Mike Babcock’s message.

Via Frank

Now available in limited edition print. Details here.

(2009 oil on canvasboard, 12″ x 16″)
All proceeds will go to support the self-sufficient arts in Saskatchewan.

Open thread on the men’s hockey final (and the Olympics in general).

GOLD!!!

The nattering “own the podium” critics seem rather quiet of late… somewhere out there a Husky gas station is missing their flag.
The only thing that could spoil this is if there’s drinking after the game.
Heh – “Where was Iggy?” He left after Russia was eliminated.
Via email;

As you probably have noted I’m a very old man who lives in kelowna B.C. I have family yet in Saskatchewan. Yes, I did do a term as Postmaster, Regina a long time ago.
I, as well as most Canadians swelled with pride through out these Olympic games and my heart was glad and the tears did flow. To experience this euphoric National pride was beautiful.
I want to share with you a glimpse of something else that I saw as these games came to a close.
Since 1968 our land and it’s people have been brow beaten into a submisive quiet, almost too humble a land in which National pride was not only frowned upon, but was ridiculed. That lengthy and undeserved humilty was forced upon us by the intellect and bullying of Pierre Elliot Trudeau and the rest of the so called elite who felt they new best.
Today that era has been put to rest. We have now shed that false and pious humility and can take our place as a proud people who have earned the right to stand tall. For this old guy to have been around to see this change has given me a sense of relief.
To finally say goodbye to Pierre and bury him forever is something I only dreamed about.
God bless our Country and thank you to our Olympians for giving us so much.
Yours truly
Mel W.

Not yet, anyway.

Heh.

From space.

By inebriated request.

When Kai Grundt announced his decision to build the ultimate snowblower from a discarded V8 engine, a friend of his just laughed. So a year later, instead of showing his buddy the finished product, Grundt showed him what it could do….

h/t Allen

h/t Karen P.

Zenyatta to race in 2010

Setting up the horse racing match of the decade.
(Another angle)

Via FNC

As with other news events that generate extensive coverage, I don’t plan to do much coverage of the Haitian earthquake, other than to put this up as an open thread for those who want to discuss it, or link to their own posts in the comments.
The Anchoress has a very good post up for source links and updates, there’s little point in duplicating her excellent efforts here.
Update – a few high-resolution aerial photos taken by the U.S. Coast Guard of the earthquake damage in Haiti.

h/t Jim O.

*

(I actually saw this ad some years ago on tv. I don’t know why the word “layout” is superimposed on this, it’s the only English language version I could find.)

h/t

Reading Eagle, Feb. 28, 1937.

Best wishes to all of you for 2010, and thanks once again to everyone – our guest bloggers, advertisers, sponsors, commentors, readers, and trolls – for helping make 2009 the best ever at SDA.
A few quick links for you, then I’m taking the rest of the day off!
I blame the Finnish for owning so many guns.
Top 20 Quotes of the Decade
Mayo Clinic – meet Tommy Douglas.
Via Stephen Taylor;

Make your own here!