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It is amazing how those that told you a win was not a win accept the same win when they get one.

Posted by monte at 09:31 PM | Permalink

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 Boeing [NYSE: BA] has announced plans to consolidate company facilities in Southern California over the next four years. The Boeing facility in Anaheim, with about 3,700 employees, will relocate to the Huntington Beach facility.

"This plan provides a strong foundation for long-term stability and competitiveness," said Gary Toyama, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) vice president, Southern California region. "Our vision is to integrate and optimize our capabilities to meet customer requirements."

Nearly all of the moves will occur within a 25-mile radius. Design and construction in Huntington Beach will start immediately, with minor employee moves. Significant employee relocations are anticipated to start early in 2007 and will continue through 2010.

"As our programs change and mature, we will adjust accordingly to provide a stable environment, reduce operation costs and maintain our competitiveness in the marketplace," said Toyama.

The company will work closely with the City of Anaheim to redevelop the property in a manner that maximizes its economic benefit, both for Boeing and the community. Boeing Realty Corporation will manage the disposition of the Anaheim site.

Posted by monte at 09:24 PM | Permalink

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D-Tools, Inc., the worldwide leader in system integration software, today announced that Matronex has increased revenues by 35% while utilizing D-Tools System Integrator. Matronex, based out of Chesterfield, MO, specializes in high quality custom installation of high end audio/video systems, primarily for the residential market.

Matronex integrated D-Tools software into their business when it was at its early stages. Matronex’s initial proposals were created with a combination of Excel and Word, and the amount of labor and materials needed for the projects were based on estimations. However, that process proved to leave too much room for error. One of Matronex’s first jobs was a large custom installation, and at the time, they were still new to the industry, so it was easy to overlook common accessories such as surge protectors, toss links, and cables etc. They realized that it was essential to incorporate software that would help manage their business processes and help track supplies. They were aware of D-Tools and it soon became their business foundation. Dave Kirn, President for Matronex said, “We knew that we wanted software to help us streamline our processes, so D-Tools was a part of our strategy from the beginning.”

The integration of D-Tools System Integrator allowed Matronex to correctly forecast the amount of time and labor required for each project. As soon as they were up and running with D-Tools, they were able to go back to previous project proposals and see where things were left out as well as the amount of underestimated labor. Once the mistakes were exposed, they could be accounted for in future proposals, so they were not made again. “Now for every job we’re able to account for the actual time and materials, which helps us better determine the profitability of each one,” said Kirn.

Matronex found that business before the addition of D-tools compared with business after resulted in a 35% increase in revenue. The majority of the difference was underestimating labor or neglecting to add items to the proposal. Project accessories can add up for each job and omitting certain items can make a huge difference. “We can now assure that our clients are being charged the appropriate amount, and that they will get a great system designed at a fair price – and we know that we’re charging the right amount to cover our costs and insure profitability,” Kirn said.

D-Tools also helped Matronex present more professional proposals to the client upon first meeting, which helps to assure the customer that the job will be done quickly and within the allocated budget. D-Tools provides Matronex time to work with the customer on additional items, because the initial design is created during the first meeting, where new opportunities can be uncovered. Because Matronex chose to integrate D-Tools from the beginning, their professionalism and credibility has helped them stand out from their competitors.

Said Kim, “We’re overwhelming the builder with our attention to detail and showing that we have expertise in our field. We’re also using the knowledge to create specialized sales presentations for the builders which differentiates us from our competition. D-Tools is giving us credibility and helping us stand out to the builders and to the customers as well.”

About Matronex
Matronex, based out of Chesterfield, MO, specializes in high quality custom installation of high end audio/video systems, primarily for the residential market.

About D-Tools, Inc.
D-Tools is a worldwide leader in easy-to-use, highly accurate system design software. The company, founded in 1998 and based in Concord, California, offers a wide range of products and services created to simplify the complicated design, engineering, documentation and estimating processes that accompany residential and commercial installation projects of any size. Over 2,000 leading companies use D-Tools software to reduce time and costs and streamline the system integration process. D-Tools is the recipient of the Consumer Electronics Association’s Mark of Excellence Award (2004, 2005, 2006), National Systems Contractors Association and Sound and Video Contractor’s Innovations in Technology for Business Productivity Award (2004, 2005) and CE Pro’s High Impact Award for Design Software. For more information, contact D-Tools at (866) 386-6571, e-mail at info@d-tools.com or visit D-Tools online at http://www.d-tools.com.

Posted by monte at 09:15 PM | Permalink

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July 23, 2006

St. Louis 6, Los Angeles 1 at Dodger Stadium
St. Louis Record: (56-41)
Los Angeles Record: (47-52)

Winning pitcher - Jason Marquis (12-7)
Losing pitcher - Chad Billingsley (1-3)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
St. Louis	0	1	0	0	4	1	0	0	0		6	8	1
Los Angeles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1		1	5	1

STL HR - J. Encarnacion 2 (14)
LAD HR - None

 

 July 23, 2006

Oakland 4, Detroit 8 at Comerica Park
Oakland Record: (51-47)
Detroit Record: (66-32)

Winning pitcher - Nate Robertson (9-6)
Losing pitcher - Esteban Loaiza (4-6)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Oakland	0	0	3	0	0	0	1	0	0		4	6	3
Detroit	6	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	X		8	11	1

OAK HR - B. Kielty (4) M. Scutaro (3)
DET HR - None

 

Posted by monte at 08:49 PM | Permalink

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Posted by monte at 08:20 PM | Permalink

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An 18-year-old from Puerto Rico who hopes to someday star in U.S. and Latin American films was crowned Sunday night as Miss Universe 2006.

USA 4th runner-up   : Tara Conner

Paraguay 3rd runner-up  : Lourdes Arevalos

Switzerland 2nd runner-up : Lauriane Gillieron  

Japan 1st runner-up: Kurara Chibana

 

 

Gary Sunkin reporting

Posted by monte at 06:51 PM | Permalink

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JAPAN

PARAGUAY

PUERTO RICO

SWITZERLAND

USA

 

 

Gary Sunkin reporting
 

Posted by monte at 06:42 PM | Permalink

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Bolivia

Canada

Colombia

Japan

Mexico

Paraguay

Puerto Rico

Switzerland

Trinidad & Tobago

USA

 

Gary Sunkin reporting

Posted by monte at 06:32 PM | Permalink

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Miss UsaTara Conner and 19 other hopefuls made the first cut Sunday night in their bids to reign Miss Universe 206

Conner was vying to become the first American winner since Brook Lee in 1997. The Kentucky native wore a red-white-and-blue jockey outfit and cracked a whip during the opening parade of nations. Several of the contestants sported costumes featuring colorful native dress, including feathers, sequins, fur, massive headpieces and, in the case of Miss Japan, a Samurai sword.

The rest of the top 20: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Ethiopia, Hungary, India, Japan, Mexico, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago and Ukraine.

The finalists' names were announced early in Sunday's show. Then their scores were discarded and competition began again, with the field gradually narrowed throughout the night.

As soon as the final 20 had been selected, they immediately began to parade across the stage in skimpy two-piece bathing suits for the bikini competition.

The field of 86 was actually narrowed last week during preliminary judging in the contest's swimsuit, evening gown and interview categories, but finalists weren't announced until Sunday's show was under way, allowing all 86 to be introduced to the television audience.

"Access Hollywood" host Nancy O'Dell and actor-singer Carlos Ponce were emcees of the 55th annual pageant, broadcast live on NBC.

The winner travels the world for a year on behalf of charities and pageant sponsors.

Natalie Glebova of Canada was to crown her successor at the end of the two-hour telecast with a diamond-and-pearl-studded headpiece valued at $250,000.

"My year as Miss Universe has meant more to me than I can express," said Glebova, who began her reign with a trip to South Africa where she publicly took an The pageant was last held in the United States in 1998, when the show originated from Honolulu.The pageant was last held in the United States in 1998, when the show originated from Honolulu.

Carson Kressley of TV's "Queer Eye" and 2004 Miss USA Shandi Finnessey provided commentary during the program, with musical performances by Latin singer Chelo and opera singer Vittorio Grigolo.

The celebrity judging panel included actor James Lesure of "Las Vegas"; "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry; actress       

Posted by monte at 06:13 PM | Permalink

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On November 28, in celebration of the year of Superman, Warner Home Video will release a host of DVDs, all starring the late Christopher Reeve in his landmark portrayal of the Man of Steel. Leading the way will be the long-awaited Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut ($24.98 SRP), directed by Donner and representing Superman II as it was originally conceived and intended to be filmed. An overwhelmingly requested title, the movie features Donner's original footage, shot but never used before, including a never-before-seen beginning, a never-before-seen resolution, with 15 minutes of restored footage of Marlon Brando as Jor-El and much more.

Other titles to be released include Superman: The Movie Four Disc Special Edition ($39.92 SRP) which features both the DVD debut of the 1978 theatrical version as well as the 2001 extended edition with commentary from director Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz, archival footage of additional scenes and screen tests.

Richard Lester's ever-popular Superman II will be available in a new Two Disc Special Edition ($26.99 SRP) including a new featurette, vintage television specials and additional vault elements; and Superman III and IV Deluxe Editions ($19.97 SRP). Finally, The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection ($79.92 SRP) will be offered in an 8-disc boxed set including all the above (except Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut).

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

Superman II will delight fans who, for years, have been imploring Warner Home Video via voluminous numbers of petitions, letters, phone calls and e-mails to release the Donner cut.

In fact, Donner had already shot most of the Superman II footage during Superman: The Movie. But as production on the sequel continued, creative differences between the director and the film's producers became irreconcilable and Donner left the project. Although Richard Lester was hired to finish production, he chose to make major changes to the film, leaving only vestiges of Donner's original vision and concepts in the version of Superman II that was ultimately released to theaters.

Now, nearly thirty years later, Warner Home Video is honored to grant the wishes of countless Superman fans. With this DVD release, Richard Donner has become the first director in history to be able to complete a film he left during production with nearly all his footage "in the can." Adding back a substantial amount of that unused footage, the director has seen his original vision restored and brought to fruition.

Most notably, the "Donner cut" restores the Marlon Brando role, filmed for, but not included in the final theatrical release version of Superman II. The legendary Brando's performance as Jor-El has finally been restored in key scenes that amplify Superman lore and deepen the profound relationship between father and son.

With so many other changes, large and small, including a variety of Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) schemes to unmask Clark Kent as Superman, this Superman II will prove to be an eye-opening experience and an important addition to film history.

Superman: The Movie (1978/2001) Four-Disc Special Edition

A box-office smash, an Academy Award(R) winner and a fan favorite since it first flew into theatres in December 1978, Superman: The Movie assembles an "A List" cast and creative contingent. At its heart is Christopher Reeve's intelligent, affectionate portrayal of a most human Man of Steel.

The movie's legacy was amplified when director Richard Donner revisited this beloved adventure 22 years later and integrated eight minutes into the film. Enjoy more footage of the Krypton Council, a glimpse of stars of prior Superman incarnations, more of Jor-El underscoring his son's purpose on Earth and an extended sequence inside Lex Luthor's gauntlet of doom.

Superman II Two-Disc Special Edition (1980)

Unwittingly released from Phantom Zone imprisonment, three super-powered Kryptonian criminals (Terence Stamp, Sarah Douglas and Jack O'Halloran) plan to enslave Earth - just when Superman (Christopher Reeve) decides to show a more romantic side to Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Gene Hackman (as Lex Luthor) also returns from the first film with a top supporting cast, witty Richard Lester direction and visuals that astound and delight.

Superman III Deluxe Edition (1983)

Meet Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor), a half-witted computer programming wiz. Reeve reprises his role, deepening his character's human side as Clark Kent reunites with old flame Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole) at a Smallville High class reunion. When Superman becomes his own worst enemy after Kryptonite exposure, Reeve plays both roles with dazzling skill.

Superman IV The Quest For Peace (1987)

Christopher Reeve not only stars as the title hero again but also helped develop the movie's provocative theme: nuclear disarmament. To make the world safe for nuclear arms merchants, Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) creates a new being to challenge the Man of Steel: the radiation-charged Nuclear Man (Mark Pillow).

Supergirl

Creative forces behind Superman: The Movie bring another DC Comics hero to life with this fun- and effects-packed adventure about the Girl of Steel. Helen Slater plays the title role, battling a sorceress (Faye Dunaway) for control of an alien power orb. Peter O'Toole and Mia Farrow add more starpower.

SUPERMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (C) DC Comics.

Posted by monte at 05:58 PM | Permalink

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NEWSWEEK MEDIA LEAD SHEET/July 31, 2006 (on newsstands Monday, July 24)

COVER: "Weight of the World" (p. 30). Senior White House Correspondent Richard Wolffe offers an exclusive account of Bush's reactions to last week's escalating violence in the Middle East and interactions with his senior staff and fellow world leaders-and reports on how the president grappled with the biggest foreign crisis of his second term. As the crisis in the Middle East unfolded, Newsweek gained rare access to the president and his senior aides, spending hours behind the security curtain that surrounds President Bush in the air and on the ground. Between meetings with world leaders at the G8 summit in Russia, Bush agreed to four freewheeling interviews and hundreds of candid photographs.

MIDDLE EAST: "Torn to Shreds" (p. 22). Middle East Regional Editor Christopher Dickey and Middle East Correspondent Babak Dehghanpisheh report that Israel's continued attacks in Lebanon are adding confusion to horror in Beirut. What sense could be made of this conflagration in which Israel, under merciless attack from Hizbullah rockets, demanded that the Lebanese army take responsibility for disarming Hizbullah militias-then bombed the Army, too? Israel says that it wants only to get rid of Hizbullah in the hope that democracy will grow in its place. However, with gruesome images of the devastation being broadcast around the Arab world and the main target of Israel's war-Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah-remaining cool, confident and apparently unperturbed, anger towards Israel, America and its allies continues to grow.

 

INTERVIEW: Tzipi Livni, Israel's foreign minister (p. 28). Special Diplomatic Correspondent Lally Weymouth talks to Livni about the current conflict between Israel and Lebanon, and her decision to decline UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's call for an immediate ceasefire. " Hizbullah is a threat to the region and to the international community ... It is the long arm of Iran that wants to keep an open front with Israel in order to destabilize the region. Cessation or ceasefire right now ... would be a victory for Hizbullah."

JONATHAN ALTER: "It Was the Veto of a Lifetime" (p. 40). Columnist Jonathan Alter writes that for anyone who has experienced life-threatening illnesses, July 19, 2006 was a dark day. President Bush's veto of a modest bill that would have merely allowed surplus embryos from fertility clinics to be used for path-breaking research instead of tossed in the garbage is more than a political blunder. And for those with a friend or relative who is sick- in other words, almost everyone-it is more than an abstraction. By slowing cures for several major diseases, this decision may well doom thousands to die prematurely. It contradicts the whole idea of what it means to be "pro-life." The whole issue is emblematic of what's wrong with the Bush presidency: his inflexibility, obsession with his conservative base, religious arrogance and contempt for scientific consensus.

BUSINESS: "The New Ad Game" (p. 42). Newsweek's Jessica Ramirez reports on the various forces driving the latest trend in advertising: product placements in video games. There are at least 132 million gamers over 13 in the United States alone and they belong to some of advertising's most coveted consumers- men aged 18 to 34. Last year the market for advertising inside their virtual worlds totaled about $56 million. Now-thanks to new ad-serving technology, next-generation gaming consoles, and metrics to measure both-Boston-based business and technology research and consulting firm Yankee Group projects the in-game ad market will explode to $733 million by 2010.

 

HOLLYWOOD: "The Mice That Roared" (p. 44). Senior Writer Sean Smith reports on how Disney bosses Bob Iger and Dick Cook are redefining the kingdom, Hollywood and themselves. Iger and Cook both spent years toiling in the shadow of larger-than-life CEO Michael Eisner, who ran Disney like his personal kingdom. But with Eisner's reign at an end, no one's saying Iger and Cook aren't "sexy" anymore. Iger made up with shareholders and Pixar honcho Steve Jobs, even persuading Jobs to sell the animation company to Disney. Cook, meanwhile, had been turning theme-park rides into movies and getting Disney back to its family roots. What people think now is that Disney is setting the pace for the industry.

 

JANE BRYANT QUINN: "A Debit-Card Nation" (p. 45). Contributing Editor Jane Bryant Quinn looks at why debit cards are becoming so popular, the best kinds of debit cards available and the times when it's still better to pull out that credit card.

MEDICINE: "Why Girls Will Be Girls" (p. 46). Senior Writer Peg Tyre and Correspondent Julie Scelfo report on neuropsychiatrist Louann Brizendine, who has been developing what she describes as a female-centered strain of psychiatry focusing on the complex interplay between women's mental health, hard-wiring and brain chemistry. Now her first book, "The Female Brain," which she describes as a kind of owner's manual for women, is due in bookstores next month. Brizendine realizes she's going to take some heat. "I know it's not politically correct to say this," she says, "and I've been torn for years between my politics and what science is telling us. But I believe that women actually perceive the world differently than men. If women attend to those differences, they can make better decisions about how to manage their lives."

SCIENCE: "Cavemen, Chimps And Us" (p. 48). Senior Editor Jerry Alder looks at what can be learned from Neanderthal genes. Last week scientists at the Max Planck Institute in Germany announced they would attempt to sequence the Neanderthal genome-the complete DNA of the closest known relative to modern humans, a species that disappeared about 30,000 years ago. In fact, we will probably learn as much about Homo sapiens from the effort as we will about Neanderthals, says Svante Paabo, who heads the project.

CRIME: "What the Doctor Did" (p. 49). Correspondent Catharine Skipp and Miami Bureau Chief Arian Campo-Flores report on a case unfolding in Louisiana, where a doctor and two nurses at Memorial Medical Center are accused of killing several patients with lethal injections as Hurricane Katrina flooded the hospital and knocked out the power.

 

MUSIC: "Red Hot & Blue" (p. 50). Senior Writer Lorraine Ali talks to Christina Aguilera about her new, retro-sounding album "Back to Basics." Aguilera has a very personal connection to the '30s and '40s blues and jazz that inspired the new record: "They spoke to my life before I moved in with my grandma-my father, all the abuse I endured," she says. Her new sound also reflects changes in Aguilera's public persona, she says. "The sexuality coming forward on this record is more softened," she says. "It's more pin-up, tongue- in-cheek. It's playful. People take sex far too seriously."

 

NEWSWEEK INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS: Highlights and Exclusives, July 31 Issue

COVER: Weight of the World (All editions). Senior White House Correspondent Richard Wolffe offers an exclusive account of Bush's reactions to last week's escalating violence in the Middle East and interactions with his senior staff and fellow world leaders -- and reports on how the president grappled with the biggest foreign crisis of his second term. As the crisis in the Middle East unfolded, Newsweek gained rare access to the president and his senior aides, spending hours behind the security curtain that surrounds President Bush in the air and on the ground. Between meetings with world leaders at the G8 summit in Russia, Bush agreed to four freewheeling interviews and hundreds of candid photographs.

   Torn to Shreds. Middle East Regional Editor Christopher Dickey and Middle 

East Correspondent Babak Dehghanpisheh report that Israel's continued attacks

 in Lebanon are adding confusion to horror in Beirut. What sense could be made

 of this conflagration in which Israel, under merciless attack from Hizbullah rockets, 

that the Lebanese army take responsibility for disarming Hizbullah militias -- then bombed 

the Army, too? Israel says that it wants only to get rid of Hizbullah in the hope that democracy 

will grow in its place. However, with gruesome images of the devastation being broadcast 

around the Arab world and the main target of Israel's war -- Hizbullah leader 

Hassan Nasrallah -- remaining cool, confident and apparently unperturbed, anger 

towards Israel, America and its allies continues to grow.

 

The Next Front? Special Correspondents Owen Matthews and Sami Kohen report on brewing tensions between Turkey and separatist Kurds in neighboring Iraq. Many Turkish leaders are pressing for cross-border tactical air assaults on the guerrillas, but President Bush, fearing yet another escalation of the Middle East's violence, urged Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to hold off. Since the beginning of the year, attacks on Turkish military garrisons and police stations have escalated across the country's southeast, along with random shootings, bombings and protests -- many of them, authorities suspect, organized in Iraq. For now, Turkey knows that it has no real option but to remain within the Western Alliance, but if attacks continue, Erdogan's sense of restraint could abruptly give way.

Border Backlash. Southeast Asia Correspondent Ron Moreau and Special Correspondent Zahid Hussain report that three years ago, Pakistan began dispatching tens of thousands of troops to the country's tribal regions in an attempt to beat back the Islamic radicals in and around the seven tribal agencies bordering on eastern and southern Afghanistan. But ironically, instead of quelling extremism, the military occupation has fueled it. Radical Islamic clerics throughout Pakistan's semiautonomous tribal belt now preach the hard-line gospel, day and night, and President Musharraf is scrambling to placate everyone, including domestic religious parties. If he continues to do so, extremism will only get worse-and so will the fighting in Afghanistan.

 

Africa's Taliban. Chief Foreign Correspondent Rod Nordland reports on the emergence of a new threat to the global fight of terrorism -- the African Taliban. Finally the warlords of Mogadishu and southern Somalia have been subdued, bringing peace to the ravaged area for the first time in 15 years. The Islamic Courts Union, a popular uprising built around traditional Islamic Sharia courts and financed by fed-up businessmen, collected the warlords' guns and rounded up their battlewagons. But instead of warlords now, though, Somalis have what many are calling an African version of the Taliban, bent not only on imposing a harsh, Wahhabi-style Islam on the country but allegedly also providing a safe haven, Afghan style, for international terrorists.

 

A Question of Graft. Special Correspondent Phil Gunson reports that corruption and scandal are eating away at Hugo Chavez's so-called Bolivarian Revolution. The Venezuelan leader swept to power in 1998 on an anti-graft platform, but now the soaring price of oil has flooded government coffers with petrodollars and fanned the same endemic corruption that thoroughly discredited Venezuela's two political parties in the 1990s. The biggest headache of all is rooted in a government agricultural-development fund to achieve food self-sufficiency called Fondafa. Despite a 50 percent increase in farm credits used by Fondafa last year, the number of hectares planted nationwide rose by a paltry 1.4 percent, and most of the money ended up in the bank accounts of unscrupulous landowners. Millions of Chavistas have become disenchanted with the epidemic of sleaze inside the corridors of power and Chávez could soon find that the parallels to his predecessors haven't ended yet.

Computer Genius. European Economics Correspondent Rana Foroohar reports on German software giant SAP's Web-based technology that will make today's desktop systems look as slow and inflexible as the giant mainframes of old. Perhaps the most important question is whether SAP can best its own history. Back in the 1980s and '90s, founder Hasso Plattner did for companies what Microsoft did for consumers, by replacing mainframes with easy-to-use business software that could be accessed via desktop computer. Whether it can repeat that in the Internet age remains to be seen. But the fact that a German company is even in the race should make Europeans proud.

 

WORLD VIEW: A Mission Unaccomplished. The war unfolding in the Middle East marks a new era, writes Gilles Kepel, chair of Middle East studies at Sciences Po in Paris and author of "War for Muslim Minds." For Israel and the Palestinians, it is the end of any prospect for peace. For Israel and Hizbullah, it is the beginning of a death struggle. For newly reborn Lebanon, led by a West-leaning government that sprang from last year's anti-Syrian Cedar Revolution, it's a loss beyond calculation. And for the United States, it's the last gasp of a cosmically naive pipe dream. Since coming to power, the Bush administration has jettisoned the traditional U.S. role of (relatively) honest power broker. It has become partisan, deaf to Arab views. And Washington has lost much (if not most) of its leverage in alienated Arab capitals.

 

THE LAST WORD: Tzipi Livni, Israel's foreign minister. Special Diplomatic Correspondent Lally Weymouth talks to Livni about the current conflict between Israel and Lebanon, and her decision to decline UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's call for an immediate ceasefire. "Hizbullah is a threat to the region and to the international community ... It is the long arm of Iran that wants to keep an open front with Israel in order to destabilize the region. Cessation or ceasefire right now ... would be a victory for Hizbullah."

 

NEWSWEEK INTERVIEW: Christina Aguilera

Feels Deep Connection to Old Jazz And Blues That Inspired New Album: 'There's a Lot of Pain and Angst in Those Songs ... They Spoke to My Life Before I Moved in With My Grandma - My Father, All The Abuse I Endured'

Says Sexuality is 'Softened' On New Album But Has No Regrets About Sexier Release 'Stripped': 'I Was Proud of Myself For Having The Balls to Do It'

 Christina Aguilera has a very personal connection to the '30s and '40s blues and jazz that inspired her new double- disc album "Back to Basics," she tells Senior Writer Lorraine Ali in the July 31 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, July 24). "At a really early age I connected with old soul and blues," she says. "My grandma used to take me to little record stores around Pittsburgh and buy me old records. I was 6, and I'd sing the songs at block parties. My grandma would get a kick out of hearing me do material that was far beyond my years." She also explains, "They spoke to my life before I moved in with my grandma-my father, all the abuse I endured." On one track, "Oh Mother," Aguilera sings about that period directly: "On that song, I thank my mom for leaving him, for getting us out of that situation because it was life-threatening." And Aguilera still avoids contact with her father. "He tries to send letters every once in a while, but I have amazing people around me now and I'm happy, so I don't really long for that relationship. I just don't see the need."

 

The new sound of "Back to Basics" reflects changes in Aguilera's public persona, she tells Newsweek. "The sexuality coming forward on this record is more softened," she says. "It's more pin-up, tongue-in-cheek. It's playful. People take sex far too seriously." Still, says Aguilera, she has no regrets about the much sexier -- and more controversial -- image she donned for her last release, "Stripped." "I was proud of myself for having the balls to do it," she says. "And you know what I love about that record? Everybody had an opinion. If you liked it, you wanted to root for me -- 'Look, she's empowered.' If not, well, you'd stick all those labels on me."

Aguilera also talks to Newsweek about her relationship with fellow ex- Mouseketeer Britney Spears. Disputing reports of a feud between her and Spears, she says, "We were like best friends, but the media saw a navel and blonde hair and had to create some drama." Now, some in the industry say that this new album puts Aguilera well ahead of her peers-including Spears. "Her competition is no longer Britney," says writer and producer Linda Perry (Pink, Gwen Stefani), who did the second disc of Aguilera's new record. "She's on another level, one where she can compete with those great old voices from the past."

 

NEWSWEEK INTERVIEW: Tzipi Livni Israel's Foreign Minister

Says Hizbullah is a Threat to International Community: 'It is The Long Arm of Iran That Wants to Keep an Open Front With Israel to Destabilize The Region'

On UN's Call For Immediate Ceasefire: 'Cessation or Ceasefire Right Now Without Full Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559 ... Would be a Victory For Hizbullah'

 Israel's foreign minister Tzipi Livni tells Newsweek's Special Diplomatic Correspondent Lally Weymouth that the goal of the current military operation is to push the Lebanese government to take control of the entire country. "Hizbullah is a threat to the region and to the international community. It is the long arm of Iran that wants to keep an open front with Israel in order to destabilize the region," Livni tells Newsweek in the July 31 issue (on newsstands Monday, July 24). "In U.N. Resolutions 1559 and 1680, it was stated that there was a need for the Lebanese government to extend its sovereignty over the entire [country of] Lebanon and to dismantle all militias, including Hizbullah. Israel was attacked by Hizbullah -- an unprovoked attack. So, it is necessary right now that we take this opportunity to change the situation."

Livni also declined UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's call for an immediate end to the violence between Lebanon and Israel. "Cessation or ceasefire right now without full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559 ... would be a victory for Hizbullah ... It would take us back to square one, to the day before the attack," she says. When asked whether Israel might extend the fight to Syria, Livni responds, "Of course, there is an axis of terror and there are connections between Syria, which supports Hizbullah, and Iran." She continues, "The Israeli targets are only Hizbullah. But some of the missiles were in private houses, so we had to target these places. In order to avoid civilian casualties -- although I think that someone who sleeps with a missile can expect an attack -- we called on the civilians to leave their houses by warning them on television and radio that we were going to bomb. The pictures are not nice when you see people leaving places, but we had no alternative."

Livni tells Newsweek she looks forward to working with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on a political settlement. "We will work together about the day after [the fighting stops in Lebanon]. The Israeli operation is crucial, but it is not enough."

NEWSWEEK COVER: Weight of The World 
Newsweek Gains Rare, Exclusive Access to Bush as he Responds to Mideast Crisis, Meets With World Leaders-Four Interviews in Four Days, Hundreds of Candid Photos 
Bush Wants Coalition: 'I View This as The Forces of Instability Probing Weakness ... Sometimes in Order to Get Others to Act With Us There Has to be Conditions on The Ground That Make The Case Better Than I Can Make It' 
As the crisis in the Middle East unfolded last week, Newsweek gained rare access to the president and his senior aides, spending hours behind the security curtain that surrounds President Bush in the air and on the ground. Between meetings with world leaders at the G8 summit in Russia, Bush agreed to four freewheeling interviews and hundreds of candid photographs. In Newsweek's July 31 cover story, "Weight of the World" (on newsstands Monday, July 24), Senior White House Correspondent Richard Wolffe gives a day-by-day account of Bush's reactions to the escalating violence and interactions with his senior staff and fellow world leaders-and reports on how the president grappled with the biggest foreign crisis of his second term.
  Included in Newsweek's report:   - FRIDAY, JULY 14: As the crisis first breaks out, Bush focuses on winning     the support of friendly Arab leaders and rehearses what he needs to say     to King Abdullah of Jordan, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, and Prime     Minister Fouad Siniora of Lebanon. "The real culprit in this case," he     tells them, "is the militant wing of Hamas and Hizbullah." His calls to     them go well; the Arab leaders agree with the president. Listening on     their own handsets, national-security adviser Steve Hadley gives Bush     the thumbs up and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice grins. Bush may     deplore the loss of life, but he also sees this crisis as an     extraordinary opportunity. "I view this as the forces of instability     probing weakness. I think they're testing resolve in many ways," he     tells Newsweek moments after the calls. "Sometimes, in order to get     others to act with us," he says, "there has to be conditions on the     ground that make the case better than I can make it."    - SATURDAY, JULY 15: Now in Russia, Secret Service agents believe the     president and his aides are under surveillance at all times. Hovering     above the ground nearby is a white communications balloon that Bush's     aides believe is recording everything they say outdoors. Bush is     especially guarded as he waits outside for Russian President Vladimir     Putin to pick him up for the short trip to the villa where they will     hold their talks. Newsweek asks whether Putin maintains his dour KGB     face in private, or whether he is more relaxed behind closed doors. Bush     looks up at the spy balloon and states clearly, "That's your phrase, not     mine."    - Bush sees Putin clutching some notes before a press conference, and     leans over. "Are you sure you want to say that?" he quips. Putin looks     up and glares, then gets the joke. Bush straightens his red tie and pats     Putin on the back. "Have fun," he says as they walk into the cloud of     camera flashes. But Putin has been readying a joke of his own. When     asked a predictable question about the state of Russia's democracy,     Putin pounces: "We certainly would not want to have the same kind of     democracy as they have in Iraq, I will tell you quite honestly."     Struggling to hear the translation over guffaws and gasps from the     media, Bush joins in the laughter before catching himself. "Just wait,"     he snaps back, and his smile fades. Outside, both men return to far     happier banter, even as reporters dissect the tensions of the press     conference. "He's good at quips. I think it was pretty clever," Bush     says later. He waves off the media's analysis that his meetings with     Putin are strained. "It makes me wonder if people have their articles     written before they arrive," he says. Bush thinks Putin's motives are     all about Russian pride. "Here's the key now," he says later. "Russia     wants to be an equal partner. That's what this meeting is all about."    - SUNDAY, JULY 16: During the summit, Bush speaks to the press three or     four times a day and he often varies his language as he ad-libs-a     dangerous habit during a Middle East crisis where every word is     endlessly parsed. On his first outing, Bush forgot to mention both Syria     and Iran as the backers of Hizbullah-even though the White House cited     both countries in a written statement. Two days later, standing     alongside Putin in Russia, Bush forgot to mention Iran, and neglected to     warn Israel to avoid toppling the Lebanese government. Reporters quizzed     Bush's aides about what looked like a rapid shift in policy. Now, as he     prepares for yet another press session, this time with British Prime     Minister Tony Blair, his aides remind him of the complete wording. Bush     is annoyed by his errors and frustrated that he must repeat the entire     thing: the entire explanation runs to 190 words. "It was a reminder to     him that you have to make a full case," says Bush's counselor, Dan     Bartlett. "You can't just give one assessment. You have to touch all the     bases."   - The leaders at the G8 summit are promised they will see the final text     of their statement on the Middle East by 4:00 and it's still not there     at 5:00. Bush has had it. "I'm going home," he says to the room full of     presidents and prime ministers. "I'm going to get a shower. I'm just     about meeting'd out." Some of the leaders suggest they should all work     out their differences together. But Bush can no longer keep up     appearances. "I thought that was a lousy idea and so did others," Bush     says later. "It would lose focus and everybody would then have an     opinion." Blair steps in to calm things down. "Let me see if I can work     it out," he assures Bush, and he disappears into a side room with Putin.     Condi Rice and Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, join them. As     it turns out, one final bit of haggling stands between Bush and his     shower: a reference to both the terrorists and "those" that support     them. Bush had hoped for a mention of Iran and Syria, but didn't want to     block the agreement. The president is exasperated by all the hours of     dickering over the obvious. "Everyone knows who is supporting     Hizbullah," he says later.    - MONDAY, JULY 17: Showered and rested, Bush sits in his conference room     on Air Force One, clearly glad to be heading home. Bush is in     philosophical mood, pleased with the summit and his handling of the     crisis. But as the crisis in Lebanon deepens, Bush's allies and critics     question the depth of his commitment to diplomacy. In his own mind, he's     simply doing what much of the world has long urged him to do: build a     coalition. "What you're seeing is a foreign policy that works with     friends and allies to solve problems," he tells Newsweek. "It takes a     while for a problem to occur and it takes a while to solve a problem."
 

Posted by monte at 05:26 PM | Permalink

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Kurt Russell and Zoe Bell, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Ferlito, Jordan Ladd, Rose McGowan, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Marley Shelton, Tracie Thoms and Mary Elizabeth Winstead Cast in Quentin Tarantino's Segment of the Highly Anticipated Film GRINDHOUSE co-directed with Robert Rodriguez.

 Quentin Tarantino has cast Kurt Russell ("The Thing," "Escape from New York"), Zoe Bell ("Kill Bill"), Rosario Dawson ("Sin City," "Rent," "Clerks II"), Vanessa Ferlito ("24," "CSI: NY," "Shadowboxer"), Jordan Ladd ("Waiting," Eli Roth's "Cabin Fever"), Rose McGowan ("Charmed," "Scream," and Robert Rodriguez's "Planet Terror"), Sydney Tamiia Poitier ("Veronica Mars," "Joan of Arcadia"), Marley Shelton ("Sin City," "Planet Terror"), Tracie Thoms ("Rent") and Mary Elizabeth Winstead ("Final Destination 3," upcoming "Bobby" and "Black Christmas"), in his segment of GRINDHOUSE, the highly anticipated double feature he is making with Robert Rodriguez, which will include two films joined by faux ads and trailers. Rodriguez's PLANET TERROR, will be a zombie film, while Tarantino's section, DEATH PROOF, will be a slasher flick. The announcement was made today by Quentin Tarantino and Dimension Films in front of over 6000 film fans at the 2006 San Diego Comic Con International, an annual convention for comic book and genre pop culture fans with over 100,000 attendees.

The ensemble cast for Rodriguez's PLANET TERROR includes Freddy Rodriguez ("Poseidon," "Six Feet Under," "Dead Presidents"), Rose McGowan, Josh Brolin ("Into The Blue," "Hollow Man"), Naveen Andrews (ABC's "Lost"), Marley Shelton, Michael Biehn ("Alien," "The Abyss"), Stacy Ferguson (also known as Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas, "Poseidon"), Jeff Fahey ("Dark Hunters," "Wyatt Earp"), and Michael Parks ("Kill Bill," "From Dusk Till Dawn").

GRINDHOUSE will be shot in the tradition of the '70s exploitation films that have significantly influenced both Rodriguez and Tarantino.

Rodriguez is currently in production on PLANET TERROR in Austin, Texas, with Elizabeth Avellan serving as producer. Tarantino is scheduled to begin shooting DEATH PROOF in Austin in August. Erica Steinberg and Elizabeth Avellan are serving as producers.

GRINDHOUSE will be released in theatres nationwide on Easter weekend - April 6, 2007.

Sandra Condito, vice president of production and development, Shannon McIntosh, executive vice president of production and post production, and Richard Saperstein, president of production, are overseeing the project on behalf of Dimension Films, reporting to Bob Weinstein.

Source: The Weinstein Company

Posted by monte at 05:22 PM | Permalink

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 After its fourth race, the Audi R10 TDI remains unbeaten: The prototype which became the first diesel-powered sportscar to win the Le Mans 24 Hour race, added another victory in the sixth round of the American Le Mans Series in Portland. In the third race for the Audi R10 TDI in the US, Dindo Capello (Italy) and Allan McNish (Scotland) triumphed ahead of their team-mates Frank Biela (Germany) and Emanuele Pirro (Italy) to score the first double victory of the Audi R10 TDI.

The two Audi sportscars started the race from the second and third rows. After a late change of regulations in which the organizers allowed the strongest competitor in the LM P1 class, the Dyson-Lola team, to reduce the weight of the car by 88 lbs. to 1892 lbs., the Audi drivers Dindo Capello and Emanuele Pirro had to be content in qualifying with positions three and five respectively. Because the weight reduction change had not been made giving the mandatory 14-day notification, organizer's IMSA and the Dyson team agreed a compromise. The two Lola sportscars started the race with a minimum weight of 1936 lbs.

At the start of the race staged on the 12-turn, 1.944-mile track featuring few overtaking opportunities, Emanuele Pirro was second behind Guy Smith in the Dyson-Lola. Dindo Capello followed in fourth after a delay at the first corner behind the "pole-sitter" Butch Leitzinger (Dyson-Lola). When the leading teams pitted during a yellow after 45 minutes for "full service" including driver change, fuel and tires, Frank Biela took over the #1 Audi R10 TDI and snatched the lead at the re-start on lap 54 with Allan McNish, now at the wheel of the #2 Audi, in second. Moments later Allan McNish took the lead from Biela. After 142-laps, the two R10 TDI sportscars claimed the first Audi diesel 1-2 victory.

After the successes of Allan McNish/Dindo Capello in 2000, JJ Lehto/Marco Werner (2004) and Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro (2005) in the Audi R8, this is the fourth triumph for Audi at Portland. After the fourth win of the season, the Audi drivers Allan McNish and Dindo Capello extended their lead in the championship before the seventh race of the American Le Mans Series at Road America (20 August).

Quotes after the race at Portland

Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "I am happy for the whole team that managed to get the first double victory for the Audi R10 TDI. Especially I am glad that the drivers of car #2 who were able to extend their American Le Mans Series championship lead. Thanks to all of the team for their good work. Today our competitors were confronted with problems. The spectators saw an exciting race. In the actual discussion about the regulations we tried to find a compromise with Dyson and IMSA. I think the fastest race lap of the Dyson-Lola showed that they are absolutely competitive."

Dindo Capello (Audi R10 TDI #2): "Unfortunately I was hit at the first corner and from that moment I really found the Audi difficult to drive -- especially in the right hand corners. The full course yellow came at a good moment because the grip from the left rear tire had gone completely -- the car was almost undriveable. But with new tires Allan was able to race hard. It's very nice to win again after the bad luck we had at Salt Lake City -- this win is just beautiful."

Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI #2): "The car was tricky to drive -- the hit that Dindo received on the opening lap affected the balance quite a lot. But as soon as I got into the lead at the re-start I controlled the gap with Frank. When it was required, I was able to press on a little more but I could take things quite consistently through traffic. I'm obviously pleased and proud that we've pulled out a victory from what looked like being a hard weekend for us."

Frank Biela (Audi R10 TDI #1): "It was a good race, it was a lot of fun. But you cannot win all the time. Unfortunately I got stuck behind a GT Porsche, otherwise the race could have been more open until the end. The R10 TDI was very good and I am happy that we brought home a good result for Audi."

Emanuele Pirro (Audi R10 TDI #1): "It has been a really good race for us. We were not very fast in practice, qualifying or the warm-up. We changed the setup of the car for the race and it was better. Frank got in and secured second place for us. I am happy. A one-two for Audi is very good for the championship."

Dave Maraj (Team Director Team Audi Sport North America): "It was a fabulous race and I am tremendously proud to have achieved two victories for Audi Sport North America in the space of one week with the new Audi R10 TDI. To celebrate this 1-2 result today in only our second race with the R10 TDI which we are still getting used to, is a fantastic feat due to the dedication and professionalism of all of our team -- everyone was at the top of their game today."

   Results at Portland    1 Capello/McNish (Audi R10 TDI) 142 laps in 2h 45m 08.847s   2 Biela/Pirro (Audi R10 TDI) +42,051s   3 Dyson/Smith (Lola-AER) - 2 laps   4 Weaver/Leitzinger (Lola-AER) - 4 laps   5 Field/Field/Halliday (Lola-AER) - 7 laps   6 Dayton/Wallace (Lola-AER) - 8 laps 

Source: Audi of America

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 Forbidden Planet, considered by many the most influential science fiction film ever made until the Star Wars era, goes into DVD orbit November 14 when Warner Home Video releases Forbidden Planet 50th Anniversary 2-Disc Special Edition and Forbidden Planet Ultimate Collectors Edition. The film, in a new widescreen version, has been digitally transferred from fully restored new film and audio elements. The remarkable electronic soundtrack has been remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1.(R) The 2 Disc Special Edition will be available at $26.99 SRP; the Ultimate Collector's Edition for $59.92 SRP.

A pioneering work whose ideas and style influenced countless cinematic space voyages that followed -- Star Wars, Star Trek, Lost in Space, 2001: A Space Odyssey, among others -- Forbidden Planet is based on Shakespeare's The Tempest and stars Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen, Warren Stevens, Earl Holliman and Richard Anderson. It also marks the motion picture debut of Robby the Robot. Fred McLeod Wilcox directed the Cyril Hume screenplay.

More than four hours of special features in the 2-Disc Special Edition include commentary, additional scenes, two follow-up vehicles starring Robby the Robot plus three documentaries. Also of special note is the lost footage, which features preliminary takes of various special effects including the space ship and interior and exteriors. Very few people knew of the existence of footage, which, since the '50s, had bounced around to various stock houses and vaults, simply marked as "The Saucer Footage." Star Wars special effects artist Dennis Muran, who had learned of the footage in the '70s, brought it to the attention of WHV which finally tracked it down in New York City.

The Ultimate Collectors Edition keepsake case includes the 2-Disc Special Edition as well as a collectible Robby the Robot replica with moveable limbs, Forbidden Planet and The Invisible Boy reproduction lobby cards portfolio, as well as a Forbidden Planet original theatrical poster mail-in offer.

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Written by Joyce Chow and William Hoehne

 

 

No stranger to attention, CBS' Rockstar Supernova houseband bassist Sasha Krivstov had a one evening gallery showing earlier today at Don O'Melveny Gallery on Wilshire in the LACMA Museum district in Los Angeles.

 

 

 

 

Rockstar Supernova members and Rockers vying to become the lead singer of Rockstar were in attendance.

 

 

 

Krivstov's showing of thirty-four recent paintings, some with paint still drying, was an enviable exhibit by any artist. Buyers flew in from around the world. There were so many people within the air conditioned gallery that the heat continued to rise, and people overflowed outside.

 

 

 

Pablo Picasso, Russian greek orthodox icons, and other world renown artists influenced his style and coloring. Viewing Krivstov's artwork via his website is deceiving. It is nowhere near as impressive as seeing it live. To see it is to appreciate it.

 

 

 

His art was so diverse that I heard people wondering if it were a showing of two people. Many stared searching into his art with amazed wonderment with dropped jaws.

 

 

Jason Newsted of Supernova loved how you could see the texture of the painting and see how it was made. He was proud as a peacock of his new paintings.

 

 

 

 

 

(C) MBN 2006 (Joyce Chow & William Hoehne)

 

 

Posted by monte at 04:02 PM | Permalink

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