The ultimate contest pitting man against frankfurter, Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been a staple on America's birthday since 1916. With the "Super Bowl of competitive eating" only days away, PinnacleSports.com today released odds on the world's most famous eating contest and lists reigning five-time champion, Takeru Kobayashi as an overwhelming favorite to successfully defend his title.

The largest sportsbook on the Internet, PinnacleSports.com has expanded its sports betting menu into the competitive eating arena by posting several betting options on the most intense 12 minutes of eating to be witnessed this year. The greatest eater in history and world record holder at the Nathan's event, Takeru Kobayashi has been installed as an overwhelming favorite at 1/3 odds (i.e., win $1 for every $3 bet) to capture the Mustard Yellow Championship Belt for the sixth straight year.

PinnacleSports.com believes Joey Chestnut, who devoured 50 hot dogs in qualifying, will present the biggest challenge to Kobayashi, listing him with the second-best odds to win the contest at 3/1. Sonya Thomas may appear slight in stature, but proved her bite is bigger than her bark with a second place finish in 2005 by devouring 37 dogs, and at 21/1 has the third best odds to win this year's event.

"When people discuss individual dominance in sports they usually mention Lance Armstrong's seven Tour de France titles or Tiger Woods' 10 major championships, but Kobayashi's consecutive win streak at Coney Island is equally impressive," said Simon Noble of PinnacleSports.com. "Although Joey Chestnut is having an amazing year on the competitive eating circuit and set a new American record with 50 hot dogs, it's unlikely he'll be able to unseat the great Kobayashi. Champions respond under pressure, and like Jordan and Elway before him, Kobayashi is the most clutch performer in eating history."

In addition to calculating odds on who'll win the contest, PinnacleSports.com has created several other betting options on the world's most prestigious eating competition. Although the oddsmakers favor the winner consuming at least 50 hot dogs and buns at 5/8 odds, they believe Kobayashi's world record of 53 1/2 frankfurters will be safe for at least another year, listing a new standard being set as a 9/4 underdog. Bettors may also wager on unique over/under lines on the number of hot dogs the three favorites will eat in this year's contest. The over/under line for Kobayashi's total has been set at 50 hot dogs and buns, while Chestnut's total is 45 and Thomas' has been set at 37.

Handling everything from players' and journalists' accreditations, to transmitting photos and match details around the world in real time, the converged network from Avaya, an official partner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, achieved a halftime score that any football professional or fan would envy: a communication network that's free of errors, and thoroughly prepared for the final phase of the biggest sports event in the world.

LEROY & STITCH

All The Hilarious Characters From Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Return, Along With Stitch’s Outrageous Cousin, And 625 Fellow Experiments!

Dr. Hämsterviel, The Big Red Battleship, 626 Belly Laughs And More Crash Onto Disney DVD June 27!

Meet Leroy, the bad-boy twin of Stitch! The lovable characters from Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’ are back, including Lilo, Stitch, Jumba, Pleakley, along with Stitch’s outrageous cousin and 625 fellow experiments in the all-new movie Leroy & Stitch, available on DVD June 27.

It’s a hilarious and extraordinary battle for the future of the galaxy, and this all-new animated funfest includes a bonus never-before-seen episode from the ‘Lilo & Stitch’ TV series, and a Big Red Battleship Flight Simulator Game. Leroy & Stitch is available for U.S. $26.99 (S.R.P.), Canada $29.99 (S.R.P.) on DVD from Walt Disney Home Entertainment.

In this all-new movie, Lilo, Stitch, Jumba and Pleakley have each gone their separate ways. Jumba’s back in the lab, Pleakley teaches college, Lilo’s in Hawaii and Stitch commands a Big Red Battleship.

But when Dr. Hämsterviel breaks out of prison, he creates the ill-mannered Leroy, the evil twin of Stitch. One Leroy is disastrous enough, but Hämsterviel plans to clone Leroy into an entire army.

 It’s up to Lilo, Stitch, Jumba and Pleakley to band together again, and with help from all 625 of Stitch’s experiment cousins, stop Dr. Hämsterviel’s plans. When the chips are down, our friends discover that the one place where they all truly belong is together.

Bonus Features

• Never-Before-Seen-Episode From The ‘Lilo & Stitch’ TV Series
• Big Red Battleship Flight Simulator Game
Every galactic pilot must be trained on how to navigate the busy airways of outer space. Stitch is given command of a “BRB” (Big Red Battleship), and now viewers can try the flight simulator themselves in this fun and challenging hyper-speed space game. But Dr. Hämsterviel will do his best to disrupt the most daring pilot.

STREET DATE: June 27, 2006

Suggested retail price: U.S. $26.99 (DVD). Canada: $29.99 (DVD).
Rated: G (U.S. and Canada). Bonus materials not rated or subtitled.
Feature run time: Approximately 73 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.78:1, enhanced for 16x9 TV screens
DVD Sound: Dolby® Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Languages: English audio. Close captioned for the hearing impaired.

This DVD is enhanced with Disney’s FastPlay™, an easy start-up feature that plays the movie and a selection of bonus features automatically, without using your remote control.

Walt Disney Home Entertainment is distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry. Buena Vista home Entertainment is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista videocassette and DVD product. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., is a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.

PrintingForLess.com, the first and largest online commercial printer in the United States, knows a few things about the challenges of building a growing company in a small, Western community. Today, the successful Montana-based company welcomed nearly 500 people to its brand new facility to focus on the challenges and opportunities in developing a stronger economy statewide.

PrintingForLess.com's Grand Opening event drew a diverse gathering of area business owners, community leaders and local guests for tours, forum discussions and a catered lunch at the new 46,500 square-foot facility at the edge of Livingston, best known as the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park. The event highlighted not only the completion of the largest commercial facility in the county since the town's railroad boom days, but also the need for ongoing collaborative efforts to improve Montana's economic landscape.

"Economic development is so vital to this state," said Senator Conrad Burns. "Brainstorming opportunities such as this Grand Opening are important in helping everyone to think outside of the box, as PrintingForLess.com has done, to find innovative ways to create quality new jobs."

Burns was a panelist on a forum on Economic Development along with Chief Montana Business Development Officer Evan Barrett, Greg Gianforte of RightNow Technologies, Justin Bigart of Sage Salon Living who co-founded the Montana Jobs Network, and Russ Fletcher of the Montana Associated Technology Roundtables.

PrintingForLess.com's expansion into its new manufacturing and office facility makes room for continued job creation at what is Park County's largest for-profit employer with 145 employees. The company plans to hire at least 40 additional people this year.

PFL's growing pains in the area of leadership development in recent years prompted the focus on this crucial topic at the Grand Opening's afternoon forum. The company's CEO and founder, Andrew Field, moderated the forum on leadership development and the challenges of leading an organization in the midst of rapid growth. The distinguished panel of business and academic leaders shared their perspectives on how to develop the people and mindset for effective leadership.

"A key factor in successfully leading and building an organization is how well you develop the culture," said Dr. Richard Semenik, Dean of the College of Business at Montana State University. "A culture of commitment and shared sense of purpose is often the critical ingredient when you have limited resources in a growing enterprise."

Many of the features of PFL's new state-of-the art facility were designed around the company's team-based culture and goal of becoming "America's Print Shop," the first national brand in commercial printing. The company also designed it to be a healthful, inspiring space for employees. The environmentally friendly building is both highly energy-efficient and built for employee comfort with features such as radiant floor heating, a humidification system and sound absorption through a recycled product called tectum, made from Aspen trees.

Guests at today's Grand Opening event who toured the facility were taken aback by its spaciousness and the view from a wall of windows looking out at the Absaroka Mountains in Paradise Valley. The beautiful scenery and clean, high-tech environment was a backdrop to the circuitry of interactions among those in attendance.

"Our celebration today provided a rare opportunity for our fellow businesses and community members to network together and gain insights from knowledgeable leaders," said Andrew Field, CEO and President of PrintingForLess.com. "We have learned so much from our friends and community over the years, it was nice to be able to give back."

 Philadelphia Eagles fans are invited to choose the cover girl who will appear on the highly anticipated Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders 2006-2007 Calendar by casting an online vote.

The popular calendar this year will showcase not only the beauty of the members of the squad, but it will also portray each individual's exceptional level of physical fitness.

"We look forward to receiving input from Eagles fans to determine which cheerleader will have the honor of gracing this year's calendar cover," said Eagles cheerleader director Barbara Zaun.

The finalists for the 2006-2007 calendar cover include Lora Sheeran, of Collegeville, PA; Janipher Choi, of Lindenwold, NJ; and Alyssa D'Egidio, of Bethlehem, PA. The Philadelphia Daily News and 94 WYSP Free FM Radio will join in providing links to the Philadelphia Eagles web site where fans can record their votes beginning at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 6.

The 2006-07 cover girl will be revealed at an invitation-only unveiling event and fashion show, which will take place July 19 at the NovaCare Complex.

Over the past four years, the Eagles Cheerleaders Calendar has established itself as one of the most popular cheerleader calendars in all of sports, having sold out all four previous editions. The calendar has become a popular item in such national retail outlets as Barnes & Noble, Borders, Waldenbooks, and Calendar Club.

Promoting venues in the team's home city, the new calendar will showcase popular Philadelphia locations including Lincoln Financial Field, Joe Hand's Boxing Gym, Mic's Boxing Gym, The New Alhambra and Bally Total Fitness. The cheerleaders were photographed by New York photographer Steve Vaccariello, recently named by Nikon as one of the 50 best photographers in the world.

The success of past calendars has contributed to distinguishing the Eagles Cheerleaders as one of the NFL's elite squads, and being featured in such national magazines as Maxim, FHM and Muscle and Fitness.

WHO: An all-star roster of baseball greats, including former San

Diego Padres Tony Gwynn, Hall of Fame Pitcher Phil Niekro and

former Pittsburgh Pirates Jim Fregosi are coming together at

All-Star FanFest to educate fans and share their personal

experiences with Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) blood clots, a

condition which affects up to 2 million people each year in the

U.S.

In support of the national awareness campaign DVT Blood Clots:

Know The Stats. Know Your Risk., special appearances will be

made by:

* Tony Gwynn (Padres), 8 batting titles, 5x Gold Glove winner

and 15x All-Star

* Phil Niekro (Braves, Yankees, Indians), Hall of Fame Pitcher

and 5x All-Star

* Jim Fregosi, (Angels, Mets, Pirates), Gold Glove winner and

6x All-Star

* Paul Blair (Orioles, Yankees), 8x Gold Glove winner and 2x

All-Star

* Aaron Cook (Rockies), ranked among Rockies leaders in wins,

innings & starts

WHAT: Each day at FanFest, a different All-Star host will make an

appearance at the DVT Blood Clots: Know The Stats. Know Your

Risk. informational kiosk to share how DVT has touched their

lives, and to educate the public about the risk factors and

warning signs of this potentially life-threatening condition.

WHY: Complications from DVT kill up to 200,000 Americans annually,

which is more than breast cancer and AIDS combined. However,

three-quarters of Americans have little or no awareness of the

life-threatening dangers of this condition. Every American

needs to assess their risk for DVT to reduce the chance of

developing a potentially deadly blood clot because in most

cases, the risk of DVT can be reduced.

WHEN: Friday, July 7 - Tuesday, July 11

All-Star Host Date/Time Location

Paul Blair Friday, July 7 All-Star Bazaar Booth #03

10:30am - 12:00pm

2:00pm - 3:30pm

Phil Niekro Saturday, July 8 All-Star Bazaar Booth #03

10:30am - 12:30pm

2:00pm - 3:30pm

Tony Gwynn Sunday, July 9 All-Star Bazaar Booth #03

10:30am - 11:30am

Jim Fregosi Monday, July 10 All-Star Bazaar Booth #03

11:30am - 12:00pm

2:00pm - 3:30pm

Aaron Cook Tuesday, July 11 All-Star Bazaar Booth #03

10:30am - 12:00pm

WHERE: David L. Lawrence Convention Center

1000 Fort Duquesne Boulevard

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Source: sanofi aventis

-- Personal vacation photos belonging to Britney Spears and Kevin Federline were recently stolen. Following the theft, the photos were published by Us Weekly. While the photos depict happy family vacation memories, the couple are nevertheless outraged and saddened that their private family moments appeared in the magazine without their knowledge or consent after the photos were stolen by an unknown perpetrator. The matter is currently under investigation, and Spears and Federline are evaluating all of their legal options.

Science fiction publishing visionary Jim Baen passed away on June 28th. He suffered a massive stroke on June 12, 2006, and never woke from it. Jim Baen was a founding partner of Baen Books, one of the largest independent publishers of popular fiction. Since its inception in 1984, Baen evolved to be one of the leading publishers of science fiction and fantasy, and in recent years a leader in electronic publishing and the fight against encrypted books.

Jim Baen started his career in publishing in the complaints department of Ace Books. He moved on to Galaxy magazine in 1973, where his editorial acumen turned the magazine into one of the leading short story venues of the day. He returned to Ace under publisher Tom Doherty to run the science fiction line. When Doherty left to found Tor Books, Jim went with him and established its science fiction line, purchasing its first 170 titles. In 1984 a deal with Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books gave Jim a chance to found his own independent company. S&S has distributed Baen Books ever since. Recently, Baen Books has enjoyed a string of New York Times bestsellers by such authors as David Weber, John Ringo and Eric Flint. Jim also personally worked with Jerry Pournelle, David Drake, Larry Niven, Charles Sheffield, Lois McMaster Bujold and many other authors who shaped the field of modern science fiction. In recent years, Jim continued to develop a whole new generation of science fiction writers.

Still only two pitchers that can be counted on.

July 1, 2006

Los Angeles 2, LA Angels 9 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Los Angeles Record: (41-39)
LA Angels Record: (36-44)

Winning pitcher - Kelvim Escobar (6-9)
Losing pitcher - Mark Hendrickson (4-9)

Due to Uncontrollable Circumstances Anaheim, California (July 1, 2006) ‹ Ms. Romi Park, regretfully, is unable to attend the nation¹s largest Anime/Manga convention¹s 15th year anniversary at the Anaheim Convention Center July 1-4, 2006.

Oakland continues to have a scoring problem.

July 1, 2006

Arizona 7, Oakland 2 at McAfee Coliseum
Arizona Record: (39-42)
Oakland Record: (42-38)

Winning pitcher - Miguel Batista (8-5)
Losing pitcher - Esteban Loaiza (3-5)

1ST Day of the Amazing Four Day Convention Begins With a Bang! Anaheim, California (July 1, 2006) ‹Thousands of eager attendees dressed in colorful costumes of favorite Anime and Manga characters take over at the nation¹s largest Anime/Manga convention¹s 15th year anniversary at the Anaheim Convention Center July 1-4, 2006. More information is available at

After three quarters of declining market share and the loss of its leadership in the plasma display panel (PDP) industry, South Korea’s LG Electronics reclaimed the top position in Q1, according to El Segundo, Calif.-based iSuppli Corp.

LG’s share of worldwide PDP unit production rose to 31.1 percent in Q1, up from 27.5 percent in Q4 2005, putting the company about 1 percentage point ahead of Japan’s Matsushita, which controlled 25.9 percent of factory units during Q1. LG last held the top spot in Q1 2005.

“LG’s rise in market share is due to its capacity additions and the resulting increase in panel output,” said Riddhi Patel, senior analyst with iSuppli Corp. in a statement. “This development reflects a long-term trend of the South Korean PDP suppliers advancing at the expense of their Japanese and Taiwanese rivals.”

In Q1, South Korean suppliers LG and Samsung SDI collectively accounted for 54.5 percent of PDP unit shipments, compared to 40.5 percent in Q1 2004.

LG and number three PDP supplier Samsung SDI not only are increasing capacity, but also improving the quality of their panels and focusing on cost reduction, both at the component and at the production levels, the firm said. The two South Korean suppliers are migrating to larger fab sizes in order to cut more panels from each mother glass.

Meanwhile, as the Korean suppliers increase their capacity, Japanese players are losing ground in PDP production, iSuppli found.

Matsushita is the only Japanese company that is keeping pace with the South Korean players in terms of capacity expansions, while the Taiwanese players are actually exiting the market because they are not seeing much technology transfer from their partners and thus are finding it hard to keep up with the intense competition, the firm noted.

Profitability has been challenging for the majority of the PDP makers, despite rising consumer uptake of plasma TV sets. Beyond lack of profitability, multiple factors are driving consolidation in the market, including swiftly declining panel prices, slower sales growth and increasing competition with alternative technologies in the large-screen TV market, iSuppli said.

These factors caused Taiwan’s CPT and Formosa to drop out of the PDP business, leaving the market with only five major suppliers.

In other market consolidation developments, Pioneer Corp. last year acquired NEC Corp.’s PDP business. Furthermore, Fujitsu Ltd. decided to relinquish its majority stake in Fujitsu Hitachi Plasma Display Ltd. (FHP), in favor of Hitachi Ltd., in order to achieve profitability.

Despite increasing competition from LCD sets, consumers continue to be attracted to plasma TVs because of their slim form factor, their rapidly declining prices and their widespread availability. The 42-inch Enhanced Definition (ED) plasma is the cheapest way to own a large-sized flat-panel TV. Prices for these sets start as low as $1,200.

The 42-inch XGA PDP models also are becoming attractive to consumers because of declining prices, and the 50-inch is not far behind. These TVs are available for as low as $1,900, making them very attractive to consumers, the firm believes.

But despite their wow factor, plasma TVs are facing stiff competition from LCD TVs in the 40- to 44-inch range, whose production is rising rapidly.
With seventh-generation and 7.5-generation fabs going online during the next couple of years, the LCD panel makers will be able to reduce the production costs of 40-/42-inch panels to match plasma. Because of the sheer scale of their production capacities, the LCD suppliers will be fully capable of having a big impact on plasma in its dominant size range by the 2008 to 2009 timeframe.

The short-term forecast for plasma is aggressive, as the industry tries to capture maximum share while LCD-TVs remain the more expensive alternative, iSuppli concluded.

Poll, carried out by market research company Ipsos, showed ownership of the gadget had nearly doubled since 2003.

It also revealed that younger consumers are driving the recent growth, with 54% of US teens now owning an MP3 player.

The devices were more popular amongst men: 24% of male respondents said they owned a player, compared to just 16% of females.

Matt Kleinschmit, a vice president of Ipsos, said: "Over the past year, the portable MP3 market has really matured, and we are now seeing not just new buyers entering this market, but also growing levels of multiple device ownership."

The survey also revealed that younger owners are utilising their devices to watch videos and listen to the radio, in addition to using it for music storage.

"While this phenomenon may have initially centred on music, younger MP3 player owners are clearly interested in a wide variety of broader content options for their device," said Mr Kleinschmit.

Ipsos surveyed over 1,000 US citizens about their gadget habits.

Recent figures from the Consumer Electronics Association revealed that these devices accounted for 85% of all portable audio sales in the US in 2005, with sales figures hitting $4.2bn.

The award is named after Senet, thought by archeologists to be the oldest game in the world, enjoyed by the pre-dynastic kings of ancient Egypt, as early as 3500 B.C. It's hard to deny the classical and archaic appeal of the AEIM's choice of monikers, but the games they are lauding today have an important and vivid difference from the games of yesteryear--a distinction that is very significant to marketers looking to have their brands appear in games.

Beginning in the early 80s, game designers began to become increasingly interested in the concept of "immersion." Games played on consoles and computers were becoming less abstract--less like chess, which has no characters, no setting, and no story, to speak of, and more like games of make-believe, where players took on a new persona, acquired new abilities, and were encouraged to think and feel as someone else entirely. It is this concept, and not all the technological and graphical bells and whistles, that chiefly separates the games of today from the board games, dice games and card games that people play offline.

Game developers today seek to immerse players in the game worlds they create, emotionally, visually, and intellectually: Players of modern console and PC games can perceive, think, and feel as another person, becoming totally absorbed in the gameplay experience. Don't believe it? Pick up a copy of "Half-Life," praised as one of the modern pioneers of immersion.

Released in 1998, "Half-Life" put players in the role of Gordon Freeman, a nerdy nuclear physicist turned alien-battling commando. "Half-Life" was at the cusp of technology where the processing power of PCs was just beginning to support highly detailed and realistic game environments, and the designers of the game decided to make the whole game continuous--no stops, no cut-scenes, no fast-forwards--which deeply involved players in the experience of the game. The gameplay was fast-paced and exciting, and included puzzles that required both tactical and critical thinking, immersing players in every way.

Now, that kind of immersion is what nearly all big-name game developers aim for. Marketers, when choosing how to present their brands in-game, can help or harm the level of immersion, which will have an enormous effect on how their messages are received. When a player's character walks down the street of a modern city in-game, and all the cars are generic, look-alike vehicles, rather than actual name brands, immersion takes a tiny hit, as players are forced to suspend their disbelief just a little.

If car companies get onboard with game designers and allow their brands to be used, the developers are happy with a more realistic cityscape in their games, the players are happy with a more immersive game experience, and the brands are happy for the exposure.

On the flip side, brands in games can just as easily hurt immersion. If, in the abovementioned cityscape, all the brand-name cars are indestructible--a common practice in racing games that use real cars, since automakers rarely wish to see their prize models reduced to flaming wrecks--the player must disbelieve more, and immerse less.

Either way, when a brand helps immersion--or hurts it--players will notice. And they will remember

'Fear Factor: The First Season'

Re-experience the thrill of the outrageous television series that galvanized a nation in the original, riveting moments of "Fear Factor: The First Season" now on DVD from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. This two-disc collection contains the nine heart-stopping, pulse-pounding episodes that started the "Fear Factor" phenomenon. Each installment features three outrageous, over-the-top stunts that range from death-defying acrobatics to hilariously stomach-turning feasts, all forcing the participants to square off with their most primal fears. Squirm-inducing and compulsively watchable, "Fear Factor: The First Season" includes a preview of the most memorable moments from "Fear Factor: The Second Season." The two-DVD set is priced at $29.98 and hits retail shelves just in time to rev fans up for all new episodes on Tuesdays on NBC!

On "Fear Factor: The First Season," contestants muster all their courage and determination to take on some of the most extreme challenges ever seen on television, from car crashes previously performed only by top stunt professionals to a deep, dark cavern crawling with ravenous rats to a toast with a glassful of squirming "Wormtinis." If their fears get the best of them and they fail the mission, they are immediately eliminated, until just one entrant is left standing. Nominated for five Teen Choice Awards, two Kids' Choice Awards and a People's Choice Award, "Fear Factor" received the 2003 Teen Choice Award for Grossest Reality Moment (Miss USA contestants eating squid guts!)

And now you can register to win a vacation for four and experience Fear Factor Live at Universal Orlando Resort! Grand Prize includes: 4 day/3 night vacation package with hotel accommodations, theme park admission, and more! Log onto to www.FearFactorDVD.com to register for your chance to win!*

Synopsis

Is "Fear Factor" for you? Find out as you watch all the outrageous stunts, creepy insects and high-flying acrobatics of Season One -- on DVD for the first time ever! This exciting two-disc collection captures every heart-stopping, pulse-pounding Season One episode where players attempt thrilling stunts that challenge their worst fears. Now you can relive all the wacky, wild, and gross moments of this smash-hit show that will have you squirming in your seat!

For more information please visit: www.FearFactorDVD.com

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

DVD

Street Date: June 27, 2006

Pre-Order Close: May 23, 2006

Copyright: 2006 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Price: $29.98 SRP

Selection Number: 30644

Running Time: Disc 1: 3 hours, 39 minutes; Disc 2: 3 hours, 39 minutes

Layers: DVD-9 (Single Sided)

Aspect Ratio: Full Screen (1:33:1)

Rating: Not Rated

Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, English SDH

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.

WHAT: The world premiere of the comedy "YOU, ME AND DUPREE"

WHO: "YOU, ME AND DUPREE" cast member/producer Owen Wilson; cast

members Kate Hudson, Matt Dillon, Seth Rogen, Bill Hader, Todd

Stashwick and Jason Winer; directors Anthony & Joe Russo;

writer Michael Le Sieur; producers Scott Stuber and Mary

Parent; and executive producers Michael Fottrell, Sean Perrone

and Aaron Kaplan

Plus celebrity guests including Lance Armstrong,

Adam Herschman, Justin Long, Jon Voight and many more.

WHERE: ArcLight Hollywood

6360 W. Sunset Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA

WHEN: Monday, July 10, 2006

6:30 PM Celebrity Arrivals

7:30 PM Screening Begins

"YOU, ME AND DUPREE" arrives in theaters nationwide on Friday, July 14, 2006.

– Established in 2005, Epicurean International Products, LLC is dedicated to developing and manufacturing state-of-the-art products that will prolong the integrity of opened bottles of wine, as well as champagne and other sparkling wines. In late fall 2005, Epicurean International Products unveiled its revolutionary series of professional-style, automated vacuum and pressure seal pumps with uniquely designed stoppers, including the Epicurean Wine Saver, the Epicurean Rechargeable Wine Saver and the Epicurean Combination Wine and Champagne Saver.

Anthony Lemme, Founder and President of Epicurean International Corp., the predecessor of Epicurean International Products, LLC, established in 1990, has spent a lifetime devoted to overcoming the challenges of protecting wine and champagne from deteriorating once opened. An expert in wine preservation, Mr. Lemme introduced the first handheld Vacuum Resealing System (Vacu-Vin) in the U.S., as well as several Anthony Lemme, Founder and President of Epicurean International Corp., the predecessor of Epicurean International Products, LLC, established in 1990, has spent a lifetime devoted to overcoming the challenges of protecting wine and champagne from deteriorating once opened. An expert in wine preservation, Mr. Lemme introduced the first handheld Vacuum Resealing System (Vacu-Vin) in the U.S., as well as several other countries in 1987 through 1989. Highly successful, the Vacu-Vin achieved more than $5,000,000 in sales during this timeframe. Mr. Lemme followed this breakthrough product launch with the development of his patented Epivac System, the world’s first changeable combination Vacuum and Pressure Pump, as well as the Epivac Wine and Champagne Stoppers.

During the period of 1988 through 2002, the Vacu-Vin and Epivac Systems of handheld vacuum resealers were the top selling brands worldwide with estimated combined sales in excess of 30 million units. Mr. Lemme conservatively estimates that current sales of handheld pumps average more than 2 million units per year.Following years of research and development, Mr. Lemme and his company proudly introduce the most technologically advanced, all-natural method to preserving wines with greater ease, speed and convenience. The new easy-to-use, high performance plug-in and rechargeable Epicurean Wine Savers expertly seal opened bottles of wine in just seconds, and preserve wine’s optimum taste, color and aroma for up to 14 days longer than corked open bottles. Additionally, the technologically advanced Epicurean Wine Savers – engineered with five patent-pending features -- offer a perfectly controlled and efficient method to preserving wines, compared to manual hand-pump vacuum sealers and gas systems, which require greater effort and no way to know when the bottle has been properly sealed, leading to hastened oxidation and deterioration.

According to Mr. Lemme, the uniquely advantageous Epicurean Wine Savers and the Epicurean Combination Wine and Champagne Saver (priced at $59.99 to $119.95 suggested retail) are well poised to generate extensive interest and demand from professional sommeliers and bartenders, as well as discerning consumers and wine connoisseurs.

“Our new products offer the world’s most advanced, affordable, all-natural, reusable and convenient system of preserving wine and champagne,” says Mr. Lemme. “Until now, the only viable alternative to hand pump sealers required either the unappealing introduction of nitrogen or argon gas, or the investment of thousands of dollars for a very heavy, bulky, stationary and awkward to use electric seal pump.”

Leveraging a growing passion for wine among consumers in the U.S., as well as a robust wine market globally, Epicurean International Products, LLC is marketing its new advanced Epicurean Wine Savers and Epicurean Combination Wine and Champagne Saver to upscale consumer and restaurant trade channels in America and other key countries worldwide.

The company’s two new Epicurean Wine Savers, and the Epicurean Combination Wine and Champagne Saver are available now at select gourmet and specialty stores nationwide.

For further information, consumers are welcomed to visit the company’s web site, www.epicurean-int.com, or call toll-free 1-866-229-2907

The Japanese contraction and pronunciation of the English word animation. Anime refers to traditional hand painted cel animation, but also applies to animation created in part or in whole by Computers.

This is taken from the French word for animation. An accent mark may be used over the "e". Japanese animation is often called "anime

'Anime can range from the very silly to the very serious, and is not necessarily intended for children or any specific age group.' - Michael Kim Animation as an industry is much bigger in Japan than it is in North America, being of the same order of magnitude as the 'live-action' film industry there. All genres are supported through three separate mediums: TV episodes, Original Video Animation (OVA), and full length feature films

Wireless Service Providers apparently are not convincing subscribers to send pictures and videos with their cell phone. Among mobile users 39 percent have used text messaging; less than half that number, or 18 percent have sent pictures, and only three percent have tried sending video clips. Over half (58%) of mobile users state they have not used any of these services.

What's wrong?

Surprisingly, cost is not the biggest obstacle to using these services, as only 19 percent of those who say they do not use any of the services cite that as a reason. Interestingly, the majority (73%) of those who have not used these services just don't see a need to.

"The ability to send pictures and videos over your cell phone is a lot like owning a pet rock," states Joe Porus, Chief Architect and Vice President for the Technology Practice at Harris Interactive(R). "At first it might seem like a good idea, but then the 'why?' enters your mind. Wireless marketers are facing a brick wall of resistance from many subscribers respecting these services. The wall is not cost, but a more fundamental question of need."

Below are some of the results of the Harris Interactive Summer 2006 Telecommunications Report titled "Hot Issues Facing the Industry." The study was conducted online from May 1 to May 8, 2006 by Harris Interactive among 1,332 U.S. adults, of whom 960 are current mobile phone users.

Who's using messaging services?

When it comes to the use of text and picture messaging, text messaging is used substantially more by users aged 18 to 39, compared to their older counter parts. While about one-third (32%) of young people use picture messaging, more than two-thirds (69%) of mobile users 18 to 39 years use text- messaging services. Contrastingly, only 35 percent of mobile users aged 40 to 54 have used text messaging. An even smaller number (13%) of them have used picture messaging. This number decreases even more with mobile users aged 55 and over, with 14 percent use text messaging and only eight percent using picture messaging.

Most notable is the lack of the video messaging use, which is substantially low across the board in all age groups. Very small percentages of younger adults have not used this service with only four percent of those aged 18 to 39 saying they have used video clip messaging, and only two percent of adults ages 40 to 54 and those aged 55 and older stating they have used this service.

Why are mobile users not using these services?

There are several factors that may impact a decision to use these services, but the majority just does not see a need (73%). Other factors such as cost (19%), lack of knowledge (14%), played a slightly smaller role. Others say the services are too complicated (8%) or say there was some "other" (5%) reason.

TABLE 1A

WHAT SERVICES ARE BEING USED

"Which of the following messaging services have you used?"

Base: Current mobile phone user

Total

%

SMS (text messaging) 39

Picture messaging (sending a photo with or without text) 18

Video clip messaging 3

None of these 58

Note: Multiple response question.

TABLE 1B

WHAT SERVICES ARE BEING USED- BY AGE

"Which of the following messaging services have you used?"

Base: Current mobile phone user

Total 18-39 40-54 55+

% % % %

SMS (text messaging) 39 69 35 14

Picture messaging (sending a

photo with or without text) 18 32 13 8

Video clip messaging 3 4 2 2

None of these 58 29 61 84

Note: Multiple response question.

TABLE 2

FACTORS AFFECTING USE OF SERVICES

"Why have you not used any of the messaging services?"

Base: Don't use messaging services

Total

%

Cost 19

Just don't see the need 73

Too complicated 8

I don't know much about it 14

Other 5

Note: Multiple response question.

Methodology

This online survey was conducted online within the United States between May 1 to 8, 2006 among 1,332 adults (aged 18 and over). Sub-samples are listed in the tables above. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All surveys are subject to several sources of error. These include: sampling error (because only a sample of a population is interviewed); measurement error due to question wording and/or question order, deliberately or unintentionally inaccurate responses, nonresponse (including refusals), interviewer effects (when live interviewers are used) and weighting.

With one exception (sampling error) the magnitude of the errors that result cannot be estimated. There is, therefore, no way to calculate a finite "margin of error" for any survey and the use of these words should be avoided.

With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With a pure probability sample of 1,332 adults one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/-3 percentage points. Sampling error for sub-sample results would be higher and varied. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

About Harris Interactive

Four weeks after its release on May 23, Taking The Long Way, the highly-acclaimed new album from the Dixie Chicks, has achieved a platinum (for sales of 1,000,000) certification by the RIAA, bringing the group's career total up to 41 gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications, including two RIAA Diamond Awards.

The U.S. platinum success of Taking The Long Way has been echoed in similar chart-topping sales figures around the world. Taking The Long Way debuted at #1 (and remained in the top slot for four weeks) in Canada, where it is already 2x platinum, and at #2 in Australia, where it's certified platinum. The album debuted at #8 in New Zealand, where it's been certified gold.

Released in Europe on June 12, Taking The Long Way has already crossed the two million mark in sales worldwide with the album hitting the Top 10 in Sweden (peaked at #1), Australia (#2), Germany (#5), Europe (#6) Switzerland (#6), Ireland (#7, gold), Norway (#7), Austria (#8), and the UK Top 75 (#10, gold). The album is a new entry on the charts in Finland (#17), Denmark (#37), Holland (#42), and Belgium (#61). In every market in which it's charted, with the exception of New Zealand and Ireland, Taking The Long Way has the highest-charting debut numbers of any album in the Dixie Chicks' career.

When Taking The Long Way debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 best-selling albums chart the week of its release, the Dixie Chicks became the first female group in chart history to have three albums debut at #1, breaking the record the Chicks established in 2002 when the group's last studio album, Home, debuted at #1 and made them the first female group ever to have two albums debut at #1.

With the #1 debut of Taking The Long Way, the Dixie Chicks have also become the first female group in chart history to have three studio albums occupy the #1 slot on the Top 200.

In addition to occupying the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 for two weeks in a row, Taking The Long Way has been America's #1 Top Country Album for five weeks running and was the nation's #1 Top Digital Album.

Taking The Long Way is produced by Rick Rubin (Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Run-DMC) and features fourteen new songs co-written by the Dixie Chicks.

Fan voting for the starting teams for the 77th All-Star Game, to be played Tuesday, July 11 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, ended last night with the conclusion of the Monster 2006 Online All-Star Balloting on MLB.com.

Fans cast more than 11 million ballots online with over 141 million online votes. This resulted in some of the most hotly contested races in both the American and National Leagues since fan voting began.

"MLB.com congratulates the informed and determined fans who cast more than 1 million ballots in the last 24 hours online, resulting in two lead changes in the online portion of the overall balloting program," said Dinn Mann, executive vice president- content for MLB Advanced Media. "With in-stadium ballots still being tallied, it is not known how the online lead changes will affect the overall results, but we at MLB.com will be watching with baseball fans around the world as both the starting lineups, selected by fans, and reserves for the American and National League All-Star teams will be announced exclusively this Sunday night on ESPN." The Major League Baseball All-Star Game Selection Show Presented by Chevrolet airs exclusively on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 2.

For the fifth year, immediately following the conclusion of the show, fans will once again select the final player for each League's 32-man roster via an online vote exclusively at MLB.com. In addition, fans will again be able to cast their Final Man vote via their cell phones.

The Monster 2006 All-Star Final Vote will provide fans the opportunity to cast their votes from two lists of five players from each League over a four- day period. American League All-Star manager Ozzie Guillen of the Chicago White Sox and National League All-Star manager Phil Garner of the Houston Astros, each will designate five players who will be the candidates for the Monster All-Star Final Vote. Balloting continues until 6 p.m. EDT Thursday, July 6. The winners will be announced on ESPN and MLB.com shortly thereafter.

The 77th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pre-game ceremonies beginning at 8:00 p.m. (EDT). ESPN Radio will provide exclusive, national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage and MLB.com Radio will provide exclusive play-by-play coverage of the game on the Internet. XM Satellite Radio will provide satellite radio play-by-play coverage of the XM Satellite Radio All-Star Futures Game

Source: MLB Advanced Media L.P.