Big News Blog 4 You

Maersk Alabama captian Richard Phillips rescue is fully engaged

2009-04-09T07:07:00.000-07:00

The first seizure of a U.S. crew in more than 100 years, but the 20 U.S. crew members fought them off.

Four or five pirates in what one Defense Department official described as a "fishing skiff" attacked the 17,000-ton shipping vessel. The crew managed to tie up one of the pirates,
but the others escaped taking with them the ship's captain, Richard Phillips of Underhill, Vt.
In what the official described as a life raft.

Thursday, the ship's operator, Maersk Line, said that information it is receiving suggests that the captain is unharmed.

At the FBI, spokesman Richard Kolko described the bureau's hostage rescue team as "fully engaged"

"We share the concern about the well-being of the crew with the families," he said. "The safe return of the captain is our foremost priority. Everything we have done over the past day is meant to increase the chance of a peaceful outcome."

The pirates were still holding the 55-year-old Phillips, from Underhill, Vt., after the American crew retook the ship Wednesday and the hostage-takers fled into the lifeboat. Hostage negotiators and military officials have been working around the clock to free Phillips.

Digital Photo Converter

2009-04-08T07:49:00.000-07:00

Digital Photo Converter transforms your treasured photographs into 5-megapixel digital files with the push of a button. Simply connect to your computer's USB port and begin scanning and uploading photos. Only works with windows.

An easy and fast way to input your photos onto your computer.

Maersk Alabama Attacked by Pirates offshore Somali

2009-04-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

The Danish-owned, U.S.-operated container vessel "Maersk Alabama"was seized Wednesday morning by Somali about 7:30 a.m. local time.

This is a U.S. flagged ship and up to 20 Americans are believed to be apart of the crew.

The Cargo ship was in route to Mombasa, Kenya. The ship was seized about 310 miles off Somalia's Coast.

The U.S. Navy issued another warning to mariners that the Piracy activity was extending hundreds of miles off shore.

Simple steps to prep for the Big SAT Test

2009-04-07T07:37:00.000-07:00

May SAT Late Registration Deadline Extended

The May SAT late registration deadline has been extended to 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time),Friday, April 17, 2009, for online and phone registrations. This extended deadline applies to registrations for test centers within the United States and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico. This extensiondoes not apply to international registrationsor to mailed registrations.

1. Take practice SAT’s
There is no better preparation than taking practice SAT’sand carefully reviewing your mistakes. You can find practicetests at book stores and online.

2. Brush up on Old Math
Re-read your old geometry and algebra books to do well in this section of the test.

3. Practice Your Vocabulary
Most of the verbal section of the SAT is based on vocabulary. The SAT frequently presents unusual words that sound like simplerwords but have different meanings.

4. Practice your writing skills daily
Writing is a skill that only gets better with practice. Write afew SAT-style essays every day and you will soon be able to do them quickly and without being nervous.

5. Be Well Rested and Fed
Make sure you get a lot of sleep the night before the test. Get to the test location with plenty of time to spare.

6. Don’t Guess
If you have a multiple choice question and are able to narrow down the correct answer between one choice or another,that would be worth making an educated guess since then your odds are much better at getting it correct.

7. Take the SAT early
You can take it again if you are not happy with your score. Regardless how many timesyou take the SAT, colleges accept your highest score for their consideration of admittance to their school.

The SAT is a long, dull test, so don’t be nervous.

So what is a good SAT score?

The exam consists of three parts:Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing. The scores from each section can range from 200 to 800, so the best possibletotal score is 2400. The average score for each section is roughly 500, so the average total score is about 1500.

Could this 2009 Red Sox team be among the all-time greats in Boston history?

2009-04-06T08:21:00.000-07:00

The Red Sox kick off the 2009 season at home Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays,the defending American League champions, and the team that bumped them out ofthe playoffs last season in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series.

Here's what your 2009 Red Sox look like to start the season:

Pitchers: Josh Beckett, Manny Delcarmen, Jon Lester, Javier Lopez, Justin Masterson, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Hideki Okajima, Jonathan Papelbon, Brad Penny, Ramon Ramirez, Takashi Saito, Tim Wakefield

Catchers: George Kottaras, Jason Varitek

Infielders: Nick Green, Mike Lowell, Jed Lowrie, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis

Outfielders: Rocco Baldelli, Jason Bay, Chris Carter, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury

Review of the 2009 ACM Awards

2009-04-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

GAC will be re-airing the awards on Sunday, May 31 in case you missed it tonight.

Opening segment with Brooks & Dunn, Taylor, Carrie, Rascal Flatts, and Sugarland.
Kenny Chesney sings Out Last Night.
Song of the Year award for In Color, Jamey Johnson.
Heidi Newfield singing Johnny and June.
Top Vocal Group awardgoes to to Rascal Flatts.
Toby Keith sings God Love Her. Jamey Johnson sings In Color.
George Strait who sings Troubadou.
Top New Artistis Julianne Hough, introduced by Jack Ingram and Jason Aldean.
David Copperfield does his thing and makes Taylor Swift appear. She sings You're Not Sorry.
Taylor gets the Crystal Milestone Award presented by Reba.
Lady Antebellum sings I Run To You.
LeAnn Womack sings Solitary Thinkin'.
Top Vocal Duo awardgoes to Sugarland.
Keith Urban performs Kiss A Girl.
Miranda sings Dead Flowers.
LeAnn gets her Humanitarian Award presented by Rascal Flatts.
John Rich sings Shuttin' Detroit Down.
Miley sings The Climb, introduced by her daddy..
Montgomery Gentry performs.
It's the lava dress. Carrie Underwood performs I Told You So..
Brad Paisley wins Top Male Vocalist.
Reba performs Strange.
Carrie Underwood wins Top Female Vocalist.
Trace performs Till The Last Shot's Fired with glee club.
Sugarland performs What I'd Give.
Jennifer Nettles gets her own Milestone Award for songwriting.
Single of the Year award goes to Trace Adkins for You're Gonna Miss This.
Blake Shelton sings She Wouldn't Be Gone.
Album of the Year award goes to Taylor Swift for "Fearless."
Rascal Flatts sings Here Comes Goodbye.
Entertainer of the Year goes to Carrie Underwood.

Reveiws on the movie Twilight

2009-04-06T06:58:00.000-07:00

There’s nothing remotely scary or even very threatening in Twilight. Its targeted for a younger generation.
Horror writer and long-standing pop culture phenomenon Stephen King may have just picked a fight with Twilight author Stephanie Meyer. In a recent interview with USA Weekend, King let loose with his thoughts on fellow phenoms J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer: "Both Rowling and Meyer. The real difference is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephenie Meyer can’t write worth a darn. She's not very good."
So if you’re up for that experience, perhaps because you’re one of the millions of dedicated fans of the novels, you probably won’t be too disappointed by Twilight. If you like vampires and romances with a gothic flavor then this is one to check out.

2009 ACM Awards

2009-04-05T18:45:00.000-07:00

44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegason Sunday evening April 5 @ 8PM ET/PT on CBS.
Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Reba McEntire, Sugarland, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Miley Cyrus.
Miss Cyrus just so happens to be on the list of performers during the evening,as she’ll be taking the stage to play her song “The Climb”.

DC's 25th Annual Army Ten Miler

2009-04-01T07:26:00.000-07:00

Registration begins April 1, 2009; race organizers expext this year's race to fill up by mid-May.
Be sure to register early. Te field has been increased to 30,000 runners. Don't miss out on
one of the best races DC has to offer.

Phantom Alert - GPS Program that finds red light cameras

2009-03-30T10:33:00.000-07:00

A controversial new software sy it can help you find red light, speed cameras and even DUI checkpoints.

For a membership fee of $10 a month or is also available for $40/year or $100/life time subscription.

Not suprisingly, Phantom Alert is creating some controversy.

Supporters of the cameras say it will decrease accidents

Opponents say it's just another money maker for the cities to suck milliojns of dollares out of the economy.

Update on Brassage Wellness Bra

2009-03-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

ABC News examine the Brassage wellness bra that claims to have health benefits.

A wellness bra that retails for as much as $59

It claims that it has a massaging effect...to stimulate lymphatic flow, flushing away toxins. To help prevent breast cancer.

According to ABC News:

Unsupported claims..."The Brassage wellness bra is no longer being manufactured by Gaiam. After ABC News began asking questions. Gaiam, a major retailer stopped selling the product. Which is just fine with cancer researcher Susan Love."

The launch of a new website "The Fox Nation.com"

2009-03-30T07:09:00.000-07:00

The Fox Nation.com

An "Online Community that believes in the right to express your views, your value, your voice."

This new website by Fox News launches today March 30, 2009

I don't really have an opinion. It could be a good thing or the response could be unwieldy and out of control.

Only time will tell.

5 Stars "One Second After"

2009-03-26T13:55:00.000-07:00

The Novel "One Second After"
Has a 5 star rating... This book will grab you from the first page.
It creates an awarness of real dangers...
but its not for the faint of heart.
The Author William R. Furstchen tell a harrowing
tale of the callapse of the United States of America.
After the effect of an attack using an EMP
(electro magnetic pulse)
An extremely well written story...Not easily forgotten.

2009 White House Egg Roll

2009-03-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

The White House Egg Roll will be held on April 13, 2009

For the first time tickets are available online starting March 26, 2009
Thet are not saying how many tickets are going to be available.
Check throughout the day at... www.whitehouse.gov/eastereggroll
for your opportunity to attend.
It is for children 10 yrs. and younger and their families.
Limited to six tickets.

"Resveratrol" The most exciting developments in the field of anti-aging

2009-03-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

They have recently discovered that the same molecule in red wine that protects your heart also blocks inflammation that can lead to lung disease and cancer. Even more exciting – it slows an important part of the aging process.
The active ingredient in this process is resveratrol. It protects the heart by:

•Inhibiting platelet sticking
•Stopping overgrowth of smooth muscle cells
•Blocking oxidation of LDL cholesterol
•Lowering artery plaque
•Reducing irregular heartbeats

Resveratrol fights cancer by:

•Detoxifying carcinogens
•Inhibiting the synthesis of cancer compounds
•Stimulating the death of cancer cells
•Powerful antioxidant activity

This is one of the most exciting developments in the field of anti-aging medicine.
Resveratrol is in the skin of grapes. It protects the grape from threats such as cold weather, UV radiation and microbes. The amount of resveratrol in wine differs. White wine is not made with the skins like red is – so white wine has little resveratrol. Red wines from colder regions have the most resveratrol.

If you’re not a fan of red wine, resveratrol is also in:

•Raisins
•Purple Grape Juice
•Peanuts
•Mulberries
•Eucalyptus Trees
•Japanese knot wood

The problem lies in getting sufficient amounts of resveratrol. You’d need to drink 1,000 to 3,000 glasses of wine (with the sideeffects of alcohol) to experience the life extending benefits of resveratrol. Resveratrol supplements are a better option. They’re inexpensive and completely safe. You can find them in healthfood stores or on line.

A good dose for prevention is between 20-mg and 50-mg per day.For anti-aging, Dr. Sears recommends at least 100-mg. Resveratrol has never been associated with any worrisome side effects. You can take it any time of day, with or without food.

But there's so much more to the story...

Switch on your "longevity gene"

2009-03-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

This is Why the "Restricted Calorie Diet" is getting so much hype in the media.

Turns out that if you starve mice, giving them a diet with one-third fewer calories than they would like to eat, their lifespan increases by about 30 percent. Later studies revealed that this effect wasn’t limited to mice: Calorie-restricted diets produced similar results in many life forms, from single-celled organisms to plants and mammals.

Very recently, scientists found an explanation for this mysterious phenomenon: a family of genes called sirtuins ("silent information regulator proteins"). Sirtuins kick in under conditions of severe stress, bringing about an evolutionarily advantageous transformation. They transmit signals to every cell in your body, and the processes that lead to cell death slow to a crawl, buying your body more time to wait out the famine until things improve.

Most people think of genetics as written in stone. You have the genes you inherited, and that’s it. The discovery of sirtuins pointed to another amazing fact: Certain genes can be awakened and called upon to change your body in the course of your lifetime.

You’re probably saying to yourself, "Do I have to starve myself to live longer?" Good point. The problem of how to "wake up" sleeping sirtuin genes had scientists stumped for years. They had to find some other way to flip the aging "off switch."

The answer to switch on your longevity gene: Resveratrol

Why Calorie Restriction Diets don't work long term

2009-03-25T14:39:00.000-07:00

I have battled with weight my whole life...I have been there and done that from counting calories to vegan to no sugar. You name it I have tried it. With all my life experiences with weight loss I learned one thing...stay away from diets. Look at the 3 letters in the word diet, DIE...You feel like your taking something away (Restriction) I don't know about you but these words don't sit well with me. Don't look at loosing weight as I will be happy when I am...so many pounds. Be happy with yourself, get excited that you are on a journey to a new and healthier you. It is a journey not a destination. Make it fun!!! Not a I have to.

Sure Restricting your calories will work short term. Until you honestly feel like you can't eat anymore rabbit food. Then you will gain it all back, and MORE! One good thing about this program "Calorie Restriction Diet Plan" is they finally got one thing right. Its more about quality of food and not quantity. A calorie is not just a calorie... They are empty calories and there is energy calories. A piece of chocolate cake is not the same as living food. Food God made, that have living enzymes. Personally I live by a 80/20 rule. 80% of something that doesn't come in a package, or is man made. I have tried to live a 100% all good and healthylife style (no sugar, white flour products, white rice, white pasta, soda diet) I can do it, but I also like to enjoy a few extras now and then. Life is to be enjoyed.. so a piece of dark chocolate once in a while is something I choose. It's my ratio, find one that works for you. The more living, natural foods the better.

Also one more key factor to loosing weight is do a little extra. I don't know you, if your a health buff, totally obese, or somewhere in between. Where ever you are...just do a little more than you would normaly do. Instead of driving around trying to find the closest parking spot to the store. Park far away, it gives you that little extra. Instead of taking the 'elevator, take the stairs. Find a hobby that you "ENJOY" (tennis, gardening, riding bike) it's important to enjoy what your doing...because if you enjoy it you will do it. Love what your doing, be passionate about it.

Remember when I said it's a journey not a destination...This is the golden nugget!! Change how you feel about loosing weight, and it will just melt right off of you. Get excited, vision that lean more heathier version of yourself. Give thanks daily for the person you are becoming. Say to yourself...I love being healthy, I choose to eat good foods. Everyday and everyway I am getting healthier and healthier. What ever works for you!!! If you feel like you can't loose weight...guess what YOU CAN'T!!! Soooo change what you say to yourselt to something that will empower you and get you closer to that lean mean fat burning machine. And Most important... enjoy the journey!

WWE Kirk Angle Love Sparks on the Howard Stern Show

2009-03-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

Kirk Angle will be appearing on both The Howrd Stern Show and the Opie & Anthony Show this morning on Sirius.
He's supposed to be promoting Lockdown.

Wrestler Kirk Angle was on the Howard Stern Show today...And the sparks were flying. No he didn't give anyone a smackdown.
Instead he made a love connection with Robbin Quivers. Quivers and Angle really hit it off in he studio and decided to go on a date sometime in the near future.

Kirk Angle will be facing Hirushi Tanahashi (c) for the IWGP Heavyweight Title at the New Japan Pro Wrestling 'Resolution 2009'
PPV on April 5. Kurt's Last match for NJPW was on Feb 15 when he beat Giant Benard (formerly A-Train in WWE) in front of 9,300 fans.

Just a reminder the the latest TNA "Cross the Line"DVD box set which will feature Turning Point 2008, Final Resoution 2008 and
Genesis 2009 will be officially released tomarrow.

Jonas Brothers Concert Tickets and Locations

2009-03-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you are a member of Jonas Bothers Fan Club you can purchase tickets starting Monday March 23, 2009. If your are not a Fan Club member, you still have a chance to purchase presale passwords and online codes. Plan on paying some serious cash.Look for presale codes on eBay. You can purchase Jonas Brother tickets directly from TicketMaster or Live Nation Starting March 28, 2009.

Just a reminder...Jonas Brother New Album Release Date is June 15!!!

Scroll down to find out When the Jonas Brothers is coming to a city near you!

World Tour Summer '09

Mar 22 2009 8:00P Coliseo de Puerto Rico, Hato Rey
Apr 18 2009 8:00P Atlantis Live Paradise Island, Bahamas
May 09 2009 8:00P Atlantis Live Paradise Island, Bahamas
May 19 2009 8:00P Lima, Peru
May 20 2009 8:00P Santiago, Chile Santiago
May 21 2009 8:00P Buenos Aires, Argentina Buenos Aires
May 23 2009 8:00P Sao Paulo, Brazil Sao Paulo
May 24 2009 8:00P Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Rio de Janeiro
Jun 13 2009 8:00P Palacio de Deportes Madrid
Jun 14 2009 8:00P The Zenith Paris
Jun 15 2009 8:00P Wembley Arena London
Jun 20 2009 8:00P Cowboys New Stadium Dallas, Texas
Jun 22 2009 8:00P BOK Center Tulsa, Oklahoma
Jun 24 2009 8:00P Pepsi Center Denver, Colorado
Jun 26 2009 8:00P Idaho Center Nampa, Idaho
Jun 27 2009 8:00P Rose Garden Arena Portland, Oregon
Jun 28 2009 8:00P Tacoma Dome Tacoma, Washington
Jun 30 2009 8:00P General Motors Place Vancouver
Jul 02 2009 8:00P Rexall Place Edmonton, Alabama
Jul 04 2009 8:00P Stadium of Fire Provo, Utah
Jul 05 2009 8:00P MTS Centre Winnipeg
Jul 07 2009 8:00P Qwest Center Omaha, Nebraska
Jul 08 2009 8:00P Target Center Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jul 09 2009 8:00P Bradley Center Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jul 10 2009 8:00P Allstate Arena Rosemont, Illinois
Jul 11 2009 8:00P ALLSTATE ARENA Chicago, Illinois
Jul 13 2009 8:00P Verizon Center Washington, DC
Jul 14 2009 8:00P IZOD Center East Rutherford, New Jersey
Jul 17 2009 8:00P Banknorth Garden Boston, Massachusetts
Jul 20 2009 8:00P Nassau Coliseum Uniondale, New York
Jul 24 2009 8:00P Wachovia Center Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jul 25 2009 8:00P Mellon Arena Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Jul 26 2009 8:00P Palace Of Auburn Hills Detroit, Michigan
Jul 28 2009 8:00P Scottrade Center St. Louis, Missouri
Jul 29 2009 8:00P Sprint Center Kansas City, Missouri
Aug 01 2009 8:00P Mandalay Bay Las Vegas, Nevada
Aug 03 2009 8:00P HP Pavilion San Jose, California
Aug 04 2009 8:00P ARCO Arena Sacramento, California
Aug 05 2009 8:00P SaveMart Center Fresno, California
Aug 07 2009 8:00P Staples Center Los Angeles, California
Aug 08 2009 8:00P Staples Cenrer Los Angeles, California
Aug 11 2009 8:00P Jobing.com Center Phoenix, Arizona
Aug 13 2009 8:00P AT&T Center San Antonio, Texas
Aug 14 2009 8:00P Toyota Center Houston, Texas
Aug 15 2009 8:00P New Orleans Arena New Orleans, Louisiana
Aug 16 2009 8:00P BJCC Birmingham, Alabama
Aug 18 2009 8:00P St. Pete Times Forum Tampa, Florida
Aug 19 2009 8:00P Bank Atlantic Center Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Aug 21 2009 8:00P Time Warner Arena Charlotte, North Carolina
Aug 22 2009 8:00P Phillips Arena Atlanta, Georgia
Aug 23 2009 8:00P Rupp Arena Lexington, Kentucky
Aug 25 2009 8:00P Sommet Center Nashville, Tennessee
Aug 26 2009 8:00P Nationwide Arena Columbus, Ohio
Aug 27 2009 8:00P Quicken Loans Arena Cleveland, Ohio
Aug 29 2009 8:00P Bell Centre Montreal
Aug 30 2009 8:00P Rogers Centre Toronto
Aug 31 2009 8:00P Scotiabank Place Ottawa
Oct 26 2009 8:00P Paris, France Paris
Oct 28 2009 8:00P Berlin, Germany Berline
Oct 30 2009 8:00P Stockholm, Sweden Stockholm
Oct 31 2009 8:00P Malmo, Sweden Malmo
Nov 1 2009 8:00P Alborg, Denmark Alborg
Nov 06 2009 8:00P Frankfurt, Germany Frankfurt
Nov 07 2009 8:00P Zurich, Switzerland Zurich
Nov 08 2009 8:00P Turin, Italy Turin
Nov 11 2009 8:00P Barcelona, Spain Barcelona
Nov 13 2009 8:00P Rotterdam, Netherlands Rotterdam
Nov 14 2009 8:00P Brussels, Belgium Brussels
Nov 17 2009 8:00P Birmingham, England Birmingham
Nov 18 2009 8:00P Newcastle, England Newcastle
Nov 20 2009 8:00P London, England London
Nov 20 2009 8:00P Manchester, England Manchester
Nov 24 2009 8:00P Dublin, Ireland Dublin