Crist discusses plans for state budget deficit, Democrat politicians embroiled in scandal, Isreali troops push into Gaza, only one soldier dead

Meeting scheduled for those interested in running for SG, Nominations for the 2008-2009 UNF Faculty Awards for Distinguished Professor,

Dear Editor, I am writing this in response to the wire services article printed in the Dec. 3 issue of the Spinnaker, “Universities offer lavish academic centers for student athletes.” The article deemed lavish academic centers necessary for student athletes who might not be intellectually equipped to do university-level work. This article not only carried a bias with it but also misled readers by only acknowledging one viewpoint.

TV 1. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season four might be the best season yet. Featuring episodes like “Who Pooped the Bed?,” “The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis” and season finale “The Nightman Cometh,” the gang from Paddy’s Pub certainly outdid itself. The ability to self-deprecate with dark and always-controversial humor, “It’s Always Sunny” has cemented itself as the funniest show on cable.

George W. Bush, Turkey Bowling? Ol’ Dubya’s at it again ... well, not again; this video actually takes place back in 2000, but it looks more like 1985. Before he was starting wars and ruining the economy, he was apparently throwing groceries at other groceries on some sort of public access show. Not pictured: Dick Cheney shooting at the turkey).

Unlike Christmas songs, which flood malls and living rooms with mediocrity for what seems like months, there are very few New Year’s related songs out there. Of course there’s the classic “Auld Lang Syne,” but it was recorded in the late 1700s. Here’s a few New Year’s songs that weren’t recorded before the Civil War to get 2009 started on the right foot.

HE’S WHAT WE CALL A PRIME SUSPECT A man stole 15 San Antonio Express News vending machines, took them to a motel room to empty out the money, then left. His one mistake: He registered at the motel using...

If pinball is going to come back, to regain rock-opera level cultural primacy rather than more pizza-parlor corner dust, it probably starts with scenes such as this: In the foreground there is a father, petroleum engineer Mark Henderson. “My son’s Joshua,” he said. “He is 11 years old. He’s a pinball wizard out of Plainfield, Ill.” In the background there is Josh, a tall, bespectacled boy, leaning into a pinball game with a NASCAR theme. His look is intent, his chest touching the table’s end, his eyes over the top of the flippers.

In an effort to defeat East Tennessee State University, the UNF women’s basketball team fell short of its goal in a 42-56 loss Jan. 5 at the Memorial Center. The Ospreys still showed improvement in their average point deficit going into their match against ETSU, averaging a 29-point spread after turning the ball more than 29 times and going 0-for-5 past the 3-point line. “I think we did make some improvements, but with the roller coaster ride we as a team have been on, its been a challenge,” said head coach Mary Tappmeyer. “Im happy with the measures we were able to make, but were never happy with a lose.”

After talking to UNF Baseball Coach Dusty Rhodes, one might wonder whether it was Rhodes or UNF that was voted to be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Rhodes, who has served as UNF’s head baseball coach for 21 years, has established a resume that includes work with the Milwaukee Brewers, coaching several Olympic baseball teams for various countries and being a staple of UNF sports. “This honor would have never happened if I wasn’t the coach at the University of North Florida,” Rhodes said. “I can’t thank some of the original members of the Osprey Club and [former athletic director] Tom Healy enough for taking a chance on me. We’ve been lucky enough to have a lot of success. This is a great honor because it is voted on by your peers, and the coaches in this hall of fame are legends.”

Jason Yurgartis Features Editor	Chad Smith Graphic Designer	Rebecca McKinnon Staff Writer	Heather Furey Assistant Sports Editor
Question 1: Will the NHL’s now annual outdoor hockey game help the league bring in more fans in the future?
This is honestly the coolest thing the NHL has ever done. But one novelty game a year isn’t going to save a sport most people in America only watch for the fights.	Yes, I think it will because outdoor events all over the country bring a new type of atmosphere when hockey games are played in untraditional stadiums that host the event.	Depends when and where the league holds it. Being born and raised in Florida, I wouldn’t sit outside that long in the cold.	The only way hockey will bring in more fans is if Vincent Lecavalier, ”the Michael Jordan of Hockey,” plays on every NHL team.

UNF Swimming falls to UNC Willmington The UNF Women’s swimming lost 149-238 against UNC Wilmington Jan. 3 at the UNF Aquatic Center. Senior diver Emily Eisenhower took first in both 1 and three-meter diving. Eisenhower has now recorded at least one first place finish in four consecutive duels and has 18 first place showings. Compiled by Heather Furey.