MBN: The Monte Bubbles Network: Your news source on the web

Today marks our 230th year as a Nation. Our founders envisioned this
great Nation as a democracy, a concept that has come to define America.

To echo the words of President Ronald Reagan, "Independence Day is more than just the birthday of a Nation. It serves as the commemoration of a revolution that changed the very concept of government."

The citizens of the United States can be proud of our rich heritage.
Throughout our history, America has undergone many struggles to preserve
our way of life. We have gone to battle to fight for freedom wherever
and whenever necessary. Today is no different. We are fully engaged in a
fight against terror. To America's Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines
and Coast Guardsmen, and especially your families, thank you for meeting
the challenges of the War on Terrorism and for protecting the
principles that guide our great Nation.

The Joint Chiefs and I wish you and your families a safe and happy
Independence Day. We honor your tremendous sacrifice to our country, and we
are extremely proud of your contribution to keeping our country safe.

With respect,

PETER PACE

General, United States Marine Corps

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Jeep(R) and FHM magazine will partner this year on a nationwide search for the hottest girl next door. Jeep has signed on as the exclusive sponsor of the multi-platform program celebrating Miss FHM - a Tournament of Beauties - which includes print, online and event marketing. The program, which runs from July 2006 through February 2007, culminates with a red carpet crowning event in New York City in December.

Miss FHM 2006 - a Tournament of Beauties - kicks of with a unique ballot, a 16-page supplement polybagged with FHM's August issue that features photographs of the 64 Miss FHM contestants and an invitational-style tournament grid sponsored exclusively by Jeep(R). From FHM's September issue through to its January/February 2007 issue, the magazine will carry a number of Jeep advertisements in association with Miss FHM, including keepsake gatefolds of the tournament's leading contestants.

The Jeep brand's sponsorship takes centerstage online with a variety of advertising elements, including customized creative to support the Miss FHM online voting, newsletters, email blasts, promotional ads, logo identification and a customized microsite with streaming video of FHM photo shoots and Jeep pre-roll video spots along with corresponding banner ads.

The program also includes a Miss FHM sweepstakes featuring a grand prize package of an all-expenses paid trip for two to New York City to attend the tournament's crowning event - a gala party at a New York night club complete with Jeep red carpet arrivals and vehicle displays. FHM will create an additional customized microsite to recap the event online that will feature streaming video of the crowning and celebrity red carpet arrivals and Jeep pre-roll video spots.

"The Jeep brand is introducing several new vehicles this year, including the 2007 Jeep Wrangler, effectively growing the brand's appeal with a younger consumer," said Jay Kuhnie, Director -Jeep Communications. "The partnership with FHM helps us reach this young, influential audience through an integrated campaign that provides Jeep with a continuous presence and maximizes our impact."

"The Miss FHM sponsorship created exclusively for Jeep underscores the power and the scope of the FHM brand. The program fires on all levels of the integrated spectrum, from print to online to event marketing," said Dana Fields, executive publisher and president of FHM. "The Jeep brand's exclusive sponsorship takes Miss FHM to a new level of notoriety."

DET HR - M. Thames (17)
OAK HR - J. Payton (5)

July 3, 2006

Arizona 4, Los Angeles 10 at Dodger Stadium
Arizona Record: (40-43)
Los Angeles Record: (42-40)

Winning pitcher - Derek Lowe (7-4)
Losing pitcher - Juan Cruz (3-4)

Shumway is on a custom-designed eating and exercise program from Red Mountain Spa in St. George, Utah. On two separate occasions, she went to the spa and worked with the nutritionist, personal trainer, and executive chef. For the last three months, she has been limiting her calories to 1,600 a day and working out at the gym for about an hour five or six days a week. She has lost more than 21 pounds since the Challenge began.

The USA TODAY Weight-Loss Challenge appears each Monday through July 31 in the newspaper and online at USATODAY.com as well as on WE tv. In reporting the experiences of the participants, USA TODAY follows six dieters over seven weeks and reports on their progress toward meeting weight-loss goals.

One dieter each week is profiled. Reports look at the challenges, successes and setbacks along the journey of each dieter. Dieters had three month weight-loss goals ranging from 15 to 32 pounds. Six people who had lost weight recently in the past year, but had hit a plateau were chosen to participate in the USA TODAY Weight-Loss Challenge. The six dieters were selected by a panel of nutrition and fitness experts who reviewed videos submitted by dieters.

The dieters spent their first weekend of the Weight-Loss Challenge at the Red Mountain Spa in St. George, Utah, jump-starting their weight loss. Each dieter arrived at the spa with a support person -- a family member or friend - - who helped the dieter stay on track. Additionally, dieters received guidance from weight-loss and fitness professionals throughout the challenge. After the spa visit, the participants returned home with diet and exercise programs tailored to meet their needs.

The dieters then spent their last weekend together at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa in Tucson, Ariz., where they weighed in for the last time. The Weight-Loss Challenge will appear in the newspaper and online every Monday through July 31. On the web, go to dietchallenge.usatoday.com for more information about the dieters, great recipes from their eating plans and for the tools to start your own weight-loss challenge.

USA TODAY LIVE, the television division of the nation's newspaper, announced in February that it would bring the USA TODAY Weight-Loss Challenge to television audiences via a partnership with WE tv. USA TODAY LIVE produced eight television episodes in high definition. Each Monday's USA TODAY article highlighting an individual participant will coincide with that day's television episode. The one-hour wrap-up television finale will announce all the weight-loss results. Tonight's episode airs on WE tv at 10 p.m. ET. Check local listings for details.

About WE tv

WE tv is the only cable network dedicated to helping women connect to one another and the world around them. With quality original programming including the hit series "Bridezillas," unique movie packages like "Three Men and A Chick Flick," topical specials and its public affairs initiative WE Empowers Women, the network supports women and appeals to their interests in pop culture, relationships and personal style. WE tv is a subsidiary of Rainbow Entertainment Services and is currently seen in over 59 million homes.

About USA TODAY

blinkx the biggest search engine in the world, today announced an agreement with The History Channel UK. Under the terms of the agreement, users will have access to hours of the best historical audio and video content on the Web.

blinkx's unique search technology connects users to The History Channel UK's wide range of audio and video content including a variety of historical audio clips including speeches from icons such as Franklin Roosevelt, JFK, Albert Einstein and Neil Armstrong as well as The History Channel UK's video picks of the week.

"blinkx is thrilled to be partnering with The History Channel UK," says Suranga Chandratillake, CTO and founder of blinkx. "The History Channel UK offers some of the best historical content on the Web and we are happy to make it easily accessible through blinkx.tv."

blinkx is the only search engine optimized for rich media content. blinkx uses advanced speech recognition technology to automatically index and understand video and audio on the Web making it easier for users to find exactly what they are looking for to the exact word in a clip.

"With increasing numbers of people watching video online, we are keen to make as many of our programme clips available as possible on the website," said Emily Lloyd, History Channel UK. "Searchability is obviously extremely important and we're happy to be partnering with blinkx to ensure that more and more people find and view content from The History Channel.

About blinkx

blinkx.tv is the world's most comprehensive video search engine. Today, blinkx.tv has indexed more than 4,000,000 hours of audio, video, viral and TV content, and made it fully searchable and available on demand. blinkx's founders set out to solve a significant challenge -- as TV and Garage Video on the web explodes, keyword-based search technologies only scratch the surface. blinkx's patented search technologies listen to -- and even see -- the web, helping users enjoy a breadth and accuracy of search results not available elsewhere. In addition, blinkx powers the video search for many of the world's most frequented sites. blinkx is a privately-held company based in San Francisco and London. More information is available at www.blinkx.tv.

If you do nothing but sit in a rocking chair all day and watch TV then you have no right to tell others they should work harder.

Why was it alright for those that condemn the use of fireworks today to  have used fireworks of all kinds when they were young yet feel that none should have the same rights today that they enjoyed.

Actress Carmen Electra has been named "Rising Female Star of the Year" by the home entertainment industry and will receive the recognition at VSDA's Home Entertainment 2006 during the Awards Show on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 from 8:30 to 10:00 PM. The annual convention for the home entertainment industry takes place July 11-13, 2006 at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Carmen Electra's dynamic image and personality defines what it means to be a Rising Star in the entertainment industry," said Bo Andersen, President of the Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA), which is presenting VSDA's Home Entertainment 2006. "Ms. Electra has the unique ability to expand her career into multiple areas. She enjoys success as a musician, actress, television host, and performer and her career is undeniably in its ascendancy."

Carmen Electra got her start in the entertainment industry when she released a self-titled album under musical impresario Prince's record label in 1992. As a cast member of the hit television series Baywatch, Electra became a fixture on the most-watched show on television. Carmen Electra has since expanded her repertoire beyond the tanned and toned bodies of southern California's beaches by displaying her comedic abilities in box office hits such as Scary Movie, Starsky & Hutch, Date Movie, and Scary Movie 4. Electra has recently made waves as the lead of the dance ensemble The Pussycat Dolls and with the release of her workout DVDs Carmen Electra's Aerobic Striptease.

In stores now is Tripping The Rift: The Complete Second Season, the 13-episode DVD box set of the Sci-Fi Channel's mature freaky animated series. Carmen Electra supplies the vocal talent of Six, the hottest, sexiest, and most-advanced android ever.

Anchor Bay Entertainment, an IDT Entertainment company, released the first two seasons of Tripping The Rift on DVD and will host "A Night Of Stars" party at VSDA's Home Entertainment 2006 on Tuesday, July 11th to honor Carmen's achievement.

"We at Anchor Bay Entertainment are thrilled to be part of the Carmen Electra universe. She is dynamic, sexy and a completely original entertainer," remarked Bill Clark, General Manager, Anchor Bay Entertainment. "We promise an evening of 'Electra-fying' fun!"

VSDA's Home Entertainment 2006, presented by the EMA, brings together retailers, distributors, and suppliers of DVDs and video and computer games to learn about upcoming releases and industry developments and to celebrate the $32 billion home entertainment industry.

Cirque du Soleil, Apple Corps Ltd. and The Mirage hosted a gala premiere for LOVE with more than 4000 guests invited to an exclusive party after the performance to celebrate LOVE at The Mirage.

Guests included: Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, Olivia Harrison, Sir George Martin, Giles Martin, Julian Lennon, Cynthia Lennon, Paul McCartney, Siegfried & Roy, Billy Crystal, Paul Reiser, Virginia Madsen and Rachel Leigh Cook, among others.

LOVE, the latest Cirque du Soleil creation, a co-production with Apple Corps Ltd., celebrates the musical legacy of The Beatles and is presented exclusively at The Mirage in Las Vegas. This joint artistic venture marks the first time that The Beatles company, Apple Corps Ltd., has agreed to a major theatrical partnership. The project was born out of a personal friendship and mutual admiration between the late George Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte.

LOVE brings the magic of Cirque du Soleil together with the spirit and passion of The Beatles to create an intimate and powerful entertainment experience. It captures the essence of LOVE that John, Paul, George and Ringo inspired during their astonishing adventure together.

Sir George Martin, The Beatles original producer, and his son Giles Martin have been working with the entire archive of Beatles recordings to create the musical component for LOVE. The result is an unprecedented approach to the music for a stage production. "I think we have achieved a real sense of drama with the music, the audience will feel as though they are actually in the theatre with the band. People are going to be knocked out by what they are hearing!" said Giles Martin.

Using the master tapes at Abbey Road Studios, Sir George and Giles have created a unique soundscape for LOVE. "We wanted to make sure there are enough good, solid hit songs in the show, but we don't want it to be a catalog of 'best of's'," said Sir George Martin. "We also wanted to put in some interesting and not well-known Beatles music and use fragments of songs. The show is a unique and magical experience."

Dominic Champagne, who directed and wrote the original concept for the show, explained his vision for LOVE. "I wanted to create a Beatles experience rather than a Beatles story, taking the audience on an emotional journey rather than a chronological one, exploring the landscapes and experiences that have marked the group's history," said the director.

LOVE is a Rock 'n' Roll poem, a magical mystery tour into the heart and soul of The Beatles music through an exploration of the aesthetic, political and spiritual trends of the 1960s. Inspired by the poetry of the lyrics, the creative team designed a series of scenes inhabited by colorful characters in extravagant costumes.

The international cast of 60 channels a raw, youthful energy evoking the exuberant and irreverent spirit of The Beatles. High-energy fusions of urban, freestyle dance, aerial performance and fast-paced athleticism make LOVE a visual and musical feast.

LOVE is presented in a custom-built theatre at The Mirage featuring 360 degree seating and advanced high definition video projections with 100-foot digital, moving images. The panoramic surround sound system will envelop the audience who will experience The Beatles music like never before ...

Apple Corps Ltd. is planning to release The LOVE album through EMI Music later this year.

Inspiration: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr.

Cirque du Soleil Creative Team:

Guy Laliberte - Guide, Show Concept Creator

Dominic Champagne - Director and Writer, Show Concept Creator

Gilles Ste-Croix - Director of Creation, Show Concept Creator

Chantal Tremblay - Associate Director of Creation

Jean Rabasse - Theatre and Set Designer

Philippe Guillotel - Costume Designer

Jonathan Deans - Sound Designer

Yves Aucoin - Lighting Designer

Francis Laporte - Video Projection Designer

Hansel Cereza and Dave St-Pierre - Choreographers

Guy St-Amour - Acrobatic & Rigging Designer

Daniel Cola - Acrobatic Performance Designer

Nathalie Gagne - Make-up Designer

Patricia Ruel - Props Designer

Michael Curry - Puppet Designer

Guest Creators:

Genevieve Dorion-Coupal - Choreographer

Daniel Ezralow - Choreographer

Margie Gillis - Choreographer

Alexis Martin - Dramaturge Consultant

Francois Perusse - Comic Audio-clips Designer

Andre Simard - Aerial Acrobatic Designer

For Apple Corps Ltd.:

Sir George Martin - Music Director

Giles Martin - Music Director

Neil Aspinall - Executive Producer

TICKET PRICES:

$150, $125, $99, $69

SHOW SCHEDULE:

LOVE will be performed Thursday through Monday with no shows on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. There will be two shows nightly at 7:30pm & 10:30pm.

TO RESERVE TICKETS:

By phone: 702 792 7777 or 800 963 9634

Online: www.cirquedusoleil.com, www.thebeatles.com or www.mirage.com.

In person: At the LOVE box office at The Mirage or any of the MGM MIRAGE box offices in Las Vegas.

Ownership of the trademarks: Apple Corps Limited for The Beatles (word & design), (TM) Cirque du Soleil for Cirque du Soleil (word & design) (R) and The Cirque Apple Creation Partnership for LOVE (word & design). (TM) Trademarks used under license.

Source: Cirque du Soleil

Snoop Dog

(C) MBN 2006 (William Hoehne)

Auction Opens Mon., July 3rd at 5:00 p.m.

What: eBay Auction of BET Awards Gift Bag Items Donated by celebrities such as Harry Belafonte, Marlon Wayans, Lil John, Three Six Mafia, Chamillionaire and Will.i.am from the Black-Eyed Peas, items up for auction include signed memorabilia, Chanel sunglasses, gold jewelry and watches as well as designer clothing

Where: http://stores.ebay.com/otcstores

When: Opens Monday, July 3rd, 5:00 p.m. (Closes July 10th, 5:00 p.m.)

AIDS Healthcare Foundation's (AHF), the nation's largest AIDS organization which operates free AIDS treatment clinics in the United States, Africa, Asia, and Latin America/Caribbean as well as the largest free alternative HIV testing program in the State of California, is pleased to announce the opening of an online eBay auction benefiting its Prevention and Testing Programs, specifically HIV/AIDS education and outreach to women. The auction, which opens today, Monday, July 3rd at 5:00 p.m. and closes on Monday, July 10th at 5:00 p.m., features items donated by celebrities at the 2006 BET Awards Gift Retreat Room produced by Backstage Creations. Included among the celebrities who generously donated goods from their gift-bags to the auction were actress Thandie Newton, BET's Humanitarian Award Recipient Harry Belafonte, BET's Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Chaka Khan, rapper/producer Lil Jon, rappers/producers/Oscar-winners Three 6 Mafia, hip-hop artist Chamillionaire, BET Award Best Male Hip Hop Artist Recipient T.I. as well as actors Boris Kodjoe and Marlon Wayans.

Comments Overheard as Celebrities Stopped by the AHF Table to Donate Their Gift-Bag Items:

  * Lil Jon (Rapper/Producer) -- "I heard 15,000 people in LA don't know     their status -- we've got to keep it crunk and get tested!"    * Three 6 Mafia (Rappers/Producers/Oscar -- Winners who donated a pair of     beautiful gold earrings and a signed Roca Wear Jacket) -- "I LOVE IT!     [We've] been blessed. Gotta keep giving to charity!"    * T.I. (BET Award Best Male Hip-Hop Artist who literally donated the     Chanel sunglasses off of his face!) -- "I'm going to definitely give you     something good."    * Will.i.am (from the band, Black-eyed Peas, BET Award Best Group) --     "Give them everything!"    * Boris Kodjoe (Actor) -- "You can have everything!"    * Chamillionaire  (Hip Hop Artist who lived up to his name by donating the     single most expensive gift to AHF that night: the Rapstor watch which is     valued at $3,900 or more) -- "You can have this watch, I've got plenty     of watches ... "    * Ray J (R&B singer, BET Host) -- "... Knock out Entertainment gives     back ... "    * Remy Ma (Hip Hop Artist/ BET Award nominee) -- "We're not leaving until     we give something ..."    * Cheryl Underwood (Comedienne, Host of BET Comic View) -- "I want to give     you something personal and work with you on this issue ... "    * Thandie Newton (Actress) -- "... absolutely.  It's my pleasure to     give ..."    * Marlon Wayans (Comedic Actor) -- "I've got to give you something     good ... I should really give you all of it."  

AHF currently provides more than 15,000 free HIV tests each year in California through its innovative testing program via testing sites at 5 AHF Out of the Closet thrift store locations throughout Southern California. In addition, AHF offers testing in the L.A. County Jail System and on a mobile testing van in greater Los Angeles. For more information, please visit www.aidshealth.org

Source: AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Tune in to multi-award-winning A Capitol Fourth on PBS on Tuesday, July 4.  It's America's premier birthday celebration. Check your local broadcast times.  A Capitol Fourth will be broadcast in High Definition!

This year's new concert host Jason Alexander, a seven-time Emmy nominee, will lead an unrivaled evening of patriotic and uplifting music followed by a spectacular display of fireworks over the Washington Monument.

America's premier Independence Day holiday concert will feature performances from some of the country's best known and award-winning musical artists, including: music legend Stevie Wonder, who will be receiving the National Artistic Achievement Award with a tribute from Academy Award winning actor Cuba Gooding, Jr.; Sesame Street's Elmo who will join dazzling singer and actress Vanessa Williams for a rousing performance that will help children and their families get into the full spirit of Independence Day; international superstar Michael Bolton; teen sensation JoJo; and multi-platinum country recording artist Jo Dee Messina performing with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Erich Kunzel.  Capping the show will be a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" featuring the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets and complete with live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery, an audience favorite and now A Capitol Fourth tradition.  The Choral Arts Society of Washington, under the direction of Norman Scribner, celebrates its 40th anniversary and returns again to the show.  The Joint Armed Forces Color Guard of the Military District of Washington will also perform. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the National Symphony Orchestra, which will be commemorated by a visual and musical trip down the Orchestra's illustrious memory lane.

A Capitol Fourth is made possible by grants from Lockheed Martin Corporation, the National Park Service, the Department of the Army, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Endowment for the Arts, PBS and public television viewers nationwide.  Air Travel is provided by American Airlines.