Thatks to jtf for inspiring this thread. Here is what Elvira has to say. What are your Winnipeg predictions?
The Winnipeg Sun
Success in the coming year may not be in the cards for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and mayor Sam Katz.
According to psychic Elbera Lotz, the year 2010 will be another tough one for the local Canadian Football League concern, as the combination of a struggling on-field product and nagging questions of a new stadium will continue to dominate the headlines.
Uncertainty
Elbera says the David Asper/Creswin Properties stadium plan will face seven major issues and may not be decided on in the next 12 months. To make matters more bleak, the uncertainty of that situation only underlines the long odds of ending a 20-year championship for the Blue and Gold.
"It doesn't look promising," Elbera said as she interpreted the tarot cards. "There's a female interfering in this Bomber thing -- I don't know who she is -- but she's from the east. I don't know if she's going to be an owner or if she will have a hand in the stadium project, but she'll be involved.
"One thing is certain, though: The Bombers will not win the Grey Cup next year."
That prediction meshes well with another Elbera forecast.
The summer of 2010 will be just as cool weather-wise as the '09 version was.
As for the civic election, scheduled for October 2010, things are even more unclear. Elbera said Katz may be in for a tough fight for the mayor's chair.
"There's competition from another person, a female, and it will be very, very close," she said. "It seems like Sam Katz will be in for a real fight to maintain power. It will be very close."
Other political predictions for 2010 are a little more cut and dry.
Despite "a good half-dozen issues that he'll really need to concentrate on," Manitoba premier Greg Selinger should have an easy go of it in his first full year as Broadway boss, while federally, Canadians should expect to go to the polls at some point.
What about the National Hockey League returning to Winnipeg? Will we hear a definite answer on the subject in the next 12 months, or is our NHL fate destined to fall somewhere between eternal hope and the hard reality of the small market situation.
Hesitated
Elbera hesitated when giving her answer.
"I don't think it will happen this year," she said. "As much as we'd like it to come here, there's a competition between two other cities. One of them is in the west. We still could get it, but it looks doubtful now. Other cities keep coming up."
Finally, what about the biggest hockey tournament in the world, the 2010 Olympic men's hockey tournament in Vancouver?
"It's going to be a toss up between the two most northern teams, Canada and Russia," she said. "The No. 8 is significant in this decision -- whether that's a player or a score -- but No. 8 is the number that will be the winner."
Hmmm ... Alex Ovechkin skates on the Russian side.
Great.
adam.wazny@sunmedia.ca
