Ned Colletti agreed to a long-term extension Tuesday to stay on as general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Under him, the team has reached the postseason in three of his four seasons, the first time a Dodgers GM has accomplished that feat. Colletti joins New York's Brian Cashman and Boston's Theo Epstein in doing so among active GMs.
Tag: time
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Phillies roll 11-0, take 2-1 NLCS lead (AP)
Cliff Lee sprinted off the mound after throwing his final pitch, nearly breaking a sweat for the first time. Heck, he almost outhustled the Phillies' newest speed demon, Ryan Howard. With their ace and slugger leading the way, the defending World Series champions got back their swagger. Lee dominated the Dodgers, Howard and Jayson Werth provided the big swings early and Philadelphia cruised past…
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Timberwolves F Love fractures left hand (AP)
Kevin Love went up for a rebound as he always does but this time he banged his left hand. Now, the Minnesota Timberwolves' second-year forward will be watching from the bench for awhile. Love broke a bone in his hand and the NBA's leading rookie rebounder last season hopes to return in late November or early December.
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The Joker Can’t Hold The Tears Back
Posted by: www.huffingtonpost.com Glenn Beck was in the middle of pining for a ‘simpler time’ in America when he decided the best way to illustrate this idea was to show two advertisements from said ‘simpler time.’ One was a classic Coca-Cola ad, the other a Kodak ad.
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Method Man, Wesley Snipes Arrested for Taxes, but Not Nicolas Cage?
Filed under: Celebrity News, Personal Finance, Dr. Boyce Money
I’ve met Method Man only one time, and I’ve never met Wesley Snipes or Nicolas Cage. In spite of his mixed public image, Method Man actually comes across as an intelligent, attentive and down-to-earth human being. At the time I met him, I’d only been on national TV a couple of times, but he talked to me as if he’d known me his entire life. He even recited the lyrics to Ice Cube songs that I brought up and told me stories about Tupac. I was quite impressed.
The closest I’ve ever come to Nicolas Cage is when his movie came out about the 911 attacks and they forgot to include the black guy’s character. It was incredibly tacky, but effectively, there was an African American named Jason Thomas who played a huge role in 911 – large enough for them to include his character in the film. But somehow, in all their exhaustive research for this multi-million dollar blockbuster movie, they simply forgot that his character was black. Instead, he was cast as a white man. How the producers could have overlooked something so obvious was beyond me. In fact, I find it hard to believe that this was an accidental oversight.
I don’t have much to say about Wesley Snipes, except for the fact that he should watch what he says about black women. Oh yeah. He needs to also pay attention to his tax bill.
Where Nicolas Cage, Wesley Snipes and Method Man cross paths in my psyche is on the touchy issue of tax evasion. I listened to Method Man (in this interview) take full responsibility for the fact that he was arrested for owing $33,000 in back taxes. He even jokes about it, which is better than I’d be able to do.
Nicolas Cage owes far too much money to joke about anything. In various media reports, Cage owes over $6 million dollars to the IRS. Now, I have no idea why Method Man is in handcuffs, Wesley got a prison sentence and Nicolas Cage just has to put his castle and mansion on the auction block (yes, the dude really owns a castle – that’s what my friends might call “Intergallactic ballin” – I came up with term that myself). I am also unsure how a man who’s made so much money could be so far behind on his taxes. At the same time, tax problems are human, and there are tons of Americans in all income brackets who have tax trouble every year.
As you know, I enjoy finding true teachable moments in everyday life. Given that an IRS audit increases your chances of getting you into tax trouble, I thought I’d bring the classroom to the web and share a few facts with you about taxes, audits and finance.
Here are 4 things that can increase your likelihood of being audited by the IRS:
1) Having an income that is greater than $50,000 per year – When you make the cheese, you become a big fish and worth the time to audit. The IRS doesn’t have time to go after little wallets.
2) You are self-employed – Statistics show that self-employed people tend to do the most wiggling and fudging on their taxes, so having your own business flags you as an audit risk.
3) Making a mistake on prior tax returns – if you’ve made mistakes in the past, you are likely to make another one…at least more likely than everyone else. This will flag your return for a possible audit.
4) An excessive number of tax write-offs – if the dollar value of your deductions exceeds a certain percentage of your income, then the IRS may come after you. Make sure that any write-offs you have are well documented and legal. You don’t want to cheat on your taxes or get too greedy when filing.
Remember that tax problems can happen to anyone, so if you are subjected to an audit, don’t panic. Go buy a book on dealing with audits, “fess up,” pay your fine and go on with your life. You’re not in the same boat as Method Man.
If you want to hear this right out of my mouth, feel free to click on the video below. I’m going to hang out in Chicago:
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University, a leading African American Speaker and author of the forthcoming book, “Black American Money.” To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. -
Seven Things to Know Before Investing in Rental Property
For potential investors who have good credit, savings, and a dose of patience, the time is ripe for being a landlord. Like many potential real estate investors these days, you may be worried that the national trend toward declining property values might crimp your ability to draw income from rental property.
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Oprah Winfrey: Reuniting Evander Holyfield & Mike Tyson
Filed under: Television, News, Celeb Updates
Oprah Winfrey‘s intimate interview with Mike Tyson on Oct. 12 has now resulted in plans to reunite him with his boxing rival Evander Holyfield.
BV Newswire has learned that following an outpouring of audience response from the infamous pugilist’s appearance, he will return to ‘The Oprah Winfrey on Oct. 16 and take questions from the studio audience and speak about the overwhelming reaction he’s had from his first interview.
A Harpo Productions has confirmed that Tyson will reunite with Holyfield on the ‘Oprah’ show stage. Their appearance together on the will mark the first time Tyson and Holyfield have spoken face-to-face since their infamous 1997 incident.
The Brownsville, Brooklyn raised boxer talked candidly about it his past and very public ordeals on the show earlier this week, including his disastrous marriage and divorce from former TV star Robin Givens, his trial and three-year imprisonment for rape, and his ear-biting bout with Holyfield.
“I didn’t feel guilty at the time … I didn’t feel guilty at all,” Tyson revealed.
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Report: LB Seau re-signs with Patriots (AP)
Junior Seau is back with the New England Patriots, coming out of retirement for a third time to sign a contract Tuesday for a 20th season as an NFL linebacker. The signing of the 12-time Pro Bowl player was announced by Versus, the television network on which Seau has a show. The Patriots have not announced the signing, which had been expected, although the team said he had a physical and a workout…
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James, O’Neal lead Cavs by Olympiacos (AP)
Even at 37, Superman can still fly. In his second preseason game at home, Shaquille O'Neal introduced himself to Cleveland's fans with a dive into the stands during the Cavaliers' 111-94 preseason win against Olympiacos. O'Neal and LeBron James each scored 12 points in limited time, but it was O'Neal's launch into the seats that sent fans scrambling for safety.
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KG plays first home game since March (AP)
Kevin Garnett's knee is better, and he's waiting with uncharacteristic patience for the rest of his body to catch up. After missing 25 regular-season games and the playoffs last season because of strained ligaments in his right knee, Garnett was back on the court in Boston for the first time on Friday night in the Celtics' 96-82 exhibition victory over the New York Knicks.
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Tips to Get Rid of Matted Hair
People are always concerned about their appearance, therefore they are always shaving, waxing and tweezing. These methods are traditional and take a lot of time and can be frustrating particularly for body hair removal. Whether it be body hair removal on …
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Jets acquire WR Edwards from Browns (AP)
Braylon Edwards' arrival was picture-perfect for the New York Jets. The talented but troubled wide receiver was acquired from Cleveland on Wednesday and showed up at the team's facility shortly after practice ended — just in time to try on his new green and white threads and be included in the team picture.
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Twins outlast Tigers in 12, win Central (AP)
The Metrodome erupted in a jet-like roar as Carlos Gomez zoomed home with the winning run to finish off an AL Central race — and a thrilling tiebreaker — that didn't want to end. Minnesota wouldn't quit, while the Detroit Tigers finished their historic fade. And there was little time for the Twins to celebrate, because the New York Yankees were waiting.
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Financial Lovemaking: Managing "Baby Mama Drama"
Filed under: Personal Finance, Dr. Boyce Money
Most of us know about “baby mama drama,” since some of that drama may occur within your own home. What is also forgotten is that there is a huge emotional and financial toll taken by the mating and dating choices that we make early in life. Having multiple children is expensive enough, but having multiple children in multiple households leads to a peculiar mix of unpredictable and complex psychological variables which may impact your ability to find peace and happiness.In this episode of “Financial Lovemaking,” S. Tia Brown and I discuss the art of managing multiple households and all the responsibilities that come with it. Here are some quick pointers on financial responsibility when dealing with and avoiding “baby mama drama.”
1) Don’t create the drama in the first place. I tell my daughters that if you don’t think someone would be a good parent for your children, you shouldn’t sleep with them. In fact, you shouldn’t even go on the first date. This may sound far-fetched, but how many young parents go on a date with someone they just planned to “kick it with”, only to find their children being raised by the ignorant fool that they knew they should never have messed with from the beginning? Those who are not intelligent about their dating and mating choices early in life can end up with a lifetime of incredibly expensive child support. These huge financial obligations will virtually obliterate your ability to have another family or reach your personal financial objectives.
2) Realize that there is no substitute for time. Some parents are tempted into believing that sending a big check is a replacement for spending time with their children. This is ultimately incorrect. Your kids are going to remember the time you did or did not spend, not how much money you sent.
3) Create a budget. If you have a long list of parental obligations, make sure you keep a carefully designed budget and stick to it. You may also want to consider the fact that having a bunch of kids in multiple households is going to require you to have massive earning potential. I paid 18 years of child support myself, and I honestly think I spent enough money to fund NASA and the United Negro College Fund. Although I adopted kids later in life (I believe it takes a village to raise a child and black men should be willing to step up to do this), I was at least smart enough to avoid another pregnancy. I have made many mistakes in my life, but I usually only make them one time.
4) Don’t play favorites. Emphasize to your children the importance of making sure you treat them all the same. How you deal with your kids will have a lasting impact on them into adulthood. You can’t guarantee that they are going to believe that you were fair (there’s always one who thinks the others were treated better), but you can at least do your best to avoid this problem.
5) Realize that it takes two to Tango. You didn’t create the baby by yourself, so you should ensure that the non-custodial parent has an opportunity to spend time with his/her children – in fact, you should demand it, even if the kids aren’t interested. As much as black men get a bad rap for not wanting to see their children (sometimes rightfully so), there are thousands of fathers across America who’ve been victimized by mothers who want money, but don’t see the significance of influencing the children to spend time with their father. They are his children too, remember that, and if you are speaking negatively about the father when the kids are around, you should realize the long-term damage you are doing to your own offspring. Children should be targets of our love and affection, not possessions to be used as a source of power – think about that when you use the words “MY kids” when speaking with the other person who created them.
The episode is below, check it out!
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of “Financial Lovemaking 101: Merging Assets with Your Partner in Ways that Feel Good.” To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. -
Foot puts Favre on Vikes’ injury report (AP)
Brett Favre is on Minnesota's injury report for the first time this season. The 39-year-old quarterback was listed Thursday as being limited in practice because of a foot injury. After the Vikings beat San Francisco last Sunday, Favre complained of aching in his right foot, left knee, both shoulders and neck.
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NBA prohibits Twitter use during games (AP)
The NBA is instituting a policy regarding Twitter and other social media sites, banning players from using them during games. The league sent a memo to teams on Wednesday telling them that cell phones and other communication devices can't be used from 45 minutes before game time until after players have finished their responsibilities after games.
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Taimak: ‘Last Dragon’ Star Talks About Life After Defining Role
Filed under: Movies, Television, Celeb Updates
Almost 25 years after ‘The Last Dragon’ was released in theaters, a remake (starring Samuel L. Jackson) is in the works. But people often wonder whatever happened to the heartthrob who played Bruce Leroy. Taimak Guarriello, who portrayed the young, gorgeous, soft-spoken marital arts genius, is still alive and kicking (literally). He’s still very much the handsome brother who made many women swoon in the Berry Gordy-produced cult classic, which also starred Vanity.Guarriello is the subject of TV One’s new docu-series ‘Life After,’ which premieres Oct. 4 at 10 p.m. BV Newswire caught up with the would-be Hollywood superstar to find out what he’s been up to.
The Last DragonTell us about landing the role of Bruce Leroy.
I was a young guy living in New York, and I was in a place where I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I was kickboxing, and there really was no money in it. I was searching. I always had a dream of being an action star, and then this movie came up, and they were looking for people all over the country. Thousands of people came out to the auditions. It was a big deal, very much like the remake now. When they started casting it, there were thousands of guys wanting to be Bruce Leroy, and I was one of them.
You had to audition twice for the role. Did you bomb the first time?It really was a funny story! It was my first audition, and I didn’t have experience as a professional actor. I didn’t know how to prepare for an audition. It was a lot different from doing school plays. So when I went in there, I was totally unprepared, and I was stiff. They gave me a piece of the script and said, “Okay, let’s go.” I had no concept of giving a cold reading. The casting person said, “You look the role, but you need to work on it.” I could hear the cynicism in his voice, like “he’ll never be back.” In the interim, they were still looking for their ideal Bruce Leroy, and they hadn’t had any success. I was always the type of guy that would never quit until the end. I choose when the end is right. So I began to work on it, with the support of my father and my best friend at that time. They instilled this belief in me that was so profound. I was at this crossroads in my life, and there was no doubt in my mind that this role was made for me. When I went in and knocked on the door again, the casting director was taken aback, and when I started reading, immediately his eyes started getting big. Then he had me meet with the rest of the cast, and then eventually, I met with Berry Gordy. When he saw me, he fell in love with me right away.
What was your life like after ‘The Last Dragon’?There were the pros and cons, and then there was the reality. It was 1985, and the problem was there was an expectation. It was one of the biggest movies in the country, and there were no big actors in it. I was naive to the ways Hollywood represented black men. And I thought that because you star in a movie that does well that there would be another opportunity. Hollywood didn’t have a structure for someone like me to step into.
So you didn’t have any mentors, there was no one in the industry who saw your potential and decided to take you under their wing?
Berry Gordy, at that time, was going through a transition with Motown. He had a desire to help me, but there were some issues he was dealing with within his own label. Berry Gordy was a great influence on me. He told me that there were only a few people that he thought had what I had — Michael Jackson and a few others, you know. But it was very different back then. There were musicians like Michael Jackson, but there weren’t many young men of color, few that you could think of, that were playing a leading male movie role. Berry Gordy was basically being my mentor. But even though I loved him, I was too young to really make a quick decision on how to sustain my career.
Do you feel like your reservations earlier on might have affected your career?
Berry Gordy and I were developing our relationship to do future work. He wanted to make a huge impact in the film world when no other black company was doing that. I, as well as Hollywood, wasn’t moving as quickly as Berry Gordy’s vision. And because of that, he decided to step away from the film world and focus on other things with his company. And, honestly, at that point, that was the last big real attempt to bring black actors in film, and, at that time, he was the one who had that power. But it wasn’t enough unfortunately. He is an extraordinary man, a visionary. Hollywood just wasn’t ready to embrace the vision he had at the time. He needed Hollywood to be behind him in order for him to do what he needed to do.
What was it that got you through that difficult periods in your life?
After ‘The Last Dragon,’ after having so many years of Hollywood, after people — black and white — were not there for me as I thought they would be, I basically looked within and found my own drive, my own survival instincts, that told me if there is anything that I want out of life, then it’s up to me to create it.
Do you still keep in touch with Berry Gordy or any of the other cast members of ‘The Last Dragon’?
Yes, Berry Gordy and his family have reached out to me about the remake of ‘The Last Dragon,’ so we’ve been in touch in regard to that. I haven’t been in touch with Denise Matthews, who played Vanity, in about five years. I was in touch with Julius Carry up until he died, and since then, I have been in touch with his mother. She contacted me an hour after he died. It was very touching. There was definitely a connection between Julius and me, in the sense that we both had broken into Hollywood with one film in a big way.
Are you going to appear in ‘The Last Dragon ‘ remake?
I can’t give all the details, but I do know what role I am playing. I can say that it will be a surprise. Samuel L. Jackson is already signed to play Sho’nuff. The story isn’t going to be as comical as it was in the first one, but it will be very exciting. I am looking to read the rewrite of the script next month. I know that Devon Franklin, over at Sony, and Kerry Gordy really want to do a great job, so they’re really focusing in on the story.
Are there any other projects that you are pursuing right now?
Throughout the years, I have continued to perfect my craft and do theater whenever I can. I had an opportunity to work with a great director who has a big name out here in New York. We did a play that broke him out in a big way, and it’s called ‘Road House,’ which was a comedy rendition of Patrick Swayze’s movie. It was so hilarious, and I had so much fun doing it. And I told the director, Timothy Haskell, that I always wanted to work with him again. So he called me this summer, and he told me about a project he is working on with Eric Saunders, and he wants me to star in it along with these wonderful actors. The play is called ‘Last Life’ and will debut in December at a film festival. I am also looking to direct a one-act play that will open in the first week of November.
What do you find most fulfilling about inspiring young adults to dream bigger through marital arts?
What I am about is achieving happiness. I have found that gratitude is the key to everything. I realized that in order for me to be happy, to be fit mentally, spiritually, physically, I have to give my heart to young people and inspire them to win in life. It’s my integrity to be able to make a difference, to make them see that they can have anything that they want out of life. Right now, when I look at my life, I see that I have a beautiful apartment here in New York City. I have a great family, and I have great fans. I have the ability to do anything.
BlackVoices.com‘s Top 30 Sexiest Black Film Actors Of All Time. Check out how they ranked.
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl “Mel B” poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of “Pose for the Cure” web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the ‘Susan G. Komen for the Cure’ fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl “Mel B” poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of “Pose for the Cure” web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the ‘Susan G. Komen for the Cure’ fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the ‘In My Name’ global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of “Pose for the Cure” web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the ‘Susan G. Komen for the Cure’ fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O’Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O’Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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Angels clinch third straight West title (AP)
Kendry Morales homered and drove in three runs, and the Los Angeles Angels wasted no time clinching their third straight AL West title with an 11-0 victory over the second-place Texas Rangers on Monday night. Ervin Santana pitched a seven-hitter for his fourth career shutout, while Maicer Izturis had three hits and two RBIs to wrap up the Angels' sixth playoff berth in eight seasons.
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Lions end 19-game skid, beat Redskins (AP)
Matthew Stafford held his head down on the bench for the final snap. Dominic Raiola couldn't watch, either, fearing a 20th loss in a row and 100th setback of his nine-season career. When Detroit's leaders looked up and saw Washington was out of time, they saw what they were hoping to see Sunday.
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Cardinals clinch NL Central crown (AP)
Matt Holliday celebrated another playoff clincher at Coors Field, only this time it was with the St. Louis Cardinals and not the Colorado Rockies. Holliday keyed a three-run rally in the first inning and the Cardinals clinched the NL Central crown when they beat the Rockies 6-3 Saturday night behind Adam Wainwright's 19th victory.
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Quick Weight Loss
In a world where time is money, we are all looking at doing things quickly. Quick weight loss is another such example of the quickness needed in life today. And there is good news at least on this front. There are lots of remedies in the market that help …
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Chris Brown To Headline "Powerhouse 09"
Posted by: www.nydailynews.com Chris Brown has landed his first concert gig since beating his ex-girlfriend Rihanna. He’ll be headlining the Power 105.1 “Powerhouse ’09” concert, which features several other performers. And they’re all on the C-list, according to MSNBC.com. Brown, who has taken some time out of the spotlight since his conviction and community service sentence, will be leading a group of nobodies and has-beens at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ on Oct. 27, according to MSNBC. The concert includes performances from Keri Hilson, The-Dream, Fabolous, Trey Songz, Mario and Ginuwine. “This is a pretty C-list lineup,” one promoter, who is not involved with the show, told MSNBC. “Keri Hilson is good, Ginuwine has some following, but this is nothing like the lineup that would have surrounded him this time last year,” the promoter told MSNBC. “Chris was the Michael Jackson heir apparent, he had huge endorsement deals. This isn’t the sort of show you would have expected from him before he got in trouble.” Apparently the singer, who is currently serving a 180-day community service and probation sentence, still isn’t considered “safe” booking by many, but for this concert, the radio station was willing to take the risk. The concert will supposedly offer Brown a chance to promote his single, “Transformer,” off his new album, “Graffiti,” reports MTV.com. But there could still be a problem. According to RollingStone.com, it is still unclear whether Brown has actually received permission from the Los Angeles court that convicted him or from the Virginia officials overseeing his sentence to perform at the New Jersey concert next month.
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Truth on How to Get Rid of Panic Attacks
If you want to find out how to get rid of panic attacks, then here’s some information that will help you on the road to doing just that.If you suffer – and suffer is the right word in this case – with panic attacks it’s time that you took a step in the ri…
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Learn to Make the Most of Your Day
For most business owners, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. Time goes by quickly as the clock ticks away, leaving well-intentioned entrepreneurs pushing important tasks off to future dates. Add in the challenging economic conditions, and effective time management becomes even more important…and elusive.
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Braves’ Cox to retire after next season (AP)
After 50 years in baseball, Bobby Cox figured the only way he would ever give up managing was to pick a specific time and announce it publicly. So that's what he did Wednesday, revealing his plans to retire as manager of the Atlanta Braves after next season. Now comes the hard part: sticking to it.
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Yanks clinch playoff spot as Texas loses (AP)
The New York Yankees are headed back to the playoffs, clinching their 14th appearance in 15 seasons with the Texas Rangers' loss at Oakland. New York missed the postseason for the first time since 1994 last fall in manager Joe Girardi's debut campaign. The Yankees won 17 playoff series and four World Series in that 13-year span.
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Beyonce: The Muslims Have Problems With ‘Sexy Performances’
Despite an abrupt cancellation of her 2007 concert in Malaysia, due to protesters threatening to disrupt it because of her sexual image, Beyonce Knowles will finally take the stage on Oct. 25 in the country’s biggest city, Kuala Lumpur.However, according to the Associated Press, the Grammy Award-winning superstar still isn’t receiving the ‘Diva’ treatment that she’s accustomed to: earlier this week, beyonce Sabki Yusof, head of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party,stated that his organization would send a protest note to the government over the singer’s show.
The country enforces and requires all female performers to cover up from the shoulders to knees with no cleavage showing.
spike lee
“We are not against entertainment as long as it is within the framework of our culture and our religion,” Yusof said. “We are against Western sexy performances. We don’t think our people need that.”
Sounds like Bey may be too ‘Bootylicious’ for Malaysia’s own good!“Not many people outside of a President or a government official get welcomed to a country with a mass protest,” black celebrity blogger Natasha Eubanks (and owner of the popular website Young, Black & Fabulous) told Black Voices. “For that reason alone, Beyonce and her Sasha Fierce glove need to make their way to Malaysia and give the best show she’s ever done. Just because she can. Chick’s not about to pop out Shawn Jr.’s anytime soon, so I need something other than her bedazzled lace-front [wig] to gossip about.”
Although Yusof and his organization attempts to protest Knowles, her website has confirmed her performance in the Muslim-majority country: “Beyoncé for the first time ever has decided to make Malaysia part of her ‘I Am’ World Tour.”
Luckily for the ‘Dreamgirls’ actress, she’s not the only artist to experience backlash from Islamic activists and their strict dress code. Most recently Muslims in Malaysia were banned from attending the Black Eyed Peas‘ concert, which is scheduled for this weekend, because it was sponsored by Irish beer giant Guinness. The ban has since been lifted and the company will not be allowed to sell its beer or use its logo in publicity material.
Black Music Notes Mar. 3
3/3/09: Diddy
When it comes to making an event out of an album, Diddy sure knows how to put on a show. And for his forthcoming project, ‘Last Train to Paris,’ the multitalented mogul is following in the vein of Prince‘s classic flick and album ‘Purple Rain.’ “It’s definitely going to be an album you can seamlessly see,” he recently told MTV News. “Not after the fact. When you get the album on that day, September 22, you will be able to see the whole album on your computer. … You know how when you’re on your computer and you’re listening to an album, you have your screen saver on instead of screen save, you’ll be able to see the album in motion. And the presentation of the album will be different from the videos.” Hopefully, Diddy will make it in time on Sept. 22 to catch the ‘Last Train to Paris’ once the album hits stores.Kevin Mazur, WireImage
3/3/09: Janet Jackson
Recently there has been speculation that Janet Jackson was likely to sign a new multirights deal with Live Nation. However, contrary to reports, Live Nation senior VP of communications John Vlautin denied the claim. “We have not signed a deal with Janet, nor are we currently in discussions with the artist,” Vlautin said. Jackson departed from her former label, Island Def Jam, in September, 14 months after signing to the record company.The Canadian Press / AP
3/3/09: Black Eyed Peas
Despite previous reports that Grammy Award-winning pop group Black Eyed Peas would release a new album, ‘The E.N.D.’ (The Energy Never Dies), in March, it now appears Will.i.am and company will release the project on June 9. Billboard reports that the album’s first single, ‘Boom Boom Pow,’ will soon be released, and that the group is planning an international tour. Will.i.am, the Black Eyed Peas front man, described the album as having “a lot of dance stuff, real melodic, electronic, soulful. We call it, like, electric static funk, something like that.”Peter Kramer, AP
2/27/09: MC Hammer
MC Hammer is back! This time the multiplatinum-selling rapper is heading to network television for his new unscripted A&E reality series ‘Hammertime.’ Hammer’s new half-hour series will feature Hammer, his wife and five children – reminiscent of the Huxtable family from ‘The Cosby Show,’ says executive producer J.D. Roth. “Here’s a dad with five kids, married to the same woman for more than 23 years, living in the same place where he grew up and going to church every Sunday,” Roth says. “He’s had his ups and downs, and it’s what makes him such a character you root for.” MC Hammer’s ‘Hammertime’ is set to premiere on A&E later this year.2/27/09: Jazmine Sullivan
Although she didn’t walk away with an award at this year’s Grammys, singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan is bound for Hollywood for her upcoming film ‘Red Tails.’ According to Billboard, Sullivan will travel to Prague to start shooting the film, which is based on the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. “I play a singer who entertains soldiers,” she said. “I’m really just entertainment for them, but I kind of get a little relationship going with one of them. So that’s very exciting.” As for now, Sullivan has an exciting relationship going on with R&B crooner Ne-Yo — on tour that is. The two are currently touring through March 1. At press time, there was no release date for ‘Red Tails.’Charles Sykes, AP
2/27/09: Tupac
With the Notorious B.I.G.‘s biopic in the can, fans are now anticipating a biographical movie on his rival Tupac. Unfortunately, fans may have to wait a little longer before a Tupac flick hits the silver screen. A legal dispute has surfaced involving the production company Morgan Creek and Amaru Entertainment, the company run by Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur. The lawsuit, which was filed by Morgan Creek, states that Amaru Entertainment reneged on an agreement to sell the rapper’s life rights for a movie. Amaru Entertainment released a statement clarifying the recent media reports: “This lawsuit has no merit. We felt it was important to bring the story of Tupac Shakur, one of music’s most remarkable icons, to life onscreen, and in realizing this vision, we sought to find the best partner who would be true to Tupac’s vision and bring his unique story to life on the big screen. In doing so, we have taken every step to ensure that our partner in this process is committed to the integrity of Tupac Shakur’s legacy and, more importantly, that they are the right people. To that end, we have been in discussions and negotiations with several major studios and production companies, including Morgan Creek Productions. However, at no time did we have an agreement with Morgan Creek.”Time Life Pictures / Getty Images
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105,121 watch Cowboys lose on final play (AP)
Lawrence Tynes sent home the largest regular-season crowd in NFL history muttering about what might've been. Tynes kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired, giving the New York Giants a 33-31 victory over the turnover-prone Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night and ruining the debut of their rival's $1.15 billion stadium.
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Tigers win, lead Twins by 3 games (AP)
Placido Polanco drove in three runs, Detroit's bullpen pitched four shutout innings and the Tigers avoided a three-game sweep with a 6-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday to increase their AL Central lead to three games. Ryan Raburn homered for slumping Detroit, which won for the second time in six games and fourth in 13.
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Wolves sign PG Sessions to offer sheet (AP)
The Minnesota Timberwolves wasted little time moving on after being rebuffed by Ricky Rubio. Two days after the 18-year-old point guard backed out of a deal to join the Timberwolves this season, Minnesota signed restricted free agent Ramon Sessions to an offer sheet Friday. The Milwaukee Bucks will have seven days to match the four-year, $16 million offer.