Viewer's guide: Total lunar eclipse on Wed

Viewer's guide: Total lunar eclipse on Wed

On Wednesday night, Feb. 20, for the third time in the past year, the moon will become completely immersed in the Earth's shadow, resulting in a total lunar eclipse.

As is the case with all lunar eclipses, the region of visibility will encompass more than half of our planet. Nearly a billion people in the Western Hemisphere, more than 1.5 billion in Europe and Africa, and perhaps another half-billion in western Asia will be able to watch — weather permitting — as the brilliant mid-winter full moon becomes a shadow of its former self and morphs into a glowing coppery ball.

Almost everyone in the Americas and Western Europe will have a beautiful view of this eclipse if bad weather doesn't spoil the show. The moon will be high in a dark evening sky as viewed from most of the United States and Canada while most people are still awake and about.

Local conditions

The only problematic area will be along the Oregon and northern California coast, where the first partial stage of the eclipse will already be underway when the moon rises and the sun sets on Wednesday evening. But if you have an open view low to the east, even this situation will only add to the drama, for as twilight fades, these far-Westerners will see the shadow-bitten moon coming into stark view low above the landscape. And by late twilight observers will have a fine view of the totally eclipsed lunar disk glowing red and dim low in the eastern sky.

Alaskans will also see the moon rise during the eclipse; in fact, much of western Alaska will see the moon rise while completely immersed in the Earth's shadow.

For Hawaiians, moonrise unfortunately comes just after the end of totality, with the moon gradually ascending the sky and its gradual emergence from the shadow readily visible.

Western Europe and Africa also will get a good view of the eclipse, but at a less convenient time: before dawn on Thursday morning, Feb. 21.

Total triangle

Moreover, this eclipse comes with a rare bonus. The planet Saturn (magnitude +0.2) and the bright bluish star, Regulus (magnitude +1.4) will form a broad triangle with the moon's ruddy disk.

Careful watchers will notice the moon changing its position with respect to the star and planet as it moves eastward through the Earth's shadow.

Saturn's position will also depend somewhat on your location. Seen from North America, the great ringed planet will be 3.5 degrees above and to the left of the moon's center at mid-totality (3:26 Universal time February 21st). At the same moment, Regulus will sit just 2.8 degrees above and to the right of the moon.

Some old-time astronomy buffs may remember from 40 years ago a total lunar eclipse with the moon sitting only about a degree from Spica — a gorgeous celestial tableau! More recently, in 1996, a totally eclipsed moon passed within 2 degrees of Saturn.

But this upcoming double event will be the only one of its kind occurring within the next millennium!

source: http://www.usatoday.com

Allenna Ward Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison For Sex With Teens

Former Bell Street Middle School teacher Allenna Ward was sentenced to prison on Tuesday for having sex with 5 teenage boys, some of the students at her school. The 24-year-old pleaded guilty in September to three counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and three lewd acts on a minor.

Ward was sentenced to 15 years in prison to each lewd act. She was sentenced to 6 years for each count of criminal sexual conduct. Her time for each lewd act was suspended to 6 years. Ward’s sentences will run concurrently.

“I apologize from the depths of my heart,” Ward said.

Police began investigating Ward last year when a note was found that the South Carolina teacher sent to one of the boys. Authorities say Ward met the teens, all 14 and 15 year olds, at the school, at a motel, a park and behind a restaurant.
source: http://www.transworldnews.com

The NeXXXt Monica Lewinsky?

The NeXXXt Monica Lewinsky?

British porn star Holly Wellin -- who, according to Wikipedia, is known for her "enthusiastic (and often violent) performances" -- is hoping Hillary Clinton becomes president so that she can be Hil's intern and ...blank her under the desk to payback bill Clinton.
source:http://www.tmz.com/

Snowstorm hits Chinese New Year celebrations

Snowstorm hits Chinese New Year celebrations

China heralded "Year of the Rat", amidst the thunder of firecrackers and mirth but the celebrations were overshadowed by the snowstorm-caused havoc for millions who could not make it to be with their families for the biggest festival.

Fireworks lit up the skyline and the deafening sound of crackers echoed in keeping with the true traditional spirit of the festival that sees millions of people in movement across the country to spend their holiday for family union.

The rat is the first of the 12-year cycle of 12 animals appearing in the Chinese Zodiac and the pig last. The Year of the Pig ended on Wednesday.

As the tell tale havoc left by the worst-ever snowstorm remained, the top Chinese leadership, including the President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao spent their New Year eve with the victims, speaking soothing words and lifting up their spirits.

With the weather clearing and traffic resuming on highways, millions managed to reach home after being stranded in shivering cold for days together at railway stations.

But the travel plans of millions of others were blighted by chaotic rush, forcing them to call off their most-cherished annual trip for the Spring Festival.

Nearly 12 million migrant workers opted to stay back in the southern Guangdong, a province with a population of 30 million migrant workers.

Coming to relief of those who could not make it to their homes, the local governments organised banquets and other programmes to keep their spirits high inspite of being away from their families.
source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

The 2008 Audi R8 Priced At $109,000

The 2008 Audi R8 supercar, as it's already been dubbed, boasts two transmissions with design elements reminiscent of the Porsche or Corvette. With its unique layout, and everyday driving capabilities, the R8 offers more than just the raw performance that's usually likened to a sports car. Audi R8 2008 manufacturer's suggested price starts at $109,000 dollars.

This two-seater with a midsized engine incorporates modernized technology from the company's Le Mans-winning prototype. Adapted for street driving, the Audi R8 first made its debut in 2006 at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris, France and was similar to the Le Mans Quattro concept car that first appeared in 2003.
Price Range

The detailed price ranges for the 2008 Audi R8 is as follows:

Coupe Quattro: Manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) - $109,000, Invoice price - $101,370

Coupe Quattro with Auto R-tronic: MSRP - $118,000, Invoice price - $109,740

New Features for 2008 Audi R8

The 2008 Audi R8 features an aluminum body structure and delivers power to its 420 horsepower (hp), 4.2L V8 engine with direct fuel injection via either a 6 speed manual transmission, or a gearbox system known as the R-tronic, Audi's clutch-less manual system.

The warranty for the R8, which is Audi's first midsize exotic sports car, is 48 months or 50,000 miles, with the same on the powertrain, and 144 months, or unlimited mile warranty for rust damage.

Performance and Power of Audi R8 2008

The R8 offers a quiet ride with easy drivability that's largely due to its electromechanical steering system as well as the electromagnetic shock absorbers that control and adapt fluid levels within the shocks based on the road's surface.

Both trim options, either the R8 coupe Quattro or the Quattro with Auto R-tronic, have a six speed manual overdrive, a mid-mounted 4.2L V8 engine, with 420 hp @ 8250 revolutions per minute (RPM), and a pound-foot torque rating of 317 @ 4500 RPM.

The Audi R8 Quattro can reach 0 to 60 miles per hour (MPH) in an impressive 4.26 seconds, and the R8 with R-tronic in just five tenths of a second more with a top quoted speeds of 187 MPH.

Body Style and Options of 2008 Audi R8

The 2008 Audi R8 features the classic lower stance of a sports car but with an added, optional design element referred to as the "blade." Carbon-fiber side blades on either exterior side of the car, behind the door and just in front of the rear wheels, run at an angle from the roof to the side air intakes and the rocker panels.

The R8 comes equipped with 19 inch wheels, xenon headlights, LED turn signals and brake lights, and a retractable rear spoiler that can either operate manually or automatically.

The exterior color choices for the 2008 Audi R8 include: Brilliant Red, Daytona Gray Pearl, Ibis White, Ice Silver Metallic, Jet Blue Metallic, Mugello Blue Pearl, and Phantom Black Pearl.

Interior Design and Features of Audi R8 2008

It seems no expense was spared on the R8's unrivaled and original interior design that includes air conditioning, a seven speaker CD player, all leather seating for two, heated, multi-adjustable power seats, and power windows and door locks.

Taller drivers will appreciate the longer wheelbase, and the car's roomy cabin that resembles an airplane's cockpit and has been christened with the name "monoposto" by Audi. A dazzling array of control wraps around the driver's area, not alike that of a single-seated racing car, with plenty of polished aluminum accents.

A rather unusual feature for a sports car, the Audi R8 also provides ample storage space as well as space-saving cup holders, and a 3.5 cubic-foot sized front trunk.

Cruise control, a tachometer, leather steering wheel, a trip computer, and a tire inflation/pressure monitoring system are also standard interior features of the R8, while optional choices include a Bang & Olufsen premium stereo system, subwoofer, and a navigational aid system.

The "Convenience Package" for the 2008 Audi R8 contains features such as auto-dimming rearview mirrors, Bluetooth phone connectivity capabilities, a six disc CD changer, and parking sensors.

The color choices for the R8's leather interior, depending upon the exterior finish, include: Black, Limestone Gray, Luxor Beige, and Tuscan Brown.

Safety Features of 2008 Audi R8

The 2008 Audi R8 has several standard safety features including both driver and passenger front and seat-mounted side airbags, as well as knee protecting airbags, an ABS braking system, and both traction and stability control.

source: http://www.huliq.com/

Exxon Mobile breaks profit records

Exxon Mobile breaks profit records
Exxon Mobil Corp. posted $11.66 billion in fourth-quarter profits in 2007, breaking its quarterly profit record.Income for the company was 14 percent above fourth-quarter income in 2006, when the company posted profits of $10.25 billion. Earnings per share rose from $1.69 per share in the fourth quarter of 2006 to $2.13 per share in 2007.Exxon Mobil distributed $35.6 billion to shareholders in 2007 through dividends and share purchases to reduce shares outstanding, up from $3 billion in 2006, financial statements released by the company Friday show.Cash flow from operations and asset sales reached $13.1 billion in the fourth quarter; spending on capital and exploration reached $6.2 billion, up 21 percent from the fourth quarter of 2006.Spending on exploration projects and other capital assets increased to $20.8 million in 2007, up 5 percent from 2006. The figures reflect, "strong results in all business segments," Exxon Mobile Chairman Rex W. Tillerson said.Boosting the company's profits, oil production at the Marimba North Project, 90 miles off the coast of Angola, is yielding 40,000 barrels of oil per day. Production began ahead of schedule and came in under its budgeted cost, the statement said.

Source: http://www.upi.com

I Just Wanna Be There

I Just Wanna Be There

Bloated. Blatantly commercial. Over-produced. Pandering. Smug. Half-hearted.
These are adjectives that are commonly reserved by critics, kept under wraps except for very rare, deserving occasions. One such occasion is the “collaboration” album, in which an aging artist (Carlos Santana, Reba McEntire, Aretha Franklin, etc.) suddenly records a dozen or so tracks with some hot young talent (Michelle Branch, Kelly Clarkson … the guy from Nickelback? Really?) and—lo and behold—the suddenly have a commercial hit on their hands. The artist in question usually has his or her sound homogenized into a nice, pretty aural package that is custom-made for Top 40 radio, no doubt with some accompanying video clip that will find its home on VH1 in the wee hours of the morning. It’s a formula that—especially nowadays—we have all seen far too often.
Amazon
The same can be said for the “songbook” album, in which an artist (usually Rod Stewart) attempts to sing the Great American Standards with a true-to-life Paul Anka-imitation band and a slick professional sheen of David Foster production. Things get more interesting, however, when an artist focuses on one particular idol figure (like Bette Midler’s Grammy-nominated 2005 effort, …Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook), soon giving us a direct telegram from artist to influence, and it’s absolutely fascinating to see how one affects the other. Yet when such a thing is attempted by a defiantly independent artist who is willing to step outside of the predictable (such as Mark Kozelek’s album of nothing but acoustic AC/DC covers), the results are almost always incredible, forcing us to not only analyze the intent of the artist covering the song, but also the intent of the original songs themselves.
In steps Shelby Lynne.
In the promotional material that comes with Just a Little Lovin’—her tenth studio album—she tells a story of when she went out to the bar with a record exec at her label who told her, quite simply, that they had no idea what to do with her last album. Armchair pop historians know quite well that few know what to make of Lynne; after all, she started off as a run-of-the-mill mainstream country pop-tart who just so happened to write some of her own songs. When she revamped her image, sound, and style with 2000’s unforgettable I Am Shelby Lynne, she not only found a new audience, but also a Best New Artist Grammy to go with it (the irony, of course, being that she won the award for her sixth album). Yet she immediately squandered her kudos with the Glen Ballard-produced pop album Love, Shelby, arriving only a year later. Critics were confused, her new fans suddenly gave up, and Lynne was back to square one.
Two years later, she re-invented herself yet again with her entirely self-produced, self-penned zeitgeist Identity Crisis. Two years later, she topped that with the even-better Suit Yourself. Even though she would eventually have to buy a warehouse to store all of her positive press clippings, Lynne remained too alt-country to ever garner any sort of attention from CMT, and—conversely—too commercial to ever be truly embraced by the people who worship at the altar of the No Depression movement. None of this ever seemed to bother Miss Lynne, because she knew that Suit Yourself was one of the best albums of the past decade, the kind of album that is best discovered on your own volition, all while thinking you just stumbled across one of pop music’s greatest secrets. Yet, with all of that storied past now behind her, what could Shelby Lynne possibly do now?
A covers album, obviously. Just a Little Lovin’ is a simple, 10-track disc of nothing but Dusty Springfield covers, and given Springfield’s own career trajectory (Wall of Sound pop diva who retreated to Memphis after Woodstock choked the nation, quietly releasing brilliant albums in relative obscurity until being briefly resurrected by the Pet Shop Boys in the late ‘80s), Lynne couldn’t have picked a better subject. Yet as easy as it would be for Lynne to pander to the NPR crowd by jumping the gun and doing her own watered-down versions of sure-fire pop hits like “Wishin’ and Hopin’” and “Son of a Preacher Man”, she instead does the smart thing: she reconstructs Springfield’s songs to fit her own agenda. It may sound like blasphemy, but from the delicate opening cymbal tap of the title track onward, it’s obvious that Lynne remembers what made Dusty Springfield so great in the first place: she poured her soul into each song, singing like she meant it until there weren’t any words left to belt. To attempt anything less? That would be blasphemy.
Lynne never had an astounding voice, but neither did Sinatra. The reason why we fall for Ol’ Blue Eyes’ charm time and time again is because of his annunciation: he made you feel the power of each and every syllable. Lynne does the same, and here she places her voice front and center in a way that she’s only hinted at before. In fact, the band accompaniment that surrounds her is so sparse that it almost borders on skeletal. Remember that immortal soft-trumpet solo that follows Springfield’s after the second verse of “The Look of Love”? It’s now replaced by piano, which—along with a softly strummed acoustic and bare-essentials trap kit—is all that’s used to propel the song forward. Expertly produced by Phil Ramone (Paul Simon, Barry Manilow, the last recordings of Sinatra himself), Just a Little Lovin’ is an album that brings all the attention back to the words that made the songs so cathartic to begin with, and given that Springfield’s canon is filled with prime-era selections from the likes of Randy Newman, Burt Bacharach, and the incomparable Tony Joe White (who, it should be noted, played on Suit Yourself). Lynne’s no fool, and she surrounds herself with the best of Dusty’s best: singing nothing but love and breakup songs like they’re going out of style (which, it could be argued, they are).
Of course, Springfield’s legacy will forever hang on Dusty in Memphis, an LP that, aside from being great Tarantino soundtrack fodder, serves as one of the greatest blends of pop and soul to ever have been recorded. Four songs from that masterpiece are culled for Just a Little Lovin’: the title track, the lighthearted “Breakfast in Bed”, “Willie & Laura Mae Jones” (which incidentally did not actually appear on the original Memphis, but is frequently issued as a bonus track on the various CD releases, making it half-count), and—best of all—“I Don’t Want to Hear it Anymore”, one of Randy Newman’s greatest ballads. Though it rides a somewhat lifting melody, the lyrics depict a relationship nearly torn about by gossip, and the condition of the character’s residence ultimately is reflective of the state of the relationship at the same time:
In my neighborhood, we don’t live so good The rooms are small in a building made of wood I hear the neighbors talk about you and me Oh I guess I heard it all ‘Cos the talk is loud And the walls are much too thin
Lynne nails it out of the park, never lamenting like a woman scorned, but instead delivering it all with a remarkably detached feeling, as if she knew the bad news was coming all along. She wails a tiny bit after the three-minute mark, as if acting out in rage before remembering that this isn’t a time to show that she’s weak. Hearing Lynne sing is much akin to watching Helen Mirren act: it’s easy to gloss over the performance because there are no hugely melodramatic moments (see: no Aguilera-styled octave chasing), but the subtleties are what make it worthwhile, hinting at a deeper emotion. Lynne restrains herself even further on “The Look of Love”, singing as if nearly whispering, much like a secret kept to no one else but her, all while reassuring herself that her object of desire is feeling the same way. Her performance is so good that you almost forget that Springfield’s original premiered in the groan-inducing 1967 spy parody Casino Royale to begin with (though, thankfully for Springfield, she did score an Oscar nomination for the track).
From the tense, understated drama of “Anyone Who Had a Heart” to the beautiful acoustic-and-voice pledge of romantic loyalty that is “How Can I Be Sure”, Shelby Lynne has crafted an album whose roots, history, and passions dig deeper than it would care to admit. It’s unfortunate that this album will—invariably—be compared to the soft-spoken output of another Grammy-snatching balladeer: Norah Jones; but where Jones vocally sleepwalks through her tracks, Lynne truly invests herself in each and every line. Casual Starbucks customers who hear Just a Little Lovin’ playing overhead could easily pass it off as a down-tempo set of jazz covers. And yet, Springfield was never a jazz artist, just as Lynne should never be considered just a country singer. They’re both women whose voices speak louder than listening stations, whose passions ring louder than radio chart rankings. Just a Little Lovin’ is not for everyone, but for those who know Lynne’s true intent (providing a contemporary interpretation of Springfield’s most powerful tracks without sacrificing an ounce of the fiesty spirit that lived in the originals), they’re in for the treat of a lifetime. Clocking in at just under 40 minutes, Lynne has crafted a disc that—while not exactly transcendent—still manages to go to emotional places that remain unattainable to your run-of-the-mill pop vocalists.
Needless to say, Springfield would be proud, Shelby Lynne; she would be mighty proud.

Source: http://www.popmatters.com

American Idol heats up in Miami

American Idol heats up in Miami
American Idol returned to Miami for the first time since Season 2. Over 10,000 people show up for the auditions hoping to be the next American Idol. But first they would have to get past the judges. Simon Cowell immediately comments on the shortness of Paula Abdul's dress. He calls it slutty. First up was Shannon McGough, who works for her parents at a meat market grinding hamburger and such. She wouldn't mind giving up her job for American Idol. She also belches - loudly. Shannon sings loudly too. Simon tells her he had a late night and isn't feeling great. She made him feel worse. Randy Jackson didn't think there was any melody to the song. Shannon wants to sing again, but Simon urges her not to. She does, and Simon tells her she sounds like she's eating when she's singing. Paula agrees there are melody problems. Ryan Seacrest brings up the boyband history of Florida, what with the Backstreet Boys and Nsync coming from Orlando. This leads to Robbie Carrico, who is apparently a former boybander turned rocker. He sang and all three judges liked him. He's greeted with silly string at the door by his adoring fans. We get a montage of bad guys singers, as they apparently found a few in Miami. Ryan says they need someone with charisma. Enter Ghaleb Emachah from Venezuala who plays guitar, piano and harmonica. He says he has what it takes because he has passion. He sings a Marc Anthony song. Simon said he would like him if he was drunk, but sober it doesn't work. Paula says the problem is the accent is hard to ignore . Randy likes his voice though and says yes. That makes the decision up to Paula. After debating she walks up to him and hugs him, welcoming Ghaleb to Hollywood. She tells him to work on the accent. As he leaves, Ghaleb apparently kisses everyone in sight. Friends Corliss Smith and Brittany Wescott agree on nearly everything except men. They're both big girls, but Brittany likes her men skinny, while Corliss likes a man with beef. Naturally Corliss likes Randy. She sings to him and Randy says it's very nice. Brittany then sings to Simon, who even claps along to the song. They each get a yes from all three judges, though Randy jokes that he only says yes to Brittany so Simon won't hurt him. The girls run around hugging all the judges. Single mom Suzanne Toon was up next. She had her daughter when she was 19. She gave a half-hearted attempt at a sob story, had a few tears involved. I'm picturing a Fantasia like “vote for me 'cause I can pimp my baby” episode if she makes it through to the voting rounds. Simon told her she became more attractive when she started singing. Paula liked the sultriness to her voice. Randy told her to watch the melody and pitch. In all, Suzanne got three yes votes The segways at this point didn't really make sense. Somehow Suzanne led to a clip on the awfulness awesfulness thing that Jasmine Trias was in Season 3. Sorry, but I just can't seem to make my keyboard type out the word that I normally use for their “look at me” clips that they use for pimping everything - not in connection with Jasmine. Jasmine has apparently released albums in her native Phillipines that have gone platinum. To me all that proves is the water is so tainted in the Phillipines that it has permanently damaged the hearing of millions of people there. This is a real crisis that needs to be solved. The next segway from Jasmine to Ramiele Malubray made sense. She wants to be the first Asian-American Idol. Paula liked her, but Simon thought she was more like a hotel singer, not contemporary enough. Randy told her she had a big voice for a cute smaller girl. Simon said no (thank you for trying Simon) but Randy and Paula said yes. I fear what will happen if she gets through to a voting round. I pray she doesn't make it. I don't need a Season 3 repeat. Another mini-sob story came from Syesha Mercado, who has had good things happening to her over and over again. She didn't use to have such happy times. Her dad has struggled with drugs and alcohol in the past, but recently graduated from a drug rehab program. Simon thought her singing was a bit of an effort, but in the end Syesha ended up with three yes votes. Also getting through were Natashia Blach and Ilsy Lorena Pinot. Our bad singer montage was up next. This one ended with Richard Valles, who sang through his nose. Randy made fun of him. Next we had the arrogant Julie Dubela, who thought she was so awesome that her manure didn't stink. She was in the top 20 on American Juniors 4 years ago, so naturally that meant she was the most awesome singer since like... ever. Simon told her she was very confident as she came in (that's an understatement Simon). She sings, not too badly, but I hate her so much at this point based on attitude that she could have sang like Whitney before she married Bobby and did drugs and I still would hate her just on point. I'm a girl, we're vicious like that. Simon calls her precocious. He wanted her to sing without all the weird acting, he thought it was over-rehearsed and over acted. Julie says she is acting like herself, Simon tells her that's the problem (thank you Simon!). Randy tells her she's not ready yet. Simon tells her to go to LA and be an actress. Julie is surprised that they don't love her as much as she loves herself. Simon calls her over-indulged (the phrase you were looking for Simon was “spoiled bitch”). Paula told Simon that no one has said no to poor little Julie. This brings us to the last contestant of the day. Brandon Black spent the whole day cranking up his performance, only to be met by cranky judges not in the mood for anything less than a serious audition. He runs in and jabbers on with some sort of “funny” introduction. Then he tries to sing and gyrate to “I'll make love to you.” I'd swear off sex if he was singing that to me quite frankly. Then he sings his own song. Simon tries to stop him. He says the audition was verging on desperation what with the terrible wig and terrible singing. Brandon wants to finish his “performance.” Simon and Randy can't stand anymore and get up to leave. That leaves Paula there alone at the table. It seems that 17 people made it through to Hollywood from Miami, 9 of which we saw. That leaves only 8 that we didn't see. We're definitely getting more of the good people. I've seen complaints about that online elsewhere, but here, I only have praise for the development. Save the bad people for filler later in the season when we still have a writer's strike and we need American Idol 5 days a week!

Source: http://www.curlio.com

Heckling Sean Young Escorted Out of DGA Awards

Heckling Sean Young Escorted Out of DGA Awards

Actress Sean Young was escorted from the Directors Guild of America Awards show on Saturday for heckling filmmaker Julian Schnabel.
Schnabel was the last of the five Best Director nominees to take the stage to make a speech at the Los Angeles ceremony, but, after a few moments, he was forced to stop when Young shouted, "Come on -- get to it!"
A shocked Schnabel stopped to find out the identity of his heckler, and asked Young to finish his speech for him.
Schnabel then returned to his speech after receiving encouragement from the star-studded audience, while Young was escorted out of the venue by two security guards, falling over as she left.

Source: http://www.sfgate.com

Hillary Excited About Bush’s State of the Union

Hillary Excited About Bush’s State of the Union


Sen Clinton told close to 2,000 people at Trinity College in Hartford, CT that the President’s State of the Union address marks “a red letter night in American history: it is the last time George Bush will give a State of the Union.”

“If we all do our part, next year it will be a Democratic president giving the State of the Union,” she said to cheers from the crowd. “Let’s be clear: one thing that President Bush has never understood is that the State of the Union is not about a speech in Washington. It is about the state of the lives of the American people.”

Senator Clinton will be in attendance at tonight’s event on Capitol Hill, along with rival Barack Obama. But she made it clear she didn’t expect to hear anything new — and issued an unlikely invitation to President Bush. “I’m sure that the President tonight will, as he has for the previous seven years, say that the state of our union is strong. But with all due respect, Mr President, come out on the road with me,” she said. “Come and meet the people that I meet. Listen to the stories I listen to. Sit at tables in diners, and hear what’s on America’s minds.”

Finally, Clinton said both she and the country are ready to move on from the last president to the next one. “Yes, a State of the Union speech will be delivered tonight,” she said. “But when that is finally over, it will be time for us to turn our attention to picking the next president.”

Source: http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com

Hope and life, in Gordon B. Hinckley's own word

Hope and life, in Gordon B. Hinckley's own word

"Many people are looking for something that they can hold onto, an anchor to which they can attach their lives. That's one thing. Two: We expect things of our people. We expect them to do things. We expect them to measure up to certain standards. It isn't always easy to be a member of this church. It's demanding. But it's wonderfully fruitful and has a tremendous affect on people."
— On CNN's Larry King Live Sept. 8, 1998, in answer to the question on what attracts people to the Mormon church.

• "What I am suggesting is that we have had missing from our society a buoyant spirit of optimism. What I am asking is that we turn from the negativism that so permeates our culture and look for the remarkable good in the land and times in which we live; that we speak of one another's virtues more than we speak of one another's faults; that optimism replace pessimism; that uncertainty and worry be pushed aside by an enduring feeling of hope."
— Page 101 in Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues that Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes (Three Rivers Press, $14.95).

• "A little play and a little loafing are good from time to time. But it is work that spells the difference in the life of a young man or young woman. It is usually work and effort that explain the difference between the gold-medal athlete and those who finish even a fraction of a second later. It is work that provides the food we eat, the clothing we wear, the homes in which we live, the grades and training we receive. It is work that gives us a feeling of accomplishment. And it is work that allows us to feel that we are making a difference in the world."
— Page 37 in Way to Be!: 9 Ways to be Happy and Make Something of Your Life (Simon & Schuster, $14.95).

• "Those of us who are American citizens stand solidly with the president of our nation. The terrible forces of evil must be confronted and held accountable for their actions. This is not a matter of Christian against Muslim. I am pleased to see that food is being dropped to the hungry people of a target nation. We value our Muslim neighbors across the world and hope that those who live by the tenets of their faith will not suffer. I ask particularly that our own people do not become a party in any way to the persecution of the innocent. Rather, let us be friendly and helpful, protective and supportive. It is the terrorist organizations that must be ferreted out and brought down."
— During an address in Salt Lake City, Oct. 7, 2001.

• "Our desire everywhere is to make bad men good and good men better. Wherever we go, we go in the front door. Our representatives honor the laws of the nations to which they go and teach the people to be good citizens. We teach, we train, we build, we educate, we provide opportunity for growth and development. We give hope to those without hope and there is nothing greater you can give a man or a woman than hope."
— National Press Club address, March 8, 2000.

source: http://www.chron.com

The Out Traveler: Maupin's San Francisco

The Out Traveler: Maupin's San Francisco
From the spring 2008 issue of The Out Traveler
If there is one modern gay writer who is intimately interwoven with his hometown, it's Armistead Maupin with San Francisco. The author of the beloved Tales of the City novels (the first appeared in 1978) moved to the City by the Bay at the age of 27 and has never left.
Maupin recently presented the world with "Michael Tolliver Lives" (HarperCollins, 2007), featuring for the first time in years characters who appeared in his original books. Matthew Link (who lived for years in the same Cole Valley neighborhood Maupin now resides in) recently spoke with the author about his personal relationship with the city.
It's interesting to see how Michael Tolliver has grown old with the city. Does he reflect your own history with San Francisco?
Yes. It's quite an unavoidable situation as I get older. It would be kind of foolish if I kept trying to write about my characters' youth. I'm deliberately introducing some younger characters so that it's not just one great big circus of geezers, but, yeah, I like the sensation that the characters, like myself, have had this long history in the city. Sometimes I don't even note my own aging until I look at my characters and think, Oh, my God, Brian is 63 years old! Which happens to be my age, but somehow it's far more shocking in one of my characters than it is in me.

Source: http://www.gay.com

SPARKLING TOWN OUTSHINE SEAHAM

BILLINGHAM TOWN 3, SEAHAM RED STAR 0

BILLINGHAM TOWN: Darren Collier, Mark Scott, Mark Casey, Bob Hutchinson, David Abel, Tony Chapman, David Yale, Andy Harbron, James McGowan, Steve Flockett, John McKie. Subs: Chris Smith, Chris Burton, Simon Hughes, Lee Tucker, Jason Hambleton.

SEAHAM: Kevin Finch, Richard Paxton, Ian Watson, Neil Moan, Graham Low, Chris Bell, Steve Halliday, Dean Ackley, Andrew Appleby, Warren Byrne, Lee Chapman. Subs: Paul Scott, Jonathan Rattle, Craig Price, Andrew Lumsden, Tony Watson.

REFEREE: Mark Lawson.

BILLINGHAM were without captain Steve Huggins, fullback Andy Foster, fullback Ross Diamond and Nathan Jameson who has gone to play in the Irish first division.

Seaham were without Butler and captain Anderson.

Facing a strong wind, Billingham attacked from the start and won a corner in the first minute, when Flockett broke away on the right and found Chapman, whose cross was cleared by defender Scott. A minute later Flockett again found room on the right, pulling the ball back across the face of goal for McGowan, who fired over from 10 yards.

Seaham then went on the attack, with Town goalkeeper Collier saving from Halliday, then Bell got the better of fullback Casey to rattle the underside of the bar.

Billingham should have taken the lead in the 15th minute when a back pass was intercepted by Flockett and McKie had an open goal, but fired over the bar from 15 yards.

Chapman, the danger man for the visitors, tested goalkeeper Collier with a firm, low, hard drive that was destined for goal, but Collier got a hand to it and pushed it round the post.

The home side took the lead in the 23rd minute when a delightful cross from Bob Hutchinson floated over the Seaham defence and centre half DAVID ABLE, unmarked at the far post, headed in past goalkeeper Finch.

David Gale, who was playing his first game of the season for Town, very nearly made it 2-0 five minutes before the break when a pass from Flockett was fired towards the goal, but cleared off the line by defender Watson.

Billingham were starting to have the advantage of an entertaining game and should have taken the lead seconds before the half-time whistle when Yale found a way through the centre and McKay controlled the ball on the turn and volleyed towards the goal, but straight into the arms of goalkeeper Finch.

Half-time: Billingham Town 1, Seaham Red Star 0.

Seaham attacked immediately after the break. A right wing cross found Chapman who headed over the bar.

At the other end a free kick by Yale from just outside the area was headed goalwards by Hutchinson, ABLE chasing the ball managed to backheel it across the goal line and defender Watson was caught wrong-footed, the ball deflecting off his shin to give the home side a 2-0 lead.

Five minutes later, in the 65th minute Billingham scored a third when Yale set up JAMES McGOWAN whose first time shot was blocked, but from the rebound the striker fired into the roof of the net.

Billingham came very close to scoring a fourth when Flockett out-paced Watson on the right side and crossed across the six-yard box for McGowan to hit a first-time shot, but his volley flew over the bar.

Seaham were now restricted to the odd break away from defence and danger man Chapman managed to escape his marker on the left, but fired wide of target.

Byrne had a chance for a consolation goal for the visitors in the 87th minute when he weaved his way through a packed defence and with the goal at his mercy fired over the bar.

Source: http://www.gazettelive.co.uk

Rumored Travel: Will Paula Abdul Sing at the Super Bowl?

Rumored Travel: Will Paula Abdul Sing at the Super Bowl?

The Super Bowl viewership numbers get higher and higher, but the performers they pick for halftime just get older and older. Apparently still freaked by the 2004 Janet Jackson Rhymes-With-Ripple Incident, the organizers of Super Bowl XLII, held in Arizona, might be ceding the stage to a crowd past their prime--the lovable crew from "American Idol," with Paula Abdul set to make her singing comeback. Yes, Paula "Opposites Attract" Freaking Abdul.

Even though "Idol" is the one mid-season television replacement sure to be a hit, do we want to see these jokers perform? They could just rewrite some Soulja Boy Tell 'Em lyrics and get those kids from "High School Musical" to do the dance. All the young'uns these days love that dance. Also, according to USA Today, Paula's new single is called "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow." Come on, the Bowl's less than a month away!
source: http://www.jaunted.com/

Editors need to toe the line with tricky words

Editors need to toe the line with tricky words
Some sharp-eyed readers chastise us every week for errors, but this reader was not kidding:
"Hardly finished the paper and already two homophonic errors have appeared. First, another in 'Our View' about the GOP horse race, next-to-last paragraph:
"Q: Just where is McCain 'towing' the party line to? ( it should be toeing, of course! ).
"The other was [in the Utah section] that the top of the bus roof 'sheered' off (did it become semi-transparent, or did it actually get 'sheared' off? ) That's the second time I've seen this ignorant lack of understanding of the simple difference between shear and sheer (the last was calling a shear-wall, at the State Capitol rebuilding, a sheer-wall, 2-3 months ago).
"As I've said to you all many times, this kind of grammatical ignorance makes the whole paper look amateurish, provincial and backwater-like, and grates like hell on the reader - at least on me, anyway. Perhaps Utah folks are merely used to it.
"Pull your socks up, Tribune editors - and get a spell-checker that has homophonic alerts built in. Surely such exists in your world? And drum it into your writers - or send 'em back to English 101!"
As Marlon Brando said in "Teahouse of the August Moon," "Socks up, boss."
Our reader is absolutely correct.
For those of you who sat close to the back f the English class, according to dictionary.com, a homophone is "a word pronounced the same as another but differing in meaning, whether spelled the same way or not, as heir and air."
Or bear and bare. Or band and banned.
A spell-checker will not catch this. Careful editing will.

Funny Face: But this week's complaints ran much further than words that sound alike:
"Wednesday morning, the Tribune carried a front page photo of Sens. Clinton and McCain. The photograph of Sen. Clinton was horrible. It made her look like a crazy person, when in fact, she had just won an astounding victory. The television coverage of her speech showed many great shots of her. Running a terrible photo of her next to a fine photo of McCain not only spurs me to write to you for the first time, but makes me wonder if your editor has something against Sen. Clinton, whether your editors are Republicans, and whether someone is purposefully trying to make her look unpresidential. The contrast between the two candidates appears to be very biased. Hopefully, you can present the candidates on an equal footing in the future."
Or:
"I can't believe the picture of Hillary Clinton that is on the front page. It appears to be the least flattering one that was available. In a time where media depictions are what most people rely on and image is a huge part of the candidate's campaign, it is disgusting to know that the Tribune is so biased against Hillary as to use that picture."
I can assure you, our editors have nothing against Hillary Clinton. Some of them, in the morning planning meeting that also assesses each day's paper, raised the same questions as our readers. I went to the two individuals who chose the photo, News Editor [also copy desk chief] Michael Nakoryakov and Assistant Photo Editor Jeremy Harmon.
Harmon said he thought it was "a good reaction shot." And, she was looking "in the right direction to go with the layout."
Nakoryakov said he liked the vividness of the reaction on Clinton's face. And, when he checked The Associated Press ranking of the best photos of the day, that shot was there.
While I understand both of their explanations, I agree with the readers. I went back to the photo wire and looked; there were photos that better depicted her emotion.
And - this is a big and - the news pages of a newspaper cannot appear to be favoring any political candidate in stories, headlines or photos.
source: http://www.sltrib.com/

Saved by the Bell Good Girl Turns Bad on CSI: Miami

It's a good time to be Elizabeth Berkley. Not only is she beginning a six-episode stint as a shady lady on CSI: Miami (10 pm/ET, CBS) tonight, but repeats of her classic kid-com Saved by the Bell are also debuting on The N tonight at 6 pm/ET. We spoke with the perky Berkley about her old days, her new gig and what she's got kicking around for the future.

TV Guide: OK, it's so cool to be talking to Saved by the Bell 's Jessie Spano. She was my generation's feminist, our That Girl.
Elizabeth Berkley: Yeah! [Laughs] And there's a new generation watching it now. The N is beginning to show it.

TV Guide: There's actually a marathon today! The same day you start on CSI: Miami. What's with this CSI character?
Berkley: Let's just say that [she's] Horatio's ex.

TV Guide: His ex-wife?
Berkley: I can't say. It's ambiguous. But we were together at some point, and it was very much a love thing — and we had a child. But I'm also part of an investigation that has to do with my husband.... He's been murdered. And that's how we reconnect.

TV Guide: Is she a bad girl?
Berkley: There's a bit of Black Widow, there's a bit of Basic Instinct.... And then there's a little bit of our own thing.

TV Guide: And you have Step Up and Dance on Bravo this spring.
Berkley: Yeah, we have 12 [competing] dancers, doing all different styles. It's intense. I'm not a judge.... I'm in the role Heidi Klum has for Project Runway, but it's a bit different because I'm a dancer [myself].

TV Guide: I have to ask: Will you be teaching them any of your Showgirls moves?
Berkley: No, no I don't dance on the show. I'll save that for when I'm doing Broadway. But the contestants know I'm a dancer, so when I'm with them and they're going through the grind, I can just give them a look, like, "I know what you're going through."

source: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/

The whole city is crying

The whole city is crying

Anne Arseneault stood on the edge of the highway in the crisp, winter sunshine outside this heartbroken city Sunday, and wept.

"Those poor little boys," she cried. "God wanted them. They're all angels now."

In the ditch beside the asphalt, a scar of dirt and bloodstained snow are all that remain of the terrible Friday night accident that injured Arseneault's grandson Brad, and killed seven teammates from the Bathurst High School Phantoms senior basketball squad.

Brad Arseneault and another player survived the tragedy with broken bones. So did Katie Lord, a Grade 12 student at the school who had accompanied the team on its road trip last week to play a game in Moncton, two hours away.

The fourth survivor was Katie's father Wayne Lord, the Phantoms' much-respected coach, who was driving the passenger van in difficult weather when it veered into the left-hand lane and collided with an oncoming transport truck.

The accident also killed Lord's wife Beth, a well-known and widely loved mathematics and music teacher who had worked at schools across northern New Brunswick.

While eight families here now grieve the loss of children and loved ones, Anne Arseneault's family carries the trauma of feeling relief that their own boy survived the crash, while eight others were not so lucky.

"Oh my God we won the lotto we did," said Arseneault. "No money can buy the life we got yesterday. But then you think of the others, and you're sick to your soul."

It could have been worse. Three members of the basketball team were too sick to make the journey to Moncton. Another boy, Brad Arseneault's older brother Cal, quit the team in November to focus on his studies in the months leading up to Grade 12 graduation.

"Cal could have been in that van," said Arseneault. "He's taking this really hard. Two of the boys who died were his best friends in the world.

"The whole city is crying. I stand here and look at the flowers and the little candle there in the snow, and I just can't imagine that those boys are gone."

Along with Beth Lord, the dead include Nathan Cleland, 17, Javier Acevedo, 17, Codey Branch, 17, Justin Cormier, 17, Daniel Hains, 17, Nicholas Kelly, 15, and Nick Quinn, who turned 16 on Saturday.

Arseneault says the team had just finished singing Happy Birthday to Quinn inside the van after midnight -- and was only minutes away from the McDonald's restaurant in Bathurst where parents of the boys were waiting -- when the crash occurred.

Half-an-hour later, the parents were asked to go to the hospital instead. They watched as four survivors were carried out of ambulances on stretchers, and were then told the other passengers were dead.

At the crash site Sunday, a folded, brown-paper Tim Horton's bag was placed in the snow and inscribed with a simple tribute: "Javi -- we love you and we miss you. Love, your family."

Pilgrims came all day to the site, parking their cars on the shoulder of the road and gazing at a makeshift shrine of flowers, photographs -- and a pair of portable basketball nets erected by students from Bathurst High.

source: http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost

Summer Glau Can Kill You With Her Mind

Summer Glau Can Kill You With Her Mind

The stars were out for a special screening of "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" last night, with Summer Glau looking... well, a little off. I may not be a makeup expert, but I don't think you're supposed to match your cheeks to your dress.

Nonetheless, I've seen the rough cuts of the new "Terminator" show and it's freaking fantastic, and Summer Glau is freaking fantastic in it. The rest of the actors are nice and all, but daaaaamn, she kicks ass six ways to Sunday.

This kind of review might be a little frustrating to Glau. It suggests that her roles in "Firefly" and "Terminator" have overshadowed everything else she's capable of, and that she's getting typecast as an otherworldly ass-kicking beauty.

Still, there are worse ways to be typecast: She could be stuck with Queen Latifah's roles.

source: http://blog.meevee.com

Golden Globe winners are also losers

If a movie wins a Golden Globe, but there's no ceremony, does the prize still count?

That's the issue faced by the Hollywood studios behind such films as "Atonement" and "Sweeney Todd," which lost their moments of glory on Sunday to the Hollywood writers strike.

Globe organizers were forced to cancel their usual NBC broadcast after the actors union said it would boycott the event in deference to striking writers. A 30-minute news conference was held instead, with the winners announced by a revolving cast of TV gossip show reporters.

That's a poor promotional platform for films that would have benefited from primetime exposure during an alcohol-fueled, three-hour broadcast packed with celebrities.

"Certainly it takes away the visibility from us and everybody, which is too bad," said Jack Foley, president of distribution at General Electric Co's Focus Features, which released best-drama winner "Atonement." "It's a big, huge commercial. There are no two ways about it."

Last year, 20 million viewers tuned in to the show, and winners such as "The Queen" and "Babel" used the Globes as a springboard to expand nationally the following weekend.

"Atonement," which led the field with seven nominations, has earned a modest $25 million after six weeks in release, and is now playing in 950 theaters. (By contrast, box office champ "The Bucket List" is in 2,911 theaters.)

source: http://www.reuters.com

Ford rolls out new F-150

Ford kicked off the Auto Show with a bang and a shower of sparks today as Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields, country star Toby Keith and a slew of Ford drivers and athletes introduced the redesigned 2009 Ford F-150.

The latest features include a box side step and stowable bed extender for accessing cargo, trailer sway control software for towing, and a flat interior floor with fold-up rear seat for loading large items into the longer interior.

Keith says the extra 6 inches of cabin space provide plenty of room for a big man.

Keith also introduced the new Platinum Series luxury trim package, which boasts a unique chrome grill, leather interior and 10-way power captain's chairs.

Available convenience features will include Sirius Travel Link voice-activated navigation, SYNC entertainment system and Sony premium audio.

Before the F-150's explosive entrance, Ford CEO Alan Mulally made his entrance in a 2008 Ford Flex crossover, which will be available this summer. Mulally said Ford showrooms will contain 70 percent new products by the end of the year.

source: http://www.mlive.com

Glitter and glam at Detroit auto show amid hard times

Alongside the flashing camera bulbs and sparkling champagne at previews of Detroit auto show Sunday were hints of the high stakes and hard times facing automakers in the United States.

Whispers of a recession and the subprime lending crisis are putting a damper on demand in the world's largest automotive market just as the Big Three US automakers are beginning to emerge from painful restructuring programs.

Toyota Motor's meteoric rise here has been hampered by persistent quality concerns just as General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC are gaining accolades for fixing the quality problems that dogged them for decades.

High gasoline prices and tighter fuel economy regulations are accelerating the shift away from the highly profitable larger trucks and sports utility vehicles.

And five Chinese automakers -- BYD Auto, Changfeng Motor, Chamco, Hebei Zhongxing, Geely International, and Li Shi Guang Ming Auto Design -- will be taking a stand at the show this year in a sign of the competition to come.

So it's no wonder the automakers pulled out all the stops in trying to grab the attention of 6,700 journalists as they introduce more than 50 new models on Sunday and Monday.

GM hosted a flashy fashion show on Saturday night where their new cars rode the runways as models pranced beside them and musician Kid Rock warmed up the invitation-only crowd with a performance under a spinning Chevy Corvette ZR1 muscle car.

Daimler hosted a more elegant affair at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit where chief Dieter Zetsche made no mention of the divorce with Chrysler as he discussed the company's achievements in 2007.

But it was Mazda who took the cake Monday morning when it was crowned truck of the year by an international group of automotive journalists in a surprise upset with its CX-9 sports utility vehicle.

GM won the prestigious car of the year for the second year in a row with its Chevy Malibu.

Amid the hype and the hoopla, some themes emerged.

"We're going to see the last gasps of the great performance vehicles which the new (corporate average fuel economy) legislation will put an end to -- vehicles like the Corvette ZR1. which is a spectacular vehicle with more than 620 horsepower," said John Wolkonowicz, an analyst with Global Insight.

"We'll be seeing the obligatory green mobiles all over the place," he said in a recent interview.

"It's high fashion now. You're going to see a lot of concept vehicles that have these way-out high-tech power trains that deliver either exceptional fuel mileages, or are exceptionally clean, or both."

Chrysler, which has not yet put a hybrid into its showrooms, will be exhibiting three environmentally-friendly 'concept' cars and both GM and Toyota will be introducing hybrids which can drive long distances at high speeds on electricity alone.

South Korea's Hyundai Motor will be introducing its first luxury car, Honda will be presenting a new and improved version of its popular Pilot sports utility vehicle, and Ford will be introducing an all-new model of its top-selling F-150 series pickup truck.

Meanwhile, the Europeans will continue to vie for attention with plush interiors and smooth styling of their luxury vehicles and the zip of their tiny hits, the Mini and Smart.

Some of the concept cars are still just dreams, like Chrysler's Dodge Zeo sports car whose electric motor can see the vehicle go zero to sixty in less than six seconds.

Others could soon be seen in showrooms with some modifications, like Nissan's minivan with an all-glass roof and seats that swivel 180 degrees.

When the doors are finally opened to the public, some 700,000 people will pay for a glimpse of 750 upcoming models and the concept cars of the future.

The 2008 North American International Auto Show will be open to the public from January 19 through January 27.

source: http://afp.google.com/article

General Motors finances ethanol maker Coskata

General Motors finances ethanol maker Coskata

General Motors (GM) says it is investing in a fledgling company that claims its secret process could be able to make ethanol from waste in large quantity as soon as 2010 for $1 a gallon or less, half the cost of making gasoline.

Bill Roe, CEO of 18-month-old ethanol maker Coskata, says the company's process uses bacteria developed at the University of Oklahoma and existing gasification technology to generate 99.7% pure ethanol, plus water. He says the method should leapfrog cellulosic production, which has been seen as the next step from today's ethanol production using corn.

GM won't disclose its investment, but Roe says it's enough to make Coskata "a speed-to-market play. I don't think most people saw this coming," he says. "Most talk about cellulosic ethanol is futuristic."

Coskata's process can use garbage, old tires and other waste, but Roe says wood waste probably will be used at first because it's available, cheap and easy to handle.

Coskata was founded July 2006 with backing from Khosla Ventures, Advanced Technology Ventures and Great Point Ventures. It is based in Warrenton, Ill.

source: http://www.usatoday.com/money

When the Colts have the ball

QB PEYTON MANNING vs. CHARGERS PASS DEFENSE

We'll go out on a limb and say Manning won't throw six interceptions again. But did you know Manning's career passer rating in five games vs. the Chargers (71.3) is lower than his rating against any other team against which he's thrown at least three passes? He has 11 INTs and 8 TDs.

LT TONY UGOH/RT RYAN DIEM vs. OLBs SHAWNE MERRIMAN/SHAUN PHILLIPS

In the first meeting, Ugoh didn't play and Diem left with an injury. Manning was sacked just twice but faced a lot of pressure. The last time the Chargers were at Indy, Merriman was involved in three sacks (one solo) and also had three tackles for loss.

TE DALLAS CLARK vs. SS CLINTON HART/FS MARLON McCREE

Receivers Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison get most of the attention, but Clark had two 100-yard games in the postseason last year and scored 11 TDs this season. The Chargers have had their problems defending tight ends; Clark's backup had eight catches in November.

---

SPECIAL TEAMS

As you might have noticed on the second Sunday of November when Darren Sproles scored two return touchdowns in the opening quarter, this is the one area where the Chargers have a big edge. Indy had the worst punt coverage in the league – Hunter Smith ranked 31st in net punting with an average (34.2) about 5 1/2 yards behind Mike Scifres, who was third – and the Colts weren't much better (29th) on kickoffs. Look for the Colts to try some directional kicking today in an attempt to pin Sproles near the sideline. T.J. Rushing was about average on kickoff returns (23.0) but would have been fourth in the league on punt returns (13.5) except he didn't meet the league minimum for attempts. He had a 90-yarder for a TD against Oakland.

source: http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers

Cayenne GTS ushers in a period of new model activity

Cayenne GTS ushers in a period of new model activity

Porsche’s new Cayenne GTS, which goes on sale next month, heralds the beginning of a flurry of new model activity for the German brand.

Pitched as the most sporty and dynamic Cayenne yet – it’s the first model to combine steel springs with Porsche’s active suspension management system.

The technology was previously reserved for its sportscars and the new model will slot into the SUV range between the S and Turbo and start at £54,700.

Strong sales

The GTS is not the fastest Cayenne at 6.5 seconds to 62mph – the Turbo takes just 5.1 seconds – but it borrows much of the range-topping Turbo model’s exterior styling, from front, rear and side skirts to red brake callipers.

It gets a different double vane spoiler though, standard 21-inch wheels, a 24mm lower standard ride height, two exclusive paint options and an Alcantara-clad interior with new high-bolstered sports seats to make it more of a four- rather than five-seater.

The GTS Tiptronic automatic will account for almost all sales but Porsche hopes the manual option will receive a slightly higher take-up, due to its sportier aspirations.

Despite increasing criticism of high-consuming large SUVs in the UK, Porsche still sold more than 1,500 Cayennes in 2007 although the carmaker would not disclose UK sales aspirations for the GTS variant.

Dealer network

Other new models include a limited edition “more kit and power” Boxster RS60 Spyder in March, while the Maserati Quattroporte-rivalling four-door Panamera coupe arrives in 2009 and a 32mpg-plus petrol/electric hybrid Cayenne follows in 2010.

New dealerships were opened in Leicester and Norwich in 2007 to bring the network up to 34, but a Porsche’s spokesman said he did not expect this figure would increase dramatically to cope with the new models.

“We’re not on a massive volume pursuit. We have a stable network and this contributes to Porsche being a desirable franchise to own,” he added.

source: http://www.motortrader.com

No big winners in Wednesday lottery drawings

Nobody won the major jackpots in the Louisiana Lotto and multistate Powerball drawings Wednesday night, the Louisiana Lottery Corporation said.

Louisiana Lotto players matching all six numbers drawn would have won or shared a $675,000 prize, which will rise to an estimated $750,000 for Saturday.

Powerball players matching all five numbers and the Powerball would have won or shared the $72.9 million dollar jackpot. The prize will grow to an estimated $83 million for Saturday. Matching the first five numbers drawn without matching the Powerball wins a $200,000 prize. There were no such tickets sold in Louisiana for Wednesday's drawing, the lottery corporation said.

source: http://www.nola.com

Thousands Run In Annual Disney Marathon

Thousands of runners are taking part in the Walt Disney World marathon Sunday morning.Athletes run for their place in the Disney record books, WESH 2 News reported.It's called a Magical 26 miles, and runners come from all over to experience Disney's annual marathon.
"This is truly a family experience. the Walt Disney World Marathon offers something for everyone. It's a destination race, so our runners bring their children, their parents," Kathleen Duran, Disney Sports Area Manager, said.Many athletes run the race for a cause or charity."We have over 4,000 runners representing charities… and on average our charities will raise $8 million," Duran said.Last year, the first place runner had a time of two hours and 19 minutes.
source: http://www.wesh.com

Brawl Central: Super Smash Brothers Demo

A new demo of Super Smash Bros. Brawl is being featured at the Whobby 2008 event that is currently taking place in Japan. This demo is the first to allow players to try out King Dedede and Pokémon Trainer - abbreviated to P. Trainer in the character select screen. One fact that has emerged is that Pokémon Trainer does not appear in the background of certain moving stages, such as Delfino Plaza.

The biggest surprise to emerge so far is that Shaymin is included as one of the Pokémon to appear from a Poké Ball. As one of the Promotion-only Pokémon, it is yet to be acknowledged by official sources and was not expected to see a mention in the west until next year.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl will be released on January 24 in Japan and February 10 in the United States. PAL territories will see the game later in the year.

source: http://bulbanews.bulbagarden.net

Doolittle to meet with staff amid speculation on future plans

GOP Rep. John Doolittle of Rocklin, who is under investigation in a federal influence-peddling scandal, is summoning supporters and aides for meetings later this week amid speculation that he may drop his bid for a 10th term.

Doolittle has denied wrongdoing in his ties to jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff, but he's been under growing political pressure since an FBI raid on his home in April and a flurry of grand jury subpoenas issued to him and aides.

He has insisted he'll seek re-election but has faced calls from some in his own party to step aside. On Monday Doolittle indicated he would soon disclose his plans.

"I am writing to invite you to a Team Doolittle Briefing. Please join with our key supporters for news about our plans for 2008," Doolittle wrote in an e-mail to supporters that was posted on a political blog in his district.

"You have been an important part of my election efforts, and I want you to get the inside news directly from me and my campaign advisers," the e-mail said. The event is to take place Thursday morning in Roseville, Calif., in Doolittle's district.

Separately, Doolittle organized a staff meeting for Wednesday and invited some former aides, according to one of the people invited. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the event was not public.

Doolittle's chief of staff, Ron Rogers, said that Doolittle met quarterly with supporters and the events were nothing unusual.

"His current plans are to seek re-election," Rogers said.

"I'm not going to speculate about what's going to happen in the future," he said.

The candidate filing period for California's June 2008 primary runs from Feb. 11 to March 7. Doolittle is facing at least two declared Republican opponents and others are waiting in the wings, including former state Sen. Rico Oller, a Doolittle backer who is making plans to run if Doolittle retires.

House GOP leaders, eager to put the Abramoff scandal behind them, have pointedly declined to encourage Doolittle's re-election plans. Doolittle has a number of ties to the disgraced lobbyist, including interceding on behalf of Abramoff's Indian tribe clients, and Doolittle's wife, Julie, did event-planning work for Abramoff.

Doolittle's connections to Abramoff nearly cost him re-election in 2006 even though his district is among the most heavily Republican in California, and some Republicans believe he could not survive this time around. His fundraising is lagging badly behind that of the likely Democratic candidate, Charlie Brown, who came close to knocking Doolittle off in 2006.

source: http://www.mercurynews.com/news

Normal Adolescent Behavior

In a suburb populated by wealthy and liberal parents who want a bucolic life for themselves and their children, Wendy, Billie and Ann are seniors at the alternative private school; they spend all their time with fellow students John, Price and Robert. The six have been friends since elementary school and their friendship has become a six-person monogamous relationship. They swap sex partners each week; their loyalty is to the group, not to one person.

The six friends don't want to survive high school - they want to transcend its pettiness. Their friendships are intense, especially between Billie and Wendy. After orientation, Wendy meets Sean, a new senior who moved from Chicago; he finds out about her "inner geek" and she quickly recognizes a kindred spirit. Soon their friendship becomes romantic and Wendy is torn between her genuine affection and desire for Sean, and her commitment and belief in the group. Wendy starts to test the boundaries of her vow to her friends, and Billie realizes that she is going to have to fight to keep her best friend; which shouldn't be a problem, since each of the teens has collected a box full of mementos from their sexual experience.

If Wendy tries to leave, Billie can destroy her reputation and relationship in a heartbeat. While Wendy is trying to decide between Sean and her friends, Wendy's younger brother Nathan meets Sean's mother, Helen who is waiting a long three weeks to start a new job. Nathan develops a huge crush on her, and uses his considerable cooking skills to try and woo her. When Billie realizes that Wendy really might leave, she tests her - pushing Wendy to publicly ridicule Ryan, a girl who left the group last year along with her boyfriend, Aaron. Sean witnesses the brutal scene, where Ryan's past is used against her. Wendy is devastated that she allowed herself to be pushed around by Billie. Then Wendy spends another Saturday night with the group and she is unable to "cheat" on Sean; her hesitation is all that Billie needs to accuse her best friend. After the girls fight, Wendy takes out her frustration on a random couple who keep making out in front of her house.

Ryan, hearing that Wendy is out of the group, tries to be friends, but Wendy doesn't like what Ryan has become - a subservient wet dishrag of a girlfriend. Sean and Wendy try to be a "normal" couple, but the group quickly tests the relationship: Billie puts the box of memorabilia in Sean's locker. Wendy claims she isn't scared, she knows that Sean loves her. Maybe so, but when he sees the photos that document a lifetime of sexual experimentation, he is fed up and offers an ultimatum - Wendy can burn the box, leave the group and be a normal girl, or they can break up. Wendy has gone from one ultimatum to another. When Wendy sees Billie being tortured for being alone by other students, she wants to comfort her friend. Billie invites Wendy back to the group; such is the depth of Billie's love for her. But Wendy makes a braver, and stronger decision - to be alone.

The girls in the story - Wendy, Ryan, Billie - all must face the next chapter of their lives alone, and for the first time, at least Wendy sees the possibilities this offers.
source: http://www.imdb.com

Anjelah Johnson: MADTV's NEWEST PLAYER WORKS THE HOME FRONT

The rapid rise of comedian Anjelah Johnson was about as predictable as a 7.0 earthquake.

The San Jose native who graduated from Lincoln High School is a former Raiderette who performed at Super Bowl XXXVII. She cut her comedic teeth through a joke-writing class and an improv group affiliated with a Hollywood church she used to attend.

Her career took flight when a video of her routine, based on a visit to a San Jose nail salon, scored 7 million hits on YouTube and Google.

Johnson, who performs today through Sunday at the San Jose Improv, is anything but typical. She's a woman in a field where estrogen is in short supply. Unlike many of her female peers, she exudes neither snarky bitterness nor the head-swiveling, "Girlfriend, can we talk?" vibe.

The 25-year-old comedian also must stomach the usual assumptions, often made by other comics, that she gets by on her looks rather than her comedic abilities.

"Apparently, pretty girls can't be funny, so if they see my picture before they actually see me perform, then they're very skeptical," Johnson says by phone from her Los Angeles home. "Once I'm on stage, my jokes speak for themselves."

Before the screenwriters' strike, Johnson was letting the jokes do the talking as a new cast member on Fox's "MADtv."

Until the contract is settled, she's on the comedy-club circuit doing what she has loved since she was an 8-year-old cheerleading at Pop Warner football games: performing.

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Johnson's stand-up persona is considerably more low-key than what she presented in her Raiderette days. She dons jeans and T-shirts when delivering her casual, observational jokes on such subjects as growing up Latina or trying to live down a name - Anjelah Nicole Johnson - that is perhaps better suited to a WASP-y hotel heiress.

In one bit, Johnson talks about how as a youngster she broke a window tossing a baseball. Her enraged mother spanks her before pausing and then proudly cooing over the rocket launcher her daughter has for an arm.

In a field dominated by men, Johnson is one of a handful of Latina comics performing stand-up comedy. Her cultural background gives her an uncommon perspective that she says doesn't come with the burden of blazing any trails.

"I don't feel any pressure whatsoever," she says. "The only time I feel pressure is, 'Oh, man, I got to pump out new material.' I like to just pace myself and enjoy this journey."

Though she has proven that she can make people laugh, Johnson, who grew up in North San Jose, also is determined to develop her dramatic skills. She relocated to Los Angeles to further her acting career and has landed bit roles in TV's "The Shield" and the feature film "The Box."

"Acting is definitely a passion," she says. And that desire grew in San Jose movie houses where she found herself regularly ticked off by the on-screen action.

"It got to the point that I couldn't enjoy the movie because I was so angry I wasn't in it," she says. "I knew I could do it. It was calling me."

For now, she's just focusing on the funny.

"I just love to be able to pull emotion out of people, whether it's making you laugh or making you cry," she says. "But I do love comedy and making people laugh. I would love to do both."

Anjelah Johnson

source: http://www.mercurynews.com

Preserving our History: Pearl Harbor veterans

Kyle Nappi's mission is to save Private Ryan.

And German Luftwaffe Col. Hermann. As well as Canadian A/Lance-Cpl. Babcock.

So far, he can count about 1,600 soldiers, airmen, sailors, freedom fighters and PoWs, from 20 countries, he's brought safely home.

Kyle, a 17-year-old high school student from the small community of Ostrander, Ohio, is on a worldwide hunt for the autographs and particulars of as many aging veterans as he can find. While other teens are surfing the Internet for music, Kyle ships off e-mails to newspapers and canvasses veteran's groups, hoping they'll bring him one line closer to a fading signature or memory.

He's been doing this -- running up to the aged in shopping malls and combing old records for survivors -- since he was about 12 years old. The search for traces of remarkable, but largely unsung lives began after he watched Pearl Harbor, the blockbuster 2001 movie.

He began to think about the sacrifices made by those who go off to war.

Today, he spends most of his spare time reaching out to the less that two dozen First World War vets left in the world, including Canada's last, John Babcock, who now lives in Spokane, Wash. Babcock shipped the teenager off copies of the first chapter of the autobiography the 107- year-old vet penned for his own family.

Kyle's parents say it took some getting used to -- their son running up to the elderly, clutching bits of paper and a pen, looking for autographs as most kids would hustle to get close to a Hollywood celebrity.

"He's very dedicated -- no matter what he becomes interested in," says his mom, Stacy, a medical receptionist, who helped him get the first autograph. "He saw the movie Twister, and can walk out the door today and tell you just what kind of cloud that is.

"I always thought history was boring in high school ... but he continues to teach us new and interesting things about these veterans."

Kyle doesn't see anything unusual about what he does. He only feels a sense of urgency.

"We're losing these people ... and they're important," he explains. "I can't imagine going through what they have."

Just two years ago, he was able to fly in a B-17 "Flying Fortress," along with a Second World War PoW in a seat nearby. He's laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Va.

Among his feedback from Germany, are U-boat captains, Panzer tank commanders, Luftwaffe aces, conspirators within the Third Reich and some of the last people to see Hitler alive.

Veterans, sensing a way to preserve the past, have sent him old books and medals. One of his teachers once saw a military jacket sadly for sale at a Goodwill store. It included all the ribbons. She bought it for Kyle, knowing he would show it respect.

He uses a fireproof safe to secure his most precious items.

"It's a shame when people, especially my age, have no idea about the events of the past," he says. "When we were watching the Omaha Beach scene on Saving Private Ryan in my social studies class ...one of my classmates asked the teacher if we were fighting the Japanese."

There are the already note-worthy in his collection, which spills out of albums and boxes and the stories he tells. They include Canada's Babcock and a pilot who flew an observation mission over Hiroshima, Japan, for the dropping of the atomic bomb.

But most are men and women who are no longer asked many questions about their histories.

The oldest is 111 and the youngest is now serving in Iraq.

What Kyle really wants for '08 is the signature of Gladys Powers of Abbotsford, B.C. She served with the British forces, and is believed to be the last surviving female veteran of the First World War.

So far, he waits, having reached out but heard nothing back.

"I get letters back from their families ... notes attached ... saying 'Thank you. He hardly ever talks about those times,' " Kyle says.

Twister brought him the mystery of the weather. After watching Titanic, he began investigating shipwrecks. And Pearl Harbor inspired a collection of signatures that's museum ready.

So in the past, he believes he's found his calling in life.

"A history teacher," he says. "I already have a good start."
source: http://winnipegsun.com/News/Canada/2008/01/04/4752058-sun.html

Pearl Harbor Movie

Did you watch Titanic just to see the boat sink, and ignore the sappy love story? Consider taking the same approach to this 2001 drama. Director Michael Bay's re-creation of the 1941 Japanese attack on the Hawaiian military base is some of the most effective war-movie footage since Saving Private Ryan. Just pay no attention to the S.L.S. about two pilots (Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett) in love with the same woman (Kate Beckinsale).
source: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/weekend/television