Jessica Simpson Pregnant

Jessica Simpson Pregnant: There are talks that Jessica Simpson might be pregnant when she reportedly threw up after singing one song during a show, earlier this month. Reports that the singer may be carrying Eric Johnson’s baby inside her tummy are flying around, at an amazingly dizziying speed.

Some people have been known to say that Jessica was already feeling a bit under the weather (she was even attached to an IV) before she went onstage to perform for the US Sailors. A doctor was also said to have advised her against performing, an advice that she apparently disobeyed. She has also achieved a considerable increase in weight.

There is no doubt that Jessica is in the middle of something right now that shows no sign of letting up, unless she, herself, settles the score, once and for all.

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James Macarthur

James MacArthur, who played Danno in the original 'Hawaii Five-0' -- the role now played by Scott Caan on the CBS remake -- died this morning. He was 72.

The actor's agent, Richard Lewis, told the Associated Press that MacArthur died of "natural causes" in Florida, however, no other details have been given.

MacArthur was most famous for his role as Detective Danny "Danno" Williams on 'Hawaii Five-0,' which often ended episodes with the phrase "Book 'em, Danno." He was in 11 seasons of the show, 1968 to 1980, as well as the 1997 pilot for a revamped 'Hawaii Five-0' starring Gary Busey (if you can imagine that), Russell Wong, and Steven Flynn. He played the same character, but Danno had become governor of Hawaii.

Over four decades, MacArthur racked up roles in movies and television. He starred in the 1960 version of 'Swiss Family Robinson,' and appeared in several other movies over the years, including 'Kidnapped,' 'Battle of the Bulge,' 'The Bedford Incident,' and 'Hang 'Em High.'

He guest starred on many TV shows too, including 'The Love Boat,' 'Murder, She Wrote,' 'The Adventures of Superboy,' 'Vegas,' 'Fantasy Island,' 'Bonanza,' 'Tarzan,' 'Gunsmoke,' 'The Alfred Hitchcock Hour,' and 'Climax!', his first role.

His last role was in the 1998 TV movie 'Storm Chasers: Revenge of the Twister.'

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Last Minute Halloween Costumes

Last Minute Halloween Costumes: If you forgot to buy a costume this year, or didn’t have time to make one (does anyone still make costumes?), then you are not out of luck. You can still get popular Halloween costumes online that will get to your home in time for the big night!

Susan and Janice love selling the costumes from one of their stores, Pedal Cars and Retro Collectibles. They also offer expedited shipping to some locations, so there is still time to get a costume your way for Halloween.

Their costumes also make for great dress-up play year round. Their favorites are the Junior Astronaut, Princess and Junior Knight.

And if you sign up for their discount club, you can receive special offers and enter for a chance to win a kids firefighter uniform.

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Project Runway

Project Runway : I'm coming to you live, people, from the home of my friends Sara and Jared. I mention this not only because they've been kind enough to host me as I sit here glued to my keyboard eating too many of their Tostitos, but also because their apartment was once featured on Law & Order and Jeremy Sisto totally used one of their hand towels. So I want you to know that I selected a holy place for the scene of this, my first and last ever Project Runway finale live-blog.

I don't know why I never did this before. Of course, I say that now, before I've even started. Maybe I'll understand tonight.

MAJOR SPOILER ALERT: If you are not on East Coast time, this entire blog is going to be a spoiler. So read at your own risk.

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Jacques Magazine

Jacques Magazine: If that image of a nude young woman seems a tired cliche and cheap way to sell magazines, the makers of "Jacques" would beg to differ. For rival publishers it might pay to listen because "Jacques" is breaking a downward trend in periodical publishing where cost-cutting is the norm.


And publishers might be surprised to hear "Jacques" is not the latest high-end fashion magazine, but an adult publication that aims to be a kitschy vintage throwback to pin-up magazines of the 1960s and '70s with centerfolds of models such as a recent, topless woman posing on a vintage motorcycle.


"It's a question of quality," Leder, the magazine's creative director told Reuters about the reason "Jacques" had increased in popularity while other magazines were failing.


"Unfortunately, publishers, like many other people in this day and age, seem to think, 'why not, if we can do it cheaper, let's just do it cheaper and sell it for less.'"


The "Jacques" mantra: spend a little on quality, and your book will sell for more -- to more people.


In a frantic publishing climate where many magazines have struggled with the rise of the Internet, "Jacques" launched in May 2009, a year that would see some 282 magazines fold in the first nine months, according to Marketingcharts.com.


Just 1,000 copies of "Jacques" were printed on its first run and of those, 175 were sold at newsstands. Now, the new issue of the quarterly magazine, which has a cover price of $9, has a print run of 14,000, is sold at bookstores including Barnes & Noble and Borders and has an overseas distributor.


By contrast, Playboy's traditional magazine business has been hard hit by declining circulation and advertising revenue as people turn to free pornography on the Internet. This year's second quarter advertising revenues declined $6.2 million, or 38 per cent, the company said.


RETRO LOOKS, NATURAL CURVES


While other publishers adapt to the digital age, "Jacques" stands out among rival adult magazines by using old-fashioned film and natural light to shoot pictorials of naked women with a retro-inspired aesthetic. The magazine is printed on quality paper stock and the pictures are high-gloss.


"Jacques" has capitalized on a trend in vogue for several years in the fashion and film worlds by redesigning looks from the 1960s, '70s and '80s, which is similar to one of the magazine's first major advertisers, American Apparel.


Leder, 37, runs the magazine with his wife Danielle from the trendy Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg. He said their high-art aesthetic was inspired by publications ranging from "Gent and Sir in the '50s and '60s to Escapade and the early Playboys and Penthouses."


The pair capitalized on a gap in a market flooded with what they described as "vulgar, cheap, adult" publications, and he declined to classify "Jacques" as pornography -- "a cheap word," he said.


Models are mostly in the 20s with natural curves and little or no cosmetic surgery or silicone implants.

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Charlie Chaplin Time Travel

Charlie Chaplin Time Travel Video – Did Charlie Chaplin film someone using a mobile phone in 1928? We finally have proof that time traveling is possible – well sort of.
A young movie fan named George Clarke has revealed in a YouTube video that after closely analyzing for one year a footage found in Chaplin’s The Circus movie, from the DVD extras menu in Documents/The Hollywood Premiere, there is what seems to be a female passersby strolling the streets of Hollywood in 1928 with one hand near her ear and moving the lips as if she was talking on a cell phone.

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Florida State Football

Florida State Football: Florida State is 6-1 overall this season and a perfect 4-0 in conference play and heads to Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC to take on the North Carolina State Wolfpack.  Under first-year coach Jimbo Fisher, the Seminoles are off to their best start in league play since 2003.  “It’s important for us to figure out how to handle it, handle the success,” said quarterback Christian Ponder.  “It is a positive that we do control our own destiny but we’ve got to handle it the right way.”  The team is 7-4 all-time in Thursday night ESN games and rallied from a 24-6 third quarter deficit to defeat the Wolfpack, 30-27 last season.  FSU brings in a three-game series winning streak into this contest and six of the last nine meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less.  The club is 4-2 ATS this season and 14-15 ATS over the last three seasons.  The college football lines page is something to watch closely for this nationally-televised contest.
The Seminoles bring in the league’s top-rated scoring defense at 16.1 points per game and will be attempting to stop an NC State team that ranks second in the ACC in scoring (36.0 ppg).  Florida State escaped with a 24-19 win over Boston College at home in its last game and both teams have enjoyed 12-day breaks heading into tonight’s game.  The offense is scoring at an 11-year high during the current season, averaging 34.9 points a game through seven games, better than 11 points more than it scored in 2009.  The Seminoles have amassed more than 427 yards in five of their first seven games to open the 2010 season.  Since managing just 345 at Oklahoma, the unit has tallied 424.4 yards during their five-game winning streak.
NC State is currently tied for second in the ACC with a 2-1 conference record and is 1-1 so far this season against the Coastal Division.  The Wolfpack had a bye following their 33-27 overtime loss to East Carolina on October 16.  “We got so far behind and fought back and just couldn’t get over the hump there at the end,” coach Tom O’Brien said.  “We have to regroup and get ready for our next game.”  NC State and Florida State have met 30 times, with the Seminoles holding a 21-9 advantage.  The team enters the eighth game of the 2010 season with some of the best offensive marks in the conference, leading the league in pass offense (312.6 ypg) and total offense (448.9 ypg).  In six games this season, the squad is 4-2 ATS and the total is an even 3-3 Over/Under.
The Wolfpack are led by quarterback Russell Wilson, who leads the conference in passing yards with 303.4 per game and total offense at 332.0 per contest.  Wilson has thrown 66 career touchdowns, the second-best mark in school history.  His touchdown-to-interception ratio of 3.1 to 1 is better than current NFL quarterback Philip Rivers.  NC State’s offensive unit has spread the ball all over the field, with passes caught by 10 or more different players in five of seven games in 2010.  The defense gave up a season-high 496 yards of offense last time out against the Pirates, but it’s significant to point out that they still lead the ACC and rank sixth nationally in third-down conversion defense.
Bettors will be interested in finding the Seminoles being 2-8-2 ATS in their last 12 games as a road favorite of 3.5-10 points, while the Wolfpack are 2-5 ATS in October.

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Matt Cain

Matt Cain doesn't have the hair, the hardware or the heat of Tim Lincecum, so he is still just a supporting character when most baseball fans from around the country consider the Giants pitching staff.

That may be changing this month.

While Lincecum has been spectacularly good and a little bit frazzled, all in one postseason, Cain has simply strung together one zero after another.

CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt ... all came into this October in the spotlight as pitchers to watch.

None of them has been as good as Matt Cain, whose postseason ERA is a tidy 0.00.

Cain blanked the Rangers into the eighth inning of the Giants' 9-0 victory in Game 2 of the World Series, a performance which came on the heels of seven scoreless innings against the powerhouse Phillies in the NLCS.

"He's turned it up," said Giants veteran Mark DeRosa. "That's what big players do. They feed off this environment and he has kicked his game into another gear."

Including his start in Game 2 against the Braves in the NLDS, Cain has pitched 21 1/3 innings this postseason without allowing an earned run. (He gave up one unearned run to the Braves.) He is the sixth pitcher in major league history to have three consecutive starts in the same postseason without allowing an earned run. He is the fourth to do it in his first three starts. The last was John Matlack of the Mets in 1973.

Cain doesn't fit the profile of the Giants' other postseason heroes. He is neither a veteran rediscovering his youth (see Renteria, Edgar) nor a journeyman having a hot month (see Ross, Cody).

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Mondo Guerra

Mondo Guerra was sitting in his kitchen in Denver. Gretchen Jones was packing up her final boxes in Portland before heading to New York. And Andy South was in Hawaii, far, far away from the insanity that has been Season 8 of Project Runway.

Mondo Guerra : With the finale looming Thursday night, the three finalists talked about what it’s like to watch themselves on television and why Heidi was the harshest judge. The three haven’t figured out what exactly is ahead on their catwalk but they’re all ready to move from reality TV into reality.

The Wall Street Journal: What is it like watching the show on TV? Do you feel that it was a fair depiction?

Mondo: I feel like the editing was fair and the how the show revealed itself was very true to how everyone was. I have no disappointment in being part of it.

Gretchen: I followed PR for all the seasons and what I feel that’s special about our season is that we’re very vulnerable and raw. We don’t have our guards up. That’s what made the season as dynamic as it was.

Mondo, you came out as HIV-positive during the show. You hadn’t told your family yet. Did you tell them?

Mondo: I didn’t tell my family until four days before that episode aired. I was waiting because I wanted to get through fashion week. It could be called selfish, but I really wanted to focus on what I had to get done.

What happened?

Mondo: I really underestimated the power of unconditional love. They have supported me 100 percent. Now I just have to feel comfortable around them. I’m not hiding anymore.

What was your favorite challenge?

Andy: For me, I’m torn between the party store challenge and the Heidi Klum challenge, where we had to design for her sportswear collection. But I think it was the Heidi one because we were all in the same boat at first, we weren’t that inspired. We all had to push ourselves to adopt to the challenge and think creatively. We all went through highs and lows in that one challenge.

Who was the toughest judge?

All three: Heidi.

Why?

Andy: They all have their moments. I would say for me it’s between Michael and Heidi. But Heidi, her critiques are more opinion. That’s why I loved having designers as guest judges. They understand where you’re coming from as a designer and they give you constructive criticism. Sometimes with Heidi, it’s not really a critique. It can get kind of punchy.

Mondo: One time Michael Kors said my look was a cross between Betty Rubble and Snooki. Which was pretty funny, I mean, that IS kind of my aesthetic. I never got offended by it. I took it as a compliment.

What was the hardest challenge?

Andy: The Jackie Kennedy one. That’s where Heidi was the most opinionated and rude. That’s the time when I lost respect for the judges because all they did was laugh and make fun of me, it became like throwing tomatoes. And that was the case for all of us on the runway, we all got reamed.

Mondo: That was probably the most complicated one to understand. You’re taking something that is so timeless and classic and trying to make it modern.

Gretchen: Sometimes what Heidi told us at the beginning to what Tim told us in workroom critiques didn’t match up. It make it hard for us. And then we were judged against that in a way.

OK. What happened with Michael Costello. As a viewer, it was kind of hard to watch everyone gang up on him. Was he that bad of a guy?

Mondo: I think with Michael Costello, he had a totally different process. We all came with rollers and certain tools that we all have. He came with nothing. So we didn’t understand how he was able to accomplish so much in such a little amount of time and then be the winner. It made people really uneasy. He was an easy target.

Gretchen: First and foremost, it’s a television show and there have to be compelling characters. He wasn’t that bad of a guy. You can see that the experience gave him a huge support system and more exposure. Michael and I didn’t love each other’s aesthetics. But he’s a lovely person. You’re in that position for six weeks. It takes a little bit of time to get to know someone.

Gretchen, you often came across as mean. Tim accused you of being a bully. Did watching the show make you think about how you come across to people?

Gretchen: It didn’t make me think about how I come across to people. There’s an hour an a half to present a compelling character. I know I walked away with a lot of friendships. If I was mean, I think my rapport in the workroom would have been much different. I would not have had the enriching relationships that I do. I know I can call Andy or Mondo or Michael C on the phone and talk to them. I have a strong opinion about design and what I think is good. I know who I am and that it was a big risk going on the show.

People were pretty angry with you.

Gretchen: I’m OK with it. It hurt my feelings at first. But fashion is objective. And I thought - I’m only beginning. If this is going to break me than I’m never going to make it.

What would you tell people who are thinking about trying out for the show?

Andy: Girl! You’d better think before you sign!

Gretchen: Don’t do it! But really, you have to have a strong sense of conviction and be aware of your point of view. You have to be much more emotionally prepared than I was. It’s a big risk. You’re not in control. You’re putting it out there for a platform of millions of viewers. When I watched before I thought “Oh, I can do that.” It’s really not that easy. You really have to believe in yourself and work your ass off.

Andy: And be willing to be humiliated as well. You get both ends of the spectrum.

Mondo: Being on the show is a hard thing. But the public eye is so much harder. They are just so critical. If you have insecurities, it can really affect people.

So let’s talk about the hideous clothes that Heidi wore this season. What’s up with that?

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Lisa Blount

Lisa Blount, an Oscar-winning producer and actress who played Lynette Pomeroy in 1982's An Officer and a Gentleman, has passed away. She was only 53.

Blount was found at her home Wednesday. She more than likely died Monday, Pulaski County Coroner Garland Camper told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

There were no signs of foul play on the premises of her Little Rock, Ark., home.
Blount and her widower, Ray McKinnon, who was not in town, together won the best live-action short film Academy Award in 2002 for their film, The Accountant.

"As one door was seemingly closing in my life, another door opened. And I only have one person to thank for that, my husband Ray McKinnon," Blount said then.

In addition to An Officer and a Gentleman, Blount appeared in films like Great Balls of Fire! and Chrystal, and shows such as Moonlighting and Picket Fences.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of deatha

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Mark And Brian

On Saturday night, party at Mark and Brian's Costume Ball at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, featuring the haunting melodies of Here Come The Mummies.

The morning radio duo, heard locally on KDGL The Eagle 95.5 FM, will host two costume contests — best overall and sexiest woman — each with a $1,000 prize, Thompson said.

“We want to see women in their sluttiest costumes,” Phelps said.

The boys are bringing out show favorites Kelli Gates, Frank Sontag, Preva Lohla and producer Ted Lekas, but the evening's highlight will be Here Come the Mummies.

We caught up with band member Java Mummy via e-mail, and asked all the mummified questions we could think of. Here's what he had to type:

DESERT POST WEEKLY: If you sing and play a variety of instruments — which you do quite well for guys who have been wrapped in the same linens for a couple of millennia — why don't you do live interviews? Are you saving your voices for the stage?

JAVA MUMMY: It is not the case of “why not” but “can not.” Due to our curse, we can only talk (in any other language but Grunt) while playing music. We used to do interviews, but the interviewers got sick of getting the same grunt of an answer to every question.

Listening to your music, I really liked “Bump,” “Ra Ra Ra Ra,” “Attack of the Weiner Man” and “Dirty Minds.” How long did it take for the band to come up this unique sound?

We never try to achieve a sound, we just play, and the sound emanates. We do have thousands of years under our belts, however, so listen to your grandparents, kids, and practice.

Which performers or bands have influenced your music? Which groups do you think have borrowed your style and damned them to life in the netherworld in the process?

All bands borrow from what they hear; it is just part of the creative process. You hear some great music, and it becomes part of you. I am sure that Earth, Wind, Fire heard some music influenced by us, digested it, wrote a great song with bits of it, and then we heard their tunes and were influenced in turn. I should also mention that we are heavily influenced by sexy ladies and Thai food.

Do you write your own tunes or are there songwriters you haul around in unused sarcophagi to write for you?

We write and produce our own stuff. It is difficult to find quality song writers willing to write wiener jokes, that really just come naturally to us. We have talked about using a producer, but we always are finished with the new recording by the time we have come to any consensus about it.

This question is for the ladies — are mummies anatomically correct? You're not like Ken dolls, are you?

Fully intact — and I stress “fully.” Like I said above, we like the love game, and you need the proper implements to win.”

Do you ever perform “Walk Like An Egyptian” in your set?

Never. We don't do covers though we do do Bangles under the covers.

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Daily Show Obama

Daily Show Obama : President Barack Obama, interviewed today on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," cited Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th as one of the Democrats he hopes will be rewarded on election day for taking tough votes in Congress.

Perriello, who voted for the president's health-care bill and cap and trade legislation, is in a tight race against Republican state Sen. Robert Hurt.

The president will campaign Friday with Perriello in Charlottesville.

Obama said if lawmakers like Perriello are applauded for taking tough votes, "then Democrats will be rewarded on election night."

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Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett: At Sing For Hope 2010 Gala by Brian Scott Lipton on TheaterMania.
Its not his greatest performance of all time but we think its lovely that 82yearold Tony Bennett came to Bloomingdales.
Published Monday October 25 2010 317 PM Updated Monday October 25 2010 336 PM This weekend is jampacked. Then we continue our election coverage on Underreported.
Tony Bennett of the Madeleine Foundation analyses the Sun article in which Antonella Lazzeri writes about the letter Raymond Hewlett allegedly sent to his son Wayne from his deathbed stating that he knew what had happened to Maddie. Winstar World Casino Exit 1 Interstate 35. A strong 52 start to the ACC tilt.
Theater News PHOTO FLASH Tony Bennett Renee Fleming Nathan Gunn Martha Stewart et al.
Tony Bennett left his heart in San Francisco but he brings his charm and enthusiasm to The Leonard Lopate Show for a conversation about his life as a singer and painter.
Iconic crooner Tony Bennett will make a slow and steady trek throughout the eastern portion of the US in the coming months performing a mixture of casino and theater shows. Information 18006226317. TISHOMINGO Alfalfa Bill Century.
Hell sing at the Mahalia Jackson Theater on Thursday Oct. If you happen to be a fan of both.
Last year saw a lot of ups and downs in Tony Bennetts first year. While the team played well in the nonconference stretch they only managed a 94 record with 3 of those losses by 5 points or less.
THACKERVILLE Grammy winner Emmy winner and Kennedy Center honoree Tony Bennett will grace the stage 8 p.
If you happened to be in New York City last night.

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Debrahlee Lorenzana

Debrahlee Lorenzana:Debrahlee Lorenzana:Debrahlee Lorenzana was filing suit against Citibank, because they fired her, she says, for strange reasons: it is too hot.

She is 5’5”, 125 pounds, and well, you saw her photo.

“Where I come from,” she said Village Voice “, a woman dressed as a put-on makeup and do their nails, go to the supermarket … I was raised very Latin. We are female. The woman in Puerto Rico takes care of itself. ”

Do not miss: 15 shocking allegations that people have done in sexual harassment suits>

Her bosses told her that as a result of the shape of its shapes, such clothing was allegedly “too distracting for her male co-workers and managers bear,” she says.
“As a result of its high growth, combined with her curvy figure,” her suit said, Lorenzana said, “it should not be the classic high-heeled shoes business, as it allegedly paid attention to her body in a manner that was upsetting her easily distracted male managers. ”

“I could not believe what I heard,” Lorenzana said the voice. “I said, you gotta be kidding me!” I was like, too distracting? “For whom? For you?” My clients do not seem to have any problems. ”

Once Debrahlee began working at a Citibank branch in the Chrysler Building, she said, there are all focused on her appearance.

She works with a lawsuit charging the bank to create a gender-based discrimination among the lawyer, Jack Tuckner, who agrees that she is smoking hot, but believes the case Debarah should stand with the jury.

“It’s like saying we can not think anymore because our penises are up and we can not think about you, but sexual way, and we can not look at you, not wanting to have sex with you. And it’s up to you , beauty, to reduce your call, and we can concentrate! ”

But he also said Debarah strange that she should come to my place (room) for a photo shoot, because it should have pictures of themselves in more conservative clothing for use in her court … And then (allegedly) told her OK to accept and let the print voice of the other pictures they it on your site.
Fortunately, she has more evidence than just a conservative picture.

And a lot of oral testimony from living Puerto Rican woman.

She will tell the jury that when she looked too hot, they told her to dress down. But when she said she did not wear makeup, they told her that she looked “painful” and when she left her hair curly instead of straightening it, they told her that she should go ahead and straighten it every day.

“I could wear a paper bag, and it would not matter,” she said a voice. “If it was not my shirt, it was my pants. If it were not my pants, it was my shoes. They picked on me every day.”

Citi can simply add this to the list of sex-related misconduct claims they accumulate. First there was the blog Fabulis claims against them, Dorly Hazan-Amir, which is pretty ridiculous on the part of Citi, if true, and it is only in the last four months. We have an e-mail to Rep. of Citi PR and will update when we hear back. Here is their response:

“We believe the lawsuit is without merit and we will defend against it vigorously. We respect the privacy of all our employees, and therefore can not comment more specifically on the trial, the effectiveness of this former employee, or the reasons for her termination that the arbitral tribunal must decide. Citi seeks to foster a culture of inclusion and to ensure a respectful environment in the workplace. We have a strong commitment to diversity, and we do not condone or tolerate discrimination within our business for any reason. ”

This is a strong defense! History Debrahlee sounds like a good plotline of the movie. What would we call it? Add your ideas in the comments.

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Shop till you're dropped... Moss reaches sell-by date

"It's an event; something you can say you were part of." That was the verdict of a mother and daughter I spoke to in the queue for the first Kate Moss for Topshop collection, back in 2007.

After hours of jostling in a crowd of hyperventilating teenage girls, they insisted she would be worth it.

Three and a half years after the world's most famous model stood in the window of Topshop's Oxford Circus branch for a mere 12 seconds to promote her first ever fashion range – and as she prepares to unveil her last – what has the high-profile partnership done for the fortunes of the model, the mogul – Topshop owner Sir Philip Green – and the crowds who have bought into Brand Moss?

In September, Green cited practical reasons for the demise of the partnership, which has produced 14 collections, and will continue in some form, saying that it, "probably became too overloaded. It wasn't working... we were trying to produce these big collections but it was too difficult and we needed a rethink."

Green denied rumours of an acrimonious parting, saying: "We have discussed it and decided this was the way to go. It isn't a split".

He dismissed as "absolute nonsense" speculation that he was making space for a new queen bee: his daughter Chloe. More likely – given that there should be room for both of them in Arcadia, Green's business empire which announced pre-tax profits of £213.6m last July – is that, much like everything in fashion, Kate Moss's collection had a sell-by date.

Some might argue that it expired some time ago. While it got off to a flying start, causing hysteria and sky-high prices on eBay, enthusiasm and sales have dampened since. If the clothes were still bringing in the bucks, Green would probably have kept it going until Moss was 50 and running an animal sanctuary in Devon. He initially credited her with helping to boost Topshop's profits, calling her a "fantastic ambassador".

Of course, the Moss Effect can't just be measured in direct sales. It also helped generate glamour for a high street store, particularly in the US, where Green and Moss turned out together in New York for the launch of the chain's first American outlet.

Since then, it's hard to gauge how well Moss sells; Topshop says it does not break down figures, but stock no longer flies off shelves. Three years ago you could hardly swing a Topshop carrier bag without hitting a "Kate Moss", now I don't know of anyone itching to buy the new range.

Anyone still keen on Moss can expect more of the same from her last range. Her clothes started out with a vintage feel, moved into a more boyish, beatnik look and have settled – some might say "stuck" – in bohemian rock groupie territory – think Stevie Nicks meets Marianne Faithful.

The range includes bell-sleeved printed dresses, folkish embroidered effects, Paisley and bell sleeves, capes and maxi-dresses and velvet hotpants with a lingerie-like lace trim.

In a bid to shift more stock Moss will return to Topshop's flagship Oxford Circus store on Monday.

Alongside the new designs, Topshop will release 10 of the best-selling pieces since the launch, rather grandly labelling them "Kate Iconic".

Topshop is trying to write its own, glowing obituary for the range, but while the early collections included nice-enough pieces, such as flowered tea dresses, one-shouldered day dresses, tight leather jackets and skinny flared jeans, 14 ranges later they are no longer setting the high street alight.

Moss has always drawn on her own wardrobe, which in turn is full of vintage pieces and designs by the likes of Galliano and McQueen. Given that her own style hasn't changed much in the last few years, neither has her collection. It could be called Kate Moss Déjà Vu. And while the thrill of getting something Ms Moss had a hand in creating (how much of a hand is debatable. She didn't sit up all night stitching it all by herself, that's for sure) the appeal of celebrity collaborations is waning. Even Kanye West, who worked with Louis Vuitton on a range of trainers, deems it passé, referring rather distastefully to the actress Lindsay Lohan's stint as a designer at Ungaro as the " the 9/11 for celebrities doing fashion".

Consumers are increasingly knowledgable about high fashion and more interested in buying clothes a prestigious designer has created at a high street price – such as the upcoming range by Lanvin for H&M – than something by a high-profile amateur.

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Lisa Blount Dies

Lisa Blount Dies: Arkansas native and actor-producer Lisa Blount, 53, was found dead in her Heights home Wednesday by her mother.

Pulaski County Coroner Garland Camper said that Blount likely died on Monday and that there were no signs of foul play in Blount’s North Woodrow Street home.

Blount’s husband, film actor, screenwriter, director and producer Ray McKinnon, was out of town this week.

Blount and McKinnon, moved to Little Rock in 2005.

Blount won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film as producer for 2001’s The Accountant, along with McKinnon, who directed and starred in the film.

Blount’s debut movie role was as a friend of Debra Winger’s character in 1982’s An Officer and A Gentleman.

Born in Fayetteville, Blount grew up in Jacksonville and graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1975.

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Cthulhu

Cthulhu: Horror fans, furthermore disciples of H.P. Lovecraft, in Spain are enjoying the release of The Valdemar Legacy from writer-director Jose Luis Aleman. The film heavily draws on the Lovecraft mythos and features a gigantic practical Cthulhu beast, from what I'm told.


Imagina International Sales is taking Valdemar to the American Film Market to find, we presume, U.S. distribution. Fingers crossed they find here. Synopsis and Spanish trailer below. Poke around the official site here.


After the disappearance of a renowned real estate agent, an investigation is open to unveil the mystery surrounding the Valdemar Mansion she was evaluating. Private detective, Nicolás Tramel and Dr. Cervía, an expert in paranormal encounters, will team up to investigate the Valdemar Legacy and the real estate agent's vanishing.

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Jon Stewart Obama

Jon Stewart Obama: Jon Stewart Obama: President Obama took his campaign get-out-the-vote blitz to “The Daily Show” on Wednesday, telling the host, Jon Stewart, that he never promised transformational change overnight.

“When we promised during the campaign change you can believe in, it wasn’t change you can believe in in 18 months,’’ Mr. Obama said. “It was change you can believe in but were going to have to work for it.”

The 30-minute interview, before a wildly enthusiastic crowd of 550 at the Harman Center for the Arts in downtown Washington, a short drive from the White House, was Mr. Obama’s first appearance on the show as president, though he was also a guest during his run for the White House in 2008. The president used the appearance to defend his agenda and make a pitch for people to get out and vote; Mr. Stewart used the interview to press the president with the critique he often hears from the left, by characterizing his agenda as timid – a characterization the president fiercely resisted.

“You ran on very high rhetoric, hope and change, and the Democrats this year seem to be running on, ‘Please baby, one more chance’,’’ Mr. Stewart said at one point. At another, he asked the president if he was now running on “Yes we can, with certain conditions.’’

Mr. Obama replied, “I think I would say, ‘Yes we can, but –“

Mr. Stewart, laughing, cut the president off. Mr. Obama jumped in again, finishing his sentence: “But it’s not going to happen overnight.”

For Mr. Stewart, the interview was part of the run-up to the Rally to Restore Sanity and the March to Keep Fear Alive that he and his fellow Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert are hosting on the National Mall this Saturday. For Mr. Obama, it was another step in an intense effort to get Democrats – and especially young people –to the polls, and Mr. Obama closed the interview by making a pitch for them to do just that.

“Can I just make a plug just to vote?’’ the president asked, as Mr. Stewart tried to wrap up. “Go out there and vote Nov. 2. A lot of you have early voting in your states; make sure you make use of it.’’

Of course, when you are president of the United States and you appear on a fake news program, you can expect to get tweaked, and Mr. Stewart did not disappoint.

“So here you are, two years in, and the question that raises in my mind is, ‘Are we the people we were waiting for?’’ Mr. Stewart asked – a riff on Mr. Obama’s much-repeated campaign line. “Or,’’ Mr. Stewart went on, as the audience laughed, “Does it turn out those people are still out there and we don’t have their number?’’

The interview went longer than Mr. Stewart expected – so long, in fact, that the show’s producers decided to cut out the original introduction Mr. Stewart taped, which include a riff of him fiddling with a pen and drumming his fingers on the table while making the president wait, and his introduction of Mr. Obama as “White House chairman of the council of Economic Advisers Austan Goolsbee’s boss.’’ A spokeswoman for the show said it was the first time the show consisted of a single interview.

Late-night television has come a long way since Bill Clinton, then a presidential candidate, played his saxophone for Arsenio Hall during his campaign for the White House in 1992. The lines between entertainment and news are increasingly blurred – in part because Mr. Obama has been willing to bring his presidential platform to settings his predecessors might have regarded as unconventional, to say the least.

Last, year, Mr. Obama became the first sitting president to appear on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno. Over the summer, he dished with Whoopi Goldberg and other doyennes of daytime television on ABC’s “The View.” (“I wanted to pick a show that Michelle actually watches,’’ he told them.)

Getting out the vote is “on the top of every to-do list of every person working in a campaign at any point in the country,’’ and The Daily Show appearance is a part of that effort, the White House press secretary, Robert Gibbs told reporters this week. Mr. Obama, he said, “hasn’t been shy about going to the places where people are getting their information and trying to make his case.”

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Declan Sullivan

Declan Sullivan: Declan Sullivan: Notre Dame junior Declan Sullivan, 20, sent messages to Twitter from the top of the camera tower where he was recording a football practice less than an hour before he fell to his death Wednesday.

Declan Sullivan: In the first message, timestamped 3:22 p.m., Sullivan wrote, "Gust of wind up to 60mph well today will be fun at work... I guess I've lived long enough :-/."

The second message, which was sent at 4:06 p.m., less than an hour before his tragic fall at 4:50 p.m., reads, "Holy fuck holy fuck this is terrifying."

The National Weather Service reported winds of 51 mph in South Bend this afternoon. On campus, students struggled to fight the gusts as they walked to class.

The campus is reeling from the tragedy, students and faculty members alike taking to Facebook and Twitter to express disbelief that anyone -- let alone a 20 year-old student -- would have been in a camera tower under such harsh conditions. On Tuesday, in the wake of a tornado warning, Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly held the first indoor practice of his tenure, but despite similarly windy conditions today, the team resumed outdoor practice. "It almost certainly could have been avoided," said Andrew Seroff, 21, a senior at the university.

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Sat Scores

Sat Scores: The average Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores for last year’s graduating class of 2010 rose 21 points overall. This statistic is taken from the seniors’ most recent test scores, and before March of 2010, and about 203 students of that class took the test.
A score of 800 for each of the three test subjects would be a perfect score. Last year’s seniors achieved an average of 539 for the reading portion, 538 for math, and 530 for writing, for an average of a total of a score of 1607.
These scores are slightly higher than the scores of the averages of Loudoun County’s last year’s seniors, which were 535 in reading, 536 in math, and 526 in writing. However, the average scores in Virginia were 512 in reading, 512 in math, and 497 in writing.
Senior guidance counselor Jaclyn Smith recommends that students practice the SAT to better increase their scores. This includes being familiar with the type of questions, the amount of time that it takes, and the actual content of the test. “The more exposure you have, the better,” she said.
Smith also said it was a personal decision as to how many and what resources students should use. There are several preparatory guide books, including one even created by the test administrator, College Board, and SAT preparatory courses that students can take.
When debating on whether or not to take a prep course, Smith said that students should ask themselves, “Are you going to have the discipline to sit there and study on your own or would you benefit to sit there [and study] with a group?”
Guidance director Kevin Terry strongly encourages students to take advantage of the College Board website, www.CollegeBoard.com. Using the access code which students receive after taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) test in school, they can navigate through the new “Answers Imagined” portion of the website.

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World Series Score

World Series Score : World Series Score: Giants vs. Rangers WS 2010 Game 1 – Last night the Rangers faced the San Francisco Giants in an unprecedented World Series match that took place in California.

They may not be the most famous team on the field , but many had already predicted that the Texas Rangers to fight till the end during the World Series – and it appears that they were wrong.

The unprecedented World Series Game 1 began on Wednesday in San Francisco and it ended with the following score Giants 11, Rangers 7 thanks to the fact that Tim Lincecum was able to outshine Cliff Lee by giving up four runs in five and two-thirds innings while striking out three.

But the real men of the hour are Juan Uribe and Freddy Sanchez who hit a three-run homer and had four hits, including three doubles and three runs batted in respectively.

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Freddy Sanchez

Freddy Sanchez: The San Francisco Giants weren't supposed to be able to outslug the mighty Texas Rangers offense. But then again, this team has been defying expectations throughout this postseason.
Second baseman Freddy Sanchez was in the middle of all three of San Francisco's big innings, going 4-for-5 with three RBI in the Giants' 11-7 win in Game 1 and becoming the first player to double in each of his first three World Series at-bats.

"I love to be up in big situations, game on the line," he said. "You're not always going to come through, but when you do, it feels good."

GIANTS: Beat powerful Rangers at own offensive game
SERIES BREAKDOWN: Giants find crack in Lee's armor
RANGERS: Rangers stumble in Series debut
GALLERY: Images from the 2010 postseason
The doubles theme started inauspiciously. After his double in the opening inning, Sanchez was doubled off second for the final out.

But in the third inning with Texas on top 2-0, his two-bagger plated the Giants' first run and snapped a 16-inning postseason scoreless streak for Rangers ace Cliff Lee, who took the first postseason loss of his career.

Then in the fifth, double No. 3 snapped a 2-2 tie and sparked a decisive six-run rally that finished off Lee and put the Giants on cruise control.

"When he gets hot, he can get as hot as anybody. He carried us tonight," said Giants outfielder Cody Ross. "Another different hero tonight. It's just the way our team is."

The Giants tied the 2002 club's World Series record with seven extra-base hits in the game.

The doubles were a bit unexpected from someone who had 30 extra-base hits during the regular season.

"At the beginning of the postseason, I was feeling anxious and not relaxed," Sanchez said. "As the postseason has gone on, I've felt more confident at the plate."

He nearly tied a World Series record with a fourth double, but his hot shot down the right-field line in the eighth inning was changed to a single and an error on right fielder Vladimir Guerrero.

Sanchez's postseason heroics were in stark contrast to the way his season started. He didn't play his first game until May 19, starting the season on the disabled list because of shoulder surgery.

A midseason slump dropped the 2006 National League batting champion's average to a season-low .255 on Aug. 11, but Sanchez hit .371 the rest of the way.

"He didn't just accidentally win a batting title," said Giants closer Brian Wilson of the 2006 crown Sanchez won with the Pittsburgh Pirates. "He's one of the most prepared guys I've seen."

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Christina Walsh

Christina Walsh :  In the story that just keeps on giving, the woman in the room with Sheen at the time was named as Christina Walsh. According to new reports, Christina , aka, Capri Anderson, was found naked and locked inside a bathroom closet at Sheen's hotel suite hours after their introduction at a bar inside The Plaza.

Christina told people Sheen had been using cocaine before he trashed the suite thinking she had stolen his wallet.


“She said after he did the coke, he flipped out, couldn’t find his wallet and accused her of stealing it," a source with knowledge of the situation told RadarOnline.com, exclusively.


She called hotel staff and police were alerted, who on arrival, found Sheen “intoxicated” before sending him to a hospital where he was placed under medical evaluation.


Sheen was in Manhattan with his ex-wife, Denise Richards, and their daughters, who were staying on the same floor in separate rooms from the "Platoon" star.


Richards said yesterday that kids Sam, 6, and Lola, 5, were unaware of the latest sordid chapter in their father's long-running drama. And, she said, they won't learn about it from her.


"The details of what went on in that room, what went on that night, I prefer to keep private and personal."

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Cavs

Cavs: The embrace Terence Fells-Danzer shared with his grandfather Saturday at Scott Stadium following Virginia's 48-21 victory over Eastern Michigan represented the conclusion of a conversation they began last December.

Previously a linebacker in former coach Al Groh's 3-4 base defense, Fells-Danzer requested a position change during the offseason, hoping to find greater opportunity to get on the field. Seven games into the 2010 season, the fourth-year junior has grown into his role as a reserve fullback and developed into an integral component of a Virginia kickoff unit that leads the ACC in yards per return.

Perhaps most importantly for first-year Coach Mike London as he attempts to rebuild a downtrodden Cavaliers program, Fells-Danzer has become a player he can point to as someone who took advantage of career resuscitation. Against Eastern Michigan - in his first collegiate start - Fells-Danzer caught his first collegiate touchdown pass and also scored on a 70-yard kickoff return.

"Those are the type of things that, when a player has a little bit of success, play by play, game by game, that hopefully it becomes contagious to other players," London said. "And that's what we've got to do. We've got to try to put a string together of successful plays, which will lead to successful games, which leads to winning games, which leads to turning things around."

Changing course was exactly what Fells-Danzer (Culpeper High) had in mind when he called his grandfather, Kenneth Fells, around Christmas last year. First, Fells-Danzer asked his grandfather - who has coached youth football for the past 35 years, including a long stint at the Peppermill Community Center in Landover - what he would think about him changing his uniform number. Fells consented.

Fells-Danzer later called back to say his number had gone from 50 to 34 and that, by the way, he also had switched to the offensive side of the ball. Initially, Fells was not pleased. His grandson had spent three years developing equity at the linebacker position and all of the sudden he wanted to play fullback?

"Then he began to explain his reasoning and his logic," Fells said. "And I must have taught him too well, because his reasoning and his logic made perfect sense."

The new coaching staff was switching from a base defense that included four linebackers to one that utilized three, and Fells-Danzer knew that meant there would be an abundance of options at his position. He also knew the new coaches would not have much film on him, seeing as how he had played sparingly on defense the previous two seasons.

Following Fells-Danzer's redshirt freshman year, he was so discouraged by his lack of playing time that he briefly considered transferring to another school.

"In the 3-4, there were a lot of moving parts," Fells-Danzer said. "To get it down, you have to be very calm and very vocal on what you need to do. And I can say at the time I was very timid on making a few calls and making a few shifts. It was just very difficult to actually even understand at that time why I wasn't playing. But at the same time I also knew why I wasn't playing."

After consulting with his mother and grandfather, Fells-Danzer elected to stay. Fells always had taught his grandson to be coachable, even during times when his relationship with his coach waned.

It also helped that first-year Virginia offensive coordinator Bill Lazor was reintroducing the fullback position into the Cavaliers' offense scheme. Fells-Danzer approached London and asked to switch to fullback.

As Fells-Danzer jogged off the field Saturday following his two-touchdown performance, he saw his grandfather standing underneath the uprights. He wrapped the man who has guided him through his football career in a hug and let the moment soak a little while longer.

"I had been preaching to him the whole time about perseverance," Fells said. "Stay in there; do what you're asked to do. . . . I was more just elated and happy for him because he is realizing why he went there and what he wanted to do."

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Giants Rangers

Giants Rangers: It's all seemed too easy. That's the shocking part of this whole thing. How easy it's been.

Whipping up on the Tampa Bay Rays. Going to new Yankee Stadium and taking two of three. Dominating the Yankees. Stealing home. Cliff Lee looking like Sandy Koufax. Colby Lewis looking like Bob Gibson. Elvis Andrus looking like a salty veteran in his 10th post-season.

Eerily easy. Discomforting.

The World Series starts tonight. Texas Rangers versus the San Francisco Giants in a best-of-7 series. Starting in San Francisco for two games.

The nervous energy abounds. The primal uncertainty that envelopes us as a fanbase is electric. Even with Cliff Lee on the mound. Waiting for the other shoe to fall on this thing. Waiting for the pinch only to find ourselves 20 back of the California Angels.

If the first 11 games seemed easy, I doubt the next four (at least) won't be nearly as a cakewalk. There will be blood.

Five keys:

Playing As A Frontrunner
The Texas Rangers haven't just played as underdogs during these playoffs. They've been the underdog over the past 40 years. Do the Rangers know how to play as the frontrunner? Do they know how to play as the team that's supposed to win instead of the team everyone expects to lose?

Vladimir Guerrero
Somehow, a .269 average in the ALCS doesn't appropriately indicate how bad Guerrero was. He rode one good game (four hits). Otherwise, it was three hits in 20-odd at bats. This is it for Guerrero. I don't think he'll be a Ranger next year. He could very well be done for his career. I hope not, but it might. The Rangers need Guerrero to show up and crush.

Jonathan Sanchez
The great X-factor. We think Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain will give the Giants a shot to win. Sanchez is the Giants' primary lefty. He's the team leader in ERA. He's good. He's pitched a no-hitter. He's also a guy that could get pulled in the second inning, like he was the other night against Philly. He's an X-factor. He's a wild card. Whether the Rangers or Giants are 0-2 going into game 3. Or if the Giants are up 1-2 or down 1-2, Sanchez' start means the world.

Bases On Balls
I think walks are killer. I'd rather give up three hits than a walk. Hits are potential outs. Walks aren't. Unfortunately for me, I root for two guys (C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis) that walk an inordinate amount of hitters. In three of the four Rangers losses this season, the Rangers pitchers registered four or more walks. In five of the Rangers' seven post-season wins, the pitchers registered three or less walks.

Why would walks kill the Rangers against the Giants? Because the Giants, for the season, collected a league-worst 392 walks. On top of that, the Giants were 25th in the league with a .257 team batting average.

Lesson: Throw strikes. Throw a lot of strikes and force the Giants' line-up to hit the ball. A team that clearly has no intention on taking pitches and walking free passes should not be afforded that opportunity by any means.

Baserunning
Antlers, bitches. It's been the key to the Rangers beating the Rays and the Yankees. Not just stealing bases, but scoring from second on groundouts, tagging up, going from first to third on a single. All these things have been responsible for about 60 percent of the Rangers' runs (this stat is not factual ... it might be true, but not based on real research). The Rangers must keep running. Push the Giants into mistakes.

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Clippers

Clippers :New coach, new general manager and new star in the making. Same old result for the Clippers.

Brandon Roy scored 22 points and the Portland Trail Blazers spoiled the NBA debut of Blake Griffin with a 98-88 victory over Los Angeles on Wednesday night.
Griffin had 20 points and 14 rebounds, a year after his rookie season was supposed to begin. The No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft broke his left kneecap in the Clippers' final pre-season game and missed all of last season.
"In some areas I did well, but there's a lot of room for improvement," he said. "It was a sigh of relief that I made it back, but I don't want to make this game bigger than it is. It is a first game, not a live or die situation."
Eric Gordon led Los Angeles with 22 points and Rasual Butler scored 16.
"I hate that we lost," said Baron Davis, who had eight points, three assists and four turnovers.
LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Blazers, who gave Nate McMillan his 200th victory as coach. Nicolas Batum scored 15 points, Andre Miller 14 and former Clippers centre Marcus Camby had 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Roy added 10 rebounds. He went 0 for 8 from the floor in the second half.
"They were sending multiple guys at Brandon in the second half, and it's hard to play one-on-three," Camby said. "But we really didn't need him that much in the second half. Our two best players are LaMarcus and Brandon, and when one doesn't have it going in the first half, like LaMarcus, Brandon led us in the first half. In the second half, Brandon didn't play well and LaMarcus did. So it's good to have that balance."
The Blazers, who beat Phoenix in their opener a night earlier, improved to 2-0 without Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla, who are both sidelined with knee injuries.
Griffin took the microphone before the game and thanked the fans for coming out on opening night. After recording his first NBA statistic — a foul — he electrified the crowd of 18,382 with an alley-oop one-handed dunk.
"You could say a little frustration taken out on the rim," he said about his first dunk in a game that finally counted.
Griffin later scored seven straight points, drawing more cheers for a putback dunk and a tip-in.
"He's a guy that jumps all over the place and he's quick, so he's definitely going to be a big body there to mess around with for some years to come," said Miller, another former Clipper.
Camby and Griffin were teammates last season, when Griffin was relegated to rehab after undergoing surgery.
"He's a stud, man. He's going to be the face of that franchise for years to come," Camby said.
Griffin's intensity was on display when he jerked his mouth guard out after getting called for his second foul and sitting down.
But he hardly scored after halftime, and even though they weren't directed at him, he heard the boos that fans don't hesitate to give the Clippers. Chris Kaman drew the fans' wrath when he missed consecutive shots during a stretch in which the Blazers ran off 15 straight points in the fourth. Kaman finished with 11 rebounds.
The Clippers led 71-70 going into the fourth, but they fell apart after scoring seven straight for a 78-74 lead.
"Their zone bothered us," Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. "We got very stagnant. I thought we settled for too much. It's a good learning experience. We just got to learn how to win the fourth quarter."
The Blazers scored at will, with Aldridge getting seven points and Miller four in the decisive run that put Portland ahead for good, 91-80.
"It was our defence," Camby said. "We changed it up a little bit and switched from man to a zone, and I think that kind of slowed them down a little and made them a little hesitant. Then we were able to get some stops."
Portland owned a 51-41 edge on the boards, including a 21-14 offensive edge.
"I wasn't happy at all with how I blocked out on the defensive glass," Griffin said. "They had 21 offensive rebounds and I probably gave up six of them, which is ridiculous. That should never happen."
Despite Griffin's offensive exploits, the Clippers still trailed 32-23 after Roy scored Portland's last five points of the first quarter.
Los Angeles outscored the Blazers 22-9 to open the second and led by one before Roy scored Portland's last 11 points for a 54-49 lead going into halftime.
NOTES: Del Negro fell to 2-1 on opening night as a coach. Chicago won both openers in his two seasons as Bulls coach. ... McMillan is 200-212 in six seasons in Portland. ... Former Clippers guard Cuttino Mobley, who retired two years ago because of a heart condition, sat courtside.

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Wsbtv Weather

Wsbtv Weather:Long-time WXIA-TV meteorologist Flip Spiceland voluntarily left the station in early 2008 for what ended up being a short-lived public relations job which lasted all of three weeks because a grand jury went after the company for fraud.

Spiceland then repped North Metro Technical College. But that college merged with another one, leaving him jobless again.

Recently, he found a position with the United Way, helping with fundraising in Paulding County working out of the Douglasville office. “I’m delighted,” he said. “It’s really rewarding.”

He’s used to still being recognized “almost constantly.”

And with a name like Flip Spiceland, that’s understandable. He said when he calls companies to remind them about United Way contributions, people have called the area director to make sure it wasn’t a joke. He also does face-to-face presentations with companies. The last one he did, in which he discussed logistics related to the campaign, ended with a Q&A. The first question: “Is Flip your real name?’

(It is more or less. His birth name is Philip Howard Spiceland but his parents always called him Flip.)

Spiceland worked for 21 years at CNN as well from 1980 to 2001 before going to WXIA for seven years.

I asked him if he’s glad he’s not having to do the Wizometer, the recent gimmick WXIA introduced in which they rank weather each day from 1 to 11. He is glad he doesn’t have to do it though he can’t blame the station for the marketing tactic. He said this morning he heard Chesley McNeil, his replacement, give today a 5 out of 10 and noted tornado warnings. A colleague in his office today mused: “If a tornado warning means a 5, if he says 2 or 3, should I run for my life?”

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Lakers 2010 Championship Ring ceremony

Last night was the first home game of the season for the Los Angeles Lakers and before the game the Lakers raised their championship banner and got their new championship rings.

The Lakers went to celebrity jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills for the second-straight year to do the rings, which features each individual player's face but not only that, each ring has a piece of the ball from the historic Game 7 battle against the Boston Celtics.

Not only that, but the box that holds the ring has a rotating platform that holds the ring above LED lights. As you can see from the ring and the description, money was not an issue with these rings. In fact, these might be the most extravagant rings in the history of professional sports. I feel like the Lakers and the New York Yankees just try to outdo one another each time they win a championship.

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Charlie Sheen Hospitalized

Charlie Sheen Hospitalized :Charlie Sheen hospitalized after a drunken rampage… does Sheen need help or what?

In this Today show video clip, they discuss how Charlie Sheen was hospitalized after he went crazy and trashed his hotel room, was found drunk and naked in his room (with a naked prostitute), and later released.

Addiction specialist Dr. Drew Pinksy weighs in on the latest Charlie Sheen incident, saying, “The sad reality is that if Charlie continues on the path he’s on, and continues to attempt to work as opposed to take time off and focus on treatment… he will likely die.”

Charlie Sheen, the highest paid actor on television (earning nearly $2 million an episode), is currently on probabation for the domestic violence incident with wife Brooke Mueller.

Charlie Sheen’s rep says Sheen was hospitalized for an allergic reaction to medication. That seems a bit far-fetched.

Sheen is already back in L.A. and getting back to work – shooting a movie on Friday and Two and a Half Men next week.

Do you think Charlie Sheen being hospitalized will be a wake up call to clean up for good?

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Nestor Kirchner

Nestor Kirchner:The former Argentinian president, Néstor Kirchner, the current leader's husband and a contender to succeed her in next year's election, has died of a heart attack.

Kirchner, 60, was considered President Cristina Fernández's closest adviser and a major power broker in her government.

He died after being taken to the Formenti de Calafate hospital while suffering a severe heart attack, the presidency said.

"It was a sudden death"Kirchner's doctor, Luis Buonomo, told Reuters.

The former president, who underwent two arterial procedures earlier this year, died in the southern city of El Calafate. Fernández was at his side when he died, state television said.

The left-leaning Kirchner from the ruling Peronist party was president from 2003 to 2007 and oversaw Argentina's recovery from a devastating economic crisis. He was famous for his fiery speeches peppered with leftist rhetoric and outspoken criticism of political rivals, private companies and the International Monetary Fund.

The news immediately had great impact in Argentina.

"A great patriot has died," said Juan Carlos Dante Gullo, a ruling party congressman, to state TV. "This will leave a huge hole in Argentine politics. We will have to follow his example. Argentina has lost one of its greatest men."

The leader of the human rights group Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, Estela de Carlotto, said Kirchner "gave his life for his country."

"Our country needed this man so much. He was indispensable," she told radio Continental.

Kirchner, a likely candidate in next year's presidential elections, was secretary general of the South American alliance known as Unasur and also served as a congressman and leader of the Peronist party.

After meeting his wife at law school in the turbulent 1970s, the couple took turns in the political limelight. She was a close adviser during his 2003-2007 rule and he was a key economic adviser since she succeeded him in December 2007.

He was seen as a key contender in next year's presidential race and his popularity closely tracked approval ratings for his wife's presidency that rebounded from lows of about 20% alongside an economic recovery.

In their back-to-back tenures – criticised by some for side-stepping presidential term limits – Kirchner and his wife increased state control of the economy, intervening in financial and grains markets and maintaining price controls that analysts say have dampened investment in the energy sector.

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Jordan Farmar

Name: Jordan Farmar
Position: PG
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 180 lbs
Birth Date: November 30, 1986 (age 23)
Birth Place: Los Angeles, CA
Number: 2
Drafted: 26th pick of the First Round in 2006 by the Los Angeles Lakers
Experience: 4 years
Contract: $4 million

On Offense: Essentially, this part of Farmar’s game is going to be intriguing to watch. In his four years in the NBA, he’s been running the triangle offense, which limits the importance of a point guard. Sure, it’s a successful formula, so who cares as long as you’re winning. However, the Nets don’t run the triangle offense and this could open things up for Farmar. He’s not a particularly explosive point guard in the vein of Allen Iverson in his prime, but Farmar seems to be a solid shooter when a basket is needed and provides some much-needed three-point shooting to create space. In regards to being that second coach on the floor, Farmar never really had the opportunity to shine as he did in UCLA. He’s capable of leading a fast break, as well as slowing the tempo and getting the job done in a half-court offense. Again, it’s going to be intriguing to watch Farmar.

On Defense: Farmar doesn’t possess the speed, long arms, lateral quickness, or keen defensive intuition to jump passing lanes to be an outstanding defender, but he at least has the will to play defense, stay in front of his man, and give up his body. He may not always stop his man, but the latter set of characteristics will endear Farmar to head coach Avery Johnson, as well as Nets fans.

Miscellaneous: Farmar has two NBA championship rings and in 75% of his NBA career, he’s been to the NBA Finals. That pedigree gives him credibility to his teammates and while he won’t be looked at for sage advice as someone like Derek Fisher would, Farmar’s presence will still be an important one and should help change the attitude and environment of the Nets.

Comment: Should Devin Harris be traded for that Carmelo Anthony guy, Farmar will obviously be a downgrade as he isn’t starter material. And if he is, he’s a low-grade starter. He’s definitely a good fill-in type of player when Harris makes his annual visit to injury-land, but a full-time starter? Nets fans would need to hope that the Lakers’ triangle offense was holding back the next Isiah Thomas.

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Wood TV 8

Wood TV 8:Arts Academy Head Start KENT CLOSED No AM or PM sessions today
Bangor Head Start VAN BUREN PM classes cancelled
Creative Technologies Academy KENT CLOSED All evening activities are cancelled
Eagle Crest Charter Academy OTTAWA CLOSED All evening events cancelled
Gratiot Head Start GRATIOT Dismissing @ 11:30 AM No PM Head Starts due to weather
Green Street Head Start KENT CLOSED No AM or PM sessions today
Hudsonville Preschool OTTAWA CLOSED Dads Night still scheduled
Ionia Head Start IONIA Dismissing @ 11:30 AM No PM Head Starts due to weather
Isabella Head Start ISABELLA Dismissing @ 11:30 AM No PM Head Starts due to weather
Immanueal – St. James Lutheran KENT Preschool only closed
Integrity School of Dance Arts KENT All classes cancelled
Lakeland Creative Beginnings Preschool KALAMAZOO Closed due to weather
Mayflower Preschool KENT All events are cancelled
Michigan Family Resources KENT No AM or PM sessions today
Montcalm Area ISD MONTCALM PM LPL Classes Cancelled
Montcalm Head Start MONTCALM Dismissing @ 11:30 AM No PM Head Starts due to weather
Mendon Community Schools ST. JOSEPH CLOSED due to Weather
North Kent Head Start KENT CLOSED No AM or PM sessions today
Newaygo Public Schools NEWAYGO CLOSED no PM activities
Springhill Head Start KENT CLOSED No AM or PM Classes
Straight Head Start KENT CLOSED No AM or PM sessions today
South Haven Head Start VAN BUREN PM classes cancelled
Thornapple-Kellogg Schools BARRY Early Childhood Special Ed afternoon classes cancelled
Van Buren ISD VAN BUREN No PM preschool programs. All morning students will go home on afternoon buses
Wellerwood Head Start KENT CLOSED No AM or PM sessions today
Whitehall District Schools MUSKEGON Regional soccer game is cancelled today and will now be on Thurs. 5pm

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WWMT

he National Weather Service issued a TORNADO WATCH for nearly all of West Michigan until 12 PM.  In Branch county the WATCH lasts until 4 PM.  Calhoun county isn't officially included, but still has a risk since it's close to the WATCH area.  Dangerous thunderstorms will rip through the area this morning and early afternoon.  In addition to the high wind threat of 70 mph thunderstorm gusts or higher, the atmosphere is ripe for thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes.  Remember, wwmt.com for the latest weather information.

The National Weather Service maintains HIGH WIND WARNINGS for all of West Michigan until Wednesday evening at 8 PM.  Wind gusts will range between 40 and 60 mph for the next two days, but even gust to near 50 mph on Thursday.  Winds of this magnitude will bring down trees and power lines.  Plus, anything loose outside is a potential victim to the wind including your Halloween decorations, lawn furniture, trash cans, and so forth.

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