Puzzle Inspiration Blog

Hair' is a great revival, but we need new plays

Hair' is a great revival, but we need new plays
11:33 AM EDT, April 1, 2009
The Broadway program for "Hair" did not look promising.

First, a turn-off-your-cell-phone insert offered inane urgings to "turn on" my eyes, my ears, my skin. Then I turned to the cast biographies to find that grown-up actors had replaced their professional credits with hippy-dippy goo-goo talk about their astrological signs and their love for peace and cats and karma and, you know, man, their love for love.

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O no, not again! Oprah 'disheartened' by second sex scandal in 2 years

O no, not again! Oprah 'disheartened' by second sex scandal in 2 years
BY CORKY SIEMASZKO   
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Updated Wednesday, April 1st 2009, 9:40 AM

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Oprah christens her new school in South Africa in 2007.
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Oprah Winfrey's sick puppy on the mend
Oprah Winfrey says she is "disheartened" that her elite boarding school for girls in South Africa has been rocked by its second sex scandal in fewer than two years.

"I'm disappointed that several of our students chose to disregard the school's rules. It's disheartening when any student has to be suspended or expelled and it's a process that involves serious review and consideration," Winfrey said in a statement Tuesday.
"Indiscretions resulting in disciplinary action are common in schools all over the world. Unfortunately, because of my name these common infractions place the Academy in the media spotlight."
Seven students were suspended last week for sexually harassing their schoolmates, the "Afrikaans on Sunday" newspaper reported.
One 15-year-old was accused of preying on another pupil and forcing other girls to lie to investigators about it, the paper reported.
"You have been found guilty of physical contact of a sexual nature with another pupil on campus, harassment, bullying other girls on campus and of being dishonest by not telling investigators the whole truth," a letter to her parents read.
Other girls were caught fondling each other or trying to get other girls to join them in lesbian liasons, the paper reported.
Oprah's spokesperson, Lisa Halliday, confirmed the girls had been suspended from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy School for Girls - but gave few details.
"It is because they contravened the school's code of conduct," she said. "We regard the incident as confidential."
Winfrey called it the proudest moment of her life when she opened the $46 million school near Johannesburg in January 2007 to help high achieving but poor South African girls.
Nelson Mandela dedicated the school and luminaries ranging from songbirds Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige to filmmaker Spike Lee and actor Sidney Poitier attended the opening.
The school, which aims to house 450 girls in grades 7 through 12 by 2011, offered free tuition, books and uniforms, as well as room and board.
In return, the girls were required to follow the rules.
Ten months later, Winfrey sobbed uncontrollably after 15 girls eported they had been sexually abused by a matron who was supposed to be watching over them.
The talk show queen said the sex abuse charges hit her especially hard because she was raped and molested by a cousin, uncle and family friend when she was 9.
"I am a mama bear when it comes to protecting my children," she said at the time.
"These girls are like my children. That's not just rhetoric for me. I take their futures and the possibility for what their futures hold very seriously."
Dorm matron Virginia Tiny Makgobo, 27, was charged with indecent assault, common assault, soliciting a minor to perform an indecent act and verbal abuse of girls at the school. She denies the charges and is due back in court on June 1.
Vowing to "clean house," Winfrey also fired the school's headmistress and announced she would hand out cell phones - with her number on speed dial - to each student.
It was not clear if any students used their phones to report the latest outrage.

Sweden's Ice Hotel starts selling tickets to space

Sweden's Ice Hotel starts selling tickets to space

Tue Mar 17, 4:44 pm ET

STOCKHOLM – You can sleep in eight degrees below zero, try dogsledding or go on a whale safari. Not exotic enough? Try a space trip through the aurora borealis.

Sweden's famous Ice Hotel says it will start including tickets for Virgin Galactic's space trips in its offerings to tourists. The trips, from nearby Kiruna, the northernmost city in Sweden, will start in 2012 if tests with Virgin's spaceships go according to plan.

Ice Hotel spokesman Roland Sand said Tuesday that tourists will be able to chose whether to go through the winter season's aurora borealis or the midnight sun of Swedish summer.

 

According to Virgin's Web site, tickets for its first trips will start at US$200,000.

 

Virgin is also planning space trips from the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Finn creates USB 'finger drive'

Finn creates USB 'finger drive'

Mr Jalava says he was inspired by a joke made by the doctors treating him

 A Finnish computer programmer who lost one of his fingers in a motorcycle accident has made himself a prosthetic replacement with a USB drive attached.

 Jerry Jalava uses the 2GB memory stick, accessed by peeling back the "nail", to store photos, movies and programmes.

 The finger is not permanently attached to his hand, so it can be easily left plugged into a computer when in use.

 Mr Jalava says he is already thinking about upgrading the finger to include more storage and wireless technology.

 "I'm planning to use another prosthetic as a shell for the next version, which will have removable fingertip and RFID tag," he wrote on his blog, ProtoBlogr.net.

 Half of Mr Jalava's left ring finger had to be amputated last summer after he crashed into a deer while riding his motorbike near Helsinki.

 

He says he was inspired to create the unique storage device when doctors treating him joked that he should have a USB "finger drive" after finding out that he was a software developer.

Captured on camera: Madonna's erotic first encounter with her Brazilian 'toyboy lover' Jesus Luz

Captured on camera: Madonna's erotic first encounter with her Brazilian 'toyboy lover' Jesus Luz

By CHRIS JOHNSON

Last updated at 3:29 PM on 10th February 2009

This is the no-holds-barred photoshoot where Madonna is said to have met Brazilian model Jesus Luz, who she is now rumoured to be romancing.

And judging by the pictures, it's clear to see the newly single singer hit it off straight away with the 22-year-old.

In one shot the 50-year-old is seen locked in a passionate embrace with a topless Luz, while in another the model is pictured naked as Madonna looks on.

Madonna, 50, shares a passionate kiss with Jesus Luz, 22, who she is now said to be romancing, in a new steamy photoshoot

Other images reveal that Luz has his full name tattooed across the top of his back and in another the pair romp together on a hotel bed.

Madonna fuels romance rumours after dinner date with Brazilian model

Madonna and Guy Ritchie put their differences aside for ANOTHER family trip to Kabbalah centre

Madonna is featured in a 46-page spread in the March edition of American magazine W, clad in a Victoria Beckham black dress with white-trimmed sleeves and neckline.

She was photographed in a hotel room in Rio de Janeiro in December by celebrated photographer Steven Klein.

Madonna is clad in a Victoria Beckham dress while Luz appears naked

The photoshoot was done in December in Rio de Janeiro and is said to be where Madonna first met Luz

Oddly enough, given his name Jesus, the pair were first linked before Christmas and she was apparently so enamoured with the handsome Latino, she asked him to accompany her for the remainder of the South America leg of her Sticky & Sweet Tour.

Quite what his devoutly religious family make of it all is unclear especially as his mother is four years younger than Madonna.

Earlier this month the couple were spotted dining out together in New York, which has fuelled speculation they are an item.

 

An eyewitness at the restaurant told Grazia: 'During their brunch here, Madonna and Jesus held hands across the table. At one point, Jesus had his hand on her bottom.'  The encounter came, according to the magazine, hours after Guy and Madonna had been to a Kabbalah meeting.

'Guy doesn't think highly of Jesus since he is convinced this is a casual fling and is not thrilled this is happening so soon after the divorce,' a friend is quoted as saying.

'He's definitely got reservations about the fact Jesus has already met the children.'

Guy is currently in New York working on his latest film, Sherlock Holmes.

The model has his full name 'Jesus Luz' tattooed across his back

The pair are seen canoodling on a hotel bed

Madonna wears a Victoria Beckham-designed dress in the shoot

How long the relationship will last is open to question as a former girlfriend of Jesus is quoted as saying: 'I think it will be difficult for (Jesus) to romance anyone for more than a year. He tires easily of girlfriends and has childish tastes.'

However, since being linked to Madonna, it's perhaps no surprise Luz's modelling career has been given a huge boost.

His new agent Paula Marina told Grazia: 'Everybody in New York loves Jesus. He is going to have an international career.'

His former agent Sergios Mattos, who runs 40 Graus Models, told the New York Post  recently that Luz stopped taking his calls after meeting Madonna and has now signed to the more high-profile Ford Models.

Mattos told Brazilian website Glamurama.com.br: 'He stopped answering his phone... But I wish him the best.

'And now I have a new Jesus [Spanish model Jesus Perez]. This is a much better Jesus, and he's not a fan of Madonna's.'

After the photoshoot the singer is said to have  invited Luz to join her on the remainder of the South America leg of her Sticky & Sweet Tour

The March edition of W magazine

A source close to model also told Glamurama Jesus had raised his modelling rates since meeting Madonna.

The source said: 'He was asking for some $135,000 a show. He did the same job last year for a mere $225.

 

'A lot of people are contacting him but because he keeps raising his rates, they are changing their minds.'

Luz is the second man to be linked to Madonna since she split from her now ex-husband Guy Ritchie in October.

Madonna denied reports last year she was involved with New York Yankees player Alex Rodriguez, who divorced his wife Cynthia last summer. The baseball player made headllines of his own today after he admitted he used steroids.

In an interview with the cable television network ESPN, he admitted and apologised for using performance-enhancing drugs from 2001 to 2003, when he was a member of the Texas Rangers.

Toddler survives pool 'drowning'

Toddler survives pool 'drowning'

 

By Clare Murphy

BBC News health reporter

A two-year-old girl has made an almost complete recovery after spending nearly 20 minutes at the bottom of a pool.

Scans showed Oluchi Nwaubani had been starved of oxygen for some 18 minutes - three times longer than the brain can usually survive - in Bromley, London.

Despite being warned that even if she were to live she may never walk or talk again, her parents say she can run around and say "what she wants".

Doctors say while the case is highly unusual, it is not unprecedented.

Prompt response by both ambulance and helicopter to the scene of the accident in south London last September may well have made the difference between life and death.

Oluchi was rapidly airlifted to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel before being transferred for specialist care to Great Ormond Street - after three days she was breathing again on her own.

As well as the rapid, high level of intensive care Oluchi received, her youth combined with the cold water may also have helped her beat the odds.

"Contrary to popular belief small children are quite strong - they have very healthy hearts, lungs and brains," says Ffion Davies, an A&E consultant and member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

"On top of that, the cold water will have slowed down the body's metabolism and so you can actually survive quite a long period without oxygen."

Children cool faster than adults because they have a higher ratio of surface area to weight than adults.

Oluchi's case may be unusual but there have been several such cases of both children and adults surviving prolonged periods under water in recent years.

 Contrary to popular belief small children are quite strong - they have very healthy hearts, lungs and brains 

Ffion Davies

A&E consultant

Last year, a 35-year-old London architect was found floating in the water off Cape Town: when dragged to shore he was not breathing and had no pulse.

While it is not clear how long John Deeks spent under water, it is thought he was without a pulse for as long as an hour.

Cool water is thought to have played a part in his survival - the water he was swimming in was likely to have been around 15C (60F).

There have also been a string of cases documented in the US. Oluchi's case is put into perspective by that of Michelle Funk, who was also two when she was submerged in a cold Utah river for nearly 70 minutes in 1986.

Doctors published an article on her progress in 1988, by which time she had essentially returned to normal.

Three months on from the accident, Oluchi's parents are hopeful of a full recovery. They say movement is currently the main problem.

"Nevertheless she is now on her feet - she's walking, she's running, and her speech is very good," says her mother, Tayo.

"She's all over the place. You can't keep her down."

Thomas Kinkade, named the featured artist for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Centennial Era

INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, Feb. 9, 2009 – Thomas Kinkade, renowned artist known as The Painter of Light™, has been named the featured artist for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Centennial Era, a three-year celebration that kicks off with the Centennial Era Gala this month.

 

To capture the excitement, color and thrill of the Speedway on canvas, the artist will create a new Studio Masterwork, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 100th Anniversary (working title), that will become the cover for the collectible 2009 Indianapolis 500 Program. The new Studio Masterwork will be unveiled Feb. 27 at the Centennial Era Gala, for which Kinkade also has created the original artwork for the program cover.

 

“We’re thrilled that Thomas Kinkade is capturing the moments of our Centennial Era through his beautiful art,” said Joie Chitwood, IMS president and chief operating officer. “As The Painter of Light, Thomas’ work is known and loved worldwide. The themes that inspire his work – family, tradition and community – are a perfect match for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as we celebrate this important time in our history.”

 

Kinkade’s Centennial Studio Masterworks image is being kept under wraps until its unveiling as part of the kickoff of the three-year series of events. Described as a celebration on canvas, it will span the 100 years of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s history.

 

“Imagine an image that details the running of the Indy 500 – but incorporates the cars from the past through today!” Kinkade said. “It will include the magnificence of the famous Pagoda, the historical significance of the Brickyard – and of course the city of Indianapolis in the distance. What the Hulman-George family envisioned when it purchased the Speedway in 1945 through all of the changes – right up to today – will be commemorated in this special piece of artwork. It is a historical encapsulation – celebrating the icons of America’s first and still its most prestigious raceway.”

 

In addition to the Masterwork, Kinkade has created a colorful and exuberant Impressionist work for the Centennial Era Gala program cover. Capturing all the excitement of Indy at a moment in time as cars flash by the stands, American flags flying on a perfect Memorial Day weekend of blue skies and fluffy clouds, it is the perfect expression of the thrill of racing that millions of fans will find easily identifiable.

 

Established in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long prevailed as an icon of motorsports excellence. Beginning in 2009, the Speedway celebrates its Centennial Era, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the facility in 2009 and the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2011.

 

Celebrating his 25th anniversary as a published artist in 2009, Kinkade is today’s most widely collected living artist. He is known around the world for his tranquil, light-infused paintings that affirm the basic values of family, faith and the beauty of nature.

 

Kinkade has received numerous accolades for his works on and off the canvas, including multiple National Association of Limited Edition Dealers (NALED) awards for Artist of the Year, Graphic Artist of the Year, and nine awards for Lithograph of the Year. He has commemorated a number of important milestones in American heritage, including the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games, Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary, the 85th Farewell Season of Yankee Stadium, Graceland’s 50th Anniversary and others. He is also involved in a number of nonprofit organizations focusing on children, humanitarian relief and the arts.

 

The Thomas Kinkade Company publishes the work of Thomas Kinkade and distributes his art and related collectibles through independently owned galleries worldwide, an extensive network of branded and licensed dealers, and strategic marketing relationships with more than 70 licensees. The company’s primary products are canvas and paper reproductions that feature Mr. Kinkade's artistic unique use of light and his peaceful and inspiring themes. Mr. Kinkade, known as "The Painter of Light," is the most successful and most collected living artist in U.S. history.

 

For more information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.thomaskinkade.com.

Source: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Putin denies dancing to Abba hits

Putin denies dancing to Abba hits

An Abba tribute band says it has performed a private concert for Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Bjorn Again says it was paid £20,000 to play the gig 200 miles (320km) north of Moscow on 22 January.

Bjorn Again's manager Rod Stephen and other band members said Mr Putin danced to Abba hits and shouted "Bravo!"

The PM's spokesman denied the claim. Mr Putin - a former KGB spy who has a black belt in judo - is known in Russia and the West for his macho image.

Bjorn Again says that in January it was flown from London to Moscow and then driven north to a place on the shores of Lake Valdai.

Bjorn Again was founded in 1988

The four member-group says Mr Putin and about seven other guests, including a woman, were present at the concert, but they sat on a sofa veiled by a curtain.

"It was the smallest audience we have ever performed to but Mr Putin was really enjoying it, shouting 'Bravo' and clapping with the others," Aileen McLaughlin, who performs as Abba's blonde Agnetha Faltskog, was quoted as saying by the Times newspaper.

"He [Putin] was dancing along in his seat to Super Trouper and raised his hands in the air during Mamma Mia when we asked the audience to," she said.

Bjorn Again says it performed 15 Abba songs during the private gig, claiming that it was paid by the Kremlin.

Mr Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that the prime minister attended any such concert.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who succeeded Mr Putin last May, is a well-known fan of British band Deep Purple.

Last year, Mr Medvedev attended a concert by the British rockers to mark the 15th anniversary of the founding of Gazprom.

The Little Opossum That Could

The Little Opossum That Could

By Olsen Ebright

NBCLosAngeles.com

A rescued opossum shot in the head is now in stable condition, said Brenda Varvarigos of Valley Wildlife Care on Wednesday.

"Three days ago, Animal Control brought us an opossum that had a bullet wound right through the top of his head," Varvarigos said. "The opossum had blood pouring from the top of his head and out of his nose."

She said the bullet went though the roof of his mouth and out the bottom of his jaw. Opossums' brains are located in the "very back of their heads," Varvarigos said.

"This bullet missed the little fellow's brain by an inch," she said, adding that the animal needed two surgeries.

"The opossum is in stable condition in one of our incubators, where he receives round-the-clock care, consisting of pain meds, antibiotics, feedings and fluids. He will need another surgery on his jaw in the next couple of weeks," Varvarigos said.

The opossum is North America's only marsupial, according to opossum.org. Although the animal may hiss or growl, "they are gentle and placid -- they prefer to avoid all confrontations and wish to be left alone," according to the site.

"Opossums are great animals to have around. They eat unwanted insects and garbage and provide a great benefit to this earth," Varvarigos said.

Varvarigos said that shooting opossums is illegal.

If you find an injured or orphaned animal, contact Varvarigos at 818-346-8247 or via e-mail at valleywildlife@aim.com.

Valley Wildlife, a non-profit all-volunteer based organization that relies on donations in order to operate, made news last month for releasing Smoky the Owl, who was rescued after suffering burns in the Sayre Fire in Sylmar.

http://www.valleywildlifecare.org

http://www.opossum.org/

http://www.opossum.org/facts.htm

Behind Oprah’s big new TV venture

by Fortune editor at large Patricia Sellers

FEBRUARY 4, 2009, 12:55 PM

Behind Oprah’s big new TV venture

“You know I believe in signs.”

You probably don’t know that about Oprah Winfrey since you’re not sitting around watching Oprah at 4 p.m. each day. (Rather, you’re trying to keep your job, aren’t you?)

But the queen of media mentioned this to me when we were talking about Tom Freston, the former Viacom (VIA.B) CEO whom Sumner Redstone fired in 2006 and Winfrey immediately went after. (Read “The Most Wanted Man on the Planet” for more about Winfrey’s relentless pursuit of Freston - from Burma to Hanoi to Montecito, California.)

As for those signs that Winfrey believes in, they indeed played a role in the genesis of her next big venture: the OWN cable-TV network, due to launch in at least 70 million homes in one year via a partnership with Discovery Communications (DISCA). It was May of 2007, shortly after Winfrey met Freston, that Discovery CEO David Zaslav visited her in her Chicago office and pitched what he thought was a compelling idea: to translate her philosophy - which he knew to be “live your best life” - into a TV channel.

“Today, there’s MTV and CNN and Discovery and a few brands that will impact people in years ahead,” Zaslav said to Winfrey that day, asking her to think about having her own TV platform to extend her presence after she’s no longer physically around. Zaslav recalls Winfrey grabbing his hand, leading him to her desk, and pulling out a piece of paper. On it she had written a note to herself, years before, plotting her own TV network. OWN: the Oprah Winfrey Network. It was the same name he suggested.

Winfrey had first met Freston a few months before - tracking him down in Burma and then inviting him for breakfast (she cooked) at her Montecito home. Freston was exactly the person she wanted to run OWN - and Zaslav liked the idea because (another coincidence!) he had almost gone to work for Freston at Viacom, as his No. 2, before leaving NBC Universal (GE) to become Discovery CEO in late 2006.

Another “sign,” as Winfrey says, came last January, two days after she and Zaslav publicly announced the OWN venture. “I got a call from Joe Roth,” she says, referring to the Hollywood veteran who once ran Disney’s (DIS) movie arm. “He said to me, ‘I heard about your announcement, and there’s one person you need: Tom Freston.’” Roth told Winfrey that Freston “shares your vision, has a soul, and has integrity.”

Freston certainly didn’t put Roth up to it. He wasn’t looking for a job and simply wanted to be free.

 

After a two-year chase, Winfrey finally convinced Freston to sign on as a consultant to OWN. He’s more than that, actually - a co-architect of the brand and the programming and also the team that Winfrey is building. (He helped lure new CEO Christina Norman, whom I wrote about last week.) Oprah still wants a bigger piece of Freston. Good luck, given his global inclinations. Right now, he is, as he told me via an e-mail last night, “up in the mountains of Bali (Ubud)…Forgot it was the rainy season…raining an inch an hour.”