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VOL. 2 - ISSUE 16
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“Peep Show” Window Display Draws Crowds BLITZ News Shorts 3 Hollywood Profile / Movie Reviews 4 Blitz Music: Iron Maiden Covers 5 Mavs and Stars Previews 6 UNT / SMU / TCU Previews 7 Dallas Cowboys Week 14 Preview 8 COVER STORY: College Bowl Preview The BCS Playoffs, If Played Out 9 BCS Bowls & Predictions 10-11 BLITZ BABE: Kimberly 12 UFC 107 Preview 13 Restaurant Review: Japan House 14 Blitz Toys 15 The Fan Top 10 with Sybil 16 Crossword / Jokes / Horrorscopes 17 Last Call: Is Santa Really Evil? 18
PUBLISHER / EDITOR Kelly G. Reed CREATIVE DIRECTOR / WEBSITE / GRAPHIC DESIGN Damien William Mayfield COVER: Damien William Mayfield CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Manny Flores PHOTOGRAPHERS Ronnie Baker, Darryl Briggs, Steven Hendrix, Matt Pearce, Jason Ryan CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joe Avezzano, Brian Beard, Jack Bishop, Geoff Case, Vivian Fullerlove, Robin George, Andrew J. Hewett, Frank LaCosta, Jayson Larson, Peggy Kilpatrick, Pat Moran, Richard S. Pollak, Craig Smith, Eddie Stephens, Joe Stumpo, Sybil Summers, Jennifer Wayne and Jesse Whitman ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Kelly G. Reed SALES REPRESENTATIVES Johnny Horton, Patrick Marshall CONTACT US MAIN NUMBER 214-529-7370 FAX NUMBER 972-960-8618 kreed@blitzweekly.com BLITZ Weekly P.O. Box 295293, Lewisville, TX 75029
www.blitzweekly.com Copyright 2009 YK Publishing, LLC. No portion of BLITZ Weekly may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the Publisher. BLITZ Weekly is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. BLITZ Weekly may be distributed only by BLITZ Weekly’s authorized independent contractors or BLITZ Weekly’s authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of BLITZ Weekly, take more than one copy of each BLITZ Weekly issue. Articles printed in this publication may express opinions or views not necessarily the opinions of BLITZ Weekly. The BLITZ Weekly is not responsible for the content or claims of advertisements or editorial in this publication. Story reprints are available for $1 plus postage; call the office at 214-529-7370 to place an order or check our archives at www.blitzweekly.com.
Police: Woman Torched Man’s Porch After Breakup Detroit authorities said a 29-year-old woman, who was upset because her boyfriend broke up with her, has been arrested after she lit his porch on fire. Fire Department investigators said neighbors saw the woman pour gas on the concrete porch and light it on fire about 3 a.m. Wednesday. Investigators said a 40-year-old man previously told the woman she couldn’t stay at his house on the city’s northwest side after he discovered she had been cheating. Police responded to the home Tuesday night after the woman sprayed the man with mace. No injuries were reported from the fire. The Detroit Free Press said the woman w a s expected to be charged with arson.
Forget the candy cane carousels; a new kind of window display has jaws dropping down Fifth Avenue. Female clothing line XOXO is drawing crowds this holiday season, thanks to its new “live” window display. Creative director and designer Carol Powley calls her living mannequins “window theater.” The encasement depicts a young woman’s apartment where two attractive models try on clothes, flip through magazines and paint each other’s nails. After dark, they change into evening wear and spend hours primping for a night out on the town. Did we mention this is all in front of gawking crowds? “I told them just to hang out and not to engage with the public at all,” Powley told the NY Post. “When I want them to change clothes, I send them a text message. It’s very voyeuristic. You want to be looking at them, but you wonder if you should be.” The display -- which plays out more like a peep show -- has drawn hundreds of men. It’s no surprise that changing time -- when the models strip down to their undies -- draws the biggest crowd. Police were called to the scene Friday, thanks to a female pedestrian who drew an unfavorable reaction. “The couple walked by the window and the guy looked too much. The woman wacked him with her purse, then she called the police,” Powley told PIX News. “The police were great. They came by and they laughed because nothing lewd is going on here. It’s just playful.” Some are questioning who the display is meant to attract, considering XOXO only sells women’s clothes. Powley says the display is geared toward gift-buying boyfriends. “I think it’s a nice concept to see something live instead of seeing fake things in the windows,” said onlooker Jane Flakker. “Kids have seen enough on TV. How is this any different?” “I was raised in Holland and used to live in the red-light district,” Evert Degraeve told the Post. “This window doesn’t look like a clothing advertisement to me. It looks like these girls are waiting for some customers to come along.”
Andrew J. Hewett
www.chewednews.com
WONDER IF THE PAGES EVOLVED FROM THERE WITH ODORS? In November 2009, Christie’s auction house in London offered up for bid a rare first edition of On the Origin of Species, the Charles Darwin volume which is the basis for modern understanding of evolution. It sold for $172,000. Strange thing, it had been ignored for years, sitting on a toilet’s bookshelf. MUST BE HELL HAVING ONE’S BRAIN SQUEEZED? Back in the early 1980s, the Dallas Cowboys had a soccer-style kicker named Rafael Septien. Once he blamed a missed easy field goal on “the grass was too tall,” while standing on artificial turf. Another time, missing a 3-point attempt, he explained, “My helmet was too tight and squeezed my brain. I couldn’t think.” (Wonder what his excuse was in 1987, when Septien was convicted of fondling his 10-yearold niece?) OR, A ‘CAT NAP’ IF HE WERE TO APPEAR ON AN ANIMAL SHOW? Back in the early days of television, the New York Post reported that popular television and movie star Tony Randall (1920-2004) was to appear on the TV show Wake Up America as spokesman for National Sleep Disorders Month. But it never happened. Mr. Randall overslept that morning and missed the show.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “How you respond to the challenge in the second half will determine what you become after the game, whether you are a winner or a loser.” -- Lou Holtz
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HOLLYWOOD PROFILE BLITZREVIEWS with Morgan Freeman By: Joe Stumpo - www.darthstumpo.com
Wa s t i n g o u r m o n ey s o yo u d o n ’t h a ve t o !
Vivian Fullerlove
“Entertainment’s Real Critic”
Does it freak anyone else out just a bit when you watch movies like Along Came a Spider, Million Dollar Baby or one of the holy grails of the film industry--Shawshank Redemption-that the incomparable Morgan Freeman got his big break on The Electric Company??? You remember...that educational kids’ show that followed Sesame Street on PBS. Just a random thought I had when writing my column this week, but, I digress. Morgan is back in theatres this week with what is certain to be an Oscar Award-nominated performance in the docudrama Invictus. The film chronicles the true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar (played by Matt Damon), to help unite their country. Newly-elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match. We talked with Freeman about what it was like to play Mandela and his second time in front of the camera under the watchful eye of director Clint Eastwood.
The Blind Side: The trouble with The Blind Side is that for a story that’s supposed to
be about Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless African-American kid who eventually goes on to play football at the University of Mississippi before joining the Baltimore Ravens, this seems to be more about Leigh Anne Touhy (Sandra Bullock), the woman who took Oher in. There is something wrong with a biographical sports film when the viewer is compelled to root more for Bullock’s outspoken rich, white mom character who isn’t afraid of standing up to anyone in her way. We should be rooting for Oher who grew up with nothing to live for and made something of himself with the help of caring parents who took him off the street.
PICK OF THE WEEK
In addition to starring in the film, you are also the executive producer of the project. What was it about this story and the greatness of it that compelled you to want to bring it to the big screen? The greatness of that story is the outcome. That day and night and how it was set it up. It wasn’t just a rugby game; it was an event in history.
The game itself served as an equalizer amongst the nation at a time when equality wasn’t shared by all. How do you think that message on the playing field was translated to the masses?
When you’re in a game you’re pretty much equal except in ability. We all can play golf together. There’s guys who can hit the ball and drive it 300 yards others can hit it and only drive it 200 yards, but they’re in the same game. Mandela said this is what can change the world…sports. Because everybody plays. He didn’t think about revenge. He thought about how to create national salvation.
How did you prepare for this role? I can’t imagine the kind of pressure that comes with portraying such an iconic world leader.
People would ask “How do feel about playing Mandela? Are you concerned or worried?” I would say “a little bit.” I had to get the voice and get the rhythm and accent. Then as we put the picture together, I didn’t look at any tapes or anything until we arrived here on location, and everything just clicked into place. I had it, and didn’t have to worry about it.
What was the experience of playing him like for you?
It’s magic. Not sure that magic can be explained. He has instincts that are pure and he just knows how to manipulate people to the good for the good. That’s his job…his calling in life. He’s just following that.
You also got to team up again with Clint Eastwood on this project. What is it like working with him? Is he as intense as he looks?
I think the first thing is his quietude. That quietude represents a strength and control. He doesn’t tell you what to do. It seems that he hires actors, and he stands back out of the way because he hired them because they obviously know what they’re doing because he’s watched the work. And he’s quick. If he’s got it in one [take] he’s moving on, and I just love that. Invictus opens in theatres nationwide this week. The film is rated PG-13 for brief strong language. For all of this week’s new movies and more of your favorite celebrities, check out my show Reel Critics on Time Warner Cable Video on Demand under the North Texas programming tab! I’d love to hear from you. Email me your favorite Morgan Freeman movie for your chance to win a pair of movie tickets to the Studio Movie Grill at trivia@ reelcriticstv.com.
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Ultimate Edition): With
the final Harry Potter films due out 2010 and 2011, I knew it was just a matter of time before Warner Brothers would release multi-disk special editions of the previous Harry Potter films featuring both theatrical and extended cuts, as well as supplemental material, not included in the original releases. The first to be released is 2001’s Sorcerer’s Stone and 2002’s Chamber of Secrets. No doubt special editions of the others will follow. Personally, I’ll wait until 2012 or 2013, when Warner decides to release the “Ultimate-Ultimate” box set of all eight films featuring extended cuts that will likely cost over $200 bucks.
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12/8/09 4:16:30 PM
5 by: Frank LaCosta
(10)
MUSIC: Iron Maiden 1. The Number of the Beast
Iron Maiden – The Number of the Beast
2. The Trooper
Iron Maiden – Piece of Mind
3. Aces High
Iron Maiden – Powerslave
4. Run to the Hills
(9)
Iron Maiden – The Number of the Beast
5. Running Free
Iron Maiden – Iron Maiden
6. Can I Play with Madness
Iron Maiden – Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
7. Flight of Icarus
Iron Maiden – Piece of Mind
8. Purgatory
(8)
Iron Maiden – Killers
9. 2 Minutes to Midnight
Iron Maiden – Powerslave
10. Wasted Years
Iron Maiden – Somewhere in Time
(7)
(6) (5)
(4)
(3)
(2) (1)
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Photo Courtesy: Matt Pearce
Mavericks Shooting Blanks The Mavericks have been struggling lately and it’s largely self-inflicted. They’ve been trying to find their identity with all the new players (Tim Thomas, Drew Gooden, Shawn Marion) added this off-season while getting their squad 100% healthy. The latest result might have some Mavs fans worried. They have been getting off to slow starts all season and opting for way too many contested jump shots and three pointers to get back into games. Last week, the Mavericks took a combined 53 3-pointers in consecutive losses to Memphis and Atlanta and hit only 10. It also puts the Dallas defenders in poor position if the shots aren’t falling. The Mavs need to start playing
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better defense and driving to the basket because the upcoming schedule only gets rougher. 12/11 at Miami Heat - They have a reinvigorated Jermaine O’Neal in the middle that could give Dallas fits, and some guy named Dwyane Wade. Looks like another tough one on the road as Miami is coming off four days rest. 12/12 Charlotte Bobcats - It’s another backto-back game that have been taxing for the older squad to rebound from. The Bobcats are a better team with Stephen Jackson and shouldn’t be taken lightly. 12/14 New Orleans Hornets - They missed their window on Chris Paul’s injury. He’s back and looking to make up some ground. Paul has been an absolute nightmare for the Mavericks this season scoring 39 points and logging 7 assists in their last meeting. 12/16 at Oklahoma City Thunder - We know what Kevin Durant can do. The scary thing is that the rest of the young role players are starting to put it together. They have had some quality wins against the Spurs, Suns and Jazz so, the Mavs should be ready for a fight.
STARS:News
by: Richard S. Pollak – “That Hockey Guy”
Benn Brothers Do Dallas Dallas Stars Rookie of the Year candidate LW Jamie Benn is currently ranked 5th in Rookie scoring in the NHL. His older brother, Jordie, has appeared in 14 games on defense for the local Allen Americans’ of the CHL. It’s unusual for a team to have brothers playing together, but how about playing the same sport for different teams in the same metropolitan area. From 199395, USA Olympian Neal Broten and brother, Paul, played for the Stars. Neal went on to an illustrious career with the Stars amassing 992 games with 274 goals and 867 points to hold the number #2 spot on the Stars All-Time Scoring list behind Mike Modano. Paul’s greatest contribution to the Stars was the 1995 trade to St. Louis for Guy Carbonneau, who struggled throughout his career except for in ‘99 when the Stars won the Stanley Cup. While Jamie Benn continues to perform at the highest level a Stars rookie has ever achieved, his older brother Jordie is listed on the Americans IR with no explanation as to why. Jamie is on-course to break sophomore sensation James Neal’s 24 goal rookie season. According to Stan Fischler
of the Fischler Hockey Report, Jamie has a “great chance to win the Calder Cup.” T h e Dallas Stars continue their road trip this week heading out to San Jose for a game on Friday night. Joe Thornton of the Sharks is on pace for over 100 points this season. He also leads the team with assists. At the end of the day, the line of Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley have been all but unstoppable. Marleau has 19 goals in just 29 games this season. On Saturday night the Stars take on the Los Angeles Kings. Center Anze Kopitar is a beast leading the team in all categories. The Stars have to maintain their focus to get through this gauntlet.
Photo Courtesy: Manny Flories
MAVS:News
by: Geoff Case – “Mavericks Analyst”
12/8/09 4:16:41 PM
7 - Craig Smith
- Eddie Stephens
- Jayson Larson
North Texas won a midweek noon game against Southwest 91-62. The small crowd was treated to a game in which the Mean Green had four players score in double figures. Josh White led the way with 21 points and freshman Jacob Holmen had 17 points while making his first start in place of the injured Eric Tramiel. They moved up to 5-2 on the season with a tough win Saturday at Rice. This game went back and forth with 10 ties and lead changes in the second half. Josh White broke the game open after a tie at 52 when he made eight straight free-throws and a threepointer. He leads the team in scoring and is fourth in the Sunbelt with 17.1 points a game. Ten players are averaging at least ten minutes a game and eight players averaging at least six points. They open up conference play this Sunday as they host Louisiana-Monroe. ULM is 3-5 and has lost three straight. This should be an easy win for UNT.
The Mustangs put up a good fight when TCU stepped onto their turf last week, but it just wasn’t enough and a win slipped through their fingers with a score of 6053. Both Papa Dia and Derek Williams scored 16 points to lead the Mustangs, but after TCU went on a 23-6 run to start the second half it was as good as over. The Mustangs need to get everyone involved when moving the basketball around the court. Getting everyone to have a go at the ball plus good defense action is a proven formula for winning games. They are now 2-3 and need to find answers quick as to why they are letting games slip away over and over again. They hosted Texas State earlier this week. The team came in with a 3-5 record. The Mustangs won easily 94-86. More than two players need to be in double figures in order for this team to pull in some wins. I guess we will just have to play “wait and see” in the upcoming weeks. They next play at Occidental on December 19th.
The TCU Horned Frogs men’s basketball team improved to 5-3 on the young season following the “State Farm DFW-Duel” 60-53 road victory over SMU at Moody Coliseum. Senior guard Edvinas Ruzgas connected on 7-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three-point range, to lead the Frogs with 22 points. He also added seven rebounds. Forward Zvonko Buljan added 14 points and nine boards while sophomore guard Ronnie Moss tossed in 14 points in the second-half to help the Frogs overcome a 28-23 halftime deficit. Moss is leading the team in scoring this season with 18.5 points per game. Horned Frogs head coach Jim Christian is concerned with his team’s inability to close out tight games. “The team’s mentality has to take over,” Christian said. “Unfortunately, in our situation here, our mentality has not been, over the years, to win those games. Until a couple of individuals rise up and hold everybody accountable, it is hard to get over that hump.” Next up, TCU takes on Wichita State this Saturday, December 12th at 7:05pm in Kansas.
And the Heisman goes to... On December 12th, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner will be announced. The most illustrious award a college football player can receive has been awarded 74 times since its inception in 1935. A quarterback has won the award 27 times. Last year it was quarterback Sam Bradford from Oklahoma, who returned this year, but has hardly played due to his delicate shoulder. I think this year we will see another quarterback take home the hardware. I believe Texas Longhorn quarterback Colt McCoy has the best chance to win this year. He returned for his senior year after finishing second in the 2008 Heisman Trophy voting. He has started every game since he was a freshman and led the team to a 12-0 record in the regular season. This season, McCoy has become the winning-est quarterback in college football history. He leads the country in completion percentage with over seventy-percent. He’s had five games with over 300 yards passing and ranks in the top ten in passing yards, total offense and touchdown passes. In the Thanksgiving night game against Texas A&M, he had 175 yards rushing and was in on 5 touchdowns in a game which may have vaulted him to the top in
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Sportsologist
Army vs Navy
Saturday, Dec 12 – 2:30pm – Lincoln Financial Field - CBS
A true classic in every sense. The festivities leading up to the game are incredible and whichever side you are for is a winner. If Army wins they would get their sixth win and a chance to play in the EagleBank Bowl. Navy is headed to the Texas Bowl.
Eagles vs Giants
Sunday, Dec 13 – 7:20pm – Giants Stadium – NBC
NFC East rivals square off in a game that could decide the division’s champion. The Giants are coming off a huge victory against the Cowboys and appear to have turned their season around. The Eagles had an easy one against the Falcons and are on a three game winning streak.
Craig Smith – csmith@blitzweekly.com
the Heisman race. In January, during Florida’s National Championship celebration, Tim Tebow announced he was coming back for his senior year. He led the Gators to their first ever undefeated regular season. I love watching him play. The guy is a warrior. He’s already won a Heisman Trophy, becoming the first to ever do it as a sophomore. He finished third last season. He did the unthinkable this year for a quarterback by breaking the SEC career record for rushing touchdowns previously held by Herschel Walker. He is a proven winner having been a part of two national championships. He threw for a modest 2,166 yards and 17 touchdowns to go along with an amazing 796 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. I don’t think there is a clear cut leader this year to win the Heisman, but I do think a quarterback will win. McCoy has the best stats but Tebow plays against better competition as the SEC has the best defenses in the country. When it comes down to it, both guys win games and were undefeated in regular season, but I predict Colt McCoy will be the name announced as this year’s Heisman trophy winner.
WEEK 14 LINES Thurs., Dec. 10 LINE Pittsburgh -10
Underdog @ Cleveland
TIME 7:20pm
Sun., Dec. 13 @ Indianapolis @ Minnesota NY Jets @ Kansas City Green Bay New Orleans @ Baltimore @ Jacksonville @ New England @ Houston @ Tennessee Washington @ Dallas @ NY Giants
Underdog Denver Cincinnati @ Tampa Bay Buffalo @ Chicago @ Atlanta Detroit Miami Carolina Seattle St. Louis @ Oakland San Diego Philadelphia
TIME Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05pm 3:05pm 3:15pm 7:20pm
LINE -7 -7 -3.5 PK -3 -9.5 -13 -3 -13.5 -6 -13 -1 -3 -1
Mon., Dec. 14 LINE Arizona -3
Underdog TIME @ San Francisco 7:35pm
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The Coach - Joe Avezzano
WHERE’S CARNAC WHEN YOU NEED HIM
Well December has begun the second toughest schedule in the NFL got under way in the Meadowlands on Sunday and the Giants came away with a 31-24 victory. Now all we will hear is players and coaches saying all they are worried about is the next game and the media and fans talking and asking about the December fade. There will never be any agreement on this subject and the only way the team can change the subject is to win. No amount of talk or spin will change anything, you just have to win. The Giants beat the Cowboys for the second time this year because again the Giants made the fewest mistakes. The Cowboys lost the game because: 1. Barber fumbled just before the half contributing to the erasing of a 10 point lead with 3 minutes left in the half and going into half time down 14-10. 2. Nick Folk shanked a 42 yard field goal attempt. This makes him five for his last ten and now officially an issue. A good kicker has now become a question mark. 3. Jacobs receives a flat pass and goes 74 yards for a touchdown. The Cowboys haven’t been giving up big plays but they did on Sunday. 4. Hixon returns a punt 79 yards for a TD. The kicking game for the Cowboys has been very good. Not in this game.
The Cowboy offense didn’t run the ball effectively. The passing game was very good with Romo setting records with 41-55 for 392 yards. And 3 scores. Not enough. Remember it’s NOT HOW MANY GREAT PLAYS YOU MAKE, BUT HOW FEW BAD PLAYS YOU MAKE! OK, why don’t we track down Carnac and just get it over with and have him tell us just how this season is going to end! Not so fast my friend, that would take away all the fun. Until we find Carnac here’s my take. The Cowboys at this point are one of 7 teams fighting for 6 spots in the playoffs. They are now tied with Philadelphia for the lead in the NFC East with New York one game back. The Giants own the head to head tie-breaker over the Cowboys. If Philadelphia beats the Cowboys they will hold the tie-breaker because of division record. The Packers hold the tie-breaker vs the Cowboys. The Cowboys can finish anywhere from 3rd to 7th and out of the playoffs. They can only do one thing to get to the playoffs. WIN! To do that, they must defeat San Diego this weekend. The Chargers are on a 7 game win streak and should be favored ever so slightly. With Rivers, Tomblinson, Merriman, etc., this Charger team is for real. The Cowboys will have every chance to win the game but if we list 4 things like we did above after this game, they won’t. Carnac would take away the frustration that is going to be December but he would also take away the fun. Coach Joe can be heard on KHYI 95.3 on Tuesday nights 7-9pm and on ESPN radio. Come by and say hello at Hat Tricks Sports Bar and Grill in Lewisville. Your home to great sports and great music.
Oklahoma State vs Ole Miss in this Year’s AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic Cowboys Stadium in Arlington - January 2 at 1 p.m. on Fox
Houston Cougars vs Air Force Falcons Return to Armed Forces Bowl Amon G. Carter Stadium, Ft. Worth – December 31 – 11am – ESPN
- Eddie Stephens
- Craig Smith
Oklahoma State This will be the first ever Cotton Bowl in the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. OSU is 9-3 and a win would tie a school record 10 wins for the season.They have won 2 of 3 in recent bowl games and are 12-7 all time in bowl games. Their .632 winning percentage in bowl games is tops among Big 12 schools and fourth nationally. They are coached by Mike Gundy who is in his fifth season and is 2-1 in bowl games. The Cowboys are led by quarterback Zac Robinson who had 1,966 yards passing and 15 touchdowns. Keith Toston was named first team running back by the coaches after finishing with 1,177 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. Full back Bryant Ward was also a Big 12 First teamer. If the running game is on, OSU will be hard to beat. They have a handful of capable receivers led by Hubert Anyiam. The crowd will be a huge sea of OSU fans who are among the rowdiest fans in the nation. Ole Miss Finished regular season 8-4 and was ranked as high as four. They had beat a then number eight LSU. Ole Miss beat Texas Tech
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last year in the Cotton Bowl 47-34. Houston Nutt is the second coach to lead Ole Miss to bowl games in his first two seasons. This marks the first time in forty years that they will play in a January bowl game in consecutive years. They beat Oklahoma State in the 2004 Cotton Bowl, which was Eli Manning’s last game as a Rebel. Quarterback Jevan Snead has been up and down all season. He had 2,464 yards and 20 touchdowns. Dexter McCluster is a force out of the backfield with blazing speed and elusiveness who had 985 yards and 6 touchdowns after being converted from receiver and also had 473 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns. He ran for 282 yards against Tennessee. Shay Hodge is the top receiver with 63 catches for 1,023 yards and 8 touchdowns and is first person in school history to top the 1,000 yard mark. Patrick Trahan, a linebacker, led the team in tackles with 80. Joshua Shene is a very dependable kicker who is among the best in the country. This will be a high scoring game, but I think McCluster runs wild and Ole Miss wins. Prediction: Ole Miss 31 - Oklahoma St. 28
This is the second straight year these teams have met in a Bowl game on the TCU campus. Air Force Air Force finished the season 7-5, 5-3 in conference. They have the nation’s topranked pass defense averaging 127.9 yards per game, and are fourth in rushing, averaging 273.58 yards per game. This Air Force team uses 3 or 4 quarterbacks, but Tim Jefferson seems to be the guy that will carry the load. He threw for 687 yards and 5 touchdowns this season. This will be the Falcons 20th time in school history to reach a bowl game. Air Force will be going up against the nation’s top passing offense, but Air Force has the best defense in team history, and expects to come to Texas ready to play. The Falcons have a great turnover ratio. They are third in the nation with 17 turnovers this season, but will that be enough to challenge the offense of Houston. Houston The Cougars could have taken the Conference USA title, but lost to East Carolina 38-32. Case Keenum had a great year pass-
ing for 43 touchdowns on 5,449 yards passing. This is the nation’s top passing offense and will be going up against a number one ranked defense in Air Force. The Cougars have averaged 581.23 yards per game and are second in the nation scoring 43.92 points per game. Case Keenum should get more recognition for his abilities, and should be considered for the Heisman. He is throwing better than all the big name QB’s out there. The Cougars are facing a familiar team in the Air Force Falcons and won their first bowl game in 28 years last year in the Armed Forces Bowl. They beat Air Force 34-28. There should be a great turnout of Houston fans, since the game is in Fort Worth, so that means they will have plenty of screaming fans. This will be the 13th time Houston has played a bowl game in Texas, so they definitely will have home field advantage. Houston could also easily blow this game away with offensive fire power and I am not sure if the Air Force defense will be able to keep Case Keenum from throwing to the end zone. Prediction: Houston 55 – Air Force 27
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NUMBER 1
by: Geoff Case
Alabama makes the Buckeyes one-dimensional by shutting down the run. Terrell Pryor is not playing to his strengths in the passing game. Tide rolls. 31-14 Alabama Crimson Tide
The Ducks have a solid team but the speed of the Texas defense proves to be too active and creates major havoc in the backfield. 30-10 Texas Longhorns NUMBER 7
NUMBER 8
The rematch of the century proves to be a dud. Alabama makes Tim Tebow cry on national television one more time. The Alabama offense milks the clock with a steady diet of Mark Ingram. 30-13 Florida Gators
NUMBER 4 The Gators outlast TCU on a late field goal and advance to the semi-finals. 23-20 Florida Gators NUMBER 5
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NUMBER 2
National Championship The end result might be the same as the official BCS standings but it’s a mute point. We got to experience some great games and will never have those “what if” scenarios. It’s all been decided by the players not some computer program and more importantly gives all the best teams an equal shot at the national title. The Longhorns win the National Championship because of their edge on the offensive side of the ball. Alabama and Texas both have great defenses so this game should be close and winnable for both teams. The size and athleticism Texas has on offense will give the Longhorns those precious few extra points needed to capture the title. 24-17 Longhorns
The Longhorns show Boise State the door. The Broncos are never able to get their passing attack on track with the stout Longhorn secondary. 31-17 Longhorns
NUMBER 3 The first upset of the tournament is one that plays out in dramatic fashion as the Broncos offense steamrolls the Cats. 44-28 Boise State NUMBER 6
12/8/09 4:17:01 PM
10 By: Peggy Kilpatrick
The 2010 Rose Bowl game will match the 8th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes against the 7th ranked Oregon Ducks in yet another installment of the Pac 10 and Big 10’s best. Both teams have spent the past decade playing big bowl games; however, history was made this year in the Pac 10. Oregon is the first team since 2001 not named USC to win the Pac 10. Ohio State has won five consecutive Big 10 titles. Both teams run similar styles of offense and neither team has accurate drop back quarterbacks. Both could be more dangerous running in open space rather than winning with their arm. Oregon strictly runs a spread-option with junior quarterback Jeremiah Masoli who had a breakthrough season with the Ducks. However, he does have many weapons on the offensive side of the football. LeMichael James has proven to be one the best running backs in the Pac 10, and maybe the nation, when getting the starting job after LeGarret Blount was suspended for 10 games for punching a Boise State lineman. Top receiving threats on Oregon for this game would be wide receiver Jeff Maehl (52 receptions, 686 yards, six touchdowns) and tight end Ed Dickson (42 receptions, 551 yards, six touchdowns).
On defense, look for a great push on the defensive line with Brandon Blair, Will Tukuafo, and shut down, true freshman, corner Cliff Harris. For Ohio State to win this game they will have to protect the ball and win the battle up front. Dan Herron is their best running back but the Buckeyes’ top rusher this year is quarterback Terrell Pryor. Oregon will be prepared for this and will force Pryor to make plays downfield in the passing game to Devier Posey, Dane Sanzenbacher, and Ray Small. On defense, Ohio State will have to game plan against Masoli’s ability to option-read the defense while accounting for his quickness in running the ball and aptitude to hit open receivers. Expect Oregon’s offense to pick apart an Ohio State team that has never seen anything like this in Big 10 play. Pryor can expect to see Ducks in his face all day and he may not be able to step up in the pocket, read the defense and make the big throws that will be essential in Ohio State winning this game. Oregon continues the trend of Ohio State faltering in big time games. Score: Oregon 34-17
By: Jayson Larson
The TCU Horned Frogs and the Boise State Broncos will meet in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, marking the first time a BCS game other than the championship game had a matchup of unbeaten teams. It also marks the first time two non-BCS schools have met in a BCS bowl. TCU (12-0) earned an automatic bid to become a BCS buster for the first time in school history while Boise State (13-0) became the first team from a nonautomatic qualifying conference to receive an at-large bid. This will be the third time they have met in a bowl game. In 2003, they met in a thrilling game at the Fort Worth Bowl at Amon Carter Stadium. Behind 325 passing yards from QB Ryan Dinwiddie, Boise St. defeated Cory Rodgers and TCU 34-31. Last season, the two teams did battle in the Poinsettia Bowl. With Boise State ranked 9th and TCU ranked 11th, this bowl-pairing featured teams both ranked higher than the teams playing in a BCS game during the same season, the 2009 Orange Bowl (Virgina Tech vs Cincinnati), a first in BCS history. The Horned Frogs rushed for 278 yards, with RB Aaron Brown leading the team with 105 rushing yards and a touchdown. TCU QB Andy Dalton finished with 276 all-purpose yards, including 74 yards on the ground on
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his way to earning the game’s Offensive MVP honors as the Horned Frogs held on for a 17-16 victory. Boise State provided one of the more stunning moments in BCS history, beating heavily-favored Oklahoma in overtime of the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. The 2009 edition of the Boise St. Broncos are led by coach Chris Peterson, QB Kellen Moore, who passed for 3,325 yards, and RB Jeremy Avery, who rushed for 1,131 yards. TCU was hoping that the first 12-0 season in school history would be enough to earn them a shot for the national title, but the most balanced team in the postseason (the Frogs are the only team ranked in the top six in both total defense and total offense) will have to settle for a Fiesta Bowl date with the Broncos. Head coach Gary Patterson should have little trouble motivating his team led by QB Andy Dalton defensive end and Bronco Nagurski Award finalist Jerry Hughes. In what will probably be the most entertaining of BCS matchups, look a TCU victory by a hair. Score: TCU 33-30
The Longhorns must play better than they have in their last two games where they barely pulled out the win. Many people feel they don’t deserve to be in the championship game and may not even be the best team in Texas. Colt McCoy has had a sensational season but struggled in his last game against Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship. He was sacked nine times, threw three interceptions and managed a paltry 184 yards passing. He did manage to pull off his eleventh fourth quarter comeback of his college career. The offense averaged 43 points a game during regular season. The offensive line must do a much better job. The running game produced only 18 yards against Nebraska. Jordan Shipley is the key to this offense being effective and will need one last big game with fellow senior McCoy. The defense will be the key to this game and is ranked third in the nation in total defense. They have been solid all year and only allowed Nebraska five first downs and 106 total yards of offense in the Big 12 Championship. Texas is 7-0-1 all time against Alabama. The Crimson Tide are on a roll after dominating defending National Champion Florida in the SEC Championship 32-13 and are ranked
number one in the country. T nated the Gators with 40 minu of possession and put up 490 against a defense that was number one in the country. T looking for their first nationa since 1992. Coach Nick Sa now won three SEC Champ and one National Title. The football team placed four p 2009 American Football Co tion All-American team. Gr named MVP of the SEC Ch 239 yards and a touchdown. the best running back in the 113 yards rushing and 3 tou yards receiving against Flo school record this year for r season and now has 1,542 o backer Rolando McClain, the defense, had 96 tackles duri season. The defense will set th game and Bama comes in ra in nation in total defense and in points allowed at 11. This lose and we should be heari Alabama” as they hoist the tr
Score: Alabama 24 - 17
12/8/09 4:17:09 PM
11 By: Frank LaCosta College Bowl Schedule
The tradition of the Orange Bowl takes a unique twist this year as the 10th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes take on the 9th-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The two teams have never met and this is truly a clash of styles. This is the first trip for the Hawkeyes back to the Orange Bowl since being spanked by USC in 2001. For the Yellow Jackets, this is their 6th visit, but first since 1967. The Hawkeyes come in with a 10-2 record with back-to-back losses to Northwestern and Ohio State. The Yellow Jackets are 11-2 with losses to Miami and Georgia. Georgia Tech utilizes a spread option offense that Iowa has yet to see on the field. This year the Yellow Jackets returned nine offensive players to the team who now have a better understanding of what is expected of them. They have scored a minimum of 24 points per game this season. Junior quarterback Josh Nesbitt is the difference maker on offense. This season he has completed 47.7 of his passes for 1,689 yards and 10 TDs. On the ground, though, he has rushed for 991 yards and
18 TDs. Look for Jonathan Dwyer to carry the rock as he has 1,346 yards rushing and 14 TDs for the season. Nesbitt’s favorite receiving target is Demaryius Thomas. The crafty wide out has had a superb season hauling in 46 receptions for 1,154 yards and 8 TDs. Iowa on the other hand became known as the “Cardiac Kids” early in the season with several fourth quarter wins. The offense will get a boost with the return of junior quarterback Ricky Stanzi. He missed the last two games of the season due to a severe right ankle sprain. He is a calm, collected helmsman that the team will rally behind. For the season, he has passed for 2,186 yards and 15 TDs and is not a ground threat in any way. The ground game belongs to freshman Adam Robinson who has 775 yards rushing on the season with 5 TDs. On the receiving end, look for Derrell Johnson-Koulianos to move the chains. He has 41 receptions for 687 yards. The scoring threat to watch for is Marvin McNutt. He is a speedster with sure hands, catching 30 passes for 653 yards and 7 TDs. Score: Georgia Tech 27 - 17
By: Craig Smith
By: Jennifer “Foxie” Wayne
e country. They domiwith 40 minutes time put up 490 yards e that was ranked country. They are first national crown ch Nick Saban has EC Championships Title. The Alabama ced four players on the Football Coaches Associan team. Greg McElroy was he SEC Championship with touchdown. Mark Ingram is back in the country and had g and 3 touchdowns plus 76 against Florida. He set the s year for rushing yards in a has 1,542 on the year. LineMcClain, the heart of the Tide ackles during the regular se will set the tone in this comes in ranked second defense and number one at 11. This is their game to ld be hearing “Sweet Home hoist the trophy.
17
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North v South...nope... not the Civil War, the 2010 Sugar Bowl, which has the Florida Gators squaring off against the Cincinnati Bearcats. I hate to throw a prediction at you before some facts, but what the hell: Florida is going down. So I guess maybe this is the Civil War. And just FYI, I didn’t attend either of these schools or live in either state. You can expect Florida to not even show up for this game. They fell apart in Atlanta and, in my opinion, won’t come back. On the other hand, the Bearcats have stamina going and are probably looking to finish the fight. They can thank Mardy Gilyard for that. His performance in Cincinnati’s 45-44 victory over the Panthers earned their second straight Big East championship. The Cats look to him for big plays and in the biggest game of their season, he made ‘em. It started with with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to make it 31-17 at halftime. It put the fire under his teammate’s feet. “I prayed that I could take one back,” Gilyard said. “And then everything parted like the Red Sea.” The third quarter only produced one score and it was Gilyard who made the play--a 66-yard touchdown reception. He continued in the fourth quar-
ter with another big kickoff return (42 yards to the Panther 23). Three plays later, QB Tony Pike found Gilyard to covert a third and four. Next thing you know, the Bearcats trailed by one. Oh and he did have the game-tying two-point conversion. On the game-winning drive, he caught the last two of his five receptions setting up the Pike-Binns TD strike for the win and title. In all, Gilyard had twelve catches for 374 total yards (118 receiving, school-record 256 return) and three touchdowns. His performance was amazing for a single game. He did it in a snowstorm on a national, so you know he is a force to be wreckened with. Now let’s take at the season-end statistics for both teams. Total Offense: Cincinnati is No. 6 and Florida No. 12. Total Defense: Florida is ranked No. 4 and Cincinnati No. 48. Now granted, after the debacle in Atlanta, Florida’s numbers may not be taken seriously, but Cincinnati being ranked No. 48 in total defense playing in the Big East? Fuh-get-about-it. Cincinnati has a real chance to hand Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow their second loss in a row. Score: Bearcats 28 - 17
NEW MEXICO Fresno St. vs Wyoming Dec. 19, 3:30PM – ESPN ST. PETERSBURG UCF vs Rutgers Dec. 19, 7PM – ESPN R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS So. Miss vs Middle Tennessee St Dec. 20, 7:30PM – ESPN MAACO Oregon St. vs BYU Dec. 22, 7PM – ESPN SAN DIEGO COUNTY CU POINSETTIA Utah vs California Dec. 23, 7PM – ESPN SHERATON HAWAII Nevada vs SMU Dec. 24, 7PM – ESPN LITTLE CAESARS Marshall vs Ohio Dec. 26, NOON – ESPN MEINEKE CAR CARE Pittsburgh vs UNC Dec. 26, 3:30PM – ESPN EMERALD BC vs USC Dec. 26, 7PM – ESPN GAYLORD HOTELS MUSIC CITY Kentucky vs Clemson Dec. 27, 7:30PM – ESPN ADVOCARE V100 INDEPENDENCE Texas A&M vs Georgia Dec. 28, 4PM – ESPN2 CHAMPS SPORTS Miami vs Wisconsin Dec. 29, 7PM – ESPN ROADY’S HUMANITARIAN BGU vs Idaho Dec. 30, 3:30PM – ESPN PACIFIC LIFE HOLIDAY Arizona vs Nebraska Dec. 30, 7PM – ESPN BELL HELICOPTER ARMED FORCES Houston vs Air Force Dec. 31, 11AM – ESPN BRUT SUN Oklahoma vs Stanford Dec. 31, 1PM – CBS TEXAS Navy vs Missouri Dec. 31, 2:30PM – ESPN INSIGHT Minnesota vs Iowa St. Dec. 31, 5PM – NFL Network CHICK-FIL-A Va Tech vs Tennessee Dec. 31, 6:30PM – ESPN OUTBACK Northwestern vs Auburn Jan. 1, 10AM – ESPN CAPITAL ONE Penn St vs LSU Jan. 1, NOON – ABC KONICA MINOLTA GATOR W. Virginia vs Florida St. Jan. 1, NOON – CBS ROSEBOWL GAME PRESENTED BY CITI Ohio St vs Oregon Jan. 1, 3:30PM – ABC ALLSTATE SUGAR Florida vs Cincinnati Jan. 1, 7:30PM – FOX INTERNATIONAL S. Florida vs N Illinois Jan. 2, 11AM – ESPN2 PAPAJOHNS.COM S. Carolina vs UCONN Jan. 2, 1PM – ESPN AT&T COTTON Oklahoma St vs Ole Miss Jan. 2, 1PM – FOX AUTOZONE LIBERTY Arkansas vs E Carolina Jan. 2, 4:30PM – ESPN VALERO ALAMO Michigan St. vs. Texas Tech Jan. 2, 8PM – ESPN TOSTITOS FIESTA Boise St. vs TCU Jan. 4, 7PM – FOX FEDEX ORANGE Iowa vs Georgia Tech Jan. 5, 7PM – FOX GMAC C. Michigan vs Troy Jan. 6, 6PM – ESPN CITI BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Texas vs Alabama Jan. 7, 7PM – ABC
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12/8/09 4:17:24 PM
13
Jesse Whitman
“A Woman’s Perspective”
BJ Penn (14-5-1) vs. Diego Sanchez (23-2-0): Penn is arguably the most talented fighter in the world. They don’t call him “The Prodigy”
for nothing. He is an incredible fighter and his ground game is unbelievable but his Achilles heel has always been his cardio. Sanchez has awesome intensity and is very aggressive. One of his biggest strengths is his cardio. He is able to keep an unbelievable pace that most can’t match. This will be the deciding factor in the fight. It will be a good fight for the first round and a half but that is where it will go south for Penn. Sanchez will win via TKO ref stoppage late in the second. He will still expend more energy in his entrance than he does in the entire fight. Frank Mir (12-4-0) vs. Cheick Kongo (24-5-1): Mir is looking to redeem himself after being dominated by Brock Lesnar in his last fight. His striking is much improved but he will be wise not to test it here. Kongo is a very good striker but his ground game has left a lot to be desired. If Mir tries to stand a bang with Kongo, he will go down like a plane crash. He knows this, though, and will therefore take the fight to the ground and proceed to beat the shnot out of Kongo until he gets a submission. Mir via submission, 3rd round. Jon Fitch (13-3-0) vs. Mike Pierce (9-2-0): Pierce is an explosive athlete and in his short UFC career has shown to have good takedowns and some pretty vicious ground and pound. The man appears to have a bright future, but, in my opinion, he is out-matched here. Fitch is an absolute animal and held his own against St. Pierre. This guy can flat out fight. His wrestling is top notch and he is as tough as anyone at 170. I think Fitch wins this one in the second round after Pierce loses his wind and confidence. Fitch is a HAWK! Presented By: The Gym • 921 West Mayfield #112 • Arlington, Texas 817-652-1555 • www.thegym.org
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Thank you, Tiger. Thank you for finally making yourself interesting to so many of us who have been saturated by your image all over the TV, the news stands and the Internet. Yeah, we get that you are the greatest athlete of all time and nobody can touch you when you are playing a game on the links. We know that we are privileged to watch the man who has changed the game of golf and will eventually pass Jack Nicklaus for most majors in his career. But let’s face it Tiger, you rank near the bottom of famous jocks I would have wanted to have a drink with. That is...until the recent Escalade-Gate. Now I think I would buy the first round. In the modern era of sports, there are men and women who stand out not only because of their accomplishments, but because of their personality, too. Despite an agreeable teddy bear-like smile, Tiger has shown very little “flavor” off of the golf course. Think of all the characters like Shaq, Chad Ochocinco, Manny Ramirez, Danica Patrick, David Beckham and the ohso-alabaster Sammy Sosa. These are players people want to see more of because they are either eccentric or brimming with sex appeal (or a serious lack thereof). Tiger just shows up, does his job and gets paid--and gets paid the most. Compare him to Peyton Manning, another star with tons of endorsements. In commercials, Peyton is funny and relaxed, whereas Tiger is stiff and dull. Now with a 2 a.m. excursion and a domestic dispute about a mistress he has publicly admitted to, Tiger Woods has shown himself to be a more of a “modern icon.” He is now the flawed antihero that gets into the same kind of trouble you or I could during an era where the innocence and purity of the boy-scout is regarded as naïve instead of revered, where nice guys finish last and women fall in love with the a**hole (sorry, Elin). To put it another way, Tony Soprano is the greatest character in the history of dramatic television because he is the anti-hero. You can explore so many more avenues and dimensions with a mobster who loves his family and succeeds in his business, but steals, does drugs and cheats on his wife, but also suffers from uncontrollable anxiety and guilt. Tiger Woods has been so clean cut throughout his career that he resembles Superman on and off the golf course. Superman to his credit was noble and pure as he fought for truth and justice--which would be nice to have again--but these days we are more captivated by Wolverine. We are drawn in by scandal because we can watch it from the safety of our side of the screen plus it isn’t us in trouble. Now, it is Tiger. Granted we don’t know everything yet, the speculation is running wild. Perhaps it was totally innocent or perhaps there are some hidden depths to Tiger making him more like Tony Soprano than Superman. I know who I would want to have a drink with between those two.
Fantasy Football:Playoff Run Quarter Backs Jason Campbell (WAS) - He did not get the W, but Campbell had a career day in week 13. He completed 30 of 42 passes for 367 yards with 3 TDs and 1 INT. He is averaging over 250 yards passing the past 3 weeks and has thrown multiple TDs in 2 straight. Solid backup option. Joe Flacco (BAL) - If someone cut him after last night, grab him if you need a week 14 QB as BAL plays DET. Running Back Jerome Harrison (CLE) - It was Harrison, not Chris Jennings who was the featured back for the Browns in week 13. He ran 10 times for 35 yards, but did his real damage as a pass catcher. He caught 7 passes for 62 yards and not 1, but 2 TDs. That’s 97 total yards and 2 TDs for Harrison who seems to be the CLE RB you want going forward. Get
Presented By: SportsMoneyManagers.com Written By: TheFantasyConsultant.com
him for Chris Jennings. Wide Receiver Robert Meachem (NO) - The former first rounder is on fire as he scored for the 4th straight game. START HIM EVERY WEEK AS A GREAT WR3. He led the Saints with 8 catches for 142 yards and a TD, but he was not done there. He also stripped the Skins after a pick and raced 44 yards for a 2nd TD. He is on fire and Drew Brees is going to him more and more his receptions have increased in each of the last 3 games. Start him. Tight End Evan Moore (CLE) - In his NFL debut, Moore caught a team high 6 passes for 80 yards and looked like a top target for Brady Quinn. If you are needing a TE, he definitely seems to be worth a look.
Check out Blitzweekly.com for more
12/8/09 4:17:28 PM
14
FOOD REVIEW
The Pick of the Week:
MARGARITAS & MEXICAN FOOD
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6434 E.MOCKINGBIRD DALLAS, TX 75214 214-826-5564 " "8
by: Kelly G. Reed
“Dude with an Appetite”
Several restaurants in the metroplex offer sushi, hot pot and fresh seafood cuisine. Only one restaurant offers all three and much more for a pleasant dining experience at an affordable price. Nestled off of Plano Parkway and Central Expressway in Plano, this establishment started serving hungry guests in March of 2008. Parking is convenient and plentiful. As you walk in, you are greeted by a hostess dressed in a kimono and traditional Japanese music playing in the background. The décor makes you feel as if you are walking into a Japanese dining hall.
Sushi, Sashimi and More
Japan House is a buffet-style restaurant, so bring your appetite. As mentioned earlier, the seafood is brought in daily and prepared fresh. Tasty eel, oysters, tuna, Alaskan king crab legs and dungeness crab await along with fresh salmon. In addition to the wide selection of seafood, one can have their fill of sushi and sashimi. There is so much to choose from (over 40 kinds), you’ll have to sample each to find to find the type you like. I am particularly fond of the salmon sashimi and Rainbow Roll. Now that winter is upon us, nothing warms you up faster than the hot pot (Shabu Shabu) at your table. As you sit at your table, the wait staff will bring you the entire hot pot set up and you select the ingredients that you wish to cook. Typically guests select thinly-sliced ribeye, Chinese cabbage, onions, carrots, shiitake mushrooms and sometimes noodles. Another popular dish is the tempura-- meaning “deep fried.” The tempura shrimp, sweet potato and eggplant are very popular. Get in line and select. Japan House also has a Hibachi grill. The guest chooses the meat or seafood that they would like, the chef cooks to order. The large scallops and shrimp are in high demand, as is the fried rice.
The Dessert Bar
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3636 Frankford Rd. Ste. 390 214-483-5225
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If your sweet tooth is in need of attention after having your fill of entrees then the dessert bar awaits you. Crème Brulee, fresh fruit, cheese cake and ice cream are in the mix. The ice cream deserves special attention. The wait staff will present you the flavors to choose from such as Green Tea, Mango, Red Bean and Plum Wine. If you like snow cones, Japan House has those, too. They’re called Chua Bing, literally translated as Shaved Ice. Flavors range from jello to chocolate to pineapple.
The Cocktail Bar
Being an adult and liking adult beverages, it’s nice to know that Japan House has a bar with plenty to choose from. For the full experience, try hot Saki. Gekkeikan is really popular and great for the party. Other drinks of note include the Blue Hawaiian and the Saki Cosmopolitan. If you are more of a beer drinker, they can take care of you with an ice cold Kirin, Kirin Ichiban, Asahi Black or Sapporo.
The Party Room
Japan House offers a private party room for company lunches and dinners, corporate events, wedding receptions, etc. The room can host a party of 30 up to 100. The room includes a big screen projector television for videos and slideshows. It’s gorgeous and worth it. Japan House 300 W. Plano Parkway • Plano – 75075 (972) 633-8000 • japanhouseplano.com
12/8/09 4:17:34 PM
15 Courtesy: www.gadgetreview.com
Disposable Flask
Given the outrageous drink pricing at most major sporting and music events, no one is going to blame you for sneaking in your own hooch — but when security rears its ugly head, it’s way better to not have an expensive carrying device in your pocket. Enter the Disposable Flask. These 7.5 oz. reusable foil pouches are portable, freezable, pocketable, and easily disposable. They feature airtight plastic lids that won’t leave tell-tale leakage marks on your clothes. Price: $15/set of three
LG Expo
“Hunchback,” “Chubbs,” “Fatty” — call it what you want, but the LG Expo is a standard smartphone with a surprising secret: a $180 DLP pico projector that straps to its back, not unlike an “iPhone” made from a cheap Tracfone, an iPod shuffle, and some tape. Apart from the optional rear monstrosity, which can display big-sceen size images from up to 8 feet away, the Expo has way-better-than-decent specs, with a 1GHz processor, a 3.2-inch touchscreen, a 5 megapixel camera with flash, a slide-out keyboard, 7.2 Mbps HSPA wireless, microSD storage and Windows Mobile 6.5. Price: $200
Jetboil Flash Cooking System
Like the company’s earlier Personal Cooking System, the Jetboil Flash Cooking System joins an insulated canister/cooking cup with an adjustable-flame burner to provide hot single-serving meals no matter where you might be. Features include a thermochromic temperature indicator that’s integrated into the three side stripes to show you when the contents are hot, a translucent measuring cup that attaches to the bottom when not in use, a piezo igniter and more. Price: $99.95
by: Jack Bishop
jack@rationalradio.com
Last Tuesday night, President Barack Obama addressed the American people on the direction of the Afghan war and occupation. With a death toll of over four thousand in our on-going and seeming endless stalemates in Iraq and Afghanistan, there are those of us who question the addition of thirty thousand U.S. troops in the region. Thom Hartmann, heard here on AM1360 KMNY weekdays at 11a.m., summed it up best when he pointed out that Afghanistan is not a country in the conventional sense most of the world would recognize. First of all, Afghanistan the country did not exist until the occupying British started dissecting the Middle East in the latter part of the nineteen and early twentieth centuries. For most of human existence, this little corner of the world had been tribal-with groups of people having little to do with their neighbors on the other side of the valley. But as they wanted to do, the great nations of Europe tried to establish the kind of political structures they were used to dealing with, so by the end of Ottman Empire the country of Afghanistan was created. With no collective history or national identity, it is pretty hard for a populous with only about a ten percent literacy rate to wrap their head’s around this
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“nation” thing. Here is where the rubber meets the road. Looking back into history, one of the few constants you will find is that no military force occupying Afghanistan has ever achieved its objectives. Not Hannibal, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, the British or the Russians. I doubt it’s going to be any different for the U.S. In listening to the President’s speech, I took solace in his message that the Afghan people would be required to assume responsibility for their own security, and the ambitious proposal that this will begin in eighteen months. However, I have enough gray hair to remember how LBJ and Richard Nixon talked about the same thing in Vietnam. While Afghanistan is no Vietnam, just a singularly inhospitable terrain some say reminds them of the surface of the moon, I hear words reminiscent of that time bringing back a lot of old memories-- and none of them are good. The late Marvin Gaye once said, “We don’t need to escalate.” I would hate for us to be singing that song in another three
or four years. The reality is that President Obama may not be able to execute the troop drawback by 2011--in time for his reelection bid--knowing the way the American people historically perceive winning and losing. As far as I can see, no Republican standard-bearer will likely consider pulling out either. Since there seem to be no easy answers, the really hard question is what we as a people are willing to give up to stay the course… and when will the magnitude of our national sacrifice include more than just our poorest kids. Jack Bishop Hosts “The Rational Radio Report” weekdays 6-9am on AM1360 KMNY “The Talk You’ve Been Missing”
12/8/09 4:17:38 PM
By: Sybil Summers
sybilsummers.com
Top 10
Worst Holiday Movies 10. Fred Claus (2007) - Just when you thought Vince Vaughn could do no wrong, he crapped out a Christmas movie. 9. Home Alone (1990) - Was there really a need for two follow-ups? 8. The Family Stone (2005) - Rachel McAdams, Luke Wilson, Diane Keaton. Such big-named stars...yet such a letdown. 7. Jingle All the Way (1996) - I’ll admit...I’ve never seen this movie, but if you can name me one Ahnuld Schwarzenegger movie that’s actually digestable, I’ll rescind my listing. 6. Christmas With the Kranks (2004)/ Deck the Halls (2006) - No thanks. I saw this movie back in the 80’s when it was called Christmas Vacation. And was funny. 5. The Santa Clause (1994) - See #9. 4. Eight Crazy Nights (2002) - Adam Sandler does wacky Adam Sandler voices in another Adam Sandler movie about Adam Sandler being Jewish. 3. Bad Santa (2003) - Oh. Vur. Ray. Ted. 2. Jack Frost (1998) - So let me get this straight, Michael Keaton dies in a car wreck, then resurrects as a snowman who appears when you play a magical harmonica? Tell me again how this made it past the movie studio execs. 1. Ernest Saves Christmas (1988) - If I have to explain why, you apparently don’t have a sense of humor/brain and are therefore banned from reading my Top 10 Lists.
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ACROSS 1. Was attired in 5. Escape 8. Historical periods 12. Ends a prayer 13. A clique 15. Peddle 16. Elk or caribou 17. Small egg 18. Epic 19. Enlightening 22. Taxi 23. 52 in Roman numerals 24. Departure 26. Disengage 29. Tranquil 31. Music with jazzlike riffs 32. Ballroom dance 34. Film 36. Pledge 38. Rent 40. Sea-based armed forces 41. Normal 43. Perpendicular to the keel 45. Golf ball support 46. A short trip to do a task 48. A sliding container 50. Basilica area 51. Ottoman officer 52. American Sign Language 54. Perceive what isn’t there 61. Be in an agitated emotional state 63. Not smooth 64. Smile 65. Indolent 66. French for “Room” 67. Told an untruth 68. Sword 69. Go through the air 70. Cobs of corn
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DOWN 1. Dry riverbed 2. Portent 3. Coral ridge 4. Sign up 5. Magma 6. Adjoin 7. French Sudan, today 8. S 9. Start up again 10. Seaweed 11. Thick slice 13. Provoking laughter 14. Flat 20. Violent disturbance 21. Test 25. Religious figure 26. Imperial decree 27. Make into a citizen 28. Work dough 29. Modeled 30. Frogman 31. Former French coin 33. Prattle 35. Center of a hurricane 37. Angelic instrument 39. Otalgia 42. Whip 44. Wise men 47. Approaches 49. Finagle 52. Competent 53. Detergent 55. A unit of bread 56. Quiet time 57. Not pretty 58. Operatic solo 59. Level 60. Concludes 62. Caustic
Blitz Weekly Funnies for the Week Q: How can you tell which tricycle belongs to the blonde? Lawyer on His Deathbed A: It is the one with the kickstand. A lawyer was on his deathbed in his bedroom, and he called to his wife. She Q: What’s the difference rushed in and said, “What is it, honey?” between a Catfish and a lawyer? He told her to run and get the Bible A: One is a scum sucking bottom dweller, and the other as soon as possible. Being a religious woman, she thought this was a good idea. is a fish. She ran and got it, prepared to read him Q: Why don’t they have his favorite verse or something of the any toilet paper in KFC? sort. He snatched it from her and began A: Because its finger licking good! quickly scanning pages, his eyes darting right and left. The wife was curious. Q: What is six inches “What are you doing, honey?” she asked. long, has a bald head, and drives women crazy? “I’m looking for loopholes!” he shouted. A: A hundred dollar bill.
Horrorscopes
Sagittarius(Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)
Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19)
Leo (Jul. 23 - Aug. 22)
Your life will be miserable. All is forgiven, you’re going to have a wonderful month full of daffodils, fluffy bunnies and frogs.
Friday before you get up, your car will be hit by a blob of motor oil that’ll suddenly fall out of the sky. Your driveway will be designated as a SuperFund clean-up site.
You’ll find out that you are the product of the furtive imagination of a bath sponge. Your offering didn’t get noticed by the gods, but it did attract the attention of the police.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19)
Taurus (Apr. 20 - May 20)
You are the logical type. This nitpicking is sickening to your friends. You FINALLY realize that your life-time goal of destroying the world is self-defeating.
Do not tell your daughter’s ugly spouse about your alien experience or the aliens will return and remove the remaining portions of your brain.
Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)
Gemini (May 21 - Jun. 21)
You should avoid standing still too long, as you tend to root. The bushes are out to get you. You will continue on in your meaningless existence.
Music plays a large part in the day when you suck off a roadie in order to go backstage at a rock concert and are promptly gang-banged by an entire band and infected with VD.
Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22)
You are currently just dreaming. You are a bloody libidinal. I mean seriously, it’s just like sex, sex, sex. You have a reckless tendency to rely on luck, since you lack talent.
Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22)
Expand your horizons by sleeping with a rent boy, then being beaten up by his pimp when you find you have no money. It’ll be your turn in the “glory hole”.
Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)
Cancer (Jun. 22 – Jul. 22)
Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)
After getting hit by a comet and surviving as a vegetable, you will develop amnesia and sleep with your father, only to find he actually quite liked it.
You have a minor influence over your associates and people resent you for flaunting it at peers. Chances are that you’ll do nothing of any merit this week.
You achieve the pinnacle of success because of your total lack of ethics. Do you split the month up between soup kitchens and playgrounds or is it more of a Jekyll and Hyde thing?
12/8/09 4:17:48 PM
18
by: Pat Moran
“Man On His Throne”
pmoran@gmail.com
Santa Claus is Possibly Evil!!!
Yeah, I get it. Saint Nick. He’s not technically canonized anymore, but still. You get the nod for doing good and even a step down from Sainthood is still pretty darn spotless. But still. That doesn’t give that fat old man the right to break into our homes every single freakin’ year. Last time I checked, unlawful entry of a home through a chimney is still incredibly illegal. Who knows what the heck he takes with him in return for a few presents... When was the last time you have heard of an Elf in any place but the North Pole? Besides all those sci-fi elves, Santa Claus employs an entire race of people to be his toy-making minions. Santa’s sweat shop makes Nike look like the “Make A Wish Foundation.” Yeah, Santa may only work one day a year, but you have to bet that they don’t share the same work schedule. Oh and the Reindeer? How does one man know the secret of flight and not tell the entire world? How freakin’ selfish is that? I mean, if
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Crossword Solution
you have the capability to turn regular mindless beasts into super-powered beings who can fly, then you have got to assume that he has the capability to do even more amazing things. Maybe he can cure cancer? Maybe he can stop poverty and reduce the national deficit? Nope, he decides to make reindeer fly instead. What a selfish d!ck. He doesn’t even have to pay taxes. He works ONE DAY A YEAR. He’s probably grossly obese. He’s extremely old. He has only one set of clothing. He has brought the entire month of December to it’s proverbial knees. And to top it off, how many old men who hang out in malls and put random kids on their laps and promise them presents turn out to NOT be pedophiles? I’m just saying... Santa Claus: Bowl full of Jelly or Nefarious Evil Villain? You Decide.
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