POWERFUL 8.8 magnitude earthquake Hits Central Chile

A POWERFUL 8.8 magnitude earthquake has struck the Pacific Ocean near the coast of central Chile, with US authorities warning it could generate a tsunami.
The epicentre of the tremor, which occurred at 5.34pm (AEDT), was 117 kilometres northeast from Concepcion, Chile second largest city, the US Geological Survey said.
A tsunami alert has been generated for Australia's east coast following the earthquake.
"Tsunami waves have been observed on the coast of Chile that may threaten Australia," the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said.

The BoM said tsunami waves could start affecting Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands after 8:30am (AEDT) on Sunday, NSW could be hit after 8:45am (AEDT) while Queensland could be hit after 8:15am (AEST).
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet declared a state of catastrophe as the country suffered a series of aftershocks. The Santiago airport was also closed.
A geologist told CNN the earthquake was more than 1000 times more powerful than the quake that hit Haiti last month killing more than 200,000 people.
The earthquake was followed by a 6.2-magnitude aftershock, which was followed by a second tremor with a magnitude of 5.6. The third aftershock, the strongest yet, measured 6.9.
Ms Bachelet confirmed 47 people had died with many more deaths expected.
"We have had a huge earthquake," Ms Bachelet said, speaking from an emergency response centre in an appeal for Chileans to remain calm.
"We're doing everything we can with all the forces we have. Any information we will share immediately."
She urged people to avoid travelling in the dark, since traffic lights are down, to avoid causing more fatalities.
Buildings in the capital city of Santiago collapsed and phone lines and electricity were down, making the extent of the damage difficult to determine, AP reported.
The earthquake shook Santiago for more than one and a half minutes.
"An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours," the National Weather Service said in a statement.
CNN reported a tsunami recording of nine feet, although the extent of damage or casualties was not immediately known.
Tsunami watches remained in effect as far away as Japan and the Philippines after the US Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed a tsunami was generated that could potentially impact the US west coast, British Columbia and Alaska.
The USGS said the watch was extended throughout Central America and French Polynesia.
"Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. "It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicenter and could also be a threat to more distant coasts."
It did not have details on the size of the tsunami.
The quake magnitude reading is based on the open-ended Moment Magnitude scale which is used by US seismologists and measures the area of the fault that ruptured and the total energy released.
The largest earthquake ever recorded struck the same area of Chile on May 22, 1960. The magnitude-9.5 quake killed 1655 people and left 2 million homeless, AP reported.
The tsunami it caused killed people in Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines and caused damage to the west coast of the United States.

Watch Live video-- CHILE EARTHQUAKE: 8.8 Magnitude Quake Hits Chile

A big Chile earthquake has hit the inner region of the state. The Chile earthquake is said to be of the magnitude of eight point eight upon the Richter scale. The epicentre of the Chile earthquake was three hundred seventeen kilometers SW of the capital of capital of Chile named Santiago.

The United States geologic survey (USGS) told the Chile earthquake hit at 0634 Greenwich Mean Time at the depth of approximately fifty-nine point four kilometers. There’s no info so far of any fatal injuries but at the reported magnitude it will be really fortunate if the number of dying stays at 0. The United States government has stated that a tsunami caution for Peru as well as Chile had been brought out.
Shakings were experienced due to Chile earthquake within Santiago causing the constructions to swing for about twenty secs. Electricity supply and telecoms were accounted to have been impacted. As this Chile
earthquake has come shortly aft the dreadful earthquake within Haiti, everybody’s intention will be upon the 1st respondents to assure the saving endeavors that requires coming about will be offered right away. Haiti was hit by a quake measuring seven on the Richter scale.
During 1960, Chile was struck by an earthquake with the greatest magnitude within the twentieth century as a nine point five tremor resulted in killing one thousand, six hundred and fifty-five citizens. Across the last couple of yrs natural calamities in the shape of high magnitude earthquakes have turned more and more destructive.
We’ll come back with updates on the Chile earthquake as additional particulars come forth

watch Extreme video USA vs Finland Hockey Olympics 2010

After what many called a miraculous win against Team Canada, Team USA has continued its Cinderella story performance in the 2010 Winter Olympics. In today's men's hockey game of USA vs. Finland, the United States won almost too easily. The USA vs Finland 2010 Olympics game featured an impressive six goals scored by the Americans in just the first period for the rout of Team Finland. The final score, 6-1 in favor of Team USA. Patrick Kane scored 2 in the win, while Zach Parise, Paul Statsny, Erik Johnson and Ryan Malone each added a goal as well. Antti Miettinen scored one goal in Finland's losing effort. The USA Finland hockey game outcome produced chants of "We want Canada" after the win.

With today's big victory, Team USA improves their Winter games record to 5-0, and now heads into the gold medal game on Sunday. They will face either Slovakia or Team Canada, the team they upset about a week ago to start this momentum. The last time the US captured gold was back in 1980. That event is now known as the famous "Miracle on Ice" which took place in Lake Placid, New York. However, Canada defeated Team USA in 2002 for the gold medal when the games took place in Utah.
While the United States is guaranteed at least a silver medal, Finland will play for the bronze, facing the loser of Canada vs. Slovakia on Saturday. Team USA will await the winner for a game scheduled to start at 12:15 PM on NBC Sunday. As for today's USA vs Finlay hockey 2010 game you can watch highlights of today's game, or the full recap at NBCOlmypics.com.

SHAMU ATTACKS SEA WORLD TRAINER ***REAL**LATEST**HIGHQUALITY***

Dawn Brancheau was the reknown and expert whale aquatic trainer. She was doing his job in the Adventure Park. She loved to swim and she also loved to be with the sharks but her expertise was to train whales. Dawn and her sister both were the whale’s trainers. There are twenty nine trainers in the park but Dawn was the most expert one.

On 24th February 2010 Dawn brancheau was enjoying her company with sharks. She had just performed the noon show. She started rubbing her child like shark. Suddenly a shark came from the pool and took her in the water in her sharp teeth. Shark took her underwater and .torn her into pieces. The water turned red. It was a dreadful scene. All the spectators became very scared and started running away.
One of the spectators had captured this video and sent it to the google.In this video a whale Tilikum torn her into pieces and the scene is really dreadful. After watching this scene everybody started running and in few minutes the whole stadium became empty. The Tillicum is 20,000 ponds heavy whale. The video is very scaring so small children and the heart patients should not watch this.
The fans of the Dawn Brancheau can see this video on google.The Adventure Park is closed for few days. As the management is saying that the lives of their workers are their most important priority and everybody is restricted that no one will go in the water with that killer whale Tilikum

Shamu Killing Trainer exclusive latest video

Killer whale involved in the death of coach Dawn Brancheau Sea World in Orlando this week, has said for several years on a videotape to be the cause of the death of the other. The video was broadcast from a local television station that reported the incident the whale itself. The killer whale CHAMOND attack

latest Auditions for Thoroughly Modern Millie

Parents, do your kids have the acting bug? Here's their chance to audition. The South Bend Community School Corporation has announced open auditions for it's summer theater production of Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Auditions will be held on February 24th and February 25th at Clay High School from 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Any Michiana area student grade 7th thru 12th grade is welcome to attend. Participants will be taught excerpts from the show as part of the audition process.
Auditions are on a first come basis and an accompanist will be provided. The production will take place on July 8, 9, and 10th at Clay High School.
If you have any questions, you can call Sue Coney, the Director of Communications, at the South Bend Community School Corporation, at 574.283.8145.

Shamu Killing Trainer exclusive video

Killer whale involved in the death of coach Dawn Brancheau Sea World in Orlando this week, has said for several years on a videotape to be the cause of the death of the other. The video was broadcast from a local television station that reported the incident the whale itself. The killer whale CHAMOND attack

Ohno disqualified -- 2010 Winter Olympics

Apolo Ohno was disqualified for pushing a skater after appearing to win the silver medal in the Olympic 500 meter short track speedskating race.
Canada's Charles Hamelin gets gold and teammate Francois-Luis Tremblay won bronze. Si-Bak Sung of Korea won silver.

Ohno races again tonight in the relay. Ohno has an American record seven Winter Olympic medals.
Ohno won gold in the 500 in 2006.
Ohno appeared to push Tremblay in the final turn. It was a slight touch, but as Ohno explained earlier in the Games it only takes a slight touch in the corner to send a skater flying.
"I was in fourth the whole way and there was no space to move up," Ohno said. "I kept waiting and waiting and waiting and on the last corner I ran up on the Canadian guy. I put my hand up so I wouldn't turn into him. There was just no space to move up.
"Either way I'm happy with how I skated. I have no regrets."

Van Jones Returns

Anthony K. “Van” Jones has surfaced. The disgraced former White House special green jobs adviser is making an appearance at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire tonight, apparently at the request of Democratic State Senate Majority Leader Maggie Hassan. Exeter promotes the event saying: “globally recognized, Jones will lead an evening talk and discussion about ‘green jobs. ’” This is just the start of his comeback tour; on March 8, Jones will again appear at a Democratic “green jobs” event, in New York with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. That otherwise respectable people would come to “green jobs” events with Van Jones suggests that his “green jobs” advocacy is somehow separable from his political extremism. It isn’t.

Van Jones is a self-professed communist. In 2005 he explained his radicalization following the Rodney King verdict to the alternative San Francisco newspaper the East Bay Express: “I was a rowdy nationalist on April 28th, and then the verdicts came down on April 29th. By August, I was a communist.” He went on to say that he had changed only his means, not his objectives: “I'm willing to forgo the cheap satisfaction of the radical pose for the deep satisfaction of radical ends.”
In April of 2008 Jones explained to “Uprising Radio” that his push for green jobs was the kernel of a broader movement to destroy our capitalist economic system: “Inside that minimum demand was a very radical kernel that eventually meant that from 1964 to 1968 complete revolution was on the table for this country. And, I think that this green movement has to pursue those same steps and stages. Right now we say we want to move from suicidal gray capitalism to something eco-capitalism where at least we're not fast-tracking the destruction of the whole planet. Will that be enough? No, it won't be enough. We want to go beyond the systems of exploitation and oppression altogether.”
Jones eventually resigned in disgrace from the White House, too radical even for the Obama administration that wants government control of health care, energy, and Wall Street.
Now Jones is back peddling that same kernel of the destruction of our free-market economy, starting tonight at Exeter, an elite boarding school.

Van Jones's Second Chance

This piece is cross-posted from the WashingtonPost.com, where Katrina vanden Heuvel writes a weekly column.
Van Jones, who resigned from the White House Council on Environmental Quality last fall in the face of a coordinated smear campaign by conservative activists, has reemerged from his self-imposed exile. He'll be teaching at Princeton University and taking up a senior fellowship at the Center for American Progress, where he will head a "green opportunity initiative."

And today, Jones will accept the NAACP President's Award from Benjamin Jealous, who mounts an eloquent defense of Jones in an op-ed.
A founder of "Green for All" and the online civil rights group "Color of Change," Jones penned a bestseller, "The Green Collar Economy," which provided a blueprint for using green technologies to bring jobs to deindustrialized American cities and create pathways out of poverty. He was a driving force behind the passage of the 2007 Green Jobs Act and one of America's most pragmatic environmental visionaries.
As we wrote in The Nation soon after Jones was run out of his job by clownish demagogue Glenn Beck,
The idea that Van Jones...was some kind of crypto-radical bent on subverting American capitalist democracy from the inside has as much relationship to the truth as the notion that Obama is hatching a plan for mandatory euthanasia of America's seniors.
In giving him the NAACP's President's Award, Jealous referred to Jones's missteps, including political statements made years ago. Yes, it was a misstep to sign a 911truth.org petition. But Jones repudiated his signature and said the petition's wording didn't then and doesn't now represent his views. In a saner political environment, that would have been the end of it. Or, as the NAACP'S Jealous put it, "we can never afford to forget that a defining trait of our country is our collective capacity to practice forgiveness and celebrate redemption. This is a nation built on second chances."
It is good news that Jones has gotten that quintessentially American second chance. I am sure he will be a force working "outside" the White House -- oxygenating the grassroots with his fertile ideas.
Yet I remain sad for my country.
Jones is one in a line of would-be public servants, stretching from Lani Guiner and Jocelyn Elders all the way back to those harassed by Sen. Joe McCarthy (R-Wis.), who were driven out of public office because right-wing demagogues targeted and distorted their views. How is it that a man working to help Americans invest in a green collar economy ended up branded as an untouchable radical? How is it that such attacks led a skittish White House, admittedly battling attacks on many fronts, to jettison a powerful voice for environmental justice
What a victory that was for the demagogues among us. Van Jones is back, but there will be other targets and well-coordinated attacks that Americans must resist, instead of giving in to those who would debase our politics through smears

Cicely Tyson Award

Cicely Tyson was raised in Harlem, New York by devoutly religious parents from the Caribbean island of Nevis. She was discovered by a fashion editor at Ebony magazine and, with her stunning looks, she quickly rose to the top of the …
cicely tyson joins zoe saldana as honorees for essence black women …
Cicely Tyson is the latest woman to join the list of honorees for the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon that takes place on Thursday, March 4 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Tyson will receive the Legend Award at the event and joins …

Yu Na Kim Plastic surgery : 2010 Olympic Winner

There are rumors splashing around the Internet that Yu Na Kim has had plastic surgery for her perfect body type. While young and flexible, it is hardly likely an Olympic athlete such as this woman would have it.

However it is interesting to note she has the perfect modeling type body. According to her dressmaker, she is 164 cm tall and weighing 47 kg. One reason Kim looks so beautiful when she twists and turns on the ice is her legs and arms are slightly longer than a person with her proportions, meaning she has a better look to her than other athletes.
There are rumors splashing around the Internet that Yu Na Kim has had plastic surgery for her perfect body type. While young and flexible, it is hardly likely an Olympic athlete such as this woman would have it.
However it is interesting to note she has the perfect modeling type body. According to her dressmaker, she is 164 cm tall and weighing 47 kg. One reason Kim looks so beautiful when she twists and turns on the ice is her legs and arms are slightly longer than a person with her proportions, meaning she has a better look to her than other athletes.

Dexter Season 5

Dextor Season 4 was very popular season of this drama serial. this is the main i have provide a video at this link. i really enjoy it and you will enjoy it
The Season 4 of hit show Dexter, left with a huge cliffhanger. With Rita Bennett (Dexter’s wife)the shoe producer said that they wanted to give shocking final other had not yet looks like they succeeed.
And how he watched his mother die in front of him and also soaked in her blood, with Rita leaving to go to a romantic escapade only to forget her ID, this is when she ends up being murdered in the bathtub, by Trinity. Meanwhile the baby Harrison is left crying in a pool of her blood.
Phillips also revealed that Julie Benz who plays Rita, was not too happy about being killed off. “She loved being with us. We loved having her with us. She took it… professionally. She was greatly disappointed. She’s a professional. She works in television. She knew that this was a possibility.

American Idol 2010 Results: Who Got Voted Off

This is my favorite part of the whole darn show. Time for American Idol to RUIN someone’s hopes and dreams. YES! Just my thing!!!
Of course, they’re not going to just tell us who went home. They’re going to drag it out with a few crappy performances by PAST Idols, and maybe a few (or 50) commercials.
Kara’s husband was there this time, only to keep Casey James from filing a “SHE VIOLATED ME” lawsuit.

Oh, dear gawd. The contestants lip synced to themselves with the song, “American Boy”. Boy, did I ever miss THOSE fabulous performances.
They dramatically dimmed the lights for some people that I forgot even were a part of the show. Annnnnd out of the top row, the bottom two were, Katie Stevens and Janell Wheeler. Miss. Boring AKA Janell Wheeler got the boot. I was seriously impressed with her graciousness though. She was really sweet. Sorry Jebbica, your girl is OUT! Muahaha!
Allison Iraheta sang one of her songs, “Scars”. I like that song. It’s kinda emo and depressing. =D – Her hair was epic too.
Oh, here we go again. Dun, Dun, DUUUUUUUN!
Bottom two of the bottom row were, Ashley Rodriguez and Didi Benami… Ashley got the boot. And UNLIKE Janell, she was not as gracious. Instead, sort of rude about it. Guess she’s not as great as she seems to think.
Tyler Grady in a bathrobe?! Yeah, um… no thanks… Moving on!
More with that dramatic lighting thing they love so much. Oh no. My boyfriend Tim Urban was in the bottom. And he looked like he was pooping himself; that must have been why Joe Munoz had a weird look on his face. Ooooh, no that’s because HE was in the bottom also. MY BOY IS SAFE! See you later Joe Da Jockey. Say that ten times.
Kris Allen sang… Wow what a lame *I MEAN* bootiful performance. I do admit I listen to Kris Allen sometimes. Don’t judge me. I said don’t judge me. STOP IT RIGHT NOW!
But, he was doing it for a good reason. If you buy, “Let It Be” by Kris Allen on iTunes between now and tomorrow. 100% of the proceeds will go to Haiti. And after that, the cash will just go to the Idol Gives Back Charity.
The bottom two now for the boys is… Bathrobe Boy (Tyler Grady) and Alex Lambert. NOT ALEX! We all liked him , but I didn’t vote for him, because I was to busy voting for Tim. =D! Tyler gets the boot, and then whines after words.
I find great joy ‘n’ watching people gets their dreams shattered. MUAHAHAHAH!
What did you think? Leave your opinions and stuff in a comment. I need some different insight. K GO!

Reality Check: 'American Idol' results: Who goes home? - A reality

As American Idol opens, we learn that 24 million votes were cast and we're reminded that four people are going home.
Ryan Seacrest asks Simon Cowell about "the buzz of the nation" that Simon was harsher than usual this week. Um, Ryan, it's because a lot of the performances were bad.
According to your votes on the poll on last night's recap, you think Tim Urban and John Park are in trouble, and voters on the poll from Tuesday night think Haeley Vaughn and Lacey Brown are most likely to go home. We'll see if you're right pretty soon.
But first, there's the group sing of "American Boy. And by group sing, I mean group lip sync.
After a break, some results. Siobhan Magnus is safe. Haeley Vaughn is, surprisingly, safe. Well, I guess realizing that she got a lot of back-story time, maybe it's not that big of a surprise. Michelle Delamor is safe, too. Katelyn Epperly is as well, leaving Katie Stevens and Janell Wheeler the last two standing in their row, and one of them is out.
And that person is Janell. I think she really sabotaged herself by interviewing so many times during Hollywood Week about how she had screwed up. That made her look like she lacked confidence, and it didn't play out well. Anyway, she gives her final performance, reprising Heart's "What About Love." She sounds better tonight than Tuesday.
Next, Allison Iraheta and her giant red and purple wig come out to perform their new song, "Scars." She sounds good, but I don't understand why they have her going the ballad route instead of something rockier. She asks Ryan if they should have an awkward interview now, and then they do.

American Idol Season 9 Episode 15

The first results show is under way. Four people are leaving tonight — two guys and two girls. After the first round of performances, I won’t be shocked. I don’t think anyone was particularly spectacular. In fact, I’ve been quite disappointed.
I’ll be blogging during the show tonight. Right off the bat Simon said some of the performances weren’t very good. Ellen said she thought the contestants would be nervous, but they need to step it up. Randy said the first week in front of the cameras on stage alone is tough.

Group performance time.
Siobhan Magnus, Haeley Vaughn, Michelle Delamor, Katelyn Epperly are safe.
Katie Stevens and Janell Wheeler are left on stage. Janell is going home. (Watch her performance.) Katie is safe.
Now Allison Iraheta, a contestant last year, is performing. She’s still got crazy hair, but I do think her voice has matured.
Paige Miles, Lacey Brown, Lilly Scott, Crystal Bowersox (my favorite so far) are safe.
Ashley Rodriguez and Didi Benami are left. Didi is safe. Ashley is going home. (Watch her performance.) OK, I am a little surprised. During the auditions, Ashley was pegged as a front-runner.
Michael Lynche, John Park, Aaron Kelly, Todrick Hall are safe.
Tim Urban and Joe Munoz are left standing. Tim is safe. Joe is going home. (Watch his performance.) Between the two, I’m happy with the results. I was hoping Tim would get another chance to prove himself, even though he was pretty awful Wednesday night.
Last year’s winner Kris Allen is on the show talking about visiting Haiti. He’s performing the Beatles’ “Let It Be.” And he’s doing a great job.
Casey James (aka cute boy), Jermaine Sellers, Lee DeWyze, Andrew Garcia are safe.
Tyler Grady and Alex Lambert are left. Alex is staying. Tyler is going home. (Watch his performance.) I know I said I wouldn’t be surprised, but I am. His performance was a little cheesy, but it wasn’t bad. Still, he was just critical of the judges. Not very classy.
Do you agree with the results?

The nitty-gritty details of the Bloom box & Bloom Energy

Bloom Energy CEO K.R. Sridhar spelled out, to a green-technology Web site, some of the finer details of how his start-up's technology works.

The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company on Wednesday rolled out, with great fanfare, the Bloom box fuel cell, which is designed to be stacked into small blocks and housed in a unit about the size of a refrigerator and sold as an alternative to electricity from the grid. Multiple 100kW units, costing between $700,000 and $800,000 each, are combined and sold to large companies. Bloom already has heavyweight customers such as eBay, Wal-Mart Stores, and FedEx.
Sridhar, in an interview with Greentech Media (see embedded video), explained some of the details of the technology not published widely in the media.
Sridhar explained, for example, how the device creates energy. "It mixes with water, which is a byproduct of our exhaust. Water and methane goes into the system and within the system the methane and the water react," he said.
Sridhar continued. "And you get what is called a syngas right on the surface of our fuel cell and oxygen comes from the air side of the fuel cell and mixes with CO [carbon monoxide] of the syngas to form carbon dioxide and oxygen comes across the membrane again from the air side, mixes with the H2 [hydrogen] in the syngas to form water, and both of those reactions are accompanied by electrons flowing on the outside and that's the basic

Free skier Johnson dies after fall at Squaw Valley

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -Professional free skier C.R. Johnson has died at California's Squaw Valley while taking a run down a steep chute and smashing his head against a rock outcropping.

Jim Rogers, a member of the Lake Tahoe-area resort's ski patrol, said was skiing with a group of friends Wednesday when he fell while trying to negotiate a "very, very tight, rocky area."
Rogers said Johnson was 25 or 26 years old.

Missing Actor Andrew Koenig's Body Found

The body of missing actor Andrew Koenig has been found in Vancouver, Canada.
The former "Growing Pains" star was last seen on February 14. He disappeared during a trip to Vancouver and was reported missing by a friend after failing to show up for his flight home to Los Angeles on February 16.

His parents, former "Star Trek" actor Walter Koenig and his wife Judy, issued an emotional plea to the 41 year old during a police press conference on Wednesday, when they begged Andrew to get in touch just to assure them he is "OK".
The same day, his friend Jenny Magenta confessed her fears that the star may have "taken his own life" - and now his family and friends have had their worst fears confirmed.
The actor's body was found in Vancouver's Stanley Park around 12pm local time on Thursday afternoon.
Vancouver authorities held a press conference at 5pm (PST), just hours after the discovery, during which a police spokesperson revealed they had no reason to believe foul play was involved in Koenig's death. However, their investigations are continuing.
The representative told the news conference, "Andrew's body was found in the park by friends who had initiated their own search. Our investigations are continuing... We will not release any further details about cause of death. We have no reason to believe foul play was involved."
Koenig's dad Walter fought back tears as he told reporters, "We've already said what a great guy he was and a good human being... He was obviously in a lot of pain... What you can learn from this is that there are people out there who really, really care."
Judy Koenig added, "He was much loved and he had much to contribute in this world. This is the only statement that we are making. Please respect our privacy."

Who Got Voted Off Feb 25 2010 American Idol

Who gets voted off American Idol 2/25/10 season 9 episode 18? Who among this season’s Top 24 contestants will be kicked off? What will be the American Idol 2/25/10 results tonight? We’ll find out when the full episode of American Idol 1st results show for 2010 airs tonight, February 25, 2010.

During the first LIVE results show of the season 9, we will see from the 2/25/10 results show four semifinalists – two male and two female – will be eliminated from the competition and sent home. Keep watching this space for edits and updates of tonight’s results show, to find out who got voted off in American Idol 2/25 results night.

Any predictions guys, who gets voted off among the American Idol Season 9 top 24 semifinalist? Who do you think are the first four contestants will be kicked off after America’s vote is revealed?

Irvine police searching for jewelry store robber

Irvine police were searching Thursday afternoon for a man suspected of robbing [Update: a retail store] a jewelry store on Jeffrey Road near the Santa Ana Freeway, authorities said.
The crime occurred about 2 p.m in the 14100 block of Jeffrey Road. The robber entered the business and stole merchandise, the Irvine Police Department said.
The robber was confronted by an employee and claimed to have a gun, but no weapon was observed, Irvine Police Lt. John Hare said.
The robber fled, but may still be in the area. Police units, including a helicopter and search dogs, are looking for the man, and the department is alerting residents to the situation by using the reverse 911 system.
The robber was described as a white male in his late 30s with blond hair who was wearing a gray shirt and jeans, Hare sai

Bloom Energy and Bloom Box Unveiling

Bloom Energy IPO Buzz After Press Conference and Bloom Box Unveiling. There’s a lot of investment buzz surrounding Bloom Energy’s new innovation, the Bloom Box. Using fuel to generate energy, households and businesses using the innovation are able to create their own power without plugging in to the electrical grid.
The hype is astounding, and many people are extremely excited about the possibilities that are brought forth with the invention. Others are skeptical that this is yet another fad or overblown hype.

Skeptics are quick to point out that while the Sunnydale startup’s masterpiece will take you off the electrical grid, it won’t reduce your dependence on fossil fuels.
Those that want to jump on board the Bloom Box bandwagon and fork over their hard earned money for investment purposes are a little disappointed, as an IPO isn’t in the company’s immediate plans. You can read more details about that here.
Although the technology is new to the general public, there are major companies that have been testing the Bloom Box. Jim Kennedy from Cox Enterprises put Bloom servers at his TV stations in Oakland and San Diego, California.
Some say that Bloom Energy’s servers will do to energy what the cell phone did to landline telephones. As the cost of the servers come down to a level which an average American household can afford, consumers will have the option of circumventing traditional wired technology.
It’s no wonder that an IPO buzz is surrounding the exciting announcement, as we all have seen how profitable new technology can be. What do you think of the company’s innovation? Is it revolutionary or just a fad?

Brian westbrook on sportscenter ????

Minka Kelly & Shakira because we couldn’t decide on one … yesterday was National Pancake Day ...applying to college with the help of YouTube … the list of troubled banks creeps higher … hilarious tales of New Jersey turnpike toll collectors … law school buys naming rights to a minor league stadium … ABC News to cut 25 percent of its workforce … a middle school shooting less than three miles from Columbine … Prince rehearsing ‘When the Doves Cry‘ in a garage …
Woman makes up lie about being raped, man goes to jail for four years. Woman confesses to lying, and now will serve 1-3 years in jail. [NYT]

Sam Wyche on Tim Tebow: “If this guy can’t be a starting quarterback in the NFL, then I was in the wrong profession for a lot of years.” [St. Pete Times]
Big second half propels Georgetown over Louisville. [Courier-Journal]
Michael Beasley did not like it that Charles Barkley referred to him as “Tito Jackson.” [Sun-Sentinel]
Announcer on stats: “I’m ‘mathematically challenged’ and find lots of BP, Fangraphs, Tango, etc., tough to digest. I am somewhat ‘tentative” to push SABR-type stuff on air.” [Baseball Prospectus]
Gators 75, Vols 62, and that should lock up a bid for Florida for the first time since Noah, Horford & Brewer left. [Gainesville Sun]
Politics: Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown burns the Tea Party by voting for Obama’s jobs plan. [LA Times]
An Oregon fan reacts to the heated Chip Kelly-John Canzano radio interview. [Sports Brewery]
Nevada Governor accused of sexual assault is deposed, and actually said he hasn’t been sexually intimate with any woman since 1995, and he’s “living proof that you can survive without sex for that long.” [CBS News]
Herb MaGee is now the winningest college basketball coach of all-time with 903 wins. [Philly Inquirer]

ESPN Suspends TONY KORNHEISER Over Hannah Storm latest Comments

ESPN has suspended Pardon the Interruption co-host Tony Kornheiser after saying on his radio show last week that his colleague, SportsCenter anchor Hannah Storm, was wearing "a horrifying, horrifying outfit" and a "very, very tight shirt."
The Big Lead passes along the news that Kornheiser is suspended for "a few days" as a result of his comments.

Kornheiser was obviously trying to be funny when he said of Storm, "She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body ... I know she's very good, and I'm not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won't ... but Hannah Storm ... come on now! Stop! What are you doing? ... She's what I would call a Holden Caulfield fantasy at this point."
But the higher-ups at ESPN (and, presumably, Storm herself) apparently didn't find it so amusing. Kornheiser opened his radio show the next day by saying, "I apologize, unequivocally ... I'm a sarcastic, subversive guy ... I'm a troll, look at me. I have no right to insult what anybody looks like or what anybody wears. That, I think, should go without saying."
That apology, however, was not enough to placate the bosses at ESPN, and now one of ESPN's highest-profile employees will be off the air on PTI. Dan LeBatard filled in for Kornheiser on Monday's show, but there was no explanation offered for Kornheiser's absence.

A big part of Kornheiser's shtick is making jokes about media personalities (including himself), and if Kornheiser isn't allowed to have fun at the expense of ESPN colleagues from time to time, both his radio show and Pardon the Interruption are going to be a less entertaining. From that perspective, the suspension is probably a little harsh.

On the other hand, ESPN is probably trying to be extra sensitive to anything that could be perceived as sexual harassment after the Steve Phillips affair was followed up by a number of salacious ESPN-related stories on Deadspin. For that reason, Kornheiser probably had to be disciplined: ESPN wanted to send a message that it takes such things seriously, and not even one of the network's biggest stars is above the rules.

CR JOHNSON PASSES AWAY IN SKI ACCIDENT

CR Johnson passed away today at Squaw Valley. According to Scott Gaffney, CR got caught up on rocks going off a cliff on Light Towers, went over the handlebars and hit his head and neck on rocks on the landing.
CR's Seven Sunny Days Segment
CR speaks about recovering from an unthinkable accident in 2005 to ski strong again in Matchstick Productions' Seven Sunny Days, showing his will to overcome the impossible.

According to RGJ.com, who received information from Squaw Valley spokeswoman Amelia Richmond: Witnesses immediately notified ski patrol and medical personnel arrived on the scene within minutes. Despite efforts to revive Johnson, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident, he succumbed to his injuries.
We will continue to update you as soon as we have more information.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this devastating time.
CR, you will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace.

ESPN Suspends Tony Kornheiser Over Hannah Storm Comments :

ESPN has suspended Pardon the Interruption co-host Tony Kornheiser after saying on his radio show last week that his colleague, SportsCenter anchor Hannah Storm, was wearing "a horrifying, horrifying outfit" and a "very, very tight shirt."

The Big Lead passes along the news that Kornheiser is suspended for "a few days" as a result of his comments.
ESPN has suspended Pardon the Interruption co-host Tony Kornheiser after saying on his radio show last week that his colleague, SportsCenter anchor Hannah Storm, was wearing "a horrifying, horrifying outfit" and a "very, very tight shirt."

The Big Lead passes along the news that Kornheiser is suspended for "a few days" as a result of his comments.ESPN has suspended Pardon the Interruption co-host Tony Kornheiser after saying on his radio show last week that his colleague, SportsCenter anchor Hannah Storm, was wearing "a horrifying, horrifying outfit" and a "very, very tight shirt."

The Big Lead passes along the news that Kornheiser is suspended for "a few days" as a result of his comments.

Kornheiser was obviously trying to be funny when he said of Storm, "She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body ... I know she's very good, and I'm not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won't ... but Hannah Storm ... come on now! Stop! What are you doing? ... She's what I would call a Holden Caulfield fantasy at this point."
But the higher-ups at ESPN (and, presumably, Storm herself) apparently didn't find it so amusing.
Kornheiser was obviously trying to be funny when he said of Storm, "She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body ... I know she's very good, and I'm not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won't ... but Hannah Storm ... come on now! Stop! What are you doing? ... She's what I would call a Holden Caulfield fantasy at this point."
But the higher-ups at ESPN (and, presumably, Storm herself) apparently didn't find it so amusing
Kornheiser was obviously trying to be funny when he said of Storm, "She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body ... I know she's very good, and I'm not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won't ... but Hannah Storm ... come on now! Stop! What are you doing? ... She's what I would call a Holden Caulfield fantasy at this point."
But the higher-ups at ESPN (and, presumably, Storm herself) apparently didn't find it so amusing.

Free skier Johnson dies after fall at Squaw Valley

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -Professional free skier C.R. Johnson has died at California's Squaw Valley while taking a run down a steep chute and smashing his head against a rock outcropping.
Jim Rogers, a member of the Lake Tahoe-area resort's ski patrol, said was skiing with a group of friends Wednesday when he fell while trying to negotiate a "very, very tight, rocky area."
Rogers said Johnson was 25 or 26 years old.
He fell face first, then spun around and struck the back of his head on rocks. He was wearing a helmet at the time.
Ski patrol members were unable to revive the skier after they were called shortly before 2 p.m.
Johnson competed in superpipe and halfpipe skiing at events such as the X Games.

Killer Whale trainer, Dawn Brancheau killed at Shamu Stadium

The Orca (killer whale) named Tilikum, weighs approximately 12,000 pounds and has been indicated in two prior deaths. A press conference was held today at 4:30 p.m. led by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. During the press conference it was stated that there was no foul play involved. They also said that it appeared the trainer, Dawn Brancheau, slipped and fell into the tank. This contradicts witness accounts that said they watched as the killer whale leaped out of the water, grabbed her, and pulled her under the water drowning her in the tank.

During the press conference, Sea World Orlando President Dan Brown spoke and said, “I must emphasize this is an extremely difficult time for the Sea World Parks and our team members. Nothing is more important than the safety of our employees, guests and the animals entrusted in our care. We have never in the history of our park experienced an incident like this, and all of our standard operating procedure will come under review.”
Tilikum was involved with the deaths of two individuals prior to Wednesday’s attack and was considered so dangerous, no one was allowed in the tank with the killer whale.

Experienced skier dies at Squaw Valley

SQUAW VALLEY (KGO) -- At Squaw Valley on Wednesday professional skier C.R. Johnson died.

The Lake Tahoe native apparently hit his head on some exposed rocks.
Johnson suffered a traumatic brain injury in a ski accident in 2005. He was said to be feeling and skiing much better this year.
Johnson was 26-years-old.
Squaw Valley released the following statement early Wednesday evening:
This afternoon, lifelong Squaw Valley and Freeride team member, CR Johnson sustained a fatal fall skiing the Light Towers area. Witnesses reported that CR caught his edge on some exposed rocks as he initiated his first turn and fell downhill. CR impacted several rocks before coming to rest several hundred yards below the ridge.
Witnesses immediately notified ski patrol and medical personnel arrived on scene within minutes. Despite efforts to revive CR, he succumbed to his injuries. CR was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.
The Light Towers area is expert terrain located up the ridge line from the Cornice II lift. As a professional skier, CR was no stranger to the Light Towers and had skied the area throughout his inspiring skiing career. CR has been a part of the Squaw Valley Family since birth and will be greatly missed. The loss of CR will deeply affect not only the local skiing community but skiers worldwide. Our condolences go out to his friends and family.

Skier CR Johnson killed at Squaw Valley

Twenty-six-year-old C.R. Johnson was killed today while skiing at Squaw Valley, Calif. According to a statement issued by the resort, the Lake Tahoe native caught an edge on exposed rocks while entering the Light Towers area above the Cornice II lift. He fell through rocks before coming to a rest several hundred yards below the entry. Ski Patrol were on the scene within minutes, but efforts to revive Johnson failed. He was reportedly wearing a helmet.
Johnson was known in recent years for his inspiring return to skiing after a traumatic brain injury that he suffered in December of 2005. The injury, sustained when another skier accidentally landed on him during a run, left him in a coma for 10 days. He spent 34 days in the hospital and several months in rehab, but was back on snow by the end of that winter. He made steady progress in recent seasons and this winter finished third in the prestigious Red Bull Linecatcher event in the French Alps.
But long before his injury, Johnson was known as a park and pipe skiing prodigy who helped redefine the sport in the first years of this century by proving what was possible on twin tip skis. He was a two-time Winter X Games medalist, earning bronze in the 2001 Big Air and silver in the 2002 slopestyle. But those years were simply a warm up for the next three.
Between 2003 and 2005, Johnson consistently broke the barrier for how high skiers could go in a halfpipe. His 2003 duel with Candide Thovex was a defining moment for the young discipline, with Johnson throwing a 900 that stood as a benchmark for several years. And while such huge air usually cost him a result (he never finished higher than fourth due to crashes), his influence on today's halfpipe skiers was greater than any medal could bestow.
"He's the defining person who put halfpipe skiing on the map," says two-time Winter X SuperPipe champion Simon Dumont. "He's a huge part of how halfpipe skiing is right now."
Johnson was also instrumental in bringing park-style skiing to the backcountry. His film segments in the Tanner Hall/Eric Iberg films "WSKI106" and "Pop Yer Bottlez," in which he seamlessly added off-axis rotations to airs off big cliffs and toyed with switch takeoffs and landings in powder, are considered early prototypes in the evolution of freestyle backcountry skiing. His result at this year's Linecatcher was seen by many as a return to that pre-injury form.
"CR lived every day in the present," says Poor Boyz Productions cinematographer Tyler Hamlet, who filmed Johnson last winter for the PBP movie "Every Day Is A Saturday." "He was always positive, always stoked. I just hope people can take his vibe into their own lives. Live it, shred it, be happy."

Skier CR Johnson killed at Squaw Valley

Twenty-six-year-old C.R. Johnson was killed today while skiing at Squaw Valley, Calif. According to a statement issued by the resort, the Lake Tahoe native caught an edge on exposed rocks while entering the Light Towers area above the Cornice II lift. He fell through rocks before coming to a rest several hundred yards below the entry. Ski Patrol were on the scene within minutes, but efforts to revive Johnson failed. He was reportedly wearing a helmet.

Johnson was known in recent years for his inspiring return to skiing after a traumatic brain injury that he suffered in December of 2005. The injury, sustained when another skier accidentally landed on him during a run, left him in a coma for 10 days. He spent 34 days in the hospital and several months in rehab, but was back on snow by the end of that winter. He made steady progress in recent seasons and this winter finished third in the prestigious Red Bull Linecatcher event in the French Alps.

But long before his injury, Johnson was known as a park and pipe skiing prodigy who helped redefine the sport in the first years of this century by proving what was possible on twin tip skis. He was a two-time Winter X Games medalist, earning bronze in the 2001 Big Air and silver in the 2002 slopestyle. But those years were simply a warm up for the next three.
Between 2003 and 2005, Johnson consistently broke the barrier for how high skiers could go in a halfpipe. His 2003 duel with Candide Thovex was a defining moment for the young discipline, with Johnson throwing a 900 that stood as a benchmark for several years. And while such huge air usually cost him a result (he never finished higher than fourth due to crashes), his influence on today's halfpipe skiers was greater than any medal could bestow.

"He's the defining person who put halfpipe skiing on the map," says two-time Winter X SuperPipe champion Simon Dumont. "He's a huge part of how halfpipe skiing is right now."

Johnson was also instrumental in bringing park-style skiing to the backcountry. His film segments in the Tanner Hall/Eric Iberg films "WSKI106" and "Pop Yer Bottlez," in which he seamlessly added off-axis rotations to airs off big cliffs and toyed with switch takeoffs and landings in powder, are considered early prototypes in the evolution of freestyle backcountry skiing. His result at this year's Linecatcher was seen by many as a return to that pre-injury form.

"CR lived every day in the present," says Poor Boyz Productions cinematographer Tyler Hamlet, who filmed Johnson last winter for the PBP movie "Every Day Is A Saturday." "He was always positive, always stoked. I just hope people can take his vibe into their own lives. Live it, shred it, be happy."

Yuna Kim - Don't stop the latest music (ex) gala

Follow all the action on Rings, where Todd Eldredge, the three-time Olympian, will provide analysis from his home in Florida, and Times reporters Jeré Longman and Katie Thomas will send updates from Vancouver. Joanne C. Gerstner and Lynn Zinser will contribute insight as well.
Miki Ando had the second jump of her combination downgraded, the triple loop, which she landed well short. That kept her from placing up with the top three women. Her triple flip was borderline, but she got the benefit of the doubt from the judges, but I think it showed she was a little tight and didn’t get the spring and lift she usually does. But she’s in fourth place and right in the mix.

There were a lot of great performances, which is great to see in such a big event. You want to see people skate their best and leave the points up to the judges.

The long program will be exciting. I think it’s going to be very exciting. Mao Asada is almost five points back and Joannie Rochette is nearly seven points and as strong as Kim Yu-na is, it’s going to be a tough battle for them. But it’s the Olympics and anything goes. – Todd Eldredge
Rachel Flatt skated well. It’s questionable whether they should downgrade her triple lutz, but that’s for the judges. She did what she set out to do. For her to go out there as the U.S. champion, it’s a lot of pressure. For her first Olympics, it’s great for her to put out such a good performance.

She’s just ahead of Nagasu and it’s good to see both of the American women up there in the mix. They are young and it’s their first Olympics. It’s exciting because hopefully four years from now they’ll be up there where the top women are now and contend for the gold. –Todd Eldredge

'Idol' Judges Admire Unique Female Semifinalists

"American Idol" semifinalist Lilly Scott is right where she belongs.
The 20-year-old singer from Denver was among a handful of unique crooners who impressed the Fox singing contest's judges Tuesday. The platinum-haired street musician played the guitar during her original take on The Beatles' "Fixing a Hole" during the ninth season's first semifinal round, which featured performances from the top 12 female semifinalists.

"You come from the heart," said Kara DioGuardi, wearing a blue dress almost the same shade as the "Idol" set.
Originality was key to dazzling the judges. Other standouts included earthy 24-year-old mother Crystal Bowersox from Toledo, Ohio, and quirky 24-year-old glass blower Siobhan Magnus from Marstons Mills, Mass. A subdued Magnus transformed Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" while dreadlocked Bowersox pleased the panel with Alanis Morissette's "Hand in My Pocket."

"I think we are lucky you decided to audition for 'Idol' and be here," beamed Ellen DeGeneres.

The wisecracking talk show host, who took her place on the panel during "Hollywood Week," was mostly serious during her first performance episode as judge, only unleashing a few barbs. Unlike previous episodes, DeGeneres was seated at the opposite end from Simon Cowell, a move that DeGeneres mocked was prompted by the "wandering hands" of the touchy judge.

"I felt like it's safer over here," she teased.

Song selection, however, proved riskier on Tuesday's episode. The judges were particularly turned off by the uninspired renditions of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" from spunky 24-year-old event coordinator Lacey Brown, of Amarillo, Texas, and Leona Lewis' "Happy" from intrepid 22-year-old college student Ashley Rodriguez from Chelsea, Mass.

"I think you're going backward," Cowell informed Rodriguez.

The judges were split on several singers, including twangy 16-year-old high school student Haeley Vaughn from Fort Collins, Colo. Randy Jackson praised the guitar-strumming Vaughn's "unpredictability" and DeGeneres told Vaughn "you just shine," but Cowell proclaimed that her version of The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was "verging on terrible."

2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

Yu-Na Kim (see right) from South Korea set a new world record in the short program tonight with 78.50 points. I just love that James Bond program -- the pacing is sooo perfect and the change in tempo is masterful. Why can't everyone have the perfect music for their short? Mao Asada from Japan, skating to Waltz Masquerade, is in second place with 73.78 points (she landed her triple axel, double toe cleanly).

And the performance of the night goes to Canada's Joannie Rochette, looking saucy skating to La Cumparita, and she is sitting in third place with 71.36 points. Every single person at Pacific Coliseum and every single person watching on television (like me), was pulling for Joannie to do well after her mother's sudden death on Sunday. She delivered -- no deductions, no negative Grade of Execution on anything. She looked sad and teary afterwards. We all did. What can you say?

Japan's Miki Ando, skating to Requiem by Mozart, is in fourth place, followed by the U.S.'s Rachael Flatt and Mirai Nagasu. Miki went for the triple Lutz, triple loop combination and it was downgraded. But she skated very last and must have realized that she needed to go for it 100% to be in the game and I applaud her attempt. The top 24 ladies move onto the free skate which will be held on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. Tune in to NBC at 8 p.m. ET for live coverage.

dallas tea party

You know, in hindsight, it is sort of stunning that no one has done anything like this sooner. Responding to recent criticisms made by Countdown host Keith Olbermann that the Tea Party movement effectively had no diversity amongst its ranks, the Dallas Tea Party organization has produced a remarkably effective video response. Not only does the video feature a number of men and women of color, but it also highlights the remarkable lack of diversity on MSNBC’s line-up. Judge not, lest ye be judged?

According to Michael Calderone at Politico, Keith Olbermann has declined the invitation. “I appreciate their invitation but with my Dad still in intensive care all this time, I have been only able to leave New York one night in the last six months,” Olbermann tells POLITICO in an email.

Bloom Energy Claims a New Fuel Cell Technology

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — A Silicon Valley company is claiming a breakthrough in a decades-old quest to develop fuel cells that can supply affordable and relatively clean electricity. Google, Bank of America, Wal-Mart and other large corporations have been testing the devices, which will be formally introduced on Wednesday.
Bloom Energy Claims a New Fuel Cell Technology

The start-up, Bloom Energy, has raised about $400 million from investors and spent nearly a decade developing a new variety of solid oxide fuel cell, considered the most efficient but most technologically challenging fuel-cell technology.

K. R. Sridhar, Bloom’s co-founder and chief executive, said devices made by his company were generating electricity at a cost of 8 to 10 cents a kilowatt hour, using natural gas. That is lower than commercial electricity prices in some parts of the country.

“We got into this business to make affordable electricity, not fuel cells,” Mr. Sridhar said Tuesday as workers assembled stacks of fuel cells in tall, round cylinders and installed them in silver metal cubes at Bloom’s headquarters in a Silicon Valley office park.

The company has been working on the technology for eight years while saying little. The secrecy, and the prominence of the venture capitalists backing Bloom, have fueled both hype and skepticism about its efforts. Bloom is scheduled to unveil the technology Wednesday at a news conference attended by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and Colin Powell, the former secretary of state and a member of Bloom’s board.

While Bloom may well have created one of the most efficient fuel cells, it is unclear how widely the company’s technology will be adopted. Cost and durability have limited the use of other types of fuel cells, and it could be years before the potential of the company’s approach is clear.

“We have been working with solid oxide for 30 years but are still in the lab,” said Mike Brown, an executive with UTC Power, a division of the United Technologies Corporation and a leading fuel-cell maker. “Nobody has been able to resolve the reliability problem.”

Fuel cells, which convert hydrogen, natural gas or another fuel into electricity through an electrochemical process, have long held out the promise of cheap and plentiful energy while emitting fewer pollutants than conventional power plants. But the need to use expensive precious metals like platinum and rare earth elements in some fuel cells, and corrosive materials in others, has kept costs high and shortened their longevity.