Champions League - Schalke v Real Madrid: Champions League – as it happened

Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo scored as Real Madrid took control of their last-16 Champions League tie with Schalke

19 Kids and Counting - ’19 Kids & Counting’ Recap: Jill & Derick Tell The Family They’re Pregnant

 

The Duggars are back — and full of exciting news! On the new season of ’19 Kids & Counting,’ Jill finally reveals her pregnancy while Jessa prepares for her wedding.

On the Feb. 17 episode of 19 Kids & Counting, Jill Duggar and her husband, Derick Dillard, start to settle into married life, while the rest of the family get used to not having her around. Both Jim Bob and his wife, Michelle, continue to play major roles in all their children’s lives back at home.

’19 Kids & Counting’ Recap: Jill & Derick Enjoy Alone Time

The time has finally come for Jill and Derick to embark on their new journey — married life. The newlyweds are settling into their new home together and are getting used to the fact that they no longer need chaperones. The best part? Having a quiet house!
Unfortunately, that did not last long. Jill decided to have a few of her little sister’s over for a sleep over, but poort Derick didn’t grow up with little sisters, so this is the perfect opportunity for him to get a small taste of what his father-in-law has been living with. Can you say perfect timing?

When the little girls go to the Dillard house, it was time for dress up. The best part — seeing Derick more than willing to get involved. The kiddies were also treated to chocolate fondue and nail art, all of which Derick gladly participated in.

Jessa Prepares For Her Big Countdown

 

ow that her big sis has walked down the aisle, it’s time for Jessa to start preparing for her big day with fiance Ben Seewald. The newly engaged couple have just a little over two months to plan their wedding. Hopefully, Jessa learned a lot by seeing her older sister go through with it.

The couple goes back and forth about trying to decide if a wedding budget is the best idea, or to just flat out spend as little as possible. Michelle took some time out to pick the couples brain on what they want and don’t want, but it’s fairly obvious the couple is looking to stay low-key. We’re talking ice cream and hot dogs for all!
The pair quickly realizes that there is a lot to do to pull off this wedding and stay on budget, but they are optimistic they can pull it off.
That is until they go visit their soon-to-be house and find mold has taken over. The home which has been passed down through the Duggar family, is going to need some work.
Home repairs aside, Jessa does take her first step in wedding planning. She was able to narrow down her modest coral bridesmaid dresses for the 10 girls in her bridal party and orders them online.

Jill Reveals Her Big Secret — She’s Pregnant

Jill and Derick decide to unexpectedly drop in on the Duggar family’s bible time, but they’ve got a really good reason.
As soon as the pair sat down, Jill confesses she took something from her mom. Of course, her parents both looked mortified… that is until Derick finishes the confession by revealing that it was a pregnancy test — and it was positive!
It looks like the Duggars are going to be adding even more babies to their massive family.
Michelle said it best, “With 19 kids there is just a lot going on all the time.” These Duggars definitely have a lot going on!
Tell us, HollywoodLifers — do you think Jess and Ben will be able to get the mold problem under control before their wedding? Are you excited to see Jill’s pregnancy unfold? Let us know.

 

Adrian Peterson - Vikings GM Spielman strongly supports Adrian Peterson's return

INDIANAPOLIS -- Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman offered the strongest statement yet on the future of Adrian Peterson, saying Wednesday morning he expects the banished star to be a part of the team.

Spielman's remarks came days after Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf offered public support of Peterson, 29, who will remain suspended until at least April 15 barring a successful challenge in federal court. And Spielman said the rest of the organization is on the same page.
"Adrian's been a key part of our organization," Spielman told a small group of reporters at the NFL scouting combine. "He's made a mistake. He's doing everything and he's got to follow through, rectify and do the things that the NFL's requiring him to do.
"Yeah, we expect Adrian Peterson to be a part of our football team."
Spielman declined to discuss Peterson's contract.

USA TODAY

Adrian Peterson: 'I won't ever use a switch again'

Peterson was sidelined in September after he was indicted on a felony charge of injuring his 4-year-old son while disciplining him with a wooden switch in May. He pled no contest Nov. 4 to misdemeanor reckless assault and avoided jail time.
The Vikings cannot have direct contact with Peterson during his suspension.

Paczki - Happy Fat Tuesday! It’s Paczki Pandemonium In Metro Detroit

HAMTRAMCK (WWJ) - Paczki pandemonium is well under way across metro Detroit as hundreds brave the bone-chilling temperatures to celebrate Fat Tuesday.
Most are headed to Hamtramck to pick up the most delicious paczki — calorie-laden, deep-fried pastries filled with the most delicious creams, custards and jellies.
The line of people was wrapped around the building by 6 a.m. at Martha Washington Bakery, which offers 17 flavors of paczki

Tim Brown, who is on his 31st year of picking up the tasty treats in Hamtramck, said Fat Tuesday is one day he looks forward to all year. He was so excited, he burst into song.
“It’s Paczki Day. All the tourists come Hamtramck’s way and Tim adds 10 pounds to what he weighs, so I believe in Paczki Day,” he sang.
[Best Packzi In Metro Detroit]
Liza Metts, of Lincoln Park, woke up bright and early to pick up three dozen paczki. But she has an idea that might change the whole Fat Tuesday game.
“They should have bourbon! Hooch it up, that would be the only way to make some Fat Tuesday better,” Metts told WWJ’s Charlie Langton. “Hooch it up!”
Over at New Palace Bakery, the wait time for a dozen paczki was over an hour. But that’s not stopping people like Audrey, of Warren.
“I’ve come every year for the last 20 years. Why? Because they’re awesome,” she said.
So, what’s the deal with Fat Tuesday?
Traditionally, the reason for making paczki (pronounced “pooonch-key”) was to use up all the lard, sugar, eggs and fruit in the house, because the ingredients are forbidden to be consumed due to Catholic fasting practices during Lent, according to Michigan.org. The tradition has evolved over the years and now, come Fat Tuesday, metro Detroiters rush out to get the tastiest paczki they can find.

Fat Tuesday 2015 - Cold weather changing Fat Tuesday plans

ST. LOUIS (KTVI) – The Light Up the Night Fat Tuesday parade will take over the streets of downtown St. Louis at 5:30 p.m.
The weather is expected to be extremely cold.
The parade will be on Washington Ave. Floats will fill the streets to celebrate Mardi Gras.
Several downtown bars will offer drink specials and have live music. Some of the participating bars include Lucas Park, Side Bar, and Rosalita’s. Those who attend the parade will be spending a lot of time outside, so dress for the weather.
Organizers have cancelled the IdiotDash races because of the weather.

Michael Jordan - The day Michael Jordan scored 55 points at Madison Square Garden

Michael Jordan turns 52 on Tuesday, which means it's the perfect time to look back on some of our favorite stories about the greatest of all time.
In 1995, Jordan scored 55 in his first game at Madison Square Garden after his first retirement. It was only Jordan's fifth game back from his 17-month sabbatical, and he unleashed on offensive fury on the defensive-minded Knicks. Jordan dazzled with his typical jump-shooting brilliance and assisted on the game-winning basket after commanding a double team in the final seconds.
SI's Alexander Wolff chronicled the affair, unearthing some classic M.J. anecdotes in the process.
For example, although Jordan had only been back in the league for 11 days by the night of his game in New York, his competitive streak was already in tip-top shape:

On Tuesday the 28th, at the Bulls' game-day shootaround, the Garden is rank with the smell of elephants, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus having arrived five days earlier. But Jordan and a teammate, Ron Harper, are engaged in a game involving a different species: a version of H-O-R-S-E, half-court shots only.

"How much?" Harper asks, playing to Jordan's wagering jones.

"Fifty," says Jordan.

"I got you."

Three times they match each other, miss for miss, before Jordan bottoms one out. Then Harper launches his try into the air, and, amazingly, it too swishes through the hoop.

But here is what makes Jordan Jordan: His next shot, another 43-footer, is perfect. Harper is literally at a loss.

"Hah!" says Jordan, adding a sort of amen to an omen.

And this is so '90s: 

Jordan is normally available to the press until the locker room closes 45 minutes before tip-off. He particularly likes to engage the New York writers, to consider their smarter-than-average questions. But tonight he hides out in the training room, playing solitaire on his portable computer.

Also, if you think Chicagoans are a little annoying about Jordan now, they were insane about him in 1995:

Thus the city must get all it can out of its single world-class celeb. Two nights after Jordan's New York epic, SportsChannel Chicago will air 24 hours of highlights and documentary footage of, and interviews with, the man himself. And a Windy City radio station will poll its listeners on the pressing matter of whether Jordan should be named King of the Universe.

It's a wonder that only 41% say yes.

Head over to the Vault and read all of Wolff's observations about Jordan and the 55-point game

School closings - Somerset County: School closings, delayed openings Tuesday, Feb. 17

The following changes to Tuesday's school schedules had been announced by 6:15 a.m. due to poor weather conditions:
Closings
• Franklin Township
• Green Brook
• Mount Saint Mary Academy
• Rutgers Preparatory School
• Somerset County Vocational & Technical Schools
• Watchung Borough
• Watchung Hills Regional High School
Delayed openings
• Academy ELCC Christian
• Bedminster
• Bound Brook
• Branchburg
• Bridgewater
• Central Jersey College Prep Charter School
• Global Pioneer Academy
• Green Brook Academy
• Hillsborough
• Immaculata High School
• Immaculate Conception School
• Manville
• Montgomery
• North Plainfield
• Pingry School
• Raritan Valley Community College
• Raritan Valley Montessori School
• School of Saint Elizabeth
• Somerset Hills School District
• Somerville
• South Bound Brook