Golf Basics-Fitness

The key to a successful golf fitness program is too isolate the anatomical weaknesses identified through the physical assessment. This often entails a combination of specific stretching and strengthening exercises, done on a regular basis, to help bring balance back into the golfer's body. This is essential as the research is now crystal clear that muscle imbalance is the root cause of most swing faults, inefficient golf swings, poor performance, and both acute and chronic injury.

One of the benefits from this pursuit of a better golf game is a loss of body fat. As in any exercise program that incorporates a strength component, muscle tissue is enhanced. Not only does this improve strength, balance, and power, it makes you a better calorie burning machine.

It takes about 2 to 4 calories a day to maintain a pound of fat in your body. It takes about 50 to 70 calories a day to maintain a pound of muscle. That's a pretty significant difference! Muscles is what drives our metabolism and when you increase muscle, you increase the number of calories you'll burn during the day.

Most of us had more muscle when we kids running around the neighborhood and walking to school, uphill, 6 miles both ways. Then, for one reason or another, we slow down and sit more. The wastes away our muscle and as a result lowers our metabolism. We usually don't alter our eating patterns to make up for the slower metabolism, frequently the eating patterns get worse, so we put on weight/fat.

When a golfer begins an exercise program to improve their swing efficiency, they inevitably will need to include strengthening exercise to correct the weaknesses they posses (and we all have some). This progressive strength component, usually moderate in intensity, has change on body composition. As you tone muscle, and this is worth repeating, you raise metabolism and burn more calories. Increase the number of calories expended during the day and you lose weight.

Now be forewarned, muscle is also denser than fat and will weigh heavier on the bathroom scale. So don't be alarmed if the scale doesn't change all that much, but yet you're able to fit into those jeans you haven't worn since high school.

A word about cardio exercise. Keeping the heart and lungs in shape is a must and will help you on the back nine when fatigue can lead to poor shots and an enhanced potential for injury. Cardio exercise is important and should be included. It will burn calories while doing the exercise, and for an hour or two afterward as your body returns to resting state. Cardio will not, however, do anything for strength development nor will it increase resting metabolism. That needs to come from strength training.

Whether desired or not, exercising to improve your golf swing will have additional benefits for your health. One of these, if you're consistent with your workouts, is a leaner body. This would ultimately improve your ability to burn calories and lose body weight/fat. So not only will your playing satisfaction improve, so, too, will your sense of well-being.

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Golf Basics-Hitting The Ball

The best thing about a simple golf swing is that it is a system. Most golfers swing at the ball, but never really think about what they did wrong, or more importantly, what they did right. Thinking about the possible corrections usually will not work because there's always a little wrist cock, or a certain turning angle that could have influenced the good or bad result.

What a system does for your game is it allows you to proactively analyze each shot after you hit it and realize the result, good or bad. For example, I hit the ball and it slices. Now most golfers are going to hit the ball again and slice it again. Maybe they hit a good ball every once in a while, but they'll never know what MADE them hit the good shot.

With this system you'll get 5 simple steps to go through for every swing you put on the ball. Now you'll start to see trends developing, and you can always tie those trends back to one of the 5 steps you are most likely forgetting about which is causing the negative trend.

So in my example, I hit a slice. Now, because I have this system in place, I automatically know what I have to concentrate on for the next shot. I know that I did one of 2 things. I let my body get ahead of my hands, or I failed to start the downswing with my arms. If I top the ball, I automatically know that I failed to keep my leading shoulder down on the ball.

So the point is that having simple but effective controls in place will really help your game. You'll be really surprised how much you'll learn about your own game, and how easy it is to develop and maintain good habits once you understand how to recognize them.

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Golf Basics-Pre Game Stretching

Golf can be one of those sports you love, and one you love to hate. Almost every golfer is looking for that one way of increasing his or her abilities, of figuring out how to be a better golfer, how to improve the game. What if the answer was something as simple as stretching?

Your golf game will improve dramatically when you are stronger and more flexible. Flexibility for golf is often undervalued. Take a look at the basic golf movements: your golf swing uses your hip and knee joints, your shoulders, elbow and wrist joints. A smooth swing is a result of smooth movements through these joints, which comes with greater flexibility.

Flexibility is the ability of your body to move in a smooth range of motion. Our bodies are great mechanical devices. And like any machine, requires routine maintenance to keep it at best performance. Golf stretching is essentially part of the maintenance process. It warms up the muscles and lengthens the connective tissues that attach to the muscles. As a result, you have more movement through your joints. This can have an enormous change on your golf swing - you'll have more strength, greater control and an improved range of motion.

Without proper golf stretching, you'll notice a distinctive "tightness" in the areas of your body that are affected as you swing your golf club. These muscle groups are large muscles - the lower back or core muscles, hips, hamstrings and shoulders. If you haven't stretched these muscles on a consistent basis, or warmed them up before the game, the tightness that happens naturally keeps your golf swing from moving in a smooth pass. As a result, your swing suffers.

In golf, the power of your swing is a direct result of the range of motion as you move through the swing plane. The greater your range of motion, the greater the power you can generate while swinging. The increases your club head speed, which also increases the distance of your drive.

It seems only logical that if you want to improve your golf game, you need to start with some golf stretching exercises. While it's great to warm up before the game with some static stretches, a consistent routine of dynamic stretches will add great flexibility for golf. These exercises can be done at home, without a lot of expensive equipment or a huge investment of time. Just 10 minutes a few nights a week will improve your flexibility, your range of motion and make you a winner on the golf course.

Golf Basics-Driving Range

A driving range is a place where people can go for golf practice or just for fun. You can find a driving range near or attached to almost any golf course. There are also driving ranges that are on their own, often in multi-sports facilities along with batting cages and mini-golf facilities. Often the stand alone driving ranges are found in urban areas where there is no room for a full golf course.

Some people go to the driving range for golf practice. There are often professional instructors at the driving range to offer tips or formal golf swing training. Golf swing training will teach you to master your swing to hit long, straight balls down the fairway, and there is no better place for this kind of golf practice than at the driving range. This is true because while you are getting your golf swing training you will be learning new and different ways to swing your club and to move your body. During golf swing training, until you have mastered your swing, who knows where your ball will end. The driving range is the safest place for this kind of golf practice.

Some people go to the driving range not for golf practice or golf swing training, but for fun or for exercise. They are givens a bucket of golf balls and they hit the balls toward pins that are placed at a particular distance, or sometimes just into a field with distance markers so that you can see how far you have hit the ball. Golfing is a wonderful full body exercise, if you don’t rent a cart, because the swinging of the club offers an extensive upper body workout and the walking takes care of the lower body as well as your cardio workout.

While you wouldn’t think that golf practice in urban areas of Canada would be possible, you would be quite wrong. You can get in your golf practice, your golf swing training, or even full-fledged golf lessons at some urban golfing centers, which are actually indoor driving ranges. There are also some outdoor driving ranges with golf instructions in the urban areas of Canada, too.

Often an indoor driving range will be a simulated golf practice driving range, where you hit the ball into a cloth wall and an electronic radar will tell you at what distance you hit the ball based on the speed and velocity of the hit. These facilities are very popular for businesspeople and women who want to get in some golf practice at lunchtime. They can even schedule some lunch hour golf instructions with the pros that are employed at the indoor driving range.

If you want golf lessons in Canada there is certainly no shortage of golf courses and driving ranges that offer golf instruction in both urban and suburban areas. Some offer private golf instruction while others offer group golf lessons, and some offer both. You can choose from an indoor driving range for your golf lessons and golf practice, or an outdoor driving range for your golf swing training and other golf instructions. Some of the facilities are for members only and others are for the public.

Golfing in Canada has never been more popular and more and more Canadians are taking advantage of the golf lessons that are offered at every golf course and driving range. Even some mini-golf practice centers offer golf instruction on putting and golf swing training. Often you will find a driving range and a mini-golf center in one for a full range of golf instructions.

The prices range for golf lessons in Canada. They will depend on which course or driving range you choose for your golf lessons. Typically golf instruction is less expensive at a driving range or mini-golf practice center than at an 18 hole golf course, but some would say that the golf lessons are more focused and intense at a driving range than at a golf course because there aren’t as many distractions.

If you are in Canada and would like some golf instructions for yourself, look online for golf lessons near you. Whether you are in an urban or suburban area, or a remote area of the Canadian Rockies, you will find a place that offers a full range of golf lessons including golf swing training, putting golf instructions and golf practice facilities for between your golf instruction times.

This article is dedicated to a friend of mine from the beautiful and sunny florida....Hugh

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Ladies Golf Attire And Fashions

I was perusing Golf for Women the other day and

wondered where are the women who wear the golf attire

modeled in women’s golf magazines? I’ve never seen

women, professionals included, who would dress in such

expensive and outrageous clothes!

It’s easy to spend money outfitting yourself for golf.

Hats, sunglasses, gloves, shirts, shorts, socks,

windbreakers and shoes all add up quickly, even if you

shop the sales. Add in equipment, bag and cart and you

have to play quite often to keep down the "CPU" - cost

per use.

One glossy advertisement showed a model in short

shorts (like that’s allowed on courses!) that cost

$275, the Tse golf shirt ($595), jacket by Ralph

Lauren ($185) and two-toned Utuser shoes ($425).

That comes up to $1480; I could never hope to get the

CPU on that outfit near a normal level in my

lifetime! Don’t get me wrong; I love clothes. I really

love shoes, but could never afford, or want, golf

shoes that cost more than the national budget of some

small countries.

Granted, you want comfortable shoes that don’t look

like something your grandmother would wear, but you

can easily find less expensive and fashionable shoes.

I have several really stylish golf outfits, none of

them brand name. If I totaled the cost of all of them

up it would not come up to the price of the Tse golf

shirt. , I’d rather have several stylish

outfits and one outrageously priced one.

If I were to wear a $1480 outfit to play golf, I would

simply be too worried about getting dirty or

perspiring to play a decent round.

The Best Gift for Golfers - Golf Gift Certificates

Golf Basics-The Driver

One of the most important golf clubs in your bag is the driver. It's the longest hitting club you use out on the golf course and it is also the most expensive club you carry.

For most golfers, hitting the driver and keeping the golf ball in the fairway can be quite challenging. It takes a lot of practice and control to achieve consistency. The driver could either be your best friend out on the golf course, or it can be your worst enemy at times. This is why it is important to purchase the right driver for your particular golf swing and skill level.

What should you look for in buying a new driver? The answer for that depends on your playing level. Are you a beginner, or do you have a low handicap? A driver that works well for a beginning golfer wouldn't work well for the more accomplished golfer. Here are some tips to look for when buying a new driver. Watch video for tips from Bobby..

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Golf Basics-Lesson 5

"Drive for show, putt for dough" is the lesson we’ve
all seen and learned from watching professional
golfers in every tournament and championship.

The masters of golf can drive a ball from here to
eternity, but it all boils down to how many strikes of
the ball it takes to put the ball in the hole. The
long accurate drives don’t amount to anything if
you’re unable to putt accurately.

Choosing a putter is important, but using whatever
putter you have consistently is more so. I’ve had the
same putter for fifteen years; I know what it feels
like in my hand, I know its weight and how that plays
into my putts.

Putting takes much practice. Typically, we drive
the ball eighteen times in a game, but putt at least
double that number. Doesn’t it stand that we should
practice our putting at least twice as much as
driving? If you can’t get to the practice green
regularly, practice on your carpet at home.

Keep in mind that no ball can make it into the hole if
it doesn’t have enough power behind the ball to get
there. Take the time to get down and look at the path
from your ball to the hole; does it slant one way or
the other? Is it uphill or downhill?

Stand with your feet spread for balance and line up
the putt. Keep you hands, arms and shoulders
completely still; imagine that you are a "bobble head"
but you move from just below your chest. Keep your
head directly over the ball. Pull your club back; keep
your hands, wrists, arms and shoulders steady-the
movement comes from your chest. Hit the ball,
following it with your club.

Learn from each putt and remember the lesson.
Practice, practice, practice!

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Golf Basics-Lesson 4

We’ve all the seen the long accurate drives of Tiger
Woods. The ball flies through the air and lands in the
middle of the fairway, 300 yards away.

The green-eyed monster of envy consumes us as we
wonder if we could ever hope to drive like that.
Fortunately, long drives are not the be-all-end-all
game of golf.

Enter the short game. Without good short game skills,
all the long drives are for naught.

The short games is those shots that get us onto the
green from about one hundred feet out, be it from the
fairway, a bunker, the rough or a drop zone and
includes chips, sand shots and pitches.

This is where you're higher numbered clubs would be
used, as well as your pitching iron, sand wedge or lob
wedge.

Most golf courses have practice areas as well as a
driving range. Spend sometime working on hitting your
ball onto the green from different distances. Aim for
a ten-foot circle in the center of the green at first.
Experiment using your wedges; what works for someone
else, might not work for you and your particular
swing.

After you get accustomed to doing this drill
consistently, it’s time to spend sometime in a sandtrap. Knowing how to get the ball out of a trap will
cut your score.

Plant your feet firmly into the sand, with your left
foot turned toward the hole. Imagine a 4-inch circle the ball and try to hit the edge of the circle
that is away from the ball.

Take much sand with your ball and swing completely.
Don’t decelerate at all when, or after you hit the
ball. It should pop up onto the green and stop. This
doesn’t work unless the sand is very soft and powdery.
On hard surfaces, you might need to avoid actually
hitting the sand.

As in all aspects of the game, only practice will help
you to improve.

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Golf Basics-Lesson 3

The long game refers to your drives (shots off the

tee) and fairway shots; everything short of the shots

you make to get onto the green.

Each hole has a different difficulty level, different

par and distinctive hazards, so instructing you to use

your Driver on every tee would be blatantly wrong.

This is something you will learn over time as you

learn the various shots you make according to the

club, the placement of the ball and your personal

swing.

Generally speaking, the lower the club number, the

longer and lower your ball will go. A 4-iron shot will

travel long and low and will most likely roll, whereas

a 9-iron shot will have much more loft and go less

distance both in the air and on the ground.

The professionals on television make it look so easy;

they consistently hit the ball long and straight and

never miss-hit the ball making it dribble ten feet, or

completely miss the ball.

Driving is very important to the game, and many hours

spent at the driving range will help improve your

distance. Experiment with the same club to see what

works for you if you move the ball forward or backward

in your stance. Take a lesson, if possible, and learn

the proper swing from the beginning.

Mastering the long game helps you get to the green in

fewer strokes, keeping your score and frustration

level down. Remember that it takes a long time to

learn consistency and remember to have fun!

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Golf Basics-Lesson 2

Well hello again, I would like to talk about golf bags in this lesson for the beginner. Starting with golf bags they will come in different sizes from big bags to bags that are so huge you could fit a weeks worth of clothing in the side pocket.

When choosing a bag you will need one that would be able to hold everything you would need out on the course. I like having things like my golf glove, golf tees and extra balls and a few extra pencils, water bottle and room for ball markers, car keys.

There are a few other things you could bring along if weather changes like a windbreaker, an umbrella. I also like to add a small first-aid kit and a pack of kleenex. And in some cases there are courses that you may need a bug spray or a type of protection. I can`t begin to tell you how many times i get bit while playing golf.

Here` s good thing to remember when bringing a cell phone is to keep it in your golf bag and turned off, unless incase of an emergencey. Golf is meant to be fun and bad shots aren`t fun if a cell phone rings as you swing. A few other things you can add to your bag is baby wipes and a towel for the hot and sweaty days.

And having alleries could be a problem remember to make room for your medications and sunscreen there`s nothing like getting burnt while having fun. Now the most imortant thing about your golf bag is a shoulder strap and a stand not many bags stand on there own unless you have it tied to a golf cart so purchasing a golf bag stand and using a shoulder strap will make it easier by the 18 hole.

So remember golf is fun and a relaxing game even thou you may not play well at times.

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Golf Basics-Lesson 1

In the sport of golf the popularity is growing tremendousy over the past 40 years or so giving us champions from the likes of Tiger Woods, Greg Norman and Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus at many of the worlds renowned courses like Augusta National, Pinehurst, and Blue Monster at Doral.

Why has the sport of golf become so popular? it`s the opportunity to get a whole body workout, to be outside, and to be social with friends or family members, and even business colleagues at a relaxed pace, and enjoy a sport that you may never perfect.

Your scorecard, and in time you will show an improvement which will keep you playing the timeless game again.

Here`s a very basic golf lesson which is for a person who may have no clue of the game of golf.

The sport of golf is played on a 18 hole course, each hole has a set par, which will be the number of tee-shot drives into the fairways, chips towards the green, and ofcourse your putts.

The par number will be based on the distance and the difficulty of the hole. Pars will range from 3 to 6 per hole. Have a ball in the hole within 5 shots on a par 5 hole, you will have made par, now if it took 6 shots, it would be called a bogie, and if you make it in 4 shots its a birdie.

Now there are many hazards of sorts through out the 18 holes of a course, from anything like sand traps, small bodies of water, trees placed in strategical spots along the holes making it more of a challenge. The beginner golfer should seek courses that play alittle easier and have a fewer hazards.

Each golfer may keep there own score, marking the total number of shots taken at every hole, and at the end of game each golfer adds the scorecard to see who has the lowest score will be the winner.

It`s important that the beginner is not to take themselves so serious, it does take some time to become good at golf, and even thou professionals may make it look too easy.

Having one or two lessons at the start may help you in developing good habits , and a proper swing, and helping you to get a good start to your golf game.

Now remember that its just a golf game. Have a good time and look at it this way you`re outside and away from your job.

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Golf Pros Will Help Tweek Your Game

It’s never easy asking for help, but in golf, it is

almost a necessity. Unfortunately, we often ask our

buddies and partners, when in reality we should take a

lesson or two.

We think that a Pro would critique harshly, but they

are honest, positive and very helpful.

Lessons at the local course aren’t as expensive as you

might think and they are worth it because your game

will improve rapidly and cause you less frustration,

making the game much more enjoyable for you.

Of utmost importance, is being honest about your game.

The Pro will ask you what you want to start with;

driving, chipping, putting or whatever you feel you

need help with.

Listen carefully and follow the instructions. You may

have doubts if the Pro changes your stance, your grip

or your swing; the Pro knows best.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Don’t worry about if

the question or concern in stupid-they’ve heard it all

before and will not make you feel like an idiot for

asking. If you don’t "get it", tell him/her that

you’re not getting it. You should never walk away from

a lesson with unanswered questions.

You can concentrate on one thing during a lesson, or

several. You might start with a lesson in driving; get

the right grip, the right stance, the right swing, the

right follow-through in one lesson, and then practice

it. Next time, you might work on your short game, or

putting.

You’ve invested in the equipment, doesn’t it make

sense to learn how to use them to their advantage and

improve your abilities?

Upcoming articles will be on golf lessons..Stay Tuned

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Finding The Right Golf Shoes

Your swing will change, your accuracy and distance

will improve with practice, and you’ll become deadly

with a putter, but you will always do these things

while standing on your feet.

Your feet need to be comfortable! Have you ever

developed a blister while walking or running? It’s all

you can think about and it ruins the experience. Don’t

let uncomfortable shoes ruin your golf game.

This is one area where you shouldn’t let your

frugality make the decision for you. You will be

wearing these shoes many times and they should be

considered an investment.

Comfort should be your biggest concern when buying

shoes. Your foot should not move at all on your heel

when you walk, yet your toes shouldn’t feel cramped.

Have your shoes professionally fit to your feet and walk

around in them before you buy them.

Proper golf shoes should be waterproof so that your

feet remain dry in damp conditions. Good socks are

important too; they will keep perspiration away from

your feet, keeping your feet dry and comfortable.

All golf courses prohibit metal spiked shoes in the

effort to protect their delicate greens. Purchase

shoes that allow you to change the rubber spikes

easily, and while you’re there, purchase some extras.

You never know when you might lose one. Replace the

spikes when they become worn.

With all the things you have to worry about while

playing golf, your feet shouldn’t be one of them. When

it comes to golf footwear, quality counts.

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Golf Etiquette

Golf Etiguette...What you need to know before you

play your first game of golf or a seasoned pro is to

have respect for other players on the course.

Golf is a dignified game of rules and manners, and

it’s important to know the basics before you play for

the first time.

Whether you are playing alone, in a twosome or a

foursome, you must wait your turn. You must keep aware

of the group on the next hole and wait until they are

well ahead of you before hitting your ball.

It’s never cool to "push" the group in front of you.

If you are playing with others, wait for your turn to

hit the ball; never hit at the same time as another

player.

While you wait for your turn, go to your ball and

determine which club you’ll need and how you are going

to hit it. This is called "ready golf" and keeps the

game moving. Don’t rush, just be ready.

If your team is holding up the players behind you, let

them play through. You would simply wave them through,

or if they are close enough, ask them if they’d like

to play through. You will never make an enemy in doing

this!

When someone is making a shot, you should be behind

them and you shouldn’t make a sound! It is so

distracting to be ready to tee off and just as you

pull back, someone decides to jingle in coins in their

pocket or noisily unwrap a piece of candy.

Replace your divots. When, in the fairway, you hit the

ball and a clod of dirt and grass goes flying, replace

it. On some courses you just put the clod back and

step on it to press it down; on most courses, there is a

sand/seed mixture on your cart to put into the divot.

If your ball makes a deep impression when it lands on

the green, use your divot tool to repair it.

As soon as you have completed a hole, replace the flag

and leave the green so that the next players can play.

Count your score and write it on the scorecard when

you’re back at your cart.

Of course, there are many more rules of golf, but

these simple ones will enable you to get through the

course without coming to blows with anyone. We must

all keep the game dignified, right?

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Choosing The Right Golf Equipment

When buying golf equipment it can be like dumping money into a

money pit, but armed with some knowledge you can save

time and money in selecting the right clubs for

yourself. As with most things in life, you can spend a

lot or you can spend a little several times before you

get what you really need.

If you are first starting out and not completely sure

you want to commit to this addictive game, you should

either rent clubs at the golf course, or buy a starter

set of clubs.

Buying a set of starter clubs it enables you to become

accustomed to them; enabling you to concentrate on

your swing instead of wondering how this set of

miss-matched clubs you just rented are going to work

out.

As you become better at the game, you should invest in

a better set of clubs, fitted to you.

Generally, a set includes a driver, one or two fairway

woods, 4-9 irons, a wedge or two and perhaps a putter.

As you become more experienced and start thinking

about new clubs, you may want to consider buying your

driver separately. Some players want a driver to give

them more accuracy; some need the distance.

There are numerous balls available and the box will

usually have a chart on the back and direct you to the

right ball for your needs. As you learn the game and

get better at it, you should experiment with different

balls which could improve your accuracy or distance.

Having the right equipment is an important aspect of

the game; buy wisely!

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Earth Hour - Your Light Switch Is Your Vote

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.

My Review Of The Mall Cop

Paul Blart is fat. And incompetent. And clumsy. If that generic description reminds you of the late Chris Farley, it should. In fact, the idea for Paul Blart: Mall Cop may have been gathering a lot of dust in the “Farley Cold Case Files” at Happy Madison Productions long before Kevin James showed up.

James (TV’s The King of Queens) plays the overly ambitious security guard who preaches the creed “safety never takes a holiday” while cruising around on a Segway trying to impress cute retailers while running face first into large displays. When his mall is overtaken by a group of gun-wielding criminals with unreasonable acrobatic skills, Blart must face his own fears and rescue a group of hostages that includes his own daughter who, mind you, somehow snuck into the SWAT-surrounded mall after it was locked down.

Now, let’s just leave all the plot holes aside. After all, these flicks aren’t about practicality as much as they are pratfalls and there are plenty of them. Simply put, if a pudgy dude running into immobile objects makes you giggle, maybe Blart will hold your attention for 30 minutes or so.   

But the real question is where would this comedy be without the two-wheeled self-balancing electric vehicle that Blart drives around?  It must be crucial to at least half of this flick’s gags. 

You know, just because you put a fat guy on a Segway doesn’t make it funny.

I had a fun time watching this movie and would gladly give it a 7.5 out 10 rating