http://kid.spoonylife.com SpoonyLife fr-FR http://kid.spoonylife.com/agent-bentley-has-a-lot-of-interest-...-does-that-include-the-bears-25867.html If the Bears are looking into the free-agent market for possibilities at guard, it's slim pickings.That is what you would expect in early August when training camp rosters are full.Ruben Brown, the ex-Bear, remains a free agent. He'd expressed interest in continuing his career in the spring but making a move to bring him back could be viewed as an admission of error that the Bears did not work to re-sign him after last season.Then there is ex-Cleveland Brown LeCharles Bentley, who was let go in June. It's hard to say what he could offer. Serious injuries have prevented him from doing much of anything the last two seasons after signing a $36 million, six-year contract in March 2006 to move over from the New Orleans Saints."I'm not making any comment on specific teams,'' Bentley's agent Jon Feinsod said Tuesday afternoon. "But there is a lot of interest right now in LeCharles."Those comments mirror what Feinsod told the Cleveland Plain Dealer three weeks ago. It's been rumored lately that Bentley could be headed to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Feinsod indicated he was aware of the Bears' situation after news broke Tuesday that left guard Terrence Metcalf was scheduled for arthroscopic surgery.Making a play for Bentley doesn't seem like the kind of move the Bears are inclined to make, especially if they are confident Metcalf will be back in a few weeks. Nothing can be ruled out at this point, however, given the state of the left side of the offensive line.*** A major storm before dawn this morning wiped out power to parts of campus at Olivet Nazarene University. High winds blew one set of bleachers clear on to a practice field. It was reported that a stake holding a barrier rope in the ground around the fields flew across the street from campus and punctured a car tire. Practice has been closed to the public this evening because of standing water, among other issues. Many tents on campus were also wrecked.*** We'll Twitter some updates from the practice field later and check back in. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:44:00 GMT http://kid.spoonylife.com/kick-returner-cribbs-asks-cleveland-browns-to-redo-his-contract-25866.html BEREA, Ohio Pro Bowler Joshua Cribbs has made an unexpected return at the Cleveland Browns.Cribbs, one of the NFL's premier special-teams players who took back two kickoffs and a punt for touchdowns last season, said Tuesday his agent has asked the club to restructure the six-year contract extension he signed during the 2006 season.That might be asking a lot since Cribbs, considered the AFC's top return man, still has five years remaining on the deal, which is worth around US$6 million.Following practice, Cribbs said his agent, Peter Schaffer, has approached the Browns about a new contract. Cribbs recently switched agents after being represented by Andre Colona.Last season, Cribbs, 25, who was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Kent State in 2005, was the only player to lead his team in kickoff return yards, punt return yards and special teams tackles. His 1,809 yards on kick returns set a franchise record and were the second most in league history.The breakout season earned him a trip to Hawaii, where he joked with Chicago's Devin Hester about who is the best returner.Hester recently signed a reported four-year, $40-million contract, a deal that didn't go unnoticed by Cribbs."I couldn't help but notice," Cribbs said with a smile. "I was happy for him."He deserved every bit of it. He's a great talent and it's good to see another returner get his pay."Schaffer would not comment specifically on Cribbs' demands or negotiations."We have no public statement at this time," Schaffer said. "Everyone is optimistic and it's Josh's goal to win a Super Bowl with the Browns this year."Cribbs said he doesn't want to be a distraction to the Browns, who have high expectations after going 10-6 last season and barely missing the playoffs. He's letting Schaffer handle talks with the Browns' front office while he prepares for the upcoming season."He's talking to the Browns' management every day and something will happen," he said. "If it don't, I'll still be out here playing football for the Browns, I know that."It's unlikely the Browns would consider re-working Cribbs' deal this soon. They've already given him the extension through 2012 and have other players who are a high priority to sign.Cribbs said he doesn't regret signing the long-term deal so early in his career."I regret a lot of things, but playing for the Cleveland Browns, I don't regret that," he said. "I love playing here. I'm just happy to be out here."Anything that goes on off the field I'm sure my agent will handle, and I'm sure the Browns will put me in a better situation so we can win football games."Cribbs said he would not be bitter if the Browns decided not to tear up his old deal."I'm blessed to be where I am now," he said. "Look where I started out, having nothing."I came in and got a $5,000 signing bonus and I was blessed to have that. I'm too blessed to be stressed." Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:43:00 GMT http://kid.spoonylife.com/exposure-to-agent-orange-linked-to-prostate-cancer-in-vietnam-veterans-25865.html ScienceDaily (Aug. 5, 2008) UC Davis Cancer Center physicians today released results of research showing that Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange have greatly increased risks of prostate cancer and even greater risks of getting the most aggressive form of the disease as compared to those who were not exposed. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:43:00 GMT http://kid.spoonylife.com/burress-agent-discusses-contract-with-giants-25864.html ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) The agent for Plaxico Burress had talks with the New York Giants on Tuesday about getting a new contract for the star wide receiver.Giants general manager Jerry Reese said assistant general manager Kevin Abrams spoke with Drew Rosenhaus.Rosenhaus was at practice Tuesday night at the University at Albany with his brother, Jason.Drew Rosenhaus did not want to comment on the talks while at practice.Walking off the field, Abrams said nothing had changed, but he stood outside the team locker room after practice talking with the Rosenhaus brothers. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:42:00 GMT http://kid.spoonylife.com/commissions-are-negotiablefor-those-who-ask-25863.html The usual 6 percent commission that agents charge sellers has been standard for so long that many homeowners apparently don't realize it's negotiable. But 46 percent of the sellers in our poll attempted to negotiate a lower commission and roughly 71 percent of that group succeeded.RE/MAX and independent agents appeared to be a bit more willing to deal; 77 and 76 percent, respectively, of sellers who tried to negotiate with them were successful. Sixty-seven percent of Century 21, Keller Williams, and Prudential agents also lowered fees, as did 64 percent of the Coldwell Banker agents.We found that paying an agent a lower commission rarely had any effect on the sales price. And readers who paid commissions of 3 percent or less were just as happy with their brokers' performance as those who paid 6 percent or more. People who paid extra, in fact, were more likely to say they had regrets about the selling process. The biggest regret? Nearly one-third said they should have been more assertive in negotiating their agent's fee Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:42:00 GMT http://kid.spoonylife.com/yankees-mets-eye-free-agent-garcia-25862.html ARLINGTON, Texas - The Yankees and Mets were two of the estimated 15 teams that monitored a showcase by free-agent righthander Freddy Garcia yesterday, according to Garcia's agent, Peter Greenberg. Garcia has not pitched all year after shoulder surgery. But he threw in front of about 30 scouts yesterday at the University of Miami, Greenberg said. "We'll see now what the feedback from teams is," Greenberg said by phone. "The next step is to pitch in games." Garcia would like to sign with a team in short order with the aim of joining a big league rotation around Labor Day. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:40:00 GMT http://kid.spoonylife.com/tigers-still-watching-free-agent-pitcher-freddy-garcia-25861.html CHICAGO -- A Tigers official was among those in attendance Tuesday when free-agent right-hander Freddy Garcia threw in a showcase for scouts at the University of Miami. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:40:00 GMT http://kid.spoonylife.com/florida-agent-killed-in-shooting-25860.html A federal agent was fatally shot outside a busy post office in Pembroke Pines after a fight, and dozens of police officers searched the area for the gunman, the police said. The Customs and Border Protection agent died at a Fort Lauderdale hospital, said Sgt. Brian Davis, a police spokesman. The agent, Donald Pettit, 52, was with his young daughter when he was shot, said Carlos Baixauli, a spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:39:00 GMT http://kid.spoonylife.com/man-nabbed-after-wild-scooter-antics-25324.html by Sandra Conchie A Bay man led police on a wild chase from the Tauranga CBD to MountMaunganui after doing wheel-stands on a stolen scooter outsideBurger King. Waterproofer Walter Alexander Perry, 22, pleaded guilty in TaurangaDistrict Court yesterday to careless use of a motor vehicle, threecharges of dangerous driving, two of failing to stop, and one ofunlawfully getting on a motor scooter. Perry, from Mount Maunganui, also admitted two charges of receivingstolen property, relating to receiving copper pipes on July 1 andforklift batteries on July 10 and on-selling them to scrap metaldealers. The court was told that on Sunday night about 11pm, Perry wassitting on a scooter on the footpath outside Burger King onElizabeth St. He began doing wheel stands and a friend held the back of the bikewhile he revved the engine, leaving a 50cm black rubber mark on thefootpath. Another friend of Perry then got on to the back of the scooterwithout a helmet and Perry rode down the footpath and alongDevonport Rd, where he passed another vehicle on a blind corner. Perry rode the scooter through several inner-city Tauranga streets,going through stop signs and red traffic lights, riding on thewrong side of the road, cutting corners and ignoring police signalsfor him to stop. At the intersection with Jean Batten Drive, a police car stopped infront of the oncoming scooter and again signalled for Perry tostop. Perry drove around the patrol car and sped away towards MountMaunganui. He was arrested after he turned into a driveway. He later told police he did not stop because he did not want to geta ticket for having a pillion passenger and drinking and driving.However, he passed a subsequent breath test. The scooter Perry was riding was valued at $2000, and had beentaken from Whakatane on July 2. Perry was remanded on bail, to be sentenced on September 12. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:04:00 GMT http://kid.spoonylife.com/honda-motorcycle-scooter-hmsi-cbf-stunner-25323.html Chennai: Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Private Limited, (HMSI)today unveiled ''CBF Stunner'' in the Indian Motorcycle segment inChennai. Targeted at youth, CBF Stunner's sharp and sporty look willrevolutionize the motorcycle market in the country. With increased choices, today's Indian youth were on the look outfor brands that have a high 'style and attitude' quotient. 'CBF Stunner' inspired by CBR 1000 from Europe aptly fits into thecategory with its design, high performance and style. The bike withits 'high-on-style' features promises to provide its customers anultimate experience of a true Honda bike'', a company release said. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:04:00 GMT http://kid.spoonylife.com/motorized-scooter-stolen-from-woman-in-phoenix-25322.html Click the play button on the video window to the right to see thestory A woman was trying on clothes at a Phoenix Salvation Army ThriftStore when someone stole her motorized scooter. It happened Monday afternoon at the Salvation Army Store located atCentral Avenue and Pima Street. Esther Smith, 63, said she couldn't believe someone would do such athing. "I just sat and cried," said Smith. Smith shares the scooter with her husband. She just happened to beusing by herself on Monday. While Esther can manage to get around without the scooter, herhusband can't. While investigating the crime, Phoenix police officers partneredwith Salvation Army employees and customers to collect money topurchase a near-new scooter that was for sale at the store. "Oh my God, I was so happy," said Smith. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:03:00 GMT http://kid.spoonylife.com/toyota-thinks-small-with-winglet-scooter-25321.html Toyota is thinking small--really small. The Japanese automaker has developed the Winglet, a two-wheeled scooter that rivals the Segway. The Winglet, which Toyota calls a "personal transport assistancerobot," comes in three sizes--small, medium and large. The maximumcruising speed is 3.6 mph. Eagle-eyed visitors to the Tokyo motor show last October would havespotted a pair of Winglets tucked on the back of the Hi-CT conceptcar. At that time, Toyota executives weren't saying much about theWinglet. Now, Toyota says the small version of the Winglet, which standsjust 18 inches tall, is designed to be ridden hands free. Themedium version stands nearly 27 inches tall, while the largeversion (which most closely resembles a Segway) stands 44.5 inchestall. All Winglets use the same base, which houses an electric motor, twowheels and sensors which help keep the thing balanced. The smallWinglet weighs about 22 pounds, while the medium and large Wingletstip the scale at 27 pounds. A full charge on the battery pack should be good for three miles ofcruising on the small Winglet, and six miles on the medium andlarge Winglets. Recharging the battery takes one hour. Toyota says it will start testing the Winglets this fall at anairport near Nagoya, Japan, and at a seaside resort in its homecountry. Next year it plans to put the Winglet to use in a crowdedurban setting--a shopping complex in Yokohama City, Japan. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:03:00 GMT http://kid.spoonylife.com/pensioner-has-scooter-stolen-25320.html The four-wheeled scooter had been left outside the Salvation ArmyHall, in Church Street, Whittlesey, when it was stolen. Police say the incident took place between 3.15pm and 3.45pm onFriday. The scooter is described as dark blue with a metal basket fitted tothe front and a large canvas carrier attached to the rear of thevehicle. A police spokesperson said: SAlthough there are no knownwitnesses, the scene is overlooked and surrounded by many housesfrom which the offender may have been seen. n Anyone with information about the scooter theft is asked to callpolice on 0845 456 4564, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:02:00 GMT http://kid.spoonylife.com/ducati-scooter-stolen-25319.html A red Ducati 50 cc scooter worth $1000 was stolen from the yard ofa home on Swallow Lane in Lusby by unknown suspect(s) sometimebetween 1 a.m. and 10 a.m. on August 1. The scooter has "Froggy" written across the front andblack electrical tape all over the frame. Anyone with informationis asked to contact Dep. J.D. Norton at (410) 535-2800. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:01:00 GMT http://kid.spoonylife.com/move-a-scooter-in-seattle-get-a-fine-25318.html The Seattle City Council has voted to impose a $38 fine on anyone caught moving someoneelse's scooter on the street. The measure passed unanimously Monday. It was proposed afterscooter owners complained that motorists were moving the scootersfrom parking spots on Seattle streets to make room for cars, making the scooters vulnerable todamage and parking tickets. More than 55,000 motorcycles and motor scooters are registered in King County The $38 fine will take effect 30 days after Mayor Greg Nickels signs the measure. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:01:00 GMT