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By Robyn Collins
Chris Brown has been released from jail on a $250,000 bail, after being arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, reports US Weekly. And he's refuting the charges.
Related: Chris Brown Arrested Following Allegations of Threat with Gun
"Chris is out and well," tweeted Brown's attorney Mark Geragos. "The allegations against him are demonstrably false."
The turbulence began after police received a 911 call from Miss California Regional 2016, Baylee Curran, alleging that the R&B bad boy pointed a gun at her during a party at his house because she was getting too close to his diamond cross necklace.
"I did not pick it up, I did not touch it, take it or grab it, anything to that sort," Curran says, according to US Weekly. "Chris came in, pulled out his gun and said, 'I'm getting so sick of you people,' pointed the gun at me, [and told me] to get the 'F' out of the house."
When Police arrived at Brown's California home, the performer entered a 14-hour standoff that ended after officers obtained a search warrant for the property. They subsequently arrested Brown.
The R&B singer is scheduled to appear in court on September 20, according to the Sheriff's records.
Thanks to everyone for their support and well wishes. Chris is out and well. The allegations against him are demonstrably false #TeamBreezy—
Mark Geragos (@markgeragos) August 31, 2016


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It's a long way off, but everyone's favourite green ogre will make his West End debut next summer.
Shrek The Musical opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in June 2011, and is a stage version of the familiar film, with an original score by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. You could pair this show with a matinee of Wicked, and have a green-themed day in the West End!
Another West End debut from an American sees Whoopi Goldberg starring in Sister Act: The Musical for a limited period in August.
Goldberg, who plays Deloris can Cartier in the original film, will replace Sheila Hancock as Mother Superior from 10 to 31 August. Despite laughing off the idea of being in the show when it first opened ("I can't do eight shows a week of anything!") Whoopi does have a good pedigree of Broadway work, starring in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Xanadu.
And I've got news of another big star returning to the West End later in the year.
Maureen Lipman will star in J B Priestley's When We Are Married at the Garrick Theatre from 19 October. A consummate comedienne, Lipman last appeared in London in Trevor Nunn's production of A Little Night Music, which earned her a Laurence Olivier Award nomination. Her other stage credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie, Wonderful Town!, Maureen Lipman Live And Kidding and See How They Run. Priestley's play, When We Are Married sounds like a great vehicle for Lipman's talent: a comedy about class hypocricy set in West Yorkshire at the turn of the century. I can't wait.
You'll probably be aware of the Les Mis 25th anniversary extravaganza due to take over The O2 in October. Well, there's been a few more cast members announced. Ramin Karimloo (currently playing The Phantom in Love Never Dies) will play Enjolras, and Samantha Barks, who's playing Eponine at the Queen's Theatre at the moment will play the same part in the special anniversary concert.
Les Mis isn't the only thing with a significant birthday this year. This morning I headed to the not-so-Young Vic to hear about plans for their 40th birthday, and to enjoy some birthday cupcakes!
David Lan, the artistic director talked us through the eclectic season of opera, musicals, drama, and children's shows with his usual enthusiasm. The birthday season is an international affair, with Icelandic company Vesturport bringing Faust and other European associates and productions in the list.
Potential highlights for me included musical The Human Comedy (by Galt MacDermot, the composer behind Hair); Simon Stephens's version of Jon Fosse's I Am The Wind, directed by Patrice Chéreau (hard not to be impressed when David Lan tells you this director changed his life, and has always been working to create a theatre where that guy might one day want to come and work – wow); and children's theatre company Fevered Sleep's On Ageing, performed by children but aimed at adults.
Over at SOLT, here's a more detailed list of all the 40th birthday excitement for the Young Vic this year. And there's loads of tickets for £10 too! You've got no excuse not to go…

subset: commoncrawl


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Ventura mulls lineup changes to 'mix things up'
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
DETROIT -- Robin Ventura has thought of making a few interesting switches within his everyday lineup to spark a group that has been shut out 11 times and ranks last in the American League in runs scored.
"Absolutely. I remember [Adam] Dunn led off before in his career," Ventura said. "Believe me, there's been thoughts of trying to do something that totally breaks the mold. Again, you can't go crazy with it. But there is a certain amount you want to mix things up."
Ventura's team completed two-thirds of its season with the worst 108-game record since 1970 (38-70). But as has been stated countless times before, the White Sox failure certainly is not based on lack of effort.
"It's one of those you get into a rut offensively, and that's where we're at," Ventura said. "Last night there was a combination of being in a rut and having a guy like [Max] Scherzer throwing that makes it a little more difficult, and everyone is going to blame it on not doing things well offensively. There is a certain amount of giving him credit, too."
Garcia gaining experience at Triple-A, awaiting callup
DETROIT -- With the White Sox 2013 season plummeting to 28 games under .500 entering Sunday's series finale in Detroit, a close look at the organization's future takes on as much attention as, if not greater focus than, present results.
So, in a Sunday morning conference call involving Avisail Garcia, acquired by the White Sox Tuesday night from the Tigers in a three-team deal that sent Jake Peavy to Boston, it only seemed nature to ask the talented outfielder about his targeted Chicago arrival.
"Hopefully soon," said Garcia with a laugh. "But I don't know."
White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Sunday that Garcia originally was sent to Triple-A Charlotte with general manager Rick Hahn wanting "to see what was going to happen" on the non-waiver Trade Deadline of July 31. Alex Rios stayed put, meaning Garcia gets a little more experience with the Knights.
Garcia has been playing center field for Charlotte, even at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds. He feels as comfortable holding down the position as he does playing right field or left field, having seen time in all three spots for the Tigers.
"I feel good in center field," Garcia said. "I have everything to play that position. I like right field, too. But wherever they put me, I'm going to play hard and do what I know. I'll work hard."
Described as a five-tool talent by not just Hahn but also people who watched him in Detroit, Garcia still has plenty of development ahead. Offensive discipline is a concern for a hitter who walked just seven times over 139 big league plate appearances, but Garcia doesn't need to be told that consistency with the bat is important.
He also understands the focus will be placed squarely on his broad shoulders upon his arrival to Chicago, with Garcia serving as a cornerstone of the White Sox rebuild as well as their big Trade Deadline deal. Garcia certainly will be a September callup and could get the call even sooner, spelling Rios, Dayan Viciedo and Alejandro De Aza in the outfield on a daily basis.
"Whatever happens here, I try to focus on playing hard and helping my team win," said Garcia, who battled through a bruised right heel earlier this season. "Now I've got a new team. The Tigers are the past. I'm with the White Sox. I'll try to get a win when they play the Tigers.
"I'm happy for the trade. This is a new opportunity for me to be here. I thank God for that. I've just got to keep playing hard and try to do something good for my team and help my team win games."
White Sox await Yankees' Rivera's final visit
DETROIT -- If Robin Ventura has his way, the only time he will see former teammate Mariano Rivera on the field over the next three days at U.S. Cellular Field is when the Yankees closer is honored by the White Sox prior to Tuesday night's contest.
"He's had a great career, been a great teammate and I think he's a good example for a lot of people to follow because he does a lot of good stuff," said Ventura of Rivera. "A better person than he is a player."
According to White Sox senior vice president of communications Scott Reifert, the team will present Rivera with what it hopes is a funny gift and another more touching gift in honor of the all-time saves leader's impending retirement at the end of the 2013 season. The goal was to have the gifts connected to Rivera's experience at U.S. Cellular Field and Comiskey Park, where Rivera made his debut as a starter on July 4, 1995.
Rivera worked eight innings and struck out 11 more than 18 years ago, while allowing two hits in picking up the victory. He has found his success in another area of pitching thanks to 643 saves, with 41 coming against the White Sox and 21 at U.S. Cellular, to go with his 0.96 ERA during 31 games at this South Side locale.
There also will be a group of 12 to 13 people visiting privately with Rivera before batting practice Tuesday at U.S. Cellular Field, as this unique meet and greet arranged by Rivera and the Yankees continues at each of his final stops.
"We've selected a representative group of people that will mean something to him, representing who the White Sox are," Reifert said. "It's a group of different people that will get a kick out of meeting and talking with Mariano. It really is a neat gesture."
Tigers' Hunter surprised by Chicago's current standing
DETROIT -- Some of Torii Hunter's greatest career battles have come against the White Sox, primarily as part of the Minnesota Twins from 1997-2007 in pursuit of a division crown.
So Hunter is as surprised as anyone within the White Sox organization at the team's dismal current showing.
"All my years against the White Sox with the Twins and with the Angels, these guys always have been competitive," said Hunter during a recent interview. "I haven't seen these guys this way in my career.
"They always have been a thorn in my side. We have to fight these guys. Battle these guys. For years, they tried to take over first place from behind us. So, I've never seen these guys this way and I don't know what it is. I can't put a finger on it."
Hunter was strongly pursued by the White Sox as a free agent prior to the 2008 campaign before he agreed to a five-year deal with the Angels. He seems to be a perfect fit with the American League Central-leading Tigers but still holds some affinity for the White Sox and their man in charge.
"When I see [White Sox chairman] Jerry [Reinsdorf], he's such a nice man and I've known him since I was with Minnesota as a kid," Hunter said. "I always shake his hand and tell him I respect him. I would have loved to play for him, but it didn't work out."
Third to first
• It was a good night for the White Sox Minor League system on Saturday, as Stephen McCray took a no-hitter into the eighth for Double-A Birmingham during the Barons' 8-0 victory over Pensacola. McCray settled for two hits allowed over eight scoreless.
In regard to MLB.com's Top 20 White Sox prospects, second-ranked Erik Johnson didn't yield an earned run over six innings and struck out six in Triple-A Charlotte's 8-2 victory over Norfolk. Johnson has a 10-2 record and 2.15 ERA over 19 starts combined for the Knights and Barons, with 101 strikeouts and 76 hits allowed over 104 innings. Outfielder Brandon Jacobs, acquired from Boston in the Matt Thornton deal, had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 17 as part of Birmingham.
• Paul Konerko and his back responded well to playing first base Saturday night, per Ventura. The White Sox captain was in Sunday's lineup at designated hitter, but that was the intended plan for a day game after a night game. Konerko had last played first on June 23 before suffering a lower back strain.
• The White Sox starting rotation includes three of the Top 7 in the AL in lowest run support average. Chris Sale leads with an average of 2.47 runs of support per nine, with John Danks falling third (3.11) and Hector Santiago sitting seventh (3.65).
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: I have put 37K+ miles on my GTL in the 18 months I have had it. Few issues but have been resolved under warranty. None of which would have interupted a trip. Currently waiting on a Cam Shaft Sensor from the Fatherland which was causing the bike to run on a little rough @startup. No issues with engine, trany, or rear drive other then a faulty valve @16K. I knew buying a first production year model might have a few issues but BMW has been good at working to resplve. Would I but again - yes but would have been smarter to wait for the 2013 model.


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Prince's plea for Invictus Games
Prince Harry has made a passionate plea for Britain to come out and support a Paralympic-style championship for injured servicemen and women that he has launched.
Harry suggested the sporting event called the Invictus Games would ensure UK troops, who have lost limbs fighting for their nation, would not be forgotten as Britain's involvement in the war in Afghanistan comes to an end.
He has been instrumental in bringing the idea for the championship from America, where it is called the Warrior Games, to the UK after seeing the event staged in Colorado last year.
The Games also received the backing of the Government with David Cameron describing it as a chance to pay tribute to the sacrifice of the UK's wounded troops and Chancellor George Osborne announced £1 million from the Libor fund would be used to support the project.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and London Mayor Boris Johnson attended the event's launch at the Copper Box arena at the former Olympic Park in Stratford, East London. Harry, a serving Army officer, was dressed in fatigues and gave a short presentation before he later joined some of the wounded troops in a demonstration of seated volleyball.
In an interview the prince was asked how he would reach beyond Armed Forces families and attract ordinary people to the Invictus Games, Harry replied: "Let the British public be the deciders of that.
"The way over the last five or six years the British public has taken to supporting the British forces - the Paralympic Games as well - it's not about supporting the conflict in Afghanistan, it's not about supporting war, it's not about supporting the Forces themselves, but come along show your support, look at the journey these guys have been through.
"And also take the opportunity if you haven't done so already, I'm sure there is a lot out there, come and sit in these iconic Olympic and Paralympic venues where we won a hell of a lot of medals back in 2012."
Harry added: "It's not about winning or losing, the fact that the guys have got to this stage to be able to take part in these events, they've already won in my mind.
"The Games itself is an excuse to bring attention to the legacy part. We want to try and get as many of these servicemen and women back into society - giving them jobs and making sure that all the core values that they've been taught in services to make them amazing, wonderful, strong, inspirational people that they bring it back into the community for the younger generation, why wouldn't you do that?"
He added: "We're drawing down from Afghanistan and people will forget because something will come into the news, look at how busy the world is at the moment."
Organisers said more than 300 wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, serving and veteran, from 13 nations would compete in eight adaptive sports in London from September 10 -14.
On the programme will be athletics, archery, wheelchair basketball, road cycling, indoor rowing, wheelchair rugby, swimming, sitting volleyball and a driving challenge.
Events will be staged in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with track and field events being held at the Lee Valley athletics centre.
Countries taking part range from Afghanistan and Iraq to Germany, Italy and New Zealand.
The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will contribute a significant grant to the staging of the Games.
A short statement from Mr Cameron was read at the launch by the Defence Secretary: "Coming shortly after we host the Nato summit, the Games will be a wonderful opportunity to recognise the commitment of those who serve in the United Kingdom's and our allies' Armed Forces and to pay tribute to the sacrifice of those who are wounded or injured."


text: I am more of a VY fan then some and even I don't think he will do much. Not that I think Vick is better but this team is just not in the right frame of mind and I do not think Young has the extra leadership to kick start them. If he says "Dream Team" they will hang him. My guess is there will be 2 quarters of slow play then he will try to force one play and it all falls apart from there.


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Audio Clip
- Kats with the Dish
It is Michael Boychuck's business to make people look great. It is his life's passion to enhance the beauty of the customers who file into his business, Color Salon at Caesars Palace.
During a visit to Color on Friday afternoon, Boychuck is almost uniformly silent as the discussion around his angelically white-hued salon is centered on reality TV.
He is finally asked what he thinks about these shows.
The master of hair artistry thinks for a moment and says: "I don't like these shows. They put people in a bad light."
The customer seated in the chair at Boychuck's side is a close friend, and she happens to be a cast member in one of these shows. She's Alicia Jacobs, for the moment basking in the brilliant light of the salon but prepping to be depicted in the harsh light of "Sin City Rules." The reality series about five uniquely appealing Las Vegas women of varied achievements debuts at 10 p.m. Sunday on the cable channel TLC.
The show's central quintet is Jacobs, the former full-time entertainment reporter at KSNV Channel 3 in Las Vegas who still covers entertainment for the NBC affiliate as a freelancer; Lana Fuchs, the owner of Billionaire Mafia Enterprises, which is primarily a clothing line, a recording label and a concierge service; Rain Cosmetics owner Lori Montoya; Amy Hanley, daughter of the late Mafia hitman Tom Hanley; and poker pro Jennifer Harman.
TLC is the cable outfit that brought the world Honey Boo Boo. Whether Jacobs committed a boo-boo for the ages by agreeing to be on this show is worth examining. The show quickly becomes an unnerving experience if you happen to know one of the cast members personally and have been friends with that person for years.
Jacobs is skewered in this first episode, with most of the lancing executed by Fuchs, who accuses the longtime Vegas TV personality of sleeping with married men and, at the very least, exaggerating her professional position in her own hometown. Jacobs also is derided as a woman who has undergone a fair amount of plastic surgery (Fuchs talks of her "scaly" skin and repeatedly refers to her as "the lizard") and chides Jacobs about her age, something Jacobs flatly refuses to discuss.
Jacobs takes on these issues individually. Presented as a home wrecker on national TV, she fires back: "That is not true, has never been true, never will never be true. I would never do that."
Her professional career path is well-documented. A Las Vegas entertainment reporter for 18 years, Jacobs has not worked in a full-time capacity for KSNV since the two sides mutually parted ways in the spring of 2011. But she and the station continue to work together on stories reported by Jacobs.
Earlier this year, KSNV aired a five-part interview Jacobs conducted with Wayne Newton in the wake of the lawsuit centering on the proposed Casa de Shenandoah museum and public tour (Jacobs is a close friend of the Newtons, and our mutual friend and my radio co-host, Tricia McCrone, is the person closest to Jacobs and also part of the "Sin City Rules" series). During the filming of the series, KSNV also has aired a report by Jacobs from the Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
Regardless, during filming of "Sin City Rules," an anonymous caller contacted Channel 3 asking about Jacobs' role at the station and was told of her contribution to the station. This call was filmed for the series, too, and might make one of episodes in the first season.
For those interested in the cosmetic surgery decisions made by a reality-TV cast member, Jacobs has owed to Botox and Juvederm treatments, as well as breast augmentation. Never has she opted for surgery on her face, saying, "As far as my face, nothing. Zero."
But how is it that a person so aware of her personal and professional reputation is enacting damage control even before the series in which she is featured airs its premiere? Jacobs says she entered this project under the expectations that it would not be so tawdry.
"I thought, 'We are going to showcase powerful women who have earned that power on their own, not because of a man in their lives,' " she says. "That was very appealing to me."
But conveying inspirational, up-by-your-bootstraps vignettes is not what "Sin City Rules" is about. The show is not a celebration of Las Vegas power players as much as it is a Circus Circus of drama and theatricality. The women attend a "gun party" in the desert, hosted by Fuchs, who has arranged for air-conditioned tents and catering by Four Seasons as her fellow cast members blast away with sidearms and automatic weapons (those interested in gun safety will be alarmed at how Fuchs freely brandishes a pair of bedazzled 9 mm handguns in her kitchen as if they are common spatulas). Jacobs shows up to this in high heels, walking unsteadily across the hardened dirt, and is summarily made fun of, while one of the instructors is shown bleeding from the face after being nicked by shrapnel.
A session at Firefly — which Jacobs fortuitously avoids — deteriorates into a brawl reminiscent of the more infantile moments of Jerry Springer or the old "Morton Downey Jr. Show." Cutaways are not used for cast members to elaborate on their against-the-odds paths to success. Instead, we are treated to sniping and insults and whispers from Fuchs at the AFAN Black and White Party that she understands Jacobs is still married (actually she has been legally separated for seven years from Dr. Loring Jacobs, who also will be featured in the series) and also dated Vince Neil (that is true, trust me).
Las Vegas is used as a mere backdrop for these effectively staged segments, in the same manner an octagon-shaped cage is required for a UFC bout. In the trailer previewing the series, producers claim these five are Las Vegas' "most powerful" women, but they are not that. More accurately, they are the five most dramatic, fascinating and diverse personalities the team at Evolution Media (which has dealt the world "The Real Housewives" series) could recruit for this project.
Jacobs takes a measured view of the show's "powerful" premise.
"Do I consider myself a powerful woman in Las Vegas? No. Not particularly," Jacobs says. "But I think that because of my job, I have had opportunities to help other people in their careers. To put somebody on television and do a great package about them on the air will help their career, and helping somebody's career gives you a kind of power."
Still, viewers across the country are likely to view the acrimony and conflict in "Sin City Rules" and think, "Wow, these are the most powerful women in Las Vegas? What the heck is going on in Las Vegas?"
"That is a huge concern of mine," Jacobs says. "That's not my hometown. They are not the people I choose to spend time with. I spent my time with people who lift me up, who I respect and love me. I don't want to be around that."
But she is around it because of her decision to sign on for the show. Jacobs is assured she will be fully vindicated as the planned eight-show series plays out. Sometime before Episode 4 airs, Evolution will decide whether to order a second season of "Sin City Rules." Jacobs hopes the exposure on the show will lead to an opportunity to return to a prominent broadcast position full-time — TLC has many shows in its empire she finds appealing, saying, "Animal Planet, who are we kidding? That's part of the Discovery Channel, which is TLC. It would be my dream to have a show on the Animal Planet, Sparkle and I."
Sparkle is Jacobs' ever-present pet pooch.
Jacobs weighs the options, verbalizing the choice she'll make if the show returns for a second season.
"I have worked my (butt) off, as have many other people. Sacrificed a lot personally and financially. To have invested enormously in this, just for it to be for naught, would bother me a lot," she says. "But my other thought is, am I glutton for punishment? I went in blind the first time, but I would be prepared for what I am dealing with. Do I go for a Round 2 and do it on my terms? That is the dialogue that is going through my head at all times."
What if she absorbs the punishment, gets a little dirty and comes out of "Sin City Rules" with a great opportunity as a result of being on the show?
"Then, it wouldn't be for naught," she says. "Then, I win."
Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow "Kats With the Dish" at Twitter.com/KatsWiththeDish.


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HOUSTON – In the addition to clinching a spot in the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years, the Houston Dynamo claimed another piece of history on Saturday night.
The 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union sealed an undefeated regular-season record at home for the Dynamo. It is only the fourth time in MLS history that a club has pulled off the feat.
"It's a team achievement, 100 percent," said head coach Dominic Kinnear. "These guys are the ones that play, and play hard. I'm lucky and appreciative of all their efforts. I have a very nice job and I also have the best seat in the house watching these guys play."
While Kinnear – who also accomplished the feat in 2005 with the San Jose Earthquakes – was happy to praise his players, they spoke about how important is to their success to have a coach that offers the club stability and sets a clear tone.
"I go back to my first year in San Jose, being coached by Dominic was a complete change for me," winger Brad Davis said. "He has instilled a winning attitude and he holds us to a higher standard. There is not a day that he doesn't come out and push us to the extreme and expect a lot out of us. In turn, we expect a lot out of each other."
READ: Dynamo top Union, clinch postseason berth
The win also moves Houston's home unbeaten streak to 25, four shy of the MLS record set by Real Salt Lake in 2010.
Team goal
For a club that focuses on a team first attitude, it's no surprise that its playoff-clinching goal came on a textbook team combination.
Goalkeeper Tally Hall got a rare chance to be in on the act starting the play by rolling the ball to Davis, who found Brian Ching. The veteran forward led a fast break and ended it by setting up Boniek Garcia for the winner.
"Going from the originals to the new guy this year and it was just right up the spine," Hall said. "Everyone's thinking about scoring, everyone's on the same page. It wasn't a crazy break, it felt very calculated and in the end, it's a game-winner and big one for us."
Formation shuffle
With Davis back in the fold, Kinnear reverted back to the 4-4-2 formation to drive play up the wings and service into the box. The move to their traditional formation was a switch from the team's last match, when the club went to the 4-3-3 without their left footed leader.
"Personnel is probably the most important thing for me," Kinnear said. "The most important thing is to try and keep it simple and basic for the players. I like the 4-4-2. I like having two forwards who are making menacing runs down the wings and into the box, but sometimes it does change."
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.


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Changing the subject is one of the neatest tricks of a political activist (which for todays purposes shall be construed to mean a person who works actively toward a political goal and therefore not considered a pejorative).
So when feathers started to fly after Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy said he believed marriage should be limited to opposite-sex couples and people who disagreed discovered that hed been putting his money where his mouth was, people who favor same-sex marriage thought that was the topic of debate.
Outraged Chick-fil-A defenders immediately said, No, the subject is freedom of speech.
Few people suggested that Cathy does not have the right to think what he wants and say what he thinks, nor to contribute money to organizations that share his belief and work to ensure that it remains enshrined in law. The Bill of Rights is absolutely clear on that.
Customers have a similar right to vote with their wallets, either by eating lots of chikin and waffle fries or by boycotting Chik-fil-A. They also have a right to tell others why they are doing it. Lets not pretend that the people who flocked to Chick-fil-A last week would be similarly supportive of Cathys right to say he really prefers roast beef, or that the boycotters are in favor of censorship. The issue really is that some people think he is right to oppose same-sex marriage and some people think he is wrong.
The free-speech issue grows a little murkier when the speaker (or writer) is an elected official. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, a former Obama administration official, said, Chick-fil-As values are not Chicago values. Boston Mayor Tom Menino wrote a letter disinviting the chicken restaurant from expanding into the city. Commentators across the country pointed out that rebutting political viewpoints is one thing, while silencing them is another.
True enough except that nobody, really, was trying to prevent Cathy from speaking.
Elected officials frequently face calls to influence which ideas are expressed publicly and officially in their communities. Parade entries ranging from gay pride to white pride face challenges. A lot of people who favor free speech and agree with Cathys viewpoint do not believe some governmental entity should bar Westboro Baptist from disrupting military funerals with signs proclaiming, This soldier died because God hates fags.
More benignly, constituents ask for resolutions officially proclaiming celebrations such as Hedgehog Week, and politicians clamor for the endorsements of their local peers. Even more to the point, local officials often travel to Denver and Washington to lobby yes, that is the word for specific political actions opposed (as every political action is) by some percentage of their constituents.
Angering some people is a natural consequence of free speech. Just as customers can react to Cathys position by supporting his restaurants or not, voters can react to Emmanuels and Meninos by voting. All three men may now wish they had thought a little longer before they spoke, because they have made enemies without influencing anyones opinion on the topic which still is marriage, not freedom of speech.
But those who want to make this a First Amendment issue should know this: The marketplace of ideas is gloriously messy, and resolution often is a long time coming, but debating with one another, even loudly and indecorously, is still the best way we have to sort through clashing ideas.


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CLEVELAND (AP) — Ohio's big NASA complex is looking for ways to share space technology with private industry.
The NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland plans a three-day technology showcase opening Wednesday at the Cleveland Public Auditorium.
The space agency will show off NASA technologies that may be put to use in the aerospace, energy, automotive, manufacturing and health-care industries.
NASA officials will be on hand to meet with business leaders to discuss transferring NASA technologies to private industry.


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I'm serious. Last night, seconds before I fell asleep, my legs flew
up in the air -- for no freaking reason. I was just laying there in
bed, eyes closed, then blam! My legs flew up! Totally involuntary.
I know this has happened to me before, but I can't remember when.
This sucks so much. I'm falling apart, and with all these diseases
I'm suddenly getting, I don't see how I can live past the end
of the year.
Parkinson's was the first possibility that entered my mind. After
a few mintues of research, I've found that another possibility is
that I have Restless Leg Syndrome, but personally I think I have
both. Some of the websites say I should go have a neurological
exam, but that sounds expensive. I think I'll just ignore it, maybe
it'll go away. I won't let it get to me, I won't let the spasms win.
Children, you have it good. Don't take life for granted -- no matter
how bad you think you have it, there's always someone who has
it worse than you. Here I am, 21 and a walking defect. If I've
managed to cope with Benign Eyelid Myopia, Diabetes, Parkinson's,
and Restless Leg Syndrome, then maybe that'll inspire you to
cope with your trivial problems. If my sacrifice has inspired just
one person in my 21 years of life, that life was worth living.
Remember me (preferably in statue-form)...
Your Leader.


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He was born May 2, 1940, in Derring, Mo., to Elzie Dennis Long and Vircie Martz. He was a loving father, enjoyed fishing, camping and the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and loved his dogs.
He is preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Eula Long; four sisters and three brothers.
He is survived by five children, Danny and Linda Long, Tammy and Mark Wachtendorf, Jamie and James Crowell, Jeffery and Ramona Long and Leslie Debusk; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; four sisters; several nieces and nephews; his significant other, Lavenia Hall and her family; and his dear friend, Frank Ferguson.
His memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Broussard Funeral Home of Russellville, 3323 East 6th Street, Russellville. The Rev. Jim Huffman will officiate.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Broussard Funeral Homes of Russellville.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home, 220 John Babish Lane, Russellville, AR 72801.
The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.broussardfuneral.com.


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Spaniards in the 16th century found a village (perhaps 2,000 years old) of Tequesta Indians on the site. The name Mayaimi, probably meaning "big water" or "sweet water," may have referred to Lake Okeechobee or to local Native Americans who took their name from the lake. In 1567 the Spanish established a mission there as part of a futile attempt to subdue the Tequesta. They ceded the area to Great Britain in 1763, but regained it in 1783. After the United States acquired Florida from Spain (1821), Fort Dallas was built (1836) as a base during the Seminole Wars. A few settlers—among them Julia D. Tuttle, known as the "mother of Miami," and William B. Brickell—gradually moved into the area.
In 1896 Henry M. Flagler extended his Florida East Coast Railway to the site after Tuttle and Brickell each gave him half of their landholdings for the project. Flagler had been convinced to extend the railroad after a freeze during the winter of 1894–95 killed most of Florida's citrus crop; Tuttle reportedly sent him a fresh orange blossom to prove that the freeze had not reached Miami. Flagler dredged the harbour, started constructing the Royal Palm Hotel, and promoted tourism. Miami was incorporated the same year.
During the Florida land boom in the early and mid-1920s, the city's population more than tripled, but the collapse of this speculation, compounded by a devastating hurricane in 1926, dampened Miami's fortunes for more than a decade. Miami Beach underwent a brief construction boom in the mid-1930s, when many Art Deco buildings were erected, but this came to an end when, during World War II, soldiers replaced tourists at the oceanfront hotels, and long stretches of beach were converted to rifle ranges. After the war, many soldiers returned to the Miami area to live, and in the 1950s and '60s Latin American immigrants, particularly those from Cuba, began to arrive in large numbers. During the 1980s Miami gained a reputation as a centre of the illegal drug trade, and several acts of violence were directed against foreign tourists in the early 1990s; however, by the end of the 20th century tourism was rebounding. In 1992 Hurricane Andrew caused some 50 deaths and considerable property damage to areas of the county just south of Miami, although the city itself was largely spared.
The downtown skyline of Miami now features a contemporary look, with a large collection of gleaming, glass-walled skyscrapers accented with neon lighting at night. The city's close relationship to Latin America is especially well represented in its ethnic neighbourhoods. Several hundred thousand Cuban refugees have settled in the area since 1959, and the Little Havana district, just west of downtown, has developed as a largely Cuban enclave within the city. Its annual Calle Ocho festival (March; part of the Carnaval Miami celebration) draws large crowds of visitors. Little Haiti, to the north of downtown, developed as a primarily Haitian neighbourhood after refugees began arriving in the city in the 1990s.
A subtropical tropical climate helps to make Miami one of America's great winter resorts, and tourism is a major component of the city's economy. The miles of beaches are lined with glittering skyscraper hotels and are dotted with marinas, yacht clubs, and golf courses. The city is also a centre of international banking and finance, business services, manufacturing (including apparel, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, printing, and metal products) and international commerce. The Port of Miami handles international shipping and is a world leader in cruise ship operations. Miami International Airport also handles international cargo going mostly to Latin America and the Caribbean. The city is served by a highway network that includes the Dixie Highway, Tamiami Trail, and Florida's Turnpike.
The Miami Seaquarium, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (1916; estate of industrialist James Deering), and Parrot Jungle and Gardens are among the area's many attractions. There are museums of history, art, and science, as well as several theatre, music, and dance organizations. Scuba diving, boat tours in the Everglades, and sport fishing are among the many popular outdoor activities in Miami, as are sailing regattas and fishing tournaments. Horse and greyhound racetracks and jai alai frontons offer pari-mutuel betting. The city is home to several professional sports teams, including the Miami Marlins (baseball), Miami Dolphins (gridiron football), and Miami Heat (basketball), and the annual Orange Bowl Festival (January) features a parade and college football game. Biscayne National Park is south of the city, and Everglades National Park is southwest.
Metropolitan Miami has many institutions of higher education, including the University of Miami (1925) in Coral Gables, Barry University (1940) in Miami Shores, St. Thomas University (1961), Florida Memorial College (1879), International Fine Arts College (1965), Miami-Dade Community College (1960), and Florida International University (1972), site of the National Hurricane Center operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Jackson Memorial Hospital is the heart of a complex of medical services. The city also is a world leader in marine study. Located there are the famed University of Miami-affiliated Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and oceanographic laboratories of NOAA.


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Viciedo misses sixth straight start with sore thumb
By Kelly Erickson / MLB.com
MINNEAPOLIS -- Dayan Viciedo missed his sixth straight start and eighth of the last nine Thursday night in the White Sox series opener with the Twins.
Viciedo is nursing a sore thumb on his left hand and while he feels fine hitting, fielding is another matter, according to manager Robin Ventura.
"He's getting better," Ventura said. "Every day is just kind of a little better. It's not enough where he's at 100 percent. He says he can swing, but for some reason or another, just the way his hand goes in his glove and going to catch a ball, it just doesn't feel right."
Viciedo did pinch-hit Wednesday in Chicago's 8-7 loss at Detroit, but was hitless in one at-bat.
Meanwhile, Jordan Danks has been filling Viciedo's vacant outfield spot. Ventura noted that it's nice to have that added depth in the outfield with another player who can string together several starts in a row.
"It's different when you get guys that can stretch out five games in a row instead of one every five days," Ventura said. "He's played well, and again, we'll see what he does with it. You're looking at a different roster with 'Tank' having some days because of his thumb."
Over his last five games entering Thursday, Danks is 6-for-17 at the plate for a .353 batting average and one homer.
Beckham pulled in fourth with right quad strain
MINNEAPOLIS -- Second baseman Gordon Beckham left Thursday night's series opener with the Twins early due to a right quadriceps strain.
After going 1-for-2 at the plate through 3 1/2 innings, Beckham was taken out of the game after the top of the fourth as a precautionary measure.
"It just wasn't feeling good on his quad," manager Robin Ventura said. "We got him out of there a little early. He said it's been there for a little while. He said it only hurts when he runs really hard."
Beckham said it's been something he's been dealing with for a while, but just playing through.
"When I was up the second time, I ran the ball out," Beckham said. "I think that they noticed me limping a little bit. I think it just showed up tonight more than it had in the past."
Beckham's lone hit of the game came in the White Sox three-hit, two-run first inning. Beckham scored a run on a Paul Konerko sacrifice fly to right to give Chicago a 2-0 lead.
Ventura noted that Beckham will probably rest for a few days, just to be sure, but the second baseman said he'd rather just keep playing through it.
"What I felt tonight, I've felt other games," Beckham said. "Maybe it was a little worse, I don't know. It's been something that's just been kind of off and on that I've just been playing through. ... It's just sometimes when I get up to full speed, I definitely feel it."
Dunn a fan of expanded replay proposal
MINNEAPOLIS -- Adam Dunn is all for expanded instant replay.
Major League Baseball announced Thursday afternoon a new proposal concerning the use of instant replay, vastly expanding the amount of plays that can be reviewed and the addition of three managerial challenges.
The White Sox slugger is perfectly ready to embrace the new technology.
"You want everyone to get the calls right, whether good or bad," Dunn said. "Obviously, sometimes it goes against you, but for the most part you want to make sure that you're given the right call. I like it."
Dunn also noted that he's had three hits in the past that were called incorrectly. Expanded replay would prevent that.
White Sox manager Robin Ventura expressed similar feelings about the proposal and hopes the league goes about it the correct way.
"I think the first thing is you just want to try and get it right," Ventura said. "That's always the most important thing. You have the ability and the technology to do it. I think it's just forward thinking."
Ventura also joked that he'll be using all three of his challenges each game.
Dunn finding success going the other way
MINNEAPOLIS -- Adam Dunn has continued to impress at the plate, despite Chicago's season-long troubles.
Over 58 games since June 8 -- heading into Thursday's game -- Dunn is batting .310 with 14 home runs, 39 RBIs and 38 walks. His already solid hitting has been bolstered by his recent ability to hit to the opposite field more often.
"It's probably a little bit of change, but I think everybody ends up making adjustments over the course of their career," manager Robin Ventura said. "It's helped him. He's knocking in some big runs for us going the other way. Now you're starting to see teams straighten back up on him, which allows him to really get that ball back in the hole."
Dunn was tied for fourth in the American League with 27 home runs and tied for fifth with 63 walks entering play Thursday.
Kelly Erickson is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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The earnings report shows that Microsoft is a strong and diverse company, but it doesn't fully silence doubts. Windows 8 and the scope of Microsoft's influence are two of the open questions. What does Redmond's financial health mean for the future of personal computing?
As a whole, Microsoft's Windows division rose 23% to $5.7 billion, slightly below analyst projections. Given how much criticism Windows 8 has absorbed, that might seem like a vindicating number. This isn't the case.
Microsoft predictably declined to break down Windows revenue. It didn't explore how Windows 7 sold relative to Windows 8, for example. Surface sales were likewise unaddressed. Even so, there are many reasons to doubt that Windows 8 has performed well.
For one thing, the seemingly healthy numbers include deferred revenue from previous quarters. When this sum is removed, Windows earnings were essentially flat. There's also evidence that Windows 8 has struggled to gain market share, suggesting that even within the adjusted earnings, Microsoft's newest OS was not a strong performer.
[ Not sure about Microsoft's video calling software? Read 6 Skype Alternatives Worth Considering. ]
In an email, Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi said she suspects "most of the revenue comes from software upgrades." Indeed, with PC sales down, it's unlikely that Windows revenue is coming from new machines. But Windows XP will lose support next year, and scores of businesses are still in the process of upgrading. Most of them have opted for Windows 7, resulting in the Windows division posting a strong quarter, even as its newest offering continues to flounder.
Though Windows 8 might not have been a standout performer in Q3, Gartner analyst David Cearley believes the OS can still turn things around. In an interview, he stated that whereas Windows 7 was a refined product, Windows 8 has "rough edges." He lauded Microsoft's bold moves, such as kernel-level unity across its various Windows platforms, but predicted Redmond will need one or two update cycles to add polish.
Indeed, with Windows Blue, a Win8 update expected later this year, Microsoft is accelerating its update schedule, demonstrating the urgent pace necessary to improve its products. The strategy makes sense but it remains to be seen whether Redmond implements the features users want, or if it simply offers uninspiring updates more regularly. Recently rumored tweaks include resurrecting the Start button, a move that would address one of Win8's most persistent UI complaints. It's a good start -- but how much more will Windows Blue need to effectively woo consumers?
Microsoft CFO Peter Klein, who announced alongside the earnings that he will step down as the end of this quarter, said Thursday that "small" touch-enabled Windows devices will arrive in coming months, a near-confirmation that 7-inch tablets, much-rumored in recent months, will soon join the Redmond stable.
Klein also revealed that the devices will have competitive price points, a key factor that could not only stimulate Windows 8 adoption but also cut into the iPad Mini's dominance of the mini-tablet market.
Still, many questions remain. What does "competitive" mean? And will these devices run Windows 8 or Windows RT? Intel's Bay Trail Atom processer will allegedly bring tablet form factors and battery life to devices that can run the full OS. If the cheapest models are RT-only, will consumers care? Windows Blue will have some say in this, and Microsoft could make up lost ground by targeting this budget-friendly market segment. Still, until the devices are in users' hands, it will remain difficult to handicap Redmond's chances.


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Best Shots Advance Reviews: BATMAN #6, GLORY #23, More
Happy Valentine's Day, 'Rama readers! Team Best Shots has some gifts for you, just to show how much we care — a pack of advance reviews! So let's give Cupid the day off and kick back with Lan Pitts, as he checks out tomorrow's blockbuster issue of Batman...
Batman #6
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion and FCO
Lettering by Richard Starkings
Published by DC Comics
Review by Lan Pitts
'Rama Rating: 9 out of 10
Last issue we saw Batman broken and taken to the limit of the Court of Owls' capabilities. Oh, never mind, now we've seen what they are really capable of doing to Gotham's hero. Taken into a deep abyss, Batman is confronted by the Court and their judgment, but does he come out on top in the end? That's debatable because this fight is far from over, as the Owls are about to sharpen their talons.
Scott Snyder has brought about a Batman that is something tangible and human, not a demigod with unlimited deus ex machinas at his disposal. We see him bleed, get the pulp beaten out of him and taken the very limit of his being. What I didn't expect is the twisted and macabre methods of the Court and how far they will go to destroy Batman. Snyder's usual tactics of bringing out the best in his villains (or the worst, depending on your point of view) is in full force here. Though to balance that out, he's mastered the art of Batman's voice and while he sends Bruce on this dark journey, he gives him a glimmer of triumph and victory.
Greg Capullo has officially won me over here. Last issue, he delivered some totally disorienting composition with his topsy-turvy layouts. Here, it's more fluid and captivating. His style is a bit jagged, without being too pointy, keeping things from being too malformed. His back-and-forth imagery of what is there and what Bruce is imagining is startling and downright creepy at times. The idea of the owl masks are already visually striking and distinctive from anything else out there, but to see what Capullo does will draw you in, leaving you anxiously waiting for the next issue. The panel construction gives you a blow-by-blow breakdown of the fight between Batman and the Court. Jonathan Glapion's inks are stellar here, as well. He adds weight and great linework where he needs it, and knows where to pull back so nothing is too broad or over-rendered. The moodiness and dark pallet, mixed with the marblesque environment of the Court's lair that FCO brings to the table is something to applaud. That said, Batman's figure composition is inconsistent towards the end, and it's uncertain if it's intentional or not. It's a minor hiccup in an otherwise fantastic chapter to this arc.
For those who felt Grant Morrison's Batman was unbelievable, too out there or misconstrued, Snyder and Capullo are bringing you a hard-hitting alternative. This feels more like the Paul Dini and Denny O'Neil school of Batman, where he's the epitome of the human mind and body being used to their full extent, without it coming across as he's unstoppable. Snyder has crafted a Batman that has more humanity to him, yet gives a layer of intensity to the story because you believe he could lose. Greg Capullo and the art team churn out some deep visuals and work to achieve something different from the rest of the DCnU.
Glory #23
Written by Joe Keatinge
Art by Ross Campbell and Shatia Hamilton
Lettering by Douglas E. Sherwood
Published by Image Comics
Review by Edward Kaye
'Rama Rating: 8 out of 10
Glory is the latest of Image Comics' relaunches of Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios titles. Much like with its sister title Prophet, Image have decided not to renumber the series from #1, instead starting the series from #23, picking up the numbering from April 1997's Glory #22, though interestingly ignoring the three issues published by Awesome Comics and Avatar Press in the late 90s. Where Prophet #20 is something of a soft reboot though, Glory is designed to pick up the story from where it originally left off, well almost.
Much of the issue is spent introducing readers to the character and recapping some of her past adventures. One thing that will be immediately noticeable to longtime Glory fans is that her origin tale has been tweaked a bit, so where in the original story she was born as the result of an alliance between the Amazonians and their demonic rivals, she is now the product of a union between two warring alien races. Other than that, her back-story matches that outlined in the original series, and even acknowledges the events that took place in Alan Moore's very brief revival of the series.
Joe Keatinge chooses to tell the story from the vantage point of a young girl called Rudy, who from an early age has dreamed of the adventures of Glory, and as time goes on she begins to suspect some sort of mental connection between them. When she grows up, she decides to go in search of what happened to Glory, who has been missing for a number of years, and discovers something quite shocking that completely changes the status quo of the series.
It's worth mentioning that I only have a passing familiarity with the character, and didn't pick up any of the original Image run back in the 90s, even so, I found Keatinge's light recap more than enough information to get me up to speed with the story. At the same time, the issue isn't too heavy on the recap, spending just the right proportion of time introducing us to the character of Rudy, who will seemingly be instrumental in this new series. Keatinge's script mainly sticks to dialogue, as well as some light expeditionary narration in certain scenes - so for the most part he lets the artwork do much of the storytelling, rather than bogging down the reader with a massive information dump. His dialogue is top-notch, and his characterization is spot on - so within the just a few pages he manges to effectively reintroduce readers to the character of Glory, and also establish the new character of Rudy, and make us care for her future. I really like the tweaks that Keatinge has made to Glory's origin, as her previous one was just a tad to close to that of Wonder Woman. I was also impressed with the surprise ending of the issue, and will definitely be coming back to find out where he plans to take the story from here.
Ross Campbell is the artist for the series, and on this first issue his pencils have a sort of rounded look to them. That's maybe not the best way to describe them, but if you are familiar with Campbell's style you will no doubt know what I mean. There's a sort of fluidity to his linework that verges on the cartoony, but just manages to stick within the confines of what makes good superhero artwork. His heroines are very curvaceous and voluptuous, and his heroes are sculpted and muscular. The character of Rudy has a very round and welcoming face that exudes innocence, and invites the reader to become invested in her plight. Campbell also draws some fantastic battle scenes, which are packed full of action and visceral detail, and remind me a little of the work of James Stokoe on Orc Stain. Campbell's inks have a sort of organic feel them, and he adds a number of interesting finishes that really spice his images up. On most pages, he keeps the blacks quite light, in keeping with the superheroics tone of the story, but on a few of the scenes he drapes the pages in heavy blacks to enhance the dark and foreboding tone.
Glory #23 is an interesting debut issue, which pays honor to what came before, while establishing a new status quo with an intriguing new protagonist and a shock ending that will make you desperate to pick up Issue #2.
Peter Panzerfaust #1
Written by Kurtis J. Wiebe
Art by Tyler Jenkins
Published by Image Comics
Review by Vanessa Gabriel
'Rama Rating: 8 out of 10
An aged Gilbert recounts the day when the Nazi's occupied the French city of Calais, the day he first met Peter Panzerfaust. Gilbert was one in a group of boys fleeing from their freshly bombed orphanage in desperate need for a place to hide. With friends just dead and the Germans advancing fast, Peter Panzerfaust appears seemingly out of nowhere to lead their way. While we don't yet know where that will be, Peter Panzerfaust #1 is an adventurous start.
Inspired by the characters and moments of the well-loved Peter Pan, Kurtis J. Wiebe introduces a unique take on the fairy tale that is shining with potential. My knowledge of Peter Pan is peripheral at best. I haven't even watched Hook in its entirety. But the little that I do know gives Peter Panzerfaust a subtle familiarity while still being very much its own story. I think that tried and true Peter Pan lovers will have extra moments of enjoyment along the way as they see long-loved characters reimagined.
Aside from having a fantastic title, the quick dialogue and reckless abandon of Peter Panzerfaust is endearing. I smiled from ear to ear several times while reading. Within just a few pages, I felt the instant camaraderie that Peter Panzerfaust inspires. Felix, Julien, Alain, Claude, Maurice and Gilbert, who will come to be known as the Lost Boys, and Peter are all immediately likeable. And, when you like someone, you tend to care a bit about what happens to them. With so many characters, and more to come, I am impressed by Weibe's ability to evoke interest in all of them. In one issue, I am curious enough to know I will be getting the entire first arc.
Even with all the merits of the writing, it is Tyler Jenkins' art that brings the real charm. Jenkins uses a simple and warm color palette, which allows for him to really demonstrate his talent with excellent use of light and shadow. The heavy browns and strong inks are an amazing fit for the World War II era, and invoke a feeling of authenticity. Jenkins also graces us with an impeccably charming splash page introducing the world to Peter Panzerfaust. It is a brilliant image that urges you to continue reading while also putting you in a lovely mood!
I think Weibe and Jenkins have a fantastic concept in Peter Panzerfaust. It has the magic of being a period piece, the fancy of a fairy tale, balanced by the tragedy of war, settling it firmly into a place of first-class storytelling. Peter Panzerfaust is another win for Image Comics and creator-owned titles. Add it to your pull list so we can keep this one coming.
Army of Darkness #1
Written by Elliot R. Serrano
Art by Marat Mychaels, Chris Ivy and Gabriel Belluco
Published by Dynamite Entertainment
Review by Aaron Duran
'Rama Rating 4 out of 10
I'm not sure if this is the first time Army of Darkness played the Rule 63 card, which states, "for any given male character, there is a female version of that character." Regardless, it's a welcome spin on a comic series that has lasted far longer then even this hardcore Deadite would have imagined. As is the trend these days in comics, Army of Darkness #1 appears to be a soft reboot of the series that we love so much. This time, a female Ashley Williams squares off against the hordes of Deadites from beyond time and space. And while covers don't always deliver on what they tease, the concept of twin loudmouth braggarts from the future has me all kinds of excited. An excitement that doesn't wane upon reading the first page. A dusty, wind-swept landscape. Shackled feet shambling across the burning sands. And there, in the corner, a snarky comment that reads "My name is Ash, and I am a slave..." Shoot, I can actually hear Joe LoDuca's score to Army of Darkness playing in my mind. If writer Elliot R. Serrano can keep up this tone, we're going to have one heck of a time. Can you already sense the big ol' "but" I'm about to drop?
But he doesn't. Let me back up a bit. Serrano doesn't have the easiest job here. In this new Army of Darkness, Serrano has the tricky task of introducing the reader to a setting that is familiar, all while trying to maintain an air of newness. In a sense, he understands the task at hand. Simply sticking a female Ash in place of Bruce Campbell isn't enough to pull in $3.99 an issue. Thanks to fan fiction, we can do that on the Internet for free. And so, Serrano needs to play out just what makes this version of Army of Darkness different from what came before. Essentially, Serrano needs to pull off his own Earth 2. The opening pages do so nicely. We get a fast and relatively entertaining recap of Ashley's journey from Smart-Stop clerk to magical hand-wielding slayer of the undead. Then things get a little weird, and I'm sad to say, a little boring as well. This first issue reads like Serrano has an interesting vision in mind for this character, and how he's going to incorporate our Ash into it. Unfortunately, there is so much backstory to bring to the reader, the energy falls to the wayside. By the time we reach what is intended as the climactic cliffhanger at the end, I wasn't all that invested in the story. Not that I need or want deep meaning from Army of Darkness, but you need to keep me laughing at the wanton violence or cringing at horrible one-liners.
Art by Marat Mychaels is efficient and gets the job done, but does little extra in terms of dynamic storytelling. This style of art feels very much a sequential art by the numbers job. No single panel or segment within the comic takes away from the overall story, but nor does it add to the experience. His Ashley Williams looks incredibly static, but not without potential. There are a few panels and scenes in the issue where I can see what Mychaels can achieve with some time and continual work. The strongest case for this being the bug-like alien creature that acts as Ashley's less than trustworthy sidekick. In the few panels I saw this character, I noticed more nuance in body language and facial detail than the multiple pages of humans that preceded it. With multiple panels of simple lines or gradient color washes, the backgrounds also do little in setting the tone or feeling of the book. On the positive side, there is more than one occasion where Mychaels could have resorted to incredibly exploitable cheesecake scenes between Ashley and Cleopatra, and never once does so. Much. Hey, it's Army of Darkness, you have to get in some wink-wink, nudge-nudge moments.
As I wrap up this review, I've got the Army of Darkness soundtrack playing in the background. Within the soundtrack I realize my biggest complaint with this comic. The Prologue track is 2 minutes and 59 seconds long. In that time, we're brought completely up to speed with the film. In the comic, this tonally similar setup takes the entire book. In doing so reveals the flaw. In a comic called Army of Darkness, if you want to grab and hold our attention, you need to get to the one-liners and over-the-top violence quick. Sadly, this comic just doesn't do that. And while I don't think I can recommend this read to the casual fan, I'm probably coming back for Issue #2. Hey, you're reading a review from a guy that's bought Evil Dead 2 seven times. I just hope this book gets better.Got a comment? There's lots of conversation on Newsarama's FACEBOOK and TWITTER!


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Giants 2, Indians 2: Busting out
It was great to see Buster Posey catching again.
It was great to see Buster Posey swinging the bat in a game again.
But we were thinking Wednesday, it would be really great to see Buster Posey get a hit again.
Posey put together three 0-fers in his first three spring training games, and that stretch extended to 0 for 8 in Wednesday's game against the Indians.
But in his third at-bat Wednesday, Posey drove a Tony Sipp fastball the opposite way over the right-field wall for his first spring hit — a home run.
"I thought I hit it pretty good," Posey said. "I'm just glad I hit it hard. That's the goal every time."
It was another good sign on Posey's road to recovery.
There have been some talking heads who have doubting whether Posey will be fully recovered by opening day.
Posey is not one of them.
"I think I've been lucky as far as not having any setbacks," he said. "I don't know if I need to knock on wood or what. But I think we've got a game plan the rest of the way through. I'll be ready on April 6."
The now is for Posey to take Thursday off and catch again on Friday. He hopes to catch six innings in a game next week.
And as far as knocking on wood? Yes, Buster, you do need to knock on wood. Base knocks. Keep 'em coming.
- Gregor Blanco continues to give the Giants reason to think. He went 1 for 3 with a walk. Blanco drew a walk to open the game (a rarity for the Giants in 2011). He was moving on Melky Cabrera's grounder to first. When Cabrera was thrown out with the pitcher covering first, Blanco scooted all the way to third base. That allowed him to score on Pablo Sandoval's ground out. Manager Bruce Bochy said the decision to keep Blanco on the 25-man roster will likely go right down to the wire. "He's certainly intriguing, isn't he?" Bochy said.
- Matt Cain gave up two runs on five hits and walk in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out four. One run allowed scored on an inning-ending double play when Asdrubel Cabrera came across the plate before the Giants could complete a tag-out double play in the first. The other run scored when Mitch Lively came into relieve Cain in the fourth and allowed an inherited runner to score from third on a wild pitch.
- Relievers Brian Wilson, Javier Lopez, Clay Hensley and Dan Otero each recorded 1-2-3 innings.
- Not sure if it's a cause of concern, but the Giants' bats have gone a little cold in recent days. They were limited to four singles andPosey's home run on Wednesday. They also struck out eight times with only one walk — the walk to Blanco to open the game. But this early in spring, hitters prefer to swing the bat than take pitches. For example, the Indians struck out 14 times with just one walk.
Barry Zito takes the mound at the Giants face the Mariners in a 7:05 p.m. at Peoria. The game will be televised live on the MLB Network.


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The department stores are already decked out with holiday décor so it's prime time to get in some last minute family activities before the holiday season blows in like the frigid winter wind! If you know your house will be bustling with a boatload of kids, siblings and out-of-town aunts and uncles who are scheduled to spend the holidays with you and yours, then plan ahead for some fun and budget-friendly activities before the big celebrations begin. Here are five family-friendly activities to do before the holidays.
Visit holiday light displays – In Atlanta I'm taking my kids to see Garden Lights, Holiday Lights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. This twinkling winter wonderland has festive lights with hypnotic spiral displays, a harvest of illuminated corn, brilliant bugs and a grand Poinsettia Tree. It's one-of-a kind but there are many kinds of light displays throughout cities across the globe. The lights and festive displays are a great way to be awed and get into the holiday mood. Most of these displays charge by the car-load and is an economical family activity.
Try an Ice-Skating Experience – My dream is to one day take my kids ice-skating at the Rockefeller Center in New York City since we've never been there and they've never ever been ice-skating before! To me, ice-skating accentuates the holiday season. And it's a great activity that you can easily make a fun family skating tradition. There's surely an ice-skating rink in your area and most even host family nights especially designed for inexperienced skaters who are free to slip, slide and fall without being judged on their ice-skating skills.
Off-season tourist attraction – There's nothing wrong with getting wet in the winter. Yes the beaches are closed but it's open season for getting wet at waterparks! Wilderness at the Smokies is Tennessee's largest indoor Waterpark. They have special discount packages and winter rates for the budget conscious family. And according to Ellen Liston, Director of Public Relations and Events at Wilderness at the Smokies, you can't beat the value this place offers. "It's a great thing to do no matter what time of the year," she said. "The key is that the waterpark is included in the hotel price and that makes a good value." And it's a place that you and your family can indulge since kids eat free, there's an indoor laser tag facility and a massive 66,000 square foot indoor waterpark with a see-through roof that makes you feel like you're outside. The weather outside may be frightful, but the 84 degree indoor Wild WaterDome makes this family attraction delightful. www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com
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