Duct Tape Prom Dress

Duct Tape Prom Dress - The market of prom dresses is has gotten bigger, with teenagers always wanting the best looking dress. But now some couples have decided to opt for another way, thanks to a contest that makes them design their own prom dress with duct tape! “Stuck at Prom” is the name of the contest, and it had 215 entries; among the finalists we have Maris Blanchard and her brother who decided to go with my favorite, the “Alice in Wonderland” style. The prize is $6,000 plus $3,000 to the school.

Teens across the nation recently hit the designer boutiques in order to spend exorbitant amounts of money on spring prom-wear. Not so for some couples, who opted instead to vie for scholarship money by entering a contest to design and create prom outfits out of colored duct tape…who knew? The contest called Stuck At Prom, had 215 entries from young couples all over the country who were willing to take up the challenge. Among those making it into the Top 10 are Rachel Cunningham and Billy Oliver, who attend Elyria’s Midview High School.

Maris Blanchard and her brother are also among the finalists. She created a queen of hearts dress and her brother fashioned a Mad Hatter ensemble. They hope to win the $6,000 cash prize, with an additional $3,000 awarded to the winner’s high school. What would she do with the money? She’d go to art school.

Picher Ok

Picher Ok which is the is one of oldest, largest most polluted toxic-waste sites in U.S. CNN reports a story about Picher and a 84 years resident, which puts the things in right perspective here. Picher is a city in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, United States. It was formerly a center of lead and zinc mining. The population was 1,640 at the 2000 census. Discoveries of ground contamination and the possibility of a cave in under the city have prompted nearly all of its population to evacuate Picher, and the nearby town of Cardin is following suit.

Picher has become notable for its location near the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Tar Creek Superfund site, which had a long history of underground lead and zinc mining until around 1970. Chat piles left behind by the mining companies contain lead dust that has blown around the city. Elevated lead levels in Picher children have led to learning disabilities and other problems.

The lead and zinc have also seeped into groundwater, ponds, and lakes, many of which still are used by children for swimming. Since the children of Picher have been found to have elevated levels of lead in their bodies, the EPA has since declared Picher to be one of the most toxic areas in the United States. In June 2009, the mayor of Picher stated that the city would cease operations as a municipality on or about September 1, 2009; the post office was scheduled to close on July 6.

Rasmussen daily tracking poll

The Rasmussen daily tracking poll is nowadays used to show President Obama's approval, or lack of it. Today's Rasmussen daily tracking poll shows a continued trend of mixed results for Obama. In the past, the Rasmussen daily tracking poll showed good results for the President. But as the Rasmussen Daily Tracking Poll Has Dips in Obama Numbers administration begins to settle in and take more criticism, the Rasmussen poll reflects some growing backlash, and not just from the usual suspects.

Cecelia Cichan

Cecelia Cichan the sole survivor of Northwest Flight 255 was covered on tv today. Cecelia Cichan was Northwest Flight 255’s only survivor during a tragic crash almost 22 years ago. On August 16, 1987 Flight 255 was heading to Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Arizona and ultimately Santa Ana, California.

But during takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, the plane crashed. Only Cecelia Marie Cichan (now Cecelia Marie Cichan-Lumpkin) survived. The six year lost her parents and brother. The medical examiner on scene never understood how she survived, calling it complete destruction. Cecelia would be raised by her aunt and uncle, Rita and Frank Lumpkin.

“Hi everyone. I just wanted to give a quick update. I am doing great. I know the anniversary is coming up soon, and that is a sad time for us all. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you … families and friends of the passengers of flight 255 … even those of you who are concerned but have no direct connection to the crash. Thanks to everyone who keeps me in their prayers as well! God Bless!”

Property Room

Property Room is an eBay for police auctions. PropertyRoom.com carries property rooms of 1600 law enforcement agencies in the U.S. It picks up the contents, then sells them, and finally splits the proceeds with the law enforcement agency, money typically going to the agency’s pension fund. As one report explains, after Property Room picks up the contents, it sorts them locally, then brings them to their facility in Los Angeles. Immediately a Gemological Institute of America-trained specialists examines jewelry items to see if they are real.

Agencies reportedly are pull in as much as $60,000 per year for their pension funds because of propertyroom sales. And that number is growing. The brainchild is former police officers including reportedly Daryl Gates as its founder. It now deals with 2000 departments and has annual profits of $3 million PropertyRoom.com, a unique e-commerce marketplace, features goods seized and found by law enforcement agencies.

Additionally, PropertyRoom.com offers items from Trusted Merchants in a variety of hot e-commerce categories including electronics, collectibles, jewelry, sports equipment and much more.As a PropertyRoom.com law enforcement agency partner or trusted merchant you gain access to our loyal base of over 600,000 registered bidders, as well as to our proven expertise in the law enforcement and e-commerce industries.

Don Cornelius

Don Cornelius O’Jays Tribute 2009 BET Awards - Don Cornelius attended the 2009 Bet Awards to present the award to the O’Jays. The creator of ‘Soul Train, Don Cornelius also have something to say on Michael Jackson when he was on the 2009 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on Sunday (June 28) in Los Angeles. “I met Michael Jackson at the age of 8, when his father and my new friend, Joe Jackson, first began to bring the Jackson 5 to Chicago, from their home in Gary, Indiana, for concert appearances.

“The word of the Jackson 5’s devastating abilities as concert artists had already begun to spread like an out-of-control forest fire to the laser-like attention of all Chicago area R&B music stars. “If Michael Jackson and his brothers were booked on an upcoming Chicagoland show, leave it alone! Don’t book it! Don’t go on that show and get completely blown away by young Michael and the Jackson 5!” With the news of the BET Awards 2009 making last minute alterations to pay tribute to the pop star Michael Jackson, it was expected to be a memorable show.

Don Cornelius of the Soul Train fame remembered his experience with Jackson while talking about him onstage. Don who had Known Jackson since childhood but only as a young singer onstage mentioned about the huge talent that the pop star possessed since childhood. It was in the mid 1960s when Don encountered MJ from among the five brothers from Indiana who were performing to covers of the then established bands namely the Temptations. The then four feet tall young Jackson’s vocal skills and dance onstage caught the eyes of Cornelius as he reminisced.

BET Awards

The BET Awards - a show thrown into "total overhaul" by the death of Michael Jackson - were preparing for what was sure to be a spectacular celebration of the King of Pop, put on by an dazzling collection of the artists he influenced most. Already an affair of major star wattage, Sunday night's show was thrown under a white-hot spotlight in the wake of Jackson's death, adding attendees and guests, doubling the number of media requests and even lengthening the red carpet to accommodate all who want to take part.

It was not immediately clear whether any members of the Jackson family, who had been gathering at their Encino compound over the weekend, planned to attend or take part. Producers of the annual awards show - which recognizes the best in music, acting and sports - say they scrapped their plans and revamped the show to meet the moment.

Previously announced performers, such as Beyonce and Ne-Yo, who worked on their performances for weeks, hoped to change them to honor Jackson, producer Stephen Hill said. Other artists who hadn't planned to attend the ceremony, including Usher and Justin Timberlake, tried to catch last-minute flights to Los Angeles to participate, Hill said.

Lashley vs Sapp VIDEO

Bobby Lashley vs. Bob Sapp was the main event in Ultimate Chaos Ultimate Chaos featured heavy weights Lashley vs. Sapp as the main event that took place in Biloxi, Mississippi Saturday night. The main event featured super heavyweights Bobby Lashley up against Bob Sapp, and Gilbert Yvel fighting Pedro Rizzo. The undercard featured UFC veterans as well as Affliction Entertainment Vice President Tom Atencio in his second MMA fight.

While Fight Force International may be a new promotion to most MMA fans, matchmaker Russell Schenck recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio that the weekend card featuring Bobby Lashley vs. Bob Sapp, Pedro Rizzo vs. Gilbert Yvel and more is just the beginning – and a continuation of what has already begun.

"We've done 14 mixed martial arts cards, about eight of them in the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Miss.," Schenck said. "The shows that we've done are called the 'Blood and Sand' series, and we've done seven of those. Then we've done some smaller shows throughout the Gulf Coast area." Schenck said he and promoters Fight Force International, as well as co-promoters Prize Fight Promotions, are starting a new series in "Ultimate Chaos," but he also warns not to consider the group a new organization.

Kendra Wilkinson Wedding

Tons of people are searching for Kendra Wilkinson Wedding Pictures today after the former Playboy Playmate married NFL player beau Hank Baskett at the Playboy Mansion. At around 6:45 p.m., the Playmate and former Girls Next Door star, 23, walked down the aisle in a white dress, dripping in more than $100,000 worth of platinum jewelry by Michael Barin, including drop earrings, a pendant and bracelet. The groom also wore white, as did the groomsmen, while the bridesmaids were in lavender.

Hank Baskett and Kendra Wilkinson got married last night at the Playboy mansion. Kendra and Hank got married on the lawn of the Playboy mansion, near the wishing well. What did Hugh Hefner think about his former girlfriend's wedding? He told E! "I could not be more delighted,". Hef also said "This is one of the happiest days in one of the happiest places on Earth."

Despite previous rumors, Hugh Hefner did not walk Kendra down the aisle. That honor went to Kendra's brother, Colin Wilkinson. Kendra's mom, Patty Wilkinson said "Watching Colin walk Kendra down the aisle was really emotional and beautiful,". Kendra's mom also said that "She looked breathtaking." Hank Baskett and Kendra Wilkinson's wedding pictures have not been released to the public yet.

Connie Hamzy

Connie Hamzy is best known for being a groupie that had sex with several rockstars back in the day. Today she is 50 years old. From Little Rock, Arkansas, Connie Hamzy has been a groupie who has been with several rock icons including the Eagles, Led Zeppelin,the Who and even Neil Diamond.

Connie Hamzy is exceptionally caring to her loved ones and in her love relationship she always searches devotion and security. She always provides promotional and warm atmosphere to her loved ones. Hamzy always cares to hang on with other and try to stop them from changing. Connie Hamzy’s interests are to providea good affection physically, touching and closeness and she always has a good movement to eat too much during the sensual pleasures and comforts

Hamzy always has a thirst for those things which are foreign or far away from her or for those things which she has never used before. Connie always wants to throw herself fully into the tastes and feelings of every new place instead of being collecting the facts and figure or a thinker appreciation. She has a restless personality emotionally. She is very determined and her power is in her feelings. May be she has a feeling that she has to emphasize herself without thinking about the risks that could be involved. Connie is not probably agree to compromise on those tensions which have been given by the others. Probably she has a wrongly theory about that world which is around her and due to this probably she suffered a lot of regrets.

Wedding Toast

Wedding Toasts are a very interesting concept. The wedding day is quite likely the most important day in the life of the couple. If there is a formal ceremony, there are several other people involved - parents, bridesmaids, the best man, relatives, and guests. The wedding day is the occasion for them to make a toast to each other. Given below are quotations that you can use in wedding toasts.

If you want to recommend some of your favorite Wedding Toasts or Wedding Quotations for this page, fill out the quotations suggestion form. Here's to the prettiest, here's to the wittiest, Here's to the truest of all who are true, Here's to the neatest one, here's to the sweetest one, Here's to them, all in one - here's to you. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Here's to these beautiful bridesmaids.

We admire them for their beauty, respect them for their intelligence, adore them for their virtues, and love them because we can't help it.

Look down you gods, and on this couple drop a blessed crown. Remember that if you ever put your marital problems on the back burner they are sure to boil over. Happy marriages begin when we marry the one we love, and they blossom when we love the one we married. My greatest wish for the two of you is that through the years your love for each other will so deepen and grow, that years from now you will look back on this day, your wedding day, as the day you loved each other the least.

NHL Draft

NHL draft in Montresal USA TODAY's Kevin Allen offers a ranking of notable personnel performances at this weekend,s . Are you a disgruntled Philadelphia Flyers fan — wondering why your club parted with players and draft picks to pick up star defenseman Chris Pronger from the Anaheim Ducks?

Are you a New York Islanders fan who found himself jumping up and down and rushing to order tickets now that your team has a top-level scorer in John Tavares? Are you a Tampa Bay Lightning fan who is pleased to see last year's No. 1 Steven Stamkos paired with this year's No. 2 Victor Hedman for years to come? Let us know what you thought of your favorite team's performance at this year's draft.

Log in below and use the star system to rate your team's draft. Be sure to identify your favorite team when leaving your rating along with any comments you may have for the general manager. Anaheim Ducks draft pick Peter Holland puts on his new jersey as general manager Bob Murray, right, looks on. Murray worked the best deal of the draft when he acquired two players and a slew of draft picks for All-Star defenseman Chris Pronger.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,[3] more commonly referred to as Rhode Island (en-us-Rhode Island.ogg /roʊd ˈaɪlɨnd/ (help·info)), is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area. Rhode Island borders Connecticut to the west and Massachusetts to the north and east. Rhode Island also shares a water border with New York's Long Island to the southwest.

Despite the name, most of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is in fact on the mainland. The name Rhode Island and Providence Plantations derives from the merging of two colonies, Providence Plantations and Rhode Island. Providence Plantations was the name of the colony founded by Roger Williams in the area now known as the City of Providence.Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was the first of the thirteen original colonies to declare independence from British rule and the last to ratify the United States Constitution.[5][6]

Rhode Island's official nickname is "The Ocean State", a reference to the state's geography, as nearly one tenth of Rhode Island's inland area is covered by salt water. In addition, no resident of the state is more than a thirty-minute drive from the water's edge.[7] Unofficially, and in other parts of the country, Rhode Island is referred to as Little Rhody.[8]Another hypothesis on the origin of the name is that when Verrazzano sailed into Narragansett Bay, the many islands reminded him of the Aegean Sea, and he named it for Rhodes. This is what is said on the Verrazzano Monument in downtown Providence at Monument Park near the Rhode Island School of Design.

Cap and Trade

"cap and tax" bill if you prefer his parlance. He listed the legislators, including our own Vern Ehlers, and urged listeners to call. Reached Friday afternoon before the vote, Ehlers said his phone lines were jammed with calls because of the urging of Limbaugh and others and that he was still indeed mulling the complexities of the 1,300-page bill. Ehlers said he honestly wrestled with the bill because of his belief climate change must be addressed. But he also felt the bill would hurt Michigan more than other states.

In the end, Ehlers voted no on the bill that passed 219-212, saying his concerns about the impact on Michigan were not addressed even after he discussed them with majority leaders, including the bill's chief sponsors, Reps. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif. He also was in meetings with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. climate change is not man made. climate change is not man made. history does not begin the day you are born. Just because 'this day or that day' may have been the hottest you remember, does not mean my SUV made it that way. The sun made it that way. carbon dioxide is not a pollutant. I don't care what Al Gore says.

We need it to survive. Polar bears swim all the time to get from one place to another. The ice caps are not melting. Early tests were wrong. New testing shows the old sensors were faulty. You blame George Bush for being wrong on WMD, but somehow a few scientists can't be wrong? If you dispute anything I've written, look it up for yourself. And the daily kos, huffington post, moveon, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity are not sites to look for insiteful facts. read what opposing views from your own say. climate change is not man made. climate change is not manmade.

National HIV Testing

National HIV Testing Day was organized by the National Association of People with AIDS with support from the Disease Control and Prevention. offered free HIV awareness classes aIn recognition of the 16th Annual National HIV Testing Day Island Coast Aids Networknd after hours testing on Saturday. "Testing is safe, today testing is non-invasive. Testing is important. Today you can live with AIDS. It's a wonderful time to be alive with HIV and AIDS because there's hope,” said AIDS survivor Marcus Morris.

The CDC recommends that people aged 13 to 64 be tested as a routine part of their medical care. Free confidential testing is conducted using the OraSure mouth swab. To schedule an HIV test contact Dr. Peter Bright at (239) 464-7398. "The Centers for Disease Control recommend every sexually active adult is tested annually. Unless you have a GPS tracker or a camera on your partner's zipper you don't know where and when it comes down,” said Dr. Peter Bright, I-Can Director of Programs.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Saturday, June 27th is National HIV testing day. The Southside Ministry Church on Emerson held a health fair this afternoon, to encourage neighbors to get tested. They are trying to break past the stigma of HIV testing by making testing quick and easy. Experts say as many as one in five people with HIV, don't know they're infected. If you didn't get tested Saturday, but want to, click on the link on the right for more information on testing sites.

Helen Keller

Helen Adams Keller (June 27, 1880 – June 1, 1968) was an American author, political activist and lecturer. She was the first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.[1][2] The story of how Keller's teacher, Annie Sullivan, broke through the isolation imposed by a near complete lack of language, allowing the girl to blossom as she learned to communicate, has become known worldwide through the dramatic depictions of the play and film The Miracle Worker.

A prolific author, Keller was well traveled and was outspoken in her opposition to war. She campaigned for women's suffrage, workers' rights, and socialism, as well as many other progressive causes. Helen Adams Keller was born at an estate called Ivy Green[3] in Tuscumbia, Alabama, on June 27, 1880, to Captain Arthur H. Keller, a former officer of the Confederate Army, and Kate Adams Keller, a cousin of Robert E. Lee and daughter of Charles W. Adams, a former Confederate general.[4]

Anne Sullivan arrived at Keller's house in March 1887, and immediately began to teach Helen to communicate by spelling words into her hand, beginning with d-o-l-l for the doll that she had brought Keller as a present. Keller's big breakthrough in communication came in April the same year, when she realized that the motions her teacher was making on the palm of her hand, while running cool water over her other hand, symbolized the idea of "water"; she then nearly exhausted Sullivan demanding the names of all the other familiar objects in her world.

Il Divo

Il Divo is an Italian film directed in 2008 by Paolo Sorrentino. It is a biopic based on the figure of former Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti. It was nominated for the Palme D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008, where it was awarded the Prix du Jury. The movie was premiered in North America at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The story of Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, who has been elected to Parliament seven times since it was established in 1946. The narration spans the period since the seventh election of Andreotti as Prime Minister of Italy in 1992, until the trial in which he was accused of collusion with the Mafia. Toni Servillo as President Giulio Andreotti - NB. The title "President" here means President of the Council of Ministers (i.e. Prime Minister).

Il Divo received mostly positive reviews from critics. As of April 27, 2009, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported 19 positive reviews and 4 negative, giving the film an 83% critical approval rating.[5]In Peter Brunette's review for The Hollywood Reporter, he praises the movie, pointing out the capacity of entertaining, the brilliant acting and the quality of the soundtrack. He notes that the movie will probably not have a great success outside Italy[6] . The same elements emerge from the review of Jay Weissberg from Variety, who define the movie a masterpiece that will become a comparison stone for the years to come[7] .

Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant means different things to different people. For some, the Ark is a mystical object that contains supernatural powers too terrifying to comprehend. For the pop-culture minded, it is the priceless treasure sought after by the fearless Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark. To others, it is an ancient artifact that is highly coveted for its "religious" significance, similar to the "holy grail." With all the societal myths surrounding the Ark, it is worthwhile to take a moment to investigate its true origin and purpose.

The Ark of the Covenant is first mentioned in the Bible in Exodus 25. Following Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt, God instructs Moses to build a Tabernacle (or tent) in which the Israelites will worship God. Placed in a special area known as "the Holy of Holies," the Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in the Tabernacle. Detailed instructions were given by God to construct the Ark. It was to be made with acacia wood and overlaid with gold. Dimensionally, the Ark was to be 2.5 cubits (1 cubit is approximately 18 in.) long and 1.5 cubits wide and high. Atop the Ark were two gold cherubs that stood with their wings covering an area of the Ark known as the "Mercy Seat."

The Ark of the Covenant contained three items of extreme significance to the Israelites. The first was two stone tablets bearing the divine inscription of the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments formed the foundation of God's covenant with Israel, commonly referred to as "The Law" (Exodus 31). The second item in the Ark was the rod of Aaron. God miraculously caused Aaron's rod to bud with blossoms to show the rest of the tribes of Israel that it was God's will for Aaron to be in charge of the Priesthood (Numbers 17). The last item was a golden pot of manna. Manna was the starchy food God miraculously provided for the Israelites during their 40 years of desert wanderings (Exodus 16).

Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, entertainer and businessman. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he made his debut onto the professional music scene in 1968 at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5. He then began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. Referred to as the "King of Pop"[2] in subsequent years, his 1982 album Thriller remains the world's best-selling album of all time[3] and four of his other solo studio albums are among the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995).

In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as "Beat It", "Billie Jean" and "Thriller"—widely credited with transforming the music video from a promotional tool into an art form—helped bring the relatively new channel to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made Jackson an enduring staple on MTV in the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists across several generations.

Jackson donated and raised millions of dollars for beneficial causes through his foundations, charity singles, and support of 39 charities. Other aspects of his personal life, including his often changing appearances and eccentric behavior, generated significant controversy which damaged his public image. Though he was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993, the criminal investigation was closed due to lack of evidence and Jackson was not charged. The singer had experienced health concerns since the early 1990s and conflicting reports regarding the state of his finances since the late 1990s.

Dinara Safina

Dinara Safina sailed into the second week at Wimbledon for the first time on Sunday, defeating Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens 7-5 6-1.The Russian, three times a grand slam runner-up but never a winner, had a fight on her hands in the opening set of the third round match but overwhelmed the world number 110 in the second.

With thunder rumbling overhead, Flipkens got her only set point at 5-4 in the first which she squandered. Safina finally broke in the 11th game and served out to take a 1-0 lead. The Russian went into overdrive as the heavens threatened to open on the new number two show court but the rain just held off and she swept to an easy 6-1 second set clincher.

At her post-match news conference, Safina said it was "annoying" that people kept pointing out she was world number one without having won a grand slam. "I'm consistently there," she said. "One day I will get the grand slam and nobody can talk anymore that I am number one without a grand slam," she said. Safina next faces 17th seed and former champion Amelie Mauresmo for a place in the quarter-finals. The Russian said of her French opponent: "This year she's playing very good. I think she's back in her best shape. She likes playing on grass."

Cap and Trade Vote Results

After much debating the Cap and Trade Vote Results are in! The American Clean Energy and Security Act barely passed in the U.S House of Representatives with a final vote of 219-211. The bill needed 218 votes to pass. From here the Senate is now expected to print their version of the legislation before the bill can be passed to President Obama.

Despite that, almost fifty Democrats crossed the aisle and voted against Cap and Trade. They knew how their constituents, who were melting down phone lines and stuffing email boxes in opposition, feel about being fleeced by the government for no good reason. Unfortunately eight Republicans, RINOs actually, voted in favor of Cap and Trade and provided the margin of victory.

The irony is that it is conventional wisdom that Cap and Trade, at least the House version, is going to die a very quick death in the Senate. That means that quite a few House members have alienated their constituents for no reason. In the meantime, embarrassing provisions from Cap and Trade, such as the regulatory regime for hot tubs, will continue to come to light.

Melanie Oudin

Teenage qualifier Melanie Oudin of Marietta, Ga., has advanced to the fourth round in her first Wimbledon by upsetting former No. 1 Jelena Jankovic, 6-7 (8), 7-5, 6-2. The No. 6-seeded Jankovic struggled with the heat on a sunny, 82-degree Saturday. When the 66-minute first set ended, a trainer and doctor came on court to check Jankovic's pulse and blood pressure.

She rested on a towel while being treated, and after several minutes sat up while ice was applied to her neck and midsection. Play resumed after a 12-minute delay, and Oudin was the steadier player from the baseline the rest of the way. The 17-year-old Oudin had an 0-2 record in Grand Slam matches before making her Wimbledon debut this week.

Just one day after I posted about her becoming the next big American tennis star Melanie Oudin won her sixth straight match in Wimbledon upsetting sixth seeded Jelena Jankovic in a three set battle 6-7(8), 7-5, 6-2. After coming through the qualifying last week, the 17 year old Oudin has played great tennis in the first week of Wimbledon. Today she used her power and variety effectively to upset Jankovic.

Michael Jackson Death Photos

Many sites are currently publishing the Michael Jackson Death Photos or the last photos of the King of Pop as he was rushed to the UCLA Hospital. Warning the pictures below can be hard to handle for some. Michael Jackson’s autopsy reports have still to come in and his body will be released as soon as family members inform of the funeral home he will be taken too. His death was already huge news and I am sure that his funeral will be even bigger news as thousands will be there to say good-bye.

Since news hit on Thursday afternoon that pop legend Michael Jackson passed away fans have been in complete shock. Internet search engines have been overloaded with Jackson related searches and television shows have paid him tribute. One of our favorite reality television shows, "American Idol" reran Michael Jackson week from Season 8 and BET's "106 and Park" cancelled their top 10 countdown to honor MJ. I will also be tuning into the BET Awards on Sunday to catch any possible MJ tributes.

So, what's the latest news on Jackson? His autopsy results will be revealed in the coming days. Doctors suspect that he may have had an underlying heart condition. However, rumors have also surfaced saying that Jackson was given Demerol before he was rushed to the hospital. Demerol is a narcotic pain reliever and extremely habit forming. Taken incorrectly it could very well lead to cardiac arrest.

Generation X

2 lost icons: For Generation X, a really bad day A record-shattering vinyl album and its moonwalking maestro. A paper poster of a golden-haired beauty in a one-piece swimsuit that was gossamer and clingy in all the right places. It all seems so quaint now, the fragmented dream memories of a fleeting micro-era that began with words like "bicentennial" and "pet rock" and ended with MTV, Atari and absurdly thin cans of super-hold mousse.

The man-child named Michael Jackson and the luminous girl known as Farrah Fawcett-Majors jumped into our consciousness at a plastic moment in American culture — a time when the celebrity juggernaut we know today was still in diapers. When they departed Thursday, just a few hours and a few miles apart, they left an entire generation — a very strange generation indeed — without two of its defining figures. "These people were on our lunchboxes," said Gary Giovannetti, 38, a manager at HBO who grew up on Long Island awash in Farrah and MJ iconography. "This," he said, "is the moment when Generation X realizes they're grown up."

It was a long time coming. Cynical, disaffected, rife with ADD, lost between Boomers and millennials and sandwiched between Vietnam and the war on terror, Gen X has always been an oddity. It was the product of a transitional age when we were still putting people on celebrity pedestals but only starting to make an industry out of dragging them down. Its memorable moments were diffuse and confusing — the Ronald Reagan assassination attempt, the dawn of AIDS, the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. It had no protest movement, no opponent to unite it, none of the things that typically shape the ill-defined beast we call an American generation.

Nancy Benoit

Nancy Benoit was the wife of Chris Benoit who is a wrestler and Hustler Magazine has published her nude photos which are around ten year old pictures. A case has been filed in the federal court against Hustler Magazine that they have no right to publish these photos. In this regards a ruling was on Thursday. Nancy had killed a young boy with his mom and committed suicide after their murdered around two years back.

When Larry Flynt Publishing Group published the nude photos of Nancy Benoit last year then her family filed a lawsuit in federal court against that group. It was claimed in the lawsuit that the Nancy was a professional wrestler and a model as well, had requested the photographer to demolish the photos exactly after shooting around 20 years back.

The Magazine officials replied in this regards that we had published a story about whole life and tragic death of Nancy and the photos were the key elements of that extra ordinary story. They further explained that they helped to show the self effacing career beginning of Mrs. Benoit. In October 2008 a federal judge has ruled in the favor of magazine. Judge dismissed the lawsuit and concluded that if a death is a legal matter of common public concern then magazine has the full rights to publish any image as a part of the death story.

Michael Jackson Radio Station

Michael Jackson suddenly passed away on Thursday at 2:26 p.m. It is still not clear what brought the music legend to his demise, although speculations abound that he died of stress and overdose of prescription medications. The whole world is in mourning. Radio stations around the globe are playing his hits back-to-back as a way to revere the only and only King of Pop.

The Indiana native is not only being remembered by his American fans, but also by his followers around the world. Radio stations are playing his songs continuously, from his earlier hits with his brothers, The Jackson 5, to his later songs. His fans are paying him tribute around the world are mourning over the music industry's great loss.

Pakistani radio station, City FM 89, has been playing Jackson's songs all day. General manager Munizeh Senai told ABC News, "There are many people in Pakistan who don't know that the world is round but know who Michael is." In Japan, Minister of Internal Affairs and Communication, Tsutomu Sato, told the press, "I grew up listening and watching The Jackson Five. Therefore the news of his death leaves me with a feeling of sadness." Jackson's CDs are also selling out online. His albums' sales shoot up and occupied 14 of the top 20 places on the Amazon.co.uk, the online vendor told visitbulgaria.info. Back in Gary, Indiana, fans paid their respect to Jackson's humble beginnings.

The Jackson Family Members

Michael Jackson’s Holmby Hills home on Thursday evening With Jackson’s family members and friends - including Rick and Kathy Hilton - pulling past security one by one, the legions of Michael’s supporters quickly amassed sprawling vigils in honor of the pop legend, who passed away from a heart attack earlier in the day.

With an autopsy already expedited, the Los Angeles Robbery and Homicide devision has been assigned to the high profile death to make sure everything goes smoothly. As for Michael’s three children, Prince Michael Jackson I, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II, a Jackson family lawyer named Brian Oxman says that they will likely to be looked after by Michael’s mom, Katherine Jackson.

Members of Michael Jackson's family told us the singer was given a "heavy dose of morphine" prior to his death, and family members were alarmed. We're told Joe Jackson recently wanted to put Michael in a rehab facility in Palmdale, California for what he considered an "addiction" to morphine and prescription drugs. Family members say they felt he was unable to perform for his upcoming concerts because of his drug use.

Diana Ross on Michael Jackson’s Death

Diana Ross on Michael Jackson’s Death I can’t stop crying,” Diana Ross says. When I first learned of Michael Jackson’s death suddenly at age 50, one of the first people I thought about was Diana Ross. While the news talked to Donna Summer and plenty of other people giving their comments about Michael Jackson’s death, I asked my husband, “I wonder where Diana Ross is?”

That’s because everyone knows how much little Michael Jackson adored Diana Ross — as portrayed in Dreamgirls, with Beyonce as Diana Ross inside the room with her cohorts while the little actor playing Michael Jackson waits outside the door, listening, waiting for “Deena” as Diana Ross. So I’m checking Google News here for any “Michael Jackson” and “Diana Ross” news reports listing any statement she’s made.

Michael Jackson was fascinated by celebrity tragedy. He had a statue of Marilyn Monroe in his home and studied the sad Hollywood exile of Charlie Chaplin. He married the daughter of Elvis Presley. Jackson met his own untimely death Thursday at age 50, and more than any of those past icons, he left a complicated legacy. As a child star, he was so talented he seemed lit from within; as a middle-aged man, he was viewed as something akin to a visiting alien who, like Tinkerbell, would cease to exist if the applause ever stopped.

Sanford Maria

Sanford’s Maria emails were already in possession of one publication six months ago, says online reports today. So why did the publication allegedly withhold them? Sanford wrote to a woman named Maria in Buenos Aires. But reports tonight say that on Wednesday, one U.S. publication that has a reporter in Buenos Aires went to Maria’s apartment building reportedly pictured above.

The location: the Republica de La India in Buenos Aires in the Barrio Palermo. The State, the publication that revealed the emails between Maria and Mark tonight, had in the original copy of the emails Maria’s last name. The State’s reporter went to Maria’s apartment, and when she answered, she responded to the complete name listed in the emails (since redacted_.

“The State reports that one of its reporters attempted to get an interview with Maria at her apartment in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday. After answering the door and responding to the name mentioned in the e-mails, Maria declined to comment on the story.”

Leslie Schuler

Nathaniel Turner, dead Wednesday, his father Leslie Schuler arrested. Nathaniel Turner died from an alleged beating from his father, on Father’s Day. Turner was 7 years old. The Turner case however is raising eyebrows today on one core question - how did Leslie become the caretaker of Turner suddenly - a child who was a stranger to the man. Reports say the father never had legal custody nor visitation rights for the child.

The only existing court order appears to give custody to the biological mother, Alicia Taylor. However, due to the mother’s mental problems, the maternal grandmother, Christine Taylor, cared for the boy, records show. Her legal guardianship of him apparently lapsed about four years ago. Child-protection has yet to comment on the matter. But reports say Schuler did want visitation rights to be granted, writing to court.

Leslie Schuler, who appears to be gainfully employed, was charged with seven counts of assault and battery on a child, one count of assault with intent to murder, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. Basically, every kind of unspeakable abuse one man can heap upon another human being, to say nothing of his son.

Google Voice

Google Voice hasn’t opened to the public yet, but there’s lots of speculation that the search giant’s phone service could become available soon. It allows users to link their home, work and cellphone numbers to a new number, whose voicemails they can check online or by text message. Users can also specify which device rings based on the caller, set up personalized greetings for different callers, and save and search calls and messages.

In April, Courtney Banks reviewed Google Voice for WSJ.com, saying it could be particularly valuable to consumers with multiple phone numbers and devices. The automated voice-to-text conversion, which it uses to transcribe voicemail messages for reading in an email-like interface, has some kinks to work out, however, she said.

Despite the previous rumors, that were later proven to be false, Google Voice will be opening up today. Yup, that is the official word, Google Voice will begin sending out invitations to users as of today. The news comes courtesy of a recent tweet from Google Voice; That said, it looks like some lucky users will begin receiving their invitations as of today. Hopefully they will be sending them out shortly. Unfortunately, there has not been any mention as to when we can expect to see Google Voice open up for those that have not previously requested an invitation, nor have we seen any indication as to how many invitations will be sent out.

Joanna Philbin

Joanna Philbin co hosted “Regis and Kelly” in the below clips LALATE first showed you in August 2008. Today Joanna is back co hosting Thursday’s broadcast! Last August Joanna Philbin had the incredible guests Robert Downey Jr., Katharine McPhee, and Will Ferrell. What a show to do! Imagine Robert Downey Jr and Will Ferrell in one show? Today she’s back … with Shia LaBeouf. Exciting!

Enjoy again some classic videos from 2008 of Joanna making dad proud … on his show! And then catch her this morning on ABC. Live With Regis and Kelly Guest co-host Joanna Philbin; Shia LaBeouf ("Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"); Il Divo performs. (N) 9 a.m. KABC The View Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood ("Whatever Works"); Darius Rucker performs. (N) 10 a.m. KABC

The Morning Show With Mike & Juliet Victoria Stilwell ("It's Me or the Dog"); Ray Liotta; fashion stylist Nole Marin; Alec Greven ("How to Talk to Dads"). (N) 11 a.m. KTTV The Bonnie Hunt Show Tom Bergeron ("Dancing With the Stars"); Lisa Lillien. (N) noon. KNBC Good Morning America Tiger Woods; film critic Ben Lyons; Brides editor Millie Martini Bratten. (N) 7 a.m. KABC.

2010 census

2010 census will discount same-sex marriages. Ignoring same-sex marriages does not allow an accurate picture of America. Surprisingly, data shows Mississippi as having the largest number of same-sex couples with children, and registered same-sex couples live in just about every county in the U.S. Gilligan argues how ignoring the demography of LGBTs continues stereotypes of the population as exclusively white, urban, male, and wealthy. Gilligan’s good news is the Census Bureau is responsive to public pressure.

Same-sex relationships remain the most contentious social issue in the United States, despite four decades of work by activists and scholars to change laws and attitudes that condemn queer people to second-class status in the U.S. The vicious struggle over same-sex marriage in California last year is but one example of the irrational homophobia that continues to dominate public discussions of LGBT rights.

LBGT people remain a go-to divisive issue in American politics and culture, researchers suggest, in part because of the lack of data available about how queer people really live their lives. In the absence of concrete data, misconceptions about gays and lesbians flourish, while the impact of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity remains unexamined.

College Cost Reduction and Access Act

People are remembering the College Cost Reduction and Access Act today. The below text shows the Department of Education Student Loans’ College Cost Reduction and Access Act passed in 2007 under the Bush Administration. But as examined below by LALATE, a major change in the Act on repayments comes into effect in just days. First, the bill gradually cuts interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans for undergraduate students in half according to the following schedule:

This section eliminates a three-year limitation on loan deferment for certain members of the armed forces. It allows deferments until 180 days after the borrowers are demobilized. It also allows borrowers in the military to receive the benefit regardless of when the loan was originated. Eligibility for this deferment remains limited to members serving on active duty or performing qualified National Guard duty during war and a national emergency.

But the notable change that everyone is talking about today is the Income Based Repayment, a specific provision in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, that hasn’t come into effect — until days from now on July 1, 2009. Loan payments will be limited to 15 percent of a borrower’s discretionary income or 15 percent of the amount that a borrower’s (and spouse’s if applicable) adjusted gross income exceeds 150 percent of the poverty line, divided by 12. Unpaid interest and principal are capitalized and any outstanding loan balance is forgiven after 25 years of repayment.

Lenny Dykstra

Here's the portion of Bernard Goldberg's follow-up with Lenny Dykstra from last night's "Real Sports" where The Dude daftly mumbles his way through an interview he appears to have completely forgotten was scheduled. If Goldberg was guilty of glossing over Dykstra's obvious instability during the March 2008 interview, he goes out of his way to show the pathetic reality this time around — he points out how there's "no furniture" when he peeks inside the mansion, shots of him pacing on his cellphone to try to get in touch with Dykstra.

Lenny Dykstra is being sued by 20 people. Dykstra used to be the best as a sportsman and financial guru in his own class. His bubble burst for him. HBO Real Sports aired a documentary on Dykstra on June 23.

College World Series 2009 Score

College World Series 2009 Score - We got the chance again of seeing the very best of college baseball in Omaha, Nebraska, at the College World Series. Here we will see crowned the champions of college baseball in America. The CWS began on June 13. Here are the scores. You almost knew it had to play out like this. When two teams dominate the College World Series tournament the way the LSU Tigers, and Texas Longhorns did, there was no chance one team or the other was going to sweep the best of three series. There just had to be a game three.

Texas scratched across the game’s first run thanks to small ball execution and a bit of porous defense from the Tigers. Third-baseman Michael Torres lead off the game with a four pitch walk, and advanced to second when catcher Micah Gibbs threw the ball away attempting to pick Torres off. Torres advanced to third on a Travis Tucker ground out, and was driven home on a Brandon Belt single.

In the third inning, Texas added all the insurance runs they’d need, first on another solo home run by Russell Moldenhauer, who hit his third homerun in two games, after hitting just one home run during the rest of the season. Cameron Rupp followed that with a double, and two batters later Connor Rowe chased Tigers’ starting pitcher Ryan Bird with an RBI double of his own. Nolan Cain came on in relief, but could not retire Preston Clark, who drove in Rowe with a single, making the score 5-1.

Jason Ellis

Jason Ellis (born October 11, 1971) is an Australian professional skate boarder, mixed martial artist, radio host, and actor. Ellis hosts The Jason Ellis Show weekdays (3-7 Eastern time) on Faction 28, a Sirius Satellite Radio station (XM 52). Jason Ellis moved to the United States at age 17 to become a Professional Skateboarder which he accomplished in 1990. He and Tony Hawk became acquaintances due to the closeness in age and still remain friends to this day. Jason resides in Temecula, California.

The Pro MMA debut of Australian professional skate boarder and Sirius radio host Jason Ellis. This event was a charity benefit of The Sheckler Foundation on Friday, February 6th at The Grove of Anaheim. on BleedingMedia.com.

Bernadette Peters

Today Bernadette Peters joins Regis as co-host on ‘Live with Regis and Kelly.’ Bernadette Peters is an actress and singer from New York City and has starred in musical theatre, films and television, as well as performing in solo concerts and recordings. She is one of the most critically-acclaimed Broadway performers. Bernadette will be performing in San Francisco at the Davies Symphony Hall with the San Francisco Symphony, on Saturday June 27, 2009.

In the wake of the 1906 earthquake, establishment of a permanent orchestra was high on the civic agenda, and in December 1911, the San Francisco Symphony (SFS) gave its first concerts, revitalizing San Francisco’s cultural life. The San Francisco Symphony is one of the only American orchestras to operate its own youth orchestra and chorus. Established in 1980, the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra has become recognized as one of the finest ensembles of its kind and which in 1985 won the world’s highest honor for a young musicians’ ensemble, the City of Vienna Prize.

Behind every great diva there's a hard-working, often brilliant musical director. For Bernadette Peters, that man is Marvin Laird. The two first worked together in 1961. He was the assistant conductor and she was a Hollywood Blonde in a national touring production of Gypsy.

Jeanice McMillan

Jeanice McMillan so looked forward to work each morning that she would meticulously iron her Metro uniform the night before. When driving a bus route in Northern Virginia in recent years, she would tell friends how much she enjoyed interacting with passengers. McMillan, 42, of Springfield, died yesterday at the helm of her Red Line Metro train, which hurtled into the back of another train that had stopped between the Takoma and Fort Totten stations during the evening rush.

Metro said today that McMillan began working as a train operator on Dec. 8. One neighbor who knew her well said today that McMillan would have done "anything in her power" to prevent the accident. "She was so proud of her job, and she truly loved her passengers," said Joanne Harrison, who has lived across the hall from McMillan's apartment for five years and became a close friend. "If she had survived, she would have gone to each and every one of those people who were hurt, and the families of those who died, and she would have hugged them and cried with them."

Harrison said McMillan was always smiling and left for work every morning with her hair just so and her nails done perfectly. When she drove a bus in Northern Virginia -- a route that took her through Alexandria and around the Pentagon -- McMillan would often return from work talking about how much her passengers loved her and how she wanted to talk to all of them about their day and their problems.

Jon and Kate Divorce Papers

Jon and Kate Divorce Docs -- Not for Your Eyes Every single aspect of Jon and Kate Gosselin's lives is on display for anyone with the two C's -- curiosity and cable -- but don't expect to feast your beady eyes on their divorce docs ... they're sealed. The docs, which were filed in Montgomery County, PA, are under lock and key -- safely hidden away from the media hype that has fueled the show's massive ratings.

We're told all the court clerks were personally called by the head of the department, and told under no circumstances are the papers to be released -- and if they were, it means BIG trouble. If you notice our screen grab from the court's website, the docs weren't scanned in for public viewing (circled). What we do know: Kate filed the papers and the filing cost her $282.50.

After months of rumors and speculation, Jon and Kate Gosselin, stars of the popular TLC reality television series “Jon and Kate Plus 8”, officially announced on Monday’s episode of the show that they are separating. According to CNN, Jon and Kate filed their divorce papers in Pennsylvania on Monday, ending their 10-year marriage. The announcement Jon and Kate made on Monday confirms rampant tabloid speculation that the couple’s marriage was in trouble. “I’m not very fond of the idea, personally, but I know it’s necessary because my goal is peace for the kids,” said Kate Gosselin during Monday’s episode of “Jon and Kate Plus 8”.

Al B. Sure

Al B. Sure! Honey I’m Home CD is the fourth studio album by the Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter. See official tracklisting, video photos here. The highly anticipated new album was released on June 23, 2009 by Hidden Beach Recordings; it is his first new release since Sexy Versus in 1992. After a long hiatus, he has returned to the music world after a previous reign as a pioneer in late 1980s New Jack Swing. He is known for his signature hit, Nite and Day (from his 1988 platinum selling debut album In Effect Mode) which topped the Billboard R&B Singles Chart and was a Top. 10 Billboard 100 hit.

When an artist delivers an album after more than a decade on hiatus, fans listen closely for the music they fell in love with and cynics ten closely for a deafening flop. In the case of Al B. Sure, fans win out. Sure! is still the crooner he was when "Nite and Day" reached the Top 10 of the Billboard R&B and Pop charts in 1988, but on the slow-burning "I Love It! (Papi Aye, Aye, Aye)," drum machines and electric guitars have been replaced by pianos and violins. That' not to say, however, that Sure! has abandoned the R&B sound that made him and his New Jack Swing peers popular.

"Honey I'm Home" bears all the signs of 90s R&B nostalgia. The track "Dedicate My All" not only incorporates the sound of snapping fingers, but it boldly begins with a voiceover: "Can I talk to you? I think you need to hear what I've got to say. So please, listen."It's almost impossible for listeners to forget what era Sure! is coming from, and for the most part, it seems the singer doesn't mind reminiscing. He covers both Michael Jackson's "Lady in My Life" and Sting's "Fragile."Besides those two songs, Sure! takes writing and co-producing credits for every track on the album. The mid-tempo "Top of Your Lungs," featuring an exasperated Sure! singing to an argumentative lover, is one of the best in the batch of romantic, mellow grooves.

Clear airport security

The Clear airport security program has abruptly closed. No warning, and no information beyond a sparse statement on the Clear web site. An email to members also went out about an hour ago with the same short statement on the site.
Clear, or Fly Clear as it was sometimes known, allowed people to bypass regular security at some airports for an annual fee. I’ve been a regular user since it started.

In fact, I was probably one of the program’s most successful affiliates. I’d written about it from an early point, and so many people used my code to get an extra month (and giving me one in the process) that my card was good through 2064. Poof. Now all that credit is apparently gone. And so is any time left on cards for people who bought the 2, 3, 5 or 10 year options that Clear recently promoted. From my post about that (Fly Clear Airport Security Pass Prices Go Up, But New Ways To Save Offered), I’d warned last November:

The main issue to me about a 3 year or longer period is that Clear itself isn’t guaranteed to exist that long. So far, they seem to be expanding and doing well. They probably will be around for 3-5 years. But in 10 years, who knows how airport security is going to change — and $1,190 is a lot to gamble on that. It’s amazing — rather appalling really — that nothing remains up on the site for those who were members of the program. How much time did you have left on your card? Will you get any refund (given the credit problems, I doubt it).

Joseph Brooks

Joseph Brooks, who won an Academy Award for the '70s Debbie Boone ballad "You Light Up My Life," is expected to turn himself in to authorities Tuesday morning, law enforcement sources said. The 70-year-old movie director- who made his money writing jingles for Pepsi and Geritol - is a suspect in two rapes, a sodomy case and two sexual assaults, sources told the Daily News. When allegations surfaced in January, Brooks declined to comment. He could not be reached for comment early Tuesday.

Brooks allegedly seduced the women through Craigslist web postings and lured them to his upper East Side apartment with with promises of parts in his next movie, sources said. He purportedly boasted about his Oscar and offered to show it to them at his pad.Two of the victims said they had been doped with date-rape drugs, sources said. Others believe their drinks were spiked. Toxicology results have been inconclusive.The first of the alleged assaults occurred in November 2006, and involved a 22-year-old woman who said she was sexually abused at the Carlyle Hotel.

Another assault allegedly took place in Brooks' apartment in May 2007. Three more took place over a two-week stretch near Brooks' 70th birthday in March 2008, law enforcement sources said. Brooks wrote, directed and bankrolled the 1977 romance flick "You Light Up My Life," and penned the title track. The song reached No. 1 on the pop chartsHe also composed music for the film "The Lords of Flatbush" and co-produced "Eddie and the Cruisers." Brooks turned to movie-making after a successful career writing jingles, including a 1970s Pepsi Generation campaign with the lyrics, "You got a lot to live and Pepsi's got a lot to give, yeah Pepsi's got a lot to give."

Phyllis Busansky

Phyllis Busansky has died, according to Bay News 9. Busansky died Monday night in St. Augustine, the report said. She was attending the Florida State Association of Supervisor of Elections conference. Hillsborough County supervisor of elections director of communication Sigrid Tidmore released the following statement Tuesday morning:

"Phyllis, as she was known to everyone, was an inspiration to generations of Hillsborough County residents and a champion of good government. Over the last six months she brought order, focus and vision to the Elections office. Her entire staff is deeply saddened by her passing. However, they will continue to perform professionally and deliver the kind of election services Phyllis was determined to have." The cause of death is unknown. Busansky was elected to the office in November. She beat incumbent Buddy Johnson.

Hillsborough County Administrator Pat Bean announced the news to county commissioners Tuesday, a St. Petersburg Times report said. Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, who held a seat on the county commission at the same time as Busansky, issued a statement saying she admired Busansky's passion for helping those who needed it the most. "How sad that death claimed her just as she was embarking on a new challenge that she loved very much," Iorio said. "The public needed her and this was her calling." The superintendent of Hillsborough Schools, Mary Ellen Elia, said in a statement that Busansky had made a commitment to work with students on several projects to promote voter education.

Ricky Barnes

Ricky Barnes has set the U.S. Open 36-hole scoring record, finishing two trips around Bethpage Black in 8-under 132.
Barnes, the 2002 U.S. Amateur champion, completed his second round Saturday morning, making three birdies in nine holes for a 65. That gave him a one-stroke lead over Lucas Glover, who had a second-round 64.The previous 36-hole record was 133, set by Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh at Olympia Fields in 2003.Seventy-eight golfers were starting their second round Saturday morning with the forecast calling for more rain in the afternoon.

With more storms bearing down on Bethpage Black, Lucas Glover returned looking quite comfortable leading the U.S. Open. Not bad, considering he's never before made the cut in the season's second major championship. Glover finished a six-birdie, no-bogey second round of 6-under 64 Saturday morning, putting him in a tie for the lead at that point with Mike Weir and former U.S. Amateur champion Ricky Barnes. Weir, the first-round leader, and Barnes both had four holes left to play."The key to making birdies at the U.S. Open is hitting it in the fairway," Glover said Friday night. "I've been doing that, for the most part."

Just like Weir did on Friday during his opening round on his way to shooting 64, Glover found a way to go low on Bethpage's soft fairways and super-receptive greens. Phil Mickelson rode waves of emotional support throughout his 9 1/2-hour, 29-hole marathon Friday from fans who adored him seven years ago at Bethpage and seem even more attracted to him now. It's been less than a month since Amy Mickelson revealed that she has breast cancer, and she sent her husband to New York with one request: Bring home a trophy. "I just love playing golf here," Mickelson said. "I love coming up to this area. I think all sports teams love playing in front of these people here. They are some of the best sports fans in the country."

Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice Celebration kicks off today at 4 p.m. in Alameda Park with the Solstice Festival. The event runs until 9 p.m., with musical and dance entertainment. But if that’s too short notice for you to make an exit from L.A., plan on joining the Saturday fuBeginning at noon Saturday, the Summer Solstice Parade will feature more than 1,000 parade participants, floats, costumes and dancing ensembles. For the parade — its theme is “Splash” — the number of spectators is expected to exceed 100,000.a

The parade begins at noon at Cota Street, heading down State Street to Micheltorena. It should be a great showcase of the area’s creativity, as the elements of the parade (floats, costumes, etc.) are created by community members. No advertisements or motorized vehicles will be allowed in the parade. Nudity won’t be permitted either, by the way. At Alameda Park, the end of the route, day two of the Solstice Festival commences with live music, food, crafts, a beer and wine garden, and a drum circle. (I guess you really can’t have a solstice celebration without a drum circle.) The parade floats will be displayed at the festival, and a children’s stage will host musicians, storytellers, mimes and other performers.

More seriously, it looks like it will be a blast. The Beer Goddess, Lisa Morrison, will be judging the event along with Abe Goldman-Armstrong, and there are some fair-sized bragging rights at stake. Of course, there will be more kegs of good beer than you can shake a stick at, so whether you find the festivities interesting or not, your attention will be occupied.Noon-8pm, on the beach, kids are encouraged and can participate in the Root Beer Games. All proceeds go to charity.

Bradley Whitford

Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek have filed divorce papers to end their 16-year marriage, People.com has reported. The pair, who were married in August 1992, have three children, ages 12, 9, and 6. Whitford won the Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2001 for playing Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman on The West Wing, while Kaczmarek received seven consecutive Best Actress in a Comedy Series nominations for her role as mom Lois on Malcolm in the Middle.

The infamous Vogue editrix loses her party planner, House as a tranny-nun, Governator Ahnold's real-life action sequence, a sad Hollywood divorce, midgets, gays, nerdy Jews, scary Americans, more Gossip Girl action, and Gary Busey. Presenting your Saturday morning Gossip Roundup: Anna Wintour's main event-planning-lady - who she's had around for 11 years - is leaving to go spend time with her family.

Hollywood's Rapid-Fire-Speech Power Couple, West Wing actor Bradley Whitford and wife# Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm In The Middle) are getting a divorce; they have three children. Want to tear up? Here's Whitford's famously charming and gracious Emmy acceptance speech in which he lovingly thanks Kaczmarek for her support of his career. It was going to be 17 years in August, and this is the second celebrity divorce announcement of the week (the first was Billy and Katie Lee Joel). [People] Gah! The Governator was on a flight when the cockpit filled with smoke and had to make an emergency landing. Everyone's fine and nobody had to "GET OUT OF THE CHOPPAH" because they were in an airplane, obvi. [TMZ]

Lucas Glover

Lucas Glover is seven under with two holes left in the second round at post timeI'd have bet on the guy based on Boland's recommendation, but I have a strict policy against wagering on athletes or teams I've never heardNewsday baseball/golf scribe Erik Boland surely is too modest to point this out on his own, so I will: Check out his picks here for golfers other than Tiger and Phil most likely to win the U.S. Open.

It's late night in the Philippines and early morning in America. Already, many people are looking for an updated US Open Golf 2009 Leaderboard. As I checked from the US Open Golf official website, I found out that Lucas Glover (USA), Mike Weir (CAN) and Ricky Barnes (USA) are on top of the US Open Golf Leaderboard. Fan-favorite, Tiger Woods, is tied on bottom at 66th position. The first round ended with 25 players at even par or better. Then an abbreviated second round began. When play was suspended for darkness Friday, two things were as clear as the looming weather forecast was cloudy.

The players forced to play in the rain Thursday were as aggrieved as the spectators with tickets who had watched them. Except, unlike the fans, the rain-soaked players from Thursday would not be getting a refund, nor would they receive automatic invitations to Monday, when the fourth round will probably be played. The benefits of playing Friday afternoon were indubitable. Eleven of the top 13 scorers in the first round played in the afternoon. That is a statistic that will not hearten those who slogged it out Thursday morning and then finished Friday morning before warmer, calmer conditions arrived.