The Ted Henley Blog - 660News Calgary

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

Hands-up if you have a dangerous job.

If you could see me right now - you’d see my fingers stretching toward the ceiling. Okay… I admit I’m fishing for sympathy; anchoring a radio show is hardly dangerous - except for the odd paper cut.

IF my gig was dangerous… I’d be asking my boss for a disaster proof desk. Yup. A terrorism proof office cubicle - complete with mouse pad and explosion deflectors.

It looks like a typical workstation but it is anything but normal. It’s made with reinforced steel. It has a personal “protection pod” you can hide in during earthquakes. And, it can withstand a blast from 110 kilograms of TNT.

The good news is delivery is cheap because it’s made by Gunnar Furnishings of Calgary. The bad news is that it costs $15,000 per desk. If they ever include an Illy espresso machine I’m in!

Check out the ultimate office cubicle for yourself: http://gunnar.ca/pofspage.htm

For the first time in 75-years bulldogs are back on the top-10 list of the most popular breeds.

That’s good news for kids… bad news for people trying to sleep.

Lynda Parcells, who has to put up with working with me every morning, has a bulldog. Her name is Norma - and she has quite the reputation. Just about every morning, Lynda tells me about Norma’s latest faux-pas. Norma apparently enjoys snoring, drooling, snorting, lounging, and announcing her presence in a room by letting out some “pungent” gas. My kids can’t wait to meet her.

Raise your coffee to Norma this morning… and all bulldogs because they’ve finally broken the 75-year curse. Let’s hope the saying “dogs are like their owners” isn’t true.

By the way… here’s where Norma placed:

Top-10 Registered Breeds
1) Labrador Retreiver
2) Yorkshire Terrier
3) German Shepherd
4) Golden Retreiver
5) Beagle
6) Boxer
7) Dachshund
8) Poodle
9) Shih Tzu
10) Bulldog

I’m smiling from ear to ear this morning - and not because we’re halfway through the work week. The grin on my face is because we FINALLY have a political race south of the border.

I guess I should admit something… I am a political geek. I LOVE the strategy and energy of politics. The faster the candidates hustle - the more I pay attention. Last night, the race to the White House became a heck of a lot more interesting.

Former First Lady Hillary Clinton has handed Barack Obama a reality check by taking New Hampshire. John McCain has officially become a Republican contender.

With Calgary so connected to the United States - I can’t wait to be all over the Presidential campaign.

Here’s to the sunny days ahead… Super Tuesday is approaching quickly.

Coffee 1… Ted 0. That’s the final score in the first battle with my New Year’s resolution.

The promise I’ve made for 2008 is to drink less coffee. My first day back at work proved too much. I have to use my mulligan.

I survive my early mornings at 660News by drinking 3-to-5 cups of coffee a day. That, says my doctor, is too much. My goal is 1-cup less every day.

Whether you’re trying to lose weight, excercise more, or drink less coffee I’m told the key is breaking your old habit. I’m going for the water cooler now when I walk in the door at 4:00 AM instead of the coffee machine.

But what do I do when I need a extra kick-start to my day? How do I stay awake when I’m up so early? Those are questions I’ll try to answer this week.

For now, if you’re like me and battling a resolution - I’m giving you a chance to start over. But remember we only get one mulligan per 9-holes - so choose using it wisely.

Today is Day 1 of my holiday shopping blitz.

Yes… I am a last-minute Charlie. You will see me in any of Calgary’s biggest malls - powering my way through crowds - trying to get through the checkout line in as little time possible.

I feel good about what lies ahead.
I’m pumped to begin.
I’m hydrating.
I’m ready to hit the stores.

To help with the marathon… I am promising myself five things:
5) I will stick to my list… well…if I had one.
4) I will block out all Christmas music by wearing my iPod.
3) I will not get lured into the SONY store by the new Bravia LCD HDTV televisions.
2) I will listen to my Mom and wear underwear without holes.
1) Most importantly… I will keep my head up.

Yes… what my hockey coach drilled into me applies off the ice. If you don’t keep your head-up you’re going to get hurt. Nobody needs a black eye from the high-elbows being thrown right now.

Happy Shopping!! I have your back if you watch mine…

It’s harsh first thing in the morning… but today I realized I’m getting old in a young city like Calgary.

The Republik - once an alternative/indie rock hot-bed in Calgary will re-open its doors this month. It’s a bonus Christmas gift for anyone over the age of 35. I yelled in the 660News newsroom how excited I am…and a younger member of our staff responded with “…do you mean Banana Republic?” It was a crushing blow to my aging ego.

Band’s like Green Day, Cracker, Wilco, the Goo Goo Dolls - they all played The Republik early in their careers. Others followed… like Hole, the Matthew Good Band, Juliana Hatfield and Our Lady Peace. Even Grandmaster Flash and the Bay City Rollers have gigged there.

The Republik was a smoky, grungy, and at-times smelly place – but it had a lovable charm. Anyone who was in Calgary during the late ’80s and through the ’90s will have spent time hanging out there.

Here’s to a new generation of music fans discovering The Republik.

If the new club is half as cool as the old one - you can count on me supporting the cause. I guess that brings up another sign of my age: I’ll be home now before last call.

I put up a brave fight, but it’s over. I’m joining the many people in
Calgary who have officially lost their battles with a nasty virus that’s going around the city.

Like many workplaces, the halls of 660News are filled with the sounds of coughing and sneezing. Chances are if you aren’t sick, then the person next to you is. I don’t know about your office, but the 660News newsroom is set-up with an open concept. With that in mind, I blame the Morning Show’s producer Radana Suk for giving me her plague. The bad news is she considers it my Christmas gift — but that’s a topic for another blog.

The good news is you get to laugh at me while I’m sick. There’s nothing like saying “660News time is blank” with a stuffed nose. Or should I say “660Bews tibe is blank”. Try saying “Daybid Sbence with the webber” or “Cab-tain Kirk has traffic”. Even my name is brutal: “Teb Hebley”. Definitely lots of good tape for the Christmas party blooper reel.

The only good thing about being sick is the food. Chicken Soup is one of my all-time favourite soups. In my world garlic goes with everything – including chocolate. And any excuse for a hot-toddy is welcome.

With that in mind… send me your favourite “feel better” food suggestions at ted.henley@rci.rogers.com.