Cyber Monday: Best Deals

Image via CrunchBaseby Farnoosh Torabi

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Black Friday gets all the hype, but Cyber Monday – the Monday following Thanksgiving - is really when retailers cash in. Last year consumers spent $887 million online (excluding travel) on Cyber Monday - $292 million more than on Black Friday, according to a survey by ComScore.


Cyber Monday's history is brief. It was created five years ago by the National Retail Federation to mark the unofficial start to Internet shopping for the holidays. Workers get back to their computers after the holiday weekend and panic about holiday shopping, and retailers offer super-low prices and one-time deals to build momentum and boost sales.


This year the shopping extravaganza falls on November 29, and there is no shortage of deals. Some retailers are even starting before Monday … and boasting Cyber Weekend or Cyber Week-long deals. Here are a few of the best ones we've spotted.

Amazon.com (NasdaqGS: AMZN - News)

• Amazon Shoes: Spend $75, Get 25 percent off; Spend $150, Get 30 percent off (some restrictions apply)

• Swiss Legend men's Commander Collection watch: $49.99 (list price: $595)

• Panasonic (NYSE: PC - News) S50 Camcorder: $149 (list price: $229)

• Save 30 percent to 50 percent on select Fisher Price toys

BestBuy.com (NYSE: BBY - News)

• 2-Day Web Special: Panasonic - VIERA / 65" Class / 1080p / 600Hz / Plasma HDTV for $1,799.99, a savings of $1,400.

GameStop.com (NYSE: GME - News)

• Free shipping for orders over $25

• Get a $25 gift card if you order Band Hero, DJ Hero or Tony Hawk: Ride for Xbox 360, PS3 or Wii, or The Bourne Conspiracy for Xbox 360.

• Save $15 to $30 on select EA titles, like Dead Space: Extraction, MySims Agents, Spore Hero, Need for Speed: Nitro, EA Sports Active and EA Sports Active: More Workouts for Wii; or The Sims 3 and The Sims 3: World Adventures Expansion Pack for PC.

• Take 50% off 50 select download titles.

Macys.com (NYSE: M - News)

• Dyson DC14 All-Floors Vacuum $279.97 (Reg. $450)

• 24-Piece Room in a Bag $99.99 (Reg. $400 - $450)

• 14k White gold aquamarine (1-1/3 ct. t.w.) & diamond accent ring $199 (Reg. $600)

• Kenneth Cole (NYSE: KCP - News) Reaction Pea Coat $69.99 (Reg. $225)

• Buy one, get one free for select women's sweaters

BarnesAndNoble.com (NYSE: BKS - News)

• Barnes & Noble Members: 25 percent off one item.

• Non-Members: Free shipping on all orders.

• Bestsellers: Buy one and get your second book for 50 percent off

• Children's books: 40 percent off popular children's picture books.

• Toys & games: Save $5 on any $10 toy purchase.

• Select DVD and Blu-Ray hits up to 80 percent off.

JCPenney.com (NYSE: JCP - News)

• For women: boots, $29.99; St. John's Bay cashmere-blend pea coat, $49.88; and 1/2 ct. t.w. diamond circle earrings, $79.99

• For men: slippers, $13.99; Stafford soft touch robe, $19.88; and athletic shoes from Nike, New Balance, ASICS, Reebok and Adidas, $38.99

• Cozy fleece for toddlers and kids, $4.88; and character sleepwear for $7.88

• The Original Arizona Jean Co. Young Men's fashion jeans, $17.88

• Seventeen Natasha twin comforter set, $79.88.

• 60 percent off lighting and wall decor and 50-60% off entire stock of furniture.

• 30 percent off entire stock of video games

• Old-fashioned popcorn cart, $99.88 after rebate.

[See Top Cyber Monday Holiday Shopping Deals]

Sears.com (NasdaqGS: SHLD - News)

• The retailer is offering Cyber Monday starting now

• Free shipping code: Santa

• Samsung (KSE: 005930.KS - News) 32-inch 720p LCD HDTV Energy Star for $329.99 (regularly $443.99)

• $16.99 women's sweaters

ATT.com (NYSE: T - News)

• Offering a different smart phone for one penny every three hours.

ToysRUs.com

• Buy one, get one 50 percent off on Imaginarium and Nerf toys

• Free Box of 120-count crayons (10.99 value) with $25 Crayola purchase

Staples.com (NasdaqGS: SPLS - News)

• Cyber Monday sales starts Sunday at 6am and runs through Monday. Staples provides free shipping on orders over $50.

• TOM TOM XXL 540S Portable GPS: $79.99 (Regular Price $199.99)

• Kingston 8GB DataTraveler 101 Generation 2 USB Flash Drive: $9.99 (Regular Price: $34.99)

• Western Digital Elements 2TB External Hard Drive: $69.99 (Regular Price $159.99)

Walmart.com (NasdaqGS: WMT - News)

• Cyber Monday sales are a part of Wal-Mart's Cyber Week event, beginning on Sunday and lasting through Dec. 3. Almost all items include free shipping to a home or to a store.

• Philips 8GB Vibe MP3 Video Player: $39.98

• Garmin Nuvi 295W 3.5" Portable GPS: $89

• Viore 24" Class LED-LCD HDTV: $199

• HP Mini 210 Netbook PC: $318

• Sony PlayStation 3 Entertainment Value Bundle: $388

• Element 42" Class LED-LCD HDTV: $499

• HP 17.3" DV7 Laptop PC: $578

• Hot Wheels Turbo Town Mega Garage Playset: $29

• VTech MobiGo Touch Learning Game Bundle: $49.97

• FujiFilm Digital Camera Bundle: $89

• Kodak Easyshare Digital Camera: $199

• Personalized Photo Christmas Stockings with a bonus stocking holder: $10

No. 22 Florida State takes 31-7 win over Florida

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeBy BRENT KALLESTAD

Everything went perfectly for Florida State on Saturday.


The 22nd-ranked Seminoles not only put the brakes on a six-year losing streak against archrival Florida with a 31-7 victory, they also slipped into next week's Atlantic Coast Conference championship game with a big boost from Maryland.

The Terrapins beat North Carolina State 38-31 to keep the Wolfpack from clinching the division.

Florida State players were already celebrating what turned out to be a relatively easy win over the Gators and the locker room got even noisier when the verdict came in from College Park, Md.

Christian Ponder threw for 221 yards and three touchdowns in his final game at home and Jimbo Fisher finished with a 9-3 regular season record in his first season as a head coach.

Ponder connected with Rodney Smith (39 yards), Taiwan Easterling (15) and Willie Haulstead (29) on TD passes.

The Seminoles (6-2 ACC) put the game away with a 21-point second quarter, getting three touchdowns in just over nine minutes to take a 24-7 halftime lead.

Florida (7-5, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) capped its worst regular season under Urban Meyer with its first loss to FSU since Meyer took over in Gainesville in 2005.

Meyer's dominance against Florida State was one of the major reasons Bobby Bowden was forced out last season as coach and Fisher promoted from offensive coordinator/coach-in-waiting.

The Gators were awful Saturday, committing four turnovers and scoring only on their opening drive. John Brantley's 21-yard touchdown to Robert Clark was set up by Anre DuBose's 62-yard kickoff return.

Florida had won the last three in the series by an average of 30 points. The Seminoles' 24-point winning margin was its largest over Florida since a 52-17 victory in 1988.

Florida State's 9-3 finish is its best since 2003, the last time the Seminoles beat the Gators.

But things had mostly gone downhill since.

Fisher, 45, was elevated to the head coach two days after last year's 37-10 loss in Gainesville, sending the 80-year-old Bowden into retirement at least a year before he wanted.

And while there was no Bowden on Florida State's sideline Saturday, there was also no Tim Tebow for Florida. Tebow had put up prolific performances against Florida State but his successors _ all three of them _ were ineffective with Brantley managing to throw for 52 of Florida's paltry 64 passing yards.

Florida hadn't lost five games in a season since 2004, former coach Ron Zook's last at the school and it was the first time in 10 years as a head coach that Urban Meyer has seen one of his teams lose five times. It was also the second worst beating a Florida team has suffered under Meyer, surpassed only by a 31-6 loss to Alabama earlier this year.

Although the game was nearly even statistically, Florida was unable to overcome its mistakes and couldn't get its offense untracked.

The Gators drove deep into Seminoles territory just before half, but the drive ended with 55 seconds left when Florida State's Mike Harris cut in front of the intended receiver for an interception at the 7.

Nothing worked for the Gators, who lost three fumbles in the first half and were stopped short on a fake punt.

Meyer gambled on fourth-and-5 from his own 36 early in the second quarter when Chas Henry was tackled a yard short of a first down.

Ponder lofted a 39-yard touchdown pass to Smith on the next play to give Florida State a 17-7 lead, just 81 seconds after Lonnie Pryor's 9-yard touchdown run gave the Seminoles the lead at 10-7. Dustin Hopkins' 38-yard field goal gave Florida State an early 3-0 lead.

..Posted in AP on Saturday, November 27, 2010 7:43 pm

Deep Fried Turkey Recipe

Image via Wikipedia

Before you prepare your turkey for deep fried turkey, make sure you read your manual that came with your turkey fryer. Make sure your follow the following turkey frying rules:


Allow your turkey to thaw completely! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! This is what causes all those horrible grease fires you see on TV.

Never, never insert a frozen turkey or partially frozen turkey into hot oil.

Always test your turkey fryer thermometer before you attempt to fry your turkey. We suggest testing your turkey fryer thermometer several weeks before you plan on frying a deep fried turkey. Many times you find that water has gotten into the thermometer, someone stepped on it or you had to use it as a door opener (when your kids locked the door on accident. . . speaking from experience).

BASIC COOKING RULES: When frying a deep fried turkey, you cook it 3 1/2 minutes per pound at 350°F. For a crispier skin, add an extra five minutes to your frying time. For best results, fry a 16 pound turkey or less. If frying a bigger turkey, you'll end up with turkey jerky for the legs and wings by the time you get the breast done. Our family fries two 12 pound turkeys, marinating each turkey with a different marinade. This way, unless you were given the turkey, you have a better chance of getting awesome results.

Preparation - Getting your turkey ready for turkey frying is an easy task. Just a few steps and your ready to start frying!!

One step that most turkey frying people forget . . . VERY IMPORTANT . . .DON'T FORGET! Start by taking your wrapped turkey (sitting up, not laying down) and set it in your turkey fryer. Fill the pot with WATER until your turkey is covered plus add an extra inch. Take the turkey out of the water. Mark the line with a marker or crayon. This is your oil line. Make sure you do not fill your pot with any more oil than needed.

Clean and dry your turkey on the inside and out. Remove the giblets and neck. ("You don't know how many phone calls we get from people that left the giblets in their turkey!! What a mess!!") Most people tell you to trim away all excess fat and skin, however, our family LOVES the skin. We keep it on the turkey for them. Make sure the opening around the neck cavity on your turkey is wide and clear.

Make a 1 inch cut in the skin at the leg/thigh joints in your turkey. This allows the oil to drain from your turkey when it is done.


Rub your turkey with seasonings. ("Some people use a poultry seasoning. We use Cajun seasonings. Don't worry, our cajun seasonings aren't "hot" like most people think. It has more flavor . . . enough flavor that'll make you chase your family around the kitchen with a spatula because they won't keep their hands of our turkey's skin. Try here for the seasonings: Cajun Seasonings")

For more flavor, inject your turkey using your favorite marinade. Inject the marinade into your turkey at various points on the breast, thighs, and drumstick. When you stick the turkey with your marinade injector (Which we carry! ), don't bring the needle all the way out. Try to stick it a few times going each direction. The less holes you make, the better. (Our best sellers in marinades are creole butter marinade, creole garlic, roasted garlic and herb and cajun hot n' spicy.) Although, we'd love for you to try our turkey frying marinades, you may also use your favorite beer, wine, or sherry mixed with worchestershire. The results were great when we tried them, but we like our turkey frying marinades better. Another hint. . . you can mix a little orange juice in your marinade. It acts as a meat tenderizer.

Place turkey upside down on poultry rack (the disk thingy with the long thingy coming out of it . . . can you describe it better??) with legs facing up. Don't forget, your turkey's leg should be facing up.

Pour your peanut oil into your turkey fryer pot and attach thermometer to the top edge, making sure the stem of the thermometer is in the oil at least one inch... very important!

Put your turkey fryer pot on top of your turkey fryer burner. Fill your turkey fryer with your peanut oil up to the oil line (the one you marked with a marker or crayon). Follow your turkey fryer burner's instructions and light your gas cooker and set your turkey fryer burner at a low flame. Heat your oil to 350°F. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR FRYER UNATTENDED. Depending on the amount of oil used, weather conditions and the BTUs of your burner, this might take anywhere from 15 - 30 minutes. Optimum frying temperature is 350°F. When turkey frying oil reaches 350°F, reduce heat by turning regulator valve. Attach the turkey frying grab hook to the top loop of the rack. Wearing gloves (we've got them too!!), very slowly & carefully lower poultry into your turkey fryer pot. It may take 60-90 seconds to completely lower poultry into the oil! (Don't drop it, don't chunk it. The turkey fryer oil is going to bubble and pop. . . Again, DO NOT drop the turkey into the oil! This could cause a boil-over resulting in a serious grease fire! Remember ...slowly...lower the turkey into the oil. Turn your turkey fryer burner up to return to 350°F. After cooking temperature is achieved, reduce the flame in order to maintain a constant temperature while cooking. (We do have this new item called the Sentury Temperature Control Valve that make maintaining your oil's temperature much easier.)

Meanwhile . . . lay some newspaper down on a large pizza pan. Basically, the idea is that you'll need something to sit your turkey fryer rack on once your turkey is done. Don't wait until it is done to do this. You'll be stuck without hands!!

(Just in case. . . . again . . . )

WARNING:

When your turkey is lowered into hot oil, it will cause the oil to splatter from a furious boil.

This can cause severe burns; therefore, we recommended wearing gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes and safety goggles.

After passing 450°F, cooking oil can heat up rapidly to its flashpoint of spontaneous combustion, which is a serious grease fire! Therefore, never leave cooker unattended!

Control turkey frying temperature by turning the valve on the hose & regulator assembly. Constantly monitor your turkey frying oil with your thermometer! When your turkey is done, turn your turkey fryer burner off at the tank. Leaving pot on cooker, place your grab hook through top loop of the rack and very carefully remove rack with turkey from pot. Surely you follow directions well . . . so . . . place your turkey fryer rack with turkey on your pan with the newspaper on it (or absorbent material). Once your turkey has drained, carefully remove turkey from rack and place on your platter. This is going to take a few hands and a little tugging and pulling. We haven't found a graceful way to do this yet. :)

In case you didn't catch it the first time . . . because we care and don't want to see you in one of those insurance commercials . . . WARNINGS WORTH REPEATING . . .

Make sure turkey is completely thawed!

Do Not insert frozen or partially frozen turkey into hot oil!

Slowly lower poultry into the hot oil. This may take 60 to 90 seconds.

Do Not DROP poultry into the hot oil!

Cooking must be monitored at all times. Do not permit cooking temperature to exceed 350°F.

Do Not leave pot and cooker unattended! Always monitor the thermometer!

Always test thermometer prior to cooking! (Weeks before in case you need a new one.)

DO NOT use lid when frying. Use lid only when the pot is being used for other types of cooking such as boiling soups, stews, gumbos; or steaming vegetables and seafood.

Your turkey fryer will get very hot. DO NOT touch! Keep children and pets at a safe distance while cooking and afterwards during the cool down period.

Allow at least 2 hours for the oil to cool down before handling or cleanup.

After turkey is completely in the oil, remove grab hook from rack.

Inserting the poultry will reduce the temperature of the oil. Slowly increase the heat so that the temperature of the oil will come back to 325-350°F This will take several minutes.

Monitor the thermometer to maintain this temperature.

Oh, we get asked this all the time. . . unless you have an electric turkey fryer. . . USE YOUR TURKEY FRYER OUTDOORS. DO NOT USE PROPANE BURNERS INDOORS!!

Pensacola's Bellview Packers Meet Up In Playoffs

Jason Hawthorne
jbhawthorne.blogspot.com

Pensacola's Bellview Packers two mini might teams talent shows, by their meeting in the playoffs.  On Saturday, November 20th at A & G Field both Bellview Packers teams played a hard fought game to the end. The final score was 12 -6, which means that only one team got to advance.  Only one team advanced, but both teams are winners for giving a  hard fought effort to the last siren regardless of the final score.  The green Bellview team  trailed 12-0 for most of the game but were able to make a hard come back at the end of the first half till the last siren.  The green team's long run tied the game up at the end, but the 6 points to tie the game was taken off of the clock by a controversial clip call at the end of the game.  Without this tough call, the game could have had a different ending.  However, one call or player can't decide the whole game.  Many other events in the game caused the final score to be 12-6.  Everyone has to be able to celebrate victory as a team and also defeat as a whole team.  The whole game can't be taken out on one play or call.   That's one of the worst feelings in the world, watching the opposing team celebrate at the end of a close game.   Especially after a call that takes points off of the board. There's always another season whether you're a player, parent, or fan.

 

 

Bulldogs fall to Pine Forest

November 20, 2010 2:30 AM

Randy Dickson
randyd@crestviewbulletin.com

PENSACOLA – There’s no doubt about it, Pine Forest senior quarterback Louchiez Purifoy is as good as advertised.

Purifoy, who has committed to play at Florida next year, piled up more than 300 all-purpose yards and scored four touchdowns as the Eagles cruised to a 42-6 win over Crestview in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.

“Our kids gave great effort tonight,” Bulldog coach Matt Brunson said. “And Pine Forest has a pretty good football team just like we thought.

“Our kids to where we were sitting at 2-3 and to have a great four-week span and almost come out as district champions. I’m very proud of the character of this bunch and the way they stayed together and kept playing hard.”

The talented senior scored on runs of 99 yards, seven yards, and 10 yards. For good measure he also returned a punt 25 yards for a touchdown.

Purifoy showed off his speed early on returning the games opening kick deep into Bulldog territory, but a penalty stalled the open drive as the Bulldog (7-4) got the ball.

The rest of the night pretty much belonged to the Eagles.

An Anthony Boyd field goal from 26 yards out gave Pine Forest (9-2) the lead and the Eagles never looked back.

On Crestview’s second possession of the night the Bulldogs managed to drive deep inside Pine Forest territory. But on a fourth-and-1 Crestview couldn’t punch the ball into the end zone from the Eagle 1-yard line.

Purifoy then broke out of the pack on a quarterback sneak and then outran the Bulldog defense for a 99-yard score with 8:53 left in the half.

A bad snap on a Bulldog punt attempt ended in a safety as things continued to snowball on the Bulldogs.

Purifoy scored two more times in the second quarter as Pine Forest led 26-0 at the half.

Purifoy was at it again early in the third quarter with his punt return for a score.

When Bulldog quarterback Garrett Teal was sacked in the end zone the Eagles were up 35-0.

The Pine Forest backups got in on the act scoring the final Eagle touchdown on a 26-yard pass.

Although the game had long been decided the Bulldogs continued to fight.

With time running out Teal teamed up with B.J. McClure on a 23-yard touchdown pass as the Bulldogs avoided the shutout.

“I guess that’s a good one to go out on,” Teal said of his touchdown toss. “It was one of those nights. Anything that could have gone wrong, it did, but it was nice to go out on a score.”

The Pine Forest defense was a perfect compliment to the Eagle offense holding the Bulldogs to 67 yards in total offense.

Al Caldwell had 16 yards rushing and 11 yards in receiving.

McClure finished with 23 yards receiving and Teal had 54 yards passing.

Next year Caldwell will be playing at the Naval Academy, but he knows it won’t be the same as his days at Crestview as he savored his last moments as a Bulldog football player.

“Even though we lost this was the most fun I’ve ever had,” he said. “This was the most fun game I’ve ever played in. I’ve played with these guys 11 years since I was seven years old, and I’m never going to get to do that again.

“I don’t care if I am going to get to go play college football. For those guys who won’t get to play it is best of all that we turned it around after the Navarre game. We made to playoffs when people didn’t even think we could win.”

Wal-Mart's Black Friday 2010 ad: Electronics top deals

By Parija Kavilanz



 NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Wal-Mart's highly awaited Black Friday ad promises hot deals on high-definition TVs, Blu-ray players, laptops and holiday gift favorites such as toys and DVDs, according to a copy of the retailer's circular obtained by CNNMoney.com on Saturday.


The world's largest retailer promised last month that it would do whatever was necessary to be the most competitive on prices during the year-end holiday shopping season.

A quick look through Wal-Mart's circular shows that the discounter is ready to take on its rivals, especially in the key electronics and toys categories.


According to the circular, Wal-Mart will unveil some Black Friday deals in stores on midnight -- while other, juicier "doorbuster" bargains will be available while supplies last from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

A company spokesman confirmed that most Wal-Mart stores will open at midnight that day.

"Customers can avoid standing in the cold waiting for stores to open and get an early jump on the season's best savings," he said. The early sales will focus in items like toys, pajamas, and small kitchen appliances, with the electronics and HDTV deals kicking in at 5 a.m., he said.

Among the doorbuster deals the circular advertises: the 32-inch Emerson 720p LCD HDTV for $198; 42-inch Emerson 1080p LCD HDTV for $398; 42-inch LG 1080p LCD HDTV for $478; Magnavox Wi-Fi Blu-ray player (with a $10 credit for on-demand movie service Vudu) for $68; 8GB iPod Touch for $225, plus a $50 Wal-Mart gift card; Kodak C183 14-megapixel 3-inch LCD digital camera for $59; and an HP 15.6-inch 250 GB harddrive laptop for $298.

Doorbusters also include $7 and $8 videogames, more than 90 DVD movie titles for $1.96, and Blu-ray disc movies for $5 and $10.

Other deals that kick off at midnight on Black Friday include Zhu Zhu Pet toy hamsters for $4 each, $5 Barbie dolls, children's clothes for $4, Rival brand slow cookers and handmixers for $2.97, Hamilton Beach slow cookers and coffeemakers for $9.97 each, and Oster Electric griddles or waffle makers also priced at $9.97 each.

Additionally, deals available only on Saturday include Sony's 46-inch 1080p LCD HDTV for $698.

Last week, Wal-Mart signaled its intention to be very aggressive with its holiday strategy by announcing free online shipping on 60,000 holiday items with no minimum purchase required -- a significant move likely to rattle its competitors in the crucial year-end sales race to Christmas.


These gimmicks aren't entirely surprising, given that Wal-Mart has struggled to lift sales at its discount stores this year and has even lost market share to other value-priced and dollar store competitors. The crucial November-December period can account for 50% or more of retailers' sales and profit for the full year.

Wal-Mart executives recently expressed a sense of urgency about upping the ante to ensure that the retailer is highly competitive in the run-up to Christmas.

Wal-Mart U.S. head Bill Simon said Wal-Mart's holiday strategy will place heavy emphasis on toys and electronics.

"Customers will see our offerings and be very happy," he said. The company recently rolled out Apple's (AAPL, Fortune 500) iPad into about 2,500 Wal-Mart stores.

Sam's Club executives also said the iPad would be in Sam's Club locations over the holidays.

Wal-Mart (WMT, Fortune 500) is also setting up a "Santa's gift shop" display in its stores to showcase the hottest holiday toys, Simon said.

Activision: Black Ops sets new day one sales record

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeby  Mike Smith

Call of Duty: Black Ops isn't just a hit with critics: it's a huge success with consumers too, according to preliminary sales figures from publisher Activision.


And when they say huge, they mean huuuuuuge. The Cold War-themed shooter sold 5.6 million copies during its first 24 hours across North America and the UK, generating an estimated $360 million in sales.

If Activision's projections prove accurate, it'll make Black Ops the biggest entertainment launch of all time, beating the record set by the previous Call of Duty game, Modern Warfare 2, this same time last year.

"There has never been another entertainment franchise that has set opening day records for two consecutive years and we are on track to outperform last year's five-day global sales record of $550 million," said Activision CEO Bobby Kotick. "The game's success underscores the pop culture appeal of the brand."

Thanks to that popular appeal (and, of course, their comparatively hefty $60 face price), video games are increasingly squeezing out books, DVDs, and movies in the big-launch stakes. Even massive movie theater hits like The Dark Knight or Toy Story 3 only manage around $100 million in box office sales across their domestic opening weekend -- and although the finale in the Harry Potter series of novels, Deathly Hallows, sold 11 million copies in the U.S. and UK on its launch day, it still can't match Black Ops dollar-for-dollar.

Good news for Activision and its shareholders, then -- but appropriately for Veterans Day, it's good news for U.S. soldiers, too. Kotick also announced today that $1 million of Black Ops' record-breaking take will be destined for the Call of Duty Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Activision which aims to help veterans transition into civilian jobs.

Mystery Missile Launch Seen off Calif. Coast

(CBS) A mysterious missile launch off the southern California coast was caught by CBS affiliate KCBS's cameras Monday night, and officials are staying tight-lipped over the nature of the projectile.

CBS station KFMB put in calls to the Navy and Air Force Monday night about the striking launch off the coast of Los Angeles, which was easily visible from the coast, but the military has said nothing about the launch.

KFMB showed video of the apparent missile to former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Robert Ellsworth, who is also a former Deputy Secretary of Defense, to get his thoughts.

Scroll down for KFMB video showing the launch.

"It's spectacular… It takes people's breath away," said Ellsworth, calling the projectile, "a big missile".

Magnificent images were captured by the KCBS news helicopter in L.A. around sunset Monday evening. The location of the missile was about 35 miles out to sea, west of L.A. and north of Catalina Island.

A Navy spokesperson told KFMB it wasn't their missile. He said there was no Navy activity reported in the area Monday evening.

On Friday night, Vandenberg Air Force Base, in California, launched a Delta II rocket, carrying an Italian satellite into orbit, but a sergeant at the base told KFMB there had been no launches since then.

Ellsworth urged American to wait for definitive answers to come from the military.

When asked, however, what he thought it might be, the former ambassador said it could possibly have been a missile test timed as a demonstration of American military might as President Obama tours Asia.

"It could be a test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine … to demonstrate, mainly to Asia, that we can do that," speculated Ellsworth.

Ellsworth said such tests were carried out in the Atlantic to demonstrate America's power to the Soviets, when there was a Soviet Union, but he doesn't believe an ICBM has previously been tested by the U.S. over the Pacific.

Officially, at least, the projectile remains a mystery missile.

©MMX, CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved.

Dwyane Wade passes on final shot as Heat lose to unbeaten Hornets

Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS -- If all Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets had done was race to a franchise-best 5-0 start, that would be surprising enough.

Doing it with a rookie coach one season after missing the playoffs, and beating the Miami Heat's All-Star trio in the process adds a little more sizzle to their hot start.

"We just got to keep playing, man. I'm not surprised just because we're all professionals," Paul said. "It doesn't matter what it looks like on paper, you just have to go out and play the game and that's what we're doing."

Emeka Okafor evoked memories of his dominant college days at Connecticut with a season-high 26 points and 13 rebounds, Paul had 13 points, 19 assists and five steals, and New Orleans held on for a 96-93 victory over Miami on Friday night.

"Mek was outstanding tonight," Paul said. "Every time he stepped out on the court, he played with a lot of passion and I think when he gets going, we all feed off of him. He just played a great game."

Paul's ability to dribble through traffic and distract defenders helped him get the ball to Okafor for a couple dunks, one on an alley-oop. But Okafor did a lot of his own work while going 12 of 13 from the field, spinning into the lane for a jump hook and tipping in one of Paul's misses.

Okafor credited teammates for getting him involved in the offense early.

"That's important. It gets you going, gives you energy," Okafor said. "When you're involved in the offense and you're getting that ball, you just feel more engaged and all of a sudden your rhythm's up, your legs have more spring."

David West added 15 points, including crucial free throws with 7.2 seconds to go after Chris Bosh's 3 had pulled Miami within 94-93. Dwyane Wade then gave up a potential tying 3-point attempt and passed to Eddie House, whose shot rimmed out in the final seconds.

"He got a great look," Wade said of House, a 3-point specialist. "We'd live with that shot every game if we had to. He's a great shooter. Unfortunately it just didn't go in."

Miami did not take its first lead until LeBron James' free throws made it 90-89 with 59.8 seconds left, but the Hornets responded with Marco Belinelli's free throws, and then Trevor Ariza's 3.

"One thing we have to continue to learn, that every time we step out on the basketball court, no matter who we're going against, we can't just show up, you know, because we have this uniform on, because we have who we have on the court," James said. "We have to play and it's not about Xs and Os, it's about the energy level.

"We know we can still make a comeback because of the talent that we have, but teams are always going to be excited to play us," James continued. "If we don't match that effort early, then it's always an uphill battle throughout the whole game and that's what it was."

Wade led all scorers with 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. He scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, and went 13 of 13 from the foul line.

New Orleans led 86-79 inside the final five minutes when Wade ignited Miami's late surge with a 3. He then drew Belinelli into a foul on another 3-point attempt and made all three free throws to cut it to 86-85.

Paul set up Okafor for a basket inside, and the Hornets appeared ready to put it away when Paul used a crossover dribble to create space and drove in for an apparent floater off the glass. However, officials called Paul for a charge and then Paul's animated response drew a technical foul.

Soon after, James, who had 20 points and 10 assists, finally put Miami in the lead, and it appeared that the dream start of first-year Hornets coach Monty Williams was about to end.

Paul and Co. had other ideas.

"It's nice to be part of a group who plays hard every night," Williams said. "Different guys are stepping up. ... The start is great, but we are going to win a lot of games if we play defense like that."

New Orleans shot 49 percent while holding Miami to 42 percent. Ariza finished with 13 points for New Orleans and reserve Jason Smith had 12.

Bosh had 15 points for Miami and Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 10. The loss meant James played more than 41 fruitless minutes and Wade 40, one night before they were scheduled to play again at home against New Jersey.

Game notes

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeJames said before the game that he had seen Cleveland's mock version of his Nike "What should I do" ad campaign. He offered only a brief, unemotional assessment: "It was all right. They could have done a better job." ... The Hornets also mocked James' made-for-TV "Decision" segment, only with the decision being made by mascot Hugo the Hornet. With Fletcher Mackel, sports anchor for NBC affiliate WDSU-TV, handling the interview, it played on the arena's large video board to mild laughter. ... Attendance was announced as an overflow sellout of 17,988, and the crowd included Saints players Drew Brees, Darren Sharper and Tracy Porter, as well as rap artist Lil Wayne, who was released from jail this week.

Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

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Tennessee Titans claim Randy Moss off waivers

Image via WikipediaBy Chris Chase


Despite his lack of production, boorish behavior and the fact that his on- and off-field antics forced two teams to part ways with him in the span of 26 days, Moss was deemed an acceptable risk for Jeff Fisher and the Titans, who claimed the receiver off waivers late Wednesday afternoon. Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean was first to report the news.


Tennessee was No. 22 on the NFL's waiver order (which goes from worst record to best), meaning 21 other teams passed on the chance to bring Moss onto their team.

In Tennessee, Moss will join Vince Young(notes) and a decimated receiving corps that just lost last week's breakout star, Kenny Britt(notes), to a minor injury. The Titans will pick up the remainder of Moss' $6.4 million contract, which expires at the end of the year.

Moss was cut on Monday by the Vikings after a tumultuous weekend that began with him insulting a restaurant owner during a team meal. In Sunday's loss to his former team, the New England Patriots, Moss quit on a play and then blasted coach Brad Childress in a bizarre, postgame press conference. The decision to waive him was made hours later, while Moss was still in Boston after reportedly demanding that he be allowed to stay in the city following the game.

After his release, Moss was placed on waivers, where teams ranked in order of worst record had a chance to make a claim. Because he's viewed as a short-term rental, not a long-term investment, Moss was bypassed by teams with first dibs on him. The belief: There's no upside in bringing Moss to a rebuilding project. (This could explain why the St. Louis Rams, a team considered to be favored to land Moss, passed on him. Why ruin everything Steve Spagnuolo has spent the past two years building?)

His upside made him hard to resist for a team with playoff aspirations and a solid organizational structure like the Titans. It was always believed that the team willing to gamble on Moss would have to have a strong head coach, and there are few head coaches in the league better suited to handle a diva like Moss than Jeff Fisher.

The Titans have a bye this week. Moss should make his debut with the team in Miami on Nov. 14.

Giants win World Series behind Lincecum, Renteria

Image via WikipediaBy BEN WALKER, AP Baseball Writer Ben Walker, Ap Baseball Writer – 5 mins ago


ARLINGTON, Texas – The prize that eluded Willie and Barry at long last belongs to the San Francisco Giants, thanks to a band of self-described castoffs and misfits and their shaggy-haired ace.

Tim Lincecum, Edgar Renteria and the Giants won the World Series on Monday night, beating the Texas Rangers 3-1 in a tense Game 5 and taking the trophy home to the city by the Bay for the first time.

It was an overdue victory — the Giants last wore the crown in 1954, four years before they moved West. So much for a franchise that never quite got it done in October despite the likes of baseball giants Willie Mays, Barry Bonds and Juan Marichal. It's November, and now new stars stand tall in San Francisco.

"This buried a lot of bones — '62, '89, 2002," Giants general manager Brian Sabean said, ticking off losing Series appearances. "This group deserved it, faithful from the beginning. We're proud and humbled by the achievement."

Lincecum outdueled Cliff Lee in an every-pitch-matters matchup that was scoreless until Renteria earned the Series MVP award by hitting a stunning three-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning. Nelson Cruz homered in the bottom half, but Lincecum returned to his wicked self and preserved the lead.

Lincecum won this game of Texas Hold 'em, beating Lee for the second time in a week. The two-time NL Cy Young winner gave up three hits over eight innings and struck out 10.

Brian Wilson closed for a save, completing a surprising romp through the postseason for a pitching-rich team that waited until the final day to clinch a playoff spot.

Manager Bruce Bochy enjoys calling his Giants a ragtag bunch. Maybe Renteria, Cody Ross, Aubrey Huff and Freddy Sanchez fit that description. Cut loose by other clubs this season and before, they all wound up in San Francisco.

But the foundation of this team — for now, for the foreseeable future — is totally home grown, built on a deep, talented and young rotation, a rookie catcher named Buster Posey with huge star potential and their bearded closer.

"They did all right," Bochy said. "I couldn't be prouder of a group. They played with heart and determination. They weren't going to be denied. My staff, they accepted their roles and had only one mission."

Renteria reprised his role of postseason star. His 11th-inning single ended Game 7 of the 1997 World Series and lifted Florida over Cleveland. Forget that he made the last out in the 2004 Series that finished Boston's sweep of St. Louis — this journeyman's path led to another title, helped by his go-ahead home run in Game 2.

"It was a tough year for me," the oft-injured shortstop said. "I told myself to keep working hard and keep in shape because something is going to be good this year."

A team seemingly free of egos did everything right to take the lead. Ross, the surprising MVP of the NL championship series, stayed square and hit a leadoff single and Juan Uribe followed with another hit up the middle.

That put a runner at second base for the first time in the game and brought up Huff, who led the Giants in home runs this year. So what did he do? He expertly put down the first sacrifice bunt of his career.

Lee struck out Pat Burrell to keep the runners put, but Ross began hopping home as soon as Renteria connected, sending a drive that kept sailing and landed over the left-center field wall.

And just like that, all the Giants' past troubles seemed like ancient history.

Bonds, Mays and several other former San Francisco stars are still a part of the Giants family.

Bonds got a hallowed home-run record, but questions persist about alleged steroids use. He visited the Giants clubhouse during the Series and got a big hand from fans when he took his seat at AT&T Park.

His godfather, the 79-year-old Mays, was supposed to throw out the ceremonial first ball but was absent because of illness.

The Giants won their previous title when they played in New York at the Polo Grounds. That's where Mays raced back for perhaps the most famous catch of all time.

They moved West in 1958 and had tried ever since to escape a sort of big league Alcatraz — the place where teams get stuck for decades as also-rans. The Red Sox and White Sox got free, not so the Cubs and Indians.

So clang the cable car bells. Loudly, too. Baseball's best play in the Bay.

Exactly when these Giants turned into world beaters is hard to say. Trailing San Diego by 7 1/2 games in the NL West on July 4, they meandered in the wild-card race until the stretch run, winning the division and finishing 92-70.

Come the playoffs, they became dangerous. Any well-armed team is. Start with Matt Cain — three postseason starts, a 0.00 ERA. Throw in Lincecum, the two-time Cy Young winner. Add Madison Bumgarner, the 21-year-old rookie who helped blank Texas in Game 4.

"This doesn't make sense. You don't realize it. It's something that's surreal. But that's what we are, World Series champs," Cain said.

San Francisco posted a trio of one-run wins in the opening round that sent Atlanta manager Bobby Cox into retirement, then stopped the two-time defending NL champion Phillies in the championship series. Those wins, like this came on the road.

In the Year of the Pitcher, the World Series proved the oldest adage in the game: Good pitching stops good hitting, every time. Lincecum and the team with the best ERA in the big leagues completely shut down Josh Hamilton and the club with the majors' top batting average.

Texas hit just .190 in the five games and was outscored 29-12.

"They beat us soundly," manager Ron Washington said. "They deserve it."

Texas became the latest Series newcomer to make a quick exit. Houston (2005) and Colorado (2007) got swept in their first appearances, Tampa Bay (2008) stuck around for just five games. The AL champion Rangers became the first team since 1966 to get shut out twice in a World Series, with big hitters Hamilton, Vladimir Guerrero and Cruz left taking half-swings or flailing wildly.

The Rangers' franchise wrapped up its 50th season overall, in good hands with Nolan Ryan as president and part-owner. If only Big Tex could teach his team to hit, too.

By the final out, Ryan sat there glumly as did the team's No. 1 fan, former President George W. Bush.

The Giants won their sixth title overall, joining the likes of Christy Mathewson, Mel Ott and John McGraw as champs, and tying them for third with the Red Sox behind the Yankees (27) and Cardinals (10). They also helped ease the gloating that blew from across the Bay, where the Oakland Athletics won three straight crowns in the mid-1970s and swept the Giants in the earthquake-interrupted 1989 Series.

San Francisco had come close before. Future Hall of Famers Willie McCovey, Orlando Cepeda, Mays and Marichal lost to the Yankees 1-0 in Game 7 in 1962. In 2002, Bonds & Co. led the Angels 5-0 in the seventh inning of Game 6 before letting that lead and Game 7 slip away.

Many years ago, one swing of the bat prompted a call that resonates throughout Giants history and beyond.

"The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!" announcer Russ Hodges shouted over and over after Bobby Thomson launched "The Shot Heard 'Round the World" in 1951.

Time to redo that cry: The Giants win the Series! The Giants win the Series! The Giants win the Series!

Back on regular rest, Lee and Lincecum were sharper than ever. Put it this way: Even a 1-0 count on a Rangers hitter got some Texas fans cheering.

Long gone were their struggles in the opener, won by San Francisco 11-7. These were aces at their best.

Notes: Renteria went 7 for 17 (.412) with a Series-leading six RBIs. ... At 2 hours, 32 minutes, it was the fastest Series game since Game 4 in 1992 between Toronto and Atlanta, according to STATS LLC. ... Burrell was 0 for 13 with 11 strikeouts in the Series.