Washington DC Twitter: 4 reasons

Showing posts with label 4 reasons. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Mobile TV Trials to Start in Washington DC

A real-world showcase to gauge consumer interest in Mobile TV begins in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in the first quarter of 2010, with eight local area television stations transmitting up to 20 channels of free and premium broadcast TV programming to hundreds of mobile devices that will be used by actual viewers and local residents.

Local and national programming from familiar network broadcasters will be available in the event organized by the Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC), a 29 station group organization representing over 800 TV stations.

The Samsung Moment, exclusively from Sprint, will receive live digital TV using Samsung's Mobile DTV Chip, the world's first single-chip solution for the recently approved Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) Mobile Digital TV standard. The Mobile TV-equipped Samsung Moment was selected for a showcase with Sprint customers in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore markets beginning in the first quarter of 2010

Market research of the showcase is sponsored by LG Electronics and Samsung, with Harris providing lead transmission technology support for the project. Additional equipment is being provided by transmitter manufacturer Rohde & Schwarz. Consumer Showcase participants will also receive additional services, such as premium channels and data applications - depending on the device.

"We are rolling out the Consumer Showcase because of the unprecedented cooperation between all of the companies that have worked hard to make Mobile DTV a reality. Washington, D.C. broadcasters along with LG Electronics, Samsung, Dell, Harris, Rohde & Schwarz, and many other firms have stepped forward to lead this initiative, which enjoys tremendous industry support and believe that mobile television broadcasting will deliver to viewers exactly what they've been clamoring to receive," said Brandon Burgess, OMVC President and ION Media Networks Chairman and CEO.

Source:cellular-news.com/

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Comic Book Jobs: Who’s Hiring? DC Comics

If you’ve ever dreamed of working in comics without actually writing them or drawing them, DC Comics might have a place for you (please make up your own joke for this space). As we roll into 2010, they have openings in two “non-creative” business-related departments, although as anyone can tell you, the business departments of major corporations can be very creative.

First off, the home of Batman and Superman (even after they’re killed off) needs a Staff Accountant to help track money.

You’ll be working for DC’s Finance & Accounting department doing superheroic and necessary tasks like coding invoices, reconciling art and editorial inventory, journal entries (the financial kind, not the “Dear Diary” kind), account analysis and so on.

As always, you’ll need that precious Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance and they’d love it if you had some publishing industry experience. And here’s the kicker: you’ll need to communicate effectively and tactfully with managers and other levels of personnel, so save your snark and trolling for the internets.

This job has been up for awhile, so either they’re having a hard time finding the right candidate or they’re just taking their own sweet time and seeing who’s out there.

Since I can’t count or handle money, DC’s second offering is more appealing to me. DC’s looking for a National Ad Sales Director to work in their Advertising Sales department. With the downward spiral in print advertising, that’s probably a tough workload but if you can pull it off, the Hero Card is yours to carry around. Fortunately the gig also includes acquiring digital ads for DC’s internet programs, so there is a silver living.

This is a salaried full-time gig and not based on commissions, according to the listing. The lucky employee will “oversee the daily activities and management of the advertising & custom solutions, sales and staff for the DC Comics Media Networks (including DC Kids, Teen, Adult Comics and MAD Magazine, and all related websites and digital extensions).”

You’ll be managing the national sales staff and will be expected to grow advertising sales “from existing client base and solicit new business for DC Comics and MAD Magazine’s media networks for both print and online.” That means you’ll be doing a lot of travel (up to 1/3 of your time), and representing at various conventions and trade shows. No costume required other than the standard-issue DC dress code.

Because this is a high-up-the-executive-ladder position, viable candidates will need the all-important BA/BS degree in Marketing, Advertising, Business or related field or equivalent work experience. Plus, they want to see 7+ years previous experience working in an advertising sales or marketing and promotions department. In addition to smoke-free, DC is working towards a snark-free work environment since the person in this position “must have the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with persons on all levels, in person and on the telephone.”

Good luck, potential candidates. Get the New Year off on the right foot by getting a decent job!

Source:comics.gearlive.com/

EPA to Hold States, Washington, D.C. Accountable for Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

(January 3, 2010) - Utilizing the authority of the Clean Water Act and an executive order by President Obama, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hopes to accelerate the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay.

The EPA recently completed an “accountability framework” that will set limits on the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment which can be introduced to the Bay and its waterways by states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

“President Obama, EPA and the states want real, measurable results to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay,” EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said in a statement. “To get there EPA is strengthening support for our partners, setting clear standards for progress, and ensuring accountability if those standards aren’t met.”

Technical assistance will be provided to help the states comprising the Chesapeake Bay watershed—Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia and Washington, D.C.—to improve the performance and accountability of pollution control programs. A total of $11.2 million in grants for the 2010 fiscal year will also be provided to meet those goals.

To ensure that counties, municipalities, conservation districts and watershed organizations understand their role and play their part in meeting outlined water quality goals, the EPA expects the states and D.C. to further divide their pollution limits down to the local level by 2011. By 2017, pollution controls should be in place that are expected to reduce bay pollution by 60 percent, and the EPA said all required pollution control programs must be ready by 2025.

Each jurisdiction must meet milestones every two years. If they fail to do so, the EPA can impose consequences including: an increase in federal enforcement and compliance in the watershed; prohibiting new or expanded pollution discharges; and redirecting EPA grants.

“Pollution in the Chesapeake is a challenge that has persisted for decades,” Jackson said. “This federal-state partnership presents new opportunities for cleanup, and we’re increasing support and accountability to be sure we get the job done.”

Source:afro.com/

D.C. to AT&T: All Your Unused Minutes Are Belong to Us

Washington, D.C. is suing AT&T because some customers who buy its prepaid calling cards don't always use up all the minutes. The city isn't suing on behalf of the customers, of course (though even that would be sort of silly). It's suing on the notion that when a customer doesn't use up all of a product or service they purchase, the remainder belongs to the government. So they want the company to pay what the minutes are worth to the D.C. government, where they might be better used on, oh I don't know, maybe to pay overtime for Mayor Adrian Fenty's mountain bike detail.

Next up, D.C. sues Burger King for stray fries that go uneaten after falling to the bottom of the drive-thru bag.

Source:reason.com/

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Top Washington Twitters

Saturday, December 26, 2009

D.C. may get free health clinic

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) - A nonprofit group that offers free health clinics for the needy around the world said it is seeking to come to the District of Columbia early next year.

Get listed here Remote Area Medical had been planning to stage a dental, vision and medical clinic next month at the D.C. Armory in southeast Washington. But organizers said they were surprised by a five-figure fee they were quoted to rent the armory.

The nonprofit group has organized more than 500 clinics worldwide, and for a time, a D.C. visit was left up in the air. But organizers now tell the newspaper a three-day event is likely to be held in March on the grounds of the former D.C. General Hospital, home to a city-funded health center.

Source:hometownannapolis.com/

Friday, December 25, 2009

Woman knocks down pope at Christmas mass

Pope Benedict XVI is assisted as he leads the Christmas mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 24, 2009. A woman jumped over a barricade at the start of Pope Benedict's Christmas Eve mass on Thursday and lunged at the pope, who was knocked to the floor in the confusion but then resumed the service apparently unharmed.Photograph by: Max Rossi, ReutersVATICAN CITY — An apparently deranged woman knocked Pope Benedict XVI to the ground after vaulting over security barricades in a dramatic start to Christmas Eve mass at St Peter's Basilica.

Video footage showed the woman in a red sweatshirt leaping over the barricade and grabbing the 82-year-old pope as he began the traditional procession to the altar on Thursday.

The pontiff emerged unharmed and later delivered his homily undaunted, speaking out against selfishness as Christians across the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

"Conflict and lack of reconciliation in the world stem from the fact that we are locked into our own interests and opinions, into our own little private world," said the spiritual leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics.

The woman, described as "apparently unbalanced" by the Vatican spokesman, was arrested by Vatican police, the ANSA news agency reported.

In Bethlehem, thousands of pilgrims celebrated Christmas in the traditional birthplace of Jesus, with festivities on a scale unseen since the outbreak of Israeli-Palestinian fighting in 2001.

At midnight mass, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land called on the faithful to pray for peace in the troubled region.

"Its inhabitants are brothers who see each other as enemies," the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fuad Twal told worshippers. "This land will deserve to be called holy when she breathes freedom, justice, love, reconciliation, peace and security."

Live rock music mingled with traditional carols in Manger Square as thousands of pilgrims and Palestinians joined the festivities, providing some respite for a town living in the shadow of a huge Israeli-built wall.

"This is the place where God gave us his son, so it is very special for me to be here, for me and my whole community," said Juan Cruz, 27, from Mexico.

In the United States, a huge winter storm forced scores of churches to cancel Christmas Eve services as blizzards and freezing rain brought treacherous holiday travel conditions for millions.

At least 19 deaths were attributed to the storm system spanning two thirds of the country.

"This is a holiday mess," said Chris Vaccaro, a spokesman for the National Weather Service. "Its effects run the gamut from severe thunderstorms in the Gulf Coast to ice in New England to really what is a raging blizzard in the lower plains."

The northern parts of the massive system were expected to drop up to two feet (60 centimetres) of snow by Christmas Day while blizzard warnings were issued from North Dakota to Texas.

U.S. President Barack Obama left the freeze far behind, starting a family holiday in his native state of Hawaii cheered by a major health reform victory.

Snow, ice and stormy weather also brought fresh misery to Christmas holiday travellers across Europe, causing disruption on roads, rail and air travel.

Icy temperatures blasted Britain, with Scotland bearing the brunt of the freezing weather as temperatures sank to minus 15 degrees Celsius (five Fahrenheit) in some parts of the country.

The Eurostar rail service linking mainland Europe and Britain, which suffered days of chaos this week when its trains were affected by snow, was running to a "modified timetable".

Russia's former imperial capital of St. Petersburg was covered in the heaviest snowfall since 1881, with 14 centimetres (5.5 inches) of snow snarling traffic.

In the Philippines, thousands of people displaced by an erupting volcano prepared for a "White Christmas" of a different kind as Mount Mayon sprayed ash and politicians bearing gifts trooped to crowded evacuation centres.

Local authorities warned residents not to venture to within eight kilometres (five miles) of the crater because of the hazards posed by scalding ash and red-hot lava.

Rescuers were combing waters off Manila for at least 23 people missing after a ferry smashed into a trawler Thursday, the latest in a spate of deadly disasters. At least four bodies have been found.

Iraq was hit by a string of attacks Thursday that killed 27 people ahead of Christmas and the Shiite ceremony of Ashura, which commemorates the death of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

Venezuela's firebrand President Hugo Chavez sought to put a damper on festivities, telling countrymen to end the gift-giving "insanity" of Christmas and instead reading children stories about independence hero Simon Bolivar.

"For the love of God, let's halt this, let's put the brakes on this consumerist, capitalist insanity, that leads us to lose our spiritual values," he said.

And in the City of London, a restaurant asked diners to sign a legal waiver before tucking in to traditional Christmas pudding in case they hurt themselves on silver charms inside.

Source:calgaryherald.com/

Monika Jagaciak: "Moon over the land attractive!

24h) - Appeared in Fashion Week Autumn Winter this year, her 15-year-old Monika Jagaciak, model exclusive Gaga Agency, Finland has caused shocks catwalk with professional style, a new beauty perfect age too young when compared to the level she forums ...
Although there is much controversy about the age regulations on the floor for a fashion her early success and perfection as Monika, but one can not deny the impression, of the way and features of the model Teen age is bringing.

New at the age of 13, she had dreams Monika is becoming a model professional and span steps on catwalk. With a height of 1.77 m phu sky measurements of 80-57-86 and was approved for the wings of her dreams come true. Monika to form a non-business call or detected from the street as the other young models. The contrary, the little girl was looking to broker a model entrance exam and become a member of the IMG in Finland.

In the village model, they call the name Monika Zac, but this long-legged young loves the name is personality. Activities in the village for two years but the new model Monika has gained quite a lot of success in his career. Especially the show of the brand's reputation has her name on the list. Monika had many interview on fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle ... and face ads for fashion brands like Chanel, Calvin Klein, Hermes ...

Interesting interview on the Ryder Ponny Monika Jagaciak:

- Jac name any of her gender, but in the form commonly known as Jac or Monika?

The name is my management company IMG model set for Paris, I never had the nick name at all while in school. A few friends often call me Monika so I enjoyed when you have a new name. I always think that modeling is part of my life. Jac and I'm here is part of my life. When at school and at home people still call me Monika but most of my colleagues will not know the name and I love the name Jac ...

Monika Jagaciak supermodel young conductor with fun Christmas

- She started modeling work like?

My story is very interesting and sure to become a model, the first heart I have to love it. One day, my sister told me: "Why do not you try that?" So I did. Then I was her only 13 years old and 1.75 cm high. I find a model management company in the Netherlands and I just try to go when they call a shopping center here. When DSO, I took the step to true enthusiasts. Company IMG has contacted me from the day it started and I are both excursions to other Asian countries again. Parents are encouraged to follow my step this business. They said: "It's a good idea ... if that's the dream. So every time I go to determine what the parents are respectful of my choice.

- Tell us something about some of her town? How school?

I live in a city of fewer than 10,000 people and often go to school with two sets of uniforms to the school. And he may find that is where all people have known each other as a child. It was a surprise to the shocked, not much has changed! Places that still exist when I return. People here also know about my job interview a few of the magazines in Finland.

Age 15 - Young and dresses in designer colors

- What to do after she completed his work at the show season?

Last month, I was home within a week and really surprised that I still retain images of school and still remember his timetable as an example as homework. With this interview, my parents also supported. They always want me to be rest and relaxation they usually mix my drink tea when I return back home.

- Looks like she is a great friendship with Frida Gustavsson after meeting two times?

We work together in Japan from a year ago. Then I met them at a show together and to IMG for the entrance examination. We often spend time together talking about fashion. Every time preparing the catwalk, we smiled and said very happy. She is a close friend of me and bring me much joy. She and all the great peace and a good friend of all people.

- So, Zac restless about her standards of beauty technology, we want to know all about this technology?

It is "beauty from vitamins"! I always find the similarities between the body keeping the external information processing by the vitamin in the nature of the lotion applied. This means that vitamins such as C, E, B2, zinc. Of course I use them daily with your favorite products such as zinc cream and cream of Vichy's anti-dry skin La Roche-Posay.

- Tip of her beauty to do with fans?

My advice would be to supplement the vitamins in the diet.

- Brand name makeup that her favorite?

I like the makeup of the Chanel brand ... But this is quite expensive, it is for the high income. Their fragrance is very good.

Monika Jagaciak super sexy on the beach!

- After the span step fashion in the past season, she can tell us about your feeling with the form of clothing and accessories what is the trend of year?

I often have highly appreciated in the style of the design they bring to market trends of fashion, the design identity of each individual. All the samples that are noted. This season I like Calvin Klein, always fashionable and elegant. Alexander Wang is a young vibrant look, Marni true to the name of it - with the design featuring separate left Balmain is always impressive and stylish.

- Besides modeling, she also has something more interesting please?

Previously, I did not have time to do a certain job besides work and school. If I have free time, I like the sport or fine art drawing.

Source:32.24h.com.vn/

Thursday, December 24, 2009

DC Sports In The 2000's: A Decade In Review

We continue our look at the trials and tribulations, the failures and successes of DC's four pro franchises in the past decade. In Part 1, we analyzed the Redskins' performance over the last ten years. In Part 2, we broke down the Wizards' journey in the 2000s. In Part 3, we hit the ice with the Capitals, their a dynamic owner and their two-time MVP. In our fourth and final installment, we take the field with a new team in search of an identity, the Nationals.

Source:csnwashington.com/

Arenas firepower included weapons in locker

Photograph by: Brent Smith , ReutersWASHINGTON, Dec 24, 2009 (AFP) - Washington Wizards star playmaker Gilbert Arenas stored unloaded guns in his locker this month at the team’s home arena, the club said Thursday as the NBA began an investigation of the matter.

The Wizards said in a statement that there was no ammunication in his locked container and that both the NBA and local law-enforcement authorities were notified of the situation.

Arenas and the club "are cooperating fully with law enforcement during its review of this matter and will have no further comment at this time," the club statement said.

NBA labor regulations allow players to own firearms but ban them from having weapons at league facilities or while traveling on NBA-related matters.

"We’re aware of the situation and are working to gain a full understanding of the facts and relevant legal issues," an NBA statement said.

All-Star guard Arenas told the Washington Times that he brought his guns from his home to the arena after the birth of his daughter Hamiley earlier this month, wanting the guns out of the house.

"I wouldn’t have brought them to D.C. had I known the rules," Arenas told the Times. "After my daughter was born, I was just like, ’I don’t need these anymore.’"

Arenas said about a week after he brought them to his locker, he handed the guns to team security so they could be given to police.

Arenas, two weeks shy of his 28th birthday, had been suspended for the Wizards’ 2004 opener after failing to properly register a handgun while living in California the year before during his tenure with Golden State.

Three left knee operations had limited Arenas to only 15 games over the past two seasons, but Arenas is averaging 22.2 points this season, his second under a six-year contract worth 111 million dollars.

Source:canada.com/

Washington DT Haynesworth fined US$10,000; Giants RB Jacobs hit for $7,500

NEW YORK — Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has been fined US$10,000 by the NFL and New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs has been hit for $7,500.

The players were fined Thursday for an altercation late in New York's 45-12 victory at Washington. Haynesworth struck Jacobs after a play ended and Jacobs struck back.

Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall also was involved, but was not fined.

The league also fined Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams $5,000 for a tackle at the knees on Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore.

Source:http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hj7urk-6BDYVvAh7tZw_GBGgHilA

Mtv Star Chung Voted Vogue’s Style Queen 2009

MTV chatshow host ALEXA CHUNG has beaten supermodel KATE MOSS and style icon SARAH JESSICA PARKER to the title of Vogue magazine’s best dressed woman of 2009.

The British beauty, a former model, has caused a stir in the U.S. since moving Stateside to host her own talk show on the music channel - and is often invited to high-fashion events and runway shows.

And it seems Chung has taken some tips from her couture connections - fashion bible Vogue has listed her atop its most stylish females countdown.

The 26 year old was closely followed by French actress Audrey Tautou, and then Sex And The City star Parker.

U.K. TV talent show The X Factor has also made its mark on the fashion world, with judges Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue in at number four and five respectively.

Harry Potter starlet Emma Watson, a model for Burberry and Chanel, comes in at number six, while blondes Sienna Miller and Diane Kruger also made it into the top 10 along with Indian newcomer Freida Pinto. Formerly undisputed style queen Kate Moss is last on the list at number 10.

Source:blog.taragana.com/

Long before Pacquiao, there was this global Filipina

2009 would be remembered as the year the Philippines honored a woman who was way ahead of her time
IF YOU WANT TO FEEL GOOD AS A Filipino—and who doesn’t?—even in a year of floods and massacres, see the Slim Retrospective at National Museum. You have until March to see this exhibit, truly world-class both as curatorial work and as a production.

While 2009 is known as another Pacquaio year, it should also be remembered as the year Philippine fashion paid tribute to Salvacion Lim Higgins (Slim), the designer who won global acclaim as early as the ’60s.

Her coffee-table book, “Salvacion Lim Higgins, Slim, Philippine Haute Couture 1947-1990)” was launched last November at National Museum, with the opening of retrospective exhibit of her clothes on 48 mannequins.

In 1964, at the New York World’s Fair where the Bayanihan was performing, the famous photographer Cecil Beaton went backstage after the performance because he wanted to see up close the Bayanihan’s Maria Clara-inspired costumes that were done in black and white. Beaton’s admiration was reported in media.

Lladro, the world-renowned Spanish porcelain brand, later issued a limited edition of the “Singkil” showing the Muslim princess in a costume designed by Slim.

The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, has in its collection a Slim jusi gown that belonged to former US First Lady Mamie Eisenhower. In 2004 Smithsonian included it in a rare traveling exhibit called “First Ladies: Political Role and Public Image,” alongside the works of fashion greats like Charles Worth. The jusi gown was presented to Mrs. Eisenhower by then Philippine First Lady Leonila Garcia on a state visit in 1958.

I met Salvacion Lim Higgins only once—the woman future generations would know popularly as “Slim” (or Slim’s, to refer to her school)—when I interviewed her about her fashion show. This must have been in the late ’70s—a very brief face time with her that hardly allowed me to know the woman.

But then, always having been lucky in career (provided it didn’t involve corporate political reptilians, that is), I had my second chance to really know this woman, the likes of whom could come only once in Philippine fashion.

It happened two years ago, when her children Sandy and Mark invited me to help document and review the career and contribution of their mother in Philippine fashion—indeed, the creative evolution that was her life—for a coffee-table book the two would produce this year

Source:Lifestyle.inquirer.net/

Avatar merchandising bonanza?

LOS ANGELES -- The Hollywood studio behind Avatar is banking on the film to drive its biggest US product licensing push in years, starting with toy figures and expanding to items from home decor to party goods.

The News Corp.-owned 20th Century Fox is making that gamble even though consumers know virtually nothing about the blue, cat-like characters in Avatar who will be at the heart of the merchandising effort.

Fox has used its Avatar licensing deals, including one with Mattel Inc. for toys, as a way to recoup on what is one of the most expensive films in history, costing at least $237 million to produce, analysts said.

But if the movie, which opened on Friday and tells of a soldier infiltrating an alien race, crashes at box offices, stores may be left with shelves of unpopular Avatar products, literally standing with their tails between their legs.

Howard Roffman, head of licensing for Lucasfilm, the company behind Star Wars, said he would be "very nervous" to launch a retail push now, as Fox has done with Avatar. "The economy is not good, retailers are challenged, licensee companies are challenged, so my hat’s off to people who rise to that and get a program out there," Roffman said.

Last year, the Warner Bros. release Speed Racer bombed at box offices when it was released in May, and analysts say it crippled sales of toys tied to that movie.

But if all succeeds, Fox and its partner companies could turn Avatar into a major merchandising franchise, and perhaps even enter the same universe as the $18-billion retail phenomenon Star Wars, the movie franchise that has long been an inspiration for Avatar director James Cameron.

Is "The Force" with them?

By moving aggressively, Fox stands to avoid what happened to Star Wars when it opened in 1977. Then, no toys were out when parents started clamoring for them and at Christmas, kids received empty boxes with certificates for Star Wars toys.

Fox sees Pandora, the extra-terrestrial globe where Avatar is set, as a rich fictional world that can be mined for retail products.

"In the US market, this is the largest launch that we have had probably in recent memory -- if ever," said Robert Marick, executive vice-president of Fox Licensing.

He declined to give specific sales projections.

For comparison, the recent film G.I. Joe was based on a decades-old brand that consumers already knew, and Hasbro forecast toy sales of $100 million for 2009, said Chris White, analyst with Wedbush Morgan. "Avatar will be a sliver of that, it will be a lot less than G.I. Joe," he said.

Since October, Mattel has been selling Avatar figures with an "i-TAG" that can be held near a computer’s webcam. The computer scans the tag and launches an image of the character moving on-screen, or even fighting with another character.

Last month, News Corp’s HarperCollins published several books on the film, including Avatar: A Confidential Report on the Biological and Social History of Pandora. JEM Sportswear and Awake Inc. launched T-shirts, sweatshirts and fashion tops.

This month, videogame maker Ubisoft released James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game. Fox hopes to one day launch home products such as bedding, as well as costumes, party goods, toy building sets and other products, Marick said.

Still, some analysts wonder if the strange-looking characters of Avatar will connect with children.

Even Tim Kilpin, general manager of Mattel’s girls, boys and games division, acknowledged that because the movie is new "there’s going to be some ramp-up to awareness."

"We think before too much longer, a lot of people will know these [Avatar] stories and these characters," he said. -- Reuters

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Avatar leads US box office despite storm
LOS ANGELES -- Titanic director James Cameron’s Avatar, a 3D extravaganza hyped as a giant leap in cinematic prowess, ruled the worldwide box office during its first weekend even as North American sales were hit by an enormous snow storm, its distributor said on Sunday.

The film -- one of the most expensive ever made -- earned an estimated $232.2 million from North America and 106 foreign markets, according to News Corp.’s 20th Century Fox, provisionally the ninth-biggest opening of all time.

Moviegoers in the US and Canada chipped in $73 million, far short of enthusiastic forecasts in the $85-million range. Top contributors to the $159.2 million foreign total included Russia ($21 million), France ($19 million) and the U.K. ($14.2 million).

Avatar edged ahead of 2006’s The Da Vinci Code ($232.1 million) among worldwide openings, while the disaster picture 2012 slipped to No. 11 with $230.5 million. If the number is confirmed when final data are issued on Monday, Avatar will set a new opening record for a nonsequel.

The record for a worldwide opening is $394 million, set in July by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The Avatar opening also fell far short of the $275-million opening for The Twilight Saga: New Moon last month.

Blue people wow critics

Avatar garnered almost as much attention for its reported budget of at least $300 million as for its eco-friendly tale of a disabled ex-Marine sent from Earth to infiltrate an alien race of 10-foot-tall blue people in order to save his polluted planet. Inter-species romance ensues between computerized characters representing actors Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana.

It marks Cameron’s first dramatic feature since 1997’s Titanic, the biggest film of all time before accounting for inflation. He spent the intervening years waiting for movie-making technology to catch up with his vision for the followup. Production took two years.

His new film won breathless reviews from critics. "You’ve never experienced anything like it, and neither has anyone else," said the Los Angeles Times.

Despite the buzz, the weekend haul ranks as merely the sixth-biggest of the year in the US and Canada. The 2009 record was set last month by The Twilight Saga: New Moon, with $143 million. The all-time record of $158 million was set last year by The Dark Knight.

A blizzard along the East Coast crippled business for all movies. Holiday-shopping distractions also had an impact. Fox said Avatar sales in New York fell 18% on Saturday from the previous day. The drop was 86% in Baltimore and 75% in Washington DC. But the studio hoped business would rebound as the weather improved.

Fox distribution president Chris Aronson dismissed the industry forecasts, saying the studio had been hoping for an opening in the mid-$60 million range. He said the 163-minute running time reduced the number of daily screenings.

On the other hand, ticket sales for Avatar were inflated by premium pricing for screenings in venues equipped with 3D technology. Such venues accounted for 59% of the total cinema count and 71% of sales, Fox said.

Exit polling for the film was strong across the board, and he was surprised that 62% of moviegoers were aged over 25. Men accounted for 57% of the audience.

Profit, Oscar hopes

The big issues are whether Fox will make money on the picture, and how it will fare at the Academy Awards. Media analyst Rich Greenfield of Pali Capital last week upgraded News Corp. to hold from sell, saying Fox was unlikely to lose "a massive amount of money" on the film.

The rough rule-of-thumb is that the studio and theaters split the gross evenly. Fox is also on the hook for worldwide marketing costs of $150 million, and must share some profits with Cameron. DVD sales will add to the windfall, although critics sayAvatar is best appreciated in a 3D theater environment.

As for the Oscars, for which nominations will be announced on Feb. 2, the film is making some early headway, picking up key Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominations. -- Reuters

Source:bworldonline.com/

Project FUNDway rewards aspiring fashion designers - local students to show runway collections

(Rendering by: West Potomac fashion design student Alessandra Degregorio)

On Thursday, December 3, the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce (GWFCC) will hold the first-ever Project FUNDway competition for local students aspiring for a career as fashion designers. The three student finalists, Michael Edwards, Samuel Mintah and Adegbemisola Ademisoye, will compete for a $5,000 fashion design scholarship. Taking its cue from the hit reality television show, Project Runway, the finalists will be judged on the design, construction, individuality and quality of a four-piece mini-collection they each created for this competition.

“The mission [of this competition] is to fund a way [for students] to go to school and study fashion,” said Maggy Francois, vice president of education and training for GWFCC and fashion design director for Project Stitch Studio at the West Potomac Academy of Fashion Design. Francois also stated that the students are not only aspiring designers, but also want to be writers and to learn the “business side of fashion,” which is what this contest seeks to teach them.
In addition to putting together a cohesive four-piece collection, the students are also responsible for the production of their own runway show – including searching for models, music selection and purchasing the materials for their garments.
Interested students from Washington, D.C., as part of the submission guidelines, had to present a garment design, write an essay about why they want a career in fashion and submit their grades in school in order to be eligible. Due to overwhelming interest from students in neighboring metro areas, Francois said next year’s competition will be open to students in Maryland and Virginia as well.
In addition to benefiting local students, this event, sponsored in part by the DC City Council and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development for the District of Columbia Government, seeks to put Washington, DC on the map as a capital city of style by investing in the talent of its residents. Earlier today, the GWFCC released the first-ever report on the state of the DC fashion industry. The Fashion Census Survey Report and the Fashion Action Plan: Identifying the Needs of the Independent Fashion Industry in Washington, D.C.surveyed over 80 local fashion-related businesses and found that Washington, D.C. boasts over 1,900 retail stores and the overall retail industry generated $6 billion in general sales tax revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Download the PDF report here.
Although Washington, D.C. has not traditionally been known for its fashion forwardness, a strong and growing network of designers, merchants and business owners in the fashion sector view these initiatives as a step forward for DC’s burgeoning fashion economy.
Project FUNDways has been garnering considerable local media coverage in advance of the event. Tomorrow at 9:30am on FOX 5 Morning News, the finalists will talk about this contest as an opportunity to support their fashion career goals.
“It’s hard to find scholarships for fashion in this area,” said Francois. “Kids in DC want a fashion program…and want to be visual.”
To learn more about the student finalists and the Project FUNDway contest, visit http://www.gwfcc.org/

Source:examiner.com

Chantix to see Competition from New Anti-Smoking Vaccine

Washington, DC: It's all over the television now—ads for Chantix that depict a smiling, real-life Chantix user going about her everyday business without a cigarette between her fingers, while the announcer rattles off a warning about potential Chantix side effects, including suicide and aggression. Chantix side effects, for some, can be nasty.

And now a new vaccine that works in similar fashion to Chantix may be coming to a family doctor or pharmacy near you.

Many companies over the years have experimented with vaccines that do what essentially Chantix does—block neuron receptors in the brain that react to nicotine, producing the dopamine that's largely responsible for the pleasure that comes from smoking.

Now a company in Rockville, Maryland has announced the testing of an experimental vaccine. Nabi Biopharmaceuticals is in the midst of Phase 3 trials of what it calls NicVax, which shares a common modus operandi with Pfizer's Chantix. What’s more, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has entered into an agreement in principle with Nabi to undertake the cost and marketing of the new vaccine.

NicVax causes the immune system to create antibodies that bond with the nicotine molecule if it enters the bloodstream. The result is a molecule too large to pass along to the brain, essentially making the body immune to nicotine.

If smokers can't get a buzz from lighting up a cigarette, the thinking goes, there's no reason for them to continue the habit. Antibodies created by NicVax are thought to stay in the body for long periods, lowering the chances that a smoker will quickly return to the habit.

The Washington Post reported earlier this month that Nabi will realize a financial windfall from GSK, provided that Nabi completes Phase 3 testing sometime in 2011.

Under the terms of the agreement with GSK, Nabi will reap $40 million for the exclusive worldwide licensing of NicVax. GSK could wind up paying Nabi as much as $500 million if Nabi meets a number of developmental and marketing milestones in the coming years. That figure does not include royalties Nabi would earn if NicVax makes it to market.

Analysts predict there is still a vast amount of money to be made from the smoking cessation market. Chantix, on the market for three years, is already worth a reported $800 million in sales to Pfizer, in spite of a spate of negative publicity.

While smokers have declined steadily over the past few decades, the trend has flattened in recent years: 20.9 percent of Americans counted themselves as smokers in 2004, compared with 20.6 percent in 2008.

Source:Lawyersandsettlements.com/

Sportscaster George Michael passes away! R.I.P.

Washington, D.C., sports television channel as well as the whole world has suffered a huge loss Thursday morning. Sportscaster George Michael passed away from chronic lymphocytic leukemia at Sibley Memorial Hospital.

There have been three famous deaths before Christmas this year, first it was actress Brittany Murphy, then it was musician Derek Loux and now its sportscaster George Michael. George was famous for his show “The George Michael Sports Machine” highlights show which ran for almost three decades, starting from 1980 to 2007.

Michael had been a sports director at WRC TV in Washington, his mates called him a pioneer in sports broadcasting. He was very famous for his high-rated late-night show which featured half-hour local sports wrap-up on Sunday evenings, following the late newscast.

He was a former radio disc jockey-turned television sports anchor, may his soul rest in peace.

Source:newspostonline.com/

Around South County: Youth choir invited to sing at National Tree

Courtesy photo Jeff Myers, left, and Charles Case rehearse as part of the Voices in Praise choir.

Snow cancels their performance, but the group is still optimistic
By Mitchelle Stephenson, For The Capital

The youth choir at Friendship United Methodist Church, Voices In Praise, recently was invited to participate in festivities in Washington, D.C., at the National Christmas Tree and the Pageant of Peace.

Unfortunately for the 40 teenagers, Mother Nature had other plans in the form of a winter storm that paralyzed the region and caused their performance to be canceled.

Holly Reynolds Lee is the director of the group. She has been conducting the choir for a dozen years. Earlier this year, she saw a call for performers and sent information off to the National Park Service, which manages the Pageant of Peace.

To her surprise and delight, Voices in Praise was notified in the fall that the group was invited to perform on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. at 8 p.m. Dec. 19.

Charles Case, 17, is one of the performers and a member of the choir for about three years. Before joining Voices in Praise, he didn't even know that he had a passion or a talent for singing. But once he was introduced to the group, he was hooked. Now he not only sings with Voices in Praise, but he has also joined most of the vocal and drama programs at his school - Southern High School in Harwood. He even has plans to pursue music in college next year.

Although he has traveled internationally with the choir, the news that they were going to sing at one of the big local events of the holiday season had him pretty excited.

"I thought it was just about the coolest thing in my whole lifetime," Charles said.

But when he heard the forecast last week, he said he was disappointed.

"Stuff like that happens and there is nothing you can do to control it," Charles said.

Another performer, Dylan Fredericks, 17, was also excited about the performance.

"It was a very good opportunity, and we had a good time slot. We were all bummed," Dylan said.

But the students learned shortly after the cancellation of their Saturday performance that another group, one slated to perform on Monday night, had missed its flight. The Park Service was looking for a local group to fill the slot.

Holly said that when she got the call canceling the performance, "my heart sank. This was one of the performances that my singers were really looking forward to."

They already had their 30-minute set list, which included songs like "Carol of the Bells" and "Angels We Have Heard on High." The park service simply moved Voices in Praise to 6 p.m. Dec. 21.

Alas, the area for the performers wasn't cleared of snow by Monday afternoon and the Park Service again canceled all the evening performances.

Mary Brooke Umhau, 15, has been in the choir for three years. "We were singing a really pretty arrangement of 'Shepherd's Pipe Carol' by John Rudder, and it is just a fantastic piece of music. They play it on the radio, so it is fun to be able to say, 'Hey, I sing that one,' " Mary said.

The group has had a number of opportunities to perform outside of the parish. In 2006, they traveled as a group to Ireland, singing in Galway, Dublin and Belfast. They visited a variety of places, including churches, but also children's hospitals and shelters.

Last summer they traveled to Texas and did a weeklong tour.

"We went as a whole choir, and we did a lot of charity work, singing for a lot of different people. We sang at the Alamo, homeless shelters, at a children's hospital to children with terminal illnesses," Charles said.

Holly accepts anyone who comes and wants to participate. The group performs a mix of classics, contemporary and gospel music.

Mary, Charles and Dylan all said that the main reason they like the choir - apart from singing - is the friendships they have forged through their experience.

Fortunately for the parishioners of Friendship United Methodist Church, the Voices in Praise choir will be performing at the Christmas Eve service at 8 p.m. today at the church in Friendship - between Deale and Owings just off Route 2.

They will also be performing a free Epiphany concert for the community on Jan. 10 at Friendship United Methodist. If they get the opportunity to perform at the National Tree in the next few days, information will be posted to their blog: voicesinpraise.blogspot.com.

Students at Lothian Elementary School created and sent 210 greeting cards to troops earlier this month. The children, with the help of their art teacher, Donna Schmitz, and the coordinating efforts of the American Legion, participated as part of the Holiday Greetings for Heroes program.

"The students realize that it is hard to be away from family and friends and wanted to show their gratitude to the soldiers for serving our country," Donna said.

The cards will be distributed to soldiers from Maryland.

Source:hometownannapolis.com

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Swan Song: The End of the Jim Zorn Era in Washington, D.C.

The Washington Redskins haven't experienced much success this past decade, and last Monday night was an ode to the pain and suffering this once-proud franchise has undergone.

With the Redskins losing 45-12 to the rival New York Giants in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter in a meaningless game, one could look out into the stadium bowl and see a sea of blue. Redskin fans were long gone; Giants fans had made FedEx Field their home.

The Redskins turned in a dismal performance in front of a national TV audience not only showing themselves to be incompetent, but downright stupid. The Giants beat them in every facet of the game, and then the 'Skins shoveled the dirt on top of their own coffin with an idiotic fake field goal attempt.

It was an ugly game. But then Washington made it laughable when they trotted on the kicking unit only send them in motion out to the left side of the field. At first I had to wonder, what does special teams' coach Danny Smith have up his sleeve?

After all, the 'Skins do have two special teams scores on trick plays this season.

However, this wasn't a calculated risk. It was the death rattle of the Jim Zorn era in Washington. Punter Hunter Smith lobbed up a duck, which was intercepted. Cue the subdued guffaws by Mike Tirico and Co. in the booth.

Exit Zorn. Stage left.

Albert Haynesworth summed it up afterwards: "I mean, the score, the record, they'd say that we're horrible, that we don't know how to play football," Haynesworth said. "But I've been around these guys a lot. I think they know how to play football. I think we're all just going different directions, and we need somebody to lead us in the right direction."

Truer words were never spoken.

Zorn was doing a good job this past month keeping his players focused. He had showed an ability to facilitate and prepare the team in the previous weeks of this lost season.

I believed he had at least saved his credibility with the team's performance the past month. In fact, I was willing to hear a case for retaining him.

However, any good will he had merited was quickly snatched away with this latest catastrophe.

How can the Redskins bring back a guy who had his play-calling duties stripped midway through the season? How can they bring back a guy who turned in three of his worst losses on Monday Night Football (Pittsburgh in 2008, Philly and New York this year) in front of national TV audience?

I want stability for this franchise; I really do. However, keeping Zorn doesn't give the Redskins much stability in anything but losing.

Zorn is a genuinely nice guy. He's a class act. However, that's really all he has going for him.

He wasn't even supposed to be the head coach, but was handed the job when Dan Snyder couldn't find a replacement for Joe Gibbs.

He has had almost no success here in DC; his struggles as a play-caller are astounding; and he has overall failed to get the most out of his players on the field (with the exception of a handful of games over the past two seasons).

Maybe he hasn't been given the best chance because he has lacked personnel on the offensive line, but the fact of the matter is that the Redskins have flopped too many times in many different situations.

They have failed in big games. They have failed in winnable games. They have failed as the favorite and the underdog. They have failed in close games.

All of that adds up to too much failure.

Source:bleacherreport.com/

Monday, September 14, 2009

4 reasons why Obama's health plan is no bargain

NEW YORK (Fortune) -- America is finally getting a detailed look at the sweeping, long-awaited health-care reform platform championed by President Obama. This week the Democrats have unveiled their two primary proposals -- a 700-plus page bill in the Senate and the outline of the forthcoming version in the House that presents essentially the same blueprint for change.

The crucial question about Obama's agenda has always been whether it really will slow the disastrous rise in health-care spending, or actually increase it while hiding the real costs of the new system. On analyzing the bills, the conclusion is inescapable: Obama promises Americans what appears to be a bargain by heavily subsidizing their premiums. But the only way to pay for what's really outrageously expensive coverage will be huge tax increases, especially on the same middle class that's being wooed as the chief beneficiary of reform.

0:00 /4:21Curing public health care
The plans contain four proposals that will substantially weaken the ability of the market, already limited by burdensome regulation, to restrain medical spending.

First, they will impose rich, standard packages of benefits, with low deductibles, for all Americans. Those policies, typically containing everything from in-vitro fertilization to mental health benefits, are usually far more expensive than anything most people would pay for with their own money.

Second, the plans would impose on a federal level the doctrine of community rating, in which all customers have to be offered the same rates, regardless of their health risks. Community rating forces young people to pay far more than their actual cost, a main reason for today's 46 million uninsured, while it subsidizes older patients.

Third, Obama would ban consumers from buying private insurance across state lines, perpetuating the price differences in today's fragmented market, instead of allowing all Americans to shop anywhere for the best deals.

Fourth, both plans propose what's known as a "public option," or a Medicare-style plan that would compete with the private offerings. The previous three proposals would make the private plans extremely expensive. With the same subsidies, the Medicare-style plan could put them out of business.

Before we get into the specifics of each problem, it's important to note that Obama's health-care plan is not included in his 2010 budget. The administration pledges that his health-care plan won't expand the deficit because it will be entirely paid for by tax increases. But even if the deficit stays the same, spending and taxes will be far from the same. By most estimates, Obama's plan will cost more than $200 billion a year by 2019. All told, government outlays as a share of GDP are projected to reach 26% by that point, up five percentage points from when Obama took office.

Now, let's examine the four ways in which the new proposals are likely to increase costs:

1.) The two bills would require states to establish insurance "exchanges" that would offer a variety of plans. The rub is that the federal government would impose minimum standards on all of those plans, from New York to Wyoming to Hawaii, that are often more stringent and expensive than the existing laws require.

A case in point is the first requirement, the minimum benefits package. Today, many states require a menu of costly coverage, while others impose only light requirements. Colorado, for example, mandates hair transplants, rehab services, and hearing aids, while Illinois requires none of them. The Senate bill gives a preliminary list that includes mental health and prescription drug benefits, and substance abuse programs. That's the minimum menu that all states would have to offer.

A special panel of experts would add to that list -- and you can bet that the additions would be substantial and costly. As a result, it would be far more difficult for consumers to purchase basic, stripped down, low-cost policies for catastrophic care that are bargains in states like Alabama or Indiana.

2.) In its purest form, community rating requires that insurers charge the same premiums for all their patients, regardless of their age, obesity or any lifestyle differences. New York, New Jersey and a half-dozen other states have stringent community rating laws. In most states, insurers can charge their customers according to their actual costs, so a 62-year-old smoker would pay, say, $10,000 for a policy versus $800 for a 20-year-old marathoner.

The senate plan would impose a strict, narrow band on all premiums nationwide: Insurers could never charge more than twice as much in premiums for their most expensive patient versus their least costly. So the 62-year-old's policy might fall to $5,000, and the 20-year-old's would go to $2,500. The senior would get a big subsidy, and the youngster would pay far more than his real cost.

3.) The state "exchanges" would exist in 50 totally separate markets. Even with the harmonization of community rating and benefits packages, the differences in prices across states would remain large.

Allowing Americans to buy insurance anywhere, at the lowest prices, would create nationwide competition that would drive down costs everywhere. But the Obama plan will not allow a true national market. It's remarkable that Obama would endorse a plan that perpetuates big price differences. His solution for Medicare is to do just the opposite by flattening costs in the most expensive regions to match the lowest levels anywhere in the U.S.

4.) The so-called public option is now included in both the Senate and House bills, and is strongly endorsed by Obama. Under the public option, the exchanges would offer a plan resembling Medicare for more than 100 million working Americans. Today, most of them are covered by their employers' plans. But the Democrats' proposals contain a "pay or play" provision that would allow companies, in effect, to drop their coverage and substitute a payroll tax.

Because their health care costs are growing so rapidly, it's likely that most companies would dump their plans. "That's what will happen," says John Goodman of the National Center for Policy Analysis, which champions free-market solutions to health care. "Employees could then go to the exchanges and get subsidized insurance."

The problem here is that the public option would compete directly with the private plans. Both would be heavily subsidized, with Americans making up to $110,000 eligible for assistance under the Senate proposal. It's likely that the Medicare-like option will drive out private insurers, since the government plan has several advantages. The plans impose public-utility-like restrictions on the insurers, capping their profits and transferring premiums from the insurers with the younger, healthier patients to those who serve an older, sicker population. Those restrictions will hardly make them nimble competitors. At the same time, the imposition of costly benefits packages and community rating will raise their costs.

That the government enjoys an edge in purchasing doesn't mean that the overall costs will fall. It's precisely the opposite. The public plan will be so heavily subsidized that Americans will tend to over-consume expensive medical services just the way they do now under regular Medicare. Only this time, the number of patients will be almost three times larger.

The demand for everything from knee surgery to mental health counseling will soar. But the government will keep a lid on prices, so Americans, for the first time, will be faced with rationing. The hospitals and physicians simply won't be able to satisfy the unhinged demand for the services that look like a bargain.

The lines will grow. And so will the spending, and the taxes. And that's what Obama isn't telling you.

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