| 40% of Scots now support independence
The latest snapshot has revealed that 40% of the population want the Scottish government to negotiate independence with the UK government, a figure that is up 5% in three months. This contrasts with 44% of people who do not want Scotland to pull out of the UK, which is 6% down from August. The poll, which was carried out in late November and early December by TNS System Three, has the advantage of not being commissioned by a political party. .
Aston Villa's defence issues set to be resolved
VILLA'S central defensive picture should become a little clearer over the next 24 hours with one player set to stay put and another looking to move on. Martin Laursen is pencilled in to meet with Martin O'Neill tomorrow with both parties keen to reach an agreement over a contract extension, which is likely to be two years with an option year or a straight three years. Meanwhile, Gary Cahill's agent was today hoping to have a conversation with O'Neill at a time when interest in his client is at fever pitch. All this at a time when reports in Romania are suggesting Villa are set to sign 6ft 5in, 17-times capped defender Dorin Goian, valued at around £5million, to replace Olof Mellberg, who will leave in the summer. Cahill is keen to sort out a loan move this week, which will probably be back in the Championship and more than likely a return to Sheffield United.
Automakers say shine-free matte finishes are the latest trend
Matte finish has been appearing on show cars for several years, usually as an accent color to highlight a specific feature such as fender flares. But the all-over matte finish, a trend that began with customizers, is going mainstream. Karen Surcina, color technology and marketing manager of Dupont Automotive, said buyers should expect to see matte finishes on specialty or limited-run vehicles in the next two or three years."We expect that the matte trend would be more of a niche offering," she said.It's easy to see why automakers are keen on the trend. Ed Welburn, GM's vice president for design, said nearly all automakers are experimenting with matte because it shows off the pure design of the car."It reduces the design to the very core elements because you're not influenced by the surroundings at all.
Miller, Sabres blank Panthers
I mean I've had 20 of those (scoring chances) already this year and that's the first one I got in. So, it was nice but, like I said, I'm more worried about winning. That's three in a row and we'll go for four in Atlanta." Tomas Vokoun stopped 40-of-41 shots for the Panthers, who have dropped two straight and six of eight overall. Florida played its 29th one-goal game of the season, falling to 13-11-5. The Panthers, though in fourth place, remain just five points back of idle Carolina for first place in the Southeast Division. In the dying seconds of the first period, Florida's Richard Zednik was sent to the penalty box for a holding the stick infraction. The power play carried over to the middle frame, where the Sabres took full advantage. Vokoun stopped Jason Pominville's blast from the point, but Vanek scooped up the rebound and deposited the puck in the back of the net 40 seconds into the frame.
Showtime starts this weekend in Schaumburg
There could be some confusion among Chicago golf enthusiasts this month as two shows with similar names are on tap. The Chicagoland Golf Show opens today and runs through Sunday at the Schaumburg Convention Center, and the Chicago Golf Show celebrates its 25th anniversary with a three-day run beginning Feb. 29 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Each show has a featured celebrity. Hank Haney, the Deerfield native who is Tiger Woods' swing instructor, will be on stage in Schaumburg on Saturday afternoon, while John Daly is to make an appearance March 1 in Rosemont. This weekend's show is a touring show put on by Cleveland-based North Coast Golf Shows. While the Chicago Golf Show has been heavy on resort exhibits, the Chicagoland Show is stressing equipment.
Pallas leads going into finals
Mark Pallas' inexperience in certain areas might be helping him. The micro sprint car driver from Salem leads the points standings in the sportsman class heading into this weekend's final races of the season at the Salem Indoor. But he doesn't feel the pressure of leading the points chase. "Not really," said Pallas, 52. "I think maybe because it's my rookie season. It just didn't seem to pressure me when I won the points championship at Lebanon." Pallas won the micro sprint 600 championship at Lebanon's Willamette Speedway's kart track last summer. Heading into Saturday's Earl Veeder Memorial, Pallas leads the Salem Indoor points chase with 431, seven points ahead of Owen Olinger. Pallas grew up around racing, but never got into driving because of money.
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