Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year 2014

If you want to sing Auld Lang Syne like it should be sung, here's the traditional Scottish lyrics/pronunciations:

Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
an nivir brocht ti mynd?
Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
an ald lang syn*?
CHORUS:
Fir ald lang syn, ma jo,
fir ald lang syn,
wil tak a cup o kyndnes yet,
fir ald lang syn.
An sheerly yil bee yur pynt-staup!
an sheerly al bee myn!
An will tak a cup o kyndnes yet,
fir ald lang syn.
CHORUS
We twa hay rin aboot the braes,
an pood the gowans fyn;
Bit weev wandert monae a weery fet,
sin ald lang syn.
CHORUS
We twa hay pedilt in the burn,
fray mornin sun til dyn;
But seas between us bred hay roard
sin ald lang syn.
CHORUS
An thers a han, my trustee feer!
an gees a han o thyn!
And we’ll tak a richt gude-willie-waucht,
fir ald lang syn.
CHORUS

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Weekly Poop 12/18/13


Roost #44 Poop


  • Dates to Remember:
  • Tonight - Ravens Rap tonight at the Blue Ox, with special guest Keith Mills.  We right now will be skipping the Dec. 29th Show.  Please start spreading the news & let us know of any questions or problems.  Here's to a Great Season!  Thanks, Eileen.
  • Friday – WCS Meeting @ …
  • Roost Elections are coming:
    • Information about the 2014 Election of Ravens Roost #44 OfficerI
      • If you plan to be at the January 9th 2014 Roost meeting you will be given a ballot to vote for one of the two candidates running for the Two Year Term on the Board.  Circle the name of the candidate you wish to vote for, and then fold the ballot in half.  The ballots will be collected by Sergeant of Arms and turned over to the Nominating Committee to be counted.  Unopposed candidates are elected by one vote cast by the Chairperson, Nomination Committee.
    • Information about Absentee Voting
      • “If a member cannot be present for the elections, they may send forth the Absentee Ballot below.  This ballot will be signed, (signing must also be witnessed by another individual) sealed and placed in an envelope and mailed (or given) to the President.  The address is Tom Maly, 16 Avondale, Ocean View, DE 19970.  The ballot must be received by the day of the Election (January 9, 2014).  Any ballot received after the election, no matter what the reason, are null and void.  The President will turn over the envelope(s) after ballots are collected by the Chairman of the Nominating Committee.  The envelope(s) will be opened at the time of Elections only and counted with the rest of the ballots.  If the ballot is not signed and witnessed, or if absent member is not in good standing, the ballot becomes null and void”
    • More information about Voting
      • The information above was emailed to all persons on Frank’s email list. If you receive the Poop, you should have a ballot for absentee voting. Come to the meeting in January and you won’t need an absentee ballot.
      • If you know of someone who does not have a computer/email, make a copy and give it to that person w/o email.  Paul Neal will mail absentee ballots to folks w/o emails. Forward their address to Paul at 36977 Laws Point Road, Selbyville, DE 19975 or notify by email, pwneal12@comcast.net.  Call Paul if you have any questions. (302-436-9017).
  • Ticket Exchange:
  • St. Patrick’s Day Parade: A meeting for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee will be held on January 9 (Roost meeting day) @ 6:30 pm at the Blue Ox.  Anyone interested is welcome to attend.  All ideas for the parade and help with the parade prep is appreciated.  

Ravens Poop
  • The Ravens remained in the 6th playoff position by beating the Detroit Lions 18-16 behind Justin Tuck’s 6 field goals.  This week, The Brady Bunch comes to town, 4:25 pm.
  • I usually don’t get bogged down in all the playoff scenarios, but here’s one you might find interesting: If the Dolphins and Chargers both lose this weekend, the Ravens will clinch a playoff spot with a win.
  • Good daily dose of Ravens news notes and nuggets here. It’s getting to the point where I can hardly stand ESPN, but I do go Jamison Hensley’s Blog here to stay up to date with all of the AFC North news.
  • All the best Orioles news notes and nuggets at Britt's Bird Watch here.

Local Poop
  • Today thru January 1 - Winterfest, Northside Park, 125th St. & Bay.  Enjoy this award-winning holiday paradise created for the whole family! More than one million holiday lights sparkle throughout your favorite beach resort.  Tour the avenues of Ocean City to see seasonal decor then it’s on to Northside Park on 125th Street to see hundreds of animated lighted displays.  Relax in the heated tent, enjoy entertainment on selected nights & sip hot chocolate at the Winterfest Village. Browse Yukon Cornelius' gift shop for a special gift and have a photo taken with Santa.  Board the Winterfest Express to tour the lights, including the themed exhibits of your favorite fairy tales.  Admission is $5 per person. 11 years & under are free.  Sunday through Thursday, 5:30pm - 9:30pm.
Friday and Saturday 5:30pm - 10:30pm.  For more information call 1-800-OC-OCEAN (800-626-2326).
  • Wednesday, January 1 - Annual Penguin Swim | Atlantic General Hospital Penguin Swim, Princess Royale Hotel.  Celebrate New Year's Day by "Getting wet for a good cause."  Everyone looks forward to this annual dip into the chilly Atlantic Ocean to benefit local hospital, Atlantic General.  Registration at 11:30 a.m., swim at 1 p.m.  Best Costume Contest and Recognition of Oldest & Youngest Penguins.  A trick pony, provided by Holly Ridge Farm, will be on the beach for entertainment before the swim.  For more information, visit www.penguinswim.atlanticgeneral.org.
  • Saturday, January 18 - Polish Night @ the Knights of Columbus, 9901 Coastal Highway.  Golabki (beef stuffed cabbage), Pierogi (cheese and potato ‘ravioli’), Kielbasa (fresh smoked sausage), Kapusta (sauerkraut), Fresh Rye and Grain Breads, Dessert (typical Polish confection), & coffee.  $15.00 per person; $9.00 for children (under 12).  Cash bar available.  Two seatings: 5:00 & 6:30 pm.  For reservations call 410.524.7994.
  • RAVENS ROOST 96 has an Atlantic City Casino Trip scheduled for February 11 – 13, 2014.  The trip includes a Hotel Room for two nights (double occupancy) plus $40.00 free play. Cost is $120.00 per person and includes Bus transportation included.  For further info the Point of Contact is Roost 96: Mike Darcey 410-207-9637 or Al Bogdlon 410-726-5744.  

Funny Poop
  • If you’re drinking champagne at 8 a.m. you’re an alcoholic, but if you add orange juice, its just an early brunch.


Etcetera
  • Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.
  • Our website is back up and running.  Be sure to bookmark our new address - www.OCRavensRoost44.com or go to our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.
  • Life is short. Focus on the good.
  • This is the last Poop for the year.  Have a Merry Christmas and a happy & safe New Year.


Frank


Baltimore Ravens, let’s go
And put that ball across the line
So fly with talons spread wide
Go in and strike with Ravens pride
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Ravens dark wings take flight
Dive in and show them your might
For Baltimore and Maryland
You will fly on to victory

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Play Like a Raven


As Lions' stars Stafford and Megatron fade, Baltimore shows what it means to 'Play Like A Raven'

Dan Wetzel 
Yahoo Sports
DETROIT – The sign features white letters with purple trim on a black background. It's stuck, courtesy of gray duct tape, to a slab of cardboard that is crudely cut from an old flattened box.
It isn't much. It isn't fancy. It doesn't seem like something befitting the defending Super Bowl champions.
Then again, that's part of the message, part of the Baltimore Ravens culture that when you find yourself wallowing at 4-6 in the midst of a bust of a season, it gets you to dig deep and rally for four consecutive victories. That includes this one on Monday, where six field goals, the last a final minute 61-yard Justin Tucker bomb, was enough to escape Detroit, 18-16.
"Play Like A Raven" the sign reads. It gets brought along and hung above the door of the Baltimore locker room no matter where the Ravens play. On the way out to the field, the players reach up and slap it. It says that no matter how much history and leadership walks out the door in the offseason – Ray Lewis, Ed Reed,Anquan Boldin – what remains still knows what this program is all about.
View gallery
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The Ravens felt at home playing ugly in Detroit, where they won 18-16. (Y Sports)
"We just grind," running back Ray Rice said. "We don't care who gets it done. We just put ourselves in position to win games."
You could say the difference here in Ford Field was miniscule – a booming blast of a desperation field goal just scrapping inside and over the uprights. Or you could say it is massive – the clash of cultures and confidence from two franchises that reside in different stratospheres of the league. Almost all NFL games are close. Almost all come down to a play or three. Yet some teams tend to win more than their share. And some lose them.
In late November, Baltimore was all but done. Now it is 8-6, finding a way to win, often in the final plays, week after week. The Ravens are in control of a wild-card spot and still eye a chance at the AFC North crown.
In late November, Detroit was 6-3 and atop a division where the starting quarterbacks for the other two contenders (Green Bay and Chicago) were lost to injury. The Lions have since lost four of five, blowing a fourth-quarter lead each time, and at 7-7 need help to salvage anything. The team is too talented for this to be its fate.
"I think some of the stuff that happened to us was just kind of self-inflicted," said quarterback Matthew Stafford, who chucked three interceptions.
Self-inflicted is what the Lions do best. Even in the annals of a franchise that's won just a single playoff game since 1957, this season is headed for a memorable collapse. There have been plenty of bad Detroit teams through the years.
View gallery
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Calvin Johnson was relatively quiet on Monday against Baltimore. (USA TODAY Sports)
This one isn't bad. It just keeps playing that way.
The bull's-eye is now squarely on coach Jim Schwartz, who should probably be replaced even if Detroit somehow reaches the playoffs but losses its first game. He did an admirable job getting a team that went 0-16 to the point where .500 isn't good enough. But five years in however, and the product is maddening to watch.
This was a thorough, nationally televised display of self-inflicted mistakes – mostly on offense. Bad play-calling, bad execution, bad decision-making, bad mistakes – even Calvin Johnson dropped two easy passes.
"This was a tough loss for us," Schwartz said.
Many of the fans that came out on a cold, snowy night left calling (again) for his job. Schwartz remained defiant, if not delusional. It's probably the only way to survive.
"Our emotions aren't important right now," he said. "We have two games to play, we're one down in our division … This was a setback, no question, because we did control our destiny until tonight. ...  We just need to move on from it and go get two wins."
And then dream of even more good fortune because if both Green Bay and Chicago win on Sunday, Detroit will be eliminated by Christmas and Schwartz likely won't make it to New Year's.
Across the way the Ravens are all about looking toward 2014, toward another trip to the playoffs, toward more chances to gut out victories. Their roster is only partially recognizable from that Super Bowl just 10 months ago, but the team-first, find-a-way attitude is still there.
"It starts with your head guy," Rice said of coach John Harbuagh. "I think teams are a reflection of their head coach and I'm just glad ours pushes us the way he does. … It's not even about what he preaches, it's about how he goes about the day. We take advantage of every minute, every bit of time we have together.
"One thing he does preach is 'team first,' so it doesn't matter what happens," Rice continued. "It probably doesn't look pretty but it doesn't matter. What matters now is that we are winning football games. Pro Bowls. Last year's Super Bowl. You can throw all of that aside. We have to write this chapter."
Rice finished with just 56 yards. He is banged up and has been most of the season. He says he doesn't even want to know his stats anymore.
Yet there was the play just before Tucker's kick when he turned nothing (or even a negative play) into 2 yards, 2 likely crucial yards. Or the play earlier in the half, when Ndamukong Suh, the Lions' 6-foot-4, 307-pound brute, got into the backfield, headed for quarterback Joe Flacco, only to get blocked by the 5-foot-8 Rice.
You jacked him up, Rice was told.
"I don't know about jacking him up, but I got the job done," Rice laughed. "He didn't run me over … man, my eyes lit up [when I saw him coming]."
These are the little things that win close games, the little plays that get lost in the highlights and box scores. They are the moments that separate victory from defeat, champions from calls for the coach's head and, perhaps, Baltimore as a franchise from Detroit as a franchise.
"Play Like A Raven" the sign read, hanging above the door of the victorious locker room.
Everyone here knew exactly what it meant. And it sort of said it all.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Weekly Poop 12/11/13

Roost #44 Poop


  • Dates to Remember:
  • Tonight - Ravens Rap tonight at the Blue Ox.  We right now will be skipping the Dec. 29th Show.  Please start spreading the news & let us know of any questions or problems.  Here's to a Great Season!  Thanks, Eileen.
  • Tomorrow - Monthly Roost Meeting, 7:30 pm @ the Blue Ox.
  • Friday – WCS Meeting @ …
  • Roost Elections are coming.  Nomination and Elections Process for Roost Officers:
    • December meeting:  The List of candidates is presented.  Nominations from the floor will be accepted.
    • January meeting:  Election is conducted.  A secret ballot is used where more than one (1) member is running for an office.  February:  New Officers are installed.
    • There are two (2) positions for which we have no candidates running for office.  They are the Vice President Position and the Recording Secretary position.  We need your help to fill these important roost positions. The other Officer Positions have members nominated, but you can be nominated and run for these positions also.   Contact Paul Neal if interested.
  • Ticket Exchange:
    • The New England game on 12/22, originally scheduled to start @ 8:30 pm, has been moved to a 4:25 start.  The bus leaves 11 am and Jack Sipes has a seat available.

Ravens Poop

Local Poop
  • Today thru January 1 - Winterfest, Northside Park, 125th St. & Bay.  Enjoy this award-winning holiday paradise created for the whole family! More than one million holiday lights sparkle throughout your favorite beach resort.  Tour the avenues of Ocean City to see seasonal decor then it’s on to Northside Park on 125th Street to see hundreds of animated lighted displays.  Relax in the heated tent, enjoy entertainment on selected nights & sip hot chocolate at the Winterfest Village. Browse Yukon Cornelius' gift shop for a special gift and have a photo taken with Santa.  Board the Winterfest Express to tour the lights, including the themed exhibits of your favorite fairy tales.  Admission is $5 per person. 11 years & under are free.  Sunday through Thursday, 5:30pm - 9:30pm.
Friday and Saturday 5:30pm - 10:30pm.  For more information call 1-800-OC-OCEAN (800-626-2326).
  • Tuesday - Free Holiday Movies Every Tuesday, The Globe Theater.  Free Holiday Movies Every Tuesday at 6pm.  Reservations Are Strongly Suggested.
    • December 17: The Little Drummer Boy

Funny Poop
  • A couple drove several miles down a country road, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument, and neither wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules and pigs, the wife sarcastically asked, "Relatives of yours?"
"Yep," the husband replied, "In-laws."

Etcetera
  • Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.
  • Our website is back up and running.  Be sure to bookmark our new address - www.OCRavensRoost44.com or go to our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.
  • Life is short. Focus on the good.


Frank


Baltimore Ravens, let’s go
And put that ball across the line
So fly with talons spread wide
Go in and strike with Ravens pride
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Ravens dark wings take flight
Dive in and show them your might
For Baltimore and Maryland
You will fly on to victory

Saturday, December 7, 2013

December 7, 1941

The road to war between Japan and the United States began in the 1930s when differences over China drove the two nations apart. In 1931 Japan conquered Manchuria, which until then had been part of China. In 1937 Japan began a long and ultimately unsuccessful campaign to conquer the rest of China. In 1940, the Japanese government allied their country with Nazi Germany in the Axis Alliance, and, in the following year, occupied all of Indochina.

The United States, which had important political and economic interests in East Asia, was alarmed by these Japanese moves. The U.S. increased military and financial aid to China, embarked on a program of strengthening its military power in the Pacific, and cut off the shipment of oil and other raw materials to Japan.
Because Japan was poor in natural resources, its government viewed these steps, especially the embargo on oil as a threat to the nation's survival. Japan's leaders responded by resolving to seize the resource-rich territories of Southeast Asia, even though that move would certainly result in war with the United States.
The problem with the plan was the danger posed by the U.S. Pacific Fleet based at Pearl Harbor. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, commander of the Japanese fleet, devised a plan to immobilize the U.S. fleet at the outset of the war with a surprise attack.
The key elements in Yamamoto's plans were meticulous preparation, the achievement of surprise, and the use of aircraft carriers and naval aviation on an unprecedented scale. In the spring of 1941, Japanese carrier pilots began training in the special tactics called for by the Pearl Harbor attack plan.
In October 1941 the naval general staff gave final approval to Yamamoto's plan, which called for the formation of an attack force commanded by Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo. It centered around six heavy aircraft carriers accompanied by 24 supporting vessels. A separate group of submarines was to sink any American warships which escaped the Japanese carrier force.
Nagumo's fleet assembled in the remote anchorage of Tankan Bay in the Kurile Islands and departed in strictest secrecy for Hawaii on 26 November 1941. The ships' route crossed the North Pacific and avoided normal shipping lanes. At dawn 7 December 1941, the Japanese task force had approached undetected to a point slightly more than 200 miles north of Oahu. At this time the U.S. carriers were not at Pearl Harbor. On 28 November, Admiral Kimmel sent USS Enterprise under Rear Admiral Willliam Halsey to deliver Marine Corps fighter planes to Wake Island. On 4 December Enterprise delivered the aircraft and on December 7 the task force was on its way back to Pearl Harbor. On 5 December, Admiral Kimmel sent the USS Lexington with a task force under Rear Admiral Newton to deliver 25 scout bombers to Midway Island. The last Pacific carrier, USS Saratoga, had left Pearl Harbor for upkeep and repairs on the West Coast.
At 6:00 a.m. on 7 December, the six Japanese carriers launched a first wave of 181 planes composed of torpedo bombers, dive bombers, horizontal bombers and fighters. Even as they winged south, some elements of U.S. forces on Oahu realized there was something different about this Sunday morning.
In the hours before dawn, U.S. Navy vessels spotted an unidentified submarine periscope near the entrance to Pearl Harbor. It was attacked and reported sunk by the destroyer USS Ward (DD-139) and a patrol plane. At 7:00 a.m., an alert operator of an Army radar station at Opana spotted the approaching first wave of the attack force. The officers to whom those reports were relayed did not consider them significant enough to take action. The report of the submarine sinking was handled routinely, and the radar sighting was passed off as an approaching group of American planes due to arrive that morning.
The Japanese aircrews achieved complete surprise when they hit American ships and military installations on Oahu shortly before 8:00 a.m. They attacked military airfields at the same time they hit the fleet anchored in Pearl Harbor. The Navy air bases at Ford Island and Kaneohe Bay, the Marine airfield at Ewa and the Army Air Corps fields at Bellows, Wheeler and Hickam were all bombed and strafed as other elements of the attacking force began their assaults on the ships moored in Pearl Harbor. The purpose of the simultaneous attacks was to destroy the American planes before they could rise to intercept the Japanese.
Of the more than 90 ships at anchor in Pearl Harbor, the primary targets were the eight battleships anchored there. seven were moored on Battleship Row along the southeast shore of Ford Island while the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) lay in drydock across the channel. Within the first minutes of the attack all the battleships adjacent to Ford Island had taken bomb and or torpedo hits. The USS West Virginia (BB-48) sank quickly. The USS Oklahoma (BB-37) turned turtle and sank. At about 8:10 a.m., the USS Arizona(BB-39) was mortally wounded by an armorpiercing bomb which ignited the ship's forward ammunition magazine. The resulting explosion and fire killed 1,177 crewmen, the greatest loss of life on any ship that day and about half the total number of Americans killed. The USS California (BB-44), USS Maryland (BB-46), USS Tennessee (BB-43) and USS Nevada (BB-36) also suffered varying degrees of damage in the first half hour of the raid.
There was a short lull in the fury of the attack at about 8:30 a.m. At that time the USS Nevada (BB-36), despite her wounds, managed to get underway and move down the channel toward the open sea. Before she could clear the harbor, a second wave of 170 Japanese planes, launched 30 minutes after the first, appeared over the harbor. They concentrated their attacks on the moving battleship, hoping to sink her in the channel and block the narrow entrance to Pearl Harbor. On orders from the harbor control tower, the USS Nevada (BB-36) beached herself at Hospital Point and the channel remained clear.
When the attack ended shortly before 10:00 a.m., less than two hours after it began, the American forces has paid a fearful price. Twenty-one ships of the U.S. Pacific Fleet were sunk or damaged: the battleships USS Arizona (BB-39), USS California (BB-44), USSMaryland (BB-46), USS Nevada (BB-36), USS Oklahoma (BB-37), USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), USS Tennessee (BB-43) and USS West Virginia (BB-48); cruisers USS Helena (CL-50), USS Honolulu (CL-48) and USS Raleigh (CL-7); the destroyers USS Cassin (DD-372), USS Downes (DD-375), USS Helm (DD-388) and USS Shaw (DD-373); seaplane tender USS Curtiss (AV-4); target ship (ex-battleship) USS Utah (AG-16); repair ship USS Vestal (AR-4); minelayer USS Oglala (CM-4); tug USS Sotoyomo (YT-9); and Floating Drydock Number 2. Aircraft losses were 188 destroyed and 159 damaged, the majority hit before the had a chance to take off. American dead numbered 2,403. That figure included 68 civilians, most of them killed by improperly fused anti-aircraft shells landing in Honolulu. There were 1,178 military and civilian wounded.
Japanese losses were comparatively light. Twenty-nine planes, less than 10 percent of the attacking force, failed to return to their carriers.
The Japanese success was overwhelming, but it was not complete. They failed to damage any American aircraft carriers, which by a stroke of luck, had been absent from the harbor. They neglected to damage the shoreside facilities at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base, which played an important role in the Allied victory in World War II. American technological skill raised and repaired all but three of the ships sunk or damaged at Pearl Harbor (the USS Arizona (BB-39) considered too badly damaged to be salvaged, the USSOklahoma (BB-37) raised and considered too old to be worth repairing, and the obsolete USS Utah (AG-16) considered not worth the effort). Most importantly, the shock and anger caused by the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor united a divided nation and was translated into a wholehearted commitment to victory in World War II.

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq66-1.htm

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Weekly Poop 12/4/13


Roost #44 Poop


  • Dates to Remember:
  • Tonight - Ravens Rap tonight at the Blue Ox.  We right now will be skipping the Dec. 29th Show.  Please start spreading the news & let us know of any questions or problems.  Here's to a Great Season!  Thanks, Eileen.  
  • Friday – Ravens Roost #44 Annual Christmas Party 6 pm - 10 pm.  Because the Cove has moved the time up to 6PM, they only  have limited time to set up for our affair. therefore, they have asked that we not arrive any earlier than 5:45 pm, to give them adequate time to prepare for our group. Please help them out and not arrive before 5:45. Also remember that we will have our "world famous" Chinese auction, to benefit the Atlantic General Hospital Penguin Swim Team, with items from around the region. Please bring some cash to purchase tickets for the auction. The Roost is covering the cost of beer and wine, for the event, but there will also be a cash bar available. Thanks to all who help make this a great event!  Go HERE for the list of items for the Chinese auction.
  • Roost Elections are coming.  Nomination and Elections Process for Roost Officers:
    • December meeting:  The List of candidates is presented.  Nominations from the floor will be accepted.
    • January meeting:  Election is conducted.  A secret ballot is used where more than one (1) member is running for an office.  February:  New Officers are installed.
    • There are two (2) positions for which we have no candidates running for office.  They are the Vice President Position and the Recording Secretary position.  We need your help to fill these important roost positions. The other Officer Positions have members nominated, but you can be nominated and run for these positions also.   Contact Paul Neal if interested.
  • Ticket Exchange:
    • I have a ticket and bus seat for the Vikings game on 12/8. $100.  Marc Grimes 302-222-0159-cell.

Ravens Poop
  • Thanksgiving Night, the Ravens moved in to the 6th playoff position by beating their arch rival Pittsburgh Steelers 22-20, despite Coach Tomlin doing his best Stanky Leg.   Sunday, AP and the Vikings come to town, 1 pm.
  • Good daily dose of Ravens news notes and nuggets here. It’s getting to the point where I can hardly stand ESPN, but I do go Jamison Hensley’s Blog here to stay up to date with all of the AFC North news.
  • All the best Orioles news notes and nuggets at Britt's Bird Watch here.

Local Poop
  • Today thru January 1 - Winterfest, Northside Park, 125th St. & Bay.  Enjoy this award-winning holiday paradise created for the whole family! More than one million holiday lights sparkle throughout your favorite beach resort.  Tour the avenues of Ocean City to see seasonal decor then it’s on to Northside Park on 125th Street to see hundreds of animated lighted displays.  Relax in the heated tent, enjoy entertainment on selected nights & sip hot chocolate at the Winterfest Village. Browse Yukon Cornelius' gift shop for a special gift and have a photo taken with Santa.  Board the Winterfest Express to tour the lights, including the themed exhibits of your favorite fairy tales.  Admission is $5 per person. 11 years & under are free.  Sunday through Thursday, 5:30pm - 9:30pm.
Friday and Saturday 5:30pm - 10:30pm.  For more information call 1-800-OC-OCEAN (800-626-2326).
  • Thursday - 43rd Annual Berlin Christmas Parade.  Berlin's 43rd Annual Christmas Parade will be held Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. The inclement weather date is December 12, 2013. This year's parade theme is "A Magical Berlin Christmas." The parade is sponsored by the Berlin Main Street Program, in cooperation with the merchants of the town. Due to the increased costs, most categories will be asked to pay a small entry fee of $10. Commercial entries will cost $25.  Individuals or organizations wishing to enter the parade must submit entry forms no later than Friday, November 22, 2013. Anyone wishing further information about participating in the parade should contact Joann Unger at 410-641-3858 or Sharon Timmons at 410-629-1716.
  • Saturday - Ocean City Christmas Parade | Wonderful Holiday Parade, Gold Coast Mall, 115th St.  Wonderful holiday parade with school bands, floats, marching units and Santa Claus. Many activities in Gold Coast Mall following the parade. Parade starts Saturday at 11am at 100th Street and ends at Gold Coast Mall at 115th Street. Parade route subject to change. Contact Elaine Jarvis at 410-524-9000 or honijarvis@cs.com with questions.
  • Sunday - First Annual Jingle Mingle | Local Holiday Shopping Event, Various Ocean City locations.  1st Annual Jingle Bell Mingle is a local holiday shopping event where you can win prizes!  $1,000 WORTH OF GIFT CARDS AND GIFT BASKETS WILL BE GIVEN AWAY WITH NO PURCHASE NECESSARY on Sunday, December 8, 2013 from 11am to 5pm.  Kick Off Your Holiday Shopping With Colleagues, Family And Friends while shopping at Ocean City Retailers Offering Great Deals And Discounts For Everyone On Your Christmas List.  Pick up a shopping card at any participating store, then visit all participating stores and have each store stamp your card.   After all businesses have stamped your card, return your full completed card to Fresco's Restaurant located at 8203 Coastal Highway between 3pm and 5:30pm, prize drawings will be at 6pm.
    • Shopping Deals and Specials Include:
* Bring a non-perishable food item to You're Invited Boutique, located at 2805 Philadelphia Avenue to be donated to our local food bank and receive an extra ticket for a $50 gift card at the 6pm drawing.  Receive 20% off all regular priced merchandise.
* Purchase a Charm or Pendant and get a 16 or 18" Sterling Silver Chain from  Somerset Jewelry located on the  Boardwalk at 412 South Atlantic Avenue.   Huge Jewelry Clearance!
* Free Gift Wrapping And Free Gift With Purchase at Coconut Kids at 8001 Coastal Highway.  25% Off All Winter Clothing.
*Donaway Furniture;  130th St. & Coastal Highway is offering all shoppers 25% Off All In-Stock, Non-Clearance Items Along With Free Local Delivery.
*Creative Day Spa;  13701 Coastal Highway look for Scarves... 2 For $20 And 1/2-Price Jewelry
*10% Off All Gift Sets With Free Gift Wrapping at Liquid Assets at 9301 Coastal Highway
*Paws & Claws 11805 Coastal Highway; 10% Off All Christmas Toys
* Stop in at Fresco's Restaurant located at 8203 Coastal Highway for your Complimentary Wine Tasting and Free 10% VIP Discount Cards.
You do not have to be present at drawing to win. All cards must be completely filled out to be eligible to win any of the prizes. Only one card per person. Must be 18 years or older to enter.
  • Monday - From Gary: On Monday Dec. 9th I will be participating in The Shark's "Buy Local Monday Marketplace".  I will be displaying and selling prints of several original paintings and will donate 15% of my sales that night to the RR44 Penguin Swim Team.  This will be a fun evening with a lot of local artists and crafters selling a variety of hand made items.  This is a very popular event so I would suggest that if want to also enjoy dinner at the best restaurant in OC, you make reservations early.  Thanks, Gary.
  • Tuesday - Free Holiday Movies Every Tuesday, The Globe Theater.  Free Holiday Movies Every Tuesday at 6pm.  Reservations Are Strongly Suggested.
    • December 10: Frosty The Snowman
    • December 17: The Little Drummer Boy

Funny Poop
  • A guy is reading his paper when his wife walks up behind him and smacks him on the back of the head with a frying pan.
He asks, "What was that for?"
She says, "I found a piece of paper in your pocket with 'Betty Sue' written on it."
He says, "Jeez, honey, remember last week when I went to the track? 'Betty Sue' was the name of the horse I went there to bet on." She shrugs and walks away. Three days later he's reading his paper when she walks up behind him and smacks him on the back of the head again with the frying pan.
He asks, "What was that for?"
She answers, "Your horse called."
  • Lewis has a big pimple in the middle of his forehead. A big, huge pimple, and it won't go away. So he goes to the doctor.
The doctor examines him and says, "Oh my! You've got a penis growing out of the middle of your forehead!"
Lewis says, "Oh, no, Doc! What can you do?"
The doctor says, "Don't worry. Once it's fully grown, we can remove it completely."
Lewis says, "What do you mean, FULLY GROWN?! Doc, I can't spend years and years staring at that thing, waiting for it to grow!"
The doctor says, "Well, you won't have to stare at it for long. Pretty soon, the balls will cover your eyes."

Etcetera
  • Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.
  • Our website is back up and running.  Be sure to bookmark our new address - www.OCRavensRoost44.com or go to our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.
  • Life is short. Focus on the good.


Frank


Baltimore Ravens, let’s go
And put that ball across the line
So fly with talons spread wide
Go in and strike with Ravens pride
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Ravens dark wings take flight
Dive in and show them your might
For Baltimore and Maryland
You will fly on to victory