George W. Bush is ready for his book fair debut.
The 43rd president of the U.S. will open the 27th edition of Miami Book Fair International at 4 p.m. Nov. 14 to speak about his upcoming memoir, Decision Points (Crown, $35).
Bush's appearance ``speaks to the prestige we've been able to garner all these years,'' said Alina Interián, executive director of the Florida Center for the Literary Arts.
``We're excited our fair is off to such a great start with him... It's quite timely so soon after the elections.''
Tickets are $40 and include an autographed copy of the book, which reportedly covers the Bush presidency from the 2000 election and beyond to 9/11, the launching of the Iraq war, Hurricane Katrina and the financial crisis.
Tickets go on sale online at noon Nov. 8 at www.miamibookfair.com.
Bush isn't the first member of the former first family to appear at the fair. Daughter Jenna presented her book Ana's Story in 2007, and his sister Doro Bush Koch appeared at the fair in 2006 with her memoir My Father, My President.
The fair runs from Nov. 14-21 at Miami Dade College's Wolfson campus in downtown Miami.
George W. Bush is ready for his book fair debut.
The 43rd president of the U.S. will open the 27th edition of Miami Book Fair International at 4 p.m. Nov. 14 to speak about his upcoming memoir, Decision Points (Crown, $35).
Bush's appearance ``speaks to the prestige we've been able to garner all these years,'' said Alina Interián, executive director of the Florida Center for the Literary Arts.
``We're excited our fair is off to such a great start with him... It's quite timely so soon after the elections.''
Tickets are $40 and include an autographed copy of the book, which reportedly covers the Bush presidency from the 2000 election and beyond to 9/11, the launching of the Iraq war, Hurricane Katrina and the financial crisis.
Tickets go on sale online at noon Nov. 8 at www.miamibookfair.com.
Bush isn't the first member of the former first family to appear at the fair. Daughter Jenna presented her book Ana's Story in 2007, and his sister Doro Bush Koch appeared at the fair in 2006 with her memoir My Father, My President.
The fair runs from Nov. 14-21 at Miami Dade College's Wolfson campus in downtown Miami.
Apart from ready in a jiffy Chilean miner costumes, the fave costume this Halloween is the Amelia Earhart costume. Here are the factoids to bail you out from last minute jitters over Halloween costumes. Amelia Earhart was the sassy woman who was the first ever to fly across the Atlantic all on her own.
The net is abuzz with searches for this natty dresser in a stylish leather jacket, aviation goggles and crisp slim fit pants which give her the aura of a vintage Hollywood leading lady. Her hair was close cropped for an ebullient yet feisty look.The braveheart made the solo trip that earned her the plaudits and the honor of being the first woman flyer to achieve the feat of flying across the Atlantic Ocean.
The native of Atchison rewrote many more aviation records, but in a tragic incident, disappeared while on a record-setting feat traversing the Equator in 1937.
This Halloween, you can be Amelia Earhart incarnate. If you have a shearling aviator jacket, look no further, else just team your leather jacket with a swish high-neck sweater. Chicas with short hair will find this a win-win costume and get the Amelia Earhart look just right. Pair this with high-waisted white trousers and you are ready to trick or treat.
Hunt up your wardrobe for a vintage aviator cap, a silk scarf and extra-large gogs to complete the ensemble. The perfect Halloween 2010 couple is a rescued Chilean miner with Amelia Earhart gracing his bruised arm.
Apart from ready in a jiffy Chilean miner costumes, the fave costume this Halloween is the Amelia Earhart costume. Here are the factoids to bail you out from last minute jitters over Halloween costumes. Amelia Earhart was the sassy woman who was the first ever to fly across the Atlantic all on her own.
The net is abuzz with searches for this natty dresser in a stylish leather jacket, aviation goggles and crisp slim fit pants which give her the aura of a vintage Hollywood leading lady. Her hair was close cropped for an ebullient yet feisty look.The braveheart made the solo trip that earned her the plaudits and the honor of being the first woman flyer to achieve the feat of flying across the Atlantic Ocean.
The native of Atchison rewrote many more aviation records, but in a tragic incident, disappeared while on a record-setting feat traversing the Equator in 1937.
This Halloween, you can be Amelia Earhart incarnate. If you have a shearling aviator jacket, look no further, else just team your leather jacket with a swish high-neck sweater. Chicas with short hair will find this a win-win costume and get the Amelia Earhart look just right. Pair this with high-waisted white trousers and you are ready to trick or treat.
Hunt up your wardrobe for a vintage aviator cap, a silk scarf and extra-large gogs to complete the ensemble. The perfect Halloween 2010 couple is a rescued Chilean miner with Amelia Earhart gracing his bruised arm.
DEAN Martin’s former housekeeper is searching for the schoolchildren who helped save her life.
Two weeks ago Hilda Bertenshaw woke up feeling ill and called the ambulance.
But the paramedics could not find her block of flats on Hoghton Street so she struggled out of her home to try and find them.
The 91-year-old made it into the lift, but as she opened the front door to the flats she collapsed.
“I was being sick,” said Hilda. “How the hell I got down in the lift I don’t know. I couldn’t stand up anymore.
“I thought I was going to die. I didn’t know if it was a stroke or what.”
As Hilda lay on the freezing floor a bus pulled up outside her home and she started to rattle her house keys against the window of the door to attract the driver’s attention.
Four school children were waiting to get on the bus and spotted the retired cook.
“I was looking for the ambulance,” said Hilda. “Then I saw these kids getting on the bus not knowing what to do. I called for help and they all came off.
“They dithered to try to convey to the driver. He should have got off really.”
Hilda, who worked as a housekeeper in America for Dean Martin in the 60s and 70s, said four girls and a boy knelt down beside her, called the paramedics again, directed them to the flat and got her bag for her.
The children made sure Hilda was taken safely to hospital, where she was given two pints of blood and diagnosed with anaemia.
Since coming out of hospital last week Hilda has been searching desperately to find the children.
“I could hug them to death,” she said.
“I asked what school they were from, but I cannot remember,” she said. “I’ve stopped three buses since then and I have asked the driver but they don’t know.”
Hilda was almost unconscious at the time and cann’t even remember the colour of the children’s uniform but thinks they were around ten-years-old.
“They must have been late for school,” said Hilda. “I would have given them money for a taxi.”
DEAN Martin’s former housekeeper is searching for the schoolchildren who helped save her life.
Two weeks ago Hilda Bertenshaw woke up feeling ill and called the ambulance.
But the paramedics could not find her block of flats on Hoghton Street so she struggled out of her home to try and find them.
The 91-year-old made it into the lift, but as she opened the front door to the flats she collapsed.
“I was being sick,” said Hilda. “How the hell I got down in the lift I don’t know. I couldn’t stand up anymore.
“I thought I was going to die. I didn’t know if it was a stroke or what.”
As Hilda lay on the freezing floor a bus pulled up outside her home and she started to rattle her house keys against the window of the door to attract the driver’s attention.
Four school children were waiting to get on the bus and spotted the retired cook.
“I was looking for the ambulance,” said Hilda. “Then I saw these kids getting on the bus not knowing what to do. I called for help and they all came off.
“They dithered to try to convey to the driver. He should have got off really.”
Hilda, who worked as a housekeeper in America for Dean Martin in the 60s and 70s, said four girls and a boy knelt down beside her, called the paramedics again, directed them to the flat and got her bag for her.
The children made sure Hilda was taken safely to hospital, where she was given two pints of blood and diagnosed with anaemia.
Since coming out of hospital last week Hilda has been searching desperately to find the children.
“I could hug them to death,” she said.
“I asked what school they were from, but I cannot remember,” she said. “I’ve stopped three buses since then and I have asked the driver but they don’t know.”
Hilda was almost unconscious at the time and cann’t even remember the colour of the children’s uniform but thinks they were around ten-years-old.
“They must have been late for school,” said Hilda. “I would have given them money for a taxi.”
Get to know the man behind the voices of Iron Man, MODOK and Captain America – Tom Kenny. The new collection of six episodes of ‘The Super Hero Squad Show: Quest for the Infinity Sword Vol.2’ is out and there is a two minute of interview of Tom in the extras of the DVD. The new sets of episodes are a mix of the Marvel comics and great super-hero acts. The high end energy and the silliness of the episodes will appeal to both the kids and viewers of any age.
Not much of a plot development happens in the series, but there is fun as the main characters get messed around a bit and for the first time there is couple of new things happening. Mistaken identity and the characters leave behind the group’s weak link as they move on. There is also the old baddies coming out in these episodes whom most of the viewers thought would never see again. It is difficult to select one episode as almost all of them are as good as the other, however, “O, Captain, My Captain” and “Night in the Sanctorum” needs to be mentioned specially for the characters that gets involved in the episodes.
On the other hand Tom Kenny’s two minute interview just makes the audience wish to see that man talk about the voice-over he did with such distinct attributes for these animated characters.
Get to know the man behind the voices of Iron Man, MODOK and Captain America – Tom Kenny. The new collection of six episodes of ‘The Super Hero Squad Show: Quest for the Infinity Sword Vol.2’ is out and there is a two minute of interview of Tom in the extras of the DVD. The new sets of episodes are a mix of the Marvel comics and great super-hero acts. The high end energy and the silliness of the episodes will appeal to both the kids and viewers of any age.
Not much of a plot development happens in the series, but there is fun as the main characters get messed around a bit and for the first time there is couple of new things happening. Mistaken identity and the characters leave behind the group’s weak link as they move on. There is also the old baddies coming out in these episodes whom most of the viewers thought would never see again. It is difficult to select one episode as almost all of them are as good as the other, however, “O, Captain, My Captain” and “Night in the Sanctorum” needs to be mentioned specially for the characters that gets involved in the episodes.
On the other hand Tom Kenny’s two minute interview just makes the audience wish to see that man talk about the voice-over he did with such distinct attributes for these animated characters.
Country music singer Randy Travis and and his wife/manager Elizabeth Travis are pulling the plug off their 19 years of marriage. On Friday, October 29, spokesperson Maureen O'Connor has confirmed to People that Randy and Elizabeth have ended their marriage and "the divorce was finalized as of this morning."
In a statement, it was revealed that "Elizabeth and Randy Travis have agreed to part ways. Elizabeth will remain Mr. Travis' personal manager. They do not intend to comment any further and ask for your respect for their privacy during this time."
The statement didn't give further detail about Randy and Elizabeth's separation other than "a state of incompatibility exists between the parties." According to Associated Press, a petition for dissolution of marriage was filed by Randy in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Thursday, October 28. In the papers, the "America Will Always Stand" crooner requests for an equal split of assets.
Randy Travis and Elizabeth Travis tied the knot in May 1991. They met in the mid-1970s when Randy won a talent contest at a nightclub owned by Elizabeth and her first husband in Charlotte, North Carolina. Under Elizabeth's guidance, Randy landed a record deal and put out his first album "Storms of Life" in 1985.
Country music singer Randy Travis and and his wife/manager Elizabeth Travis are pulling the plug off their 19 years of marriage. On Friday, October 29, spokesperson Maureen O'Connor has confirmed to People that Randy and Elizabeth have ended their marriage and "the divorce was finalized as of this morning."
In a statement, it was revealed that "Elizabeth and Randy Travis have agreed to part ways. Elizabeth will remain Mr. Travis' personal manager. They do not intend to comment any further and ask for your respect for their privacy during this time."
The statement didn't give further detail about Randy and Elizabeth's separation other than "a state of incompatibility exists between the parties." According to Associated Press, a petition for dissolution of marriage was filed by Randy in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Thursday, October 28. In the papers, the "America Will Always Stand" crooner requests for an equal split of assets.
Randy Travis and Elizabeth Travis tied the knot in May 1991. They met in the mid-1970s when Randy won a talent contest at a nightclub owned by Elizabeth and her first husband in Charlotte, North Carolina. Under Elizabeth's guidance, Randy landed a record deal and put out his first album "Storms of Life" in 1985.
Brian Kelly is in his first season as head coach at Notre Dame, and things aren't going all that well on or off the field.
The Fighting Irish sit at just 4-4, and questioning are already surrounding Kelly less than one year into his stint at the school.
But earlier this week, Kelly's tenure at Notre Dame worsened in an instant.
Declan Sullivan, a 20-year-old student and videographer who filmed football practice for the Irish, died from fatal injuries after falling from a video tower at the team's practice.
And Kelly is coming under serious fire for allowing Sullivan to film on that fateful day.
Winds were gusting to more than 50 miles per hour, but Kelly still made the decision to move the team's practice to the outdoor facility.
And he still made the decision to put Sullivan on that tower, and in turn, put the student's life in jeopardy.
There will almost certainly be a lawsuit against the school, but the bigger picture here is that Kelly should have known better.
Nothing in college athletics--and certainly not a silly football game or practice--is worth risking someone's life.
And that's exactly what Kelly did.
Brian Kelly is in his first season as head coach at Notre Dame, and things aren't going all that well on or off the field.
The Fighting Irish sit at just 4-4, and questioning are already surrounding Kelly less than one year into his stint at the school.
But earlier this week, Kelly's tenure at Notre Dame worsened in an instant.
Declan Sullivan, a 20-year-old student and videographer who filmed football practice for the Irish, died from fatal injuries after falling from a video tower at the team's practice.
And Kelly is coming under serious fire for allowing Sullivan to film on that fateful day.
Winds were gusting to more than 50 miles per hour, but Kelly still made the decision to move the team's practice to the outdoor facility.
And he still made the decision to put Sullivan on that tower, and in turn, put the student's life in jeopardy.
There will almost certainly be a lawsuit against the school, but the bigger picture here is that Kelly should have known better.
Nothing in college athletics--and certainly not a silly football game or practice--is worth risking someone's life.
And that's exactly what Kelly did.
On Thursday a jury convicted Howard K. Stern, Anna Nicole Smith's longtime lawyer/boyfriend, of consipring to help Smith obtain illegal substances by fraud and giving a false name for a prescription.
Smith's psychiatrist, Dr. Khristine Eroshevich, was also found guilty on conspiracy charges and, according to the Associated Press, "convicted on two separate counts of unlawfully prescibing and obtaining Vicodin through fraud and use of a false name."
Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, who provided Smith with painkillers including Vicodin, was acquitted of charges that he had prescribed excessive drugs to an addict.
"This is not just a victory for me, but for patients everywhere who suffer chronic pain," said Kapoor outside the courthouse.
Stern was acquitted of seven of the 11 charges originally lodged against him. Sentencing likely won't happen until January.
On Thursday a jury convicted Howard K. Stern, Anna Nicole Smith's longtime lawyer/boyfriend, of consipring to help Smith obtain illegal substances by fraud and giving a false name for a prescription.
Smith's psychiatrist, Dr. Khristine Eroshevich, was also found guilty on conspiracy charges and, according to the Associated Press, "convicted on two separate counts of unlawfully prescibing and obtaining Vicodin through fraud and use of a false name."
Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, who provided Smith with painkillers including Vicodin, was acquitted of charges that he had prescribed excessive drugs to an addict.
"This is not just a victory for me, but for patients everywhere who suffer chronic pain," said Kapoor outside the courthouse.
Stern was acquitted of seven of the 11 charges originally lodged against him. Sentencing likely won't happen until January.
According to The National Enquirer, Jessica Simpson might be pregnant. They say that one of the star’s friends came to them last month and told them that Simpson and her husband are about to become parents:” Jessica is crazy in love with Eric, so they’ve decided to make a baby. She always said she wanted to be pregnant by the time she was 30. Her priorities have changed and all she can think of is motherhood. She’s happily eating for two- and she’s not in the least embarrassed.”
Simpson’s pregnancy would certainly explain her gaining some weight in the last period of time. Another friend of her said :” A pregnancy explains her sudden weight gain. Two months ago, she bragged she was in the best shape of her life on Eric’s vegan diet. The biggest tipoff though is that Jess has been hinting to friends that there will be some big news any day from her and Eric.”
Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson have been dating since May, and recently, the couple went to Italy to celebrate Jessica’s 30th birthday. They seem to spend a lot of their time together and give the impression of a healthy and happy relationship.
At the beginning of this month, Simpson vomited during one of her shows, which led everyone to the conclusion that rumors about her pregnancy might actually be true. A few days ago she stated that she is eager to start a family with her boyfriend Eric and would want to give birth to a baby.
” I’ve never been in such a healthy relationship. I’m like ‘Something’s going to go wrong. Is he going to trip me or something?”, Jessica Simpson said on Tuesday.
According to The National Enquirer, Jessica Simpson might be pregnant. They say that one of the star’s friends came to them last month and told them that Simpson and her husband are about to become parents:” Jessica is crazy in love with Eric, so they’ve decided to make a baby. She always said she wanted to be pregnant by the time she was 30. Her priorities have changed and all she can think of is motherhood. She’s happily eating for two- and she’s not in the least embarrassed.”
Simpson’s pregnancy would certainly explain her gaining some weight in the last period of time. Another friend of her said :” A pregnancy explains her sudden weight gain. Two months ago, she bragged she was in the best shape of her life on Eric’s vegan diet. The biggest tipoff though is that Jess has been hinting to friends that there will be some big news any day from her and Eric.”
Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson have been dating since May, and recently, the couple went to Italy to celebrate Jessica’s 30th birthday. They seem to spend a lot of their time together and give the impression of a healthy and happy relationship.
At the beginning of this month, Simpson vomited during one of her shows, which led everyone to the conclusion that rumors about her pregnancy might actually be true. A few days ago she stated that she is eager to start a family with her boyfriend Eric and would want to give birth to a baby.
” I’ve never been in such a healthy relationship. I’m like ‘Something’s going to go wrong. Is he going to trip me or something?”, Jessica Simpson said on Tuesday.
Filmmaker George Clark found footage in the 1928 Circus of Charlie Chaplin and it has taken a whole new dimension. The footage was part of an extra in the DVD and according to Clark there is a woman, rather a man in drag holding a cell phone.
The easiest conclusion that most have run into along with Clark is that the person is a time traveler. But people are having hard time confining to such one theory, so as Clark has posted the footage on YouTube, theories are running wild, however, it is being difficult for anyone to reach to a conclusion about what the person is holding on his or her hand near his / her ear and jabbering.
According to few time traveler is not an impossible theory citing the reference of time given by scientist Albert Einstein, where it can flow and stop and meander like a river, so it is quite possible to have a time traveler. However, there is a jinx, how a person is suppose to communicate via cell phone in 1928 when there is no satellites or signal towers.
Some are of the opinion that the person in the footage is holding one of the earliest versions of hearing aid and must be talking to oneself. Whatever it is, whether the person in question is a time traveler or not, Charlie Chaplin was an artist who was capable of breaking the restrictions of time. He has been a time traveler in his own way.
It’s almost 90years but the man’s works are still as much relevant as it were when the films were made. He can appeal to the sensibilities of children as well as adults and transcend the boundaries alike and each can interpret and get their own meanings to his work. Chaplin’s films were slapstick comedies, and the person in extra didn’t make it to the film, it is also quite possible the person was talking to a shoe and was deemed unnecessary for the film to be cut off.
Filmmaker George Clark found footage in the 1928 Circus of Charlie Chaplin and it has taken a whole new dimension. The footage was part of an extra in the DVD and according to Clark there is a woman, rather a man in drag holding a cell phone.
The easiest conclusion that most have run into along with Clark is that the person is a time traveler. But people are having hard time confining to such one theory, so as Clark has posted the footage on YouTube, theories are running wild, however, it is being difficult for anyone to reach to a conclusion about what the person is holding on his or her hand near his / her ear and jabbering.
According to few time traveler is not an impossible theory citing the reference of time given by scientist Albert Einstein, where it can flow and stop and meander like a river, so it is quite possible to have a time traveler. However, there is a jinx, how a person is suppose to communicate via cell phone in 1928 when there is no satellites or signal towers.
Some are of the opinion that the person in the footage is holding one of the earliest versions of hearing aid and must be talking to oneself. Whatever it is, whether the person in question is a time traveler or not, Charlie Chaplin was an artist who was capable of breaking the restrictions of time. He has been a time traveler in his own way.
It’s almost 90years but the man’s works are still as much relevant as it were when the films were made. He can appeal to the sensibilities of children as well as adults and transcend the boundaries alike and each can interpret and get their own meanings to his work. Chaplin’s films were slapstick comedies, and the person in extra didn’t make it to the film, it is also quite possible the person was talking to a shoe and was deemed unnecessary for the film to be cut off.
TMZ has learned ... Capri Anderson, the woman who ended up locking herself in Charlie Sheen's hotel bathroom, will ask Colorado prosecutors to violate Charlie's probation ... on ground he allegedly held her against her will.
We've also learned Anderson, aka Christina Walsh, has already lawyered up, hiring a high-profile Beverly Hills attorney -- not Gloria Allred.
Our sources say Anderson claims after she locked herself in the bathroom, Charlie tried getting in and began repeatedly punching the door. She alleges she feared for her life.
We're told Anderson wants the Pitkin County D.A. to attempt to violate Charlie's probation in the domestic violence case and she plans to fly to Apsen in the next few days to make her case.
Sources in Pitkin County tell us as far as the D.A. is concerned, any complaint that criminal activity occurred in New York must be filed in New York, not Pitkin County. We're told, however, that if Anderson flies to Aspen, the D.A. has "an open-door policy" and would see her.
As one person on her team told TMZ, beyond the Pitkin case, "We're weighing our legal options."
Law enforcement sources in NYC tell TMZ ... when cops interviewed Anderson at the hotel, she did not say she felt Charlie was holding her against her will.
TMZ has learned ... Capri Anderson, the woman who ended up locking herself in Charlie Sheen's hotel bathroom, will ask Colorado prosecutors to violate Charlie's probation ... on ground he allegedly held her against her will.
We've also learned Anderson, aka Christina Walsh, has already lawyered up, hiring a high-profile Beverly Hills attorney -- not Gloria Allred.
Our sources say Anderson claims after she locked herself in the bathroom, Charlie tried getting in and began repeatedly punching the door. She alleges she feared for her life.
We're told Anderson wants the Pitkin County D.A. to attempt to violate Charlie's probation in the domestic violence case and she plans to fly to Apsen in the next few days to make her case.
Sources in Pitkin County tell us as far as the D.A. is concerned, any complaint that criminal activity occurred in New York must be filed in New York, not Pitkin County. We're told, however, that if Anderson flies to Aspen, the D.A. has "an open-door policy" and would see her.
As one person on her team told TMZ, beyond the Pitkin case, "We're weighing our legal options."
Law enforcement sources in NYC tell TMZ ... when cops interviewed Anderson at the hotel, she did not say she felt Charlie was holding her against her will.
The opening game of the World Series was supposed to be a pitching duel but batters ruled supreme as the San Francisco Giants beat the Texas Rangers 11-7 to take an early lead in the best-of-seven series.
The Wednesday match-up of aces Cliff Lee of Texas and San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum left a final linescore that totalled 18 runs and 25 hits, including 10 doubles.
San Francisco made a shaky start and trailed 2-0 after the first inning.
But after multi-award winning singer Tony Bennett calmed the 43,601 capacity crowd at AT&T Park with a sweet rendition of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" at the end of the first inning the Giants got back on track to claim the Fall Classic opener.
They dented Lee’s aura of invincibility with two runs in the third inning followed by a six-run outburst in the fifth.
Freddy Sanchez had three doubles among his four hits, while Juan Uribe hit a three-run homer off reliever Darren O’Day that capped the scoring in the fifth and made a winner of Lincecum.
Game Two will be in San Francisco on Thursday with Matt Cain, who has yet to yield an earned run in the postseason, starting for the Giants against C.J. Wilson of the Rangers.
The opening game of the World Series was supposed to be a pitching duel but batters ruled supreme as the San Francisco Giants beat the Texas Rangers 11-7 to take an early lead in the best-of-seven series.
The Wednesday match-up of aces Cliff Lee of Texas and San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum left a final linescore that totalled 18 runs and 25 hits, including 10 doubles.
San Francisco made a shaky start and trailed 2-0 after the first inning.
But after multi-award winning singer Tony Bennett calmed the 43,601 capacity crowd at AT&T Park with a sweet rendition of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" at the end of the first inning the Giants got back on track to claim the Fall Classic opener.
They dented Lee’s aura of invincibility with two runs in the third inning followed by a six-run outburst in the fifth.
Freddy Sanchez had three doubles among his four hits, while Juan Uribe hit a three-run homer off reliever Darren O’Day that capped the scoring in the fifth and made a winner of Lincecum.
Game Two will be in San Francisco on Thursday with Matt Cain, who has yet to yield an earned run in the postseason, starting for the Giants against C.J. Wilson of the Rangers.
Professional football stardom probably once seemed like a birthright for Maurice Clarett, given his ability to tear through opposing defenses with an awesome mix of speed and power.
But these days, Clarett doesn't talk much about his past.
Neither does Clarett spend much time discussing whether he believes he has a future in the National Football League. Speculation, at this point, gets him nowhere.
The only thing that matters to Clarett is what he does today. Work hard, stay focused, make things happen in Omaha.
That's where the former Ohio State star finds himself, playing for an expansion team in the United Football League. It is alongside the banks of the Missouri River that Clarett has been given a chance to resurrect his once-promising football career, as well as his life.
Both took a nightmarish turn after he burst onto the national scene as an Ohio State freshman in 2002. He rushed for more than 1,200 yards and helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship.
Three years later, he was out of football and in prison. He served his time, three years in an Ohio penitentiary for aggravated robbery, and sought a second chance at football.
He found it in Omaha, where sellout crowds have turned out to cheer the NightHawks in their first two games. Some of those cheers have been directed Clarett's way, even though his contributions to the team's two victories have been modest.
That soon could change. Omaha coach Jeff Jagodzinski said the plan is to increase Clarett's workload as the NightHawks get deeper into their season.
"I think we're going to get him a little bit more every week,'' Jagodzinski said. "He's looking better in practice, and he's taking a lot of reps with the show team, with the first unit. It's just a matter of time before he has that breakout run.''
The 26-year-old Clarett signed with the NightHawks in late August. A month later, he played in his first game in more than seven years, when Omaha made its UFL debut against Hartford.
He returned a kickoff and played on special teams that night.
"The adrenaline was rushing that night,'' he said. "I felt like I could have run for days.''
A week later, Clarett got a chance to run the ball, carrying five times and gaining 12 yards against Sacramento. He also caught a pass for 6 yards, and was on the field during the winning drive that produced a touchdown and a 20-17 victory.
"That showed me that my coaches and my teammates believe in me,'' Clarett said. "That spoke a lot about how coach felt I was responsible enough and that he felt comfortable enough with putting me in during a crucial time in the game.
"That was a big step for me in the right direction.''
The NightHawks, a UFL expansion team, received a good deal of attention when they brought Clarett on board. Not all of it was positive, but Jagodzinski said there has been nothing negative about having Clarett on the roster.
"I can't say anything but good things about him,'' Jagodzinski said. "He's been fantastic in the locker room, he's been a fantastic kid to coach. He's always asking what he can do to be better.
"He even asked if he could play fullback.''
Jagodzinski paused, smiled and added, "I don't know if he'd want to block, but that shows you how willing he is to do anything he can.''
Some of Clarett's development has been dependent on stripping away rust accumulated in his years away from the game. Until the NightHawks' opener, he hadn't played in an official game since the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, when he scored the winning touchdown against Miami that gave the Buckeyes the national title.
He never played another snap for Ohio State, being declared ineligible by the NCAA for receiving extra benefits. He did get drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2005 but didn't make the team, partly because he was injured much of training camp.
Even at 26, Clarett's 6-foot, 220-pound body reminded him in the early days of camp that he had been away from the game for a long time. He said his hamstrings and groin, unaccustomed to the sprinting and the cuts a running back must make, "locked up'' on him early in training camp.
His mind also had to adjust to the speed of the professional game.
"Things were moving kind of fast at first,'' he said.
He now feels he has a better grip on what he needs to do and what's expected from him.
"I'm just like any other player out here,'' Clarett said. "I'm trying to develop my ability and play at the highest level possible. That starts with practicing every day, studying the film and doing the basics.
"You have to maintain a real good focus every day. You focus on the totality of the game. Each day your coach points out what you could be doing better, and then you just have to wait for your next chance to get what was wrong right.''
Clarett said he's been blessed to have veterans such as running back Ahman Green and quarterback Jeff Garcia to help ease his transition back into the game. His locker sits between theirs in the NightHawks' locker room.
Green volunteered to be Clarett's mentor when the NightHawks were considering signing him.
"He's not only been there for me, he's there for everyone on this team,'' Clarett said. "He's a captain of the team, and he probably has more experience than 95 percent of the guys out here. Anything I've needed, he's been there to help.''
Green has played a dozen seasons in the NFL, a place where almost every player on the NightHawks aspires to be. Clarett, too, has aspirations. But for now, he's keeping them to himself.
"Right now, I don't look too far ahead, and I don't look to the past,'' he said. "I'm living in the moment.
"As long as we're winning and as long as I continue to work on my game, I think things will take care of themselves. I think if you look too far ahead, you get ahead of yourself.''
Friday night, he'll step onto a football field in Las Vegas, where the NightHawks play Friday night, assured of nothing but another a chance. That's all Clarett asks at this point.
"My focus is just to come out here every day and work on the things I need to work on,'' he said. "I need to work on my conditioning, my steps, my reads, on being a better teammate and player.
"If I continue to do that, everything else will take care of itself.''
Professional football stardom probably once seemed like a birthright for Maurice Clarett, given his ability to tear through opposing defenses with an awesome mix of speed and power.
But these days, Clarett doesn't talk much about his past.
Neither does Clarett spend much time discussing whether he believes he has a future in the National Football League. Speculation, at this point, gets him nowhere.
The only thing that matters to Clarett is what he does today. Work hard, stay focused, make things happen in Omaha.
That's where the former Ohio State star finds himself, playing for an expansion team in the United Football League. It is alongside the banks of the Missouri River that Clarett has been given a chance to resurrect his once-promising football career, as well as his life.
Both took a nightmarish turn after he burst onto the national scene as an Ohio State freshman in 2002. He rushed for more than 1,200 yards and helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship.
Three years later, he was out of football and in prison. He served his time, three years in an Ohio penitentiary for aggravated robbery, and sought a second chance at football.
He found it in Omaha, where sellout crowds have turned out to cheer the NightHawks in their first two games. Some of those cheers have been directed Clarett's way, even though his contributions to the team's two victories have been modest.
That soon could change. Omaha coach Jeff Jagodzinski said the plan is to increase Clarett's workload as the NightHawks get deeper into their season.
"I think we're going to get him a little bit more every week,'' Jagodzinski said. "He's looking better in practice, and he's taking a lot of reps with the show team, with the first unit. It's just a matter of time before he has that breakout run.''
The 26-year-old Clarett signed with the NightHawks in late August. A month later, he played in his first game in more than seven years, when Omaha made its UFL debut against Hartford.
He returned a kickoff and played on special teams that night.
"The adrenaline was rushing that night,'' he said. "I felt like I could have run for days.''
A week later, Clarett got a chance to run the ball, carrying five times and gaining 12 yards against Sacramento. He also caught a pass for 6 yards, and was on the field during the winning drive that produced a touchdown and a 20-17 victory.
"That showed me that my coaches and my teammates believe in me,'' Clarett said. "That spoke a lot about how coach felt I was responsible enough and that he felt comfortable enough with putting me in during a crucial time in the game.
"That was a big step for me in the right direction.''
The NightHawks, a UFL expansion team, received a good deal of attention when they brought Clarett on board. Not all of it was positive, but Jagodzinski said there has been nothing negative about having Clarett on the roster.
"I can't say anything but good things about him,'' Jagodzinski said. "He's been fantastic in the locker room, he's been a fantastic kid to coach. He's always asking what he can do to be better.
"He even asked if he could play fullback.''
Jagodzinski paused, smiled and added, "I don't know if he'd want to block, but that shows you how willing he is to do anything he can.''
Some of Clarett's development has been dependent on stripping away rust accumulated in his years away from the game. Until the NightHawks' opener, he hadn't played in an official game since the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, when he scored the winning touchdown against Miami that gave the Buckeyes the national title.
He never played another snap for Ohio State, being declared ineligible by the NCAA for receiving extra benefits. He did get drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2005 but didn't make the team, partly because he was injured much of training camp.
Even at 26, Clarett's 6-foot, 220-pound body reminded him in the early days of camp that he had been away from the game for a long time. He said his hamstrings and groin, unaccustomed to the sprinting and the cuts a running back must make, "locked up'' on him early in training camp.
His mind also had to adjust to the speed of the professional game.
"Things were moving kind of fast at first,'' he said.
He now feels he has a better grip on what he needs to do and what's expected from him.
"I'm just like any other player out here,'' Clarett said. "I'm trying to develop my ability and play at the highest level possible. That starts with practicing every day, studying the film and doing the basics.
"You have to maintain a real good focus every day. You focus on the totality of the game. Each day your coach points out what you could be doing better, and then you just have to wait for your next chance to get what was wrong right.''
Clarett said he's been blessed to have veterans such as running back Ahman Green and quarterback Jeff Garcia to help ease his transition back into the game. His locker sits between theirs in the NightHawks' locker room.
Green volunteered to be Clarett's mentor when the NightHawks were considering signing him.
"He's not only been there for me, he's there for everyone on this team,'' Clarett said. "He's a captain of the team, and he probably has more experience than 95 percent of the guys out here. Anything I've needed, he's been there to help.''
Green has played a dozen seasons in the NFL, a place where almost every player on the NightHawks aspires to be. Clarett, too, has aspirations. But for now, he's keeping them to himself.
"Right now, I don't look too far ahead, and I don't look to the past,'' he said. "I'm living in the moment.
"As long as we're winning and as long as I continue to work on my game, I think things will take care of themselves. I think if you look too far ahead, you get ahead of yourself.''
Friday night, he'll step onto a football field in Las Vegas, where the NightHawks play Friday night, assured of nothing but another a chance. That's all Clarett asks at this point.
"My focus is just to come out here every day and work on the things I need to work on,'' he said. "I need to work on my conditioning, my steps, my reads, on being a better teammate and player.
"If I continue to do that, everything else will take care of itself.''
Tariq Aziz, one of Saddam Hussein's top officials, was sentenced for 'crimes against humanity' by Iraq's high tribunal.
Tariq Aziz, Saddam Hussein’s deputy who was the international face of the regime, was sentenced to death Monday by an Iraqi court.
Iraq’s high tribunal, set up to try officials from the former regime, sentenced the former deputy prime minister to hang for what it termed crimes against humanity.
The charges related to murder and torture of members of Islamic parties opposed to Hussein’s leadership. The sentence carries an automatic appeal.
IN PICTURES: Wikileaks and the war in Iraq
Mr. Aziz, the only Christian at senior levels of the regime – where he also served as foreign minister – has been in prison since he gave himself up in 2003. He was sentenced last year to 15 years in prison for involvement in sentencing to death merchants convicted of black-market currency trading in 1992. He was also sentenced to another seven years for a campaign against Iraqi Kurds.
The current trial has been going on since December 2009. Four other defendants were also sentenced to death by the presiding judge, Mahmoud Saleh al-Hassan, who ran unsuccessfully for parliament as part of the State of Law coalition of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. One of the main targets of Saddam Hussein’s campaign against Islamic parties was the Dawa Party of Mr. Maliki.
International experts have criticized the proceedings, saying former regime officials should be tried in an international court, free of potential political influence.
Aziz is elderly and in ill health. His family and lawyer have argued that he should be released for humanitarian reasons.
The former foreign minister testified that he had a political position and had not had a role in any of the decisions of Hussein’s regime. But he was sentenced to death anyway. As Hassan literally shouted out the sentence, at one point asking Aziz if he understood, the former foreign minister looked ashen.
The court also sentenced Hussein’s former personal secretary, Abed Hmood and former Interior Minister Saadoon Shaker to death on the same charges.
Tariq Aziz, one of Saddam Hussein's top officials, was sentenced for 'crimes against humanity' by Iraq's high tribunal.
Tariq Aziz, Saddam Hussein’s deputy who was the international face of the regime, was sentenced to death Monday by an Iraqi court.
Iraq’s high tribunal, set up to try officials from the former regime, sentenced the former deputy prime minister to hang for what it termed crimes against humanity.
The charges related to murder and torture of members of Islamic parties opposed to Hussein’s leadership. The sentence carries an automatic appeal.
IN PICTURES: Wikileaks and the war in Iraq
Mr. Aziz, the only Christian at senior levels of the regime – where he also served as foreign minister – has been in prison since he gave himself up in 2003. He was sentenced last year to 15 years in prison for involvement in sentencing to death merchants convicted of black-market currency trading in 1992. He was also sentenced to another seven years for a campaign against Iraqi Kurds.
The current trial has been going on since December 2009. Four other defendants were also sentenced to death by the presiding judge, Mahmoud Saleh al-Hassan, who ran unsuccessfully for parliament as part of the State of Law coalition of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. One of the main targets of Saddam Hussein’s campaign against Islamic parties was the Dawa Party of Mr. Maliki.
International experts have criticized the proceedings, saying former regime officials should be tried in an international court, free of potential political influence.
Aziz is elderly and in ill health. His family and lawyer have argued that he should be released for humanitarian reasons.
The former foreign minister testified that he had a political position and had not had a role in any of the decisions of Hussein’s regime. But he was sentenced to death anyway. As Hassan literally shouted out the sentence, at one point asking Aziz if he understood, the former foreign minister looked ashen.
The court also sentenced Hussein’s former personal secretary, Abed Hmood and former Interior Minister Saadoon Shaker to death on the same charges.
The “Unsung” series of TV one features RnB singer Angela Winbush. It it a documentary program, that showcases the life of singers who, although got a good start, but could not get their due in their music career.
Angela Winbush was featured on Monday. The Saint Louis resident Angela Winbush was a well known singer in the 80s decade and gave quite numbers with her singing partner Rene Moore. Their band Rene & Angela, however could of taste the actual fame and popularity and they soon parted their ways in 1986, in order to pursue their solo career, which eventually got doomed. In the “Unsung” series, Angela Winbush talked about her relationship with her partner, Rene Moore, her work with the Isley Brothers, and her decision to take up a solo career. She also talked about some of the dark moments in her personal life, where she had to struggle with cancer, as the doctors diagnosed a cyst in her breast, which had to be removed. She also had stage 3 ovarian cancer and had to undergo six months of chemotherapy in 2003. This eventually led to a bitter divorce with her husband and lead singer of Isley Brothers, Ron Isley. She said that it took several months for her to struggle and recover from the stage of depression after a string of mishaps in her life.
Angela Winbush was initially apprehensive about being featured in “Unsung”, as she did not want the entire world to know about all the problems which she went through in the last two decades. She even refused to consider herself as an “Unsung” as she has done several worthier things in her life. However, she later changed her mind, and decided to share her story on the show.
The “Unsung” series of TV one features RnB singer Angela Winbush. It it a documentary program, that showcases the life of singers who, although got a good start, but could not get their due in their music career.
Angela Winbush was featured on Monday. The Saint Louis resident Angela Winbush was a well known singer in the 80s decade and gave quite numbers with her singing partner Rene Moore. Their band Rene & Angela, however could of taste the actual fame and popularity and they soon parted their ways in 1986, in order to pursue their solo career, which eventually got doomed. In the “Unsung” series, Angela Winbush talked about her relationship with her partner, Rene Moore, her work with the Isley Brothers, and her decision to take up a solo career. She also talked about some of the dark moments in her personal life, where she had to struggle with cancer, as the doctors diagnosed a cyst in her breast, which had to be removed. She also had stage 3 ovarian cancer and had to undergo six months of chemotherapy in 2003. This eventually led to a bitter divorce with her husband and lead singer of Isley Brothers, Ron Isley. She said that it took several months for her to struggle and recover from the stage of depression after a string of mishaps in her life.
Angela Winbush was initially apprehensive about being featured in “Unsung”, as she did not want the entire world to know about all the problems which she went through in the last two decades. She even refused to consider herself as an “Unsung” as she has done several worthier things in her life. However, she later changed her mind, and decided to share her story on the show.
The question of where Jared Allen has been all season was answered fairly early in the game as Allen got his first pick of the season off of Aaron Rodgers.
Allen is known more for his pass rushing than his interceptions, but he's only had one sack this year.
Allen had 14.5 sacks the last two seasons and 15.5 sacks in 2007, so his production definitely is down this year. He has 73 career sacks coming into tonight's game.
Allen is a Superstar on the Vikings defense, known as much for his mullet and cookbook as he is for his play on the field.
With Rodgers beinga a mobile quarterback, it's going to be hard for Allen to increase his sack total tonight, but there's still more than half a season for Allen to bump up his numbers, and at age 28, he still has plenty of productive years left.
Since most of the pregame focused on Favre, Allen's presence wasn't really addressed and how much of an impact he can have on an offense when he is putting the pressure on.
The comparison between Allen and the Packers young star Clay Matthews is a great one to make as both guys leave it all out on the field when they play.
The question of where Jared Allen has been all season was answered fairly early in the game as Allen got his first pick of the season off of Aaron Rodgers.
Allen is known more for his pass rushing than his interceptions, but he's only had one sack this year.
Allen had 14.5 sacks the last two seasons and 15.5 sacks in 2007, so his production definitely is down this year. He has 73 career sacks coming into tonight's game.
Allen is a Superstar on the Vikings defense, known as much for his mullet and cookbook as he is for his play on the field.
With Rodgers beinga a mobile quarterback, it's going to be hard for Allen to increase his sack total tonight, but there's still more than half a season for Allen to bump up his numbers, and at age 28, he still has plenty of productive years left.
Since most of the pregame focused on Favre, Allen's presence wasn't really addressed and how much of an impact he can have on an offense when he is putting the pressure on.
The comparison between Allen and the Packers young star Clay Matthews is a great one to make as both guys leave it all out on the field when they play.
Besides a shiny new belt, Cain Velasquez collected an extra $70,000 for winning the Knockout of the Night award Saturday at UFC 121 in Anaheim, Calif.
Diego Sanchez, Paulo Thiago and Daniel Roberts were also $70,000 bonus winners. Sanchez and Thiago took part in the Fight of the Night, while Roberts received the nod for Submission of the Night.
Sanchez avoided the first three-fight losing streak of his career with his unanimous decision win over Thiago in an entertaining back-and-forth battle. The highlight of the fight was Sanchez's running (and yelling) slam to cap off the second stanza.
"Ninja" Roberts, who frequents local grappling tournaments, defended a takedown attempt by Mike "Joker" Guymon by securing an anaconda choke to dispatch the former TapouT member in 73 seconds.
And finally, Velasquez earned Knockout of the Night for his stoppage over Brock Lesnar to capture the UFC heavyweight belt at four minutes and 12 seconds of the opening round.
The attendance was 14,856 for a $2.15 million gate, according to UFC president Dana White.
Besides a shiny new belt, Cain Velasquez collected an extra $70,000 for winning the Knockout of the Night award Saturday at UFC 121 in Anaheim, Calif.
Diego Sanchez, Paulo Thiago and Daniel Roberts were also $70,000 bonus winners. Sanchez and Thiago took part in the Fight of the Night, while Roberts received the nod for Submission of the Night.
Sanchez avoided the first three-fight losing streak of his career with his unanimous decision win over Thiago in an entertaining back-and-forth battle. The highlight of the fight was Sanchez's running (and yelling) slam to cap off the second stanza.
"Ninja" Roberts, who frequents local grappling tournaments, defended a takedown attempt by Mike "Joker" Guymon by securing an anaconda choke to dispatch the former TapouT member in 73 seconds.
And finally, Velasquez earned Knockout of the Night for his stoppage over Brock Lesnar to capture the UFC heavyweight belt at four minutes and 12 seconds of the opening round.
The attendance was 14,856 for a $2.15 million gate, according to UFC president Dana White.
Matt Hamill pulled out a big win with a unanimous decision over former UFC champ Tito Ortiz. Hamill won 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 on the judges' cards at UFC 121 in Anaheim on Saturday.
In the first round, Hamill was able to take Ortiz down briefly, but could not do anything on the ground. The stand-up part of the round was filled with high leg kicks from both fighters and Ortiz moving forward throughout the round. Though the stand-up battle was close, Ortiz suffered more damage, sustaining a large cut on the side of his head and a mouse underneath his eye.
Hamill was able to inflict more damage in the second round. After getting a takedown, Hamill punished Ortiz with elbows from the top. Ortiz tried to answer with a submission attempts, but Hamill just took advantage of him and threw more short elbows.
After slow stand-up in the third and final round, Hamill tried to return to the takedown, but Ortiz stuffed it the first time, but easily took Ortiz to the ground on the second attempt. Hamill used side control to wear down Ortiz and land big hammer fists on Ortiz's hard-to-miss head.
Hamill was emotional after the fight, thanking his old coach and saying that he was honored to even fight Ortiz. Ortiz was Hamill's coach on "The Ultimate Fighter," and Hamill used Ortiz's style to beat his old mentor. The ground and pound strategy worked well for Hamill, who has now won five fights in a row.
Ortiz's next steps are not clear, as he has not won a fight since he beat Ken Shamrock in 2006. The one-time dominant champ is on a bad losing streak, and missed his chance to right the ship with this bout.
Matt Hamill pulled out a big win with a unanimous decision over former UFC champ Tito Ortiz. Hamill won 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 on the judges' cards at UFC 121 in Anaheim on Saturday.
In the first round, Hamill was able to take Ortiz down briefly, but could not do anything on the ground. The stand-up part of the round was filled with high leg kicks from both fighters and Ortiz moving forward throughout the round. Though the stand-up battle was close, Ortiz suffered more damage, sustaining a large cut on the side of his head and a mouse underneath his eye.
Hamill was able to inflict more damage in the second round. After getting a takedown, Hamill punished Ortiz with elbows from the top. Ortiz tried to answer with a submission attempts, but Hamill just took advantage of him and threw more short elbows.
After slow stand-up in the third and final round, Hamill tried to return to the takedown, but Ortiz stuffed it the first time, but easily took Ortiz to the ground on the second attempt. Hamill used side control to wear down Ortiz and land big hammer fists on Ortiz's hard-to-miss head.
Hamill was emotional after the fight, thanking his old coach and saying that he was honored to even fight Ortiz. Ortiz was Hamill's coach on "The Ultimate Fighter," and Hamill used Ortiz's style to beat his old mentor. The ground and pound strategy worked well for Hamill, who has now won five fights in a row.
Ortiz's next steps are not clear, as he has not won a fight since he beat Ken Shamrock in 2006. The one-time dominant champ is on a bad losing streak, and missed his chance to right the ship with this bout.