But, having the games on is important to many people. Parents, grandparents, friends and fans all listen to the broadcasts.

With the streaming on our website, people can tune in anywhere in the world. Just imagine a parent or sibling serving in Iraq or Afghanistan being able to listen to the game – how great would that be for him or her.

Plus, we have so many good teams in Whatcom County – how can you not get at least a little excited about schools from Bellingham, Lynden, Everson, and Laurel all competing for state championships. The games are also a way for the businesses that sponsor the broadcasts to connect with their community.

To the very angry people who have written, called, and emailed me about how much they hate high school basketball – again I’m sorry – but it will all be over next week.

Are they the worst ever? Best ever?

Where are you watching the Olympics – at the events? On CTV? On NBC?

I would like to get your thoughts on the first week of the 2010 Winter Games. Write whatever you want. I would love any feedback you might have about KGMI’s coverage.

Let this be your Olympics sounding board.

We’re thinking about how we can better serve you with KGMI.COM, Facebook, Twitter, KGMI Listener Club, and even cell phones.

A daily email newsletter, more stories on Twitter and Facebook, and news texts are some of the things we’re kicking around.

I would love to hear some of your ideas – just leave a comment here, email me at tracy@kgmi.com or give me a call a 360-734-9790

The strength and conditioning training has made a big difference in how I approach exercise and the body bug has really opened my eyes to how many calories I take in and expend every day.

I can’t say enough about our trainers Darcy and Tiffany and counselor Kelly, who has made me realize that a person’s mental and emotional health is tied to one’s physical health.

The camaraderie I developed with my workout-mates motivated me to get to class on days I really didn’t want to exercise.

If you’re looking for a different kind of weight loss program – I recommend that you check out the Winning Weighs Program at Bellingham Athletic Club.

But I feel that I can do much better, especially with my eating.

Thankfully with the Winning Weighs program through Bellingham Athletic Club I continue to get the help I need from our counselor Kellie as well as the bodybugg.

I’m doing much better with the exercise part of the program – I believe the workouts Tiffany and Darcy have designed for us are increasing my cardiovascular and muscle strength. The workouts aren’t as difficult as they were before – not be because Tiffany and Darcy are taking it easy on us, which, by the way, I don’t think is even possible for them – but because I’m in much better shape.

I’m getting stronger and learning a lot about eating right and exercise, but I’m also getting my rear-end kicked around a little. Fit club partner Todd and I are continuing on the road to healthiness, but it’s not a well-paved, flat road – there are bumps and hills. The workouts from our Bellingham Athletic trainers Tiffany and Darcy have been very challenging, but also very productive. The body bug we wear as part of the Winning Weighs program does an excellent job of tracking how many calories we burn, and the computer program makes it easy to log in what we eat. It’s amazing how many calories some foods and drinks have in them – this has been a real eye-opener for me. With the help of our counselor Kelly, I’m trying to change how I eat, but it’s been a bit difficult. I really can’t imagine doing this on my own. You can follow Fit Club here at kgmi.com and on the Saturday morning show with Joe and Patty on KGMI.

Please check out the comments on my previous blog entry to read how Todd is doing.

I missed my first Bellingham Athletic Club workout on Wednesday. A convenient excuse is the previous night’s election, but I should have forced myself to go. I also ate like a pig on election night - the traditional newsroom fare is pizza and soda. I also ate/drank way too much over the weekend so I’m a bit angry with myself.

The good news is that I’ve already lost some weight and I’m actually feeling stronger. I’m looking forward to meeting with our counselor Kellie to talk further about my eating habits and Todd and I plan to start playing racquetball or basketball at the club.

Fit Club partner Todd and I had our first workout with Tiffany on Monday and it was brutal. She assures us that it will get easier – I hope she’s not lying. We’re now using the “Body Bugg,” which shows us how many calories we’re burning every day – It’s pretty cool. We also use a computer program that helps us monitor our activity and how much we eat.

I’m working on several possible stories for today/tomorrow/this week:

Lynden teachers may soon have a new contract.

Ecology is accepting comments on a couple of local cleanups.

Legislator Doug Ericksen is helping to keep art at Peace Arch Park during the Olympics.

A meeting is being held Wednesday on asbestos in Swift Creek.

Public Works reminds people to get leave off of storm drains.

The County Council meets tonight.

On October 12, Limbaugh responded to critics by claiming that he is “colorblind,” “treat[s] everybody equally” and that he “doesn’t see [President Obama] as black,” but rather as “president of the United States.” As Media Matters’ research documents, there are at least 28 examples of Limbaugh making racially charged remarks, including:

· “We are being told that we have to hope [Obama] succeeds, that we have to bend over, grab the ankles … because his father was black.”

· “I do believe” Obama is an “angry black guy.”

· “[I]n Obama’s America, the white kids now get beat up with the black kids cheering.”

· “Obama’s entire economic program is reparations.”

· Obama is “more African in his roots than he is American” and is “behaving like an African colonial despot.”

· Obama is “Halfrican-American.”

· “Obama has disowned his white half … he’s decided he’s got to go all in on the black side.”

· Sotomayor “a reverse racist” appointed by Obama, “the greatest living example of a reverse racist.”

· Obama “wants us to have the same health care and plan that he had in Kenya” and “wants to be the black FDR.”

· Latching onto LA Times op-ed, Limbaugh sings “Barack, The Magic Negro.”

· “God does not have a birth certificate. Neither does Obama”; Obama “has yet to prove he’s a citizen.”

· Limbaugh on Gates controversy: “Here you have a black president trying to destroy a white policeman.”

· Limbaugh suggests Obama would not have acted on Somali pirates if he’d known they were “actually young, black Muslim teenagers.”

· Limbaugh suggests Democrats, media believe “you can’t criticize the little black man-child.”

“The government’s been taking care of [young blacks] their whole lives.”
· “The days of [minorities] not having any power are over, and they are angry.”

“[M]inorities never do anything for which they have to apologize.”
· Limbaugh: “The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well.”

· Limbaugh says “NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips.”

Limbaugh declares basketball “the favorite sport of gangs.”
Limbaugh invented “racial component” to Hackett’s decision to withdraw from Ohio primary race.
Limbaugh on Survivor series: “African-American tribe” worst swimmers, Hispanics “will do things other people won’t do.”
Limbaugh suggested Colin Powell only supported Obama because of race.
Limbaugh: Gates is an “angry racist.”
Limbaugh called illegal immigrants an “invasive species.”
Limbaugh repeatedly calls Native Americans “Injuns.”
Limbaugh says Democrats’ interest in Darfur is securing black “voting bloc.”
Limbaugh says that if “feminazis” had remembered to oppose “affirmative action for black guys … they wouldn’t face the situation they face today.”
For more information, please see: http://mediamatters.org/research/200910130049

No date has been set for County Council consideration of the Rural Element
update. Because the Council will be working on UGA review issues at its
upcoming meetings, it is possible the Council may not consider the Rural
Element items until December 2009. PDS will notify this e-mail list when a
date has been set for County Council consideration.

Gary Davis, AICP
Senior Planner
Whatcom County