Baboosh Baby Launched by Actress Brooke Burke

Brooke Burke launches Baboosh Baby

Atlanta, GA 12/21/2007 12:18 AM GMT (FINDITT)

Actress Brooke Burke is pregnant with her fourth child and has launched a new online baby store, Baboosh Baby, that features eco-friendly post-partum wraps. The 36-year-old says after three children, she’s an expert how to get her figure back and suggests a Taut Belly Wrap. “You pull it super tight and Velcro it. It feels good for all of that baby skin. I swear by it,” she says.

“As a Hollywood mom, I’ve met tons of interesting people and had access to the best stylist and designers, as well as the trendiest products. But still, I was unable to find some of the keys things I need before, during and after my three pregnancies,” a message on her site reads. “I wanted to give my body its best shot at staying healthy and regaining its shape naturally and quickly. It inspired me to create baboosh.”

Her online store also offers diaper bag, wraps, and tees.

transworldnews.com Baboosh Baby

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Has Everyone Talking

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 rocks

Author : Helen Steele
www.earthtimes.org

It's a vehicle that has even the purists drooling. The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 was unveiled by General Motors on Wednesday much to the delight of 'Vette fans. The vehicle is also due to be showcased at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month.

Although the ZR1 is based on the Z06 Corvette, its performance is much sharper than the latter. The body is made of carbon fiber, but it hides the supercharged LS9 engine under it. This engine is GM's latest offering and combines eight cylinders.

The 'Vette ZR1 uses a sixth-generation Eaton supercharger in order to hit torque of 585 pound-feet. Harlan Charles, project manager for the Corvette unit at GM was mum on the actual power of the ZR1 but he revealed that it was "capable of producing at least 100 horsepower per liter. That's at least 620 horsepower, and approximately 595 lb.-ft. of torque."

The 15.5-inch carbon-ceramic front rotors are kept quite and cool by brake cooling ducts. The ZR1 aims to compete with fast cars like the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano F1 coupe.

Although the pricing model is yet to be released, it is expected that the ZR1 will cost at least $100,000.

earthtimes.org Corvette ZR1

Time Person of the Year - Vladmir Putin

Ugh...

Putin Named Time "Person of the Year"

23 minutes ago

NEW YORK (AP) — Time magazine on Wednesday named Russian President Vladimir Putin its 2007 "Person of the Year."

The nod went to the Russian leader because of Putin's "extraordinary feat of leadership in taking a country that was in chaos and bringing it stability," said Richard Stengel, Time's managing editor.

Putin, 55, is enormously popular in Russia, presiding over a resurgent economy flush with revenue from oil and natural gas. But critics say he has moved the country away from Russia's democratic reforms of the 1990s by tightening control of the media, courts and parliament.

"He's the new czar of Russia and he's dangerous in the sense that he doesn't care about civil liberties, he doesn't care about free speech," Stengel said.

Putin recently endorsed protoge Dmitry Medvedev's presidential bid, and later said he would accept Medvedev's offer to serve as prime minister if Medvedev is elected in the March 2 election.

Many believe Putin would remain Russia's real leader, regardless of his title, though Putin has said he would not undermine his successor. The Russian constitution limits presidents to two consecutive terms.

Others who were in the running for Person of the Year included Nobel Prize-winner Al Gore and author J.K. Rowling.

This year's choice was a return to the magazine's tradition of picking an individual rather than last year's choice of anyone creating or using content on the World Wide Web.

Previous individual winners have included Bono, President George W. Bush and Amazon.com CEO and founder Jeff Bezos.

AP - Person of the Year

Britney's Sister, Jamie Lynn Spears Pregnant

Oh man...another one of them is reproducing. Sad.

Jamie Lynn Spears Says She's Pregnant NEW YORK (AP) — Another Spears baby is reportedly on the way — and it's not Britney's. Jamie Lynn Spears, the 16-year-old "Zoey 101" star and sister of Britney, told OK! magazine that she's pregnant and that the father is her boyfriend, Casey Aldridge.

"It was a shock for both of us, so unexpected," she said. "I was in complete and total shock and so was he."

Spears is 12 weeks along and initially kept the news to herself when she learned of the pregnancy from an at-home test and subsequent doctor visit, she told the celebrity magazine, which hits stands in New York on Wednesday and the rest of the country by Friday.

What message does she want to send to other teens about premarital sex? "I definitely don't think it's something you should do; it's better to wait," she told the magazine. "But I can't be judgmental because it's a position I put myself in."

After she found out from a doctor that she was pregnant, she said, "I took two weeks to myself where I didn't tell anybody."

"Only one of my friends knew because I needed to work out what I would do for myself before I let anyone's opinion affect my decision. Then I told my parents and my friends. I was scared, but I had to do what was right for me," she said.

Spears broke the news to her mother, Lynne, just before Thanksgiving, the magazine reported.

"She was very upset because it wasn't what she expected at all," Spears said. "A week after, she had time to cope with it and became very supportive."

Lynne Spears, already grandmother to Britney's young sons, told the magazine: "I didn't believe it because Jamie Lynn's always been so conscientious. She's never late for her curfew. I was in shock. I mean, this is my 16-year-old baby."

She said her actress daughter, the telegenic heroine of her popular Nickelodeon series, has known Aldridge for years and began dating him in high school.

But in a recent interview with The Associated Press, Spears said she had no steady boyfriend. "I kind of just keep my options open," she said. "I have a bunch of friends that I always hang out with, a bunch of guy friends." She declined to talk about her older sister.

Spears spoke to the AP shortly before Thanksgiving, the day she told OK! she informed her mother about the pregnancy.

Jamie Lynn plans to raise the baby in her home state of Louisiana — "so it can have a normal family life."

Nickelodeon released a statement: "We respect Jamie Lynn's decision to take responsibility in this sensitive and personal situation. We know this is a very difficult time for her and her family, and our primary concern right now is for Jamie Lynn's well being."

A publicist for the network did not immediately respond to phone and e-mail requests for additional comment.

"Zoey 101" is scheduled to conclude its third season Jan. 4 with a cliffhanger episode in which Spears' character must decide whether to leave her fictional Pacific Coast Academy boarding school in California to join her parents in London.

The show is scheduled to resume in February, and its producer, Dan Schneider, has said filming on the fourth season has already been completed.

ap.google.com Spears Pregnant

Pro Bowl Announcements

11 Cowboys, eight Patriots highlight Pro Bowl rosters

New York, NY (Sports Network) - The NFC and AFC Pro Bowl rosters were announced on Tuesday and the Dallas Cowboys led all teams with 11 selections.

The Patriots and Chargers led the way in the AFC with eight players being named from each team, including New England quarterback Tom Brady and San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson as starters.

The Pro Bowl rosters were compiled in voting from a combination of fans, players and coaches. The Pro Bowl will take place Sunday, February 10 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The currently undefeated Patriots will send eight players to the Pro Bowl for the first time since 1985, and the team's eight Pro Bowl picks tie the 1985 squad with the most Patriots Pro Bowl players since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Wide receiver Randy Moss, who will also start, earned his sixth career Pro Bowl nod, while Brady will head to Hawaii for the fourth time in his career.

Moss leads the NFL with 19 touchdown receptions, a total that ranks second in league history to Jerry Rice’s record 22 scoring catches in 1987.

Tomlinson, who currently ranks second in the NFL in rushing and leads the league with 14 rushing touchdowns, earned his fifth Pro Bowl invitation of his career.

Chargers fullback Lorenzo Neal was also named as a starter, as was wide receiver Reggie Wayne of the Colts.

Other New England starters were offensive tackle Matt Light, guard Logan Mankins, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, linebacker Mike Vrabel and cornerback Asante Samuel. Pats center Dan Koppen was named as a reserve.

Other Charger starters were tight end Antonio Gates and special teamer Kassim Osgood, while guard Kris Dielman, defensive tackle Jamal Williams, linebacker Shawne Merriman and cornerback Antonio Cromartie were honored as reserves.

Neal will make his fourth trip to the Pro Bowl, and Gates will make his fourth straight trip to Honolulu.

In the NFC, seven of the franchise record-tying 11 Cowboys will be starters. Wide receiver Terrell Owens; tight end Jason Witten; offensive linemen Flozell Adams, Leonard Davis and Andre Gurode; linebacker DeMarcus Ware and kicker Nick Folk were selected starters.

Quarterback Tony Romo, running back Marion Barber, safety Ken Hamlin and cornerback Terence Newman were chosen as reserves.

The other offensive starters include Green Bay's Brett Favre at quarterback, rookie sensation Adrian Peterson at running back, and his Vikings' teammate Tony Richardson at fullback.

This marks Favre's ninth Pro Bowl selection of his storied career and first since 2003. He has had a record-breaking season. In addition to becoming the winningest QB in NFL history and tossing the most TD passes in league history earlier this season, he surpassed Dan Marino as the all-time passing leader this past Sunday with 61,405 yards.

This season he has completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 3,905 yards with 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Peterson has run for 1,278 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. His efforts include a 224-yard three-TD rushing performance against the Bears on October 14.

"This is a great honor as a rookie and I'm proud to be selected," said Peterson. "This was one of my goals coming into the season and it feels good to accomplish that. I'm blessed by the individual honor, but I know we have some team goals we are still striving for."

The remainder of the offensive line starters consist of Minnesota's Steve Hutchinson and Seattle's Walter Jones, while Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald will start opposite Owens at wide receiver.

Joining Ware as starting linebackers are Seattle's Julian Peterson and Lofa Tatupu. The defensive line consists of Green Bay's Aaron Kampman, Seattle's Patrick Kerney and Minnesota's Kevin Williams and Pat Williams.

The NFC's starting defensive backs are Green Bay's Al Harris and Seattle's Marcus Trufant at corner and Minnesota's Darren Sharper at strong safety.

Washington Redskins free safety Sean Taylor, who was killed last month after being shot during a burglary at his Florida home, earned a starting nod.

He had five interceptions at the time of his death.

Joining the first-timer Folk as special teamers for the NFC, is San Francisco punter Andy Lee, also a first time selection, kick returner Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears and specialist Brendon Ayanbadejo of the Bears.

Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck joins Romo as a reserve quarterback, while Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook joins Barber as a reserve running back. Green Bay's Donald Driver and St. Louis' Torry Holt are the reserve wide outs, Washington's Chris Cooley is the backup tight end; and Washington's Chris Samuels, Philadelphia's Shawn Andrews and Minnesota's Matt Birk are the reserve offensive linemen.

In addition to Newman and Hamlin as reserve defensive players for the NFC are, defensive linemen Osi Umenyiora of the Giants and Chicago's Tommie Harris. The Bears' Lance Briggs and San Francisco's Patrick Willis are the reserve linebackers.

Other offensive starters for the AFC were tackle Jason Peters of Buffalo, Pittsburgh guard Alan Faneca and Colts center Jeff Saturday.

The other AFC defensive starters were defensive ends Jared Allen of Kansas City and Kyle Vanden Bosch of Tennessee, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth of the Titans, linebackers James Harrison of Pittsburgh, and DeMeco Ryans of Houston, cornerback Champ Baily of Denver, and safeties Ed Reed of Baltimore and Bob Sanders of the Colts.

The punter will be Oakland's Shane Lechler, while Rob Bironas will handle the place-kicking duties for the AFC. Cleveland's Josh Cribbs was voted as the kick returner.

Quarterbacks Peyton Manning of the Colts and Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers were named reserves. The other running backs were Joseph Addai of the Colts and Pittsburgh's Willie Parker. One other Steeler was selected - reserve safety Troy Polamalu.

Manning was named to the game for the eighth time in 10 NFL seasons and the sixth time in as many years.

Cleveland's Braylon Edwards and Cincinnati's T.J. Houshmandzadeh were voted as reserve wide receivers, while KC tight end Tony Gonzalez is going to his ninth consecutive Pro Bowl, this time in a reserve role.

"We are very proud that Tony Gonzalez has been selected to his ninth consecutive Pro Bowl," Chiefs president Carl Peterson said. "Very few players have displayed the outstanding level of consistency that Tony has demonstrated over the years."

Baltimore tackle Jonathan Ogden was selected to his 11th Pro Bowl, while Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was chosen to his eighth and Miami defensive end Jason Taylor to his sixth.

12/18 18:10:18 ET

sportsnetwork.com Pro Bowl

John Berg, "House M.D." Actor Found Dead

'House M.D.,' 'Monk' actor John Berg dead at 58

From wire service reports
Article Launched: 12/17/2007 01:11:49 PM PST

VAN NUYS - Television character actor John Berg, who appeared in shows such as "House M.D." and "Monk," was found dead in his Van Nuys home, authorities said today.

The body of the 58-year-old actor was discovered shortly before 1 p.m. Sunday in the residence in the 6500 block of Nagle Avenue, said Capt. Ed Winter of the coroner's office.

The cause of death was not immediately disclosed. An autopsy was pending. Authorities went to the actor's residence on a "welfare check" call, Winter said.

Berg has also appeared on shows such as "NCIS," "The Practice," "Boston Legal" and "Law & Order."

dailybreeze.com - John Berg

Flatley Wins $11M in Tyna Marie Robertson Case

Judge in LA Orders $11M for Flatley

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A woman who accused Michael Flatley of sexual assault has been ordered to pay him more than $11 million for making false allegations to extort money from him, according to documents obtained Monday.

Superior Court Judge Michael L. Stern found that real estate agent Tyna Marie Robertson had defamed and intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon Flatley, 49, who appeared in "Riverdance," "Lord of the Dance," "Feet of Flames" and "Celtic Tiger."

Robertson had alleged Flatley raped her in a Las Vegas hotel in 2002 and threatened to sue unless he agreed to pay a "seven figures" settlement, according to court papers.

Police declined to press criminal charges, and Flatley said the sex was consensual.

Robertson then filed a $33 million lawsuit in Illinois alleging sexual assault, but it was dismissed.

Flatley countered with a lawsuit against Robertson and her lawyer D. Dean Mauro claiming extortion, intentional infliction of emotional distress and defamation.

The California Supreme Court held in July 2006 that Mauro had committed extortion, and he settled the case by making "a substantial payment" to Flatley, according to a statement from the dancer's lawyer, Ricardo P. Cestero.

The judgment order against Robertson formalized a ruling made by Stern during a hearing this month.

Flatley plans to donate any recovery on the settlement to charity, Cestero said.

Telephone numbers for Robertson and Mauro were not listed.

Robertson is the ex-girlfriend of Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, and the two have battled in court themselves over their young son, Kennedy.

ap.google.com - Flatley

Farewell Dan Fogelberg - A Tribute

This quiet man of music quietly passed away Sunday at his home in Maine. He left us with a legacy of music that touched our hearts and souls. Simple music with heartfelt lyrics that would often bring a tear to my eye, particularly "Longer", "To The Morning", and "Leader of the Band". If you are unfamiliar with his music, please listen to the clips below - I hope you'll be as touched as I have by his music all these many years. Farewell, Dan - you'll be missed.

Rich Rodriquez Newest Wolverine

UPDATE: Rodriguez introduced as Wolverine

By Jake Stump
Daily Mail Capitol Reporter

New Michigan Wolverines football coach Rich Rodriguez today did not specifically address why he suddenly left West Virginia University other than to say it was time for him to move on.

"I'm just changing jobs," he said at a press conference in Ann Arbor.

Rodriguez dodged questions about the reasons behind his departure from the Morgantown two weeks before a Fiesta Bowl showdown with the Oklahoma Sooners.

Rodriguez repeatedly stated that it was the most difficult decision in his career and that he'd rather not talk about the past and WVU.

"I don't think there's a need to talk about the past process," Rodriguez said in response to a reporter's question concerning his talks with Michigan. "Everything was first class. Everything was dealt with in a forthright manner."

Rodriguez said he still hadn't talked to WVU officials about his decision or the Oklahoma game, but he made it clear that he wouldn't coach the Mountaineers in the Jan. 2 bowl. The letter of his resignation that a graduate assistant passed along to Athletic Director Ed Pastilong on Sunday said he was resigning effective Jan. 3.

"If a coach stays on, he becomes the focus of the game," he said. "I don't want to be a distraction."

The 44-year-old native of Grant Town, Marion County, tried focusing more on his goals at Michigan rather than West Virginia during the press conference.

He opened the press conference attempting to joke around by saying, "What a great crowd. They must be giving away free hats or something."

He later quoted a scene from the Disney movie, "Lion King."

Rodriguez also acknowledged former WVU basketball coach John Beilein, who, too, left the Mountaineers for the Wolverines this year.

"I'm excited to be back with my good friend John Beilein," he said. "I was excited when his house sold quickly. Hopefully, mine will do the same."

When asked how he would deal with the buyout and his WVU contract, Rodriguez said that decision was left to the university.

He was also asked about Michigan's rivalry with Ohio State.

"The hecklers let me know about that yesterday," said Rodriguez, who was met with a chorus of jeers and insults from Mountaineer fans as he and his family departed Sunday from Morgantown Municipal Airport.

"What bothered me most was getting that 'O-H thing (Ohio State's football cheer),'" he continued.

Michigan Athletic Director Bill Martin introduced their new coach at the press conference. Martin noted that Fielding Yost, who won four national championships with Michigan in the early 1900s, grew up in Fairview, five miles from Rodriguez's hometown of Grant Town.

Rodriguez introduced his family at the press conference and talked a little about his hometown. He joked that Grant Town had a sign that said 'Home of Rich Rodriguez' but that residents probably already scratched it out.

"Some people are a little upset and probably will stay so," he said. "But I hope for the great people in the state of West Virginia, they'll look at what we've done in the last seven years."

Charleston Daily Mail

Alycia Lane Attacks NY Cop

Alycia Lane: The Police Report

Here's a part of a deposition regarding Alycia Lane, who allegedly pulled a Jason Michaels Saturday night in New York City.

Deponent states that deponent was approaching an intoxicated male and directing said male to return to a Taxi when defendant placed a camera against deponent's face. Deponent observed officer grab defendant's arm (holding the camera) in an attempt to move it away from deponent's face. Deponent states that defendant said in substance to officer: I DON'T GIVE A FUCK WHO YOU ARE I AM A REPORTER YOU FUCKING DYKE. Deponent further states that deponent observed defendant strike officer about the face. Deponent states that defendant's strike caused officer to sustain two lacerations to officer's face and caused swelling."

That actually gives the reporter thing some context. It now reads more like: I'm taking photos in my capacity as a journalist, although I don't think "I am a reporter, you fucking dyke!" is the best way to express that statement.

The Daily News' Dan Gross, Regina Medina and Bob Cooney have some fun details, including: "A station source said Lane's iPhone was confiscated by cops as evidence." The New York Post says Alycia has always been saying "Fuck the police."

Lane, a Long Island native, is a former reporter and anchor for cable station News 12 in The Bronx and covered the 1999 shooting of Amadou Diallo, the unarmed immigrant killed by 40 police bulles.

Wait, isn't it 41? Either way, Lane's lawyer denies the charges, and Alycia was crying, so now we should all feel bad for her. Really.

willdo.philadelphiaweekly.com Alycia Lane