IT IS COLD OUTSIDE

All I can say it it is cold outside this morning. I went out to get the paper and i couldn't get back in the house fast enough. My outdoor temp is showing that is 10.8 degrees outside and I believe that it is. Well we got allot of snow yesterday here in Colonial Heights but we didn't get quite as much as they though we were going to get here in CH, we got around 8.5 inches here at the house. They way is looks the snow is going to be around for a while, today it isn't even going to make it above freezing and tomorrow its only going to be in the mid 30's. I don't like cold weather and I really could do without all this snow. The VCU Rams won there homecoming game last night 82-67 over Georgia State sending all the Rams fans home happy on homecoming. The Virginia basketball team will face North Carolina tonight in Chapel Hill. It doesn't look like there will be any school here in the area for the next few days, I think CH may be having a teacher workday tomorrow anyway. Well I hope everybody stays warm. MICKEY

It’s safe to follow the 5-second rule for dropped food
It's probably not even safe to follow a 1-second rule: The transfer of bacteria from a contaminated surface to food is almost instantaneous—or, at the very least, quicker than your reflexes. In one study, Clemson University food scientist Paul Dawson, PhD, and students contaminated several surfaces (ceramic tile, wood flooring, and carpet) with salmonella. They then dropped pieces of bologna and slices of bread on the surfaces for as little as 5 seconds and as long as 60 seconds. After just 5 seconds, both food types had already picked up as many as 1,800 bacteria (more bad bugs adhered to the moisture-rich bologna than the bread); after a full minute, it was up to 10 times that amount.

Choose friendly fats. What do walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, olive oil, and avocados have in common? They're all healthy fats. And they help you absorb vitamins A and D. Plus, they decrease inflammation, meaning you'll suffer less with the flu if you've stoked your system with them.

Smiling is infectious; you can catch it like the flu. Some smiled at me today, and I started smiling too. -Anonymous

Today's Birthdays: Former Interior Secretary Stewart Udall is 90. Actress Carol Channing is 89. Former NAACP Executive Director Benjamin L. Hooks is 85. Baseball Hall-of-Famer Ernie Banks is 79. Composer Philip Glass is 73. Former Interior Secretary James Watt is 72. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands is 72. Actor Stuart Margolin is 70. Actress Jessica Walter is 69. Former U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., is 69. Blues singer-musician Charlie Musselwhite is 66. Actor Glynn Turman is 64. Baseball Hall-of-Famer Nolan Ryan is 63. Singer-musician KC (KC and the Sunshine Band) is 59. Rock singer Johnny Rotten is 54. Actress Kelly Lynch is 51. Actor Anthony LaPaglia is 51. Singer-musician Lloyd Cole is 49. Actor John Dye is 47. Rock musician Jeff Hanneman (Slayer) is 46. Actress Minnie Driver is 40. Actress Portia de Rossi is 37. Actor-comedian Bobby Moynihan is 33. Actress Kerry Washington is 33. Singer Justin Timberlake is 29.

IT'S SNOWING

Well I got up this morning at 6am and the ground is already covered by snow and they are calling for 12-16 inches of snow here in Colonial Heights. Not only is it snowing here in CH it is also snowing on the Outer Banks as well. I am sure that there will be allot of sledding this morning at the Wright Brothers Memorial. Not only is it snowing but it is very cold as well, I just heard the CH 12 weatherman say that we have already reached the high temp for the day and its 22 degrees right now. I think Keith made it back from Kansas last night, he was scheduled to come home today but he was trying to beat the storm and they closed the Richmond airport down. The weather could effect tonights VCU homecoming game with Georgia State, they said last night they were going to play but I guess we will just have to see. The CH girls basketball team beat Matoaca last night 55-35, the boys team played Matoaca as well but no score was reported to the papers. Well I am going to watch the snow. MICKEY

Does Listerine mouthwash help keep mosquitoes away?
No. Although Internet postings swear it's true, scientists beg to differ. Our research has found that people who sprayed Listerine on their arms were just as likely to be bitten as those who didn't use any repellent, says Grayson Brown, PhD, a University of Kentucky public health entomologist. The myth persists thanks to a strong placebo effect and because Listerine has eucalyptol, an ingredient found in some botanical bug sprays. But the concentration in mouthwash (less than 1%) is too low to have an impact.

Spicy foods boost metabolism
I wish! Your metabolic rate is determined by your gender, height, present weight/body composition, and age. These factors determine the amount of calories the body will burn to maintain the basic functions of life that occur even when we sleep—the energy used by the heart, brain, lungs, intestines, etc. Eating spicy foods cannot significantly increase metabolic rate and help you burn more calories at rest. Although your body temperature may temporarily rise and your heart may beat a bit faster after eating "hot" foods, over the long term spices will not make any changes in the rate of metabolism.

“The only reason some people get lost in thought
is because it’s unfamiliar territory.”
~ Paul Fix

Today's Birthdays: Actress Dorothy Malone is 85. Producer-director Harold Prince is 82. Actor Gene Hackman is 80. Actress Tammy Grimes is 76. Actress Vanessa Redgrave is 73. Chess grandmaster Boris Spassky is 73. Country singer Jeanne Pruett is 73. Country singer Norma Jean is 72. Former Vice President Dick Cheney (CHAY'-nee) is 69. Rock singer Marty Balin is 68. Rhythm-and-blues musician William King (The Commodores) is 61. Singer Phil Collins is 59. Actor Charles S. Dutton is 59. World Golf Hall of Famer Curtis Strange is 55. Maine Gov. John Baldacci is 55. Actress-comedian Brett Butler is 52. Singer Jody Watley is 51. The King of Jordan, Abdullah II, is 48. Actor Norbert Leo Butz is 43. Country singer Tammy Cochran is 38. Actor Christian Bale is 36. Pop-country singer-songwriter Josh Kelley is 30. Actor Wilmer Valderrama is 30. Actor Jake Thomas is 20.

NO POST TODAY

Do to the lack of viewers three will be no post today. Over the last few months the stats for people visiting Mickey's Place has dropped a great deal. This past week the amount of people visiting has been a low as it has ever been since I started the blog putting the future of Mickey's Place in danger. It just may not be worth my time anymore. MICKEY

VCU TAKES OUT IT'S FRUSTRATION ON TOWSON, VIRGINIA TECH AT VIRGINIA

The VCU Rams came into last nights game with Towson in a bit of a bad mood after being humiliated at Northeastern on Saturday and took there frustration out on Towson in a big way. The Rams beat Towson 112-53 last night dominating the game in every aspect of it, the 112 points the Rams scored were most points they have ever scored in the history of the Seigel Center. The last time that many points were score the in that building was when the Harlem Globetrotters beat the Washington Generals a few weeks ago. Tonight the Virginia Cavaliers will welcome the Virginia Tech Hokies to the JPJ Arena, the Cavaliers need to bounce back after Saturdays loss to Wake Forest. Well they are still calling for snow here in CH late Friday night into Saturday, the amount they are calling for varies greatly between the different weatherman. I guess will just have to see how much we get, the NWS has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the potential for more than 3 inches. MICKEY

Eating too much sugar causes diabetes
Not in the same smoking-gun way that cigarettes cause cancer, but research shows that sugar may play a part—and it's smart to limit your intake. First and foremost, being overweight does increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and consuming too much sugar can contribute to weight gain. Still, some emerging research suggests that excess sugar intake can increase diabetes risk regardless of weight. A landmark JAMA study found that women nearly doubled their diabetes risk when they increased the number of sugar-added drinks they consumed from one or fewer a week to one or more per day over a 4-year period.

“If you want to get the best out of a person you must look for the best that is in him.”
~ Bernard Haldane

Today's Birthdays: Musician-composer Acker Bilk is 81. Actor Nicholas Pryor is 75. Actor Alan Alda is 74. Actress Susan Howard is 68. Actress Marthe (cq) Keller is 65. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) is 63. Actress-singer Barbi Benton is 60. Evangelical pastor Rick Warren is 56. Actress Harley Jane Kozak is 53. Movie director Frank Darabont is 51. Rock musician Dave Sharp is 51. Rock singer Sam Phillips is 48. Country musician Greg Cook (Ricochet) is 45. Gospel singer Marvin Sapp is 43. Singer Sarah McLachlan is 42. Rapper Rakim is 42. DJ Muggs (Cypress Hill) is 42. Actress Kathryn Morris ("Cold Case") is 41. Rhythm-and-blues singer Anthony Hamilton is 39. Rock musician Brandon Bush is 37. MLB player Jermaine Dye is 36. Singer Joey Fatone Jr. ('N Sync) is 33. Actress Rosamund Pike is 31. Singer Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys) is 30. Actor Elijah Wood is 29.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTTIE, VCU BACK IN ACTION

Well to is Scottie Woodfin's 18th birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTTIE. Even though he is not a member of the blog I though I would mention his birthday, I understand that he might look at Mickey's Place from time to time. The VCU Rams return home tonight to face the Towson Tigers, the Rams sure need to win this game to get some of there confidence after what happened to them at Northeastern. My trip to the roal surgeon went as well as it could have yesterday, Dr. said everything was looking ok and that he wanted to see me again in about a month. It looks he will place the abutment into my jaw sometime in April and then the implant in at a later time. It does look like we are going to get some snow on Friday & Saturday, the question is how much. MICKEY

Working out on an empty stomach burns more fat
It does, but don't expect any fat-melting miracles. When you exercise, your body burns calories from both fat and carbohydrates. Recent studies show that working out on an empty stomach might burn a few more fat calories since you don’t have as many carb calories to spare, but overall calorie burn is about the same. And, based on research so far, that's what really counts when it comes to fitting into a smaller size.

Butter
If this delicious dairy product were the star of a sitcom on the Health network, the show would probably be called "Everybody Hates Butter." The reason, of course, is that it contains a significant amount of saturated fat. But again, it's animal fat, like the kind in beef, bacon, and chicken skin. This is a natural fat that men and women have eaten for thousands of years.

What's more, fat, like that in butter, is necessary in order to help your body absorb many of the healthy nutrients found in vegetables. For instance, without fat, your body can't absorb carotenoids—powerful disease-fighting antioxidants found in colorful vegetables—or fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K. So go ahead, eat butter, and do it without guilt.

Clear thinking requires courage rather than intelligence. -Thomas S. Szasz

Today's Birthdays: Singer Bobby "Blue" Bland is 80. Actor James Cromwell is 70. Actor John Witherspoon is 68. Rock musician Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) is 65. Rhythm-and-blues singer Nedra Talley (The Ronettes) is 64. Ballet star Mikhail Baryshnikov is 62. Chief U.S. Justice John Roberts is 55. Country singer Cheryl White is 55. Country singer-musician Richard Young (The Kentucky Headhunters) is 55. Actress Mimi Rogers is 54. Rock musician Janick Gers (Iron Maiden) is 53. Sports and political commentator Keith Olbermann is 51. Rock singer Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) is 49. Rock musician Gillian Gilbert is 49. Actress Bridget Fonda is 46. Actor Alan Cumming is 45. Country singer Tracy Lawrence is 42. Actor-comedian Patton Oswalt is 41. Actor Josh Randall is 38. Country singer Kevin Denney is 34. Tennis player Marat Safin is 30. High School Wrestler and student Scottie Woodfin is 18.

HEADING BACK TO THE ORAL SURGEON TODAY

Well I will be heading back to the oral surgeon today to see how my socket graft is healing. This is the next step in the process of getting my dental implant which could take several more months. Well it looks like there will be a pretty good chance of snow this weekend here in Colonial Heights starting sometime Friday going into Saturday, I really can do without the snow. I know there are several of you bloggers who like it but I sure can do without it. There are no high school sports this week here in CH until Friday because of exams, some of the other schools in the CD have already had exams but CH's began yesterday. MICKEY

Baby carrots are preserved with bleach
Not exactly... and there's no reason to stop eating them, says Randy Worobo, PhD, an associate professor of food microbiology at Cornell University. Baby carrots are rinsed (not preserved) in a chlorine wash, recommended by the FDA, to kill bacteria like salmonella and E. coli, which cause foodborne illness. Most precut produce, including frozen veggies and fruit salad, is washed with this or a similar sanitizer.

Eggs
The dirt: Which is dirtier, the chicken or the egg? The chicken, by a long shot, or so it seems at first. More widespread pasteurization has reduced the rate of Salmonella contamination in eggs to only one in 20,000. But that still leaves more than two million hazardous eggs in circulation each year. Food poisoning linked to eggs sickens an estimated 660,000 people annually and kills 300. "Often, dishes made at restaurants are from pooled eggs," which increases the risk, says Schaffner. "It's really a matter of statistics. Eat an egg sunny-side up and your risk of Salmonella is one in 10,000. Eat an undercooked omelette made from a mix of 100 eggs, and the risk is significantly higher."

At the supermarket: Check the egg cartons. You're looking for one word—"pasteurized"—and four numbers—the expiration date. Then remove each egg and look for cracks; germs can enter after pasteurization.

“A handful of patience
is worth more
than a bushel of brains.”
~ Dutch Proverb

Today's Birthdays: Actress Anne Jeffreys is 87. Actress Joan Leslie is 85. Cartoonist Jules Feiffer is 81. Sportscaster-actor Bob Uecker is 75. Actor Scott Glenn is 71. Singer Jean Knight is 67. Activist Angela Davis is 66. Rock musician Corky Laing (Mountain) is 62. Actor David Strathairn (streh-THEHRN') is 61. Alt-country singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams is 57. Rock singer-musician Eddie Van Halen is 55. Reggae musician Norman Hassan (UB40) is 52. Actress-comedian-talk show host Ellen DeGeneres is 52. Hockey Hall-of-Famer Wayne Gretzky is 49. Musician Andrew Ridgeley is 47. Rhythm-and-blues singer Jazzie B. (Soul II Soul) is 47. Actor Paul Johansson is 46. Gospel singer Kirk Franklin is 40. Actress Jennifer Crystal is 37. Rock musician Chris Hesse (Hoobastank) is 36. Actor Gilles Marini (ZHEEL ma-REE'-nee) is 34. Orlando Magic player Vince Carter is 33. Actress Sarah Rue is 32. Country musician Michael Martin (Marshall Dyllon) is 27.

SAINTS & COLTS HEADING TO THE SUPER BOWL

The New Orleans Saints beat the Minnesota Vikings 31-28 in OT after Brett Favre's ill faded pass cots he Vikings a chance to win the game in regulation. Favre's pass were not the only problems the Vikings had in the 2nd half of the game it seemed every time they ran the ball they fumbled it in the 2nd half. This will be the Saints first visit to the Super Bowl. In the AFC Championship game yesterday the Colts beat the Jets 30-17 after the Jets jumped out to quick lead but in the end the Colts just had to much for the Jets. Well it is raining again here in Colonial Heights this morning and the wind is blowing pretty hard as well, it almost feels like a Spring morning here in the Heights. Fellow blogger Keith is out of town this week for another tough week of government work, this he has gone to Leavenworth, Kansas. Also yesterday afternoon I continued to prepare for the upcoming baseball season by throwing with dad for the 2nd day in a row, so far my arm is feeling pretty good. MICKEY

Ground Beef
The dirt: Even a little ground chuck can make you upchuck. When USDA inspectors last tested hamburger meat, they looked at 563 sources nationwide and discovered Clostridium perfringens in 53 percent of the batches, Staphylococcus in 30 percent, and Listeria monocytogenes in 12 percent. Interestingly, the USDA found no trace of Escherichia coli 0157:H7, a.k.a. E. coli, one of the desperadoes of foodborne illness. Despite this finding, if slaughterhouse safeguards fail (and they sometimes do), E. coli could potentially pop up in your next patty.

At the supermarket: Choose ground cow that's been nuked. "Find a grocery store that sells irradiated ground beef," says Donald W. Schaffner, Ph.D., an extension specialist in food science at Rutgers University. The package will bear the words "treated by irradiation." Schaffner gives the safety of the treatment a glowing review: "The amount of induced radioactivity is 200,000 times smaller than the level of radioactivity naturally present in all foods.

Give me an A. Vitamin A keeps the lining of your nasal and respiratory passages in tip-top shape so they can defend against invaders. It's so important for fighting infection that even a small deficiency boosts your risk of respiratory ills. That said, too much vitamin A in supplement form can cause birth defects and raise the odds of osteoporosis in older folks. That's why we recommend a food-first strategy. Conveniently, this is the time of year when loads of A-rich foods are in season. Get yours from bright orange and dark green veggies like sweet potatoes, winter squash, carrots, spinach, kale, and collard greens.

"A real friend is one who walks in
when the rest of the world walks out.”
Walter Winchell

Edwin Newman Journalist 91
Eduard Shevardnadze Former president of Georgia 82
Dean Jones Actor 79
Conrad Burns Former U.S. senator, R-Mont. 75
Etta James Blues singer 72
Dinah Manoff Actress ("Empty Nest," "Soap") 52
Chet Culver Governor of Iowa 44
Christine Lakin ("Step by Step") Actress 31
Alicia Keys Singer 29

CAN THE OLD MAN DO IT AGAIN

Well today's big question in the NFL playoffs is whether or not 40 year old Brett Favre can lead the Vikings past the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game and to the Super Bowl. I have to say that I am rooting for a Vikings win just because of Favre, I have said it before and I am going to say it again the Packers never should have let him go. In the AFC Championship game to the New York Jets will face the Indianapolis Colts, not many people are giving the Jets much of a chance in this but I wouldn't count them out. Well the Virginia Cavaliers are not longer undefeated in the ACC after falling to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons yesterday 69-57, the game was not as close as the final score indicated. The Cavs just didn't play very well at all, next up for the Cavaliers are Hokies at home on Thursday. The VCU Rams didn't fair very well yesterday either, the Rams lost to Northeastern for the 2nd time this year 74-62. I saw some of this game on TV and it just looked like the Rams were a bit out of sink. Well it looks like it is going to rain again this afternoon and tonight, I may try to run outside this morning before the rains come. MICKEY

Puncture your meat
The problem: Dense meats like steak, pork, or chicken legs can burn on the outside before they're fully cooked on the inside. The solution: Insert a clean stainless-steel rod or nail into the thickest part of the meat, and finish cooking. "The nail will act as a conductor, drawing in heat and cooking the meat from the inside out," says Roland Henin, CMC, U.S. coach for the 2009 Bocuse d'Or Culinary Olympics

If you're a broccoli lover, you've picked a winner. From a list of 10 of the most commonly consumed vegetables in the country, broccoli holds the top spot for having the most phytochemicals -- compounds everyone's urged to consume because they protect against chronic diseases.

“Acquire new knowledge whilst thinking over the old, and you may become a teacher of others.”
~ Confucius

Today's Birthdays: Actor Ernest Borgnine is 93. Actor Jerry Maren ("The Wizard of Oz") is 91. Actor Marvin Kaplan ("Top Cat") is 83. Cajun musician Doug Kershaw is 74. Singer-songwriter Ray Stevens is 71. Singer-songwriter Neil Diamond is 69. Singer Aaron Neville is 69. Actor Michael Ontkean is 64. Actor Daniel Auteuil is 60. Country singer-songwriter Becky Hobbs is 60. Comedian Yakov Smirnoff is 59. Bandleader-musician Jools Holland is 52. Actress Nastassja Kinski is 51. Rhythm-and-blues singer Theo Peoples is 49. Country musician Keech Rainwater (Lonestar) is 47. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan is 44. Comedian Phil LaMarr is 43. Olympic gold medal gymnast Mary Lou Retton is 42. Rhythm-and-blues singer Sleepy Brown (Society of Soul) is 40. Actor Matthew Lillard is 40. Actress Merrilee McCommas is 39. Actor Ed Helms is 36. Actress Tatyana Ali is 31. Actress Mischa Barton is 24.

VIRGINIA LOOKS TO STAY UNDEFEATED in the acc

The Virginia Cavalier basketball team looks to stay undefeated in the ACC today when it travels down to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to play the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The Cavs are the only team in the ACC with no losses and right now Maryland is in 2nd place with just one loss, a win today really could go a long way. The VCU Rams will be in Boston today to face the Northeastern Huskies in a very big CAA match up. In high school basketball action last night the Prince George use a big 3rd quarter to beat the Colonials 62-48, at the half the score was tied at 24 before the Royals took control. Andrew's basketball team will be in action this morning at 8am trying to get Coach Lamantia his first win of the season. I did go down to Wal-Mart this morning and then I went over to Dunkin Donuts to get some donuts as well and yes they were very good. Well I hope everybody has a nice day. MICKEY

Chicken
The dirt: Never mind cigarettes; the Surgeon General should slap a warning label on chicken. Recent nationwide testing by Consumers Union, the advocacy group behind Consumer Reports, notes that of the 484 raw broilers examined, 42 percent were infected by Campylobacter jejuni, and 12 percent by Salmonella enterides.

The latest USDA research notes similar Salmonella levels. Now add in the fact that we each consume about 70 pounds of chicken a year—more than our intake of beef, pork, or turkey—and it's a wonder broilers don't come with barf bags.

At the supermarket: Look for birds labeled "free range." Close quarters in the henhouse give bad bugs the chance to spread, as do high-volume processing operations. Free-range chickens, which are given more room to roost and are usually slaughtered in smaller numbers, present a potentially safer option. For example, Ranger chickens, a free-range brand sold in the Pacific Northwest, came up negative for Salmonella and Campylobacter in Consumers Union's tests.

At home: To help prevent foodborne illness, bypass rinsing your raw bird in the sink, and instead put it directly into a baking dish or pan. This shortcut reduces the odds of sullying counters and other foods, says Janet B. Anderson, R.D., director of the Safe Food Institute in North Logan, Utah. If you used a cutting board, clean it (and the knife) with a mild, dilute bleach solution. As for your heat treatment, cook breasts and other cuts until the temperature hits 180°F. (If it's a whole bird, take the temperature in the thickest part of the thigh.) "Poking the chicken or judging by juice color is risky," says Anderson.

“The scars you acquire while exercising courage
will never make you feel inferior.”
D.A. Battista

Today's Birthdays: Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.) is 86. Actress Jeanne Moreau is 82. Actress Chita Rivera is 77. Actor-director Lou Antonio is 76. Actor Gil Gerard is 67. Actor Rutger Hauer is 66. Rhythm-and-blues singer Jerry Lawson (The Persuasions) is 66. Sen. Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.) is 63. Singer Anita Pointer is 62. Actor Richard Dean Anderson is 60. Rock musician Bill Cunningham is 60. Rock singer Robin Zander (Cheap Trick) is 57. Princess Caroline of Monaco is 53. Singer Anita Baker is 52. Reggae musician Earl Falconer (UB40) is 51. Actress Gail O'Grady is 47. Actress Mariska Hargitay is 46. Rhythm-and-blues singer Marc Nelson is 39. Actress Tiffani Thiessen is 36. Christian rock musician Nick DePartee (Kutless) is 25.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK, IT'S MY FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK

Well today is former blogger Mark Carsley's 55th birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK and where they heck have you been. Mark use to visit Mickey's Place on a regular basis but hardly make any comments anymore, have you forgot your password. I sure am glad that it is Friday, it has been a long tough week. The Ch girls basketball team lost on the road at Prince George last night 55-32 while the CH boys team lost at Atlee 67-46. The Boys team will be back in action tonight at home against Prince George. Can you believe that it is raining again today, well I guess you can and its suppose to rain again on Sunday as well. MICKEY

One Dimensional: In order to truly lose weight, you have to eat well AND be active. I’m not saying you have to run a marathon, but as we get older, our metabolisms NATURALLY slow down. The more active you are, the more calories you burn and the higher your metabolism will stay. Be active. Even if it means taking stairs instead of the elevator, walking at lunch hour, walking to work instead of taking the train…just move.

Milk
Instead of fruit juice, reach for moo juice in the morning. Drinking milk at breakfast can help you eat less at lunch, Australian scientists say. In their study, overweight people who downed about 2 1/2 cups of skim milk in the morning consumed 8.5 percent fewer calories at an all-you-can-eat lunch spread than people who drank the same amount of fruit juice. Both beverages had an equal number of calories, but the milk contained 25 grams of protein while the fruit juice had virtually no protein and 63 grams of sugar. Those may be big servings, but the principle remains: Protein helps you feel fuller throughout the morning.

“Help others get ahead. You will always stand taller with someone else on your shoulders.”
~Bob Moawad

Today's Birthdays: Former Sen. Birch Bayh (D-Ind.) is 82. Actress Piper Laurie is 78. Actor Seymour Cassel is 75. Author Joseph Wambaugh is 73. Actor John Hurt is 70. Singer Steve Perry is 61. Country singer-musician Teddy Gentry (Alabama) is 58. Movie director Jim Jarmusch is 57. GOVERNMENT WORKER MARK CARSLEY IS 55. Hockey Hall-of-Famer Mike Bossy is 53. Actress Linda Blair is 51. Actress Diane Lane is 45. Country singer Regina Nicks (Regina Regina) is 45. Rhythm-and-blues singer Marc Gay (Shai) is 41. Actor Gabriel Macht is 38. Actor Balthazar Getty is 35. Actor Christopher Kennedy Masterson is 30. Pop singer Willa Ford is 29. Actress Beverley (cq) Mitchell is 29. Rock singer-musician Ben Moody is 29.

ME MA RUTH TO BE LAYED TO REST TODAY

Me Ma Ruth will be layed to rest this afternoon at 2pm at Southlawn, she will be layed to rest right beside Pa Pa this afternoon. MICKEY

VCU CRUSHES WILLIAM& MARY

The VCU Rams avenged a loss earlier this season last night to William & Mary crushing the Tribe 81-59 at the Siegel Center sending all those Rowdy Rams fans home home very happy. The game was fairly close at the half before the Rams took over in the 2nd half, next up for the Rams is another big CAA contest at Northeastern. The CH boys basketball will be back in action tonight at Atlee before returning home tomorrow night to face Prince George at home. The CH girls basketball team will be in action tonight at Prince George. Next week CHHS will be taking exams so there will be no games until next Friday night. Well it looks like we are going to get some more rain through Friday nigh and its also going to be very cool as well before it dries out a bit on Saturday & Sunday before the rain returns early next week. MICKEY

Quantitative versus Qualitative: Dieting doesn’t really teach you how to eat for the long term. You may be counting calories while eating foods that actually make you hungrier or cause you to crave more. Learn what foods are the most satisfying and most nutritious. The more nutritious the food you eat, the less hungry you will be. You’ll make smarter choices and lose weight without focusing on every calorie you ingest.

Salmon
Fish isn't just good for your heart; it's good for your gut, too. That's because omega-3 fatty acids help you feel full longer, report scientists from Iceland. In the study, dieters who ate salmon felt fuller 2 hours later than those who either didn't eat seafood or had cod, a fish with little fat. The researchers found that eating foods high in omega-3s (like the ones to the left) increased blood levels of leptin, a hormone that promotes satiety. Hate fish? Take a fish-oil capsule every day - one that has 500 milligrams of the omega-3s DHA and EPA. It offers the same benefits as salmon.

People don’t resist change, they resist being changed. -Peter Scholtes

Today's Birthdays: Actress Ann Wedgeworth is 76. World Golf Hall of Famer Jack Nicklaus is 70. Opera singer Placido Domingo is 69. Singer Richie Havens is 69. Singer Mac Davis is 68. Actress Jill Eikenberry is 63. Country musician Jim Ibbotson (The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) is 63. Singer-songwriter Billy Ocean is 60. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke is 60. Attorney General Eric Holder is 59. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is 57. Actor-director Robby Benson is 54. Actress Geena Davis is 54. Basketball Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon is 47. Actress Charlotte Ross is 42. Actor John Ducey is 41. Actress Karina Lombard is 41. Rock singer-songwriter Cat Power is 38. Actor Vincent Laresca is 36. Singer Emma Bunton (Spice Girls) is 34. Country singer Phil Stacey is 32. Rhythm-and-blues singer Nokio (Dru Hill) is 31. Actress Izabella Miko (MEE'-koh) is 29.

COLONIALS GIRS TEAM WINS, W&M AT VCU

The Colonial Heights girls basketball team improved to 4-4 in the Central District with a 62-58 win at Dinwiddie last night, the girls team will be back in action tomorrow night at Prince George. The Colonial Heights boys team fell at home last night to Dinwiddie 54-47, the boys will be back in action tomorrow night at Atlee before returning home face Prince George on Friday night. The VCU Rams have big game tonight in the CAA when they play host to William & Mary tonight, dad is predicting a W&M win sending all the Rowdy Rams fans home disappointed. I hope everybody enjoyed yesterdays nice weather will be going down hill the next few days. MICKEY

Energy Loss and Metabolism: Dramatically reducing your calorie intake can result in reduced energy levels and fatigue. Instead, it is important to understand which foods provide you with quality nutrition. Eat small meals often which will stimulate weight loss, keep you satisfied and make you feel energetic.

Eggs
Skip the cold cereal: Eating eggs and bacon in the morning can help you control your hunger later in the day. Indiana University scientists determined that dieters who consumed their biggest dose of daily protein at breakfast felt full longer than those who ate more of the nutrient at lunch or dinner. The upshot: “They were less likely to overeat the rest of the day,” says study author Heather Leidy, Ph.D. To fend off hunger, shoot for at least 20 to 30 grams of protein at breakfast.

The only honest measure of your success is what you are doing compared to your true potential. -Paul J. Meyer

Today's Birthdays: Former U.N. Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar is 90. Actress Jean Stapleton is 87. Actor Fritz Weaver is 84. Actress Tippi Hedren is 80. Former PBS newsman Robert MacNeil is 79. Movie director Richard Lester is 78. Singer Phil Everly is 71. Actor-singer Michael Crawford is 68. Actress Shelley Fabares is 66. Country singer Dolly Parton is 64. ABC newswoman Ann Compton is 63. TV chef Paula Deen is 63. Rock singer Martha Davis is 59. Singer Dewey Bunnell (America) is 58. Actor Desi Arnaz Jr. is 57. Comedian Paul Rodriguez is 55. Conductor Sir Simon Rattle is 55. Actress Katey Sagal is 53. Rock musician Jeff Pilson (Foreigner) is 52. Actor Paul McCrane is 49. Actor William Ragsdale is 49. Tennis player Stefan Edberg is 44. Singer Trey Lorenz is 41. Actor Shawn Wayans is 39. Actress Drea (DRAY-uh') de Matteo is 38. Comedian-impressionist Frank Caliendo is 36. Actress Marsha Thomason is 34. Actress Jodie Sweetin is 28. Actor Logan Lerman is 18. Olympic gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson is 18.

a few pics of me ma ruth

here are a few pics that i scanned from me ma's picture a few years back

RUTH GARRETT GOULDER

E. Alvin Small Funeral Home, Inc.

---

Ruth Garrett Goulder
(January 18, 1921 - January 18, 2010)

Ruth Garrett Goulder, 89, of Colonial Heights, died Monday, January 18, 2010 at the Dunlop House. Mrs. Goulder was the daughter of the late Robert J. and Mary Lee Garrett and the widow of Alvin Edward Goulder. Survivors include her son, Robert A. Goulder and wife, Claire of Colonial Heights; three grandchildren, Keith Goulder and wife, Maureen of Chester, Alvin Goulder and wife, Donna of Colonial Heights and Mickey Goulder of Colonial Heights; a great-grandson Andrew Goulder; two sisters, Laura Wrenn of Chase City and Pauline Bristow of Petersburg. A graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 21, 2010 in Southlawn Memorial Park, Prince George with the Reverend Dr. Andy Brockelman officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday, January 20, 2010 from 7:00- 8:30 p.m. at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Home and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. Memorial contributions may be made to Crater Community Hospice 3916 South Crater Road Petersburg, Virginia 23805 or to Mount Pleasants Baptist Church 3110 Greenwood Avenue Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834.

VIRGINIA HANGS ON

The Virginia Cavalier basketball team had a very close call with UNC-Wilmington last night before pulling it out in the end 69-67. The Cavaliers actually trailed by 3 points in the final minutes after leading UNCW by 11 in the 2nd half before they were able to pull out the win. The Cavs had better play much better on Saturday when they visit Wake Forest or they will suffer there 1st ACC loss. The Colonial Heights Colonials basketball teams will both be in action tonight against Dinwiddie, the boys team will be at home while the girls team will travel to Dinwiddie. Have a good day, MICKEY

Life Happens: Diets often require us to change our eating habits in such a way, that normal life gets in the way. Eating out, going over friends houses for dinner, special occasions all become “problems.” These things, however, are the very things that make life worth living! Further, most of us are busy and may not always have the time to shop, cook and calorie-count the way many diets require. Fit healthy eating into every day life so that you can enjoy life AND be healthy. Discover which nutritious foods you love that make healthy eating delicious!

Grapefruit
In a recent study, Louisiana State University scientists discovered that people who ate half a grapefruit three times a day lost 4 pounds in 12 weeks, even though they hadn’t deliberately altered any other part of their diets. Although the mechanism isn’t clear, the researchers speculate that grapefruit’s acidity may slow your rate of digestion, helping keep you full longer.

“It is not God’s will merely that we should be happy,
but that we should make ourselves happy”
~ Immanuel Kant

Today's Birthdays: Movie director John Boorman is 77. Sen. Paul Kirk, D-Mass., is 72. Singer-songwriter Bobby Goldsboro is 69. Comedian-singer-musician Brett Hudson is 57. Actor-director Kevin Costner is 55. Country singer Mark Collie is 54. Actress Jane Horrocks is 46. Comedian Dave Attell is 45. Actor Jesse L. Martin is 41. Actor Derek Richardson is 34. Actor Jason Segel is 30. Actress Samantha Mumba is 27. Country singer Kristy Lee Cook ("American Idol") is 26.

ME MA RUTH PASSES AWAY

It is with great sadness that I report this morning that Me Ma Ruth passed away last night in he sleep on her birthday at the age of 89. MICKEY

VIRGINIA POUNDS MIAMI 75-57

The Virginia Cavalier basketball team is now in first place by themselves after pounding Miami last night 75-57 and with the win are 3-0 in the ACC. The Cavs jumped out a quick lead and never trailed in the game and lead most of the game by 10 or more points, the Cavs are off until next Saturday when the travel down to Wake Forest. The VCU Rams also won yesterday as well, the Rams beat Georgia State 82-69. Andrew's basketball team didn't fair as well they fell 25-20 in there opener ruining Coach Lamantia's basketball coaching debut, they will have another shot next week when they return to action 8am at Chester Middle School. I have posted the photos Al too in a link below. The New Orleans Saints beat the Arizona Cardinals yesterday 45-14, the Cardinals actually lead this game 7-0 before the Saints woke up. The Colts slowed down the Ravens last night and came away with a 20-3 win. Today in the NFL playoffs Dallas will be at Minnesota and New York Jets will be at San Diego. I am hoping that Brett Favre will lead Vikings past the Cowboys. It looks like it is going to be a cool and rainy day so it will be a good day to watch some football. MICKEY

ANDREW IN BASKETBALL ACTION
http://public.fotki.com/bp2/family_photos/andrew_sports_album/andrew-in-basketbal-3/

The Pendulum Factor: When you deprive yourself to an extreme, you end up craving to an extreme. The pendulum swings from “being extremely good” to “being extremely bad” to compensate. You may have heard this called “yo-yo dieting.” Indulge in moderation. Enjoying the foods you love and the treats you crave once in awhile will help you to crave foods less overall.

Iced Coffee
Coffee reduces your appetite, increases your metabolism, and gives you a shot of antioxidants. A study published in the journal Physiology & Behavior found that the average metabolic rate of people who drink caffeinated coffee is 16 percent higher than that of those who drink decaf. Caffeine stimulates your central nervous system by increasing your heart rate and breathing. Honestly, could there be a more perfect beverage? Plus, frequent mini servings of caffeine (8 ounces of coffee or less) keep you awake, alert, and focused for longer than a single jumbo one would, according to sleep experts. When you quickly drink a large coffee, the caffeine peaks in your bloodstream much sooner than if you spread it out over time. Start your day with an 8 ounce coffee (the "short" size is available by request at Starbucks). Or, ask for a large half caf. Then keep the caffeine lightly flowing with a lunchtime cappuccino (it's got only 75 mg, which is about one quarter of what you'd get in a 16 ounce coffee).

Avoiding the phrase “I don’t have time…”, will soon help you
to realize that you do have the time needed for just about
anything you choose to accomplish in life. -Bo Bennett

Today's Birthdays: Actress Betty White is 88. Former Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach is 88. Former FCC chairman Newton N. Minow is 84. Hairdresser Vidal Sassoon is 82. Actor James Earl Jones is 79. Talk show host Maury Povich is 71. Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali is 68. Pop singer Chris Montez is 68. R&B singer William Hart (The Delfonics) is 65. Rock musician Mick Taylor is 62. R&B singer Sheila Hutchinson (The Emotions) is 57. Singer Steve Earle is 55. Singer Paul Young is 54. Actor-comedian Steve Harvey is 53. Singer Susanna Hoffs (The Bangles) is 51. Actor-comedian Jim Carrey is 48. First Lady Michelle Obama is 46. Actor Joshua Malina is 44. Singer Shabba Ranks is 44. Actor Naveen Andrews is 41. Actor Freddy Rodriguez is 35. Actress Zooey Deschanel is 30. Singer Ray J is 29. Country singer Amanda Wilkinson is 28.

VIRGINIA LOOKS TO STAY UNBEATEN IN THE ACC

The Virginia Cavalier basketball team looks to stay unbeaten in the ACC tonight when they face the Miami Hurricanes. The Cavaliers are off to a surprising 2-0 start in the ACC and are the only team who has yet to lose a conference game. Also in basketball action today Andrew's team will play at 9:15am this morning at Chester Middle School, his team this year is coached by former CHHS basketball standout Vince Lamantia. There was no score in the paper from last nights Colonials boys basketball game with Hopewell so I don't know whether the won or lost. The NFL playoffs resume today Arizona visiting New Orleans and Baltimore visiting Indianapolis. I almost forgot to mention the VCU Rams will be on the road today Georgia State. It is going to rain all day Sunday so you had better enjoy todays nice weather. MICKEY

It is Unsustainable: Depriving your body shocks your body into losing weight, but once it gets over that shock, it adapts. How? By slowing down your metabolism, going into unhealthy physical states (such as ketosis) or stopping weight loss. Even if you have the mental willpower to diet forever, your body doesn’t. Eat healthy as a lifestyle, not as dieting. This will help you to lose excess pounds and maintain a healthy weight for a lifetime.

Pork Chops
Per gram of protein, pork chops contain almost five times the selenium--an essential mineral that's linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer--of beef, and twice that of chicken. And Purdue researchers found that a 6-ounce serving daily helped people preserve their muscle while losing weight.

“Why compare yourself with others?
No one in the entire world
can do a better job of being you than you do.”
Susan Carlson

Today's Birthdays: Author William Kennedy is 82. Author-editor Norman Podhoretz is 80. Opera singer Marilyn Horne is 76. Hall of Fame auto racer A.J. Foyt is 75. Singer Barbara Lynn is 68. Country singer Ronnie Milsap is 67. Country singer Jim Stafford is 66. Talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger is 63. Movie director John Carpenter is 62. Actress-dancer-choreographer Debbie Allen is 60. Comedian Robert Schimmel is 60. Singer Sade is 51. Rock musician Paul Webb (Talk Talk) is 48. R&B singer Maxine Jones (En Vogue) is 44. Actor David Chokachi is 42. Actor Richard T. Jones is 38. Actress Josie Davis is 37. Model Kate Moss is 36. Rock musician Nick Valensi (The Strokes) is 29. Actress Yvonne Zima is 21.

RIDDLE

Sorry I'm late. I'm running in slow motion today and I'm glad it's Friday. Bobby got both of the riddle right yesterday.

Say a little prayer for Me Ma Ruth because she's been having a bad couple of days.


ANSWERS

When is a piece of wood like Queen Elizabeth?
When it is a ruler

How did they catch the crooks at a pig farm?
someone squealed

QUESTIONS

What do the wicked witch and the big bad wolf have in common?

Why was the fireman lonely and sad?

EAST CAROLINA LOKKING FOR A NEW FOOTBALL COACH

The East Carolina Pirates are looking for a new football coach after Skip Holtz resigned yesterday to take the head coaching job at South Florida. Skip had been the coach at ECU for the last 5 years and turned the Pirates program around in the 5 years that he had been there, the team had just won 3 games of there previous 25 before he arrived there and they have also won the last 2 CUSA Championship games as well. Athletic Director Terry Holland said a search has began to replace Holtz but there are no clear favorites to take over the Pirates. The Colonial Heights girls basketball team beat Hopewell last night 64-53, I didn't go to the game but from what I understand it was a very close game before the Colonials pulled it out in the final quarter. My sinuses have been really bothering me the last 3 days and I also have 1 sore wisdom tooth as well so if I was still doing my Pain Index it would be rather high today. I sure am glad that it is Friday. MICKEY

NOW HERE IS A PRETTY 1 SIDED FIGHT


Eat right. Make sure you're eating the best foods to fuel your body — including lots of fresh fruits and veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats. And drink at least six cups of water a day — or more on the days you work out — to keep your hardworking body hydrated and energized.

Malnutrition: Contrary to popular belief, most diets are not healthy and may actually border on malnutrition. Many urge us to do extreme things, forgo our favorite foods or cut major food groups in order to lose weight. Healthy eating requires ALL nutrients (carbs, fats and protein) and a minimum number of calories in order to maintain health and proper body function. Eat foods that are nutrient rich and provide balance to keep you feeling satisfied.

The Boss Or The Leader?
The boss drives his men.
The leader coaches them.
The boss depends on authority.
The leader, goodwill.
The boss says “I.”
The leader says “we.”
The boss says “Be there on time.”
The leader gets there ahead of time.
The boss fixes the blame for the breakdown on you.
The leader fixes the breakdown.
The boss knows how it is done.
The leader shows how.
The boss says “go,”
The leader says “Let’s go.”
The boss uses people.
The leader develops them.
The boss sees today.
The leader looks at tomorrow.
The boss commands.
The leader asks.
The boss never has enough time.
The leader makes time.
The boss is concerned with things.
The leader is concerned with people.
The boss lets his people know where he stands.
The leader lets his people know where to stand.
The boss works hard to produce.
The leader works hard to help his people produce.
The boss takes the credit.
The leader gives it.
-unknown

Today's Birthdays: Actress Margaret O'Brien is 73. Singer Don Van Vliet (aka "Captain Beefheart") is 69. Actress Andrea Martin is 63. Actor-director Mario Van Peebles is 53. Actor James Nesbitt is 45. Singer Lisa Lisa (Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam) is 43. Actor Chad Lowe is 42. Alt-country singer Will Oldham (aka "Bonnie Prince Billy") is 40. Actress Regina King is 39. Actor Eddie Cahill is 32.

Riddle

Bobby it's good you just have to answer the riddle and not eat the beets. Bobby got both of the riddles

ANSWERS

What vegetable has the best rhythm?
beets

What tree has the loudest bark?
dogwood

QUESTIONS

When is a piece of wood like Queen Elizabeth?

How did they catch the crooks at a pig farm?

VIRGINIA WINS AGAIN

The Virginia Cavalier basketball team improved to 2-0 in the ACC last night knocking of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 82-75. The Cavaliers trailed at the half by 3 points before they took the lead in the 2nd half for good and made most of there free throws down the stretch to preserve the victory. The Cavaliers will face Miami on Saturday at the JPJ Arena. The Colonial Heights girls basketball team will be in action at home tonight against Hopewell, the girls lost to Petersburg on Tuesday 41-39. I might have to break out my shorts this afternoon, it is suppose to be 56. Also on Saturday Andrew's basketball team will be in action at 9:30am at Chester Middle School. MICKEY

Do a reality check. Be completely honest with yourself about how fit you are. Getting in shape is a personal journey that requires a realistic self-perspective; some novice exercisers are overly ambitious and begin a workout plan or set goals that are too hard on their bodies. So take it slow. Keep your focus on where you are and the progress you've made.

Have the Spirit of Conquest: Thus you can successfully battle and overcome difficulties.

“The will to win,
the desire to succeed,
the urge to reach your full potential…
these are the keys that will unlock
the door to personal excellence.”
~ Eddie Robinson

Today's Birthdays: CBS commentator Andy Rooney is 91. Blues singer Clarence Carter is 74. Country singer Billie Jo Spears is 73. Singer Jack Jones is 72. Singer-songwriter Allen Toussaint is 72. Actress Faye Dunaway is 69. Actress Holland Taylor is 67. Actor Carl Weathers is 62. Movie writer-director Lawrence Kasdan is 61. Newspaper columnist Maureen Dowd is 58. RMovie writer-director Steven Soderbergh is 47. Actor Mark Addy is 46. Fox News Channel anchorman Shepard Smith is 46. Actor Dan Schneider is 44. Actress Emily Watson is 43. Actor-comedian Tom Rhodes is 43. Rock musician Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne Band) is 43. Actor Jason Bateman is 41. Rock singer-musician Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) is 41. Actress Jordan Ladd is 35.

RIDDLE

The riddle queen is back. She got both of the riddles right. The second one is not in the book but I liked the answer and I'm glad Louise guessed them both. Pepper is the name of one of my first dogs and I started looking for a new dog yesterday.

ANSWERS


What can you find in the middle of nowhere?
the letter h

What always stays hot even in the refrigerator?
salsa is in the book and Louise said pepper.

QUESTIONS

What vegetable has the best rhythm?

What tree has the loudest bark?