Info You Crave

ACTING OPPORTUNITIES

2009-05-29T11:22:00.003-04:00

Here are a few ideas on maximizing your any acting opportunities that might come your way, or creating the opportunities in the first place.

HAVING AN AGENT

An agent can get your face seen in places that you alone could not. This increases the likelihood of you getting work. The more swings you make the more balls you hit! But there are many acting opportunities to be found without an agent. Though nearly all Film, TV, Broadway and Off Broadway productions will exclusively use agent submissions, you can still find work without an agent. Community and Dinner Theatre, student and some Indie films will take unrepresented actors.
The more experience and skills you have the more likely it is that an agent will take you on. An agent makes money when you work, so they will be keen to sign you up if you can show what an asset you will be to them. There is nothing wrong with sending a Resume and Headshot (more on those later), but it’s essential that you send follow-up cards letting the agent know where and when you will be working, so they can see for themselves what a good actor you are.

RESUMES

Resumes help, they help in getting an agent but once you have one, your agent will use it to get you auditions. There are some rules for resumes, here are are the major ones.

Keep it to one page (8.5 x 11), if its more than one page the pages might get separated and details lost.

Make it neat. People have been known to get around the above restriction by using a small font size, its a judgement call but if the type is too small it will be hard to read.

The Headshot should be recent, but use a photograph that shows you at your absolute best.

Make sure that all your contact information is correct, its also an idea to set up an email address specifically for your acting correspondence, this may stop you deleting essential emails.

The big tip for resumes is DON’T LIE! We have all exaggerated something on an application form at some time, but you should be very careful about what you say you can do on your resume. Future opportunities could be endangered if you lie and you will look foolish if you’ve put motorcycle riding down as a skill and on your first day on set you have to admit you just to get the part.

LOCAL COMMERCIALS

The majority of acting opportunities are focused around the major cities like New York and L.A. But other opportunities crop up all over the country, some of which I mentioned in the opening paragraph. The most lucrative can be commercials for local car dealerships, restaurants and large local stores. These are usually produced by local agencies who will normally use local talent because it’s easier and cheaper than flying in someone from L.A. The director will still only hire actors with the relevant skill and look, but you can improve your opportunities if you have a diverse or “ethnically ambiguous” look, i.e. if you can pass for more than one type of race.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article, I hope that it’s given you a few ideas on maximizing your acting opportunities. Follow this link if you are looking for more information on your Acting Career.

Real Estate Investment | Cheap Homes

2009-05-23T22:58:00.003-04:00

You don't have to have a title in order to profit from real estate investment. In fact, even if you are not an investor, realtor or someone who has studied the market, you can still profit from real estate.

All you have to do is know exactly where to find the market at. By doing this, you will have the chance to put some extra change in your pocket.

For more on investing in real estate. Visit http://realestateinvestment.desmktg.com

How to get 48,280 followers on Twitter

2009-05-23T22:52:00.002-04:00

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Two More Days to Claim Your F'ree PlugNplay Website!

2009-05-05T08:57:00.002-04:00

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Acting Career | How to Start Your Acting Career

2009-04-24T10:05:00.001-04:00

Most celebrities started playing small roles on television and in the movies before they got their big break. So if you plan to start your acting career, chances are you will have to endure the same thing until a director or executive producer sees that you are ready for a major role. For more info visit Acting Career.

Moving Abroad Part 4: Required Documentation for moving Overseas

2009-03-13T15:37:00.004-04:00

In order to move and work effectively within your chosen destination it is important that you have organized and obtained the relevant documentation. Failure to do so may result in your inability to legally work or even remain in the country.

When relocating abroad the following documentation is recommended:

1) Visas and Work Permits: If you are planning to work in your new country of residence you require documentation permitting you to do so. This is available in the form of a visa and working permit. A visa is a legal document issued by a country allowing the individual holding it to enter the country for a predetermined amount of time. Working without a visa or work permit is illegal.
Before arriving in your country you must obtain this documentation from the intended destination’s Embassy that is accredited to your current country. In some cases, those moving for work related purposes may have the employer organize the Visa. Further information and entry requirements can be provided by the intended country.
Ensure you are organized and have applied for your visa well in advance before your intended departure, as it may take several months for a visa or work permit to be approved.

2) Passport: All members of the family must have their own individual passport in order to reside abroad. Applications for passports are available online. Obtaining your passport may take anywhere from two to twelve weeks so be sure to apply well in advance to avoid any delays or to effectively address unexpected issues.
Once a passport is issued it is valid for five years. Whilst living overseas it is important to renew your passport in order to keep it valid. Should your passport be stolen be sure to immediately report the situation to local authorities.

3) Birth Certificate: In the event that your passport is lost or stolen, alternate forms of identification may be required in order to replace it. Having a birth certificate on hand will ensure you are prepared should this event occur.

4) Residency Permits: Some countries may require you to hold a residency permit in order to live there. To determine whether your intended destination requires you to hold a residency permit contact your representative embassy in your intended destination.

5) Medical and Dental Records: This form of documentation is not always compulsory. As party of entry requirements some countries request the provision of medical certificates for long-term residents or students. To find out whether you are required to provide medical records for your intended destination contact your representative embassy in that country.

6) International Drivers Licence: This will aid in transportation during the initial stages of your move. This document will legally allow you to drive in most countries. Depending on your intended destination, you may be required to apply for a local drivers license after a certain period of time.

Coming Soon: Financial Issues to Consider

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Moving Abroad Part 3: Renting or Buying Abroad

2009-03-06T15:37:00.003-05:00

An individual may choose to move abroad for many reasons. One may be required to work or study even move over for family or personal reasons. Having a friend or family member in your country of destination is always beneficial, as they may be able to help in the difficult task of finding and consequently renting or buying property. If you do not have a friend or relative currently in your intended destination do not stress, just be extra cautious whilst searching for your home.

For those moving for work or study related purposes, you may have already been offered accommodation. If accommodation is not offered, be prepared- it may be difficult to find suitable accommodation, so allow yourself plenty of time.

Before starting your search for a home, ensure you set yourself a budget to stick to. Ensure you include costs such as bond or renovations, legal fees during the process and the estate agent. It is recommended that you allow yourself an extra ten percent on which to fall back on, if costs prove to be more than initially expected.

Checking out the property market in your intended destination is imperative, to ensure you have a good idea of what you are getting yourself into. Start your research early by searching the internet for suitable accommodations. Look at a few different sites to compare prices. When looking for a residence to rent or buy opt to perform business through larger reputable companies. Request references if necessary. If it is possible you may request to speak to people who have previously done business with the company.

For each residence you make a serious enquiry about ensure you request a detailed description and/or photos. A floor plan may also be requested. Ensure you enquire about the surrounding neighbourhood and any facilities you may require such as access to shops and public transport. Ask as many people as possible for advice, particularly any contacts in your future destination. Remember, this will be your new home so it is important that you find a location you can be happy and comfortable with.

The representative embassy in the intended destination may also be able to provide information on buying or renting homes in the country.

Whilst there is no typical process when buying or renting abroad, there are some basic steps that may give you an idea of how to proceed.
1) Find an estate agent: Look for someone who makes an effort to determine your areas of interest, your budget and your needs. Obtaining an estate agent will allow you to view a variety of locations in which to buy or rent. The estate agent should also be able to provide you with further contacts to aid you in the later stages of purchasing or renting your home.

2) View the property: During this stage it is important to remain objective and keep and open mind. Do not fall in love at first sight. Gather as much information about the property as possible.

3) Agree on a price: Depending on the country (in some countries negotiating is looked upon as offensive or illegal) you may be able to negotiate a price.

4) Sign the preliminary contract and make a deposit: Once a price has been agreed on a preliminary contract is required. Before signing anything it is recommended that you obtain the services of a lawyer in your intended destination, to offer another opinion and ensure all proceedings are legal. Your estate agent may try to persuade you that a lawyer is not necessary and that they will be able to take care of all aspects of the deal. Obtaining the services of a lawyer would be more beneficial as the estate agent does not have the correct qualifications to aid you in the legal and financial side of buying or renting your home. The representative embassy in your new location will be able to provide you with a list of lawyers from which to choose. If you elect to not employ the services of a lawyer, ensure the following:
a) The land on which your home is being built is fully paid for. Some developers may borrow against the land and in the event that they become bankrupt the local authorities will reclaim this land and consequently your house.
b) If you are purchasing a property that requires renovations, ensure you thoroughly check planning laws to ensure that renovations are allowed on your property.
c) Ensure the previous owner had no debts, as these may become your responsibility.
d) If you intend to rent your home, be sure that this is legal.

At this stage you will be required to make a deposit or pay bond. If you are building or buying off a plan, you should not be required to pay the full amount up front. Many factors may affect the length between the signing of the preliminary contract to completion. Before signing the contract ensure you enquire as to the exact processes that will occur in regards to your home.

5) Completion: This stage requires the signing of further documentation and contracts and the payment of the final balance (if buying a home). May financial institutes recommend that people borrow and pay in the currency of the country they are buying in, in order to minimize risk and confusion. It is important to use official channels to transfer money during all transactions as this will provide you with records in order to claim insurance or refunds if necessary.

Coming Soon: Required Documentation for moving Overseas

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Moving Abroad Part 2-Your New Home: What do you know about it?

2009-02-24T13:31:00.002-05:00

Before deciding to move, you should do some research on your intended destination. Every country is different and unique. Moving to a new country means you will become immersed within an entirely different culture. If you have not properly prepared for this event it will come as quite a shock to you, as all of the traditions you are familiar with are replaced with new and foreign ones.
There have been recommendations suggesting a pre-move visit to view the housing markets and job prospects; however this is not always possible nor is it particularly feasible. If however the aforementioned is a possibility, visiting your possible future destination will give you the opportunity to view the cultures and customs associated with this new country. It would also make the process of finding accommodation much easier.

In the event that a pre-move visit is not possible it is important to research and find as much information as possible about the country in which you intend to live. Start by researching information available on the internet. Here you will find a broad range of information on any topic you care to learn about. Try participating in an online forum. This will give you the chance to communicate with people who have visited or are currently living in your intended destination. Take this opportunity to voice any questions or concerns you may have.

Some information you might like to familiarize yourself with will be political, social and environmental factors of the country. These may be quite different to those you are normally accustomed to, so by learning as much as possible in advance you will ensure you are prepared and not in for any unexpected surprises once you relocate.

Learning about the social ideals of your intended destination will optimize your chances of settling in quickly and becoming comfortable with your new environment as you will be able to identify with new friends and work colleagues and socialize in a culturally appropriate manner. In the long run this will make adjusting to your new life significantly easier by creating a friendly and supportive environment within your new home.
Researching your possible new location is also important in regards to knowing the safety level and required security measures of your particular country. Some countries may be in a state of war or may have been declared dangerous, an important issue to be aware of. For information on your intended destination locate travel reports on your government website, which will be able to provide updated information on the current state of the country.

Coming Soon: Part 3 - Renting or Buying Abroad

Moving Abroad Part 1 - Finding and Evaluating Employment Overseas

2009-02-19T00:22:00.002-05:00

Moving Abroad Part 1 of 9 - Finding and Evaluating Employment Overseas

Many people move abroad for work related purposes. Even if you are not moving abroad for reasons such as these, a permanent change in location will probably mean that you at some stage will be working in your new country.

A wide variety of work exists in most countries. This section will provide you with information on finding jobs and evaluating how suitable they will be for your situation.

Firstly, decide what it is you require in a job. Will you be building on previous skills or starting something new? How long will you be planning to work for?

There are several different ways in which an individual may search for work overseas.
The most common method of seeking employment is to do it yourself rather than rely on an agency. Start searching for work over the internet. If you begin searching after you have moved to your intended destination, try searching in local newspapers. Once you have identified suitable job, apply by following the instructions set out in the job advertisement. Application requirements will vary according to the type of job you are applying for, so ensure you read the application details carefully.

As you are offered positions, it is important you evaluate them carefully before you accept. Whilst attending interviews feel free to ask as many questions of them as they of you. Ask about the organization as a whole and to see references. It may also help to search their website online.
If you are being offered a contract make sure you examine it extremely carefully and that you agree to all outlined terms before you sign. Ensure you fully understand all details of the contract and that it details all financial conditions (such as currency wage is being paid in and when you will receive your first pay check). If you are still in your original location (i.e. have not yet moved to your new destination) it may be worthwhile to let your lawyer inspect the contract. It may also be an idea to find out the repercussions of breaking the contract if the new job does not work out. During negotiations, some employers may offer plane tickets back to your country of origin upon completion of your job, however do not always follow through. To ensure this does not happen, request an open-ended or round trip ticket in advance.
Some jobs online may sound too good to be true, and in many cases they are. Avoid jobs offering quick easy money- this is particularly true for women as these jobs often turn out to be prostitution rings.

Organizations aimed at helping people find work overseas exist, and are particularly beneficial as they eliminate the need to thoroughly investigate and research job opportunities and in many cases may organize visas, work permits and accommodation for the successful applicant.
If you hold a professional qualification it may be worth applying for work via the submission of your resume to a recruitment agency. As above, these eliminate the need for intense research into the job or company and may also provide the required documentation for working overseas.
Another method utilized in finding work abroad is obtaining a transfer through the current place of work. Some work places are able to offer posting overseas through international links. For more information it may be worthwhile contacting the human resources department in your place of employment.

Before arriving at your intended destination, plan ahead and take extra copies of your resumes and other relevant documentation in order to pursue other types of employment abroad. This will increase your chances of obtaining a job suitable to your needs.

Coming Soon:
Section 2 - Your New Home: What do you know about it?

Guide To Moving Abroad - Introduction

2009-02-18T13:50:00.006-05:00

With the current direction our new President is taking our beloved country many might be thinking of moving abroad. Specificly those who prefer to provide for themselves instead of looking for a government handout. It's time to face the reality that those looking for a free ride, if they don't already, will soon out number those of us who prefer to prosper through our own efforts. With that in mind I will be providing a nine part guide to moving abroad. So fasten your seatbelts, tighten up those back braces and get ready for all the information you will need to plan that big move. This guide is valued at $40 but will be yours at no cost just for being a regular visitor to http://infoyoucrave.blogspot.com/.

Guide To Moving Abroad - Introduction
Moving down the street can be hard enough, let alone moving to a completely different country. Despite being one of the most exciting times of your life, it can also be particularly stressful, especially if you find yourself unprepared for what lies ahead. This guide aims to provide you with the necessary information to ensure as smooth a transition as possible to your new destination.

Coming Soon: Finding and Evaluating Employment Overseas

KURTIS THE STOCK BOY AND BRENDA THE CHECKOUT GIRL

2009-01-30T13:33:00.001-05:00

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, thenew check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love. Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again outside of work. She simply said it wasn’t possible. He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn’t afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday. That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, “Well, let’s take the kids with us.” She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome. Kurtis asked Brenda, “I still don’t understand why the kids can’t come with us?” Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mindset. That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with. A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids. So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona , where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League, Arizona Cardinals and has his Cardinals ready for an appearance in the Super Bowl. Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person? It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. He has also been the NLF’s Most Valuable Player twice, and the Super Bowl’s Most Valuable Player. And on his way to the super bowl.

It is nice to hear something good about a pro athlete, instead of the trouble that one of them is getting in off the field. I am sure that there are alot more of these nice, heart-warming stories about pro athletes, like Warrick Dunn purchasing a home for a single mother every year and others. It would be nice if the media would report more stories like this! I hope you enjoyed it.

Ann Coulter's New Book Has Just Been Released

2009-01-21T14:45:00.004-05:00

Ann Coulter's new book has just been released. It's selling off the shelves everywhere but you can get it FREE with your subscription to Townhall Magazine.

In her most controversial and fiercely argued book yet, Ann Coulter calls out liberals for always playing the victim -- when in fact, as she sees it, they are the victimizers. In Guilty, Coulter explodes this myth to reveal that when it comes to bullying, no one outdoes the Left. Guilty is a mordantly witty and shockingly specific catalog of offenses which Coulter presents from A to Z. And as with each of her past books, all of which were NYT bestsellers, Coulter is fearless in her penchant for saying what needs saying about politics and culture today.

You need to read this book. Click here to get your copy.
Guilty: Liberal "Victims" and Their Assault on America

Why We Fight

2009-01-16T09:04:00.004-05:00

by Andrew Klavan

This is by way of a friendly response to the estimable Jay Nordlinger, Senior Editor at the likewise estimable National Review. Jay wrote a strong column yesterday openly saying what I’ve been hearing many conservatives express tacitly ever since the election. Reflecting on the media’s disgraceful distortion of the characters of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Sarah Palin, he wrote:

“It seems to me that the Left has won: utterly and decisively. What I mean is, the Saturday Night Live, Jon Stewart, Bill Maher mentality has prevailed. They decide what a person’s image is, and those images stick. They are the ones who say that Cheney’s a monster, W.’s stupid, and Palin’s a bimbo. And the country, apparently, follows.”

I’ve been hearing and reading prominent conservatives and Republicans say nearly as much on television, in print and in private conversation ever since the election. They say Sarah Palin can never make a comeback. They say the fight for small government has been lost. They say we can’t have immigration reform that protects our borders. They say we have to distance ourselves from “embarrassing” commentators like Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter.

No, no, no, no. What the right is experiencing at the moment is a phenomenon called “cultural para-stimuli.” You can read all about it in Tom Wolfe’s wonderful novel I Am Charlotte Simmons. It’s sort of like peer pressure on steroids. It was discovered by Nobel Laureate Victor Ransome Starling, who found that when he surrounded normal cats with cats whose behavior had been bizarrely altered by brain surgery, the normal cats began acting like the crazy cats all around them.

That’s us–surrounded by the mainstream media. So steeped are we now in their lies about our representatives, their ridicule of our commentators, their demonizing dismissal of the causes we know are just, that we’ve begun to adopt their attitudes toward ourselves! And perhaps chief among the lies they’ve sold us is the lie that they’ve won, that the media are theirs for good and all, and that Americans are going to be hoodwinked and brainwashed by their constant barrage of misinformation forever.

Well, only if we let them. And only if we in the media surrender first.

Look, the American media are in a bad way, a disastrous way. Movies, TV, literature–instead of illuminating vehicles for art and entertainment, they’ve become like the Matrix, replacing reality with a plausible leftist imitation. Journalists especially have so shamed themselves in their coverage of the last election–hounding Sarah Palin’s daughter and Joe the Plumber while all but ignoring Barack Obama’s ties to Illinois corruption, and his long and deep association with the racist anti-American Jeremiah Wright–that it’s going to take them years to recover. When people shame themselves that badly, they don’t admit it in a hurry. They savage their critics instead and continue their own shameful practices as a kind of defiant denial–anything rather than look in the mirror and confront what they’ve turned themselves into.

So yeah, we’re on our own for now. But we’re not unarmed and we’re in no way defeated. We have great politicians like Sarah Palin–who could well be president in not eight years but four–honest newsmen like Bret Baer and genius commentators like Rush–and Ann Coulter, who’s only about ten times smarter, funnier and more talented as a satirist than Jon Stewart or Bill Maher will ever be. The left can’t out-argue these mind-warriors so they try to ridicule, disdain and isolate them, to make us feel ashamed that we admire and respect them. And they tell us they’re finished, washed-up. Why, just look, it must be true: it’s right there in the newspapers and on TV.

They’re lying. The left has to lie for the simple reason that they’re wrong and we’re right, their policies don’t work and ours do. Look at the cities that liberal politicians and programs have devoured like locusts. Look at the liberal states that can’t rein in their spending even as they go broke. Look at how environmentalists have made us energy-slaves to monsters overseas. And look at how leftist, anti-patriotic and anti-religious policies in Europe have turned a once-great culture into a corpse that is being consumed by Islamo-fascist bacteria as we watch.

Hey, listen, our soldiers have to get shot at in the cause of liberty. All we in the media have to do is keep telling people the truth. Lies and insults are all the left has got to sling against us. They only win if we start to believe them.

Natalie Dylan Auctions Off Virginity For Offers Of Up To $3.7 Million

2009-01-14T16:52:00.004-05:00

Bidding in the auction for the virginity of Natalie Dylan, a 22-year-old student from San Diego, Calif., has reached absurd new highs. The Daily Telegraph has the story, saying that the price has now hit $3.7 million:

Last September, when her auction came to light, she had received bids up to £162,000 ($243,000) but since then interest in her has rocketed.

The student who has a degree in Women's Studies insisted she was not demeaning herself.

Natalie Dylan has appeared on the Howard Stern show and is conducting this transaction through Nevada's Bunny Ranch brothel. Natalie Dylan photos are readily available online and are, unsurprisingly, a popular search term.

A Really Flat Screen - Sony Bravia KLV-40ZX1M

2009-01-11T10:31:00.007-05:00

Thin long has been in when it comes to electronics. Led by Apple’s obsession with making its products ever skinnier. Flat-screen TVs, once cutting edge, seem almost portly by comparison. No more. Sony’s new Bravia KLV-40ZX1M TV has a 40-inch LCD display that’s only 9.9 millimeters deep – about as thick as a CD case. Sony manages this by placing the lamps that light the screen on the edges instead of behind the display. The widescreen, 1,080-pixel high-def TV display weighs in at about 26 pounds.

Follow this link Sony Bravia Z Series KLV-40ZX1M 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV to view Sony's new Bravia.

Gators Clear No. 1 in AP poll; Utah second

2009-01-09T16:00:00.003-05:00

Florida is No. 1 in the AP Top 25. Utah is perfect at No. 2, though not perfectly happy.
Texas and Southern California also claimed to be the best — but media voters didn’t think so.
The Gators received 48 first-place votes and 1,606 points in the poll released early Friday, after they beat Oklahoma 24-14 in the BCS national title game.

Utah, the only team in major college football to go undefeated this season, got 16 first-place votes and 1,519 points. “I thought we had an outside chance,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said in a telephone interview with the AP. “There was enough national sentiment, I thought we might get the No. 1 slot. It wasn’t to be.”

Florida won its third AP national championship and second in the last three seasons. Steve Spurrier and Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel led the Gators to the 1996 title.
No. 3 USC received one first-place vote. Texas was No. 4 and will have to settle for finishing ahead of fifth-ranked Oklahoma.

The Longhorns beat the Sooners in the regular season and thought they deserved OU’s spot in both the Big 12 and national championship games.

The Utes from the Mountain West Conference swept through their regular season, while Florida and Alabama from the SEC, Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12 and Southern California from the Pac-10 jockeyed for position in the national title chase.

The Mountain West does not have an automatic bid to the BCS — it’s not considered a strong enough league to deserve one — but the Utes earned their way in.

Utah was seventh in the final regular-season poll, but that perfect record looked much more impressive after the Utes beat Alabama 31-17 in the Sugar Bowl last week.

“All you can do is go out and beat the people on the schedule, which was exactly what our guys did,” Whittingham said. Whittingham proclaimed his team No. 1. USC’s Pete Carroll had already done that after the Trojans’ 38-24 victory in the Rose Bowl against Penn State.

Texas coach Mack Brown followed suit, proudly touting his Longhorns as the nation’s best after a 24-21 victory over Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl this week.

Whittingham said he would vote his team No. 1 in the USA Today coaches’ poll, even though the American Football Coaches Association has agreed to have all its voters place the winner of the BCS national championship game first on their ballots.

Utah did receive one first-place vote in the coaches’ poll and finished fourth.
Whittingham isn’t worried about losing his vote.

“That’s their call,” he said. “I have to look out for my players.”

Brown said he would vote for his team, too, but Texas was not listed first on any ballots. The Longhorns ended up ranked No. 3 in the coaches’ poll, right behind USC.

Carroll has never had a vote in the coaches’ poll, always skeptical of the way major college football crowns a champion.

Florida’s Urban Meyer became the 17th coach to win multiple AP national championships.
“I’ll tell you, we’re going to enjoy a big win, we’re going to enjoy the national championship,” he said, brushing off questions about other coaches claiming their team is best. “Let someone else worry about that. Gators are No. 1”

Alabama’s loss to Utah dropped the Crimson Tide to No. 6 in the final poll.
TCU, Utah’s Mountain West rival, finished seventh, followed by Penn State, Ohio State and Oregon.

Boise State led off the second 10, followed by Texas Tech, Georgia, Mississippi and Virginia Tech.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/28569176/

Cheryl Holdridge dies at 64 - popular Mouseketeer

2009-01-09T15:41:00.003-05:00

Cheryl Holdridge, the beautiful blond actress who first gained fame as a Mouseketeer on TV's "The Mickey Mouse Club" in the 1950s, has died. She was 64.Holdridge died Tuesday at her home in Santa Monica after a two-year battle with lung cancer, said Doreen Tracey, another former Mouseketeer.

What's amazing is that Cheryl and I have gone through so many things together, I'm glad I could have been there in the end too," Tracey said Thursday.Holdridge was 11 years old in the spring of 1956 when she auditioned and was hired for "The Mickey Mouse Club," which had debuted on Oct. 3, 1955, with 24 talented youngsters who sang and danced and yet came across as the kids next door.Holdridge joined the Mouseketeers in the second season of the show, which ran until 1959.

She quickly became part of the core group that appeared on the famous Mouseketeer roll call at the start of each show, along with Tracey, Annette Funicello, Tommy Cole, Cubby O'Brien, Sharon Baird, Bobby Burgess, Karen Pendleton, Lonnie Burr and Darlene Gillespie."She was a good technical dancer, but I think she was picked mostly because she had this angelic look and a great smile; she's known for her smile," Tracey said. With a laugh, she added: "We used to try to keep her quiet when she started singing because she sang off key."The other reason Holdridge was included in the core group was that "her fan mail was quite high, and they need those ratings," Tracey said. "We were trying to win over the American public, which we did."Annette had the highest rating, but Cheryl came pretty close."During her Mouseketeer days, Holdridge appeared in some of the show's episodic serials, including "Boys of the Western Sea" and the "Annette" series.

Unlike some of the other Mouseketeers, Holdridge didn't have trouble finding work in television as a young actress after hanging up her Mouse ears.She went on to play Wally Cleaver's girlfriend, Julie Foster, for two seasons on "Leave It to Beaver." And she had guest roles on shows such as "The Rifleman," "Bachelor Father," "My Three Sons," "Bewitched" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show.""

Our reputations as Disney players opened doors," Holdridge told the Chicago Tribune in 2001 during a Mouseketeer autograph session at a Disney memorabilia show in Bloomingdale, Ill., that drew a crowd of more than 1,000."Directors knew we understood how to move on camera, how to hit our marks and say lines. Doreen and I went up for many of the same parts. We both did 'Ozzie and Harriet' and 'Bachelor Father.'

"Holdridge left the business in 1964 when she married Lance Reventlow, the son of Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton, "because that's what you did then. You married and stayed home." eventlow died in a plane crash in 1972. In 1994, Holdridge married Manning Post, a prominent West Coast Democratic Party fundraiser and advisor, who died in 2000.Holdridge was born Cheryl Lynn Phelps on June 20, 1944, in New Orleans and moved to Los Angeles when she was 2. Her mother, Julie Austin, was a former Ziegfeld Follies featured dancer and comedian and encouraged her to express herself through dance.After her mother married Herbert Holdridge, a retired brigadier general, he adopted Cheryl in 1953.At 9, she was selected by George Balanchine to perform for the New York City Ballet Company in a Los Angeles production of "The Nutcracker Suite."

Her first screen appearance was a small role in the 1956 musical "Carousel."Then came "The Mickey Mouse Club.""She certainly was a very pretty blond and just had a very winning personality," said Lorraine Santoli, author of "The Official Mickey Mouse Club Book" and a former Disney publicist who worked with the Mouseketeers as adults in the 1980s and '90s.As an adult, "Cheryl was the most joyous person, is the best way I can put it," she said. "She saw the positive side of everything."Holdridge enjoyed joining other former Mouseketeers at shows and appearances at Disneyland, Santoli said."She got such joy out of it, she really did, and she was so proud of the fact that she was an original Mouseketeer."Tommy Cole said Thursday that "Cheryl was one of the loves of my life, especially because we were like family.""Being one of the prettiest girls on the set, I always considered her Miss Sunshine," he recalled. "She'd walk into the room and this ray of sunshine would happen every time she smiled."Cole was among the former Mouseketeers who visited with Holdridge on Monday night. And, he said, when he heard that she had died two hours after he left her side, "a little bit of sunshine went out of my life."

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-cheryl-holdridge9-2009jan09,0,7949485.story

Sports Collectible Retailers Hope to Recover from Disappointing Year

2009-01-08T09:09:00.002-05:00

It’s not a question of if the sports card industry lost money in 2008. It’s only a question of how much.

At the hobby shop level, the majority of retailers surveyed by Card Trade magazine this month are reporting their sales were down for the year, with some reporting declines of as much as 50 percent compared to 2007.

“Another a year like this, and I think I’m going to close,” said Ralph Brierly of Maine-ly Sports Cards in Solon, Maine. He estimated his sales were down 30 percent from last year and said he’s not optimistic the economy is going to turn around any time soon.

Dean Katz of Charm City Cards in Timonium, Md., said his sales were down for a fourth consecutive year and says the industry needs to restructure its product offerings. “There’s too much supply and not enough demand,” Katz said. “Plus, the average box of cards is now around $80. The whole climate of business has changed these last four to five years.”

Rob Vandorick of All-Star Baseball Cards in Las Vegas said his 2007 sales were down 27 percent from a year ago, and added it might have been worse had it not been for some aggressive end-of-year promotions. He also believes the best way to get collectors to increase their spending in the coming year is with more focus on lower-priced cards.

“If any new product lines are coming for 2009, we need lower SRPs,” Vandorick said. “People are only buying what they can afford and are not going after the glitz and glam.”

A handful of retailers said their sales were about the same as last year. Diane Stahura of Cheap Seats Sportscards in Whiting, Ind., was one of them, and she was thankful to be able to hold the line on sales in such a down economy. “I’ve been very, very fortunate,” Stahura said.

http://www.sportscollectorsdigest.com/article/sports_collectibles_retailers_bad_year

Akita Dogs

2008-12-30T13:36:00.003-05:00

Did Losing His Dog, Saki, Detonate the 'Killer Santa' Bruce Jeffrey Pardo?

One of the creepiest pieces of news about mass-murderer Bruce Jeffrey Pardo, an aerospace software technician who lived in Montrose, among Los Angeles' most charming, quiet and friendly suburban neighborhoods, was that he lost his "beloved" dog, Saki, to the estranged wife Pardo so viciously and methodically killed on Christmas Eve.Was losing his brown Akita dog the final push that sent this increasingly unbalanced man secretly and quietly over the edge, causing him to wipe out nine innocent lives, giving Los Angeles the kind of global and national press it doesn't exactly hope for?Here's the timeline: Pardo was ordered by a Los Angeles Superior Court in June to begin paying $1,785 to $3,166 in monthly alimony (the Associated Press says the lower amount, the L.A. Times the higher amount), but Pardo was just two or three weeks later fired from a very lucrative $120,000-plus job at ITT Electronic Systems - Radar Systems in Van Nuys. Then, he was just a couple of weeks after that denied the usual state unemployment benefits because of the still-unknown nature of his July firing from ITT Electronic Systems. And then -- one week before his blazing, bloody rampage in Covina -- the apparently financially wiped out Pardo was ordered by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to pay his wife, Sylvia, an additional $10,000, and hand over to her his Akita dog, Saki. If that was the final straw that caused Bruce Pardo to lose his mind and kill nine innocent adults and children in a blaze of gunfire and high-octane racing fuel, the next media story on this gruesome affair should look at the superior court judge, what the judge decided in this ruinous divorce case, and why he decided it. Nobody can foresee the beginnings of insanity. Nobody knows what happens when somebody believes they have lost everything. Maybe that is what happened in the demented mind of Bruce Jeffrey Pardo. A Google search of the words "murder divorce" turns up more than 8 million references.
http://blogs.laweekly.com/ladaily/did-losing-his-dog-saki-detona/

Akita Breed Information

Breed Group: Working

Weight: male: 85-130, female: 65-110 lbs

Height: male: 25-28, female: 23-26 inches

Color(s): any color, including white, pinto, or brindle

Coat: The Akita is a double coat, waterproof breed. The outer coat is harsh, straight, and stands slightly off the body. The under coat is dense, soft, and close to the body. The hair on the head, legs, and ears is short, while the hair on the tail is long and profuse. They typically shed their coat twice a year. The Akita coat colors include pure white, red, sesame, and brindle.

Overview: The Akita originated in Japan. Unchanged for centuries, this breed is considered the national dog of Japan and a natural monument. They were highly prized, revered, and only owned by nobility and aristocracy. They were used in various capacities such as Imperial guards, hunter of bear and boar, and waterfowl retrieving. They are the largest of the Spitz-type breeds. Today, the Akita is a faithful companion, therapy dog, and guard dog.
Character: Akitas are large, sturdy, and muscular. The paws are webbed which makes them excellent swimmers. They have a reserved manner and carry themselves with great dignity. They are powerful and alert, responsive and courageous. The Akita is a noble and dominating breed.

Temperament: The Akita is highly intelligent, fearless, and spontaneous. They thrive on human companionship. They are extremely loyal to their family and those they know, but are wary and aloof of strangers. They are exceedingly protective of their family, their territory, and of their food. They are particularly aggressive toward other dogs and pets. They will get along with older, very well behaved children within their family unit, but will not tolerate children they don't know. They make excellent guard dogs, although they are not excessive barkers. They do not do well if left alone for extended periods of time. For this reason, they are not well suited for a two career family. They require an inordinate amount of attention. Akitas are not recommended for the novice dog owner, or owners who are placid and submissive.

Care: The Akita requires significant grooming with a firm bristle brush on a daily basis. Bathing should only be done when absolutely necessary with a mild shampoo to prevent stripping the coat of the natural oils. It is important to keep the hair on the bottom of the paws trimmed to preserve their characteristic of webbed feet. They are prone to hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, eye problems, and lupus.

Training: The Akita requires intensive and extensive socialization and obedience training. It is absolutely imperative that they know who their master is or they will take charge. They do not respond to harsh or heavy-handed training methods. They do best with patience, kindness, firmness, fairness, and consistency. Akitas typically prefer to be clean and is easier to housetrain than many other breeds.

Activity: The Akita does not require an over-abundance of exercise. They are moderately active indoors. They enjoy play sessions with their family or other family activities. However, they will become bored and destructive if left alone for extended periods of time either inside or outside. They enjoy a daily walk, but it is vitally important they are very securely leashed and kept from encountering other dogs. They are not well suited for apartment dwellings and do best in a home with a large securely fenced yard.

Ownership: If you are looking for Akita puppies for sale from reputable Akita breeders or to adopt an Akita from an Akita rescue then make sure you understand as much about the dog breeds you are interested in as you can. Every puppy breed is different. Begin your research by reading the breed information about the Akita puppy above. Search our dog breeds section to find Akita puppies, dogs and puppies that make great pets.
http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/breeds/1100005/

Lingerie Football Player Sues Ex-Lover Over Nude Photos

2008-12-29T15:55:00.001-05:00

A lingerie football league player is suing her ex-lover after he allegedly posted nude pictures of her on the Internet and emailed them to her mother.

Melissa Berry, a 24-year-old rookie linebacker with the Tampa Breeze franchise of the Lingerie Football League, is seeking $15,000 in unspecified damages from her ex-boyfriend Mark Dawson, a 45-year-old safe dating expert, whom she dated earlier this fall.

According to Berry’s lawsuit against Dawson, she took nude photographs of herself with his cell phone. Another photo of her engaged in a “particularly private, intimate sexual act,” was also allegedly taken without her permission, the Tampa Tribune said.

Berry claims that she never intended on the photos being shown to anyone else. But shortly after their break-up, Dawson showed two of the pictures to Berry’s friends at a nightclub, the Tribune said.

Berry then destroyed Dawson’s phone. In return, Dawson sent a text message to Berry’s mother on Nov. 10 demanding $500 for the phone’s damages, or he would publicly release the photos. Berry refused, and Dawson then posted the pictures and emailed them to her mother.
“I could have had her arrested and I didn’t,” Dawson said, defending his actions. “All I wanted was this phone back. I am a decent guy … It’s girls like this I fight against in the work that I do.”

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,473528,00.html

Eric Mangini fired as Jets' coach one day after season-ending loss

2008-12-29T11:09:00.002-05:00

Less than 24 hours after losing to the Dolphins and completing a bitter collapse down the stretch, the Jets announced that they have fired Eric Mangini.
Owner Woody Johnson and GM Mike Tannenbaum both said they had been discussing a coaching change for some time now and told Mangini of his fate this morning.
"We just felt that we could get a better fit moving from this point," Johnson said. "I don't think it was one thing. It was just Mike's and my judgment that we had to go in a different direction. There's nothing specific. It's just a call that we made and hopefully it is correct."
"Eric has done some amazing things and nobody has been a harder worker. This is not a decision that we reached yesterday. We respect Eric for what he has done but we want to build on this successful foundation that he has laid. We will quickly start this process."
Both Tannenbaum and Johnson said they will start the search for a new head coach immediately and will consider all options. When asked about a report that said the Jets could be interested in Bill Parcells to join the team's braintrust should he become available due to a clause in his Miami contract that allows him to opt out if new ownership takes over in Miami, Johnson said all talent will be considered.
Tannenbaum was also asked if the Jets will consider talking to former Steelers coach Bill Cowher but the GM declined to discuss specific names.
When asked if Mangini lost the team and the locker room, Tannenbaum said he thought the Jets were still playing hard for the head coach despite losing four of the last five games after an 8-3 start.
As for Brett Favre, Johnson and Tannenbaum said they want the quarterback back but have yet to talk to him about his future.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2008/12/29/2008-12-29_eric_mangini_fired_as_jets_coach_one_day.html

2009 NFL Draft Order

2008-12-28T23:13:00.002-05:00

With the regular season almost over, some fans are already looking at the 2009 NFL Draft. For fans of teams like the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks, a high spot in the 2009 NFL draft order is pretty much the only thing they have to look forward to. Here is a tentative list of the 2009 NFL Draft Order. This list is not official as the regular season is not officially over.

1. Detroit Lions (0-16)
2. St. Louis Rams (2-14)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14)
4. Cleveland Browns (4-12)
5. Seattle Seahawks (4-12)
6. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)
8. Oakland Raiders (5-11)
9. Green Bay Packers (6-10)
10. Buffalo Bills (7-9)
11. San Francisco 49ers (7-9)
12. San Diego Chargers (7 -8*)
13. New Orleans Saints (8-8)
14. Houston Texans (8-8)
15. Washington Redskins (8-8)
16. Denver Broncos (8-7*)
17. Dallas Cowboys (9-7)
18. Chicago Bears (9-7)
19. New York Jets (9-7)
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
21. Arizona Cardinals (9-7)
22. Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1)
23. Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
24. New England Patriots (11-5)
25. Atlanta Falcons (11-5)
26. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
27. Miami Dolphins (11-5)
28. New York Giants (12-4)
29. Indianapolis Colts (12-4)
30. Carolina Panthers (12-4)
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
32. Tennessee Titans (13-3)

NFL Playoff Schedule

2008-12-28T22:47:00.002-05:00

The National Football League released the times for next weekend's wild card round of the playoffs, and the NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals (9-7) will get the slate started with a 4:30 p.m. (et) game on Saturday against the Atlanta Falcons (11-5).
Indianapolis (12-4), the fifth-seeded team out of the AFC, will play at either Denver or San Diego on Saturday at 8 p.m. (et). The Broncos and Chargers are currently battling for the AFC West title, while the Colts are in the postseason for a seventh straight year. That extends the longest streak in the NFL.
The Baltimore Ravens (11-5), seeded sixth in the AFC, play at AFC East champion Miami (11-5) on Sunday at 1 p.m. (et), and the final game on the slate will be at 4:30 p.m. (et) as the Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1), seeded sixth in the NFC, take on NFC North champion Minnesota (10-6).

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/scorecard/nflnews.asp?articleID=248004

38% of U.S. Adults Use Alternative Treatments

2008-12-28T13:08:00.002-05:00

An estimated 38 percent of U.S. adults and 12 percent of children use some type of complementary and alternative medicine, a new U.S. government survey finds.
Complementary and alternative medicine -- sometimes called CAM -- is an umbrella term for a collection of wide-ranging medical and health care systems, practices and products that aren't generally considered conventional medicine. It includes herbal supplements, meditation, chiropractic treatment and acupuncture.
The question about CAM use is really the same as that for conventional medicine -- is it safe and effective? For CAM, the answer has been mixed. Some remedies have been found to be safe and effective, some are safe and not effective, and others are unsafe.
"If you are going to use CAM, you should always let your conventional [health care] provider know about it," said survey co-author Richard L. Nahin, acting director of the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine's division of extramural research.
For the survey, more than 23,300 adults were interviewed about their use of CAM, and, for the first time, more than 9,400 were asked about their children's use of CAM.
The survey found that use of CAM among adults remained about the same from 2002 to 2007, with 36 percent using alternative therapies in 2002 and 38 percent in 2007.
However, use of techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, massage therapy, and yoga increased significantly.
The most common supplements used by adults are fish oil/omega 3/DHA, glucosamine, echinacea, flaxseed oil or pills, and ginseng. The most popular alternative techniques are deep breathing exercises, meditation, chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, massage and yoga, the survey found.
Adults use CAM most often to treat pain, including back pain, neck pain or problems, joint pain, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Nahin offered some advice for those looking at CAM for their health needs.
Do your homework first, he said. "It's a little bit 'buyer beware' in buying products and getting information," he added. "Be sure you get reliable information."
Most techniques, such as acupuncture, massage and yoga, are safe, he said. "But herbal supplements may interfere with conventional medications. So let your conventional doctor know, so they can be monitoring you for any unexpected events," he added.
Other findings from the survey showed that more women than men use CAM (42.8 percent versus 33.5 percent), as do older and more educated and wealthier adults, and those living in the west.
Among children, nearly one in nine uses CAM. And, children are five times more likely to use these therapies if a parent or relative uses them.
The most commonly used products by children are echinacea, fish oil/omega 3/DHA, combination herb pill, flaxseed oil or pills, and prebiotics or probiotics (foods containing supplements). A small number of children use chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, deep breathing exercises and yoga.
Therapies were most often used by children to treat back or neck pain, head or chest colds, anxiety or stress, musculoskeletal problems, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, according to the survey.
And CAM use to treat head or chest colds dropped from 9.5 percent in 2002 to 2 percent in 2007, according to the survey.
Mark Blumenthal is founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council, an independent, nonprofit research group that says it's dedicated to helping people live healthier lives through the responsible use of herbs and medicinal plants. He said he views the use of CAM is a positive trend.
"People are using these products to enhance wellness," Blumenthal said. "The dietary supplement increase reflects consumer trends toward improving and increasing their sense of wellness and their own self-empowerment with respect to their health."
The increasing use of CAM among children is also positive, Blumenthal added. "Look at children's diets. We are seeing more childhood obesity, we are seeing people who want to give statins to children because of higher cholesterol -- I think that's deplorable," he said.
Dr. David L. Katz, director of the Yale University School of Medicine Prevention Research Center, said people turn to CAM to enhance vitality, and to relieve pain, discomfort or fatigue.
"The continued popularity of CAM highlights the importance of physicians being knowledgeable, because it is here that patients most need expert guidance," he said. "Doctors and patients alike should approach the many offerings of CAM with open-minded skepticism, to take advantage of what is likely to help, and be on guard against what may cause harm."

http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2008/12/10/hscout622169.html

Wal-Mart to start selling Apple's iPhone on Sunday

2008-12-28T12:59:00.001-05:00

Wal-Mart on Friday confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in technology: It will begin selling Apple's iPhone on Sunday.
But the retail giant officially knocked down one other rumor that had been making the rounds: It won't be selling a special 4-gigabyte version of the iconic phone for $99.
Instead, the retail giant will offer the same two standard iPhone models that are already sold at Apple, AT&T and Best Buy stores. Wal-Mart customers will be able to buy the phones at a discount, but not much of one.
The retailer's stores will sell the 8-gigabyte model for $197 and the 16-gigabyte for $297. Both of those prices are $2 less than they can be found at other outlets.
The phones will be available in about 2,500 Wal-Mart stores. That means they won't be available in every Wal-Mart store: All told, the chain has about 4,000 discount, supercenter and Sam's Club outlets.
Rumors have been circulating since at least last month that Wal-Mart would soon sell the iPhone, becoming the fourth major retailer to carry the device in the United States. The Mercury News reported earlier this month that store employees had confirmed that the retailer would begin selling the device by the last week of December.
Some of the buzz about Wal-Mart selling the iPhone focused on the $99 model. A Wal-Mart employee seemed to substantiate those rumors when she told the Mercury News earlier this month that the company would indeed sell such a device. No other Wal-Mart employees the Mercury News spoke with at the time were aware of such a plan to sell a $99 device.
While no new iPhones will be offered at that price, AT&T is selling refurbished 8-gigabyte iPhones for $99 with a two-year service plan.

At least 160 dead as Israel hammers Hamas-run Gaza

2008-12-27T12:27:00.001-05:00

Israel blitzed Hamas targets in Gaza on Saturday with a wave of air strikes that killed at least 160 people in the besieged enclave in retaliation for ongoing rocket fire, officials said.
Another 300 people were wounded, some 120 of them seriously in the attacks.
And an Israeli died as Hamas swiftly responded to the air raids by firing several dozen rockets on the Jewish state.
The European Union and its current president, France, urged both sides to stop to the violence , as did Britain and Russia.
The United States said Israel should avoid civilian casualties, while the Arab League and a number of Middle Eastern states singled out Israel for blame.
Israel warned that the attacks, in which army radio said around 60 aircraft bombed the impoverished, overcrowded territory of 1.5 million people, was "just the beginning."
Hamas told Israelis living near Gaza to "prepare the funeral shrouds."
In Gaza, thick clouds of smoke billowed into the sky, with mangled, bloodied and often charred corpses littering the pavement around Hamas security compounds, television images showed.
It was not immediately clear how many of those killed were civilians, with medics saying that the majority of the victims appeared to be members of Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since seizing power there last year.
Dr Moawiya Hassanein, the head of Gaza emergency services, at least 160 people were killed and 300 wounded, and that rescuers were still searching for bodies in the rubble.
The attacks came after days of escalating violence, with militants firing rockets and Israel vowing a fiery response.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas told AFP from Saudi Arabia that he was in "urgent contact" with numerous countries to stop "the cowardly aggressions and massacres in the Gaza Strip."
Egypt, which brokered a six-month Israeli-Hamas truce that expired on December 19, slammed the bombardment.
"Egypt condemns the Israeli military aggression on the Gaza Strip and blames Israel, as an occupying force, for the victims and the wounded," President Hosni Mubarak said in a statement.
He order the Rafah terminal -- the only one that bypasses Israel -- to be opened to allow wounded Palestinians to be evacuated for treatment in Egyptian hospitals.
Dozens of wounded had passed through by mid-afternoon, Egyptian state news agency Mena reported, with public television saying 200 were expected in the coming hours.
Hamas called on its fighters to "avenge with force against the enemy" while its militants warned Israelis living near the border to "prepare the funeral shrouds," vowing that the Islamists' response "was on its way."
One rocket hit the southern Israeli town of Netivot, killing a man and wounding four other people, according to the Magen David Adom, Israel's equivalent of the Red Cross.
Israel, which put communities around Gaza on a state of alert, warned that the deadly strikes were "just the beginning," said an army spokesman.
"The operation will continue and will be expanded as necessary in accordance with the assessments of the army and the defence establishment," Defence Minister Ehud Barak's office said.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said the Israeli onslaught was launched "following... the incessant attacks on Israeli citizens in the south of the country ..." in order to "bring the rocket fire to an end."
The bombing hit and destroyed Hamas security structures across Gaza, the group said. A training base of the Hamas military wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, was pounded in the north.
Hamas said three of its senior officials -- the Gaza police chief, the police commander for central Gaza and the head of the group's bodyguard unit -- were killed in the blitz.
The mid-morning air raids followed days of rocket and mortar attacks on Israel by militants inside Gaza, which the Jewish state had warned would be met with harsh reprisals.
Violence in and around the Gaza Strip has flared since the ceasefire ended. It escalated dramatically on Wednesday, when militants fired more than 80 rockets and mortar rounds in response to air strikes on Gaza.
Israel had responded to earlier attacks by tightening the blockade it imposed after Hamas seized Gaza from forces loyal to Abbas.
However, dozens of truckloads of supplies were delivered to Gaza on Friday after Israel decided to temporarily allow in humanitarian aid.
Hamas is sworn to destruction of the Jewish state and has warned that it would retaliate to a major Israeli operation in Gaza by resuming suicide bombings inside Israel. The last such attack claimed by Hamas was in January 2005.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iEw3Q2ENehCbAO98LaZk3WqMJchQ

Gift of the Season? 2009 Palin Calendar Tops Best Seller List

2008-12-26T14:46:00.003-05:00

She didn’t make it to the White House, but Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is a leader on Amazon.com’s best-seller list.

A 2009 calendar of the former Republican vice-presidential candidate is currently the top item on the Web site’s list of “Office Products and Supplies.” (Palin beat out “Fiskars DuraSharp DeskWorks Preferred Scissors” and “Brother PT-80 P-touch Electronic Labeling System” for the distinction.)
Washington Wire reported in October that the calendar was the product of former Wasilla deputy mayor and friend-of-Sarah Judy Patrick, an Anchorage-based photographer who culled from her professional and personal photos of the governor and her family to create the calendar.
Patrick’s motivation for the calendar was less political and more financial—she was hoping to sell enough of the $15.95 calendars to put a down payment on a new home. Patrick did not immediately respond to an e-mail about calendar sales.
According to a Gallup Poll released today, Palin is the second most admired woman in America, behind New York Sen. Hillary Clinton but ahead of media mogul and talk show host Oprah Winfrey.

Click Here To Buy One!
Sarah Palin Calendar 2009

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/12/26/gift-of-the-season-2009-palin-calendar-tops-best-seller-list/

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen Engaged

2008-12-26T14:36:00.001-05:00

Congrats to Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen, who are officially one step closer to walking down the aisle. Tom proposed to Gisele on a private jet yesterday that took off from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey and landed in Boston--and she said YES! He proposed with four-dozen white roses and a bottle of champagne, reports TMZ. Gisele and Tom's parents were also on board the flight. Rumors of a possible Brady/Bundchen wedding started to spread back in October when the NY Post reported that the couple was planning a wedding reception at Tavern on the Green in NYC. "They were recently there, and Brady had a long chat with Broadway Joe Namath," a spy said. Well at least now we know where the wedding's going to be. While both camps are thrilled about the news, it probably killed Bridget Moynahan's Christmas. Brady famously left Moynahan while she was 3 months pregnant with their son.

http://www.hollyscoop.com/gisele-bundchen/tom-brady-and-gisele-bundchen-engaged_18843.aspx

New Web site a network for nonprofits

2008-12-26T14:20:00.003-05:00

If you want to pick an auto mechanic or hair dresser, you can go to Yelp.com. A restaurant - go to Zagat.com. A college class - ratemyprofessors.com.

But what if you want to donate to charity?
Taking a cue from the online field test movement, a group of Stanford University students created greatnonprofits.org - where volunteers, nonprofit workers, donors and the needy rate the charities they encounter. "These days people don't go to a movie or buy a book without first checking the reviews," said greatnonprofits.org founder Perla Ni. "Nonprofits need a forum to create that same type of trust." Especially now, Ni said, as the recession makes it harder for people to give, while also creating more demand for nonprofit help.

Most of the charities reviewed on her site are small, with an average of two people on the payroll, 30 volunteers and an annual budget of $180,000. They don't have the money for marketing, and their work goes largely unnoticed, she said. After a beta test, Ni's Web site went live in June. To date, 400 nonprofits have been reviewed, the bulk of them in the Bay Area. More than 1 million U.S. charities are in the Web site's database, waiting to be reviewed.

So far on the site, a Buddhist teacher who volunteers for the Liberation Prison Project in San Francisco wrote about the powerful letters he received from inmates. Someone who adopts abused rabbits through House Rabbit Society in Richmond lauded the program. When a gay couple was banned from a ballroom dance class in San Mateo, they wrote about the advice they received from the National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco: Write to the mayor. Shortly thereafter, the couple was invited back to the ballroom class.
"It's an extremely beneficial tool for nonprofits like ours that are young and still trying to create name recognition in the community," said Caron Tabb, who provides new clothes to homeless children for their first day of school through her 2-year-old Burlingame nonprofit, My New Red Shoes.

Some of her first reviews were from professionals who work in homeless shelters and send her requests for children's clothes. "We welcome anybody's inquiry, and we want people to go to our Web site and read our annual report and strategic plan," Tabb said. Nonprofits that are not so great also get noticed. Reviewers have written about outdated computer equipment and staff shortages, as well as nonprofits that exaggerate their need to get more funding. Ni removed one nonprofit that is the subject of a federal investigation, from the Web site.

Roots in Hurricane Katrina
Ni, 35, got the idea for greatnonprofits.org after Hurricane Katrina. The then-publisher of the Stanford Social Innovation Review, she was considered by her friends the go-to person to find out which New Orleans relief agencies to fund. She didn't have an answer, and realized she couldn't find any sort of measurement system for charities online, beyond the basic income/expense ratios. She sent one of her reporters to New Orleans to walk the streets and find out. The five charities the reporter found providing most of the shelter, food and water were small, obscure ones that weren't getting any media attention, she said. She found the same was true in the Bay Area. "There is so much innovation in the nonprofit world here, so much amazing intelligence and hard work, but those aren't the kind of charities that have time or money to promote themselves," she said.

In general, donors give to their church first and their alma mater second, Ni said. Overall, the poor receive about 12 percent of national giving. It's not because people have an aversion to helping the needy, she said. It's that they are just unfamiliar with which groups are making a difference.

Greatnonprofits.org and GiveWell.net, an online charity evaluator and funder that puts its ranking system online, are seen as the front-runners to bring transparency to the charity world.
"What greatnonprofits is doing is quite unique; there are only a couple other experiments happening but it's the largest," said Jacob Harold, program officer in the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation's philanthropy program. "These sorts of constituency opinions provide insight but do not in and of themselves get to the question, 'Is the nonprofit creating social impact?' " Harold said. "But it can be really useful in context with other information."

Holiday book
For the holiday season, Ni culled the Bay Area charities that ranked four stars or higher on her Web site and compiled them into a book: "Great Guide to Giving and Volunteering - San Francisco Bay Area 2009." Each entry includes a review from the Web site and examples of what the charity could do with a donation of $50 or two volunteer hours.
Ni distributed 10,000 guides with San Francisco Chronicle subscriptions in late November, is passing them out at beauty salons, and sells them for $2.95 on her Web site. She hopes to create a new guide every year in December.

Four community foundations in other cities have contacted Ni about replicating the site.
GuideStar, a Web site that allows users to examine charity tax records, plans to add reviews from greatnonprofits.org to its site in February. "The concept works because yes, you want to know that the charity is not bilking you out of your donation, but more importantly, you want to know if it's having an effect on someone's life. We are allowing nonprofits to tell their narrative story," Ni said.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/26/BAEP14OGI4.DTL

How To Get Your Free Credit Report

2008-12-26T11:04:00.003-05:00

You're entitled to one free credit report per year, here's how to go about getting it.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you're entitled to one free credit report every year. Here's how to go about getting it.
They say the best things in life are free, and these days, a free credit report is just what we need. Many people are finding that in order to get a good deal on a loan, they need a pretty stellar credit score. And the only way to know your credit score is to check your credit report.

Not only will reviewing your credit report help you get an idea of what your credit score may be (you do have to pay for your actual credit score), it will also allow you to confirm that all the information is correct. One small mistake on your credit report could seriously affect your credit score and potentially cause your rates to skyrocket.

There is only one place to get your free, federally mandated credit reports, also called an "educational credit report," which this is AnnualCreditReport.com. You are allowed a free credit report from the three major consumer reporting agencies in the U.S." Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. These sites also offer credit reports, but you have to pay for them. When you go to AnnualCreditReport.com, you are given the option to get all three reports at once or one at a time. Choose to get all three reports at once. Gerri Detweiler, author of the book Stop Debt Collectors, explains that when you apply for a loan you probably won't know which report a lender will use. So if there is a mistake on one, you'll want to know.

You've probably seen commercials for a "free credit report" (you may recall that guy playing his guitar in the seafood restaurant lamenting his predicament). Be aware that these companies will give you a free credit report and/or credit score initially, but they will also most likely also ask for your credit card number. If you don't cancel within a certain time, they'll charge you for membership.

Checking your credit report is called a soft inquiry, and you can check your credit as much as you want without it negatively affecting your credit score.

http://www.forbes.com/personalfinance/2008/12/05/free-credit-score-pf-ym-in_avb_1205youngmoney_inl.html