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Am I the only one that enjoys driving in snow?

It is actually something I take a lot of pride in. When I see the white stuff flying I get excited because I get to excercise my mad skills behind the wheel up and down the Northway. This winter I haven’t had much to get excited about. Heck, nobody has. Snomobilers don’t have anything to ride on locally and a lot of businesses that depend on the snow have had an extremely rough go of it.

I like living in New

1. TJ’s Flightline Pub In Glenville

Scott Blaine, GNA

This is probably the place that I frequent the most. You can usually find me here every week. So much so that the bartenders don’t even have to ask what I’m drinking, they have it ready for me when I walk to the bar. The Flightline has karaoke every Wednesday and Friday and it’s always a good time. The Karaoke host Lenny Thomas is one of the best in the area. Great selection of songs.

2. Bourbon Street Bar and Grill In Colonie

Photo: Bourbon St. Facebook page

If you are looking for a place for karaoke just about every night of the week, this is the place to go. They have karaoke Tuesday – Sunday, so it’s always a good time to come out and belt out a tune. I also have a place in my heart because it’s home for fellow Steeler fans like me during football season.

3. The Rusty Nail In Clifton Park

Photo:Rusty Nail Website

A fun and friendly atmosphere in this neighborhood bar. DJ Darik is a great guy and super friendly. Any DJ who specifically asks you to sing a certain song because you rock it, is alright in my book! They usually have Karaoke most Wednesday and Saturday nights!

4. Muddy’s In Watervliet

Photo: Muddystavern.com

This bar is known for their exotic bartenders during the week, but they have a great karaoke night on Saturdays. DJ Steve Black has an excellent selection of songs and a great sound system. It also doesn’t hurt that there is a big screen TV so everyone can sing along with ya!

5. The Mill Rock in West Milton

Scott Blaine, GNA

I like to call this place “The Little redneck bar in the middle of nowhere”, but I gotta tell ya I always have a blast when I stop by.  What can I say, Rednecks know how to Party. It’s been awhile since I’ve been there but the karaoke was stellar! Great sound and great song selection! Check it out some Friday Night!

I also enjoy all five of these places because they all serve some great bar food, you won’t be dissapointed! So what’s your favorite place for karaoke? Let me know, I would love to check it out myself.

Courtesy of Flickr user Tony Webster

A Schenectady man heading to Chicago on Amtrak was found dead this morning on the tracks in Rochester.

Troy Patrick Zabawczuk a 44 year old was apparently dragged for a short period and suffered lacerations and head trauma.

Reports state that the victim was apparently drinking on the train and had been disruptive to other passengers. He got off the train at the Rochester stop and was not allowed to get back on the train.

Police believe he tried to then jump on the train as it departed and was dragged a short distance leading to his death. Here’s more on the story from the Times Union.

Uriel Sinai/Getty Images

In reports from the Times Union and YNN, they will be voting on the law on Thursday night. If it passes and you smoke near a park, swimming pool or a ball field, you’ll be fined $50 dollars.

The Capital District Tobacco-Free Coalition is pushing for the new legislation. They’re a nonprofit agency that’s funded with New York State grants aimed at getting people to stop smoking and preventing others from starting, especially children.

Some of the other Albany area communities that already have smoke-free parks and playgrounds are Colonie, Bethlehem and Rotterdam. Schenectady already has a similar ordinance. With the laws making it tougher for where people can smoke and the price of cigarettes, it might be a good time to try to quit.

Mike Coppola, Getty Images

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Joe Nichols and wife Heather are expecting a baby this spring and shared the happy news with People.com.  “After trying to have a baby for so long, we are thrilled to announce that I am pregnant,” Heather says.  This will be the second child for Joe.  He already has a 13-year old daughter, Ashelyn, from a previous relationship.

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Kevin Winter, Getty Images

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Carrie Underwood’s new song comes out tomorrow.  “Good Girl” is the first single from her upcoming, fourth album  That album doesn’t come out for another few months.  Jake Thomas actually blogged the preview to the song.  One of Carrie’s co-writers on the song, Ashley Gorley, has also co-written two of Carrie’s more popular songs: “All-American Girl” and “Don’t Forget to Remember Me.”

Trace Adkins has agreed to perform at the 10th Annual Music That Touches the Heart benefit in Franklin, TN today.  The intimate concert will also feature Amy Grant and benefits Brightstone, which is an organization that provides job training and employment opportunities for developmentally disabled people.

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Rick Diamond, Getty Images

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Hank Williams, Jr. will release a retrospective collection of signature hits from Curb Records March 27th.  The package will feature 22 of Hank, Jr.’s best songs  such as “Family Tradition,”  “A Country Boy Can Survive,” “All My Rowdy Are Comin’ Over Tonight,” and “Whiskey Bent And Hell Bound.”

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

They almost threw them out, but decided not to, and did a little bit of research.

From a story from Grand Rapids tv station WXMI, they took the collection to Legends Sports & Games in Michigan, their local collectibles store that has vintage cards and made a very nice discovery about one of the cards. The owner of the store said that they had “the Holy Grail of football cards.”

It was a card that was issued in 1894 by the Mayo Tobacco Works Of Richmond, Virginia. It was of Harvard’s John Dunlop – part of the rarest football set ever distributed, plus the only set from the 19^th century solely dedicated to football.

Dunlop’s name was left off of the card, so it’s considered “anonymous.” Lou Brown is the president of Legends Sports & Games in Michigan, estimates the card being worth $10,000 dollars. Can you imagine finding something like this in your own home?

Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images

Ready to get your own “TERMINATOR” glasses?  According to some solid rumors, Google is working on glasses that will stream real-time information in front of your eyes about whatever you’re looking at.  And they’ll go on sale by the end of the year.  Word is they’ll cost about the same as a smartphone, and require their own data plan.

Here’s what we had to say on the show this morning.

Patrick Riviere/getty images

Sorry – I don’t know if this guy is a model or a celebrity.  Don’t recognize him.  Many of you will recognize the skinny jeans however.  See- he can pull them off (figuratively, not literally unless you have a shoehorn).

I found out the hard way that this would not be a realistic style choice for me.  I went to a local retailer and tried a pair on.  I will now attempt to sing my tale of woe, thanks to an old Conway Twitty song that I attempted to parody – “Tight Fittin’ Jeans“.  Now that you’ve heard his version, I will give you mine!

Do you know anyone who has tried these things on and lived to tell about it?  Would love to know!  Now excuse me while I go to the doctor and get my voice readjusted!

I have been laughing about this all morning.  That’s fantastic, huh?

Do you watch those hoarder reality shows on TV?  Do you know a hoarder?  What’s that person like ?(no names, please).  What’s the weirdest piece of junk you’ve seen in a person’s yard?  Would love to know!

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

In a story from the Times Union, Troy Police have recovered four step and extension ladders that have recently been stolen.

This one has everyone scratching their heads and wondering why- even Captain John Cooney, who’s a spokesperson for the Troy Police Department, is calling it weird. The ladders were found were in the area of the 112^th Street Bridge. If you know of someone who may actually own the ladders, give Troy detectives a phone call at 518-270-4426.

This has got to be one of the strangest things I’ve heard about being stolen in a long time. I will say it might be a good idea to put your ladder in a safe place, inside or locked up. They could be used to enter into a building on an upper floor and rob the place.

From Flickr user Greg Road Trip

If you love beer, this is your week. The Saratoga Beer Week is the 23rd-25th in Saratoga Springs. 81 breweries, 150 hand-crafted beers and more will be converging at the Saratoga City Center. Session 1 to the beer festival has already sold out. Tickets for session 2 are selling really fast as well. You can get yours now for just $20 at the official Saratoga Beer Week website.

No matter what your taste in beer is you will find many to your liking at this world class beer festival event.

Jason Merritt

Carrie Underwood’s new song “Good Girl” will be available for you to hear on 1077 ‘GNA this Thursday at 10am.

Carrie’s people sent us this video from Carrie who actually lets us hear a little snippet from the song. I will say this much.. “it rocks!” Enjoy this very special video and get ready to hear it all on 1077 ‘GNA this Thursday morning at 10am.

WGNA Rising Stars

Brent Anderson

, JT Hodges and Kip Moore will be on the stage of The Egg for the biggest WGNA Rising Stars Acoustic Concert ever on March 6th at 7:30pm.

In the past it has been one artist on one night, and this year its 3 times the music and star power. These guys are going to be incredible and are on their way to the next level of country music.

An added ‘GNA Rising Stars bonus is the fact that all 3 stars will be signing autographs in the lobby for 1 hour after the show.

Tickets are on sale now by clicking here on WGNA.com, The Egg Box Office or by phone charge at 518-473-1845. Get yours today! It’s all made possible thanks to our sponsors Geico and Bud Light Platinum.

Josh Thompson has a brand new album due out later this year called “Change”. You may have heard the first single from the album on GNA called “Comin Around”.

Thompson Square has had a pair of big hits with “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” and “I Got You”. Their third single from their debut self-titled album is the great new ballad called “Glass”. Another great song to check out on GNA.

Finally, Luke Bryan is ready party and is set to release another Spring Break themed EP called “Spring Break 4 – Suntan City” on March 6th. This tune may just be for fun and may never see any radio play, but it’s a great tune none the less called “Suntan City”.

SPAC - Flicker User Smantha Decker

The property has been in need of some repairs for quite some time.

According to a story from the Times Union, that will be happening this month and ending by the end of May. Bill and Susan Dake are the family owners of the Stewart’s Shops and they’re donating more than $500,000 dollars to the renovations. He is also SPAC’s outgoing chairman.

This was supposed to happen in 2008 with state funded assistance for the renovations to the façade, but was halted due to the poor economy situation. I can’t wait to see that changes next time WGNA brings a country concert there. What was your favorite country show at SPAC?

Spencer Platt, Getty Images

Don’t expect gas prices to go down any time soon.  A feud between Iran and Britain & France has caused oil prices to jump to $105 a barrel.  Iran has halted exports to France while Britain is in a nuclear dispute.  This has caused an all-time, nine-month high on the price of gas.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, as of Monday afternoon,  crude oil was up $2.02 in electronic trading, bringing the price of a barrel up to $105.26.  That’s the highest crude has been since May. 

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Chris McGrath, Getty Images

The rise in oil prices is also being blamed on hopes that Greece’s new bailout deal would have been approved yesterday.  Trading was also effected by China’s decision to boost money supply in a bid to spur lending and economic growth.  

Analysts don’t believe Iran’s announcement will have much impact on supplies.  Apparently, only three percent of France’s oil consumption comes from Iran while Britain hasn’t imported oil from Iran in six months.

Wow, that really strained my brain.  I’ve run out of “Lin” words.  Seems like the media will do anything they can to fit one in whenever they can.  According to deadspin.com, this fantastic basketball player’s name has been mentioned on ESPN more than “if” and “but”.   They must have completely run out of corny “Lin” terminology!  They should have the Jeremy Lin Word Generator, from LinWords.com handy on their smartphone!  Just hit the button, and a new word comes up.  This is just a non working picture of how it works from the site itself.  I didn’t include the generate button or it might confuse people!

This is a great idea, huh.  Very LINventive.  Give it a try. This is Richie from the SeanLINRichie Show saying, “Have a LINtastic day!” (too much?)

Spencer Platt, Getty Images

State – One of the biggest problems with shale gas drilling or hydrofracking is how to handle all the contaminated wastewater.  Apparently, there are three options when it comes to disposing the millions of gallons of contaminated water.  Water used in drilling and fracking flow from active gas wells.  The traces of chemicals break up the shale to release natural gas.  Many of the chemicals are known to be probable carcinogens. 

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Albany – The city of Albany is set to vote on a measure this Thursday that would ban smoking around outdoor recreational facilities such as playgrounds and ball fields.  The legislation is being pushed by the Capital District Tobacco-Free Coalition.  It would help prevent children from being exposed to secondhand smoke and give parents legal backing against smokers around a city swing or seesaw.  Fines could amount to $50.

SPAC's website

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Saratoga – Saratoga Performing Arts Center is going to have an updated look.  More than $500,000 has been donated to help with the renovation of SPAC’s amphitheater.  Bill and Susan Dake gifted the money to SPAC.  They are part of the family who owns the Stewart’s Shops chain of convenience stores.  Work is set to begin this month and be done by the end of May.    

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Tim Boyle, Getty Images

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Scotia – A man was arrested and has been charged with driving while impaired by drugs.  55-year old Robert Coager was allegedly driving and having trouble staying in his lane Saturday around 10:30am.  He was spotted traveling through the town of Kinderhook.  Coager was also charged with possession of a controlled substance not in its original container. 

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Health – The Obama administration is working on setting nutritional standards for food not bought in the school cafeteria to further help the reduction of childhood obesity.  Their most recent attempt itsto remove certain foods from school vending machines.  Students eat 19 to 50 percent of their daily food at school.  Nutritionists say potato chips, cookies and soft drinks still stock those machines, contributing to obesity.

I think I would be upset if I face-planted in front of my friends but to have Fido take liberties while I’m down is just not cool. “Man’s Best Friend”? I THINK NOT! lol