'French Connection' star Rick Martin dies at 59

Rick Martin, who comprised one-third of the famed "French Connection" line for the Buffalo Sabres in the 1970s, died Sunday at age 59.

According to the New York State Police, Martin died in a one-car crash in the Buffalo suburb of Clarence. A report in the Buffalo News said Martin suffered a heart attack while driving.

"We lost a heck of a good guy," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, a former teammate of Martin's, said during a news conference before Sunday's game against the Ottawa Senators. "It's a tough one to take."

A moment was silence was held prior to the opening faceoff at HSBC Arena, where Martin's No. 7 jersey hangs from the rafters.

Martin was one of the Sabres' first draft picks, taken No. 5 in 1971, and scored 44 goals in his first season, a rookie record at the time. He went on to team with Gilbert Perreault and Rene Robert on the high-scoring line that helped lead the Sabres to the Stanley Cup Final in 1975, only their fifth season of existence.

Martin scored a career-high 52 goals in 1973-74 and matched that again to go with a career-high 95 points the following season. He added 7 goals and 15 points in 17 playoff games as the Sabres fell to the Flyers in the Final.

For his career, Martin totaled 384 goals and 701 points in 685 regular-season games with the Sabres and Kings. He added 24 goals and 53 points in 63 playoff games.

Martin was among the welcoming party last month when Terry Pegula assumed ownership of the Sabres.

A statement released by the team read: "The Buffalo Sabres are saddened to announce the passing of Buffalo Sabres Hall of Famer and member of the famed French Connection, Rick Martin. Rick was not only one of the greatest players in franchise history, he was a great friend to the Sabres organization and the entire community. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Sabres organization go out to his wife Mikey and their two sons, Corey and Josh."

Peter King's Hearings Hurt Our Troops

Quick question - which U.S. President was the first to hold Ramadan itfar dinners at the White House, celebrating the breaking of the fast with Muslims? Hint: That same President visited Mosques more than once during his administration.

Many FOX News viewers may assume that it's President Obama. But, it was actually George W. Bush.

It's no secret that VoteVets.org had a number of issues with President Bush, most notably his decision to go to war in Iraq, and how he waged the war. However, one thing he understood, and often got right, was sending signals to reassure the Muslim world that the United States held no animus towards Islam, both in words and deeds.

I thought of President Bush as the debate heated up over Rep. Peter King's hearings today on Islam in America.

Rep. King is doing our troops no favors, as he specifically targets Muslims, and only Muslims, in his hearings on domestic terrorism. A key part of the work of our troops abroad is winning the hearts and minds of the people in any country we operate, and as of right now, most of them are Muslims. When they hear that the American government considers Islam a threat, and is investigating American Muslims, it only bolsters the message of al Qaeda and other terrorist groups that we are in a war with Islam.

Every wrong signal can be exploited, as we are in this important fight, and we must be extra-vigilant in ensuring that nothing we do aids the underlying message of our enemies, as they seek to recruit. Some signals, of course, are out of our control, like rumors that a soldier used the Quran as toilet paper at Guantanamo. But those things make it even more important that those in power do everything they can to combat the notion that we target this one religion. Peter King's hearings do just the opposite.

Now, there is no doubt that extremists who pervert the message of Islam present a threat to our security, and we need to continue to keep on top of them. Those who are protesting Peter King's hearings aren't saying we should be naïve about the threats we face - and any argument to the contrary is laughable. But, those extremists who are Muslim are not the only home-grown terrorists. In fact, just the other day, police in Washington State arrested a White Supremacist they suspect is behind the plot to set off a bomb at a Martin Luther King Day parade. I would say that plot was extremism and terrorism.

If Representative King was truly concerned about the threat of domestic terrorism, his hearings would cast a wide net, and examine every threat, regardless of heritage or religion. That would not only help us better understand threats within the United States, but would also make clear to the larger world that we do not target Muslims because of their religion.

But Congressman King doesn't seem interested in that - this is a political show to play to the fringe base, not a real attempt to better our security. And, unfortunately, it comes at the expense of our troops fighting overseas, who can't afford to have news of "a US lawmaker's anti-Islam hearings" floating around the population with whom they're trying to work.

World Cup 2011 Live: India vs Netherlands Live Streaming, Score, Highlights

The news from the 25th match of the World Cup Cricket 2011 between India vs Netherlands on March 9, 2011 is that Indian pace bowler Ashish Nehra will play in this match, while Netherlands has won the toss and decided to bat first at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi. See live score.

In a jam-packed stadium of 42,000 spectators, Indian captain MS Dhoni said after the toss that even he would have liked to bat first had he won the toss, the pitch will behave slowly as the day progresses and batting would be a bit difficult. Follow ball-by-ball Commentary.

ESPN-STAR Cricket TV channel will telecast the match live in India. Click to Watch live streaming.

The final eleven players have been declared, the teams are as follows.

India : Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Piyush Chawla, Munaf Patel.

Netherlands : RN ten Doeschate, AN Kervezee, B Zuiderent, TN de Grooth, ES Szwarczynski, W Barresi, TLW Cooper, PW Borren*, BP Kruger, Mudassar Bukhari, PM Seelaar.

India has played two World Cup matches at this venue, winning one and loosing one.

Noy to PMA graduates: Shun gold's temptations

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City, Philippines – Mincing no words against corruption in the military, President Aquino yesterday urged the graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to turn away from “gold’s temptations” and become saviors of the poor from the quagmire of poverty.

Aquino addressed the 196 graduates of PMA Class 2011 “Laon-Alab,” enjoining them to resist temptations of wealth and live up to the ideals of the academy and the military as an institution.

“I hope you can say ‘no’ when somebody dumps a truckload of money in front of you. Live up to the ideals of the PMA. You are not here to get rich,” Aquino told the newly commissioned officers in Filipino.

Aquino also assured the graduates that the government is looking at the welfare of the troops while being tough against corruption in the military and those responsible.

Alluding to two former military budget comptrollers accused of massive corruption, Aquino said some officers openly enjoyed lavish lifestyles, splurging on foreign trips with their wives.

“We’ll have these robbers and their cohorts pay for their crimes. Wala tayong sasantuhin (Nobody will be spared),” he said.

Class valedictorian Navy Ensign Angelo Parras said he could not promise his “mistahs” (classmates) will tread the ideal path.

“I wish those ideals would be with us when we leave Borromeo Field and the PMA. Everyone (of us) has his (or her) own thinking... though we will try our best to attain the ideals of P-Noy (Aquino),” Parras said.

Amid the “pabaon” scandals rocking the military organization, Parras expressed his support for the AFP and the PMA.

“We should not destroy the (military) institution because of one man. There are thousands of heroes graduating from the PMA,” Parras said.

Parras led the graduates in promising to serve and protect the people amid the controversies in the military.

Aquino told the graduates that they would be walking into the “realities of poverty and injustice (in the country).”

“As you walk out from the PMA, you will face a different kind of war. The measure of your heroism will not be on how you will fire your guns but how you measure up to your oath and conduct to the people. Your power comes from the Filipino people,” Aquino said.

Aquino handed over to Parras the Presidential Saber for topping the Laon Alab (Lakas Tipon Alagad ng Bayan) Class 2011.

The town of Apalit in Pampanga has already prepared a welcome for Parras, according to town Mayor Jun Tetangco.

“Apalit has many PMA graduates, but it’s the first time that one topped the class and outdoing 195 others in his graduating class,” Tetangco said.

Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda said the provincial government is also set to cite Parras for topping the PMA class.

Aquino led the commissioning of the 196 graduates as second lieutenants and ensigns of the AFP. Parras, for his part, has opted to join the Philippine Navy.

Cadets 1st Class John Gregor Guiang, 21, of Zamboanga del Norte, and Jason Cortes Luna, 23, of Enrile, Cagayan, ranked second and third, respectively.

Of the 196 graduates, 22 are female. Of the number, 105 will join the Army, 51 will go to the Navy and 40 will join the Air Force.

The other top graduates were Aljan Cabriga Dino of Naic, Cavite; Rigor Narag Pamittan of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Janice Baniaga Matbagan of Baguio City; Bobby Gabayno of Cainta, Rizal; Ramon Kristofer Ganab Engay of Tuao, Cagayan; Norman Avila Carual of Tabaco City, Albay, and Jason Fabros Parinas of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

This year’s graduating class is the youngest in the last five years with their median ages between 20 and 22.

At least 10 from the class were aged 20 and would need to sign a waiver to serve as officers in the military because AFP requires its members to be at least 21 years old. -With Delon Porcalla, Ding Cervantes

'Saturday Night Live' review: Miley Cyrus and a show better than 'pretty cool': It was pretty funny!

Miley Cyrus’ distinctive speech pattern — a Nashville twang bouncing against glottal stops — is both distracting and distinctive, which makes her comparatively easy to imitate, if you have that kind of talent, and Vanessa Bayer does. She’s spent this SNL season making her “Miley Cyrus Show” sketches little critiques of show-biz unctuousness, exaggerating Miley’s penchant for hype (“Purty cooool!”) and dad Billy Ray’s coattail-riding of his daughter’s fame (Jason Sudeikis plays him as a shameless shill).

Saturday Night Live waited until midnight to unveil its latest “Miley Cyrus Show” sketch, which turned out to have a clever idea: Bayer was Miley, as usual, while the week’s host, Miley Cyrus, portrayed Justin Bieber in her best impersonation of the night. Cyrus had Bieber’s trying-too-hard hiphop mannerisms down cold.

SNL commenced with — duh — “Duh! Winning! with Charlie Sheen,” with Bill Hader doing a good Sheen impersonation, hosting the week’s biggest losers, including Christina Aguilera (Abby Elliott), John Galliano (an excellent Taran Killam), Lindsay Lohan (Cyrus sounding like Cyrus), and Fred Armisen’s Muammar Gaddafi. (Told ya SNL would conflate Sheen with Gaddafi.)

A particularly strong “Weekend Update” did better with its Sheen jokes, offering the winners and losers in that guy’s scandals. Denise Richards was a winner, said Seth Meyers, for getting out early, “like someone who’d sold her house in 2007.” A loser: tigers and their blood (“Why is he dragging us into this?”). It was followed by a superb up-yours to the religious protesters at a military funeral whose right to be heinous was upheld by the Supreme Court earlier this week. Sudekis played Satan, relishing what he’d do when these homophobic zealots landed in Hell… and added a nice kicker about working on the upcoming season of Entourage.

Feeling her oats, the 18 year-old Cyrus ridiculed her Hannah Montana fame-vehicle in a sketch about the “Disney Channel Acting School,” with Kenan Thompson accompanying her as Raven-Symone. It was nicely done, with lessons in speaking too loudly and dressing too loudly.

There were a few duds, of course, such as Wiig and Cyrus in a “Rockabilly Lady Party” fake ad, but the majority of the material this week was, at the very least, goofy fun, such as the charmingly wacky French-people-dancing moment. (Again, congrats to Killam, who stuffed his face with a lot of French bread while wiggling around.)

Cyrus fared best in the moments when she was required to sing, whether it was her cute opening “I’m Sorry That I’m Not Perfect” specialty number to her showing-closing tune, playing a disgusted cruise-ship singer, crooning about how everybody on a cruise ship seemed “gross” to her.

Musical guest the Strokes sounded very Strokes-like; by this time, they’re almost Ramones-ish in their assiduous adherence to formula, and of their two performances, I liked “Under Cover of Darkness” the best.

Cram session: Culinary students no strangers to hard work

Chef Harvey Knight shows his Cocoa High culinary arts students much more than just how to cook.

Knight established a career in fine dining before taking the position in 2003. He worked as an apprentice in the American Culinary Federation, then as a sous chef, considered the kitchen's second in command, and later as an executive chef.

"This is a career and technical education class. The first year covers all the basics of cooking. They also learn the practical application of dining room set up and breakdown, buffet, menu planning and how to set a table properly," Knight said.

The idea is to prepare students to work in the industry, including the chance to earn industry certification. Out his 120 students, about 25 are seeking certification, Knight said.

Brevard Public Schools has other culinary programs at Titusville High, Bayside High and Melbourne High.

"It's preparing them for a career in the hospitality industry, not just culinary," Knight said.

QUESTION: Has the industry been impacted by the downturn in the economy?

ANSWER: Even in a recession people still have to eat. I tell my students you'll never have a problem finding work in this type of field because people will always get hungry. There are so many opportunities.

Q: Is it hard to teach students in a short period of time?

A: This is a 47-minute class so it's incredibly difficult to take a first-year student and really saturate them in what they need to know to keep them interested. But the good thing is, they can come back and the second year they can have two hours and we can actually create wedding cakes.

Q: Can you tell whether a student has a flair for it?

A: Yes. It's real hard to teach work ethic. It's usually better instilled by their family and parents. I can definitely tell when a student has the ability to take their role seriously and put 110 percent into everything they do. Especially around food, it's easy to tell. You put your emotions into the cooking and it comes out in the taste. That's why I teach them how to make bread from scratch. You go home when you have a bad day and you want to feel better, go home and make a loaf of bread. It'll make you feel like a million bucks.

Q: What is the most important thing you teach?

A: I think the most valuable thing is to never stop learning.

Q: What is your favorite part of your job?

A: I think after we give an event and they realize how wonderful the food was. The night is over and it was a huge success. Just the look on their faces.