About Me l Easy way Earn Money l Home & Family l Health & Fitness l Top News Today l Money & Marketing l Live Sports l Computer & Internet : Productivity : Security : Multimedia : Privacy :

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Candace Bushnell - Sex And The City Prequel

Author Candace Bushnell, who wrote the original manuscript for HBO's hit series Sex and the City, is serving up another treat for fans and newcomers alike. Her latests offering is a prequel to the Sex and the City era, still centered around the main character Carrie Bradshaw called the Carrie Diaries.
Set to be published next week in the US, the eagerly awaited teen novel looks at the character’s life as a high school senior in a small town in Connecticut.

It has been described as a coming-of-age story that traces Carrie’s evolving fashion sense, her early romantic relationships and dreams of becoming a writer.

"I think it's always fascinating to go back and see the things that formed a character," said Candace Bushnell. "And I've always wanted to write a book about a young girl who comes to the big city. That's partly my story."

Candace Bushnell moved to New York at 19 with hopes of becoming a writer.

She told USA Today: "It was a fascinating time, and it was always something I wanted to write about. But there's actually nothing that happened to me that happens in the book. It's completely fictional."

Share/Bookmark

Jimmy Clausen

James Richard "Jimmy" Clausen (born September 21, 1987, in Thousand Oaks, California is an American football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was selected by the Panthers in the second round (48th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.
Clausen on the traditional Notre Dame pre-game team walk to the stadium
High school career
Clausen had an outstanding prep career at Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California. In 2006, he threw 49 touchdown passes for the season to lead the Lions to their first ever Division III state title. Clausen never lost a football game he started in his prep career (42-0) and also holds California state records for career touchdowns (146). He threw for 10,677 yards in his career at Oaks Christian. As a senior Clausen won the 2006 Hall Trophy for the nation's top high school football player and was also named “Offensive Player of the Year” by the USA Today. Clausen was also named the Co Player of the Year, along with USC running back Joe McKnight, by Parade Magazine.

As the younger brother of two former Division I quarterbacks—Casey and Rick Clausen, who both played at Tennessee—Jimmy Clausen gained media attention very early. Beginning in eighth grade, his parents paid his tutelage under professional quarterbacks coach Steve Clarkson. During his junior season, a Sports Illustrated feature dubbed him “The Kid with The Golden Arm”. Recruiting analysts considered him a “once in a decade” quarterback talent and ranked him as the #1 overall prospect of the 2007 high school class. Because of his quick release, some in the media compared him to Joe Namath.

Critics have questioned whether Clausen's success in high school was largely a product of his team—containing almost a dozen players that went on to play for NCAA Division I Bowl Subdivision teams, including a highly-ranked running back, Marc Tyler—and the inferior talent level of its opponents. Many of these critics pointed to the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in which Clausen was outplayed by fellow 2007 quarterback recruit, Ryan Mallett. Further, Clausen's age is a subject of criticism: he started kindergarten at six and repeated sixth grade. thus he was 19 years old at the time of his early graduation.
Jimmy Clausen wins the 2006 Hall Trophy, January 2007
On April 22, 2006, Clausen verbally committed to the University of Notre Dame. He was the most highly touted recruit for the Fighting Irish since the arrival of Ron Powlus in 1993.Clausen announced his oral commitment at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana, after arriving in a stretch Hummer limousine. He also said his goal was to win multiple national titles with the Irish.
High school awards and honors

    * 2006 Hall Trophy
    * 2006 USA Today Offensive Player of the Year

College career

Clausen, who graduated from high school one semester early, enrolled at Notre Dame on January 16, 2007.In Notre Dame's only preseason practice open to the media, Clausen threw only a number of short passes, casting some doubt on the strength of his arm after off-season elbow surgery.

Following Notre Dame's opening loss to Georgia Tech in the 2007 season, Clausen was named the starting quarterback, but would win only one of his first six starts (against UCLA) and was replaced by backup quarterback Evan Sharpley during Notre Dame's loss to Boston College on October 13, 2007. Citing non-specific injuries to Clausen (who had been sacked 23 times), head coach Charlie Weis named Sharpley as the starting quarterback for Notre Dame's contest against USC on October 20, 2007. After sitting out Notre Dame's losses to USC and Navy, Clausen was again named the starter for their contest against Air Force.

Clausen finished his freshman year having completed 56.3% of his passes for 1254 yards, with 7 touchdowns (plus two rushing TDs) and 6 interceptions and a passing efficiency of 103.85, and he was sacked a team-record 34 times.

During his sophomore season, he completed 60.9% of his passes for 3172 yards, 25 touchdowns and 17 interceptions and a 132.5 efficiency rating which places him as the 44th ranked QB in Division 1-A football. He led the Fighting Irish to a 7-6 record, culminating in a 49-21 victory against Hawaii in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl — which ended Notre Dame's NCAA-record nine-game bowl losing streak. Clausen set Notre Dame bowl records with 406 yards passing and five touchdowns and was named the bowl's co-MVP.

In October 2009, Clausen was named midseason All-American by The Sporting News. His finished the season with 3,722 yards passing, a 68.8% completion rate, 161.42 passer rating, 28 touchdowns, and four interceptions.

Clausen was honored several times throughout the 2009 season by the College Football Performance Awards. At the conclusion of the season, he ranked second for the Quarterback Trophy, won by Case Keenum and 7th for the National Performer of the Year Trophy, won by Ryan Mallett.

On Monday, December 7 2009, Clausen declared that he would forgo his senior season at Notre Dame and enter the NFL draft.

Clausen is scheduled to graduate from Notre Dame in May 2010 with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology.
College awards and honors

    * 2008 Hawai'i Bowl Co-MVP with WR Golden Tate
    * 2009 Second-team All-America (CBS Sportsline)
    * 2009 Elite performer, Quarterback College Football Performance Awards
    * 2009 Elite performer, National performer College Football Performance Awards

Professional career
2010 NFL Draft

Clausen announced his intention to enter the 2010 NFL Draft on December 7, 2009. Clausen was expected to be one of the top quarterbacks available in the draft, along with former Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. He was projected by many to be a Top-10 pick. Surprisingly, however, he was not selected in the first round of the draft, with Bradford and Florida's Tim Tebow selected ahead of him. On April 23, 2010, he was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 16th pick of the 2nd round (48th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.


Personal
Off-the-field incidents

On June 23, 2007, Clausen was cited for illegal transportation of alcohol in South Bend, Indiana. He was driving someone who was of legal drinking age to a liquor store to buy alcohol. According to published reports, Clausen entered a pre-trial diversion program which erased the citation since he stayed out of trouble for the following 12 months.

On November 22, 2009, Clausen was involved in an altercation outside of a South Bend pub. Sources indicate that Clausen was there with family and teammates following the team's senior day loss to Connecticut. It was reported that upon his departure, Clausen was punched in the face outside of the pub. A South Bend Police Department spokesperson stated that no police report was filed over that weekend involving Clausen. Reports indicate that Clausen was left with a black eye.A later report of this incident indicated that the other subject involved in this incident allegedly shoved Clausen's girlfriend. It was reported that Clausen then shoved the subject away prior to Clausen being punched.

Share/Bookmark

Faith Hill American country singer


Faith Hill (born Audrey Faith Perry; September 21, 1967) is an American country singer. She is known both for her commercial success and her marriage to fellow country star Tim McGraw. Hill's voice (described as both soulful and raspy) and careful song selection have helped her to sell more than 40 million records and accumulate 8 number-one singles and 3 number-one albums on the Country charts.

Hill has been honored by the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music, the Grammy Awards, the American Music Awards and the People's Choice Awards. Her Soul2Soul II Tour 2006 with husband McGraw became the highest-grossing country tour of all time.In 2001, she was named one of the "30 Most Powerful Women in America" by Ladies Home Journal. In 2008, Faith Hill released her first Christmas album, titled Joy to the World.

Early life

Hill was born Audrey Faith Perry in Richland, Mississippi, near Jackson, Mississippi. She was adopted as an infant and raised by a couple in the nearby town of Star. Her adoptive parents reared their two biological sons along with Hill in a devout Christian environment.

Hill's vocal talent was apparent early, and she had her first public performance, a 4-H luncheon, when she was seven.In 1976, a few days before her 9th birthday, she attended a concert by Elvis Presley at the State Fair Coliseum, in Jackson, which impressed her deeply. By the time she was a teenager, Hill was a regular performer at area churches, even those not in her own Baptist denomination. At 17, Hill formed a band that played in local rodeos. She briefly attended college at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi, but at 19 quit school to move to Nashville and pursue her dream of being a country singer. In her early days in Nashville, Hill auditioned to be a backup singer for Reba McEntire, but failed to secure the job. After a stint selling T-shirts, Hill became a secretary at a music publishing firm.

Apart from her quest for entry into the music industry, Hill also began working toward a more robust family life. In 1988 she married Daniel Hill, a music publishing executive (not Dan Hill, the Canadian singer-songwriter).

Two years later, she began a search for her natural mother, whom she eventually met and with whom she corresponded until her mother's death.

A co-worker heard Hill singing to herself one day, and soon the head of her music publishing company was encouraging her to become a demo singer for the firm. She supplemented this work by singing backup vocals for songwriter Gary Burr, who often performed his new songs at Nashville's Bluebird Cafe. During one of those performances, an executive from Warner Bros. Records was in the audience, and, impressed with Hill's voice, began the process of signing her to a recording contract.

Shortly after the release of her album, Hill found her marriage falling apart. She and Dan Hill divorced in 1994.

 Music career 
1993—1997: Country success

Hill's debut album was Take Me as I Am (1993); sales were strong, buoyed by the chart success of "Wild One." Hill became the first female country singer in 30 years to hold Billboard's number one position for four consecutive weeks when "Wild One" managed the feat in 1994. Her version of "Piece of My Heart", also went to the top of the country charts in 1994[4]. The album sold a total of 3 million copies. Other singles from the album include "Take Me As I Am".

The recording of Faith's second album was delayed by surgery to repair a ruptured blood vessel on her vocal cords. It Matters to Me finally appeared in 1995 and was another success, with the title track becoming her fourth number-one country single. Several other top 10 singles followed, and more than 3 million copies of the album were sold. The fifth single from the album, "I Can't Do That Anymore," was written by country music artist Alan Jackson. Other singles from the album include "You Can't Lose Me", "Someone Else's Dream", and "Let's Go To Vegas"

In Spring 1996, Hill began the Spontaneous Combustion Tour with country singer Tim McGraw. At that time, Hill had recently become engaged to her former producer, Scott Hendricks, and McGraw had recently broken an engagement. McGraw and Hill were quickly attracted to each other and Hill broke her engagement so that she and McGraw could begin dating. The pair became engaged on the tour and married on October 6, 1996.They have three daughters together: Gracie Katherine (b. 1997), Maggie Elizabeth (b. 1998) and Audrey Caroline (b. 2001). Since their marriage, Hill and McGraw have endeavored to never be apart for more than three consecutive days.

After the release of It Matters to Me, Hill took a three-year break from recording to give herself a rest from four years of touring and to begin a family with McGraw. During her break, she joined forces with her husband for their first duet, "It's Your Love". The song stayed at number one for six weeks, and won awards from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. Hill has remarked that sometimes when they perform the song together, "it [doesn't] feel like anybody else was really watching."

1998—2003: Pop crossover breakthrough

She reentered the music business in 1998 with Faith. The album showcased her progression toward a more mainstream, pop-oriented sound, although it retained some country sound. "This Kiss" became a number one country hit, and was the first of her singles to place on the pop charts, peaking at number seven. More than six million copies of the album were sold. The album also delivered several other hits including another duet with McGraw, "Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me", "Let Me Let Go" and "The Secret Of Life".

To follow up this newfound success, Hill immediately released Breathe, which debuted at the top of the Billboard Country and all genre charts, ahead of albums by Mariah Carey and Savage Garden.[9] Although the album had few overt country sounds, it "complement[ed] her vocal strengths." For the first time, the album consisted solely of songs about love and did not venture into the more somber territory that her previous albums had touched. The title track, "Breathe", reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart."The Way You Love Me" hit the top 10 as well, topping out at number six on the charts. The album won Hill three Grammy Awards including Best Country Album, Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for "Let's Make Love" featuring Tim McGraw and Best Country Female Vocal Performance for "Breathe." It also marked a step away from her girl-next-door image, as the videos and promotional pictures all portrayed a much sexier image. Breathe has sold almost 10 million copies worldwide.

2000 was an especially busy year for Hill. Besides a successful tour with her husband, Hill was featured in a CBS television special, VH1's Behind the Music, VH1 Divas 2000, and the Lifetime cable channel's Intimate Portraits series.[9] She signed an endorsement deal with CoverGirl makeup,[4] performed at the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards, appeared on the cover of numerous magazines, and performed the national anthem at the Super Bowl.[9] Hill was also named to Mr. Blackwell's 10-best dressed women of 2000, the only singer listed among actresses and other celebrities. Hill and McGraw also embarked on their first Soul2Soul tour, the "Soul2Soul Tour 2000."[13]

Musically, in 2000 Hill recorded a song for the movie Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas The song also appeared on the pop and country charts. Hill's success on the pop charts disturbed some country music insiders, who questioned whether she was trying to dismiss her country roots and move into the pop genre. Despite the grumbling, Hill won the CMA Female Vocalist of The Year Award, and in her acceptance speech announced, "I love this business and I love this industry... and my heart is here."[9]

In 2001, Hill recorded a song for the Pearl Harbor soundtrack. "There You'll Be" also appeared on the album There You'll Be: The Best Of Faith Hill, an international greatest hits album. The album featured some dance mixes of "Piece Of My Heart," "Let Me Let Go," "The Way You Love Me," and "Breathe."

In 2002, Hill released her new album with a more pop-oriented sound, Cry. The album "spotlight[ed] her impressive set of pipes," but also marked the completion of her "transformation into a pop diva," containing few nods to her country roots. Though the album debuted at number one on Billboard magazine's pop and country album charts,[4] and Hill made her debut as musical guest on Saturday Night Live, the album's singles (including the title track "Cry", written and originally performed by Angie Aparo) received much less radio airplay than her previous smashes.[14] The album however, did win a Grammy Award and 3.7 million copies have been sold worldwide.[11]

Faith Hill's 2002 song "Baby You Belong" off her Cry album was used as the theme song for the movie Lilo & Stitch. The music video featured clips from the movie as well as performance clips.
[edit] 2005—2006: Return to country

In 2005, Faith Hill returned with her new country album, Fireflies. The CD debuted on top of the Billboard Country and all genre album charts, placing her among only a handful of artists to have three consecutive albums debut at number one on both charts.[15] The debut single, "Mississippi Girl", became Hill's highest-debuting single. The song was written specifically for her by John Rich (of Big and Rich) and Adam Shoenfield of MuzikMafia, and tells the abbreviated story of her life. Hill recorded two other songs by Rich, "Sunshine and Summertime" and "Like We Never Loved at All", both of which became successful singles.[16] The title track, "Stealing Kisses" and "If You Ask" were written by artist Lori McKenna and also appear on McKenna's albums. The album marked a return to Hill's country roots and succeeded in reestablishing her place on country radio.[17]

In 2006, after a six-year break from touring following the birth of her youngest daughter,[2] Hill and husband Tim McGraw embarked on their Soul2Soul II Tour 2006. The tour became the highest grossing country music tour ever with a gross of $90 million.[3][18] It was named "Major Tour of the Year" by the prestigious Pollstar, beating out such heavyweights as Madonna and the Rolling Stones.
[edit] 2007—present: The Hits, Joy to the World and future projects

In 2007, Hill started work on her first domestic greatest hits package, titled The Hits, which was released on October 2. It contains two new tracks; "Lost" and "Red Umbrella," as well as twelve additional tracks. The album also features hits covering her entire career from 1993–2005. Included with The Hits is a DVD of 11 of Hill's music videos.[19]

She's also featured on husband Tim McGraw's 2007 album Let It Go. She sings two duets with him, "I Need You" and "Shotgun Rider." Both songs were sung at the couple's critically acclaimed Soul2Soul II Tour 2006. She and Tim also did an encore of their Soul2Soul II Tour; Soul2Soul 2007 began in June and ran through August. The song I Need You has been nominated twice at the 2008 Grammy Awards for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals and Best Country Song. The show took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA on February 10, 2008 but the song didn't win.

In 2007 Faith Hill took over as the signature voice of NFL on NBC's Sunday Night Football, singing the theme song about which the show's producer said:[20]

    It's not often that you get the opportunity to have a mega-star like Faith Hill perform the signature open to your show.
    —NBC Sunday Night Football producer Fred Gaudelli, MSNBC

In September 2008, Hill issued her first Christmas album, titled Joy to the World. The compilation was given positive reviews, including about.com, which gave the album four and a half out of five stars, calling the album, "a great collection of classic Christmas songs." Hill continually worked on the album two years prior to its official release. The album included one new track, "A Baby Changes Everything," which was released as the album's only single in late 2008.[21] The song debuted at #24 on Billboard's AC chart, and quickly rose to #1, becoming Hill's fourth number one on that chart.

On February 1, 2009 Hill performed "America the Beautiful" at the Super Bowl XLIII pregame show. The other performers at the pregame show were Jennifer Hudson and Journey, and Bruce Springsteen performed at the Halftime show.[22]

In October 2009 Faith Hill released her first fragrance by Coty. 'Faith Hill Parfums' has been described as having a southern blend of jasmine, magnolia and peach pears.

Brendan O'Brien, known for producing projects for Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, and Rage Against the Machine, is working with Faith and producing her next album, set for release in 2010.[23]
[edit] Other projects
[edit] Acting career

In 1995 Hill guest starred in an episode of Touched by an Angel,[24] and while she was rumored to have won a part in Mel Gibson's We Were Soldiers, she did not actually appear in the movie.[25] Her film début was in the summer of 2004, when Hill co-starred with Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick and Glenn Close in director Frank Oz's remake of the 1975 thriller The Stepford Wives.[26] Although the film earned over $101 million, it was savaged by critics[27] [28][29] and Hill has not made another acting appearance since.
[edit] Philanthropy

Hill used her 1999 tour to support a national children's book drive. Fans who donated books at one of her concerts were entered into a drawing to meet her personally after the show.[30] The effort resulted in the donation of 35,000 children's books, which were distributed to hospitals, schools, libraries, and daycare centers in 40 cities across the United States.[31]

In the days immediately following Hurricane Katrina, Hill and her husband, Tim McGraw, who was raised in Louisiana, joined groups taking supplies to Gulfport, Mississippi. The two also hosted several charity concerts to benefit those who were displaced by the storm.[32] Later in the year the couple established the Neighbor's Keeper Foundation, which provides funding for community charities to assist with basic humanitarian services in the event of a natural disaster or for desperate personal circumstances. In a special gesture, the couple also donated profits from their performance in New Orleans to Hurricane Katrina relief.

Share/Bookmark

CHELSEA Clinton set to get married Marc Mezvinsky

CHELSEA Clinton is set to get married!

The daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Marc Mezvinsky, it was confirmed Monday.



On Friday, Clinton and Mezvinsky sent out an e-mail to friends and family, saying, “We’re sorry for the mass email but we wanted to wish everyone a belated Happy Thanksgiving! We also wanted to share that we are engaged!

“We didn’t get married this past summer despite the stories to the contrary, but we are looking toward next summer and hope you all will be there to celebrate with us. Happy Holidays! Chelsea & Marc.”

Clinton, 29, is the former first couple’s only child. Mezvinsky, a banker and fellow Stanford alumnus, is the 31-year-old son of former Iowa congressman Ed Mezvinsky and former Pennsylvania congresswoman Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinksy.

The soon-to-be newlyweds have been close since their teens when their parents worked in D.C.

They got even closer when they both attended Stanford University.

Share/Bookmark

Earthquake shakes Taiwan

Strong quake felt in Taiwan, no reports of damage
Reuters April 26, 2010, 1:17 pm
TAIPEI (Reuters) - A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.6 shook much of Taiwan on Monday, the Central Weather Bureau said, but there were no immediate reports of damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a quake of magnitude 6.9 near the Philippines, about 190 kilometres southeast of Taiwan. It was not immediately clear if the quakes were the same.

Earthquakes occur frequently in Taiwan, which lies on a seismically active stretch of the Pacific basin.

One of Taiwan's worst-recorded quakes occurred in September 1999. Measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, it killed more than 2,400 people and destroyed or damaged 50,000 buildings.

Share/Bookmark

Monday, April 26, 2010

Hugh Hefner- founder of Playboy Enterprises

Hugh Hefner

Hugh Marston Hefner (born April 9, 1926) is an American magazine publisher, founder and chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises. In 2003, Arena magazine listed him second on the "50 Most Powerful People in Porn" list.

Early life


Hefner was born in Chicago, Illinois, the elder of two sons born to Grace Caroline (1895–1997) and Glenn Lucius Hefner (1896–1976), both teachers. He went to Sayre Elementary School and Steinmetz High School, then served as a writer for a military newspaper in the U.S. Army from 1944-1946. He later graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a B.A. in psychology with a double minor in creative writing and art in 1949, earning his degree in two and a half years. After graduation, he took a semester of graduate courses in sociology and women and gender studies at Northwestern University but dropped out soon after.

Working as a copywriter for Esquire, he left in January 1952 after being denied a $5 raise. In 1953, he lent his furniture for $600 and raised $8,000 from 45 investors - including $1,000 from his mother ("Not because she believed in the venture," he told E! in 2006. "But because she believed in her son") - to launch Playboy, which was initially going to be called Stag Party. The undated first issue, published in December 1953, featured Marilyn Monroe from her 1949 nude calendar shoot. Hefner, who never met Monroe, owns the crypt next to hers.
 
 Personal life

Hefner married Northwestern University student Mildred Williams in 1949. They had two children, Christie (born November 8, 1952) and David (born August 30, 1955). Before the wedding, Mildred confessed that she had had an affair while he was away in the Army; he called the admission "the most devastating moment of my life." A 2006 E! True Hollywood Story profile of Hefner revealed that Mildred allowed him to sleep with other women, out of guilt for her infidelity and in the hopes that it would preserve their marriage. They divorced in 1959.
Hefner posing with Karissa Shannon, Dasha Astafieva, and Kristina Shannon for Playboy's 55th Anniversary Party at One Sunset, West Hollywood, CA on December 12, 2008

Hefner remade himself as a bon vivant and man about town, a lifestyle he promoted in his magazine and two TV shows he hosted, Playboy's Penthouse (1959–1960) and Playboy After Dark (1969–1970). He admitted to being "'involved' with maybe eleven out of twelve months' worth of Playmates" during some of these years. Donna Michelle, Marilyn Cole, Lillian Müller, Shannon Tweed, Brande Roderick, Barbi Benton, Karen Christy, Sondra Theodore, and Carrie Leigh - who filed a $35 million alimony suit against him - were a few of his many partners. In 1971, he acknowledged that he experimented in bisexuality  and moved from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Hefner had a minor stroke in 1985 at age 59. After re-evaluating his lifestyle, he made several changes. The wild, all-night parties were toned down significantly and in 1988, daughter Christie began to run the Playboy empire. The following year, he married Playmate of the Year Kimberley Conrad. The couple had two sons, Marston Glenn (born April 9, 1990) and Cooper Bradford (born September 4, 1991). The E! True Hollywood Story profile noted that the notorious Playboy Mansion had been transformed into a family-friendly homestead. After he and Conrad separated in 1998, Conrad moved into a house next door to the mansion. According to an update on Hefner's twitter account on April 25, 2010, Conrad and her mother are moving to Reno in a new home to be closer to family.

Hefner then began to move an ever-changing coterie of young women into the Mansion, even dating up to seven girls at once; among them, Brande Roderick, Izabella St. James, Tina Marie Jordan, Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt, and Kendra Wilkinson. The reality television series The Girls Next Door depicted the lives of Madison, Wilkinson and Marquardt at the Playboy Mansion. In October 2008, all three girls made the choice to leave the mansion. Hefner was quick to rebound and soon began dating his new "Number One" girlfriend, Crystal Harris,along with 20-year-old identical twin models Kristina and Karissa Shannon. The relationship with the twins ended in January 2010. After an 11-year separation, Hefner filed for divorce from Conrad stating irreconcilable differences. Hefner has said that he only remained married to her for the sake of his children, and his youngest child had just turned 18.

Hefner is in talks about making a film about his life. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for television and has made several movie appearances as himself. In 2010, he received a "worst supporting actor" nomination for a Razzie award for his performance in Miss March.

 Legal controversies

On June 4, 1963, he was arrested for selling obscene literature after an issue of Playboy featuring nude shots of Marilyn Monroe was released. A jury was unable to reach a verdict.

His former secretary, Bobbie Arnstein, was found dead in a Chicago hotel room after an overdose of drugs in January 1975. Hefner called a press conference to allege that she had been driven to suicide by narcotics agents and federal officers. Hefner further claimed the government was out to get him because of Playboy's philosophy and its advocacy of more liberal drug laws. 

 Politics and philanthropy

The Hugh Hefner First Amendment Award was created by Christie Hefner "to honor individuals who have made significant contributions in the vital effort to protect and enhance First Amendment rights for Americans."

He has donated and raised money for the Democratic Party.

After it was rejected by Esquire magazine in 1955, Hefner agreed to publish in Playboy Charles Beaumont's science fiction short story, "The Crooked Man," about straight men being persecuted in a world where homosexuality was the norm. After receiving angry letters to the magazine, Hefner wrote a response to criticism where he said, "If it was wrong to persecute heterosexuals in a homosexual society then the reverse was wrong, too." Hefner is portrayed as a gay rights pioneer in the documentary film, Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel.

Hefner donated $100,000 to the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts to create a course called "Censorship in Cinema", and $2 million to endow a chair for the study of American film.

Both through his charitable foundation and individually, Hefner also contributes to charities outside the sphere of politics and publishing, throwing fundraiser events for Much Love Animal Rescue, as well as Generation Rescue, a controversial autism campaign organization supported by Jenny McCarthy.

On April 26, 2010 he donated the last $900,000 sought by a conservation group for a land purchase needed to save the famed vista of the Hollywood sign from being spoiled by development.

Share/Bookmark

Hugh Hefner - famous Hollywood sign

Hollywood sign is saved at last minute by Hugh Hefner
The famous Hollywood sign in Los Angeles has been saved from demolition by a last-minute donation from Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner.


 

The soft-porn magnate gave $900,000 (£580,000) to the fund which was set up to stop the site being developed.

The sign is owned by the city, but the property around it belongs to a group of Chicago-based investors.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger described the news as "the Hollywood ending we hoped for".

Governor Schwarzenegger said Mr Hefner's donation and a $500,000 matching grant brought to an end a $12.5m fundraising campaign.

'Hollywood's Eiffel Tower'

It means 138 acres around the hillside sign will be protected from developers, who wanted to turn the land into high-price housing estates.

"It's a symbol of dreams and opportunity," Gov Schwarzenegger said.

The investors had planned to sell the land to developers, but agreed to sell to the trust for $12.5m if the money could be raised.

 

Mr Hefner, who calls the sign "Hollywood's Eiffel Tower", said: "My childhood dreams and fantasies came from the movies, and the images created in Hollywood had a major influence on my life and Playboy."

Donations came from all 50 US states, 10 countries and celebrities, including actor Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg.

In February, the sign was draped with a banner which read "Save the Peak", to raise awareness of the campaign.

The Hollywood sign itself, which is set high up in the hills, was initially created in 1923 as an advert for a real estate development called Hollywoodland.

Share/Bookmark

Chelsea Clinton Engaged with Marc Mezvinsky

CHELSEA Clinton is set to get married!

The daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Marc Mezvinsky, it was confirmed Monday.

On Friday, Clinton and Mezvinsky sent out an e-mail to friends and family, saying, “We’re sorry for the mass email but we wanted to wish everyone a belated Happy Thanksgiving! We also wanted to share that we are engaged!

“We didn’t get married this past summer despite the stories to the contrary, but we are looking toward next summer and hope you all will be there to celebrate with us. Happy Holidays! Chelsea & Marc.”

Clinton, 29, is the former first couple’s only child. Mezvinsky, a banker and fellow Stanford alumnus, is the 31-year-old son of former Iowa congressman Ed Mezvinsky and former Pennsylvania congresswoman Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinksy.

The soon-to-be newlyweds have been close since their teens when their parents worked in D.C.

They got even closer when they both attended Stanford University.

Share/Bookmark

Sexy Diamond Engagement Ring shows off by CHELSEA Clinton

CHELSEA Clinton’s fiance has finally put a ring on it!

The former first daughter — who announced in November that she promised herself to Marc Mezvinsky – flashed her impressive diamond engagement ring for the first time Sunday at the opening night of Broadway’s Promises, Promises.

Chelsea, 30, arrived at the musical on crutches having broken her heel earlier this month. She’s expected to shed her cast in time for her nuptials this summer.

The bride-to-be’s mom, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has previously insisted her daughter’s big day will be an intimate affair.

“It will be a private affair,” she told CNN in December. “It will be for [Chelsea's] close friends and that’s the way it should be.”

Mezvinsky, 32, is the son of former congressmen Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky of Pennsylvania and Ed Mezvinsky of Iowa.

Previous reports have claimed Chelsea will bag a whopping $10 million from Marc if he cheats on her during their marriage.

“Chelsea’s world was shattered when she learned that her father had been unfaithful to her mom. She’s never forgotten that pain and disappointment,” a source said last month.

 

“Her father has always been the person she most admired, and the fact that he cheated on her mom not once, but many times, made her very gun-shy about trusting the guys she dated.”



Share/Bookmark

Alana De La Garza Expecting First Child

Law & Order star Alana De La Garza is expecting her first child with husband Michael Roberts, People reports.


"The cast and crew are so wonderful. When I told them I was pregnant it was like telling my second family," she told People of the series, which she joined as ADA Connie Rubirosa in 2006. "They're just so excited and I'm over the moon."

S. Epatha Merkerson to leave Law & Order after 16 years

The 33-year-old actress is due in October and says her pregnancy will be written into the show. "[It's] really exciting especially since Law & Order isn't really a character-driven show," De La Garza told People. "In the season finale there's a scene in a bar and I was joking around with everyone as we were filming, saying, 'Oh, I think tonight's the night Connie gets knocked up!'"

Law & Order has not yet been renewed, but is expected to return in the fall for its record-breaking 21st season.

De La Garza and Roberts have been married since May 2008.

Share/Bookmark

Bethanie Mattek-Sands,


The United States advanced to a Fed Cup final rematch with defending champions Italy on Sunday with a dramatic 3-2 semi-final victory over Russia.



Americans Liezel Huber and Bethanie Mattek-Sands defeated Russia's Elena Dementieva and Alla Kudryavtseva 6-3 6-1 in the decisive doubles match of the indoor hardcourt tie after the teams split singles matches Saturday and Sunday.

The US duo broke twice in the first set and again in the first and third games of the second set for a 3-0 lead. The rivals exchanged breaks to 4-1 before the Americans held and broke again to win the match in just 65 minutes.
Advertisement: Story continues below

The US women lost at Italy in last year's final but will have a chance to avenge that defeat on home soil in the championship showdown November 6-7.

The Americans were without Serena and Venus Williams, both absent because of leg injuries.

Mattek-Sands outlasted Russia's Ekaterina Makarova 6-4 2-6 6-3 to pull the United States level at 2-2 after sixth-ranked Dementieva had given Russia a lead by beating Melanie Oudin 7-6 (7-4) 0-6 6-3.


The Russians pulled Kudryavtseva, who lost to Oudin on Saturday, in favour of Makarova for the last singles match, but Mattek-Sands - a loser in three of four prior Cup singles matches - came through for the hosts.

After splitting sets, Mattek-Sands broke for a 2-0 lead in the third set. Makarova broke back in the next game only to have the American break again and hold for a 4-1 lead.

An errant forehand by Makarova surrendered another break and gave Mattek-Sands a 5-1 edge but the Russian broke Mattek-Sands in the seventh game and held to pull within 5-3.

Mattek-Sands fell behind 15-30 before fighting back and capitalising on her first match point for the victory after two hours and 34 minutes.

Makarova took advantage of 6-of-8 break-point chances while Mattek-Sands converted only 6-of-21 such opportunities.

In Sunday's opener, Dementieva fell behind 2-1 in the third set, Oudin breaking her for the fourth time in five tries to seize the lead after having ripped through the second set.

But Dementieva broke back in the fourth game, broke Oudin again in the sixth game and denied Oudin on a break-point chance in the seventh game to hold for a 5-2 lead.

"When she came out for the third set, it was like the second set never happened. She was ready to go again," Oudin said.

Oudin, 18, held but Dementieva served out the last game to love to win after two hours and 27 minutes, improving to 22-5 in Fed Cup play.

"This match was most important to the semifinals," Dementieva said. "We both were feeling a lot of pressure."

In Saturday's singles matches, Oudin defeated Kudryavtseva 6-3 6-3, but Dementieva answered by downing Mattek-Sands 6-4 6-3.

© 2010 AFP

Share/Bookmark

Dolce Model Again Madonna


Madonna will front the new campaign for Dolce and Gabbana, it has been confirmed.

Speculation had been rife the 51-year-old singer would be the face of the Italian duo's autumn/winter 2010 womenswear range, following the success of her adverts for the fashion house last year, and now Stefano Gabbana has spoken of his excitement.

He tweeted: "Madonna.....she's always the BEST!!!! I'm going on the set of the woman campaign... The shooting is going very well!!!!...She's beautiful....Love this!!! (sic)."

Dolce Model Again Madonna  

 Speaking from the campaign's headquarters in New York, he added: "A lot of paparazzi during the shooting!!! (sic)."

Madonna's favourite photographer, Steven Klein, is thought to be shooting the adverts.

As well as appearing in last year's campaign, it was recently revealed she is to design a collection of sunglasses which bear the letter 'M' on the arm.


Gabbana said: "We're so excited. This further strengthens our relationship with Madonna, and it was a very constructive experience for us. She is very exacting and a professional who seeks perfection in everything she does, and this was no exception."

Madonna will also star in the advertising images for the eyewear line, which were shot by Klein and will be released next month to coincide with the launch.

Share/Bookmark

A day to remember Queensland miners

The State Government will hold a Miners Memorial Day to commemorate the lives of more than 1450 miners who died in mining tragedies that touch on three different centuries of mining in Queensland.

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said Miners Memorial Day would be held on the anniversary of the worst mining disaster in Queensland's history.

On the 19th September, 1921, 75 miners lost their lives in a coal dust explosion at Mount Mulligan in far north Queensland.

Minister Wilson said he was heartened by support from the Queensland Resources Council and the major mining unions, the CFMEU and the AWU, for a Miners Memorial Day.

"I've set up a steering committee with representatives from industry and the unions and I'm looking forward to working in partnership with them in organising the inaugural Miners Memorial Day," he said.

"On this day, we will remember the Mulligan miners and we will remember the miners of Box Flat, Kianga, Collinsville and Moura, and all miners who have lost their lives since mining began in Queensland in the 1800s.

"Their deaths are a sad part of our collective history. And the history of workers, their struggle, and sadly the ultimate sacrifice of workers should never be forgotten.

"It's important that we remember, so that when we hold it up to the light years later, we can tell our children of the sacrifices made by the men and women who worked in our mines.

"These tragic events are recorded, not just in flickering black and white newsreels, but in the memories of mining communities today. They're mining people and they know what it's like," he said.

The Minister said Miners Memorial Day would pay tribute to all miners in all mines across the state.

"Mining has helped forge our strong economy. From the gold rush days of the 1800s, mining has become a multi-billion dollar industry that is powering the state.

"And while we enjoy the benefits of the resources boom, we should reflect on how we got here and at what price - that's what Miners Memorial Day is all about.

"Miners Memorial Day will shine a light on the most important side of mining - the safety of the men and women who work in Queensland's mines," he said.

Share/Bookmark

Thousands protest at immigration law


Thousands of people have marched in Phoenix, Arizona to express their opposition to a controversial immigration law signed by the state governor.

Television images showed the protesters converging on the State Capitol, where they held a rally to denounce the legislation.

The law, signed by Arizona's Republican Governor Jan Brewer on Friday, allows police to question and detain anyone in the southwestern border state they believe may be an illegal immigrant, even if they are not suspected of committing another crime.
Advertisement: Story continues below

It would also require anyone in the state suspected of being an illegal immigrant to show a document proving their legal status, like a "green card" permanent residency document or a passport.

Opponents of the law say that if police demand papers from someone they suspect of being an illegal immigrant, and they turn out to be a US citizen, their constitutional rights will have been infringed.

US Democratic Congressman Luis Gutierrez urged the demonstrators to keep up pressure on politicians, reminding them that the controversial law would not take effect for 90 days.

"In these 90 days, we will demonstrate our solidarity," he said, addressing the protesters in Spanish. "That's why we are here."

Demonstrator Jose Acosta told CNN television he was concerned about the new law.

"What is reasonable suspicion? Are we going to get pulled over just because of a broken taillight, or because of the colour of our skin?" he asked.

Civil rights leader Al Sharpton said it was people's moral obligation to stand against this profiling in Arizona.

"Make no mistake about it. This is not a fight between minorities," he said. "This is a fight for justice and fairness for everyone."

Sharpton said protesters would bring people from around the country to Arizona who will walk down the streets with no identity cards and submit themselves to arrest.

"What is the difference between us and any Mexican, or any Asian, or anyone else?" he asked. "We will bring freedom walkers to Arizona just like freedom riders went to the deep South 50 years ago."

President Barack Obama, in a rare presidential intervention on a state matter, earlier described the law as "misguided."

At a naturalization ceremony for immigrant US service members at the White House last week, Obama said the measure threatens to "undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and our communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe."

Share/Bookmark

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Boeing - 787 Dreamliner - Background

Intelligent Investing
Riding The 787 Contrails Beyond Boeing
Rick Whittington, 04.22.10, 04:00 PM EDT
Investors have awakened to growth in the Boeing food chain. There's still room to go for 787-related companies.


Both Boeing and United Technologies rocketed higher on first-quarter earnings, carrying along Precision Castparts and Rockwell-Collins to two-year highs. Wheels, brakes, engine housing and electronics supplier Goodrich just blasted to an all-time high.

Curiously the most leveraged supplier to Boeing's ( BA - news - people ) revitalized airliner fortunes, Spirit AeroSystems, has lagged the rally and is a likely catch-up candidate in front of next week's earnings. Spirit was once part of Boeing and now does major sub-assembly work for them on all their commercial airplanes as well as a rising amount on Airbus' mainstay A320 along with some business jet work still in the tank. The stock's recovered from the big hit taken after it last report in early February but since then the civil aviation outlook has materially improved. Composites supplier Hexcel ( HXL - news - people ) is another worth watching.

This brings up the question of how to value Boeing  ( BA -  news  -  people ) and its food chain now that the investment community has awakened and smelled the coffee. Boeing's earnings conference call was replete with detailed questioning on 787 and 747-8 certification, new variants of existing aircraft, and order visibility that recently prompted higher build rates of 747s and 777s. Besides eliciting positive remarks on these, the most astounding was management's response an imminent announcement to up 737 production rates that investors would be happy. Wow! The country's No. 1 exporter will be producing significantly more airliners by year-end and at the same time introducing fuel-efficient, quiet and ergonomic Dreamliners to airlines already seeing increased traffic in emerging regions. They also echoed UPS'  ( UPS -  news  -  people ) positives on international airfreight and noted defense operations are leveling off following last year's plunge.



Boeing earned $0.70 in the first quarter, $0.90 excluding the health care charge our politicians assured us would save money, and reiterated recurring earnings for the year at just under $4 per share, in line with JSA's Paul Nisbet's forecast. Revenues and profits were evenly split between commercial and military but the momentum is all on the former in keeping with a continued jaundiced view on the administration's national security plans. This will prove the case throughout the aerospace industry these next half dozen years as Boeing gets to 30 787's per quarter in 3.5 years' time, about when Airbus begins volume production on its counterpart A350. The re-engineered 747-8, incorporating composites, new engines along with a whole new cockpit and flight electronics could be joined with a similarly upgraded 777.


With EADS/Airbus back in the Air Force's $35 billion aerial tanker competition, the multi-decade program just over one year's Boeing defense sales, not much will change if Boeing loses out but there's upside to Paul's $8 2014 earnings forecast should the September nod go their way. Just how the U.S. could purchase aircraft from such a conflicted group of operators is beyond imagination but they've spent heavily on influencing the decision in ways rivaling Wall Street fund raising, so that bears are watching. Still, if Boeing nears $4 this year, $4.75 in 2011, $5.60 in 2012, $6.60 in 2013 and then that magic $8 five years from now, its shares are almost certain to exceed two and a half year's ago $105 high.

Even if already better than double last year's $30 low and Wall Street's doubting brigade are now on the story, we'd look for another 100% gain by late 2011 when the 747-8 passenger Intercontinental joins the 787 and 747-8 freighter in full service. The wild card remains the side of the company dependent upon administration willingness to continue funding military programs. The past year's foreign policy initiatives don't lend much comfort here, so investors need to ignore the rhetoric and keep their eye on the defense budget.

While augmented by the Bush defense buildup, United Technologies  ( UTX -  news  -  people ) industrial and building-related businesses that account for over three-quarters of sales and profits hugely benefited from the 2003 to 2007 global infrastructure boom. The question for investors during today's leaner military years is the extent to which emerging economies will replicate commercial demand and how much oomph the company derives from higher civil airliner production. First quarter earnings were encouraging as they registered marked gains in commercial orders up 40% year-over-year, along with continued gains in short cycle segments such as commercial aviation aftermarket, industrial electronics, residential heating and air conditioning as well as refrigeration for trucks and containers.

China, India and Brazil led the charge for 21% higher earnings rise on slightly down revenues. Otis elevators saw equipment order growth for the first time in two years while some of Carrier's increasingly profitable air handling businesses turned the corner. A recently much expanded fire and security business fared only so-so while Hamilton's industrial compressors surged in typical lead indicator fashion. Its defense activities encompass jet engines, helicopters and electronic controls. Engines go on C-17 transports, the discontinued F-22, the never quite right F-35 that just saw its anticipated peak build rates sharply reduced, legacy F-15s and F-16s and on Boeing's proposed aerial tanker. With defense capped, Pratt & Whitney's future rests on new technology engines that promise greater thrust while delivering fuel economy and lower noise primarily for commercial airliners. Sikorsky helicopters remain in moderate growth mode following two big up years to support vertical lift requirements in overseas conflicts but this effort could wind down quickly once we're out of Afghanistan.

To make the mid-point of its 2010 revenue forecast, United Technologies will shortly begin posting positive revenue comparisons that will allow them to best the $4.60 high end of their earnings guidance. We think $4.70-$4.80 is in sight, just as the just reported $0.93 for the first quarter was above Street views, to be followed by $5.20 in 2011 and $5.70 in 2012. Such an earnings pattern should generate a $100 stock within two years, about when the Fed will once again have preemptively raised rates. Whether much higher figures lie within reach is dependent upon further gains in operating margin. Already operating at the top of its prior five years range, our estimates already push the profitability envelope. Just how much more lies ahead is the big question on how much more aggressive investors should be.

After months of citing concern that Boeing would reduce commercial production rates, key supplier Goodrich  ( GR -  news  -  people ) now echoes the new party line of rising build rates and better times ahead. Merely reaffirming prior 2010 guidance, the shares surged on first quarter earnings that were actually a touch beneath Street views, giving an idea of just how negative investor psychology has been. However, the past year's relentless evidence of economic recovery and better times ahead has finally hit the market's funny bone so that one economically sensitive stock after the other is headed upward. You can even read now that some are calling for a mini-boom in the U.S. and that technologically sophisticated industrial exports will lead the way, the upshot of which is upside for the battered supply chain names such as Moog, BE Aerospace  ( BEAV -  news  -  people ), Hexcel, Teledyne, Curtiss-Wright  ( CW -  news  -  people ) and Woodward Governor  ( WGOV -  news  -  people ). To the extent these and other aviation companies support the 787 and A350, the growth run could prove quite long, indeed, visibility for which the market will keep paying.

Share/Bookmark

Faith Hill latest fashion line

Breaking News :  Goldman e-mails reveal mortgage bets
                               In Mississippi Tornado kills atleast 10
Faith Hill - Recent Images 
                                                     4 days ago                                         2 days ago 
                                                    singer Faith Hill arrives                                 Faith Hill   

                                  Faith Hill                    Faith Hill                  Faith Hill                 Faith Hill

Faith Hill wants a fashion line

Friday, April 23 01:45 pm
Press Association
Faith Hill has revealed she hopes to create her own fashion line.
The 42-year-old red carpet regular is judging the finale of this season's Project Runway, and said she'd like to make clothes for working mothers like herself.

The singer, who is mum to three daughters, said: "If the right opportunity presents itself, I can guarantee you it would be my passion, and I would put my heart and soul into making it the best it could possibly be. I would design for the women I know and their kids ... busy moms with great style."

The US country star added she felt like she related to the budding designers on the show.

"I have always paid close attention to detail in my work, and I understand and relate to big dreams and hard work," she said. "Fortunately, those things served me well while focusing on each designer. It was actually quite natural for me."

She continued: "When it came down to the final three, they all had to be at the top of their game. A combination of tailoring, creativity, work ethic, the use of fabric, originality all played a part in the decision for the top spot.

"I was honoured to be a part of such an important show. We were making the decision that could change the lives of these designers."

Faith, who is married to fellow country singer Tim McGraw, said she got on well with Project Runway host Heidi Klum, who also has a big family and a famous husband.

"Heidi is a pro," said Faith. "She was a great joy to be around."

Share/Bookmark