June 26, 2010

Junior's Reading And Viewing List:
June 16 - 20, 2010


Last Update - June 26, 2010 at 11:21 PM EDT

This 'Reading And Viewing List' entry includes title links and teaser snippets for web items posted June 16 through June 20, 2010. It's a seriously stripped down version that shows some of what Junior's Eyes were gazing upon during that time, as I try to catch up, after falling way behind.

The topics covered this time include music, television (Doctor Who) and racing (Formula One and WRC).

One 2010 F1 European Grand Prix Preview post made it into this list.


June 20, 2010

'Doctor Who' Review: Episode 5.08 & 5.09, 'The Hungry Earth'
& 'Cold Blood'

By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

...This two-part story sees the return of the reptilian Silurians to the "Doctor Who" universe as The Doctor, Amy, and Rory investigate some mysterious disturbances in a Welsh village. A mining operation has disturbed something big underground, and when the Silurians make contact with humanity for the first time in many years, the fate of the planet depends on a small delegation hand-picked by The Doctor — and keeping everyone (human and Silurian) alive long enough to reach an agreement...


June 19, 2010

Whitesnake Change Line-Up
By mdome at Classic Rock

There are changes to the Whitesnake roster, with the band losing their rhythm section.

Out go bassist Uriah Duffy and drummer Chris Frazier. However, there’s already a replacement for the latter. He’s Brian Tichy, who’s worked with Ozzy, Foreigner, Pride & Glory and Billy Idol in the past...


June 18, 2010

Mid season reviews on wrc.com
Posted at WRC.com

Okay, so with six of this year's 13 WRC rallies completed we haven't - strictly speaking - reached the halfway point yet. That won't happen until sometime during Saturday's competition in Bulgaria.

But with a few weeks of the summer break remaining, we're calling the mid season early for a look back at what's happened so far...

Europe preview quotes - Virgin, Lotus, Force India, Williams
& more

Posted at Formula1.com

After the streets of Montreal’s Ile Notre Dame, Formula One racing heads to the streets of Valencia. But in place of the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve’s high-speed, low-downforce layout, come the Spanish track’s demanding twists and turns. There are a total of 25 corners (11 left and 14 right), which test the drivers to the maximum. They and senior team personnel look ahead to the forthcoming European Grand Prix...


June 17, 2010

Stream Classic Rockers Foghat's 'Last Train Home' In Full;
Free Track Download Available

Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Now you can stream the entire album in full, and download a completely free track "Born For The Road" below:...

Iron Maiden Stop By Houston Space Center
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Undercover Music is reporting that Metal legends Iron Maiden took a break from their North American tour to pay NASA’s Houston Space Center a visit this week...

Alice Cooper: ‘I’d Like To Work With Sir Christopher Lee’
By mdome at Classic Rock

Alice Cooper is keen to work with Sir Christopher Lee.

When Classic Rock told Alice that horror icon Lee had picked up an award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods (Spirit Of Hammer) and had also just released a metal album called Charlemagne, he responded:...

Buemi confident fortunes have changed
Posted at Formula1.com

For the first time this season, Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi left a Grand Prix feeling pleased with his result following last weekend’s Canadian round. Buemi’s strong Montreal race saw him finish eighth, which in turn boosted the solitary point he had gleaned from May’s Monaco Grand Prix to a total tally of five...


June 16, 2010

John Mellencamp Releases Box Set
By mdome at Classic Rock

John Mellencamp is to release a four-CD box set through Mercury/UMC on August 16.It’s titled On The Rural Route 7696. What makes this different to most box sets is that the 54 songs aren’t presented in a chronological order, but programmed as if they’re four stand alone CDs...

Ford step up asphalt efforts
Posted at WRC.com

BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team principal Malcolm Wilson says the team is working as hard as ever in an effort to break the Citroen team’s stranglehold on asphalt rounds of the World Rally Championship.

The French firm - and Sebastien Loeb - has won every traditional sealed-surface round of the series since 2004, with Marcus Gronholm’s success on a bone dry 2006 Monte Carlo Rally the Blue Oval’s only success with the current generation of Focus...

June 22, 2010

2010 F1 Canadian Grand Prix Review

Lewis Hamilton winning 2010 Canadian GP on June 13, 2010.
Photo by Reuters.

From qualifying on through post race reaction, the following list of linked articles cover the 2010 F1 Canadian Grand Prix. This Formula One race was run on June 13, 2010 in Montreal, Canada. McLaren Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button finished first and second, with Scuderia Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso crossing the line in third place.


Qualifying - Hamilton storms to Montreal pole
Posted at Formula1.com on June 12, 2010

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton left it until the dying moments of qualifying in Canada, but his lap of 1m 15.105s was sufficient to push Red Bull off the pole for the first time in 2010. And as it left Mark Webber...

Qualifying - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com on June 12, 2010

Lotus's Heikki Kovalainen on finishing just two-tenths down on the BMW Sauber of Kamui Kobayashi in Q1; Mercedes GP's Michael Schumacher on failing to make the top-ten shootout; and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton...

FIA post-qualifying press conference - Canada
Posted at Formula1.com on June 12, 2010

Drivers: 1. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), 1m 15.105s; 2. Mark Webber (Red Bull), 1m 15.373s; 3. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), 1m 15.420s

Q: Lewis, you left it to the last gasp but you have got your first pole...

Qualifying analysis - Hamilton leaves Red Bull playing catch-up
Posted at Formula1.com on June 12, 2010

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton finally ousted Red Bull from the top grid slot on Saturday after taking pole position during the dying moments of a thrilling qualifying session in Montreal. Red Bull's Mark Webber...

Paddock Postcard from Montreal
Posted at Formula1.com on June 13, 2010

One of the great things about the Canadian Grand Prix is that it always attracts plenty of famous racing faces. Double world championship, double CART champion and double Indy 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi...

Webber hit by gearbox grid penalty
Posted at Formula1.com on June 13, 2010

Mark Webber will drop five places on the grid for this afternoon's Canadian Grand Prix due to a gearbox change on his Red Bull car. Webber, who had qualified second alongside polesitter Lewis Hamilton...

Jenson Button (2nd) and Lewis Hamilton (1st) celebrate on June 13, 2010.
Photo by Reuters.

Canadian Grand Prix - selected team & driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com on June 13, 2010

BMW Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi on his early exit; Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi on overtaking seven-time champion - and Mercedes GP driver - Michael Schumacher; and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton on clinching his...

Race - McLaren one-two in Montreal thriller
Posted at Formula1.com on June 13, 2010

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button in their McLarens turned the world championship on its head in Montreal on Sunday afternoon, when they scored the team's third one-two of the season after a tense race in...

FIA post-race press conference - Canada
Posted at Formula1.com on June 13, 2010

1st Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), 1h33m53.456s; 2nd Jenson Button (McLaren), 1h33m55.710s; 3rd Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), 1h34m02.670s.

Q: Lewis, back to back wins. You are leading the championship and I guess...

Q&A with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton
Posted at Formula1.com on June 13, 2010

The Montreal weekend turned out to be something of a Hamilton-fest, with the McLaren driver translating an imperious pole position into a well-deserved win. Having taken his maiden F1 victory here back in...

Canada analysis - both titles blown wide open
Posted at Formula1.com on June 14, 2010

Red Bull may have given away victory in Turkey, but in Canada on Sunday they were beaten fair and square by both McLaren and Ferrari. McLaren's one-two secured the lead in both championships, but with the...

Post-Canada debrief with Renault's Steve Nielsen
Posted at Formula1.com on June 14, 2010

Renault had a highly eventful Canadian Grand Prix, with both Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov coming under the scrutiny of the stewards during the 70-lap race. At the end of it all they came away with six...

Alonso: Canada was actually a great result
Posted at Formula1.com on June 16, 2010

Immediately after the Canadian Grand Prix, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso couldn't hide his disappointment with his third-place finish behind the McLarens of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. Believing he had...

June 19, 2010

Junior's Reading And Viewing List:
June 11 - 15, 2010


Last Update - June 19, 2010 at 11:52 PM EDT

This 'Reading And Viewing List' entry includes title links and teaser snippets for web items posted June 11 through June 15, 2010. It's just a sampling of what caught Junior's Eyes during that time.

The topics covered this time include music, hockey (Washington Capitals and Hershey Bears) and racing (Formula One and WRC).

A few more 2010 F1 Canadian Grand Prix Preview posts made it into this list.


June 15, 2010

So What Does The Fact The Hershey Bears Repeated
As Calder Cup Champs Mean For the Caps and Other Musings....

By Usually Frustrated Caps Fan at Mark's Musings

Last night, the Hershey Bears repeated as AHL Calder Cup Champions. The Bears claimed the 2010 Calder Cup at home with a fairly impressive, and fairly dominating 4-0 victory over the Texas Stars. I watched the majority of the game on NHL Network and had several musings at the time that I've thought some more about this morning and might be worth sharing.

During the game it occurred to me that it's clear there is likely little to be gained through another season in the AHL for the development of the following players: John Carlson, Karl Alzner, Mathieu Perrault, and Michael Neuvirth. All four of these guys should be on the Capitals rooster for the entirety of next season...

Kubica to take Renault Roadshow home to Poland
Posted at Formula1.com

Poland will become the latest stop for the Renault’s Roadshow event when national hero - and Renault driver - Robert Kubica visits the Poznan circuit for a special exhibition of his Formula One car on 17 July.

The event will be Kubica’s first opportunity to put an F1 machine through its paces in his home country and will be a rare opportunity for Polish fans to experience the thrill of a Formula One car being driven at speed...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: George McPhee
Posted by David M. Getz at Japers' Rink

J.P.: Alright, let's wrap our raps with the master architect of this year's team, General Manager of the Year finalist George McPhee. Simple question with probably a not-so-simple answer: from a personnel perspective, were the pieces there for the Capitals to achieve their ultimate goal this past season?

David M. Getz: I certainly think so. Don't get me wrong, I don't think the Capitals were the archetypal Stanley Cup team, that they didn't have holes, or that they should be happy enough with their personnel that they don't make changes this offseason, but I do think they had the talent to be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender...

The Secret Life of Nico Rosberg
Posted at Formula1.com

He races for Mercedes GP, his best finish was second at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, he’s scored 149.5 points from 78 starts and he’s the 24 year-old son of a former world champion. These are just a few things we do know about Nico Rosberg. A driver, however, is more than his statistics, his team or even his famous father. We delve a little deeper to find out about Rosberg’s fear of heights, his love of backgammon and cycling, and his youthful obsession with The Lion King...

Manufacturers plan for four cars in 2011
Posted at WRC.com

Both Citroen and Ford are aiming to start next year’s World Rally Championship with at least four of their all-new World Rally Cars competing.

Despite the fact that neither manufacturer has completed a new car yet - Ford expects to be running its Fiesta RS WRC and Citroen its DS3 WRC in finished form in September - both manufacturers are aiming to have their two factory cars and two customer cars ready in time for the season-opening Rally Sweden in February...

Eleventh Heaven: Bears 4 - Stars 0
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

The Hershey Bears defended their Calder Cup championship won last year in style last night, shutting out the Texas Stars in Game 6 of the Calder Cup final, 4-0, to earn the eleventh Calder Cup in franchise history...

Ronnie James Dio Tribute Concert Announced!
By Joe Siegler at Black Sabbath Online



Today I'm proud to bring to you the details of the Ronnie James Dio tribute concert that have just been announced. Heaven & Hell have issued a press release (shown below) of the one off tribute show they're doing for Ronnie. It will be held on Saturday July 24, 2010 at the High Voltage Festival in London.

This actually was a gig that Heaven & Hell had planned to play with Ronnie, but it was canceled with the rest of the dates a few weeks before Ronnie died. It apparently has been revived...


June 14, 2010

Bears Win 11th Calder Cup
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Lather, Rinse, Repeat – Drama played a part in each of the first five games of the Calder Cup final series between the Hershey Bears and the Texas Stars, but there was no drama in the house for Monday’s Game 6. Hershey imposed its will upon Texas from the get-go, rolling to a 4-0 win and the 11th Calder Cup championship of the franchise’s storied history.

Hershey becomes the first team to repeat as Calder Cup champions since the Springfield Indians in 1990 and 1991. It also becomes the first team in AHL history to win the Calder Cup after dropping the first two games of the final series on home ice...

Neuvirth, Bourque and French After Winning Calder Cup
at Hershey With Final Game 6 Win

Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com


Right click on video to select full screen option.



2009-10 Rink Wrap: Bruce Boudreau
Posted by J.P. at Japers' Rink

JP: Let's start with the regular season. The Caps ran away with the Eastern Conference and won the Presidents' Trophy handily. How much of that do you attribute to the guy behind the bench?

Stephen Pepper: I think Coach Boudreau deverses most all of the credit typically given the bench boss of a Presidents' Trophy winning team, by getting his players to perform to their regular season abilities, and consistently...

Download Festival: The Classic Rock Report (Day Three)
By Emma Johnston at Classic Rock

...Saxon, albeit in their umpteenth incarnation, are still sounding huge after three decades on the touring hamster wheel.

But it’s Slash who provides the first genuine ‘moment’ of the day though. Proving a deep understanding of festival crowds, his set is stuffed with Guns N’ Roses hits such as Rocket Queen, Sweet Child O’ Mine and Paradise City which are howled along to by the happy drunks in the pit. He’s found a perfect foil in Alter Bridge’s Myles Kennedy, who’s beaming so widely he looks he’s won the lottery, found a cure for cancer and pulled Angelina Jolie all in the same day...

Download Festival: The Classic Rock Report (Day One)
By Jerry Ewing at Classic Rock

...Given that the rumours that abounded around about AC/DC’s performance on Friday night, in the run-up to the event itself – the band had their own stage, their logo would be missing from event merchandise, that they were under the belief this was an AC/DC gig and not a festival, that they’d demanded a two-hour gap between Them Crooked Vultures and their own performance – then the big question on everyone’s lips was: would the veteran rockers deliver?...

Download Festival Photo Special
By gbarton at Classic Rock

Come inside for some choice images from this past weekend’s Download festival.

Well, Classic Rock’s festival stragglers finally made it back into the office this morning...

Ozzy’s Genetic Code To Be Analysed
By mdome at Classic Rock

Ozzy Osbourne is to have his genetic code analysed and mapped – in an attempt to find out how he’s managed to live for so long.

No, it’s not a spoof – this is really gonna happen...

Ogier edges Raikkonen in practice rally
Posted at WRC.com

Sebastien Ogier continued his winning run behind the wheel of a Citroen C4 WRC when he claimed victory on last weekend’s Rally della Lanterna, a national event in Italy he was using to prepare for Bulgaria’s forthcoming World Rally Championship qualifier.

However, the Rally de Portugal winner left it late after snatching victory from Citroen Junior Team stable-mate Kimi Raikkonen on the final special stage to win by 5.7 seconds from the former Formula One world champion, who settled for an impressive second overall...


June 13, 2010

Vocal Icon Pat Benatar To Release Memoir 'Between A Heart
And A Rock Place' In Stores And Online June 15th

By Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Four-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist Pat Benatar is one of the top selling female artists of all time. If you were around in the 80's, her music was everywhere.

On the radio, MTV, clubs - everywhere you turned, it was a good bet that before too long, you would hear one of her songs played. The mega hits "Heartbreaker", "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", "Love Is A Battlefield", "Shadows Of The Night" and more...

Hershey Hopes to Hoist Cup at Home
By Mike Vogel at Dump 'N Chase

...Can the Stars come back to Hershey and win the series by winning the last two games on the road? They did exactly that to take Calder Cup playoff series wins from both Chicago and Hamilton earlier in the postseason. Texas has proven itself a formidable foe, but it’s hard to see the Bears losing four home games in a playoff series.

Hershey can claim its 11th Calder Cup title simply by winning one of its next two games. Bears fans scarfed up more than 10,000 tickets to Monday’s Game 6 when they went on sale last week; the game sold out in a matter of hours...


June 12, 2010

Final practice - four teams in the top four
Posted at Formula1.com

Things settled down a little in Montreal on Saturday morning as teams found better ways to generate grip in the continuing cold conditions on the Ile Notre Dame. And McLaren got back on top courtesy of Lewis Hamilton, but Red Bull were again close and things look good for an exciting qualifying session this afternoon...

Coulthard honoured with MBE
Posted at Formula1.com

Former Williams, McLaren and Red Bull driver David Coulthard has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. The Scot, who retired from F1 competition at the end of 2008, remains the most successful Briton in terms of points scored...

Ozzy Helps Break Screaming World Record
By mdome at Classic Rock

Osbourne led a baseball crowd to a world record on Friday, June 11. It happened in a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels at Dodgers Stadium, when a successful atempt was made to come up with the longest and loudest scream ever by an audience...

Bears Take Third Straight in Texas
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

One Win Away – The Hershey Bears spent the 2009-10 regular season breaking AHL records and doing things other teams had never accomplished in league history. They seem bent on doing the same in the postseason.

Alexandre Giroux’s goal at 13:28 of overtime gave the Bears a 2-1 win in Friday’s pivotal Game 5 and a 3-2 lead in the series as the scene shifts back to Hershey for Monday night’s Game 6...


June 11, 2010

Head Coach Mark French After Calder Cup Final Game 5 Win
at Texas Stars

Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com


Right click on video to select full screen option.



Friday analysis - Red Bull keep their cool in Montreal
Posted at Formula1.com

Lower than expected ambient and track temperatures caused a lot of head-scratching on Friday afternoon in Canada as teams found Bridgestone’s super-soft option tyre sliding around and therefore graining badly because they could not generate their operating temperature, whereas the medium-compound primes had been fine in the morning. We take a team-by-team look at progress in Montreal ahead of this weekend’s Canadian event...

Friday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com

After his frustrating time in Istanbul, Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel seemed determined to take make an impression during the first day of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, leading Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso in Practice Two. Vettel, his rivals and senior team personnel reflect on their early progress in Montreal...

Practice Two - Vettel pips Alonso in Montreal
Posted at Formula1.com

Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time in Friday afternoon’s second practice session for the Canadian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver lapped in 1m 16.877s, and only Fernando Alonso with 1m 16.963s for Ferrari got anywhere close to him.

The indications were, however, that most were centred on race running, as the majority of the remaining fast times were set early in the 90-minute period...

Practice One - McLarens split by Schumacher
Posted at Formula1.com

There was plenty of action as Formula One cars once again hammered round the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Friday morning, as Jenson Button set the pace for McLaren in opening practice for the Canadian Grand Prix.

The reigning champion was on strong form with a lap of 1m 18.127s in overcast but dry conditions, but it was tight at the top as Mercedes were also in the fight. Button’s lap was 0.158s quicker than Michael Schumacher’s best of 1m 18.285s, and right behind the legendary German came Lewis Hamilton...

So You May Have Noticed and A Few Musings ...
By Usually Frustrated Caps Fan at Mark's Musings

...Of note to me as a Capitals fan is the fact that Patrick Sharp, in addition to UFA John Madden might be available. While neither Sharp nor Madden are likely available for a price that the Capitals can afford under the Salary Cap without other moves, but who knows. Either would be a great addition and a super fill for the second line center here in DC. Sharp would be, IMO awesome. Of course, bringing in Sharp would likely mean that after next season that Young Gun Alexander Semin won't be affordable so in the planning perspective that might not make sense to GMGM. Here's my thinking...

Pre-Canada analysis - team mate tensions
Posted at Formula1.com

The art of racing your team mate is very much under the microscope this weekend in Montreal, following the clash in Turkey between Red Bull's Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, and the ensuing wheel-banging fight for the lead between Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button at McLaren.

On the one hand the first person you have to beat is the guy in the same car as you; on the other, crashing into your team mate is never popular with the team management...

Raikkonen takes on the tar
Posted at WRC.com

Former Ferrari Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen will get his first taste of the asphalt-specification Citroen C4 WRC in competition this evening.

He and recent Rally of Portugal winner Sebastien Ogier will contest the Rally della Lanterna, which starts with a superspecial stage close to Genoa in northern Italy this evening. The Citroen pair will then tackle eight stages and 124 kilometers tomorrow. The event ends tomorrow tomorrow night. Prior to this rally, Raikkonen has only ever competed on one asphalt rally...

Le Grand Soir celebrates Montreal’s F1 return
Posted at Formula1.com

Montreal hosted ‘Le Grand Soir’ or ‘Grand Evening’ on Thursday to welcome Formula One racing back to the Canadian city after a one-year absence. The spectacular event, staged in the old Windsor train station, saw one of the biggest ever gatherings of drivers and team principals outside of the F1 paddock, with numerous other luminaries, including Bernie Ecclestone, also in attendance...

Mills calls time on co-driving
Posted at WRC.com

Petter Solberg will start his next World Rally Championship event without Phil Mills alongside for the first time since 1999, following the Welshman’s decision to leave the Petter Solberg World Rally Team.

Mills’ decision, announced this morning, brings to an end a 152-event unbroken run of the pair competing together. In their time they have driven for Ford, Subaru and for their own Citroen team, winning 13 individual world rallies and the 2003 world title...

June 14, 2010

Junior's Reading And Viewing List:
June 6 - June 10, 2010

Last Update - June 14, 2010 at 11:59 PM EDT

This 'Reading And Viewing List' entry includes title links and teaser snippets for web items posted June 6 through June 10, 2010. It's just a sampling of what caught Junior's Eyes during that time.

As usual, the topics covered here include music, hockey (Washington Capitals and Hershey Bears), racing (Formula One and WRC) and comics (Super hero films).

A couple more 2010 F1 Canadian Grand Prix Preview posts made it into this list.


June 10, 2010

FIA Thursday press conference - Canada
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers: Lucas di Grassi (Virgin), Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), Robert Kubica (Renault), Felipe Massa (Ferrari), Nico Rosberg (Mercedes).

Q: A question to all those of you who have been here before. Your thoughts on coming back to this circuit, to Canada and Lucas your first impressions of Canada as I don’t think you’ve been here before. So if you would like to start.
Lucas di Grassi: Yeah, it is my first time in Canada driving. I was here in 2008 as a reserve driver for Renault. My view on the track is that it is pretty different to all the other tracks I have been to so far...

Status Quo Slam Brighton Council
By mdome at Classic Rock

Status Quo are furious with Brighton & Hove Council, after they launcged a recruitment drive by using a seemingly anti-Quo slogan.For some bizarre reason, the council have launched a website advertising four new jobs – each with a salary of £125,000 – under the address of www.saynotostatusquo.com, and are using the slogan ‘Status Quo fans need not apply’!...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Semyon Varlamov
Posted by J.P. at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Varlamov's playoff numbers (2.49 goals against average and .915 save percentage) are better than his regular season stats (2.52/.911) two seasons into his career... with one exception (and, unfortunately, it's the one that matters most) - he's won 59.4% of his regular season decisions and 52.6% of them in the postseason.

Interesting Stat: Varlamov is fourth in franchise history in playoff wins (and third in GAA and SV%).

The Good: Varlamov's second season in North America got off to a shaky start (more on that below), but overall he continued his winning ways, running his career record to 16-1-3/2.25/.923 (and season mark to 12-1-2/2.20/.924) before suffering a lower-body injury in December...

Alonso: Ferrari can turn fortunes around
Posted at Formula1.com

With just one win and a 26-point deficit to championship leaders Red Bull in the 2010 standings, Ferrari have not enjoyed the best of starts to the season. However, driver Fernando Alonso remains confident his team can get on top of their development struggles and reverse their fortunes as the calendar’s midpoint approaches...

Black Country Communion Confirm Album Details
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

Black Country Communion are to release their debut album on September 20. Titled Black Country (the band’s original choice of name), it will be on the Mascot label, and has the following track listing:...

Canada Preview - Groundhog Day for Red Bull?
Posted at Formula1.com

There isn’t a team in the paddock that isn’t welcoming the return to North America, and everyone is excited about the prospect of racing once again on the 4.361-kilometre (2.709-mile) Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Montreal’s Ile Notre Dame.

Some, however, which includes Red Bull who hitherto have taken all seven 2010 pole positions, expect it to be a cakewalk for McLaren. That’s because the strategy is always to minimise downforce here because of the long straights...

Hirvonen upbeat despite tough times
Posted at WRC.com

Despite struggling to find the rally-winning pace he started the season with, Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen says he is confident there’s nothing wrong with his driving.

The Finn said he took a different approach to the Rally of Portugal and emerged from the Faro-based event happy with the way the sixth round of this year’s World Rally Championship had run for him. Hirvonen, who collected his second consecutive fourth place of the season in Portugal, is third in the drivers’ championship, 50 points behind Citroen’s Sebastien Loeb...

Bears Tie Series
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Hill, Climbed – On Sunday, the Hershey Bears boarded a charter plane for Texas hill country with a big hill to climb. Having uncharacteristically lost the first two games of their Calder Cup final series with the Texas Stars on Hershey ice, the Bears needed a Texas-sized bounce-back to climb the Texas-sized hill that faced them.

Three nights later they are enjoying the view from that hill...


June 9, 2010

Head Coach Mark French After Calder Cup Final Game 4 Win
at Texas Stars

Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com


Right click on video to select full screen option.



2009-10 Rink Wrap: Jose Theodore
Posted by Becca H at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: From the start of the season to the end of 2009, Theodore posted an 11-6-4 record, with a GAA of 3.05 and a save percentage of .896; in the 26 remaining games, he posted a record of 21-1-4, a GAA of 2.62 and a .920 save percentage.

Interesting Stat: Both of Theodore's assists came on the power play, a secondary assist on an Alexander Semin goal against Detroit and a primary assist on a Nicklas Backstrom goal vs. Ottawa.

The Good: Theodore picked up his fourth career 30+ win season, passing the 30-win plateau for the second straight year and picking up just two fewer wins than last year in ten fewer games played...

Saxon DVD Number Three In UK Charts
By mdome at Classic Rock

Saxon’s documentary Heavy Metal Thunder – The Movie is at number three in the midweek UK DVD charts. Only Michael Jackson and U2 stand between the veteran Brit metallers and the top slot. The film was funed through fan backing. Apparently, there are just 3000 copies left right now.You can buy the DVD at:
www.coolprodutions.com/SAXONDVD

Latvala is the star of the show
Posted at WRC.com

Jari-Matti Latvala topped off a busy few days in Britain with a crowd-pleasing drive at the Chatsworth Rally Show on Saturday.

Both Latvala and team-mate Mikko Hirvonen had been at the Millbrook test track in Britain for two days last week, being photographed for a new commercial. But the real treat for Latvala, was driving his Rally of Portugal Ford Focus RS WRC 09 at the stately home in Derbyshire...


June 8, 2010

2009-10 Rink Wrap: David Steckel
Posted by David M. Getz at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Steckel's 2:59 seconds of shorthanded ice time per game were more than any other Capitals forward.

Interesting Stat: For the third year in a row, Steckel had exactly one game-winning goal in the regular season.

The Good: Steckel had another solid season doing what he does best: playing a checking line role. Steckel's calling card, faceoff prowess, was again on full display in 2009-10...

Ogier to step up to Citroen factory team
Posted at WRC.com

Citroen driver Sebastien Ogier will gets his next big chance on the World Rally Championship when he steps up to the factory team for the three gravel rallies that remain this season, in Finland, Japan and Great Britain.

On those three events, Loeb’s usual team mate - Dani Sordo - will occupy the Citroen Junior Team car that Ogier normally drives. However, Sordo will retain his seat on the four asphalt rounds that make up the backbone of the remainder of the 2010 season: Bulgaria, Germany, France and Spain...

Mastering Montreal - a set-up guide for Canada
Posted at Formula1.com

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, which will host this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, is one of the most unusual circuits on the Formula One calendar. With a mix of long straights and low-speed chicanes hemmed in by unforgiving concrete walls, it’s a bit like combining Monaco with Monza and therefore poses some unique challenges for car set-up. Renault explain more...

Iron Maiden Give Away New Song For Free
By mdome at Classic Rock

Iron Maiden have confirmed that new album The Final Frontier (the cover for which is shown here) is to be released on Monday, August 16 – and they’re celebrating by giving away one song right now.

Just go to www.ironmaiden.com/ and you can download for free the song El Dorado...


Happy Birthday to Colin Baker!

Baker is an English actor, who is mostly known (in the USA) for playing the 6th Doctor (1984 to 1986) in Doctor Who.




June 7, 2010

Stanley Tucci Joins 'Captain America' Cast
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

Marvel Studios has confirmed yet another cast member for "Captain America: The First Avenger".

According to an official announcement made earlier today, actor Stanley Tucci will play Dr. Abraham Erskine in the 2011 film directed by Joe Johnston. In the Marvel Universe, Erskine was the scientist who created the super-soldier serum...

New 'Torchwood' TV Series To Debut In U.S.,
John Barrowman Will Return

By Jill Pantozzi at MTV's Splash Page

It was exciting enough for us “Doctor Who” fans here on Splash Page (and there are several, let me assure you) that the successful spin-off series “Torchwood” was getting its own comic book, but now we can breath easy (and jump for joy) that “Torchwood” will be continuing on television, too.

Starz Entertainment has acquired the rights to debut the next 10-episode installment of the hit show right here in the United States...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Tyler Sloan
Posted by Becca H at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Sloan's ice time varied across the board, with half of his forty games clocking in at over fifteen minutes and ten games under ten minutes. He crossed the twenty minute plateau only three times during the season.

Interesting Stat: Half of Sloan's points came in the first eight games he played; two of the last three came in his last six games of the season.

The Good: The job requirements for a third-pairing defenseman who dresses for less than half the regular season aren’t too complicated: keep the puck out of your own net, fill in where you can and don’t get hurt...

Michael Schenker Group To Release Anniversary Recording
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

The Michael Schenker Group are to release a 30th anniversary live recording in October.

To be called The 30th Anniversary Concert – Live In Tokyo, it will be available in CD, DVD and Blu-Ray formats...

Ozzy: ‘I’ll Donate My Body To A Museum!’
By mdome at Classic Rock

Ozzy Osbourne has said he’ll donate his body to a London museum when he dies.

Talking to the Sunday Times, the Prince Of Darkness said:

“By all accounts I’m a medical miracle. When I die, I should donate my body to the Natural History Museum. It’s all very well going on a bender for a couple of days – but mine went on for 40 years...

James Allison Q&A: Renault creeping forward race by race
Posted at Formula1.com

After another encouraging showing at the recent Turkish Grand Prix, Renault have their sites firmly set on Mercedes GP, who are now just 27 points ahead in the constructors’ standings. Technical director James Allison reviews the team’s form and looks ahead to this weekend’s Canadian race in Montreal...

Former Stereophonics Drummer Dies
By gbarton at Classic Rock

Ex-Stereophonics drummer Stuart Cable has been found dead at his home in Aberdare, Wales.

His body was discovered early this morning (June 7) at about 5.30am. South Wales Police confirmed the sudden death of Cable, who was 40 years old...
*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: I was never into the Stereophonics, but Stuart Cable was a good guy, as far as I know. His "Cable Rock" show on BBC Radio Wales was great.


June 6, 2010

Bon Jovi Play On O2 Roof
By mdome at Classic Rock

Bon Jovi might have 12 shows lined up inside the O2 Arena in London – but they plan to kick off their so-called ‘residency’ by playing on the roof of the building.

Seriously, Jon and the lads will clamber up on to the roof at some point this afternoon (Monday, June 7) and perform four songs. These will be beamed to a giant screen erected in Peninsula Square, where the O2 is located...

PUT OUT THE FIRE
By Brian May at BrianMay.com

If you listen to "Put Out The Fire", a QUEEN song which I wrote God knows how many years ago, you can tell where my feelings have always been. The older you grow, the more you understand ... and the more awfulness you see. As with fox-hunting, any decent, sensible person can plainly see there is no excuse for having weapons of killing at a distance out there in the hands of the public...

...In the USA, the National Riflemen's Association grinds away, with huge money and power behind it, defending the 'Right to Bear Arms' - a justifying phrase glibly quoted from the US constitution which was actually almost certainly put there to make it possible to defend the USA against invaders from outside, not inside. That's what inspired my song...

June 11, 2010

Junior's Reading And Viewing List:
June 1 - June 5, 2010


Last Update - June 11, 2010 at 11:14 PM EDT

This 'Reading And Viewing List' entry includes title links and teaser snippets for web items posted June 1 through June 5, 2010. It's just a sampling of what caught Junior's Eyes during that time.

As usual, the topics covered here include music, hockey (Washington Capitals and Hershey Bears), racing (Formula One and WRC) and comics (Super hero films).

One 2010 F1 Canadian Grand Prix Preview post made it into this list.


June 5, 2010

Bears Fall into 2-0 Series Hole
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

A Texas-Sized Hole – Travis Morin’s goal in the final minute of regulation gave the Texas Stars a 4-3 win over the Hershey Bears on Saturday night at Giant Center in Game 2 of the Calder Cup final series between the two teams. Morin’s goal sent the Bears to an uncharacteristic second straight loss on home ice.

“Well, we’re happy,” says Texas coach Glen Gulutzan. “These last two games [were decided by] one goal, one goal, either way. I thought both games could go either way and I think the whole series is going to play out like that...

Hershey Bears Players After Calder Cup Final Game 2 Loss
to Texas Stars

Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com




My Tribute to Dio
By Joe Siegler at Black Sabbath Online

...As a "goodbye" present from myself and Damian here at black-sabbath.com I wante to present this piece of video. It's something shot on the final gig of the 2009 "The Devil You Know" tour. I had tried to do this for the Metal Masters tour, and it couldn't be put together in time, so it was for the TDYK tour. At the time, Damian and his cameraman John thought they were just filming the band, did some interviews, and that would be it. Little did they know they'd be filming Ronnie's last live concert ever. I was finally given permission to use this video today. I wanted to make sure that Ralph Baker, Gloria Butler, & Wendy Dio were all on board with me using it. The band itself did not film the concert, nor did they record it. This video stands as the only recorded footage of Ronnie from his last ever concert...


June 4, 2010

Ozzy And Iommi Settle Sabbath Legal Battle
By mdome at Classic Rock

The legal battle between Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi over the trademarking of the Black Sabbath name is over.

Ozzy had sued Iommi, claiming that he’d trademarked the Black Sabbath moniker without permission...

Dio Memorial Service: Exclusive First-Hand Report
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

On Sunday, May 30 a public memorial service was held in memory of Ronnie James Dio. Among those present and participating was his cousin and former Elf bandmate David ‘Rock’ Feinstein. In an exclusive report for Classic Rock, Feinstein gives us an insight into the special occasion.

I first want to say thank you to everyone who sent condolences to me. It was very much appreciated. It just goes to show you what great people Dio fans really are...

Teams want Pirelli to stay in WRC
Posted at WRC.com

Pirelli has moved to quell the fears of both Ford and Citroen by stating that it intends to remain in the World Rally Championship, even if its move into Formula 1 is signed off.

FIA president Jean Todt confirmed last week that the World Rally Championship will continue to be supplied with a control tyre beyond the end of Pirelli’s current three-year agreement which expires at the end of this season...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Alexander Semin
Posted by J.P. at Japers' Rink

Key Stats: Semin finished fifth in the NHL in goals-per-game during the regular season, but failed to light the lamp even once in the post-season (despite still being in the top-20 in the League in playoff shots on goal).

Interesting Stat: Semin has the best regular season plus-minus (+61) among NHL forwards over the past two seasons.

The Good: Semin put up some awfully pretty impressive numbers in the regular season, including top-ten finishes in goals, goals created, plus-minus, even-strength goals, points per game, goals created per game, multi-goal- and multi-point games...

The Secret Life of Vitaly Petrov
Posted at Formula1.com

Ever wanted to know your favourite Formula One driver better? Ever wanted a glimpse inside their lives outside the cockpit and see what really makes them tick - away from the race track? You can with the help of our series, The Secret Life. Renault’s Vitaly Petrov is our latest target, as he reveals a hatred of early starts, a penchant for playing cards and a passion for Spanish football...

Canada preview quotes - Ferrari, Virgin, Force India & more
Posted at Formula1.com

With the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve's challenging layout and Montreal’s welcoming atmosphere, the Canadian Grand Prix is a firm favourite with many of the Formula One drivers and their teams. Here they explain why and discuss their prospects...

Lewis Hamilton Q&A: I can't stop smiling
Posted at Formula1.com
The Turkish Grand Prix saw a one-two victory, but not from the team that most had expected. For McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton it was his first win of the year and pushed him to within nine points of current championship leader, Red Bull’s Mark Webber. Hamilton discusses his Istanbul Park win and the joy of battling with his team mate Jenson Button...


June 3, 2010

Bears Drop Game 1, 2-1
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Unfamiliar Territory – The Hershey Bears dropped Game 1 of their 2010 Calder Cup final series with the Texas Stars by a 2-1 score at Giant Center on Thursday night. The loss puts the Bears behind in a series for the first time in the 2010 playoffs. Texas leads 1-0 with Game 2 on tap for Saturday at Giant Center.

“There is still a lot of confidence in the room but obviously we’ve got to rebound and play a better 60-minute game and probably a smarter, more intelligent game in Game 2,” says Bears coach Mark French...

Bears Aim for 11th Calder Cup Title
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

The AHL’s most storied franchise takes on the league’s newest franchise in the 74th Calder Cup final series beginning tonight at Giant Center in Hershey. The Hershey Bears will be vying for their 11th Calder Cup championship while the Texas Stars will seek to complete their first season in the circuit with a league title. The Bears are competing in the Cup final for the fourth time in five springs since re-starting their affiliation with the parent Capitals for the 2005-06 season. Hershey is seeking to become the first back-to-back AHL champs since the Springfield Indians in 1990 and 1991...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Jeff Schultz
Posted by J.P. at Japers' Rink

Key Stats: Schultz tied with teammate Mike Green for the best plus-minus in hockey over the past two seasons, and trailed only Nicklas Lidstrom and Duncan Keith among blueliners over the past three campaigns.

Interesting Stat: Schultz is the first defenseman to finish a season with a plus-50 rating or better since Chris Pronger in 1999-2000.

The Good: Sarge, a healthy scratch on Opening Night, responded to an increased role (that of first-pairing rearguard, partnered with the game's most dynamic offensive defenseman) by shattering personal bests...

Solberg aims for top three or a win
Posted at WRC.com


Petter Solberg says his dream for the rest of this year is to finish this season in the top three overall or to take an outright rally win - both of which the Norwegian feels are achievable.

Solberg finished fifth on Vodafone Rally de Portugal, and currently lies fifth in the standings. Despite not being on the podium for the last two events, Solberg says the second half of the season includes his favourite rallies and his best opportunities for success...


Red Bull clear the air ahead of Canada
Posted at Formula1.com

Following a meeting at their Milton Keynes factory on Thursday, Red Bull believe they have drawn a line under the collision between drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber during the Turkish Grand Prix.

Vettel, Webber, team principal Christian Horner, chief technical officer Adrian Newey and Red Bull motorsport consultant Dr Helmut Marko all attended the meeting at the team’s UK base...

Public Image’s Summer Shows
By mdome at Classic Rock

Public Image Ltd have announced six gigs for July. The upcoming dates for John Lydon’s band are:...

Y&T Announce Autumn Tour
By mdome at Classic Rock

Y&T follow up their appearance at the Download Festival with an autumn tour of the UK and Ireland.

Here are the dates:...

Rush Tell Politician: ‘Stop Using Our Music’
By mdome at Classic Rock

Rush have told US politician Rand Paul to stop using their music in his campaign to get elected to the Senate...

...The band say their cease-and-desist order to him isn’t any sort of political statement, but one of copyright infringement...

Second-chance saloon? How the returnees are faring
Posted at Formula1.com

If the life of a rookie is tough, then the life of a Formula One returnee is surely just as taxing. Not only do they face the demands of returning to top-flight competition, they also have the weight of their past achievements to live up to. This season there are three drivers rejoining the fast lane full time after spells away. We take a look at how Schumacher, Liuzzi and De la Rosa are coping now that they’re back in the F1 fold...

Q&A with BMW Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi
Posted at Formula1.com

BMW Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi has endured a difficult start to the 2010 season. A mixture of technical problems and accidents saw Kobayashi retire from five of the opening six races. But at last weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix the Japanese driver finally made an impression on the scoreboard, clinching one point thanks to his 10th-place finish at Istanbul Park...


June 2, 2010

The Dark Knights: When Tony Iommi Met Sir Christopher Lee
By terrybezer at Metal Hammer

The new issue of Metal Hammer sees the inventor of heavy metal interviewing the God of dark fantasy movies. Get a taster of what to expect inside!

The latest issue of Metal Hammer sees Tony Iommi interviewing Sir Christopher Lee about his life in dark movies and his work within heavy metal, first with Rhapsody of Fire and most recently on his own album, ‘Charlemagne’...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Tom Poti
Posted by Becca H at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Poti's +9 is still tied for second-highest in the playoffs among defensemen, one behind League-leader Brent Seabrook.

Interesting Stat: Poti played a total of 253 minutes shorthanded during the regular season, the highest on the team - and over a full game more than the next defenseman, Jeff Schultz (192:55).

The Good: Poti took more shifts per game than any other player on the team - and often against some pretty tough competition - and still managed to achieve a career best +26 on the season. Two of his four goals...

Listen To Brand New Songs From Rush
By gbarton at Classic Rock

...The two tracks are from the celebrated Canadians’ new album Clockwork Angels, which is being produced by Nick Raskulinecz.

You can listen to BU2B (which stands for Brought Up To Believe) here.

And you can listen to Caravan here....

It’s Kimi versus Taddy on a stage with a difference
Posted at WRC.com

Ex-Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen faces yet another brand new challenge when he goes head-to-head with multiple trials champion Taddy Blazusiak during this weekend’s Erzberg Rodeo in Austria.

While Taddy will be on his usual KTM trials bike, fellow Red Bull athlete Kimi will race him in the Citroen C4 WRC that the Finn uses in this year’s World Rally Championship...

Button honoured at Buckingham Palace
Posted at Formula1.com

Just days after clinching second place at the Turkish Grand Prix, McLaren’s Jenson Button took time to reflect on his title-winning success of 2009 on Wednesday, as he was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace in London. World champion Button, who took the title driving for Brawn GP, was named in the Queen’s New Year Honours list...

Watch Amazing Early Footage Of Rush
By gbarton at Classic Rock

Come inside to see a pair of exclusive clips from the new movie Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage.

The award-winning documentary Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage is coming to cinemas for one night only on June 7 – in association with Classic Rock...


Click here to watch our second clip, which features Rush performing Closer To The Heart. (Warning: may contain kimonos.)


Fiesta time for Henning Solberg in Bulgaria?
Posted at WRC.com

Stobart driver Henning Solberg has said that he may contest the Rally Bulgaria in a Ford Fiesta Super 2000, after it was confirmed that former Junior World Rally Champion P-G Andersson will drive Solberg’s usual Ford Focus WRC on the event in early July...


June 1, 2010

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Mathieu Perreault
Posted by Stephen Pepper at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Tallied six points (two goals, four assists) in his first eight NHL games, and zero points in his next eight.

Interesting Stat: His average 5-on-5 shooting distance was the shortest of all Capitals skaters.

The Good: Whether you call him Matty or Perry, Mathieu Perreault's exuberance, his soft hands in traffic, and his electric goal celebrations instantly captured the imagination of the Capitals faithful...

9:30 Club 30th Birthday
By Ted Leonsis at Ted's Take

What a fun night and congratulations to the 9:30 Club for 30 years of great local entertainment.

Henry Rollins was there...

...Dave Grohl surprised folks with an appearance and did Bad Brains songs. We met him and he is a really great guy and nice person...

Ronnie James Dio Funeral Pics And Videos Online
Posted by terrybezer at Metal Hammer

...According to Blabbermouth, over 1,200 people paved the streets around the Hall Of Liberty at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles to pay their respects to the life and career of Ronnie James Dio...

Dio Memorial Service: Footage Posted Online
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

More than 1,000 fans gathered on Sunday, May 30, at a public memorial service for the late Ronnie James Dio, at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Among those paying tribute during the ceremony were Geoff Tate (Queensryche), Joey Belladonna (Anthrax), Glenn Hughes, Claude Schnell (Dio) and Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven & Hell)...

Renault hoping to outshine Mercedes in Canada
Posted at Formula1.com

Although Robert Kubica scored eight points in Turkey, Renault left Istanbul Park feeling disappointed. Not only was Vitaly Petrov’s promising race spoiled by a puncture, but Kubica spent the afternoon trapped behind the two Mercedes drivers, despite the R30’s quick pace. Renault’s chief race engineer Alan Permane, however, is confident the team will be able to improve their qualifying performance at the next event in Canada, and with more upgrades on the way for Montreal, he is hopeful they’ll be able to move ahead of Mercedes soon...

Eric Fehr the actor
Posted by Dan Steinberg at D.C. Sports Bog

...Personally, I'd just as soon have the outstanding young film community of Winkler, Manitoba have to do without the services of budding thespian Eric Fehr until late June or thereabouts, but if he's got to be in the plains early, he might as well star in The Plains. Hey, the movie thing was good enough for Cooley...

June 9, 2010

Today's Tune: "On Fire" By Van Halen


I was just reminded that it was on this day (June 9th) in 1980 that American comedian and actor Richard Pryor (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005) suffered severe burns during an accidental "free-base" explosion.

Maybe it's a little bit sadistic, but I couldn't help but think of Van Halen's 1978 track titled "On Fire". I mean, it just burst into my head. Oops! There I go again. Well, please enjoy our 'Today's Tune', even though this song is about a very different subject matter than what poor old Richard went through.



Van Halen - "On Fire" (1978)

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