Baker's dozen in wins has chef Nickster cooking up more than just pancakes

The newly remodeled kitchen at Picks Central headquarters has helped turn a group of young girls into talented chefs.  Nicki, for instance, has utilized the convenient pancake dispenser and new appliances to cook up several fancy breakfasts.  Her chocolate chip pancakes are now perfectly sized with little effort every time!

But the 13-year-old chef was cooking up more than just Hungry Jack buttermilk pancakes this past weekend.  Nickster heated up Week 2 of the Sunday Football Picks with a baker's dozen in victories, tying a Picks record.  Her sizzling 13-2 mark led the way as she pulled within one game of first place in the overall standings.  Perhaps Nicki has a 2006 Picks title on her menu.

Motivational magic from the extraordinary new kitchen is thought to be rubbing off on many Picks participants because of their outstanding starts.  The average Picks record after two weeks is 19-9.  Strangely enough, the two members who reside farthest from the new kitchen -- Mark and Trevor -- are achieving the least success.  Mark is alone in last place for the first time in his 9-year career.

Is the new kitchen really exuding an energy force that unlocks brain cell adrenaline and creates better NFL predictions?  Worried that he might be missing out on a powerful vibe, Mark hired nuclear physicists to take energy readings Tuesday morning at Picks Central headquarters.

"Our Geiger counter went flippin' nuts!" exclaimed the lead physicist.  "The pulse escalated as we moved toward the kitchen, and standing anywhere on that fabulous porcelain tile generated levels that were 40 times higher than what's considered typical.  That whole family apparently has been on an emotional high since their project finished."

Whether Mark will decide to visit the sparkling kitchen every weekend for a mental boost is not known, but the benefits extend much further than additional Picks victories.  Kitchen users are enjoying the automatic ice maker, turbo-washed new dishes, high-tech double oven, pull-out faucet handle, attractive oak cabinets, smooth Corian countertop, rolling pull-out shelves, smart-touch microwave, 14,200-BTU power burner and dozens of other great advancements.  It is arguably the best 121-square-foot kitchen in town.