A Very Rosy Outlook

   Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall was the keynote speaker at Thursday's SaskParty regional dinner held in Yorkton. The Premier told the crowd at the Gallagher Centre the southeast part of the province, including Yorkton, is well positioned moving forward, particularly with a strong resource and agricultural economy.
   Wall did inject a cautious note in his address, warning people in the province should never get complacent about the state of the economy, adding there will be ups and downs. But he also says the economy remains sustainable at the current level of spending and income. In fact, he feels confident the economy can survive a bit of a wild ride in the resource sector, where potash revenue was well below forecast. That was offset by the record crop in the province, along with increased petroleum revenue.
   The next provincial budget is due in March.

TTFN

The Countdown To Christmas Has Started

   It's Black Friday, the day when retailers, particularly in the U.S, kick off the rush to Christmas. And including today, there are 26 shopping days left!
   Why call it "Black Friday"? Apparently, it started being called that in Philadelphia sometime before 1960, and the term was used to describe heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic the day after American Thanksgiving. It wasn't until 1975 the term was used outside Philly.
   Another version is today's the day retailers are put in the black by high sales volumes. Some reports say big box stores can boost their year to date profit starting January 1st from 14 to 19 billion dollars. Any way you cut it, that's a chunk of change!
   Canadian retailers are also jumping on the Black Friday bandwagon, as retailers here look to rake in profits.
   But the Holiday Spirit doesn't seem to be out in as full force as bargain hunters. Just this morning there are reports of fights in some stores, including one in California, where management shut the doors after 5 thousand people flocked in all at once.
   In Chicago, police shot the driver of a car Thanksgiving evening after an officer was dragged after investigating a shoplifting complaint.
   Will I take part in Black Friday? Not a snowballs hope in hell. I'll wait for the madness to subside, especially since as mentioned, there are 26 shopping days left to Christmas.

TTFN

What A Strange Morning

 

   It's bizarre to say the least for an old dog like me to keep broadcasting even when the power to the transmitter is out.
   Such was the case this morning, after SaskPower had to shut down our transmitter to do some work. In days gone by, it would've meant just one thing. No on air. No music, commercials or news. At least until the power comes back on. And yet, I still had to do news at the top of the hours. The reason is right in front of both of us. We, like just about every other station in Canada and the U.S stream live on-line, meaning just because our 'traditional' system was down, the web wasn't.
   But it was still very strange to sit in that booth, read the news, fire audio clips, introduce sports etc with no air feed. All I got through the headphones was a different station in Manitoba. Faint, to be sure, but there none the less.
   GX94 is a 50 thousand watt station daytime, 10 thousand at night. So to be silenced, even if just for a few hours, was truly bizarre. So, it was great to get back to normal.

TTFN

One Day, 2 Celebrations

   It's Thursday, November 28th. And it's also the last Thursday in November, meaning U.S Thanksgiving is today. It's a day of travel for some, parades for others, and food for most people in the States:

   And as hard as it may seem to believe, that bird, the magnificent Turkey, could well have been America's bird. Not the Bald Eagle. Benjamin Franklin lobbied hard to have the turkey made the official emblem of the U.S.
   And as many Americans sit down to a meal of the above bird, with all the trimmings, including pumpkin pie, it should be noted that this is how I believe said pie is made:

   Today also marks the start of the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah:

   Interestingly, I've heard this is the first time both holidays have coincided. Ever. And it won't happen again for another 77 thousand years. Give or take a century or 3.
   So, to my American viewers, Happy Thanksgiving. And any Jewish viewers חנוכה מבורכת ומאושרת.

TTFN

 

"Black Friday" Is Coming

   It's the day American, and now several Canadian, retailers put some big sales numbers up. It also marks the start of the Christmas shopping season. It's also a day that has, at least in the U.S, seen in the past shoppers get trampled by other shoppers in the mad rush for bargains once stores open.
   So far, Canadians have proven immune to this holiday rush, but that's changing, and changing fast. With more and more American retailers entering Canada (Target being the latest), the competition for your holiday shopping dollars gets even more intense.
   Retailers will not be getting a chunk of my change this week however. I'm a procrastinator, and won't start my shopping until some time in December. And this year, there are fewer of my dollars available as well.
   But for those who like the whole seasonal shopping spectacular, "shop on".

TTFN

This Is Why The CFL Is The Best.

   That's an ad the Saskatchewan Roughriders took out in the Hamilton Spectator after Suday's Grey Cup win. Because the print is so small, here it is again:

"Let's shake.
After the game, Coach Chamblin and Coach Austin shook hands. Today, our fans want to shake your hands.
We share a kinship with Tiger-Cat fans.
We understand your passion.
And you understand ours.
We get that you wear it every game.
And because of that, we understand, more than anyone, the pain of loss and the joy of victory.
Hamilton and Saskatchewan are considered the best fanbases in the league. That's a big part of what made Grey Cup week in Saskatchewan so amazing. And it's what made Sunday's game all the more challenging and rewarding.
We tip our hats to each and every one of you. And we look forward to next spring, when we will start another chapter in our rich histories.
Sincerely,
Jim Hopson, President and CEO
Roger Brandvolt, Chair

   2 classy teams, and 2 very classy gentlemen on the Riders board!

TTFN

In The World Of Entertainment

   He's been a staple character of the hit animated TV show "Family Guy" since it first aired. But now Brian Griffiths has been killed off. Brian was run over by a car Sunday night.
   Fans are outraged by the removal of the character, who will, apparently, be replaced by another dog named "Vinnie" in the not too distant future.
   In news almost as shocking, it's been revealed that Rogers Communications and the NHL have inked a 12 year, 5.2 billion dollar deal for broadcast and multi-media rights.
   CBC will retain Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts, with Rogers getting all national rights tio games, including the Stanley Cup Playoffs. TSN, which holds the rights to the end of the season, was shut out of the deal.

TTFN