No Bailout Package coming for the Eagles

With the Eagles coming into the Sunday afternoon game against the Redskins everything was going there way.

Three big wins against division leaders and the Browns (undefeated on Monday Night Football this year) and McNabb, Reid, and Westbrooke being the toast of the town.  Not to mention the Cowboys loss to the Ravens the night before.

Yes, everything was going their way, until the game was played of course.

From the opening kickoff the Eagles appeared flat on special teams and offense.  The defense was its usual spectacular self.

McNabb looked average, Westbrooke looked limpy, and Andy Reid's play calling was predictable and lackluster.

So after the catch that was 1-yd short the Eagles playoff chances are grim at best.

They need to WIN, and have the BUCS, and BEARS LOSE! (which is both unlikely)

So what does this mean for the Big 3 of the Eagles.  McNabb is unhappy and the fans favorite player is always the back-up player (but with Kolb not playing well at all, maybe they missed on Kolb and they need McNabb or another QB).

Ex- Falcon head coach Jim Mora Sr. said he stayed in Atlanta a year too long and maybe Andy Reid is suffering from the safe fate.  For the second straight year Reid will have just missed the playoffs and this team has the talent to win the superbowl.

As for B-West, he is phenomenal but turning 30 by the end of next season and the Eagles lack of a power run game perhaps drafting a RB in the first round makes the most sense.

I just hope they draft in the first round this year!!!!

Skybus Airlines to be DELAYED indefinately

Skybus Airlines is expected to file for bankruptcy.

The low-cost airline--based in Ohio-- could not keep up with high fuel cost and a sagging economy.

All of skybus airlines' four hundred and fifty employees are expected to be laid off.

Skybus spokesman Bob Tenebaum says the airline will fully refund any flight scheduled through September.

Teenage Student accused of making bombs

A South Carolina High School student is charged with possessing materials to make bombs.

Police say 18-year-old Ryan Schallenberger had ten pounds of ammonium nitrate and a journal full of plans on bombing Chesterfield High School.

Police also say Schallenberger had great admiration for the Columbine killers- who killed 13 students nine years ago.

Schallenberger is one of the top students at Chesterfield High School and won the Newberry College Award last year.

His hearing is set for Monday.

Iphone application for Super Monkey Ball

Super Monkey Ball v1.01 Published by Sega America Via App Store $9.99 Released: 8-31-08

What’s New In This Version

Despite scoring a respectable 3.75 / 5 rating from us in our initial review of Super Monkey Ball, many users complained about its SMB’s usability: “it is very difficult to control,” “the motion controls are terrible,” “too hard to control”… you get the idea.

Though control enhancements aren’t explicitly cited as part of the update, some brief game-play proves the sensitivity and responsiveness are markedly improved.

Here are the details from the iTunes’ page:
Interactive tutorial
Instructions added
Game is suspended when a player presses the “Home” button

A Public Official involved in a sex scandal...stop me if you've heard it before

The Ohio Governor is calling for Ohio state attorney to resign because of a sex scandal.

Attorney General Marc Dann says he plans to stay in office after details of an affair with a colleague surfaced.

A couple of months ago, Dann’s close aid was fired and his policy chief resigned for sexual harassment.

In a letter written by Governor Ted Strickland he wrote that Dann could no longer effectively hold his position—therefore must resign.

Women's Gymanstics is doing back flips

U-C-L-A women’s gymnast is the national champion in the uneven bars competition.

Tasha Schwikert became the fifth bruin to win the uneven bars title.

However, it is Georgia’s gymnastics team that was doing back flips.

Georgia won the team drills for the fourth straight year.

Also, Georgia earned first place in floor exercises and balance beam competitions.

Lastly, L-S-U- earned its first vaulting championship in women’s gymnastics.

The star-maker now gets his own Star

The man who helped make stars out of John Travolta and the Little Mermaid is now getting his own star.

Former Paramount Pictures President and former C.E.O. of Disney- Michael Eisner is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Eisner played a large role in the development of movies like Grease, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Honey I Shrunk the Kids.

Hollywood stars such as John Travolta and Mickey Mouse were on hand for the celebration.

V-S-U is getting R-I-C-H

Alumni support at Virginia State University is up ten percent from five years ago.

The reason... Large Scale Renovations

V-S-U upgraded their buildings and online databases in hopes of attracting rich donors.

Alumni donor Anthony Spencer says when he gives his money; he wants it to go the best of schools.

Virginia State University is one of the many historical black colleges to try to renovations to increase funding.

Third Oldest Women in the world dead at 114

The third oldest person in the world is dead.

Arbella Ewings died at age 114 at her Dallas retirement home.

Ewings says the secret to a long life is not getting involved in other people’s affairs.

People close to Ewings say she felt that her time was coming soon.

She is survived by her 103 year old sister.

Sleep Deprivation among College Students

For many college students sleep is considered a waste of time.

A recent poll shows college students feel there are lot more productive ways to spend their time.
But is there?

Sleep therapist Ryan Forte says most people; especially college students are unaware of all the effects of sleep deprivation.

(Forte says there are many effects associated with sleep deprivation, both short and long term. Some short term effects are irritability, exhaustion, grogginess, and lack of concentration. Long term effects include seizures, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and weight gain.

Forte also says if a person is not getting enough sleep and is smoking or using cocaine or on adderall or other illegal substances that it can lead to even more serious long term effects.)
So how many hours of sleep do young people get a night?

Several C-SUN students polled answered less than the recommended eight.

The National Sleep Foundation reports that the average college student receives six point eight hours of sleep a night.

That is one point three hours less than students in the 1960’s were getting.

The report also shows 15 percent of college students only sleep four hours a night—and six percent of all college students suffer from some type of sleep disorder.

The most common being insomnia.

C-SUN student Chester Inong says he doesn’t get the recommended amount of sleep because he just does not have the time.

(Inong says students have to balance out class work and class time and it really takes up a huge part of one’s schedule.)

C-SUN student body Vice President Nicole Umali says she prefers using her time towards being productive.

(Umali says she is a very busy person and her days are full, so anytime she has she wants it to be spent on doing stuff, I’d rather do that than sleep.)

But, is staying awake trying to be productive actually leading to poor performance?

The National Sleep Foundation reports the biggest reasons why students do not sleep is because of work, class, athletics, social activities, family and studying.

More than 70 percent of college students say they believe “cramming”—staying up all night to study-- before taking a test helps them score higher on their exams.

A belief that one expert is questioning.

Sleep Deprivation researcher at Henry Mayo Hospital Cynthia Thames says that people will immediately feel negative effects of sleep deprivation after one night of less than four hours of sleep.

(Thames says people will not be able to concentrate as well, not going to be as alert; they are more prone to making mistakes due to a lack of focus. Thames also says there memory is not going to be as sharp.)

Thames says “cramming” lowers the chances for academic success.

Experts agree getting a full nights rest after studying the material is the best chance to earn an “A”—even saying cramming many times has a negative effect on academic performance.

And, new research is showing the lack of sleep does not affect everyone the same.

Students involved in student government, fraternities, and athletics have double the likelihood of being sleep deprived.

However, what are some of the rewards for people that do get a full nights rest?

A Stanford University report examined the effects of sleep among college athletes.

They found that athletes that sleep eight or more hours a night will improve their reaction time, focus, and ultimately their performance.

Other studies show everyone benefits from catching “z’s”.

Sleep therapist Trevor Rhodes offers some suggestions for improving the quality of sleep.

(Rhodes says the best thing to do as far as exercise goes is to exercise during the day.

Exercising in the day will help you sleep easier at night and achieve REM sleep.

Also try to avoid food and drinks that contain caffeine prior to bedtime.

Also keep TV’s and computers out of the bedroom or at least keep them off. Try to maintain the same bedtime routine. Lastly, keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool that will definitely help you get better sleep as well.)

Other recommended tips are to nap for no more than 30 minutes and avoid using sleeping pills.

In the past 50 years new research and data is being discovered about sleeping and its effects on the body.

Director of Sleep and Neuro-Imaging Lab at U-C Berkeley Matthew Walker says new data is forcing society to have more appreciation for the role that sleep plays.

Especially in regards to mental health and psychiatric diseases.

Walker also says that more research is expected to occur on these issues in the future.

Experts say two of the biggest signs of sleep deprivation is having consistency in trying to fall asleep and staying asleep.


Who knew that hitting the snooze button to get the extra ten minutes of sleep is actually a good thing.

Don't call him a Weirdo

VAN NUYS, Calif. - Next time you see Joesph Weirdo you should call him Joseph Weir as Los Angeles Circuit Court Judge Jack Musselman approved his request for a legal name change.

“I didn’t want to go through life as a Weirdo,” said Weir.

Weir stated, in his petition, that he suffered great embarrassment and that’s the reason for the name change, not to avoid paying debts or change his status in society.

Those are the main reasons for name changes said Judge Musselman. Weir is one of more than 300 people to have paid the $200 filing fee this year for a name change, said a court clerk.

Persuaders Review Part III

If advertisements are successful in creating a feeling beyond the product it increases the likelihood of the advertisers reaching its goal; which is to create brand loyalty or identity.

“Brand loyalty” consists of a consumer's commitment to repurchase the brand and can be demonstrated by repeated buying of a product or service.

Basically, if you constantly buy Nike shoes then you are loyal to Nike products.

Some studies have linked brand loyalty to cult because a cult is a group of people devoted to beliefs or practices. A comparison that I agree with because whether it’s believing in a new deity or only buying Docker’s pants, you have a devotion to a belief or practice.

With brand loyalty is sure to come “brand experiences” and to better illustrate this point let’s use the iPod as an example.

The commercial for the iPod is a silhouette of a guy dancing and having a fun time listening to his iPod. So, the next time you are listening to your iPod and are dancing and having fun to your own music you would have shared in the brand experience.

Beyond brand loyalty and experience the true goal of marketers and advertisers is to create “lovemarks” (objects of devotion). The movie provided the example of Tide laundry detergent becoming the heart of the family, well in my family a Kodak camera would be considered the eye of the family.

My father will only buy Kodak cameras and he takes his camera everywhere with him. Kodak cameras have taken pictures at all of our families’ milestones. From graduations to weddings, my dad always checks the front, checks the back and makes sure its Kodak.

Unfortunately for advertisers not everyone is as loyal to brands like my father, in fact more and more people are dodging the bombardment of advertisements due to the creation of Tivo and DVR.

This has forced advertisers to display their products in television shows and movies in order to been seen. A clear example would be with FedEx in the movie Cast Away.

From the opening scene of the movie we see and hear how FedEx values their shipments and procedures and throughout the movie we see FedEx packages and one of the packages saved Chuck Noland’s life (the main character played by Tom Hanks).

Another example of advertisers trying to replace the lack of viewership from TV commercials is utilizing “webisodes” which are short films designed to be seen on the internet and American Express used this method by creating a story with Superman and Jerry Seinfeld.

Rather it just being a commercial about how low the interest rate is for American Express credit cards it told a story and made the credit card a character or play a role in the story.

American Express is not the only company to use webeisodes as BMW employed a similar tactic to reach internet users. The documentary “The Persuaders” provided an interesting viewpoint on the world of advertising and how much time and dedication is needed to sell a product.

The goal of the advertisers is not just for people to buy the product it is to make people emotionally connect with the product they are trying to sell.

As I previously mentioned this documentary touched on many unknown themes in the advertising world and now I realize how much advertising plays a role in my daily life. What new schemes and ideas can advertisers use to persuade us, only time will tell?

The Persuaders Review Part II

On the contrary, if one really did want to end the “circle of clutter” then the best method would have to involve some form of government intervention which would limit the freeness of the American economy.

Having freedom in the marketplaces allows companies like Song airlines to market however way they see fit, and for them they chose to strongly target females.

I believe that Song Airlines is extremely sincere in the marketing pitch based on the amount of research they put into learning about the female flying experience.

The documentary mentioned how the company conducted countless interviews with women flyers and even created a make-believe woman to further understand the needs of women customers.

However, I do think that Song airlines tended to focus more on flying with their airline as an event not just some regular airline.

Their goal was turn “Song” into an adjective and have people say, “That’s so Song”.

In that respect, I think they lost some of their drive to target the female passenger and tried to emphasize the traveling experiencing.

The technique used by Song Airlines is a classic example of the evolution of advertising.

Instead of focusing on the product advertisements today focus a concept or idea of what that product can do for you.

Referring back to the Song example there are plenty of airlines that will take you from point A to point B, so advertisements have to sell on the potential of what that product can do beyond transportation.

In the movie they showed a Cheerios commercial with a grandma feeding her infant grandchild.

But, rather than talking about nutritional value of the cereal they used each cheerio as a different city of where family members live.

I was able to immediately identify with this because when I eat Fruit Loops cereal, I like to pretend that each different colored loop is a country and I act a war battle as I enjoy my breakfast.

In today’s advertising all of the products are the same and advertistiments need to do more than have a quality product to get consumers to buy their products.

Persuaders Movie Review Part I

The Frontline and PBS documentary, “The Persuaders”, is a movie about the advertising world and it touched on many themes, concepts, and ideas involved in advertising.

Some of these ideas are: the circle of clutter, the marketing technique used by corporations, the evolution of advertising, “brand loyalty”, product placement, and the power of advertising has on its consumers on a personal level.

To paraphrase the movie from the moment we leave our house we are bombarded with advertisements everywhere we go.

Due to numerous advertisements on television, on the radio, or just walking down the street it leads to more advertisements being created just to be noticed.

This is known as the vicious “circle of clutter”. The question at hand is whether this circle can ever be broken and although you should never use the word “never”, I think that the “circle of clutter” will always remain in free market economies.

The reason why is because there are so many different companies selling the exact same product. For example printers, printers simply print the image/document from the computer, however there are several companies that make and sell printers.

Such as Dell, Epson, Compaq. It is for that reason, multiple companies selling the exact same good or service, that the circle of clutter will not be broken.

Personally, I think that it should continue because competition is always a good thing.

I feel with all of the companies and advertisements competing for my dollar should cause those companies to either lower its price or continue to create better products.

Henry Mayo Hospital Expansion

When Hospitals and schools are downsizing, Henry Mayo Hospital is expanding.

The Santa Clarita City Council announced Tuesday that it will grant $40,000 to a consulting firm to determine how much expansion is needed for Henry Mayo Hospital.

The expansion is to counteract the growing number of residents leaving the community as they cite inadequate health care by the hospital as a reason why.

“The sent my mother to a hospital in Tarzana, because they [the hospital] could not accommodate her,” said Langston Tajun who lived in the community for 16 years prior to moving.

Mayor Marsha Mclean and fellow council members in a unanimous vote agreed to pay Kurt Soloman Associates to conduct a one month study to determine the appropriate amount of expansion needed for the hospital.

“The specific function of KSA will be whether more doctors, rooms, or medical facilities would be most beneficial to the hospital,” said Councilmember Tim Ben Boydston.

A viewpoint that does not make any sense to CEO and President of Henry Mayo Hospital Roger Seaver, “Obviously, if you have more rooms, you will need more doctors.”

“It’s about money, their trying to get away with the bare minimum,” said Seaver. Currently, Henry Mayo is the primary hospital in the Santa Clarita Valley with a population of 151,088 according to a U.S. Census report.

The council in a previous meeting agreed to add 55 beds to the 217 bed hospital. The expansion is in the early stages of a 25 year plan.

Breaking News: Young People Don't Vote

Americans the ages of 18- and 25 are not involved in political activities so they are less likely to vote in elections, said Deputy District Director of Los Angeles John Bwarie in a telephone interview.

“It’s concerning that a lot of people in that age group don’t have the time to participate … or do not know a lot about the issues,” said Bwarie, who is a staff member for Los Angeles Council member Greig Smith, who represents the 12th district.

To combat this growing concern, Bwarie said, Smith and his staff began hosting four annual community events in the San Fernando Valley (SFV)and working with California State University, Northridge organizations to help create political awareness.

“The last event we had back in April got about a couple hundred people, which is encouraging,” said Bwarie.

“There is another event scheduled in November, and myself and council member Smith are anticipating a higher amount [of participation] because we’re getting closer to the presidential elections, said Bwarie.

In addition to hosting events, Councilman Smith and his staff is giving speeches on various school campuses in the SFV, predominately high schools, said Bwarie.

One of the things Bwarie is banking is the advancement of technology to lure people to the polls.

The increased usage of technology by young people is causing a disconnect between political participation because the Internet creates a sense of immediacy and people don’t realize how these issues affect them, he said.

Another problem is that young Americans are less likely to vote, so if they don’t vote chances are they aren’t participating in other political arenas, said Bwarie.

It seems Bwarie has the stats to back his claims.

In a “fact sheet,” The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) reported that in 2006 youth voter (18-25) turnout was approximately 24 percent based on the 2006 National Election Pool’s National Exit Poll.

CIRCLE reported that there is close to 27 million citizens in that age bracket.

In California, the percentage was less than 24, according to the fact sheet.

Exit polls are the only method of estimating youth voter turnout and updated information will be available in November when the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey is released.

Among 18-24 year old voters, Minnesota had the highest youth voter turnout with approximately 69 percent compared to 45 percent of California voter turnout and 36 percent of Arkansas, which was the lowest, in the 2004 presidential elections, reported by CIRCLE’s state by state comparison of young people who vote.

CIRCLE does research on the civic and political engagement of Americans between the ages of 15 and 25.

“The main ways to improve upon turnout numbers is to create more awareness,” said Bwarie.

Bwarie, 28, has been working for Councilman Smith for over two years and started working in politics at age 22, he said, because he wants to affect change in his community.

Bwarie is optimistic that by continuing organizing community events and speaking to young voters, that turnout numbers will rise, he said.
###

Homeless Musician on Tour?

Perhaps you have never met Ralph Clark but chances are you have heard him serenading the WEST 118 freeway exit of Tampa Avenue.

Clark is a homeless man who everyday for the past 12 years has been playing his saxophone to help himself survive.

“It’s a good thing I don’t have to pay rent…because with my salary I can barely afford a $0.99 cheeseburger,” jokes Clark.

Clark’s salary ranges from $15 to $45 a day however his top performance earned him a $200 check that ironically bounced.

Unlike other homeless people, Clark decided to not ask for handouts but rather tips.

“A lot of people say that homeless people are just that bums with no work ethic and I don’t want people thinking that about me…I got the idea to play the saxophone for residents from [former President] Bill Clinton, he played the saxophone and look how well he turned out,” said Clark.

And, Clark is still following politics.

As the presidential race heats up between McCain and Obama, Clark is curious to learn more about what each candidate plans to do to deal with the homelessness issue in the United States.

“Ha! Probably not much since we don’t vote they a lot of other people don’t care about us,” said Clark as he eats a Jumbo Jack sandwich while being interviewed.

Perhaps, Clark is onto to something most candidates avoid the issue of homelessness in the United States as a self inflicted wound dating back to the late President Ronald Reagan.

In all the debates between the Republican and Democratic Party during the primary season, the issue was rarely brought up if even at all and the one time the topic got serious was when homelessness was mirrored with immigration.

“It is something a lot of Americans do not want to deal with because most homeless people are minorities, unattractive, uneducated, physically weak, and perceived drug abusers, said Timo Basset of the Feed the Hungry Campaign.

However, many Americans may have to deal with this issue sooner rather than later.

Homelessness is on the rise in every major metropolitan city with Los Angeles suffering the highest increase and it isn’t expected to slow down.

As the housing market crisis continues to take homes from more families many analysts are projecting homelessness to continue rising.

Homelessness is defined as not having a permanent residence... so anyone living out of motels or in one’s car is considered homeless said Tent City Coordinator Lisa Foire.

In a sense of truly modern thinking both Basset and Foire think eventually someone will solve and fix the homeless situation.

The optimism does not extend to Clark who in his twelfth year literally on the streets said, “they will never solve the homeless issue because all the people in power are not homeless so what do they care.”

Clark went on to say, “politicians, the people, and powers that be are all more concerned with helping and saving people overseas, or flying to the moon, or cutting greenhouse emission rather than help me buy some grocery’s.

Clark may be onto something again as latest polls show most Americans consider gas prices to be the top priority.

Clark, Basset, and Foire are all trying to remind people the seriousness of homeless and hope their voices will be heard by the powers that be but I don’t it.

Why… well Obama and McCain have dinner fundraisers to attend of course.

Journalists have little Protection and need a Shield Law or Two

LOS ANGELES- A federal shield law protecting journalists from revealing their sources would increase the flow of information said Lance Williams, in a panel discussion, at the University of Southern California campus.

Having stronger shield laws would positively impact the world of reporting by giving the public more independent access and obtain information other than from officials, said Williams.

Williams, a journalist, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for refusing to reveal a source in the BALCO investigation but avoided the term when an attorney pleaded guilty.

Williams wasn’t the only panelist to be sentenced to jail.

Panelist Judith Miller said via telephone that “without this bill, every prosecutor could go after us…we need this bill now.”

Miller, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, is in Dubai reporting on another story and communicated to the audience and panel via telephone.

She served 85 days in jail for refusing to name a source in the Scooter L. Libby case.

Perhaps Congress heard the pleas from Miller and Williams because earlier this month, the House of Representatives passed a shield law bill and the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a shield law bill.

The House passed a veto proof bill, 398-21 that would protect journalists fromrevealing confidential court cases in most federal cases.

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed its advancement 15-2 that would protect reporters from revealing sources and would not allow prosecutors to file charges on unpublished information.

In both bills, sources must be identified if the information results in “imminent and actual harm” to national security.

Three of the four panelists were pleased with the actions of congress but panelist Josh Wolf is opposed to the language of the two bills.

“These bills do not protect student-journalist, bloggers and citizen-journalists,” said Wolf.

Both bills state that a journalist is someone whose primary income comes from reporting.

“If you take the strongest elements of both bills than an effective bill will be in place…but with the language of the bill as constructed, it would be better to have no shield law than these bills,” said Wolf in an interview after the discussion.

Wolf, 25, is a video blogger who served 226 days in prison, the longest prison sentence for refusing to give the police videotapes during a 2005 demonstration.

Wolf is also a running for Mayor of San Francisco.

An issue that all panelists agreed upon is that if the shield law was enacted it would not put journalists above the law.

An issue written about by author Norman Pearlstein, who was referenced in the discussion.

“Freedom of the press is in the first amendment of the Constitution, and is a unique form of civil disobedience…besides the three other panelists were sentenced to jail,” said panelist Theodore J. Boutrous, Jr, attorney at law, in response to that issue.

The discussion was forced to end after 70 minutes to allow people to attend other sessions.

The event had about 60 people.

The panel took place in the Annenberg auditorium on the USC campus as part of the California First Amendment Coalition presentation on Free Speech and Open Government Assembly.

New Post Office in Moorpark

The Moorpark City Council unanimously approved to build a new post office.

The five-thousand square foot building with two full-service windows with retail services will be built on the west end of High Street.

The new post office will become the cities main postal service.

The United States Postal Service will construct the building, landscaping, driveways, and parking.

Assistant City Manager Hugh Riley says the new post office is expected to break ground by the end of this year.

West Nile Virus Found in Los Angeles

Health officials are urging people to eliminate standing water that attracts insects and use mosquito repellent.

The urging comes after the West Nile Virus was detected in mosquitoes collected from two Long Beach traps.

The virus has been detected in 14 counties across California—including Los Angeles and Riverside.

Health officials are urging people to avoid mosquito-infested areas, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, keeps screens and windows closed, and limit the watering of lawns and outdoor plants.

There have been three confirmed cases of Californians contracting the virus.

Centinela Hospital Center on Life Support

Some people living in South Los Angeles are worried that budget cuts will reduce the role of Centinela Hospital Center in Inglewood.

Since its takeover in 2007- Prime Healthcare services has fired more than 220 of its seventeen hundred employees.

Prime has closed seven of Centinela’s 13 operating rooms and canceled most of its private insurance contracts.

Prime says the cuts have been able to keep the hospital financially afloat.

State data shows that Centinela Hospital was unprofitable for years before Prime’s buyout and the previous owner considered shutting down the hospital.

State and federal data show Prime hospitals score above average on patient safety and treatment outcomes.

Still, many Inglewood residents are going to other hospitals.

Chief Executive of the Venice Family Clinic Liz Forer says she has seen a 15 percent increase in patients from Inglewood.

Offshore Dilling a Bad Idea says Schwarzenegger

Governor Schwarzenegger says people who think offshore oil drilling will bring down gas prices are just “blowing smoke”.

Some analysts say Schwarzenegger’s comment was being directed towards Republican Presidential nominee John McCain and possible running mate Florida Governor Charlie Crist.

The California Governor also criticized U-S energy consumers for not using enough renewable energy.

Schwarzenegger wants 33 percent of all California electricity to come from renewable sources—the state currently gets 12 percent.

Schwarzenegger also wants to add seven Million more hybrid vehicles by 2020.

Schwarzenegger and Crist did agree on one thing that the everyday driver needs to do more for the environment—drive slower, keep engines tuned, and tires properly inflated.

LBC is trying to be Green

The Long Beach Police Department is trying to be “greener”.

The Police Department added ten Toyota Priuses to it fleet.

And, plans to replace retiring vehicles with more eco-friendly cars.

The Department consists of mainly Ford Crown Victorias.

The Priuses will be used by police personnel traveling for training and other work…but not patrol.

The new cars will not be replacing black and white patrol vehicles.

The Department says this is because the system is not compatible with all the features needed in a patrol unit.

Recycling bottles, paper, and FOOD?

Beginning in September more than 85-hundred Los Angeles families will be recycling their wasted food.

The newest program will be launched in North Central and South L-A to reduce the amount of city garbage.

The plan estimates that eight to 20 pounds of food waste per household could be recycled.

About 27 percent of black-bin waste in landfills is food waste—and residents dump about 230-thousand tons of food scraps every year.

The 140-thousand dollar--one-year trial program will be paid through existing trash fees.

If the project goes city-wide it will cost around 13 Million dollars.

Turning Waste into Fuel

An advanced ethanol refinery is likely to be built in Lancaster.

Los Angeles County Officials are expected to approve the construction.

The refinery will turn waste into fuel.

The Regional Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on July 23rd and make their decision after the hearing.

The project will cost about 30-Million dollars—and will be built on a ten acre lot on Avenue “F” between Division Street and tenth Street East.

The refinery is expected produce three point two Million gallons a year.

It is expected to be built by the summer of 2009.

Show Me the Contract...then the Money

Former “Quincy M-E” star Jack Klugman may finally get to see his contract.

A Los Angeles court judge urged N-B-C Universal to show the actor his contract to see if the studio owes Klugman any money.

The judged stopped short of forcing the studio to reveal the contract, hoping both sides could reach an agreement by early August.

Klugman claims he lost his contract when his agent died and N-B-C is refusing to provide a copy.

The 85-year-old Klugman says he should receive 25 percent of the show’s net profit—which he says is around 250 Million dollars.

N-B-C says the series had lost 66 Million dollars through 2006. 

Teachers and SEX, no fooling around on this issue

The state Senate has unanimously passed two bills that will allow teacher licenses to be revoked.

Legislation by State Senator Bob Margett allows teachers who plead no contest to certain sex crimes or drug offenses or have had their licenses revoked in other states to be banned from teaching in California.

The bills are opposed by the California Teachers Association, the A-C-L-U, and gay rights groups.

The bills are in response to an Associated Press Investigation that reported more than 25-hundred teachers nationwide had sexual misconduct allegations from 2001 to 2005.

More than 300 of those teachers were in California.

Prior to Margett’s bills passing the Credentialing Commission would hold a discretionary review hearing.

The bill would also extend the statute of limitations for disclosing past teacher misconduct—making records available for five years.Margett’s bills are now going to the full Assembly for approval.

Not Just a Game, Sports are BIG Business

Many Southern Californians are literally going out to the ball game.

A new study reports that sporting events contributed five Billion dollars to the Southern California economy in 2007.

Up from one point six Billion in 2005.

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the L-A Sports Council studied data from 55 local sports organizations—excluding high school sports and “one time only” events.

The President of the Los Angeles Sports Council- David Simon says there are many reasons for why sports are a booming business.

Simon says it’s because of increased tickets prices, tickets sales and more people being interested in sports.

Simon also says attendance just doesn’t apply to professional teams- it also affects minor league and college events.

About 25 Million southlanders attended a sporting event last year.

That number is down by close to four Million from 2005 data.

The Dodgers had the highest attendance of all Southern California sports franchises with three point eight Million attendees.

Also the study reports local sports organizations provide more than 14-thousand jobs.

Los Angles County generated 79 percent of all southland sporting events revenue.

LA City Council is Demanding LAX Hilton to raise its Employees Wages

The L-A-X Hilton is challenging the legality of having to pay airport-area hotel employees a “living wage.”

The law requires hotels near L-A-X to pay its employees a minimum of nine dollars and 39 cents per hour with health insurance.

Or pay employees ten dollars and 64 cents per hour without benefits.

The lawsuit claims the ordinance violates the National Labor Relations Act and state equal protection guarantees.

Spokesman for L-A-X Hilton-- Rueben Gonzales says specific hotels are being unfairly treated by this ordinance.

Gonzales says the main objection is that the city has unfairly targeted a law that only affects twelve businesses on one street.

So that any other business even a block away from the street that is a competitor of the Hilton does not have to follow the same law and it’s not fair.

The lawsuit makes clear that the law violates state and federal guarantees to equal protection under the law.

Hotel General Manager Grant Coonley says the city can not force wages when the company has no financial or contractual relationship with the city.

Council members Janice Hahn and Bill Rosendahl disagree.

They say the city spends Millions of dollars to upgrade L-AX and hotels near the airport receive added business because of its proximity.

The L-A City Council approved the “living wage” ordinance back in February of 2007.

However, the law has never been in effect because of challenges from hotel owners and business leaders.

Activist group is going to war against the Army

A group against high school military recruitment is asking for the same amount of access as military recruiters.

The Coalition Against Militarism in Our Schools is proposing to the L-A Board of Education that military recruiters disproportionately recruit minorities or students from low-income neighborhoods.

Under the proposal- the Pasadena based group will visit ten to 15 high schools per week.

Offering information about enlistment, career options, and blocking contact information from the military.

The United Teachers of Los Angeles are supporting the bill.

Opponents of the bill argue activists use disinformation and graphic images to deter students from enlisting in the Army.

The U-S Department of Defense spends three point five Billion dollars annually on recruitment—enlisting more than 300-thousand people in 2007.

Los Angeles County ranked third in Army recruits in 2007.

The Coalition Against Militarism in Our Schools will present their proposal to the city.

Even Movie Studios can't get a DATE to watch a film

One of the biggest issues facing Hollywood studios is not strikes, fires, or money…its scheduling release dates.

Last year- movie studios released a record 517 new films-- an average of ten per weekend.

Twentieth Century Fox Executive Tom Rothman says now studios have to pick release dates years in advance because of the high volume of movies.

The reasons for the logjam of movies are the cash given to studios by private firms and the creation of independent distributors.

As a result of the excess movie supply-- many critically acclaimed movies are being missed.

Also movies usually stay in theatres for six to eight weeks but now the average stay is three weeks.

So far the only movie studio to scale down production is the Walt Disney Company.

Los Angeles may be getting new taxes

Los Angeles City Council Members are feuding over new tax proposals.

Councilman Dennis Zine says he will not support a three dollar a month tax increase to fight gang violence unless more of the money is allocated to the San Fernando Valley.

Councilwoman Janice Hahn says the money will go to help people in need in all regions.

However, Councilman Bill Rosendahl wants the government to do more.

Rosendahl wants the M-T-A to seek a full one percent sales tax increase.

The M-T-A is currently asking for the maximum at a half percent increase.

Last week, Rosendahl proposed that the state should increase the amount an agency can seek.

If the proposals pass, voters will decide in November if they support the tax increase.

Tax increases require a 66 percent vote approval.

Houses of Worship will be protect like sacred buildings

A Los Angeles City Councilman is proposing a motion to reduce violence against houses of worship.

Councilman Richard Alarcon is proposing a program called “Worship Watch” to be coordinated with the L-A-P-D.

“Worship Watch” will be modeled like neighborhood watch programs.

The program would give religious leaders information on how to prevent crime and how to respond to crime.

The councilman’s motion stems from an April twentieth incident when a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a church in Panorama City.

Police say Molotov cocktails were used to start fires in an Arleta Church and a West Hills Jewish Community Center.

Mayors of SF and LA want their cities to CLEAN and GREEN

Mayors of two large and prominent cities have proposed new building standards vowing to make their cities the cleanest and greenest of them all.

Mayor of San Francisco Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa are using their jurisdiction to make their cities healthier for the environment.

Both cities plan to use green building councils to certify all construction in their cities meet green standards making them LEED certified.

Mayor Villaraigosa plans to slash L-A’s greenhouse gases by 35 percent by the year 2030 making the L-A the cleanest and greenest in the country.

Meanwhile Mayor Newsom has also planned to cut San Francisco’s greenhouse gases by 20 percent by 2012 creating the largest green city in the U-S.

With a population nearing the four million mark, Los Angeles would have a bigger effect on reducing global warming than San Francisco’s aggressive plan for a smaller population.

Municipal leaders for both cities will meet to vote on the mayor’s proposals in the upcoming weeks.

It's a Dog eat Dog World

Calabasas Dog owners want improvements to the city’s Bark Park.

Over the past year the city has spent more than 50-thousand dollars in improvements to the three quarter acre park.

Including a better irrigation system, increased parking and more shaded areas.

However, dog owners complain the improvements are for humans and not for dogs.

Owners want stronger grass, more maintenance crews and removal of wood chips.

Some dog owners say the wood chips leads to several types of canine diseases.

Business Park Manager Marty Hall says he plans to review the parks condition.

Unemployed Workers may be getting better Benefits

The House of Representatives passed a veto-proof bill to give unemployed workers extra benefits.

However, the bill is expected to fail in the Senate and President Bush would likely use his veto power.

The bill proposes to eliminate working 20 weeks before receiving compensation.

The bill would also give an additional 13 weeks of benefit to all unemployed workers.

And in states with an unemployment rate higher than six--like California-- would receive an additional 13 weeks of benefits.

California Congressman George Miller says unemployed workers are trying their hardest to find a job.

Miller says unemployed workers are looking for jobs, looking for work, some have tried to retrain and they still haven’t been able to secure their employment because of the market.

Miller also says the government needs to extend the unemployment benefits to unemployed families so they can hold themselves together.

Opponents of the bill say the proposal mainly benefits more populous states where unemployment is highest.

Many Republicans say the Democrat backed bill is a ploy for election votes in November.

Republicans say they have to choose between extending unemployment or supporting President Bush’s position.

Senator John McCain is in favor of supporting unemployment benefits.

The bill plans to run through March of 2009 and would pay out close to twelve Billion dollars.
The unemployment rate is five point five percent, its highest since 1986.

Women making Gains in the Media

WASHINGTON -- The percentage of journalists of color and women working in local television and radio news rose in 2007, as did the percentage of both groups in newsroom leadership positions, according to a survey released today by the Radio-Television News Directors Association.

The 2008 RTNDA/Hofstra University Annual Survey shows that minorities comprised 23.6 percent of local television news staffs, an increase over the 21.5 percent result in 2006, and the second highest percentage since the peak in 2001.

The number of Asian Americans, Native Americans and Hispanic journalists all increased, while the number of African Americans remained steady at 10.1 percent of the workforce.

At non-Hispanic stations, the minority workforce was 20.1 percent, an increase of the previous year's 19.4 percent.

Asian Americans and African-Americans gained ground while the number of Hispanic and Native American journalists remained the same.

In local radio, the minority workforce was 11.8 percent, the first increase after a steady decline for more than a decade.

The percentage of minority television news directors reached an all-time high of 15.5 percent, up from 10.9 percent in 2006.

In radio, the percentage of minority news directors returned to 5.9 percent, down from the previous year's spike, but more in line with earlier percentages.

Measurement of minority news directors in radio fluctuates each year based on which stations complete the survey.

Women in Local News


At 40.2 percent, there was no significant change in the percentage of women in the television news workforce in 2007, but the number of women news directors reached an all-time high of 28.3 percent.

Furthermore, women are as likely to be found as news directors in the largest markets as in the smallest, something that has not been the case in the past.

In radio, the picture for women was not as good.

The percentage of women fell again in 2007 from 24.4 percent to 22.7 percent.

The percentage among news directors also fell back to the 2005 levels of 20 percent after rising to 23.5 percent in 2006.

"As thousands of journalists of color gather for the quadrennial UNITY convention, I'm pleased we are still seeing progress in diversity in electronic newsrooms," said Barbara Cochran, RTNDA president.

"There is still more to be done to help newsrooms keep pace with the growing diversity of the U.S. population and RTNDA will continue to provide resources and share best practices to assist with those efforts."

RTNDA published the survey in the July/August issue of Communicator, RTNDA's monthly magazine.

This article is from an RTNDA newsletter
NEWS RELEASECONTACT: Stacey Staniak, 202.467.5214 or staceys@rtnda.org RTNDA/Hofstra Survey: Women and Journalists of Color Advance in Local Broadcast News

You may now be able to bike on the sidewalk

West Hollywood is preparing to allow cyclists to ride on the sidewalk.

The city will allow bike riding along streets without marked bicycle lanes.

Bicycles have long been considered as a motorized vehicle that must be ridden on the street.

However, with high gas prices and people complaining of traffic congestion and narrow roadways the city will accommodate the request.

Anyone bicycling too fast or recklessly will be fined.

The ratification vote is scheduled for today.

Summer Heat needs to Cool Off

Southern California Edison is asking consumers to conserve energy.

As summer heat hits the Southland, many people are using their air conditioners too much for too long.

And, Edison says an blackout is possible.

Southern California Edison is recommending people to set their thermostats above 78 degrees.

Also to use fans over the a-c, turning off unused appliances, closing drapes, and shutting off lights when leaving a room.

Edison is also launching a Summer Discount Program.

The program allows Edison to automatically turn off people’s air conditioners during a power emergency.

In exchange- users of the program would receive 200-hundred dollars off their utility bills.
So far about 292-thousand customers have agreed to do the program.

Make room for the ambulance

Researchers from Cornell University are trying to create a computer program for ambulances to travel through a city easier.

The program would estimate how to best spread ambulances across a city to get maximum coverage.

Associate Professor of Operations Research at Cornell University-- Shane Henderson says ambulances do a good job but there is room for improvement.

Henderson says many ambulance organizations are already working hard to know the real time status of ambulances by installing a G-P-S unit in every ambulance.

Henderson is suggesting that they use better algorithms and computer programs to figure out what the good locations should be for a given situation, so where are the best places to send those ambulances when they are available.

The researchers are basing their data off of historical trends of calls, geographic layout, and real-time locations of ambulances.

Using the program, ambulances will no longer wait to be called onto a scene.

The researchers say there is still a lot more work to be done but are optimistic about the future of ambulance transportation.

LAX Improvements to be Delayed

Some long term improvements at Los Angles International Airport will be delayed.

Updates to outdated terminals and other airport facilities will have to wait as airline services are being cut.

With higher oil prices, increased fare wages, and more passenger fees…airlines are saying they need to consider the consequences of a prolonged economic downturn before spending money on improvements.

The stalled improvements would consolidate a rental car facility, a mid-field concourse and reconstruction of two runways.

LAX officials say they will proceed with a multi-billion dollar improvement of Tom Bradley International Terminal due to the high volume of foreign travel.

LAX is preparing to sell about one billion dollars in bonds to investors to help finance the first round of improvements.

Toenails = Cancer for Women?

A new study is linking nicotine found in toenails to predicting the risk of heart disease in women.

Research from U-C San Diego shows the higher level of nicotine in toenails equals an increased chance of acquiring coronary heart disease; regardless of the number of cigarettes smoked or exposure to second hand smoke.

Department of Family and Preventive medicine from U-C-S-D-- Doctor Wael Al- Delaimy says women with toenails containing high nicotine levels will suffer from many side effects.

Al- Delaimy says women who have higher nicotine levels are more likely to have a history of high cholesterol, less active physically, a lower body mass index, and consume more alcohol.

He also says they are developing more of the risk factors for acquiring heart disease if they were exposed to higher nicotine.

Researchers studied toenail clippings from more than 62-thousand women collected by the Nurses’ Health Study cohort.

The study also used women between the ages of 36 to 61.

Of the 905 women diagnosed with heart disease they had double the level of nicotine in their toenails as opposed to women without heart disease.

Researchers also found no difference in age, body mass index, aspirin use, or history of high cholesterol leading to toenail nicotine levels.

Lancaster Adults Jailed

Two Lancaster adults are in jail for allegedly endangering two kids.

An eleven year old girl and a 14 year old boy told deputies they were locked in their rooms for several hours.

The alleged endangerment occurred on the 32-hundred block of East Avenue.

The girl was seen with eraser burns on her arm.

The children say they were kept locked in their rooms and only allowed to leave for school, meals and bathroom breaks.

Both children are being placed in protective custody.

The two adults are being held on 100-thousand dollar bail each.

L.A. Parkers Fear the Tiger

Los Angeles traffic officers are aggressively ticketing parked cars.

The city is implementing its fourth “Tiger Team” to ticket illegally parked cars on Sunset Blvd. between Vermont Ave. and Laurel Canyon Blvd.

The “Tiger Team” consists of five traffic control officers and seven tow truck drivers.

The “team” will cite violators from illegally parked from 7am 9am—and from 4pm to 7pm.

A Department of Transportation spokesperson Bruce Gillman says the “Tiger Team” will help improve the flow of traffic.

Gillman says the anti-gridlock zones are throughout the city and they are on major arterial roads.

The city also has four “tiger teams” throughout L.A. boulevards on Sunset, Wilshire, Crenshaw, and Ventura.

Gillman adds that gridlock zones prevent people from parking, walking, or standing on the curbside lanes—allowing for more lanes of traffic to drive through—including buses.

Also the “Tiger Team” will be looking for stolen vehicles.

Utilizing new license plate recognition technology—officers will scan license plates to see if the car is stolen or wanted in any Amber Alerts.

Drivers parking illegally will face a $70 dollar fine.

The fine could be doubled if the car is parked in an “anti- gridlock” zone.

The towing fee will be an additional $185 and is effective immediately.

Airline Customer Ratings

A new study is showing that airlines are the worst when it comes to customer service.

The American Customer Satisfaction Index studied 80-thousand consumer sector companies.

University of Michigan business Professor and founder of the index- Claes Fornell says consumers are upset with airlines because they can’t go from point “A” to point “B” without missing luggage or being late.

Fornell says the airlines are currently facing depressed economic conditions, which means less business.

Fornell says the only savior may be that the economy is not encouraging people to fly because the prices will go up so the demand will not be as high as it was last year.

Based off the index- Southwest Airlines remains the leader in passenger satisfaction- a title they have held for 15 straight years.

U-S Airways scored the lowest rating among major airlines but ranked highest in “on-time” performance.

Airlines suffered their lowest score in the index since 2001.

But, the index shows consumer companies as a whole improved in their customer satisfaction ratings.

Zone Changes in Tejunga City

Los Angeles City Council members are upset over a law proposed by Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes.

The proposed law would limit L.A's ability to make zone changes and council members saqy the bill is designed to aid a specific developer.

The bill is sponsored by MWH Development a woodland hills based company that has tried to build more than 200 houses on the Verdugo Hills Golf Course in Tejunga.

However, Fuetes' Chief of Staff says the bill is to make sure developers are treated fairly.

Developer Mark Handel says the more homes they can build the higher the value of the land.

People living in Tejunga, La Crescenta, and Glendale are opposed to the bill.

Last month the L.A city council voted to oppose state intervention in local land use decisions.

There will be a hearing on this issue next Tuesday.

La Unified students are improving on standarized tests

The Los Angeles Unified School district is continuing to score higher on the Academic Performance Index.
L-A-U-S-D’s A-P-I score is 662-- an increase of seven from last year.
According to the state Department of Education the target score is 800 and the highest score possible is one thousand.
The Director of Policies and Evaluations for the State Department of Education- Rachel Perry says the A-P-I allows schools to compare its scores with all California schools.
Perry says the A-P-I scores give local schools and districts an insight as to how they are doing compared to other schools in California and to other schools similarly situated in terms of their demographics.
The A-P-I calculates student scores based off the Standardized testing and Reporting Program and the High School Exit Exam.
Elementary schools tended to have the best index rating with a statewide average of 763.
Middle schools averaged a score of 720 and high schools scored 689—all three schools ranked higher than previous years.
The top three high schools on the A-P-I are Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies and Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy.

Sex Abuse

A study from the University of Georgia says a large sample of female child molesters were victims of sexual abuse as children.

Five to seven percent of sex crimes are committed by females.

The study focuses on improving information to better treat and reduce the likelihood of future sexual assaults on children.

Assistant professor and author of the study—Susan Strickland says the public has ignored sexual abuse of minors by females.

The study surveyed 130 incarcerated females—60 of which were sex-offenders.

Strickland says child abuse and childhood trauma are among the leading causes for committing sexual offences by women.

She says childhood abuse and sexual abuse of women in prison is just enormous—most women in prison have experience childhood abuse.

Her study found that the subset of female offenders commit sex offenses
also suffered childhood trauma—and much more sexual abuse.

Childhood abuse has also been linked to emotional and behavioral problems.

According to her study Strickland says female sex offenders tend to struggle with relationships and lack the social skills to have adult partners.

Strickland concludes that adequate treatment must focus on past trauma and focus on developing adequate skills to appropriate sexual and emotional encounters with adults.

Only a minority of girls who were sexually abused become offenders—but Strickland believes potential sexual assaults on children could be reduced.

Out with the old and in the new iPhone

Apple’s iPhone will now be lighter, faster, and more importantly…cheaper.

Chief Executive Steve Jobs says the iPhone 3-G will have thinner edges, Internet surfing will be three times faster, and it will cost one third of the original price.

Experts say the newest iPhone is an effort for Apple to appeal to more people.

Owners of the current iPhone will also get an upgrade on all software—free of charge.

The speed will be faster because the iPhone will use A-T and T’s network opposed to the Edge network it currently uses.

Senior technology writer at business week dot com- Arik Hesseldahl says the new iphone solves the critic’s biggest problems.

Hesseldahl says the 3-G gives them an answer to what was originally the biggest complaint of the original iphone...the connection to the wireless network was slow and hokey because of the edge technology.

Some additional upgrades are improved battery life, built-in global positioning, and more games.

Despite the improvements the iPhone will be missing a video camera, and will not be able to cut and paste—users have been pleading for both features.

There are currently six Million iPhone’s sold in the U-S and with the newest version, experts project Apple will reach its goal of 10 Million sold by 2008.

Also in a move to reach more markets—the new iPhone will be sold in 70 countries compared to the original’s six.The new iPhone will be on sale on July eleventh

Residents of East L.A. want to LIVE in East L.A.

People living in East Los Angeles want their own city.

President of the East Los Angeles Residents Association—Oscar Gonzales says they will be launching a campaign for their independence.

This is the third attempt for East L-A to be independent.

The most recent attempt was in 1974.

Gonzales says the region is paying 25 Million dollars for services that other areas get for much cheaper.

Business owners say they must fill out tons of expensive and time-consuming paperwork.
Other residents say they just want a closer government.

The East Los Angeles Residents Association says county officials have dismissed their desire to be independent.

Leading the association to go door-to-door and use social networking websites to attract the required nine thousand signatures.

If the signatures are achieved the Local Agency Formation Commission must determine if the area can generate enough tax revenue to support services such as law enforcement and trash collection.

If the area succeeds in becoming a city, it would be the tenth largest in L-A county.

Marijuana is literally not what it used to be

Marijuana potency increased to its highest levels in more than 30 years.

The University of Mississippi Potency Monitoring Project says the average of T-H-C--the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana-- reached nine point six percent compared to eight point seven-five percent last year.

Higher levels of T-H-C can increase acute toxicity and mental impairment.

Associated Press correspondent Ross Simpson says marijuana can become a gateway to other drugs and people need to understand the dangers of smoking marijuana.

Simpson says marijuana increases the risk of psychological, cognitive, and respiratory problems and the potential for users to become dependent on drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

Marijuana potency is now more than double since 1983.

Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control John Walters says one of the causes for the rise in potency is because many baby boomers have misguided opinions about marijuana.

The White House also says other causes are new technologies and methods to grow marijuana.

The report also shows teenagers feeling depressed are twice as likely to smoke marijuana.

Young people are no longer singing "Hello Mother, Hello Father"

The number of kids at summer camp is on a major decline.

In past summers, the Society of Saint De Paul’s Circle V Ranch Camp averaged 130 campers per week.

This year that number is 61 kids per week.

Experts say rising fuels costs and a slumping economy are the two biggest reasons for the decline.

To help combat the economy, the Santa Barbara camp is offering a special 35 dollar rate per child for each week in July.

Football, Concussions, and Sexual Dysfunction

Researchers will study the relationship between football concussions and its effect after retirement.

Scientists at the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John’s Health Center say N-F-L players that sustain multiple concussions have an increased risk of developing a poor quality of life.

Including: obesity, impaired metabolism, depression, and sexual dysfunction.

People who suffer from repeat concussions have an increased chance of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.

Doctor’s say there is little research on concussions and athletes.

Most athlete research has been on the effects of boxing.

Ninety former N-F-L athletes are going to participant in the study.

More than one point two Million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury annually.

The majority being cerebral concussions.

The 250-thousand dollar grant will be funded by the National Operation Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment.

The University of North Carolina, Sport Science, and the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at U-C-L-A Harbor Medical Center will also help conduct research.

Initial research results are expected by 2010.

Holidays are just an excuse to get drunk

Now correct me if I'm wrong (and I mean that metaphorically).

But, isnt a holiday named after a holy day. So leading me to deduce that the day has some form of religious importance.

Well, certainly not everyday holiday needs religion but rather an important date in history.

For example last Friday, millions of Americans celebrated the Fourth of July. The date when American got its independence from the tyranny of England.

So as I went to one of the several bbq's I was invited too (yes, I am trying to sound more popular than I actually am).

I didnt see people dressed in George Washington wigs or eating freedom fries. I saw women wearing skimpy clothes and men drinking Samuel Adams (as opposed to the usually Corona).

Leading me to wonder on holidays, all I ever see is people drinking bose.

Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years Eve and Day, and of course the granddaddy of drinking holidays...St. Patrick's Day.

If Hallmark is credited with creating Valentine's day--an celebration of love.

Then Budwiser must hagve created the other six BS holidays to simply get plastered.

And in case you think that I am joking--I've been invented to Groundhog Day Parties, and two Flag Day bashes.

Crime on the Decline

Violent crimes in Los Angeles are down by seven point two percent in the last year.
Also on the decline are rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries, gang related murders, and grand theft auto crimes.
However, homicides are on the rise by four point three percent.
Last year, the L-A-P-D hired more than 730 officers—the most since 1996.
And, are expected to exceed that number this year.
Since police Chief William Bratton took office in 2002, Los Angeles crime has decreased by 39 percent.

Best Show on TV

With hundreds of TV shows on network, cable, and satellites just what is the best show on tv?

Answer... Entourage hands mother f-ing down as Ari Gold would put it.

But this Emmy season the show should not win anything.

No HBO show should...why? Because like its motto its not TV.

HBO gets to play by a whole different set of rules than the networks and cable companies have to abide by.

Networks have commericial breaks, language restrictions, tv ratings, limits on use of sex, violence, and narcotics.

Now, I am not saying that any sensationalistic show is going to be good becuase that's not true but what is true is the lack of creativity being given.

Imagine, Vince not getting intimate with the hottest girls on the planet or how about Turtle not smoking weed or Drama's insightful philosphies.

And dare I say...Ari Gold on network TV.

He would fired faster than Vince on A2.

So how can shows like "Two and Half Men" or "My Boys" compete with the No Holds Barred shows on HBO..it cant.

Therefore it is unfair to network and cable TV to be competing with them for televisions top honors.

That is why I propose HBO shows compete against itself to ensure a fair fight.

Larry David vs. Carie Bradshaw or The Wire vs. Entourage

I'm down is anyone else?

Goodbye to legend

Comedic icon George Carlin died of heart failure in a Santa Monica Health Center.

Carlin’s seven words you can never say on t-v routine earned the comedian national attention.

The routine resulted in the 1978 Supreme Court ruling of upholding government bans on certain language.

Carlin is a four time Grammy winner for best comedy album.

He was nominated for five Emmy awards.

George Carlin was 71.

Friends until the End

Whether it was the happiest of times or the darkest of times they were always together (well not always together). Daklin Gates and Daniel Peters were best friends since preschool so literally before they could remember.
They learned and rode their bikes to school every morning for four years. Took all the same classes, played on the same sports teams. They did everything together (well not everything). They passed every milestone side by side (well not every milestone).
When news came down from President Nixon that additional troops, most likely from the drafting pool, would be needed to fight off the communists.
Fearful that one or both of them may be drafted to Vietnam, Daklin and Daniel went to an Army office to inquiry about the likelihood of them being drafted.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat any information, you two will be drafted. You both have brothers, single, not too educated. It’s not a matter of if but when,” said general Bishop.
Daniel and Daklin looked at each other and nodded assuming that each of them was thinking the exact same thought.
“All right, what if we enlist right now? Could you guarantee that we would be in same infantry, squad, platoon, etc?” said Daklin.
“I’ll have to ask my superior, please give me a second.”
No sooner than when the general closed the door, Daniel slapped Daklin with a back hand across the chest.
“What was that for?” demanded Daklin.
“You should be lucky I didn’t aim for your face, why did you enlist us?” answered Daniel.
“I looked at you and nodded,” replied Daklin.
“I thought you were thinking about a road trip to Canada.”
“I should’ve known that’s what you were thinking.”
The general re-enters his office and congratulates the boys on joining the 6th rank ground unit.
The first days of live action was just that—live action.
Daklin and Daniel’s squad crossed enemy lines and were met with mine fields and heavy fire from the opposing side. Commander Roberts screamed at the top of lungs for all of his men to return and wait for aid and recovery to arrive.
The one thousand man group only had a quarter of the men remaining when they returned to safety and wait for reinforcements.
“To think, that were going to die because of a misinterpretation of facial expressions,” said Daniel.
“What?” answered fellow Cadet Roger Murphy/
It was at this moment that Daniel realized that Daklin must have been shot and wounded or worse died out on the field and dropped his equipment to try to save him.
Before he took one step on his own rescue mission commander Roberts grabbed his him and said, “Not so fast private Peters, we gotta wait until General Sheppard relieves us.”
“With all do respect sir I believe my best friend, Daklin Gates is out there and I have to try to save him.”
“LISTEN TO ME! THAT”S EVERYONE’S BEST FRIEND, BROTHER, FATHER, HUSBAND, if he’s alive he will hold on for seven more minutes.”
Despite the commander’s warning Daniel shrugged him off and recrossed enemy lines after turning over dozens of bodies he found Daklin but too late. As he painfully walked back to camp, Daniel was shot three times; twice in the leg and once in the back.
“ALWAYS LISTEN TO ORDERS. SEE, YOUR FRIEND WAS ALREADY DEAD AND NOW YOUR WOUNDED, what a bone-headed move and for what? For nothing,” said commander Roberts.
It wasn’t for nothing, when I turned his body over he said, “I knew you would come.”

ESPN’s First Take “Cover Two” segment should be called “Covering Two Teams”

Now, I like most people in America are huge NFL fans. I can’t wait to see the touchdowns, scream at referrers for making the right call. In short, I can’t wait for the NFL season to start.

In fact it’s only 108 days away until the eagles began their chance at winning the Lombardi Trophy for the first time ever.

That’s why I applaud First Take for having a daily segment called Cover Two (Yes named after the Defense)

However it’s fairly predictable based off which sports reporter is on that day.

For example if Chareen Williams is on then the issues they talk about will be the Dallas Cowboys.

Jim trotter’s = San Diego Chargers are whatever Phillip Rivers ate for breakfast.

Steve Whcye is a lock to discuss how the Atlanta falcons are coping without Mike Vick.

And when Rick Stroud is on he’s going to talk about the Tampa bay buccaneers and their quarterback situation.

The only time you actually do get real NFL news from AROUND the league as they say they do is if Bob Glaubber or Dan Pompei come on which once a month!

Although First Take is slowly turning Glaubber into a JETS beat writer with his segments.

So, I ask, if not beg you First Take the only use proper NFL insiders for the cover two segment because the real NFL fans want know what’s going on around the league not what’s going on in Oakland, Tamps, Atlanta and Dallas or else the NFL Network will.

Journalism Ethics

Journalism ethics 101

Aside from Larry King or Hardball with Chris Matthews journalists do not pay for sources at least the ethical ones.

However, suppose you’re doing a story with an end game where you’ll get a scholarship or win an award for $20,000.00.

The topic of choice is homelessness say you need to write a biography or a critique of homelessness in America so course you go and find a homeless person to interview.

So you do your due diligence and find a homeless person to interview and for the sake of argument let’s call him Ralph and Ralph says I agree to be interviewed and since you’re going for the cash prize of $20,000.00 in this contest I ask that you buy me lunch for all that days I am interviewed.

Is that fair?

Some would argue it is fair you’re trying to get something from Ralph why shouldn’t get something from you something small. Ralph is not asking for you to buy him a house and car it is food—a hungry man wants some food.

Others maintain it is jeopardizing the integrity of the story suppose. If Ralph is being paid no matter how small then he may make up information to continue being interviewed to continue receiving compensation.

What to do then?

What I can’t tell anybody what to do about that because everybody is different.

But for me, it’s simple. You cannot pay cannot compromise integrity of journalism simply to win a contest. There are others ways to get the information even if it means having to find someone else to interview. Paying for information will only open Pandora’s Box and it just isn’t worth it.

NFL prediction in May

For some people the NFL has no off-season and right now in May there is nothing new to talk about the NFL since the draft is over right?--Wrong!

Now is the perfect time for NFL Predictions.

(Drum Roll Please).......

The Superbowl champions will be The Philadelphia Eagles!

Everyone knows that it takes two years to come back from the ACL surgery and what year is Mcnabb in...? Oh, Brian Westbrook enough said.

Let's move onto the offensive line featuring the best RG in the game with Shawn Andrews, experienced vets like Thomas and Runyan, and mammoth size beasts in Max Jean Gilles and Jamaal Jackson.

The Wide Reciever Corp does need some work but the West Coast is built on the notion of several key guys stepping up-- but one area of weakness.

Moving on to the defense and we all know defenses win championships, the Eagles deefnse in stacked.

Starting with the D-Line boasting Chris Clemons with 10+ sacks, Patterson, Bunkley, and Trent Cole this D-Line is one of the top front four in the league. Not to mention bringing in Thomas, Howard, Abrimi, Smith, and McDougal into the rotation.

Completing the front seven are the linebackers.

Yes, there are young but man are they athletic and talented.

Stewart Bradley looks comfrontable starting in MLB and Gaither and Gocong are speed LB's to hang with any TE's.

But all other areas on this team are overshadowed by the Secondary.

Asante, Lito, and Sheldon (no last name needed) is the best group of corners in the league bar none and Dawkins and Mikkell playing saftey this team will be ball hawking to say the least.

So of course it is only May but right now on paper the Eagles are the team to beat.

2008 NFL Mock Draft

1. Miami- OT Jake Long, Michigan
2. St. Louis- DT Glenn Dorsey,
3. Atlanta- QB Matt Ryan, Boston College
4. Oakland- DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio State
5. Kansas City- OT Ryan Clady, Boise State
6. New York Jets- RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
7. New Orleans- DT Sedric Ellis, USC
8. Baltimore- OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
9. Cincinnati- LSU DE Chris Long, Virginia
10. New England- CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy
11. Buffalo- WR Devin Thomas, Michigan State
12. Denver- CB Mike Jenkins, South Florida
13. Carolina- DE- Phillip Merling, Clemson
14. Chicago- OT Chris Willliams, Vanderbilt
15. Detroit- DE Quentin Groves, Auburn
16. Arizona- CB Aqib Talib, Kansas
17. Kansas City- CB Antoine Cason, Arizona
18. Houston- RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois
19. Philadelphia- LB- Keith Rivers
20. Tampa Bay- CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State
21. Washington- DE Derrick Harvey, Florida
22. Dallas- WR Desean Jackson, California
23. Pittsburgh- OG Brandon Albert, Virginia
24. Tennessee- WR Limas Sweed, Texas
25. Seattle- DT Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina26. Jacksonville- DE Calais Campbell, Miami 27. San Diego- OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
28. Dallas- RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon
29. San Francisco- LB Dan Conner, Penn State
30. Green Bay- QB Joe Flacco, Delaware
31 New York Giants- S Kenny Phillips

Rules about the NCAA Tournament

It's March and that means St. Patricks Day, Spring, and March Madness.

Since all the professional sports are hiberation for this month, college basketball takes the throne and no not because of school spirit is because of bracket office pools.

With more than a quater of all offices holding some form of office tournament picks it has became an office morale booster and way for employees to earn some extra cash without getting a raise (that's why the bosses love it.)

Hence I am going to spell out some of the basic rules that should be abided by with the NCAA picks.

1) One bracket per person. (Nobody is impressed if you're predicting a 14 seed to the Elite 8 on your tenth bracket.)

2) No complaining about why your sleeper pick turned out to be a dude. (We all know that Winthrope would have won had that call gone the other way...well it didnt so stop talking about it.)

3) Please have at least one "12 seed" upsetting a "5 seed" it happens every year with a few exceptions so if for no other reason just pick one to show people you're not a novice.

4) DO NOT JUST PICK YOUR ALMA MATTA. (unless of course if you went to UNC, UCLA, or Kansas).

5) Under no circumstances do you bragg about your picks in the women's bracket. (qucik question why did you fill out a women's bracket).

6) No cheesy headlines about "A Sweet Victory" or "It's Final" when your picks advance.

7) If you happen to win, do not make hundreds of copies and leave it on everyone's desk it's the easiet way to piss of your co-workers and yes I am speaking from experience.

Why is Prince Harry so Hairy

For those who do not know Prince Harry of England (third in succession to the throne) is back in London after serving ten days on the front lines in the War In Afghanistan.

Being back in london is no secret that fact that he was deployed was.

Harry said it was great to feel somewhat normal for a change since he was being treated just like a regular solider in a television interview.

Normal?

Did anyone happen to notice young Harry's appearance? He still possessed his golden locks in full effect. Which is odd becuase the Queen's Army forces all active fighters to have a shave head; much like in the U.S., (but I understand "normal" people get special treatment all the time)

What about his division rank. For a young 20-year-old with no wartime experience Harry was in one of the higher ranking divisions in Afghanistan. Again, I understand "normal" people get special treatment all the time)

Now I am not trying to bash the the Prince but spare me with the normalcy. In the six years of fighting in Afghanistan I do not know anyone who was discharged after ten days.

The Bristish Army said he could be too much of a target for the Taliban.

"Too much of a target"

Then why send Harry on the front lines in the first place if you were afriad of being targeted.

Ooh Ooh I know I know becuase it was a PR move.

Now the Prince can claim war time experience, a national hero and an insult to the U.S. for being bashed after Britian pulled out of Iraq.

Britain was willing and did send one of its biggest celebrities and royal family member to a war for an ally. When no Congressional or Executive member have sent their childrens. Would GW send his twins to combat? I think we all know the answer to that but if England goes to war soon it would only be fair to send our little angels to the front line.

So thanks Prince Harry you're truly a nobleman.

Perhaps the greatest music verse

Griffin House Lyrics
"Griffin House The Guy That Says Goodbye To You Is Out Of His Mind lyrics"
You don’t need to change a thing about you babe
I’m telling you
From where I sit, you’re one of a kind
Relationships, I don’t know why, they never work out and they make you cry
But the guy that says goodbye to you is out of his mind
Well I been down and I need your help I’ve been feeling sorry for myself
Don’t hesitate to boost my confidence
I been lost and I need direction, I could use a little love-protection
What do you say, honey, come to my defense?
I’ll stand up for you if it’s what you need and I can take a punch, I don’t mind to bleed
As long as afterwards you feel bad for me
And you give me all of your attention I got deep desire and it needs quenchin’
I think that’s pretty plain for you to see
Hell, enough about me and more about you cause that’d be the gentlemanly thing to do
I hope you like your men sweet and polite
I thought I was done with telling you but I ain’t nearly halfway through
I got a few more things I’d like to say to you tonight
You don’t need to change a thing about you babe
I’m telling you
From where I sit you’re one of a kind
Relationships, I don’t know why, they never work out and they make you cry
But the guy that says goodbye to you is out of his mind
You always did kind of drive me crazy and pissed me off ‘cause I let it faze me
But I never wanted my time with you to end
Now I’m back in town for a day or two and mostly I came back just to see you
I’m leaving now but I don’t want to go
You don’t need to change a thing about you babe
I’m telling youFrom where I sit you’re one of a kind
Relationships, I don’t know why, they never work out and they make you cry
But the guy that says goodbye to you is out of his mind

Let me seen your O-face

We’ve all heard of a game face and a poker face but what about an O-face and NO not that Dirk Digler. O-face is you Obama Face and it’s a face you will be seeing a lot more of. After winning 13 of the 22 states on Super Tuesday then sweeping the next four; dominating the Potomac primaries and raising the most money this political campaign—it seems that nothing can stop O-face from sitting in the O- office. That unless the Super Delegates, Florida, Michigan have anything to say about the nomination race. Nobody is quite sure of how the super delegates voting works (except for maybe Joe Klien) so I won’t even bother to try but I will try to stress the importance of Michigan and duh duh duh Florida. (Yes Florida again)

No delegates are awarded for those two states (both of which Hilary Clinton won) but now as the O-face is in full swing cry baby Clinton is trying to get delegates awarded to her. If that happens all bets are off and in fact the house would bet on Clinton especially with her lead in the polls in hot spots such as Texas and Pennsylvania.

Jumping “Jumper” Trailers

One of the most highly anticipated movies in the new year is “Jumper” starring Hayden Christianson from Star Wars and well that’s where the confusion begins.

If anybody saw the early movie trailers or commercials it stars the IMDB veteran Samuel L Jackson and the trailer leads you to believe that it about two people with super powers able to travel the world and fight to the death in your classic good vs. evil.

Jackson plays a Godfatheresque role advising the two opponents and then you get some cheesy line about Jump to movies in February and watch the action flick.

But…As we near the release date of the film there is marketing shift.

If you have seen the new trailers for “Jumper” it still stars Hayden Christianson but it now it’s clear who the costar is…the gorgeous, beautiful and any other superlative you think of Rachel Bilson from The O.C.

This plot is these two couples are in love and after a few steamy sex scenes something happens to Bilson and now he Christianson must save her.

So…

What does this all mean??? Well for me, I feel this is a significant change in how movies like these will be marketed as an action flick geared to males… A date movie for younger audiences…A romantic movie for women…or a bust to be on the worst of 08 lists.

Regardless of who sees this movie you read it here first—“Jumper” will be a change of movie promotions based on the demographics that go to the movies so beware of the message your weakening dollar is sending.

Where have all the President's Men Gone?

I just finished rewatching "All the Presidents Men" for about the tenth time in my life and it like always forced me to question the state of journalism across the world.

As a student journalist with hopes of being the next Dan Patrick or Jim Rome, I am increasingly finding myself hoping to be the next Lance Williams or Mike Fish.

Williams exposed the Barry Bonds steriod allegations, he coauthored the book, "Game of Shawdows", Williams' reporting is credited for the reason Bonds had to testify in front of Congress, and Fish published the latest revelations in the New England Patriots and Belicheat spygate (with a little help from Eric Mangini, of course)

Fish, an ESPN Investigatve reporter, discovered that Matt Walsh, a videograpgher for the Patriots from 1996-2003 has damaging video tapes of the Patriots cheating.

Furthermore, Fish reported that the Patriots videotaped the St. Louis Rams walkthough prior to SuperBowl 36, which the Patriots won despite being more than two touchdown underdogs.

During said walkthrough the Rams practiced all their red zone plays and audibles.

The Rams also known as the greatest show on turf for their Maddenesqu offense was held to 17 points and went 1-2 in the red zone including a fumble by the Rams on the 3 yard line (albeit the play was negated.)

In fact, the Rams touchdowns came from a two yard scramble on the fumble drive and a 26-yard pass to Ricky Phoehl.

Good defense or perhaps something else. Well if it is something else you wouldnt know it from the main media types in the papers, on television, and online.

During the telecast, Pat Summerall said the "Patriots execute a bend but dont break defense."

Yeah, NO KIDDING they know the red zone plays!

Even as the news broke of Fish's reports ESPN own Steve Mason said the Rams lost because of turnovers (which I agree with).

But regardless of the reasoning why they lost the fact is THEY CHEATED! What gets lost in all this is the leagues support the Patriots and their owner Robert Kraft.

Commissioner Goddell destroyed all evidence-documents, tapes, notes. Everything went in the shredder or fire like ex-girlfriend pictures.

Goddell said that he destroyed the tapes becuase their was no need to have them possibly leaked and the Patriots in Goddell's opinion were cooperative and honest in dealing with the incident.

Huh?

Let's think about this -- If a robber is caught in a house by the police would the police just accept the robbers word???

Former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue would show up in events wearing Patriot clothes and who doesnt remember the "Tuck rule".

But back to Mason and the media, on his radio telecast today he said what bothers me is "why destory the tapes?...keep them in a locked vault...what is the NFL trying to hide...what upsets me the most is we may never know"

Well, that is what upsets me the most, WHY WONT WE EVER KNOW???

Could you imagine Woodward and Bernstein just giving up when nobody from CREEP would talk to them? And yet Mason acts like he doesnt have journalism ethics to abide too, why dont you get off your butt and do some investingating for the best interest of the public.

Perhaps you could expect this from someone like Steve Mason but I was hearing/reading the same thing from Collin Cowherd, Tony Korheiser, Jason Whitlock, and Skip Bayless.

What's done is done and they're arent cheating now or every team in the league does this behavior well if every team is doing this they w

Well if it counts for anything I salute you Fish and this no non-denail, denial.

Violets are Blue and True

Daklin Sullivan is a man, but some perceived him as a unicorn with a movie-charmed life. At age twenty-three he possessed a college degree admittedly from no place of special prestige but nothing to scoff at either, especially in the early 1940’s. Daklin earned a managerial job with the company of Kirkland and Associates- a fast-rising construction company, credited with building everything, in the small town of Overland Park, Kansas.
Daklin’s fast paced career kept him busy on most nights but he always made it home for dinner with his fiancé, Evelyn. Like most couples in Overland, Daklin and Evelyn (friends called her Eve) were high school sweethearts. Eve is what you would call drop dead gorgeous. All the boys tried at least once or twice to take her to the movies but she only had eyes for Daklin. Eve spent her days working at a local bookstore but planned to be a stay at home mom once they wedded in December.
Having the wedding during winter made the most sense for the couple because the house that Daklin was building should be completed by Thanksgiving and they wanted a Dr. Zhivagoesque wedding. Also they could begin practicing for the children they have always wanted without feeling guilty.
“You’re home early,” said Eve.
This is not the first time Daklin ever came home early from work (usually to “practice”) but today Eve recognized that it was different. Daklin just walked into the living room where Eve was folding laundry and handed her a note.
“Dear Mr. Daklin Sullivan you have been summoned by the United States Military of Defense to defend and uphold freedom from tyrannical forces. You must respond to the telegram and report to the address below no later than October 1st.”
Daklin still trying to comprehend the letter did not have too many words; Eve had plenty. “I don’t understand why they have to draft you. You have a good job, a family…a future!” said Eve, who began crying hysterically. Daklin certainly felt the same way but knew that complaining would not solve anything.
Daklin’s family decided to make the best out of an unfortunate situation and focus on the bright side. “You won’t have trouble finding a job as a war veteran, or adding stuff to your journal,” said Dalkin’s younger brother. (Daklin had a journal but never wrote in it because he said he was too busy living his life to actually write it all down). That night Daklin, surrounded by his friends and family recalled stories and actually forgot that he was leaving his comfort life in small town Kansas to storm the beaches of Normandy. Before the night’s conclusion Eve and Georgina, Daklin’s mother, had a few words.
“Daklin, we don’t care about a purple heart, we just want your heart to be alive. And don’t try to be a hero out there just do what you’re told and come back to us safely,” tearfully said Daklin’s mother and fiancé.
The first few months into his service, Daklin was doing as well as expected. He had earned the position he wanted of repairing weapons and drawing maps for captains and generals. He told Eve to tell the others all about his war efforts in weekly letters. Eve did her part and would respond every week with updates about the house (which needed a new faucet) and the expansion of his former company.
Seven months into his tour of duty, Daklin earned an assignment which would grant him an immediate release from the army and finally re-achieve his dream of holding Eve in his arms. Daklin, then stationed in Italy, wrote his usual letter saying one sentence, “I’m coming to America and I learned a lot out here so when I get back we need to practice. PS: Forgive the run-on.”
As Daklin wrote the letter it occurred to him that Eve’s letters had diminished considerably in the past five months. Daklin, without question surprised at the lack of mail he was receiving, chalked most of it to the fact that he had been moving to and from different platoons and countries.
Sure enough Daklin completed his mission, earned his exit papers, and boarded the fastest transportation there was to bring him closer to Eve.
Daklin landed in Overland and ran towards Evelyn’s home faster than a child runs downstairs on Christmas morning. He didn’t even stop to catch his breath; but he did stop at a local flower shop to pick some of her favorite roses. He calmly knocked on the door to surprise her, but Daklin was the one in for the surprise.
“Hello?” Asked an older woman, who couldn’t have been Eve’s mother due to the fact that she was too old and he had met her parents several times.
“Sorry to trouble you, my name is Daklin Sullivan and I am looking for my fiancée, Evenly “Eve” Martin. We live here. This is actually my home.
“Unfortunately I am unfamiliar with those names, but my husband and I moved into this town just recently. If you’d like, I can give you the name of the realtor who sold it to us.”
With a puzzled, confused and saddened look on his face Daklin thanked the woman and went to his parents’ house not only for a greeting, but to inquire about Eve.
He entered a warm home and received the exact reception that he was expecting from Eve (well not exactly).
“It’s great to see everybody, but earlier today I went to my old house and this older woman is living there,” said Daklin.
“Christ, I was hoping to avoid this until after supper,” replied Georgina.
Daklin didn’t even need to say one word, he just gave a look on his face and Georgina knew exactly what the look meant as she hesitantly walked to a nearby room and returned with a stuffed box. The box contained a keychain Daklin had won on their first date as well as other precious mementos the two shared. He recognized everything in the box, with the exception of a card that stood atop the possessions, he knew exactly what the card represented, but needed to read it for himself.
“Dearest Daks,
I am afraid to inform you that your worst nightmare happened. While you were fighting the good fight, another man wasn’t. I told him about you, but he didn’t care. I agreed to go out with him just to show him a bad time and that I wasn’t right for him, well, it backfired and the relationship continued, matured, and eventually grew. I moved away and please, do not come searching for me. I am terribly sorry and I know that I do not deserve your forgiveness, therefore, I will not ask. I realize that you are the one for me; the one who will provide the most fulfillment to my life and I ruined it, and I will go to my grave knowing that.
Sincerely, Evelyn. PS: Don’t wear the blue striped shirt it conflicts with you eyes.”
Daklin, never one to hide his emotions, became angry. Not towards anyone in specific but in general, an overall mean spirit. In actuality, it was towards someone specific.
He decided to kill himself. Slight joke just wanted to see if you were paying attention. Now where were we?
Daklin became infuriated about everything; why she signed off using the word “sincerely,” how she profited from the house he built, literally. His negative attitude started to affect his work leading to termination from the company. Which in effect was a double whammy because he needed work to keep his mind off of you know who. His parents as sympathetic as they were reached a deal with their son that he would do all the house repairs and home maintenance as they would work more hours until Daklin got his life back on track.
A month into his new stay-at-home dad painfully minus the dad, Daklin was having trouble focusing on the patio he was building. He was always fond of inspiration stories and quotes, so he checked out a poetry book from the library. Somewhere in between installing the deck and the rail he discovered a poem written by a previous user of the book and struck a cord within Daklin.
“I have always seen life for what it really is.
Not as happy ending but brutal realism.Ever since I was a child growing up, hard times are all I know. As a 10-year-old girl I had to watch my mother die in my arms. Nothing ever came easy. Life is like a newborn baby struggling to come out of its mother's womb,Life is nothing but a big struggle, but just keep the faith and focus on your goals. Don't let life beat you or you will be walking around like republicans. Keep on pushing, keep on trying; life can be whatever you make it to be. I see life as a bowl of cherries with whip cream and apple pie. I say this again; life is what you make of it. You can achieve or conquer anything it throws at you, you can't quit or give up, you have got to keep on working, look higher some way, some how you are going to make it.”
Daklin astonished at how much the poem applied and affected his life that he set out to search for the woman and write a proper thank-you letter.
“Dear Miss Danielle Spears, I read a poem you wrote and presumably forgot in the book ‘Motivation is Inspiration’ it touched my heart on a profound level. I had given up on hope and everyday I woke up hoping, even praying, that it’d be my last, but I no longer think like that and it’s because of your words you wrote. ‘I will not quit or give up’. I hope you read this and take solace in your life because of you I can now try to regain mine.”
Daklin continued working on the patio and remained focused when he received a little extra encouragement; it was a letter from Danielle thanking Daklin for the thank you letter and the kind words he wrote. Sure enough Daklin responded with another thank you letter, writing about hardships with love, work, and the war but mainly about Eve. Danielle replied about her horror stories of pressure in life. The two exchanged letters for over sixteen months everyday writing a letter. Truth be told, it was the highlight of both of their days, walking to the mailbox and reading each other’s thoughts and feelings. Each were consumed with work; Daklin working at construction company for over a year and Danielle a chef at one of the best restaurants in Chicago (her words not mine) especially rare for a female at the time. After two years of exchanging letters the two progressed to the telephone and began talking on the phone every night into the wee hours. The two continued sharing dialogue on the phone for a year until the 28-year-old Daklin built up the courage to take the next step.
“Danielle we have been in constant communication for close to three years and it has been the best three years of my life; I would love to take our relationship to the next level, in other words can we meet?”
Danielle hesitantly responded, “I feel it might be too soon, not to sound shallow but what if you find me hideous? Or observe something that might not be ‘normal’?”
“In all our letters or phone conversations have I ever asked about finances, looks, clothing, anything superficial or material? I love you! Who you are. I will be dressed in my army uniform and I would prefer you to wear a white dress holding a rose. Meet at the train station tomorrow at 5:45pm” said Daklin.
“Alright, however I’ll be carrying a violet; I’m not a big fan of roses.”
The big day had arrived and surprisingly Daklin was not the least bit nervous. He was dressed from head to toe in army apparel and even bought in a bouquet of violets. Patiently waiting at the train station, when out of nowhere a breathtakingly beautiful woman dressed in a white dress with long golden brown locks, wearing exquisite butterfly earrings gracefully walked out of a train (or perhaps fell from Heaven) and Daklin was certain that it was Danielle but regretfully observed no violet. He thought to himself “why would a knockout like that be so scared to see me or, was she, perhaps scared to meet me? Was she the superficial one?”
Daklin politely asked the women of so many of his fantasies if she was here meeting anyone special.
“No…the goddess replied…but now that you mention it, I have a stopover into California and it’s not for a few more hours. Would it be too much trouble for you to keep me company while I wait?”
Sure enough as soon as the sweet angel completed the sentence out of the corner of his eye, Daklin saw a lady strolling on a wheelchair, again regretfully unattractive dressed in a white dress, and carrying a violet with a look on her face as if she was expecting someone.
“I am sorry there is someone I am supposed to meet and I think I have just spotted her but believe me, you won’t have any trouble finding someone to keep you company,” responded Daklin to the traveling woman.
As he walked to other woman, he gently tapped her on her shoulder and asked, “Excuse me miss, are you carrying this rose because you are meeting someone special?”
“No” said the woman “the lady with the butterfly earrings asked me to hold it.”
As it turns out, Daklin has the life fit for a perfect Hollywood ending.