function trim(s) {

    if((s==null)||(typeof(s)!='string')||!s.length) {
        return '';
    }
    return s.replace(/^\s+/,'').replace(/\s+$/,'');

}

function check_blank(field) {

    if (field == '') {
        return false;
    }
    if (trim(field) == '') {
        return false;
    }
    return true;
}

function validate_winner(namenumber) {
    
    if (!check_blank(namenumber)) {
	alert('Please enter your LAST NAME or TICKET NUMBER in the space provided.');
	return false;
    }

    return true;
}