"It is a necessity in the northern states to winterize your lawn, if you want your lawn to come back in the spring, lush, green and thick. Winterizing is not a difficult thing to do. It takes a little preparation and a few hours of work. Unfortunately some of the preparation should have already been done if you are reading this after your last mowing of the year.
Prep Work for Winterizing Lawn
Identify your type of grass. If you already know the answer you are well ahead of the game. If you have no idea, Scotts has a great tool here ...Lawn Type. Remember if you live south of the Mason - Dixon extended across the country ( Virginia to Northern California ) you probably don't need to winterize if you were diligent in your fertilizing during the early fall. The closer you are to the Mason - Dixon, the more this becomes a judgment call. If you want expert advice your local USDA Extension office can answer any questions."
For more on winterize your lawn mow fertilize and water
Earnhardt Nation Website
Monday, August 31, 2009
winterize your lawn mow fertilize water
Summer is supossed to be hot
It's August!!! Granted, it's the last day of August but still - 54 degrees? 54 degrees is a temperature meant for Spring or Fall in the south, not Summer. Here in the south we like a brisk 75 degrees when we wake. If we wanted limb numbing mornings we would move to the Sierras where I lived as a young ranter and raver.
Where I grew up, Reno, NV, even in the Summer your brass monkeys had to be careful. The elevation was (and still is) 4500 feet above sea level that is why "I grew up there" and I don't live there now. I like warm weather!
Where is Global Warming when I need it?
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Elena Vesnina. loses Pilot pen Tennis Tournament
Caroline Wozniacki 
Elena Vesnina
I read on Pilot pen's website;
"Caroline Wozniacki has become the first woman since Venus Williams in 2002 to win Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Schick in back-to-back years. The teenager claimed her third title of the year, and the sixth of her career, with a 6-2, 6-4, result over Elena Vesnina. In a match that was disrupted with a late start because of persistent drizzle, Wozniacki got off to a quick start by breaking serve in the first game. There only hiccup for the 19-year-old Dane was when she dropped her serve mid-way through the second set while leading 3-1. Other than that she never allowed the Russian, who as making her New Haven debut, any opportunities and dominated her from the back of the court."
So most people would say, Elena Vesnina was a loser, but was she? I say no! Any time these two young stars of women's tennis are on television there are no losers.
It is ClubHusband's opinion, after long, long hours of study on this subject, Vesnina and Wozniacki make us all winners when they play.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Maria Sharapova grunting
I keep reading, men writing, about Maria Sharapova grunting. Aparently her loud oral noises disturb some sports writers.
I would like to say to those writers.....long legged blonds, in short skirts, making grunt noises is the reason most of us watch tennis.
So you idiots need to go put on a dress and a sun bonnet and leave women's tennis to the real fans of the sport.
Maria on the left with actress Blake Lively (I love that name!)
Post Office and Amazon
Is it the Post office or is it Amazon? Frankly I don't care but it irritates me. Last Monday, the 24th I received an email from Amazon saying the software I ordered had been shipped from Lexington, KY using the U.S. Postal Service. It is now Friday the 28th and no software yet. For some parts of the country this would be expected but I live 120 miles from Lexington!
Did they send it by mule? Is it being carried by a person on foot? These are the only two reasons that make sense. Surely if they use any vehicle propelled by petroleum fuel it would of been her by now.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Summer Almost Over
My favorite season, Summer, is almost over. I have mixed feelings about it. I will miss the warm weather but I won't miss my lawn growing 2 feet every time it rains.
I will miss baseball but I will look forward to football.
I will miss the young physically fit women in shorts and halters but I won't miss women who obviously don't own mirrors in shorts and halters.
Let me tell you my town lately seems to be in an urgent need of full length mirrors. Way too many people are dressing as if they weigh a ton or two less than they do. It could be the places I hang out are meccas for the fashion illiterates. Places like McDonald's, Walmart and the minute mart. Or could be that people are care free and fanciful in our small town when it comes to clothes. Either way I have been temporarily blinded by the flash of whale white skin protruding above low slung jeans too many times to count.
The first time it happened I thought it was a nuclear attack by the North Koreans but then I quickly realized it was the reflective glow of Walmart's florescent lights bouncing off the bare midriff of a toothless mother of five, practicing multitasking by corporal punishing her children while shopping for chips and dips with food stamps and buying a $40 NASCAR ice chest with a welfare check. It was the trifecta of discount shopping.
Even as I was impressed by her mothering skills and my vision began to return I thought......soon Summer will be over and the bare midriffs will be put under coats for another year. I will no longer be abused by such sights but I will also be deprived of the gym rat blondes who also discount shop in this time of recession.
It is that thought that makes me wonder - if Summer lasted a little longer how much would it cost to hire a blond wearing shorts and a halter to cut my grass in the rain while I watch baseball?
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Toyota Will Cut Domestic Production as Sales Plummet (Update4) - Bloomberg.com
Toyota Will Cut Domestic Production as Sales Plummet (Update4) - Bloomberg.com: "Toyota Motor Corp., Japan’s biggest automaker, plans its first long-term closure of a domestic assembly line as car sales in the country fall to the lowest in more than 30 years.
Toyota, which cut domestic production 49 percent through June, will reduce output by about 220,000 vehicles by shutting down a line at its Takaoka plant from the fiscal first quarter of next year through the second half of calendar year 2011, spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi said by phone today.
Car demand has plummeted due to the global recession, forcing General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC into bankruptcy. Toyota, the world’s largest carmaker, earlier this month forecast a net loss of 450 billion yen ($4.8 billion) for the year ending in March. Toyota President Akio Toyoda, who took the helm in June, is slashing costs as he tries to avoid a third consecutive year of losses."
Cash for Clunkers program sells 690,000 cars - Aug. 26, 2009
Cash for Clunkers program sells 690,000 cars - Aug. 26, 2009: "With the final numbers now in, the Department of Transportation said Wednesday that nearly 700,000 old cars had been traded in for new ones under the Cash for Clunkers program.
'This is one of the best economic news stories we've seen and I'm proud we were able to give consumers a helping hand,' Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said."
Kennedy Lionized by Republicans, Democrats as ‘Irreplaceable’ - Bloomberg.com
Kennedy Lionized by Republicans, Democrats as ‘Irreplaceable’ - Bloomberg.com: "Aug. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Republicans and Democrats set aside their differences over U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy’s signature issue of overhauling health care and lionized the Massachusetts lawmaker in statements that mourned his passing.
Kennedy’s death late yesterday of brain cancer at age 77 ended a Senate career spanning almost a half century. He was lauded as a tireless and passionate advocate for civil rights and social justice who steadfastly sought common ground with Republicans to achieve his legislative goals.
“Ted Kennedy was at once the most partisan and the most constructive” senator who “could preach the party line as well as bridge differences better than any Democrat,” said Senator Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee Republican.
Mel Martinez of Florida, a former Republican National Committee chairman who is resigning his Senate seat, called Kennedy “the lion of the Senate.”
Arizona Republican John McCain, who teamed with Kennedy in 2007 in an unsuccessful bid for compromise immigration legislation, described his “irreplaceable” colleague as someone “sincerely intent on finding enough common ground among us to make progress on the issues of our day.”
McCain, his party’s presidential candidate last year, extolled Kennedy for “the integrity of his word,” saying that “when he made a promise to you he kept it no matter what.”"
Crude Weak After Inventory Data - WSJ.com
Crude Weak After Inventory Data - WSJ.com: "NEW YORK – Crude-oil futures failed to hold onto gains made after the Department of Energy reported a small build in U.S. oil inventories, as weak demand and a fuel glut weighed on the market.
Light, sweet crude for October delivery recently traded 96 cents, or 1.3%, lower at $71.09 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, about 20 cents higher than before the inventory data came out. Brent crude on the ICE futures exchange traded 80 cents, or 1.1%, lower at $71.02 a barrel"
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The Associated Press: S.Williams No. 2 to Safina in US Open seedings
The Associated Press: S.Williams No. 2 to Safina in US Open seedings: "After the top two women, two-time U.S. Open champion Venus Williams is No. 3, followed by Beijing Olympics gold medalist Elena Dementieva and 2008 U.S. Open runner-up Jelena Jankovic.
Maria Sharapova is No. 29 — barely earning one of the 32 seedings after rising from No. 49 in the rankings last week. She won the 2006 U.S. Open for one of her three major titles but missed the tournament last year because of a right shoulder injury. The Russian had surgery in October and a long absence from the tour dropped her ranking."
MMA Stomping Grounds: Couture's end game? - Mixed martial arts blog by Mark Chalifoux for baltimoresun.com - baltimoresun.com
MMA Stomping Grounds: Couture's end game? - Mixed martial arts blog by Mark Chalifoux for baltimoresun.com - baltimoresun.com: "Dana White was very vocal in his desire for Chuck Liddell to retire from the sport. He claimed the Iceman had nothing left to prove and shouldn’t even bother stepping into the Octagon again.
Why doesn’t he have the same rap about Randy Couture? He’s retired before and came out of retirement when he saw a beatable (in his eyes) heavyweight champ in Tim Sylvia. He defended his title, had his contract dispute and then lost his title to Brock Lesnar. What does Couture have left to prove? He’s an MMA legend and former champion, and other than his bout this weekend with another MMA legend, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, there’s not much left for Couture at the heavyweight level."
Earnhardt Nation Website
Consumer confidence rises above forecast in August | Reuters
Consumer confidence rises above forecast in August | Reuters: "U.S. consumer confidence climbed more than expected in August on an improved outlook on the job market and the overall economy, according to a private report released on Tuesday.
The Conference Board, an industry group, said its index of consumer attitudes rose to 54.1 in August from an upwardly revised 47.4 percent in July. The July figure was originally reported at 46.6.
Analysts had predicted the index likely moved up to 47.5 in August.
The August reading on consumer sentiment was the loftiest since May when it was 54.8."
Maria Sharapova blonde beauty of women's tennis
Maria Sharapova blonde beauty of women's tennis: "Maria Sharapova was born on April 19, 1987 to dad Yuri Sharapova and mom Yelena Sharapova in Nyagan, Russia - a Siberian region, to which they fled from Gomel, Belarus a year earlier. Maria Sharapova first started playing tennis at age four and at age six Maria played an exhibition match in Moscow with Martina Navratilova who saw tremendous potential in her and recommended that she should come to the United States to train and develop her game. Yuri decided to follow up with the advice given by Martina Navratilova later on and they made the move to Bradenton, Florida to train at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy when Maria was just nine years old. Maria's parents made a lot of sacrifices but they were determined to help Maria be the best that she could be. Maria's enormous potential was noticeable."
Creamer still basks in glow from Solheim Cup victory | MyDesert.com | The Desert Sun
Creamer still basks in glow from Solheim Cup victory | MyDesert.com | The Desert Sun: "She still had the red, white and blue wrist band on her right wrist, and her fingernails were still sporting American flags. And if Paula Creamer was a bit bleary-eyed, well, you have to understand that the victory party for the Solheim Cup on Sunday was quite raucous.
Advertisement
“It went into the early hours of the morning,” Creamer said with a broad smile. “I can't tell you any more than that.”
The hectic life of a professional golfer saw Creamer in Chicago on Monday morning and in San Diego later Monday for a media day for the Samsung World Championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course.
Creamer is the defending champion of the event, played last year in Northern California at Half-Moon Bay Golf Club near San Francisco.
While the late-night celebration and the long cross-country flight had taken their toll on the 23-year-old Creamer, the buzz from helping the U.S. to a 16-12 victory over Europe in the Solheim Cup was still evident on her face."
Bernanke to Be Nominated for Second Term as Fed Chief (Update2) - Bloomberg.com
Bernanke to Be Nominated for Second Term as Fed Chief (Update2) - Bloomberg.com: "Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke, who led the biggest expansion of the central bank’s power in its 95-year history to battle the worst economic slump since the Great Depression, will be nominated to a second term by President Barack Obama."
Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez struggles vs. Ravens, but it's a start
Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez struggles vs. Ravens, but it's a start: "The Jets fell in love with Mark Sanchez when they worked him out five months ago in California, backed that up by trading up to select him in the top five of the draft and then gave him a $50 million contract in June."
Monday, August 24, 2009
Dancing with the Stars Pairs Revealed! - PEOPLE TV Watch
Dancing with the Stars Pairs Revealed! - PEOPLE TV Watch:
"Mya, singer, and Dmitri Chaplin
Melissa Joan Hart, actress, and reigning DWTS champ Mark Ballas
Michael Irvin, former Dallas Cowboy, and Anna Demidova
Ashley Hamilton, actor, comedian, singer-songwriter, and Edyta Sliwinska
Aaron Carter, singer, and Karina Smirnoff
Kathy Ireland, former supermodel-turned-businesswoman, and Tony Dovolani
Debi Mazar, actress, and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Natalie Coughlin, U.S. Olympic swimmer, and season 1 champ Alec Mazo
Louie Vito, snowboarder, and Chelsie Hightower
Chuck Liddell, ultimate fighting champ, and Anna Trebunskaya
Donny Osmond, singer, and Kym Johnson
Tom DeLay, former congressman, and two-time Dancing champ Cheryl Burke
Macy Gray, singer, and Jonathan Roberts
Joanna Krupa, model and actress, and season 7 champ Derek Hough
Mark Dacascos, Iron Chef personality, and Lacey Schwimmer
Kelly Osbourne, reality star, and Louis Van Amstel"
Ultimate Grilled Dinner
"Lisa's very own ultimate grilled dinner...ultimate in flavor, color combinations, food variety, and nutrition.
You will need:
1. Beef (t-bone, tenderloin, other cuts of steaks good for grilling)
2. Veggies (hatch chilis, tomato (roma or vine ripe), red onion
3. Fruit (apple, banana)
4. Olive Oil, salt, black pepper, and chili powder
5. A fresh orange."
For directions....Ultimate Grilled Dinner:
Turf Wars | PressDemocrat.com | The Press Democrat | Santa Rosa, CA
Turf Wars | PressDemocrat.com | The Press Democrat | Santa Rosa, CA: "Whenever Master Gardener Sandy Metzger flashes a slide of a big green lawn during her free public gardening workshops, she can count on the same response from her audience -- a loud, collective groan. It might as well be boos and hisses.
Click to enlarge
Mitch and Sheryl Palmer tried twice to put in lawn in front of their Beaver Street home in Santa Rosa but the grass died both times. The third time, he replaced the grass with brick, with two squares of dirt set aside for planting trees.
Like Snidely Whiplash on the silent screen, turf has become the stock villain, a dastardly water thief in a bone dry state. It's a reaction Metzger would not have received even five years ago. But a series of events -- from a freefalling economy to a lingering drought to the rising popularity in home-grown Victory Gardens that has spread all the way to The White House -- have conspired to create a sea change in the way we view our landscapes."
UPDATE 2-Venezuelan wins sixth Miss Universe crown | Reuters
UPDATE 2-Venezuelan wins sixth Miss Universe crown | Reuters: "Venezuelan Stefania Fernandez, an 18-year-old brunette, won the Miss Universe 2009 title on Sunday, giving her South American country its second consecutive win and its sixth title in the beauty pageant.
The svelte Venezuelan model defeated favorites from Australia and Dominican Republic to became the 58th winner of the crown in a show broadcast live around the world from the Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas.
The first runner-up was Miss Dominican Republic, Ada Aimee de la Cruz, while Miss Kosovo, Gona Dragusha, was second runner-up."
Nokia Enters the Netbook Market With the Booklet 3G - Business Center - PC World
Nokia Enters the Netbook Market With the Booklet 3G - Business Center - PC World: "Nokia has unveiled the Booklet 3G, a netbook with high-speed mobile broadband and Wi-Fi connectivity, and a GPS receiver, the company said on Monday.
The Booklet 3G should run for up to 12 hours on one battery charge, Nokia said. It weighs 1.25 kilograms, has an aluminum chassis and is slightly more than 2 centimeters think."
Sunday, August 23, 2009
United States beats Europe to claim 8th Solheim Cup - ESPN
United States beats Europe to claim 8th Solheim Cup - ESPN: "Morgan Pressel delivered the winning point with her 3-and-2 victory over Anna Nordqvist on Sunday, giving the United States 14 points and one of the most coveted titles in women's golf.
Three matches were still being played, but the U.S. was leading one and assured of at least halving another."
Earnhardt Nation Website
building fire pit, build outdoor fire pit brick
building fire pit, build outdoor fire pit brick: "A fire pit is great for those cold Florida evenings when I'm sitting in my yard and the temperatures drop to a frigid 65 degrees. I scoot my lawn chair up close(not close enough my evening cocktail explodes) and enjoy the warmth of the hot embers as I poke them with my glowing wooden poker."
Tropical Storm Warning Lifted in Massachusetts; Hurricane Bill Heads Directly For Nova Scotia - ABC News
Tropical Storm Warning Lifted in Massachusetts; Hurricane Bill Heads Directly For Nova Scotia - ABC News: "'I'm a little surprised it didn't intensify a little more than what it did,' said AccuWeather meteorologist Joe Bastardi. 'But what's happened is, all that power, instead of being concentrated in a small area at the center, is spread out over a larger area.'
The weakening storm still poses a threat to Canada, where offshore oil rigs are being carefully monitored. Bill will likely make landfall on the east coast of Nova Scotia this afternoon as a hurricane."
Earnhardt Nation Website
Saturday, August 22, 2009
The Associated Press: Creamer's clutch putt gives Inkster Solheim record
The Associated Press: Creamer's clutch putt gives Inkster Solheim record: "'I just feel really comfortable with Paula,' said Inkster, who's 3-0 in foursomes. 'She's a hell of a player, so it's pretty easy to ride a stallion, so I just kind of go out there and say 'giddy-up' and she goes. She reminds me a lot of me when I was her age.' (Keep dreamin")
And it was Inkster's approach to the 17th green that set up the go-ahead putt. At 2-up over Matthew and Moody, Creamer buried the 20-footer and ended the second round.
'There's not much break at all,' said Creamer, who teamed with Cristie Kerr to beat Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson in the morning fourball play. 'I played it straight. The biggest thing for me was getting it to the hole. It was a really slow putt.
'That was one putt I wasn't going to leave short, especially at that moment. I knew I had to make it.'
When the ball fell in, Inkster dropped to her knees. Creamer pumped her fist, then hugged Inkster's caddie and embraced her teammate before the other American players made their way to the green."
Ricketts family to buy Cubs for $845 million - washingtonpost.com
Ricketts family to buy Cubs for $845 million - washingtonpost.com: "A billionaire brokerage family will attempt what a newspaper publisher and a chewing-gum dynasty failed to do: Break baseball's longest World Series drought."
The Associated Press: Favre shaky but Vikings beat Chiefs in his debut
The Associated Press: Favre shaky but Vikings beat Chiefs in his debut: "He didn't manage a first down in two series of work, completing only one pass to rookie Percy Harvin before giving way to Tarvaris Jackson. But he made no major mistakes and absorbed a couple of big hits as he looked to start getting back in the groove of being an NFL quarterback."
Earnhardt Nation Website
Friday, August 21, 2009
Creamer putt gives US lead at Solheim Cup - - SI.com
Creamer putt gives US lead at Solheim Cup - - SI.com: "Paula Creamer's 25-footer gave the United States a 4 1/2-3 1/2 lead after the first day of the Solheim Cup, and made Inkster the highest-scoring U.S. player in the event's history. The 49-year-old has scored 17 1/2 points, one more than Meg Mallon, an assistant captain this year."
Earnhardt Nation Website
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Oakland Raiders' Jeff Garcia is NFL's best backup quarterback - Don Banks - SI.com
Oakland Raiders' Jeff Garcia is NFL's best backup quarterback - Don Banks - SI.com: "One caveat: After the top 10 or so, this list is a collection of quarterbacks who have either never proven they can do it in the NFL (see Leinart, Matt), or they're just career journeyman in the Josh McCown mold. As always, your results may vary.
1. Jeff Garcia, Oakland -- Though the Raiders are his sixth team in the past seven seasons, there's a reason Garcia keeps getting jobs: He's pretty good. In the past three seasons, he has helped two of his teams to the playoffs, and thrown 35 touchdown passes with just 12 interceptions, posting passer ratings of 90.2 or higher each time. Does anyone doubt he'll start at some point this season in place of JaMarcus Russell?
2. Michael Vick, Philadelphia -- After two years away from the game, Vick is such an unknown quantity at this point, and it's difficult to assign his value when he was clearly brought to Philly as more than just a traditional backup. But I can't see the Eagles turning to A.J. Feeley or Kevin Kolb before him if anything happened to Donovan McNabb, and Vick was one of the game's most gifted playmakers not all that long ago. He gets our No. 2 slot based on his potential 'wow'' factor alone."
Skanks for nothing: Google must ID 'anonymous' blogger
Skanks for nothing: Google must ID 'anonymous' blogger: "This is not necessarily a bad thing. There is way too much nastiness on the Net hiding under the shield of anonymity. 'Skanks in NYC' is a good example of this, but virtually every blog with any traffic suffers from the Anonymous D------ Commenter syndrome (fill in the blanks yourself). A lot of that would go away if people had to staple their own identities to what they actually said."
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Microsoft Appeals MS Word Ban -- InformationWeek
Microsoft Appeals MS Word Ban -- InformationWeek: "Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) on Tuesday formally appealed a judge's ruling that its Word application violates a patent held by a Canadian firm and that it therefore must stop selling the program within the U.S. in 60 days.
'If left undisturbed, the district court's injunction will inflict irreparable harm on Microsoft by potentially keeping the centerpiece of its product line out of the market for months,' Microsoft said in a filing with the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C."
Hurricane Bill strengthens to Category 4- msnbc.com
Hurricane Bill strengthens to Category 4- msnbc.com: "Hurricane Bill became a dangerous Category 4 storm with top sustained winds near 135 mph early Wednesday, and forecasters said it could get even stronger as it howls over the open Atlantic.
The United States was not expected to get the brunt of Bill, but people on the East Coast were warned of possible rip tides and rough seas through the weekend."
Earnhardt Nation Website
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Dancing with the Stars
ClubHusband predicts Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin will win. We believe her grace in the pool will transfer onto the dance floor. We believe her flexibility in the backstroke will be a distinct advantage. We also believe if she is voted off we will quit watching so no matter what happens she will be the winner to us.
Source: Childress tells Vikings Favre is a 'done deal' - NFL News - FOX Sports on MSN
Source: Childress tells Vikings Favre is a 'done deal' - NFL News - FOX Sports on MSN: "One day after my column on FOXSports.com caused a firestorm regarding Favre signing with Minnesota — despite Favre reaffirming his decision to retire in July — Vikings players told FOXSports.com that Favre is in fact on his way to Minnesota and they believe a deal could be done as early as Tuesday night."
Hurricane Bill Gathers Force Over Atlantic - WSJ.com
Hurricane Bill Gathers Force Over Atlantic - WSJ.com: "Early Tuesday, Bill was centered about 810 miles east of the Leeward Islands and moving west-northwest near 17 mph. Bill was a large system, about 300 miles across, so Bermuda faces a potential threat even if the Atlantic island avoids a direct hit. But where Bill will go isn't certain, but meteorologists said they don't project the storm to reach the U.S. at this point"
Studios play hardball with Redbox at their own risk -- latimes.com
Studios play hardball with Redbox at their own risk -- latimes.com: "Whether the studios like it or not, Redbox is a brilliant, consumer-friendly product. In a few short years, it has enjoyed spectacular growth, enabling movie fans to cheaply rent DVDs from thousands of kiosks around the country, located at McDonald's (where the company got its start), grocery stores, pharmacies and Wal-Mart outlets. There are now 18,000 Redbox kiosks around the country.
But the key, most telling statistic is this: The company's revenues grew by 110% last quarter while Blockbuster, the nation's leading retail DVD chain, saw its second-quarter revenues plummet by 22%."
Earnhardt Nation Website
Monday, August 17, 2009
The Associated Press: Lowe's 2Q profit falls 19 pct; shares fall
The Associated Press: Lowe's 2Q profit falls 19 pct; shares fall: "No. 2 home-improvement retailer Lowe's Cos. on Monday said second-quarter earnings fell 19 percent on weaker-than-expected sales, adding fresh fuel to doubts about the ability and willingness of consumers to lead the economy out of recession.
The company also plans to scale back new store openings in its next fiscal year in response to the poor economy and consumer pullback.
Lowe's results were a stark contrast to the prior quarter, when the company beat expectations as consumers stocked up on paints and plants as spring approached."
ABC unveils new cast of 'Dancing With the Stars' - USATODAY.com
ABC unveils new cast of 'Dancing With the Stars' - USATODAY.com: "This season's celebrity cast has been boosted to 16 — the biggest ever and double from the show's inaugural season — and may be its most diverse. Besides DeLay, there are several potential eyebrow raising ballroom wannabees, including 51-year-old Donnie Osmond, whose sister, Marie, was a Season 6 finalist. There's ample testosterone. Among the men are former Dallas Cowboy receiver Michael Irvin, 43, mixed martial arts star Chuck Liddell, 39, pro skateboarder Louie Vito, 21, and Mark DaCascos, 45, a martial arts expert, film action star and host of Food Network'sIron Chef America: The Series."
Jankovic, Recently No. 1, Bests Her Successor in a Final - NYTimes.com
Jankovic, Recently No. 1, Bests Her Successor in a Final - NYTimes.com: "There would be no “L” for Jankovic, either. Neutralizing Safina’s firepower with angled shots and a blazing backhand, Jankovic cruised to a 6-4, 6-2 victory at the Lindner Family Tennis Center."
Yang topples Tiger Woods in PGA
Yang topples Tiger Woods in PGA: "The virtually impossible became the very undeniable when Woods for the first time in his remarkable career gave away a third-round lead in a major and Sunday came in second at the 91st PGA to a deliriously excited Korean, Y.E. (Yong-Eun) Yang."
Earnhardt Nation Website
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Netscape Founder Andreessen Backs New Browser -- Netscape -- InformationWeek
Netscape Founder Andreessen Backs New Browser -- Netscape -- InformationWeek: "Marc Andreessen, who developed the Netscape browser that brought the Internet to millions of people in the 1990s, is reportedly backing a startup that believes it has a better browser.
Netscape lost the browser and Web server market to Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT). Now, the developer-turned-financier is backing RockMelt, which is staffed by two of Andreessen's close associates, The New York Times reported Thursday, quoting people knowledgeable with his investment."
Feds shut down Colonial BancGroup; BB&T to buy its assets - USATODAY.com
Feds shut down Colonial BancGroup; BB&T to buy its assets - USATODAY.com: "Real estate lender Colonial BancGroup Inc. has been shut down by federal officials in the biggest U.S. bank failure this year.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., which was appointed receiver of the Montgomery, Ala.-based Colonial and its about $25 billion in assets, said the failed bank's 346 branches in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and Texas will reopen at the normal times starting on Saturday as offices of Winston-Salem, N.C.-based BB&T.
The FDIC has approved the sale of Colonial's $20 billion in deposits and about $22 billion of its assets to BB&T Corp.
Regulators also closed four other banks: Community Bank of Arizona, based in Phoenix; Union Bank, based in Gilbert, Ariz.; Community Bank of Nevada, based in Las Vegas; and Dwelling House Savings and Loan Association, located in Pittsburgh."
Earnhardt Nation Website
Tiger Woods rebuffs all comers to take command - BostonHerald.com
Tiger Woods rebuffs all comers to take command - BostonHerald.com: "But Harrington was not alone in the assault on Woods this time. Along with him was Spain’s Alvaro Quiros, the big hitter from Cadiz who briefly was tied atop the leaderboard early in his round, and England’s Ross Fisher, who was nipping at Woods’ heels for a while before he fell back to 3-under for the tournament. That tied Fisher with four others in pursuit of Woods, whose 70 left him 7-under after two days despite bogeying three holes, including the final one, yesterday. What would have happened if he actually played like he’s capable of?"
Earnhardt Nation Website
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The Associated Press: Pennetta upsets Venus Williams at Cincinnati
The Associated Press: Pennetta upsets Venus Williams at Cincinnati: "Williams dumped routine shots into the net or hit them long throughout a 7-6 (2), 6-4 loss to Italy's Flavia Pennetta on Thursday, the first major upset at the Cincinnati Open. Kim Clijsters extender her comeback for another day, pulling out a three-set victory that sent her into the quarterfinals.
Williams didn't even come close.
The third-seeded American had 38 unforced errors, and made some of her worst shots at the biggest moments. She hit a couple of forehands long during the final points of the first-set tiebreaker, and ended the match by sending a forehand well beyond the baseline.
'I wasn't able to get control of my ball today,' said Williams, who even struggled with her serve. 'After a while, it was obvious to see she was just keeping the ball in play and waiting for me to self-destruct.'
Her meltdown overshadowed a comeback."
Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies' Shane Victorino file complaints over beer-throwing incident - ESPN Chicago
Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies' Shane Victorino file complaints over beer-throwing incident - ESPN Chicago: "'[The beer thrower is] probably at home laughing right now,' Victorino said Thursday. 'I just think he should be held accountable, that's it, nothing more than that. He should be held accountable, that's it ... but it is what it is. It's not like the first time I've seen it happen [at a ballpark].'
The Cubs talked to Victorino and Phillies manager Charlie Manuel after the game.
'That really ticked me off, to be honest with you,' Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Thursday on 'The Waddle & Silvy' show on ESPN 1000. 'There's no place for it. The Phillies are a good ballclub, and Shane's an outstanding player. It wouldn't matter who it is."
P.G.A. Championship - Woods Has Share of Early P.G.A. Lead - NYTimes.com
P.G.A. Championship - Woods Has Share of Early P.G.A. Lead - NYTimes.com: "Starting on the back nine, in the glamour group with the former champions Padraig Harrington and Rich Beem, Woods sank a 15-foot putt for birdie at the par-4, 518-yard 12th hole. He added another birdie on the lengthy No. 15 after blasting from the back right greenside bunker to 18 inches, and lipped a birdie putt at No. 16."
Les Paul, Jazz-Guitar Virtuoso and Inventor, Dies at 94 - washingtonpost.com
Les Paul, Jazz-Guitar Virtuoso and Inventor, Dies at 94 - washingtonpost.com: "Les Paul, 94, a Grammy Award-winning guitar virtuoso and inventor who helped bring his instrument, typically assigned to chug along rhythmically and compliantly, to the forefront of jazz and rock-and-roll performance, died today at a hospital in White Plains, N.Y. He had pneumonia."
Earnhardt Nation Website
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Associated Press: Best Buy $9.99 TV offer was too good to be true
The Associated Press: Best Buy $9.99 TV offer was too good to be true: "Few if any of the deals retailers have offered online during the recession have been as good as Best Buy Inc.'s sale price of $9.99 on a 52-inch TV Wednesday. But it quickly turned out the offer was too good to be true."
LPGA Safeway Classic field taking shape
LPGA Safeway Classic field taking shape: "This year’s field is shaping up nicely with all 50 of the top money winners on this year’s LPGA tour and 97 of the top 100 committed to play. That means Portland area fans will have the chance to see notable LPGA players such as defending Safeway Classic Champion Cristie Kerr, 2007 champion Lorena Ochoa, Paula Creamer, Karrie Webb, Brittany Lincicome, Michelle Wie, Morgan Pressel, Natalie Gulbis, Christina Kim, and 1999 champion Juli Inkster."
Microsoft Word Sales Banned In U.S. -- InformationWeek
Microsoft Word Sales Banned In U.S. -- InformationWeek: "A Judge on Tuesday ordered Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) to stop selling its popular Word document creation application in the United States after finding that the software contains technology that violates a patent held by a third party.
Microsoft Office, which includes Word, accounted for more than $3 billion in worldwide sales in Microsoft's most recent fiscal year and is used by literally millions of businesses and consumers for everyday tasks like word processing and making spreadsheets and presentations."
Madoff's CFO Frank DiPascali pleads guilty in Ponzi scheme - USATODAY.com
Madoff's CFO Frank DiPascali pleads guilty in Ponzi scheme - USATODAY.com: "NEW YORK — Ponzi scheme architect Bernard Madoff's former top financial aide, Frank DiPascali, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, securities fraud and eight other charges Tuesday as part of a cooperation deal in which he's expected to help prosecutors target other suspects in the massive scam."
Tiger Woods still peeved about warning at Bridgestone Invitational
Tiger Woods still peeved about warning at Bridgestone Invitational: "Woods, by the way, called 'erroneous' a report that he was fined for his criticism of rules official John Paramor. PGA Tour vice president of communications Ty Votaw confirmed no fine was levied.
It certainly didn't stop Woods from piling on again at Hazeltine yesterday. Either he has an ax to grind with Paramor or he doesn't want anything butting in 'from the outside.'
'Having a battle like that with Paddy when we go one-on-one like that and when we separated ourselves on the front nine, we were enjoying that battle, and that's why I think Paddy feels the way he does and that's certainly one of the reasons why I've said what I said,' Woods said. 'Unfortunately I guess we had to finish by 6 o'clock. I guess that was that important. You know, we finished three minutes late.'
Woods was asked if he regrets mentioning Paramor, whom he said should have 'used better judgment,' by name.
'No,' he snapped. 'Because he's the one who did it.'"
Earnhardt Nation Website
Monday, August 10, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
U.S. SOLHEIM CUP TEAM
U.S. SOLHEIM CUP TEAM
Rank Player Points
1 Paula Creamer 826.5
2 Cristie Kerr 735.5
3 Angela Stanford 579.0
4 Kristy McPherson 321.0
5 Nicole Castrale 314.0
6 Christina Kim 312.0
7 Brittany Lang 301.5
8 Morgan Pressel 277.0
9 Brittany Lincicome 250.0
10 Natalie Gulbis 201.0
CAPTAIN'S PICKS
Juli Inkster
Michelle Wie
I don't know if the U.S will win but with Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis and the rest I am certain we will have the best looking team.
Giants locked up Eli Manning, the most valuable player of Super Bowl XLII
The New York Giants locked up Eli Manning, the most valuable player of Super Bowl XLII, with a six-year, $97.5 million extension.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Megan Fox lives
I can't believe it! Megan Fox survived the media boycott. In case you didn't notice many websites yesterday decided to take a day off from talking about Megan Fox because of her over exposure.
Some one needs to explain to me why the sites that over expose the sultry brunette felt a need to boycott her. It couldn't have been for the publicity - could it?
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Consumer spending rises in June, incomes fall | U.S. | Reuters
Consumer spending rises in June, incomes fall | U.S. | Reuters: "U.S. consumer spending rose slightly more than expected in June, a government report showed on Tuesday, likely pushed up by higher gasoline prices, and incomes saw their biggest drop in four-and-a-half years."
I wouldn't exactly call this breaking news! I or most of the people I know could tell you incomes have gone down and spending have gone up. Just look at our paychecks and the the price of a gallon of gasoline.
Monday, August 3, 2009
