home run derby 2009 winner

home run derby 2009 winner

ST. LOUIS -- Albert Pujols is still the best hitter in the world. Losing one State Farm Home Run Derby does not, cannot, will not change or alter in the least that overriding fact.

A lot of people thought, or at least wished, that Pujols would win the Derby on Monday night, for some very reasonable reasons. On the side of accomplishment, Pujols is having the best year of an already incredible career. On the side of sentiment, the All-Star festivities are in St. Louis. What better place for Pujols to win everything in sight?

And he was the center of the Derby proceedings at Busch Stadium, well before he came to the plate and began to swing for the fences. There was a certain kind of momentum building toward a Pujols victory in an event that has come to rival the All-Star Game itself in popularity.

In modest ceremonies before the game began, Pujols was acknowledged as the leading vote-getter among all All-Stars. He was recognized as the National League's Player of the Month for June. He was given an ovation at every turn. When Nelson Cruz of the Rangers finished his first round of the Derby with an impressive 11 homers, he was asked to comment and he responded:

"I can't wait to see Albert hit out there."

It was all Pujols, all the time. The crowd of 45,981 was more than supportive, probably closer to adoring. Pujols, in fact, was a dominant topic at the player-interview sessions, even with other players.

The run production of Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder would have been good enough to make him a starter at any other position in either league. But he couldn't start in this All-Star Game, because Pujols is not merely an All-Star, but a transcendent figure. And Fielder is fine with that.

"This is Albert's place," Fielder said. "Albert's awesome. I mean, what are you going to do? This guy is unbelievable. And he deserves it. Doing what he's doing is just unbelievable."

When he was asked what separated Pujols from every other hitter, Fielder chuckled and responded: "I don't really know, because if I knew, I'd do the same thing he's doing."

The irony was that Fielder won the Derby, defeating Cruz in the final round. Pujols, who was eliminated in the second round, was gracious in defeat.

"I wish I would have put on a better show for our fans," he said. "But I just thank God for giving me the opportunity to be around these great players."

The ovation given to Pujols after he was eliminated was prolonged, loud and sincere. The Cardinals fans have a couple of lifetimes of goodwill stored up in the case of Albert Pujols.

Every Home Run Derby takes on a life of its own, although in recent years, those lives seem to last longer and longer. This one was characterized by Pujols being the preordained star of the show and by what appeared to a widely varying amount of power among the contestants.

Of the four American League competitors, only one, the recently added Carlos Pena of Tampa Bay, actually had a big league reputation as a home run hitter.

Cruz, another late addition to the AL All-Star team, in this case as the replacement for the injured Torii Hunter, was a slugging revelation. The Derby averages roughly one of those per year.

There were no power surprises in the National League. Instead, there was a power-hitting first baseman everywhere you looked. Ryan Howard of the Phillies, a Derby winner in 2006, and he had a 58-home run season. Fielder hit 50 home runs in '07. San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez does not have those kinds of raw numbers, but he spends half his playing time in baseball's most pitcher-friendly facility, PETCO Park. His home run total at the break -- 24 -- is even better than it looks. He has real power.

Fielder pounded the ball all over the premises in the Derby, hitting, for instance, a 497-foot homer in the first round. Rather than tiring, he simply warmed up, driving a ball 503 feet, into right-center initially and into the night, eventually.

Fielder is a true power hitter and a richly deserving winner of the event. But he would be the first one to admit that he still isn't Albert Pujols. And neither is anyone else.

One of the things that struck everybody, Fielder included, was the pervasive fan support for Pujols. It wasn't a surprise, but it was still impressive.

"It was what you expected, it was awesome," Fielder said. "This is Albert's stage. It was kind of cool to see how the fans love him here. I wouldn't have expected anything less."

Yes, a Pujols victory in the 2009 Derby would have been fitting based on his accomplishments and it would have been pleasing to Cardinals fans, a group justifiably distinguished by loyalty and devotion to the Redbirds.

But one thing a Pujols victory here wouldn't have been was necessary. His greatness has been on display for nine seasons. A victory in a home run-hitting contest is not required as proof of his worth.

meredith whitney

meredith whitney

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) will benefit from being a key player in a "tsunami of debt issuance" by governments as they try to fill gaps in underfunded budgets, financial analyst Meredith Whitney said Monday in an upgrade of Goldman to "buy."

Whitney predicted Goldman Sachs would post second-quarter results Tuesday above Street estimates - she expects earnings of $4.65 a share, compared with the average analyst estimate of $3.48, according to a survey of analysts by Thomson Reuters. She set her 12-month price target on Goldman shares at $186.

Shares of Goldman Sachs rose 2.7% in recent trading to $145.75.

A bullish call from Whitney is rare; she gained renown during the financial crisis for initially unpopular bearish calls on the stocks of large banks that ultimately proved to be correct.

However, Whitney said her bullish view of Goldman is rooted in her overall bearish outlook for the U.S. economy and other U.S. financial companies. While Goldman has made most of its money in the past through a focus on equity markets, Whitney said during the next two years the firm will shift focus to the government debt markets, facilitating new issuance from local, state, federal and sovereign governments as they try to raise money to fill budget gaps.

Whitney raised her earnings estimates for Goldman in 2010 to $19.65, compared to the average analyst expectation of $14.44, and for 2011 to $22.10, compared to the average expectation of $16.75.

She predicted that sovereign and municipal debt markets will grow more than 20% over the next 18 months, and that the state and local municipal debt market could eventually grow more than 50%.

While Whitney predicted U.S. corporate debt will reach about 60% of the levels of the last three years, she said Goldman will get a larger share of that market as well, due to the absence of formerly key players, including Lehman Brothers Holding Inc. (LEH) and Bear Stearns Cos.

Whitney also expects Goldman to take advantage of relatively high capital levels to buy back stock, and by late 2010 could reach the share count level it had before raising capital this year and last.

louisville co

louisville co

The smooth, seductive bedroom soul of "Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite," an album-length ode to monogamy as aphrodisiac, placed Maxwell at the forefront of the '90s soul revival with D'Angelo and Erykah Badu.

He even brought in Leon Ware, who co-wrote most of Marvin Gaye's "I Want You" album in the '70s, and Gaye guitarist Melvin "Wah-Wah Watson" Ragin to complete the scene.

But that was 1996. Much like D'Angelo, the soul revival's other great male lead, Maxwell's been missing in action since topping the charts with a third album, "Now," in 2001.

That's all about to change, though, with "Black," his first album in nearly eight years and the opening chapter in a trilogy of albums called "Blacksummersnight."

He plays Monday at the Louisville Palace.

Q: So this record is part of a trilogy?

A: It is a trilogy of records. They go hand in hand. "Black" is the moodier record. "Summers" is more the gospel thing, but with a little bit of Fela in there. I don't like to give it up too much because all of a sudden, you start hearing your concepts in someone else's record. But "Night" is more a ballad record. It's all love songs.

Are the other two already written?

Yes. But I'll probably do touch-ups just before they're released. I can't even play them or bring them to Sony because of the way things work now, the way things are leaked. That's why a lot of the record was hand-delivered literally as it was going to press.

Back in the day, you could have a record in the building for a couple months. The staff could live with it. Now, the people championing your cause are missing out. They can't fully immerse themselves in what they're trying to promote.

You've said you wanted to return to "the promise" on this album. Does that mean you were dissatisfied with "Now"?

I wasn't disappointed. Anytime you're revving up to make a record, I feel like you have to sort of reacquaint yourself with "Who am I supposed to be? What was I saying to the world on Day One?" And that sort of got me re-amped, 'cause music's changed so much.

money magazine

money magazine

Two years ago Chaska was No. 8 on Money Magazine’s list of best places to live in the country. The ranking resulted in two years of vigorous bragging by Chaska residents and officials.

Now, in the latest list, Chaska has dropped to No. 20, only to be smoked by … Chanhassen?

Chanhassen is No. 2 on Money’s list for cities with populations of 8,500 to 50,000.

Money Magazine gave Chan props for lower than average unemployment, dropping property taxes, its triple-A bond rating and its multitude of parks. One resident notes that “There’s a genuine small-town feel” to the city.

Meanwhile Money credits Chaska for working to "maintain its small-town vibe." The magazine also claims that "The recent completion of Rt. 212 into the Twin Cities has halved commutes and lured new businesses into Chaska, but it has also caused a bump in traffic (and a slight bump in crime)."

Louisville, Colo. made its way to No. 1 this year.

steve mcnair memorial service

steve mcnair memorial service

"People around this world and even here now, have a tension in their spirit. What is the response of the church in a moment like this?

"Oh, I know that is the big elephant in the room. What says the church in a moment like this?

"People want to know. I stand between two places as priest and prophet — as priest to this family and ministering to them, and yet prophet to speak to the nation of what thus sayeth God.

"There was a woman one day caught in adultery, and the religious people brought her to Jesus. And they said to Jesus, the law says she should be stoned. Jesus knelt down and drew in the sand. He looked up and said, 'Ye without sin, cast the first stone.'

"They began to drop their stones, from the youngest to the oldest. And I have come to declare from the youngest to the oldest in America and over this world, it's time to have a stone-dropping service.

"Drop your stone.

"Next time you write about Steve McNair, drop your stone. Next time you text somebody, drop your stone. The next time you Twitter, drop your stone. Those of you in the barbershops, those of you walking the streets or on the corner, drop your stones.

"What I do know about this man is that he loved God. And he was just like us. Imperfect. But he knew God."

Dantrell Williams,
Nashville's Boys and Girls Clubs

"I have a lot to share about Steve. I have 11 years of great things in the community that we have done together.

"As I was watching the highlight reels and all the good things he has done with teammates all around the country ... I never made a play with Steve on the field, but he was my teammate off the field. He made some big plays out here in the community for Nashville's children. And that is something I will never forget.

"And I know you have all your different stories of Steve and the fourth-quarter heroics, but I have one to share with you that you might not know.

"We did a toy drive for kids at Christmas about three years ago. And we served about 300 kids during that event. And that is a lot of kids to serve. And we still had about 70 kids left in the bleachers with nothing for Christmas and you should have saw those looks. Those looks that I couldn't take. I made a call. ...

"I made that call and told Steve I had 70 kids with no Christmas. We did all that we could but I needed a little help to make this Christmas possible for these kids. ...

"Within 30 minutes, gift cards from Walmart and Target starting flowing through that gym for those 70 kids. You should have seen those fourth-quarter heroics come to life, thanks to Steve. ...

"Do Steve's life some justice and step up your game."

Jeff Fisher,
Titans head coach

"Steve's heart was full. Full of love and joy and compassion, as you will continue to hear. But there was still a void. But that void has been filled, as our Lord has filled that void in his heart.

"As we speak, Steve is sitting in the pressbox with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with headsets on, smiling, laughing and listening to this right now. No more turf toe. No more sacks. No more shoulder problems and no more interceptions or touchdown passes. I am going to miss you, number 9."

Derrick Mason
of the Baltimore Ravens

"Mechelle, you were a loving wife, until his final days. Always caring for him in every possible way, all that a husband could have asked for and want. I know that today is difficult for you, but remember that Steve is no longer suffering.

"As you share tears of hurt, remember that Steve is shedding tears of joy. As you think and reflect and ask questions that we all struggle with, remember that Steve's questions are gone. As you sit here and remember your husband, and as boys you remember, your father is with his heavenly father. He is watching you, he is not thinking about death. He is more alive than he has ever been before. Steve is happy beyond what our minds can comprehend."

Don Weatherell,
Steve McNair Foundation

"I am still stunned and sad of why we have all gathered here tonight.

"We lost a good man, someone we all cared about deeply, and someone we will never, ever forget. Mechelle wanted me to say a few words tonight about Steve and the good work he did in his foundation, in helping people who weren't quite as fortunate as he was.

"Steve always believed it was important to give back to the communities that gave so much to him.

"I can remember on several occasions the Titans finding out after the fact about a visit Steve made to a children's hospital, a Boys and Girls Club, or an inner-city youth center. Either Bob, Robby, or Ralph and the Titans would say, 'We would have loved to have known about this ahead of time, so we could get some media out there.' But that's not why Steve did those things. He did it for one reason. And that was because he wanted to. That's who he was. And that is how I always remember him."

obama looking at girl

obama looking at girl

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - The photo that has been making the rounds Friday is one of President Barack Obama at the G8 Summit in Italy.

Earlier in the week the story was about his daughter Malia's peace t-shirt, but all attention is back on the president after he was photographed looking in the direction of a young lady while standing with France's President Nicolas Sarkozy. The photo shows him looking toward the woman as she passed.

TMZ.com published the image with the headline "Baby Got Barack," while FoxNews.com referenced the image with a straight news caption, "President Obama and France's President Nicolas Sarkozy take their places for a photo with junior G-8 delegates, including Brazil's Mayora Tavares, left, at the G-8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy", but linked to it with the description " PHOTOS: Obama Raises Eyebrows at G-8 Photo Op ."

The New York Post reported that the girl is a 17-year-old delegate from Brazil.

Was the president checking out the girl in the photo? DrudgeReport.com posted the image Friday morning with the headline "SECOND STIMULUS PACKAGE!" and Huffington Post.com has more than 400 comments that go back-and-forth on what the leaders were doing in the photo.

tour de france stage 7

tour de france stage 7

Less than a week in and the mountains arrive with the first Hors Category climb of the race. Not only does this stage introduce the peloton to this Tour's mountains but it is also the longest stage of the race at 224kms.

Early on the riders crest and descend the fourth category Cote de Montserrat, from then on it is virtually a non stop drag up towards the Pyrenees. The peloton's legs get their first real test on the category one Col de Serra-Seca, a climb of over 7.5kms to 1,160 metres, they then climb higher, to 1,249 metres on the Port del Comte before plummeting back down to 560 metres. And then the fun begins.

The Hors Category Arcalis climb is officially listed at being 10.6kms in length, with an average gradient of 7.1%. In reality though the climbing to Arcalis starts with still over 40 km to go until the finish. With so long still to go in the race it is unlikely that any of the main contenders will look to gain time here, rather just content themselves with making sure they don't lose any to their rivals. This stage then could be a pure climber's best shout for a win.

Andorra WikipediaTM Fact(?): Want to maximise your life expectancy? Best move to Andorra then. Andorrans enjoy the highest average life expectancy of anywhere on earth, at 85 years.

General Classification after Stage Four
1. Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) 19:29:22
2. Lance Armstrong (Astana) @ 00‘00”
3. Alberto Contador (Astana) @ 00‘19”

Points Classification after Stage Four
1. Mark Cavendish (Columbia - HTC) 106pts
2. Thor Hushovd (Cervelo) 105pts
3. Gerald Ciolek (Milram) 66pts

King of the Mountains Classification after Stage Four
1 Stéphane Auge (Cofidis) 14pts
2. Jussi Veikkanen (Francaise des Jeux) 9pts
3. David Millar (Garmin-Slipstream) 8pts

Yong Riders Classifcation after Stage Four
1. Tony Martin (Columbia HTC) 19:30:14
2. Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) @ 00‘39”
3. Vicenzo Nibali (Liquigas) @ 00’44”

michael jackson memorial service full video

michael jackson memorial service full video

Reverend Al Sharpton spoke at the Michael Jackson Memorial Service and has caused a bit of a heated debate with some of his remarks. Always with political undertones, the reverend discussed civil rights, racism, and the unfair treatment of African Americans in the music industry. He also spoke of how the Jackson 5 paved the way for many future successes of black children: even citing President Obama's election.

Though many might feel that the Jackson 5 and particularly Michael Jackson's career broke racial stereotypes, some feel that Michael Jackson's memorial was not the place to bring up these issues. Others seem to feel that Al Sharpton has a hard time moving forward and letting go of the past. If you'd like to voice your opinon or vote in the poll regarding whether or not Al Sharpton is a racist, you may do so here: Do you think Al Sharpton is a racist?

Here are the words spoken by Rev. Al Sharpton at the Michael Jackson Memorial Service.

All over the world today people are gathered in love vigils to celebrate the life of a man that taught the world how to love. People may be wondering why there is such an emotional outburst, but you would have to understand the journey of Michael to understand what he meant to all of us.

For these that sit here as the Jackson family, a mother and father with nine children that rose from a working class family in Gary, Indiana, they had nothing but a dream. No one believed in those days that these kind of dreams could come true. But they kept on believing, and Michael never let the world turn him around from his dreams.

I first met Michael around 1970, Black Expo, Chicago, Illinois, Reverend Jesse Jackson, who stood by this family until now. And from that day, as a cute kid, to this moment, he never gave up dreaming.

It was that dream that changed culture all over the world. When Michael started, it was a different world, but because Michael kept going, because he didn't except limitations, because he refused to let people decide his boundaries, he opened up the whole world in the music world.

He put on one glove, pulled his pants up, and broke down the color curtain, where now our videos are shown and magazines put us on the cover! It was Michael Jackson that brought blacks and whites and Asians and Latinos together! It was Michael Jackson that made us sing "We are the World" and feed the hungry long before Live Aid!

Because Michael Jackson kept going, he created a comfort level where people that felt they were separate became interconnected with his music. And it was that comfort level that kids from Japan and Ghana and France and Iowa and Pennsylvania got comfortable enough with each other to, later, it wasn't strange to us to watch Oprah on television. It wasn't strange to watch Tiger Woods golf.

Those young kids grew up from being teenage comfortable fans of Michael's to being 40 years old and being comfortable to vote for a president of color to be the president of the United States of America.

Michael did that! Michael made us love each other! Michael taught us to stand with each other!

There are those that like to dig around mess, but millions around the world, we are going to uphold his message. It's not about mess, it's about his love message.

As you climb up steep mountains, sometimes you scar your knee. Sometimes you break your skin. But don't focus on the scars. Focus on the journey.

Michael rose to the top. He out-sang his cynics. He out-danced his doubters. He outperformed the pessimists.

Every time he got knocked down, he got back up. Every time you counted him out, he came back in.

Michael never stopped! Michael never stopped! Michael never stopped!

I want to say to Mrs. Jackson and Joe Jackson, his sisters and brothers, we thank you for giving us someone that taught us love, someone that taught us hope. We want to thank you because we know it was your dream, too. We know that your heart is broken.

I know you have some comfort from the letter from the president of the United States and Nelson Mandela, but this was your child. This was your brother. This was your cousin. Nothing will fill your heart's loss, but I hope the love that people are showing will make you know he didn't live in vain.

I want his three children to know, wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with, but he dealt with it... he dealt with it anyway. He dealt with it for us. So, some came today, Mrs. Jackson, to say goodbye to Michael. I came to say thank you. Thank you, because you never stopped. Thank you because you never gave up. Thank you because you never gave out. Thank you because you tore down our divisions. Thank you because you eradicated barriers. Thank you because you gave us hope.

Thank you, Michael, thank you, Michael, thank you, Michael.

Watch the Video of Rev. Al Sharpton at the Michael Jackson Memorial Service (the views expressed in the following video belong to the creator of the video and are not necessarily shared by Charisse Van Horn)

graphene

graphene

Since its discovery just a few years ago, graphene has climbed to the top of the heap of new super-materials poised to transform the electronics and nanotechnology landscape. As N.J. Tao, a researcher at the Biodesign Institute of Arizona State University explains, this two-dimensional honeycomb structure of carbon atoms is exceptionally strong and versatile. Its unusual properties make it ideal for applications that are pushing the existing limits of microchips, chemical sensing instruments, biosensors, ultracapacitance devices, flexible displays and other innovations.

In a recent issue of Nature Nanotechnology Letters, Tao describes the first direct measurement of a fundamental property of graphene, known as quantum capacitance, using an electrochemical gate method. A better understanding of this crucial variable should prove invaluable to other investigators participating in what amounts to a gold rush of graphene research.

Although theoretical work on single atomic layer graphene-like structures has been going on for decades, the discovery of real graphene came as a shock. “When they found it was a stable material at room temperature,” Tao says, “everyone was surprised.” As it happens, minute traces of graphene are shed whenever a pencil line is drawn, though producing a 2-D sheet of the material has proven trickier. Graphene is remarkable in terms of thinness and resiliency. A one-atom thick graphene sheet sufficient in size to cover a football field, would weigh less than a gram. It is also the strongest material in nature—roughly 200 times the strength of steel. Most of the excitement however, has to do with the unusual electronic properties of the material.

Graphene displays outstanding electron transport, permitting electricity to flow rapidly and more or less unimpeded through the material. In fact, electrons have been shown to behave as massless particles similar to photons, zipping across a graphene layer without scattering. This property is critical for many device applications and has prompted speculation that graphene could eventually supplant silicon as the substance of choice for computer chips, offering the prospect of ultrafast computers operating at terahertz speeds, rocketing past current gigahertz chip technology. Yet, despite encouraging progress, a thorough understanding of graphene’s electronic properties has remained elusive. Tao stresses that quantum capacitance measurements are an essential part of this understanding.

Capacitance is a material’s ability to store energy. In classical physics, capacitance is limited by the repulsion of like electrical charges, for example, electrons. The more charge you put into a device, the more energy you have to expend to contain it, in order to overcome charge repulsion. However, another kind of capacitance exists, and dominates overall capacitance in a two-dimensional material like graphene. This quantum capacitance is the result of the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that two fermions—a class of common particles including protons, neutrons and electrons—cannot occupy the same location at the same time. Once a quantum state is filled, subsequent fermions are forced to occupy successively higher energy states. As Tao explains, “it’s just like in a building, where people are forced to go to the second floor once the first level is occupied.”

In the current study, two electrodes were attached to graphene, and a voltage applied across the material’s two-dimensional surface by means of a third, gate electrode. Plots of voltage vs. capacitance can be seen in fig1. In Tao’s experiments, graphene’s ability to store charge according to the laws of quantum capacitance, were subjected to detailed measurement. The results show that graphene’s capacitance is very small. Further, the quantum capacitance of graphene did not precisely duplicate theoretical predictions for the behavior of ideal graphene. This is due to the fact that charged impurities occur in experimental samples of graphene, which alter the behavior relative to what is expected according to theory.

Tao stresses the importance of these charged impurities and what they may mean for the development of graphene devices. Such impurities were already known to affect electron mobility in graphene, though their effect on quantum capacitance has only now been revealed. Low capacitance is particularly desirable for chemical sensing devices and biosensors as it produces a lower signal-to-noise ratio, providing for extremely fine-tuned resolution of chemical or biological agents. Improvements to graphene will allow its electrical behavior to more closely approximate theory. This can be accomplished by adding counter ions to balance the charges resulting from impurities, thereby further lowering capacitance.

The sensitivity of graphene’s single atomic layer geometry and low capacitance promise a significant boost for biosensor applications. Such applications are a central topic of interest for Tao, who directs the Biodesign Institute’s Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors. As Tao explains, any biological substance that interacts with graphene’s single atom surface layer can be detected, causing a huge change in the properties of the electrons.

One possible biosensor application under consideration would involve functionalizing graphene’s surface with antibodies, in order to precisely study their interaction with specific antigens. Such graphene-based biosensors could detect individual binding events, given a suitable sample. For other applications, adding impurities to graphene could raise overall interfacial capacitance. Ultracapacitors made of graphene composites would be capable of storing much larger amounts of renewable energy from solar, wind or wave energy than current technologies permit.

Because of graphene’s planar geometry, it may be more compatible with conventional electronic devices than other materials, including the much-vaunted carbon nanotubes. “You can imagine an atomic sheet, cut into different shapes to create different device properties,” Tao says.

Since the discovery of graphene, the hunt has been on for similar two-dimensional crystal lattices, though so far, graphene remains a precious oddity.

babies on skates

babies on skates

The whole CGI-enabled "babies talking and/or acting like adults" thing kinda creeps me out, and this ad for Evian, in which babies are doing rollerskate stunts and breakdancing to "Rapper's Delight," is no exception. That said, it's pretty seamless, definitely hilarious (love the cocky "What?" stance at 0:43), and a marked improvement on the ho-hum synchronized swimming Evian ad from a couple months ago. Plus, they toss in a few giggles, coos, and toddles to help cute it up a bit. Definitely a clever way to hammer home Evian's "Live Young" slogan and help bring a hip-hop coolness to a brand that could still benefit from anything that helps shed its lingering Yuppie-Water stigma. What think ye?

live coverage of michael jackson memorial

live coverage of michael jackson memorial

CNN.com and Facebook will present live coverage of Michael Jackson: The Memorial, Tuesday July 7, beginning at noon ET. The last time CNN.com and Facebook partnered for a live event was for the coverage of President Obama’s inauguration. Coverage of the memorial service is to be approximately 6 hours long. Watch the memorial of Michael Jackson on CNN and with Facebook Tuesday at Noon ET. Share your memories with friends and other Michael Jackson fans around the world using Facebook status updates from CNN.com Live.

For nearly all of his life, Michael Jackson provided a spectacle for the world’s attention. His memorial service continues that mission beyond his death. The event is to be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Mr. Jackson’s remains will be taken to the memorial. ArtsBeat will be providing up-to-the-minute reports and live video of the Michael Jackson memorial. Refresh this post for the latest updates.

Family Heads to Forest Lawn | 11 a.m. At about 10:57 a.m.. Eastern Time, MSNBC broadcast video of the Jacksons departing their family compound in Encino, Calif., as they make their way to a private funeral to be held at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Glendale.

The cable channel tells us this is the same cemetery where celebrities like Bette Davis and Lucille Ball are buried. Amazingly, MSNBC said that some of the 8,750 pairs of tickets to the Jackson memorial service were not picked up by lottery winners and were given to other fans at the Staples Center this morning.

The Jackson Memorial | 9:27 a.m. For nearly all of his life, Michael Jackson provided a spectacle for the world’s attention. His memorial service continues that mission beyond his death. The event is to be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the same arena where he had been rehearsing for the “This Is It” concerts billed as both a comeback and a possible farewell. Now it will house a state funeral for the King of Pop, who died on June 25 at age 50.

Mr. Jackson’s remains will be brought to the Staples Center for the memorial, said William J. Bratton, the Los Angeles police chief.

The announced lineup for the memorial includes current pop stars­ Mariah Carey, Usher, John Mayer, Jennifer Hudson ­as well as a delegation from Motown, the label that nurtured Mr. Jackson as the child star of the Jackson 5. There are also figures from sports (Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant), politics (Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King III), movies and television (Brooke Shields) and the church (the Andrae Crouch Choir).

Some 17,500 fans and admirers will be in attendance (chosen by lottery from more than 1.6 million applications) with another 6,500 watching a simulcast in the nearby Nokia Theater, some wanting to pay their respects to a beloved performer, others hoping for one final blast of entertainment from Mr. Jackson’s realm of fantasy, razzle-dazzle and perfectionism.

NYTimes will have live video of the event right here in ArtsBeat. The service will also be covered live by all of the broadcast networks, the cable news channels CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, and entertainment channels including MTV, BET and E!. Online social networks like MySpace and Facebook will also be hosting streaming video and inviting commentary. By day’s end, the event will likely be seen a worldwide audience larger than the one that tuned in for the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Beyond the starting time and the lineup of guests, details about the memorial service remain uncertain. Will it be somber? Celebratory? Personal? Spiritual? Promotional? There’s no predicting. It’s also not clear what plans the Jackson family have made for his private funeral, or how Los Angeles will accommodate the thousands upon thousands of pilgrims who have come to the city for the event.

ArtsBeat will be providing up-to-the-minute reports on the Michael Jackson memorial and its coverage. Watch here for streaming video of the service and refresh this page for updates from Times reporters, critics and photographers.

sahel kazemi images

sahel kazemi images

The Tennessean has posted a photo gallery of images captured from Sahel Kazemi's Facebook account. See it here.

The second photo shows two girls sitting atop a black Cadillac Escalade. The paper also reported today that Steve McNair gave a black Escalade to Kazemi for her 20th birthday in May.

McNair and Kazemi were found shot to death in a Nashville apartment on Saturday. Police have ruled McNair's death a homicide but have refused to classify Kazemi's death.

Also, the Tennessean has posted a photo gallery of McNair's Nashville-area home that he shared with his wife, Mechelle McNair. See it here.

steve mcnair wife photo

steve mcnair wife photo

Sit right down and click: Sahel Kazemi photo, Sahel Kazemi mugshot, Michelle [sic] McNair photo, Zac Zefron shaved head, Michael Jackson death photo, Michael Jackson OK! Magazine near death photo. Everybody wants to see photos these days. People want a visual. Can't get a still visual, they want a video. How about the Disney monorail accident video? Television, internet, cellphone, iPods, whatever. They want it now and they want a visual. So, where were we? Oh, yeah, clicking on Sahel Kazemi photo, Sahel Kazemi mugshot, Mechelle McNair photo, Zac Zefron shaved head, Michael Jackson death photo, Michael Jackson OK! Magazine near death photo...

But what do all these things have in common? Most of them (not all, but most) are of dead people or a part of a story that has to do with a dead person. The Sahel Kazemi photo and mugshot are of the girlfriend of Steve McNair, the Tennessee Titans Pro Bowl quarterback who was slain alongside his mistress, the aforementioned Sahel Kazemi. Michelle [sic] McNair is the wife of the slain Steve McNair and everybody apparently are doing a comparison study between wife Mechelle Mcnair and mistress Sahel Kazemi. The Michael Jackson death photo is self-explanatory. The Michael Jackson OK! Magazine near death photo was the highly objectionable photo that OK! Magazine reportedly paid $500,000 and ran as a cover for their tribute edition to Michael Jackson (stating that it was not offensive because his eyes were closed). And then there was the Disney World monorail train accident video that, although it did not show any graphic or gory carnage, show the aftermath of the two Disney monorail trains colliding, one literally entering the other.

midlands technical college

midlands technical college

Judy Ann Scales of Sumter, S.C. and Joseph Anthony Ponds of Lodge, S.C., proudly announce their engagement.

The bride-elect is the daughter of Mrs. Margaret Scales of Sumter and the late Mr. Tom Scales. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. W.F.M. Scales of Gwinnet, GA; the late Mr. and Mrs. Johnson M. Timmons of Sumter and honorary/adopted grandparents, Mrs. Garris Norris of Sumter and the late Mr. Leon Norris.

The bridegroom-elect is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony (Lynn) Ponds of Lodge. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ponds of Islandton, S.C. and Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Felkel of Elloree, S.C.

Miss Scales is a 2007 graduate of Sumter Christian School and is currently a junior at the University of South Carolina majoring in accounting.

Mr. Ponds is a 2007 graduate of Ponds Home School and will begin classes at Midland’s Technical College in the fall, majoring in mechanical engineering. He is currently employed with Ponds & Sons Construction.

The wedding is planned for July 25, 2009 at Sumter Bible Church in Sumter.

robert mcnamara

robert mcnamara

Robert Strange McNamara, the former secretary of defense whose record as a leading executive of industry and a chieftain of foreign financial aid was all but erased from public memory by his reputation as the primary architect of U.S. involvement in the war in Vietnam, died early this morning at age 93.

Family members said McNamara died at his home in Northwest Washington. They did not give a cause of death.

McNamara was secretary of defense during the presidencies of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Baines Johnson. In that capacity he directed a U.S. military buildup in Southeast Asia during the critical early years of a Vietnamese conflict that escalated into one of the most divisive and bitter wars in U.S. history. When the war was over, 58,000 Americans were dead and the national social fabric had been torn asunder.

Before taking office as secretary of defense in 1961, McNamara was president of Ford Motor Co. For 13 years after he left the Pentagon in 1968, he was president of the World Bank. He was a brilliant student, a compulsive worker and a skillful planner and organizer, whose manifest talents carried him from modest circumstances in California to the highest levels of the Washington power structure. He was said to have built a record of achievement and dedication in business, government and public service that few of his generation could match.

After his retirement from the bank in 1981, he maintained an exhausting schedule as director or consultant to scores of public and private organizations and was a virtual one-man think tank on nuclear arms issues.

But more than 40 years after the fact, he was remembered almost exclusively for his orchestration of U.S. prosecution of the war in Vietnam, a failed effort by the world's greatest superpower to prevent a communist takeover of a weak and corrupt ally. For his role in the war, McNamara was vilified by harsh and unforgiving critics, and his entire record was unalterably clouded. For the rest of his life, he would be haunted by the Vietnam ghosts.

From the day in 1961 when he burst upon the Washington scene as a political unknown selected by Kennedy to be secretary of defense, McNamara's trim figure, slicked-back hair and rimless glasses made him instantly recognizable, a Washington monument whose interests covered everything from nuclear war to the fiscal health of local governments.

At the Pentagon, he reorganized the military bureaucracy, built up the country's nuclear arsenal, and instigated a massive campaign to end racial discrimination in off-base housing. At the World Bank, he was often described as "the conscience of the West," for his relentless efforts to persuade the industrialized world to commit more capital to improving life in the have-not nations. In retirement, he avoided celebrity-for-hire appearances on the lecture circuit and the television talk shows, devoting his time and talent instead to improvement of education, government and health in this country and abroad and writing when he thought he had something to say.

He served as secretary of defense longer than anyone else, and in that role he was a key figure in such major crises as the Bay of Pigs fiasco and the Cuban missile confrontation with the Soviet Union. He changed the balance of nuclear forces in the world with the development of the multiple-warhead missile.

But his reputation foundered in Vietnam, a then-little-known country halfway around the world. Many Americans held him largely responsible for the futile and humiliating military adventure there--a responsibility he accepted in a controversial 1995 memoir of the war.

It was "McNamara's war," matching his technology, statistics, weaponry and organization charts against a peasant army from a small, impoverished country. The peasants won. In retrospect, it could be seen that McNamara's can-do, technological approach to military issues might have been perfectly suited to a conflict against the Soviet Union in Europe, but it led him into disastrous miscalculations in the jungles and paddies of Vietnam.

On his first visit to South Vietnam in 1962, before most Americans had heard of the place and before the involvement of American combat forces, McNamara said that "every quantitative measurement we have shows we're winning this war."

steve mcnair s wife photo

steve mcnair s wife photo

Michelle McNair Photo:Mechelle McNair Steve Mcnair s Wife - Michelle Mcnair Photo/Mechelle Mcnair Photo has surfaced.Michelle Mcnair aka Mechelle Mcnair is the wife of Steve Mcnair who was found dead yesterday.The couple wed on June 21, 1997 had four children together.Mechelle Mcnair nee Mechelle Cartwright does not wish to comment on the death of her husband at this moment.
That’s all we have for now on Michelle McNair Photo:Mechelle McNair Steve Mcnair s Wife.

independence day quotes

independence day quotes

The risk of car accidents increases during the summer months, especially during holidays. CarInsuranceQuote.net offers driving tips to keep people safer for long road trips.

Minneapolis, Minn. (Vocus/PRWEB ) July 4, 2009 -- Car accidents tend to increase during the summer months, with the highest incident of accidents taking place over holidays. This can be attributed to increased amount of time behind the wheel due to long road trips and increased amounts of alcohol consumption. The Car Insurance Quote website offers helpful tips on how drivers can stay safe during the holiday season. In addition, the website offers information such as how consumers can find a cheap car insurance quote, obtain a free car insurance quote and offers services on how to compare car insurance quotes.

In the meantime, drivers should remember that July 3rd and July 4th are two of the deadliest days to drive on US roads. In order to reduce auto accidents, the Car Insurance Quote website offers these tips to stay safer.

1. Buckle up. Buckling up is the quickest and easiest way to stay safe in the event of an accident. Be sure to also follow proper car or booster seat requirements for children's height and age group.
2. Obey speed limits. Not only will keeping speeds down lower risks of accidents, but it will also help drivers avoid costly speeding tickets. In addition to the cost of the ticket, there is also the increased insurance premium. If a driver notices an increase in their premiums, it may be a good time to compare car insurance quotes.
3. Pack proof of car insurance. When checking items off the list such as bug spray, suntan lotion and beach balls, do not forget to all make sure there is proof of car insurance in your wallet or glove box. Whether traveling close to home or out-of-state, this should always be on hand.
4. Keep a first aid kit or roadside assistant kit in the car. In addition to proof of insurance, be prepared for accidents or being stranded. A kit should include water, a flash light, extra batteries and non-perishable food items. Also, make sure cell phones are charged before leaving for long road trips.
5. Check tires and battery. Low air levels in vehicle tires can reduce fuel efficiency, but more importantly can be a concern for safety. Always check air pressure before a road trip. In addition, if the battery in a vehicle is old, replace it. If it still has a few miles but is increasing in amount of use, be sure to keep jumper cables in the trunk.
6. Do not drink and drive. Drinking and driving never mix well. Regardless of how long or short the drive, it is always better to play it safe. Utilize public transportation or assign a designated driver. If a driver has experienced increased insurance rates due to drinking and driving, it is advisable to shop for a cheap car insurance quote.
7. Check the weather. Before leaving for a long road trip, be sure to check on weather conditions. If any severe weather is predicted, it is safer to delay a road trip than to brave a storm.

About CheapCarInsuranceQuote.net:
The Car Insurance Quote website provides United States consumers with an online shopping service designed to compare car insurance quotes, find a free car insurance quote, and ultimately to obtain a cheap car insurance quote. Gone are the days of searching through the yellow pages and calling on multiple insurance agents to provide you accurate quotes based on your vehicle insurance needs. This site takes the guesswork out of comparison shopping for car insurance with a simple quote form designed to make shopping for car insurance easier and faster on the internet. This service puts insurance shoppers in touch with top rated car insurance companies that can provide quotes for full coverage or liability auto insurance coverage the same day.

wimbledon finals 2009

wimbledon finals 2009

The Wimbledon finals for 2009 kick-off at 9:00 a.m. EST time with the women's singles which will once again feature the Williams sisters battling for the title. Serena and Venus faced off last year at the Wimbledon finals with Venus coming out on top. However, way back in 2002 and 2003 the sisters also faced off for the Wimbledon championship and Serena was able to win both times.

So what do you think? The American Williams' sisters face off on the Fourth of July, who will win the 2009 Wimbledon championship.

The Facts

- Venus Williams is 29 years old, Serena is 27.

- Venus beat her sister last year for the Wimbledon title, but Serena has won the U.S. Open and Australian Open since then.

- Serena has 10 total Grand Slam wins, Venus has 7.

- Venus has owned Wimbledon with 5 titles to Serena's 2.

4th of july

4th of july

Anne Arundel

Annapolis: Celebrate an old-fashioned Fourth of July in Annapolis. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. today at Amos Garrett Boulevard and proceeds downtown. A concert by the U.S. Naval Academy Band follows at 8 p.m., concluding with a 9:15 p.m. fireworks display. The concert is at Susan Campbell Park, City Dock, 160 Duke of Gloucester St. Free. Go to hometownannapolis.com

Arundel Mills: Get all decked out in your best Uncle Sam gear for the Arundel Mills July 4th Parade. There will be prizes for best red-white-and-blue costume. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. Arundel Mills Mall is at 7000 Arundel Mills Circle in Hanover. Free. Call 410-540-5100.

Baltimore City

Fort McHenry: Celebrate the Glorious Fourth! ... an Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Weekend at Fort McHenry noon-4:30 p.m. today. There won't be any fireworks, but there will be a cannon firing, a musket salute, period dancing and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at 3 p.m. Fort McHenry is at 2400 E. Fort Ave. Free. Call 410-962-4290.

Inner Harbor fireworks: The Inner Harbor's Cricket 4th of July Celebration includes a performance by Reverb, an a cappella group, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Electric Brigade, the U.S. Naval Academy band, starts at 8 p.m. and continues through the fireworks show. The fireworks, produced by Zambelli Fireworks Internationale, begin at 9:30 p.m. The concerts take place at the Harborplace Amphitheater, at Light and Pratt streets. Free. Go to promotionandarts.org.

Constellation: The Constellation's Annual Deck Party takes place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event includes backyard barbecue items, cannon firings and giveaways. The Constellation is at 301 E. Pratt St. Tickets are $20-$65. Call 410-539-1797.

Aquarium: The National Aquarium in Baltimore hosts its own Pier Party today. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., enjoy live music with a prime spot for viewing the fireworks over the harbor. Grab some snacks on site or take a picnic basket. The aquarium is at 501 E. Pratt St. Tickets are $20 for members and $40 for nonmembers for adults, $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers for children. Advance reservations are required, and space is limited. Call 410-727-3474.

Science Center: Fourth of July in the Sky at the Maryland Science Center provides a premium open bar, gourmet dinner, party favors and a great view from 7:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. The Science Center is at 601 Light St. Tickets are $65. Go to lindypromo.com

Top of the World: Watch the fireworks from the best view in town with a Picnic at the Top at the 27th floor of the World Trade Center. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., there will be food and an open bar. The building is at 401 E. Pratt St. Tickets are $75 for adults, $30 for children. Call 410-837-8439 or go to viewbaltimore.org.

Dinner cruise: Get a seat with a spectacular view on the Inner Harbor Fireworks Dinner Cruise, which includes a buffet, DJ and more. The cruise boards at 7 p.m. and sails from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Spirit Cruises is at 561 Light St. $99.90 per person. Call 866-312-2469.

BMI: Check out the harbor fireworks display from the Baltimore Museum of Industry. There will be museum tours and family-friendly activities from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The museum is at 1415 Key Highway. Tickets are $50 per car ($40 per member's car), $5 per person at gate. Go to www.thebmi.org.

Pet parade: Get your animals in on the patriotic fun when the American Visionary Art Museum holds its annual Visionary Pet Parade and Talent (Or Not) Show at 10 a.m. Awards will be given out for Best Costume, Most Patriotic and Most Visionary Pet, among others. Free. Registration is at 9:30 a.m. AVAM is at 800 Key Highway. Go to avam.org or cal 410-244-1900.

Baltimore County

Catonsville: Catonsville hosts a full day of events. Starting at 9:30 a.m., enjoy children's games and races followed by live music, a grand parade at 3 p.m. and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., watch the Catonsville Hot Dog Eating Contest to see who earns the title of "Catonsville Biggest Wiener." Fireworks at Catonsville High School, 421 Bloomsbury Ave. Free. Call 410-744-9655 or go to catonsvillecelebrations.org.

Cockeysville: The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra returns to Oregon Ridge Park for the Star-Spangled Spectacular. The orchestra's selections include Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" and Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever," choreographed to a fireworks display. Gates open at 5 p.m., concert starts at 8 p.m. at Oregon Ridge Park, 13401 Beaver Dam Road. Tickets are $9-$18. Call 410-783-8000 or go to bsomusic.org.

Dundalk: The Dundalk Heritage Association holds its 73rd annual Independence Day Parade, including a variety of bands, floats and marching units, at 8:30 a.m. The parade is part of the Dundalk Heritage Fair, which runs through Sunday. The fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. at the Government Center on Wise Avenue. The fair is at 2700 Playfield St. $5 admission. Call 410-284-4022 or go to dundalkheritagefair.com.

Essex: The Eastern Yacht Club hosts a Fireworks Extravaganza over Middle River. The club opens at 3 p.m., and the fireworks show starts at dusk. The Eastern Yacht Club is at 2330 Seneca Road. Call 410-335-7009 or go to mtabc.org.

Hereford: Wave your flags high for the Hereford Parade of Flags, which takes place at 6 p.m. Sunday, followed by fireworks at dusk. The parade runs from Hereford Pharmacy Shopping Center to Hereford High School. Hereford High School is at 17301 York Road in Parkton. Free. Go to herefordparade.org.

Towson: The Fourth of July Parade in Towson starts at 10:30 a.m. at Bosley Avenue and Towsontown Boulevard and includes clowns, bands, military units and floats. Fireworks are over Loch Raven Academy, 8101 LaSalle Road, at dusk. Free. Call 410-832-2190.

Carroll County

Westminster: The Carroll County Farm Museum is presenting an old-fashioned take on Fourth of July celebrations. Tour the farmhouse with costumed guides, listen to live entertainment or stop by the gift shop for souvenirs and crafts. The fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. The museum is at 500 S. Center St. Tickets are $3-$5 if you arrive between noon and 5 p.m., and a $6 per car donation is requested after 5 p.m. Call 410-386-3880 or go to carrollcountyfarmmuseum.org.

Harford County

Bel Air: The Bel Air Independence Day celebration takes place at Shamrock Park. The flag-raising and the blueberry pancake and sausage breakfast take place at Bel Air Middle School. Other activities include a hamster race, a turtle derby, a frog-jumping contest and children's games. At 6 p.m., the parade will begin at the intersection of East Gordon Street and North Main Street and will continue down North Main Street. Free. Go to belairjuly4.org.

Havre de Grace carnival: The Independence Celebration and Carnival runs through Sunday. The parade takes place at 2 p.m. Sunday on Union Avenue. The concert is at 7 p.m. and fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. The carnival runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for individual rides. Other activities are free. Call 410-939-4362.

Havre de Grace cruise: Enjoy a two-hour boat ride aboard the Lantern Queen Riverboat that sails from Hutchins Memorial Park in Havre de Grace. Weekend celebrations include a Fourth of July Dinner Cruise from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Lantern Queen Mooring is at 100 Congress Ave. Tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for children ages 3-10. Go to lanternqueen.com.

Howard County

Columbia: Catch live bands, children's entertainment and fireworks choreographed to patriotic music in Howard County 5 p.m.-10 p.m. The event takes place at the Columbia lakefront, 10221 Wincopin Circle. Free. Call 410-313-4452.

are banks open today

are banks open today

However, the city's recycling centers will be open normal hours today, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Other closures or time changes:

- Greene County offices closed today, though essential staff like the sheriff's office will be at work.

- The Springfield Art Museum will be closed today and Saturday but will be open on Sunday.

- City Utilities offices will be closed today. Buses will run on their usual schedule today and on Saturday will offer hourly service using routes and schedules normally operated nightly and on Sundays from 8:10 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. Normal service will resume Sunday.

- All MoDOT offices and maintenance facilities closed today. No road work is planned.

- Springfield-Greene County Libraries will be open today but closed Saturday.

- Springfield Greene County Parks (including Dickerson Park Zoo ) will be open on Saturday. Administrative offices will be closed.

- Ozark Greenways trails will be open.

- Springfield-Greene County Health Department is closed today.

- The United States Post Office is open today and closed on Saturday. No mail delivery on Saturday.

- Mediacom Ice Park will operate on a modified schedule Saturday. A freestyle session, Parent & Child Stick & Puck session, and a public session will be held from noon to 5 p.m. today and Sunday hours are unchanged.

- Great Southern Banks will be open today.

- All Telcomm Credit Unions will be open today; closed Saturday.

- All Liberty Bank locations will be open today and closed on Saturday.

- Bank of America banks will be open normal hours today and closed on Saturday.

wimbledon semi finals live

wimbledon semi finals live

Germany’s Tommy Haas is determined to produce one of the biggest upsets in Wimbledon history as he takes on five-time champion and top-seed Roger Federer in the tournament’s semifinals.

The 31 year-old from Hamburg has not lost on grass this season and he could become the first German in a Wimbledon men’s singles final since Boris Becker in 1995. Although Federer leads Haas 11-3 in their meetings last time they played, the 34th seed took Roger to five sets, winning the first two. So, expect today’s match to be a close one.

The game starts at 13:00 London (08:00 ET).

UPDATE: Roger Federer reached a record 20th Grand Slam final and a seventh straight Wimbledon title match with a 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 6-3 win over Tommy Haas.

You can watch Andy Roddick vs. Andy Murray Wimbledon Semifinals here (free live stream).

World No. 3 Andy Murray faces sixth-seeded American Andy Roddick on Centre Court later this afternoon to secure a place in the Wimbledon
2009 Final.

Roddick, who is back in the semis of the tournament for the first time since 2005, has grown stronger, and he has matured mentally as well. But in this match, he’s definitely the underdog. The 23-year-old Nebraskan knows that the crowd will be loud and hoping his serve cracks like a broken vase.

Murray has also elevated his game to such a level that he is now a genuine sporting superstar. And I think the 22-year-old Scot has a real shot at becoming the first male British Wimbledon champion since Fred Perry way back in 1936.

The semi-final round starts at 13:00 London (08:00 ET).

You can watch Andy Roddick vs. Andy Murray (free live stream) here. You can also check out the live online coverage of Wimbledon 2009 Semifinals here.

all recipes

all recipes

After receiving 125 recipes from 37 states in the 2008 Legendary Lentil Cook-off, the National Lentil Festival is raising the bar. The 2009 Cook-off is expected to be bigger and better than ever with new creative recipes from across the country. "Our goal this year is one from every state," says Cook-off coordinator Claire Yenish.

The National Lentil Festival sent out press releases to major newspapers in several cities in each state and has already received recipes from 19 states. "Calls have been coming in from papers in Sioux City, Pittsburg, Phoenix, and Cincinnati and that is just this week!" says Festival Director Mary MacDonald. "I'm sure we won't have any trouble reaching our goal".

All recipes are due July 3 to the Pullman Chamber of Commerce office. Recipes can be dropped off, faxed, mailed, or submitted online at www.lentilfest.com. All recipes are required to have at least a half cup of uncooked or one cup of cooked lentils. The submitted recipes will be narrowed down to the top 50 by our qualified judges and July 30 Preliminary Judges will narrow this list down further to the top six recipes, These recipes will be prepared Saturday, August 22, at the National Lentil Festival for the first 400 festival-goers to vote for their favorite. The grand prize of $1,000 is sponsored by the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council.

Also new this year is a special category called "I Hate Lentils" for those who refuse to try these creative dishes because of the required ingredient. Our discriminating judges will taste any of the top 50 recipes that don't appear to have lentils in them and give their vote for the "least-lentil" dish. This dish will receive a special prize of $100 and be featured in the cookbook which will showcase all submitted recipes. The cookbook will be available for sale at the National Lentil Festival August 21-23.

snake kills baby

snake kills baby

I will admit I'm no fan of snakes, or any cold-blooded pets for that matter. But when I saw this shocking story of the Sumter County baby who was hunted in the night in her crib by the family's pet Burmese python, I just can't fathom what makes this creepy thing such an attractive pet.

It is attractive, I will admit, with smooth shiny scales that make excellent purses. But these snakes consume large amounts of food, and due to their size, require large, often custom-built, secure enclosures, which can be very expensive. This is the reason, so many of them are released to the wild by pet owners and are now wreaking havoc in the Everglades. Remember that stunning picture of the 13-foot python that burst open as it tried to swallow whole a 10-foot alligator? Well, in the past five years, the U.S. has imported more than 144,000 Burmese pythons, according to National Geographic. Hatchlings sell for as little as $20. But once the cute little baby snakes turn into 15-foot-long beasts, they get dumped into our wet national forest.

Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., introduced a bill in February to ban the import of pythons. Broward County Rep. Kendrick Meek, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Mel Martinez, introduced the same bill in the House in May. Hearings have yet to be held. And there has even been talk of exacting a bounty on the snakes in the Everglades.

Back to this family pet. These snakes are quite docile most of the time. There are reports of how often the child held this python or the other pet, a 6-foot boa constrictor, and found them almost affectionate. But they also have instinct. The mother's boyfriend, Charles Darnell, 32, told authorities he last checked on the snake shortly after midnight. It had escaped its terrarium. He put the snake in a bag and put it back inside the glass case. Then he put a quilt over the terrarium and tied something around the quilt. State law says pythons are supposed to be kept under lock.

When next he awoke he found the 8-foot snake wrapped around Shaunnia Hare, age 2. Typically, this snake will use its sharp backward-pointing teeth to hang on tight to its prey (the girl had bite marks on her head, according to one report). To keep the prey from fighting, it wraps its muscular body around it and contracts its muscles, killing the prey by constriction.

ok magazine michael jackson cover picture

ok magazine michael jackson cover picture

A photo of a dying Michael Jackson lying on a stretcher is the cover image on the latest edition of OK! Magazine, and is certain to elicit strong, mixed reactions.

The race is on to break the latest news on what may be the biggest celebrity gossip story ever, but do we really need to see "the last photos" of the pop icon?

OK! allegedly paid $500,000 for the cover picture you see below.

While covering Jackson's tragic death is unavoidable, would a tribute such as the commemorative covers released by Entertainment Weekly be more appropriate?

On the flip side, do you want to see all the details because you are interested in the story, even if the images of the dying Jackson happen to be upsetting?

What do you think of the picture on OK's "tribute" issue below? Is it disrespectful to Michael Jackson or are they just reporting the news? Tell us in our poll:

wimbledon semi finals

wimbledon semi finals

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Andy Roddick has reached his fourth Wimbledon semifinal by beating 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt 6-3, 6-7 (10), 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-4.

The American broke Hewitt to lead 5-4 in the final set and then served out the match Wednesday. He finished the match with 43 aces.

Roddick lost to Roger Federer in the final at the All England Club in both 2004 and '05, but had not been back to the semifinals since then. He also reached the last four in 2003.

Roddick will next face third-ranked Andy Murray.

•Venus Williams (3), United States, vs. Dinara Safina (1), Russia: Williams has played a brand of grass-court tennis so superb that there have been moments when the stadium speakers ought to have played Mozart. Safina has conducted trademark raging battles with herself, moments when the stadium speakers ought to have played AC/DC. (Venus leads head-to-head, 2-1, with no previous Grand Slam meetings.)

•Serena Williams (2), United States, vs. Elena Dementieva (4), Russia: Of the 12 Grand Slam semifinal berths so far this year in women's tennis, Russian players have achieved seven and the Williams sisters three. That's assuming Serena was actually joking last week when she said she was born in Russia but moved to Compton, Calif., as a child. (Serena leads head-to-head, 5-4, and is 2-0 in Grand Slam meetings.)

michael jackson kids not his

michael jackson kids not his

Michael Jackson is going home to Neverland.

The body of the late pop icon reportedly will be driven Thursday to his fantasy ranch near Santa Barbara, Calif., paving the way for a massive viewing Friday.

A 30-car motorcade is set to carry Jackson's remains from an undisclosed location in the Los Angeles area to the rolling hills surrounding Neverland, where thousands of fans are expected to converge.

The over-the-top farewell will be capped off by a private memorial Sunday at the 2,800-acre ranch - named for the mythical island in "Peter Pan" - law enforcement sources told CNN.

Jackson once lived at Neverland, which boasted an amusement park and a menagerie, but abandoned it after county officials charged him with molesting a child there.

Officials said they could not confirm numerous reports about the funeral plans, and Jackson's family had no comment. The details emerged on a day of fast-moving developments:

- Jackson's will was found, a day after his family said he didn't leave one.

It gives his mother, Katherine, custody of his three children and orders that his assets be placed in trust, a source told The Associated Press.

The will, drafted in July 2002, names as executors Jackson's longtime lawyer John Branca and music executive John McClain.

Earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported that Jackson cut his father, Joe, out of the will and divided his estate among his mother, children and charity.

- Financial documents surfaced showing Jackson left plenty to fight over - he was worth $236 million a couple of years before his death.

He had a staggering $331 million in debt, but listed $567.6 million in assets, including Neverland, his share of the music catalogue that includes Beatles song rights, and an assortment of cars, antiques and memorabilia.

The five-page financial report says Jackson, known for his extravagant shopping sprees and lawsuits that called him a deadbeat, had just $668,215 in cash.

- Questions emerged over whether Jackson fathered his three children. TMZ.com reported yesterday Jackson was not the biological father of the kids, while Us Weekly claimed his dermatologist, Arnold Klein, donated the sperm for the eldest two.

- TMZ also reported that ex-wife Debbie Rowe was not the biological mother but a surrogate who carried fetuses conceived in vitro to term.

- Rowe's lawyer Marta Almli fired back, telling Radar Online the report was "entirely false" and hurtful. "Ms. Rowe is the biological mother of the two oldest children," Almli said.

- With the cause of Jackson's death still unknown, a nurse revealed that the King of Pop had been clamoring for the powerful sedative Diprivan.

Cherilyn Lee said she believed Jackson might have gotten his hands on some because four days before his death, she got a frantic phone from staffers.

"I could hear Michael in the background. ... 'One side of my body is hot, it's hot, and one side of my body is cold. It's very cold,"' Lee recalled.

"I said, 'Tell him he needs to go the hospital. I don't know what's going on, but he needs to go to the hospital ... right away.'"

"At that point I knew that somebody had given him something that hit the central nervous system," she said.

- The concert promoter behind Jackson's planned 50 comeback concerts in London announced it would give full refunds, starting Wednesday, to fans who bought tickets through authorized agents. AEG Live says Jackson fans can also opt for a paper souvenir ticket in place of a full refund.

A star-studded tribute show, including routines and sets created for Jackson's canceled concerts, is likely to get the go-ahead.

Members of the Jackson family and other world music stars could take to the stage because the "world needs to see" what the singer had been working on, AEG Live promoter Randy Phillips said Tuesday.

farrah fawcett funeral photos

farrah fawcett funeral photos

The shot of 14-year-old Curtis D. Tucker shows him unrolling one of his birthday treasures in 1976, mouth slightly agape and eyes intensely focused on the gift.

The present was one he had fervently requested from his parents and a hot item for many a young, red-blooded male during that bicentennial year: a poster of Farrah Fawcett (then known as Farrah Fawcett-Majors).

"I was a huge Farrah fan," said Tucker, now a cartoonist and entrepreneur living in Enid, Oklahoma. "I had started collecting all of the magazines and pictures and I was basically pinning up every picture that came out of every magazine. Then along came that poster."

"That poster" reportedly became the best-selling of all time -- with more than 12 million copies sold -- and helped make Fawcett one of the last great pinups.

A private funeral is scheduled Tuesday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles, California, for the actress who died at the age of 62 from cancer.

With her famously thick blond hair, red swimsuit, and smile as big and bright as the California sun, the actress was the epitome of the wholesome, all-American girl.

"She was full of life and so happy with that blond hair and that huge smile," said Tucker, who isn't sure if he still has the poster in his attic. "Without that poster, I don't think she would have become what she was."

That freshness and beauty is what landed her poster on Tucker's, and countless others', bedroom walls.

Maria Elena Buszek, the author of "Pin-up Grrrls: Feminism, Sexuality, Popular Culture," said pinups "straddled the line between portraiture and pornography" and included early stage actresses, the famed models of Alberto Vargas and the most famous pinup of all, Bettie Page.

Fawcett has her place in pinup history, said Buszek, an assistant professor of art history at Kansas City Art Institute, School of Liberal Arts.

"The Farrah Fawcett poster really is one of the last iconic pinup images of the 20th century," Buszek said. "By the 1970s, because of the sexual revolution and mores about sexuality becoming looser in the west, the pinup does start to become more nostalgic."

When the photo was taken, Fawcett had not yet become one of "Charlie's Angels," the role which helped make her a star.

She was instead better known for her commercials and ads, most notably -- and not surprisingly -- for Wella Balsam shampoo.

Photographer Bruce McBroom shot the now iconic image and told Entertainment Weekly that the starlet was at the time a young innocent from Texas who did her own hair and makeup for the shoot.

"She had no idea of how beautiful and how attractive she was, I'm sure," McBroom recalled. "She was just like apple-pie, girl-next-door kind of girl, and in all the years I knew her she never changed."

Now Fawcett's image, which was considered racy at the time, is a huge part of nostalgia.

Ken Leicht, a manager of Hollywood Book and Poster Company in Los Angeles, said that before Fawcett's death, the poster was most in demand from production companies looking to stage the 1970s.

"That poster, that shot of her, is just one of the definitive images of that time," Leicht said. "Most of the time with the posters, the teen girls are driving the market, and Farrah is probably one of the last ones that was for the guys."

Leicht said actresses today, with the exception of a few like Pamela Anderson, don't really opt to market themselves using posters anymore. iReport.com: Share your memories of Fawcett

Matt Delzell, group account director for marketing and promotions agency The Marketing Arm, said that eventually the pinup transitioned more into supermodel pictures with the likes of Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer and Elle MacPherson, as well as the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

Fawcett had the crossover appeal that went beyond just being a model, Delzell said.

"The poster came along at a time when posters were popular and she had the right photographer and took the right photo," Delzell said. iReport.com: Fawcett's hairstyle was in high demand

It certainly was the right shot for cartoonist Curtis D. Tucker.

He wasn't a big fan of "Charlie's Angels," he said, so he wasn't that distressed when Fawcett left after only a year.

After all, he was still able to keep her close.

alexis arguello

alexis arguello

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Former boxing champion Alexis Arguello, one of the best junior lightweights to step in the ring, was found dead at his home early Wednesday.

Presidential spokeswoman Rosario Murillo confirmed Arguello's death and an autopsy was pending. The La Prensa newspaper reported Arguello was found with a gunshot wound to the chest.

"We are upset," said Murillo, who declined to provide details about the death. "This is a heartbreaking announcement. He was the champion of the poor, an example of forgiveness and reconciliation."

The 57-year-old Arguello, who was elected mayor of Managua last year, retired after several comebacks in 1995 with a record of 82-8 with 65 knockouts. Nicknamed "The Explosive Thin Man," Arguello was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.

In 1999, a panel of experts assembled by The Associated Press voted Arguello the best junior lightweight and sixth-best lightweight of the 20th century. His popularity in his own country was so great that he carried the flag for Nicaragua at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and led to his decision to seek public office.

Arguello fought against the Sandinista government in the 1980s after it seized his property and bank account, but later joined the party and ran for mayor of the capital last November. He defeated Eduardo Montealegre, though opponents alleged the vote was fraudulent.

Arguello had returned Sunday from Puerto Rico, where he honored the late baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente. His death prompted Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega to announced he was canceling a trip to Panama for the inauguration of President-elect Ricardo Martinelli.

Arguello turned professional in 1968 and lost his first bout. He didn't lose much after that, and six years later rallied to knock out future Hall of Famer Ruben Olivares in the 13th round to win the WBA featherweight title.

Arguello went on to win the super featherweight title and lightweight title, his 5-foot-10 frame and long reach allowing him to move up in weight without losing his tremendous punching power. At the time, he was only the sixth boxer to win titles in three weight classes, and was considered for a time the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Nobody had ever won titles in four divisions, and Arguello moved up in weight again in November 1982 to challenge junior welterweight king Aaron Pryor in a fight billed as "Battle of the Champions." More than 23,000 fans packed the Orange Bowl in Miami, and the two waged an epic battle in which Pryor knocked out Arguello in the 14th round.

A rematch was ordered and they met again a year later at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. This time, Pryor knocked out Arguello in the 10th round.

He announced after the fight that he would retire from boxing, but as so often happens in the sport, he couldn't stay away from the ring.

Arguello returned in 1985 to beat Pat Jefferson, and won another fight the following year, but didn't step into the ring again until 1994. After defeating an unknown club fighter in Miami, Arguello lost to journeyman Scott Walker in January 1995 and retired for the last time.