Hurricane Alex Hits the Gulf
NORMS thoughts go out to our friends in the Gulf who are about to get hit by Hurricane Alex.
(CNN) — Tropical Storm Alex — temporarily weakened to a tropical depression — was on track to become hurricane strength once it makes its way back to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico late Sunday, but forecasters expect the system to steer clear of oil-affected areas.
“We think the storm is going to stay on a more southern track. That would be good news because it would avoid the area near the oil spill,” said Todd Kimberlain of the National Hurricane Center.
However, forecasters have not ruled out an easterly shift in Alex’s path.
“We all know the weather is unpredictable, and we could have a sudden last-minute change,” said Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the federal government’s response manager.
The governors of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama declared Sunday a day of prayer in their respective states as efforts to cap the massive gusher continue.
Researchers have estimated that between 35,000 barrels — about 1.5 million gallons — and 60,000 barrels — about 2.5 million gallons — of oil are gushing into the ocean every day.
If Alex forces a work stoppage at the ruptured BP well, officials fear that as much as 2.5 million gallons of oil could flow into the Gulf for two weeks.
That is because it would take 14 days to put everything back in place — meaning the containment cap would be off for that period, allowing oil to flow freely, Allen said.
BP plans to place a third rig called the Helix Producer at the well site next week, which will increase the amount of oil being captured to 53,000 barrels a day, Allen said. That, too, could be disrupted if Alex affects the area.
Alex is the first named storm of what is expected to be a fierce Atlantic hurricane season. It formed in the Caribbean on Saturday.
Sunday morning, Alex was poised to enter the Gulf after crossing the Yucatan peninsula. Its center was about 85 miles (135 km) south of Campeche, Mexico and about 80 miles (125 km) east of Cuidad del Carmen, Mexico.
Tropical storm warnings for the coast of Belize and the east coast of the Yucatan have been discontinued, the hurricane center said. Earlier Sunday, Alex soaked Belize after making landfall in the Central American nation several hours earlier with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph.
Alex’s winds had dropped to near 35 mph (55 km/hr) as of 11 a.m. ET Sunday, the hurricane center said. But the storm was moving west-northwest at near 12 mph (19 km/hr) and “the center of Alex will move across the Yucatan peninsula and enter the southern Gulf of Mexico later today,” the hurricane center said.
Alex was expected to regain tropical storm intensity Sunday night or early Monday, forecasters said. It is forecast to become a Category 1 hurricane before making landfall Thursday morning near La Pesca, Mexico.
Oil company BP said the storm has not forced any evacuations at the oil spill site. But, to the south, BP and Shell were evacuating all nonessential personnel from oil platforms as a precaution.
Gulf Coast residents feared that high winds and storm surges could spread the slick and push more oil ashore into bays, estuaries and pristine beaches, exacerbating the oil disaster triggered by BP’s ruptured well.
“The greatest nightmare with this storm approaching is that it takes this oil on the surface of the Gulf and blows it over the barrier islands into the bays and the estuaries,” Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida said. “And that is where you really get the enormous destruction, because it’s just very difficult to clean up those pristine bays.”
If the storm heads to the east of the oil spill, it would send the oil farther out to sea. If the storm heads more directly toward the central Gulf and Louisiana, it might push the oil toward Florida.
“We’ve never been in this situation before,” CNN meteorologist Karen Maginnis said. “We’ve never seen an oil spill that encompassed the Gulf like this, end up so close to shore.”
CNN’s Patty Lane, Chuck Johnston, Brandon Miller, T.J. Holmes and Moni Basu contributed to this report
World Cup! NORM fans root for……….??
NORM Fans who will you root for to win the World Cup now that the USA is coming home? Here are the teams that are left. Tell us what you think!
2010 FIFA World Cup™
Round of 16:
Germany vs. England - Jun 27 7:00am (PT) on ESPN
Argentina vs. Mexico - Jun 27 11:30am (PT) on ABC
Netherlands vs. Slovakia - Jun 28 7:00am (PT) on ESPN
Brazil vs. Chile - Jun 28 11:30am (PT) on ESPN
Paraguay vs. Japan - Jun 29 7:00am (PT) on ESPN
Spain vs. Portugal - Jun 29 11:30am (PT) on ESPN
Quarter-finals:
TBD vs. TBD - Jul 2 7:00am (PT) on ESPN
Uruguay vs. Ghana - Jul 2 11:30am (PT) on ESPN
NORM has 10,000 FAMILY Members!
Of course one of NORMS family members sent in the best photo of NORM with a tear in his eye! Thanks Bob Vreeland! Lovin’ my photo! Hey, everyone has a sensitive side!
U.S. vs. Ghana: Five things to watch!
NORMS USA Soccer Fans tune in tomorrow morning 6/25 at 11:30AM on ESPN to watch the US vs. Ghana.
Ever since its eventful World Cup opener against England, now nearly two weeks and half a lifetime ago, the United States has been playing do-or-die soccer.
The rollercoaster ride that has gripped a nation hits its latest stomach-churning loop in Rustenburg on Saturday. If the past few games are anything to go by, plenty more thrills and spills can be expected.
The Americans take on Ghana, deep into Bafokeng tribal country, where the platinum seams run deep and Bob Bradley’s team chases a prize more precious than most USA fans could have dreamed of – a quarterfinal spot.
Here are the things to watch.
1. Sweet revenge
Ghana has the ninth worst-rated economy in the world, according to Forbes, and has a political party that uses the rather unambitious slogan: “So far, so good.” Expectations of the national soccer team are somewhat higher, though, and fiscal firepower has little bearing on World Cup matters.
A more significant factor dates back four years to the USA’s loss to Ghana at the 2006 World Cup. The Ghanaians knocked the U.S. out of the tournament and the loss still rankles with many of the American players.
Look out for: The men who remember. Out of the USA’s likely starters, four players have harbored painful memories of Ghana for the past four years. Carlos Bocanegra, Landon Donovan, Steve Cherundolo and Clint Dempsey were all on the field in Nuremberg, and they will relish the opportunity to settle the score.
2. Boos for Bornstein
Jonathan Bornstein claims he didn’t hear the jeers that rained down upon him from the Loftus Versfeld stands on Wednesday night, citing those ever-present vuvuzelas as the reason. Yet the U.S. defender can’t help but notice the negative vibes American fans hold toward him after he was brought into the lineup against Algeria.
Bornstein adds pace from his spot at left back and, as a former striker, he can get forward at a good clip. However, his defensive positioning and tackling ability often have been called into question and there will be some nervous moments when Ghana attacks down that flank.
Look out for: Howard’s calming presence. At the end of a difficult first half against Algeria, when both the crowd and Bornstein’s own teammates were getting frustrated with him, Tim Howard took his colleague to one side and had a quiet word in his ear. By rationally explaining what Bornstein needed to do, instead of ranting at him, Howard calmed the defender’s nerves and a better second-half performance followed.
3. The battle with Boateng
There are few more controversial figures at the World Cup than Kevin-Prince Boateng, Ghana’s right-sided midfielder.
With more tattoos than most self-respecting Hell’s Angels, a spiky attitude and a physical style that wrecked the ankle of Germany captain Michael Ballack before the tournament, Boateng will be a man to watch on Saturday.
Look out for: Dempsey getting tough. Dempsey is not a man to take a backward step, having ended up bruised and bloodied in the last game. Keep an eye on his confrontations with Boateng – the results could be explosive.
4. Howard’s hurls
One of the forgotten aspects of Donovan’s incredible winner against Algeria was the man who set it all up. No, not Michael Bradley or another outfield player – but Tim Howard, all the way from the U.S. goal.
If it wasn’t for Howard’s swift thinking and 50-yard throw that found Donovan in full stride, American soccer’s modern history could be looking very different right now.
Look out for: More of the same. Howard, a former high school basketball star, has one of the biggest arms of all the World Cup goalkeepers. Furthermore, his throws are fast, accurate and often far more effective than an aimless kick upfield.
5. The driving force of Donovan
Few players ride a wave of confidence as well as Landon Donovan, who has historically been able to channel momentum to good effect.
He certainly is on a roll now and is full of the joys of life after his dramatic winning goal and an emotional telephone conversation with his estranged wife, actress Bianca Kajlich, after the game.
Look out for: A decisive Donovan. When his confidence is up, Donovan acts a fraction of a second quicker and makes surging aggressive moves even when not in possession of the ball. Such actions will be vital if the USA is to stretch the Ghana defense and keep it under pressure.
Source: Follow Martin Rogers on Twitter at @mrogersyahoo
Electric Daisy Carnival is IN TOWN!
All NORMS Music Fans!
Tomorrow and Saturday, the Los Agneles Memorial Coloseum and Park is hosting the Electric Daisy Carnival – the annual electronic music festival that garnered a reported 135,000 people over two days last year. The event this year is expected to be just as big if not even more massive. The two day festival will have the same basic layout as the past three years, but take up a greater amount of space. Last Year, people complained of the lack of space due to the massive audience.
NORMS Restaurants in Huntington Park is only 6 miles away and can host all of you and your friends’ appetite (or hangover cure). EDC fans can grab the $2 coupon right here on the NORMS Blog and save some cash while eating delicious NORMS food!
Just hit the NORMS Coupon to the right of this post, print and head to NORMS. Make sure to tell all your friends!
For more information, head over to http://www.electricdaisycarnival.com/la/
iPhone 4 release is immanent.
Photo courtesy of apple.com
Apple is prepped to release the newest iPhone 4 and people have already begun lining up across the country. Overall, reviews seems to shine a positive light on the Cupertino based company’s newest device. Engadget, USA Today, and the New York Times have all praised the device.
“Apple has a unique talent for making us want something we never knew we wanted.” – CNET
Hot off the release of the iPad, the iPhone 4 looks to be a success already. With over 600,000 pre orders already taken for the device, this looks like a winner.
So, are you getting one? Let us know on Facebook
World Cup 2010: Yes, USA beat Algeria!
- Landon Donovan, left, celebrates after scoring against Algeria during the USA’s final World Cup group game. Photograph: Brian Snyder/REUTERS
An amazing, dramatic ending to a tense match. For most of the match, there had been no goals. On a few occasions, USA had opportunities to score but could not get past the strong Algerian defense.
It was only in the final overtime minutes that USA was able to score. In the 91st minute, USA player Landon Donovan came seemingly out of nowhere to score a goal the goal!
What does it all Mean?
Without this win, USA would have been at the mercy of England, who would have had to tie Slovenia AND not outscore the US by 2 or more goals.
Basically, USA needed this win. With this win, the US team advances to the Final 16. USA will match against the Runner-up for Group D.
Here’s a breakdown of who is advancing as it stands so far.
2010 FIFA World Cup™: Round of 16 |
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Head into a NORMS near you with your $2 off coupon and celebrate the US Win!
Congrats to the 2010 US Open Champion Graeme McDowell.
Graeme McDowell – “the Russell Crowe of Golf”. This guy is a cool cat—a mans man. Harps back to the time of Hogan, Jones, Palmer and Nicklaus except he is Irish—which is also pretty cool. And he stayed cool as everyone else faded on arguably the toughest golf course on earth—Pebble Beach. Try hitting a fast green the size of a table top from 200 yards out with winds whipping off Monterey Bay. And it was moving to see Tom Kite finish his final Open round, with his son by his side, as his caddy. Just all in a days work on Father’s day at Pebble Beach.
Wow, it doesn’t get any better than that.
Until 2019, (the next US Open held at Pebble Beach) may your beauty and your bite never fade.
World Cup Update
NORM SAYS DON’T MISS THE UNITED STATES PLAY ALGERIA WEDNESDAY 6/23
World Cup 2010 Update: USA ties Slovenia! How can they still advance? What is the US soccer schedule?
On Friday morning, Slovenia, a small european nation shocked the United States in the World Cup 2010. Slovenia went up 2-0 on two first half goals. Tim Howard had a strong game overall, but probably could have stopped the second of the goals. The United States battled back to knot the score at 2 a piece as Landon Donovan carried the team on his back. He almost got an assist on the 3rd goal by Maurice Edu, but it was called back by official Koman Coulibaly.
If the USA has any chance of advancing, it is going to need to start the games quicker. It fell behind against England in the 4th minute…and managed to hold out until the 13th minute against Slovenia. They will need a stronger showing against Algeria. Here’s how they can advance:
The current group C standings have Slovenia with 4 points, USA with 2 points, England with 2 points, and Algeria with 1 point.
-The USA WILL advance with a win against Algeria. They could be first place in group C if England wins by less goals than the USA does or the win by 2 or more goals and Slovenia and England tie. They would be second in group C if Slovenia Wins.
-If they lose, they will be eliminated.
-A tie against Algeria would leave the USA with 3 points and would advance if Slovenia beats England. They would also advance if the England-Slovenia tie score is 1 total goal less than the USA-Algeria score.
Confusing eh? If you’d like to dissect it yourself, here is the breakdown of tiebreakers in World Cup Group Play:
a) greatest number of points obtained in all group matches;
b) goal difference in all group matches;
c) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.
If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings will be determined as follows:
d) greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;
e) goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned;
f) greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned;
g) drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee.
The England-Slovenia game will also be played at 10am Eastern Time on Wednesday June 23rd.
AFTER THE GAMES, BRING YOUR $2.00 OFF NORMS COUPON IN FOR A LATE BREAKFAST OR LUNCH!
Source:
June 21, 2010 06:44 PM EDT from Thomas Mason @ Sports.Gather.Com
For original article http://sports.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978318031
LA LAKERS Parade!
If you missed the LA Lakers Parade, NORMS is bringing it to you! Here are some pics from today’s parade. Go Lakers and let’s get another championship in 2011!
