — to detect your touches on the completely clear tempered glass surface. Other features include Bluetooth support, rechargeable lithium polymer batteries, tactile sounds and lighting that can be disabled at your desire, and solid metal bases that’ll look great next to your rig, be it a PC or Mac. Price: $350
6 out of 10 Visit us online at www.Blitzweekly.com
Console: PC Rating: E Developers: Roger Barr & Bane
By Ash Lee www.almostnerdy.com
Abobo’s Big Adventure Nowadays we have gaming systems such as the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Nintendo Wii, but it’s fun to reminisce back to the 8-bit glory days of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Thanks to Abobo’s Big Adventure we can. Abobo’s Big Adventure is a parody game that pays tribute to the 8-bit classics of the NES. The development of the game began way back in 2002
when Roger Barr set out to have Abobo fight his way through a variety of classic NES games in search of his lost son, Aboboy. Abobo is a character you’ll recognize from the game Double Dragon. Based on the trailer, you’ll get to fight through such games as Double Dragon, Pro Wrestling, Super Mario Bros., Contra, Mega Man, and some of the greatest NES games of all time. Gameplay ranges from beatemup, to underwater platformer, to side-scroller, to top-down dungeon crawler, wrestling, run-and-gun, boxing, and more. The goal for Abobo’s Big Adven-
ture was to make it the ultimate tribute to the Nintendo Entertainment System. This is the game that any kid who grew up on the NES always dreamed of playing and it goes beyond anything the system ever could’ve been capable of. The best part is this game is absolutely FREE and available at www.abobosbigadventure.com. To get the ultimate NES experience, you can pick up an old school NES controller that will plug into the USB port of your PC. Dust off your Power Glove and prepare for some pixelated foes.
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
Q: How do you stop a clown from smiling? A: Shoot him in the face!
Blitz Funnys
The Three Girlfriends There is a man who has three girlfriends, but he does not know which one to marry. So he decides to give each $5000 and see how each of them spends it. The first one goes out and gets a total makeover with the money. She gets new clothes, a new hairdo, manicure, pedicure, the works, and tells the man, “I spent the money so I could look pretty for you because I love you so much.” The second one went out and bought new golf clubs, a CD player, a television, and a stereo and gives them to the man. She says, “I bought these gifts for you with the money because I love you so much.” The third one takes the $5000 and invests it in the stock market, doubles her investment, returns the $5000 to the man and reinvests the rest. She says, “I am investing the rest of the money for our future because I love you so much.” The man thought long and hard about how each of the women spent the money and decided to marry the one with the biggest tits.
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Though you will be dead and gone by Monday your words will live on forever through your awful Tumblr account. Capricorn December 22 – January 19 Even though you believe in freedom of expression with all of your cool new tattoos on your face, your in-laws do not. Aquarius January 20 – February 18 You’ll see the world through the eyes of a child this week after successfully undergoing lasik surgery from Mr. Potato Head.
No Strapless Gowns for Her Before letting her boyfriend, artist Ryan Fitzgerald, needle a large tattoo across her back, Rossie Brovent made some mistakes. First, she assumed he’d never know she’d had sex with his longtime friend. Second, she got drunk and signed a full consent form. Third, she let her jealous lover complete his work before looking in a mirror. When she did realize he’d tattooed a very large pile of excrement (poo-poo) between her shoulder blades ... with flies buzzing around it, Brovent tried suing him for $100,000.
Pisces February 19 – March 20 Smile! It could be worse; you could be working at the Blitz Weekly as an account executive. Aries March 21 – April 19 What starts out as a promising week doesn’t end that way when you decide to beat the crap out of the piñata that is actually your high school mascot. Taurus April 20 – May 20 You receive fame and notoriety when Governor Rick Perry mistakenly names you the 51st state!
What’s in a Name? The Sheriff National Sheriff Association’s “Sheriff of the Year” in 2001 was known for his no-nonsense style concerning teen drug abuse, and was honored by having a Colorado jail named after him. Oddly, in Nov. 2011, this now 68-year-old, outstanding law enforcer officer, faced charges of offering methamphetamine for sex to a male acquaintance. Last reported; unable to raise his half-milliondollar bond, Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. was occupying a cell inside the Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. Detention Facility. Later, He Did the Right Thing Michael Rogers said he had no choice but to rescue a suicidal 16-year-old girl from drowning in a Connecticut lake. Otherwise, he could never have lived with himself. His reward? Publicity, which just so happened to uncover his violation of probation in Georgia, from a 2001 conviction on four child molestation charges.
Gemini May 21 – June 21 Although you certainly claim that print is dead, it doesn’t hurt that you keep using newspapers to cover yourself while sleeping at DART stations.
Virgo August 23 – September 22 This is a great week to make changes in the workplace. Start by going postal on everyone at Monday’s meeting with a Smith & Wesson.
Cancer June 22 – July 22 The truth is that your milkshake in fact does not bring all the boys to the yard. It actually brings a bunch of senior citizens.
Libra September 23 – October 22 Even though the kids at the strip mall think you’re Santa, the only gifts you give are incurable.
Leo July 23 – August 22 You’ll end this week pretty much as it started sitting on a toilet reading your horrorscope.
ACROSS: 1. Lawful 6. Affirm 10. Sleep in a convenient place 14. A kind of macaw 15. Magma 16. Small island 17. Unshackled 19. Stigma 20. Disfigure 21. Fury 22. Twinge 23. God of the underworld 25. Make a counterfeit 26. Website addresses 30. Highest goals 32. Comforted 35. Stretchable 39. High regard 40. Mountain range 41. Hopelessness
43. A twisting force 44. Struggle 46. Male offspring 47. Anagram of “Smite” 50. Nerds 53. Poems 54. Brooch 55. African antelope 60. Soil 61. Extra 63. If not 64. Untidy one 65. Not tight 66. Clairvoyant 67. Apprentice 68. Delete DOWN: 1. Praise 2. Sea eagle 3. Spike 4. District 5. Lock
Scorpio October 23 – November 21 Your heart is as big as a bathtub, unfortunately it’s empty!
6. Beer 7. Assorted 8. Supervise 9. Walk in water 10. Deprive 11. Academy award 12. Jargon 13. Twilled fabric 18. Orange pekoe 24. Accomplished 25. Pizazz 26. Utilized 27. Thorny flower 28. Plenty 29. Daughter of a step-parent 31. As well 33. Warms 34. Arab chieftain 36. Threesome 37. Weightlifters pump this 38. Tins
42. Stiffly 43. T 45. Seller 47. Ways 48. Ancient Roman magistrate 49. Brusque 51. Paraphernalia 52. Grin 54. Long ago 56. Impoverished 57. Dwarf buffalo 58. Young girl 59. Away from the wind 62. Nigerian tribesman
Solution on Page 18
Q: How many Emo kids does it take to screw in a lightbulb? A: None, they all sit in the dark and cry.
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Q: What is it called when one blonde blows in another blonde’s ear? A: Data transfer.
December 7 – 13, 2011
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December 7 – 13, 2011
The CLOSER
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
18
Finding Answers to Sandusky’s Alleged Crimes
Corsendonk Christmas Ale Brewed by: Brouwerij Corsendonk ABV: 8.50% Take in the Christmas spirit with this Belgian brew! Pours a dark opaque reddish brown color with a nice, big fluffy head. Savor the gentle aromas of spice, cream, chocolate and Belgian yeast. Upon your first sip you’ll notice the taste is sweet but not overbearing with hints of chocolate, caramel, apples, pears and cinnamon. Medium bodied with nice carbonation. Finish of the beer lingers a tad. Overall, it’s a really nice beer to sip on during the holiday season. Joya De Nicaragua Cabinetta #4 Wrapper: Ecuadorian Shade Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Mild/Medium Looking for a nice medium smoke that you will enjoy? Once lit this cigar will fill you with notes of rich cocoa, vanilla, Espresso, and a touch of spice. Ash is good and compact with a light grey tone. It’s wonderfully balanced with a long finish. Pair it with a sweet iced tea or even coffee and you’re set. Red Death Ingredients: 1/2 oz Smirnoff Vodka 1/2 oz Southern Comfort Peach Liqueur 1/2 oz Amaretto Almond Liqueur 1/2 oz Triple Sec 1/2 oz Sloe Gin 1/2 oz Lime Juice Orange Juice
“Within his words…between the lines…lies the truth.” Such are the phrases I saw splashed across the big screen in the trailer for Anonymous, director Roland Emmerich’s latest conspiracy minded/non sci-fi disaster movie that entertains the notion that the famous plays William Shakespeare wrote were actually written by someone else. Watching that trailer again on YouTube a few days ago made me think how those phrases may well apply to Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State assistant football coach who was arrested Nov. 5 and charged with 40 counts of child sex abuse involving eight boys. If any of his family, friends or anyone interested in the Penn State scandal are looking for clues to his dark side, chances are they are searching the Internet in hopes of getting their hands on his 2000 autobiography, Touched: The Jerry Sandusky Story. Out of curiosity last week, I searched for that book written by the “Great Pretender” as Sandusky liked to call himself according to an 11/20/11 CNN article by Ann O’Neill and Wayne Drash.
Mixing Instructions: Pour all ingredients (except orange juice) into an ice-filled Collins glass. Fill with orange juice and serve.
By Joe Stumpo www.darthstumpo.com The book reportedly focuses more on the author’s association with children through his charity, The Second Mile, than he is reveling interested readers with tales of his football glory days as both a player and later a coach. “He talks a lot in that book
touched with hope and happiness.” Honestly, I have no interest in getting my hands on what I refer to as “potentially child rapist memorabilia” once Sandusky has his day in court and is possibly convicted of the charges against him nor am
about hugging kids, about loving to be around kids,” editor David Newhouse of The Patriot News told CNN’s Piers Morgan. “There’s some chilling things in that book, and it’s only when you put them together with the allegations that you can see, perhaps what he meant.” Today, I see that used copies of the book are being offered for sale, one for $59.71, the other for $249.50. A few of the books offered for sale on eBay are reportedly autographed copies signed by the “Great Pretender” himself with the words “May your life be
I interested in finding out the key to his madness. Anyone who purchases the book, if they have any common sense, they’ll do what Naperville businessman Joseph Roth did back in 1994 when he purchased 21 paintings done by executed serial killer John Wayne Gacy according to a May 18, 1994 article in the Chicago Tribune and light a match. Roth’s reason for burning Gacy’s paintings was “to get them off the face of the earth.” Even if Sandusky is found innocent, anyone with any moral
BLITZ salutes the movers, the shakers, the fearless, and the incredible that DFW has to offer. You may not have heard of them yet - but you will.
Name: Elizabeth Humphreys Team: SWAGG Magazine Stats: Dallas’ goddess of glam and aficionado of the affluent. It’s only a matter of time before this shinning star takes her talents global proving once and for all blondes have the most fun. Day Job… I am the founder and CEO at Swagg Magazine, I started this magazine with a vision and a dream. We have to go for our dreams right?! I worked at several publications and before my father passed away, he knew I had learned a lot and worked in all aspects of the magazine industry, he told me I should go for it. I love what I do. I wear many hats.
Visit us online at www.Blitzweekly.com
decency should still be more than just a little disturbed when a guy like the “Great Pretender” admits during a Nov. 14 phone interview with Bob Costas on NBC’s Rock Center With Brian Williams that he “horsed around” and showered with young boys. “I am innocent of those charges,” he told Costas. Unlike the Earl of Oxford (Rhys Ifans) in Anonymous who dies knowing his name will never be attached to the plays he supposedly wrote, if you truly believe in such outlandish “Hollyweird” conspiracy theories, I don’t think I would be too far off in my assumption given the charges against him if Jerry Sandusky wishes he really were “anonymous.” As family, friends, co-workers and loyal college football fans come to the sudden realization that the man they thought they knew had a sinister dark side, I can’t help but wonder if the line they are now telling themselves is one I also saw displayed in black capital letters in the Anonymous trailer. “We’ve all been played.”
I photograph, write, sell ads and attend fashion shows, interviews, events and concerts. Basically, what ever has to be done to make things happen. I have a great group of people that contribute to the magazine and I am thankful for all of them and their passion because without them SWAGG would not be possible. This magazine was built from a group of people with a vision and passion for what we do. What defines one’s swag? SWAG has many meanings… SWAG is not only what you get at the Grammy‘s & Emmy‘s in a swag bag. Swag is how your carry yourself, how you walk, talk and dress.
Style icon Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis she was a true example of style, grace and class! Wardrobe essential Today it would be the comfy boots I received in the mail from Dallas designer Katy Messersmith!! Her katydid boots are so comfy with the fur lining and they all have different unique designs on them, mine have rhinestones! I luv them! You can get yours at www.katydidcollection.com
Read the whole interview at blitzweekly.com and if you know any movers & shakers in the Metroplex? We want to hear about them. editor@blitzweekly.com
VOL. 4 – ISSUE 14
December 7 – 13, 2011
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