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American Flag Replaced With White Flag On Brooklyn Bridge
Police in New York are still trying to figure out who replaced American flags on the Brooklyn Bridge with white flags this morning. NYPD Counter-Terrorism Chief John Miller says it appears the white flags were bleached out American flags and notes there doesn't appear to be any evidence of terrorism or political motivation. Miller says the gates that lead to the Manhattan and Brooklyn towers where the flags fly atop were locked. That's leading police to believe someone who has construction or bridge climbing experience may be responsible.
Why are there white flags on top of the Brooklyn Bridge? pic.twitter.com/cMj65jNK9e
— Mark S. Weprin (@MarkWeprin) July 22, 2014
PHOTO: JB Nicholas/Splash News


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Cassadee Pope & Danielle Bradbery albums arriving this fall
Listen to Cassadee Pope on iHeartRadio | Listen to Danielle Bradbery on iHeartRadio
Two of Blake Shelton's winners on "The Voice" are getting ready to release their debut albums.
Cassadee Pope's Frame By Frame will be in stores October 8th. The set features her top ten single "Wasting All These Tears." Cassadee just made a video for the song. She tells CMT she had a great time making the clip. While she admits she's "not an actress," she says it was "fun" and "cool to play a part."
Fans can also follow the singer's career on the new CMT docu-series "Cassadee Pope: Frame By Frame," which debuts on CMT Friday night at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.
Danielle Bradbery's self-titled effort arrives November 19th. The singer has posted the album's cover image on her Facebook page.
The set features her debut single, "The Heart of Dixie." She announced this week that the clip has already logged one-million views. Danielle also expressed her gratitude to her followers, saying she has "the best fans in the world!"
Photo Credit Getty Images

subset: commoncrawl


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The official word: Last spring, HISTORY® introduced viewers to a clan of Norse warriors with a rapacious appetite for warfare, knowledge and power. The gripping family saga of Ragnar, Rollo, Lagertha, friends and enemies was a tale of brutality and passion, alliances and infidelities, infighting and death. It portrayed life in the Dark Ages, a world ruled by raiders and explorers, through the eyes of Viking society.
The epic tale continues in 10 all-new episodes of VIKINGS, premiering Thursday, February 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HISTORY®. The hit scripted drama series centers on Ragnar (Travis Fimmel), a restless young warrior and family man who longs to find and conquer new lands across the sea and claim the spoils as his own. Now he is an Earl, allied with King Horrik (Donal Logue). With more power than ever before, his desire to sail west and explore new kingdoms remains unquenchable.To read more or comment...
The controversy over Phil Robertson and "Duck Dynasty" goes on. Here are my five questions:
1. What if Phil Robertson had expressed his anti-gay opinions without referring to bestiality, anuses or vaginas? Would A&E still have suspended him?To read more or comment...
As regular readers know, I am a fan of Christmas songs and have been writing about them in the Beacon Journal for quite a few years, most recently in conjunction with Malcolm X Abram. Malcolm and I will be doing a video chat about holiday fare for Ohio.com soon, but for now I thought I would post a few of my previous columns about holiday music, in case you're pondering the sounds of the season.
2005:To read more or comment...
The official word: NBC has announced it will premiere the 13-episode second season of the critically acclaimed drama "Hannibal" at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) Friday, Feb. 28 following "Grimm" after the previously-announced conclusion of the 10-episode run of "Dracula."
From creator Bryan Fuller, "Hannibal" stars Mads Mikkelsen as brilliant psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lector, who is working with the FBI and gifted criminal profiler Will Graham, played by Hugh Dancy, to look into the mind of serial killers. Based on Thomas Harris' best-selling novels, this series is the prequel to the story that began with the feature films "Red Dragon" and "Silence of the Lambs."To read more or comment...
About time. I have drifted away from the show this season, the wedding-weekend gimmick having proven creatively unsuccessful. Anyway, the official word:
After 208 episodes told over nine seasons, the story of how Ted Mosby ultimately meets his children's mother will conclude with a special one-hour series finale on Monday, March 31 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). The HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER finale will be followed immediately by the series premiere of the new comedy FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES (9:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT).To read more or comment...
The official word: PBS Distribution today announced it is releasing "DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 4" on DVD and Blu-ray January 28, 2014. The most-watched drama in PBS history enters its fourth gripping season with the whole world waiting to learn how the beloved characters deal with a shocking tragedy. The acclaimed ensemble is back, together with returning guest star Academy Award®-winner Shirley MacLaine and new guest star Paul Giamatti. Also joining the cast are Harriet Walter, Gary Carr, Joanna David, and Tom Cullen, as the legend continues in "DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 4."
"DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 4" airs Sundays on MASTERPIECE on PBS from January 5, 2014 to February 23, 2014. The DVD SRP is $49.99 and the Blu-ray SRP is $54.99. The run time is approximately 8.75 hours on three discs. The DVD and Blu-ray sets contain all of Season 4, including the finale. The DVD and Blu-ray feature the original U.K. edition of Season 4 and more than 30 minutes of bonus video. The program will be available for digital download.
This week, Beacon Journal pop culture writer Rich Heldenfels checks out Saving Mr. Banks and finds it's a more dramatic and emotional story than the previews imply. Read his full review here.
To read more or comment...
The official word: The first performers announced for THE 56TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS® are current GRAMMY® nominee Daft Punk, nominee Kendrick Lamar and nominee Imagine Dragons, who will also perform together, and nominees P!nk and Nate Ruess (of two-time GRAMMY-winning group FUN.) who will perform together for the first time on network television. There will also be a special "GRAMMY Moment" performance featuring two-time GRAMMY winner Merle Haggard, three-time GRAMMY winner and 2014 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Kris Kristofferson, seven-time GRAMMY winner Willie Nelson and current nominee Blake Shelton. The music industry's premier event takes place Sunday, Jan. 26 (8:00-11:30 PM, live ET/delayed PT) at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on the CBS Television Network. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon.
To read more or comment...
The latest mailbag is here. The print version contained an error because I (a) can't type and (b) can't read Roman numerals very well. In the reader question, the first Roman numeral should be MCLXIV, for 1,164, and the second should be MCMLXIV, for 1964. We have corrected this for the online version at least.
My review of "Saving Mr. Banks" is here.To read more or comment...
Here are the 25 films chosen for preservation by the registry, and descriptions of each as provided in the announcement:
Bless Their Little Hearts (1984)
Part of the vibrant New Wave of independent African-American filmmakers to emerge in the 1970s and 1980s, Billy Woodberry became a key figure in the movement known as the L.A. Renaissance. Woodberry crafted his UCLA thesis film, "Bless Their Little Hearts," which was theatrically released in 1984. The film features a script and cinematography by Charles Burnett. This spare, emotionally resonant portrait of family life during times of struggle blends grinding, daily-life sadness with scenes of deft humor. Jim Ridley of the "Village Voice" aptly summed up the film's understated-but- real virtues: "Its poetry lies in the exaltation of ordinary detail."
Hitfix conducted its annual poll of TV critics, and I was one of those participating. You can see the consensus list here. I am always leery of these things, much as I am about best-movie lists, because time and obligation keep me from seeing everything I want. There are some shows my colleagues rated highly like "Broadchurch" which I liked in what I saw, but didn't see enough to add to my list. And I might have considered "Inside Amy Schumer," among others, for the new show list -- if I had remembered it. That said, six of my top 10 were consensus top 10 -- but I am content with even the choices that the poll as a whole ranked low.
In any case, here's how my list of best shows looked, with the corresponding HitFix number in parentheses. I have added some notes I made when I was assembling the list.To read more or comment...
The official word: The Sing-Off, NBC's No. 1 rated a cappella music competition, is hitting the road for the first-ever Sing-Off Live Tour! Appearing locally at PlayhouseSquare's State Theatre, Fri., March 14 at 8 pm, tickets for the tour go on sale Friday, December 20 at 10 a.m. Priced at $39.50, $29.50 & $10 Smart Seats, tickets will be available at playhousesquare.org; 216-241-6000 and the Ticket Office.
To read more or comment...
Inductees are KISS, Cat Stevens, Linda Ronstadt, Hall & Oates, Nirvana and Peter Gabriel as performers; Brian Epstein and Andrew Loog Oldham as non-performers, and the E Street Band under the award for musical excellence. The full release:
The 29th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 10, 2014 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The 2014 Ceremony will again be open to the public, as it has been for the Induction Ceremonies in Cleveland (2009, 2012) and Los Angeles (2013). This will be the first time that the ceremony will be open to the public in New York.To read more or comment...
A box-office disappointment, and dogged by controversy, it was still a movie I liked somewhat.
The official word: Action icon and Academy Award® nominee Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones franchise, Star Wars franchise, Best Actor, Witness, 1985), Asa Butterfield (Hugo), Academy Award® nominee Hailee Steinfeld (Best Supporting Actress, True Grit, 2010), two-time Academy Award® nominee Viola Davis (Best Supporting Actress, Doubt, 2008; Best Actress, The Help, 2011), Academy Award® nominee Abigail Breslin (Best Supporting Actress, Little Miss Sunshine, 2006) and Academy Award® winner Ben Kingsley (Best Actor, Gandhi, 1982) star in the epic adventure Ender's Game, arriving on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD UltraViolet), DVD (plus Digital UltraViolet), Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View February 11th from Summit Entertainment, a LIONSGATE company. The film will also be available on Digital HD January 28, two weeks prior to the Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD release. Based on the award-winning best-selling novel by Orson Scott Card, and written and directed for the screen by Gavin Hood (Rendition, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Tsotsi), Ender's Game is a visually stunning and thrilling film that has been 28 years in the making.To read more or comment...
It would seem that Turner Classic Movies is going to have to make some big schedule adjustments, considering the passing of Peter O'Toole. Joan Fontaine and Tom Laughlin over the weekend. I will post announcements if and when they come in.
While Fontaine was a successful actress for a time, and Laughlin tapped into pop culture with some of his Billy Jack movies, the death that struck me most was O'Toole's. Here's what I said on Facebook yesterday:To read more or comment...
Full account here. The magazine's top winners:
#1 Artist: Bruno MarsTo read more or comment...
3.5 stars. Now playing at the Cedar Lee.
It seems that everything Lance Armstrong has ever touched has become, if not tainted, then certainly more complicated. that was certainly the case for Alex Gibney, an Oscar-winning documentarian who in 2009 set out to make a film with Armstrong about the cyclist's comeback attempt. Gibney had considerable access to Amstrong -- except on the biggest issue in the cycling champion's life, doping, which Armstrong denied to Gibney. The growing doping scandal put Gibney's film on hold. But, after Armstrong, finally confessed to his misdeeds in an interview with Oprah Winfrey earlier this year, Gibbey felt Armstrong owed him another interview; that interview, along with older footage from throughout Armstrong's career and interviews with others in and out of Armstrong's circle, has led to the film bluntly titled "The Armstrong Lie."To read more or comment...
My review of the movie is here.The official word: Two-time Academy Award® winner Tom Hanks (Best Actor, Forrest Gump, 1994; Best Actor, Philadelphia, 1993) stars in the tense, action-packed thriller CAPTAIN PHILLIPS, available on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD UltraViolet™ Jan. 21 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Directed by Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Ultimatum, United 93),
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS is based on the true story behind the first American cargo ship hijacking in 200 years, the Maersk Alabama, and its U.S. Navy rescue in 2009. The emotionally charged and critically acclaimed film focuses on the relationship between the ship's captain, Richard Phillips (Hanks), and the Somali pirate captain (breakout actor Barkhad Abdi) who takes him hostage 145 miles off the Somali coast, with both men at the mercy of forces beyond their control.To read more or comment...
This week, Beacon Journal pop culture writer Rich Heldenfels checks out The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, the middle movie in the Hobbit trilogy. Read his full review here.
To read more or comment...
The official word: CBS has ordered two more editions of SURVIVOR to be broadcast during the 2014-2015 season. These will mark the 29th and 30th editions of television's longest running hit reality competition series.
To read more or comment...
TBS is reminding you of it, and that the various Turner networks have shown the movie more than 275 times since 1992. And I still think, if you watch it, you should see it uncut and commercial-free, for instance through one of these. But here is the TBS pitch:
One of television's most popular holiday traditions will be back this year as TBS presents the 17th Annual edition of 24 Hours of A CHRISTMAS STORY, beginning Christmas Eve at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). Making this a particularly special year, the movie A Christmas Story is celebrating its 30th anniversary.To read more or comment...
The official word: The CW announced its midseason schedule today, including the premiere of two new dramas, STAR-CROSSED and THE 100, and the second cycle of the hit comedy/improv series WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY?
In February, the futuristic story of an alien/human romance begins with the premiere of STAR-CROSSED on Monday, February 17 (8:00-9:00pm ET), leading into another epic romance, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.To read more or comment...
The official word: Over the course of its four seasons, Treme®, David Simon and Eric Overmyer's critically acclaimed follow up to the legendary HBO® hit The Wire, has used the interweaving tales of a community of musicians, artists, politicians and regular citizens of New Orleans to shine a light on the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina and to demonstrate that the power of music and cultural traditions can overcome corruption. The Emmy®-nominated series will be released as a complete series day-and-date with the final season box set on January 28, 2014, a few short weeks after the on-air series finale. Treme: The Complete Series will be available exclusively on Blu-ray for $134.99. Pricing for Treme: The Complete Fourth Season will be $49.99 (BD) and $39.98 (DVD); it will also be available as a Digital Download.
Treme: The Complete Series begins three months after the storm-when more than half the population of New Orleans is still displaced and the city is left wrecked, muddied and cased in mold-and follows the stories of a community of locals trying to piece their lives back together. Over the course of the series, years pass and as the city slowly recovers, crime rates and corruption rise as newcomers try to capitalize on the city's rebuilding efforts. Throughout, the ordinary people of the Big Easy must band together to demand that their music, art and well-being be protected against opposing institutions. The complete series includes all 36 episodes from all four seasons, plus all of the extra features from each individual release that highlight the music, food and culture of the show. Also included is a bonus disc that offers more than a dozen music videos from the series.To read more or comment...
Movie nominations at the top, TV nominations below
Movie Nominations
a. 12 YEARS A SLAVE
Plan B Entertainment, New Regency Productions and River Road Entertainment;
Fox Searchlight Pictures
b. CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
Columbia Pictures; Sony Pictures Releasing
c. GRAVITY
Warner Bros. Pictures / Esperanto Filmoj / Heyday Films; Warner Bros. Pictures
d. PHILOMENA
Pathe, BBC Films, BFI, Canal+, Cine+, Baby Cow/Magnolia Mae;
The Weinstein Company
e. RUSH
Universal Pictures, Cross Creek Pictures, Exclusive Media, Imagine
Entertainment, Working Title, Revolution Films; Universal Pictures
a. CATE BLANCHETT BLUE JASMINE
b. SANDRA BULLOCK GRAVITY
c. JUDI DENCH PHILOMENA
d. EMMA THOMPSON SAVING MR. BANKS
e. KATE WINSLET LABOR DAY
I will put the movie nominees in a separate post. The Globes list the movie categories first, hence the numbers starting at 15.
a. BREAKING BAD AMC
Sony Pictures Television
b. DOWNTON ABBEY PBS
Carnival Films
c. THE GOOD WIFE CBS
CBS Television Studios in Association with Scott Free Productions and King Size
d. HOUSE OF CARDS NETFLIX
Donen/Fincher/Roth and Trigger Street Productions, Inc. in association with
Media Rights Capital for Netflix
e. MASTERS OF SEX SHOWTIME
Showtime, Sony Pictures Television, Round Two Productions,
Timberman/Beverly Productions
The official word: Cleveland stars as itself in the new globally-distributed superhero comic series, APAMA!
The creators of the series, Ted Sikora and Milo Miller, have signed a deal to be delivered worldwide digitally via Comixology, the same service that delivers downloadable comics of Spider-Man, Bat-Man, Walking Dead, and another Cleveland creation, Super-Man!To read more or comment...
The Cedarville, Ohio, native whose credits also include the original movie version of "The Sound of Music," died Dec. 9 at the age of 91. You can read an obit here.
Here's the lineup:To read more or comment...
They are, in order of title length, "The April Fools," "The War Between Men and Women" and "Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?
The official word:
THE APRIL FOOLSTo read more or comment...
The official word: I wanted to let you know that MTV just announced its "Best Movies of 2013" list available here: www.bestof.mtv.com. The criteria included overall quality, box office success, buzz and consideration of the Awards season horse races. All films included must have a premiere date prior to the end of this year....
According to the experts at MTV – the Top 10 Best Movies of 2013 include in rank order:
1. Gravity
2. This Is the End
3. Wolf of Wall Street
4. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
5. Iron Man 3
6. 12 Years a Slave
7. American Hustle
8. Spring Breakers
9. World War Z
10. The World's End
From the very long official word: Nominees for the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® for outstanding performances in 2013 in five film and eight television categories as well as the SAG Awards honors for outstanding action performances by film and television stunt ensembles were announced this morning in Los Angeles at the Pacific Design Center's SilverScreen Theater in West Hollywood....
The 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® will be simulcast live nationally on TNT and TBS on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014 at 8 p.m. (ET)/5 p.m. (PT) from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. An encore performance will air immediately following on TNT at 10 p.m. (ET)/7 p.m. (PT). A live stream of the SAG Awards can also be viewed online through the TBS and TNT websites, as well as through the Watch TBS and Watch TNT apps for iOS or Android. (Viewers must sign in using their TV provider user name and password in order to view the live stream.)To read more or comment...
The official word:
CBS has ordered THE DOVEKEEPERS, a four-hour miniseries event based on Alice Hoffman's acclaimed historical novel about four extraordinary women whose lives intersect in a fight for survival at the siege of Masada. The miniseries, which is planned for broadcast in 2015, is the first project from CBS Entertainment and CBS Television Studios' recently announced Limited Series and Event Programming unit.To read more or comment...
The official word: NBC has greenlit the four-hour miniseries "Rosemary's Baby," an adaptation of the 1967 best-selling suspense novel by Ira Levin.
Production is set to begin in January in Paris.To read more or comment...
The official word: One of the most enduring Broadway classics of all time, HELLO, DOLLY! starring Sally Struthers, arrives in Akron as Broadway In Akron brings this timeless masterpiece to The University of Akron's E. J. Thomas Hall on January 9 & 10, 2014 at 7:30PM.
Tickets for HELLO, DOLLY! Are on sale now and start at only $36.50. Tickets are available online at ticketmater.com or at the Thomas Hall Ticket Office. To Charge-By-Phone, call 800-745-3000. Groups of 10 or more should call 855-824-3405.To read more or comment...
Posts here will be more sporadic for the rest of December. The past week included the end of my teaching stint for the fall and then preparing the final grades, some extra time in church, and now I am heavily into holiday preparation and taking off chunks of time to do so. But I expect to post a few times a week, if not more often for the remainder of the year.
Anyone else watching "The Sing-Off"? I am glad to have it back and find it much more enjoyable than "The X-Factor,": "The Voice" and other elaborate musical efforts.To read more or comment...
The official word: AMC announced today it will air two back-to-back marathons of its Emmy® Award-winning original dramas Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead. A four-day Breaking Bad marathon, which kicks off at noon ET/PT each day from Friday, December 27 through Monday, December 30, will feature every episode from the series' critically acclaimed five seasons, making AMC the only destination for cable subscribers to watch every Breaking Bad episode for free. On New Year's Eve day, December 31, at 9am ET/PT, AMC will air a two-day marathon of The Walking Dead. Beginning with the pilot, episodes will air back-to-back in chronological order until 5am ET on January 2, 2014. ...
The Walking Dead will return for the second half of its fourth season at 9pm on Sunday, February 9, followed by a new episode of Talking Dead at 10 pm.
The sketch, by the way, is based on a survey that was originally released in May.To read more or comment...
You can read my review of the movie here. The official word: Anchor Bay Entertainment and The Weinstein Company are proud to announce the new Digital HD date of the critically acclaimed FRUITVALE STATION on December 31, 2013.
The film premiered to high praise at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, winning both the Grand Jury Prize for dramatic feature and the Audience Award for U.S. dramatic film, the first film since 2009's Precious to simultaneously capture both awards. It also played in the Un Certain Regard section at this year's Festival de Cannes, taking home the Prize of the Future award. On Monday evening, the Independent Filmmaker Project awarded Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan for the 2013 Gotham Independent Film Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director and Breakthrough Actor awards, respectively. The NYFCC will honor Ryan Coogler with the Best First Film award on January 6, 2014.To read more or comment...
Tonight at 9, TNT premieres the series set among '40s cops and mobsters in Los Angeles, with two episodes running tonight and the next two Wednesdays. This is my kind of stuff. I have read the John Buntin book "L.A. Noir" which inspired the TV series, not to mention Paul Lieberman's articles about the real-ife L.A. "gangster squad" -- which led to a book and then, later, the "Gangster Squad" movie -- which disappointed me even more because I am so interested in the period.
This should all have made me a prime viewer for "Mob City," which has some of the look and none of the energy of the period it deals with. In fact, during a key scene in tonight's telecast, the drawn-out and draggy dialogue put me to sleep.To read more or comment...
The official word: 2013—Universal Pictures today announced that a percentage of proceeds from the upcoming home entertainment release of Fast & Furious 6 will be donated to Paul Walker's non-profit Reach Out WorldWide, a network of professionals with first responder skill-sets who augment local expertise when natural disasters strike in order to accelerate relief efforts. Walker founded the organization after witnessing deficiencies in local activations following the January 2010 Haiti earthquake, and he remained passionately devoted to the charity.
"With the passing of Paul, the world has lost a man who spent a great deal of his life in service to others. We share in the deep grief of his family, friends and the countless fans who love him," said Donna Langley, Chairman, Universal Pictures. "We keep Paul's memory alive and honor his legacy through continued support of Reach Out WorldWide, the non-profit he founded to give hope to those who must rebuild after they have experienced natural disasters."To read more or comment...
The official word: The second season of the Netflix original series, from Media Rights Capital, "House of Cards," premieres Friday, February 14, 2014. All 13-episodes of the season starring Academy Award® winner Kevin Spacey ("Horrible Bosses," "American Beauty," "The Usual Suspects") and Golden Globe® nominee Robin Wright ("The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," "Forrest Gump"), who both received Emmy® nominations for their performances in the first season, will be available for members to watch instantly in all territories where Netflix is available.
From director David Fincher ("The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," "The Social Network"), award-winning playwright and Academy Award® nominated screenwriter Beau Willimon ("Farragut North," "The Ides of March") and Academy Award® winner Eric Roth ("Forrest Gump," "Munich," "The Insider"), this critically-acclaimed drama slithers beneath the curtain and through the back halls of greed, sex, love and corruption in modern Washington D.C.To read more or comment...
A note from series co-star Daniel Dae Kim arrived today. The textt:
Dear Television Reporter:To read more or comment...
I know, the production airs live on NBC Thursday. Wouldn't want to delay a chance at product cross-promotion, would we? The album includes "studio recordings for all of the musical numbers that are performed by the cast members in the live broadcast." The full official word:
In stores today, Sony Masterworks releases the companion soundtrack to NBC's live broadcast of "The Sound of Music," based on the classic stage musical. The three-hour live production, starring six-time Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood as Maria von Trapp, will air on December 5, 2013.To read more or comment...
Tickets for the Cleveland show go on sale Dec. 16. The official word: One of the top global touring acts of our time, having sold nearly 4 million tickets during her first 3 tours, Lady Gaga is hitting the road in support of her new album ARTPOP. Live Nation announced today that Lady Gaga's artRave: The ARTPOP Ball will begin May 4th in Ft. Lauderdale. The tour
will include several cities that have not hosted Lady Gaga before as well as cities
that missed her tour earlier this year following a hip injury, which forced her to cancel. The announcement of artRave: The ARTPOP Ball tour follows the immediate sell-out of a historic residency at NYC's Roseland Ballroom from March 28 - April 7, 2014. Lady Gaga will perform the final seven shows at the venue before it closes down forever, and simultaneously set the record for the most consecutive shows by any
artist at the Roseland. Tickets for artRave: The ARTPOP Ball will go on sale beginning Monday, Dec. 9, 2013.
Littlemonsters.com members will have first access to tickets. Members who RSVP to the event listings for the shows they wish to attend within LittleMonsters.com will be provided a unique code and may order online while quantities last. For all shows going on sale on December 9th, members will be able to purchase tickets starting Tuesday, December 3rd at 2:00 p.m. through Thursday, December 5th. For the shows going on sale December 16th members will be able to purchase tickets starting Tuesday, December 10th through Thursday, December 10th. There will be a ticket limit of four (4) per member.Citi is the official credit card of the Lady Gaga's artRave: The ARTPOP Ball tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Wednesday, December 4th at 10 a.m. through Citi's Private Pass Program. For complete presale details visit: www.citiprivatepass.com.
Tickets for artRave: The ARTPOP Ball will go on sale starting Monday, December 9th at 10 a.m. General Admission floor tickets are $85.00. Reserved seating also available for $35.00, $49.50, $85.00 and $200 (plus applicable service fees). Tickets on sale at www.livenation.com.To read more or comment...
BBC Home Entertainment will release Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary Special, Doctor Who: The Day of The Doctor, in a Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD combo pack or DVD on December 10, 2013.
Bonus features include:To read more or comment...
The official word: Be sure to get some of Amy Schumer's comedy when she hits the road next year. Tickets for Inside Amy Schumer's Back Door Tour will go on sale this Friday, December 6 at 10:00 a.m. (local time) with tour info and links to purchase tickets available at http://www.cc.com/comedy-tours and www.amyschumer.com. This is Schumer's second national tour with Comedy Central which kicks off on Friday, January 24, 2014 in New York City at Best Buy Theater and travels to more than 30 cities (full tour schedule at the end of this release). The tour is produced by AEG Live.
"Inside Amy Schumer" launched on April 30, 2013 and ranked as a top three program on cable among M18-34 and M18-24 in its Tuesday 10:30P-11P timeslot during its first season. The series is currently in production for its second season and set to debut on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on Comedy Central. "Inside Amy Schumer," created by Schumer and Daniel Powell, who executive produces along with head writer Jessi Klein, provides an intimate look into the mind of comedian Amy Schumer, who, through a series of scripted vignettes, stand-up comedy, and man- on-the-street interviews, explores topics revolving around sex, relationships, and the general clusterf*ck that is life.To read more or comment...
A clip from tonight's telecast. The show has been somewhat uneven, but I am still watching.To read more or comment...
The official word: Telemundo announced its special programming to commemorate the anniversary of the tragic death of blockbuster Hispanic singer Jenni Rivera. Starting Thursday, December 5, the network's reporting team will travel to the state of Nuevo León in Mexico to cover tributes organized by family and fans of the Diva de la Banda for "Un Nuevo Día"(7AM/6 C), "Al Rojo Vivo con María Celeste" (5PM/6 C) and "Noticiero Telemundo" (6:30PM/5:30 C).
The commemorative programming will include an investigative segment on "Enfoque con José Díaz-Balart," Sunday, December 8 at 12PM/11AM C, about the plane crash that took the Hispanic superstar's life. That evening, at 8PM/7 C, the network will present "Jenni Siempre Vivirá," a Noticias Telemundo special hosted by María Celeste Arrarás and José Díaz-Balart in Monterrey. The special will include revelations about the circumstances of Rivera's accident, exclusive interviews with family and close friends, the testimony of pilots and rescue workers, and a recreation of the star's final days. Following the program, Telemundo host Mónica Noguera will present one of the singer's most popular and acclaimed performances, "La gran señora en vivo" (9PM/8 C), held originally at Los Angeles' Nokia Theater in November 2010. Between songs, Rivera spoke about her artistic influences and her relationship with her fans.
The word from ABC News President Ben Sherwood:
I'm writing with important news:To read more or comment...


text:
Toll hits 8 in huge Wash. mudslide
(NEWSER) – Hopes are fading for people still believed to be trapped under mud and debris after a massive landslide in Washington state. At least eight people have now been confirmed dead from the mudslide that destroyed dozens of houses in a neighborhood along the Stillaguamish River, the Seattle Times reports. At least a dozen people are still missing, but rescue workers say they didn't see or hear any signs of life after working throughout the day.
Read the full story on Newser.com


text:
It seemed like the coaching staff was pleased with Nate Robinson's progress this spring.
He looked slimmer, too.
However, the post-spring depth chart shows Wallace Pendleton as the starting nose tackle. That's the biggest surprise in the new depth chart.
There is still no decision at quarterback. All three candidates are tied for the race. Place kicker also is up in the air.
You can compare the old and new depth chart (Post-spring Depth Chart PDF) or just read below as I have outlined the other changes...
I'm hearing Luke Getsy will sign with San Francisco today.
The 49ers have Alex Smith, Trent Dilfer and Shaun Hill at quarterback already, but it's possible the former Zips signal caller could beat out the latter.
If true, Getsy will join Mike Nori, Akron former tight ends coach who is now an offensive assistant under coach Mike Nolan.
Andy Alleman became antsy as soon as Dallas and New Orleans traded out of the second round.
The former Zips guard had visited both teams in the past few weeks. Their hospitality made Alleman believe they were two of his most likely suitors.
"There was a lot of tension in the room," Alleman said.
As the third round progressed, Alleman became more and more worried he could plummet to the fourth round.
At about 10:45, a New Orleans coach called Alleman to tell him the news. He would be the Saints' pick at No. 88 overall.
"To hear my name was a big relief," Alleman said. "It feels great."
As one might expect, the Alleman household became flooded with tears.
"I broke down when they called," he said. "It was very emotional."
Within minutes after ESPN announced the pick, Alleman's phone went berserk with about 17 text messages, he estimated.
"It was frantic," Alleman said. "It was a bit of a blur."
Alleman will report to rookie camp in two weeks. Knowing the time between the draft and camp would be hectic, he bought a new car ahead of time. I think he said it was a Lexus, making Alleman one of the league's few linemen not driving a truck or SUV.
It might be a blessing that the Saints don't expect Alleman to start right away. They have solid starters in Jamal Nesbit and Jahri Evans. It should give the former Zip time to acclimate himself to the NFL before Nesbit hits free agency next season.
Akron placed second in the FirstEnergy Intercollegiate at Firestone Country Club, just one stroke back of Eastern Kentucky.
It was the Zips' best finish in their home event, and they topped several MAC teams. That should give them momentum heading into next week's conference tournament.
Colin Clemente finished in fourth place at even par. Blake Sattler, Ryan Gutowski and Brad Wright were close behind.
I'm really rooting for the team to bring home an unexpected MAC title next weekend.
Rivals.com reports Akron has offered scholarships to six more players...
Andy Alleman gave some great quotes to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
It's worth reading.
It looks like the Saints are stockpiling Ohio's college players. After grabbing Tennessee's Robert Meachem with their first rounder, New Orleans took Kent State's Usama Young, Alleman and then Ohio State's Antonio Pittman.
I think they took Young too early, yet got a steal with Pittman in the fourth round. Alleman went just about where I expected him to fall.
Andy Alleman is far from your typical party animal.
For the first time, I saw him out on the town trying to celebrate the fact that he's a third-round NFL draft pick. To be honest, I'm not sure if he was consuming alcoholic beverages. I don't think he was.
Bottom line: It's good to see a guy who works so hard get something he deserves.
Andy Alleman is heading to the NFC finalist New Orleans Saints to play on the same line as former Brown Jeff Faine.
The Saints took him 88th overall, making him the fourth-highest Akron player ever drafted, behind Jason Taylor, Charlie Frye and Dwight Smith.
I am going to give him a call sometime tonight to get his reaction for you guys.
The ABJ's Terry Pluto writes that the Joe Thomas selection will help Charlie Frye, whether he's a backup or starter in 2007.
He also mentions the sizable hole at right guard, where Akron's Andy Alleman might fit in.
I'm still skeptical the Browns will use a third rounder on Alleman after using the first two picks (and one from next year) on the passing game and protection.
I hoped that Frye would get a more fair shake at starting for the Browns, but it doesn't appear that way. As an acquaintance of Frye and Browns fan, I'm hoping he gets traded for a third rounder, increasing the probability Alleman stays in northeast Ohio.
Best case scenario, of course, is that Frye wins the job and performs admirably enough to make him a more tradable asset (See Philip Rivers/Drew Brees in 2006).
The Browns traded up to select a free-falling Brady Quinn at No. 22 overall in the NFL Draft.
That has to be bad news for Charlie Frye and the Browns, since they gave up this year's second round pick and next year's first rounder.
It's a lopsided deal, and Phil Savage better pray Quinn is a Pro Bowler or else this trade is a travesty. Think about what the Browns just did...
They traded a high second rounder this year and a high first rounder next year (presumably) for a quarterback whom many don't even consider the franchise variety. That's awful.
Of course, it probably means the end of Frye's starting career with Cleveland.
If you're wondering how this affects Andy Alleman, I think it makes it even less likely the Browns will go offense again to select an offensive guard.
Now that the Browns took offensive tackle Joe Thomas third overall, it appears slightly less likely Andy Alleman will play for Cleveland.
Don't you think?
If you want more consistent liveblogging on draft day with an Akron flavor, click over to Dan Kadar's blog on NewEraScouting.com.
Today might as well be a national holiday for sports nerds like me.
Since the NFL Draft falls on a Saturday, there's really no necessity for that.
Anyhow, I talked to Andy Alleman a few times this week. He kept asking if it was Saturday yet. Aside from advising him about the day of the week, I listened to some extreme excitement.
And why wouldn't he be? He went from above-average MAC lineman to possible second-round pick in just weeks.
If I'm Alleman, I'm not getting my hopes up. It's very easy to slide on draft day. I stand by my initial estimation that he'll go in the third round. I would love to see the Browns grab him.
I'm going to give Alleman a call after he's chosen, and I'll have that conversation for you shortly thereafter.
Men's basketball
At the end of Tom Gaffney's story about Keith Dambrot's contract extension, he mentions that John Rybak is transferring to Texas State.
It seems like a great thing for both parties. Rybak never would play extended minutes, and now the Zips have a scholarship freed up. Gaffney suggests Columbus DeSales' Alex Kellogg, son of television analyst and former Buckeye Clark Kellogg, could be the target.
Men's basketball
Keith Dambrot is one of the MAC's best coaches.
Now he's getting paid like it.
For the second time in five months, UA extended the fourth-year coach's contract. His deal is among the top third of MAC coaches, the university says.
Knowing Dambrot isn't a money hungry guy, the respect of a new contract among the MAC's highest could be as valuable as the extra dollars.
I think the theme of the defense this spring was dominance.
Of course, you have to consider that the offense was young and missing key players for much or all of the 15-practice schedule.
With that in mind, the young touted recruits certainly showed why Zipsnation (the concept, not the Web site ... actually, both) got so excited about them.
Defensive line: C-. Anyone who knows me will tell you how worried I was about this position. Last year's line made few plays (although that may be attributed to the 3-3-5 scheme), and two of those guys are gone. The spring showed me that the starters can be serviceable. In other words, they won't be the best in the conference, nor the worst. A more fit Nate Robinson will be a solid run stuffer. Eric Lively and Jared Cecchetti look like average MAC defenders. The backups are another story. Shawn Lemon is going to be good pass rusher. After that, it's anyone's guess. Viktor Rajek has the athleticism for the position, but not the knowledge for the position yet. Hopefully, a couple of the 2007 recruits are ready to play. Speaking of recruits, Rivals.com is showing Hassan Hazime from Ontario as a late signee. J.D. Brookhart mentioned him -- although not by name -- as a player who possibly could suit up as a true freshman. Florida, Florida State and Boston College had shown interest before he settled on his only offer, Akron. The coach also said Joe Rash might be ready. Overall, the coaches should be pleased if the defensive line is just average next season.
Linebackers: A. Doug Williams is a freak. His play will really surprise Zips fans next season. He proved to be an impact player this spring. Kevin Grant had a nagging injury, and coaches decided to keep him out for much of the spring because he's already proven. Brion Stokes is a terrific blitzer, and hopefully the coaches fire him into the pocket on every third down next season. The real question is, will the coaches find enough playing time for Al-Teric Balaam? The sophomore is an All-MAC linebacker in the making. It would be nice to have a little more depth, but all in all, the linebackers are equipped to put hits on running backs, cover tight ends with their athleticism and rush the passer.
Defensive backs: A+. Yeah A+. Although they weren't tested by David Harvey, Jabari Arthur or a veteran quarterback this spring, they were downright impregnable. John Mackey and Davanzo Tate have to be preseason favorites for All-MAC safeties. They also have four cornerbacks who could start for almost every other team in the conference. What impresses me most is the leadership this mostly upperclassman group exudes. They have a certain swagger that will not let the rest of the defense play lackadasically. As long as the defensive line gets adequate penetration, no current MAC quarterback-receiver combination should scare this corps.
Punter: Incomplete. John Stec did a decent job in his freshman season. I grade him as incomplete for the spring because I didn't watch him punt much, and to be honest, I don't know how to analyze a punter during practice.
Kicker: B-. Matt Domonkos showed a considerable boost in leg strength. The fact that Brookhart would send him to the field with a 56-yarder in front of him on Saturday is proof of that. But Domonkos has always been a good practice kicker, so there's no use in getting excited about that. Igor Iveljic missed half of spring with a sore back. He was a bit rusty upon his anticipated return, biffing a few kicks here and there. He still performed well enough to earn the first-string duties, in my opinion, going into the fall. That's of course assuming he doesn't beat the crap out of another fellow student. (As an aside, wouldn't it be lethal if Iveljic knew karate? That would make for a forceful front kick.)
Special teams: B. It's hard to judge the kickoff coverage when I didn't see one kickoff. However, Brookhart used the final 15 minutes of each practice to teach blocking techniques. That is enough to give me confidence that this squad will adapt well to the new NCAA rule of kickoffs coming from the 30-yard line, rather than the 35.
Men's basketball
Keith Dambrot may not have a top-notch field house or promise of a new stadium to lure recruits.
He does have a 6-foot-8 forward who can't stop bringing attention to the school in his hometown.
Terry Pluto wrote today about how the King James Classic AAU basketball tournament brings the nation's best high school talent to Akron and Kent State. Last year, that may have helped to land Ronnie Steward, the state's best point guard who ventured onto campus because of the tournament.
I have no clue who is on what team, but here is the schedule for the tournament that starts tomorrow.
I did some snooping this semester about where the athletic department -- and the university as a whole -- spend their money.
There might be some stuff in the story you might not know.
I'll post that story below. If you're interested, here's the link to the main story, which focuses on the whole university.
Mack Rhoades stood over his desk, placed his hand on his jaw and sighed.
"We have to get a football stadium built," said the University of Akron's athletic director.
"The Rubber Bowl prohibits us with attendance - especially with students," he continued. "The lack of amenities, the deteriorating seats, et cetera. It prohibits us from maximizing revenue."
Having the $54 million on-campus stadium ready for 2009 is a goal held by many at the university, but especially by the fans.
An entirely different contingency among the university community is asking, "Why bother?"
UA subsidized its athletic department $13.1 million last year. That is $13.1 million that could have gone to improve academic programs, they say.
The football program alone lost more than $3 million. No sport came even close to breaking even (see chart on A2).
Also, coaches spent $500,000 last year in recruiting. In layman's terms, the university is paying $500,000 to coax high school students to accept a full-ride scholarship at UA. It's a double whammy.
Rhoades offers several defenses against these points.
Although Akron sports don't come close to paying for themselves, only a handful of the teams at the 119 Division IA schools do.
The national standard is that a university subsidizes athletics with about 5 percent of its total budget. The $13.1 million subsidy is just less than 4 percent of UA's $345 million budget.
Some sports also help by attracting paying students. The track team, which awards only a small fraction of its 90 athletes with scholarships, increases tuition by attracting students to UA, who normally would go elsewhere. That figure could reach $1 million for the track team alone.
"We are, by far, a great bargain with what we bring in and provide," track coach Dennis Mitchell said.
About 200 athletes on campus are without a full scholarship, Rhoades said. Those students pay tuition, but that money is not calculated as athletics revenue.
Rhoades also points to the publicity sports garner for a university. The football team will play twice on ESPN next season. Ninety million homes receive that network, and each of the viewers, conceivably, could walk away from the television set with a higher level of respect for UA.
"For most universities, the greatest marketing window is athletics," Rhoades said. "It can lead people to investigate the academics, which is most important."
Another intangible benefit is the cohesion that university athletics offer.
"It can be a focal point of celebration," Rhoades said. "If you're winning, it brings a sense of school spirit to the campus."
Still, Rhoades said his department must improve upon the $3 million in total revenue it generated last year.
The department has improved already since Rhoades arrived in January 2006. Football ticket sales brought in $349,000 last season, which is double the total from 2005 when Akron won the Mid-American Conference Championship. With Keith Dambrot's Zips winning 26 men's basketball games, attendance income jumped 15 percent to $270,000, and that's even with a massive blizzard wiping out attendance for the game against Ohio University which was expected to be a big money maker.
Women's basketball is considered the third-largest collegiate sport. Akron's team brought in only $25,800 last year. That is a figure with perhaps the highest potential to grow, Rhoades said.
"It hasn't been a successful program," Rhoades said. "People want to see a quality product. Before we can think about making money, we have to have a better product."
That illustrates the importance of winning to a financially successful institution. Take Ohio State University, for example. The Buckeyes were national runners-up in men's basketball and football. OSU's budget of $98 million reflects that. It is the highest of any department in the nation.
Merchandise sales at Ohio State also boost revenue significantly. It's hard to walk anywhere without seeing a Buckeyes shirt or baseball cap, even on UA's campus.
UA's merchandising is not so lucrative. The university hires Licensing Resource Group, Inc. to protect its brand and logo. LRG collected about $50,000 last year from manufacturers, such as Nike or New Era, who sold Zips merchandise in retail stores or over the Internet. Of course, the university sells merchandise itself at the team stores at Rhodes Arena and the Rubber Bowl. Those ventures earned UA $168,000 in 2006.
Although the football team loses millions of dollars, it recoups plenty through "buy games," which are road games the university plays against bigger schools for a large paycheck.
The going rate is about $600,000 that a large school, such as the University of Michigan, will pay an institution from a mid-major conference, such as Akron, to travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., for just one game.
With travel expenses rarely reaching higher than $80,000, this can become somewhat of a welfare system to the smaller schools. Akron will play two such away games next season: at Ohio State and Connecticut.
These revenue enhancing methods are nice, but the truth is, UA's athletic budget sits at $16 million - which is in the lowest third of the teams in the MAC.
Rhoades believes the new stadium can help boost revenue, and thus, increase the budget from which he can draw.
"We have to increase the amount of revenue we generate," Rhoades said. "That is our focus."
The Buchtelite's Josh Volchko profiled Akron's new three hitter, Doug McNulty.
The team got rained out today against Cleveland State. They will play Buffalo this weekend.
The Buchtelite's Jeff Thomas wrote about Brad Wright, who quietly has become the anchor of the Zips' successful season and perhaps the MAC's best golfer.
The Zips will host the FirstEnergy Intercollegiate this weekend at Firestone Country Club.
Miscellaneous, Pt. II
Do you remember our epic debate about Paul Rodgers versus Freddie Mercury as Queen's lead singer?
I read something on the Internet that proves me right.
I realize this is a sports blog, but I did some digging for my senior honors project about the university's finances. If you get a moment, it might be worth checking out these PDFs.
The university's macro budget for FY 2006
College and auxiliary services budgets
Akron beat Kent State at Canal Park 3-1 tonight.
More than 800 fans showed up for the game. Proceeds will go to Akron Children's Hospital.
After watching the Zips play the past month, I have some grades for the offensive positions and some players. Defense will come later.
Akron resoundingly beat conference rivals Miami and Kent State by 21 strokes in a tri-match this week.
Colin Clemente was the medalist with scores of 69 and 72 at Windmill Lakes Golf Club and Firestone Country Club, respectively.
This should be a huge confidence boost heading into the MAC Tournament in two weeks. This weekend, the Zips will try to win their own First Energy Intercollegiate.
Charlie Frye and Joshua Cribbs will throw out the ceremonial first pitches before tonight's Akron-Kent State game at Canal Park, which begins at 6 p.m. and will benefit Akron Children's Hospital.
The Buchtelite's Adam Ferrise wrote about the Zips' greatest asset: the defensive backs.
In that vein, my column talks about how the team's leadership has changed. (By the way, sometimes I write my column and I'm sort of lukewarm about the topic. This is a really fascinating transformation of the football team. And I believe it's for real.) ...
The ball joint of John Mackey's shoulder was chipped last season. With each tackle, the jagged bone ripped cartilage away from his socket.
The Zips safety played through torture.
So when Mackey tells his teammates they need to straighten up, they listen.
"They respect that guy," coach J.D. Brookhart said. "He played through pain nobody else would have played through."
Mackey's endurance may not have won the team an extra game, but it could serve as a turning point in Brookhart's tenure.
For the first few years, players lacked discipline. And the blame doesn't fall completely on the coaches. They could only do so much without leaders on the field to enforce the right way to play.
Coming into last year, Akron was the media's nearly unanimous choice to repeat as division champs. Then the team got blown out at Kent State and Toledo. And with a chance to earn a bowl bid in the season finale, Akron failed to score at home against Western Michigan.
"Everybody was out playing for themselves," one player told me.
It's a dirty little secret about mid-major football that you can recruit big-time talent with questionable intangibles, or you can pursue adequate players with good character. Rarely do the players with both attributes slip to Mid-American Conference teams.
After the season, Brookhart recognized his leadership vacuum. He asked Mackey to lead more vocally, rather than just through his example.
Coaches also set up a counseling session, hoping to create a few more Mackeys. The counselor explained how important it is for players to stand up to teammates when they aren't performing as they should, and to do it constructively.
Brookhart never could have expected the results.
"It opened people up," senior defensive back Davanzo Tate said. "No one takes offense (to criticism)."
On Saturday, I asked Brookhart to compare the leadership this spring to last season. Before I could finish the question, the coach emphatically blurted, "very different."
And it goes beyond having a cowboy senior quarterback or linebacker, which is the traditional conception of leadership in college football.
"You see younger guys saying something to older guys if they're doing something wrong," junior linebacker Doug Williams said.
Rodney Etienne, a sophomore defensive back, even corrected the fiery Mackey on an error this spring - a feat similar to negotiating with a grizzly bear.
Mackey loved it.
"Somebody needs to say when you need to get your head out of your ass," Mackey said.
Coming into this season, the Zips have several question marks. They are replacing almost the entire offensive line. They are razor-thin at defensive line. They will rely on an unproven underclassman at quarterback.
Two things are certain. First, leadership won't be an issue.
"You have a bunch of guys who care about this program and they speak up," Brookhart said.
Second, Mackey - despite not being the tallest or fastest safety you'll ever see - is a franchise player.
I asked Brookhart what Mackey means to the Zips. The coach wouldn't let me finish the question.
Men's soccer
Ferrise also wrote about the Zips progress this spring.
A couple freshmen could become major contributors on offense.
Mike Cruz, a highly recruited tight end and brother of Akron's Jose Cruz, has gone back on his commitment to play at Pitt.
His high school coach says the younger Cruz has concerns of playing in a big city. Also playing a part could be the fact that Florida State offered him a scholarship. Cruz recently visited West Virginia, which is another likely destination.
Here are some new recruits J.D. Brookhart's staff has offered...
Akron wiped out each collegiate track team in the state -- men and women -- in winning the All-Ohio Championships.
And it wasn't all that close for either gender.
The Zips held off second-place Cincinnati
It took 15 practices for the passing game to come around with the Zips relying on underclassmen quarterbacks and backup receivers.
Chris Jacquemain particularly played well in Saturday's scrimmage, completing 11 of 14 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
Sean Hakes and Carlton Jackson looked good at times, too.
Coach J.D. Brookhart wanted some clarity with quarterback situation this spring. If anything, the situation became more muddled.
Just a week ago, I thought this would be a two-man race between Jackson and Hakes. You might even say Jacquemain has clawed into the lead after a strong set of practices following the spring game.
My gut tells me the coaching staff will go with Jackson because he's the incumbent of sorts, but who knows? The coaching staff is taking a week-long vacation. They will return and produce a new depth chart which should answer some questions.
J.D. Brookhart has a problem.
A really, really good one.
He has about five running backs who would merit carries on a decent Mid-American Conference team.
Last year, that would have come in handy after first and second stringers Dennis Kennedy and Alex Allen suffered injuries.
"You better be three-deep minimum at tailback or you're in trouble," Brookhart said.
Along with a healthy Kennedy and Allen, the coaches can call upon Andre Walker, who has had a fantastic spring, Joe McDaniel, who looked pretty solid today, and Joe Tuzze, a capable bruiser.
That's not to mention Bryan Williams and Aaris Reed, who could earn carries during the summer.
When I asked Brookhart about Williams, he let out a good chuckle. He knows he has a great problem on his hands.
The offense scored a bit of revenge from the spring game today, going on a streak of about 15 minutes where the passes crisply hit their marks and running backs broke free for first downs.
As Carlton Jackson and Sean Hakes moved the ball, the offense's sidelines looked like a team counting down the seconds before being handed the MAC Championship.
Of course, the defensive captain (and craziest man on the field), John Mackey, didn't like that. He fired up the defense, which began to blitz, and the defense regained its dominance for the remainder of the fourth-to-last spring practice.
Never in the 50-year history of the program have the Zips won three events until this season.
Akron bested 13 other schools to win the Wolf Run Intercollegiate in Zionsville, Ind.
Brad Wright won medalist honors at eight-over par.
The Zips have two more tuneups before the MAC Championship on May 2.
The Buchtelite's Adam Ferrise went in-depth about how Akron's offense will change this year.
It's definitely worth reading.
Before you read my column, take a grain of salt.
I'm no football expert or coach and only a semi-observant fan. Still, after watching plenty of all three quarterbacks, I have come to a conclusion as to who the starter should be...
In the coming months, football coach J.D. Brookhart will make a decision arguably more important to the campus community than anything that comes before president Luis Proenza's desk.
Brookhart will decide who will quarterback the Zips for the next few years.
With three underclassmen vying for the role - the most vital spot on the team - the coaching staff isn't just choosing its starter for this year, but the quarterback until that person graduates three or four years down the line.
Indeed, judging QB potential is crucial. It is the difference between Ryan Leaf and Peyton Manning.
And you can't just go by the quantifiable measures. All three candidates for Akron's job possess strong arms, elusive running ability and decent field vision. They wouldn't be NCAA Bowl Division quarterbacks if they didn't. Intangibles, such as leadership and character, should also weigh heavily.
After watching several hours of spring football practice the past two weeks, I have come to a conclusion and am prepared to endorse one player. Before I do, here are my scouting reports on all three:
Carlton Jackson - Coming into the spring, "CJ" was No. 1 on the depth chart. A few practices into camp, he suffered a concussion that knocked him out of commission for about a week. Still, he has had plenty of time to show why Brookhart recruited him out of Pompano Beach, Fla.
Jackson shows great poise in the pocket for a sophomore. He appears calm and doesn't fret when his inexperienced offensive line allows defensive penetration. His best gift is a speed more commonly seen from a wide receiver. Jackson might not be thick enough, however, to take a pounding that usually comes with being a running quarterback.
Coaches also have had off-the-field problems with Jackson that may have kept him out of a couple games last season.
Chris Jacquemain - Last season, Jacquemain lost the battle for the backup job to Jackson. He has missed significant time this spring with a minor shoulder injury.
He showed off his good arm when he was healthy. The sophomore's downfield running vision and above average athleticism allow him to gain chunks of yards when receivers are covered. Accuracy is a point of concern, though. He overthrew several passes. One example is the interception Jacquemain threw during the spring game Sunday.
Sean Hakes - Hakes redshirted last season, meaning he did not play, nor did he expend a year of eligibility. Although the injuries to Jackson and Jacquemain limited the team's options the past two weeks, Hakes has taken advantage of the extra snaps to catch up to the other quarterbacks' experience.
Hakes, who also played strong safety at Nolan Catholic High School in Texas, likes to run with the ball. Unlike most quarterbacks, however, the athletic Hakes doesn't mind contact. Nearing the sidelines on one play this spring, Hakes trucked over a linebacker, rather than daintily stepping out of bounds.
Hakes also reminds coaches he's just a freshman almost daily. On many plays, he found an open receiver a blink too late. Rather than look for another target, Hakes tried to force the ball to him anyhow. That was a concoction for several interceptions, but Hakes has worked to cut down on them.
My endorsement - Not that it matters, but I think I have the answer to this pivotal question.
It's Hakes.
Of course, he must continue to eliminate the "what are you thinking?" passes. But he has demonstrated a humble confidence that makes him receptive to the coaches' teaching, yet is assured his teammates will follow his leadership.
Hakes says he has a genuine passion for taking Akron to another level in college football. Ever since his freshman year of high school, he has dreamt of leading a college team to a bowl game, he said.
Being a redshirt freshman, rather than a sophomore like his competitors, Hakes has an extra year of eligibility. Although Brookhart denies that will play a role in his decision, it is logical that should be a tiebreaker.
In the end, the quarterback decision won't be as consequential as Leaf vs. Manning. All three candidates are capable of being solid Mid-American Conference quarterbacks.
The goal, however, is to tap the next great MAC quarterback to lead the Zips.
I believe that's Sean Hakes.
Doug Williams emphatically capped a sensational spring with two sacks and a blocked field goal in the Blue-Gold game.
The defense won 28-10. The only offensive points came from a Sean Hakes-to-Marcus Patterson touchdown and 49-yard Matt Domonkos field goal.
Let's get back to Williams, though, who showed that he can go beyond being serviceable, and perhaps become a star.
"Doug has had the best spring on anyone on the team," coach J.D. Brookhart said. "It's great to have a big body at linebacker who can cover and blitz."
Overall, spring football games are fairly dull. You try to watch specific positions and players, but that is difficult for anyone (like me) who's not a scout.
Here are some notes:
Men's basketball
Marquise Simmons is a 6-foot-7 forward from Maryland whom Akron hopes to reel in this recruiting year.
The Zips have offered a scholarship to Simmons, a three-star player, according to Scout.com.
Here are some other recruiting updates:
If you haven't noticed, GoZips.com now has information valuable to Zips fans that goes beyond press releases and box scores.
I attribute that to the new chief PR guy Mike Cawood.
A lot of Zips fans chide the new administration, but this guy knows what he's doing, and the improved content speaks for itself. He is much better for this reason (and in dealing with the media) than his predecessor Shawn Nestor, who left to take a similar job at Maryland.
Anyhow, after today's practice, J.D. Brookhart told Cawood about the new kickoff rule and his take on it.
No matter how many players step up in other positions, I won't be too optimistic until the defensive line is configured two-deep.
The line wasn't very good last year, even with experience.
Now that Jermaine Reid and Kiki Gonzalez are gone, Akron will need to fill two starting roles.
So far the depth chart reads: Jared Cecchetti, Nate Robinson and Eric Lively.
I asked J.D. Brookhart about his second stringers and he mentioned Shawn Lemon, Wallace Pendleton, Viktor Rajek and Mitchell Magloire, who is listed as a linebacker.
On the horizon for the fall are 2007 signee Joe Rash and possibly two unsigned freshmen, Brookhart said. The coach has even given offensive lineman Zach Anderson a crack at d-line, and he didn't fare too badly.
"There's numbers," Brookhart said, "just some unknowns."
I whined a lot last year about the 3-3-5 defense against the non-traditional MAC teams (in other words, MAC teams don't rely on pass-only offenses). With the lack of established depth at DL, it's hard to dispute keeping the system in place, even as the league it was built to combat is evolving.
J.D. Brookhart talked in-depth about what he has seen so far in the spring on GoZips.com.
The ABJ's David Lee Morgan wrote a very compelling feature on Viktor Rajek, the receiver-turned-defensive lineman from Slovenia. It would be a huge boost if Rajek earned minutes next year.
I just read that a Zips golfer has won MAC Golfer of the Week in each of the season's first four tournaments.
The team is heading to Zionsville, Ind., this weekend for a duel with Wolf Run Golf Course, the 15th hardest track in the nation.
That may be true, but the Zips must be tested just playing their home course, Firestone Country Club, from the tips, especially if they're practicing in the summer right before the WGC event.
Men's soccer
Akron opened its spring exhibition season with a 0-0 tie against Cincinnati in blustry weather Thursday.
The GoZips.com article provides a good idea what the starting lineup might look like in the fall.
Brion Stokes, Reggie Corner and Nate Robinson left practice early today on their own.
It was chaos.
Not really. Some players, particularly upperclassmen, are finding that their class schedules are conflicting with spring practice.
"You get disrupted," Brookhart said. "Those are the challenges with the spring."
Notes time...
Since we've last talked recruiting, Akron has made eight new scholarship offers.
Women's basketball
Niki McCoy, the MAC's fifth-leading scorer, has left the team, with intentions to transfer, the Toledo Blade reports.
McCoy told the Blade she clashed with the new coaching staff.
Possible destinations include Ohio University, Bowling Green and Findlay.
Memo to Niki: You're not going pro. And it's only women's basketball. Enjoy sitting out a year and finishing your career coming off the Falcons' bench.
Alex Allen is back on the field, but his knee is still causing some discomfort.
David Lee Morgan wrote a feature about the Zips possible backup running back.
Although I couldn't make it to practice today, Mike Cawood (head of media relations) did.
Here are some of his notes, which are not yet on GoZips.com...


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WATCH: Paul Walker's father reacts to son's death
Paul Walker's dad, Paul Walker Sr., cried through an interview with CBS Los Angeles on Sunday.
The elder Walker described his son's heart as being "so big," and noted, "I was proud of him every day of his life."
"I'm just glad that every time I saw him, I told him I loved him. And he said the same thing to me," said the distraught father.
He added that the actor's brothers "are all taking it very hard."
Walker's dad also discussed his son's relationship with his 15-year-old daughter Meadow.
As Gossip Cop previously reported, the Fast and Furious star died in a car crash on Saturday with longtime friend Roger Rodas.
Check out the emotional video below.


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Obama says Ft. Hood shooting was 'inspired by larger notions of jihad'
During President Barack Obama's counter-terrorism speech on Thursday he did something that hasn't yet been done by the administration — at least not so overtly. He referred to the Fort Hood shooting as an act that was "inspired by larger notions of violent jihad." That is big step toward dubbing the attack an act of terror instead of "workplace violence" as it has been categorized.
"Deranged or alienated individuals — often U.S. citizens or legal residents — can do enormous damage. Particularly when inspired by larger notions of violent jihad." Obama said during the speech. "That pull towards extremism appears to have led to the shooting at Fort Hood and the bombing of the Boston Marathon."
By linking the Boston bombing, which has officially been called terrorism, with Fort Hood, Obama essentially admitted that the former is a comparable act that could (or should) be given the same designation. This is notable for a number of reasons.


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1993 Chevrolet 3500 Pickup Problems
RepairPal has identified the most common problems with the 1993 Chevrolet 3500 Pickup based on complaints from actual vehicle owners. We'll tell you what the problem is and what it'll take to fix it.
The quick-connect fittings for the heater hoses tend to leak engine coolant. This problem commonly occurs because the metal housing has become brittle, which can break and cause leaks.
The air conditioning compressor may develop an abnormal noise and require replacement. We recommend that whenever an AC compressor is being replaced for a noise condition, a filter kit should be installed to prevent any metal particles in the system from damaging the new compressor.
Power brake systems using "hydro-boost" may leak power steering fluid from the hydro-boost unit located behind the brake master cylinder. Replacement of the hydro-boost unit is the common repair to correct this concern.
The windshield wipers may not work intermittently due to a faulty wiper motor control board. Our technicians tell us that lightly taping on the wiper motor when the fault occurs should temporarily get the wipers working again. Some vehicles were recalled for this problem and some were not. You will need to check with your local dealer to find out if a specific vehicle was included.
An engine vacuum leak may develop from the throttle body gasket causing a higher than normal idle speed. Failed gaskets should be replaced.
The distributor may develop internal faults. This can cause a rough running engine or stalling condition, the Check Engine Light may or may not illuminate. Our technicians tell us that the distributor should be overhauled or replaced to correct this concern.
Our technicians recommend flushing the brake fluid every 60,000 miles. Brake fluid that is dirty may cause problems in the brake system.
The fuel pump may fail causing the engine to stall and not restart. Our technicians recommend replacing the fuel filter every 30,000 miles to help prevent undue strain on the fuel pump.
The power door lock actuators may become slow to operate or stop working completely and require replacement.
A coolant leak may develop from the water pump. The engine may overheat as a result of the coolant loss. A leaking water pump should be replaced.
The intake manifold gasket may develop and external engine oil or coolant leak. In some cases, an internal coolant leak may occur causing coolant to mix with the engine oil. Running the engine with a coolant/oil mix may result in engine damage. Replacing the intake manifold gasket should correct this issue.
The inside and outside door handles are prone to breaking.
One or more heater & AC (HVAC) air delivery and/or temperature mode door actuator may fail. This can result in incorrect air delivery or temperature. If this occurs, fault code(s) stored in the HVAC control module should be available to assist with diagnoses.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) front wheel speed sensors are prone to failure. When a sensor fails, the ABS warning light may illuminate and/or the ABS system may activate erratically.
On the 4L80-E Transmission (Diesel and 7.4L gas engine), Transmission fluid may leak through the electrical connector on the side of the transmission, damaging the wire harness and causing the transmission to shift erratically. Our technicians tell us there are updated shift solenoids, an internal transmission harness, and a connector pigtail available to correct this fault.


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Spotlight: Best Collaboration
Listen to iHeartRadio Music Awards Radio
Check out the finalists Best Collaboration, in alphabetical order, below.
Eminem, "The Monster" featuring Rihanna
JAY Z, "Holy Grail" featuring Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake, "Suit & Tie" featuring JAY Z
Pitbull, "Timber" featuring Ke$ha
Rihanna, "Stay" featuring Mikky Ekko
Have a favorite? Cast your vote for the iHeartRadio Music Award for Song of the Year NOW!


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Calendar of Events
Sep 6
NSW: New Student Week Welcome & Information
8:00 am / Bald Spot Welcome Tent
Welcome to Carleton! Make this your first stop when you arrive on campus. You'll receive a welcome packet and meet lots of friendly students and staff members who will point you in the right direction. Just look for the HUGE tent on the Bald Spot near the Chapel and main entrance to campus. Can't find it? Simply look for the staff members in the blue t-shirts for assistance. For those arriving after 3:00 p.m., late check-in will be available until 6:00 p.m. at the Sayles-Hill Information Desk.
Sponsored by New Students 2015. Contact: Sarah Wojnicki, x4462
Students, Faculty, Staff, Families, New Students, Alumni, Prospective Students, Faculty Emeriti


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How Ted Cruz Can Win in 2016
Three years out, few bets in U.S. politics looked as sure as Hillary Clinton's election to the presidency in 2016. Republicans had badly polluted their brand in the debt ceiling standoff. Their coalition seemed to have dwindled to an embittered band of older white Southern men.
But it's never wise to predict the future by projecting forward from the present.
By spring 2014, the U.S. economy had been expanding for almost 60 months, the fifth-longest expansion in U.S. history, but also the weakest and most lop-sided. Through the expansion, poorer Americans failed to raise their consumption to pre-2007 levels, even as richer Americans bid stock prices to record highs.
Facing a bleak Christmas selling season, Wal-Mart began cutting orders to suppliers in the fall of 2013. The official retailer of Lower America cut its sales force by 10%. Target also reported strangely disappointing sales in 2013. Ultra-down-market retailer Dollar General reported better sales, but almost all of those results were driven by its decision to begin selling tobacco products in its stores.
All the oomph in the U.S. economy was delivered by the top 10% of households. And they were vulnerable to events in the financial market. When such an event struck in the early spring, the U.S. economy toppled back into recession. The tentative employment gains of the Obama years were abruptly wiped out, and congressional Democrats suddenly faced a very ugly scenario in the fall 2014 elections.
In a frantic effort to mobilize supporters, the Democrats abruptly veered toward more populist economics. Senator Elizabeth Warren began to demand not just fines on JP Morgan, but the actual breakup of too-big-to-fail financial institutions. Too little, too late: instead of the gains they'd been counting on in 2013, the Democrats lost 15 House seats and control of the Senate in November 2014.
That defeat galvanized something in progressive Democrats. In an effort to collect chits for 2016, Hillary Clinton had campaigned hard for fellow Democrats in 2014. Now Clinton was damaged— and the fundraising successes of her ally, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, suddenly became a target of criticism rather than a source of gratitude. "I don't think we can auction our party's future to Terry McAuliffe's rich friends," Senator Warren told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow three days after the election defeat.
In the painful aftermath of 2014, many Democrats were ready to hear that the party had been defeated because President Obama had been too cautious in his policies and too remote in his style. As Obamacare stumbled from implementation difficulty to implementation difficulty, they remembered that the program they really wanted was Medicare for all. They seethed at the way Obama had submitted to Republican demands that budget balancing take precedence over job creation. And whatever happened to the administration's promises on climate change?
Read The Full Article On The Daily Beast
More articles from The Daily Beast:
- Vicious Rift on the Right
- Obama, Congress Get Back to the Immigration Fight
- An Army Ranger Gives an on Ground Account of the War in Grenada
© 2013 Newsweek/Daily Beast Company LLC


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Mudslinger CeramicsMember Since 16 Apr 2010
Offline Last Active Jan 12 2017 06:52 AM
About Me
I love experimentation and as an art medium, clay allows a wonderful scope of intricate surface, textures and design possiibilities.
Whether in form, surface or variation of approach the exploration of ideas and treatment can be continually re-examined without any loss of anticipation in each new piece.
My excitement and appreciation of clay art never wanes but grows consistently with every new idea.
Community Stats
- Group Members
- Active Posts 159
- Profile Views 8,134
- Member Title Advanced Member
- Age Age Unknown
- Birthday July 3
Sydney, Australia
Love UK potters Kate Malone's lush earthenware glazes & Magdelene Udundo's silken burninshed gourd shapes, US Peter Voulkas tortured platters, contemporary Japanese tableware, traditional Korean teabowls, Greek black/red pottery, &... Australian Les Blakebrough's Southern Ice porcelain, Gwyn Hanson Pigott's serene 'still life' pieces, Angela Mellor's stunning bonechina! ..... just to name a few!!
Contact Information
- Website URL http://www.mudslingerceramics.net
- Skype MudslingerCeramics


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Justin Bieber defends himself against haters at 2013 Billboard Music Awards
PHOTOS: 2013 Billboard Music Awards
(Las Vegas, NV) -- Justin Bieber is calling out all his haters. After picking up the first ever Milestone Award at Sunday's Billboard Music Awards, "The Biebs" defended himself against what he called "bull."
In addition to the fan-voted Milestone honor, Bieber racked up wins in the categories of Top Male Artist and Top Social Artist. While Bieber was up for the night's biggest award -- Artist of the Year, he lost out to Sunday night's big winner -- Taylor Swift.
With a total of eight awards, Taylor also picked up wins in the categories of Top Female Artist, Top Country Artist and Top Billboard 200 Artist. British boy band One Direction didn't walk away from the ceremony empty-handed. The fivesome managed to come away with three awards, including wins in the categories of Top New Artist and Top Duo/Group. Among the night's other big winners were Nicki Minaj, Madonna and Rihanna.
The Billboard Music Awards weren't short of musical entertainment. Taylor Swift took the stage to perform her song "22" for the first time live on TV. Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and David Guetta were also among the many artists who entertained fans with performances. Actor and comedian Tracy Morgan hosted the event, which was broadcast live on ABC.


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WATCH: Macklemore prank calls ticket scalper who insults his haircut
Listen to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis on iHeartRadio
Macklemore may need to work on his fake accents, but he definitely needs no help in the sense of humor department.
The "Same Love" rapper tracked down a ticket scalper on Craigslist and decided to crank yank her with a faux British accent. Little did he know he'd be referred to as a "Two Hit Wonder" (with "Thrift Shop") with a bad haircut in the process.
Watch this clip and tell us it doesn't make you love him a little (Mackle)more.


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Texans Coach Stable After Halftime Collapse
(NEWSER) – Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak is in stable condition in the hospital after a medical episode that horrified the home crowd during yesterday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. Kubiak was walking off the field at halftime when he suddenly collapsed near the 20-yard line,ESPN reports. The team says the 52-year-old did not have a heart attack and is being evaluated by specialists.


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Bryan, Rucker, Strait up for country's 'Sexiest Man'
Fans are now being asked to weigh in on their favorite country stars. But not on their music - on their looks.
"Country Weekly" is once again looking to see who's hot in their 2013 "Country Music's Sexiest Man" poll.
All of country's guys - married or not - are up for the title. Luke Bryan, Darius, Rucker, and George Strait are among the 49 stars featured in the poll. Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, The Band Perry's Neil and Reid Perry, and Chris Young are in the running as well. Billy Currington and Florida Georgia Line's Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley are also on the list, along with Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, Brett Eldredge, Hunter Hayes, the guys from Rascal Flatts, and others.
There's also a write-in option. Voting is under way at CountryWeekly.com, and closes on October 20th.
Who will take home the title?!
Photo Credit Getty Images