TODAY HOTTEST TRENDS

Rescue of Chile’s miners nears as engineers fine-tune plans

2010-10-14T10:55:00.000-07:00

THE trapped 33 miners in Chile, their relatives and government officials were counting down the hours yesterday after rescuers finished reinforcing an escape shaft to avoid a last minute disaster as the miners’ two month ordeal draws to an end, according to agency accounts.

However, a torrent of emotions awaits the 33 miners when they finally rejoin the outside world possibly tomorrow after an expected harrowing and challenging world’s most complex rescue operations and most stunning survival stories.

After weeks of prayers, vigils and agonising waiting, anxiety is giving way to joy as wives, parents and children count down to reunions with their loved ones.

The men, who have set a world record for the length of time workers have survived underground after a mining accident, have been doing exercises to keep their weight down for their final ascent.

Reuters and British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that engineers completed lining part of the narrow, nearly 2,050 foot-long (625-meter) shaft with metal tubes yesterday morning.

As at the time of compiling this report, the engineers were test running with special escape capsules, and the Chilean government aims to start hoisting the men to freedom one by one by tomorrow.

They installed the tubes to head off the risk of rocks from the side of the drill shaft falling down onto the capsules dubbed “Phoenix” after the mythical bird, and blocking them from reaching the surface.

“I’m so tired. It’s been far too many days doing nothing, just sitting waiting,” said Alicia Campos, whose son, Daniel Herrera, is among the trapped miners, as she lined up for a fish sandwich at the tent settlement near the mine entrance dubbed “Camp Hope.” She wants her son to take up another profession.

Chile’s Mining Minister, Laurence Golborne, said on Sunday rescuers could start lifting the miners to the surface yesterday evening if all went well.

President Sebastian Pinera, who has ordered a revamp of mine safety regulations in the wake of the accident, has said he plans to visit the mine today. One of the 33 miners is a Bolivian national, and Bolivia’s President Evo Morales has vowed to visit the mine for his rescue.

Rescue officials said they would push ahead boring a separate shaft with a rig usually used to drill for oil as a back-up plan, just in case there are any complications. They have halted a third drill.

In a land still recovering from a devastating February earthquake, celebrations broke out across Chile on Saturday when the drill broke through 65 days after the August 5 collapse at the small gold and copper mine in the far northern Atacama Desert.

The miners will journey to the surface in capsules just wider than a man’s shoulders with their eyes closed and will immediately be given dark glasses to avoid damaging their eyesight after spending so long in a dimly-lit tunnel.

They will be given astronaut-style medical checks in a field hospital set up at the mine. Then they will be able to spend some time with their families, before being flown by helicopter to nearby Copiapo to be stabilised at another hospital.

Helicopter pilots conducted practice flights in the dark overnight.

The miners are in remarkably good health, although some have developed skin infections.

Health Minister Jaime Manalich said at least two rescuers, one of them a paramedic, would travel down in the capsules to help prepare the men for their journey to freedom.

He said the government had chosen the most psychologically stable and experienced of the miners to be the first to enter the capsules and face the harrowing, claustrophobic journey.

“They have to be psychologically mature, have a great deal of mining experience and be able to handle a quick training on how to use the harness and oxygen mask in the Phoenix capsule,” Manalich said.

The government brought in experts from the United States (U.S.) NASA space agency to help keep the men mentally and physically fit during the rescue, which has gripped the world and drawn messages of support from Pope Benedict and World Cup soccer stars.

But when they finally come out, they’ll be celebrated at first, embraced by their families and pursued by more than 750 journalists who have converged on the mine, competing for interviews and images to feed to a world intensely curious to hear their survival story.

They’ve been invited to visit presidential palaces, take all-expense paid vacations and appear on countless TV shows.

Contracts for book and movie deals are pending, along with job offers. More money than they could dream of is already awaiting their signature.

Right now they are true heroes. Some will become celebrities if they want to. But eventually, a new reality will set in — and for most, it won’t be be anything like the life they knew before the mine collapsed above their heads.

Country Music Awards Winners 2009

2009-11-12T06:51:00.000-08:00

Reba McEntire hosted the 2009 Country Music Awards.

This is the the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The ceremony takes place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The awards honor the noteworthy contributions to country music from the top musicians, venues, radio stations, and personalities in a star-studded live telecast which will be tape delayed for the West Coast broadcast.

What time does the ACM Awards start? At 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. At 7 p.m. ET/PT The ACM Awards Orange Carpet special (Red Carpet arrivals) will air on cable channel GAC.

The ACM Awards 2009 host is country music legend Reba McEntire who will also debut her new single, “Strange,” from her forthcoming new album. It will be her 11th time as ACM Awards host.

Scheduled Performances
Miley Cyrus: Made her debut performance at the Academy of Country Music Awards3
Lady Antebellum: Winner of 2008 Top New Vocal Duo or Group and nominated for 2009 Top Vocal Group and2
Lee Ann Womack: Five ACM awards winner is nominated for 2009 Top Female Vocalist2
Jamey Johnson: Five-time 2009 ACM award nominee, including Top New Male Vocalist, Album of the Year, Single Record of the Year and as an artist and composer for Song of the Year for "In Color"
Toby Keith: ACM Entertainer of the Year in 2002 and 2003 is nominated for 2009 Top Male Vocalist4
Miranda Lambert: Nominated for two 2009 ACM awards, one for Top Female Vocalist and the other for Single Record of the Year for "Gunpower & Lead"4
John Rich: Big & Rich has previously been nominated for fourteen ACM awards and is nominated for 2009 Top Vocal Duo 2
Heidi Newfield: Nominated for five ACM 2009 awards including Top Female Vocalist4
Rascal Flatts: Received the 2008 The Home Depot Humanitarian Award and has previously won seven ACM awards4
Sugarland: Nominated for 2009 Top Vocal Duo and Vocal Event of the Year4
Taylor Swift: The 2008 Top New Female Vocalist last year is nominated for four 2009 ACM awards4

2009 New Artist Winners
Julianne Hough: Won Top New Female Vocalist for her self-titled debut album, Julianne Hough, this was the Dancing with the Stars pro's first nomination and first win4
Zac Brown Band: Won Top New Vocal Duo or Group for their fourth album, The Foundation, this was their first nomination and first win4
Jake Owen: Won Top New Male Vocalist for his second album Easy Does It he was previously nominated for Top New Male Vocalist and Vocal Event of the Year in 20084

2009 Special Award Winners
Dolly Parton: Jim Reeves International Award for "outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world"2
Merle Haggard and Harlan Howard: Poet's Award for "outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers in the field of country music2
Jerry Reed, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis and Hank Williams, Jr.: Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award which honors "individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre"2
Beer For My Horses: Tex Ritter Award for a "movie released and/or receiving major exposure during the preceding calendar year, featuring or utilizing country music"2
David Young: Mae Boren Axton Award "in recognition of years of dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the Academy of Country Music"2

Additional musical guests include Carrie Underwood (pictured above), Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins, Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum, John Rich, Lee Ann Womack, Jamey Johnson, Sugarland, Miranda Lambert, and Heidi Newfield.

Several country music artists will be presenters, including Rascal Flatts,, Kellie Pickler, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jack Ingram, Martina McBride, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton.

Additional presenters include actor/singer Jamie Foxx, actor Matthew McConaughey, actress Jennifer Love Hewitt and supermodel Marisa Miller.

Some of the awards have been announced in advance of the awards ceremony:

George Strait has already been announced as ACM Artist of the Decade. He will be honored at a special event on April 6, 2009, hosted by the Country Music Association. Performers will include Martina McBride and Dierks Bentley. George Strait will also perform at the event.

Additional winners announced include: Brad Paisley and Keith Urban for Vocal Event of the Year, for their duet single “Start a Band.” Brad Paisley’s music video for “Waitin’ on a Woman” has won the Video of the Year award which he shares with producer Mark Kalbfeld, producer/director Jim Shea and director Peter Tilden.

Overall, Paisley, with six nods, has the most ACM nominations.

Dolly Parton, Randy Travis and Kenny Rogers will all receive special awards.

Other announced winners:

Julianne Hough, Top New Female Vocalist
Jake Owen,Top New Male Vocalist
Zac Brown Band, Top New Vocal Duo or Group.

Veterans Day 2009

2009-11-11T07:08:00.000-08:00

Veterans Day, Remembrance Day and Armistice Day are all celebrated on November 11. Many use Veterans Day quotes to send words of appreciation to Veterans who are here to celebrate this annual American holiday honoring military veterans.

Some quotes that are perfect for Veterans Day are written by famous people, past and present. Other quotes are recorded yet the writer is unknown.

Veteran's Day 2009, there are a variety of great freebies for the men and women who have served our country or are still enlisted. Free Krispy Kreme's free doughnuts, free meals at Applebee's, UNO's, McCormick & Schmick's and free entry into many parks and museums top the list of great deals for the deserving members of the US Military on Veteran's Day.

Applebee's is honoring the U.S. Military by offering veterans and active a free entree on Veteran's Day, November 11. With proper identification, veterans and active military personnel will enjoy a free signature entree at any Applebee's on Wednesday November 11th in recognition for their honorable service.

McCormick & Schmick’s Veterans Appreciation Event will be held at participating McCormick & Schmick's restaurants on November 8, 2009. Veterans will be able to choose a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée on November 8. Some of the mouth-watering selections include Cashew-Crusted Tilapia, Grilled Atlantic Salmon, Seafood Fettuccini Alfredo and Cedar-Planked Salmon. See mccormickandschmicks.com for a list of participating restaurants.

Masala Wok restaurants in Northern VA are offering a free entree and thanks to all US veterans and active duty military this Veterans Day. All active duty and veterans will eat free during regular business hours. Veterans and active duty with proof of United States military service will be able to go to one of the two Masala Wok's in VA and select one complimentary entrée from the regular full menu.

UNO Chicago Grill will offer all members of the Military, both veterans and active duty, to enjoy a free entree or individual pizza with the purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value.
No coupon is necessary. Veterans or active Military can either show up in uniform, or with a picture of themselves in uniform, or with a Military or veteran's ID.

Colonial Williamsburg is offering free admission to veteran’s and their families. Active duty military, guard and reservists, retirees, veterans and their dependents enjoy free admission passes Friday through Wednesday, Nov. 6-11, 2009. Colonial Williamsburg ticket prices range from $18 to $36 dollars, so this is an incredible deal for military families.

Uaa Online,Uaa Blackboard

2009-11-09T06:44:00.000-08:00

Uaa Online, Uaa Blackboard:This morning at 10, the UAA women’s basketball team will suit up for a game at one of the country’s most storied and hostile basketball arenas, against one of the sport’s giants: Duke University. The exhibition game is being touted as a showdown between Division I and Division II powers. Duke is ranked sixth in the nation in the big leagues; UAA is ranked eighth in the not-so-big leagues.

But anyone familiar with UAA’s record against Division I competition knows there’s a great divide between the divisions.

UAA historically fields a strong men’s team and of late has boasted an even stronger women’s team. Yet the men are 28-62 all-time against Division I competition in the Shootout and the women are 29-47.

So anytime the Seawolves knock off a Division I team, it’s noteworthy. More info.

Maclaren Stroller Recall

2009-11-09T06:04:00.000-08:00

British stroller maker Maclaren is recalling a million strollers sold between 1999 and the present. The company has received a dozen reports of children's fingertips getting amputated in a hinge on the strollers.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is advising parents to immediately stop using their Maclaren strollers until they can get a repair kit. Maclaren will be providing a hinge cover via its Web site and a special phone line beginning tomorrow.

GRETCHEN REAL HOUSEWIVES DRAMA.

2009-11-06T04:59:00.000-08:00

Gretchen Real Housewives, Gretchen Housewife of Orange County. Season 5 of The Real Housewives of Orange County is as crazy as ever and even more dramatic than the past 4 seasons – if that is possible.

Ellen K. of KIIS-FM, second from left, poses with "The Real Housewives of Orange County" Vicki Gunvalson, left, Lauri Peterson, Tamra Barney, Jeana Keough and Gretchen Rossi at the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point.

Newyork Yankees win 27th World Series 2009.

2009-11-05T08:48:00.000-08:00

The New York Yankees claimed a record-extending 27th World Series title with a 7-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 on Wednesday night, the AP reported.

Hideki Matusi of the Yankees tied the World Series record with six RBIs on a home run, single and double that each drove in two runs. The only other player with six RBIs in a Series game was the Yankees’ Bobby Richardson in 1960.

Matsui’s third homer of the Series gave starter Andy Pettite a 2-0 lead in the second inning, but The Phillies got a run back in the third on Jimmy Rollin’s sacrifice fly.

The Japanese slugger, however, hit a bases-loaded single in the third then hit a two-run double off from reliever J.A Happ that boosted the Yankees lead to 7-1 in fifth.

Korean reliever Park Chan-ho of the Phillies came to the mound in the bottom of the sixth and securely closed the inning with no run.

This is the first time since 2000 the Yankees have won the World Series.

Philadelphia fell two wins short of becoming the first National League team to repeat as World Series champions since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds.

Ryan Howard's sixth-inning homer came too late to wipe away his World Series slump, and Phillies pitchers rarely managed to slow Matsui and the Yankees' machine.

"It's important in our next couple years to stay afloat,'' Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "I know we can do better.''

Now, all over 35-years-of-age, they have another success to celebrate. And surely they remember the familiar parade route, up Broadway through the Canyon of Heroes.