Hundreds vie for chance to buy rare, $130 beer

NB Liquor is holding a lottery giving people the chance to buy 12 bottles of very rare — and very strong — beer from Boston brewery Samuel Adams.

The 54-proof Samuel Adams Utopias is among the strongest beers in the world. One 24-ounce bottle packs as much alcohol as a 12-pack of Bud Light.

Andrew Estabrooks, head brewer of New Brunswick-based beer company Picaroons, says there is a market in the province for this type of product. (CBC)

At about $130 per bottle, this is a beer designed for people on more of a champagne budget. The beer is non-carbonated, made from a blend of several types of beers and aged in bourbon and port casks.

Marcelle Saulnier, with NB Liquor, said hundreds are vying for the chance to buy the specialty brew.

"We've had a great uptake. As of [Friday] morning we're nearing 300 and we expect that to rise," she said.

Andrew Estabrooks, head brewer of New Brunswick-based beer company Picaroons, said Utopias — and craft beers in general — take a long time and effort to brew.

"They age it in barrels, usually for at least a year. So it's a lot of processing and they use very good ingredients in it," he said.

Utopias is not for the faint of heart. An average bottle of beer is five per cent alcohol. This specialty beer is 27 per cent alcohol by volume or 54-proof.

"There's so much booze that it would just take over everything. So the key, the art, to it is to make it taste good and still be drinkable," said Estabrooks.

Not everyone is willing to pay a triple-digit price tag for a single bottle of beer.

"130 bucks for one bottle of beer? I suppose it's a collector's item. So, well maybe. Some people have more money than brains and they might be interested," said Mike Price.

"We've got specialty made beer about two blocks from here, I'm happy with that," said Mike Hutchins.

Estabrooks said there is a market in the province for this type of product.

"I think as craft beer is gaining some credibility [like] the wine world or of that mentality. There's no harm in cellaring some beers and having some keepers that you open up, two, three four years down the road," he said.

The first ever beer lottery at NB Liquor closes May 25.

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Gerbils strut their stuff at U.S. pageant

The American Gerbil Society's annual pageant brought dozens of rodents scurrying to Bedford, Mass., this weekend for a chance to win "top gerbil."

The competition called for agility demonstrations in which the gerbils must overcome obstacles and race to the end of a course. Breeders of the small animals vie for coveted ribbons based on body type and agility.

"A male gerbil should be a good, strong, hefty-looking gerbil," said Libby Hanna, president of the American Gerbil Society. "If you are going to think of it in human terms, you might think of a football player — somebody who's big, thick neck, nice, strong-looking male gerbil."

An ideal female gerbil will have a more streamlined appearance that even humans covet, she said.

"So she would be strong and athletic-looking — not really scrawny, but slim," said Hanna, who serves as a judge in the show. "I usually use a figure skater as my mental image or gymnasts — so obviously a gymnast is not necessarily a big, big woman, but she's gonna be strong, muscular and athletic."

The two-day show drew gerbil enthusiasts and breeders from around the country and culminates in the presentation of champion and breeder certificates.

Pet gerbils illegal in some states

Gerbils are can be good pets for modern families as they don't require to be taken out for a walk, could easily fit in a small apartment and their tanks only need to be cleaned about once a week.

Still, some people freak out when they visit friends and see gerbils in the home.

"I've had a couple of people come to my house that actually didn't know that I had gerbils. They were sort of freaked out, but I just told them that it was OK, they stay in their tanks, there was nothing to worry about," said Diane Nott who travelled from Elyria, Ohio, to compete in the show.

Gerbils thrive in desert habitats and their growing popularity as pets led authorities in California and Hawaii to make it illegal to keep them since the weather there would make it possible for escaping animals to flourish in wild colonies that would damage crops and native plants.

At the Bedford show, each animal undergoes a health check. Inspectors look at the whiskers, teeth and mouths and check to ensure the rodents have no runny noses, bugs, loss of fur on their tails or other signs of health problems.

Donna Anastasi of Waltham got hooked on gerbils after buying them for her daughters when they were younger.

"Anyone can buy a $12 gerbil and get into the sport of gerbil showing or gerbil agility," said Anastasi, who is also vice president of the American Gerbil Society. "It's very fun ... easy and affordable and something you can do with your kids."

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Habs' Prust calls Sens coach MacLean 'bug-eyed fat walrus'

While Eric Gryba was suspended two games for a blindside hit on Lars Eller in Game 1, the Canadiens were more upset Friday with Ottawa coach Paul MacLean for blaming Montreal defenceman Raphael Diaz for the incident.

MONTREAL -- It didn't take long for this battle to get ugly.

The Montreal Canadiens are livid with the hit by Ottawa Senators defenceman Eric Gryba on winger Lars Eller on Thursday night in a 4-2 loss in Game 1. With Game 2 set for Friday (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 6:30 p.m. ET), there was plenty of noise coming from both dressing rooms.

While Gryba was facing a possible suspension [Editor's note: Gryba received a two-game suspension from the NHL later Friday] for what was a blindside hit on Eller in the second period of the Senators' victory, the Habs were more upset with the fact Ottawa coach Paul MacLean blamed Montreal defenceman Raphael Diaz for the incident.

"We don't really care what that bug-eyed fat walrus has to say," Prust said at the club's practice facility in Brossard, Que.

MacLean said Thursday night Diaz shouldn't have thrown the pass.

"The player I would be mad at is 61 [Diaz]," said MacLean after the game. "That's a dangerous place to be."

Coach Michel Therrien didn't like that reference either.

"It was a total lack of respect to Lars Eller and his family," said Therrien.

MacLean said he was just stating the facts and if the Habs didn't like the truth, well, it didn't bother him one bit.

"Everyone was blaming my player for doing what he was supposed to do," said MacLean. "All I did was point out what happened. I feel bad that the kid got hurt. That's what happens. It's a hockey play that went bad for him.

"All you guys were going to stand around and say that Eric Gryba was to blame. All I did was tell you what it was. If that was being harsh, being cruel to the player 61, it's a big world out there. Grow up."

Asked about Prust's comments, MacLean didn't go there: "I have no idea. I just want to coach this game. They can say whatever they want to say. I'm going to say what I want to say. I am who I am. It don't matter to me, I'm just here to coach the team."

Therrien said the incident was devastating.

"The management is hurt, the coaching staff is hurt and, most importantly, the players are hurt to see one of their teammates laid down like this," said Therrien.

Changes coming for Habs

Already with out Eller, who has a concussion, facial fractures and needs dental work, the Habs will have to make even more changes than they first planned.

Forwards Max Pacioretty and Brian Gionta won't be able to play in Game 2 because of undislosed injuries. Expect to see veterans Jeff Halpern and Colby Armstrong, both healthy scratches in Game 1, in the lineup for Montreal.

With Gryba out, expect to see defenceman Patrick Wiercioch in the lineup. He was a scratch for Game 1.

"I don't think you're entitled to anything in the NHL. Whatever helps the team most, whatever gets us the wins right now, is all the focus," said Wiercioch.

Anderson loses tooth

The Senators are aware they have to be better in Game 2 if they're going to go home with a 2-0 series lead.

They allowed the Habs to have 50 shots at Craig Anderson and don't want that to happen again. The Senators have to limit the chances and make sure they get to Carey Price.

"It's really important not to let them get 50 shots. Anytime you allow that many against, you're giving the opposition a good opportunity to score more goals," said Ottawa defenceman Marc Methot.

Anderson lost a tooth on a shot from Rene Bourque in the second. He stayed in the game.

"That just goes to show his character and how badly he wants to win for us," said Methot. "He's stepping his game up and it's showing.

"It's tough. It's a huge shock when you get hit around the mouth. It's a sensitive area. I believe that tooth that he lost was fake ... That kind of helps. Don't quote me on that. I think it's a little too late [for that]. He's an animal out there."

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The Empire strikes back against May the 4th

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What the new Bank of Canada governor's signature may say about him

Stephen Poloz, who currently heads the Export Development Corporation, was appointed Governor of the Bank of Canada on Thursday for a seven-year term that starts June 3.

As Governor of the Bank of Canada, Poloz will be responsible for monetary policy, overseeing the country's financial system and the production and distribution of the new polymer currency.

As well, every new Canadian banknote will carry his signature.

Now that we know that Poloz will be the next governor, we thought it would be fun to ask a handwriting expert to analyze the signatures of the last few governors, as well as the next man to sign Canadian banknotes.

Elaine Charal analyzes handwriting for clues about someone's personality; companies consult her in their executive hiring decisions. Graphology is not science —for a critique, see the link in the left column by former Simon Fraser University pyschologist Barry Beyerstein.

Here's a synopsis of Charal's take on the signatures of the future of Bank of Canada governor and his four predecessors.

Stephen Poloz

Newly announced Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz. (CBC)

Stephen's signature moves up dramatically on his page, indicating his positive, optimistic outlook. The underscore under his name indicates his self-reliance.

His signature is illegible, indicating that while he has created a trademark signature, he is also a very private person who does not wish to be known to others.

There is a figure-eight stroke formation in the capital S of Stephen's first name and a figure-eight stroke between the E and P of his first name, indicating his fluid quick-mindedness — this allows Stephen to anticipate what someone will say and then smooth over or troubleshoot the issue without anyone fully realizing he has shifted the subject to safe waters.

The angled strokes between some of his letters indicates his drive to achieve.

Mark Carney

Soon-to-be-ex-Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney. (CBC)

Mark's high capital letters indicate his confidence. Mark's writing is obviously quick, indicating his quick mind.

The angle stroke between the initial upward stroke of his M indicates his wit; the angled upward wedges of his capital M indicates his investigative thinking — few tell Mark what to do.

The hook at the end of the capital M in his first initial, as well as the hook on the Y of his family name, indicates his tenacity. He doesn't give up until all prospects have been explored, and once he achieves something, it is his to keep.

The needle-pointed R in his family name indicates his sharp mental perceptions.

His straight downstroke on the Y of his family name indicates his determination.

The underscore effect of the Y of his family name indicates Mark's self-reliance.

Mark's A is pinched, indicating he'll tend to do more for others than he realizes. His A resembles an O, indicating Mark works hard and makes it look easy.

David A. Dodge

Former Bank of Canada governor David Dodge. (CBC)

David's initials and family name all join together, indicating his fluidity of mind. This fluidity helps David dodge verbally around difficult issues and helps him change the subject without anyone fully realizing what he is doing.

His delta D in his family name indicates his literary ability and creativity.

The figure-eight G in David's family name further indicates fluidity of mind.

David's greek E at the end of his signature indicates further his literary ability and creativity.

The long, straight stroke at the end of his signature indicates his caution: as quickly as he thinks, he tries to think things through one more time before he acts.

The star shape in David's capital A in his middle initial indicates his tenacity.

Gordon Thiessen

Former Bank of Canada governor Gordon Thiessen. (CBC)

Gordon's high capital letters indicate his good level of confidence.

The circling effect in his signature is a protective stroke that keeps only those close to him within that inner circle.

The breakaway V-stroke in the H of his family name indicates his initiative. Gordon doesn't wait for much, but goes after what needs to be done.

The needle points throughout the rest of his family name indicate his quick, comprehensive thinking. Gordon will do best when he is communicating with people who are as quick-minded as he is.

His signature is illegible, which indicates he has created a trademark signature, and, on a deeper level, that Gordon is a private type of individual who does not readily communicate who he is to others.

John Crow

Former Bank of Canada governor John Crow. (CBC)

John's very high capital letters indicate a high level of confidence.

The flat-bottom loop on his capital J indicates his need to excel and to best his personal best.

The underscore effect of John's capital J indicates his self-reliance.

John's family name is a print-writing (part printing/part writing), which suggests above-average intelligence.

The final stroke of John's W flips back, shielding the second portion of his letter W, suggesting that John is not the best when it comes to accepting advice from others.

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Avid birder boy, 12, boasts 371 species spotted

A 12-year-old boy from Vancouver has a fairly unusual hobby that sets him apart from many of his peers: he is an avid, and remarkably accomplished, bird watcher and photographer.

Liron Gertsman, who has been interested in ornithology since he was five, has spotted 371 species of birds and captured photographs of all but four of them, which he posts on his blog. It took him three years to save enough for the camera.

"It's hard to choose favourites," Liron said.

He is also the youngest volunteer to take part in monthly bird counts with the Stanley Park Ecological Society.

Liron took CBC's Duncan McCue under his wing to show him the ropes in this video report.

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Netflix nixes 1,800 titles from its library

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Maple Leafs superfan builds own Hall of Fame

There are hockey fans and then there is Mike Wilson.

The Toronto man has been collecting memorabilia for the last 50 years. His collection features the rarest of the rare and even rivals the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Our Peter Akman got invited for a tour of this rarely seen hockey haven.

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Google Glass user's shower photo freaks out internet

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Teeny movie directs atoms to tell a story

Scientists have taken the idea of a film short down to new levels. Molecular levels.

IBM says it has made the tiniest stop-motion movie ever — a one-minute video of individual atoms repeatedly rearranged to show a boy dancing, throwing a ball and bouncing on a trampoline.

Each frame measures 45 by 25 nanometers — there are 25 million nanometers in an inch — but hugely magnified, the movie is reminiscent of early video games, particularly when the boy bounces the ball off the side of the frame accompanied by simple music and sound effects.

The movie is titled "A Boy and His Atom."

Videos showing atoms in motion have been seen before but Andreas Heinrich, IBM's principal scientist for the project, said Tuesday this is the first time anything so small has been maneuvered to tell a story.

"This movie is a fun way to share the atomic-scale world," Heinrich said. "The reason we made this was not to convey a scientific message directly, but to engage with students, to prompt them to ask questions."

Certified by Guinness World Records

Jamie Panas of Guinness World Records said Guinness certified the movie as "Smallest Stop-Motion Film."

IBM used a remotely operated two-ton scanning tunneling microscope at its lab in San Jose, Calif., to make the movie earlier this year. The microscope magnifies the surface over 100 million times. It operates at 450 degrees below zero Fahrenheit (268 degrees below zero Celsius).

The cold "makes life simpler for us," Heinrich said. "The atoms hold still. They would move around on their own at room temperature."

Scientists used the microscope to control a tiny, super-sharp needle along a copper surface, IBM said. At a distance of just 1 nanometer, the needle physically attracted the carbon monoxide molecules and pulled them to a precisely specified location on the surface.

The dots that make up the figures in the movie are the oxygen atoms within carbon monoxide molecules, Heinrich said.

The scientists took 242 still images that make up the movie's 242 frames.

Heinrich said the techniques used to make the movie are similar to what IBM is doing to make data storage smaller.

"As data creation and consumption continue to get bigger, data storage needs to get smaller, all the way down to the atomic level," he said.

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