NHL Awards Predictions

With the 2009-2010 NHL season wrapping up this weekend, here are my predictions of award winner at the NHL Awards Night in Las Vegas on June 18th.

Stanley Cup
Awarded to: NHL Playoff Champion
Holder: Pittsburgh Penguins
Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks

Prince of Wales Trophy
Awarded to: Eastern Conference Playoff Champion
Holder: Pittsburgh Penguins
Prediction: Washington Capitols

Clarence S. Campbell Bowl
Awarded to: Western Conference Playoff Champion
Holder: Detroit Red Wings
Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks

President's Trophy
Awarded to: Most Points in Regular Season
Holder: San Jose Sharks
Winner: Washington Capitols

Hart Memorial Trophy
Awarded to: League MVP
Holder: Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitols)
Prediction: Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitols)
Also Running: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres), Henrik Sedin (Vancouver Canucks)

Vezina Trophy
Awarded to: Best Goalie
Holder: Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins)
Prediction: Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres)
Also Running: Ilya Bryzgalov (Phoenix Coyotes), Martin Broeduer (New Jersey Devils), Craig Anderson (Colorado Avalanche)

James Norris Memorial Trophy
Awarded to: Best Defenseman
Holder: Zdeno Chara (Boston Bruins)
Prediction: Mike Green (Washington Capitols)
Also Running: Duncan Keith (Chicago Blackhawks), Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings), Chris Pronger (Philadelphia Flyers)

Calder Memorial Trophy
Awarded to: Best Rookie
Holder: Steve Mason (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Prediction: Tyler Myers (Buffalo Sabres)
Also Running: Matt Duchene (Los Angeles Kings), John Tavares (New York Islanders), Jimmy Howard (Detroit Red Wings)

Jack Adams Award
Awarded to: Best Coach
Holder: Claude Julien (Boston Bruins)
Prediction: Dave Tippett (Phoenix Coyotes)
Also Running: Joe Sacco (Colorado Avalanche), Terry Murray (Los Angeles Kings), Cory Clouston (Ottawa Senators)

Lady Bing Memorial Trophy
Awarded for: Sportsmanship
Holder: Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit Redwings)
Prediction: Brad Richards (Dallas Stars)
Also Running: Martin St. Louis (Tampa Bay Lightning), Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks), Patrick Marleau (San Jose Sharks)

Conn Smyth Trophy
Awarded to: Playoff MVP
Holder: Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Prediction: Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks)

Art Ross Trophy
Awarded to: Points Leader
Holder: Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Leaders: Henrik Sedin - 107 (Vancouver Canucks) and Alex Ovechkin - 106 (Washington Capitols)

Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy
Award to: Most Goals
Holder: Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitols)
Leaders: Alex Ovechkin - 48 (Washington Capitols), Sidney Crosby - 48 (Pittsburgh Penguins), Steve Stamkos - 47 (Tampa Bay Lightning)

NHL Plus-Minus Award
Awarded to: Highest +/-
Holder: David Krejci (Boston Bruins)
Leaders: Jeff Schultz - +44 (Washington Capitols) and Alex Ovechkin - +43 (Washington Capitols)

Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award
Awarded to: Highest Save Percentage
Holder: Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins)
Leaders: Tuukka Rask - .930 (Boston Bruins), Ryan Miller - .928 (Buffalo Sabres)

William M. Jennings Trophy
Awarded to: Team Least Goals Against
Holders: Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez (Boston Bruins)
Leaders: Martin Brodeur - 186 (New Jersey Devils) and Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask - 194(Boston Bruins)

Not Listed: Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy (Perseverance, Sportsmanship, Dedication), Lester B. Pearson Award (Outstanding Player as voted by Players Association), Frank J. Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward), King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Humanitarian Leadership), NHL Foundation Player Award (Community Service), Mark Messier Leadership Award (Leadership), NHL Lifetime Achievement Award, Scotiabank Fan Fav Award (Fans' Favorite Player)

Fading Home Fads

Fads come and go (remember Zubas?) and the same occurs within the realm of real estate. An article was recently written in REALTOR Magazine discussing some home fashions that are starting to go out of fashion. The list includes:

1. Fireplaces: The fireplace skyrocketed in importance in homes in 1991 with 62 percent of new homes having one or more. But the number has steadily been decreasing ever since. In 2007, the number dropped to 51 percent.

2. Carpet: While 54 percent of homes still have carpet floors, the number is decreasing and hardwood floors are taking the place. Vinyl and ceramic tile flooring also are being bypassed more by buyers. Seventeen percent of new homes contain hardwood floors throughout the entire house.

3. Living room: These once-decorative centerpieces of homes are slowly vanishing from newer homes. Thirty-four percent of consumers say they’re willing to buy a home without a living room.

4. Desks in the kitchen: These desks were once looked at as great storage areas but they’re often too small and quickly become clutter spaces in a home, said Gayle Butler, editor in chief of Better Homes and Gardens. Instead, more consumers say they prefer larger desks in or near the family room—equipped with a messaging center—where they can keep an eye on their kids as they work on the computer.

5. Skylights: The little windows that allow natural light to seep into a home from above are falling out of style. Only 10 percent of new homes will include them this year, a continuing downward spiral for skylights.

6. Upscale kitchen finishes: Granite countertops are slowly becoming less desirable among buyers who are now moving toward affordable, low-maintenance laminate countertops—which tend to last longer and now come in various styles.

So add these to the "passe" list along with acid-wash jeans and Members-Only jackets, grunge and disco music, VHS and cassette tapes, and the DeLorean and VW buses. But you know what they say; fads are cyclical. Maybe we will once again see kitchen appliances in avocado and mediterrainean brown colors as we did in the 70's.

Home Fads That Are Falling Out of Style

The Mike Webb Team: www.NorthernVirginiaHouses.com

12 teams have earned the right to compete in the football tournament known as the NFL playoffs. That, however, is for a later blog. Today we look back at.

The NFL announced the players voted to be the best in the league over the past 17 weeks that comprised the regular season. These players will compete in the NFL Pro Bowl, professional football's all-star game, on January 31 at Dolphin Stadium:

AFC Offense: QB Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts), Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers), Tom Brady (New England Patriots). RB Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans), Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars), Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens). FB La'Ron McClain (Baltimore Ravens). WR Andre Johnson (Houston Texans), Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts), Brandon Marshall (Denver Broncos), Wes Welker (New England Patriots). TE Dallas Clark (Indianapolis Colts), Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers). OT Jake Long (Miami Dolphins), Ryan Clady (Denver Broncos), Joe Thomas (Cleveland Browns). OG Logan Mankins (New England Patriots), Alan Faneca (New York Jets), Kris Dielman (San Diego Chargers). C Nick Mangold (New York Jets), Jeff Saturday (Indianapolis Colts).

AFC Defense: DE Dwight Freeney (Indianapolis Colts), Robert Mathis (Indianapolis Colts), Mario Williams (Houston Texans). DT Haloti Ngata (Baltimore Ravens), Vince Wilfork (New England Patriots), Casey Hampton (Pittsburgh Steelers). OLB Elvis Dumerville (Denver Broncos), James Harrison (Pittsburgh Steelers), Brian Cushing (Houston Texans). ILB Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens), DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans). CB Darrelle Revis (New York Jets), Nnamdi Asomugha (Oakland Raiders), Champ Bailey (Denver Broncos). FS Ed Reed (Baltimore Ravens), Jarius Byrd (Buffalo Bills). SS Brian Dawkins (Denver Broncos).

AFC Special Teams: K Nate Kaeding (San Diego Chargers). P Shane Lechler (Oakland Raiders). KR Joshua Cribbs (Cleveland Browns). ST Kassim Osgood (San Diego Chargers).

NFC Offense: QB Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints), Brett Favre (Minnesota Vikings), Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers). RB Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings), Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams), DeAngelo Williams (Carolina Panthers). FB Leonard Weaver (Philadelphia Eagles). WR Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals), DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles), Miles Austin (Dallas Cowboys), Sidney Rice (Minnesota Vikings). TE Vernon Davis (San Francisco 49ers), Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys). OT Jason Peters (Philadelphia Eagles), Bryant McKinnie (Minnesota Vikings), Jon Stinchcomb (New Orleans Saints). OG Steve Hutchinson (Minnesota Vikings), Jahri Evans (New Orleans Saints), Leonard Davis (Dallas Cowboys). C Andre Gurode (Dallas Cowboys), Shaun O'Hara (New York Giants).

NFC Defense: DE Jared Allen (Minnesota Vikings), Julius Peppers (Carolina Panthers), Trent Cole (Philadelphia Eagles). DT Kevin Williams (Minnesota Vikings), Darnell Dockett (Arizona Cardinals), Jay Ratliff (Dallas Cowboys). OLB DeMarcus Ware (Dallas Cowboys), Lance Briggs (Chicago Bears), Brian Orakpo (Washington Redskins). ILB Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers), Jonathan Vilma (New Orleans Saints). CB Charles Woodson (Green Bay Packers), Asante Samuel (Philadelphia Eagles), Dominique Rogers-Cromartie (Arizona Cardinals). FS Darren Sharper (New Orleans Saints), Nick Collins (Green Bay Packers). SS Adrian Wilson (Arizona Cardinals).

NFC Special Teams: K David Akers (Philadelphia Eagles). P Andy Lee (San Francisco 49ers). KR Percy Harvin (Minnesota Vikings). ST Heath Farwell (Minnesota Vikings).

The Pro Bowl will be shown at 8:00 p.m. EST on ESPN.

The Mike Webb Team: www.NorthernVirginiaHouses.com

Group of Death

The draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa took place on Friday, December 4th in Cape Town. The purpose of the draw was to find out which countries will face each other in the group stage of the tournament.

Qualification for the World Cup finals began in September 2006, right after the World Cup in Germany. After four years the nations involved have been widdled down to just 32 (see "2010 FIFA World Cup" blog) which were placed into eight groups of four teams. Each team will play one game against the other three in the group in order to determine which two countries, based on highest point total, will move on to the knock-out stages. Teams get three points for a win, one for a tie, and zero for a loss. In the event of a tie in total points the tie-breaker is goal difference, then goals scored.

Teams were seeded into four pots of eight teams for the draw. The teams in group one were chosen based on the FIFA World Rankings from October 2009 and also includes the host nation. The remaining groups were based on FIFA confederations. Group two was from Asia, North America and Oceania, group three from Africa and South America, group four was from Europe.

As it happened, with the help of special guests including actress Charlize Theron and footballer David Beckham, the groups were chosen as follows:

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France. Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece. Group C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia. Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana. Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon. Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia. Group G (aka Group of Death): Brazil, Korea DPR, Cote d'Ivoire, Portugal. Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile.

Get ready to cheer for your team this summer.

Stormin'

With the weather being what it has been all week, I decided today I would put together a listing of songs about rain, storms, bad weather, etc. A playlist of sorts, entitled "STORMIN" and it goes as follows:

Rain When I Die (Alice in Chains); Soulshine (Allman Brothers Band); No Rain (Blind Melon); Shelter from the Storm (Bob Dylan); Comin' in from the Cold (Bob Marley & the Wailers); Have You Ever Seen the Rain? (Creedence Clearwater Revival); JTR (Dave Matthews Band); Let it Rain (Eric Clapton); I'm Only Happy When it Rains (Garbage); November Rain (Guns 'n' Roses); Fire and Rain (John Denver); Fool in the Rain (Led Zeppelin); I Can't Stand the Rain (Missy Elliot); Purple Rain (Prince); Naked in the Rain (Red Hot Chili Peppers); Riders on the Storm (The Doors)

***For Optimal Listening Pleasure, Listen During Rainstorm On a Covered Porch***

www.northernvirginiahouses.com

Halloween Playlist

Being a music-lover, one of my favorite things to do is make playlists about EVERYTHING. Not the coolest thing ever to admit, but it's my thing. Here's what I came up with for the theme of "Halloween":

Jack'o'lantern's Weather (311)
Highway to Hell (AC/DC)
Wolfman Jack (Binary Star)
Dead Man Walking (Bruce Springsteen)
Devil Went Down to Georgia (Charlie Daniel's Band)
Drink to the Dead (Clutch)
I Put a Spell on You (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Halloween (Dave Matthews Band)
Thriller (Michael Jackson)
Dr. Funkenstein (Parliament)
Wolfman's Brother (Phish)
Ghost of Tom Joad (Rage Against the Machine)
Living Dead Girl (Rob Zombie)
Black Magic Woman (Santana)
Psycho Killer (Talking Heads)
Werewolves of London (Warren Zevon)

Happy Halloween!

National Association of Realtors

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is the largest trade association in North America, representing over 1.2 million residential and commercial real estate brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors, and others in the industry of immovable property. The President of NAR in 2009 is Charles McMillan.
The NAR governs the hundreds of local Multiple Listing Services (MLS), which is a database of properties which are on the market. Using MLS, realtors have access to information about listings for sale in their area.
NAR requires realtors to take a code of ethics and offers additional certifications in specific areas of the industry.
NAR has a weekly, two hour radio program called Real Estate Today, which includes a local market report for each radio station.

http://www.realtor.org/

Choosing the Right Furniture

Furniture shopping can be an extremely daunting process. Searching for gear that fits your personality, taste, and price range takes a long time. With so many choices, from style, era, and practicality, there's a lot of variety out there.
A person's choice in furniture reflects a lot about their character. It can tell people that you are fun, dull, classy, trashy, edgy, or bland, etc. It's important to find something that suites you. After all, it's one of the first things someone notices about the room they walk into, and you have to use it everyday.
There are also choices to make regarding age. Do you want something new or antique? Modern or traditional? People have always needed places to sit, sleep, eat, etc. so there's a long history to choose from.
Also, you need to think about what materials your potential purchase is made from. Is it durable enough that it will last as long as you would like? Are you the kind of person that likes change, and are going to need a new couch in a few years anyways? Either way, the price will often depend on this characteristic.

Also important to note: when you list your house with Mike Webb Team, LLC we provide free staging for your house, at no additional cost to the owner.

http://www.find-a-real-estate-agent.net/blog/

Wakefield High School

Wakefield High School is one of three high schools in Arlington, VA. It's located one block from Alexandria and is fully accredited based on Virginia's SOL examinations. In March 2008, the school had 140 teachers to 1364 students. That amounts to just under 10 students per teacher.
Wakefield has recently pushed to encourage students to take more AP programs. The school offers the Spanish Immersion Program and views the arts (music, theater, and visual arts) as an important part of a student's learning experience. All seniors are required to to participate in a senior project prior to graduation.
On the first day of school this year, President Barack Obama gave a speech to students at Wakefield that was televised nationwide.
Wakefield's sports teams are known as the Warriors and their colors are green, white, and black. Athletically, they participate in the Virginia High School League. They play their homecoming football game against Edison this Friday at 7:30. Come to the game. You may run into Mike Webb. He's a licenced realtor who would be more than happy to talk to about buying or selling your house (between plays, of course).