UK and USA Gift

• Nov.30. 2010

A personal and family protection site is now making it even easier to be alerted to the presence of sex


offenders who may be living in your area. Family Watchdog is a free service provided by

FWD
Holdings Incorporated, which allows users to enter an address and be informed as to where registered sex offenders live nearby and will, if so desired, send you an e-mail if one moves into your area in the future.

Even more amazing, and somewhat alarming for privacy rights advocates, you can enter a sex offender's full or even just his or her last name, and you can select the sexual predator from the list of nationwide offenders that is returned to see details, any aliases, convictions, a physical description, photos, and a map of the sex offender's currently registered address.

As a parent of two children, I am concerned about sexual predators living near my home or where my children go to school. While none live in my immediate vicinity, a quick check of the neighborhood where my children's grandmother lives yielded one home address of a sex offender guilty of child molestation, one home of a convicted rapist, and one home of some person convicted of an "other offense." The person convicted of child molestation is disconcerting because he lives three blocks from an elementary school. This information may be useful in determining which areas to avoid during trick-or-treating, school fundraising sales, or the walk to and from school. If a sexual predator, particularly one with a history of acts with minors, lives very close by, it may help parents better define areas that their children may play. So, it might be a tool I check from time to time.

Family Watchdog is a great information service which consolidates information that is readily available from most local law enforcement sites, but it also raises significant privacy concerns. I am an ardent defender of the constitutionally implied "right" to privacy. What someone does in his or her bedroom, provided it is consensual, is one's own business. The key word is consent.

• Nov.30.undefined

Tis the season for a comeback.

At least, that seems to be the mentality behind Freddie Jackson’s new album. After a seven year absence from the recording scene, the musical legend released “For You” just in time for the holiday shopping rush.

The album was helmed by well-known producer Barry Eastmond, who helped facilitate Jackson’s comeback effort. Consequently, Jackson focused his efforts on challenging himself creatively, and the new album already boasts the single “I Don’t Wanna Go.” The majority of the tracks are powerful ballads, designed to feature Jackson’s distinctive voice.

At age 53, Jackson has already had a storied career with hits such as “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)” and “You Are My Lady.” His prolific career has spawned chart topping hits in the 80s and 90s, proving that this crooner has come a long way since his humble start singing backup in a Harlem nightclub.

• Nov.30.undefined

Ronald Isley honored at Soul Train Awards: The Isley Brothers great was released from a jail stint over tax evasion earlier this year. Don't call it a comeback! [MTV]

Speaking of comebacks: Nearly forgotten soul singer Freddie Jackson, who has 10 No. 1 hits but none we can remember, has released a new album, "For You," just in time for the holidays. [Amazon]

Comcast taking aim at Netflix? The cable provider is reportedly charging extra fees to a Netflix intermediary over the service's bandwith consumption, drawing the ire of Net Neutrality supporters (not to mention Netflix supporters). [Bloomberg]

Mandy Moore, burger eater: The "Tangled" star says if she wants a burger and fries, "I'm going to do that." (So are we. With a beer flight.) Note to People magazine: Stop asking adorable, interesting actresses what they had for dinner, please. [People]

NASA announcement coming: Did they discover life on one of the moons of Saturn? Stay tuned for an "astrobiology" press conference on Thursday. Fingers crossed it's the aliens from "Alien!" [Gawker]

• Nov.30.undefined

Why is "bear gall bladder uses" a popular search term today? Last night, a new show premiered on the


National Geographic Channel. The show, aptly named

"Wild Justice," follows California game
wardens as they carry out their duties.

Last night's show took viewers on a detailed operation to catch bear poachers. Bears have become a valuable commodity. Some people will pay thousands of dollars for a dead bear. This is due to a popular belief that bear gall bladders can cure everything from fevers to liver disease. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time an animal has been exploited in the name of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

• Nov.30.undefined

Actor Leslie Nielsen, who passed away this week at the age of 84, was perhaps best known for his humorous roles in “Airplane!” and the “Naked Gun” franchise. But the Canadian-born actor was more than a comedian, appearing in dramas, sci-fi films and romantic comedies during his long career on the big and small screens.

• Nov.30.undefined

Since we posted the Soul Train Awards 2010 winners list (check it out right here), we’ve been getting a lot of questions about Ronald Isley and Anita Baker, who won the “legend” awards at the show. Specifically, readers have e-mailed us about how they can see Ronald Isley and Anita Baker live in concert. Although Ron Isley and Anita Baker have spent a long time in the business, the two aren’t finished making apperances – you can check out Ron Isley and Anita Baker tour dates below; tickets for Ron Isley are here, and Anita Baker tickets are here.

• Nov.25. 2010

BrandsMart USA (www.BrandsMartUSA.com), one of the largest per-store-volume retailers in the United States, is now expanding its cross-border online shopping capability to customers in Latin America and the Caribbean. The service is made possible through a strategic partnership with PuntoMio (www.PuntoMio.com), the international shopping facilitator that gives non-U.S. residents a U.S. address which they can use to place online orders from U.S. retailers.

With this new service, consumers accessing www.BrandsMartUSA.com from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and other countries are directed to the BrandsMart USA international website, through integration with PuntoMio. Customers will see products displayed in local currency and the purchase price will include transportation to their country, duties, taxes, and delivery within 5 to 8 days of purchase.

"We observe a large amount of Latin American and Caribbean shoppers in our stores every day. Relying on PuntoMio's expertise to reach out to those customers in their own country is a valuable advantage that we believe will translate into a significant increase in online sales for us," stated Bobby Johnson, Executive Vice-President of BrandsMart USA.

E-commerce in LATAM experienced a nearly 40% growth last year, and is expected to increase another 27% in 2010, according to AmericaEconomia Intelligence. "With this partnership we reach out to a growing market and further extend PuntoMio's visibility among potential customers throughout Latin America and the Caribbean," said Patricia Voigt, General Manager of PuntoMio. "We offered BrandsMart USA a truly integrated and easy to implement platform that eliminated their challenges with international e-Commerce. With our private delivery network we were able to offer them much lower and more accurate costs compared to other international checkout solutions that depend on the major express carriers."

• Nov.25.undefined

Black Friday Online Deals 2010 are not all about Target, Walmart and Best Buy, Toys, and Clothes. There are also plenty of retailers offering Black Friday Online Sales on Food.

From Harry & David to Macy’s you can find some great Black Friday Online Shopping deals on food……

• Nov.25.undefined

Black Friday is here and store hours vary but we have a complete list of Black Friday Store hours Below. Many retailers will be offering special online deals all day Friday. Laptops are popular for online purchases and you can get the black Friday price online at Sam’s Club, Best Buy, and OfficeMax. Sam’s Club has a 17.3 inch screen HP notebook with Blue Ray player for $499.00 online. OfficeMax has lots of notebooks on sale by Acer. They have an Acer Notebook, with 15.6 inch screen, Intel core i5- 460 processor, 4 gigs of ram, 500 gig hard drive, and DVD burner for just $499.00. Wal Mart is offering a Netbook bundle online for $248.00. Best Buy has $150.00 off all Samsung notebooks online. HP is being quiet right now about their Black Friday sales but be sure to check out the HP web site as throughout Black Friday there will be super savings on specially built notebooks. We think they will repeat what they did last year with the 17″ core i7 quad core notebook for around $800.00. No word officially yet on this but I have a good source at Hp that says it will happen sometime today.

• Nov.25.undefined

"AEO customers are essentially fused to their mobile phones," said Gabriella Dera, vice president of customer relationship marketing for American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. "Mobile gift cards offer the ultimate convenience, as well as instant gratification for gift giving this holiday."

Gift card senders choose from four holiday designs within each AEO brand--American Eagle Outfitters, aerie and 77kids. They can also add a personal message of up to 100 characters. The mobile gift card is texted to the recipient's mobile phone, and can be used to shop online or in any of the 1,000+ AEO stores worldwide. An e-mail message will also be sent to the recipient in case the text message is missed.

When purchased through AEO brand Facebook Pages, mobile gift card buyers can choose to post a message on their wall, letting friends know that they sent out an AE, aerie or 77kids gift card. Building in this social element adds a new level of fun, excitement and sharing to gift giving.

Mobile gift cards are part of the American Eagle Outfitters comprehensive mobile commerce strategy. As a portfolio of lifestyle brands, the company strives to engage customers where they are--at home, work, school, or at the mall. AEO gift cards never expire, and do not include fees of any kind.

The company has partnered with Transaction Wireless(TM) (TW), a leading provider of virtual and mobile gift cards, to power its mobile gift card offerings. TW's patented wGift technology platform enables the easy, safe purchase of virtual gift cards directly from any digital device, including any internet-enabled cell phone. The company's wSocial platform enables social gifting. TW's platform is turnkey and completely scalable to help companies and brands quickly and easily keep up with the ever-changing mobile and social media landscape. The cards are stored safely, which helps to ensure the gifts will be used rather than lost or forgotten.

About American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., through its subsidiaries, ("AEO, Inc.") offers high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products at affordable prices. The American Eagle Outfitters(R) brand targets 15 to 25 year old girls and guys, with 935 stores in the U.S. and Canada and online at www.ae.com. aerie(R) by american eagle offers apparel and intimates collections for the AE(R) girl, with 147 standalone stores in the U.S. and Canada and online at www.aerie.com. The latest brand, 77kids(R) by american eagle(R), is available online at www.77kids.com, as well as at seven stores across the nation. The 77kids brand offers small sizes and great big style for kids 0-14. AE.COM(R), the online home of the brands of AEO, Inc. ships to 76 countries worldwide.

About Transaction Wireless

Transaction Wireless (TW) enables retailers and brands to connect and engage with their consumers through the power and reach of virtual, mobile and social gifting, and to become part of their evolving digital world, through any PC or mobile device. Transaction Wireless' technology platform supports a customizable, scalable suite of patented digital gifting and marketing solutions for today's online, social and mobile mediums. The Company is headquartered in San Diego, California and counts AMC Entertainment, American Eagle Outfitters, Applebee's, SpaFinder, Bass Pro Shops and Hallmark Business Connections, as some of its current clients.

• Nov.25.undefined

Punkin Chunkin is back with the 25th Annual Championships broadcast on the Discovery and Science networks tonight.

Mythbusters’ Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman hosted the pumpkin-tossing event this year as part of an 11 hour Mythbusters marathon to celebrate Thanksgiving on television today.

“The team that launches an eight to ten pound pumpkin the farthest wins the championship,” Savage announced on a sneak peek of the much-anticipated broadcast of the event, which took place from Nov. 6 to 8 in Bridgeville, Delaware.

The 110 teams registered this year could only secure a valid toss, providing the pumpkin bomb was not destroyed prior to the smash landing!

• Nov.25.undefined

Only the most dedicated of shoppers can find it in them to shake off the tryptophan, crawl out of bed before dawn and battle long lines for big Black Friday bargains. But America is nothing if not a country of consumers. This year, the National Retail Federation predicts 134 million shoppers will show up to swipe their credit cards.

Wonder where you can find Black Friday discounts on the Peninsula? Or maybe you've already made your list and checked it twice, but don't know what time you need to be at Best Buy to score that flat-screen TV you've been eyeing? Patch has you covered with a list of local store hours to map out your Black Friday shopping.

• Nov.25.undefined

Online shoppers in Latin America and the Caribbean enjoy easy, fast, cost-effective delivery from U.S. retailers

MIAMI, Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- BrandsMart USA (www.BrandsMartUSA.com), one of the largest per-store-volume retailers in the United States, is now expanding its cross-border online shopping capability to customers in Latin America and the Caribbean. The service is made possible through a strategic partnership with PuntoMio (www.PuntoMio.com), the international shopping facilitator that gives non-U.S. residents a U.S. address which they can use to place online orders from U.S. retailers.

With this new service, consumers accessing www.BrandsMartUSA.com from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and other countries are directed to the BrandsMart USA international website, through integration with PuntoMio. Customers will see products displayed in local currency and the purchase price will include transportation to their country, duties, taxes, and delivery within 5 to 8 days of purchase.

"We observe a large amount of Latin American and Caribbean shoppers in our stores every day. Relying on PuntoMio's expertise to reach out to those customers in their own country is a valuable advantage that we believe will translate into a significant increase in online sales for us," stated Bobby Johnson, Executive Vice-President of BrandsMart USA.

E-commerce in LATAM experienced a nearly 40% growth last year, and is expected to increase another 27% in 2010, according to AmericaEconomia Intelligence. "With this partnership we reach out to a growing market and further extend PuntoMio's visibility among potential customers throughout Latin America and the Caribbean," said Patricia Voigt, General Manager of PuntoMio. "We offered BrandsMart USA a truly integrated and easy to implement platform that eliminated their challenges with international e-Commerce. With our private delivery network we were able to offer them much lower and more accurate costs compared to other international checkout solutions that depend on the major express carriers."

• Nov.25.undefined

(Media-Newswire.com) - The quest is on for many with the eMachines 15.6 laptop featured in the Walmart Black Friday 2010 ads flyer at an amazing price of just $198. The sale starts at 5 AM with door buster deals available and many will be vying for the eMachines 15.6 laptop as a gift or for their own use.

The Walmart Black Friday 2010 sales ads show the first event to start at 12:01 AM just after Thanksgiving ends with several pages of deals in their flyer. A second round of door buster deals starts at 5 AM featuring computers, Blu-Ray players, television and music players.

The first part of the sale starts at 12:01 with many video games available for sale at huge discounts. One group has been set at just $29 including Transformers, Baseball 2K10, Madden 11, NBA2K11 and Medal of Honor. Other games are priced at just $10 and even go down to $7 for selected classics.

At 5 AM, the rest of the big deals in the Walmart Black Friday 2010 ads go on sale with huge savings on televisions and video game system bundles. The Nintendo DS lite unit can be bought for just $89 from 5-11 AM. The PS3 160 GB bundle featuring the system, and Dual Shock 3 controller is on sale for just $299 with special bonus games of Uncharted 2 and Medal of Honor. XBOX 360 gamers can pick up the 4GB system bundle with the console, wireless controller, headset, a/v cable and two bonus games: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Mass Effect 2.

Walmart has also announced a special price matching policy which will be honored for all competitors. The store announced prices for other door buster deals will be matched at the register for the same item at Walmart.

• Nov.25.undefined

Ohio-based teen rock band, New Hollow, performed National Anthem at the Dallas Cowboys nationally televised Thanksgiving Day game on November 25, 2010 and at the same time they kicked off The Salvation Army’s National Red Kettle fundraising campaign.


New Hollow, an unsigned group, recently made Billboard history by topping the Billboard Physical CD Singles Sales Charts at #1 for three consecutive weeks with their single “SiCK.”

“We are very excited to have this opportunity to bring our music to Cowboys Stadium and Cowboys fans around the country,” said the boys of New Hollow. “Being able to honor America by singing the National Anthem on Thanksgiving Day is great. This game is a holiday tradition, so to be part of a day that includes an exciting football game, a partnership with The Salvation Army and a great artist like Keith Urban is really a dream for us.”

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide.

• Nov.24. 2010

NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga — Residents of the tiny Pacific island of Tonga voted Thursday for their first popularly-elected parliament, with King George Tupou V hailing the moment as "the greatest" day in its history.

Tonga's 42,000 voters will elect 17 of the 26 members of parliament, with the remaining nine reserved for the kingdom's nobility.

Electoral officials said voting was "steady" and provisional results were expected late Thursday.

Previously the parliament was dominated by politicians selected by the monarch, who also picked the prime minister and cabinet.

The swing towards democracy follows riots in the capital Nuku'alofa four years ago, which claimed eight lives and destroyed much of the business centre as people protested against the slow pace of political reform.

In an address to the nation ahead of polling, the king said the election was "the greatest and most historic day for our kingdom.

"You will choose your representative to the parliament and thus the first elected government in our country's long history," he said.

After the election the newly elected representatives will select a prime minister, a process that

• Nov.24.undefined

We’ve covered turkey recipes including roasting a turkey, how long to cook a turkey, turkey cooking times per pound, turkey gravy…you’d think we’d be turkeyed out by now. But no. Thanksgiving recipes are what we live for at Family Kitchen! Whether you cook a Butterball turkey or a tofu turkey, we’ve got recipes to make your Thanksgiving feast delicious. And no matter your skill level in the kitchen, you could always use a helping hand, right? As Julie wrote in her post “How to Cook a Turkey“: “Even the best cooks need a little reminder when it comes time to roast a turkey. Whether you’ve done it before or it’s your first time, here’s a quick run-down on the basics, and some links to great tutorials if you need extra help.”

Here, we’ve rounded up some of our best turkey recipes, turkey tips and side dishes including stuffing and appetizers such as deviled eggs…

• Nov.24.undefined

Yummy Butterball Turkey is going to be the choice at my household this Thanksgiving. Butterball is a top selling brand of turkey that is sold in the United States. Favorite ways to fix Butterball’s are deep fired, roasted, smoked, grilled, rotisserie and marinated.


Turkey products sold under the Butterball name include whole turkeys, turkey cold cuts, turkey sausage, turkey bacon. Butterball also produces marinated bone-in, boneless and whole chickens, rotisserie chickens, frozen chicken, stuffing, decoratively formed butter and gravy mixes. Some people consider themselves artists at how to brine a turkey.

Butterball produces 20 percent of the turkey in the United States The Butterball has a 675,000 square foot plant in Mt Olive, North Carolina, making it the world’s largest turkey plant. Butterball employ 5,500 people in their seven plants.

• Nov.24.undefined

How about a toast? You may be wondering how you are going to come up with a thoughtful yet inspiring cheers to a Happy Thanksgiving to set the mood for your holiday feast. Well, we can certainly help you with something special that is sure to move you! Find your suitable quote and see photos and a video right here!
There is nothing better than setting the mood before family and friends on Thanksgiving Day! Be sure to check out pictures and videos below!

I have provided you with the following Thanksgiving quotes that are sure to bring everyone together for your Thanksgiving celebration! Cheers to all this holiday season! There is so much to be thankful for:

“Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!” -Amanda Bradley

“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” -Albert Pine

• Nov.24.undefined

Are you roasting a turkey for your family this Thanksgiving? Roasting times vary according to the size of the bird but here are approximate turkey cooking times.

Roast turkey at 325-350F covered and then uncover near end of cooking time.

• Nov.24.undefined

La mia filosofia si scontra con il calcio italiano? No, voi non mi cambierete. Questo è sicuro». Parole di Josè Special One Mourinho, pronunciate un paio di anni fa. Ma il calcio italiano l’ha cambiato eccome a Mourinho: sennò dove altro può aver imparato quello che ha messo in pratica martedì sera all’Amsterdam Arena? Ordinare ai giocatori del suo Real, diffidati, di farsi ammonire ed espellere per saltare l’inutile match con l’Auxerre (col primato nel girone e qualificazione già in cassaforte) e ripulire così la fedina penale in vista degli ottavi. Ordine partito sul rotondo 4-0 già acquisito: a tre minuti dal termine Xabi Alonso ha cincischiato parecchio prima di battere una punizione, guadagnandosi l’ambito secondo cartellino giallo; al 90’ è stata la volta di Sergio Ramos che, su una rimessa dal fondo, ha sfoggiato insospettabili qualità comiche perdendo tempo in tutti i modi pur di farsi sbattere fuori. Alla fine, poi, la teatrale stizza di Mou con l’arbitro scozzese Thompson colpevole di aver avuto il cartellino facile. Atteggiamenti ben noti alle nostre latitudini quelli dell’uomo della tripletta interista che, da noi, ha sciorinato il gesto delle manette per protestare con gli arbitri, parole pesanti come massi per domare Balotelli («è un niente»), conferenze stampa che annunciavano il «rumore dei nemici» per poi augurargli «zeru tituli». La cosa in Spagna non è piaciuta. I giornali hanno condannato la «Mourinhada, in contrasto con l’immagine offerta in tanti anni dal Real», ha scritto As. Infastidita anche la Uefa, che ha aperto un’inchiesta per verificare eventuali comportamenti antisportivi. L’inchiesta farà un buco nell’acqua e il Real Madrid si presenterà agli ottavi di finale con la fedina penale più candida delle sue maglie per la gioia dei tifosi che, in un sondaggio on line di As, per l’83% hanno dato ragione a Mourinho che veleggia verso il Clasico di lunedì notte col Barcellona col vento in poppa. Roba da Special One.

• Nov.24.undefined

Washington

After nearly half a decade of legal proceedings, former US House majority leader Tom DeLay was convicted today in a Texas court of money laundering and conspiracy related to a 1903 Texas law that bans corporate contributions to state political campaigns.
At issue was some $190,000 in corporate contributions to Mr. DeLay’s political action committee that prosecutors said was illegally passed on to GOP state candidates in 2002, helping Republicans gain control of the state legislature for the first time since Reconstruction.

The jury deliberated 19 hours before reaching a guilty verdict that carries a penalty ranging from seven years to 20 years for the conspiracy charge to life in prison for criminal money laundering. DeLay said that he plans to appeal the conviction.

• Nov.14. 2010

In his first eight games in the league, John Wall has gone up against some stiff competition at the point guard spot, but he got his first real test against an elite point guard on Saturday night when he went up against Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. Not that Aaron Brooks and Mo Williams and Jameer Nelson aren't great players—it's just that Rose is sort of the prototype for what Washington expects Wall's career arc to look like. Wall isn't oblivious to the expectations.

"He's a talented point guard that's reaching all the expectations that I'm trying to get to—All-Star, Rookie of the Year, all those things," Wall said before Saturday's loss at the United Center in Chicago.

"We've got a couple of similarities, but he's Derrick Rose, and I'm John Wall, you know? He's already proven himself, and I still have to prove that I belong, that I can be the kind of player that he is."

Wizards coach Flip Saunders appreciates both guys' similarities, but also understands what a mistake it would be to label Wall "The Next Derrick Rose" this early in his career.

"Right now, when John goes out—just like with Derrick his rookie year—he's going up against a new player he's never played against before. But they're similar and they both had the same (college) coach, and they both have blazing speed. And they're both competitors."

• Nov.13. 2010

New York

While real estate prices are down across America, there is one place that's booming. Just don't count on the bank giving you a mortgage for these properties. They are completely fictional.
A virtual real estate deal caught the eye of many this week when Jon Jacobs, an Entropia Universe user, made a record US$335,000 in a single sale. Jacobs sold his property on a fictitious asteroid to John Foma Kalun, known as "pesok" in the massively multiplayer online game (MMO).

• Nov.13.undefined

A Texas mother faces felony criminal charges for soliciting sex from her son's 16-year-old friend over the Internet - after sending several nude photos of herself in suggestive poses to the high school student, My Fox Houston reported Thursday.

37-year-old Lori Darling David is under arrest for sending the x-rated emails to the teen, who she befriended while volunteering at Taylor High School in Katy, Texas, where her son goes to school.

“The two began to communicate via Facebook, e-mail and text messaging each other on a regular basis,” according to a court document reviewed by the Katy Times. “The complainant stated the conversations would often be sexual in nature, and on the 14th of October, he received (nude) images of the defendant.”

To make matters worse, her victim is the son of a former "jogging buddy" of David's, Houston's KHOU reported. It was the victim's parents who stumbled on the emails addressed to their son and who called authorities.

David has since admitted to sending the photos in a video-taped confession, according to the court document, and is being held on $20,000 bond.

• Nov.12. 2010

BOISE, Idaho — There is a unique scholarship program at the University of Idaho called the found money fund.

It is just how it sounds -- a fund of money that people have found.

It all started back in the 1970s with a penny-pinching professor.

“I found three pennies on the way to school the third day of January 1981," said Terry Armstrong, a professor at the University of Idaho. "I put my three pennies in there and said, 'how much money can I find this year?' I was in the president's office then, and the press secretary found a nickel. She said, 'I’ll put my nickel in with your pennies. We'll have a party at the end of the year.'"

By the end of that year, Armstrong and his co-worker had saved $11. They decided it wouldn't be a very big party with just $11, so they donated it to the university.

What started out as a joke turned into a real fundraiser, with money being donated from all over the world, mostly from alumni.

"On a serious note, I have taught here for 44 years," said Armstrong. "You never have money to do the kinds of things you need to do."

• Nov.12.undefined

As the clock ticked toward midnight on Friday the Twitter accounts of NBA writers across the country gradually began to shift toward one topic. Kevin Love? Really? Of all the potential players to join the NBA's 30-point, 30-rebound club -- a club that hasn't seen a member since Moses Malone joined in 1982 --Love seemed like an unlikely candidate.

But there was Love against New York, dominating the defensive glass (19) and gobbling up 12 of Minnesota's 57 missed shots to finish the game with 31 boards. His 31 points didn't come pretty -- it took 26 shots for Love to get them -- but Minnesota needed every one of them to battle back from a 21-point deficit and secure a 112-103 victory.

Why is Love's performance so surprising? At a listed 6-foot-10 (yeah, right) and with a vertical leap that you could barely slide a piece of paper under, Love doesn't have the athleticism of elite rebounders like Dwight Howard or Tyson Chandler. But Love's board work is a sweet blend of physicality, positioning and an uncanny knowledge of where the ball will come off the rim. Last season he ranked as the NBA's best rebounder per 48 minutes (18.4), edging Howard (18.3) and Marcus Camby (18.1). His rebound percentage this season (23.2 percent going into Friday night) is the third highest in NBA history for players 22 or younger, better than Howard, Charles Oakley and Shaquille O'Neal.

"For me, rebounding is all a mindset," Love wrote this week in a blog for GQ. "My dad told me back in the day that there is no such thing as a selfish rebound because it's a team stat. If you have to fight one of your own teammates for a rebound, do it -- as long as you get it. Also, I studied the greats. Dennis Rodman had it figured out: he knew that most shots are going to come to the other side of the rim. So that's how I position myself. And Bill Russell always used to say that 80 percent of rebounds are below the rim. I'm not the kind of guy who's going to jump and touch the top of the square every time. I use my body for positioning, and I work relentlessly underneath the rim. You don't have to be the most athletic guy in the world to get a bunch of rebounds, so I just try and take what my dad said to heart, what Rodman said to heart, and most importantly what Bill Russell said to heart. He's got 11 championship rings so I think he knows what he's talking about."

• Nov.12.undefined

CHICAGO -- Marie Osmond says her son suffered from depression and had struggled with drugs before his suicide eight months ago.

During an interview on the episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that aired Thursday, Osmond says her son, Michael Bryan, didn't show his depression.

She says he had a difficult childhood and started to use drugs when he was about 12, but that he wasn't using drugs at the time of his death.

The 18-year-old college student jumped from the eighth floor of an apartment building in Los Angeles in February. The coroner ruled the death a suicide

• Nov.12.undefined

.
ISLE de JEAN CHARLES — About four times a week, Maryline Naquin drives on hurricane-damaged Island Road to get groceries, visit doctors and go to church.For more than two years, the 65-year-old and other residents of Isle de Jean Charles have navigated the crumbling road while waiting for the federal and local government to decide how to best repair it.

“I’m beginning to get fed up, but I’m still holding on to hope,” Naquin said.Damaged by hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the two-lane road, which sometimes acts as a levee against the Gulf of Mexico’s tides, has mostly dwindled to one lane. With water on both sides, it’s the sole land route for 20-25 families living on the island to get to and from their homes. The residents, mostly American Indians, have slowly migrated from the island as hurricanes have pummeled houses and coastal erosion has eaten away their land.

• Nov.11. 2010

Fans are used to checking out Gwyneth Paltrow as a red-carpet regular, Oscar-winning screen vet, Jay-Z and Beyonc+é pal and aficionado. But down-home, country crooner? Not so much.

With her turn as a Nashville great overcoming drug addiction opposite Tim McGraw in "Country Strong," which slated to hit theaters next year, Paltrow is using the upcoming months to prove she's got serious vocal chops. So Wednesday night (November 10) the "Iron Man" actress chose one of the biggest nights in Country music, the CMA Awards, to demonstrate her mic skills.

Joined by country veteran Vince Gill, Paltrow made her live singing debut with the track "Country Strong," from the movie's soundtrack. With her wavy blonde locks and a dark clingy minidress, Paltrow looked ready to rock another red carpet appearance. But she boldly hit the song's high notes with a steady, even voice like a country pro. Paltrow became visibly more comfortable as she knocked down the second verse, belting, "I may lose, but I'll always keep my faith, 'cause I'm country strong!" With images of clouds moving through the monitors and Gill looking on with a smile, Paltrow received a standing ovation

• Nov.11.undefined

Today’s episode of the Conan show will feature Charlyne Yi, alongside Jon Hamm and Fistful of Mercy.

Charlyne is a multi-talented young woman in today’s media. She acts, sings, makes music, paints, and writes. Her screenplay, Paper Hearts, won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award in the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. In that story, she portrayed a fictionalized version of herself. She wrote about her ex-boyfriend, Michael Cera, in that film, too.

Charlyne’s love for music is evident in her being a member of the band Old Lumps, with Jessica Cowley and Dave Horwitz. She also used to be a member of the musical duo Glass Beef.

Charlyne’s guesting in Conan later today will certainly mean a lot for the show’s followers. Considered as one of the really talented in show business today, Charlyne will bring in more fun for the show.

• Nov.11.undefined

Loretta Lynn is 78 years old, but that does not mean that her life can’t give her much pleasure anymore. It’s quite the opposite, really, for the 2010 Country Music Association Awards has proven to her (and her fans) that she is a living legend who would always shine.

• Nov.11.undefined

Sugarland's rendition of their new hit Stuck Like Glue at the CMA Awards included a music box set, with Jennifer Nettles stepping out from behind the tutu to sing.

"This has been such a year of growth and expansion creatively for us," she said backstage after winning Duo of the Year, reports USA TODAY's Brian Mansfield. "We're super-excited about the fans that we're bringing into country music."

Added Kristian Bush: "It's also interesting to see people admit that they're country music fans. ... People show up every day and say, 'Man, I love this song. I had no idea I was a country music fan.'"

• Nov.10. 2010

MELBOURNE — The US military's top officer on Monday said he was "surprised" at public remarks by the head of the Marine Corps who questioned the repeal of a ban on gays serving openly in the armed forces.

Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said service chiefs were expected to offer their best military advice on the issue "privately," suggesting the commandant of the Marine Corps had stepped out of line by speaking publicly.

"Actually I was surprised. I was surprised what he said, surprised he said it publicly," Mullen told reporters at a briefing in Melbourne.

General James Amos, the new head of the US Marine Corps, told The Los Angeles Times in an interview published Sunday that he was concerned about the effect of ending the ban -- as proposed by President Barack Obama -- at a time when US troops are in combat.

Amos, who assumed command of the elite force two week ago from General James Conway, said he was worried about the impact on unit cohesion and readiness if "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ended.

The 1993 law was a compromise that forbids gays from serving openly in the military, but also is supposed to bar the military from questioning troops about their sexual orientation.

With a Pentagon study of the issue due by December 1, Mullen said the heads of each military service had agreed to "to come together" and "look at the data and make our recommendations privately" about the impact of lifting the ban.

• Nov.10.undefined

Meet Josiah Viera, a typical six year old boy, who loves baseball and got the once and a lifetime chance to play with the Philadelphia Phillies. An extraordinary boy standing only 27 inches tall and weighing just 15 pounds.

Two months after Josiah was born his mother noticed that he wasn’t gaining any weight so her doctor referred her to a specialist, and just after his first birthday he was diagnosed with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome.

Progeria is a rare genetic disease that causes accelerated aging in children. In an interview with ESPN, his mother, Jennifer, said “It’s hard to explain being a mom or a parent and knowing that potentially you’re going to outlive your child.”

Just like most boys his age, Josiah really wanted to play baseball. But his mother was concerned for his health and well being, and she doesn’t want her little boy to get hurt but eventually she gave in. The extraordinary boy played on his local team but was hospitalized after his first game after suffering a series of mini-strokes.

He was openly accepted by his team mates, and they even threw him a surprise birthday party! And at that birthday party they also granted another of his wishes – to see the Philadelphia Phillies play! The team surprised him with 4 tickets to a game. Not only that his favorite player Ryan Howard, was on hand to meet the young boy prior to the game. He presented the boy with a Phillies jersey and also gave him his bat and batting gloves that he had used during practice the day before.

• Nov.6. 2010