MONDAY DECEMBER 31 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD

Vanderbilt 38 NC State 24 Georgia Tech 21 USC 7 Tulsa 31 Iowa State 17 Clemson 25 LSU 24

SCHOLASTIC SCHEDULE

http://www.lvsportsonline.com/ HAPPY NEW YEAR from LVSportsOnline.com! MONDAY'S SCHEDULE Women's College Basketball Moravian 76, Centenary 50 TUESDAY'S SCHEDULE No games scheduled WEDNESDAY'S SCHEDULE Boys High School Basketball Bangor at Pen Argyl Girls High School Basketball Northern Lehigh at Palmerton Southern Lehigh at Salisbury

UPDATED SERVICE ELECTRIC SCHEDULE

Monday, December 31st 4:00pm ArtsQuest presents PeepsFest: Starfish LIVE 5:00pm ArtsQuest presents PeepsFest: Fireworks LIVE Tuesday, January 1st Happy New Year - No Programming Wednesday, January 2nd 6:00pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 6:30pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 7:00pm ComputerWise 8:00pm PA Crossfire 8:30pm Focus on PA 9:00pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 9:30pm The Steel Thursday, January 3rd 6:00pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 6:30pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 7:00pm More than Money 7:30pm ComputerWise 8:30pm The Stage with Chris Line 9:00pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 9:30pm Focus of PA Friday, January 4th 6:00pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 6:30pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 7:00pm LVC Basketball: Central Catholic vs Freedom LIVE 8:30pm Backwoods Angler Fishing Show 9:00pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 9:30pm LVC Basketball: Liberty vs Whitehall Schedule Subject to Change Without Notice Times are Approximate Due To LIVE Events & Length of Sporting Events.

WFAN NEW YORK PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/08/01/wfan-online-schedule-august-2-8/ Monday 12/31/12 Start Finish Show 12:00AM 2:00AM Lori Rubinson 2:00AM 6:00AM John Jastremski 6:00AM 10:00AM Richard Neer 10:00AM 2:00PM Ed Coleman 2:00PM 6:50PM Marc Malusis & Jody McDonald 6:50PM 10:00PM Best of Malusis & Jody Mac 10:00PM 12:00AM John Jastremski Tuesday 1/1/13 Start Finish Show 12:00AM 2:00AM John Jastremski 2:00AM 6:00AM Tony Paige 6:00AM 10:00AM Richard Neer 10:00AM 3:00PM Marc Malusis 3:00PM 8:00PM Jody McDonald 8:00PM 12:00AM John Jastremski Wednesday 1/2/13 Start Finish Show 12:00AM 1:00AM John Jastremski 1:00AM 6:00AM Tony Paige 6:00AM 10:00AM Boomer & Carton 10:00AM 1:00PM Joe & Evan 1:00PM 6:30PM Mike Francesa 6:30PM 7:50PM Jody McDonald 7:50PM 11:00PM Best of Francesa 11:00PM 12:00AM Jody McDonald Thursday 1/3/13 Start Finish Show 12:00AM 1:00AM Jody McDonald 1:00AM 6:00AM Tony Paige 6:00AM 10:00AM Boomer & Carton 10:00AM 1:00PM Joe & Evan 1:00PM 6:30PM Mike Francesa 6:30PM 10:00PM Jody McDonald 10:00PM 12:00AM Richard Neer Friday 1/4/13 Start Finish Show 12:00AM 2:00AM Richard Neer 2:00AM 6:00AM Marc Malusis 6:00AM 10:00AM Boomer & Carton 10:00AM 1:00PM Joe & Evan 1:00PM 6:30PM Mike Francesa 6:30PM 6:50PM Jody McDonald 6:50PM 10:00PM Best of Francesa 10:00PM 12:00AM Jody McDonald Saturday 1/5/13 Start Finish Show 12:00AM 3:00AM Joe Giglio 3:00AM 5:30AM Tony Paige 5:30AM 6:00AM NFL Preview 6:00AM 10:00AM Richard Neer 10:00AM 1:00PM Evan Roberts 1:00PM 4:00PM Jody McDonald 4:0PM 7:45PM Best of Boomer & Carton 7:45PM 12:00AM Best of Francesa Sunday 1/6/13 Start Finish Show 12:00AM 2:00AM Tony Paige 2:00AM 6:00AM Lori Rubinson 6:00AM 8:00AM Bob Salter 8:00AM 9:00AM Sports Edge 9:00AM 12:30PM NFL Now w/ Mike Francesa 12:30PM 8:30PM Best of NFL Now 8:30PM 11:00PM Ed Coleman 11:00PM 12:00AM Lori Rubinson

SportsRadio 94 WIP Programming Schedule

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2010/11/22/wip-programming-schedule/ 12-31-12 2:30AM – 6:00AM Big Daddy Graham 6:00AM – 10:00AM Jody McDonald 10:00AM – 2:00PM Middays with Michael Barkann & Ike Reese 2:00PM – 6:00PM Afternoons with Brian Startare & Hollis Thomas 6:00PM – 10:00PM Ricky Ricardo 10:00PM – 2:00AM Rob Charry`s Year In Review 1-1-13 2:00AM – 6:00AM Adam Reigner 6:00AM – 10:00AM Best of Cataldi 10:00AM – 2:00PM Middays with G Cobb 2:00PM – 6:00PM Afternoons with Paul Jolovitz 6:00PM – 10:00PM Brian Startare 9:00PM – 2:00AM Jon Johnson 1-2-13 2:00AM – 6:00AM Big Daddy Graham 6:00AM – 10:00AM Angelo Cataldi & The Morning Team 10:00AM – 1:00PM Middays with Michael Barkann & Rob Ellis 1:00PM – 6:00PM Afternoons with Anthony Gargano & Glen Macnow 6:00PM – 10:00PM Brian Startare 10:00PM – 2:00AM Marc Farzetta 1-3-13 2:00AM – 6:00AM Big Daddy Graham 6:00AM – 10:00AM Angelo Cataldi & The Morning Team 10:00AM – 1:00PM Middays with Michael Barkann & Rob Ellis 1:00PM – 6:00PM Afternoons with Anthony Gargano & Glen Macnow 6:00PM – 10:00PM Paul Jolovitz Live from Chickie`s & Pete`s Drexel Hill 10:00PM – 2:00AM Spike Eskin 1-4-13 2:30AM – 6:00AM Big Daddy Graham 6:00AM – 10:00AM Angelo Cataldi & The Morning Team: Live from The Borgata 10:00AM – 1:00PM Middays with Michael Barkann & Rob Ellis 1:00PM – 6:00PM Afternoons with Anthony Gargano & Glen Macnow Live from Chickie`s & Pete`s- South Philadelphia 6:00PM – 10:00PM Reuben Frank 10:00PM – 2:00AM Marc Farzetta 1-5-13 2:00AM – 5:00AM Steve Trevelise 5:00AM – 8:00AM Best of Cataldi 8:00AM – 10:00AM Howard Eskin: Live from The Borgata 10:00AM – 1:00PM Rob Ellis & Ray Didinger: Live From Delaware Park Casino 1:00PM – 4:00PM Rob Charry & Hollis Thomas 4:00PM – 8:00PM NFL Wild Card Game 1 8:00PM – 11:30AM NFL Wild Card Game 2 11:30PM – 2:00AM Rickie Ricardo 1-6-13 2:00AM – 6:00AM G Cobb 6:00AM – 7:00AM Conversations with Peter Solomon 7:00AM – 8:00AM WIP Sunday 8:00AM – 10:00AM Sonny Hill: Live from Zallies Shop Rite 10:00AM – 12:30PM Rob Charry 12:30PM – 4:00PM NFL Wild Card Game 3 4:00PM – 7:00PM NFL Wild Card Game 4 7:00PM – 10:00PM Paul Jolovtiz 10:00PM – 2:00AM Jody McDonald

UPDATED WEEX 1230 SCHEDULE

Mo 31 CFB: Iowa State v. Tulsa 2:30pm Mo 31 CFB: LSU v. Clemson 7:30pm Tu 1 CFB: Georgia v. Nebraska 1:00pm Tu 1 CFB: Stanford v. Wisconsin 4:30pm Tu 1 CFB: Florida State v. Northern Illinois 8:00pm We 2 CFB: Florida v. Louisville 7:30pm Th 3 CFB: Oregon v. Kansas State 7:30pm Fr 4 CFB: Texas A&M v. Oklahoma 7:00pm Sa 5 NFL: Cincinnati @ Houston 4:00pm Sa 5 NFL: Minnesota @ Green Bay 7:45pm Su 6 NFL: Indianapolis @ Baltimore 12:30pm Su 6 NFL: Seattle @ Washington 4:00pm Mo 7 CFB: Notre Dame v. Alabama 7:30pm Tu 8 Lehigh Basketball v. Muhlenberg 6:30pm We 9 NBA: LA Lakers @ San Antonio 8:00pm

ESPN Set for Coverage of the BCS Bowl Games

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ ESPN has unveiled its plans to provide extensive coverage of the BCS games beginning on New Year’s Day. ESPN College GameDay will be on hand at the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Fiesta Bowl. Coverage of the Orange Bowl will originate from ESPN studios in Bristol, Conn. GameDay will end the season live from Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Monday, Jan. 7, from the BCS National Championship Game. Chris Fowler will host with analysts Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard from Pasadena to New Orleans with a final stop in Miami Gardens, Fla., for the title game. Additional analyst appearances include Lee Corso, David Pollack, Todd McShay and Samantha (Steele) Ponder. Rece Davis will take the hosting duties, along with analysts Lou Holtz and Mark May, from the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz. The BCS National Championship will add guest analysts including former ESPN commentator and current Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin. Here is the ESPN College Gameday schedule: Date Time (ET) Network Location/Analysts Tue, Jan 1 11 a.m. ESPNU Fowler, Herbstreit, Corso, Howard & McShay (Pasadena, Calif.) noon ESPN Wed, Jan 2 7-8 p.m. ESPN Fowler, Herbstreit, Howard & Pollack (New Orleans) Thu, Jan 3 7-8 p.m. ESPN Davis, Holtz & May (Glendale, Ariz.) Mon, Jan 7 6-8 p.m. ESPN Fowler, Herbstreit, Corso, Howard, Pollack, Meyer & Sumlin (Miami Gardens, Fla.)

ESPN Part of Disney/Charter New Distribution Agreement

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ Charter Communications and Walt Disney Company announced today a long-term distribution agreement to deliver Disney’s lineup of sports, news and entertainment content to Charter TV customers across televisions, computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and internet-enabled televisions. Among the services in the agreement is the ability of Charter subscribers to use the WatchESPN app which allows them to view current programming across the multiple ESPN networks. Charter will also make available The Longhorn Network to subscribers in Texas, Louisiana and Virginia systems by football season next year. “This agreement enables us to offer our customers additional value, choice and convenience,” said Allan Singer, Charter’s Senior Vice President, Programming. “More and more content is being enjoyed on tablets and other Internet-connected devices, and today’s viewers are sharing their TV experiences in new ways. Our agreement with Disney enables more robust ways to enjoy and socialize TV.” “Our agreement with Charter represents the sixth top ten distributor renewal encompassing Disney’s full suite of products and services.” added David Preschlack, executive vice president, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Disney & ESPN Networks Group, ”With this deal, Charter’s video customers will derive even greater benefit from the value of their multichannel subscription model, including 24/7 live access to our content via the WATCH Disney services and WatchESPN across more platforms than ever before, as well as other new and advanced services.”

Sunday Night Football Finale Brings Big Numbers to NBC

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ Last night’s Sunday Night Football (SNF) finale on NBC brought the network the highest overnight rating for a regular season prime time NFL football game in 15 years. NBC saw an overnight rating of 18.3, 7% higher than last year’s week 17 SNF game, and the highest rated game for the network of the season, toping the opener between the Steelers and Broncos. The game registered a 44.6 rating in Washington.DC and a 36.9 rating in Dallas.

NFL Wild Card and Divisional Playoff Schedule

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ Here is the schedule of Wild Card and Divisional Playoff games in the NFL: WILD CARD PLAYOFFS Saturday, January 5th 4:30p.m. ET- Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans (NBC) 8:00p.m. ET- Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (NBC) Sunday, January 6th 1:00p.m. ET- Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens (CBS) 4:30p.m. ET- Seattle Seahawks at Washington Redskins (Fox) DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS Saturday, January 12th 4:30p.m. ET- Cincinnati/Baltimore/Indianapolis at Denver Broncos (CBS) 8:00p.m. ET- Green Bay/Washington/Seattle at San Francisco 49ers (Fox) Sunday, January 13th 1:00p.m. ET- Washington/Seattle/Minnesota at Atlanta Falcons (Fox) 4:30p.m. ET- Houston/Baltimore/Indianapolis at New England Patriots (CBS)

Holiday tournament review Part II: How the Colonial League fared

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER Just as we did yesterday with the LVC, here's a look at how the Colonial League boys basketball teams fared last week during the holiday tournaments in the order of how they were ranked: 1. Bangor (7-2) ... Lost to Stroudsburg 68-63 in overtime, defeated Francis Lewis of NYC 62-40. 2. Notre Dame (5-3) ... Defeated Phillipsburg 44-42, lost to Wilson 54-46. 3. Wilson (8-1) ... Defeated Easton 50-49 in overtime, defeated Notre Dame 54-46. 4. Salisbury (4-4) ... Defeated Perkiomen Valley 65-37, lost to Parkland 60-52. 5. Southern Lehigh (4-4) ... Lost to Boyertown 53-48, lost to Gov. Mifflin 68-66. 6. Catasauqua (4-3) ... Lost to Northampton 54-51. 7. Northern Lehigh (4-2) ... Defeated Lehighton 61-38, defeated Jim Thorpe 56-20. 8. Palisades (3-5) ,.. Lost to Fleetwood 57-49, defeated Brandywine 61-36. 9. Saucon Valley (1-8) ... Defeated Faith Christian 50-36, lost to North Hunterdon 64-36. 10. Northwestern (4-5) ... Defeated Panther Valley 56-49, lost to Blue Mountain 58-29. 11. Pen Argyl (4-4) ... Lost to Delaware Valley (NJ) 60-34, defeated Pocono Charter 82-32. 12. Palmerton (0-7) ...Lost to Jim Thorpe 74-62, lost to Lehighton 73-55.

Eagles make it official that Reid is done. Lurie says: "It is time to move in a new direction."

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER Finally, after weeks, if not months of speculation, an e-mail arrived that makes it official. It came in my inbox at 10:02 a.m. EAGLES ANNOUNCE REID'S TENURE HAS ENDED The 14-year head coaching tenure of Andy Reid has ended, the Philadelphia Eagles announced on Monday morning. The organization’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Lurie will hold a 12 p.m. press conference today at the NovaCare Complex to discuss the decision to dismiss Reid, who led the Eagles to six NFC East titles, five NFC Championship Games and Super Bowl 39 in the 2004 season. "Andy Reid won the most games of any head coach in Eagles’ history and he is someone I respect greatly and will remain friends with for many years to come,” said Lurie. "But, it is time for the Eagles to move in a new direction. Andy leaves us with a winning tradition that we can build upon. And we are very excited about the future.” Reid joined the team in 1999 and immediately turned the fortunes of the franchise around by attracting a strong coaching staff, and making solid moves in free agency and in the NFL draft. The Eagles reached the playoffs one season later, in 2000, the first of nine postseason trips in Reid’s 14 seasons leading the football operations. His 140 victories are a franchise record and rank 22nd on the all-time NFL coaching list. The Eagles concluded the 2012 season with a 4-12 record after their 42-7 loss to the Giants on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. "The search for the new coach of the Philadelphia Eagles will begin immediately," said Lurie.

TV NEWS ON DECEMBER 31

http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2012/12/new-years-eve-2012-and-new-years-day.html Welcome to a special New Year's style edition of the News Blog! As we end 2012 and start 2013, today we will give you a marathon recap on TV today and Tuesday (New Year's Eve and New Year's Day)! Some of the major TV stunts we mentioned already were Antenna TV's New Year's Eve marathon of Burns & Allen and Jack Benny Program beginning at 11am today and lasting into New Year's Day morning at 7am. On New Year's Day, they will have their annual The Three Stooges marathon starting at 7am and running to 3am, as the network celebrates its second birthday (and enters its third season)! Cloo will have a 24-hour New Year's Eve marathon of MacGyver today starting at 6am. from Meanwhile, ABC Family showcases a Bunheads marathon on New Year's Day from 11am-6pm on Tuesday, and a New Year's Eve marathon of The Lying Game today beginning at 11:30am. We mentioned that WPIX in New York will of course have their annual The Honeymooners marathon starting at 12 midnight tonight through 6pm on Tuesday (only a break from 4am-9am for news). Also in New York City, WLNY-TV 55/10 will have a marathon of The Odd Couple starting at midnight tonight through 9pm on New Year's Day. That will be a nice tribute to the late Jack Klugman. The MeTV Network will have a Bewitched marathon, as the sitcom joins the line-up tonight, New Year's Eve, at 8pm. The marathon will air on New Year's Day on Tuesday from 11am-6pm. And if that's not enough Bewitched, cable network Logo will have a New Year's Day marathon from 10am-10pm. TV Land will have a New Year's Baby Boom marathon starting today and into tomorrow with episodes of births on The Dick Van Dyke Show, Roseanne, The Cosby Show, The Andy Griffith Show and Everybody Loves Raymond. Nick at Nite has a New Year's Eve marathon with Full House, Friends and George Lopez from 8pm-6am. MTV2 will have a Saved by the Bell New Year's Eve marathon today from 4pm-9pm and then on New Year's Day from 9am-2pm. CMT will have a New Year's Day marathon of Reba on Tuesday from 3pm-11pm. WGN America will celebrate the New Year with a New Year's Day marathon of Cheers on Tuesday from 9am-7pm ET. Norm! TV One will ring in the new year with an original series marathon of Love That Girl on New Year's Day from 11am-5:30am. Syfy has its annual Twilight Zone New Year's Eve marathon today starting at 8am and continuing into New Year's Day as well into Wednesday morning at 5am. FEARnet will have a New Year's Shockin' Eve marathon of Tales from the Crypt from 4pm-6am. Some of the stuff we have not mentioned include: Style says hello to 2013 with Carrie and the girls with a New Year's Day marathon of Sex and the City starting at 8pm on Tuesday through 3am. A marathon of Tia & Tamera will air today on New Year's Eve from 5pm-3am. GMC has a New Year's Eve marathon of Touched by an Angel today from 12pm-3am, followed by a 7th Heaven marathon on New Year's Day from 12pm-8pm. On IFC, they will have a Portlandia marathon on New Year's Day starting at 6pm through 6am. A&E spends New Year's Rve and New Year's Day with Storage Wars starting at 6pm tonight. USA Network has a NCIS New Year's Eve marathon starting at 6am and a Law & Order: SVU "Resolve to Watch" marathon on New Year's Day starting at 6am. ION Television will solve crimes with a New Year's Eve marathon Criminal Minds today from 4pm-12am and on New Year's Day from 2-11pm, while The Hub will have a New Year's Eve marathon of Hercules starring Kevin Sorbo from 8pm-6am. Universal HD will have a marathon of The Unit on New Year's Day starting at 6am. BBC America has a Doctor Who marathon on New Year's Eve today beginning at 9am. Reality wise, Chiller has a Fear Factor marathon on New Year's Eve beginning at 6am. Lifetime will have a New Year's Eve marathon of Wife Swap beginning today at 8am through 8pm. OWN will have a marathon of The Oprah Winfrey Show on New Year's Day from 8am-3pm. DIY will have a New Year's Day marathon of The Bronson Pinchot Project from 11am-3pm. AMC has a Walking Dead marathon on New Year's Eve from 9pm-5am. G4 gets lost with a New Year's Day marathon of Lost from 10am-5am on Tuesday. Science Channel will air a Fringe marathon starting at 10:30am on New Year's Day. America's Next Top Model gets a New Year's Day marathon on Oxygen from 10am-10pm. TeenNick has a Rugrats marathon to start off 2013 from 12-am-4am on both nights, while SOAPnet has a New Year's Day After-Party with series like Veronica Mars, One Tree Hill, Beverly Hills 90210 to kick-off the new year from 10am-7pm. MTV has a Catfish marathon on New Year's Day, if you actually like that, while Boomerang has a Scooby-Doo marathon on New Year's Day starting at 6am. And Comedy Central will have a Tosh.0 New Year's Day marathon beginning at 6:30pm. Good fun! Other notable TV marathons and specials include ABC's salute to New Year's Rockin' Eve Celebrates Dick Clark special tonight from 8pm-10pm, followed by its annual specials at 10pm and 11:30pm. Movie wise, TMC has an Abbott & Costello movie marathon today and Spike TV has the Stars Wars marathon today! AMC has a New Year's Day Mad Max Movie Marathon, Talk about a lot of M's. Hallmark Channel continues to air Christmas movies, while LMN has a viewer's choice "Pick a Flick" movie marathon starting at 6am on New Year's Eve through 4am.

Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic missed Nazareth - Five Thoughts on the weekend's high school wrestling

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/nazareth_area_high_school_much.html FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES 1. While the Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic came off well despite weather hassles and produced its usual top-shelf wrestling, Nazareth's absence (due to a skin infection of a wrestler) was distinctly felt. The Blue Eagles would have lifted the level of competition across the board and their fans would have helped fill seats. It was an unavoidable move but, still, you couldn't help getting wistful watching the 285-pound final and imagining Nazareth's Aaron Bradley in it. - Brad Wilson

What's Open New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in Lehigh Valley?

http://nazareth.patch.com/articles/what-s-open-new-year-s-eve-and-new-year-s-day-in-lehigh-valley FROM NAZARETH PATCH New Year’s Eve Valenca in Easton will be serving dinner along with music beginning at 8 p.m. Allentown’s 250th Celebration in downtown Allentown will feature Pip the Mouse. Sands Bethlehem Event Center will be hosting B104s New Year’s Eve Bash from 7 p.m. – 2 a.m. No VIP Reservations, tickets to the Backstreet Boys concert required. Godfrey Daniels is having a celebration of “3 Generations of Homegrown Godfrey’s: Dave Fry, Dina Hall and Jay Lapp” starting at 7:15 p.m. JellyBean Town USA will be open in the morning from 9:30 – 11 a.m. and again in the evening from 6 – 8 p.m. for a Special Ring in 2013 party! Lehigh Valley Mall is open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Blue Mountain Vineyards will be open 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Vyncrest Winery is open 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Grille 3501 will be open from 5 – 10 p.m offering a four course prix fixed menu at $85.00 per person + tax + 20% gratuity. Red Robin is open 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. The Palace Center is open from 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. with a live band party and family atmosphere. Cosmopolitan will be open for dinner seatings at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. Sagra Bistro will be open 4 – 10:30 p.m. for their regular dinner menu. Koziar’s Christmas Villiage will be open 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Downtown Bethlehem will be hosting an outdoor celebration on Main Street between Broad and Market complete with music and drink beginning at 9:30 p.m. Dutch Springs will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Dive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bethlehem Brew Works is hosting a New Year’s Eve Party. It’s PEEPSFEST at Artsquest in Bethlehem! Crayola Experience, in Easton, will be hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration for children of all ages from Noon to 7 p.m. New Year’s Day Godfrey Daniels will be open with a Hank Williams Tribute with Birdie Busch, Dave Fry, Jack Murray and Maria Woodford at 7 p.m. Lehigh Valley Mall is open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Red Robin is open 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sagra Bistro will be open 5 – 9:30 p.m. for their regular dinner menu featuring a Filet Mignon $15 entree special. Koziar’s Christmas Villiage will be open 6 – 9 p.m. and of course, New Years Day will be the last night of Koziar’s for the season. Don’t miss out or you’ll have to wait until next year. Crayola Experience will be open 9:30am to 5pm. (Admission includes access to all experiences, a free glow gift, 2 moon bounce rides, dance party, countdown, and character parades. Admission is $15/person)

Upload Photos and Videos People flocked to Nazareth Patch in 2012 for stories that ranged from tragic (a Nazareth grad killed in a pedestrian accident and another shot dead in Easton) to naughty (student-teacher relations in a Wal-Mart parking lot).

http://nazareth.patch.com/articles/year-in-review-nazareth-s-top-25-stories-from-2012 FROM NAZARETH PATCH People flocked to Nazareth Patch in 2012 for stories that ranged from tragic (a Nazareth grad killed in a pedestrian accident and another shot dead in Easton) to naughty (student-teacher relations in a Wal-Mart parking lot). Here are 25 local stories that attracted lots of attention: 1. Student, Teacher Allegedly Had Sex in Wal-Mart Parking Lot Rachel L. Farrell, 25, allegedly had numerous sexual encounters -- which includes sex in the parking lot of the Lower Nazareth Wal-Mart -- with her students. 2. Hurricane Sandy: Nazareth Information Center Use the article to find and share information about Hurricane Sandy's impact on the Nazareth area. 3. Nazareth Teacher Accused of Shoplifting, Leaving Daughter Behind Stacee Banko, 32, a Nazareth Area Intermediate School teacher, is free on $10,000 unsecured bail after allegedly shoplifting from Kohl's in Lower Nazareth Township. 4. Police: Nazareth Man Set Day Care's Doors on Fire Craig Werkheiser of 31 E. Chestnut St. is charged with institutional vandalism and related offenses; he was released on $15,000 unsecured bail. 5. N. Green Street House Fire Under Investigation After two gas cans were discovered near the scene of a house fire at 40 N. Green St., two fire marshals and the Nazareth Borough Police Department began an investigation. 6. Nazareth Woman Robbed, Stabbed Outside Home The assailant, who has not been arrested, is described as a white male and about 18-20 years old. He was wearing a dark-hooded jacket, and was last seen running west toward S. Green Street. 7. UPDATE: Nazareth Grad Killed in Chester County Pedestrian Accident Joseph M. Pietroforte, a 2010 graduate of Nazareth Area High School, was struck by a vehicle and killed Monday night in West Goshen Township, Chester County. 8. Nazareth High Grad Killed in Easton Shooting Matthew Kelly, 20, a graduate of Nazareth Area High School, died following a shooting Sunday in Easton. 9. 88-Year-Old Bethlehem Woman Killed in Lower Nazareth Crash The Lehigh County coroner identified Gertrude M. Babin, 88, of Bethlehem as one of the two people killed in a two-car accident on Hanoverville Road in Lower Nazareth Township. 10. Local Woman Accused of Stealing Over $100,000 from Dealership Anne Difrancesco, 33, of Bushkill Township, is accused of taking $102,924.65 from Star Pontiac-Buick-GMC in Lower Nazareth Township. 11. Police: Nazareth Girl Sexually Assaulted by Ex-College Police Officer A 24-year-old former Muhlenberg College police officer is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old Nazareth girl inside her home and e-mailing her sexually explicit photos. 12. Photo Contest: Is Your Dog the Top Dog? Upload a photo of your favorite four-legged family member and your pet could vie to become the Top Dog in Eastern Pennsylvania Patch-land. 13. Michael Powers, 19, Killed in Forks Township Crash Michael Powers, 19, a graduate of Nazareth Area High School, was killed when his vehicle hit a building in Forks Township early Friday morning. 14. Fatal Crash on Newburg Road in Upper Nazareth Wednesday At least one person is dead in a crash on the 3000 block of Newburg Road in Upper Nazareth Township. 15. Nazareth Woman Charged with Arson at Borough Home, Church Karla Dewey, 30, of Nazareth, is accused of sparking a blaze that destroyed the end unit of a row of townhouses at 40 N. Green St.; she is also accused of lighting poster board on fire at St. John's UCC. 16. Boy, 16, Dead After Diving at Dutch Springs Saturday (from May 2011) Royersford teen was scuba diving with his father at the Lower Nazareth water adventure park. 17. Nazareth Diner to Re-Open in May A decision to renovate the Nazareth Diner's kitchen snowballed into major renovations for the diner's interior and exterior, according to owner Pete Theo. 18. Dog Found Near Upper Nazareth's Tuskes Park, Police Seek Owner Police in Upper Nazareth Township are looking for the owner of a dog found Dec. 13 near Tuskes Community Park. 19. Police: Nazareth Man Wrote Apology in Blood After Breaking Wife's Neck After attempting suicide, Jason Gruver, of the 400 block of Union Street, allegedly wrote an apology in his own blood because he believed he had killed his wife. 20. Homeless Man in Viral Photo has Family in Nazareth Area Kirk Hillman, identified by multiple media outlets as the brother of the homeless man who was photographed being given a pair of boots by a NYC police officer, lives in Plainfield Township and works at an Easton church. 21. Former Lower Nazareth Supervisor Charged in Prostitution Sting Alan V. Dilsaver, 56, a Palmer Township dentist and former Lower Nazareth Township supervisor, was among the five men and one woman charged in a prostitution sting, according to Colonial Regional Police. 22. Video Shows Brutal Fight in Nazareth Boro-Park Nazareth Police have copied a video posted to YouTube titled "Peter vs Connor," which shows two men beating each other in Nazareth Boro-Park. 23. Gang Members Involved in Bushkill Township 'Revenge' Beating, Police say Six people have been charged in a July melee that court records describe as revenge for an earlier fighter in which a male juvenile had his front teeth 'knocked to the bone.' 24. Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle Airlifted to Hospital A 55-year-old Bethlehem man was severely injured Saturday after being struck by a vehicle in the 400 block of S. Main Street, Nazareth police said. 25. Nazareth Man Accused of Injuring Officer A 26-year-old Nazareth man faces charges of injuring a Nazareth police officer who tried to serve him Friday with a notice not to trespass at his mother's house.

Monday!

Attention: There is no e-mail on Monday December 31 E-mails will resume Wednesday January 2 Have a Happy New Year! Your Buddy, Andy

Peep Chick drop and fireworks to ring in New Year at SteelStacks

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-bethlehem-peeps-fest-20121230,0,7670122.story FROM THE MORNING CALL New York City may have Carly Rae Jepsen and its huge crystal ball, but Bethlehem has music from the indie rock band for kids Starfish and will drop a 75-pound light-up Peep to ring in the New Year. "We're really trying to create a Dick Clark of Bethlehem event," Matt Pye, vice president of corporate affairs at Just Born, said Sunday, the first day of the city's annual Peeps Fest. Now in its fourth year, the annual family-friendly festival is put on by ArtsQuest and candy-maker Just Born. More than 8,000 people attended the festival last year. This year, Peeps Fest has more interactive activities and the duration of the festival has been condensed from four to two days. "We thought it was a little more manageable," Pye said, noting that the attendance levels typically increased on the last two days — Dec. 30 and 31.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 30 NFL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD

Buffalo 28 NY Jets 9 Tampa Bay 22 Atlanta 17 Chicago 26 Detroit 24 NY Giants 42 Eagles 7 Tennessee 38 Jacksonville 20 Indianapolis 28 Houston 16 Steelers 24 Cleveland 10 Cincinnati 23 Baltimore 17 Carolina 44 New Orleans 38 49ers 27 Arizona 13 San Diego 24 Oakland 21 Denver 38 Kansas City 3 Minnesota 37 Green Bay 34 New England 28 Miami 0 Seattle 20 St. Louis 13 Washington 28 Dallas 18

TV NEWS ON DECEMBER 30

http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2012/12/week-14-tv-ratings-and-analysis-how.html 2012-13 Week 14 TV Ratings (first four nights, Mon-Thu): Households: #1. CBS 4.77/8.67 (rating/share); #2. ABC 2.38/4.33; #3. NBC 2.29/4.16; #4. Fox 0.99/1.77; #5. The CW 0.62/1.12 Total Viewers: #1. CBS 7.55 million; #2. ABC 4.14 million; #3. NBC 3.86 million; #4. Fox 1.62 million; #5. The CW 0.98 million. Adults 18-49: #1. CBS 1.48/4.57 (rating/share); #2. ABC 1.27/3.93; #3. NBC 1.09/3.37; #4. Fox 0.63/1.96; #5. The CW 0.3/0.94 Week 14 (Dec. 24-30) Analysis: This week is the slowest week of the TV season as it is Christmas week. Everyone is in repeats and basically no one is watching TV. As with previous week, we have ratings in two decimal points as of Dec. 17, so we can further see how shows do. We hope to bring this to you every week! Through the final first four night averages CBS has the lead in HH/total viewers and adults 18-49 but with a very low number. ABC is a few tenths behind for second place in 18-49, and is a distant second in HH/viewers. NBC is in third, just a bit behind ABC but Fox is way back in fourth as comedy repeats all week did not deliver. When the week is done, NBC will come back and take the week in both HH/viewers and 18-49 since they have a huge NFL game tonight. More on that later. As for last week, week 13, NBC took home first in adults 18-49, about five tenths higher than second place Fox. And CBS and ABC were well back. Among total viewers, NBC sneaked a win for that crown as well, while CBS had to settle for second. Fox was a distant third and ABC was way back in fourth. Monday saw NBC win a slow night on Christmas Eve. But starting with ABC, another airing of the holiday special Prep & Landing at 8 did 3.37 million and a 0.91 18-49 rating. At 8:30pm, another airing of the special Shrek the Halls with 3.33 million and a 1.01 18-49 rating. From 9-11pm ABC aired the movie Shrek the Halls, as Castle was preempted, and did 3.35 million and a 1.05 18-49 rating. For NBC, they had the annual Christmas Eve airing of It's a Wonderful Life from 8-11pm and did 5.62 million and a 1.54 18-49 rating, good enough to win the night. CBS started with repeats of its comedies, as a repeat of How I Met Your Mother did 3.28 million and a 0.90 18-49 rating, while a second repeat at 8:30pm did 3.23 million and a 0.96 18-49 rating. A repeat of 2 Broke Girls followed with 4.32 million and a 1.20 18-49 rating. Next, a repeat of Mike & Molly did 4.53 million and a 1.21 18-49 rating, which built from its lead-in, which is a good sign. A repeat of drama Hawaii Five-0 at 10pm did 4.75 million and a 0.99 18-49 rating. Fox preempted Bones and dud The Mob Doctor for a Raising Hope marathon. The 8pm repeat did 1.85 million and just a 0.67 18-49 rating. At 8:30pm the repeat did worse with 1.39 million and a 0.50 18-49 rating. At 9pm, the repeat delivered 1.54 million and a 0.55 18-49 rating and the last repeat at 9:30pm did 1.73 million and a 0.60 18-49 rating. The CW preempted 90210 and Gossip Girl as the special Christmas Is Here Again at 8pm did 0.73 million and a 0.26 18-49 rating. And at 9:30pm the special Second Star to the Left did 0.61 million and a 0.18 18-49 rating. On Tuesday, it was ABC with the win in 18-49 thanks to an NBA game bleeding into primetime. First for CBS, which took the total viewer crown, a repeat of NCIS aired at 8 and did 9.84 million and a 1.44 18-49 rating. Next a repeat of NCIS: Los Angeles at 9 did 8.62 million and a 1.45 18-49 rating, which built slightly in 18-49 over its lead-in. And finally at 10pm, a repeat of freshman Vegas did 5.98 million and only a 1.07 18-49 rating. Onto ABC, at 8pm the NBA Christmas Game #2 Thunder at Heat went long and aired into 8:40pm ET. The game overall from about 5:46-8:40pm ET did 9.63 million and a 3.57 18-49 rating. At 8:40pm ET, the holiday classic special How the Grinch Stole Christmas did a solid 5.09 million and a 1.84 18-49 rating. And then the Jim Carrey movie of the same name from 9:10-11:40pm ET did 4.65 million and a 1.74 18-49 rating. Happy Endings, Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 and Private Practice were preempted. NBC started off with the movie Horton Hears a Who from 8-10pm and did 3.13 million and a 1.05 18-49 rating. At 10pm, another encore of the special Blake Shelton's Not So Family Christmas did 2.47 million and a 0.66 18-49 rating. New comedies Go On and The New Normal were preempted as was drama Parenthood at 10pm. Fox preempted its comedy block of Raising Hope, Ben and Kate, New Girl and The Mindy Project for a four episode marathon of New Girl. The 8pm repeat did 1.87 million and a 0.69 18-49 rating. Then the 8:30pm repeat did 1.47 million and a 0.58 18-49 rating. At 9pm, the repeat did 1.52 million and a 0.56 18-49 rating, and the final repeat at 9:30pm did 1.76 million and jumped a bit to a 0.70 18-49 rating. The CW aired a repeat of Hart of Dixie at 8 and did 0.7 million and a 0.20 18-49 rating, while a repeat of new series Emily Owens MD at 9 did 0.68 million and only a 0.14 18-49 rating.

Beloved local umpire and Coca-Cola Park worker Richie Frey dies

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER Richie Frey, one of the most beloved figures in local baseball, died on Sunday morning. Frey was a longtime area umpire who had become a fixture at Coca-Cola Park over the last five years as the warehouse manager. Frey was originally diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus in August of 2011. He underwent surgery that October and was thought to have beaten the cancer, but it had returned and spread in recent months. This was a man who loved baseball and loved people. That’s why Coca-Cola Park was the perfect place for him. I remember Frey proudly showing me his workplace a few years ago and could tell he was as popular among fellow workers as Ryne Sandberg, Rich Thompson and Andy Tracy were with the fans. When he came back to work last spring, he was welcomed back with open arms. “I can't tell you how much I missed it,” Frey said. “Sometimes it takes something like what I went through to realize how much people mean to you and how much you really enjoy doing what you do.” People enjoyed being around Frey. “I don’t know anyone who didn’t smile or laugh when his name was brought up,” said Blue Mountain League Hall of Famer Tim Fisher, who worked with Frey at Coca-Cola Park. “He was always laughing and upbeat. “He was a great friend to so many and I am glad to be counted among them. He was loved by his family and all of us who were so lucky to have known him.”

AT THE SANDS CASINOS

NEWS: AT THE SANDS CASINOS

High School Boys Basketball: Holiday tournament review

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER We gave you league rankings early last week. We won't change them at this point no matter what happened in the holiday tournaments because everybody plays different competition and teams that went 0-2 -- and there were a few -- might have played much more difficult foes than teams that went 2-0. But here's how the teams in the Lehigh Valley Conference fared in order of how they were ranked last week: 1. Liberty (5-2) -- lost to Rancocas Valley 53-50, lost to Archbishop Carroll 59-55. 2. Easton (6-2) -- lost to Wilson 50-49, defeated Phillipsburg 55-32. 3. Freedom (4-4) -- lost to St. Pallotti 65-58, lost to Coatesville 58-54. 4. Parkland (7-1) -- defeated Quakertown 72-31, defeated Salisbury 60-52. 5. Emmaus (4-4) -- lost to McKeesport 62-50, lost to Pittsburgh CC 62-60. 6. Allen (4-3) -- beat Neshaminy 44-37, lost to GAR of Wilkes-Barre 66-57. 7. Central Catholic (7-2) -- beat Columbia 78-50, beat Elizabethtown 76-58. 8. Nazareth (4-3) -- lost to Honesdale 52-47, will play in tournament consolation game on Sunday night. 9. Whitehall (4-4) -- lost to North Hunterdon 73-51, defeated Faith Christian 54-28. 10. Bethlehem Catholic (4-4) -- defeated Southwestern 62-53, defeated York Catholic 68-38. 11. Dieruff (2-6) -- defeated Francis Lewis of NYC 71-58, lost to Stroudsburg 67-44. 12. Northampton (1-6) -- defeated Catasauqua 54-51 in single game.

Road Work for the Week of Dec. 31

http://nazareth.patch.com/articles/road-work-for-the-week-of-dec-31 Make your commute a little easier by avoiding the following road work this week: From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 31, crews will seal cracks on William Penn Highway between Stones Crossing and the Route 22 / 13th Street interchange in Palmer Township, Wilson Borough and Easton. There will be lane restrictions. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 2-4, crews will seal cracks on William Penn Highway between Stones Crossing and the Route 22 / 13th Street interchange in Palmer Township, Wilson Borough and Easton. There will be lane restrictions.

Peepsfest Dec. 30-31 Kicks Off New Year's in Bethlehem

http://nazareth.patch.com/articles/celebrate-new-years-with-peepsfest-dec-30-31-in-bethlehem PEEPSFEST™, a family festival that takes place Dec. 30-31, returns for its fourth year at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. The event, which is free to attend, features two days packed with live music, arts and PEEPS®-related programming. It culminates Dec. 31, 5:15 p.m. with the dropping of a 4.5-foot tall, 85-pound, lit PEEPS® Chick and fireworks to welcome in the New Year.

Backstreet Boys to Star New Year's Eve at Sands Event Center

http://nazareth.patch.com/articles/backstreet-boys-coming-to-sands-for-new-years-788a89d9 The Sands Bethlehem Event Center will host a New Year’s Eve concert event with The Backstreet Boys. The B104 New Year's Eve Bash will start at 9pm with DJ Cap Cee and also include a champagne toast, ball drop at midnight and more. “The Sands Bethlehem Event Center is the hottest destination for entertainment in the valley and we’re throwing the ultimate party this New Year’s Eve,” said Jerry Deifer on behalf of Vision Entertainment Group, which co-owns and operates the events center.

Sunday!

Attention: There is no e-mail on Monday December 31 E-mails will resume Wednesday January 2 Have a Happy New Year! Your Buddy, Andy

Lehigh men's basketball team loses heartbreaker to Bryant

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/lehigh/index.ssf/2012/12/lehigh_mens_basketball_team_lo.html#incart_river FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES Frankie Dobbs' layup with two seconds left gave Bryant a thrilling 80-79 victory tonight over Lehigh.

Bethlehem Catholic crowns eight champions, claims team title in Tony Iasiello Christmas City Tournament

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/bethlehem_catholic_crowns_8_ch.html#incart_river FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES Bethlehem Catholic crowned eight individual champions on the way to winning the team title with 310.5 points at the Tony Iasiello Christmas City Tournament today.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 29 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD

Rice 33 Air Force 14 Syracuse 38 West Virgina 14 Arizona State 62 Navy 28 Texas 31 Oregon State 27 Michigan State 17 TCU 16

NEWSMAKER Q&A: RAYANN VASKO

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-newsmaker-vasko-20121229,0,554230.story FROM THE MORNING CALL Rayann Vasko is the executive director of the nonprofit Dream Come True, which since 1984 has provided trips, scholarships and toys to terminally and chronically ill children, ages 4 to 17, in the Lehigh Valley area. Last week, Dream Come True ran its annual North Pole Express Flight, which is a magical plane ride children take from Lehigh Valley International Airport to visit Santa Claus at his home. Vasko is the subject of this week's Q&A. Q: How did you get involved with Dream Come True? A: I had some spare time and knew the president of DCT at the time and asked if DCT needed any help. This organization gets in your blood and I kept joining more committees and became more and more involved. Q: What is your role as executive director and how long have you held that title? A: I take care of the day-to-day operations. I attend all committee meetings, do all the administrative work, plan and organize events, visit hospitals, ensure all aspects of the organization are operating well, and process eligibility of our children. I have been executive director for 20 years. I began volunteering about 5 years prior to becoming executive director. Q: How do families connect with Dream Come True? A: Anyone can refer a child. Parents, doctors, nurses, neighbors, relatives, friends and sometimes the child themselves. We have a referral form on our website or a family can call or write DCT. Q: How does Dream Come True work with families to fulfill a wish? A: Once a child meets our eligibility requirements and his/her dream has been approved by our board of directors, two volunteers meet with the family to discuss the details of the dream and what the child would like to happen. Q: Dream Come True's public IRS tax report shows contributions have dropped nearly 29 percent to $440,253 between 2007 and 2011. What has caused that drop and has it affected your ability to fulfill dreams? A: The economy, loss of jobs and natural disasters in our country have affected donations. Plus there are many other nonprofits cropping up in the Lehigh Valley each year, which also affects donations. None of this so far has affected our ability to fulfill dreams. We work hard to keep our administrative and other costs down so that most of our money raised goes to dreams. We have wonderful volunteers that do a great job fulfilling dreams. We have invested well and have planned for the future. Q: Is there a more common dream request and conversely what is the most exotic dream request? A: Disney World is the number one dream and always has been. Not sure this is considered exotic but it was unique. Many years ago we had a young boy who wanted to be a G.I. Joe. He went to Indiantown Gap where he was a four-star general. Every soldier who passed him had to salute. He drove a tank and did everything a general would do. He received a letter from President Reagan thanking him for keeping our country safe that day. Q: Describe the coordination and planning that goes into the annual North Pole plane trip? A: It takes a lot of planning to make the North Pole such a great event. We begin in June/July, and it is a committee of about six people. We begin with sponsorship letters asking for items or donations. We meet monthly until November, then we meet twice a month. The Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority does the most planning and coordinating. They are wonderful to work with and they do great things. Q: You had mentioned that two children died on Dec. 21, the day before the North Pole trip, and 13 total children died in 2012. How do you cope with frequent deaths of so many young children? A: Being in DCT for over 20 years I have seen a lot of sad cases and it does not get any easier. Each one breaks my heart and I never forget any of them. I have a memento from each one of them. I find that I cherish every moment with the dream children and enjoy them and work hard to make them smile when I am with them. Their strength and smiles keep me going. Q: Where can people contribute to your organization? A: People can contribute via our website, or by sending a check to: Dream Come True, P.O. Box 21167, Lehigh Valley, PA 18002.

Events planned around the Lehigh Valley area

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-lehigh-valley-town-1230-20121229,0,6068287.story FROM THE MORNING CALL LEHIGH COUNTY STATE REP. JULIE HARHART will offer veteran outreach assistance 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, in her Slatington district office at Slatington Borough Hall, 125 S. Walnut St. A veterans outreach specialist from the American Legion in Wilkes-Barre will assist local veterans with accessing benefits and services from the U.S. Veterans Administration. To schedule an appointment, call 610-760-9805. LEHIGH COUNTY SENIOR CENTER, 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown, will hold Zumba Gold, a Latin-inspired dance-fitness program, 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, and 9-10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10. A Latin dance program will be held 1-2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11. Participants will learn to dance to upbeat Latin music. Register: 610-437-3700.

Saucon Valley's Bryan Israel, Pen Argyl's Mike Racciato capture Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic crowns

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/saucon_valleys_bryan_israel_pe.html#incart_river FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES Because Bryan Israel remembered his most unmemorable 2011 Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic, he made certain that his 2012 performance event would be unforgettable.

Bethlehem Catholic advances 12 to the finals of Christmas City Tournament

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/bethlehem_catholic_advances_12_1.html FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES Some of the Bethlehem Catholic High School wrestlers had a tougher time than others, but it was just a bump in the road for the Golden Hawks who went undefeated in the semifinals to put 12 wrestlers in the finals of the Christmas City Tournament. Luke Karam (106), Cole Karam (113), Darian Cruz (120), Anthony Lombardo (126), Lee Todora (132), Ryan Todora (145), Mark Maloney (152), Connor Hedash (160), Nick Cortopassi (170), Jose Ortiz (182), Josh Alpha (195) and Andrew Dunn (285) will all wrestle in today's finals.

TV NEWS ON DECEMBER 29

http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2012/12/digital-digest-i-love-lucy-now-on-hulu.html Welcome to our "Christmas is done, but the year still isn't over" edition of Digital Digest! Not surprisingly, we've got another slow news week this week, but we hope that we're compensating for that with our review of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - The Complete Classic Series Collection. Let's get started! DIGITAL NEWS Luuuuuucy! You got some 'splainin' to do! Or at least the online streaming video site Hulu does! As part of a recent deal with CBS, the classic series I Love Lucy is now available on Hulu, a little earlier than expected. Currently, 102 episodes of the series are available, for absolutely free if you watch on your computer, but if you subscribe to Hulu+, you can watch them on any of the approved devices, such as a smartphone or Blu-ray player. Last month, we told you in one of our regular blog postings that PBS would be airing a new season of Pioneers of Television beginning January 15. The series is a documentary series where TV stars take us behind the scenes through television history, with each episode focusing on one particular genre or theme in television. The DVD release of this set will follow very closely behind this TV debut. Look for Pioneers of Television - Season Three to be released on March 12. The two disc set will come at a $24.99 MSRP. According to TVShowsOnDVD.com, we can expect to see more Payne soon as Lionsgate releases House of Payne - Volume 10. The three disc set of the series about three generations of family in one house heads to DVD on March 5 at a $29.98 MSRP, and will include episodes 193-212. UPCOMING WEEK PREVIEW Tuesday (January 1) is New Years Day, and much like Christmas last week, this means that the studios are taking a break from releasing anything new for the most part. However, Sony has some MOD releases that will ship next week, which include Charlie's Angels - The Complete Fifth Season (note that you can purchase Charlie's Angels - The Complete Series for less than the cost of season 5 alone) and the movie I Dream of Jeannie - 15 Years Later.

Six area athletes reach Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic finals

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/post_222.html#incart_river FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES Saucon Valley High School placed two wrestlers in the championship finals of the Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Tournament this morning at Liberty High School, the most of any area school. Bryan Israel (120) and Ray O'Donnell (195) won their semifinals and will wrestle for tournament titles in this afternoon's finals, which will start at approximately 2:30 p.m. Israel scored four points in the third period of his semi to defeat Pennridge's Ben Ross 4-2 while O'Donnell dominated Council Rock South's PJ Steinmetz 6-0 in his. Israel will meet CR South's Dan Martoccio in the final while O'Donnell meets Milton's Ryan Solomon in a rematch of last week's Beast of the East final won by Solomon 3-1.

Final "Calling All Sports" radio show of the year will feature Andy Stephens, Mark Wogenrich and Nick Fierro

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER Parkland boys basketball coach Andy Stephens will be among the guests on this morning's "Calling All Sports" radio show, heard from 9-11 on AM-1470, the Fox. It can also be heard online at fox1470.com. Stephens will talk about his team and how the Lehigh Valley Conference shapes up in the second half of the season. Other guests will include Penn State and high school wrestling beat man Mark Wogenrich and Eagles reporter Nick Fierro. And we'll also hear from Mike Petruny, who is running the Bulldog Holiday Challenge, a major youth girls basketball tournament being held this week in Allentown. To participate on the trivia contests, call 610-432-6767.

Cable rates to rise again effective Jan. 1 in the Lehigh Valley and New Jersey

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2012/12/cable_rates_to_rise_again_effe.html#incart_river_default FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES Cable and telecommunications bills are rising across the region — by up to $10 a month in some cases — continuing a trend that seemingly recurs every new year. It’s a trend that local cable operators blame on rising programming fees levied by major broadcast and sports networks, which are ultimately passed down to customers.

Lehigh Valley high school wrestlers excel at Bethlehem holiday classic

http://www.mcall.com/sports/varsity/mc-liberty-wrestling-classic-1228-20121228,0,4042424.story FROM THE MORNING CALL Only three local teams appear in the top 10 after Friday, the first night of the Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic in Liberty High School's Memorial Gymnasium, and one — Nazareth — is not in the building at all because of a skin infection circulating among the team members. But while the local teams are not dominating, some individuals are. Northampton, in 17th place among the 28 schools, has three wrestlers in the semifinals Saturday, Dec. 29, two of whom pulled off upsets. Matt Scheetz (113) defeated top seed Danny Boychuck of Wyoming Seminary by a 4-2 count in the quarters, and Bobby Fehr won an 8-2 decision over second seed Nick McGinley of St. Mark's. Scheetz and Fehr will join teammate Zach Valley (126) in the semifinals, which have been moved up to 9:30 a.m. in an attempt to get the balance of the tournament in due to an impending snowstorm.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 28 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD

Ohio 45 LA Monroe 14 Virgina Tech 13 Rutgers 10 (OT) Texas Tech 34 Minnesota 31

Wilson Area High School captures first Bennett Easton Rotary Holiday Classic boys basketball title

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/wilson_area_high_school_captur.html#incart_river FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES The championship trophy had already taken a hit as evidenced by the brass figure that was once attached to the top of it was now laying on its side inside the Easton Area Middle School locker room. "One of the kids was carrying the trophy off the floor and somebody knocked into him from behind and he bumped into someone in front of him," said Wilson Area High School boys basketball coach Bob Frankenfield with a shrug. "The kids were pretty excited." The Warriors, advancing to the final for only the second time in the 17 years of the event, broke out to a 17-point lead in the first half and then held on for a 54-46 win over Colonial League rival Notre Dame to capture its first Jack Bennett Easton Rotary Holiday Classic championship.

Weather forces change to Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic schedule

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/weather_forces_change_to_bethl.html#incart_river FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES With potential inclement weather on the way, the organizers of the Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic have announced major changes to Saturday's sessions at Liberty High School. The semifinals, originally set for 10:30 a.m., will instead start at 9:30 a.m. The tournament will then proceed straight through from there with only a short break before the finals. The championship finals, originally set for 7 p.m., will now come at approximately 3 p.m.

Winter weather advisory in effect 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2012/12/winter_weather_advisory_in_eff.html FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES Lehigh, Northampton, Warren and Hunterdon counties are under a winter weather advisory in effect 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service said this afternoon. Generally 2 to 5 inches of snow are forecast in areas where precipitation doesn't mix with rain, the service says.

TV NEWS ON DECEMBER 28

http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2012/12/in-memoriam-sitcom-actor-and-other.html Today we pay tribute to the sitcom actors, directors, writers, producers, and creators who died in 2012. We lost stars from The Andy Griffith Show, Hogan's Heroes, I Dream of Jeannie, The Jeffersons, McHale's Navy, The Monkees, My Three Sons, The Odd Couple, Webster, Welcome Back, Kotter, and many more who are greatly missed. Other notable TV deaths that we covered on the blog this year have also been listed. They are listed in alphabetical order. Visit the IMDB and Wikipedia links for a full listing of their credits and other biographical information. View video interviews at the Archive of American Television links.

Sports Media Digest- December 28, 2012

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ CBS Sits Down with Pagano for NFL Today- CBS Sports reports that this Sunday’s edition of the NFL Today will feature an interview with Colts head coach Chuck Pagano conducted by Greg Gumbel. Pagano returns to the sidelines this week after being being stricken with leukemia and receiving treatment wince week 3. The Sun Bowl on CBS- There are only a handful of college bowl games NOT on ESPN. One is the Sun Bowl, which has had a 45-year history on CBS. This year’s telecast will take place Monday, December 31st at 2:00p.m. ET as Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson, and Tracey Wolfson have the call as USC takes on Georgia Tech from El Paso, TX. Clippers/Nuggets Next NBA TV Fan Night Presentation- NBA TV has announced that the LA Clippers at Denver Nuggets will be this Tuesday’s Fan Night telecast. Tip-off is 9:00p.m. ET. Fans can vote on the following games to be the Fan Night telecast for January 8th: Brooklyn Nets @ Philadelphia 76ers; Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers; Phoenix Suns @ Milwaukee Bucks; Los Angeles Lakers @ Houston Rockets; orAtlanta Hawks @ Minnesota Timberwolves. ESPN Reiterates Strong NBA Ratings On Christmas- ESPN has released more information on its NBA ratings success this Christmas. The three games on ESPN has an average audience of 2.8 million viewers with an average rating of 2.0, up 10% and 11% repectively from 2010. The ratings for the prime time telecasts- Rockets at Bulls and Nuggets at Clippers- had ratings increases of 31% and 25% over 2010.

Sunday NFL Countdown on ESPN- December 30, 2012

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ ESPN has provided a preview for this weekend’s final NFL slate of games on Sunday NFL Countdown this Sunday beginning at 10:00a.m. ET. Chris Berman hosts with analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson. They will be joined by Suzy Kolber, Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski. ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and senior analyst Chris Mortensen will report the day’s news and updates. Comedian Frank Caliendo will also be on set. Correspondents Bob Holztman (Green Bay at Minnesota), Rachel Nichols (Houston at Indianapolis), Ed Werder (Dallas at Washington), Josina Anderson (Chicago at Detroit) and Sal Paolantonio (Dallas at Washington) will report from game sites. From ESPN PR, here are some other anticipated show highlights: Mike Shanahan Conversation: Countdown’s Adam Schefter goes one-on-one with the Redskins head coach, who after a loss against Carolina in early November, was ready to start evaluating players for 2013. Six straight wins later, the Redskins are a victory away from their first division title since 1999. Quarterback Soundtracks – Romo and RG III: Last week, the Cowboys lost a thriller but a heartbreaker in a 34-31 overtime home loss to the Saints. Hear inside-the-game audio from quarterback Tony Romo’s perspective. Plus, soundtracks highlights Robert Griffin III’s sensational rookie season. Vignettes and teases: Countdown will produce special vignettes and teases using Cowboys and Redskins players from the 1970s and 1980s, when both franchises were perennial playoff contenders and the rivalry was red hot. DJ Porter’s Spins the Sounds of the Season: In a segment taped in New York’s Times Square, DJ Porter spins the sounds and stories from the 2012 season, from the stellar rookie quarterback class, to the remarkable comebacks of Adrian Peterson and Peyton Manning and more. Greg Olsen update: This feature updates the Chris Connelly piece from earlier this season on Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, whose twins were born in the middle of the season. One of his twins, TJ, was born with a heart defect and required surgery shortly after birth. ESPN catches up with the Olsen family to see the progress their young son has made and how the family is coping with what has been a difficult few months.

Fox Sports Completes Deal to Buy Sports Time Ohio, Gains Rights to Indians Telecasts

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ Fox Sports announced today it has completed a deal to acquire Sports Time Ohio, the Cleveland-based regional sports network. As part of the deal Fox Sports has secured the exclusive long-term local telecast rights for Cleveland Indians baseball. Prior to 2006 the Indians had been airing on Fox Sports Ohio. It is unclear whether Fox will keep Sports Time Ohio as a separate network or integrate its programming into Fox Sports Ohio. “The acquisition of SportsTime Ohio solidifies our business in Ohio, and Fox Sports Media Group’s new long-term agreement with the Indians reunites the team with the Fox Sports family,” said Jeff Krolik, executive vice president, Fox Sports Networks. “We look forward to once again showcasing the Indians to their fans, as well as working with the Indians ownership to continue to enhance the value of this iconic franchise.” Cleveland Indians Chief Executive Officer Paul Dolan said: “We look forward to a long-term partnership with Fox that will continue to bring state-of-the-art broadcasts of Indians games to the fans while strengthening the franchise and enhancing our ability to build competitive teams.”

CBS Sports Radio Sets Weekend Lineup

http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/80238/cbs-sports-radio-sets-weekend-lineup/ The weekend lineup has been set for the launch of CBS Sports Radio on January 2. The lineup features many hosts from local CBS stations pulling double-duty for the network. Saturday’s feature former ESPN Radio host Amy Lawrence from 2-6am eastern, WFAN New York’s Marc Malusis from 6-10am, CBS Sports Radio morning co-host Brandon Tierney from 10am-2pm, KDKA-FM Pittsburgh’s morning co-host Gregg Giannotti from 2-6pm, WFAN and WIP Philadelphia host Jody MacDonald 6-10pm, and WKRK Cleveland afternoon co-host Adam The Bull from 10pm-2am. On Sundays, Amy Lawerence again hosts 2-6am, WCNN Atlanta (and former ESPN Radio weekender) John Kinkaide airs 6-10am, WJZ-FM Baltimore middayers Vinny Cerrato (former Washington Redskins VP/Football Operations) and Rob Long 10am-2pm, Jody MacDonald 2pm-6pm, KILT Houston afternoon hosts Josh Innes and Ted Johnson 6pm-10pm, and Amy Lawrence again from 10pm-2am.

Week 17 NFL Schedule on Fox, with Announcer Assignments

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ Here is the week 17 NFL schedule on Fox, along with announcer assignments and the markets where each game can be seen: 1:00p.m. ET Starts Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants- Thomm Brennaman, Brian Billick, Laura Okmin. 52% of the country will see this game. MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Dallas, Hartford, Houston, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Portland, Providence, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, West Palm Beach. Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions- Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa. 27% of the country will see this game. MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, Louisville, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Phoenix, St. Louis, Tulsa. Tampa Bay Bucs at Atlanta Falcons- Dick Stockton, John Lunch, Jennifer Hale. 9% of the country will see this game. MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Birmingham, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa. Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints- Ron Pitts, Mike Martz, Krista Voda. 8% of the country will see this game. MARKETS INCLUDE: Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, New Orleans, Raleigh. 4:25p.m. ET Starts Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver. 82% of the country will see this game. MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach. Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers- Gus Johnson,. Charles Davis, Kristina Pink. 7% of the country will see this game. MARKETS INCLUDE: Phoenix, Sacramento, San Francisco. St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks- Chris Myers, Tim Ryan, Jamie Maggio. 6% of the country will see this game. MARKETS INCLUDE: Portland, Seattle, St. Louis.

Week 17 NFL Schedule on CBS, with Announcer Assignments

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ Here is the week 17 NFL schedule on CBS, along with the announcers who will call each game: 1:00p.m. ET Starts N.Y. Jets at Buffalo Bills- Marv Albert and Rich Gannon Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals- Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers- Spero Dedes and Steve Beuerlein Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts- Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans- Don Criqui and Randy Cross 4:25p.m. ET Starts Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots- Jim Nantz and Phil Simms Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos- Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers- Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker

25 NFL Facts: For amusement purposes only

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER We offer these courtesy of R.J. Bell of pregame.com 25 NFL Facts from Vegas: 49ers: -16.5 over Cardinals biggest favorite for SF since 1998. Biggest underdog for Cardinals franchise since St. Louis +17 vs. Cowboys in 1978. Bengals: First time favored over Ravens since 2008. Bengals: Teams favored week AFTER playing Mike Tomlin’s Steelers: 12-33 ATS Bills: Week AFTER playing Dolphins: 10-36 against the spread (since 1989) Broncos: -16 vs. Chiefs is biggest favorite EVER in Denver’s recorded spread history (back to 1978) Broncos: Last 52 home games, have covered only 17 times. Charges: Coach Tuner in December is 20-5 SU (17-8 ATS) Colts: Outscored by 42 points combined on season (10-5 record) Colts: Based on Quarterback Rating, Andrew Luck is the 29th best QB in the NFL. Luck is favored to be Rookie of the Year. Cowboys: Covered only 31% of games in December (since 2005) Eagles: Only team with less than 4 “cashes” against the spread this season. Eagles, Giants: Underdog has covered 13 of 15 in series. Eagles, Giants: Andy Reid has covered 60% of all road games in career. NYG covered 41% as home favorite (last 14 season) Packers: 20-8 ATS in December. Panthers: Covered 10 of 11 at New Orleans. Patriots: Covered only 5 of last 22 as double digit favorite. Redskins: First time favored over Cowboys since 2007. Redskins: Lost 14 straight ATS when playing at home against a team with fewer wins. Redskins: Coach Shanahan is 5-22 ATS last 27 times a home favorite. Redskins, Cowboys: Underdog has covered 21 of 28 in series. Redskins, Cowboys: Shanahan has never lost ATS (5-0) to Jason Garrett Seahawks: Covered 63% of home games since new stadium opened in 2002. 19-5 at home under Coach Carroll. Steelers: Coach Tomlin has NEVER lost when taking the field with a losing record. Titans: Teams who lost by 30 or more last week: 56.7% since 1990. Vikings: 18% chance Adrian Peterson beats Eric Dickerson’s rushing yardage record. --

Thursday night scoreboard: Colonial League goes 6-5 in tourneys, LVC 5-6.

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER Big night of holiday tournament basketball and lots of results to absorb. What sticks out immediately is how many of the top LVC teams fell. Now, of course, this is all about matchups, and the LVC teams that won may have simply had easier opponents than those who lost. But the big three in the LVC to me is Liberty, Freedom and Easton and all three lost tonight. So did Emmaus, Whitehall and Northampton. The big winner in the LVC may be Dieruff, which already has its backs to the wall in terms of qualifying for districts. I don't know much about the team from New York that the Huskies beat on Thursday night. All I know is that they needed that one and need to beat Stroudsburg in the Mounties' own tournament tonight. The same goes for Becahi which got a win in York on Thursday. The Golden Hawks need as many nonleague wins as they can get because wins in the LVC, particularly in their own division, are tough to come by. However, the biggest winner overall tonight was undoubtedly Wilson. The Warriors' overtime win over Easton validates them as one of the area's best teams. Notre Dame and Wilson will meet for the tournament title tonight at Easton and then will meet again at Wilson when the Colonial League resumes next Thursday. Here's a look at the scoreboard: LVC Rancocas Valley 53, Liberty 50 ... Double overtime, Greg Noack scores 17 in 'Canes first loss of the season. Parkland 72, Quakertown 31 ... Big three of Beidelman, Rindock and Zajko combined for 40. Trojans play Salisbury in tournament title game. McKeesport 62, Emmaus 50 ... Tannous, Feiertag and Shankweiler combine for 42 in Penn Hills tournament. Dieruff 71, Francis Lewis of New York 58 ... Huskies snap 4-game skid behind Tyshaun Harmon's 25. Play Stroudsburg for tournament title. Allen 49, Neshaminy 35 ... Kobe Texter's 14 leads balanced attack for the Canaries who play GAR of Wilkes-Barre for tournament title. North Hunterdon 73, Whitehall 51 .. Sophomore Brett Radocha 14 for Zephs in defeat. Nice night for Rehrig family. Denny Rehrig, an assistant at Northern Lehigh, gets a win. And so does his son Kyle with this one. Wilson 50, Easton 49 ... Poor foul shooting (6-for-18) doomed the Rovers in this one. Blue Mountain 79, Northampton 60 ... Konkrete Kids found themselves in a 23-7 hole after one quarter and never recovered. Central Catholic 78, Columbia 50 ... Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman scored 23 points and went over 1,000 in his CCHS career with a year and two-thirds to go. Becahi 62, Southwestern 53 ... Made 11 of 12 foul shots and held Southwestern to 12 points in the first half in building an 18-point halftime lead. Will play York Catholic for the tournament title. St. Vincent Pallotti 65, Freedom 58 ... Pates led 31-27 at halftime but couldn't sustain momentum in second half and dropped second in a row. COLONIAL LEAGUE Fleetwood 57, Palisades 49 ... Pirates led by seven entering the fourth quarter, but were outscored 20-5 in the final period. Stroudsburg 68, Bangor 63 ... Alex Colton's 27 is not enough in an overtime loss. Notre Dame 44, Phillipsburg 42 ... Tanner Reed had 17 and the Crusaders used a big fourth quarter (18 points) to overcome the Stateliners and earn way into Easton Rotary finals. Northwestern 56, Panther Valley 49 ... Tyler Richardson scored 23 and the Tigers earned fourth win of the season after getting just three all of last year. Jim Thorpe 74, Palmerton 62 ... Saw this game and the Bombers are better than I expected. Thorpe just had too much quickness. Freshman Spencer Hay had 17 and is a player to watch. Northern Lehigh 61, Lehighton 38 ... Also saw this one and the Bulldogs, at least for one night, lived up to expectations. If guards Tyler Dibilio and Matt Egan can play as well as they did on Thursday night, Northern Lehigh is still as good as anyone in the Colonial League. Salisbury 65, Perk Valley 37 ... Falcons scored 45 of their 65 in the second half. Boyertown 53, Southern Lehigh 48 ... The Spartans stayed in this one with nine 3-pointers. Saucon Valley 50, Faith Christian 36 ... Panthers break through for first win of the season in the Whitehall tournament and will now face North Hunterdon in the title game. Keith Mosher poured in 32 points, getting six treys, for SV. Delaware Valley (NJ) 60, Pen Argyl 34 ... Tough draw for the Knights who should fare much better against Pocono Charter tonight in the consolation game of the first Pius X tournament. MVC Hatboro 60, Pleasant Valley 34 ... Bears now get Pocono East in the consolation of the Hazleton tournament. Hazleton 84, PM East 17 ... The less said about this one, the better, from a Cardinals perspective. This kind of result was unthinkable two, three years ago. OTHERS Moravian Academy 60, South Hunterdon 42 ... Luke Gutekunst scores 20 and John Donmoyer picks up career win No. 604.

BLUE RIDGE TV13 SCHEDULE

Friday, December 28th, 2012 12:00 AM Viacast TV 7:00 AM TV13 Night Report REPLAY 7:30 AM PMC: Pathways to Healthy Living 8:00 AM Health Images 8:30 AM Out In The Open 9:00 AM The Lamar Thomas Show 9:30 AM Brain Fuel TV 10:00 AM Pocono Mountains Today 10:30 AM Health and Home Report 11:00 AM The Real Estate Reporter 12:00 PM Auto Connection 1:00 PM Your Home: Inside and Out 1:30 PM Community Corner 2:00 PM Know your Neighborhood 2:30 PM Auto Connection 3:00 PM The Real Estate Reporter 4:00 PM More than Money 4:30 PM Health Images 5:00 PM TV13 Pocono Report LIVE 5:30 PM TV13 Valley Report LIVE 6:00 PM TV13 Pocono Report REPLAY 6:30 PM TV13 Valley Report REPLAY 7:00 PM Computerwise - Replay 8:00 PM More Than Money - Replay 8:30 PM Sports Yearbook 9:00 PM Ski and Snowboard 9:30 PM Out In The Open 10:00 PM TV13 night Report LIVE 10:30 PM Movie Loft 11:00 PM TV13 Night Report REPLAY 11:30 PM Sabroso Video Saturday, December 29th, 2012 1:00 AM Viacast TV 9:00 AM TV13 Night Report REPLAY 9:30 AM Movie Loft 10:00 AM Computerwise 11:00 AM Pocono Landscape Challenge 11:30 AM Health Images 12:00 PM Pocono Mountains Today 12:30 PM Out In The Open 1:00 PM WXW Wrestling 2:00 PM TV13 News Rewind 2:30 PM TV13 Sports Yearbook 3:00 PM PMC: Pathways to Healthy Living 3:30 PM More The Money - REPLAY 4:00 PM Legislative with Mario Scavello 4:30 PM Wallenpaupack Life 5:00 PM Gaither's Homecoming Hour 6:00 PM Health and Home Report 6:30 PM Eyecare Today 7:00 PM Real Estate Reporter 8:00 PM Picture of Health 9:00 PM Sabroso Video Sunday, December 30th, 2012 12:00 AM CVA's 9:00 AM St. Luke's Church Service 10:00 AM Pocono Mountains Today 10:30 AM Health Images 11:00 AM The Lamar Thomas Show 12:00 PM Pocono Landscape Challenge 12:30 PM Wallenpaupack LIfe 1:00 PM Computerwise REPLAY 2:00 PM WXW Wrestling 3:00 PM Talk of the Town 4:00 PM More than Money 4:30 PM PMC: Pathways to Healthy Living 5:00 PM Gaither's Homecoming Hour 6:00 PM Backwoods Angler 6:30 PM Eyecare Today 7:00 PM Real Estate Reporter 8:00 PM Live and Learn 8:30 PM Picture of Health 9:30 PM Sabroso Video 10:30 PM ViaCast TV Monday, December 31st, 2012 12:00 AM Viacast TV 7:00 AM Health and Home Report 7:30 AM Pocono Landscape Challenge 8:00 AM Pocono Mountains Today 8:30 AM State Capitol Programming 9:30 AM Legistlastive with Doyle Heffley 10:00 AM Legislative Report with Dave Argall 10:30 AM Legislative Report with Mario Scavello 11:00 AM The Real Estate Reporter 12:00 PM Auto Connection 1:00 PM Destination Fun 1:30 PM Community Corner 2:00 PM Know your Neighborhood 2:30 PM Auto Connection 3:00 PM The Real Estate Reporter 4:00 PM Cooking for Class 4:30 PM Health Images 5:00 PM TV13 Pocono Report LIVE 5:30 PM TV13 Valley Report LIVE 6:00 PM TV13 Pocono Report Replay 6:30 PM TV13 Valley Report REPLAY 7:00 PM News Rewind 7:30 PM Sports Yearbook 8:00 PM Lamar Thomas Show 8:30 PM PMC: Pathways to Healthy Living 9:00 PM Wallenpaupack Life 9:30 PM Pocono Mountains Today 10:00 PM TV13 night Report LIVE 10:30 PM Legislative Report with Mario Scavello Tuesday, January 1st, 2013 12:00 AM Viacast TV 7:00 AM TV13 Night Report REPLAY 7:30 AM Out in the Open 8:00 AM Talk of the Town 9:00 AM Airforce News 9:30 AM Army Newswatch 10:00 AM Battleground 10:30 AM In The Fight 11:00 AM The Real Estate Reporter 12:00 PM Auto Connection 1:00 PM Know your Neighborhood 1:30 PM Community Corner 2:00 PM Destination Fun 2:30 PM Auto Connection 3:00 PM The Real Estate Reporter 4:00 PM Brain Fuel TV 4:30 PM Pocono Landscape Challenge 5:00 PM TV13 Pocono Report LIVE 5:30 PM TV13 Valley Report LIVE 6:00 PM TV13 Pocono Report REPLAY 6:30 PM TV13 Valley Report REPLAY 7:00 PM Talk of the Town 8:00 PM Health Images 8:30 PM Legislative Report with Mario Scavello 9:00 PM PMC: Pathways To Healthy Living 9:30 PM Ski and Snow 10:00 PM TV13 night Report LIVE 10:30 PM Eyecare Today 11:00 PM TV13 Night Report REPLAY Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013 12:00 AM Viacast TV 7:00 AM TV13 Night Report REPLAY 7:30 AM More than Money 8:00 AM Gaither's Homecoming Hour 9:00 AM Wallenpaupack Life 9:30 AM Pocono Landscape Challenge 10:00 AM State House Perspectives "Julie Harhart" 10:30 AM Legislative Report with Dave Argal 11:00 AM The Real Estate Reporter 12:00 PM Auto Connection 1:00 PM Your Home: Inside and Out 1:30 PM Community Corner 2:00 PM Your Home: Inside and Out 2:30 PM Auto Connection 3:00 PM The Real Estate Reporter 4:00 PM Talk of the Town 5:00 PM TV13 Pocono Report LIVE 5:30 PM TV13 Valley Report LIVE 6:00 PM TV13 Pocono Report REPLAY 6:30 PM TV13 Valley Report REPLAY 7:00 PM Computerwise-LIVE 8:00 PM Pocono Mountains Today 8:30 PM PMC: Pathways to Healthy Living 10:00 PM TV13 night Report LIVE 10:30 PM Premium TV 11:00 PM TV13 Night Report REPLAY Thursday, January 3rd, 2013 12:00 AM Viacast TV 7:00 AM TV13 Night Report REPLAY 7:30 AM Health Images 8:00 AM Wallenpaupack Life 8:30 AM Focus on PA 9:00 AM Behind the Headlines 9:30 AM Pocono Mountains Today 10:00 AM Cooking for Class 10:30 AM Legislative with Mario Scavello 11:00 AM The Real Estate Reporter 12:00 PM Auto Connection 1:00 PM Know your Neighborhood 1:30 PM Community Corner 2:00 PM Destination Fun 2:30 PM Auto Connection 3:00 PM The Real Estate Reporter 4:00 PM Computerwise-Replay 5:00 PM TV13 Pocono Report LIVE 5:30 PM TV13 Valley Report LIVE 6:00 PM TV13 Pocono Report REPLAY 6:30 PM TV13 Valley Report REPLAY 7:00 PM More Than Money - LIVE 7:30 PM Talk of The Town 8:30 PM Pocono Landscape Challenge 9:30 PM Out In The Open 10:00 PM TV13 night Report LIVE 10:30 PM Eyecare Today 11:00 PM TV13 Night Report REPLAY

SERVICE ELECTRIC TV2 SCHEDULE

F riday, December 28th 5:00pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 5:30pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 6:00pm Easton Rotary Holiday Basketball Classic: Girls Championship Game LIVE 7:45pm Easton Rotary Holiday Basketball Classic: Boys Championship Game LIVE 9:00pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene Saturday, December 29th 6:00pm Easton Rotary Holiday Basketball Classic: Girls Championship Game 7:30pm Easton Rotary Holiday Basketball Classic: Boys Championship Game Sunday, December 30th 5:00pm Lehigh Valley Latino Show 6:00pm PA Crossfire 6:30pm Backwoods Angler Fishing Show 7:00pm ComputerWise 8:00pm What The Heck Were They Thinking?! with Larry Holmes 8:30pm The Steel 9:00pm The Stage with Chris Line 9:30pm Wild Pennsylvania with Alan Probst 10:00pm WXW C4 Professional Wrestling: Blast TV 11:00pm Sabroso Video Monday, December 31st 4:00pm ArtsQuest presents PeepsFest: Starfish LIVE 5:00pm ArtsQuest presents PeepsFest: Fireworks LIVE Tuesday, January 1st Happy New Year - No Programming Wednesday, January 2nd 6:00pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 6:30pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 7:00pm ComputerWise 8:00pm PA Crossfire 8:30pm Focus on PA 9:00pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 9:30pm The Steel Thursday, January 3rd 6:00pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 6:30pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 7:00pm More than Money 7:30pm ComputerWise 8:30pm The Stage with Chris Line 9:00pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 9:30pm Focus of PA Friday, January 4th 6:00pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 6:30pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 7:00pm LVC Basketball: Central Catholic vs Freedom LIVE 8:30pm Backwoods Angler Fishing Show 9:00pm Lehigh Valley Sports Scene 9:30pm LVC Basketball: Liberty vs Whitehall Schedule Subject to Change Without Notice Times are Approximate Due To LIVE Events & Length of Sporting Events.

WEEX 1230 SCHEDULE

Fr 28 CFB: Rutgers v. Virginia Tech 5:30pm Fr 28 CFB: Minnesota v. Texas Tech 9:00pm Sa 29 CFB: West Virginia v. Syracuse 3:00pm Sa 29 Lehigh Basketball v. Bryant 6:30pm Sa 29 CFB: Texas v. Oregon State join in progress Sa 29 CFB: Michigan State v. TCU 10:15pm Su 30 NY Giants Football v. Philadelphia 12:45pm Su 30 NFL: Green Bay @ Minnesota 4:15pm Su 30 NFL: Dallas @ Washington 7:30pm Mo 31 CFB: Iowa State v. Tulsa 2:30pm Mo 31 CFB: LSU v. Clemson 7:30pm Tu 1 CFB: Georgia v. Nebraska 1:00pm Tu 1 CFB: Stanford v. Wisconsin 4:30pm Tu 1 CFB: Florida State v. Northern Illinois 8:00pm We 2 CFB: Florida v. Louisville 7:30pm Th 3 CFB: Oregon v. Kansas State 7:30pm Fr 4 CFB: Texas A&M v. Oklahoma 7:00pm

THURSDAY DECEMBER 27 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD

San Jose State 29 Bowling Green 20 Cincinnati 48 Duke 34 Baylor 49 Duke 26

Nazareth Area School District officials say skin infection of wrestler not confirmed

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/nazareth_area_school_district.html FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES Nazareth Area High School officials say it is yet to be confirmed whether a Blue Eagle wrestler has contracted a case of the skin infection Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Nazareth Area High School wrestling coach Dave Crowell initially said Wednesday he would be withdrawing the Blue Eagles from this weekend's Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic at Liberty High School due to a Blue Eagle wrestler contracting a case of the skin infection. Today, he stressed to an Express-Times reporter at the high school the student's diagnosis had not been confirmed, but MRSA is suspected.

Week 17 NFL Schedule, With Local Media Links

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ Here is the week 17 NFL schedule, along with links to the local media covering each team: Sunday, Dec. 30 GAME TIME/SCORE TV LOCATION Tampa Bay at Atlanta 1:00 pm FOX Georgia Dome N.Y. Jets at Buffalo 1:00 pm CBS Ralph Wilson Stadium Jacksonville at Tennessee 1:00 pm CBS LP Field Cleveland at Pittsburgh 1:00 pm CBS Heinz Field Baltimore at Cincinnati 1:00 pm CBS Paul Brown Stadium Chicago at Detroit 1:00 pm FOX Ford Field Houston at Indianapolis 1:00 pm CBS Lucas Oil Stadium Carolina at New Orleans 1:00 pm FOX Mercedes-Benz Superdome Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants 1:00 pm FOX MetLife Stadium Green Bay at Minnesota 4:25 pm FOX Mall of America Field Miami at New England 4:25 pm CBS Gillette Stadium Oakland at San Diego 4:25 pm CBS Qualcomm Stadium Kansas City at Denver 4:25 pm CBS Sports Authority Field Arizona at San Francisco 4:25 pm FOX Candlestick Park St. Louis at Seattle 4:25 pm FOX CenturyLink Field Dallas at Washington 8:20 pm FOX FedEx Field

Sports Media Digest- December 27, 2012

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ NBC Airs Notre Dame Marathon New Year’s Day- NBC Sports will replay 10 hours of Notre Dame football New Year’s Day beginning at Noon ET. Here is the line-up: Noon Michigan at Notre Dame Re-Air 2 p.m. Onward Notre Dame: South Bend to Soldier Field 3 p.m. Stanford at Notre Dame Re-Air 5 p.m. Pittsburgh at Notre Dame Re-Air 7 p.m. Wake Forest at Notre Dame Re-Air 9 p.m. Undefeated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Season in Review No. 1 vs. No. 2 Women’s College Basketball Saturday on ESPNU- ESPNU will be the home to an early season battle between the top two teams in women’s college basketball as No. 1 Stanford hosts No. 2 UConn. Tip-off is Saturday at 4:00p.m. ET. Tennis Channel Begins 2013 Coverage of Live Tennis January 1st- The Tennis Channel begins its 2013 season of live tennis action with coverage beginning New Year’s Day of the Hyundai Hopman Cup. The annual international mixed-doubles tournament will air next Tuesday and Thursday at 3:30p.m. ET with the Championship January 6th at 8:00a.m. ET. Pro Bowlers Tour Sunday on ESPN- The next stop in the Pro Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour will air this Sunday on ESPN. Lon McEachern and Randy Petersen have the call of the PBA Chameleon Championship on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET. ESPN the Magazine “Next” Issue- The next edition of ESPN the Magazine will feature the “next” group of athletes expected to make a big impact.

Most high school boys basketball tournaments begin tonight

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER The Pius X tournament, set to begin Wednesday, was postponed a night because of the inclement weather. The tourney will go tonight with Pen Argyl meeting Delaware Valley of New Jersey at 5 and Pius X playing Pocono Charter at 7. Here's the complete tournament schedule as printed in Tuesday's newspaper. THIS WEEK’S TOURNAMENTS ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL Thursday Wilkes Barre GAR vs. Springfield (5:30) Neshaminy vs. Allen (7) Friday Consolation (5:30) Championship (7) BOYERTOWN Thursday Gov. Mifflin vs. Pennridge (4:30) Southern Lehigh vs. Boyertown (6) Friday Consolation (4:30) Championship (6) COATESVILLE Thursday Freedom vs. St. Pallotti of Laurel, Md. (6) Coatesville vs. Cheltenham (7:30) Friday Consolation (6) Championship (7:30) DELAWARE VALLEY Thursday At Milford, Pa. ES North vs. St. John’s Prep, NYC Delaware Valley vs. Eldred, N.Y. Friday Consolation (6) Championship (7:30) EASTON ROTARY At Easton Middle School Thursday Wilson vs. Easton (6:15) Notre Dame vs. Phillipsburg (7:45) Friday Consolation (3:30) Championship (7:45) ELIZABETHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL Thursday Central Catholic vs. Columbia (7:30) Friday Central Catholic vs. Elizabethtown (7:30) FLEETWOOD TIGER CLASSIC Thursday Pequea Valley vs. Brandywine (6) Palisades vs. Fleetwood (7:30) Friday Consolation (6) Championship (7:30) HAZLETON COUGAR CLASSIC Thursday Hatboro vs. Pleasant Valley (6) Pocono Mt. East vs. Hazleton (7:30) Friday Consolation (6) Championship (7:30) HONESDALE HIGH SCHOOL Wednesday Wallenpaupack vs. E.S. South (6:30) Nazareth vs. Honesdale (8) Friday Consolation (6:30) Championship (8) NEW HOPE SOLEBURY Thursday S. Hunterdon, N.J. vs. Moravian Academy (2:45) Riverside, N.J. vs. New Hope/Solebury (6:15) Friday Consolation (4:30) Championship (8) PARKLAND HIGH SCHOOL Thursday Salisbury vs. Perkiomen Valley (4:30) Quakertown vs. Parkland (6) Friday Consolation (6) Championship (7:30) PENN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL Thursday Emmaus vs. McKeesport (6) Friday Emmaus vs. Pittsburgh CCHS (6) PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL Thursday Delaware Valley (NJ) vs. Pen Argyl (5) Pocono Charter vs. Pius X (7) Friday Consolation (5) Championship (7) PRIMETIME SHOOTOUT At Trenton Catholic Academy Thursday Archbishop Carroll vs. Lakewood, N.J. (2) Liberty vs. Rancocas Valley (3:30) Saturday Consolation (12) Championship (4:30) SALEM CHRISTIAN Thursday Notre Dame-ES vs. Calvary Baptist of Lansdale (6) Lincoln Leadership Academy vs. Salem Christian (7:30) Friday Consolation (6) Championship (6:30) SLATINGTON ROTARY At Northern Lehigh High School Thursday Jim Thorpe vs. Palmerton (6:30) Northern Lehigh vs. Lehighton (8) Friday Consolation (6:30) Championship (8) STROUDSBURG TOURNAMENT Thursday Francis Lewis, N.Y. vs. Dieruff (6) Bangor vs. Stroudsburg (7:30) Friday Consolation (6) Championship (7:30) WHITEHALL HIGH SCHOOL Thursday Saucon Valley vs. Faith Christian (5:30) North Hunterdon, N.J. vs. Whitehall (7) Friday Consolation (5:30) Championship (7) YORK VO-TECH Thursday York Suburban vs. York Catholic (6) Bethlehem Catholic vs. Southwestern (7:30) Friday Consolation (6) Championship (7:30)

NFL games were 29 of the 30 most-watched TV shows of the fall

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER For some reason, the NFL playoff races just weren't as compelling as in years past, but the returns of Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson to top form and the emergence of rookies like RG3, Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck seemed to keep the interest at a high level throughout the season. The NFL just put out a release saying that 29 of the 30 highest-rated TV shows of the fall were NFL games. Frankly, that's not a surprise. The surprise is that the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade was the one non-football game to crack the top 30. Here's the release courtesy of the NFL: NFL GAME TELECASTS 29 OF 30 MOST-WATCHED TV SHOWS THIS FALL NFL Game Tops Ratings in All 30 Markets for Second Consecutive Week & Record Fifth Time in ‘12 An NFL game was the most-watched show on TV last week (Dec. 17-23) for the 16th time in 16 weeks of the NFL season with the FOX national telecast (mostly New York Giants-Baltimore Ravens) topping all sports and entertainment competition with 24.2 million viewers. Locally, an NFL game was the highest-rated show in all 30 NFL markets last week, marking the second consecutive week and the record fifth time this season that NFL games topped local ratings in all NFL markets. Previously there were four “30 for 30” weeks in the full 2010 and 2011 seasons. NFL games have topped local ratings 93 percent of the time this season (up from 90 percent at this point in ’11). For the season, NFL games rank as 29 of the 30 most-watched TV shows since Labor Day. Following are the most-watched programs this fall: Program Viewers 1. FOX Thanksgiving Game (Redskins-Cowboys), 11/22 28.7 million 2. NBC Sunday Night Football (Steelers-Broncos), 9/9 27.6 million 3. CBS Thanksgiving Game (Texans-Lions), 11/22 27.3 million 4. FOX Sunday National (mostly Giants-Cowboys), 10/28 26.9 million 5. CBS Sunday National (mostly Steelers-Cowboys), 12/16 26.9 million 6. FOX Sunday National (mostly 49ers-Packers), 9/9 26.4 million 7. FOX Sunday National (mostly 49ers-Saints), 11/25 24.9 million 8. CBS Sunday National (mostly Broncos-Patriots), 10/7 24.5 million 9. FOX Sunday National (mostly Saints-Giants), 12/9 24.5 million 10. FOX Sunday National (mostly Cowboys-Eagles), 11/11 24.3 million 11. FOX Sunday National (mostly Giants-Ravens),12/23 24.2 million 12. CBS Sunday National (mostly Steelers-Giants), 11/4 24.2 million 13. CBS Sunday National (mostly Texans-Broncos), 9/23 24.0 million 14. NBC Wed. Night Kickoff Game (Cowboys-Giants), 9/5 23.9 million 15. CBS Sunday National (Indy-NE & SD-Den), 11/18 23.6 million 16. NBC Sunday Night Football (49ers-Patriots), 12/16 23.2 million 17. CBS Sunday National (mostly Steelers-Ravens), 12/2 23.0 million 18. CBS Sunday National (mostly Jets-Patriots), 10/21 23.0 million 19. FOX Sunday National (mostly Giants-49ers), 10/14 22.8 million 20. NBC Sunday Night Football (Giants-Eagles), 9/30 22.8 million 21. NBC Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, 11/22 22.4 million 22. FOX Sunday National (mostly Saints-Packers), 9/30 22.3 million 23. NBC Sunday Night Football (Cowboys-Falcons), 11/4 21.8 million 24. FOX Sunday Single (mostly NYG-ATL & GB-Chi), 12/16 21.4 million 25. NBC Sunday Night Football (Lions-Packers), 12/9 21.4 million 26. NBC Sunday Night Football (Lions-49ers), 9/16 21.3 million 27. NBC Sunday Night Football (Patriots-Ravens), 9/23 21.3 million 28. FOX Sunday Single (mostly Minn-GB & TB-Den), 12/2 20.9 million 29. NBC Sunday Night Football (Texans-Bears), 11/11 20.9 million 30. NBC Sunday Night Football (Packers-Giants), 11/25 20.9 million Source: NFL & The Nielsen Company

Brooklyn Nets fire coach Avery Johnson

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/brooklyn_nets_fire_coach_avery.html#incart_river FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES Avery Johnson was fired today as coach of the Brooklyn Nets, who have fallen to .500 in their season of new surroundings and elevated expectations.

Upper Mount Bethel Township man pleads guilty to drunken rampage at house party

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/nazareth/index.ssf/2012/12/upper_mount_bethel_township_pl.html FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES An Upper Mount Bethel Township man pleaded guilty this morning to injuring three people in a drunken fit of violence in Stockertown this July. Andrew Figuccio, 20, was at a house party in the 200 block of Hope Street on July 17 when he attacked Shelby Lyn O'Dowd and Matthew Figuccio before heading downstairs and throwing Emily Blunt across the garage. He then stepped outside and told Robert Thomas, "I rocked that (expletive)," police said. It was not immediately clear if Matthew and Andrew Figuccio are related.

Nazareth Area High School wrestling team withdraws from Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic due to skin infection

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/12/nazareth_area_high_school_with.html#incart_river_default FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES Nazareth Area High School wrestling coach Dave Crowell said Wednesday he is withdrawing the Blue Eagles from this weekend's Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic at Liberty due to a Blue Eagle wrestler contracting a suspected case of the skin infection Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

TV NEWS ON DECEMBER 27

http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2012/12/marathons-of-neighbors-nashville-on.html While we wait for the second half of the TV season to begin, we have some promotional marathons of new freshman series to further expand their audiences. ABC's Wednesday night family comedy The Neighbors will have a special four episode marathon tomorrow (Friday, December 28) from 8-10pm on sister cable network Disney Channel. The family network will air episodes two ("Journey to the Center of the Mall"), four ("Bathroom Etiquette"), six ("Larry Bird and the Iron Throne") and eight ("Thanksgiving Is for the Bird-Kersees"). Airing on Disney Channel will likely attract a lot of younger viewers (kids 2-11 and their parents) to this series that has found its groove and has surprised everyone in quality. The comedy stars Jamie Gertz and is about a family moving to the suburbs but their neighbors are pretty "unique." The Weavers are thrilled when they score a house in an exclusive gated New Jersey community, but as soon as they move in, they realize there is something strange about their new neighborhood. Curious about their neighbors' strange names and eating habits, they soon learn that the entire development is inhabited by aliens. The Weavers are the first humans the Zabvronians have had the opportunity to know in their 10 years on Earth, but soon both sides learn that while they have their differences, they are also more alike than anyone would have imagined. The Neighbors returns with all-new episodes on ABC starting Wednesday, January 9 at 8:30/7:30c.

Lehigh Valley's best entertainment photos of 2012

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/entertainment-general/index.ssf/2012/12/lehigh_valleys_best_entertainm.html FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES There is no shortage of entertainment in the Lehigh Valley. From big-name concerts to local performances, there's often something entertaining to watch. The Express-Times photographers make it out to hundreds of events each year. Now we're sharing some of the best from 2012.

NFL Continues Domination of Television Viewership

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ Following the action this past weekend, NFL games are now 29 of the top 30 most watched programs of the fall season. This week’s Fox late game (primarily Giants/Ravens) topped the viewership charts with an audience of 24.2 million viewers. For the 5th time this year NFL games were also the top-rated program in the 30 NFL markets for the week: Week of 12/17-23 HH HH RTG Market Game Date RTG SHR Rank Pittsburgh Bengals at Steelers 12/23/12 40.7 70 1 Milwaukee Titans at Packers 12/23/12 40.4 71 1 New Orleans Saints at Cowboys 12/23/12 40.1 66 1 Baltimore Giants at Ravens 12/23/12 34.5 56 1 Denver Browns at Broncos 12/23/12 34.4 66 1 Seattle 49ers at Seahawks 12/23/12 34.2 64 1 Minneapolis Vikings at Texans 12/23/12 33.4 69 1 Cincinnati Bengals at Steelers 12/23/12 33.0 59 1 Boston Patriots at Jaguars 12/23/12 32.5 63 1 Indianapolis Colts at Chiefs 12/23/12 31.0 56 1 Washington, DC Redskins at Eagles 12/23/12 28.0 57 1 Chicago Bears at Cardinals 12/23/12 27.8 53 1 Atlanta Falcons at Lions 12/22/12 27.7 47 1 Dallas Saints at Cowboys 12/23/12 27.2 57 1 Kansas City Colts at Chiefs 12/23/12 25.6 52 1 Buffalo Bills at Dolphins 12/23/12 23.7 44 1 San Fran-Oakland 49ers at Seahawks 12/23/12 23.7 48 1 Philadelphia Redskins at Eagles 12/23/12 23.6 47 1 Houston Vikings at Texans 12/23/12 23.3 49 1 Cleveland Browns at Broncos 12/23/12 23.0 42 1 Detroit Falcons at Lions 12/22/12 22.2 36 1 Charlotte Raiders at Panthers 12/23/12 21.6 44 1 St. Louis Rams at Buccaneers 12/23/12 19.7 41 1 Phoenix Bears at Cardinals 12/23/12 19.6 41 1 Jacksonville Patriots at Jaguars 12/23/12 17.2 34 1 New York Giants at Ravens 12/23/12 16.9 31 1 Nashville Titans at Packers 12/23/12 16.5 30 1 San Diego Chargers at Jets 12/23/12 16.3 38 1 Miami Bills at Dolphins 12/23/12 15.4 37 1 Tampa Bengals at Steelers 12/23/12 13.4 30 1

Notre Dame marathon on NBC Sports Network on New Year's Day

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER NBC Sports Network kicks off the New Year with 10 hours of Notre Dame Football programming this Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, at noon. With no NHL Winter Classic to build around, the NBC Sports Network is looking for programming to compete with bowl games and who better than the BCS Championship game-bound Fightin' Irish. Here's the release: With No. 1 Notre Dame heading to the BCS National Championship, NBC Sports Network will re-air the team’s Sept. 22, 13-6 win against rival Michigan, followed by an encore showing of Onward Notre Dame: South Bend to Soldier Field, a special NFL Films-produced behind-the-scenes look at Notre Dame Football. Onward, which debuted in October, features the Fighting Irish and head coach Brian Kelly as they prepare to face Miami at Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears, a game Notre Dame won, 41-3. At 3 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network presents Notre Dame’s 20-13 overtime victory over Stanford, followed by the team’s thrilling triple overtime victory, 29-26, over Pittsburgh at 5 p.m. ET. Coverage continues with Senior Day and the Fighting Irish’s 38-0 shutout win over Wake Forest at 7 p.m. ET. The programming block concludes with an encore showing of Undefeated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Season in Review, a look back at the Fighting Irish’s magical season and look ahead to the team’s upcoming appearance in the BCS National Championship. Undefeated premiered on NBC on Sat., Dec. 22. NBC Sports Network’s Jan. 1 Notre Dame Football Programming (subject to change): Date Time (ET) Programming Tues., Jan. 1 Noon Michigan at Notre Dame Re-Air 2 p.m. Onward Notre Dame: South Bend to Soldier Field 3 p.m. Stanford at Notre Dame Re-Air 5 p.m. Pittsburgh at Notre Dame Re-Air 7 p.m. Wake Forest at Notre Dame Re-Air 9 p.m. Undefeated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Season in Review Notre Dame Football on NBC scored its most-watched season in seven years. The Fighting Irish averaged 4.4 million viewers and a 2.8 household rating for their seven games on NBC, up 69% and 67%, respectively, versus last year (2.6 million viewers and a 1.7 household rating). The 4.4 million average viewers this year is the best for Notre Dame Football on NBC since 2005 (5.2 million), while the 2.8 rating is the best since 2006 (3.0). ABOUT NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL ON NBC The NBC Sports Group and the University of Notre Dame began their landmark Notre Dame Football relationship in 1991, and have renewed their partnership numerous times, the latest in June of 2008 through 2015. NBC has the media rights for up to eight Notre Dame home games annually, including one off-site home game airing in primetime each year. Since 2010, NBC’s Notre Dame games have been streamed live on NBCSports.com and, beginning in 2012, on the NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets. During the 2012 season, NBC experienced its most-watched season since 2005 with viewership of Notre Dame Football averaging 4.4 million viewers and a 2.8 household rating, up 69% and 67%, respectively, over 2011.