why it feels good to be a faithful Bears fan

Happy Thanksgiving

Put aside your differences for today, play some football, call a loved one, drink some cheap beer and bite your brother.

Adults Not Allowed to Make Choices .... Again

Carmel council bans smoking in restaurants
Vote is 4 to 3; ordinance takes effect March 1

By Lesley Rogers Barrett

CARMEL, Ind. -- Smokers can still light up in most taverns, but Carmel restaurants will go smoke-free under restrictions narrowly approved Monday by the City Council.
With a vote of 4 to 3, Carmel became the first Hamilton County community to approve a smoking ban. The Indianapolis City-County Council passed a similar smoking ban in May, and last month the city of Greenfield approved a ban. All three ordinances will take effect March 1.

SMOKING ORDINANCE
Beginning March 1, smoking will be banned at most Carmel restaurants, at some taverns and at places such as shopping malls, health-care facilities, child-care centers, common areas of residential buildings and laundromats.Cigar bars and taverns that don't allow customers under 21 and don't employ anyone under 21 are exempt. Some family-owned and -operated businesses are exempt, as are private clubs.The fine is $50 for first-time offenders of the ordinance. Subsequent violations carry fines between $75 and $500.

Anti-smoking advocates praised the ordinance, saying it will improve the health of employees and patrons. Robert Lubitz, a doctor at St. Vincent Hospital, said secondhand smoke is the third-leading cause of preventable death.
"Smoking causes deadly diseases, and it robs the health of our community," Lubitz said.
Several Carmel tavern owners spoke at the meeting, offering a range of opinions. Kevin Rider, owner of Woody's Library Restaurant, 40 E. Main St., will have to go smoke-free under the ordinance because he allows patrons under 21 in the restaurant portion of his establishment.
However, taverns like Mickey's Irish Pub, 13644 N. Meridian St., and Old Town Tavern, 29 W. Main St., can continue to allow smoking.
There was a push to include all taverns in the ordinance, but the council ended up exempting establishments that don't allow patrons or employees under the age of 21.
Rider said he's disappointed in the ordinance, which he said creates an uneven playing field. But he said he expects his restaurant business to increase.
"I'll find ways to exploit the no smoking," Rider said.
Mickey's owner Bill Adkins said if the council approved a ban to include all taverns, he would immediately sell his 11-year-old business.
He said he tried a "smokeless Thursdays" promotion last year, but ended up losing money. "The nonsmokers did not come," Adkins said.
But Carmel resident Emily Walesky said she would go out to taverns and restaurants more -- and spend more money -- if they were smoke-free.
"I have asthma," Walesky said. "I cannot breath when other people around me choose to smoke."
Lynn Resinger, Indianapolis, called the ordinance a "forced compliance law" and said it takes away the rights of Americans.
"People have become so complacent with their freedom . . . they are giving it away to the government," Resinger said.
Fines begin at $50 for a first-time violation, and the ordinance will be enforced by the Department of Community Services and the Carmel Fire Marshal. Police officers will not enforce the ordinance.
Voting in favor of the ordinance were council members Brian Mayo, Fred Glaser, Ron Carter and Mark Rattermann. Council president Kevin Kirby and members Rick Sharp and Joe Griffiths voted against the measure.

Vasher Sets Record

The Interceptor ran a missed field goal back 108 yards to set an NFL record. Bears are now 6-3, the schedule now gets nastier than a DNC meeting discussing Bush43.

you could wish to be this energetic at this age

I have been in the bar business since 92, and I've met plenty of interesting characters along the way. Any bartender worth thier weight in Rose's Lime juice will tell you that fact. But the lovely couple you see in the picture are just outsanding. Every Friday or Saturday night they are in the annex dancing and flirting with other couples.

They're not married, just two people who found each other as life moved on. She has her red wine and artsy outfits, she painted a picture for my first born, and he has a cigar and his suspenders. Every once and while he wears one of those rastafari hats with the fake dreds.

The smiles you see are as genuine as are they.

Oh When the Saints, Come Marching In ... to LA Baby!

Hey Coach, I can see my house in the OC from here! After reading this article, and Benson's hissy fits, the writing is on the wall. Talking about turning your back on someone.
from: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2219883

NFL, Coliseum in preliminary stages for return to L.A.
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- The NFL and city officials have reached a preliminary agreement on terms to bring a team back to the Los Angeles Coliseum, commissioner Paul Tagliabue said Thursday.
But Tagliabue, in a 15-minute session with reporters on the steps of City Hall, didn't identify a potential tenant or speculate when Los Angeles might get the team.
He also spoke positively about a team playing at a facility proposed for the Angel Stadium parking lot in Anaheim and didn't rule out the Rose Bowl in Pasadena as a possible home field, either.
As Tagliabue entered a limousine, he was asked if he could assess the significance of what he had just announced. He replied, "I'd rather not try."
The commissioner did say: "It's the first time we've had agreement on term sheets. We're one step closer, two or three steps closer. Whether it's 2009, 2010, or 2000-whatever, our goal is to have definitive agreements on all subject matters well before our league meetings in March."
The Los Angeles area, the second-largest television market in the country, has been without an NFL team since the Raiders moved from the Coliseum back to Oakland and the Rams moved from Anaheim to St. Louis before the 1995 season.
After announcing plans in the spring of 1999 to put an expansion team in the Coliseum, the NFL was unable to reach an agreement with the Los Angeles backers and instead awarded the 32nd franchise to Houston that October.
Houston businessman Bob McNair and his backers offered to pay $700 million for the new franchise and spend another $310 million on a stadium, making it the NFL's first billion-dollar deal. The Texans began play in 2002.
Tagliabue said significant progress has been made in the past year regarding the Coliseum. His statement came following a meeting with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and before a session with Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle.
"I think the critical thing now is we're at the point where it's recognized, certainly by us, that the time is right," Tagliabue said. "We have to get agreements finalized. We'll be pursuing agreements in Anaheim. We're going to work with both communities for an agreement."
He said there have been no in-depth discussions on whether the region would get an expansion or existing team.
Tagliabue said last month that future expansion was unlikely anywhere but Los Angeles.
He also said it was important to make sure Southern California, the nation's top-ranked college team, was comfortable with any agreement, since the Trojans have made the Coliseum their home since 1923.
Tagliabue planned on meeting with USC coach Pete Carroll later Thursday. The commissioner met with Gov. Arnold Schwarzennegger late Wednesday.
Tentative plans call for the NFL to finance construction of a $500 million stadium inside the Coliseum, home to the Rams from 1946-79 and the Raiders from 1982-94.
City Councilman Bernard Parks said after listening to Tagliabue that he believes the Coliseum will eventually get an existing team rather than an expansion team.
"The NFL is going to have a say on who's going to come here. The Coliseum has no role in selecting a team," Parks said.
Asked when it might happen, Parks replied: "I don't know. Nobody's signed anything. They've got to say they're coming."
That being said, Parks expressed optimism.
"In my judgment, I don't believe these business people waste their time and money," he said. "They've spent a lot of time and money."
While Tagliabue didn't rule out the Rose Bowl, the Pasadena City Council voted 5-2 with one abstention last June to pursue a plan for the stadium that doesn't involve the NFL. Carson dropped out of contention in May when city officials decided to build a mall on its proposed site.

To France

you reap the seeds you plant