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Christina Milian Career and Popularity

2007-12-15T21:40:00.000-08:00

Christina Milian (born September 26, 1981) is an American R&B and pop singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress, and former MTV VJ.Milian was born Christine Flores in Jersey City, New Jersey, the daughter of Cuban parents Don and Carmen, and has two younger sisters, Dannielle and Elizabeth.[1] Her family moved to Waldorf, Maryland soon after her birth and she set her heart on an entertainment career at the age of four. Milian did commercials (Wendy's, Honeycomb) and played the lead role in the musical Annie before moving to Los Angeles at 13 to pursue an acting career. Soon after the family's move, her father divorced her mother

In 2003, Milian started recording songs with Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Bloodshy & Avant and Cory Rooney for her first U.S. release, It's About Time (whose title is a direct reference to how long it had taken for one of her albums to be released domestically). The album was released to positive reviews on July 13, 2004, but failed to receive immense commercial success when it debuted at #21 in the UK and #14 on the Billboard 200 album chart, selling over 36,000 copies in the first week only. While It's about Time ended up with lackluster sales of 385,000 copies in the United States, it gained prominence when it received a Grammy nomination for "Best Contemporary R&B Album" in 2005.

The album's first single, "Dip It Low" (written by singer Teedra Moses and Black Eyed Peas producer Poli Paul) however, became Milian's biggest hit to date, when it peaked at #1 on a world composite dance chart (compiled on data from the U.S., UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Australia), simultaneously reaching #2 in the UK, #5 in the U.S., #7 in New Zealand and the top 20 in Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, Norway and the Netherlands. The single was also certified Gold by the RIAA for digital sales. The album's second and final single, "Whatever U Want" (featuring Joe Budden) failed to reprise the success of the lead single, but again reached the top 10 in the UK as well as charting on the Billboard Hot 100.

Early career Marcia Cross

2007-12-15T04:00:00.000-08:00

Prior to her role on Desperate Housewives, Marcia Cross starred as Dr. Linda Abbott on WB's critically-acclaimed series, Everwood. She is also well known for her portrayal of the mentally unbalanced Dr. Kimberly Shaw on Melrose Place, whom she played from 1992 to 1997. Kimberly was, and remains, a firm fan favorite - providing many of the show's most memorable moments, in her plans to kill many of the characters on the show. One Melrose website's poll on most popular characters on the show listed Cross's Kimberly Shaw second only to Heather Locklear's Amanda Woodward but the series' producers were curiously slow in promoting Cross to full-fledged cast member status in the opening credits, an honor she did not receive until her fourth season in the role despite having had as much screen time as any series regular.

On stage, Cross performed in

La Ronde at the Williamstown Theater Festival, in Twelfth Night, or What You Will at the Hartford Stage Company, and in The Two Gentlemen of Verona at the Old Globe in San Diego.

Her first television job was on the daytime drama The Edge of Night. Leaving New York to try her luck in Los Angeles, Cross was soon landing roles in television movies such as The Last Days of Frank and Jessie James, co-starring with Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. Later, in 1986, she went on to portray Kate Sanders on the ABC daytime drama, One Life to Live. She played the role until 1987.

In 1991, Cross guest-starred on the 13th season of Knots Landing as the mysterious wife of Pierce Lawton (Bruce Greenwood). Ironically, she spent most of her screen-time on the show confronting Paige Matheson, played by Desperate Housewives co-star Nicollette Sheridan.

Her most notable soap role on Melrose Place began when she was hired for one episode. The producers were so impressed, they kept asking her back for additional appearances, eventually bringing her character back from the dead to continue on the hit show.

Cross also guest-starred on such series as Seinfeld, where she played Jerry's dermatologist girlfriend (or as Jerry preferred, "Dr. Sitarides: Pimple Popper M.D."), and Cheers, where she portrayed Susan Howe, the younger sister to Kirstie Alley's character, Rebecca Howe. She has also appeared on the comedies Boy Meets World, Ally McBeal, Spin City, It's Garry Shandling's Show and King of Queens. Her dramatic roles include appearances on CSI, Profiler, Everwood and Touched by an Angel. Cross's film credits include Living in Fear, Always Say Good-bye, Dancing in September, Bad Influence, and Female Perversions in 1996, which featured her only on-screen nude scene.

In November 2005, Cross appeared on the cover of the newly launched Psychologies magazine in the United Kingdom. In the interview she discusses her passion for psychology and therapy. Cross holds a Masters Degree in Psychology from Antioch University.

Life and career Donna Reed

2007-12-15T03:43:00.000-08:00

Reed Donna was born Donna Belle Mullenger on a farm near Denison, Iowa to William Richard Mullenger and Hazel Jane Shives.
Donna Reed in It's a Wonderful Life
Donna Reed in It's a Wonderful Life

Reed is probably best remembered for her roles as the wholesome housewife "Donna Stone" on television's The Donna Reed Show and as "Mary Bailey" in Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946). However, she occasionally stepped outside that image: early in her career, she posed topless for a series of cheesecake glamour photographs and won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for playing a prostitute in From Here to Eternity (1953).

Donna Reed was the mother of four children with husband Tony Owen, two of whom the couple adopted at The Cradle in Evanston, Illinois. She

was committed to both motherhood and gender equality. In 1967, in opposition to the Vietnam War, she co-founded Another Mother for Peace. Nevertheless, in later years Reed sometimes complained that she was denied more challenging roles similar to her Oscar-winning part in From Here to Eternity.

In her later years she temporarily replaced an ailing Barbara Bel Geddes as "Miss Ellie" in the television series Dallas in the 1984-1985 season. When Bel Geddes was well enough to return to the role, Reed was fired. She sued the show's production company and received an undisclosed seven-figure settlement, but this settlement came shortly before her death from cancer. During a 2007 TV special, Bring Back..., on the UK's Channel 4 it was revealed by several cast members and Donna Reed's son that Barbara Bel Geddes was never ill and had been replaced after she demanded more money. It was also revealed that Larry Hagman got Bel Geddes back, an action which left Reed jobless.

Missy Margera and Bam Margera

2007-12-15T02:45:00.000-08:00

Bam Margera (born September 28, 1979) is a professional skateboarder and television personality. He released a series of videos under the CKY banner and came to prominence after being drafted into MTV's Jackass crew. He has since appeared in Viva La Bam, both Jackass films and Haggard: The Movie. He is also currently editing his next movie, Minghags.
Melissa "Missy" Margera (nee Rothstein, born June 3, 1980) is the new bride of Bam Margera. The two wed on February 3, 2007.[1] Bam proposed to Missy at the King of Prussia Mall.

Special Awards and Miscellaneous

2007-12-15T02:39:00.000-08:00

2004 – Wimbledon, the Movie
2004 – Mother of theYear
1999 - Named one of the Top 50 Athletes of the 20th Century by ESPN.
1997- Honored with the ITF Phillippe Chartrier Award during the French Open for outstanding lifetime contribution to the game of tennis
1996 - A bi-color Hybrid Tea Rose producing blooms of cantaloupe orange to blushing red, a brilliant color combination unmatched by any other rose, was named for her by Spring Hill Nurseries Co.
1995 - Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on July 16, As the sole inductee, she was only the fourth player and the sixth person to be elected unanimously. She was enshrined in Newport, R.I., making her the 44th woman and the 163rd person to be inducted
1993 - Inducted into the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame on August 30, for recognition as an extraordinary athlete that has contributed to the Gardens’ unique history over the past 114 years
1993 - Received the March of Dimes Lifetime Achievement Award in May, for displaying an unparalleled commitment to excellence both professionally and personally

1992 - Inducted into The National High School Sports Hall of Fame on June 30

1991 - the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) President for an unprecedented 9 years, ending in August

1991- Appointed by President George Bush in January to serve as a Board Member of the Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, which is dedicated to promote, encourage and motivate the development of physical fitness and sports programs for all Americans

1991 - Emerged as the most widely known athlete in the nation in a poll conducted by American Sports Data, Inc.

1991 - Received the Providencia Award for her contributions to the international image of Palm Beach County tourism presented by The Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau

1990 - Presented with the Flo Hyman Award in February by then President George Bush at the White House in Washington, DC, in honor of her contributions to sports

1990 - Named one of the "Nine Women of the Year " by Glamour Magazine in honor of her outstanding commitment to social causes, Glamour noted, “Rather than resting on her tennis laurels, she has taken action to change the lives of young pregnant women in Florida by starting the Healthy Start program that helps cocaine babies and informs mothers about the dangers of drug abuse.”

1989 - Voted by Korbel as one of the "Top 10 Romantic People of 1989” as the “…sweetheart of women’s tennis by balancing talent, ambition and physical prowess with humility, graciousness and gentleness to create a new ideal for aspiring young athletes the world over.”

1987 - The first woman athlete to be featured in a Sports Illustrated TV commercial

1987 - Won the WTA Player Service Award for the third time

1987 - Featured in on the front of the Wheaties cereal box

1986 - Lloyd on Lloyd, Chrissie co-authored with John Lloyd in collaboration with Carol Thatcher), June

1986 - Won the WTA Player Service Award for the second time

1985 - Named "Greatest Woman Athlete in the Last 25 Years" by the Women's Sports

Foundation

1982- Wrote the autobiography, Chrissie, with Neil Amdur

1981-Won the WTA Player Service Award for the first time

1979 – Won the WTA Sportsmanship Award

1976 - Received Sports Illustrated “Sportsman of the Year” award

Tennis Career Highlights

2007-12-15T02:33:00.000-08:00

Turned pro on December 21,1972 Retired at the 1989 U.S. Open
Best record on clay of any player for any single surface with a 125 match winning streak (8/73 - 5/79)
Won 55 straight matches in 1974 (all surfaces), a record that held up for more than 10 years
Ranked #1 in the world for 7 years
Won 1,309 matches in her career
Has a .904 win average spanning her 17-year career as a pro
Was the first player to win 1,000 singles matches
Holds 157 singles titles
Won 18 Grand Slam titles
3 Wimbledon, 7 French Opens, 2 Australian Opens and 6 U.S. Opens - third best in history
Reached the finals or semifinals in 52 of her 56 Grand Slams
* Won at least one Grand Slam singles title for 13 consecutive years (1974-1986), a record for men’s and women's tenn

Get Down Tonight Lyrics

2007-12-15T02:10:00.000-08:00

Baby, babe, let's get together.
Honey, hon, me and you.
And do the things, ah, do the things
That we like to do.
Do a little dance, make a little love,
Get down tonight.
Get down tonight.
Do a little dance, make a little love,
Get down tonight.
Get down tonight.
Baby, babe, I'll meet you,
Same place, same time.
Where we can get together
And ease up our mind.
Do a little dance, make a little love,
Get down tonight.
Get down tonight.
Do a little dance, make a little love,
Get down tonight.
Get down tonight.

Do a little dance, make a little love,
Get down tonight.
Get down tonight.
Get down, get down, get down, get down,
Get down tonight baby.
Get down, get down, get down, get down,
Get down tonight baby.
Get down, get down, get down, get down,
Get down tonight baby.
Get down, get down, get down, get down,
Get down tonight baby.
Get down, get down, get down, get down,
Get down tonight baby.
Get down, get down, get down, get down,
Get down tonight baby.
Get down, get down, get down, get down,
Get down tonight baby.
Get down, get down, get down, get down,
Get down tonight baby.
Get down, get down, get down, get down,
Get down tonight baby.

Artist(Band):KC AND The Sunshine Band

Philadelphia Freedom's

2007-12-15T01:57:00.000-08:00

"I used to be a rolling stone
You know if a cause was right
I'd leave to find the answer on the road
I used to be a heart beating for someone
But the times have changed
The less I say the more my work gets done

`Cause I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom
From the day that I was born I've waved the flag
Philadelphia freedom took me knee-high to a man
Yeah gave me peace of my mind daddy never had

Oh Philadelphia freedom shine on me, I love you
Shine a light through the eyes of the ones left behind
Shine a light shine the light
Shine a light won't you shine the light
Philadelphia freedom I love you, yes I do

If you choose to you can live your life alone
Some people choose the city
Some others choose the good old family home
I like living easy without family ties
Till the whippoorwill of freedom zapped me
Right between the eyes.

Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin

Avatar Book 3 Chapter 12: The Western Air Temple

2007-12-15T01:48:00.000-08:00

The West Air Temple is situated nearest to Fire Nation territory. It exclusively housed female Airbenders, and is the only temple not yet seen in the series. It is mentioned at the end of The Day of Black Sun, after the invasion failed, that they would go there for safety.

Aang and the gang go to the Western Air Temple and they find that it’s not destroyed. Zuko comes there and Aang and the gang fight him but he tells him that he changed for good this time. They don’t trust him. but they give him a chance to prove it. The Western Air Temple was being attacked by Azula.

In this episode you see that all 4 Air Temples have been mentioned
1. Book 1 Chapter 3 “The Southern Air Temple”

2. Book 1 Chapter 17 “The Northern Air Temple”
3. Book 2 Chapter 19 “The Guru” (Eastern Air Temple)
4. Book 3 Chapter 12 “The Western Air Temple”

After the failure of the full moon invasion, Aang and what is left of his team take refuge in the Western Air temple, which is known as the place of training for the Women Air Nomads and was supposedly the first target of the fire nation when the war began 100 years ago because of its closeness. Aang remembers the first impression he had when seeing the Southern Air Temple invaded and devastated by the fire nation and believes it will be the same at the Western Air Temple, but to his surprise, this place is completely intact, as if they even inhabited it, Momo even finds other lemurs - flying like him. Teo remembers that the Northern Air Temple where he lives, was abandoned when his town first arrived there and it was not until they were based there that the fire nation found the place. Reason suggests perhaps that it had been abandoned before the attack of Ozai. Aang seriously questions what really happened with his people and begins to cross the temple ring to obtain answers. While they advance, somebody is observing them between the shades.

Avatar Book 3 Chapter 12 The Western Air Temple Full Download

2007-12-15T01:41:00.000-08:00

Download HERE
or Download HERE

The Story Behind "Philadelphia Freedom"

2007-12-15T01:39:00.000-08:00

The first song wrote consciously as a single, is a tribute to Elton's friend Billy Jean King and her tennis team, the Philadelphia Freedoms. Elton had told her he would have Bernie write lyrics for her, capting the idea of winning despite all odds, and she thought "No way!". Elton, who met Billy Jean and Jimmy Connors in 1973, had been allowed to play against her on court and the song should be in return for that.

But he did it and asked to Bernie. "I said to Bernie: could you

write a song called Philadelphia Freedom for me? Thank you, Elton". "I can't write a song about tennis" protested Bernie. And he did it. "It's not exactly the easiest title to deal with" added Bernie. Bernie claims that lyrics mean nothing.

Billy Jean explained "Elton was so nervous when he play me the song, but I loved it... it was so thoughtful, it meant a lot".

The friendship reminds over the years. "I beat Billy Jean at tennis once" Elton recalled. "I was standing there in a kind of daze when she came up and said: Shall we play for real now?. And I thought: oh, shut up!"

Christine Baranski Filmography

2007-12-15T01:36:00.000-08:00

Actor
2006 Falling For Grace
2006 Relative Strangers
2006 Bonneville
2004 Welcome to Mooseport
2003 Eloise at the Plaza
2003 Marci X

2003 Eloise at Christmastime
2003 Happy Family [TV Series]
2002 The Guru
2002 Chicago
2000 Welcome to New York [TV Series]
2000 Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas
1999 Bowfinger
1999 Frasier: Dr. Nora
1999 Cruel Intentions
1998 Bulworth
1998 The Odd Couple II
1997 Inside Out
1996 The Birdcage
1996 Saturday Night Live: Christine Baranski
1995 New Jersey Drive
1995 Jeffrey
1994 Law & Order: Nurture
1994 The Ref
1994 Getting In
1994 The War
1994 To Dance with the White Dog
1993 Addams Family Values
1993 The Night We Never Met
1993 Life with Mikey
1991 Law & Order: The Torrents of Greed, Part 1
1991 Law & Order: The Torrents of Greed, Part 2
1990 Reversal of Fortune
1987 The Pick-Up Artist
1986 9 1/2 Weeks
1986 Legal Eagles
1984 Crackers
1983 Lovesick
1982 A Midsummer Night's Dream
1982 Soup for One
1980 Playing for Time

Executive Producer
2000 Welcome to New York [TV Series]

Christine Baranski Biography

2007-12-15T01:26:00.000-08:00

Designer label-clad force of nature, neurotic diva, and the owner of one of the most expansive mouths in the free world, Christine Baranski is one of the more distinctive actresses working on the stage and screen today. Known to television audiences for her portrayal of Cybill Shepard's brassy and unapologetically arrogant best friend on the sitcom Cybill, Baranski has also made a name for herself on the New York stage, where she has won a number of awards, and has worked as a character actress on a variety of films.

Born in Buffalo, New York, on May 2, 1952, Baranski was

influenced from a young age by her Polish grandparents, who were both actors. After studying acting at Julliard, she began working on the New York stage and on various TV shows, and made her film debut in 1982. The stage proved to be a particularly good medium for Baranski's talents; a staple of many New York productions, the actress earned Tony Awards and a number of other honors for her work in the Broadway productions of Tom Stoppard's -The Real Thing and Neil Simon's -Rumors.

Usually cast as a supporting player onscreen, Baranski has done particularly notable work in Jeffrey (1995), in which she played a New York socialite; The Birdcage (1996), which featured her as the brassy mother of Robin Williams' grown son; and Cruel Intentions (1999), in which she did another hilarious turn as a New York socialite. In one of her rare excursions as a lead, Baranski gave a memorable performance as a struggling actress in Bowfinger (1999), sharing the screen with the likes of Steve Martin, Heather Graham, and Eddie Murphy. Rebecca Flint, All Movie Guide

Long Bed Versions Now Used for Toyota Tundra Units

2007-12-15T01:24:00.000-08:00

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. has unraveled a new feature of its upcoming Tundra. The all-new 2007 Tundra full-size pickup truck will be having long bed versions as revealed by the automaker during a press conference held at Toyota Technical Center-Calty Design Studio. The revelation was made in connection with the automaker’s participation in the annual National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Product Conference in Dearborn, Michigan.

Brian Smith,

Toyota corporate manager for truck operations said: "The NTEA Product Conference is an ideal forum to debut the long bed Tundra work truck. Toyota recognizes the importance of commercial business customers to Tundra's long-term success. Working with NTEA will allow their members time to develop a wide variety of Tundra-compatible work equipment and have those products to market by the time the new Tundra launches in February."

Auto parts Toyota Tundra are now augmented by the recent innovation from the design group of the automaker called long bed. Tundra Long Bed will be available in both regular and double cab versions. Said feature has a 165-inch wheelbase. The addition will make Tundra Double Cab Long Bed the longest pickup in the automaker’s truck models. The long bed feature is especially designed to carry a crew of 6 plus their cargoes. Tundra Regular Cab Long Bed, conversely, will be providing added storage capability. Extra loads will be accommodated at the rear portion of the driver’s seat. Moreover, loading needs will also be satisfied by the biggest interior of its class.

All-new Tundra long bed versions have a choice of 3 engines which include a 5.7 liter V8. The latter provides utmost towing of well over 10,000 pounds plus a payload capacity. Smith further added, "The new Tundra is ready for work like no Toyota before it. When the new Tundra rolls into dealer showrooms this February, we are confident that full-size truck buyers will see Tundra as the most capable, best built, and best value half-ton pickup in America."

Toyota Truck Recall: Tacoma, 4Runner, Tundra, and Sequoia

2007-12-15T01:22:00.000-08:00

A wide scale recall is the last resort for a car company to take with a problematic vehicle, and most automotive problems do not even make it to recall stage. Toyota has been known to avoid issuing recalls at all cost, preferring to issue safety warnings and avoid covering repair costs on vehicles that are beyond warranty. This should put this year’s massive Toyota truck recall into perspective.

This May, Toyota Motor Corp issued one of its largest safety recalls in history. Toyota is recalling more than 750,000 pickup trucks and

SUV’s because of problems with the front suspension that could make the vehicles difficult to steer. The recall covers 775,000 vehicles in the United States alone, including 2001-2004 model years of the Toyota Tacoma, the 2001-2002 models of Toyota 4Runner and the 2002-2004 model Tundra and Sequoia.

During the manufacturing of these vehicles, the surface of the front suspension ball joint was scratched. Wear and tear on this ball joint creates friction that makes the vehicles difficult to control. At speeds as low as 20 mph, Toyota drivers have reported ball joints collapsing, causing the front wheels to fold under the truck.
Overall, Toyota admits to conducting five recalls this year in the United States affecting nearly 1 million vehicles. In 2004, Toyota conducted nine recalls affecting 1,060,000 vehicles, according to the NHTSA. This year, Toyota has also recalled:

- 92,577 Celica coupes from 2000-2001 models to adjust daytime running lights that blind oncoming drivers
- 23,000 model year 2005 Tacoma pickups to tighten a lock nut on the parking brake pedal

This ball-joint recall was the second time in the same week that Toyota issued a high-profile safety warning. Just days before the recall was issued, Toyota began looking into 13 complaints about a possible software glitch that could cause the Prius hybrid car to stall at highway speeds. If you or a loved one have been injured by a Toyota truck that has since been recalled, consult a lawyer about collecting damages.

Chris Evert's Ex Wishes Her, Greg Norman 'Happiness'

2007-12-15T01:18:00.000-08:00

Since tennis star Chris Evert split from her husband of 18 years, Andy Mill, she's been spotted with golfer Greg Norman, who had been one of Mill's good friends.
And although Evert, 52, and Norman, 51, won't say they're a couple, Mill himself tells PEOPLE in its new issue: "These two people have

really meant a lot to me for a long time. At this point I just wish them great happiness."
But his ex-wife's new relationship hasn't been easy for the skiing champ, 53 – at least according to Paul Tejera, a Florida fishing guide and one of Mill's best friends.
Tejara tells PEOPLE that Mill – a world-class fisherman who introduced Norman to Evert – never saw it coming.
"It was like the ultimate betrayal," says Tejera. "To find out she was with Greg Norman was a shock."

Evert, who declined to comment, separated from Mill in October 2006 and was granted custody of their three sons – Alex, 15; Nicky, 12; and Colton, 10 – when the divorce became final in December.
Norman split from his wife of 25 years, Laura, 57, last June (they have two grown children).

For their part, Evert and Norman became business partners recently when she signed on to create tennis academies in his resort developments, and were recently spotted strolling hand-in-hand in Sydney, Australia.
But they're keeping mum on their status. "We're very, very close friends," is all Norman would tell reporters in November. "We'll leave it at that."

Chris and Greg admit they're a team

2007-12-15T01:12:00.000-08:00

Finally, it was easier to let the pictures tell the story. After months of denying that they are an item, Greg Norman and Chris Evert appeared together in public and made no attempt to conceal their affection for each other.
The 51-year- old Australian golfer had insisted that he and 52-year- old Miss Evert - the former darling of Wimbledon - were nothing more than 'very, very, close friends'.
They revealed the

truth, however, with a high-profile date at the famous Doyles fish restaurant within sight of Sydney Harbour.
The couple were given a prominent outside table close to the water and there wasn't a soul in the premises who didn't know who they were.
As they tucked into prawns and lobster, she gently touched the shoulder of the man known to golf fans as the Great White Shark.
Then they walked through a nearby park hand in hand, happy to be photographed.
If you want to keep a relationship secret, you don't turn up at Doyles with your lover and sit at a prominent table," said a fellow diner. "There's no doubt that Greg and Chris wanted to make a point."
Norman is going through a divorce from his wife of 25 years, Laura, while Miss Evert was divorced in October, at great financial cost, from her second husband, former champion skier Andy Mill, by whom she has three sons. Her first marriage, to the British tennis star John Lloyd, ended in 1987.
Miss Evert has kept the £2million property in Boca Raton, Florida, which she shared with Mill, while he will own their £ 3million Rocky Mountains holiday home. Divorce for Norman, who is estimated to be worth nearly £150million, will be a far more complex affair.
It is anticipated Laura will be given ownership of the couple's £15million home at Hope Sound in Florida, along with a huge financial settlement.
In the meantime, Norman is reported to be the new owner of a £5million house just around the corner from Miss Evert. Among its attractions are an ornamental lake - and a tennis court.

Michigan Gets Permission to Talk to Rodriguez

2007-12-15T01:08:00.000-08:00

Michigan officially has received permission to speak with West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez, according to a source close to Rodriguez. As first reported by Sporting News Radio correspondent Michael Bradley, Rodriguez and

his agent, Mike Brown, spoke with Michigan officials in Toledo, Ohio, on Friday about the Wolverines' head coaching job. Granting Michigan permission to speak to Rodriguez basically is a formality that will allow talks to continue.

Rodriguez has a $4 million buyout if he leaves West Virginia before August 31, 2008, which could be a significant hurdle in negotiations.

"I never have heard of a big-time school ever paying a buyout to hire a coach," an agent for college coaches told me. "I would be shocked if Michigan would pay it, on top of paying Rodriguez over $2 million a year to coach.

"If Michigan pays that, (A.D.) Bill Martin will get skewered. I would have thought Michigan would have known about the buyout before ever talking to Rodriguez.

"If Rodriguez really is Michigan's top target, and it doesn't get him, the school will look even worse than it already does."

Calls to Rodriguez have not been returned. A source in the West Virginia football offices told Sporting News that Rodriguez was recruiting in Florida on Thursday and was supposed to be in the Morgantown, W. Va., offices Friday, but he had not been seen during the day. According to an Associated Press report, Rodriguez arrived at the Morgantown airport on a flight from Toledo Friday evening. He declined to comment on the purpose of his trip but said he was going to Mountaineers practice.

Rodriguez came close to taking the Alabama job last year before deciding to stay at West Virginia, his alma mater, with an enhanced contract.

Rodriguez would seem a curious fit in Ann Arbor, as he has no direct ties to the Big Ten. (He did play three years for Don Nehlen, a former Bo Schembechler assistant at Michigan, at West Virginia.) And Rodriguez's spread-option offense wouldn't appear to be a fit for a school accustomed to a pro-style attack.

Rodriguez, however, is a good coach with a clean record who would represent the school well.

The Detroit Free-Press reports that Rodriguez's contract with West Virginia runs through 2013 and that he made $1.8 million this season.

Rodriguez has been head coach at West Virginia since 2001. He has a 60-26 record with the Mountaineers, who face Oklahoma next month in the Fiesta Bowl.

Michigan's search for a replacement for Lloyd Carr over the past month has been a fiasco. LSU's Les Miles pulled out of the running, and Rutgers' Greg Schiano rejected overtures.

Earlier this week, a source close to Steve Sarkisian told Sporting News that the USC offensive coordinator had been contacted. Others have reported that Ball State coach Brady Hoke had had informal discussions with Michigan officials.

But no other contacts have been confirmed. Michigan officials say they have no interest in Cal coach Jeff Tedford. Speculation continues to swirl around coaches like NC State's Tom O'Brien, Wake Forest's Jim Grobe and Iowa's Kirk Ferentz. Grobe recently told Sporting News that he wasn't interested in the Michigan job.

About Andy McDonald

2007-12-15T01:03:00.000-08:00

Andy McDonald is a premier residential designer, whose elegant, award-winning work is changing the landscape of upscale neighborhoods throughout the South and beyond. His distinctive home designs, which result from his scrupulous regard for scale, balance and historical detailing, have earned him a national following and

have made him a rapidly rising force in the home design industry. McDonald’s sought-after classic designs are architectural gems with an unmistakable ambiance.

A native of Baton Rouge, Andy is a former builder, whose designs are grounded in his experience. He is a Certified Professional Building Designer, and an active member and state officer of the American Institute of Building Design.

Andy was influenced in his youth by the architectural heritage of New Orleans and South Louisiana, and spends much of his leisure time in search of significant architectural examples. His affinity for classic architecture was strongly renewed as he traveled through Europe. Of particular appeal to McDonald are the classic designs of Old World France, Spain and England. He is also captivated by the West Indies and Caribbean influences, so evident in the architecture of South Louisiana.

AWARDS
McDonald has received national and local recognition, including numerous annual awards from the prestigious Baton Rouge Growth Coalition. His designs were praised in national design contests through the American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD) and have won multiple awards.

The ANDY McDONALD DESIGN GROUP –
“Embracing a Dying Art…” Of interest in this age of technology, when most design firms use computer-assisted drawing, Andy has embraced the dying art of hand drawing his designs. He has surrounded himself with a dedicated staff of artistic, like-minded craftsmen who eschew the use of computers in their work. They would not be satisfied with the harsh-looking images that often camouflage poor proportions and rueful designs. Instead, they cherish the ingeniousness of the human hand in coordination with the creative eye.

As one of the country’s leading residential home designers, Andy McDonald’s notable contributions have made him unquestionably the author of a vibrant and historically based Louisiana architectural style embraced across the country. The homes that Andy McDonald designs today will surely be the classics of tomorrow.

STYLES
The visionary designs of Andy McDonald are timeless, and befitting any setting. From the grand, elegant homes to his charming, modest cottages, all have wonderful lines and state-of-the-art, functional interiors. His homes have a unique feel, as he successfully blends classic architectural drama and style with comfort. Each home possesses its own distinct charm and character, while maintaining the integrity of its genre.

Our current portfolio of stock plans is now so diverse, the problem becomes not “How will I ever find a plan that suits me?” but “Which plan shall I choose?” All of our plans offer many desirable features that are routinely excluded in many design firms’ plans.

OF INTEREST TO BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS
Andy McDonald’s designs have consistently been well received by upscale home builders, because even his smallest homes have a decidedly sophisticated architectural design – an important consideration for the fast-growing move-down (down-sizing) market of baby boomers.

As a result of his celebrated reputation, Andy has been commissioned to design entire communities, as well as style-coordinated parcels in upscale developments. He has been very successful at creating refined, streetscape developments that incorporate a compatibly designed, architecturally pure, coordinated and matched style of plans and designs. In terms of marketing alone, a project yielding a completely unique community, with a planned look and atmosphere, will always outsell its less sophisticated counterpart. These well-conceived, well-designed thematic developments offer marketing and investment safety and strong sales potential, enabling builder/developers to move into volume home building with minimum risk.

Iowa Real Estate - Farmland, Corn and Family Living

2007-12-15T01:00:00.000-08:00

Iowa is definitely a farming state and corn is the dominant crop. Fortunately, Iowa real estate won’t take a large bite out of your bank account.

Iowa
Iowa is known for predominantly being a farming state and some people might view this as a bit boring. Such an assumption would be incorrect as Iowa has a lot to offer in other areas including museums, historic sites, river

sports and a good bit of fun on large casino gambling boats. Iowa definitely provides for slower pace of life, but that isn’t so bad in these hectic times.

Iowa City
Home to the University of Iowa, Iowa City has a definite college town atmosphere. Outdoor cafes litter the city and as do collections of coffee shops and odd little stores. Walking in Iowa City is highly recommended. You can expect to stroll through tree-lined streets full of families and students casually getting on with their day.

Des Moines
The capital of Iowa, Des Moines is located near the merge of the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers. The city isn’t so notable for its attractions as it is for a general atmosphere. Set on rolling hills, many of the neighborhoods are of the traditional white picket fence variety. Turning to celebrity trivia, John Wayne was born in Des Moines. On the business front, Des Moines is farming and insurance dominated with the city being the home of the third most number of insurance companies in the world. If you’re a first time homebuyer raising a family, you could do far worse than Des Moines.

Iowa Real Estate
Iowa real estate is some of the cheapest in the country. A single family home will cost a little over $200,000 on average in Iowa City. The same home will set you back roughly $240,000 in Des Moines. Unfortunately, the appreciate rate for Iowa in 2005 was a disappointing 5.5 percent.

Microsoft-Iowa Class Action Settlement

2007-12-15T00:58:00.000-08:00

Settlement Information Last Updated on December 15, 2007:

The Court has granted final approval of the settlement.
To receive benefits, you must have completed and returned a Claim Form on or before December 14, 2007.
Online filing and

the ability to download or print a claim form is no longer available. Settlement benefits will be distributed on a rolling basis beginning in December 2007.
Check back at this site or call 1-877-477-0960 for additional information and updates.
Your calls will be answered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time.
Questions may also be submitted by email to claimsadmin@iowamicrosoftcase.com. Please include name, address, phone number and if available, the number under the barcode on your claim form along with your questions.

Iowa Microsoft Users Can Get Some Class Action Settlement Cash

2007-12-15T00:47:00.001-08:00

Under the settlement, individuals and businesses that purchased certain Microsoft software between May 18, 1994 and June 30, 2006 are eligible for benefits, as well as Iowa state

and local governments that purchased software between July 1, 2002 and June 30, 2006. The OSes included in the settlement range from MS-DOS all the way up through Windows NT and Windows XP, and the other applications include Word, Except, and various versions of Office.

Customers can claim $16 per copy of MS-DOS or Windows, $25 per copy of Excel, $10 per copy of Word, and $29 per copy of Office. For claims up to $100 over the Internet (or $200 via snail mail), customers will not need to provide a proof of purchase, but they will need to sign a document verifying that the claim is accurate.

Iowa Mortgage - What to Expect When Buying a Home in Iowa

2007-12-15T00:34:00.000-08:00

Maybe you’re buying your first home in Iowa, or perhaps you’re relocating to Iowa from another state. Either way, it’s important that you educate yourself on Iowa home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you’ll need to know before buying a home in Iowa:

The median home value in the state of Iowa is

$82,500. Current interest rates in Iowa are above the national average, and job growth rates are below the national average.

In the state of Iowa, purchase transactions on sub-prime loans are subject to a $30,000 minimum. Additionally, if you live in Iowa and file bankruptcy, you do not necessarily have to forfeit your home. If you have been current on your payments and continue to be, state law does not require you to surrender your home.

If you’re buying a home in southern Iowa, you qualify for state FHA loans through the Southern Iowa Home Ownership Program. First-time home buyers qualify for loans with below-market interest rates and down payment assistance. Borrowers must meet certain income requirements and specific guidelines, and must purchase a home in a southern Iowa county: Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska, Monroe, Van Buren Wapello, or Wayne.

These loans are revolving, so there are only a specific number that can be given out at any period of time. When a person with a FHA loan through this program sells their home or refinances it, then their loan is made available to another qualified applicant.

Doobie Brors - Listen To The Music Lyrics

2007-12-15T00:30:00.000-08:00

Dont you feel it growin, day by day
People gettin ready for the news
Some are happy, some are sad
Oh, we got to let the music play
What the people need
Is a way to make em smile
It aint so hard to do if you know how
Gotta get a message
Get it on through
Oh now mama, dont you ask me why

Oh, oh, listen to the music

Oh, oh, listen to the music
Oh, oh, listen to the music
All the time

Well I know, you know better
Everything I say
Meet me in the country for a day
Well be happy
And well dance
Oh, were gonna dance our blues away
And if Im feelin good to you
And youre feelin good to me
There aint nothin we cant do or say
Feelin good, feeling fine
Oh, baby, let the music play

Oh, oh, listen to the music
Oh, oh, listen to the music
Oh, oh, listen to the music
All the time

Like a lazy flowing river
Surrounding castles in the sky
And the crowd is growing bigger
Listnin for the happy sounds
And I got to let them fly

Oh, oh, listen to the music
Oh, oh, listen to the music
Oh, oh, listen to the music
All the time