January 07, 2010 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Cook County deputies conducting an eviction in Garfield Park discovered a malnourished dog that had been stolen before Thanksgiving from a home nearby, officials said this afternoon.
Macho — a 6-year-old bull mastiff and American bulldog mix — was identified from a microchip its owner had implanted in the dog, the sheriff’s office said.
Macho was reported missing on Nov. 23. He had been left in the family’s yard for the day and, when they got home, he was gone, the office said. Neighbors reported seeing someone in the yard area that afternoon.
Around 11 a.m. Tuesday, deputies arrived at 400 N. Trumbull Ave. to evict a man who hadn’t paid his rent in months, the office said. They found a teenage boy home alone, along with three dogs — “two severely malnourished and one starved to death,” the sheriff’s office said.
The dead dog, an adult female, was found in an unheated basement, along with an emaciated puppy, it said. Macho was found in an unheated garage. Temperatures in the garage and basement were below freezing, and deputies said they found no food or water nearby.
“Antonio Harris, 38, came home during the eviction and was immediately arrested on three counts of animal cruelty – a class A misdemeanor,” the office said.
Deputies said the charges could be upgraded because the dog had died from starvation. A microchip in that dog showed it was stolen from a home in Bellwood, the sheriff’s office said.
Harris claimed the other two dogs were his, but deputies found the microchip in Macho.
Macho’s owner told deputies he had had another dog stolen and decided to implant the microchip — the size of a grain of rice — in Macho.
Harris is free on bond. His next court date is 9 a.m. on Feb. 2 at Branch 43 at Harrison and Kedzie. – Staff report
December 23, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Most non-emergency city offices will be closed Thursday, with those employees taking a day off without pay in an effort to fight the budget crunch.
To save an estimated $8.3 million throughout the year, ChicagoChicago reviews picked three days — including Aug. 17, the day before Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve — to shut down most city services, leaving only a skeleton crew to handle emergencies and conduct necessary city business.
Police officers, firemen and privatized parking meters were scheduled to be working, but very few other city offices and no libraries were to be open.
About 11,000 workers are expected to be off without pay on Christmas Eve. City workers also have been taking furlough days throughout the year to help reduce payroll costs.
With Thursday being Christmas Eve, and Friday being Christmas, a federal holiday, the following services will be affected:
Schools: Most Chicago public schools will be closed until Jan. 4. Many suburban schools will be closed through New Year’s Day; check with the local district.
Government offices: Federal, state, county and city offices will be closed Friday. City Hall and other city buildings will be closed Friday and also Thursday because of the reduced-service day. All emergency services will be fully staffed, however, and garbage will still be picked up on Thursday.
All secretary of state offices and facilities will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Postal Service: Most post offices in the Chicago area will close by noon Thursday and will remain closed through Friday. There will be no regular pickups Friday. Express mail, however, will still be delivered.
The main Chicago post office will have its lobby open until 5 p.m. Thursday, as will some suburban offices. Call 800-ASK-USPS for information on specific post office locations.
Libraries: All branches of the Chicago Public Library, including the Harold Washington Library Center and the Woodson and Sulzer regional libraries, will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Financial markets: Floor and electronic trading will be closed Friday at the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, according to a CME spokeswoman.
Courts: Federal, state and county courts will be closed Friday, except for Cook County Central Bond Court.
December 02, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Enjoying the perks of dating one of Hollywood’s hottest stars, Elisabetta Canalis stepped out for a leisurely afternoon in Beverly Hills, California on Wednesday (December 2).
Joined by a female friend, the sexy girlfriend of George Clooney ended up having lunch at Newsroom Cafe on Robertson Blvd., being swarmed by paparazzi and fans while making her exit.
As previously reported by Gossip Center, Miss Canalis joined Clooney and his mother, Nina, on the red carpet earlier this week for the Los Angeles premiere of his new flick, “Up In The Air”.
The glitzy movie premiere followed a long weekend down south in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for the Thanksgiving holiday – with Elisabetta and George spending time with Cindy Crawford and her husband, Rande Gerber.
December 01, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Music
For his upcoming LP Malice N Wonderland, Snoop Dogg has dropped a new short film, and Rolling Stone has the exclusive sneak preview of the trailer, which you can CLICK HERE to view.
Malice N Wonderland the album hits stores on Dec. 8th, and the video for single I Wanna RockI Wanna Rock reviews debuted Thanksgiving Day on MTV.
November 30, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Just returned back to the States, Miranda Kerr was spotted heading out in New York City on Monday afternoon (November 30).
The Victoria’s Secret beauty made her way over to a local pharmacy, smiling for paparazzi as she hopped into her chauffeured ride.
As previously reported by Gossip Center, Miss Kerr spent the Thanksgiving holiday in Morocco with boyfriend Orlando Bloom.
Addressing the constant engagement rumors during a swanky hotel party, Orlando said, “We are just enjoying our time together now…. [Looking over at Miranda] Doesn’t she look lovely tonight?”
November 30, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
After spending the Thanksgiving holiday in Mexico, George Clooney and Elisabetta Canalis were spotted heading to the Los Cabos airport earlier today (November 30).
The “Men Who Stare at Goats” actor and his lady looked to be in good spirits as their luggage was unloaded from their chauffeured vehicle.
As previously reported, Clooney and Canalis enjoyed their vacation at George’s home with the beautiful Cindy Crawford and her husband, Rande Gerber.
In box office news, the actor’s upcoming film, “Up in the Air” may become one of his biggest successes – as it has already created a lot of Oscar nomination buzz.
November 30, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
It seems that controversy and drama seem to follow him wherever he goes, and Michael Lohan’s latest issues have come from a fake Twitter account.
According to a report, the infamous father was thought to be suicidal after an imposter created an account and pretended to be Lohan, posting desperate tweets over the holiday weekend.
One post read, “Fiance just left me. My family hates me, I spent Thanksgiving with my mom. I just cant do any of this anymore.” It was followed by another one that said, “Heading to the Brooklyn Bridge. Goodbye.”
The real Michael Lohan explained in an email, “This is not not not me. I do not have and never had a Twitter and Twitter’s corporate office confirms that. My lawyers are investigating.”
November 29, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Pet Airways employee Tracy Mandera looks to place one of the small dogs being airlifted from Midway Airport into a cage before loading them onto a fligh for New York. (Alex Garcia/ChicagoChicago reviews Tribune) | MORE PHOTOS
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Dozens of dogs plucked from puppy mills may have new homes for the holidays after being taken to Long Island.
Some 50 Yorkshire terriers, Pomeranians and other purebred dogs arrived Friday at Republic Airport in Farmingdale after flying in from Chicago’s Midway Airport. Animal-rescue workers say many had been taken from Utah puppy breeding operations. Some came from a Missouri shelter that didn’t have room for them.
North Shore Animal League spokeswoman Devera Lynn says the dogs are undergoing medical evaluations and might be ready for adoption next week.
The flight on Pet Airways was part of the “Pup My Ride” campaign, which transports dogs and cats from parts of the country that are over-saturated with unwanted pets to regions with fewer animal control problems, where the demand for pet adoptions is typically higher.
“The Midwest has an over-abundance of dogs,” because of a thriving puppy mill industry, Ohrtman said, whereas the Northeast has less of a problem.
Her group has moved about 2,600 dogs across the country in the last two years, often from the Midwest and California.
Among those saved this week was a 2-year-old, brindle French bulldog who rescuers say was scared of people and refused to be touched; Ohrtman surmised the dog had been abused. On the other end of the personality spectrum was a little Shi Tzu who, out for a walk before the flight, grabbed her leash in her mouth and playfully shook it.
The canine passengers included a variety of breeds, though most were smaller dogs. All had to be checked by a veterinarian to ensure they were healthy enough to fly.
Ohrtman said the rescued animals are usually transported by truck, but in this case the free flight will save time and gas money. They arrived in Chicago by bus Thanksgiving Day and were given a rest break and special holiday meals before heading to Long Island.
Pet Airways founder and CEO Dan Wiesel said he donated the trip as a Thanksgiving present for the dogs.
“I really don’t like the concept of euthanasia,” he said.
“They’re in great shape,” Wiesel said. “They come from a traumatic experience. … they don’t know what’s going on. [But] they’ve got 15 people hugging and kissing them.”
November 29, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Pet Airways employee Tracy Mandera looks to place one of the small dogs being airlifted from Midway Airport into a cage before loading them onto a fligh for New York. (Alex Garcia/ChicagoChicago reviews Tribune) | MORE PHOTOS
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Dozens of dogs plucked from puppy mills may have new homes for the holidays after being taken to Long Island.
Some 50 Yorkshire terriers, Pomeranians and other purebred dogs arrived Friday at Republic Airport in Farmingdale after flying in from Chicago’s Midway Airport. Animal-rescue workers say many had been taken from Utah puppy breeding operations. Some came from a Missouri shelter that didn’t have room for them.
North Shore Animal League spokeswoman Devera Lynn says the dogs are undergoing medical evaluations and might be ready for adoption next week.
The flight on Pet Airways was part of the “Pup My Ride” campaign, which transports dogs and cats from parts of the country that are over-saturated with unwanted pets to regions with fewer animal control problems, where the demand for pet adoptions is typically higher.
“The Midwest has an over-abundance of dogs,” because of a thriving puppy mill industry, Ohrtman said, whereas the Northeast has less of a problem.
Her group has moved about 2,600 dogs across the country in the last two years, often from the Midwest and California.
Among those saved this week was a 2-year-old, brindle French bulldog who rescuers say was scared of people and refused to be touched; Ohrtman surmised the dog had been abused. On the other end of the personality spectrum was a little Shi Tzu who, out for a walk before the flight, grabbed her leash in her mouth and playfully shook it.
The canine passengers included a variety of breeds, though most were smaller dogs. All had to be checked by a veterinarian to ensure they were healthy enough to fly.
Ohrtman said the rescued animals are usually transported by truck, but in this case the free flight will save time and gas money. They arrived in Chicago by bus Thanksgiving Day and were given a rest break and special holiday meals before heading to Long Island.
Pet Airways founder and CEO Dan Wiesel said he donated the trip as a Thanksgiving present for the dogs.
“I really don’t like the concept of euthanasia,” he said.
“They’re in great shape,” Wiesel said. “They come from a traumatic experience. … they don’t know what’s going on. [But] they’ve got 15 people hugging and kissing them.”
November 28, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Teaming up for a lovers lunch date, Ashley Tisdale and Scott Speer were spotted grabbing up a bite to eat in Toluca Lake, California on Friday afternoon (November 27).
The “High School Musical” hottie and her music video director beau opted to get their grub on at Patys restaurant, strolling along arm-in-arm as they exited the local eatery following their midday meal.
Keeping her fans and followers in the know, Tizzie tweeted of the day’s agenda, “Such a nice relaxing day today. Goin out to dinner then movie night!! watchin Miracle on 34th street, always a tradition.”
Also sending her best wishes over the holidays, Ashley wrote, “Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving! I love you all!”
November 27, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
A 31-year-old man had been drinking alcohol prior to driving a vehicle that fatally struck a pedestrian early Thanksgiving morning on ChicagoChicago reviews’s Southwest Side, police said.
Anthony Morales, of the 5500 block of South Homan Avenue, was charged with aggravated driving under the influence resulting in a death, a felony, in connection with the early Thursday morning crash that killed 21-year-old Elias Nunez.
The crash happened about 3:10 a.m. in the 6600 block of South Cicero Avenue.
Nunez, of the 4200 block of West 103rd Street in Oak Lawn, was pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in the suburb, said a spokesman for the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
In addition to the criminal charge, Morales is cited with failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident, following too closely and leaving the scene of property damage related to the crash, police said.
November 27, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Pet Airways employee Tracy Mandera looks to place one of the small dogs being airlifted from Midway Airport into a cage before loading them onto a fligh for New York. (Alex Garcia/ChicagoChicago reviews Tribune) | MORE PHOTOS
About 50 rescued dogs — ranging from a 2-year-old brindle French bulldog so afraid of people that it refused to be touched to a playful Shih Tzu– boarded a special flight today from Midway Airport to New York, where their chances for adoption might be higher.
The animals were saved from puppy mills and shelters in the Midwest, and most likely would have been euthanized, said Kelli Ohrtman, from the Best Friends Animal Society, based in Utah.
The flight on Pet Airways was part of the “Pup My Ride” campaign, which transports dogs and cats from parts of the country that are over-saturated with unwanted pets to regions with fewer animal control problems, where the demand for pet adoptions is typically higher.
“The Midwest has an over-abundance of dogs,” because of a thriving puppy mill industry, Ohrtman said, whereas the Northeast has less of a problem.
Her group has moved about 2,600 dogs across the country in the last two years, often from the Midwest and California.
Among those saved this week was a 2-year-old, brindle French bulldog who rescuers say was scared of people and refused to be touched; Ohrtman surmised the dog had been abused. On the other end of the personality spectrum was a little Shi Tzu who, out for a walk before the flight, grabbed her leash in her mouth and playfully shook it.
The canine passengers included a variety of breeds, though most were smaller dogs. All had to be checked by a veterinarian to ensure they were healthy enough to fly.
Ohrtman said the rescued animals are usually transported by truck, but in this case the free flight will save time and gas money. They arrived in Chicago by bus Thanksgiving Day and were given a rest break and special holiday meals before heading to Long Island.
Pet Airways founder and CEO Dan Wiesel said he donated the trip as a Thanksgiving present for the dogs.
“I really don’t like the concept of euthanasia,” he said.
“They’re in great shape,” Wiesel said. “They come from a traumatic experience. … they don’t know what’s going on. [But] they’ve got 15 people hugging and kissing them.”
The dogs, which range in from about four months to three years old, are being taken to the North Shore Animal League America in Port Washington, N.Y., where they will be put up for adoption.
Florida-based Pet Airways launched in July and carries animals in the main cabin area; the only humans on board are flight attendants and crew. The company flies to Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, the Baltimore-Washington D.C. area and New York, and it plans to expand service to Fort Lauderdale, Phoenix, Omaha, Tampa and Atlanta.
Ohrtman encouraged anyone searching for a pet this holiday season to get one from a shelter. She said it is possible to find all types of dogs, including purebred and designer breeds, at shelters.
“If everybody would go to the shelter to adopt a pet, the puppy mills would be out of business,” she said.
November 27, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Making the most of her Friday afternoon, Kate Gosselin was spotted leaving her family home in Reading, Pennsylvania earlier today (November 27).
The “Jon and Kate Plus 8” mother looked a bit cranky as she hopped into her SUV, looking stylish in a red leather jacket with a black top and dark wash jeans.
Yesterday, Kate spent the Thanksgiving holiday with her eight children, as well as her bodyguard Steve Neild and his family.
Meanwhile, her ex-husband Jon Gosselin was forced to retreat to his grandma’s house for the gluttonous occasion, given that he and his on/off girlfriend Hailey Glassman had a explosive breakup earlier this month.
November 27, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
He’s always been a big hit with the ladies, and last night (November 26) Gerard Butler was spotted leaving the Groucho Club with a couple of celebrity chickas.
The “P.S. I Love You” actor enjoyed the company of singer/actress Natalie Imbruglia and socialite Kimberly Stewart as he made his exit from the London hotspot at 3am.
In a recent interview, Mr. Butler explained that he’s beginning to lament being seen as a womanizer. “I think it does do your reputation harm if this is happening every week. It gets to the stage when you want to go, ‘Don’t come near because then we’ll be having a thing! Stay over there and we maybe can shout to each other.’”
He continued, “It would be good to settle down eventually. It’s not like I’m sitting there with laser vision going, ‘OK, are you the one?’ because what I’m doing is great as well.”
Did you notice a commercial during Thanksgiving’s NFL football games featuring President Barack Obama?
Joined by children from the Washington, D.C. area, the President and players come together for a friendly game of touch football, reminding fans about the importance of being active as part of NFL PLAY 60, the league’s youth health and fitness campaign. Filmed on the White House lawn earlier this month by NFL Films, the PSA also encourages viewers to get involved in their communities and remember the importance of service.
Such was a collaboration between NFL Play 60, an effort to fight child obesity, and United We Serve, the President’s initiative to encourage community service.
The NFL issued a press release about this last week (video of ad embedded below the fold):
President Barack Obama will join Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware in a special public service announcement debuting during each of the three NFL games played on Thanksgiving. The 90-second PSA is a joint effort of the NFL’s PLAY 60 campaign, a leaguewide effort to fight childhood obesity by getting kids active for 60 minutes a day, and United We Serve, the President’s initiative encouraging all Americans to participate in community service. The spot will continue airing throughout the rest of the season in a shorter format. [...]
"Through United We Serve, I have challenged all Americans to roll up their sleeves and engage in sustained service to strengthen our communities," President Obama said. "For some of us that means volunteering at a soup kitchen or cleaning up a local park. For others, it means taking time to build a playground or volunteering your time to improve the life of a child. No matter how we serve, we find common purpose when we dedicate ourselves to helping others. This holiday season, I am asking all Americans to find their own way to give back to their communities."
"Thanksgiving is a time when families come together, and it is also a perfect time to focus on the importance of keeping kids healthy and active," said Brees, a PLAY 60 spokesman. "I was honored to spend time with the President on an issue that is clearly important to him. I was also impressed by his wide receiver skills." [...]
President Obama launched United We Serve to challenge all Americans – young and old, from every background across the country — to create meaningful change in their communities by engaging in service that is sustained and focuses on impact. When volunteers commit to long-term service projects in their communities, they build expertise and strengthen the community’s capacity to meet its challenges. To learn more about United We Serve or find service projects in specific communities, the President is encouraging everyone to visit www.serve.gov.
To be sure, NFL Play 60 is a fine, noble program. But it partnering up with the White House’s community service initiative mightn’t pass the smell test.
After all, what does fighting child obesity and encouraging kids to exercise more have to do with community service?
Of course, Obama’s adoring press didn’t see anything wrong with this.
President Obama is exercising executive privilege to get youngsters off their butts, and to urge all Americans to volunteer for community service.
In a TV spot set to run on Thanksgiving Day, viewers will see New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees zinging a pass to an unseen player. As we look closer, we realize the receiver is actually President Obama. The playing field is the White House lawn. The defender is Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.
Yet, buried at the bottom of the piece was possibly an inconvenient truth:
The president believes his touch football game is only a part of his public-service message.
Indeed. So the President is using the high-profile NFL, during high-profile games, to advance HIS message.
And media don’t see anything wrong with that. I’m not sure they’d be so accepting if the President catching passes from Drew Brees in order to advance HIS message was George W. Bush.
Yet, there’s another question here: what is the NFL getting in return, if anything?
Consider what Rush Limbaugh had to say about Obama’s connection to the NFL back in October when the conservative talk radio host was forbidden to be a part owner of the St. Louis Rams:
I know all of the you people say, "Rush, don’t be distracted!" I’m not being distracted because what is happening to the National Football League and what is about to happen to it, has already happened to Wall Street, has already happened to the automobile business.
DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the Players Association is an Obamaite. He’s donated to Obama. He is a Washington lobbyist at Patton Boggs, and I think he even served on Obama’s transition team. He has no experience in professional sports. The National Football League’s agreement, collective bargaining agreement with the players expires soon. Next year, the salary cap — if they don’t get a new deal done, next year the salary cap — will go away. And after that, there is a fear that the owners — who think they’re giving up too much of the gross in salary, compensation to the players — might lock them out, a work stoppage. This is something that the Players Association doesn’t want, obviously.
And the real reason, the real reason — and there are many, many reasons that are valid, but the real reason — that pressure was brought upon me by Sharpton and Jackson and DeMaurice Smith and the commissioner is that the Players Association is using my involvement in the Rams and this whole episode as a bit of leverage in their negotiations, the upcoming negotiations with the league and with the owners on a new collective bargaining agreement. That is what’s really going on, and the Players Association… I don’t know how many players know this, but Mr. Smith has let it be known that if he has to he’ll bring the White House into this. He’ll bring the Congressional Black Caucus into this.
So Obama’s America is quite possibly going to include the National Football League, and pressure from Obama, the Congressional Black Caucus and other places might be brought to bear on the owners. I can’t imagine that that’s anything they want. You know, as all businesses are, they’re regulated to a certain extent by the federal government but this would be a huge expansion of that. And that threat is being bandied about. And I don’t expect anyone to admit it. The owners are not going to admit that. They don’t want to. I’m sure that the reaction to this today will be, "Ah, Limbaugh doesn’t know what he’s talking about." It will be another one of these things, but that is one of the things that I do know is going on behind the scenes.
And of course to make me the poster boy here for, "Oh, my God look! These guys, would they ever consider Limbaugh?" It’s designed to intimidate the owners, frighten the owners and say, "We’re running this league now, gang, not you. Even though you may own the teams, we’re running it, not you," and this was a little warning shot fired across the bow to the owners to say, "Get ready, here we come," for the next collective bargaining agreement.
Exactly five weeks later, the NFL and the White House teamed up for a joint initiative.
November 27, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Today is Black Friday. Shoppers were expected to line up early outside some stores as the nation’s retailers usher in the traditional start of the holiday shopping season with expanded hours and deep discounts on everything from toys to TVs.
A number of stores, including Walmart and many Old Navy locations, opened on Thanksgiving, hoping to make the most of the extra hours. Toys R Us opened most of its stores at midnight Friday.
Black Friday gets its name because it traditionally has been the day when huge
crowds push stores into “the black,” or profitability. But the
weekend doesn’t provide a forecast for the rest of the season, which
accounts for as much as 40 percent of annual sales and profits for many
stores.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, has lures like deeply discounted TVs like 42-inch plasma Emerson HDTVs for $448, and other electronics like $78 Magnavox Blu-ray disc players, for the early morning specials that start at 5 a.m.
Toys R Us, which threw open its doors just after midnight Friday, five hours earlier than a year ago, is hawking 250 early morning specials that offer discounts of up to 65 percent on such items as VTech Learning Laptops and Little Tikes Jump ‘n Slide Bouncer.
Midprice department store operator Kohl’s Corp., which is set to open at 4 a.m., is offering deep discounts on cashmere sweaters, dresses and select kitchen appliances.
The nation’s largest electronics chain, Best Buy Co., will open its doors at 5 a.m. will have such deals as $999.99 Samsung 46-inch flat-panel TVs, a savings of $700; and Sony laptops for $479.97, a savings of $180. With the early morning specials limited, crowd control is expected to
be a big focus for merchants this year in the aftermath of the death of
a Wal-Mart worker at a Long Island store during last year’s Black
Friday shopping madness.
Wal-Mart kept most of its stores open through the night to prevent such mad dashes.
Rival
Target Corp., which is opening at 5 a.m. Friday, is spreading hot items
throughout the store to make sure customers have space to shop, as it
has done in the past.
The promotional blitz typical for the
traditional start of the holiday shopping season has high stakes for
retailers who’ve suffered through a year of sales declines. It’s also
important for the broader economy, which could also use a kickstart
from consumer spending.
Retailers closely study buying patterns
for the Thanksgiving weekend to gauge shoppers’ mindset — what kinds of
items they’re buying, what deals are luring them.
Stores need to
perform well for the traditional start because chances are slim they’ll
be able to make up for lost sales for the rest of the season.
November 27, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Celebrating the holiday, Jessica Alba, Cash Warren and daughter Honor Marie Warren visited Jessica’s parents for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday (November 26).
The happy family greeted their loved ones as they headed inside, ready to fill up with a sure-to-be delicious turkey dinner with all of the fixings.
The family outing comes just after it was announced that Miss Alba is set to star in a new movie called “The Insiders,” which is based on a series of Belgian graphic novels.
Optioning the rights with director pal Robert Rodriguez, the story focuses on a Colombian heroine named Najah Cruz who is “asked to infiltrate a worldwide mafia-like organization composed of businessmen and politicians and becomes the bodyguard of the organization’s leader.”
November 26, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Several people around the MRC loved the Thanksgiving message of Amanda Reinecker at the Heritage Foundation’s myHeritage.org website:
America was founded upon sound conservative principles grounded firmly in human nature and not in radical idealism. And today, we see that these principles, though under attack from the Left, are still very much alive.
So, despite these tough times, conservatives and Americans have much to be thankful for:
1. The United States Constitution. The single most important and timeless document of our nation’s Founding, the U.S. Constitution lays the framework for a government that protects the natural and unalienable rights of every American. The Constitution, the key to our greatness and the bulwark of our liberties, offers an antidote to the Left’s radicalism. That’s why The Heritage Foundation has made it priority to educate the American people about this fundamental document.
2.America’s Armed Forces. The brave men and women of the armed forces have dedicated their lives to preserve and protect our liberties and defend the principles that inspired our Constitution. As President Harry S. Truman told Congress in 1945: "Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices."
3. A Conservative America.Recent Gallup polls find that an overwhelming majority of Americans — 40 percent — identify themselves as conservative, as opposed to liberal or moderate. This simply reinforces what Heritage Vice President Mike Franc reported after the 2008 elections: conservatives remain a force to be reckoned with. After all, Barack Obama campaigned last year on promises of lower taxes, spending cuts and a stronger national security because he knows what principles appeal to the American people.
4. Growing Conservative Momentum. This year, the Left’s big-government plans — and there have been many — have sparked a big reaction from conservatives around the country. From the April tea parties to the August town hall meetings to the September protests in Washington, concerned Americans have made it clear to politicians that they remain devoted to principles even if their representatives have abandoned principles.
5. The Sputtering Liberal Agenda. In part because of the firm conservative response, the liberal agenda is wobbling somewhat. While they continue to pose a grave threat to the nation, radical ideas like socialized medicine, new taxes on energy and handouts to Big Labor have been slowed or stalled in Washington. The Left has so far accomplished relatively little, but lest we grow overconfident we should remember that they still hold the levers of power.
6. Conservative Victories. The landslide victories of gubernatorial candidates Bob McDonnell in Virginia and Chris Christie in New Jersey — both states that the Left had counted on to remain in their camp — demonstrate a growing public demand for conservative solutions. Election Day saw other conservative successes as well, including a referendum protecting traditional marriage in Maine.
She’s also thankful that more and more Americans are turning to Heritage for conservatives ideas, with over 550,000 active members.
November 26, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Making a preemptive strike against their Thanksgiving Day caloric intake, Kate Hudson and boyfriend Alex Rodriguez teamed up for a workout in Venice, California on Thursday morning (November 26).
The “Fool’s Gold” actress and her NY Yankees slugger beau dropped into the local Gold’s Gym, running through their sweat sessions before splitting up upon hitting the gym’s exit.
Meanwhile, Kate and A-Rod caused heads to turn by engaging in some rare public PDA during this past Sunday’s American Music Awards, where Miss Hudson was a presenter.
“A-Rod gave Kate a big squeeze to keep her warm and a sweet smooch and she was beaming, glowing actually,” an onlooker said of the lovely scene.
November 26, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Pitching in for the good of the less fortunate, Zoe Saldana lent a helping hand at the Los Angeles Mission & Anne Douglas Center’s Thanksgiving Meal for the Homeless in Los Angeles on Wednesday (November 25).
The always-sexy 31-year-old actress tossed on her chef hat and dished out turkey meals, joining alongside her fellow celebs to tend to a crowd of thousands of homeless.
Meanwhile, Miss Saldana recently expressed her hopes that she won’t be labeled as simply a sex symbol rather than an actress.
“I’ve always gravitated toward the Sigourney Weavers, the Linda Hamiltons, the Angelina Jolies,” she tells Details magazine.
“I just love strong women that are in tune with their bodies — that don’t just use their bodies as sex tools. I’m very dominant — feisty. I’m not a man-hater, just a very proud woman.”
November 26, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Getting in a retail outing ahead of the turkey day holiday, Paris Hilton and Doug Reinhardt were spotted out in West Hollywood, California on Wednesday night (November 25).
The former “Simple Life” star and her beau dropped into the local Burton store, loading up on some burly bagfuls of items before heading out to their nearby car.
Meanwhile, Paris and Doug both expressed their thoughts on the Thanksgiving holiday – telling what they’re grateful about.
Paris sweetly said, “Love, family and friends,” while Doug added, “Family and friends — everything we have.”
November 26, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
The Beacon-News reports: A Thanksgiving Day fire damaged the crematorium/storage facility at River Hills Memorial Park, 1650 S. River Rd. near Batavia.
November 26, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Working through the holidays, the Jonas Brothers were busy tending to press duties in Paris, France on Thanksgiving morning (November 26).
Chauffeured from their hotel to the French radio station NRJ, Nick, Joe and Kevin all hopped out of their van to the warm welcome of a huge crowd of gathered fans.
The Disney trio smiled as they posed for pictures and signed autographs for their faithful followers while being guided inside the station for the day’s interview.
Meanwhile, the JoBros happened to run into fellow young star, Justin Bieber, while in Paris. Bieber wrote, “Randomly ran into the Jonas Brothers at the airport. First time meeting each other. They seem like really great guys.”
November 25, 2009 :: Posted by - admin :: Category - Fab Local News
Heading out for a day’s worth of work, Ellen Pompeo was spotted earlier today (November 25) leaving her home in Los Feliz, CA.
The “Grey’s Anatomy” actress lost her baby weight impressively fast – as she just gave birth in September to her daughter, Stella, and looks thinner than ever!
Her hit ABC show will not be airing this week due to Thanksgiving, but will be back next week.
In related news, the “Grey’s Anatomy” interns landed their own webisode series available on the ABC Web site.
Cook County deputies conducting an eviction in Garfield Park discovered a malnourished dog that had been stolen before Thanksgiving from a home nearby, officials said this afternoon.
Deputies said the charges could be upgraded because the dog had died from starvation. A microchip in that dog showed it was stolen from a home in Bellwood, the sheriff’s office said.
Did you notice a commercial during Thanksgiving’s NFL football games featuring President Barack Obama?
"Through United We Serve, I have challenged all Americans to roll up their sleeves and engage in sustained service to strengthen our communities," President Obama said. "For some of us that means volunteering at a soup kitchen or cleaning up a local park. For others, it means taking time to build a playground or volunteering your time to improve the life of a child. No matter how we serve, we find common purpose when we dedicate ourselves to helping others. This holiday season, I am asking all Americans to find their own way to give back to their communities." 
President Obama is exercising executive privilege to get youngsters off their butts, and to urge all Americans to volunteer for community service.
DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the Players Association is an Obamaite. He’s donated to Obama. He is a Washington lobbyist at Patton Boggs, and I think he even served on Obama’s transition team. He has no experience in professional sports. The National Football League’s agreement, collective bargaining agreement with the players expires soon. Next year, the salary cap — if they don’t get a new deal done, next year the salary cap — will go away. And after that, there is a fear that the owners — who think they’re giving up too much of the gross in salary, compensation to the players — might lock them out, a work stoppage. This is something that the Players Association doesn’t want, obviously.
Several people around the MRC loved the Thanksgiving message of Amanda Reinecker at the Heritage Foundation’s 
