The Ted Henley Blog - 660News Calgary

Ed Stelmach must have LOVED his double-double this morning after shutting-up his critics by posting near-record election results.

Stelmach led his party to winning 72 seats out of a possible 83 in the Legislature. That’s two shy of King Ralph Klein’s results in 2001.

Good for Stelmach… and good for us at 660News.

I went to bed last night smiling because the election gave us something to chat about. Very, very few people (including us in the 660News newsroom) predicted such a landslide.

The perfect end to today would be Jarome Iginla popping a goal tonight setting the all-time scoring record in Calgary Flames history.

Until then… I’m toasting the election… with my own Tim Horton’s Iced Cap.

It’s election day in Alberta. A busy day for us at 660 News… but I’m getting no sympathy from friends in other parts of the country.

Colleagues at tv and radio stations in Ontario say running an election in Alberta is a waste of time. Apparently traders on Bay Street are watching the election - but the office pools are betting on how FEW seats the Liberals and NDP will win.

This is the fourth provincial election I’ve covered in Alberta. Four elections - with four similar results. (I swear big sections of the first three victory speeches from Ralph Klein were recycled save his famous “welcome to Ralph’s World” line)

There is hope. Ed Stelmach is a rookie leader. There are a bunch of decent candidates running for the Liberals (especially in Calgary). And there are lots of new Albertan’s voting for the first time.

So… for the record… I’m rooting for drama tonight when the polls close. I don’t know if I’ll get it - but I’m atleast I’m cheering for some close races to give us something to talk about tomorrow morning.

Imagine trying to design a closet to hold space junk.

That’s what scientists in Japan have done to help astronauts living in the International Space Station (no word if they asked IKEA designers for help).

Apparently the Space Station has a lot of “clutter” and is in desperate need of storage space.

I googled the design and it sounds very cool.

The space-closet is officially called a “logistics module”. It’s about 12-feet by 14-feet in size. It weighs more than 4-tons (on Earth). And it can hold a whack of stuff (yes… whack is a technical term).

NASA will send the giant space-closet up on the next Shuttle - scheduled to launch in mid-March.

It should give astronauts a place to hang their space suits.

Kudos to the organizers of the Oscar’s.

The Academy Awards - Hollywood’s biggest night - was actually an interesting show to watch despite the lack of prep-time for writers.

Jon Stewart: good.
Hollywood starlets in fancy gowns: always good.
Lots of video vignettes during the broadcast: double-good.

It could have been a disaster after a last-minute strike-ending deal meant writers only had a fraction of the usual time to craft the show - but it was solid.

I’ll admit… I went to bed right after Ellen Page didn’t win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress… but from what I saw the show was entertaining.

Maybe writers should always have just a few days to put together the world’s most watched gala event.

I feel bad for anyone who watched the Leader’s debate last night.

Why? Ed Stelmach, Kevin Taft, Brian Mason, and Paul Hinman weren’t given enough time to talk.

The leaders of Alberta’s four major political parties shared the same stage in Edmonton with journalists lobbing questions at them on many issues.

The problem was that the leader’s only had 30 seconds to give their point of view. 30 seconds!?! It was frustrating to watch because every time each person got into what they were explaining - the moderators cut them off. Brutal. So much for meaty answers.

In case anyone wants more information on what each leader was talking about last night… check out the websites below:

www.albertapc.ab.ca
www.albertaliberal.com
www.albertandp.ca
www.wildrosealliance.ca

Don’t expect any epic battles during tonight’s televised leader’s debate. I HOPE we see some attention-holding verbal jousts - but if history holds true then my wish won’t come true.

The leaders from Alberta’s four major political parties square off from 6:30-8:30 PM. This is the one time we’ll see Ed Stelmach, Kevin Taft, Brian Mason and Paul Hinman all on the same stage.

What’s good: the leaders won’t be editted into sound-bytes. We’ll actually get to see who can think on their feet and string more than two sentences together.

What’s bad: not a lot of people will be watching. Debates are usually dull and in the hundred-plus TV channel universe… ratings are rarely good.

There is a lot to gain from tonight’s debate because thousands of voters are undecided in this election. I will be one of the people paying attention. Truth be told… I’d rather watch hockey highlights on Rogers Sportsnet.

I’m looking for suggestions this morning… who can I bribe to get Calgary golf courses to open this week? And what should I offer as a suitable gift?

I just spent the Family Day long weekend in Invermere, BC and I’m sporting a sunburn as proof of just how beautiful it was. 660News Meteorologist David Spence says this entire week will be just as stunning with daytime highs of 5-to-10 degrees and a shortage of clouds.

Maybe I’m showing my age… maybe this is wishful thinking… but I just put my golf clubs back in the trunk of my car. Yup. I’m THAT guy. I’m the guy who will drop everything to hit a little white ball.

Sure… I might be jumping the gun… considering it’s not even March BUT maybe driving around with my clubs will keep David Spence forecasting weather like today.

Here’s to hoping the golfing gods are watching and taking note… maybe I’ll get an extra mulligan this year.

Well, well, well… look who has a spring in her step today.

Norma is extra-perky (see picture below) because a Bulldog finished second in the Non-Sporting category of the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

The Westminster Show is one of the most important dog competitions in the world; placing second is like finishing runner-up at the Miss Universe pageant.

Norma’s owner is Lynda Parcells (who puts up with me every morning on the 660News Morning Show). Lynda is proud to tell anyone that Norma is known for her looks, her carefree attitude toward life, and the ability to clear a room with her “special” odour.

Sure, a Bulldog was beaten by a Poodle, but finishing second at Westminster is giving Norma a lot more to brag about. As I mentioned in a previous blog, Bulldogs have also recently cracked the Top-10 list of the most popular breeds.

Cheers to Norma… and to her breed. If we could only get her to stop drooling when she smiles…

Super Dave Osbourne didn’t make it… but the skiing beer cans did!

Congratulations to all of the organizers and volunteers at the 2008 Vertical Express for MS held this past weekend at Sunshine Village. I had the pleasure attending and emceeing the event… and it was a BLAST (despite the cold weather) raising more than $50,000. Everyone enjoyed the fun and the snow.

The money goes to CADS (Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing) and to the Heuga Centre. The Heuga Centre is a non-profit facility that is dedicated to improving the lives of people with MS through medical research and wellness.

Next year’s event is already in the works. Save Saturday, February 7, 2009… you won’t regret it!

For more information on a great event check out these websites.
www.snowexpress.org
www.skibanff.com

If you’re brave enough (or crazy enough) to face the cold to ski this weekend… you should consider going to Sunshine Village.

Why? You might see Elvis… or a bunch of Elvises (or is it “Elvi”?) skiing under the Angel Express chairlift.

The 2008 Vertical Express for Multiple Sclerosis is tomorrow - February 9th. It is LOADS of fun - because of the people and the fact wearing costumes is encouraged. Last Year’s teams included the Skiing Elvises, the ‘88 Winter Olympics, Mexicans Can Ski, We’re Only Here for the Beer, and Men Dressed in Drag. This year… I’ve heard rumours Super Dave Osbourne might stop by.

Teams raise money to enter the event and the cash goes to CADS (Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing) and to the Heuga Centre. The Heuga Centre is a non-profit research facility that is dedicated to improving the lives of people with MS through medical science and wellness.

I have the pleasure of leading these yahoos… and if you’re in the Sunshine Day Lodge pop by upstairs. I’ll save you a racing bib. And make sure you ask Elvis to sing for you.

www.snowexpress.org
www.skibanff.com