For the Heart, From the Heart

I have to make this quick because they are gonna kick me off at Panera bread in 30 minutes. Stupid lunch rules. But as I sit here waiting for my daughter's softball practice to end I just wanted to bring up two things that I thought were worthwhile.

Tomorrow is February 1st. February is generally associated with Love and the Heart. Well, Go Red for Women is a wonderful effort by the Heart Association to bring women's heart health issues to the public. Please visit their website and remember to wear Red on February 6th in recognition of their Go Red effort.

As a woman with a mild heart problem, and someone who has a much younger BFF with heart issues, this has always been one effort that is very special to me. Go to their website and buy a pin or one of their items. They're affordable, adorable and every item makes a donation to the Heart Association. (I bought the earrings. But if anyone would like to get me a present, I'm really fond of that cranberry glass bracelet.)

Next up is the Islanders newest promotion for February. That Can Do Fondue package sounds wonderful! Two tickets and a "Dip Certificate" for $25 for only $49. What a great Valentine's day gift for your favorite hockey fan. And you can use it on the 2/21/09 Devils game that will be Town Of Hempstead night.

I'd like to see the coliseum filled to capacity that evening. And this is a fun, affordable way to do it. Please call and reserve your tickets as I'm sure they will go fast.

As for tonight's game (that I won't be in attendance of!) I predict a hard fought win that will have us puking over a possible loss in the 3rd. But they'll come back to pull a rabbit out of a hat and beat the Florida Panthers by a very narrow margin. (I think they just like to see us sweat.)

I also predict that if my boy Sean is on the ice, he will score.... because I'm not there..... as usual...

Enjoy your Saturday. Hopefully, I will too!

Thoughts about Super Bowl Sunday

It’s that time again. Super Bowl Sunday. Ah yes, that American Holiday where the questions at hand are “What are we eating?” And “Did I win any money?” Right. There’s some sort of football game thrown in there too. But what everyone looks forward to, because they are universal, are the new commercials.

How freakin’ capitalistic can you be when the thought of the day is "OOO... Who do you think will have the best commercial?” Does that not make the Super Bowl one HUGE sales tool? Um, yes. One honkin’ spectacle of American Capitalism at work "SALES TOOL." How much do they charge per minute for air time? Grotesque amounts of cash. For what??? The Budweiser Clydesdales? The Pepsi truck driver? And let’s not forget… The freakin’ Monster.com MONKEYS. Oh we know how men LOVE their monkeys! Do I remember any of them? Did their large amounts of cash thrown at the American public to remember their message actually work on this average, middle class American? Nope. I was too busy stuffing my face and checking my boxes. “Was that 0 and 9? I think I won $250.”

Granted, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen making the four layer chili bake and the hot wings from hell. But occasionally I peek my head out of the kitchen to check what’s happening. I do love the Clydesdales. They are a staple of the Sunday. And how did they get that Dalmatian to smile like that? I’ll never know! Oh who cares! We buy what we want any way. It’s a night to get together, eat, drink and be… sloppy. "Pass the wet naps. Don't touch the remote. Someone get me a beer. Holy Crap! How did Michelle win the finale -- AGAIN!!! Bitch!"

Isles Road Win!

Holy Crap! Who are those guys?

Well, that's what I was saying the first period. By the third, I remembered them. They still pulled out a win. But it wasn't the pretty one we were hoping for.

Congrats to Kyle Okposo, it could have been a hat trick.

I was so incredibly happy to see Doug Weight on the ice, and even happier seeing him score. Trent started off the scoring just at the game opened and the first period was a thing of beauty. But nothing good lasts forever.

They still won.

Next up, because it's too late to start now, will be information on the 2/21 game which is Town of Hempstead night. I'm hoping for every one's support for the Lighthouse project. It's not just about Hockey. It's about jobs and a quality of life on our Island.

Using Hockey To Help

As we wait for tomorrow's game against the Thrashers, and as we sit here with only the Ranger/Penguins game to watch, I spent some time cruising around the net. (Not like that isn't what I do all day long anyway. It's amazing I actually get anything done at all.)

With the economy the way it is, everyone is struggling in some way. But the charities are struggling even more than usual. When your normal benefactors are having their own difficulties, things go from bad to worse for those who have the least.

Please mark this on your calendar, and I will try to send out reminders on Twitter and Facebook as well. February 21st the Islanders will be collecting coats for The INN in Hempstead.

Coats will be collected outside of the Coliseum main box office, Gate 16, and Gate 1. All coats will be donated to The INN in Hempstead. The INN addresses the issues of hunger and homelessness on Long Island by providing shelter, food, clothing and long term housing and supportive services for those who seek help.

You'll receive a voucher for a game, but you should really just do it to keep someone warm. Look in your closet, look in your kid's closet. I'm sure there are coats there that haven't been worn, that don't fit, that you feel are out of style. As long as they are clean and in good condition, they can be put to good use. Please do.

The other charitable fun item the Islanders are featuring is their annual Valentine Puck Surprise sale:

On February 10, during the Islanders-Los Angeles Kings game, autographed Islanders pucks will be sold on the Nassau Coliseum concourse for $20. Each puck will be individually wrapped and contain a signature. If your puck has a gold signature, you’ll have the opportunity to be introduced to that player following the game for a quick meet and greet. All proceeds will go to the Islanders Children’s Foundation.

Your $20 donation will get you an autographed puck and some candy. It will also make a difference to the Children's foundation. Bring an extra $20 with you to the 2/10 game and make it a Valentine's gift for someone special... like yourself!

And lastly, have you signed up yet for Goal Green? Have you? Why not? Click on the link! Click it!

The Muppet Man Returns No More.... :-(

I walk away from the machine for a few hours and I miss stuff.

At 5:50 pm the sad announcement hit my email box, but I was not there. Mike Sillinger, man of 12 NHL teams has once again gone under the knife.

Thirty-seven is not old by any stretch of the imagination, unless you're a pro athlete. Sillinger has been in the NHL for 18 seasons. When he first came to the Islanders the question was how did the other teams let him go.

After missing the final 29 games of last season, Sillinger will once again not be able to play out this season. It's a shame. He will be missed.

Comedy Night with Jeff Tambellini

I know I can't disclose all that was said at this evening's NYIBC meeting with special guest Jeff Tambellini, but I will say this -- I'm sorry about every bad thing I ever said about this boy.

Even arriving 15 minutes late, once he began talking, he won the crowd over and kept everyone laughing.

I have never seen such enthusiasm and personality in a man who many could say is struggling every day. You would never know it. He embraced the fans, and they returned the favor. Now I can see how it was reported that Jeff was sent to Bridgeport and never complained. He just worked hard and improved. This is his way of doing things. And this is a side of him I've never seen during the media throng after a horrible loss or even a marginal win.

But then again, if everyone saw this side of Jiffy Jeff, they'd only fall in love with him. Thank you Jeff for a very enjoyable evening.

Well more and more players are healing and being removed from the IR, so we should have a full roster pretty soon. Won't that be nice?

Baseball alert: So Andy Pettitte will remain in Pinstripes. Believe it or not, that was an email I was happy to receive today from the Yankees.

NYI Media Blog: Casual Observations of the ASG

Since Corey Witt of the NYI Media Blog does not allow for comments on his blog, then I'll just post the link and comment here.

NYI Media Blog: Casual Observations of the ASG

Yep, Garth knew what he was doing when he signed on Mark Streit. (Don't the Canadians feel stupid now?)

Ovechkin, fluent English or none, WILL replace Crosby as the face of the NHL within two years. And he will do it on his own terms. He's just priceless.

No, you can't remove fighting from the NHL. Then it would dilute the sport to basically... the NJ Devils. But someone came up with a good idea of Velcro visors eliminating having to remove one's helmet.

Nice stat about Lundquist. I'm sure he'll appreciate it.

Players paying a penalty for not attending the All-Star game after agreeing to it, YES. All for it. Actually, I may have been the one to get Sydney in trouble. I can't be 100% sure. But I think I did.

I'm hanging out waiting to leave to go listen to Jiffy Jeff Tambellini tonight.

There's also a Kaballah meeting at the Marriott tonight at the same time. I'm hoping Jeff doesn't wander into the wrong room.

Streit's All-Star Redemption & stuff..

The weather outside reminds me of New Hampshire and the frost on my living room skylight is seeping through and dripping on my leather couch. I'm on my second cup of tea and so far the only article I read in the Sunday paper was Greg Logan's report on All-Star Mark Streit. It is one of his best.

Of course since I read the paper while browsing the net, I checked on Point Blank to find Postcards from Montreal with additional quotes from Streit. He certainly has made us proud so far during these festivities. Conducting interviews in multiple languages, he is an international charmer.

Mark's shot in the skills competition was 98.3 mph, not too shabby. But how do you compete with Chara the giant who tallied over 105 on his second attempt? You just don't.

I'm glad Point Blank reported that Streit was not hurt in the tumble he took yesterday during the shoot out. We already had one All Star get hurt during one of these things. Let's not go for two.

Of course, it's the skills competition that is far more entertaining than the actual All Star game. But it's what I didn't get to see last night. Thank the Hockey Gods for the NHL Channel so I can catch up what I missed.

I agree with one of the comments on Point Blank; let's get the Lighthouse done so that we can host an All Star game back on the Island.

Yesterday's entry about my Isles team store purchases prompted Big Angry Man to rib me a little. I came home to this.

"Hey Dee! Look what I found! A custom Islanders orange juice holder. And it was only five bucks!"

Thanks honey. I'm leaving it that way.

Extra Credit Reading: Adam Sherlip, the Hockey Volunteer has updated his blog of his trip to India. It is fascinating. I give him a lot of credit for what he is doing right now. So since there is no hockey on TV until 6 pm, check out his website and catch up with this well-traveled young man and his adventure of a life-time.

Me... I really need to wash the kitchen floor. That's MY excitement for the day. I'm very jealous Adam!