US Edition

Saudi women eye lingerie shops in jobs battle

2010-11-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

By Asma Alsharif, Reuters

JEDDAH - The first thing Dalya does when entering a lingerie shop in Saudi Arabia is scan the area for men after an embarrassing encounter a year ago.

With colourful lace, cotton and sheer bras on display, the 26-year-old vividly remembers when she randomly picked one up to examine it only to be surprised by a male voice saying: "That bra is not your size, you need one two sizes bigger".

It was a salesman trying to be helpful, she discovered, though she was further unnerved when she realised he had correctly estimated her size.

Rea More
http://en.news.maktoob.com/20090000528528/Saudi_women_eye_lingerie_shops_in_jobs_battle/Article.htm

Filmmakers dream of post-Taliban renaissance

2010-11-18T13:55:00.000-08:00

LAHORE - Spinning tales of love and revenge packed with testosterone, filmmakers from Pakistan's Taliban-hit northwest dream of stamping out militancy and restoring their culture to a bygone era.

Coming from an area known as a Taliban and Al-Qaeda stronghold infamous for religious seminaries that recruit young men into "holy war", Pashtun actors say they are promoting the benign side of their heritage.

Clad in traditional white shalwar kameez and topi prayer cap, director Ajab Gul says he uses cinema to promote pride in his warrior culture and provide an outlet for young men at risk of being lured by militant mullahs.

By Claire Truscott, AFP

Full Articels
http://en.news.maktoob.com/20090000528004/Filmmakers_dream_of_post-Taliban_renaissance_/Article.htm

Culture

2009-07-15T12:41:00.000-07:00

	Exclusive : President Obama Photos in Egypt President Obama delivers an address at Cairo University in Egypt on Thursday, calling for "a new beginning" between the United States and the Muslim world, Egypt is the best country in meddle east and usa must talk with Egypt more and more. .
	Gerry Niewood An adjective, in English grammar, is a word that describes or modifies a noun or a pronoun. For more information and examples visit What is an Adjective? It covers kinds of adjectives, comparison of adjectives, "three questions", adjectives position, adjective links and more.See also list of Verbs, Adverbs or visit Vocabulary page.Back to ESL Desk homeBuild your vocabulary with this list of frequently used English adjectives. ...
	Friday the 13th superstitions The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia, a specialized form of triskaidekaphobia, a phobia (fear) of the number thirteen.Thirteen may be considered a "bad" or "unlucky" number simply because when a group of 13 objects or people is divided into two, three, four or six equal groups, there is always one leftover, or "unlucky", object or person.

Sports

2009-07-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

	Dwight Howard We don’t too much about this kid except that he was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic in last 2004 NBA draft out of Southwest Atlanta Christian High School, becoming the third individual being drafted first overall out of high school (2001-Kwame Brown, 2003-Lebron James)..
	Nate Robinson bests Howard in All-Star Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks upstaged defending champion Dwight Howard to win the slam dunk competition that highlighted theNBA All-Star weekend.The five-foot-nine Robinson leapt over the seven-foot Howard, who stood in front of the basket as his rival soared for a dunk that won over the fans whose votes decided the outcome."Dwight was a great sport letting me dunk over him,
	Sean Rooney THE Newcastle Jets have stolen one of the Australia's hottest young strikers, Sean Rooney, from underneath the noses of A-League rivals Sydney FC.Rooney will train with the Jets for the first time today, and coach Gary van Egmond has not ruled out rushing the 19-year-old into his squad for the must-win battle with the Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

Movie Reviews

2009-07-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

	Taken Movie Ex-CIA operative Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) used to specialize in stopping bad things from happening--expertly, we're to assume. Now he's retired to California to be near his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace). That's a project, because Kim lives with Bryan's not-at-all-friendly ex-wife Lenore (Framke Jenson), and a very rich and generous stepfather, in an L.A. palace.
	Two Lovers Movie Gray's fourth film, his first without a crime element, is amazing, and surprises even with its title. It's a triumph for Joaquin Phoenix, who provides a remarkably giving and open performance even though the character he plays, Leonard Kraditor, is opaque. He's a damaged, emotionally unstable man with attempted suicides in his past: the film, cheerlessly--yet ironically--begins with yet another one.
	John Busby bio BUSBY, JOHN (1765-1857), surveyor and civil engineer, was born on 24 March 1765 at Alnwick, Northumberland, England, eldest son of George Busby, a miner and coalmaster of Stamford, and his wife Margaret, née Wilson, of Dunstan, Northumberland

Biographies

2009-07-15T01:13:00.000-07:00

	Russell, Bill bio Legendary basketball star William Felton (Bill) Russell was born on February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana. His family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he attended McClymonds High School in Oakland. Russell was a center on his high school basketball team.
	Gerry Niewood Gerry Niewood is best known for his association with Chuck Mangione, Niewood is a talented multi-instrumentalist who has appealing sounds and styles on tenor, soprano and flute. Niewood attended the University of Buffalo and ..
	John Busby bio BUSBY, JOHN (1765-1857), surveyor and civil engineer, was born on 24 March 1765 at Alnwick, Northumberland, England, eldest son of George Busby, a miner and coalmaster of Stamford, and his wife Margaret, née Wilson, of Dunstan, Northumberland

Carrie Prejean & Miss California Organization Spar Over Allegations

2009-06-12T04:09:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Carrie Prejean says that she is planning on penning a book about her experience as Miss California, a title she was stripped of by pageant organizers this week.

"I'm going to be writing a book soon and it's going to be letting people know the truth about what's going on and what has gone on through all of this," Carrie told Billy Bush in an interview for Access Hollywood and "The Billy Bush Show" on Wednesday.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Carrie was fired from the role of Miss California on Wednesday of this week. The Miss California Organization removed the controversial beauty queen from her post due to what they claimed were "contract violations including Ms. Prejean's unwillingness to make appearances on behalf of the Miss California USA organization," the group's Executive Director, Keith Lewis, said in a statement.

As previously reported by AccessHollywood.com, Tami Farrell, Carrie's runner-up and the former Miss Teen USA, has stepped into the role of Miss California and will be taking on her duties. Tami was previously Miss Malibu.

Exclusive : President Obama Photos in Egypt

2009-06-04T13:05:00.000-07:00

President Barack Obama enjoyed the food and the Egyptian Pharaonic and Islamic monuments in Egypt

Exclusive From Ahmed Essam - Cairo : President Obama delivers an address at Cairo University in Egypt on Thursday, calling for "a new beginning" between the United States and the Muslim world, Egypt is the best country in meddle east and usa must talk with Egypt more and more.

President Obama called on Muslims, Jews and Christians around the world Thursday to cast aside fear and mistrust in the name of a safer, more prosperous future.

he official reception ceremony for U.S. President Barack Obama, 4-6-2009 Thursday in Cairo, much of the special touches, as an expression of hospitality, and for not meeting him at Cairo airport by President Hosni Mubarak himself.

After the talks between President Mubarak, President Bush was escorted to the breakfast table, which consisted of dishes from the table puff Almcltaat, honey, black and white beans and falafel, and white cheese, olives, bread and municipal, and different kinds of cold meat, eggs, along with fresh orange juice.

He is one of those who attended the breakfast, said Obama was eating heartily, and was talking over the breakfast time, which took 40 minutes Bsjip out, according to the newspaper "new sunrise" in Egypt.

Obama had visited the mosque of Sultan Hassan in Cairo, Islamic, and after his arrival from the airport directly, and then later went to the palace waiting for the dome, where the Egyptian President.

The guard of honor lined up before the arrival of the American presidential motorcade b 7 minutes and 3 minutes after the men took the security of U.S. and Egyptian positions near the guard of honor, on the balcony and the main dome of the palace, and on the platform photographers and journalists.

And when he heard that President Mubarak, who was sitting in the living room the main voice of "Albrouje" announces the arrival of the guest's motorcade left the large company of the Chief of Staff President Dr. Zakaria Azmi, the Republican to the balcony, and the Chief of Protocol Ashraf Bakri.

The President was greeted at the gate of the American head of the palace guard of honor, eight of the highest ranking officers in the Guard, riding horses 9.

The head of the elite on the Obama parade horse, while other officers took the horses back and the convoy, even the balcony stairs on which President Mubarak, and then Obama got out of his car, climbed the stairs leading to the eight and the parking place of the Egyptian President, who met Bannaq, saying to him: "It was very happy to receive it in Cairo."

He described one of those responsible for the ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the home that receive the highest of the President of Egypt by foreigners for decades.

First Photo By Gerald Herbert, AP
Secont Photo By Ahmed Essam, Us Edition

Biographies

2009-05-07T06:59:00.000-07:00

	Russell, Bill bio Legendary basketball star William Felton (Bill) Russell was born on February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana. His family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he attended McClymonds High School in Oakland. Russell was a center on his high school basketball team.
	Gerry Niewood Gerry Niewood is best known for his association with Chuck Mangione, Niewood is a talented multi-instrumentalist who has appealing sounds and styles on tenor, soprano and flute. Niewood attended the University of Buffalo and ..
	John Busby bio BUSBY, JOHN (1765-1857), surveyor and civil engineer, was born on 24 March 1765 at Alnwick, Northumberland, England, eldest son of George Busby, a miner and coalmaster of Stamford, and his wife Margaret, née Wilson, of Dunstan, Northumberland

Famous Galleries

2009-05-06T06:44:00.000-07:00

Sports

Becky Hammon Gallery

Sports

Nate Robinson Gallery

Sports

Allen Iverson Gallery

top 20 Usa search

2009-04-29T09:00:00.001-07:00

1.	stem cell research
2.	virginia lottery
3.	va lottery
4.	sons of sylvia
5.	quail hollow championship 2010

6.	euclid
7.	eminem not afraid
8.	greg kinnear
9.	oil spill gulf of mexico 2010
10.	jamie lynn sigler

11.	washington post
12.	ufc 2010 demo
13.	who got kicked off american idol april 28
14.	second life grid status
15.	shel silverstein poems

16.	vera bradley outlet sale
17.	david morales colón
18.	bleach chapter 402
19.	fokker f27
20.	exxon valdez oil spill

greg kinnear

2009-04-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Date of Birth
17 June 1963, Logansport, Indiana, USA

Height
5' 10" (1.78 m)

Mini Biography

Greg Kinnear was born on June 17, 1963, in Logansport, Indiana, USA to Edward Kinnear, a career diplomat with the US State Department and Suzanne Kinnear, a homemaker. Greg has two brothers--James, vice president-investments at Wachovia Securities in Arizona who was born in 1957, and Steve, a business manager with the Billy Graham Training Center in North Carolina who was born in 1959. His family moved often, including Lebanon and Greece. While a student in Athens, Greg first ventured into the role of talk show host with his radio show "School Daze With Greg Kinnear."

Returning to college in the States, he attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, graduating in 1985 with a degree in broadcast journalism. He headed out to Los Angeles, landing his first job as a marketing assistant with Empire Entertainment. He auditioned to be an MTV VJ, but failed and became an on-location reporter for the channel. He had bit parts on "L.A. Law" (1986) and "Life Goes On" (1989). He would later become the creator, co-executive producer, and host of "Best of the Worst" (1991), which aired from 1990 to 1991. His breakthrough was as first host of "Talk Soup" (1991) from 1994-1994, when he left the show for the NBC late-night talk show, "Later with Greg Kinnear" (1994). In 1994, Kinnear had his first big screen role, as a talk show host in the Damon Wayans comedy Blankman (1994). In 1995 he won the role of David Larrabee in Sydney Pollack's remake of Billy Wilder's 1954 classic Sabrina (1995). Next was the lead in the 1996 comedy Dear God (1996). In 1997, Greg was cast in James L. Brooks's blockbuster comedy-drama As Good as It Gets (1997), receiving an Oscar nomination as best supporting actor. In his next film, the romantic comedy A Smile Like Yours (1997), he starred opposite Lauren Holly as part of a couple trying to have a baby. The film met with lukewarm reviews and a low box office. His next film, You've Got Mail (1998), struck gold. He played Meg Ryan's significant other, a newspaper columnist. Next he played Captain Amazing in Mystery Men (1999). His more recent films have Nurse Betty (2000), Loser (2000), and Someone Like You... (2001).
IMDb Mini Biography By: TrendEkiD@aol.com

Spouse
Helen Labdon (1 May 1999 - present) 3 children

Trivia

1985: Attended the University of Arizona, where he graduated in Broadcast Journalism.

Lived in Greece for a time and can speak Greek.

Member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

2001: He and wife Helen had a baby, but unfortunately it was stillborn.

Daughter Lily Kathryn Kinnear born September 12, 2003.

13 June, 2006: He and wife Helen became the parents of a second girl, Audrey Mae.

"Kinnear" is used as a verb meaning to surreptitiously photograph someone and was coined by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (a.k.a., The Yarn Harlot, www.yarnharlot.ca/blog); published in an article in the New York Times, "All We Are Saying" (December 23, 2007).

Personal Quotes

Setting goals can blind you to opportunities. You might be trying to get to point C; when opportunity B comes, you don't even look at it because you're going straight to C. I've never had a clear road map. When things come along, I benefit.

[on success in Hollywood] I'd like to believe as much of myself as possible is unaffected by the things that can get a little heady. Being from Indiana has its benefits.

[on his school days] I was always explaining why my term papers were never on time. I think that's where I got my acting training!

I'm just doing the best I can with what I have. There are certain physical limitations to being a WASPy-looking dude from Indiana, right? "Travis Bickle [from Taxi Driver (1976)] Part 2" probably ain't coming my way. So with the roles I get, as best as I can I try to see the cracks within the face and then magnify them in an interesting way.

Where Are They Now

(March 2003) Filming the new Farrelly Brothers film _Stuck On You (2003)_ with Matt Damon.

Bleach Chapter 402 Spoiller!

2009-04-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

Bleach Chapter 402 Spoiller! – I think Urahara, Tessai, Yorruichi and his men are still smalls (you might also already know) will appear at the end of Chapter 401 Bleach, can only act on Bleach Chapter 402 or 403 to remember so tight battle Ichigo vs Gin and Aizen are also explanations on Isshin Aizen of the soul that will change to become stronger due to the influence Hougyoku Hougyoku and finally began to understand the mind Aizen.

[Bleach Chapter 402] About Ryuuken, he just showed his strength in the Arrancar Arc (Bleach Chapter 110-111, and Bleach Episode 125-127). At that time managed to kill Hollow Ryuuken menos Grande types with few shots and he showed his strength on when Ishida practice his Quincy restore power.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Mysterious accident: More Human Remains Found at Bridge Site*

2009-02-25T17:17:00.000-08:00

By MARTIGA LOHN

Associated Press Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Divers found more human remains in the Mississippi River on Sunday, 11 days after a highway bridge collapsed into the fast-flowing water, and a crane working at one end of the ruined span removed a school bus and other vehicles.

Navy divers searched for five people missing and presumed dead. Stormy weather made their task more dangerous over the weekend, strengthening river currents Saturday.

But conditions had cleared Sunday and the remains were recovered about eight hours into the search, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office said.

The official death toll stood at eight while the county's medical examiner identified the remains.

The yellow school bus became a symbol of a disaster that could have been worse. Everyone on board - 52 children and several adults - escaped alive.

One of the bus survivors, Julie Graves, had been accompanying children from a neighborhood center in Minneapolis on a trip to a water park the day the bridge collapsed.

On Sunday, her feet were in casts and tight wraps on her arms locked her elbows. She has been in a back brace after surgery to repair two broken lumbar vertebrae last week, but is expected to make a full recovery.

``I'm doing good,'' Graves said by phone Sunday from Hennepin County Medical Center. ``Some pain here and there definitely. But I'm so grateful to be alive.''

In all, 44 vehicles have been removed from the bridge since its collapse. About 100 vehicles had been on the structure when it fell on Aug. 1, said Minnesota Department of Transportation spokesman Kevin Gutknecht.

Most vehicles on the bridge's north end were gone; Gutknecht said work would focus on the south end for the next day or two.

Broken glass remained on a slanted section on the bridge's north end as pedestrians and cyclists peered through a mesh fence put up to keep them from getting too close.

So far, crews have cleared cars from parts of the bridge that fell onto land. Equipment is positioned to start major debris removal once the recovery efforts are finished.

The list of confirmed missing included Christine Sacorafas, 45, of White Bear Lake; Vera Peck, 50, and her son Richard Chit, 20, both of Bloomington; Greg Jolstad, 45, of Mora; and Scott Sathers, 29, of Maple Grove.

About 100 people were injured in the collapse, but only eight remained hospitalized, their conditions ranging from serious to good. Hennepin County Medical Center released one patient and upgraded another from serious to satisfactory condition, a spokeswoman said Sunday.

Graves, who celebrated her 28th birthday at the hospital Friday, expects to remain at the hospital for up to two weeks.

She had planned to get married at the end of the month and she said she still may exchange vows, but the wedding celebration has been pushed back to May ``so I can be in full dancing condition.''

---

Associated Press Writer Jon Krawczynski contributed to this report

Mysterious accident: 6th Body Found in Minn. Bridge Wreckage

2009-02-25T17:15:00.000-08:00

By PATRICK CONDON
Associated Press Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Searchers found the body of a sixth victim Thursday in the wreckage of the city's collapsed interstate bridge, authorities said.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office said the body was found shortly after noon. Five other bodies were recovered earlier, and crews have been searching in and around the Mississippi River for the past week for eight people reported missing since the Aug. 1 collapse.

The latest victim wasn't immediately identified.

As the recovery operation continued, so did the investigation. On Wednesday, investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board said they had found design flaws in gusset plates, which helped tie the bridge's steel beams together.

J. Richard Capka, administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, said the agency would quickly advise transportation agencies around the country of steps they should take if a systematic problem with gusset plates is found. He said no such advisory was in the works yet.

"Gusset plates have been around a long time, and they've been a reliable feature, and we have no indication that they've ever been part of a suspect bridge problem or a bridge failure before," Capka said Thursday.

"They have not concluded that they've discovered anything specific that might have contributed to the collapse," he added.

The list of people confirmed missing and feared dead in the bridge collapse include a woman and her young daughter. The eight have been identified as Christine Sacorafas, 45, of White Bear Lake; Vera Peck, 50, and her son Richard Chit, 20, both of Bloomington; Greg Jolstad, 45, of Mora; Peter Hausmann, 47, of Rosemount; Sadiya Sahal, 23, of St. Paul, and her 2-year-old daughter, Hanah; and Scott Sathers, 29,of Maple Grove

Perilous Times

Mysterious accident: FIVE members of one family plunged to their deaths from ferris wheel

2009-02-25T17:14:00.000-08:00

By staff writers

FIVE members of one family plunged to their deaths while another two were left clinging to a rail 20m in the air when their ferris wheel car overturned in South Korea.

Four people, including a 68-year-old woman and a seven-year-old boy, died at the scene in the southern city of Busan, police said.

A 28-year-old woman died in hospital later, the Associated Press reported.

There were seven relatives in the ferris wheel car, but the other two were able to cling to handholds, police officer Yoon Jae-man said.

Jeon Un-sung, 70, who was rescued from the car, said: "the slowly moving gondola suddenly stopped and turned upside down and family members fell in a flash" when the window behind the seats fell out of the car, according to Yonhap news agency.

The 66m high "Giant Wheel" has 42 cars. It as is among 30 rides at the World Carnival mobile amusement park that opened in Busan after arriving from Hong Kong, Yonhap reported

was published in August 14, 2007 08:21am

Mysterious accident: Camera Sees No Signs of Life in Collapsed Mine

2009-02-25T17:12:00.000-08:00

By ALICIA A. CALDWELL

HUNTINGTON, Utah (AP) - Another attempt to sink a video camera deep inside a coal mine where six miners have been trapped since a collapse a week ago yielded no signs of life, officials said Monday, frustrating crews trying to find the men.

The camera was paired with better lighting, but still only saw about 15 feet when it was lowered into the mine overnight, said Al Davis, who oversees Western operations for the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. The images that came back included a distorted conveyor
belt and an intact roof.

It was the latest disheartening news for rescuers and relatives of the missing men. A video camera lowered into the collapsed mine Sunday revealed equipment, but no sign of the miners. On Monday, crews were planning to drill a third hole in the hopes of finding them, but cautioned that the effort could take up to six days.

"I've accepted all possibilites," said an exhausted Cody Allred, the 32-year-old son of missing miner Kerry Allred.

It is still unclear what caused the mine to collapse. Bob Murray, head of Murray Energy Corp. and co-owner of the mine, has insisted it was caused by an earthquake but seismologists say there was no earthquake and that readings on seismometers actually came from the collapse.

One of the four miners who escaped alive said Sunday he didn't feel or hear a thing as the mountain shook and caved in, trapping six of his colleagues.

Tim Curtis was near the mine's entrance on Aug. 6 when he got a text message telling him of the collapse on his PED, or personal emergency device. The trapped men are believed to be about

3.4 miles from the mine's entrance.

"Where I was at, I felt nothing," Curtis said in an interview with The Associated Press. "It's just like you are here and three miles away are you going to hear a balloon pop?"

Curtis, a 33-year-old third-generation miner who works as a mine fire boss, or safety inspector, has worked 12-hour shifts every day since the collapse to aid the rescue effort.

Two holes have already been drilled about 1,800 feet down into the mountain containing the mine. The first is a 2 1/2-inch wide hole that rescue crews initially believed drifted during the drilling process into a neighboring sealed chamber. A microphone dropped into that first hole heard no sign of the miners and air samples recorded an atmosphere of only 7 percent oxygen - measurements similar to those known to exist in a sealed area of the mine and an oxygen level that would not sustain life.

The hole was later determined to be in an active work area, and rescuers were pumping air down the hole.

A second hole measuring nearly 9 inches allowed crews to lower a camera into a cavern that officials said showed a "survivable space." But images were limited and the camera was withdrawn to clear off one lens.

The second attempt to use the camera to get a glimpse of the missing men was hampered by poor lighting that limited the camera view to only about 15 feet into a 5 1/2-foot-high void at the bottom of the hole, far less than the 100 feet it's capable of viewing, said Richard Stickler, head
of the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Rescuers saw a tool bag, a chain and other items that are normally seen underground in a mine, he said. "We did not see any sign at all of any of the miners," Stickler said.

Searchers were set to begin drilling the third hole midday Monday, Davis said.

Despite the setbacks, rescue leaders said they were proceeding under the assumption the miners remain alive.

Curtis said the miners likely improvised an emergency plan when all four entry tunnels near their work site were blocked.

"It's just like your house, if it caught on fire and you have a plan to get out the window and that window is blocked," Curtis said. "That's what happened here."

Rescuers have been moving horizontally through the mine to try to reach the men. Their route was blocked about 2,000 feet from the men and rubble had been cleared from about 580 feet of the route, Stickler said.

---

Associated Press writers Jennifer Dobner, Chris Kahn, Brock Vergakis and Pauline Arrillaga contributed to this report

Mysterious accident : Tenn. Plane Crash Kills 5 Ministers

2009-02-25T17:04:00.000-08:00

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (AP) - A plane carrying five Jehovah's Witness ministers crashed in a remote area of eastern Tennessee, killing all aboard, officials said.

The crash, which happened around 10:30 a.m. Saturday, wasn't discovered until more than eight hours later, when another pilot spotted the wreckage.

Authorities had to clear a path Sunday to get to the crash site in the Cherokee National Forest on Holston Mountain. Five bodies were found, said Carter County Sheriff Chris Mathes. One of the ministers was believed to be the pilot, he said.

The single-engine Beech Bonanza crashed after leaving the Elizabethton Municipal Airport, officials said. The aircraft had taken off from Hamblen County and landed in Elizabethton to pick up two passengers. It was destined for Virginia Highlands Airport near Abingdon, Va., about 40
miles from Elizabethton.

Robert Burpitt, an elder with the Woodland Heights congregation of Jehovah's Witness in Kingsport, said the ministers were all from East Tennessee and members of a regional building committee that makes decisions regarding Kingdom Hall building projects. The names of the

ministers were not released.

He said the men were on their way to Abingdon Saturday morning to meet with congregation members to discuss building a new church.

``All of the congregations in this region are devastated by this news, and will continue to keep the families in their prayers,'' he said

Mysterious accident: Ancient crystal skulls

2009-02-25T17:02:00.000-08:00

It is claimed that 13 ancient crystal skulls have been found with mysterious properties.
The Mitchell-Hedges family loaned the skull to Hewlett-Packard Laboratories for extensive study in 1970. Art restorer Frank Dorland oversaw the testing at the Santa Clara, California, computer equipment manufacturer, a leading facility for crystal research. The HP examinations yielded some startling results. Researchers found that the skull had been carved against the natural axis of the crystal.

Modern crystal sculptors always take into account the axis, or orientation of the crystal's molecular symmetry, because if they carve "against the grain," the piece is bound to shatter -- even with the use of lasers and other high-tech cutting methods. To compound the strangeness, HP could find no microscopic scratches on the crystal which would indicate it had been carved with metal instruments. Dorland's best hypothesis for the skull's construction is that it was roughly hewn out with diamonds, and then the detail work was meticulously done with a gentle solution of silicon sand and water.

The exhausting job -- assuming it could possibly be done in this way -- would have required man-hours adding up to 300 years to complete.Note: 5/08, crystal skulls find themselves in the lates Indiana Jones movie!

Source from : http://www.randomfacts.org/mysterious-facts/

Top 50 Sexiest Woman

2009-02-22T14:38:00.000-08:00

Ten years ago, Madonna turned 40. It was, of course, a huge affair, as Madonna was (and still is) synonymous with celebrity, and cantankerous pop culture theorists found it a staggering victory on her part that she still managed to be relevant at such an age. Everywhere, the news of her birthday was upon us. It was almost akin to the Y2K countdown.

This was 1998, before reality TV had killed the video star. VH1 made sure its viewers stayed well aware of the impending milestone by flickering "Madonna Turns 40 in _____ Hours!" across younger incarnations of the singer wriggling onscreen. Then she turned 40, and--to the shock of the entertainment world--it didn't seem to change anything.

Things have changed. In August, Madonna turned 50, and while the paparazzi managed to get plenty of shots of her entering and exiting her London party, this birthday didn't seem such a big deal.
Perhaps it's because there are now so many beautiful women who are breaking barriers in a formerly youth-obsessed industry. Sure, cynics may credit plastic surgery for the staying power of these women, but they're overlooking the fact that surgeried or not, these women are fascinating to watch. Some we've loved for decades, while others hit their strides later in life. All are alluringly mature, and all are sexy.

Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images North America

50. Katey Sagal
49 Jessica Lange
48. Sigourney Weaver
47. Pam Grier
46. Leeza Gibbons
45. Janice Dickinson
44. Debbie Harry
43. Queen Noor of Jordan
42. Chrissie Hynde
41. Cassandra Peterson
40. Geena Davis
39. Joan Allen
38. Kim Cattrall
37. Susan Lucci
36. Cher
35. Ellen DeGeneres
34. Jane Fonda
33. Tina Turner
32. Susan Sarandon
31. Katie Couric
30. Lynda Carter
29. Dorothy Hamill
28. Beverly Johnson
27. Mary Steenburgen
26. Goldie Hawn
25. Ellen Barkin
24. Sophia Loren
23. Raquel Welch
22. Suzanne Somers
21. Olivia Newton-John
20. Peggy Lipton
19. Rene Russo
18. Sharon Stone
17. Ann Curry
16. Diane Sawyer
15. Cheryl Tiegs
14. Angela Bassett
13. Joan Jett
12. Jaclyn Smith
11. Sela Ward
10. Kim Basinger
9. Andie MacDowell
8. Jane Seymour
7. Madonna
6. Helen Mirren
5. Christie Brinkley
4. Iman
3. Jennifer Tilly
2. Michelle Pfeiffer
1. Holly Hunter

The 2009 Film Independent's Spirit Awards

2009-02-22T14:36:00.000-08:00

Celebrities attending the 2009 Film Independent's Spirit Awards at the Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA.
(Photo by Photo Agency)

Andy Richter

2009-02-21T03:40:00.000-08:00

cave house

2009-02-21T03:36:00.000-08:00

Iain Macdonald and Gayle Hartley, along with their 2 year old son Joshua arrived in North East Andalucia in August 2004. Living the dreamhad always been top of the list of priorities and for them, arriving at the cave house one early August morning made the dream a reality. Iain (30) and Gayle (27) had sold their house in the UK including most of their possessions and invested in a caravan and various equipment to aid them in taking on quite a unique task to say the least.

Caves in the Granada region of Andalucia have been having a revival over recent years, once stigmatised with gypsy culture and poverty these dwellings are now becoming increasingly popular with northern Europeans due to their awe inspiring locations and unique sense of security and tranquillity. Iain first discovered caves on the internet. “They were certainly unique and within our budget which, at the time was a major factor. We approached the idea with an open mind and decided to view some caves to discover what potential the properties and the areas around them had”

Gayle was just as enthused about the idea and after a brief trip to Spain their minds were made up, an offer was put in and accepted a few days later and their dream began. Gayle says “living on site in a caravan was tough but we saw it as a challenge, the project was huge and had to be implemented stage by stage, sometimes we thought that friends and family were right thinking we were crazy to take it on but now we realise its been the best thing we could have done” Gayle went on to say “for our son Joshua it has been one big adventure, he is now bi-lingual and couldn’t be happier, we remember him playing in huge piles of sand and helping mix plaster – for him it was a fantastic experience and he loved every minute.”

Two years on and with most of the renovations complete Joshua is in school and Iain and Gayle are relaxing on the new patio…well not exactly, Iain says “Spain is cheaper but its not free” and with the reserves all but gone it was time to start another plan of action. One product famous in Spain is the Serrano Ham. It is served in restaurants/ tapas bars and you will probably find one in every Spanish kitchen. So with broadband internet installed Iain and Gayle have set about exporting Serrano hams and other traditional cured meats throughout Europe. Iain says “The dream became a reality, but then it was time to make a living, we thought of so many ideas, Gayle teaches English in the village but it was evident we needed something more”

With the help of the local Mayor and obtaining a grant from the Andalucian government “Orce Serrano Hams” has been realised. However Iain and Gayle have not forgotten what made their venture possible and are now actively promoting their local village of Orce in brochures and media publications. Gayle says “it’s been slow progress but now we feel that things are coming together, our new life is here in Spain and we have no option but to succeed” So would they do it all again? Iain’s thoughts are that caves will become increasingly popular over the next few years and as a result will expose some real investment opportunities so perhaps that is a yes? Gayle is more reserved although agrees with the philosophy “renovating a cave is hard, starting a business is harder.. but would I do it again? Never say never”

Written by: Helen Tate

Iain also has a weblog, publishing articles about Spanish culture, his own renovation project and the day to day life of a young family in Andalucia. www.caves-inland-andalucia.blogspot.com

For Serrano Ham and links related to “Orce” visit www.orceserrano.com

Kerri Kasem Gallery

2009-02-16T17:56:00.000-08:00

kerri kasem

2009-02-16T17:48:00.000-08:00

Kerri grew up in show biz, the daughter of radio legend Casey Kasem, and his first wife, Linda, a Republican fund raiser. Growing up in Hollywood, Kerri insists she`s wanted to act ever since she was able to walk. Having first performed by herself, she was quick to recruit younger brother Mike, and sister Julie into her plays and parodies.

Kerri was both the director and costumer for these family playlets dressing up her siblings and feeding them their lines. After graduating high school, Kerri took a slight detour, but one typical of her nature. She packed her belongings into her first car, took off to Santa Cruz, California, and grabbed a gig as a bungee-jumping instructor! But once again, show biz beckoned and Kerri headed back to L.A. and some serious professional training.

That training included an acting course at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, from which she graduated, improv classes at the Comedy Connection, scene study with Tracy Roberts, and vocal training from Robert Edwards and Peggy Coburn. Just to cover all the bases Kerri also attended and graduated from the Academy of Radio Broadcasting.

Kerri got to use all that training in various film productions, commercials, and live theater. But it was when she joined brother Mike at MTV-Asia, that things exploded for her. She found her niche, hosting became her passion.

She was an instant celebrity overseas, and she got to live in Singapore and travel far and wide doing specials and remote broadcasts in countries like India, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Bangladesh. Kerri hosted and/or co-hosted with her brother Mike many MTV shows including string of live concerts with the biggest names in music.

Then, when Mike hit the 4-year mark overseas, he got homesick and the twosome flew home. Back in the States, Kerri picked up a new MTV show called "Senseless Acts of Video".

The show was ideal for Kerri because she not only got to host, but indulge her craving for big thrills like skydiving, dirt bike riding, street bike riding, snow-boarding and her beloved bungee-jumping. Kerri has also done several projects in tandem with Mike, including the foreign market version of "Americas Funniest Home Videos" for Vin Di Bona Productions and interstitials for AMC-American Movie Classics.

Kerri currently has two syndicated radio shows, as well as co-hosting mornings in Las Vegas from 5am-9am on am840 KXNT "Alan Stock and Kerri Kasem." The two syndicated radio shows are called "National Lampoons Comedy Countdown," where she and co-host Kent Emmons countdown the 40 funniest bits in the country every week. And the other is called "Racing Rocks," with Riki Rachtman. Kerri also hosts a live mortgage show for KLSX in Los Angeles called, "The Solomon Free Money Hour." In addition to the radio shows she`s the host of a new TV show called "The Rub" on SiTV and Spike TV`S "Ultimate Knockouts 3" for the UFC. Kerri also hosted "Coming Attractions" on the E! Network for a year. Kerri just completed her first appearance on "Hannity and Colmes" as a political commentator. To relax and unwind Kerri spends time with her horses, she`s an avid horseback rider. She also spends time riding her Motorcycles, whether they`re dirt or street. You`ll also find Kerri at the movies or at the nearest Karaoke Bar belting out her favorite 80`s songs or show tunes.

ElBaradei seeks large IAEA budget increase despite economic crisis

2009-02-16T10:16:00.000-08:00

Vienna - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohamed ElBaradei called for a substantial budget increase Monday, even as two diplomats in the race to succeed him have struck a more cautious tone amid the current economic crisis. ElBaradei warned member states Monday that "if we carry on with business as usual, the agency's effectiveness and the quality of the services we provide to you will continue to erode to a dangerous level."

In the UN nuclear watchdog's budget proposal for 2010, the operational budget was raised to 336 million euros (433 million dollars), 11 per cent above this year's level.

After years of financial zero growth, the Vienna-based organization had reached a "turning point," ElBaradei wrote in a letter to member states, which was obtained by Deutsche Presse- Agentur

Copyright, respective author or news agency

Referendum shows Venezuela is 'divided,' Lula advisor says

2009-02-16T10:01:00.000-08:00

Brasilia - The referendum victory that enables Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to stand for re-election in 2012 revealed that the country is "obviously divided," said a senior foreign policy advisor to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. In an interview with Sao Paulo radio station Eldorado on Monday, Marco Aurelio Garcia said that the fact that Chavez's proposal was passed in a referendum Sunday did not guarantee his re-election.

"The opposition obtained an excellent result and that shows that at least with regard to the personality of President Chavez, who as we all know is very controversial, the country is obviously divided," Garcia said.

"Chavez will have an election in 2012 in which the opposition will surely have its candidate and could defeat him. The main issue is to see whether (Chavez) will have the power to convince voters in 2012," he said.

On Sunday, Chavez - who has been in power in Venezuela since 1999 - obtained his long-sought right to stand for an unlimited number of terms in office, as more than 54 per cent of Venezuelan voters backed a constitutional change to that effect. His current term is set to end in 2013.

"Unless God disposes otherwise, unless the people dispose otherwise, this soldier is already a pre-candidate to hold the presidency of the republic from 2013-2019," Chavez told supporters after the results were made official.

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2009-02-16T08:17:00.000-08:00

2009-02-16T07:49:00.000-08:00

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2009-02-16T05:05:00.001-08:00

Where Is Amber Frey Now?

2009-02-16T05:02:00.000-08:00

Nobody expects to become a household name overnight, but that's exactly what happened to Amber Frey.

More than four years ago, the Fresno, Calif., massage therapist became the star witness in the murder trial of Scott Peterson.

She was the "other woman" in a mysterious murder case that the whole world watched. During the trial, she was hounded by the media and became embroiled in a series of tabloid-fueled scandals, including nude photos of her becoming public.

Frey calls that period in her life "bizarre."

"During that time, it was very consuming with the media and stories that, you know, kept arising and constantly something new happening or being said," Frey said in an interview with "Good Morning America."

Today, Frey, 32, has taken back her quiet life, living with her new husband, corrections Officer Robert Hernandez, in a small city in central California.
She has opened a day spa and moved on from her notorious past, but she'll never forget how one blind date in November 2002 changed her life forever.

Hated Being Seen as the Mistress
Frey fell for Peterson's charm from the moment they met, but she would soon discover that he was not only married but that his wife, Laci, was reported missing.

When Peterson became the prime suspect in Laci's disappearance, Frey immediately contacted the authorities and went public about their affair.

She cooperated with the police, even taping phone conversations with Peterson. Her testimony at the trial helped send Peterson to death row.

Her motives were questioned when, less than three weeks after Peterson was sentenced, Frey published "Witness: For the Prosecution of Scott Peterson," an autobiographical account of her involvement in the case.

Days after Peterson's verdict of guilt was announced, she made many media appearances to promote her book, often accompanied by attorney Gloria Allred.

In her book, Frey reaches out to Laci's family and expresses her sorrow over her death. Her overtures to the family weren't returned.

Amber Frey

2009-02-16T04:59:00.000-08:00

Date and Place of Birth:
Amber Dawn Frey was born in Los Angeles on Feb. 10, 1975 in Los Angeles, Ca. to Ron and Brenda Frey. Ron and Brenda divorced when Amber was five years old.
Education:
Amber graduated from Clovis High School in 1993. She attended Fresno City College where she received an AA in child development and later, Golden State College in Fresno where she completed 540 hours vocational training to pursue her career interests in massage therapy.

How Amber and Scott Peterson Met:
Scott Peterson met Shawn Sibley, Amber Frey's best friend at the time, during a business conference in Anaheim, California in October 2002. Sibley states that he told her he was single and wanted to meet someone to have a long-term relationship with, someone intelligent. Sibley told Amber about Scott and she agreed to let Sibley give him her phone number. Scott contacted Amber in early November and they made a date to meet on Nov. 20, 2002.
Their First Date:
Amber met Scott Peterson at a bar before accompanying him to his hotel room. There they shared champagne and strawberries then left to have dinner in a private room at a Japanese restaurant. Their conversation flowed easily and Amber felt Scott was easy to be around. After dinner they went to a karaoke bar, sang and slow-danced until the bar closed. They returned to Scott Peterson's hotel room where they became intimate and ended up spending the night together.
The Beginning of Their Relationship:
Amber described Peterson as being very romantic and solicitous towards her and her 20-month-old daughter, Ayianna by including her child on some of their outings together. With the holidays approaching, Peterson explained to Amber that he would be on a fishing trip in Alaska over the Thanksgiving holiday. Up to this point, Peterson still had not mentioned to Amber that he was married and that his wife was pregnant.
Their Relationship Grows:
The relationship continued to grow and included Scott cooking home cooked meals for Amber and Ayianna. He took Ayianna Christmas tree shopping, bought presents for Amber that demonstrated his sensitivity toward thoughts she had shared with him. They shared deep conversations about their lives and feelings. Amber recalled one such conversation that was centered on the importance of trust in relationships. During that conversation Scott confirmed to Amber that he had never been married.
The Truth Begins to Emerge:
On Dec. 6, 2002, Shawn Sibley discovered that Petersons was married and she threatened to expose him to Amber unless he told Amber the truth. Scott explained to Shawn that he had lost his wife and although it was difficult for him to talk about, he would tell Amber. On Dec. 9, he admitted to Amber that he had been married and lost his wife but found it hard to talk about. Amber asked him if he was ready for a relationship with her, and Scott enthusiastically stated that he was.
They Become Boyfriend and Girlfriend:
The couple attended a formal Christmas party on Dec.14, and Amber introduced Scott to her friends as her boyfriend. Later that evening they had sex without using birth control. Peterson commented that he didn't want children and regretted not taking precautions. He told Amber that he would willingly raise her daughter as his own but to prevent the possibility of Amber becoming pregnant, he was considering a vasectomy. Amber found his revelation disturbing having always wanted a family some day.
Amber Hears the Truth About Scott:
Scott told Amber he would be in Paris over the holidays. He called her often during his travels saying he was in Maine visiting his parents. On Dec. 29, Richard Byrd, a friend of Amber's and also a Fresno homicide detective, informed Amber that the man she was dating, Scott Peterson was married and his pregnant wife was missing. Once informed of Peterson's deception, Amber contacted the police and agreed to assist with their investigation by taping future phone conversations from Peterson.
Amber's Life After Her Admitted Affair with Scott Peterson:
Laci Peterson was reported missing by Scott Peterson at 6pm on Dec. 24 2002, after he returned home from a fishing trip at the Berkeley Marina.
Scott's calls to Amber were sporadic over the holiday. One notable conversation occurred on Dec. 31, when Peterson told Amber that he was in Paris at a bar with friends and described the "awesome" firework display at the Eiffel Tower.

On Jan. 6, Peterson admitted to Frey about his marriage and his wife's disappearance. He talked about the investigation and his innocence in murdering his wife.

On Feb. 19, Amber told Scott they should stop talking until things were resolved with the murder of his wife. Scott agreed.

Details of Amber's life have been disclosed mostly by family, friends, and opportunists. She has kept a low profile in spite of all of the media attention she has received.

In May 2003, Amber hired celebrity lawyer, Gloria Allred, to help with the hounding news media. Rumors and speculations about Amber were running wild even though she was tight-lipped and in seclusion.

David Hans Schmidt, a promoter, surfaced with a paid-subscription website of nude pictures of Amber Frey taken at the Clovis modeling agency in 1999. Amber filed suit against him, stating that she never signed an agreement to give up her rights to the photographs. Eventually Schmidt was barred from "commercially exploiting" photos of Amber Frey.

Currently, Amber Frey and Dr. David Markovich, a 44-year-old Fresno chiropractor and the father of Amber's 4-month-old son, Justin Dean, live together, along with her daughter, Ayianna, in Fresno. Having been long time friends, they began dating in early 2003, around the time that Amber was taping the phone conversations of Peterson.

In August 2004, Amber testified at accused murderer, Scott Peterson's trial. The intimate details of their six-week relationship were revealed by her and the contents of the taped conversations made public. [

Source:
A Deadly Game by Catherine Crier
Scott Peterson's Mistress: Amber Frey Reveals Her Story To Oprah

Maya Rudolph

2009-02-16T04:54:00.000-08:00

Biography
Maya Rudolph was born July 27, 1972, in Gainesville, Florida. The daughter of music producer Dick Rudolph and beloved soul singer Minnie Riperton, she clearly has showbiz in her blood.

Maya recalls being transfixed by her mother and her remarkable talents early on. "When I was a little girl, I would stand on the side of the stage and watch my mom singing out there in beautiful gowns," she says. "She was such a diva in the most exquisite sense. I always had the idea of wanting to be on a stage, in these beautiful gowns, with a microphone in my hand, and that comes from my mom."

maya rudolph loses her mother

As Minnie's career began to take off, she and Dick packed up the family and moved to California when Maya was just a year old. The move proved to be fortuitous as Minnie soon recorded "Lovin' You," a sweetly sentimental song that climbed to the top of the charts in 1975.

Just when it seemed as though her life couldn't possibly be better, Minnie was tragically diagnosed with breast cancer. The news came as a blow not only to her family, but also to her legions of dedicated fans. Despite a brave struggle, Minnie succomed to the disease three years later on July 12, 1979, leaving behind her husband and two young children.

For Maya, the ensuing years became a struggle to simply fit in. "My mom was black and my dad is Jewish, and I lost my mom when I was 7," she recalls. "That made me feel really different from other kids."

Fortunately, her own musical talent, as well as her quirky sensability, soon endeared her to her peers. In fact, one of her best friends while growing up was Gwyneth Paltrow. The two girls attended St. Augustine by the Sea School together and continue to be close to this day.

maya rudolph tours with the rentals

Following high school, Maya enrolled at the University of California at Santa Cruz where she majored in Photography. When not stuck in a dark room, she played synthesizer and cranked out tunes with Super Sauce, an energetic nine-piece funk band she created with some of her fellow friends and classmates. Maya continued to play with the group until her graduation in 1995, when she joined a Weezer spinoff project called The Rentals. With Maya on keypboard and vocals, The Rentals relased the album Seven More Minutes and toured around the world opening for The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Garbage and Alanis Morissette.

maya rudolph joins the groundlings

When the band eventually went on hiatus Maya chose to put down her synthesizer and branch out into acting. In 1997, she appeared in six episodes of Chicago Hope as Nurse Leah Martine. At the risk of being typecast, she donned her scrubs yet again for a role as a delivery nurse in the Uma Thurman drama, Gattaca (1997) and she appeared as a policewoman in the Jack Nicholson comedy, As Good as It Gets (1997). Additional roles followed in the 1999 drama A Glance Away, as well as a role in an episode of the TV show Action.

Not wanting to get lost in a lifetime of bit parts, Maya chose to join L.A.'s famous The Groundlings improv troupe -- a launching pad for Saturday Night Live cast members such as Laraine Newman, Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz, Will Ferrell, Ana Gasteyer, and Chris Kattan. It proved to be a wise move. Her increased exposure led to a supporting role in 2000's Chuck&Buck, as well as a recurring role as Nurse Grace Patterson in the short-lived television series City of Angels.

She was also reunited with her childhood friend Gwyneth Paltrow later that year in the karaoke comedy, Duets. In addition to playing a hostess in the film, Maya and her father Dick also served as the movie's music supervisors.

live from new york, it's maya rudolph

As exciting as 2000 may have been, Maya's high point came later that year when Saturday Night Live producer Steve Higgins saw Maya perform with The Groundlings and invited her to New York for a formal interview. Maya dazzled SNL's staff and producers and was immediately invited to join the cast as a featured performer.

Maya recalls it as being a whirlwind experience. "When they told me I got the show, I had two weeks to move to the East Coast," she says. "It was all so last-minute. But it was the best way to go, because I didn't have time to think about it. And I'm glad it happened that way, because I can't imagine a better fit. It's a really natural evolution of this thing I was creating in my head as a kid, growing up feeling like such a freak and that I didn't belong anywhere. It came at the right time and it just feels right."

Indeed, it didn't take long for Maya to find a niche. Soon after joining the show in May, 2000, she won over fans with her spot-on impersonations of celebrities such as Donatella Versace, Christina Aguilera, Oprah Winfrey, and many more.

maya rudolph becomes a mom

Since joining the cast of SNL, Maya has also appeared in a number of big-budget films including 2003's Duplex, starring Ben Stiller, and 2004's 50 First Dates, starring Adam Sandler.

Despite her increased screen time, Maya's most exciting new role has been that of mother. The Gainesville native and her boyfriend Paul Thomas Anderson gave birth to a daughter named Pearl on October 15, 2005.

In addition to her work on SNL, Maya has been cast in the 2006 Robert Altman comedy, A Prairie Home Companion and Mike Judge's Idiocracy (2006).

Eastbound and Down Movie 2009

2009-02-16T04:46:00.000-08:00

MOVIEmeter: Up 65% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:Jody Hill
Writers:Ben Best (writer)
Jody Hill (writer)
more
Contact:View company contact information for Eastbound & Down on IMDbPro.
Seasons:1 more
Release Date:15 February 2009 (USA) more
Genre:Comedy
Plot:Years after he turned his back on his hometown, a burned-out major league ballplayer returns teach phys ed at his old middle school.

Danny McBride, star of such successful big-screen comedies as “Tropic Thunder,” “Pineapple Express” and “Superbad,” was acting like a jealous ex-boyfriend Tuesday on a set near Ogden. Nearby, writer and producer Ben Best, one of McBride’s buddies, sat comfortably in a director’s chair looking on as if they’d been shooting their new HBO series “Eastbound and Down” in Wilmington forever.

It wasn’t always like this.

Not long ago, Best, McBride and pal Jody Hill – now an “Eastbound” writer/director/producer – combined the money in their pockets to buy a case of beer, which they consumed while sitting in a kiddie pool behind Best’s house in Charlotte. They were each broke and dreaming.

“It was a really nice day and we were sitting there and we just started talking about ideas for TV shows because David (Gordon) Green was hitting it off so well,” Best said, referring to a schoolmate who had found success in Hollywood. “We were actually showing up at parties and there would be people there that were in the industry and so we figured we’d better start coming up with good ideas and have stuff ready in case we were ever talking to someone.”

The three friends met in 1995 at the N.C. School of the Arts. Green, who wrote and directed “All The Real Girls” who also is involved in “Eastbound,” was one year ahead of them. But they all became like family, Best said.

A couple years ago, while sitting on the couch at his home in Charlotte, Best got a call from McBride. Will Ferrell had seen their independent movie “The Footfist Way” and wanted to know if they had anything else in the works.

It turns out, sipping beer in kiddie pools was good for the creative juices. One of the ideas they threw around that day became “Eastbound and Down.”

Ferrell’s company, Gary Sanchez Productions, is producing a six-episode season for HBO. Crews started shooting here at the beginning of the month and will continue through November across town at places including Blue Post Billiards, Ashley High School and a typical suburban home on Marsh Oaks Drive, where they were filming Tuesday. Ferrell filmed a cameo role in town last week.

McBride, who also writes for the show, stars as Kenny, a washed up professional baseball player. After getting kicked off the team, the only place Kenny has to go is back home to Shelby, N.C. Salt is thrown onto that ego-busting wound when the only job he can find is as a P.E. teacher at a middle school

“He’s definitely at the end of his rope,” McBride said. “It’s just about him coming here, realizing that maybe he’s not the man that he thought he was and he might not have the future that he thought he was going to have.”

But this deep emotional journey happens in a funny kind of way.

During one scene filmed Tuesday, McBride’s character sat at an outside table with his girlfriend and the principal’s fiance, whom he used to date in high school. Although his girlfriend is the town’s unofficial “party girl,” Kenny introducers her as a runway model and famous painter in Paris to make his ex jealous.

About 50 cast and crew members (mostly Wilmingtonians) stood by, secluded from the rows of cars and film trucks on the street, to make the scenes run smoothly.

For Best, Wilmington has offered a comfortable and ideal place to film.

“We just wanted to get ... out of L.A., you know? And coming back to our home state, there are so many good things. I mean, we bring business to it, we get to be by the ocean,” Best said.

He’s been to Wilmington many times over the past 20 years and helped produce the pilot, which filmed here last summer. But he had to wait until now to return for the full series.

“It was a little bit of a fight, but once we got here, HBO immediately brought another show here, (HBO’s) “Little Britain (USA),” and they love it. They love coming to Wilmington. And slowly but surely, I think, their perception of the South is starting to become a little bit more updated. There are some times they think it’s all like Spanish moss and Colonel Sanders accents and trailers.”

Amy Hotz: 343-2099

amy.hotz@starnewsonline.com

ome of his source from : starnewsonline.com

Eastbound And Down Songs 2009

2009-02-16T04:44:00.000-08:00

East bound and down, loaded up and truckin',
we're gonna do what they say can't be done.
We've got a long way to go and a short time to get there.
I'm east bound, just watch ol' "Bandit" run.

Keep your foot hard on the pedal. Son, never mind them brakes.
Let it all hang out 'cause we got a run to make.
The boys are thirsty in Atlanta and there's beer in Texarcana.
And we'll bring it back no matter what it takes.

East bound and down, loaded up and truckin',
we're gonna do what they say can't be done.
We've got a long way to go and a short time to get there.
I'm east bound, just watch ol' "Bandit" run.

East bound and down, loaded up and truckin',
we're gonna do what they say can't be done.
We've got a long way to go and a short time to get there.
I'm east bound, just watch ol' "Bandit" run.

Ol' Smokey's got them ears on and he's hot on your trail.
He aint gonna rest 'til you're in jail.
So you got to dodge 'im and you got to duck 'im,
you got to keep that diesel truckin'.
Just put that hammer down and give it hell.

East bound and down, loaded up and truckin',
we're gonna do what they say can't be done.
We've got a long way to go and a short time to get there.
I'm east bound, just watch ol' "Bandit" run.

Dj Sky Nellor

2009-02-16T04:40:00.000-08:00

Armed with stunning natural beauty, a contagious personality, and exceptional musical talent, it is little wonder that Sky Nellor has emerged as one of the hottest and most compelling figures in fashion and music today.

Originally discovered in her homeland of Australia, sky quickly became one of the most sought after models in the world and was photographed for top international magazines, including the covers of Spanish Vogue and Amica. After shooting a widely coveted guess campaign, Sky traveled the world modeling and nurturing her appreciation for cultural diversity and music. Influenced by such American legends as Aretha Franklin, Blondie, Al Green, Rick James, and Prince, Sky started to blend her travels with her inspiration. Fueled by this passion, back in the America, and acting on a dare from a friend, Sky spontaneously jumped behind the turn tables a club to spin her favorite tunes. The crowed was floored and DJ Sky Nellor was born.

Within months, sky was spinning at the most glamorous fashion, entertainment, and music industry events in New York. She became a fixture at soirees for Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani, and Vanity Fair. Inventive and energetic, Sky was pleasing the crowds with an effortless ability to navigate a breadth of genre including rock, hip-hop, funk, soul, and pop.

Today, her client list includes Diddy, Britney Spears, Outkast, Missy elliot, and President Bill Clinton. In 2005, Sky was a fixture at the biggest events in the world including Entertainment Weeklys Emmy Party in Los Angeles, Elle magazines 21st Birthday party with Kanye West in New York, Missy Elliots 2005 VMA party in Miami, and the world music awards in Las Vegas. Sky can also be found providing the soundtrack in the worlds most exclusive nightclubs including bungalow 8, marquee, and as a resident dj at Las Vegas pure.

Sky has recently served as musical supervisor and host for nbcs hip hop on ice with Tara Lipinski. she also hosted segments for Russell Simmons one world music beat, VH1 s cover wars with Paul Schaeffer, and appeared regularly on mtv and e!.

Captivating on the runway and television, sky steals the show as a dj proving herself as an undeniable triple threat in the entertainment world.

source from : http://www.thedjlist.com/

DJ Sky Nellor Clip

2009-02-16T04:39:00.000-08:00

Tamia Hill Clip

2009-02-16T04:37:00.000-08:00

Ttamia Hill, Quality Time, but Precious Little Quiet Time

2009-02-16T04:34:00.000-08:00

PHOENIX, Nov. 29 — It was a rare day off from basketball, but there was no rest for Suns forward Grant Hill. On a recent Saturday morning, Hill had seen his mother off to the airport and visited the barbershop. Now he was seated at the kitchen table, thumbing through the latest issue of Vanity Fair while cradling his crying 3-month-old daughter, Lael, in his lap.

Off in the corner, Hill’s other daughter, Myla, 5, sat in front of the computer, with the volume turned way up to drown out her squalling sister. His wife of eight years, Tamia, came to the rescue with a bottle. As he handed Lael to her, he said, “I do like the noise and the activity.”

The hustle and bustle is what attracted Hill, 35, to this retirement haven. The Suns’ hotfoot style of play intrigued him, and he liked that they are well positioned to jostle for an N.B.A. title. His life, once considered charmed, has taken a lot of elbows to the ribs. After winning the league rookie of the year award in 1995 with Detroit, he had his career derailed by five operations on his left ankle. And his storybook marriage took a grim turn in 2003 when his wife was found to have multiple sclerosis.

Since signing with the Suns as a free agent in July, Hill has adjusted to his new life. In his first 15 starts for the Suns, he attempted as many 3-pointers (37) as he did in 182 games over the previous four seasons with Orlando. He was shooting 46 percent from the field — 30 percent from 3-point range — and averaging 14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

The Suns will set out this weekend on their most arduous trip of the season. Starting Sunday in New York, they will play five games in seven nights. While the coaching staff worries how the trip will wear on Hill, the oldest starter by 16 months, Hill will fret about how his absence will wear on Tamia, a Grammy-nominated R&B artist whose energy reserves can be spread pretty thin dealing with two youngsters, a new album and multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease that affects the nervous system.

“I worry more about her than if I had it,” he said. “Because it’s one of those things where you never know how it’s going to work out. It is something that is very serious and we still — and by we I mean the medical community — see it as a mysterious disease.”

Grant is the only child of only children. He envisioned a different experience for his offspring. He pictured himself and Tamia, 32, who is the oldest of four, presiding over their own pickup basketball team.

These days he maneuvers around the subject of children with caution, his practical concerns about Tamia’s health overriding his romantic notions of being the patriarch of a large brood. “Maybe deep down inside there’s a desire to have a big family, but I’m just so happy and thankful to have two healthy daughters,” he said. “They’re a lot of fun. It’s fun for me.”

Tamia, who had been quietly feeding Lael a bottle on the living room near Grant, chortled when he said that. “I didn’t see that fun smile when I gave her to you this morning,” she said. Then she let out a hearty laugh, and he flashed a knowing smile.

The night before, Hill had played 38 minutes in a victory, the Suns’ eighth straight, against the Los Angeles Clippers. It takes him awhile to wind down after a game, so he did not get to sleep until after 1 a.m. Lael awoke at 5, and he was so groggy, he passed her off to his mother, Janet.

Hill averaged 35 minutes in the Suns’ first 15 games, which Coach Mike D’Antoni deemed too much. “I need to cut him down, although he gets mad at me when I say that,” D’Antoni said. Hill’s physical conditioning is not the problem, D’Antoni added, “I just think his legs, being 35, it’s just better that we cut down his minutes a bit.”

While D’Antoni monitors Grant Hill’s rest, Grant is monitoring Tamia’s. He will cut back on his sleep to give her more because she has to guard against fatigue. She eliminated junk food from her diet and has tried, with less success, to add naps to her routine.

“She may get tired talking about it, but just seeing how she’s continued on has inspired me,” he said.

About every other month, she has a magnetic resonance imaging test on her brain and spinal cord to see if the disease has progressed. So far, so good, Tamia said.

“It’s important to let people know that a diagnosis of M.S. does not have to mean the end of your dreams,” she said. “It is manageable to a certain extent.”

Tamia Hill

2009-02-16T04:33:00.000-08:00

The family had just spent some special family quality time early in December, you can view the family picture and article here

Tamia Hill Biography

Grant Hill’s wife Tamia Hill, born may 9th 1976 in Windsor, Ontario is a 4-time Grammy nominee. She recently gave birth to her and Grant’s second daughter Lael. An event that seems to have rejuvenated the 35-year-old and reinvigorated the Suns’ 40-year quest for an NBA championship. Here you can view her official Myspace page.

Tamia, who started singing in a gospel choir in her hometown in Ontario when she was six years old, just released her fifth album. Her first recording was a song written by Quincy Jones and was followed by participation in the collaboration “Missing You” with Brandy, Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight. Both songs were nominated for Grammy’s in 1995. Tamia had several TV-appearances as well. She first acted in Speed 2: Cruise Control in 1997 and also appeared on Beverly Hills 90210 and The Steve Harvey Show.

Presidents Day

2009-02-16T04:30:00.000-08:00

For more information on the the President's Day Federal Holiday please see our page on Washington's Birthday.

Washington's Birthday is the official name designated to what many of us know as President's Day. During the month of February the birthday of two of our greatest President's takes place. Both George Washington who was born on Feb. 22nd and Abraham Lincoln born on Feb. 12th.

However, Washington's birthday has been publicly celebrated since he was in office, before Abraham Lincoln was even born. Much of the debate over the name of the holiday springs from the fact that state's can follow their own holidays how they see fit and many of them chose to also honor Lincoln, calling the celebration President's Day.

It was in 1968 that the term President's Day came up for legal consideration in the Congress but was shot down, though the holiday was moved to fall between the two President's birthdays. Again in the 1980's there was a resurgence of the term with advertisers which solidfied the holiday name in American culture. Today, few Americans perfer to call the holiday Washington's Birthday in lieu of President's Day.

Educate yourself and others about the presidents of the United States. At Patriotism.org, we also encourage you to show your patriotism and support our army.

With summer around the corner, it's time to start planning responsibly. A rising problem in the US is consumers over-spending during the summer months. In 2008, the US government issued a tax rebate for consumers. One concern we have is that people will use their stimulus checks inappropriately. Please use your checks for needs, or paying down credit card bills instead of going to buy a fancy new TV or other frivolous items. If you are in financial trouble, a debt consolidation program may be a viable option. Often, creditors will lower interest rates and fees when you enter a credit counseling program as they see it as a sign of good faith.

With gas prices at an all time high, travelling less for holidays this summer will be the choice of many consumers. Check out the FTC website on gas savings for more information and ideas on what you can do to help save money at the pump.

Pretty Baby Movie

2009-02-16T04:29:00.000-08:00

Brothers & Sisters Spoilers

2009-02-16T04:18:00.000-08:00

Brothers & Sisters Spoilers

This is the official Spoilers thread for the 3rd season of Brothers and Sisters. I will compile all spoilers there are already and I will regularly update the first few posts, any time something new comes up.

I thought having an actual Spoiler Thread would make it easier for everyone to look through them and be up-to-date. The thousands of little Spoiler Threads floating around here are a little tedious...

All Spoilers that I will list in the summary are taken from a Brothers and Sisters TV Forum. I took these as description because there is just so much in them. So it's all their work, not mine.

Of course feel free to add whatever else you have in the thread and share it with everyone! No matter if it's from 'Watch with Kristin' or 'Ausiello' or any other interview you've read or seen. Always a good source is THIS place!

It would be great to just have a place to share spoilers in and to discuss them with others!

Brothers & Sisters Spoilers

2009-02-16T04:08:00.000-08:00

In this week's epsiode, Rebecca discovers Tommy's grand scheme to oust Holly from Ojai, and turns to her dad (a returning Ken Olin) for advice on the situation. Meanwhile, the much-talked-about but as yet unseen Ryan Walker makes his debut.

Hey guys, I must apologize once again for the tardiness of the recap, but our coverage of the Grammys kept me away from the Walkers this week. I will be watching the episode and posting a full recap later, but in the meantime, use this space to talk amongst yourselves. Thanks for your patience during this awards season —the Sunday-interrupting trophy fests will be over very soon.

source from: tvguide.com

Hilary Duff

2009-02-15T14:13:00.001-08:00

Nicknames: Hil or Juicy
Birth Date: September 28, 1987

Birth Place: Houston, Texas, USA

Height: 5'4

Weight: 115 lbs

Eyes: Hazel

Hair: brunette

Profession: Actress, musician

Contact Information:
Joe Smith - International Creative Management
8942 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA, 90211
USA

"My life is very crazy and busy, but I love it that way."
- Hilary Duff.

Hilary Duff is the daughter of most famous producer Susan Duff. At the age of six she and her sister Haylie Duff joined the Cechetti Ballet. But she wants to become an actress. It was her dream and she appeared on small screen in the mini serial called True Women in 1997. In 1999 she starred in the serial The Soul Collector performing the role of Ellie. For that she won a Best Performance (Young Artist Award) in a TV Movie or Pilot.

She also appeared in Casper Meets Wendy (1998) where she played a role of the young witch Wendy. She was very popular after her role of the starring title character Lizzie McGuire in the #1 hit Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire (2001). It was her most successful movie. Also in 2001 she also made a Disney Channel movie Cadet Kelly.

Hilary Duff continued her upward spiral, guest-starring on TV shows, filming movies, recording albums, and doing television concerts. She also has worked for the charity Kids With a Cause which helps children stricken by poverty, sickness, hunger, abandonment, a lack of education, neglect and/or abuse.

Christine Newton-John, Ohio Woman

2009-02-15T13:01:00.001-08:00

CHARDON, Ohio — A woman has pleaded guilty to reckless homicide for exercising her 73-year-old husband to death in a swimming pool, repeatedly refusing to let him leave the water.

Surveillance video showed Christine Newton-John, 41, pulling James Mason around the pool by his arms and legs, said Middlefield police Chief Joseph Stehlik

The chief said he counted 43 times in which Newton-John prevented her husband from leaving the water, and Mason rested his head on the side of the pool several times while gasping for breath.

"The video is bone-chilling," Stehlik said. "The whole case is very sinister."

Mason had a heart attack on June 2 after the extended swim session. An officer who had investigated previous complaints that Mason was being abused pursued the case because he suspected there was more to the death, Stehlik said.

Newton-John pleaded guilty Thursday and faces up to five years in prison. No sentencing date was set.

Police did not immediately respond to a call Saturday seeking comment on a motive.

The video would have had a profound effect on a jury, Geauga County Prosecutor David Joyce said. But that wouldn't have been enough for a conviction if Newton-John had been charged with murder.

"You can see the man struggling for his life on the tape, but there is no audio, so we couldn't hear what he was saying," he said.

Geauga County Chief Public Defender Robert Umholtz, who represented Newton-John, declined to comment.

Mason was a longtime friend of his wife's family. He knew her as John Vallandingham before she had gender reassignment surgery in 1993 and changed her name in honor of the singer and star of the hit movie version of the musical "Grease."

The couple were wed in 2006 in Kentucky, where people can change their gender on their birth certificate.

Christine Newton-John

2009-02-15T12:59:00.000-08:00

Christine Newton-John has pleaded guilty to reckless homicide, after she exercised her husband to death in a backyard swimming pool, its been reported.

The bizarre incident involved Christine Newton-John refusing to let her 73-year-old husband, James Mason, leave the pool. Christine Newton-John was recorded on video tape dragging James Mason by his arms and legs around the pool.

An investigator said the incident in a Chardon, Ohio was "bone-chilling" and the vision captured on tape of the alleged murder would haunt any jury to witness it.

Middlefield police Chief Joseph Stehlik said he counted 43 times in which Newton-John prevented her husband from leaving the water, the AP reported

James Mason rested his head on the side of the pool several times while gasping for breath.

"The video is bone-chilling," Stehlik said. "The whole case is very sinister."

"You can see the man struggling for his life on the tape, but there is no audio, so we couldn't hear what he was saying," he said.

Mason was a longtime friend of his wife's family. He knew her as John Vallandingham before she had gender reassignment surgery in 1993 and changed her name in honor of the singer and star of the hit movie version of the musical "Grease."

The couple were wed in 2006 in Kentucky, where people can change their gender on their birth certificate.

Mason had a heart attack on June 2 after the extended swim session. An officer who had investigated previous complaints that Mason was being abused pursued the case because he suspected there was more to the death, Stehlik said.

More on this bizarre murder case via The Cleveland Plain Dealer.

How to Have Good Sex in the Woods

2009-02-15T12:58:00.001-08:00

Do you want to do some nature-lovin'? Here are some pointers that will help you ensure it's a good experience for everyone.

If you're in a tent, remember that people can still hear you. And if you have a flashlight, headlamp, or other light source going inside, they can see you too. I would hope you know that a tent is not the place for a candlelit seduction scene. Fire isn't sexy when your tent is the thing in flames.

If you're out under the sun, be conscious of how long you're at it - you don't want a sunburnt bum. Make sure you're well off any trail, even a sparsely trafficked one. If you want to lie down, it's best to spread out a blanket or sleeping bag to make sure you don't get ticks, poison ivy, burrs, ... Standing up is a good option too. When you're doing the deed in the daytime, it's best to stay mostly clothed, on the off chance that someone comes along. You want to be able to cover up in a hurry.

If you're out under the stars, it's probably going to get chilly. Invest in a pair of zip-together sleeping bags or bring a big fleece blanket to huddle under. Keep in mind that sound carries very well at night, particularly over water. So if you're getting frisky at your lakeside campsite, remember that any animal noises or embarrassing exclamations you make in the heat of the moment will in all likelihood be broadcast to anyone on or near the water.

In any case, you should bring whatever protection you're using (condoms help keep things tidy), unscented baby wipes for cleanup, and a couple of plastic bags with twist ties to dispose of everything in. Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, pack everything out.

Notorious Movie

2009-02-15T12:23:00.000-08:00

Christopher George Latore Wallace, born in 1972, grew up in the mean streets of Brooklyn; became the leading East Coast rapper known as Biggie Smalls or the Notorious B.I.G; and then, in Los Angeles, apparently a victim of the 1990's East Coast-West Coast hip-hop feud, was shot dead in a car at the age of 24. We know that from scene one, and the rest is one long flashback narrated by the dead man, spoken with the wisdom of one whose first album was called "Ready to Die." Perhaps oddly, though its hero's fickleness and irresponsibility as a husband and father are amply chronicled and his mother is rarely happy with him, this is one musical screen life that's more full of the joy of making it big than the sorrow of hard knocks.

This biopic is notable for its casual bling-bling look. Warm-colored closeups abound and in grainy night shots even the car headlights look like giant flashy diamonds. It's notable too for the natural charisma of the hefty and talented newcomer Jamal Woolard in the title role, and for the shocking explicitness and sexual vulgarity of the women's rap performances. Two of the main women in the man's life were themselves hip-hop and soul artists, Lil' Kim (Naturi Naughton) and Faith Evans (Antonique Smith). The third was Jan (Julia Pace Mitchell,) his neighborhood girl and mother of his first child, a daughter. Notorious is, up to a point, itself a product of hip-hop culture, exuding its abundance of energy, bad behavior, and danger, and not at all notable for a critical perspective. But director Tillman knows how to make stuff happen, and keep on happening. The movie's replete with convincing scenes, dialogue, and hip-hop types who make the dancing and brawling feel real. Biggie's own son, as chubby as he no doubt himself was as a boy, even plays the young Chris Wallace.

A certain "biopic-itis," as one reviewer calls it, does not sink the film but leaves it scant room to breathe amid the mass of hastily telegraphed incidents crammed in to touch upon all the milestones of the life. Woolard's ease in delivering his spoken lines and drive in rapping make his character engaging and alive. But there should have been more in Reggie Rock Bythewood and Cheo Hodari Coker's screenplay to show what rap and rap-making are about, how Biggie honed his skills and what makes a great rapper better than a decent one. It's good to have a scene of a very young and somewhat nerdy Wallace sitting outdoors writing down rhymes; and the grownup man, incarcerated, filling marbleized notebooks with his verses. And there are enough performance sequences to show what the venues were like in action. You can call me white though, but the rap contest sequence of Eminem, playing an avatar of himself in Curtin Hanson's 8 Mile, is more interesting in the way it details the verbal sparring than the one that shows Biggie's first signal that he's at the top of the game. This is not to say there isn't plenty of music in the film. It's just that the whole idea of making rhymes that dazzle like diamonds and shame the competition is a little too much taken to granted for what is, after all, a (warts and all) celebration of the life.

The 1972's was the height of the crack epidemic, and as a youth Wallace sells the drug to make money. His relationship with his Jamaica-born mother Violetta Wallace, a pre-school teacher, played appealingly by Angela Bassett, is faithful enough to make him hide his flash threads and dirty deals from her. She loves and nurtures him; things are so cozy and bourgeois she calls him "Chrissie-poo." He gets good grades and Violetta pushes him to work hard. But eventually he begins missing two thirds for his classes. Then he messes up and goes to jail. Later he could have been sent up for five years or more, but his childhood friend D-Roc (Dennis L.A. White) takes the rap so he can pursue his career. The movie celebrates friendship and glosses over enmity.

Biggie links up with Sean "Puffy" Combs (Derkk Luke), who has a major setback. Fired from the label Bad Boy Records, Puff starts his own Uptown label and never loses his positivity. Even Biggie's continued drug dealing to support his little girl isn't seen as a minus. The movie does not judge. Though this is a limitation, it avoids heavy-handedness.

It also avoids any explanations of what happens. Since everybody is so positive, including the violent--but like Biggie, smart and talented--Tupac Shakur (Anthony Mackie), the "Cali" star rapper who's depicted as only turning against Biggie due to media hyping the East-West divide, it seems mysterious that both "Pac" and "Big" die of bullet wounds. The only clue is that B.I.G. declared in his first album that he would die a violent death. But even that is not dwelt upon as a theme. The impression this sometimes unpleasant and overlong but lively movie leaves is of too much success and too much bad behavior--strong weed, expensive cars, big checks, French champagne, headlines, all the women you want, and no future. But not for Sean Combs, Puff Daddy, P. Diddy--Sean John for his clothing line. The multi-named star and fashion plate is still alive and well and worth hundreds of millions of dollars. And he produced this movie. "You're gonna wanna see it again," he says. He'd like that.

Two Lovers Movie

2009-02-15T12:21:00.000-08:00

Gray's fourth film, his first without a crime element, is amazing, and surprises even with its title. It's a triumph for Joaquin Phoenix, who provides a remarkably giving and open performance even though the character he plays, Leonard Kraditor, is opaque. He's a damaged, emotionally unstable man with attempted suicides in his past: the film, cheerlessly--yet ironically--begins with yet another one. He does know his own sad history, dominated by a broken engagement. On medication for bi-polar disorder, he's been reduced to living with his parents in the Russian and Jewish community of Brighton Beach, Gray's home territory, site of Little Odessa, his distinctive little first film and equally of his subsequent, more grandiloquent ones. (The last one, They Own the Night, also starred Phoenix, and The Yards co-starred him with Mark Wahlberg.) Leonard doesn't know who he is or what he wants. He may not dare to want anything. He's working, fumblingly, in the dry cleaning establishment on the ground floor that's owned by his Pop, Reuben (Moni Moshikov). He's lost clothes making deliveries; and he's lost himself.

A friend of Leonard's father, Michael Cohen (Bob Ari) has a small chain of dry cleaners Pop's going to merge with. Cohen has a daughter, Sandra (Vinessa Shaw), whom the parents have set up with Leonard. He's only a little interested. But he does take her into his little boy's bedroom to show her his black and white photographs of destroyed shopfronts. He's so needy, he welcomes any attention. Sandra is very interested in him. She finds him not odd, but special. And she has a sweetness about her than lingers in the mind.

But then another woman unexpectedly appears: a new neighbor, the blond and dangerous Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow). Even at their first meeting in the hallway she's in trouble, being verbally abused by her visiting father, and in need of comfort and protection. And from then on whenever Michelle calls on Leonard, however bad the time or awkward the occasion, he can never say no. She's pretty, even glamorous, but also unhealthy. She's been on drugs. Leonard can see her window upstairs from his room, and she becomes a glittering object of desire, so near and yet so far. Because he wants her, but she thinks of him from the first as like a brother.

So there are the "two lovers"--Leonard's two women, Sandra, who knows his problems and wants to take care of him, and Michelle, who knows them and takes advantage to make him a comforting pillow in her troubles with Ronald (Elias Koteas), her married lawyer boyfriend. Michelle has Leonard come to a fancy restaurant to meet Ronald and size him up, tell her if he thinks Ronald will ever leave his wife. Instead, while Michelle's in the ladies' room, Ron asks Leonard to watch out for her and see that she's not using again. Then Michelle and Ron go off to his firm's box at the Met and leave Leonard in the company limo. It's a sobering moment that defines Leonard's lostness and the film's originality.

Leonard seems a misfit and a loser, but when Michelle takes him clubbing, he does some rapping in the car and break-dances wildly; he's got some game, somewhere. He also has those strong Jewish Russian family ties that run through Gray's films but don't save his protagonists from disaster. His mother Ruth (Isabella Rossellini, with a severe haircut) watches kindly over him and both his Pop and Cohen are ready to look out for him too. Shooting photos at Cohen's son's bar mitzvah, Leonard is part of a community, however awkwardly. He meets Michelle up on the roof. She doesn't fit in. But he wants her desperately. Meanwhile Sandra declares her love to him at a beach-side restaurant with complicated blue napkins.

Two Lovers is aswarm with an elaborate sound design that can be obtrusive. Background music overwhelms conversation at a family gathering, and an echoing passage from Cavalleria rusticana is a bit overdone. It's more firmly glued together by images of long subway rides and dark expensive cars. Though the latter may seem leftovers from Gray's The Yards and We Own the Night, Gray has done a good job of downsizing from those while holding onto their resonance.

Joaquin Phoenix's performance is awkward in a way that would be very painful if it didn't feel so authentic and real. His Leonard is pathetic and lost, but has an inner core of goodness and generosity that makes it seem there may be hope for him. He's a real sucker, but he's a real decent fellow. Leonard has nothing, and so he is ready to throw away his life and throw it away again. Gray goes back to the smallness of his first film, but with a far greater intensity. Leonard's crises feel momentous. Their resolution is a quiet, mute shock. As in other Gray films, the hero blends into a party, and a family network. This time the sense of family and ritual is more offhand and organic than in the last two films.

Two Lovers has powerful moments. It's like a good short story and it has a surprise O. Henry ending. The performances are uniformly fine. The texture is so thick with the sense of people and places, it overrides some implausibility in the events. Phoenix's performance will have detractors who find Phoenix too awkward and say it's just as well he plans to quit acting after this for music. But on the contrary this movie made me see how disarming and unique the actor, once overshadowed by his dazzling brother River, has come to be at 35. It would be sad if he left the screen.

Taken Movie

2009-02-15T12:19:00.000-08:00

Ex-CIA operative Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) used to specialize in stopping bad things from happening--expertly, we're to assume. Now he's retired to California to be near his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace). That's a project, because Kim lives with Bryan's not-at-all-friendly ex-wife Lenore (Framke Jenson), and a very rich and generous stepfather, in an L.A. palace. When he appears at a grandiose birthday party at the house for the girl, it's clear he's not very welcome.

Kim wangles a trip to Europe with a girlfriend. Bryan, whose permission is required because she's only 17, doesn't like the idea at all. It ain't safe over there for a young American. Bryan's carer has taught him paranoia. He sees terrorists and perverts and all around bad guys everywhere, especially over in the Old Europe. Besides that, Kim is a virgin, and 17. Two essential setups for the plot, because giving his permission involves Bryan in the trip, and her being a virgin--well, see if your mind is paranoid enough to figure out what that means. Kim lies and begs and jumps up and down (Grace's performance consists mostly of jumping, acting terrified and comatose, then jumping again when it's all safely over). Bryan gives in reluctantly and signs a release.

But boy, was Bryan right. The minute Kim and her girlfriend arrive in Paris, they're kidnapped. It happens, in the manner of modern movies, when she's on her cellphone talking to Bryan. Then he makes the speech that is repeated in the trailers in which he instructs her to hide under a bed, and then get caught. I guess she can't jump out the window, the way he could.

And soon does, when he rushes over to Paris to rescue Kim and track down and on-the-spot execute the kidnappers. How he finds out they are Albanian slave traders and pimps and how he is in their lair threatening them in 24 hours or less is something you will more or less learn if you see the movie. Only more or less, because it's all a game, really, if a very violent one, and the connective tissue of the plot is frequently missing.

Taken is an excellent thrilling nonstop adrenaline-pumping exhilarating movie starring the accomplished Neeson. It's also a dumb unbelievable bigoted collection of disgustingly cruel scenes whose heavy-handed plot elements show utter contempt for the audience's intelligence. That might seem what we deserve for going to such a film just because it stars a man who convincingly played Oscar Schindler and Alfred Kinsey, Rob Roy and Michael Collins. At fifty-seven (and looking every minute of it) he also might just be a bit old for dropping rooms-full of bloodthirsty Albanians and heavily armed Saudis, jumping from building to building and outwitting the Paris police force, were he in real life actually to carry out such exploits in the few days during which all this happens. If that matters. This dubious aspect to the casting of the lead merely starts off the list of stunningly implausible details. Following the gospel according to Daniel Craig (his image, that is), macho action stars don't have to be suave or good looking. Do they have to have the physical conditioning and stamina to make ultra-physical action plausible? The makers of the Bourne franchise movies think so. That's why they've wisely cast the very fit, muscular, and still young Matt Damon in the role. But this is bad Bourne. Very bad Bourne. Unlike the Bournes' Paul Greenglass, Pierre Morel proves to be an efficient but mechanical director with very little flair.

You're not supposed to notice that casting incongruity. Neeson is a bit old for an action star, but he's still erect, tall (6'4", actually) and elegant. He carries himself with cool confidence. It all slides by fast--too fast, finally, to remember much but the despicableness of the villains and the ruthless murderousness of the avenging CIA agent/dad. Pierre Morel, a French cameraman and cinematographer who broke into directing with the crackerjack B-Hollywoodish Paris ghetto action flick District 13 (Banlieue 13), has teamed up again with Euro shlockmeister Luc Besson, made a good movie out of this--well, except for the dumb writing. Even in actioners, writing is important. Note the interesting identity theme that unites the Bourne stories and their inspired use of breakneck location shifts. Following the S/X-free style of Morel's Parkur sequences in 13, Taken doesn't have a lot of state-of-the-art fakery, though its car chase scenes come early and often and totally without dramatic necessity. Mainly, what damns the whole effort is that the storytelling in is crude and obvious and full of holes, and the thinking is nasty.

This is a choice of which Neeson ought to be ashamed. And, as we shall see if we watch through to the end, it is another addition to Jack Shaheen's book Real Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People. Because the Albanians are scumbags, but the absolutely most despicable villains are the Arabs at the end who actually purchase the young virgins to indulge their vile sexist lusts. But no matter: Bryan kills them all, every one. He kills anybody who gets in his way too, even just people whose cars he needs for a chase scene. The mindless brutality of this film is, well, mind-boggling. And it all goes to reinforce jingoistic ideas that Americans are at war with "evil", and more or less with all the rest of the world, and anybody who gets in their way, including the Paris police force. And all to protect our dumb naive spoiled teenage rich girl virgins.

Allen Iverson Gallery

2009-02-15T12:02:00.000-08:00

Allen Iverson

2009-02-15T12:00:00.000-08:00

Big news in sports today as Allen Iverson showed up to the All Star practice with his hair cut off. Iverson is known for his trademark cornrow hair style. Read more on Allen Iverson’s new look below.

Allen Iverson has been known for his cornrow hair style for over 12 years! Many credit Iverson with starting the style, at least in the NBA.

Iverson has said before he would never cut his hair. It’s being reported that Iverson is going to send the hair to his mother as a keepsake. That’s sweet!

Unemployment Hotline

2009-02-15T11:58:00.000-08:00

It takes me about two hours to get through when I have to file my claim in NJ. It seems to be this bad everywhere:

New Mexico's unemployment claims operation isn't the only state entity having difficulties reacting to the growing number of claims applicants. New York's state systems for filing unemployment insurance claims crashed today, yet another sign of how that state (and others) is sinking deeper into a recession.

The N.Y. Department of Labor, which oversees unemployment insurance claims, received more than 10,000 phone calls an hour on a toll-free hotline on Tuesday, leading to the crash. The department’s online claim filing system also shut down under the volume of traffic it received.

The New Mexico Dept. of Workforce Solutions said it added 15 more workers and two more phone lines to its call center in December, in response to the high volume of incoming calls.

The New York crashes came as that state's unemployment rate hit 6. 1 percent, up 1.5 percent from the year before. It’s the highest unemployment rate in nearly five years. In New Mexico, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in November, unchanged from the revised October rate but up from 3.3 percent a year ago.

By the way, Republican claims to the contrary, FDR's New Deal actually led to the largest drop in the unemployment rate in U.S. history.

Austin Marathon and Half Marathon

2009-02-15T11:56:00.001-08:00

The Austin Marathon is an annual race held in Austin, Texas in February. The first Austin Marathon appeared in 1992, and as of 2006 the race has added the AT&T part to its name – previously Motorola served as the title sponsor. The latest race was held on February 17, 2008, and the event as usually featured a full and half marathon for both runners and walkers. Next Austin Marathon is run on February 15, 2009. As it is possible to use the AT&T Austin Marathon as a qualifier for the Olympic team, the running field is normally made up of both elite athletes and first-timers whose only hope is to complete within the timeframe and without hitting the wall - and everthing in between. The athlete field alone usually has representatives from all over the U.S. and from a dozen overseas countries. The course of the AT&T Austin Marathon is a loop around the city with start and finish lines in downtown Austin and a few rather challenging climbs.
The whole weekend of the race is dedicated to the event. Friday and Saturday, the so-called Oroweat Health and Fitness Expo is taking place – a market of food and sports equipment vendors unavoidable for runners as they must pick up their race number here. And finally, Sunday is the day of the race itself, which does not go by unnoticed by Austin citizens. A swarm of onlookers cheer the 10,000 runners on, and fireworks and bands rocking up the roadside keep the spirits of both marathoners and spectators high. To end this weekend of sports and festivities is held the traditional post-race party at the fancy Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Everybody who finishes the full or 1/2 marathon will receive a medal to celebrate and remember the achievement. In addition to this, awards are given to the winner of every age and weight category, and of the special categories for employees in the police, military and fire department. Registration procedures for the marathon in Austin, USA, can be found by following this link to the official site.

Austin Marathon Course
Please follow this link to the Austin Marathon website to see a map and profile of the full and half marathon.

See more infomation and results on the next page:

Austin Marathon 2008 Results and Information

Daytona 500 Start Time

2009-02-15T11:52:00.000-08:00

The start of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup racing season is just over two weeks away and NASCAR fans couldn’t be more ready. The 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season will kick off with the 50th running of the Daytona 500, the Great American Race. Here is everything those of you who won’t be attending this historic race need to know about the Daytona 500 for you television viewing and radio listening enjoyment.

Date: February 17, 2008

Location: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Florida

Pre-Race TV Coverage: 2:00pm eastern on FOX & FOX HD

Green Flag: 3:20pm eastern on FOX and FOX HD

National Anthem: Trisha Yearwood

Pre-Race Show: Brooks & Dunn, Chubby Checker, Michael McDonald and Kool & the Gang

Honorary Starter: 7 Time Daytona 500 Winner Richard Petty

Pace Car Driver: Junior Johnson

Radio Coverage: Motor Racing Network

Current Daytona 500 Odds: Click Here

Daytona 500 Information:

This years Daytona 500 will be the 50th anniversary of the Great American Race. The 2008 Daytona 500 will also have a record purse and will see the top 5 finishers all taking home more than $1 million dollars. The winner of the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959 – Lee Petty took home a mere $19,000.

This race also broke ticket sales records with all of Daytona International Speedway’s 200,000 seats being sold before the end of January.

The United States Air Force will be providing a flyover of Daytona International Speedway on race day by the “Thunderbirds” Fighter Demonstration Squadron.

Eastbound and Down (2009)

2009-02-15T04:52:00.000-08:00

Danny McBride was invited  to join the Apatow/Stiller/Ferrell  komedy klub after they dug him as a boorish martial-arts instructor in his 2006 indie schlock comedy The Foot Fist Way; soon he was popping  up in Tropic Thunder and Pineapple   Express, and on Ferrell's Funny or Die website. Some folks consider Foot Fist a grungy classic, but I think Eastbound & Down, McBride's new sitcom about a broken-down ex–pro baseball player, is the funniest thing he's done to date.

McBride plays Kenny Powers, who flamed out as a fastball pitcher due to egomania, drugs, and some very politically incorrect comments about his teammates. Now Kenny finds himself back in his hometown, living with his older brother (Deadwood's John Hawkes, looking eerily like a world-weary DJ Qualls) and furious at himself because he's seriously considering a job as a phys-ed teacher at the local middle school.

Playing arrogance and anger as likable qualities is McBride's secret weapon as a comic, and characters don't get any more arrogant than Kenny. He's a nonstop offender, coming on to the art teacher (curvy Katy Mixon) — an old flame now  engaged to the clueless principal (clever Andrew Daly) — and arranging for the services of a prostitute on the phone in his brother's living room, shocking his sister-in-law (deadpan Jennifer Irwin) with his very specific sexual demands.

What lifts Eastbound & Down away from mere crudball humor is McBride's ongoing love affair with the lower middle class: He revels in getting all the details right, from his brother's cramped suburban house to the frowsy bar where   Kenny drinks boilermakers in the front and hoovers coke in the back-room. Plus, you've just got to love a sitcom that uses the Freddie King version of Don Nix's great stormy blues-rocker, ''Going Down,'' as a theme song. Eastbound & Down is a winner about a real loser

Nate Robinson Gallery

2009-02-15T01:27:00.000-08:00

Nate Robinson

2009-02-15T01:24:00.000-08:00

Very rarely does a basketball player measuring under six feet tall make a huge impression in the NBA, but it is even more rare to find an extraordinary athlete like Nate Robinson.

Robinson is a 5'7'' point guard for the New York Knicks. But, in that small frame of his exists a 43 inch vertical.

Robinson is a fierce competitor that has been known to lose his cool, but under new coach Mike D'antoni Robinson has kept his temper in check and become an integral part of the Knicks fast paced offense.

The NBA has not experience as much above the rim activity by a little man since Spud Webb did it in the late eighties and early nineties. Frequently shorter guys are relegated to assisting roles and outside shooters, but Robinson has no fear of taking it to the rack.

Nate Robinson was a standout athlete in multiple sports in high school and ultimately went to the University of Washington on a football scholarship. He was then able to walk on to the basketball team. And, after his freshman year he quit the football team to focus solely on basketball even though his projection to the NFL was far better than the NBA.

Nate Robinson is now in his fourth season in the NBA and enjoying his best season yet. He is playing close to thirty minutes a night; and he is averaging more steals, assists, and points than he ever has in his career.

While Robinson's presence has grown in Madison Square Garden, people should also take note of the precedent he has recently set in college basketball for players who don't reach the six foot mark. In division one basketball this year there is an entire crop of sub six footers who are stand out players and have aspirations of the NBA.

The highest scoring team in the country, UNC Tar Heels, are led by 5'11'' point guard Ty Lawson. Lawson plays at an absolutely electric pace, and his points, steals, and assists stats are all up this season. Lawson will be an important part of the Heels attempt at a title run, and don't be surprised to see this kid in the NBA in the near future.

Another guy who plays at a similar stature, but is by far the most important player on his team is A.J. Abrams at Texas. Abrams has carried the Longhorns on his shoulders all year long, and aside from Stephen Curry is the most important player to his team in America.

Dominic James and Devan Downey are guys who play at less marquee schools, but have just as much NBA talent. Marquette point guard Dominic James, who fittingly has a tattoo that reads size doesn't matter, has a ridiculous first step, and can take it to the rack much like Robinson does. Downey is unquestionably the South Carolina Gamecocks floor leader. He is lightning quick, but it is his outside shooting that has kept the Gamecocks in more than a few games.

There are a few more guys who most likely aren't on your radar, but you can expect to see them getting a go at it in the NBA. Josh Akognon at Cal. St. Fullerton is definitely one to watch. The Torch as he is known knocked down 116 threes a year ago, and this year he is fourth in the nation in scoring with 25.5 ppg. The nation's second leading scorer calls Chicago St. home. David Holston wasn't offered a single college scholarship coming out of high school, and now he is making people pay. He is averaging just over 27 points a game, is first in d-1 in three point shooting at over 40 percent, and is sixth in the country in steals with about three a game.

There is no doubt the NBA will always be a big man's game, but small guys with big hearts and a desire to win, will always have a place in league as well. These guys are the next to make the jump, so don't be shocked.

How tall is nate robinson really

2009-02-15T01:22:00.000-08:00

How tall is Nate Robinson really ?
Nate Robinson, American professional basketball player for the NBA’s New York Knicks. defies the “you have to be tall to dunk” mindset and blows everyone away with his skills, especially when you see him jump over people’s heads in the Slam Dunk contests held each year.

How tall is Nate Robinson really ?
Nate Robinson is 5 foot 9 inches (1.75m) and weighs 81.6kg (180 lb).

Dwight Howard Clips

2009-02-15T01:19:00.000-08:00

We don’t too much about this kid except that he was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic in last 2004 NBA draft out of Southwest Atlanta Christian High School, becoming the third individual being drafted first overall out of high school (2001-Kwame Brown, 2003-Lebron James).

Coming out of high school, the line on the 6-10 Howard was that he possessed enormous athleticism, and had the potential to become a great all-round player. Despite his height, Howard was commended for his wonderful ball handling, passing, shooting ability, and court vision. With his height, he had defensively dominated his high school opponents, with great rebounding and shot-blocking instinct. As a senior, Howard averaged 25.0 points, 18.0 rebounds, 8.0 blocks and 3.5 assists a game. He was named winner of the 2004 Naismith Award, signifying the nation’s top high school player. Other accolades included McDonald’s National High School Player of the Year, Co-MVP of the 2004 McDonald’s High School All-America game, and Mr. Basketball in the state of Georgia in 2004.

Going into the draft, Howard was selected by Orlando Magic whom believes that Howard will be able to make an immediate impact. His offensive basketball skills are already considered quite polished compared to his other high school-to-NBA contemporaries (Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry, Kwame Brown, Johnathon Bender).

One of his strengths is his work ethic, and committed nature. He was an honor student during High School, and is devoutly religious. When drafted by the Magic, Howard was confident enough with his ability to state that he is able to step in right now and contribute. Making his NBA debut in an exhibition opener against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 12th, Howard’s performance made me believe he will accomplish what he sets out to achieve.

In a sparkling 18 point, 9 rebound performance in limited minutes, Howard displayed his versatility, shooting 8 for 12 in the field. He however made only 2 of 8 free throws. In his third game against Miami on October 17th, Howard scored 17 points and 10 rebounds, promisingly legitimizing his earlier performance.

The knock on his performance so far is his fast accumulation of fouls. In the Magic’s first three exhibition games, Howard has recorded 16 fouls – fouling out of two of the games. His coaches aren’t complaining about his aggressive defensive nature and wanting to block every ball; they are confident that Howard will adapt, once he becomes more familiar with the style of NBA play and officiating nuances.

The Magic who had traded Tracy McGrady earlier in the summer for guards Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley sincerely hopes that Howard can significantly contribute this season. Being a smaller team, Howard will be relied upon to supply interior defense and rebounding. I believe the success of the Magic’s season hinges on how much Howard adapts to the rigors of the NBA season. He will be thrust into a starting role with the Magic, especially now in light of his current preseason performance. If he capitalizes on his opportunity to play now, the Magic will be a surprise team of the Eastern Conference and will make the playoffs.

Bill Laimbeer bio

2009-02-15T01:15:00.000-08:00

Full Name: William Laimbeer Jr.
Born: 5/19/57 in Boston
College: Notre Dame
Drafted by: Cleveland Cavaliers (1979)
Transactions: Played in Italy, 1979-80 season; Traded to Detroit, 2/16/82
Height: 6-11
Weight: 260 lbs.
High School: Palos Verdes (Calif.)
Honors: NBA champion (1989, '90); Four-time NBA All-Star (1983, '84, '85, '87)

Bill Laimbeer was one of the most notorious players ever to throw an elbow, thrust a hip, or feign being fouled. Certainly, no player was ever showered with more boos or unflattering nicknames. Laimbeer was called "the prince of darkness," "a street thug," "an ax murderer" and "His Heinous."

In 14 bruising NBA seasons Laimbeer made up for his minuscule vertical leap, slow feet, and sluggishness by becoming a master of posturing, muscling, and anticipating -- plus fomenting trouble, pretending to be fouled, and drawing his opponents' ire. Laimbeer always seemed to be nursing a brawl-induced shiner or broken nose. He was punched by some of the league's best players, including Robert Parish, including Bob Lanier, including Larry Bird and including Charles Barkley. "We don't like him that good," Bird once told Sports Illustrated.

The Laimbeer "flop" became the stuff of legend. A grimacing Laimbeer would often go careening to the floor in reaction to the slightest tap from an opponent. More often than not, the whistle went his way. With aggravating if not refreshing candor, Laimbeer never disavowed his on-court histrionics.

Nevertheless, Laimbeer was one of the league's finest centers throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s. In 12 seasons with Detroit, Laimbeer became the Pistons' all-time leader in rebounds and second in games played. Playing the role of head villain, he led the "Bad Boys" of Detroit to back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990.

A four-time All-Star, Laimbeer became the 19th player in league history to amass more than 10,000 points and 10,000 rebounds. He had a special talent for defensive rebounding, and he could pump in outside shots and hit free throws. Despite his frequent injuries, Laimbeer was an iron man; his consecutive-game streak of 685 remains among the longest in NBA history.

Laimbeer once told Sports Illustrated, "I don't fight. I agitate, then walk away." Longtime teammate and friend including Isiah Thomas said of Laimbeer in the Detroit News, "I wouldn't say fans hate him. They love to hate him. It's a love-hate relationship. Tell you the truth, if I didn't know Bill, I wouldn't like him either."

Laimbeer was raised in the affluent Chicago suburb of Clarendon Hills. As a child, he shot baskets in his driveway. His college academic and athletic career hardly portended later success in life. Laimbeer flunked out as a freshman at Notre Dame and had to attend a technical college for two semesters to get his grades back up. In his final two seasons playing for Digger Phelps's Fighting Irish, Laimbeer averaged just 7.3 points and 6.0 rebounds.

Laimbeer was not a hot prospect in the 1979 NBA Draft. He was the 65th overall pick, going to Cleveland in the third round. The Cavaliers were so ambivalent about Laimbeer's skills that they didn't offer him a contract until mid-August. By that time, he had agreed to play for Pinti Inox of Brescia in the Italian League. He starred in his only season in Europe, averaging 21.1 points and 12.5 rebounds.

Laimbeer then returned to the United States, put in a solid year for the Cavs in 1980-81, and was traded to Detroit in February 1982 with Kenny Carr for Phil Hubbard, Paul Mokeski and two draft picks. Also joining the hapless Pistons that year were Laimbeer's Notre Dame teammate, Kelly Tripucka and Thomas, a then 20-year-old point guard from Indiana.

The Pistons struggled through the mid-1980s, playing in the shadow of the Milwaukee Bucks in the Central Division. Laimbeer put up fine numbers, scoring 15 to 18 points and pulling down 10 to 13 rebounds per game. He won the NBA rebounding title with 13.1 boards per game in 1985-86, snapping including Moses Malone's five-year streak as league leader. Laimbeer was most effective off the defensive glass. From 1982 to 1990 no player in the league totaled more defensive rebounds.

With a teamload of stars assembled by the 1987-88 season, the Pistons reached the NBA Finals. They lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in a seven-game series marred by some of the roughest play and sharpest rhetoric in league history. Laimbeer took part in more than his share of the discord.

The Pistons then ran off two consecutive NBA titles. Detroit's championships in 1989 and 1990 made the club only the second team since the 1968-69 Boston Celtics to repeat as champions. While continuing his rugged inside play, Laimbeer tied an NBA Finals record by hitting six three-point baskets in Game 2 against the Portland Trail Blazers.

With both Laimbeer and Thomas aging and other stars leaving the team, Detroit gave way in the early 1990s to the newest dominant team, the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan. The Detroit-Chicago rivalry was one of the most bitter of the era.

His back and knees aching and his pride smarting from falling productivity, Laimbeer retired 11 games into the 1993-94 season at age 36. Players throughout the league rejoiced sarcastically. Laimbeer's former Bulls nemesis Horace Grant told the Detroit Free Press, "There's going to be a big party at my house tonight. Everybody's invited."

Soon after retirement, Laimbeer began competing in another arena, the business world, when he became president of Laimbeer Packaging Corp., a corrugated box-making factory in suburban Detroit. Then he returned to the court as the head coach of the WNBA's Detroit Shock.

Laimbeer left as the Pistons' all-time leader in rebounds, with 9,430, and in games played, with 937 (which was surpassed by Thomas later in the 1993-94 season. For his 14-year career he averaged 12.9 points and 9.7 rebounds. He shot .498 from the field and .837 from the free-throw line. On Feb. 6, 1995, in a special pre-game ceremony at The Palace, the Pistons retired his uniform No. 40.

Late in his career Laimbeer was asked by Sports Illustrated what he hoped to achieve as a player. He replied, "As far as centers go, I'm not Moses [Malone] or Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar]. I'm striving to be the best of the rest."

SOURCE:http://www.nba.com/history/players/laimbeer_bio.html

John Busby bio

2009-02-15T01:07:00.000-08:00

BUSBY, JOHN (1765-1857), surveyor and civil engineer, was born on 24 March 1765 at Alnwick, Northumberland, England, eldest son of George Busby, a miner and coalmaster of Stamford, and his wife Margaret, née Wilson, of Dunstan, Northumberland. He followed his father's occupation and at 19 was manager of a coal-mine. For several years he was employed as a mineral surveyor and engineer in England, Scotland and Ireland. He made water and mineral surveys of several counties in Scotland, provided a water supply for Leith Fort, and was engaged on such public works as the Caledonian Canal, Stirling Castle, Loch Ryan, and the new botanical gardens at Edinburgh. He received two of the Highland Society's highest premiums, one for inventing machinery for ascertaining the nature of rock strata by boring, the other for a method of sinking through quicksands, clay and gravel beds. In 1810 he was employed on the Irish estate of the marquess of Downshire.

Busby claimed association in these various activities with such eminent engineers as Stevenson, Telford and Rennie, and produced six impressive testimonials when, in 1821, he applied to the Colonial Office for employment in New South Wales. Recommended also by John Thomas Bigge he was appointed in March 1823 to take up duty 'in the management of the Coal Mines, in supplying the Town of Sydney with water, and in objects of a similar nature'.

With free passages, Busby with his wife and family sailed from Leith in the Triton and arrived at Port Jackson in February 1824. The eldest son, George, followed later, after completing his medical studies in Edinburgh. On the voyage the ship stayed for some weeks at Hobart Town, where Busby made 'a survey for water and coals'. In February 1825 he was asked to explore Van Diemen's Land 'so far as Minerals and Geology are concerned, more especially with respect to Coals and Iron', but he went instead to New Zealand to refloat the government brig Elizabeth Henrietta aground at Goulburn Island; for this task he was given £300. In 1826 he went to report on coal deposits near Newcastle for the Australian Agricultural Co.

His most important work was the construction of Sydney's first regular water supply. He began the survey soon after arrival and his first report in June 1825 envisaged a supply pumped through iron pipes from the Lachlan Swamps (Centennial Park) to a reservoir in Hyde Park. This plan, to cost about £12,000, was apparently approved, but in January 1826 he submitted a second report which proposed the driving of a mine or bore for the whole distance of more than two miles (3.2 km); although this work would cost about £20,000, he believed it would ultimately prove cheaper in running costs. Surveyor General John Oxley and William Dumaresq recommended the second scheme, and tunnelling commenced in September 1827. Busby declared that the project could be completed in three years, and as his initial engagement had expired he was engaged at a salary of £500, with his son Alexander as his assistant at £100. In October 1828 Busby's new salary was confirmed by the Colonial Office, but he was refused an assistant. In May 1831 he engaged his youngest son William to help him without government pay.

The slow progress of the scheme frequently aroused public criticism; the Colonial Office demanded a report on the project in 1832. Next year a committee of the Legislative Council inquired into it, and with no censure of Busby recommended that the remaining work on the tunnel be contracted out. Governor (Sir) Richard Bourke, however, attributed the delay to poor supervision of the convict workers and in 1834 reported to London that the proper direction of such unwilling labour was perhaps 'a duty incompatible with Mr Busby's age and infirmities', and that he had little confidence in Busby's professional skill. Accordingly he appointed William Busby as overseer to the work at £200 a year, the sum to be deducted from his father's salary.

Busby protested to London at this treatment, and at his own request continued to superintend the work without salary until his claim was decided. The Colonial Office approved Bourke's action, but in 1836 Busby's petition for an investigation was supported by a large number of Sydney residents. Before another committee of the Legislative Council in 1837, the year in which the scheme was completed, Busby claimed that if he had taken a contract for the project and had at his disposal proper equipment, skilled labourers and proper overseers, he could have finished it in half the time. Major George Barney, whose professional opinion Bourke respected, testified that the work was 'very fairly done', considering the means available to Busby. The committee recommended that £1000 be paid to Busby as a gratuity in addition to his salary arrears.

He retired at 72 to his 2000-acre (809 ha) property, Kirkton, between Branxton and Singleton, which had been granted in 1835. In 1828 he had received a small grant on the Nepean River near Emu Plains and eight acres (3.2 ha) at Woolloomooloo Cove for a town house. He died at his Hunter River estate on 10 May 1857.

At Haddington near Edinburgh in 1798 he had married Sarah, only daughter of James Kennedy of Culzean, Ayrshire. She died in 1842. Of their eight children, five sons and one daughter survived infancy. The eldest son, George (1798-1870), was a surgeon at Bathurst for many years; James, the second son, was British Resident in New Zealand in 1833-40. Two sons entered the New South Wales legislature: Alexander (1808-1873) was a member of the Legislative Council in 1856-58, and William (1813-1887) from 1867 until his death.

Select Bibliography
Historical Records of Australia, series 1, vols 11-17, 19, 26, series 3, vol 6; Votes and Proceedings (Legislative Council, New South Wales), 1824-34, 2, p 138-40, 1837, 2, p 678-91; Busby papers (State Library of New South Wales). More on the resources

Author: G. P. Walsh

Bill Russell Gallery

2009-02-15T00:58:00.000-08:00

Russell, Bill bio

2009-02-15T00:57:00.001-08:00

Legendary basketball star William Felton (Bill) Russell was born on February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana. His family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he attended McClymonds High School in Oakland. Russell was a center on his high school basketball team. Towering in height at 6’10”, he earned a scholarship to attend the University of San Francisco (USF) in 1954. At USF Russell developed into a defensive powerhouse and led his team to two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships in 1955 and 1956. Russell averaged 20.7 points and 20.3 rebounds in his three-year varsity career. He was also on the U.S. Olympic Team where he and teammates won gold medals in 1956.

In 1956, the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) drafted Russell for his defensive abilities in rebounding and shot blocks. In an era where scoring points was a major focus for many teams, Russell honed his abilities on defense and changed team strategies. He helped the Celtics win nine championships in his first 10 seasons and during that period continually led the league in rebounding. Russell won MVP awards in 1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, and 1965. He also changed the way basketball was played, with opposing centers emulating his techniques.

Following another NBA Championship in 1965-66, Red Auerbach retired as head coach of the Boston Celtics, and Russell took over as player-coach the following season, becoming the first African American coach in the league and the first player-coach in recent NBA history. As both a player and a coach, Russell led Boston to a 60-21 regular-season record, but the Celtics finally lost to an explosive Philadelphia 76ers team in the Eastern Division Finals.

When the Celtics failed to win the title that year, Russell’s coaching job was considered in jeopardy and many in the league questioned whether the player-coach model was viable. Russell remained with the team, and in the 1967-68 season the Celtics regained their dominance in the league with another NBA championship under his guidance. From that point his coaching abilities were no longer questioned. In Russell's third year as player-coach, Boston repeated as NBA champion by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers. After that season, Russell retired, having led the team to 11 championships in 13 years. Bill Russell had a career average of 15.1 points and 22.5 rebounds per game, and had amassed 21,620 career rebounds, second in NBA history only to Wilt Chamberlain's 23,924. Bill Russell currently lives in Seattle.
Sources:
Zander Hollander, The Modern Encyclopedia of Basketball (New York: Dolphin Books, 1979); http://www.nba.com/history/players/russell_bio.html

Contributor(s):
Yu, Karlson
University of Washington, Seattle

Becky Hammon Gallery

2009-02-15T00:52:00.000-08:00

Becky Hammon new clip

2009-02-15T00:48:00.001-08:00

Nate Robinson bests Howard in All-Star

2009-02-15T00:42:00.000-08:00

PHOENIX, Arizona (AFP) - Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks upstaged defending champion Dwight Howard to win the slam dunk competition that highlighted theNBA All-Star weekend.

The five-foot-nine Robinson leapt over the seven-foot Howard, who stood in front of the basket as his rival soared for a dunk that won over the fans whose votes decided the outcome.

"Dwight was a great sport letting me dunk over him," Robinson, who also won the dunk title in 2006, said of the Orlando Magic center.

"I asked him yesterday in the elevator. He was like, 'Hey, I'll do it.' I thought he was joking. He said, 'Yeah, I'll do it.'

"I was like, 'All right, that's going to be the final dunk if I make it to the finals.'"

Howard, who was the top vote-getter for Sunday's main event, the All-Star Game exhibition between the Eastern and Western conferences, had a relatively tame final round.

He pumped in a one-handed jam after ricocheting it off the side of the backboard.

He then threw one down from just inside the free-throw line.

"It was a lot of fun," Howard said. "Everybody expected so much from last year but all around we had a lot of fun."

Howard said it wasn't surprising the more diminutive Robinson won.

"The shorter man will win in a dunk contest because it looks real hard for him and easy for me. The better man won tonight. He had the crowd into it and I am happy for him."

Howard had been more creative in the preliminary rounds.

After donning a Superman cape en route to last year's title, Howard stuck with that theme, ducking into a phone booth to put one on.

In the final round Robinson wore an all-green ensemble that included a bright green ball.

The green jersey represented Robinson as kryptonite - or KryptoNate - to Howard's Superman.

"I just thought about kryptonite dunk, I didn't come up with KryptoNate. My agent did, actually," Robinson said.

Robinson and Howard moved on to the final round after eliminating JR Smith of the Denver Nuggets and Spaniard Rudy Fernandez of the Portland Trail Blazers, the first international competitor in the dunk event's history.

Fernandez completed one of the most difficult dunks in recent memory, taking a pass off the backside of the backboard from compatriot Pau Gasol, grabbing it out of bounds and scooping in a one-handed jam on the other side of the rim.

However, his numerous attempts in the second round worked against him in the scoring.

Continental Flight 3407

2009-02-14T00:24:00.000-08:00

Continental Flight 3407 from Newark in New Jersey to Buffalo in New York ended in a tragic fate for all 48 passengers as it hit a house in Clarence at 10:10 pm. According to the Federal Aviation Administration the Continental Express Bombardier aircraft carried 44 passengers and a crew of four. At least one person reportedly died on the ground.

The crash of Continental_flight_3407/ destroyed one house completely and caused a blaze in the neighborhood that the firefighters had to battle. At least a dozen properties were evacuated from the scene of accident to prevent injuries and to make it easier for the firefighters to fight the spread of fire.

The Bombardier aircraft developed mechanical problems as it approached Buffalo Niagara Airport and according to Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority spokesman C. Douglas Hartmayer, the plane just dropped off the radar. There was very little communication between the plane and the control tower.

The Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 twin-engine turboprop with a passenger capacity of about 74 went down in light snow, light fog and 17 mph winds. The plane was carrying around 5000 pounds of fuel and it exploded on impact. The burning jet fuel probably made survival that much more improbable for the ones caught in the flames.

The crash is America’s deadliest since a Comair commuter jet crashed in Lexington, Ky., on Aug. 27, 2006. That crash also claimed 49 lives.

The Appalachian Region andTrail Hike

2009-02-13T23:26:00.000-08:00

US Edition : Appalachia, as defined in the legislation from which the Appalachian Regional Commission derives its authority, is a 205,000-square-mile region that follows the spine of the Appalachian Mountains from southern New York to northern Mississippi. It includes all of West Virginia and parts of 12 other states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

About 23.6 million people live in the 420 counties of the Appalachian Region; 42 percent of the Region's population is rural, compared with 20 percent of the national population. The Region's economic fortunes were based in the past mostly on extraction of natural resources and manufacturing. The modern economy of the Region is gradually diversifying, with a heavier emphasis on services and widespread development of tourism, especially in more remote areas where there is no other viable industry. Coal remains an important resource, but it is not a major provider of jobs. Manufacturing is still an economic mainstay but is no longer concentrated in a few major industries.

The Appalachian Trail is one of the busiest hiking trails in the United States, on par with the Pacific Crest Trail that runs through California, Oregon and Washington and all along the western coast. The Appalachian Trail runs through the Appalachian Mountain range, and hiking the Appalachian Trail in its entirety could take several months, as the trail is more than 2,000 miles long, stretching from Newfoundland in Canada to Alabama, Georgia in the United States. Each year, however, many hikers do attempt to hike this impressive trail from end to end. Those who do will pass through Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Connecticut and Maine, just to name a few of the states, and a host of small towns along the way.

The history of the Appalachian Trail began in 1921, when a man named Benton MacKaye envisioned a trail that would connect all of the towns and smaller trails of the Appalachian Mountains. A few years later, the idea was made public and the task of connecting the many winding trails of this rugged mountain range began. Hiking and nature enthusiasts from around the world have been hiking the Appalachian Trail ever since.

While some hikers do hike the entire trail, the vast majority of hikers choose to enjoy smaller sections of the trail. Hiking the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina will take place within what is called the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. As you might expect, there are many hikes of varying length available. A comprehensive Appalachian Trail Guide can be obtained from North Carolina’s USDA Forest Service.

One of the most popular hikes on any Appalachian trail guide for day hikers is the 1-mile hike beginning at the Deep Creek Campground in North Carolina. With an elevation gain of only about 100 feet, this is a great option for folks driving through who want to get out and stretch their legs. A great picture opportunity awaits hikers at the top of the trail at Indian Creek Falls, which is just over 60 feet high in the spring and summer.

If you love waterfalls, be sure to mark the Laurel Falls Trail on your Appalachian trail guide. Roundtrip, this is a 3 mile hike stunning views of Laurel Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The elevation gain for this hike is 200 feet and is considered to be an easy hike. This hike is also popular because of the Sugarlands Visitor Center located near the Laurel Falls Trail parking lot. At the visitor’s center you can pick up maps, information about the flora and fauna along the trail, and speak directly to a park ranger.

Although these are just a few of the great places to explore, hikers will be happy to note that entrance to the parks is totally free of charge. Park trails outside of campgrounds are open during daylight hours throughout the year. Fires in the park outside of campsites are allowed, but must be contained within stone fire rings.

Doug Pitt, the younger brother of Hollywood actor Brad Pitt is speaking

2009-02-13T23:23:00.000-08:00

Doug Pitt, the younger brother of Hollywood actor Brad Pitt is speaking out about his “Care to Learn” Project, which is all about kids’ health, hunger and hygiene.

Says Doug, “The idea was to help kids that show up on a school day with an immediate need. We need to get to them quick, obviously. So we set up this fund to do just that. Last week, we had a kid need clothes and food. And within 20 minutes - from the phone call - counselors, teachers, principals, make a call to the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools. And they’re on it. They now have the funds to address that urgent need.”

For more information, visit CareToLearnFund.com. At the website, you can see one of the Care to Learn Founders include Springfield, Missouri business man Doug Pitt, who recognized the need and is coordinating a solution to this growing issue.

Also a founder of the project is the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, a Humanitarian Fund supported by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

Watch the video below of Doug Pitt talking about his “Care to Learn” fund! Youtube

adjective list

2009-02-13T19:16:00.000-08:00

English Syntax: Use our Teaching English Syntax Lists - Printable & Free, ideal for ESL.

An adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun by describing, identifying, or quantifying words. An adjective often precedes the noun or the pronoun which it modifies. In the following examples, the highlighted words are adjectives:

The car-shaped balloon floated over the treetops.

Mrs. Smith papered her living room walls with hideous wall paper.

The large boat foundered on the wine dark sea.

The coal mines are dark and dank.

Many stores have already begun to play irritating Christmas music.

A battered music box sat on the mahogany sideboard.

The back room was filled with large, green rain boots.

Appearance adorable adventurous aggressive alert attractive average beautiful blue-eyed bloody blushing bright clean clear cloudy colorful crowded cute dark drab distinct dull elegant excited fancy filthy	Appearance Contd. glamorous gleaming gorgeous graceful grotesque handsome homely light long magnificent misty motionless muddy old-fashioned plain poised precious quaint shiny smoggy sparkling spotless stormy strange ugly ugliest unsightly unusual wide-eyed	Condition alive annoying bad better beautiful brainy breakable busy careful cautious clever clumsy concerned crazy curious dead different difficult doubtful easy expensive famous fragile frail gifted helpful helpless horrible important	Condition Contd. impossible inexpensive innocent inquisitive modern mushy odd open outstanding poor powerful prickly puzzled real rich shy sleepy stupid super talented tame tender tough uninterested vast wandering wild wrong	Feelings (Bad) angry annoyed anxious arrogant ashamed awful bad bewildered black blue bored clumsy combative condemned confused crazy, flipped-out creepy cruel dangerous defeated defiant depressed disgusted disturbed dizzy dull embarrassed envious evil fierce foolish frantic frightened grieving	Feelings (Bad) Contd. grumpy helpless homeless hungry hurt ill itchy jealous jittery lazy lonely mysterious nasty naughty nervous nutty obnoxious outrageous panicky repulsive scary selfish sore tense terrible testy thoughtless tired troubled upset uptight weary wicked worried
Feelings (Good) agreeable amused brave calm charming cheerful comfortable cooperative courageous delightful determined eager elated enchanting encouraging energetic enthusiastic excited exuberant fair faithful fantastic fine friendly funny gentle glorious good	Feelings (Good) Contd. happy healthy helpful hilarious jolly joyous kind lively lovely lucky nice obedient perfect pleasant proud relieved silly smiling splendid successful thankful thoughtful victorious vivacious witty wonderful zealous zany	Shape broad chubby crooked curved deep flat high hollow low narrow round shallow skinny square steep straight wide	Size big colossal fat gigantic great huge immense large little mammoth massive miniature petite puny scrawny short small tall teeny teeny-tiny tiny	Sound cooing deafening faint harsh high-pitched hissing hushed husky loud melodic moaning mute noisy purring quiet raspy resonant screeching shrill silent soft squealing thundering voiceless whispering	Time ancient brief Early fast late long modern old old-fashioned quick rapid short slow swift young
Taste/Touch bitter delicious fresh juicy ripe rotten salty sour spicy stale sticky strong sweet tart tasteless tasty thirsty fluttering fuzzy greasy grubby hard hot icy loose	Taste/Touch Contd. melted nutritious plastic prickly rainy rough scattered shaggy shaky sharp shivering silky slimy slippery smooth soft solid steady sticky tender tight uneven weak wet wooden yummy	Touch boiling breezy broken bumpy chilly cold cool creepy crooked cuddly curly damaged damp dirty dry dusty filthy flaky fluffy freezing hot warm wet	Quantity abundant empty few heavy light many numerous substantial

SOURCE FROM www.KeepAndShare.com

Adjective list

2009-02-13T19:13:00.000-08:00

An adjective, in English grammar, is a word that describes or modifies a noun or a pronoun. For more information and examples visit What is an Adjective? It covers kinds of adjectives, comparison of adjectives, "three questions", adjectives position, adjective links and more.

See also list of Verbs, Adverbs or visit Vocabulary page.

Back to ESL Desk home

Build your vocabulary with this list of frequently used English adjectives. Every word is clickable - select a reference source below and click on any adjective for translation or definition.

List has 732 words. References Definition
AllWords AskOxford Cambridge Dictionary.com Encarta Infoplease Merriam-Webster OneLook Wikipedia WordNet Ultralingua

Translation
Arabic Bengali Chinese I Chinese II Chinese III French I French II French III German I German II Hindi Hungarian Italian Japanese Polish Portuguese I Portuguese II Russian I Russian II Russian III Spanish I Spanish II Spanish III Turkish Ukrainian Vietnamese

Usage
Altavista AllTheWeb AOL Ask Google MSN Netscape Yahoo

A
aback abaft abandoned abashed aberrant abhorrent abiding abject ablaze abnormal aboard aboriginal abortive abounding abrasive abrupt absent absorbed absorbing abstracted absurd abusive acceptable accessible accidental accurate acoustic acrid actually ad hoc adamant adaptable addicted adhesive adjoining adorable afraid agonizing ahead alcoholic alert alike alive alleged alluring aloof ambiguous ambitious amuck ancient animated apathetic aquatic aromatic aspiring assorted astonishing auspicious available average aware axiomatic
B
bad barbarous bashful bawdy beautiful befitting belligerent berserk better big billowy bizarre black boiling boorish boring boundless brash brawny breezy brief bright broad broken bumpy burly
C
cagey callous capable capricious ceaseless changeable cheerful childlike chilly chivalrous chubby chunky clammy classy cloistered cloudy clumsy coherent cold colossal combative comfortable cooing cool cooperative courageous cowardly crabby craven crazy credible creepy crooked cuddly cultured curly curved cynical
D
daffy daily damaged damaging damp dapper dashing dazzling deadpan debonair decisive decorous deep deeply defective delightful demonic deranged deserted detailed determined devilish didactic diligent direful dirty disagreeable discreet disillusioned dispensable divergent dizzy domineering draconian dramatic drunk dry dull dusty dynamic dysfunctional
E
eager early earsplitting earthy eatable economic educated efficacious efficient elated elderly elfin elite eminent empty enchanting encouraging endurable energetic entertaining enthusiastic equable erect erratic ethereal evanescent evasive evil excellent excited exclusive exotic expensive exuberant exultant
F
fabulous faded fallacious fanatical fancy fantastic fascinated fast fat faulty fearless feigned fertile festive filthy finicky flagrant flashy flawless flippant flowery foamy foregoing forgetful fortunate frail fretful friendly functional funny furtive futuristic
G
gabby gainful gamy gaping garrulous gaudy gentle giant giddy gigantic glamorous gleaming glib glorious glossy godly good goofy gorgeous graceful grandiose gratis great greedy green groovy grotesque grouchy gruesome grumpy guarded guiltless gullible gusty guttural
H
habitual half hallowed halting handsome handsomely hapless happy harmonious heady healthy heartbreaking heavenly heavy hellish helpful hesitant high highfalutin hilarious historical holistic hollow honorable horrible hospitable huge hulking humdrum humorous hungry hurried hurt hypnotic hysterical
I
icky idiotic ignorant illegal illustrious imaginary immense imminent impartial imperfect imported incandescent incompetent inconclusive industrious innate instinctive internal invincible irate itchy
J
jaded jagged jazzy jealous jittery jobless jolly joyous judicious jumbled jumpy juvenile
K
kaput kind kindhearted knotty knowing knowledgeable known
L
labored lackadaisical lacking lamentable languid large late laughable lavish lazy lean learned legal lethal level lewd light likeable literate little lively long longing lopsided loutish lovely loving low lowly lucky ludicrous lush luxuriant lying lyrical
M
macabre macho maddening madly magenta magical magnificent majestic makeshift malicious mammoth maniacal many marked massive materialistic mature measly meek melodic merciful mere mighty mindless miniature minor miscreant moaning modern moldy momentous muddled mundane murky mushy mysterious
N
naive nappy narrow nasty nauseating nebulous needless needy neighborly nervous new nice nifty noiseless noisy nonchalant nondescript nonstop nostalgic nosy noxious null numberless numerous nutritious
O
oafish obedient obeisant obscene obsequious observant obsolete obtainable oceanic odd offbeat old omniscient onerous optimal orange ordinary organic ossified oval overconfident overjoyed overrated overt overwrought
P
painful painstaking panoramic parched parsimonious pastoral pathetic peaceful penitent perfect periodic permissible perpetual petite phobic picayune piquant placid plant plant plausible pleasant plucky pointless political possessive precious premium pretty prickly productive profuse protective proud psychedelic psychotic puffy pumped puny purple
Q
quack quaint quarrelsome questionable quick quickest quiet quixotic quizzical
R
rabid racial ragged rainy rambunctious rampant rare raspy ratty rebel receptive recondite red redundant reflective relieved reminiscent resolute resonant rhetorical righteous rightful ritzy roasted robust romantic roomy round royal ruddy rural rustic ruthless
S
sable sad sassy satisfying savoy scandalous scarce scary scientific scintillating scrawny secretive sedate seemly selective shallow shocking short shrill silly sincere skillful skinny sloppy slow small smelly sneaky snobbish snotty soggy somber sordid spectacular spicy spiffy spiritual splendid spooky spurious squalid square squeamish staking standing statuesque steadfast stereotyped stimulating stingy strange subdued subsequent successful succinct sulky supreme swanky sweltering symptomatic synonymous
T
taboo tacit tacky talented tall tame tan tangible tangy tart tasteful tawdry tearful telling temporary tender tenuous tested testy therapeutic thinkable threatening tight tightfisted tiny tiresome toothsome torpid tough towering tranquil trashy tricky trite truculent typical
U
ubiquitous ugliest ugly ultra unable unaccountable unadvised unarmed unbecoming unbiased uncovered understood undesirable unequaled uneven unsightly unsuitable unusual upbeat uppity upset uptight used utopian utter uttermost
V
vacuous vagabond vague various vast vengeful venomous verdant versed victorious vigorous vivacious voiceless volatile voracious vulgar
W
wacky waggish wakeful wanting warlike warm wary wasteful wasteful watchful watery weak wealthy weary wee wet whimsical whispering wholesale wicked wide willing wiry wise wistful woebegone womanly wonderful wooden woozy workable worried worthless wrathful wretched wry
X
x-rated
Y
yellow yielding young youthful yummy
Z
zany zealous zippy zonked

source - Word Broker

Aaron Stone

2009-02-13T19:09:00.000-08:00

George Vernadakis

Charlie Landers' conversion from teenaged online gamer to real-life superhero marks another conversion of sorts. That's because the network premiere of live-action series Aaron Stone helps usher in the rebranding of the Toon Disney channel as Disney XD.

While the Disney Channel's success is fueled largely by girl-targeted shows such as Hannah Montana, Disney XD is going after boys ages 6-14, with a mix of action, gaming, tech, music and sports - all of which, to some degree, are part of the mix in Stone.

Landers (Kelly Blatz) may not be able to score the winning hoop for his school basketball team, but he (or rather, his avatar "Aaron Stone") is reigning champ of the popular online game "Hero Rising." Unbeknownst to its players, "Hero Rising" is a reclusive billionaire's covert training ground to recruit real-life secret agents. Outfitted with gadgetry and an android sidekick, Landers soon finds himself called upon to foil a supervillain's plot for world domination.

Created by Bruce Kalish, the series breaks no new ground but delivers a likable entertainment that should strike a chord with fans of young superhero shows such as Cartoon Network's Ben 10.

Disney XD officially goes live at midnight on Feb. 13 with the animated show Phineas and Ferb.
Aaron Stone premieres on Disney Channel, Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m., before joining Disney XD, the former Toon Disney.

SOURCE FROM -- Multichannel News,

The great prince of the forest

2009-02-13T18:59:00.000-08:00

Starring: Patrick Stewart, Alexander Gould, Carolyn Hennesy, Christopher Lee
Director: Brian Pimental
Certificate:
Genres: Animated Feature
Languages: English

Synopsis: Eagerly-awaited sequel to the classic 40s animated feature. Join Bambi (voice of Alexander Gould) as he reunites with his father, The Great Prince (Patrick Stewart), who must now raise the young fawn and teach him the way of the forest.

But, in the adventure of a lifetime, the proud parent discovers that there is much more he can learn from his spirited young son.

Don’t Shoot the Puppy

2009-02-13T18:56:00.000-08:00

/a>

Former Yankee Jim Leyritz

2009-02-13T18:52:00.000-08:00

says victim was at fault in fatal crash

Fallen Yankee hero Jim Leyritz, speaking for the first time after the DUI accident that killed a Florida mother, said he has had trouble hiding his pain from his children ever since the crash.

"I can't tell you how many times that I put them to bed and I walk outside so they didn't see me break down and cry," Leyritz, 44, said in an emotional interview with the Daily News.

Leyritz, his eyes red and watery as he recalled the moments following the fatal accident, remembered feeling lost and in shock.

"I know I'm going to jail, but I just don't know how long I'm going to be there," Leyritz recalled. "I'm just lost."

In jail, "I talked to my ex-fiancée... crying and just saying, 'I don't know what I'm going to do. This is not me. I don't know what to do. This is just horrible.' And knowing that somebody died in the accident..." Leyritz added, his words trailing off.

Leyritz's once-charmed life changed forever the night of Dec. 28, 2007.

After celebrating his 44th birthday with pals at a Fort Lauderdale bar, Leyritz hopped into his Ford Expedition SUV with a friend to bring him home.

Prosecutors say Leyritz was sloshed when he ran a red light and crashed into a Mitsubishi Montero, killing its driver, Fredia Ann Veitch, 30. Cops arrested the former Yankee slugger on DUI manslaughter charges after he was given three field sobriety tests. His blood-alcohol level was later determined to be 0.14, nearly twice the state's legal limit of 0.08. His trial is set for Jan. 12.

Leyritz said it was Veitch - who was found also to be drunk at the time of the crash - who caused the horrific accident. Records show she had also caused a drunken driving accident six months before.

"My light was never red when I entered the intersection," he said. "I was not at all responsible for the accident or her death."

"She went through the light. She hit me."

For weeks after the crash, Leyritz couldn't sleep, he said. Even after doctors prescribed sleeping pills, he was still haunted by images of the unconscious Veitch lying on the pavement.

"I'd never seen anybody up-close unconscious like that, that actually passed away," Leyritz said.

Leyritz then covered his face with his left hand - bearing his 1996 World Series Championship ring.

"Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face," Leyritz said.

SOURCE FROM nydailynews.com

Jim Leyritz wasted millions on booze

2009-02-13T18:51:00.000-08:00

BY MIKE JACCARINO in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and RICH SCHAPIRO in New York
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

Thursday, January 3rd 2008, 4:00 AM

Rothstein for News

Jim Leyritz (back) leaves his Davie, Fla., home with his father Don (front) and brother on Wednesday.
Troubled ex-Yankee Jim Leyritz burned through thousands of dollars by buying high-priced booze and partying at expensive nightclubs, court papers reveal.

The glimpse into Leyritz's 2003 financial records shows he spent large amounts of money on alcohol, swank clubs and ritzy hotels in Florida, New York and beyond.

The former catcher also struck out on his finances, watching more than $10 million he earned over 11 years in the majors shrink to about $600,000, records show.

The Daily News obtained the papers on the same day Fredia Ann Veitch, the 30-year-old Florida mother Leyritz killed in an alleged drunken-driving wreck, was remembered during an emotional memorial service.

"He shouldn't have been on the road," fumed Veitch's friend Jim Georges, 35. "It's an outrage."

In the divorce papers Leyritz filed in Florida when leaving his second wife, Karrie, the hard-partying catcher claimed nearly all of his money had disappeared because of exorbitant taxes and a shady financial adviser.

His financial records from August 2003 to December 2003 tell a different story.On a two-week trip to New York in October, he dropped thousands of dollars at the China Club, Tao, Elaine's and other nightspots. He also spent more than $3,000 at the Shelburne Murray Hill hotel.

In Florida, Leyritz blew through hundreds of dollars at liquor stores, including Fine Spirits in Cooper City. One day that August, he spent $256.23 there on alcohol. He returned two days later to buy an additional $169.53 worth of booze.

The revelations were met with disgust by the hundreds of loved ones who poured into the Unity Church in Hollywood, Fla., to pay tribute to Veitch.

The mother of two was killed when a drunken Leyritz ran a red light and slammed his SUV into her Mitsubishi Montero in Fort Lauderdale, police said. Leyritz had just left his 44th birthday party, and Veitch was returning home from her steakhouse job.

Leyritz is facing charges of manslaughter and drunken driving. If convicted, he could be jailed for 15 years.

He should not even have been on the road that night.

He misled authorities to get his Florida driver's license renewed on Nov. 28 - even though it had been suspended just five days earlier by New York authorities.

Leyritz had been busted for driving while talking on his cell phone in a suburb of Albany on June 20, officials said.

It wasn't until Nov. 23 that New York authorities suspended his license - because he failed to answer a summons, even though he was notified by the Department of Motor Vehicles, officials said.

A paperwork logjam prevented authorities in Florida from realizing Leyritz, whose license already had been suspended three times in Florida since 2003, had run into trouble in New York.

Florida authorities said if they had been aware of Leyritz's New York troubles, they would not have granted him a new license.

"I'm sure the State of New York was processing this information when he came in to get a new license," said Ann Nucatola, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

"If you are suspended in another state, purchasing a license in Florida is wrong and unlawful."

Leyritz, who spent yesterday with an ex-girlfriend, earns about $5,250 a month working as an MLB.com analyst. His contract expires in March and is not expected to be renewed, a spokesman said.

Tom MacEwan, a friend of Veitch, said he often drank with Leyritz at bars in Florida.

"The bottom line is he shouldn't have been drinking and driving," MacEwan said outside Veitch's funeral. "I know her family very well," he said. "Everybody feels absolute pity for the kids. She was one of the best mothers I've ever met."

rschapiro@nydailynews.com

With Angela Mosconi in Hollywood, Fla.

SOURCE FROM nydailynews.com

Gerry Niewood

2009-02-13T18:48:00.000-08:00

Biography
Gerry Niewood is best known for his association with Chuck Mangione, Niewood is a talented multi-instrumentalist who has appealing sounds and styles on tenor, soprano and flute. Niewood attended the University of Buffalo and first joined Mangione's band in 1968, but continued studying until he gained a degree from the Eastman School of Music in 1970. Niewood was with Mangione through 1976 and appeared on most of his famous records, adding a strong jazz flavor to the music; however his solo career has never really taken off. Niewood had a post-bop quartet with Dave Samuels from 1976-77, led the Sunday Morning Jazz Band in the early '80s and played with Joe Beck a few years later. But he mostly worked in the studios and freelanced in low-profile jobs until rejoining Mangione in the mid-1990s when the flugelhornist began his comeback. Niewood recorded two obscure albums (in 1976 and 1978) as a leader for A&M. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Bonnie Lincoln

2009-02-13T14:13:00.000-08:00

Bonnie Lincoln

2009-02-13T14:09:00.000-08:00

As President's Day approaches on Monday, one of Abraham Lincoln's descendants happens to be a dancer for the New Jersey Nets.

Bonnie Lincoln, 23, works for a legal office, according to NBCNewYork.com
"(Lincoln) was one of the greatest presidents in our history. People still recognize that today. We have so much to be thankful for because of him, " Lincoln said.

Rebecca Shaw

2009-02-13T13:53:00.000-08:00

Educated at a co-educational Quaker boarding school, Rebecca Shaw went on to qualify as a teacher to deaf children.
After her marriage, she spent the ensuing years enjoying bringing up her family. The departure of the last of her four children to university gave her the time to write the many novels which have gained her a legion of loyal fans. She lives in Dorset.

01-Love in the Country
02-The Village Green Affair (eBook)
03-Intrigue In The Village
04-A Country Affair
05-Country Passions
06-One Hot Country Summer
07-One Hot Country Summer
08-A Village Feud
09-Whispers In The Village
10-Rebecca Shaw: Three Great Novels: The Barleybridge Novels A Country Affair, Country Wives, Country Lovers
11-Country Wives
12-The New Rector
13-Talk Of The Village
14-Scandal In The Village
15-Village Matters
16-Village Secrets
17-Village Gossip
18-Trouble In The Village
19-The Village Show

friday the 13th superstitions

2009-02-13T13:50:00.000-08:00

The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia, a specialized form of triskaidekaphobia, a phobia (fear) of the number thirteen.

Thirteen may be considered a "bad" or "unlucky" number simply because when a group of 13 objects or people is divided into two, three, four or six equal groups, there is always one leftover, or "unlucky", object or person.

Mythology
Friday the 13th superstitions originated in a Norse myth about twelve gods having a feast in Valhalla. The mischievous Loki crashed the party as an uninvited 13th guest and arranged for Hod, the blind god of darkness, to shoot Baldur, the god of joy and gladness, with a mistletoe-tipped arrow. Baldur was killed and the Earth was plunged into darkness and mourning as a result.

Later she was confused with the goddess of love, Freya, who in turn became identified with Friday. When the Norsemen and Germanic tribes became Christians, Freya was supposed to have been banished to the mountains as a witch. Friday came to be called 'witches' Sabbath. It was believed that on this day, each week, twelve witches and the Devil met - thirteen evil spirits in all.

History

The Knights Templar

Some believe that the arrest of Jacques de Molay, Grand Master of the Knights Templar, and 60 of his senior knights on Friday, October 13, 1307 by King Philip IV of France is the origin of this superstition. That day thousands of Templars were arrested and subsequently tortured. They then 'confessed' and were executed. From that day on, Friday the 13th was considered by followers of the Templars as an evil and unlucky day.

Were the Knights Templar created by a group called the Priory of Sion? The treasures and secrets of these mystical organizations take us to the American continent and the Freemasons, who carry the energy signature of the creation of our reality with them.

The Freemasons left us clues some of which include number 13.
The original US flag had 13 stars.

If you think outside the box, viewing the star pattern as a hologram,
raising the center point - it creates a pyramid of souls in color code blue.
You also see symbols for above and below - 'X' and a Diamond (Sacred Geometry)

The US One Dollar Bill depicts the Unfinished Pyramid at Giza
Golden Capstone, Alchemy of Consciousness
An Illuminated All Seeing Eye Above
Eye references the center of the Milky Way Galaxy

13 illuminated stars form a Star of David around a central source
Merkabah - Movement of Consciousness in and out of realities above the Eagle.

Friday the 13th Phobia Rooted in Ancient History
National Geographic - February 2004

Steven P. Kazmierczak

2009-02-13T13:02:00.000-08:00

Steven P. Kazmierczak, described by police as a 27-year-old former sociology student at Northern Illinois University, opened fire on students in a lecture hall before turning the gun on himself on Feb. 14, 2008.

Steve Kazmierczak killed five people and wounded 18 in a shooting at Northern Illinois University on February 14, 2008. Kazmierczak killed himself after the massacre. According to documents, Kazmierczak idolized the killer in the Saw films, had psychiatric issues and suicide attempts.

Kazmierczak Killed were Gayle Dubowski, 20; Catalina Garcia, 20; Julianna Gehant, 32; Ryanne Mace, 19; and Daniel Parmenter, 20.

In February 2009, the investigation was still ongoing. CNN reported they were given access to documents in the case. It was reported that Kazmierczak once wrote a paper titled "No Crazies With Guns," on the topic of gun rights for the mentally ill. The report analyzed the

Steven Kazmierczak, and Mass Murder

2009-02-13T12:59:00.000-08:00

By:Michael Brooks

Emergency personnel move an injured person out of Neptune Hall, a residence hall at Northern Illinois University; photo courtesy AP

I understand how depressed persons might want to take their own lives. I also understand how enraged people might want to target someone who has brought them harm or pain.

But I have never been able to comprehend how a person like Steven Kazmierczak - the gunman in the Northern Illinois University shooting - can target innocent bystanders in his violent response to his life circumstances.

Kazmierczak was an award-winning graduate student at the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was vice-president of the NIU Academic Criminal Justice Association in 2005, and he also contributed to an article on self-injury in prisons. This is hardly the stereotype of the loner gunman, and yet Kazmierczak's violent spree left seven people dead and another 15 injured.

The thought of such violence sickens me, and I struggle to come to terms with the mindset of someone who could bring so much pain and death to so many random people. There have been low points in my life when I questioned the merits of living, and I can recall several occasions where my rage at those who brought harm to my family members led to some violent thoughts. Of course, there is a tremendous difference between the fleeting moments of despair I have experienced and a person who actually carries out an act of suicide or violent revenge, but at least there is some rational process for these types of behaviors that I can understand.

At no point, though - even during my darkest hours - has the thought entered my head to harm innocent people, and I just cannot fathom how a person like Steven Kazmierczak can arrive at the conclusion that the optimal way to end his pain is by killing innocent students on a college campus.

Then again, perhaps my attempt to find a rational basis for mass murder is itself an exercise in futility. There may not be a logical progression in the thoughts that go through the mind of someone like Kazmierczak, despite the seemingly cold calculation and planning that preceded his minutes of bloody horror on the campus of NIU.

So I sit at my desk this morning, shocked and saddened at the senseless violence that occurred at a campus similar to others at which I have taught and studied, and I feel frustrated at my inability to understand why these incidents keep happening.

And I thank God that this was not my time to die.

American Journalist

The Golden 1 Credit Union

2009-02-13T12:57:00.000-08:00

The Golden 1 Credit Union offers financial products and services to its members in the United States. It provides loan services, such as auto loans, real estate loans, home equity loans, and consumer loans. The company also provides investment and insurance services. In addition, The Golden 1 Credit Union offers savings and checking accounts. The company was founded in 1933 and is based in Sacramento, California.

P.O. Box 15966

Sacramento, CA 95852-0966

United States

Founded in 1933

Jop Openion
1) ASSISTANT BRANCH MANAGER - SACRAMENTO & FOLSOM
The Golden 1 Credit Union

Sacramento, CA
2) BRANCH MANAGER
The Golden 1 Credit Union

Sean Rooney, from underneath the noses of A-League rivals Sydney FC

2009-02-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

THE Newcastle Jets have stolen one of the Australia's hottest young strikers, Sean Rooney, from underneath the noses of A-League rivals Sydney FC.

Rooney will train with the Jets for the first time today, and coach Gary van Egmond has not ruled out rushing the 19-year-old into his squad for the must-win battle with the Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

From Blacktown, Rooney is the leading scorer in the national youth league and comes into the squad as an injury replacement for Young Socceroo Jason Naidovski.

Naidovski will have knee surgery on Wednesday and faces at least six weeks, possibly the season, on the sideline.

Rooney has scored nine goals in nine games for Sydney in the youth league, including twice in the 3-2 loss to the Jets on Saturday night, which was Sydney's first defeat of the season.

"We have been keeping an eye on him for some time," Jets coach Gary van Egmond said last night.

"He has obviously done very well in the youth league. He is a big strong boy, can use both feet, has a nice touch. He doesn't have blistering pace, but he has a knack for scoring goals.

"We will have a look at him at training tomorrow and again on Saturday and go from there.

"Scoring goals in youth league is one thing; scoring them in senior football is another."

Jets high-performance manager Ian Crook negotiated the deal, which has been approved by Football Federation Australia.

"He has shown potential from a very young age," Crook said.

"He had a serious back injury a few years back but has made a full recovery.

"He plays predominantly with his back to goal, but can also drop into holes and is a natural goalscorer."

He is not the experienced scorer the Jets have been desperately searching for, but van Egmond said he had the potential to make the grade.

"We were not the only club looking at him," he said.

"At this stage he is in as a replacement for Jason, but if all goes to plan, he could be here long-term."

Beverly Eckert Died in Fiery Buffalo Flight 3407 Crash

2009-02-13T10:49:00.000-08:00

From: Carol Gonzales

The crash of Continental Express flight 3407 Thursday night has brought tragedy to the friends and family of all 50 victims.
Beverly Eckert, whose husband died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, say she was aboard the Buffalo, N.Y.-bound flight when it crashed in Clarence Center, N.Y.

Eckert was flying to Buffalo to honor what would have been her husband Sean Rooney's 58th birthday. She was scheduled to present a Canisius High School student with a scholarship created in his name.

After the 9/11 attacks, Eckert became a passionate voice for all the victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center.

Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Turboprop Regional Airliner

2009-02-13T10:48:00.001-08:00

Bombardier Aerospace Dash 8 family of turboprop regional airliners includes the 37-passenger Q100 and Q200, the 50 to 60-passenger Q300 and the 70 to 80-passenger stretched Q400. 981 Dash 8 family aircraft have been ordered and 868 delivered since 1984. Over 310 Q400 have been ordered and 210 delivered.

The newest member of the Dash-8 family, the Q400, had its first flight in 1998 and entered commercial service in February 2000.

Beverly Eckert Continental Flight Victim

2009-02-13T10:43:00.000-08:00

President Obama spoke about Eckert before his remarks on the economy this morning. Check back for the video... and read the article from the AP below.

Speaking at an event at the White House, Obama said Friday that his prayers are with families and friends who lost loved ones. A Continental commuter plane crashed into a house in suburban Buffalo on Thursday night, killing all 49 people aboard and a person in the home.

One of the victims was Beverly Eckert, a Sept. 11 widow. She was just at the White House last week with Obama as part of a meeting he had with relatives of those killed in the 2001 attacks and the bombing of the USS Cole.

Obama said Eckert was an inspiration to him and he hopes her family finds comfort in the days ahead.

Fifty people lost their lives Thursday night when a Continental commuter flight from Newark, New Jersey crashed before landing in Buffalo, New York. Details remain scarce on whose lives were claimed. One victim confirmed dead is Beverly Eckert, a 9/11 widow who lobbied Congress to reform U.S. intelligence practices. Eckert had met with President Obama last week to discuss how his administration would be handling terror suspects. Read more about Eckert below:

The usually joyful meet-and-greet area of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport was a corridor of tears and sorrow early this morning as family and friends of those aboard Continental Express Flight 3407 filed in to get official word of their loved ones' fates.

For Sue Bourque, the wait for confirmation regarding her sister, Beverly Eckert, was all too familiar. Eckert is the widow of Sean Rooney, a Buffalo native who lost his life in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

Source from :huffingtonpost.com

Livni party leads but right-wing parties gain majority

2009-02-11T18:10:00.000-08:00

Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and right wing rival Benjamin Netanyahu both claimed victory early Wednesday in the parliamentary election, but official results showed a close race. Right-wing parties, including Netanyahu's Likud Party, have won a clear majority of 65 seats in the 120-seat house, which would give Netanyahu the upper hand in forming the next government.

However, with 99.7 percent of the votes counted, Livni's centrist Kadima Party had 28 seats, while Likud had 27. Those results could change by a seat or two when soldiers' votes are tallied Thursday evening.

It appeared ultranationalist Avigdor Lieberman, who based his campaign on denying citizenship to Israeli Arabs he considers disloyal, could determine the country's next leader with his decision of whom to join. According to the AP, he declared after the vote that he spoken to both Livni and Netanyahu and told them he could be persuaded to join either one, but he added that he wanted a "nationalist right-wing government."

"With God's help, I will lead the next government," Netanyahu told his cheering crowd in Tel Aviv. "The national camp, led by the Likud, has won a clear advantage."

Soon after, Livni took the stage before her supporters and flashed a V for victory sign. "Today the people chose Kadima. ... We will form the next government led by Kadima."

In his speech, Netanyahu told his supporters that he was proud of the gains by his party. He called for a broad-based coalition, but said he would first turn to his "natural partners in the national camp."

The partial results marked a dramatic slide for Netanyahu, who had held a solid lead in opinion polls heading into the election.

The partial results gave Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu Party 16 seats, placing it in third place behind Kadima and Likud and ahead of Labor.

Jomanah Murad’s cloths behind her admittance to hospital

2009-02-11T18:07:00.001-08:00

During the filming of her latest film “Al Farah” (The Wedding), the Syrian actress Jomanah Murad (جومانا مراد )got sharp pains in her spine and was unable to finish her filming. Jomanah was taken to the hospital immediately and the doctors told her she had to take a little break for two days in order to relax, and after then she’ll be able to continue her filming once she is fully recovered.

The doctors revealed that she got sick because of the clothes she was wearing while filming her scenes. Jomanah was wearing summer clothes which are not suitable for the cold temperatures. After she finished filming her scenes Jomanah traveled to Syria to take a short break and to get ready for new Syrian projects that she’ll be working on.

According to the London daily Elaph, Jomanah finished filming her scenes on the film “Al Farah” with the director Sameh Abed Al Aziz where the filming took place at the cinema city before she went on her way to Syria. The new film is about a local wedding where Jomanah plays the role of “Jamilah” the bride where in the film she gets married to the actor Yaser Jalal. “Al Farah” is written by Ahmad Abduallah, directed by Sameh Abed Al Aziz and produced by Ahmad Al Sabki.

A large number of actors actors like famous Egyptian actress Karima Mukhtar, Khaled Al Sawi, Salah Abdullah, May Kasab, Yaser Jalal, Dina Samir Ghanem and many more, that play alongside Jomanah in the new film had starred in her previous film “Cabaret”.

Somayah Al Khashab’s split personality

2009-02-11T18:05:00.001-08:00

The Egyptian actress Somayah Al Khashab(سمية الخشاب) agreed to take the leading role in the new television drama series which is temperory called “Mushtaher” (Famous) which is written by Ahmad Abed Al Fatah and directed by Jamal Abed AL Hamid. Somayah will be playing two roles of twins who don’t know each other.

The first role is a young lady who comes from a poor background and becomes a rich and well-known woman. The second role is a doctor who tries to spread good deeds and fights against corruption in the medical field. The series is 30 episodes.

It is needless to say that Al Khashab will be starring in a new cinema film called “Haramyeh Fe Muhimah Rasmiyah” (Burglar in an Official Business). The new film is directed by Fakher AL Deen Majidah and produced by Muhammad Zain.

Mina Shalabi leads in Blood Spot

2009-02-11T18:02:00.001-08:00

By the end of this month the young Egyptian actress Mina Shalabi will start filming her scenes in the new cinema film “Noqtat Dam” (Blood Spot). For the first time Mina will be joined with the young Egyptian actor Haitham Ahmad Zaki where both young actors will have leading roles in the new film.

The film will also star young Egyptian artist Ahmad Fahmi, Hanan Mtaw’, Ahmad Fouad Salim, Maysarah and Wahid Saif. The film which is directed by Ahamd Ghaith, talks about politics in a romantic manner, and focuses on the current events that take place now days in the Arab world.

Italian Public divided over Gaza onslaught

2009-02-11T18:00:00.001-08:00

By Giulia Gay, Rome

The Israeli war on Gaza Strip has created a huge wave of reactions in all Europe. In Italy, demonstrations took place in Milan, Rome, Turin and Bologna. In Milan, Muslim youth has been calling for Intifada, wearing kefiahs, shouting against Israel and the United States. Many were holding banners reciting, "Zionism is a form of racism!". This demonstration was attended by members of the Communist Party, anarchists, and the CARC (Committee for the Support to the Communist Resistance), which supports the Italian Red Brigades.

In Rome, swastikas, anti-Jewish and pro-Hamas graffiti appeared on public walls. These episodes have been connected to both left and right wing extremists, and have marked the walls of traditionally right-wing Roman areas.
An assault on Israel has came from the PDCI (the Italian Communist Party), which justifies the act of burning flags as a fair means of protest, and which hanged on its Roman office's entrance a Palestinian flag. However, the ex deputy of the Communist Re-foundation Party, described the act of burning Israeli flags as negative for the attainment of peace.

Call for boycott
Once again, in Rome, a left wing syndicate called Flaica-Uniti-Club proposed the boycott of the Jewish shops as a protest against the Israeli action in Gaza. The proposal was highly criticized and rejected by both, right and left wing parliament representatives. The Roman syndicate negates such a proposal has been made, and affirms it wanted to protest with the boycott of Israeli products and not of Jewish shops. Nevertheless, after the proposal, some "incidents" have occurred in the center of Rome, where a great part of the Jewish community holds shops. On the 10th of January 2009, wall graffiti such as "Juden raus", and "Israel, damned land" have appeared in the center of Rome.

In the meanwhile, on 11th of January, the President of UCEI, (Union of Italian Jewish Community) Renzo Gattegna and Riccardo Pacifici (President of the Roman Jewish Community) organized a demonstration called "We support Israel, we support peace". Members of the Keren Hayesod organization, the Ambassador of Israel to Italy, Gideon Meir, and Fiamma Nirenstein, attended the demonstration. Fassino, a member of the PD (Democratic Party) has been invited to the demonstration. His position on the Gaza crisis was clear. Hamas is responsible for the crisis since it continues to negate Israel's right to exist. Fassino argues that Israel has the right to live in peace as the Palestinians have the right to a state.

D'Alema criticized
As far as the political leadership is concerned, some Italian politicians have criticized the position of Massimo D'Alema - former Italian Foreign Minister- on the crisis. D'Alema has been accused of sympathizing with Hamas. He rejected this, asserting he did not ask Israel to negotiate a peace with Hamas, but rather with the Palestinian president Abu Mazen. The use of force by Israel is, according to D'Alema, a way to strengthen radical positions among the Palestinians.

The current Italian Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, positions himself as critical of D'Alema's point of view. It is not possible, according to Frattini, to launch a Hamas-Israel dialogue. The primary reason is because the international community cannot legitimize another Palestinian state in Gaza Strip. Hamas has to stop the launch of missiles into the Israeli territory, continued the Foreign Minister, and it has to recognize Abu Mazen's authority. Frattini made a further point arguing that this is the position of the Italian government, the Egyptian government, the EU, and US President Barack Obama.

The need to halt Hamas from launching missiles reflects also the position of the Italian population. As a matter of fact, according to recent surveys, the majority of Italians stand in favor of Israel in the Gaza conflict. 22% of Italians declare themselves closer to the Israelis than to the Palestinians. A particular understanding for the Israeli cause has been observed among men especially those living in the North of Italy and who are right-wing voters. On the other side, 18% of Italians sympathize with the Palestinians. In this case, pro-Palestinians are generally left wing voters. Notwithstanding the little difference in this percentage; the majority of the Italians continue to see Hamas as a "terrorist movement."

Netherlands: 'Islamophobia' growing

2009-02-11T17:59:00.001-08:00

The problem of 'Islamophobia' in the Netherlands has grown considerably in the past year, not only in terms of negative public opinion towards Muslims but also in terms of the increased violence directed at this community and the growing tendency to turn a blind eye to crimes of expression aimed at them. This is one of the most salient findings in the Racism & Extremism Monitor, a work published December 10, 2008 that is part of the running scholarly study being carried out by Leiden University and the Anne Frank House.

Besides this rise in Islamophobia, there have been two other striking findings. The right-wing extremist landscape in the Netherlands has undergone drastic change in recent years, caused not only by the sharp increase in extreme right-wing street activism but also by the public stance taken by the Party for Freedom (Partij voor de Vrijheid, or the PVV), which has become more radical. The PVV can be called an extreme right-wing party.

The number of violent incidents against Muslims rose to 82 in 2007, from 62 in the preceding year. However the total number of racist attacks last year was down to 187, according to the 306-page report.

source from albawaba

The Failed Logic of Supporting the Troops

2009-02-11T17:58:00.001-08:00

By Remi Kanazi*

In the United States, a growing number of leftists are voicing their opposition to the Israeli occupation. They condemn the demolition of homes, the jailing of Palestinians without charge, and the confiscation of Palestinian land for settlements. They don't support the Israeli troops or their mission, nor do they give a free pass to those who are just "doing what they are told."

Nonetheless, many of these same individuals support the US troops in Iraq. Dangerously, most Americans put forth the notion that the troops' intrinsic heroism provides them with the impunity to destroy any bogeymen who stand in their way, cultivating a code of silence that strongly discourages dissent. It is under this premise that we support our "brave" and "noble" soldiers: we know their stories well, they miss their families, they are "just like us," and we should respect their service.

While one may comprehend the mindset of the troops, this understanding does not validate support for them. If the invasion of Iraq, the mission, and the occupation as stated policy are all wrong, then support for the armed forces carrying out the mission must also be wrong.

US soldiers are not a monolith and nearly everyone would argue that the majority of the troops are "good people." Yet, our emotional inclinations and the societal norm that tells us troops are good like bumper sticker slogans shouldn't serve as justification for supporting them and, by extension, the mission they are carrying out. We are led to believe that a soldier can either serve out the rest of his tour or be branded a disgrace and imprisoned for becoming a conscientious objector. In reality the choice is much starker: a soldier can refuse to serve or contribute to the death of a million Iraqis.

When people invoke the hardships our troops face, I think of the dead Iraqi mother, the splattered torsos painting the pavement, and the .50 caliber bullets that have hollowed out the bodies of Iraqi children. Each American has a distinct face and a tale that chokes us up, but our government and media have systematically dehumanized another people, whittling their presence in the world down to a nuisance that drains our budget, as though Iraq is a welfare state that strips our society of health care, education, and gas for cross country vacations.

Iraq is not Lehman Brothers pillaging our economy. Yet, even many self-described progressives deride the Iraqi people for their $79 billion surplus but make no mention of the fact that they lack proper access to electricity; Baghdad is still one of the most dangerous city in the world, and stability is nowhere in sight. Furthermore, a growing number among the mainstream left discuss Iraq in terms of "our" interests, criticizing the so-called ineptness of Iraqis and their unwillingness to embrace democracy (democracy that was never truly offered), all while five million have been made refugees, Baghdad has been cleansed of Sunnis, and each child, father, and mother live with horror stories we wouldn't wish upon our worst enemies. This is the result and reality of US occupation.

The assertion that troops are "just following orders" and that it is impossible to refuse once enlisted rings hollow. The US has not implemented a draft; on the contrary, each soldier chooses to fight in Iraq on behalf of the American government. This should not be applauded, nor should it be respected. Real courage would be abandoning this war—against orders, against the US administration—as a number of US soldiers have done (a phenomenon ignored by the mainstream media).

Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia is a well known conscientious objector who served nine months in prison for refusing to return to Iraq. In a 2005 article on AlterNet, Mejia wrote: "I say without any pride that I did my job as a soldier. I commanded an infantry squad in combat and we never failed to accomplish our mission. But those who called me a coward, without knowing it, are also right. I was a coward not for leaving the war, but for having been a part of it in the first place. Refusing and resisting this war was my moral duty, a moral duty that called me to take a principled action. I failed to fulfill my moral duty as a human being and instead I chose to fulfill my duty as a soldier."

Perhaps most importantly, many people fail to make the connection that supporting the troops enables the war and presents people who are against the occupation with a false reality: the ability to support the troops while rejecting the mission. Standing in solidarity with the troops facilitates funding for the occupation; it redresses the "intrinsic nobility" of the soldier, which further weakens congressmen who rhetorically reject the war, but support it through their votes. Occupation is dirty, and so too are the people who employ it. Following orders should not replace humanitarian law, and the excuse shouldn't serve to satisfy our consciences.

We are asked to support US troops when logic is absent. We look at the troops as victims who are forced to do things they would not otherwise do; we give them immunity and their crimes become unseen collateral damage. Yet, Iraqis are not monsters; they are the victims that face the gun's barrel. We should only support the troops as much as we support this war. Anything less supports the victimizer and not the victim.

* Remi Kanazi is a Palestinian-American writer, poet, and editor living in New York City. He is editor of the recently released collection of poetry, spoken word, hip hop and art, Poets For Palestine. For more information, please visit www.PoetsForPalestine.com.

Fatah & Hamas resume contacts in Cairo

2009-02-11T17:56:00.000-08:00

Palestinian Authority security forces have detained 12 Hamas supporters in different locations of the West Bank, Hamas said. Wednesday's arrests came as representatives from the rival factions of Hamas and Fatah, which controls the West Bank, held reconciliation talks in Cairo.

The meeting, which took place late Tuesday, was attended by the head of Fatah's parliamentary bloc, Azam al-Ahmad, Fatah spokesman Ahmed Abdel-Rahman and senior Hamas officials Jamal Abu-Hashim and Ayman Taha, al-Arabiya TV said. The two Hamas officials were in Cairo as part of the talks to reach a ceasefire with the Israelis. The talks came ahead of the upcoming comprehensive national dialogue expected to be attended by Hamas and Fateh later this month in Cairo.

Lindsay Lohan

2009-02-10T14:14:00.000-08:00

Nicknames: Linds

Birth Name: Lindsay Morgan Lohan

Birth Date: July 2, 1986

Birth Place: New York, New York, USA

Height: 5' 5"

Eye Color: Green

Hair Color: Auburn

Nationality: American

Profession: actress, musician, singer

Claim to fame: as Anna Coleman in Freaky Friday (2003)

I am happy being able to play roles with people my age because once you do something really mature there is no turning back.
- Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Morgan Lohan is an American actress, former fashion model, and pop music singer. She is daughter of Michael Lohan and Dina Lohan. David Spade and Nicole Richie were the guests at her 19th birthday party.

In 2004, her movie, "Mean Girls" was released. In this movie, she played a role of Cady Heron. Mark Waters was he director of this movie. For this movie, she won Teen Choice Award and MTV Movie Award and also nominated for the Broadcast Film Critics Association (Best Young Actress) and Kids' Choice Awards, USA. In 2007, Lindsay Lohan's four movies are going to release including Chapter 27, Georgia Rule, Speechless, and A Woman of No Importance.

Lohan donated her time and money to charity projects including Save the Children, The Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Foundation, Dream Come True, and The United Cerebral Palsy Associations.

Lindsay Lohan was 2003's 5th hottest teen female star, when she was just 17 years old. In 2004, Lindsay Lohan was one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People". In 2005, She was ranked #10 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World.

Sexy Cineplexy

2009-02-10T12:11:00.000-08:00

Queen Latifah stars at Georgia, who works in a department store. She has a huge crush on L.L. Cool J (which is understandable, I almost wanna buy his new workout book for the pictures), has a jerk of a boss, has a kid (at least, I think that was her kid... if it wasn't, what was he doing alone while she was living her final days in France? I don't remember)... anyway, she's a small town girl with big dreams of making it big as a chef.

Cancer comes in. She quits her job, breaks the cell phone of her mean boss, receives a lot of money from a bunch of bonds her grandparents were saving for her or something like that, and flies to France to stay at this really expensive hotel. It's amazing that she didn't cash any of those bonds earlier... I mean, she spends A LOT of freakin' money! She gets new clothes, she orders everything on the hotel menu (bad Latifah), she even gives colonic irrigation treatments away to stuck up hotel cleaning ladies (that's expensive).

Because of her decadence, she is mistaken as a very wealthy, powerful business leader by another man staying at the hotel who's a corporate retail powerhouse. He sees her as a possible threat and maybe even a spy. This leads us into scenes where the two compete at sports and such. Queen always wins. However, she believes that ultimately she will lose, and soon, to the fatal disease she believes she has. L.L. Cool J goes racing to France after her and it's a battle between him and the imaginary disease, whichever gets to her first.

The point is you shouldn't wait until you know you're about to die to actually go out and live. Queen Latifah seems to want to die completely bankrupt, although she does put away a little money for her funeral, though she says she'd like to be cremated. "I've spent my whole life in a box... don't wanna be buried in one." Yeah, right. You just wanna spend that money on another round of meals and maybe some expensive jewelry. I know what your character is thinking, Queen.