| Davies and Jeffries in frame as McLeish quits
Billy Davies and Jim Jeffries are the early favourites to replace Alex McLeish after he quit as Scotland manager to take over at Birmingham. The former Motherwell manager who was sacked by Derby County on Monday and ex-Hearts boss have been installed as 4/1 joint favourites by bookmakers Ladbrokes. .
Hidayat, Super Dan on course for HK clash
HONG KONG � Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat and world number one Lin Dan remained on course for a Hong Kong Open badminton quarter-final showdown after crushing wins here yesterday. Lin �Super� Dan dispatched Englishman Andrew Smith 21-17, 21-5 while Hidayat routed China�s Chen Hong 21-11, 21-13 in just 23 minutes in the first round. Hidayat, still in search of his first Super Series title, will play South Korea�s Park Sung Hwan in round two on Thursday while Lin is strong favourite against Shoji Sato of Japan. Hidayat and Lin share badminton�s hottest rivalry, although the famously hot-tempered Indonesian has not beaten his Chinese rival since the 2005 world championship final. �I�m not thinking about Lin Dan yet,� Hidayat shrugged. �We�ll see the day after tomorrow.
Big fish from a small port has Scots in sight
ESKIFJÖRDUR, population 972, is one of Iceland's major fishing towns inclusive of export harbour with direct sailing to Europe. It also markets a fine line in international footballers with ambitions of leading their country to the 2010 World Cup. One is Brondby's Stefan Gislason, another Eggert Jonsson of Hearts. The latter took his international bow aged 19 in Copenhagen's Parken Stadium last week, whilst back home the gathered residents in Eskifjördur's local tavern felt their Omega 3-filled hearts swell with pride. Two local boys in the same Iceland team was indeed cause to pour a Brennivin or two. .
Bulletin readers can help wishes come true
The Baxter Bulletin Christmas Wish program has a mission: To provide a nice Christmas for families with children in need. Donations of toys, clothing and money may be made at the Wish Distribution Center in the former Beuford's Bar-B-Q building in Georgetown Square. The center is open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through Nov. 15 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 20-Dec. 13. .
Dear Santa: Here's what Humboldt kids want for Christmas
Every year, it seems, there's that one toy -- the one all the Saturday-morning commercials are pushing, all the kids are clamoring for and all the parents are elbowing each other to score. But, according to Sydney Knight, an employee at The Toy Box in Henderson Center, there's no runaway favorite this holiday season, no frenzy-inducing, mob-attracting hot item. Or, as she put it, "There's no Tickle Me Elmo." Instead, say local toy store workers, kids are falling back on time-honored favorites -- the kind of classic toys that their parents, or even grandparents, may well have enjoyed. "Pirates are big," said Dawn Craghead, manager of Moon's Play & Learn. "They've always been big, but since the movies, they're even bigger. And science kits. Those are always popular." Toy Box owner Michelle Knight pointed to animal figurines called Safari Adventure Outpost, colorful trucks and tractors made by Wow and a line of fantasy-themed toys, including unicorns, dragons and princesses, from the German company Schleich as their most sought-after items.
GIRLS BASKETBALL PREVIEW: O-K Gold
Things are looking good for this year's Bulldogs. Coming off of a 16-7 season, Byron Center returns four starters, including a couple of four-year and three-year starters. "We have a lot of experience on the varsity this year, and we're returning a lot of talent," said Bulldogs coach Glenn Davis. Headlining the returning players is fourth-year starter Logan Marsh. Marsh, a point guard, sets the tone for the offense with her quickness and ability see the floor in the transition game. Four other seniors also figure to play a big role in things this year for the Bulldogs. Lindsey Karsten and Ashley Wightman, a pair of starting senior forwards, can play down low and run the floor on the break. Lindsi Russo, another senior who comes off the bench, is a lock-down defender.
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