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Saturday, August 13, 2011

Zac Brown Band rocks 'Today' show

By Peter Kramer, AP
The Zac Brown band rocked the Plaza this morning for the Today show, singing songs including fan favorite Chicken Fried, Free and their new hit single with Jimmy Buffett, Knee Deep.More:  Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina sing on 'GMA'

Buffett wasn't there to sing his parts on the song, but Brown paid tribute to him, telling Lester Holt and Natalie Morales (who were filling in for Matt Lauer and Ann Curry), "I think he's one of the best American songwriters who ever lived. I've been covering his songs forever, and to actually get to collaborate with some of my heroes has been some of the big milestones in my career."
At that point, Morales presented Brown with a plaque announcing that his 2010 album, You Get What You Give, just went platinum.
When asked what has changed for the band as they have risen to fame, Brown said, "You know, we travel a lot more comfortably now." He added, "There's a lot of things that have changed, but the core — we love what we do, we love our craft, we love the fans, we love being able to do what we love to do. ... Every day I pinch myself."

North Kitsap Options Alumni return for ‘Hamlet’

What began as an after school acting group transformed into a production company dedicated to the works of William Shakespeare. Comprised of North Kitsap Options Alumni, the Changeling Shakespeare Company has brought the works of Shakespear to the North Kitsap community off and on for about 10 years. Starting Aug. 18, the Options graduates will return to the area for a production of “Hamlet,” and hope to take full advantage of the Port Gamble Theater.
“(The company) looked at a couple other places, but it’s exciting that we’re going to be in the newly opened theater,” producer Kendal Peiguss said. “The location is great.”
Peiguss, 21, who will play Hamlet, began acting in the Options program’s drama workshops at about age 10. Though she now studies public relations and marketing at (insert college in Boston), she said the drama program integrated in Options left her with more than fond memories. Learning how to communicate and work as a team was invaluable, she said. Peiguss described herself as “shy,” but after her studies in Options, she left as an “excellent communicator.”
The drama program was built up by Bob Deweese, now retired from the North Kitsap School District. Drama is now incorporated into all Option’s classrooms, each class producing at least one play per year. Peiguss said the production of “Hamlet” is a way to honor Deweese’s work in the Options program. Deweese is also directing the show.
Though the company performs multiple Shakespeare plays, Peiguss said “Hamlet” was chosen because it explores the human psyche and incorporates aspects of human life that most people can relate to. The actors will speak using Old English, but even if audience members do not understand all the language, the stage acting and character interaction will draw them in, she said.
Actors range from ages 14 to 22. The membership of Changeling morphed as students graduated, but this cast is mostly those who have stuck with the production company. Many alumni are traveling from around the West Coast and the country to be a part of the play.
Because The Roving Players are holding “The Mousetrap” in the Theater until Aug. 14, the Changeling crew must make do to rehearse at a private residence. Making rehearsal more difficult was the cast could not begin until everyone could get together. Peiguss said everyone has their lines down, it’s really just the stage acting left to practice.
“We’re doing intensive all-day rehearsals,” she said.
The cast begins rehearsal about 7:30 a.m. and ends in the evening; sometime around 8 p.m.
Not able to fill the theater until Aug. 15, Peiguss said everyone is excited to act in the newly renovated Port Gamble Theater, which reopened this year for the first time in 60 years.
“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to work in (Port Gamble Theater),” she said. “We’ve done (the play) in small classroom theaters and we’ve managed. So having more space will give us more options.”

Search Warrant Reveals Details In Jerome Block Allegations Read more: http://www.koat.com/news/28853612/detail.html#ixzz1UtlAWBMb

A search warrant reveals new details about allegations against PRC Commissioner Jerome Block.
The Attorney General's Office believes that Block used his state-provided gas card to fill up several different cars, sometimes several times a day, at gas stations in Santa Fe and Espanola, according to the search warrant.The warrant also alleges that Block lied about the odometer reading when filling up. Instead of putting in the accurate number, he used his pin number dozens of times, according to the document.The warrant alleges that, when Block's pin was canceled, he asked other PRC employees for their social security numbers, saying he needed the numbers to wire them money he owed, but instead bought gas on those employees' accounts.Rep. Nate Gentry, who has began looking into the process of impeaching Block, said the commissioner needed to resign."It's unbelievable. He needs to quickly resign so that he does not waste legislative time and taxpayer money on impeachment proceedings," Gentry said.PRC Commissioner Jason Marks said explanations for the accusations would be hard to come by."These patterns of use are highly questionable. It's very hard to come up with plausible and innocent explanations," Marks said.The Attorney General's Office searched Block's state car on Aug. 4 and took several items.

Sheriff launches online warrant search

Visitors to the Sheriff's Department's website can click on a link that will allow them to search for anyone with an active warrant in Cook County.
Dart says the warrants are for crimes ranging from writing bad checks to murder.
Parents wanted for not paying child support are also on the website.
Anyone with information on a suspect's location can provide an anonymous tip.
"Frankly, it's a shrewd, financially smart thing to do, because without spending virtually any money, we have put this together - all in-house - and now we are multiplying the number of deputized people in theory," said Dart.
Dart says the information will be updated weekly.

Jani Lane dies at 47; lead singer for metal band Warrant

Jani Lane, the lead singer for Warrant, a popular 1980s metal band that often had hits with songs he penned, including "Cherry Pie" and "Heaven," has died. He was 47.

Lane was found dead Thursday evening in a Woodland Hills hotel, said Sara Faden, a Los Angeles police officer. The cause of death was not known and an autopsy was scheduled.

With his long blond hair and tight leather outfits, Lane embodied the excess of 1980s "hair metal" rock bands. After he joined Warrant in 1984, the band rose on the Sunset Strip circuit alongside kindred spirit Guns N' Roses and eventually signed with Columbia Records.

In 1989, Warrant released its debut album, "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich," which contained the hit singles "Down Boys," "Sometimes She Cries" and "Heaven."

A year later, the group's sophomore album, "Cherry Pie," was an even bigger success. To round out the mix of songs, Lane wrote the "Cherry Pie" track in 45 minutes, according to the Encyclopedia of Popular Music.

"We jumped on the train in the mid-'80s, and that train was hair metal," Lane told the Albany, N.Y., Times Union in 2001. "I had long blond hair and I sang high, so the powers that be said, 'Hair metal. Let's let Suzie over there put on some makeup for you, a little Aqua Net, and you're on your way."

The band's success extended into the early 1990s.

Lane first parted ways with Warrant in 1993; grunge had replaced metal on the rock charts, and the hits had stopped coming. After that, he had an on-and-off relationship with the group.

Born John Kennedy Oswald on Feb. 1, 1964, in Akron, Ohio, he was the youngest of five children.

After high school, Lane moved to Florida and formed the band Plain Jane, which later became a staple on the L.A. glam-rock circuit. He and band mate Steven Sweet were eventually invited to join Warrant.

Lane had appeared in several television projects, including VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club" in 2005.

Last year, he stood in for vocalist Jack Russell on rock band Great White's 25th anniversary tour.

Shortly after releasing a solo effort, "Back Down to One" in 2003, Lane was admitted to a rehab center for alcohol- and drug-related exhaustion. He had struggled with addiction for much of his adult life.

His survivors include two daughters from two previous marriages.

'So You Think You Can Dance' Melanie: 'Lady GaGa tour would be amazing'

So You Think You Can Dance winner Melanie Moore has said that she would love to go on tour with Lady GaGa as one of the 'Born This Way' star's dancers.

The 19-year-old contemporary dancer was crowned the winner of the Fox competition's eighth season on Thursday, and told reporters following her win that she is looking forward to what the future holds.

On GaGa's offer to bring Moore on the road during her guest judging stint on the show, the dancer said: "I would definitely be interested in going on tour with Lady GaGa! I think she's an amazing artist and I've seen a lot of her stuff.

"I never got to go to her tour but my best friend is literally obsessed with her, she loves her so much. I have seen HBO specials and everything she does is so amazing so I would be more than happy and overjoyed to work with her."

However, Moore admitted that she is generally unsure which avenues she will pursue in show business, adding: "I don't know. I feel like my dream has always been to get into a movie but as far as my experience, I'd be more suited for a company atmosphere. I don't even know, though, because I would love to do tour work.

"I've always said that I just love dancing and I didn't care what I was doing, whether I was in the back of a commercial or dancing on stage. I don't care, I just want to stay in it and that's what I'm hoping to do. If any of those offers come true, I will let you know!

So You Think You Can Dance Winner

MIRANDA COSGROVE ACCIDENT:  With a broken toe and a fractured ankle, teen star Miranda Cosgrove is feeling grateful to be alive. TMZ reports that the singer-actress feels it was her tour bus driver's quick thinking that saved her life. Her tour bus crashed into an overturned semi yesterday in southern Illinois. Had the driver swerved to avoid the semi, the bus could have overturned. Instead, he slammed on the breaks and crashed into it head-on. TMZ say the driver is in the worst condition. He had to be airlifted to a hospital where he received 45 stitches. The i-Carly star is canceling her "Crazy Dancing Summer" tour until further notice.
MORE DEGRAW SHOWS CANCELED:  Gavin Degraw was supposed to perform tonight at Jones Beach, but he canceled that show and now the singer's canceling several more concerts. He is still recovering from a brutal attack Sunday outside a bar he owns with his brother in the East Village. Degraw suffered a concussion and broken nose in the assault. He's canceling dates in Nashville, Chicago and Toronto. He hopes to resume his tour with Train and Maroon 5 later this month.
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE:  It's been a long road of sweat, guts and tears and now America has its new favorite dancer. Melanie Moore, 19, won the top crown on So You Think You Can Dance. Since the get-go, judge Nigel Lythgoe predicted a female winner saying the girls were just dominant this season. Before the crowning moment, Moore and runner-up Sasha Mallory showed off their craft to the song "Game on" by District 78.

So You Think You Can Dance Watch: And The Winner Is...

So You Think You Can Dance Watch: And The Winner Is... image
Eight weeks ago, after a month of auditions and a painstakingly brutal Vegas week, twenty of the best dancers in America began to dance for America’s votes. Right from the get-go, it was clear that this season’s crop of female dancers was, by far, the best that the show had ever fielded. Nigel collectively dubbed them “the beasts”, because or their tendency to leave their male competitors in the dust. Of course, the rules of the show decree that one guy and one girl be send home every week, and Wednesday night, the top two guys and top two girls danced five blistering routines, four duets and one solo, in order to be crowned champion.

Guamanian Marko Germar once had the misfortune of being shot during a convenience store hold-up, and the bullet has remained lodged in his shoulder ever since. He finally got a chance to perform for both his mother and his father, exceeding the judges’ expectations and his own right from the start. Filipino B-boy Tadd Gadduang amazed everyone by taking to styles and genres far outside his comfort zone like the proverbial duck to water. Whether it be ballroom or contemporary, hip-hop or Broadway, Tadd breezed through with style, charm and an effervescent personality.

But this season has belonged to the girls; or, more specifically, two girls, who have been neck-and-neck the whole time. Modern dancer Sasha Mallory, who originally auditioned with her heavyset but extremely capable sister Natalia, threw herself headlong into every routine she was given, owning every genre and commanding the stage like the second coming of Grace Jones. Perhaps the fiercest competitor the show has ever had, Sasha has shown vulnerability and humility at all the right times. Watching her metamorphose from a hesitant young woman, unsteady and unsure of herself, to the magnificent creature she has become has been truly remarkable.

Not to be outdone, 19-year-old college student Melanie Moore decided to ditch her art-class paintbrushes and capture the hearts of all within her field of view. With bright, twinkly eyes, short boyish hair and a gentleness that seems to radiate from every pore, Melanie has delighted and captivated America with her winsome personality and her phenomenal dancing skill. A natural actress as well as a dancer, she has brought as much drama and emotion to her dance as is humanly possible, turning every routine into a story that we want to hear over and over again.

On Thursday night, a winner was announced. If you want to know who it was, just pan down to the bottom of my recap. For in between now and then, the entire Top 20 was reunited on the SYTYCD stage, along with several assorted All-Stars, to revisit some of the judges’ favorite routines of the season. And almost all the choreographers were there, either in the audience or riding shotgun at the judges’ table. Nigel and Mary, of course, along with Lil’ C, Robin Antin, Tyce Diorio, Sonya Tayeh, and even celebrity guest judge Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
First up was the entire Top 20 doing a new Sonya Tayeh jazz routine, a really kick-ass number featuring a lot of crazy hair and sexy leather outfits. After the introductions are made by the lovely Cat Deeley (and let me just say how freakin’ AWESOME it is that she’s received an Emmy nom - it’s about time! – she’s the coolest talent show host on TV, just a hair ahead of Nick Cannon, and 200 miles ahead of the slice of dry toast Ryan Seacrest has become), we get a whirlwind montage of the audition rounds, Vegas Week and the eight weeks of competition. The bumps, the bruises, the dramatic trips to the hospital. The highs, the lows, the funny bits, the scary bits, the batshit crazy bits. The Gaga. And lots and lots of kissing.

I guess now would be a good time to tell you what’s in store for the winner. In addition to joining the rest of the Top 10 on their fall tour of America, the winner gets a prize of $250,000, will be featured on the cover of Dance Spirit magazine, and will join past contestants Lauren Froderman and Steven “Twitch” Boss as a “Gatorade Athlete”. (If you didn’t know, the folks at Gatorade recently decreed that dancers push themselves just as hard, if not harder, than professional athletes do, and will reward this season’s winner with a G-Series Fit print campaign.) That ain’t bad!

Mary’s first routine of choice was last week’s Tyce Diorio contemporary routine involving Sasha and All-Star Kent, a routine that will probably be remembered as “the wall dance”. This was followed with a pick by Nigel, who wanted to see the Week 3 Nappytabs hip-hop routine with Melanie and Marko, the same one that featured them sharing a passionate smooch, both on- and off-stage. This was one of my favorites as well, and I think that was the moment I fell in love with Melanie as well.

Robin Antin’s choice for favorite routine of the season occurred in Week 7, and it was the Mandy Moore jazz bit featuring Tadd and Season Seven champ Lauren Froderman. Set to Queen’s immortal “Another One Bites the Dust,” this was a spectacular choice, because it fit Tadd’s style perfectly, as well as being wicked cool. Lil’ C’s first choice goes all the way back to Week 2, a Nappytabs routine with Miranda and Robert. Wow, that really does seem like ages ago. I vaguely remembered it after they performed it again.

Then, it was actually Cat’s turn to pick a routine, and she decided to go with the group routine from the Week 7 results show, a contemporary piece from Tyce Diorio. Not sure why, but rather than having the dancers re-dance it, they just showed the video from that night. This was followed by not a duo, but a trio: contestants Jess and Nick were joined by the current champion of the UK version of SYTYCD, a guy named Matt Flint, part of whose prize for winning included appearing on the American show. It was a tap routine, and it got me about as excited as tap routines tend to do… which ain’t much.

You knew this next one was coming: the gorgeous Week 7 Mandy Moore contemporary routine which featured Melanie flinging herself halfway across the stage into the arms of All-Star Neil. It was so poetic and lyrical, and I didn’t even mind that it was set to “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” a song I have heard way too many times in my life. Week 7 (I think I called this week the single greatest show ever) is showcased again with Jesse’s pick, the Sonya Tayeh contemporary routine pairing up Marko with All-Star Allison. Once again it was great, proving that nothing tugs at the heartstrings than a well-placed Jeff Buckley song.

Time for another group routine, and Tyce picks Sonya’s Top 10 girls routine from Week 5, the one where all the girls dressed up like geishas. Hmm, I’d forgotten that one. It was charming, of course. On a side note: I am surprised that not one of Ricky’s routines was chosen, given he was the third-highest guy. And even more shocking is the fact that not one of Jordan’s routines was chosen either. Dang. If I were on that panel, I would surely have chosen Ryan/Ricky’s awesome jazz routine set to Bowie’s “Fashion” or Jordan/Tadd’s memorable “morning after” Nappytabs hip-hop routine.


We’re now about halfway through the show, and it’s finally time to reveal some actual results. Cat gathers all four finalists onto the stage, and announces that the time has come to eliminate one contestants. There is a pregnant pause, and the person that comes in fourth place is… Tadd. I’m not surprised, but a little bit sad. I’ve not mentioned this, but my wife is actually Filipina, and the family dynamic that I share with her relatives is quite similar to that I’ve seen with Tadd and his brood. He’s an inspiration to B-boys everywhere, and that’s a terrific title to have.

Lil’ C picks next, and once again, he chooses a routine from Week 2, and it was the excellent Spencer Liff Broadway bit pairing up Ashley and Chris (by far the one shining moment for both contestants), which featured Ashley sexing it up for her “incarcerated” boyfriend (yes, there were prison bars involved). This routine is followed by some footage of the Top 4 being invited by the cast of Glee to join them on the red carpet for the premiere of the new Glee 3D Concert Movie, which… I will not be seeing.

It was about Week 6, after Sasha had ditched Alexander and paired up with Twitch for that fantastic Christopher Scott hip-hop routine, that one began to suspect that Melanie may be in for a real fight. This routine, arguably Sasha’s best of the year, had everything in it that makes hip-hop cool, and if you haven’t seen it, go on YouTube and FIND IT! After that, Sonya decided to further praise Scott’s work by having the Top 10 guys reprise their ground routine from Week 6, a really cool number featuring the boys wearing identical grey suits and going in and out of doors like a dance version of The Adjustment Bureau. Chris Scott is awesome.

The next routine, chosen by Jesse, ironically, was the routine that preceded Sasha/Twitch’s memorable dance on Week 6. It was the Argentine Tango with Caitlynn and Pasha that garnered Caitlynn her highest marks of the season, and to see it again was fabulous, even if it was a recorded version from that night (I’m guessing because Pasha was unavailable for the finale). This was followed by a choice from Mary, who picked Melanie and Marko’s beautiful Travis Wall contemporary routine from Week 1, where the couple played Greek statues come to life. After watching this, one could just tell that that couples was on the show to stay. Their repeat performance was beautiful, but they had to do it without most of the body makeup because Melanie still has one routine left to dance after this one.

Immediately following the routine, Sasha is brought back on stage to join Melanie and Marko, because it’s time for more results. Cat lines them up, and announces that the contestant finishing in third place is… Marko. And thus it is determined, that one of the “beasts” will indeed take the crown. I wasn’t sure early on if I was going to like Marko, but that went away quickly, because he was such a nice guy it was nearly impossible not to like him. He made the beautiful Melanie look even better, and what she did for him cannot even be measured. He will have a great, great career, believe you me.

Home stretch time. With only Melanie and Sasha left, you had to figure that the final requested routine would be one involving them, and Nigel opted to have them redo their Week 7 show-closer, the hard-hitting and truly “beastly” Sonya Tayeh jazz routine set to District 78’s “Game On”. And not to sound horribly cliché, but this truly is ebony and ivory, working in perfect harmony. Wow.

And so, after one final commercial break, Sasha and Melanie are brought back on stage. Their video journey montages are played once again, and a hush falls over the crowd as Cat opens the final envelope.

And the winner of So You Think You Can Dance, Season Eight… is…. Melanie!!


A thousand congratulations must go to Sasha, who gave Melanie the run for her money that I thought no one could. But Melanie earned every bit of this victory, not only for being the perfect dancer, but the perfect lady, the perfect person. If it were possible, I would love to have Melanie cloned, because I think we all need beauty, both inner and outer, like that in our lives.

So that’s it. I know it’s a reality TV and competition show trope that every season must strive to be better than the last one, and this one certainly was the best season yet. At this point, it’s truly tough to imagine how they’re going to top it in Season Nine, but I will certainly be there, on my sofa and at my keyboard, relishing every moment. Thanks to all of you for continuing to read my stuff. I will spend the remainder of the summer continuing to recap America’s Got Talent, another show well worthy of your attention.

 সড়ক দুর্ঘটনায় তারেক মাসুদসহ নিহত ৫

‘মুক্তির গান’, ‘মাটির ময়না’, ‘রানওয়ে’খ্যাত চলচ্চিত্র নির্মাতা তারেক মাসুদসহ পাঁচজন সড়ক দুর্ঘটনায় নিহত হয়েছেন। আজ শনিবার দুপুরে মানিকগঞ্জের ঘিওর উপজেলার বালিয়াজুড়ি এলাকায় এ দুর্ঘটনা ঘটে।
তারেক মাসুদের সহকারী মনীশ রফিক দুর্ঘটনাস্থল থেকে জানান, একটি মাইক্রোবাসে করে আজ ভোর ছয়টার দিকে তারেক মাসুদ, তাঁর স্ত্রী ক্যাথরিন মাসুদ, শহীদ বুদ্ধিজীবী মুনীর চৌধুরীর ছেলে ও এটিএন নিউজের প্রধান নির্বাহী মিশুক মুনীর, শিল্পী ঢালী আল-মামুন, তাঁর স্ত্রীসহ নয়জন মানিকগঞ্জের ঘিওরে যান। সেখানে তারেক মাসুদের ‘কাগজের ফুল’ চলচ্চিত্রের শুটিংয়ের লোকেশন নির্বাচন শেষে দুপুর ১২টা ২০ মিনিটে ঢাকার উদ্দেশে রওয়ানা দেন। পথে ঘিওরে ঢাকা-আরিচা মহাসড়কে বিপরীত দিক থেকে আসা একটি বাসের সঙ্গে মাইক্রোবাসটির মুখোমুখি সংঘর্ষ হয়। এতে ঘটনাস্থলেই পাঁচজন নিহত হন। ক্যাথরিনসহ আহতদের হাসপাতালে নিয়ে যাওয়া হয়েছে। মনীশ রফিক নিজে সামান্য আহত হয়েছেন।
ঘিওর থানার ভারপ্রাপ্ত কর্মকর্তা (ওসি) রইসউদ্দিন বলেন, সড়ক দুর্ঘটনায় আন্তর্জাতিক খ্যাতিসম্পন্ন বাংলাদেশি চলচ্চিত্র নির্মাতা তারেক মাসুদসহ পাঁচজন নিহত হয়েছেন।
মহাসড়কে সড়ক দুর্ঘটনায় পাঁচজনের মৃত্যুর বিষয়টি প্রথম আলোকে নিশ্চিত করেছেন মানিকগঞ্জের পুলিশ সুপার মোহাম্মদ আলী।
মিশুক মুনীরের ভাই আন্তর্জাতিক অভিবাসন সংস্থার এ দেশীয় মুখপাত্র আসিফ মুনীর প্রথম আলোকে বলেন, ভাইয়ের মৃত্যু সংবাদ তাঁরা পেয়েছেন। তবে মৃতদেহ কোথায় আছে তাঁরা এখনো জানেন না। মিশুক মুনীর এক ছেলের জনক।
নিহতদের মধ্যে মাইক্রোবাসের চালকও আছেন।

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Updated: $229 Million Powerball Jackpot Numbers Announced


The Powerball lottery drawing at 10:59 p.m. tonight may make one -- or a couple -- Americans very wealthy, as the jackpot has reached $220 million.
It’s one of the 10-largest Powerball pots ever, though it’s still $39.9 million less than Columbia’s Solomon Jackson Jr. won in August 2009.
Regardless, convenience stores and other lottery retailers are seeing some extra traffic as people take a stab at the 1-in-195 million odds.

“It does pick up, you know,” Midlands convenience store worker Naomi Hutson said about ticket sales. “When [the jackpot] gets up, everybody starts wanting one.”

She said that while activity is par for the course most of the day, as many people get off work they’ll stop by and buy a $1 Powerball ticket.
“Right now it’s slow, but later on this afternoon it’ll pick up," she said.

People can purchase a Powerball entry until 9:59 p.m., allowing an hour between the last sales and the public reveal of the winning numbers on local CBS televisions affiliate WLTX.
Once they get home with the metaphorical golden ticket, there isn’t anything else to do but wait on the numbers. Not that it’s stopped people from performing their own hoodoo to help them win.

Jackson’s 2009 win marked the last time a South Carolinian took home the jackpot.
But, S.C. Education Lottery executive director Paula Harper Bethea is hoping the next Powerball winner is located here.

“I know I will be watching Wednesday night’s drawing with my fingers crossed hoping a South Carolinian will be holding that winning ticket,” Bethea said in a statement.
“Obviously the winner benefits, but so does the state when a jackpot-winning ticket is sold here.”

If someone does have the winning ticket this evening, they will receive the cash value of the prize, estimated $118.8 million.

Get an edge on the market. Go to MarketSmith.com Analysts Upgrades And Downgrades: CSCO, DIS, AZO, ALL, VMW, MWW

As the US market remains poised to close Wednesday's trading on a disappointing note, several stocks were either upgraded or downgraded by analysts and rating agencies. Some notable stocks are discussed here.
Analysts at Gleacher upgraded the share rating of Cisco Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO 15.161.14) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $20. They believe that the networking giant has a very attractive risk or reward profile. It is set to unveil its fiscal 2011 fourth quarter earnings after the market closes today. Shares of Cisco were trading at $13.89, down 1.17 percent or 17 cents in the afternoon session.
Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS 31.53-2.37) is downgraded to Hold from Buy with a price target of $39 by analysts at Wunderlich, who believes that the former has little-term potential outside of ESPN. Shares of Wald Disney slumped 7.82 percent or $2.72 to trade at $31.89 in the closing hours.
AutoZone Inc. (NYSE: AZO 274.73-5.27) is raised to Buy from Hold by analysts at Citigroup as they believe that the former has a potential upside of 13.6 percent    based on a current price of $278.97. They raise the stock's price target to $326 from their previous PT of $300. Shares of AutoZone fell 0.48 percent or $1.34 to trade at $278.76.
Analysts at UBS raised the shares rating of Allstate Corp. (NYSE: ALL 24.31-1.47) to Buy from Neutral as they believe that the recent sell-offs has improved the risk or reward for the stock. Shares of Allstate were down 4.58 percent or $1.18 to trade at $24.57 in the last hour.
VMware Inc. (NYSE: VMW 85.48-2.56) is upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform with a price target of $110 by analysts at FBR Capital. They state that virtualization demand should remain strong in the coming quarters. Shares of VMware fell 1.44 percent or $1.27 to trade at $86.90 in the last hour.
Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: MWW) is downgraded to Hold from Buy by analysts at Citigroup, with a price target of $10. Analysts cut the stock's rating following rising macro and competitive concerns. Shares of Monster Worldwide slumped 9.76 percent or 91 cents to trade at $8.41 in the closing session. 

Cisco Systems Shares Climb After Profit, Sales Exceed Analysts’ Estimates

Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) rose as much as 13 percent in late trading after profit and sales beat analysts’ estimates, the first time in six quarters that the shares gained after results.
Profit, excluding some costs, was 40 cents a share in the fiscal fourth quarter, the San Jose, California-based company said yesterday. Analysts on average had predicted 38 cents, according to Bloomberg data. Sales rose 3.3 percent to $11.2 billion in the period, which ended July 30, compared with an estimate of $11 billion.
Cisco, the world’s biggest maker of networking equipment, has reined in operating expenses, unveiling a plan to cut about 6,500 jobs worldwide and closing the Flip video camera unit to concentrate on its more profitable switches and routers. Though the company’s gross margin, or the percentage of profit left after production costs, narrowed to 62.7 percent, Cisco forecast earnings this quarter that may top analysts’ estimates.
“Earnings were pretty solid and a lot of that is just due to op-ex cuts,” said Jayson Noland, an analyst at Robert W. Baird & Co. in San Francisco, who has a “neutral” rating on the shares. “Low single-digit growth at Cisco is disappointing and gross margin degradation is disappointing, but they’re offsetting some of that with headcount cuts.”

Net Income, Forecast

Cisco rose as high as $15.49 in extended trading after the report. The shares, down 32 percent this year, had closed at $13.73 on the Nasdaq Stock market.
Net income fell to $1.23 billion, or 22 cents a share, from $1.94 billion, or 33 cents, a year earlier, Cisco said. The previously announced reorganization expenses weighed on profit in the period.
Sales will grow 1 percent to 4 percent in the current quarter, Chief Executive Officer John Chambers said on a conference call. That equates to as much as $11.2 billion. Analysts had predicted $10.9 billion. Profit before certain costs will be 38 cents to 41 cents a share, compared with an average analyst estimate of 39 cents.
Standard & Poor’s downgraded the U.S. credit rating to AA+ from AAA last week, roiling stock markets. That had raised concerns that technology spending might suffer. Central banks are trying to prevent a new recession, with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke vowing earlier this week to keep borrowing costs at an all-time low to revive a recovery that’s “considerably slower” than expected.

‘Fundamental Change’

As part of a plan to reduce costs by $1 billion next year, Cisco said July 18 that it would eliminate workers through firings and an early-retirement program. It also sold a factory in Mexico. Cisco recorded pretax restructuring costs and other charges of $772 million last quarter.
“While I wish we had never had to go through this, it clearly was time for a fundamental change at Cisco,” Chambers said on the call. “I feel very confident about Q1 in terms of what we can control and influence, and we have built some conservatism into it.”
Cisco is making the cuts as rivals gain market share in both routing and switching, which combined made up half of the company’s revenue last year. Cisco’s share of worldwide switching revenue dropped 5.8 percentage points to 68.5 percent, and its share of router sales dropped 6.4 percentage points to 54.2 percent, according to a May report from Dell’Oro Group. Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) gained switching share, while Juniper Networks Inc. (JNPR) added share in the router market.
To win back customers, Cisco introduced new products in the quarter, including upgrades to its flagship switches to handle more data and video traffic. The company also unveiled technology to improve efficiency and security of cloud networks and new products for its TelePresence conferencing system.

Five Priorities

Chambers said the company is focusing on five areas: routing and switching, workplace collaboration, data centers, video, and architecture that integrates the network.
“We feel comfortable with the progress we’ve made on the restructuring side,” Chief Financial Officer Frank Calderoni said in an interview yesterday. “We also feel comfortable with where we’re making investments to drive growth in those five top priorities for the company.”
Cisco’s results are seen as a bellwether for the technology industry because its switches and routers dominate the market. Organizations buy the switches to direct Internet traffic on their networks, while phone and Internet-service providers rely on the company’s routers.
“Even in a weak economy, there’s strong demand for Cisco’s products,” said Colin Gillis, an analyst at BGC Partners in New York, who recommends buying the shares. “They’re right smack in the middle of the growth of the Internet.”

Philadelphia Eagles Add Steve Smith, Surpass Green Bay as Super Bowl Favorites

If you haven't figured out that the Philadelphia Eagles are pushing all the chips in for the 2011 NFL season, including the ones they've been stashing in their pockets, this might turn on the light bulb. Without question, the Philadelphia Eagles have been the unequivocal winners of the 2011 NFL free-agency period.
You know that saying, "the rich keep getting richer?" The Philadelphia Eagles just got a little richer this evening adding another Pro Bowl player to their roster with the addition of former New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith. This time around it was on the offensive side of the ball.
Up until this point, even with all the acquisitions, trades and utter brilliance on the part of the Eagles' front office I have neglected to say they were Super Bowl favorites. In my opinion, they were the third best team in the NFC behind the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints.
The New Orleans Saints have gone under the radar nationally, for the most part,  with the outstanding business they have conducted since the new CBA has been instated. So I gave New Orleans the nod because of Drew Brees and their upgrade at running back when they exported Reggie Bush out of Louisiana and imported Darren Sproles from the San Diego Chargers.

Philadelphia clearly has, without question, taken over the No. 2 spot in the NFC and has probably tied Green Bay, if not surpassed them as favorites coming out of the NFC.
Green Bay are the favorites to represent the NFC in this year's Super Bowl, but the Philadelphia Eagles should now be anointed as the team taking the pole position as favorites. What they have done in the last two-and-a-half weeks may be the best offseason coup of any NFL team in free-agency history.
Philadelphia fans should be applauding their team's management for the astute offseason plans that have been executed thus far.
When was the last time that a team added six Pro Bowl players in one offseason? It has simply been remarkable to watch what this organization has done.
Now, just because you have the best team on paper does not mean it will translate over to the field. I understand that. If that was the case the New York Yankees should have more than 27 World Series championships. However, having the best team on paper certainly does not hurt your chances one iota.
Green Bay won the Super Bowl last year with key players sidelined with injuries throughout the season. Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley being two of the more crushing blows to the Packers starting lineup.

Two of the bigger arguments for the Green Bay Packers being favorites despite all the moves teams around them have made, like the Philadelphia Eagles, were that they had greater depth at the skill positions on offense and a better defense. In particular, teams would still have to cover their deep receiving corps that includes: Greg Jennings Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Donald Driver.
Green Bay also has one of the best tight ends in the game with Jermichael Finley and a stud at running back with Ryan Grant.
Well the Philadelphia Eagles have now stockpiled their own stable of thoroughbreds at the wide receiver position. DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Riley Cooper and the newly acquired Steve Smith makes for a far more explosive wide receiving corps than the Green Bay Packers.
Philadelphia has their own playmaker at tight end with Brent Celek and a stud at running back with LeSean McCoy. Not to mention a Pro Bowl backup running back in Ronnie Brown, another free-agency pick up.
Andy Reid has always been able to use his offensive weapons schematically over the years, playing to their strengths. This Philadelphia Eagles offense could be the new generation NFL offense.
Vick, McCoy, Jackson, Maclin and Smith all contain gears most players only wish they had. They will make the 2000 St. Louis Rams "greatest show on turf" team look slow in 2011.
If the Philadelphia Eagles make it to Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI, they will be running a track meet on that turf and there is not a single team in the NFL that will be able to catch them.



Eagles sign WR Steve Smith from Giants

The Eagles on Wednesday signed yet another free agent - former New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith - and in the process managed to swipe a key piece from an NFC East rival.
The question, however, is whether the Giants were outbid for Smith or whether they believed that the receiver, who had microfracture knee surgery in December, was damaged goods and simply let him go.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin recently said that Smith had a "long haul."
"I would disagree with that," Smith said during a conference call. "Personally, I feel good. I've been running . . . cutting."
Smith wouldn't rule out a return by the regular-season opener, although it appears unlikely considering the severity of microfracture surgery. The Eagles could place him on the physically unable to perform list - thus saving a roster spot for six games - but a team source said Smith may be able to play earlier than some thought.
"I'm not sure how far I am from playing," Smith said. "I think I'm pretty close."
Close enough to start practicing soon?
"If you looked to me, I would practice tomorrow," Smith said. "But we want to be extra careful with this thing."
If Jeremy Maclin's unidentified illness is more serious than the Eagles are letting on, Smith would help fill a need. But team sources indicated that acquiring Smith had nothing to do with Maclin's long-range health. Maclin has been in training camp for more than a week but has yet to practice. Eagles coach Andy Reid recently said that he expected Maclin to be ready for the start of the season.
The Eagles signed Smith, according to a league source, to a one-year deal worth $2 million guaranteed and with several hard-to-earn incentives.
Smith is considered one of the better slot receivers in the game. In 2009, he caught 107 passes for 1,220 yards and seven touchdowns. Last season, his production slipped, though, and he snagged only 48 receptions for 529 yards and three scores before his injury.
Smith injured the left knee in December when he got tangled up with Minnesota linebacker Chad Greenway in a postponed game played at Ford Stadium in Detroit. He said there was cartilage damage, hence the microfracture procedure.
Eagles defensive end Victor Abiamiri also was trying to come back from microfracture knee surgery but recently suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon tear. Likewise, defensive end Brandon Graham is trying to come back from the same operation.
Smith will enter a crowded field of Eagles receivers. The team is stocked with DeSean Jackson, Maclin, Jason Avant, and Riley Cooper. The Eagles also have receiving options in running back LeSean McCoy and tight end Brent Celek.
"Great players all want the ball, and they want statistics. But I think when you're winning . . . that means more," Smith said. "Guys are going to have to put egos aside."
Smith wrote on his Facebook page that the Eagles showed "MUCH" more interest in him than the Giants.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Facebook, Google and Apple not trusted in mobile payments

When dealing with mobile payments, consumers trust credit card companies — such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express — over technology brands, including Facebook, Google and Apple, according to a recent study conducted by Ogilvy & Mather, an international advertising, marketing and public relations agency.
A number of mobile payment technologies have been developed over the past few years, including Square and Google Wallet. And Paypal recently demonstrated a new version of its mobile app that will include near field communication technology, enabling Android users to initiate payments with one another by tapping their devices together.
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In the study, 500 U.S. online users were asked to select as many brands as they wanted in answering the question, "Who would you trust with mobile payments?"
Below are the results of the study. Does this order of trustworthiness jive with your own thoughts on who you trust with mobile payments? Let us know in the comments below.

Wisconsin's Katherine Harris


MADISON, Wis. -- It's down to one race for control of the state Senate in Wisconsin and Democrats are accusing a GOP county clerk of holding up the ballot count.
GOP incumbent Alberta Darling is leading Democratic Rep. Sandy Pasch 52 percent to 48 percent with nearly 80 percent reporting.
But before 10 of 11 precincts had reported in Senate District 8's Waukesha County, Democrats began taking aim at clerk Kathy Nickolaus.
Democratic Party chairman Mike Tate took the stage at the Majestic Theater to accuse her of "sitting on ballots."
"We hope the Waukesha County clerk's office is doing the right thing tonight . . . But it is a little curious isn't it. Here we are on the cusp of victory . . . and Kathy Nickolaus is sitting on our ballots," Tate told the crowd of Democrats to a ripple of boos.
This is not the first time Nickolaus has been the subject of Democratic ire.
In April's Supreme Count contest, Justice David Prosser's gained 7,582 votes in Waukesha County after  a major error was detected.
Tate appear ready and willing to make Nickolaus the bogeyman again, casting a cloud of doubt over the results in Senate District 8.
"The race to determine control of the Wisconsin Senate has fallen in the hands of the Waukesha County clerk, who has already distinguished herself as incompetent, if not worse. She is once more tampering with the results of a consequential election and in the next hours we will determine our next course of action. For now, Wisconsin should know that a dark cloud hangs over these important results," said Tate in a release.
For Democrats, Kathy Nickolaus is becoming Wisconsin's own version of Katherine Harris.

Wisconsin's Katherine Harris

MADISON, Wis. -- It's down to one race for control of the state Senate in Wisconsin and Democrats are accusing a GOP county clerk of holding up the ballot count.
GOP incumbent Alberta Darling is leading Democratic Rep. Sandy Pasch 52 percent to 48 percent with nearly 80 percent reporting.
But before 10 of 11 precincts had reported in Senate District 8's Waukesha County, Democrats began taking aim at clerk Kathy Nickolaus.
Democratic Party chairman Mike Tate took the stage at the Majestic Theater to accuse her of "sitting on ballots."
"We hope the Waukesha County clerk's office is doing the right thing tonight . . . But it is a little curious isn't it. Here we are on the cusp of victory . . . and Kathy Nickolaus is sitting on our ballots," Tate told the crowd of Democrats to a ripple of boos.
This is not the first time Nickolaus has been the subject of Democratic ire.
In April's Supreme Count contest, Justice David Prosser's gained 7,582 votes in Waukesha County after  a major error was detected.
Tate appear ready and willing to make Nickolaus the bogeyman again, casting a cloud of doubt over the results in Senate District 8.
"The race to determine control of the Wisconsin Senate has fallen in the hands of the Waukesha County clerk, who has already distinguished herself as incompetent, if not worse. She is once more tampering with the results of a consequential election and in the next hours we will determine our next course of action. For now, Wisconsin should know that a dark cloud hangs over these important results," said Tate in a release.
For Democrats, Kathy Nickolaus is becoming Wisconsin's own version of Katherine Harris.

Transfer quarterback Russell Wilson becomes Wisconsin guy

MADISON — Senior transfer quarterback Russell Wilson already has been dumped in the ice tubs that sit outside the locker room by his new University of Wisconsin teammates.
He also took part in an impromptu dance contest with some of the guys.
And when coach Bret Bielema had Wilson get up at the first meeting and state his name and where he is from — a ritual normally limited to the freshmen — there were good-natured catcalls and hooting.
Russell-mania has gripped the state, from bar stools to gas stations, with people who can't seem to get enough of the new Badgers quarterback.
"I get it every day," Bielema said Sunday. "Since I've been a head coach, I've never had so many people ... I'll just be filling up my car with gas at a gas station and somebody will come up and ask me questions about him."
Yet, around his teammates, Wilson has quickly become one of the guys.
"The other day, I got thrown into the ice tubs," Wilson said. "That was a little cold and chilly. I guess that kind of brought me to Madison a little bit."
Heaping so much attention and praise on a player before he plays a down seems like a recipe for disaster, especially at a program like UW, which prides itself on checking its egos at the door.
But the UW players were all jokes and smiles while fielding questions about Wilson during media day.
It's not only because he has shown to be the real deal on the field in the month he has been with the team, but also the way Wilson has worked to fit in from the first day.
"It's fun," junior center Peter Konz said of the attention Wilson has generated. "He's got a great head on his shoulders, so I don't worry about it one bit. I think the guys are going to have more fun with this than they're going to let it distract them."
The hysteria around Wilson has been so great, senior guard Kevin Zeitler said when players see a video camera, somebody will say, "Russell must be around."
Yet, Zeitler was quick to add, "He has his head in the right place, he's not just here to play football for a semester."

GOP holds on in recall elections

Sen. Rob Cowles blocked one of six attempts by Democrats on Tuesday to oust a sitting Republican lawmaker from office, putting his party in a position to maintain control of Madison and continue its unchecked, aggressive agenda.
Control of the state Senate rested with one Milwaukee-area race that was finally called early today.
Democrats needed to win that race, as well as two next week targeting their own incumbents, to wrest majority control away from Republicans, who went into Tuesday's elections with a 19-14 majority. Republicans successfully defended three seats in recall elections and Democrats picked up two. One Democratic incumbent, Dave Hansen of Green Bay, won his recall election last month.
Fueled by millions of dollars from national labor groups, the attempt to remove GOP incumbents served as both a referendum on Gov. Scott Walker's conservative revolution and could provide a new gauge of the public mood less than a year after Republicans made sweeping gains in this state and many others.
The 8th Senate District race pitting Republican Sen. Alberta Darling of River Hills against Democratic state Rep. Sandy Pasch of Whitefish Bay finally went to Darling early today. It had been too close to call. Darling, who was trailing much of the evening, moved to a 5,000-vote lead with 69 of 82 precincts reporting.
In races with Fox Valley ties, Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, defeated state Rep. Fred Clark, D-Baraboo, in the 14th Senate District, which includes Waupaca County and a portion of Outagamie County, and Oshkosh Democrat Jessica King narrowly ousted Sen. Randy Hopper, R-Fond du Lac, in the 18th Senate District.
"It is an honor to have the support of the people of the 18th state Senate district," King said in a statement. "I look forward to going to Madison to stand up for the working families, seniors and students of Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Black Wolf, Waupun and all across the 18th District. Their voices will be once again heard."
The Democrats picked up another seat in western Wisconsin when state Rep. Jennifer Shilling of La Crosse defeated Sen. Dan Kapanke, R-La Crosse.

Both sides see victories in hard-fought Wisconsin recall contests

MILWAUKEE — Democrats won two Wisconsin Senate seats in Tuesday’s historic recall elections, but failed to capture a third seat that would have given them control of the chamber.
By keeping a majority in the Senate, Republicans retained their monopoly on state government because they also hold the Assembly and governor’s office. Tuesday’s elections narrowed their majority — at least for now — from 19-14 to a razor-thin 17-16.
Republicans may be able to gain back some of the losses next week, when two Democrats face recall elections.
Democrats had hoped to block the Republican agenda by taking control of the Senate in the recall elections, but the GOP should be able to continue to advance its agenda.
"I think it’s a huge victory for us," said John Hogan, director of the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate. "Voters gave us a mandate last fall. . . . They backed us up again (Tuesday). Voters told us loud and clear, ’Stay the course. Things are working.’"
But Democrats claimed victory for the two seats they captured from Republicans.
"We went on their turf and we won on Republican turf," said Mike Tate, chairman of the state Democratic Party. "We will not stop, we will not rest . . . until we recall (Gov.) Scott Walker."
Republican Sens. Dan Kapanke and Randy Hopper were both defeated by their Democratic challengers, Rep. Jennifer Shilling and Jessica King.
"I look forward to going to Madison to stand up for the working families, seniors and students of Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Blackwolf, Waupun and all across the 18th district," King said in a statement. "Their voices will be once again heard."
Three other Republicans held onto their seats, despite aggressive campaigns put up by their Democratic foes and outside groups backed by unions. Surviving the recalls were Republican Sens. Alberta Darling, Sheila Harsdorf, Luther Olsen and Rob Cowles.
Darling was declared the winner over Democratic Rep. Sandy Pasch late Tuesday.
Democrats called for the recalls after Walker launched his plan to eliminate most collective bargaining for public workers, and Tuesday’s races were seen as a preview of a plan to force a recall of Walker next year.
Tuesday’s recalls were launched in March, during the turmoil in Madison over Walker’s plan, ultimately successful, to curtail collective bargaining by most public employees. Democrats tried to recall Republicans for that vote, while Republicans tried to recall Democrats for leaving the state for three weeks to block a vote on the issue.
Democratic Sen. Dave Hansen was the first to face a recall election, and he easily survived the challenge last month.
Attention now turns to next week’s recall elections, against Democratic Sens. Jim Holperin and Bob Wirch.

Eclipse (2010/I)

Transformers (2007)

New Moon (2009)

Up (2009)

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

Shrek Forever After (2010)

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

2012 (2009/I)

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

The Lion King (1994)

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Shrek the Third (2007)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Spider-Man (2002)

Independence Day (1996)

Inception (2010)

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Finding Nemo (2003)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Shrek 2 (2004)

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Jurassic Park (1993)

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)