In yet another heartbreaking incident in a very bad week for SoCal cyclists, a 9-year old boy was killed while riding his bike in Anaheim Thursday afternoon.

In what Anaheim police Sgt. Rick Martinez called “just an ugly, ugly accident,” the child — who has not been publicly identified — was riding home from school on the sidewalk when he was struck.

According to the Orange County Register, he stopped his bike at the intersection of W. Orangewood Avenue and Loara Street and waited to cross; when the driver of a raised Ford pickup truck stopped at the intersection, he rode his bike out into the crosswalk. At the same time, the driver pulled forward, striking the boy.

According to the driver, he never saw the boy, and he was not cited by police. Evidently, California drivers are no longer required to be cautious, alert and aware of their surroundings when behind the wheel.

I’m sure the driver is devastated. Lord knows I would be.

But somehow, I don’t think “Oops” should be a universal Get Out Of Jail Free card for someone who kills another human being. Especially not an innocent child who, by all accounts, was riding in a safe and legal manner.

My heart and prayers go out to his family.

UPDATE: KCBS Channel 2 quotes Sgt. Martinez as saying “We’ve been talking to the driver and there’s no indication that he did anything wrong or illegal.”

The report says the driver was not able to see the cyclist directly in front of him due to the height of the truck. So, a driver can operate an unsafe vehicle — which may or may not be legal, yet which by its very design prevents him from seeing something directly in front of him — and the police are just fine with that.

Am I the only one who’s stomach is turning right now?

And it’s not just cyclists. This has been a very bad week for anyone on the streets not protected by steel and glass.

UPDATE 2: The OC Register has identified the cyclist as Nicholas Vela, a 4th grade student at Alexander J. Stoddard Elementary School.

Click  HERE to watch David’s performances at The Grove.

and  HERE to go to the entire Anaheim photo gallery.

Upcoming U2 Tour Dates:
Source: http://www.NationalShowTickets.com
12/05/2009 Las Vegas , NV Mandalay Bay
12/07/2009 Boise, ID Idaho Center
12/08/2009 Sacramento, CA ARCO Arena
12/10/2009 Anaheim, CA Honda Center
12/12/2009 San Jose, CA

Wikipedia Fact: Metallica /məˈtælɨkə/ is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1981. Founded when drummer Lars Ulrich posted an advertisement in a local newspaper, Metallica’s line-up has primarily consisted of Ulrich, rhythm guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett, while going through a number of bassists. Currently, the spot is held by Robert Trujillo.

From ziffle77

Silent Night

From np1107

Ave Maria

The Riddle

ALTNOY

Credit: robbz18

From fanbabyTX

Pat-a-Pan

The First Noel

Waiting For Yesterday

Crush

Melodies Of Christmas

Fields Of Gold

Zero Gravity

Credit: litlenani21

Oooo that spin is gonna be part of the ZG epic jumpin history now:))) Go David!!

WOW! WOW! WOW! GREAT VALUE! $500 MOVES YOU IN ON APPROVED CREDIT W/ 6 MONTH LEASE! JUST $895 PER MONTH ON THIS GREAT 1 BED 1 BATH W A/C, EAT-IN KITCHEN, GARAGE AND MORE LOCATED IN A BEAUTIFUL POOLSIDE, GARDEN COMMUNITY!

YOU ARE 5 MINS FROM DISNEYLAND, THE GARDEN WALK AND ANAHEIM PLAZA! 10 MINUTES FROM ANAHEIM STADIUM AND THE HONDA CENTER AND YOU ARE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED NEAR THE 5 AND 91 FREEWAYS ALONG WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION HUBS!

PAMPAS LANE APARTMENTS IS LOCATED AT 1675 WEST PAMPAS LANE IN THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF ANAHEIM.  DO NOT MISS YOUR CHANCE! 714.778.1344 IS THE ON-SITE LEASING OFFICE.  ASK BRETT ABOUT OUR GREAT SPECIALS!

REMEMBER: $895 PER MONTH, $500 MOVE-IN ON APPROVED CREDIT, 714.778.1344 IS THE LEASING OFFICE OPEN DAILY UNTIL 5PM.  VISIT US IN PERSON AT 1675 W. PAMPAS LANE @ EUCLID AVENUE IN THE CITY OF ANAHEIM.

Above are all the teams my system picked to win tonight.  I know better than my computer, and I don’t think I’m going to go 8-0.  But definitely at least 4-0, and a good shot at 6-0.  But which ones do I need to pick to do that?

WASH. V FLORIDA

Even though Ovechkin is out, the Capitals shouldn’t have a problem.  The first 2 times the Caps met the Panthers this year, in a two-game home-and-home series, Washington was also without Ovechkin and won both games with a combined score of 11-5.  Also, Washington averages more goals allowed than Florida scores, indicating to me that the Capitals’ defense and goalie will not be tested too severely.

NY ISLANDERS V ATLANTA, o-6

Atlanta is hot right now and currently on a 4 game win streak. Again, Atanta allows more goals than the Islanders usually make, telling me again that Atlanta can afford to lose a few goals and still come out on top (this line of thinking only works if the team (in this case, Atlanta) also has a positive differential and a winning record, and Atlanta has a .67 diff. and a 14-7-3 record). Oh, and these two teams have gone over 5 of their last 5 games, so it seems like a good pick for my inaugural NHL o/u picks.

ST. LOUIS V SAN JOSE, o-5.5

Bottom-ranked teams just don’t come into San Jose and beat them. There is only one thing that needs to be said: San Jose = 19 wins, 6 regulation losses. Also, both teams have gone over in 4 of their last 5 games.

ANAHEIM V DALLAS

Those first three are by far the strongest. Now we’re getting into some murky waters, but I still feel confident about these picks (else I wouldn’t post them!).  These teams are fairly matched in terms of goals and goals against, but Dallas is averaging 2 shots per game more while allowing an average of 4 shots fewer.  A 6 shot swing is quite a big difference.  Also, the Ducks are 0-6 on the road in their last 6 games. Also, the Ducks are missing 3 forwards from their roster due to injuries.  They still have their lead scorer, Selanne, but taking away that much depth could prove to be the difference. If I were the Ducks, I would save my energy for tomorrow when they face a more beatable opponent (the Wild).

Those are my top 4.  I really wanted to pick the Penguins over Colorado because the Penguins are just on fire right now (coming off a home-and-home sweep of the Rangers, outscoring them 13-5).  Unfortunately the Penguins don’t do well, historically, against Colorado.  Now, I never use historical stats to call a game, but I sure as hell will use them to steer clear of a game.  Especially when it’s in a less familiar sport, and especially when it’s a stat like this one, where the underdog (COL) has won 9 of their last 10 matchups!

There is only one play in the NBA I really like:

BOS V SA: OVER 186.5

Sorry I don’t have more but there just aren’t any good matchups in the NBA tonight.

If you’re getting a good line you can also play the NFL game tonight:

NYJ V BUF (SU)

I love the light in this pic.

Anaheim Setlist:

Click to view full size.

Pics. credit to Blaykee, Martha, Roger and J.

Some tidi bits:

* From Monica:

During VIP someone said di halgo en espanol. And David said Hola and started laughing.

They asked about what encouraged him to write a book. David said that they offered him and he took it. And wanted to share his journey.

When answering question, he was rambling I kinda didn’t understand his answers.

During Zero Gravity, David did two spins!

* From blaykee: David said to me “your smile is never fake if you’re happy”
* From np1107: Q: Was fame everything you thought it would be?

D: Oh. I was going to say I haven’t watched that movie yet. — lol!

Videos from Anaheim:

A Little Too Not Over You (credit: robbz18)

Zero Gravity (credit: litlenani21)

Waiting For Yesterday (credit: fanbabyTX)

My Hands (Ending)  (credit: fanbabyTX)

Prayer of the children (credit: fanbabyTX)

Fields of Gold (HD, credit: fanbabyTX)

The Riddle (credit: np1107)

Crush (credit: fanbabyTX)

Silent Night (credit: ziffle77)

Ave Maria (credit: np1107)

Pat A Pan (HD video, must-watch, credit: fanbabyTX)

The First Noel (HD video, credit: fanbabyTX)

Melodies of Christmas (credit: fanbabyTX)

O Holy Night (HD, credit: fanbabyTX)

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (credit: robbz18)

ORANGE COUNTY HAPPENINGS – NORTH

ANAHEIM

The 12^th Annual Holiday Magic Christmas Tree Lighting is upon us once again, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday at Twila Reid Park. Live entertainment, including Oxford High School Fiddlers and the Orangeview Junior High Choir, will help make the evening a bit more cheery and bright. To top it off, Santa will be joining as well. For more information email treelighting@yahoo.com or call 714-828-5526.

BREA

Donations are being requested to help Brea Bengals Pop Cheer Squad make their way to the 2009 Pop Warner National Championships at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. The girls are funding the trip themselves and would appreciate any type of aid given. To donate, email aluckcuck@yahoo.com or sally.luna@gmail.com Good luck girls!

BUENA PARK

The South East Area Animal Control is lowering costs for vaccinations for your cats and dogs from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday at Bellis Park. For more information call 800-988-VETS.

CYPRESS

Do you want to make others laugh and have a good time? The Cypress Senior Center is hosting the “Enter Laughing Improvisational Comedy” class from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more information call 714-229-2005.

FULLERTON 

Nothing to report.

GARDEN GROVE 

Do you have E-Waste and you are not sure where to dump it? Lake Intermediate School will be collecting your extra monitors, computers, television, cell phones and more from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday in the west parking lot off Orangewood Ave. For more information call 714-663-6506.

LA HABRA

The La Habra Art Association will be holding a holiday boutique from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Items including handmade gifts, paintings and cards will be sold. All proceeds benefit the gallery. For more information visit artylady@roadrunner.com

LA PALMA

Nothing to report.

PLACENTIA

Have you ever wondered what Christmas decorations looked like in the early 1900’s? Now is your chance to see what the holidays looked like. The Bradford House, off of Palm Circle, has decorated their Victorian-style mansion in order to represent this era. Tours and viewings will be held December 13^th from 2-4 p.m. Come out and see a bit of history!

STANTON

Santa will be coming to town during The City holiday celebration at the Stanton Civic Center. Come enjoy Santa, snow and much more on Saturday from 3-8 p.m. For more information call 714- 379- 9222 ext. 270.

WESTMINSTER

On December 4, 2009, the Soroptimist International of Westminster will be holding its annual lunch and action beginning at 11:30 a.m. For more information call 909-596-4261.

YORBA LINDA

Nothing to Report.

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.     

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards.                                                                                                               

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI                                    2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors   (949) 753-7900

For more information visit orangecountyregister.com

One of the great works of art is on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. The piece is typically referred to as “The Creation of Adam.” In his book, God is Closer Than You Think, author John Ortberg sets the scene brilliantly:

“Before Michelangelo, art scholars say, that standard paintings of creation showed God standing on the ground, in effect helping Adam to his feet. Not here. This God is rushing towards Adam on a cloud, one of the “chariots of heaven,” propelled by angels…It is as if even in the midst of the splendor of all creation, God’s entire being is wrapped up in his impatient desire to close the gap between himself and this man. He can’t wait. His hand comes within a hairbreadth of the man’s hand.”

…God is as close as he can be. But having come that close, he allows just a little space, so that Adam can choose. He waits for Adam to make his move.

Adam is more difficult to interpret. His arm is partially extended toward God, but his body reclines in a lazy pose, leaning backward as if he has no interest at all in making a connection. Maybe he assumes that God, having come this far, will close the gap. Maybe he is indifferent to the possibility of touching his creator. Maybe he lacks the strength. All he would have to do is lift a finger.

Ortberg goes on to make the point that “All it takes is the barest effort, the lift of a finger.”

The lift of a finger.

All at once the concept strikes me as absurd and yet painstaking close to home.

The Anaheim International is two days away. I feel like I have let not only the last 80 days slip thru my fingers, I have let the last 120 expire without doing what is necessary to redeem them.

I have spoken to dozens of people in the last 80 days. I have done one-on-ones, two-on-ones, PBRs and Saturday Trainings. I have double digits of people coming to the International, but they are all in two legs. I have a third leg that is completely non-productive. I won’t promote to Team Coordinator until that leg gets to 200 customer points.

I am a man of faith.

I am also a man who has lost his way on more than one occasion.

When things are going well, I work hard to have daily “quiet times” with God. I may sit down and read a little scripture and reflect on that in a journal. Other times, I’ll read a book on faith and journal about that reading. I did that for the first time in two months yesterday (and again this morning). When I looked at my journal, I realized that when I journaled in September? It was only one day that month. It was only two days in August. Before that? I sat down for my quiet time TWENTY-ONE times in July.

Wanna guess when I had my greatest momentum in ACN ? For those of you who guessed, July, give yourself a hand.

I often am shy about talking about my faith. Partly because I fear turning people away who might otherwise be uncomfortable with the subject. Partly because it’s just easier to live my life in my own selfish and undisciplined ways if people don’t think to hold me accountable for my own values.

But there is no escaping the subject of “faith” if you are in ACN. There is a large worship service on Sunday morning at 7 a.m. at every International Training. And it seems that every single Four-Star RVP and SVP who gets promoted, attributes their success to their faith (except those who are French Canadien LOL for REAL have you noticed? Or is it just me?).

One of the most uplifting and inspiring SVP promotion speeches I have ever heard was delivered by Jennifer Dowd. She makes a few poignant references to being like Noah and needing to build your own ark. She points out that Noah was an amateur and had no idea what he was doing. She then contrasts that with the building of the Titanic, which was built by professionals (and we all know how THAT turned out)! Jennifer then points out that the difference is that God was in the equation with Noah and the ark. Noah built the ark for God’s purpose.

Which brings me to the last 120 days. I’ve been going about things all wrong. I’ve been building things for MY purpose. My paychecks have suffered for it, and those of my downline have as well.

I can be an incredibly selfish, self-serving man at times. It is hard for me to admit that. In fact, I do so right now with great shame and embarrassment. Coincidentally, this morning Tiger Woods issued a statement essentially admitting to some shameful and embarrassing behavior himself. Maybe it was seeing Tiger “man up” that has prompted me to sober up and get my head back on straight. Maybe it’s the fact that Christmas is three weeks away and we won’t be able to celebrate it with presents the way that I had hoped. Maybe it’s a concession that doing things “my way” has not helped me get any closer to establishing that third leg that I need to get to Team Coordinator.

But I’m taking a stand. I am committing my work here in ACN to God’s purpose. It really doesn’t make any sense to me to do it just for “myself.”  That’s not the way I’m wired. That’s not the way God made me. I know that God can and will turn things around for our business. All I have to do is “lift a finger.”

Two days until Anaheim.

Last Thursday on Thanksgiving I got to shoot UCLA getting pounded by Portland, 74-47, in the first round of the 76 Classic at the Anaheim Center for the Los Angeles Times. It was the biggest loss by UCLA since head coach Ben Howland took over.

Everyone should read the post below from the Congressional Budget Office. It seems Congress is on the right track with healthcare reform according to the CBO.  Although we must say that a 10%-to-13% increase is a BIG increase for those seeking insurance individually from an Insurance Exchange.

Here’s a little info on the CBO; As stated on their own website, under the ‘About Us’ tab:

CBO’s mandate is to provide the Congress with:

• Objective, nonpartisan, and timely analyses to aid in economic and budgetary decisions on the wide array of programs covered by the federal budget and
  
• The information and estimates required for the Congressional budget process.

Here is the link to the blog  or longer PDF at the CBO website:
http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=10781

Ben Howland’s Bruins are bad.  There’s no getting around that.  For the first time ever, UCLA went winless in a tournament.  But for as bad as the Bruins have been, there’s a BCS stench that smells just a little bit worse, and it comes from Norman.

That’s because the Sooners of Oklahoma, ranked #18 to start the season, are just 3-3 and haven’t played a ranked team yet.  In fact, they haven’t even played a BCS conference team yet.

UCLA is constantly being talked about as the most disappointing team in the country.  Yes, they have been playing below expectations, but they lost four of their top five scorers from a season ago to the NBA and have just three seniors on the roster.  They’ve also lost to two ranked teams.  OU hasn’t played one.

The Sooners lost Blake Griffin, but return superb freshman Willy Warren, as well as Tony Crocker and have a good freshman class headlined by Steven Pledger.  Still three straight losses have the Sooners desperate for quality wins before Big 12 play.  Oklahoma needs to beat Gonzaga in Washington.  They need to take care of Arkansas and Arizona at home.  And in conference, they will probably have to win 10 or more.  Otherwise, losses to Virginia Commonwealth, San Diego and Houston will look bad.

No one is talking about OU’s bad start because they were hidden away in Anchorage playing in the Great Alaska Shootout.  UCLA meanwhile, was on ESPN, as was most of the 76 Classic in Anaheim.  In a conference that features the nations two best teams, Oklahoma better get it together fast, otherwise, this season may end up as disappointing as the football season.

The Willowz

When Anaheim was bad she was very very  bad. (Think “The Block at Disney” and The Mighty Ducks)  and… when Anaheim was good she was very very good… think “No Doubt” , good Udon, cheap mexican food (The “B” on the window as you enter means: “BEST.)”   The Cold War Kids, The Mighty Ducks in ‘03 and ‘07… and THE WILLOZ!!   Anaheim, a sometimes Fickle and brazenly pompous beauty, has redeemed herself by allowing the germination of this  willowy band of musical choristers.

The Willowz were once called “Just out of high school long-hairs” with a  ”Billy Corrigan on helium” for a lead singer.  Now everyone’s eating their words.

Punk, soul, blues, an electric hybrid.  Isn’t that what making music is all about?  Bit o’ pixies, bit o’ sonic love, go ahead pull up a chair and listen.  Have a pen and paper nearby, you’ll have to make a list of the influences that you can hear and yet listen hard and close because they are so well blended, twisted, molded, melded and lit up with a blow torch that you’ll have trouble really naming them.  Again.  That’s the way it should be.  At once familiar and yet not, what goes into the willowz is original and made in the perfection of it’s own collective raw personality.  A sonic, yet organic, tree like sound.  Yes the Willowz are like trees.  Branches wild and strong and able to span in any direction.  2007 ’s release “Chataqua” proved that they band could comb new limbs and encourage growth in new directions.  Witness “Evil Son”  …met a man with an evil stare said I’m the wicked one and quite aware, I lost my nerve, I said don’t despiar…My evil son time to prepare.” The song traverses melodic soulsey balladry and progresses to a Wolfmother  free-for-all in a matter a few stanzas.  Complete with a gong and a slide of the entire neck of a gretsch or the like and some bells, These Willowz aren’t afraid to make a rattle in the garden.  The rattle in this song isn’t entirely the stuff of seasoned auteurs, but the seeds are sewn.

From the bedroom and into the bedlam, Willoz made the trek in 2002 with Richie James Follin and Jessica Reynoza leading and grew their sound.  Perfecting the best and losing the rest, this band is an organic petrie dish project that has been obviously carefully nurtured.

“Willowz” came to Jessica in a dream  when a tree told her that the word “Willow”  would being her musical enlightenment. I’ve had dreams where a word was prominent but they told me things like, “Ride your horse to the front of Vons and then fold it into the baloney package, take the stairs in the pagoda go to the top and  attend school given by headmaster Angela Merkel sporting a small whip made from whale bone.  But I digress.

Good news can travel fast even if all your friends don’t listen to NPR.  Later in blustery ‘02 The Willowz  released a 7″ on the infamous Posh Boy records with  Robbie Fields producing.  Traipsing back to the arms of that  ”mean girl Anaheim”  that somber fair weathered friend who pushed them around at the lockers and ignored them in the hallways, The Willowz then began playing kick-ass shows to ever growing crowds.  Simultaneously moving and in and around Los Angeles, in 2004, Dionysus records soon released their first record “The Willowz.  In a pungent and yet sweet turn of events the OC Weekly named “The Willowz’s” record as one of the top 10 albums of the year!    v

They had snagged Paul Kostabi as their producer and the record was done in a few days.  There’s nothing like raw unknowingness to lend a disjointed and yet energetic spell of desire to the sound of a record.  The Jackson Pollack method of laying music like paint worked well.  Wild abandon tempered with some direction to the splatter of the sound.  Okay some say J.P. planned every stray swath of paint but he applied but  I do not agree.  There’s joy, surprise and improvisation even in the most wild, fractured and wonderful art.

Soon after touring greater North America, and Europe the Willowz music was featured in the cinematic and odd “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.”  Soon nominated for a grammy, Willowz were surprised when the Eternal Sunshine filmmaker Gondry had a dream about the Willowz song “I Wonder” and flew them out to NYC to make a video for them. Soon touring with the likes of the Weirdos, NY Dolls, the Dirtbombs, the Greenhornes, Wolfmother, the Ponys, Tom Vek, Ted Leo, YGM, OK GO, the Gossip, Brian Jonestown Massacre, the Dwarves, Burning Brides, John Cale and many others, The Willowz had come full circle and seemed to be the musical version of someone’s  Tibetan dream set in Yarlung South Central Tibet was coming true. But noone was selected as the Rimpoche just yet.

In February 2005 the Willowz re-released their self titled album on Sympathy For the Record Industry and titled the album “Are Coming” (with a four more songs on it). The follow up “Talk in Circles” was released June 2005 (also recorded in a garage by Paul Kostabi, this time as a four piece and with a little more focus on making an album) on the Long Beach, CA label Sympathy for the Record Industry by way of record mogul Long Gone John. “Talk in Circles” received extraordinary reviews, including “46th Best Album of the Year” by Rolling Stone and was also featured in another one of Gondry’s films, “The Science of Sleep”.

The Willowz were nominated by LA Weekly as one of the tope bands of 2005. More singles followed “Talk in Circles” on such labels as Contaminated, Acid Bird, and Sympathy. The second album was followed by a DVD, “See In Squares”, released on Sympathy. “See In Squares” contained 27 unique videos, all by different directors, and additional live concert footage at a catholic school summer camp in Oklahoma, several of these videos have gone on to win national and international awards.

For the third album “Chautauqua”, to be released on Steve Aoki’s Los Angeles label Dim Mak, the Willowz headed to the eastern countryside and set up a studio, this time in a basement, with Paul Kostabi producing again. They recruited Aric Bohn on guitar and Tony Mann back on the drums. “Chautauqua” provides the energy and rawness of the first albums with a thicker rock sound more focused on songwriting. The came out in ‘09  and are in heavy rotation in a round L.A. with Steve Aoki lending support.  Do not miss the chimerous impression that is “The Willowz.”

~  Chrissylong

http://lala.com/zQ2n

Tracks:

Note:  The new music section will be written by Garet Whipple and has yet to be cleverly named!  But keep a watch for Garet’s new column!  Music spans from new pop to dance, trance and rock.  Garet knows the scene and writes with reverie.  Stay tuned.

I took some time while down in Anaheim to stop by the Solar Power International convention. This is the largest solar conference in North America. This year there were over 24,000 people in attendance and over 930 exhibitors.

We had the chance to stop by and talk with a number of great people, including Aide Solar, Albiasa Solar, and even representatives for the City of Tracy. I spent three days walking around, talking with people, seeing what new technologies people are coming out with and stopping at all the booths with coffee. I was even able to take a few photos of the event.

I did very well on my picks yesterday.  The problem was I relied too much on parlays again.

I went 2-1 on the NFL games and 2-0 on the NHL games.  The problem was I lost all 3 NFL parlays because of the Giants. I still managed to break even but you shouldn’t just be breaking even if your record is 4-1 (80%).

I could blame the lackluster Giants for blowing my parlays but the truth of the matter is I got too greedy and overconfident. I parlayed my picks, then I did a 6pt teaser in case they didn’t quite cover the spread, then I parlayed the games straight up. I was conifident the Giants would win, I just wasn’t confident in Dallas winning by 14.

Here is the lesson: Never play a parlay unless you can make up for the loss by winning about 65% of your picks.

In otherwords, I should have been able to at least break even as long as 2 teams won.  Instead, I had to rely on my NHL games to bring me back up. With a winning percentage currently at 75-80%, covering losses with a 65% winning rate is reasonable.

Anyway, we got some good games coming up today in NHL and NBA. I’ll give you all my picks later this afternoon but here are some games to start your day. I’ll have some NCAA football picks for you later today as well.

NBA: Phoenix vs Minnesota: PHO -9.5

This game is strong enough to play straight. No buying points needed today.

Straight up parlay: PHO, POR, BOS, SAC

These games are strong enough to play straight up but I give no guarantees on spreads (other than the Suns, which I still don’t “guarantee,” obviously). I’d especially stay clear of Boston’s spread as they are in an 0-6 ATS rut and 2-10 in their last 12 games ATS.

NHL:

Atlanta vs Carolina SU (-115)

This is one of the strongest games in my NHL GF System, but one of the lowest moneylines. 

Parlay: ATL (vs CAR), CHI (vs ANA), PHI (vs BUF), FLOR (vs TOR)

I usually just do parlays with NHL because it’s too hard to play the spreads and the lines are often too much to make it worth while.  I like these picks though as the Thrashers (ATL) are 7-2-1 on the road (Carolina is 3-0 at home in it’s last 3 games but all were to losing teams), Chicago’s Hossa had a strong debut with 2 goals and should continue his dominance, the Flyers are getting Briere back and looked strong even without him, and Florida is 5-0-3 since Nov 12th and 4-0 against Toronto in their last 4 meetings(The Panthers have lost 3 straight at home but all were in OT, and all were to winning teams).