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Tom Cruise and his wife, Katie Holmes, arriving at the premiere of "Mad Money" in Los Angeles last week (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
NEW YORK (AP) - Matt Lauer was the one being roasted, but his
jab at Tom Cruise may be the joke that lingers longest.
The actor was a surprise guest at a Friar's Club roast of the
"Today" show host.
Cruise said Lauer is the man America wakes up to every morning
"only because we had the channel on NBC before we fell asleep."
Cruise and Lauer had a famous confrontation three years ago on
"Today" when the actor berated Lauer for suggesting that
psychiatric treatment might help some patients.
That year he also drew attention for jumping up and down on the
couch during an appearance on Oprah Winfrey's talk show, talking
excitedly about falling in love with Katie Holmes. At today's
roast, he said Lauer had advised him beforehand: "Go crazy. People
will love you for it."
Shortly after taking his shots, Cruise headed for the exit. Lauer called after him: "Tom, can you stay? I'll get a booster seat."
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


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Bernie Madoff Is Ill
He had a heart attack last month.
The infamous Ponzi schemer is back in his medium-security North Carolina prison after receiving treatment at Duke University Medical Center for a heart attack last month, CNBC reports. Madoff is said to have stage-four kidney disease, which can cause cardiovascular problems (among other things) and usually needs to be treated with dialysis or a transplant, though the 75-year-old says he's not receiving dialysis right now.

subset: commoncrawl


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Erasmus+ Programme is the European Community action programme in the field of education; it aims to promote lifelong learning, encourage access to education for everybody, and helps to acquire recognised qualifications and skills.
The second stage of recruitment will be held from January 7, to January 31, 2016.
We offer Bachelor of Science - B.Sc., Master of Science - M.Sc., Philosophiae Doctor - Ph.D. studies in English, in the area of Information and Communications Technology
At the FEIT classes begin on 1 October. The academic year consists of two semesters, with a week's break in between.
16 November-17 November 2015, Warsaw
Organizer: The Institute of Radioelectronics and Multimedia Technology


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Turmeric is an awesome spice that has not gotten sufficient attention in American kitchens. It is produced by boiling, drying, and grinding the "root" of a perennial plant endemic to India. The bright orange powder has a slightly sharp and … Continue reading
Garlic for Weight Loss?
Garlic is potent, and we're not talking just about its flavor. Responsible for its pungent smell is a compound called allicin. It is also responsible for garlic's many health benefits: * reducing blood pressure * increasing good blood cholesterol (HDL) … Continue reading
10 Spices for Weight Loss & Improved Health
This blog post is sponsored by McCormick. For great recipes incorporating spices, tap here. It's hard to imagine food without spices. They upgrade a boring weeknight dinner to a little party in your mouth. With a bit of experimentation, you … Continue reading
What's the Difference Between Herbs and Spices?
We often hear the term "herbs and spices". As any amateur chef knows, herbs and spices are vital ingredients in many dishes. They add flavor, aroma, color, texture and even nutrients. But have you ever stopped for a moment to … Continue reading
The Anatomy of a Dorito
Munching on savory snacks with the "Os" suffix (Tostitos, Doritos, Cheetos) goes hand in hand with playoff Sundays and the Superbowl. Would you like to know what you're putting in your body each time you reach for a Doritos Cool … Continue reading
Are Hebrew National Kosher Hot Dogs Healthier than the Rest?
We recently got an email from Dave: Stumbled across your blog a few days ago, have been pouring over your archives ever since. My wife and I are in the process of converting to a much more natural and healthy … Continue reading
Egg Beaters and Cholesterol Confusion
One of the problems with nutrition science is that it changes every once in a while when new research come in, but it takes the public a long time to readjust its mindset. The result is mass confusion regarding what's … Continue reading
Chocolate Milk Advice – Syrup, Powder, or Ready-to-Drink? [Inside the Label]
We recently wrote about chocolate milk with too much sugar being served in school lunches. We also covered a chocolate drink that's better left on the shelf. But as parents, we can't ignore the fact that kids LOVE sweetened milk. … Continue reading
Why Fat-free Salad Dressings are Ridiculous [Inside the Label]
"A salad without the dressing is not a salad", someone famous once said. Or should have said. A good dressing helps accentuate flavors, helps some of those greens go down easier, and as you'll see in a minute improves the … Continue reading
9 Things to Know About Annatto [Food Additive]
1. Annatto is a natural spice used as a food additive. 2. It is used both as a red food coloring and adds a sweet peppery taste. 3. Annatto comes from the pulp surrounding the seeds of the achiote tree … Continue reading


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Sonique Bar: Don't Drink, Text
Advertising Agency: Dentsu, Brazil
Creative Directors: Felipe Cama, Alexandre Lucas
Copywriters: Alexandre Lucas, Gabriel Schmitt
Art Directors: Felipe Cama, Estefânio Holtz
Illustrator: Adriano Zagottis
Producer: Ricardo Lopez
Art Buyer: Ana Luiza Rodrigues
Account Supervisor: Renato Broggin
Advertiser's Supervisors: Alexandre Natacci, Beto Lago
Planners: Ira Finkelstein, Werner Lucksch
Published:July 2011
5 comments
ace85leJul 13, 2011 - 2:51
I think it's very gloomy. But the treatment is nice.
Brand Design | Logo Design | Brochure Design | Website Design | Branding Packages
Abhishek ParikhMar 13, 2012 - 10:42
Nice direction.


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A collaboration with Nick Campbell in making some fuzzy type. Finally making a good use of Photoshop's gradient mapping to selectively color the fuzz strands.
Coming to a Threadless near you.
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Ali Khan Vali
This article may be expanded with text translated from the corresponding article in Persian. (September 2015) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|This article does not cite any sources. (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Ali Khan Vali the Governor (Persian: علی خان والی) was a notable 19th-century Iranian photographer. He is best known for his photograph album [1] documenting his career as governor at various places in Azerbaijan (Northwest Persia) between 1879 and 1896.
Biography and career[edit]
He was a member of a distinguished Qajar family, his father having had a long career as diplomat and governor. Ali Khan was born in Tehran in 1845 or 1846. The most important event in his young life occurred when he accompanied his father to St. Petersburg in 1855 for several years. During that time, he studied and learned photography.
In 1277 AH /1860-61 CE, his father left his post, and father and son traveled throughout Europe. In 1278 / 1861-62, his father was posted to the northern (Caspian) province of Gilan as governor. His father was released from that post in 1285 / 1868-69, at a time when Ali Khan was a special attendant at a royal tour of the northern provinces. In 1287 / 1870-71, Ali Khan was one of the courtiers who accompanied Nasser al-Din Shah on a tour of the Shi'ite shrines in Ottoman-governed Iraq, including Najaf, Karbala, and al-Kadhimiyya.
In 1288 / 1871-72, Ali Khan's father was given the post of governor of Fars, while Ali Khan stayed at the court in Tehran, evidently a member of the entourage of the heir to the throne, Muzaffar al-Din. In 1289 / 1872-73, his father died, and his older brother took over as governor of Fars.
In 1296 / 1879, while still in the entourage of Muzaffer al-Din, there were disturbances in Azerbaijan, and Ali Khan received the post of governor of Maragha. He was one of several individuals to receive new posts in Azerbaijan at that time. This was the first of a series of posts he was to hold in that region, including mayor (Hakim) of Tabriz, the principal city. He illustrated his reports to the central administration in Tehran with photographs, which was an innovation encouraged by Nasser al-Din Shah, but readily accommodated by Ali Khan Vali due to his personal interests.
He died in 1902, evidently in Tehran, and was buried at Qum.
Photographic works[edit]
Ali Khan Vali learned camera work in St. Petersburg as a boy, but early photographs have either they not survived or remain undiscovered. The photographs in his well-known album date from the time when Ali Khan was 33 years of age.
Although the earliest photographs in the album are portraits of Nasser al-Din Shah, taken in 1279 /1862-3, the rest of the photographs apparently date from Ali Khan's 1879 posting to Maragha, and the following years. The last date in the text is 1313/1895-96; however, photographs far from the end of the sequence show a coffin for a Christian with the death date of 1897, and the album appears to continues up to 1899 or 1900.
Ali Khan Vali's photograph album [2] documenting his career as governor at various places in Azerbaijan (Northwest Persia) between 1879 and 1896, is of virtually unprecedented quality and character. Ali Khan's album contains 1,412 photographs on 439 pages, commencing with photos of devotional representations of Shi'ite saints, and of Nasser al-Din Shah, the reigning monarch. It then proceeds to document Ali Khan, his family, and all those persons and places he encountered during his career as governor. The photographs are captioned in almost all cases. Moreover, page after page is covered with a continuous narrative of his career, written around the photographs.


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Definitely # 1 though I'm neither a)older (I'm 28),
b)interested in running with others or c) interested in running a marathon (though maybe a HM). I've been running off and on for years but didn't get consistent until January.
Definitely a #5.
My only motivation for anything
in life is competition, though, I think.
#3 and #5.
I'm 30, run both alone and with my husband, run HMs and 10Ks with my first marathon scheduled for October. Definitely a #4. I just like the feeling of achievement after a great run.
I'd have to say I'm a 2. Been running (consistently) for a little over a year; I started because I felt guilty my dogs weren't getting enough exercise. In everything else in my life, I'm very competitive and actually have one of those jobs where life and death can hang in the balance. So it's kind of nice to have something that is different. I didn't start for the psychosocial benefits, but that's one of the reasons I keep doing it. Mostly, my dogs are lovin' it so I can't very well stop.
I run about 10-20 miles a week depending on work and yes, I'm slow. I am doing a HM with my sister and brothers in January. Maybe one sooner, maybe not. I can run 13.1 just as easily (read: slowly) around my neighborhood. I am ambivalent about 5ks, so I haven't done any.
(edited to add, I'm 30 and female.)
[http://This message has been edited by popcorn (edited Jun-15-2007).|http://This message has been edited by popcorn (edited Jun-15-2007).]
I'm a number 2. Female, 32, running off and on, mainly on, for 8-9 years.
I'm a 1 and a 2....some day I'd like to be a 3.
I'm female, 37 and have been running for a little over a year.
I'm 34, female, and have been running for only one year. I'd have to say that when I first started running, I was a #2. I started running as a way to cope with every day stress, and had absolutely no desire to run with others. Now that I've been running a year, I still enjoy running on my own, and my primary motivation is still stress relief. I'd say now, though, that I'm leaning towards being a #3. I'm training for my second HM, and I'm really driven to improve my time, and see what my body is really capable of.
definitely #3, started probably as a #2, but now "improvement" is certainly one of my drivers. Male, 39, 6 months running. Right now doing 35 MPW
I'm female, 51 and have been running about a year and a half. When I started reading the categories, I thought I was a #1 until I read #2 and thought that fits better. But I also like bits and pieces of #'s 3, 4 and 5.
I'm not a marathoner yet. I've done some 5k's with my main motivation to improve my own time. As a bonus, since I'm old, I very often win age groups due to being the only entrant in that category! Gotta say that winning a plaque or medal is kind of fun, too!!
If I had to pick, I'd say I'm a 2.
I'm squarely in category 4 at the moment. If I don't ever get to talk about all my running later on, I know that a life lived actively is a life well-lived.
Combination of 4 and 5.
Definitely not a 2.
I run to be fast and I train to be faster.
#2, turning into #3.
F, 35 y.o.
#2 for me...I do this because it makes me feel good, great for graduate school stress, and maintaining weight. when I am not training for something I sometimes get less than 10 miles a week in, and am not so much concerned with speed as I am about completing races (longest being a HM).
I think I would like to get more serious...but I should finish my dissertation first, so this will do for now!
ACTIVE is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events. ACTIVE also makes it easy to learn and prepare for all the things you love to do with expert resources, training plans and fitness calculators.


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As Barack Obama wraps his re-election bid around a resurging automobile industry and hopeful Republican Presidential wannabes trudge in-and-out of Detroit, I thought it would be interesting to provide commentary regarding a recent experience.
At one of the most heavily traveled intersections in Phoenix, AZ, I was patiently sitting in my car waiting for the traffic light to turn green.
However, due to ongoing electrical component repairs, the traffic light was temporarily out-of-order.
Therefore, my wait time to cross the intersection was not the customary two minutes; it was extended to almost five minutes.
During that time, I started counting the number of SUVs, heavy-duty trucks, and anything else that did not remotely resemble a regular automobile.
As those vehicles passed through the intersection, the ratio of gas-guzzlers to cars was a surprising 7 to 3.
These days, that's certainly a lot of pain at the pump.
On the other hand, what intrigued me even more was the number of brand new vehicles that drove by.
These pristine motor vehicles were truly glistening, almost screaming affluence.
The drivers of these shimmering cars and trucks seemed to be sending a subliminal message: "I'm doing very well and my vehicle shows it," although in my opinion, this is purely an illusion.
As Dan Aykroyd said in Trading Places, "Fear? That's the other guy's problem."
Just sitting there and observing the dazzling parade of brand new vehicles took me back to another era in the not too distant past.
It was a period of time when everyone was purchasing at least one new house, sometimes buying two new homes, and maybe even more.
In fact, according to the general consensus, you were foolish if you didn't buy.
The financing terms were irresistible: nothing down, no proof of employment required, verification of income was not necessary, no assets needed to be owned, and you had the ability to walk away from the mortgage if you decided to do so.
As we all know, that time period was labeled as the "subprime mortgage crisis."
As I read how GM is selling record amounts of cars (to their dealers) and I hear how the great and not-so-great companies continue to layoff workers, I wonder if I'm not watching a smaller-scale repeat of the subprime mortgage catastrophe.
After all, they say history always repeats itself.
As I drifted further into deep thought, I imagined each new vehicle becoming a new house.
Along with his 40-years of dedication in the financial services industry, Bill is the President and CEO of GPSforLife, has recently authored a highly successful book entitled 44th: A Presidential Conspiracy, publishes his dynamic monthly financial newsletter MacroProfit, and faithfully continues his third decade on the radio with It's All About Money, which can be heard weekdays on Money Radio in Phoenix and in podcast form on his website (and on smartphone apps) published at billtatro.com weekdays at 5pm Eastern. Bill can be reached via email at email@example.com and on Twitter @tatroshow.


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SHANGHAI, China -- As usually happens as an outgrowth of the year-end event there are some closing thoughts: Who were the biggest movers and shakers, and where are they headed as next year is waiting in the wings? Not unexpectedly, 2008 is no exception to the rule, so there are some scenarios to ponder.
The most notable view of 2008 is that Serbia might be a small country, but it's a tennis powerhouse. Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open and year-end Tennis Masters Cup and is ranked No. 3; Nenad Zimonjic won the Wimbledon doubles title, the year-end doubles trophy and finishes the season as the No. 1 doubles player. In the women's game, Jelena Jankovic is the reigning No. 1 with Ana Ivanovic close behind.
The Main Events
Djokovic no Djoke: Around the tour, Novak Djokovic is often referred to as "Djoker," usually as a good-natured nickname. Maybe it's because when in the mood, he has a very funny side as he showed after winning the Tennis Masters Cup on Sunday night. But maybe it's because he does things, such as calling for the trainer at what some players believe is an inopportune time, in a match that leave incredulous observers wondering if he's joking.
To be clear, Djokovic was not joking this week. He came to Shanghai with a purpose.
In this spectacular bookend year, he became the first Serbian man to win a Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, and then became the first Serbian not only to compete in the final of year-end tournament, but to win it with a stunning 6-1, 7-5 victory over Nikolay Davydenko. Djokovic cruised through the first set by winning the opening five games before the Russian was on the scoreboard. But in the second set, he double-faulted when attempting to serve out the match at 5-4, although he rectified the situation two games later.
Djokovic's week here sends a message to his colleagues: He might be ranked No. 3, but he has designs to move up in the world.
"I think Serbia's getting used to No. 1s, so I'll have to work on that, I guess," said a smiling Djokovic.
In fact, if he had won his third round-robin match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga earlier in the week, Djokovic would've finished the year at No. 2 and bounced Roger Federer down to No. 3. But you can bet Federer will be looking behind him when 2009 gets under way because Djokovic ends the season only 10 points behind him in the ranking game. And that's got to be too close for comfort for the Swiss master.
"I think the interesting thing for the upcoming year is going to be the fact that there is so many players," Djokovic said. "Now it's not only about the two players anymore; it's about five, six, seven players who are playing really well and can win against each other."
I can't get no satisfaction: Betting is sacrilege around the ATP Tour, especially in connection with Nikolay Davydenko, who was cleared earlier this year of any wrongdoing in an online betting investigation of a match he played in August 2007. But let's be real: Coming into this year's Tennis Masters Cup, there wouldn't have been too many wagers on a Davydenko-Djokovic final.
Davydenko is one of the more consistent players on the tour, evidenced by the 53-19 record he posted in 22 tournaments prior to Shanghai. Only Gilles Simon, of the eight players here, had played more tournaments -- 28 to be exact. Davydenko's statistics show he's won at least 50 matches per season dating back to 2005 and will finish ranked within the top five for the fourth successive year.
Impressive sounding it might be. But Davydenko is still searching for satisfaction at Grand Slams, and alas, he did worse this year than in quite some time. For the first time since 2004, Davydenko was sent packing from all four Slams before the quarterfinals.
Being in the final here did not change his opinion that his year was lacking: "OK, final is good for me here. Last tournament. I can now take rest and go on my holiday. But [at the] Grand Slams I didn't play so good, so it's not a good year."
Playing for top honors: In an infrequent turn of events, this year's doubles final at the Tennis Masters Cup had more on the line than capturing the year-end trophy. It was for bragging rights to finish the season as the No. 1 team in the world. The distinction went to the new pairing of Daniel Nestor of Canada and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia, who broke Bob and Mike Bryan's four-year hold on the year-end No. 1 ranking with a 7-6 (3), 6-2 win. The victory makes it two consecutive year-end trophies for Nestor, who paired with former partner Mark Knowles to score the title in 2007.
However, the tandem nearly had to forfeit its spot in the tournament -- and it would've been all Zimonjic's fault. The Serb traveled to Miami following the Paris Indoors event and when getting ready to depart for Shanghai, he couldn't find his passport. Zimonjic frantically called Nestor to tell him to hold off on boarding his flight as he might not be able to make the trip.
Apparently, Zimonjic's passport got left behind with the customs folks in Miami. "I was really lucky to be here because I had some problem with the passport," he said. A good-natured banter ensued between the champions, with Zimonjic claiming the customs officials didn't return his passport to him, while Nestor mused: "He could have asked for it back."
Crisis averted, though, and Nestor believes playing for No. 1 made the final that much more meaningful: "It's the first time in a long time that the No. 1 ranking has been decided in the last match. For doubles, which always takes a little bit of a backseat, that's great for us." Bob Bryan, who after winning the U.S. Open with his brother, sat out playing most of the fall to nurse his sore shoulder, agreed with Nestor. "It's pretty unusual that the No. 1 ranking comes down to one match," said Bryan. "You know, that's probably one in a million. With all the points out there, having it hinge on a few points at the end of the season is pretty amazing."
The victors had a top-notch run this summer, winning the Queen's Club, Wimbledon and Toronto titles in succession.
Side Shows
The heart of a champion: Andy Murray might not be a major champion yet, but he certainly possesses the right attitude. Down to the last match in the Tennis Masters Cup round-robin portion of the competition on Friday, Murray had choices: play his heart out against Roger Federer, or take it easy since he already had earned a spot in the semifinals by virtue of his two previous wins. Murray selected Option 1 and spent a long three hours battling the always determined Federer, who was trying to fight through a back injury to reach the semifinals. As it turned out for Murray, the 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5 win over Federer was costly. Clearly dragging on the court, with only 19 hours between matches, Murray had few answers to combat Nikolay Davydenko as he went down 7-5, 6-0 in the semifinals. Afterward, Murray didn't question his decision to play his heart out: "I beat probably the best player of all time. I have no regrets about doing it."
Federer doesn't relish being second best: It would be hard to find a classier guy in the sport of tennis than Roger Federer. Since being dethroned after four years as world No. 1 by Rafael Nadal in August, he has been nothing but gracious in giving the Spaniard his due respect. His deference stems from the fact that the turnover, which he knew would occur one day, happened as he had hoped -- with a player stepping up to earn the top ranking as opposed to his just giving it away. That said, don't in any way be fooled into thinking that because Federer's accepted his fate he appreciates being No. 2. Of his current predicament, Federer said, "I just don't like the ring of it when I'm being introduced on the center court as the No. 2 in the world because it just sounds wrong. Either I'm No. 1 or I'm a Grand Slam champion, but not No. 2, it just sounds awkward to me because I've been up there for so, so long. It's just unfamiliar, but at the same time it is a challenge to get back up there."
Sandra Harwitt is a freelance tennis writer for ESPN.com.


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Fairies and Dragons Parties is a whimsical birthday party location for girls and boys and offers fairytale themed costume dress up parties for kids birthdays. Themes include fairy, princess, pirate, … Read more » dragon, magic and many more! We can customize your party to your own special theme too! Pricing starts at $400 for two hours for parties held at our magical storybook location in Encino. Our location is an enchanting place to host a children's birthday party. Children and adults are entertained all throughout the party. Fairy assistants, most of whom are professional actresses, engage children in age appropriate activities, are amazing storytellers and make each party extra-special. We have almost all of the princesses too if you prefer a princess to lead your party instead. Parties include face-painting, dress up, arts and crafts, interactive puppet story telling, games, dancing, treasure hunt, tea party and much more! All of our parties are private. If you are looking for a unique and unforgettable birthday experience for your child and a place where your child's imagination will flourish, Fairies and Dragons Parties is the place for you. We can also send our entertainers to your house or a location of your choice. We also host monthly Dinner with Princess evenings, various workshops, classes and camps. To book a party or to schedule an appointment to view our magical fairyland please call 818 783 8488 We serve San Fernado Valley, Los Angeles, Pasadena, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Santa Monica, Culver City, Marina del Rey, Orange County, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Tarzana, Woodland Hils, Calabasas, Burbank, Lancaster, Downey. www.fairiesanddragonsparties.com
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Book your Events Now at the Glamorous Celebrity Hall, in downtown Inglewood - 5 minutes west of the Forum on Manchester and Locust Street. Where every Celebrant is a Celebrity Where Hollywood meets … Read more » Inglewood. Brand New with a beautiful interior, high tech audio-video-lighting where the lighting changes color with the music, see your favorite music videos playing on the ultra high definition TV monitors, large wall projector screen to enhance your presentations, DJ and Video Jockey available for all events, fully equipped kitchen, no-touch sensor equipped restrooms, backlit bar with bartender provided for all events, 300 parking spaces available across the street, at the city parking structure, optional valet parking, optional use of outdoor patio to party under the stars.
Featured11902 Aviation Blvd., El Segundo, CA
Tonys on Aviation is a large venue in the South Bay where you can host your special events, whether it is birthday parties for adults or kids, banquets, anniversaries, fundraisers, baby showers, or re … Read more » ceptions. We are centrally located near LAX and easy freeway access. Tonys has been around for more than 35 years and is large enough to accommodate most events with seating for 120 inside, and oh there is an outdoor patio with room for thirty more. Speaking of space, there is ample parking for you, your friends, and your family. Private use of Tonys for six hours is $495 for weekend days and $595.00 for weekend evenings. You may decorate Tonys or higher M Events. Tony's has a delicious catering menu at an unbeatable price. Party Menu A ($6.00adults, $4.50 kids, 5yrs and under free) __Pizza __Chicken Strips __Sub Sandwiches __French Fries __Salad Bar ***Free Soft Drinks*** Party Menu B ($8.00 adults, $5.00 kids, 5yrs and under free) __Cheese Pizza Appetizers __Lasagna (meat) __Chicken Alfredo __Garlic Bread __Meatballs __Italian Sausage __Salad Bar ***Free Soft Drinks*** In addition, we serve a variety of draft or bottled beer, and wine. Book your party today! You will not find a better place to host your special events, and our prices are unbeatable! During the week, Tonys is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. Please contact Tony for availability at 310-643-6778 (email does not have availability) between 10am and 2pm or Robin after 5pm.
Featured114 Sheldon, El Segundo, CA
Venue Rental Range: $2,500 - $3,500: Big Door Studio's 9,000 sq' event space is centrally located a half mile from the beach in El Segundo. Convenient to LAX, the West Side and the 105 freeway. Its … Read more » edgy, modern interior can be used for weddings, parties, corporate events, creative functions and fashion shows. Recently remolded, this creative space features 3,000 sq' of deep polished cement floors in the great hall, with an 18' high exposed ceiling, industrial fans, retro steel pendant lights and all supported by industrial era exposed metal beams. It is shaped by three ultra modern 3d wall panels and a 16' x 10' rustic sliding door with obscured glass. Adjacent to the great hall is a fully functional modern kitchen for all your cooking needs. There are three modern and clean restrooms, one with a shower, and one ADA compliant. A dining room with dark hard wood floors leads to a wooden spiral stair case and 2nd floor open loft overlooking the great hall (great for DJs and MCs),. To add a unique studio experience to any event, we have a 50' x 35' fully functioning television stage with 30' x 35' green screen, along with a HD projector for presentations, creative viewing or a movie. A 2,000 sq' open flex room with copper stained cement floors can offer a variety of uses. A gated outdoor lot can serve as an additional space or be used for parking. Finally, if it's a wedding or fashion show, we have a make-up room with two stations and a dressing room. Several additional rooms with polished cement can be used for breakout rooms, including a contemporary glass walled conference room. This unique space offers a large open creative area to make any event memorable.
16909 Devonshire St, Granada Hills, CA
Tiny Town Indoor Play Center is the perfect place to have your next birthday party, or just to come and play. Tiny Town is a great place for play dates and for moms or dads where you can get your litt … Read more » le ones out of the house and get them the necessary daily exercise for their muscles and minds, in a clean and safe environment, for any weather. We cater to work from home parents by offering a nice atmosphere where your children can play while you enjoy our free wireless internet and Complimentary Coffee.
4218 Elizabeth Lake Rd, Palmdale, CA
Lazy T Ranch provides a unique service that is found nowhere else. Parties for kids and adults, weddings, retirements, receptions, filming site, company picnics, birthdays, graduations, or just to hav … Read more » e fun, this place has it all! Includes bounce house, pony rides, hay rides, playground, and so much more. We also offer riding lessons, pony rides, and horse boarding.
4218 Elizabeth Lake Road, Palmdale, CA
The A.V. Lazy T offers two very affordable birthday party packages. At the A.V. Lazy T we believe that every child deserves at least one horsey birthday party and will ensure that this is the one they … Read more » will always remember! From tots to teens we have the venue you are searching for. Hay rides, pony rides, BBQ and much more! The A.V. Lazy T is centrally located just minutes from the 14 Fwy.
4218 Elizabeth Lake Road, Palmdale, CA
Our Pony Party package is sure to be a hit for next event! We offer two packages which include pony rides, tire swings, picnic area, authentic hay rides and more. The Lazy T is a very affordable alter … Read more » native that will make your child's dream a reality. From tots to teens we have everything you need!
Northridge, CA
Welcome to Luxury Events 4 Less Are you looking to hold a special event that costs a fraction of what you would pay for over the hill? We specialize in creating the perfect package for any budge … Read more » t from the venue, coordinating, planning, and custom designing, Weddings, Sweet 15/16, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, Birthday Parties, and Holiday Parties. We also create personal Holiday light displays and tree decorating at your home. Whether you are interested in hosting a luxury event or a relaxed and friendly affair, we can accommodate to all your personal needs and have the experience working with a wide range of clientele and will absolutely respect your privacy & confidential nature of the coordinator/planner-client relations. All consultations are by appointment only! Please fill out a submission form located on the contact page including as much details about your upcoming event.
8525 Tobias Ave, #246, Panorama City, CA
We are a group of professional designers, caterers, stylist and production analyst helping bring event ideas into fruition. We are located in Hollywood, California however provide event services (i.e. … Read more » Event In a Box) nation wide. "Event In a Box" is a service that delivers custom made event decor, costumes and outfits to your door. We help our clients create custom one of a kind events and decor regardless of budget and location.
9777 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Chatsworth, CA
The Chatsworth Hotel is a boutique style hotel with a variety of beautifully decorated banquet rooms (most with windows) for groups of 15 to 150 guests. Have an intimate wedding ceremony in our plush … Read more » garden courtyard. We also offer personalized packages and services, all at competitive prices! We offer free and convenient parking, too!
19524 Nordhoff St., Unit 4A, Northridge, CA
Creative Minds Art Studio was founded by Ms. Fay, who currently runs this family-operated business. She opened the studio to share her artistic passion with her students, both children and adults. Ms. … Read more » Fay has a background working with children and a Fine Arts degree, and accommodates each child's specific needs in order to provide her students with the greatest successes. Conveniently located in the heart of San Fernando Valley, Creative Minds Art Studio is one of the only businesses in the area that provides both art lessons and children's birthday parties, both at affordable rates. During birthday parties, children enjoy activities such as: ceramic painting, face painting, goodie bags, games, and fun prizes! The studio also creates a unique environment in which students of all ages, abilities, and experiences can feel free to imagine, create and welcome art into their lives. At Creative Minds Art Studio, we believe in celebrating the artist in every child by creating memories that will last a lifetime!
7525 oak park ave, Van Nuys, CA
The Critter Squad is a team of exotic animal handlers that specializes in educational animal presentations. Our trained staff and animals work great with children of all ages. We have many species of … Read more » animals to choose from. We offer a wide range of animal education presentations and parties. This is an experience you will remember! We combine spectacular animals, engaging teachers, and you! Critter Squad is ideal for day care and preschool shows, birthday parties, after school programs, Boyscout events, classroom shows, library presentations, fund raisers, petting zoo parties, and themed weddings or luaus. Critter Squad also makes a great addition to corporate events, vendor fairs, conventions, club meetings, store promotions, or church gatherings. There is no limit!
8135 Varna Ave, Panorama City, CA
Don't want to rent a character costume and play superhero yourself? Leave it to the pros! You can sit back and enjoy the party while look a like party characters, such as,Elmo, Dora, impress your kids … Read more » .


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We will find out 4:00pm tomorrow. I think we will get a bounce here. You'll see a big move up.
Here's the deal: they are going to unveil some of details of the plan. CNBC etc. will have people coming on besides the reporters saying they like this and that. Two things will happen. 1. The plan details will no longer be a mystery. The market hates uncertainty. Now it's less uncertain 2. Some of the parts of the plan will be praised as I said. So we have good news.
Now what we saw a couple of week ago is buy on rumor, sell on news. The news wasn't what they wanted or expected according to what the White House said. Now they are selling into the rumor. Why? They got burned before not again. Now the news will be better than expected and the expectations are now so low it's going to better than anyone thinks.
The administration knows the markets have been dead in terms of volume and getting killed. They know the foreign markets look to us. They will have a better marketing plan this time. It's all about a sale my man. Just a sale.
You watch what happens Thursday and Friday.
AIG's bollinger band opened up looking like it could trade in the 1.50 range.
I myself think the markets are toast and everyone expects a bounce off of 7600, I think it will fail.
man its going to be a interesting week.
Thanks I'm going to put it on my watch list. i'll check out the options. Everything is due to pop up soon.
fslr at support at 132 then again most stocks are at support at this time. fslr reports earnings next tuesday I believe and has been consistently POPPING after earnings. bookmark it and look at it this time next week.
It's funny because we were just talking about it the other day at lunch. Needless to say when he went nuts on his daughter it wasn't a surprise. I'm telling you the guy is completely out of control. The man has some serious problems.
I know zip about FSLR. Adding a ton of shares of anything in this market is risky. No risk, no reward though.
Hard to say actually. They are not showing their books. We don't know how bad the bad debts are.
I don't think it's going to be AIG though. BAC was fairly healthy without Country wide and Merrill.
Funny you mentioned AIG. I was walking by the building at 180 Maiden Lane on Monday. It made me sick to look at their name on the side of building. All I could think of was Sc@mbags.
Tell you one thing buying AIG @ .80 is getting awfully enticing. It has bounce back over a $1 I figure. Check it yourself and Good luck. Don't worry we are most probably right near the bottom.
If we hold 7,500 going on the close tomorrow it will move up fast. You'll start hearing about the items in the package they do like on CNBC after they have been trashing it for 3 days. Watch tomorrow.
yea, the baldwin brothers purchased 450,000 shares of AIG at .85 cents.


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February 26, 2015, 07:30 am
The FCC's 'Throwback Thursday'
By Larry Irving
The FCC's vote will usher in a new era of government involvement in the evolution of the Internet.
February 26, 2015, 07:30 am
By Larry Irving
The FCC's vote will usher in a new era of government involvement in the evolution of the Internet.
February 25, 2015, 03:00 pm
By Jason Llorenz
Silicon Valley's giants don't need our help to maintain their position. And neither do the ISPs.
February 25, 2015, 02:30 pm
By Johnathan Burns
Decisions by entities like the FCC reverberate far beyond the Beltway in DC.
February 25, 2015, 02:00 pm
By Bartlett D. Cleland
Besides FTC meddling, other dangers lurk.
February 25, 2015, 12:00 pm
By Daniel Lyons
Legally, nothing will change on February 26, and probably not for at least several months afterward.
February 25, 2015, 06:00 am
By Shane Tews
There's been a struggle to conjure up a legitimate authority that would stand behind the technical decisions that guide the Internet.
February 24, 2015, 11:00 am
By Erik Stallman
Millions of Americans told the FCC that they consider an open Internet an essential service in their daily lives.
February 24, 2015, 09:00 am
By Robert C. Kenny
Imagine a world where your primary news source is dominated by national pay-TV networks.
February 23, 2015, 05:00 pm
By Edward J. Black
The FCC is simply doing its job to protect Open Internet access for all Internet users.
February 23, 2015, 12:00 pm
By David Balto
The FTC has designed its study so that some of its data can be analyzed and reported immediately.
The Hill 1625 K Street, NW Suite 900 Washington DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 tel | 202-628-8503 fax
The contents of this site are ©2016 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc.


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Night Work
Night Work
Brilliance Corporation, MP3 CD, 9781423307235
Publication Date: September 18, 2007
List Price: $24.95*
* Individual store prices may vary.
Buy at Local Store
Enter your zip code below to purchase from an indie close to you.
Not Currently Available for Direct Purchase
Joe Trumbull is not a man who scares easily. As a juvenile probation officer in Kingston, New York, he's half cop, half social worker to the most high-risk youth in the city. And when he's not pounding the streets, trying to keep his kids out of jail, he's pounding a heavy bag in the gym to stay in shape. But tonight Joe Trumbull is scared to death. It's been two years since his fiancee, Laurel, was brutally murdered. Two years of grief and loneliness. On this hot summer night, he's finally going out on a blind date, his first date since Laurel's death. He's not looking for love, just testing the waters to see if it's possible to live a normal life again. The thought of it is turning his knees to jelly. Marlene Frost is a beautiful woman. She's warm and funny, with a smile to match. After the first awkward minutes, Joe finally starts to think this isn t such a bad idea after all. In fact, maybe this blind date will turn out to be one of the best things that ever happened to him. He couldn t be more wrong. Because somehow, for reasons Joe can barely understand, this one evening will mark the beginning of a new nightmare. A nightmare that will lead him to the faceless man in the shadows....
About the Author
Steve Hamilton's first novel, A Cold Day in Paradise, won the Private Eye Writers of America/St. Martin s Press Best First Private Eye Novel Contest before becoming a USA Today bestseller and winning both an Edgar and a Shamus Award for Best First Novel. His stand-alone novel, The Lock Artist, was named a New York Times Notable Crime Book, received an Alex Award from the American Library Association, and then went on to win the Edgar Award for Best Novel, making him only the second author (after Ross Thomas) to win Edgars for both Best First Novel and Best Novel. He attended the University of Michigan, where he won the prestigious Hopwood Award for writing, and now lives in Cottekill, New York, with his wife and their two children.
Reader of over four hundred audiobooks, Dick Hill has won three coveted Audie Awards and been nominated numerous times. He is also the recipient of several "AudioFile" Earphones Awards. "AudioFile" includes Dick on their prestigious list of Golden Voices.
Reader of over four hundred audiobooks, Dick Hill has won three coveted Audie Awards and been nominated numerous times. He is also the recipient of several "AudioFile" Earphones Awards. "AudioFile" includes Dick on their prestigious list of Golden Voices.


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I am going to give this 4 stars because it really does do a GREAT job of infusing these two ideas of modern and traditional. It would be absolutely perfect except that the little shades really do slant (as someone else reviewed) and so it ends up looking a little bit flimsy because they just don't sit right. And while I still love it, and still get compliments on it, I would rather pay more money for it for it to have been crafted a little better.
My new light looks great in my kitchen nook. It has lots of light and looks really stunning. I am very satisfied!
I bought this dining room chandelier. I like it, but don't "love it". It is oil-rubbed bronze. I was hoping it would have been more on the black side than on the bronze side. What I don't like about it is that when it is turned on, there is a shadow from the shade clips through the shades. Other than that, it is fine. It looks great in our large dining room. I have replaced almost all of the lighting in our 20-year old house from Overstock. Overall, I've been very happy with all of my selections.
- Did the color match the color displayed onsite? yes
- How is the quality of the product? good
- Did the description onsite accurately describe the product? yes


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As Beverly Clearly Prepares To Turn 100, Readers Cherish Memories
Without Beverly Cleary there would be no Ramona Quimby, no Henry Huggins and no Ralph S. Mouse. Morning Edition celebrates the beloved children's book author who turns 100 years old on Tuesday.
Willett Wins Masters, Defending Champ Spieth's Game Collapses On 12th Hole
There was a stunning end to the Masters golf tournament on Sunday. Last year's winner Jordan Spieth gave up a significant advantage, falling apart down the stretch and losing to Danny Willett.
Survivors Of Afghan Hospital Bombing Dissatisfied With Compensation Plan
It's been six months since 42 people were killed in the bombing. The injured and families of the dead are scheduled to receive condolence money of up to $6,000.
Areas Of Fighting Threaten Ceasefire In Syria
There are growing signs that a ceasefire that's largely held since the end of February is fraying. Over the weekend, there were reports of fighting around the city of Aleppo.
U.S. Officials Help Foreign Banks Navigate Restrictions On Iran
The Obama administration is concerned that Iran hasn't received the economic boost it expected from the nuclear deal. It's trying to help foreign companies work through U.S. restrictions — especially on the flow of dollars needed to do business there.
Citizens United Weighs In On Big Money In The Presidential Election
Citizens United head David Bossie talks to Steve Inskeep about the role of big money in politics in this election year.
The North Korea Threat Keeps A Cold-War Era Security Law Around
The U.S. State Department, the United Nations and human rights groups say South Korea's controversial National Security Law chokes freedom of expression.
A Fitbit Saved His Life? Well, Maybe
A man shows up in the emergency room with a speedy, irregular heartbeat, but can't say when it first went awry. No problem. The ER doctors just checked the phone records of his fitness tracker.
Parent Support May Help Transgender Children's Mental Health
Transgender people tend to have more mental health problems than the general population, but having supportive parents in childhood may help reduce that risk, a study finds.
Gardens Don't Tend Themselves: Portraits Of The People Behind LA's Luxury
Behind every gleaming bathroom or expertly manicured lawn is a person tasked with its upkeep. These workers are the stars of Ramiro Gomez's art — he's a former nanny and the son of Mexican immigrants.
It's Not Just What You Make, It's Where You Live, Study On Life Expectancy Says
A study of Social Security and tax records says poor people live longer in some cities than others, and it's not clear why.


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Video Industry News Video Company News Technology Industry News Technology Company News Novelty Industry News Novelty Company News Gay Industry News Gay Company News Legal Industry News All Company News
Released: Jun 01st, 1996
Running Time: 139
Director: Wesley Emerson
Company: VCA Platinum Plus
Cast: Julia Sough, T.T. Boy, Tony Tedeschi, Tom Byron, Mark Davis, Mark Wallace, Joey Silvera, Jon Dough, Rocco Siffredi, Steve Drake, Nick East
Critical Rating: AAAA
Genre: All-Sex
Interspersed with interview footage of O'Connell discussing her first time making a film, her private life and what turns her on, are butt-wrenching scenes including Siffredi finger-fucking her like a six-pack and a double penetration scene from New Wave Hookers 3. In a new scene filmed for the finale, O'Connell lives out her fantasy of seducing a group of men playing pool. T.T. Boy and Mark Davis, among others, five O'Connell much more than eight-balls in her corner pocket.


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On Second Thought is a one-hour, daily news talk show that airs at 9 a.m. ET weekdays.
Our unlikely British sleuths are back on Saturday nights starting at 7 PM.
National Signing Day is over and the reigning AAAAAA Champions, the Colquitt County Packers, had 25 players sign letters of intent on National Signing Day. I had a chance to go one-on-one with Head... MORE
Make your secure online donation at GPB.org.
Wed., November 6, 2013 9:00am
S. Georgia Health Systems Look Beyond State
Two South Georgia health systems are reaching out across state borders for help in positioning themselves better in a tumultuous health care world. Phoebe Putney Health System, based in Albany, announced Tuesday that it had struck a partnership with an affiliate of a renowned Pennsylvania-based health system, Geisinger, to improve quality of care and reduce costs.
Full Story
Thu., December 27, 2012 4:23am
Hospital, Auto Maker Form Partnership
A metro Atlanta health system and an American car manufacturer have partnered to trade communication and processing techniques aimed at improving employee teamwork. Marietta-based WellStar Health System and General Motors have been trading tips for the past three years, and the partnership has grown since then.


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Maximum Bob
The Guardian, 16 October
Mike Marqusee reviews Chronicles: Volume One by Bob Dylan
I went though it from cover to cover like a hurricane. Totally focussed on every word, and the book sang out to me like the radio. Thus Bob Dylan, forty five years after the event, recalls a formative moment in modern popular music: his first encounter with Bound for Glory, the autobiography of Woody Guthrie.
In structure and style, Dylans memoir recalls Guthries, but its mood and preoccupations are different. Instead of the open skies and sharp outlines of Bound for Glory, Chronicles is full of smoky, jumbled interiors. Where the masters book was rumbustious, optimistic, teeming, the disciples is ruminative, sometimes puzzled, and in the end painfully lonely. And where Bound for Glory offered the uplifting tale of Guthries discovery of his vocation as a peoples singer, Chronicles traces a more equivocal journey, one involving loss as well as discovery.
The bulk of the book is a captivating evocation of Dylans first year in New York City (1961), with flashbacks to his boyhood in Minnesota. Here he draws a touching portrait of himself as an ambitious young artist, trembling on the brink of self-realisation. Two chapters in the middle are less enjoyable but revealing excursions into later junctures in the singers career, studies in alienation, frustration and compromise.
Whats not in the book could fill tomes (and already has). Theres nothing about singing at the 1963 March on Washington or going electric at Newport in 1965 or the Judas! heckle in Manchester in 1966. Nothing about drugs or sex. Nothing about the fundamentalist Christian phase or about his Jewishness.
Nonetheless, in the course of his meandering narrative, Dylan touches on a fascinating variety of topics personal, musical, historical. New York at the dawn of the 60s is recreated with warmth and detail. This is the flickering urban landscape of 'Visions of Johanna', peopled with all kinds of characters looking for the inner heat mingling in cluttered, carefully observed Greenwich Village apartments. In Dylans memory New York is cold, muffled, mysterious, a city of epiphanies: I passed a horsedrawn wagon full of covered flowers, all under a plastic wrap, no driver in sight. The city was full of stuff like that.
Chronicles is peppered with vivid sketches of the stars of New Yorks folk demimonde: Fred Neill, Cisco Houston, Len Chandler, Paul Clayton (whose suicide a few years later Dylan does not mention), the blues guitarist and Marxist intellectual, Dave Van Ronk (no puppet strings on him ever). John Hammond, the veteran left winger who produced Dylans first albums, is recalled with awe: there were maybe a thousand kings in the world and he was one of them.
The prose is a Dylanesque blend of luminous specifics and myopic vagueness. Its unpruned, sometimes repetitious. There are malapropisms and clichés. But the lapses and rough edges are part of the Dylan package.
Among the books pleasures are brief, acute appreciations of the likes of Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson, Harry Belafonte, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, the bittersweet, lonely intense world of Harold Arlen, composer of the cosmic Somewhere over the Rainbow. There are also intriguing, off-the-wall observations about figures ranging from Clausewitz and Thucydides to Joe Hill and Balzac (He wears a monks robe and drinks endless cups of coffee… one of his teeth falls out, and he says, What does this mean?), plus a tip of the hat to the flamboyant professional wrestler Gorgeous George, who was also an influence on Muhammad Ali.
The Dylan of these chapters is a true believer in the religion of folk, which exceeded all human understanding, and if it called out to you, you could disappear and be sucked into it. He claims that the old songs taught him that there was nothing new on this earth. History was cyclical: societies emerge, flourish, decline (but I had no idea which of these stages America was in). Here he seems to be reading back into his youth some of the attitudes he struck later on. The young man who wrote 'Hattie Carroll', 'With God on Our Side', 'Masters of War' and 'A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall' was a poet of urgency, and he would have found the fatalism of the later Dylan far too pat. I had a primitive way of looking at things and I liked country fair politics, he insists. My favourite politician was [right-wing] Arizona senator Barry Goldwater, who reminded me of Tom Mix. Maybe, but this primitive also dissected the political psychology of the fall-out shelter craze in 'Let Me Die in My Footsteps', lambasted anti-communist hysteria in 'Talkin John Birch Paranoid Blues', and explored the link between race and class in 'Only a Pawn in Their Game'.
At first glance the chapters in the middle of the book appear to concern the making of New Morning (1970) and Oh Mercy (1989). Ones heart sinks. Why not Highway 61 or Blonde or Blonde or Blood on the Tracks or even Love and Theft? Yet theres a surprise hidden in these chapters, for they tell stories most artists avoid telling, stories of unresolved crisis. Of failure.
The New Morning chapter is framed by Dylans stiff encounter with the elderly poet, Archibald MacLeish, who wants him to compose songs for a play hes written. Dylan respects the poet but cannot communicate with him. Indeed, he seems to have lost the ability to communicate with anyone. Since those sweet, vanished days in Greenwich Village, his life had been transformed. He was not only wildly famous; he was famous as the voice of a generation, and he hated it. Retiring to rural Woodstock he finds moochers showing up from as far away as California on pilgrimages … rogue radicals looking for the prince of protest. People would stare at me when they saw me, like theyd stare at a shrunken head or a giant jungle rat. Hes shocked at an Esquire cover featuring a monster with four faces: JFK, Malcolm X, Castro – and himself. What the hell was that supposed to mean?
He can no longer function as an artist. Creativity requires observation and it was impossible now for me to observe anything without being observed. The half finished tunes he started for MacLeish end up on New Morning but Dylan remains ambivalent about their value. They arent the kind of songs where you hear an awful roaring in your head.
The Oh Mercy chapter explores a career crisis of the late 80s and includes several pages of musicological flummery about a style of playing based on an odd instead of even numbered system. This wary-eyed, seen-it-all sceptic has a history of falling for cranky notions, but the claim that the new system enables him to sing endlessly without fatigue or emotion makes one suspect an old-style Dylan put-on. For all its unaffected frankness, Chronicles has its share of feints and dodges, and it wouldnt be Dylans otherwise.
The Dylan of the middle chapters is spectral, even to himself. And this is immediately apparent when one returns, in the final chapter, to the heady early days in New York. Here he provides a step-by-step account of the influences that led him to his ferocious synthesis of tradition and individuality. First, theres Guthrie, whose songs had the infinite sweep of humanity in them. Then theres Brecht and Weills Pirate Jenny: a wild song… a nasty song… . there was no love for people in it. Then Robert Johnson: the stabbing sounds from the guitar could almost break a window. Wrap it all up with Rimbaud and a beautiful left-wing girlfriend, and I was sitting at the gateway.
Chronicles ends with Dylan on the verge of his breakthrough. But this breakthrough will also be we know from the intervening chapters a tragic rupture. The pathos of Dylan is that his self was ripped from his grasp at a time when he had barely begun to know it. Its clear that these wounds still smart, that Dylan still reels from the trauma, and that the memory of those early months in New York, those months of discovery, remains precious. The folk music scene had been like a paradise that I had to leave.
Perhaps Im swayed by the fact that this book is so much better than I feared it might be (as a fan since the 60s, Ive got used to disappointments). But with this rich, intermittently preposterous, often tender book, Bob Dylan has delivered more than many of us dared hope for.