MBN: THE MONTE BUBBLES NETWORK: October 2006 Archives

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October 29, 2006

Ice Cube Red Carpet for release of Laugh Now Cry Later

October 27, 2006

OC Hot 25

2006 Honorees

John Hueston
Assistant U.S. Attorney

Sharon Lebon
Founder and CEO, Three Dots

Janet Nguyen
Garden Grove city councilwoman

Ken Smith
Designer of The Great Park, Ken Smith Architects

Bob McKnight
Founder and CEO, Quiksilver

Scott Flanders
President and CEO, Freedom Communications, parent company of the Orange County Register

Jacquelyn Tran
Founder and CEO, Perfume Bay

Loretta Drummond
Women Build, Habitat for Humanity, Orange County

Michael Cho
Attorney, Bernard & Associates

Peter Adderton
Founder and CEO, Amp?d Mobile

Jim Doti
President, Chapman University

Erin Runnion
Founder, The Joyful Child Foundation

Laura Davick
President and founder, Crystal Cove Alliance

Ivo Tjan
Chairman and CEO, CommerceWest Bank

Jay Longley
Founder and CEO, Rainbow Sandals

Francisco Garcia
Restaurateur, founder, wegivethanks.org

Curt Pringle
Anaheim mayor

Kimberly Chavalas Cripe
President and CEO, Children?s Hospital of Orange County

Ed Grier
Mickey?s Main Man President, Disneyland Resorts

Richard Gilchrist
President, office division, The Irvine Co.

Douglas McAllister
Founder, president and CEO, Culinary Management Group

Henry and Elizabeth Segerstrom
Managing partner, C.J. Segerstrom & Sons

Ted Smith
Founder, FileNet

Emile Haddad
Chief investment officer, Lennar

Ruben Alvarez Jr.
Founder and president, Stay Connected OC

Posted by lady at 07:27 PM | Permalink

SEMA-AAPEX NEWS

Morrison’s 1960 Vette Immortalized as “Best in Show” at the Gran Turismo Awards

Art Morrison’s 3G Vette 1960 Corvette wins the coveted Best in Show Award at the Gran Turismo Awards held at Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas during the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. Morrison’s Vette will now be immortalized in an upcoming Gran Turismo racing simulation game.

The Gran Turismo Awards mission is to find the hottest car of the show (SEMA Show) game. This hottest car is catapulted to stardom with the inclusion in the next Gran Turismo video game, the franchise which has sold over 40 million copies since its introduction nearly nine years ago.

Judging was done by a group of personalities and journalists from the automotive industry. Category judging was based on the judge’s choice for a car with well-balanced performance, style and speed. “Best in Show” was selected by the famed creator of the Gran Turismo franchise – Kazunori Yamauchi.

Category Award Winners

Best Japanese Import: Leigh Guarnieri, 2007 Honda FTT

Best Domestic: Tajaldas, 2006 Pontiac Solstice

Best European Auto: Don Nicholson, 2006 Volvo C30

Best Truck/SUV, Daryl Klassen and Mike Deford, Hummer 3

Best Hotrod, Craig Morrison, 1960 Chevrolet Corvette

While anticipating the award announcements, Pharrell Williams’DJ, Jus Ske kept the hip hop tunes coming as fans could drive the anticipated Gran Turismo HD of Sony’s Playstation 3, nearly three weeks prior to the street date of the PS3. A street date for GT HD has still not been announced but is expected in 2007.

After announcing the awards, fans were treated to a performance by the iconic rock band Foreigner.

Gran Turismo has sold over 45 million units worldwide on the Playstation platforms. It is considered the standard for racing games with its realistic graphic, physics and realistic cars and tracks. It’s most recent version, Gran Turismo 4 has over 700 cars and enables you to drive around the world on over 40 tracks.

www.gran-turismo.com

Chevrolet Silverado Classic Hybrid Wins Vehicle Design Award

SEMA's Awards Program Spotlighting Accessory Friendly Vehicles Chooses the Chevrolet Silverado Classic in Best Hybrid Category

Nov. 2 The Chevrolet Silverado Classic Hybrid -- the first full-size production pickup to utilize hybrid technology -- is also the first hybrid to be recognized as the most accessory friendly vehicle at the 2006 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, capturing one of four SEMA Vehicle Design Awards and becoming the benchmark in SEMA's newest design award category.

Each SEMA Vehicle Design Award recipient was part of a selection process that encompassed several SEMA member companies and automakers who regularly participate in technology sharing programs. These programs consist of various data sharing, measurement sessions and technology transfer initiatives which provide valuable information for each specialty equipment manufacturer to be in sync with the launch of new vehicles.

The SEMA Vehicle Design Awards were established to honor those newly introduced vehicles that best exemplify the alliance between the OEMs and SEMA-member companies. The awards recognize and celebrate the vehicles that a select group of voting members has chosen as the most accessory-friendly vehicles of the year. The Chevrolet Silverado Classic Hybrid received nearly 22 percent of the votes for 2006.

"The collaboration between Chevrolet, General Motors and SEMA is very valuable. We gain a lot of accessory ideas and product ideas to give the consumers what they really want. We look closely at what is offered at SEMA, we are encouraged with what's offered and we look at new ideas. That's where the collaboration comes in strong for us," commented Dale Sullivan, Regional Sales Marketing Manager, Western Region, General Motors.

"Our participating manufacturing members had early access to the Chevrolet Silverado Classic Hybrid and discovered that its proven lineage of design and engineering provides several opportunities for customer personalization," said Carl Sheffer, SEMA vice president, OEM Relations. "Based on feedback from the automakers, we are having a positive impact on the design and marketing of future vehicles."

SEMA reveals the winners of the accessory friendly Car, Truck, SUV and Hybrid categories at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the largest automotive specialty equipment trade event where the industry unveils thousands of new products to visiting trade professionals.

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $34 billion specialty automotive industry of 6,817 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for the specialty auto parts industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909/396-0289 or visit www.sema.org and www.enjoythedrive.com.

Jeep Wrangler Wins Vehicle Design Award

SEMA's Awards Program Spotlighting Accessory Friendly Vehicles Chooses the Jeep Wrangler in Best SUV Category

The Jeep Wrangler was recognized as the most accessory friendly SUV at the 2006 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, capturing one of four SEMA Vehicle Design Awards and joining a prestigious list of past winners.

The SEMA Vehicle Design Awards were established to honor those newly introduced vehicles that best exemplify the alliance between the OEMs and SEMA-member companies. The awards recognize and celebrate the vehicles that a select group of voting members has chosen as the most accessory-friendly vehicles of the year. The Jeep Wrangler received nearly 25 percent of the votes for 2006.

"The big advantage that SEMA offers DaimlerChrysler is putting us together with providers and bringing quality parts to market. They enable us to work with the accessory companies early and ultimately the customer wins with a higher quality accessory. The Jeep Wrangler is the perfect canvas for personal accessories and re-accessorization," said Scott Brown, DaimlerChrysler Group Communications, West Coast.

"Our participating manufacturing members had early access to the Jeep Wrangler and discovered that the inherited design and classic engineering of this vehicle provides several opportunities for customer personalization," said Carl Sheffer, SEMA vice president, OEM Relations. "Based on feedback from the automakers, we are having a positive impact on the design and marketing of future vehicles."

SEMA reveals the winners of the Accessory Friendly Car, Truck, SUV and Hybrid categories at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the largest automotive specialty equipment trade event where the industry unveils thousands of new products to visiting trade professionals.

Ford Shelby GT 500 Wins Vehicle Design Award

SEMA's Awards Program Spotlighting Accessory Friendly Vehicles Chooses the Ford Shelby GT 500 in Best Car Category

The high-performance Ford Shelby GT 500 was recognized as the most accessory friendly car at the 2006 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, capturing one of four SEMA Vehicle Design Awards and joining a prestigious list of past winners.

The SEMA Vehicle Design Awards were established to honor those newly introduced vehicles that best exemplify the alliance between the OEMs and SEMA-member companies. The awards recognize and celebrate the vehicles that a select group of voting members has chosen as the most accessory-friendly vehicles of the year. The Ford Shelby GT 500 received nearly 22 percent of the votes for 2006.

"The value of the increased collaboration with SEMA members is good for both our businesses and it's good for the customer," said John Clinard, Western Regional Manager, Ford Motor Company. "Our attitude about vehicle personalization is just pure enthusiasm, we share that with the people who buy our cars and with those who buy SEMA accessories and parts to put on our cars."

"Our participating manufacturing members had early access to the Ford Shelby GT and discovered that its unique design and muscular engineering provides several options for customer personalization," said Carl Sheffer, SEMA vice president, OEM Relations. "Based on feedback from the automakers, we are having a positive impact on the design and marketing of future vehicles."

SEMA reveals the winners of the Accessory Friendly Car, Truck, SUV and Hybrid categories at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the largest automotive specialty equipment trade event where thousands of new products are unveiled to visiting trade professionals.

Toyota Tundra Wins Vehicle Design Award
SEMA's Awards Program Spotlighting Accessory Friendly Vehicles Chooses the Toyota Tundra in Best Truck Category

The Toyota Tundra was recognized as the most accessory friendly truck at the 2006 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, capturing one of three SEMA Vehicle Design Awards to join a prestigious list of past winners.

Each SEMA Vehicle Design Award recipient was part of a selection process that encompassed several SEMA member companies and automakers who regularly participate in technology sharing programs. These programs consist of various data sharing, measurement sessions and technology transfer initiatives which provide valuable information for each specialty equipment manufacturer to be in sync with the launch of new vehicles.

The SEMA Vehicle Design Awards were established to honor those newly introduced vehicles that best exemplify the alliance between the OEMs and SEMA-member companies. The awards recognize and celebrate the vehicles that a select group of voting members has chosen as the most accessory-friendly vehicles of the year. The Toyota Tundra received nearly 41 percent of the votes for 2006.
"Vehicle accessorization is becoming more and more important to our customers, especially with trucks. Toyota has always been very supportive and interested in vehicle accessorization and our partnership with these companies through SEMA allows us to have high quality accessories at the point of sale," commented Brian Smith, Corporate Manager of Truck Operations for Toyota Motor Sales USA.
"Our participating manufacturing members had early access to the Toyota Tundra and discovered that the design and engineering of this popular truck provides several opportunities for customer personalization," said Carl Sheffer, SEMA vice president, OEM Relations. "Based on feedback from the automakers, we are having a positive impact on the design and marketing of future vehicles."
SEMA reveals the winners of the Accessory Friendly Car, Truck, SUV and Hybrid categories at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the largest automotive specialty equipment trade event where the industry unveils thousands of new products to visiting trade professionals.
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $34 billion specialty automotive industry of 6,817 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for the specialty auto parts industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909/396-0289 or visit www.sema.org and www.enjoythedrive.com
SEMA Announces New Product Showcase Winners
The 2007 SEMA New Products Award winners were announced today at the 40th Annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Winning criteria included: superiority in innovation, technical achievement, quality, workmanship and consumer appeal. Over 1,400 innovative new products were entered in this year's Showcase, making it the largest in SEMA Show history.
The 2007 New Product Winners include: Best New Mobile Electronics Product Winner: Vizualogic Product: Vizualogic Media On-Demand Runners-Up: Rosen Entertainment Systems and Custom Autosound MFG Best New Off-Road/4-Wheel Drive Product Winner: Warn Industries Product: Power Plant Dual Force HP Runners-Up: E.O.P and Rancho/Dynomax Best New Performance-Racing Product Winner: Synapse Engineering Inc. Product: Synchronic Wastegate Runners-Up: Pro Charger and Comp Performance Group Best New Performance-Street Product Winner: Pro Parts LLC Product: SBEK Boost Controller Runners-Up: Turbo XS and Gear Vendors Best New Street Rod/Custom Car Product Winner: Flaming River Industries Inc. Product: Cradel Rack & Pinon System for 1968-72 Chevelle and other GM automobiles Runners-Up: Dakota Digital Inc. and Experi-Metal Inc. Best New Van/Pickup/Sport-Utility Vehicle Product Winner: Fold-a-Cover/Style Step Product: Style Step Tubes Runners-Up: Pilot Automotive Inc. and Shur-Co Best Engineered New Product Winner: Center Line Wheels Corp Product: Run Flat Military Tactical Wheel Runners-Up: Pilot Automotive Inc. and Cobb Tuning LLC Best New Merchandising Display Winner: Mickey Thompson Performance Product: Mickey Thompson Off-Road Mini-Tire and Wheel Display Runners-Up: E-Racing Motorsports and MacNeil Automotive Products Best New Packaging Design Winner: Pilot Automotive Product: Tie-Down Storage Caddy Runners-Up: Warn Industries and Meguiar's Best New Interior Accessory Product Winner: B&M Racing and Performance Products Product: Black Out Guages Runners-Up: Craven Speed and PLX Devices Best New Exterior Accessory Product Winner: Pilot Automotive Product: Trailer Adapter with Dual 12 Volt Receptacle Runners-Up: Pilot Automotive Inc. Best New Tools and Equipment Product Winner: WAM Systems Product: Direct TPMS Runners-Up: GearWrench and Bartec For comprehensive information about the SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAshow.com.
New SEMA Vehicle Design Awards Announced
Three New Vehicles and One Hybrid Capture Prestigious Vehicle Design Awards at the 2006 SEMA Show
-- Three new vehicles and one new Hybrid vehicle were recipients of the 2007 SEMA Vehicle Design Awards announced today at the SEMA Show. The awards are presented to the most accessory-friendly vehicle in four separate categories, Car, Truck, SUV and SEMA's newest category, Hybrid. The Toyota Tundra took top honors in the Truck category, the Ford Shelby GT 500 won in the Car category and the Jeep Wrangler won in the SUV category. The newest award for the most accessory-friendly Hybrid vehicle went to the Chevrolet Silverado Classic.
Each SEMA Vehicle Design Award recipient was part of a selection process that encompassed SEMA member companies and automakers who regularly participate in technology sharing programs. These programs consist of various data sharing, measurement sessions and technology transfer initiatives which provide valuable information for each specialty equipment manufacturer to be in sync with the launch of new vehicles.
The SEMA Vehicle Design Awards were established to honor those newly introduced vehicles that best exemplify the alliance between the OEMs and SEMA-member companies. The awards recognize and celebrate the vehicles that a select group of voting members has chosen as the most accessory-friendly vehicles of the year.
"This is a very exciting time for the specialty equipment industry because there are so many accessory-friendly vehicles available this year, including several new Hybrids, which allowed us to create the new category," said Carl Sheffer, SEMA vice president, OEM relations. "The competition this year was intense and with so many new Hybrids on the market, the future is especially bright for the industry."
SEMA Announces Accessory Friendly Vehicles - Video Available
Four New Vehicles Capture Prestigious Vehicle Design Awards at the 2006 SEMA Show
-- Four new vehicles were recipients of the 2007 SEMA Vehicle Design Awards announced today at the SEMA Show. The awards are presented to the most accessory-friendly vehicle in four categories, Car, Truck, SUV and SEMA's newest category, Hybrid. The Toyota Tundra took top honors in the Truck category, the Ford Shelby GT 500 won in the Car category and the Jeep Wrangler won in the SUV category. The newest award for the most accessory-friendly Hybrid went to the Chevrolet Silverado Classic.
Each SEMA Vehicle Design Award recipient was part of a selection process that encompassed several SEMA member companies and automakers who regularly participate in technology sharing programs. These programs consist of various data sharing, measurement sessions and technology transfer initiatives which provide valuable information for specialty equipment manufacturers looking to be in-sync with the launch of new vehicles.
The SEMA Vehicle Design Awards were established to honor those newly introduced vehicles that best exemplify the alliance between the OEMs and SEMA-member companies. The awards recognize and celebrate the vehicles that a select group of voting members has chosen as the most accessory-friendly vehicles of the year.
"This is a very exciting time for the specialty equipment industry because there are so many accessory-friendly vehicles now available, including several new Hybrids," said Peter MacGillivray, Vice President Marketing and Communications for SEMA. "The competition this year was intense which tells us that the future of the specialty equipment industry is especially bright."

Vizualogic® VMOD™ Entertainment System Named
Best New Mobile Electronics Product at SEMA Show
– The Vizualogic Media on Demand (VMOD™) Entertainment System was named Best New Mobile Electronics Product today at the 2006 SEMA Show.
VMOD, which allows consumers to download virtually any digital media into their vehicles, is a compact, powerful computing module that combines an Intel® Celeron® M processor and a 40GB automotive-grade hard drive, running a simple plug and play operating system. The module is paired with a user-friendly software application from StreetDeck, which ties the whole user experience together in an automotive-friendly package. Its compact size makes it easy to install under a seat or virtually anywhere in a vehicle. An integrated video output allows users to plug directly into any of Vizualogic’s patented All-in-One Headrest Monitor/DVD Players, including the new iPod®-compatible A-1250, allowing users to download virtually any digital file from their home computers. (VMOD also is compatible with other Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) systems.)
“We are elated to have VMOD chosen as the best new mobile electronics product at SEMA,” said Brian Torres, vice president of business development, Vizualogic. “We have a talented and dedicated team of engineers who have a vision of where digital media is headed, and this award is very gratifying for the entire Vizualogic family.”
“This project came to fruition thanks to a partnership that includes Intel for the architecture of the new system, StreetDeck for software and integration, and Portwell for the boards,” said Ian Kelly, Vizualogic’s lead engineer on the project. “The end result is a system that allows users to play games and watch movies stored on the hard drive, browse the Internet, download and listen to music, and enjoy other multimedia experiences. Basically, anything stored on a full-size home computer can be downloaded and accessed with VMOD.”
VMOD will be sold through the automotive aftermarket and via retail channels, beginning in the first quarter of 2007. MSRP will start at $699.00.

Vizualogic, a division of TMI Products, Inc., specializes in the development and manufacture of high quality integrated mobile electronic systems and accessories. TMI, with more than 190 employees, was founded in 1982, and is based in Corona, CA.

Intel and Celeron are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

StreetDeck designs and manufactures innovative products for in-car computing, integrating elements of mobile computing, media centers, broadband networking, mobile phone technology and software in open computing platforms. The company was created in 2005 by the Mp3Car team, a group who since 1996 has been dedicated to creating the best, safest in-car computing experience possible. Over time, this car computing forum attracted over 500,000 posts by thousands of car computing enthusiasts worldwide, evolving Mp3Car into an e-commerce destination. Those roots, as well as academic research and years of development, bore StreetDeck, now jointly headquartered in Baltimore and LA, and working closely with such technology and automotive leaders as Microsoft, Parrot, and Seagate. For more information, see www.StreetDeck.com.

Subaru of America Announces New SPT Power Packs
-- SPT Delivers Big Boost in Horsepower and Torque --
-- Subaru of America announced today at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas the launch of SPT Power Packs, a performance kit designed for Subaru Impreza WRX and STI and the Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT. The Power Packs consist of the SPT Performance Exhaust System, SPT High Flow Air Intake System and SPT Heat Shield.
SPT performance products each offer great features individually, but when combined, the Power Packs deliver a big punch. The SPT Power Packs have been dyno-tested and, when measured at the wheel, produce up to 30hp and 20lb-ft of torque on a stock 2007 STI, up to 10hp with 17lb-ft of torque on a stock 2006 WRX model, and up to 30hp and 30lb-ft of torque on a stock 2007 Legacy GT Sedan.
The SPT Performance Exhaust features a larger diameter, 3-inch stainless steel construction which replaces the stock intermediate pipe and muffler, resulting in an enhanced sound and performance.
The SPT High Flow Air Intakes are constructed of 319 die cast aluminum, manufactured to ensure smooth high flowing bends. Each intake kit includes; a silicone reinforced boot, anti-vibration mounting system, stainless steel t-bolt clamps, and a SPT 4-layer cotton gauge filter with a built-in velocity stack for smooth air flow. The intakes feature a new gunmetal gray-textured power-coat finish with a raised SPT logo, and are CARB certified and compliant with 50-state emissions regulations.
The SPT Heat Shields help ensure a supply of cool air to the engine intakes, thus reducing the loss of power that comes from a heated intake charge. Cooler air is drawn from inside the passenger front wheel well and behind the headlight; not from the hotter areas surrounding the turbocharger, engine and radiator. Unlike a traditional cold air intake, which places the filter element as low as possible in the vehicle, this setup helps to supply cool air while limiting the risk of water ingestion.
For additional information on this and other Genuine Subaru Performance Parts, or to request a copy of the latest catalog, log onto http://www.spt.subaru.com/.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru makes the best-selling All-Wheel Drive car sold in America based on R.L. Polk & Co. new vehicle retail registration statistics calendar year-end 2005. For additional information visit http://www.subaru.com/.

Two Isuzu Project Pickups to Be Displayed at SEMA
i-290 Sport Truck and i-370 Off-Road Truck Developed by Street Scene Equipment
Two exciting and aggressive Isuzu Pickup project vehicles, both developed by Street Scene Equipment of Costa Mesa, California, will be displayed at this week's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.
The project vehicles -- a 2007 i-290 Extended Cab Sport Truck and a 2007 i-370 4x4 Crew Cab Off-Road Truck -- are designed to show consumers how they can customize an Isuzu Pickup with readily available aftermarket equipment.
"These trucks may look like concept vehicles," said Rick Stipa, executive manager, accessory and product planning for Isuzu Motors America, Inc. "But any customer, with a little bit of effort and imagination, can own a new Isuzu truck virtually identical to either of these showstoppers."
Isuzu i-290 Sport Truck
It began as a stock Pacific Blue 2007 Isuzu i-290 4x2 Extended Cab. But the i-290 Sport Truck -- now featuring bright gold stripes from Ape Graphics and a Snugtop tonneau cover -- is anything but ordinary. A Ground Force lowering kit drops the vehicle two to three inches for an aggressive stance, while wide 255/45R20 Toyo Proxes S/T tires on 20-inch American Racing wheels provide a street-ready look while enhancing grip and overall performance on-road.
On the outside, Street Scene Equipment contributed Cal-Vu signal mirrors, front bumper cover, wiper cowl, roll pan and side skirts, all painted body color by L&G Enterprises. Street Scene upper and lower chrome Speed Grille inserts, custom hidden hitch and valance driving lights complete the look.
Underneath and inside, the i-290 Sport Truck offers up a Kinetik battery supplied by Stir Marketing, a Gibson exhaust system, and black leather seats with body-color-keyed Pacific Blue inserts from Roadwire and Classic Soft Trim.
The whole package, according to Mike Spagnola, president of Street Scene Equipment, is expected to appeal to young males up to 30 years of age -- and the young at heart.
This vehicle embodies street-truck performance for those that like to be seen cruising in style. Both looks and handling are improved on the asphalt where this concept is most likely to be found.
Isuzu i-370 Off-Road Truck
While the i-290 Sport Truck represents one approach to affordable, available personalization for Isuzu Pickup buyers, the i-370 Off-Road Truck demonstrates that customization can go in a completely different direction.
Beginning with a stock Pacific Blue 2007 Isuzu i-370 4x4 Crew Cab, the Street Scene team raised the truck with a four-inch lift kit from Skyjacker, then added 35-inch BFGoodrich tires outfitted with American Racing wheels that are slick, literally-because they are Teflon coated, the better to wash off the muck from an excursion on a muddy trail.
The Street Scene-supplied signal mirrors, front bumper cover, wiper cowl and roll pan were painted body color by L&G Enterprises. The hyper-aggressive look is enhanced with Street Scene's Speed Grille inserts, custom hidden hitch, flip-up license plate kit and 6.5-inch driving lights; nerf bars and Dakar light bar from Rampage; custom gold stripes from Ape Graphics; and bedliner and tailgate extender from Isuzu Motors America. Like the i-290, the i-370 Off-Road Truck features a Kinetik battery, Gibson exhaust, and leather seats from Roadwire and Classic Soft Trim.
"This truck," says Spagnola, "demonstrates just how much you can do and how far you can go with an Isuzu Pickup -- from hunting, camping and mountain climbing to hitting the dunes and towing your motorcycles. It's a rugged American look that will appeal to active adults of a wide variety of ages and interests."
Both project trucks are based on popular members of the Isuzu Pickup line, which consists of the two-wheel-drive Extended Cab (available as either an i-290 with 2.9-liter, 185-horsepower four-cylinder engine or as an i-370 with a 242-horse, 3.7-liter inline five) and the five-cylinder i-370 Crew Cab (available in both two- and four-wheel-drive models).
Based in Costa Mesa, California, Street Scene Equipment is a leading aftermarket supplier of automotive styling accessories.
Isuzu Motors America, Inc., is the U.S. distributor of Isuzu sport utility vehicles and diesel engines.

Michelin Showcases Supercars at SEMA Las Vegas
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2(TM) and Pilot Sport Cup(TM) Tires Meet Extreme Demands for High-Performance Vehicles
Michelin rolled-out some of the world's most exclusive supercars to tout its leadership position in performance tires at this years SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) convention being held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Oct. 31 - Nov. 3, 2006.
Michelin tires are found on more supercars than all other tire manufacturers combined. The supercar line-up in the Michelin booth includes the Buggati Veyron, Pagani Zonda Roadster F, RUF Rt12, Saleen S7, Koenigsegg CCX, Fisker Latigo CS and McLaren F1 LM., and for the first time ever on Amercan soil, the Caparo T1.
From stronger engines to lightweight materials to improved aerodynamics, the delicate balance between performance and safety is the panacea for all supercar manufacturers. However, one element of the supercar that is not up for debate is the high-performance parts required to deliver world-class performance. This performance begins with the road and the ability to deliver a high performance tire that stands up to the unique demands of these ultimate driving machines.
"Michelin pushes the envelope for supercar performance through our research and development efforts allowing us to be a leader in creating new tire technology," said Parmeet Grover, brand director for Michelin. "These supercars provide us a unique platform, in addition to our success in motorsports, to ensure that drivers enjoy uncompromising safety and performance for both city and highway driving with ultimate confidence."
At the center of Michelin's tire research and development activities is its involvement in motorsports. Racing requires Michelin to deliver a high performance tire that is capable of handling the highest speeds in various weather and road conditions. Many supercars ride on Michelin(R) Pilot(R) Sport PS2(TM) tires, which were inspired by Michelin's success in Formula One, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the American Le Mans Series.
About Michelin
As the undisputed leader in the tire industry, Michelin (http://www.michelin.com/) designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs 22,300 and operates 19 major manufacturing plants in 17 locations.

Subaru Showcases Two New Forester Sports Models at SEMA Show
Forester Sports 2.5 XT Adds VDC Stability Control; Unique, Sporty Styling and Exclusive Interior Features; Enhanced Audio with Available Satellite Radio
-- Subaru of America, Inc. is showcasing two new versions of its All-Wheel Drive 2007 Forester compact SUV at the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. The 2007 Forester Sports models combine new, more powerful styling with exclusive interior features and enhanced standard equipment. The Forester Sports 2.5 XT adds to that the 224-horsepower intercooled turbocharged Boxer engine from the 2.5 XT Limited model.
With more aggressive styling, the new Forester Sports models are distinguished from their siblings by a new front bumper and unique black mesh grille. For a sleeker profile, the standard roof rail crossbars have been deleted on the Forester Sports models, but remain available as an accessory. The Forester Sports 2.5 XT in addition features standard 17-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the Forester Sports models feature exclusive anthracite black fabric upholstery. An automatic climate control system replaces the manual climate control system that is standard on the regular Forester 2.5 X model. The Sports models' 120-watt AM/FM stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD changer will play MP3/WMA CDs. Also an upgrade over the regular 2.5 X model, this audio system also features SIRIUS(R) Satellite Radio Capability and a new auxiliary audio jack to connect iPods and similar music players.
All Subaru models come standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, a significant all-road, all-weather traction advantage over competitors that offer front-wheel drive as standard and make All-Wheel Drive an extra-cost option.
Four-wheel independent suspension and variable-ratio, variable-power assisted rack-and-pinion steering help make Forester models equally adept at managing twisty back roads and absorbing off-pavement ruts and bumps.
All Forester models feature as standard equipment front seat head/chest side-impact airbags, four-wheel ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), cabin air filtration system, power windows, mirrors and door locks, and a remote keyless entry system. Versatility is ensured by 30.7 cubic feet of carrying space behind the rear seat, which expands to 68.6 cu. ft. when both rear seatbacks are folded.
Legendary Subaru Performance
The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Subaru Boxer engine that powers the Forester Sports 2.5 X is among the most powerful in its displacement category, with 173 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 166 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,400 rpm. The i-Active Valve Lift system helps to ensure responsive performance at all engine speeds.
The turbocharged/intercooled 2.5-liter engine in the Forester Sports 2.5 XT produces 224 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 226 lb.-ft. of peak torque at just 3,600 rpm. The functional hood scoop, a telltale sign of every turbo Subaru model, provides a stream of fresh air to the engine-mounted intercooler. The Active Valve Control System variable valve timing technology optimizes the engine's volumetric efficiency and performance at all engine speeds. When equipped with the standard 5-speed manual transmission, the Forester Sports 2.5 XT can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in under six seconds. The turbo engine meets the strict Tier 2 Bin 5 Low Emissions Vehicle II (LEV II) certification for 2007.
Three Different Types of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
In all Forester models equipped with the 5-speed manual transmission, a viscous coupling locking center differential built into the transmission case divides engine power 50:50. Wheel slippage at one set of wheels causes more power to shift to the opposite set, ensuring that the wheels with the best traction receive more power.
In the Forester Sports 2.5 X equipped with the 4-speed electronic direct control automatic transmission, an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch actively manages power distribution based on acceleration, deceleration and available traction.
The Forester Sports 2.5 XT with the optional 4-speed direct control automatic transmission is the first Forester model to use the advanced Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The VTD system is also used in the Impreza(R) WRX(R) Limited model equipped with the optional automatic transmission. The VTD system uses a planetary gear-type center differential that splits the power 45:55, with the rear-wheel bias enhancing handling agility and the performance-driving feel. An electronically controlled continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch controls power distribution between the front and rear wheels in response to driver input and driving conditions.
The Forester Sports 2.5 XT with automatic transmission is also the first Forester model equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), an advanced stability system that controls VTD All-Wheel Drive operation and integrates an electronic 4-wheel traction control system (TCS). A viscous limited-slip rear differential directs power to the rear wheel with the best traction.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes All-Wheel Drive Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru is the only car company that offers Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment on every vehicle in its product line.
Source: Subaru of America, Inc.

READY, SET, GO! SONY RENEWS ITS COMMITMENT TO AUTOMOTIVE PERFORMANCE AT SEMA SHOW

The Xplōd® Sound Expression Showcase Features Sony’s New 2007 Xplōd in-car Entertainment and Marine Products

LAS VEGAS (SEMA Booth #11066), Oct. 31, 2006 – Start your engines – Sony’s mobile electronics showroom at the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s annual tradeshow features spankin’ new 2007 Xplōd and Marine products, plus PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system where attendees can view a demo of Gran Turismo™ HD, inside a fully-laced Scion xA. Sony’s centerpiece Scion is one of 24 customized rides parked near 14 new Xplōd products on display. Sony Xplōd equipment is featured in 59 vehicles at the show.
In It to Win It
"This year, we added two outdoor sections,” said Brennan Mullin, general manager for mobile electronics at Sony Electronics. “Combined with our indoor showroom, we have the largest square footage in the North Hall. We’ve got something for everyone – from the SPEED Channel’s “Street Tuner Challenge” Mustang to a vintage low rider."
All My Friends Know the Low Rider
Sony has announced a new Team Xplōd member, Marco Patino, whose first Sony vehicle has prime real estate in the street-themed section of the Xplōd showroom. His 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport is an authentic low rider classic with its lay-and-display hydraulics and multiple wheels and tire combinations. With four Xplōd amps and three pairs of two-way speakers, this car’s boomin’ audio system will knock you down. Patino served as the features editor of Lowrider magazine for 15 years and is an old-school builder with several magazine covers under his belt.
Cars with Attitude
Team Xplōd members Shawn Bennett and Rodney Findley are back in the booth this year showcasing their new cars: a 2006 Porsche Cayman S and a Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy Duty. Using Xplōd GTR amps and specialty speakers in a 3-way component system, Bennett lays the audio quality on thick in his Porsche Cayman, which contains the only Vortech supercharger specially designed for the Cayman S. Findley unveils his Dodge Ram with Xplōd audio, including three component systems, four 12-inch subwoofers, and four amplifiers.
Pump up the Volume
Sony has unveiled its new GT Series speakers, the perfect complement to the GT Series head units. Four new models, XS-GT6935A (6 x 9-inches), XS-GT1625A (6.5-inches), XS-GT1325A (5.25-inches) and XS-GT5725A (5 x 7-inches) feature sleek new designs and high sound quality. Pricing starts at about $60 for the XS-GT1325A and XS-GT5725A speakers and about $80 for the XS-GT6935A speakers. The GT Series speakers will be available in January.
Additionally, Sony has introduced its new capless subwoofers. Besides delivering low frequency bass, the new subs also feature a new capless design on the back, giving more style options for car audio builders and designers. The XS-L154P5B subwoofer (15-inch), XS-L124P5B subwoofer (12-inch) and XS-L104P5B subwoofer (10-inch) will be available in January and will be priced at about $170, $110, and $90, respectively.
Size Does Matter
The Scion features some of Sony’s hottest new Xplōd products, unveiled at SEMA. The Sony slim subwoofers and amplifiers take up less room and are a great fit in both pick-up trucks and sports compact vehicles. With ten new small amps, six subs and two-way speakers, a component system and the head unit with Bluetooth® capability, the Scion is outfitted in the latest audio gear.
By Land or Sea
Outside of door 21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Sony’s “toy world” showcases a ski boat and off-road vehicle decked out with Sony marine head units, subs and amps. The new splash-proof head unit is installed and on display in the ski boat. Visit toy world for a demonstration of the new marine splash-proof head unit subs and amps in the Malibu Wakesetter or visit the Sony booth (#11066) to see Xplōd slim subs and amps and nav-u™ (NV-U71T) with real-time traffic (service subscription required, sold separately). For information about these products, visit http://www.sony.com/Xplod.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!
Sony reinforces its leadership role in car audio and portable navigation as an official sponsor of the National Hot Rod Association for the second consecutive year. Sony Electronics has signed up to remain the title sponsor of the NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series for 2007. This year's racing events, including eight standalone and three PowerAde events, will take place at designated NHRA sites nationwide

Samuel Hubinette-Gary Scelzi-Allen Johnson-richie Stevens jr.-Tony Steward

CHRISS ANGEL

(C) MBN 2006 (Joyce Chow & William Hoehne)

COOPER TIRE REVEALS NEW MARKETING INITIATIVE, PARTNERSHIP LOGO AT SEMA SHOW IN LAS VEGAS
(October 31, 2006) – COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY (NYSE: CTB) will share the spotlight at its news conference in Las Vegas today at the 2006 SEMA Show, the biggest automotive specialty products trade event in the world. Along with announcements about company, brand and product news, Cooper and new motorsports partner the Champ Car Atlantic Series will unveil the new look and feel of the Atlantic Championship, as well as details about Cooper’s support of the series.
The news conference is scheduled for Tuesday, October 31 at 3:10 p.m. PT at the Cooper Tire SEMA display area, located at booth #40341 in the lower south hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center . The new Atlantic series logo and details of the new relationship between the Atlantic Championship series and new presenting sponsor and exclusive tire supplier Cooper Tire will be announced. Cooper Tire management will address the company’s vision for the future as well as focus on the new partnership with North America ’s premier open-wheel development series.
“The Cooper/Champ Atlantic partnership is mutually beneficial. We have conducted extensive testing with the newly-designed Swift 016.a chassis and have been able to provide a tire that allows for the best possible setup for optimal performance of both the car and tire. The Cooper Tire racing slick allows for more adjustments in the mid-range, giving teams and drivers more scope overall. We are confident that the tires will meet and exceed the teams’ expectations, resulting in high level competitive racing,” said Julian Baldwin, as Vice President, European Operations, and Managing Director, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe .
The SEMA Show, held October 31-November 3 in Las Vegas , is the leading automotive specialty products trade event in the world. Some of the brightest minds and hottest products in the automotive community will be featured at the show that’s expected to attract over 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries across the globe. The high-profile international event is an ideal place for both Cooper Tire and Atlantic officials to discuss plans for the 2007 season. Las Vegas also serves as host of the 2007 season-opening race at the Vegas Grand Prix on April 8.
The new 2007 Atlantic racing package will also be prominently displayed in Vegas during the week of the show. The Swift 016.a Atlantic chassis, featuring the 300-horsepower Mazda-Cosworth engine and equipped with the new Cooper Atlantic racing slick tires, will be featured at the Cooper Tire booth.
About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a global company that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car, light truck, medium truck tires and subsidiaries that specialize in motorcycle and racing tires, as well as tread rubber and related equipment for the retread industry. With headquarters in Findlay , Ohio , Cooper Tire has 60 manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located around the world. For more information, visit Cooper Tire’s web site at www.coopertireandrubber.com.
About the Champ Car Atlantic Championship
The Champ Car Atlantic Championship continues to be the premier open-wheel development series in North America . In its 33^rd season in 2006, the championship is noted for its long history of graduating its stars into Champ Car competition and has helped produce past Champ Car champions Paul Tracy, Jimmy Vasser, Bobby Rahal, Danny Sullivan, Michael Andretti and Jacques Villeneuve. 2006 Champ Car competitors Alex Tagliani, Andrew Ranger, Katherine Legge, Tonis Kasemets and 2005 Atlantic champion Charles Zwolsman are established Atlantic graduates along with 2004 Champ Car Rookie of the Year and 2003 Atlantic champ A.J. Allmendinger. In 2006, competitors will fight for the 12-race championship and the unique $2 million Champ Car series champion’s bonus. Beginning in 2007, all Atlantic teams will compete in Swift 016.a chassis powered by a 2.3-liter Mazda-Cosworth engine while riding on Cooper Atlantic racing tires. For more information on the series and to view this season’s races on demand, please visit www.champcaratlantic.com.

STRUT To Showcase New Wheel & Grille Collections at SEMA for the 2007 Escalade, Denali and Mercedes S550
—STRUT®, the leading designer of handcrafted, triple-chromed grilles, wheels and accessories for the luxury automotive market, will introduce three stunning new grille collections at the SEMA 2007 Show in Las Vegas designed exclusively for the Cadillac Escalade, GM Yukon Denali, and the Mercedes S550. The company will also debut a new Icon Wheel Collection.
2007 Cadillac Escalade—Vail Collection™ has been designed for Escalade devotees who desire to customize their vehicle with a distinctive look that showcases the owners’ flair for style. Included in the collection is one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, two side vents with STRUT shield, and one STRUT lift gate shield. Suggested Retail Price: $6,000. 2007 GM Yukon Denali—Mammoth Collection™ is designed to seamlessly complement the distinctive redesign of this full-sized SUV. The collection features one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached. One crimped mesh Lower Air Intake vent and one STRUT lift gate shield. Suggested Retail: $6,000
2007 GM Yukon Denali—Mammoth Collection™ is designed to seamlessly complement the distinctive redesign of this full-sized SUV. The collection features one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached. One crimped mesh Lower Air Intake vent and one STRUT lift gate shield. Suggested Retail: $6,000 2007 Mercedes S550—Munich Collection™ offers owners of this high style and performance vehicle the ultimate in personalization. Included in the Munich Collection is one woven crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, one lower air intake vent with STRUT shield attached, two crimped mesh hood vents and one STRUT trunk shield. Suggested Retail: $8500 Icon7 Collection™ is a 2-piece wheel made from forged aluminum for strength and durability. Wheels feature 7-spokes with a STRUT shield at the center of each and prominently positioned on the center cap. Icon7 is available in 20, 22 and 24-inch sizes in chrome, satin or color matched to the vehicle. Suggested Retail: $10,000 - $12,000
About STRUT®
STRUT is located in San Clemente, California where the company recently relocated to a new expanded facility. The company is known globally for their trendsetting and distinctive collections of triple-chromed grilles, wheels, and accessories designed for luxury automobiles and SUVs preferred by discriminating driving enthusiasts. All collections are handcrafted like fine jewelry of the finest triple-chromed 316L stainless steel, hand-polished, and signed by the artisan.
STRUT is located in San Clemente, California where the company recently relocated to a new expanded facility. The company is known globally for their trendsetting and distinctive collections of triple-chromed grilles, wheels, and accessories designed for luxury automobiles and SUVs preferred by discriminating driving enthusiasts. All collections are handcrafted like fine jewelry of the finest triple-chromed 316L stainless steel, hand-polished, and signed by the artisan.
STRUT products are designed and manufactured to withstand any weather condition, providing ongoing luster and a superior appearance. STRUT products are available at custom automotive installation boutiques and dealerships World wide for the BMW-6 and 7 Series, Bentley Continental GT, Bentley Flying Spur, Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac XLR, Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum,
Hummer H2, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes CLS 500, Mercedes S 550 and Range Rover. Custom grilles are also available on 2007 Sport Chassis by Freightliner heavy-duty pickup trucks. Additional introductions will be announced shortly.
Cooper Tire Reaches Out to Auto Enthusiasts and Gamers Through Need for Speed™ Carbon Video Game, October 31, 2006 –
COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY (NYSE: CTB) today announced its partnership with Electronic Arts on the latest title in the popular Need for Speed™ video game series, Need for Speed™ CarbonCooper has an in-game presence in the form of car decals, 10 branded billboards and three storefronts throughout the game’s cityscape as well as a Cooper-branded race. Additionally, the Cooper Zeon 2XS, used by all Cooper-sponsored drifters in reality, will be prominently featured in the game’s only drift track. For talented gamers, a set of Cooper Zeon ultra-high performance tires can be unlocked for use during the latter stages of the game. These tires mirror the excellent performance and handling characteristics found in real-world Cooper Zeon tires. “Our deep product integration into the best-selling racing game title to date provides us another unique touch point in which gamers can interact with the Cooper Tires brand in a positive, non-traditional manner,” said Dave S. Craig, director of North American advertising for Cooper Tire. “The Need for Speed series has a large and dedicated fan base that will be exposed to the level of quality and performance that our tires offer -- both on the screen and in real life.”
According to the Entertainment Software Association, 69 percent of American heads of households play video and computer games and 69 percent of gamers are 18 years of age or older. In addition, according to a random selection online survey conducted by the Need for Speed Formula Drift Championship Series (formulad.com), fans of drift racing love to game; nearly 90 percent of respondents said they own gaming systems.
Cooper activated its in-game integration through a 16-mall gaming tournament in association with Mazda in October in 16 of the top 17 markets in the United States. The winners of each regional event received an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Las Vegas, admission for two to the Mazda Party at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a $500 Cooper Tire gift certificate good towards a new set of tires, a $50 GameStop Gift Card and the Need For Speed: Carbon game. The 16 regional winners flew to Las Vegas this week for the finals at the Hard Rock Café on November 2 during the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. The grand prize winner will drive home a new 2007 MAZDASPEED3 Sport Model packed with a GameStop/EB Games Gift Card, Logitech Z-5500 Digital Speaker System, Logitech Harmony Advanced Universal Remote and Logitech DriveFX Wheel.
Need for Speed Carbon, which features both city street and canyon racing, is available worldwide as of November 1 for Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Wii™ as well as the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® videogame system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube™, Nintendo DS™, GameBoy® Advance, PSP™ (PlayStation Portable) handheld entertainment system, PC and mobile. More information on the game can be found at needforspeed.com. About Cooper Tire & Rubber CompanyCooper Tire & Rubber Company is a global company that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car, light truck, medium truck tires and subsidiaries that specialize in motorcycle and racing tires, as well as tread rubber and related equipment for the retread industry. With headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper Tire has 59 manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located around the world. For more information, visit Cooper Tire's Web site at coopertire.com.

CIRBIN MOTORS has launched the new web site with all the information on the new VT-ROD^®. We promised to keep you informed on changes and new information; that’s what we do with this email. Please, do check this new web site. We have put-in lots of information and pictures of the VT-ROD^®, with pricing details and options.
I am sure you will be pleased with what you will find there.
NAVIGON Software Selected by Delphi for its New Personal Navigation Device
The automotive components leader teams up with Germany ’s premier navigation software provider for NAV200, one of the newest entrants to the personal navigation market
LAS VEGAS and CHICAGO -- October 31, 2006 – NAVIGON, Germany ’s leading navigation software maker, helped Delphi Corporation recently launch NAV200, a compelling new entrant to the personal navigation device market – one of the fastest-growing sectors in consumer electronics. Delphi’s NAV200 comes with clout and credibility given the company’s global leadership position in automotive technology and systems components. Delphi, with a history that spans more than 100 years, is a world leader in mobile electronics, and vehicle components and systems technology. Today, Delphi is the leading manufacturer of satellite radios and accessories with over 14 million sold to date. In fact, three out of four people listen to satellite radio on Delphi hardware. Delphi hopes to follow that success with NAV200. The product employs NAVTEQ digital maps and will launch in North America, quickly followed by Europe and South America . In the U.S. , NAV200 will sell for $399.99.
“NAVIGON played a pivotal role helping to bring this product to market. They understood the business of integration,” said Adiel Avelar, global navigation business line manager, Delphi . “They helped make the journey to market smooth and easy – just what you want from a real world navigation experience.”
Headquartered in Germany and with a growing presence in the Americas , NAVIGON creates custom navigation software solutions for the world’s best known brands in consumer electronics, as well as custom navigation software solutions for personal navigation devices and smartphones.
“Delphi’s pedigree in mobile electronics technology is unrivaled,” said Andreas Hecht, general manager of the Americas for NAVIGON. “We’re pleased to be part of what we hope and expect will be a very successful product for Delphi .”
About NAVIGON
NAVIGON creates navigation software solutions for some of the world’s best-known brands in consumer electronics. NAVIGON makes the software that drives navigation products from Sony, Delphi , Fujitsu-Siemens, and more. Founded in Germany in 1991, NAVIGON invented the world’s first mobile GPS navigation product – and today, consistently ranks as Germany ’s most trusted name in navigation. NAVIGON continues to break new ground in the sector with the recent release of onboard and off-board navigation software created specifically for smartphones. NAVIGON is headquartered in Hamburg , Germany , with offices throughout Europe, the U.S. and Asia .
NAVIGON USA headquarters is in Chicago , Illinois . For more information, go to www.navigonusa.com.
About Delphi
Delphi was the first company to integrate a radio into the dashboard in 1936, the first to bring satellite radio to the vehicle in 2001 and the first to bring a portable satellite radio to the market in 2002. To date, Delphi has sold more than 14 million satellite radio receivers and accessories. In fact, three out of four satellite radio subscribers listen on Delphi hardware. Delphi continues to expand its in-vehicle and consumer electronics technologies and offers a broad portfolio of products to answer a wide variety of information and entertainment needs. For more information, visit www.delphi.com/media.

STINGER REVS UP POWERFUL NEW CAR AUDIO BATTERY

SP1500d brings maximum performance and simplicity to car audio systems in a compact, direct-bolt-in unit

Clearwater, Fl., October 30, 2006, 2006 – AAMP of America's high performance car audio accessories division, Stinger®, enthusiastically introduces the SP1500d car audio battery that promises maximum dependability and performance while being easy to install in many GM and Chrysler automobiles.

The SPD1500d is the newest addition to Stinger's POWER2 family of dry-cell car audio batteries, which also includes the popular SP800, SP1000, SP1700 and SP2150 models. The SP1500d boasts all the benefits you would expect from a Stinger car audio battery but has the added benefit of side terminals and mounting accommodations of a group 34/78 battery. This makes the SP1500d the perfect choice for numerous Chrysler and GM automobiles when a direct bolt-in replacement and maximum performance is required.

The SP1500d packs an impressive amount of power for its size (approximately 7"x11"x8"). With a 5 sec discharge of 1500 amps, 825 cold cranking amps, reserve capacity of 120 minutes and an extremely fast recharge capability, the SP1500d offers what you need whether for car audio or engine start application! This combined with a power-to-size ratio that is superior to many other batteries of its size, means the SPD1500d is sure to keep your tunes rocking and your wheels rolling!

Contact your Stinger representative today for more information on Stinger's line of Power2 batteries featuring compact, technologically advanced designs that resist leaks, vibrations and corrosion. You need not look any further than Stinger to fulfill your high performance battery needs!

About AAMP of America:
AAMP of America is a global supplier of a broad spectrum of car and home audio video accessories, installation supplies and OEM integration solutions. AAMP of America brings many new technologies to the forefront including; convergence of personal audio devices into the automotive environment, integration of mobile video into OEM systems, and storefront point of purchase profit centers.
with all the information on the new VT-ROD. We promised to keep you informed on changes and new information; that’s what we do with this email. Please, do check this new web site. We have put-in lots of information and pictures of the VT-ROD, with pricing details and options. with all the information on the new VT-ROD. We promised to keep you informed on changes and new information; that’s what we do with this email. Please, do check this new web site. We have put-in lots of information and pictures of the VT-ROD, with pricing details and options.
AMERICA’S TOP MEchanics Compete in National live competition
For BP Amoco Ultimate^® Golden Mechanic Title
Three of the best mechanics in America will compete at the SEMA show in Las Vegas for the golden wrench and the coveted title of AMOCO ULTIMATE GOLDEN MECHANIC.
What:               Amoco Ultimate Golden Mechanic Contest Finalist Event – a LIVE COMPETITION hosted by Car and Driver radio host, Alan Taylor – to find the best mechanic in the country.

                        Each competitor will have the opportunity to showcase their auto repair knowledge and auto diagnostic skills in a series of fast-paced physical challenges. The finalists will also flex their brain power by answering tough questions from a panel of industry experts.
                        The winner will be announced onsite and will receive $25,000, a year’s worth of Amoco Ultimate fuel at BP (valued at $1,200), and will serve as an Amoco Ultimate national spokesperson in 2007.
Who:                Through a national contest, BP and Amoco Ultimate chose three of the best mechanics in the country out of hundreds of entries to compete in front of a live audience to showcase their automotive knowledge, quick diagnostic skills and physical abilities.
                        The event will be hosted by Car and Driver radio host, Alan Taylor, and finalists will be rated by an expert panel of judges, including The Car Coach^®, Lauren Fix; Denny Kahler, past Chairman of the Board for Automotive Service Association (ASA); Evan Ngan, road test assistant for Road & Track magazine; and Steve Saleen, founder and president of Saleen Inc.
                        Where:             The competition will take place at the SEMA show in Las Vegas , the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. Look for the Golden Mechanic competition area in the Motor Trend Proving Ground, which is an outdoor area located between the Center and South halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center .
When:             Thursday November 2, 2006 from 1-2 p.m. PST
Why:               Join BP and Amoco Ultimate in showing support for the auto industry’s best. Come see the contestants in action as they compete for the coveted title of “Amoco Ultimate Golden Mechanic.”

                        Additional details:
·         Live demonstrations/visuals will provide excellent photo opportunities
·         All media invitees will have a private viewing area; lunch will be served
·         2005 Golden Mechanic and 2006 Winner available for one-on-one interviews
GSPI And NRG Resources Present TVT 24/7 Products At 2006 SEMA Show
Oct. 29, 2006 Green Star Products, Inc. (OTC:GSPI) announced that NRG Resources, Inc. will be showcasing the TVT 24/7 product lines at the 2006 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 31 through November 3, 2006.
The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry's brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from over 100 countries.
NRG has exclusive worldwide distribution and marketing rights for the TVT 24/7 lubricant product line manufactured by Green Star Products, Inc.
NRG has recently expanded its sales staff and has demonstrated its products in over 20 nations.
TVT 24/7 products have consistently demonstrated superior performance in all applications. The extensive product line includes auto industry products as well as an exclusive product line for machine tooling tasks such as Water Soluble Cutting Oils, Stamping, Drilling and Tapping Fluids, all of which are environmentally safe and biodegradable.
Green Star Products, Inc. (OTC: GSPI) is an environmentally friendly company dedicated to creating innovative cost-effective products to improve the quality of life and clean up the environment. Green Star Products is involved in the production of renewable clean-burning biodiesel and other products, including lubricants, additives and devices that reduce emissions and improve fuel economy in vehicles, machinery and power plants. For more information, see Green Star Products' Web site at http://www.GreenStarUSA.com , or call Investor Relations at 619-864-4010, or fax 619-789-4743, or email info@GreenStarUSA.com. Information about trading prices and volume can be obtained at several Internet sites, including http://www.bloomberg.com and http://www.bigcharts.com under the ticker symbol "GSPI".
Forward-looking statements in the release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, continued acceptance of the company's products, increased levels of competition for the company, new products and technological changes, the company's dependence on third-party suppliers, and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

AAIA Announces New Asian Initiative
2008 Aftermarket Expo in China Planned
LAS VEGAS, NV – Nov. 2, 2006 – The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) yesterday unveiled its new Asian Initiative, including hosting the Asian Automotive Aftermarket Expo in Macao, China, at the Venetian facility in 2008. The announcement was made at a press conference in the Venetian during AAPEX.
In addition to the expo in China, AAIA will reinforce its ongoing trade policy and promotions by hosting senior-level aftermarket executives at a seven-day Executive Enrichment Program in Shanghai and Beijing, China in March 2007.
"A recent survey of our members found a high level of interest in learning more about doing business in China and selling products to this rapidly-growing Asian vehicle aftermarket," said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, AAIA. "The U.S. aftermarket technology, brands, products and delivery system are the best in the world and we want to give our member companies who want to sell in Asia the contacts, knowledge and assistance needed to enter the fast-growth Asian markets."
Schmatz reviewed the findings of AAIA's member survey that inspired the Asian Aftermarket Initiative. More than 78 percent of respondents are currently selling products and/or services to the Chinese market. Of those respondents who are not currently selling in China, 58 percent indicated that they are planning to, according to Schmatz.
Survey respondents indicated that AAIA could best serve their interest and needs in China by:
Identify opportunities for the sale of products and services in China.
Help establish joint-venture contacts.
Provide information on Chinese business practices and customs.
Provide information about government, investment and other regulations.
Mort Schwartz, chairman, Jarmms Associates, and longtime AAIA volunteer leader, outlined the AAIA Executive Enrichment Program that will include high-level briefings on political, economic and cultural aspects of the fastest-growing nation in the world. The program will also offer auto parts manufacturing plant and auto parts store and repair shop tours, receptions and dinners with Chinese officials and American aftermarket executives doing business in China, and sightseeing.
AAPEX show manager Bill Glasgow, Sr., W.T. Glasgow, Inc., will manage the Asian Automotive Aftermarket Expo in Macao, China. Referring to Macao as the Las Vegas of Asia, Glasgow provided information on Macao's strategic location and growing reputation as Asia's leisure, entertainment and business destination. He also discussed arrangements with the Venetian Macao.
Lee Kadrich, vice president, government affairs and trade, AAIA, provided details of AAIA's strong global focus.
"By working for global policies and providing open markets, AAIA assists its members in developing new markets worldwide," Kadrich said. "Nowhere is this more vital than in the emerging Asian markets that will soon become the global epicenter of car production and sales."
For more information on AAIA's Asian Initiative, contact Rich White at 301-654-6664 or e-mail rich.white@aftermarket.org.
About AAIA
AAIA is a Bethesda, Md.-based association whose more than 8,000 member companies and affiliates manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, service, tools, equipment, materials and supplies. Through its membership, AAIA represents more than 100,000 repair shops, parts stores and distribution outlets.

Action Aplenty at SEMA for Yokohama Tire Corp.
Two new tires on display, off-road racer Cameron Steele signing autographs and a special blackjack tourney highlight redesigned booth #40709 during 4-day trade show
It’s a sure bet the Yokohama Tire Corp. booth (#40709) at the SEMA Show will be where the action is. New tires, a celebrity racer, cool cars and even a blackjack tournament is scheduled during SEMA’s 4-day run at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
"Our booth has been redesigned to highlight our ‘Innovative Engineering Spirit’ theme and to spotlight our tire lines, making them more accessible for attendees to see," said Fred Koplin, Yokohama’s director of marketing. "We’ll have the full range, from our ADVAN flagship line to our newest tire, S.drive. We’ll even have a passenger jet tire on display."
Highlights of Yokohama’s show presence include:
* Launch of S.drive tire line: S.drive provides extraordinary grip and handling, thanks to the latest in nanotechnology. "The S.drive performs better in both wet and dry conditions than the ES-100 it replaces," said Dan King, Yokohama’s director of sales, consumer products. "The S.drive is quieter, features more even wear and is available in a much greater range of sizes than the ES-100 and the best competitors in the class." Sizes fit the broadest range of sport sedans and coupes from Europe, Asia and North America, as well as popular vehicles as the BMW 3-series, Honda Civic and the Ford Mustang. The S.drive is available in sizes to fit 15-20 inch wheels, in aspect ratios from 30-55 and in sizes up to 285/30R20 99Y. A total of 71 different sizes will available in 2007.
* Debut of AVID W4s: Since launching in 1997, the AVID line has topped the 10 million tires sold mark. The latest tire in the line is the W4s, which is the first AVID to achieve a W-speed rating. W4s is ideal for sport sedans such as the BMW 5-Series, Subaru WRX, Cadillac CTS, Lexus LS430 and Mercedes Benz E-Class, and sports cars such as the BMW Z4, Mazda RX-8, Nissan 350Z, Pontiac GTO. Sizes range from 205/40R17 to a 255/35R20. "The AVID W4s is engineered to deliver balance on a variety of requirements," according to King. "Today’s vehicles place a lot of emphasis on safety, environmental efficiency, power, handling and ride comfort. Yokohama engineers designed the AVID W4s to meet these demands while keeping with the popular AVID series pricing."
* Cameron Steele at booth: Off-road champ Steele, along with his Desert Assassins trophy truck, will be in the booth. The truck, outfitted with Yokohama’s Geolandar A/T-S 37-inch concept tires, will also be featured at the booth the duration of the show. Steele, who will be chasing a Baja 1,000 trophy later in the month, is scheduled to sign autographs on Tues., Oct. 31 and Wed., Nov. 1 from 11 a.m.-noon and 3 p.m.-4 p.m.
* "Beat the Odds" blackjack tourney: On, Wed., Nov. 1, from 5 -7:30 p.m., about 40 tire dealers will vie for big prizes in this single-hand elimination contest. Prizes are a 2007 Lotus Exige S (with Yokohama ADVAN A048 tires on it) for first place, and $5,000 and $1,000 in casino chips for second and third place, respectively. It’s the first official showing of the Exige S and Yokohama is the exclusive tire supplier for it and all Lotus models.
* Booth vehicles: A broad selection of vehicles, all with Yokohama tires, will be on display in the booth. The vehicles are:
-- Hummer H2 with Parada Spec-X 325/35R28 tires
-- BMW 650i with ADVAN Sports
-- Infiniti M45 Kenstyle with new S.drive tires
-- Lotus Exige with ADVAN A048s
-- Cameron Steel’s Desert Assassins Trophy Truck with Geolandar A/TS 37-inch concept tires
Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global producer and distributor of premium tires for more than 89 years. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation offers a complete line of tires including high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, as well as off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama’s extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.
Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA). Details can be found at the "Taking Care of Your Tires" section at www.yokohamatire.com.

Yokohama Debuts AVID W4S All-Weather Tire at SEMA

Tire is W-speed rated, a first for the popular AVID line

Since launching in 1997, Yokohama Tire Corporation’s AVID line has topped the 10 million tires sold mark. Continuing the momentum, Yokohama will debut the latest in the AVID line – the W4s – at the upcoming SEMA show in Las Vegas.
The AVID W4s is the first tire in the AVID line to achieve a W-speed rating and is ideal for sport sedans such as the BMW 5-Series, Subaru WRX, Cadillac CTS, Lexus LS430 and Mercedes Benz E-Class, according to Dan King, Yokohama director of sales, consumer products. Sports cars such as the BMW Z4, Mazda RX-8, Nissan 350Z, Pontiac GTO and others are also good candidates for the AVID W4s. Sizes will range from 205/40R17 to a 255/35R20.
“The AVID W4s was engineered to deliver balance on a variety of requirements,” said King. “Today’s vehicles place a lot of emphasis on safety, environmental efficiency, power, handling and ride comfort. Yokohama engineers designed the AVID W4s to meet these demands while keeping with the popular AVID series pricing.
“Our engineers utilized the A-tech tread compound in the AVID W4s, which delivers long mileage and high traction grip, giving the driver the confidence needed for wet, dry or snow-covered roads. The tire features a durable tread wear rating of 400, which is made possible by the A-tech tread compound and the even-wear tread design.”
According to King, the large shoulder blocks provide more rubber-to-road contact, resulting in enhanced cornering grip, and the shoulders also feature varying channels that are designed to cancel road noise. The continuous center rib generates responsiveness and enhances stability.
“Because passenger safety is our main concern,” said King, “the AVID W4s all-season tire provides traction due to its four, wide circumferential grooves that ensure efficient water evacuation and improve lateral traction in the snow. The staggered block design and multiple cross grooves work with the four circumferential grooves to improve both lateral stability and snow traction.”
The AVID W4s comes with Yokohama’s 30-day performance promise. Consumers can test drive the AVID W4s for 30 days and if not completely satisfied, return them for a full refund.
Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global producer and distributor of premium tires for more than 89 years. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation offers a complete line of tires including high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, as well as off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama’s extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.
Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA). Details can be found at the “Taking Care of Your Tires” section at www.yokohamatire.com.

ECLIPSE PARTNERS WITH ISLAND DEF JAM MUSIC
FOR SPECIAL COMPILATION CD

October 31, 2006 — Constantly recognizing the important role of music in
making driving fun, ECLIPSE has partnered with the Island Def Jam Music Group and its
fabulous roster of recording artists that dominant today’s urban music scene. The result from
this partnership is the “ECLIPSE Driving Music” CD release that features a compilation of
established and emerging artists’ work that reflects ECLIPSE’s ongoing commitment to music
enjoyment in each of its products.

To support the release of the CD, fast-rising star Megan Rochell will make a personal
appearance at the ECLIPSE SEMA Show booth. Meet her on Tuesday, October 31st @ 2PM
signing autographs (booth #10330, North Hall).

The “ECLIPSE Driving Music” CD contains 9 selected tracks and features some of the greatest
music from: Rhianna, Ne-Yo, Megan Rochell, Shareefa, Bobby Valentino, Lionel Ritchie,
Mic Little, Chrisette Michelle and Under the Influence of Giants.

Following a highly successful radio promotion contest last year to announce LL Cool J’s latest
album, ECLIPSE and Def Jam Island Music Group have continued their collaborative efforts,
and ECLIPSE DRIVING MUSIC is bound to please fans and music lovers with its unique mix
of artists and their music.

Adam Carolla Charity Car Auction
To give back to the community, ECLIPSE recently collaborated with Make-A-Wish Foundation®,
the premier wish-granting organization. Since 1980, they have enriched the lives of children with
life-threatening medical conditions through their wish-granting work. The Foundation’s mission
reflects the life changing impact that a Make-A-Wish® experience has on children, families,
referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities.

ECLIPSE is proud to be part of the team together with AL & ED’S AUTOSOUND, FREE FM and
SANTA MONICA SUBARU that has outfitted the SUBARU WRX TR Sedan (donated by SANTA
MONICA SUBARU) with the very best aftermarket upgrades. Unveiled at the California Auto
Show in this month, the car will be auctioned online from October 25 through November 4, 2006.
The car’s transformation has been documented on Free FM’s website http://www.971FreeFM.com.
At the auction’s close, The Adam Carolla Show will present the vehicle at the LA Auto Show to the winning
bidder as well as a check to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

ECLIPSE, a division of Fujitsu Ten Ltd., designs and manufactures precision audio, video and
navigation products with legendary sound quality and performance. ECLIPSE sells products
through a select group of specialty retail partners and nationally through Crutchfield and Circuit
City Stores. Additional information is available at www.eclipse-web.com.

RealWheels Plans to FREAK OUT
At the SEMA Show in Las Vegas
Picture this… It’s Halloween in Las Vegas, and Illusionist Criss Angel, star of the A&E television series “Mindfreak” is ready to unveil a mysterious Magic-themed custom vehicle. It’s dark, extremely loud, unusual, completely customized, and a little bizarre.
On October 31^st 2006, The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) trade show will again welcome over 100,000 aftermarket automotive industry professionals to the Las Vegas Convention Center for its annual conference. This event attracts the A-list of the auto industry and custom car builders, and is considered the Super-Bowl of the aftermarket business.
Northern Illinois based RealWheels Accessories, along with the efforts of over 20 sponsors, has been working all summer on the “Mindfreak H2” with the help of award-winning illusionist Criss Angel. “Every year people ask us how we will possibly top our previous show vehicles.” Says RealWheels Vice president, Jhan R. Dolphin. “I’ve always been a big fan of magic, and this year’s SEMA show opening on Halloween presented us with the perfect opportunity to create something very unusual. As if Las Vegas isn’t weird enough on Halloween, wait till we get there with this. When I shared my idea with Criss, he was thrilled to be part of the project.”
Halloween 2006 is a big day in the Magic community, as it marks the 80^th anniversary of Harry Houdini’s death, undoubtedly the World’s most famous Magician. The unusual custom Hummer project was built in the spirit of Criss Angel’s A&E series “Mindfreak”. “The more you look at this vehicle, the more interesting and unusual things you’ll find.” adds Dolphin, “Even original artifacts from Houdini’s era have been discretely added into design features of the Mindfreak Hummer from the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, and from the Martinka Magic Shop in New York, once owned by Houdini himself. “Our greatest enjoyment from building a project of this scale is the reaction from people that see it, point at it, and photograph it to share with others.” Says Dolphin, “We plan to make it available at events all over the country during the next 18-24 months.”
RealWheels Accessories in Gurnee, Illinois has manufactured vehicle enhancement products for over 25 years. Their products range from stainless steel wheel simulators for big rig trucks and emergency vehicles, to chrome accessories for the Dodge Viper. They produce over 300 items for the Hummer vehicles, and recently released a line of accessories for the new Toyota FJ Cruiser. Photos of their past projects and additional information on the company can be found at: www.realwheelstrim.com. For more on Criss Angel, visit www.crissangel.com.

Volkswagen Showcases Euro-Tuning at SEMA
Volkswagen upgrades past favorites for a promising future
WHAT: Volkswagen provides a look into the future of compact car performance with the debut of the Volkswagen Rabbit and GTI concept vehicles that showcase their commitment to Euro-Tuning at this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. Volkswagen also will display selected items and vehicles from their genuine VW Accessories portfolio. This year marks the return of Volkswagen to SEMA, following up on a successful debut in 2005.
WHO: Derek Jenkins, chief designer at the Volkswagen
Design Center California Ken Gurney, general manager,
Volkswagen Parts & Accessories Matthias Seidl, chief
operating officer, Volkswagen of America Gary Temple,
vice president of customer service, Volkswagen of America
Steve Keyes, director of corporate communications,
Volkswagen of America Keith Price,
public relations manager, Volkswagen of America
WHEN: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 3:40-4 p.m. PST
WHERE: Volkswagen Booth #12636, Las Vegas
Convention Center, North Hall

Boys Back at The Shop to unveil its
Web Site at SEMA
The site — a Web portal — will make it easier for “gearheads”
to find and obtain the information they need
Boys Back at The Shop, an online shopping mall devoted to auto enthusiasts and the special products they seek, will unveil its Web site (BoysBackAtTheShop.com) at SEMA October 31 – November 3.
The site is actually a Web portal which will collect all the auto aftermarket-related Web sites on the Internet and organize them all on one site. By using the Boys Back at The Shop site, car enthusiasts will now be able to quickly and easily find the information they want without having to search the entire Internet for it.
“Think of it as one huge garage that holds everything,” explains Boys Back at The Shop President Lou Mohr.
“Looking for auto restorers? We’ve collected them all for you in one convenient section — just click and look. Looking for wheel rims, they’re all in one section, too. If it’s car-related, it’s here on our site.”
According to Mohr, the site will be a popular destination for both car enthusiasts — or “gearheads” as they’re known in the industry — as well as companies looking to advertise their message to the “gearhead market.”
“Gearheads will love our site because it will allow them to spend more time on their cars and less time searching the Internet. Companies will appreciate our site because it’s obviously the place on the Internet to advertise their products and services to gearheads.”
SEMA members will have an exclusive opportunity to use the site during the show Tuesday, October 31 – November 3.

Thresher Industries at SEMA Show 2006 in Las Vegas
Thresher Industries (PINKSHEETS: THRI), manufacturer of aluminum and composite castings and a member of SEMA, will exhibit at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas October 31st thru November 3rd, 2006. Tom Flessner, President and CEO of Thresher Industries, said, "We have been focused on the automotive aftermarket as part of our sales efforts and, as a member of SEMA, feel our participation and support of SEMA is critical to our long-term success."
Thresher Industries provides conventional cast aluminum as well as reinforced metal matrix composite aluminum alloy components for a variety of customers and applications. Thresher's ThermaLite and TerraLite alloys offer unique properties compared to conventional aluminum alloys such as increased wear resistance, unique thermal properties and greatly increased strength. Thresher also offers proprietary casting technologies including its Nautilus Core Technology, a bio-degradable recyclable process that is used to generate internal shapes and passages in castings without sand or binders normally used in casting operations.
Tom Flessner, President and CEO; Roger Rowell, CFO; and the Thresher sales team will be available at the Thresher booth #24505 in the main hall. Thresher will have information available as well as sample material and cast product in the

THE ‘SUMMER SOLSTICE GIVEAWAY’ GRAND PRIZE WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED AT THE 2006 SEMA SHOW PRESS CONFERENCE
Winner to Receive a 2006 Custom-built Pontiac Solstice Convertible
—The ‘Summer Solstice Giveaway’ came to a close, but the excitement isn’t over yet! The winner of this highly-anticipated promotion will be announced at the 2006 SEMA Show in Las Vegas . Stop by the NOS Energy Drinks/Holley Performance Product Booth at the Central Hall, # 22213 on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at 2:10PM and find out who gets to drive away in the grand prize: a fully-customized Pontiac Solstice valued at $35,000.
“Equipped with full NOS and CO2 Systems (provided by Holley Performance Products), a limited edition RK Sports body kit, Haun Racecraft Stage 2 turbo kit, BASF flat blue paint and Panasonic audio system, this is a one of a kind car—built to please the ultimate enthusiast and the NOS Energy Drink consumer,” said NOS Marketing Manager and ‘Summer Solstice’ designer, Ernie Manansala. Built by Auto Gear World and complete with Privat wheels, Status Racing Seats and Dunlop tires, “It’s a perfect example of original and precise engineering,” added Manansala.
The ‘Summer Solstice Giveaway’ was supported by appearing in several full-page print ads and featured in numerous publications like Super Street and Import Tuner. According to NOS Brand Director, Michael Fine , “There was a tremendous consumer response to the car. Over 30,000 people entered the sweepstakes on-line, at retail or at events.” Fine also pointed out, “The ‘Summer Solstice Giveaway’ further exemplifies why partnering with Holley Performance Products and brand NOS is a perfect fit for the energy drink category.”
As part of the sweepstakes, additional prizes include: First Prize: One (1) winner will be awarded a Manco Spitfire Go-Kart (est. value: $2,000). Second Prize: Five (5) winners will be awarded a Holley NOS Kit (est. value: $500/prize). Third Prize: Five (5) winners will be awarded a year’s supply of NOS Energy Drink, 12 cases (est. value: $450/prize).
Fuze Beverage, LLC and Holley Performance Products partnered in 2005 to create High Performance Energy Drinks. NOS Energy Drinks are available nationally in convenience stores, grocery stores and speed shops, for all those with a Need for Speed. For more information visit www.drinknos.com.
Holley Performance Products Inc., Bowling Green , KY , is a leader in the performance engine market, and is used throughout the world in racing, street, marine, powersports and industrial high performance engines. Holley’s family of companies includes the leading brands in the performance market including: Holley®, Weiand®, Lunati™, Hooker®, FlowTech®, Earl’s® and NOS®. For more information visit www.holley.com.
—STRUT®, the leading designer of handcrafted, triple-chromed grilles, wheels and accessories for the luxury automotive market, will introduce three stunning new grille collections at the SEMA 2007 Show in Las Vegas designed exclusively for the Cadillac Escalade, GM Yukon Denali, and the Mercedes S550. The company will also debut a new Icon Wheel Collection. 2007 Cadillac Escalade—Vail Collection™ has been designed for Escalade devotees who desire to customize their vehicle with a distinctive look that showcases the owners’ flair for style. Included in the collection is one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, two side vents with STRUT shield, and one STRUT lift gate shield. Suggested Retail Price: $6,000. 2007 GM Yukon Denali—Mammoth Collection™ is designed to seamlessly complement the distinctive redesign of this full-sized SUV. The collection features one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached. One crimped mesh Lower Air Intake vent and one STRUT lift gate shield. Suggested Retail: $6,000 2007 Mercedes S550—Munich Collection™ offers owners of this high style and performance vehicle the ultimate in personalization. Included in the Munich Collection is one woven crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, one lower air intake vent with STRUT shield attached, two crimped mesh hood vents and one STRUT trunk shield. Suggested Retail: $8500 Icon7 Collection™ is a 2-piece wheel made from forged aluminum for strength and durability. Wheels feature 7-spokes with a STRUT shield at the center of each and prominently positioned on the center cap. Icon7 is available in 20, 22 and 24-inch sizes in chrome, satin or color matched to the vehicle. Suggested Retail: $10,000 - $12,000 STRUT is located in San Clemente, California where the company recently relocated to a new expanded facility. The company is known globally for their trendsetting and distinctive collections of triple-chromed grilles, wheels, and accessories designed for luxury automobiles and SUVs preferred by discriminating driving enthusiasts. All collections are handcrafted like fine jewelry of the finest triple-chromed 316L stainless steel, hand-polished, and signed by the artisan. Hummer H2, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes CLS 500, Mercedes S 550 and Range Rover. Custom grilles are also available on 2007 Sport Chassis by Freightliner heavy-duty pickup trucks. Additional introductions will be announced shortly. —STRUT®, the leading designer of handcrafted, triple-chromed grilles, wheels and accessories for the luxury automotive market, will introduce three stunning new grille collections at the SEMA 2007 Show in Las Vegas designed exclusively for the Cadillac Escalade, GM Yukon Denali, and the Mercedes S550. The company will also debut a new Icon Wheel Collection. 2007 Cadillac Escalade—Vail Collection™ has been designed for Escalade devotees who desire to customize their vehicle with a distinctive look that showcases the owners’ flair for style. Included in the collection is one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, two side vents with STRUT shield, and one STRUT lift gate shield. Suggested Retail Price: $6,000. 2007 GM Yukon Denali—Mammoth Collection™ is designed to seamlessly complement the distinctive redesign of this full-sized SUV. The collection features one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached. One crimped mesh Lower Air Intake vent and one STRUT lift gate shield. Suggested Retail: $6,000 2007 Mercedes S550—Munich Collection™ offers owners of this high style and performance vehicle the ultimate in personalization. Included in the Munich Collection is one woven crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, one lower air intake vent with STRUT shield attached, two crimped mesh hood vents and one STRUT trunk shield. Suggested Retail: $8500 Icon7 Collection™ is a 2-piece wheel made from forged aluminum for strength and durability. Wheels feature 7-spokes with a STRUT shield at the center of each and prominently positioned on the center cap. Icon7 is available in 20, 22 and 24-inch sizes in chrome, satin or color matched to the vehicle. Suggested Retail: $10,000 - $12,000 STRUT is located in San Clemente, California where the company recently relocated to a new expanded facility. The company is known globally for their trendsetting and distinctive collections of triple-chromed grilles, wheels, and accessories designed for luxury automobiles and SUVs preferred by discriminating driving enthusiasts. All collections are handcrafted like fine jewelry of the finest triple-chromed 316L stainless steel, hand-polished, and signed by the artisan. Hummer H2, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes CLS 500, Mercedes S 550 and Range Rover. Custom grilles are also available on 2007 Sport Chassis by Freightliner heavy-duty pickup trucks. Additional introductions will be announced shortly. —STRUT®, the leading designer of handcrafted, triple-chromed grilles, wheels and accessories for the luxury automotive market, will introduce three stunning new grille collections at the SEMA 2007 Show in Las Vegas designed exclusively for the Cadillac Escalade, GM Yukon Denali, and the Mercedes S550. The company will also debut a new Icon Wheel Collection. 2007 Cadillac Escalade—Vail Collection™ has been designed for Escalade devotees who desire to customize their vehicle with a distinctive look that showcases the owners’ flair for style. Included in the collection is one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, two side vents with STRUT shield, and one STRUT lift gate shield. Suggested Retail Price: $6,000. 2007 GM Yukon Denali—Mammoth Collection™ is designed to seamlessly complement the distinctive redesign of this full-sized SUV. The collection features one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached. One crimped mesh Lower Air Intake vent and one STRUT lift gate shield. Suggested Retail: $6,000 2007 Mercedes S550—Munich Collection™ offers owners of this high style and performance vehicle the ultimate in personalization. Included in the Munich Collection is one woven crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, one lower air intake vent with STRUT shield attached, two crimped mesh hood vents and one STRUT trunk shield. Suggested Retail: $8500 Icon7 Collection™ is a 2-piece wheel made from forged aluminum for strength and durability. Wheels feature 7-spokes with a STRUT shield at the center of each and prominently positioned on the center cap. Icon7 is available in 20, 22 and 24-inch sizes in chrome, satin or color matched to the vehicle. Suggested Retail: $10,000 - $12,000 STRUT is located in San Clemente, California where the company recently relocated to a new expanded facility. The company is known globally for their trendsetting and distinctive collections of triple-chromed grilles, wheels, and accessories designed for luxury automobiles and SUVs preferred by discriminating driving enthusiasts. All collections are handcrafted like fine jewelry of the finest triple-chromed 316L stainless steel, hand-polished, and signed by the artisan. Hummer H2, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes CLS 500, Mercedes S 550 and Range Rover. Custom grilles are also available on 2007 Sport Chassis by Freightliner heavy-duty pickup trucks. Additional introductions will be announced shortly. Each SEMA Vehicle Design Award recipient was part of a selection process that encompassed several SEMA member companies and automakers who regularly participate in technology sharing programs. These programs consist of various data sharing, measurement sessions and technology transfer initiatives which provide valuable information for each specialty equipment manufacturer to be in sync with the launch of new vehicles.The SEMA Vehicle Design Awards were established to honor those newly introduced vehicles that best exemplify the alliance between the OEMs and SEMA-member companies. The awards recognize and celebrate the vehicles that a select group of voting members has chosen as the most accessory-friendly vehicles of the year. The Toyota Tundra received nearly 41 percent of the votes for 2006."Vehicle accessorization is becoming more and more important to our customers, especially with trucks. Toyota has always been very supportive and interested in vehicle accessorization and our partnership with these companies through SEMA allows us to have high quality accessories at the point of sale," commented Brian Smith, Corporate Manager of Truck Operations for Toyota Motor Sales USA.SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $34 billion specialty automotive industry of 6,817 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for the specialty auto parts industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909/396-0289 or visit www.sema.org and www.enjoythedrive.com —STRUT®, the leading designer of handcrafted, triple-chromed grilles, wheels and accessories for the luxury automotive market, will introduce three stunning new grille collections at the SEMA 2007 Show in Las Vegas designed exclusively for the Cadillac Escalade, GM Yukon Denali, and the Mercedes S550. The company will also debut a new Icon Wheel Collection. 2007 Cadillac Escalade—Vail Collection™ has been designed for Escalade devotees who desire to customize their vehicle with a distinctive look that showcases the owners’ flair for style. Included in the collection is one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, two side vents with STRUT shield, and one STRUT lift gate shield. Suggested Retail Price: $6,000. 2007 GM Yukon Denali—Mammoth Collection™ is designed to seamlessly complement the distinctive redesign of this full-sized SUV. The collection features one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached. One crimped mesh Lower Air Intake vent and one STRUT lift gate shield. Suggested Retail: $6,000 2007 Mercedes S550—Munich Collection™ offers owners of this high style and performance vehicle the ultimate in personalization. Included in the Munich Collection is one woven crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, one lower air intake vent with STRUT shield attached, two crimped mesh hood vents and one STRUT trunk shield. Suggested Retail: $8500 Icon7 Collection™ is a 2-piece wheel made from forged aluminum for strength and durability. Wheels feature 7-spokes with a STRUT shield at the center of each and prominently positioned on the center cap. Icon7 is available in 20, 22 and 24-inch sizes in chrome, satin or color matched to the vehicle. Suggested Retail: $10,000 - $12,000 STRUT is located in San Clemente, California where the company recently relocated to a new expanded facility. The company is known globally for their trendsetting and distinctive collections of triple-chromed grilles, wheels, and accessories designed for luxury automobiles and SUVs preferred by discriminating driving enthusiasts. All collections are handcrafted like fine jewelry of the finest triple-chromed 316L stainless steel, hand-polished, and signed by the artisan. Hummer H2, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes CLS 500, Mercedes S 550 and Range Rover. Custom grilles are also available on 2007 Sport Chassis by Freightliner heavy-duty pickup trucks. Additional introductions will be announced shortly. Each SEMA Vehicle Design Award recipient was part of a selection process that encompassed several SEMA member companies and automakers who regularly participate in technology sharing programs. These programs consist of various data sharing, measurement sessions and technology transfer initiatives which provide valuable information for each specialty equipment manufacturer to be in sync with the launch of new vehicles.The SEMA Vehicle Design Awards were established to honor those newly introduced vehicles that best exemplify the alliance between the OEMs and SEMA-member companies. The awards recognize and celebrate the vehicles that a select group of voting members has chosen as the most accessory-friendly vehicles of the year. The Toyota Tundra received nearly 41 percent of the votes for 2006."Vehicle accessorization is becoming more and more important to our customers, especially with trucks. Toyota has always been very supportive and interested in vehicle accessorization and our partnership with these companies through SEMA allows us to have high quality accessories at the point of sale," commented Brian Smith, Corporate Manager of Truck Operations for Toyota Motor Sales USA.SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $34 billion specialty automotive industry of 6,817 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for the specialty auto parts industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909/396-0289 or visit www.sema.org and www.enjoythedrive.com —STRUT®, the leading designer of handcrafted, triple-chromed grilles, wheels and accessories for the luxury automotive market, will introduce three stunning new grille collections at the SEMA 2007 Show in Las Vegas designed exclusively for the Cadillac Escalade, GM Yukon Denali, and the Mercedes S550. The company will also debut a new Icon Wheel Collection. 2007 Cadillac Escalade—Vail Collection™ has been designed for Escalade devotees who desire to customize their vehicle with a distinctive look that showcases the owners’ flair for style. Included in the collection is one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, two side vents with STRUT shield, and one STRUT lift gate shield. Suggested Retail Price: $6,000. 2007 GM Yukon Denali—Mammoth Collection™ is designed to seamlessly complement the distinctive redesign of this full-sized SUV. The collection features one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached. One crimped mesh Lower Air Intake vent and one STRUT lift gate shield. Suggested Retail: $6,000 2007 Mercedes S550—Munich Collection™ offers owners of this high style and performance vehicle the ultimate in personalization. Included in the Munich Collection is one woven crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, one lower air intake vent with STRUT shield attached, two crimped mesh hood vents and one STRUT trunk shield. Suggested Retail: $8500 Icon7 Collection™ is a 2-piece wheel made from forged aluminum for strength and durability. Wheels feature 7-spokes with a STRUT shield at the center of each and prominently positioned on the center cap. Icon7 is available in 20, 22 and 24-inch sizes in chrome, satin or color matched to the vehicle. Suggested Retail: $10,000 - $12,000 STRUT is located in San Clemente, California where the company recently relocated to a new expanded facility. The company is known globally for their trendsetting and distinctive collections of triple-chromed grilles, wheels, and accessories designed for luxury automobiles and SUVs preferred by discriminating driving enthusiasts. All collections are handcrafted like fine jewelry of the finest triple-chromed 316L stainless steel, hand-polished, and signed by the artisan. Hummer H2, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes CLS 500, Mercedes S 550 and Range Rover. Custom grilles are also available on 2007 Sport Chassis by Freightliner heavy-duty pickup trucks. Additional introductions will be announced shortly. Each SEMA Vehicle Design Award recipient was part of a selection process that encompassed several SEMA member companies and automakers who regularly participate in technology sharing programs. These programs consist of various data sharing, measurement sessions and technology transfer initiatives which provide valuable information for each specialty equipment manufacturer to be in sync with the launch of new vehicles.The SEMA Vehicle Design Awards were established to honor those newly introduced vehicles that best exemplify the alliance between the OEMs and SEMA-member companies. The awards recognize and celebrate the vehicles that a select group of voting members has chosen as the most accessory-friendly vehicles of the year. The Toyota Tundra received nearly 41 percent of the votes for 2006."Vehicle accessorization is becoming more and more important to our customers, especially with trucks. Toyota has always been very supportive and interested in vehicle accessorization and our partnership with these companies through SEMA allows us to have high quality accessories at the point of sale," commented Brian Smith, Corporate Manager of Truck Operations for Toyota Motor Sales USA.SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $34 billion specialty automotive industry of 6,817 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for the specialty auto parts industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909/396-0289 or visit www.sema.org and www.enjoythedrive.com —STRUT®, the leading designer of handcrafted, triple-chromed grilles, wheels and accessories for the luxury automotive market, will introduce three stunning new grille collections at the SEMA 2007 Show in Las Vegas designed exclusively for the Cadillac Escalade, GM Yukon Denali, and the Mercedes S550. The company will also debut a new Icon Wheel Collection. 2007 Cadillac Escalade—Vail Collection™ has been designed for Escalade devotees who desire to customize their vehicle with a distinctive look that showcases the owners’ flair for style. Included in the collection is one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, two side vents with STRUT shield, and one STRUT lift gate shield. Suggested Retail Price: $6,000. 2007 GM Yukon Denali—Mammoth Collection™ is designed to seamlessly complement the distinctive redesign of this full-sized SUV. The collection features one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached. One crimped mesh Lower Air Intake vent and one STRUT lift gate shield. Suggested Retail: $6,000 2007 Mercedes S550—Munich Collection™ offers owners of this high style and performance vehicle the ultimate in personalization. Included in the Munich Collection is one woven crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, one lower air intake vent with STRUT shield attached, two crimped mesh hood vents and one STRUT trunk shield. Suggested Retail: $8500 Icon7 Collection™ is a 2-piece wheel made from forged aluminum for strength and durability. Wheels feature 7-spokes with a STRUT shield at the center of each and prominently positioned on the center cap. Icon7 is available in 20, 22 and 24-inch sizes in chrome, satin or color matched to the vehicle. Suggested Retail: $10,000 - $12,000 STRUT is located in San Clemente, California where the company recently relocated to a new expanded facility. The company is known globally for their trendsetting and distinctive collections of triple-chromed grilles, wheels, and accessories designed for luxury automobiles and SUVs preferred by discriminating driving enthusiasts. All collections are handcrafted like fine jewelry of the finest triple-chromed 316L stainless steel, hand-polished, and signed by the artisan. Hummer H2, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes CLS 500, Mercedes S 550 and Range Rover. Custom grilles are also available on 2007 Sport Chassis by Freightliner heavy-duty pickup trucks. Additional introductions will be announced shortly.

Posted by lady at 10:32 AM | Permalink

October 21, 2006

Halloween

Here till Halloween we will be posting things about Halloween

http://www.fineliving.com/fine/our_shows/article/0,1663,FINE_1397_5078167,00.html

http://www.fineliving.com/fine/our_specials/episode/0,1663,FINE_5916_46880,00.html

AOL Video-Fangoria Poll Reveals What Scares Us Most In Horror Movies

More Than One-Quarter Fear The Unknown, While Supernatural Beings Give Us Chills

It’s Halloween and it’s time to spend time with our favorite horror movies, including classics like Psycho, and more recent scary movies, like the Saw trilogy. So what is it about these flicks that make our hearts race and keep us coming back for more? According to a new survey from AOL Video and Fangoria magazine, it’s the sense of the unknown, cited by the majority of fans (26 percent) as the scariest element in a horror movie.

What else scares us? Horror movie fans also find they start to tremble when scary elements can’t be seen, but they know they are there (15 percent) and during scenes related to personal phobias, such as the fear of the dark (10 percent). Meanwhile, eight percent of fans are most scared when they see blood and gore, and also when they hear dramatic music (8 percent).

This new AOL® Video-Fangoria poll also surveyed fans to determine which character scares them the most. The poll found respondents equally scared of supernatural beings, such as werewolves, aliens and zombies, and serial killers (both 23 percent). The sinister child (17 percent), the slasher (10 percent) and the undead (8 percent) round out the top-five.

“We like to be scared, so horror movie fans, like me, actively seek out films that won’t let us down,” said Tony Timpone, Editor, Fangoria. “We look for movies that feature characters most likely to scare us, like aliens and serial killers, even clowns. Scary movies can offer a natural high for both the serious horror fan and the moviegoer who checks out the horror flick at Halloween.”

In this survey, respondents were also asked what makes a good horror movie. The leading responses included:

* Good storyline & script: 22 percent

* The build-up of suspense: 21 percent

* Realism, that it could happen to you: 21 percent

* Special effects: 10 percent

* Good actors: 9 percent

Finally, in the ongoing debate over which is a better horror movie, the big budget blockbuster (63%) blew away the low budget indy film (27%). The results were similar in the battle between the R-rated horror film (71%) versus the PG-13 scary movie (19%).

In reflecting on the movie elements and characters that scare us the most, AOL Video and Fangoria compiled the “Top-Five Scariest Horror Movie Moments” in a highlights reel available for free viewing at http://www.aolvideo.com/halloween. These frightening movie moments include:

1) “Psycho:” the famous shower scene

2) “The Exorcist:” Linda Blair projectile vomiting at the priest

3) “The Shining:” ‘Here’s Johnny…’

4) “Alien:” The alien bursting out of John Hurt’s chest

5) “Poltergeist:” The evil clown appears and chokes the boy

For more great horror moments on AOL Video, viewers can check out the In2TV™ Halloween Channel, which features free television programs like Freddy's Nightmares and Dark Realm, as well as free movies, including the original versions of The House of Wax and The Mummy. AOL Video also features dozens of pay-to-download, full-length movies, such as Psycho, The Thing, and The Exorcism of Emily Rose. For even more horror content, check out www.fangoria.tv.

Methodology

Survey results are based upon a telephone survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation among a national sample of 511 men and 509 women aged 18 years and older living in the continental United States. Interviews took place during the period October 19-22, 2006. Findings among horror movie fans are based on 337 people who have ever watched a horror movie.

About AOL

AOL is a global Web services company that operates some of the most popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free software and services, runs the country's largest Internet access business, and provides a full set of advertising solutions. A majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. AOL LLC is based in Dulles, Virginia. AOL and its subsidiaries also have operations in Europe, Canada and Asia. Learn more at AOL.com.

About Fangoria

Fangoria Entertainment owns and operates the renowned monthly horror publication FANGORIA Magazine and the horror genre’s #1 online destination Fangoria.com. Fangoria Entertainment also produces the popular weekly 3-hour live radio show FANGORIA RADIO airing Friday nights on Sirius Satellite Radio, hosted by renowned heavy metal frontman for Twisted Sister and horror film producer-actor Dee Snider with celebrated Scream Queen and radio veteran Debbie Rochon serving as Snider’s sidekick. Established in May 1979, FANGORIA Magazine and Website rank as America’s #1 source for horror news and entertainment. Both the magazine and the website remain the most sought-after source of movies, videogames, television series, books and toys that comprise the burgeoning world of horror entertainment. This October www.Fangoria.TV launched as a broadband horror network on the web, featuring original programming, classic movies and lots more. Fangoria Entertainment is also a prime producer of horror conventions held throughout the year in major cities nationwide. In addition, the Fangoria video label is home to a collection of contemporary horror film titles in distribution on DVD and VHS.

This week every kid in the world will dress up as ugly as possible in hopes of scaring fellow uglies. Often the scarier becomes the scaree but who cares, it's Halloween!

The Celtic festival of Samhain most likely is the source of the present-day Halloween celebration. More than 2,000 years ago, the Celts lived in what is now Great Britain, Ireland, and France. They celebrated their new year on November 1 with a festival that began the night before honoring Samhain, the Celtic Lord of Death. This festival also marked the start of cold, darkness, and decay; therefore, it quickly became associated with human death. The Celts believed that Samhain allowed the souls of the dead to return to their earthly homes for this one evening.

During the celebration, the people wore costumes made of animal heads and skins. They told fortunes about the coming years by examining the remains of the animals that had been sacrificed. When the Romans conquered the Celts in 43 A.D., they combined several Roman autumn festivals with the Celtic festival of Samhain.

After the conquered people became Christians, they were allowed to keep many of the Celtic customs. In about 800 A.D., the Church started All Saints Day on November first so that all people could continue to celebrate a festival they had enjoyed before becoming Christians. The Mass that was said on this day was called Allhallowmas. The evening before became known as All Hallowsen or Halloween.

Hollowed-out-pumpkins, called jack-o-lanterns can be traced back to the people in Ireland and England who carved out beets, potatoes, and turnips to use as lanterns on this festive occasion. They were named for a miser named Jack who could not enter heaven and played jokes on the devil.

No Halloween is complete without the eerie glow of a pumpkin face in the window. This single day has made pumpkin production a booming business. It's doubtful whether large scale pumpkin production would exist without Halloween - pumpkin pie is not that great!

Fairy tales and legends from America and other countries contain many references to the pumpkin. There is the episode in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" in which the ghostly character lifts his pumpkin head from the pommel of his saddle and hurls it at the fleeing Ichabod Crane.

In a legend of India, a devoted father used a large pumpkin as a tomb for his only son. In time, the pumpkin was found to be filled with water in which swam large fish. Intent on harvesting the fish, four brothers lifted the pumpkin to carry it away but became frightened and dropped it. From the resulting cracks in the pumpkin shell, a flood of water poured out to inundate the earth.

The pumpkin achieved a romantic high when one of its oversized brothers served as a golden coach for Cinderella. It also must have been a sizable pumpkin shell which Peter the Pumpkin Eater confined his wandering wife. Regardless of whether one of the legends or Linus sitting in the pumpkin patch waiting for the "Great Pumpkin" to appear has stimulated the use of pumpkins at Halloween, this overgrown squash that we call a pumpkin is in real demand about this time of the year. The question always arises, why don't gardeners grow their own?

Certain problems arise in trying to produce pumpkins for Halloween. Pumpkin production is easier said than done which is exactly why even the most professional green thumbers purchase imported pumpkins. What is the problem? The first reason that pumpkins are in fact difficult to grow is that they are long season crops. Pumpkins require a minimum of three to four months to mature a fruit - the bigger the pumpkin desired, the longer the maturity season needed. Pumpkins are also frost susceptible and are easily damaged by cold temperatures. This means planting must occur after the last killing frost and maturity will be sometimes in mid-summer. Then you will have to store the pumpkins from mid-summer to late October.

For those who now accuse me of being a dumb Aggie for not recommending waiting to plant until July so that maturity and harvest can occur in October, think again! Even though pumpkin seeds germinate best at a soil temperature of about 95 degrees F., there is another pumpkin disaster just waiting to happen when the plants pop-up - vine borers. In the fall, these killers are so efficient that many plants are destroyed before leaves are formed. The cost of insecticides required to protect the plants for three months during such an onslaught far exceeds what a pumpkin will cost. In addition, these pumpkin plants are readily infected with virus and fungus diseases that are abundant during Texas in mid-summer and renders pumpkin production almost impossible in many areas of our state.

Suppose that you want the challenge of fall pumpkin production - if the vine borers and the mosaic virus don't get you, the space requirement might. Pumpkin vines are gigantic! Even with five feet between plants on beds which are at least 12 feet apart, these super growers may become crowded. These spacing dimensions mean that a "hill" of pumpkins requires at least 60 square feet. Some gardens aren't that big!

Obviously this profuse growth is a basis for another pumpkin legend which concerns a youth named Jack who mounted his horse on a spring day to plant pumpkins. Although he spurred his mount at top speed and dropped the seed in previously prepared hills, he was unable to keep ahead of the fast growing vines.

So as you can imagine, pumpkin production should be left to growers with large acreages. Gardeners can still enjoy the large squash called pumpkin at this time of the year when a mere vegetable becomes a magical and scary item in your youngster's imaginations.

For those of you who want to make something decent out of all that pumpkin scrapings, try Diane Sutton's Pecan Pumpkin Pie recipe -- it's so good, it's spooky!

Diane Sutton's Pecan Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:
three eggs one cup of pumpkin (fresh or canned) one-third cup of sugar one teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice (may use one teaspoon cinnamon, one-fourth teaspoon ginger, one-fourth teaspoon cloves, one-fourth teaspoon nutmeg) two-thirds cup corn syrup (light) one- half cup of sugar three tablespoons of melted oleo one-half teaspoon vanilla one cup pecans; one unbaked nine-inch pie shell.

Stir together one egg (slightly beat), one cup of pumpkin, one-third cup sugar, and the pie spice to make a pumpkin mixture. Spread over bottom of pie shell. Combine two eggs, corn syrup, one-half cup sugar, oleo and vanilla. Stir in the pecans. Spoon over pumpkin mixture described above. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 50 minutes or until set. Pecan halves make prettier presentation; pecan pieces makes it easier to cut. (When using fresh pumpkin, to cook the pumpkin, remove all seed and membrane and use a knife to remove the outer skin. Cut into one-inch cubes and cook until tender in a small amount of water. Drain the water, mash the pumpkin and strain it through a colander or sieve.) Regardless, this recipe will at least make pumpkin edible. Who knows? You may even be glad that Halloween happened this year!

Why not pickle some pumpkins? Don't have a good recipe? Here it is: One 7-10 pounds pumpkin 6 cinnamon sticks 5 pounds sugar (white or mixed) 1/4 tsp. mustard seed 1/3 cup lemon juice 1 tbsp. whole cloves 1 quart white vinegar 1 tsp. whole allspice 1 pint water 1 tsp. powdered alum

Peel pumpkin, clean insides of seeds, skin and cut into 1" x 1 and " cubes. Boil in large pot with alum for 10 minutes. Drain and soak in water with ice in it until cold. Drain well on towels for at least 2 hours.

For syrup, mix sugar, water, vinegar, lemon and spices in 2 gallon kettle. Simmer syrup 15 minutes, add pumpkin; stir and cook 15-45 minutes, until desired flavor is reached.

This recipe fills 6-8 pint jars. Cover with syrup, process in hot water bath 20 minutes or refrigerate. Store 30 days before opening.

If you want a clear syrup on your pickles, use only white sugar and keep spices in a gauze bag you can remove before putting pickles in jars. I wonder if burning a candle in the pumpkin jack-o-lantern all night before pickling will give the pickles a smoked flavor?

Halloween, one of the world's oldest holidays, is still celebrated today in several countries around the globe.

The autumn rite is commemorated in the United Kingdom, although with a surprising and distinctive British twist. In Mexico, Latin America, and Spain, All Souls' Day, the third day of the three-day Hallowmas observance, is the most important part of the celebration for many people. In Ireland and Canada, Halloween, which was once a frightening and superstitious time of year, is celebrated much as it is in the United States, with trick-or-treating, costume parties, and fun for all ages.

The word itself, "Halloween," actually has its origins in the Catholic Church. It comes from a contracted corruption of All Hallows Eve. November 1, "All Hollows Day" (or "All Saints Day"), is a Catholic day of observance in honor of saints. But, in the 5th century BC, in Celtic Ireland, summer officially ended on October 31. The holiday was called Samhain (pronounced sow-in), which means "end of summer", the Celtic New year.

Trick for Treat

The custom of trick or treating probably has several origins. During Samhain, the Druids believed that the dead would play tricks on mankind and cause panic and destruction. They had to be appeased, so country folk would give the Druids food as they visited their homes.

An old Irish peasant practice called for going door to door to collect money, breadcake, cheese, eggs, butter, apples, etc., in preparation for the festival of St. Columb Kill.

Also a ninth-century European custom called souling. On November 2, All Souls Day, early Christians would walk from village to village begging for "soul cakes" made out of square pieces of bread with currants. The more soul cakes the beggars would receive, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors. At the time, it was believed that the dead remained in limbo for a time after death, and that prayer, even by strangers, could expedite a soul's passage to heaven.

Did You Know...

A traditional food eaten on Halloween is barnbrack, a kind of fruitcake that can be bought in stores or baked at home. A muslin-wrapped treat is baked inside the cake that, it is said, can foretell the eater's future. If a ring is found, it means that the person will soon be wed; a piece of straw means that a prosperous year is on its way.

Bobbing for Apples:

When the Celts were absorbed by the Roman Empire, many rituals of Roman origin began. Among them was the worship of Pomona, goddess of the harvest, often portrayed sitting on a basket of fruits and flowers. Apples were the sacred fruit of the goddess, and many games of divination involving them entered the Samhain customs.

The Witch's Broomstick:

The witch is a central symbol of Halloween. The name comes from the Saxon wica, meaning wise one. When setting out for a Sabbath, witches rubbed a sacred ointment onto their skin. This gave them a feeling of flying, and if they had been fasting they felt even giddier. Some witches rode on horseback, but poor witches went on foot and carried a broom or a pole to aid in vaulting over streams. In England when new witches were initiated they were often blindfolded, smeared with flying ointment and placed on a broomstick. The ointment would confuse the mind, speed up the pulse and numb the feet. When they were told "You are flying over land and sea," the witch took their word for it.

Jack-O-Lanterns:

Irish children used to carve out potatoes or turnips and light them for their Halloween gatherings. They commemorated Jack, a shifty Irish villain so wicked that neither God nor the Devil wanted him. Rejected by both the sacred and profane, he wandered the world endlessly looking for a place to rest, his only warmth a glittering candle in a rotten turnip. Read about Jack in the 'Legend of the Jack-O-Lantern' short story.

Did You Know...

The Irish Potato Famine (1845-50) prompted over 700,000 people to immigrate to the Americas. These immigrants brought with them their traditions of Halloween and Jack o'Lanterns, but turnips were not as readily available as back home. They found the American pumpkin to be a more than an adequate replacement. Today, the carved pumpkin is perhaps the most famous icon of the holiday.

Halloween Masquerade Mask:

From earliest times people wore masks when droughts or other disasters struck. They believed that the demons who had brought their misfortune upon them would become frightened off by the hideous masks. Even after the festival of Samhain had merged with Halloween, Europeans felt uneasy at this time of the year. Food was stored in preparation for the winter and the house was snug and warm. The cold, envious ghosts were outside, and people who went out after dark often wore masks to keep from being recognised.

Pumpkin Facts

In 1584, after French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America, he reported finding "gros melons." The name was translated into English as "pompions," which has since evolved into the modern "pumpkin."
Pumpkins have been grown in North America for five thousand years. They are indigenous to the western hemisphere.
Pumpkins are fruits. A pumpkin is a type of squash and is a member of the gourd family (Cucurbitacae), which include squash, cucumbers, gherkins, and melons.
Pumpkin seeds should be planted between the last week of May and the middle of June. They take between 90 and 120 days to grow and are picked in October when they are bright orange in color. Their seeds can be saved to grow new pumpkins the next year.
2005 New World Record! In what has become an annual event, the world record has fallen once more. The largest pumpkin ever grown stands at 1,469 pounds. It was grown by Larry Checkon of North Cambria, Pennsylvania. It was weighed in on October 1, 2005 at the Pennsylvania Giant Pumpkin Growers Weighoff. Will the record fall again in 2006? I will let you know!

Best Geek Costumes For Halloween

Ghost? Zombie? Nixon? Man, these costumes are old news. This Halloween, why not dress up as something from the geek universe? Here's my picks this year for the scary, the provocative, and the outright absurd.

Sony Laptop Battery Pack - What you need: Rectangular piece of cardboard or foam, black paint, a lit cigarette (to simulate the smoking effect). Bonus points for carrying those little poppers that explode when you step on them.

Sony Rootkit-Infected CD - Large circle of cardboard covered in aluminum foil, evil laugh. (Just as scary as the battery.)

LonelyGirl15 (pictured) - What you need: T-shirt or tank top, pony tail scrunchy, tweezers (to pluck eyebrows immaculately), age-diminishing cream, Aliester Crowley books, feather boa, purple monkey puppet, general sense of rebellion and ennui about life.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs - Black turtleneck, blue jeans, iPod, glasses, smug grin.

Firefox - What you need: Fox outfit, lighter fluid, match, sense of irony, fireproofness, legion of geek followers.

The TRON Guy - Awesome TRON bodysuit, pot belly, no sense of shame.

Former HP Chairman of the Board Patricia Dunn - Liza Minnelli haircut, expensive women's suit, reporter's telephone records that you have no idea how you got, pink slip.

Guard Against Ghoulish Goodies: Keep Your Pets Safe from Halloween Hazards
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Offers Poison Safety Tips for Pet Owners

Urbana, Ill. – The arrival of Halloween brings fun parties, trick-or-treaters, and lots of delicious candies. However, some of the same goodies and decorations we humans are fond of can be potentially hazardous to our pets. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is offering pet owners some helpful hints to keep their pets healthy and safe during Halloween.

Halloween treats with chocolate are not appropriate for pets. Depending on the dose ingested, chocolate (bakers, semi-sweet, mmilk and dark) can be potentially poisonous to many animals. In general, the less sweet the chocolate, the more toxic it could be. In fact, unsweetened baking chocolate contains almost seven times more theobromine as milk chocolate. Vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination and heart rate can be seen with the ingestion of as little as ¼ ounce of baking chocolate by a 10-pound dog.

Candies and gum containing large amounts of the sweetener xylitol can also be toxic to pets, as ingestions of significant quantities can produce a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, incoordination and seizures. Be sure to keep such products well out of the reach of your pets.

Keep aluminum foil and cellophane candy wrappers away from pets. They can cause vomiting and could even produce intestinal blockage.

Keep your pet on its normal diet. Any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals that have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements.

Never offer or allow your pets to access alcoholic beverages. Place unattended drinks where pets cannot reach them. If ingested, the animal could become very ill and weak and may go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.

Halloween decorative plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively non-toxic, yet they can potentially cause gastrointestinal upset and may even result in intestinal blockage as well if large pieces are ingested.

Keep wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of the reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet could experience damage to its mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

Liquid potpourri, commonly used to add pleasant scent to the home during certain holidays, can be hazardous to pets. Potentially severe damage to the mouth, skin and eyes could result from exposure to both heated and cool liquid product.

If you suspect your pet may have become exposed to a potentially toxic product of substance, contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately for assistance.

For over 27 years, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has been the premier animal poison control center in North America. The center, an allied agency of the University of Illinois, is the only facility of its kind staffed by 25 veterinarians including 10 board-certified toxicologists and 14 certified veterinary technicians. Located in Urbana, Illinois, the specially trained staff provides assistance to pet owners and specific analysis and treatment recommendations to veterinarians pertaining to toxic chemicals and dangerous plants, products or substances 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In 2005, the center handled over 100,000 cases. In addition, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center provides extensive veterinary toxicology consulting on a wide array of subjects including legal cases, formulation issues, product liability, regulatory reporting and bio surveillance. To reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, call 1-888-426-4435. For more information on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center visit www.aspca.org/apcc (1/06)

Founded in 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was the first humane organization established in the Western Hemisphere and today has one million supporters. The ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides national leadership in humane education, government affairs and public policy, shelter support, and animal poison control. The NYC headquarters houses a full-service animal hospital, animal behavior center, and adoption facility. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York’s animal cruelty laws and is featuared on the reality television series Animal Precinct on Animal Planet. Visit www.aspca.org for more information.

Source: www.aspca.org

Posted by lady at 10:02 PM | Permalink

Disney Feature Films & DVD Releases

Disneyland Makes 'Thanksgiving Dreams Come True' for National Thanksgiving Turkey ... and Some Lucky Holiday Travelers

Nov. 22 -- It's truly a "Thanksgiving Dream Come True" for the National Thanksgiving Turkey. Following today's traditional Presidential pardon of the National Thanksgiving Turkey in the White House Rose Garden, Flyer and his alternate Fryer will be rushed by police escort to Dulles International Airport. Upon arrival, the birds will "fly" First-Class on United Airlines Flight Turkey-1 to their new home at Disneyland.

In addition to the turkeys having their "Thanksgiving Dreams Come True," every passenger and crew member on United Flight Flyer is in for a special surprise. In celebration of Disney Parks "Year of a Million Dreams," everyone on board will be greeted by Mickey Mouse and given a ticket to Disneyland -- the place where dreams come true.

The trip from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles will mark the second consecutive year that the National Thanksgiving Turkey has celebrated his pardon at Disneyland. Accompanied by National Turkey Federation Chairman Mike Briggs, Flyer, a 20-week-old, 36-pound tom turkey, will be the grand marshal in a special Thanksgiving Day parade down Main Street U.S.A. Following the parade, Flyer his alternate Fryer will find a home at Santa's Reindeer Round-Up at Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland, where they'll remain throughout the holidays and the rest of their lives.

"It is a true honor and once-in-a-lifetime experience for my family and me to represent our industry at the White House during the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation," said Briggs. "This event plays such an important role in what is a uniquely American holiday, and the turkey industry is very proud to be associated with both. Having the opportunity for the National Thanksgiving Turkey to be invited again to participate in the Disneyland parade is a wonderful bonus," Briggs added.

U.S. President Harry S. Truman was the first Commander-in-Chief to be presented with a Thanksgiving turkey (in 1947) by the National Turkey Federation. This year's presentation marks the 59th anniversary of a tradition that has continued through 10 successive White House administrations. The 2006 National Thanksgiving Turkey was raised on a farm outside Springfield, Missouri.

The National Turkey Federation is the advocate for all segments of the U.S. turkey industry, providing services and conducting activities, which increase demand for its members' products and protect and enhance the ability to effectively and profitably provide wholesome, high quality, nutritious turkey products.

Source: Disneyland

All That Glitters is Holiday Magic Aboard Disney Cruise LineHoliday magic will deck the halls and add sparkle to the decks for guests who sail with Disney Cruise Line beginning this Thanksgiving and continuing through to the New Year. Both Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will spread an abundance of holiday cheer, from traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts to "snowflake" sightings and seasonal caroling.

A special 10-Night Holiday Caribbean Cruise is planned for Disney Magic from Dec. 16 through Dec. 26. The Eastern/Southern Caribbean cruise will call at ports not typically on the Disney Magic cruise itinerary, including St. Lucia and Antigua.

The spirit of the season will surround cruise guests from the moment they arrive at Port Canaveral, Fla. Disney characters decked out in their finest holiday attire will welcome guests to the lavishly decorated private cruise terminal. During holiday sailings, guests will discover:

Thanksgiving festivities complete with Thanksgiving Day meal with all the trimmings, craft activities with a focus on pilgrim hats and turkeys, and visits by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in Thanksgiving costumes.
A nearly three-deck-tall tree festooned with decorations in the atrium lobby, where "snow" flurries fall and a tree-lighting ceremony occurs.
A Christmas Day visit from Santa Goofy, with surprises for all the kids.
International holiday caroling by crew members from around the globe (exclusively on the Christmas cruise).
Special family time for designing and decorating gingerbread houses.
A reading of "The Night Before Christmas" by Mrs. Claus.
Traditional holiday feasts in Disney's three themed dining rooms (Christmas cruise only).
Multiple faith and interdenominational holiday services (Christmas and Hanukkah cruise only).
A ship-wide party to ring in 2007 and a New Year's Day tailgate party.

During the Thanksgiving holiday, Disney Magic embarks on a special Western Caribbean journey, during which the ship sails twice to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. The seven-night voyage departs Nov. 18, arriving first at Castaway Cay for the usual Disney Cruise Line visit. When the ship returns the day after Thanksgiving, the island will be transformed into a Magical Wonderland, where the sandy Bahamian isle becomes a "snowy" holiday hideaway. "Snow" flurries will fall like magic, Christmas trees will glow and carolers will croon. Mr. and Mrs. Snowman, wearing shell noses and tropical attire, will greet guests with a sleigh full of presents. The tram that transports guests across the 1,000-acre island will be reindeer themed, complete with antlers and tail. A four-night Disney Wonder cruise stops at Castaway Cay on Thanksgiving Day.

At the beach, families can learn the art of sand sculpting, and kids can dive into holiday-themed activities that include making candy cane reindeer, paper plate angels and snowflake-mobiles.

The Disney Magic 10-Night Holiday Caribbean Cruise departs Dec. 16, with visits to Key West, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Thomas/St. John and Castaway Cay. The Disney Wonder four-night Christmas cruise departs Dec. 24, with visits to Nassau and Castaway Cay.

To celebrate the New Year, Disney Magic departs on its seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary Dec. 30; Disney Wonder departs Dec. 31 for its four-night cruise.

From Thanksgiving through the New Year, Disney Cruise Line guests will experience a magical holiday to remember. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500. Travel agents can call Disney Cruise Line at 888/325-2500 or visit disneytravelagents.com.

DREAMS COME TRUE, SLEIGH BELLS RING AND SNOW FALLS AT 'THE MERRIEST PLACE ON EARTH!'

‘YEAR OF A MILLION DREAMS’ HOLIDAY MAGIC

AT DISNEYLAND RESORT
MAKES SPIRITS BRIGHT, NOVEMBER 10 THROUGH JANUARY 7

ANAHEIM, Calif., – As Disneyland Resort commences its celebration of “The Year of a Million Dreams,” Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks will be transformed into dazzling holiday wonderlands featuring an array of spectacular entertainment, amazing decorations, festive foods and favorite adventures and attractions.

Additional holiday magic is provided this year as the Disney Dream Squad roams the Resort making dreams big and small come true for guests in this “Year of a Million Dreams.” Many money-can’t-buy experiences – from exclusive Dream FASTPASSES for popular Disney attractions to around-the-world vacations or a stay in the special Mickey Mouse Penthouse at the Disneyland Hotel - will be awarded at random. There are other “Dreams Come True” opportunities for guests to meet and play with Disney Princesses at Disney Princess Fantasy Faire, duel with Darth Vadar at Jedi Training Academy or join in the fun of the High School Musical Pep Rally. “The Year of a Million Dreams” continues throughout 2007.

During the holidays, the fun is extended with expanded park hours for both Disneyland Resort theme parks for much of the season. Downtown Disney District and the Disneyland Resort hotels join in the merriment with twinkling lights and ornaments, special entertainment and holiday dining.

Disneyland

Holiday dreams come true as Disneyland adds a seasonal array of holiday shows, attractions and lively entertainment to such favorites, classic and new, as “Space Mountain,” “Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters,” and the newly enhanced “Pirates of the Caribbean.”

Guests entering Main Street, U.S.A., will find the traditional evergreen Disneyland Christmas tree in Town Square. The tree is 60 feet tall and is decorated with 10,000 ornaments and holiday lights.

At the other end of Main Street, a favorite Disneyland holiday souvenir comes to life in the form of a giant Snow Globe at Sleeping Beauty Castle. Its occupant is a snowman whose holiday dream has led him to don Mickey Mouse ears and visit Disneyland. The Snow Globe will make its first appearance December 1.

“Santa’s Reindeer Round-up” returns to Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland. The ranch has been transformed into a “West Pole” getaway where Santa can unwind with Mrs. Claus and his team of reindeer. Kids and their families can chat with St. Nick, see real reindeer grazing in a corral, play some reindeer games, create take-home Yuletide souvenirs and join in holiday line dances with music from a Western trio.

The park’s annual holiday parade, “A Christmas Fantasy,” will be presented November 17 through January 7 on Main Street, U.S.A. This ever-popular procession depicts an enchanting collection of holiday scenes, music and a cast of Disney characters and performers in Yuletide vignettes. Toy soldiers march in cadence, friendly snowmen dance and Santa waves from a soaring sleigh as his reindeer prance below.

“Haunted Mansion Holiday” returns with a madcap celebration where the traditions of Halloween and Christmas collide. The ghoulish but well-meaning Jack Skellington from the film Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas has come to the Haunted Mansion to transform it with his skewed vision of the holidays.

In Fantasyland, the classic “it’s a small world” again becomes “it’s a small world Holiday” with a popular seasonal overlay that transforms this classic Disneyland attraction into a holiday trip around the world. More than 300,000 glittery lights adorn the attraction’s façade.

A holiday evening in Disneyland is highlighted by the nightly fireworks spectacular, “Believe … In Holiday Magic,” debuting Friday, November 10. The fireworks conclude with a touching rendition of “White Christmas” and one of Disneyland’s most beloved holiday traditions: the magical snowfall which gently flutters down on Main Street, U.S.A., Small World Mall and New Orleans Square.

Disney’s California Adventure

Disney’s California Adventure will celebrate the season with fanciful park-wide decorations and lively entertainment. Guests approaching the park will immediately get in the holiday mood as the iconic entrance-way letters that spell “CALIFORNIA” have been magically transformed to appear as swirling red and white peppermint sticks.

Once inside the gates of Disney’s California Adventure, guests can enjoy the park’s newest attractions and shows, such as “The High School Musical Pep Rally” and “Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue!,” as well as favorites like “Soarin’ Over California” and “The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.”

Inside “a bug’s land,” Flik and his bug buddies have spread giant Christmas lights, oversized ornaments and towering candy canes throughout their realm. Alongside Paradise Bay, a resplendent Christmas tree provides a dazzling sight as other nearby trees sparkle with hundreds of lights and wreathes adorn lampposts.

The Sunshine Plaza becomes “Santa’s Beach Blast,” where the Disney characters playfully blend classic holiday images with the California beach lifestyle. Santa the surfer greets guests near a Woody wagon sleigh, and the area is filled with seaside-style holiday decorations.

The 500-acre Disneyland Resort in southern California features two spectacular theme parks – the world-renowned original Disney theme park, Disneyland (“The Happiest Place on Earth”) and Disney’s California Adventure where Disney magic meets California fun, plus the Downtown Disney District, a public esplanade of unique and exciting dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. Resort hotels include the luxurious 745-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, the magical 990-room Disneyland Hotel and the surfside fun of the 502-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.

More information about “The Year of a Million Dreams,” the 2006 holiday season and vacations at the Disneyland Resort is available at www.disneyland.com, by calling (866) 60-DISNEY, or by visiting local travel agents.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter or win in the Disney Dreams Giveaway. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Open only to legal residents of 50 U.S., D.C., Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico & U.K. Void elsewhere and where prohibited. Giveaway runs October 1, 2006 – December 31, 2007 (mail-in entries postmarked starting September 18, 2006 & received by January 14, 2008 on a 3.5x5 postcard with complete name, address, daytime phone#, birth date and proper postage sent to PO Box 8629, Elmhurst, IL 60126 USA). UK residents only mail to 483 Green Lanes, London N13 4BS. Penthouse stay will be awarded most days starting December 1, 2006, will likely be awarded early in the day and will be for a stay that night. Approximate retail value of Mickey Mouse Penthouse Stay US $572. Prizes range in value from US $3.83 to US $83,701. All prize awards are subject to verification. Odds of winning on a given day depend on the number of eligible participants at a selected location or within the mail-in entry pool for the time or date (as applicable) selected. Subject to official rules at www.DisneyParks.com/rules. Sponsor: Magic Kingdom Productions, Inc., PO Box 10000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830.

For residents of Canada, a mathematical skill-testing question must be correctly answered to win any prize.

Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment Announces First Wave of Blu-ray(TM) Releases for 2007

All Titles Released in January to Be 50GB and Include Casanova, Chicago, The Guardian and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Nov. 14 Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment (BVWHE) President Bob Chapek today announced BVWHE's first wave of Blu-ray Disc(R) releases for 2007. These 50GB, dual-layer titles include Casanova, Chicago, The Guardian and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and will be in stores on January 23, 2007. Most Blu-ray titles from BVWHE will be available for $34.99 SRP.

Commenting on the announcement, Chapek stated, "BVWHE is thrilled to kick off 2007 with this 50GB slate of Blu-ray releases. We're moving forward into an exciting future with these dual-layer discs, which offer the maximum capacity for bonus materials and expanded content. We continue to forge new frontiers with our Blu-ray discs and to further explore the seemingly limitless boundaries of creativity the format allows. We've just begun to cultivate the future growth of our industry with Blu-ray."

The Blu-ray release of the Academy Award(R)-winning musical Chicago (Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere) will feature a host of exciting bonus materials, including audio commentaries from director Rob Marshall and screenwriter Bill Condon; a deleted scene with optional commentary; the featurettes "Behind the Scenes," "From Stage to Screen: The History of Chicago," "An Intimate Look at Director Rob Marshall" and "When Liza Minnelli Became Roxie Hart"; extended versions of classic musical numbers including "And All That Jazz," "When You're Good to Mama," "Cell Block Tango" and more; and a Movie Showcase highlighting some of the most spectacular dance numbers.

Casanova's Blu-ray bonus materials will include audio commentary from director Lasse Hallstrom; a "Blu-scape" featurette created specially for the Blu-ray release by noted director/cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg titled "Reflections of Venice"; and the featurettes "Creating an Adventure" and "Dressing in Style."

The Blu-ray release of The Guardian will contain a host of bonus materials including deleted scenes; an alternate ending; audio commentaries by director Andrew Davis and writer Ron L. Brinkerhoff; and the featurettes "The Guardian: Making Waves" and "Unsung Heroes: So Others May Live."

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy will arrive on Blu-ray with bonus materials including audio commentaries; deleted scenes; and the featurettes "The Making of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and "Sing Along: So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish."

BVWHE's Blu-ray titles feature advanced new menus offering seamless navigation and on-the-fly preference selection; dynamic and unparalleled high-definition picture quality; new layer-coating technology that provides a scratch-resistant surface; Movie Showcase which highlights the most impressive high definition picture and sound moments on the disc; and new, sleek packaging. Other Disney Blu-ray feature technologies being developed include unmatched interactive features and compelling online content utilizing web connectivity, which will allow users to connect to live events hosted by the studio.

Blu-ray Disc is the next-generation optical disc format for high-definition video and high-capacity software applications. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc will hold up to 25GB of data, and a double-layer Blu-ray Disc will hold up to 50GB of data. Blu-ray Disc is supported by the world's leading consumer electronics, personal computer and gaming companies, and, with seven of eight Hollywood studios releasing their high-definition content on Blu-ray Disc, Blu-ray will deliver the widest variety of high-definition, home entertainment content.

About Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment

Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment, a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista DVD, Blu-ray Disc and electronic distribution product. Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment is a division of Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Source: Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment

Walt Disney Records Celebrates 50 Years of Turning Music into Gold with a Two-Disc Commemorative Edition - Disney: The Music Behind the Magic

Featuring Special Liner Notes by Film Critic and Historian Leonard Maltin

Nov. 10, 2006 Walt Disney Records (WDR) is proud to celebrate its 50th anniversary with the November 7, 2006 release of Disney: The Music Behind the Magic, a special 2-disc commemorative edition set filled with the music that has been enchanting and entertaining audiences for generations. Disney: The Music Behind the Magic highlights 50 of the most beloved musical classics and current hits from Disney movies, television shows, theme parks and Broadway musicals. The deluxe package includes liner notes written by respected film critic and historian Leonard Maltin.

The 50 carefully selected tracks represent numerous milestones for the label and The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) such as "Some Day My Prince Will Come" from Snow White (first soundtrack), "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio (theme song for TWDC), "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" (first single from a television show), "Monkey's Uncle" by Annette Funicello (the label's first teen sensation), tracks from Mary Poppins (album held the #1 position on Billboard's Top 200 Chart for 14 weeks) and "Hakuna Matata" from The Lion King (soundtrack earned WDR its first Diamond Award from the R.I.A.A., certifying sales of 10 million units). Disney: The Music Behind the Magic also includes "Cheetah Sisters" from The Cheetah Girls (multi-platinum soundtrack) and the gold single "Breaking Free" (the mega-hit single from 2006's multi-platinum soundtrack and the #1 best-selling album of the year, High School Musical).

The collection also features eight songs from one of the most admired and prolific musical talents of our time, composer Alan Menken. This Academy Award(R), Grammy Award(R), and Golden Globe Award(R) winner is responsible for a slew of unforgettable Disney classics including "Part of Your World" (Little Mermaid), "Under the Sea" (Little Mermaid), "Be Our Guest" (Beauty and the Beast), "Beauty and the Beast," "A Whole New World" (Aladdin), "Colors of the Wind" (Pocahontas), "The Bells of Notre Dame" (Hunchback of Notre Dame) and "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" (Hercules).

Film critic and historian Leonard Maltin, who penned original liner notes for Disney: The Music Behind the Magic, notes, "Although Walt Disney Records is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, the music in this collection dates back even further. That these songs are not only still enjoyable but recognizable today is just one of the reasons Walt Disney holds a unique place in the annals of popular culture - and popular music. In fact, no other movie studio or television network has such a long and successful association with popular music . . . but as Walt was fond of saying, we should never forget that it all started with a mouse."

Leonard Maltin, one of the country's most recognized and respected film critics and historians, is now in his 25th season with television's Entertainment Tonight. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The London Times and other noted publications. His annual paperback, Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide, established his reputation in the entertainment industry; he was 18 when the first edition was published. He also authored the book The Disney Films, a guide to Walt Disney's greatest individual achievements in film. Maltin also has written a number of television specials including Fantasia: The Creation of a Disney Classic and hosted and co-produced the popular Walt Disney Treasures series on DVD. -0-

DISC ONE:   1. "Mickey Mouse March"   2. "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf"

  3. "Some Day My Prince Will Come"   4. "Give a Little Whistle"

5. "When You Wish Upon a Star"   6. "Baby Mine"   7. "Little April Shower"

 8. "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah"   9. "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes"

10. "So This Is Love"  11. "The Second Star to the Right"

12. "The Ballad of Davy Crockett"  13. "The Siamese Cat Song"

14. "He's a Tramp"  15. "Once Upon a Dream"  16. "Cruella De Vil"

17. "Let's Get Together"  18. "It's a Small World"

 19. "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"  20. "A Spoonful of Sugar"

21. "Monkey's Uncle"  22. "Winnie-the-Pooh"

23. "The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers"

24. "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)"  25. "I Wan'na Be Like You"

26. "Grim Grinning Ghosts"  DISC TWO:   1. "Home On the Range"

 2. "Ducks Dance, Too"   3. "Part of Your World"   4. "Under the Sea"

5. "Be Our Guest"   6. "Beauty and the Beast"   7. "A Whole New World"

 8. "What's This? "   9. "Circle of Life"  10. "Hakuna Matata"

11. "They Live in You"  12. "Colors of the Wind"

13. "You've Got a Friend in Me"  14. "The Bells of Notre Dame"

15. "I Won't Say (I'm in Love) "  16. "Reflection"  17. "Strangers Like Me"

 18. "When She Loved Me"  19. "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride"  20. "Why Not? "

  21. "Cheetah Sisters"  22. "Breaking Free"  23. "Find Yourself"

24. "Mickey Mouse Club Alma Mater"

Disney: The Music Behind the Magic is available now for a suggested retail price of $24.98 wherever music is sold. All Walt Disney Records audio products also can be ordered by visiting DisneyRecords.com.

The Eleven-Time Emmy Award Winner Is Back For More Laughs

THE GOLDEN GIRLS

Season 6

The Girls Return With A New DVD Box Set And Exclusive Bonus Features

Ready For The Holiday Gift Season On DVD November 14

The girls are back for Season 6! Everyone’s favorite female
foursome is sexier, sassier and more sarcastic than ever in The Golden Girls Season 6, a winning
DVD box set from Buena Vista Home Entertainment available on November 14. This is the hilarious,
must-see season with some of the biggest dating disasters yet as Sophia takes Blanche’s tips to
attract a man, Dorothy is wooed by the one-and-only Sonny Bono and Rose tries sky-diving to add
spice to her dating relationship. And that’s just the beginning of a season-full of genius comedy that
includes hilarious guest stars Debbie Reynolds and Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development and The
Larry Sanders Show).

The Golden Girls Season 6 has bonus features that fans will only find on DVD. Features include
candid conversations with Betty White, Rue McClanahan and others.

“The Golden Girls” is the hugely popular show that follows four friends – the smart Dorothy (Beatrice
Arthur), naïve Rose (Betty White), promiscuous Blanche (Rue McClanahan) and sarcastic Sophia
(Estelle Getty) -who move in together in Miami. Their uproarious relationships with each other and
the comical men in their lives have made “The Golden Girls” one of the most beloved comedies in
television history.

The perfect holiday gift for the entire family, The Golden Girls Season 6 is available on DVD for U.S.
$39.99 (SRP) and Canada $59.99 (SRP).

“The Golden Girls” earned an incredible eleven Emmy® Awards and four Golden Globe awards. The
Emmy® Awards included three straight Outstanding Comedy Series wins (1986-1988) Outstanding
Lead Actress Comedy wins (Betty White 1986, Rue McClanahan 1987, Beatrice Arthur 1988),
Outstanding Supporting Actress Comedy (Estelle Getty, 1988), and Best Writing Comedy (1986). The
show won the Golden Globe Award for Best TV Series -Comedy three straight times (1986-1988) and
Estelle Getty also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Comedy in 1986.

STREET DATE: November 14, 2006

Direct prebook: September 19, 2006
Distributor prebook: October 3, 206
Suggested retail price: U.S. $39.99, Canada $59.99
Rated: TV-PG

Bonus features not rated or subtitled.
Feature run time: 614:13
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1 formatted 4x3
Sound: Dolby® Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Languages: English Audio.

Close captioned for the hearing impaired.

Touchstone Television has established itself as one of Hollywood's leading production companies,
supplying critically acclaimed quality entertainment to the television industry.

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, an industry leader, is committed to showcasing great television on
DVD. BVHE has responded to consumer demand by providing an ever-increasing amount of quality
television entertainment in the collectible DVD format. BVHE’s superbly mastered DVD box sets
include “Alias,” “The Golden Girls,” “Home Improvement,” “Felicity,” “Boy Meets World,” “Sports
Night,” “Once And Again,” “Tilt,” “Scrubs,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Lost,” “Desperate
Housewives,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., is a recognized industry leader. Buena Vista Home
Entertainment is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone,
Hollywood Pictures, Miramax, Dimension and Buena Vista videocassettes and DVDs.

DISNEY’S DUCKTALES VOLUME 2

DVD FACT SHEET

Studio:
Walt Disney Home Entertainment

Story:

The world's wealthiest duck is back for more thrills and laughs in the second installment of Disney's

DUCKTALES. Scrooge McDuck may have an uncanny knack for making money, but he's in over

his head trying to keep up with nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie. Along with their friends

Launchpad McQuack, Gyro Gearloose, Mrs. Beakley and Webby Vanderquack, the DUCKTALES

gang criscrosses the globe in a never-ending search for adventure. Whether battling other-worldly

plant creatures, being mistaken for a super-spy or racing to find a lost treasure ship, Scrooge and

the rest of the crew never lose sight of the fact that true friendship is the greatest fortune of them

all. And, for the first time on DVD see how it all began with the five-part pilot episode "Treasure of

the Golden Suns." Experience some of the most memorable DUCKTALES adventures ever made

in this three-disc set. It's a wealth of fun and adventure that you and your family can bank on.

STREET DATE: November 14, 2006

Direct prebook: September 19, 2006
Distributor prebook: October 3, 2006
Suggested retail price: U.S. $34.99

Canada $37.99
Rated: Not yet rated.

Bonus materials subject to change.
Feature run time: Approximately 667 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
DVD Sound: Dolby® Digital Mono Sound
Languages: English audio

Walt Disney Records Unleashes Twice the Growl Power with ``The Cheetah Girls 2 Special Edition Soundtrack,'' Available Now

Two-Disc Set Includes New Bonus Tracks, 30-Minute Concert DVD With Exclusive Interview Footage, Fold-Out Locker Poster and Free Ringtone

Nov. 10, 2006 Walt Disney Records responds to requests from Cheetahs-in-training everywhere with the November 7th release of "The Cheetah Girls 2 Special Edition Soundtrack." Building on the success of the gold-certified "The Cheetah Girls 2 Soundtrack," the highest rated Disney Channel Original Movie ever and "The Party's Just Begun" 74-date concert tour, the special edition features the complete Cheetah Girls 2 soundtrack, two new bonus tracks, a 30-minute concert DVD, a poster and free ringtone.

Disc One showcases the original soundtrack to "The Cheetah Girls 2" - including the hits "Strut" and "The Party's Just Begun" - and two bonus tracks: a "Strut" remix and a new recording of the road trip classic "Route 66." Disc Two is a concert DVD featuring live performances of five songs from "The Cheetah Girls in Concert" special that premiered on Disney Channel in September, plus an exclusive interview with The Cheetah Girls. "The Cheetah Girls 2 Special Edition Soundtrack" package also includes complete song lyrics, a bonus fold-out locker poster and a certificate for a free "Amigas Cheetahs" ringtone.

The original Cheetah Girls 2 soundtrack is gold-certified and debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and at #1 on both the Billboard Soundtrack and Children's Charts. Since its release on August 1, 2006, the soundtrack has remained in the top 25 of the Top 200 and in the top 2 on the Soundtrack and Children's Charts.

The Cheetah Girls currently are embarked on a 74-city nationwide concert tour and brisk ticket sales have made The Cheetahs one of the most successful touring groups of 2006. -0-

"The Cheetah Girls 2 Special Edition Soundtrack" track listing:

Disc One: Soundtrack  1. "The Party's Just Begun" -

Performed by The Cheetah Girls 2. "Strut" - Performed by The Cheetah Girls

3. "Dance with Me" - Performed by Drew Seeley featuring Belinda

4. "Why Wait"- Performed by Belinda 5. "A La Nanita Nana" -

Performed by The Cheetah Girls with Belinda 6. "Do Your Own Thing" -

Performed by Raven-Symone 7. "It's Over" - Performed by The Cheetah Girls

8. "Step Up" - Performed by The Cheetah Girls 9. "Amigas Cheetahs" -

Performed by The Cheetah Girls with Belinda 10. "Cherish the Moment" -

Performed by The Cheetah Girls 11. "Cheetah Sisters (Barcelona Mix)"-

Performed by The Cheetah Girls 12. "Everyone's a Star" -

Performed by Raven-Symone 13. "It's Gonna Be Alright" -

Performed by Raven-Symone  Bonus tracks:  14. "Route 66" -

 Performed by The Cheetah Girls 15. "Strut (Remix)" -

Performed by The Cheetah Girls  Disc Two:

Concert DVD featuring live performances of:  1. "The Party's Just Begun"

2. "Step Up" 3. "Cinderella" 4. "Strut" 5. "Cheetah Sisters"

 Plus an exclusive interview with The Cheetah Girls.

"The Cheetah Girls 2 Special Edition Soundtrack" is available now for a suggested retail price of $24.98 wherever music is sold. All Walt Disney Records audio products also can be ordered by visiting DisneyRecords.com. For additional information and updates, go to TheCheetahGirlsMusic.com.

CHIP ‘N DALE’S RESCUE RANGERS VOLUME 2

DVD FACT SHEET

Studio:
Walt Disney Home Entertainment

Story:

The Rescue Rangers are back for more thrills, chills and smiles! Join Chip 'n' Dale along with their

friends Gadget Hackwrench, Zipper and Monterey Jack as they embark on some of their most

memorable adventures yet in this 3-disc collection. This time around the gang matches wits with a

feisty leprechaun, encounters a villain from the deep and takes a trip to the Himalayas. Also

included is the 5-part pilot episode "Rescue Rangers to the Rescue" --on DVD for the first time

ever! So fasten your seat belts and get ready to travel the world with CHIP 'N' DALE RESCUE

RANGERS!

STREET DATE: November 14, 2006

Direct prebook: September 19, 2006
Distributor prebook: October 3, 2006
Suggested retail price: U.S. $34.99

Canada $37.99
Rated: Not yet rated.

Bonus materials subject to change.
Feature run time: Approximately 549 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
DVD Sound: Dolby® Digital Mono Sound
Languages: English audio

AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON DISNEY DVD

Disney’s

Adventures Of The Gummi Bears

Volume One Seasons 1-3

Animated Favorite Comes Home On November 14

– For the first time, the fan-favorite animated series
Adventures Of The Gummi Bears will be available to own on DVD November 14. Volume
One, a three-disc DVD set, features the first three seasons of the show.

The Gummi Bears were stars of the first Saturday morning network cartoon series produced by
Walt Disney Productions, and the show enjoyed a very popular run from 1985 to 1991. This
pivotal series helped kick start the television animation boom in the 1980’s, and formed the
anchor for Disney’s successful weekday afternoon block.

Inspired by the Gummi Bears candy, the animated series follows the adventures of a family of
lovable Bears with a long history of extraordinary super powers. With several human friends by
their side, the Bears protect themselves and the world from evil-doers. Adventures Of The
Gummi Bears includes sterling voice talent contributions from a cast that includes the
legendary June Foray (“Mulan,” TV’s “Rocky & Bullwinkle” and many more), Corey Burton
(“Cars,” TV’s “The Boondocks”) and the late, great Paul Winchell (voice of Tigger from the
“Winnie The Pooh” series).

The three-disc set includes the entire collection of 47 fun-loving episodes from the first three
seasons – the perfect DVD for holiday gift giving. Adventures Of The Gummi Bears is
available for U.S. $34.99 (SRP), Canada $37.99 (SRP) from Walt Disney Home Entertainment.

STREET DATE: November 14, 2006

Suggested retail price: 3-disc DVD set: U.S. $34.99, Canada $37.99
Rated: U.S. TV-Y.
Total episode run time: Approximately 640 total minutes, each disc 220 minutes
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1 formatted 4x3
DVD Sound: Dolby® Digital Mono Sound
Languages: English audio

Walt Disney Home Entertainment is distributed by Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment,
Inc., a recognized industry leader. Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment is the
marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures,
Miramax and Buena Vista videocassettes and DVDs.

Disney-Pixar's Blockbuster 'CARS' Roars into Stores for the Holidays

Year's #1 Animated Film a Huge Hit for Parents and Porsche - "Sally Carrera" is Among the Film's Favorite Characters, Especially Among Girls

Nov. 10 Holiday DVD viewing will be revved up with more horsepower this year, thanks to the release of the Disney-Pixar animated hit "CARS" which makes its DVD debut in stores this week.

Also making her holiday homecoming will be "Sally Carrera," the movie's leading lady that was modeled on Porsche's flagship sports car, the venerable 911. Sally Carrera is the only modern, production-based car with a leading role in this ground-breaking film.

CARS is a musically-charged, comedy-adventure box office favorite about a hotshot rookie race car who, with a fun cast of car-acters, goes on the ride of his life. CARS takes audiences of all ages on an incredible adventure that blends a heartfelt story, great music and breathtaking animation. Disney- Pixar's brilliant use of Sally Carrera as the "sassy blue Porsche" made her one of the most popular characters in the hit movie, and a top one with parents who saw Sally as a strong and positive role model.

CARS is one of the rare movies that can be enjoyed by the entire family, and gives parents, especially fathers, the ability to interact with children in a meaningful way.

"This incredible movie helped Porsche reach a much broader audience than any other product placement in our history, which is saying a lot considering how many Porsches have appeared on the silver screen," said Peter Schwarzenbauer, Porsche Cars North America's President and CEO. "This is a softer image for Porsche."

Porsche's involvement in the film was not a case of corporate product placement. Rather, the model's attributes of high-performance, style, and sophistication, led the film's creators to cast Sally as a Porsche in the most technologically advanced animated film of its time.

The movie has given Porsche extensive exposure around the world, especially among women and children who might not otherwise be exposed to the Porsche brand. With more than 30 million people enjoying the film during its theatrical release, Porsche's involvement with the film has been a unique opportunity to reach a wide family audience that includes today's car lovers and tomorrow's aspiring ones.

"We've been thrilled to be a part of this wonderful Disney-Pixar adventure, and are excited that a whole new audience will be able to experience it as a DVD," adds Schwarzenbauer. "Beyond being a great movie for the whole family, this film also shares a common connection with Porsche, highlighting the pure pleasure of driving. Life truly is about the journey, not the finish line."

CARS' broad appeal at the box office can be attributed, in-part, to its rich blend of diverse characters. In fact, audience research has shown that adult movie-goers felt that Sally Carrera's presence is important as a strong, major female character in the film. Her positive relationship with the male lead of the film, Lightning McQueen, is also an important story point appreciated by the audience. Additional research indicated the character of "Sally Carrera" was particularly appealing to young audiences, especially young girls.

Loaded with a full tank of electrifying DVD bonus features, the highly anticipated CARS DVD debut includes an exclusive all new animated short "Mater and The Ghostlight," and Pixar's Academy Award(R)- nominated "One Man Band" (Best Animated Short 2005). Revving up and rounding out the CARS DVD bonus features is the fascinating behind-the-scenes "Inspiration for CARS," an exciting journey with director John Lasseter that explores how the story of CARS was born, as well as deleted scenes and a special sneak peek at the highly anticipated next Disney-Pixar feature RATATOUILLE.

Available in separate widescreen and fullscreen editions on November 7, 2006, CARS is priced at U.S. $29.99 (SRP) and Canada $36.99 (SRP) from Walt Disney Home Entertainment.

About Porsche Cars North America

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, GA, and its subsidiary, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., are the exclusive importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne(R) sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada. A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, PCNA employs approximately 300 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 213 U.S. and Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.

About Walt Disney Home Entertainment

Walt Disney Home Entertainment is distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., a recognized industry leader. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax, Dimension and Buena Vista videocassettes and DVDs.

The Votes Are In! And There Is Only One Winner In This Race... Disney*Pixar's "CARS" on DVD Today!

November 07, 2006 -- Disney*Pixar releases the DVD debut of the smash hit #1 animated film of the year, "CARS," on DVD Today! From Pixar's Academy Award® winning director John Lasseter ("TOY STORY," "TOY STORY 2," "A BUG'S LIFE") and the creative team that thrilled audiences with unforgettable hits including "THE INCREDIBLES" and "FINDING NEMO," "CARS" is a hilarious action-packed adventure into the unique world of cars, starring a hotshot rookie race car who, with a fun cast of car-acters goes on the ride of his life. Starring Owen Wilson ("Wedding Crashers"), the legendary Paul Newman (Oscar® winner Best Actor "The Color of Money" 1986), Bonnie Hunt (as Sally, a snazzy Porsche) and an all-star cast, "CARS" takes audiences of all ages on an incredible adventure that blends comedy, a heartfelt story, great music and breathtaking animation.

Loaded with a full tank of electrifying DVD bonus features, the highly anticipated "CARS" DVD is freewheeling fun for everyone! Bonus features include an exclusive animated short "Mater and The Ghostlight," the original short from "CARS'" theatrical release; "One Man Band"; "The Inspiration for 'CARS'"; deleted scenes; hilarious end credit vignettes shown in full screen; and a special sneak peek at the highly anticipated next Disney/Pixar feature "RATATOUILLE."

Available in separate widescreen and fullscreen editions on November 7, 2006, "CARS" is priced at U.S. $29.99 (SRP) and Canada $36.99 (SRP) from Walt Disney Home Entertainment.

The Santa Clause 3

Walt Disney Records' Hannah Montana Soundtrack Debuts at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart

First-Ever Television Soundtrack to Debut at #1 Soundtrack from the Hit Disney Channel Original Series Ships Platinum in Its First Week and Claims the #1 Spot on Both the Billboard Soundtrack and Children's Charts

Nov. 1, 2006 One week after its October 24th release, the soundtrack to the hit Disney Channel original series, Hannah Montana, debuts at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, scanning over 281,000 units for the week ending October 29 (according to Nielsen SoundScan). The impressive chart-topping debut makes the Hannah Montana Soundtrack the first-ever TV soundtrack to enter the Billboard Top 200 at #1. Additionally, the soundtrack earned the top position on both the Billboard Children's Chart and the Billboard Soundtrack Chart. The soundtrack shipped platinum (1,000,000 units) this week, with certification by the R.I.A.A. expected within 30 days.

With the #1 debut of the Hannah Montana Soundtrack, Walt Disney Records enjoys a new label best with a total of three TV soundtracks cracking the Top 5 in 2006. The Hannah Montana CD is Walt Disney Records' second TV soundtrack to hold the #1 position on Billboard's Top 200 Chart this year and the first TV soundtrack in the history of the chart to debut at #1. The triple-platinum-certified High School Musical Soundtrack twice held the #1 position on the Top 200 (week ending 2/26 and again on 3/19) and currently is the #1 best-selling album year-to-date (Nielsen SoundScan). The Cheetah Girls 2 Soundtrack entered the Top 200 at #5 in August and spent 3 weeks in the Top 5.

The Hannah Montana Soundtrack features eight songs performed by Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana, including the Hannah Montana theme song "The Best of Both Worlds," "Who Said," "Just Like You," "Pumpin' Up the Party," "If We Were a Movie," "I Got Nerve," "The Other Side of Me" and "This Is the Life." Also featured on the Hannah Montana Soundtrack is the duet "I Learned from You," performed by Miley and her real-life and on-screen father, multi-platinum-selling country music star Billy Ray Cyrus (Robby Stewart in Hannah Montana). Additional tracks from and inspired by the series include "Pop Princess" performed by The Click Five, "She's No You" performed by Hollywood Records recording artist Jesse McCartney, "Find Yourself in You" performed by Buena Vista/Hollywood Records recording artist Everlife and "Shining Star" performed by B5. The music DVD (available while supplies last) features five Hannah Montana concert videos - "Best of Both Worlds," "Who Said," "Just Like You," "Pumpin' Up the Party" and "The Other Side of Me."

Hannah Montana is a live-action comedy series that follows typical tween Miley Stewart, who lives with her older brother and widowed dad, a songwriter. But unbeknownst to her friends and classmates, Miley has a secret double life - she is the world famous pop star Hannah Montana. Combining a stage persona with creative costuming, Miley discovers she can have the best of both worlds - the fame and fortune of a well-known singer and the fun of middle school with her best friends Lilly and Oliver, whom she has entrusted with her secret identity.

Year-to-date, Hannah Montana is the #1 rated series on basic cable TV among Tweens 9-14 and #2 among kids 6-11. For third quarter 2006, Hannah Montana is the #1 rated series on broadcast and basic cable TV among Tween 9-14 and tied for #1 among kids 6-11.

Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 89 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on 23 Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group.

Walt Disney Records is part of the Buena Vista Music Group, the recorded music and music-publishing arm of The Walt Disney Company. For more information, please visit Disney Records.com.

Santa Comes Early This Year in Walt Disney Pictures Presents The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

Video Game Inspired by the Upcoming "The Santa Clause 3" Film Available for Game Boy Advance

Nov. 1, 2006 Handheld video game players have a chance to help Santa rescue holiday cheer. Disney today announced that Walt Disney Pictures Presents The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause is available in the United States for the Game Boy(R) Advance. In time for the upcoming feature film release of the same name, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause allows players to enter the enchanted world of Santa Claus and his elves, and save Christmas from Jack Frost. Published by Buena Vista Games and developed by 1st Playable Productions, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause is rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and is available for $19.99.

The theatrical release of the newest film in the Santa Clause franchise, Walt Disney Pictures Presents The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, is set for November 3, 2006.

"The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause lets fans of the hit film franchise experience the fun of taking on the role of the big man in red in order to save Christmas," said Craig Relyea, vice president of marketing, Buena Vista Games. "Kids will especially enjoy the toy-building challenges and fun, festive scenery."

Walt Disney Pictures Presents The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause features three different modes of gameplay, including saving Christmas from Jack Frost, building toys with the elves, and delivering presents via blustery sleigh rides with Santa. Overcome treacherous falling icicles, evil snowmen, powerful gusts of wind and perplexing puzzle-based challenges as you explore the North Pole, Santa's Workshop and other festive, wintry locales. Collect snow globes and milk and cookies to unwrap special bonus features, and find power-ups such as hot cocoa and candy to help Santa and his elves complete their mission.

About "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause" film

Holiday magic mixes with comical chaos at the North Pole in "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause." Tim Allen reprises his role of Scott Calvin - AKA Santa - as he juggles a full house of family and the mischievous Jack Frost (Martin Short), who is trying to take over the "big guy's" holiday. At the risk of giving away the secret location of the North Pole, Scott invites his in-laws (Ann-Margret and Alan Arkin) to share in the holiday festivities, and upcoming birth of baby Claus with expectant wife, Carol - AKA Mrs. Claus - (Elizabeth Mitchell). Along for the adventure are Scott's extended family, son Charlie (Eric Lloyd), ex-wife Laura Miller (Wendy Crewson), her husband, Neil Miller (Judge Reinhold), and their daughter, Lucy (Liliana Mumy), who, together with head elf Curtis (Spencer Breslin), foil Jack Frost's crafty scheme to control the North Pole.

About Buena Vista Games

Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG) is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS). BVG publishes, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with third-party interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. For more information, please log on to http://www.bvg.com.

Game Boy Advance is a trademark of Nintendo.

Disney's The Little Mermaid featured in Oceans Awareness PSA Campaign.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Environmental Defense and the Ad Council are launching a new PSA
campaign, featuring Disney's the Little Mermaid.

Oceans are essential to life on Earth, but are now at risk from human activities. Oceans
do not have an infinite capacity to absorb the pollution we allow to flow into them.

No matter where you live, plastic litter and carelessly disposed motor oil can flow
through storm drains to rivers and the sea. People generally don't realize that most
ocean pollution originates on land.

The ads in this campaign are designed to raise awareness about the connection
between our activities and the health of the oceans. Featuring characters from
Disney's The Little Mermaid, the PSAs will inspire our audience to prevent pollution
before it harms the ocean and the creatures that live there.

>> View Campaign Introduction >> View Featured PSA

We encourage you to share these links with your friends and colleagues.

Thank you,
Buena Vista Home Entertainment

"Snow" Flurries Forecast for Disney's Private Island, Castaway Cay

All That Glitters Is Holiday Magic Aboard Disney Cruise Line

Holiday magic will deck the halls and add sparkle to the decks for guests who sail with Disney Cruise Line beginning this Thanksgiving and continuing through to the New Year. Both Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will spread an abundance of holiday cheer, from traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts to "snowflake" sightings and seasonal caroling.

A special 10-Night Holiday Caribbean Cruise is planned for Disney Magic from Dec. 16 through Dec. 26. The Eastern/Southern Caribbean cruise will call at ports not typically on the Disney Magic cruise itinerary, including St. Lucia and Antigua.

The Holidays are magical aboard Disney Cruise Line. Guests on both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will find a nearly three-deck-tall tree festooned with decorations in the atrium lobby, where snow flurries fall and a tree-lighting ceremony occurs.

(Click here for details)
The Holidays are magical aboard Disney
Cruise Line. Guests on both the Disney
Magic and Disney Wonder will find a
nearly three-deck-tall tree festooned
with decorations in the atrium lobby,
where snow flurries fall and a
tree-lighting ceremony occurs.

-- Thanksgiving festivities complete with Thanksgiving Day meal with all the trimmings, craft activities with a focus on pilgrim hats and turkeys, and visits by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in Thanksgiving costumes.

-- A nearly three-deck-tall tree festooned with decorations in the atrium lobby, where "snow" flurries fall and a tree-lighting ceremony occurs.

-- A Christmas Day visit from Santa Goofy, with surprises for all the kids.

-- International holiday caroling by crew members from around the globe (exclusively on the Christmas cruise).

-- Special family time for designing and decorating gingerbread houses.

-- A reading of "The Night Before Christmas" by Mrs. Claus.

-- Traditional holiday feasts in Disney's three themed dining rooms (Christmas cruise only).

-- Multiple faith and interdenominational holiday services (Christmas and Hanukkah cruise only).

-- A ship-wide party to ring in 2007 and a New Year's Day tailgate party.

During the Thanksgiving holiday, Disney Magic embarks on a special Western Caribbean journey, during which the ship sails twice to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. The seven-night voyage departs Nov. 18, arriving first at Castaway Cay for the usual Disney Cruise Line visit. When the ship returns the day after Thanksgiving, the island will be transformed into a Magical Wonderland, where the sandy Bahamian isle becomes a "snowy" holiday hideaway. "Snow" flurries will fall like magic, Christmas trees will glow and carolers will croon. Mr. and Mrs. Snowman, wearing shell noses and tropical attire, will greet guests with a sleigh full of presents. The tram that transports guests across the 1,000-acre island will be reindeer themed, complete with antlers and tail. A four-night Disney Wonder cruise stops at Castaway Cay on Thanksgiving Day.

At the beach, families can learn the art of sand sculpting, and kids can dive into holiday-themed activities that include making candy cane reindeer, paper plate angels and snowflake-mobiles.

The Disney Magic 10-Night Holiday Caribbean Cruise departs Dec. 16, with visits to Key West, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Thomas/St. John and Castaway Cay. The Disney Wonder four-night Christmas cruise departs Dec. 24, with visits to Nassau and Castaway Cay.

To celebrate the New Year, Disney Magic departs on its seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary Dec. 30; Disney Wonder departs Dec. 31 for its four-night cruise.

From Thanksgiving through the New Year, Disney Cruise Line guests will experience a magical holiday to remember. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit www.disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500. Travel agents can call Disney Cruise Line at 888/325-2500 or visit www.disneytravelagents.com

New Disney DVD Game Brings Fairy Tale Magic Home

Screenlife, LLC and Mattel's Disney Princess Dream Journey for Ages Four and Up is a Delightful Adventure Enchanted with Disney Classics

Put on your prettiest gown, polish your glass slippers and don't forget your invitation to the Royal Ball. Cinderella, along with many favorite Disney characters, invites girls to join them on a voyage through the magical kingdom in Disney Princess Dream Journey, the new DVD game from the creators of Creative Child Magazine's Toy of the Year, Disney DVD Bingo.

"The role-playing experience of this game is unique. My own four-year-old daughter plays the game as Belle from Beauty and The Beast," said Dave Long, Screenlife's co-founder and CEO. "Players can embody their favorite Disney princess characters, relive classic moments and sing along with their favorite songs."

Help your princess live happily ever after with a little imagination and some Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo. Disney Princess Dream Journey comes with a sparkling new tiara that your child can wear while choosing to be one of six Disney Princesses, including Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Ariel, Cinderella, Jasmine, and Belle. Using the Disney Princess Controller (included), navigate through her favorite Disney Princess' movies, and with some help from host Angela Lansbury play fun mini-games and solve simple puzzles along the way. With real clips and songs from favorite Disney classics any home can become an enchanted kingdom.

Available now, Disney Princess Dream Journey can be purchased nationwide wherever games are sold, including online at www.screenlifegames.com.

About Screenlife, LLC

Screenlife, LLC is a premier game company that's bringing a new dimension to the way the world has fun. Screenlife is the creator and world's leading manufacturer of DVD games, including Scene It?, the number one selling DVD game worldwide. Screenlife games feature patented Optreve(TM) DVD Enhancement Technology and are available in five languages, across 14 countries, and in more than 40,000 retail locations. A leader in entertainment licensing, Screenlife has established thousands of partnerships with major Hollywood studios, sports leagues and recording labels as well as actors, athletes and musicians. For more information about Scene It? and other Screenlife games, visit www.screenlifegames.com or call (866) DVD-GAME.

About Mattel, Inc.

Mattel, Inc., (NYSE:MAT) (www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie(R), the most popular fashion doll ever introduced. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels(R), Matchbox(R), American Girl(R), Radica(R) and Tyco(R) R/C, as well as Fisher-Price(R) brands (www.fisher-price.com), including Little People(R), Rescue Heroes(R), Power Wheels(R) and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than the 30,000 people in 42 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. Mattel's vision is to be the world's premier toy brands -- today and tomorrow.

Source: Screenlife, LLC; Mattel, Inc.

Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment Unveils First Day-and-Date and 50GB Blu-ray Titles

'Invincible' First Day-and-Date 'Enemy of the State,' 'Flightplan' and 'Pearl Harbor' First 50GB Titles

Other Blu-ray Titles Being Released Include 'Annapolis,' 'Goal! The Dream Begins,' 'Sky High' and 'The Wild'

Oct. 23 Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment (BVWHE) president Bob Chapek today announced BVWHE's next wave of Blu-ray Disc titles including the first day-and-date with DVD new release title -- Walt Disney Pictures' "Invincible" (December 19) -- as well as the first 50GB Blu-ray Disc titles available from the studio, Touchstone Pictures' "Enemy of the State," "Flightplan" (both November 21) and "Pearl Harbor" (December 19). These titles continue BVWHE's ongoing release strategy for Blu-ray Disc titles. Most Blu-ray titles from BVWHE will be available for $34.99 SRP.

Commenting on the announcement, Chapek stated, "As the Blu-ray technology continues to infuse our industry with robust growth, BVWHE is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the format with the release of our first 50GB titles. We have seen the future and it is here -- the digital age is upon us and Blu-ray is the format consumers have embraced for their entertainment choice."

"Invincible" marks the first day-and-date title from BVWHE on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. Both editions' bonus features will include Becoming Invincible: The Story of Vince Papale and two Audio Commentaries, the first with Vince Papale, Producer Mark Ciardi and writer Brad Gann; the second with director Ericson Core and editor Jerry Greenberg. "Invincible" Blu-ray Disc includes an exclusive high-definition featurette "Recreating the Vet."

"Enemy of the State," "Flightplan" and "Pearl Harbor" mark the first 50GB titles from BVWHE on Blu-ray Disc. "Enemy of the State" bonus materials will include original DVD features Deleted Scenes, Making of Enemy of the State, All Access: The Showdown, Theatrical Trailer and Blu-ray exclusive Movie Showcase; "Flightplan" will include original DVD features Audio Commentary, Emergency Landing: Visual Effects, Cabin Pressure: Designing The Aalto E-474 and Blu-ray exclusives Movie Showcase and Blu-Scape "Jet Stream"; and "Pearl Harbor" bonus materials will include original DVD features Journey To The Screen: The Making of Pearl Harbor, Unsung Heroes of Pearl Harbor, Theatrical Trailer, Teaser Trailer, Music Video: "There You'll Be" by Faith Hill and Blu-ray exclusive Movie Showcase.

Chapek continued "The amazing presentation of "Pearl Harbor" and "Enemy of the State" on 50GB Blu-ray Disc delivers astonishing high-definition picture and theatre-quality sound. As we delve into the new world of Blu-ray, BVWHE will take full advantage of the extended capacity and bonus materials the 50GB disc allows."

BVWHE's Blu-ray titles feature advanced new menus offering seamless navigation and settings while the movie is still playing; dynamic and unparalleled, high-definition picture; new layering coating technology which provides a scratch resistance surface; Movie Showcase which highlights the most impressive high definition picture and sound moments on the disc; and new sleek packaging. Other Disney Blu-ray feature technologies being developed include unparalleled interactive features; personalized chapter selections; and compelling online content, including web connectivity, which will allow users to connect to live events hosted by the studio and more.

Additional BVWHE Blu-ray Disc titles available on November 21 include Touchstone Pictures' "Annapolis" with bonus features to include Audio Commentary, Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary and Movie Showcase; "Goal! The Dream Begins" will feature Audio Commentary, Movie Showcase and Behind The Pitch; and Walt Disney Pictures' "Sky High" will feature Movie Showcase, Alternate Opening, Welcome to Sky High, Breaking Down the Walls: The Stunts of Sky High, and "The Wild" will feature Movie Showcase, Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary, "Real Wild Child" Music Video by Everlife, Eddie Izzard Unleashed and Meet Colin: The Rock Hyrax.

Blu-ray Disc is the next-generation optical disc format for high-definition video and high-capacity software applications. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc will hold up to 25GB of data and a double-layer Blu-ray Disc will hold up to 50GB of data. Blu-ray Disc is supported by the world's leading Consumer Electronics, Personal Computer & Gaming companies, and with 7 of 8 Hollywood studios releasing their high-definition content on Blu-ray Disc, Blu-ray will deliver the widest variety of high-definition, home entertainment content.

About Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment

Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment, a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista videocassette, DVD and Blu-ray Disc product. Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Studios.

Source: Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment

October

RELEASE SCHEDULE Of DVD'S

This document updated 10/04/06

THE LITTLE MERMAID: SPECIAL EDITION (Rated: G)

For a limited time only, Walt Disney Home Entertainment proudly opens the vault to debut a spectacular new two-disc Platinum Edition of the most-requested Disney DVD title ever, the Academy Award® winning (1989

Best Original Song and Best Original Score) The Little Mermaid. Available for the first time in seven years and the first time ever on a two-disc “Platinum Edition” DVD, this enchanting, music-filled adventure goes ‘under the sea’ and soars to new heights with bonus features for the whole family. Included is the new “Under The Sea Adventure: A Virtual Ride” (based on an actual Disney Imagineering concept); extensive background on the ride; a new “Kiss The Girl” music video performed by “High School Musical” sensation Ashley Tisdale; a new “Treasures Untold” making-of featurette about the film’s history, creators and famous music, new Disney Feature Animation short film “The Little Match Girl” based on another one of “Little Mermaid” creator Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tales; never-before-seen deleted scenes, and much more. The Little Mermaid ignited an animation renaissance at Disney and around the world, and this celebrated classic sparkles as never before with an all-new digital restoration and the all-new 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix.

THE FOX AND THE HOUND: The 25th Anniversary Edition (Rated: G)

This highly acclaimed classic blends vibrant animation and breathtaking action to tell the story of two best friends who didn’t know they were supposed to be enemies. The fun and adventure begin when a lonely widow adopts an orphaned fox cub named Tod. The mischievous fox soon meets up with Copper, an adorable hound puppy. As the innocent pair grow up together, they become inseparable friends. But the day soon arrives when their friendship is put to the ultimate test. With timeless values such as love, courage and respect for life, The Fox And The Hound has captured an honored place among Disney’s most beloved and endearing animated classics.

SCRUBS: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON (Rated: TV-14)

J.D. (Zach Braff), Elliot (Sarah Chalke), Turk (Donald Faison), Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) and the laugh-packed cast are back on DVD in the Emmy winning comedy “Scrubs” with Scrubs: The Complete Fourth Season. This laugh-filled DVD features the funniest guest stars yet – including Heather Graham, Colin Farrell and Chuck Woolery – in the biggest season yet, when J.D. moves out on his own and Elliot gains more confidence than ever and leaves Sacred Heart Hospital. The DVD box set is bursting with exclusive bonus features and includes the original hit music from the season.

BAD SANTA: The Director’s Cut (Unrated)

For the first time on DVD, Dimension Home Video presents the Director’s Cut of the hilarious film Bad Santa.

This exclusive version is Director Terry Zwigoff’s (“Art School Confidential,” “Ghost World,” “Crumb”) cut of the film, which also features a new audio commentary track from Mr. Zwigoff and Editor Robert Hoffman. This hilarious comedy hit stars Billy Bob Thornton (“The Bad News Bears;”“Monster’s Ball;” “The Alamo;”Academy Award® winner, Best Screenplay, “Slingblade,” 1996) as Willie T. Stokes, the incorrigible “Bad Santa,” a department store Santa of uproarious bad holiday cheer.

HANNAH MONTANA: VOLUME ONE (Rated: TBD)

The hit Disney Channel series Hannah Montana comes to Disney DVD for the first time ever. Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) gets herself into hilarious situations as she struggles to hide her true identity as superstar pop sensation Hannah Montana, in an effort to be treated like any other teenager. The premiere of Hannah Montana garnered the highest ratings ever for a Disney Channel series, and has become a smash hit with kids and tweens.

10/24 WENDY WU: HOMECOMING WARRIOR (Rated: TBD)

All-new to Disney DVD, Brenda Song (TV’s “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”) stars in Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior, filled with fun Kung Fu moves, action and excitement. Wendy’s biggest concern is winning the title of Homecoming Queen until a young Chinese monk, Shen, informs her that she’s actually a reincarnated Chinese warrior who must train to conquer an ancient spirit that threatens to destroy the world.

While struggling to balance the demands of her homecoming queen campaign, shopping, and boyfriends, Wendy discovers the importance of her Chinese roots, and trains to battle the ancient evil spirit – while she develops an unlikely friendship in the process.

10/24 BABY EINSTEIN: Baby’s First Moves (Not Rated)

From rolling and reaching to dancing and spinning, little ones discover their ability to move and are eager to interact with the world and people around them. The newest DVD title from the award-winning Baby Einstein Company, Baby’s First Moves, is a playful celebration of movement, dance and more. Featuring motion and movement appropriate for various developmental levels, Baby’s First Moves is sure to have parents and little ones clapping, waving and dancing to upbeat classical tunes from Bach, Beethoven and Mozart. Recommended for little ones six months and up, Baby’s First Moves is available nationwide on October 24, 2006.

10/31 KEEPING UP WITH THE STEINS (Rated: PG-13)

Get ready for the laugh-out-loud comedy about one boy’s celebration of becoming a man – if he can survive the hilarious antics of his relatives! Keeping Up With The Steins is the heartwarming and funny comedy about the Fiedlers, a somewhat dysfunctional family that doesn’t quite see eye to eye. When they come together for a Bar Mitzvah and family reunion, the craziness and laughs grow bigger than the guest list, as the Fiedlers find out that they are more alike than they’d originally thought. A hysterical coming-of-age comedy in the tradition of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” Miramax Home Entertainment presents Keeping Up With The Steins on DVD October

31. The all-star cast of talent includes Golden Globe and Emmy® Award nominee Jeremy Piven (Best Actor/Outstanding Actor In A Series, TV’s “Entourage” 2005) and Jami Gertz (TV’s “Still Standing”) as Adam and Joanne Fiedler, who decide to make an over-the-top Bar Mitzvah celebration for their son, Benjamin (Daryl Sabara, “Spy Kids”). Famed director and actor Garry Marshall (“Raising Helen,” “The Princess Diaries”) is Adam’s estranged dad Irwin, Daryl Hannah (“Kill Bill”) is Irwin’s free-spirit girlfriend Sacred Feather, Doris Roberts (TV’s “Everybody Loves Raymond”) is Irwin’s ex-wife, Larry Miller (“A Mighty Wind”) is the Fiedler’s super-competitive neighbor, Richard Benjamin (“The Sunshine Boys”) is a crafty school principle and Cheryl Hines (TV’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) is the Fiedler’s high-strung party planner.

November 2006

11/7 CARS (Rated: G)

The high-octane Disney/Pixar team announce the DVD debut of the smash hit #1 animated and #2 biggest film of the year, CARS, in time for the holidays --November 7! From Academy Award® winning writer/director John Lasseter (Special Achievement, “Toy Story” 1996) and the creative team that thrilled audiences with unforgettable hits including “The Incredibles” and “Finding Nemo,” CARS is a musically-charged, comedy-adventure box office favorite about a hotshot rookie race car who, with a fun cast of car-acaters goes on the ride of his life. Starring Owen Wilson (“Wedding Crashers”), the legendary Paul Newman (Oscar® winner Best Actor “The Color of Money” 1986) and an all-star cast, CARS takes audiences of all ages on an incredible adventure that blends great music, heartfelt story and breathtaking animation. Loaded with a full tank of electrifying DVD bonus features, the highly-anticipated CARS DVD debut includes an exclusive all-new animated short “Mater and The Ghostlight,” starring audiences favorite character from the film, Mater, the good-hearted good ‘ol boy tow truck.

11/14

THE GOLDEN GIRLS: The Complete Sixth Season (Rated: TV-PG)

The girls are back for Season 6! Everyone’s favorite female foursome is sexier, sassier and more sarcastic than ever in The Golden Girls Season 6, a winning DVD box set from Buena Vista Home Entertainment available on November 14. This is the hilarious, must-see season with some of the biggest dating disasters yet as Sophia takes Blanche’s tips to attract a man, Dorothy is wooed by the one-and-only Sonny Bono and Rose tries skydiving to add spice to her dating relationship. And that’s just the beginning of a season-full of genius comedy that includes hilarious guest stars Debbie Reynolds and Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development and The Larry

Sanders Show).

11/14 HOME IMPROVEMENT: The Complete Fifth Season (Rated: TV-PG)

Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of one of America’s most beloved comedies with Home Improvement: The Complete Fifth Season, on DVD November 14 from Touchstone Television and Buena Vista Home Entertainment. The ever-popular Tim Allen (“Disney’s Santa Clause 3”) leads the way to another hysterical season of laughs and fun, in a 3-disc box set that includes exclusive DVD bonus footage found only on DVD.

11/14 DISNEY’S ADVENTURES OF THE GUMMI BEARS: Volume One (Rated: G)

For the first time ever on DVD, Disney’s first animated television series – Disney Adventures of The Gummi Bears, Volume One. Originally broadcast from 1985 to 1990, the Gummi Bears helped kick start the television animation boom in the 80’s and formed the anchor for Disney's weekday afternoon block. Inspired by the Gummi Bears candy, the animated series follows the adventures of a family of lovable Bears in medieval times who gain super powers when they drink Gummi Berry juice! The 3-Disc Set includes all 47 fun-loving episodes from the first 3 seasons -perfectly timed for Holiday gift giving!

11/14 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey Saves Santa and Other Mouseketales (Not Rated)

Come inside Mickey’s magical clubhouse with the “Sensational Six” – Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto. They’re ready for adventure and learning-based fun in Disney’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey Saves Santa And Other Mouseketales, the laugh-filled animated preschool series, available for the first time on Disney DVD on November 14. The debut of “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” on the Disney Channel enjoyed the highest ratings ever for a Playhouse Disney premiere.

11/21 ALIAS: The Complete Fifth Season (Rated: TV-14-V)

Alias fans can complete their collection as the thrilling final season of the award-winning show comes to DVD on November 21. From Buena Vista Home Entertainment and Touchstone Television, Alias: The Complete Fifth Season features the entire fifth and final season and comes loaded with exclusive bonus not found anywhere else.

Alias: The Complete Fifth Season is packed with never-before-seen bonus including interviews with the case, deleted scenes, bloopers, and more. Go behind the scenes for an exclusive look at the 100th episode celebration.

Take an on-the-set visit with new cast member Rachel Nichols. Experience the making of Alias’ music, bloopers, deleted scenes and more!

11/21 ALIAS: The Complete Collection (Rated: TV-14-V)

From the groundbreaking pilot to the heartstopping finale, own every episode of TV’s super-spy thriller ‘Alias’ in Alias: The Complete Collection – Seasons 1-5, the ultimate DVD box set, available on November 21. Alias: The Complete Collection is available in a stunning limited edition, gold-foil embossed replica of a genuine show artifact: The Rambaldi Box. This high-end collector’s edition contains every episode of every season plus a hardcover book revealing new insights to the series from the show’s cast and creators. The exclusive bonus disc comes hidden in a special compartment and is loaded with all-new special features. In all, 29 discs containing all 105 episodes and hours of original bonus. The Alias: The Complete Collection – Seasons 1-5 bonus disc features hours of never-before-seen extras including Jennifer Garner in her first interview as Sydney Bristow, an emotional cast reunion on the set of the final episode, the best and sexiest aliases of Alias. Additional bonus includes a wide ranging interview with creator J.J. Abrams, interviews with Jimmy Kimmel, Jennifer Garner and other special guests, and more including a fan tribute and the truth about the number “47.”

11/21 GRAND THEFT AUTO: Tricked Out Special Edition (Rated: PG)

Written and directed by Ron Howard (director of “The Da Vinci Code,” “Cinderella Man” and many more)!

Rich girl Paula rebels against her parents and races off to Vegas to get hitched with her boyfriend Sam. But there’s a reward on Paula for getting her back, and soon she’s racing faster than ever to avoid getting caught.

Ron Howard also stars with Nancy Morgan, Elizabeth Rogers, Barry Cahill, Rance Howard, Paul Linke, Marion Ross and more. Executive Produced by Roger Corman.

December 2006

12/5 PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: Dead man’s Chest (Rated: PG-13)

Today, everyone’s a pirate as the world celebrates International “Talk Like a Pirate Day,” and to kick off the rabble rousing, Disney Home Entertainment announces the highly anticipated DVD release of Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. The action-packed worldwide film sensation will make its Disney DVD debut on December 5th . Starring Johnny Depp as that mischievous, heroic rogue Captain Jack Sparrow, this epic adventure has taken audiences by storm. The film’s Theatrical opening weekend was the biggest in U.S. box-office history, and the high-seas Hollywood tidal wave continues with a worldwide box-office gross of over a billion dollars to date, making it Disney’s most successful movie of all time. Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest will be released as both a deluxe 2-disc Special Edition DVD set and as a single-disc DVD. The single-disc DVD features screenwriter audio commentary and the hilarious, never-before-seen “Bloopers of the Caribbean.” The Special Edition features limited availability holographic packaging and includes all single disc features, plus a treasure-chest of bonus booty: a behind-the-scenes documentary; a Captain Jack featurette; a sword-fighting featurette; “Creating The Kraken” on the film’s stunning sea beast; “Fly On The Set” – an on-location view of filming; a featurette on the legend of Davy Jones; bonus program on the newly “re-Imagineered” Pirates of the Caribbean resort attraction; star-studded, red-carpet Hollywood premiere footage; producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s personal on-set photo diary, and more. Much of the bonus material is exclusive to this DVD release.

12/5 DISNEY DVD GAME WORLD: Disney Princess & Disney Dogs Editions (Not Rated)

Walt Disney Home Entertainment announces an exciting, all-new innovation in Disney DVDs: Disney DVD Game World. Combining the traditional fun of classic board games with interactive and immersive 3-D game environments, these DVD games are perfect for families who want to enjoy time together. Inspired by the favorite characters from Disney’s most popular films and the worlds they live in, the DVD games feature multilevel boards and thousands of mini-games, trivia questions, and activities for up to 4 players. Because the games use virtual game pieces and spinners and play on standard and mobile DVD players, they can also be enjoyed during holiday travel on flights or long road-trips. The first two titles in the Disney DVD Game World series are:

DISNEY PRINCESS EDITION, where players get the chance to become a Disney Princess, and DISNEY

DOGS EDITION, where players can adopt their favorite Disney dog to compete in the race to win the Blue Ribbon Challenge.

12/12 THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE

WARDROBE 4-DISC EXTENDED EDITION & GIFT SET (Not Rated)

For a very limited time, Walt Disney Home Entertainment presents the ultimate “Narnia” DVD collection: Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media present C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe Four-Disc EXTENDED EDITION available on DVD December 12. This extraordinary 4-disc DVD edition, a wondrous celebration of C.S. Lewis’ beloved fantasy world, will only be available for seven weeks over the holidays, making it an excellent holiday gift. The EXTENDED EDITION features a new, extended version of the film with enhanced special effects and an extended, climactic battle scene. Viewers will venture even deeper into the beloved fantasy world of ‘Narnia’ with “C.S. Lewis – The Dreamer Of Narnia,” an all-new feature-length film about the creative genius behind the ‘Narnia’ mythos. “Visualizing the Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe: The Complete Production Experience” is an in-depth look at the process and technology of adapting the book into the stunning motion picture. For the ultimate collector, there is The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe Four Disc GIFT SET. This limited-edition offering features the 4-disc DVD plus a pair of heirloom-quality bookends from the master creative artists at

WETA Ltd., the innovators who designed the breathtaking creatures for the film.

12/12 THE FOX & THE HOUND 2 (Rated: G)

Walt Disney Home Entertainment proudly presents the cherished characters, star-studded voice cast and tail-wagging musical adventure of Disney’s all-new THE FOX AND THE HOUND 2, the much anticipated sequel to the studio’s 1981 animated treasure. Brimming with memorable songs from country music luminaries Reba McEntire and Trisha Yearwood, boasting a celebrity cast featuring Patrick Swayze and comedian Jeff Foxworthy, filled with Disney’s renowned rich animation, and offering interactive and entertaining bonus features, THE FOX AND THE HOUND 2 premieres on Disney DVD December 12, 2006. THE FOX AND THE HOUND 2 is a timeless, tune-filled tale of enduring relationships, delivering the simple, yet powerful message that true bonds run deep and genuine friendships can’t be broken. A perfect complement to Disney’s original classic, this heartwarming story finds playful pals Copper and Tod, a hound dog and a fox, still up to their mischievous ways. With Tod’s help, Copper seeks to find his greatest talent – which leads to an adventure at the county fair. When talented diva Dixie (voiced by Reba McEntire) quits the harmonizing novelty dog act, The Singin’ Strays, the stage door swings open for Copper to steal the spotlight and join the band under the tutelage of its success-driven leader, Cash (Patrick Swayze, “Ghost” and “Dirty Dancing”). But as Copper gleams in the limelight, Tod and Dixie quickly discover that playing second fiddle isn’t their true calling – and they hatch a scheme to make things right again. As the plan goes awry with disastrous results, everyone must bond together to bring harmony back to the mutual friendships, and fame where it most belongs.

12/12 WALT DISNEY TREASURES: WAVE SIX (Not Rated)

Walt Disney Home Entertainment presents more gems from the famed Disney vault! The popular WALT DISNEY TREASURES series is back with WAVE VI, four new, 2-disc DVD sets that feature rare and never-before-seen materials on DVD December 19, 2006. An amazing collection of animated and live-action programs, each keepsake volume is hosted by noted film historian Leonard Maltin and presented with superb picture and sound. These four must-own collections once more demonstrate the rich heritage of Walt’s legendary Studio. More Silly Symphonies presents a new collection of the young Disney Studio’s pioneering, outstanding early animated shorts, including two directed by Walt himself. The Complete Pluto Volume 2 delivers more hilarious hi-jinks from Mickey’s (and the world’s) beloved canine companion, Pluto. Your Host, Walt Disney brings legendary live-action TV shows, hosted by Walt, to a new generation; and The Mickey Mouse Club Featuring The Hardy Boys is a family adventure from the Golden Age of Television, featuring Disney’s first “Hardy Boys” serialized film in its entirety. All four 2-disc DVD sets feature rare or never-beforeseen bonus materials that delve even deeper into these rich collections of Disney lore.

--End of Release Schedule -

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NEWS & NEWS IN SPANISH

Nov. 22 On Monday, November 27th, 8:15 AM, at the US Airways ticket counter located in the Reagan National Airport, Imam Omar Shahin, one of the six Imams removed from US Airways flight 300, will join Imam Mahdi Bray, executive director of the MAS Freedom Foundation, Rabbi Arthur Waskow of the Shalom Center of Philadelphia, Rev Graylan Hagler of the United Church of Christ, Hillary Shelton, director of the NAACP-Washington National Office, and other interfaith members for a press statement, public prayer, and flight departure on US Airways.

The "pray-in" is in response to US Airways' removal of Imam Omar Shahin and five other Imams traveling from a religious leader's conference in Minnesota. Three of the Imams were observed praying prior to departure. Subsequent to boarding the plane, the six were removed from the flight, handcuffed, and detained in the airport for questioning for over five hours. Upon release, US Airways and other airlines refused to allow them to purchase tickets for other scheduled flights to Phoenix.

"The detention of these religious leaders, and the refusal of the airline to allow them travel, is a gross example of blatant Islamophobia and the violation of the civil rights of Muslim passengers", said Imam Mahdi Bray, executive director of the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation.

"The last time I checked, public prayer was still protected by the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and speech. It's a shame that as an African-American and a Muslim I have the double whammy of having to worry about driving while Black and flying while Muslim. We charge the airline with not only discrimination, but with an action that is insulting and demeaning to these Muslim religious leaders, and to all people of faith."

The MAS Freedom Foundation, and many in the interfaith and civil rights community, feel strongly that in addition to religious discrimination, the issue involving the six Imams is also a religious freedom issue. We have forwarded the case to several prominent civil and constitutional rights attorneys and legal scholars.

---

The Freedom Foundation is the public affairs arm of the Muslim American Society (MAS), a national grassroots religious, social, and educational organization. MAS is America's largest grassroots Muslim organization with over 50 chapters nationwide. Learn more at http://www.masnet.org

ship docks for cleaning

A thorough scrubbing of the Carnival Liberty began Sunday as the ship docked after a virus sickened nearly 700 passengers on a trans-Atlantic cruise.

Fourteen guests and five crew remained ill and in isolation when the ship arrived at Port Everglades, according to a statement released by Carnival Cruise Lines, a brand of Carnival Corp. Some passengers were escorted off the ship in wheelchairs by crew wearing blue gloves.

Preliminary tests identified the source of the outbreak as the highly contagious norovirus, which had struck several guests just before they boarded the cruise Nov. 3 in Rome, Carnival officials said. More than 530 guests and 140 crew reported to the ship's infirmary with similar symptoms during the 16-day voyage.

Passengers who fell ill during the cruise said they received over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication and pills or an injection to ward off nausea in the ship's infirmary, and had been quarantined in their cabins.

Crews scrubbed the ship's handrails and utensils, offered disinfecting hand gel and halted the self-serve buffets after the outbreak started. Even plastic menus were wiped clean, said Pedro Carreras, 51, of McDonough, Ga.

A team from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control boarded the cruise when it docked in St. Maarten to oversee the cleaning operation and try to determine what caused the outbreak, Carnival said.

Norovirus is a group of viruses that cause stomach flu symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps, according to the CDC. The illness usually lasts one to two days without any long-term health effects. It spreads through contaminated food or liquids, by touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then placing that hand in one's mouth, or through direct contact with someone who is infected and showing symptoms.

Food Industry Works On Ad Guidelines

November 18, 2006

In an epidemic of childhood obesity and increasing negative press, marketers have significantly strengthened their efforts to self-regulate food and beverage ads targeting kids under age 12.

The Council of Better Business Bureaus and the National Advertising Review Council have established the Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, a voluntary program with 10 major companies as charter members.

The initiative is designed to shift the focus of advertising messages to children and encourage healthier dietary choices and healthy lifestyles.

The participating companies are Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell Soup, Coca-Cola, General Mills, Hershey, Kellogg, Kraft, McDonald's, PepsiCo and Unilever.

All told, those companies account for approximately two-thirds of all food and beverage TV ads aimed at kids.

In addition, the self-regulatory guidelines for children's advertising have been revised in order to strengthen the ability of the CBBB's Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) to provide guidance and oversight to all industry sectors.

Susan Linn, co-founder of the nonprofit Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, blasted the efforts as "the clearest indication yet that, when it comes to marketing to children, self-regulation has failed. In the midst of an epidemic of childhood obesity, the industry has proposed a series of guidelines for junk-food advertising that are window dressing at best."

She maintained that the guidelines remain too vague and permissive, and will generate only cosmetic changes in the way marketers go about their business.

Today's initiative evolved from a review led by Joan Bernstein, a former director of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

"I commend these 10 companies for coming together in a meaningful new program that will have strong oversight," Bernstein said. "These efforts are a great step forward."

FTC chair Deborah Platt Majoras issued a statement praising the changes, saying that they "show real promise, and I hope they will encourage more competition in developing and marketing healthier products that are attractive to kids and their parents. The FTC works closely with a number of self-regulatory programs, and will be watching closely to see whether this program results in meaningful improvements in food and beverage advertising to children."

Under the terms of the new initiative, participating companies will devote at least half of their kid-directed advertising to promote healthier dietary choices and to similarly limit products shown in interactive games. They pledged not to advertise in elementary schools nor engage in product placement in editorial and entertainment content. The companies also said they would curtail the use of third-party licensed characters.

Gary Ruskin, executive director of consumer advocacy group Commercial Alert, dismissed the effort out of hand.

"Junk food marketers are dreaming if they think they can halt tough new laws against marketing to children," said Ruskin, who called on the next Congress to swiftly pass the Parents' Bill of Rights, which, among other provisions, would revoke the federal tax deduction for advertising to children under 12.

Business as usual with Republicans

Republicans in the House of Representatives re-elected two top leaders on Friday -- 10 days after American voters voiced discontent by turning over control of the legislative body to Democrats.

House Republicans stuck with John Boehner of Ohio to head their caucus, with Roy Blunt of Missouri remaining his deputy as party whip

While victorious, Boehner and Blunt said the party needs to focus on core conservative principles of limited government, personal responsibility and reform

Tornado kills 8 in N.C.

A tornado ripped apart a mobile home park in this tiny riverside community early Thursday, killing at least eight people and raising the death toll from a devastating band of thunderstorms sweeping across the South to 11.

Two other storm victims died in car crashes early Thursday as heavy rain pelted North Carolina, a utility worker checking powerlines during the storm was electrocuted in South Carolina, and a man died Wednesday when a tornado struck his home in Louisiana as the storms began their path of destruction across the South.

Officials at hospitals in Columbus County and neighboring New Hanover County said they were treating 22 people with storm-related injuries and that at least five, including four children, were in critical condition. Easley activated the State Emergency Response Team and sent in emergency crews.

Ron Steve, meteorologist with the Weather Service in Wilmington, said the tornado touched down in the Riegelwood area shortly after 6:30 a.m

Nov. 16 The following are the prepared remarks of Assistant Attorney General Wan J. Kim before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary:

Thank you. Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Leahy and distinguished members of the committee, it is a pleasure to appear before you

I have served as the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division for almost exactly one year now. I am honored to serve President Bush, Attorney General Gonzales and the professionals of the Civil Rights Division in this capacity.

I am pleased to report that the past year was full of outstanding accomplishments in the civil rights division, one in which we obtained many record levels of enforcement. I am proud of the professional attorneys and staff in the Division whose talents, dedication and hard work made these accomplishments possible. My prepared written statement details the accomplishments of each section of the division and I will only address portions of it here. Mr. Chairman, I would ask that the entirety of my prepared statement be placed into the record.

I will take just a brief opportunity to highlight some of the division's more notable accomplishments during the past year:

-- The Voting Section has filed 17 new lawsuits this year, more than doubling the average number of lawsuits filed during the preceding 30 years;

-- Just last week, we successfully mounted the largest election monitoring effort ever conducted by the Department of Justice for a mid-term election;

-- Earlier this year, the administration strongly supported passage of the Voting Rights Reauthorization legislation;

-- Last year, we obtained a record number of convictions in the prosecution of human trafficking crimes, deplorable offenses of fear, force and violence that disproportionately affect women and minority immigrants;

-- Last year, the Employment Litigation Section filed as many lawsuits challenging a pattern or practice of discrimination as during the last three years of the previous Administration combined;

-- Last year, the Housing and Civil Enforcement Section filed more cases alleging sexual harassment than in any year in its history;

-- Last year, pursuant to the Attorney General's Operation Home Sweet Home initiative, the Housing and Civil Enforcement Section conducted significantly more tests to ensure compliance with the Fair Housing Act and we are working to achieve an all- time number of such tests this year;

-- Last year, the Disability Rights Section has obtained the highest success rate to date in mediating complaints brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act (80 percent).

-- In the past six years, the Disability Rights Section has reached more than 80 percent of the agreements obtained with state and local governments under Project Civic Access, a program that has made cities more accessible and made lives better for more than three million Americans with disabilities;

-- In the past six years, we have ensured the integrity of law enforcement by more than tripling the number of agreements reached with police departments and convicting 50 percent more law enforcement officials for willful misconduct, such as the use of excessive force, as compared to the previous six years;

Before I close, I would like to note that the division will celebrate its 50th Anniversary next year. As this milestone draws nears, I have reflected upon the work of the division not only during my own time of service, but over the past half-century. Since our inception in 1957, the division has accomplished a great deal and we have much to be proud of. While citizens of all colors, from every background, living in all pockets of the country -- north and south, rural and urban -- have seen gains made on the civil rights front, one need not look back very far to recall a very different landscape.

This point was made more vivid for me when I traveled with Attorney General Gonzales to Birmingham, Ala., earlier this year. We attended the dedication of the 16th Street Baptist Church as a National Historic Landmark. In 1963, racists threw a bomb in this historically black church, killing four little girls who were attending Sunday School. Horrific incidents like this sparked the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 -- the most comprehensive piece of civil rights legislation passed by Congress since Reconstruction. While much has been achieved under that piece of legislation and other civil rights laws, the division's daily work demonstrates that discrimination still exists. Our work continues.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Leahy, for the opportunity to appear before you today. I look forward to your questions.

Cisco IP NGN ayuda a las ciudades suecas de Lund y Alvesta a convertirse en una de las comunidades de banda ancha más avanzadas de EuropaCisco y Labs2/ViaEuropa entregan velocidades de banda ancha simétricas de 1Gbps con la tecnología Ethernet Fiber-to-the-Home de Cisco

November 15, 2006 -- Cisco(R) (NASDAQ: CSCO) aanunció hoy que los residentes de Lunds Kommunala Bostäder (www.lkf.se) y Allbohus (www.allbohus.se) en Alvesta, al sur de Suecia, se beneficiarán de una de las mayores redes de banda ancha de Europa, basada en la arquitectura de Red IP de Próxima Generación (IP NGN) de Cisco. La red de fibra óptica, que conectará a 12.000 hogares de la región, está basada en la tecnología Ethernet Fiber-to-the-Home (E-FTTH) de Cisco, y entregará velocidades de acceso de bajada y de subida de hasta 1 gigabit por segundo, optimizadas para los servicios residenciales de triple pago que incorporan Internet, telefonía IP y servicios IPTV. Con este ancho de banda, los residentes de Lund y Alvesta podrán disfrutar de los mejores servicios IPTV de alta definición y estarán preparados para servicios multimedia como la telefonía por vídeo. Dimension Data Sverige A.B., un Socio Gold Certificado de Cisco, es el responsable de la integración de sistemas en este proyecto. La administración y la operación de la red y entrega del servicio corren a cargo de Labs2/ViaEuropa.

Jonas Birgersson, CEO de Labs2, dijo: "Nuestra plataforma de sistemas 'BRIKKS', combinada con el modelo de Red de Acceso Equitativo de Cisco, significa que nuestros clientes tendrán un fácil acceso a todos los servicios que se ofertan. Esto otorga a nuestros clientes la capacidad de crear sus propios paquetes de servicio cuando los necesiten. A la vez, nuestros socios proveedores de servicio pueden llegar a una amplia base de clientes ya establecida con un acceso de gran calidad".

"Desarrollamos el diseño ServiceFlex de nuestras soluciones Carrier Ethernet para ofrecer a operadores como Labs2 una plataforma muy segura, confiable y flexible que admite servicios residenciales y comerciales", dijo Jonas Phragmén, director de desarrollo de negocio para Banda Ancha en Cisco Suecia. "Lab2 puede también escalar la red en términos de banda ancha y capacidad para satisfacer la demanda y ofrecer una calidad de servicio asegurada, incluso en anchos de banda de 1 Gbps".

Las redes están diseñadas para satisfacer los requisitos de seguridad estipulados por la Asociación Sueca de Redes Urbanas (www.ssnf.org). Los enrutadores Cisco 7600 Series, y los conmutadores Cisco Catalyst(R) 3750 Series y Catalyst 3650 Series con enlaces de acceso de fibra E-FTTH, serán instalados en las redes de Lund y Alvesta con los recién presentados conmutadores ME3400 Series Metro Ethernet en la ubicación de los clientes, en edificios con varios residentes y en locales comerciales.

Acerca de Cisco Systems

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) es el líder mundial en redes que transforma la manera en que las personas se conectan, comunican y colaboran. Puede encontrar más información sobre Cisco en http://www.cisco.com. Para noticias recientes, visite http://newsroom.cisco.com. El equipo de Cisco en Europa se suministra por Cisco Systems International BV, subsidiaria de propiedad completa de Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cisco, el logotipo de Cisco, Cisco Systems, el logotipo de Cisco Systems y Catalyst son marcas comerciales registradas o marcas comerciales de Cisco Systems, Inc. y/o sus afiliadas en Estados Unidos y otros países. Todas las demás marcas comerciales mencionadas en este documento son propiedad de sus respectivos propietarios. El uso de la palabra socio no implica una relación de asociación entre Cisco y otra compañía. Este documento es información pública de Cisco.

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, a moderate Republican best known for his calm taking care of the city after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, has taken the first step in a 2008 presidential bid.

The former mayor filed papers to create the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Exploratory Committee, Inc., establishing a New York-based panel that would allow him to raise money to explore a White House run and travel the country.

Under federal election law, an exploratory committee allows an individual to travel and gauge the level of support for a candidacy without formally declaring themselves a candidate and adhering to all the federal rules of fundraising. An individual who spends money only to test the waters — but not to campaign for office — does not have to register as a candidate under the election law.

The GOP field is expected to grow with Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Sen. Bill Frist of Tennessee,( Whom may reconsider after last weeks republican swan dive), Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and New York Gov. George Pataki expected to join the presidential fray.

Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa has filed to establish a full-blown campaign committee and will make a more formal announcement of his candidacy later this month.

Giuliani was widely praised for leading the city during and after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He has said for months that he would wait until the end of the 2006 elections to decide whether to embark on a White House bid.

The former mayor is a moderate who supports gun control, same-sex civil unions, embryonic stem-cell research and abortion rights — stands that would put him at odds with the majority of the GOP conservative base.

New Featured Content Pays Tribute to Africa and Introduces Users to
Historical Maps from the David Rumsey Map Collection

Nov. 13, 2006 - In celebration of Geography
Awareness Week, Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) today released new Featured
Content for Google Earth that connects users to information about the
history of the world through one of the largest private map collections
in the US. Map overlays from the David Rumsey collection, which
integrate historic cartographic masterpieces dating as far back as the
17th century, have been brought to life for the first time using
advanced digitization techniques and innovative software tools in
Google Earth. Also available with this release in partnership with
National Geographic is an interactive geography quiz that enables users
to test their knowledge of this year's Geography Awareness Week focus
region of Africa.

"We are excited to partner with National Geographic to celebrate and
encourage the study of geography with Google Earth," said John Hanke,
director of Google Earth and Maps. "Our work with David Rumsey to
bring some of the finest privately held historical maps to users
worldwide further demonstrates how Google Earth can serve as a dynamic
tool for geographic discovery."

"National Geographic has been exploring and inspiring people to care
about the planet for more than a century," said Terry Garcia,
National Geographic's Executive Vice President for Mission Programs.
"Today, anyone hooked into the Web can explore any place on Earth at
the click of a mouse. Caring begins with seeing, and there's no
better way to see a place than to be there. So we know new geographic
tools such as Google Earth and the National Geographic-ESRI MapMachine
mean better stewardship of our world's extraordinary places, animals,
and cultures."

"I am thrilled to be able to share maps from my collection with users
worldwide in Google Earth," said David Rumsey. "As a longtime maps
enthusiast, it is wonderful to see the cutting edge technology of
Google Earth introduce people to the geographic history of our world in
a new and innovative way. The cartographers who made these historical
maps hundreds of years ago would be amazed and pleased to see their
treasures in Google Earth."

More details about this release:

· David Rumsey Historical Maps - Dating from 1680 to 1892, 16
historical maps representative of various regions around the world are
available for navigation in Google Earth, including Cassini's Globe
of 1790, a map of Africa from 1787, and a 1710 Japanese-Chinese map of
Asia. When overlaid with other data layers in Google Earth, these
historical maps show in vivid detail how places have evolved over time
and how people's perception of geography has changed.

· National Geographic Quiz on Africa - An interactive educational
quiz on Africa tests users knowledge of this year's Geography
Awareness focus region as an overlay within Google Earth.

· Tracks 4 Africa - This overlay incorporates community-generated
data about Africa from Tracks4Africa, an eco-travel community of users
who have collected data on roads, trails, track data, lakes, rivers,
and tourist points of interest.

· Spotlight on Africa - Featuring flags and information about the
53 sovereign nations of Africa, this overlay provides additional
context for this year's focus region.

More information about these Featured Content overlays is available at
http://www.google.com/educators/gaw.html. Users can access these new
Featured Content layers in the left sidebar of Google Earth.

Designed to promote the study of geography in the U.S. and across the
globe, Geography Awareness Week was first organized by the National
Geographic Society and was officially recognized as the third week in
November by President Ronald Reagan in 1987.

Google Earth combines satellite imagery, maps and the power of Google
Search to make the world's geographic information easily accessible and
useful. There have been over 100 million downloads of Google Earth
since the product's launch in June, 2005.

About Google Inc.
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Two Out of Three Americans See President Bush as Lame Duck; Approval Hits New Low

Large Majorities Support Democratic Priorities: Controlling Drug Prices (92 Percent); Increasing Minimum Wage (89 Percent); Investigating Government Contracts in Iraq (89 Percent)

Seventy-Eight-Percent Majority Concerned Democrats Will Move Too Hastily to Withdraw Troops From Iraq; 69 Percent Concerned Congress Might Keep Bush From Doing What's Necessary To Fight Terrorism

Thirty-Three Percent of Voters Say 'Good Chance' They'd Vote for Hillary in '08, 24 Percent Say So for Giuliani, 24 Percent for Rice, 20 Percent for McCain

Two-thirds of Americans-66 percent- believe that President Bush will be unable to get much done for the remainder of his second term, according to the November 9-10, 2006 Newsweek Poll. Only 30 percent say he can be effective. Bush's approval rating has dropped to an historic low in the Newsweek Poll of 31 percent-four points below the rating recorded the week before the midterm elections in the November 2-3 poll. Only 29 percent of Americans say they are satisfied with the way things are going in the United States; 63 percent say they are dissatisfied.

Days after Congressional elections gave Democrats control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, large majorities of Americans say they support the Democrats' legislative agenda including: allowing the government to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies to lower drug prices for seniors (92 percent of those polled say it should be a priority, 75 percent say it should be a top priority); increasing the minimum wage (89 percent say it should be a priority, 68 percent say it should be a top priority); and investigating government contracts in Iraq (89 percent say it should be a priority, 60 percent say it should be a top priority).

Additionally, 86 percent of Americans say that adopting new rules to limit the influence of lobbyists should be a priority, 89 percent say investigating charges of impropriety or wrong-doing by members of Congress should be a priority and 75 percent say investigating questions about the decision to go to war with Iraq should be a priority. Rolling back some of the Bush tax cuts receives less support; 40 percent say it should be a top priority, 32 percent say a lower priority. When asked whether Congress should impeach President Bush, 25 percent of Americans say it should be a top priority and 23 percent say it should be a lower priority. Fifty percent say it should not be done at all.

Americans also have concerns over actions the new Democratic Congress may take, according to the Newsweek Poll. Fifty-one percent are very concerned that Congress might push too hastily for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq; 27 percent are somewhat concerned. Only 20 percent say they are not too concerned or not at all concerned. And 43 percent are very concerned and 26 percent somewhat concerned that the new Congress may keep the Bush administration from doing what is necessary to combat terrorism. Twenty-nine percent say they are not too concerned or not at all concerned. Sixty-six percent are very or somewhat concerned that Congress might spend too much time investigating the Bush administration and Republican scandals; 32 percent are not too concerned or not at all concerned. Fifty-four percent of Americans say they are very or somewhat concerned that lawmakers might unfairly block qualified Bush appointments to the federal courts; 43 percent are not too concerned or not at all concerned.

Still, 51 percent of Americans-including 18 percent of Republicans-believe the Democrats winning control of Congress is a good thing, the Newsweek Poll shows. And 34 percent of Americans have a favorable impression of presumed House speaker Nancy Pelosi, versus 20 percent who have an unfavorable impression and 17 percent who have never heard of her. Twenty-five percent of Americans have a favorable impression of presumed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, versus 17 percent that have an unfavorable impression and 24 percent who have never heard of him.

When asked about overall priorities for the Congress and the President over the next two years, 51 percent of Americans say the Iraq war and national security should be the bigger priority, while 33 percent say domestic issues like the economy and health care should be. Fifteen percent say they should be equal priorities. When asked if Democrats and Republicans will be able to work together given that control of Congress and the White House is now split, 54 percent of Americans say that partisan bickering will prevent important work from getting done while 40 percent say the two sides will be able to work together.

Only 31 percent of Americans approve of how Vice President Dick Cheney is handling his job, according to the Newsweek Poll. Fifty-six percent disapprove. Twenty-four percent approve of how outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is handling his job; 62 percent disapprove. When asked why Bush may have refused Rumsfeld's resignation earlier in the administration, 83 percent say not wanting to change Pentagon leadership in the middle of a war was a reason (58 percent say it was a major reason), 78 percent say Bush's loyalty to those he works with was a reason (54 percent say it was a major reason), 78 percent say it was because Bush believed Rumsfeld was doing a good job and 74 percent say it was because of Bush's stubbornness and unwillingness to admit mistakes.

Looking ahead to the 2008 presidential election, the Newsweek Poll finds that 48 percent of registered voters would like generally to see a Democrat elected president; 28 percent want a Republican; 20 percent say they don't know. When it comes to specific potential candidates, 53 percent of registered voters say there's a chance they'd vote for Hillary Clinton (33 percent say a good chance). Forty-five percent say there is no chance. Fifty-one percent say there is a chance they would vote for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (24 percent say a good chance); 43 percent say there is no chance. Fifty-four percent say there is a chance they would vote for Rudy Giuliani (24 percent say a good chance); 32 percent say no chance. Fifty-four percent say there is a chance they would vote for John McCain (20 percent say a good chance); 32 percent say there is no chance.

For this Newsweek Poll, Princeton Survey Research Associates International interviewed 1,006 adults aged 18 and older on November 9-10, 2006. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points. This poll is part of the November 20 issue of Newsweek, on newsstands Monday, November 13. To interview Senior Editor Marcus Mabry on the poll, call Andrea Faville at 212-445-4859 or Jan Angilella at 212-445-5638.

                              Newsweek Poll                             Post-Election 2006             Princeton Survey Research Associates International                             Final Topline Results                                 (11/11/06)    N = 1,006 national adults, 18 and over   Margin of error: plus or minus 4   Interviewing dates: 11/9-10/06    SAMPLE SIZE/MARGIN OF ERROR FOR KEY SUBGROUPS:    289  Republicans (plus or minus 7)   346  Democrats (plus or minus 6)   347  Independents (plus or minus 6)    488  Men (plus or minus 5)   518  Women (plus or minus 5)    829  Whites (plus or minus 4)   162  Minorities (plus or minus 9)(1)    268  Evangelicals (plus or minus 7)   641  Non-Evangelicals (plus or minus 5)(2)    SAMPLE SIZE/MARGIN OF ERROR FOR REGISTERED VOTERS SUBGROUPS:    918  Registered voters (plus or minus x)    273  Republicans (plus or minus 7)   315  Democrats (plus or minus 7)   314  Independents (plus or minus 7)    395  Voted Dem for Congress (plus or minus 6)   280  Voted Rep for Congress (plus or minus 7)   127  Didn't vote for Congress (plus or minus 9)

Notes: Data is weighted so that sample demographics match Census Current Population Survey parameters for gender, age, education, race, region, and population density.

Reported sample sizes are unweighted and should not be used to compute percentages.

  An asterisk (*) indicates a value less than 1%.    Questions 1 and 2 were asked in random order.   (1) Minorities are: Hispanics, non-Hispanic blacks or African-Americans,      non-Hispanic Asians, and non-Hispanic other or mixed races.  (2) Includes all who do not identify as Evangelical Christians, including      Catholics, Jews, other faiths, and non-believers.    1. Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in the      United States at this time?                                   Satisfied     Dissatisfied   DK   Current Total                     29              63         8      =100   Trends(3)   (11/2-3/06)                       29              64         7      =100   (10/26-27/06)                     31              61         8      =100   (10/19-20/06)                     25              67         8      =100   (10/5-6/06) Foley scandal         25              67         8      =100   (8/24-25/06)                      28              65         7      =100   (8/10-11/06)                      26              67         7      =100   (5/11-12/06) NSA wiretapping      23              71         6      =100   (3/16-17/06)                      30              64         6      =100   (11/10-11/05)                     26              68         6      =100   (9/29-30/05)                      31              61         8      =100   (9/8-9/05) Hurricane Katrina      28              66         6      =100   (8/2-4/05)                        36              54        10      =100   (12/2-3/04)                       46              46         8      =100   (10/27-29/04)                     39              56         5      =100   (10/21-22/04)                     40              56         4      =100   (10/14-15/04)                     40              55         5      =100   (9/30-10/2/04)                    38              57         5      =100   (9/9-10/04)                       39              53         8      =100   (9/2-3/04)                        43              49         8      =100   (7/29-30/04)                      36              58         6      =100   (7/8-9/04)                        40              54         6      =100   (5/13-14/04) Prisoner abuse                 scandal             30              62         8      =100   (4/8-9/04)                        36              59         5      =100   (1/22-23/04)                      43              52         5      =100   (1/8-9/04)                        46              47         7      =100   (12/18-19/03) Saddam's capture    46              47         7      =100   (10/9-10/03)                      40              54         6      =100   (4/03) Iraq War                   50              41         9      =100   (9/02)                            41              55         4      =100   (7/02)                            46              46         8      =100   (9/01) Terrorist attacks          57              34         9      =100   (6/01)                            43              52         5      =100   (3/01)                            47              45         8      =100   (1/01)                            55              41         4      =100   (6/00)                            47              45         8      =100   (8/99)                            56              39         5      =100   (9/98)                            54              42         4      =100   (1/97)                            38              58         4      =100   (3/96)                            28              70         2      =100   (6/95)                            25              73         2      =100   (8/94)                            24              71         5      =100   (6/92) Recession                  14              84         2      =100   (3/91) Gulf War Victory           66              31         3      =100   (9/90)                            37              58         5      =100   (9/88)                            56              40         4      =100   (11/85)                           51              46         3      =100   (12/81) Recession                 27              67         6      =100   (7/79) Energy/Economic Crisis     12              84         4      =100    (3) Trends from 4/03, 9.02, 6/00-6/01 and 6/95-8/99 from Pew Research       Center; 7/79 - 6/92 from Gallup    2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his      job as president?                                      Approve    Disapprove      DK   Current Total                       31            63          6     =100   Trends(4)   (11/2-3/06)                         35            56          9     =100   (10/26-27/06)                       37            53         10     =100   (10/19-20/06)                       35            57          8     =100   (10/5-6/06)                         33            59          8     =100   (8/24-25/06)                        36            56          8     =100   (8/10-11/06)                        38            55          7     =100   (5/11-12/06)                        35            59          6     =100   (3/16-17/06)                        36            58          6     =100   (11/10-11/05)                       36            58          6     =100   (9/29-30/05)                        40            53          7     =100   (9/8-9/05)                          38            55          7     =100   (8/2-4/05)                          42            51          7     =100   (3/17-18/05)                        45            48          7     =100   (2/3-4/05)                          50            42          8     =100   (12/2-3/04)                         49            44          7     =100   (10/27-29/04)                       46            47          7     =100   (10/14-15/04)                       47            46          7     =100   (9/30-10/2/04)                      46            48          6     =100   (9/9-10/04)                         48            44          8     =100   (9/2-3/04)                          52            41          7     =100   (7/29-30/04)                        45            49          6     =100   (7/8-9/04)                          48            46          6     =100   (5/13-14/04)                        42            52          6     =100   (4/8-9/04)                          49            45          6     =100   (3/18-19/04)                        48            44          8     =100   (2/19-20/04)                        48            44          8     =100   (2/5-6/04)                          48            45          7     =100   (1/22-23/04)                        50            44          6     =100   (1/8-9/04)                          54            41          5     =100   (12/18-19/03)                       54            38          8     =100   (11/6-7/03)                         52            40          8     =100   (10/9-10/03)                        51            42          7     =100   (8/21-22/03)                        53            36         11     =100   (7/10-11/03)                        55            37          8     =100   (5/29-30/03)                        61            28         11     =100   (5/1-2/03)                          65            26          9     =100   (4/10-11/03)                        71            23          6     =100   (3/27-28/03)                        68            26          6     =100   (3/13-14/03)                        53            37         10     =100   (2/6-7/03)                          61            31          8     =100   (1/16-17/03)                        56            33         11     =100   (11/7-8/02)                         60            30         10     =100   (9/12-13/02)                        70            23          7     =100   (6/27-28/02)                        70            19         11     =100   (1/31-2/1/02)                       83            12          5     =100   (10/11-12/01)                       88             8          4     =100   (9/20-21/01)                        86            10          4     =100   (9/13-14/01)                        82            11          7     =100   (8/25-9/5/01)                       51            34         15     =100    (4) Full trendline from 1/04 to present; earlier trends selected. Approval       figures for 8/25-9/5/01 from Pew Research Center.     Lowest Approval Ratings for Past Presidents   President                               % Approve   Clinton                                 36    5/26-27/93 Newsweek   G.H.W. Bush                             29    7/31-8/2/92 Gallup   Reagan                                  35    1/28-31/83 Gallup   Carter                                  28    6/29-7/2/79 Gallup   Ford                                    37    1/10-13/75 & 3/28-31/75                                                  Gallup   Nixon                                   23    1/4-7/74 Gallup   Johnson                                 35    8/7-12/68 Gallup   Kennedy                                 56    9/12-17/63 Gallup   Eisenhower                              48    3/27-4/1/58 Gallup   Truman                                  22    2/9-14/52 Gallup   Roosevelt                               48    8/18-24/39 Gallup    Source: The Roper Center for Public Opinion Research iPoll database.     3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Dick Cheney is handling his job      as Vice President?                                  Approve        Disapprove    DK   Current Total                    31              56        13       =100    Republicans                      64              23        13       =100   Democrats                        12              79         9       =100   Independents                     28              59        13       =100    Trends(5)   (2/28/06-3/1/06)                 40              52         8       =100   (1/20-22/06)                     41              47        12       =100   (11/11-13/05)                    36              54        10       =100   (1/7-9/05)                       50              40        10       =100   (1/9-11/04)                      56              36         8       =100   (1/25-27/02)                     68              18        14       =100   (5/18-20/01)                     60              26        14       =100   (4/20-22/01)                     63              21        16       =100    (5) Trend results from Gallup/CNN/USA Today polls.    4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Rumsfeld is handling his      job as Secretary of Defense?                                   Approve   Disapprove     DK   Current Total                    24          62         14          =100    Republicans                      49          35         16          =100   Democrats                        12          77         11          =100   Independents                     20          68         12          =100    Trends (Total)   (10/5-6/06)                      30          55         15          =100   (4/28-30/06)(6)                  33          49         18          =100    (6) Trend results from CBS News poll.    5. Now thinking ahead to the next PRESIDENTIAL election in November 2008      ... In general, would you rather see  ...  (RESPONSE CATEGORIES      ROTATED) a Republican or a Democrat elected as our next president in      2008?    BASED ON REGISTERED VOTERS                                                       Other                               Republican  Democrat   party(7)     DK   Current Total                   28         48         4         20  =100    Republicans                     74         10         2         14  =100   Democrats                        3         88         2          7  =100   Independents                    20         37         7         36  =100    Trend   (5/11-12/06)(8)                 32         49         2         17  =100    (7) Other party was a volunteered response category.   (8) Question was asked of Total adults. Trend results recalculated to be       based on registered voters [N=897]    6. As I read you the names of some possible candidates for president in      2008, please tell me if there is a good chance, some chance, or no      chance you would vote for each one.  If I mention someone you've never      heard of, just say so.  (First,) what about...? (INSERT NAME. ROTATE      START) (Is there a good chance, some chance, or no chance you would      vote for (him/her) as a candidate for president?)     BASED ON REGISTERED VOTERS                               Good      Some       No      Never    DK                             chance    chance    chance   heard(9)   a. Joe Biden   Current Total                7        17        34        36     6  =100    b. Sam Brownback   Current Total                3         7        23        61     6  =100    c. Hillary Clinton   Current Total               33        20        45         *     2  =100    d. John Edwards   Current Total               15        28        36        16     5  =100    e. Al Gore   Current Total               21        24        53         *     2  =100    f. Newt Gingrich   Current Total               10        17        58        12     3  =100    g. Rudy Giuliani   Current Total               24        30        32        10     4  =100    h. Duncan Hunter   Current Total                1         6        19        69     5  =100    i. John Kerry   Current Total               16        24        55         2     3  =100    j. John McCain   Current Total               20        34        32        10     4  =100    k. Barack Obama   Current Total               20        19        24        34     3  =100    l. Condoleezza Rice   Current Total               24        27        43         4     2  =100    m. Mitt Romney   Current Total                6        13        27        48     6  =100   (9) Never heard of is a volunteered response category.     7. Turning to this week's elections, do you think it's a good thing or a      bad thing that the Democrats won control of both houses of Congress -      or that it won't make much difference either way?                                   Good      Bad      Not much                                 thing     thing    difference    DK   Current Total                   51        17         27         5   =100    Republicans                     18        48         28         6   =100   Democrats                       83         3         12         2   =100   Independents                    45        10         39         6   =100    Congress Vote-Rep               16        48         31         5   =100   Congress Vote-Dem               83         3         17         2   =100   Didn't vote                     44        12         37         7   =100    Men                             50        17         28         5   =100   Women                           53        17         26         4   =100    Whites                          49        21         26         4   =100   Minorities                      61         7         26         6   =100    Evangelicals                    45        23         26         6   =100   Non Evangelicals                53        16         27         4   =100    Trend (gop control)   (11/7-8/02)(10)                 30        34         29         7   =100    (10) Trend wording read: "Turning to this week's elections, do you think        it's a good thing or a bad thing that the Republicans won control of        both house of Congress or do you think it won't make much difference        either way?"    8. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Nancy Pelosi, who      will be House speaker in the new Congress?                                                    Never                          Favorable  Unfavorable   heard(11)   DK   Current Total              34         20         17         29   =100    Republicans                17         42         15         26   =100   Democrats                  48          7         16         29   =100   Independents               34         18         16         32   =100    Trend   (10/19-20/06)(12)          25         26         26         23   =100    (11) Never heard of her was a volunteered response category.   (12) Trend wording read: "Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion        of Nancy Pelosi, who is in line to become speaker if the Democrats        win enough seats in November to control the U.S. House of        Representatives?"     9. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Harry Reid, who will      be the Senate Majority Leader in the new Congress?                                                    Never                          Favorable  Unfavorable   heard(13)   DK   Current Total              25         17         24         34   =100    Republicans                14         34         23         29   =100   Democrats                  34          8         23         35   =100   Independents               25         15         27         33   =100    (13) Never heard of was a volunteered response category.    10. We're interested in why you think the Democrats were able to regain       control of Congress in this week's elections.  As I read some possible       reasons, please tell me if you think each is a major reason, a minor       reason, or not a reason for the Democrats' success.  (First,) what       about this possible reason ... (INSERT-READ AND RANDOMIZE)? (Is this a       major reason, a minor reason, or not a reason for the Democrats'       success?)                                                           Not a                                       Major    Minor    reason     DK   a. Disapproval of President   Bush's overall job performance   Current Total                        71       20         8       1  =100    b. Disapproval of how the Bush   administration has handled   the war in Iraq   Current Total                        85        8         5       2  =100    c. Corruption charges and   scandals involving Republicans   Current Total                        52       33        13       2  =100    d. Dissatisfaction with how   Republicans have handled   government spending and the deficit   Current Total                        67       23         8       2  =100    e. Democrats' ideas and   proposals for changing   course in Iraq   Current Total                        61       23        12       4  =100    f. Democrats' ideas and   proposals for improving   the economy and job situation   Current Total                        47       33        18       2  =100    g. Democrats' ideas and   proposals for improving   health care   Current Total                        47       32        17       4  =100    h. Democrats' ideas and   proposals for protecting   the environment and developing   alternative energy sources   Current Total                        35       40        21       4  =100    i. Democrats had better   candidates   Current Total                        27       38        30       5  =100    j. Disapproval of the overall   job performance of Republicans   in Congress   Current Total                        63       26         8       3  =100    k. Disapproval of the apparent   arrogance of Republicans   in Washington   Current Total                        50       28        18       4  =100    l. Dissatisfaction with the   partisan approach of Republicans   in Congress   Current Total                        48       33        13       6  =100    11. In general, which ONE of the following do you think should be a bigger       priority for Congress and the President over the next two       years...(READ AND ROTATE 1-2)?                   Iraq war and   Domestic issues                    national      econ. & like       Both                    security      health care      equally(14)   DK   Current Total      51              33              15          1   =100    Republicans        65              24              11          *   =100   Democrats          46              36              17          1   =100   Independents       49              35              15          1   =100    (14) Both equally is a volunteered response category.    12. As you may know, the Constitution prevents George W. Bush from running       for a third term in 2008. Do you think Bush can be an effective       president during his last two years in office, OR that he won't be       able to get much done for the rest of his second term?                                                   Won't be able                                      Can be       to get much                                    effective         done         DK   Current Total                        30             66           4    =100    Republicans                          55             42           3    =100   Democrats                            14             82           4    =100   Independents                         28             69           3    =100    Trend   (10/19-20/06)                        33             56          11    =100     13. As I read you some things the new Democratic Congress might do over       the next two years,  please tell me if you think each should be one of       their TOP priorities, a lower priority, or should not be done at all.       (First,) what about... (INSERT-READ AND ROTATE)?  Should this be one       of their TOP priorities, a lower priority, or should this not be       done?(15)                                      Top       Lower    Not    DK                                    priority   priority  done   a. New rules to limit the       influence of lobbyists   Current Total                       52         34      10     4     =100    Republicans                         51         35      10     4     =100   Democrats                           57         31       8     4     =100   Independents                        49         36      11     4     =100    Trend   (10/19-20/06)                       52         29       9    10     =100    b. Enacting all the recommendations       of the 9/11 commission   Current Total                       50         36       6     8     =100    Republicans                         44         39       9     8     =100   Democrats                           56         30       5     9     =100   Independents                        49         41       5     5     =100    Trend   (10/19-20/06)                       52         30       7    11     =100    c. Increasing the minimum wage   Current Total                       68         21      10     1     =100    Republicans                         48         33      18     1     =100   Democrats                           86         10       4     *     =100   Independents                        64         23      11     2     =100    Trend   (10/19-20/06)                       68         21       9     2     =100    d. Allowing the government       to negotiate directly with       pharmaceutical companies to       lower drug prices for seniors   Current Total                       75         17       7     1     =100    Republicans                         67         21      10     2     =100   Democrats                           86         11       2     1     =100   Independents                        68         21      10     1     =100    Trend   (10/19-20/06)                       74         18       6     2     =100    e. Broadening the kinds of       stem cell research       that can receive federal       funding    Current Total                       48         31      17     4     =100    Republicans                         34         29      32     5     =100   Democrats                           58         29       9     4     =100   Independents                        50         32      15     3     =100    Trend   (10/19-20/06)                       44         31      19     6     =100    f. Rolling back some of the       Bush tax cuts   Current Total                       40         32      24     4     =100    Republicans                         20         28      48     4     =100   Democrats                           58         29      10     3     =100   Independents                        35         38      22     5     =100    Trend   (10/19-20/06)                       38         28      28     6     =100    g. Investigating government       contracts in Iraq   Current Total                       60         29      10     1     =100    Republicans                         40         39      19     2     =100   Democrats                           73         21       4     2     =100   Independents                        62         28      10     0     =100    Trend   (10/19-20/06)                       58         29       8     5     =100    h. Investigating questions       about the decision to       go to war with Iraq   Current Total                       49         26      23     2     =100    Republicans                         23         28      48     1     =100   Democrats                           66         25       8     1     =100   Independents                        50         28      20     2     =100    Trend   (10/19-20/06)                       52         25      19     4     =100    i. Investigating charges of       impropriety or wrong-doing       by members of Congress   Current Total                       55         34       9     2     =100    Republicans                         41         43      15     1     =100   Democrats                           63         30       6     1     =100   Independents                        59         31       8     2     =100    Trend   (10/19-20/06)                       62         27       7     4     =100    j. Cutting the interest rate       on federal student loans   Current Total                       53         38       8     1     =100    Republicans                         42         43      14     1     =100   Democrats                           60         34       5     1     =100   Independents                        51         40       8     1     =100    k. Impeaching George W. Bush   Current Total                       25         23      50     2     =100    Republicans                          8         11      81     *     =100   Democrats                           38         28      33     1     =100   Independents                        23         26      48     3     =100    Trend   (10/19-20/06)                       28         23      44     5     =100    (15) Trend wording read: "As I read you some things the Democrats might do        over the next two year if they take control of Congress, please tell        me if you think each should be one their TOP priorities, a lower        priority, or should not be done at all."    14. Now that control of Congress and the White House is divided between       the parties, do you think the two sides will work together and get       some important work done for the country, or that partisan bickering       will prevent them from getting much done over the next two years?     Current                                            Rep     Dem      Ind         40 Will be able to work together               38      47       33         54 Partisan bickering will prevent             58      49       60          6 Don't know                                   4       4        7        100                                            100     100      100     Questions 15 and 16 were asked in random order.    15. Do you think the Democrats will use their new power in Congress to try       to move the country in a more liberal direction, in a more       conservative direction or do you think they will take a more moderate       approach?    Current                                              Rep     Dem     Ind        34 Will try to move the country in a more           liberal direction                             52      27      30         9 Will try to move the country in a more           conservative direction                         6      12      10        50 Will take a more moderate approach            37      55      54         7 Don't know                                     5       6       6       100                                              100     100     100    16. Do you think the Democrats SHOULD use their new power in Congress to       try to move the country in a more liberal direction, in a more       conservative direction or do you think they SHOULD take a more       moderate approach?    Current                                                Rep    Dem    Ind        20 Should try to move the country in a more           liberal direction                                8     29     19        19 Should try to move the country in a more           conservative direction                          32     14     16        57 Should take a more moderate approach            57     54     62         4 Don't know                                       3      3      3       100                                                100    100    100     17. Please tell me how concerned you are, if at all, that the new       Democratic Congress will do each of the following. (First,) what       about... (INSERT-READ AND ROTATE)?  Are you very concerned, somewhat       concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned (that the new       Democratic Congress will do this)?                                                   Not   Not at                                 Very  Somewhat   too    all     DK   a. Spending too much time   investigating the   Bush administration and   Republican scandals   Current Total                   34     32       16     16      2  =100   Trend   (10/17-22/06)(16)               25     28       25     18      4  =100    b. Going too far in rolling   back the Bush tax cuts   Current Total                   30     31       19     17      3  =100    c. Pushing for a too hasty   withdrawal of U.S. troops   from Iraq   Current Total                   51     27        9     11      2  =100    d. Keeping the Bush   administration from doing   what is necessary to combat   terrorism   Current Total                   43     26       14     15      2  =100    e. Unfairly blocking qualified   Bush appointments to the   federal courts   Current Total                   28     26       19     24      3  =100     (16) Trend results from Pew Research Center. Trend wording read: "How        concerned are you, if at all, that if the Democrats take control of        the Congress this fall they will spend too much time investigating        the Bush administration and the Republicans in Congress?" Figure for        "somewhat concerned" reflect the result for trend's "fairly        concerned" category.     18. Now turning to the topic of Iraq... All in all, do you think the       United States is making progress or losing ground in its efforts to       establish security and democracy in Iraq?                          Making progress   Losing ground     DK   Current Total                 30              63           7        =100    Republicans                   59              35           6        =100   Democrats                     17              78           5        =100   Independents                  24              67           9        =100    Trends   (10/26-27/06)                 29              60          11        =100   (10/5-6/06)                   29              64           7        =100   (8/10-11/06)                  31              58          11        =100   (9/8-9/05)                    40              49          11        =100   (8/2-4/05)                    40              50          10        =100     19. From what you know now, do you think the United States did the right       thing in taking military action against Iraq, or not?                                        Yes          No        DK   Current Total                        41          54         5       =100    Republicans                          79          20         1       =100   Democrats                            20          75         5       =100   Independents                         36          58         6       =100    Trends(17)   (10/26-27/06)                        43          49         8       =100   (10/19-20/06)                        39          54         7       =100   (10/5-6/06)                          41          53         6       =100   (8/10-11/06)                         49          47         4       =100   (9/8-9/05)                           46          49         5       =100   (10/27-29/04) RVs(18)                51          45         4       =100   (9/2-3/04) RVs                       55          38         7       =100   (5/13-14/04)                         51          43         6       =100   (4/8-9/04)                           57          39         4       =100   (3/25-26/04)                         55          41         4       =100   (3/18-19/04)                         57          37         6       =100   (1/29-30/04)                         55          39         6       =100   (12/18-19/03)                        62          32         6       =100   (11/6-7/03)                          55          38         7       =100   (10/23-24/03)                        59          34         7       =100   (10/9-10/03)                         56          37         7       =100   (9/11-12/03)                         64          31         5       =100   (8/21-22/03)                         61          33         6       =100   (7/24-25/03)                         68          28         4       =100    (17) Trend wording for 2005 read "From what you know now, do you think the        United States did the right thing in taking military action against        Iraq two years ago, or not?". Trend wording for 2004 read "...        against Iraq last year, or not?"    (18) September and October 2004 trend results based on registered voters.

20. For how long would you personally support keeping large numbers of U.S. military personnel in Iraq ... (READ)

Current 8/10-11/06 9/8-9/05 8/2-4/05 38 Total less than a year/Bring home now(19) 38 45 50 25 One to two years 18 19 13 9 Three to five years 7 6 5 1 Six to 10 years 1 1 1 * More than 10 years 1 * * 24 As long as it takes to achieve U.S. goals in Iraq 30 25 26 3 Don't know 5 4 5 100 100 100 100 (19) No longer/Bring them home now was a volunteered response category. 21. As you may know, Donald Rumsfeld is stepping down as Secretary of Defense. President Bush has said he refused to accept Rumsfeld's resignation earlier in the administration. As I read some possible reasons, please tell me if you think each is a major reason, a minor reason, or not a reason Bush refused to accept Rumsfeld's resignation before this week. (First,) what about this possible reason ... (INSERT-READ AND RANDOMIZE)? (Is this a major reason, a minor reason, or not a reason why Bush refused to accept Rumsfeld's resignation before this week?) Not a Major Minor reason DK a. Bush is loyal to those who work with him Current Total 54 24 16 6 =100 b. Bush did not want to change leadership at the Pentagon in the middle of a war Current Total 58 25 13 4 =100 c. Bush is stubborn and does not like to admit mistakes Current Total 56 18 22 4 =100 d. Bush believed Rumsfeld was doing a good job Current Total 53 25 16 6 =100 22. Thinking about U.S. foreign policy, would you prefer President Bush to cooperate more closely with other countries, as his father, the former President Bush did, or should President Bush work more independently of other countries? 67 Work more closely with other countries 25 More independent foreign policy 8 Don't know 100 D2. Now I have just a few more questions so we can describe the people who took part in our survey ... Regardless of how you might have voted in recent elections, in politics TODAY, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, or Independent? Total RVs 25 Republican 27 37 Democrat 36 35 Independent 35 2 No party/Not interested (VOL.) 1 0 Other party (VOL.) 0 1 Don't know 1 100 100

President Bush marked Veterans Day by praising U.S. troops who have fought oppression around the world, yet spoke only briefly about Iraq, where U.S. commanders are re-evaluating strategy.

Speaking three days after announcing the ouster of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, Bush hailed members of the armed services — past, present and future — for their dedication and bravery.

"They confront grave danger to defend the safety of the American people. They brought down tyrants. They've liberated two nations. They have helped bring freedom to more than 50 million people. Through their sacrifice, they're making this nation safer and more secure, and they are earning the proud title of veteran," Bush said in a speech Saturday at Arlington National Cemetery.

Bush did not reference Iraq and Afghanistan by name, though he did say, "From Valley Forge to Vietnam, from Kuwait to Kandahar, from Berlin to Baghdad, our veterans have borne the costs of America's wars, and they have stood watch over America's peace."

Minutes before his remarks, the president laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns and held his hand over his heart as a bugler played taps. Cannons fired a 21-gun salute and soldiers holding rifles stood at attention as Bush's motorcade made its way through the cemetery on a sunny fall morning

LMNO Productions anuncia alianza con celebridad culinaria Chef LaLa para crear programación Televisiva bilingüe

LMNO Productions, productora ejecutiva del nuevo programa de entrevistas (talk show) en horario diurno “The Dr. Keith Ablow Show” ha establecido una alianza exclusiva con Chef LaLa, celebridad de renombre internacional, para la creación de programas televisivos bilingües entre los que figurará un talk show diurno. El anuncio fue dado a conocer en el día de hoy por Eric Schotz, presidente y director ejecutivo de LMNO Productions; y Jeremy Brown, presidente de Sliced Up Entertainment.

“Chef LaLa tiene todo lo necesario para ser una exitosa presentadora en horario diurno”, aseguró Schotz. “Es divertida, convincente e inteligente en lo que respecta a su especialidad, y tiene esa rara combinación que llega tanto a las audiencias de habla hispana como a las angloparlantes. Estamos extremadamente entusiasmados de trabajar con ella”.

La multitalentosa chef y nutricionista con adiestramiento Cordon Bleu es conocida por enfocar su exploración culinaria en preparaciones saludables de la cocina hispana, así como por sus numerosas presentaciones en programas de radio y televisión. Además, es autora del libro de cocina con récords de venta titulado “Latin Lover Lite”.

“La formación de un gran equipo es similar a la del plato perfecto. Los ingredientes idóneos, y enormes cantidades de talento”, explicó Chef LaLa. “Además, una pizca de pasión y un cronometraje perfecto. La alianza con LMNO Productions y Sliced up Entertainment es una receta para el éxito”.

El talk show, que ya tiene el título tentativo de “U’ LaLa”, tiene como propósito atraer a una audiencia culturalmente múltiple, y será mucho más que un programa culinario, pues tendrá un ritmo animado y será informativo y entretenido, con énfasis en el arte de vivir, no en el estilo de vida. El programa se caracterizará por su conexión diaria con la audiencia, presentando informaciones útiles con aplicaciones prácticas. Los invitados tendrán una amplia gama de procedencias, y no todos serán necesariamente celebridades.

Chef LaLa cuenta con una cantidad enorme y extremadamente diversa de admiradores, lo cual hace que sea la presentadora idónea para una programación bilingüe, comentó Brown. “La producción de estos programas en inglés y en español será una ardua tarea, y no pudimos pensar en nadie mejor para emprenderla que LMNO Productions”, enfatizó el presidente de Sliced Up Entertainment.

LMNO Productions, fundada en 1989, ha producido más de 700 programas y 60 series para la televisión por red, cable y de alcance nacional. Entre los créditos de LMNO, proveedora de programación de realidad, documental, informativa y de entretenimiento en todo el mundo, figuran “Kids Say the Darndest Things” presentado por Bill Cosby; “Wickedly Perfect” y “Fire Me…Please” para CBS; “Guinness World Records: Primetime” para FOX; “Behind Closed Doors with Joan Lunden” para A&E, y “The Dr. Keith Ablow Show” para Telepictures. Para obtener información acerca de la compañía y su programación, visite el sitio Web http://www.lmnotv.com.

Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record), considered the front-runner for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, intends to launch an exploratory committee next week, GOP officials said Friday.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting a public statement from the four-term Arizona senator.

McCain, the GOP maverick who unsuccessfully sought his party's nomination in 2000, already has opened a bank account for the committee, one official said.

"The senator has made no decision about running for president," said Eileen McMenamin, a McCain spokeswoman.

Aides to McCain say the senator will discuss a presidential bid with his family over the Christmas holiday.

McCain is a former Navy pilot who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam. He was elected to the Senate in 1986, and served in the House for four years before that.

If McCain were to run, he would turn 72 on Aug. 29, 2008, at the height of the campaign. Only President Reagan was older — 73 at the start of his second term. McCain's health could be another issue. The senator has had several cancerous lesions removed from his skin.

Remarks by Secretary Rumsfeld at the Landon Lecture at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.

(Applause.)

SEC. RUMSFELD: Thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank you very much. I appreciate that. (Applause.)

General Dick Myers, thank you so much for those words.

And ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for that very warm welcome.

Later today, we'll be attending the dedication of a building here at Kansas State in General Myers' honor, which is a well-deserved tribute to one of this university's most distinguished alumni. Dick and Mary Jo were college sweethearts. They were married on this campus.

And my wife Joyce and I go back even farther. We met in high school and have been married some 52 years. (Applause.) Someone asked Joyce one day, how in the world did you stay married to that guy for 52 years? She very quickly said he travels a lot. (Laughter.) I thought she was kidding. (Laughter.)

Well, Dick Myers has traveled a good bit himself, and I'm sure Mary Jo would never say something like that. (Laughter.) Over the years, Dick and Mary Jo have been through countless moves. They've traveled places across the globe to serve our country. But I can tell you that their hearts have always belonged to Kansas. And I think -- I think everyone here would agree that they have done Kansas proud. Indeed, they have done our nation proud. (Applause.)

President Wefald, Mr. Reagan, Mr. Seton (ph), I certainly appreciate this invitation.

I hope all of you appreciate how I have managed so skillfully public affairs for this event. (Laughter.) I wanted to put the Landon Lecture on the map, so I did my best! (Applause.) I'm glad I could help out. (Laughter.)

It was Nancy Kassebaum, Alf Landon's daughter, who first talked to me about coming to do this lecture. And it was in Japan when her husband, Howard Baker, was the ambassador. And I said I'd really like to do it, and I'm glad I could be here.

Mr. Adams and members of the faculty -- Lucas, president of the student body -- is that what it's called? How did you do it? (Laughter.) It was easy, huh? Well, congratulations to you.

Congressman Moran, it's good to see you. I want to thank you for being here and for your service to the country.

We're also very honored to have a very special veteran with us here, born in Manhattan, a hero of the battle of Normandy, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Walter Ehlers. Where is Walter? (Applause.)

General Petreaus, General Ham, thank you both for your superb service to the country. And certainly a very special greeting to the men and women here from Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth, the Kansas State Army and Air Force ROTC cadets, volunteers all. We are deeply grateful to each of you for your service to the country and for your commitment to the defense of our nation.

I would start on a personal note. My time as secretary of Defense, I've come away truly inspired by the professionalism, the dedication, the dignity of the men and women in uniform and the folks at the Department of Defense who work every day to help keep the American people safe. When I was in Afghanistan not long ago, a young soldier told me -- he said, I really can't believe we're allowed to do something this important. You know, I feel the same way. I'm so honored to have had the opportunity to be part of something so important, so vital to the future of our country and to the cause of human freedom. It has been the highest honor of my life to serve our country and to work so closely with our outstanding troops.

It's a pleasure to take part in this lecture series, named for a governor, a presidential candidate and a statesman of great civility. But I guess that perhaps what he was most proud of was that he was a Kansan, and he said so frequently.

It's said that the geographic center of the 48 states is here in Kansas, and that's fitting. If you think about it, this part of the world has given our nation some of the truly great leaders of the last century: Governor Landon; along with him was General Dwight Eisenhower from Abilene; Bob Dole from Russell; Harry Truman, who lived next door in Missouri. One of Ronald Reagan's biographers said that he really never understood President Reagan until he went to Illinois and experienced firsthand where President Reagan had grown up.

These individuals embodied the values instilled in the sons and daughters of this part of the Great Plains and Midwest. Here, folks tend to have a good perspective about things, about the difference between right and wrong. They've grown up with an appreciation for the splendor and the decency of America and of the American people.

Well, we meet today at a time of peril for our nation and for the principles that it represents. In a sense, this is not new. In different ways at different times and from different sources, our nation and our values have been threatened since our very beginnings as a country. But today, in the first war of the 21st century, we face an enemy that in many ways is unlike any our country has ever faced in our long history. We're engaged in a new and unfamiliar war that is even today not yet well understood. It's a struggle that will require all of us -- our country, our government, our military, and the American people -- to think and act differently than we have in other conflicts. And I want to spend a few minutes talking about this challenge before responding to some questions.

I'm told that Kansas State has a Cold War studies program that examines the history of the long twilight struggle. Well, like the Cold War, this era finds America and our allies in a struggle against an ideology of global reach. And like the Cold War, this era requires us to adapt and adjust our strategies, our way of thinking and our institutions.

Forty years ago, Governor Landon spoke about the challenge of that era and the need to face what he called the new realities of international life. When he spoke in 1966, there was most certainly no assurance that America would prevail against the Soviet Union. That year, the number of troops in Vietnam nearly doubled, to more than 300,000, in an increasingly divisive conflict. No less than seven violent coups occurred around the world that year. There was doubt and division, even among our allies, even within our own country. France pulled out of the NATO defense structure and invited NATO out of France.

When I was U.S. ambassador to NATO, I had to race back to Washington to testify before a U.S. Senate committee against an amendment -- a Senate amendment -- that proposed to withdraw all of our forces from Western Europe. Euro-communism, the so-called "good communism," was very much en vogue. It was popular. Many of the so- called elites in our country argued that America was the problem, not the Soviet Union; that the arms race was a big misunderstanding. Millions of people demonstrated and marched not against the Soviet Union, but against the United States and our European allies. We tend to forget that. Almost until the day of its demise, many argued that communism was the wave of the future.

President Reagan used to tell a story of a young Soviet who finally saved up enough money to buy a car, and the Soviet clerk stamped the man's paper and told him he would get his car in 10 years. The young man asked, will it come in the morning or the afternoon? (Laughter.) The clerk, astonished, responded, well, what difference does it make? And the young man replied, because the plumber's coming in the morning. (Laughter.) The great lesson of the Cold War is that totalitarianism, ruled by fear and terror in whatever guise it takes, ultimately does not work. And when people finally realize that truth, those systems tend to collapse.

Today marks the 17th anniversary of the breach of the Berlin Wall, the most visible symbol of the end of an era and of a bankrupt ideology. When thousands of Berliners climbed over that wall to reunite with friends and family that they had been separated from for decades, they went in one direction: they went west, to the free world, and they vividly understood exactly what it was that they had been fighting for all those years.

There are some similarities between the Cold War and the struggle we face today, but this long war represents and presents unprecedented challenges for us wholly unlike any that the United States has ever faced. There can be no doubt but that the murderous communist regimes imprisoned, starved and sometimes massacred their own citizens. We know that. But they were nation-states. They had capitals. They had laws. They had five-year plans. They had diplomats to sign agreements, even if they broke them.

Unlike the Cold War, our enemy has no state and no territories to defend. They murder innocent Muslim civilians by the thousands -- men, women and children alike. The enemy cannot be deterred through rational self-interest. Today's threats come less from nation-states, but rather from enemies that operate in the shadows, that strike through asymmetric and irregular means.

On September 11th, we saw the deadly effects of this new type of warfare. Armed with $5 box cutters, 19 hijackers killed 3,000 Americans and inflicted hundreds of billions of dollars in damage. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the insurgents fashion deadly IEDs and road bombs using propane tanks and garage-door openers. Nations like Iran and Syria seek to undermine U.S. and allied interests by moving weapons and money and terrorists and insurgents. In the future, there could be attacks on computer networks, water supplies, communications systems.

Our military was organized, trained and equipped largely for conventional warfare, not asymmetric or irregular warfare. In fact, for much of the past century, the U.S. armed forces operated essentially as separate and sometimes even competing branches of service. In 1986, Congress passed legislation to restructure the military into a more joint force. Since then, our military has been learning to fight and learning well how to fight in a single, coordinated force. That reform of the military has been one of their most impressive achievements.

But to win this global struggle against violent extremists, all elements of national power, all agencies of government, as well as a broad coalition of nations, will have to be brought to bear more effectively. To the extent possible we can no longer afford to have Defense and State Departments, CIA and Homeland Security, Treasury and Justice, Agriculture and Commerce each waging their own campaign with their own rules, their own restrictions, each overseen by separate congressional committees and subcommittees. Defense, diplomacy and development cannot fit neatly into separate compartments today. Success requires that security, governance and development programs progress together.

Our military cannot lose a battle in Afghanistan or Iraq, but our military cannot win all alone. They need the help of the other departments and agencies. They need the help of a broad coalition, and that is a vastly more complex task.

In Afghanistan, for example, provisional reconstruction teams need to draw on the forces and expertise from a range of specialties. These teams have achieved a good deal, because their success has been limited because their activities are too often thought to remain almost exclusively the responsibility of the Department of Defense. Our military cannot lose, as I say; to win will require much more than military force alone. Governance and development, as I say, must proceed apace.

Second, we need to recognize that this struggle against extremism cannot and will not be won by any single country, even the United States of America.

It will be won, over time, by the hundreds of millions of Muslims -- Iraqis, Afghans, Egyptians, Indonesians, as well as European and American Muslims -- who will ultimately be responsible for winning the struggle against violent extremists.

The Defense Department has asked for increases in funding and authority to help to build the capacity and the capabilities of partner nations. This will be a difficult shift in approach for our country. Change is hard, and it's not easy for Americans to teach and assist while others act and do. Ours is a nation and a military with a hands-on, can-do spirit. But today's war against a global enemy requires first and foremost that we enable our friends and allies, especially those in the Muslim world, to confront and defeat the extremists within their own borders and on their own airwaves.

The shift towards building our partners' capabilities requires, for example, some of the best military personnel to become trainers and advisers and embedded with foreign security forces so that they can improve their capacities and their capabilities. And as was indicated, we have a number of those folks here today who are currently training at Fort Riley as part of military transition teams. These teams will be undertaking a critical task when they deploy, to train and stand up and mentor Afghan, Iraqi security forces, and those of other nations. There's perhaps, as we move into this new period, no more important mission. So folks, I thank you for all you've done and for all you are doing and all you will do. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

In the past, U.S. efforts to train foreign security forces have been burdened by outdated restrictions. In Afghanistan, for example, building up the Afghan army was harmfully delayed because there was no such category in the U.S. federal budget at the time, and we lacked the authorities and the resources to do so for a period. Other painful delays in training the Afghan and Iraqi police forces were the result of the fact that it was the responsibility of others and not the Department of Defense, and we were prohibited from participating in training police in the early period.

Further, the realities on the ground in the rest of the world do not correspond to the U.S. yearly budget process. When you think about it, we live in a fast-moving world, and it takes, in the Department of Defense, a year to develop a budget, it takes a year of the Congress to pass it, and then it takes a year to implement that budget. That's a three-year cycle that results in a situation where, during execution, you're basically dealing with stale facts, stale assumptions -- assumptions that were fashioned two-and-a-half, three years before. And we don't have yet the speed and agility that we need. The department is currently drawing upon proposals – drawing up proposals to reform existing regulations and authorities. Some of these in response -- regulations and rules and laws date back to the 1960s and, unfortunately, hamper effective U.S. action.

Third, another area that government needs to be strengthened is in communications. Today's global, 24-hour media presents new challenges for a government that operates on a -- on a very different schedule. Al Qaeda's second-in-command, al-Zawahiri, has said that, quote, "More than half of this battle is taking place in the battlefield of the media." This is the number two al Qaeda leader explaining to his people that it's not so much only on the battlefield today, it's in the media.

The enemy we face has skillfully adapted to fighting wars in today's media age, but for the most part, our country and our government have not yet completed the adjustments that will be necessary. The enemy is fast, with headline-grabbing attacks. By doctoring photographs, lying to the media, being trained to allege torture in their training manuals, the enemy successfully manipulates the free world's press, a press that they would never allow to be free -- and they do so purposefully to intimidate and break the will of free people. We need to understand the ruthlessness, the skillfulness of this enemy.

In 1961, Dwight Eisenhower spoke to the nation for the last time as president. He warned of a long struggle ahead. He said, and I quote, "We face a hostile ideology, global in scope, ruthless in purpose, and insidious in method. To meet it successfully, we must carry forward steadily, surely and without complaint the burdens of a prolonged and complex struggle, with liberty the stake."

As we look back on those crucial years during the Cold War, so too our grandchildren will one day look back on this time as a defining moment in American history. History will judge whether this generation did all we could to defeat a vicious, extremist enemy that threatens our security, our freedom and our very way of life, or if we left it to the next generation to try to fight an enemy then strengthened by our weakness and emboldened by a lack of resolve.

Over my lifetime, I've had the opportunity to live in times of great consequence -- times of war, times of peace -- and I've met countless Americans from every corner of our magnificent country. I've developed an abiding faith in the wisdom and good judgment of the American people. Over time, on big issues, the American people find their way to right decisions. I've seen us triumph over dictators and tyrannies in many forms. And I believe that if we persevere today -- and I'm convinced we will -- and make the right choices and develop a clear understanding of this new war we face, the first war of the 21st century, we can overcome the increasingly lethal threats that challenge our country.

Despite all the enemy tries to do to make the world think otherwise, America is not what's wrong with the world. America is a force for good. We are on the right side of history. The great sweep of human history is for freedom, and let there be no doubt we are on freedom's side.

Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Thank you very much. I'm -- I'm told there are some microphones around, and I'd be happy to respond to some questions. I'll answer those I know the answer to, and the difficult ones I'll heave to Dick Myers. (Laughter.) Where are the microphones located? Oh, there. They've got numbers. Here's one, there's one up there, there's one up there, there's one up there. If someone would like to pose a question, why don't you go and line up near them and we can then start.

JON WEFALD (president, Kansas State University): Okay. We have a question up here.

Q: First of all, I want to thank you for your many years of service to our country.

My concern with our global war on terror is that there are so few people fighting it. Besides the military and their families, they seem to be the only ones making a --

SEC. RUMSFELD: I'm wondering if you could talk a little slower.

Q: Okay.

SEC. RUMSFELD: I'm having trouble following in the echo.

Q: Okay. My concern about the global war on terror is that there are so few people fighting it. Besides the military and their families, nobody else seems invested in the war. In World War II, the whole country was making sacrifices, trying to conserve and rationing and all of those things where everybody was involved in winning. Nowadays, it seems like the average American gets up, goes to work, comes home, watches "American Idol" and goes to bed, never contributing to the war effort. And that not only are they not contributing, but the average person isn't even inconvenienced by the war. My question is, what can be done to get more of the American people invested in winning this war?

SEC. RUMSFELD: That is a critical question, and it's something that troubles me and that I worry about, just as you obviously worry about it.

I grew up in World War II and had a victory garden and used to buy the war bonds -- $18.75, and if you held them long enough, it was $25. We, as you say, collected scrap and old rubber to be made into retread tires. The -- that was a period where the entire nation was mobilized, as it had to be, to deal with that, and it was for a relatively short period of time, and we prevailed.

The Cold War, unlike World War II, the country did not mobilize. But we demonstrated over 50 years a perseverance to deal, as President Eisenhower said, with a global struggle. We did it through successive administrations of both political parties, not just in our country, but in the democratic capitals of Western Europe. And it was a very different experience. What we're dealing with today is much more like the Cold War in that sense: that it's long, it's not a brief, high- intensity, conventional conflict where the great armies, navies and air forces compete and it's over and you sign a treaty on the USS Missouri and end it.

And what we have to do is recognize that. And I guess -- I think it was my uncle used to say that "persuasion is a two-edged sword: reason and emotion. Plunge it deep." We have to use our reason, as we did during the Cold War, to, as a nation, be persuasive to our fellow citizens, to help them understand what's at stake. Every year that goes by there is a greater and greater likelihood that weapons of mass destruction are going to end up in more and more hands. You see what Iran's doing, you see what North Korea's doing, and you see what Iran did by way of providing weapons to the Hezbollah, to a non-state entity. And you look down the road and other countries are going to say, "Well, if Iran and North Korea are developing nuclear weapons, maybe we need to do that." And then you see these weapons in the hands of non-state entities that don't have real estate to defend, don't have an industrial base to defend, and don't have a leadership class to defend, no address where you can go after them. It's a network.

It is a -- that's the world we're moving into, and we simply have to be smart enough, wise enough to marry reason and emotion to see that we do the right things in this country. We did it during the Cold War. I don't have any doubt at all but that we're going to be capable of doing it during this long struggle that we face against violent extremists.

MR. WEFALD: Mr. Secretary, let's go up here.

SEC. RUMSFELD: Good.

MR. WEFALD: Three?

SEC. RUMSFELD: I'll give shorter answers maybe. Got a lot of people lined up there.

Q: Secretary Rumsfeld, the Military Commissions Act gives you the permission to be able to designate any American citizen --

SEC. RUMSFELD: I'm sorry again. There's a big echo, and I'm having a little trouble following the words. Just go a little slower and I'll be able to hear you.

Q: Sure. The Military Commissions Act gives you the ability to --

SEC. RUMSFELD: The military what?

Q: Military Commissions Act.

SEC. RUMSFELD: Commissions. Oh, yes. Good, I hear you.

Q: -- gives you the ability to designate any American an enemy combatant. Do you think that it's an inherent danger for individual Americans to be able -- to be subject to the whim of men just if they don't agree with their, you know, political position or whatnot?

SEC. RUMSFELD: Of course not, and the legislation that was passed by the Congress and signed by the president doesn't provide that. And there are all kinds of safeguards and checks and appeal processes in the Military Commissions Act.

MR. WEFALD: We've got one right here.

SEC. RUMSFELD: Yes.

Q: Secretary Rumsfeld, thank you so much for coming today. I am the daughter of a veteran, I am the wife of a veteran, I am the mother of a veteran, and I'm the proud mother of an active-duty Marine right now, and we have two things we'd like to know from you.

SEC. RUMSFELD: (Applauds.) Thank you. (Applause.)

Q: My children would like to know what bird you flew when you
were a Navy pilot.

SEC. RUMSFELD: Which what?

Q: What bird you flew. And what --

SEC. RUMSFELD: Uh-huh. The last one I flew was an S-2F. It was a -- there are none of them around. They're all in museums. (Laughter.) It's a little embarrassing.

Q: (Laughs.) Thank you.

We would also like to know your advice for somebody like my daughter, who's going to graduate in two years, advice that you would give a young person. Thank you very much.

SEC. RUMSFELD: Advice for a young person. Study history.

MR. WEFALD: Hey, there you go. There you go. (Laughter, applause.)

SEC. RUMSFELD: We need context. We've staked everything in this country -- if you think about the gamble, we stake everything on the people, that they can -- given sufficient information, will make the right decisions. They need context. We need context. History provides that context. And if there's one piece of advice I could give, it would be to focus on that and think about it and understand it. It will improve the ability of all of us to function as citizens in this great republic.

MR. WEFALD: Okay, let's go to -- up there, at four?

Q: Yes, sir. Cadet Rhett Bytenadies (ph), Air Force Detachment 270, Kansas State.

With all the tough jobs that you have faced, and criticism and stress and et cetera, et cetera, how do you find the motivation to continue to push on?

SEC. RUMSFELD: (Pause.) My goodness. (Laughter.) Those personal questions are hard. (Laughter.) I guess the answer is that I feel so fortunate to have been able to participate and serve at important times in our country's history, and to do it with people like that. (Applause.)

MR. WEFALD: Up here at three again?

Q: How about you? Have you seen "Brokeback Mountain"? A little inside joke. (Laughter.)

MR. WEFALD: (Off mike.)

Q: My real question is this: If you were going to give yourself a letter grade for your performance as secretary of Defense, what grade would that be?

SEC. RUMSFELD: Oh, I'd let history worry about that. (Laughter, applause.)

MR. WEFALD: Okay, good.

Q: Hello, Mr. Rumsfeld.

Since this is the Landon Lecture on public issues, I wanted to ask a question about a very pertinent public issue. And that is, Mr. Secretary, journalists across the nation, both conservative, liberal, moderate; politicians, former high-echelon military commanders --

SEC. RUMSFELD: I'm sorry; you're going to have to speak a little slower for me to follow it.

Q: Sorry. Journalists across the nation, both conservative and liberal and moderate; politicians; former high-echelon military commanders; and many other Americans say and believe that our policy in Iraq is, quite simply, broke. It's not working; it's not doing its job. What do you think that the next secretary of Defense, who's been named as Mr. Gates, can do to fix that, to make our efforts in Iraq truly successful -- truly, truly a nation-building operation that creates a free, democratic and peaceful Iraq?

SEC. RUMSFELD: Well, certainly that's the hope and the prayer of everyone involved, the troops and the leadership of our country.

I certainly can't speak for the new incoming secretary of Defense. I will say this: It is very clear that the major combat operations were an enormous success. It is clear that in phase two of this it has not been going well enough or fast enough.

On the other hand, there have been very impressive things that have been accomplished. The country has drafted a constitution. It's ratified a constitution. They have held an election and elected freely a government. Twelve million Iraqis went out to vote. That is impressive. They have a stake in the success of that situation. The schools are open. The hospitals are open. They have a stock market. They have a free press.

Now you put all that on a scale against the fact that there is violence, and sectarian violence -- and there is -- and that people are being killed and Muslims are being killed by violent, extremist Muslims. And it's important to know that that's what's happening over there.

The commanders -- General Casey and General Abizaid – have shifted their activities and their efforts over the past period as the circumstance on the ground has shifted and changed -- and it has. The enemy has a brain and they do things. They watch what happens and they make adjustments. And it is a much more complex situation. And quite honestly, our country does not have experience attempting to impose control and our will over vicious, violent extremists that don't have armies, don't have navies, don't have air forces and operate in the shadows. It is a totally different circumstance.

And I think that just as the Cold War required some patience and some perseverance and some resolve and some context, so too this effort will. And I don't have any doubt that the president, working with the commanders and the new secretary, will continue to make adjustments. And that if we have the perseverance and the resolve, we will end up seeing the Iraqi people ultimately take control of their country, govern their country, provide security for their country. And certainly that is our hope and our prayer.

Q: Good morning, Secretary Rumsfeld. Thank you for coming here to speak to us. And thank you, President Wefald and Dr. Regan (sp), for bringing him here.

My name is Way Woo (ph). I'm a Chinese language instructor here on campus. We just started a Chinese language program last year and so some of my students are here with me today to listen to your speech. I have two question and I believe my students are also very interested in hearing your answer.

First one is we would like to hear your opinion about China and U.S.-China relations. As the fall of the Soviet Union, China seems to become more obvious in this so-called communist world camp, or maybe a former communist country, because China does go through a lot of changes. As you travel to China you may see it. So we'd like to hear your opinion about China and U.S.-China relationship.

And second question is we'd like to hear about your opinion about the importance of learning Chinese language from a strategic point of view, in light of the 21st century.

SEC. RUMSFELD: Well, I was going to say I think your students chose very well to learn to study Chinese. I think it's a good thing and a wise thing and our country needs to improve our language capabilities. The Department of Defense has been working very hard to see that the languages -- that more language is taught to the people there in the department, and also that a broader range of languages are taught.

With respect to China, the Chinese people have made a very good decision to move towards a more open economic system and to engage the world, and they're doing it quite successfully. They have a very good rate of economic growth. They are increasingly, I think, recognizing that they are stakeholders in the success of the global economic system. They have a lot that depends on that.

They also have some problems. They have some very serious environmental problems. They have some demographic problems. They have some problems with respect to riots and demonstrations -- tens of thousands of them a year. Now, they have a big country, but – so they are managing their affairs in a way that is, I think, designed to create an environment that's hospitable to enterprise and to interaction with the rest of the world. They don't want to lose the Olympics, for example. They want to see that they do things in their country that makes people feel comfortable investing and trading and working with their country.

I think those are good things. I think, on the other hand, that they face a bit of a dilemma. And the dilemma is they still have an un-free political system and an increasingly free economic system. Now you can go down that road only so far, and at some point, if you want to have a highly successful economic -- free economic system, it's going to affect your political system in some way, in this sense: You're going to have an awful lot of people from other countries who are milling around in your country with computers and with cell phones doing a lot of things that make it more difficult for you to manage your political system to the extent you want to have a controlled political system.

So I don't know how those tensions will be resolved. Needless to say, like every person in the free world, we hope that they'll be resolved in favor of free systems. And I think that that is at least a reasonable prospect for China. They're not there yet. There's lots of things people can say to criticize them, but they're on a path that suggests they want to sustain that growth. And to do that, I think they're going to have to behave in a way that is entering the global economic system in a constructive way.

Do you teach something like that, or are you --

Q: I teach Chinese culture --

SEC. RUMSFELD: Culture.

Q: -- and development of China; also, U.S.-China relations.

Would you like to talk --

SEC. RUMSFELD: Oh, I think, you know, it started out pretty bumpy. They crashed into our EP-3 aircraft and then held our people hostage for days, many days. And it was a most unfortunate thing. This was in 2001. They behaved very badly. I think they behaved badly because they were in a leadership struggle and there was tension between the People's Liberation Army, the PLA, and the political leadership. And Jiang Zemin, as I recall, was in South America at the time. And it was a bad scene. They handled it very badly.

Since that time it's been on a clear uptick. We've improved military-to-military relations. We have greater economic interaction with them, and the political interaction has been generally more positive. So I think it's been on an improving path.

Thank you.

MR. WEFALD: I think we have time for two more questions. One here and then we'll go up to three.

SEC. RUMSFELD: Good.

Q: Hello, Mr. Rumsfeld.

I'm Christian Schultz (sp) and I'm studying geography right now in hopes of translating maps for Japan and Korea, and possibly teaching there, and to mission there too.

Now, Mr. Rumsfeld, do you suppose that right before the invasion of Iraq, Saddam may have moved his WMDs out of the country and into the hands of countries and/or organizations friendly and sympathetic to his former regime?

SEC. RUMSFELD: There are two things that are out there that I cannot speak to with a high degree of certainty.

There are reports from people, Iraqis, that that happened – that things were moved out of Iraq just prior to the military action. I can't prove that it happened. I can't prove that it did not happen. I guess that some day we'll know.

We also know that the Iraqis buried a lot of things. They buried complete jet aircraft. I can't quite imagine that -- when you think of what they cost and how easily they're damaged -- to bury them in the ground takes a certain mentality. (Laughter.) What else they may have buried I don't know.

The Duelfer Report, he was the man who had the responsibility over there, came back and he wrote a report and said that the weapons of mass destruction efforts of Iraq were basically on hold. That is to say, they had a capability to rapidly upgrade their chemical and biological weapons. I think that's close to what he said. And they did not have a nuclear program under way, but they had kept together their nuclear cadre -- the people who had previously been involved with it. And I've not seen anything since the Duelfer report that contradicts that. So we will know more at some point.

There are literally millions of pages of Iraqi documents that are now being released into the Internet and it's going to -- (audio break) Â— one of the problems recently was some information was put on the Internet that explains how to make some weapons, which was criticized. My personal view is that it's a good idea to get that information out to the extent we can, and to do it sooner rather than later.

MR. WEFALD: Just one more up here.

SEC. RUMSFELD: This is the last question. Make it a pip!

Q: Mr. Secretary, thank you for coming.

SEC. RUMSFELD: Thank you.

Q: In your speech you mention 9/11. And it has been widely reported that 15 of the 19 hijackers came from Saudi Arabia. And it is reported or it's believed that some of the insurgents fighting in Iraq today comes from Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia was not attacked. Why?

SEC. RUMSFELD: Excuse me. You said Saudi Arabia was not attacked?

Q: Was not attacked by you and your government.

SEC. RUMSFELD: Oh, I see what you're saying.

Q: Do you think that this war on terror could be successful without Saudi Arabia toeing the line?

Thank you.

SEC. RUMSFELD: The violent extremists do not all come from one country. They come from a lot of countries -- many, many countries. If one looks at the mixture in the detainees that have been arrested in Iraq and Afghanistan and London and Madrid and various parts around the world -- Saudi Arabia -- there are 10, 15, 20 countries that are represented with people, their citizens, involved in these terrorist networks.

It would be, of course, mindless to run around declaring war against all the countries who happen to have citizens who are violent extremists. Saudi Arabia, ever since they were attacked several years ago by violent extremists, has been out doing a great many things to go after the extremists in their country, to put them in jail, to arrest them and to attempt to deal with the seedbed of that problem. They've been attempting to deal with those that teach people violence and extremism.

So it is a complicated thing. We have allies, good friends and allies, that have violent extremists that come out of their country. And they don't like it and we don't like it. But the task, as I mentioned in my remarks, is for us to help them develop their capacity so that their law enforcement officers and their military develops a better capability to go after the extremists that exist in their country.

And the truth is we can't -- it's a very difficult thing. We're trying to fight a war, and how do you do that when you're not at war with the countries where the problems are? You can't just pretend you're at war with them. You're not. They're friends and allies and they're trying to do it. The only thing you can do is to help them develop their capability so that they can do a better job going after those extremists before they can attack them or other free people.

The people that are also at risk are governments like the Saudi government and like the moderate governments in that region. Those are the principal targets of al Qaeda. That is their first goal is to destabilize all of those countries.

I'm getting the hook. I've enjoyed being here, and I thank you very much. (Applause.)

Thank you very much, folks. I really appreciate that very warm welcome you've given me.

MR. WEFALD: Mr. Secretary, thank you very much for an excellent presentation. Thank you so much for answering as many questions as you did. I want to thank you and Joyce. We'll be eternally grateful that you came to K-State to deliver a great Landon Lecture.

Let's give him another big hand. (Applause.)

The decision to change leadership at the
Pentagon came yesterday, after President Bush had had a chance to meet
with his prospective nominee for secretary of defense and to have the last
in a series of conversations with outgoing Defense Secretary Donald H.
Rumsfeld, the president told reporters at the White House today.

Bush announced he intends to nominate Texas A&M University President
Robert M. Gates, who ran the CIA from November 1991 to January 1993, to
succeed Rumsfeld.

"I have been talking with Don Rumsfeld over a period of time about
fresh perspective; he likes to call it fresh eyes," Bush said. "He himself
understands that Iraq is not working well enough fast enough, and he
and I are constantly assessing. ... As you know, we're constantly
changing tactics, and that requires constant assessment. And so he and I both
agreed in our meeting yesterday that it was appropriate that I accept
his resignation."

The president said that while Gates would bring a new perspective to
the job, he found that he and his prospective nominee are like-minded
when it comes to what needs to happen in Iraq. "He understands we're in a
global war against these terrorists," Bush said. "He understands that
defeat is not an option in Iraq. And I believe it's important that there
be a fresh perspective, and so does Secretary Rumsfeld."

Bush acknowledged that the fight in Iraq has been tough and that
progress hasn't always been as quick or evident as he would have liked, but
he reasserted his belief that abandoning the effort would make victory
impossible. "I wish this had gone faster," he said. "So does Secretary
Rumsfeld. But the reality is that it's a tough fight, and we're going to
win the fight. And I truly believe the only way we won't win is if we
leave before the job is done."

Bush did not provide a timeline on when Rumsfeld would leave office.

Warn Industries Inc. Recalls Eight-Post ATV Winch Kits for Overheating

Nov. 8 -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. (To access color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC's Web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/.)

Name of Product: Warn ATV and Utility Vehicle Winch Kits

Units: About 218,000

Manufacturer: Warn Industries Inc., of Clackamas, Ore. (manufacturer of the winch kits)

Hazard: A component of the winch kit, the eight-post contactor, can continue to pull current when in the "off" position, which can cause it to overheat and pose a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Warn Industries has received one report of a contactor failure resulting in excessive heat and melting damage to the contactor. No injuries were reported.

Description: This recall involves eight-post contactors used on certain 2,500 to 3,500 lb Warn ATV and Utility Vehicle Winch Kits. The black contactors were sold as a part of winch kits and have a "WARN" logo on the top and bottom of the contactor. Warn part number 62135 is printed on the bottom. Contactors are found on the vehicle attached to the power wires, between the battery and the winch. The contactor has four holes for securing it to the vehicle. A complete listing of winch kit part numbers involved in this recall can be found at http://www.warn.com/.

Sold by: ATV dealers, ATV accessory retailers, mail order catalogs, and Web retailers nationwide from May 2001 through September 2005 for $700.

Manufactured in: United States (contactors were manufactured in Japan)

Remedy: Consumers with winch kits containing these eight-post contactors should immediately disconnect the contactor wires from the battery and contact Warn Industries or their local dealer for a free replacement contactor.

Customer Contact: For additional information, consumers can contact Warn toll-free at (866) 408-3767 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or e-mail Warn at contact@warn.com. Consumers also can visit the firm's Web site at http://www.warn.com/.

  Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 408-3767

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 15, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: National Press Club Ballroom, 529 14th Street, NW, 13th Floor Washington, DC 20045

WHY: The group's four-day visit to North Korea came immediately after Pyongyang announced its intention to return to the Six Party Talks. The trip to North Korea was organized and led by Dr. John W. Lewis of Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation, who has visited North Korea 14 times.

Speakers Short Bios:

Jack Pritchard is currently president of the Korea Economic Institute in Washington, DC. Previously he served as the U.S. special envoy for negotiations to the DPRK from April 2001 until September 2003 and before that as senior director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council during President Clinton's administration. He has visited the DPRK eight times.

Sig Hecker is a visiting professor at the Stanford University Center for International Security and Cooperation and director emeritus at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, which he served as director from 1986 to 1997. He has visited North Korea three times.

Bob Carlin is currently a visiting fellow at the Center for International Cooperation and Security at Stanford University. From 2002-2006, he was the senior political advisor at the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization. Carlin was chief of the Northeast Asia division of the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research from 1989 to 2002. He has visited the DPRK 26 times.

Tomorrow's vote is shaping up to be a dramatic and historic midterm election. Will the Democrats take back the House after 12 years of Republican control? Can the GOP hold on to the Senate? Who will be your next representatives in Congress?

We're writing today to remind you that on Election Night, you will be able to get the fastest, most accurate election results available anywhere on CBSNews.com. The second the polls close we'll have the vote count and exit polls - updated every 60 seconds - right down to the county level. We've made it all easy to use - and fast.

No more waiting around for someone to tell you what you want to know - the latest results when you want them. You'll see the numbers change right before your eyes. On CBSNews.com, you can be your own Election Night analyst. You have all the same tools the pro's have.

Our reporters and analysts will be on top of all the important stories all through the night…. Not just what's happening, but why… the issues that sent your neighbors from around the corner and across the country to the polls.

Join the dialogue on election night by telling us what you think… you'll be able to comment for all to see, on every story we cover.

On CBSNews.com, you'll be able to watch live editions of the CBS Evening News as they air across the country, and our one-hour CBS News election specials at 10pm ET and 1am ET. You'll also see live feeds from acceptance and concession speeches from the major races across the U.S.

We don't send these e-mails often. But we're especially proud of the election coverage we have planned this year. CBS News invented exit polls more than 40 years ago and has been the profession's leader ever since. That tradition continues tomorrow night on CBSNews.com. Click on us.

The CBSNews.com team

An Iraqi court sentenced Saddam Hussein to
death today for ordering the execution of 148 men in Dujail, Iraq, in
1982.

Thousands of people in Baghdad took to the streets to celebrate the
verdict. The Iraqi High Tribunal sentenced two other defendants to death
and four to prison and acquitted one.

In anticipation of the verdict, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki
had imposed a curfew in Baghdad and two Diyala and Salaheddin provinces.
The two provinces are primarily Sunni and were the base of Saddam's
support during his dictatorship. Shiite and Kurdish provinces were not
under curfew.

"The Saddam Hussein era is in the past now, as was the era of Hitler
and Mussolini," al-Maliki said following the verdict. "We want an Iraq
where all Iraqis are equal before the law," he said. "The policy of
discrimination and persecution is over."

U.S. forces captured Saddam hiding in a hole in the ground in December
2003. In a written statement, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad
called the verdict "an important milestone for Iraq as the country
takes another major step forward in the building of a free society based on
the rule of law."

Khalilzad said the verdicts demonstrate the commitment of the Iraqi
people to hold the members of the former regime accountable for their
actions.

All involved in the case showed courage in proceeding with it, the
ambassador said. Baathist "dead-enders" tried to intimidate members of the
court, and insurgents killed three defense lawyers in the course of the
trial, he noted.

"Their determination to pursue justice is a signal that the rule of law
will prevail in Iraq despite the difficult situation that the country
now faces," Khalilzad said. "A former dictator feared by millions, who
killed his own citizens without mercy or justice, who waged wars against
neighboring countries, has been brought to trial in his own country -
held accountable in a court of law with ordinary citizens bearing
witness."

The ambassador said that although Iraq may face difficult days in the
coming weeks, "closing the book on Saddam and his regime is an
opportunity to unite and build a better future. As the Iraqi people move
forward, the United States will support them in their efforts to build a just
and democratic society."

Saddam's case will be appealed automatically to the Appellate Chamber
of the Iraqi High Tribunal. The defense has 30 days to file any motions.

NEWSWEEK INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS: Highlights and Exclusives, November 13, 2006

COVER: America's God Complex. Senior Editor Lisa Miller explores the emerging tensions within the evangelical movement in the U.S. between those who emphasize sexual morality and those who are looking more to poverty and global health. A new generation of evangelical believers is pressing beyond the religious right of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, trying to broaden the movement's focus from the familiar wars about sex to include issues of social and economic justice. The result is a new hour of decision for evangelicals: How much do they have to show for the decades of activism? In the days before the midterm elections, 62 percent of evangelicals say that religion plays too small a role in American political and cultural life today, compared to 37 percent of the American public, according to the new Newsweek Poll. Twenty- nine percent of the American public is equally divided over whether the role religion plays is too big or about right; whereas 21 percent of evangelicals say that the role religion plays is about right; and 14 percent say it plays too big a role.

A Pastor's Fall From Grace. Senior Writer Jonathan Darman and National Correspondent Andrew Murr report on the scandal surrounding the Rev. Ted Haggard. Last week Mike Jones-a former male prostitute in Denver-came forward to claim he'd had a three-year sexual relationship with Haggard, a vocal critic of gay rights.

Asia's New Gods. Most Asians are unaware that Christian evangelical movements have gained enormous political power in America. And if they were to learn this, they would be mystified. Their images of America remain the old ones: Hollywood and sexual permissiveness, secularism, money worship and devotion to modern science and technology. None of these squares with an America under the sway of fundamentalist or evangelical Christianity, writes Kishore Mahbubani, dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore. The big lesson that Asians thought they'd learned from the West was that reason and faith should be kept in separate boxes. Perhaps its time for America to study Asia's best practices.

Faith's Comeback. The decline of church attendance in Europe is seen as evidence that secular modernity has entered the lives of ordinary people. But amid the apparent dusk of faith in Europe, one can already spot the religious owl of Minerva taking flight, writes Eric Kaufmann, a professor at the University of London and the author of "The Rise and Fall of Anglo-America." Demographic currents are carrying Europe toward a more American model of modernity. The revival of religiosity may reconfigure the Enlightenment belief in rational individualism. It will most likely leave its fundamental tenets- democracy, liberalism and mixed capitalism-intact. But it will deeply challenge our definition of what it is to be modern.

Ministers of Death. Baghdad Bureau Chief Scott Johnson reports that Abu Deraa, sometimes called "the Shiite Zarqawi," and the death squad he runs have been waging a campaign of Shia terror. Suspected of torturing and killing scores of Sunnis in a bloody wave of ethnic cleansing in neighborhoods across Baghdad, Abu Deraa "is a brutal, loathsome character," says a senior U.S official who asked not to be ID'ed by name because of the sensitive nature of the topic.

Bundeswehr Blues. Berlin Correspondent Stefan Theil reports that although Germany's Bundeswehr contingent has gotten more press over the past few weeks for distasteful incidents in Afghanistan, they hardly reflect upon Germany's 2,700 soldiers in Afghanistan the way prisoner abuses and allegations of torture discredited America's reputation in Iraq. If anything, the tizzy illustrates a growing nervousness on the home front. With the German Navy deploying on the coast of Lebanon last week and fresh worries that German peacekeepers in Congo may not be home as planned by Christmas, the country seems only now to be waking up to its new global military role.

Running Out of Options. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has run out of options in the fight against rampant radicalism along his country's rugged western border, reports Special Correspondent Zahid Hussain. He has switched tactics in trying to deal with the Islamists, alternating from military action to peace deals and now, apparently, back to armed force. Neither approach has worked. At the heart of Musharraf's predicament is the failure of his plan to pacify pro-Taliban tribesmen in Waziristan with a peace accord. Far from taming the cross-border violence, the Waziristan truce appears to have contributed to deteriorating conditions in the eastern Afghan border provinces.

Too Funny ... Or Too Far. Film Critic David Ansen reviews Sacha Baron Cohen's largely unscripted film "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan." Baron Cohen's guerrilla comedy shoots down anything in its path. Yet strangely enough, it doesn't feel angry or polemical or (and this is open to debate) mean-spirited, writes Ansen. "Mixing high and low humor, scatology and sociology, his comedy crosses the border between 'Punk'd' and performance art, the subversive wit of Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor and the deadpan put-ons of Andy Kaufman, all updated to the world of reality TV. A comedy like 'Borat' couldn't have been made in another era."

WORLD VIEW: Time to Solve Immigration. If Iraq was the dominating topic of the election season, immigration is the issue that wasn't, writes Newsweek International Editor Fareed Zakaria. Despite the efforts of populist and nativist politicians and pundits to whip up hysteria about a looming catastrophe, Americans didn't bite. The evidence is overwhelming that the United States benefits hugely from immigration-and that it needs all the immigrants its now receiving, legal and illegal. Comprehensive reform is the only way forward. Enforcement only or first will not work. Laws that pay no heed to the forces of supply and demand end up as costly failures. The good news is that this is a rare case where good policy and good politics could come together.

THE LAST WORD: Klaus Kleinfeld, CEO of Siemens. Kleinfeld, CEO of Germany's largest company by market capitalization, talks about corporate reform, American competitiveness and how aging populations will affect business in the future. "In today's world, roughly 80 percent of total health- care costs are spent in the last five years of life," he says. "The medical industry today is in the same position that many of our industries were in the 1980s, and, like then, we're realizing that we need to make the process leaner and cheaper, while maintaining high quality. At the core of this is early detection of disease, and a focus on prevention."

Center for Health Transformation Responds to Flawed Families USA Study

The Center for Heath Transformation responded today to what it calls a flawed Medicare prescription drug benefit study designed to scare seniors before an election. The study was issued last week by the liberal activist group Families USA. In an opinion piece, Newt Gingrich, founder of the Center for Health Transformation and David Merritt, project director for Consumer-Driven Healthcare at the Center, refute the claims in the study.

The Families USA study states that the drug benefit as currently designed endangers millions of seniors by imposing financial penalties. Gingrich and Merritt assert in their piece that the study simply ignores millions of beneficiaries who have given the Medicare prescription drug benefit program their overwhelming approval. "The radical left has shown once again that its sole strategy is to score political points before the election by scaring seniors," said Speaker Gingrich.

Gingrich and Merritt show that 90 percent of Medicare beneficiaries now have broad and affordable prescription drug coverage, when compared to four years ago, only a quarter did.

According to Gingrich and Merritt, the Families USA study focuses narrowly on the so called "doughnut hole" in order to intentionally to produce its misleading results. To make the case, they list several flawed assumptions.

The study:

-- Defines "meaningful coverage" as only 25 medications, which amounts to 0.6 percent of the approximately 4,000 drugs that the typical Medicare drug plan covers;

-- Fails to note that there are other generic drugs available to treat the same conditions as those in the 25 drugs they list;

-- List four of the drugs are listed twice because they are prescribed in different doses;

-- Fails to mention that the "doughnut hole" in general will not be an issue for 71 percent of Medicare beneficiaries;

-- Does not report that only 8 percent of beneficiaries, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers, will actually hit the "doughnut hole" with no coverage and that for even them they will still be far better off than they were prior to the new benefit;

-- Misses completely the fact that competition has saved the average beneficiary, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, nearly $1,500 a year off of their drug costs.

The response also points out that in twenty-seven states, Wal- Mart now offers nearly 300 generic drugs for as low as $4 for a one-month supply, regardless of insurance status. Target stores have thus far matched the price. Meijer pharmacies are offering leading generic antibiotics absolutely free.

Gingrich and Merritt say that by trotting out flawed studies on the "doughnut hole" days before the election and focusing campaign rhetoric on drug reimportation and federal negotiation with drug manufacturers, the left shows once again that it would rather scare seniors and vilify pharmaceutical companies than discuss real structural improvements in Medicare.

-----

About the Center for Health Transformation

The Center for Health Transformation, founded by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, is a unique collaboration of leaders dedicated to accelerating the adoption of transformational solutions, policies and technologies in order to create a 21st Century Intelligent Health System characterized by better outcomes and more choices at lower cost. For more information, visit http://www.healthtransformation.net.

Email On-the-Go Now Even Easier -- Google Launches New Mobile Application for Speedier Access to Gmail

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) today
announced the release of an innovative new mobile client, Gmail for
mobile devices. This freely downloadable Java application delivers
Gmail users the look and feel of Gmail through a fast, feature-rich
interface that's optimized for handheld devices. With the release of
this client, Google is taking one more step toward its goal of
providing users with quick and easy access to the information they
need, when they need it.

Gmail users can already access their accounts through the browser on
their mobile devices, but this application brings users the same great
Gmail experience -- complete with search, conversation view, and
automatic synchronization with the desktop version -- with the
following new benefits:

- Up to five times faster access and use, thanks to automatic
pre-fetching of messages
- Drastically reduced clicks and scrolling to access email
- Fewer keystrokes for reading, composing, or searching mail
- Attachments, including files and photos, viewable and automatically
resized to fit the user's phone

"Google's mobile products are designed to enable people to quickly and
easily get the information they want on the go," said Deep Nishar,
director of product management at Google. "We realize the role mobile
phones play as a key driver for balancing online and offline worlds,
and we're committed to developing products that help people stay
connected when they're away from their computers. Gmail for mobile
devices delivers on that commitment."

Getting started is easy: users can go to gmail.com/app from their
mobile browser to download the app. If users don't already have a Gmail
account, they can sign up for an account via SMS by going to
gmail.google.com and clicking on "sign up for Gmail."

The application is available completely free of charge from Google
(carrier mobile data charges may still apply). It is currently
compatible with all J2ME-enabled phones in the U.S. and works with a
variety of carrier service plans.

In a separate release today, Google and Sprint (NYSE:S) announced that
Gmail for mobile devices can also be easily downloaded directly from
the Sprint PCS VisionSM or Sprint Power VisionSM home page. Google and
Sprint worked closely to ensure that Gmail is only a few clicks away
for Sprint customers.

To learn more about Google's mobile offerings, check out
mobile.google.com.

About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people
around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by
Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a
top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted
advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable
results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google
is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the
Americas, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

Google is a registered trademark of Google Inc. All other company and
product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which
they are associated.

Red Raider Outfitter Calls Judge's Ruling an Attack on College Town Businesses, Promises Appeal

November 03, 2006 -- A ruling by U.S. District Judge Sam Cummings in a case between a small business and Texas Tech University is sending shockwaves through college towns throughout Texas. The judge ordered Red Raider Outfitter, a small retailer that sells licensed Texas Tech clothing and goods, to pay the University nearly $2.9 million -- the company's total revenue during the period in question.

The judge ruled that Red Raider Outfitter's use of scarlet and black and a cowboy cartoon character -- something dozens if not hundreds of Lubbock-area businesses proudly do -- infringed on the University's trademark. In response to Judge Cumming's ruling, Stephen Spiegelberg, president of Red Raider Outfitter, issued the following statement:

"All of us at Red Raider Outfitter are disappointed by today's ruling and we are concerned for every business in Lubbock that displays the red and black colors or the cartoon character of 'Raider Red.' We are all under attack and today's ruling suggests that the University and its Atlanta licensing company believe they deserve every penny Lubbock area businesses take in.

Highlighted Links

Red Raider Outfitter Web Site

"The suggestion that Red Raider Outfitter, a company owned and operated by Texas Tech alumni, owes royalties to the University is hurtful and couldn't be further from the truth. Since 1975, Red Raider Outfitter has proudly sold apparel and other goods that are licensed by the University. A small portion of the goods that we sell was in dispute -- estimated at about $5,000. Even so, Judge Cummings ignored these facts and awarded the University every penny of our small business' revenue. If other business owners think it can't happen to them, they are wrong.

"Today's ruling is clearly intended to put Red Raider Outfitter out of business and we intend to show that Judge Cummings ruled with his heart, which bleeds red and black. As has been pointed out repeatedly in the past, Judge Cummings insists on ruling on cases involving Texas Tech, even though his close relationship with the University makes it impossible for him to rule fairly in such cases.

--  Judge Cummings is a Texas Tech graduate; --  Even during the period when this case was being heard, Judge Cummings     continued to root for Texas Tech by attending home games; --  Judge Cummings is so close to the University that he has a special     parking spot on campus for a game. --  Judge Cummings works out on campus; and --  Judge Cummings has previously been asked to recuse himself in matters     related to Texas Tech in the past.

"Red Raider Outfitter will appeal today's ruling. We intend to appeal because 1) we did not infringe Texas Tech's trademark; 2) the true ownership of the cartoon character of Raider Red is questionable, since it derives from Warner Bros. and the local Lubbock newspaper and 3) Judge Cummings should recuse himself from this case or any case related to Texas Tech because he is biased in favor of the University."

About Red Raider Outfitter

Since 1975, Red Raider Outfitter has made and sold quality collegiate sportswear and apparel with the most innovative designs and highest standards of craftsmanship. Red Raider Outfitter is alumni owned and operated. The company has been a proud part of the Texas Tech spirit and tradition for more than 20 years. More information is available at www.redraideroutfitter.com

Krisp-Pak

Consumer Alert: Undeclared Milk in Maizteca Mexican Bread

Contact:
Jessica Chittenden
518-457-3136

Nov 2, 2006 -- State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick H. Brennan alerted consumers today that 215 Washington St. Foods, Inc., d/b/a Maizteca Bakery, 215 Washington St., Newburgh, New York 12550 is recalling 1.5 pound packages of "Maizteca Mexican Bread" due to an undeclared milk ingredient. People who have allergies to milk may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The recalled "Maizteca Mexican Bread" comes in an uncoded plastic package. It was sold in New York.

The problem was discovered as a result of routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by the Department's Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of a milk ingredient in product packages which did not declare a milk ingredient on the label.

No illnesses have been reported to date to this Department in connection with the problem.

Consumers who have purchased "Maizteca Mexican Bread" should return it to the place of purchase.

Company, Inc. Recalls Fresh Cut Fruit Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Krisp-Pak Company, Inc.
(757) 622-8440

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Norfolk, VA -- November 1, 2006 --- Krisp-Pak Company, Inc. of Norfolk, VA is recalling all lots of Krisp-Pak Brand packaged fresh cut fruit with expiration dates on or before 11/09/06, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The product comes in plastic containers in 4 ounce cups, 8 ounce cups, 1 pound cups, 3 pound tubs, 10" trays (2.5 pounds) and 13" trays (4.5 pounds) for retail suppliers. The product is packaged in 5 pound trays for foodservice suppliers. The products being recalled include individually packaged cantaloupe or honeydew or red grapes, and a mixture of the three. The recall is limited to these products only.

The recalled fresh cut fruit was distributed in the Hampton Roads and Richmond, VA areas and the Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh, NC areas through retail stores and foodservice distribution centers.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The recall was the result of a sampling program by the US Army Veterinary Services/Commissary Food Inspection Section which revealed that one container of the finished product contained Listeria monocytogenes. Krisp-Pak has ceased the production and distribution of the product as Krisp-Pak continues their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Consumers who have purchased Krisp-Pak Brand fresh cut fruit are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Krisp-Pak at 1-800-755-0746.

Boston Salads & Provisions Co., Inc. Recalls Cole Slaw Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Claudia Stohrer
617-541-9046 ext. 14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Boston, MA -- November 1, 2006 -- Boston Salads is conducting a voluntary recall of Cole Slaw Salad sold in the retail deli section in 5 lb, 10 lb, 30 lb bulk and 1 lb retail containers with sell by date of November 9 and or November 11, 2006, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Boston Salads Cole Slaw Salad is available for purchase in the deli section of select supermarkets and delicatessen and convenience stores under the Boston Salads & Provisions Co., Inc., Dietz and Watson Inc., Hummel Brothers, Inc. label in the following states: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

No illnesses have been reported related to this voluntary recall. If any of this Cole Slaw salad remains at home, consumers should return the product to these stores for full refund.

Boston Salads and all affiliated retailers apologize for any inconvenience, and remain committed to constantly monitor the quality of all food products to assure the safety and satisfaction of all customers. For additional information, please call Boston Salads at 617-541-9046 ext. 14.

"As part of our continuous quality control checking system at all levels of manufacturing and distribution, possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes was identified," states John A. Zofchak, president of Boston Salads & Provisions Co., Inc. "As a rapid response to this finding, we have immediately and voluntarily recalled all Cole Slaw salad from the marketplace.

Boston Salads manufactures a wide variety of premium salads and foods under their own name and private label. No other Boston Salads are affected nor have they been involved in this recall.

Precautionary Recall Alert: Sara Lee Premium White Hamburger Buns in North Carolina and South Carolina

Contact:
Sara Matheu
773-580-3775

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Downers Grove, IL -- October 30, 2006 --Sara Lee Food & Beverage is conducting a voluntary recall of its 12 oz. Sara Lee Premium White Hamburger Buns produced at its Valdese, North Carolina bakery. This limited recall is being conducted as a precaution because the 4,826 packages included may contain undeclared milk, posing a potential risk to milk-allergic individuals because the ingredient statement does not include milk.

The product was sold and distributed to retailers and grocery stores in North Carolina and South Carolina and includes Sara Lee Premium White Hamburger Buns with the UPC Code 7294575177 and the production code SEPT 10 3452401226. These products are highly unlikely to be on store shelves as they are past the expiration date, but some may remain in consumer possession. The recall does not apply to any other Sara Lee brand bakery products in any other locations; it only applies to this specific product with the production code SEPT 10 3452401226. Consumers may return affected product to the store where it was purchased for a full refund.

To date, the company has received one report of an adverse reaction to the above product from a person with a known milk allergy.

The company initiated the recall after it discovered that this product contained milk that was distributed in packaging that did not include milk in its ingredient list.

Sara Lee is conducting this recall with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Consumers who may have questions or concerns should call Sara Lee's toll-free consumer line at 1.800.889.3556. The consumer line is available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday.

Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund Launches Campaign in Support of Jim Robey for Maryland State Senate

The Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund today launched an independent, direct mail and voter contact campaign in support of Maryland State Senate candidate Jim Robey (District 13) because of his commitment to reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. The campaign will contrast the positions of Robey and his opponent, incumbent Sen. Sandy Schrader, highlighting Robey's leadership in passing legislation to protect all Howard County workers and families from secondhand smoke and his strong support for a statewide smoke-free law that would protect the health of all Marylanders.

"We're running this campaign in Maryland because of the clear contrast between the records of these candidates when it comes to fighting tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke," said William V. Corr, executive director of the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund. "Jim Robey is standing up to Big Tobacco and fighting to protect everyone's right to breathe clean, smoke-free air. His opponent, on the other hand, has refused to support efforts to make Maryland smoke-free. For Maryland voters who care about protecting the health of workers and families, there is a clear choice: Jim Robey for Maryland State Senate."

As Howard County Executive, Jim Robey stood up for the right of all Howard County workers and residents to breathe clean air by passing a county-wide smoke-free workplace law, making Howard County the fourth smoke-free county in Maryland and the first in the Baltimore region. Robey also supports a strong, statewide smoke-free law in Maryland. His opponent, Sandy Schrader, has refused to support a statewide smoke-free bill. Legislation in Maryland that would make all workplaces smoke-free died in a Maryland House committee last year.

The need for protection from secondhand smoke has never been clearer. In issuing his groundbreaking report on secondhand smoke on June 27, U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona stated, "The debate is over. The science is clear: Secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance, but a serious health hazard that causes premature death and disease in children and nonsmoking adults." The Surgeon General found that secondhand smoke is a proven cause of lung cancer, heart disease, serious respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and asthma, low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome. The Surgeon General also found that secondhand smoke is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year and that there is no risk-free level of exposure.

The Surgeon General's report also confirmed that smoke-free laws protect health without harming business. To date, 14 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have passed smoke-free laws that include restaurants and bars. The states are: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii (effective Nov. 16), Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont and Washington (the Montana and Utah laws extend to bars in 2009, while the D.C. law does so on Jan. 1, 2007).

Samples of the direct mail can be found at:

http://tobaccofreeaction.org/adwatch/Maryland3.pdf

http://tobaccofreeaction.org/adwatch/Maryland4.pdf

------

This communication is solely from the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund (1400 I St., NW 1200, Washington, DC 20005), and has not been authorized by or coordinated with any candidate or campaign. The Tobacco-Free Kids Action is a non-partisan 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that works in Maryland and nationwide to reduce the devastating toll of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. The Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund does not receive any government or tobacco industry funding of any kind. For more information, please visit http://www.tobaccofreeaction.org

Condista Anuncia Campañas de Mercadotecnia Afiliadas con Comcast y Charter para Promover HTV, TeleFormula y Video Rola en Cuatro Mercados

Condista, el concentrador premier de programación para televisión por cable en español en Estados Unidos, anunció campañas de mercadotecnia afiliadas que involucran tres redes de cable en español y dos operadores de cable distintos en cuatro mercados diferentes. TeleFormula y Comcast lanzaron una campaña en Albuquerque; HTV y Comcast lanzaron una promoción de adquisición en el Sur de Florida; y Video Rola y Charter anunciaron campañas para Ft. Worth y el Centro de California.

TeleFormula, una red de noticias enfocada a México, inició en el paquete de Cable Latino de Comcast en Albuquerque el 25 de septiembre. TeleFormula es un canal por cable de noticias y debates con base en México que es propiedad de y está operado por RadioFormula, el grupo radiofónico más grande de México. TeleFormula emplea a algunos de los talentos más conocidos en el género de las noticias en México y ofrece contenido de la más alta calidad abarcando una gran variedad de temas: noticias, deportes, política, temas femeninos y entretenimiento. En Albuquerque, TeleFormula compró un horario de ocho semanas para propaganda en exteriores y transmisiones en radio para promover su lanzamiento en Cable Latino de Comcast. La campaña más grande en dos años para Cable Latino incluye obsequios de boletos para conciertos de Pepe Aguilar y Juan Gabriel. A la fecha la campaña ha generado dos veces más suscriptores que durante el mismo periodo del año pasado.

HTV, el canal de música latina con transmisión las 24 horas propiedad de Claxson, anunció una campaña de adquisición "regalo con compra" en sociedad con Comcast del Sur de Florida. Los primeros 2,000 clientes en suscribirse al paquete Cable Latino de Comcast antes del 18 de noviembre recibirán un CD gratuito de Juanes. La campaña se comunicará a los residentes a través de correo directo diseñado por HTV y comerciales producidos por HTV en canales bilingües. HTV es diferente a muchos otros canales de televisión de música latina en Estados Unidos de hoy: es el único canal que integra con éxito toda la cultura musical latina en un escenario, 24 horas al día. El planteamiento de HTV está basado en una programación 100% latina que combina los mejores videos musicales y entrevistas con los artistas latinos más populares, abarcando el espectro más amplio de géneros de música latina, entre los que se incluye el pop, rock latino, reggaeton, salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia y regional mexicana. También presenta los éxitos "crossover" más populares de hoy.

Video Rola, una red basada en México que presenta videos de música regional mexicana, entrevistas de artistas, conciertos y más, anunció hoy dos campañas distintas de adquisición/mejora con Charter Communications. Una campaña es en Ft. Worth, Tejas y la otra en la región del norte y centro de California de Charter que incluye Turlock, West Sacramento y San Luis Obispo. Ambas campañas ofrecen a los residentes de esos mercados la oportunidad de ganar un par de boletos de la aerolínea Mexicana buenos para viajar a donde sea que vuele Mexicana en Estados Unidos y México. La oferta de Video Rola en el norte y centro de California se comunicará a través de diecisiete transmisiones remotas de radio y otros eventos comunitarios. En Ft. Worth, la oferta se comunicará mediante una serie de tácticas: comerciales diseñados por Video Rola en canales bilingües, anuncios impresos, tarjeta postal por correo directo, avisos colgantes en puertas y volantes. Está programado que la campaña se realice desde el 23 de octubre hasta el 31 de diciembre en ambos mercados.

Acerca de Condista:

Condista es el concentrador premier de programación en español para televisión por cable en Estados Unidos, ofrece 18 redes de cable de la más alta calidad de todo el mundo al público hispano en Estados Unidos. Los canales representados por Condista incluyen Canal 24 Horas, Cine Latino, Canal 52MX, Docu TVE, EcuaTV, El Garage TV, HITN-TV, htv musica, Infinito, SUR, SUR Perú, SUR México, TV Venezuela, Telefe Internacional, TeleFormula, TVE Internacional, Utilisima y Video Rola. Para obtener más información, por favor visite http://www.condista.com/.

Source: Condista

A Democrat Majority Would Penalize Americans for Saving, Investing

Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) today issued the following statement regarding Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi's voting record on double- taxing:

"Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) is so addicted to tax increases that she has even voted to tax some forms of Americans' income two-times. By double-taxing Americans in these instances, Mrs. Pelosi punishes responsible Americans who work hard and save their money. At the same time, she rewards and encourages the practice of spending money quickly.

"In 2003, Pelosi fought tooth and nail against the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act which was designed to spur economic growth and increase savings. Central to this plan was the reduction in the double taxation on capital gains and dividend taxes. Since the Republicans passed this legislation, more than $14 trillion of new household wealth has been created and the net worth of America's investors increased by $5.7 trillion.

"Cutting these forms of double-taxation has proven to accelerate job and economic growth, as well as consumer spending. Therefore, voting for these tax increases adversely affects economic prosperity for all Americans. The American people ought to ask Leader Pelosi if she is going to increase the double taxation on savings and investment, should she become Speaker someday."

North Korea Also a Severe Threat to Its Own People, Report Says

Citing the new UN doctrine that each state has "a responsibility to protect" its own citizens from the most severe human rights abuses, a report issued today points to egregious violations of rights by North Korea and calls for immediate action by the UN Security Council under a parallel track to the UN's actions over North Korea's nuclear test. UN sanctions levied earlier this month may inadvertently worsen the abysmal human rights situation.

Failure to Protect: A Call for the UN Security Council to Act in North Korea affirms that "the Security Council has independent justification for intervening in North Korea either because of the government's failure in its responsibility to protect or because North Korea is a nontraditional threat to the peace."

The highly detailed report, based on a careful review of available information, was prepared by the law firm DLA Piper US LLP in cooperation with the U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea. Commissioning the report were Václav Havel, former president of the Czech Republic; Kjell Magne Bondevik, former prime minister of Norway and Professor Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The report can be downloaded from http://www.dlapiper.com/NKReport or http://www.hrnk.org.

Failure to Protect focuses primarily on the active involvement of the government in crimes against humanity through food policy and famine and treatment of political prisoners. The report also describes the way North Korea misallocates its resources through the production of weapons.

"For more than a decade, human rights concerns have been relegated to a second-class status for fear of driving North Korea from the nuclear talks," said Jared Genser, a Washington- based attorney with DLA Piper. "Now that its government has gone ahead with a nuclear test anyway, it is time to have a parallel- track strategy for alleviating the suffering of the North Korea people through Security Council action."

"The nuclear threat posed by the North Korean government has raised concerns all over the world," added Debra Liang-Fenton, executive director of the U.S. Committee. "But no less alarming is the active involvement of the North Korean government in committing crimes against humanity. Now, with sanctions, the people may inadvertently suffer more."

"The situation in North Korea is one of the most egregious human rights and humanitarian disasters in the world today," said Havel, Bondevik and Wiesel in a joint statement. "Yet, sadly, because North Korea is also one of the most closed societies on Earth, information about the situation there has only trickled out over time."

The report recommends the UN Security Council adopt a non- punitive resolution urging the North Korean government to allow open access for international humanitarian organizations to feed its people, calling for the release of political prisoners, as well as insisting that the government allow the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in North Korea to visit the country.

Judging Conflict of Interest Policy FAQs

[Monday, May 15, 2006]

Judging Conflict of Interest Policy

No AKC judge may have a significant interest in a dog registry or dog event-giving organization deemed by the AKC Board to be in competition with the American Kennel Club. Significant interest would include, but not be limited to ownership of, employment by, a directorship in, and holding office in.

Any AKC-approved judge, who shall judge a purebred dog event in the U.S. not in accordance with the rules of AKC, which apply to such purebred dog events without the express permission of the AKC, may be disciplined even to the extent of having his or her AKC judging approval revoked.

An AKC-approved judge may judge breeds that are not AKC registrable and/or that they have not been approved for by AKC at non-AKC events. The AKC Board has also given permission for the judging of certain other events based upon the following criteria:

AKC has no comparable events in place.
While AKC has a program in place, AKC judges have officiated at events under the aegis of the other organization for years before the AKC program was initiated.
The type of event is not or would not be perceived as being contrary to the best interest of AKC and the sport of purebred dogs.
The event is a breed or type of breed-specific performance activity.

No AKC approval is needed to judge versatility or performance activities developed by AKC Parent Clubs and sponsored by such clubs.

Events held by the following organizations meet the above criteria, and AKC-approved judges may continue to judge them:

American Sighthound Field Association Coursing Events
American Working Terrier Association Earthdog Events
American Herding Breed Association Events
North American Hunting Retriever Association (NAHRA)
North American Versatility Dog Association Pointing Breed Hunting Tests
American Field Pointing Breed Field Trials
United Kennel Club Coonhound Events
Professional Kennel Club Coonhound Events
Any of the various organizations sponsoring Agility Trials

Other activities may be added to this list at the discretion of the AKC Board.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did AKC adopt this policy?

A: AKC believes that its judges are among the best in the world. Among Conformation, Performance, and Companion events, AKC spends millions of dollars every year to educate, train, and approve judges to ensure that this is the case. This encompasses things like processing applications, testing, interviews, observations, recording assignments, communications, education, and even liability insurance.

When individuals apply for and are granted approval as AKC judges, they are granted a certain status in the Sport, which is recognized both nationally and internationally. In fact, many overseas registries will not approve individuals from the United States to judge their events, unless they are AKC-approved judges. In return for this status as AKC judges, AKC believes that they in return have a special responsibility to AKC and the Sport as governed by AKC. AKC does not object to other organizations sponsoring events in conflict with AKC events, but does object to AKC-approved judges giving those events the credibility that comes with using AKC-approved judges. This would not be in the best interest of either AKC or its licensed and member clubs.

Q: How does this effect judging rare breed events?

A: The policy specifically excludes breeds that AKC does not register. It also excludes breeds that an individual is not yet eligible to judge.

Q: Why are certain events excluded from the policy, while others, e.g., Obedience and Tracking, are not?

A: There are some types of Performance events that AKC does not sponsor. There is no objection to anyone judging these events. There are also some activities, which other organizations may have been sponsoring long before AKC became involved. In some cases, the initial pool of AKC judges may have come from those organizations. In these cases, those events have been excluded from the policy.

Q: Why are some organizations included in the list, while others are not?

A: The list of events excluded from the Judging Conflict of Interest Policy, was prepared based upon input from the AKC Performance division. The initial list is subject to review and revision at the discretion of the AKC Board, and others may be added to the list in the future. Inquiries on this may be directed to the AKC Performance Department.

Q: Why are the exemptions limited to Performance Events, and why aren't Conformation, Obedience and Tracking included?

A: The exemptions are limited to areas where other organizations predated AKC involvement in the activity. Conformation Events (AKC has sponsored since 1884) as well as Obedience/Tracking (AKC has sponsored since 1936) would not fall into this category.

Q: The policy refers to being able to obtain "the express permission of the AKC" to judge these events. What is the procedure for that?

A: Any exceptions to this AKC Board policy may only be granted by the AKC Board. The Board has already granted general permission for AKC judges to judge a number of non-AKC events. These exceptions are incorporated into the policy. Inquiries concerning the procedure for obtaining an exception for a specific competition, e.g. a tournament sponsored by a dog food company, dog magazine, etc., may be directed to the Judges Department.

Q: May an AKC Judge approved for one type of event, judge different types of events given by other organizations?

A: Yes. This policy is specific to the individual's approved judging status with AKC. For example if an individual has AKC approval for Obedience only, he or she would be able to judge any type of event other than Obedience at non-AKC events.

Q: What right does AKC have to prevent judges from judging anywhere and anything they wish?

A: Competition is a fact of life. There is nothing that AKC would or could do to eliminate it. However, there is no requirement that AKC actually support such competition.

There are numerous organizations in the United States that register dogs and/or conduct dog events in competition with AKC. The conflict affects all facets of the Sport, some which AKC has the ability to directly confront, and some which it does not.

Registration
AKC maintains what it considers to be the premier purebred dog registry in the United States. AKC is the only registry with a comprehensive inspection program, an automatic check when DNA profiles are received against all previously profiled dogs, and an enforced care and conditions policy. AKC is selective in determining which pedigrees it will accept from other registries. All other registries take advantage of AKC's efforts by accepting AKC pedigrees for the registration of dogs. In some cases, these organizations even waive registration fees for these dogs in order to obtain AKC breeding stock. This is something AKC could not prevent. Because of concerns for the integrity of its own registry, AKC must be much more careful about the registries it accepts and cannot therefore always respond in kind.

Exhibitors
Many AKC exhibitors participate in and support events held by different registries. While these events may cause harm to AKC clubs by reducing their entry, AKC does not approve or license exhibitors and they are therefore free to compete in any event they choose.

Clubs
No club has a right to hold AKC events. Rather AKC grants a club event-giving privileges, contingent upon that club following all AKC rules, regulations and policies. AKC Bylaws do prohibit AKC clubs from holding non-AKC events without the specific permission of AKC. A number of activities have been exempted from this prohibition in the Bylaws. They primarily consist of Performance Events, which were sponsored by other organizations before AKC developed its own programs in those areas. The full policy is part of AKC's Online Policy Manual.

Judges
AKC does not prevent judges from judging anywhere and anything they wish. AKC is simply not willing to support training, testing, evaluating, and keeping records for judges that will use this experience to benefit competing organizations. Judges are free to chose to judge for these organizations if they prefer that organization to AKC.

Q: How does judging the events of specialty registries harm or conflict with AKC events?

A: AKC breed Parent Clubs have a very unique and critical role within the Sport of purebred dogs as governed by AKC. They write and own the standard that precisely defines the standard of excellence for which a breed is to be bred and by which it is to be judged. When judging in the United States, AKC-approved judges should only be applying that standard. An AKC judge awarding placements in the United States based upon a standard other that that endorsed by the AKC breed Parent Club, in many cases to dogs that are also AKC registered, would be in conflict with the objects and interest of both the AKC breed Parent Club and the AKC. If standards, on the other hand, are so similar as to be practically identical as opposed to describing significantly different dogs, judging these specialty events would appear to be supporting events in conflict with AKC events, just for the sake of supporting them.

There are a number of cases where AKC admitted new breeds in spite of significant opposition by proponents of those breeds. In some cases, accreditation involved AKC working with a breed club that sought AKC registration, while another club opposed it, seeking to remain independent, which was it prerogative.

AKC believes that it has an obligation, as do its approved judges, to fully and exclusively support the club that is the AKC Parent Club. AKC respects the right of any other club to remain independent and to maintain its own registry. However, AKC has no obligation to actively support such organizations by having its approved judges officiate at their events. It is also under no obligation to approve as judges those individuals who wish to maintain a significant interest, as defined by the policy, in organizations that wish to remain independent from and in competition with the AKC breed Parent Club.

AP/AOL News Poll: 35 Percent of Americans Using the Internet to Gather Information on the Upcoming Election

Over Half of Liberals Compared to 39 Percent of Conservatives Getting

Election Information Online

Oct 29 Less than two weeks before the 2006 mid-term elections, a new Associated Press/AOL News poll (http://news.aol.com) just released cites that 35 percent of Americans, and 43 percent of likely voters, are using the Internet to get information about the upcoming election.

According to the AP/AOL News poll, those who describe themselves as liberals are more likely (51 percent) to get election information from the Internet compared with 42 percent of moderates and 39 percent of conservatives.

In addition, the poll found that almost a quarter, 24 percent, of respondents who get election information from the Internet indicated that they have accessed a blog this election season to gather information, while 10 percent of Internet users have accessed a message board, chat room or blog to participate in election discussions. The number of blogs has grown considerably since the previous election season. In its State of the Blogosphere, August 2006 report, Technorati claims that the worldwide blogosphere has doubled every six months for the last three years – or 175,000 new blogs per day.*

Other findings include:

49 percent of men get news or information about the election from the Internet, compared with 38 percent of women;
59 percent of those under 35 years old get election information from the Internet, 39 percent of those over 35 and 18 percent of seniors over 65 use the Internet to get election information;
Likely voters who get election information from the Internet are more likely to trust the Republican party on who would best handle taxes, 46 percent, compared with 38 percent who do not use the Internet to get election information;
Those who get election information from the Internet are less likely to say that corruption and scandal in Congress will influence their vote in November, 34 percent, than those who do not use the Internet to get election information, 48 percent.

Survey Methodology

The AP-AOL News poll was conducted by Ipsos, an international public opinion company. 2,000 adults and 970 likely voters were interviewed by telephone from October 23-25. The poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points for adults and 3.1 percentage points for likely voters.

About the Associated Press

The Associated Press is the world's oldest and largest newsgathering organization, providing content to more than 15,000 news outlets with a daily reach of 1 billion people around the world. Its multimedia services are distributed by satellite and the Internet to more than 120 nations. For more information, visit www.ap.org.

About AOL

AOL is a global Web services company that operates some of the most popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free software and services, runs the country's largest Internet access business, and provides a full set of advertising solutions. A majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., AOL LLC is based in Dulles, Virginia. AOL and its subsidiaries also have operations in Europe, Canada and Asia. Learn more at AOL.com.

* Technorati, State of the Blogosphere, August 2006

BritRail presenta nuevo sitio Web en español www.BritRail.com es ahora multilingüe

Oct 28-- BritRail acaba de estrenar la versión en español de su conocido sitio Web www.BritRail.com. Ya no es necesario saber inglés para planificar un viaje con un BritRail Pass. Todo lo que el viajero independiente necesita saber está a su disposición también en español.

El sitio Web de BritRail es fácil de usar en cualquier idioma. Además de toda la gama de los mundialmente famosos BritRail Passes, ofrece también mapas, un motor de planificación del viaje atendiendo a horarios, tours e itinerarios sugeridos, reservas de asiento y literas, así como valiosas ofertas y añadidos, incluidas la tarjeta London Visitor Travel Card, los tours en autobús Citysightseeing y el pase English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass. Vaya a www.BritRail.com, seleccione Europa y haga clic en España/Espanya (Español). Planificar una visita al Reino Unido con BritRail en su propio idioma es así de simple.

Y lo que es aún mejor, los BritRail Passes y los productos de valor añadido comprados en línea se entregan en la casa del cliente antes de su viaje al Reino Unido.

Un BritRail Pass permite ilimitados viajes en la red de ferrocarril del Reino Unido durante su periodo de vigencia y a unos precios increíbles. No necesita hacer reservas por anticipado, sólo súbase al tren que elija, escoja un asiento libre, relájese y deje que el paisaje británico se deslice por su ventanilla. Las opciones de destino son innumerables: ciudades históricas, casas solariegas, la abrupta costa, colinas y valles… Un BritRail Pass abre la puerta a 19.000 trenes diarios que se detienen en 2.500 estaciones, rápida, eficiente y constantemente.

¡Adquiéralo ahora y ahorre dinero!

Compre cualquier pase BritRail FlexiPass, Consecutive Pass, London Plus Pass o Scottish Freedom Pass antes del 31 de diciembre de 2006 y viaje entre el 1 de noviembre de 2006 y el 28 de febrero de 2007 con un ahorro del 25% sobre el precio en folletos.

www.BritRail.com – sencilla lectura para fáciles viajes

Federal Jury Convicts Nashville Man on Child Pornography Offenses Involving Multiple Commercial Websites

10/27/2006 3:38:00 PM

Contact: The U.S. Department of Justice, 202-514-2008, 202-514-1888 or Web: http://www.usdoj.gov

Oct. 27 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A Nashville, Tenn., man has been convicted by a federal jury of 11 child pornography- related offenses for the operation of several Web sites that depicted adolescent boys engaging in sexually explicit activity, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Craig S. Morford of the Middle District of Tennessee announced today.

The federal jury in Nashville returned the guilty verdicts late Thursday against Timothy Ryan Richards, 25, after a two-and- a-half week trial. He was convicted of offenses including distribution and conspiracy to distribute, advertising, production and possession of child pornography, as well as violating the record-keeping requirements associated with the distribution of sexually explicit material. Richards faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison on four of the convictions. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2007.

The investigation of Richards began in September 2005 when federal warrants were issued to search the content of computer servers in Freemont, Calif., and Los Angeles. Agents believed that these servers contained child pornography Web sites associated with then 19-year-old Justin Berry, who had come forward to cooperate with federal authorities in the investigation of the child pornography Web site Justinsfriends.com. Richards was identified as the operator of Justinsfriends as well as several other child pornography Web sites.

"We are pleased that the jury recognized the serious nature of Richards' crimes," said Assistant Attorney General Fisher. "The Department of Justice places a high priority on protecting our children from sexual predators and child pornographers. This verdict is a significant step in our efforts to combat the exploitation of our children."

"I have always believed that a society can have no greater priority than promoting the safety of its most vulnerable members, especially its children," said U.S. Attorney Morford. "That is why this case and this verdict was so significant."

Testimony at trial proved that up until the time of his arrest on Sept. 22, 2005, Richards ran several Web sites depicting adolescent boys engaged in sexually explicit activity. These Web sites included www.CaseyandKylesCondo.com, www.CaseysCondo.com, www.PenisClub.com, and www.JustinsFriends.net. The defendant himself created three of those Web sites and took over Justinsfriends in the summer of 2005.

To provide material for the various Web sites, Richards engaged in a sexual relationship with one of the victims when that boy was 14 years old. The defendant filmed and took pictures of himself engaged in sexually explicit conduct with that boy numerous times over four years. The defendant also traveled with that minor into foreign countries, including Australia and Iceland, where he again filmed and photographed sexually explicit activity.

As part of his operation of these commercial child pornography Web sites, the defendant advertised among his sites and others and set up elaborate affiliate marketing programs in which he rewarded others for generating new customers.

At the time of his arrest in September 2005, the defendant was living with a 13-year-old boy. Richards is also under indictment and awaiting trial on one count of distributing obscene materials to that minor.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, supported by the FBI's Innocent Images Unit and the Computer and Analysis Recovery Team, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section's High Tech Forensic Investigative Unit and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Carran Daughtrey of the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Middle District of Tennessee and trial attorney Kayla Bakshi of the Child Exploitation and

Pelosi: Bush Has Failed to Formulate a Comprehensive Counterterrorism Plan

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on reports that President Bush will release a National Implementation Plan that is four months old:

"Given the Administration's failure to plan for the war in Iraq, it is not surprising that President Bush is about to unveil a four-month old 'National Implementation Plan' for the war on terrorism that does not reflect current world events and is short on specifics.

"More than two years ago, the independent 9/11 Commission called for a comprehensive counterterrorism plan that set priorities and established a way to measure results. Yet in the five years since the 9/11 attacks, the President has failed to formulate such a plan. If the President does not produce a National Implementation Plan that takes into account the realities facing our nation today, his dismal record and failure to plan for crucial national security matters will continue.

"Democrats are committed to protecting our country with real security initiatives that are smart and tough. We will begin by implementing all of the 9/11 Commission recommendations and taking America in a new direction."

Census Bureau Data Underscore Value of College Degree

Adults age 18 and older with a bachelor's degree earned an average of $51,554 in 2004, while those with a high school diploma earned $28,645, according to new tabulations released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Those without a high school diploma earned an average of $19,169.

The series of tables, Educational Attainment in the United States: 2005, also showed advanced-degree holders made an average of $78,093.

Other highlights from the tables:

-- In 2005, 85 percent of all adults 25 years or older reported they had completed at least high school. More than one- quarter (28 percent) of adults age 25 years and older had attained at least a bachelor's degree.

-- High school graduation rates for women (ages 25 years and older) continued to exceed those of men, 85.4 percent and 84.9 percent, respectively. On the other hand, men had a greater proportion of the population with a bachelor's degree or higher (28.9 percent compared with 26.5 percent of women).

-- Non-Hispanic whites had the highest proportion of adults with a high school diploma or higher (90 percent), followed by Asians (88 percent), blacks (81 percent) and Hispanics (59 percent).

-- Utah, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire and Alaska continued to have the highest proportions of people 25 years and older with a high school diploma or higher (around 92 percent).

-- The District of Columbia had the highest proportion of people 25 years and older with a bachelor's degree or higher (47 percent), followed closely by Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland and New Jersey.

Fourteen tables of data on educational trends are available, and attainment levels are shown by characteristics such as age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, marital status, occupation, industry, nativity and period of entry, as well as metropolitan and non- metropolitan residence. The tabulations also include data on earnings and educational attainment. Although the statistics provided are primarily at the national level, some data are shown for regions and states.

The data are from the 2005 Current Population Survey's (CPS) Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC). The ASEC is conducted in February, March and April at about 100,000 addresses nationwide.

---

Statistics from sample surveys are subject to sampling and nonsampling error. For further information on the source of the data and accuracy of the estimates, included standard errors and confidence intervals, go to Appendix G of http://www.census.gov/apsd/techdoc/cps/cpsmar05.pdf

New Boeing CH-47F Takes Flight

The Boeing Company's [NYSE: BA] first production CH-47F Chinook helicopter successfully completes its first flight Oct. 23 from its Rotorcraft Systems facility in Ridley Park, Pa., where testers evaluated the aircraft's systems and structural performance. Boeing will deliver the new CH-47F to the U.S. Army for operational testing before being deployed in 2007.

After conducting the flight, Boeing test pilot Erik Kocher said, "The U.S. Army will have the most advanced, mission-capable heavy lift helicopter in the world. The CH-47F will provide crews with configurable flight displays for more efficient mission performance and a communications suite for greater situational awareness. The digital automatic flight control system will provide an enhanced and safer low speed flight capability, and the airframe enhancements will yield a safer and more reliable combat system."

The same cockpit system installed on the CH-47F and MH-47G Special Operations Chinooks will be used in the HH-47 proposed in the U.S. Air Force Combat Search and Rescue program and will include terrain following/terrain avoiding radar and an integrated forward looking infrared system for nap-of-the-earth and low-level flight operations in reduced visibility conditions.

Zingy Trae las Películas a los Clientes de Verizon Wireless

Ahora los clientes de Get It Now pueden experimentar MovieGoer en los teléfonos capacitados con Flash Lite

Zingy, una empresa de desarrollo de aplicaciones galardonadas y contenido multimedia móvil, y Verizon Wireless, el proveedor de telefonía móvil líder de la nación, anunciaron hoy que los clientes de Verizon Wireless ahora pueden experimentar una versión mejorada de la aplicación líder de entretenimiento MovieGoer en algunos teléfonos capacitados con Get It Now(R). La nueva aplicación MovieGoer aprovecha la nueva tecnología anteriormente anunciada por Verizon Wireless y Adobe llamada Adobe Flash Lite, que mejora las gráficas y la animación para las descargas de Get It Now y permite que los clientes puedan "habilitar con Flash" sus teléfonos automáticamente.

MovieGoer de Zingy ofrece a los clientes una guía de películas completa en sus teléfonos celulares. Los clientes de Verizon Wireless pueden localizar los cines más cercanos, ver todas las películas y sus horarios, leer reseñas de películas aclamadas por la crítica y ver afiches de películas, todo a través de sus teléfonos celulares.

"Elegimos nuestra popular aplicación de entretenimiento MovieGoer para ejemplificar las mejoras que Flash Lite ofrece a los clientes de Verizon Wireless", dijo Martin Zary, vicepresidente de tecnología en Zingy. "Flash nos ofrece un entorno más rico y más interesante dónde presentar reseñas de películas, horarios y ubicaciones, y reconocemos la oportunidad de aprovechar los teléfonos capacitados con Flash Lite de Verizon Wireless para extender el universo de los suscriptores a MovieGoer."

MovieGoer de Zingy actualmente está disponible en cuatro teléfonos de Verizon Wireless, que incluyen el V (LG VX9800), Motorola RAZR V3c y V3m y Samsung SCH-a950 con una tarifa de acceso de $3.49 mensuales. Se espera que MovieGoer esté disponible en más aparatos compatibles con Flash Lite en las siguientes semanas. El costo de las descargas para las aplicaciones Get It Now varía y aplican cargos de tiempo aire durante la navegación, descarga y uso de ciertas aplicaciones. Es necesario que los clientes tengan un teléfono capacitado con Get It Now y los servicios digitales de Verizon Wireless para tener acceso a la tienda virtual de Get It Now.

Para obtener más información acerca de los productos y servicios de Verizon Wireless, visite una tienda de comunicaciones Verizon Wireless, llame al 1-800-2 JOIN IN o vaya a http://www.verizonwireless.com/.

Acerca de Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless tiene y opera la red móvil más confiable del país y cuenta con 54.8 millones de clientes de sus servicios de voz y datos. Verizon Wireless, con sede en Basking Ridge, N. J., es una sociedad conjunta de Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) y Vodafone (NYSE y LSE: VOD). Para más información, visite el sitio http://www.verizonwireless.com/. Para ver y solicitar secuencias de video, con resolución apropiada para difusión y fotografías de alta resolución sobre las operaciones de Verizon Wireless, visite Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library en http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

Acerca de Zingy

Zingy, una empresa de servicios completos de contenido multimedia móvil y otros relacionados, se especializa en la personalización de contenido, aplicaciones descargables y soluciones de marketing y publicidad móviles. La división de personalización de contenido de Zingy crea contenido de alta calidad original y bajo licencia, incluyendo tonos de llamada, tonos de mensajes y fondos de pantalla, mientras la división de aplicaciones y servicios móviles es la editora líder de las aplicaciones y juegos descargables galardonadas BREW y J2ME. Zingy también ofrece un conjunto de soluciones de marketing y publicidad móviles de plataforma independiente. Visite http://www.zingy.com/ para obtener más información.

Get It Now es una marca comercial registrada de Verizon Wireless. Todos los otros nombres y marcas registradas son propiedad de sus respectivas empresas.

Source: Verizon Wireless

Blind Americans to Cast First Secret Ballot

National Federation of the Blind to Monitor Compliance

Oct. 24 The National Federation of the Blind announced today that it has created a hotline for blind and visually impaired voters to report any difficulties in casting their ballots both secretly and independently in the upcoming election. The purpose of the hotline will be to monitor compliance with the provisions of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) relating to nonvisual access to the voting process for the blind.

James Gashel, Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives at the National Federation of the Blind, said: "This election is historic because it is the first general election since the implementation date for the accessibility provisions of the Help America Vote Act. I was able to vote independently and completely in private for the first time in the Maryland primary election last month and look forward to doing it again in November, when many blind voters across the nation will cast a secret ballot for the first time in their lives. The ability to cast a secret ballot is not only thrilling for us as blind voters, it protects our democracy by ensuring that nobody exercises undue influence over us or engages in outright fraud while pretending to help us vote. A secret vote is just as important for blind voters as it is for every other American."

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "The National Federation of the Blind led the effort to make it possible for the blind to vote independently and in secret, like all other Americans. We have been working to help jurisdictions to comply with that statute by providing educational and training materials through our National Center for Nonvisual Election Technology. Having worked so hard to achieve full and equal participation by the blind in the voting process, it is our duty to ensure that no blind American is denied the right to cast a secret ballot, and we will take any action that is necessary and appropriate to carry out that obligation."

The National Federation of the Blind HAVA National Compliance Hotline will be available at 1-877-632-1940 from 7:00 AM-10:00 PM EST on Election Day (Tuesday, November 7) and from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM on Wednesday, November 8. Callers will be asked where they are voting and whether they have been able to cast their ballot with accessible equipment. The National Federation of the Blind will analyze the data collected and conduct any appropriate follow-up, including assisting voters with actionable grievances in filing complaints with the United States Department of Justice.

Passed in 2002, the Help America Vote Act was intended to help states replace outdated voting equipment such as the punch card machines that caused problems during the 2000 presidential election. The law mandates that every polling place in the nation must have at least one voting station accessible to the blind. As of January 1, 2006, jurisdictions should be complying by using electronic voting terminals, special ballot-marking devices, or vote-by- phone systems. All of these methods use audio prompts to read the ballot to a blind voter and allow the voter to make ballot choices using a keypad. This technology allows the blind to vote without the assistance of a sighted poll worker. "Since many jurisdictions will be using new voting equipment that is accessible to the blind for the first time," Dr. Maurer explained, "we feel that it is essential to collect data on whether that equipment has been implemented and works properly."

The National Federation of the Blind was instrumental in advocating for the nonvisual access language contained in the HAVA and received a grant under that statute to ensure its implementation. The National Center for Nonvisual Election Technology (NCNET) was established by the Federation to carry out the terms of the grant. The NCNET has developed an on-line curriculum and a DVD to help make election officials aware of the needs of blind voters and to help jurisdictions select appropriate equipment to provide nonvisual access to the blind at the polling place.

For more information about the National Federation of the Blind and its work on access to elections, visit http://www.nfb.org/nfb/HAVA_intro.asp .

About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.

Source: National Federation of the Blind

SkyZone Entertainment Lanza Juegos Flash Lite, Jungle Jim y Extreme Hangman en los Teléfonos Get It Now de Verizon Wireless

Jungle Jim y Extreme Hangman viajan con Flash Lite a los teléfonos móviles

-- SkyZone Entertainment, Inc., una editorial de entretenimiento móvil, y Verizon Wireless, el proveedor de servicios de telefonía móvil líder nacional, anunciaron hoy la primera ronda de aplicaciones de juegos habilitadas con Flash Lite que harán su debut hoy en algunos teléfonos capacitados con Get It Now(R) de Verizon Wireless. Los dos primeros productos disponibles a través de SkyZone(TM) son los juegos móviles Jungle Jim(TM) y Extreme Hangman(TM), que están disponibles por un cargo de acceso mensual o para compra con uso ilimitado. Los usuarios de Verizon Wireless pueden descargar estos juegos en sus teléfonos en la tienda virtual Get It Now en el pasillo de compras de getGAMES.

"Jungle Jim y Extreme Hangman son excelentes representaciones de juegos casuales verdaderamente fáciles de sumergirse", dijo Neil Haldar, vicepresidente de estrategias y programación de contenido de SkyZone Entertainment. "Estos títulos están especialmente diseñados para adaptarse a la tecnología Flash Lite, que ofrece aún mejores gráficos y detalles en el teléfono estándar y consideramos que ayudará aún más a emprender la próxima ola de adopción de juegos móviles".

Flash Lite para BREW(R) les da a los usuarios de Verizon Wireless la capacidad de descargar aplicaciones automáticamente, tales como, Jungle Jim y Extreme Hangman y puedan "habilitar con Flash" sus teléfonos inmediatamente. Jungle Jim está disponible por US$1.99 de acceso mensual o US$4.99 para compra con uso ilimitado, inicialmente en cuatro teléfonos de Verizon Wireless, que son: The V (LG VX9800), Motorola RAZR V3c y V3m y Samsung SCH- a950. Se espera que Verizon Wireless ofrezca Flash Lite en otros teléfonos en las próximas semanas. Extreme Hangman también está disponible en los teléfonos y se puede comprar por US$1.99 de acceso mensual o por US$5.99 para compra con uso ilimitado.

Los cargos por descarga para las aplicaciones de Get It Now varían y los cargos de tiempo aire aplican durante la navegación, descarga o uso de ciertas aplicaciones. Para accesar la tienda virtual Get It Now los clientes necesitan un teléfono capacitado con Get It Now y los servicios digitales de Verizon Wireless.

Para obtener mayor información acerca de los productos y servicios de Verizon Wireless, visite una tienda Verizon Wireless Communications Store, llame gratis al 1-800-2 JOIN IN o accese, http://www.verizonwireless.com/.

Acerca de Verizon Wireless

Acerca de SkyZone Entertainment

SkyZone Entertainment, Inc. crea y ofrece contenido emocionante "Made for Mobile(TM)" (Hecho para Telefonía Móvil), que satisface la demanda emergente de los consumidores de juegos a través de varias redes de teléfonos móviles y aparatos de entretenimiento en el hogar. A través de una red de inversores y socios como SK Group, SkyZone recurre a una tradición coreana avanzada de innovación editorial e interoperabilidad de redes para ofrecer juegos de tecnología de punta y aplicaciones de marcas reconocidas que presentan gráficos en 3D, ambientes de interconexión de redes de múltiples jugadores y acceso transmedial para las portadoras de telecomunicaciones y jugadores móviles en todo el mundo. Para obtener mayor información, visite, http://www.skyzonemobile.com/.

Get It Now es una marca comercial registrada de Verizon Wireless. Todos los otros nombres y marcas comerciales pertenecen a sus respectivas compañías.

Sexy, Inc. anuncia la "Lista de los 100 hoteles más sexy del mundo 2005-2006"

Sexy, Inc. ha lanzado su segunda lista aunal de los 100 hoteles más sexy del mundo

-- Marc Holland, fundador de Sexy, Inc., afirmó, "Se evaluaron más de 500 propiedades y los ganadores se eligieron por su estilo, arquitectura, ambientación, servicios, humor y emoción." Holland agregó, "Definir 'sexy' fue la parte divertida de la tarea. Sexy no tiene nada que ver con el precio, el tamaño o la reputación, sino con el modo en que todos esos elementos se combinan para crear una experiencia sensual que evoca un sentimiento de verdadera trascendencia para el huésped."

"La característica de sexy no se puede fingir", explica Holland, "Un hotel o lugar de vacaciones es sexy o no lo es. No hay grados intermedios. Sexy podría ser un mega lugar de vacaciones en el desierto, un elegante hotel para ejecutivos en la ciudad de Nueva York, un establecimiento a orillas del mar en Malasia o un campamento de safari."

Las propiedades destacadas incluyen Rattray's en Sudáfrica, Bleibtreu en Berlín, The Montage Resort & Spa en Laguna Beach, California, Navutu Stars Resort en Fiji, Costa Rica Marriott en Costa Rica y muchas otras.

Highlighted Links

www.sexiesthotels.com

Jeff Johnson, Vicepresidente de Comercialización del Montage Resort & Spa, afirma, "Nos complace sumamente haber sido seleccionados como uno de los hoteles más sexy del mundo. Nuestro establecimiento es romántico y elegante y queremos evocar una experiencia relajada para todos los sentidos."

Julia Poppe, Directora de Comercialización, Bleibtreu Hotel, dijo, "Nos enorgullece enormemente estar otra vez afiliados con el exclusivo círculo mundial de los ‘hoteles más sexy'. Nuestro amor por los detalles más pequeños y nuestro impulso por mejorar y brindar nuestro servicio sincero permanentemente forman parte de nuestra oferta, lo cual es sumamente valorado por nuestros huéspedes. Desde la inauguración del Bleibtreu, que se traduce literalmente como 'Permanece fiel', muchos de nuestros huéspedes han mostrado lealtad."

La lista de los 100 hoteles más sexy del mundo es un emprendimiento conjunto de clasificación de viajes entre Sexy, Inc., Sky Radio & Video y SkyAuction.com, una empresa líder de subasta de viajes en línea.

1. Navutu Stars Resort, Fiji 2. Rattray's on Mala Mala, Sudáfrica 3. The Wynn, Las Vegas, Nevada 4. Amanpulo Resort, Filipinas 5. Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, Ojai, California 6. Hotel de l'Europe, Ámsterdam 7. Montage Resort & Spa, Laguna Beach, California 8. Roger Williams, Nueva York, Nueva York 9. The Lalu, Taiwan 10. Costa Rica Marriott, San José, Costa Rica

Holland indica, "Todos los ganadores con quienes hemos conversado sienten gran entusiasmo por ser seleccionados para la lista. Están acostumbrados a ganar premios, pero el galardón al 'Más sexy' es algo que los enorgullece de forma inusual."

Visite www.sexiesthotels.com.

New AARP Survey Shows Public Strongly Opposes Social Security Private Accounts

Oct 24

A new AARP survey finds that boomer+ voters (age 42 and older) are strongly opposed to using Social Security taxes to fund private accounts. More than seven in 10 of those polled (72 percent) said they oppose private accounts. Less than one in six (16 percent) of those polled said they support such accounts.

An analysis of candidate responses to the 2006 AARP Voters' Guides in 45 competitive Senate and House races reflects that candidates are hearing the public's rejection of private accounts. AARP's 2006 Voters' Guides ask candidates whether they "support or oppose using Social Security taxes to fund private accounts." Of the 20 Senate candidates in 10 of the closest races for which Guides are available, 14 (70 percent) of the candidates checked the box in opposition; only one (5 percent) candidate expressed support, while 5 (25 percent) candidates either did not check a box or respond..

Similarly, in 35 of the competitive House races, 43 (60 percent) of the candidates checked the box in opposition. Only two candidates (3 percent) expressed support, while 26 (37 percent) of the remaining candidates either did not check a box or respond at all.

The guides also ask candidates whether they will "support or oppose a balanced Social Security plan to continue the program's guaranteed benefits for future generations." Of the 20 Senate candidates, 15 (75 percent) candidates checked the box in support, one candidate (5 percent) opposed and 20 percent did not check a box or respond. For the House races, a total of 45 (63 percent) candidates support a balanced plan, only one (1 percent) oppose, and the remaining 25 (35 percent) candidates either did not check a box or respond.

"It is clear from the responses to our Voters' Guides that an overwhelming majority of candidates oppose private accounts and support a balanced Social Security plan to continue this critical program for future generations," said AARP Director of Government Relations David Sloane. "These candidates have committed to strengthening and preserving Social Security, and voters will expect that they follow through on their promises if elected to office."

For a complete listing of the competitive 45 races for which we have Voters' Guides, and the candidates' complete responses to the Social Security questions, including additional comments they may have made, visit:

http://assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/cs/misc/house_vo ter_guide.pdf

http://assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/cs/misc/senate_v oter_guide.pdf

Also, to view all the complete 2006 AARP Voters' Guides, visit http://www.dontvote.com.

The Election Watch survey was commissioned earlier this month as a national telephone survey of 1,503 individuals age 42 and older. The survey is the seventh in a series of nine scheduled for release each week leading up to the mid-term elections. AARP wanted to take the pulse of the public's opinion on issues that our members have indicated they want to hear about in the national and state public discourse.

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP produces The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, a monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, a bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, a quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and the Web site, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Grammy Winner Jill Scott will accept a 2006 Eddy Award tomorrow night, Oct. 24, from the Philadelphia Education Fund. The renowned singer-songwriter will be honored alongside fellow awardees: the Eagles Youth Partnership, GlaxoSmithKline, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (Philadelphia Alumni Chapter) and current Philadelphia Scholar Tiffany A. Flippen. The celebration takes place tomorrow, from 6- 8 p.m., at WHYY and includes live interviews with the award winners by WHYY's Tracey Matisak.

Jill Scott has been writing poetry since her days in Philadelphia's public schools. Raised in North Philadelphia, a graduate of Philadelphia High School for Girls, Scott has a couple of multi-platinum albums to her name and a critically- acclaimed book of poetry. But her accomplishments don't stop there.

In 2003, Scott founded the Blues Babe Foundation to nurture college-bound students of color, aged 16-21. In addition to providing scholarships, Scott's foundation has financially supported regional schools and community centers, and is preparing to launch a summer camp for underprivileged children.

In addition to Girls High, Scott is a graduate of Thomas M. Peirce Elementary School and Albert M. Greenfield School. She released her debut album Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 in July 2000, and won a Grammy Award in 2005 for Best R&B Urban/Alternative Performance for "Cross My Mind." Her book of poetry, The Moments, The Minutes, The Hours, was released in April 2005. She will receive the Philadelphia Education Fund's Star Alumna Eddy.

Receiving the Star Business Commitment to Education Eddy is GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The pharmaceutical company is being honored for its continued support of education programs in under- served communities, including teacher development, middle-grades education and its flagship Science in the Summer program. GSK's Director of Community Partnerships, Mary Linda Andrews, will accept the award.

The Eagles Youth Partnership (EYP), founded by the Philadelphia Eagles to tackle education and health issues faced by the region's youth, is being honored with the Star Commitment to Education Eddy. The nonprofit organization runs several signature programs, including the Eagles Book Mobile, Eagles Eye Mobile, Eagles Chess Tournament and Eagles Top Achiever Awards. Cecil Martin, former Philadelphia Eagles Fullback, will be accepting the award along with EYP's Executive Director Sarah Martinez-Helfman.

The Philadelphia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity will be honored with the Star Community Commitment to Education Eddy Award. The city's Alumni Chapter works with young African- American males through programs, such as Guide Right, which stress positive values, direction and self-esteem. Louis Williams, Polemarch, will be accepting the award for Kappa Alpha Psi.

In addition, Tiffany A. Flippen, a participant from the Ed Fund's College Access and Philadelphia Scholars programs, will receive the Rising Star Eddy. A sophomore at Villanova University, Tiffany is an accounting major with a minor in African American Studies and is an active volunteer for Villanova's Black Cultural Society. She was also the valedictorian of her class at University City High School.

The 2006 Eddys are being sponsored by WHYY, Fox Rothschild LLP, IBM, the Philadelphia Eagles and Firstrust Bank. The Philadelphia Education Fund is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of public education for under-served youth in the Philadelphia region.

Former Enron Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey K. Skilling has been sentenced to 24 years and four months in prison on conspiracy, securities fraud and other charges related to the collapse of the Enron Corporation, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division announced today.

In addition to the prison sentence, Skilling, 52, was ordered to forfeit approximately $45 million to be applied towards restitution for the victims of the fraud at Enron. Skilling was sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Sim Lake, at the U.S. District Court in Houston. He was convicted by a federal jury in Houston on May 25 of 12 counts of securities fraud, one count of insider trading, conspiracy and five counts of making false statements to auditors. Lay's co-defendant at trial, former Enron CEO Kenneth Lay, was also convicted after 56 days of trial and jury deliberations on conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud charges.

The convictions stemmed from a wide-ranging scheme that Lay, Skilling and other Enron executives engaged in at various times between at least 1999 and 2001, to deceive the investing public, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and others about the true performance of Enron's businesses. The scheme was designed to make it appear that Enron was growing at a healthy and predictable rate, consistent with analysts' published expectations, that Enron did not have significant write-offs or debt and was worthy of investment-grade credit rating, that Enron was comprised of a number of successful business units, and that the company had an appropriate cash flow. It had the effect of inflating artificially Enron's stock price, which increased from approximately $30 per share in early 1998 to over $80 per share in January 2001, and artificially stemming the decline of the stock during the first three quarters of 2001.

The fraud scheme eventually unraveled and Enron filed for bankruptcy in December 2001, making its stock virtually worthless. The company's collapse cost investors billions of dollars, and thousands of workers lost their jobs.

"Today's sentence is a measure of justice for the thousands of people who lost their jobs and millions of dollars in investments when Enron collapsed under the weight of the fraud perpetrated by the company's top executives," said Fisher. "Jeffrey Skilling will now spend more than 24 years in prison for committing one of the largest frauds in the history of corporate America. His conviction is the result of nearly five years of hard work and dedication by the prosecutors and investigators on the Enron Task Force, whose tireless efforts demonstrate the finest qualities of public service."

"The sentencing of Jeffrey Skilling today puts an exclamation point on many years of hard work by the Enron Task Force and reiterates the FBI's commitment to address corporate fraud, no matter how long it takes," said FBI Assistant Director Chip Burrus. "Corporate crooks should beware, if you decide to use business coffers as your personal piggy bank at the expense of investors and employees, you risk loss of personal freedom."

Kenneth Lay died on July 5, and his conviction was voided by a federal judge earlier this month. The government announced today that it is filing a civil forfeiture action to recover property that constitutes proceeds of the fraud proven in the criminal case against Lay. The civil complaint seeks to forfeit Lay's condominium in Houston, property associated with a Lay family investment partnership and a bank account with more than $22,000 -- all proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of various federal crimes, including securities fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud.

The investigation into Enron's collapse was conducted by the Enron Task Force, a team of federal prosecutors supervised by the Justice Department's Criminal Division and Special Agents from the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation. The Task Force received considerable assistance from the Securities and Exchange Commission. Following today's sentencing, all outstanding matters being handled by the Enron Task Force will be referred to the Fraud Section of the Criminal Division at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Two Egyptian nationals who enslaved a 10-year-old girl and forced her to work as a domestic servant at their Orange County, Calif., residence were both sentenced this morning.

Abdel Nasser Youssef Ibrahim was sentenced to 36 months in prison. His ex-wife, Amal Ahmed Ewis-abd El Motelib, was sentenced to 22 months. In addition to the prison terms, Ibrahim and Motelib were ordered to pay over $70,000 to the victim. This figure represents the money she should have received while working for two years without pay for a family of seven at their Irvine, Calif., residence.

The court ordered Ibrahim and Montelib to surrender into custody on Oct. 30, and Nov. 13, respectively. Following the sentencing, Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Ibrahim and Motelib, both foreign nationals, pending deportation proceedings. Upon completion of their sentences, Ibrahim and Motelib will face deportation from the United States.

In June 2006, the defendants pleaded guilty to four counts of conspiracy, holding a person in involuntary servitude through force or coercion, obtaining labor through unlawful force and coercion, and harboring an illegal alien.

"The young victim in this case was subject to inhumane conditions that included both physical and verbal abuse," said U.S. Attorney Debra Wong Yang of the Central District of California. "As a result of recent changes in federal law, she has been granted a visa that will allow her to stay and, hopefully, prosper, in the United States. I hope this brings some recompense to a victim who was forced to work every day for as long as 16 hours."

The victim began working for Ibrahim and Motelib as a domestic servant in Egypt in 1999. The couple then moved to the United States and arranged to have the victim brought to the country in 2000, with the expectation that she would work for them as a nanny and housekeeper. The victim's passport was confiscated by the defendants after her arrival. She received no compensation for her labor and served the couple and their family for 20 months.

Ibrahim and Motelib forced the victim to work through a number of unlawful means, including threats, and physical and verbal abuse. The defendants slapped the victim on at least one occasion, and told the girl that she would be arrested and taken away if she was caught by the police outside the family's home.

"This young victim was robbed of something intensely precious -- her youth," said Assistant Attorney General Wan J. Kim of the Civil Rights Division. "The Civil Rights Division is strongly committed to ending the heinous crime of human trafficking. Innocent victims, such as the young girl in this case, deserve the freedom and opportunity that America offers. They deserve the right to seek the American Dream."

The case against Ibrahim and Motelib is the first case brought under the purview of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Irvine Police Department conducted the investigation. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.

The United States won't withdraw its troops
from Iraq in the face of recent increased insurgent-led violence in
some parts of that country, President Bush said here yesterday.

The U.S. goal in Iraq is victory, Bush told the nation during his
weekly radio address. Any changes made to address increased insurgent
attacks in and around Baghdad and parts of Anbar province, the president
emphasized, will involve "the tactics we use to achieve" victory.

Bush has met with senior Defense Department civilian and military
leaders over the past few days to discuss the way ahead in Iraq.

Withdrawing American military forces and retreating from Iraq would
embolden terrorists around the world, dishonor the sacrifices of thousands
of U.S. servicemembers, and make America less safe, Bush said.

"We will not pull our troops off the [Iraq] battlefield before the
mission is complete," Bush emphasized in his radio address. Giving up in
Iraq, he added, "would allow the terrorists to gain a new safe haven from
which to launch new attacks on America."

The American strategy in Iraq is predicated on training enough capable
Iraqi soldiers and police to engage and defeat the insurgents. This
plan is flexible and allows U.S. forces to adapt to changing
circumstances, Bush said.

"We've changed the way we train the Iraqi security forces," Bush
pointed out. "We have changed the way we deliver reconstruction assistance in
areas that have been cleared of terrorist influence."

Bush said he's spoken with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki about
the stepped up violence in Iraq. Both leaders agreed that the core
strategy employed to defeat the insurgency in Iraq would remain in place.

"And, we will continue to be flexible, and make every necessary change
to prevail in this struggle," Bush said.

Violence in Iraq has increased, particularly in and around Baghdad,
Bush said, because coalition and Iraqi forces have been conducting focused
operations to bring security to that city.

"It's no coincidence that the surge in attacks against coalition forces
coincides with our increased presence in the streets in Baghdad," Bush
pointed out.

Maliki and other senior Iraqi government officials have been taking
steps to confront rising violence by reaching out to various sects and
tribes, Bush said. For example, tribal leaders in Anbar province, he said,
have told Maliki they're ready to confront the insurgency.

Also, some key leaders of Iraq's national police force have been
arrested or reassigned, Bush noted during his radio address, as part of
efforts to make that organization more efficient.

Terrorists in Iraq aim to use the stepped up violence to influence
American public opinion through the media and reduce support for the war,
Bush said.

"They know they cannot defeat us in the battle, so they conduct
high-profile attacks, hoping that the images of violence will demoralize our
country and force us to retreat," the president explained.

However, America will remain steadfast in its support of the new
democratic Iraqi government, Bush said.

"We will help Prime Minister Maliki build a free nation that can govern
itself, sustain itself, and defend itself," Bush said. "And we will
help Iraq become a strong democracy that is a strong ally in the war on
terror."

Bush acknowledged that increased violence over the past few weeks has
"been rough for our troops in Iraq, and for the Iraqi people." Yet,
American troops have persevered and achieved victories in other great, past
struggles, he pointed out.

"In World War II and the Cold War, earlier generations of Americans
sacrificed so that we can live in freedom," Bush said. "This generation
will do its duty as well. We will defeat the terrorists everywhere they
make their stand, and we will leave a more hopeful world for our
children and our grandchildren."

Three in Five Say Pay Raise Not the Determining Factor in Legislative Races, According to New, Non-Partisan Poll

Oct. 21 -- Three out of five likely voters surveyed in a new, non-partisan statewide poll say an incumbent legislator's vote for the recently repealed state pay raise will not be the determining factor when they go to the polls on Nov. 7.

The survey, released today by Triad Strategies, LLC, and Susquehanna Polling and Research, asked 700 voters statewide how they viewed the state pay raise as a decision factor in the Nov. 7 election.

A significant majority - 59 percent - said they "plan to consider my senator or representative's position on other issues before making my final decision." A total of 22 percent said they would vote against pay raise supporters no matter what. A total of 15 percent said they would vote for their incumbent legislator "in spite of their position on the pay raise."

Pay raise concerns seem to be centered most strongly in the Southwestern Pennsylvania counties around Pittsburgh where 33 percent of voters say they will vote against those who voted for the legislation no matter what, said Roy Wells, President of Triad Strategies. "It means that it could be a factor in some races but it's not going to be the sea change we saw in the primaries," Wells said. Strong concerns were also evident in South Central Pennsylvania and North Central Pennsylvania counties where anti-pay-raise sentiments were registered by 29 percent of the voters contacted.

"It's clear that most people are going to do what they do traditionally - look at the total record of incumbents and make a balanced decision," Wells said.

Anti-pay-raise attitudes were evident most strongly among senior citizens. A total of 31 percent of those 60 years old and over said they would vote against pay raise supporters.

The Triad/Susquehanna Poll also showed Democrats holding or extending their leads in the statewide races for U.S. Senate and Governor. In the Senate contest, the poll - conducted between Oct. 1 and 6 - showed Democrat Bob Casey increasing his lead over incumbent Republican Rick Santorum to 54-34 statewide.

In the race for governor, incumbent Democrat Ed Rendell was at 56 percent compared to 32 percent for Republican challenger Lynn Swann.

"What is significant to me as someone who conducted dozens of polls every year is the percent of people who already have made up their minds with a month to go before the election," said James Lee, founder and President of Susquehanna Polling and Research. "In the Senate race, it will be difficult for Santorum to recapture the lead because in this type of anti-incumbent environment most of the undecided voters will go to the challenger. In the race for governor, with Rendell over fifty percent even if all the undecided voters break for the challenger Swann still comes up short."

The Triad-Susquehanna Poll differs from some other non-partisan polls in that it draws its interviews from lists of those registered to vote who have already demonstrated that they have cast ballots in recent elections and indicate that they are very likely or certainly likely to vote on Nov. 7.

Regionally, Santorum is running strongest in Southwest Pennsylvania, where 44 percent of the voters support him compared to 50 percent for Casey, and in the Central Pennsylvania "T" counties where he trails Casey 39-41 - within the 3.7 percent margin of error for a survey sample of this size.

However, he trails Casey 68-17 and 70-27 in populous Philadelphia and Allegheny County and 54-37 in the nominally Republican counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley.

Swann leads Rendell only in the suburban Pittsburgh counties in Southwest Pennsylvania (42-39) but trails in even the Republican counties of the "T" and South Central Pennsylvania (45-40 and 47-36, respectively).

On issues, voters are most concerned about taxes. Overall, 32 percent of all surveyed said taxes are the "single most important problem facing Pennsylvania today ... that you would like to see resolved by your elected officials." Concerns about the economy, jobs and unemployment ranked a distant second at 14 percent. Concerns about politicians and ethics in government was third at 9 percent.

Source: TRIAD STRATEGIES

NAACP Supports California Proposition 86 to Fund Universal Health Care for Children

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People National Board of Directors voted today to endorse California ballot Proposition 86 that would raise billions of dollars for hospitals and fund universal children's health insurance, anti-tobacco programs and health education programs by increasing taxes on tobacco.

"From our earliest days, the health status of African- Americans has been a major NAACP concern. Proposition 86 will be a great step toward that goal," said Julian Bond, Chairman, NAACP Board of Directors.

"By passing this resolution, the NAACP has gone on the record again as being opposed to smoking and in favor of better health care for children and adults," said Bruce S. Gordon, NAACP President and CEO. "It's a scientific fact that avoiding tobacco products results in health benefits for both smokers and non- smokers. Everything possible should be done to discourage young people from starting the smoking habit. This is our national policy and we're sticking to it."

Proposition 86 would raise cigarette taxes by $2.60 a pack, making the California cigarette tax the highest in the nation. The average price of cigarettes would be nearly $7 a pack. "It has been demonstrated that an increase in the price of tobacco products reduces the utilization of those products, especially among the young," the Board resolution states. Supporters of the proposition estimate the increased price of cigarettes could prompt more than 500,000 smokers to quit and prevent 300,000 deaths each year.

In supporting Proposition 86, the NAACP joins a number of groups that include the California Black Health Network, American Diabetes Association, AARP-California, California Federation of Teachers, National Council of La Raza, League of United Latin American Citizens, Los Angeles Urban League, National African American Tobacco Education Network, American Federation of State, County Municipal Employees, Service Employees International Union Local 535, United Farm Workers, League of Women Voters of California, California Medical Association, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation-Central Valley Affiliate, Dental Health Foundation and the National Health Foundation.

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

No es comprendido y a menudo no recibe tratamiento: el melasma, o ‘paño’, afecta aproximadamente a seis millones de mujeres

Cada año, cuando el verano da lugar al otoño, muchas mujeres del área de Dallas se preguntan qué pueden hacer acerca de los problemas de la piel que han aparecido o empeorado después de haber estado expuestas al sol del verano.

Monika Lee, de 47 años y madre de dos hijos que vive en Fremont, comenzó a notar las manchas de color marrón en su cara hace dos años durante unas vacaciones en México. “Me daba mucha pena por las manchas oscuras en la cara. Trataba de cubrirlas con base de maquillaje, pero era difícil esconderlas. No me gustaba mirarme en el espejo porque lo único que veía eran las manchas”, explicó Monika. “Pensé que simplemente tenía que aceptar el problema”.

Luego de una larga lucha con el dilema de la misteriosa condición de la piel, Rebecca pidió una cita para ver a un dermatólogo. Se sorprendió al enterarse de que la condición tenía un nombre: melasma, una hiperpigmentación de la piel. Aún de mayor importancia, se sintió aliviada cuando le dijeron que había un tratamiento.

El melasma afecta aproximadamente a seis millones de mujeres de los Estados Unidos y es una de las condiciones de pigmentación de la piel más comunes que empeoran con la exposición al sol. Esta afección de la piel se caracteriza por manchas oscuras en la cara, en la frente y en el cuello. Aunque el melasma es común entre las mujeres de todas las razas, las mujeres latinas tienen la mayor preponderancia a la condición.

Las investigaciones documentan que las pacientes que no son de raza blanca tienen un 30 por ciento más de probabilidades de afecciones de pigmentación que las pacientes blancas. Aunque entre el 50 y el 70 por ciento de las mujeres embarazadas presentan cierto grado de melasma, el índice de melasma entre las mujeres embarazadas hispanas es de hasta el 80 por ciento. El 30 por ciento de las mujeres hispanas que desarrollan la condición durante el embarazo mantienen la afección de por vida si no reciben el tratamiento adecuado.

Al melasma se lo conoce como “paño” en México y como “manchas” o “máscara del embarazo” en Centroamérica y Sudamérica. La condición tiene connotaciones negativas en las culturas latinas; comúnmente considerándose una desfiguración y a menudo asociada con la malnutrición.

Las nuevas investigaciones, que serán publicadas próximamente en el Journal of Dermatological Treatment (Periódico del Tratamiento Dermatológico), establecen que la condición tiene un impacto significativamente negativo en los temas de la calidad de vida, afectando la vida social, el bienestar emocional, la salud física y hasta la situación financiera. “Se ha comprobado que el melasma presenta una importante carga emocional y psicosocial para las mujeres que lo padecen”, dijo el Dr. Sunil Dhawan, un dermatólogo del Área de la Bahía. “Cambia la manera en la que una persona se ve a sí misma. Cambia la manera en la que otros ven a esa persona. La condición literalmente afecta la habilidad de una persona para enfrentar al mundo.

“El melasma puede ser causado por un desequilibrio hormonal, por el uso de anticonceptivos por vía oral o por la terapia de reemplazo hormonal y se lo conoce comúnmente como la ‘máscara del embarazo’”, dijo el Dr. Dhawan. “La genética también influye. Sin embargo, la exposición al sol puede desencadenar o empeorar la apariencia de la condición. El otoño es la época ideal para consultar con un dermatólogo acerca de cómo enfrentar los temas de pigmentación y para hacerse una evaluación general de la condición de la piel”. El Dr. Dhawan recomienda que todos los que sufran de esta condición visiten el sitio web http://www.melasmafacts.com para conseguir información adicional y para ver las opciones de tratamiento.

Monika dijo que con el tratamiento apropiado, pronto comenzó a notar un cambio. “Después de ocho semanas, las manchas casi no podían verse”, dijo. “Fue tan fácil tratar mi melasma que ojalá lo hubiera comenzado antes”.

“La Crema Tri-Luma(R) es el único tratamiento recetado de uso local aprobado por la FDA para el tratamiento del melasma”, dijo el Dr. Dhawan. “En una sociedad en la cual la apariencia es importante y valorada, no hay razón para sufrir cuando existe un tratamiento disponible que su doctor puede recetarlo fácilmente”.

FOTOS DE ALTA RESOLUCIÓN DISPONIBLES. POR FAVOR, PIDA ARCHIVO ADJUNTO.

Información acerca del Melasma:

-- La Academia Americana de Dermatología (American Academy of Dermatology) calcula que el melasma afecta a aproximadamente seis millones de personas en los Estados Unidos. Aproximadamente el 90 por ciento de la gente que sufre de melasma son mujeres.
-- El melasma puede ser causado por un desequilibrio hormonal debido al embarazo, al uso de anticonceptivos por vía oral o de la terapia de reemplazo hormonal; la genética también influye.
-- La exposición al sol es un factor desencadenante. Para la mayoría de las mujeres, el melasma se nota más durante el otoño.
-- Aunque el melasma es común entre las mujeres de todas las razas, las mujeres latinas tienen la mayor incidencia de esta condición médica.
-- Las pacientes que no son de raza blanca tienen un 30 por ciento de probabilidades más alto de presentar afecciones de pigmentación que las pacientes de raza blanca.
-- Aunque entre el 50 y el 70 por ciento de las mujeres embarazadas presentan cierto grado de melasma, el índice de melasma entre las mujeres embarazadas hispanas es de hasta el 80 por ciento. El 30 por ciento de las mujeres hispanas que desarrollan la condición durante el embarazo mantienen la afección de por vida si no reciben el tratamiento adecuado.
-- Las nuevas investigaciones publicadas en el Journal of Dermatological Treatment (Periódico del Tratamiento Dermatológico) establece que la condición tiene un impacto significativamente negativo en los temas de la calidad de vida, afectando la vida social, el bienestar emocional, la salud física y hasta la situación financiera. Específicamente, el melasma está asociado con la disminución del funcionamiento social, con la reducción de la productividad en el trabajo, con el miedo negativo a la evaluación, con la ansiedad y con la depresión, que llevan al aislamiento social y a la soledad.
-- Para más información acerca del melasma, por favor visite http://www.MelasmaFacts.com.

Equilibrio Justo de la Crema Tri-Luma(R) (acetónido de fluocinolona 0.01%, hidroquinona 4%, tretinoína 0.05%)

Puede presentar enrojecimiento, descamación, ardor, sequedad o picazón leves o moderados. Las personas que tienen reacciones alérgicas (como el asma) a los sulfatos no deben usar la Crema Tri-Luma(R). La seguridad y eficacia de la Crema Tri-Luma(R) para los pacientes que tienen piel de tipo V y VI no han sido investigadas. No se puede excluir el excesivo blanqueamiento que lleve a efectos cosméticos indeseados entre los pacientes que tienen pieles más oscuras.

La seguridad y eficacia de la Crema Tri-Luma(R) para las mujeres embarazadas y las madres que están en período de lactancia no han sido establecidas. La Crema Tri-Luma(R) contiene hidroquinona, la cual puede producir ocronosis exógena, un oscurecimiento azul-negruzco gradual de la piel, cuya aparición indica la inmediata interrupción del tratamiento. La Crema Tri-Luma(R) contiene el corticoesteroide acetónido de fluocinolona. La absorción sistemática de los corticoesteroides de uso local puede producir la supresión del eje hipotálamo-pituitario-adrenal o HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) con el riesgo posible de producir deficiencia de glucocorticoides luego de suspender el tratamiento.

Se debe evitar la exposición al sol, a las lámparas solares o a la luz ultravioleta y al calor, al viento o a los fríos extremos. Es necesario utilizar protectores solares de amplio espectro con factores de protección solar 30 o superiores. Use ropa para protegerse del sol y, en el caso de utilizar métodos anticonceptivos hormonales, cambie a métodos no hormonales.

Malibu Family Wines Hosts Sixth Annual Harvest & Crush Event Honoring City Hearts: Kids Say 'Yes' to the Arts

October 21, 2006 -- More than 650 people gathered at Saddlerock Ranch, home of Malibu Family Wines, on Oct. 8, helping to raise over $100,000 to benefit City Hearts: Kids Say 'Yes' to the Arts at the Sixth Annual Harvest & Crush Event. Guests stomped and crushed harvested grapes from Malibu Family Wines, bid on silent auction items and sampled food from more than a dozen local restaurants. The money raised will be used to fund arts programs for the most critically at-risk children in Southern California, with such programs as The Shakespeare Challenge, Fresh Focus Photography, Dance for Life and ALITE (Arts & Literacy for Tomorrow's Education). Over the last 22 years, City Hearts has taught the arts to over 22,000 children, many of whom have graduated from college and become successful professionals, attributing their confidence and motivation to their experience with the organization.

Playing auctioneers at the Sixth Annual Harvest Event and Grape Crush to benefit City Hearts on Oct. 8 at Saddlerock Ranch, home of Malibu Family Wines (left to right) Bob Jason, co-founder of City Hearts; Jane Seymour, National Honorary Chair for City Hearts; Sherry Jason, co-founder of City Hearts; and Ron Semler, owner of Malibu Family Wines and host of the event. For more information visit www.cityhearts.org.

(Click here for details)
Playing auctioneers at the Sixth Annual Harvest Event and Grape
Crush to benefit City Hearts on Oct. 8 at Saddlerock Ranch, home
of Malibu Family Wines (left to right) Bob Jason, co-founder of
City Hearts; Jane Seymour, National Honorary Chair for City
Hearts; Sherry Jason, co-founder of City Hearts; and Ron Semler,
owner of Malibu Family Wines and host of the event. For more
information visit www.cityhearts.org.

Actress Jane Seymour, City Hearts' National Honorary Chair, who has been very involved with City Hearts programs for more than 18 years, was at the event sharing auctioneer duties with Ron Semler, co-owner of Malibu Family Wines and event host. Seymour also sold her line of purses, which feature her paintings, donating $100 from each purse sold directly to City Hearts. After the grape crushing, guests were able to remove the stains with a foot soak by Bonicca and foot massage by Borrelli salons. Throughout the afternoon, guests were able to sample items from several local restaurants including Chapter 8, Fin's, Il Tiramisu Ristorante, Malibu Wines, The Melting Pot, MOZ Buddha Lounge, Paradise Cove, P6, Rustico, Riviera, Saddle Peak Lodge, Sam's by the Beach Restaurant, The Sunset, Tuscany and Zin Bistro Americana.

Children enjoyed face painting, a moon bounce and hot dog cart provided by Calamigos Ranch. During the event people wandered the grounds of Saddlerock Ranch, which is the largest working ranch in Los Angeles County and home to exotic animals, including zebras, buffalo, camels, macaws, Scottish highland cattle and llamas. Many children participating in City Hearts programs were in attendance; some played witches from "Macbeth," and others played fairies. The MC for the event was William Shakespeare, played by one of the City Hearts instructors who were on hand to lend their support.

People who could not attend the Harvest Event & Grape Crush can still experience Malibu Family Wines by sampling the wines at "Malibu Wines," the new tasting room in Malibu (www.MalibuWine.com). To become a Malibu Family Wine Club member, visit www.MalibuFamilyWines.com or call 888-433-WINE.

The Seventh Annual Harvest Event & Grape Crush to benefit City Hearts will be held on Sun., Oct. 7, 2007.

About City Hearts:

Founded in 1984 as a program of prevention by criminal defense attorneys Sherry and Bob Jason, City Hearts now reaches over 2,000 at-greatest-risk children each year, ages five to 18, through unique and inspiring, free after-school programs in core arts disciplines. City Hearts is committed to using the arts to intervene in a loving, supportive and nurturing way to break the cycle of poverty, neglect, abuse and violence that destroys the lives of so many of our community's children who face everyday challenges of gangs, drugs and crime. The programs are designed to show these most disadvantaged children an alternate path of social involvement and life-affirming success. For more information or to find out how to get involved with City Hearts, visit www.cityhearts.org or call 310-455-2898.

Boeing to Build More Wideband Gapfiller Satellites

Oct. 21, 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE:BA] and the U.S. Air Force MILSATCOM Systems Wing have signed a $1.067 billion contract for up to three more Wideband Gapfiller Satellites (WGS), if all options are exercised.

The Block II satellites will be similar to the three Block I satellites already in production. Under Block II, Boeing will add a radio frequency bypass capability designed to support airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms requiring ultra-high bandwidth and data rates demanded by unmanned aerial vehicles.

"This new Block II contract gives the Air Force the flexibility to independently exercise options for long-lead material, production and launch services for WGS F4 through F6," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Adam Mortenson, WGS Block II program manager. "One WGS satellite will provide more throughput than the entire Defense Service Communications Satellite (DSCS) constellation currently on station, which translates into improved effectiveness of our worldwide forces, and ultimately, into lives saved."

In February, the Air Force authorized Boeing to begin non-recurring engineering and advanced procurement of parts for the fourth WGS satellite. Boeing anticipates Air Force authorization to proceed with full production of WGS F4 and to begin long-lead work for F5 by the end of 2006. These revolutionary, 13-kilowatt WGS satellites are based on Boeing's 702 models and are designed to provide improved communications support for America's warfighters.

"We have designed an incredibly capable satellite system with tremendous operational flexibility, which will become even more apparent when the first vehicle is launched next year," said Charles Toups, vice president of Navigation and Communications Systems for Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. "We are very pleased the Air Force has chosen Boeing to fulfill this critical communications need."

Boeing is preparing the first WGS satellite for launch in 2007. The Block II contract calls for the launch of F4 by the first quarter of 2011 and subsequent launches every year thereafter. WGS will augment and eventually replace the DSCS currently on station. Boeing has leveraged a wealth of experience and capability for WGS, including extensive investments in the 702 satellite bus, digital signal processors and phased array antennas. These capabilities enable the tremendous capacity and operational flexibility the U.S. military requires.

The results contained in this submission were generated in whole, or in part, through work supporting the MILSATCOM Systems Wing.

IBM Named in Analyst Firm's Leaders Quadrant for Web Access Management

October 21, 2006 -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that Gartner, Inc. has positioned IBM in the Leaders Quadrant in their 2H06 Magic Quadrant for Web Access Management(1). This report marks IBM's third Leaders Quadrant placement for security software this year by the independent analyst firm -- who previously positioned IBM for User Provisioning(2) and for Security Information and Event Management(3).

Earlier this year, Gartner also named IBM as the leading market share vendor in total Web access management software revenue worldwide with 41.4 percent market share in 2005(4). As defined by Gartner, Web access management offers integrated identity and access management for Web-based applications, such as email and online databases.

"IBM's current suite of companion products, like Tivoli Identity Manager and Tivoli Access Manager, offers the industry's strongest portfolio of identity management solutions," said Al Zollar, general manager, IBM Tivoli software. "These solutions allow customers to simplify and automate the management of user identities, access rights and privacy policies across the company. Moreover, customers can control and track the internal users, customers, and partners that have access to company data, which protects sensitive information and helps companies address government regulations such as Sarbanes Oxley."

Highlighted Links

IBM Tivoli Software

As customers are transforming their businesses to be delivered on a service oriented architecture, the need to simplify business process integration with partners and suppliers becomes critical -- identity management with federation using open standards delivers the flexibility, agility and security for companies to simplify business process integration.

IBM's Tivoli security software helps prevent unauthorized access to valuable customer, employee and business data and facilitates compliance with corporate security policy and regulatory requirements. It is part of IBM's portfolio of service management software, which automates some of the most challenging processes associated with managing a complex IT environment. These include managing storage devices, and deploying new software releases and patches. The software helps customers fight rising IT costs, manage constant change and meet the demand to stay competitive in the marketplace.

For more information on the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Web Access Management, visit http://www.gartner.com.

For more information on IBM Tivoli, visit http://www.ibm.com/software/tivoli.

The Magic Quadrant is copyrighted 2006 by Gartner, Inc. and is reused with permission. The Magic Quadrant is a graphical representation of a marketplace at and for a specific time period. It depicts Gartner's analysis of how certain vendors measure against criteria for that marketplace, as defined by Gartner. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in the Magic Quadrant, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors placed in the "Leaders" quadrant. The Magic Quadrant is intended solely as a research tool, and is not meant to be a specific guide to action. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Posted by lady at 05:11 PM | Permalink

Production Notes/Credits a Good Year

Oscar®-winner Russell Crowe reunites with “Gladiator” director Ridley Scott in A

GOOD YEAR, a Fox 2000 Pictures presentation of a Scott Free production. London-based investment expert Max Skinner (Crowe) moves to Provence to sell a small vineyard he has inherited from his late uncle. Max reluctantly settles into what ultimately becomes an intoxicating new chapter in his life, as he comes to realize that life is meant to be savored.

A GOOD YEAR is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Peter Mayle.

(Mayle and Ridley Scott, who are longtime friends, together came up with the idea for the

novel.) Scott produces from a screenplay by Marc Klein. The film also stars the esteemed

Albert Finney as Max’s late Uncle Henry, who imparts wisdom to his young nephew; Marion

Cotillard (“A Very Long Engagement”) as a café owner who catches Max’s eye; Abbie

Cornish (“Sommersault”) as Max’s supposed long-lost cousin, who may hold the vineyard’s

title rights; Tom Hollander (“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”) as his best friend;

and Freddie Highmore (“Finding Neverland”) as the young Max.

Confident and cocky, headstrong and handsome, Max Skinner is a successful London

banker who specializes in trading bonds. A financial barracuda on the banks of the Thames,

Max devours the competition in his efforts to conquer the European market. His latest

conquest has netted a tidy seven-figure profit, much to the chagrin of his Saville Row-draped

rivals. Max’s triumph is in perfect keeping with his philosophy: winning isn’t everything,

it’s the only thing!

Soon thereafter, Max receives word from France alerting him to sad news: his elderly

Uncle Henry has passed away. Max, Henry’s closest blood relative, is the sole beneficiary of

his estate, which includes a Provençal chateau and vineyard, La Siroque, where Henry

cultivated grapes for over thirty years.

Max travels to the chateau where he spent his boyhood summers vacationing with his

eccentric uncle, whom he hasn’t seen or written to in years. While Max tends to the legal

affairs of his inheritance, he is suspended from his firm, pending an investigation into his

questionable bond transaction.

With his future in London in flux, Max reluctantly begins settling into life at the

chateau. He reunites with the chateau’s longtime vigneron, Francis Duflot (still tending the

vines after three decades), whom Max remembers from his boyhood visits. Duflot’s

exuberant wife, Ludivine, the estate’s housekeeper, warmly welcomes Max back.

Max is uncertain as to whether life in the South of France suits him. He rings up his

best friend, London realtor Charlie Willis, to inquire as to what a small chateau and winery

like La Siroque would command on the current market. Charlie advises Max that small

wineries with a good product can bring several million dollars, as boutique wine, made in

small batches, is the rage in wine shops. It’s money in the bank for Max should he lose his

job.

As Max fondly embraces the memories of summers past (spent with a man whose

wisdom and philosophy helped Max chart his successful career) while contemplating a

cloudy future, a complication arises with the sudden arrival of a determined,

twentysomething California girl, Christie Roberts. Christie, a Napa Valley native, claims to

be the illegitimate daughter of the deceased uncle. The revelation, if true, makes her Max’s

cousin and, according to French law, the beneficiary of La Siroque.

Suspecting Christie may be a fraud, Max questions her about her past while bickering

with her over the fate of the vineyard, whose plonk (as the French define bad wine) rivals the

worst vinegar imaginable. Max, who has tasted La Siroque’s awful vin de pays, also finds

some other bottles in Uncle Henry’s cellar bearing the name Le Coin Perdu (‘the lost

corner’). This mysterious, legendary vin de garage has fetched thousands per bottle on the

black market for years, according to the fetching local cafe owner, Fanny Chenal, with whom

Max has become smitten.

Where does the wine come from, and why is Duflot so insistent on staying at La

Siroque whatever the vineyard’s fate? And, what about some unusual vines discovered on

the property by Christie, which the crusty vintner claims are experimental in nature, and a

renowned oenologue has deemed unworthy?

Max’s memories and the passage of time bring forth emotions and feelings he

thought were long lost, and afford him a new appreciation of his late Uncle Henry’s

philosophy on life – and on life in Provence: “There’s nowhere else in the world where one

can keep busy doing so little, yet enjoy it so much!”

Peter Mayle is a native Brit who abandoned a successful advertising career and

reinvented himself as a best-selling author and novelist. He has been writing about the good

life in the South of France for over fifteen years. Critics have praised his books, both fiction

and nonfiction, calling the writer “the world’s foremost literary escape artist” because of his

knack for setting his colorful yarns in a locale one magazine called “the most enticing place

this side of paradise.” Mayle’s first book, a memoir called A Year in Provence, has sold

over five million copies (in 28 languages) since its publication in 1991.

It was over a bottle of Provençal wine that Mayle (who lives full-time in the Luberon

area of Provence) and filmmaker Ridley Scott (who has maintained a vacation home and

vineyard there for fifteen years) came up with the idea for Mayle’s breezy 2004 novel A

Good Year. “Ridley used to work in the commercials business and I used to work in the

advertising agency business in London,” Mayle recounts about his early history with the

filmmaker; their friendship stretches back to London’s advertising world of the 1970s. “He

was about the best there was, so we would always use his company for shooting commercials

if we could afford him. We worked together intermittently in London, and then he went off

and did movies and I went off and (wrote) books.”

Almost three decades later, Scott and Mayle had a memorable lunch. “Ridley arrived

with a newspaper clipping which reported on new wines in Bordeaux – ‘garage’ wines –

which commanded huge prices without a chateau or pedigree. Yet, people paid a fortune for

them.”

“I saw this piece in the newspaper business section of the Times about a vineyard in

France that was selling garage wine for over £30,000 a case,” Scott recounts about the 1996

clipping, which he still keeps in his files in London. “I was looking for an excuse to come

back to France to shoot a film, and this story idea offered the perfect opportunity.

“I bounced this idea off Peter Mayle and he said, ‘That would make a good novel,’”

Scott remembers. “And I said, ‘You write the book, then I’ll get the film rights.’ So, he

wrote the book, which was successful.”

Mayle labored at his laptop for nine months in 2003, researching the subject in both

in his adopted Provence and in one of the world’s renowned wine regions, Bordeaux, on

France’s Atlantic coast. Le Pin, located in the appellation called Pomerol, cultivates what

many believe to be the best Merlot on the planet.

In the meantime, Scott went off to Morocco and Spain to film his epic saga,

“Kingdom of Heaven.” A month after the author turned in his manuscript, a deal was

finalized for the film rights – and Scott and Mayle were back in business together.

Scott also suggested the book’s (and film’s) title. “A winemaker has a difficult life.

But if he gets it right, he’s had a good year,” says the filmmaker. “That’s what a French

winemaker will say: ‘It’s been a good year.’”

Scott chose New York native Marc Klein (“Serendipity”) to adapt Mayle’s novel for

the screen. Klein admits that when he accepted Scott’s offer, he knew nothing about wine or

Provence. Scott advised Klein to visit the South of France to conduct research and get a

flavor of the area. Klein visited Provence in 2004, met with Peter Mayle, and spent almost a

year researching the region and the wines.

Adapting Mayle’s novel provided Klein with some formidable challenges. “Peter

writes books that are like travelogues,” says the screenwriter. “They're more about

atmosphere – the kind of book one likes to read on vacation, where you want to be swept

away to a certain place. We needed to provide additional narrative structure on it. At the

same time, we wanted to give moviegoers the same experience they would have reading the

book.”

“Peter’s book is a jolly romp,” Scott adds. “It’s very much embedded in the lifestyle

of Provence. For the movie, I found that the mechanism for the story needed to be adjusted a

little bit, to turn up the volume on the character of Max, who needed to learn an important

life lesson. The philosophy that Uncle Henry was trying to instill into this young Max really

didn’t take.”

A key change from the novel was the screenplay’s depiction of Uncle Henry, who is

only referred to in the novel. After toying with the idea of making Henry a ghostly figure,

Scott and Klein decided to depict the character in flashbacks, which, says Scott, “allows us to

see the grooming of Max as a child, which pays off as the story unfolds.”

According to Russell Crowe, these flashback scenes accent one of the film’s principal

themes: “That as long as people are in your heart, they never die.

“I thought that was a wonderful metaphor,” Crowe continues. “When Ridley and I

worked on ‘Gladiator,’ the metaphor was death. But on A GOOD YEAR, we discussed the

themes in terms of reincarnation – not necessarily from the dead to the living, but having the

‘living dead’, like Max, become revitalized from his experiences in Provence. Every

character in this story has a situation that changes his or her life for the better.”

Says legendary actor Albert Finney, who portrays Henry: “Max has these memories

of his uncle when he had his summer holidays here as a child. He remembers them

favorably, which suggests he had a good time with Henry. Young Max enjoyed his

company. The philosophy Henry imparts on the boy has mostly to do with wine in particular,

but around that is a philosophy of enjoying life. I think he's a good influence on the boy.”

Max isn’t the only character that undergoes transformation. Says Crowe: “For every

character, something happens within the story that elevates, changes or revitalizes his or her

life. I've had the same thing happen in my own life, when I married and we had a baby. So it

is possible to get yourself out of a rut and change things. That's what the title refers to –

Max’s life. He comes to Provence, reconnects with the memory of his uncle and the things

that his uncle taught him, which opens his heart. And his life changes.”

“I think audiences will come out with memories of their childhood after seeing this

film,” says 14-year-old Freddie Highmore, who portrays the young Max. “The film will

make you look back on the things that have happened in your own life. Young Max didn't

know at the time how important the lessons were that Uncle Henry was giving him. But, as

he got older and comes back to visit this place, he realizes how important they have been in

making him grow up.”

THE CAST AND CHARACTERS

“As a story teller, a novelist, I don't think you can ever completely divorce yourself

from your main characters,” says Peter Mayle. “Bits of you creep in there, whether you like

it or not, whether it's intentional or not. Your characters are often reflections of what you

yourself feel, and Max is representative of a very strong feeling that I had when I was his

age, which is I wanted to basically get out of London and try something else. Of course, Max

does it in a rather more dramatic fashion than I did.”

“You live with these characters by yourself all the time in your own head,” Marc

Klein offers about the craft of screenwriting. “Then, you work with someone like Russell

Crowe, who's a genius. He came to me in between takes and gave me ideas about the

character. He inhabited his character in a way that's even deeper than I could have ever

hoped.”

While looking for a vehicle on which to re-team with Ridley Scott, Crowe remembers

chatting with the director during the production of ‘Gladiator’ about getting together again

for another film. “I enjoy working with Ridley because we have a really good rhythm

together. We talked about what the next project could be, knowing we wanted to do

something entirely different from ‘Gladiator.’ So, we decided to work together on a comedy.”

“I always thought that Russell would be perfect for the character of Max,” Scott adds.

“Russell is like Max. Russell carries a lot of the innocence in him and manages to keep that

innocence fresh, untrammeled somehow.”

Crowe found much to dig into when he took on the role. “Max has had a fortunate

childhood in that he had this wonderful bon vivant uncle who put all the information in him

that he needed in order to become a good bloke. But, he's taken his uncle's advice on

competition and edge and made it his life's mantra, to the point where competition isn't really

any fun for him anymore.

“One of the key things that Ridley said to me when we first talked was, ‘There's a

Provençal saying that you don't own the chateau; the chateau owns you,’” Crowe continues.

“That's one of the things we worked on. Max must travel to Provence in order to receive his

inheritance. From the time that he gets there, events conspire to keep him here. It's very

definitely a fish-out-of-water/coming-of-age adult comedy with humanity, which gives it

realism.”

While the film represented the second Crowe-Scott collaboration, it was the fourth

reteaming for the director and five-time Oscar-nominee Albert Finney. The stage-and-screen

legend essays the role of Uncle Henry, a character that existed in name only in Mayle’s

novel, but comes to life throughout the film.

Finney relates that he did not indulge in creating much backstory for the character,

but acknowledges that a long-ago, fateful trip Henry made to the U.S. West Coast – a visit

that is discussed but not depicted in the film – is an important part of the character’s history. Another AuMax’s inheritance of the property and his future at the chateau.

The actress, who did a videotaped audition for Scott only weeks before filming was to

begin, is well-known Down Under but less so outside of her native country. She has been

winning critical acclaim for several years for her work in such films as “The Monkey’s

Mask” and the sexual drama, “Somersault,” the only Australian film screened at the 2004

Cannes Film Festival, where the actress won a standing ovation.

“Christie is a twenty-one year old American girl from the Napa Valley in California,”

says Cornish, who hails from the Aussie wine region of the Hunter Valley near Sydney. “She

learns that she has a birth father and that he's alive and lives in France. So, she makes the

journey to his front door (which is when we meet Christie in the film). Unfortunately, she

finds out the bad news about Henry, but meets a cousin, Max, whom she never knew she had.

When Christie arrives on the doorstep, it throws something into the mix which changes Max.

He doesn't really believe this girl and of course, he's wary of her. Eventually, the two

characters find something in each other that they can both relate to.”

Also joining the starring cast is Marion Cotillard (“A Very Long Engagement”) as

Fanny Chenal, a Provençal beauty who owns the local café – and who catches Max’s eye. “I

liked the script’s spontaneity,” the Parisian beauty states. “I also appreciated Max’s journey

– how he comes to understand what he really needs is right there at the chateau and in

Provence.

“Fanny is the owner of a restaurant,” she continues. “She's a broken heart who

decided that life would be much easier, less painful, without love. She organized her life not

to be hurt again. Her café is called La Renaissance, which means ‘rebirth’. But, sometimes,

hopefully, life brings you what you need, even if you don’t know what that is. Even if Fanny

doesn't want to confess that she needs love, she definitely needs love. And she deserves it,

too.”

From his homeland, the director cast British character actor Tom Hollander (“Gosford

Park,” “Enigma,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”) in the role of Charlie

Willis, Max’s best friend, who guides Max on the possible sale of the property; Archie

Panjabi (“Bend It Like Beckham,” “East Is East,” “The Constant Gardener”) as Max’s

reliable London assistant, Gemma; and Freddie Highmore (“Finding Neverland,” “Charlie

and the Chocolate Factory”) as the young Max, seen in flashbacks with Uncle Henry at the

chateau.

“I'm the young Max, who’s based on the older Max, because they're the same

character,” Highmore offers. “I watched Russell work a bit and we talked about the character

and how each of us thought he was going to be. It just came from that. It was just great fun

from the moment I stepped onto the set to be with Ridley and Albert and Russell.”

Scott also populated his movie with other popular French performers. Didier

Bourdon portrays Francis Duflot, the longtime vintner who has tended to La Siroque’s vines

for three decades and who may know the true secrets of the vineyard’s potential. “Francis

Duflot is a winemaker. Vinyo, as we say in France,” Bourdon describes. “He has a long

history with Max. They knew each other when they were younger. Their relationship is

between friendship and mistrust. When Max returns to Henry’s home, after being away for

years, Duflot is wondering, worried that Max will sell the château.”

Duflot’s wary relationship with Max comes to a head during a tennis match between

the two, which becomes more like a war than a friendly game. “The tennis match scene came

about because Ridley is a great lover of the sport,” Crowe says. “He was bemoaning to me

over a glass of red wine that we didn't have any battle sequences in the movie. That got me

thinking. And we had the whole sequence set up by the tennis court, and a sequence playing

tennis in flashback. And so I made the suggestion that perhaps we find a way of getting these

two men to do battle on the clay court.”

Valeria Bruni Tedeschi (“Mon homme,” “Les gens normaux n’ont rien

d’exceptionnel”) plays Nathalie Auzet, the local notaire handling the legal papers on Max’s

behalf; veteran European character actor Jacques Herlin (Visconti’s “The Stranger,” Fellini’s

“Juliet of the Spirits”) plays the irascible Papa Duflot; and French comic actress Isabelle

Candelier (“André le magnifique,” “Versailles rive Gauche”) plays the vigneron’s wife and

chateau’s caretaker, Mme. Duflot. (Scott calls Candelier “the French Lucille Ball.”)

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

In describing the allure of Provence, author Peter Mayle notes the area has three

hundred days of sunshine a year, stunning scenery, remarkably unspoiled countryside, and

extraordinary light. “You don't find that light in many other places in the world. I like the

pace of life down here. It imposes a certain rhythm on you, which, when you get used to it, is

very pleasant. I feel at home here.”

“I loved waking up in Provence,” adds Russell Crowe, who lived there for two

months during production. “There's something extra special about this particular valley, the

Luberon. I think it's got to do with its fertility. The light there is very similar to Australia --

the blues, the pinks and the oranges in the sky. I felt very comfortable there.”

“I loved shooting in Provence…it’s just so beautiful!” adds Ridley Scott, who has

owned a vacation home and operated a vineyard there for fifteen years, but hadn’t filmed in

France since his debut feature, “The Duelists,” almost thirty years ago. “This shoot was one

of my most pleasant experiences.”

Provence itself dates back to 600 B.C., when Phocaean Greeks settled in Massalia,

now modern-day Marseilles on the Mediterranean coast, and the region’s most populous city.

Its history could also be depicted through the history of the wines introduced by these

Phocaeans over 2600 years ago. These ancient vines – the oldest in France – were later

developed by the Romans and, thereafter, in the Middle Ages, by monastic communities.

Comprised of 700 villages, Provence has several regional wine growing appellations

(covering an estimated 27,000 hectares, or 68,000 acres), all designated as A.O.C.

(appellation d’origine controlee), the governmental system established in the 1930s that

regulates production and distinguishes quality French wines from table wines. The region

boasts extraordinarily favorable growing conditions, or terroir, defined as a combination of

conditions in a vineyard site that comprise the vine's total environment and give its wines

what longtime wine writer Matt Kramer calls “somewhereness.”

The Mediterranean climate (year-round sunshine, perfect ventilation from a wind

dubbed "mistral" and good rainfall), combined with the terrain’s siliceous soil, favors red

grapes like Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault and Mourvèdre, much of which is used to

produce rosé, the region’s specialty of the estimated 140,000,000 bottles produced annually.

White grape varietals common to the terrain include Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Ugni Blanc

and Rolle.

Scott based the production in the sub-appellation called Cotes du Luberon (where his

own vineyard of eleven hectares is situated), an area whose vines extend over 7500 acres

from Cavaillon to Apt in north-central Provence, where 70% are red grape varietals. Most of

the vintners (some 80%, including Scott) grow grapes and sell them to cooperatives to

produce the local table wine (vin de pays) named for the appellation. However, Scott focused

his scouting efforts on several independent vineyards that bottle their own product.

“I looked at almost a dozen chateaux in the area between Roussillon and Bonnieux

before coming back to the first one we saw, La Canorgue,” the director states about the

location where his company of 125 craftsmen spent most of their nine-week shoot in the

Provençal region, which coincided with the vineyard’s prime harvesting season for the next

year’s vintage.

Scott chose La Canorgue due to its spectacular western view looking out over the

Luberon, and the magical dusk light that bathes the main house in the late afternoon. The film

company, under the watchful eye of veteran location supervisor Marco Giacalone (who

worked with director Scott on “Kingdom of Heaven”) and French location manager Thierry

Zemmour, took over the vineyard and chateau for much of the nine-week shooting schedule

in the South of France.

According to Nathalie Margan, who runs La Canorgue with her father, Jean-Pierre,

the Margans were hesitant when approached by the production, because the shoot coincided

with harvest time. “But, we knew the shoot would be an adventure,” Nathalie says, “so we

took on the challenges that came with it.”

Margan describes the experience of huge trucks, vast amounts of equipment and 125

cast and crew swarming all over her property as “initially strange, but ultimately thrilling. It

was great to participate. We were asked a few times to suggest how a real winemaker would

have done things or what the technical terms were for this or that. They made their movie

without disturbing us, and we made a good wine without disturbing them.”

“La Canorgue was interesting,” says production designer Sonja Klaus, noting the

production worked hard to restore the chateau for the shoot. “We re-landscaped the ground,

putting in statutory and ornamentation. Inside, the whole point was to have this slightly

dilapidated, lived-in, comfortable feeling – a feeling of shabby chic…cluttery, lived-in, and

homey. We wanted the place to feel as if one was staying with your favorite uncle or your

favorite aunt.”

Outside the house, among acres of vines, Klaus had a more daunting task, one she

never expected. “Ridley's words to me, when he first asked me to do it, were, ‘We're just

going to hang out in the South of France and throw a few props around,’” she says with a

laugh. “And I thought that sounded nice – until he added, ‘Oh, and by the way, there's a

tennis court. I think we might have to change the swimming pool, or build another

swimming pool for all the stunts.’

“There was this field at the back of the house, which was actually in a perfect spot for

a tennis court,” says Klaus. “The snag was that it wasn't big enough to put a tennis court on

it. So we actually cheated it, made the tennis court slightly smaller. But, when you watch it

on film you won't know that.”

Another key chateau shooting location was its empty pool, where Crowe got the

opportunity to flex both his comedic and physical muscles. “We have a running gag where

Max falls into the pool and then realizes he has fourteen-foot sheer walls, and he simply can't

get out,” says the actor. “The pool doesn't have any water in it, so he has no way of getting

out.”

Apart from the many weeks of filming at La Canorgue, Scott and his

cinematographer, Frenchman Philippe Le Sourd captured the area’s regal beauty in a series

of celluloid French postcard-like images of other quaint villages scattered throughout the

hills and valleys of the Luberon. Those included Gordes (four days at Cafe Renaissance,

dubbed Fanny’s Café in the film), Cucuron, Lacoste, Avignon and Menerbes (where author

Mayle used to reside, and whose former house is still a popular stop on guided tours that

frequent the village). The company also spent three days at another local vineyard, Chateau

Les Eydins, which doubled for the home of the story’s gruff vigneron, Duflot.

Following the two-month Provençal schedule, Scott relocated the crew to London for

the production’s final eight days of filming, at such recognized spots as Piccadilly Circus, the

architecturally-stunning Lloyds of London building in the city’s financial district, and the

trendy Knightsbridge area.

Like Mayle’s book, the film opens in the London financial world, and Scott liked “the

antithesis and juxtaposition of London and Provence. One place is as attractive as the other.

London’s a great place to live. Provence is a fantastic place to live. Is it better? No, it’s

different. For me, I live in Provence… because I live in London. So, I need one to have the

other.”

Adds Peter Mayle: “Knowing Ridley’s eye for landscape, color and composition, I’m

sure he’s made the Luberon look every bit as gorgeous as it is. I can’t wait to see the movie.”

ABOUT THE CAST

RUSSELL CROWE (Max Skinner) received three consecutive Best Actor Academy

Award® nominations for his performances in Michael Mann’s “The Insider” (1999), Ridley

Scott’s “Gladiator” (2000) and Ron Howard’s “A Beautiful Mind” (2001). He won the Best

Actor Oscar for his performance as Maximus, the Roman general-turned-gladiator, in

“Gladiator,” a role that also brought him Best Actor honors from several critics’

organizations, including the Broadcast Film Critics Association. In addition, he received

nominations for the Golden Globe®, the BAFTA Award and the Screen Actors Guild honor.

In Howard’s 2001 Best Picture Oscar winner, Crowe’s masterful portrayal of Nobel

Prize-winning John Forbes Nash, Jr. earned him his third Academy Award nomination in as

many years and garnered him Best Actor awards from the Hollywood Foreign Press,

Broadcast Film Critics Association, Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA, among other critics

groups.

Crowe received his first Academy Award nomination for his work in Mann’s non-

fiction drama “The Insider,” as tobacco company whistle-blower, Dr. Jeffrey Wigand. He

earned Best Actor Awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics, Broadcast Film Critics,

National Society of Film Critics and the National Board of Review, and nominations for a

Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA and a Screen Actors Guild Award™.

He followed this triple triumph with another commanding performance -- as Capt.

Jack Aubrey in Peter Weir’s epic adaptation of Patrick O’Brian’s novels, “Master and

Commander: The Far Side of the World.” The film collected ten Academy Award

nominations (including Best Picture), with Crowe earning nominations for the Golden Globe

and Broadcast Film Critics honors.

He reunited with director Ron Howard as Depression Era prizefighter James J.

Braddock in the highly-praised drama, “Cinderella Man,” an official entry in the Venice Film

Festival. For his critically-acclaimed performance, Crowe received nominations for best

actor from SAG and the Hollywood Foreign Press. He next reteams with director Scott on

the gritty Harlem-set drama, “American Gangster,” also starring Denzel Washington.

Crowe also earned kudos for his performance as sensitive but brutal vice cop Bud

White in Curtis Hanson’s period crime drama, “L.A. Confidential,” a film which was cited

with nine Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture. He later starred in

Jay Roach’s sports drama, “Mystery, Alaska,” and in Taylor Hackford’s action drama, “Proof

of Life.”

He made his American film debut in Sam Raimi’s 1995 western “The Quick and the

Dead,” opposite Gene Hackman, Sharon Stone and Leonardo DiCaprio. He next starred as

the cyber-villain Sid 6.7 in “Virtuosity” alongside Denzel Washington. Additional film

credits include “Heaven’s Burning,” “Breaking Up,” “Rough Magic,” “The Sum of Us,” “For

the Moment,” “Love in Limbo,” “The Silver Brumby” (based on the classic Australian

children’s novel), “The Efficiency Expert” and “Prisoners of the Sun.”

Born in New Zealand, Crowe was raised in Australia (his current residence) where he

has also been honored for his work on the screen. He was recognized for three consecutive

years by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), beginning in 1991, when he was nominated for

Best Actor for “The Crossing.” The following year, he won the Best Supporting Actor

Award for “Proof” and, in 1992, he received Best Actor Awards from the AFI and the

Australian Film Critics for his performance in the controversial “Romper Stomper.” In 1993,

the Seattle Film Festival named Crowe Best Actor for his work in both “Romper Stomper”

and “Hammers Over the Anvil.”

Five-time Academy Award nominee ALBERT FINNEY (Uncle Henry) is the

dynamic British stage and film actor whose career, now spanning a half century, is one of the

most accomplished in the annals of contemporary acting.

Though widely known and praised for inspired performances in such films as “Tom

Jones,” “Night Must Fall,” “Two for the Road,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” “Shoot the

Moon,” “The Dresser,” “Under the Volcano” and “Erin Brockovich,” Finney first achieved

acclaim for his work on the classical theatre stage.

After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (accepted when he was just

17), the Salford, Lancashire, England, native joined the Birmingham Repertory Company and

made his London debut in the company's production of Shaw's “Caesar and Cleopatra” in

1956. During his two years with the BRC, he debuted in the West End opposite Charles

Laughton and Elsa Lanchester in “The Party,” then starred in the title roles of “Macbeth” and

“Othello” before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1959 for the centenary

anniversary season at Stratford-on-Avon.

There, he essayed such roles as Cassio in “Othello” (directed by Tony Richardson,

with Paul Robeson playing the title character), Lysander in “A Midsummer Night's Dream”

(again working with the legendary Laughton) and understudying another English stage

legend, Laurence Olivier, in “Coriolanus,” receiving critical acclaim when he briefly took

over the lead.

While he continued to triumph on the English stage (in such plays as “The Lily White

Boys” and, especially, “Billy Liar” with the Royal Court Theatre), movies beckoned, with

1960 becoming a watershed year for the acting talent. Finney played the small part of

Olivier's son, Mick Rice, in “The Entertainer” (reuniting with director Tony Richardson),

then won critical acclaim and enormous success as the brawling, nonconformist factory

worker, Arthur Seaton, in Karel Reisz’s milestone in British realist cinema, “Saturday Night

and Sunday Morning.” Only his second motion picture role, Finney’s performance earned

him two BAFTA nods (one as Best Actor, the other, winning as Most Promising Newcomer),

as well as the Best Actor prize from the National Board of Review.

That role led Richardson to cast the then 26-year-old as Henry Fielding’s rakish,

picaresque, bawdy “Tom Jones.” The 1963 film, which won four Oscars, including Best

Picture, and earned Finney his first of five Academy Award nominations, cemented his

international stardom. Additionally, he collected his third (of thirteen) BAFTA nomination,

the New York Film Critics honor and two Golden Globe® nods -- Best Actor/Comedy or

Musical, and Best Male Newcomer (which he won).

After the huge success of “Tom Jones,” Finney returned to films (after a sojourn back

on the stage) with Reisz’s 1964 drama, “Night Must Fall” (which the actor also produced),

followed by Stanley Donen’s classic 1967 romantic drama, “Two for the Road,” in which he

starred opposite the luminous Audrey Hepburn. That same year, Finney stepped behind the

camera for his directorial debut on “Charlie Bubbles,” which also marked the debut of actress

Liza Minnelli.

Over the ensuing years, Finney has commanded the motion picture screen in such

projects as Sidney Lumet’s “Murder on the Orient Express” (Oscar and BAFTA

nominations), Ridley Scott’s “The Duellists” (the first of four collaborations with Scott),

Ronald Neame’s “Scrooge” (BAFTA nomination), Alan Parker’s “Shoot the Moon” (BAFTA

and Golden Globe nominations), Stephen Frears’ “Gumshoe” (BAFTA nod) Peter Yates’

“The Dresser” (Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations, as well as the Silver Bear at

the Berlin Film Festival), John Huston’s musical “Annie” and his drama “Under the

Volcano” (Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, and the Los Angeles Film Critics Award),

Alan J. Pakula’s “Orphans” (a role he originated on the London stage), the Coen Bros.’

“Miller’s Crossing,” Mike Figgis’ “The Browning Version” (produced by Ridley Scott),

Yates’ “The Run in the Country,” Bruce Bereford’s “Rich in Love,” Steven Soderbergh’s

“Traffic” and “Erin Brockovich” (Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations) and Tim

Burton’s “Big Fish” (BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations). He recently reteamed with

Burton, providing the voice for one of the animated characters in his highly-anticipted

feature, “Corpse Bride,” and just completed work on Michael Apted’s 18th historical drama,

“Amazing Grace.”

No less accomplished on the small screen, Finney delivered award-winning

performances in such telefilms and miniseries as HBO’s “The Gathering Storm” (winning

BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for his portrayal of Sir Winston Churchill in the

feature produced by Ridley Scott), “A Rather English Marriage” (BAFTA nomination),

“Karaoke” and “Cold Lazarus” (combined BAFTA nomination for both 1996 Dennis Potter

telefilms), “The Green Man” (BAFTA nomination), “The Biko Inquest” (his second

directorial effort, for which he collected a CableACE nomination for his performance),

HBO’s “The Image” (his first Emmy nomination), and CBS-TV’s “Pope John Paul II,”

playing the title role.

In addition to producing the 1964 feature “Night Must Fall,” Finney also produced

(under his Memorial Enterprises Productions banner) “Charlie Bubbles,” Lindsay Anderson’s

“If...” and “O Lucky Man!” and Frears’ “Gumshoe.”

Even with his success on the big screen, Finney never abandoned his stage roots,

continuing his association with the National Theatre Company at the Old Vic in London,

where he performed in the mid-1960s in Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” and

Chekov’s “The Cherry Orchard.” He won Tony Award nominations for “Luther” (1964) and

“A Day in the Death of Joe Egg” (1968), and also starred onstage in “Armstrong’s Last

Goodnight,” “Love for Love,” Strindberg’s “Miss Julie,” “Black Comedy,” “The Country

Wife,” “Alpha Beta,” Beckett’s “Krapp’s Last Tape,” “Cromwell,” “Tamburlaine the Great,”

“Another Time” and, his last stage appearance in 1997, “Art,” which preceded the 1998 Tony

Award-winning Broadway run. He won Olivier Awards for “A Flea in Her Ear” and

“Orphans” and the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Osborne’s “Luther.”

MARION COTILLARD (Fanny) made her American movie debut as Josephine in

Tim Burton’s “Big Fish.”

Cotillard is well-known in her native France for her performances in Luc Besson’s

“Taxi” (reprising her role in the equally successful sequels, “Taxi 2” and “Taxi 3”), for which

she collected her first Cesar nomination. She is equally recognized for her work in director

Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s romantic drama “Un long dimanche de fiancailles” (“A Very Long

Engagement”), for which she won the Cesar in 2004 for Best Supporting Actress. She earned

her second Cesar nomination in 2001 for “Les Jolies choses” (“Pretty Things”), under the

direction of Gilles Pacquet-Brenner.

The daughter of working theatre actors (her mother runs acting workshops in Paris),

Cotillard started her career at age sixteen, making her film debut in “L’Histoire du garcon qui

voulait qu’on l’embrasse” (“The Story of a Boy Who Wanted to Be Kissed”). She played the

title role in the 2001 production, “Lisa,” and more recently starred in “Une Affaire Privee”

(“A Private Affair”), “Jeux d’enfants” (“Love Me If You Dare:), “Ma vie en l’air” (“Love Is

in the Air”), “Cavalcade” and “Sauf le respect que je vois dois.”

The busy actress also stars in the current and forthcoming releases “Edy,” “La Boîte

noire,” “Toi en moi,” “Fair Play” and Abel Ferrara’s “Mary,” which unspooled at the 2005

Venice Film Festival, walking off with the Special Jury Prize. She will next play Edith Piaf

in “La Vie en rose,” and also has coming out in 2006 the features “Le Concile de Pierre” and

“Dikkenek.”

Heralded as Australia’s next major acting talent, ABBIE CORNISH (Christie

Roberts) garnered critical-acclaim and the Australian Film Institute Award as Best Actress

for her star turn as a sexually-charged teenager in Cate Shortland’s 2004 coming-of-age

drama, “Somersault.”

For her breakthrough role as Heidi, the sexually tortured teen, Cornish also won the

Inside Film (IF) Award as Best Actress, the Australian Film Critics Circle prize and a Special

Jury Breakthrough Award at the 2004 Miami International Film Festival. “Somersault,” the

only Australian film screened at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival (where Cornish won a

standing ovation) elicited raves from The New York Times film critic A.O. Scott, who called

her “an actress whose delicate and ferocious performance combines classic movie-star

loveliness with serious dramatic ability.”

Cornish hails from Australia’s Hunter Valley, born in Newcastle, New South Wales,

in 1982. Growing up on her family’s farm, she began acting at fifteen after a modelling stint

led to her professional debut on the Australian Broadcasting Company’s series “Children’s

Hospital.” Soon thereafter, she landed a co-starring role on the ABC series “Wildside,” for

which she won her first AFI honor in 1999.

She earned a second AFI nomination in 2003 for her guest-starring role on the ABC

miniseries, “Marking Time.” Other roles include “The Monkey’s Mask” (2000), “Everything

Goes” (2004), “Horseplay” (2003), “One Perfect Day” (2004), and the upcoming feature,

“Candy,” in which she stars opposite fellow Aussies Heath Ledger and Oscar winner

Geoffrey Rush. She has a co-starring role in Shekhar Kapur’s “Elizabeth: The Golden Age.”

TOM HOLLANDER (Charlie Willis) has worked with such acclaimed international

filmmakers as Robert Altman (“Gosford Park”), Michael Apted (“Enigma”), Neil LaBute

(“Possession”), Terry George (“Some Mother’s Son,” his film debut), Richard Eyre (“Stage

Beauty”) and Gore Verbinski (“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men’s Chest” and “Pirates of

the Caribbean: World’s End”). For his work as part of Altman’s ensemble cast in “Gosford

Park,” Hollander shared several critics awards, including those from the Broadcast Film

Critics Association, the Online Film Critics Association and the Screen Actors Guild.

He recently completed a role opposite Ralph Fiennes and Donald Sutherland in “Land

of the Blind” and was just nominated as Best Supporting Actor for a 2005 British

Independent Film Award for his performance opposite Johnny Depp, Samantha Morton and

John Malkovich in Laurence Dunmore’s “The Libertine.” He also recently reteamed with

actor Joseph Fiennes in Finn Taylor’s forthcoming release “The Darwin Awards.”

The Oxfordshire-born, Cambridge-educated actor collaborated with directors Joe

Wright (the current release of “Pride & Prejudice,” for which he won critical acclaim and a

‘breakout performance’ citation in The New York Times), Tom Hunsinger and Neil Hunter

(“The Lawless Heart”), Rose Troche (“Bedrooms and Hallways”) and Nick Hamm (“Martha,

Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence,” released in the U.S. as “The Very Thought of You”).

Hollander’s television work is equally accomplished, with roles in the recent

BBC/PBS Emmy-winning miniseries “The Lost Prince” (acclaimed as King George V

opposite Miranda Richardson’s Queen Mary), the adaptation of “The Life and Adventures of

Nicholas Nickelby” opposite Charles Dance, the prominent, BAFTA-nominated BBC drama

“Wives and Daughters” and a memorable guest stint as Saffie’s boyfriend Paolo on the long-

running BBC comedy “Absolutely Fabulous: The Last Shout.” For his work as Guy Burgess

in the BAFTA-nominated BBC feature “Cambridge Spies,” Hollander won the Best Actor

honor at the International Television Festival in Biarritz 2003.

While at Cambridge, he was a member of the university’s celebrated Cambridge

Footlights revue and was President of the Marlowe Society, where he became well-known for

his performance of “Cyrano de Bergerac,” directed by fellow classmate Sam Mendes. The

London stage veteran also starred in the groundbreaking Donmar Warehouse staging of “The

Threepenny Opera,” directed by Phillida Lloyd.

Onstage, he collaborated with Jonathan Kent in the title role of Moliere’s “Tartuffe”

(Best Actor, Time Out Awards, 1996), and the role of Edgar in Shakespeare’s “King Lear,”

and in Gogol’s stage classic, “The Government Inspector,” all at the Almeida. He also

starred for Oscar-nominee Stephen Daldry in “The Editing Process” and starred in the title

role of the original staging of Jez Butterworth’s Olivier Award-winning drama “Mojo” at

London’s Royal Court Theater. He first worked with theatre director Richard Eyre in his

1998 staging of David Hare’s “The Judas Kiss,” originating his role opposite Liam Neeson in

London’s West End before reprising his performance across the Atlantic on the Broadway

stage the same year. For his work on the English stage, Hollander has won four Ian

Charleson Awards, including one for his performance in "Way of the World" at the Lyric,

Hammersmith, in 1992. Most recently, he returned to the Donmar Warehouse to great

acclaim for his performance as Laurie in “The Hotel in Amsterdam.”

FREDDIE HIGHMORE (Young Max) recently co-starred in two high-profile

motion pictures: as Charlie Bucket in Tim Burton’s box-office hit, “Charlie and the

Chocolate Factory,” and opposite Oscar nominee Johnny Depp, in Marc Forster’s critically-

acclaimed Best Picture Academy Award nominated film, “Finding Neverland.”

For the latter, the young actor won the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award as

Best Young Actor, and collected several other award nominations for his work, including two

nods from the Screen Actors Guild (for Supporting Actor and Best Ensemble).

Highmore, a native of England, began his acting career at age six, playing Helena

Bonham Carter's son in “Women Talking Dirty.” He also appeared opposite Guy Pearce in

Jean-Jacques Annaud’s adventure film, “Two Brothers,” and alongside Kenneth Branagh in

“Five Children and It.”

Highmore has also appeared in a number of television productions in the U.K.,

including the BBC film “Happy Birthday Shakespeare” and ITV's miniseries “I Saw You,” as

well as “The Mists of Avalon” in the U.S. He is currently back on the big screen, filming

“Arthur and the Minimoys” for filmmaker Luc Besson in France. He will next star opposite

Robin Williams and Liv Tyler in “August Rush,” which will be produced by Jim Sheridan

and directed by his daughter Kirsten (screenwriter for her father’s 2003 Oscar-nominated

drama “In America”).

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

RIDLEY SCOTT (Director, Producer) earned consecutive Academy Award

nominations as Best Director for his stunning recreation of the deadly 1993 battle in

Mogadishu, Somalia, in “Black Hawk Down” (one of 2001’s biggest box-office hits) and for

the epic adventure “Gladiator,” his vivid and dramatic evocation of ancient Rome that won

five Oscars (out of twelve nominations), including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell

Crowe (as well as directing nominations for Scott from the DGA and BAFTA).

“Gladiator” also won both the Golden Globe and British Academy Awards as Best

Picture, and has earned over $800 million at the global box office. Both motion picture

triumphs further solidified his reputation as one of contemporary cinema’s most innovative,

influential and versatile visual stylists.

Scott was born in South Shields, Northumberland, England. Reared in London,

Cumbria, Wales and Germany, he returned to Northeast England to live in Stockton-on-Tees.

He studied at the West Hartlepool College of Art where he excelled in graphic design and

painting, two strengths that would later serve as his signatures on the movie screen. He also

studied at London’s Royal Academy of Art, where his contemporaries included the famous

artist David Hockney. During his studies there, Scott completed his first short film.

Graduating with honors, Scott was awarded a traveling scholarship to the United

States. During his year there, he was employed by Time Life, Inc., where he gained valuable

experience working with award-winning documentarians Richard Leacock and D.A.

Pennebaker. Upon his return to the U.K., he joined the BBC as a production designer and,

within a year, graduated to directing many of the network’s popular TV programs.

After three years, he left to form his own company, RSA, which soon became one of

the most successful commercial production houses in Europe (later adding offices in New

York and Los Angeles). Over the years, Scott has directed over three thousand commercials,

including the captivating spot for Chanel No. 5 entitled “Share the Fantasy” and the

memorable one for Apple Computers that aired but once, during the 1984 Super Bowl. His

work in the commercial arena has collected awards at the Venice and Cannes Film Festivals,

as well as being honored by the New York Art Directors’ Club. RSA still maintains a high

profile in the global marketplace and represents some of the most acclaimed directors in the

film and advertising arenas.

Scott made the leap from commercial production (“pocket versions of feature films”

he calls them) to movies with 1977’s “The Duellists,” the lustrous Napoleonic War saga that

brought him the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. His second film switched genres,

taking the filmmaker from the past into the frightening future with the groundbreaking sci-fi-

thriller, “Alien,” which walked off with an Oscar for Best Visual Effects.

He stayed in the future (and set the stage for future filmmakers) with his next feature,

“Blade Runner,” the landmark masterpiece starring Harrison Ford that is considered one of

the milestones of contemporary moviemaking. The film was nominated for two Academy

Awards -- art direction and visual effects. It was also added to the National Film Archives

(maintained by the U.S. Library of Congress), the “youngest” film to be so honored.

Scott followed this triumph later in the decade with three more films -- the big screen

fairy tale, “Legend,” starring Tom Cruise; the urban thriller, “Someone to Watch Over Me”

with Tom Berenger; and the cross-cultural gangster epic, “Black Rain,” starring Michael

Douglas and Andy Garcia.

In 1987, Scott formed Percy Main Productions to develop and produce feature films.

The first production, which he helmed, was “Thelma and Louise.” Starring Oscar-nominees

Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, the film collected five Academy Award nominations,

including Scott’s first as director (the film won the Best Original Screenplay prize and was

also nominated for two British Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director). He

followed with “1492: Conquest of Paradise,” his historical epic starring Gerard Depardieu as

Christopher Columbus, and “The Browning Version,” produced by Scott and starring Albert

Finney and Greta Scacchi.

In 1995, along with younger brother Tony (also a successful filmmaker), he formed

Scott Free productions, which produced “White Squall,” with Jeff Bridges, “G.I. Jane”

starring Demi Moore, and the blockbuster sequel, “Hannibal,” with Anthony Hopkins and

Julianne Moore (all three directed by Ridley Scott). Scott Free also produced “Clay Pigeons”

and “Where the Money Is,” a caper comedy starring Paul Newman.

Scott directed his own caper comedy, “Matchstick Men,” starring Nicolas Cage and

Sam Rockwell, and the epic story of the Crusades, “Kingdom of Heaven,” which toplined

Orlando Bloom and Jeremy Irons. He will once again step behind the cameras on the gritty

Harlem-set drama, “American Gangster,” reteaming with actor Crowe and collaborating with

Oscar-winner Denzel Washington for the first time.

Scott also recently executive produced Kevin Reynolds’ costume epic, “Tristan &

Isolde”; Curtis Hanson’s family drama “In Her Shoes”; and “The Assassination of Jesse

James by the Coward Robert Ford,” starring Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck.

The company also produced Showtime’s CableACE-winning anthology series “The

Hunger” (adapted from Tony Scott’s 1983 film) and the Emmy and Golden Globe award-

winning HBO telefilm, “RKO 281,” starring Liev Schreiber as Orson Welles in the

docudrama recreating the making of “Citizen Kane.” Scott Free also executive produced

“The Gathering Storm” for HBO, the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning telefilm (Best Made

for Television Movie) depicting the life of Winston Churchill that starred Emmy-winning

Best Actor Albert Finney and Emmy nominee Vanessa Redgrave. The company also

recently signed a two-year deal with CBS to develop up to three projects for the network, the

first of which is the acclaimed drama “Numb3rs.”

The film director was involved in the combining of the two preeminent European film

studios, Pinewood Studios and Shepperton Studios into a studio complex which houses forty-

two stages, backlots and locations as well as award-winning post-production and production

support services. Scott originally filmed “Alien” at this facility. Ridley together with his

brother Tony Scott were part of the consortium which purchased Shepperton Studios in 1995

which subsequently merged with Pinewood in 2001.

In recognition for his contributions to the arts, Scott was awarded knighthood in 2003

from the Order of the British Empire.

MARC KLEIN (Screenwriter) has established himself as one of Hollywood’s most

sought-after writer/directors following his work with three compelling, well-regarded, and

buzzworthy projects. Combining his ability to work with various genres and his innate sense

of both male and female characters, Klein has proven himself an undeniable filmmaking asset

on the rise.

Klein is currently editing his feature directorial debut, “The Girls’ Guide to Hunting

and Fishing,” which he also adapted for the screen. Melissa Banks’ international bestseller is

an endearing tale of a Manhattan book editor (Sarah Michelle Gellar) who changes her take

on the game of romance after she lures the attention of an influential older man (Alec

Baldwin). The film is scheduled for release in 2007.

Klein is also writing the screenplay for “Golden Gate,” based on his original pitch.

Produced by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner, the Paramount Pictures romance is scheduled to

begin production next year with Cruise attached to star.

Klein made his first impression on audiences worldwide with the acclaimed Miramax

release “Serendipity.” Directed by Peter Chelsom (“Shall We Dance”), the film stars John

Cusack and Kate Beckinsale in an enchanting tale of a long-distance love that stands the test

of time and happenstance. “Serendipity” garnered positive notices for Klein’s richly drawn

romantic characterizations and a narrative economy which branded the film’s time-lapsing

effect.

Prior to his debut as a screenwriter, Klein earned his first stripes in the romantic

comedy genre working for director Jon Turteltaub, whose film “While You Were Sleeping”

charmed audiences worldwide and launched Sandra Bullock to international acclaim. Klein

graduated from New York University Film School, where he honed his skills for

screenwriting while studying film icons such as Woody Allen, Peter Sellers, and John Sayles.

His first sold script, “Love, Jenny,” was purchased by Overbrook Entertainment (“Hitch”) as

a staring vehicle for Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Klein also co-wrote the

script “Instant Message,” currently in development at Village Roadshow/Warner Bros. for

director Jay Roach (“Meet the Parents”).

FOX 2000 PICTURES Presents

In Association with

INGENIOUS FILM PARTNERS

Directed by............................RIDLEY SCOTT

Screenplay by............................MARC KLEIN

Based on the book by.............PETER MAYLE

Produced by..........................RIDLEY SCOTT

Executive Producer.............BRANKO LUSTIG

Executive Producers.................JULIE PAYNE

..................................................LISA ELLZEY

RUSSELL CROWE

ALBERT FINNEY

MARION COTILLARD

ABBIE CORNISH

DIDIER BOURDON

TOM HOLLANDER

And FREDDIE HIGHMORE

ISABELLE CANDELIER

KENNETH CRANHAM

ARCHIE PANJABI

RAFE SPALL

Director of Photography...................................

.....................................PHILIPPE LE SOURD

Production Designer...............SONJA KLAUS

Film Editor.....................DODY DORN, A.C.E.

Co-Producer.............................ERIN UPSON

Costume Designer...........................................

..............................CATHERINE LETERRIER

Music by....................MARC STREITENFELD

Casting by...................JINA JAY – UK Casting

......ANTOINETTE BOULAT – France Casting

A SCOTT FREE Production

A RIDLEY SCOTT Film

CAST (In Order of Appearance)

Young Max..................FREDDIE HIGHMORE

Uncle Henry.........................ALBERT FINNEY

Max Skinner......................RUSSELL CROWE

Kenny........................................RAFE SPALL

Gemma..............................ARCHIE PANJABI

Amis..................................RICHARD COYLE

Trader #1................................BEN RIGHTON

Trader #2.......................PATRICK KENNEDY

20-Something Beauty.................ALI RHODES

Bert the Doorman....................DANIEL MAYS

Newscaster #1.............................NILA AALIA

Newscaster #2...............STEPHEN HUDSON

Maitre D'.............................GIANNINA FACIO

Charlie Willis.....................TOM HOLLANDER

Rental Car Employee ..........LIONEL BRIAND

Gemma’s Friend......................MARIA PAPAS

Francis Duflot...................DIDIER BOURDON

Ludivine Duflot..........ISABELLE CANDELIER

Sir Nigel......................KENNETH CRANHAM

Fanny Chenal...............MARION COTILLARD

Russian Couple #1...................IGOR PANICH

Russian Couple #2........OLEG SOSNOVIKOV

Secretary................................MAGALI WOCH

Nathalie Auzet...VALERIA BRUNI TEDESCHI

Papa Duflot......................JACQUES HERLIN

Christie Roberts..................ABBIE CORNISH

English Couple #1.......CATRIONA MACCOLL

English Couple #2...............PATRICK PAYET

Hostess..............................FÉLICITÉ DU JEU

American Customer #1...MITCHELL MULLEN

American Customer #2......JUDI DICKERSON

Oenologue........GILLES GASTON-DREYFUS

Chateau Buyers...................PHILIPPE MERY

..................................DOMINIQUE LAURENT

Broker #1.......................STEWART WRIGHT

Broker #2.................................TOM STUART

Fanny's Mother.........CATHERINE VINATIER

Young Fanny........................MARINE CASTO

Hip Hopper #1.....................GREGG CHILLIN

Hip Hopper #2.........................TONEY TUTINI

Voice Actors...............PHILIPPE BERGERON

.........EDITA BRYCHTA, HELENE CARDONA

......JEAN-LOUIS DARVILLE, NEIL DICKSON

.................JEAN GILPIN, NICHOLAS GUEST

..................PATRICK HILLAN, FRANK ISLES

.................................................PETER LAVIN

...................CAITLIN MCKENNA-WILKINSON

........PAULA JANE NEWMAN, MOIRA QUIRK

.........................VALERIA MILENKA REPNAU

................................DARREN RICHARDSON

...............................JEAN-MICHEL RICHAUD

..........................SAMANTHA JANE ROBSON

.............................IAN RUSKIN, LINDA SANS

..BRUNO STEPHANE, KAREN STRASSMAN

...........JEAN-PAUL VIGNON, CRAIG YOUNG

Stunt Coordinator............PHILIPPE GUEGAN

Stunts........................CAROLINE BOUFFARD

.........................DAVID FORAX, JULES MADI

........KZENIA ZAROUBA, ALEXIS BOUTIERE

...............ALAIN GAUDIARD, DAVID OLIVER

Unit Production Manager...........MARK ALLAN

Unit Production Manager....BRANKO LUSTIG

First Assistant Director..........DARIN RIVETTI

Second Assistant Director................................

.......................................EMILIE CHERPITEL

Made in Association with DUNE

ENTERTAINMENT LLC and MAJOR

STUDIO PARTNERS

French Line Producer ..............MARK ALLAN

Art Director......................FREDERIC EVARD

Set Decorator....BARBARA PEREZ-SOLERO

Stand-by Art Director.......................................

..........................ANTHONY CARON-DELION

Production Buyer..........KRISSI WILLIAMSON

Art Department Coordinator......AMY SIMONS

Art Department Assistant.....LYDIE RUGIERO

Unit Manager.......................REMI BERGMAN

Assistant Unit Manager....NCENT LEFEUVRE

Second Second Assistant Director...................

..........................................ELIOT MATHEWS

Third Assistant Director....TARIK AIT BEN ALI

Set Production AssistantsFREDERIC MILLET

..............................................BONNIE PIRES

First Assistant Camera.MARCO SACERDOTI

Second Assistant Camera........BASIL SMITH

Loader.............................FREDERIC HAUSS

B-Camera Operator/Steadicam........................

..............................................JÖRG WIDMER

First Assistant B-Camera.......LEAH STRIKER

Second Assistant B-Camera.LIONEL PEDRO

Additional First Assistant Camera....................

............................................TRISTAN FAVRE

Additional Operator.......ROGER MCDONALD

Still Photographer...........RICARDO TORRES

Video Technician...........ROBERT HAMILTON

Video Assistant.............GREGORY PAGNIER

Video Production Assistant..............................

.....................................LAURIANE VINCENT

Production Sound Mixer..JEAN-PAUL MUGEL

Boom Person......................SAMUEL COHEN

Cable Person............................IVAN DUMAS

Prop Master............................MATT FOSTER

Prop Hands..................JEAN-MICHEL PUPIN

.............................TRISTAN CARLISLE-KITZ

Trainee.............................AUDREY CARROT

Local Buyer..............STEPHANE CRESSEND

Prop Chargehand............EMMANUEL DELIS

Drapery....................FREDERIC DE VILLERS

..........................................OLIVIER BREBAN

Script Supervisor.......................NIKKI CLAPP

Co-Editor............................ROBB SULLIVAN

Post Production Supervisor..TERESA KELLY

Visual Effects Supervisor..WESLEY SEWELL

1st Assistant Editor (Los Angeles)...................

......................................DEBRA L. TENNANT

1st Assistant Editor (France)............................

........................................CELINE KELEPIKIS

Assistant Editors..............EMILY AULAGNON

.............................................YON VAN KLINE

Music Editors................................DEL SPIVA

.........................................CHRIS BENSTEAD

Editorial Coordinator (France).........................

...........................................PHILIPPE AKOKA

Editorial Assistants...............QUINBY CHUNN

.....................................EMMANUEL FLEURY

Supervising Sound Editors..............................

.............................PER HALLBERG, M.P.S.E.

.............................KAREN BAKER LANDERS

Sound Mixing ........................PAUL MASSEY

..............................................D.M. HEMPHILL

Gaffer............................FRANCK BARRAULT

Best Boy Electric...................YVAN QUEHEC

Genny Operator................BRUNO BIMBARD

Rigging Best Boy Electric.........YVES COHEN

Key Grip.............................FRANCOIS BERT

Best Boy Grip....................PHILIPPE JANOIS

Additional Best Boy Grip....GIL FONTBONNE

Assistant Costume Designer...........................

..........................................CAMILLE JANBON

Wardrobe Supervisor......................................

..........................KAREN MULLER-SERREAU

Russell Crowe's Costumer..............................

................................MICHAEL CASTELLANO

Set Dresser..................CELINE COLLOBERT

Key Textile Artist..................CAMILLE JOSTE

Key Makeup Artist...........FABRIZIO SFORZA

Makeup Artists...ALESSANDRA SAMPAOLO

.........................................RAFFAELLA IORIO

Hair Designer..GIANCARLO DE LEONARDIS

Key Hair.................HAYAT OULED DAHHOU

Hair Stylists.................DANIELE PEROSILLO

..........................................ALESSIO POMPEI

Wigs by...........GIANCARLO DE LEONARDIS

Location Supervisor.....MARCO GIACALONE

Location Managers.......THIERRY ZEMMOUR

.................................................JEREMY BAU

Assistant Location Manager.GAETAN DINON

Production Coordinator...................................

.................LAURENCE COUTAUD-GARNIER

Production Secretary.......SEGOLENE AMICE

Accommodations.......PENELOPE BISCHOFF

Production Assistants............ERIC LEBLOND

.............PASCAL JOUVAL, MARC GARETTO

Special Effects Supervisor..............................

.........................................STEVEN WARNER

Construction Manager...DANIEL HOFFMANN

Construction Chargehand...............................

...................................JEAN-CLAUDE GIUSTI

Construction Runner..........SAMUEL GARCIN

Painter Chargehand.............JAMES NEWELL

Greensman.......................DICKEN WARNER

Assistants to Ridley Scott................................

.............................NATASCHA MAKSIMOVIC

.......................................JORDAN SHEEHAN

Special Advisor to Ridley Scott........................

.......................................NEVILLE SHULMAN

Assistant to Branko Lustig.......HELEN OLIVE

Assistants to Russell Crowe.KEITH RODGER

..............BRUNO DE OLIVA, ANDREA BICHI

Research Consultant.GERALDINE SERAFINI

Financial Controller.........GARY GILLINGHAM

Key Production Accountant..............................

...................MAUREEN "MO" CRUTCHFIELD

Production Accountant.........BERNARD LAMY

France Casting Assistant....KASIA KRYNSKA

Unit Publicist..........................ERNEST MALIK

Dialogue Coach for Russell Crowe..................

..........................................JUDI DICKERSON

Dog Handler.....................JOEL SILVERMAN

Action Vehicles................................................

.......................MEDHI-EMMANUEL SEKNAJI

Transportation Captain...STEPHAN ARNOUX

Russell Crowe's Bodyguard.............................

.................................MUSTAFHA ADDOUDA

Security.....................................................VIP

Catering........................................LOCAFETE

Chef...............................ANTOINE PAUTROT

Craft Service ........................JOELLE CUGNY

.....................................BERENICE MOLIERE

Facilities..........................................................

............ON-SET LOCATION SERVICES LTD.

.................................................STUDIO PHIL

Supervising ADR Editor..........CHRIS JARGO

Supervising Foley Editor..................................

.........................CRAIG S. JAEGER, M.P.S.E.

Assistant Sound Editors..PHILIP D. MORRILL

.......................TONY R. NEGRETE, M.P.S.E.

Sound Effects Editors......................................

.............CHRISTOPHER ASSELLS, M.P.S.E.

...........................DINO R. DIMURO, M.P.S.E.

........................................DANIEL HEGEMAN

............................PETER STAUBLI, M.P.S.E.

.......................KERRY CARMEAN-WILLIAMS

Dialogue Editors..............PATRICK J. FOLEY

..........................JOHN C. STUVER, M.P.S.E.

ADR Editors..........................KIMAREE LONG

................FREDERICK H. STAHLY, M.P.S.E.

Foley Artists...................ALICIA STEVENSON

...............................................DAWN FINTOR

ADR Mixing......................................................

...............CHARLEEN RICHARDS-STEEVES

Post Production Facilities Provided by.............

........TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX STUDIOS

Negative Cutter.....................GARY BURRITT

Color Timer................................JIM PASSON

Main & End Title Sequence by.............yU+co.

End Title Crawl by .........SCARLET LETTERS

Digital Intermediate by.MODERN VIDEOFILM

Digital Film Colorist .................SKIP KIMBALL

Visual Effects by............INVISIBLE EFFECTS

Production Services in France Provided by.....

.........................................@RADICAL.MEDIA

LONDON UNIT

Unit Production Manager....EMILY STILLMAN

Second Assistant DirectorANTHONY WILCOX

Crowd Wrangler.........CAROLINE CHAPMAN

A-Camera Focus Puller...JULIAN BUCKNALL

Clapper Loader...........................TOBY EEDY

Video Assist Operator.....................................

........................CARLOS HERRANZ MERINO

Gaffer.................................HARRY WIGGINS

Best Boy............................JOSH BRECKEEN

Grip...................................PAUL HATCHMAN

Assistant Grip....................ROD PATTERSON

Art Director......................ROBERT COWPER

Graphic Designer....................CORALIE LEW

Prop Master........................NICK TURNBULL

Construction Manager.............HUGO SLIGHT

Stand-by Rigger........................VINCE SHAW

Stand-by Carpenter....DEREK REDDINGTON

Costume Supervisor............LEE CROUCHER

Russell Crowe's Tailoring by.............ARMANI

Make-up Artists...............CARLA VICENZINO

..............................MELISSA LACKERSTEEN

..................................PASCALE BOUQUIERE

Hair Stylist.............................ANITA BURGER

Location Manager...........ALEX GLADSTONE

Assistant Location ManagerLINZI BALTRUNAS

UK Casting Assistant............DIXIE CHASSAY

Unit Manager..........................KEITH WHALE

Production Coordinator......FIONA GARLAND

Production Secretary..............AMELIA PRICE

Rushes Runner......................SCOTT EATON

Accountant.............................MATT DALTON

Transportation Captain..........GERARD GORE

Film Assistant........................JOANNE DIXON

Health & Safety Officer......LARRY EYDMANN

Medic.........................................JOHN GIBBS

Music Supervisor.......MARC STREITENFELD

Music Conducted by ...............NICK INGMAN

Music Orchestrated by .......BRUCE FOWLER

Music Recorded and Mixed by........................

..............................................PETER COBBIN

Assistant Engineer....RICHARD LANCASTER

Music Recorded & Mixed at ...........................

................ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS LONDON

Orchestra Leader...............THOMAS BOWES

Orchestra Contractor.......................................

................................ISOBEL GRIFFITHS LTD

Assistant Orchestra Contractor.......................

..................................CHARLOTTE TRINDER

Music Preparation......................VIC FRASER

..............................................JILL STREATER

Score Pre-Record Laybacks...........................

............................................JOEL RICHARDS

SONGS

"Breezin’ Along With The Breeze"

Written by Haven Gillespie, Seymour

Simons and Richard

Whiting

Performed by Josephine Baker

Courtesy of Columbia Records

By arrangement with SONY BMG MUSIC

ENTERTAINMENT

"For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow"

Traditional

"Lounge Lizard"

Written and Performed by Joe Lervold

Courtesy of Marc Ferrari / MasterSource

"Moi…Lolita"

Lyrics by Mylène Farmer

Music by Laurent Boutonnat

Performed by Alizée

Courtesy of REQUIEM - POLYDOR

"How Can I Be Sure Of You"

Written and Performed by Harry Nilsson

Courtesy of RCA Records Label

By arrangement with SONY BMG MUSIC

ENTERTAINMENT

"Sur les chemins…"

Written by Aurélie Peytier, Armelle Ita &

Makali

Performed by Makali

Courtesy of Makali and Aurélie Peytier

"A Room With A View"

Written by Noel Coward

Performed by Noel Coward & Orchestra

Courtesy of EMI Records

Under license from EMI Film & Television

Music

"No. 11 Final du Deuxième Acte from La

Vie

Parisienne"

Written by Jacques Offenbach

"Gotta Get Up"

Written and Performed by Harry Nilsson

Courtesy of RCA Records Label

By arrangement with SONY BMG MUSIC

ENTERTAINMENT

"Hey Joe"

Written by Billy Roberts

Performed by Johnny Hallyday

Courtesy of Mercury Records France, A

Division of

Universal Music S.A.

Under license from Universal Music

Enterprises

"Never Ending Song Of Love"

Written by Delaney Bramlett

Performed by Delaney & Bonnie

Courtesy of Elektra Entertainment Group

By arrangement with Warner Music Group

Film & TV Licensing

"Le linge sèche au vent"

Written by Barnabé Saïd-albert & Makali

Performed by and Courtesy of Makali

"Jump Into The Fire"

Written and Performed by Harry Nilsson

Courtesy of RCA Records Label

By arrangement with SONY BMG MUSIC

ENTERTAINMENT

"2 Arabesques: No. 1 Andantino Con Moto"

Written by Claude Debussy

Performed by Pascal Rogé

Courtesy of Decca Music Group Limited

Under license from Universal Music

Enterprises

"Paris"

Written and Performed by Stephen Lang

Courtesy of Marc Ferrari / MasterSource

"Vous, qui passez sans me voir"

Lyrics by Charles Trenet

Music by John Hess

Performed by Jean Sablon

Courtesy of Promosound Ltd., Ireland

"La Puissance"

Written by Jonathan Rotem and Housni

M’Kouboi

Performed by Rohff

Courtesy of EMI Records

Under license from EMI Film & Television

Music

"Le Chant Du Gardian"

Written by Jean Féline and Louis Gasté

Performed by Tino Rossi

Courtesy of Arkadia Records

By arrangement with Source/Q

"Je Chante"

Lyrics by and Performed by Charles Trenet

Music by Charles Trenet and Paul Misraki

Courtesy of EMI Records

Under license from EMI Film & Television

Music

"Quand On S’ Promène Au Bord De L’eau"

Written by Maurice Yvain, Jean Sautreuil,

Julien

Duvivier and Louis Poterat

Performed by Jean Gabin

Courtesy of Promosound Ltd., Ireland

"Les Ex"

Written by Camille Dalmais and Alexandre

Chatin

Performed by Camille

Courtesy of EMI Records

Under license from EMI Film & Television

Music

"Il faut du temps au temps…"

Written by Barnabé Saïd-albert, Armelle Ita

& Makali

Performed by and Courtesy of Makali

"The Wedding Samba"

Written by Abraham Ellstein, Allan Small

and Joseph Liebowitz

Performed by Edmundo Ros & His

Orchestra

Courtesy of Decca Music Group Limited

Under license from Universal Music

Enterprises

"Old Cape Cod"

Written by Allan Jeffrey, Claire Rothrock

and Milton

Yakus

Performed by Patti Page

Courtesy of Mercury Nashville Records

Under license from Universal Music

Enterprises

"Walk Right Back"

Written by Sonny Curtis

Performed by The Everly Brothers

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.

By arrangement with Warner Music Group

Film & TV Licensing

"J’Attendrai"

Lyrics by Louis Poterat

Words and Music by Dino Olivieri & Nino

Rastelli

Performed by Jean Sablon

Courtesy of Promosound Ltd., Ireland

"Boum"

Lyrics and Music by Charles Trenet

Performed by Adrien Chevalier

"La fleur que tu m’avais jetee from Carmen"

Written by Georges Bizet

"Itsy Bitsy Petit Bikini"

Written by Lee Pockriss and Paul Vance

Performed by Richard Anthony

Courtesy of EMI Records

Under license from EMI Film & Television

Music

THE PRODUCERS WISH TO THANK THE

FOLLOWING FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE:

CHATEAU CANORGUE

CHATEAU LES EYDINS

AIRPORT OF MARSEILLES

BLOOMBERG L.P.

ALBION RIVERSIDE

SNCF

MAISON CHARVET

HERMES

CHANEL

E.B. MEYROWITZ OPTICIENS

BUREAU DU CINEMA LUBERON

PROVINCE OF LUBERON

CITIES OF BONNIEUX, GORDES,

CUCURON, AVIGNON, MENERBES, APT

and LACOSTE

Michelin Map 113 © Michelin et Cie, 2005

THE DAILY MAIL and EVENING

STANDARD provided by SOLO

Syndication

PENTHOUSE Material courtesy of General

GMCI

Photograph courtesy of Jeff Dunas

Footage courtesy of Trans World

International

Footage courtesy of ESPN Enterprises,

Inc.

Photographs by Jacques Henri Lartigue ©

Ministère de la Culture - France / AAJHL

Footage from LES VACANCES DE MR

HULOT and MON ONCLE courtesy of

Films Distribution

Footage from AND GOD CREATED

WOMAN courtesy of TF1 International

The following film clips licensed by Société

Nouvelle de Cinématographie (SNC, Group

M6), with special thanks to Ellen Schafer,

Christophe Bigot, and Marie-Armelle

Imbault (SACD):

LA BANDERA, courtesy of SNC and Julien

LA CHARTREUSE DE PARME, courtesy

SYLVIE ET LE FANTOME, courtesy of

Color and Prints

by DELUXE®

KODAK

FILM STOCK (Logo)

DOLBY STEREO (logo)

In Selected Theatres

DTS

Approved No. 42357 (MPAA Globe)

MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION OF

AMERICA

Film Corporation and Dune Entertainment

LLC in all territories

except Brazil, Italy, Japan, Korea and

Spain.

Rights Exploitation Limited Liability

Company, Twentieth Century Fox

Film Corporation and Dune Entertainment

LLC in Brazil, Italy, Japan, Korea and

Spain.

Ingenious Film Partners 2 LLP and AGY

Service, Inc. are the authors of this

motion picture for purposes of copyright

and other laws.

The events, characters and firms depicted

in this photoplay are fictitious. Any

similarity to actual persons, living or dead,

or to actual events or firms is purely

coincidental.

Ownership of this motion picture is

protected by copyright and other applicable

laws, and any unauthorized duplication,

distribution or exhibition of this motion

picture could result in criminal prosecution

as well as civil liability.

"A GOOD YEAR"

BORAT PRODUCTION NOTES

Jagshemash! Sacha Baron Cohen, the star and creator of HBO’s "Da Ali G

Show,” brings his Kazakh journalist character Borat Sagdiyev to the big screen for the first time. Leaving his native Kazakhstan, Borat travels to America to make a documentary. As he zigzags across the nation, Borat meets real people in real situations with hysterical consequences. His backwards behavior generates strong reactions around him, exposing prejudices and hypocrisies in American culture. In some cases, Borat's interview subjects embrace his outrageous views on race and sex by agreeing with him, while others attempt to offer a patriotic lesson in Western values. Wa-wa-wee-wa!

Hilarious. Jaw-dropping. Inflammatory. Dangerous. Subversive. Borat, a satirical Kazakh journalist caricature invented and portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen, has been called all this – and more. Borat became a phenomenon in the U.K. with the comedy series “Da Ali G Show,” in which Baron Cohen’s outlandish humor and razor-sharp satire on anti-Semitism, misogyny and racism, came to life through his creation’s bizarre behavior and interviews.

Baron Cohen’s innovative and unique work has brought him two BAFTA awards.

“Da Ali G Show” was a worldwide phenomenon, and Baron Cohen is the only person to twice host the European MTV Awards. Dictionaries added two words based on his characters’ “inventive” use of the English language, and even the Queen Mother was a fan.

In addition, Baron Cohen received critical plaudits for his role opposite Will Ferrell in this summer’s blockbuster comedy “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.” Also, Baron Cohen was the voice of the King of the Lemurs in “Madagascar.”

Even before its release, critics heralded BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN as one of the funniest pictures of all time, and it became the highest-rated comedy on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB.com). The film’s humor and acclaim stem from its comedy “dream team”: Sacha Baron Cohen, Larry Charles from “Seinfeld” and Jay

Roach, director of the “Austin Powers” films. Baron Cohen and Roach are the film’s producers, with Charles serving as director.

The production of BORAT – as one might expect about a project centered on the character – was unlike any other. Baron Cohen, whose commitment to the role is unwaveringly intense, stayed in character through the shooting, and elected to conduct publicity and interviews promoting the picture, as Borat.

BEGINNINGS

“My profession television reporter. I second most successful in all Kazakhstan,” Borat explains. “I also have work in past as gypsy catcher, ice make, and in computer maintenance – I would paint the outsides and remove dead birds from their pipes.”

From those humble beginnings, Borat rose up the ranks of Kazakh broadcasting – until he got his big shot at fame. “1 years ago, Kazakh Ministry of Information send me to US and A to make reportings that would help Kazakhstan,” Borat recounts. “We want to be like you. America have most beautiful womens in world – for example Liza Minnelli and Elizabeth Taylor. It also center for democracy and porno. I like! I so excite to do my movie!”

Filmmaker Jay Roach, who in addition to the “Austin Powers” films also helmed the mega-hits “Meet the Parents” and “Meet the Fockers,” was fascinated by Baron Cohen’s work as Borat, and saw the potential for a movie starring the character.

“I think what Sacha does in this film is revolutionary,” says Roach.. “He’s created a totally believable, hilarious, fish-out-of-water character. Then Sacha takes Borat into often dangerous predicaments with real people who have to believe Borat is authentic the entire time – or else Sacha could face serious consequences. That’s fantastic suspense!

“Sacha takes risks like no performer I’m aware of,” Roach continues. “He’s a true comedic high-wire act. On top of that, whatever these real people do in the scene not only drives the scene, but changes the direction of the story. And it’s all insanely funny, even though he only gets one take for every performance. He does all that, and then also spoofs and holds a mirror up to racism, anti-Semitism, misogyny, jingoism and hypocrisy. With no exaggeration, I believe what Sacha accomplishes with this character sets an entirely new standard for filmed performances.”

It is this combination of explosive humor, rawness and satire that led Roach to believe that a Borat film could be very special – and very different from traditional Hollywood comedies. “We saw an opportunity to do a film that was bold, subversive and fresh,” explains Roach. “We wanted to transplant the reality format of [“Da Ali G”] TV show, which has Sacha in character, interacting with real people. Then, we created a story that supports a feature film.”

Peter Baynham, Anthony Hines and Dan Mazer were drafted to write an outline for the film. There was no script. The movie is an experiment – a new form of filmmaking for an age in which reality and entertainment have become increasingly intertwined. Real events with real people push the film’s fictional story, and when scenes played out in unexpected ways, Baron Cohen and his colleagues had to rewrite the outline.

PRODUCTION

Following a grand send-off from his Kazakh village, Borat made the long journey to the US and A to begin work on the documentary. He was accompanied by his obese and ineffectual producer, Azamat Bagatov. Comments Azamat: “I got involved in this project because I am very experienced in industry of film and television – in fact during last 20 years I have personally watched 27 programs. I also got job because I am only producer in Kazakhstan.”

Borat traveled to the U.S. in style—Azamat, not so much. “We fly Kazakh Airways,” Borat recalls. “Azamat go in hold, with luggage, animals and Jews – I travel first classes – which meant that when toilet box was passed around, I was the sixth person to make my ‘dirty’ in it.” No expense was spared to bring the film to the big-screen. “This documentary was most expensive film ever made for Kazakhstan,” says the intrepid reporter. “It cost 48 million tenge – this equivalent to 5000 US dollar. Ministry of Information supplement budget by selling uranium to some brown men.”

Larry Charles, a creative force on the landmark series “Entourage,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Seinfeld,” joined the project as director. Like Jay Roach, Charles was a fan of Baron Cohen’s work. “There is an intensity and incredible intelligence to Sacha’s performances, as well as a certain bravery,” says Charles.

Charles marveled at Baron Cohen’s ability to stay in character throughout production, even during on-location filmmaker conferences. “Sacha as Borat was always real, believable, complex and spontaneous. I’ve never seen a performance like that.

“Our collaboration was multi-leveled,” Charles continues. “During our creative meetings, I was talking to both Sacha and to Borat, which was disconcerting sometimes, but fun. I understood why Sacha did this: He has to be in the moment, and yet still be somewhat detached and self-aware. He managed to strike a delicate balance.”

Executive producer Monica Levinson says the production was true guerilla-style filmmaking. “All we had was an eight-person crew, including Sacha, a sound person, camera people, Larry Charles, and a production assistant. We all traveled around in a van, followed by a pickup truck that carried the equipment.”

Borat began his cross country odyssey in ‘New Yorks,’ where he experiences for the first time a subway car, an elevator, and a feminist group. Then, a revelation turned his plans upside-down. “Although we had initial planned to stay in New Yorks, because of a reason I cannot say, we needed to get to California.”

Unable (or forbidden) to fly, Borat had to learn how to drive. “We too have cars in Kazakhstan,” he notes. “They now very modern –some of them reach top speeds of up to 120 miles per week! Also, they better than western cars, because when engine get old you can eat it. I was interest to see if America cars were as fancypants.

“I was very nervous about sitting alone in a car with my drive instructor,” Borat continues. “In my country only time two men ride together in car, is when they journey to the edge of town to make bang bang in anoos.”

To capture on film the character’s cross-country adventure – much of it done via an ice-cream truck – the BORAT filmmakers also traveled to Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Virginia, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, California, Oklahoma, Alabama, South Carolina – and Romania.

At many locations, the production’s guerilla-style, hit-and-run filmmaking attracted the interest of various law enforcement officials.

In New York, for example, a warrant was issued for Baron Cohen’s arrest. He also narrowly escaped incarceration while filming a segment at a local hotel. (Earlier, Baron Cohen had been advised to leave the state.)

Monica Levinson and unit production manager/first assistant director Dale Stern didn’t fare as well – they were arrested by New York’s Finest. The production had borrowed from a local hotel, a phone, alarm clock, and comforter – all of which were going to be used as props. Even though the filmmakers had a location agreement and a five million dollar insurance policy for lost or stolen goods, New York City police went ahead with the arrests. Later, as Levinson and the crew member were being questioned, she saw Stern eating a copy of a sheet listing the names and phone numbers of the film’s crew – to protect them from legal action. (The two arrests were later expunged.)

“Monica’s night in jail raised the bar for a filmmaker sacrificing for his or her art,” says Jay Roach.

Another time, twelve police cars surrounded the ice cream truck in which Borat makes much of his cross-country trek. The authorities hoped to find and interrogate Baron Cohen, only to discover that he had again made a narrow escape, this time in another crew vehicle.

The FBI often followed the filmmakers, whom the residents of several locales suspected of being terrorists. In the nation’s capital, the Secret Service questioned the filmmakers outside the White House, and at a Louisiana location, state troopers investigated the strange group ostensibly making a documentary. Again, Baron Cohen’s determination to stay in character – even while facing Secret Service and state police questioning – was impressive. “He never let on that this wasn’t ‘real,’” says Larry Charles.

Borat learned many lessons during his journey – some of them the hard way.

“Along my travelings, I learn many new things about America. For example that it no longer legal to shoot at Red Indians. Once again I apologize with all my heart to the staff of the Potawotomi Casino in Kansas.”

Wherever Borat touched down, he left a shaken populace in his wake. In Washington, D.C., he rocked a Gay Pride parade – “Many peoples friendly to me in America. In Washingtons, a guy in bikinis grab my busherka,” Borat exclaims. But his travels through the South left an especially strong imprint on Borat and his “subjects.”

Baron Cohen, as Borat, infuriated audience members at a Salem, Virgina rodeo by singing the Kazakh “national anthem” to the tune of the American anthem. After the rendition, a group of irate rodeo hands on horseback surrounded the filmmakers’ van, demanding that they be lynched.

Also in the South, Borat tried to figure out the American art of shopping – strangest of all, the practice of paying lots of money for old things called “antiques.” At a small antique store, Borat is incredibly clumsy and manages to destroy hundreds of dollars of items.

In Birmingham, Alabama, Borat paid a visit to a dinner party, where he hoped to learn the fine art of dining etiquette. The Southern hospitality didn’t stop there. “While were in the South, we passed by a group of soldiers making re-enacting of the Americans Civil Wars. It very similar to the Kazakh re-enactment of the Tishniek Massacre, which we do every year by traveling to the town Tishniek and massacring them. Why not?”

Producer Azamat had more practical concerns during their stay in the South.

“Most challenging aspect of filming there was to find film in Mississippi that would fit our 1912 Krasnogorsk Super 13mm camera,” he notes.

These are just a few of the many highlights of Borat’s adventures in the U.S. But the story ends where it began – in Borat’s hometown of Kuczek, Kazakhstan. A gypsy village two hours north of Bucharest, Romania doubled for Kuczek. Against the stunning backdrop of the Carpathian Mountains, the filmmakers found themselves working amid livestock wandering through the streets. And the BORAT team often went without benefit of indoor plumbing. “Working in this village was as far from our lives in Los Angeles as you can get,” notes Larry Charles. “Yet it was exhilarating and exciting.”

Grateful for the cooperation and graciousness of the townspeople, the production and Baron Cohen donated computers, backpacks, supplies and books to the local school.

At one point, the filmmakers had considered capturing these scenes at a Hollywood studio backlot. “But we realized we couldn’t ‘art direct’ that village,” says Charles. “You can’t art direct the horses, pigs, and jerry-built huts. So we didn’t have to pretend we were in Borat’s village; we were there!”

Borat himself couldn’t be happier that his documentary is finally ready for the US and A, but he reminds us that an earlier version had already opened in his native country.

“This movie have already been release in Kazakhstan and was blockbusterings,” exclaims Borat. “It take top spot from Hollywood movie ‘King Kongs’ – which had been number one film in Kazakhstan ever since it was release in 1932.”

But Borat warns American audiences they’re in store for more than a few jolts. “I hope you Americans see my movie, but please be warn that since it contain foul cursings, needless violence and a close-up of a man’s bishkek, it have been given most strict certificate in Kazakhstan, meaning no one under age of 3 will be able to see it.

“Also this film have been very controversial in my country because of amount of anti-Semitisms in it – however, eventually our Censor decide there was enough and allow its release.”

But whatever obstacles Borat has faced in making and releasing his movie, he’s thrilled to see it finally reach the U.S. “My movie finally coming in America!” he concludes. “High five!”

Sacha Baron Cohen

Fact Sheet

Awards

• 2003-2004 Da Ali G Show nominated for 6 Emmy® awards

• BAFTA [British Academy of Film and Television - equivalent to an EMMY] for Best

Comedy Program

• BAFTA for Best Comedy Performer [Da Ali G Show]

• Broadcast Award for Best Comedy Program

• Royal Television Society Award for Best Comedy Program

• Winner: Bronze Rose of Montreaux – Best Comedy Program

• 1999 and 2000 GQ Comedian of the Year [92% of vote]

• EMMA Award for [Ethnic Multicultural Media Award voted for by African-

American and Asian communities] Best Entertainment Show Da Ali G Show

• Winner: Best New Comedian at British Comedy Awards

• Winner: British GQ Man of Year Award 3 times, and American GQ Man of Year.

TV Shows

• Hosts MTV Europe Music Awards as Ali G in 2001, to a television audience

exceeding one billion. MTV implements “delay” for fear of what ‘Ali’ might say. It

proves to be a good decision.

• In 2005, again hosts European MTV Awards, this time as Borat. Walking on stage

after a Madonna performance, Borat said, “It is very brave of MTV to start the show

with a genuine transvestite.”

• 2005 European MTV Awards – introduces Madonna as ‘me main bitch’

• HBO: Two seasons of Da Ali G Show

• Channel 4: Da Ali G Show

• Ali G Innit Video becomes one of the highest selling comedy videos ever, exceeding

over a million units.

• C4 The Alternative Christmas Message: Ali G went up against the Queen’s speech on

Christmas Day. The Princes were caught – by the Queen Mother, watching Ali G,

instead.

• C4 Da Best of Ali G: 2 x 30min. compilation shows of interviews

• C4 11 O’clock show – Series I, II, III – a late night topical comedy show. There were

about 30 x 4 minute Ali G segments.

• 2001 Comic Relief – interviews Posh Spice and David Beckham

The Ali G Phenomenon

• Changes English language – after introducing the word ‘mingin’ [meaning ugly],

it’s included in the Oxford English Dictionary

• Reported that the Ali G phenomenon is responsible for changing the main type of

slang amongst English youth from cockney to Jafaican [a mixture between

Jamaican patwa and street slang].

• Doctors report a new injury called “Booyakasha Syndrome,” after teenagers are

admitted with wrist injuries after trying to imitate Ali’s trademark fingerclick.

• Tony Blair names his policy “Respect: Ali G’s catchphrase to try to appeal to

British youth.”

Movies

• BORAT movie – winner of audience and critics award at Traverse Film Festival.

• Ali G Indahouse – turned out to be the highest British grossing movie of that year.

Stays No. 1 atop the Dutch charts for 7 weeks, knocked off by Star Wars.

• Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby – plays Jean Girard in the highest

grossing comedy movie in the U.S. in 2006.

Race

• Baron Cohen was involved in the ARA anti-racist alliance for many years – actually

marching against fascists and racists in London and against apartheid in the 80s

• The Times wrote a piece entitled “Ali G Creator is in fact Leading Civil Rights

Scholar,” which examined how Baron Cohen made a pilgrimage to the birthplace of

Martin Luther King while doing research for his dissertation in Cambridge. Entitled “

A Case of Mistaking Identities – the Jewish Black Alliance,” the thesis examines the

nature of cooperation between the African-American and Jewish communities and

suggests ways of how to improve relations in the current day. His professor describes

it as a major work of importance on the civil rights movement and is suggested

reading for history students in Cambridge.

• Da Ali G Show has been commended for its positive effects on race relations by the

CRE [commission for racial equality]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/racism/Story/0,2763,244214,00.html

• Da Ali G Show led to lectures during police training, on why it is crucial not to see

the population solely in terms of black and white.

Permission is hereby granted to newspapers and periodicals to reproduce this text in articles publicizing the distribution of

the Motion Picture. All other use is strictly prohibited, including sale, duplication, or other transfers of this material. This

press kit, in whole or in part, must not be leased, sold, or given away.

None of the real persons, companies, or organizations in the film are affiliated or associated with the film or its producers

in any way. No real person or entity depicted or appearing in the film has sponsored or otherwise endorsed its contents.

The same applies to the government and people of Kazakhstan, none of whom are involved in this film or have approved

it in any way. Nothing in this film is intended to convey the actual beliefs, practices or behavior of anyone associated with

Kazakhstan.

BORAT CREDITS

Directed by........................LARRY CHARLES

Screenplay by..........SACHA BARON COHEN

.....& ANTHONY HINES & PETER BAYNHAM

...............................................& DAN MAZER

Story by...................SACHA BARON COHEN

.....& PETER BAYNHAM & ANTHONY HINES

..........................................& TODD PHILLIPS

Based on a character created by.....................

................................SACHA BARON COHEN

Produced by............SACHA BARON COHEN

...................................................JAY ROACH

SACHA BARON COHEN

Executive Producer.....................DAN MAZER

Executive Producer.........MONICA LEVINSON

Co-Producer.....................PETER BAYNHAM

Directors of Photography.................................

..................................ANTHONY HARDWICK

....................................LUKE GEISSBÜHLER

Edited by.........................PETER TESCHNER

............................................JAMES THOMAS

Music Supervisor.....RICHARD HENDERSON

Original Music by.....ERRAN BARON COHEN

KEN DAVITIAN as Azamat

A FOUR BY TWO Production

AN EVERYMAN PICTURES Production

A TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX Release

Unit Production Manager/

First Assistant Director....................Dale Stern

Unit Production Manager/

First Assistant Director............David A. Siegel

Borat’s Image Created By.............Jason Alper

Cast

Borat..............................Sacha Baron Cohen

Azamat......................................Ken Davitian

Luenell.................................................Luenell

Naked Fight Coordinator............Alex Daniels

Kidnapping Consultant.........James P. Vickers

Safety.................................Peewee Piemonte

Action Team.........Michael Li, Harry Wowchuk

.................................................Nicole Randall

Made In Association with

Dune Entertainment LLC and Major Studio

Partners

Editor...........................................Craig Alpert

Production Sound Mixer...Scott Harber C.A.S.

First Assistant Camera......Mark Schwartzbard

Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist......Thomas Kolarek

Items from Kazakhstan Designed

By.................................................Jason Alper

Production Coordinator........Susannah Julien

Field Supervisors...................Todd Schulman

......................Jenny Hunter, Tim Schildberger

Field Coordinators.................Chelsea Barnard

.................................Erik Tily, Julie Chouinard

Researchers............................Sophie Charles

...........................................Kieran R.M. Baker

Production Accountant.........Berni Tanchauco

Assistant Accountant.............Sherry Kecskes

Assistant Production Coordinator....................

.............................................Leslie E. A. Rider

Production Secretary....Matthew Ryan Lepore

Key Set Production Assistant..........................

.....................................Alexandra Lambrinidis

Production Assistant.......................Blair Miller

Assistant to Mr. Baron Cohen

............................................J. Christian Walsh

Assistant to Mr. Baron Cohen /NY...................

..............................................Conor Copeland

Assistants to Mr. Charles......Tanya Oskanian

.................................................Laurie Epstein

Mr. Baron Cohen’s Feces

Provided by..................................Jason Alper

Behind The Scenes.................Ruben Fleisher

Transportation Coordinator.............................

....................................Jonathan A. Rosenfeld

Drivers..........Jeff Lira, Jeff Verdick, Monty Lira

Post Production Supervisors..Patrick Esposito

.......................................Bradley M. Goodman

Additional Editor......................Andrew Dickler

1st Assistant Editor................Scott M. Davids

Assistant EditorsJeff Mee, Sarah K. Thiessen

Apprentice Editor..........................Colin Patton

Editorial Assistant to Mr. Baron Cohen............

...............................................Todd Schulman

Post Production Assistant...............................

...............................Frederick W. Chandler, Jr.

Casting by..................................Allison Jones

Consultant............................Andrew Newman

Props Consultant.......................Kevin Hughes

Additional Production Supervisor....................

...................................Jamie Boscardin Martin

Second Assistant Director..........John Isabeau

Web Consultant.............................Andrew Lin

Bears...............................Chester and Charlie

Bears Provided By....................Animal Insight

Head Trainer..................................Dana Dubé

Trainers.....................................Ruth LaBarge

..........................Andrew Simpson, Clint Rowe

Production Counsel.........................................

........Russell Smith, Smith Dornan & Dehn PC

................Christine Bergren Music Consulting

Research Consultant................Ashley Kravitz

Music Researcher...........................Shira Arad

Travel.....................Travelcorps, Julie Shapiro

Supervising Sound Editor................................

...........................Andrew DeCristofaro, MPSE

Supervising Dialogue and ADR Editor.............

..........................Nancy Kyong Nugent, MPSE

Dialogue Editors..........John C. Stuver, MPSE

......................Michael Hertlein, Mary Andrews

Sound Effects Editors...............Michael Paine

........Kerry Carmean-Williams, David Esparza

Assistant Sound Editors...........Patrick Cusack

......................................................Jeff Glueck

Sound Editorial by...........................Soundelux

Re-recording Mixers..............Lora Hirschberg

..............................................Brandon Proctor

Post Production Sound Re-

recording by.....................Todd-AO Hollywood

Foley Artists..................Sean Rowe, Alan Kerr

Foley Mixer...............................Ryan Maguire

ADR Stage..............................Wilshire Stages

ADR Mixer......................Eric Thompson, CAS

ADR Recordist...........................Chris Navarro

Voice Casting......................Wendy Hoffmann

Loop Group................................Jack Blessing

...................David Cowgill, Marissa Goodman

.....................Wendy Hoffmann, Anna Mathias

.........................Kevin Schwimer, Hans Tester

......Ranjani Brow, Caitlin Cutt, Briget Hoffman

...............................Mark Ivanir, Philip Proctor

...............................Shane Sweet, Ines Wurth

Music Editor......................Richard Henderson

Scoring Mixer...........................Jonathan Allen

Orchestrations.......................Geoff Alexander

Orchestra Contractor................Isobel Griffiths

Orchestra Leader....................Thomas Bowes

Vocalist..........................Dessislava Stefanova

Visual Effects and Titles by.............YARD FX

Supervising Digital Effects Artist......................

...............................................Scott M. Davids

Digital Effects Artist....................Jalal Jemison

Digital Intermediate Color Timer......................

...............................................Kathy Thomson

Dolby Sound Consultant.................Jim Wright

Romania Unit

Art Director.............David Saenz de Maturana

Romanian Production services

provided by.......................Castel Film Studios

Additional Photography

Art Director.............David Saenz de Maturana

Production Supervisors............Susan Ehrhart

...................................................Shirley Davis

Production Coordinator.............Lisa Davidson

Assistant Production Coordinator....................

........................................Charline St. Charles

1st Assistant Accountants...........Jeff Wickline

.................................Alexa Song-Lindenthaler

Field Coordinators.............Jaqueline Lofstrom

................................................David Feinberg

Songs

Chaje Shukarije

Written and Performed by Esma

Redzepova

Courtesy of Time Square Records/World

Connection

Talijanska

Written and Performed by Goran Bregovic

Courtesy of Mercury Records France, a

Division of Universal Music S.A.

Under license from Universal Music

Enterprises

Magic Mamaligia

Written by German Popov

Performed by O.M.F.O.

Courtesy of Essay Recordings GmbH

By arrangement with The Royalty Network,

Inc.

“Eu Vin Acasa Cu Drag”

Written and Performed by Stefan de la

Barbulesti

Courtesy of AMMA

Mahalageasca

Written by Mahala

Performed by Mahala Rai Banda

Courtesy of Crammed Discs

By arrangement with Ocean Park Music

Money Boney

Written by German Popov

Performed by O.M.F.O.

Courtesy of Essay Recordings GmbH

By arrangement with The Royalty Network,

Inc.

Everybody’s Talkin’

Written by Fred Neil, performed by Harry

Nilsson

Courtesy of MGM Music Inc.

Under license from Columbia Pictures

Industries, Inc.

Aisle Two

Written and Performed by Daniel May

Courtesy of Mastersource/Marc Ferrari

Music From “Jingle All the Way”

Composed by David Newman

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film

Corp.

Take My Breath Away

Written by Giorgio Moroder and Tom

Whitlock

Performed by Berlin

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Ederlezi

Written and Performed by Goran Bregovic

Courtesy of Mercury Records France, a

Division of Universal Music S.A.

Under license from Universal Music

Enterprises

Kalasnjikov

Written and Performed by Goran Bregovic

Courtesy of Mercury Records France, a

Division of Universal Music S.A.

Under license from Universal Music

Enterprises

Born to Be Wild

Written by Mars Bonfire

Performed by Steppenwolf

Courtesy of Geffen Records

Under license from Universal Music

Enterprises

Ridin’ The Rodeo

Written by Vince Gill and Kostas Lazarides

Performed by Vince Gill

Courtesy of MCA Nashville

Under license from Universal Music

Enterprises

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, II Andante

Written by W.A. Mozart

Courtesy of 5 Alarm Music

Siki Siki Baba

Written by Nestor Cok Rakia

Performed by Kocani Orkestar

Courtesy of Crammed Discs

By arrangement with Ocean Park Music

Group

Heart Says Yes

Written and Performed by Joey Scarbury

Courtesy of Mastersource/Marc Ferrari

Lullaby

Written and Performed by Goran Bregovic

Courtesy of Mercury Records France, a

Division of Universal Music S.A.

Under license from Universal Music

Enterprises

Szerelem, Szerelem

Written by Marta Sebestyen

Performed by Marta Sebestyen & Muzikas

Courtesy of Hungatoon Records

Dreams

Written and Performed by Goran Bregovic

Courtesy of Mercury Records France, a

Division of Universal Music S.A.

Under license from Universal Music

Enterprises

U Can’t Touch This

Written by Kirk Burrell, James Johnson and

Alonzo Miller

Performed by MC Hammer

Courtesy of Capitol Records

Under license from EMI Film & Television

Music

Le Matin

Written and Performed by Goran Bregovic

Courtesy of Mercury Records France, a

Division of Universal Music S.A.

Under license from Universal Music

Enterprises

Nothin’ Like Being Able

Written by Frank O’Brien

The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power

Written by Andrae’ Crouch

There Is Power In the Blood

Traditional

Glory In My Soul

Written by Howard McCrary

Performed by Mekka Johnson

Courtesy of Mastersource/Marc Ferrari

Amen, Amen

Traditional

Istoria Na Edna Lyubov (Lover Song)

Written by Ivo Papasov

Performed by Ivo Papasov & His Orchestra

Courtesy of Hannibal Records, a Rykodisc

label

My Friend Franz

Written and performed by Ken Korade

Courtesy of Kid Gloves Music

Mahalageasca (Remix)

Written by Mahala

Performed by Mahala Rai Banda featuring

Shantel

Courtesy of Crammed Discs

By arrangement with Ocean Park Music

"Born to be Wild"

Written by Mars Bonfire

Performed by Fanfare Ciocarlia

Produced by Henry Ernst

Fanfare Ciocarlia Performs Courtesy of

Asphalt Tango Records

The Producers Wish To Give Special

Thanks To The Following For Their

Assistance:

Isla Fisher

Matt Stone

Trey Parker

Pamela Anderson

James L. Brooks

Alec Berg

Tom Gammill

Dave Mandell

Max Pross

Jeff Schaffer

Villagers of Moroieni, Romania

Special Thanks to Talkback Productions

and Channel Four Television

Footage Provided by

FremantleMedia

ITN Archive

‘COPS’ Courtesy of Twentieth Television.

“Married with Children” courtesy Sony

Pictures Television

ImageBank Film/Getty Images

Footage provided courtesy of HBO

Color by MODERN VIDEOFILM®

Prints by DELUXE®

LENSES AND CAMERAS

BY ABEL CINETECH®

DOLBY (logo)

In Selected Theatres

Approved No. 42670 (MPAA Globe)

MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION OF

AMERICA

IATSE "Bug"

Film Corporation and Dune Entertainment

LLC in all territories except

Brazil, Italy, Japan, Korea and Spain.

Rights Exploitation Limited Liability

Company, Twentieth Century Fox Film

Corporation and Dune Entertainment LLC

in Brazil, Italy, Japan, Korea and

Spain.

One America Productions, Inc. is the

author of this motion picture for purposes

of copyright and other laws.

None of the real persons, companies, or

organizations in the film are affiliated or

associated with the film or its producers in

any way. No real person or entity depicted

or appearing in the film has sponsored or

otherwise endorsed its contents. The same

applies to the government and people of

Kazakhstan, none of whom are involved in

this film or have approved it in any way.

Nothing in this film is intended to convey

the actual beliefs, practices or behavior of

anyone associated with Kazakhstan.

Ownership of this motion picture is

protected by copyright and other applicable

laws, and any unauthorized duplication,

distribution or exhibition of this motion

picture could result in criminal

prosecution as well as civil liability.

CREDITS NOT FINAL AT PRESS TIME

PRESTIGE

TOUCHSTONE PICTURES

and

WARNER BROS. PICTURES

Present

THE PRESTIGE

NEWMARKET FILMS

and

SYNCOPY

Production

A Film by

CHRISTOPHER NOLAN

Directed by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHRISTOPHER NOLAN

Screenplay by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JONATHAN NOLAN

and CHRISTOPHER NOLAN

Based on the Novel by . . . . . CHRISTOPHER PRIEST

Produced by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EMMA THOMAS

AARON RYDER

CHRISTOPHER NOLAN

Executive Producers . . . . CHARLES J.D. SCHLISSEL

CHRIS J. BALL

WILLIAM TYRER

VALERIE DEAN

Director of Photography . . . . . WALLY PFISTER, ASC

Production Designer . . . . . . . . . NATHAN CROWLEY

Edited by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LEE SMITH, A.C.E.

Costume Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JOAN BERGIN

Music by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DAVID JULYAN

Casting by . . . . . . . . . . . . . JOHN PAPSIDERA, C.S.A.

CAST

Robert Angier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HUGH JACKMAN

Alfred Borden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHRISTIAN BALE

Cutter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MICHAEL CAINE

Julia McCullough . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PIPER PERABO

Sarah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . REBECCA HALL

Olivia Wenscombe . . . . . . . SCARLETT JOHANSSON

Jess. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SAMANTHA MAHURIN

Tesla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DAVID BOWIE

Alley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ANDY SERKIS

Judge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DANIEL DAVIS

Prosecutor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JIM PIDDOCK

Defender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHRISTOPHER NEAME

Captain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MARK RYAN

Owens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ROGER REES

Sullen Warder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JAMIE HARRIS

Stagecoach Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MONTY STUART

Hotel Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RON PERKINS

Milton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RICKY JAY

Virgil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J.PAUL MOORE

Boy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ANTHONY DEMARCO

Chung Ling Soo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHAO-LI CHI

Policeman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . GREGORY HUMPHREYS

Voice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JOHN B. CRYE

Merrit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W.MORGAN SHEPPARD

Man. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SEAN HOWSE

Elegant Lady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JULIE SANFORD

Ticket Hawker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EZRA BUZZINGTON

Moderator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JAMES LANCASTER

Jess (Toddler). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OLIVIA MERG

ZOE MERG

Scalper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JOHNNY LISKA

Men in Hotel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RUSS FEGA

KEVIN WILL

Ackerman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EDWARD HIBBERT

Burly Stagehand . . . . . . . . . CHRISTOPHER JUDGES

Blind Stagehand 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JAMES OTIS

Blind Stagehand 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SAM MENNING

Blind Stagehand 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BRIAN TAHASH

Carriage Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SCOTT DAVIS

Glamorous Assistant . . . . . . . . . . JODI BIANCA WISE

Housekeeper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NIKKI GLICK

Workman 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ENN REITEL

Warder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLIVE KENNEDY

Leonard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ROBERT ARBOGAST

Will . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHRIS CLEVELAND

Stunt Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RICK AVERY

Stunt Double—Angier . . . . . . . . . . . . RICK MARCUS

Stunt Double—Borden . . . . . . . . . . PAUL LACOVARA

Stunt Double—Cutter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . STEVE HART

Stunt Double—Julia . . . . . . . . . MEEGAN GODFREY

Stunt Double—Olivia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JONI AVERY

Stunt Riggers . . . . . . . . . . . . . MICHAEL HUGGHINS

DAVID HUGGHINS

Stunt Warder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . THOM WILLIAMS

Utility Stunts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MIKE AVERY

Angier Test Stunt Double . . . . . . . BRIAN MACHLEIT

Unit Production Manager

CRISTEN CARR STRUBBE

First Assistant Director

ALAN B. CURTISS

Second Assistant Director

JODY SPILKOMAN

Associate Producer. . . . . . . . . . JORDAN GOLDBERG

Production Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . GREGG EDLER

CREDITS

Art Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KEVIN KAVANAUGH

Assistant Art Director . . . . . . NAAMAN MARSHALL

Set Decorator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JULIE OCHIPINTI

Costume Supervisor . . . . . . . ROBERT Q. MATHEWS

Key Costumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KENN SMILEY

Set Costumers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TOM CUMMINS

TONI KEHAULANI REED

Costumers

JO KISSACK ANTONIO ALMARAZ

DONNA MARICONE POLLACK DENNIS MCCARTHY

MONICA HAINES JOSE HERNANDEZ

MARCI JOHNSON APRIL KRUEGER

TRICIA YOO SHANDRA BERI

Dept. Head Make-Up . . . . . . . . . PETER ROBB-KING

Dept. Head Hair. . . . . . . . . . . . JANICE ALEXANDER

Key Make-Up Artist . . . . . . . . . . . JOHN R. BAYLESS

Make-Up Artist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAGGIE FUNG

Mr. Jackman’s Make-Up Artist . . . . . KENNY MYERS

Ms. Johansson’s

Make-Up Artist . . . . . . . . . . . HEBA THORISDOTTIR

Prosthetic Make-Up . . . LEO COREY CASTELLANO

Hairstylists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TERRY BALIEL

KAREN MYERS

Wigs by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VICTORIA WOOD

First Assistant Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BOB HALL

Second Assistant Camera . . . . . . PHILIP SHANAHAN

Loader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DAN MCFADDEN

Steadicam Operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CRAIG FIKSE

Additional Camera Operator . . . . . . TONY GAUDIOZ

Script Supervisor. . . . . . . . . . . . STEVEN R. GEHRKE

Sound Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ED NOVICK

Boom Operator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KURT PETERSON

Utility Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JESSICA BENDER

Location Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RUSS FEGA

Key Assistant Location Managers . . . . . . JESSE COLE

KIM CRABB

Asst. Location Manager. . . . . . . . . . GUY MORRISON

Production Accountant . . . . . . . . GREG HEMSTREET

First Assistant Accountant . . . . . . . JENNIFER CLARK

Assistant Accountants . . . . ANDREW T. JABLONSKI

MIKE MACCUISH

Payroll Accountant . . . . . . . . . . . . KAREN M. FUCHS

Accounting Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . JARETH COSTELLO

Construction Estimator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LEDIA TELO

Post Production Accountant . . . . . . JEANIE DANIELS

First Assistant Editor/VFX Editor . . . . . . . . JOHN LEE

Assistant Editors . . . . . . . . . . SCOTT WESLEY ROSS

LAURA RINDNER

Post Production Supervisors . . . NANCY KIRHOFFER

TERESA KELLY

Post Production Assistant . . . . CHARLES HARRISON

Music Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ALEX GIBSON

Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor

RICHARD KING

Re-Recording Mixers . . . . . . . . LORA HIRSCHBERG

GARY A. RIZZO

First Assistant Sound Editors . . . . . . LINDA YEANEY

ANDREW BOCK

Dialogue Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HUGO WENG

ADR Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LINDA FOLK

ADR Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KIMBERLY HARRIS

Sound Effects Editors . . . . . . PAUL BEROLZHEIMER

MICHAEL W. MITCHELL

Foley Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . CHRISTOPHER FLICK

Foley Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JONATHON KLEIN

Foley Artists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JOHN ROESCH

ALYSON MOORE

Foley Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MARYJO LANG

Foley Recordist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SCOTT MORGAN

ADR Voice Casting . . . . . . . . . . . BARBARA HARRIS

ADR Mixers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TOM O’CONNELL

ERIC GOTTHELF

ADR Recordists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RICK CANELLI

CAROLYN TAPP

Recordist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHRIS SIDOR

Chief Lighting Technician. . . . . . . . . . CORY GERYAK

Assistant Chief

Lighting Technician . . . . . . . . . . . LARRY SUSHINSKI

Key Grip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RAY GARCIA

Best Boy Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . RODERICK G. FARLEY

Dolly Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TONY GARRIDO

Rigging Gaffer . . . . . . . CHARLES H. MCINTYRE, II

Rigging Electric Best Boy . . . . . . . . CRICKET SLOAT

Rigging Key Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BLAKE PIKE

Best Boy Rigging Grip . . . . . . JERRY L. MARSHALL

Construction Coordinator . . . . . . . . . JOE ONDREJKO

Leadman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. SCOTT DURAN

Set Designers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SCOTT ZUBER

SALLY THORNTON

MARK LUCERO

Property Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . SCOTT BUCKWALD

Assistant Property Masters . . . . . . . . JARED FLEURY

JEANNE MARIE KUKOR

Special Effects Coordinator . . . . . DAVID BLITSTEIN

Special Effects Set Foreman . . . DAVID L. SIMMONS

Special Effects Shop Foreman. . . . . . MARIO VANILO

Special Effects Rigging Foreman . . WILLIAM D. LEE

Assistant

Production Coordinator. . . . . . . . . JEFFREY CARUSO

Additional Second

Assistant Director . . . . . CY ROSCOE STRICKLAND

2nd 2nd Assistant Director. . . . . . LYNN STRUIKSMA

Stand-In—Mr. Jackman . . . . . . . . . . . . ROB MCCABE

Stand-In—Mr. Bale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JIM LINDSEY

Stand-In—Mr. Caine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ALAN BRAGG

Stand-In—Ms. Johansson . . . . . . AMY TREADWELL

Caterer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHEF ROBERT

Craft Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JIMMY SMITH

Transportation

Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . TOMMY TANCHAROEN

Transportation

Co-Captains . . . . . . . . . . MAXWELL R. JOHNSON II

TOM WHELPLEY

Dialect Coach for Mr. Jackman . . . . . . . . JESS PLATT

Dialect Coach for Mr. Bowie . . . . SUSAN HEGARTY

Technical Advisors/

Magic . . . . . . . RICKY JAY AND MICHAEL WEBER

Assistant to Mr. Nolan . . BENJAMIN T. MOREHEAD

Assistant to Mr. Ryder . . . BEATRICE SPRINGBORN

Assistant to

Mr. Schlissel . . . . . . . . . M. MICHELLE NISHIKAWA

Assistant to Mr. Jackman. . . . . LAWRA ROBERTSON

Production Secretary. . . . . . . . . . . . . ERIN A. RAMOS

Production Assistants

BEAU FOSTER PETER SCHEER

COLIN DUNNING CLAYTON COGSWELL

CINDY A. TAYLOR TERRENCE B. ZINN

JOSHUA SCHEER MICHELLE SCHRAUWERS

SHAWN WILLIAMSON

Costume Dept. PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CARRIE DACRE

Art Dept. PAs . . . . . . . . . . . . CAPELLA KINCHELOE

ERIN CIPOLLETTI

Camera Intern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PETER KROUSE

Still Photographers . . . . . . . . FRANÇOIS DUHAMEL

STEPHEN VAUGHAN

Video Assist Operator . . . . . . . . . MICHAEL HERRON

Casting Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JENNIFER CRAM

Extras Casting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RICH KING

Animal Trainer—

Horses, Birds. . . PHIL SMITH’S ANIMAL RENTALS

PHIL SMITH

Animal Trainer—Horses . . . . . . . . . . . . SCOTT DAVIS

Animal Trainer—

Cats . . . . . . ANIMAL ACTORS OF HOLLYWOOD—

CHERYL SHAWVER

Wranglers—Horses. . . . . . . . . . VICTORIA M. VOPNI

CODY SMITH

Wranglers—Cats . . . . . . . . . . JESSE BRACKENBURY

LEE ROESER

MEGHAN C. FRASER

CATHY PITTMAN

First Aid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ANTHONY PENIDO

HENRY HUMPHREYS

Visual Effects Producer . . . . . . . . . . SCOTT SHAPIRO

Visual Effects Consultant . . . . . . . . . . . JANEK SIRRS

Visual Effects by

BUF

Visual Effects Supervisor . . . . . STEPHANE CERETTI

Associate Visual

Effects Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . OLIVIER DUMONT

CG Sequence Supervisor . . . . . FLORENT ANDORRA

CG Artists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FLORENT CADEL

ROBIN DELEDICQUE

LAURENS EHRMANN

EDDY MOUSSA

LAURENT PANISSIER

MICHEL SAMRETH

MATHILDE TOLLEC

Software Development . . . . . . CLÉMENT RAMBACH

Visual Effects Producers . . . . . . . . . SIMON VANESSE

VANESSA FOURGEAUD

Visual Effects Coordinators . . . . . MÉLANIE CUSSAC

GIACUN CADUFF

Executive Music Producer . . . . . . . . . HANS ZIMMER

Orchestrations by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DANANIU

Music Programmer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . DAVID HOSKINS

Orchestra Conducted by . . . . . . . . . . . BLAKE NEELY

Score Recorded and Mixed by . . . ALAN MEYERSON

Orchestra Contractors . . . . . . . . . . . . PETER ROTTER

SANDY DECRESCENT

Score Recorded at . . . . . TODD AO SCORING STAGE

Score

Mixed at. . . . . REMOTE CONTROL PRODUCTIONS

Score Recordist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TOM HARDISTY

Assistant Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GREG VINES

Technical Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MATT WARD

Music Preparation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . BOOKER WHITE,

WALT DISNEY MUSIC LIBRARY

Post Production Services Provided

by . . . . . . . GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERS

Titles & Opticals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PACIFIC TITLE

CREDITS

NegativeCutter . . . . . . . . . . . . . MARY BETH SMITH

BUENA VISTA NEGATIVE CUTTING

Color Timer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DAVID ORR

COLORADO UNIT

Production Liaison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TIM TERRITO

Production Assistants . . . . . . . . . . . . NICK LECLAIRE

PARKER D. LEMIRE

SCOTT MICHELS

CRAIG OKESON

Transportation Local Captain. . PHILLIP W. HELMAN

COLORADO AERIAL UNIT

Director of Photography . . . . . . . . . . . HANS BJERNO

Helicopter

Pilot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JIM DIRKER—

AIRCAM NATIONAL HELICOPTERS

Spacecam Technician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JOSE DELEON

MUSIC

“Drinkin’ Down The Rose & Crown”

Composed by Keith Nichols

Courtesy of APM

“Tripping Gaily”

Written and Performed by E. Baga

Courtesy of DeWolfe Music

“Eel Pie And Mash”

Composed by Bob Barratt and Colin Frechter

Courtesy of APM

“Butterfly Etude”

Composed by Frederic Chopin

Arranged & Performed by Stephen James Edwards

Courtesy of 5 Alarm Music

“Vowel Movement”

Composed by Andy Vale

Courtesy of APM

“Bathroom Scales”

Composed by Andy Vale

Courtesy of APM

“Princess Waltz”

Written by W. Davies

Courtesy of APM

“Analyse”

Written by Thomas Edward Yorke

Performed by Thom Yorke

Courtesy of XL Recordings

American Humane Association monitored the animal

action. No animal was harmed in the making of this

film. (AHA 01155)

The Producers Wish to Thank

BOSTON MUSEUM OF SCIENCE

DAN SASAKI

DAVID COPPERFIELD

DEREK DELGAUDIO

PRINCES ARMS HOTEL

Aerial Cameras Provided by

SPACECAM SYSTEMS, INC.

Camera Equipment Provided by

PANAVISION® REMOTE SYSTEMS

Camera Cranes by

CHAPMAN LEONARD STUDIO EQUIPMENT

Prints by

TECHNICOLOR®

Filmed with

PANAVISION®

Cameras and Lenses

MPAA #42935

Warner Bros. Entertainment Corp.

All material is protected by Copyright Law of the

United States and all countries throughout the world.

United States of America. Touchstone Pictures and

Warner Bros. are the authors of this motion picture for

purposes of copyright and other laws. Any

unauthorized exhibition, distribution or copying of this

film or any part thereof (including soundtrack) is an

infringement of the relevant copyright and will subject

the infringer to severe civil and criminal penalties.

The story, all characters and incidents portrayed in this

production are fictitious. No identification with actual

persons, places, buildings and products is intended or

should be inferred.

Distributed by

BUENA VISTA PICTURES DISTRIBUTION

CREDITS

Special Note to Journalists:

THE PRESTIGE is a mystery structured as a cinematic magic trick.

In order to allow audiences to fully enjoy the unfolding of the story, the filmmakers

respectfully ask that you not reveal too much about the deceptions at the heart of the film.

THE PRESTIGE

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

“We were two young men at the start of a great career.

Two young men devoted to an illusion.

Two young men who never intended to hurt anyone.”

—Alfred Borden, THE PRESTIGE

From acclaimed filmmaker

Christopher Nolan (“Memento,”

“Batman Begins”) comes an

innovative thriller woven out of the

stuff of illusions. In this twisting,

turning tale of urgent mystery, two

Victorian-era magicians spark a

powerful rivalry that builds into an

escalating battle of tricks and an

unquenchable thirst to uncover the

other’s trade secrets. As these two remarkable men pit daring against desire, showmanship against science

and ambition against friendship, the results are dangerous, deadly and definitely deceptive.

Their rivalry is brought to life by two of today’s most compelling screen stars: Tony Award winner

Hugh Jackman, beloved on screen for his portrayal of the feral Wolverine in “X-Men” and its sequels, and

Christian Bale, acclaimed for his intense performances including his recent turn as the Caped Crusader in

“Batman Begins.” Joining them is an exceptional cast of diverse characters portrayed by two-time Oscar®

winner Michael Caine, Golden Globe® nominee Scarlett Johansson, newcomer Rebecca Hall, rising

actress Piper Perabo, fantasy-film cult hero Andy Serkis and rock star David Bowie as the groundbreaking

electrical genius Nikola Tesla.

It all begins in rapidly changing, turn-ofthe-century London. At a time when

magicians are idols and celebrities of the

highest order, two young magicians set out to

carve their own paths to fame. The flashy,

sophisticated Robert Angier (HUGH

JACKMAN) is a consummate entertainer,

while the rough-edged purist Alfred Borden

(CHRISTIAN BALE) is a creative genius

who lacks the panache to showcase his

magical ideas. They start out as admiring

friends and partners. But when their biggest trick goes terribly awry, they become enemies for life—each

intent on outdoing and upending the other. Trick by trick, show by show, their ferocious competition

builds until it knows no bounds, even utilizing the fantastical new powers of electricity and the scientific

brilliance of Nikola Tesla—while the lives of everyone around them hang in the balance. Rife with sleight-

of-hand shocks and revelations, the film delves into a riveting world where the farthest, darkest edges of

faith, trust and the possible are probed.

THE PRESTIGE is directed by Christopher Nolan from a screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

THE PLEDGE, THE TURN, THE PRESTIGE

Christopher Nolan, based on the novel by Christopher Priest. The film is produced byAaron Ryder, Emma

Thomas and Christopher Nolan. The executive producers are Charles J.D. Schlissel, Chris J. Ball, William

Tyrer, and Valerie Dean.

Creating a mysterious, yet vividly contemporary, portrait of the torch-lit heyday of London’s magic

scene is an accomplished behind-the-camera team that includes Oscar®-nominated cinematographer Wally

Pfister ASC, production designer Nathan Crowley and editor Lee Smith, A.C.E., all of whom also

collaborated with Nolan on “Batman Begins.” Joan Bergin, an Emmy® Award nominee for television’s

“David Copperfield,” designed the costumes.

THE PLEDGE, THE TURN, THE PRESTIGE:

TURNING A MOVIE INTO A MAGIC TRICK AND VICE VERSA

According to Cutter, the magician’s ingeneur (one who designs illusions behind the scenes) played by

Michael Caine: “Every great magic trick consists of three acts. The first act is called The Pledge: the

magician shows you something ordinary, but of course, it probably isn’t. The second act is called The Turn.

The magician makes his ordinary something do something extraordinary. Now, if you’re looking for the

secret…you won’t find it. That’s why there’s a third act, called The Prestige. This is the part with the twists

and turns, where lives hang in the balance, and you see something shocking you’ve never seen before.”

Director Christopher Nolan uses these

same principles of carefully constructed

secrets and shocking moments of revelation

to unfold the winding, surprise-filled story of

dueling magicians Robert Angier and Alfred

Borden in THE PRESTIGE—an intricate

thriller in which mysteries abound, illusions

permeate every action, and nothing is quite

what it seems, except the primal human

emotions that drive an epic feud between two

ambitious men.

Nolan has already, with just a handful of

films, established himself as one of filmmaking’s most creative minds, and one with a striking ability to

evoke the mysterious and disorienting, whether in independent classics or major action blockbusters. He

first came to prominence after his promising debut, “Following,” with “Memento,” the ingenious,

backwards-moving thriller about a desperate man trying to avenge his wife’s murder while suffering from

the loss of all short-term memory. Lauded as a cinematic masterpiece that played with notions of time,

space and subjective reality, “Memento” continues to confound audiences and is now studied by film

students. Nolan went on to cut his teeth on a bigger thriller, a remake of the Norwegian noir film

“Insomnia,” in a fresh version starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank, which once again

took the audience on a dizzying journey into crime and fear. He then made another leap, this time into

superhero territory, tackling “Batman Begins,” which unveiled the untold origins of the Dark Knight’s

emergence as the savior of Gotham City. The film was hailed as one of the most original and engaging of

all superhero movies and went on to worldwide acclaim, the rare summer box-office blockbuster that met

with equal critical success.

Now, it seemed that Nolan was the perfect person to tackle material as intricate and unconventionally

entertaining as THE PRESTIGE.

Says producer Emma Thomas: “Traditionally, I think filmmakers have avoided the subject of magic

because there is this feeling that if you’re not seeing it live that it’s too easy to get the wool pulled over your

eyes. But Chris started with the idea that movies are already a kind of magic trick—and instead of

concentrating on the magic shows themselves, the story is all about what happens behind the scenes in the

lives of two driven magicians who are devoted to and obsessed with creating the most baffling illusions.”

The film’s genesis began just after Nolan directed “Memento.” Around that same time, executive

producer Valerie Dean read and fell madly in love with Christopher Priest’s acclaimed novel The

Prestige—and immediately knew that amidst its complex blend of history and science fiction, its tale of

an out-of-control magical rivalry would make for an original film.

Dean gave the book to Nolan, who was equally intrigued. “The book created a terrific relationship

between the narrative form of the novel and the techniques and ideas used by magicians to fool you and

engage you in deception—and I felt the exciting thing about making a film of The Prestige would be to

find the cinematic equivalent,” Nolan says. “There’s quite a strong relationship between what magicians

do and what filmmakers do. The filmmaker is very similar to a magician in the way we release

information—what we tell the audience and when—and how we draw the audience in through certain

points of view. We use our own techniques, blind alleys and red herrings, to fool the audience and,

hopefully, to create a satisfying payoff. With THE PRESTIGE, there was an opportunity to really play with

these concepts right before the audience’s eyes.”

Nolan in turn asked producer Aaron Ryder of Newmarket Films to obtain the rights. After his

experience on “Memento,” Ryder trusted that Nolan would create something distinctive with THE

PRESTIGE. “He’s a truly gifted storyteller,” says the producer. “Chris was born to direct movies. I feel

his films are some of the best films being made today and I just loved the idea that he wanted to make

this film to be a magic trick in and of itself.”

Meanwhile, the director approached his brother Jonathan about joining him in tackling the massive

task of adapting Priest’s intricate novel, composed in part of confessional diaries, into a suspenseful

screenplay. Having previously worked together on “Memento”—which Christopher Nolan adapted from

Jonathan Nolan’s time-shifting short story—Jonathan was intrigued by the prospect of doing something

equally challenging, yet entirely different.

This time around, the fun would be in trying to write a movie as an illusion—one that would dazzle,

deceive and ultimately surprise the audience. “The movie definitely had to function as a magic trick,”

Jonathan says. But that concept left him in entirely unexplored territory. He continues: “When I started

writing, I had a bunch of different classic movies in mind that I thought I might pay homage to, but after

I was done, I realized that I’d never seen anything quite like this one before.”

He began by paring through the onion-like layers of Priest’s novel. “The book is a very complicated,

very ambitious, sweeping epic with tons of ideas—and it took me about 18 months to figure out how to

cut it down into something that resembles a film,” Jonathan comments. “I had to find the structure, which

was tricky, because the story is so complexly interwoven. What we came up with is a three-part flashback

structure based on this idea of the three-part

structure of a magic trick.”

Utilizing that three-part structure—

comprised of The Pledge, The Turn and The

Prestige—helped the Nolans cut to the core

of why people have always been so fascinated

by magic. “A lot of it turns on this idea that

Chris and I were fascinated by: that the

audience for a magic show knows that what

they’re about to see is a trick,” Jonathan

explains. “If they actually thought a woman

was going to be sawn in half, they would be

very upset, and definitely not amused. So they know it’s a trick but they also want to feel fooled, so that’s

why that third act, or The Prestige, is so important. The real world is rigid, there’s not a lot of mystery to

it, but people don’t want that to be the case—and that’s where magic comes in. If we’ve got all the rules

figured out and this is the way the world works, where you get a job, save your money and then die—well,

who wants to live in that world? I think we all would prefer that the universe have some surprises, some

tricks up its sleeve.”

THE PLEDGE, THE TURN, THE PRESTIGE

BACK TO THE 20TH CENTURY’S FUTURE

Along the way, Jonathan Nolan delved into researching the secretive world of gifted magicians. This

became especially revealing when he met with some of the most shadowy figures in that already shadowy

realm—the ingeneurs who come up with wild ideas for never-before-seen tricks behind the scenes.

“They’re fascinating figures who eschew the limelight, and for a screenwriter, there’s something very

familiar about that,” he laughs. “The attraction is that they get to pull all the strings.”

In researching magic’s illustrious past, Nolan also gained insight into why that grand legacy has faded

into today’s Vegas acts. “I think part of it is that now there are hundreds of different versions of magic out

there but we don’t call them magic. We have television, video games, movies—they’re all spectacles that

you can disappear into just as one used to do at a Victorian magic show,” he says.

THE PRESTIGE heads into many unexpected directions, including having its two main stars—Hugh

Jackman and Christian Bale—morph from heroes to anti-heroes and back again. Jonathan always intended

for the audience to choose sides. “I think you can’t really watch the movie without choosing an allegiance.

But whoever you’re rooting for, the idea is that you’re likely to start questioning it by the film’s end,” explains

the writer. Yet Jonathan himself doesn’t hold a special loyalty to one character or the other. “I like both Angier

and Borden,” he says. “To me, they’re flip sides of the same coin, two complementary halves of one person.”

As he wrote, Nolan never shied away from letting the audience draw their own conclusions about all

that is going on in the raging battle between Angier and Borden. “I love contentious stuff,” he admits.

“Chris and I still argue about aspects of ‘Memento’ and we’ve had arguments about THE PRESTIGE as

well. I think if you get to the point where people are sitting around a table arguing about what your movie

means, then you’ve done your job as a writer.”

After Jonathan wrote an initial draft of the screenplay with Christopher’s creative involvement,

Christopher then jumped in with his own draft. The unique working relationship between the brothers has

always involved one sparking the creativity of the other. Jonathan has his own theory for why they

complement each other so well. “I’ve always suspected that it has something to do with the fact that he’s

left-handed and I’m right-handed,” he remarks, “because he’s somehow able to look at my ideas and flip

them around in a way that’s just a little bit more twisted and interesting. It’s great to be able to work with

him like that.”

Emma Thomas was dazzled by the completed screenplay. “When I read the book, I knew it was going

to make a great movie—I just didn’t quite

know how!” she laughs. “There were so many

different elements to the story, but Jonathan

and Chris were able to distill it all while

keeping the fun of magic and the excitement

of this unusual world alive and keeping the

focus on all these fascinating characters.

Every role had something juicy about it.”

Aaron Ryder was equally impressed. “The

story plays with deception, identity and

obsession,” he says. “In much the same way

that ‘Memento’ pushed the envelope, I

believe on a grander scale, the same could be said for THE PRESTIGE. I truly think that it’s innovative

in that same way. Jonathan and Chris adapted a very complicated book into a tension-filled thriller. It’s

rare to see a film deviate so far from the source material yet still remain true to the story and the theme.”

BACK TO THE 20TH CENTURY’S FUTURE:

NOLAN TAKES A FRESH LOOK AT THE GREAT VICTORIAN AGE OF MAGIC

THE PRESTIGE emerges amidst an intriguing period rarely explored on film—the Golden Age of

magic at the turn of the century. It was the ultimate era for magicians as they pioneered the nascent

beginnings of mass entertainment. On the cusp of a new industrial society, the public was obsessed with

the very concept of magical occurrences—whether on the stage or in the life-changing technological

advances and scientific secrets of the universe unfolding before them. In this atmosphere, the best and

boldest of magicians became huge, headline acts across Europe and the U.S. While few other than Harry

Houdini, who began performing in 1899, are remembered today, back then numerous talented magicians

had the chance to become household names and international idols.

“Magicians were essentially the rock stars of their day,” observes Hugh Jackman, who plays Angier,

the charismatic front man who will stop at nothing to attain superstar status. “It was very different from

today in that a lot of the magic back then

seemed truly death-defying to audiences and

it seemed there was a lot of danger because

something could go wrong at any moment. It

was a fantastic time for that new kind of

shocking theater which preceded modern

entertainment.”

Indeed, the times seemed to be magical

themselves, especially with the coming of

one of the biggest revolutionary changes in

human history: electricity. “Electricity must

have really felt like magic to those who didn’t

understand it yet,” observes producer Emma Thomas. With mechanical objects suddenly able to come to

life, the public became fascinated with such mystical subjects as the afterlife, spiritualism and anything

that seemed to defy the rational imagination.

But while the Victorian era is yet another layer in the unfolding of THE PRESTIGE, the last thing

Christopher Nolan wanted to do was make a typically constrained, demure period movie. “The Victorian

Era is often mischaracterized as stuffy and repressive—when it was actually an incredibly exciting time

in human development,” he explains. “You had the second Industrial Revolution, the birth of electricity,

the birth of cinema, the start of widespread international travel and science being turned on its head by

new theories. You also had the beginnings of mass advertising with billboards and posters. It was a period

of great adventurousness with changes that are still being felt today.”

To capture this literally electrifying, alternate vision of Victorian times, Nolan wanted to depict the era

in a way that would come off to audiences as dynamic, immediate and new. “Every creative choice is

opposed to the way period movies are usually done,” explains Thomas. “Wally Pfister shot the film with

mostly handheld cameras with enormous energy, and the characters are brought to life by the actors with

a very contemporary feeling. The background details are all fairly realistic, but Chris has made it so that

period doesn’t really matter anywhere near as much as the story.”

Christopher Nolan continues: “I wanted to be accurate to the feeling rather than the details of the period.

I think it was one of the first times in which the world felt overwhelmed with visual information. Posters

were everywhere, text was everywhere, and there was a lot of imagery assaulting people as they walked

down the streets, exceeding even what we have today. So that’s the view we give of Victorian London—one

that feels very contemporary and immediate, and I think one that lends a more authentic feeling to what it

would be like to be living then. There’s something about a lot of period films that allows the audience to sit

at a remove from the characters. But we wanted to dive into this world in a direct way so it was very

important to use the camerawork and production design to bring the audience deeper inside.”

Above all, Nolan wanted the film’s multiple layers to be accessible to the audience, inviting them not

only into the two main characters’ stunning fall from grace but into the very workings of the narrative.

“We wanted the audience to be aware of the effect the film is having on them as it is unfolding before their

eyes,” he summarizes.

Despite the design complexities, from the beginning the idea was also to shoot the film in as pared-

down and fast-paced a manner as possible. “Coming off of the hugeness of ‘Batman Begins,’ we thought

it would be great to be light on our feet and as stripped-down as we possibly could be,” says Emma

BACK TO THE 20TH CENTURY’S FUTURE

Thomas. “It gave us a tremendous amount of energy.” That energy was parlayed into creativity once

production moved into full swing. Notes Christian Bale of Nolan: “Chris really understands movie visuals.

He has an iron trap of a mind and knows exactly what he wants to see on the screen. Then, because of

that, he’s able to let others really fly and be very spontaneous.”

Nolan collaborated closely on the visual front with cinematographer Wally Pfister, who first worked

with Nolan on “Memento,” went on to shoot “Insomnia” and garnered an Academy Award® nomination

for his work on “Batman Begins.” “Chris and I have a great collaborative relationship with each other and

a great friendship as well,” says Pfister. “There is not another director I could name that I have the same

level of respect for. He’s not only on top of every element of the film, from the photography to the set

dressing, he’s just a great storyteller and, for me, that’s where it begins.”

Nolan came to Pfister with a precise vision.

“There’s a distinct relationship between the

style of the film and the style of the narrative,

and that was something I was quite specific

about,” says the director. “We did most of the

photography with a handheld camera so that

it’s always at eye level, engaged directly with

the characters, while the narrative itself is quite

clearly above the characters.”

Nolan continues: “Through framing

devices and so forth, we allow the audience to

shift between multiple points of view. So the

audience is sort of seeing a lot of things that the characters themselves aren’t necessarily seeing. They’re

getting the complete picture. And I thought that would create a very interesting tension between the more

subjective sort of storytelling that I’ve done in the past and the traditional omniscient position that

audiences are used to in action thrillers.”

Pfister’s lighting schemes helped to lend the film the dynamic, modern edge that Nolan was seeking.

“We use a lot of natural light to really give a sense of immediacy and a tactile quality to each scene and

location,” explains Nolan. Pfister and Nolan also wanted to use the anamorphic lenses that have lent their

previous films together a distinctive style—but this came with a price. “This is the fourth film we’ve shot

together with Panavision Anamorphic lenses. It’s a beautiful, crisp, grain-free image and there’s nothing

else that really looks that way on the screen,” notes Pfister. “But the cameras weigh about 60 pounds, so

my shoulders really took a pounding!”

Throughout, Nolan and Pfister went after a more handmade, old-school aesthetic—emphasizing

organic camera movements and minimalist opticals over elaborate effects. Explains Pfister: “Chris and I

wanted to really minimize the technical and equipment idea of this picture. We followed as much as

possible the sort of notion that you just put the camera on your shoulder and run in there and capture the

scene. It was a very exciting way to shoot for all of us—for me, for Chris and for the actors, who were

freed of the usual technical restrictions. It actually put me much more in the storytelling process than if I

had been sitting back by a monitor with someone else operating the camera and was much more efficient

and spontaneous. It’s a liberating, unconventional way to shoot and it gives the film a naturalistic style

that makes it very different from how any other period film has been captured in our current era.”

This “old school” approach extended even further in that Nolan and Pfister eschewed the now-standard

Digital Intermediate, the phase in which a motion picture is scanned into a computer so that the

filmmakers can use digital tools to manipulate colors and other image characteristics. Instead, THE

PRESTIGE utilized traditional photochemical printing in which color grading is achieved simply by

exposing the film to varying degrees of light. “We wanted to make the film in the most organic way,”

continues Pfister. “For what we were looking for, the photochemical process gave us the perfect amount

of control and also preserved the integrity of the anamorphic negative.”

Pfister felt that the ultimate goal was to produce an unprocessed facsimile of the darkly imaginative

images that swirl around in Nolan’s brain. Observes the cinematographer: “Chris had his eye on every

element that went into this film, from the first words on the page to the final color timing that we did

together—and all along, he’s trying to get the movie out there as he saw it in his head long before pen even

went to paper.”

When it came to palette, Pfister also allowed his color and texture decisions to develop organically,

emerging from the radical changes of the times. “A lot of the palette is dictated by the fact that the film’s

timeline is riding the cusp of the beginning of electricity, which obviously becomes part of the story as

well. So in a lot of the earlier scenes, we’re using candlelight and oil light, and then later on, we introduce

electricity in a grand way, and then we introduce electrical lights in some of the locations as well. So you

have lot of orange and yellow in the candle-lit and oil-lit scenes and kind of a green moonlight effect

mixed with the orange gas lamps for the night scenes. Throughout, I tried to move towards a different look

and mood than I’d seen in period pieces before.”

The night scenes were especially vital to the film’s mysterious moods. “What I hope we’ve done with

the night lighting is to create a dark, dingy and grungy London, where there’s smoke and soot and the

buildings are dirty. Chris and I have shied away from smoke on previous films, but it’s another visual tool

we’re using to make this picture different in tone and atmosphere,” he says.

For Nolan, this grungy look was essential. “I think there’s often too great a tendency in films to try to

clean up the past, to make it look neater and

tidier that it was, so I felt it was appropriate to

really mess up that kind of world, to shake it up

and have it really coming apart at the seams.”

This same philosophy was woven into the

production design as well. “We wanted to get

massive amounts of texture into each setting

so it had the same kind of density as the real

world we live in today,” says Nolan.

The task fell to Nathan Crowley, who

worked with Nolan previously on “Batman

Begins” and “Insomnia.” Crowley created

some 68 diverse sets for THE PRESTIGE, helping to forge the anything-can-happen atmosphere of the

Victorian theaters where Angier and Borden launch their epic feud. From the first time he read the script,

Crowley’s head was spinning with ideas. “THE PRESTIGE is a great mixture of drama with sci-fi, history,

horror and more—it crosses all the boundaries,” he says. “We weren’t setting out to make a strict period

film, so we forged a sort of ‘Victorian Modernism’ that has a real edge to it.”

Crowley began with research, poring in libraries over photographic reference books of 1890s London

to get a sense of the mood and feel. Like Nolan, Crowley was taken aback by the sheer visual

bombardment of a city that, despite lacking radio, film and television, was lined with all manner of visual

advertising. “The streets were littered with advertising, and that was something surprising to me,” says

Crowley. “It really was the start of mass media in a way, so we wanted to capture that sense of chaos and

speed. Another thing I wanted to emphasize was the coming of automation. There is always something

mechanized in the images of the film, giving that sense of constant momentum.”

Crowley and Nolan next began tinkering around with models, a method of working out creative ideas

they had developed earlier. “On ‘Batman Begins,’ we had started building models in Chris Nolan’s garage,

and it was really successful, so we decided to do that again. It was just me and him alone in the garage,

trying to find the feel of the film,” recalls Crowley.

One of Crowley’s favorite touches in the bustling metropolis of a newly modern London is the horse-

drawn double-decker buses bearing Vaudeville show posters on their side panels. Bringing them to life,

however, required ingenuity. “We had to build this stuff from scratch without a lot of resources, so we used

old Western wagons and basically turned them into buses! I think they really define the streets of London

in that era, so I was very happy with the way they came out,” he says.

BACK TO THE 20TH CENTURY’S FUTURE

Crowley found an ally in his search for turn-of-the-century magic posters: magic consultant, Ricky Jay,

had an astonishing collection. He also visited David Copperfield’s museum in Las Vegas and surveyed

book after book of 19th-century posters. “In those days, magicians always had a poster for their new acts

so we created print lithographs for each of Angier’s and Borden’s shows,” he notes. “A lot of the posters

of that time were comical, with devils behind the shoulder of the illusionist. Our earlier posters do have a

more lighthearted feel, but as they get deeper in their battle, the posters take on a more intense, Black

Magic feeling.”

When it came to recreating the Victorian Age theatres, Crowley veered away from the de-saturated,

shades of grey he used for the external city and dove into brilliant colors—reflecting the idea that life

seemed to take on a vibrancy like nowhere else inside these spaces. The multilevel theater designs, which

feature attics, staircases and basements—where steam-powered hydraulics help to pull off some of the

large-scale mechanical magic tricks—were also influenced by the mathematical art of M.C. Escher, who

often uses visual illusions to profound effect in his drawings.

Another favorite set, especially for Christopher Nolan, was Borden’s workshop, where the obsessive

magician tests his illusions. To get a better sense of what a magician’s shop looks like, Crowley

investigated the workshop of Houdini, among others. “They are sort of like furniture workshops except

that they are filled with magic props and all kinds of mechanical machines,” observes Crowley. He forged

a warm, sprawling space filled to the brim with all kinds of unusual and unexpected objects.

Crowley also created dozens of turn-of-the-century urban locales—from dark bars and dank prisons to

the stark courtroom where Borden stands trial. But the pièce de résistance for Crowley was the futuristic

machine Tesla builds for Angier, which Angier in turn hopes will create the most incredible magic trick

ever witnessed. Crowley wanted the machine to give a sense of scientific mastery, mechanism and

industrialization all at once—so for inspiration, he turned to issues of 1890s-era Scientific American to

see what kinds of unusual inventions were being proposed at the time.

When it came to recreating Tesla’s

Colorado Springs laboratory, Crowley stayed

close to the ample historical record, including

building a life-sized version of the famous

Tesla Coil. “Tesla is the only real historical

figure in the film, even though he brings in a

science-fiction element, so we wanted to stay

true to that,” says Crowley. “At the same time,

Tesla pushes the film out of Victoriana and the

Industrial Revolution and takes it into science-

fiction realms, which made it all very

interesting for me.”

Working closely with Crowley was Special Effects Coordinator David Blitstein, who helped create

some of the film’s inventive mechanical gadgetry. This included the folding birdcages that become a

mirror of the film’s multidimensional structure and view of reality. “Dave created the most amazing

harness that fires and splits birdcages in half and pulls them up your arms so quickly that the eye can’t

see it,” says Crowley. “The interesting challenge was that we had all these sliding trick panels and pistons

that shoot things upwards—all the things that magicians secretly use—but the camera is always right on

them, getting a level of detail the audience wouldn’t usually see.”

Unlike on most films, Crowley continued his work into post-production, consulting with the visual

effects team to make sure all their fantastical additions would work seamlessly with his designs. Yet, despite

all the difficult tasks he had to tackle, Crowley was grateful. “Chris pushes me harder than any other

director I’ve worked with. He challenges me constantly, which I really like,” he says.

The cast and crew were equally appreciative of how Crowley’s sets helped to pull them deeper into the

film’s realms of science, magic and human ambition. “Nathan’s sets really bring you into this world that

Angier and Borden live in. Walking onto the sets was like being transported back to turn-of-the-century

London,” says Aaron Ryder. “I really can’t

think of another film that looks like this one.

It’s very unique in design and vision.”

The costumes of THE PRESTIGE, which

also involve elements of illusion and

deception, became another vital element of

the film’s intricate design. Here, Nolan

collaborated with Ireland’s leading costume

designer, Joan Bergin, who has previously

worked on such films as “Veronica Guerin,”

“Laws of Attraction” and “My Left Foot,” as

well as garnering an Emmy® nomination for

the television adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “David Copperfield.”

Bergin had a vision right from the beginning for what she wanted. “It’s a look I would call

‘deconstructed Victorian,’” she says. “We took these images of Victorian clothing and then broke them

down into something more modern and simplified. In this film, it’s not about every detail of the clothes

being correct but trying to be very character-driven and really reveal the characters’ journeys through their

clothing. This is a sort of a Gothic thriller with layer upon layer upon layer and I hope the clothes help the

audience follow the characters through all the twists and turns of the story.”

In choosing the look for each wholly unique character, Bergin wound up on a massive search that took

her from collections of 200-year-old dresses to more modern designer interpretations of Victoriana. She

spent days roaming the endless racks of a large costume house, searching for inspiration among the hats,

capes and extensive assemblage of vintage fabrics. As for palette, she shifted away from the expected.

“I’ve kept the palette quite simple, but it’s unusually dark, with lots of aubergine, Chinese yellows and

black and white—and sometimes looking through a mirror, you’ll see these very rich colors with a kind

of sheen to them that adds another layer to the mystery.”

The core of her work was dressing Angier and Borden—in all their varying and surprising

incarnations. To begin with, she wanted to break through the stereotype of the cheesy, overdressed

magician. “We have this image of Victorian magicians wearing big cloaks with stars on them, but if you

do the research, you find that, actually, they presented themselves as gentlemen, in a white bow tie and

jacket,” she explains. “They really were the rock stars of their day, so I took that a bit further with some

splashes of color and lovely fabrics for their waistcoats, especially as they get more and more famous.”

There was also a focus on contrasting the characters. She continues: “It was fun to work with Angier,

who is someone who is always very beautifully dressed, because Hugh just wears clothes so superbly well.

There’s such elegance to him and, as the film goes on, he just gets grander and grander. Then with

Christian Bale’s Borden, who is from the rough end of town and is sort of a self-made man, we use a more

kind of modern, grungier look, not at all old-fashioned.”

On the women’s side, Bergin was equally driven by character. “I wanted there to be sympathy for Sarah

Borden, and Rebecca Hall, who plays her, looks absolutely glorious in period clothes, so I really went out

of my way to show her as someone who has a very simple but wonderful fashion sense. We wanted to

emphasize the feeling that she might have become someone else except for her circumstances,” she

explains. “What’s interesting is that some of her skirts could easily be from Marc Jacobs or others putting

out collections now—you can see how they take inspiration from that era.”

As for Scarlett Johansson’s Olivia, Bergin took a lot of pleasure in working with the actress. “It takes

a very particular figure to wear Victorian clothes, and Scarlett has the perfect form. Hers are some of my

favorite costumes because I tried to design a kind of modern, sexy, foxy interpretation of what a woman

in the theater would wear at that time. It allowed me to be quite inventive.”

The actors were further inspired by Bergin’s work. “Her clothes completely change your whole

demeanor,” muses Rebecca Hall. “I’m normally a sort of slouchy person, but when I put on these outfits,

I felt like the most prim and proper lady.” Scarlett Johansson, on the other hand, was thrilled to play a

BACK TO THE 20TH CENTURY’S FUTURE

THE SHOWMAN

different sort of Victorian lady. “My character

is a bohemian, so I didn’t have to wear those

tight, lacy collars and bustles. Olivia has a

more unconventional wardrobe, which was

very exciting to me.”

In dressing David Bowie as Nikola Tesla,

Bergin took to heart what she had seen said of

the maverick scientist—that he always looked

like he was going to the opera. “He was

impeccably turned out, so we gave Bowie a

cashmere coat with a lamb’s-wool collar that

really suggests this very elegant, brilliant man

who was beaten down by minds who could never aspire to his heights,” she explains.

For Christopher Nolan, the hope was that all the elements of THE PRESTIGE would come together

like the pieces of a provocative puzzle. “I like films that continue to spin your head in all sorts of different

directions after you’ve seen them,” the director concludes. “I hope people walk away from this story

feeling very entertained but also with all kinds of resonances and interesting thoughts banging around in

their brains.”

THE SHOWMAN:

HUGH JACKMAN IS ROBERT ANGIER

In this time when magicians were the great entertainers of their age, no one else can rivet an audience

with the charm and pizzazz of the consummate showman Robert Angier. But when a stage tragedy strikes

close to Angier’s heart, it pushes him to

invent his greatest trick ever, one that will

take him into realms of scientific discovery

and magical deception no one could have

imagined. To play Angier, Christopher Nolan

immediately thought of Hugh Jackman, the

multitalented Australian who has become a

major star of both stage and screen. Jackman

is known to millions of young fans for his

screen portrayal of the hugely popular

superhero Wolverine—an angst-filled mutant

with animal-keen senses—but he is also a

Tony Award winner for his showstopping performance as songwriter Peter Allen in “The Boy From Oz”

and an Emmy® Award winner for his hosting of the televised Tony Awards show.

It was Jackman’s unique mix of innate cool along with his sophisticated showmanship that convinced

Nolan he was the only person who could bring out both the theatrical brilliance and the thirst for

vengeance at the heart of Angier. He also seemed like the perfect persona to create a chain reaction of

fierce competition and rivalry with Christian Bale.

Says Nolan: “When Hugh gets on stage, he truly comes to life. He’s extraordinarily comfortable being

up there and so knowledgeable about his relationship with the audience. That’s exactly what this character

needed—and Hugh presents Angier with a sincerity that’s extremely winning.”

Upon reading the script, Jackman was hooked. He was drawn to Angier’s journey—which takes him

from the bright lights of success to the darkest shadows of the human soul. “At the beginning of the story,

Angier is very optimistic, hopeful and energetic,” he observes. “His main strength as a magician is as a

performer. He simply loves being in front of a crowd. He has an ease and a panache and a great sort of

way with the audience. In fact, to be somewhat critical of him, you could say that his style is sometimes

far greater than his content.”

But then Angier meets Alfred Borden and everything in his life changes. “It irks me to even say this,

but Borden is technically a much better magician,” Jackman begrudgingly admits. “My character can sell

a trick to an audience with far more skill, but Borden is a kind of inventive genius. When things go wrong

between them, Angier has two conflicting responses. On the one hand, he begins to loathe Borden, to hate

him, to want vengeance for what he has done, but on the other, he is driven by a competitive obsession to

be better than Borden. So all of Angier’s anger and hate, all his darkness and sadness become focused on

one thing—finding out Borden’s secrets.”

To prepare to play Angier, Jackman conducted his own research into the colorful history of magic,

from its creative heyday in the early 1900s till now. “I found it to be an incredibly mysterious and

interesting world,” he says. “There is something about magicians that makes them different from non-

magicians. They do everything alone, because they don’t want to share their secrets, and they are intensely

competitive. They’re fascinating people, which makes them great characters.”

The more he learned, the more Jackman

began to see that magicians share elements in

common with both conmen and scientists, two

mainstays of contemporary society. “Great

magic is all about misdirection and illusion,

the same skills a conman needs,” he says. “But

just as scientists are obsessed with the things

humans can’t yet understand, magicians tap

into that. What’s great about THE PRESTIGE

is that it melds the mystical, the magical and

the idea of the impossible with elements of

science and reality.”

As for Angier, Jackman believes he is addicted to the audience’s stunned reactions. “He loves seeing

that look in their faces of being fooled. For him, it taps into that human quality of hope and faith, that

feeling that the impossible can actually happen. He is driven by that power,” the actor says.

Watching Jackman bring Angier, and his many different sides, to life was a revelation for Nolan, one

that would be echoed again with Christian Bale’s performance. “It was really interesting to see how both

Hugh and Christian took the ideas behind the way magicians really think and work, and each made these

their own, reconciling them with their own way of looking at the world,” he summarizes.

THE RIVAL:

CHRISTIAN BALE IS ALFRED BORDEN

Christian Bale first heard about THE PRESTIGE while he was playing a very different character—the

dark, crime-fighting superhero Batman in Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins.” But it wasn’t until much

later, when he read an early version of Jonathan Nolan’s screenplay, that he knew without a doubt that he

wanted to be a part of the film.

Bale has already established a reputation as an iconoclast when it comes to the roles he has chosen on

his way to becoming one of the most respected actors of his generation. The Welsh-born British actor got

an auspicious start from Steven Spielberg at the age of 13, playing the lost boy who finds himself in a

Japanese internment camp in “The Empire of the Sun.” More recently, his uncommon diversity and

intensity has come to the fore. He chilled the blood embodying every frightening inch of a yuppie

psychopath in “American Psycho,” lost a startling 60 pounds to descend into the psychological anguish of

the thriller “The Machinist” and voiced the title character of Hayao Miyazaki’s acclaimed animated film

“Howl’s Moving Castle.” Then, just before portraying Pocahontas’ husband, John Rolfe, in Terence

Malick’s “The New World,” he went into deep training and put on pounds of muscle to create the most

nuanced portrait of the superhero Batman yet seen in the blockbuster “Batman Begins.” Shortly after, Bale

THE RIVAL

encountered THE PRESTIGE.

“After ‘Batman Begins,’ I had really hoped to find some very high-quality scripts, some really good

movies, but I was not finding myself surrounded by them. Then,

I read THE PRESTIGE,” Bale recalls. “I thought it was a very

original, unique piece about a rivalry that knows no limits—and

because magicians are involved, you never know what’s real and

what isn’t, which makes for a fantastic thriller. It’s so layered,

you have to peel it apart. I already knew that Chris is one of the

smartest directors around and that working with him is like

having a very solid foundation on which to build a beautiful

house—and I really fancied doing a movie with him that would

be so different from ‘Batman.’”

He continues: “So I called Chris and said, ‘Whatever you’re

thinking, and you can tell me where to go, but I’m just going to

lay it on the line. This is the one of the best bloody scripts I’ve

ever read and I want to do it.’ I think my passion for it bowled

him over.”

When Bale entered into a deeper conversation with

Christopher Nolan about his vision for THE PRESTIGE, his

passion only increased. “I’ve always admired actors who are like

shape shifters, and Chris is that way as a director,” he observes. “I loved the idea that he wanted to

radically change styles with this film. I liked the spirit behind it. Whereas ‘Batman’ was a juggernaut, this

huge beast of a ship that was hard to maneuver, THE PRESTIGE was like riding horseback—there was a

feeling right from the start of being light on our feet and very free.”

Once Nolan had cast him as Borden, Bale dove into the part. He began by reading not only Christopher

Priest’s novel but also numerous books about the lives of magicians. “You realize that their stature at the

time was so different from what it is nowadays,” he says. Then, he began studying with contemporary

magicians and the film’s consultants, Ricky Jay and Michael Weber, to hone his own fledgling skills of

prestidigitation. “Actually, my grandfather was a magician but I never saw him perform,” notes Bale. “So

it was wonderful to work with Ricky and Michael, who are terrific magicians. Still, they really annoyed

me because I can’t stand when someone can do something I can’t do!”

Spending time with authentic magicians was quite revealing to Bale. “It was really good to see up close

the kind of competitiveness that happens between magicians, because that’s such a strong point in the

story,” he says. “It’s really about how far these two men will go to be the winner and you can see that this

really goes on in magic circles. It’s a very closed profession, and when someone does a trick that no one

else has thought of, you watch as their eyes boil over. Of course, because they’re so mysterious, they don’t

give a lot. So we only learned what was necessary. If you asked too good of a question, they’d find some

clever way to distract you away from it!”

With the tricks he did learn, Bale was constantly surprised. “Some of them just flabbergasted me,” he

says, “while others were almost disappointing because, when you see how it’s done, it’s entirely too

simple. But of course our movie really isn’t about the tricks so much as it is about the psyches of the

people who perform and create them.”

Borden might be sought after as an engineer but he hungers for much more than that. Though he comes

from a tough, lonely background as an orphan, his ambition is nothing less than to be the greatest magical

star of his time—in spite of his inability to connect with audiences. “The thing I love about Borden,”

comments Bale, “is that he’s all about the purity of the magic, about the nature of an ingenious idea. He

doesn’t care about the showmanship, he doesn’t care about selling the trick, he simply cares about creating

the most perfect illusion. He’s totally obsessed with that one thing. Like so many truly brilliant artists,

Borden has no concept of how to market himself.”

Yet his obsession soon also becomes about Angier, who possesses qualities Borden both covets and

reviles. “Angier is merely a decent magician, but he is a great showman, an entire marketing operation

unto himself,” Bale observes. “Borden sees Angier as a conman, whereas he’s the real deal. He just doesn’t

understand why the public can’t see that.” As for creating such vengeful feelings towards Hugh Jackman,

Bale states: “We both had completely different approaches to our characters and we both really believed

in our characters, so that made the rivalry truly come alive on screen.”

Borden’s life is complicated not only by Angier’s success but by his relationships with two different

women—his long-suffering wife, Sarah, and Angier’s assistant, Olivia. “Borden’s first and greatest love

will always be magic,” says Bale. “Any relationship will always have to take second place for him, and

that’s a hard thing for his wife to stomach. He

adores his family, but magic is the only thing

he’s always had that gives him value. He’s an

orphan and he’s been on the streets his whole

life. He really has nothing else, except this

one extraordinary talent. I think he really

believes that if you let people in on the secret

of who you are, they’ll think nothing of you.

It’s only by building a mystery around

himself that he can gain any power.”

Like Christopher Nolan, Bale was

completely committed to avoiding period

trappings in his portrayal of Borden. “I think it can be quite funny to watch actors in period movies,

because they act just like other actors in period movies! We just take it for granted that people had this

very formal way of being in the past—but it isn’t true. Both Chris and I felt that we really had to kick that

and get away from it. So the idea was to focus on the characters—who have the same needs and wants and

desires as anyone in today’s world. Also, usually period movies are all about the privileged. THE

PRESTIGE is much more gritty and hands-on dirty and you get to see the darker side.”

Ultimately, Bale hopes that audiences will be as surprised by THE PRESTIGE as he was upon first

reading the script. “It really is a movie that I can’t compare to anything else. It’s a movie where you’ve

really got to pay attention. And that’s just what life is like, too—you’ve got to pay attention.”

THE MAGICIANS’ SIDEKICKS:

MICHAEL CAINE IS CUTTER AND SCARLETT JOHANSSON IS OLIVIA

Magicians have long had need for close

assistance. Whether behind the scenes—

where brilliant imaginations think up the

tricks in the first place—or on the stage—

where sexy, charming women have always

served as a delightful means to distract the

audience—magicians must rely, however

begrudgingly, on the talents of others. In THE

PRESTIGE, the assistants of Angier and

Borden only serve to further thicken the plot

with their own agendas and deceptions.

Some of the most vital behind-the-scenes

players in the magic world are the people known as ingeneurs—the dark, secretive figures of technical

prowess who actually create the tricks. Angier’s ingeneur is the retired conjurer Cutter, portrayed with wit

and verve by one of cinema’s most lauded stars, Sir Michael Caine. Though Caine has played an

extraordinary range of characters in a vast array of film stories, he had yet to encounter a world quite like

that of THE PRESTIGE. Add to that the chance to reunite with Christopher Nolan, with whom he had

THE MAGICIANS’ SIDEKICKS

worked so successfully on “Batman Begins,”

and Caine was immediately interested. He

says that Nolan brings to mind another

director from the past. “He reminds me of

Alfred Hitchcock, the way that everything is

about creating the best moments of suspense,”

says Caine. “He is tremendous with

suspense.”

As for his character, Caine describes him

as “a teacher, a father and a guide to Angier.”

He continues: “He finds Angier, helps him to

create his best tricks, and then watches as it

all goes terribly wrong.” In creating his nuanced portrait, Caine even altered his highly recognizable voice.

“Cutter is an older man, and in those days, they smoked like chimneys and drank like fish, so I brought

his voice down into the throat with a kind of cough in it,” he explains. “And his accent is very thick and

rather menacing.” Body posture was also key to Caine’s reading of Cutter. “He’s a powerful man, but also

very relaxed,” he observes. “One thing about him is that he often has his hands in his pockets—but when

they come out, you better worry!”

The filmmakers knew that Caine would make the role entirely his own. Says Nolan: “Michael Caine’s

character really becomes something of the heart of the movie. He has a wonderful warmth and emotion

to him that draws you into the story and allows you to have a point of view on these characters without

judging them too harshly.”

Meanwhile, when Angier hires an alluring stage assistant—Olivia

Wenscombe—she becomes both a pawn and a player in the rivalry

between Angier and Borden. Olivia is played by Golden Globe® nominee

Scarlett Johansson, who says she was immediately attracted by the

screenplay. “It was one of the best scripts I’d ever read and I thought it

would be great fun to play this vivacious, bohemian character,” she says.

“There’s a spiciness to Olivia that I think Chris really honed in on and I

felt there was a part of me that I could bring to her.”

It was easy for Johansson to understand Olivia’s strong attraction to

Angier. “She’s very taken with his passion for what he does. He’s one of

those sorts of men who seems very untouchable, as well, and I think that’s

quite attractive to

a young girl—

that brooding,

selfish behavior.

But when he betrays her, it really hurts her.” As for

Borden, she says: “She’s asked to live amongst the

enemy with Borden, and I think Olivia and Borden

come to a kind of understanding but she really will

always be in love with Angier.”

The chance to work with Christopher Nolan

was also a draw for Johansson. “He has that rare

kind of Old Hollywood quality. I don’t know

exactly how to describe it, but you never want to disappoint Chris because you know he will always hold

up his end of the bargain,” she observes.

Johansson especially enjoyed her up-close introduction to the world of magic—finding it not so

dissimilar from the world she knows best. “It’s very secretive and competitive,” she observes. “It’s all

about the commitment to the illusion, which isn’t that different from any form of entertainer.”

THE SCIENTIST:

DAVID BOWIE IS NIKOLA TESLA AND ANDY SERKIS IS TESLA’S ASSISTANT, ALLEY

Amidst all the beguiling fictional characters of THE PRESTIGE lies a historic figure who has long

been shrouded in mystery and intrigue: Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), radical inventor, engineer and scientist.

A Serbian immigrant to America, Tesla was a modern-day Da Vinci who dreamed up ideas about robots,

computers, microwave ovens, radar and fax machines long before anyone else could imagine such

“magical” technologies. He received more

than 700 patents in his lifetime and helped to

forge our modern high-tech society. He

discovered the rotating magnetic field, which

became the basis for all machinery using

alternating current, and also invented the

Tesla Coil, an induction device widely used in

radio technology. Indeed, it was Tesla’s

technology that helped to change the world

from an endless chain of disconnected

communities to one partly united by

information and communication.

Yet so eccentric was Tesla that he was said to be the inspiration for the mad scientist in Max Fleischer’s

original “Superman” cartoons. He pushed at the very frontiers of science—going where no one else dared.

At his Colorado Springs laboratory, depicted in the film, Tesla conducted all kinds of wild experiments,

including forging man-made lightning bolts, and was said to be examining such far-out notions as time

travel, death rays and interstellar communication.

But, as with most visionaries, Tesla was also surrounded by controversy and hounded by injustices. He

had an infamous rivalry with another genius inventor: Thomas Edison. Tesla had originally worked for

Edison when he first came to America, but when the two parted ways over a payment disagreement, an

obsessive feud ensued—one reminiscent perhaps of Angier and Borden. Mystery would follow Tesla even

into death. After his passing, most of his scientific papers disappeared without a trace, never to be found,

leading many to wonder what fantastic or

dangerous ideas were among them.

In THE PRESTIGE, the character of Tesla

blurs the lines between magic and science

when he agrees to invent a machine that will

allow Angier to out-do Alfred Borden’s most

stunningly implausible stage trick. To play

Tesla, the filmmakers knew they would need

someone entirely out of the ordinary—a

magnetic figure so used to operating outside

of the lines, he would be instantly believable

as a mad genius. Given this description, the

obvious choice was David Bowie, the risk-taking rock performer who has also taken a wide range of

acclaimed acting roles, from “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” to “The Elephant Man.” But first, the

filmmakers would have to convince him to take the role.

“Chris has always been a fan of Bowie,” explains Aaron Ryder, “and we felt we needed the kind of

persona and weight that Bowie carries as a superstar for Tesla.” Adds Emma Thomas: “He was just so

perfect for the role that we couldn’t imagine anyone else who could pull it off—and then, Chris managed

to wrangle a meeting with him in New York, which we were all very nervous about.”

Nolan recalls: “I simply went and explained to him why he was the only person in the world who could

play this part—and luckily, he agreed to do it.”

THE SCIENTIST

THE MAGICIANS’ WIVES

Playing Tesla’s fictional assistant—and the man who serves as liaison between the great scientist and

Angier—is Andy Serkis, who became a cult hero among fantasy-film lovers for his extraordinary

embodiment of Gollum in the blockbuster “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and for his work as the famous

beast in Peter Jackson’s “King Kong.” Here, he plays the American Roger Alley. “Andy makes for a

wonderfully memorable character as the sort of front man for Tesla,” Nolan comments. “It was also really

fun to see him in the flesh and to see his real face on screen!”

Says Serkis of the character: “Alley is Tesla’s gatekeeper, manager, minder, bookkeeper and closest

associate, all at once. He’s there to pull switches, to get his hands dirty and basically enable things to

happen. He’s a mirror in a way of Michael Caine’s Cutter. He’s basically Tesla’s ‘engineer.’” Although

Alley never existed in real life, Serkis sees

him as “representing the few disciples who

saw that Tesla’s work was visionary and

decided to go out on a limb for him.”

In preparing for the role, Serkis read up on

the period and became even more fascinated.

“It was an amazing time when you had people

like Edison, Tesla, Darwin and Muybridge

who were changing our fundamental views of

time and space. The railroads were being laid,

the telephone was being invented—and

because of all this, I think there was a great

enjoyment of the mysterious and a crossover where science could help magic. So it’s great because it’s a

very potent era to examine.”

Yet, like the Nolans, Serkis also sees the story of THE PRESTIGE as transcending its era. “I think

anyone who has ever obsessed about their work or their family or anything at all will really key into the

emotions of this story,” he summarizes.

THE MAGICIANS’ WIVES:

PIPER PERABO IS JULIA MCCULLOUGH AND REBECCA HALL IS SARAH BORDEN

Magicians may be able to pull off incredible illusions, but even they are not immune to the complex

realities of love and relationships. And indeed, it is a dazzling but disastrous trick involving Angier’s wife,

Julia, that sets in motion his increasingly treacherous magical feud with Alfred Borden.

Playing Julia McCullough is Piper Perabo,

the rising American star who has come to the

fore in a number of lighthearted contemporary

comedies but here takes on a much darker

role—as the woman willing to go the

dangerous extremes for the cause of a great

magic trick. Perabo was fascinated by the

chance to explore through Julia the inner

world of the magician’s assistant. “Julia is the

kind of girl who is willing to be sawed in half

and have knives thrown at her and that sort of

thing,” explains Perabo. “She’s very young

and I think she’s just happy to feel like she belongs in this world of magicians—to actually have that sense

of power of being a woman with a job, where men respect her and take her seriously, which was quite rare

in that time. Magicians were really glamorous and glitzy at that point. The vibe was more like a rock

concert and it would have been very exciting for Julia.”

Perabo not only had to take on an English accent for the role—something she had honed for the recent

British comedy “Imagine Me and You”—she also had to learn to perform the adventurous “water tank”

trick, in which she is bound by a rope and dropped from a considerable height into a tank of water, only

to be sealed within. “I got pretty good at it by the end,” Perabo laughs.

But while Angier’s wife is a part of the magic show, Borden’s wife, Sarah, sees it as her competition.

Convinced that her husband will always love magic more than he loves her, she is flummoxed and hurt by

his constant changes of heart. Starring as Sarah is British newcomer Rebecca Hall, a young actress best

known so far for her work on the London stage, who was cast after the filmmakers saw her reading on

tape. “We knew right away we were seeing something special,” says Thomas. “This is one of her first film

roles but there will be many more.”

Hall was fascinated by the film’s magical nature. “It creates a nice tension between what’s fun and

entertaining about magic and what’s potentially scary and dangerous about it,” she comments. She also

felt a lot of empathy for her character’s romantic trials. “Sarah’s got a difficult job of it because she’s very

much in love with a man who on some days is 100% obsessed with his work and yet, on others, seems

completely in love and committed to her,” she explains. “At first, she accepts that the work side of him is

going to be secret, but she becomes increasingly frustrated by the feeling that she doesn’t know the real

intricacies of what he is doing or who he really is.”

Since THE PRESTIGE is only Hall’s second feature film, the chance to work one-on-one with an actor

of the caliber of Christian Bale seemed almost like a surreal dream to her. “When I met him, I was pretty

intimidated because he’s such a huge star,” she says, “but I have so much respect for everyone in this film

and I learned so much that it was an incredible experience.”

THE PRESTIGE’S CONSULTANTS:

RICKY JAY AND MICHAEL WEBER TEACH THE CAST MAGIC

With the cast in place, the filmmakers brought in magicians Ricky Jay and Michael Weber to train

them in the classic magician’s skills of prestidigitation and misdirection. However, because the magic

tricks in THE PRESTIGE simply provide the backdrop for the story of Angier and Borden’s hazardous

rivalry—and are not intended to fool the film’s audience—Jay and Weber’s main task was to give the cast

a deeper sense of how magicians think, move and perform.

Jay heads the company Deceptive Practices, which provides expertise in magic, con games and card

tricks for films involving everything from illusions to gambling. On THE PRESTIGE, he was thrilled to

find himself with such devoted and curious students. “One of the greatest pleasures for us was working

with Christian and Hugh, who both had remarkable energy and an amazing willingness to practice and

rehearse. These guys were terrific in terms of the attention they paid to detail,” says Jay.

As for the story, Jay thinks that, for all its fantastical twists and turns, it rings quite true to a magician.

“Those kinds of competitions between magicians really did exist,” he remarks. “That was a time in

London when five or six magicians would be playing at theaters right next to each other on the same night,

a time that has never been duplicated in the history of magic. It’s also interesting because that was a time

when there was a strong relationship between early cinema and magic. A lot of the people who worked on

the development of the motion picture camera were also magicians. Since then, people have become

suspicious of any magic done on film, but one of the things we’ve tried to do with this film is bring out

the idea that there was a lot of integrity to magic in those days, so it kind of brings everything back

full circle.”

Says Aaron Ryder of Jay and Weber’s contributions: “We felt very lucky to have these two on board.

They worked with Hugh and Christian extensively, bringing them a little bit more into what is normally

an incredibly secretive brotherhood. Still, they basically agreed that they would teach only the tricks that

were necessary for the script—and they wouldn’t give away too many secrets!”

THE PRESTIGE’S CONSUL T ANTS

ABOUT THE CAST

HUGH JACKMAN (Robert Angier) most recently reprised his role

as Logan/Wolverine in “X-Men: The Last Stand,” the third installment of

the “X-Men” franchise. He made his first major U.S. film appearance in

the first “X-Men” movie—and this stellar debut led to leading roles in

“Someone Like You,” “Swordfish” and “Kate and Leopold,” for which he

received a 2002 Golden Globe® nomination. Jackman reprised his role as

Logan/Wolverine in “X2” and went on to star in the blockbuster “Van

Helsing.” In addition to THE PRESTIGE, he stars this year in Woody

Allen’s “Scoop” and Darren Aronofsky’s “The Fountain.”

On stage, for his portrayal of the 1970s singer-songwriter Peter Allen

in “The Boy From Oz,” Jackman received the 2004 Tony Award for Best

Actor in a musical as well as Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics

Circle and Theatre World awards. His previous theater credits include: “Carousel” at Carnegie Hall,

“Oklahoma!” at the National Theater in London (Olivier Award nomination), “Sunset Boulevard” (MO

Award—Australia’s Tony Award) and Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” (MO Award nomination).

Jackman’s career began in Australia in the independent films “Paperback Hero” and “Erskineville

Kings” (Australian Film Critics’ Circle Best Actor award and The Australian Film Institute Best Actor

nomination). In 1999, he was named “Australian Star of the Year” at the Australian Movie Convention.

Born in Wales, CHRISTIAN BALE (Alfred Borden) grew up in

England and the USA. He made his film debut in Steven Spielberg’s

World War II epic “Empire of the Sun.” Bale’s work to date includes

“Henry V,” “The Portrait of a Lady,” “The Secret Agent,” “Metroland,”

“Velvet Goldmine,” “All the Little Animals,” “American Psycho,”

“Shaft,” “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin,” “Reign of Fire,” “Laurel Canyon,”

“The Machinist,” “Batman Begins” and “The New World.”

He will next star in the independent films “Harsh Times” for

writer/director David Ayer and “Rescue Dawn” for director Werner

Herzog. This fall, Bale will film “I’m Not There” and “3:10 to Yuma,”

followed next year by “Dark Knight.”

MICHAEL CAINE (Cutter) has been in over 90 motion pictures and

has been nominated for six Academy Awards® including “Alfie,”

“Sleuth,” “Educating Rita” and “The Quiet American.” The highly lauded

thespian won Best Supporting Actor Oscars® for his performances in

“Hannah and Her Sisters” and “The Cider House Rules.” Caine’s other

honors include the New York Critics’ Best Actor Award for “Alfie,” a

Golden Globe® Best Actor Award and a BAFTA Award (the British

equivalent of an Oscar®) for “Educating Rita,” a Golden Globe® for

“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and a Golden Globe® for “Little Voice.”

Caine was born in South London and had a childhood fascination with

cinema. Leaving school at sixteen, he worked in numerous menial jobs

until National Service with the Royal Fusiliers took him to Korea. Upon

his discharge, his first job in the theater was as assistant stage manager in Horsham, Sussex. When he

returned to London, he acted with Joan Littlewood’s Theater Workshop and played a minor role in the film

“A Hill in Korea” while obtaining bit parts in other movies and walk-on roles in a couple of West End plays.

Eventually touring Britain with one repertory company after another, he developed a relaxed stage

presence and perfected a vast range of accents. Starting out as an understudy in the role of Private

Bamforth in the London stage hit “The Long and the Short and the Tall,” Caine ended up taking over the

part when O’Toole dropped out and toured the provinces for six months. Following this stint, his television

and film parts grew more substantial. The turning point in his film career came in 1963, when he landed

the part of aristocratic Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead in “Zulu.” Passing forever out of the ranks of

anonymity, he next played Harry Palmer in the espionage thriller “The Ipcress File,” which exceeded all

expectations at the box office.

In 1966, “Alfie” catapulted Caine to superstardom. In the annual British film critics’ poll, it was voted

Best Picture of the Year. It also gave him his first Academy Award® nomination. In the late sixties, he

appeared in “Gambit,” “Funeral in Berlin,” “Billion Dollar Brain,” “Hurry Sundown,” “Woman Times

Seven,” “Deadfall,” “The Italian Job,” “The Battle of Britain,” “Too Late the Hero” and “The Last Valley.”

During the seventies, he starred in “X, Y and Zee,” “Pulp,” “Sleuth,” “The Wilby Conspiracy,” “The

Romantic Englishwoman,” “The Man Who Would Be King,” “Harry & Walter Go to New York,”

“California Suite” and “The Swarm.” In the eighties, Caine starred in “Dressed to Kill,” “Victory,” “The

Hand,” “Death Trap,” “Educating Rita,” “Blame It on Rio,” “The Holcroft Covenant,” “Hannah and Her

Sisters,” “Sweet Liberty” and “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.”

In 1992, he and American producer Martin Bregman formed M & M Productions to make films in

Britain for Caine to star in or direct. Their first production was “Blue Ice,” costarring Sean Young and

directed by Russell Mulcahy. Caine is also an author. He wrote an autobiography, What’s It All About?, as

well as Acting on Film, a book based on a highly successful series of lectures he gave on BBC Television.

Caine most recently appeared in “Batman Begins,” “Bewitched” and Gore Verbinski’s “The Weather

Man” with Nicolas Cage. In 2000, Queen Elizabeth II honored Michael Caine with knighthood. Born

Maurice Micklewhite, he is now officially known as Sir Michael Caine.

With more than a decade of work under her belt, four-time Golden

Globe® nominee and BAFTA winner SCARLETT JOHANSSON

(Olivia) has proven to be one of Hollywood’s most talented young

actresses. Johansson received rave reviews and a Best Actress Award at

the Venice Film Festival for her starring role opposite Bill Murray in

“Lost in Translation,” the critically acclaimed second film by director

Sofia Coppola. Johansson also portrayed the title character in the much-

admired “Girl With a Pearl Earring,” a film adapted from the novel of the

same name about the painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth).

Earlier this year, Johansson was seen in Woody Allen’s “Scoop,”

opposite Hugh Jackman, and the Brian DePalma film “The Black

Dahlia.” She also recently finished shooting the lead role in “The Nanny

Diaries,” based on the highly successful book of the same name.

At the age of 14, Johansson attained worldwide recognition for her performance as Grace Maclean, the

teen traumatized by a riding accident in Robert Redford’s “The Horse Whisperer.” She went on to star in

Terry Zwigoff’s “Ghost World,” garnering a Best Supporting Actress award from the Toronto Film Critics

Circle. Johansson was also featured in the Coen Brothers’ dark drama “The Man Who Wasn’t There,”

opposite Billy Bob Thornton and Frances McDormand. Her other film credits include the critically

acclaimed Weitz brothers’ film “In Good Company” as well as “A Love Song for Bobby Long,” opposite

John Travolta, which garnered her a Golden Globe® nomination (her third in two years). Recently she was

seen in Woody Allen’s “Match Point,” which garnered her a fourth consecutive Golden Globe® nomination

in three years, and in “The Island” opposite Ewan McGregor for director Michael Bay.

Her additional credits include Rob Reiner’s comedy “North”; the thriller “Just Cause,” with Sean

Connery and Laurence Fishburne; and a breakthrough role in the critically praised “Manny & Lo,” which

earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination. A New York native, Johansson made her professional

acting debut at the age of eight in the off-Broadway production of “Sophistry,” with Ethan Hawke, at New

ABOUT THE CAST

York’s Playwright’s Horizons.

PIPER PERABO (Julia McCullough) has been working nonstop

since her big-screen splash in Jerry Bruckheimer’s “Coyote Ugly.” She

was recently seen in Adam Shankman’s “Cheaper by the Dozen 2,” in

which she reprised her role as the eldest daughter to Steve Martin and

Bonnie Hunt’s characters; in the romantic comedy “Imagine Me & You”

with Lena Heady and Matthew Goode; and in the crime drama “10th &

Wolf ” with an ensemble cast that includes James Marsden and Dennis

Hopper. She next stars in “Because I Said So” with Diane Keaton, Mandy

Moore and Lauren Graham. Also in the wings is “First Snow,” a film

directed by Mark Fergus, costarring Guy Pearce and Adam Scott. Perabo

is currently filming an untitled Pastor Brothers project for Paramount

Vantage in New Mexico. She will play the female lead opposite Chris

Pine and Lou Taylor Pucci in the post-apocalyptic thriller about four friends trying to escape a viral

pandemic. The film is set to release in 2007.

Perabo’s feature film debut was in the comedy “White Boyz,” written by Danny Hoch. She also starred

in the comedy caper “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle” opposite Robert De Niro and Renee

Russo, “George and the Dragon” with Michael Clarke Duncan and James Purefoy, the cult favorite “Lost

and Delirious” directed by Lea Pool, and the sci-fi thriller “The Cave” opposite Cole Hauser, Morris

Chestnut and Lena Headey.

REBECCA HALL (Sarah Borden) comes to the big screen after

making her feature film debut earlier this year in Tom Vaughn’s “Starter

for Ten.”

Last year, Hall received wide acclaim for her performance as

Rosalind, Shakespeare’s love-conflicted heroine in Peter Hall’s

production of “As You Like It,” which began at The Theatre Royal Bath

in 2003 and was followed by an international tour. It was revived in 2005

at the Rose Theatre in Kingston and subsequently ran at the Brooklyn

Academy of Music, Los Angeles’ Ahmanson Theater and the Curran

Theater in San Francisco. In summer 2004, she starred in three

productions at the Theatre Royal Bath: in the title role in Timberlake

Wertenbaker’s “Galileo’s Daughter,” (directed by Peter Hall), Elvira in

Simon Nye’s version of the Moliere comedy “Don Juan” (directed by Thea Sharrock) and as Ann

Whitfield in Shaw’s epic “Man and Superman” (directed by Peter Hall). In summer 2003, she starred as

Barbara in D.H. Lawrence’s “Fight for Barbara” (directed by Thea Sharrock) at the Theatre Royal Bath.

For her West End debut as Vivie, the tough-minded daughter in “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” (Strand

Theatre, premiered October 2002), Hall garnered the Ian Charleson Award. In 2003, she was again

nominated for the Ian Charleson Award for “As You Like It.”

While reading English at Cambridge, she played Miranda in “The Tempest” and Martha in Edward

Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?” and directed productions of “Cuckoo” by Guiseppe Manfredi

and Tom Stoppard’s “The Real Inspector Hound.”

Hall’s television credits include Brendan Maher’s forthcoming “Wide Sargasso Sea” for BBC 4, Peter

Hall’s acclaimed adaptation of Mary Wesley’s novel “The Camomile Lawn” for Channel 4 and “Don’t

Leave Me This Way,” directed by Stuart Orme.

DAVID BOWIE (Tesla) was born in 1947. Between the late ’60s and

the mid-’70s, he experimented with multimedia, also recording the

albums “The Man Who Sold the World,” “Space Oddity,” “The Rise and

Fall of Ziggy Stardust,” “Aladdin Sane,” “Diamond Dogs,” “Station to

Station” and “Young Americans.” The track “Fame” taken from this

album was to be his first U.S. No. 1.

In 1976, he relocated to Berlin, recording “Low” and “Heroes” with

Eno and Tony Visconti. In 1979, he made his Broadway debut in “The

Elephant Man” and released the Visconti co-production “Scary Monsters

and Super Creeps,” followed by the Nile Rogers-produced “Let’s Dance.”

Between the mid-’80s and the present, he has worked with his band Tin

Machine, collaborated with the dance company La La La Human Steps,

and written music for Hanif Kureishi’s “Buddha of Suburbia.” The year 1992 brought one of rock’s first

CD-ROMs, “Jump.”

In 1994, reunited once again with Eno, he produced the experimental “Outside” album, followed in

1997 with “Earthling” and, in 1999, “hours…,” his twenty-third studio album. In 1999, he became a

Commandeur dans L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. And in 2000, Bowie was voted the #1 Most Influential

Artist of All Time by the U.K.’s tastemaking tome, the NME. Bowie’s next project, in 2002, was a further

recorded collaboration with Tony Visconti, entitled “Heathen.” The accompanying live dates in Europe

and America saw full performances of both “Heathen” and the seminal “Low.” A year later, the “Reality”

album was launched with the world’s largest interactive, live-by-satellite event and was followed by the

rapturously received and critically acclaimed “A Reality Tour” of the world.

The year 2006 has seen Bowie return to acting, with THE PRESTIGE adding to such cinematic

highlights as Nic Roeg’s “The Man Who Fell to Earth,” Martin Scorcese’s “The Last Temptation of

Christ,” Tony Scott’s “The Hunger” and Nagisa Oshima’s “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence.” In spring of

2007, Bowie will be the inaugural curator of the “Highline” arts and music festival in New York.

ANDY SERKIS’ (Alley) most memorable and critically acclaimed

roles were as Gollum in all three of “The Lord of the Rings” films and in

the Peter Jackson epic “King Kong” playing two roles, King Kong and a

cook. He will next be in the HBO film “Longford,” in the animated

DreamWorks film “Flushed Away” and in the family action-adventure

“Stormbreaker.”

Recently, he also played opposite Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo

in “13 Going on 30,” directed by Gary Winick. Other film credits include

Quinn in the World War I horror feature “Deathwatch,” the Factory

Records producer Martin Hannett in “24 Hour Party People,” the

eccentric choreographer in “Topsy Turvy” and the coked-up yuppie in

“Career Girls.” He played leading roles in “Shiner” with Michael Caine,

“Mojo,” “Among Giants,” “Loop,” “Sweety Barrett,” “The Jolly Boys Last Stand,” as well as “Stella Does

Tricks,” “Five Seconds to Spare,” “The Near Room” and “Pandemonium.” He also wrote and directed a

short film called “Snake,” starring his wife, Lorraine Ashbourne, and Rupert Grave.

His extensive television works include a highly acclaimed performance in a recent adaptation of

“Oliver Twist” and lead roles in “The Jump” and the series “Finney,” along with many guest appearances

including “Shooting the Past” and “Touching Evil.” Notably, his voice was heard on the Fox television

show “The Simpsons.”

Serkis has played a huge range of parts in theater in London and across the United Kingdom. His

recent critically acclaimed roles include Iago in “Othello” (Royal Exchange Theatre), Potts in the original

cast of “Mojo” by Jez Butterworth, “King Lear” and “Hush” all for the Royal Court Theatre, “Hurlyburly”

at the Old Vic and Queen Theatres, “Decadence” at the Bolton Octagon, and “Cabaret” at the Crucible

ABOUT THE CAST

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

Theatre, Sheffield. In 2003, he made his directorial debut with the play “The Double Bass” at the

Southwark Playhouse in London.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

THE PRESTIGE marks the fifth film for CHRISTOPHER NOLAN (Director/Screenwriter). Cowritten with his brother and frequent collaborator Jonathan Nolan, and starring Hugh Jackman, Christian

Bale, Scarlett Johansson and Michael Caine, the film depicts an intense rivalry between two magicians

who become obsessed with outdoing one another, leading to self-destruction and murder. The Touchstone

Pictures release is due in theaters October 20, 2006.

Filmmaking has been a lifelong pursuit for Nolan, who began making movies at an early age with his

father’s Super 8mm camera. While studying English Literature at University College of London, Nolan

shot 16mm films at UCL’s film society, learning the guerrilla film techniques he would later use to make

his first feature, “Following.” The no-budget noir, which The New Yorker’s Bruce Diones hailed as “leaner

and meaner than the thrillers of Hitchcock,” enjoyed great success at international film festivals, including

Toronto, Rotterdam, Slamdance, and Hong Kong, prior to being released theatrically in the U.S.

(Zeitgeist), U.K. (Alliance), France (CCI) and various other territories.

Nolan’s second feature, “Memento,” was named film of the year by the Broadcast Film Critics.

Starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Ann Moss and Joe Pantoliano, the small-budget independent garnered a

DGA Award nomination. In addition, Nolan’s screenplay, based on a short story by Jonathan Nolan,

received an Academy Award® nomination for best screenplay and a Golden Globe® nomination and was

honored by the Los Angeles Film Critics and Broadcast Film Critics, as well as won the Waldo Salt

Screenwriting Award at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival.

Nolan followed “Memento” with the critically acclaimed psychological thriller “Insomnia” for Warner

Bros. Pictures, Section 8 and Witt-Thomas Films. Starring Academy Award® winners Al Pacino, Hilary

Swank, and Robin Williams, the film earned Nolan the Best Director of the Year award from the London

Critics Circle. In 2005, Nolan co-wrote and directed “Batman Begins,” starring Christian Bale, Liam

Neeson, and Michael Caine. The blockbuster pleased critics and fans alike, reinvigorating the franchise

and paving the way for the recently announced sequel, “The Dark Knight.”

JONATHAN NOLAN (Screenwriter) was born in London and grew up in the Chicago area. His short

story “Memento Mori” became the basis for the acclaimed noir classic “Memento,” directed by his brother

Christopher Nolan. In addition to THE PRESTIGE, Nolan also wrote the screenplay for the forthcoming

Batman adventure, “The Dark Knight,” based on a story by Christopher Nolan and David Goyer.

Producing challenging and thought-provoking fare has become a trademark for EMMA THOMAS

(Producer). Thomas most recently produced the blockbuster hit “Batman Begins” and will next produce the

sequel, “The Dark Knight.” She previously was an associate producer on the internationally acclaimed

independent hit “Memento,” which went on to win numerous awards, establishing Thomas as a bona fide

success. This was reinforced with her next feature, “Insomnia,” starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams and

Hilary Swank. Earlier, her first feature film, “Following,” was a major turning point in her career. Shot on

weekends over the course of a year, “Following” was guerrilla filmmaking at its finest and gained

recognition at film festivals around the world. Having studied at the prestigious University College in

London, Thomas began her career at Working Title Films in London, where she worked in physical

production for 5 years. While at Working Title, she gained the grassroots knowledge of film production that

she would later employ so successfully in her career. Her approach is marked by intense collaboration,

having worked with many of the same crew throughout all of her films, both independent and studio. Thomas

and Christopher Nolan are also developing a motion picture version of “The Prisoner,” based on the

groundbreaking 1960s television show. She resides in Los Angeles with Christopher Nolan and their family.

AARON RYDER (Producer), in a relatively short period of time, has established himself as one of the

brightest and most prolific young producers working today. In 1999, he teamed with Newmarket to serve

as the company’s president of production and in-house producer. During his tenure, he developed,

produced and executive produced such films as “The Mexican,” starring Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts,

Christopher Nolan’s independent hit “Memento,” as well as the cult hit “Donnie Darko,” with Drew

Barrymore and Jake Gyllenhaal. Other credits include “Start Raving Mad” and “Wrong Turn.”

In 2003, Ryder shifted gears to help Newmarket build their fledgling distribution company. Ryder was

intimately involved in acquiring standout films for domestic distribution including “Whale Rider,”

“Monster” and “The Woodsman.”

In 2004, Ryder and Newmarket formed Raygun Productions—a non-exclusive production entity for

Ryder to produce up to two films a year for the Newmarket pipeline, while at the same time affording him

the ability to produce films outside of the parent company.

Recent projects outside of his deal with Newmarket include: “The Amateurs,” starring Jeff Bridges,

scheduled to be released in January 2007; “The Return,” a supernatural thriller for Universal’s Rogue

Pictures, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar; and “The TV Set,” which he produced with writer/director Jake

Kasdan, starring David Duchovny and Sigourney Weaver and set to come out in theaters April 2007.

CHRIS J. BALL and WILLIAM TYRER (Executive Producers) founded Newmarket Entertainment

Group (“Newmarket”) in 1994. Over the past twelve years, Newmarket has grown from its roots as a

film finance company into one of the leading producers and distributors operating in the world of

independent film.

In its early years, Newmarket financed more than 75 independent feature films such as “The Usual

Suspects,” Jim Jarmusch’s “Dead Man,” and the Wachowskis’ debut, “Bound.” In the late ’90s, Tyrer and

Ball built an exceptional creative team and guided the company into film production and distribution.

Newmarket’s first production was “Memento,” directed by Christopher Nolan, and this film was followed

up by such productions as “The Mexican” and such co-productions as “Cruel Intentions” and “The Skulls.”

Newmarket’s distribution arm, Newmarket Films, was formed to theatrically release “Memento” in the

U.S. The film was a resounding critical and box-office success. Newmarket Films followed this with a

string of further successes that sound like a roll call of great indie cinema: “Donnie Darko,” “Whale

Rider,” “Monster,” “The Passion of the Christ,” and “Downfall.”

In 2006, Newmarket produced Chris Nolan’s return to independent film, THE PRESTIGE, and will

distribute the award-winning films “God Grew Tired of Us” and “Death of a President.” Future plans

include a slate of films from Newmarket’s production arm, Raygun Productions, and the continuing

expansion of its substantial library of more than 250 titles through both acquisition and production.

VALERIE DEAN (Executive Producer) is currently working as an independent producer on several

projects. Her previous film credits include serving as associate producer on Bill Condon’s “Kinsey,”

starring Liam Neeson in the title role. Dean was formerly Senior Vice President of Production at Pretty

Pictures, overseeing feature film, television and theater development for writer and director Neil LaBute

and producer Gail Mutrux. She began working with Mutrux in 1996 on projects ranging from Mike

Newell’s “Donnie Brasco” to LaBute’s “Nurse Betty” after serving as a story editor for Barry Levinson’s

Baltimore Pictures.

CHARLES J.D. SCHLISSEL (Executive Producer) most recently served as an executive producer on the

thriller “Flightplan” starring Jodie Foster. He was also executive producer on Christopher Nolan’s “Insomnia”

and “Red Planet” and co-producer on “Matchstick Men,” starring Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell.

Schlissel studied film and media at the University of Washington and San Francisco State University

before moving to Los Angeles to complete his education at UCLA. To pay his way through school, he

worked on independent films, music videos and commercials and did legal research for an entertainment

law firm whose clients included Marlon Brando and Orson Welles. The son of an aerospace engineer and

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

performance artist, Schlissel grew up around the country. He graduated summa cum laude from UCLA

with a degree in Economics/International Finance and Arbitrage; he was accepted into the AFI’s

producing program and, two months later, became Mel Brooks’ assistant on the comedy “Spaceballs.” He

went on to work as a production assistant on various projects before commencing a long-term association

with producer Stuart Cornfeld as a development executive.

Through an introduction from Cornfeld, he next moved to Barry Levinson and Mark Johnson’s newly

formed Baltimore Pictures as Director of Development. Two years later, he was promoted to Head of

Production, where he undertook the post-production work on Levinson’s Academy Award®-nominated

“Avalon.” During his tenure at Baltimore, Schlissel oversaw production on numerous high-profile features

including “Bugsy,” “Toys,” “Wilder Napalm” and Steve Soderbergh’s “Kafka.” He produced his first

feature, “Sniper,” just as the company was concluding its deal with TriStar Pictures.

Upon leaving Baltimore Pictures, Schlissel became an independent producer, with credits that include

“Heavyweights,” “While You Were Sleeping” and “Celtic Pride.”

A long-time collaborator with director Christopher Nolan, WALLY PFISTER (Director of

Photography) previously shot “Batman Begins,” for which he garnered an Academy Award® nomination,

as well as “Insomnia” and “Memento,” for which he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for

Best Cinematography.

Pfister’s most recent film credits as cinematographer include Wayne Beach’s “Slow Burn,” F. Gary

Gray’s “The Italian Job” and Lisa Cholodenko’s “Laurel Canyon.” Other cinematography film credits

include Bill Morrissette’s “Scotland, Pa.”; Ron Judkin’s “The Hi-Line,” for which he won the Moxie

Award for Best Cinematographer at the Santa Monica Film Festival; Robert L. Levy’s “A Kid in Aladdin’s

Palace”; and Craig M. Saavedra’s “Rhapsody in Bloom.” His television credits include “Sanctuary,”

“Sharing the Secret,” “Breakfast With Einstein” and “Sketch Artist,” for which he was nominated for a

CableACE Award. Pfister has also lent his cinematography talents to numerous commercials.

NATHAN CROWLEY (Production Designer) previously collaborated with director Christopher

Nolan on “Batman Begins” and “Insomnia.” He also recently designed the fantasy romance “The Lake

House,” starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. Crowley’s other recent film credits include Joel

Schumacher’s “Veronica Guerin,” John Moore’s “Behind Enemy Lines” and Barry Levinson’s “An

Everlasting Piece.” For the small screen, he designed the BBC series “The Ambassador.” As an art

director, Crowley’s credits include John Woo’s “Mission: Impossible 2,” Richard Donner’s “Assassins,” the

Dublin section of Alan J. Pakula’s “The Devil’s Own” and Mel Gibson’s “Braveheart.” Crowley also set-

designed Kinka Usher’s “Mystery Men” and John Carpenter’s “Escape from L.A.”

JOAN BERGIN (Costume Designer) is one of Ireland’s best-known film costume designers and her

credits have included Peter Howitt’s “Laws of Attraction,” Joel Schumacher’s “Veronica Guerin,” Bruce

Beresford’s “Evelyn,” Barry Levinson’s “An Everlasting Piece,” Alan J. Pakula’s “The Devil’s Own,” John

Schlesinger’s “The Tale of Sweeney Todd,” Pat O’Connor’s “Dancing at Lughnasa” and four films for Jim

Sheridan: “In the Name of the Father,” “My Left Foot,” “The Field” and “The Boxer.” She most recently

designed the costumes for “The Honeymooners,” starring Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps, Gabrielle

Union and Regina Hall.

On stage, Bergin designed Brian Friel’s “Translations,” starring Brian Dennehy, on Broadway and

returned to Lincoln Center in 1999 for their Friel season. Her work has also been seen on television in

“David Copperfield,” for which she received an Emmy® nomination.

An editor and sound designer, LEE SMITH’s (Editor) most recent film editing credits include

“Batman Begins” for Christopher Nolan, Peter Weir’s “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the

World,” Gregor Jordan’s “Buffalo Soldiers,” Tony McNamara’s “The Rage in Placid Lake,” Craig Lahiff’s

“Black and White” and Alan White’s “Risk.” A long-time collaborator with Weir, Smith edited and sound

designed “The Truman Show,” “Fearless” and “Green Card.” He was also an additional editor on “Dead

Poets Society” and an associate editor and sound designer on “The Year of Living Dangerously.”

Information contained within as of October 3, 2006.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

We, Buena Vista Pictures Marketing, grant you, the intended recipient of this press kit, a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the

enclosed photos under the terms and conditions below. If you don’t agree, don’t use the photos. You may use the photos only to publicize the motion

picture entitled “The Prestige.” All other use requires our written permission. We reserve the right to terminate this license at any time, in our sole

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In FLICKA, a contemporary motion picture adaptation of Mary O’Hara’s beloved
novel My Friend Flicka, 16-year-old Katy McLaughlin (Alison Lohman) dreams of
fulfilling her family legacy by working on her father’s ranch in modern-day Wyoming.
But Katy’s father (Tim McGraw) wants more for her, insisting that Katy go to college.
Katy finds a wild mustang, which she names Flicka, and sets out to make her a riding
horse. But Flicka and Katy are more alike than she could have imagined. Like Katy,
Flicka has a disdain for authority and is not about to give up her freedom without a fight.

The principal character in the book and in its two motion picture incarnations was
an adolescent boy. But this new version tells the story through the eyes of headstrong
Katy McLaughlin. Katy is enrolled in a private school on the outskirts of Laramie,
Wyoming, but her heart is with her sprawling family ranch in the state’s remote mountain
region. Katy returns home to the ranch, and soon becomes enamored of a wild mustang
filly she finds in the mountain woods. She names the long-legged, ebony horse Flicka, or
“beautiful young girl,” in Swedish

But Katy’s rancher father, the equally-willful Rob, sees nothing but trouble
coming from the untamed animal and discourages his daughter from keeping her.
Nonetheless, conflicted by a need to harness her own wild ways yet stay true to a free
spirit within, Katy sets out to break through to Flicka and transform her into a riding
horse.

Despite her father’s disapproval, Katy goes on and forms an unbreakable bond
with the wild horse. Her relationship with Flicka becomes a catalyst for change for the
entire McLaughlin family, which is at a major crossroads: Katy’s dad is considering
selling the ailing ranch, brother Howard (RYAN KWANTEN) wants to leave Wyoming
for college in Boston, and her mother Nell (MARIA BELLO) is fighting to keep her
family from falling apart.

Can Katy ultimately tame her beloved Flicka and prove everyone wrong about the
wild-hearted mustang? Will Rob find a way to support his daughter yet still keep her safe
through this momentous life passage? And can the McLaughlins hold onto the ranch that
they’ve worked so hard to maintain throughout a sea of social and economic change?

The journey back to the big screen for the enduring story of “My Friend Flicka”
began with a new script by veteran screenwriters Mark Rosenthal & Lawrence Konner,
who have collaborated in the past on such hit films as The Jewel of the Nile and Planet of
the Apes.

Recalls Rosenthal, “When [Fox 2000 President] Elizabeth Gabler approached us
about adapting ‘Flicka,’ we went straight back to the novel and decided to maintain its
tone, which was deeply felt, but somewhat dark.” Rosenthal continues: “We found its
themes even more significant today, as the American West, particularly Wyoming, has
become a playground of second homes for the new super-wealthy.

“The story of an average, hard-working family eking out a living on the land and
raising horses seemed to take on a whole new relevance in light of our country’s current
economic climate,” Rosenthal elaborates.

It was Gabler who came up with the idea to make the story fresh and
contemporary by turning the book’s main character, a teenage boy named Ken, into
“Katy.” It was a brainstorm that challenged and inspired the writers. Says Rosenthal:
“This new twist gave Rob, the father, an exciting dilemma: What if the child that really
understood the land and the ranch was the daughter, and not the son? This coupled with
her headstrong personality and sometimes irresponsible ways generated a new way to
look at the material.”

“Things pretty much flowed from the one central new idea,” explains Konner,
“allowing us to create a father-daughter story where both characters had to learn
something about themselves and each other. Each one had to re-examine their role
within a revised family dynamic.”

The next step was attaching a director to the project, and the script was sent to
Michael Mayer, who’d just directed his first feature, the well-received relationship drama
A Home at the End of the World. Though Mayer, an acclaimed and highly successful

Broadway theatre director, had no direct experience with horses or shooting action
scenes, his grasp of storytelling and portraying human emotion made him an ideal
candidate for the character-based FLICKA.

“I thought it was a really beautiful, universal story about the coming-to-terms of a
father and daughter,” says Mayer. “It just so happens that a wild mustang is at the
fulcrum of their relationship.

“What moved me most is how hard the family tries to make it all work. Everyone
has the best intentions; there are no villains other than the vagaries of time and
circumstance.”

With a completed script and a director on board, the cast for Flicka was then
assembled. To play the pivotal role of determined young horse enthusiast Katy, the
filmmakers zeroed in on the versatile Alison Lohman, who had impressed critics and
audiences in such diverse films as White Oleander, Matchstick Men and Big Fish.

“Alison’s a great actress,” states the director. “Her performances have been
amazingly soulful and truthful, with a depth that belies her years. I knew she could bring
to Katy the exact combination of intelligence and emotional volatility.”

“I was instantly drawn to the character of Katy,” confirms Lohman. “I loved the
fact that she’s not afraid to be opinionated. Even though she’s young, she stands her
ground and knows what she wants. At the same time she’s also very soft and girly. I
really liked that contradiction in her.”

The filmmakers then turned to music superstar – and rising actor – Tim McGraw
to play Katy’s intractable, but deeply loving father, Rob. McGraw, who made an
impressive acting debut in 2004’s hit football drama Friday Night Lights, welcomed the
opportunity to play a more likable character. “Rob has his tougher moments, but he’s a
good guy and solid family man,” says McGraw. “It was a great opportunity to do a
movie that my kids – and kids for generations to come – could see and enjoy.”

Family was also on McGraw's mind when he produced the film’s soundtrack and
wrote the original song “My Little Girl” with Tom Douglas, which McGraw performs as
well. “The song has special meaning to me both for the film and being a father of three
daughters,” says McGraw

For Maria Bello, who was cast as Katy’s strong and centered mother Nell,
FLICKA was a departure from her edgier film credits like Permanent Midnight, The
Cooler and A History of Violence. “I don’t tend to be attracted to what could be
considered ‘lighter’ material,” notes Bello, “but when I heard Michael Mayer was
directing I realized I should pay attention. When I read the script, with its beautifully
written relationships, I knew exactly why Michael was involved, and I knew I had to be
too.”
Up-and-coming Australian actor Ryan Kwanten was next cast as Katy’s college-
bound brother Howard. Dallas Roberts, who starred in the director’s A Home at the End
of the World, was brought on as the McLaughlins’ reserved, long-time ranch hand Gus.
Danny Pino was then selected to play the ranch’s other hand, the cocky heartthrob, Jack.
Kaylee DeFer portrays Howard’s wealthy, horse-loving girlfriend Miranda.

Before filming began, the director and his cast had to become as familiar and fluid
as possible with handling horses. Since, aside from Tim McGraw, the group had little or
no experience with the animals, a “Cowboy Camp” was created where they were able to
train with the film’s wranglers and learn everything they could about horses in a few
short weeks.

The camp, led by head wrangler Rusty Hendrickson, introduced the actors to the
horses they’d be riding, and established an overall comfort level with the animals.
“Whether it was teaching them how to twirl a rope, get on and off a horse properly, or
any other related nuance, the goal was to make sure the actors would be able to sell it on
film,” explains Hendrickson. Though everyone’s aptitude around horses was different,
the wrangler maintains “sometimes it’s easier to teach someone who’s sponging in the
information, than someone who already knows everything. They just hear more.”

As the actor who’d be spending the most screen time on or around horses, Alison
Lohman had the most to learn. “You can’t act like you can ride – you can either ride or
you can’t,” asserts Hendrickson. “So the first piece of business was getting Alison in the
saddle. We had to bring her along fairly quickly, but we were all surprised and impressed
with how well she did.”

Says Lohman: “With riding a horse, I think it’s just a matter of doing it, of just
practicing and being with the horses, touching them, spending time with them. It was

daunting and painful at first, but after weeks of training, it eventually started coming
together. I was really proud of what I was able to accomplish in a relatively short time.”

Lohman wanted to connect with the horses emotionally. Recalls Hendrickson,
“Alison wanted to know what a horse needs and what she should expect in return. She
was as hard-working about the relationship as she was with the riding.”

Maria Bello, who also had little experience with horses, approached her training
from a different perspective. “I’d always been attracted to horses, but also sort of afraid
of them,” she admits. “But after about my third lesson on Belle, the paint mare I ride, I
suddenly understood what it meant to find your seat, to become one with the animal. It
started to become a very Zen experience for me, this balance of control and surrender,
which I look for often in my real daily life.”

It was a crash course for director Mayer as well, who spent a lot of time preparing
with Rusty Hendrickson as well as with the second unit director. “We talked about what
horses can really do and what they can’t do,” remembers Mayer. “One of the funniest
moments was when I asked if we couldn’t make one of the horses ‘just look’ at Flicka.
The answer was ‘Michael, it’s a horse, not an actor.’ I quickly learned that horses aren’t
performers, but rather really beautiful, intuitive animals. The last thing they were going
to care about is where I want them to look when I yell ‘action!’”

Tim McGraw, on the other hand, grew up riding horses in his native Louisiana,
but curtailed his riding once he moved to Nashville to pursue a music career. “It all came
back to me once I started working with the wranglers,” affirms McGraw, “but I definitely
had a lot of technical questions.”

McGraw was anxious to try new things, especially when it came to roping. To
that end, the wranglers set up a dummy they pulled behind an all terrain vehicle for
McGraw to chase and rope – on horseback. “I loved it,” enthuses McGraw. “I haven’t
done any roping since I was a kid, and I could have practiced it all day long.” From a
practical point of view, it also helped improve his riding skills. Notes head wrangler
Hendrickson: “Roping gives you a specific goal and takes away some of the mental focus
that can inhibit the actual riding.”

Strained backs and sore behinds aside, the actors all developed a great love and
respect for the majestic animals. Says Tim McGraw: “When you’re around them, you are

in awe of their power, their sensitivity, and just how athletic they are. It’s impossible not
to form an incredible bond with them.”

“I think horses are the prototype for what is beautiful and free,” adds Alison
Lohman. “When you are riding one, the connection is just so visceral and amazing.”

The horses needed training, too. Hendrickson worked with ten other wranglers,
thirty head of ranch horses, ten additional cast horses, plus six different “Flickas” to
prepare the animals for filming. According to Hendrickson, one of the hardest “movie
tricks” to teach a horse is to hit their marks, especially without a rider. “It takes a lot of
practice. You literally have to put their mark out on the ground and lead them to it over
and over, until they finally get it,” he says. “Once they do, they’ll hit that mark each time
– at liberty, of course.”

The wranglers were also involved in choosing the various horses that would
alternate in the title role. They met with the filmmakers and, after agreeing on the exact
color and description of Flicka, created a team of Flicka’s. “Before prep we didn’t know
which horse would be good at what, but we knew all of the things we were going to try
and attempt with them,” relates Hendrickson. “You just hope the horse that ultimately
looks best in close-up is also as skilled and athletic as the others, and in this case, it
worked out.”

Thanks to the extensive preparation, the actors and the horses worked together in
perfect concert. There were, however, a few surprises along the way, including how
“ready for their close-ups” the horses could actually be. Recalls Danny Pino, who plays
Jack: “The horses we had on set were seasoned veterans. They’d be calm and very cool;
then they’d hear ‘rolling’ and their ears would kinda prick up. Then they’d hear ‘speed’
and they’d start to get a little antsy. By the time Michael would yell ‘action,’ they’d be
looking for their mark.

Adds director Mayer: “I eventually started to say ‘go’ around the horses instead of
‘action.’ And very quietly at that.”

To effectively shoot the most film’s most demanding set piece, a wild mustang
race, Mayer knew the animals would have to be given very specific parameters. “The
horses can be trained to go from, say, ‘A to B,’ explains the director, “so it became about

constructing a whole series of ‘A to B’s’ for them and basically building the stampede on
film.”

“It’s kind of like pouring water on the ground and estimating which way it’s
going to run,” remarks Hendrickson. “You create a sanctuary for the horses, a place
where they have food and water and no pressure, and they get to like that place. Then
you take them away from this sanctuary and just let them go. Of course, they’ll want to
go back there – and that’s what you end up filming.”

Though FLICKA is set in Wyoming, much of the movie was shot in the Los
Angeles area, which also has its share of imposing mountains and pristine vistas. Says
Muro: “We had to work around the city’s modern exteriors and look for the natural
beauty that often goes unseen in contemporary Los Angeles. When you watch the film,
it’s amazing to realize so many of these gorgeous, striking images were actually shot in
L.A.

“We also wanted to challenge ourselves on the ‘reality vibe’ of this project. We
wanted to avoid the typical, overlit ‘family look,’ which was ultimately consistent with
film’s slighty darker, more unique approach to its classical subject matter.”

The filming of a scene depicting Katy’s dawn ride at the ranch was another tough
assignment. “It was a hard scene to coordinate and compose,” states Muro. “It took a lot
of extra planning and scheduling to pull off properly. Some of Katy’s horse ride to her
mountain ridge home was shot in L.A., while other parts were filmed on location in
Wyoming. The two locales meant shooting out of sequence. As we ended up filming day
for night, as well as during actual dusk, we had to continually adjust our exposure to end
up with uniform light and color throughout the entire scene. It was tricky, but it worked.

“I want audiences to feel so inspired by the beauty of this sequence,” adds Muro.
“That they’ll want to go home, jump on a horse, and take the same kind of fantastic ride
that Katy does.”

Lohman has her own hope for the audience – that the film will bring them back to
nature and remind everyone that the country’s wide-open spaces needs to be preserved
and honored. “It can’t all be tract homes and malls,” the actress declares. “We need to
have some land left.”

“Each character in the film is kind of a paradigm of American individualism, each
pursuing their own version of the American dream,” says director Mayer. “There’s
something in the picture that speaks to all of us, because we know that you don’t get
something for nothing in this land--the one that we created here.

“None of our characters go without making a really intense personal sacrifice, in
one way or another. Yet, in the process, they all end up honoring each other as well,
which I think is really beautiful.”

ABOUT THE CAST

ALISON LOHMAN (Katy McLaughlin) first gained widespread attention for her
acclaimed performance as Astrid, a teenager bounced around the foster care system in
White Oleander, in which she starred opposite Michelle Pfeiffer, Renée Zellweger and
Robin Wright-Penn.

Lohman started acting in professional theater when she was nine years old and, by
the time she was a high school senior, was honored with a National Foundation for the
Advancement of the Arts award. Lohman was later offered a scholarship to New York
University for Theater, but decided to move to Los Angeles instead to pursue a film and
television career.

The actress’s early acting credits include such features as The Thirteenth Floor,
The Auteur Theory, and The Million Dollar Kid, as well as the telefilm Sharing the
Secret. She appeared on the television shows “Pacific Blue,” “Seventh Heaven” and
“Safe Harbor.”

Lohman was seen in Ridley Scott’s Matchstick Men, opposite Nicholas Cage; Tim
Burton’s Big Fish, with Ewan McGregor; and Atom Agoyan’s Where the Truth Lies, in
which she co-starred with Kevin Bacon and Colin Firth. She also starred in Fox TV’s
drama series Pasadena.

The actress will soon be seen with Robin Williams and Holly Hunter in the dark
comedy The Big White, and will be “heard” in Robert Zemeckis’s animated fantasy-
adventure Beowulf.

TIM McGRAW (Rob McLaughlin) has earned a place in the front ranks of
American entertainment, regardless of medium. In his musical journey he has sold over
33 million albums, 4 million singles and placed 26 singles at #1. His enduring status as
one of country music’s most popular and respected live performers has seen his concert
tours consistently rank at #1 in country music and top-five in all genres.

He has established a noteworthy presence in movies, with his well-received debut
in Friday Night Lights opposite Billy Bob Thornton; in television, where he has had three
highly rated NBC specials; and in pop music, his duet with rapper Nelly stayed atop the
charts for no fewer than thirteen weeks. It is an impressive body of work, one that has
made him one of America’s most important and popular performers across the board. His
standing among the entertainment public as a whole is exemplified by his scores of
awards and nominations including three Grammys, eleven Academy of Country Music
Awards, nine Country Music Association Awards, eight American Music Awards, three
People’s Choice Awards, and much more.

He remains one of the music world's hottest draws, and this year's Soul 2 Soul II
Tour 2006 found him reunited with wife Faith Hill for a repeat of the 2000 tour that drew
critical accolades and broke box office records across America. Anticipation for a follow-
up was widespread and upon conclusion, the 55 city tour is now history-making as the
highest grossing tour in country music history surpassing Madonna as the top touring
American artist this year.

Through all his success, McGraw’s eyes have always been focused squarely on
the music. He has taken full control of his most recent projects, recording with his touring
band, putting his artistic stamp more solidly than ever on the material he chooses to
record. The success of that approach is highly evident with his tenth project, Tim
McGraw Reflected: Hits Vol 2, his second collection of greatest hits, which is currently
certified platinum becoming McGraw’s 9th album to consecutively debut at #1 on the
albums chart.

For FLICKA, McGraw again forged new career firsts, releasing a song co-written
specifically for the movie on his newly established record label, StyleSonic Records.
“This is the first song I’ve ever written for a movie,” McGraw explains, “and the first
song I’ve ever written that I’ve recorded for one of my records. Tom (Douglas) came to

the set and we spent time talking about the father-daughter relationship in the movie.”
Executive Produced by McGraw, the Motion Picture Soundtrack for FLICKA includes
‘”My Little Girl” co-written with Tom Douglas and performed by McGraw as the end
title song to the movie.

MARIA BELLO (Nell McLaughlin) has become one of Hollywood’s busiest and
most respected actresses after impressing critics and audiences alike in such films as
Permanent Midnight, Auto Focus, The Cooler, Secret Window, and David Cronenberg’s
A History of Violence. For The Cooler, Bello received 2003 Golden Globe and Screen
Actors Guild Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress.

Bello’s other feature credits include Payback, Sam the Man, Coyote Ugly, Duets,
China: the Panda Adventure, 100 Mile Rule, Nobody’s Perfect, John Sayles’ Silver City,
the 2005 remake of Assault on Precinct 13, The Sisters, and The Dark. Most recently,
she appeared in the acclaimed satire from Fox Searchlight Pictures, Thank You For
Smoking, co-starring with Aaron Eckhart, William H. Macy, and Robert Duvall.

On television, the actress starred for a season as headstrong pediatrician Dr. Anna
Del Amico on the NBC hit E.R., for which she won a Screen Actors Guild Award. She
also starred opposite Scott Bakula in the CBS spy series Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Other TV
credits include episodes of such shows as Misery Loves Company, Nowhere Man, The
Commish, and Due South.

Bello stars opposite Nicolas Cage in Oliver Stone’s World Trade Center.

RYAN KWANTEN (Howard McLaughlin) first acted in his native Australia on
such TV series as A Country Practice, Echo Point, and Water Rats; the miniseries
Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord; and in the feature Liquid Bridge.

He then began working in the U.S. and was seen in the ESPN movie The Junction
Boys and in episodes of such series as The Handler and Tru Calling. Kwanten went on to
have a regular role on Aaron Spelling’s WB drama series Summerland, and, more
recently, starred in the indie feature America Brown. He will next be seen in Universal’s
Silence, a thriller from the creators of the horror hit Saw.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS.

MICHAEL MAYER (Director) made his feature film directorial debut on 2004’s
A Home at the End of the World, written by Michael Cunningham, and starring Colin
Farrell, Robin Wright Penn, Dallas Roberts, and Sissy Spacek.

One of the most successful theatre directors working today, Mayer has an
impressive list of Broadway credits including Thoroughly Modern Millie (Drama Desk
Award, “Best Director of a Musical”); An Almost Holy Picture; Uncle Vanya; You're a
Good Man, Charlie Brown; The Lion in Winter; Side Man (also in London and
Washington, DC); A View from the Bridge (Tony Award, “Best Revival”); and Triumph
of Love.

Mayer’s Off-Broadway work includes The Credeaux Canvas, Stupid Kids, Baby
Anger, Antigone in New York, and View of the Dome. In addition, he directed regional
productions of An Almost Holy Picture (La Jolla, California; Princeton, New Jersey),
Thoroughly Modern Millie (La Jolla, CA), and the national tour of Angels in America.
Mayer is also the Resident Director of Manhattan’s Roundabout Theatre.

MARK ROSENTHAL & LAWRENCE KONNER (Screenwriters) have been
screenwriting partners for over 20 years. Their many produced feature credits begin with
1985’s The Jewel of the Nile and The Legend of Billie Jean, and are followed by such
films as Superman IV: The Quest For Peace, The In Crowd, The Desperate Hours, Star
Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, The Beverly Hillbillies, For Love or Money,
Mercury Rising, Mighty Joe Young, the 2001 Planet of the Apes remake, and Mona Lisa
Smile. They also wrote the telefilm Sometimes They Come Back, based on the Stephen
King novel.

Most recently, Rosenthal and Konner collaborated on the upcoming fantasy-
adventure Eragon for Twentieth Century Fox.

GIL NETTER (Producer) has also produced the features A Walk in the Clouds,
High School High, BASEketball, Dude, Where’s My Car? Phone Booth, My Boss’s
Daughter and, more recently, the Farrelly Brothers comedy Fever Pitch.

Netter served as executive producer on the films The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell
of Fear, My Life, The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult, First Knight, My Best Friend’s
Wedding and Unconditional Love.

Upcoming producing projects include the satire The Untitled Onion Movie, the
gambling drama Chasing the Whale, and the coming-of-age comedy 8 Track.

J. MICHAEL MURO (Director of Photography) is a longtime camera operator
who earned his first director of photography credit on the Kevin Costner western Open
Range. He went on to shoot Crash for writer/director Paul Haggis, followed by the
musical Roll Bounce.

During Muro’s career as a camera operator, he worked on dozens of major feature
films including Field of Dreams, The Abyss, Dances With Wolves, The Doors,
Terminator 2: Judgment Day, JFK, A Few Good Men, Falling Down, True Lies,
Clueless, Casino, Father of the Bride II, Heat, L.A. Confidential, Titanic, Runaway Bride,
The Insider, Any Given Sunday, The Family Man, The Fast and the Furious, Rush Hour
2, Red Dragon and X2.

Most recently, Muro served as director of second unit photography on Disney’s
The Shaggy Dog remake and director Michael Mann’s feature version of Miami Vice.

SHARON SEYMOUR (Production Designer) most recently designed the movie
Friday Night Lights. Previous production designer credits include the features Reality
Bites, Don Juan DeMarco, The Truth About Cats & Dogs, The Cable Guy, Molly, Duets,
Novocaine, 40 Days and 40 Nights, The Rules of Attraction, and Bad Santa. For
television, she designed Fox’s The Ben Stiller Show.

Seymour began her film career as a props assistant on George Romero’s
Creepshow before graduating to art director on such films as Stacking, Johnny Be Good,
In a Shallow Grave, Heart of Dixie, and Pacific Heights.

ANDREW MARCUS (Editor) has an impressive list of feature film editing
credits including Howards End, Peter’s Friends, Much Ado About Nothing, The Remains
of the Day, Frankenstein (1994), Jefferson In Paris, Surviving Picasso, American Psycho,

Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Under the Tuscan
Sun, A Home At the End of the World and Everything Is Illuminated.

Marcus also served as associate editor or co-editor on such films as Dirty
Dancing, Maurice, Slaves of New York, Longtime Companion, and Mr. & Mrs. Bridge.

In addition, he worked as second unit director on Much Ado About Nothing,
Frankenstein, American Psycho and Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

KEVIN HALLORAN (Co-Producer) served as line producer on the feature
comedy Breaking All The Rules, and was co-producer on You Got Served and, more
recently, The Untitled Onion Movie.

Previously, Halloran worked as production manager on such films as The Minus
Man, Two Can Play That Game, Shallow Hal, and The House of Sand and Fog.

He began his film career as a location manager on dozens of movies including
Powwow Highway, Almost An Angel, Red Rock West, A Dangerous Woman, City Slickers
II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold, Wagons East, The Baby-sitters Club, Ed, Waiting For
Guffman, She’s So Lovely, BASEketball, and Joy Ride.

Halloran was location manager on the telefilms Supercarrier, Our Sons, Woman
With a Past, Barbarians at the Gate, Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman, Escape to Witch
Mountain, Freaky Friday and Always Outnumbered, and on such series as Arresting
Behavior, Bakersfield, P.D. and Arli$$.

AARON ZIGMAN (Composer) has composed the scores for such feature films as
John Q, The Notebook, Raise Your Voice, The Virgin of Juarez, The Wendell Baker Story,
Alpha Dog, and the upcoming 10th & Wolf, as well as for the Showtime movie Crown
Heights.

MOLLY MAGINNIS (Costume Designer) has spent the last 20 years designing
costumes for movies and television. Her many feature credits include Lucas, Broadcast
News, Miss Firecracker, Look Who’s Talking, Dad, Come See the Paradise, Look Who’s
Talking Too, Sister Act, Boiling Point, Son In Law, Look Who’s Talking Now, The War,

Eddie, As Good As It Gets, Mighty Joe Young, Deuce Bigelow: Male Gigolo, Town &
Country, Life As a House, and In Good Company.

For television, Maginnis served as costume designer on the PBS miniseries Tales
of the City, the Showtime film The Twilight of the Golds, and the series The Lyon’s Den
and Jack & Bobby.

Her costumes were recently seen in the feature remake of The Shaggy Dog and in
Paul Weitz’s satire American Dreamz.

Permission is hereby granted to newspapers and periodicals to reproduce this

text in articles publicizing the distribution of the Motion Picture.

All other use is strictly prohibited, including sale, duplication, or other transfers of this material.

This press kit, in whole or in part, must not be leased, sold, or given away.

FOX 2000 PICTURES Presents

A GIL NETTER Production

ALISON LOHMAN

TIM McGRAW

MARIA BELLO

RYAN KWANTEN

DALLAS ROBERTS

NICK SEARCY

DANNY PINO

KAYLEE DeFER

JEFFREY NORDLING

DEY YOUNG

Directed by........................MICHAEL MAYER

Screenplay by.................MARK ROSENTHAL

................................& LAWRENCE KONNER

Based upon the novel “My Friend Flicka” by....

...............................................MARY O’HARA

Produced by...............................GIL NETTER

Director of Photography...J. MICHAEL MURO

Production Designer......SHARON SEYMOUR

Film Editor......................ANDREW MARCUS

Co-Producer.....................KEVIN HALLORAN

Music by..............................AARON ZIGMAN

Music Supervisor..........JASON ALEXANDER

Costume Designer............MOLLY MAGINNIS

Casting by.......................MINDY MARIN, CSA

....................................JIM CARNAHAN, CSA

Unit Production ManagerSUSAN McNAMARA

First Assistant Director........DOUG METZGER

Key Second Assistant Director........................

..........................................BRIAN F. RELYEA

CAST

Rob McLaughlin........................TIM McGRAW

Nell McLaughlin.......................MARIA BELLO

Katy McLaughlin................ALISON LOHMAN

Howard McLaughlin............RYAN KWANTEN

Jack...........................................DANNY PINO

Gus..................................DALLAS ROBERTS

Miranda Koop.......................KAYLEE DeFER

Rick Koop....................JEFFREY NORDLING

Esther Koop...............................DEY YOUNG

Norbert Rye.............................NICK SEARCY

Wagner...................................BUCK TAYLOR

Man with Clipboard.............WADE WILLIAMS

Rider # 6..............................DAVID BURTON

Mr. Masterson........................JOHN O’BRIEN

Male Prefect........................ARMIE HAMMER

Gracie............................ELIZABETH EMERY

Rodeo Announcer..................BOB TALLMAN

Rodeo Worker...................ANGEL SANTANA

Honor Student.......................EMMA RITCHIE

Trick Roper....................GENE McLAUGHLIN

Puppeteers...................ERNESTO CORNEJO

................RUSS HERPICH, SUE LA PRELLE

.......................................MARK RAPPAPORT

Stunt Coordinator....................KEITH ADAMS

Stunts by...................................JULIE ADAIR

.......................SHELLEY PETERSON BOYLE

........................................RICHARD BUCHER

........................HEATHER BURTON-GIBSON

.............TRAV W. CADWELL, J.J. DASHNAW

................................DARRELL CRAIG DAVIS

...TONIA FORSBERG, RYAN JAMES HAPPY

..............DWAYNE HARGO, KANIN HOWELL

.JOHN W. JONES, JR., CHARLES E. LOGAN

............CLIFF McLAUGHLIN, KORI MURRAY

......................DE ANNA PANIAN, JIM PRATT

..............SUSAN PURKHISER, JD ROBERTO

......................BEN SCOTT, WESLEY SCOTT

...........J.C. SELVESTER, MANDY SHIPSKEY

...RUSSELL SOLBERG, NANCY THURSTON

..........................................RALIEGH WILSON

Stunt Pilot........ROBERT “BOBBY Z” ZAJONC

Art Director.............................PETER BORCK

Set Decorator.....................MAGGIE MARTIN

Set Designer.................NATALIE RICHARDS

A Camera Operator............CHRIS MOSELEY

1st Assistant A Camera / Steadicam...............

.........................................LEE BLASINGAME

2nd Assistant A Camera..................................

.............................LISA “KITTY” GUERRIERO

B Camera Operator...........DANA GONZALES

1st Assistant B Camera........GLENN BROWN

2nd Assistant B Camera.....WILL DEARBORN

Loader.......................DOMINIC BARTOLONE

Chief Lighting Technician.DAYTON NIETERT

Property Master...............MAUREEN FARLEY

Costume Supervisor............SANDY KENYON

Script Supervisor.....................ALEXA ALDEN

Production Coordinator...................................

..............................DANIEL A. MONDSCHAIN

Post Production Supervisors...........................

..........AARON DOWNING, DAVID McKIMMIE

1st Assistant Editor...........IAN SILVERSTEIN

Assistant Editor......................J. CONOR GUY

Supervising Sound Editor................................

....................................DONALD SYLVESTER

Sound Designer....................PAUL URMSON

Production Sound Mixer..................................

.........................RICHARD VAN DYKE, C.A.S.

Sound Mixing..........................PAUL MASSEY

..............................................ELLIOT TYSON

Still Photographer............................................

....................MERRICK MORTON, S.M.P.S.P

Boom Operator.....................JOEL SHRYACK

Utility Sound...............................ROSS LEVY

Video Assist.......................JESSE OLIVARES

Graphic Designers...............CLINT SCHULTZ

.................................................KIM LINCOLN

Storyboard Artist.......DAVID J. NEGRON, JR.

Leadman...............................RANDY BOSTIC

On-Set Dresser....................JOHN McELROY

Set Dressers.........................YANIV BASHAN

............................................STEVEN HUSCH

.RAUL “ROLO” MORENO, JORDAN K. PAUL

Assistant Property Masters..BETH SHELDON

........................ANDREA “DREW” SYWANYK

Second Second Assistant Director...................

.......................................TIMOTHY R. PRICE

Assistant Chief Lighting Technician.................

........................CHRISTOPHER A. ZWIRNER

Lighting Technicians...............PAUL ARNOLD

..............RENEE KAYON, JESSE RUSHTON

Rigging Gaffer.............VICTOR SVIMONOFF

Key Grip.................................ART BARTELS

2nd Company Grip...BRUCE CHIMEROFSKY

Dolly Grips......................JERRY BERTOLAMI

........................................PAUL THRELKELD

Company Grips............THOMAS A. CURRAN

........................JIM DUGGAN, JIM SALDUTTI

.CHAD SHINNEMAN, SEAN A. SHINNEMAN

Key Rigging Grip...............JOSEPH GRAHAM

Best Boy Rigging Grip...........STEVEN GAGE

Key Costumers...........NANROSE BUCHMAN

............................SALLY SMITH-McCARDLE

Set Costumers..................DANIELLE BAKER

......................JEAN C.J. BONE, MANDI LINE

Department Head Make-Up.............................

...................................DEBORAH K. LARSEN

Key Make-Up Artist..................KEITH SAYER

Make-Up Artist to Tim McGraw........................

..............................................LYNNE EAGAN

Additional Make-Up Artist................................

................................REBECCA DeHERRERA

Department Head Hairstylist....BETH MILLER

Key Hairstylist.....................MARIA VALDIVIA

Location Manager.................BRIANA BURKE

Key Assistant Location Manager......................

.....................................KEI ROWAN-YOUNG

Assistant Location Manager....SARA DERING

Assistant Production Coordinator/

Wyoming Coordinator...............STACY FOOT

Art Department Coordinator...LINDA GRIFFIS

Special Effects Supervisor.......MARK BYERS

Special Effects General Foreman....................

........................................MORGAN GUYNES

Special Effects Technician.........TIM WALKEY

Horse Wrangler.......RUSTY HENDRICKSON

Wrangler/ Ramrod...............MONTY STUART

Horse Trainer......................REX PETERSON

Assistant Trainer................MARK WARRACK

Wranglers.......................DARWIN MITCHELL

..............GENE WALKER, BENNY MANNING

Music Editor..........................BRIAN BULMAN

Temp Music Editor..........ANNETTE KUDRAK

Sound Effects Editors......................................

............................BERNARD WEISER, MPSE

.................WYATT SPRAGUE, PAUL APTED

Dialogue Editor..................MICHAEL MAGILL

1st Assistant Sound Editor..............................

......................................MONIQUE SALVATO

ADR Editor............................SUSAN DAWES

Supervising Foley Editor..........STEVE PRICE

Foley Editor.........................MIGUEL RIVERA

Editorial P.A.s...............EMILY CALDERONE

................................................TIM CRAVENS

Production Accountant.....DORIS HELLMANN

Post Production Accountant............................

..........................................NATALIE MATHES

1st Assistant Accountant.................................

......................................THEODORE DAVILA

Payroll Accountant....................JEFF GLADU

2nd Assistant Accountant...MARK KURZWEIL

Accounting Clerk................NOREEN COYNE

Construction Coordinator..CURTIS LASETER

Construction Foreman......JOHN JOCKINSEN

Paint Foreman...........................JOHN RISSO

Paint Gangboss................ERICH V. BLOUGH

Set Painters............................NATALIE HILE

...............GORDON HUGGINS, JOSÉ LOPEZ

....................................MARK WOODWORTH

Stand-by Painter..............ANNE HYVARINEN

Labor Foreman..........CHRISTOPHER BLAKE

Laborers........................AMBROSE LINCOLN

.........................KYLE OATES, LORI WILSON

Plaster Foreman..........................RON SAVINI

Propmakers..........................JOSEPH ALBER

........................SAM ANTON, JOHN KERSEY

..........NANCY TARCZYNSKI, WYNN WOLFE

Buyers.............CLAUDIA BONFE , ERIN FITE

Greens Coordinator......CYNTHIA MARTINEZ

Stand-By Greensman......................................

..................................JIMMY CASTELLANOS

Greensmen...........................CARLO BASAIL,

..............................................JOSÉ A. SAENZ

Casting Associate ..................KARA LIPSON

Casting Assistant.........SAMANTHA MORRIS

New York Casting Associate..MELE NAGLER

Extras Casting by............................................

...........SMITH & WEBSTER-DAVIS CASTING

Unit Publicist.................DEBORAH SIMMRIN

Office P.A.s...................ALLEN “BIFF” PETTY

.........................STEVEN “BIG PRETTY” RAU

Key Set P.A...........................CRISTI RICKEY

Set P.A.s................JONELLE S. ANDERSON

..........RUSSELL CHADWICK, JOHN ROCHE

Art Department P.A..........................................

...............................SUZANNE SHUGARMAN

Wrangler P.A............................LISA BROWN

Assistants to Mr. Mayer......KATE D’ANGELO

...............................CHRISTOPHER SANATA

Assistant to Mr. Netter..........MICHAEL ADES

Assistant to Mr. Halloran.......ADRIAN CASAS

Transportation Coordinator......JIM CHESNEY

Transportation Captain..............JOE FEENEY

Camera ATV Operator.......DAVE A. SANTOS

High Definition Telecine, Digital Film

Recording & Digital

Intermediate Services by.................................

......................LaserPacific a Kodak Company

LaserPacific Project Manager........TOM VICE

Telecine Colorist..................JOE HATHAWAY

Digital Intermediate Colorist........MIKE SOWA

Lustre Digital Data Conform.............................

.........VALANCE EISLEBEN, JEFF CHARLES

Digital Color Engineer..............DOUG JAQUA

Visual Effects and Animation by.FURIOUS FX

Visual Effects Supervisor ................................

.................................DAVID LINGENFELSER

Executive Producer .....SCOTT DOUGHERTY

Visual Effects Producer...TIFFANY A. SMITH

Compositors ..SEAN O’CONNOR, KIM PEPE

CG Supervisor ........................MARK SHOAF

Digital Opticals by..CUSTOM FILM EFFECTS

End Title Montage Designed by.......................

..........................................JETPLANE FILMS

End Title Crawl by Scarlet Letters....................

......................................SCARLET LETTERS

Post Production Facilities provided by:............

....................20TH CENTURY FOX STUDIOS

Recordist........................MATT PATTERSON

Re-recording Engineer..........PAUL PAVELKA

Foley Artists...................ALICIA STEVENSON

...............................................DAWN FINTOR

Foley Mixing...............DAVID BETANCOURT

ADR Mixers.....................................................

...............CHARLEEN RICHARDS-STEEVES

.......................................................RON COX

ADR Recordists...............DAVID LUCARELLI

.......................................CHRISTINE SIROIS

ADR / Foley Engineer...........DEREK CASARI

Deluxe Color Timer..............KENNY BECKER

Preview Engineer......................LEE TUCKER

Animatronic Animals...............CREATURE FX

Animals Provided by........................................

.......STEVE MARTIN’S WORKING WILDLIFE

Cougar Dummy......................KNB EFFECTS

Medic...............................................KIM THIO

Construction Medic......JOHN BOCCHICCHIO

Catering by....................MARIO’S CATERING

Caterers...................CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ

........................................MARIO GONZALEZ

SECOND UNIT

Second Unit Director.......................................

.................................RUSTY HENDRICKSON

Director of Photography....DANA GONZALES

First Assistant Directors..LINDA BRACHMAN

................................REBECCA STRICKLAND

Script Supervisors.............REBECCA BOYLE

........................................JILLIAN GIACOMINI

B Camera Operators..................PAUL BABIN

.....................................LEO J. NAPOLITANO

1st Assistant B Camera.........TONY OLIVIERI

2nd Assistant B Camera...........BORIS PRICE

Second Assistant Directors.............................

...............LUCILLE OuYANG, MARGE PIANE

Video Assist........................GLENN CANNON

Chief Lighting Technicians......KELLY CLEAR

...................................................ANDY RYAN

Assistant Chief Lighting Technicians...............

.....................SCOTT “SCOOTER” MEDCALF

..................................ANDREW DOROWSKY

Lighting Technician........WILLIE E. DAWKINS

Grips............................SPENCER SCHUNKE

..DAVE “MADDOG” TURPIN, SCOTT WELLS

Key Costumer...............EMMA TRENCHARD

Hairstylist.....................................RITA TROY

Stand-by Greensman..TIMOTHY J. WHALEN

Medic.....................................MICHAEL HIRD

Craft Service..................DANNON WALTERS

Key Set P.A...........................KENNY MILLER

Set P.A.s................................JEFF KRAMER

.........DAWN TERASHIMA, SIERRA DONELY

.........................................TAYLOR WOOTON

Dialect Coach...........................JOY ELLISON

Transportation Captain..............KEN MOORE

WYOMING UNIT

Sheridan Location Liaison....ROSIE BERGER

Second Second Assistant Director..................

.........................................MICHAEL CROTTY

Still Photographer.....STEPHEN S. VAUGHAN

Director of Aerial Photography........................

..............................DAVID B. NOWELL, A.S.C

Helicopter Pilot.......................MIKE PHILLIPS

Wescam Technician....STEVEN J. WINSLOW

Charter Plane Provided by....SKY KING, INC.

Extras Payroll Services...................................

..SESSIONS PAYROLL MANAGEMENT INC.

Night Lights by....................................BEBEE

Camera Cranes, Dollies & Remote

Camera Systems by .......................................

....................CHAPMAN / LEONARD STUDIO

..........................................EQUIPMENT, INC.

Technocrane Provided by ..............................

................PANAVISION REMOTE SYSTEMS

Grip Equipment Supplied by............................

...................................TM MOTION PICTURE

.........................EQUIPMENT RENTALS, INC.

Score Conducted and Orchestrated by ...........

............................................AARON ZIGMAN

Additional Orchestrations by............................

...............JERRY HEY and BRAD WARNAAR

Score Contracted by..SANDY DECRESCENT

Score Preparations by...........STEVE JULIANI

Score Recorded and Mixed by.........................

.............................................DENNIS SANDS

Additional Engineering by...MICHAEL STERN

Digital Recording by........ THOMAS GRAHAM

Score Recorded at ...THE NEWMAN STAGE,

.........................TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX

Recordist...................................TIM LAUBER

Engineer.................................BILL TALBOTT

Stage Managers..............................................

.................. TOM STEEL and JASON LLOYD

Score Mixed at............................ .1 STUDIOS

Executive Soundtrack Producer.......................

.................................................TIM McGRAW

4:35 A.M.

Written and Performed by Gemma Hayes

Courtesy of Astralwerks

Under license from EMI Film & Television
Music

ALL THE PRETTY LITTLE HORSES

Traditional

ALIVE

Written by Rob Wells, Jess Cates and
Lindy Robbins

Performed by Becki Ryan

THE THINGS WE DON’T

Written by John Paul White, Greg Becker,
Josh Gracin

Performed by John Paul White

Courtesy of Famous Music Corporation
and EMI Music

CATCH THE WIND

Written by Donovan Leitch

Performed by Donovan

Courtesy of Sanctuary Records Group

WILD HORSES

Written by Andrew Marcus Frampton,
Natasha Bedingfield and Wayne Wilkins

Performed by Natasha Bedingfield

Courtesy of Epic Records/SONY BMG
MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (UK)

By Arrangement with SONY BMG MUSIC
ENTERTAINMENT

WEIGHT OF THE WORLD

Written and Performed by Chantal
Kreviazuk

Courtesy of Columbia Records / SONY
BMG MUSIC

ENTERTAINMENT (Canada)

By Arrangement with SONY BMG MUSIC

ENTERTAINMENT

DON’T YOU KNOW

Written by Jewels and Johnny Nation

Performed by City Fritter

THE FIREMAN

Written by Mack Vickery and Wayne Kemp

Performed by The Dancehall Doctors

WHERE DID I GO RIGHT

Written by Tim McGraw, Brad Warren,
Brett Warren and

George Canyon

Performed by The Warren Brothers

TEXAS IN 1880

Written by Radney Foster

Performed by Radney Foster and Pat
Green

Courtesy of Dualtone Records and
Greenhorse Records

GO JOHNNY

Written and Performed by Ken Tamplin

Courtesy of Kid Gloves Music

RODEO ROAD

Written by Chuck Cannon and Alan
Shamblin

Performed by Holly Williams

Courtesy of Universal South

Under license from Universal Music
Enterprises

MY LITTLE GIRL

Written by Tom Douglas and Tim McGraw

Performed by Tim McGraw

Produced by Byron Gallimore and Tim
McGraw

Courtesy of Curb Records

THE PRODUCERS WISH TO THANK THE
FOLLOWING FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE:

EATON’S RANCH – WOLF, WYOMING

THE POWDER HORN GOLF
COMMUNITY – SHERIDAN, WYOMING

POLO RANCH – BIG HORN, WYOMING

WYOMING FILM COMMISSION

BUFFALO BILL HISTORICAL CENTER,
Cody, Wyoming

AMERICAN HERITAGE CENTER,
University of Wyoming

INDEPENDENCE NATIONAL

HISTORICAL PARK LIBRARY,
Philadelphia, PA

American Humane monitored the animal
action.

(AHA 00915)

Prints by DELUXE®

Filmed with

PANAVISION ®

Cameras & Lenses

KODAK

FILM STOCK

DOLBY (logo)

In Selected Theatres

DTS

Approved No 42251

Brazil, Italy, Korea, Japan and Spain.

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation is
the author of this motion picture for
purposes of copyright and other laws.

The events, characters and firms depicted
in this photoplay are fictitious. Any
similarity to actual persons, living or dead,
or to actual events or firms is purely
coincidental.

Ownership of this motion picture is
protected by copyright and other applicable
laws, and any unauthorized duplication,
distribution or exhibition of this motion
picture could result in criminal prosecution
as well as civil liability.

PRODUCED AND RELEASED BY
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX

Posted by lady at 09:11 AM | Permalink

October 20, 2006

Keith Urban Gallery from ACM Awards

BREAKING NEWS Keith Urban checks into rehab

Posted by lady at 01:11 PM | Permalink

October 19, 2006

Ed Hardy Grand Re-Opening Red Carpet

Ed Hardy Fashion Week Party of the Year Celebrates Their New Collection and Grand Re-opening

Christian Audigier and Ed Hardy celebrated LA with the grand re-opening of their newly designed Melrose store, and the introduction of their new collection to an invite only red carpet and guest list in Los Angeles earlier this evening.

In the midst of all the craziness of the red carpet, were the camera crews from the Godfather of Fashion, Ed Hardy’s new reality show, DJ Sasha from Germany with a camera crew from the largest tv station in Germany following him around, elbow to elbow photographers, TMZ.com, and the paparazzi trying to get close to the models.

Entertaining the eager fans to the Ed Hardy Grand Store were a live dj, live tattooing by Lucky, and custom cutoure by Adam Saaks. No matter your sex, there was eye candy for all. While fans of Ed Hardy fashion, and many were looking at the new line, I wonder how many had a chance to view it. Many of the fans were just content to people watch.

Among those stopping by to celebrate the new collection were Dennis Rodman, Courtney Cox, Jenna Jameson with Tito Ortiz(UFC fighter), Eric Benét, Cindy Margolis (Lingerie Bowl), Derek Craigie (Days of Our Lives), Drew Cheetwood ( General Hospital ), Jaylen Moore (Passions, That’s So Raven), Shar Jackson (Ex-Wives Club), Phoebe Price (Survival of the Fittest), Chris Leben (UFC fighter), and J.P. (Survivor: Cook Islands)

Ed Hardy designs, a favorite of the celebrity crowd, are to sum it up by their many fans, “where it’s happening.”

Posted by lady at 10:20 PM | Permalink

October 18, 2006

EPC GLOBAL US

What is RFID

Short for radio frequency identification, RFID is a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) technology. The term RFID is used to describe various technologies that use radio waves to automatically identify people or objects. RFID technology is similar to the bar code identification systems we see in retail stores everyday; however one big difference between RFID and bar code technology is that RFID does not rely on the line-of-sight reading that bar code scanning requires to work.

With RFID, the electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the RF (radio frequency) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum is used to transmit signals. An RFID system consists of an antenna and a transceiver, which read the radio frequency and transfer the information to a processing device (reader) and a transponder, or RF tag, which contains the RF circuitry and information to be transmitted. The antenna provides the means for the integrated circuit to transmit its information to the reader that converts the radio waves reflected back from the RFID tag into digital information that can then be passed on to computers that can analyze the data.

In RFID systems, the tags that hold the data are broken down into two different types. Passive tags use the radio frequency from the reader to transmit their signal. Passive tags will generally have their data permanently burned into the tag when it is made, although some can be rewritten.

Active tags are much more sophisticated and have on-board battery for power to transmit their data signal over a greater distance and power random access memory (RAM) giving them the ability to store up to 64,000 bytes of data.

Much like tuning in to your favorite radio station, RFID tags and readers must be tuned into the same frequency to enable communications. RFID systems can use a variety of frequencies to communicate, but because radio waves work and act differently at different frequencies, a frequency for a specific RFID system is often dependant on its application. High frequency RFID systems (850 MHz to 950 MHz and 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz) offer transmission ranges of more than 90 feet, although wavelengths in the 2.4 GHz range are absorbed by water, which includes the human body, and therefore has limitations.

RFID systems can be used just about anywhere, from clothing tags to missiles to pet tags to food - anywhere that a unique identification system is needed. The tag can carry information as simple as a pet owners name and address or the cleaning instruction on a sweater to as complex as instructions on how to assemble a car.

Here are a few examples of how RFID technology is being used in everyday places:

RFID systems are being used in some hospitals to track a patient's location, and to provide real-time tracking of the location of doctors and nurses in the hospital. In addition, the system can be used to track the whereabouts of expensive and critical equipment, and even to control access to drugs, pediatrics, and other areas of the hospital that are considered "restricted access" areas.
RFID chips for animals are extremely small devices injected via syringe under skin. Under a government initiative to control rabies, all Portuguese dogs must be RFID tagged by 2007. When scanned the tag can provide information relevant to the dog's history and its owner's information.
RFID in retail stores offer real-time inventory tracking that allows companies to monitor and control inventory supply at all times. .

RFID is said by many in the industry to be the frontrunner technology for automatic identification and data collection. The biggest, as of yet unproven, benefit would ultimately be in the consumer goods supply chain where an RFID tag attached to a consumer product could be tracked from manufacturing to the retail store right to the consumer's home.

Many see RFID as a technology in its infancy with an untapped potential. While we may talk of its existence and the amazing ways in which this technology can be put to use, until there are more standards set within the industry and the cost of RFID technology comes down we won't see RFID systems reaching near their full potential anytime soon.

THE FUTURE IS COMING SOONER THEN YOU MIGHT THINK

Posted by lady at 08:22 PM | Permalink

October 16, 2006

Entertainment,Arts,Fashion & Technology

MGM Partners With Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner to Form New United Artists

Paula Wagner to Serve as CEO of the New UA

Nov. 2 United Artists, the studio founded by movie greats Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and D.W. Griffith some 85 years ago and responsible for delivering such iconic film franchises as "Rocky," "Pink Panther" and "James Bond," will be reborn under a partnership formed between Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (MGM). The announcement was made today by Harry E. Sloan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MGM.

Cruise and Wagner, one of the most successful film production teams ever, will drive the rebirth of United Artists as MGM's operating partner. Along with their substantial ownership, Cruise and Wagner will have control of setting the company's production slate, from development to production greenlighting ability, subject to certain parameters. Wagner will serve as Chief Executive Officer of United Artists, overseeing the day to day operations of the studio alongside her longstanding producing partner Cruise, who will star in as well as produce films for United Artists and also be available to appear in film projects for other studios.

Cruise last teamed up with the original UA on "Rain Man" in 1988, which won four Academy Awards including Best Picture.

In establishing United Artists as a new entity, MGM and Cruise/Wagner will return the studio to its former roots by recognizing what made UA great in the first place -- studio management by creative talent who can best encourage and support other creative talent. The talent friendly studio will be reborn as a place where producers, writers, directors and actors can thrive in a creative environment, developing and producing entertaining film projects. The plan would allow artists throughout the community to pursue their creative visions outside of the traditional studio system.

The studio plans to have a production slate of approximately four (4) films each year, which may increase in the future. Worldwide marketing and distribution will be handled by partner MGM. UA will be a major supplier of feature films to MGM, with production and development of UA movies being fully financed by MGM and its partners. MGM is the only major studio controlled by private equity firms which include Providence Equity Partners and Texas Pacific Group along with industry partners Comcast Corp. and Sony Corp. of America.

"Partnering with Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner, we have the ideal creative foundation from which to reintroduce the United Artists brand," said Sloan in making the announcement. "Tom and Paula are the modern versions of the iconic founders of United Artists -- Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin and D. W. Griffith -- and our partnership with them reaffirms our commitment to providing creative talent with a comfortable home at United Artists and a dedicated distribution partner in MGM. United Artists is once again the haven for independent filmmakers and a vital resource in developing quality filmed entertainment consistent with MGM's modern studio model."

Commented Cruise: "Paula and I are very respectful of the rich history and tradition of United Artists, and we welcome the opportunity to contribute to that legacy by providing a wide range of releases that appeal to all audiences. It's our desire to create an environment where filmmakers can thrive and see their visions realized."

"This is a great opportunity for Tom and me to re-establish the United Artists brand and to work closely with the creative community," stated Wagner. "As studio partner-operators, we will provide a supportive environment and infrastructure for filmmakers that will allow them to do their best work."

"Providing Tom and Paula with the ability to greenlight films under the UA banner validates MGM's commitment to and recognition of independent producers as the true creative nucleus of Hollywood filmmaking," said Rick Sands, COO of MGM. "The relationship between UA, which will provide the creative environment for independent producers to nurture content of their own vision and MGM, which will apply its expertise to distribution and marketing to those projects, is an ideal collaboration of art and business. The resurgence of United Artists will take us another step closer to realizing the full revitalization of MGM. Harry and I are personally thrilled to be working with Tom and Paula."

Paula Wagner and Tom Cruise launched Cruise/Wagner Productions as an independent production company in September 1993. Since its inception, the company has enjoyed unparalleled success, producing a wide range of films that have earned multiple awards, widespread critical praise and global box office grosses in excess of US$2.9 billion. Films produced by the company include the Mission Impossible franchise as well as critical and commercial successes such as "War of the Worlds," "The Last Samurai," "The Others" and "Vanilla Sky," among others.

Tom Cruise is one of the most successful, critically acclaimed and sought after movie stars in the world. In a career spanning 26 years, Cruise has received three Academy Award nominations and has won three Golden Globe awards for his performance in such hit films as "Born on the Fourth of July," "Jerry Maguire" and "Magnolia" and numerous accolades for his performances in "The Last Samurai," "Minority Report" and "Collateral." Cruise's films have resulted in worldwide box office totals of approximately US$6 billion and his last two films, "War of the Worlds" and "Mission: Impossible III" have grossed nearly US$1 billion worldwide. Overall, Cruise has made 14 films that have grossed US$100 million in domestic receipts alone, with his last seven consecutive films reaching that benchmark.

The agreement between Cruise Wagner Productions and MGM/UA, which takes effect immediately, was brokered by Cruise Wagner's representative CAA and attorney Bert Fields.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,000 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 110 countries. MGM ownership is currently as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), Texas Pacific Group (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

INFINITY STUDIOS, LLC INVITES ANIME & MANGA ENTHUSIASTS TO VISIT THE
NEWEST AND HOTTEST BLOG AND FORUM AREA ON THE INTERNET

New Look, More Features, More Posting Options and Easy to Use!

Nov 2 Share your thoughts on anime, manga
and more on the new and improved blog and forum areas on the Infinity
Studios, LLC website. Manga and Anime enthusiasts will be able to not only meet
other enthusiasts, but utilize the many new features found on the new
blogand forums to post images, add banners, create private forums and more!
More information can be found on the company¹s website-www.infinitystudios.com.

The Infinity Studios, LLC¹s blog site has a fresh new look (which is
also completely integrated with the mail website) along with new software
which provides a spam filter, graphical calendar (with the ability to browse
previous posts by clicking on the calendar), the ability to disable guest
accounts (for comments), easy cataloguing by topic/subjects and the
ability to add banners to the site!

The Infinity Studios, LLC¹s forum site also has a fresh new look (which
is also completely integrated with the mail website), the ability to
create a restricted forum, the ability to upload/post images, add attachments to
posts, posting of announcements on the main page, polls and password
protected sections. Topics of discussion that can be found on the site
include Cosplay & Anime Conventions, Anime, Manga & Manhwa, Drawing &
Webcomics, Console Games & PC Games, J-Pop & K-Pop, J-Drama & K-Drama,
Movies, Blogs & Forums, Community, Korean Graphic Novels, Japanese
Graphic Novels, Typos & Errors, Online Serializations, Downloads, Fanart,
General & Misc. Questions, Reviews, Infinity Studios LLC Company Information,
Promotional Items, New Title Announcements and News.

Discussions on fantastic Infinity Studios, LLC offers and products can
be found on the internet in the forum area of the Infinity Studios, LLC
website located at www.infinitystudios.com <http://www.infinitystudios.com> .

About Infinity Studios, LLC

Headquartered in Richmond, California, Infinity Studios, LLC is a
leading worldwide developer and publisher of Asian Graphic Novels. Founded in
2004, Infinity Studios, LLC maintains operations in the U.S., Japan and
Korea.
More information about Infinity Studios, LLC and its products can be
found on the company¹s World Wide Web site, which is located at
www.infinitystudios.com <http://www.infinitystudios.com/> .

The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts
are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are
based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and
uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that
a number of important factors could cause Infinity Studio, LLC¹s actual
future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such
forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation,
product delays, retail acceptance of our products, industry
competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of
proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel,
vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political
conditions, integration of recently acquired subsidiaries and identification of
suitable future acquisition opportunities. The Company may change its intention,
belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any
changes in such factors, in the Company's assumptions or otherwise. The
Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to
any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the
date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Epic Records

HELLO, MUSIC LUVAHS!

As we roll back the clocks to shed a bit more light on our days,
we're rolling out some great music to shed some sonic goodness on your ears!
Read on for the details on:

~ VEGA4 ON GREY'S ANATOMY TONIGHT!
~ GET YOUR AUTOGRAPHED RACHAEL RAY SIGNATURE CDS!
~ PRE-ORDER INCUBUS' LIGHT GRENADES TO ACCESS 2006 TOUR PRE-SALES!
~ BEHOLD THE UNVEILING OF THE GREATEST FAN PACK OF ALL TIME!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LISTEN OUT FOR VEGA4 ON GREY'S ANATOMY TONIGHT!
Vega4 is four individuals with wildly different backgrounds.
Brought together whilst living in London through mutual friends, they built a bond based on their shared interests in music. As with their geographic backgrounds, each member brought with them overtly different musical influences. A new name to many of you, we're excited to announce that Vega4's track 'Life Is Beautiful' will be featured tonight in Grey's Anatomy, airing at 9/8c. Make sure you tune in and check out this brilliant track by one of the year's most exciting new bands.

As well as appearing on the show, 'Life Is Beautiful' can also be downloaded now from iTunes.

Now it's your turn to show us why you think Life Is Beautiful.
Using Jumpcut, a free slideshow production website, remix the provided movie with Vega4's "Life Is Beautiful" audio and add in your own favorite photos and clips. The creators of the best 5 slideshows will win a copy of the album You and Others, personally signed for you by the band. For details on how to get started with your own slideshow, visit www.jumpcut.com/groups/vega4
Find out more about Vega4!
www.Vega4.com
www.MySpace.com/Vega4

GET YOUR AUTOGRAPHED
RACHAEL RAY SIGNATURE CDS!
Rachael Ray, TV's most down-to-earth and relatable star, launches her new compilation CD series with Rachael Ray's How Cool Is That Christmas, and Rachael Ray Too Cool For School Mixtape For Kids.

Rachael Ray's How Cool Is That Christmas features Rachael's favorite songs for the holidays, plus brand-new recipes and tips on throwing the perfect holiday party.   The album includes both well-loved holiday classics from artists such as Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, and newer favorites from Hall & Oates, Cyndi Lauper and Fiona Apple. Spanning rock, pop, jazz and blues, the album is the perfect soundtrack for a lively and fun holiday season.  Order your copy online here and it will be signed by Rachel!

Rachael Ray Too Cool For School Mixtape For Kids is an album chock full of fun and upbeat songs that both kids and parents will enjoy!  This CD includes all-time sing-a-long favorites like "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," "Banana Boat Song," and "We Got The Beat," plus Rachael's original recipes that can be made by the entire family.   Get your autographed copy online here!
Find out more:
www.RachaelRayMusic.com

PRE-ORDER INCUBUS' LIGHT GRENADES
AND GET ACCESS TO 2006 TOUR PRE-SALES!
Incubus is celebrating the release of their new album Light Grenades on November 28th by giving fans an offer they can't refuse. Pre-order Light Grenades now from the SonyMusicStore and you will be eligible to purchase up to 2 tickets in an exclusive internet pre-sale for the first Incubus North American Tour in over two years. Incubus will be treating their fans to very intimate performances in theaters across the US & Canada starting January 5th. Pre-order the record now from the SonyMusicStore and you'll receive an email on or about November 17th containing a unique code and instructions on how to purchase tickets through Ticketmaster.com during the exclusive pre-sale!
Get all the details, and all the rest on Incubus:
www.EnjoyIncubus.com

BEHOLD THE UNVEILING OF THE GREATEST FAN PACK OF ALL TIME!!
The time draws near when the titans of rock will give rise to the mother of all soundtracks, an album destined to become the center of the sonic solar system...the album that is The Pick of Destiny.   Jack Black and Kyle Glass, those gods of rock that together form the power-metal duo Tenacious D, have once again achieved the greatest album of all time - a history-making , world-shaking soundtrack that will rock your very soul, featuring the hit title track "The Pick Of Destiny"!

The D-luxe Limited Edition Pick Of Destiny Fan Pack is a MUST-HAVE for all Tenacious D fans who want to bring the thunder! This mother of all fan packs includes a Pick Of Destiny T-Shirt and the Deluxe Limited Edition of the Pick Of Destiny soundtrack containing a 3D digipak, 8 tarot cards featuring the chapter marker art from the movie, an exclusive poster, and your very own Pick of Destiny all in a special embossed box! Sample clips from all 15 tracks and pre-order your Deluxe Limited Edition Pick Of Destiny Fanpack online here!

Digital D-ciples can still get a free "mini-movie" starring the greatest band on earth!  The first half is yours to view for free, but the only way to see the thrilling conclusion is to pre-order The Pick Of Destiny soundtrack at iTunes.  You'll also receive a bonus track, digital booklet, and the conclusion to the Tenacious D mini-movie. Get it all right here!

Check out the official website for the D's movie "Tenacious D in The Pick Of Destiny": www.TenaciousDMovie.com!
Get more on The D:
www.TenaciousD.com

IT'S ALL HAPPENING, AND SO MUCH MORE:
www.EpicRecords.com

ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA RECRUIT FORMER BLACK CROWES BASSIST JOHNNY COLT
TOUR LAUNCHES NEW YEAR'S EVE IN VEGAS

With the November 21st release of their self-titled debut just a few weeks away, ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA have tapped former Black Crowes member Johnny Colt to step in for injured bassist Jason Newsted. Colt, also known for his work with Train, will handle bass duties for the band's much-buzzed-about North American tour, which launches on New Year's Eve with a sold-out show at The Joint in Las Vegas.

"Johnny's the guy," says Rock Star Supernova drummer Tommy Lee. "Gilby (Clarke-RSS guitarist) and I have known him for a long time. He's the kind of player that can plug in and immediately make his presence felt. You'll know what I mean when you see us live. We're ready to roll, folks."

Colt will be with Rock Star Supernova when the band makes its national television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live on November 21st. Diehard Rock Star Supernova fans can be part of this mini-concert on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Details on how to get tickets can be found here. (Attendance to this event is by invitation only so be quick because space is EXTREMELY LIMITED!!)

Led by vocalist Lukas Rossi, the band will be playing songs from its Butch Walker (Avril Lavigne, Bowling For Soup)-produced debut, including the singles "It's All Love" and "Be Yourself & 5 Other Cliches," both of which are available at the following digital music stores:
"It's All Love" Yahoo! Music Unlimited | iTunes | Napster | Rhapsody | Real | Connect
"Be Yourself and 5 Other Cliches" Yahoo! Music Unlimited | iTunes | Napster | Rhapsody | Real | Connect

Rock Star Supernova lost Jason Newsted after an accident that resulted in a torn anterior labrum in his left shoulder and a rotator cuff and bicep tear in the right. Newsted suffered the injuries while trying to catch a 90-lb bass head that had fallen from atop his amp. The combination of surgery and a lengthy rehab assignment could leave him sidelined for up to nine months.

Dates for the band's upcoming tour are as follows. Additional tour info can be found at www.supernovarockshop.com

Rock Star Supernova Featured at Yahoo! Music!
Rock Star Supernova is the New Now feature at Yahoo! Music! Click here to check out video of their performance & interview at Yahoo! Plus you'll see photos and more!

Rock Star Supernova On Tour!
12/31/06          Las Vegas, NV                          The Joint
01/01/06          Las Vegas, NV                          The Joint
01/16/07          Hollywood, FL                          Seminole Hard Rock Live
01/17/07          Orlando, FL                               Hard Rock Live
01/19/07          Norfolk, VA                                Constant Convocation Center
01/20/07          Buffalo, NY                               Shea's Performing Arts Center
01/21/07            Albany, NY                              Pepsi Arena
01/23/07          Montreal, QC                            Bell Centre
01/24/07          Toronto, ON                              Massey Hall
01/26/07          Atlantic City, NJ                        Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
01/27/07          Wallingford, CT                        Chevrolet Theatre
01/28/07          Worchester, MA                        DCU Center
01/30/07          Philadelphia, PA                       Wachovia Spectrum
01/31/07          New York, NY                            Radio City Music Hall
02/02/07          Columbus, OH                          Schottenstein Center
02/03/07          Chicago, IL                                 Rosemont Theatre
02/05/07          Detroit, MI                                   Fox Theatre
02/07/07          Des Moines, IO                         Wells Fargo Arena
02/08/07          Minneapolis, MN                       Roy Wilkins Auditorium
02/09/07          Fargo, ND                                   Fargodome
02/11/07          Dallas, TX                                   Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie
02/13/07          Loveland, CO                             Budweiser Events Center
02/16/07          Portland, OR                              Memorial Coliseum
02/18/07          Everett, WA                                 Everett Events Center
02/19/07          Vancouver, BC                           Queen Elizabeth Theatre
02/21/07          Sacramento, CA                        ARCO Arena
02/22/07          Oakland, CA                               Oakland Arena
02/24/07          Phoenix, CA                                Cricket Pavilion
02/25/07          San Diego, CA                            Pala Casino
02/27/07          Long Beach, CA                         Long Beach Arena

Academy to Salute Film Editor Dede AllenAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will come together to salute three-time Oscar®-nominated film editor Dede Allen on Tuesday, November 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy Theater at Lighthouse International in New York City.

The Academy members-only event, hosted by Peter Travers, senior film editor at Rolling Stone, will highlight her career through film clips and feature a conversation with Allen and directors Lumet, Penn, and film editors Jerry Greenberg, Richard Marks and Craig McKay.

In a career spanning nearly 50 years, Allen began as a messenger at Columbia Pictures. Her first editing job came in 1959 in Robert Wise’s “Odds against Tomorrow.” She went on to edit Robert Rossen’s “The Hustler” and Elia Kazan’s “America America.”

In 1967, she edited Penn’s “Bonnie and Clyde,” which launched an editing style that has been imitated ever since. It made Allen one of the most sought-after professionals in the industry.

Allen received Academy Award® nominations for her work on “Dog Day Afternoon,” “Reds” (shared with McKay) and “Wonder Boys,” and she has represented film editors on the Academy Board of Governors for nine terms through July of this year.

The Academy Theater at Lighthouse International is located at 111 East 59th Street in New York City. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Toys 'R' Us Names Blue Man Group Percussion Tubes One of the Hottest Holiday Toys of the Year
Nov. 2 -- As the holiday shopping season commences, ToyQuest today announced that the toy authority, Toys "R" Us, has named Blue Man Group Percussion Tubes among the "Fabulous 15" best new toys of 2006. The unique design of the Blue Man Group inspired Percussion Tubes and its ability to fuse multiple technologies with musical interaction attracted the attention of Toys "R" Us, while the company's toy authorities complied its "Fabulous 15" list from its assortment of 36 Hot Holiday Toys for 2006.
The Percussion Tubes is one of two Blue Man Group musical instruments launched nationwide this summer. Both instruments, the Keyboard Experience and Percussion Tubes feature proximity sensor technology, which allow kids to mix and layer music with a simple wave of their hands, pre-programmed songs, interchangeable instrument sounds, and iPod or MP3 compatibility.
"Our goal was to harness the energy, excitement and creativity of Blue Man Group while completely reinventing the way kids approach and interact with music," states Bob Del Principe, ToyQuest Vice President of Research & Development. Del Principe adds, "Anyone who has seen a Blue Man Group performance is amazed at the bizarre and clever musical instruments they use in their shows. Working with their creative team, we were able to capture that feel, sound, and look. The Blue Man Group instruments get kids to actively interact with music in a way like never before."
Prices vary from $69.99 to $89.99 and target children ages eight and older. For more information, visit http://www.bluemangroupinstruments.com/.
About ToyQuest
ToyQuest develops, manufactures and markets high quality proprietary toys and toys licensed from popular intellectual properties worldwide, including Disney, Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, Star Wars, Sesame Street, and Little Tikes. ToyQuest uses innovative technology to design products that are fun for children and build on their natural creativity. For more information, visit http://www.toyquest.com/.
About Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows, which combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to create a form of entertainment that is totally unique. The blissful party atmosphere created at their live events has become the trademark of a Blue Man experience. The company's appeal to a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds is a quality that distinguishes all of their endeavors, which also include scoring projects (most recently the animated feature Robots), commercial projects (such as Intel), and television programs (such as the ongoing storyline of Blue Man Group in Arrested Development). http://www.blueman.com/
Willie Nelson's New Politically Charged Song 'Whatever Happened To Peace On Earth' Has Debut on Imus In The Morning Prior to Elections
Song Featuring Ben Harper, Jack Johnson & Michael McDonald to Benefit National Veterans Foundation Through Digital Release On November 21
Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Music legend Willie Nelson has written and recorded a new song titled "Whatever Happened To Peace On Earth?" that had its exclusive debut on the popular syndicated radio program Imus In The Morning on November 2, just prior to the upcoming elections. The single will be released by Lost Highway at online digital stores beginning on November 21, with the proceeds going to benefit the National Veterans Foundation. Prior to that, the song can be heard through nvf.org.
Nelson's politically charged "Whatever Happened To Peace On Earth?" speaks out about the current political climate and world conditions. Nelson had some friends help him out on the controversial track, including Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Michael McDonald and Patrick Simmons (Doobie Brothers).
Along with being one America's greatest songwriters and performers, Nelson has built a reputation for taking a stand and being a voice for those in need. His annual Farm Aid concert and foundation to help this country's farmers is only one example of that. In "Whatever Happened To Peace On Earth?" Nelson speaks his mind honestly and directly when he sings:
And the bewildered herd is still believing Everything we've been told from our birth Hell they won't lie to me Not on my own damn TV But how much is a liar's word worth And whatever happened to peace on earth
"Whatever Happened To Peace On Earth?" - Written by Willie Nelson, featuring:
Willie Nelson - Vocals and Lead Guitar Jack Johnson - Vocals Michael McDonald - Vocals and Keyboard Ben Harper - Slide Guitar Pat Simmons Sr - Vocals and Lukas Nelson - Lead/Rhythm Guitar Acoustic Guitar Pat Simmons Jr - Acoustic Lead Guitar Micah Nelson - Drums Amy Holland - Vocals Donnie Smith - Bass Marty Dread - Vocals David Choy - Saxophone
For more information on "Whatever Happened To Peace On Earth?" please contact
Jim Flammia at Lost Highway Records (615) 524-7507 or jim.flammia@umusic.com
Whatever Happened To Peace On Earth? Written By Willie Nelson There's so many things going on in the world Babies dying Mothers crying How much oil is one human life worth And what ever happened to peace on earth We believe everything that they tell us They're gonna' kill us So we gotta' kill them first But I remember a commandment Thou shall not kill How much is that soldier's life worth And whatever happened to peace on earth (Chorus) And the bewildered herd is still believing Everything we've been told from our birth Hell they won't lie to me Not on my own damn TV But how much is a liar's word worth And whatever happened to peace on earth So I guess it's just Do unto others before they do it to you Let's just kill em' all and let God sort em' out Is this what God wants us to do And the bewildered herd is still believing Everything we've been told from our birth Hell they won't lie to me Not on my own damn TV But how much is a liar's word worth And whatever happened to peace on earth Now you probably won't hear this on your radio Probably not on your local TV But if there's a time, and if you're ever so inclined You can always hear it from me How much is one picker's word worth And whatever happened to peace on earth But don't confuse caring for weakness You can't put that label on me The truth is my weapon of mass protection And I believe truth sets you free (Repeat Chorus)
Source: Lost Highway Records
Two Big Names in Entertainment - BLOCKBUSTER and Jessica Simpson - Launch BLOCKBUSTER Total Access(TM)
Simpson Receives Nation's First BLOCKBUSTER Total Access Celebrity VIP Membership and Shares Her Top-5 Favorite Rentals
Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- To mark the launch of BLOCKBUSTER Total Access(TM) -- the totally new rental program that gives online subscribers unprecedented access to movies -- Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE:BBI) (NYSE:BBI.B) today is hosting a celebration event for consumers and employees against the backdrop of Hollywood's famous Kodak Theater, and will present the first-ever BLOCKBUSTER Total Access celebrity VIP membership to well-known entertainer Jessica Simpson.
BLOCKBUSTER Total Access gives online customers the option of returning their DVDs through the mail or exchanging them at one of more than 5,000 participating BLOCKBUSTER(R) stores for free in-store movie rentals.
"When we were considering our first BLOCKBUSTER Total Access celebrity VIP member, we wanted someone who personifies entertainment because BLOCKBUSTER Total Access is all about entertainment -- and Jessica does just that. She's a popular, contemporary entertainer whose fans love her, and we think customers are going to love BLOCKBUSTER Total Access as well. Designed with the contemporary movie enthusiast in mind, BLOCKBUSTER Total Access is a whole new way to rent," said Blockbuster Chairman and CEO John Antioco.
Simpson -- born and raised in Dallas, Blockbuster's headquarters -- is an avid movie fan who shared a list of some of her favorites. The following are Jessica's top-5 movie-rental favorites, in no particular order:
* "Great Expectations," starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Ethan Hawke * "When Harry Met Sally," starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal * "Lady Sings the Blues," starring Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams * "Fight Club," starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton * "Legends of the Fall," starring Brad Pitt and Aidan Quinn About BLOCKBUSTER Total Access
BLOCKBUSTER Total Access gives online customers the option of returning their DVDs through the mail or exchanging them at one of more than 5,000 participating BLOCKBUSTER stores, or a combination of the two.
For each online rental exchanged in the store, customers can receive a free in-store movie rental. In-store movies are still subject to store rental terms, including due dates, and must be returned to the store from which they were rented. The new program, available only from Blockbuster, means BLOCKBUSTER Total Access subscribers don't need to wait to get DVDs through the mail, essentially allowing them to double the number of movies they can access each month.
BLOCKBUSTER Total Access customers can also benefit from faster shipping cycles. When subscribers return their online rentals to a participating BLOCKBUSTER store, the store check-in process automatically initiates the shipment of the next available movie(s) in the subscriber's rental queue, whether they take advantage of the in-store exchange option or not. That means BLOCKBUSTER Total Access customers generally will get their online movie(s) a day faster than if they had dropped the return movies in the mail.
BLOCKBUSTER Total Access customers will also receive a free in-store movie rental coupon each month. Subscribers can use the monthly rental coupon in the same visit with their in-store exchanges for another free movie, or by itself if they have already returned their DVDs through the mail or just aren't ready to return their online rentals yet.
With more than 60,000 titles to choose from online Blockbuster delivers DVDs right to subscribers' mailboxes in return pre-paid postage envelopes. There are no due dates or late fees with movies rented from Blockbuster's online rental service, and subscription plans start as low as $5.99 a month, with the $17.99 three-out unlimited movie plan being the most popular. A two- week free trial membership to BLOCKBUSTER Total Access is available for a limited time. Visit http://www.blockbuster.com/ for details.
About Blockbuster
Blockbuster Inc. (BBI, BBI.B) is a leading global provider of in-home movie and game entertainment with approximately 8,500 stores throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. The company may be accessed worldwide at http://www.blockbuster.com
The Woods
Falburn Academy is a prestigious all-girls boarding school nestled deep within the forest. Its newest student, Heather Fasulo (Agnes Bruckner), isn’t like the others – she hears voices. Left by her parents (Bruce Campbell, Emma Campbell) under the menacing watch of headmistress Ms. Traverse (Patricia Clarkson) and her eerie staff, she quickly realizes that nothing at Falburn is what it seems. When her classmates begin mysteriously disappearing into the forest, Heather uncovers a horrifying secret – and receives an education in terror. At Falburn, the biggest lesson to be learned is that there’s no escaping The Woods.
Road to Guantanamo
The Road to Guantanamo is an intense, political, docu-drama about three young men, British nationals of Muslim faith who were held for two years without charges in the American military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Known as the 'Tipton Three,' in reference to their home town in Britain, the three were eventually returned to Britain and released, still having had no formal charges ever made against them at any time during their ordeal.
Hard Luck
Wesley Snipes (Blade) is 'Lucky,' an infamous ex-con whose road to redemption is about to take some very unlucky turns. Against his own better judgment he agrees to celebrate a gangster's birthday, which turns out to be a setup that catapults Lucky back into a frenzied game of cat and mouse between him and a band of dirty cops. In no time, Lucky steals millions of dollars, kidnaps a hot-tempered pole dancer, and finds himself on an explosive and bizarre collision course with the police, the hitmen and a pair of sadistic serial killers!
Art School Confidential
Talented and ambitious young artist Jerome Platz (Max Minghella) escapes from high school to a tiny East Coast art school where he wants to become the world's greatest artist, like his hero Picasso. Unfortunately, the beauty and craft of Jerome's portraiture are not appreciated in an anything-goes art class. He does manage to attract the attention of his dream girl, Audrey, an artist’s model who is drawn to Jerome’s sincerity. But, when Audrey shifts her attention to a hunky painter who becomes the school’s latest art star, the heartbroken Jerome concocts a risky plan to make a name for himself and win her back.
Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America
Ripped straight from the headlines! When a mutation of Avian Flu is discovered in a local marketplace, China sends an emergency summons to Dr. Iris Varnack (Joely Richardson) of the Epidemic Intelligence Service. When she arrives, she discovers her efforts may be too late - an American businessman has become the first victim of a strain that is passed from human to human. As the flu begins its insidious spread, Secretary of Health and Human Services Collin Reed (Stacy Keach) races to combat the ensuing chaos. The victim's wife, Denise Connelly (Ann Cusack), does what she can to help other infected people. It wasn't supposed to happen this way - until it did.
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MTV Networks 'Virtual Laguna Beach' Lets Fans Go on Spring Break and to the Prom - Just Like Laguna Beach Cast Members
All Remaining Episodes of Laguna Beach to Premiere In-World One Day Prior to On-Air Premiere
Nov. 1 Want to spend spring break in Cabo with the cast of Laguna Beach or hang with Cartel after a private concert at prom, and, in the process, get sneak peaks of the show the day before its on-air debut? Now is your chance.
MTV Networks' Music Group today announced a series of upcoming events that will take place in "Virtual Laguna Beach," the social networking platform that integrates television programming with virtual world technology. All events in-world are designed to let fans "live" out the storylines they see on-air by creating special environments that mirror the story arcs and themes of the television show. Virtual Laguna Beach members even get the chance to watch full episodes of Laguna Beach a full day before they air on MTV.
Upcoming events in-world include: * Spring Break -- featuring an appearance from Laguna cast members Kyndra and Cami -- Premiers Nov. 1, 2006 Members can take a road trip down to Cabo San Lucas, blow off some steam, soak up the sun, participate in games and even partake in bikini contests, just as the cast does on-air. Kyndra and Cami from Laguna Beach season three will join the party in-world at Spring Break on November 1, 2006 and members will have a chance to win great prizes. * Prom, featuring a performance by hot new band Cartel -- Premieres Nov. 7, 2006 Take a risk at dating games, and show off your dance moves as you party the night away at Prom. In addition, enjoy a special concert by Cartel and an opportunity afterward to meet the band in-world.
The upcoming events round out a series of in-world specials in the past month. Fans in Virtual Laguna Beach have already strutted their stuff in a virtual fashion show, mirroring the fashion show on-air, crowned their own King and Queen at the Winter Formal, following the exclusive in-world premiere of the Winter Formal episode, and enjoyed in-world appearances by several cast members.
All remaining episodes of Laguna Beach will premiere in-world one day prior to the on-air premier. Earlier this month, MTV became the first television network to ever debut a television show in a virtual world.
Virtual Laguna Beach is available for free download at http://www.vlb.mtv.com/.
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 100 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 95 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Michael Irvin, Eric Dickerson, Jose Canseco, Darryl Strawberry, Roy Jones Jr., Bruce Smith, Wade Boggs Among Those to Star in 'Pros vs Joes' on Spike TV
New Season of Hit Reality Series Premieres January '07
America's most bold and outspoken armchair quarterbacks clearly haven't learned their lesson from some of sports' biggest names. Spike TV premieres a new 10-episode season of the popular sports-themed reality series, Pros vs. Joes, featuring regular guys competing in a variety of sports against an incredible array of sports legends in January 2007.
Season two of Pros vs. Joes features many of sports' biggest and most talked-about athletes over the last twenty years. The impressive roster includes:
Michael Irvin, Eric Dickerson, Wade Boggs, Jose Canseco, Darryl Strawberry, Bruce Smith, Roy Jones Jr., Andre Reed, John Starks, Vince Coleman, Kordell Stewart, Andre Rison, Tim Hardaway, Grant Fuhr, Rob Dibble, Rik Smits, Will Clark, Spud Webb, Kevin Willis, Randy Couture, Mark Jackson, Robby Ginepri, and Cobi Jones.
Pros vs. Joes will be taped at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Ca. The series is hosted by former USC running back and Los Angeles sports television/radio personality, Petros Papadakis.
Season One (March-May 2006) averaged a robust 1.0 household rating, with a 1.06 in M18-49, a 1.24 in M18-34 and an average audience of 1.1 million viewers.
Pros vs. Joes is produced by Mess Media and MY Entertainment. Serving as executive producers are Scott Messick, President, Mess Media; Michael Yudin, President of MY Entertainment; and Joe Townley. Sharon Levy and Tim Duffy are Executives in Charge of Production for Spike TV.
Spike TV, the first network for men, is available in 90 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) .
Source: Spike TV

Source: MTV Networks Cowboy Hats and Blonde Beauties Among Faves Predicted to Win the '40th Annual CMA Awards' in First Ever CMT Poll
Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill and Carrie Underwood Favored to Take Top Awards
Respondents Rank Brooks & Dunn As The Best Companion With Their Coffee
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- America tips its hat to established country artists, cowboys and blondes, according to the findings of a recent CMT poll to predict winners of the "40th Annual CMA Awards." In celebration of one of country music's most glam events, CMT commissioned the telephone poll using a random national sample of 1,002 adults 18 and older, and asked who they personally thought would win CMA's Entertainer, Album, Song, Female Vocalist, Male Vocalist and Horizon categories.
Respondents ranked Kenny Chesney as their top choice for Entertainer of the Year with 22% of the vote, but the race was close with Brooks & Dunn taking 19%. Respondents also ranked Brooks & Dunn the clear favorite when asked who, of the Entertainer of the Year nominees, they would most like to invite over for coffee.
Alan Jackson is predicted to receive two category wins, with Precious Memories ranking as the clear winner for Album of the Year. Jackson was also predicted to receive Male Vocalist of the Year.
The only newcomer to top the list, Carrie Underwood's hit song "Jesus Take the Wheel" took top honors for Song of the Year. She also received nearly half of all votes for the Horizon Award category with a whopping 47%.
Complete CMT poll results are as follows: Entertainer of the Year - Kenny Chesney (22%) Album of the Year - Alan Jackson's Precious Memories (33%) Song of the Year - Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take the Wheel" (26%) Female Vocalist of the Year - Faith Hill (32%) Male Vocalist of the Year - Alan Jackson (29%) Horizon Award - Carrie Underwood (47%) Invite for Coffee - Brooks & Dunn (24%)
CMT goes live once again with its annual, exclusive coverage of "The 40th Annual CMA Awards," with CMA RED CARPET 2006 airing from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tenn. on Monday, November 6 at 7:00-8:00 p.m. ET/PT. CMT hosts Lance Smith and Katie Cook are joined by "American Idol" sweetheart, Kellie Pickler, to bring the audience unparalleled coverage of the 40th anniversary of the CMA Awards.
In addition, fans can log on to CMT.com for an exclusive all-access pass to the "40th Annual CMA Awards" with a dedicated fan site, streaming news and live red carpet coverage on CMT Loaded. CMT.com has the inside scoop with in- depth news coverage, photo galleries, interactive games, fan voting, video and Radio CMA, a web broadcast featuring music by current nominees and past winners.
Visit CMT's press-only web site www.cmtpress.com for more information and downloadable photos on all of CMT's programming.
TNS, a market information group, is the world's largest provider of custom research and analysis. TNS operates across a global network in over 70 countries allowing us to provide internationally consistent, up-to-the-minute and high quality information analysis. The group's employees deliver innovative thinking and excellent service to local and multi-national clients worldwide. They combine in-depth sector knowledge with expertise in the areas of new product development, positioning and segmentation research, brand and advertising research and stakeholder management. www.tns-global.com
CMT, America's No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches more than 83 million households in the United States. Go to country music's biggest web site at www.cmt.com.
Source: CMT Graham Nash to Make Northern California Appearances November 1 & 2:
On 11/1, Nash Joins President Bill Clinton, House Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Rahm Emmanuel, Jackson Browne & Others at the Warfield Theatre for an Event to Benefit Progressive Democratic Congressional Candidates
On 11/2, in Honor of Butte College's Exhibition of His Photographic Work, Nash Will Attend Receptions in Oroville at 2pm and in Chico at 7pm
Nov. 1 -- Art, photography, music and politics are all on the agenda as legendary singer-songwriter, fine art photographer, digital realm pioneer and activist Graham Nash makes a swing through Northern California this week. Nash's Northern California itinerary begins Wed., November 1 as he joins former President Bill Clinton, Democratic Leader of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Congressman & DCCC Chairman Rahm Emmanuel for a 6PM event at S.F.'s historic Warfield Theatre. In an effort to win back the House through the Nov. 7 mid-term elections, the event will benefit the progressive Democratic congressional candidates who oppose the Iraq War.
Graham -- whose long history of passionate political, environmental and social activism has always been integrated into his music career -- will give a special performance on a bill also including Jackson Browne and Fred Martin & The Levite Camp. Clinton, Pelosi and Emmanuel will speak at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee-sponsored event. The Warfield is located at 982 Market Street in San Francisco; for tickets and information, contact the DCCC at 202-485-3501 or sfclintonevent@dccc.org.
On Thurs., November 2, Graham Nash dons his visual artist and cyber- visionary hats for two events related to Butte College's exhibition of his photographic work. At 2PM, Nash will speak at the school's innovative Digital Outdoor Gallery on their main Oroville, CA campus, where his photographs are to be displayed in newly installed, weatherized cases. The images were selected by Dennis Wickes, a Multimedia Department instructor and advisor for student organization Butte Art & Design (BAD); he conceived the show after seeing the museum exhibition Eye to Eye: Photographs by Graham Nash in Southern California in early '06. Earlier this year, Wickes also visited Nash Editions, revered for its pioneering inventions in digital fine art printing, which Graham co-founded in 1990 with Mac Holbert, who will be present as well. Situated equidistant between the cities of Chico, Paradise and Oroville, Butte College is located at 3536 Butte Campus Drive, Oroville, CA, 95965 (and online at www.butte.edu).
At 7PM on Nov. 2, Nash and Holbert will also attend a second reception -- open to the public -- at 222 2nd Street in downtown Chico, adjacent to Butte's 2nd Street Digital Outdoor Gallery. In addition to the eight images on view in Oroville -- including portraits of David Crosby, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Nash's self-portrait from the book cover of Eye To Eye -- five more will be on display outside at the 2nd Street Gallery, and seventeen more will be hung inside the reception space. For more information, contact Prof. Wickes' office at 530-895-2975.
Originally published in hardcover in 2004, the book Eye to Eye: Photographs by Graham Nash will be released as a softcover edition in Spring 2007 by Five Ties Publishing.
Courtney Love to Sign Copies of Her Memoir at Borders(R) in San Francisco
Who: Academy Award(R) nominee, Golden Globe(R) Award nominee, actress and rock musician, Courtney Love.
What: Courtney Love signs copies of her memoir, "Dirty Blonde: The Diaries of Courtney Love."
When: Friday, Nov. 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. Where: Borders-San Francisco 200 King Street at 2nd Street San Francisco, CA (415) 357-9931
Why: Committed to providing entertainment and knowledge to every community with a Borders store, Borders offers customers the opportunity to meet their favorite authors and musicians in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. With the Oct. 31 release of "Dirty Blonde: The Diaries of Courtney Love" and just in time for the holidays, fans of Courtney Love will have the opportunity to meet the actress and musician and be among the first to have the chance to purchase a copy of the book and have it autographed.
Additional
Information: To ensure Ms. Love is able to meet all of the fans attending this event, no photographs are allowed. No items other than the book, "Dirty Blond: The Diaries of Courtney Love" will be autographed. She will be unable to personalize her message when autographing books. No memorabilia, DVDs, CDs or other recordings by Ms. Love, will be signed.
Beginning Friday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m., 400 wristbands will be given out to customers who have purchased a copy of "Dirty Blond: The Diaries of Courtney Love." There is a limit of five autographed books per wristband. Wristbands will be given out on a first come, first served basis and will offer customers a place in line, but do not guarantee a chance to meet Ms. Love. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at Borders stores.
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Harry Connick, Jr. to Headline Star-Studded Evening Celebrating the Love Affair Between Hollywood and Broadway
Stars of Stage and Screen Gather for Second Annual 'A Fine Romance' to Benefit the Motion Picture & Television Fund WHAT An evening of celebrity performances honoring musicals from stage and screen. WHEN Saturday, Nov. 18; press line opens 5:00 p.m.; celebrity arrivals start at approximately 6:00 p.m. WHERE Sunset Gower Studios, 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, CA 90028 WHO Celebrities performing and/or attending include: Christina Applegate, Kristen Bell, Harry Connick, Jr., Michael Douglas, Jennifer Hudson, Andrea McArdle, Audra McDonald, Shirley MacLaine, Bernadette Peters, Patrick Wilson, Rita Wilson, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Catherine Zeta-Jones. MEDIA ACCESS Media will be permitted to cover celebrity arrivals; no press will be admitted into the event. All media must be credentialed in advance. SPONSORS Event sponsors include rehearsals.com, Sunset Gower Studios, Sentient Jet Membership, The Hollywood Reporter, Henri Zimand and Zimand Entertainment. CHARITY For 85 years, the Motion Picture & Television Fund has been a major service organization, promoting the well-being of California's entertainment community. Healthcare and childcare, retirement care and charitable social services are provided with compassion and respect for the dignity of the whole person. Charity is at the heart of what MPTF does at the Motion Picture & Television Fund's Country House and hospital, five health centers, Samuel Goldwyn Foundation Children's Center, and through financial assistance and community outreach programs. For more information about MPTF visit www.mptvfund.org .
'Guantanamero' World Premiere Screening and After Party to Benefit Human Rights Watch
A Controversial Film Deals With Human Rights of an Escaped Guantanamo Bay Detainee Who Finds Love in Havana
Nov. 1NDF International, a London-based production company, has announced today that they will hold a Gala Premiere Screening of their new UK-Spanish film, "Guantanamero," on November 2, 2006 during the American Film Market at The Highlands in Los Angeles.
"Guantanamero," directed by Vicente Penarrocha and starring Rupert Evans ("Hellboy"), Natalia Verbeke ("Son of the Bride") and Derek Jacobi ("Gladiator"), gives the audience a chilling look into the tortured psyche of a detainee at Guantanamo Bay (Evans), haunted by his experiences in the camp, and, in a strange twist of fate, thrown into the sensual world of Havana where he is forced to come to terms with his freedom and his emerging love for Manuela (Verbeke), a beautiful Cuban dancer, while he wrestles with finding his way between fantasy and reality.
Produced by NDF International, a company behind such notable films as "Howards End," "The Crying Game" and "Basquait" the film tackles the thorniest questions of abuse in US detention facilities and its legacy for tortured and torturer alike. This hot-button political issue has been the subject of an ongoing, front and center debate amongst the International community and the worldwide media since 2001. The producers have teamed up with Human Rights Watch to make sure that the message, "Torture is Never Acceptable," is sent around the world.
The screening will be followed by an after party hosted by Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas and will feature a Live performance by Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah, Cypress Hill's DJ Muggs, DJ Eric Cubeechee and DJ Poet Name Life, among other leading entertainers. Above all, three of the Revolution Players, featured on the original soundtrack to Guantanamero, are being flown in specifically from Cuba for the event. Profits from the event will go to Human Rights Watch.
"We are very proud of this film," said Michiyo Yoshizaki, the film's producer. "Aside from being a stunning piece of cinema, the film carries a vital message to the US and the international community. We are thrilled to be involved with an institution as influential and important as Human Rights Watch to ensure that the film's central message of rejecting torture is heard loud and clear."
The film's soundtrack was specially recorded in Havana and London in 2005 by six of the world's most respected contemporary producers including Norman Cook (a.k.a. Fat Boy Slim), Guy Sigsworth (Britney Spears, Bjork), Stan Kybert (Oasis), Cameron McVey (Massive Attack), Poet Name Life (Black Eyed Peas), Rich File (UNKLE) and Marius DeVries (Moulin Rouge). The producers recorded all the tracks with some of the hottest new generation of Cuban music stars who came together for the first time especially for this project.
"Guantanamero" is represented by Peace Arch Films for sales and distribution.
Source: NDF International
Country Music Icon Randy Owen of Alabama and Country Star Blake Shelton Join Anastasia Brown as Judges for Season 5 of 'NASHVILLE STAR,' Presented by SONIC
Jewel to Host with Cowboy Troy Returning as Co-Host; Show Premieres on its New Night, Thursday, January 11 at 10pm/9 Central
Nov. 1 Over 20,000 singers auditioned nationwide over the past few months and thousands more submitted via tape for USA's hit talent search NASHVILLE STAR. As the selection narrows to find the final 10 that will be part of the show's fifth season premiere on Thursday, January 11 (10pm/9 Central), Grammy Award winner Randy Owen and country star Blake Shelton have joined seasons three and four judge Anastasia Brown in the show's panel of judges. The announcement was made today by Jeff Wachtel, executive vice president, original programming, USA Network.
"We've created the perfect panel of judges for season five," says Wachtel. "Anastasia brings continuity from the previous seasons and is a hot industry insider who isn't afraid to speak her mind. Blake is a new, young, smart country voice who has had great success in a short period of time. And of course Randy is country royalty, bringing knowledge and experience in his own unique way."
As the lead singer, rhythm guitarist and principle songwriter, Randy Owen led the famed super group Alabama from humble beginnings playing for tips in coastal North Carolina bars to the band's 2005 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. With a career that to date has resulted in 21 gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums and 42 number one singles, Alabama has received over 150 industry awards including 8 country music "Entertainer of the Year" honors, 2 Grammys, 2 People's Choice Awards and their very own star on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame." They were named the "Artist of the Decade" by the Academy of Country Music in 1989 and "Country Group of the Century" by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1999. They have racked up sales of over 58 million records worldwide, making them the ninth biggest selling group of all time, ahead of such rock greats as Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Queen, The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd and The Who. The band recently released Alabama - Songs of Inspiration which garnered a record 41,000 orders in a single hour on shopping giant QVC.
Country star Blake Shelton, whose debut single "Austin" occupied the top of the charts for five straight weeks, set the stage for a long and successful career. Since "Austin," Blake has been a mainstay on country radio and video outlets with a number of number one singles including "The Baby" and "Some Beach." Along with this success, he has sold over 2 million records and has set recording breaking concert tours with Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts, to name a few. Currently gearing up for the release of his fourth album on Warner Bros. Records, Shelton's lead off single and video "Don't Make Me" is currently moving up the charts. Additionally, Shelton has received numerous CMA and ACM nominations and was named Top New Male Artist by Billboard Magazine and Breakthrough Artist of the Year by R&R.
A leading music industry expert, Anastasia Brown started her music career as Miles Copeland's partner in spearheading the operations for Firstars Nashville where she discovered, developed and secured major label record deals, while representing country music star Keith Urban. She also worked with artists ranging from Sting and Peter Frampton, to John Berry and Junior Brown. After making her mark in Nashville, Brown expanded her horizons to Hollywood and is now partnered with media entrepreneur & movie producer Eric Geadelmann in 821 Entertainment Group, a media, entertainment and technology holding company that she serves as President of with divisions in motion picture development & production, recorded music, publishing and supervisory services and digital distribution.
For its fifth season premiere in January 2007, NASHVILLE STAR will become the longest-running competition series on cable television. As previously announced, Jewel will serve as host and Cowboy Troy as co-host.
The first four seasons of the series have launched the careers of promising artists including Chris Young, Buddy Jewell, Miranda Lambert and Erika Jo. Jewell debuted his self-titled CD at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, which was eventually certified gold by the RIAA. Runner-up Miranda Lambert became a household name when her "Kerosene" became the highest-selling debut album of 2005 and then went on to be certified gold as well. Erika Jo landed at No. 5 on the same chart with her self-titled debut CD and at No. 27 on the Hot 200 Album Chart (all genres). Most recently, Chris Young debuted his self-entitled CD at #3 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, making him the top selling debut male artist of 2006.
NASHVILLE STAR will continue to be broadcast live from the Acuff Theatre in Nashville.
SONIC, America's Drive-In (NASDAQ:SONC) , the nation's largest drive-in restaurant chain, is the exclusive presenting partner of the fifth season of NASHVILLE STAR.
NASHVILLE STAR is created by Reveille and executive produced by Ben Silverman ("The Biggest Loser," "The Office") and H.T. Owens ("The Restaurant," "30 Days"). Jeff Boggs will executive produce in association with Reveille. Todd Lubin ("30 Days," "Black.White") serves as co-executive producer. The show is produced by Jon Small ("Garth Brooks Live From Central Park," "Billy Joel Live at Yankee Stadium") and his production company, Picture Vision, alongside co-executive producer Mark Koops ("The Restaurant," "Blow Out").
For photos of Randy Owen, Blake Shelton, Jewel and Cowboy Troy, as well as photos from previous seasons of NASHVILLE STAR, please log on to the NBC Universal Media Village at http://www.nbcumv.com/.
Reveille is a leading independent production and distribution company focused on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights through scripted and alternative television formats. Launched in March of 2002 by Ben Silverman, the company produces innovative entertainment programming across all television genres such as the Emmy Award-winning "The Office" (NBC), which has also received two Television Critics Association Awards; "The Biggest Loser" (NBC); "Ugly Betty" (ABC); "House of Boateng" (Sundance Channel); "30 Days" (FX); "Blow Out" (Bravo); "Bound For Glory" (ESPN); "Nashville Star" (USA); "Date My Mom" (MTV); and "The Restaurant" (NBC). Reveille is also the world leader in creating integrated marketing opportunities for leading advertisers while developing alternative financing paradigms. In addition, Reveille's growing library of programming is distributed to more than 150 countries worldwide through Reveille International. The company maintains offices in Los Angeles and New York.
USA Network is cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. The #1 basic cable network across the board in 3Q06, USA Network is seen in 90 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.
USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable, a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.
Source: USA Network
Hip Hop Icon Snoop Dogg Readies for Highly Anticipated Album 'Tha Blue Carpet Treatment' Due on November 21st, Tells Fans to Look Forward to Classic Snoop Album
New Single 'That's That' Featuring R. Kelly Most Added at Rhythmic and Urban Formats, MTV Video Premiere on November 7th
Superstar rapper and hip hop icon Snoop Dogg readies for his highly anticipated album "Tha Blue Carpet Treatment" releasing on November 21st through Doggystyle/Geffen. Early buzz from industry insiders promise a classic album complete with the reunion of Snoop and Dr. Dre with three bangers from the dynamic duo. This classic pairing marks the duo's first collaborative effort in approximately five years and promises to make history once again.
"Tha Blue Carpet Treatment" is a return to the original sound that put the Long Beach rapper on the map with Snoop keeping it gangsta on each and every record. Following the street single, "Vato," produced by Pharrell and featuring B-Real, comes the highly anticipated second single, "That's That" produced by Nottz and featuring R&B crooner R. Kelly. This catchy and melodic song was most added at Rhythmic and Urban formats, proving it is shaping up to be another platinum hit for the West Coast "Boss." Snoop says, "'That's That' is theme music for a classy gangsta party -- that's when you ladies pull out the high heels and the playas pull out the three-piece suits. You'll see in the video! Me and R. Kelly had a lot of fun shooting this one." The video for "That's That" will make its MTV Prime Time Premiere on November 7th.
Throughout the album, Snoop takes it back to the hood showcasing the gritty realness that helped shape his status as a cultural icon. XXL writes, "Snoop's lyrical fire seems resurrected, as he delivers arguably his most consistently scorching work post-Doggystyle." Thirsty fans will be thrilled with the thought provoking song "Imagine," produced by and featuring Dr. Dre, which reflects on what life would be like for the California natives without hip hop. The signature Dre piano riff is complimented by the D'Angelo sung chorus, marking the first time fans have heard D'Angelo in six long years. Another album favorite is club banger "Psst," produced by Jamie Foxx, N8 and Brainz and features Jamie Foxx's signature falsetto on the hook. The album also features two collaborations with Akon, "Boss's Life" produced by Dr. Dre and the current radio smash "I Wanna Love You," the latter also being on Akon's upcoming album. Of the album, Snoop says, "Tha Blue Carpet Treatment is my presentation to the world on what it means to be the King of the West Coast. I really worked extra hard on making this one perfect and got the best of the best among my homies in the music game -- Skateboard P, Timbaland, R. Kelly, D'Angelo ... and you know when me and Dr. Dre get together -- it's a monster."
As a gift to loyal fans, Snoop is treating 9 winners to "Tha Blue Carpet Treatment." Nine winning tickets will be placed inside random CDs of the album which reward the lucky recipient with a diamond Ice link watch. The grand prize winner will win a diamond Ice Link watch worth $100,000. Three winners will be prized with diamond Ice Link watches worth $10,000 and five winners will get diamond Ice Link watches worth $5,000.
The excitement for the album will continue to build as Snoop will be performing at this year's MTV European Music Awards on November 2nd, marking the rapper's first televised performance of the year. He will follow it up with a performance at this year's BET Hip Hop Awards, which will air on November 17th, where his feature film, "Boss'n Up" is nominated for Best Hip Hop Movie.
As if Snoop were not busy enough, he also recently released his first book, "Love Don't Live Here No More," a story loosely based on his own life's trials and tribulations. The book, co-written by playwright David E. Talbert, is the first in a series of novels called Doggy Tales that takes readers from the unforgiving streets of Long Beach to the bright lights of show business.
Source: Geffen Records

Oscar(R) Winner Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell Star as Two Undercover Detectives Going Where No Cop Has Tread Before ... Into the Heart of Globalized Trafficking
'Miami Vice'
Be the First to Own the Thrilling Unrated Director's Edition DVD, Featuring New Footage Not Seen in Theaters
In Stores December 5, 2006 From Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Nov. 1 From acclaimed writer-director-producer Michael Mann, "Miami Vice" explores the intricate dynamic between criminals and cops who risk everything as they navigate an international marketplace where third-world drug trafficking intersects with billion-dollar conglomerates. An intense film about globalized crime, "Miami Vice" blasts its way onto DVD in both R-rated and Unrated Director's Editions, as well as on an HD DVD combo disc on December 5, 2006 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The Unrated Director's Edition amps the intensity with a never-before-seen version of the film that features footage not shown in theaters, creating an exclusive motion-picture experience audiences won't want to miss. "Miami Vice" stars Oscar(R) winner Jamie Foxx ("Ray," "Collateral") and Colin Farrell ("S.W.A.T.," "Phone Booth") as Ricardo Tubbs and Sonny Crockett -- two undercover detectives going where no cop has tread before ... into the heart of globalized trafficking. The film also features an accomplished international cast, including Gong Li, Naomie Harris, Ciaran Hinds, Justin Theroux, Barry Shabaka Henley, Luis Tosar, Elizabeth Rodriguez and John Ortiz.
The feature "Miami Vice" is the big screen contemporization of one of the most groundbreaking series in history, now unrestricted by the limits of television. Created by Anthony Yerkovich and executive produced by Mann, the revolutionary show pioneered a new way for televised dramas to be conceived and staged. With this year's "Miami Vice," Mann continues to make his indelible influence on cinema as he explores the intriguing characters he developed for television to reveal the dangerous and alluring world of working deep undercover. The DVD is priced at $29.98.
CRITICS SHOWER "MIAMI VICE" WITH PRAISE
America's reviewers couldn't get enough of "Miami Vice's" spectacular action and dazzling energy. "A crime story that sizzles with action, sex and the visceral jolt of life on the edge," raves Peter Travers of Rolling Stone. "Explosive violence, terse talk, smart performances, disarming romance. Terrifically entertaining," enthuses Joe Morgenstern of the Wall Street Journal. The Village Voice's Scott Foundas proclaims, "(Nothing) will quite prepare you for the visceral impact of 'Vice.'"
A BARRAGE OF BONUS FEATURES
Blazing with excitement from the very first shot through the thrilling climax, the "Miami Vice" DVD includes exciting extras that provide an exclusive insider's look at the volatile and visually stunning world of "Miami Vice." Both the Rated and Unrated Director's Editions contain the following bonus features:
* Miami Vice Undercover -- Join actors Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell as they prepare for their immersion in undercover life through a regimen of physical, mental and weapons training with a squad of experts. Foxx and Farrell learn from seasoned Federal agents and undercover operatives brought in to develop an authentic three-month training experience on-site in Miami. * Miami and Beyond: Shooting on Location -- Michael Mann and his location team aggressively sought out locations to create the film's exotic feel. Follow the cast and crew as they film in locations from Miami and Key West, Florida, to Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Brazil -- including the mysterious Ciudad del Este, a real-life haven for drug traffickers, weapons dealers and international crime rings.
The Unrated Director's Edition takes fans even deeper into the production of this groundbreaking film with the following in-depth bonus features:
* Visualizing Miami Vice -- Mann collaborated with Oscar(R)-winning cinematographer Dion Beebe ("Collateral") to capture twenty-first century Miami's distinctive, instantly recognizable aura. Since Mann helped to usher in the image of a new Miami in the 1980s, the city has grown more cosmopolitan, sophisticated and affluent. From production design to cinematography, discover how top technical experts in their fields captured Miami's new muscular vitality. * Feature Commentary with writer-director-producer Michael Mann. * Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes -- This bonus feature provides a behind-the-scenes peek at the making of the film, including an exciting look at the actors' firearms training, the film's locations, and the filming of one of the Unrated film's most exciting sequences - the boat races. SYNOPSIS
"Miami Vice" begins as Sonny Crocket (Colin Farrell) and Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx) learn that a high-level leak has lead to the slaughter of two federal agents and the murder of an informant friends' family. The two detectives' investigation takes them straight to the doorstep of vicious killers from the Aryan Brotherhood and a sophisticated network of globalized traffickers protected by world-class security. During the hunt, the partners encounter the cartel's beautiful Chinese-Cuban financial officer Isabella (Gong Li, "Memoirs of a Geisha") -- a woman who moves, launders and invests money. The seductress provides Crockett a way of exorcising his own demons as he tries to keep her safe from darker forces ... while the new lovers learn just who's playing (and falling for) whom. Simultaneously, the stoic Tubbs infiltrates the elusive criminal enterprise while keeping a protective eye on his intel-analyst girlfriend, Trudy (Naomie Harris, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"). As Crockett and Tubbs work undercover transporting drug loads into South Florida, they race to identify the group responsible for their friends' killings while jointly investigating the New Underworld Order. During their mission, lines will get crossed as the partners start forgetting not only which way is up, but on which side of the law they're supposed to be ...
For more information please visit: www.miamivice.com CAST & FILMMAKERS Written and directed by: Michael Mann Produced by: Michael Mann, Pieter Jan Brugge Executive Producer: Anthony Yerkovich Based on the Television Series Created by: Anthony Yerkovich Director of Photography: Dion Beebe, ACS, ASC Production Designer: Victor Kempster Editors: William Goldenberg, ACE; Paul Rubell, ACE Costume Designers: Janty Yates, Michael Kaplan Music by: John Murphy Casting by: Francine Maisler, CSA Cast: Jamie Foxx, Colin Farrell, Gong Li, Naomie Harris, Ciaran Hinds, Justin Theroux, Barry Shabaka Henley, Luis Tosar, Elizabeth Rodriguez and John Ortiz TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD Street Date: December 5, 2006 Pre-Order Close: October 24, 2006 Copyright: 2006 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Price: R-Rated and Unrated Director's Edition: $29.98 SRP Selection Number: - R-Rated 28023 - Unrated Director's Edition 33266 Running Time: R-Rated film: 2 hours 20 minutes; Unrated Director's Edition: 2 hours 19 minutes Layers: Dual Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1 Rating: R Languages/ Subtitles: R-Rated- - English: Dolby Digital 5.1/ SDH/ DVS Dolby Digital 2.0 - Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1/ subtitles - French: Dolby Digital 5.1/ subtitles Unrated Director's Edition- - English: Dolby Digital 5.1/ SDH - Spanish: Subtitles - French: Subtitles
Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion pictures company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.
Macy's Announces New Giant Balloons and Amazing Float Line-Up For the 80th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(R)
- New Balloons Include Flying Ace Snoopy And Pikachu -
- New Floats Include Charlotte's Web, Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, Mother Goose, New York Tin Toy And Starship Greendog(R) -
- Energizer Bunny(R) Debuts As New Balloonicle -
-- The start of the holiday season is just around the corner and the new kids on the block are gearing up for their debuts in the official kick-off to the holiday season, the 80th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(R). On Thursday, November 23rd at 9:00 AM the new giant balloons and fantastic floats will take to the sky and streets of New York City in America's favorite Parade.
Turkey Day marks the debut of 2 new giant balloons, 6 new floats and a brand new Balloonicle (Macy's hybrid balloon and self-powered vehicle). From classic characters to whimsical floats, the 80th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will once again feature a stellar starring cast.
Joining returning favorites, these new stars will delight millions of spectators in their first proud procession down Broadway to Macy's Herald Square.
Airborne Artistry PIKACHU POKEMON USA, INC.
Pikachu makes its second Parade debut as a brand new balloon this year chasing after a Poke Ball. An Electric-type Pokemon, Pikachu has the ability to store electricity in its cheeks. This year, Pikachu will show Parade spectators just how electric it is, as its cheeks light up along the Parade route. Pikachu stands at 53.5 feet high, 36.9 feet wide, 40.8 feet long, and filled with 15,000 cubic feet of helium. Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Pokemon, Pikachu is the most recognizable of the over 380 Pokemon characters.
FLYING ACE SNOOPY UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE
Making his Parade return as his most famous alter ego, Flying Ace Snoopy is ready for his showdown with the dreaded Red Baron. Snoopy made his first Macy's Parade debut in 1968 and has delighted millions during his 27 Parade flights. Over the years, the extroverted beagle with a Walter Mitty complex has taken on a variety of roles from an Astronaut to an Ice Skater to a Millennium party animal. But his most famous Macy's Parade incarnation is the Flying Ace. In celebration of the Parade's 80th Anniversary, the Flying Ace will return standing at 52 feet high, 25 feet wide and 49.5 feet long and filled with 15,000 cubic feet of helium. Parade ready with his binoculars, red scarf and aviator hat and goggles, Snoopy will delight a new generation of fans.
ENERGIZER BUNNY(R) ENERGIZER(R)
America's favorite hare makes his Parade debut as a new balloonicle (a Macy's invention Balloon and self-powered vehicle). The Energizer Bunny(R) with his signature shades, blue flip-flops and of course, Energizer(R) battery that keeps him going and going, will be beating his drum down the Great White Way on Thanksgiving. Standing at 38.6 feet tall, 21 feet wide and 22.5 feet long, the Energizer Bunny will power his cool self down the 2.5-mile Parade route wearing 45 EEE sized flip-flops.
Fantastic Fleet of Fun CHARLOTTE'S WEB PARAMOUNT PICTURES
Before making his live-action film debut this Christmas in "Charlotte's Web," the "terrific" and "humble" pig Wilbur takes a ride down Broadway on Thanksgiving Day. On the new Charlotte's Web float, Wilbur marvels at the web-spinning ability of his best friend, Charlotte the spider, as she tries to convince everyone that Wilbur is "some pig" and worth saving. E.B. White's beloved story of friendship and loyalty comes to life in the movie, which stars Julia Roberts as the voice of Charlotte, Dakota Fanning as Fern, and the voices of Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Oprah Winfrey, Cedric the Entertainer, Kathy Bates, Reba McEntire, Robert Redford, Thomas Haden Church, and Andre Benjamin.
FOSTER'S HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS CARTOON NETWORK
An imaginary friend is always with you and so are the pals from Cartoon Network's best-loved hit original series, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. The irrepressible Blooregard Q. Kazoo sails down Broadway in a 30-foot-tall replica of Madame Foster's fun-filled mansion -- home to imaginary friends who have been outgrown by their creators. Bloo will have a lot of fun in his Broadway debut as he pops in and out of the mansions windows and chimney, while Cheese, Wilt, Eduardo, Coco and Herriman take in the sights. For their big Broadway performance, the cast will sing the Beatles' classic "With A Little Help From My Friends."
MOTHER GOOSE
The legendary goose returns to the Parade in this recreation of a favorite Parade float. The aforementioned goose surveys Parade spectators as she sits atop a giant fairy tale book. On board for the magical tale will be Julie Andrews and children from the New York City Ballet performing "The Show Must Go On."
NEW YORK TIN TOY THE HISTORY CHANNEL(R)
Designed to mirror a child's tin wind-up toy, The New York Tin Toy float will feature a giant replica of New York City's most famous skyscraper, the Empire State Building. The float will reveal through its wind-up motion, iconic dates, celebrations and locations, tracing the history of New York City. Featuring landmark events throughout history from the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty to Babe Ruth's defining moments at Yankee Stadium, to the world-famous World War II "Kiss" in Times Square, the float helps bring history to life. On board Barry Manilow will take the journey through time as he performs the classic song "What The World Needs Now."
SNOOPY'S DOGHOUSE UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE
As Flying Ace Snoopy returns to the sky over the Macy's Parade, his pal Woodstock helps guide the way down the route. Snoopy's famous doghouse is air traffic control headquarters on this new Parade float. Standing atop Snoopy's doghouse, Woodstock serves as the Flying Ace's official air traffic controller. Charlie Brown, Lucy and Linus will also be on board for the fun down Broadway.
STARSHIP GREENDOG(R) GREENDOG(R)
It's all about discovery with real kids, real challenges and real science on Starship Greendog(R). The brand new float is the state-of-the art headquarters where discovery and invention begin. Featuring a giant telescope, solar system, space mission control and science labs, creativity lives here. On board for the tutorial down Broadway will be cast members from the PBS series FETCH! and the Jonas Brothers performing "Year 3000."

Alabama's All-American Soundtrack
By Deborah Evans Price
© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.
Few artists have created a more consistent soundtrack for the lives of America's Country Music fans than Alabama. From working class anthems including "Forty Hour Week (For A Livin')" to smoldering love songs such as "Feels So Right" to the celebration of Southern life in "Dixieland Delight," Alabama's catalog of hits has reflected Country life and values.
Alabama's musical legacy is celebrated on Livin' Lovin' Rockin' Rollin,' a three-CD box set that includes 51 songs, including eight previously unreleased tracks. Among those tracks are live performances, alternate versions of classic hits and an acoustic demo that lead singer Randy Owen recorded in 1973. The set also features a 52-page booklet, which includes a chronological timeline, rare photos, and liner notes written by Nashville journalist/historian Robert K. Oermann.
One of Owen's favorite tracks on the album is a medley that features "That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine," "Suppertime," "Teach Your Children" and "Don't it Make You Want to Go Home," recorded at a Georgia music park in 1982.
"That was the only time in my memory that we sat down with acoustic guitars and played those songs that way, and it was actually on tape," Owen said. "I didn't want to mess with it. It was just pretty raw and to the point. Rather than making a big production out of it, we did the best we could with it so we didn't lose the authenticity of the moment. It was a unique find."
The box set also includes live performances of "My Home's in Alabama," "If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)," "Tennessee River," "Vacation" and "Gonna Have a Party," among others. Owen is particularly pleased with the live tracks and the glimpse into Alabama's history they provide.
"I wanted kids to hear what Alabama sounded like in concert," he said of young fans that weren't around to hear the band in its heyday. "Some of those tracks were taken straight out of the board."
Another rare track is a demo recorded by Owen in 1973. "Ripperly O'Tucke" is based on a man in Owen's hometown.
"They told me they wanted to hear something that nobody had heard before," Owen said of the label's request for rare cuts. "So I went back and found something I recorded a long time ago, just me and my guitar. It was about an old guy I knew. He was a character. The word was - when I was a little kid - that his wife left him. I remember people talking."
Livin' Lovin' Rockin' Rollin' spotlights the music that has made Alabama more than the name of a Southern state. Owen, Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Mark Herndon have come a long way, traveling many roads from their Fort Payne, Ala., home to their days as a Myrtle Beach, S.C., bar band to their arena-filling years touring the country for more than two decades. Life on the road came to an end for the band when they performed the last show of their American Farewell Tour in Bismarck, N.D., on Oct. 16, 2004.
"We wanted to go out and do good shows, and we did that," Owen said. When asked was it hard to walk off the stage that final time? "No, I was so ready to," he admitted. "I didn't sleep until the next morning because I was so excited to not have that load on my shoulders. I told myself, when I get through this, I'm taking a year off. I don't care what kind of money is offered, I'm not going to do anything."
Owen spent the year relaxing, enjoying his family and pursuing things he never had time for during all those years on the road. Now, however, he's ready to re-enter the music business at his own pace. "We never said we were retired," he said.
In fact, he's been pretty busy writing and recording demos of new songs. He recently recorded a tune with RCA newcomer Jake Owen and contributed a song to the recently released She Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool: A Tribute to Barbara Mandrell on BNA Records. Owen was pleased to record Mandrell's hit "Years," because the song has always reminded him of his mother.
"My father passed away in 1980, and she never remarried," Owen said. "She said she never saw anyone as good looking as he was. She had the best and she didn't want to settle for the rest of her life with second best. It was such an emotional song for me to do. I know it isn't really about that, but that's the way it hung on my heart."
Owen begins gently singing the lyric. "'Years of hanging onto dreams already one, years of wishing you were here. After all this time you think I wouldn't cry, but I still love you after all these years.'
"It's such a simple song, but those are the best kind. I played the rough for my wife Kelly and she said, 'Wow, let's get out and dance here on the dirt road.' We were riding around on one of these old dirt roads and she said, 'You know if there was ever a man who made love to a microphone, you do.' That's a compliment coming from her because she's heard every demo, every song, everything I've done for a long time."
Next on Owen's agenda is Songs of Inspiration, a gospel album with his Alabama pals that was released on Oct. 24. Relating compelling stories through music is something Alabama has always done, and it's a talent that provided a vehicle for Cook, Gentry, Herndon and Owen to enter the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. Owen recalls manager Dale Morris calling him to give him the news. He said he immediately teared up. Once home in Alabama, he got the rest of the guys together for breakfast and surprised them by saying he'd always wanted to have breakfast with the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
"Nobody said anything at first and then there were some words I can't print," he recalled with a laugh. "Everyone was genuinely surprised. I'll always be so grateful. It's a big deal for me that we get to share that while we are alive and not walking around on canes."
The music on Livin' Lovin' Rockin' Rollin' showcases the musical ride that landed Alabama in the Hall of Fame. Owen is hoping the fans will enjoy the collection.
"Hopefully it will mean a lot to the people who are like family to us, people who have been fans for all these years," he said. "I feel they are a part of the history of this wonderful success story."
On The Web: www.thealabamaband.com

New Artist Spotlight: Chris Young
By Peter Cronin

© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.
Chris Young came to national attention the new-fashioned way, by winning the fourth season of the audience-voted reality TV show "Nashville Star" which aired on USA Network. But when it comes to his music, this Murfreesboro, Tenn., native is all about deep Country tradition. With a list of influences that includes Marty Robbins, Randy Travis, Keith Whitley and Hank Williams, Young is dedicated to putting a new twist on old Country and with his self-titled RCA Records debut, he's off to an auspicious start.
The album, which was produced by Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire), was released on Sept. 26. The album's leadoff single, "Drinkin' Me Lonely," which the singer performed on "Nashville Star," is already familiar to legions of fans of the show and is currently climbing the Country charts. Young co-wrote the song with Larry Wayne Clark, and he's also listed as co-writer on four of the album's 11 cuts.
Young entered showbiz as a 9-year-old when they needed one more kid to sing and dance in his hometown's Fourth of July celebration. After that first taste, he was off and running, joining school and church choirs and auditioning for the GRAMMY Choir, the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and grabbing every other opportunity he could get his hands on. With his grandfather providing the classic Country album collection and the guitar lessons, Young studied the masters and began perfecting his vocal and performing style.
During a backstage vocal warm-up at his recent Grand Ole Opry debut, Young and his grandfather performed a duet version of Marty Robbins' "Begging to You," the first song his grandfather taught him to play on guitar. After a rousing performance at the 2006 CMA Music Festival, Young spent the summer on the road with the "Nashville Star" tour.
IN HIS OWN WORDS:
Who is your musical hero?
"Keith Whitley. He was one of those people who had a timeless voice and presence. He continues to inspire people, including me, with his music."
Which song would you secretly like to cover?
"'I Can Tell by the Way You Dance' by Vern Gosdin."
What CD is on your stereo?
"Daryle Singletary's That's Why I Sing This Way."
What song do you wish you had written?
"'That's My Job,' the Conway Twitty classic because it never fails to give me goose bumps."
On the Web: www.chrisyoungcountry.com
Author Imparts History of Illinois Artist's Camp in New Book

Jan Stilson brings readers on
a warm and nostalgic look at life at Eagle's Nest Camp in
Oregon, Ill., where artists camped each summer to escape the
heat of the city in her book, Art and Beauty in the
Heartland: The Story of Eagle's Nest Camp at Oregon,
Illinois, 1898-1942 (now available through AuthorHouse).

Several men, including many famous Chicago artists of the
time, met with Wallace Heckman at his country home in 1898
and signed a lease for a few acres just north of the mansion
that artists and their families could settle on each summer.
The lease specified that they could not harm any more trees
than needed to construct their cabins, and they could not
build roads.

The book begins by exploring life at the camp through the
eyes of a visiting architect, Dwight Perkins. On his visits,
Perkins wrote colorful letters describing the people,
events, cabins and the parties that occurred almost every
night.

Some of the artists were interested in teaching rural
Midwestern America to see beauty around them, and to provide
art for their small towns. They went into schools, community
halls, ladies' meetings, churches and social clubs to talk
about art, beauty and how to place beautiful sculptures and
fountains in their town parks. By raising art awareness
among adults and school children, they cultivated a
following of new patrons who discovered that supporting art
could be fun.

In her book, Stilson examines the careers of some of the
artists, their contribution after the Black Hawk War and the
value they brought to the town of Oregon, Ill. "Art and
Beauty in the Heartland is an epic story of love of people
for the land, for beauty and for art," says Stilson. "The
book is irresistible in its charm and will delight you with
stories of intrigue, romance, joys and sorrows."

Stilson was born in Oregon, Ill., and grew up hearing about
Lorado Taft and the other artists of Eagle's Nest. She
worked at Lorado Taft Field Campus while pursuing her
master's degree in library science at Northern Illinois
University. At the Taft Campus Library, Stilson found
original documents and photos from the Eagle's Nest art
colony and began heavily reading and researching the camp,
including meeting some of the artists' children. From her
research, she pieced together this book. She has also worked
in various library settings, including the newsroom library
of the Rockford Register Star. She has a husband and three
children and still lives in Oregon, Ill. Stilson has written
extensively about the history of the Rock River Valley for
publications including Illinois Magazine and Register Star,
but Art and Beauty in the Heartland is her first book.

AuthorHouse is the premier publishing house for emerging
authors and new voices in literature. For more information,
please visit http://www.authorhouse.com.

Survivor" winner Tina
Wesson shares her personal story and devotionals in her new
book, Out Live, Out Laugh, Out Love (now available through
AuthorHouse).

Though Wesson became a household name after beating 15 other
castaways in the popular reality TV show without receiving a
single vote against her, the book focuses on Wesson's
journey through the rest her life. "My years spent outside
the game have been every bit as adventurous," she writes.

Her personal story, paired with the wisdom she has garnered
throughout her life, is designed to help readers "live
better and fulfilled lives," she says. "It seems that my
gift and mission in life is that of encouraging others to
live a life more grace-filled. Acceptance of others is
repeated throughout the text."

Each devotional is concluded with a thought-provoking
question to enable the reader to get the most out of
Wesson's insights. Taken from the pages of her personal
journals, these devotionals provide an inside look at the
source of the strength that allowed Wesson to win the $1
million "Survivor" competition. She approaches the rest of
her life with the same mindset, she says.

"I am in my own personal game in this life. The strategy in
order to win is quite simply to out live, out laugh and out
love every other human on the planet. The reward is a life
so well lived that I can hardly wait to wake up in the
morning to see what the day holds. The other piece of good
news is that I do not really have to be better than anyone
else in order to win; I just have to do the three
requirements to the best of my ability," Wesson writes.

The seven weeks Wesson spent filming for "Survivor" is just
the tip of the iceberg in her rich, fulfilling life. An
accomplished athlete, Wesson is a two-time winner of the
Tennessee racquetball championship and a frequent competitor
in extreme adventure races and triathlons. She has also
completed two marathons for the Joints in Motion division of
the Arthritis Foundation for which she is the national
spokeswoman. She holds a degree in therapeutic recreation
from the University of Tennessee and devoted most of her
career to the healthcare field as a private caregiver for
individuals with severe paralysis. She is also a member of
Outstanding Young Women of America. Wesson is a mother to
two children, Katie and Taylor Collins, and considers
motherhood to be the "biggest blessing of her life." Out
Live, Out Laugh, Out Love is her first book.

AuthorHouse is the premier publishing house for emerging
authors and new voices in literature. For more information,
please visit http://www.authorhouse.com.

Oct 31
Nicolas Cage Is the New Montblanc Ambassador
-- Montblanc, one of the world's leading brands in the luxury segment, has appointed the world-famous actor Nicolas Cage as the brand's third international brand ambassador. As of November 2006, Montblanc will be featuring Nicolas Cage in a campaign entitled "Helping others gives success true meaning". The new campaign continues the brand's series of advertising motifs with famous Hollywood stars and Oscar winners, including Julianne Moore and Johnny Depp, highlighting both Montblanc's products and its commitment to charitable causes. Nicolas Cage will be presenting the two exclusive chronographs "Montblanc Star Chronograph GMT Automatic" and "Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph Automatic".
The Montblanc campaign "Helping others gives success true meaning"
"Helping others gives success true meaning" is the theme of the campaign with Nicolas Cage for Montblanc, which will be launched in November 2006 and is to be promoted in a wide selection of publications, including international lifestyle and fashion magazines.
Success is one of the cornerstones of the Montblanc brand philosophy. Success is largely driven by skill, creative passion and enthusiasm. Success is something we can be proud of, but it also involves a commitment to give something back to those who have contributed to this success.
Montblanc, a brand whose roots are deeply entwined with writing culture, is committed to supporting a huge variety of art and culture projects. The brand's activities in this field span several decades and include the "Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award", which since 1992 has been honouring every year outstanding patrons of the Arts; the partnership with the "Philharmonia Of Nations" with young musicians from more than 40 countries; the "Montblanc Young Directors' Project", which is part of the Salzburg Festival and is a competition for young international theatre directors; and the "Young Artist World Patronage Programme", which is dedicated to supporting talented young contemporary artists on a worldwide basis.
Nicolas Cage and Montblanc
Nicolas Cage is no stranger to charitable commitment. Famous all over the world as one of the most talented and versatile actors of our age, he effortlessly masters every genre in contemporary films. Winning his first Academy Award in 1996 for his role in "Leaving Las Vegas", he is one of the few actors to possess a truly unforgettable, distinctive charisma.
Nicolas Cage has since been nominated twice for an Academy Award and four times for a Golden Globe Award; his most recent film is "World Trade Center", directed by Oliver Stone for Paramount Pictures. Next year, Nicolas will be seen starring in the Marvel Comics and Sony Pictures film "Ghost Rider".
His amazing career and his exceptional personal and professional success have inspired Nicolas Cage to become involved in a number of charities and projects, and he has made generous donations to humanitarian aid programmes.
The Montblanc initiative "Helping others gives success true meaning" presents Nicolas Cage as the brand's new ambassador with two Montblanc watches. Nicolas Cage donated his compensation to support the Californian project "Heal the Bay" together with a donation by Montblanc.
Nicolas Cage presents the chronographs "Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph
Automatic" and "Montblanc Star Chronograph GMT Automatic"
The focal point of the new campaign featuring Nicolas Cage are Montblanc's two new chronographs, "Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph Automatic" and "Montblanc Star Chronograph GMT Automatic". Like all Montblanc watches, these new timepieces are made in the company's own watch production facility Montblanc Montre S.A. in Le Locle, Switzerland.
The "Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph Automatic" has a clear, straightforward design. Featuring an uncluttered, modern face, skeletonized horns and clasps, this watch offers a wide range of chronograph functions. A distinctive design which is showcased in the new Montblanc advertising campaign featuring Nicolas Cage.
The sophisticated, classic counterpart to this chronograph is the "Montblanc Star Chronograph GMT Automatic", featuring an officially certified COSC chronometer and a 24-hour GMT display for a second time zone. This new timepiece is a highly successful synthesis which unites traditional design elements and advanced timekeeping technology. Visible behind the sapphire glass base, the movement bears all the hallmarks of the very best Swiss watchmaking craftsmanship.
For more information, please visit the Montblanc Press Lounge at www.montblanc.com.
Source: Montblanc
Web site: http://www.montblanc.com/

Ron Perlman and Kelly Hu Join Cast of Afro Samurai(R)
Renowned Action Adventure Stars Appear in New Animated Series Premieres on January 4, 2007 on SPIKE
-- Renowned action adventure stars Ron Perlman and Kelly Hu will be joining Academy Award(R)-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson in "Afro Samurai." The five-part animated series is produced by Japanese studio Gonzo in association/partnership with GHK K.K. and FUNimation and premieres on SPIKE Thursday, January 4, 2007.
"Afro Samurai" is the animated epic, based on a graphic novel by Takashi Okazaki, of a black samurai's hunt for the gunman who murdered his father. Samuel L. Jackson executive-produces and stars as the uncompromising hero, Afro, in this stylish series that crosses cultural boundaries as a fusion of animated samurai action and hip-hop culture. Revolutionary rap artist and producer The RZA is crafting original music for the series.
Ron Perlman will give voice to Justice, the six-shooter wielding gunman who kills Afro's father and becomes the sole focus of Afro Samurai's quest for revenge.
"We're really excited to have the passion and skills of Ron Perlman on board for 'Afro Samurai.' He loves the genre, has tons of experience in the science fiction world, and brings a deep understanding and respect to the material," said Eric Calderon, vice-president of creative affairs at GDH K.K. "We're also ecstatic that such a charming and talented actor like Kelly Hu is joining us as well. Her excitement for the show really validates Afro Samurai as a breakout piece with enormous mass appeal."
Perlman is arguably best known for bringing comic book hero Hellboy to life as well as his Golden Globe winning and Emmy-nominated portrayal of the title character in the television series "Beauty and the Beast." Among his scores of other credits are "Star Trek: Nemesis," "Blade II," "Enemy at the Gates," "Alien: Resurrection" and "The Island of Dr. Moreau." He has also appeared in a number of television movies and Broadway plays.
"Aside from the opportunity to work with Sam Jackson, whom I admire intensely, the animation of gonzo is as startlingly cutting edge and exciting as anything I've seen to date -- and that includes 56 years of cartoon watching!" said Perlman.
Kelly Hu brings life to Okiku, a friend from Afro Samurai's past who is forced to betray those she loves in order to save one most dear to her. Hu co-starred in "X2: X-Men United" as well as "Cradle 2 the Grave" and "The Scorpion King." Currently, Hu is shooting a half-hour comedy for ABC titled "In Case of Emergency." Her other TV credits include Martial Law, Sunset Beach and Nash Bridges.
"It's an honor to be working with such amazing talent on this great project. I've been a huge fan of both Samuel Jackson and Ron Pearlman," said Hu. "Afro Samurai brings animation to a whole new level."
FUNimation Entertainment is set to release "AFRO SAMUARI" on DVD in spring 2007.
About FUNimation Entertainment
So it should read: FUNimation(R) Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation (NASDAQ:NAVR) , is the leading company for home video sales of Japanese animation in the United States. The company's most recent initiative is the FUNimation Channel(SM), a new, 24-hour digital network featuring programming from the top anime brands in the United States. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution.
About GDH K.K.
GDH (Security code: TSE Mothers 3755) is a globally-focused Japanese media company founded in February 2000. The group produces cutting edge entertainment for teens and young adults including the famous GONZO animation brand and for kids and family under the recently launched Gonzo Films and Gonzino brands. GDH is a world leader in content development that targets both domestic and international audiences with Japan's trend-setting animation culture and, usually, GDH controls licensing management and international distribution for the content it produces. GDH group companies include GONZO K.K., G-creators K.K., Future Vision Music K.K., GONZINO K.K., GONZO Rosso Online K.K., GDH Capital K.K., and GK Entertainment K.K.
About SPIKE
SPIKE is available in more than 90 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks is a unit of Viacom International.
Source: Spike TV
CONTACT: Debra Fazio, Spike TV-NY, +1-212-767-8649,
debra.fazio@mtvstaff.com; Melissa Leung, Spike TV-LA, +1-310-407-4729,
melissa.leung@mtvstaff.com; Jackie Smith, FUNimation, +1-817-788-0627,
Jackie.smith@funimation.com
Web site: http://www.spiketv.com/

Go Back to Where It All Began With the First Season of the Show That Changed Television Comedy Forever 'Saturday Night Live': The Complete First Season
New Eight-DVD Set Includes All 24 Original, Unedited Season One Episodes
In Their 90-Minute Format for the First Time Ever - Available December 5, 2006
From Universal Studios Home Entertainment
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The groundbreaking sketch comedy of the pioneering first season of NBC's "Saturday Night Live" comes to DVD with digitally remastered picture and sound for the first time on December 5, 2006 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
Back in 1975, seven young performers came together as the Not Ready for Prime Time Players and created a multiple Emmy(R) Award-winning late-night comedy showcase that would become one of the most enduring and celebrated franchises in the history of television. In that first season comic geniuses John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Laraine Newman and Garrett Morris put their unforgettable stamp on television comedy and shocked viewers with their irreverent, smart and off-kilter humor. Now available for the first time, "Saturday Night Live": The Complete First Season contains all 24 episodes of the debut season in their original 90-minute format, adding up to more than 30 hours of hilarious characters and memorable sketches, all the original musical performances by a roster of chart-topping artists and guest appearances by some of Hollywood's most acclaimed actors and comedians.
The set includes unforgettable sketches such as Land Shark and the Killer Bees; musical performances include Simon & Garfunkel, Jimmy Cliff, Carly Simon and Patti Smith. "Saturday Night Live": The Complete First Season guest hosts include Richard Pryor, Rob Reiner, Candice Bergen, Buck Henry and George Carlin. Just in time for the holidays, the eight-disc set comes in specially designed gift packaging with a limited-edition collectible book, audition footage and cast interview that aired the day before the first show! The set is sure to delight any SNL fan. "Saturday Night Live": the Complete First Season is priced at $69.98 SRP. Pre-order close is October 31, 2006. In addition, all 24 individual episodes of Season One will also be available to download beginning December 5, 2006.
According to the New York Times, "Saturday Night Live" is "still the most pervasive influence on the art of comedy in contemporary culture." Since its 1975 debut, SNL has been considered the gold standard for comedy on television, showcasing some of the brightest comedic lights of the past 30 years. The program has won 19 Emmy(R) Awards and been nominated for scores more, as well as winning the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award. With millions of viewers tuning in each week, the late-night comedy showcase has become an American institution and continues to be the highest rated show on late-night television.
Synopsis
For more than 30 years, "Saturday Night Live" has been America's favorite late-night television program, showcasing the talent of a generation of outrageously funny comedy performers. Now, for the first time, the legendary debut season of the longest-running comedy series in television history is available on DVD. All 24 Season One episodes, starring comedy revolutionaries John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Laraine Newman and Garrett Morris, are included in the original 90-minute format. With hosts including Candice Bergen, Rob Reiner, Lily Tomlin, George Carlin and Richard Pryor, "Saturday Night Live": The Complete First Season also features performances by musical superstars such as Jimmy Cliff, Simon & Garfunkel, Carly Simon, Patti Smith and more.
For more information, please visit: www.great-tv-shows.com
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
DVD
Street Date: December 5, 2006
Pre-Order Close: October 31, 2006
Copyright: 2006 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $69.98 SRP
Selection Number: 30565
Running Time: 26 Hours 33 Minutes
Layers: Dual
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Rating: Not Rated
Technical Info: Dolby Digital 2.0; English SDH
For artwork or screeners, please log on to our Web site at www.ushepublicity.com or fax your request to Universal Studios Home Entertainment Publicity at (818) 866-0226.
Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.
CONTACTS
Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Vivian Mayer
Senior Vice President, Publicity
(818) 777-3594
Lea Porteneuve
Vice President, Publicity
(818) 777-1391
Craig Radow
Senior Manager, Publicity
(818) 777-4572
Kelly Castell
Assistant Manager, Broadcast Publicity
(818) 777-0549
Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
CONTACT: Vivian Mayer, Senior Vice President, Publicity,
+1-818-777-3594, or Lea Porteneuve, Vice President, Publicity,
+1-818-777-1391, or Craig Radow, Senior Manager, Publicity, +1-818-777-4572,
or Kelly Castell, Assistant Manager, Broadcast Publicity, +1-818-777-0549, all
of Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Web site: http://www.great-tv-shows.com/
Web site: http://www.ushepublicity.com/
Web site: http://www.universalstudios.com/

Eidos Celebrates With Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary
Inspired by the original Tomb Raider comes a totally new Lara adventure
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Eidos Interactive Ltd., one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, today confirms the title of the next Tomb Raider game will be Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary. Set for release in North America on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system and Windows PC, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a tribute to Lara Croft and the phenomenal impact she has had on pop-culture and gaming.
Inspired by the first Tomb Raider videogame, originally released in 1996, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a totally new 2006 adventure for Lara, faithfully preserving the elements which made the original Tomb Raider such a classic, selling over 7 million copies worldwide. Using an enhanced 'Tomb Raider Legend' game engine, the graphics, technology and physics bring Lara's adventure and pursuit of a mystical artifact known only as the Scion right up to today's technology standards and will offer gamers a completely new gameplay experience.
"Lara Croft is more than just a video game character -- she is a digital- celebrity and icon for the video game industry, as well as a strong, powerful character that people of all ages connect with," said Director of Marketing Matt Gorman, Eidos. "We are re-telling an incredible story using today's technology, we've taken all of the key moments from the original game and put them into the context of a brand new Tomb Raider adventure."
The puzzles are now more in depth and incorporate environmental interaction and physics driven solutions. The level design and flow of gameplay are inspired by the original videogame making Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary a brand new experience in gaming, while still invoking the nostalgia of the first adventure in Tomb Raiding.
"We've captured the essence of what made the original game so special and with today's technology, created a game that pushes the boundaries of the current gaming consoles. Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a special celebration of Lara's reign as videogaming's leading lady," said Ian Livingstone, Eidos Interactive.
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary is currently in development by Crystal Dynamics and will be available in spring 2007.
About Eidos Interactive Ltd
Eidos Interactive Ltd is part of SCi Entertainment Group Plc (SEG) one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software. Eidos consists of publishing operations across Europe and the US and several development studios including Crystal Dynamics, IO Interactive, Beautiful Game Studios, Eidos Studios Hungary, Eidos Sweden and Pivotal Games. The Group has a valuable combined portfolio of intellectual property including: Tomb Raider, Hitman, Deus Ex, Championship Manager, Carmageddon, the Conflict series and Just Cause.
Some of the titles currently in development include: Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, Crossfire, Battlestations: Midway, Chili Con Carnage and Highlander.
"PlayStation", "PS" Family logo and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo(TM) may be required (sold separately).
Source: Eidos Interactive Ltd.
CONTACT: Michelle Curran or Matt Dahlgren, both of Eidos North America,
+1-415-547-1200, or pr@eidos.com
Web site: http://www.eidos.com/

Sheryl Crow to Launch Lifestyle Brand
Grammy Winner Sheryl Crow Enters Partnership With Leading Celebrity Brand Extension Firm
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow has engaged LA based Brand Sense Partners to help her identify and execute new business ventures that are complementary to her artistry, lifestyle and commitment to social responsibility.
"Sheryl has spent over twenty-five years building a phenomenally strong image and loyal fan base through unprecedented talent, intelligence and conviction. Our team is working to develop a lifestyle brand for her through disciplined strategic planning, coupled with world class execution," said Brand Sense President Robert Hollander. "We are honored Sheryl has selected Brand Sense to help her launch and manage this important business initiative."
"Brand Sense Partners is a leader in the field and I am thrilled about our collaboration," said Crow. "I am excited at the prospect of working with them to fulfill my vision of creating a line of high quality products that reflect my values."
Since the release of her multi-platinum Tuesday Night Music Club album in 1993, Sheryl Crow has become the most successful female singer/songwriter of her generation having sold over 25 million albums worldwide. In addition to her music, Sheryl is a devoted advocate for many humanitarian causes including building awareness for breast cancer, of which she is a survivor.
Crow and Brand Sense have begun discussions with potential manufacturing and distribution partners with plans to have products on shelf by Holiday 2008. Interested companies should contact Theresa Brown, Director of Business Development at Brand Sense Partners, at 310-867-7218.
About Brand Sense Partners, LLC
Brand Sense Partners, LLC accelerates the growth of new categories of business for their clients by leveraging their brand equity and other strategic assets. The firm's visionary team of diverse industry experts develop, analyze and then execute new business initiatives -- while reducing capital costs, risk, and time to market. The result: new highly profitable revenue and accelerated strategic business growth. Brand Sense's broad range of clients include consumer brands in the sports, entertainment, automotive, retail, fashion, cosmetics and technology industries. Brand Sense Partners is headquartered in Los Angeles. For more information on Brand Sense Partners, please visit http://www.bsp.com/ .
Source: Brand Sense Partners, LLC
CONTACT: Theresa Brown, Director of Business Development, Brand Sense
Partners, +1-310-867-7218
Web site: http://www.bsp.com/

Viacom's MTV Networks Completes Acquisition of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
NEW YORK, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) , announced today that on October 27, 2006, it closed its $175 million acquisition of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., the developer of the PlayStation 2 hit Guitar Hero and other music gaming titles. The Company announced it had reached a definitive agreement to acquire Harmonix on September 22, 2006.
About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
Harmonix is a videogame development company based in Cambridge, MA. The company specializes in music-based games and is renowned for groundbreaking design innovation. Harmonix was founded in 1995 by Alex Rigopulos (CEO) and Eran Egozy (CTO), who met while working in the computer music group at the MIT Media Laboratory. Alex and Eran formed Harmonix initially not to develop videogames, but rather to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music. (http://www.harmonixmusic.com/)
About Viacom
Viacom is a leading global entertainment content company, with prominent and respected brands in focused demographics. Offering programming and content for television, motion pictures and digital platforms, Viacom's world- class brands include MTV Networks (MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, TV Land, Logo and more than 130 networks around the world), BET Networks, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, DreamWorks and Famous Music. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at www.viacom.com.
FCMN Contact: james.bombassei@viacom.com
Source: Viacom Inc.
CONTACT: Media: Jeremy Zweig, +1-212-846-7503, jeremy.zweig@viacom.com,
or Investors: James Bombassei, +1-212-258-6377, james.bombassei@viacom.com,
both of Viacom Inc.
Web site: http://www.viacom.com/

Get Ready for National Lampoon's 'Pledge This!'
Paris Hilton Stars as Sorority Queen
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Vivendi Visual Entertainment (V V E) distributes National Lampoon's "Pledge This!" starring Paris Hilton. The announcement was made today by Tom O'Malley, General Manager, V V E along with Jack Utsick Presents, Ckrush Entertainment, Inc., and English Distribution LLC. The film will open nationwide in November. Paris Hilton said of the film "I hope people have as much fun watching it as I had making it."
At South Beach University, getting into the right sorority is the golden ticket to good times. This year's sexy freshman pledges quickly experience a whirlwind tour of sorority row where anything goes. Once accepted as Gamma pledges, they are put through a series of hilarious trials and embarrassing adventures. But the worst is yet to come as Victoria, the queen of mean (Paris Hilton, TV's "The Simple Life") secretly plots to expel them from the sorority. Soon an all out war of boyfriend stealing and sabotage ensue. Pledge This! is a hilarious comedy in the over-the-top tradition of National Lampoon comedies like Animal House and Van Wilder.
"We're excited about the theatrical release of the film, and the opportunity to bring to fans yet another hilarious National Lampoon film." said O'Malley. "Paris Hilton's popularity makes this film a must-see."
Co-starring in the film are Paula Garces, Holly Valance, Simon Rex, Geoffrey Arend, Kerry Kenney, Sarai Howard, and Sarah Carter. Also featured are Amanda Lee Aday, Bianca Lawson, Noureen Dewulf, Diva Zappa, Rick Najera, Alex Thorpe, Amanda Rowan, Sofia Vergara, Carmen Electra and Randy Spelling.
The film is directed by William Heins, who began his career at MTV Networks and was produced by Jack Utsick and Juan Carlos Zapata. The film is executive produced by Paris Hilton, Chester English, Jim DiLorenzo, Gary Gittelsohn, Gregory Cohen, Jeremy Dallow, Ash Shah, Angad Paul and Wayne Mogul.
About Vivendi Visual Entertainment
Vivendi Visual Entertainment (V V E), a division of Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD), has become a leading force in home entertainment and a favorite choice among independent producers of films and top independent studios. The company's goal is to provide the highest quality of marketing, sales and distribution services. V V E's select product line features family, comedy, foreign, Latin, urban, fitness and theatrical releases. Studio partners include Bauer Martinez Distribution, Bodywisdom Media, Code Black, Film Mates, First Independent Pictures, Freestyle Home Entertainment, Lightning Home Entertainment, Melee Entertainment, New Light Entertainment, Palm Pictures, Rising Entertainment, RuffNation Films, Salient Media, Uwe Boll Productions, Voy Pictures, Walter Mercado and Xenon Pictures. V V E benefits from UMGD's award winning team and customer-centric culture. UMGD's recent awards include American Business Awards, three consecutive NARM awards for Distribution Company of the Year and numerous retail awards. V V E's website can be found at www.vivendivisualentertainment.com.
CONTACT: Maria Ho
212-331-2569
Source: Vivendi Visual Entertainment
CONTACT: Maria Ho for Vivendi Visual Entertainment, +1-212-331-2569
Web site: http://www.vivendivisualentertainment.com/

Jorge Garcia and Bryan Burk of TV's Lost and Spawn Creator Todd McFarlane to Personally Launch Lost Action Figures at Toys 'R' Us Times Square Nov. 6, 3-5 pm
TEMPE, Ariz., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, November 6, LOST TV star Jorge Garcia, McFarlane Toys creative force and Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, and LOST Executive Producer Bryan Burk will sign autographs and greet customers at Toys "R" Us Times Square during a private event launching the first series of action figures based on the hit ABC-TV show, LOST. The action figures, by McFarlane Toys as presented by Touchstone Television, a division of Disney-ABC Television Group, will be available to customers in Toys "R" Us Times Square the morning of the event. LOST Series 1 action figures feature fan-favorite characters including Jack, Charlie, Kate, Shannon, Locke and Hurley. Additionally, LOST Series 1 features The Hatch Boxed Set, a highly detailed diorama depicting the closing scene of the LOST Season 1 finale.
Customers that pre-order a LOST The Hatch Boxed Set at Toys "R" Us Times Square from Personal Shopping on Level Three starting Friday, October 27 will receive a ticket to the LOST signing event on November 6, from 3 - 5 pm, while supplies last. LOST The Hatch Boxed Set purchases will be available for pick-up at the event for all ticket holders with a valid receipt and event ticket.
Additionally, seven lucky winners will win a one-of-a-kind McFarlane Toys LOST pewter hand-painted action figure. To enter, customers must fill out a contest ballot on the day of the event at Toys "R" Us Times Square on Level Two. The winning names will be drawn at the end of the event, and Todd McFarlane will personally autograph these unique items. Please see store for complete details and official rules.
About McFarlane Toys
Grammy- and Emmy-winning producer/director Todd McFarlane, best known as the creator of Spawn and the founder of Spawn.com, is the creative force behind McFarlane Toys. The international award-winning company is one of America's top action figure manufacturers with several successful television- and movie-licensing tie-ins, including Oscar-winning animated feature film Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (Warner Bros), Hanna Barbera (Warner Bros.), Alien Vs. Predator (20th Century Fox), and The Simpsons (FOX) figures. McFarlane Toys also makes official league-licensed figures for baseball, football, basketball and hockey within its Sports Picks(TM) line, as well as Legends lines in all four sports. McFarlane Toys added a new dimension to its already expanding product line with the launch of McFarlane's Pop Culture Masterworks bringing stunning three-dimensional realism to some of the most recognized images in music and film by re-creating iconic movie posters and album covers including Metallica's Master of Puppets, Jimi Hendrix's Are you experienced?, Elvis' Aloha Elvis, Jaws, Friday the 13th and Alien. Visit www.spawn.com for more information.
About "Lost"
"Lost" was created by Jeffrey Lieber and J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof. Abrams, Lindelof, Bryan Burk, Jack Bender and Carlton Cuse serve as executive producers. "Lost," which is filmed entirely on location in Hawaii, is from Touchstone Television. The series' third season premieres Wednesday, October 4, 9:00-10:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on ABC.
Source: McFarlane Toys
CONTACT: Charles King, +1-480-491-7070, ext. 229, cking@mcfarlane.com,
or Carmen Bryant, +1-480-491-7070, ext. 228, or cell, +1-602-448-8667,
Cbryant@mcfarlane.com, both of McFarlane Toys Public Relations; or Bob
Friedland of Toys "R" Us Public Relations, +1-646-366-8862,
friedlab@toysrus.com
Web site: http://www.spawn.com/
NOTE TO EDITORS: McFarlane Toys LOST images are available at http://ftp.spawn.com. Enter the ID and Password (case sensitive) ID -- ftpguest Password -- ib4spawn Once you are logged onto the FTP site click on: Public/2006 PRODUCT LIBRARY/MOVIES_TELEVISION/LOST/LOST_SERIES 1 (product images) For assistance with FTP site, contact Lauren Cross at 480-491-7070 x240 or lcross@mcfarlane.com.
Chuck Norris' World Combat League East Coast Playoffs at Miami's James Knight Center On Friday, November 10 to Be Highlighted by Special Veterns Day Tribute
Tribute to Include Special Ticket Rates for All Uniformed Personnel
MIAMI, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Former "Veteran of the Year" Chuck Norris is bringing the crowd pleasing, full throttle action of World Combat League to Miami's James Knight Center on Friday, November 10th with a special tribute to all uniformed service personnel, which includes savings on tickets, as the League's first ever WCL East Coast Playoffs get underway. The World Combat League's signature brand of fast paced striking action will feature the undefeated Miami Force squaring off against the New England Strikers and the New York Clash taking on the Philadelphia Fire.
Tickets for "Chuck Norris Presents World Combat League Eastern Conference Championships" are on sale now and available through the James L. Knight Center Box office (www.jlkc.com), Ticketmaster and the WCL web site (www.worldcombatleague.com). All U.S. military, police officers and other uniformed service personnel, are eligible to receive $10 off any level ticket. For online Ticketmaster transactions, log on to ticketmaster.com and enter the password: Vetday. For telephone orders call Ticketmaster at (305) 358-5885 or (954) 523-3309, ask for WCLUSA Military promotion, and use the password, "Vetday."
The East Coast team that prevails with the highest season point total will meet the Western Conference Champion Houston Enforcers to determine "America's Toughest City" on January 20th at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. The second place team will take on the Los Angeles Stars to determine the League runner up.
Chuck Norris, who served in the United States Air Force at Osan Air Force Base in Korea and March Air Force Base in Riverside, California, was chosen to receive the "Veteran of the Year" award in 2001 for his outstanding character, prominence as a veteran and for his numerous career achievements, personal accomplishments and philanthropic pursuits including countless hours visiting VA Hospitals and speaking with vets nationwide as a spokesperson for the U.S. Veteran's Administration.
In receiving the award in 2001, Norris said: "I am greatly honored and humbled by my selection for this award. Like many young men in America, my military experience played an important role in instilling in me a sense of character and discipline that would serve me throughout my life. During my career, I have always tried to acknowledge the debt I owe to this experience, as well as encourage others to discover the values to be found in serving your country."
Created by Chuck Norris, the WCL is the world's first team combat martial arts league. Each WCL team features six fighters (five men and one woman) who have been recruited from three different disciplines: Kickboxing, Karate, and Tae Kwon Do. Each fighter holds a spot in one of six predetermined weight classes so that any league team can compete on even ground against any other league team.
Unlike other forms of professional mixed martial arts, there is no wrestling or grappling allowed in the WCL to slow things down. Since each team member only fights a three minute match in each half of the contest (rather than five to twelve consecutive rounds) they must really "let it fly" in order to earn as many points for their team as possible. To ensure the action, WCL rules penalize clinching, stalling, or anything that slows the pace and is considered by the referee as "passivity."
Source: World Combat League
CONTACT: Tad DeWree, +1-214-747-0744, for World Combat League
Web site: http://www.jlkc.com/
Web site: http://ww.worldcombatleague.com/

Sony Music Label Group U.S./ Columbia Records and Wilderness Media and Entertainment Proudly Announce Premier Album Releases
NEW YORK, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Music Label Group U.S. / Columbia Records and Wilderness Media & Entertainment, the gay media and entertainment portfolio company owned by LOGO founder Matt Farber, proudly announce the first two signed artists as well as two compilation CDs to be released by MUSIC WITH A TWIST (TWIST), the first major record label dedicated to identifying and developing lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) artists.
MUSIC WITH A TWIST's first two signed artists:
* The Gossip, a rock band based in Portland, Oregon, composed of lead
singer Beth Ditto, guitarist Brace Paine, and drummer Hannah Blilie.
Their music is raw, punk-inspired rebellious rock and roll, but with
catchy hooks and the incredible power of Beth Ditto's unique lead
vocals. The Gossip have developed a huge following based on years of
touring, and recently landed the opening slot on the Scissor Sisters
European tour.
* Kirsten Price is a talented new singer-songwriter musician, originally
from the U.K. but now making her home in Brooklyn. She has a soulful
voice that sounds like it comes from a smoky room late at night. Her
songs are a creative fusion of rock, soul, and blues. She is equally
adept at playing her songs on a piano or guitar.
Both of these artists will be recording their debut CDs to street in 2007.

MUSIC WITH A TWIST compilations:
"The L Word 'L Tunes'" -- a compilation CD that contains music from or inspired by "The L Word," to be released in January 2007, concurrent with season four of the Showtime hit series. Additionally, TWIST artist Kirsten Price will be featured on this collection and her video for the song "Magic Tree" will be featured as part of "The L Word" promotional campaign.
"Music With a Twist 'Revolutions'," a compilation CD that features the songs of ten new LGBT artists spanning multiple genres, all who are being considered for TWIST signing. This compilation will be released in January 2007. A few artists featured on this CD are:
* Jonathan Mendelsohn, a new singer-songwriter based in New York. He
makes infectious pop/dance music, and sings with a voice of real
soulful power. He is also the lead vocalist on the upcoming album by
dance favorite the Wamdue Project.
* God-des & She, an extremely popular female hip-hop duo from Wisconsin.
God-des is a unique rap artist who is adept at expressing her unique
point of view through clever rhymes. The group's singer, named simply
"She," complements God-des' rhymes with soulful vocals.
* Ivri Lider, one of Israel's biggest rock stars, and ready to replicate
that success in the rest of the world. His music is haunting and
original, matched by his rich deep vocals. He sings in both English
and Hebrew.
Columbia Records Group Chairman and CEO Steve Barnett states: "We are very excited and proud to be joining forces with Music With A Twist to help find and nurture these talented new artists. From his years as an executive at MTV to his founding of LOGO and Radio With A Twist, Matt Farber has been a maverick in the world of entertainment. We look forward to a very long and successful partnership."
Wilderness Media & Entertainment President Matt Farber adds: "These artist signings and compilations represent the vision for TWIST ... to create a home for gay artists of all genres to experience mainstream success without having to compromise any part of their identity. I am thrilled that The Gossip, Kirsten Price, The creators of "The L Word," and all the artists who are part of the "Revolutions" compilation have chosen TWIST/Columbia as their major label home.
Launched in 2006, TWIST label artists benefit from access to and exposure through the network of brands in the Wilderness Media & Entertainment portfolio. This includes the nationally syndicated radio show Radio With a Twist, which recently announced its partnership with Clear Channel's syndication department Premiere Radio Networks, as well as Instinct Publishing and America Online. Additionally, TWIST artists are served by the Sony Music / Columbia Label Group's marketing, promotion and distribution channels.
The TWIST roster features LGBT artists who have mass appeal and hit potential across all musical genres and TWIST is constantly scouting for new talent across the county. To send your information/demo to a TWIST A&R representative, please contact submissions@musicwithatwist.com. Please do not send MP3s.
About SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT:
SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is a global recorded music joint venture with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars, as well as a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. SONY BMG is 50% owned by Bertelsmann A.G. and 50% owned by Sony Corporation of America.
About Wilderness Media & Entertainment:
Wilderness Media & Entertainment (WME) is the leading portfolio of independent gay and lesbian businesses, brands and media working together and supporting each other in the marketplace and the community. Through the Wilderness portfolio, allied companies representing the diversity of the LGBT community benefit from enhanced visibility among this audience. The portfolio includes new brands created and operated by Wilderness, such as Radio With a Twist, Music With a Twist, and Wilderness Talent Management, along with best of breed companies developing brands in the LGBT arena such as MTV Networks, America Online and Instinct Publishing. The mission of WME is not only a business one, but also a social one - to enhance the visibility of the LGBT audience by authentically representing the diversity of the community through media and entertainment initiatives. Research indicates that 15 million adults in the US currently self-identify as LGBT, an intensely brand loyal demographic with an estimated $610 billion in annual buying power. WME reaches the LGBT audience through top-tier entertainment, media and business prospects, providing quality outreach and initiatives for its portfolio entities, as well as exceptional offerings to this diverse, growing audience.
Source: Columbia Records
CONTACT: Kristin Farrell, The Karpel Group, +1-212-505-2900,
kfarrell@thekarpelgroup.com, for Columbia Records; Benny Tarantini, Columbia
Records, +1-212-833-5858, benny.tarantini@sonybmg.com
Web site: http://www.columbiarecords.com/
Gear Up Like Bond with Sony Electronics
Sony Sells 007-Branded Gear and Offers Chance to Win Prizes in the Online Game 'Try Your Hand at Casino Royale'
SAN DIEGO, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Electronics is offering movie fans and gadget-lovers an opportunity to gear-up like Bond with Sony's exclusive Bond Collection(TM) products in anticipation of the upcoming James Bond film Casino Royale, which will be released worldwide on November 17, 2006 from Columbia Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.
The collection, available exclusively on http://www.sonystyle.com/casinoroyale and in Sony Style retail stores across the country, features limited-edition 007-branded models of VAIO(R) TX and UX series ultra-portable PCs, Cyber-shot(R) digital cameras and Micro-Vault(TM) media storage devices. All of these products will feature the 007 logo and the VAIO PCs will come pre-loaded with exclusive Casino Royale content, such as wallpapers and screensavers. Each limited production 007 model is numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
"Both James Bond and Sony have always provided a cool-factor that consumers have grown to love," said Hiro Kawano, Sony Electronics' Senior Vice President for Sony Style. "We are excited to be able to offer these collector's items exclusively through Sony Style."
To take the Bond experience to the next level, consumers can try their hands at one of four Sony-product branded casino games at http://www.sony.com/casinoroyale. Players can choose from BRAVIA(TM) Blackjack, VAIO(R)/Intel poker, Cyber-shot(R) T-50 slots or Blu-ray Disc(TM) roulette. Now through Nov. 17, participants with a winning hand receive a printable game chip, redeemable at participating retailers, including Sony Style, for a chance to win prizes, including a $50,000 Sony merchandise prize package, a $5,000 shopping spree, and a weekend getaway for two. Not only can you gear up like Bond, you can play like him too.
The Bond Collection products can be purchased as a bundle which includes a choice of either the VAIO VGN-UX007 along with 007 Cyber-shot DSC-T50 and a 1GB Micro Vault for approximately $3,200 or the VAIO VGN-TX007 with the Cyber-shot DSC-T50 and 1GB MicroVault for approximately $3,900. The bundles come with an aluminum attache carrying case and a James Bond welcome kit. The 007 Cyber-shot DSC-T50 and the Micro Vault can be purchased individually for approximately $600 and $60, respectively. The Bond Collection will be available starting November 10, with pre-orders currently available on http://sonystyle.com/casinoroyale.
Daniel Craig stars as "007" James Bond, the smoothest, sexiest, most lethal agent on Her Majesty's Secret Service in Casino Royale. Based on the first Bond book written by Ian Fleming, the story recounts the making of the world's greatest secret agent. Martin Campbell is directing the 21st adventure in the 44-year-old franchise, from a screenplay by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Paul Haggis.
James Bond's first "007" mission leads him to Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), banker to the world's terrorists. In order to stop him, and bring down the terrorist network, Bond must beat Le Chiffre in a high-stakes poker game at Casino Royale. Bond is initially annoyed when a beautiful British Treasury official, Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) is assigned to deliver his stake for the game and watch over the government's money. But, as Bond and Vesper survive a series of lethal attacks by Le Chiffre and his henchmen, a mutual attraction develops leading them both into further danger and events that will shape Bond's life forever.
About Sony:
Sony manufactures audio, video, communications and information technology products for the global consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be one of the World's Leading Consumer Brands. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 54.96 billion (yen 7,475 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 and it employs approximately 158,500 people worldwide.
In Europe, Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 12.61 billion (yen 1,715 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, based on an average market exchange rate for the same period of yen 136 to the EUR. Sony Europe, headquartered at the Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, is responsible for the company's European electronics business and registered consolidated sales of EUR 8.22 billion (yen 1,118 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.
For more information on Sony Europe, please visit http://www.sony-europe.com/ and http://www.sony-europe.com/presscenter
About EON Productions:
Eon Productions/Danjaq, LLC, is owned by the Broccoli family and has produced twenty James Bond films since 1962, including Die Another Day. The Bond films, produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, make up the most successful franchise in film history and include the recent blockbuster films GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day. Eon Productions and Danjaq, LLC, are affiliate companies and control all worldwide merchandising of the James Bond franchise.
About Columbia Pictures:
Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/.
About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an independent, privately-held motion picture, television, home video, and theatrical production and distribution company. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising approximately 4,000 titles, and over 10,400 episodes of television programming. Its film library has received 208 Academy Awards(R), one of the largest award-winning collections in the world, and includes numerous successful film franchises, including James Bond, Pink Panther and Rocky. MGM is owned by an investor consortium comprised of Sony Corporation of America, Providence Equity Partners, Texas Pacific Group, Comcast Corporation and DLJ Merchant Banking Partners. For more information, visit http://www.mgm.com/.

Source: Sony Electronics

Web site: http://www.sony.com/news
http://www.sonystyle.com/casinoroyale
http://www.sony.com/casinoroyale
http://www.sony-europe.com/
http://www.sony-europe.com/presscenter
http://www.sonypictures.com/
http://www.mgm.com/
Ricky Martin and Andrea Bocelli to Perform at 7th Annual Latin GRAMMY(R) Awards on Nov. 2
Anais, Banda El Recodo, Calle 13, Alejandra Guzman, and Los Tigres Del Norte Added as Presenters to the Hottest Night in Latin Music Nearing Sell-Out, Public Urged to Act Quickly to Acquire Remaining Tickets
Oct. 29, 2006 GRAMMY(R)- and Latin GRAMMY(R)-winning international superstar Ricky Martin and current Latin GRAMMY nominee and celebrated tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform at 7th Annual Latin GRAMMY(R) Awards, it was announced today by The Latin Recording Academy(R). Newly announced presenters include current Latin GRAMMY nominees Anais, Banda El Recodo, Calle 13, Alejandra Guzman, and Los Tigres Del Norte. The 7th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will take place on Nov. 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York and will be broadcast on the Univision Network from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT (7 - 10 p.m. Central). Previously announced performers include Luis Fonsi, Ana Gabriel, Juan Luis Guerra, Mana, RBD, Alejandro Sanz, Joan Sebastian, Shakira, and Thalia. Special reggaeton performance includes Hector "El Father," Tonny Tun Tun, Ivy Queen, and Wisin & Yandel. And, a special salsa tribute performance includes Willie Colon, Fania All-Stars, India, Andy Montanez, Tito Nieves, and Gilberto Santa Rosa. Previously announced presenters include Alejandra Barros, Miguel Bose, Fonseca, Alexa Damian, Los Horoscopos de Durango, Lena, Adamari Lopez, Pablo Montero, Galilea Montijo, Milly Quezada, Paloma San Basilio, Johnny Ventura, Sofia Vergara, and Catalina Sandino. Fashion entrepreneur and former Miss Universe Barbara Palacios will serve as emcee of the Pre-Telecast Ceremony, during which winners in more than 30 of the 47 Latin GRAMMY categories will be announced prior to the evening's telecast.
Ricky Martin will also be honored as the 2006 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year at a special star-studded tribute dinner and concert the night before the Latin GRAMMY Awards telecast. Martin, chosen as Person of the Year for his accomplishments as a world-renowned entertainer, consummate performer and passionate humanitarian, will receive the honor on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006, at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers in New York. Renowned internationally as one of the top vocalists of our time, singer/songwriter Andrea Bocelli is currently nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Album (Amor).
Anais is currently nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Album (Asi Soy Yo). Three-time current Latin GRAMMY nominee Calle 13 is up for Best Urban Music Album (Calle 13), Best Short Form Music Video (" Atrevete Te, Te!"), and Best New Artist. Alejandra Guzman is a current Latin GRAMMY nominee for Best Rock Solo Vocal Album (Indeleble) and Best Rock Song ("Volverte A Amar"). Banda El Recodo has a nod for Best Banda Album (Hay Amor). Los Tigres Del Norte are nominated for Best Norteno Album (Historias Que Cantar).
Preceding the Awards show telecast, Univision will present exclusive "Noche de Estrellas" ("Night of the Stars") coverage of the celebrity arrivals direct from the Latin GRAMMY Awards Green Carpet starting at 7 p.m. ET/PT (6 p.m. Central). Hosted by "Primer Impacto" co-anchor Barbara Bermudo and popular Univision personality Giselle Blondet, "Noche de Estrellas" will feature live interviews and commentary on the stars and their fashions, and provide viewers an intimate and up close look at Latin music's most glamorous and gala event.
The 7th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will feature 47 categories and will be supported on radio via Univision Radio (the official Spanish-language radio network of the Latin GRAMMY Awards), and highlighted on the Internet by Univision Online (the official Spanish-language Web site of the Latin GRAMMY Awards) at http://www.univision.com (Uniclave: Latin GRAMMY). For more information and a complete list of nominees, please visit http://www.grammy.com. Due to unprecedented demand, additional tickets are being made available to the general public at the Madison Square Garden Box Office at http://www.thegarden.com, or through Ticketmaster (http://www.ticketmaster.com).
The Latin Recording Academy is an international, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and other creative and technical recording professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers. In addition to producing the Latin GRAMMY Awards to honor excellence in the recorded arts and sciences, The Latin Recording Academy provides educational and outreach programs for the Latin music community. For more information about The Latin Recording Academy, please visit http://www.grammy.com.

Bellrock Entertainment Announces Release of SIDESWIPED in
Time for Halloween

'Acclaimed Hollywood film writer/editor Marion S. Freed pens
gripping new collection of short stories that can scare the
be-jeesus out of anyone.' - KNBC-TV

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30, 2006 -- Fidlar-Doubleday/Atlas Books
and Bellrock Entertainment proudly announce the publication
of SIDESWIPED ($14.95, paperback, 276 pages, ISBN
0-9760437-1-8), a powerful new collection of four short
stories from acclaimed Hollywood screenplay writer/film
editor Marion S. Freed.

Marion S. Freed's theatrically released screenplays include
"Subterfuge," "Child2Man," "Sunsplash," and "Paradise Lost."
She served as film editor on such motion pictures as
"Badlands," "Days of Heaven," "California Split," "Fun with
Dick and Jane," "Who's Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?,"
"The Ladies Club," and "Last Married Couple in America."

Each of SIDESWIPED's artful short stories tells the tale of
an intriguing central character "sideswiped" by a searing,
completely unexpected event. Using the mesmerizing
storytelling skills that make her screenplays so popular,
Marion S. Freed brings us into explosive plot twists that
grab us by the lapels and force us to witness life-changing,
unforgettable events.

Plot Summaries

SIDESWIPED entertains and enriches readers by presenting
four short stories that only Marion S. Freed could have
crafted so hypnotically. "Stalking Mandy" follows a mourning
father through a harrowing journey into his dead son's
secret life, after the boy commits suicide. In "The
Unkindest Cut," readers follow a young woman through
poignant, gripping plot twists after her new nose job
changes forever her relationship with her father - and with
other men. In "Black Magic," a down-and-out divorcee has her
financial and love life changed forever by an unexpected
encounter with a mysterious stranger. And in "The
Opportunist," a washed-up movie star deals with the dark
conspiracies of the women around him - while plotting a
shocking escape.

Readers or booksellers may order copies of SIDESWIPED by
calling Atlas Books toll-free at (800) 247-6553.

More About Author Marion S. Freed

Born Marion Sobol, Marion S. Freed has written and been
involved with television and/or films most of her life. She
wrote her first "novel" at the grand old age of nine, and,
after graduating from Barnard College, obtained a position
as Editorial Researcher on the popular Walter
Cronkite-hosted TV show "You Are There." Her successful
contributions to that CBS program led to a promotion as
Story Editor, and she proceeded to work on a string of
innovative, much-talked-about shows, including "Playhouse
90," "Studio One," and "Climax." After moving to Los
Angeles, she became a Film Editor, working with directors
Terence Malick ("Badlands," "Days of Heaven"), Robert Altman
("California Split"), Ted Kotcheff ("Fun with Dick and
Jane," "Who's Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?"), and many
others. Her love of writing and of film came together when
she became a screenwriter. She co-wrote her first
screenplay, "RSVP Jennifer," with Sheldon Keller, one of the
senior writers on Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows." After
that, she worked on scripts with directors Terence Malick,
Gil Cates, and others, until she met and married film
director/producer Herb Freed, with whom she now works
exclusively. She has written more than 20 screenplays, five
of which have been produced and released theatrically,
including "Subterfuge," "Child2Man," "Sunsplash," and
"Paradise Lost."

Fuel Down, Confidence Up
According to the BIGresearch October Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, consumer attitude towards the economy continued to improve in October. 49.9% of the 7,623 consumers in the survey said they were confident or very confident in chances for a strong economy in the next six months, which is up from 43.4% in September.
Joe Pilotta, VP of Research for BIGresearch, said "... greater confidence in the economy... usually translates into greater spending for the holidays."
The impact of gas prices are also lower as more consumers are saying fluctuating gas prices are having no major impact on their spending, 29.3% versus 24.4% last month. And, consumers are also anticipating lower pump prices at Thanksgiving than they previously expected in September. They anticipate the price of a gallon of gas will be $2.55 by Thanksgiving, which is almost $0.30 less than last month when they anticipated the price to be $2.84 a gallon.
"Consumer expectations are the basis for action, lower price, more cash and greater spend," said Pilotta.
More from the October Consumer Confidence Survey:
Personal, Financial and The Economy:
49.9% contend they are confident/very confident in chances for a strong economy in the next six months, up from last month (43.4%) and '05 (37.6%)
Consumers contending they've become more practical in purchasing rises from 39.7% in September to 43.3%. Headed into holiday '05, though, 50.1% cited practicality, so they may be willing to pay more to retailers this year
The majority of consumers (52.3%) continue to focus on their needs in purchasing, up from 49.5% in September, but down from 58.5% in '05
The outlook for employment in the next six month is slightly improved from last month, and more dramatic compared to '05
33.2% contend there will be "more" layoffs (v. 44.5% last year)
54.7% say "same" (v. 44.4% last year)
12.0% contend "fewer" laoffs (v. 11.1%)
4.8% express concerns about becoming laid off themselves, up from September (3.9%), but down from last year (5.3%)
36.6% plan to pay down debt over the next three months, compared to 41.2% last year
33.6% say they'll decrease overall spending (v. 37.7% in '05)
29.3% contend they'll increase savings (v. 30.9%)
The Immediate Future
The 90 Day Outlook continues to brighten in October from last month and last year, according to the BIGresearch Diffusion index (those who say they'll spend less subtracted from those who'll spend more). Lawn & Garden took the seasonal tumble, but all other categories improved:
Retail Merchandise Categories - 90 Day Outlook (October 06 compared to September 06 and October 05)
Category
VS. Sep. 06
VS. Oct. 05
Category
VS. Sep. 06
VS. Oct. 05
Children's
UP
UP
Toys and Games
UP
UP
Women's Dress
UP
UP
CDs/DVDs/Videos/Books
UP
UP
Women's Casual
UP
UP
Electronics
UP
UP
Men's Dress
UP
UP
Groceries
UP
UP
Men's Casual
UP
UP
Home Improvement
UP
UP
Shoes
UP
UP
Lawn & Garden
DOWN
UP
HBC
UP
UP
Home Furniture
UP
UP
Dining Out
UP
UP
Decorative Home Furnishings
UP
UP
Sporting Goods
UP
UP
Linens/Bedding/Draperies
UP
UP
Source: BIGresearch, October 2006

RMD Entertainment Begins Servicing "Overdrive" Video to Key Broadcast Outlets
RHN to Preview the Video First
PHILADELPHIA, PA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- October 26, 2006 -- RMD Entertainment Group (PINKSHEETS: RMDG) announced today that they have begun servicing Roc Monee's debut video for the single "Overdrive" to key broadcast channels including MTV1, MTV2, VH1, FUSE, Video on Demand, etc. In a move that was negotiated prior to the video being completed, RHN will have the first viewing of the video on their network. RHN has also made the commitment to put "Overdrive" into immediate heavy rotation on the emerging 24-hour Hip-Hop channel. RHN currently reaches over 25 million throughout the country.

Highlighted Links
RMD Entertainment Group
"This video is hot, Roc is hot, and the album is fire," says Kenny Black, Executive Vice President of Music for RHN. "We are pleased to support a rising star like Roc on RHN. This guy is what RHN is all about: great presence, exceptional rhyming skills, positive message, and a stage presence that can't be touched. The streets are already feeling Roc in a huge way. Just one listen to the album all the way through and you will see why. The CD doesn't take a rest. Every track is hitting and there is something for everybody on it whether you are a girl, guy, white or black. I predict this album will spread like wildfire over the next couple months. It's my job to listen to all the major releases when they come out to see what we are going to play. Head to head there is no better album out there this fourth quarter than 'Diamond in the Rough.' We can't wait to go into production on Roc's special for the network. It's good energy to see a real Hip-Hop performer like Roc blow up. We like being affiliated with acts that are gonna be around for a minute (slang; substantial amount of time) not a here today, gone tomorrow situation. Roc Monee is definitely here to stay. The boy is bad. Anyone with ears is gonna know that."
Fred Rollins, President of RMDG, added, "We see more radio play on the horizon as we get video play on key stations. Video and radio plays will contribute directly to our overall sales and also provide us tremendous firepower for doing creative promotional campaigns with all of our distributors."
About RMD Entertainment Group
RMD Entertainment (RMD) is a cutting-edge entertainment company that is primarily focused on the development and international marketing of 'hip-hop' music, including compact discs, digital downloads, and personal 'ring tones' for mobile phone customers, as well as other 'hip-hop' lifestyle products. The Company has also created MOTV, the ability to stream video content to mobile devices, including cell phones and PDAs. The Company currently possesses an impressive hip-hop catalogue, which it distributes exclusively through Bungalo Records and Universal Music Group (a subsidiary of Vivendi Universal in North America and in Europe through the Pickwick Group Ltd. of London).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements, which may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of RMD Entertainment Group, Inc, and members of its management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.

Heineken, IBM, Safmarine and University of Amsterdam Launch Wireless "Beer Living Lab"
Goal of Shipping Trade Lane Project Is to Spark Greater International Trade by Simplifying Process
Today IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced a new intelligent wireless project with Heineken, international shipping company, Safmarine, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (University of Amsterdam) in conjunction with Dutch Customs, UK Customs and US Customs and Border Protection. The new project, called the "Beer Living Lab," will track cargo container shipments of Heineken beer from Europe to the United States using satellite and cellular technology. The goal is to create paperless documentation through better system interoperability, resulting in faster deliveries and reduced costs for international trade.
IBM's Secure Trade Lane solution will provide real-time visibility and interoperability through an advanced wireless sensor platform and Services Oriented Architecture (SOA), based on IBM's WebSphere platform. The project's SOA, called the Shipment Information Services, leverages the EPCglobal network and EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Information Services) standards, so rather than build and maintain a large central database with huge amounts of information, distributed data sources are linked, allowing data to be shared in real time between Heineken, Safmarine and customs authorities in the Netherlands, England and The United States.
In this project, Safmarine will ship ten containers of Heineken beer from locations in both Netherlands and England, through their Customs Authorities, to the Heineken distribution center in the United States. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam will coordinate the project and provide best practices documentation to share across the European Union.
"The Beer Living Lab is setting a roadmap for the next generation e-Customs solutions. We test innovative solutions, based on IBM's Tamper Resistant Embedded Controller (TREC) and SOA developed by IBM that could revolutionize customs," said Dr. Yao-Hua Tan, professor of Electronic Business, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. "Companies using these solutions could benefit greatly due to less physical inspections by customs; thus these e-customs solutions greatly facilitate international trade."
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, more than 30 different documents are associated with one single container crossing a border, which equals roughly five billion documents annually. The findings of the project will provide a viable alternative to manufacturers, shippers, retailers and customs administrations as they look to move to a paperless trade environment. Once accepted and implemented widely, paperless trade will support initiatives such as Green Lane, which will eliminate most inspections on arrival, thus significantly speeding up ocean freight shipments and improving the profit margins for shippers.
"Because efficient collaboration is a paramount requirement to making this work, IBM built the Shipment Information Services to address interoperability. If governments around the world are serious about electronic customs and paperless trade, they need to encourage each country to adopt open standards environments to enable collaboration and data sharing throughout the trade lane," said Stefan Reidy, Manager, Secure Trade Lane, IBM. "The Beer Living Lab project is the first step in building the Intranet of Trade, which will help to substantially improve efficiency and security in the global supply chain."
IBM is dedicated to driving the development of a wide range of emerging technologies and first-of-a-kind solutions that link organizations and people for economic growth, improved healthcare and education, and enhanced security and safety. Technologies such as this have the potential to one day transform the way we all live and work, and are not created in a vacuum by IBM alone -- as in this case, they are increasingly the result of collaborative innovation through IBM's R&D engagements with customers, business partners, universities and others.
This pilot project is part of the Information Technology for Analysis and Intelligent Design for E-government (ITAIDE) research project funded by the European Commission, in an effort to help reduce security concerns and tax fraud. Implementing the European objectives of Single-Window Access Points (SWA) and Authorized Economic Operators (AEO), this project is expected to lead to significant reductions in the administrative burden and hence a reduction in costs.
Professor Tan from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Stefan Reidy from IBM will discuss this pilot and Secure Trade Lane solutions as speakers at RFID Journal Live Europe, October 27.
For more information on IBM's logistics solutions, please visit: www.ibm.com
Cisco Turns to High Definition with New Video Initiative
Cisco’s TelePresence Meeting solution allows the company to offer a high-definition video solution with clear differentiators, but the target market will be limited, as complete solutions could cost enterprises hundreds of thousands of dollars.
On October 23rd Cisco announced the TelePresence Meeting solution, a video conferencing solution that uses life-size, high-definition images to simulate face-to-face meetings. Cisco TelePresence Meeting is available in two models: one for small group meetings (costing $79,000) and another for meetings of 12 people or more (costing $299,000). Both are expected to be generally available in December 2006.
Analytical Summary
• Current Perspective: Positive on Cisco’s TelePresence Meeting solution, because it furthers the company’s unified communications initiatives, proves its willingness to enter into and help create new markets, and will be a competitive differentiator for Cisco against its traditional rivals in the enterprise communications space.
• Vendor Importance: Moderate to high to Cisco, because the TelePresence Meeting solution fits in well with Cisco’s overall unified communications strategy, and it will form the basis of forthcoming vertical-specific video solutions that Cisco will develop over the next year or so.
• Market Impact: Moderate on the enterprise communications market, because Cisco will initially target its TelePresence solution at a very restricted customer base: namely, enterprises willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to facilitate boardroom-type conference sessions. Customers with more modest video conferencing requirements will not find a practical video conferencing solution in this particular offering.
Target Markets
Global 2000, Global Carriers, ILECs, IOCs, ISPs, IT Implementers, IXCs, Large Enterprises, NSPs, Resellers/Channels, Systems Integrators
Perspective
Current Analysis is taking a positive stance on Cisco’s TelePresence Meeting solution, because it will draw attention to new technologies that improve the way organizations can hold business meetings. The video conferencing solution set promises to be a competitive differentiator for Cisco that will be difficult for its traditional competitors in the enterprise IP communications space to match. However, telepresence is not a wholly new concept, with a number of alternatives already available. In addition, these offer a number of capabilities not planned for availability from Cisco until future releases.
The Cisco TelePresence Meeting solution is a high-definition audio-video conferencing solution that utilizes 65” plasma displays with native 1080P resolution to deliver life-like and life-size images of participants situated at remote locations. Under development at Cisco for approximately two years, the TelePresence solution includes microphones with full duplex audio and echo cancellation and IP video cameras connected and controlled by Cisco Unified CallManager PBXs. Conference settings are manipulated via Cisco desktop IP phones. Conference room infrastructure and accessories (furniture, paint, lighting, etc.) will also be designed and provided by Cisco. Initially, TelePresence will be offered in three and one-screen versions to enable multimedia conferences of up to 12 and four participants, respectively. Future TelePresence releases promise a two-screen version for eight participants, along with additional networking capabilities and a range of feature enhancements.
With few, if any, apples-to-apples comparisons presently on the market, Cisco TelePresence will be a fairly unique solution offered to enterprise customers. Cisco’s traditional competitors in the enterprise IP communications space offer no alternatives. Non-traditional Cisco competitors, such as Polycom (with its RPX solution), LifeSize (with its LifeSize Room solutions), and HP (with its Halo solution), do offer alternatives. However, Cisco TelePresence offers high-definition video, wideband audio, and larger screens with higher resolution (1080P compared to 720P, for example) not available across these or most other telepresence solutions. At $299,000 for a 12-seat virtual table and $79,000 for a four-seat virtual table, TelePresence is competitively priced with Polycom RPX 204, which supports four to 18 participants and lists for $249,000, and it costs half of HP’s Halo, which comes in around $550,000 MSRP. Cisco claims 24 specialized global channel partners are ready to sell and support TelePresence and as many as 300 customers around the world are reportedly trialing the solution. With a channel in place and reference customers to use as collateral to drive additional sales, this will give TelePresence a fast start upon its launch in Q3 2007.
For all the threat Cisco TelePresence presents to the networking giant’s competing enterprise communications solutions developers, and others, Cisco is not debuting a brand new concept. HP Halo, LifeSize Room, and Polycom RPX, though offering lower resolution and smaller displays, have beat Cisco TelePresence to market. These competitors also currently deliver a number of capabilities only promised by Cisco in future TelePresence releases. These include multipoint video conferencing (RPX supports up to 36 sites today, whereas Cisco’s solution is point-to-point only at present), support for third-party audio and video solutions (both LifeSize and Polycom), and additional features such as document sharing (HP Halo), recording, concierge, and Outlook calendar integration for scheduling meetings. Cisco’s advantage of the highest resolution also brings with it a notable drawback; it is bandwidth hog. This and other factors currently restrict TelePresence to support by Cisco-built carrier networks for connection between distributed conference room sites. In addition, the first version of Cisco TelePresence is an intra-company solution only. As a result, the already niche TelePresence demographic of deep-pocketed distributed global organizations shrinks to include only those wishing to conference amongst their own corporate sites.
The launch of Cisco’s TelePresence solution validates an existing market for high-definition video conferences that simulate in-person meetings in a way most other video solutions cannot approximate. HP, Polycom, LifeSize, and others with comparatively similar and more mature offerings will gain exposure reflected by Cisco’s marketing spotlight and force Cisco to shore up TelePresence’s vulnerabilities. Rival telepresence developers themselves may now also become more attractive acquisition targets for Cisco competitors in the IP communications market. Even with more competing solutions on the market and even when the current weaknesses of Cisco’s TelePresence Solution are addressed, the market for telepresence solutions will need to be developed. Because of the high price point of the solution, the need for specialized network assessments, and the potential for sizable (and costly) infrastructure upgrades, the market for high-definition telepresence solutions may very well remain niche for a long time to come.
Competitive Positives
• In its TelePresence Meeting solution, Cisco will be the first to market with such an advanced conferencing solution among its peer enterprise communications vendors. As such, TelePresence will be a competitive differentiator for the company. This will pressure competitors to come up with their own solutions.
• Cisco’s TelePresence Meeting solution will be made available at a reasonable price point (at least for what we expect to see delivered) in comparison to alternative solutions available today. Cisco will list TelePresence at $299,000 for a 12-seat virtual table and $79,000 for a four-seat virtual table, both including all the A/V components, conference room furnishings, etc. This compares well with Polycom RPX 204, which supports four to 18 participants and lists at $249,000, and it is about half the cost of HP Halo, which lists at around $550,000 MSRP.
• TelePresence is focused on the user experience and designed with large screens able to show meeting participants in life-size, high-resolution, and high-definition video. Cisco claims less than 250 milliseconds latency in audio-video communications between TelePresence conference participants located on different continents, greatly enhancing the solution’s ability to replicate face-to-face communications.
• TelePresence is available from Cisco as a comprehensive offering including hardware and software components, conference room furnishings, and network assessment, installation, and post-deployment support services. This will help ensure TelePresence is easy to source and drive customer satisfaction with their overall solutions.
• Enterprises with third-party PBXs deployed can implement TelePresence by installing Cisco Unified CallManager in front of existing voice systems. This will let Cisco sell TelePresence not only to its existing communications customers, but also to those of rival voice systems suppliers as well.
Competitive Concerns
• Today, TelePresence is designed for very specific types of meetings in fixed locations, specifically boardroom table environments. While other types and usages of TelePresence solutions are on the roadmap (telemedicine, contact center/customer support, and distance learning), delivery models and timeframes for these additional TelePresence variations are as yet unclear.
• A Cisco Unified CallManager PBX on release 5.0 or higher is required to provide call admission control, dial plan, and other call control functions for TelePresence. Customers on earlier CallManager versions will need to either upgrade or front-end their TelePresence solution with a dedicated CallManager 5.0 server.
• At this time, TelePresence only supports Cisco-developed equipment and components. This includes everything from video cameras and microphones to displays. Even the furniture, paint, and other décor in TelePresence conference rooms must be approved by Cisco. Under these restrictions, customers have little flexibility in customizing or sourcing their solutions.
• TelePresence will initially support point-to-point audio-video conferencing only. Cisco’s high-definition video switch to support multi-point communications between three or more TelePresence sites is not planned for release until next summer. TelePresence will also be initially marketed as an intra-company solution, limiting users’ ability to interact with customers, partners, and others outside of the corporate network. Furthermore, TelePresence users cannot import video streams from other sources, limiting their presentation capabilities and collaboration with users of other video equipment.
• TelePresence represents a new technology area for Cisco and a competitive differentiator for the company against its traditional communications developer rivals. However, Cisco is not first to market with the concept used to develop and market TelePresence. LifeSize and HP have already entered the market with similarly positioned solutions and each have had time enough to build out their feature sets (with multi-point conferencing and concierge services, for example) and fine-tune their marketing and channel programs.
• The carrier networks used to connect TelePresence in testing were built primarily with Cisco equipment. It is unclear as to what third-party carrier equipment might support TelePresence. Until Cisco publicizes certified interoperability with third-party carrier infrastructure components, the vendor will find it difficult to attract carrier partners that have built their networks with best-of-breed technologies from multiple manufacturers.
Recommended End User/Customer Actions
• Customers should ask Cisco for hard ROI studies for its TelePresence Meeting solution.
• Customers without hefty investments in Cisco IP telephony gear should look to HP, LifeSize, or another vendor for telepresence solutions that will not require as much of an overhaul to their CEP infrastructures to implement.
• Current Cisco customers may want to wait for TelePresence to mature over several releases before implementing it. This will allow time for TelePresence’s networking flexibility to improve and its feature set to grow before they invest in the high-dollar solution.
• Service providers should query Cisco on TelePresence’s ability to operate in multi-vendor network environments.
• Channel partners should look into ways of offerings TelePresence solutions to customers that cannot afford or are not willing to make their own capital investments in the new Cisco offering.

LA Opera Celebrates the Holiday Season with Innovative New Production of Hansel and Gretel


American Artist/Designer/Director Douglas Fitch Makes Company Debut along with Conductor Alan Gilbert; Lucy Schaufer and Maria Kanyova Star in the Title Roles
Sunday, November 19 – Sunday, December 17, 2006
(LOS ANGELES, CA) October 30 2006 – Engelbert Humperdinck’s musical retelling of the beloved children’s fairy tale will come to vibrant life on the LA Opera stage in artist Douglas Fitch’s vivid new production of Hansel and Gretel. Withtwelve-foot-tall creatures, fantastical sets and elaborate special effects, Hansel and Gretel will transport the audience to a captivating world filled with wonder and surprise in a uniquely charming classic for all ages. Debuting conductor Alan Gilbert will lead the LA Opera Orchestra. Sent into the forest to gather food, Hansel and Gretel lose track of time and place as darkness falls upon them. The next morning, an enchanted house made of gingerbread lures the children into an enticing trap, but last-minute ingenuity saves the day and the children are reunited with their parents. The production opens on Sunday, November 19 at 2:00pm and will run for eight performances—four of them family-friendly matinees—through Sunday, December 17, 2006.
The cast stars mezzo-soprano Lucy Schaufer, returning after previous LA Opera appearances as Erika in Vanessa and Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, as Hansel. Soprano Maria Kanyova makes her Company debut as Gretel and virtuoso character tenor Graham Clark makes his Company debut as the delightfully evil Witch. Baritone Donnie Ray Albert will portray Peter, the children’s good-natured father, with soprano Luana DeVol as Gertrude, their desperate mother. Sopranos Stacey Tappan will sing the role of the Dew Fairy, with soprano Christine Brandes as the Sandman. Mark Jonathan will design the lighting. This colorful production features a newly commissioned English libretto by Richard Sparks.

Director-designer Douglas Fitch, one of America’s most celebrated visual artists, has set this timeless story in a new way that promises to fascinate adults as well as children. “Hansel and Gretel are every one of us, at the point in our lives when we face what we most fear to grow a step more confident about who we are becoming,” he said. “Their story is a collective dream that is still evolving, a primal, animist myth forged by centuries of tellings from near bedsides to within opera houses. Our version takes place in a universal mindscape where every now is then, and then isn’t quite as remembered.” This summer, Douglas Fitch directed and designed a triple-bill of Paul Hindemith’s There and Back, Igor Stravinsky’s Mavra and Elliott Carter’s What Next? for the Tanglewood Music Festival where it was conducted by James Levine. Other recent projects include directing and designing Turandot for Santa Fe Opera in 2005, creating a visual atmosphere using lights and projections for a performance of the Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes at the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, as well as productions of Swan Lake and L’Enfant et les Sortileges for the National Symphony Orchestra, and Das Rheingold for the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.
Engelbert Humperdinck composed Hansel and Gretelto a libretto by his sister Adelheid Wette, after the classic fairy tale collected and published by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Humperdinck’s opera, strongly influenced by Richard Wagner, features some of opera’s most beloved and memorable melodies, including the beautiful “Evening Prayer” duet, the adventurous “Witch’s Ride” and the famous Prelude. The opera received its premiere in Weimar on December 23, 1893, conducted by Richard Strauss. It instantly became one of the most extraordinarily successful operas of all time, quickly conquering the world’s stages. Hansel and Gretel is Humperdinck’s only enduring stage work; of his six other operas, only Königskinder is remembered today, primarily as a star vehicle for soprano Geraldine Farrar in the early 1900s.
Hansel and Gretel features a newly commissioned libretto in English by Richard Sparks, who collaborated with composer Lee Holdridge on LA Opera’s recent Concierto para Mendez as well as the children’s operas Journey to Córdoba, The Prospector and The Magic Dream. This year, he created a new translation of Die Entführung aus dem Serail for the National Symphony Orchestra. His original plays and adaptations have been staged throughout the U.K., from the West End to the Edinburgh Festival.
Hansel and Gretel opens on Sunday, November 19, 2006 at 2pm. Evening Performances will take place at 7:30pm on November 29 and on December 2, 6 and 14. Additional matinee performances beginning at 2pm will take place on November 26 and December 9 and 17. All performances of Hansel and Gretel are at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center, 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Tickets range from $30 to $220 and are on sale at the Los AngelesOpera Box Office, by phone at (213) 972-8001 or online at www.laopera.com. Half-price tickets to Hansel and Gretel for children 16 and under are available when purchased in person at the box office or when ordered by telephone. For disability access, call (213) 972-0777 or e-mail wehelpyou@laopera.com.
Award-winning author and mythologist Marina Warner’s feature article “Hansel and Gretel,”
on the heart of storytelling and the ever-changing nature of fairy tales.
http://www.laopera.com/bts/hansel.06.article01.asp
                Hansel and Gretel will be sung in English with English Supertitles projected above the stage.
All programs, artists and dates are subject to change.

Two Cold War Symbols in New Bond Film, Featuring BODY WORLDS
Oct. 28 This November, anatomist, Gunther von Hagens -- one of the most well known defectors from former East Germany -- marks the 17th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall with the most celebrated of all Cold War era icons, James Bond.
Dr. von Hagens and the mesmerizing BODY WORLDS anatomical exhibition appear in cameo roles in Casino Royale, the 21st James Bond film, based on Ian Fleming's 1953 novel of the same name.
BODY WORLDS is the setting for an archetypal battle of good and evil, between Agent 007 and one of the villains of the film. For Dr. von Hagens, who was imprisoned in 1969 for two years after a failed attempt to escape, James Bond films are more than innocuous spy thrillers.
While Bond spent the Cold War fighting Communists, the younger generation behind the Iron Curtain at that time, including Dr. von Hagens, were inspired by him. "He stood for the power of the individual against communism and was anti-authoritarian and unconventional, which I don't think the film censors realized at the time," said von Hagens. "The leadership did not understand the thirst of our generation to break boundaries, to be free to travel like James Bond to Jamaica and Cape Canaveral and Fort Knox and Monte Carlo. He was for us the embodiment of freedom and possibilities."
The technology and wizardry in the early films also made an impression on the future anatomist and polymer chemist. "Bond worked with high technology, very unusual work at that time for a film character. In Goldfinger he was trying to prevent the radioactive contamination of gold reserves. As someone who was deeply interested in chemistry and physics, I knew that unlike the world of James Bond which celebrated such innovations, the authoritarian regime I lived under killed invention," he said.
Impossible as it seems, a cinematic hero with a complex psychological dossier strengthened the ego and shaped the thinking of a generation of East German scientists. "He was very hardworking. He was always on duty, lived only for his mission, and used all his abilities to realize his mission. Those of us who escaped East Germany at that time defined ourselves by our work in science and technology and our drive to succeed at any cost," said Dr. von Hagens.
BODY WORLDS exhibitions are currently showing at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul, the Museum of Science in Boston, Massachusetts and Telus World of Science in Vancouver, Canada.
Source: BODY WORLDS

Icon Dick Clark returning for '2007 New Years Show on ABC show
As he did last year, Dick Clark will co-host the annual "New Year's Rockin' Eve." The former "American Bandstand" host, now 76, will join Ryan Seacrest and musical guest Christina Aguilera to ring in 2007 before a national TV audience of millions. Clark missed the show two years ago when he suffered a stroke but returned to the holiday staple last New Year's Eve.
Seacrest, the 31-year-old host of "American Idol," handled co-hosting duties last year and is expected to eventually succeed Clark as the show's host.
Clark originated the New Year's Eve program back in 1972. The only show he missed followed his Dec. 6, 2004, stroke

BOULEVARD3
Overview
When is a club not just a club? 1) When it’s built on the site of the former Hollywood Athletic Club, infusing it with more than 70 years of fabled history and celebrity antics; 2) when it offers the services and luxuries of a boutique hotel; and 3) when it’s the brainchild of Skybar partner Peter Famulari, known for developing nuanced spaces that offer patrons a sense of sophistication and challenge them to actually interact.
Perhaps his latest space, Boulevard3 – which fuses the intimacy of a party at a private home, the luxury of a four-star estate, and the spirit of play – might be best described as a “counterclub.”
Set to open in September 2006, Boulevard3 was sparked by Famulari’s initial reaction to the space five years ago. A former denizen of New York City, he says, “This was how I visualized clubs: big, free-flowing, dramatic. I felt it was the only place that could possibly follow Skybar.” Having experienced such New York venues as Studio 54 and The Tunnel in their heyday, he was also motivated to open a venue that shattered the malaise of the typical club scene. “There really are no dance places in Los Angeles,” states Famulari, who probably knows L.A. nightlife better than anyone after working to keep Skybar hot for nearly a decade. “People go to clubs and stare at each other.”
While eschewing nostalgia for its own sake, Famulari chose the name Boulevard3 after viewing an old surveyor’s map of Los Angeles. At the time, when the city was just beginning to take form, the east/west streets were marked by numbers, with “Boulevard3” the designation for what would later become Sunset Boulevard. With a new paradigm for L.A.’s club scene brimming with possibilities, Famulari hopes to recapture a sense of grace, elegance and engagement that once put Hollywood on the map.
B ❸
BOULEVARD3
Design
Designed by the late Greg Jordan, former designer to the Trumps and New York socialites, Boulevard3 was conceived as “an English manor house with modern insides,” a mix of old-world charm and digital generation appeal. Jordan’s protégé Oliver Furth finished executing Jordan’s vision after his passing. Entering from Sunset Boulevard, guests pass through a large iron gate – a “door within a door” that foreshadows a theme that pervades the property – into a landscaped English courtyard. In the center sit a pair of reflecting pools, one ending in a 20 foot tall fireplace whose flames seem to float on the water.
Bordering the courtyard are canopied private rooms, their walls created from ficus bushes with a “floating” window cut in the middle, something one might expect to see in Alice in Wonderland. While earth tones define the central courtyard, each of the garden rooms is distinguished not only by a range of muted colors, but by specific fragrances: from lavender to gardenia to rose.
An intimate “manor library” takes guests inside Boulevard3. Gaining a sense of grandeur with its vaulted ceiling and marble fireplace, the library blends old and new through the art on its walls: ornate picture frames with DLP projection screens displaying dynamic images as opposed to portraits of dead kings and placid countrysides. When the main ballroom is open, the library serves as an antechamber; otherwise it can function as a freestanding space accommodating its own bar.
The intimacy of Boulevard3’s library opens to a 7,500-sq. ft., three-level ballroom, including a 1,500-sq. ft. dance floor (the former Olympic-sized pool of the old Hollywood Athletic Club –prior to embodying the role of Flash Gordon, Buster Crabbe served as its lifeguard and trained to win a gold medal in the 1932 Olympics). Capable of accommodating a large stage for live performances, the ballroom features a main bar situated beneath 30’ high ceilings and a majestic skylight.
Around the periphery of the ballroom, a mezzanine is set three feet above the main floor that provides a perfect locale to experience dance floor festivities. For the perfect mix of luxury and comfort, the mezzanine boasts a 36’ long plush velvet couch with unobstructed views of the “Niche of Possibilities”. As you move onto the dance floor, Boulevard3’s design further challenges the senses by interpolating the outside and inside worlds. Classic 1890 English park benches sit amongst a dozen 14 foot tall ficus trees giving the impression one has toppled upon a corner of Regent’s Park in the midst of a grand ballroom.
B ❸
BOULEVARD3
Balcony Suites & Technology
The Balcony Suites at BOULEVARD3 are a tribute to the luxury and exclusivity that once defined the members only club originally built in 1923. Designed by Meyer and Holler, famed architects of the Grauman’s Chinese Theater and Egyptian Theater, this historic building quickly became a “home away from home” destination for the Hollywood elite; a private clubhouse for mischief, frolic and play. BOULEVARD3 brings back the glamour and extravagance that once defined this landmark with the privately held Balcony Suites.
The Balcony Suites are the ultimate setting for entertaining: elegant suites that offer all the benefits of ownership, the indulgence of a four star hotel, and the intimacy of a party at one’s own home. Located on the second level mezzanine of the ballroom, the Balcony Suites reside beneath the building’s 1,000 sq. ft illuminated skylight. Hovering above the dance floor, suite holders and their guests have a bird’s eye view and unrestricted access to limitless excitement.

The classic, whimsical spirit of the public spaces at Boulevard3 is carried on into the fifteen B alcony Suites. The suites are comfortably scaled and beautifully decorated. Elegant sofas, sculptured metal tables and sideboards/mini-bars create the perfect palette for private entertaining. Each suite is appointed with an oversized plasma screen, X-box 360, and wireless PC tablet customized by Microsoft.
Balcony Suite Amenities
Events - Suite holders and their guests are guaranteed entry into BOULEVARD3 and to all BOULEVARD3 hosted events.
Private Entrance - No waiting in lines; Suite holders have access to their own private entrance.
Balcony Bar - Balcony patrons have their own private, members only bar.
Wireless Access - Suite holders will have access to Wireless PC tablets in their suite, allowing internet access and a direct link to the BOULEVARD3 door list.
Additional Guests - Suite holders have the exclusive privilege to add a limited number of guests to the door list.
Mini-Bar - Each Suite has a fully stocked mini-bar, customized as requested.
Parking - Each suite holder receives complementary valet parking.
Personal Balcony Suite Concierge - Let your full time concierge handle the details: book a hotel room, arrange a limousine, make flight reservations or pick up Krispy Crème doughnuts - whatever your heart desires.
B ❸
BOULEVARD3
The Former Hollywood Athletic Club
Boulevard3 occupies part of the site once occupied by The Hollywood Athletic Club, which for three decades was revered as the “playground of the stars.” It opened on New Year’s Eve, 1923, its adjoining residential tower distinguished as the tallest building in L.A. Notwithstanding its name, the venue served not only as a fitness destination, but an exclusive men’s retreat where its famous members could eat, drink and be very merry indeed. Along with founders Cecil B. DeMille, Charlie Chaplin, Lon Chaney and Rudolph Valentino, its original members included W.C. Fields, John Wayne, Errol Flynn, Tyrone Power, Jr. and John Barrymore (legend has it, after Barrymore’s death in 1942, some merry HAC pranksters stole his corpse from the morgue, snuck it into Errol Flynn’s private room, and propped it up on the bed for “a final drink”).
Despite hosting the very first Emmy Awards and telecast in 1949, the Hollywood Athletic Club closed its doors in 1953, a victim to changing times. In the next 50 years it had other occupants and owners, from the Jewish Theological Seminary and University of Judaism to a string of real estate developers. During the early 1990s it was used as an upscale billiards hall. More recently the venue was resurrected, albeit briefly, as the Hollywood Athletic Club, serving as a space for special events. Under the direction of Peter Famulari, it may once again become a destination for Hollywood’s best-known moguls and stars as well as the public at large.
B ❸
BOULEVARD3
Peter Famulari, Owner
Peter Famulari began his career while attending Lehigh University. Bartending his way through college, he learned the business from the ground up. After eight years of managing some of the hottest bars in Philadelphia and New York, he was hired by Georgio Armani to open the Armani Café in Beverly Hills. Shortly thereafter, he was pursued by Rande Gerber to run Midnight Oil’s famed Whiskey Bar in Los Angeles.
In 1996, after five years of running and opening several Midnight Oil properties, Famulari was tapped by hotelier Ian Schrager to partner in what became one of the world’s most successful bars ever, the Skybar at the Mondrian Hotel. Skybar’s decade of unprecedented success has established Peter Famulari as the preeminent arbiter of the nighttime scene in Los Angeles.
“From the day I took stewardship of Skybar, I began thinking about a follow-up,” says Famulari, who has been offered, and has turned down, countless deals from London to LA during his tenure at Skybar. After discovering the HAC space, he knew instantaneously that its classic architecture and historical significance would provide the perfect landmark to bring his vision of the “counterclub” to life. He persuaded famed restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow to share it with him –Social Hollywood, a French Moroccan-themed eatery, adjacent to Boulevard3.

Venue Fact Sheet
Square footage: 15,000
Capacity: 600
Availability: 7 nights a week; 9pm-4am
Food: Menu created by Jeffrey Chodorow
Bar: Garden Bar, Library Bar, Ballroom Bar, Balcony Bar
Staffing: 75
Parking: Valet
Smoking: In the Formal Garden
Audio – Visual: With Microsoft as a Strategic Partner, Boulevard3 has state of the art technology unavailable at other venues. Microsoft has created technology that enhances the guest experience and promotes connectivity. Each Balcony Suite is outfitted with a 42” Plasma screen, Xbox gaming, and a Microsoft wireless tablet; The sound system at Boulevard3 is a Tannoy system, specifically chosen to be antithetical to the usual “blow your ears out” club sound. Tannoy was handpicked for its high quality sound, befitting of our English Manor House theme; Boulevard3 boasts one of the most sophisticated lighting systems of its time. The cutting edge LED lights by Color Kinetics have been meticulously designed by Chris Medvitz of LightSwitch and programmed by Revolutionary Lighting to allow unprecedented lighting flexibility.
PR Firm/Inquiries: Spin Shoppe PR (310) 858-2222
Special Events: Gina Wade- gina@boulevard3.com
Reservations: n/a
Website: n/a
Address: 6523 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028
Owner:   Peter Famulari
Executive Chef:  n/a
General Manager: Mark Panasuk, former GM of Skybar; started off as a doorman at Skybar when he was named by Los Angeles magazine as one of the most powerful people in the city!
Designer: Oliver Furth, known for residential designs of numerous socialites and celebrities, and the late Greg Jordan, proclaimed a "design legend" by Architectural Digest and named by AD one of - The World's Top 100 Designers and Architects.

Boulevard3 Celebrity List
Adam Levine
Alex Borstein
Alison Sweeney
Anita Barone
Ann Miller
Arden Myrin
Autumn Reeser
Brad Garrett
Brandy
Busta Rhymes
Cacee Cobb
Cameron Diaz
David Spade
Devon Aoki
DJ AM
Donald Faison
Eddie Murphy
Emily Deschanel
Emmanuelle Chriqui
Jennifer Morrison
JoAnna Garcia
Joely Fisher
Justin Timberlake
Kim Kardashian
Lance Bass
Mary Lynn Rajskub
Michael McDonald
Michelle Trachtenberg
Mimi Rogers
Ming-Na
Nick Cannon
Nicky Hilton
Paris Hilton
Patrick Dempsey
Rachel Zoe
Rebecca Gayheart
Ron Livingston
Stacy Keibler
Timbaland
Trace
Wentworth Miller
will.i.am
Zach Braff

Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) announced that Petr Mitrichev won today's Global Code Jam competition and was awarded with a $10,000 first prize.

Mitrichev topped a field of over 21,000 registered competitors from around the world, a record number for GCJ. Second place went to Ying Wang of the United States. Andrey Stankevich came in third. Second through tenth places carry a cash prize of $5,000. Additional cash prizes went to the other top 100 finalists, who represented 24 different countries. Each finalist was flown to New York this week to compete in the championship round and see firsthand what is happening in the Google New York office. Last year, Marek Cygan of Poland took home the grand prize. "We're thrilled to bring together such a talented, diverse group of programmers here in New York to celebrate the best in engineering," said Craig Nevill Manning, engineering director. "Google is passionate about fostering a community of people who want to build the next generation of tools for users around the globe and providing them with the opportunity to meet and discuss challenging problems." This is the fourth annual Global Code Jam, which is produced in conjunction with TopCoder, the leader in online programming competition, skills assessment and competitive software development. Google's Global Code Jam is a celebration of the art of computer science and demonstrates the value Google places on excellent coding. The competition, which began Sept. 5, attracted 21,000 registrants from more than 100 countries. All entrants participated in an initial qualification round, and 1000 of those went on to a two-round competition field. The top 100 scorers from round two of this phase came to Google's New York offices for the finals. All of the programming for any round could be done in Java, C++, C#, Python or VB.NET. More information about Google Code Jam 2006 can be found at http://www.google.com/codejam/. About Google Inc. Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

Ticketmaster Expands Operations Into China
Ticketmaster Establishes Joint Venture in China and Secures Agreement to Serve as Ticketing Services Exclusive Supplier of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
-- Ticketmaster, the world's leading ticketing company and an operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ:IACI) , has expanded its global ticketing operations into China and, through a joint venture called Beijing Gehua Ticketmaster Ticketing Co., Ltd. (Gehua Ticketmaster), it will serve as the ticketing services exclusive supplier of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) in China.
Gehua Ticketmaster is a joint venture formed by Ticketmaster and the partnership of Beijing CSI Ticketing Development Co., Ltd.'s China Sports Industry Group, Co., Ltd. and Beijing Gehua Cultural Development Group, to provide ticketing services in Beijing.
As the Beijing 2008 Ticketing Services Exclusive Supplier, Gehua Ticketmaster will provide all ticketing services including the technology platform, order processing, sales channel functionalities, customer service, and on-site Box Office staffing in the People's Republic of China. The venture will also provide the management and software to facilitate Olympic ticketing telephone sales, information and customer service supporting the Beijing 2008 Call Center ticketing operations and infrastructure. Gehua Ticketmaster will also facilitate all aspects of Olympic online ticket sales through the Official Beijing 2008 ticketing Web site as well as provide and integrate with the Olympic ticketing distribution technology platform to enable retail sales of Olympics tickets to consumers through Bank of China branch locations.
"Ticketing services is one of the most focused issues in Beijing Olympic preparations," said Yuan Bin, Marketing Director of BOCOG. "The ticketing service exclusive supplier integrates advanced ticketing service both in China and abroad. The Beijing Olympic Games requires that the exclusive supplier has not only advanced technology, but also flexible and broad operational ability and professional staff."
Ticketmaster President and COO, Sean Moriarty, attended a press conference in Beijing to announce the expansion and participated in a formal signature ceremony marking the Olympic ticketing agreement. At the conference, Yuan Bin announced that Gehua Ticketmaster can provide the global audience with a quality ticketing system and service for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
"Ticketmaster is very pleased to establish this joint venture alliance with Gehua Cultural Development Group and the China Sports Industry Group, which have been instrumental in working with us to solidify the agreement with BOCOG to serve as the ticketing services exclusive supplier for one of the world's most historically significant sporting and cultural events -- the 2008 Olympic Games," said Mr. Moriarty. "Ticketmaster has provided ticket sales and services to clients and consumers across the world for 30 years and we are very proud to be establishing ticketing operations in China. This venture represents a valuable opportunity for us to integrate our technology, infrastructure and expertise throughout the People's Republic of China via the Olympic Games, the Beijing Organizing Committee, and our joint venture operation, to ultimately help drive business for the country's rapidly expanding live event industry."
Today's news reflects Ticketmaster's commitment to strategic international development within the Asia Pacific market and is a first step in the company's strategy to expand its business into the People's Republic of China and foster growth of the market's live event industry.
"We are honored to work with our partners to bring Ticketmaster, the world's leading ticketing company, to China," said Ticketmaster Chairman and CEO, Terry Barnes. "We are committed to a long-term investment in the country's live event marketplace and we look forward to working with their event providers to help increase their business through better ticketing services. Our state-of-the-art technologies and ticketing system will help the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee, as well as other event providers, sell more tickets more effectively while making the purchase of event tickets faster and more convenient for consumers in those markets and worldwide."
Gehua Ticketmaster's ticketing operations in Beijing will be fully integrated to offer event-goers a variety of sales channels including a dedicated Internet site for the sale of tickets online along with a network of telephone contact centers. The venture is also exploring retail outlet opportunities throughout China where consumers may purchase tickets and access event information at existing retail locations. Clients will have access to Ticketmaster's comprehensive infrastructure for event and patron data management, tracking and reporting, as well as marketing and distribution services that will help them connect directly with their current and potential patrons.
The venture will be managed in Beijing by Curt Logan, Senior Vice President and General Manager. Mr. Logan joined Ticketmaster in 1981 and most recently served as the company's VP of Operations and Product Support.
About Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster is the world's leading ticketing company, operating in 19 global markets, providing ticket sales and distribution through www.ticketmaster.com, one of the largest e-commerce sites on the Internet; approximately 6,500 retail outlets; 20 worldwide telephone call centers; and a broad online and offline marketing network. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2006, Ticketmaster serves more than 9,000 clients worldwide across multiple event categories, providing exclusive ticketing services for hundreds of leading arenas, stadiums, performing arts venues, museums, and theaters. In 2005, the company sold 119 million tickets valued at $6 billion on behalf of its clients. Ticketmaster is headquartered in West Hollywood, California and is an operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ:IACI) .
Source: Ticketmaster
Ford's Theatre Presents Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas
Adapted by Michael Wilson With Original Direction by Matt August, Original Staging Recreated by Mark Ramont and Richard Poe as Ebenezer Scrooge
November 15 - December 30, 2006
-- Ford's Theatre kicks off the holiday season with its annual production of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (November 15 - December 30) and the return of Michael Wilson's adaptation of this beloved classic. Joining the cast this year in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge is Broadway's Richard Poe whose credits include The Pajama Game (2006 Tony Award, Best Revival of a Musical), M. Butterfly, Moon Over Buffalo, 1776, The Dinner Party, Our Country's Good and the films Transamerica, Born on the Fourth of July, and Presumed Innocent.
"Ford's Theatre is thrilled to present this year's production of A Christmas Carol and to have Richard Poe join us as Ebenezer Scrooge," said Paul R. Tetreault, Producing Director of Ford's Theatre. "Richard's interpretation of this famous villain is sure to delight audiences of all ages as he reintroduces them to the meaning of this powerful story of redemption and forgiveness," said Tetreault.
Ford's unique production of A Christmas Carol includes "an appearance" by Charles Dickens, who visited Washington during the public reading tour of the novel. But, the spotlight shines most brightly on the three ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, who bear a striking resemblance to the victims of Scrooge's daily wrath.
Although it is commonly referred to as A Christmas Carol, Dickens called his work A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas. In his 1843 preface, he wrote, "I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly..."
In addition to Poe, other cast members include, in alphabetical order, Clinton Brandhagen as Newphew Fred/Young Scrooge; Michael Bunce as First Solicitor; Michael John Casey as Bob Cratchit; Teresa Castracane as Mrs. Fred; Elliot Dash as Fruit Vendor Bert/Ghost of Christmas Present; Jaclyn DiLauro as Belle; Carlos Gonzalez as Clock Vendor/Ghost of Christmas Future; Michael Goodwin as Jacob Marley; Bill Hensel as Mr. Fezziwig; Katie Kleiger as Martha Cratchit; Amy McWilliams as Mrs. Cratchit; Claudia Miller as Mrs. Dilber/Mrs. Fezziwig; Kip Pierson as Dick Wilkins/Topper; Suzanne Richard as Doll Vendor/Ghost of Christmas Past; Todd Scofield as Second Solicitor; and Erin Sloan as Fred's Sister/Beggar Woman.
This production of A Christmas Carol is made possible by the generous support of Sunoco, Inc., Oshkosh Truck Corporation, BellSouth Corporation, Siemens Corporation and General Motors Corporation.
During the run of A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, Ford's Theatre will host six Opening Act Workshops (November 29, 30; December 6, 7, 13, 14). Students and teachers explore key themes, relationships, and issues through interactive exercises, improvisation, and discussion. Opening Act Workshops are free and custom designed for most of Ford's Theatre's productions. For more information, call the Group Sales Office at (202) 638-2367.
For more information on Ford's Theatre, please call 202.347.4833 or visit http://www.fordstheatre.org/.
Performance Schedule: http://www.fordstheatre.org/
Running: November 15 - December 30
Sign interpreted performances Audio described performances
Sun., Dec. 10, at 2:30 p.m. Tues., Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m.
Tues, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 17, at 2:30 p.m.
Single Ticket prices -- $30-$55 (Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more.)
Ticketmaster: 1.800.551.SEAT; 202.397.7328
Box Office: 202.347.4833 or in person
Online: http://www.fordstheatre.org/
Available at select Macy's Department stores (formerly Hecht's).
Gift certificates in any denomination may be purchased at the Ford's Theatre Box Office or by calling 202.347.4833.
Ford's Theatre Society is a not-for-profit corporation created to produce live entertainment on Ford's historic stage. Paul R. Tetreault is Producing Director. It is the mission of the Ford's Theatre Society to celebrate the legacy of President Lincoln and explore the American experience through theatre and education.
Source: Ford's Theatre Society
Web site: http://www.fordstheatre.org/

Hollywood Actor Larenz Tate Takes Center Stage with Sickle Cell Disease Education Campaign
The latest premiere for Larenz Tate, one of Hollywood's most promising young actors, is in Atlanta for his starring role in a new health education campaign, Be Sickle Smart: Ask Larenz about Iron. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a serious life-long blood disorder that affects an estimated one in 500 African Americans beginning in childhood.
Partnering with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Larenz will bring the campaign to Atlanta on Saturday, October 28. The newly launched campaign was kicked off nationwide by football superstar Tiki Barber in July. Be Sickle Smart is designed to raise awareness about a serious treatment consequence that may affect people who get regular blood transfusions for sickle cell disease. This condition is called iron overload, or too much iron. Blood transfusions give back healthy red blood cells, but they also contain additional iron. Iron overload is an under-recognized but potentially fatal complication of regular blood transfusions that many people with SCD receive as standard treatment.
Having lost close family friends to SCD, Larenz knows what this disease can do. Turning loss into passion, Tate -- who recently starred in the Academy Award(R)-winning movie "Crash" -- co-founded the Tate Bros Foundation with his brothers Lahmard and Larron. The not-for-profit organization assists and provides funds for people living with SCD.
"As an advocate for people living with sickle cell disease I know that knowledge is key to managing this disease," said Tate. "I am determined to help people in Atlanta who get blood transfusions for their sickle cell disease to know about the risk of iron overload, arm themselves with information, and discuss it with their doctor."
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that sometimes become sickle-shaped (crescent shaped) and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels. This causes pain, can damage tissues and organs and may lead to stroke if the blockage occurs in the brain. Blood transfusions can save lives, but they can cause too much iron to build up in the body. As few as 10 transfusions may lead to too much iron in organs such as the liver and heart. Since there are not always telltale signs of iron overload, people may not realize they're at risk. If iron overload is not diagnosed or treated, over time it can be life threatening.
While sickle cell disease is one of the most common inherited blood disorders in the U.S., for years there has been a lack of public understanding and knowledge about the life-long condition, which offers few outward signs that a patient is truly suffering. Children with sickle cell disease often miss school and cannot participate in physical activities because of challenges such as severe pain episodes or regular therapy with blood transfusions.
"The irony of blood transfusions for people with sickle cell disease is that they can prevent and treat major complications such as stroke, but can also lead to serious, potentially life-threatening consequences," said Dr. Peter Marks, Associate Professor, Yale University School of Medicine. "Education is vital so that people with sickle cell disease can have an informed discussion with their doctor about the danger of iron overload and whether they might be at risk."
To learn more about Be Sickle Smart: Ask Larenz about Iron, please visit AskLarenzAboutIron.com or call 1-888-SCD-TATE (723-8283). Be Sickle Smart: Ask Larenz about Iron offers free information, provides questions to discuss with your doctor and tools to help patients learn more about SCD and iron overload.
About Sickle Cell Disease
In the United States, SCD affects about 72,000 people, primarily African Americans. While there is no simple cure for SCD, early diagnosis can help people live longer, healthier and more productive lives. Managing SCD often requires the use of antibiotics, pain management therapies, intravenous fluids, surgical procedures and regular blood transfusions.
Sickle cells die much more quickly than normal red blood cells. Thus the blood is chronically short of red blood cells, a condition known as anemia. Repeated blood transfusions are a standard treatment for some with SCD and they help reduce the complications of the disease. In 2004, the Stroke Prevention Trial in Sickle Cell Anemia STOP II trial found that continued blood transfusions help prevent the risk of stroke in children with SCD.
About Iron Overload
Frequent blood transfusions have been shown to prolong survival and improve quality of life in patients with various underlying blood disorders such as SCD. However, with every blood transfusion, a patient also receives iron, a key part of each red blood cell. When the level of iron in the body gets too high, it can become toxic. The only effective drug therapy to remove the excess iron and prevent the complications of iron overload is an iron chelator -- a substance that binds to iron in the body and helps remove it through the urine and/or feces. In some cases, the need for transfusion and chelation lasts a lifetime.
About Novartis
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation researches, develops, manufactures and markets leading innovative prescription drugs used to treat a number of diseases and conditions, including central nervous system disorders, organ transplantation, cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases, respiratory disorders, cancer and arthritis. The company's mission is to improve people's lives by pioneering novel healthcare solutions.
Located in East Hanover, New Jersey, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) -- a world leader in pharmaceuticals and consumer health. In 2005, the Group's businesses achieved sales of USD 32.2 billion and pro forma net income of USD 6.1 billion. The Group invested approximately USD 4.8 billion in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 97,000 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For further information please consult http://www.novartis.com/.

Crash Bandicoot(R) Brings Mini-Game Mayhem to Nintendo DS(TM) Systems Worldwide In Crash(R) Boom Bang!
Vivendi Games' Sierra Entertainment division has announced that Crash(R) Boom Bang! is now available at retail stores worldwide exclusively for the Nintendo DS(TM) system. Developed by critically-acclaimed Japanese developer Dimps, Crash Boom Bang! allows gamers to roll the dice and dive into wacky action-oriented, outrageously funny, single or multiplayer minigames. The game also enables players to communicate with and bet against opponents through the never before seen "Motion Panel Communication" in-game feature.
"The multitude of truly entertaining minigames in Crash Boom Bang! continues the Crash Bandicoot(R) tradition of wacky humor and cartoon style action fans have come to expect from the highly successful franchise with over 33 million units sold worldwide," said Pascal Brochier, president, global retail for Vivendi Games. "From its 3D graphics and rich stereo sound to its use of touch screen technology and wireless connectivity, Crash Boom Bang! takes full advantage of all of the cutting-edge technical capabilities offered by the Nintendo DS system."
In Crash Boom Bang!, Crash and his friends embark on a worldwide race in a quest for its multi-million dollar prize. With hidden intentions of finding an ancient lost city and the famed magical "Super Big Power Stone" that grants its user one wish, the race's sponsor Viscount Devil plans on using the contestants to solve the mystery. The map of the race checkpoints is based on the Viscount's ancient map, and the evil Dr. Neo Cortex, also an invitee to the race, has figured out the Viscount's master plan and in his own relentless pursuit for world domination, sets out to steal the map and retrieve the legendary stone. It's up to Crash and his friends to win the big race...and save the world!
Key game features in Crash Boom Bang! include:
* 40 action oriented minigames taking full advantage of the DS platform
- 3D graphics, touch screen, microphone, wireless network
* Exciting, never before seen "Motion Panel Communication" multiplayer
gameplay
- Communicate with or distract friends through motion panel messages
(speech, sound, character)
- Use wireless LAN to communicate with players mid-game, establish
alliances, and 'bother' other players' gameplay
* Unique betting and item collecting and trading takes player interaction
to a new level
- Betting on outcomes of multiplayer games to earn points to purchase
items
- 80 items to collect, trade or use to alter gameplay scenarios
* Trademark Crash humor and 8 playable characters
- Play as one of 8 of your favorite characters including Crash, Coco,
Crunch and Neo Cortex
Crash Boom Bang! is currently available at retail stores nationwide exclusively for Nintendo DS for a suggested retail price of $29.99 with an ESRB "E" (Everyone) rating.
For more information, please visit the game's official website at http://www.crashbandicoot.com/.
About Vivendi Games
Vivendi Games (http://www.vivendigames.com/) is a global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company is the leader in the subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) category, holds leading positions in the PC, console, handheld and mobile games markets, and is an emerging player in casual online games. Vivendi Games' two principal studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, headquartered in Irvine, CA, the creator of World of Warcraft(R), Diablo(R), StarCraft(R), and Warcraft(R); and Sierra Entertainment, headquartered in Los Angeles, which includes Radical Entertainment, Swordfish Studios, High Moon Studios, and Massive Entertainment. Sierra's IPs include Crash Bandicoot(R), Spyro The Dragon(R), Empire Earth(R), SWAT(R), Darkwatch(TM), TimeShift(TM), Ground Control(R) and Leisure Suit Larry(R). Vivendi Games is also home to Vivendi Games Mobile, publishing games for the mobile market, and Sierra Online, dedicated to publishing casual games for online play and distribution on all platforms. Vivendi Games maintains strategic relationships with industry leading content partners, including Universal Music Group, NBC Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, and Ludlum Entertainment. The company has 16 offices around the world conducting business in 75 countries.
"Crash Boom Bang" interactive game (C) 2006 Universal Interactive, Inc. Crash Bandicoot, Crash and related characters are (TM) and (C) Universal Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved. Sierra and the Sierra logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sierra Entertainment, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Vivendi Games and the Vivendi Games logo are trademarks of Vivendi Games, Inc. (TM), (R) and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Source: Sierra Entertainment
Web site: http://www.vivendigames.com/
http://www.crashbandicoot.com/

Americans in Their 40s and 50s Are Far More Likely to Describe Themselves As the TV Generation Than As Baby Boomers, TV Land Study Finds
Study Provides Surprising Insights into Most Meaningful Cultural and Historical Events of Boomers' Lives
The 78 million Americans born between 1946 and 1964 -- commonly referred to as Baby Boomers -- are far more likely to describe themselves as The TV Generation than Baby Boomers, a new study from TV Land has found. Additionally, the study found that the most meaningful cultural and historic events of Boomers' lives were not Woodstock and the war in Vietnam, as many would believe. Rather, the birth of cable television and the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explosion ranked as the overall most meaningful cultural and historic milestones in their lives, respectively.
The study was conducted by Latitude and commissioned by TV Land as part of its on-going efforts to gain a deeper understanding of how to best communicate with America's 78 million Baby Boomers. It was released at Life@50+ AARP's National Event & Expo held this weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center. More research on this generation will be expressed by TV Land when the network unveils TV Land's New Generation Gap Study in New York on Tuesday, November 14, 2006.
By and large, Boomers are a diverse generation and many do not strongly identify with the "Boomer" label. One quarter of the 40-60 year olds polled said they felt that Baby Boomers were older than they feel and 57% expressed feeling younger than their actual current age would suggest. Of the respondents, only 20% described themselves as Boomers, while 56% described themselves as belonging to The TV Generation. The study was conducted via an online survey of 1,200 persons in their 40s and 50s earlier this year.
The study also asked respondents to choose the most meaningful cultural and historic events of their formative years. Their top five cultural events were:
* The birth of cable television 45%
* The creation of color television 40%
* The death of John Lennon 37%
* The disco era 33%
* The death of Elvis 29%
When asked about the most meaningful historical events of their formative years, the top five responses were:
* The Space Shuttle Challenger Explosion (1986) 57%
* John F. Kennedy's assassination 52%
* The war in Vietnam 52%
* Ronald Reagan's term as President of the U.S. 42%
* Nixon's Resignation/Iran Hostage Crisis/ 38%
Discovery of AIDS (tie)
"This study challenges a lot of assumptions we all make about Baby Boomers and these findings remind us that a generation 78 million strong is not in any way monolithic or singular," explains Larry W. Jones, President of TV Land and Nick at Nite. "As a society, many of us wrongly believe Boomers would cite Woodstock as the top cultural event in their lives and the findings illustrate the dangers of making broad based assumptions about or stereotyping Boomers."
"In many ways, it's not surprising that the first generation of Americans to grow up alongside television would embrace the TV Generation moniker more so than the Baby Boomer label," explains Tanya Giles, Senior Vice President, Research, TV Land. "While it may be useful shorthand to refer to this generation as Baby Boomers, we know the importance of speaking to this generation's life stage and making emotional connections through thoughtful and insightful communications."
About Latitude
Latitude is an innovative custom audience research and consulting firm, with a dedicated focus on television, the Internet, print, and cross-platform convergence. By creating a sophisticated bridge between business strategy and audience preferences, Latitude provides clients with actionable insight for content development, marketing strategy, and new business opportunities.
About TV Land
Now seen in over 88 million U.S. homes, TV Land is a division of MTV Networks. TV Land's program mix features popular dramas, sitcoms, westerns, Retromercials and a TV-referential interstitial environment, all programmed with a specific audience in mind -- the first generation of Americans to grow up watching television and features all-time Classic hits like All in the Family, I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show, and Bonanza.
MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, mtvU, VHI, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, MTV INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 12 digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.
About Viacom
Viacom is a leading global entertainment content company, with prominent and respected brands in focused demographics. Offering programming and content for television, motion pictures and digital platforms, Viacom's world-class brands include MTV Networks (MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, TV Land, Logo and more than 120 networks around the world), BET, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, DreamWorks and Famous Music. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at http://www.viacom.com/.
Source: TV Land
Web site: http://www.nick-at-nite.com/
http://www.viacom.com/

Verizon Wireless Customers Can 'Boo'-gie this Halloween With Spooky Ring Tones and Ringback Tones
This Halloween, Verizon Wireless customers can personalize their wireless phones with "spooktacular" ring tones and Ringback Tones. Customers with Get It Now(R)-enabled handsets can select tunes from classic Halloween horror films and songs right on their wireless phones with ease. So whether customers are heading out for an evening to "Monster Mash" or trick-or-treat with their children, they can get their wireless phones in the spirit of the season! Following are suggested Halloween ring tones and Ringback Tones available:
Ring Tones
* Halloween (Theme)
* Twilight Zone: The Movie (Theme)
* JAWS: Shark Attack (John Williams)
* Tubular Bells (Theme from The Exorcist)
* Werewolves of London (Warren Zevon)
* Bewitched (Theme)
* Time Warp (The Rocky Horror Show)
* Halloween (Siouxsie And The Banshees)
* The Storm (Theme from Bram Stoker's Dracula)
* Science Fiction Double Feature (The Rocky Horror Show)
* Thriller (Michael Jackson)
Ringback Tones
* Gounod Alfred Hitchcock Presents (Theme)
* Twilight Zone (Buddy Morrow)
* B-Film Horror Ring (Halloween)
* Cackling Witch (Halloween)
* Creepy Halloween Music (Halloween)
* Night Journeys (John Williams: Dracula)
* Creepy Piano (Halloween)
* Dracula Organ (Halloween)
* Ghost Carnival (Halloween)
* Hells Bells (Halloween)
* Addams Family (Intro) (Vic Mizzy)
Verizon Wireless customers can purchase ring tones and Ringback Tones by visiting the Get Tunes & Tones shopping aisle in their Get It Now-enabled handsets. Verizon Wireless customers can also purchase Ringback Tones directly through the Get It Now Web site at www.verizonwireless.com. A monthly 99 cent subscription fee to Ringback Tones is required for any Ringback Tones purchase. Download charges for Get It Now applications vary and airtime charges apply when browsing, downloading and using certain applications. Customers need a Get It Now-enabled phone and Verizon Wireless digital service to access the Get It Now virtual store.
For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 54.8 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
Source: Verizon Wireless
Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/

The Country's Premier Hispanic Weekly Entertainment Publication La Vibra and www.lavibra.com Online Entertainment Destination to Launch in Six Markets This Weekend
Premier Weekend Entertainment Publication for Young Urban Latinos Extends Reach
First Multi-Market Edition of La Vibra to Hit Newsstands This Weekend Featuring Latin Grammy Content
ImpreMedia announces today the national launch of La Vibra, the premier weekend entertainment publication, and www.lavibra.com the leading entertainment source for young urban Latinos. La Vibra reaches young Latino audiences with its original content and hip and relevant music and movie coverage. La Vibra will be distributed weekly in the top Hispanic markets: Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco Bay area, Orlando and Tampa.
"With its original content and dedicated entertainment editorial teams across the country, La Vibra brings exclusive entertainment stories for those who want to be-in-the-know about the hottest and latest entertainment news," said Monica Lozano, CEO and publisher of La Opinion. "La Vibra delivers to entertainment aficionados a wide array of entertainment choices in their backyard. For anyone looking to be well-informed about local and national entertainment, they need only to turn to La Vibra."
La Vibra will have a significantly expanded distribution with online access at www.lavibra.com and print distribution of 530,000 in six key Hispanic markets. La Vibra will reach Latinos through ImpreMedia's newspapers every weekend:
* La Opinion / Los Angeles - Thursday
* El Diario La Prensa / New York - Thursday
* La Prensa / Orlando - Thursday
* La Prensa / Tampa - Thursday
* La Raza / Chicago - Friday
* El Mensajero / San Francisco Bay Area - Sunday
In Southern California, La Vibra has been published in La Opinion every Thursday since 2000. ImpreMedia is now taking this successful brand and excellent editorial to more markets to create the largest entertainment publication of its kind and to reach young Latinos in the top U.S. cities.
The entertainment content in La Vibra, which is targeted to young urban Latinos (18-34), will include: movie and music reviews, interviews with artists, and gossip, as well as information about local entertainment news, clubs and concerts.
La Vibra will also reach Latinos online at www.lavibra.com. The La Vibra web site will include content from all ImpreMedia markets, along with interviews and interactive features such as audio, video and photo-galleries.
To create awareness and buzz for the new entertainment publication, a teaser promotional campaign will commence in the Latin Grammy issue and 12 winners -- two winners in each market and two winners on www.lavibra.com -- will be selected to receive an iPod nano between October 26 and November 19. The campaign will be promoted online with banners and emails to online users. For campaign participation and details visit: www.lavibra.com.
For national or regional advertising in La Vibra please visit www.lavibra.com or contact:
About ImpreMedia's La Vibra
The premier weekend entertainment guide for young urban US Latinos includes content about music, movies, clubs, reviews and much more (content ad adjacencies available). The weekly guide is distributed to six key Hispanic markets in the US: Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Orlando & Tampa, and more than 530,000 copies are distributed to Latino readers -- Over half a million copies reaching Hispanics looking for weekend entertainment. La Vibra is distributed with ImpreMedia's newspapers in each of these markets.
About ImpreMedia
ImpreMedia publishes Spanish-language newspapers in six top Hispanic markets: La Opinion and La Opinion Contigo in Los Angeles, El Diario La Prensa and El Diario Contigo in New York, La Raza in Chicago, El Mensajero in the San Francisco Bay Area and La Prensa in Orlando and Tampa, the leading Spanish-language newspapers in their respective markets.
Source: La Vibra
Web site: http://www.lavibra.com/

GLAMOURCON 40 in Los Angeles
All Appearances Are Subject To Change

JUSTINE JOLI
www.justinejoli.com
GLAMOURCON GIRL OF THE YEAR!
Check out our ads in the blocks above for this year's appearance of
HOLLY, BRIDGET and KENDRA (Saturday only)
Also, special appearance by
BROOKE BURKE! (Saturday only)
TAYLOR WANE
Adult Star, Featured Entertainer, Model and GC fav!
www.taylorwane.com
ARIA GIOVANNI
Glamourcon fan favorite!
www.ariagiovanni.com
GOLDEN APPLE
LA's Pop Culture Central
www.goldenapplecomics.com
The BULLPEN Presents
Miss May 2006 - ALISON WAITE
Miss March 2006 - MONICA LEIGH
and Miss October 2005 - AMANDA PAIGE
www.bullpensportscards.com
The Fetish-a-go-go Chick
STACY BURKE
www.stacyburke.com
WOMEN OF PERFECTION
www.womenofperfection.com
Moses Marquez of Creations
Presents
A Calendar Model Showcase Featuring:
Miss January - To be announced
Miss February - ALEX LYNN
Miss March - CHARISSE KAILYN
Miss April - CJ MILES
Miss May - To be announced
Miss June - AKIRA LANE
Miss July - MYRNA STAR
Miss August - To be announced
Miss September - MISHA LYN
Miss October - To be announced
Miss November - KANSAS
Miss December - HONEY CRUZ
With Special Guest Models:
BIANCA SMITHMiss July - Miss August - To be announcedMiss September - Miss October - To be announcedMiss November - Miss December - With Special Guest Models:Miss July - Miss August - To be announcedMiss September - Miss October - To be announcedMiss November - Miss December - With Special Guest Models:Miss July - Miss August - To be announcedMiss September - Miss October - To be announcedMiss November - Miss December - With Special Guest Models:Miss July - Miss August - To be announcedMiss September - Miss October - To be announcedMiss November - Miss December - With Special Guest Models:Miss July - Miss August - To be announcedMiss September - Miss October - To be announcedMiss November - Miss December - With Special Guest Models:Miss July - Miss August - To be announcedMiss September - Miss October - To be announcedMiss November - Miss December - With Special Guest Models:Miss July - Miss August - To be announcedMiss September - Miss October - To be announcedMiss November - Miss December - With Special Guest Models:Miss July - Miss August - To be announcedMiss September - Miss October - To be announcedMiss November - Miss December - With Special Guest Models:Miss July - Miss August - To be announcedMiss September - Miss October - To be announcedMiss November - Miss December - With Special Guest Models:Miss July - Miss August - To be announcedMiss September - Miss October - To be announcedMiss November - Miss December - With Special Guest Models:Miss July - Miss August - To be announcedMiss September - Miss October - To be announcedMiss November - Miss December - With Special Guest Models:Miss July - Miss August - To be announcedMiss September - Miss October - To be announcedMiss November - Miss December - With Special Guest Models:Miss July - Miss August - To be announcedMiss September - Miss October - To be announcedMiss November - Miss December - With Special Guest Models:Miss July - Miss August - To be announcedMiss September - Miss October - To be announcedMiss November - Miss December - With Special Guest Models:Miss July - Miss August - To be announcedMiss September - Miss October - To be announcedMiss November - Miss December - With Special Guest Models:
NATHIA SHERRI
VANNA K. NATHIA SHERRIVANNA K. NATHIA SHERRIVANNA K. NATHIA SHERRIVANNA K. NATHIA SHERRIVANNA K. NATHIA SHERRIVANNA K. NATHIA SHERRIVANNA K. NATHIA SHERRIVANNA K. NATHIA SHERRIVANNA K. NATHIA SHERRIVANNA K. NATHIA SHERRIVANNA K. NATHIA SHERRIVANNA K. NATHIA SHERRIVANNA K. NATHIA SHERRIVANNA K. NATHIA SHERRIVANNA K.
Glamour Photographer ALBERT ORTEGA will have the following
special guests at the www.xtremephoto.com table:
Model JEN TAYLOR
www.myspace.com/modeljentaylor
Fan favorite HEIDI ZERBE
www.heidi-zerbe.com
LYNDA WIESMEIER Miss July 1982
ANGEL BORIS Miss July 1996
CHRISTI SHAKE Miss May 2002
CINDY PUCCI
www.cindypucci.com
Saturday only
Fitness Model TYLER STEVENS
www.tylerontop.com
NIKITA LEA
www.nikitalea.com
DAB MANAGEMENT
featuring DANIELLA BAE
www.daniellabae.com
and CHRISTINE CAMPBELL
www.christinecampbell.net
BRUCE'S BOOK-O-RAMA
DAZZA
Making Your Dreams Come True!
www.dazza.com
SAMANTHA GRACE
www.modernretropinup.com
AMERICA'S SEXIEST MAGICIAN - THE SNAKE BABE
www.snakebabe.com
TJM DESIGNS
Original Pin Up Artwork
www.tjmdesigns.com
MICHAEL RAY'S IMAGES FROM ASIA
www.imagesfromasia.com
featuring
SOFIYA MINA SMIRNOVA
www.sofiya-smirnova.com
MAYLEE
www.mayleein3d.com
FLO JALIN
www.flojalin.com
ALICE BRADLEY
www.alicebradley.net
ANGELA SORA
www.angelasora.com
LENA LI
LANA MADISON
FALINE SONG
www.miss-faline.com
ALEX DEL MONACCO
www.alexsplayground.com
JOJO (Saturday only)
CHRISTINE MENDOZA (Sunday only)
www.christinemendozaonline.com
CLEOPATRA OF THE NILE
Best Actress Puerto Rican Film Festival
www.cleosoasis.comBest Actress Puerto Rican Film FestivalBest Actress Puerto Rican Film FestivalBest Actress Puerto Rican Film FestivalBest Actress Puerto Rican Film FestivalBest Actress Puerto Rican Film FestivalBest Actress Puerto Rican Film FestivalBest Actress Puerto Rican Film FestivalBest Actress Puerto Rican Film FestivalBest Actress Puerto Rican Film FestivalBest Actress Puerto Rican Film FestivalBest Actress Puerto Rican Film FestivalBest Actress Puerto Rican Film FestivalBest Actress Puerto Rican Film FestivalBest Actress Puerto Rican Film FestivalBest Actress Puerto Rican Film Festival
ALAIN VIESCA ARTS
www.alainviescaarts.com
ALY CLARK
www.alysplace.com
ARMANDO HUERTA
www.armandohuerta.com
www.padjanstudios.com
BETTINA:CAPITAL CITY CHEESECAKE
www.bettina.ca
EXOTIC JEWELL
www.exoticjewell.com
FLUID FRAMES INC
www.fluidframesinc.com
HIS QUARTERLY
www.hisquarterly.com
CAMP DANGEROUS CURVES
www.campdangerouscurves.com
featuring
AUTUMN
PAIGE and
SANDY
JASON'S YUMMY PICS.COM
The Art of KEVIN CLARK
www.kc-art.com
featuring CHAINSAW CHELSEA
www.godsgirls.com/girls/Chelsea
A NUBIAN PRINCESS of IMAGES INTERNATIONAL
PHOTOGRAPHY
www.msresa.com
RICK NOSKER
Specializing in Playboy Memorabilia
TOTAL MASS INC
www.totalmass.com
SEAN SHAW: Pin-Up Artist
TOM NGUYEN
Professional Comic and Glamour Illustration
Original art and prints available!
www.tomnguyenart.com
SENTI ART - The Art of Senti
www.sentiart.com
J2J COMPANY
Modeling Websites and Promotion
Artist - WALT DAVIS
of FM Designs will offer instant fantasy
and pinup cartoons of fans and guests
24K ENTERTAINMENT
www.24ke.com
TIGER LEE
www.hotpiratebabes.com
ROGER HUMPHRIES
www.rogerspinups.com
CRYSTAL DARLINGTON
Up and Comer from Texas!
ALEX KEARDAN PHOTOGRAPHY
The art of DAVE NESTLER
www.davenestler.com
HOT SHOTS DVD
www.hotshotsdvd.com
featuring MISS BECKY
www.missbecky.com
FEISTY KITTY
www.modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=76298
BROOKE BANX
www.BrookeBanx.com
with MISS BETHANY
www.missbethany.com
KARI SWEETS
www.karisweets.com
LINGERIE BOWL IV PLAYERS
from Dallas Desire, Chicago Bliss, Los Angeles Temptations
and New York Euphoria!
www.lingeriebowl.com
KC Fotos.com
www.kcfotos.com
PinUpGlam.com
www.pinupglam.com
Featuring
ERICA CAMPBELL
JAIME HAMMER
MAGGIE GREEN
JELENA JENSEN
JANA PRINCESSA
PINUP ARTIST ROBERT MILLS
SUMMER CUMMINGS
www.summerc.com
TONY MAURO ILLUSTRATION
www.darkdayproductions.com
LUANA LANI
     www.missluana.com
PEEDY MEDIA presents
TYLENE BUCK
www.tylenebuck.com
LOU MENDOZA
Custom Silk Screening and Streetwear
MEGAN ELIZABETH
Playboy Cyber Girl of the Month for May 2006
www.meganelizabeth.net
RUBY LUSTER
Vintage Lingerie, Pin Up Glamour and Fetish Model
www.rubyluster.com
and
EMILY MARILYN
Fetish and Glamour Model
www.emilymarilyn.com

This Banner Space Is Available To Models & Vendors. Contact Bob

By using links on the Glamourcon web site, you agree that: Glamourcon may provide, or third parties may provide, links to other World Wide Web sites or resources. Because Glamourcon has no control over such sites and resources Glamourcon is not responsible for the availability of such external sites or resources, and does not endorse and is not responsible or liable for any Content, advertising, products, or other materials on or available from such sites or resources. Glamourcon shall not be responsible or liable, directly or directly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such Content, goods or services available on or through any such site or resource.

2006 – THE YEAR OF THE BABY!
“VH1 BIG IN ‘O6 AWARDS” WILL PAY HOMAGE TO THE BIGGEST PEOPLE, THE BIGGEST MOMENTS, AND THE BIGGEST BABIES OF 2006!
FROM THE LITTLE SEEN “TOM-KITTEN,” TO THE MUCH HYPED BRANGELINA BABY
TO MEL GIBSON ACTING LIKE A BABY
Viewers Choose The Big In ’06 Winners Online And Via Mobile Starting October 25 Through December 1 At http://big.vh1.com
D.L. Hughley Will Host This Year’s Awards Show Premiering
Sunday, December 3, At 8PM* From The Sony Stages in Los Angeles
October 25, 2006, SANTA MONICA, CA – Water cooler buzz was deafening in 2006 and here’s why:
Everyone was either having a baby or acting like one.
MySpace & YouTube guys became instant billionaires.
America’s new favorite “it” couple -- Matt & Lance.
Paris & Nicole made-up.
Flavor Flav “clocks” his competition.
Mel Gibson gets drunk and his “Truthiness” comes out in A Million Little Pieces.
Mark Foley turns over a new page.

For the fifth time, VH1 will honor winners in categories that captured the year in music, news, politics, arts and gossip with “VH1 Big In ‘06 Awards.” Hosted by actor and comedian D.L. Hughley, the annual year-end celebration will premiere on Sunday, December 3 at 8PM. Performers, presenters and special guests will be announced as they are confirmed.
VH1 is again letting America choose who this year’s winners will be. Viewers can vote for each category online at http://big.vh1.com beginning October 25 at 4PM ET through December 1 as well as determine the “write-in” nominees for the “Big Reality Star” of 2006, which is sponsored by Burger King. Viewers will also be able to cast their vote using their mobile phones by texting keyword “BIG” to the number 22422. Voters will receive the first category ballot and can opt to receive a new ballot each day until all categories are voted on. The “VH1 Big in ‘06” mobile voting is sponsored by Alltel.
Warner Bros. Pictures, L’Oréal Paris®, Burger King®, Alltel Wireless, and Cotton Inc., are the sponsors of “VH1 Big in ’06 Awards.”
“VH1 Big in ’06 Awards” is executive produced by Lee Rolontz and Michael Dempsey.
Contacts:               Tracy McGraw/VH1        Scott Acord/VH1
                        212-846-7879                    310-752-8075

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 87 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array for digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH Uno, VH1 Mega Hits and VH1 Country. Connect with VH1 at www.VH1.com.
VH1 is a registered trademark of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. MTV Networks also operates and offers joint ventures, licensing agreements and syndication deals whereby its programming can be seen worldwide.
*** For up-to-the-minute and archival press information including releases and photographs, visit VH1's press-only Web site at www.vh1.com/press

This year’s categories/nominees include:
BIG ENTERTAINER
The celebrity that entertained us more than anyone else in the last 365 days
Johnny Depp
Steve Carell
Jessica Simpson
Dane Cook
YouTube
BIG TV STAR
The actor or personality that defined television in ’06
Kiefer Sutherland
Patrick Dempsey
Ellen DeGeneres
Jon Stewart
BIG MUSIC ARTIST
The musician that made the biggest noise in ’06
Shakira
Pussycat Dolls
The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Justin Timberlake
Big in ’06 – Page 3
BIG DOWNLOAD
The artist that had the most talked about download of the year
London Bridge (Fergie)
White & Nerdy (Weird Al Yankovic)
Here It Goes Again (OK Go)
What’s A Date (Lonely Girl Fifteen)
Jump In My Car (David Hasselhoff)
BIG MAMA
The celebrity mother whose maternal instincts rose above the rest
Brooke Shields
Katie Holmes
Britney Spears
Madonna
BIG BREAKTHROUGH
The entertainer that really made a name for themselves in ’06
Sascha Baron Cohen
Stephen Colbert
Jaime Pressley
The Cast of High School Musical

BIG COMEBACK
That person or group of people that roared back into the pop culture consciousness in ‘06
New Orleans Saints
Howie Mandel
David Hasselhoff
Al Gore
Rosie O’Donnell
BIG “IT” GIRL
That fresh young face that was simply unavoidable this year
Vanessa Mannillo
America Ferrara
Katherine McPhee
Katherine Heigl
BIG OUTLAW
Love ‘em or shun ‘em, the celebrity that was the biggest law breaker this year
Dick Cheney
Mel Gibson
Willie Nelson
Paris Hilton
Big in ’06 – Page 4
BIG POWER COUPLE
The celebrity couple whose clout trumped all the rest in ‘06
Beyonce & Jay-Z
Britney Spears & Kevin Federline
Matthew McConaughey & Lance Armstrong
Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie
BIG SHOCKER
The moment or event that we didn’t see coming in the past twelve months
Bill Clinton loses his cool
John Mark Carr confesses
Mark Foley gets caught
North Korea tests a nuke
BIG REALITY STAR
WRITE IN CATEGORY

Digital Hollywood’s Mobile Trends and the Changing Landscape of Digital Landscape
Digital Hollywood , promoted as the premier entertainment and technology conference in the country, brought together the upper echelon of who’s who together in Santa Monica leading us to the future of digital entertainment.
Mobile Trends
Mobile video in the United States is not just for the teen set, with three quarters of the mobile video users being over 24 and skewing 70% male, according to Levi Shapiro, Director of Audience Metrics, Telephia, Inc. The biggest surprise of all was that nearly one-fourth (22%) of mobile tv viewing occurred when people where at home, the same as when commuting.
Mobile capabilities, while lagging behind Asia and Europe , are stepping to the plate with offerings. Leading companies for mobile video are MobiTV and GoTV. MobiTV has popular tv channels including MSNBC, Fox News, ESPN 3GTV and the Discovery Channel, Spanish and music programming. GoTV has genre based channels such as Fantasy Sports Edge, hip hop and news. Fun Little Movies is a mobile comedy channel. Portable Hollywood is often branded for the specific carrier. Sony has almost 40 channels worldwide, however none are available in the U.S.
Filter for Relevancy
User generated content, the major buzz especially with Google’s recent purchase of YouTube, was a major topic for the pre-day conference. With the overwhelming choices of more than 200,000 videos being uploaded daily, we’re entering information anarchy. It’s not only through our entertainment sources but the bombardment of stimuli in our everyday lives.
Entertainment and technology companies are realizing that while the Google searches have been used as a filter through text, videos require filtering and people want someone to filter the info, and thus the value of the social network enters. The value of trusted sources and editors are seen each day when people associate expectations with a brand.
“Consumers resonate toward brands and buy over and over,” shares someone who understands this well, James Glasscock, Group Vice President Video of Demand, Playboy Entertainment. If you’re still looking for evidence, ask any parent who has kids that have immersed themselves in Spiderman DVDs, pajamas, bedding, backpack, and the list goes on.
The filter for relevancy not only extends from the overabundance of media available but to advertising. The solution for the skipped and fast forwarded commercials in advertising panels was to develop relevant advertising which people wanted to watch. The biggest example of this is the Superbowl, where the commercials often receive as much attention as the game. The same could be said for successful programming.
Enjoy Your Content, Anytime, Anywhere
One of the clearest messages, is the reality that consumers want to have their various media available on various types of medium available. Mobile, broadband, IPTV, iPod, you name it, availability and choice are what the companies are rushing towards.
Leslie Moonves, President and CEO of CBS Corporation, introduced the concept with Yahoo! Go at Yahoo!s keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show this past January. Microsoft took it further with the idea “From HD to Mobile – Enjoy your content anytime, anywhere” at Home Media Retailing’s DVD 9 Lives Conference in May with Amir Majidimehr, Corporate Vice President Windows Digital Media Division, Microsoft Corporation.
Landscape is Changing
With consumers wanting their content wherever they are, the feasibility of options for advertisers changes too as they chase the eyeballs.
“Where the audiences go, the advertisers will follow,” said Jordan Hoffner, Head of News and Premium Content Partnerships, Google Video. Google, well known for it’s Google ads which change based on the user, has been one of the best examples of this receiving $3 billion in advertising and paying out $1 billion in the 3^rd quarter.
“Advertisers buy audiences they don’t buy headaches” shared John Hadl, Brand Marketing/Direct Marketing Strategic adviser to Proctor & Gamble. Hadl’s other very direct statement shared the dilemma, “(Advertising) Agencies don’t know how to make money with mobile.”
Thus, Hadl summed up one of the largest dilemmas of innovation and the digital landscape discussed at Digital Hollywood , monetization

Toys 'R' Us Unveils Top Five Toy Trends for the 2006 Holiday Season From Products that Mimic Grown-Up Gadgets to Toys that Encourage Bilingual Skills, The World's Greatest Toy Store Identifies the Hottest Trends for Christmas
Today, Toys "R" Us announced the five toy trends that will influence shoppers' toy-buying decisions this holiday season. After months of researching and evaluating thousands of new toys in preparation for the Christmas shopping period, The World's Greatest Toy Store has identified these dominant toy trends for Holiday 2006: Just Like Mom and Dad, Bilingual Toys, Interactive Experiences, Electronics Not Included and Imaginative Play.
"As the toy authority, Toys "R" Us takes the lead in identifying toy- buying trends and predicting the hottest items for the Christmas season," said Ron Boire, President, Toys "R" Us, U.S. "We are constantly asked if electronic toys are replacing traditional toys. This year's trends clearly indicate that electronic toys continue to augment the toy business, but that toys without electronic bells and whistles also hold an important place in our assortment and in the hearts of parents and children."
Following are the five toy trends identified by Toys "R" Us for Holiday 2006, accompanied by some of the best product examples in each category. All toys are available at Toys "R" Us stores nationwide or online at Toysrus.com.
Trend #1: Just Like Mom and Dad
Children are constantly imitating their parents through actions and in language. With the 2006 selection of holiday toys, children now have access to kid-size versions of adult products. Designed with toddlers in mind, The Kid-Tough(TM) Digital Camera from Fisher-Price(R) has a tough exterior and big buttons that make it a perfect fit for small hands. For budding musicians, the Acoustic Student Guitar from First Act(TM) is a junior-sized steel guitar featuring strings set low for easier playability. The Power Wheels(R) Ford Mustang from Fisher-Price(R) lets kids get behind the wheel of their very own car that drives on either hard or grass surfaces at a speed of five miles per hour forward and 2.5 miler per hour in reverse. Technology aficionados will appreciate Massively Mini(TM) Media from Tiger Electronics(R). It puts videos, music and photos into the palms of kids' hands. This lightweight, easy-to-use, multi-media device includes earbuds with a unique design that allows kids to wear the player around their neck, touch-screen controls and a color display.
Trend #2: Bilingual Toys
Catering to the growing demand for products that promote dual language skills among children, toys that boast English and Spanish capabilities have gained momentum this year. Leading the list of bilingual toys for the toddler set are the Learn and Groove(TM) Alphabet Drum and the Learn and Groove(TM) Musical Table from LeapFrog(R), both of which introduce the alphabet and encourage physical movement, vocalization and musical exploration in both English and Spanish. Taking a cue from two popular Nickelodeon programs, Fisher-Price(R) has introduced toys based on the adventures of Dora the Explorer(TM) and Go, Diego, Go!(TM) The Go, Diego, Go!(TM) Diego's Talking Rescue Center lets children go on rescue missions with Diego and his animal friends, while providing commentary from Diego in both English and Spanish. Dora the Explorer(TM) Magic Hair(TM) Fairytale Dora allows kids to imagine whisking Dora away on adventures through magical lands while she offers them encouragement in English and Spanish. The Pink Nitro Notebook(TM) from VTech(R) features Spanish language activities for developing readers.
Trend #3: Interactive Experiences
As kids constantly clamor for the latest technology-driven toys, products that allow players to become part of the action will be in high demand this holiday season. With both the Blue Man Group Percussion Tubes and the Blue Man Group Keyboard Experience from ToyQuest(R), aspiring musicians can learn how to perform like the stars of the wildly popular stage show by playing replicas of the PVC pipe percussion tubes and electronic keyboard made famous by the flashy performers. The next generation of robots is here with MINDSTORMS(R) NXT from LEGO(R), the strongest, smartest and most advanced LEGO robot ever. Including drag-and-drop software that works with PCs and Macs to make programming a snap, kids use their imagination to design, build and program their own robot to obey their commands. Kids who love puppies of all shapes and sizes will adore the Vmigo(TM) from Jakks Pacific(TM). From German Shepherds to Yorkshire Terriers, dog lovers can plug the game into a TV docking system to turn their dog loose on the big screen or take the portable version with them for hours of puppy fun on the go.
Trend #4: Electronics Not Included
On the flip side of interactive toys are items that don't include electronic bells and whistles. It's back to basics with a mixture of electronics-free new products and updated favorites. The Fisher-Price(R) Medical Kit comes with everything a physician-in-training needs for regular check-ups, including a working stethoscope, thermometer, blood pressure cuff and more. The Giggle Gear(TM) Mega Fort from Cranium(R) is a building system that lets kids build secret spaces to play and hide. With more than 100 building pieces, it's easy to create hundreds of fantasy environments. With 45 accessories and 26 molds, the Play-Doh(R) Creativity Center(TM) from Hasbro(R) is an activity-filled table that offers plenty of open-ended play. A four-picture activity mat encourages kids to mold meals, make faces, decorate a party scene and create jungle friends. In the climactic Battle of Endor that helped destroy the Empire in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, one of the key weapons in the Empire's arsenal was the AT-ST, an armored scout transport. Now, collectors can build their own version of the AT-ST using more than 1,000 LEGO(R) bricks with Star Wars(TM) Ultimate Collector's AT-ST(TM) from LEGO(R).
Trend #5: Imaginative Play
Among this year's new trends are toys that truly inspire imagination and creativity. The "must have" items in this category for the holiday season include the Sound City Railway from Imaginarium, a 115-piece train set that comes with a deluxe train table for years of imaginative adventures. When the trains chug over one of six different sections of the track, they come to life with exciting train-themed sounds and motions. The Spark Art Creativity System(TM) Easel from Fisher-Price(R) inspires kids to be creative like never before and is sure to be loved by all budding artists. With a combination of built-in interactive content and media, including magnets, dry-erase sheets, 3D models and more, this system encourages kids to explore their inner artist. The Color Explosion Spinner(TM) from Crayola(R) provides another outlet for artistic expression, allowing kids to create wild, multi-colored effects with a single color-reveal marker or drops of color-reveal solution. Kids can pretend to cook to their heart's content with Disney's The Little Mermaid Magical Talking Kitchen from Creative Designs International. Featuring Ariel from the popular animated Disney movie, the kitchen comes with all of the accessories needed to prepare an imaginary feast.
About Toys "R" Us, Inc.
Toys "R" Us is the world's leading specialty toy retailer. Currently it sells merchandise through more than 1,400 stores, including 587 stores in the U.S. and 658 international toy stores, including licensed and franchise stores as well as through its Internet site at http://www.toysrus.com/. Babies "R" Us is the largest baby product specialty store chain in the world and a leader in the juvenile industry, and sells merchandise through 245 stores in the U.S. as well as on the Internet at http://www.babiesrus.com/.
Web site: http://www.toysrus.com/
http://www.babiesrus.com/

Ruben Studdard Makes New J Records Album THE RETURN a Top 10 Chart Event
TV Appearances This Week on Megan Mullally and BET's J List - Follows Two Months of TV Dates on Today Show, Early Show, Martha Stewart, Jimmy Kimmel, The View, and More
Buoyed by Urban radio's reaction to the new single "Change Me," award-winning, RIAA platinum J Records artist Ruben Studdard makes his auspicious 'return' this week to the Billboard 200 albums chart at #8 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart #2 with THE RETURN, which arrived in stores October 17th. THE RETURN is NAACP Image Award winner and Grammy nominee Ruben's long-awaited follow-up to his heralded debut album Soulful, which contained the back-to-back pop/R&B crossover single hits "Flying Without Wings/Superstar" and "Sorry 2004."
In between Soulful and THE RETURN, Ruben paid homage to his deep southern Gospel roots on I Need An Angel (November 2004), whose title tune was written and produced by R. Kelly. The acclaimed project debuted at #1 on the Gospel chart, achieved RIAA gold status within weeks, and earned Ruben a BET nomination last year for "Best Gospel Album."
Following the late-summer release of "Change Me," the #1 most added song at Urban Radio in its first week out, Ruben was viewed by millions during appearances on TV's Access Hollywood and Extra. In the weeks leading up to the release of THE RETURN, Ruben also appeared on NBC's The Today Show (twice!) and The Martha Stewart Show, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live and The View, CNN's Showbiz Tonight, CBS's The Early Show, and today (Oct. 25th) on NBC's The Megan Mullally Show. The video for "Change Me" is in rotation on BET J and BET After Dark. He will perform live this week on BET J (Oct. 27th) and will sit down with BET's The Center for an in depth interview (Oct. 26th). Stay tuned for appearances on the syndicated Rachael Ray show and The Tyra Banks Show.
Studdard has a vast amount of online awareness and activity with features on AOL Music, Clear Channel Music online, MSN Music, VH1.com "Hear Music First" and Hi5.com. THE RETURN is currently the #3 R&B album in the iTunes Music Store, ahead of Janet Jackson, Beyonce and John Legend.
THE RETURN takes its title from the opening cut, "The Return (of the Velvet Teddy Bear)," a song written for him by co-producer Harold Lilly, signifying Ruben's return to the mainstream after his gospel sojourn. "A lot of people outside the gospel field didn't know I'd released I Need An Angel," he said, "so they'd come up and ask me where I'd been for the last two years! With THE RETURN, I'm saying, 'I'm back singing these love songs just for you!'"
THE RETURN continues the love affair that Ruben has enjoyed with audiences across the country since winning the American Idol competition. The release of Soulful (December 2003) set off an avalanche of awards and nominations over the next two years, as Ruben was recognized by the Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, BET Awards, NAACP Awards, Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Awards, Billboard Awards, and Teen Choice Awards. In 2006, THE RETURN is aimed squarely at Ruben's legions of loyal fans: "I put a lot of love into making this album," he said, "and my audience is going to feel that ... "
Source: J Records
Web site: http://www.jrecords.com/

Justin Timberlake's 2007 FutureSex/LoveShow World Tour UK and European Dates Added
Jive recording artist Justin Timberlake's upcoming 2007 FutureSex/LoveShow, has added 30 international dates and will kick off in Belfast, Ireland at the Odyssey on April 24th. Additional countries that have been announced are England, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
Following up on his sold out and critically well received SexyBack Live Listening Sessions in London, Paris and Amsterdam where he introduced the #1 album FutureSex/LoveSounds; Justin Timberlake is gearing up to return to arenas in the UK and Europe. Justin Timberlake accompanied by a 14 piece band and back up dancers will perform in the round, bringing the intimate mood of his acclaimed Live Listening Sessions into the arena setting and essentially making every seat a great seat and creating the ultimate 360 degree multi-media viewing experience. All the latest tour information can be found at http://www.JustinTimberlakeFanClub.com.
On-sale dates will be announced locally in each market and dates for the complete worldwide tour will be announced shortly.
Justin Timberlake Fan Club members will be part of an exclusive pre-sale and will be able to purchase tickets for the UK and European dates from 1pm (GMT) on Friday October 27th.

Confirmed shows and dates are as follows:
April 24 Belfast, Ireland Odyssey
April 27 Sheffield, England Hallam FM Arena
April 30 Newcastle, England Metro Arena
May 3 Glasgow, Scotland SECC
May 8-9 Birmingham, England NIA
May 14-15 Manchester, England MEN
May 22 Paris, France Bercy
May 25 Stuttgart, Germany Schleyerhalle
May 26 Munich, Germany Olympiahalle
May 28 Frankfurt, Germany Festhalle
June 1 Milan, Italy Forum
June 2 Zurich, Switzerland Hallenstadion
June 3 Vienna, Austria Stadthalle
June 6 Berlin, Germany Max Schmelling
June 7 Leipzig, Germany Arena
June 9 Hamburg, Germany Colorline Arena
June 10 Koln, Germany Arena
June 12 Lyon, France Tony Garnier
June 13 Dortmund, Germany Westfallenhalle
June 16 Amsterdam, the Netherlands Arena
June 19 Stockholm, Germany Globe
June 21 Oslo, Norway Valhalle
June 23 Copenhagen, Denmark Parken
June 25 Gothenberg, Sweden Scandinavian
June 27 Antwerp, Belfast Sports Palais
June 30 Dublin, Ireland RDS
July 4, 5 & 7 London, England The O2 Arena
(i) All dates are subject to change.
The 4 million worldwide selling album, FutureSex/LoveSounds co-written and co-produced by Justin Timberlake, hit #1 on the Billboard charts in the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, Singapore, Korea, and Malaysia and broke all digital album sales records. The smash single "SexyBack" featuring Timbaland was co-produced and co-written by Justin Timberlake and the 2nd single "My Love" featuring T.I. is already top 5 at radio airplay in the U.S. This makes Justin Timberlake the first male artist since the Nielson ratings began tracking airplay in 1993 to have 2 singles simultaneously in the American top 5 radio airplay charts. Additional producers on the album include JAWBreakers, Timbaland and Rick Rubin.
Overseas "SexyBack" reached at #1 on both the Billboard European Singles Chart and the Nielsen MusicControl European Airplay Hit 100. "My Love" which hit radio a few weeks ago has been reported as the #1 most added in Germany and several other European markets. The video debuted on Pro7 (Germany) and ITV2 (UK) in prime time slots. Online it debuted to over 1 million hits on MSN UK alone. And in the UK this week, the video leaps #87 to #1 on the TV airplay chart.
Scheduled upcoming appearances by Justin Timberlake include ITV's Parkinson, October 26th, hosting and performing at MTV's European Video Music Awards, November 2nd, "Wetten Dass ... ?," November 4th, and Canal Plus's La Grand Journal on November 6th.

Web site: http://www.jiverecords.com
http://www.JustinTimberlakeFanClub.com

Robert Zemeckis's 'Beowulf' to Premiere in 3-D
Groundbreaking Film Comes to REAL D and Other Large-Format 3-D Theaters November 16, 2007
When Robert Zemeckis's "Beowulf" is released in theaters nationwide on November 16, 2007, Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures will offer audiences an immersive motion picture experience unlike anything they've seen before as the film is presented in REAL D and other large-format 3-D theaters day-and-date with its 35mm release, it was announced today by Jim Tharp, president of Paramount Pictures distribution. When the film is released, REAL D will be in over 1,000 theaters worldwide, mostly in North America, and it is also expected that "Beowulf" will be the largest day-and-date large-format 3-D release of all time.
Robert Zemeckis directs "Beowulf," a digitally enhanced live-action film from a screenplay by Neil Gaiman and Rogert Avary inspired by the 9th century English epic poem. The film stars Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman, and Angelina Jolie.
Commenting on the announcement, Steve Starkey, the producer of the film, said, "Bob Zemeckis instinctively presents his films in a very dynamic way that suits itself perfectly for the 3-D experience, and 'Beowulf' is no exception -- the film is an ideal match for the REAL D system and other large-format 3-D presentations. When we presented 'The Polar Express' in 3-D, we looked for a way to differentiate the cinema experience, and with 'Beowulf,' REAL D is allowing us to expand on that idea."
REAL D's 3-D format enables a single digital projector to beam images that seem to move toward or away from viewers when wearing special, comfortable, lightweight glasses. Unlike traditional anaglyph (red and blue) 3-D, REAL D Digital 3-D leverages digital cinema projection technology to eliminate eye fatigue, ensuring moviegoers enjoy the most comfortable 3-D viewing experience possible.
Michael Lewis, chairman of REAL D, added, "We try to present involving and realistic stories to the audience. That's what this new generation of 3D allows us -- to make the audiences feel like they're part of the movie. Our format creates an even more lifelike experience; this is the premier way to see cinema."
Paramount Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment present an ImageMovers production, a Robert Zemeckis film, "Beowulf." Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film is written by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary, based on the book. Produced by Robert Zemeckis, Jack Rapke, and Steve Starkey, the executive producers are Martin Shafer, Roger Avary, and Neil Gaiman.
REAL D is the worldwide inventor and provider of key stereoscopic technologies used in entertainment, marketing, science and other industries. REAL D's mission-critical 3-D visualization technologies are used by organizations such as NASA, Pfizer, BMW, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, SEGA, Boeing and more. For more information, or to locate a REAL D Cinema, visit www.REALD.com.
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is a global entertainment company that produces and distributes filmed entertainment through the Paramount Motion Picture Group which includes Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films and Nick Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Studios and Worldwide Television Distribution.

www.pleaseapologizesaraevans.com Launched by Friends and Supporters of Alison Clinton to Hold Country Music Star Sara Evans Accountable; Help Clear Alison Clinton's Name
Clinton Lawyer Ronnie Berke to Attend Thursday's Evans-Schelske Court Proceedings in Nashville
Evans Still Refusing to Apologize or Take Lie Detector Test Despite Clinton Passing Test Given by Retired FBI Agent, Polygraph Expert
-- A country music star like Sara Evans shouldn't get to play by different rules than the rest of society. And she shouldn't get away with smearing a hard-working, God-fearing, loyal friend and employee like Alison Clinton. That's why www.pleaseapologizesaraevans.com has been launched by friends and supporters of Alison. The response has been overwhelming in just the first hours of the site's existence, with people encouraging Alison from all corners of the country. Many of these comments can be viewed on the web site under "Alison's Supporters."
Additionally, Clinton's attorney, Ronnie Berke, Past President of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, will be on hand at tomorrow's Evans-Schelske divorce proceedings in Nashville to answer questions on Alison's behalf and to discuss potential next steps by Clinton and her family.
Last week a retired FBI agent specializing in polygraphs gave Alison Clinton a lie-detector test, testing her denial of claims that she had an affair with country music star Sara Evans' estranged husband, Craig Schelske.
The results were released by a national entertainment show. Clinton passed with flying colors.
To date, Sara Evans has refused to undergo a similar, independent lie detector test.
Alison Clinton, Evans' personal assistant, co-president of her fan club and aspiring vocalist has demanded a public apology from the country music star since the allegations were made by Evans last week.
Many people across the country are now calling Evans' allegations toward Clinton repulsive. Clinton is recovering from an eating disorder and married her long-time boyfriend Chris on July 1st.
Evans was the matron of honor at Clinton's wedding to Chris Lee this past July and Evans' children were the flower girls and ring bearer. Mr. Schelske was a groomsman.

Zingy Brings the Movies to Verizon Wireless Customers
Get It Now Customers can now Experience MovieGoer on Flash Lite-Enabled Phones
-- Zingy, an award winning applications development and mobile media company, and Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless provider, announced today that Verizon Wireless customers can now experience an enhanced version of the leading entertainment application MovieGoer on select Get It Now(R)-enabled phones. The new MovieGoer application takes advantage of new technology announced earlier today by Verizon Wireless and Adobe called Adobe Flash Lite, which beefs up graphics and animation for Get It Now downloads and allows customers to automatically "Flash-enable" their phones.
MovieGoer by Zingy provides consumers with a comprehensive movie guide on their mobile phone. Verizon Wireless customers can find the closest theaters, view all movies and show times, read critically-acclaimed movie reviews and preview movie posters all via their mobile phones.
"We chose our popular entertainment application MovieGoer to exemplify the enhancements that Flash Lite offers Verizon Wireless customers," said Martin Zary, vice president of technology at Zingy. "Flash provides us a richer, more interesting environment in which to present movie reviews, times and locations, and we recognize the opportunity to leverage Verizon Wireless' Flash Lite-enabled phones to extend the universe of MovieGoer subscribers."
MovieGoer from Zingy is currently available on four phones from Verizon Wireless, including The V (LG VX9800), Motorola RAZR V3c and V3m and Samsung SCH-a950 for $3.49 monthly access. MovieGoer is expected to be available on additional Flash Lite-enabled handsets in the coming weeks. Download charges for Get It Now applications vary and airtime charges apply when browsing, downloading and using certain applications. Customers need a Get It Now- enabled handset and Verizon Wireless digital service to access the Get It Now virtual store.
For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 54.8 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About Zingy
A full service mobile media and services company, Zingy specializes in personalization content, downloadable applications and mobile marketing and advertising solutions. Zingy's Personalization Content division creates high- quality, licensed and original content including ringtones, message tones and wallpapers while The Mobile Applications and Services division is the leading publisher of award winning BREW and J2ME downloadable applications and games. Zingy also offers a suite of platform agnostic mobile marketing and advertising solutions. Visit www.zingy.com for more information.
Get It Now is a registered trademark of Verizon Wireless. All other names and trademarks are property of their respective companies.
Source: Verizon Wireless
Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/
http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia
http://www.zingy.com/

Oliver Stone's 'World Trade Center' Wins Movie of the Year Award
Hollywood Film Festival(R) Bestows Kudos
Oliver Stone's 'World Trade Center' & Pedro Almodovar's 'Volver' Among Winners
The 10th Annual Hollywood Film Festival's "Hollywood Awards(R)" ceremony, honoring independent filmmakers and established Hollywood professionals, was held last night before a standing-room-only audience of over 1,200 Hollywood Film Festival(R) attendees at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
The festival, co-chaired by Paula Wagner and presented by STARZ, announced this year's winner of the "Hollywood Movie of the Year Award" -- Oliver Stone's "WORLD TRADE CENTER" -- which was chosen by the public voting online at the Yahoo! Movies and Entertainment Tonight websites. The voting site received up to 20 million visitors and 99,280 votes were cast. The nominees for the "Hollywood Movie of the Year Award" were: "Cars," "The Da Vinci Code," "The Devil Wears Prada," "Little Miss Sunshine," "Mission: Impossible 3," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," "Superman Returns," "United 93," "World Trade Center" and "X-Men: The Last Stand."
The Hollywood Film Festival(R) presented the "Hollywood World Award" to "VOLVER" by Pedro Almodovar. A comedy/drama from Spain, distributed by Sony Pictures Classics and starring Penelope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Duenas, Blanca Portillo, and Yohana Cobo, "Volver" is the story of three generations of women who survive fire, insanity, superstition and even death by means of goodness, lies and boundless vitality.
The winners of the festival's film competition were announced Sunday night at the "Hollywood Discovery Awards(R)" Awards Presentation Ceremony at ArcLight Cinemas. This year's winners are: "HEAVENS FALL" by Terry Green as Best Feature Film, "THE EMPIRE IN AFRICA" by Philippe Diaz as Best Documentary, "AMERICAN DREAMS" by Eelko Ferwerda as Best Short Subject, "HAPTICS" by Mayur Deshpande as Best Animated Short Subject, and "SMATKA: WRONG LOVE" by Gero von Braunmuehl as Best Music Video. "HEAVENS FALL," from the United States, is based on the true story of the 1933 Scottsboro retrial of nine black hoboes accused of assaulting two white women on a train in Alabama. It is a story of the quest for justice and one of the most volatile trials to take place in the segregated South. "THE EMPIRE IN AFRICA," from the United States, is a documentary about the rebels who started the civil war in Sierra Leone to reclaim the richness of the country from foreign corporations in order to end the exploitation of its people and the international community's response of waging a war on the country with bombs, executions, torture, rigged elections, and manipulation of the international media. "AMERICAN DREAMS," from Holland, is a short film about a young Russian family that traveled to the West in 1962 to realize their American dream, not knowing that they were about to change history forever. "HAPTICS," from India, is an animated short and a metaphorical tale, in which machines are efficient, humans are slothful, and realities are virtual. "SMATKA: WRONG LOVE," a music video from Germany, presents a latex carnival that questions the moral standards of the audience with dominatrices, latex geishas on stilts, rubber maids, fetish ponies, a devil midget, and an S/M penguin.
Festival Founder and Executive Director Carlos de Abreu said, "There is no more appropriate place than the Hollywood Film Festival to honor the illustrious talents of all these magnificent artists who have created some of the most memorable characters and truly unforgettable films."
The Hollywood Film Festival(R) was founded in 1997 by Carlos de Abreu and Janice Pennington, "New York Times" best-selling authors and producers. Regarding the conclusion of the 10th annual festival, Mr. de Abreu said, "We are delighted by the response we have received from Hollywood and the independent filmmaking community during the course of this past week. Our screenings were packed, we had over 25,000 attendees, and last night's gala awards ceremony was truly an extraordinary 'Hollywood' moment."
With programming of both domestic and international films, the festival presented over 80 films, including gala and world premieres of 20th Century Fox's "FLICKA" by Michael Mayer, starring Alison Lohman and Tim McGraw, STARZ's "BUY THE TICKET, TAKE THE RIDE: HUNTER S. THOMPSON ON FILM" by Tom Thurman, featuring Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn, John Cusack, and Bill Murray, among others, and DreamWorks Animation's "FLUSHED AWAY," by David Bowers and Sam Fell, starring the vocal talents of Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, and Ian McKellen. The festival's closing night screenings included Sony Picture Classics' "CATCH A FIRE" by Phillip Noyce, starring Tim Robbins and Derek Luke.
The Hollywood Film Festival(R) also honored excellence in the art of filmmaking with a special presentation of films by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone, featuring his award-winning films "SALVADOR," "BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY," "PLATOON," and "WORLD TRADE CENTER," and including discussion sessions with Oliver Stone.
Other festival events included the Hollywood Film Screenings at ArcLight Cinemas, where the finalists of the Hollywood Discovery Awards(R) were screened, in addition to last night's Hollywood Awards(R) Gala Ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Special honors went to Sony Pictures Classics' co-Presidents Michael Barker and Tom Bernard for leadership; the Film Foundation for film preservation; Robin Williams for career achievement; Oliver Stone for directing; Mike Medavoy for producing; Forest Whitaker, Penelope Cruz, Ben Affleck, and Sandra Bullock for acting, the cast of "Bobby" (Harry Belafonte, Joy Bryant, Nick Cannon, Emilio Estevez, Laurence Fishburne, Brian Geraghty, Heather Graham, Anthony Hopkins, Helen Hunt, Joshua Jackson, David Krumholtz, Ashton Kutcher, Shia LaBeouf, Lindsay Lohan, William H. Macy, Svetlana Metkina, Demi Moore, Freddy Rodriguez, Martin Sheen, Christian Slater, Sharon Stone, Jacob Vargas, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Elijah Wood) for ensemble acting; Eric Roth for screenwriting; Vilmos Zsigmond for cinematography; Joel Cox for editing; Gustavo Santaolalla for film composing; John Myhre for production design; Penny Rose for costume design; Kris Evans for make-up; John Knoll for visual effects; Disney/Pixar's "Cars," directed by John Lasseter, for animation; and Francine Maisler for casting. In addition, Derek Luke and Lindsay Lohan were honored with the festival's Breakthrough Actor and Actress awards, and Ryan Murphy with the "Hollywood Breakthrough Director of the Year Award."
Celebrities and Hollywood notables who attended the seven-day festival included William Myers - President & COO of Starz Entertainment, Stephan Shelanski - Senior Vice President of Programming of Starz Entertainment, Mike Goodridge - U.S. Editor of "Screen International" and Screendaily.com, Ron Patterson - CEO and President of John Robert Powers, and John Culton - Chairman of FilmStew.com, as well as Shawn Ashmore, Bill Condon, Benicio Del Toro, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Paul Haggis, Bonnie Hunt, Christine Lahti, Diane Lane, Laura Linney, Doug McGrath, Phillip Noyce, Michael Pena, Mark Rydell, Kiefer Sutherland, Debra Winger, and Evan Rachel Wood, to name a few. The gala awards presentation Monday evening was hosted by Mark Steines and Jann Carl of "Entertainment Tonight," and attendees were treated to the music of Leonard Neil.
The sponsors of the Hollywood Film Festival include presenter sponsor Starz Entertainment, and American Cinema Editors, American Society of Cinematographers, ArcLight Cinemas, The Art Directors Guild, Casting Society of America, Celebrity Services, Circa 55, Costume Designers Guild, Creative Artists Agency, "Daily Variety," "Entertainment Tonight," "FilmMaker" Magazine, FilmStew.com, Film Threat, Focus Features, Fox Searchlight, Hollywood Make-Up Artists, The Hollywood Network, "The Hollywood Reporter," ILM, International Documentary Association, John Robert Powers, Kodak, "Los Angeles Times," Motion Picture Editors Guild, Paramount Pictures, PR Newswire, PSAV, "Screen International," Sony Pictures, Technicolor, Universal Pictures, The Weinstein Company, and YAHOO! Movies, Inc., among others.
For more information go to
Web site: http://www.hollywoodfestival.com/

Fox to Release More Blu-ray Titles in December for Holiday Sales
Box-Office Smash and Critical Favorite THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Will Be Studio's Second Day-and-Date Release
Furthering its unwavering commitment to the Blu-ray Disc (BD) format, the only high-definition packaged media platform broadly supported by the film, music, gaming, computing and consumer electronics industries, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment announced five additional titles scheduled for release in December including the $120 million box office smash and one of the most buzzed about films of the year THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA as its second BD/DVD day-and-date release on December 12. Like the Studio's first day-and-date BD/DVD release, ICE AGE THE MELTDOWN on November 21, the release of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA on the BD format will benefit from a multi-million dollar promotional marketing campaign. Each of Fox's BD releases is available for the suggested retail price of US$39.98/C$49.98.
In addition to THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA on December 12, the Studio will release four additional, targeted titles that brilliantly showcase the technological superiority of the Blu-ray Disc format including FROM HELL starring Johnny Depp, FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX, and RISING SUN starring Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes on December 5. On December 26 the Studio will release the fast-paced action thriller and box-office favorite TRANSPORTER 2.
Fox takes advantage of the next generation format's high definition technology and advanced functionality to present its titles with the highest quality audiovisual elements.
Fox's commitment to emerging technologies is dedicated to enhancing the consumer experience of its products and providing for backward compatibility with their existing home entertainment libraries while also aggressively protecting its intellectual property from piracy. The Blu-ray companies fully embrace the Studio's steadfast commitment to the fight against piracy and the preservation of the integrity of its properties. Twentieth Century Fox is a member of the Board of Directors of the Blu-ray Disc Association.
Titles and disc configurations are detailed below:
FROM HELL: Presented as a dual-layer (50gb) BD release authored in BD-J with AVC (MPEG 4 compression) and DTS HD Lossless Master Audio, the BD release of FROM HELL boasts commentary by directors Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes, Screenwriter Rafael Yglesias, Cinematographer Peter Deming and Robbie Coltrane, a special trivia pop-up feature and 21 deleted scenes with optional commentary by Albert Hughes.
FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX: Authored in HDMV with MPEG 2 compression with DTS HD Lossless Master Audio, the HDMV Blu-ray Disc of FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX boasts commentaries by John Moore, John Davis, Wyck Godfrey and Patrick Lumb, and selectable HD trailers of upcoming BD releases.
RISING SUN: The Blu-ray Disc of RISING SUN is authored in HDMV with AVC compression and DTS HD Lossless Master Audio and features HD trailers of upcoming BD releases.
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA: Authored in HDMV with MPEG 2 compression and DTS HD Lossless Master Audio, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Blu-ray Disc includes a commentary by director David Frankel, producer Wendy Finerman, costume designer Patricia Field, screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna, editor Mark Livolsi and director of photography Florian Ballhaus, plus special trivia track pop-ups, gag reel, 15 deleted scenes with optional commentary by Frankel and Livolsi and HD trailers for upcoming BD releases.
TRANSPORTER 2: Authored in HDMV with MPEG2 compression and DTS HD Lossless Master Audio, the TRANSPORTER 2 BD release features a host of selectable HD trailers.
Blu-ray Disc is a next generation optical disc format developed for high-definition video and high-capacity software applications. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc holds up to 25 gigabytes of data and a dual-layer Blu-ray Disc holds up to 50 gigabytes of data. This greater storage capacity enables the Blu-ray Disc to store over six times the amount of content than is possible with current DVDs, and is particularly well-suited for high definition feature films with extended levels of additional bonus and interactive material. Blu-ray also features the most advanced copy protection, backward compatibility with the current DVD format, connectivity and advanced interactivity.
A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on VHS and DVD as well as video acquisitions and original productions. Each year the Company introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets - from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce - throughout the world. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company.

Save the Date: World Premiere of HAPPY FEET on Sunday, November 12

WHAT: In the great nation of Emperor Penguins, deep in Antarctica, you're nobody unless you can sing -- which is unfortunate for Mumble (ELIJAH WOOD), who is the worst singer in the world. He is born dancing to his own tune ... tap dancing. Though Mumble's mom, Norma Jean (NICOLE KIDMAN), thinks this little habit is cute, his dad, Memphis (HUGH JACKMAN), says it "just ain't penguin." Besides, they both know that, without a Heartsong, Mumble may never find true love.
As fate would have it, his one friend, Gloria (BRITTANY MURPHY), happens to be the best singer around. Mumble and Gloria have a connection from the moment they hatch, but she struggles with his strange "hippity-hoppity" ways. Mumble is just too different -- especially for Noah the Elder (HUGO WEAVING), the stern leader of Emperor Land, who ultimately casts him out of the community.
Away from home for the first time, Mumble meets a posse of decidedly un-Emperor-like penguins -- the Adelie Amigos. Led by Ramon (ROBIN WILLIAMS), the Adelies instantly embrace Mumble's cool dance moves and invite him to party with them.
Together, Mumble sets out across vast landscapes and, after some epic encounters, proves that by being true to yourself, you can make all the difference in the world.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Kennedy Miller production, in association with Animal Logic Film. A George Miller film, Happy Feet features the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving and Anthony LaPaglia.
The film is directed by George Miller, who also co-wrote the screenplay with John Collee, Judy Morris and Warren Coleman. The film is produced by Doug Mitchell, George Miller and Bill Miller, with Zareh Nalbandian, Graham Burke, Dana Goldberg, and Bruce Berman executive producing. The music is composed by John Powell, and the soundtrack also includes songs sung by Prince, Yolanda Adams, Fantasia Barrino, Gia Farrell, Chrissie Hynde, Patti LaBelle, kd lang, Jason Mraz, and Pink, as well as the tap dancing of Savion Glover.
WHO: From the film: Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy and director George Miller. Celebrity guests to follow. -0-
WHEN: Sunday, November 12, 2006 WHERE: Grauman's Chinese
Celebrity Arrivals: 10:00 AM Hollywood
Screening: 11:00 AM
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Renowned 3-D pop artist Charles Fazzino Celebrates Nashville in Two New Works Commemorating the CMA
By Amanda Eckard

© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.

Renowned 3-D pop artist Charles Fazzino has created two new works of art that serve as the official artworks of "The 40th Annual CMA Awards."
As part of the "Nashville Celebrates Country" activities leading up to the CMA Awards broadcast on Monday, Nov. 6, Fazzino will appear at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Downtown Nashville on Oct. 27 at the Frist Fridays concert series event from 6-9 PM/CT. The public will get a chance to view and purchase the official artwork. Fazzino will sign CMA Awards cards specifically created for the event plus, autograph and personalize his artwork.
The full-sized art featured on the open edition fine art poster and 3-D 250-limited edition giclee fine art print; and the smaller art, featured on the 3-D open edition giclee mini fine art print are available for purchase at www.CMAwards.com.
The artworks, which mark the return of the CMA Awards to Nashville after a one-time visit to New York City in 2005, focus on Nashville landmarks centered around the Gaylord Entertainment Center, the 2006 home of "The 40th Annual CMA Awards."
"After creating the first commemorative CMA Awards art last year and basing them on New York City, I was eager to create companion pieces this year for the return to Nashville," Fazzino said. "What a pleasure it is to document this music city and music industry at such a dynamic time in its history."
"The artwork of Charles Fazzino has added a whole new dimension to the CMA Awards," said CMA COO Tammy Genovese. "This is exactly the type of project that CMA is here to make happen - things that enhance the Biggest Night in Country Music and bring more attention to the great things happening in Country Music and in Nashville."
A guitar representing Music City is the centerpiece of the full-sized 3-D and poster art, and familiar Nashville landmarks and CMA Awards promotional partners dot the landscape. The 2005 CMA Awards art's base was a large apple, representing New York City's nickname The Big Apple, with many historic NYC landmarks filling the colorful piece.
"It was very different to capture a piece that has to do with Nashville rather than New York, which is what I am used to," Fazzino said. "The guitar in Nashville and the apple in New York are both very strong icons that relate the respective cities. Nashville and New York are two places I love and it was just easy and fun to capture both of those cities in my artwork. I think it came out really well and the two pieces compliment each other."
The mini art also features Nashville landmarks, against a moonlit backdrop with stars and musical notes. The mini artwork is on display throughout Downtown Nashville on pole banners promoting the CMA Awards.
Fazzino is one of the most popular 3-D pop artists in the world. He is best known for detailed renderings of New York City's most famous streets and attractions, his obsession with bold colors and his unique, hand-assembled layering technique that brings his images to life.
A graduate of the New York School of the Visual Arts, Fazzino "stumbled" on his 3-D style of art while he was in Florida for an art show in 1979. Walking into an arts and crafts store, Fazzino noticed that they were teaching senior citizens how to make 3-D greeting cards using construction paper and aquarium sealant to build depth. Fazzino sat down and joined them and a light bulb went off in his head. When he returned to New York, Fazzino started cutting up his prints and then glued them back together using the 3-D technique. It was an instant success.
"I showed them at this outdoor art show in New York City in the Village. I had them up with all my other paintings on the wall," Fazzino recalled. "People were walking up and saying, 'This is really great, this little 3-D thing. How much is that?' The first few hours of the show, I sold all of them. And nobody wanted my other paintings. So it was like, 'I'm on to something.' And I've literally been doing it ever since."
With more than 600 galleries in more than 15 countries exhibiting Fazzino's work, he has a theory as to why his art crosses language and cultural barriers.
"My work is very easy to understand," Fazzino said. "You don't have to have a degree in art history, it's not intimidating. The artwork is fun, it's whimsical, and it speaks to all ethnic groups."
The trademark of most of Fazzino's pieces is the intricate detail he uses when constructing a scene or cityscape. It can take someone hours of staring at one of his pieces to really absorb everything going on in the artwork. Oh, and if you look hard enough, you might just see his dog.
"I usually hide things in each one of my pieces," Fazzino said slyly. "I have to put people in my works, so sometimes I draw in my daughter or my wife, my friends and sometimes my dog."
In addition to the poster, 3-D fine art print, 3-D mini art and pole banners, Fazzino's CMA Awards artwork is featured on the cover of the official CMA Awards Program Book, Post CMA Awards Party laminate and Awards T-shirt. Additional artwork created by Fazzino was featured on the CMA Awards collectors' ticket.
One of the most in-demand artists in the world, Fazzino was the official artist for the Indianapolis 500 (2004); Super Bowl (2001-2007); Major League Baseball All-Star Game (2003-2005); U.S. Olympic Teams (2000-2008); U.S. Tennis Foundation; CMA Awards (2005, 2006) GRAMMY Awards (2004); Daytime Emmy Awards (2006); The Belmont Stakes Triple Crown Race (2005, 2006); NBC's "Today Show" Summer Concert Series; Rosie O'Donnell's For All Kids Foundation; and the President William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation.
For additional information about Charles Fazzino and to view his artwork, visit www.fazzino.com.
CHARLES FAZZINO's 2005 and 2006 CMA Awards commemorative artwork, including the original paintings, are available for purchase at www.CMAawards.com.
Items include:
.$15 unsigned, $25 signed l open edition fine art poster
.$695 l 3-D 250 limited-edition giclee fine art print, full-sized, unframed, signed by Fazzino and numbered
.$195 l 3-D open edition giclee mini fine art print, with painted frame and signed by Fazzino
.$20 each l CMA Awards Program Books featuring Fazzino's artwork on the covers
.$20,000 each l the original paintings
Prices do not include tax, shipping or handling.
Visit www.CMAawards.com to download an order form or call CMA at (615) 244-2840 to place your order.
"The 40th Annual CMA Awards" airs live Monday, Nov. 6 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville. CMA's most celebrated duo Brooks & Dunn return to host for the third consecutive year.
Tickets for "The 40th Annual CMA Awards" are now on-sale to the general public, and can be purchased by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com; calling (615) 255-9600; or in-person at the Gaylord Entertainment Center box office, 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, in Nashville). The ticket price is $150 for Bronze level seating; $200 for Silver level seating (excluding applicable service/handling fees).
"The 40th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Walter C. Miller is the Executive Producer; Robert Deaton is the Consulting Producer; Paul Miller is the Director; and David Wild will script the ceremonies. Premiere Radio Network is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards, including a stereo-radio simulcast of the gala event. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2006 CMA Awards. Chevy, an American Revolution, is the official ride of the 2006 CMA Awards. Additional promotional partners include aolmusic.com, Camping World®, Carl Black Chevrolet, Coca-Cola®, Country Music Television, Inc.®, Crisco®, Greased Lightning Cleaning Products®, Hallmark Cards®, Miller Brewing Company®, Prilosec OTC®, Purity Dairies®, T.G.I. Friday's®, The Biography Channel and Yankee Candle®. Charles Fazzino is the official artist of the 2006 CMA Awards.

Sugarland To Perform on ABC's Good Morning America Live From Downtown Nashville November 6 in Association With 'The 40th Annual CMA Awards'
Special Guests Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora To Appear
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the November 7 release of their sophomore album "Enjoy The Ride," Mercury double platinum- selling group Sugarland will wake up downtown Nashville Monday, November 6 with a live performance on ABC's Good Morning America. The special concert event will take place on The Chevy Stage at Gaylord Entertainment Center's outside plaza at the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenues.
Good Morning America will also celebrate "The 40th Annual CMA Awards," airing later that night (8:00-11:00 PM EST) live from the Gaylord Entertainment Center, for the first time on the ABC Television Network.
"We couldn't think of a better way to kick off the CMA Awards and the launch of our new album," exclaimed lead singer Jennifer Nettles. "Get ready Nashville, we are taking to your streets!"
Special guests Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora will join Sugarland that morning to perform on GMA, and later that night they'll attend the Country Music Awards, where Nettles' collaboration with Bon Jovi on the band's hit single, "Who Says You Can't Go Home," is nominated in CMA's "Musical Event of the Year" category. Additionally, Sugarland is nominated for the "Horizon Award" and "Vocal Group of the Year."
"CMA is happy to partner with ABC and Chevy in bringing Good Morning America and this special concert performance to Nashville for the CMA Awards," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Operating Officer. "We are thrilled that Sugarland, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora will be performing on The Chevy Stage, as we celebrate 'Country Music's Biggest Night'."
The public is invited to come out for this free event on GEC Plaza at the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenue. Please be advised that Fifth Avenue will be closed between Broadway and Demonbreun; and Demonbreun will be closed between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Tune in to GMA 7:00-9:00 AM CST.
"The 40th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Walter C. Miller is the Executive Producer; Robert Deaton is the Consulting Producer. Chevy, an American Revolution, is the official ride of the 2006 CMA Awards.
Chevrolet
Chevrolet is America's No. 1-selling automotive brand. With the largest dealer network in the United States, Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. In addition, Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,995 to $72,235. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles.
Chevrolet's global headquarters is at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. For more information, go to www.chevy.com.

Source: Mercury Records


VH1 Rock Doc 'I Trust You To Kill Me' Featuring Kiefer Sutherland and Rocco Deluca & The Burden to Premiere On VH1 Saturday, November 11 at 9pm
"I Trust You To Kill Me," from First Independent Pictures and Jude Cole and Kiefer Sutherland's Ironworks Music label, is headed to VH1 on Saturday, November 11 at 9PM.
The critically acclaimed film, which marks Sutherland's first appearance in a feature documentary, was released in selected theaters in New York (9/8), Los Angeles (9/15) and San Francisco (9/29) and features the first artist signed to Ironworks Music, Rocco DeLuca and The Burden
"I Trust You To Kill Me" follows Kiefer Sutherland taking his indie record label act, Rocco DeLuca & the Burden, on their first international tour through London, Dublin, Reykjavik and Berlin. Directed by Manu Boyer, the rockumentary chronicles a highly personal journey of a rock band & their less than qualified road manager (Sutherland), and shows the hopes, successes and disappointments of a band trying to find their audience. Shot guerilla style in High Definition color and black and white, the multi-camera crew captures the excitement and commotion of the live performances as well as interactions between the band, fans and locals.
"The tour in Europe, and the film that has resulted, "I Trust You To Kill Me," was an amazingly personal experience," says Sutherland. "I am thrilled that VH1 has responded to the film so positively. I feel it is the perfect home for this documentary and their audience will relate to the journey this film depicts."
Rocco DeLuca and The Burden released their debut album, "I Trust You To Kill Me" this year and their current single, "Colorful" has just entered the AAA Top 30 chart and is aimed to be a top 10 record.
Rocco Deluca and The Burden has been chosen by VH1 as the channel's new "You Oughta Know" artist. The "You Oughta Know" campaign will be focused around the band's first single, "Colorful" and their LIVE@VH1.COM performance premiered on VSPOT , VH1's broadband channel, on October 2 and included the songs "Colorful," "Bus Ride," "Gift" and "Swing Low."
Ironworks Music is an independent record label started by renowned singer-songwriter, producer and manager, Jude Cole and lauded actor and 20-year veteran of the entertainment business, Kiefer Sutherland. The long-time friends originally opened Ironworks in 2004 with the sole intention of creating an artist-driven recording space (which also houses Sutherland's massive museum-worthy collection of guitars). "We would invite musicians that we liked down to start recording and get creative and it's actually something that just organically turned into a label," recalls Cole. Today, Ironworks is many things -- recording studio, production company, record label and community. "We're doing things that we love ... trying to incorporate that lust for music to make inspired pieces of work, and just hope that over time Ironworks develops a name that represents that inspired work."
"I Trust You To Kill Me" is a Manu Boyer film and produced by Pliny Porter and Matthew R. Brady for First Independent Pictures.
For additional information about "I Trust You To Kill Me" and Rocco Deluca & The Burden go to the official film site: http://www.itrustyoutokillmethemovie.com/ and the myspace sites http://www.myspace.com/itrustyoutokillmeamovie and www.myspace.com/roccodeluca
VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 87 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH Uno and VH1 Country. Connect with VH1 at http://www.vh1.com/.

Jibbs Sells One Million Ringtones of Hit Single 'Chain Hang Low'
Jibbs Joins the Scream Tour Line Up
Rising Star, Jibbs, Shoots New Video for 2nd Single, 'King Kong'
Album in Stores October 24th!!
15-year old St. Louis native Jibbs is riding high on the success of his hit single, "Chain Hang Low," with more than one million ringtones of the song sold before today's release of his debut album, Jibbs feat. Jibbs. Jibbs is only the second artist to ever go platinum with ringtone sales before a debut album release. The other artist was Rick Ross.
To promote the album, the young star has toured middle and high schools on the east coast and in the midwest giving kids a sneak peak into his dynamic stage show that showcases nationwide on The Scream Tour starting November 22nd in Miami, Fl. and ending on December 31st in Washington, DC. He shares the stage with Yung Joc, Omarion, Ne-Yo, Pretty Ricky, Sammie and One Chance.
Jibbs is a featured artist in the AOL Breakers program for October, November & December and is also included in MTV's prestigious Discover & Download program.
Jibbs is gearing up to shoot a video for "King Kong," the second single from his debut album in LA on Wednesday, October 25th and Thursday, October 26th. In addition to the dynamic ringtone sales, the first single from Jibbs feat. Jibbs, "Chain Hang Low," is a chart-topping and sales smash. It is currently top 10 on the Rhythmic Top 40, R&B/Hip Hop and Billboard "Hot 100" charts and is the #1 selling single in the country according to Neilsen Soundscan.
In preparation for Jibbs' release of Jibbs feat. Jibbs, the rapper celebrates with not one but two album release parties in his hometown. The first event takes place today, October 24th, the day of release @ Club Dolce (200 Broadway) and Friday, October 27th, he hosts a party for his fellow teens at Vault.
The following are the Jibbs performance dates on The Scream Tour: Wednesday, November 22nd Miami, FL American Airlines Arena Friday, November 24th Greensboro, NC Coliseum Saturday, November 25th Birmingham, AL BJCC Arena Sunday, November 26th Atlanta, GA Philips Arena Friday, December 1st Memphis, TN Fedex Forum Saturday, December 2nd St. Louis, MO Savvis Center Sunday, December 3rd Kansas City, MO Kemper Arena Friday, December 8th Oakland, CA Coliseum Sunday, December 10th Los Angeles, CA Forum Thursday, December 21st Hampton, VA Coliseum Friday, December 22nd Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center Saturday, December 23rd New York, NY Madison Square Garden Tuesday, December 26th Detroit, MI Joe Lewis Arena Thursday, December 28th Chicago, IL Allstate Arena Friday, December 29th Cleveland, OH CSU Wolstein Center Saturday, December 30th Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena Sunday, December 31st Washington DC Verizon Center
Source: Geffen Records

Branson Unveils Biggest Ever Christmas Celebration
New Titanic Museum, Branson Landing, Dick Clark Theatre, Music of Mannheim Steamroller and More to Celebrate First Christmas in Live Entertainment Town
Oct. 23 Branson, Missouri just keeps growing. Already recognized by national publications and travel associations as a premier place to celebrate the Christmas holidays, America's hometown entertainment capital is aglow with the spirit of the season, unveiling its biggest Christmas ever. The World's Largest Titanic Museum Attraction, the trendy Branson Landing shopping-and-dining waterfront destination, Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theatre, the Music of Mannheim Steamroller and more will celebrate their first Christmas in Branson.
From the star-filled Christmas shows on the famous Branson Strip and surrounding area to a glittering array of dramatic, animated lighting displays such as the luminous 2-mile Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-Through, Ozark Mountain Christmas transforms America's live entertainment capital into a holiday oasis, November 1 through December 31.
Star performers, special effects and elaborate holiday production numbers are set to dazzle visitors and their families over this two-month period. From the famed "Mr. Christmas" Andy Williams to the debut of the multimedia extravaganza of The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller at The Grand Palace, a multitude of shows haul out the holly with the holiday's finest talent. Music fills the air with Branson family shows from the Presleys to the Hughes Brothers and the sounds of laughter roll through the aisles from Jim Stafford's show to Yakov's. From the Lennon Sisters with the Gatlin Brothers to Righteous Brothers' Bill Medley with Paul Revere & the Raiders, Branson creates musical presents and one-of-a-kind holiday fun!
Silver Dollar City, an internationally-awarded theme park, decks its streets with millions of lights and a holiday light parade of wondrous floats and animated characters. This year, the acclaimed Dickens' Christmas Carol presents an all-new scene in the special effects show said to be one of the best productions ever in the history of the park. Plus holiday food, music and rides, including roller coasters, are open after dark for the thrill of the lights from above.
Also, for the first time, the much-celebrated Titanic Museum Attraction will be decorated with hundreds of merry lights and holiday trim that recall Christmases past. Traditional bows of holly and mistletoe will line the elegant Grand Staircase and passageways and music of the season will fill the air.
Visitors can discover Branson's "Winter WonderLanding" at the new Branson Landing waterfront featuring a promenade of new-to-Branson specialty shopping and dining, a dazzling Town Square water and fire spectacular that dances to the sound of the season and Santa Claus nestled in a special Christmas treehouse in the South Pole.
Throughout Branson, name-brand outlet, boutique and Ozarks crafts shopping, outdoor events and attractions -- decked out in Christmas lights and elaborate holiday decorations -- beckon to Yuletide visitors.
Plus A Veterans Homecoming
Branson's Veterans Homecoming, Nov. 5-11, is one of America's premier tributes to our nation's heroes from all wars and conflicts and all branches of service. For details about this weeklong series of events, tribute shows, reunions and more, visit http://www.bransonveterans.com/ .
Enjoy Outdoor Activities
The cool, crisp weather in late autumn and early winter is also an appealing time for outdoor activities in the Ozarks -- fishing, hiking, camping and other pursuits are year-round opportunities for sporting enthusiasts. Situated between three pristine lakes, many of Branson's water activities are available even during Ozark Mountain Christmas. The lakes never freeze, so they are ideal for fishing for bass, trout, crappie and other species, boating and many other types of water activities even in mid-winter. And the mild early winters allow visitors to enjoy the area's ten championship golf courses!
More information, please visit http://www.explorebranson.com/
For a complete list of shows, attractions and information, visit http://www.explorebranson.com/ or call the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 214-3661.

It's Like ... VH1 Films and Paramount Home Entertainment Present an Outrageously Rad Send-Up of Everyone's Favorite 80s Movies From the Co-Creator of 'Chappelle's Show'
TOTALLY AWESOME The New Comedy Film Premieres on VH1 November 4 With a Debut on DVD November 7
Cast Includes Chris Kattan, Brittany Daniel, Dominique Swain and Tracy Morgan
Return to a time when the pink was pretty and the dancing was dirty as VH1 Films and Paramount Home Entertainment take you back to the 80s with the original movie TOTALLY AWESOME. Directed by Neal Brennan, the co-creator of "Chappelle's Show", TOTALLY AWESOME lampoons some of the most enduring and endearing moments of the 80s movies we all know and love. The film features a bodacious cast including Chris Kattan ("SNL") Tracy Morgan ("SNL"), Dominique Swain (Lolita), Mikey Day ("Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out"), Nicki Clyne ("Battlestar Gallactica"), Brittany Daniel (Little Man), James Hong ("The King of Queens") and 80s icon Ben Stein (Ferris Bueller's Day Off). TOTALLY AWESOME marks VH1's first foray into the multi-screen release arena as it will premiere on VH1 on Saturday, November 4 at 9:00 p.m. and an unrated version of the film will debut on DVD Tuesday, November 7 featuring commentary from Neal Brennan and Tracy Morgan, deleted scenes, bloopers, outtakes and more. In addition, VH1'S broadband channel VSPOT and VH1 Mobile will run film selects, DVD extras and outtakes on their respective platforms. TOTALLY AWESOME was written by Neal Brennan and Michael Schur, directed by Neal Brennan, executive produced by David Miner and Michael Rotenberg and produced by the Weinstein Company.
The project is the first in a series of multi-platform events from VH1 Films. Exclusive features and content for TOTALLY AWESOME will be available on all VH1 platforms including on-air, Mobile, VOD, VSPOT and VH1.com. The on-air broadcast will be presented without commercial interruption and will include a behind-the-scenes intermission featuring interviews with the cast. VH1 also will air a new five-hour countdown, "100 Greatest Songs of the 80's", around the film's release. In addition, TOTALLY AWESOME will have a star-studded, red-carpet premiere event in Los Angeles followed by an 80's-themed party.
"'Totally Awesome' is the blueprint for the multi-screen approach that will propel the re-energized VH1 Film franchise forward, says Tom Calderone, Executive Vice President and General Manager of VH1," like television, film is no longer limited to one screen and Maggie Malina and the VH1 Films and Scripted Series team have delivered a hilarious film that will take full advantage of every release platform."
Synopsis
Narrator Ben Stein reveals that "Totally Awesome" was made back in the 80's in the wake of other successful films, but never released. Now for the first time, this potential masterpiece will be shown.
On the first day at his new school, Charlie (Mikey Day) is identified by the school's "coolness rankings" as the least popular guy in the senior class. He is befriended by the senior class's least popular girl, Billie (Nicki Clyne), but falls for Kimberly (Brittany Daniel), the most popular girl in school. Thinking his only chance to win Kimberly is to one-up her jock boyfriend, Kipp, Charlie decides to enter the school Decathlon and begins training with his elderly Japanese gardener Yamagashi (James Hong). Meanwhile, Charlie's sister Lori (Dominique Swain) is dismayed to discover that dancing has been banned in her new town. She meets Gabriel (Chris Kattan), the school janitor and former dance instructor, who invites her to attend secret group dance lessons at his house/garage. After just a few dances, she's in love with Gabriel and helps him come up with a plan to bring dancing back to the school. Whether you were preppy or new wave, this movie will be awesome ... TOTALLY AWESOME.
TOTALLY AWESOME Unrated DVD
The TOTALLY AWESOME Unrated DVD has a suggested retail price of $19.99 U.S./C$21.99 in Canada. It is encoded with the Macrovision(TM) AntiCopy process. The DVD also includes the following totally righteous bonus material:
* Commentary with Neal Brennan and Tracy Morgan * Deleted Scenes * Bloopers & Outtakes Title Length MPAA Rating Presented In: TOTALLY 93 minutes Not rated 16:9 format; Dolby Digital 5.1 AWESOME English Surround About VH1
VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in nearly 84 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH Uno and VH1 Country. Connect with VH1 at www.VH1.com. VH1 is a registered trademark of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. MTV Networks also operates and offers joint ventures, licensing agreements and syndication deals whereby its programming can be seen worldwide.
About DVD Studio
MTV Networks Program Enterprises Group and Paramount Home Entertainment have joined forces to launch a new cross-network DVD Studio that will capitalize on MTV Networks' programming experience, audience connection and access to rising talent, as well as Paramount Home Entertainment's expertise in the creation of original programming. Committed to the development, production and promotion of films across all genres suited for each respective channel, the new DVD Studio will leverage talent already thriving on-camera and behind-the-camera on all of MTV's networks in music-based, dramatic and comedic films, as well as documentaries. The new division will also distribute films acquired in conjunction with Paramount Home Entertainment, as well as original content.
About Paramount Home Entertainment
Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , a global entertainment company that produces and distributes filmed entertainment through the Paramount Motion Picture Group. PHE is responsible for the worldwide sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS, PBS and Hasbro and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.

More Acquisitions Likely to Follow as Bodog.com Purchases Betcorp's European and Asian-Facing Gaming Business
-- Bodog.com Entertainment Group announced today a deal that would see the international digital entertainment giant enter into an agreement with Betcorp Limited to acquire the company's international infrastructure, which includes its comprehensive gaming products, international customer base, technology, licenses and the group's Antiguan offices. The agreement, conditional only on the approval of Shareholders, is another step in Bodog.com's long-term strategy to expand its brand presence into international markets.
"This purchase, which speaks directly to the current strength of our business, is the first of many possible international acquisition targets under consideration," says Calvin Ayre, the billionaire founder of Bodog.com. "We couldn't be better positioned to build upon our current success and growth and to continue our aggressive push towards international expansion into markets such as Europe and Asia."
Bodog.com's latest strategic acquisition should come as little surprise, as the digital entertainment company has been taking a multi-phased approach to expanding its product channels into international markets for the past several years, with Bodog Music and Bodog Television leading the way.
Bodog's international music distribution division, Bodog Music, currently has offices in Berlin, London and other international destinations. Bodog Television shows, including BodogFight.com and Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker, are being distributed worldwide on cable, satellite, PPV and broadband to countries such as Russia, Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
"Bodog has never been confined to any particular market or single form of entertainment," says Ayre. "Our greatest competitive advantage is and always has been our ability to combine a number of different forms of entertainment into one all-encompassing digital entertainment offering. It is because of this strategy that we've been able to successfully create the first truly international brand of this type, and it is what will guarantee our success as a world-facing entertainment provider for years to come."
Bodog.com's acquisition of Betcorp's international infrastructure will also have many implications on the industry and its international player-base. "Our latest move has been part of our long-term strategy and only represents good news for the industry and for the many existing and prospective Bodog.com customers," says Ayre. "It is in times such as these that players gravitate towards the strongest, most successful and most reputable companies. We're confident in the strength of our brand and we're confident that our players are, too."
There is also added benefit in this deal to host countries such as Costa Rica and Antigua & Barbuda, as Bodog.com will be growing its operations in both countries.
"Along with the many gains that are generated by allowing online gaming companies to operate within their borders, these host countries see an increase in employment opportunities and infrastructure, created by the international companies," says Ayre. Bodog.com, for example, employs hundreds of employees in Costa Rica and its purchase of Betcorp's Antiguan offices will effectively save a number of jobs from being lost.
About Bodog.com Entertainment Group
Bodog.com, based out of San Jose, Costa Rica, is federally licensed by the Costa Rican and UK governments. Bodog.com Entertainment Group Founder Calvin Ayre, recognized as a world authority on branding in digital entertainment, was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine's recent best-selling "Billionaires" issue. Bodog.com also has a thriving online community, which includes history-making World Series of Poker Main Event champion Jamie Gold (www.bodog.com/poker). Bodog.com Entertainment Group offers a host of entertainment services, including: online gaming (Bodog.com); an international record label (Bodog Music.com ); a million-dollar band search competition (BodogBattleoftheBands.com); a publishing division (with an online magazine, BodogNation.com, and blog, BodogBeat.com ); an events department renowned for producing parties that are stunning, chic and celebrity-filled; and an international television production division, which produces reality television series, such as BodogFight (BodogFight.com) and Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker (CalvinAyre.com).
Source: Bodog.com

Spike TV Goes 'Inside The UFC' With New Weekly Magazine-Style Series
New Show Premieres Thursday, November 9
-- Spike TV presents Inside The UFC, a new weekly magazine-style series hosted by Joe Rogan featuring the latest from the world of the Ultimate Fighting Championship(R) on Thursday, November 9 at 12:00 Midnight ET/PT. The series, produced by the UFC in association with Spike TV, will include segments and profiles of the biggest names in the sport of mixed martial arts.
Emanating from a newly designed Los Angeles studio, Inside The UFC will take viewers behind the scenes into the private lives of their favorite UFC stars with lifestyle segments and training tips that fans can't get anywhere else. The series will take a look at the sport's up-and-coming fighters along with action packed recaps and previews of upcoming bouts.
Spike TV is currently the home to six UFC-related series including The Ultimate Fighter, UFC Unleashed, UFC Fight Night, UFC All Access, UFC Countdown, and Ultimate Knockouts.
Dan Isaacson is producer of Inside The UFC with Anthony Giordano as director. Scott Fishman serves as Executive in Charge of Production for Spike TV. Kevin Kay is executive producer and Brian J. Diamond is co-executive producer.
Spike TV is available in 90 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc.
Source: Spike TV

'Gene Roddenberry Up Close and Personal,' Rare, In-depth Interview with Star Trek Creator Available for First Time on DVD
Digitally Re-mastered Interview from 1981 Released in Celebration of Star Trek's 40th Anniversary
-- In honor of the 40th anniversary of Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry Up Close and Personal, an extensive, in-depth and rarely seen-before interview with the series' creator is being made available to the public for the first time at www.roddenberryinterview.com. Ellen Adelstein in association with Roddenberry Productions has just released the digitally re-mastered DVD, which features an hour-plus interview with Roddenberry filmed in his Beverly Hills home in 1981. Gene Roddenberry Up Close and Personal is one of the few long-form television interviews the Star Trek creator gave before his untimely passing on October 24, 1991.
Originally aired in Tucson, Ariz. in the summer of 1981 in conjunction with the first 24-hour Star Trek episode marathon, this interview has not been viewed by the public since. During the interview, Roddenberry discusses how he got his start in Hollywood, the early days of Star Trek, the challenges he faced in getting Star Trek produced (having a racially diverse show with many female lead characters was quite a feat at that time), his favorite episodes, and his philosophical beliefs on religion, writing and much more.
The interview was conducted by Ellen and the late Gene Adelstein, co-owners and on-air hosts of a local independent TV station in Tucson. Gene Roddenberry Up Close and Personal also features a special introduction by Eugene Roddenberry Jr. (Rod), Roddenberry's son, and a post script interview with Roddenberry Jr. and Ellen Adelstein filmed in July 2006. Adelstein and Roddenberry Jr. discuss highlights of the interview and the Star Trek creator's impact on society. To quote Roddenberry Jr., "This interview truly conveys the spirit of Gene Roddenberry. It's a treasure and 'must have' for any Star Trek fan."
With a total running time of 1 hour and 22 minutes, Gene Roddenberry Up Close and Personal is available for $29.95 at www.roddenberryinterview.com and www.roddenberry.com.

Bow Wow's Back in the Game With Brand-New Album 'The Price of Fame'
Multi-Platinum Hip-Hop Icon's Hotly-Anticipated New Album, Featuring the New Smash Hit, 'Shortie Like Mine,' Available Tuesday, December 19
-- Hip-hop icon Bow Wow returns with his eagerly-awaited fifth studio album, The Price of Fame, slated for release on Tuesday, December 19.
The Price of Fame includes Bow Wow's sizzling new single, "Shortie Like Mine." Produced by Bow Wow's long-time collaborator Jermaine Dupri and featuring the American R&B superstar Chris Brown, "Shortie Like Mine" is blowing up nationwide hitting millions of radio listeners in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Boston, Denver, Chicago, Sacramento, Portland, Orlando, Fresno, Knoxville, Washington DC and more. "Shortie Like Mine" has been played more than 1,028,275 times on Bow Wow's MySpace page (www.myspace.com/bowwow). A video for "Shortie Like Mine" has been lensed in Los Angeles by acclaimed video and film director Bryan Barber (OutKast, "Idlewild") and addresses the burgeoning phenomenon of online social networking.
The Price of Fame is the first new studio album from Bow Wow since July 2005 when his RIAA platinum-certified Wanted debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 and generated the smash singles "Let Me Hold You" (featuring Omarion) (#1 Rap, #2 R&B/Hip-Hop, #4 Hot 100) and "Like You" (featuring Ciara) (#1 Rap, #1 R&B Hip-Hop, #3 Hot 100).
Bow Wow -- whose film credits include "Like Mike" (one of the 50 Top Grossing films of 2002), "All About The Benjamins" (2003), "Johnson Family Vacation" (2004) and "Roll Bounce" -- may be seen in "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" as well as in an upcoming episode of "Smallville."
Bow Wow first burst on the scene back in 2000 -- under the wing of super producer Jermaine Dupri -- with his debut album, Beware of Dog, which went on to sell more than three million copies while solidifying his status as an authentic hip-hop heartthrob.
Bow Wow took his brand of rap to the next level with 2001's Doggy Bag, hitting the road in support of his multi-platinum sophomore CD with the sold- out "SCREAM Tour II," wowing fans all over the country with hits like "Take Ya Home" and "Thank You."
With his third album, 2003's Unleashed, Bow Wow became more directly involved with writing and producing his music, creating a collection directly from the heart, conveying a more personal overview of life from Bow Wow's perspective.
He is the youngest musician to open the Grammy Awards, is the first "kid" to be included in Vanity Fair's prestigious annual music issue (October 2001), and entered "The Guinness Book of World Records" as the youngest solo rapper to hit #1 on the U.S. charts.
With numerous hit singles, platinum-plus albums, sold-out tours, starring roles in hit films, and a place in "The Guinness Book of World Records" already on his resume, Bow Wow continues to prove that he's the 100% real deal with the indisputable goods: a bona fide superstar blessed with talent, tenacity, and a deep connection to his audience.
Source: Sony Urban Music/Columbia Records

Sting Reaches New Heights with Songs from the Labyrinth
New Deutsche Grammophon CD Debuts at #1 on Billboard's Traditional Classical Chart and Classical Overall Chart
Critical Acclaim and High Profile Appearances Continue Throughout the Fall
-- Sting's latest CD, Songs From the Labyrinth -- a personal tribute to Elizabethan composer John Dowland -- lands at the top of the classical charts both domestically and overseas. Called "vivid" and "romantic" by The Wall Street Journal, the disc was released October 10th from Deutsche Grammophon and debuted at #1 on Billboard's Traditional Classical Chart and Classical Overall Chart, while also cracking the Top 200 Album Chart at #37. Resonating with audiences as an inspired and exceptional effort, the record also debuted at #1 on the classical charts in Canada, England, France and Germany.
Songs From The Labyrinth also boasts the masterful playing of renowned lutenist Edin Karamazov. On October 9th, Sting and Karamazov celebrated the release with an exclusive performance at New York City's Allen Room in Jazz At Lincoln Center. An audience comprised of fans and invited guests were treated to an evening of intimate music recorded for XM Satellite Radio's series, "Artist Confidential," which premiered the week of October 16th. Showcasing both the album as well as a few newly arranged encores of Sting favorites ('Fields of Gold' and 'Message in a Bottle'), the show was a magical one for all in attendance.
Sting and Karamazov's media tour continued with appearances on The Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning and NBC's primetime hit, Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip. The duo was also profiled on NPR's Morning Edition, as well as the Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Early Music America and BBC Music Magazine. The CD has subsequently dominated the Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com charts ever since. They have also been hailed in the press for their collaborate effort. The Wall Street Journal declared, "15 songs by Dowland are delivered with an urgency not often found on recordings of early music," while The Los Angles Times proclaimed, "If Dowland isn't exactly as well-known as the former Police frontman, Sting's new album, with its well considered and evocative readings ... may change that."
Source: Universal Music Classics Group

The World's Biggest-Selling Soprano of All Time Sarah Brightman and Chart-Topping Group Celtic Woman Will Make Great Stocking Stuffers This Season
For Your Holiday Gift List Round-Up Consideration
Best known for her breakout role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "PHANTOM OF THE OPERA," Sarah Brightman went on to become the biggest-selling soprano of all time, selling over 25 million records, 2 million DVDs and playing sold-out shows worldwide. Her latest release "DIVA: The Singles Collection" is a quintessential collection of her best-loved songs and features 14 stellar tracks ranging from "Phantom of the Opera" (1986) and "Music of the Night" (1998) to her worldwide smash hit "Time to Say Goodbye" -- her duet with Andrea Bocelli. This release will appeal to a wide demographic of viewers/readers who enjoy pop, Broadway and classical music.
Celtic Woman who enthralled U.S. audiences with their record-breaking self-tiled debut album, released a platinum concert DVD, had a PBS special and launched four highly successful U.S. tours are now getting into the holiday spirit with "A Christmas Celebration." This collection of 15 tracks of Christmas cheer and traditional holiday favorites includes "White Christmas," "Carol of the Bells," "Let It Snow," "Little Drummer Boy" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." A deluxe edition package of the CD is available and features a beautiful golden angel Christmas ornament. Still holding the #1 position on the Billboard World Music Chart (81 weeks and counting), their second PBS special "Celtic Woman: A New Journey Live at Slane Castle" will air nationwide in December. This holiday release will appeal to all ages and demographics.
Source: Manhattan Records

Gwen Stefani Announces New Album and DVD
December 5, 2006 Set for Simultaneous Release of Album and Live Concert DVD
Gwen Stefani will release her second solo album, The Sweet Escape, on December 5, 2006. The new album is the follow-up to 2004's quadruple-platinum Love. Angel. Music. Baby., which included the hits "Hollaback Girl" and "What You Waiting For?"
The first single from The Sweet Escape is The Neptunes-produced "Wind It Up." The video will be directed by longtime collaborator Sophie Muller. Other contributors to the album include Akon, Tony Kanal, Nellee Hooper, Sean Garrett, Swizz Beatz, Dave Stewart and Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley.
"This album is surprisingly different than the last one. I started recording it last year before Kingston was born and it's definitely evolved over the last year. The dance sound is very 'now.' It's modern ... not so retro," says the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter.
Simultaneously, Gwen will release the concert DVD Harajuku Lovers Live, filmed during shows in her hometown of Anaheim, CA. The concert was also filmed by Sophie Muller.
Gwen will embark on a U.S. tour in April 2007.
Source: Interscope Records

Sugarland To Perform During Game Four of 2006 World Series
Oct. 23 /-- Mercury recording artists Sugarland will perform 'God Bless America' on October 25th during Game Four of the 2006 World Series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The song will be broadcast live on Fox during the 7th inning stretch.
"The World Series is incredibly exciting," said Jennifer Nettles. "It is an honor to be a part of such a historic American tradition."
The multi platinum-selling group will release ENJOY THE RIDE, the follow up album to their debut TWICE THE SPEED OF LIFE on November 7, 2006. For which lead members Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush wrote or co-wrote all 11 tracks, as well as co-produced with Byron Gallimore.
"The Ride" that has quickly become the group's career continues to get more hectic by the minute. Immediately following their World Series performance, Jennifer and Kristian will head to Los Angeles where Jennifer will participate in the taping of CMT GIANTS, where stars from music, film and television will pay tribute to Reba McEntire, one of her heroes.
Sugarland exploded onto the country music scene in 2004 with mega hits 'Baby Girl' and 'Something More,' both of which reached #2 on the charts and received digital platinum honors. Success translated to an overwhelming response for TV and award show performances, nominations, wins and big-time tours.
Sugarland has received a Grammy nomination, an American Music Award for "Breakthrough Favorite New Artist," an ACM award for "New Duo/Group of the Year" and four additional nominations, as well as three CMA nominations. They have performed on The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, the Radio Music Awards, Grammy's, CMA's, ACM's, CMT Awards, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve special, the season finale of Las Vegas and garnered the highest-rated CMT Crossroads with Bon Jovi. They have toured with Kenny Chesney and are currently touring with Brooks & Dunn.

John Mellencamp to Perform "Our Country" Before Game Two of 2006 World Series
October 22, 2006 -- John Mellencamp will perform his new single "Our Country" before Game Two of the 2006 World Series at Comerica Park at approximately 8 PM Eastern. The song, which will be broadcast live on FOX, is Mellencamp's first single from his forthcoming UMe/Universal Republic 2007 album release, "Freedom's Road." Mellencamp will be joined for the performance by Little Big Town, the country music group that also provides backup vocals on the recording of "Our Country."
"Our Country," written over a year ago, has been part of all of Mellencamp's concert performances of late and is part of the marketing campaign promoting the new 2007 Chevrolet Silverado. Chevrolet, the official vehicle of Major League Baseball, will debut a new commercial featuring "Our Country" during Game One of the 2006 World Series.

Highlighted Links
Universal Music Enterprises
Mellencamp commented, "I wrote this song to tell a story about some of the challenges our country faces and how our beliefs and ideals can help us meet them, a message of hope and tolerance. It's a song that is all about standing up for the working people who are the backbone of our nation."
Over the course of his career, Mellencamp has sold more than forty million albums and has earned fifteen Grammy nominations. In 2001, he was awarded Billboard's highest accolade, the Century Award for distinguished creative achievement and was the recipient of the 2003 Woody Guthrie Award. An advocate for the American Farmer, he helped found Farm Aid in 1985 with Willie Nelson and Neil Young. Mellencamp, who lives and records in Bloomington, Indiana, is an artist for and of the American heartland.
The 2006 World Series will be televised nationally by FOX Sports and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International. ESPN Radio and XM Satellite Radio will provide national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage and MLB Radio will provide exclusive play-by-play coverage of the game on the Internet.

New U.S. Record Set at Red Bull Flugtag Baltimore!!!!!
70,000 Witness the Stooges Soar
October 21, 2006 -- Over 70,000 spectators lined the Inner Harbor today at Red Bull Flugtag Baltimore to witness Victims of Soi-Cum-Stance set a new U.S. record by soaring 81 feet!!! This Pennsylvania team of Flugtag veterans wowed the judges with their portrayal of The Three Stooges at Baltimore's first ever human-powered flying competition.
"Where else can you be in your 40s and 50s and do this kind of stuff? We're adolescent boys trapped in middle-aged bodies," said the team's pilot, Dave Sadowsky.

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98 Rock's Flying V Guitar / Photo Credit Red Bull / R Brown
Larry, Curly and Mo weren't the only ones on the award podium today. Atlanta's Jump the Shark took second place, edging out third place finishers F-10-75, a team of New York's finest firefighters. While both teams flew 75 feet, showmanship was the deciding factor between the two.

Highlighted Links
Red Bull Flugtag USA
Out of 23 teams and 17,000 text message votes, the half train, half plane 4-4-0 American Flyer proved to be the hometown favorite, winning People's Choice Award with 33% of the total votes! The team's captain, Tom Symonds, explained: "We built our craft with extra love!"
ONE-EYED, ONE-HORNED FLYING PURPLE EATER
The skies cleared and the clouds parted as the brave and slightly crazy launched human-powered flying machines off a 25-foot ramp above the Inner Harbor at Red Bull Flugtag Baltimore. Though "Flugtag" means "flying day" in German, not many of the crafts resembled a plane: a stack of pancakes, a beehive, Aladdin's magic carpet, and even an Oscar Meyer Weiner to name a few.
Fans were entertained not only by the flights, but also by the flubs. Long Ball's flight was shortened when it nose-dived before leaving the runway while Dumbo hung from its ear and went belly up in the waters below. Even Ryan Dunn of MTV's "Jackass" rolled the dice by wheeling a shopping cart with wings off the flight deck to start the show.
THE QUEST FOR HUMAN FLIGHT CONTINUES...
The first Red Bull Flugtag took place in Vienna, Austria, in 1991. Since then, more than 35 Red Bull Flugtags have been held around the world -- from Ireland to San Francisco -- attracting nearly 300,000 spectators. The record for the farthest flight to date currently stands at 195 feet set in 2000 at Red Bull Flugtag Austria. The previous U.S. record was 78 feet, set in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2004.
While there has never been a limit on creativity, there are a few rules and regulations. First off, all flying machines must be entirely human-powered (no external energy sources or stored power). Secondly, all crafts must be less than 30 feet wide. And finally, no matter what they say, size does matter -- all crafts must weigh no more than 450 lbs. (including the pilot).
For media information including interviews, please contact Ellie Applen at (310) 460-4532 or ellen.applen@us.redbull.com. For photos visit www.redbull-photofiles.com.

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Booster Shot / Photo Credit Red Bull / C Pondella

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Indiana Jones and the Temple of Toro Rosso / Photo Credit Red Bull / C Pondella

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Jump the Shark / Photo Credit Red Bull / C Pondella

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Max's Maryland Flyer / Photo Credit Red Bull / R Brown

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One-Eyed, One-Horned, Flying Purple People Eater / Photo Credit Red Bull / C Pondella

New Artist Spotlight: Eric Church
By Peter Cronin
© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.
Eric Church’s songs are loaded with honesty, conviction and most importantly, Eric Church.
“If you listen to this [album], you’ll find out who I am,” Church said. “When I was 13, I started writing, and I thought, ‘If I’m going to play for these people, I’m going to have to learn how to play guitar.’”
While at Appalachian State University, Church got his first gig at a local bar. With the temporary name the Mountain Boys, Church, his brother and a couple of friends performed their first gig knowing only 14 songs, but they held the audience through a four-hour set. Soon, they were playing their original songs five nights a week around the region.
When he finished school, Church made the essential move to Nashville. As excited as he was about finally getting to Music City, he remembers his first few days as being a bit scary.
“I didn’t know a soul,” he said. “I didn’t know the publishing companies or the industry. I just had something inside me saying, ‘You have to be there.’”
Church immediately grabbed a phone book and began calling record companies.
“Once you’ve been here, you know it doesn’t work that way,” Church said. “I guess a lot of it was being young and stupid, but there’s a lot to being young and stupid.”
A year after he moved to Nashville, Church signed a publishing deal with Sony ATV Tree and hit the ground running, demoing 60-70 songs.
“I figure they’re paying me to be a songwriter and that’s what I’m here to do,” he said.
Church began making contacts around Nashville, one of them being producer Jay Joyce. “We clicked instantly,” Church said. The songs Joyce and Church began writing eventually led to Church’s signing to Capitol Records Nashville. His debut album, Sinners Like Me, was released July 18.
“I think we’ve made an honest record,” Church said, “I don’t think there’s a song on there that’s not me.”
IN HIS OWN WORDS:
What CD is in your stereo right now?
“The Black Keys.”
What book is on your nightstand?
“The Bible.”
What do you sing in the shower?
“Whatever I’m currently writing.”
What’s your pet peeve?
“Questionnaires. Just kidding.”
What song do you wish you had written?
“‘Good Ole Boys Like Me.’”
What word or phrase do you find yourself saying over and over again?
“No.”
What mode of transportation do you prefer?
“My Silverado.”
Who is your dream duet partner?
“Bruce Springsteen.”
On the Web: www.ericchurch.com

Josh Turner Sings from the Heart
By Robert L. Doerschuk
© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.
Part of it was the song — “Long Black Train,” a tune that seemed to beckon from a hundred years ago, with a lyric that mixed intimations of eternity with images of rails stretching toward doom or redemption.
Part of it was the venue — the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, where every singer dreams of seizing America’s imagination at just the right moment. A lot of it had to do with the feel of the singer — Josh Turner, whose upbringing in the backwoods of South Carolina invested him with an unimpeachable Country pedigree. And, of course, there was the voice, a deep baritone that turned his national radio debut into a moment that would change his life forever.
Turner didn’t even have a record deal when he stepped up to the microphone on Dec. 21, 2001, and delivered a reading of “Long Black Train” that roused the audience to a standing ovation that wouldn’t quit until the young artist, unknown up to that moment, sang it once again. That was nearly five years ago — a long time in the life of any emerging star. In a sense, Turner has been in a continuous state of emergence since then, playing gigs that inevitably centered on the song, the days ticking by without any second album in sight.
There’s a reason for that, as Turner explained, now that his sophomore album, Your Man, has reached Platinum status and spawned two No. 1 singles, the title track and “Would You Go with Me,” — a feat that even “Long Black Train,” peaking at No. 13, failed to attain.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself as to how to outdo ‘Long Black Train,’” he said. “I worried about overcoming that phenomenon until I finally realized that I needed to do something completely different while still being Josh Turner. So I started thinking about what Eddy Arnold told me one time: He said I should take every opportunity I could to record a love song because nothing relates to people more than the relationship between a man and a woman.”
Turner resolved to follow his own instincts and, track by track, Your Man grew on a foundation built largely from songs about love. This may not be a revolutionary concept, but this focus liberated Turner to arrange his priorities appropriately. Though you can’t mistake that timbre and resonance, these tunes follow melodies that another singer might be able to handle, if maybe an octave higher. And for every descent into the depths of his range, as in the last note on “Way Down South,” there’s a passage that climbs nearly to the tenor heights, as on the chorus of “Would You Go with Me.” But that was only part of the picture. Being associated with one special song may unlock the door toward notoriety; the problem is that this door could slam shut and trap you in a smaller spotlight than you had anticipated. Turner and his producer, Frank Rogers (Brad Paisley), understood this perfectly as they mapped out their strategy for Your Man.
“We looked at the great moments on the first album and aimed at having 10 times as many great moments on the next one,” Turner explained. “We began with the fact that the Josh Turner sound is very traditional, with a lot of the characteristics of the music and many of the artists that have gone before me. It’s swampy, rustic and earthy and gritty to some extent. At the same time, we wanted to put a smooth texture over it, so that it feels fresh but yet you feel like you’ve been hearing these songs your whole life.”
The sound they created bears a label that Turner, without help from any publicist or scribe, came up with on his own. “I call it ‘South Carolina Low Country,’” he said, smiling. “I grew up there in a small farming community called Hannah, surrounded by fields, pine trees, dirt roads and rivers. I spent a lot of time outdoors, hunting and fishing or riding around on my four-wheeler. It was a Country lifestyle all the way.”
Vital to this world was the Missionary Baptist Church that stood about a mile down the road from Turner’s house. This was where he first heard music and where he cut his teeth as a singer. “The hymns we sang there are still very special to me,” he said. “Songs like ‘Just as I Am’ are relevant even today. And I used to sing ‘Without Him’ in a quartet called the Thankful Harps with some other guys my age. Some of those lyrics are extremely eloquent, even though they were written before this past century.”
The feel of those hymns, complemented by the Stanley Brothers and Osborne Brothers albums that he heard at his grandmother’s place, instilled the belief that feeling was what all the great singers had in common. Sound wasn’t an issue for Turner at that point; he was a baritone, which meant he looked to Randy Travis as a model on which to base his style. But that basso profundo hadn’t yet risen up and taken shape. In fact, it wouldn’t be an issue until 1996, with the onset of a medical setback that would in fact prove to be a great stroke of luck.
“I got a lesion on my right vocal cord,” he recalled. “I went to the Vanderbilt University clinic, and rather than do surgery, they put me on a year’s rest from singing. My coaches at Belmont University — Patricia Roberts for classical repertoire, and my commercial teacher Janet Kenyon — helped me work every day to get over this injury. After a while I started to notice that my sound was getting richer and fuller. My range was broadening. I kept chipping away until it was like, ‘Wait a minute. I’ve never hit that note before.’”
Though his transformation left Turner with a voice that almost any male singer would envy, he maintained his focus on the song through the hubbub that followed that adulation at the Opry. This is why Your Man doesn’t come across as a series of dive-bomb vocal gimmicks. Rather, it is a mature performance, from the nostalgic autobiography of “Way Down South,” the comfortable profession of faith that he shares with a boyhood hero, Ralph Stanley, on “Me and God,” the deadpan humor of “Baby’s Gone Home to Mama,” and of course those love songs that were essential to the mix from the start.
“Josh’s voice isn’t a gimmick,” said producer Frank Rogers. “It’s an amazing instrument. There’s no voice like it in Country Music or even music in general. More than that, it’s who he is, which is why I knew it had to be out front in the mix. This is probably the loudest I’ve ever turned up vocals on a record, but I wanted to make sure that you didn’t just hear it — you’d feel it too.”
“I’m already looking forward to the next record,” Turner added. “I’m keeping a file of all my ideas for songs. There are plenty of other songs already out there that mean something to me. Hopefully, I’ll have a lot of time to record them all. Sure, I’m blessed with having a great voice, but what’s the point of it unless I can use it to sing from what’s in my heart?”
On the Web: www.joshturner.com

World Premiere THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE Sunday, October 29th at The El Capitan Theater
Oct 20, 2006
WHO: From the film: Tim Allen, Spencer Breslin, Abigail Breslin,
Wendy Crewson, Michael Dom, Art Lafleur,
Eric Lloyd, Elizabeth Mitchell, Liliana
Mumy, Judge Reinhold, Jay Thomas, director
Michael Lembeck, Producers Jeffrey Silver
and Brian Reilly, Executive Producers James
Miller and William Wilson, and composer
George Clinton.
WHAT: To celebrate the Los Angeles Premiere of Walt Disney Pictures'
THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE
WHEN: Sunday, October 29th, 2006 WHERE: El Capitan Theater
12:30PM Press Arrivals 6838 Hollywood Blvd
1:30PM Celebrity Arrivals Hollywood, CA
2:30PM Screening

Holiday magic mixes with comical chaos at the North Pole in THE SANTA CLAUSE 3. Tim Allen reprises his role of Scott Calvin -- AKA Santa -- as he juggles a full house of family and the mischievous Jack Frost (MARTIN SHORT), who is trying to take over the "big guy's" holiday.
At the risk of giving away the secret location of the North Pole, Scott invites his in-laws (ANN-MARGRET & ALAN ARKIN) to share in the holiday festivities, and upcoming birth of baby Claus with expectant wife, Carol, -- AKA Mrs. Claus -- (ELIZABETH MITCHELL).
Along for the adventure are Scott's extended family, son Charlie (ERIC LLOYD), ex-wife Laura Miller (WENDY CREWSON), her husband, Neil Miller (JUDGE REINHOLD) and their daughter, Lucy (LILIANA MUMY) who together with head elf Curtis (SPENCER BRESLIN), foil Jack Frost's crafty scheme to control the North Pole.

OK Go Releases Oh No Special Package With Band's First-Ever DVD on November 7th
Hit Single 'Here It Goes Again' Is #1 Video on iTunes for Sixth Consecutive Week; OK Go Performs on 'The Early Show' October 26th and 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' November 7th
OK Go's Headlining Tour Commences October 29th in Los Angeles
Oct. 20 OK Go follows its series of imaginative videos with its first-ever full-length DVD, which will be released on November 7th in a special package with Oh No, the band's 2005 CD. The DVD includes the band's homemade video for its Top 20 Modern Rock single, "Here It Goes Again." The video, which features the foursome doing a choreographed dance routine on treadmills, is still the #1 video on iTunes after six weeks, has been viewed over 10 million times on youtube.com (where it ranked as one of YouTube's Top 10 videos of all time after only two weeks) and has received massive play on MTV, VH1, FUSE and MTV Hits.
The band will perform on "The Early Show" on October 26th and on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on November 7th and will soon tape an appearance in an episode of the NBC hit series "Las Vegas," which will air in January. Lead singer/guitarist Damian Kulash recently guested on KROQ's "Loveline" and OK Go's cover of "Father Christmas" will be used in Unaccompanied Minors, a Warner Bros. motion picture scheduled for release on December 8th. Clear Channel Online will launch an OK Go Video On Demand landing page, which will stream six OK Go videos, beginning on November 7th, the street date for the Oh No CD/DVD special package.
The DVD contains the requisite traditional fare -- a documentary on the making of Oh No and the album's four official Capitol Records videos. But tradition soon goes out the window in favor of OK Go's characteristically madcap approach to video making, yielding a grab bag of goodies from the band's career to date (encompassing material from Oh No as well as OK Go's 2002 self-titled debut). Fans can watch the evolution of the band's unusual dance style, beginning with an early dance routine for "C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips" performed on the Chicago cable TV show "Chica-go-go" in 2000 with The Public Radio Allstars serving as backing band and culminating with OK Go's homemade dance videos for "A Million Ways" and "Here It Goes Again." The video for "A Million Ways," which simply features the band dancing in Kulash's backyard, is the most-downloaded video in music history and has been nominated for an MTV Europe Music Award while the song is currently being used in Pepsi's "A Million Ways To Be You" advertising campaign.
Highlights of the DVD include "OK Go Phenomenon V.3," a sampling of the more than 180 fan versions of the "A Millions Ways" dance that were submitted to the "OK Go Dances With You(Tube)" contest, a behind-the-scenes look at OK Go shooting the treadmill routine and rehearsing it for MTV's 2006 Video Music Awards, an acoustic performance of "What To Do," shot in black and white with the fellows sporting a decidedly retro look, OK Go's three PSAs for The Federal Truth in Music Project and "There's A Fire," a video game within a video that segues into a scene with the video game characters interacting in their "real life." Live versions of "Do What You Want" and "You're So Damn Hot" document the band's adventures on the road, from autograph sessions and radio station visits to bowling and goofing off in numerous state parks while fans star in "Don't Ask Me," showing off their moves in a dance booth that OK Go brought on tour in 2002.
OK Go will kick off an extensive North American headlining tour in Los Angeles on October 29th and fans can check out exclusive performance and interview footage from the band's upcoming Chicago tour stop when the band enters the AT&T Blue Room in November. After the tour concludes, OK Go will open for Death Cab For Cutie on a series of shows in late November. Upcoming tour dates are as follows:
OK GO - FALL 2006 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
(all dates are headlining unless otherwise noted)
10/29 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
10/30 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
11/1 Pomona, CA Glass House
11/2 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
11/3 Sacramento, CA The Empire
11/4 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre
11/5 Seattle, WA Neumos Crystal Ball Reading Room
11/8 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
11/9 Chicago, IL Logan Square Auditorium
11/10 Chicago, IL Logan Square Auditorium
11/13 Toronto, ON Mod Club
11/15 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts
11/16 Boston, MA Avalon Ballroom WFNX Radio Show
11/17 Sayerville, NJ Starland Ballroom
11/18 New York, NY Irving Plaza
11/19 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
11/21 Charlotte, NC Amos'
11/26 Milwaukee, WI Eagles Ballroom with Death Cab For Cutie
11/27 St. Louis, MO The Pageant "
11/28 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre "
11/29 New Orleans, LA The Republic "
11/30 Houston, TX Hobby Center "
Source: Capitol Records

John Legend to Make First New York In-Store Appearance at Virgin Megastore - Union Square in Celebration of Release of New Album, 'Once Again,' on Tuesday, October 24
WHO: Grammy-winning Best New Artist John Legend
WHAT: A special in-store appearance and performance celebrating the
release of new album, "Once Again"
WHERE: Virgin Megastore (Union Square - 54 East 14th Street, NYC)
WHEN: Tuesday, October 24, beginning at 6 p.m.
(Media Call Time: 4:30 p.m. - Cutoff for Admittance: 5:15 p.m.)
The multi-platinum Grammy-winning songwriter/performer John Legend will celebrate the release of his new album, Once Again, with fans at his first New York in-store appearance at the Virgin Megastore (Union Square - 54 East 14th Street, NYC) on Tuesday, October 24 (the album's street date), beginning at 6 p.m. (Media Call Time: 4:30 p.m. - Cutoff for Admittance: 5:15 p.m.)
During his in-store appearance, Legend will sign copies of Once Again and perform, with his full band, a mini-set of songs from the album.
Executive produced by John Legend and Kanye West, Once Again premieres 13 new John Legend songs including his latest hit, "Save Room," "Another Again," and "Coming Home." Lending production support to John, who co-produced seven of the album's track, are some of the hottest talents in contemporary sounds: will.i.am; Kanye West; Devo Springsteen & Tom Craskey; Raphael Saadiq; Eric Hudson & Jack Splash; Craig Street; Sa-Ra Creative Partners (Om'Mas Keith, Taz Arnold & Shafiq Husayn); Dave Tozer; and Ken Lewis.
In 2004, John Legend -- then known primarily as an in-demand all-star studio session man -- stepped into the solo spotlight as a premier singer- songwriter-pianist-performer in his own right with his debut album Get Lifted. Driven in part by the hit singles "Ordinary People" and "Used To Love U," Get Lifted was a critical and commercial triumph, earning John an astounding eight Grammy nominations -- he won Best New Artist, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance ("Ordinary People") and Best R&B album -- and selling more than three million copies worldwide.
http://www.johnlegend.com
http://www.columbiarecords.com

'The Director' Defies Universal Studios Hollywood's Ban, Is Seen Sneaking Appearances at Halloween Horror Nights Sets
It's always been a scary place.
The famed back lot at Universal Studios Hollywood, birthplace of Hollywood horror, home to the world's most famous monsters, celebrated creatures and abominable aliens, has just become a little scarier.
Hired by Universal to create "the ultimate horror film" with a "live" Halloween event at the centerpiece of his production, "The Director," (real name: Pavel Pranevsky) was banned from the studio's back lot for taking his "reality" horror production to unacceptable extremes. His original vision became the inspiration for Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights event.
Pranevsky, who swore to continue his production with or without the studio's support, has recently been sighted at various locations on Universal's property casting for fresh talent to include in his film. The sightings are always at night and all attempts to detain him have been in vain.
Michael Taylor, Universal Studios Hollywood's Senior Vice President and General Manager, said "We've devoted extensive resources to finding this character and we hope to have him in custody before this weekend's Halloween Horror Nights event."
Taking cautionary measures, Universal Studios Hollywood is warning guests to be alert and to report suspicious behavior immediately to a Universal employee. "Guests should use discretion in this regard," added Michael Taylor. "Many weird characters have been seen on the back lot during these past weeks and it wouldn't do much good, for example, to report suspicious behavior to a zombie."
Halloween Horror Nights continues on Oct. 20-21, 27-28 and on Halloween, October 31. Starting time for the event is 7:00 pm; event closes at 2:00 am on all nights except Oct. 31, when the park closes at midnight.
Tickets and information are available online at www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com and range in price from $34.00 to $39.00 when purchased in advance or $49.00 on the day of the event. call 818-622-3801
Web site: http://www.halloweenhorrornights.com/

Another View of Marie Antoinette: 'Let Them Eat'
A Film by Leslie Cottle Just Out on DVD From Poetica Productions on the Eve of Sophia Coppola's Film - Some Are Not Pleased
Religious Groups Mixed on Vision of a Female God in the Film
"Let Them Eat" is a haunting journey which spans the turbulent time of the French Revolution to present day. The film segues from the prison cell of the former queen of France, Marie Antoinette, to Bella, a woman who seems to be leading a parallel life with a deep connection to the former queen. Seamlessly drifting from present to past, each woman's story unfolds while both struggle to make peace with their past before one leaves the Earth and the other can embrace her future. Laced within the story are beautiful spoken word poems which delve deep into the hearts and souls of our two heroines, exposing their secret world of passion, lust, pain, love and triumph.
Cottle, a native of Montreal and all of its French influence, has a real life fascination with the former Queen of France and has studied her for many years, even dedicating the film to her memory.
Leslie Cottle's decade long career includes appearances in such films as "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," directed by George Clooney and starring Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore and Julia Roberts. She also portrayed opera diva Maria Callas in the CBS mini series "Jackie O." Cottle also appeared in the controversial mini series "Reagans" and Lucky McKee's long awaited horror film "The Woods" just out on DVD.
Reviews:
There is a huge thirst for information on all things Marie Antoinette. Politics in France and the U.S. have generated political pros and cons about Sophia Coppola's Kirsten Dunst film and Leslie Cottle's work. Some of The Queen's die-hard fans, especially from France, are also upset with any film that has her having an affair with a Swedish Count or acting like an 18th century Paris Hilton. Marie Antoinette historian and author, Elena Maria Vidal (http://www.emvidal.com/), reviews Cottle's film here:
* "'Let Them Eat' is a brilliant montage of poetry and image carefully crafted by gifted actress and filmmaker Leslie Cottle, who in a breathtaking performance captures the dark night of the soul of Marie Antoinette. The last temptation, the last struggle with despair, and the final act of forgiveness are depicted in a heart wrenching manner. Although Leslie and I may diverge on some points philosophically, especially concerning Marie Antoinette's alleged affair with Count Fersen, I found myself weeping over the farewell scene of the thwarted lovers, very tastefully and powerfully depicted. I am grateful for the skillful and compassionate portrayal of the much maligned queen, who showed great courage and spiritual strength in her hour of tragedy."
Elena Maria Vidal, author of "Trianon" and "Madame Royale"
* "I have always enjoyed stories of the macabre, and murder and even horror. In 'Let Them Eat' you get all of this tempered with history and sprinkled with an insider's view of the Queen's last thoughts about her children and true love."
Shirley Jones, Oscar winning and Emmy nominated actress
* "Leslie Cottle, a beautiful and talented poet, has written some powerful poetry that all men and women will truly appreciate. It's simply beautiful."
Larry King
* "'Let Them Eat' has been discussed on many Marie Antoinette chat groups for months now and the release of the DVD is long awaited for many of the dead queen's fans. There are reports that the Coppola organization has shown disdain for this project not only because it has been released on DVD to a mass audience before the scheduled release of their Kirsten Dunst film this weekend, but the theme of 'Let Them Eat' is upheld by serious Antoinette scholars and researchers who dislike the pop rock and contemporary treatment of the queen and her court."
Brian Cowan - LMS Newswire
"Let Them Eat" portrays God as a woman in obvious voice form, which has infuriated many evangelical Christian religious groups who state that the Bible repeatedly refers to God by Jesus as the "Father," a universal term for the male gender. Many Christian, conservative, evangelical, Catholic fundamentalist, and non-denominational groups take offense at God being portrayed as a woman.
"Let Them Eat" on DVD, visit the official website: www.let-them-eat.com
About Leslie Cottle: www.lesliecottle.com

Three of Hollywood's Most Memorable Leading Men ... Fifteen Unforgettable Movies
*'CARY GRANT: SCREEN LEGEND COLLECTION'*
*'BING CROSBY: SCREEN LEGEND COLLECTION'*
*'ROCK HUDSON: SCREEN LEGEND COLLECTION'*
Three Classic Movie Anthologies Launch New DVD Series Available November 14, 2006 From Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Universal Studios Home Entertainment celebrates the Golden Age of Hollywood this holiday season with the November 14, 2006 release of "Cary Grant: Screen Legend Collection," "Bing Crosby: Screen Legend Collection," and "Rock Hudson: Screen Legend Collection." The first three in a series of special DVD collections honoring some of the world's most unforgettable stars, each three-disc set features the work of three very different performers: Cary Grant, a debonair man of the world, Bing Crosby, an easy-going comedian with a golden voice and Rock Hudson, the epitome of All American looks and clean cut charm. Each three-disc collection is priced at $29.98 SRP.
"CARY GRANT: SCREEN LEGEND COLLECTION"
Cary Grant remains one of the most popular and admired leading men of Hollywood's silver screen. Five rare classic films from his early career are captured forever in the "Cary Grant: Screen Legend Collection." Featuring co-stars Myrna Loy, Sylvia Sidney, Joan Bennett and Walter Pidgeon, these films showcase the career of a talented, witty and debonair actor who will be remembered forever as a true screen legend.
"Thirty Day Princess"
In this rags-to-riches tale, a newspaper publisher (Cary Grant) finds himself falling for a foreign princess (Sylvia Sidney), only to suspect that there is some other power behind the throne.
"Kiss and Make-Up"
Beauty really is only skin deep when a famed beautician (Cary Grant) marries a former client and discovers that her shallow behavior makes his faithful secretary much more attractive.
"Wings in the Dark"
When an inventor (Cary Grant) is tragically blinded, his courage inspires his aviatrix wife (Myrna Loy) to take on an increasingly dangerous mission in this tale of undying love and devotion.
"Big Brown Eyes"
A precocious newspaper reporter (Joan Bennett) and an unusually motivated detective (Cary Grant) take on a case of insurance fraud, hidden identities and murder!
"Wedding Present"
Two star reporters (Cary Grant and Joan Bennett) find their playful newsroom relationship running out of ink when she becomes engaged to a writer and he is promoted to editor.
"BING CROSBY: SCREEN LEGEND COLLECTION"
Bing Crosby's extraordinary singing, striking good looks and captivating screen presence made him a Hollywood legend. Five of his most timeless musicals can be enjoyed time and time again in the "Bing Crosby: Screen Legend Collection." Featuring co-stars Martha Raye, Betty Hutton, Joan Blondell and Gloria Jean, these classic films illustrate the seemingly effortless acting and mellow singing style of an eternal screen legend.
"Waikiki Wedding"
It's up to press agent Tony Marvin (Bing Crosby) to maintain the "aloha" spirit when a beauty pageant winner (Shirley Ross) decides her grand prize trip to the islands is less than paradise.
"Double or Nothing"
The odds are in favor of fun when an eccentric millionaire's will has four honest people scrambling to double their received sum in thirty days in order to gain the entire estate.
"East Side of Heaven"
Cab driver Denny Martin (Bing Crosby) is driving to a new tune when he reluctantly receives an abandoned infant and embarks on a hilariously twisted path to find the baby's parents.
"If I Had My Way"
A little money, a lot of music, and a whole lot of manpower help a hopeful construction worker (Bing Crosby) and an orphaned girl (Gloria Jean) find her uncle and build a busting business.
"Here Come the Waves"
Ahoy sailor! Bing makes waves in Uncle Sam's fleet as a swinging crooner who decides to join the Navy and immediately sails into choppy romantic seas with two twin sisters.
"ROCK HUDSON: SCREEN LEGEND COLLECTION"
Handsome, witty and extremely talented, Rock Hudson was the embodiment of the Hollywood leading man during his illustrious film career. Join this iconic actor as he lights up the screen with five of his most impressive films in the "Rock Hudson: Screen Legend Collection." Featuring co-stars Piper Laurie, Leslie Caron, Kirk Douglas and Burl Ives, these films highlight the diverse career of an actor whose status as a screen legend will live on in cinema history.
"Has Anybody Seen My Gal"
In this charming musical comedy, Rock Hudson plays a faithful soda jerk who finds his attentions to the lovely Millicent (Piper Laurie) turned down after her family gains a large sum of money.
"A Very Special Favor"
The war of the sexes heats up when a sleek businessman (Rock Hudson) attempts to seduce an attractive psychiatrist (Leslie Caron) who seems immune to his charms.
"The Golden Blade"
Follow Rock Hudson on an epic adventure as a brave warrior who uses the magical Sword of Damascus to save his people and claim the heart of a princess (Piper Laurie).
"The Last Sunset"
Journey to the Wild West with a haunted sheriff (Rock Hudson) as he joins an outlaw (Kirk Douglas) in a treacherous cattle drive and finds his heart captive to the wanted man's former lover.
"The Spiral Road"
When an opportunistic physician (Rock Hudson) travels to the jungles of Java, a shocking meeting with a black magic witch doctor forces him to re-evaluate his selfish past.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
"Cary Grant: Screen Legend Collection"
Street Date: November 14, 2006
Copyright: 2006 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $29.98 SRP
Selection Number: 31155
Running Time: Disc 1: 2 Hours 32 Minutes; Disc 2: 2 Hours 32 Minutes;
Disc 3: 1 Hour 21 Minutes
Layers: Discs 1 and 2: DVD-9 (Single Sided); Disc 3: DVD-5 (Single Sided)
Aspect Ratio: Full Frame (1.33:1)
Rating: Unrated
Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, English SDH, French
Subtitles
"Bing Crosby: Screen Legend Collection"
Street Date: November 14, 2006
Copyright: 2006 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $29.98 SRP
Selection Number: 30922
Running Time: Disc 1: 3 Hours; Disc 2: 3 Hours 2 Minutes; Disc 3: 1 Hour
40 Minutes
Layers: Discs 1 and 2: DVD-9 (Single Sided); Disc 3: DVD-5 (Single Sided)
Aspect Ratio: Full Frame (1.33:1)
Rating: Unrated
Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, English SDH, French
Subtitles
"Rock Hudson: Screen Legend Collection"
Street Date: November 14, 2006
Copyright: 2006 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $29.98 SRP
Selection Number: 30921
Running Time: Disc 1: 3 Hours 13 Minutes; Disc 2: 3 Hours 13 Minutes;
Disc 3: 2 Hour 25 Minutes
Layers: Discs DVD-9
Aspect Ratio: Full Frame (1.33:1), Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)
Rating: Unrated
Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, English SDH, French
Subtitles

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

Web site: http://www.universalstudios.com/
http://www.ushepublicity.com/

61 Countries Seeking Foreign Language Film Oscar®
Beverly Hills, CA — A record 61 countries ranging from developing nations to industrialized powers, including new entrant Kazakhstan, have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 79th Academy Awards®, Academy President Sid Ganis announced today.
The 2006 submissions are:
Algeria, “Days of Glory,” Rachid Bouchareb, director;
Argentina, “Family Law,” Daniel Burman, director;
Australia, “Ten Canoes,” Rolf de Heer, director;
Austria, “You Bet Your Life,” Antonin Svoboda, director;
Bangladesh, “Forever Flows,” Abu Sayeed, director;
Belgium, “Someone Else’s Happiness,” Fien Troch, director;
Bolivia, “American Visa,” Juan Carlos Valdivia, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Grbavica,” Jasmila Zbanic, director;
Brazil, “Cinema, Aspirins and Vultures,” Marcelo Gomes, director;
Bulgaria, “Monkeys in Winter,” Milena Andonova, director;
Canada, “Water,” Deepa Mehta, director;
Chile, “En la Cama,” Matiaz Bize, director;
China, “Curse of the Golden Flower,” Zhang Yimou, director;
Colombia, “A Ton of Luck,” Rodrigo Triana, director;
Croatia, “Libertas,” Veljko Bulajic, director;
Cuba, “El Benny,” Jorge Luis Sanchez, director;
Czech Republic, “Lunacy,” Jan Svankmajer, director;
Denmark, “After the Wedding,” Susanne Bier, director;
Egypt, “The Yacoubian Building,” Marwan Hamed, director;
France, “Avenue Montaigne,” Daniele Thompson, director;
Germany, “The Lives of Others,” Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, director;
Greece, “Chariton’s Choir,” Grigoris Karantinakis, director;
Hong Kong, “The Banquet,” Feng Xiaogang, director;
Hungary, “White Palms,” Szabolcs Hajdu, director;
Iceland, “Children,” Ragnar Bragason, director;
India, “Rang De Basanti,” Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, director;
Indonesia, “Love for Share,” Nia Dinata, director;
Iran, “Transit Cafe,” Kambozia Partovi, director;
Iraq, “Dreams,” Mohamed Al-Daradji, director;
Israel, “Sweet Mud,” Dror Shaul, director;
Italy, “Golden Door,” Emanuele Crialese, director;
Japan, “Hula Girls,” Sang-il Lee, director;
Kazakhstan, “Nomad,” Sergei Bodrov, Talgat Temenov, Ivan Passer, directors;
Korea, “King and the Clown,” Lee Jun-ik, director;
Kyrgyzstan, “The Wedding Chest,” Nurbek Egen, director;
Lebanon, “Bosta,” Philippe Aractingi, director;
Lithuania, “Before Flying Back to Earth,” Arunas Matelis, director;
Macedonia, “Kontakt,” Sergei Stanojkovski, director;
Mexico, “Pan’s Labyrinth,” Guillermo del Toro, director;
Morocco, “The Moroccan Symphony,” Kamal Kamal, director;
Nepal, “Basain,” Subash Prasad Gajurel, director;
The Netherlands, “Black Book,” Paul Verhoeven, director;
Norway, “Reprise,” Joachim Trier, director;
Peru, “Madeinusa,” Claudia Llosa, director;
Philippines, “The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros,” Auraeus Solito, director;
Poland, “Retrieval,” Slawomir Fabicki, director;
Portugal, “Alice,” Marco Martins, director;
Puerto Rico, “Thieves and Liars,” Ricardo Mendez Matta, director;
Romania, “The Way I Spent the End of the World,” Catalin Mitulescu, director;
Russia, “9th Company,” Fyodor Bondarchuk, director;
Serbia, “Tomorrow Morning,” Oleg Novkovic, director;
Slovenia, “Gravehopping,” Jan Cvitkovic, director;
Spain, “Volver,” Pedro Almodovar, director;
Sweden, “Falkenberg Farewell,” Jesper Ganslandt, director;
Switzerland, “Vitus,” Fredi M. Murer, director;
Taiwan, “Blue Cha Cha,” Cheng Wen-tang, director;
Thailand, “Ahimsa Stop to Run,” Leo Kittikorn, director;
Turkey, “Ice Cream, I Scream,” Yuksel Aksu, director;
Ukraine, “Aurora,” Oxana Bayrak, director;
Venezuela, “Maroa,” Solveig Hoogesteijn, director;
Vietnam, “Story of Pao,” Ngo Quang Hai, director.
In addition to the above, Finland submitted Aki Kaurismaki’s “Lights in the Dusk,” which the director subsequently indicated he wanted to withdraw from the competition. Foreign Language committee chair Mark Johnson has initiated a dialogue with Kaurismaki in an effort to persuade him to reverse that decision.
Nominations for the 79th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 23, 2007, at 5:30 a.m. PST in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2006 will be presented on Sunday, February 25, 2007, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network at 5 p.m. PST, beginning with a half-hour arrival segment.
# # #
©A.M.P.A.S.®

The Dixie Chicks 'Make Nice' for VH1 Storytellers
'VH1 Storytellers: Dixie Chicks' Premiering Saturday, October 28 at 9PM
VSPOT, VH1's Broadband Channel Gives Fans an Early Look at a Performance From the Show Beginning Today at http://dixiechicks.vh1.com
Oct. 19 -- The Dixie Chicks treated fans to an intimate performance during a taping of VH1 Storytellers at the Los Angeles Theater in Los Angeles on September 20. The concert, which benefited the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, will premiere on VH1, Saturday, October 28 at 9PM. While their songs tell a story, The Dixie Chicks reveal the inspirations behind some of their classic hits as well as a few of their future classics, such as "Not Ready To Make Nice" which turned their whole world around...and they kind of like it. Viewers will also get to know the "Chicks" a little better as they show their lighter side and reveal a bit about their personal lives.
The episode treats fans to a unique experience as The Dixie Chicks perform new songs from their latest album Taking The Long Way in addition to previous hits. In quintessential "Storytellers" form, the Chicks (Natalie Maines, Emily Robison and Martie Maguire) answer questions from fans and in a new interview give an honest and revealing look at the stories behind the songs.
Viewers will have the opportunity to hear the inspiration behind such hits as "Wide Open Spaces" and "Cowboy Take Me Away" and from their new album Taking The Long Way, "The Long Way Around," "Lubbock Or Leave It," "Silent House," and their current hit and answer to all the political upheaval they stirred up, "Not Ready To Make Nice."
VSPOT (http://dixiechicks.vh1.com/) began airing The Dixie Chicks performance of "Not Ready To Make Nice" beginning yesterday, October 18 -- ten days before "Storytellers: Dixie Chicks" airs on VH1. VSPOT will also host an exclusive performance of "Truth #2" and unseen interview footage with the Dixie Chicks, which will not be seen during the on-air broadcast.
* all times ET/PT

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 88 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic and VH1 Soul. Connect with VH1 at http://www.vh1.com/.
Song order: "The Long Way Around" "Wide Open Spaces" "Lubbock Or Leave It" "Cowboy Take Me Away" "Silent House" "Not Ready To Make Nice"
Groundbreaking 'Firsts' From 2006 Expedition Captured Exclusively by Discovery Channel in EVEREST: BEYOND THE LIMIT
- Six-Part Series Includes First Summit by a Double Amputee -
Oct. 19 -- This year's climbing season on Mount Everest was the second deadliest on record and marked the first time a double amputee made it to the summit -- and the Discovery Channel was there. Using the latest high-altitude video technology to document an expedition organized and managed by one of the mountain's most experienced leaders, EVEREST: BEYOND THE LIMIT documents the grueling April/May 2006 attempt to reach the summit by a group of people from all walks of life. The six-part world premiere series begins Tuesday, November 14, at 10PM ET/PT and new episodes air on consecutive Tuesdays through December 19.
Included in the series is Mark Inglis' historic summit, as the New Zealander becomes the first-ever double amputee to scale Everest after losing his legs to frostbite while climbing Mount Cook 24 years ago.
"For the first time ever in a television series, we use cameras attached to Sherpas' helmets to put viewers on the world's tallest and most alluring peak -- a mountain that represents the ultimate test of human will and determination," said Jane Root, executive vice president and general manager, Discovery Channel, The Science Channel, Military Channel and Discovery Times Channel, U.S. "From this unique vantage point, the intense danger surrounding this increasingly popular climbing passion becomes startlingly clear -- we are presenting the mountain's magnificence and deadly, menacing terrain to viewers in the most direct way possible."
For EVEREST: BEYOND THE LIMIT, a 17-member production team followed an expedition of 11 climbers with three professional mountain guides, organized and led by New Zealander Russell Brice, who has 25 years of experience on the mountain. During the special, viewers will see and hear from climbers every step of the way as they deal with their own physical and mental struggles: a firefighter from Los Angeles tries for a second time to reach the summit, having previously mortgaged his home and sold his motorcycle to pay for the climb; an Oregon ER doctor on his first summit attempt heads a dramatic rescue attempt; and an asthmatic Iron-Man competitor from Denmark tries to summit without supplemental oxygen.
Angst-ridden and candid conversations among climbers give viewers an inside look at extreme adventurers facing very real health risks such as cerebral edema, frostbite, hypothermia, heart attacks and hallucinations, just to have one breathtaking moment at the top. Scientific knowledge presented in the series further explains the effects of altitude and extreme cold on the human body and the geography of Everest.
Each climber will face his fears, but not all will reach the summit. In a climbing season marked by controversy, Discovery Channel's exclusive account will show what it takes to attempt a rescue on Everest and gives viewers a firsthand look at the shockingly long wait lines at the top of the mountain in an area dubbed the "death zone." At levels above 26,000 feet, temperatures are routinely minus-40 degrees Fahrenheit, oxygen is 70 percent lower than at sea level, and the extreme altitude causes the body to consume its own muscle tissue for energy.
At http://www.discovery.com/Everest, viewers will have the opportunity to explore Everest even further, with a compilation of exclusive video segments and knowledge-based interactive resources. Immersive Sherpa helmet camera segments will allow audiences a climber's-eye view of the summit attempt at one's own pace; visitors can delve deep into facts on history, science, mountaineering and the Himalayas; and exclusive journals from crew members who managed the technical aspects in high-altitude conditions present another side of this true adventure story.
Encores of EVEREST: BEYOND THE LIMIT will air on SURVIVAL FRIDAYS at 8 PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel. Premieres of MAN VS. WILD will air at 9 PM ET/PT, followed by premieres of I SHOULDN'T BE ALIVE at 10 PM ET/PT.
EVEREST: BEYOND THE LIMIT is produced for Discovery Channel by Tigress Productions. Dick Colthurst is the executive producer for Tigress. Tomi Landis is the executive producer for Discovery Channel.
Nationwide is a proud sponsor of EVEREST: BEYOND THE LIMIT.
Discovery Communications, Inc., is the leading global real-world media company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in 170 countries and territories with nearly 1.4 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI's over 100 networks of distinctive programming represent 27 network entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Military Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en Espanol, Discovery Kids en Espanol, Discovery HD Theater, FitTV, Discovery Travel & Living (Viajar y Vivir), Discovery Home & Health and Discovery Real Time. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce, which operates more than 100 Discovery Channel Stores in the U.S. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ:DISCA) (NASDAQ:DISCB) , Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.
Source: Discovery Channel

The Miss America Organization Announces National Panel of Judges for the 2007 Miss America Pageant
-- The Miss America Organization has announced the illustrious panel of six National Judges who will decide which one of this year's 52 contestants will become Miss America 2007. The judges - all distinguished members in their fields, from entertainment to business to the arts - will evaluate the contestants from the preliminaries through the final night of competition, which will be premiering live from the Aladdin, soon to be Planet Hollywood, Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, on Monday, January 29, 2007 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, exclusively on CMT.
The judges were announced by Sam Haskell III, Chairman of the Board for the Miss America Organization, Art McMaster, President & CEO of the MAO, Don Mischer, Producer of the 2007 Miss America Pageant, and Sarah Brock, Vice President Production, Music and Events for CMT. "Each of our judges is an accomplished professional in his or her career field and, together, they create a panel rich with an impressive array of experience and talent," said McMaster. "I am confident that this panel of judges will work together to discover the contestant best suited to become Miss America 2007."
The 2007 Panel of Judges includes:
Debbie Allen - This talented and successful actress, director, producer, choreographer, singer, dancer, and multiple Emmy winner continues to redefine herself as an accomplished artist. Recently, she has taken reality TV by storm, as the producer, choreographer, and host of the NBC show - "FAME." She has composed 2 children's books, "Brothers of the Knight," and more recently, "Dancing in the Wings." In 2001, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy was opened in Los Angeles to offer a comprehensive curriculum for boys and girls ages four to eighteen in all the major dance techniques. In a classic example of "life imitating art," the Debbie Allen Dance Academy brought Allen back to her days where she played the title role of dance instructor, "Lydia Grant," on the hit TV series, "Fame." In 2000, Allen hosted and produced her own documentary series on the Women's Entertainment cable network. She also directed, co- produced, and co-starred along with her sister Phylicia Rashad in the critically acclaimed PBS Special "The Old Settler." Allen's film work includes the highly acclaimed Dream Works/Steven Spielberg production, "Amistad." Allen holds the distinction of having choreographed the Academy Awards for 5 consecutive years. In recognition of her career, Allen was honored with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, proof to her lifelong contribution in the entertainment arts.
Nigel Barker - Barker made his debut as celebrity photographer and permanent judge on the hit show "America's Next Top Model" with supermodel Tyra Banks. He is known for his honest and constructive comments to the contestants and his keen eye for spotting raw talent. He has enjoyed several years of success with the show and continues to do so as it enters its 8th season. Baker was born in London, England to a family of British, Sri Lankan, Portuguese and Irish origins. Barker's mother, a former "Miss Sri Lanka," entered him into a televised model search on "The Clothes Show" where he was a finalist. This opened the door to a successful modeling career spanning a decade and took him to London, Milan, Paris and New York City. It was during this time that his love for fashion and photography grew and in 1998 he made the leap to the other side of the lens. Barker opened his own photo studio, StudioNB, in the now-fashionable Meat Packing District in Manhattan. Barker contributes to a wide variety of publications such as GQ, Interview, Paper, Lucky and People and his advertising clients include Beefeater Gin, Sean John, Pierre Cardin, Nicole Miller, OP, Ted Baker, and Land's End.
Delta Burke - An accomplished actress, author and producer, Burke is working on a number of television, film and theatre projects and just completed playing "Mrs. Claus" in the NBC movie "The Year Without a Santa Claus" opposite John Goodman. Recently, she starred on Broadway in "Steel Magnolias" and "Thoroughly Modern Millie." She has also starred in two Lifetime movies, "Going For Broke" and "Dangerous Child." She co-starred with Mel Gibson in the film, "What Women Want." She starred on the NBC comedy "DAG" and had a role on the series "Popular" and on Lifetime's "Any Day Now." Burke also starred with Olivia Newton-John and Beau Bridges in the independent film "Sordid Lives." She has authored Delta Style: "Eve Wasn't A Size Six and Neither Am I!" and speaks to millions of "real size" women sharing her life story. An American beauty, Burke was a teenage pageant contestant in Florida where she won 18 straight titles. In 1974, she represented Florida in the Miss America Pageant and won a talent scholarship, then attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Burke starred in 2 mini-series: "The Seekers" and "The Chisolms." She had a leading role in the series "Filthy Rich" and starred in the HBO series "First and Ten." Her role as Suzanne Sugarbaker in "Designing Women" was Emmy-nominated. Burke owns a production company, Perseverance, Inc., which produced the ABC series "Delta." She starred and produced "Women of the House." She also starred in the CBS movie, "Love and Curses" with her husband Gerald McRaney and a Disney TV movie, "Dayo."
Michael Feinstein - One of the premier interpreters of American popular song, Feinstein is nationally recognized for his commitment to the American popular song, celebrating its art and preserving its legacy for the next generation. He is currently producing a CD for his friend Liza Minnelli. He will also host and serve as consultant on a new PBS film on vintage Hollywood "Soundies" and is producing a documentary feature on arts and society icon Kitty Carlisle Hart. He has written the score for a new stage musical "Perspectives," in London's West End. In 2003, Feinstein received his 4th Grammy Award nomination for his Concord release, "Michael Feinstein with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra," his first recording with a symphony orchestra. The year before, "The Michael Feinstein Anthology," a 2-disc compilation spanning the years 1987 to 1996, was released. His live performances (from Hollywood Bowl to Carnegie Hall), recordings, film and TV appearances, and his songwriting (in collaboration with Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Lindy Robbins and Carole Bayer Sager), Feinstein has been an important musical force during the past 15 years. He scored the original music for the film "Get Bruce." His television credits include performances on "Caroline in the City," "Melrose Place," "Coach," and "Sybil." He has recorded "Michael and George: Feinstein Sings Gershwin," "Big City Rhythms" (with the Maynard Ferguson Big Band), and the double-CD "Romance On Film, Romance On Broadway," among others. The Library of Congress elected Feinstein to the exclusive "National Sound Recording Advisory Board." He and other industry leaders recently met in Washington, D.C. for a forum on safeguarding America's musical heritage.
Chris Matthews - Matthews hosts MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews" and "The Chris Matthews Show," a syndicated weekly NBC news program. Matthews is a regular commentator on NBC's "Today" show and has distinguished himself as a broadcast journalist, newspaper bureau chief, Presidential speechwriter, and best-selling author. Matthews covered the fall of the Berlin Wall, the first all-races election in South Africa and the Good Friday Peace Talks in Northern Ireland. In 1997 and 1998, his digging in the National Archives produced a series of San Francisco Examiner scoops on the Nixon presidential tapes. Matthews has covered presidential election campaigns since 1988, including the five-week recount of 2000. In 2004, he received the David Brinkley Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism. He has been awarded The Abraham Lincoln Award and the Gold Medal Award. Matthews worked for 15 years as a print journalist, 13 of them as Washington Bureau Chief for The San Francisco Examiner and two years as a national columnist for The San Francisco Chronicle. Matthews spent 15 years in politics and government, working in the White House for 4 years under President Jimmy Carter as a Presidential speechwriter and on the President's Reorganization Project, in the U.S. Senate for 5 years on the staffs of Sen. Frank Moss (Utah) and Sen. Edmund Muskie (Maine), and was top aide to Speaker of the House Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill, Jr. for 6 years. Author of 4 best-selling books, including "American: Beyond Our Grandest Notions," a New York Times bestseller. His first book, "Hardball" is required reading in many college-level political science courses. "Kennedy & Nixon" was named by The Readers Digest "Today's Best Non-fiction" and served as the basis of a documentary on the History Channel. "Now, Let me Tell What I Really Think" was another New York Times bestseller.
Susan Powell, Former Miss America 1981 - Powell is the host of her own one-hour series on the Discovery Channel called "Home Matters," completing its 9th and final season. She has appeared before audiences in theatres, opera houses and concert halls all across the country. She made her operatic debut in "Die Fledermaus" and debuted at the New York City Opera in Harold Prince's production of "Sweeney Todd." She has starred in "Guys and Dolls" and also in the world premiere of the new musical "Zorro." She portrayed Mother in "Ragtime." Recently, Susan was seen as Guenevere in "Camelot" and after that toured in "Hello Dolly," starring Michelle Lee. Her other theatrical work includes starring roles at the Paper Mill Playhouse, Sacramento Music Circus, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Dallas Summer Musicals, and the St. Louis MUNY. In those theatres, Powell has starred in "Oklahoma!," "Show Boat," "Carousel," "South Pacific," "My Fair Lady," "The Music Man," "The Most Happy Fella," "Pirates of Penzance," "The Student Prince," "The Mikado," "The Merry Widow" and "The Desert Song." Powell also toured the country with "The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber," "The Sounds Of Rodgers And Hammerstein" and "The Desert Song." She has been a featured soloist with numerous symphonies and has debuted with the Boston Pops. In the winter of 1999, Susan returned to the Boston Pops, joining them for their annual holiday tour conducted by Keith Lockhart. Subsequently, she joined Maestro Lockhart as guest soloist with the Utah Symphony and the New Japan Philharmonic in Tokyo. Susan is featured on the cast recording of "Olympus On My Mind" and "Fifty Million Frenchmen" on New World Records.
The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. For more information, go to http://www.missamerica.org/.
Additional information about the Miss America Organization can be found at http://www.missamerica.org/. Media who wish to cover the 2007 Miss America Competition can download a Press Credential package online at http://www.missamerica.org/news/presscred.asp. For up-to-the-minute competition news and information as well as downloadable high-resolution images of Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry and the 2007 Contestants, visit the 24-hour access online pressroom at http://www.missamericapressroom.com/.
Source: Miss America Organization
Helena Bonham Carter to Star With Johnny Depp in DreamWorks and Warner Bros. Production of 'Sweeney Todd'
Oct. 18 Helena Bonham Carter will join the cast of "Sweeney Todd," the DreamWorks Studios and Warner Bros. co-production that will star Johnny Depp as The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Tim Burton is set to direct the film based on the award-winning Stephen Sondheim musical thriller.
(She will play the starring role of the diabolical Mrs. Lovett who dispenses her victims' bodies in her meat pies and becomes Sweeney's amorous accomplice.
Production is planned to begin early in 2007 for release late that year. Paramount will distribute for DreamWorks domestically and Warner Bros. internationally.
Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald are partnered with Richard D. Zanuck and John Logan to produce the screenplay adaptation which has been written by Logan.
In her film career, Helena Bonham Carter has starred in a range of roles including "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Big Fish," "Planet of the Apes," and "The Wings of the Dove" for which she was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actress. She most recently completed filming on "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." She has also lent her voice to animated films such as the Oscar-winning "Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" and "Corpse Bride."
The original production of "Sweeney Todd" with Sondheim's music and lyrics and a book by Hugh Wheeler based on the play by Christopher Bond, opened on Broadway in1979 and won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The show's mix of the comic, the dramatic, and the macabre was held together by Sondheim's movie-like score. It has had hundreds of productions throughout the world including its recent acclaimed revival in New York.

Turner Classic Movies Plays Sleuth, Discovers Six Previously Lost RKO Classics
Network Currently Making New Masters, Prints to Air Films in 2007
In its ongoing commitment to preserving cinematic history, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has purchased the copyrights and all right, title and interest to six RKO films previously thought lost from the silver screen, it was announced today by Tom Karsch, executive vice president and general manager of TCM. This selection of rare motion pictures includes works directed by William Wellman, John Cromwell and Garson Kanin, and starring such silver screen luminaries as William Powell, Ginger Rogers, Irene Dunne, Lionel Barrymore and Joel McCrea, as well as an early screenplay by blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo.
In association with the Library of Congress and the BYU film archive, TCM is currently making new 35mm fine-grain masters and prints of six pictures slated to air on the network in 2007: Double Harness (1933), One Man's Journey (1933), Rafter Romance (1933), Stingaree (1934), Living on Love (1937) and A Man to Remember (1938).
"These six films had slipped through the cracks of film history because the two copyright holders-Merian C. Cooper and Ernest L. Scanlon-had long since passed away," Karsch said. "As a result, they were languishing in film archives around the world, largely unpreserved. As curators of film history, TCM is proud to take the lead on preserving these films and airing them for classic movie fans of all ages."
A Man to Remember, largely unseen since its original theatrical release, was on the New York Times' list of the top 10 films of 1938. Showings of the five other films have been extremely rare since 1959. Living on Love and A Man to Remember are "B" picture remakes of Rafter Romance and One Man's Journey. The search for these films began as a result of a viewer inquiry regarding the Turner Entertainment Company library status of Double Harness. These six films were sold out of the RKO library to Cooper in 1946. In 1959, ownership transferred to former Selznick International executive Scanlon.
Only two of the six films had ever been properly preserved. Rafter Romance and Stingaree had been anonymously preserved by the American Film Institute from the original 35mm nitrate camera negatives in the 1970s. This material is now at the Library of Congress.
Brigham Young University has Cooper's 35mm and 16mm safety-dupe television negatives for Double Harness, One Man's Journey, Rafter Romance, Stingaree and Living on Love. The only surviving copy of A Man to Remember is a 35mm original nitrate, Dutch-subtitled, English-language print, which was preserved by the Netherlands Filmmuseum in 2000. Additional 35mm nitrate dupe negatives for Double Harness were found in France at the CNC. The original 35mm nitrate camera negatives for all six films appear to be lost.
Turner Classic Movies, currently seen in more than 75 million homes, is a 24-hour cable network from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. TCM presents the greatest motion pictures of all time from the largest film library in the world, the combined Time Warner and Turner film libraries, from the '20s through the '90s, commercial-free and without interruption. Expanding TCM's role as a curator of movie history, the network recently launched TCMdb, the Internet's most media-rich interactive movie database. For more information, please visit tcm.com.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a TimeWarner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.
Source: Turner Classic Movies

Susan Lucci Headlines 11th Annual 'ABC Super Soap Weekend' at Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World Resort
Once in a Lifetime Celebration Honoring the 25th Anniversary of 'General Hospital's' Historic Luke and Laura Wedding on November 10
'The View's' Rosie O'Donnell Scheduled to Make Guest Appearance
"All My Children's" Susan Lucci will headline an exciting lineup of ABC's daytime stars at the 11th annual "ABC Super Soap Weekend" on Nov. 11-12, with a special guest appearance by "The View's" newest co-host, Rosie O'Donnell. On Nov. 10, Colgate(R) Total(R) will present "Love In The Afternoon: Luke & Laura 25 Years" at Disney-MGM Studios. ABC and Disney will join together to commemorate the infamous nuptials that were seen by the largest audience in daytime TV history with over 30 million viewers, a record that still holds today. The can't-miss celebration will unite Anthony Geary and Genie Francis in their first public appearance in decades, which coincides with Ms. Francis' return as Laura Spencer to ABC's "General Hospital" this October. Fans are invited to join in the festivities for this momentous event that will take place on Friday afternoon before the official start of "ABC Super Soap Weekend." As previously announced, ABC once again will partner with Colgate Total toothpaste as its presenting sponsor of "ABC Super Soap Weekend" at Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Joining Susan Lucci from "All My Children" are Justin Bruening, Alexa Havins, Thorsten Kaye, Michael E. Knight, Cameron Mathison, Cady McClain, Alicia Minshew, Eden Riegel, Aiden Turner and Jacob Young. "One Life to Live's" Erika Slezak will make her second appearance at "ABC Super Soap Weekend" joined by cast-mates Kristen Alderson, Kathy Brier, Kamar de los Reyes, Kassie DePaiva, Michael Easton, David Fumero, Melissa Gallo, Renee Goldsberry, John-Paul Lavoisier, Forbes March, Trevor St. John and Bree Williamson. Completing the list, from "General Hospital," will be Julie Berman, Scott Clifton, Rebecca Herbst, Kimberly McCullough, Kelly Monaco, Jason Thompson, Greg Vaughan and Laura Wright.
Throughout the weekend, fans will have the opportunity to meet favorite stars from "All My Children," "One Life to Live" and "General Hospital." Festivities include celebrity motorcades, autograph sessions, talk shows, interviews and the chance to purchase one-of-a-kind memorabilia from each of the shows. The Colgate Total Street Jam will close the event each day with live musical performances by some favorite Daytime stars.
"ABC Super Soap Weekend" is included with theme park admission to Disney- MGM Studios -- where guests of all ages are caught up in the glitz, glamour and excitement of show business. For future updates and more information about "ABC Super Soap Weekend," guests may call the Super Soap Hotline recording at 407/397-6808, or visit the ABC Daytime Web site at ABC.com.

3D Conversion of 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' Marks a Trend
The wide re-release of Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" in 3D on Friday comes right on the heels of the many-months-long run of "Superman Returns" with scenes converted to IMAX 3D. With word that "Star Wars," enhanced by similar conversion, will be re-released in 3D, this trend gains real momentum.
Along with the recent success of 3D animated films, from "Polar Express" to "Open Season," 3D has captured the public's imagination.
However, it is conversion of existing library films that first sparked the imagination of inventor and computer graphics pioneer David M. Geshwind, President of Three-Dimensional Media Group, Ltd. (http://www.3dmg.com/). 3DMG licensed two US Patents to IMAX to enable their conversion of films to 3D.
Geshwind believes 3D conversion offers a "unique opportunity to bring blockbusters back into theaters with something new to offer. Consider the box-office that a relatively low-cost re-release in 3D of 'E.T.' 'Indiana Jones' 'Harry Potter' 'Lord of the Rings' 'The Matrix' or even 'The Ten Commencements' would bring to theaters.
"However, for new live-action films, with only a few weeks between the completion of a 2D film and its release, there is not enough time to economically convert a two-hour film to 3D using our original process. IMAX converted only 20 minutes of 'Superman Returns.' We have worked hard to solve that problem, and developed advanced patent-pending technology to convert an entire film to 3D for simultaneous 'day-and-date' release with the 2D version," says Geshwind.
"Library films can be converted at leisure, but what excites me now is the ability to show an entire new live-action film in 3D on the same day as its 2D release," says Geshwind. "We look forward to licensing the first such production with our new technology soon."
While "Superman Returns" was the first widespread public use of Geshwind's patented StereoSynthesis process, he first demonstrated it in the early 1990s to add 3D depth to a segment of the original (1933) King Kong.
Geshwind, who holds eight other patents, developed StereoSynthesis as a low-cost form of virtual reality, and to "adapt the huge resource of existing 2D media for 3D systems. The advent of 3D has taken longer than anticipated, but the effective use of 3D adds greatly to the 'suspension of disbelief' that is key to entertainment. We will bring this same realism to enhance medical imaging, educational materials, scientific visualization, TV, games, the desktop, advertizing, and to other fields as 3D digital displays become ubiquitous."
3DMG licensed IMAX through UNIPAT.ORG. Geshwind conducts independent R&D in media technology through Digital Media Group, Ltd. (an affiliate of 3DMG). His other technologies, available for licensing through UNIPAT, include: ChromaSynthesis, internet protocols, intelligent search, interactive video, bandwidth compression, educational technology, 3D paint, improved HDTV, and personalized video.

Classic Icons Add Character to the Game Aisle
Screenlife, LLC's Newest DVD Games Inspired by Larger Than Life Characters from Classic Television and the Silver Screen
From Screenlife, the makers of Scene It?(R) The DVD Game(TM), the #1 selling board game brand in the world, comes two new titles for players who prefer their heroes to be super and their martinis shaken, not stirred. Just in time for the holidays, specialty games Scene It? Deluxe Marvel(TM) Edition and Scene It? James Bond Collector's Edition are here to save the world. Utility belt not required.
Agent 007 is back in the Scene It? James Bond Collector's Edition. The spy friendly game features more than a thousand Bond scenes, stars, and images and includes trivia, on-screen challenges and all the clever thrills of the 21 Bond films, including content from the upcoming movie, Casino Royale. The sleek DVD game comes with bonus playing cards featuring images from the Bond films, collectible metal tokens and a Certificate of Authenticity, making this limited edition tin a must-have for any Bond aficionado. Scene It? James Bond Collector's Edition is available exclusively at Macy's department stores or online at www.sceneit.com.
"With great power comes great responsibility," but with Scene It? Deluxe Marvel Edition, your only responsibility is having fun. Fans of the blockbuster action movies, graphic novels and animated series' will enjoy this ultimate Marvel trivia game that comes fully loaded with two DVDs. Your living room will explode with real movie and TV clips, trivia questions and a myriad of mutated puzzlers from Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four and other edge-of- your-seat Marvel titles. This new game and more are available at most major retailers and online at www.sceneit.com.
About Screenlife, LLC

Rapper 'Gucci Mane' Releases Sophomore Album Hard To Kill!!
On Tuesday, October 24, 2006, Big Cat Records and Tommy Boy Entertainment will release the explosive Gucci Mane sophomore album, Hard To Kill. The first single from the CD is "My Chain" which is one of the hottest tracks on the album and most requested in clubs throughout the Southeast.
This time around, Gucci picks up where he left off after the success of his hit single, "Icy." "Icy" was in heavy rotation all over the world and the album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Charts for Independent Albums and remained on the Top 20 for eight weeks. Scanning over 125,000 units independently on his debut album, Gucci will show the world that he can come better and harder.
Big Cat Records' President, Mel Breeden, states, "With all that Gucci Mane has seen and been through in this past year, this album shows how much he has grown lyrically. We named the project, "Hard To Kill" because of all of the drama that has surrounded Gucci's career and he pulled through it all. Now he's back. HARD TO KILL!!! Although we had big success with "Icy", there is a lot more to the story now."
This album is packed with hot laid-back comedic flows and catchy hooks that are displayed heavily throughout the album with cuts such as "Everybody Know Me" produced by Lyrical Chead George & Paul "Why/Not" Roach for Arthentic Krew Productions, "Pillz" featuring Mac Bree Z, produced by Xavier Dotson pka Zaytoven and "Freak Girl" produced by Cyber Sapp, Cyberwerks Music/Family Tree Entertainment.
"Hard To Kill" will invite Gucci's fans into his life like a reality show, up close and personal. Get the real street sh**. See what he experienced during his time on lockdown; how he pulled through it and the issues that still plague him today. Comprised of songs from label mates Black Magic and Young Snead, "Hard To Kill" is destined to be one of the most prolific trap music albums of 2007.
The album will be in stores October 24th, 2006
Source: Tommy Boy Entertainment

LA Landmark Griffith Observatory Reopens Nov 3^rd to Inspire the Future, One Imagination at a Time
The Griffith Observatory can proudly proclaim itself as a world-class observatory after its ambitious $93 million renovation and expansion when it reopens to the public on November 3^rd in Los Angeles .
Sitting high atop Mount Hollywood 1,134 feet above sea level, the Griffith Park Observatory has a commanding view not only of the City of Angels to the Pacific but to the heavenly skies, much further than the naked eye can see. It is an icon of Los Angeles , a national leader in public astronomy, and pops up periodically in film, tv, games and even recreational parks. It has appeared in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, GoldenEye, The Rocketeer and The Terminator, Star Trek, the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and even in Legoland.
Griffith Observatory underwent much more than a facelift, but a renewal to grandeur and a comprehensive renovation and expansion. Closing its doors in 2002, this was the first major renovation since its original opening on May 14, 1935 and hosting over 70 million visitors.
Funds for the renewal of Griffith Observatory was headed by Friends of the Observatory, the Observatory’s nonprofit support organization, with funds arriving through foundation, corporate, individual, State, City and Federal commitments.
When Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, announced the reopening on October 3, he shared “At this world-class Observatory, Angelenos, young and old, can learn about the stars and planets, and begin to comprehend the limitless nature of the universe – truly symbolic of the limitless possibilities of this great City.”
Changes to the Griffith Observatory include:
- Addition of 40,000 square feet
- The finest planetarium in the world (Samuel Oschin Planetarium). A 300 seat state of the art immersive planetarium environment which features a new seamless dome, star projector, digital laser projectors, upgraded sound system and lighting. The opening show is Centered in the Universe.
- 200 seat presentation theatre (Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon). The opening show is The Once and Future Griffith Observatory.
- Multi Level Exhibit Gallery (Richard and Lois Gunther)
- The Largest Astronomical Image ever in The Big Picture which is 152 feet long by 20 feet high. It is produced by Caltech scientists in a team led by Caltech Professor of Astronomy George Diorgovski.
- Transit corridor (Gottleib Transit Corridor) is 150 feet long, 10 feet wide glass walled passageway to demonstrate how motions of the Sun, Moon and stars are linked with time and the calendar.
- A new exhibit program featuring more than 60 new exhibits, plus a classroom, café, bookstore, and new entrances, elevators and ramps to improve access to/in the building.
- Renovation of the existing building including the Hugo Ballin murals and the Heinsbergen Mural. The Ballin vaulted rotunda ceiling murals celebrate classical celestial mythology and the wall murals illustrate the advancement of science. The Heinsbergen ceiling mural depicts the sun.
Beginnings of Griffith Observatory
Griffith Park and the Griffith Observatory received their name from Colonel Griffith J. Griffith. Inspired by his European travels and its grand public parks, Griffith decided his home of Los Angeles would need a great park to become a great city. He donated 3,015 acres of Rancho Los Felis to the City of Los Angeles in 1896 for a public park in his name intended for the public masses. Griffith Park became the largest urban park in the U.S. with wilderness areas.
After being introduced to astronomy through the Astronomical Section of the Southern California Academy of Sciences and his visits to the new research observatory at Mount Wilson , he wanted to make science more accessible to the public. He offered the City of Los Angeles $100,000 for an observatory to be located on the land he donated on top of Mount Hollywood , to be fully owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles .
He envisioned Griffith Observatory, however with his failing health, knew he would have to share his vision. His will contained bequests for the observatory with detailed specifications included for the nature of the observatory, location and program offerings.
Visiting Griffith Observatory
Anticipating an enormous amount of public interest, similar to the Getty Museum reopening, the Griffith Observatory is utilizing a reservation system for timed entry the month after the reopening to the public. During the months after reopening, no drive up access is available, however shuttles are available. Prices for reservations are as follows: General admission - $8; Seniors over 60 years old and children 5-12 years old - $4; and children 4 years and under are free. There is no charge for timed entry of hikers and cyclists.
www.griffithobservatory.org
www.friendsoftheobservatory.com
What is a Planetarium?
A planetarium is a theater built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation. A dominant feature of most planetariums is the large dome-shaped projection screen onto which scenes of stars, planets and other celestial objects can be made to appear and move realistically to simulate the complex 'motions of the heavens'. The celestial scenes can be created using a wide variety of technologies, for example precision-engineered 'star balls' that combine optical and electro-mechanical technology, slide projector, video and fulldome projector systems, and lasers. Whatever technologies are used, the objective is normally to link them together to provide an accurate relative motion of the sky. Typical systems can be set to display the sky at any point in time, past or present, and often to show the night sky as it would appear from any point of latitude on Earth.
The Samuel Oschin Planetarium
Griffith Observatory's renovated and newly-named Samuel Oschin Planetarium has been completely re-invented, from the compass rose on the new cork floor to the premium seamless perforated aluminum dome. It features an array of state-of-the-art technologies to support world-class scientific educational programming for audiences of all ages. Visitors to the 300-seat Samuel Oschin Planetarium will have an experience light-years ahead of most planetarium shows. From the moment they pass through the historic bronze and leather doors, they will be in an immersive environment carefully designed to create an authentic night sky and to present high quality experiences that are not only awe-inspiring but also thought provoking.
Key features of the Samuel Oschin Planetarium include:
Star Projector Zeiss Universarium Mark IX
Video Projectors Evans & Sutherland Digistar 3 digital laser projection system
Dome Spitz, Inc. perforated aluminum projection dome (at 75 feet, one of the world's largest)

Unlike many other planetaria, Griffith Observatory continues a 71-year tradition of presenting live planetarium programs with a lecturer who can connect with audiences and convey astronomical knowledge with enthusiasm and passion.

The new planetarium is named in honor of a generous gift from the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation.
Imported from Germany, the new Zeiss Universarium Mark IX star projector is the most advanced in the world. The projector uses fiber-optics technology to deliver the most accurate and awe-inspiring planetarium dome full of stars anywhere. The computerized system offers visitors a detailed view of the night sky filled with thousands of stars and can be oriented to show what the sky looked like at any moment in human history. Griffith Observatory's scientific team was able to negotiate a fundamental improvement to the standard star field and worked closely with Zeiss engineers to create an unprecedented night sky of remarkable accuracy. Zeiss is so proud of the outcome, they have incorporated these refinements into subsequent projectors.

Friends Of The Observatory (FOTO) purchased the projector and gave it as a gift to Griffith Observatory.

Digistar 3 Laser Projection System
The Samuel Oschin Planetarium is one of the first major facilities in the United States to use Evans & Sutherland's cutting-edge, all-dome digital laser projection system. Two laser projectors ? invisibly mounted in the north and south cove area ? are a giant step forward from the existing CRT video projectors. The Digistar 3 laser projection system improves upon traditional video projection in four important ways:

Increased resolution and brightness for large-format projection
Intensified color contrast and saturation
Reduced distortion of images on the curved planetarium dome surface (with lasers, the depth of focus is practically unlimited)
Significantly reduced maintenance costs over time

Laser projectors transform the entire visual experience. For a dome as large as Griffith Observatory's (75-foot diameter), the capabilities of the lasers are the best way to bring engaging astronomical visuals to life.

This Digistar 3 laser projection system was made possible by a generous gift to FOTO from the L.K. Whittier Foundation.
The Dome
More than just one of the largest planetarium domes in the world, the Samuel Oschin Planetarium is one of the first to make use of the remarkable 'seamless? dome construction technology developed by Spitz, Inc., and demonstrated at the Soaring Over California attraction at Disney's California Adventure. Though the dome is constructed of separate aluminum panels, the seams between the panels are designed to disappear with proper lighting. Tiny perforations across the dome enable audio speakers, ventilation ducts, and other equipment to be located above and around the outside of the dome, leaving the interior uncluttered. Properly lit, the dome will seem infinite to the entering visitor, creating a uniquely immersive experience and a true-to-life re-creation of a remote, luminous, and pristine sky.
Completing the Experience
The final step in the transformation of the Samuel Oschin Planetarium was creating a comfortable, inspiring, and immersive environment for visitors. To that end, theatrical consultants were used to design lighting and sound systems that perform to a theatrical level of excellence. Replacing the old seats and their wooden headrests (once called ?the most uncomfortable seats in the Milky Way Galaxy?) are padded, upholstered, and reclining seats for 300 visitors.
Opening Program: Centered in the Universe
The inaugural presentation in the new Samuel Oschin Planetarium is Centered in the Universe. For more information about the show, please click here.

The Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation
The naming of the Samuel Oschin Planetarium at Griffith Observatory is the latest recognition in a long line of charitable gifts made by the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation. The Foundation strives to improve the future for many through its support of astronomy, medicine, education, the arts, animal causes, and a variety of community organizations. With interests ranging from telescopes to microscopes and everything in between, signature donations include the 48-inch Samuel Oschin Telescope at Palomar Observatory which led to the finding of what may be new planets in our solar system and the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Mrs. Oschin says her husband wished the Foundation would encourage others to share in the work of improving our world and bringing hope for the future through stimulating collaboration and building enthusiasm in a broad range of philanthropic projects. She notes that astronomy was her husband's second love, and so perhaps it was inevitable that their path led to Griffith Observatory.

Mr. Oschin passed away in July 2003 and left a legacy to continue his work through the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation. Contributions to the City of Los Angeles and elsewhere, and to astronomers everywhere, will allow people to keep reaching for the stars for generations to come.

The Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon
The Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon is a new 200-seat multi-media theater that significantly broadens Griffith Observatory's programming and educational capabilities. In conjunction with the adjacent classroom, the 2,700-square-foot theater will enhance the Observatory's ability to sponsor robust educational activities, from live transmissions of space events to scientific training for teachers.

Located in the new Gunther Depths of Space exhibit gallery, the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon realizes an unfulfilled intention of the Observatory's original architects to have a second theater to complement the planetarium. Though not constructed with the original building, the idea for a presentation theater was not lost, and the need became especially evident as the number of Observatory visitors and programs increased over the years. The Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon provides a modern venue for lectures, demonstrations, films, museum guide talks, and a variety of other activities. The Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon will also be an important venue for the Observatory's school programs.

The theater employs a 'stadium-style' seating configuration to enable each member of the audience to feel close to the presenter. It is equipped with state-of-the-art projection and sound equipment to enable a wide range of programming.
is a new 200-seat multi-media theater that significantly broadens Griffith Observatory's programming and educational capabilities. In conjunction with the adjacent classroom, the 2,700-square-foot theater will enhance the Observatory's ability to sponsor robust educational activities, from live transmissions of space events to scientific training for teachers.Located in the new Gunther Depths of Space exhibit gallery, the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon realizes an unfulfilled intention of the Observatory's original architects to have a second theater to complement the planetarium. Though not constructed with the original building, the idea for a presentation theater was not lost, and the need became especially evident as the number of Observatory visitors and programs increased over the years. The Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon provides a modern venue for lectures, demonstrations, films, museum guide talks, and a variety of other activities. The Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon will also be an important venue for the Observatory's school programs.The theater employs a 'stadium-style' seating configuration to enable each member of the audience to feel close to the presenter. It is equipped with state-of-the-art projection and sound equipment to enable a wide range of programming.
"The Once and Future Griffith Observatory"
The inagural program in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon is "The Once and Future Griffith Observatory". Leonard Nimoy narrates this 18-minute film which explores the history of the Observatory, it renovation and expansion, and all the exciting new features.
Leonard Nimoy and Susan Bay-Nimoy
The naming of the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater recognizes the generous contribution by actors Leonard and Susan Bay-Nimoy to Griffith Observatory's renovation and expansion.

Leonard Nimoy is a highly regarded actor, director, photographer, and poet. He is perhaps best known for his Emmy-nominated role as Mr. Spock in the television and film versions of Star Trek. His wife, Susan Bay-Nimoy, has had a career as an actress, director, producer, and community activist. She currently serves as a Board member for the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. Together, they have made significant contributions to institutions in Los Angeles, New York, and other cities, each with a focus on giving people a chance to broaden perspective.

Both Nimoys share a commitment to public astronomy and education. "By observing the sky and pondering our place in the universe, people gain a new perspective on their daily lives," said Leonard Nimoy. "Griffith Observatory gives its visitors that opportunity. It is a Los Angeles icon, one which we need to ensure will be here for generations to come."

"Like so many people in this area, we recognize what a powerful resource the Observatory is for the community," added Susan Bay-Nimoy. "When we learned of the plans for renovation and expansion, Leonard and I agreed that we wanted to make a substantial commitment, both personally and financially, to the project. I hope that our participation will encourage others to become involved."

The Tournament of Roses Has Found Its 2007 Rose Queen
Mary McCluggage Named 89th Rose Queen(R) for the 2007 Tournament of Roses, Themed Our Good Nature
-- The Pasadena Tournament of Roses named Mary McCluggage the 89th Rose Queen today. This announcement concludes a month-long process that began with more than 1,100 Pasadena-area young women who participated in the Tournament of Roses Royal Court tryouts. Queen Mary was selected from the recently appointed seven-member Royal Court. The Rose Queen and Royal Court will reign over the 2007 New Year's Day festivities, culminating with the 118th Rose Parade(R) themed Our Good Nature and the 93rd Rose Bowl Game(R).

Miss America, a special guest of the Tournament of Roses and a participant in the opening ceremonies for the 2007 Rose Parade, helped reveal the identity of the Rose Queen. "I am delighted that I have had the opportunity to spend some time today with this year's Rose Queen and her Royal Court before their big day. From my experience as Miss America, I have gained the opportunity of a lifetime to be a part of something wonderful, promoting education, leadership and community responsibility. The Pasadena Tournament of Roses champions the same qualities and I just know Queen Mary and her Royal Court will do Pasadena proud on New Year's Day."
Miss America, the Rose Queen and her Royal Court were presented with the first available Limited Edition Wells Fargo Parade Ponies at the announcement. Wells Fargo, the presenting sponsor for the opening of the 2007 Rose Parade, is introducing Prince, their Limited Edition Wells Fargo Parade Pony in celebration of the Tournament of Roses. Consumers who open a Wells Fargo Checking Package between 12/1/06 and 1/31/07 can take home this collectable plush pony. Prince is especially appropriate as he is from Oklahoma and the opening extravaganza is being produced by the Oklahoma Centennial. "We are thrilled to give Miss America, the Rose Queen and the Royal Court, the first of our Limited Edition Wells Fargo Parade Ponies," said Stacy Smithers, Wells Fargo Regional Marketing Director, LA Metropolitan Community Bank. "We are thrilled to sponsor the opening celebration of the Rose Parade again this year and believe our Prince Pony will bring the excitement of the Rose Parade home for Southland consumers."
The Rose Queen and Royal Court were also presented with a pearl necklace and pearl earrings from Mikimoto (America) Co., Ltd. "We are honored to be a part of the Tournament of Roses family," said William Thomas, Vice President of Retail. "The luxury of Mikimoto and the tradition of the Tournament of Roses make a perfect partnership, enhancing the beauty that both organizations are known for."
Rose Queen Mary and the six Rose Princesses were selected based upon a combination of qualities, including public speaking ability, poise, academic achievement and community involvement.
"The Tournament of Roses is delighted to name Queen Mary as the 2007 Rose Queen," said Tournament of Roses president Paul L. Holman. "We are honored to have Queen Mary and the six Rose Princesses join our Tournament of Roses family. We couldn't ask for more talented and graceful ambassadors for Pasadena, the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game."
As an official ambassador of the Tournament of Roses, Queen Mary will participate in close to 150 community and media functions along with Rose Princesses Christina Barsamian, 17, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy; Aneesah Giroux, 17, John Marshall Fundamental High School; Sue Park, 16, La Canada High School; Blair Ramirez, 17, La Salle High School; Kaitlin Terpstra- Sweeney, 18, Pasadena City College and Danielle Vine, 17, Pasadena High School. Rose Queen, Mary McCluggage, 17, is a resident of Pasadena and attends Flintridge Preparatory School. She serves as the senior class Vice President, President of the Key Club and is a member of the San Marino Area Chapter of the National Charity League. In addition, she is actively involved in her church, serving as a confirmation teen leader.
Mary is also an athlete, playing on both the varsity volleyball and softball teams. Mary plans to pursue a career in medicine. Her parents are Kerry and Victoria McCluggage, and she has one brother, Matthew Kerr McCluggage, 19.
About Miss America
The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. The 2007 Miss America Pageant will air live on CMT, Country Music Television, on January 29, 2007. Web site: http://www.missamerica.org/.
About Mikimoto (America) Co., Ltd.
Mikimoto (America) Co., Ltd. Is the American subsidiary of K. Mikimoto & Co., Ltd., the world-renowned Japanese company. In 1893, company founder Kokichi Mikimoto was the first person to develop a technique for the cultivation of pearls and the business remains the world leader in high-quality cultured pearls. Today, almost all pearls sold worldwide are cultured pearls, cultivated by the same technique that Kokichi Mikimoto invented. This includes Japanese Akoya pearls, as well as South Sea pearls from Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines and black pearls from Tahiti.
The company is internationally recognized for its product design, superior craftsmanship and strict quality control. Mikimoto's American retail stores are located on Fifth Avenue, New York; The Regent Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills; South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa; and The Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. Mikimoto is also sold at select fine jewelers nationwide. International locations include The Ginza, Tokyo; New Bond Street, London; Place Vendome, Paris; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Seoul, Korea and Kuala Lumpur.
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $500 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance to more than 23 million customers from more than 6,200 stores and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and elsewhere internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. has the highest possible credit rating, "Aaa," from Moody's Investors Service and the highest credit rating given to a U.S. bank, "AA+," from Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.
About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses
The 118th Rose Parade, themed Our Good Nature, will take place on Monday, January 1, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. (PST) featuring majestic floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands from throughout the nation. Following the Rose Parade, at 2:00 p.m. (PST), the 93rd Rose Bowl Game will feature an exciting match-up between two championship teams, showcasing the best of collegiate football. For additional information, please call (626) 449-ROSE, the 24-hour information hotline, or visit www.tournamentofroses.com.
The Da Vinci Code DVD Release Re-Energizes Response Website: http://www.TheTruthAboutDaVinci.com Seizes Outreach Opportunity Created by Renewed Interest in Blockbuster Film
The summer blockbuster The Da Vinci Code is scheduled to release to DVD on Tuesday, Nov. 14th, and consequently will spark renewed interest in the discussion on its claims about the life of Christ and the history of the Church. Because the DVD will contain additional commentary and special features, it is sure to generate another round of questions just as the book and the theatrical release did.
Created by Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS) as a response to Sony Pictures' The Da Vinci Code based on Dan Brown's best-selling novel, http://www.thetruthaboutdavinci.com/ is a repository of historical fact and biblically-sound resources. The site hosts current news articles, audio/video clips addressing the film's claims such as Jesus' marriage, as well as definitions of key historical terms and descriptions of the Priory of Sion and the "lost books of the Bible" represented in the novel and film.
"Here at the seminary, we understand that movies and books are instrumental in shaping our culture and worldview," said Dr. Peter Lillback, President of WTS. "We would be remiss if we didn't seize this opportunity to engage in dialogue about why the Christian perspective is relevant and how this timeless message has a timely urgency."
Initially, in response to widespread interest across all ethnicities and languages, the site quickly implemented a computer-based translation tool. This feature greatly expanded the potential reach and influence of the site, allowing readers to view content in nine different languages. Due to the overwhelming number of Spanish-speaking visitors to the site, though, a complete formal translation has recently been done in Spanish and is online as of this week.
"Curiosity is not strictly a phenomenon for English-speaking people," laughed William Edgar, Professor of Apologetics at Westminster. "The questions raised by The Da Vinci Code - whether in the book, the theater or on a DVD - are shared by people of all faiths and origins. Certainly Christians and Catholics have a more personal interest because the claims are directly counter to the foundations of our faith. We recognize that many of our Catholic friends are Spanish-speaking, and we saw the mounting interest among this community and wanted to ensure that they were able to have access to the information in the very best translation possible."
Westminster faculty has joined with noted authors, theologians and scholars including Timothy Keller, Darrell Bock, Peter Jones and Jim Garlow to provide content for pastors, small group leaders, and anyone just wanting to research the facts and make up their own minds. While other sites have remained static after the release of the film, http://www.thetruthaboutdavinci.com/ has continued to update and add materials, as well as making more resources available via downloads, as opposed to only streaming.
"The theatrical release of the film was one opportunity to make an impact in our communities and in our culture; and I would venture to say that the DVD release provides an equal, if not greater, chance to continue that discussion and broaden its influence," said Edgar.
To learn more about Westminster Theological Seminary's response to The Da Vinci Code film and DVD release, visit http://www.thetruthaboutdavinci.com/ .
Patti LaBelle's First-Ever Gospel Tour, Sponsored by Chrysler, Heads for Chicago October 28
* Chicago is the first city of the tour where consumers can test drive the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen and other Chrysler vehicles * Guest performers in Chicago are Yolanda Adams and Shirley Caesar * "The Gospel According to Patti" tour expands to 14 cities
Patti LaBelle's first-ever gospel music tour, which got off to a rousing start in African American mega churches in Dallas and Houston earlier this month, is heading for the 10,000-seat House of Hope in Chicago on October 28. Guests performers will be gospel-singing greats Yolanda Adams and Shirley Caesar.
The Chrysler brand is the title sponsor of "The Gospel According to Patti," which has been expanded from 12 to 14 cities, primarily in African American churches. The tour is helping to launch the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen and help raise money to educate African Americans about the importance of receiving early medical attention.
Chicago is the first tour site where consumers will have the opportunity to test drive the Chrysler Aspen, as well as the Chrysler 300, PT Cruiser, Crossfire and Pacifica. The ride and drive event takes place Saturday, October 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the House of Hope, 752 E. 114th St. Each adult who test drives a Chrysler vehicle will receive a free ticket to "The Gospel According to Patti." Also for each test drive taken, the Chrysler brand will donate $5 to the University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center, LaBelle's designated charity, to help educate the African American community about the importance of early medical attention and treatment.
Tickets for "The Gospel According to Patti" tour are available for purchase at http://www.pattilabellegospel.com/ , or by calling 1-800-594-8499.
LaBelle's first-ever gospel CD, also titled "The Gospel According to Patti" and produced by Umbrella Records, is scheduled for release Nov. 21.
The two new cities on the tour are Newark, N.J. on Jan. 7, 2007, and Denver on March 31.
The other tour stops are Philadelphia, Nov. 10; Brooklyn, N.Y., Nov. 17; Detroit, Dec. 1; Landover, Md., Dec. 2; Atlanta, Dec. 6; Charlotte, N.C., Dec. 8; St. Louis, Dec. 10; Los Angeles, Dec. 16; and Cleveland, Dec. 23. Consumer ride and drive programs are scheduled for Philadelphia, Nov. 4; Brooklyn, Nov. 11; Landover, Nov. 25; Atlanta, Dec. 2; Los Angeles, Dec. 8; and Cleveland, Dec. 16.
Source: Chrysler Group

John Legend to Make First New York In-Store Appearance at Virgin Megastore - Union Square in Celebration of Release of New Album, 'Once Again,' on Tuesday, October 24
Grammy Winner to Meet Fans, Perform a Mini-Set with Band & Sign Copies of Eagerly-Awaited New Album, 'Once Again'
The multi-platinum Grammy-winning songwriter/performer John Legend will celebrate the release of his new album, Once Again, with fans at his first New York in-store appearance at the Virgin Megastore (Union Square -- 54 East 14th Street, NYC) on Tuesday, October 24 (the album's street date), beginning at 6pm.
During his in-store appearance, Legend will sign copies of Once Again and perform, with his full band, a mini-set of songs from the album.
Early bird fans purchasing Once Again at the Virgin Megastore (Union Square location only) on Tuesday, October 24, will receive a wristband granting admittance to the John Legend in-store event.
Executive produced by John Legend and Kanye West, Once Again premieres 13 new John Legend songs: "Save Room," "Heaven," "Stereo," "Show Me," "Each Day Gets Better," "P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)," "Slow Dance," "Again," "Maxine," "Where Did My Baby Go," "Maxine's Interlude," "Another Again," and "Coming Home."
Lending production support to John, who co-produced seven of the album's track, are some of the hottest talents in contemporary sounds: will.i.am; Kanye West; Devo Springsteen & Tom Craskey; Raphael Saadiq; Eric Hudson & Jack Splash; Craig Street; Sa-Ra Creative Partners (Om'Mas Keith, Taz Arnold & Shafiq Husayn); Dave Tozer; and Ken Lewis.
In 2004, John Legend -- then known primarily as an in-demand all-star studio session man -- stepped into the solo spotlight as a premier singer-songwriter-pianist-performer in his own right with his debut album Get Lifted. Driven in part by the hit singles "Ordinary People" and "Used To Love U," Get Lifted was a critical and commercial triumph, earning John an astounding eight Grammy nominations -- he won Best New Artist, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance ("Ordinary People") and Best R&B album -- and selling more than three million copies worldwide.
http://www.johnlegend.com/
http://www.columbiarecords.com/
Justin Timberlake's Highly Anticipated 2007 FutureSex/LoveShow World Tour Kicks Off January 8th, 2007
Oct. 17 /-- Jive recording artist Justin Timberlake's upcoming 2007 FutureSex/LoveShow, is scheduled to kick off in San Diego, CA on January 8th, 2007. The 34 date North American leg of the worldwide tour will be promoted by AEG Live and will include special guest Pink.
Following up on his sold out and critically well received SexyBack Live Listening Sessions where he introduced the #1 album FutureSex/LoveSounds; Justin Timberlake is gearing up to return to arenas in North America and around the world. Justin Timberlake accompanied by a 14 piece band and back up dancers will perform in the round, bringing the intimate mood of his acclaimed Live Listening Sessions into the arena setting and essentially making every seat a great seat and creating the ultimate 360 degree multi-media viewing experience. A variety of premium seating packages will be offered for the tour and information on these packages as well as all the latest tour details can be found at http://www.justintimberlakefanclub.com/ .
On-sale dates will be announced locally in each market and dates for the complete worldwide tour will be announced shortly.
Confirmed shows and dates are as follows: 1/8 San Diego, CA iPayOne Center 1/9 Anaheim, CA Honda Center 1/12 Sacramento, CA ARCO Arena 1/14 Phoenix, AZ Glendale Arena 1/16 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center 1/17 Fresno, CA Savemart Center 1/27 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center 1/30 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre 1/31 Montreal, QC Bell Centre 2/2 Washington, D.C. Verizon Center 2/3 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena 2/6 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden 2/7 New York City, NY Madison Square Garden 2/18 Buffalo, NY HSBC Arena 2/22 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum 2/24 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena 2/25 Fort Lauderdale, FL BankAtlantic Center 2/27 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena 3/1 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena 3/3 Bossier City, LA CenturyTel Center 3/4 Houston, TX Toyota Center 3/5 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center 3/8 Omaha, NE Qwest Center 3/9 Ames, IA Hilton Coliseum 3/16 Nashville, TN Gaylord Entertainment Center 3/18 Charlottesville, VA John Paul Jones Arena 3/19 Pittsburgh, PA Mellon Arena 3/21 Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum 3/24 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun 3/27 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center 3/29 East Rutherford, NJ Continental Airlines Arena *All dates are subject to change.
The 3 million worldwide selling album, FutureSex/LoveSounds co-written by Justin Timberlake, hit #1 on the Billboard charts and broke all digital album sales records. The smash single "SexyBack" featuring Timbaland was co-produced and co-written by Justin Timberlake and the 2nd single "My Love" featuring T.I. is already top 10 at Rhythm Radio; Additional producers on the album include JAWBreakers, Timbaland and Rick Rubin.
About AEG LIVE
AEG LIVE, the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles-based AEG, is a collection of companies dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance, touring for a variety of programming and multi-media production. AEG LIVE, the nation's second largest concert promotion and touring company, with eight regional offices and Stand-alone affiliate companies. The company's national promotion divisions are currently producing tours and productions including Celine Dion A New Day ... Presented By Chrysler now appearing at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs," an international tour of the artifacts of King Tut. Recent and upcoming promoted concert tours have included artists such as Bon Jovi, Prince, Usher, Kenny Chesney, Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney, Dixie Chicks, American Idols Live and So You Think You Can Dance. Goldenvoice, the company's southern California-based regional promotion division created and operates the award winning annual Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. The company operates Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie (Texas) and the Nokia Theatre Times Square, a 2,100-seat concert venue in Times Square.
A Who's Who of LA's Trendsetting Fashion & Entertainment Communities Come Together for the 2006 LA Fashion Awards Presented by Saturn With Los Angeles Magazine
October 17, 2006 -- From esteemed stylist and costume designer Arianne Phillips ("Walk the Line") and red carpet favorite Monique Lhuillier to rising stars Juan Carlos Obando, Rozae Nichols, and Corinne Grassini's Society for Rational Dress -- the 2006 LA Fashion Awards will honor industry leaders who embody and shape the energy, creativity and vision that are making Los Angeles a globally influential fashion capital. The event will take place on Friday, October 20th at the Orpheum Theatre (842 South Broadway St, Los Angeles, CA 90014) in downtown Los Angeles. Extra's Jon Kelley will host the program, which will include an awards ceremony, three fashion presentations by the Innovator nominees and a VIP after-party sponsored by Los Angeles magazine at J Restaurant & Lounge (1119 S. Olive St., Los Angeles, CA 90015).
The LA Fashion Awards caps off LA Fashion Week and has become one of fashionable Hollywood's most sought after tickets. Celebrities confirmed to attend include Jon Kelley ("Extra"), Michelle Branch, Andrea Bowen, Emily Procter, Navi Rawat, Nick Carter, Kelly Lynch, Illeana Douglas, Lolita Davidovitch, Lisa Edelstein, Audrina Partridge ("The Hills"), Aimee Garcia ("George Lopez"), Keiko Agena ("Gilmore Girls"), Constance Ramos ("Extreme Makeover Home Edition") Furonda ("America's Next Top Model"), and many more. Costume designers Cate Adair ("Desperate Housewives"), Robin West ("The OC") and Darryle Johnson ("Everybody Hates Chris") will join retailers Ron Herman, Lisa Kline, Rose Apodaca, designers Kevan Hall, Ashley Paige, Uriel Saenz, Alicia Lawhon, Glenn Williams (Lucky Brand/Capital Tailors), Tracey Wilkinson (Mon Petite Oiseau) Christopher Enuke (Oligo Tissew), Dov Charney (American Apparel), Nick Verreos (Project Runway) and more in celebrating this year's nominees and honorees.
The Nominees and Honorees of the 2006 LA FASHION AWARDS:
MAFI (Moss Adams Fashion Innovator) Award nominees: Juan Carlos Obando Rozae Nichols Society for Rational Dress Marketing Excellence Award nominees: Collection Bebe Joe's Jeans Kitson l.a. Eyeworks Quiksilver Fashion Retailer Award nominees: American Rag Cie decades & decadestwo Kitson Satine Wells Fargo Century Fashion Achievement Award: Monique Lhuillier Fashion Communications Award Stylist Arianne Phillips Inspiration Award Gen Art NASDAQ California Apparel Stock of the Year Award: Charlotte Russe
Select tickets to the event are available to the public at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers including Robinson's-May, Tower Records, Wherehouse Music, Tu Musica, and Ritmo Latino Stores and online at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone, call 213.480.3232. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit Chrysalis, www.changelives.org. SATURN is the presenting sponsor of the second annual Los Angeles Fashion Awards. Moss Adams LLP, Wells Fargo Century, NASDAQ and FedEx lead the slate of additional sponsors, which includes Design Tonic, WGSN, Market Wire, FTC Commercial Corporation, Traction Press, Clear Image Printing, Cloutier Agency, Much and House PR, Evolutionary Media Group, Santee Village Lofts, LA Fashion District BID, Directives West, Biotherm and Paul Mitchell. The Standard, Downtown LA and Hotel QT are the Official Hotel Partners. The Scottish Fashion Awards are special friends of the event, with a creative cultural exchange program established earlier this year. Glass artist Caleb Siemon is the Award designer, and Tattooed Steel has provided custom jewelry to commemorate the event.
Several fashion and business not-for-profit membership organizations, including the California Fashion Association (CFA), Fashion Business Incorporated (FBI), Fashion Group International of Los Angeles (FGI-LA), LA Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce (LAACC) and the World Trade Center Association (WTCA) endorse the event. Los Angeles magazine is the presenting media partner. Surface magazine, California Apparel News, LA.com and LA Weekly are among the media sponsors. Reception providers include Sauza Tequila, Cruzan Rum, Plymouth Gin, Courvoisier Cognac and Starbucks Liqueur. A California Wine Bar will feature Wente Vineyards, Tamas Estates and Murrieta's Well labels with custom wine glasses supplied by Bormioli Rocco Glass Co. Delicious appetizers provided by Pane e Vino, Duxbury's, Tiara Café, Chocolate Box, Sweet Cake and other top LA restaurants. HINT Essence Water will provide refreshment. DJ Crash will design the music, and video artist Jessica Snow has created a custom film, "Window Shopping" for the event.
SATURN
Within the next year Saturn will double the number of entries in its portfolio with the SKY roadster, VUE Green Line hybrid, all-new AURA sports sedan, the turbocharged SKY Red Line, the eight-passenger OUTLOOK crossover utility vehicle as well as the AURA Green Line hybrid. More information can be found at www.saturn.com.
LOS ANGELES magazine
Los Angeles magazine is the leading authority and indispensable guide for the affluent and influential population of Southern California, illuminating and chronicling one of the most important regions in the world. The combination of award winning feature writing, investigative reporting, service journalism and design covers the people, lifestyle, culture, entertainment, fashion, art/architecture and news that defines Southern California. Since 1961 the magazine (now a division of Emmis Communications) has continually served as the definitive resource for a population that is intensely interested in a lifestyle that is uniquely Southern Californian. www.lamag.com
MOSS ADAMS, LLP
The tenth largest accounting and consulting firm in the U.S., Moss Adams offers specialized accounting, tax, financial and business advisory services to clients in industry groups such as apparel, manufacturing and distribution, technology, hospitality, professional services and financial institutions. www.mossadams.com
WELLS FARGO CENTURY
Wells Fargo Century is one of the largest factors in the country, providing a creative, entrepreneurial approach to factoring and trade finance, with the financial strength and stability of one of the nation's most respected financial institutions. The company has financed growing apparel companies for more than 50 years. http://www.wfcentury.com
NASDAQ
NASDAQ is the largest U.S. electronic stock market. With approximately 3,200 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, trades more shares per day than any other U.S. market. For more information about NASDAQ, visit the NASDAQ website at www.NASDAQ.com or the NASDAQ Newsroom at www.NASDAQnews.com.
DESIGN TONIC
Design Tonic is a boutique design and marketing agency specializing in branding, marketing, public relations, events, and environments for fashion and style-oriented companies. For more information, visit www.designtonic.com or call 213.687.3100.
WGSN
WGSN (Worth Global Style Network) is the world leader in online fashion trend analysis. Owned by Emap plc one of the UK's leading media companies, WGSN is based in London with offices across the globe including: New York, Los Angeles, Brazil, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Continuously tracking the market's mood is WGSN's strength, whether analysing catwalks, covering the major trade shows, following real-time information or forecasting major apparel trends. www.wgsn.com
MARKET WIRE
Market Wire is the industry leader in using the latest technologies to distribute real-time news, reaching all leading newspapers, broadcast outlets, financial newswires, disclosure points, analyst terminal systems, websites and online databases. www.marketwire.com
THE STANDARD & HOTEL QT
The Standard, Downtown LA and Hotel QT are the Official Hotel Partners of the LA Fashion Awards. The Standard, Downtown LA, sister hotel to André Balazs' The Standard Hollywood and the recently opened Standard Miami, sets the standard for young business and fashion-savvy travelers with a famed rooftop bar and pool with breathtaking views of Los Angeles. Hotel QT, Balazs' "newest affordable New York crash pad" in the heart of Times Square, boasts innovative design features such as a lobby swimming pool, bunk beds, and European-style Kiosk. www.standardhotel.com and www.hotelqt.com.
For more information, please visit www.LAFashionAwards.com

SHE WAS COUNTRY WHEN COUNTRY WASN'T COOL: A TRIBUTE TO BARBARA MANDRELL- IN STORES TODAY!
Nashville, Tenn.--October 17, 2006-- The much anticipated tribute album for Barbara Mandrell
hits stores today, October 17, on BNA Records. The album features some of Mandrell's greatest hits, covered by country's biggest stars.

Performing the album’s title track, and Mandrell’s signature hit, are country superstars Kenny Chesney and Reba McEntire. As a friend and influential force in her own career, it was McEntire who welcomed Mandrell to the stage at last year’s ACM 40th Anniversary Celebration. Mandrell was recognized as having accomplished the rare feat of winning the career progression of awards that, in her case, found her named Top New Female, Top Female and ultimately Entertainer Of The Year. Known as the Triple Crown Award, Chesney, following suit in the male categories, is also one of the six artists who have achieved that honor.

Some of the other tracks include Country Music Hall of Fame member and Alabama front man Randy Owen performing her 1980 Number One hit, “Years.” ACM Top Female Vocalist Sara Evans performs the 1980 Top Five hit, “Crackers,” while multi-platinum, hit maker Brad Paisley sings the 1983 Top Five single, “In Times Like These.” Grand Ole Opry Member Lorrie Morgan recreates the Bicentennial year hit, “That’s What Friends Are For.”

Grammy winners Willie Nelson and Shelby Lynne share vocals on the 1974 classic, “This Time I Almost Made It,” Dierks Bentley performs the 1986 Top Five song, “Fast Lanes and Country Roads,” and Terri Clark sings the 1978 multi-week Number One single, “Sleeping Single In A Double Bed.” Other artists on the album include LeAnn Rimes, Blaine Larsen, CeCe Winans, and Gretchen Wilson.

Kenny Chesney, Barbara Mandrell, and Reba McEntire catch up in the studio.
Photo by: Glen Rose

When asked about the album Mandrell said, “The moment Clint Higham and Joe Galante told me about this album, with artists that I respect, admire, and adore so much recording my songs, I was instantly filled with overwhelming emotion, gratitude and excitement. The loving kindness of these friends gave me such an emotional high, and I’m still there. I don’t know if I’ll ever come down.” Renee Bell, SONY BMG Nashville A&R Senior Vice President said, “This is an exciting and diverse line-up of stars that have gathered to add their own distinctive sound and style to these memorable hits from Barbara’s incredible career.”

LeAnn Rimes recording "If Loving You is Wrong, I Don't Wanna Be Right."
Photo by: Glen Rose

In conjunction with the making of the tribute album, a TV special was filmed to capture this all-star group coming together to pay tribute to a legend. GAC has begun airing, "She Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool: A Tribute to Barbara Mandrell" (Oct.17 @ 3 p.m. CST), in which the artists tell their personal stories of how Mandrell influenced their careers, and why they decided to participate in this project. In addition to this, GAC will be airing numerous shows featuring Barbara Mandrell including her hosting of the Grand Ole Opry Live on Saturday, October 28.

Barbara's love of animals takes over, as she chats with Dierks Bentley and cuddles with his dog Jake.
Photo by: Glen Rose

Among her many accolades, Mandrell was the first artist to be named CMA Entertainer Of The Year for two consecutive years and has won multiple awards from the CMA, ACM, American Music Awards, Grammys, People’s Choice Awards and a Dove Award. Her variety show, "Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters," on NBC drew millions of viewers weekly, and she has starred in numerous television shows, including her farewell performance at Nashville’s Opry House, a sell-out concert titled “Barbara Mandrell and The Do-Rites: The Last Dance.”
Barbara Mandrell and Sara Evans cozy up in the studio.
Photo by: Glen Rose

Country Music Star Sara Evans' Allegations Regarding Reputed Husband Affair With Employee Categorically Rejected by Alison Clinton; Public Retraction Demanded
Clinton Offers Lie Detector Test, Affidavit to Disprove Allegations
Oct. 16 In response to what Ronnie Berke describes as irresponsible and inexplicable allegations by country music star Sara Evans, Alison Clinton has categorically rejected the sad, unlawful and despicable attempt by Evans to assign part of the blame for her broken marriage on an alleged affair with Evans' husband Craig Schelske.
Prior to Evans' false accusations she had been a contestant on ABC's hit show Dancing With The Stars. And prior to the accusations Clinton had long-considered Evans a dear friend, as well as an employer. Evans even served as Clinton's matron of honor at her July 1st wedding.
Clinton has hired Ronnie Berke, Past President of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, to prosecute her interests.
Clinton served as a nanny for Evans and Schelske several years ago and stopped in 2004, due to an eating disorder. Because of their friendship and Clinton's commitment to preventing others from suffering from anoxeria Evans signed on as an ambassador for the National Eating Disorders Association. After treatment for her illness, Evans rehired Clinton as her personal assistant and co-president of Evans' fan club. Evans even encouraged Clinton to enter the country music world as a singer.
According to Clinton, after hearing her demo, Evans pledged that Clinton would be a back-up singer and dancer when the country music star returned to the road in December. Furthermore, Evans had spoken to Clinton about being her and her brother's first artist with their new country music production company.
Clinton married her long-time boyfriend three months ago, at which Evans was the matron of honor and her children were the flower girls and ring bearer. Mr. Schelske was a groomsman.
Besides committing herself to educating others about the dangers of eating disorders Clinton has also spent substantial time as a volunteer for Special Olympics.
Clinton has said she will sign an affidavit disavowing the allegation, as well as take a lie detector test. Earlier today her attorney sent a tersely written letter to Evans' lawyer, demanding a public retraction.
"I am crushed. I though Sarah was my friend. I have never been anything but loyal to her and her family. I cannot understand this but now I am forced clear my name in order to preserve the best possible future for me and my family," Clinton said.
Source: Berke, Berke & Berke on behalf of Alison Clinton

The International Superstar Honored October 16th With a Star on the Famed Hollywood Blvd. First 2,500 Fans to Arrive at the Star-Studded Event Received a Specially Packaged Commemorative Edition "Over The Hedge" DVD
Oct. 16, 2006 Celebrating the illustrious career achievements of one of Hollywood's biggest talents, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will honor actor Bruce Willis Monday, October 16th, with a star on the legendary "Hollywood Walk Of Fame." The dedication ceremony will feature a line-up of Willis' family, friends and fans including guest speakers
Jeffrey Katzenberg, DreamWorks Animation Chief Executive Officer and Oscar(R)-winner Billy Bob Thornton(a). Co-stars from Willis' vast array of film and television roles will also join in the fun, with a special appearance by his Over The Hedge alter-ego, R.J. the Raccoon. As part of the festivities, DreamWorks Animation will be presenting a special edition Over The Hedge DVD to the first 2,500 kids(b) in attendance. Available exclusively at Monday's Walk of Fame ceremony, the DVDs will be specially packaged to commemorate the event.
The celebration continues Tuesday, October 17th, when the critically acclaimed box-office hit Over The Hedge debuts on DVD at retail outlets nationwide.

pictures (C) Associated media
ABOUT DREAMWORKS ANIMATION SKG
DreamWorks Animation SKG (NYSE:DWA) is principally devoted to developing and producing computer-generated, or CG-animated, feature films. With world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced CG filmmaking technology and techniques, DreamWorks Animation makes high-quality CG-animated films meant for a broad movie-going audience. DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment is responsible for the worldwide sales, marketing and distribution of DWA's titles on DVD.
ABOUT PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B), a global entertainment company that produces and distributes filmed entertainment through the Paramount Motion Picture Group. PHE is responsible for the worldwide sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS, PBS and Hasbro and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment. -0-
Over The Hedge DVD Price: $19.95 (M.A.P.) Street Date: October 17, 2006 Running Time: 83 minutes, 13 seconds MPAA Rating: PG for some rude humor and mild comic action Audio: English 5.1, English 2.0, French 5.1, French 2.0, Spanish 2.0 Subtitles: English, French and Spanish Closed Captioned
(a) Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, Sling Blade (1996)
(b) One DVD per family

'Bat Out of Hell On Broadway' One-Night-Only New York Show Sold Out!
NEW YORK, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT: The colossal rock music franchise, BAT OUT OF HELL is coming to the Palace Theater on Broadway on November 2. The show that's a smash hit around the world with tickets selling out to Royal Albert Hall in London and the Elgin Theater in Toronto is now SOLD OUT in NYC. The show itself features music from Bat Out of Hell I & II and, for the first time in New York, live performances from the brand new album Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster is Loose, which will be released on Halloween (October 31) by Virgin/EMI Music. The trilogy is completed with his three-act show: Act 1 featuring songs from the original 1977 album Bat Out of Hell (including "Paradise by the Dashboard Light," "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad"), Act 2 with songs from the Grammy-winning Bat Out of Hell 2 - Back into Hell (including "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)") and Act III featuring brand-new songs from the forthcoming Bat Out of Hell III - The Monster is Loose, premiering live for the first time ever in Canada. SPECIAL ONE-NIGHT-ONLY SHOW DATES: Mon 10/16/06 London, UK Royal Albert Hall SOLD OUT Thu 11/02/06 NYC NY, USA The Palace SOLD OUT Sat 11/04/06 Toronto ONT, Canada Elgin Theatre SOLD OUT Fri 11/10/06 Atlantic City NJ, USA Estes Theatre ON SALE NOW Sun 11/12/06 Uncasville CT, USA Mohegan Sun ON SALE NOW For more information go to http://www.meatloaf.net/. WHEN: Thursday, November 2 8:00 pm WHERE: Palace Theatre 1564 Broadway New York, NY 10036 (212) 730-8200
Source: Virgin Records
Streisand Continues to Break House Records
Sets New House Records in Washington and Montreal, Holds Top Three Spots at MSG
Oct. 16 Barbra Streisand has broken records at all 5 venues she has played to date on her 2006 Streisand Tour. Her latest top grossing records were set at the Verizon Center in Washington and Bell Centre in Montreal, coming on the heels of those she recently set in Philadelphia and Columbus. Additionally, her October 9th appearance at Madison Square Garden was the third highest grossing ever, exceeded only by her own September 2000 shows. She now holds the record for all three of the highest grossing shows in the venue's long history. Streisand, who has received rave reviews, will play Toronto October 17th and 20th, the tour will then continue with dates in Boston, Minneapolis, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta, Atlantic City, Chicago, San Jose, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.
Barbra Streisand is the music industry's #1 best-selling female artist with 50 Gold, 30 Platinum and 13 Multi-Platinum albums to her credit. She is second in the all-time charts, ahead of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, exceeded only by Elvis. She continues to be the highest-selling female recording artist ever. Streisand remains the only artist to receive Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe, Cable Ace, and Peabody Awards, and the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award.
Il Divo has become the most successful International musical break-out story of the past few years, selling more than 12 million albums. Conquering the hearts of fans and the charts of nations all around the world, their first two albums, Il Divo and Ancora, achieved 26 #1 chart positions internationally, including at #1 debut in the United States.
For Official Fan Club, Tour and Ticket Information visit: www.BarbraStreisand.com
For special VIP Packages, visit: www.cpitour.com

January 14, 2007 at 7:30 PM
Deborah Voigt in Recital
Accompanied by Brian Zeger, piano
What: Soprano Deborah Voigt makes her first LA Opera appearance since her 2000 Company debut in the title role in Aida. Hailed by critics and audiences as today’s foremost dramatic soprano, Deborah Voigt is a radiant star worshiped by fans throughout the world. A recent New York Times article stated: “Deborah Voigt, arguably the leading dramatic soprano singing today, has a gleaming voice that easily soars over the largest Wagnerian orchestra.” Don’t miss her triumphant return to the LA Opera stage.
Who:  Deborah Voigt in Recital accompanied by pianist Brian Zeger
When:  One-Night-Only performance – Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 7:30 PM
Where: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center, 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles,
      CA 90012

Bonnie Raitt to Open for the Rolling Stones in Los Angeles and Las Vegas
VH1 Classic Decades Rock Live! Presents Bonnie Raitt and Friends Featuring Norah Jones, Ben Harper, Alison Krauss and Keb'Mo' Certified Video Gold
Raitt Guests on NPR's 'Prairie Home Companion' on October 28th and Continues Third Leg of 'Souls Alike' Tour
Oct. 16 -- Capitol recording artist Bonnie Raitt has won nine Grammy awards, sold over 17 million albums and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Now she's about to hit another career high: she's opening for the Rolling Stones. Raitt will open for the Rolling Stones at two stops on their ongoing world tour -- November 11th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and November 18th at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
"I'm truly honored that the Stones have chosen us to open these shows," says Raitt. "This is a first for me and a real milestone in my long career, to share the stage with one of the greatest and most influential rock bands of all time."
Raitt is in the midst of her own world tour, which she launched after the release of Souls Alike, which debuted at #19 on the Billboard 200 in September 2005. Souls Alike was followed by the August 2006 release of VH1 Classic Decades Rock Live! Presents Bonnie Raitt and Friends Featuring Norah Jones, Ben Harper, Alison Krauss and Keb'Mo' -- the first-ever DVD/CD release from the innovative concert series. Bonnie Raitt and Friends was recently certified Video Gold by the RIAA.
Raitt, who will guest on "A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor" on October 28th (visit http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/stations/list.php for a list of stations), has elicited acclaim for both her new material and her live shows.
"It's got soul, grooves, heat and sass. All the Raitt stuff," said USA Today of Souls Alike. Reviewing a recent live show, The Washington Post said "She's grown into a powerhouse performer, yes, but the spark of rediscovery is always there ... May she never lose the power to surprise" while The Hollywood Reporter observed "the sultry singer and slide-guitar ace can still turn up the heat. And when she does, the uninhibited joy of early rock 'n' roll comes rushing back."
See www.bonnieraitt.com for "Souls Alike" tour dates; premium seats and meet-and-greet passes for most shows will be auctioned off for charity at Charityfolks.com
Source: Capitol Records

Posted by lady at 06:40 PM | Permalink

International West Coast Seafood Show

Video of

Joyce Chow learning to catch a thrown fish at The International West Coast Seafood Show

October 15 2006

The International West Coast Seafood Show combined with All Asia Food and Expo Comida Latina for an exploration of tastes to expand market offerings and restaurant menus October 15^th and 16^th in Los Angeles .

Many of the companies were looking to expand or obtain distribution. Notable companies discovered include:

- Caivo with seasoned prepared meat and delicacies from all natural fed cattle. Each of the meats tried were absolutely delicious. www.caivo.com.mx

- Green Tea from Dong Suh, available as a green tea powder with sprout brown rice, or the canned green. It has a refined delicate taste without bitterness. www.teaaroma.com.

Helados Mexico ice cream and fruit bars are made with real fruit and high quality ingredients with the traditional and authentic taste of Mexico . The flavors are unusual, and the best tasting fruits bars I’ve ever had. www.tropicalefoods.com

- Saké One, America’s most honored saké, focuses on Moonstone flavored sakes with mellow tastes of Asian Pear, plum, peach and black raspberry. Sakétinis, a surprising cocktail, can be found at on their website at www.sakeone.com.

- Southern Pudú Imports features an array of foods from Argentina for discerning epicureans who prefer the finest foods of the world, including imports of olive oils of various olive blends, all natural vinegars, unique tea blends, organic marmalades and jams. Each of the products tried had a refined taste, with the teas being our favorite with an Earl Grey scented with rose petals and the Green Tea, chamomile and orange peel combination to harmonize the body, mind and spirit. www.southernpudu.com

- Tamalli , Mexico ’s leading tamale maker expands to the United States with traditional, regional and gourmet product lines. “The Art of the Tamale”, their slogan comes to life with 5 distinctly different masas and carefully selected ingredients, you’ll discover tamales that make you forget about the gourmet specialties at your farmer’s market. www.tamalli.com.mx.

- Thai traditional favorites with restaurant quality ready-to-eat entrees from CP Foods West. Surprisingly good since Thai is one of many favorites. www.cpfoodswest.com.

- Tristick, a disposable and easy-to-use combined plastic utensil that includes two chopsticks, a fork, spoon, and knife created by Xixo Design. It is ideal for restaurants, airlines, camping or any application where disposable silverware may be needed. www.xixodesign.com

- Xroads Philippine Sea Salts brings hand-harvested natural sea salts from the Philippines . The large salt crystals are subtle and quite delightful with complex flavors. www.philippineseasalts.com.

World renowned Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle , which has become a tourist destination for Fishmonger throwing was the model for Beyond Customer Service – An Opportunity to Make a Difference. John Yokoyama, the owner of Pike Place Fish and Jim Bergquist, of bizFutures, gave the opening day keynote to an eager audience.

Yokoyama and his Fishmongers taught the audience how to catch fish, and even brought them up on stage to participate. Slimy still, I must admit. The trick is to catch the fish away from your body with open hands and one arm in front of the other.

Discover new tastes and expand your horizons. The world is waiting.

Posted by lady at 02:53 PM | Permalink

United Nations News

Western Sahara: UN refugee agency resumes family reunion flights

New York, Nov 3 2006
After a five-month suspension, the United Nations refugee agency today
resumed family visit flights between Sahrawi refugees living in the
camps in Tindouf, Algeria, and their relatives in various towns in the
Western Sahara Territory, some of whom have not seen each other for 30 years.

If funding is available, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
plans to continue the visits until the end of next year, benefiting
more than 2,600 people, agency spokesman Ron Redmond told a news briefing in
Geneva.

UNHCR first started organizing the family visits in March 2004 as part
of a series of confidence building measures in the conflict between Morocco,
which claims the former Spanish colony, and the Frente POLISARIO
independence movement. Other measures include telephone services
between refugee camps and the territory, which have benefited over 56,000
refugees since 2004.

The possibility of visiting family and friends for the first time in 30
years has been extremely popular, with nearly 2,500 people taking
advantage of the opportunity, and in April the UN Security Council reiterated its
call for contributions to family reunions.

Today, 15 relatives of Sahrawi refugees took off in a UN Mission for
the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) flight from Laayoune in the
Western Sahara for Tindouf in south-western Algeria. A stop was made in Dakhla
City in the Territory, where an additional 15 passengers were picked up.

After refuelling, the plane was returning to Laayoune with a group of
33 Sahrawi refugees from Smara camp. Both groups will spend five days with
family members.

UN-SPONSORED INTERNATIONAL COMPACT FOR IRAQI DEVELOPMENT WINDS UP
PREPARATORY STAGE
New York, Nov 1 2006 10:00AM
The United Nations-backed International Compact with Iraq (ICI) held
its final preparatory meeting in Kuwait today as it seeks to consolidate
peace in the violence-torn country and pursue political, economic and
social development over the next five years.

The meeting was attended by representatives of 20 States, regional and
multilateral institutions, the formal members of the preparatory group
for the ICI, which has been developed by the Iraqi Government with UN
and World Bank support, to tackle the challenges of security, good
governance and the provision of basic services.

“Iraq’s international partners have pledged to provide financial,
technical and political support to help meet these challenges on the basis
of mutual commitments to the necessary steps required to realize their
shared vision for the normalization of Iraq,” the UN Assistance Mission
in Iraq (UNAMI) said in a statement.

“The United Nations also reaffirmed its commitment to the success of
the Compact and its continued intention to support the promotion and
implementation of the ICI, through its mission and agencies in Iraq and the
good offices of the Secretary-General and his representatives.”

The formal adoption of ICI’s specific agenda is scheduled at a
high-level meeting during the next six weeks.

At the time the Compact was launched in July, Secretary-General Kofi
Annan called it “an opportunity for the international community to build
a strong partnership with Iraq and the wider region” with a “framework
for a defined, prioritized and benchmarked economic programme for the
next five years.”
2006-10-31 00:00:00.000

UN LAUNCHES NEW HUMANITARIAN AIR SERVICE IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
New York, Nov 1 2006 2:00PM
The United Nations today launched a new humanitarian air service in the
Central African Republic (CAR) to help humanitarian agencies reach up
to 1 million people affected by violence in the north of the country.

“In a country where operations are complicated by enormous distances
and insecurity along many roads, having air capacity will boost United
Nations and NGO (non-governmental organization) efforts to deliver
humanitarian assistance at a time when the emergency in the north is reaching
alarming levels,” UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Toby Lanzer said.

In his most recent report on CAR last month, Secretary-General Kofi
Annan said both internal and outside factors were undermining security, in
particular on the borders with Chad and the Sudan, directly threatening
the impoverished country’s stability.

UN officials say almost a quarter of a million people in the north have
been forced to flee their homes in recent months because of “severe
levels of violence” perpetrated by armed groups, including Government
soldiers.

Today’s inaugural flight left the capital city, Bangui, for one of the
worst affected areas, Kaga Bandoro, where fighting has displaced
thousands of people just in the past three weeks.

Onboard were members of a joint UN, International Committee of Red
Cross (ICRC) and NGO team, which will assess the situation and plan an
immediate response. “It is particularly good to see NGOs, the ICRC, and UN
agencies on the mission together,” Mr. Lanzer said.

The air service, managed by the UN World Food Programme
(<"http://www.wfp.org/english/">WFP), consists of a 10-seater Caravan
propeller aircraft and offers daily flights to destinations across the
country, depending on needs. There will also be a weekly flight to Yaoundé,
in neighbouring Cameroon, where many CAR donors are represented,
affording better access for the country, which currently sees only one flight
to Europe per week.

The UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) operates similar schemes in 15
other countries, including Afghanistan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the
Sudan. Its arrival in CAR has been possible thanks to a $150,000 grant
from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the
multi-million-dollar UN mechanism set up this year to provide funding for humanitarian
activities in response to sudden-onset and under-funded emergencies.

Some $5.5 million from the CERF has been allocated to critically
under-funded programmes in CAR in 2006.
2006-11-01 00:00:00.000

ANNAN WARNS OF NO IMPROVEMENT IN UZBEK HUMAN RIGHTS SINCE LAST YEAR,
URGES ACTION
New York, Nov 1 2006 3:00PM
Painting a very grim picture of the human rights situation in
Uzbekistan, including torture, harassment and a lack of access and independent
investigation into the killings in Andijan in 2005, United Nations
Secretary-General Kofi Annan today warned there has been no progress over
the past year and urged the Government to improve things.

While welcoming the Uzbek decision to abolish the death penalty as of
2008, Mr. Annan encourages the authorities to immediately introduce a
moratorium on the passing of death sentences, stresses the importance of
implementing recommendations by UN treaty bodies and urges them to
cooperate with UN experts and officials, particularly in allowing access.

“The lack of response from the Government of Uzbekistan to the call for
the establishment of an international commission of inquiry to examine
the facts and circumstances of the Andijan events coupled with the
persistence of allegations of serious human rights violations, demonstrate
that there has been no improvement since… [December 2005],” he states
in his latest
<"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=a/61/526">report on human rights in the country.

“Of particular concern is the deteriorating situation of human rights
defenders and the increased restrictions on the activities of civil
society, including non-governmental organizations,” says Mr. Annan, who
also quotes an independent Special Rapporteur speaking of “ample evidence”
of torture by police and other security forces.

“The Secretary-General urges the Government of Uzbekistan to spare no
effort to protect and safeguard the rights of eyewitnesses to the
Andijan events and their families, as well as journalists, human rights
defenders and other members of civil society,” it adds, referring to the
clashes between Uzbek troops and protesters that reportedly left hundreds
dead.

Quoting from a wide range of sources, including UN, European Union and
others, the report includes the concerns raised by UN High Commissioner
for Human Rights Louise Arbour when she told the Human Rights Council
that the closed-door policies and denial of access were sources of grave
concern, and regretted that her Office had also been prevented from
assessing the trials into the Andijan events.

“Since mid-May 2005, OHCHR and the special procedures of the Commission
on Human Rights have received a significant amount of credible
information on harassment and detention of eyewitnesses of the events in
Andijan, as well as journalists, media officers and human rights defenders
who reported on these events,” the report states.

It also highlights concerns over asylum seekers and refugees who fled
Andijan and have been detained or returned to Uzbekistan, including
fears for the safety of five men who were returned by Kyrgyz authorities in
August.

The Uzbek Government claimed fewer than 200 people were killed in the
unrest. However, more than 450 of the Uzbek refugees subsequently
provided testimony to Ms. Arbour’s office regarding the events of 13 May 2005
and a report in July concluded that based on consistent, credible
testimony, military and security forces committed grave human rights
violations that day.

Noting that Uzbek authorities called for the closure of the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Uzbekistan earlier this year,
it further states this has “weakened protection of human rights of
refugees in the country.

Calling on the Government to work closely with the enhanced Human
Rights Council, Mr. Annan further calls for Special Rapporteurs and
Representatives to be allowed to visit the country and follow-up on their work,
highlighting in particular remarks made in April by the Special
Rapporteur on the question of torture.

“There is ample evidence that both police and other security forces
have been and are continuing to systematically practise torture, in
particular against dissidents or people who are opponents of the regime,” the
report quotes the Rapporteur as saying.
2006-11-01 00:00:00.000

Panama emerges as compromise candidate to fill last vacant Security
Council seat

New York, Nov 2 2006
Panama today emerged as the compromise candidate to fill the last
remaining seat on the 15-member United Nations Security Council, breaking more
than two weeks and 47 rounds of voting deadlock in the General Assembly that
pitted Guatemala against Venezuela to represent the Latin American and
Caribbean region.

The foreign ministers of the two rival countries decided to withdraw
their candidatures at a meeting in New York and proposed Panama to the Group
of Latin American and Caribbean States, General Assembly spokesperson Gail
Bindley-Taylor Sainte told a news briefing.

Both Ministers stressed that Panama was chosen as it was a country
with which both nations had close ties, she added.

The 192-member Assembly is expected to proceed with a formal vote on
the consensus candidate on Tuesday.

Throughout the earlier voting Guatemala maintained its lead over
Venezuela, except in one tie vote, but was never able to reach the necessary
two-thirds majority to serve as the regions member for a two-year
term starting on 1 January, replacing Argentina.

In the final round on Tuesday, when 122 votes would have been enough to
secure victory, Guatemala obtained 101 votes, Venezuela received 78,
and Barbados, Ecuador and Uruguay received one vote each. There were seven
abstentions.

At the start of this yearâ€™s balloting on 16 October Assembly members,
following an agreed geographic allocation, elected Belgium, Indonesia,
Italy and South Africa to serve as new non-permanent members, replacing
Denmark, Greece, Japan and Tanzania when their terms end on 31
December.

The Councilâ€™s five other non-permanent members, whose terms end on 31
December 2007, are Congo, Ghana, Peru, Qatar and Slovakia. The five
permanent members, the only ones with veto power when voting, are
China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

UN Compensation Commission for Kuwait seeks to recover overpayments
New York, Nov 3 2006 The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) that settles damage
awards stemming from Iraqs 1990 invasion and occupation of Kuwait
today announced steps to recover inaccurate awards involving overpayments,
approving a significant number of claims for correction.

The Council decided that all affected Governments and submitting
entities be required to undertake best efforts to recover the overpaid amounts
and return them to the Commission,UNCC Governing Council said in a
statement at the end of its 61st session in Geneva.

In addition, to the extent that the overpayments are not returned,
the Commission will be taking additional measures to recover the
overpayments from future payments to be made by the Commission to affected
Governments with outstanding awards,â€ it added, without giving details of the
amounts involved.

The overall amount of compensation made available to date by UNCC is
about $21.4 billion. There are now 47 approved claims, with a total
outstanding balance of some $31 billion.

The Council will hold its next regular session from 20 to 22 February
2007.

Money for the awards comes from the UN Compensation Fund, which
received up to 30 per cent of the revenue generated by Iraqi oil exports under the
now defunct UN Oil-for-Food programme that allowed the sanctions-bound
regime of Saddam Hussein to sell oil for humanitarian supplies.

SRI LANKA: UN AGENCIES GEAR UP TO HELP TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FLOOD
VICTIMS
New York, Nov 1 2006 4:00PM
With an estimated 333,000 Sri Lankans affected by floods, landslides
and displacement, United Nations agencies are gearing up to help the
Government in its relief efforts.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) stands ready to immediately provide
6,000 sets of kitchen utensils, 3,000 sleeping mats, 200 water tanks,
10,000 bed sheets, 10,000 towels and 10,000 bars of soap, the UN Office for
the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(<"http://ochaonline.un.org/webpage.asp?Page=873&Lang=en">OCHA) said
today.

If needed, <"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF will procure septic tank
cleaning equipment such as gully suckers and water pumps.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees
(<"http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/news">UNHCR) can immediately
provide 3,400 sets of kitchen utensils, 3,400 plastic mats, 3,400 bed
sheets, 3,400 towels and 6,800 bars of soap, OCHA reported.

Together with the UN, the Government is organizing assessments for the
next stage, which will concentrate on flood mitigation. Meanwhile, the
UN Development Programme (<"http://content.undp.org/go/newsroom/">UNDP)
is committed to secure $100,000 for mitigation of floods.

UN agencies will be part of multi-sectoral teams that will be sent to
the field next week.
2006-11-01 00:00:00.000

ANNAN CONDEMNS RECENT ATTACKS IN DARFUR KILLING CIVILIANS, CALLS ON
GOVERNMENT TO ACT

New York, Nov 2 2006 8:00PM
Condemning the recent militia attacks in Sudan’s strife-torn West
Darfur region that killed scores of civilians, reportedly including young
children, and forced thousands more to flee, United Nations
Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called on all sides to respect humanitarian law
and appealed to the Government to prevent such violence.

“The Secretary-General condemns the large-scale militia attacks in the
Jebel Moon area… on 29 and 30 October. The attacks on eight civilian
settlements, including a camp harbouring some 3,500 internally displaced
persons, caused scores of civilian deaths and forced thousands to flee
the area,” Mr. Annan said in a
<"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sgsm10712.doc.htm">statement
attributable to his spokesman.

“The Secretary-General is particularly distressed on hearing reports
that 27 of those killed were children under the age of 12.”

“The Secretary-General calls again in the strongest possible terms on
the parties to respect their agreements and the provisions of
international humanitarian law. He appeals once more to the Government of Sudan
to take all necessary measures to prevent further attacks against
civilians, particularly by militia forces.”

At least 200,000 people are estimated to have died in Darfur as a
result of the conflict between Government forces, allied militias and rebels
seeking greater autonomy, and more than 2 million others have been
displaced. However the Government has rejected the expansion of the UN
Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) to the troubled region and at present the UN
assists an African Union mission there.
2006-11-02 00:00:00.000

Lebanon: UN force nears strength deemed sufficient by its commander

New York, Nov 3 2006 The enhanced United Nations peacekeeping force sent to Lebanon this
summer to monitor the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hizbollah
has now nearly reached the strength its commander considers sufficient.

Some 9,450 troops from 20 different countries have now been deployed,
the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a news release today.

Although Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended 34 days of
fighting in August, mandates strengthening UNIFIL to a maximum of 15,000 troops,
Force Commander Maj.-Gen. Alain Pellegrini said last month that he
thought 10,000 might be sufficient.

UNIFIL now has 7,730 troops deployed on the ground between the Litani
River and the Blue Line that separates the two countries, and a Maritime Task
Force with 1,700 naval personnel patrolling the coastline to prevent
arms smuggling.

Israel has withdrawn from all positions it occupied during the
fighting, except for one, the section of Ghajar village that is on the Lebanese
side of the Blue Line. UNIFIL commanders have been in regular talks with
senior Lebanese and Israeli officers on the issue.

A complete Israeli withdrawal, together with Lebanese army deployment
in southern Lebanon, is a key clause in Resolution 1701.

DR CONGO: ANNAN CALLS ON PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TO AVOID VIOLENCE AS
VOTES ARE COUNTED

New York, Oct 30 2006 3:00PM
With provisional results in yesterday’s presidential poll in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) not expected for another 10 days,
Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called on the two candidates and their
supporters to avoid acts of violence at all cost after the largest and
most complex elections the United Nations has ever helped organize.

“The Secretary-General is pleased that voters were able to cast their
ballots in a generally free and calm environment, although he is
concerned at the violent incidents that took place in Equateur province and
near Bunia in Ituri district,” he said in a
<"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=2276">statement issued by his
spokesman, as UN peacekeepers and European Union (EU) forces reinforced
security in various regions of the vast strife-torn country.

Mr. Annan called yesterday’s signing by representatives of the two
candidates, President Joseph Kabila and Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba,
of a declaration of intent regarding their conduct after the elections
“an important step in ensuring that the electoral process is
successfully concluded in calm and secure conditions.”

“The Secretary-General calls on the presidential candidates and their
supporters to exercise patience and restraint, and to take all possible
steps to prevent any acts of violence while waiting for the results to
be announced by the Independent Electoral Commission,” the statement
concluded.

UN peacekeepers and EU forces continued to patrol Kinshasa, the capital
and security is being strengthened in other parts of the country,
including in the region of Western Kasai where two EU observers were
allegedly stoned by President Kabila’s supporters, the UN Mission in the DRC
(MONUC) reported.

It deplored the shooting deaths by Congolese soldiers of two electoral
workers in the town of Fataki, an incident which prompted an angry mob
to ransack 37 polling stations. The Mission said voting in that region
will resume tomorrow. Yesterday’s run-off poll was needed because no
candidate secured an overall majority in the first round in July.

Underscoring the logistical complexity of the three-month-long
electoral process, the first democratic poll in 45, years, Mr. Annan’s Deputy
Special Representative Ross Mountain noted that the UN was now assisting
the collection of the results from 50,000 polling stations in the vast,
with some stations a 10-day walk away from tabulation centres.

“If you look in the perspective of a country that is larger than
Western Europe… [that] just over three years ago had six foreign armies
fighting on it and it was partitioned, and that we had 50,000 places where
people were voting yesterday… while regrettable such incidents certainly
don’t harm the overall conduct of the operation,” he told UN Radio,
referring to the violence.

Provincial assemblies were also elected yesterday, the closing chapter
of an operation aimed at cementing the DRC’s transition from a six-year
civil war, widely considered the most lethal fighting in the world
since World War II, costing 4 million lives through fighting and attendant
hunger and disease. Factional fighting has continued since then,
particularly in the east.

Throughout the long process, in which a 500-seat National Assembly was
also elected, UN agencies helped to deliver tens of millions of ballots
and other supplies to the 50,000 polling stations, train 12,000 polling
supervisors and plan for the safety of the 25.7 million Congolese
registered to vote.
2006-10-30 00:00:00.000

CHIEF OF UN FOOD AGENCY SAYS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT RESTS ON BETTER
COMMUNICATION

9New York, Oct 27 2006 8:00PM
Better communication – including more listening by donors – needs to be
a more central part of developments efforts, the head the United
Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (<"http://www.fao.org/">FAO) has
told a major conference on development and communications.

“Giving people a voice, helping them to make that voice heard, only
then does development become sustainable,” Jacques Diouf,
Director-General of FAO told some 700 delegates at the First World Congress on
Communication for Development (WCCD) in Rome that wrapped up on Friday.

“It also helps to be a good listener because there is much to be
learned from the other side,” he added.

The three-day conference, attended by policy-makers, academics and
media professionals, was jointly organized by FAO, the World Bank and the
Communication Initiative Partnership, and was hosted by the Government
of Italy.

“This Congress demonstrated that Communication for Development is an
essential development tool and needs to be raised on the global agenda,”
said Paul Mitchell, manager of the development communication division
at the World Bank.

Professionals from over 200 organizations engaged in creative workshops
and seminars in order to share experiences, exchange ideas and debate
the most efficient communications strategies.

Conference participants distilled days of case study presentations and
debates into recommendations on ways policymakers can improve
communications to produce more tangible development results.

While noting the rapid advance of Information Communication
Technologies (ICTs), which is accelerating economic growth and creating a global
marketplace, Mr. Diouf said these new technologies could also widen the
gap between those with access, to cell phones and the internet, and the
one billion who do not.

“By extension the danger is to further widen the divide between all
those who eat three meals a day and the 854 million who count themselves
lucky to get one,” he warned.
2006-10-27 00:00:00.000

POLITICAL DIALOGUE IS THE KEY TO SOLVING THE STRIFE IN SOMALIA, NOT
MILITARY ACTION: ANNAN

New York, Oct 27 2006 7:00PM
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan emphasized today that all
sides in strife-torn Somalia must settle their differences through
dialogue and not military action, as he repeated calls for the international
community, and especially the country’s neighbours, not to make the
situation worse in the East African nation.

“The Secretary-General stresses that the solution in Somalia is
political and not military. He urges the Somali parties to settle their
differences through dialogue,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters
in New York.

“And he calls on the international community, especially Somalia’s
neighbours, to avoid any action that could further aggravate the
situation,” Mr. Dujarric said, adding that all countries should also respect and
abide by the arms embargo on the country.

The spokesman’s remarks came in response to a question regarding media
reports that Ethiopian and Eritrean troops are in Somalia. Mr. Dujarric
said that as a matter of policy the UN does not comment on such reports
because it is not in a position to verify them.

Earlier this month, Mr. Annan expressed concern about the heightened
tensions in Somalia between the Transitional Federal Government, which is
based in Baidoa, and the Union of Islamic Courts, which has control
over the capital, Mogadishu.

Somalia has been riven by factional fighting and has not had a
functioning national government since President Muhammad Siad Barre’s regime
was toppled in 1991.

The most recent round of talks – which have been held in the Sudanese
capital, Khartoum – took place at the start of last month and another
round has been scheduled for 30 October.
2006-10-27 00:00:00.000

US MILITARY COURTS BREACH INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS, UN RIGHTS EXPERT
WARNS

New York, Oct 27 2006 10:00AM
The Military Commissions Act (MCA) signed into law by President George
Bush earlier this month violates the international obligations of the
United States under human rights laws in several areas, including the
right to challenge detention and to see exculpatory evidence, a United
Nations expert on terrorism
<"http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/13A2242628618D12C12572140030A8D9?opendocument">said
today.

“A number of provisions of the MCA appear to contradict the universal
and fundamental principles of fair trial standards and due process
enshrined in Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions,” the Special
Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental
freedoms while countering terrorism, Martin Scheinin, said in a statement
issued in Geneva.

Special Rapporteurs are unpaid and serve in a personal capacity,
reporting to the
<"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=114&Body=human%20rights%20council&Body1=">UN
Human Rights Council. Mr. Scheinin requested that the US Government
invite him for a visit “in the very near future” to discuss his concerns.

“One of the most serious aspects of this legislation is the power of
the President to declare anyone, including US citizens, without charge as
an ‘unlawful enemy combatant’ – a term unknown in international
humanitarian law – resulting in these detainees being subject to the
jurisdiction of a military commission composed of commissioned military
officers,” he said.

At the same time, the material scope of crimes to be tried by these
commissions is much broader than war crimes in the meaning of the Geneva
Conventions, he noted.

“Further, in manifest contradiction with article 9, paragraph 4 of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the MCA denies
non US citizens (including legal permanent residents) in US custody the
right to challenge the legality of their detention by filing a writ of
habeas corpus, with retroactive effect,” he added.

“Another concern is the denial of the right to see exculpatory evidence
if it is deemed classified information which severely impedes the right
to a fair trial.”

An added concern is that some Governments may view certain aspects of
this legislation as an example to be followed in respect of their
national counter-terrorism legislation, since the US has taken a lead role on
countering terrorism since the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on
New York and Washington, he stressed.

Mr. Scheinin said that during a visit he would also like to discuss
other rights concerns such as the Patriot Act, immigration laws and
policies, secret detention centres, rendition flights (to countries where
detainees might face torture), breaches of non-refoulement (deportation)
and the Government’s denial of extra-territorial human rights
obligations.

Last month, five other UN human rights rapporteurs rejected US denials
that people were tortured at the Guantánamo detention centre and
reiterated calls that it be closed down.
2006-10-27 00:00:00.000

SECURITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS WOMEN’S ROLE IN PEACE PROCESS, URGES MORE
INVOLVEMENT

New York, Oct 26 2006 7:00PM
Highlighting the role played by women in promoting peace in countries
emerging from conflict, the United Nations Security Council today
stressed it was essential to promote the full participation of women in
helping rebuild such societies and also encouraged more female involvement
in UN peacekeeping operations.

“The Security Council recognizes the vital roles of, and contributions
by women in consolidating peace... [it] recognises that the protection
and empowerment of women and support for their networks and initiatives
are essential in the consolidation of peace,” the 15-member body said
in a presidential statement at the end of a day-long
<"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/sc8858.doc.htm">open meeting.

“The Council further encourages Member States and the Secretary-General
to increase, the participation of women in all areas and all levels of
peacekeeping operations, civilian, police and military, where
possible.”

The statement came after speeches from almost 50 UN and other officials
following up on Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s report on women, peace
and security, which was released earlier this month. Speakers also
emphasized the need to achieve gender equality, as set forth in the UN
Charter and Council resolution 1325, and acknowledged that more needed to be
done, especially in regard to peacebuilding.

“Women are critical to the consolidation of peace. In today’s mostly
internal conflicts, the socio-economic fabric of a country and its
societal dynamics become a key guide to finding entry points into resolving
and preventing conflicts,” Rachel Mayanja, Assistant Secretary-General,
Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women told the
Council.

“The past year has demonstrated that our collective efforts to ensure
equal participation of women in the consolidation of peace so far have
generally fallen short of what is required. From the Democratic Republic
of the Congo to Sudan and from Somalia to Timor-Leste, women continue
to be exposed to violence.”

Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie
Guéhenno, acknowledged there remained “challenges to women’s rights and gender
equality in post-conflict societies,” but he also pointed to progress
made during the past year, especially with the election in Liberia of
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the first woman head of State in Africa.

However he said much remained to be done, highlighting in particular
the problem of insecurity that many women endure even after conflict has
ended, and he also repeated the call to Member States to put forward
more female candidates for UN peacekeeping operations.

“Our predominantly male profile in peacekeeping undermines the
credibility of our efforts to lead by example in the host countries in which we
are engaged. We need Member States to nominate more women candidates
for senior civilian positions in missions… Less than two per cent and
five per cent respectively of our military and police personnel are
women.”

The head of the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) said that
through its work in over 20 conflict-affected countries, her organization
recognized that “women are a crucial resource” in peacebuilding and
consolidation, while she also stressed that in order to strengthen any peace
process there must be justice for women.

“Peace agreements, early recovery and post-conflict governance do
better when women are involved. Women make a difference in part because they
adopt a more inclusive approach to peace and security and address key
social and economic issues that provide the foundations of sustainable
peace and that would otherwise be ignored,” said Noeleen Heyzer, UNIFEM
Executive Director.

“The question is not only what women can bring to peace consolidation,
but also what peacebuilding can do to promote women’s human rights and
gender equality – transforming social structures so they do not
reproduce the exclusion and marginalization that underlie conflict.”

Carolyn McAskie, Assistant Secretary-General in the Peacebuilding
Support Office, told the Council that “all three main peacebuilding pillars”
of the UN, namely the recently set-up Peacebuilding Commission, the
Peacebuilding Fund and the Peacebuilding Support Office, have important
roles to play in getting women more involved.

“As such, the Peacebuilding Commission, supported by the Peacebuilding
Support Office, is currently exploring ways by which we can engage
civil society in general and women’s organizations in particular to support
the process of peacebuilding.”

“Women have a key role to play in building peace, in their own right,
and not only because they are disproportionately victimized nor seen
more naturally as agents of peace. Women’s key role must be recognized
because societies where women participate fully enjoy more peace, more
prosperity and more opportunity.”
2006-10-26 00:00:00.000

UN SEEKS MORE INFORMATION ON REPORTED PLANS BY NIGER TO EXPEL THOUSANDS
OF ARABS

New York, Oct 27 2006 10:00AM
The United Nations refugee agency is sending a senior official to Niger
to get more information on reports that the impoverished West African
country plans to expel thousands of Mahamid Arab nomads to Chad.

“We will be looking at whether the proposed government actions could
result in statelessness for anyone expelled, if any of these people could
be considered refugees, and what conditions or problems they could face
if returned to Chad,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
spokesman Ron Redmond <"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/4541d56925.html">told a
news briefing in Geneva today.

The senior UNHCR staff member from the regional office in Benin is
expected to travel to the remote Diffa region in the eastern part of Niger,
where there are an estimated 100,000 to150,000 Mahamid Arabs, some of
whom have lived in the region for decades.

“The Mahamid Arabs have not previously been considered a population of
concern to UNHCR, so we want to get more detailed information on the
government’s announced plans and on specifically who these people are,”
Mr. Redmond said.

“We understand the Mahamid Arabs have large numbers of livestock,
including an estimated 100,000 camels, and are putting a big strain on
meagre water and grazing resources,” he added. “UNHCR is in contact with
Niger authorities and we’re following the situation closely.”
2006-10-27 00:00:00.000

RUSSIAN EXPULSION OF UZBEK NATIONAL VIOLATES REFUGEE PRINCIPLE, UN
AGENCY SAYS

New York, Oct 27 2006 11:00AM
Russia’s expulsion of an Uzbek national back to his homeland breaches
the principle of ‘non-refoulement’ under which no refugee or asylum
seeker whose case has not yet been properly assessed can be forcibly
returned to a country where their life or liberty could be in danger, the
United Nations refugee agency said today.

Rustam Tulaganovich Muminov, who had been living in Russia since 2001,
was forcibly returned to Uzbekistan on Tuesday before an appeal against
a decision by a Moscow court ordering his expulsion had been heard, UN
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesman Ron Redmond
<"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/4541d56916.html">told a news briefing in
Geneva today.

“This follows several worrying forced returns of Uzbeks earlier this
year by Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan,” he said. UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights Louise Arbour has repeatedly warned that Uzbeks deported back
home face a “serious risk” of torture.

“UNHCR is seeking clarification from the Russian Federation authorities
about this case and is also calling on the Uzbek authorities to adhere
to their international obligations,” Mr. Redmond said. “Persons
returned against their will to Uzbekistan should be treated in full accordance
with international human rights standards.”

Earlier this month, Mr. Muminov approached the UNHCR Moscow office
where he was registered and scheduled for a refugee status determination
interview on 1 November. He was later detained for violations of
administrative rules, then deported.

“UNHCR is concerned that Muminov was not given the opportunity to have
his case reviewed on its merits,” Mr Redmond said. “For this reason,
his expulsion is inconsistent with the principle of non-refoulement.”

Earlier this year, UNHCR strongly condemned similar expulsions. In
February, Ukraine forcibly deported 11 Uzbek nationals who had registered
asylum claims or were in the process of doing so. In August, four Uzbek
refugees and one Uzbek asylum seeker were extradited by Kyrgyzstan.

“We remain extremely concerned about the fate of all these people,” Mr.
Redmond said, noting that in April UNHCR closed its office in
Uzbekistan after being asked to leave by the Government.
2006-10-27 00:00:00.000

LIBERIA: TOP UN ENVOY CALLS ON OFFICERS TO WORK HARDER TO STRENGTHEN
PEACE AND STABILITY

New York, Oct 27 2006 11:00AM
The senior United Nations envoy in Liberia has called on the mission’s
senior military officers to work harder to strengthen peace and
stability as the West African country consolidates its transition to democracy
from 14 years of civil war.

“We cannot allow anyone to undermine the country’s peace and stability,
which has been achieved at such high cost,” Secretary-General Kofi
Annan’s Special Representative Alan Doss said at an award ceremony
yesterday where 164 officers and military observers of the UN Mission in
Liberia (<http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unmil/index.html">UNMIL)
received peacekeeping medals.

“We must continue working to promote and protect human rights
everywhere in this nation, we must continue working to curb crime and make
communities safe, we must continue working to rebuild roads and create jobs
across the country,” he told the recipients, who perform specialized
tasks behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of the mission’s
operations.

In commending the military observers, Mr. Doss said: “They are our eyes
and ears; they provide regular assessments on security and public
order, cross border movements, community disputes, weapons collection,
unexploded ordinance, road and bridge conditions, illegal traffic of timber
and rubber.”

He noted that the staff officers are the administrative backbone of
UNMIL’s military management, working as construction engineers, medical
doctors, logistics experts, supply specialists, military analysts,
personnel managers, trainers and legal advisers, providing support for a
15,000-strong multi national force.

He stressed the need for senior officers to remain vigilant and careful
with their behaviour so that nothing is done to undermine the trust
that the people of Liberia have in UNMIL.

“Liberians expect us to help them recover from the trauma and pain of
conflict. We must not add to their suffering. This is why we must all
scrupulously respect the Secretary-General’s policy of zero tolerance of
sexual exploitation and abuse,” Mr. Doss said.

UNMIL, established by the Security Council three years ago to support
the peace process after a ceasefire between the warring factions, played
a multifaceted role in overseeing Liberia’s transition from the ravages
of a disastrous civil war, culminating in the democratic election of
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf less than a year ago.
2006-10-27 00:00:00.000

SECURITY COUNCIL SETS UP INTEGRATED UN OFFICE IN BURUNDI TO FOLLOW CURRENT OPERATION

New York, Oct 25 2006 6:00PM Emphasizing the need for the United Nations system and wider international community to maintain their support for strife-torn Burundi, the Security Council today <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/sc8857.doc.htm">voted to set up an integrated office in the country to follow on from the current mission that ends on 31 December. Adopting the resolution unanimously, the 15-member Council also noted the meeting earlier this month of the Peacebuilding Commission that focused on Burundi and recommended support from a multi-million dollar fund that aims to help countries emerging from conflict rebuild and prevent them from descending again into bloodshed. “The Security Council… requests the Secretary-General to establish a United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi (Bureau Intégré des Nations Unies au Burundi, BINUB)… for an initial period of 12 months, commencing on 1 January 2007,” the resolution states. Stressing the need for a “smooth transition” from the current UN Operation in Burundi, which is known by its French acronym ONUB, the resolution states that the Integrated Office will support the Government in such areas as peace consolidation and democratic governance, disarmament and reform of the security sector, as well as various human rights and development activities. The Council also welcomed the signing in September of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement between Burundi’s Government and the Forces Nationales de Libération (Palipehutu-FNL), while also urging all political sides to “persevere in their dialogue on achieving stability and national reconciliation and to promote social harmony.” Burundi is emerging from 12 years of civil war between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority. 2006-10-25 00:00:00.000

FINAL SEAT ON SECURITY COUNCIL REMAINS UNDECIDED AFTER LATEST DAY OF
VOTING

New York, Oct 25 2006 5:00PM
The United Nations General Assembly today remained deadlocked after a
fourth day of voting in the contest to fill a non-permanent seat on the
Security Council for the Latin American and Caribbean region, with
Guatemala maintaining its lead over Venezuela but falling short of the
necessary two-thirds majority.

This latest vote takes the total number of rounds since 16 October to
36. Balloting was continuing.

Guatemala and Venezuela are contending to serve as a non-permanent
Council member for a two-year term starting 1 January 2007, replacing
Argentina. It is the only seat not yet determined.

In the 36th round, when 121 votes would have been enough to secure
victory, Guatemala obtained 109 votes and Venezuela received 72. There were
no abstentions. Guatemala has led in every round so far, with the
exception of the sixth round on the first day of voting, when the two
countries were tied.

Balloting will continue until a State from the region achieves the
required majority. There is no limit to the number of rounds of voting and
in 1979-80 there were a record 155 ballots before Mexico was chosen
from the Latin American and Caribbean Group to serve a two-year term.

On 16 October Assembly members, following an agreed geographic
allocation, elected Belgium, Indonesia, Italy and South Africa to serve as
non-permanent members starting 1 January next year. They will replace
Denmark, Greece, Japan and Tanzania when their terms end on 31 December.

The Council’s five other non-permanent members, whose terms end on 31
December 2007, are Congo, Ghana, Peru, Qatar and Slovakia. The five
permanent members, which are the only members with veto power when voting,
are China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the
United States.
2006-10-25 00:00:00.000

FINAL SEAT ON SECURITY COUNCIL REMAINS UNDECIDED AFTER LATEST DAY OF
VOTING

SWISS SINGER DJ BOBO JOINS UN CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER
New York, Oct 25 2006 5:00PM

Swiss winner of some 10 ‘World Music Awards’ DJ BOBO today joined
Brazilian football superstar Ronaldinho, Cape-Verdian singer Cesaria Evora
and world record breaking marathon runner Paul Tergat, among others, as
a National Ambassador Against Hunger for the United Nations World Food
Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/english/?n=31">WFP).

“Travelling around the world has made me sensitive to human suffering,”
DJ BOBO, the first Swiss to take up this role, said. “It is a privilege
to be able to help. The advantage of fame is that I can be heard and I
have to seize this opportunity.”

As WFP Ambassador, the singer from the Swiss Canton of Aargau will use
his fame by seeking to increase public awareness of the problem of
hunger and child hunger, in particular, focusing on school feeding
programmes.

Every five seconds a child dies of hunger somewhere in the world. Some
400 million children know what it is like to go to bed at night on an
empty stomach. For 40 years, WFP has been running school feeding
programmes which increase school attendance and enrolment. By providing free
meals at school, it encourages parents to send their children to learn.

“I was captivated by the school feeding programmes,” DJ BOBO said. “The
idea behind them is very clever. In order to eat, these kids must go to
school. Later on in life, these same children in turn send their kids
to school because they have understood how important it is.”

He will embark on his first field visit to Ethiopia in January, where
he will become familiar with food aid operations in favour of
malnourished Ethiopians.

“We are thrilled that a singer as talented and as credible as DJ BOBO
has decided to lend his talent to reduce the spectre of hunger in the
world,” the Director of the WFP Geneva Office said.
2006-10-25 00:00:00.000

UN HEALTH AGENCY CALLS FOR INDUSTRY INVESTMENT IN NEW DIAGNOSTIC
TOOLS TO CURB TB
New York, 25 Oct 2006

   With most of the estimated 9 million people who develop active
   tuberculosis every year still not receiving laboratory-confirmed
   diagnoses, the United Nations health agency today called for
industry investment in new diagnostic tools targeted to low and middle income
   countries, where most cases occur.

   Some 1.7 million people a year die from TB, many because the
infection goes undiagnosed, or is diagnosed too late to be cured, according to
a new report released by the UN World Health Organization Special
   Programme for Tropical Disease Research and Training (WHO/TDR) and
the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), a non-profit
   organization.

  The world urgently needs new, safe and affordable diagnostics to
   simplify case detection,the director of WHOs Stop TB
Department, Mario Raviglione, said. Despite scientific progress that is
rapidly changing other fields, most of the worlds TB patients have access
only to conventional microscopy which requires repeated testing, may miss
   half the cases, and which works especially poorly for HIV co-infected
   patients.

   HIV is fuelling TB epidemics in many countries and multi-drug
resistance is a growing threat. Improved tests could bolster international
control efforts and respond to a significant market demand. One third of the
   worlds population is infected with latent TB, and at risk of
developing the active disease, the report noted.

   A test that detects latent infection and predicts its progression to
   active disease could see the greatest use, with a potential
available market of some 204 million patient evaluations a year, according to
the report Diagnostics for Tuberculosis: Global Demand and Market
   Potential the most comprehensive review of the TB diagnostics
market to date.

   Such a test, if widely implemented and accompanied by successful
   treatment, could revolutionize TB control,â€ the report concluded.

   Only about 2.2 million TB cases annually are diagnosed and reported
with sputum smear microscopy, the most widely available test. Other cases
are diagnosed through an often inefficient and sometimes wasteful
   combination of chest x-rays, bacterial cultures and guesswork.

   The global market for TB diagnostics is more than twice that of the
   market for drugs used to treat the disease. Worldwide, about $1
billion is spent on TB tests and evaluations, which screen some 100 million
   people annually; around $300 million is spent on drugs for
treatment.

   In low and middle income countries where three-quarters of the TB
tests and screenings are carried out, around $326 million annually is
spent on diagnostics and an even larger potential market exists for more
   effective and affordable tools. Between 70 and 90 per cent of the
   potential available market is concentrated in 22 countries with the
   highest burden of TB.

UN NUCLEAR CHIEF MEETS WITH US SECRETARY RICE; CALLS FOR TALKS WITH DPR
KOREA, IRAN

New York, Oct 23 2006

The head of the United Nations atomic watchdog met today with United
States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington to discuss the
nuclear programmes of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) and
Iran, shortly after calling for talks with both countries.

If I look at the problems that we are facing right now the
Koreansituation, the Iran situation these problems hinge, in my view, on
the parties sitting together, UN International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) Director General Mohamed ElBaradei said in an interview published in
Newsweek magazine ahead of the meeting.

We need to move away from the idea that dialogue is a reward
for good behaviour. You need dialogue when you have bad behaviour, because the
purpose of the dialogue is to change the behaviour. As former [US]
secretary of State James Baker said recently, talking to your enemy is
not appeasement, he added.

Asked about US assertions that Iran, despite its repeated denials, has
anuclear weapons programme, Mr. ElBaradei reiterated his previous
statementsthat the jury is still out, adding that it was difficult to determine
whether the Iranians intend to pursue a nuclear weapon, or are simply
hedging their bet by developing their enrichment capability.

But one of the lessons we learned from Iraq (where a current nuclear
weapons programme was not found after the US-led invasion of 2003) is
that we really need to be very, very careful coming to conclusions because
these issues make the difference between war and peace, he declared.

And as long as I know, and I am supported by all intelligence
agencies in this, that Iran in the worst-case scenario is still a few years away, I
have ample time to talk to them, I have ample time to negotiate with
them,and I need to encourage them to cooperate with me.

Asked whether he thought the IAEA would be blamed for the DPRKs
development of atomic weapons, Mr. ElBaradei noted that the agency was
â€œkicked outâ€ in 2003 when the country withdrew from the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

We lost jurisdiction. But I have been saying for the last two or
three years that North Korea is the No. 1 security challenge to the NPT. I
saw North Korea out of the [treaty] regime; I saw North Korea having
plutonium; I saw North Korea feeling more and more isolated. I saw this coming,
he said.

As he has in other recent statements, he stressed that the IAEAs
annual budget of $120 million was insufficient and should be at least doubled
to enable it to have independent satellite-monitoring and a
state-of-the-art laboratory for particle analysis.

There is a difference between us and the [UN] Universal Postal
Union. You can postpone issuing commemorative stamps or improving the efficiency
of mail delivery,he stressed. â€œBut in our areas there are certain
things that we have to do yesterday, because otherwise we are going to face a
colossal danger. And people do not understand that. They do not
prioritize.

UP TO 50,000 INDONESIAN FAMILIES STILL LACK SHELTER AFTER MAY’S
EARTHQUAKE IN JAVA: UN

New York, Oct 22 2006
As many as 50,000 families who lost their homes in the deadly
earthquake that rocked Indonesia’s island of Java in May are still without
sufficient shelter for the approaching rainy season, the main United Nations
humanitarian office
<"http://ochaonline.un.org/DocView.asp?DocID=5179">warned today, as it highlighted ongoing appeals for funding from the
World Bank and other donors.

“To address these families’ needs, the Indonesian Government, UN
agencies and other humanitarian partners have developed a joint ‘roof first’
strategy. To date, 23,000 roof structures have been constructed and
tens of thousands of additional roofs are planned to be delivered by early
2007,” the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
said in a press release.

“Preliminary conclusions… indicate that 40 per cent of all those who
lost their housing remain in insufficient shelter to last the rainy
season, which translates into approximately 50,000 families in need of
urgent shelter assistance,” it added, referring to the effects of the 27 May
earthquake, which killed nearly 6,000 people, injured almost 40,000 and
destroyed or damaged more than 300,000 homes and other buildings.

The earthquake’s impact was particularly severe in the city of
Yogyakarta and in Klaten and Bantul districts, which suffered the greatest
losses. From the start, the Indonesian Government has led the response and
reconstruction effort in the wake of the earthquake, with the support
of the UN and wider humanitarian community.

Elsewhere, parts of the sprawling archipelago are still recovering from
an earthquake off Sumatra island in December 2004 that caused a
devastating tsunami which killed more than 230,000 people and affected more
than 12 countries in Asia.
2006-10-20 00:00:00.000

MARINE POLLUTION THREATENS CORAL RECOVERY, FISH STOCKS, OYSTERS, UN
REPORTS WARN

New York, Oct 19 2006 11:00AM
With the conditions under which coral reefs have flourished in the past
half-million years dramatically changing, their ability to survive in a
globally warming world may crucially depend on the levels of pollution
to which they are exposed, the United Nations environmental agency
warned today.

At the same time, the UN Environment Programme
(<"http://www.unep.org">UNEP) reported that the number of ‘dead zones’ or low oxygenated areas
in the world’s seas and oceans due to pollution may now be as high as
200 and are fast becoming major threats to fish stocks and oysters, and
thus to people who depend upon fisheries for food and livelihoods.

The latest findings from two separate reports were released at an
inter-governmental review congress in Beijing where 700 delegates from some
115 countries are seeking to chart a new course for the Global
Programme of Action (<"http://www.gpa.unep.org/bin/php/atg/index.php">GPA) for
the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Sources, a
voluntary UNEP initiative.

“There are numerous compelling reasons for combating pollution to the
marine environment,” UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said. “These
range from public health concerns to the economic damage such pollution
can cause to tourism and fisheries.

“Climate change, and the need to build resilience into habitats and
ecosystems so that they can cope with the anticipated increase in
temperatures likely to come, now represents a further urgent reason to act,” he
added of the report on coral reefs – Our Precious Coasts: Marine
Pollution, Climate Change and Resilience of Coastal Ecosystems.

The study is based on surveys carried out between 2004 and 2006
following damage caused to reefs world-wide in 1997-1998 when surface sea
temperatures reached up to 34 degrees Celsius.

Corals in an estimated 16 per cent of the world’s coral reefs suffered
up to 90 per cent mortality as a result of mass bleaching, with reefs
across the Indian Ocean, including around the Comoros, La Reunion,
Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles, among those severely damaged.

But soft coral cover and stony coral increased rapidly in areas least
affected by coastal development. “If we fail to protect the coastlines
from unchecked piecemeal development, or protect the water sheds from
deforestation, huge amounts of sewage and sediment loads will reduce the
ability of reefs to recover dramatically,” UNEP Rapid Response Team
researcher Christian Nellemann said.

“Once they are overgrown, it is difficult for them to recover, and over
time they change or even die entirely.”
The findings on the ‘dead zones’ – where algal blooms triggered by
nutrients from sources such as fertilizer run-off, sewage, animal wastes
and atmospheric deposition from the burning of fossil fuels can remove
oxygen from the water – show that the number and size of deoxygenated
areas are on the rise, with the total climbing every decade since the
1970s.

Some of the earliest recorded dead zones were in places like Chesapeake
Bay in the United States, the Baltic, Black and northern Adriatic seas
and the Scandinavian fjords, but others have been appearing off South
America, China, Japan, south east Australia and New Zealand. The best
known area is in the Gulf of Mexico, directly linked to nutrients or
fertilizers carried down by the Mississippi River.
2006-10-19 00:00:00.000

SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN REMAINS A MAJOR CONCERN IN
LIBERIA: UN

New York, Oct 18 2006 2:00PM
Sexual violence against women and children remains a major concern in
Liberia, according to a United Nations report released today, which also
warns that weaknesses in the impoverished country’s judicial system,
including inoperative courts and inefficient investigation, are violating
the human rights of both victims and suspects.

The report, the UN Mission in Liberia’s (UNMIL) fifth on human rights,
says that six months after the country’s Rape Amendment Act came into
effect, the cases listed clearly shows that far more effort is required
by everyone working in the judicial system to address this
reprehensible crime.

“Sexual and gender-based violence, particularly against children,
continued to be a major concern for UNMIL and all its partners working to
uphold the fundamental rights of women and children,” the Mission said in
a press release.

The report, covering the period May to July 2006, was prepared with
information from 25 UNMIL human rights monitors stationed in all Liberia’s
15 counties and, as well as providing an overview of the most important
trends, it focuses in particular on challenges facing the judicial
system as the country rebuilds after 14 years of conflict.

“Circuit Courts in five counties were not operational during the May
Term of Court, resulting in violations of the Constitutional and the
human rights of both victims and suspects,” said Chief of the Human Rights
and Protection Section, Dorota Gierycz, in launching the report.

Further, Ms. Gierycz said that where courts were operational, only a
fraction of the cases listed for trial were heard. Also, inefficient
investigation, prosecution and hearings led to prolonged pre-trial
detention in many cases and frequently, suspects were released from detention
without facing trial.

A positive development has been the submission of a joint report by
UNMIL and the Government of Liberia Rule of Law Task Force to President
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf outlining a programme to strengthen the judicial
sector. As part of this, UNMIL and the Office of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights (OHCHR) supported a three-day workshop jointly organized
by the Ministry of Justice, to consider best practices to strengthen
the Rule of Law.

Also related to law and order, the head of UNMIL has called for an end
to the illegal rubber trade, stressing the importance of the crop in
helping the country rebuild.

“Illegal tapping and sale of rubber remains a problem and we need to
have a proper certification or licensing for dealers and traders.
Regulation of the rubber industry needs to be strengthened. We must stop the
trade in illegal rubber because it is one of the most important sources
of income and growth for Liberia,” said Alan Doss, the
Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Liberia.

Mr. Doss made his <"http://www.unmil.org/article.asp?id=1731">remarks
during a trip to the Guthrie Rubber Plantation, about 50 kilometres west
of the capital, Monrovia, where he highlighted the progress made since
<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unmil/index.html">UNMIL
supported the Government in taking control of the plant in August.

“The peace process is not just stopping war. It is also about
rebuilding the economy and creating jobs… we must ensure that nobody seizes
this plantation again and harvests rubber illegally.”

In another development, Mr. Doss recently
<"http://www.unmil.org/article.asp?id=1732">joined members of the
Liberian police force, and UN military and police officers on a night patrol
in some parts of the capital, as part of increased patrolling to curb
the reported increase in violent crime in Monrovia.
2006-10-18 00:00:00.000

SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT STILL UNDECIDED AFTER SECOND DAY OF VOTING

New York, Oct 18 2006 7:00PM
A non-permanent seat on the Security Council remains up for grabs after
the United Nations General Assembly held a second day of voting today
in the contest to fill the place allocated to the Group of Latin
American and Caribbean States.

After 12 additional rounds of voting today, which takes the total
number of rounds so far to 22, neither Guatemala nor Venezuela had obtained
a two-thirds majority of ballots of members present and voting.
Balloting will now resume on Thursday morning.

The two countries are contending to serve as a non-permanent Council
member for a two-year term starting 1 January 2007, replacing Argentina.

In the 22nd round today, when 120 votes would have been enough to
secure victory, Guatemala received 102 votes and Venezuela 77. There were 12
abstentions.

Balloting will continue until a State from the region achieves the
required majority. There is no limit to the number of rounds of voting and
in 1979-80 there were a record 155 ballots before Mexico was chosen
from the Latin American and Caribbean Group to serve a two-year term.

Yesterday Assembly members, following an agreed geographic allocation,
elected Belgium, Indonesia, Italy and South Africa to serve as
non-permanent members starting 1 January next year. They will replace Denmark,
Greece, Japan and Tanzania when their terms end on 31 December.

The Council’s five other non-permanent members, whose terms end on 31
December 2007, are Congo, Ghana, Peru, Qatar and Slovakia. The five
permanent members, which are the only members with veto power in votes, are
China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the
United States.
2006-10-17 00:00:00.000

TOP UN INFORMATION OFFICIAL SAYS WORLD BODY STILL HAS ‘COMPELLING STORY
TO TELL’

New York, Oct 17 2006 4:00PM
Critics of the United Nations tend to doubt its ability to deliver on
promises made rather than question its ideals or legitimacy as a
universal body, so the Organization needs to close the gap between what people
want from it and what it can actually deliver, the top UN
communications official has told the General Assembly.

Under-Secretary-General for Communication and Public Information Shashi
Tharoor
<"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/gaspd349.doc.htm">told the Assembly’s Fourth Committee (Special Political & Decolonization)
yesterday that the public still wants the UN to preserve world peace,
promote human rights and ensure economic justice.

Addressing the committee as it took up questions relating to
information, Mr. Tharoor cited a study last year of Americans that showed that an
increasing number considered the UN to be central to solving global
conflicts.

“The UN has a compelling story to tell,” he said, adding that that
story must be told better and more widely to build public support for the
world body and explain what it can achieve.

To reach that goal Mr. Tharoor said the UN Department of Public
Information was trying to create stronger partnerships with the various
departments, agencies, offices and field missions within the UN system to
help identify key messages and then re-cast them so they can be understood
by target audiences around the world.

He cited the placement of opinion columns by senior staff in
newspapers, including an article by Secretary-General Kofi Annan – which was
published by some 70 newspapers in at least 40 countries – that used the
World Cup soccer championships to draw attention to UN activities.

Mr. Tharoor also stressed the value of the UN speaking with one public
voice, noting that the UN Communications Group was formed to better
coordinate the world body’s media messages.

“From the recent humanitarian crisis in South-East Asia to the crisis
in Darfur to the looming threat of avian flu, there is clear proof that
the world is paying more attention when we speak in concert,” he said.
2006-10-17 00:00:00.000

SECURITY COUNCIL URGES ERITREA TO ‘IMMEDIATELY WITHDRAW’ TROOPS FROM
ZONE WITH ETHIOPIA

New York, Oct 17 2006 6:00PM
Expressing deep concern over reports that Eritrea has moved around
1,500 troops and 15 tanks into the Temporary Security Zone with Ethiopia,
the United Nations Security Council today called for them to be
withdrawn and urged both sides to exercise restraint in their long-standing
border dispute that erupted into a two-year war in 1998.

“Members… call on Eritrea to immediately withdraw its troops from the
Temporary Security Zone, to extend its full and unconditional
cooperation to the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE),
particularly to maintain ceasefire arrangements in place, and to immediately
lift the restrictions imposed on UNMEE,” Council President for October,
Ambassador Kenzo Oshima of Japan,
<"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/sc8854.doc.htm">told reporters.

“Members of the Security Council call on both parties to show maximum
restraint and to refrain from any threat or use of force against each
other, to avoid any action which may lead to an escalation of the tension
between the two countries, and to adhere to previous commitments they
have made.”

Echoing concerns raised by Secretary-General Kofi Annan yesterday, the
Council warned that the incursion is contrary to the agreement on
cessation of hostilities of 18 June 2000, and it also violates the integrity
of the Temporary Security Zone.

“Members of the Council once again reaffirm the integrity of the
Temporary Security Zone and their unwavering commitment to the peace process,
including in the full and expeditious implementation of the Algiers
Agreements and implementation of the final and binding decision of the
EEBC (Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission).”

The Council also called on Ethiopia to implement fully the EEBC
decision demarcating the boundary.

In his latest report on the conflict, Mr. Annan repeated concerns that
Ethiopia had not accepted the Commission’s decisions, and that Eritrea
refused to continue to cooperate with the body. Last year Eritrea
restricted UNMEE’s use of helicopters, impeding its ability to monitor 50 to
55 per cent of the area on the Eritrean side within the Temporary
Security Zone.
2006-10-17 00:00:00.000

UN HEALTH AGENCY LAUNCHES GUIDELINES TO HELP COMBAT VIOLENCE AGAINST
CHILDREN

New York, Oct 17 2006 8:00PM
The United Nations health agency today issued a practical guide to help
governments and aid agencies prevent violence against children by
following up on the recommendations made in the in-depth study on the
problem by Secretary-General Kofi Annan that was launched last week.

In particular, the World Health Organization
(<"http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr57/en/index.html">WHO)
<i>Preventing child maltreatment: a guide to taking action and
generating evidence</i> is aimed at stamping out violence by parents and
caregivers, the agency said in a press release, adding that Mr. Annan’s study
showed that much of the violence endured by children aged 0-14 years
occurs in the home.

“For too long now the response to child maltreatment has been dominated
by systems for reacting to cases once maltreatment has already started.
The scientific evidence for preventing physical, sexual and
psychological abuse from occurring in the first place is already quite strong, and
the time is ripe for a paradigm shift from reaction to prevention,”
said Dr Anders Nordström, WHO Acting Director General.

The guide, published jointly with the International Society for
Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), provides technical advice for
professionals working in Governments, research institutes and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on how to measure the extent of child
maltreatment and its consequences and how to design, implement and evaluate
prevention programmes.

It also notes that the strong relationships between child maltreatment,
economic inequality and poverty mean that reducing inequality, as well
as poverty, is likely to make a significant contribution to preventing
child maltreatment.

“We welcome the WHO-ISPCAN guide on Preventing Child Maltreatment,”
said Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund
(UNICEF). “This is an important new tool for addressing violence against
children.”

Mr. Annan’s study, which was discussed in the General Assembly last
Wednesday, examines all forms of violence against children and puts
forward 12 overarching recommendations aimed at prevention and how to respond
if violence occurs. It also puts forward five specific recommendations
applying to the home and family, schools and other educational
settings, institutions for care or detention, the workplace and the community.

Most of the 10 pages of recommendations and follow-up are directed
primarily at States and refer to their legislative, administrative,
judicial, policymaking, service delivery and institutional functions, while
also emphasizing the primacy of the family.
2006-10-16 00:00:00.000

LEBANON: UN NAVAL FORCE TAKES OVER PATROLLING SEAS AGAINST ARMS SMUGGLING

New York, Oct 16 2006 11:00AM A United Nations naval force is now in place to support the Lebanese Navy in monitoring its territorial waters, securing the coastline and preventing arms smuggling as part of the Security Council resolution that ended this summer’s hostilities between Israel and Hizbollah. “The <"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr065.pdf">Maritime Task Force has an important job to do in line with UN Security Council Resolution <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/res/1701(2006)">1701, ensuring, through supporting the Lebanese Navy, that this country’s territorial waters are not utilized for any illegal or hostile activities,” UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Commander, Maj.-General Alain Pellegrini, said at the official transfer yesterday in Beirut Port. At the ceremony, the commander of the Interim Maritime Task Force that had temporarily patrolled the coastline, Italian Rear Admiral Giuseppe De Giorgi, handed over command to German Rear Admiral Andreas Krause, who leads the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force. The Force, comprising 19 vessels from Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Norway, Sweden and Turkey, will have a crew complement of some 1,500. Resolution 1701 mandates strengthening UNIFIL to a maximum of 15,000 troops. At present it has some 5,000 troops on the ground, but the second phase of deployment may be delayed by several weeks due to problems of logistics and capacity, the UN Joint Logistics Centre (UNJLC) said in its latest update. 2006-10-16 00:00:00.000

ON WORLD FOOD DAY, UN SEEKS ANSWERS IN AGRICULTURE TO DEADLY BLIGHT OF HUNGER

New York, Oct 16 2006 10:00AM The United Nations today marked World Food Day, seeking answers and solutions to a searing question: why are there 850 million chronically malnourished people in a world with enough resources to feed all, 400 million of them hungry children whose lives will be forever blighted by lack of nutrition in their first months? “In a world which has the means to feed us all, this continued suffering is unconscionable,” Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a message. “Many countries, including those most in need, have not allocated sufficient resources to farming and rural development,” he added, underscoring that the Day’s theme this year is ‘Investing in agriculture for food security.’ “There is a need to reverse this trend, and to channel increased public and private resources towards agricultural activities. Such investment must reach beyond infrastructure and irrigation systems to fund broader human development goals, especially the education of rural women and girls who constitute the backbone of most agrarian economies.” UN World Food Programme (<WFP) Executive Director James Morris stressed that new research has shown yet again that the rapid development of the brain, dependent on good nutrition, during the early months and years of a child’s life is crucial and influences learning, behaviour and health throughout the life cycle. “Given that 70 per cent of brain development occurs in the first two years of our lives, malnutrition in early childhood can have a devastating effect. Even before they can walk and talk, these kids are already behind the curve,” he said. Calling on the affluent to do more for the poor, he added: “There’s nothing wrong with wanting the best for your own children – it would be unnatural to wish otherwise. But next time you upgrade your child’s laptop or book those extra tuition sessions, spare a thought for the millions of children whose fingers will never touch a keyboard. They will be lucky if they even learn to read and write or do basic arithmetic. “We can make a difference. There is more than enough food in the world,” he said, noting that Official Development Assistance has been rising steadily for several years and now tops $100 billion. “We can afford to help, but we need to develop a food first policy – poverty cannot be eliminated until hunger and malnutrition are laid to rest. And one way to start would be to prevent hunger from cheating children of hope.” Other UN agencies joined in the appeal for action. “Increasing the volume of public investment in agriculture but also making it more effective are of absolute necessity,” UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General Jacques Diouf said. FAO launched a new global education project to raise awareness about hunger and the right to food among children and young people around the world, a cartoon-style story book entitled ‘The Right to Food: A Window on the World,’ produced together with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) stressed that under-nutrition remains a major killer of children under five, contributing to approximately 50 per cent of the more than 10 million child deaths every year. But it also held out a ray of hope, noting that if it is detected early, children can be effectively treated at home and in communities, without being admitted to health facilities, sometimes miles away from their homes. “With the addition of community-based treatment and new technology, much more can now be done to reach undernourished children and to address this important cause of child mortality,” UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman said. 2006-10-16 00:00:00.000

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Vatican News

- Papal Mass for Deceased Cardinals and Bishops

- By Facing Death, Christ Revolutionized Its Significance

- Appeal for an End to Bloodshed in Gaza

- Science and Technology Cannot Fulfil All Needs

- Communique Concerning Visit by Hungarian President

- In Brief

- Audiences

- Other Pontifical Acts

VATICAN CITY, NOV 4, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, in a customary practice for the month of November, the Pope celebrated Mass at the altar of the Cathedra in the Vatican Basilica in remembrance of the cardinals, archbishops and bishops who died during the course of the last year. Members of the College of Cardinals concelebrated with the Holy Father.

At the start of his homily, Benedict XVI recalled the names of the cardinals who died during the last twelve months: "Leo Scheffczyk, Pio Taofinu'u, Raul Francisco Primatesta, Angel Suquia Goicoechea, Johannes Willebrands, Louis-Albert Vachon, Dino Monduzzi and Mario Francesco Pompedda."

He went on: "In order to purify the white robe received at Baptism from all blemishes and stains, the community of believers offers the Sacrifice of the Eucharist and other prayers for the souls of those whom death has called to pass from time to eternity." Praying for the deceased, he said, "is a noble practice, one that presupposes faith in the resurrection of the dead, as revealed to us by Sacred Scripture and, finally and completely, by the Gospel."

The Pope dwelt on the fact that each of the cardinals and bishops "was called ... to put the words of the Apostle Paul - 'for me to live is Christ' - into practice and to make them his own. This vocation, received at Baptism, was strengthened in them with the Sacrament of Confirmation and with the three grades of Holy Orders, and was constantly nourished by participation in the Eucharist.

"By this sacramental journey," he added, "their 'being in Christ' was rendered more solid and profound, to the point that death was no longer a loss - because they had already evangelically 'lost' everything for the Lord and for the Gospel - but a 'gain:' that of finally meeting Jesus, and with Him the fullness of life."

The Holy Father concluded by asking the Lord "to enable our dear deceased brother cardinals and bishops to attain the longed-for goal. We ask this trusting in the intercession of Mary Most Holy and in the prayers of the many people who knew them in life and appreciated their Christian virtues."

HML/DECEASED CARDINALS BISHOPS/... VIS 061106 (370)

BY FACING DEATH, CHRIST REVOLUTIONIZED ITS SIGNIFICANCE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 5, 2006 (VIS) - At midday today, in his remarks prior to the Angelus prayer, Benedict XVI told the thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square that these days following the recent commemoration of All Souls represent "a good occasion to recall our loved ones in prayer, and to reflect upon the reality of death."

A reality, the Pope went on, that wealthy societies "often seek to remove from people's consciences, which are entirely occupied with the concerns of daily life." However, "despite all the distractions, the loss of a loved one causes us to rediscover 'the problem,' making us feel death as a real presence, radically hostile and contrary to our natural vocation to life and happiness.

"Jesus revolutionized the meaning of death," the Holy Father added. "He did so with His teachings, but above all by facing death Himself. ... With the Spirit that cannot die - one of the Church Fathers writes - Christ killed death that kills man. In this way, the Son of God wished to share our human condition, ... and reopen it to hope."

"Since then, death is not the same, it has been deprived, so to say, of its 'poison.' The love of God, working in Jesus, has, in fact given a new meaning to man's entire existence, also transforming death. ... Those who undertake to live like Him are freed from the fear of death, which no longer laughs scornfully like an enemy but, as St. Francis writes in his Canticle of Creatures, shows the friendly face of a sister."

"Faith reminds us that there is no cause to be afraid of the death of the body, because it is a sleep from which we will one day be woken. True death, which we should fear, is the death of the soul, which the Apocalypse calls 'second death.' Indeed, those who die in mortal sin, unrepentant and closed in the proud refusal of God's love, exclude themselves from the kingdom of life."

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APPEAL FOR AN END TO BLOODSHED IN GAZA

VATICAN CITY, NOV 5, 2006 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus today with thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, Benedict XVI told the faithful that he was following, with "great concern, ... news of the grave deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip." He also expressed his "closeness to the civilian populations suffering the consequences of acts of violence.

"I ask you," he added, "to join me in prayer to the Almighty and Merciful God that He may enlighten the Israeli and Palestinian authorities, as well as those of nations with a particular responsibility in the region, ensuring they make every effort to put an end to bloodshed, increase humanitarian aid initiatives and favor the immediate resumption of direct and serious negotiations."

The Holy Father then went on to address Polish pilgrims, recalling that yesterday, November 4, "we celebrated the feast of St. Charles Borromeo; an anniversary that invites us to associate the great reformer of the Church after the Council of Trent with the great implementer of the dispositions of Vatican Council II, John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla. To the Mother of God, I entrust the entire community of faithful, to whom these two pastors dedicated their lives."

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CANNOT FULFIL ALL NEEDS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 6, 2006 (VIS) - At midday today, the Pope received participants in the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, headed by the president of that institution, Nicola Cabibbo. They have been meeting to consider the theme: "Predictability in Science: Accuracy and Limitations."

Addressing his audience in English, the Holy Father observed how some people "have seen in the progress of modern science and technology one of the main causes of secularization and materialism: why invoke God's control over these phenomena when science has shown itself capable of doing the same thing?"

"Christianity does not posit an inevitable conflict between supernatural faith and scientific progress," he stressed, recalling how "God created human beings, endowed them with reason, and set them over all the creatures of the earth." In this way, man became "the steward of creation and God's 'helper.' ... Indeed, we could say that the work of predicting, controlling and governing nature, which science today renders more practicable than in the past, is itself a part of the Creator's plan."

"Man cannot place in science and technology so radical and unconditional a trust as to believe that scientific and technological progress can explain everything and completely fulfil all his existential and spiritual needs. Science cannot replace philosophy and revelation by giving an exhaustive answer to man's most radical questions: questions about the meaning of living and dying, about ultimate values, and about the nature of progress itself."

Pope Benedict then went on to address the issue of a scientist's ethical responsibilities. "His conclusions must be guided by respect for truth," he said, "and an honest acknowledgment of both the accuracy and the inevitable limitations of the scientific method. Certainly this means avoiding needlessly alarming predictions when these are not supported by sufficient data or exceed science's actual ability to predict. But it also means avoiding the opposite, namely a silence, born of fear, in the face of genuine problems. The influence of scientists in shaping public opinion on the basis of their knowledge is too important to be undermined by undue haste or the pursuit of superficial publicity."

"Our world continues to look to you and your colleagues" the Pope told his audience, "for a clear understanding of the possible consequences of many important natural phenomena. I think, for example, of the continuing threats to the environment which are affecting whole peoples, and the urgent need to discover safe, alternative energy sources available to all.

"Scientists," he added, "will find support from the Church in their efforts to confront these issues, since the Church has received from her divine founder the task of guiding people's consciences towards goodness, solidarity and peace. Precisely for this reason she feels in duty bound to insist that science's ability to predict and control must never be employed against human life and its dignity, but always placed at its service, at the service of this and future generations."

"The scientific method itself," the Pope warned, "has inherent limitations that necessarily restrict scientific predictability to specific contexts and approaches. Science cannot, therefore, presume to provide a complete, deterministic representation of our future and of the development of every phenomenon that it studies.

"Philosophy and theology might make an important contribution to this fundamentally epistemological question by, for example, helping the empirical sciences to recognize a difference between the mathematical inability to predict certain events and the validity of the principle of causality, or, ... more radically, between evolution as the origin of a succession in space and time, and creation as the ultimate origin of participated being in essential Being."

The Holy Father concluded: "At the same time, there is a higher level that necessarily transcends all scientific predictions, namely, the human world of freedom and history. Whereas the physical cosmos can have its own spatial-temporal development, only humanity, strictly speaking, has a history, the history of its freedom. Freedom, like reason, is a precious part of God's image within us, and it can never be reduced to a deterministic analysis"

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COMMUNIQUE CONCERNING VISIT BY HUNGARIAN PRESIDENT

VATICAN CITY, NOV 6, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office today announced that "this morning, the Holy Father Benedict XVI received in audience Laszlo Solyom, president of the Republic of Hungary, who subsequently went on to meet Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B.

"The cordial discussions provided an opportunity to consider the situation in the country, with particular reference to the traditional moral and religious values of Hungarian society. Mention was made of the implementation of the 'Agreement between the Republic of Hungary and the Holy See on Financing the Activities of Public Service and other Solely Religious Activities,' in force since 1997, and of other matters concerning relations between Church and State. Finally, opinions were exchanged on the question of European integration and the Christian roots of the continent."

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IN BRIEF

ARCHBISHOP CELESTINO MIGLIORE, HOLY SEE permanent observer to the United Nations in New York, participated, on November 3, in the 61st session of the UN General Assembly, which was meeting to consider the "Culture of Peace." in his English-language talk, the archbishop pointed out that "peace implies a truth which is common to all peoples beyond cultural, philosophical and religious diversities. It is the idea of the dignity of every human person intimately linked to the transcendent. Thus peace will be reached once it is understood and put into practice as the realization of this shared truth, in mutual respect of cultural diversities. ... The lack of the basic truth of peace at the cultural level has undoubtedly produced devastating effects down through the years and there are still cultures and mentalities that even today deny it exists. The most dramatic example is international terrorism. The criminal designs of international terrorism rest on false cultural roots which deny the existence of a link between truth and human life. Such roots are identifiable in nihilism and in fanatical fundamentalism, which are erroneous ways of relating to truth. 'The nihilist denies the very existence of truth, while the fundamentalist claims to be able to impose it by force. Despite their different origins and cultural backgrounds, both show a dangerous contempt for human beings and human life, and ultimately for God Himself'."

ARCHBISHOP JOHN P. FOLEY, PRESIDENT of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, delivered an address at the Springtime of Faith Foundation in Rome, on November 4. Dwelling on the subject of evangelization via the communications media, Archbishop Foley indicated that "it is possible to evangelize ... not only through networks or international transmissions, ...but also through the smallest newspapers or radio stations or, now, Internet sites. ... I think that our own communication of our evident happiness in our faith, in our priesthood or in our Christian life can be one of the most powerful ways to evangelize personally and through the media."

THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF Migrants and Itinerant Peoples has called a meeting of national directors for the pastoral care of tourism in Europe, being held in Rome on November 6 and 7. The theme of the meeting is: "Tourism, a transversal reality: pastoral aspects." In a talk during the opening session, Cardinal Raffaele Martino, president of the pontifical council, affirmed that as Europeans "we must affirm our roots and our Christian heritage, renewing them in the light of Vatican Council II. We must also discover how, in the future, ... to stimulate new evangelization, a new civilization of love and respect. ... Tourism is undoubtedly an appropriate instrument with which to encourage these values. Indeed, many of our monuments and works of art speak to us of a Christian Europe which, despite everything, is impregnated with the Gospel, although not, of course, only with the Gospel."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, NOV 6, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences nine prelates from the German Bishops' Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:

- Cardinal Georg Maximilian Sterzinsky, archbishop of Berlin, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Wolfgang Weider.

- Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg im Breisgau, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishops Paul Friedrich Wehrle, Rainer Klug, and Bernd Joachim Uhl.

- Bishop Joachim Friedrich Reinelt of Dresden-Meissen, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Georg Weinhold.

- Msgr. Hubertus Zomack, diocesan administrator of Gorlitz.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 6, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, U.S.A., presented by Bishop Vincent M. Rizzotto, upon having reached the age limit.

On Saturday, November 4, it was made public that he appointed Bishop Mansueto Bianchi of Volterra, Italy, as bishop of Pistoia (area 821, population 224,312, Catholics 213,400, priests 143, permanent deacons 23, religious 265), Italy. He succeeds Bishop Simone Scatizzi, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese, the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

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Saintliness Means Listening to Jesus and Following Him

- Human Beings Aspire to Transcendence

- Other Pontifical Acts

- Communique on the Holy Father's Visit to Turkey

- Pope Visits the Pontifical Gregorian University

- In Brief

- Audiences

___________________________________________________________

SAINTLINESS MEANS LISTENING TO JESUS AND FOLLOWING HIM

NOV 1, 2006 (VIS) - Today, Solemnity of All Saints, Benedict XVI celebrated Mass in the Vatican Basilica.
In his homily he highlighted the fact that "saints are not an exclusive caste of the chosen few, but a countless multitude towards whom today's liturgy encourages us to direct our gaze. That multitude contains not only officially-recognized saints, but the baptized from every age and nation who have sought to enact divine will with love and faithfulness."
"Contemplating the shining example of the saints," said the Holy Father, "awakens within us the great desire to be like them: happy to live near God, in His light, in the great family of the friends of God. ... This is the vocation of us all, clearly reiterated by Vatican Council II, and today solemnly brought to our attention once again."
"In order to be saints," he continued, "it is not necessary to accomplish extraordinary actions and works, nor to possess exceptional charisms. ... What is above all necessary is to listen to Jesus and then to follow Him without losing heart in the face of difficulties."
"The experience of the Church shows that all forms of sanctity, though following different paths, always pass along the way of the cross, the way of self-renouncement. The biographies of the saints describe men and women who, compliant to the divine plan, at times faced indescribable trials and suffering, persecutions and martyrdom."
"For us, the example of the saints is an encouragement to follow the same footsteps and experience the joy of those who entrust themselves to God; because the only true cause of sadness and unhappiness for mankind is to remain distant from Him."
Sanctity, said the Holy Father, "requires a constant effort, but it is a possibility for everyone because, more than being the work of man it is, primarily, a gift of God, thrice Holy."
"In Christ," he concluded, "God gave us all of Himself, and He calls us to a personal and profound relationship with Him. Thus, the greater our intimacy with Jesus, and the more united to Him we are, the more we enter into the mystery of divine sanctity. We discover that we are loved by Him with an infinite love, and this encourages us in turn to love our brothers and sisters. Loving always involves an act of self-renouncement, the 'loss of self', and it is precisely for this reason that it makes us happy."
HML/SANCTITY/...                                                                          VIS 061103 (420)
HUMAN BEINGS ASPIRE TO TRANSCENDENCE
VATICAN CITY, NOV 1, 2006 (VIS) - Before praying the Angelus today with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, Benedict XVI made some brief remarks dedicated to the Solemnity of All Saints, which falls today, and to tomorrow's commemoration of All Souls. Two celebrations, he said, "that give us a unique opportunity to meditate upon eternal life."
The Pope went on to ask: "Does modern man still expect this eternal life, or does he feel it to be part of a mythology that has now been left behind? In our times, more than in the past, people are so absorbed by the things of the world that sometimes it is difficult to think of God as a protagonist of history and of our own lives. Yet human existence, by its very nature, tends towards something greater, something that transcends it. The human thirst for justice, for truth, and for complete happiness cannot be suppressed.
"Faced with the enigma of death," he added, "many people have the desire and hope of seeing their loved ones in the hereafter," and believe in "a final judgement that re-establishes justice, hoping for a definitive encounter in which each is given his due."
For Christians, Pope Benedict explained, "eternal life" does not just indicate a life that lasts forever, "but a new quality of existence, fully immersed in the love of God, that frees us from evil and death and places us in endless communion with all our brothers and sisters who participate in the same Love. Thus, eternity can already be present at the center of earthly and temporal life when the soul, through grace, is joined to God, its ultimate foundation."
"Let us meditate upon these truths with our souls turned towards our ultimate and definitive destination, which gives meaning to daily life," he concluded. "Let us revive the saints' joyous sensation of communion, and allow ourselves to be attracted by them towards the goal of our existence: the meeting face to face with God."
ANG/ALL SAINTS:ALL SOULS/...                                               VIS 061103 (340)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, NOV 1, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Armando Martin Gutierrez F.A.M., formator for the Congregation of the Sons of Merciful Love in the archdiocese of Fermo, Italy, as bishop of Bacabal (area 15,867, population 494,564, Catholics 454,958, priests 27, religious 62), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Madrid, Spain in 1954 and ordained a priest in 1979.
NER/.../MARTIN                                                                              VIS 061103 (70)
COMMUNIQUE ON THE HOLY FATHER'S VISIT TO TURKEY
VATICAN CITY, NOV 2, 2006 (VIS) - Following press comments concerning the possible absence of Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during the Holy Father's forthcoming visit to Turkey from November 28 to December 1, the Holy See Press office today released the following declaration:
"It should be specified that the Holy See had already been informed - during the course of preparations for the trip - about the overlap with the prime minister's important engagement at the NATO summit meeting in Latvia. The Holy See had also been informed that the head of the government would try to be present in Turkey to meet the Holy Father but could not guarantee being able to do so, and that if he were absent, he would be represented by another important government figure: the vice prime minister."
OP/PAPAL VISIT TURKEY/ERDOGAN                                      VIS 061103 (150)
POPE VISITS THE PONTIFICAL GREGORIAN UNIVERSITY
VATICAN CITY, NOV 3, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, Benedict XVI travelled to Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University. On arrival, he visited the chapel for an interval of prayer, then moved on to the university's covered courtyard where he met with professors, students and benefactors.
After greetings from the university rector, Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda S.J., the students' representative, Fr. Bryan Lobo S.J., and the secretary general, Luigi Allena, the Pope delivered his address.
In opening his remarks, the Pope recalled how in 1972 he was invited to teach a course on the Blessed Eucharist, and he reminded professors and students that "the effort of study and teaching, in order to be meaningful with regard to the Kingdom of God, must be supported by the theological virtues. The immediate objective of theological science, in its various aspects, is God Who revealed Himself in Jesus Christ, God with a human face."
"Today," he continued, "we cannot fail to take account of the confrontation with secular culture, which in many parts of the world tends ... not only to deny all signs of God's presence in the life of society and of individuals, but, with various means that disorient and confuse man's correct understanding, seeks to undermine his capacity to listen to God.
"Nor can we ignore," he added, "relations with other religions." Such relations "are constructive only if they avoid all ambiguities that in any way weaken the essential contents of Christian faith in Christ, the only Savior of all mankind, and in the Church, a necessary sacrament for the salvation of all humanity."
Other human sciences such as psychology, social science and communications, "precisely because they concern human beings, cannot omit a reference to God. Indeed, man, both in his interior and exterior aspects, cannot be fully understood if he is not recognized as being open to transcendence."
He continued: "Deprived of his reference to God, man cannot respond to the fundamental questions that disturb, and always will disturb, his heart; questions that concern the aim and, hence, the meaning of existence. ... Man's destiny, without reference to God, cannot but be the desolation of anguish that leads to desperation. Only with reference to God-Love, revealed in Jesus Christ, can man discover the meaning of his life, and live in hope, even while experiencing the evils that injure his personal life and the society in which he lives. Hope ensures that man does not close himself in a stagnant and sterile nihilism, but opens himself to generous commitment in the society in which he lives in order to improve it."
Highlighting the fact that the integral formation of young people "is one of the traditional forms of the apostolate of Company of Jesus," the Holy Father recalled how the university's statutes and general regulations are currently being renewed, in order, he said, "to define the identity of the Gregorian University more clearly, facilitating the preparation of the most appropriate academic programs for carrying out its mission."
"As an ecclesial pontifical university, this academic institution is committed to 'sentire in Ecclesia et cum Ecclesia.' This is a commitment that arises from love for the Church, our Mother and Bride of Christ."
Following the ceremony and before returning to the Vatican, the Pope visited the "Matteo Ricci" congress center where he greeted the religious community of Jesuits.
BXVI-VISIT/GREGORIAN UNIVERSITY/GHIRLANDA               VIS 061103 (560)
IN BRIEF
CARDINAL SECRETARY OF STATE TARCISIO BERTONE S.D.B., has written a Letter conveying the Holy Father's greetings to organizers of Spain's 40th Social Week, which is currently taking place in the Spanish city of Toledo. The Pope, the cardinal writes, encourages the participants "in their efforts to ... spread the Church's Social Doctrine, both in the field of culture and research, and in the conscience of everyone - individuals and groups - called to contribute to the common good according to their condition and responsibilities. This commitment has particular relevance on the 100th anniversary of the start of these meetings, under the auspices of the Holy See and of the Spanish episcopate: a very appropriate moment at which to consider the most grave and pressing social questions in ... Spanish life."
ARCHBISHOP CELESTINO MIGLIORE, HOLY SEE Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York yesterday participated in a meeting of the 61st session of the U.N. General Assembly dedicated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). "It is a sad fact," said the nuncio in his English-language talk, "that the international community has failed to engage the Israelis and Palestinians in significant and substantive dialogue along with dispute resolution in order to bring stability and peace to both. ... Solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains the key to a series of questions affecting the whole Middle East, without going into the consequences for the wider world."
.../IN BRIEF/...                                                                                  VIS 061103 (250)
AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, NOV 3, 2006 (VIS) - This evening, the Holy Father is scheduled to receive in separate audiences:
- Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.
- Cardinal Franc Rode C.M., prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
AP/.../...                                                                                            VIS 061103 (60)

Telegram for Air Accident in Nigeria
- Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for November
- Other Pontifical Acts
- Notice
___________________________________________________________
TELEGRAM FOR AIR ACCIDENT IN NIGERIA
VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2006 (VIS) - Given below is the text of a telegram sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., in the Holy Father's name, to Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja, Nigeria, for the plane crash in that country on Sunday, October 29, which cost the lives of more than 100 people:
"Deeply saddened by the news of the tragic air disaster in Nigeria, which included among its victims the Sultan of Sokoto, His Holiness wishes to convey his heartfelt condolence to the families of all who mourn their loved ones. Offering fervent prayers for the deceased, he asks God to grant courage and strength to all who suffer. As a pledge of consolation and peace, the Holy Father invokes upon them Almighty God's abundant blessings."
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HOLY FATHER'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR NOVEMBER
VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father's general prayer intention for November is: "That, everywhere in the world, an end be put to all forms of terrorism."
His mission intention is: "That through the effort of believers, together with the living forces of society, the new and old chains which prevent the development of the African continent may be broken."
POPE-PRAYER INTENTIONS/NOVEMBER/...                          VIS 061031 (70)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Accepted the resignation from the office of Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, presented by Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, upon having reached the age limit.
- Appointed Cardinal Claudio Hummes O.F.M., archbishop of Sao Paulo, Brazil, as prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy.
- Accepted the resignation from the office of archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, presented by Cardinal Francesco Marchisano. He is succeeded by his coadjutor, Archbishop Angelo Comastri, prelate emeritus of Loreto, Italy, vicar general for Vatican City State, president of the Fabric of St Peter's.
- Accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the archdiocese of New York, U.S.A., presented by Bishop Robert A. Brucato, upon having reached the age limit.
- Appointed Fr. Thomas Chung An-zu of the clergy of Tainan, Taiwan, chaplain of the Fu Jen Catholic University, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Taipei (area 4,590, population 6,792,857, Catholics 84,326, priests 272, religious 707), Taiwan. The bishop-elect was born in Yunlin, Taiwan, in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1981.
- Appointed Fr. Fausto Gaibor Garcia, chancellor and pastor of the cathedral of Guaranda, Ecuador, as auxiliary of the diocese of Riobamba (area 7,014, population 475,000, Catholics 330,000, priests 67, permanent deacons 6, religious 218), Ecuador. The bishop-elect was born in Gauranda in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1981.
RE:NA:NEA/.../...                                                                             VIS 061031 (240)
NOTICE
VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2006 (VIS) - We would like to remind our readers that there will be no VIS service on Wednesday, November 1 or Thursday, November 2, respectively All Saints Day and All Souls Day, and holidays in the Vatican. Service will resume on Friday, November 3.
.../.../...                                                                                               VIS 061031 (50)

SUMMARY: OCTOBER 28 - 30
- Sound Catechesis and Careful Formation of the Heart
- Not Just Tolerance But Authentic Religious Freedom
- Other Pontifical Acts
- Angelus, Faith Is a Journey of Illumination
- Pope Recalls Kidnap Victims All Over the World
- Greece, Appropriate Juridical Status for the Church
- Holy Father's Appreciation for Financial Help to Holy See
- Audiences

SOUND CATECHESIS AND CAREFUL FORMATION OF THE HEART
VATICAN CITY, OCT 28, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, Benedict XVI received prelates from the Irish Episcopal Conference, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.
At the start of his English-language address to them, the Pope dwelt upon the Irish people's "constant witness ... to their faith in Christ and their fidelity to the Holy See," as well as their "outstanding contribution ... to the life of the Church," and their extraordinary missionary courage.
He called on the prelates to help their faithful "to recognize the inability of the secular, materialist culture to bring true satisfaction and joy. Be bold in speaking to them of the joy that comes from following Christ and living according to His commandments."
"Even though it is necessary to speak out strongly against the evils that threaten us," he proceeded, "we must correct the idea that Catholicism is merely 'a collection of prohibitions.' Sound catechesis and careful 'formation of the heart' are needed here, and in this regard you are blessed in Ireland with solid resources in your network of Catholic schools."
"Superficial presentations of Catholic teaching must be avoided, because only the fullness of the faith can communicate the liberating power of the Gospel," said Pope Benedict, underlining the importance of "exercising vigilance over the quality of the syllabuses and the course-books used."
"In the exercise of your pastoral ministry, you have had to respond in recent years to many heart-rending cases of sexual abuse of minors. These are all the more tragic when the abuser is a cleric. The wounds caused by such acts run deep, and it is an urgent task to rebuild confidence and trust where these have been damaged. In your continuing efforts to deal effectively with this problem, it is important to establish the truth of what happened in the past, to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent it from occurring again, to ensure that the principles of justice are fully respected and, above all, to bring healing to the victims and to all those affected by these egregious crimes. In this way, the Church in Ireland will grow stronger and be ever more capable of giving witness to the redemptive power of the Cross of Christ."
"The fine work and selfless dedication of the great majority of priests and religious in Ireland should not be obscured by the transgressions of some of their brethren. I am certain that the people understand this, and continue to regard their clergy with affection and esteem."
The Pope recalled how "at one time, Ireland was blessed with ... an abundance of priestly and religious vocations," but in recent years the number has fallen sharply. "Pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest," he told the bishops.
"I am pleased to learn that many of your dioceses have adopted the practice of silent prayer for vocations before the Blessed Sacrament. This should be warmly encouraged. Yet above all, it falls to you, the bishops, and to your clergy to offer young people an inspiring and attractive vision of the ordained priesthood."
"Even if Christian commitment is considered unfashionable in some circles, there is a real spiritual hunger and a generous desire to serve others among the young people of Ireland."
In closing his address, the Holy Father considered the question of Northern Ireland, noting that, "although the path is arduous, much progress has been made in recent times. It is my prayer that the committed efforts of those concerned will lead to the creation of a society marked by a spirit of reconciliation, mutual respect and willing cooperation for the common good of all."
AL/.../IRELAND VIS 061030 (620)
NOT JUST TOLERANCE BUT AUTHENTIC RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
VATICAN CITY, OCT 28, 2006 (VIS) - Archbishop Celestino Migliore, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York, participated yesterday in the 61st session of the U.N. General Assembly, which is currently considering the question of the promotion and protection of human rights.
In his English-language talk, Archbishop Migliore concentrated on three themes which, he said, "merit particular attention, namely, the coexistence of different religions and religious communities, the propagation of religion, including the sensitive issue of proselytism and the relationship between freedom of _expression and religion." He also expressed his concern that, "as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, ... freedom of religion or belief does not exist for individuals and communities, especially among religious minorities, in many parts of the world."
He continued: "The high level of religious intolerance in some countries is leading to an alarming degree of polarization and discrimination. ... While religious tolerance is sometimes characterized as accepting or permitting those religious beliefs and practices which disagree with one's own, the time has come to move beyond this type of religious tolerance, and to apply instead the principles of authentic religious freedom.
"Religious freedom," he added, "is the right to believe, worship, propose and witness to one's faith. It grants the opportunity and creates the occasions for people to profess freely the tenets of their faith. Furthermore, it includes the right to change one's religion and to associate freely with others in order to express one's religious convictions. ... We know well that, historically, tolerance has been a contentious issue among believers of different faiths. However, we have come to a turning point in history which demands more of us, including a commitment to inter-religious dialogue."
In this context, the archbishop emphasized "the indispensable importance of reciprocity, which, by its very nature, is apt to ensure the free exercise of religion in all societies. The Holy See continues to be concerned by a number of situations where the existence of enacted or proposed legislative and administrative measures for placing limits on the practice, observance or propagation of religion are a reality. Likewise, the Holy See is concerned with those situations where religion or freedom of religion is used as a pretext or a justification for violating other human rights."
"There appears to exist a recurring case of intolerance when group interests or power struggles seek to prevent religious communities from enlightening consciences and thus enabling them to act freely and responsibly, according to the true demands of justice. Likewise, it would be intolerant to denigrate religious communities and exclude them from public debate ... just because they do not agree with options nor conform to practices that are contrary to human dignity."
In our world, the prelate concluded, "religion is more than an internal matter of thought and conscience. It has the potential to bind us together as equal and valuable members of the human family. ... Nor should we underestimate its power, especially in the midst of conflict and division, ... to enable enemies to speak to one another, to foster those who were estranged to join hands in friendship, and have nations seek the way to peace together."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, OCT 28, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the archdiocese of Lusaka, Zambia, presented by Archbishop Medardo Joseph Mazombwe, upon having reached the age limit. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Archbishop Telesphore George Mpundu.
- Appointed Msgr. Daniel E. Flores of the clergy of the diocese of Corpus Christi, U.S.A., rector of the cathedral and vice-rector of Saint Mary Seminary in Houston, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Detroit (area 10,106, population 4,486,000, Catholics 1,457,780, priests 710, permanent deacons 141, religious 2,166), U.S.A.. The bishop-elect was born in Palacios, U.S.A., in 1961 and ordained a priest in 1988.
- Appointed Cardinal Ivan Dias, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, as a member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
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ANGELUS, FAITH IS A JOURNEY OF ILLUMINATION
VATICAN CITY, OCT 29, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, tens of thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square joined Benedict XVI for the Angelus prayer. Commenting today's Gospel reading on the healing of the blind man Bartimaeus, the Pope remarked how, "in the essentiality of its narrative, this account evokes the catechumen's journey towards the Sacrament of Baptism, which in the early Church was also called 'illumination.'
"Faith," the Holy Father added, "is a path of illumination. It begins with the recognition of our need for salvation and arrives at the personal meeting with Christ, Who calls us to follow Him on the road of love. This is the model followed by itineraries of Christian initiation in the Church, as a preparation for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.
"In places of long-standing evangelization, where the Baptism of children is widespread, young people and adults are presented with experiences of catechesis and spirituality enabling them to rediscover their faith with maturity and awareness, so that they can then take on a coherent commitment of witness" to that faith.
Benedict XVI praised the work of catechists and pastors in this field, highlighting how "the rediscovery of the value of their own Baptism lies at the root of all Christians' missionary commitment, because we see from the Gospel that people who let themselves be fascinated by Christ cannot but bear witness to the joy of following His footsteps."
Recalling how the month of October is traditionally dedicated to missions, the Pope called for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, "that missionaries of the Gospel may proliferate," and that "all the baptized may feel themselves called to announce, with the witness of their own lives, God's love to everyone."
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POPE RECALLS KIDNAP VICTIMS ALL OVER THE WORLD
VATICAN CITY, OCT 29, 2006 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus with thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope remarked upon the many requests he receives to intervene "in favor of people who, in different parts of the world, are victims of kidnapping."
He went on: "Reiterating my firm condemnation of this crime, I give assurances of my recollection in prayer for all the victims and their families and friends. In particular, I endorse the urgent appeal recently sent to me by the archbishop and the community of Sassari, Italy, in favor of Giovanni Battista Pinna, kidnapped on September 14, that he may soon be restored to his loved ones."
Benedict XVI then went on to address young people from various regions of Italy, who are meeting in Rome over these days as part of a project organized by the Italian Church every three years, known as the "Agora of young people."
"Dear friends," he told them, "I bless your journey and await your participation in large numbers at the great meeting of Italian youth, scheduled to take place on September 1 and 2, 2007 in Loreto, Italy. At that beloved Marian shrine we will experience a moment of grace together, in the joy of the faith and with a view to the mission, also as a preparation for World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, in 2008."
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GREECE, APPROPRIATE JURIDICAL STATUS FOR THE CHURCH
VATICAN CITY, OCT 30, 2006 (VIS) - At midday today, the Pope received prelates from the Greek Episcopal Conference, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.
The Holy Father began his address by referring to the "abundant influx" of Catholics from neighboring countries, which faces Greek bishops and clergy with "new requirements of ministerial service that are not easy to meet."
Bearing in mind the diversity of languages and rites of the faithful, said Pope Benedict, "I believe the development of constructive dialogue with other episcopates is more than ever appropriate." From this, he added, will emerge "prudent decisions" on how to find the ministers and resources necessary. "Obviously, respect for specific identities must be borne in mind, but without sacrificing ... the life and plans of the Churches that Christ entrusted to you."
The Holy Father called upon the prelates "to continue your efforts to encourage vocational pastoral care;" on the one hand "carefully cultivating the seeds of vocation," and on the other, "inviting Christian communities to pray more intensely" for a greater number of priestly and religious vocations, He also emphasized "the spiritual needs of so many immigrants who have found a dignified and cordial welcome in your country. This," he added, "is the style typical of your people."
On the question of contact with the faithful of the Orthodox Church, who make up the majority of the Greek population, Benedict XVI highlighted the need "to intensify prayer so as to accelerate the coming of that blessed day when it will be granted us to break the Bread together, and drink together from the same Chalice." On this subject, he expressed his hope for the opening of "ever greater prospects of constructive dialogue between the Greek Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church," and for an increase in "shared spiritual, cultural and practical initiatives. Moreover, it is my pleasure to send my best wishes to His Beatitude Christodoulos, archbishop of Athens and of all Greece," and through him "to the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church and to all the faithful."
The Pope affirmed that in his individual meetings with the Greek bishops, he had noted their "desire to see the State define their right to have an appropriate and recognized juridical status. Dialogue on this question is underway," he added, "a dialogue in which the Apostolic See is not the main player."
"Apart from dialogue, this question also requires perseverance. It is unnecessary to add that the Catholic Church seeks no privileges, but only asks for her identity and mission to be recognized, in such a way as to be able effectively to make her contribution to the overall wellbeing of the noble Greek people, of which you are an integral part. With patience and respect for legitimate procedures it will be possible, with everyone's commitment, to achieve the desired agreement."
The Holy Father concluded his talk by recalling the distress felt by many communities "at the internal displacement of their faithful. Many of them are scattered over the territory and this leads to difficulties in their relationships with their respective pastors. It is also phenomena such as this that reveal the importance of affective and effective unity among you bishops through greater internal coordination."
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HOLY FATHER'S APPRECIATION FOR FINANCIAL HELP TO HOLY SEE
VATICAN CITY, OCT 30, 2006 (VIS) - In the Clementine Hall today, The Pope received members of the Belgian associations "Pro Petri Sede" and "Etrennes Pontificales," both of which offer annual financial aid for the needs of the Holy See.
Speaking French, the Holy Father said that "the sense of apostolic communion" characterizing both associations "is expressed every year with a generous act of solidarity that aims to help our more needy brothers and sisters. ... At the time of the Apostles, the members of the fledgling Christian community put everything in common; and in each community he founded St. Paul organized a collection service in favor of other churches."
"For the Church, charity is not a kind of welfare activity which could equally well be left to others, but is a part of her nature, an indispensable _expression of her very being," said the Pope quoting his Encyclical "Deus caritas est."
"You all know the huge need for solidarity in order to ensure that the basic dignity of our brothers and sisters is respected, and that they may be nourished, and find shelter and education. And each year you respond generously, offering the Pope the fruits of your collection. I thank you in the name of all the Christian communities you help with your donations."
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AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, OCT 30, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:
- Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins C.M.F., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
- Three prelates from the Greek Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Franghiskos Papamanolis, O.F.M. Cap., of Syros and Milos, Santorini, Thira, apostolic administrator of Candia, Creta, La Canea.
- Bishop Anarghyros Printesis, apostolic exarch for Greek Catholics of Byzantine rite resident in Greece.
- Archbishop Nechan Karakeheyan, apostolic administrator of the Ordinariate for Catholics of Armenian rite resident in Greece.
On Saturday, October 28, he received in separate audiences:
- Three prelates from the Irish Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Christopher Jones of Elphin.
- Bishop Martin Drennan of Galway and Kilmacduagh.
- Bishop John Fleming of Killala.
- Three prelates from the Greek Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Nicolaos Foscolos of Athens, apostolic administrator "sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of Rhodes.
- Archbishop Yannis Spiteris O.F.M. Cap., of Corfu, Zante and Cefalonia, apostolic administrator "ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of the apostolic vicariate of Thessaloniki.
- Archbishop Nikolaos Printesis of Naxos, Andros, Tinos and Mykonos; apostolic administrator "sede vacante" of Chios.
- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
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- Beyond the Things That Divide, towards Unity in Christ
- Audiences

BEYOND THE THINGS THAT DIVIDE, TOWARDS UNITY IN CHRIST
VATICAN CITY, OCT 27, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, Benedict XVI received participants in a meeting of the Christian World Communions who, over the last few days, have been dedicating their attention to the question of "Visions of Christian Unity."
Addressing them in English, the Pope said: "For decades the Conference of Secretaries of Christian World Communions has provided a forum for fruitful contacts between the various ecclesial communities. This has enabled their representatives to build that reciprocal trust needed to engage seriously in bringing the richness of different Christian traditions to serve the common call to discipleship."
"It is clear to us all that today's world is in need of a new evangelization, a fresh accounting on the part of Christians for the hope that is in them. Yet those who profess that Jesus Christ is Lord are tragically divided and cannot always give a consistent common witness. Herein lies an enormous responsibility for us all."
The Holy Father indicated that he was "glad to see that the theme of your meeting ... focuses on a basic ecumenical issue. The theological dialogues in which many Christian World Communions have been engaged are characterized by a commitment to move beyond the things that divide, towards the unity in Christ which we seek. However daunting the journey, we must not lose sight of the final goal: full visible communion in Christ and in the Church.
"We may feel discouraged when progress is slow," he added, "but there is too much at stake to turn back. On the contrary, there are good reasons to forge ahead, as my predecessor Pope John Paul II pointed out in his Encyclical Letter 'Ut Unum Sint' on the Catholic Church's ecumenical commitment, where he speaks of brotherhood rediscovered and greater solidarity in the service of humanity."
"The Apostle assures us that 'the Spirit helps us in our weakness'," the Pope concluded. "Though there are many obstacles still to be overcome, we firmly believe that the Holy Spirit is ever present and will guide us along the right path.
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AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, OCT 27, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:
- Jose Ramos-Horta, prime minister of East Timor, accompanied by an entourage.
- Fauzia Mufti Abbas, ambassador of Pakistan, on her farewell visit.
- Four prelates from the Irish Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Laurence Forristal of Ossory.
- Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam.
- Bishop Thomas Flynn of Achonry.
- Bishop John Kirby of Clonfert.
This evening, he is scheduled to receive in audience Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
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Crisis of Meaning in Wealthy Societies
- Military Ordinaries: the Value of the Person and of Peace
- In Brief
- Audience
- Other Pontifical Acts

CRISIS OF MEANING IN WEALTHY SOCIETIES
VATICAN CITY, OCT 26, 2006 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received the Letters of Credence of Frank De Coninck, the new ambassador of Belgium to the Holy See.
Recalling how Belgium was, from the very beginning, an active participant in "the great project of European construction," the Holy Father praised the goals achieved in this field over the last 50 years. "Little by little, the continent of Europe is finding its unity in peace," he said, "the European Union has become a major economic force and, for many people, a sign of hope."
Today, faced with "the requirements of the globalization of trade and of solidarity between human beings," Europe must "continue to open itself, committing itself to the great projects of the planet." In the first place is "the question of peace and security, ... the international situation riven by conflict, ... especially in the Middle East, and the dramatic conditions in the Holy Land, Lebanon and Iraq, as well as in Africa and Asia."
The Holy Father went on to consider challenges that "concern the future of human beings and their identity," noting how "enormous technological progress has revolutionized many practices in the field of medical science, while ... norms that once appeared untouchable have been relativized. ... In Western societies, characterized by their superabundance of consumer goods and by their subjectivism, human beings find themselves facing a crisis of meaning," while "laws are passed that put respect for human life into question."
"The Church, on the foundation of her long experience, and of the treasure of Revelation she received, ... firmly underlines her convictions concerning human beings and their prodigious destiny," said the Pope. "When Belgian bishops speak in favor of the development of palliative care to enable people ... to die with dignity, or when they participate in the debates of society" in order to draw attention to that invisible moral frontier before which technological progress must bow: the dignity of man, "they seek to serve the whole of society by identifying the conditions for a real future of freedom and dignity for mankind. With them, I invite political leaders ... to give attentive consideration to their responsibilities and to the challenges these questions pose."
"Belgium," said the Holy Father, "came into being as a monarchy, the monarch's role being to guarantee national unity and ensure respect for each linguistic and cultural community within the nation. ... The unity of a country ... requires all sides to show a will to serve the common interest and a desire for better mutual knowledge through dialogue and reciprocal enrichment. Today, the influx of ever-greater numbers of immigrants and the increasing number of communities of different cultural origin or religion, make it absolutely necessary for there to be dialogue between cultures and religions in our societies."
"We must know one another better," the Pope concluded, "respecting one another's religious convictions and the legitimate requirements of social life, in accordance with current legislation. We must welcome immigrants in such a way as always to respect their dignity" through "immigration policies that reconcile the interests of the country of destination with the necessary development of less-favored nations. ... Thus we will avoid the risks of ... exacerbated nationalism or xenophobia, and may hope for the harmonious development of our societies."
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MILITARY ORDINARIES: THE VALUE OF THE PERSON AND OF PEACE
VATICAN CITY, OCT 26, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, the Holy Father received participants in the fifth international congress of Military Ordinariates. The congress marks the twentieth anniversary of the Apostolic Constitution "Spirituali Militum Curae," promulgated by Servant of God John Paul II.
In his address, Benedict XVI recalled how the Apostolic Constitution "updated canonical regulations regarding spiritual assistance to the military, in the light of Vatican Council II and bearing in mind the transformations affecting armed forces and their mission at a national and international level." With the further changes that have taken place over the last two decades, the Constitution requires "adaptation to the needs of the present moment. This is what you, with great timeliness, have sought to do during this meeting, organized by the Congregation for Bishops."
After mentioning the "two fundamental values" emphasized in the Apostolic Constitution - "the value of the person and the value of peace" - the Holy Father indicated that "the people to whom the Ordinariate is directed do not cease to be members of the faithful of the particular Church where they live, or of the rite to which they belong. This highlights a need for communion and coordination between the Military Ordinariate and the particular Churches."
"Putting people first means giving pride of place to the Christian formation of soldiers, accompanying them and their relatives as they progress in Christian initiation, along the path of vocation, of maturity in the faith and of witness. It also means favoring forms of fraternity, communion and liturgical and non-liturgical prayer that are appropriate to the military environment and lifestyle."
Going on to refer to the "value of peace," the Pope said: "If Vatican Council II calls the military ministers of peace, how much more so are the pastors to whom they are entrusted! I therefore encourage you all to ensure that military chaplains be true experts and masters of what the Church teaches and practices in terms of building peace in the world."
"The Church is called to be 'salt,' 'light' and leavening,' even in the world of the military, ... so that mentalities and structures become ever more oriented towards building peace" said Pope Benedict. "The Church's Magisterium on the question of peace represents an essential aspect of her social doctrine," he added.
The Church's "insistent calls for peace have influenced Western culture, promoting the idea that the armed forces are 'at the exclusive service of the defense, security and freedom of peoples.' Sometimes, unfortunately, other interests, economic and political interests fomented by international tensions, put obstacles and setbacks in the way of this constructive tendency, as is evident in the difficulty of disarmament processes."
The Holy Father concluded his talk by insisting that, "in order to offer people adequate pastoral care and carry out their evangelizing mission, Military Ordinaries need motivated and trained priests and deacons, as well as lay people who collaborate actively and responsibly with pastors."
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IN BRIEF
BENEDICT XVI WILL CELEBRATE MASS IN THE VATICAN BASILICA at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 1, for the Solemnity of All Saints.
ARCHBISHOP CELESTINO MIGLIORE, HOLY SEE permanent observer to the United Nations in New York, yesterday addressed the 61st session of the U.N. General Assembly on the theme of sustainable development. "The environmental question is not only an important ethical and scientific problem," he said in his English-language talk, "but a political and economic problem too, as well as a bone of contention in the globalization process in general. ... The world needs an ecological conversion so as to examine critically current models of thought, as well as those of production and consumption."
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AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, OCT 26, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:
- Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, archbishop of Bordeaux, France.
- Six prelates from the Irish Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archchbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, accompanied by Cardinal Desmond Connell, archbishop emeritus, and Auxiliary Bishops Eamonn Oliver Walsh and Raymond W. Field.
- Bishop Denis Brennan of Ferns.
- Bishop James Moriarty of Kildare and Leighlin.
This evening, he is scheduled to receive in audience Cardinal James Francis Stafford and Fr. Gianfranco Girotti, O.F.M. Conv., respectively penitentiary major and regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, OCT 26, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the archdiocese of Liverpool, England, presented by Bishop Vincent Malone, upon having reached the age limit.
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Pontifical Universities: Priority to Spiritual Life
- Fifth International Congress of Military Ordinariates
- Meeting of the 11th Ordinary Council of Synod of Bishops
- Exhibition on 145 Years of the Osservatore Romano
PONTIFICAL UNIVERSITIES: PRIORITY TO SPIRITUAL LIFE
VATICAN CITY, OCT 24, 2006 (VIS) - Yesterday evening, following a Eucharistic concelebration presided by Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, to mark the beginning of the academic year at Roman Pontifical Universities, the Holy Father entered the Vatican Basilica to greet the students and professors gathered there.
In his talk, the Holy Father emphasized how the community of teachers and students, coming from many different nationalities and cultures, "eloquently expresses the universality and unity of the Catholic Church. A community that is all the more attractive because it prevalently addresses the young, giving them the opportunity to enter into contact with institutions of great theological and cultural value and, at the same time, offering them access to rewarding ecclesial and pastoral experiences."
Benedict XVI highlighted "the primary importance of spiritual life," and of concern for "cultural development, balanced human maturity and a profound ascetic and religious formation." He also stressed the need for "silence and contemplation," because we must be able "to listen with the heart to God Who speaks."
He went on: "Thought always needs purification in order to be able to enter the dimension in which God pronounces His creating and redeeming Word. ... Only if they arise from the silence of contemplation can our words have some measure of value and utility, and not subside into ... worldly discourse which seeks the consensus of public opinion.
"People who study in ecclesiastical institutes must, then, prepare themselves to be obedient to truth," he added, "and cultivate a particular form of ascesis of thought and word."
"Your apostolate will be rich and fruitful," he concluded, "in the measure to which you prepare yourselves over these years, studying seriously and, above all, nourishing your personal relationship with Him, tending towards sanctity and having as the only goal of your lives the realization of the Kingdom of God."
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FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF MILITARY ORDINARIATES
VATICAN CITY, OCT 24, 2006 (VIS) - "Soldiers at the service of peace" is the theme of the fifth international congress of military ordinariates, which is being held from October 23 to 27 in the Vatican's Old Synod Hall.
The president of the congress is Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. He is being assisted by Fr. Giulio Cerchietti, head of the congregation's central office for the pastoral coordination of military ordinariates.
The program of the event has been divided under six subject headings to be discussed during the course of the meetings. These are: "the nature of military ordinariates in the light of the Apostolic Constitution 'Spirituali Militum Curae' and subsequent documents of the Magisterium; the mission of military ordinariates and their importance in the light of new international situations; ordained ministry and other ecclesial ministries at the service of the pastoral mission of military ordinariates; the right to religious assistance of soldiers on peace missions and the need for training in international humanitarian law; the experience of a military ordinary in his dealings with the episcopal conference and with the diocesan bishops of his country; soldiers as servants of peace." Attention will be also be given to the question of "the juridical value of the statutes of military ordinariates."
The congress began with an address delivered by Cardinal Re, and will conclude with Mass in St. Peter's Basilica presided by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B.
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MEETING OF THE 11TH ORDINARY COUNCIL OF SYNOD OF BISHOPS
VATICAN CITY, OCT 24, 2006 (VIS) - The eleventh Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops held its fourth meeting on October 10 and 11, under the presidency of Archbishop Nikola Eterovic secretary general of the Synod. The meeting was attended by six cardinals and six archbishops and bishops.
According to a communique from the General Secretariat made public today, the participants considered various questions associated with the theme of the next ordinary general assembly: "The Word of God in the Life and the Mission of the Church." The assembly is due to be held in the Vatican from October 5 to 26, 2008. Attention was thus given to such matters as the Word of God in the liturgy, in preaching, in catechesis, in theology, in spirituality, in the "lectio divina," in inculturation, and in ecumenism. Particular emphasis was laid on the Vatican Council II Dogmatic Constitution "Dei Verbum," which is "a vital reference, especially in the preparatory phase of the Synod."
The work groups prepared two outline projects for the " Lineamenta" (the preparatory document of the Synod), the definitive text of which will be examined and approved at the ordinary council's next meeting, to be held on January 24 and 25.
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EXHIBITION ON 145 YEARS OF THE OSSERVATORE ROMANO
VATICAN CITY, OCT 24, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. delivered a brief talk at the opening of the exhibition: "L'Osservatore Romano. From Rome to the world, 145 years of history through the pages of the Pope's newspaper."
Participating in the event were Enrico Gasbarra, president of the Province of Rome, accompanied by members of the provincial council, as well as various civil and religious authorities.
Cardinal Bertone recalled how the newspaper, "created to defend the Catholic religion and the Roman Pontiff, ... later became the unofficial organ of the Apostolic See." This made it an ideal instrument for "spreading the teaching of Peter's Successor and information concerning Church affairs."
"We cannot fail to highlight," he added, "that it is thanks to certain lay faithful,... that the first steps were made. ... Over these 145 years ... the succession of historical events has shown that, in order to spread the evangelical message, the Church ... needs the work, inventiveness and charism of the laity."
The cardinal then went on to observe how the exhibition "familiarizes us with the pastoral work of 11 Popes: Blessed Pius IX who gave his consent to the foundation of the Osservatore Romano; ... the profound social changes ... of the pontificate of Leo XIII; ... St. Pius X, the Pope of the great reforms within the Church; Benedict XV ... who on the pages of the newspaper published his heartfelt 'Appeal to the Leaders of the Warring Nations;' ... Pius XI who condemned political totalitarianism of all kinds, as did his successor, Pius XII; ... the springtime of the Church under Blessed John XXIII; ... the wise and providential activities of Paul VI; ... the brief pontificate of John Paul I; and ... the renewed dialogue of the Holy See with the world that characterized the pontificate of John Paul II," up to "our own times in which the Church progresses under the prudent guidance of Benedict XVI."
The cardinal concluded his talk by expressing the hope that, "through the glorious memory of the past," this initiative "may relaunch, with a prophetic spirit, an effective and convincing means of communication of the Church."
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Cardinal Pompedda, a Life in the Service of the Church
- Science Must Promote the Human Search for What Is Good
- Missions, a Workshop with Room for Everyone
- Appeal for Peace in Iraq
- Study the Rich Heritage of John Paul II
- May Hungary Build a Future Free from Oppression
- In Brief
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts

CARDINAL POMPEDDA, A LIFE IN THE SERVICE OF THE CHURCH
VATICAN CITY, OCT 21, 2006 (VIS) - At 5 p.m. yesterday evening at the major altar of St. Peter's Basilica, Benedict XVI celebrated the funeral Mass for Cardinal Mario Francesco Pompedda, who died on October 18 at the age of 77.
In his homily, the Holy Father recalled how Cardinal Pompedda's entire life "was spent in the service of the Holy See, ever since 1955 when he began working at the Tribunal of the Roman Rota." After holding various offices, in 1993 the late cardinal "became dean of the same tribunal. ... His theological, biblical, and particularly his juridical knowledge, made him a competent collaborator of various dicasteries of the Roman Curia, and he finally reached high office as prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura and president of the Court of Appeal of Vatican City State."
The cardinal "united pastoral work" to his daily activities, said the Pope, "exercising the priestly ministry for some 30 years in the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Monte Mario in Rome. To all who met him, he communicated the solidity of his faith, enlightening minds with the principles and teachings of Catholic doctrine."
Benedict XVI then recalled how the last stages of the late prelate's earthly journey "were marked by an illness that effectively prevented him from performing any kind of activity. Thus assimilated to Christ's passion, our friend and brother was compelled progressively to separate himself from all the things of the world and abandon himself without reserve to the divine will. ... It was faith in Christ that always guided the life of Cardinal Pompedda, especially in his final months. His soul we now entrust to the mercy of the Father."
"Cardinal Mario Francesco Pompedda died in the certainty that Christ is the vanquisher of death, and in the hope of being raised by Him on the last day. In his exodus from this world we accompany him with our fraternal prayers, entrusting him to the heavenly protection of Mary."
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SCIENCE MUST PROMOTE THE HUMAN SEARCH FOR WHAT IS GOOD
VATICAN CITY, OCT 21, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, the Holy Father visited the Pontifical Lateran University to mark the opening of the academic year. Prior to the ceremony, he blessed the institution's new "St. Pius X" library, the "John Paul II" reading room, and the recently-restored Great Hall, which has been given the name "Benedict XVI."
After greeting Cardinal Camillo Ruini and Bishop Rino Fisichella, respectively chancellor and rector of the university, as well as religious and academic representatives, Benedict XVI addressed some remarks to those present.
"In a context such as that of academia," he said, "we are especially invited to consider the question of the crisis of culture and identity which recent decades have, not without drama, faced us. ... The university is one of the best places to seek appropriate ways to resolve this situation," because it "safeguards the wealth of living tradition down the centuries. Universities can reveal the fruitfulness of truth when accepted in all its authenticity," and "form new generations, who await a serious proposal ... capable of answering the perennial question about the meaning of their life."
"The contemporary world," he continued, "seems to give pride of place to an artificial intelligence ever more dominated by experimental techniques and thus forgetful that science must always defend man and promote his efforts towards true good. Overestimating 'doing' and obscuring 'being' does not help to recompose that fundamental balance which everyone needs in order to give life a firm foundation and a valid goal."
"Mankind," the Pope added, "is called to give meaning to its actions, especially when they enter the territory of a scientific discovery that compromises the very essence of personal life. To allow oneself to be carried away by the joy of discovery, without safeguarding the criteria that arise from a more profound view, would be to relive the drama of the ancient myth: the young Icarus, carried away with the desire of flying to absolute freedom ... got ever closer to the sun, forgetting that the wings upon which he rose to the skies were made of wax. His fall and death were the price he paid for his illusion. ... There are other illusions in life that cannot be trusted without the risk of disastrous consequences for one's own existence and that of others."
Addressing the university professors, Benedict XVI told them that they have "the task not only to investigate truth, ... but also to promote knowledge of every aspect of that truth, defending it from reductive and distorting interpretations. ... This is of vital importance in order to confer a deeply-rooted identity on personal life, and to encourage responsibility in social relationships."
"Understanding the true essence of things, even things of minimal importance, takes great effort," said the Holy Father quoting the words of Erasmus of Rotterdam. "This is the effort the university must be committed to make, through study and research."
"God is the ultimate truth to which all reason naturally tends, impelled by the desire to fulfill the journey it has been assigned. God is not an empty word or an abstract hypothesis. ... He is the foundation upon which to build life. ... Believers know that this God has a face and that with Jesus Christ, once and for all, He came close to man. ... To know Him is to know the full truth, thanks to which we find freedom."
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MISSIONS, A WORKSHOP WITH ROOM FOR EVERYONE
VATICAN CITY, OCT 22, 2006 (VIS) - World Mission Day was the central theme of Benedict XVI's reflections before praying the Angelus with thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.
The Pope recalled how World Mission Day was established by Pius XI who, during the Jubilee Year 1925, promoted a great exhibition which later became the nucleus of the Vatican Museums' ethnological-missionary collection. Pope Benedict then went on to refer to the theme of this year's Day - "Charity, Soul of the Mission" - emphasizing how missions, "if not driven by love, are reduced to a philanthropic and social activity," while Christian missions must be inspired by "the words of St. Paul: 'the love of Christ controls us'."
"All baptized people," he continued, "like shoots attached to the vine, can thus cooperate in Jesus' mission: ... bringing everyone the good news that God is love and, precisely for this reason, wants to save the world. The mission begins in the heart. ... This is what happened 800 years ago to the young Francis of Assisi in the chapel of St. Damian, which was then a ruin. From the height of the Cross, ... Francis heard Jesus tell him: 'Go, repair My house, which as you see is in ruins'."
Benedict XVI indicated how this house was, in the first place, Francis' own life, which he had "to 'repair' through a true conversion; it was the Church, not built of bricks but of living people, in constant need of purification; it was also humanity entire, in which God loves to dwell."
He concluded: "The mission is, then, a workshop with room for everyone: for people committed to fulfilling the Kingdom of God in their own family; for people who live their professional lives with a Christian spirit; for people totally consecrated to the Lord; ... for people who go out with the specific intention of announcing Christ to those who do not yet know Him. May Mary Most Holy help us to experience ... the joy and courage of the mission!"
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APPEAL FOR PEACE IN IRAQ
VATICAN CITY, OCT 22, 2006 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus with thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope sent "a cordial greeting to Muslims all over the world who, during these days, are celebrating the end of the month of fasting of Ramadan. To all of them, my best wishes for serenity and peace.
"In dramatic contrast to this climate of joy," he added, "is the news coming from Iraq of the grave situation of insecurity and of the pitiless violence to which so many innocents are exposed, simply for being Shias, Sunnis or Christians.
"I am aware of the great concern being felt by the Christian community, and wish to give assurances of my closeness to them, as to all the victims, asking that strength and consolation be granted to everyone.
"I invite you," he concluded, "to join me in my plea to the Almighty that He may give the necessary faith and courage to religious and political leaders, both locally and all over the world, to support [the Iraqi] people on the road of rebuilding their homeland, in their search for a shared equilibrium, with mutual respect, and an awareness that the multiplicity of [the country's] components is an integral part of its wealth."
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STUDY THE RICH HERITAGE OF JOHN PAUL II
VATICAN CITY, OCT 23, 2006 (VIS) - At midday today, the Pope received members of the John Paul II Foundation, led by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, archbishop of Krakow, Poland. The purpose of the meeting was to mark the establishment of the foundation 25 years ago.
The Holy Father began by expressing his joy at having the opportunity to meet "representatives of the people who, the world over, work to keep alive John Paul II's memory, his teaching and the apostolic work he undertook during the course of his pontificate. It must be added that their commitment shows real promise, because it involves not only documentation and research, but touches upon the mystery of the sanctity of the Servant of God."
After highlighting how the foundation has become more important following Pope John Paul's death, Benedict XVI pointed out how "its collections of pontifical writings and ... documents on the Holy See's activities, as well as of literary texts and comments made via the social communication media, make for a very complete and well-organized archive, and lay the foundations for a detailed and profound study of John Paul II's spiritual heritage."
"This," he added, "is the aspect of the foundation's activities that I would like to underline today: ... [its] study of the pontificate. John Paul II, philosopher, theologian, great pastor of the Church, left us a wealth of writings and gestures expressing his desire to spread the Gospel of Christ in the world using the methods indicated by Vatican Council II and to lay down guidelines for the development of Church life in the new millennium. These precious gifts cannot be forgotten. Today I entrust to you, dear members and friends of the John Paul II Foundation, the task of studying the richness of his message, and transmitting it to future generations."
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MAY HUNGARY BUILD A FUTURE FREE FROM OPPRESSION
VATICAN CITY, OCT 23, 2006 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message from Benedict XVI to Laszlo Solyom, president of the Republic of Hungary, for the 50th anniversary of the revolution against the then communist regime. The uprising began with a popular demonstration in Budapest on October 23, 1956, and was crushed by Soviet tanks on November 4. Hungary remained part of the Soviet Bloc until the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989.
"On 23 October 1956," the Pope writes in his Message which has been published in Hungarian, Italian and English, "the courageous people of Budapest struggled to express their desire for freedom, in the face of a regime that was pursuing ends contrary to the values of the Hungarian nation. Memories are still vivid of the tragic events that, in the space of a few days, left thousands of people dead or wounded, and caused deep distress throughout the world. At that time the grief-stricken appeals of ... Pope Pius XII resounded strongly; with four impassioned public interventions, he pleaded insistently that the international community recognize Hungary's right to self-determination."
"I gladly support the various initiatives planned to commemorate this significant event, so vital for the history of the Hungarian people and for Europe. It is for this reason that I have asked the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, until recently my secretary of State, to be present at the celebrations in my name."
"I am pleased to observe," the Pope tells the Hungarian president, "that despite all the oppression they have endured down the centuries, most recently from Soviet communism, your people have always maintained the correct evaluation of the relationship between the State and citizens, beyond all ideology. According to the Christian vision that inspired the various peoples who were to form the Hungarian nation, the human person, with his legitimate moral, ethical and social aspirations, takes precedence over the State. The legal structure and the secular nature of the State have always been conceived with respect for natural law expressed in authentic national values which, for believers, are enriched by Revelation."
Benedict XVI expresses the hope that Hungary "may build a future free from all forms of oppression and ideological conditioning," and that the commemoration "will provide an occasion for timely reflection on the moral, ethical and spiritual ideals and values that have shaped Europe." May Hungary, he concludes, "continue to promote a civilization based on respect for the human person and his supreme destiny."
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IN BRIEF
ON 20 NOVEMBER, THE POPE WILL RECEIVE GIORGIO NAPOLITANO, president of the Italian Republic, on an official visit.
MSGR. FRANCESCO FOLLO, PERMANENT OBSERVER of the Holy See to UNESCO, addressed the 175th session of that organization's executive council. Msgr. Follo's talk, delivered on October 11, came during the course of a debate on "the suitability of drawing up an international declaration on scientific ethics."
THE 11th MEETING OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL for America of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops was held on October 2 and 3. Particular attention was given to two themes: pastoral care of vocations and the promotion of human life from conception to natural end. "The social and ecclesial situation on the continent shows hopeful signs, but also worrying ones," reads a communique released by the Synod of Bishops. Although, on the one hand, the number of diocesan priests increased by 17.66% between 1978 and 2004, "the crisis of democratic structures favors populist and demagogical - often neo-Marxist - forms of government that, for ideological motives, tend to manipulate social promotion."
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AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, OCT 23, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:
- Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, archbishop emeritus of Paris, France.
- Four prelates from the Irish Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop William Murphy of Kerry.
- Bishop William Walsh of Killaloe.
- Bishop Donal Brendan Murray of Limerick.
- Bishop William Lee of Waterford and Lismore.
On Saturday, October 21, he received in audience Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, OCT 23, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Appointed Fr. Marco Antonio Ordenes Fernandez, diocesan administrator of Iquique, Chile, as bishop of the same diocese (area 41,799, population 241,000, Catholics 125,400, priests 32, permanent deacons 11, religious 57). The bishop-elect was born in Iquique in 1964 and ordained a priest in 1996.
On Saturday, October 21, it was made public that he:
- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the archdiocese of Arequipa, Peru, presented by Archbishop Jose Paulino Rios Reynoso, in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Archbishop Javier del Rio Alba.
- Erected the Chaldean eparchy of Oceania with the name of "St. Thomas the Apostle of Sydney of the Chaldeans," appointing Archbishop Djibrail Kassab of Bassorah, Iraq as the first bishop of the new eparchy, allowing him to maintain his title of archbishop "ad personam."
- Appointed Bishop Edward Ozorowski, auxiliary of the archdiocese of Bialystok, Poland, as archbishop of the same archdiocese (area 5,550, population 421,426, Catholics 352,041, priests 435, religious 220). The archbishop-elect was born in Wolka Przedmiescie, Poland, in 1941, ordained a priest in 1964 and consecrated a bishop in 1979.
- Appointed Fr. Jan Niemiec, rector of the major episcopal seminary of the diocese of Kamyanets-Podilskyi of the Latins, Ukraine, as auxiliary of the same diocese (area 47,100, population 4,020,000, Catholics 255,000, priests 153, religious 266). The bishop-elect was born in Rzeszow, Poland, in 1958 and ordained a priest in 1987.
- Appointed Giuseppe Facchini, bureau chief of the Department of Technical Services of the Governorate of Vatican City State, as vice-director of the same office.
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- Only Christ Fully Satisfies the Needs of the Human Heart
- Presentation of Message for End of Ramadan
- Christians and Muslims: Face Global Challenges Together
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts
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ONLY CHRIST FULLY SATISFIES THE NEEDS OF THE HUMAN HEART
VATICAN CITY, OCT 20, 2006 (VIS) - Yesterday afternoon at the Bentegodi Stadium in the Italian city of Verona, the Pope presided at a Eucharistic concelebration attended by more than 40,000 people. This was the second event - following the address he delivered earlier in the day at the Fair of Verona - of his pastoral visit to the city for the 4th Italian Ecclesial Congress, which has been considering the theme: "Witnesses of the Risen Christ, Hope of the World."
Apart from the faithful present in the stadium, a further 60,000 people were able to follow the Holy Father's homily on giant screens erected throughout the city. He told them that "the certainty that Christ arose assures us that no adverse power will ever be able to destroy the Church. We also draw encouragement from our awareness that only Christ can fully satisfy the profound expectations of the human heart and respond to the most disturbing questions of pain, injustice and evil, of death and the hereafter.
"Therefore," he added, "our faith is well founded; but it is necessary that this faith become part of our lives. A great effort must therefore be made in order for all Christians to transform themselves into 'witnesses,' ready and able to shoulder the commitment of testifying - always and to everyone - to the hope that animates them."
The Pope went on to highlight the importance of "going back to a vigorous and joyful announcement of the death and resurrection of Christ, the core of Christianity, the bedrock of our faith, the powerful lever of our certainties, the great wind that blows away all fear and indecision, all doubt and human calculation. Only from God can the decisive change of the world come. Only by going back to the Resurrection can the true nature of the Church and of her witness be understood."
Benedict XVI expressed the hope that the Church in Italy "may start out anew from this congress, ...impelled by the Word of the Risen Lord Who repeats to all mankind and to each individual: be, in today's world, witnesses of my Passion and my Resurrection. In a changing world, the Gospel does not alter. The Good News is always the same: Christ died, and He rose for our salvation! In His name bring everyone the announcement of conversion and the forgiveness of sins, but be yourselves the first to bear witness to a life of conversion and forgiveness." This is only possible, he added, with "the interior strength of the Spirit of the Risen Christ."
"Consecrated with the 'anointing' of the Holy Spirit," the Pope exclaimed, "go forth! Carry the good tidings to the poor, bind the wounds of the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom to slaves, open the doors of prisons to those within, promulgate the year of the Lord's mercy. Rebuild the ancient ruins, ... restore the wasted cities. There are so many difficult situations that await a decisive intervention! Bring into the world the hope of God, which is Christ the Lord Who rose from the dead and lives and reigns forever. Amen."
Following Mass, the Pope travelled to the airport of Verona-Villafranca where he boarded a plane for his return to Rome.
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PRESENTATION OF MESSAGE FOR END OF RAMADAN
VATICAN CITY, OCT 20, 2006 (VIS) - In the Holy See Press Office this morning, a press conference was held to present the annual Message to Muslims for the end of the month of Ramadan, published by the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.
Participating in the conference were Cardinal Paul Poupard, Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, and Msgr. Felix Anthony Machado, respectively president, secretary and under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, and Msgr. Khaled Akashed, bureau chief of the council's office for relations with Islam.
Cardinal Poupard pointed out how his council "sends messages of good will to the followers of the three of the world's major religions: Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims." The council's offices, he said, enjoy regular visits from "Shinoists, Sikhs, ... and exponents of other eastern religions. ... These visits, with reciprocal exchange of expressions of good will, are returned by the pontifical council."
Among the initiatives being promoted by his dicastery, the cardinal mentioned a meeting in Assisi, Italy, to be held from November 4 to 8, of "100 young people, 50 Christians and 50 from other religious traditions and various countries," for the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace. The aim is "to reflect and to exchange ideas, in the hope that the meeting may help young people to be instruments of dialogue, of peace and of hope for the world."
The next to speak was Archbishop Celata who outlined the history of the Messages to Muslims, first published in 1967 by the then Secretariat for non-Christians. It was felt, he said, that Ramadan "represented an appropriate moment for the Holy See dicastery charged with promoting relations with different religious traditions, to present itself to the various Muslim communities, expressing sentiments of friendly participation in their joy."
"Over all these years," he continued, "the Message has attracted growing appreciation, attention and interest. Little by little, the number of Muslim personalities who have responded has increased. ... Of particular significance is the appreciation of bishops, some of whom accompany the release of the Message with a personal letter of their own."
Turning to consider the contents of the message, the archbishop explained that they "are not limited to formal expressions of good will, but seek to establish 'contact,' to create a harmony with the recipients on a 'religious' plane, that is, on the basis of those elements that encouraged the Fathers of Vatican Council II to declare the Church's esteem for Muslims."
The Messages to Muslims also cover "questions of common interest, not infrequently arising from current affairs, ... with the aim of promoting reflection to encourage better understanding of certain fundamental human values, and the contribution of both religions to solving certain difficult situations."
For his part, Msgr. Machado presented a book recently published by the council: "Inter-religious Dialogue. The official teaching of the Catholic Church from the Second Vatican Council to John Paul II (1963-2005)." Over a 1,000 pages long, it has been published in Italian, French and English.
This volume, said the under-secretary of the pontifical council, gives "Catholics easy access to the theological motivations of inter-religious dialogue as explained in the Magisterium," and "offers followers of other faiths the official teaching of the Catholic Church on the various religions of the world."
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CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS: FACE GLOBAL CHALLENGES TOGETHER
VATICAN CITY, OCT 20, 2006 (VIS) - Made public today was the annual Message to Muslims for the end of the month of Ramadan from the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue. It bears the signatures of Cardinal Paul Poupard and Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, respectively president and secretary of the council. The theme of the Message this year (1427 AH / 2006 AD) is, "Christians and Muslims: in confident dialogue aimed at solving together the challenges of our world."
The document as been published in English, French, Italian and Arabic. Extracts are given below:
"It is good to be able to share this significant moment with you in the context of our ongoing dialogue. The particular circumstances that we have recently experienced together demonstrate clearly that, however arduous the path of authentic dialogue may be at times, it is more necessary than ever.
"The month of Ramadan which you have just completed has also undoubtedly been a time of prayer and reflection on the difficult situations of today's world. While contemplating and thanking God for all that is good, it is impossible not to take note of the serious problems which affect our times: injustice, poverty, tensions and conflicts between countries as well as within them. Violence and terrorism are a particularly painful scourge. ... So much, which has taken years of sacrifice and toil to build, destroyed in a few minutes!
"As Christian and Muslim believers, are we not the first to be called to offer our specific contribution to resolve this serious situation and these complex problems? Without doubt, the credibility of religions and also the credibility of our religious leaders and all believers is at stake. If we do not play our part as believers, many will question the usefulness of religion and the integrity of all men and women who bow down before God.
"Our two religions give great importance to love, compassion and solidarity. ... In recalling this point, the first Encyclical Letter of Pope Benedict XVI, 'Deus Caritas Est' (God is Love), underlines the importance of fraternal charity in the Church's mission: love, to be credible, must be effective. ... True love must be of service to all the needs of daily life; it must also seek just and peaceful solutions to the serious problems which afflict our world."
"In those places where we can work together, let us not labor separately. The world has need, and so do we, of Christians and Muslims who respect and value each other and bear witness to their mutual love and cooperation to the glory of God and the good of all humanity. ... [This will] offer a significant contribution to the re-establishment and strengthening of peace both within nations and between peoples."
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AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, OCT 20, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences seven prelates from the Irish Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop John McAreavey of Dromore.
- Bishop Philip Leo O'Reilly of Kilmore.
- Bishop Michael Smith of Meath.
- Bishop Philip Boyce O.C.D., of Raphoe.
- Archbishop Dermot Clifford of Cashel.
- Bishop John McGee S.P.S., of Cloyne.
- Bishop John Buckley of Cork and Ross.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, OCT 20, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Edwin Colaco of Amravati, India, as bishop of Aurangabad (area 64,525, population 10,176,000, Catholics 14,300, priests 42, religious 179), India.
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Verona, Pope Addresses Italian Ecclesial Congress
- Telegram for the Death of Cardinal Pompedda
- In Brief
- Other Pontifical Acts
___________________________________________________________
VERONA, POPE ADDRESSES ITALIAN ECCLESIAL CONGRESS
VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, the Pope travelled to the Italian city of Verona. On arrival he went directly to the Fair of Verona where he pronounced an address in the presence of more than 2,700 people - bishops and delegates from all Italian dioceses - who are participating in the 4th Italian Ecclesial Congress on the theme: "Witnesses of the Risen Christ, Hope of the World."
The past three ecclesial congresses were held in Rome in 1976, on "Evangelization and Human Promotion;" in Loreto in 1985, on "Christian Reconciliation and Human Community;" and in Palermo in 1995, on the "Gospel of Love for a New Society in Italy."
"This 4th national congress," said the Pope, "is a new stage on the journey of implementation of Vatican Council II, upon which the Italian Church is embarked; ... a journey that embraces evangelization ... undertaken in constant union with Peter's Successor."
Benedict XVI recalled the figures of Paul VI and John Paul II, whose contributions to past congresses "strengthened the Italian Church's confidence in being able to ensure that faith in Jesus Christ may continue to offer meaning and guidance for life, even to the men and women of our own time."
"The Resurrection of Christ," said the Pope, "is a historical fact of which the Apostles were witnesses, certainly not creators," and "a decisive 'leap' towards a profoundly new dimension of life." This "concerns, in the first place, Jesus of Nazareth, but with Him it also concerns us: all the human family, history, the entire universe." For this reason the Resurrection constitutes "the core of Christian preaching and witness."
The Resurrection "inaugurated a new dimension of life and reality whence emerges a new world that constantly penetrates our own world, transforming it and drawing it in. All this is brought into practical effect through the life and witness of the Church. ... Indeed, we are called to become new women and men in order to be true witnesses of the Risen Christ, bringing, in this way, Christian joy and hope into the world and ... into the human communities in which we live."
Italy, said the Holy Father "appears to us as a land in profound need of, and at the same time receptive to, such a witness." Italy "participates in the predominant culture of the West ... according to which only things that can be demonstrated and calculated have rational validity while, at a practical level, individual freedom is held up as a fundamental value to which everyone must submit. Thus God is excluded from culture and public life, and faith in Him becomes more difficult, also because we live in a world that is almost always presented as our being of our own making, in which ... God does not appear directly. He seems to have become a stranger, superfluous."
"Ethics are brought within the confines of relativism and utilitarianism, and any moral principles that are valid and binding of themselves are excluded. It is not difficult to see how this kind of culture represents a radical break ... with the religious and moral traditions of humanity and is not, then, capable of establishing a true dialogue with other cultures in which the religious element is strongly present."
In Italy, nonetheless, the Church "is a living reality that maintains a widespread presence among the people," and "Christian traditions are often still firmly rooted." Furthermore, an awareness exists of "the gravity of the risk of breaking with the Christian roots of our civilization, ... even among people ... who do not practice our faith."
In this context, "our attitude must never be one of refusal and closure. ... We must maintain and, if possible, increase our dynamism; we must open ourselves trustingly to new relationships, and not neglect any of the energies that can contribute to the cultural and moral growth of Italy."
"Christianity," the Pope stressed, "is open to everything that is just, true and pure in cultures and civilizations. ... The disciples of Christ, then, recognize and welcome the true values of the culture of our times, such as technological knowledge and scientific progress, human rights, religious freedom and democracy." However, with their awareness of "human frailty, ... they cannot overlook the interior tensions and contradictions of our age. Hence evangelization is never a simple adaptation to cultures, but always involves purification, a courageous break that leads to maturity and renewal."
"At the roots of being a Christian, there is no ethical decision or lofty idea, ... but a meeting with the person of Jesus Christ," said Benedict XVI. "The fruitfulness of this meeting is apparent ... also in today's human and cultural context," he added, using the example of mathematics, a human creation in which the "correlation between its structures and the structures of the universe ... excites our admiration and poses a great question. It implies that the universe itself is structured in an intelligent fashion, in such a way that there exists a profound correspondence between our subjective reason and the objective reason of nature. It is, then, inevitable that we should ask ourselves if there is not a single original intelligence that is the common source of both the one and the other."
"This overturns the tendency to grant primacy to the irrational, chance and necessity. ... On these premises, it again becomes possible to broaden the horizon of our rationality, open it to the great questions of truth and goodness, and unite theology, philosophy and science, ... respecting their reciprocal autonomy but also aware of the intrinsic unity that holds them together."
The Holy Father then turned his attention to the question of human beings and love, affirming that people "need to be loved and to love. For this reason they question themselves and often feel disoriented in the face of the harshness of life, and of the world's evil that appears so strong and, at the same time, so radically meaningless. ... Hence the question arises, repeatedly and insistently, as to whether our lives can contain a secure space for authentic love and, in the final analysis, whether the world really is the work of God's wisdom."
After highlighting how God "is the source of all creatures," and how He "loves man personally and passionately, and wants in His turn to be loved by him," the Pope indicated that in Jesus Christ "God becomes one of us, our brother in humanity, and even sacrifices His life for us."
"Precisely because He truly loves us, God respects and safeguards our freedom. Against the power of evil and sin, ... He prefers to place the limit of His patience and mercy. This limit is, in concrete terms, the suffering of the Son of God."
Pope Benedict pointed out how "the cross, quite naturally, frightens us, just as it provoked fear and anguish in Jesus Christ; however, it is not a negation of life from which, in order to be happy, we must free ourselves. Rather, it is God's extreme 'yes' to man, the supreme _expression of His love and the source of full and perfect life. It contains, then, the most convincing invitation to follow Christ along the path of self-giving."
The Pope emphasized the need always "to be ready to respond to whosoever asks us for the reasons of our hope." We must respond "with that gentle strength that comes from union with Christ. We must do so in all fields: at the level of thought and of action, of personal behavior and of public witness. ... May the Lord guide us to live this unity between truth and love in the situations of our own time, for the evangelization of Italy and of the world today."
Going on to consider the topic of education, the Pope indicated that "true education needs to reawaken the courage of definitive decisions, ... which are indispensable for growth and for achieving anything worthwhile in life, and especially for ensuring that love can mature in all its beauty." In this context, he recalled how Catholic schools still have to face "old prejudices that generate harmful and no longer justifiable delays in the recognition of their function and in the authorization to carry out their activities."
"The Church in Italy has a great tradition of providing aid and showing solidarity to the needy, the sick and the marginalized," said Pope Benedict, adding: "It is extremely important that all these forms of witness of charity ... remain free from any ideological leanings or party sympathies. ... Practical activity is important, but even more important is our personal involvement with the needy and with the suffering of our fellows."
On the subject of the civil and political responsibilities of Catholics - a question that had been considered during the congress - the Pope recalled the distinction between the things of Caesar and the things of God. "Religious freedom," he said, "which we perceive as a universal value particularly necessary in today's world, has its historical roots here. The Church, then, is not nor does she intend to be a political player. At the same time, she has a profound interest in the good of the political community, the soul of which is justice."
The Holy Father underlined the fact that politics "is an undertaking of the greatest importance, to which Italian lay Christians are called to dedicate themselves with generosity and courage, enlightened by faith and the Church's Magisterium, and animated by Christ's charity."
There are, said the Pope, "great challenges" that require "particular attention and extraordinary commitment." These include "wars, terrorism, hunger, thirst and terrible epidemics. However," he continued, "it is also necessary to use the same determination and clarity of intent to face the risk of political and legislative choices that contradict the fundamental values and the anthropological and ethical principles that are rooted in the nature of human beings. This is especially so as regards the protection of human life at all stages, from conception to natural death, and the promotion of the family based on marriage, opposing the introduction ... of other forms of union that would contribute to destabilizing it, obscuring its special nature and its irreplaceable social function. The open and courageous witness that the Church and Italian Catholics have given, and continue to give, in this matter constitutes a precious service to Italy, which is also a useful stimulus for other nations."
The "real strength" we need to face our duties and responsibilities, he said, is to be found "by nourishing ourselves on Christ's Word and His Body, ... and by adoring Him in the Eucharist. ... In the union with Christ, we are preceded and guided by the Virgin Mary. ... Through her, we learn to know and to love the mystery of the Church, ... we learn to resist that 'interior secularization' that undermines the Church of our time, a consequence of the processes of secularization that have profoundly marked European civilization."
Having completed his address, the Holy Father travelled by car to the episcopal palace of Verona, where he had lunch.
At 4 p.m., the Pope will preside at a Eucharistic concelebration in the city's Bentegodi Stadium, before returning to the Vatican this evening.
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TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF CARDINAL POMPEDDA
VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 2006 (VIS) - Given below is the text of a telegram sent by the Holy Father to Bishop Sebastiano Sanguinetti, apostolic administrator of Ozieri, Italy, for the death of Cardinal Mario Francesco Pompedda, prefect emeritus of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. Cardinal Pompedda died yesterday in Rome at the age of 77.
"On learning the news of the death, following a long illness, of Cardinal Mario Francesco Pompedda, illustrious son of your land, I wish to express to you and to the entire diocesan community my profound participation in the mourning that has struck those who knew and respected the lamented cardinal. He was an outstanding jurist and for many years a diligent collaborator of the Holy See, particularly on the Tribunal of the Roman Rota and of the Apostolic Signatura, providing a valuable testimony of priestly zeal and faithfulness to the Gospel. As I raise fervent prayers to the Lord that He, through the Virgin Mary, may give the late cardinal the eternal reward promised to His faithful disciples, I send to you and to all those weeping this loss the comfort of a special apostolic blessing."
At 5 p.m. on Friday, October 20, the Holy Father will preside at the cardinal's funeral at the altar of the Cathedra in the Vatican Basilica.
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IN BRIEF
BENEDICT XVI HAS WRITTEN A MESSAGE TO JACQUES DIOUF, director general of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), for World Food Day, which is celebrated every year on October 16 and has as its theme this year "Investing in agriculture for food security." In his English-language Message, the Pope explains how "in Christian tradition, agricultural labor takes on a deeper meaning, both because of the effort and hardship that it involves and also because it offers a privileged experience of God's presence and His love for His creatures. Christ Himself uses agricultural images to speak of the Kingdom. ... Today, we think especially of those who have had to abandon their farmlands because of conflicts, natural disasters and because of society's neglect of the agricultural sector."
CARDINAL STANISLAW DZIWISZ, ARCHBIHSOP of Krakow, Poland, will take possession of the title of Santa Maria del Popolo - at Piazza del Popolo 12, Rome - on Tuesday, October 24 at 6 p.m., according to a communique published today by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Chilaw, Sri Lanka, presented by Bishop Frank Marcus Fernando, upon having reached the age limit. he is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Warnakulasurya Wadumestrige Devasritha Valence Mendis.
- Appointed Bishop Pierre d'Ornellas, auxiliary of Paris, France, as coadjutor archbishop of Rennes (area 6,775, population 930,500, Catholics 817,000, priests 476, permanent deacons 26, religious 1,387), France.
Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, major archbishop of Kyiv-Halyc, Ukraine, with the consent of the Synod of the Greek-Catholic Ukrainian Church and in accordance with canon 85 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, transferred Bishop Vasyl Semeniuk, auxiliary of the eparchy of Ternopil-Zboriv (area 8,346, population 760,400, Catholics 479,052, priests 248, permanent deacons 2, religious 79), Ukraine, to the office of residential eparch of the same eparchy.
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Judas Iscariot: Mystery of Divine Plan of Salvation
- In Brief
- Audiences
- In Memoriam
JUDAS ISCARIOT: MYSTERY OF DIVINE PLAN OF SALVATION
VATICAN CITY, OCT 18, 2006 (VIS) - During today's general audience, Benedict XVI dedicated his remarks to the figure of Judas Iscariot, and to his successor in the group of the twelve Apostles, Matthias. The audience was held in St. Peter's Square in the presence of more than 30,000 people.
"The name of Judas Iscariot," said the Pope, "always appears last in the lists of the Twelve ... [which also] recall the fact of his betrayal as having already been accomplished." However, he added, the evangelists do emphasize Judas' status as an Apostle "to all effects."
"We ask ourselves why Jesus chose this man and put His trust in him. ... Even more uncertain is the mystery concerning his eternal fate." However "it is not for us to judge his gesture, putting ourselves in the place of God, Who is infinitely merciful and just."
"Why did he betray Jesus?" the Holy Father asked. "Some people highlight the question of his greed for money. Others favor a messianic explanation: Judas was disappointed to see that Jesus' plans did not include the political-military liberation of his country."
Benedict XVI pointed out how the evangelists explain Judas' betrayal "going beyond the historical reasons," and attributing it to "the personal responsibility of Judas who miserably submitted to a temptation of the Evil One. ... Jesus treated him like a friend but, in His invitations to follow Him, ... did not force people's will or protect them from the temptations of Satan, respecting human freedom. Truly, there are many ways in which the human heart can be perverted. The only way to obviate them is ... to be in full communion with Jesus."
Judas' repentance "degenerated into desperation and thus became self-destruction. For us, this is an invitation never to despair of divine mercy."
Even Judas "negative role" is part of God's mysterious plan of salvation, said the Pope, explaining how "God takes Judas' inexcusable gesture as an occasion for the total donation of the Son for the redemption of the world." Judas was replaced by Matthias "of whom we know nothing more, save that he was a witness to the entire earthly teaching of Jesus, remaining faithful to Him unto the end," his election "almost compensating the betrayal. Here," said Pope Benedict, "is a final lesson: if even in the Church there is no lack of unworthy and false Christians, it is up to each of us to counterbalance the evil they commit with our own clear witness of Jesus Christ."
At the end of the audience, the Pope made reference to yesterday's accident on Rome's underground railway system in which one person was killed and 236 were injured. "At this painful moment," he said, "I am especially close to those affected by this tragic event. To them I express my affection and give assurances of a special recollection in my prayers."
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IN BRIEF
ARCHBISHOP CELESTINO MIGLIORE, PERMANENT OBSERVER of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York, yesterday addressed the second committee of the 61st session of U.N. General Assembly, which is deliberating on questions of macroeconomic policy, international trade and development. In his English-language talk, the nuncio pointed out how "the urgent need for agreement is clear when one considers that the effects of trade relations have serious consequences for some of the most vulnerable people in the world, and ultimately for their dignity."
MSGR. ANTHONY FRONTIERO, official of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, addressed the annual meeting of the 56 participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe concerning commitments undertaken in the field of human rights, held in Warsaw, Poland from October 2 to 13. In his English-language talk, given on October 9, Msgr. Frontiero expressed the "conviction that authentic democracy is possible only in a State ruled by law, and on the basis of a correct conception of the human person and the inherent dignity with which each person is endowed."
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AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, OCT 18, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father yesterday received in audience Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum."
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IN MEMORIAM
VATICAN CITY, OCT 18, 2006 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:
- Cardinal Dino Monduzzi, prefect emeritus of the Pontifical Household, on October 13, at the age of 84.
- Bishop Francisco Austregesilo de Mesquita, emeritus of Afogados de Ingazeira, Brazil, on October 9 at the age of 82.
- Bishop German Garcia Isaza C.M., of Apartado, Colombia, on October 11, at the age of 70.
- Bishop Pavel Hnilica S.J., on October 8, at the age of 85.
- Bishop Joseph Marie Nguyen Quang Tuyen of Bac Ninh, Vietnam, on September 24, at the age of 61.
- Archbishop Auguste Nobou, emeritus of Korhogo, Ivory Coast, on October 12, at the age of 78.
- Archbishop Michel Yatim, emeritus of Lattaquie of the Greek-Melkites, Syria, on September 14, at the age of 85.
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Cardinal Monduzzi: Patience and Conformity to Christ
- Television Message for the "Day of the Pope" in Poland
- Calendar of Celebrations for November and December
- Antiterrorism Measures Must Not Jeopardize Human Rights
- Other Pontifical Acts
___________________________________________________________
CARDINAL MONDUZZI: PATIENCE AND CONFORMITY TO CHRIST
VATICAN CITY, OCT 17, 2006 (VIS) - At 5 p.m. yesterday evening at the major altar of St. Peter's Basilica, Benedict XVI celebrated the funeral Mass for Cardinal Dino Monduzzi, prefect emeritus of the Pontifical Household, who died last Friday at the age of 84.
"We like to think of dear Cardinal Monduzzi," said the Pope in his homily, "in the loving arms of the heavenly Father Who called him to Himself after a long and difficult illness. Let us call to mind his long life, which was animated by a simple and profound evangelical faith acquired in his family from his earliest infancy."
The Holy Father recalled how the late cardinal, born in Brisighella, Italy, in 1922, joined Catholic Action while still very young, how he "responded with ready generosity to the call of God" and was ordained a priest in 1945. A short time later he moved to Rome as part of a group of priests and lay people involved in "pastoral activities of religious and moral reawakening, known as 'Social Missions'."
This "modern form of evangelization" took the future cardinal to various regions of Italy where he embarked on "the almost pioneering role of chaplain to day laborers and peasants" in an institution for agrarian reform "which aroused so many hopes in an area of great human decline." In 1959, after ten years of "intense apostolic labors," he entered the service of the Holy See as secretary to the Chamberlain's office, and in 1967 was appointed as secretary and regent of the Apostolic Palace.
"His was a long and much-appreciated service under four pontiffs," added Benedict XVI, a service that culminated in 1986 when he was appointed as prefect of the Pontifical Household. John Paul II made him a cardinal in 1998.
"Cardinal Monduzzi, after a long human and priestly journey, now reaches the heavenly homeland, which is promised to those who spend their lives in the service of God and their fellows," said the Holy Father. "He worked for the Kingdom of heaven, considering his encounters with others as precious opportunities to arouse a sense of nostalgia for the things of heaven and love for the Church. ... As prefect of the Pontifical Household he had the chance to meet the most powerful men on earth, whom he welcomed with the courtesy, warmth and sympathy that arose from his strong faith and from his origins."
The Pope concluded his homily by recalling how Cardinal Monduzzi drew "constant inspiration" from his motto "Patientiam praeficere caritati." In all circumstances "he discovered in the virtue of patience the best way to conform his life to Christ, bearing difficulties and suffering, and seeking to show charity to everyone."
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TELEVISION MESSAGE FOR THE "DAY OF THE POPE" IN POLAND
VATICAN CITY, OCT 17, 2006 (VIS) - For the occasion of the "Day of the Pope," which for the last six years has been celebrated in Poland every October 16, the day of Karol Wojtyla's election to the See of Peter, Benedict XVI recorded a video Message broadcast yesterday on Polish television.
Recalling the day of John Paul II's election, Pope Benedict says he can "still hear the echo" of the words pronounced by Karol Wojtyla as he accepted the cardinals' decision, and also remembers his "prophetic call: 'Do not be afraid! Open the doors to Christ!'."
The Holy Father continues: "I thank God that with these images in my heart I was able to pass more than two decades at his side enjoying his benevolence and friendship, and that today I can continue his work under his protective gaze from the house of the Father. I thank God for his life, passed in the love of Christ and of men, that enriched ... all humanity with the grace of the Holy Spirit .... Finally, I thank God for the witness of his suffering associated to Christ's own tribulation unto death - witness that gives us the strength to live, and secures in us the hope of eternity."
Benedict XVI highlights John Paul II's devotion to the Church in Poland, which he "loved as a mother" and "as a community always united around its pastors;" a community "which in the past suffered various persecutions," but which always "remained faithful to evangelical values." When Poland regained its liberty, adds the Pope in his Message, John Paul II took care to ensure that "his countrymen learned to live in the freedom of the children of God and not of the children of this world, and that they upheld the faith.
"Aware of this heritage that he left to the Church in Poland," Pope Benedict adds, "I came among you this year with Paul's words: 'remain strong in the faith.' ... I pray to God to preserve this faith for the future generations of this noble land. I thank you particularly for all your displays of loving union with the Pope who succeeded your great countryman, and I entrust my service for the Church and for the world to your spiritual support."
The Pope concludes his Message by expressing the hope that "the memory of John Paul II, the study of his works and his teaching," may bring the Polish people closer to Christ. "May this be the bond of unity in a shared concern for the future of the Church and the nation."
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CALENDAR OF CELEBRATIONS FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
VATICAN CITY, OCT 17, 2006 (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff made public today the calendar of celebrations to be presided over by the Holy Father in the months of November and December 2006:
NOVEMBER
- Thursday, 2: All Souls Day. At 6 p.m. in the Vatican Grottoes, a moment of prayer for deceased Supreme Pontiffs.
- Saturday, 4: At 11.30 a.m. at the altar of the Cathedra in the Vatican Basilica, Mass for the repose of the souls of cardinals and bishops who died during the course of year.
- Tuesday, 28 to Friday, December 1: Apostolic trip to Turkey.
RITES OF BEATIFICATION APPROVED BY THE HOLY FATHER
- Sunday, 5: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time. At 10 a.m. in the cathedral of Sao Paulo, Brazil, beatification of Servant of God Mariano de la Mata Aparicio.
DECEMBER
- Saturday, 2: At 5 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica, First Vespers for the first Sunday of Advent.
- Friday, 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At 4 p.m. in Rome's Piazza di Spagna, homage to Mary Immaculate.
- Sunday, 10: 2nd Sunday of Advent. At 9 a.m., pastoral visit and Mass at the Roman parish of "S. Maria Stella d'Evangelizzazione."
- Sunday, 24: Vigil of the Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord. Midnight Mass in the Vatican Basilica.
- Monday, 25: Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord. At midday from the central loggia of the Vatican Basilica, "Urbi et Orbi" blessing.
- Sunday, 31: At 6 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica, First Vespers of thanksgiving for the past year.
RITES OF BEATIFICATION APPROVED BY THE HOLY FATHER
- Sunday, 3: 1st Sunday of Advent. At Ollur in the archdiocese of Trichur, India, beatification of Servant of God Eufrasia of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Eluvathingal.
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ANTITERRORISM MEASURES MUST NOT JEOPARDIZE HUMAN RIGHTS
VATICAN CITY, OCT 17, 2006 (VIS) - Archbishop Celestino Migliore, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York, yesterday addressed the sixth committee, of the 61st U.N. General Assembly, which is discussing measures to eliminate international terrorism.
Terrorism, said the papal nuncio speaking English, "has developed into a sophisticated network of political, economic and technical collusion which crosses national borders to embrace the whole world." This illustrates, he continued, "the importance of an internationally binding Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism."
"It is fundamental to affirm from the very outset that effective counter-terrorism measures and the protection of human rights are not conflicting goals," said the archbishop. "The absolute unacceptability of terrorism lies precisely in the fact that it uses innocent people as means to obtain its ends." However, "counter-terrorism strategy must not sacrifice fundamental human rights in the name of security. Rather, it must refrain from selective implementation of measures; otherwise, it would corrode the very values that it intends to protect."
"Terrorists must never be allowed to point to this kind of deficiency on the part of States for their actions. ... On the other hand, not even the terrorists' contempt for human life and dignity can justify denying them treatment according to international humanitarian and human rights norms."
"The Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism should make clear that no cause, no matter how just, can excuse or legitimize the deliberate killing or maiming of civilian populations. Even the legitimate right to resist unjust authorities and the right to self-determination and national liberation, must not threaten social fabric and domestic public order."
"Terrorism," Archbishop Migliore went on, "is a cultural manifestation ... of warped perceptions of reality, of xenophobic complexes, of contempt for the other, ... of cynical abuse of religion," and must be faced with "cultural instruments," and with "a courageous and resolute political, diplomatic and economic commitment to relieve situations of oppression and marginalization which facilitate the designs of terrorists."
"It must be firmly stated that the injustices existing in the world can never be used to excuse acts of terrorism, and it should be noted that the victims of the radical breakdown of order which terrorism seeks to achieve include above all the countless millions of men and women who are least able to withstand a collapse of international solidarity. The terrorist's claim to be acting on behalf of the poor is a patent falsehood."
"Religions and inter-religious dialogue," he concluded, "have a fundamental role to play in contrasting the terrorists' preaching of hate and violence as antithetical to authentic religion."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, OCT 17, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Appointed Msgr. Stephen Brislin, apostolic administrator of Kroonstad, South Africa, as bishop of the same diocese (area 30,248, population 946,000, Catholics 87,000, priests 17, religious 13). The bishop-elect was born in Welkom, South Africa, in 1956 and ordained a priest in 1983.
- Appointed Bishop Leonardo Yuson Medroso of Borongan, Philippines, as bishop of Tagbilaran (area 1,734, population 623,000, Catholics 553,000, priests 153, religious 90), Philippines.
- Appointed Fr. Abdo Arbach B.C., director of the school of Choueirite Basilian Order in Zahle, Lebanon, as apostolic exarch to the Greek-Melkite faithful resident in Argentina. The bishop-elect was born in Yabroud, Syria, in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1980.
- Appointed Bishop William Kenny C.P., auxiliary of the diocese of Stockholm, Sweden, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Birmingham (area 8,735, population 5,245,000, Catholics 286,442, priests 358, permanent deacons 76, religious 705), Great Britain.
- Gave his assent to the canonical election carried out by the Synod of Bishops of the Greek-Melkite Catholic Church of Fr. Michel Abrass, professor of liturgy at the University of Kaslik, as titular bishop of Abido. The bishop-elect was born in Aleppo, Syria, in 1948 and ordained a priest in 1981.
On October 14, His Beatitude Gregoire III Laham, Greek-Melkite Catholic patriarch, with the consent of the Synod of the Greek-Melkite Catholic Church and in accordance with canon 85 para. 2 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, transferred Msgr. Georges Haddad, from the office of titular bishop of Mira to that of archbishop of Baniyas of the Greek-Melkites (Catholics 1,300, priests 2, religious 12), Lebanon.
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- Faithful to the Spirit of St. Pio of Pietrelcina
- Papal Legate to Celebrations in Hungary
- Saints, People Who Leave Everything to Follow Christ
- Pope to Visit Turkey from November 28 to December 1
- Message for Diwali: Overcome Hatred with Love
- In Brief
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts
___________________________________________________________
FAITHFUL TO THE SPIRIT OF ST. PIO OF PIETRELCINA
VATICAN CITY, OCT 14, 2006 (VIS) - In St. Peter's Square at midday today, Benedict XVI met with 30,000 people from Italy and other countries who have come together to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the foundation, by St. Pio of Pietrelcina, of the hospital, "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" (House for Relief of Suffering).
Among those present were the Capuchin Fathers of the Shrine of St. Mary of Grace and of the new church dedicated to St. Pio, located in San Giovanni Rotondo in southern Italy, as well as directors, doctors and nurses of the hospital, and members of various prayer groups.
In his address to them, the Pope called on the Capuchin Fathers, "spurred on and supported by the example of Padre Pio and by his intercession," to make every effort "to imitate him and help everyone to live a profound spiritual experience focussed on the contemplation of the Crucified Christ, Who reveals and mediates the merciful love of the heavenly Father.
"From the heart of Padre Pio, which burned with charity, arose the House for Relief of Suffering," he added. The saint "chose to call it 'house' so that sick people, especially the poor, might feel at ease there, ... and might find 'relief' from their suffering ... thanks to two converging forces: prayer and science. ... Faith in God and scientific research work together towards the same aim, that can best be expressed in Jesus' own words: 'that they may have life, and have it abundantly.' Yes, God is life, and wants man to be healed from all of the evils of the body and of the spirit."
The Holy Father then went on to recall how the prayer groups came into being following a call to pray for peace made by Pope Pius XII in 1942 during World War II. "Padre Pio," he said, "encouraged his spiritual children to give a prompt response to the appeal of the Vicar of Christ."
"The prayer groups have spread to parishes, convents and hospitals, and today number more than 3,000 with a presence on all the continents. ... Your prayer, as it says in your Statutes, is 'with the Church, through the Church and in the Church,' to be experienced always in full accordance with the Magisterium, with ready obedience to the Pope and the bishops, under the guidance of a priest appointed by the bishop. The Statues also prescribe another vital commitment of the prayer groups: 'effective and assiduous charity to bring relief to the suffering and the needy as a practical demonstration of charity towards God.' Here again is the combination prayer and charity, God and our fellow man."
Benedict XVI concluded his remarks by thanking the faithful for "the support you give me with your prayers. May the Lord repay you! At the same time, for the community of the House for Relief of Suffering I ask the special grace of remaining ever faithful to the spirit and project of Padre Pio."
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PAPAL LEGATE TO CELEBRATIONS IN HUNGARY
VATICAN CITY, OCT 14, 2006 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter from the Pope, written in Latin and dated September 23, in which he appoints Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, as pontifical legate to celebrations marking the freedom of Hungary, due to be held in Bucharest from October 22 to 23, 2006.
Cardinal Sodano will be accompanied on his mission by Archbishop Juliusz Janusz, apostolic nuncio to Hungary, Msgr. Piero Pioppo, nunciature counsellor at the secretariat of State, and Msgr. Gerard Miles, secretary at the nunciature to Hungary.
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SAINTS, PEOPLE WHO LEAVE EVERYTHING TO FOLLOW CHRIST
VATICAN CITY, OCT 15, 2006 (VIS) - During the Eucharistic celebration held this morning in St. Peter's Square, which was attended by around 30,000 people, the Pope canonized the following Blesseds: Rafael Guizar Valencia (1878-1938), Filippo Smaldone (1848-1923), Rosa Venerini (1656-1728), and Theodore Guerin, nee Anne-Therese (1798-1856).
At the beginning of his homily, the Holy Father commented on the Gospel account of the rich young man, affirming how "a saint is that man or that woman who, responding with joy and generosity to the call of Christ, leaves everything to follow Him."
"Earthly riches occupy and preoccupy the mind and the heart. Jesus does not say they are evil, but that they distance one from God if they are not, so to say, 'invested' for the kingdom of heaven, in other words used to help those who live in poverty."
Benedict XVI then went on to refer in turn to each of the new saints. The Mexican, Rafael Guizar Valencia was, he said, "bishop of the poor." In his ministry as priest and later as bishop, in the diocese of Veracruz, he was a tireless preacher of popular missions - then the most effective way of evangelizing the people - using his "Catechism of Christian Doctrine." One of his priorities was the formation of priests, and he rebuilt a seminary which he considered "the apple of his eye."
"May the example of St. Raphael Guizar Valencia," said the Pope, "be a call to brother bishops and priests to consider as a fundamental element of their pastoral projects - alongside the spirit of poverty and evangelization - the fomentation of priestly and religious vocations and their formation in accordance with Christ's heart."
The Italian St. Filippo Smaldone, founder of the Institute of the Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Hearts, was, said Pope Benedict, "a priest with a great heart, nourished through constant prayer and Eucharistic adoration; he was above all a witness to and servant of charity which he displayed magnificently in serving the poor, especially the deaf, to whom he dedicated himself entirely."
"In the deaf," the Pope went on, the saint "saw a reflection of the image of Jesus, and he used to repeat that, just as we prostrate ourselves before the Most Holy Sacrament, so must we kneel before the deaf."
Speaking of the new Italian saint, Rosa Venerini, foundress of the Congregation of the "Maestre Pie Venerini," Benedict XVI pointed out how "she did not content herself with giving girls an adequate education, but made it her concern to ensure them a complete formation, with concrete reference to the doctrinal teaching of the Church. Even today her apostolic style continues to characterize the life" of the congregation she founded. "How important, even for modern society, is the service [the congregation] provides in the field of schooling, and especially in the formation of women."
St. Theodore Guerin was a Frenchwoman who founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary "ad Nemus" (Saint Mary of the Woods) in the U.S.A. The Pope recalled a phrase she used shortly before her death as she noted how sisters from her congregation were running schools and orphanages all over the state of Indiana: "How much good has been accomplished by the Sisters of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods! How much more good they will be able to do if they remain faithful to their holy vocation!
"Mother Guerin is a beautiful spiritual figure and a model of Christian life," he added. "She was always ready for the missions the Church asked of her, finding the strength and courage to put them into effect in the Eucharist, prayer and an infinite trust in Divine Providence. Her interior strength gave her a particular concern for the poor, and especially for children."
After Mass and before praying the Angelus, the Holy Father met delegations from each of the countries of origin on the new saints, and greeted all the faithful who had attended the canonization ceremony.
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POPE TO VISIT TURKEY FROM NOVEMBER 28 TO DECEMBER 1
VATICAN CITY, OCT 16, 2006 (VIS) - In response to an invitation from Ahmet Necdet Sezer, president of Turkey, the Holy Father Benedict XVI will make an apostolic trip to that country from November 28 to December 1, 2006, visiting Ankara, Ephesus and Istanbul.
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MESSAGE FOR DIWALI: OVERCOME HATRED WITH LOVE
VATICAN CITY, OCT 16, 2006 (VIS) - Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, has written a message to Hindus for the Feast of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which falls this year on October 21. The title of the message is: "Overcoming hatred with love."
With Diwali, the cardinal writes in his English-language message, Hindus celebrate "the victory of truth over untruth, light over darkness, good over evil and life over death. ... The reality of love is closely connected to truth, light, goodness and life. I would like to reflect on this theme of love, through which believers of different religions are invited to overcome the evil of hatred and distrust in contemporary society.
"The recent terrorist bomb attacks in Mumbai, India, are yet another example of these phenomena which so often end in brutal violence," adds the cardinal before recalling Benedict XVI's first Encyclical "Deus caritas est" and explaining how the Pope "wrote this letter convinced that his message is both timely and significant 'in a world where the name of God is sometimes associated with vengeance or even a duty of hatred and violence.'
"The importance and demands of love can be best learned from God Who, the Christian faith professes, is Himself Love. ... God loves us all without exception and His love is unconditional. Our human response to God's love must be spelt out in concrete stewardship of God's creatures, especially to human beings. It is urgent and necessary that believers of different religions manifest jointly to the world that hatred can be overcome by love.
"In today's complex societies, is it not possible for us to join hands and collaborate in seeking justice for all, working together on common projects, for the development of the downtrodden, the marginalized, the destitute, the ... weak? Moral and spiritual poverty, which are caused by breeding hatred in one's heart, can be eradicated by believers who are filled with love and compassion. Love creates trust, which in turn, promotes genuine relationships among believers of different religions."
"Benedict XVI ends his letter, 'Deus caritas est,' with the following words: 'Love is the light - and in the end, the only light - that can always illuminate a world grown dim and give us the courage needed to keep living and working.' The Pope's words obviously refer to Jesus Christ Who is the Light of the world. However, these words can also draw your attention since for you the meaning of your feast, Diwali, is symbolized by light. May our love finally overcome the darkness of hatred in the world!
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IN BRIEF
MSGR. ETTORE BALESTRERO, OFFICIAL OF THE SECRETARIAT OF STATE, spoke on October 12 in Warsaw, Poland, on the subject of "tolerance, dialogue of civilizations and the contribution of the Catholic Church." He was addressing the "Human Dimension Implementation Meeting," an annual gathering of the 56 participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe concerning commitments undertaken in the field of human rights, held in the Polish capital from October 2 to 13.
DURING THE 175th SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF UNESCO, the Holy See permanent observer to that organization, Msgr. Francesco Follo, spoke on "point 52, the creation of an observatory for women, sport and physical education." Msgr. Follo underlined the need for more profound reflection on the universal need to respect human beings, and especially women.
ARCHBISHOP SILVANO M. TOMASI C.S., HOLY SEE permanent observer to the Office of the United Nations and Specialized Institutions at Geneva, spoke on October 5 before the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Archbishop Tomasi emphasized, among other things, how development strategies must recognize the fact that their true aim is to promote the value and dignity of all women and men, and is not just limited to the economic sphere.
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AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, OCT 16, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:
- Bishop William Stephen Skylstad of Spokane, U.S.A., Cardinal Francis Eugene George O.M.I., archbishop of Chicago, U.S.A., and Msgr. David Malloy, respectively president, vice-president and secretary general of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
- Cardinal Geraldo Majella Agnelo, archbishop of Sao Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, and president of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, accompanied by Bishops Antonio Celso Queiroz of Catanduva, and Odilo Pedro Scherer, auxiliary of Sao Paulo, respectively vice president and secretary of the same conference.
- Nine prelates from the Irish Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Sean Baptist Brady of Armagh, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Gerard Clifford.
- Bishop Colm O'Reilly of Ardagh.
- Bishop Joseph Duffy of Clogher.
- Bishop Seamus Hegarty of Derry, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Francis Lagan.
- Bishop Patrick Joseph Walsh of Down and Connor, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishops Anthony Farquhar and Donal McKeown.
On Saturday, October 14, he received in separate audiences:
- Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini S.J., archbishop emeritus of Milan, Italy.
- Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy.
- Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.
- Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, archbishop of San Cristobal de la Habana, Cuba.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, OCT 16, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Ciriaco Benavente Mateos of Coria-Caceres, Spain, as bishop of Albacete (area 14,926, population 379,448, Catholics 362,372, priests 180, permanent deacons 3, religious 365), Spain.
On Saturday, October 14, it was made public that the Holy Father:
- Erected the new diocese of Agboville (area 11,301, population 800,256, Catholics 400,000, priests 31, religious 14) Ivory Coast, with territory taken from the diocese of Yopougon, making it a suffragan of the archdiocese of Abidjan. He appointed Fr. Alexis Touably Youlo of the clergy of San Pedro-en-Cote d'Ivoire, pastor and vicar general, as first bishop of the new diocese.
- Appointed Archbishop Oswald Gracias of Agra, India, as archbishop of Bombay (area 10,103, population 19,249,203, Catholics 504,265, priests 561, religious 1,882), India.
- Appointed Fr. Gregor Maria Hanke O.S.B., abbot of the monastery of Plankstetten, Germany, as bishop of Eichstatt (area 6,025, population 890,000, Catholics 442,772, priests 376, permanent deacons 26, religious 753), Germany. The bishop-elect was born in Elbersroth, Germany, in 1954 and ordained a priest in 1983.
- Appointed Fr. John Ebebe Ayah of the clergy of the diocese of Ogoja, Nigeria, as bishop of the same diocese (area 12,557, population 1,500,000, Catholics 332,373, priests 67, religious 3). The bishop-elect was born in Buya, Nigeria in 1959 and ordained a priest in 1993.
- Gave his consent to the canonical election carried out by the Synod of Bishops of the Maronite Church, meeting in Bkerke, Lebanon, from June 4 to 10, 2006, of Chorbishop Samir Nassar, protosincellus (vicar general) of the archeparchy of Antelias, Lebanon, and pastor of Maret-Sader, as archbishop of Damascus of the Maronites (Catholics 12,000, priests 4), Syria. The bishop-elect was born in Antelias in 1950 and ordained a priest in 1980.
- Appointed Fr. Edgar Madi, pastor of Santa Teresa in Mansourieh and director of the "La Sagesse" School in the archeparchy of Beirut of the Maronites, Lebanon, as bishop of the eparchy of Nossa Senhora do Libano em Sao Paulo of the Maronites, (Catholics 468,000, priests 10, religious 5), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Beit-Mery, Lebanon, in 1956 and ordained a priest in 1983. He succeeds Bishop Joseph Mahfouz O.L.M., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same eparchy, the Holy Father accepted, in accordance with canon 210 para. 2 of the Code of Canon of the Eastern Churches.
- Appointed Bishop Vincenzo Pelvi, auxiliary of Naples, Italy, as military ordinary for Italy, elevating him to the dignity of archbishop. The archbishop-elect was born in Naples in 1948, he was ordained a priest in 1973 and consecrated a bishop in 2000.
- Appointed Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., as a member of the commission of cardinals overseeing the activities of the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR).
- Appointed as members of the special councils of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops: Cardinal Ivan Dias, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, as a member of the Special Council for Asia; Archbishop John Atcherley Dew of Wellington, New Zealand, as a member of the Special Council for Oceania; Bishop Fernando Antonio Figueiredo O.F.M., of Santo Amaro, Brazil, as a member of the Special Council for America.
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Posted by lady at 09:48 AM | Permalink

October 15, 2006

Fuse Fangoria Chainsaw Award Winners

FUSE FANGORIA CHAINSAW AWARDS

WINNERS ANNOUNCED

AWARDS HONOR BEST IN HORROR-THEMED

CINEMA, MUSIC AND TELEVISION

Televised Event Will Premiere Exclusively On fuse

Sunday, October 22nd At 10pm ET

Winners in Bold

The complete list of nominees is as follows:

KILLER MOVIE (scariest movie)

-----------------------------

-- The Descent: Neil Marshall

-- Hostel: Eli Roth

-- Wolf Creek: Greg McLean

-- The Hills Have Eyes: Alexandre Aja

-- The Devil's Rejects: Rob Zombie

MOST THRILLING KILLING (best death scene)

-----------------------------------------

-- Final Destination 3: Drive thru

-- Hostel: Train Suicide

-- The Omen: Decapitation

-- Snakes on a Plane: Guy attacked in toilet

-- Saw II: Emmanuelle Vaugier gets arm stuck in box of blades

DUDE YOU DON'T WANNA MESS WITH (hero)

-------------------------------------

-- Samuel L. Jackson: Snakes on a Plane

-- Kong: King Kong

-- Nathan Fillion: Slither

-- Jay Hernandez: Hostel

-- Scott Speedman: Underworld: Evolution

CHICK YOU DON'T WANNA MESS WITH (heroine)

-----------------------------------------

-- Shauna Macdonald: The Descent

-- Anna Faris: Scary Movie 4

-- Radha Mitchell: Silent Hill

-- Laura Linney: The Exorcism of Emily Rose

-- Kate Beckinsale: Underworld: Evolution

RELATIONSHIP FROM HELL

----------------------

-- Bill Moseley & Sheri Moon Zombie: The Devil's Rejects

-- Kate Beckinsale & Scott Speedman: Underworld: Evolution

-- Ellen Page & Patrick Wilson: Hard Candy

-- Derek Richardson & Jan Vlasak: Hostel

-- Michael Rooker & Elizabeth Banks: Slither

BEST BUTCHER (villain)

----------------------

-- Tobin Bell: Saw II

-- Sid Haig: The Devil's Rejects

-- Robert Joy: The Hills Have Eyes

-- Jan Vlasak: Hostel

-- John Jarratt: Wolf Creek

CREEPIEST KID

-------------

-- Ellen Page: Hard Candy

-- Jodelle Ferland: Silent Hill

-- Laura Ortiz: The Hills Have Eyes

-- Rachel Hurd-Wood: An American Haunting

-- Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick: The Omen

HIGHEST BODY COUNT (highest HUMAN death toll)

---------------------------------------------

-- King Kong

-- Snakes on a Plane

-- Final Destination 3

-- Slither

-- Doom

LINE THAT KILLED (best one liner)

---------------------------------

-- Snakes on a Plane

-- Final Destination 3

-- Wolf Creek

-- The Devil's Rejects

-- Hostel

BLOODIEST BEATDOWN (best fight scene)

-------------------------------------

-- The Rock vs. Karl Urban: Doom

-- Kate Beckinsale vs. Tony Curran: Underworld: Evolution

-- Michael Bailey Smith vs. Aaron Stanford: The Hills Have Eyes

-- Kong vs. the T-Rexes: King Kong

-- Juno & Sarah vs. The Crawlers: The Descent

BEST WITH LESS (best low-budget, limited release independent)

-------------------------------------------------------------

-- Zombie Honeymoon

-- The Dark Hours

-- Subject Two

-- Hard Candy

-- The Roost

SICKEST FX (best special fx)

----------------------------

-- Final Destination 3

-- Snakes on a Plane

-- King Kong

-- Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

-- Silent Hill

LOOKS THAT KILL (best makeup fx)

--------------------------------

-- Slither

-- The Hills Have Eyes

-- Silent Hill

-- Underworld: Evolution

-- The Descent

MOST DISTURBING IMPORT (best foreign film)

------------------------------------------

-- Pulse: Japan

-- Night Watch: Russia

-- Romasanta: Spain

-- Calvaire (The Ordeal): Belgium

-- Godzilla: Final Wars: Japan

KILLER TELEVISION (scariest tv show, anthology or film)

-------------------------------------------------------

-- Masters of Horror

-- Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King

-- Supernatural

-- Desperation

-- Invasion

KILLER VIDEO (best music video)

-------------------------------

-- Dani California: Red Hot Chili Peppers

-- Crazy: Gnarls Barkley

-- Steady As She Goes (Ver. #2): Raconteurs

-- Move Along: All American Rejects

-- Heard 'Em Say: Kanye West featuring Adam Levine

VIDEO INSPIRED BY FILM

----------------------

-- "Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)" inspired by "Snakes on a Plane":

Cobra Starship

-- "A Little Less Sixteen Candles A Little More Touch Me" inspired by

"Lost Boys": Fall Out Boy

-- "The Kill" inspired by "The Shining": 30 Seconds to Mars

-- "Walk Away" inspired by "Hitchcock": Franz Ferdinand

-- "Out Here All Night" inspired by "Evil Dead": Damone

PRINCE OF DARKNESS (darkest male artist in music video)

-------------------------------------------------------

-- Davey Havok: AFI

-- M.Shadows: Avenged Sevenfold

-- Jared Leto: 30 Seconds to Mars

-- Gerard Way: My Chemical Romance

-- Ville Vallo: HIM

FEMME FATALE (most evil female character in music video)

--------------------------------------------------------

-- AFI: "Miss Murder"

-- Avenged Sevenfold: "Beast & Harlot"

-- She Wants Revenge: "These Things"

-- Matchbook Romance: "Monsters"

-- Evanescence: "Call Me When You're Sober"

About Fangoria:

Fangoria Entertainment owns and operates the renowned monthly horror publication Fangoria Magazine and the horror genre's #1 online destination Fangoria.com. Fangoria Entertainment also produces the popular weekly 3-hour live radio show FANGORIA RADIO airing Friday nights on Sirius Satellite Radio, hosted by renowned heavy metal frontman for Twisted Sister and horror film producer-actor Dee Snider with celebrated Scream Queen and radio veteran Debbie Rochon serving as Snider's sidekick. Established in May 1979, Fangoria Magazine and Website rank as America's #1 source for horror news and entertainment. Both the magazine and the website remain the most sought-after source of movies, videogames, television series, books and toys that comprise the burgeoning world of horror entertainment. Fangoria TV produced acclaimed High Definition broadcasts of the NY Village Halloween Parade in 2004 & 2005. Fangoria Entertainment is also a prime producer of horror conventions held throughout the year in major cities nationwide. In addition, the Fangoria video label is home to a collection of contemporary horror film titles in distribution on DVD and VHS.

The night’s festivities were kicked off by masked rockers Slipknot and a chainsaw-wielding Leatherface who presented the honor for “Most Thrilling Killing (Best Death Scene)” to SAW II’s Emmanuelle Vaugier. The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis accepted the “Killer Video” award for “Dani California,” while musician turned director, Rob Zombie walked away with “Killer Movie” for THE DEVIL’S REJECTS.

THE HILLS HAVE EYES was the big winner of the evening in the movie categories, earning accolades for “Looks That Kill (Best Makeup)” and “Bloodiest Beatdown.” Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick of THE OMEN was honored as horror’s “Creepiest Kid,” while Jared Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars got the nod for “Prince of Darkness (Darkest Male in a Music Video).” “Masters of Horror” picked up the “Killer Television Award.”

30 Seconds to Mars, Chingy and Avenged Sevenfold all performed live during the two-hour event. Award presenters included Robert “Freddy Kruger” Englund, Avril Lavigne, Jada Pinkett Smith and her band Wicked Wisdom, KORN’s Jonathan Davis, Linkin Park, Sum 41, Fall Out Boy, Samaire Armstrong, Brande Roderick, Regina Hall, and “The Girls Next Door.”

The fuse Fangoria Chainsaw Awards will premiere Sunday, October 22 on fuse, with a half-hour black carpet Dead on Arrival pre-show at 9:30 PM (ET), followed by the two-hour long awards show at 10 PM (ET).

About fuse

fuse is the nation's only viewer-influenced, music television network, featuring music videos, exclusive artist interviews, live concerts, series and specials. fuse reflects the rapidly changing interests and attitudes of its 12-34 year-old audience by uniting the media platforms at the center of their communication and entertainment - TV, Web, mobile technologies and interactive gaming and by incorporating their opinions and suggestions into the network’s on-air and online programming. More information about fuse is available at www.fuse.tv.

About Fangoria:

Fangoria Entertainment owns and operates the renowned monthly horror publication Fangoria Magazine and the horror genre’s #1 online destination Fangoria.com. Fangoria Entertainment also produces the popular weekly 3-hour live radio show FANGORIA RADIO airing Friday nights on Sirius Satellite Radio, hosted by renowned heavy metal frontman for Twisted Sister and horror film producer-actor Dee Snider with celebrated Scream Queen and radio veteran Debbie Rochon serving as Snider’s sidekick. Established in May 1979, Fangoria Magazine and Website rank as America’s #1 source for horror news and entertainment. Both the magazine and the website remain the most sought-after source of movies, videogames, television series, books and toys that comprise the burgeoning world of horror entertainment. Fangoria TV produced acclaimed High Definition broadcasts of the NY Village Halloween Parade in 2004 & 2005. Fangoria Entertainment is also a prime producer of horror conventions held throughout the year in major cities nationwide. In addition, the Fangoria video label is home to a collection of contemporary horror film titles in distribution on DVD and VHS.

About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC

A leader in the entertainment industry, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation. Rainbow creates and manages some of the country's most compelling and dynamic programming with linear networks including national networks – AMC, fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE: Women's Entertainment; its regional programming service – Rainbow Sports Networks; on-demand networks including Mag Rack and sportskool; and the largest suite of high definition channels available anywhere – the VOOM HD Networks. Rainbow's other businesses include its film distribution, production and exhibition division – IFC Entertainment; in addition to its advertising sales division – Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation – and its full service network programming origination and distribution company – Rainbow Network Communications.

Posted by lady at 10:19 PM | Permalink

October 14, 2006

GEN ART PRESENTS THE 9TH ANNUAL FRESH FACES IN FASHION SHOW RED CARPET

Posted by lady at 06:06 PM | Permalink

October 13, 2006

Godfather of Fashion: Christian Audigier

Ed Hardy’s Christian Audigier Casts TV’s Newest Reality Show the Godfather of Fashion

Christian Audigier, the creative force and mastermind behind Ed Hardy and the Christian Audigier celebrity fashion line embarks on the reality show route in the Godfather of Fashion. An open casting call was held at the Ed Hardy corporate office on October 10^th in Los Angeles .

“The Apprentice meets Project Runway” was the description Nicole Irving, Marketing Manager of Ed Hardy shared me when I asked her to describe the Godfather of Fashion. Six assistants, 3 male and 3 female, are competing to work directly for Audigier as his design assistant for his newest fashion design line, Christian Audigier.

Prior to a taped interview and audition with Audigier himself, potential apprentices pass a hallway lined wall of magazine covers, autographed pictures of the many celebrity fans of Ed Hardy along with articles about Ed Hardy and Christian Audigier. Madonna, David Beckham, Chingy, Missy Elliott, and the list continues on and on.

Waiting for the open casting call were a multicultural diverse group of hopeful assistants, most of which had waited for hours. When I spoke with Irving , at nearly 2:30 pm, she estimated that they had already seen a few hundred (people), and this was after the scheduled noon start.

Tatianna Silva arrived in a Roberto Cavalli design with her design book in hand and had been waiting 2-1\2 hours when we spoke with her. She shared, “I want to be selected for the first reason, I like acting. Second reason, I wanted to be involved in fashion.” She admitted they were both passions.

Primo Velasquez had been waiting with his friend Santee and hand been interviewing people that had already been interviewed by Audigier. “(they) went through the gauntlet of questions they asked them, but it’s on an individual basis. What would you do to get in the industry? What won’t you do? Do you have rules? Are you prepared to tell jokes, laugh, dance, to be next to the people that are hot?”

Irving shared her perspective of the open casting call the next day, “We had a pretty good turnout. A lot of people came in. A lot of eager talent. We had people that were in this office almost in tears, begging for the job. All different walks of life. We definitely had a large crowd of different types of people that were here. Everyone from people that wanted to be reality stars to people that are really designers that had design books and design sheets that they showed Christian (Audigier).”

After interviewing potential candidates for 8 hours, Audigier will have the difficult task of narrowing it down to 3 men and 3 women as potential apprentices. Welcome to reality with the Godfather of Fashion. Was that Usher I just saw?

Posted by lady at 09:51 AM | Permalink

October 11, 2006

Business & Financial News

Ground-Breaking 100 Gigabit Ethernet Demonstration Across 4,000 Km Live Network

Higher-Speed Ethernet Required to Support IP Network Growth

November 13, 2006 -- A first-ever demonstration of 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GbE) technology by a team of industry leaders, including Finisar, Infinera, Internet2, Level 3 Communications, and University of California at Santa Cruz, shows that 100GbE technology is viable and capable of implementation in existing optical networks with 10 Gigabit/second (Gb/s) wavelengths. This breakthrough trial also highlights how next-generation technology can address the emerging bandwidth needs of network providers and their users as advanced Internet-based applications continue to proliferate.

The system successfully transmitted a 100GbE signal from Tampa, Florida to Houston, Texas, and back again, over ten 10 Gb/s channels through the Level 3 network. This is the first time a 100GbE signal has been successfully transmitted through a live production network. The 100GbE system will be on display from November 14th to the 16th at the Infinera booth (Booth no. 1157) at the SC06 International Conference in Tampa. The system will be transmitting a 100GbE signal to the Internet2 booth (Booth no. 1451) during the show.

"This successful demonstration shows that this concept of 100GbE over 10x10 Gb/s DWDM works and provides a near future implementation path," said Dr. Daryl Inniss, vice president of Ovum-RHK's Communication Components research.

"100 Gigabit Ethernet will be a critical technology to accommodate bandwidth growth, and this demonstration shows that we have the capability to implement this as a super-lambda service over today's networks," said Infinera co-founder and CTO Drew Perkins. "The Infinera DTN, which is the only DWDM system that supports 100 Gb/s on a line card, is capable today of handling 100GbE services simply and cost-effectively."

"The research and education community continues to be the key driver for the development of extreme bandwidth services like 100GbE," said Steve Cotter, Internet2's director of network services. "We are very interested in investigating this breakthrough technology, in collaboration with our network partners, to ensure that our network not only keeps pace but also anticipates the future demands of our members as they pursue increasingly bandwidth-intensive applications, from telemedicine to high-energy physics to high-performance grid computing, among many others."

"This new approach to providing 100 Gig Ethernet service over long distances enables LAN Ethernet protocols in the WAN environment," said Jack Waters, CTO of Level 3. "Compared to other methods that have been demonstrated, this is a practical, economical solution that operates over the wide area using existing DWDM technologies. We're pleased to have been involved with developing and testing this solution, and will be watching closely as it is commercialized."

Super-Lambda Services

The largest IP backbones are currently using multiple 10 Gb/s links between core sites, and will soon demand 100 Gb/s connections to increase their capacity to keep up with fast-growing bandwidth demand. Many service providers prefer to support 100 Gigabit Ethernet links using their current transport network infrastructures. This demonstration shows that today's 10 Gb/s transport networks can support 100GbE services. The system developed and displayed this week relies on a single-chip 100GbE network interface that implements a lane alignment and packet resequencing scheme to bond 10 parallel 10 Gb/s channels into one logical flow while maintaining packet ordering at the receiver. This eliminates the performance issues that can arise with the use of the existing link aggregation techniques for combining multiple data channels. Services that combine multiple wavelengths to offer a single service are referred to as super-lambda services.

Finisar provided the optical transceivers for this demonstration, Infinera provided the DWDM system and project management, Internet2 was involved in developing the methodology and supporting the demonstration, Level 3 Communications provided the ten 10 Gb/s channels from Tampa to Houston, and UCSC designed and implemented the network interface including the packet resequencing scheme.

Video: A High-Speed Application

The research and education community is a leader in creating very large flows on the Internet, with some research institutions planning on flows in multiple hundreds of Gigabits/second or even Terabits/second. In a related demonstration at the Internet2 booth on the SC06 showfloor, Internet2 and Infinera will also showcase an advanced two-way videoconferencing application. Reliable, two-way video technology is quickly becoming a critical and necessary component of many important research and education initiatives including those in telemedicine, seismology and astronomy. 100GbE technology would enable more than 3000 DVTS (Digital Video Transport System) or more than 60 uncompressed High-definition TV (HDTV) video applications to operate simultaneously on a single interface.

Industry Standard is a Priority

The IEEE Higher Speed Study Group (HSSG) recently began working on specifications for higher speed Ethernet. The partners in this demonstration are actively supporting these efforts. The pre-standard specification used in this demonstration was jointly developed by Infinera and a UCSC team including Professor of Computer Engineering Anujan Varma and his Ph.D. student Arvinderpal S. Wander.

The annual SC06 International Conference on High-Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis will be held at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. For more show information, visit http://sc06.supercomputing.org/.

About the Technical Demonstration

The demonstration encodes a 100GbE signal into ten 10 Gb/s streams using an Infinera-proposed specification for 100GbE across multiple links. A single Xilinx FPGA implements this packet numbering scheme and electrically transmits all ten signals to ten of Finisar's 10 Gb/s XFP optical transceivers which in turn convert the signals to optics. These signals are then transmitted to an Infinera DTN DWDM system. For the long-distance demonstration, conducted last week, the 100GbE signal was then handed off to Infinera systems within the Level 3 network where it was transmitted across the Level 3 network to Houston and back. This pre-standard specification for 100GbE guarantees the ordering of the packets and quality of the signal across 10 Gb/s wavelengths and demonstrates that it is possible for carriers to offer 100GbE services across today's 10 Gb/s infrastructure.

About Finisar

Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR) is a technology leader for fiber optic components and subsystems and network test and monitoring systems. These products enable high-speed data communications for networking and storage applications over Gigabit Ethernet Local Area Networks (LANs), Fibre Channel Storage Area Networks (SANs), and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) using Fibre Channel, IP, SAS, SATA and SONET/SDH protocols. The Company's headquarters is in Sunnyvale, California, USA. www.finisar.com.

About Infinera

Infinera provides Digital Optical Networking systems to telecommunications carriers worldwide. Infinera's systems are unique in their use of a breakthrough semiconductor technology: the Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC). Infinera's systems and PIC technology are designed to provide optical networks with simpler engineering and operations, faster time-to-service, and more flexible networking. For more information, please visit www.infinera.com.

About Internet2

Internet2 is the foremost U.S. advanced networking consortium. Led by the research and education community since 1996, Internet2 promotes the missions of its members by providing both leading-edge network capabilities and unique partnership opportunities that together facilitate the development, deployment and use of revolutionary Internet technologies. Internet2 brings the U.S. research and academic community together with technology leaders from industry, government and the international community to undertake collaborative efforts that have a fundamental impact on tomorrow's Internet.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on information available to Infinera as of the date hereof; and actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied, due to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding Infinera's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipated," "believed," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will," and "would" or similar words. Infinera assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Initial Tropical Plants Enhances the Aroma of Business Interiors Across North America With MicrofreshMicrofresh Showcased at International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show at New York's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

November 11, 2006 -- BOOTH #3942 -- Initial Tropical Plants, www.initialplants.com, the largest provider of interior landscaping, design installation and maintenance services to businesses in North America, enhances the aroma of business interiors across North America with Microfresh, www.initialmicrofresh.com, a new ambient scent offering that provides odor remediation. Initial Tropical Plants will be exhibiting Microfresh at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show at New York's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from November 11th to 14th at Booth #3942.

"For many years, Initial Tropical Plants has been the leader in enhancing the workplace environment with lush and vibrant interior plants," said Bob Thomas, President, Initial Tropical Plants based in Riverwoods, Illinois. "It makes sense that we would take the next step and offer Microfresh, a compact system that represents a major breakthrough in indoor air quality. Microfresh performs far better than conventional systems because its nano-particles float with the air current, diffuse quickly and neutralize, rather than mask, odors."

Initial Tropical Plants partnered with Prolitec, www.prolitec.com, a world leader in the development and deployment of innovative technologies and solutions for indoor air quality, to offer a superior odor remediation and ambient scenting system to current and prospective customers. Branded Microfresh, this newly patented diffusion system converts liquid into a 'dry aerosol' that permeates a large space with a very small quantity of ingredient -- just enough to neutralize the odor and replace it with a pleasant scent. Conventional aerosol hygiene dispensers use heavy droplets that mask the odor within a restricted area for a very short period of time. Microfresh does not use heavy droplets. Its micron-size particles are so light they float and uniformly treat the air throughout the space.

Highlighted Links

Initial Tropical Plants
Microfresh

According to Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards, the fragrance and scents being diffused by Microfresh fall far below the OSHA regulated "allergy triggers." Because of the small particle size, Microfresh achieves odor neutralizing and a scent effect with concentrations of ingredients in the air of less than one part per million (1 PPM). The allergy threshold for most people is over 100 PPM. Microfresh ingredients are 100% pure with inert fragrance and odor neutralizing materials. Conventional systems include at least 50% solvents and propellants that contain volatile organic compounds (VOC). Microfresh is compliant with "green building" regulations that focus on delivering environmentally responsible, healthy, productive places to live and work.

Available in a variety of scents to include: Cloud Nine, Mountain Fresh, Arctic Mist, Fresh Clean, Crisp Cotton and Blue Sky, Microfresh is providing odor remediation for a divergent array of industries including hotels and resorts, casinos, cruise lines, spas and fitness centers, building management, theatres, convention centers, malls and retail stores, health care facilities, airports, train stations and schools. The client response has been uniformly enthusiastic. An engineer at a Hyatt Grand hotel relayed that Microfresh "eliminated cigarette and cigar smoke from the treated areas." A manufacturer and retailer of mattresses said that Microfresh "creates a pleasing environment that encourages customers to stay in the store longer for the purpose of testing mattresses by lounging."

No longer content to rely on broadband service and fluffy pillows, several major hotel chains now seek to wish guests a nice-smelling stay. Major hotels are using ambient scents -- ranging from calming freesia to home and hearth-inspired apple pie aromas -- as brand building exercises aimed at boosting guest loyalty. Initial Tropical Plants believes so strongly in the power of scent, they are introducing an ambient scent at the company's corporate and branch offices across North America. Initial Tropical Plants created a signature scent that represents their brand -- an earthy and lightly floral and fruity scent with a hint of basil, sage and thyme. All of the company's offices will disperse the signature scent through the newly patented Microfresh diffusion system.

About Initial Tropical Plants:

Initial Tropical Plants, Inc. is the largest provider of interior landscaping, design installation and maintenance services in North America. They have earned this leadership position by providing innovative year-round plant programs to businesses that improve the quality of life in the workplace while presenting an aesthetically pleasing business environment. Initial Tropical Plants is a subsidiary of Rentokil Initial plc, (LSE: RTO), a publicly traded international business-to-business service organization based in the UK. For more information, visit Initial Tropical Plants website at: www.initialplants.com.

Microsoft and Universal make Zune deal

Microsoft and Universal Music Group say they have struck a licensing deal for the software company's new Zune portable music player and digital music store that calls for the recording company to get paid a cut of the sales of the device

Executives at both companies declined to disclose the financial terms of the deal, which is expected to be officially announced early Thursday.

Redmond-based Microsoft Corp. is pursuing similar agreements with other major record labels, Chris Stephenson, general manager of global marketing for Microsoft Entertainment, said late Wednesday.

Zune, which is scheduled to be released Nov. 14, is Microsoft's attempt to compete with Apple Computer Inc.'s market-leading iPod player and iTunes music service. The device, which will sell for $249.99, lets people share songs, playlists or pictures over a wireless connection with nearby Zune users.

By paying record labels a portion of Zune player sales, Microsoft hopes to have more freedom to allow song-sharing or other promotions, Stephenson said.

Earlier this year, Universal and other major recording companies settled a dispute with Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. over its Sirius S50 portable music player by reaching a deal that called for Sirius to pay the record companies a fee for every S50 it sells.

Universal sought a similar approach when Microsoft came calling Universal to hash out a licensing deal for its Zune online music store.

Absent a deal with Universal, Microsoft faced the prospect of unveiling Zune without content from the world's biggest recording company.

Under the terms of the deal, Universal will split the money it gets from Zune player sales with its artists. Morris declined to say how much artists will be paid.

Zune
Fact Sheet
September 2006
Name: Zune™
Zune™
Manufacturer: Microsoft Corp.
Microsoft Corp.
Category: Digital media player
Digital media player
Colors: Three choices: black, white or brown
Three choices: black, white or brown
Product
Overview: Zune starts with a 30GB digital media player and adds a twist. You can wirelessly share selected full-length sample tracks, playlists, pictures or your home-grown tracks directly from Zune to Zune.¹ You can listen to the full-length songs that you receive up to three times in three days, flag the ones you like and easily buy them the next time you sync up. You can discover new music in the Zune Marketplace, and show off your favorite pictures and videos on the big, bright screen. Zune has all that and a built in FM tuner, too. Let your inner DJ run wild.
Zune starts with a 30GB digital media player and adds a twist. You can wirelessly share selected full-length sample tracks, playlists, pictures or your home-grown tracks directly from Zune to Zune. You can listen to the full-length songs that you receive up to three times in three days, flag the ones you like and easily buy them the next time you sync up. You can discover new music in the Zune Marketplace, and show off your favorite pictures and videos on the big, bright screen. Zune has all that and a built in FM tuner, too. Let your inner DJ run wild. Features: ● Wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing. Zune lets you spontaneously share selected full-length sample tracks of your favorite songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures with friends wirelessly, device to device.¹ You can listen to any song you receive up to three times in three days. And if you like a song you hear and want to buy it, you can flag it right on your device to easily find it later.
Your own personalized Zune. Zune is easy to use and easy to love. You can choose one of three base colors, each combined with a distinctive double-shot finish created by the overlay of one color on another. The player also can easily be customized with your favorite pictures.
Zune is easy to use and easy to love. You can choose one of three base colors, each combined with a distinctive double-shot finish created by the overlay of one color on another. The player also can easily be customized with your favorite pictures.
Large color screen. Zune comes with a bright 3-inch LCD video screen that works in portrait or landscape mode. Your music, video and pictures never looked better.
Zune comes with a bright 3-inch LCD video screen that works in portrait or landscape mode. Your music, video and pictures never looked better.
30GB player. Zune stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video.² You can make playlists on the go and watch a slide show while you’re listening. Watching video in landscape mode gets the most out of the vivid display.
Zune stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video. You can make playlists on the go and watch a slide show while you’re listening. Watching video in landscape mode gets the most out of the vivid display.
Zune Pass. Downloads or a subscription? It’s your choice. A Zune Pass subscription gives you “all you can eat” access to discover and explore the Zune Marketplace.
Downloads or a subscription? It’s your choice. A Zune Pass subscription gives you “all you can eat” access to discover and explore the Zune Marketplace.
Built-in FM tuner. With the built-in FM tuner you can listen to local FM radio stations or tune in to programming while you’re at your local health club, for example. Advanced tuning capabilities allow you to see the name of the song currently playing on selected frequencies.³
With the built-in FM tuner you can listen to local FM radio stations or tune in to programming while you’re at your local health club, for example. Advanced tuning capabilities allow you to see the name of the song currently playing on selected frequencies.
Accessories: ● You can choose from a full line of accessories to outfit your Zune. Three Zune Accessory Packs provide complete solutions for Zune in your car, in your home or while you travel. Individual accessories are also available.
You can choose from a full line of accessories to outfit your Zune. Three Zune Accessory Packs provide complete solutions for Zune in your car, in your home or while you travel. Individual accessories are also available.
Additional
Information: ● Online music store. You can browse the huge selection of music designed to work seamlessly with your Zune in the Zune Marketplace. When you find new music that you love, it’s simple to buy it and sync it on your player. The Zune Marketplace works with the Microsoft^® Points program so you can purchase music online without a credit card.
You can browse the huge selection of music designed to work seamlessly with your Zune in the Zune Marketplace. When you find new music that you love, it’s simple to buy it and sync it on your player. The Zune Marketplace works with the Microsoft Points program so you can purchase music online without a credit card. Import your music. Zune software can automatically import your existing music, pictures and videos from iTunes and Windows Media^® Player in a variety of formats, including your existing playlists and song ratings, as permitted by the online service from which it was purchased.⁴
Zune software can automatically import your existing music, pictures and videos from iTunes and Windows Media Player in a variety of formats, including your existing playlists and song ratings, as permitted by the online service from which it was purchased.
It only gets better. As Zune evolves, your device can be easily updated. The Zune software on your PC⁵ will let you know when updates are available for download. And with built-in wireless capability in each player, the future is filled with possibilities.⁵
As Zune evolves, your device can be easily updated. The Zune software on your PC will let you know when updates are availablefor download. And with built-in wireless capability in each player, the future is filled with possibilities. Zune lets you spontaneously share selected full-length sample tracks of your favorite songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures with friends wirelessly, device to device. You can listen to any song you receive up to three times in three days. And if you like a song you hear and want to buy it, you can flag it right on your device to easily find it later. Zune is easy to use and easy to love. You can choose one of three base colors, each combined with a distinctive double-shot finish created by the overlay of one color on another. The player also can easily be customized with your favorite pictures. Zune comes with a bright 3-inch LCD video screen that works in portrait or landscape mode. Your music, video and pictures never looked better.Zune stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video. You can make playlists on the go and watch a slide show while you’re listening. Watching video in landscape mode gets the most out of the vivid display. Downloads or a subscription? It’s your choice. A Zune Pass subscription gives you “all you can eat” access to discover and explore the Zune Marketplace. With the built-in FM tuner you can listen to local FM radio stations or tune in to programming while you’re at your local health club, for example. Advanced tuning capabilities allow you to see the name of the song currently playing on selected frequencies.You can choose from a full line of accessories to outfit your Zune. Three Zune Accessory Packs provide complete solutions for Zune in your car, in your home or while you travel. Individual accessories are also available. You can browse the huge selection of music designed to work seamlessly with your Zune in the Zune Marketplace. When you find new music that you love, it’s simple to buy it and sync it on your player. The Zune Marketplace works with the Microsoft Points program so you can purchase music online without a credit card. Zune software can automatically import your existing music, pictures and videos from iTunes and Windows Media Player in a variety of formats, including your existing playlists and song ratings, as permitted by the online service from which it was purchased. As Zune evolves, your device can be easily updated. The Zune software on your PC will let you know when updates are availablefor download. And with built-in wireless capability in each player, the future is filled with possibilities. #########

The information contained in this fact sheet relates to a pre-release product that may be substantially modified before its first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the product when it is first commercially released. This fact sheet is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the fact sheet or the information contained in it. Dates are subject to change without notice.

^{1 The Zune-to-Zune sharing feature may not be available for all songs on your device, and works only between Zune devices within wireless range of each other. This feature allows recipients to play full-length sample tracks up to three times in three days. Recipients cannot resend music that they have received via the sharing feature.
2 Music estimates are based on 128KBps WMA files, with length of four minutes each. Pictures transferred to Zune will be optimized for Zune screen size. Video estimates are based on 500KBps WMV files with 128KBps WMA audio tracks.
3 To display station name and song information, stations must broadcast a Radio Broadcast Data Standards (RBDS) signal. Availability may vary.
4 Zune software can import audio files in unprotected WMA, MP3, AAC; photos in JPEG; and videos in WMV, MPEG-4, H.264.
5 Requires a PC running Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 and high-speed Internet connectivity.
6 Dates and functionality of updates are not specified at this time. Microsoft makes no guarantees, express or implied, about the features contained in future Zune updates.}

Microsoft, Zune, Windows Media and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

JADOO POWER NAMED CES INNOVATIONS 2007

DESIGN AND ENGINEERING AWARD HONOREE

November 9, 2006 – The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) today announced Jadoo Power (Jadoo) as an International CES Innovations 2007 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree for the Jadoo XRT fuel cell system at the International CES New York Press Preview. Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and members of the trade press to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting edge consumer electronics products.

Jadoo is the leading supplier of fuel cell systems to the portable power market. The CES Innovations product, the Jadoo XRT, provides an extended runtime option for Jadoo’s line of N-Gen fuel-cell power units. These fuel cells are uniquely suited for providing alternative power support for a variety of applications when the grid is either unavailable or unreliable. Applications include portable radio and laptop battery recharging, powering law enforcement surveillance installations, as well as providing back-up power for critical communications devices like satellite phones and modems. The XRT provides 100 W, 110VAC / 12VDC power with over 2200 W-hrs of runtime.

“We thank CEA and the Innovations judges for honoring Jadoo with this award,” said Jack Peterson, VP Sales and Marketing, Jadoo Power. “We believe the design of the Jadoo XRT clearly is the result of our continual focus on delivering high-quality, user-friendly fuel cell solutions that meet the power needs of our customers across all industries.”

As a widely renowned consumer technology awards program that began in 1989, the prestigious Innovations Design and Engineering Awards recognize achievements in product design and engineering. It is sponsored by CEA, the producer of the International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, and endorsed by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), the voice of industrial design, committed to advancing the profession through education, information, community and advocacy.

Jadoo’s XRT will be displayed at the 2007 International CES, which runs January 8-11, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase will feature honorees by product category at Innovations Plus at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Booth#: 68747. Best of Innovations honoree products will also be displayed at the Grand Lobby of Las Vegas Convention Center, next to Experience CEA, and at CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES. Visit www.CESweb.org/Innovations for details on Innovations 2007 Design and Engineering Honorees.

The Innovations entries are judged based on the following criteria:

Engineering qualities of the product, including technical specifications and materials used
The product’s intended use/function and user value
Aesthetic and design qualities (using visuals provided)
Unique and novel features
Contributions to consumers’ quality of life
Impact on the manufacturer’s business model

Innovations honoree products are featured on www.CESweb.org/Innovations, where you can see a list of product categories, as well as each product name, manufacturer information, designer, description, photo and URL.

About Jadoo Power Systems

www.jadoopower.com

Jadoo Power Systems, Inc. is a market-focused company that develops and sells next-generation, portable energy storage and power generation products. Jadoo is financed by Mohr Davidow Ventures, Venrock Associates and Sinclair Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.

TVCable of Ecuador Selects Airspan

TVCable Selects Airspan's WiMAX Forum Certified(TM) Products in 3.5GHz for Its WiMAX Network After Extensive Field and Commercial Trials

November 08, 2006 -- Airspan Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRN), a leading worldwide provider of broadband wireless access networks, including WiMAX standard systems, and carrier class VoIP systems, today announced that the TVCable Group, Ecuador's largest cable operator, has selected Airspan for its WiMAX network expansion in the 3.5GHz frequency band. The first phase of the network implementation has been installed, and WiMAX-based services are commercially available in Guayaquil. Future network expansions are being planned for country-wide WiMAX coverage.

TVCable is Ecuador's largest cable TV operator and one of the largest telecommunications services providers in that country. The company offers a broad portfolio of services that include voice, data and video to the enterprise and to consumer markets in Ecuador. TVCable is the owner of 3.5GHz frequency bands nationwide, and chose Airspan after undertaking extensive field trials on that frequency with Airspan's MacroMAX WiMAX platform utilizing Airspan's ProST and EasyST CPEs to provide broadband services to its customers outside the reach of its cable network. The trials demonstrated that MacroMAX was best suited to meet TVCable's requirements for a high degree of Quality of Service (QoS) management, VoIP-over-WiMAX, management and remote diagnosis, and monitoring of widely dispersed base stations. TVCable has plans to service a few thousand customers initially over its new WiMAX platform.

Jorge Schwartz, CEO of TVCable, commented: "We thoroughly tested Airspan's WiMAX technologies as well as products of a number of other manufacturers over a long period of time to determine the best fit for our needs. We have chosen Airspan's ASMAX products for their robust feature-set, reliability over time, performance and future evolution path."

"We have worked closely with TVCable in its field trials and we are pleased to continue our support of TVCable with our exciting new ASMAX products," said Amit Ancikovsky, Airspan's Vice President & General Manager, Americas. "TVCable certainly has what it takes to establish itself as a leader in WiMAX-based services in the country and we are grateful for the opportunity to be their vendor of choice."

About TVCable

The TVCable Group, a privately held corporate group operating in Ecuador, started its operations in 1987 introducing cable television to Ecuador's major cities. The Group branched into leased lines and ISP services utilizing SDH data networks and today is a leader in both video, data and voice services in the country. The Group is also an owner of an exclusive 3.5GHz FWA license and operates the first WiMAX network in the country. More information can be found at www.tvcable.com.ec

About Airspan Networks Inc.

Airspan Networks provides fixed and wireless voice and data systems and solutions, including Voice Over IP (VoIP). Its wireless products serve operators around the world in both licensed and unlicensed frequency bands between 700MHz and 6GHz, including both PCS and 3.5GHz international bands. Airspan has a strong wireless product roadmap that includes products meeting 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi standards, and WiMAX Forum Certified™ equipment that includes software upgradeability to Mobile WiMAX (the 802.16e-2005 standard). Airspan is on the Board and is a founder member of the WiMAX Forum and a member of the Wi-Fi Alliance. The Company has deployments in more than 100 countries with more than 400 operators, 100 of which use Airspan's WiMAX Forum Certified™ and non-certified products. Airspan's wireless systems are based on radio technology that delivers excellent area coverage, high security and resistance to fading. These systems can be deployed rapidly and cost effectively, providing an attractive alternative to traditional wired communications networks. Airspan's AS.TONE VoIP system is a carrier class, turnkey solution that provides carriers with Class 4, Class 5 and IP-Centrex solutions and has a Softswitch and Gateways supporting SIP/H323 and SIP. AS.TONE's design provides customers, carriers, next-generation telcos, cellular providers and ITSP with a wide range of solutions with the best price/performance system for IP telephony. Airspan also offers radio planning, network installation, integration, training and support services to facilitate the deployment and operation of its systems. Airspan is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida with its main operations center in Uxbridge, United Kingdom.

More information on Airspan can be found at http://www.airspan.com

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. The words "targets," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "plans," "projects," "will," "would" and similar expressions or negative variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. Investors and others are therefore cautioned that a variety of factors, including certain risks, may affect our business and cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These risk factors include, without limitation, (i) a slowdown of expenditures by communication service providers; (ii) increased competition from alternative communication systems; (iii) the failure of our existing or prospective customers to purchase products as projected; (iv) our inability to successfully implement cost reduction or containment programs; (v) the potential loss of Axtel and Yozan as our largest customers; (vi) our potential inability to locate and secure additional sources of capital at the time and in the amount needed; (vii) the possibility that Yozan will materially delay or cancel future equipment orders; (viii) disruption to our operations in Israel, including the absence of employees due to required military service caused by political and military tensions in Israel and the Middle East. The Company is subject to the risks and uncertainties described in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and its Form 10-Qs for the quarters ended April 2, 2006, July 2, 2006 and October 1, 2006. You should read those factors as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this press release. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Barclay Road Chooses Market Wire for PR Services
-- November 08, 2006 -- Barclay Road, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: BCYR) has chosen to use Market Wire to disseminate all news and investor relation communications for their operation. Market Wire is the third largest newswire in the U.S.
"Market Wire has proven itself to be a professional, courteous and honorable operation. We have worked with Sherri Sibiski, a Sr. Account Executive, in the past and have nothing but praise for her fine work," said a company spokesperson.
Lifetime Books is the imprint of Barclay Road, Inc. and is one of the leading trade book publishers in the United States. Our titles are listed with Barnes & Noble, Amazon and most other retail book establishments worldwide.

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Established in 1998, Lifetime Books has published over 1500 titles in 13 genres, featuring best-selling authors like Og Mandino, Robert Danzig, and many others.
Except for historical matters contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward looking and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements reflect numerous assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect Barclay Road, Inc. and its subsidiary businesses and prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ are: Barclay Road, Inc.'s operating history; competition; low barriers to entry; reliance on strategic relationships; rapid technological changes; inability to complete transactions on favorable terms; and those risks discussed in the Company's filings with Pink Sheets.

InterVideo Launches WinDVD 8 with Windows Vista Compatibility and
High-definition Video/Audio Technologies

Top-selling Universal Video Player Brings Hollywood Theater Experience to Windows Vista

November 08, 2006 -- InterVideo®, Inc. (NASDAQ: IVII) today announced WinDVD® 8, the latest release of the software DVD player favored by 175 million users worldwide. WinDVD 8 takes video and audio playback to the next generation with Windows® VistaTM compatibility. Offering an unprecedented list of new and expanded features, the new version delivers the smooth, crystal-clear video and rich surround sound users have come to expect from WinDVD.

"With the advent of the Windows Vista era, being able to use a single software solution to play all DVD/video/audio in multiple formats simplifies our customers' digital lifestyle," said Steve Ro, CEO and President of InterVideo. "People are eager to adopt next-generation technologies like H.264, VC1 or the UPnP ability in the new Windows Vista OS, and WinDVD 8 provides this path. WinDVD users worldwide can always get the most out of their current systems. Now, WinDVD 8 users can also leverage the enhanced multimedia features and capabilities of Windows Vista."

WinDVD 8 is available in two versions. WinDVD 8 Platinum will appeal to power users who want the latest audio/video technologies, such as H.264 and VC1 support, and the ability to integrate with the Media Center and UPnP home networking. WinDVD 8 Gold is designed for movie lovers and business travelers who just want an easy way to enjoy high-quality movie playback. Both versions are Windows Vista-compatible.

Universal Player
A universal player, the Platinum version can be used to play back the latest high-definition file formats, such as MPEG2-HD, VC-1, WMV-HD and H.264 HD, as well as all the standard-definition formats like MPEG-4, Real®, QuickTime and WMV (Windows Media Video). WinDVD 8 also extends its support for DivX® multimedia technology to deliver high-quality interactive video.

UPnP Client and Server
Now WinDVD 8 Platinum supports UPnP home networks as Server or Client. Installing the UPnP Server that comes with WinDVD 8 Platinum, you can set up folders, set permissions, and make content available through the network. The Client plays back content from other UPnP-certified devices within a network. Both WinDVD 8 Gold and Platinum versions can serve as UPnP Client and work with other UPnP Servers available on the market.

Multi-threaded & Mobility
WinDVD 8 supports Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo, allowing multitasking while playing back high-definition video/audio formats. WinDVD 8 also features Mobile Technology, which helps users extend the battery life and playback time of mobile PCs based on Intel CentrinoTM processors.

Fun-to-use Tools
Like the previous versions, WinDVD 8 is also enhanced with the fun-to-use tools. Hitting the Boss Key instantly pauses and hides the player. WinDVD 8 also allows choosing color themes so users can personalize the look of the player to match their mood or desktop. Fun features such as "Let Night" or "Broadway" audio effects and QuickClipTM 2 for capturing video to save in GIF format are also provided.

Go High-Def
As more and more high-definition Blu-ray and HD DVD discs are entering the market, InterVideo, as the technology leader in video and audio decoding, has complied with all the requirements for playing back these advanced disc formats in full, high-definition quality. WinDVD was selected as the player of choice for OEM customers like Sony and Toshiba, bundling the HD version with their first-to-market HD DVD and Blu-ray-capable PCs.

Users who buy WinDVD 8 Gold or Platinum can get HD DVD/Blu-ray Disc Playback functionality by purchasing the HD Upgrade Pack, available separately from http://www.intervideo.com .

Pricing and Availability
WinDVD 8 can be used with desktop and laptop computers running Windows® XP and Windows VistaTM . WinDVD 8 Gold, the standard consumer edition, and WinDVD 8 Platinum, InterVideo's high-end version, is available at InterVideo's web site at http://www.intervideo.com and will be at retail outlets around the world within the next few weeks. The suggested list prices are $39.95 for WinDVD 8 Gold and $59.95 WinDVD 8 Platinum. Upgrades for current licensed WinDVD users will also be available on the InterVideo web site.

About InterVideo, Inc.
InterVideo is a leading provider of integrated digital and high-definition multimedia and audio/video content solutions in the PC, CE and wireless industries. The company's broad suite of integrated multimedia software products are designed to enhance the consumer's entertainment experience, whether the content is delivered to a home system, HDTV set, wireless system, mobile or personal multimedia device. InterVideo's unique iMobi™ multimedia codec technologies are widely used by Smartphones, GPS units and portable entertainment device OEMs and ODMs to enhance music and video enjoyment…any place, any time. The firm's worldwide headquarters is at 46430 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA, 510-651-0888, InterVideo also has major offices in Taiwan, Japan, Mainland China and around the globe. For more information, visit http://www.intervideo.com.

# # #

Safe Harbor Statement
Except for the historical statements contained herein, the foregoing release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding InterVideo's WinDVD products. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially due to several factors, including but not limited to the ability to forecast customer behavior and recognize or respond to emerging trends, changing preferences or competitive factors, the market acceptance of our new products and product enhancements, the resolution of any notices of claims regarding alleged infringement of third parties' intellectual property rights, the ability to maintain or expand our relationship with PC OEMS and other risks and uncertainties. Please consult the various reports and documents filed by InterVideo with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to InterVideo's Form 10-Q for other risk factors that could cause actual results to differ. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and InterVideo disclaims any responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statement provided in this news release.

InterVideo and InterVideo WinDVD are trademarks of InterVideo, Inc. Intel, Core 2 Duo and Centrino are registered trademarks of Intel. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

JumpTV Subscriptions Grow 32% in Third Quarter

Internet Broadcaster Announces 3rd Quarter Results and Performance Metrics

November 08, 2006 -- JumpTV Inc. ("JumpTV" or "the Company") (TSX: JTV) (AIM: JTV), the world's leading broadcaster of ethnic television over the Internet, today announced quarterly results and selected financial metrics for the quarter ended September 30, 2006.

Revenue for the third quarter 2006 increased 58% to US $534,671 from US $337,389 in the same period a year ago. Sequentially, revenue increased 25% from US $426,998 in the second quarter 2006.

Net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 was US $6,494,411 or US $0.23 per basic and diluted share compared to US $1,086,525 or US $0.08 per basic and diluted share in the same period a year ago and US $6,449,005 or US $0.31 per basic and diluted share in the quarter ended June 30, 2006. During the quarter, the Company invested heavily in the development of its next generation product offering (JumpTV 3.0), and continued to invest in personnel dedicated to its global business development efforts in connection with obtaining additional channel partnerships and marketing partnerships with major ISPs and Internet portals.

JumpTV had 225 channels signed as of September 30, 2006, as compared to 204 channels as of June 30, 2006 and 59 channels as of September 30, 2005.

Subscriptions increased 32% to 23,885 from 18,119 in the second quarter 2006 and subscribers increased approximately 35% to 22,019 for the third quarter 2006 from 16,319 in the second quarter 2006. Average Monthly Churn was 22.8% compared to 15.8% for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. The $0.99 first-month subscriber promotion resulted in a high churn rate during the quarter as certain subscribers cycled in and out of the offer.

For the third quarter of 2006, JumpTV's subscriber acquisition cost (SAC) was US $21.80 compared to US $30.00 in the second quarter of 2006. The Company's natural search optimization initiatives and the increased number of subscribers acquired through affiliate marketing partners were the primary drivers of the 26% reduction in subscriber acquisition cost (SAC) during the quarter.

Average monthly Revenue per User (ARPU) was US $9.43 in the quarter ending September 30, 2006 compared to US $10.31(1) in the second quarter of 2006. The Company's ARPU declined due to the testing of a $0.99 first-month subscriber promotion and other test marketing initiatives. The Company expects to continue to introduce additional channel bundles at higher monthly subscription rates (e.g. approximately $15/month) which is expected to increase ARPU in future quarters.

G. Scott Paterson, Chairman & CEO of JumpTV, said:

"We are delighted with the growth in subscriptions in Q3 particularly in light of the fact that our focus has been and continues to be, in the near term, securing new channel partnerships, improving our user experience and developing marketing partnerships around the world (which are soon to be launched).

We have made significant strides in all aspects of our business. We have signed, on average, two new channel partnerships a week, bringing our total number of partners to 233 as of today's date. Among our recently announced channel partnerships are MBC, one of the top pan-Arab general entertainment channels, Al Arabiya News Channel, one of the leading Arabic language news channels worldwide and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), one of the world's largest producers of Chinese-language television programming.

Very significantly, we launched JumpTV 3.0, our new online television experience. JumpTV 3.0 adds video-on-demand, pay-per-view and social networking functionalities to our platform as well as enhanced digital rights management and pre-roll advertising capabilities.

We have recently entered into marketing agreements with Comcast, the largest broadband ISP in the United States, Que Pasa, a leading Hispanic oriented portal, and Maktoob, one of the world's most visited Arabic online destinations; each of which we expect to launch commercially prior to year-end.

We have worked diligently to put in place the requisite components of our business strategy necessary to drive subscriber growth in 2007 and beyond."

(1) The Company reported an ARPU of $9.91 in the prior quarter by dividing total subscriber-related revenues for the period by the average subscribers for that period. Average subscribers for the period were calculated by adding the total subscribers at the end of each month and by dividing by the number of months in the period. We have adjusted this figure to $10.31 to be consistent with the definition we disclosed in both our prospectus and prior quarters Management Discussion and Analysis. This definition states that ARPU is calculated by dividing total subscriber-related revenues for a period by JumpTV's average subscribers for that period. Average JumpTV subscribers for a period is calculated by adding the average JumpTV subscribers for each month and dividing by the number of months in the period. Average JumpTV subscribers for each month are calculated by adding the beginning and ending JumpTV subscribers for the month and dividing by two.

The company will hold a conference call to discuss its third quarter results at 8:00 a.m. PST, 11:00 a.m. EST and 4:00 p.m. GMT on Wednesday, November 8, 2006. A replay of the call will be available for 7 days using the following dial-in numbers: US - 1-877-519-4471 or International - 973-341-3080; conference code 8068898. The call will also be available via live audio cast on the JumpTV website, located at www.jumptv.com. The audio cast will be archived on the Company's website for a period of 30 days.

About JumpTV

JumpTV is the world's leading subscription based provider of ethnic television over the Internet. With over 230 channels from 65+ countries, JumpTV delivers to its subscribers full-screen news, sports and entertainment content on a real-time basis from all corners of the globe. JumpTV has subscribers from over 80 countries who view channels on the JumpTV online network via ordinary Internet connections on their home computers, laptops, Internet-enabled televisions and mobile phones.

Forward Looking Statements

JumpTV is not aware of any uniform standards for calculating subscriptions, subscribers, ARPU, SAC, Churn and channels signed and it is possible that JumpTV's presentation of these measures may not be calculated consistently with other companies in the same or similar business. Moreover, these measures are of operational performance and not measures of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward looking statements. These forward looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward looking statements, including: general economic and market segment conditions, competitor activity, product capability and acceptance, international risk and currency exchange rates and technology changes. More detailed assessment of the risks that could cause actual results to materially differ from current expectations is contained in the "Risk Assessment" section included in the Company's final prospectus and MD&A posted on www.sedar.com.

              CONSOLIDATED INTERIM BALANCE SHEETS       [Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted]                                           As at         As at                                     September 30, December 31,                                          2006         2005                                            $            $                                       ----------   ----------                                      [unaudited]  ASSETS Current Cash and cash equivalents             54,020,499    5,475,052 Other receivables                        487,040       78,309 Prepaid expenses and deposits            683,864       14,812 Funds held in trust                      581,861            -                                       ----------   ---------- Total current assets                  55,773,264    5,568,173                                       ----------   ---------- Equipment, net                           977,093      379,694 Intangible assets                        464,195            - Other assets                             227,922      105,216 Deferred direct broadcast  operating costs, net                    262,094       96,803                                       ----------   ----------                                        57,704,568    6,149,886                                       ==========   ==========  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities                    2,230,796    1,008,845 Due to related parties                     6,083      138,323 Current portion of accrued  license fees                             65,696       79,592 Accrued professional fees                557,834      195,592 Accrued stock  appreciation rights                     623,859            - Deferred revenue                         103,106       56,268 Income taxes payable                      52,800       16,800                                       ----------   ---------- Total current liabilities              3,640,174    1,495,420                                       ----------   ---------- Accrued license fees                     120,000      120,000                                       ----------   ---------- Total liabilities                      3,760,174    1,615,420                                       ----------   ----------  Shareholders' equity Share capital                         73,556,678    9,744,084 Contributed surplus                    3,127,795      609,908 Accumulated other comprehensive  loss                                    (40,355)     (40,355) Accumulated deficit                  (22,699,724)  (5,779,171)                                       ----------   ---------- Total shareholders' equity            53,944,394    4,534,466                                       ----------   ----------                                       57,704,568    6,149,886                                       ==========   ==========                 CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS          [Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted]                              [unaudited]                                Three months               Nine months                                   ended                     ended                               September 30              September 30                             2006         2005         2006         2005                               $            $            $            $                        ------------  -----------  -----------  ----------- Revenue, net                534,671      337,389    1,312,167      970,162 Direct broadcast  operating costs           (706,102)     (97,757)  (1,437,113)  (1,273,636)                        ------------  -----------  -----------  -----------                            (171,431)     239,632     (124,946)    (303,474)                        ------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  Other costs and expenses Selling, general  and administrative       5,318,685    1,258,342   14,538,882    1,615,077 Stock-based compensation  1,417,321       74,530    2,744,701      184,833 Amortization                 34,225        6,335       82,076       15,644                        ------------  -----------  -----------  -----------                           6,770,231    1,339,207   17,365,659    1,815,554                        ------------  -----------  -----------  -----------                          (6,941,662)  (1,099,575) (17,490,605)  (2,119,028) Gain on foreign  exchange                  (107,548)     (13,791)     (99,247)      (3,190) Interest income            (350,703)      (4,859)    (506,805)      (5,759)                        ------------  -----------  -----------  ----------- Loss before income  taxes                   (6,483,411)  (1,080,925) (16,884,553)  (2,110,079) Provision for income  taxes                       11,000        5,600       36,000       11,200                        ------------  -----------  -----------  ----------- Net loss for the period  (6,494,411)  (1,086,525) (16,920,553)  (2,121,279)                        ============  ===========  ===========  ===========  Loss per weighted  average number of  shares outstanding -  basic and diluted            (0.23)       (0.08)       (0.74)       (0.20)                        ============  ===========  ===========  ===========  Weighted average  number of shares  outstanding - basic  and diluted             28,848,119   13,469,599   22,913,150   10,574,769                        ============  ===========  ===========  ===========                CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS         [Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted]                             [unaudited]                             Three months                Nine months                               ended                       ended                            September 30                September 30                          2006         2005          2006         2005                            $            $             $            $                       -----------  -----------   -----------  -----------  OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net loss for the  period                (6,494,411)  (1,086,525)  (16,920,553)  (2,121,279) Adjustments to  reconcile net loss  to net cash provided  by (used in)  operating activities    Amortization            76,069        6,698       174,310       16,007    Stock based     compensation,     excluding change     in accrued stock     appreciation     rights as noted     below                 793,462       74,530     2,120,842      184,833 Amortization of  deferred direct  broadcast operating  costs                      8,799            -        26,399            -                       -----------  -----------   -----------  -----------                        (5,616,081)  (1,005,297)  (14,599,002)  (1,920,439) Changes in operating  assets and  liabilities    Other receivables     (197,586)     (41,530)     (408,731)     (62,530)    Prepaid expenses,     deposits and other     assets               (312,815)       2,295      (791,758)     (23,693)    Funds held in trust   (581,861)           -      (581,861)           -    Deferred direct     broadcast     operating costs      (191,690)           -      (191,690)           -    Accounts payable     and other accrued     liabilities        (1,020,553)     723,443     1,221,951      873,127    Due to related     parties               (22,342)      (1,590)     (132,240)     (15,848)    Accrued license fees    23,899       63,680       (13,896)     100,292    Accrued stock     appreciation rights   623,859            -       623,859            -    Accrued professional     fees               (2,750,880)           -       362,242            -    Deferred revenue        22,253       (3,564)       46,838       15,167    Income taxes     payable                11,000        5,600        36,000       11,200                       -----------  -----------   -----------  ----------- Cash used in  operating  activities           (10,012,797)    (256,963)  (14,428,288)  (1,022,724)                       -----------  -----------   -----------  -----------  INVESTING ACTIVITIES    Redemption of     short-term     investment                  -            -             -       36,728    Purchase of     equipment            (118,835)     (53,600)     (771,709)    (103,829)    Purchase of HVMedia     Limited assets,     including     transaction costs         333            -      (444,973)           -                       -----------  -----------   -----------  ----------- Cash used in investing  activities              (118,502)     (53,600)   (1,216,682)     (67,101)                       -----------  -----------   -----------  -----------  FINANCING ACTIVITIES    Proceeds from share     issuances, net     55,566,287    3,864,036    63,564,934    4,823,036    Deferred share     issue costs         3,449,672            -             -            -    Redemption of     Class C common     share                       -            -            (1)           -    Proceeds from     exercise of     stock options          25,438            -       625,484            -    Proceeds from     issuance of     convertible     promissory note             -            -             -       20,000    Proceeds from     issuance of     special warrants            -            -             -      750,000                       -----------  -----------   -----------  ----------- Cash provided by  financing  activities            59,041,397    3,864,036    64,190,417    5,593,036                       -----------  -----------   -----------  ----------- Net increase in cash  and cash equivalents  during the period     48,910,098    3,553,473    48,545,447    4,503,211 Cash and cash  equivalents,  beginning of period    5,110,401    1,186,169     5,475,052      236,431                       -----------  -----------   -----------  ----------- Cash and cash  equivalents, end of  period                54,020,499    4,739,642    54,020,499    4,739,642                       ===========  ===========   ===========  ===========

ADTRAN's Total Access 5000 Earns RUS Acceptance

USDA Acceptance Marks Key Milestone for Independent Carriers

November 8, 2006)—ADTRAN, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADTN), a leading supplier of next-generation network solutions, today announced that its Total Access® 5000 Multi-Service Access and Aggregation Platform has received RUS Acceptance from the Technical Standards Committee A (Telecommunications) Advanced Services Division of the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service (RUS).

The Total Access 5000 platform revolutionizes converged networking by enabling service providers to deliver next-generation services like IPTV and Voice over IP (VoIP) across an all IP/Ethernet core without stranding their legacy service base, thus creating a scalable service delivery model across the network. The Total Access 5000 easily supports deployment with 100% broadband capable access lines, helping carriers further reduce the capital and operational costs associated with broadband turn-ups.

"The RUS acceptance is important to ADTRAN as it reinforces our commitment to the independent carriers in the area of broadband connectivity," said P. Steven Locke, vice president of sales, Service Providers. "Helping rural providers stay current and continue growth with cost-effective, reliable solutions is one way we can help alleviate the digital divide within the United States."

The Rural Utilities Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, offers funding and low-cost loans to service providers investing in networks to serve rural communities. RUS acceptance allows service providers to purchase ADTRAN's Total Access 5000 systems and other ADTRAN access equipment with these funds.

ADTRAN's list of RUS Accepted products is extensive and includes its Total Access (TA) 3000, TA 3050, TA 1500, TA 1200 DSLAM, TA 850, and TA 750, TA 4303, MX2800, MX2810, MX2820, OPTI-3, and OPTI-6100®.

About ADTRAN
ADTRAN, Inc. is a leading global provider of networking and communications equipment, with an 18-year history of profitability and a portfolio of more than 1,400 solutions for use in the last mile of today's telecommunications networks. Widely deployed by carriers and enterprises alike, ADTRAN solutions enable voice, data, video, and Internet communications across copper, fiber, and wireless network infrastructures. ADTRAN solutions are currently in use by every major U.S. service provider and many global ones, as well as by thousands of public, private and governmental organizations worldwide.

DBL DISTRIBUTING, INC. PARTNERS WITH GREEN CLEAN USA
TO DISTRIBUTE INNOVATIVE DIGITAL CAMERA CLEANING
PRODUCTS AND ACCESSORIES.

Distribution Agreement between DBL Distributing, Inc and Green Clean USA Brings
Innovative Products and Accessories to DBL’s Photo/Video Segment.

– November 8, 2006 -- DBL Distributing, Inc., one of the largest wholesale distributors of consumer electronics in the United States, today announced a new distribution partnership with Green Clean USA to deliver innovative digital camera cleaning kits and individual products to DBL’s base of independent photography and digital imaging retailers and processors. Green Clean USA manufacturers and markets a complete line of digital imaging cleaning products that are based on an innovative, contact-free “vacuum” principle that gently removes dust and friction particles from digital camera sensor and camera housings. Green Clean USA is one of twenty new manufacturers to make their debut in DBL’s recently released Fall/Winter 2006 catalog which features more than 16,000 products from 350 brand name manufacturers.

Effective immediately, DBL will carry the full line of Green Clean USA digital imaging maintenance and care accessories including cleaning kits, replacement accessories and dusters. Green Clean USA is noted for their cleaning kits which feature an innovative “vacuum power canister” that removes dust, dirt and particulates by means of a “suction” technology as opposed to typical “blow” systems. DBL will also carry Green Clean USA anti-static polishing cloths, sterile mini pick-up replacement tubes, vacuum attachment accessories and non-full frame wet and dry swab sensor cleaners. Green Clean USA’s wet and dry swabs are designed to remove oils and smudges from digital camera sensors. The wet swab is pre-saturated with a non-toxic, alcohol free solution and the non-full frame size dry swab is lint free and highly absorbent.

“We listened to our photography and digital imaging customers over the past year and heard they wanted to have access to new innovative products that demonstrate true differentiation in the retail marketplace.” said Henry Chiarelli, senior vice president of marketing and merchandising for DBL Distributing. “In particular, our customers expressed an interest in products that are in synch with the rapid evolution of digital imaging technology. Through new partnerships with manufacturers such as Green Clean USA we are proud to report that we have delivered on this customer request. By marketing Green Clean USA’s full line of cleaning kits, replacement accessories and dusters, we are delivering product options that not only address the technological changes digital imaging manufacturers apply to their products, but we are delivering products that are unique to the market, valuable to the retailer, essential to their photography customers and environmentally friendly.”

”Green Clean USA is extremely excited about our relationship with DBL Distributing, Inc. Their reputation and success as a distributor of consumer electronics accessories means that more and more consumers will be enabled with our professional quality cleaning products,” said Grant Russell, President of Green Clean USA.

About DBL Distributing, Inc.
DBL Distributing, Inc. is one of the nation’s top wholesale distributors of consumer electronics accessories and related products, with more than 30,000 retail customers nationwide. Headquartered in a custom-built 144,000 square foot facility in Scottsdale, Arizona, DBL carries more than 16,000 products from more than 350 quality manufacturers. DBL offers same day shipping for order placed by 5:00pm MST, a best price for 1 or 100 piece policy and a have no minimum order policy. DBL’s business strategy proves that customers come first. For more information please visit http://www.dbldistributing.com/ or contact them at 800.733.6766.

ABOUT GREEN CLEAN USA
GREEN CLEAN USA provides the photography industry with quality and innovative digital camera cleaning devices while paying particular attention to customer service, support and satisfaction throughout North America. Green Clean USA’s Digital Camera Sensor Cleaning System is a contact-free cleaning system that works on the vacuum principle to gently remove dust and friction particles from the sensor and camera housing. The system also features three Wet Swabs and three Dry Swabs to remove oils and smudges from the sensor. A Travel Kit as well as individual accessories and environmentally safe dusters are also available. For more information please visit http://www.green-cleanusa.com

DBL DISTRIBUTING, INC. BECOMES A NATIONAL PREFERRED
DISTRIBUTOR OF XM SATELLITE RADIO

Independent Retailers Nationwide Will Benefit from DBL’s Wide Range of XM Satellite Hardware and
Accessory Options, Aggressive Dealer Activation Credits and Unparalleled Dealer Support Tools

November 7, 2006 -- DBL Distributing, Inc., one of the largest wholesalers of consumer electronics in the United States, announced today a distribution agreement with XM Satellite Radio to deliver an expansive selection of XM products and accessories, along with aggressive activation commissions and online support tools, to eligible consumer electronics dealers. As a National Preferred Distributor for XM Satellite Radio, DBL will provide more than 30,000 consumer electronic dealers nationwide with access to an unparalleled selection of XM-Ready products, subscriber activation commissions and management tools.

Additionally, DBL announced that eligible dealers who order XM Satellite Radio hardware and accessories from DBL will have access to “The DBL XM Store,” a new online account management tool where they can manage and track orders. Dealers will be able to view each of their orders by order number with visibility into ship date, account activation date and commission payment status. Conveniently accessible through DBL’s existing corporate website at http://www.dbldistributing.com, The DBL XM Store provides real-time access to valuable information that helps dealers manage their business. In addition to order and commission payment status, DBL’s XM Store also serves as a comprehensive source for information on XM products, rebate information and XM promotions.

DBL already carries more than 100 XM products including receivers such as Samsung’s NeXus™, Samsung Helix™, Pioneer’s Inno™, Delphi’s SKYFi™, Roady XT™ and MyFi™, Audiovox Xpress and Mini Tuner, and AGT’s SportsCaster™. DBL carries XM Satellite Radio in-dash car receivers, marine kits, car kits, car adapters and car antennas from Dual, Terk, Pioneer, Samsung, Audiovox and Altec Lansing. XM cases, mounts and accessories carried by DBL include items from Belkin, Akron, Case Logic and PanaVise. DBL also offers XM products serving the Home Audio and Commercial Installation markets with receivers, multi-room entertainment systems and repeaters from Antex Electronics, Crown and Delphi.

“We’re committed to finding new ways to bring value to our dealers and their customers and we think this deal is a huge step forward in giving them both greater value and choice through the holiday buying season,” said David Lorsch, DBL’s President and CEO. “It’s an exciting opportunity for the consumer electronics retailer, the consumer and for us. We now have an unparalleled selection of brand-name manufacturers such as Samsung, Pioneer, Crown, AGT, Delphi, Dual, Belkin, Audiovox and Terk to name just a few of the leading brands associated with XM Satellite Radio hardware and accessories. Additionally, for the very first time, dealers will be able to view their order status including payment of activation fees by simply visiting our website.”

“XM Satellite Radio is pleased to expand our relationship with DBL Distributing,” says Victor Henley, Director/GM of Retail Distribution, XM Satellite Radio. “DBL is a recognized by dealers for their commitment to the retailer and their needs offering the best staff, products and systems to support the needs of retailers across many categories. DBL has become a one-stop shop for all XM products, eliminating the tedious work involved in claiming the activation commissions so the retailer can do what they do best.

DBL is also offering an added seasonal “holiday season” bonus for consumer electronic dealers nationwide. All existing DBL customers and qualified new customers are eligible for DBL’s Free Freight promotion which offers FREE ground shipping on qualifying orders over $750 through December 31, 2006. DBL’s Free Freight promotion is one more reason why the company is the fastest growing distributor in consumer electronics and another reason why more than 30,000 independent retailers across the United States choose DBL as their trusted source for XM Satellite Radio products and accessories above any other distributor.

XM Satellite Radio receivers, portable products and related accessories can be found in DBL’s quarterly catalog and online at http://www.dbldistributing.com. DBL’s award winning catalog is mailed free of charge to Consumer Electronic Retailers, Custom Installers, Home Theater Consultants and Professional Audio/Video Installers throughout the United States. The DBL Catalog is also available without wholesale pricing so that dealers may use it as a sales aid to their customers. Both DBL Catalogs are published four times each year.

To find out more about XM Satellite Radio products and accessories, please contact Preston Pearson - DBL’s XM Account Specialist by dialing 800.733.6766, Ext 2153. XM Satellite Radio products and accessories are also available by visiting DBL’s comprehensive website at http://www.dbldistributing.com - simply click on “personal and portable AV” then choose XM Satellite Radio.

About DBL Distributing, Inc.
DBL Distributing, Inc. is one of the nation’s top wholesale distributors of consumer electronics accessories and related products, with more than 30,000 retail customers nationwide. Headquartered in a custom-built 144,000 square foot facility in Scottsdale, Arizona, DBL carries more than 16,000 products from more than 350 quality manufacturers. DBL offers same day shipping for order placed by 5:00pm MST, a best price for 1 or 100 piece policy and a have no minimum order policy. DBL’s business strategy proves that customers come first. For more information please visit http://www.dbldistributing.com

Convergent Living Joins D-Tools
Manufacturer Vantage Point (MVP) Program

Product information about Convergent Living Smart Home Controllers now available to
Users of D-Tools' Award-winning System Integrator™ Software

NOVEMBER 7, 2006 — D-Tools, Inc., the worldwide leader in system integration software, today announced that Convergent Living has joined the D-Tools Manufacturer Vantage Point (MVP) program. Convergent Living offers affordable, comprehensive, plug/play or full custom all-digital control solutions that provide an engaging and unique interface for its users.

"We are excited to be a part of the D-Tools MVP program", stated Craig Slawson, President of Convergent Living. "Being a member will give us great exposure to a diverse group of professional system integrators who may not have immediate access to our product information – extending our customer reach, which will ultimately help us increase sales."

The D-Tools Manufacturer Vantage Point (MVP) program is designed to help provide system integrators with the most up-to-date product information to over 2,000 companies using D-Tools System Integrator software. D-Tools MVP members are dedicated to helping companies streamline the design process and making it easier for system integrators and installers to provide accurate proposals to their clients.

D-Tools System Integrator software enables systems integrators and custom installation professionals to create detailed projects managed with automated proposals, scheduling, pick lists, purchase orders, drawings and additional documents that streamline the integrated installation of audio and video products. By using a single, shared project file, system integrators and custom installers can download free product information from D-Tools' comprehensive database of tens of thousands of products and their accessories, giving them the distinct advantage of designing systems using the most current product information, while saving hours of product research time.

"We are pleased to have Convergent Living join the MVP Program," said Adam Stone, President and CEO of D-Tools. "Convergent Living offers truly unique and engaging products, that can manage all home systems while remaining user friendly, and making this product information instantly available to our users through the software will be beneficial to our users, their customers, and Convergent Living as the manufacturer."

About Convergent Living
Convergent Living develops integrated control solutions binding modern and legacy systems on elegantly networked smartscreens. Since 2002, the Companion-branded solutions have offered professional integrators around the world the dimensionality of simple plug/play to full custom interface/control with Flash-animated interface designs. The patented smartscreens ship all-inclusive and are specifically designed to run quiet, cool and fast, engaging users with networked content, control and entertainment management on centrally located always-on sentinels. The suite of in-wall, desktop, handheld, TV/PC interfaces offers users consistent interfaces and one-touch access to simplifying their homes, offices or light commercial environments. Convergent offers one seamless solution that will help sell homes, differentiate entire communities, enhance homeowners' lives and offer enduring benefits for years to come. http://www.convergentliving.com

About D-Tools, Inc.
D-Tools is a worldwide leader in easy-to-use, highly accurate system design software. The company, founded in 1998 and based in Concord, California, offers a wide range of products and services created to simplify the complicated design, engineering, documentation and estimating processes that accompany residential and commercial installation projects of any size. Over 2,000 leading companies use D-Tools software to reduce time and costs and streamline the system integration process. D-Tools is the recipient of the Consumer Electronics Association's Mark of Excellence Award (2004, 2005, 2006), National Systems Contractors Association and Sound and Video Contractor's Innovations in Technology for Business Productivity Award (2004, 2005) and CE Pro's High Impact Award for Design Software. For more information, contact D-Tools at (866) 386-6571, e-mail at info@d-tools.com or visit D-Tools online at http://www.d-tools.com.

The American Institutes for Research Issues Updated Rating of 22 Widely Used Comprehensive School Reform Models

November 07, 2006 -- The American Institutes for Research (AIR) has released an updated consumer guide rating the effectiveness and quality of 22 widely used comprehensive elementary school reform models. The new report, issued one year after the first guide was released, upgrades the ratings of two models to "moderate" on evidence of success in demonstrating positive effects on student achievement. The status of the 20 other reform models remains unchanged.

The "CSRQ Center Report on Elementary School Comprehensive School Reform Models" was produced by AIR's Comprehensive School Reform Quality (CSRQ) Center, a multi-year project funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The initial report was issued in November 2005. The updated findings are based on new research evidence that meet strict scientific criteria set by AIR researchers.

"The updated report marks the first time that a follow up guide of this type has been issued, demonstrating that the research evidence on whole school improvement models is continuing to grow," said Steve Fleischman, an AIR vice president and director of the study. "Progress is being made in establishing scientific criteria for measuring success as well as in producing evidence that meets that standard."

In the latest findings two models, National Writing Project, in Berkeley, Calif., and Literacy Collaborative of Columbus, Ohio were upgraded from "limited" to "moderate" in Category 1: Evidence of Positive Effects on Student Achievement. Both Literacy Collaborative and the National Writing Project also went from a "no rating" to "very strong" in evidence of a research base for the model's design.

The 22 reform models serve thousands of mostly high-poverty, low-performing schools nationwide. The CSRQ Center review framework was developed in consultation with an Advisory Group composed of leading education experts and researchers, and is closely aligned with the requirement for scientifically based evidence that is part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

In the latest report, no model received a rating of "very strong." Direct Instruction (Full Immersion Model), based in Eugene, Ore., and Success for All, located in Baltimore, Md., received a "moderately strong" rating.

Five other models also met the standards for the "moderate" rating: Accelerated Schools PLUS, in Storrs, Conn.; America's Choice School Design, based in Washington, D.C.; Core Knowledge, located in Charlottesville, Va.; School Renaissance in Madison, Wis.; and the School Development Project, based in New Haven, Conn. Models receiving a "moderate" rating may still show notable evidence of positive outcomes, but this evidence is not as strong as those models receiving a "moderately strong" or "very strong" rating.

Six models earned a "limited" rating in Category 1: ATLAS Communities in Cambridge, Mass.; Pearson Achievement Solutions (formerly Co-nect), in Glenview, Ill.; Different Ways of Knowing, located in Santa Monica, Calif.; Integrated Thematic Instruction, based in Federal Way, Wash.; Modern Red Schoolhouse, based in Nashville, Tenn.; and Ventures Initiative Focus System, located in New York, N.Y. The "limited" rating indicates that while the CSRQ Center found some evidence of positive effects on student achievement, much more rigorous research and evidence needs to be presented on the model to fully support its effectiveness.

Seven CSR models received a "zero" rating in Category 1: Breakthrough to Literacy, from Coralville, Iowa; Comprehensive Early Literacy Learning, in Redlands, Calif.; Community for Learning, based in Philadelphia, Pa.; Coalition of Essential Schools, located in Oakland, Calif.; Expeditionary Learning, based in Garrison, N.Y.; First Steps, in Salem, Mass.; and Onward to Excellence II, located in Portland, Ore. A rating of "zero" means that evidence was found to provide a rating for this category, but none was of sufficient quality to be counted as reliable evidence.

None of the 22 models earned a "no" or "negative" rating, which indicate that a model has no evidence available for review, or strong evidence demonstrating negative effects in a given category or subcategory, respectively.

Individuals can visit the CSRQ Center's Web site (http://www.csrq.org/reports.asp) or AIR's Web site (www.air.org) to download the entire report.

About AIR

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research on important social issues and delivers technical assistance both domestically and internationally in the areas of health, education, and workforce productivity.

VHA Health Foundation Unveils New Online Disaster Communications Compendium to Help Hospitals Manage During a Crisis

November 07, 2006 -- The VHA Health Foundation today debuted a new online compendium of tools and resources to help hospitals plan for and manage communications in times of natural or man-made disasters. The resource can be found at www.vhahf.org.

The VHA Health Foundation Disaster Communications Compendium is designed to streamline the process of communications planning by providing an organized, easy-to-use, one-stop resource to the vast amount of information available on disaster planning.

"Hospitals are magnets during times of disaster. Clear, straightforward communication is critical. A lot of information has been created to help hospital executives prepare for disasters, but it takes hours and even days to wade through it all. We found many hospitals were reinventing the wheel because they couldn't find what already had been done," said Linda DeWolf, president of VHA Health Foundation. "So, we developed this Compendium to ease the communications planning process by putting the best tools and information all in one place online."

The Compendium is part of the Foundation's ongoing efforts to support hospitals as they prepare for disasters. To create the resource, the Foundation analyzed a wealth of existing resources from hospitals, associations, think tanks and government agencies to find the most relevant and useful data, templates and resources. This was then compiled into a simple resource tailored to the needs of hospital communications officers and senior executives involved in disaster planning.

Topics included in the compendium include:

--  Award-winning case studies from experienced hospitals --  Tips for talking to the media --  Disaster preparedness resources and tools from hospitals such as     Memorial Hermann, Scripps Health and St. Luke's Regional Medical Center

Among the case studies is the award-winning work by Ochsner Clinic Foundation, which came to be recognized throughout the country as a "Beam of Hope" in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. With the city under water, electricity out, cell phone towers down and people pouring through into the Emergency Room for help, the Ochsner communications team managed to cope with the ongoing crisis and provide one of the few reliable sources of information for the community and the nation. The heroic story of their work, the preparation that paid off and their tips for fellow communications professionals can be found in the Compendium.

The Foundation is hosting a disaster preparedness forum in New Orleans at the end of November. This forum was created exclusively for Chief Executive Officers and hospital senior leaders to share experiences and learn about best practices to facilitate better planning for natural disasters or attacks. Preparing for the Next Disaster: A Hospital Leadership Forum is set for Nov. 29-30, 2006 and will include discussions led by top disaster preparedness experts including former FEMA director, James Lee Witt; Assistant Secretary of Health, Admiral John O. Agwunobi, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H.; and CNN anchor, Anderson Cooper.

"For hospitals across the country, few needs are greater than the need to improve disaster preparedness," added DeWolf. "This compendium and conference are designed to fully address this need."

For more information about the VHA Health Foundation's disaster preparedness efforts, visit www.vhahf.org.

Costco Wholesale Corporation Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend

November 06, 2006 -- Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: COST) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend on Costco Wholesale common stock. The dividend of $.13 per share is payable December 1, 2006, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 17, 2006.

Costco currently operates 493 warehouses, including 364 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 68 in Canada, 18 in the United Kingdom, five in Korea, four in Taiwan, five in Japan and 29 in Mexico. The Company also operates Costco Online, an electronic commerce web site, at www.costco.com and at www.costco.ca in Canada. The Company plans to open an additional 11 new warehouses prior to the end of calendar year 2006.

TACODA Launches Consumer Choice Initiative

Plans Consumer Opt-Out Preservation With New Patent-Pending Technology

November 06, 2006 -- In conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission hearings this week in Washington, DC on "Marketing and Advertising in the Next Tech-ade," Dave Morgan, Founder and Chairman of TACODA®, the leading provider of behaviorally-targeted online advertising solutions, at the hearings will announce the launch of a company Consumer Choice Initiative to go even further than regulations or industry best practices requirements for consumer privacy.

TACODA's Consumer Choice Initiative takes the unprecedented step to supplement its current consumer notice program to include actual notice being given to every consumer that is exposed to its network at least once every six months. This notice will be given through the use of tens of millions of in-page advertising units. TACODA is shortening the expiration date of all its cookies going forward to only one year. Current industry best practices typically call for cookie expiration dates of three to twenty years. TACODA is also developing patent-pending technology to recognize a consumers' opt-out status even if they have deleted their browser cookies. Current opt-out systems are not able to do this. Finally, TACODA will avoid targeting advertisements using "sensitive" data, such as sexual preference, certain medical conditions, or identifying children. Current industry practices permit targeting on this type of data.

"The protection of consumer privacy and the principles of relevancy, transparency, and choice have been hallmarks of TACODA's business since its founding more than five years ago," says TACODA CEO Curt Viebranz. "TACODA Audience Networks™ only uses anonymous, non-personally identifiable information. Its use of third party cookies in targeting is disclosed in the privacy policies on both its own web site as well as the web sites of its publisher partners. It permits consumers to opt-out of its cookies at any time as part of its membership and compliance with the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) Guidelines that have been endorsed by the Federal Trade Commission."

"This is a very important initiative at TACODA. We are incredibly optimistic about the future of targeted online advertising but are likewise convinced that it will only happen as long as we are able to give consumers value and maintain their trust. That is central to our business and the value that we create," says TACODA's Chief Privacy Officer Mark Pinney. "We believe that the benefits of preserving consumer choice far outweigh the risks and encourage all our peers to take the same steps we have put forth."

TACODA®, Inc. (www.tacoda.com) is the world's largest and most advanced behavioral targeting advertising network. Since 2001, TACODA has provided a comprehensive range of behavioral targeting solutions to thousands of Web publishers and brand marketers. Its patent-pending technologies power TACODA Audience Networks™ which enable brand advertisers to target relevant messages to specific audience segments. Major US media partners include The New York Times Company, NBC Universal, Hoovers, HGTV.com, FoodNetwork.com, Cars.com and Tribune Interactive.

TACODA, AUDIENCE NETWORKS and AUDIENCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES are trademarks of TACODA, Inc.

Concord Camera Corp. Announces 1 for 5 Reverse Split of Its Common Stock Effective November 21, 2006

November 06, 2006 -- Concord Camera Corp. ("Concord" or "Company") (NASDAQ: LENS) today announced that a 1 for 5 reverse split of its issued common stock was approved by its Board of Directors and will become effective on Tuesday, November 21, 2006.

In the reverse split, each five shares of issued common stock (including treasury shares and shares held in trust) will be converted automatically into one share of common stock. Shareholders who hold their shares in brokerage accounts or "street name" will not be required to take any action to effect the exchange of their shares. Shareholders of record as of November 20, 2006 who hold share certificates will receive instructions from the Company's transfer agent explaining the process for obtaining new post-split share certificates. Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company will act as the exchange agent for purposes of implementing the exchange of share certificates.

In connection with the reverse split, the Board of Directors also determined to reduce the number of authorized shares of the Company's common stock from 100,000,000 shares to 20,000,000 shares.

Beginning on the effective date of the reverse split, a fifth character, "D," will be appended to the Company's symbol for 20 trading days.

About Concord Camera Corp.

Concord Camera Corp., through its subsidiaries, is a global provider of popularly priced, single-use and 35mm traditional film cameras. Concord markets and sells its cameras under the trademarks POLAROID, CONCORD and JENOPTIK through in-house sales and marketing personnel and independent sales representatives. The POLAROID trademark is owned by Polaroid Corporation and is used by Concord under license from Polaroid. CONCORD is a trademark and/or registered trademark of Concord Camera Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The JENOPTIK trademark is owned by Jenoptik AG and is used by Concord under license from Jenoptik AG. Learn more about Concord Camera Corp. at www.concord-camera.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, statements in this press release are forward-looking and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's business and prospects, including the risks discussed under "Risk Factors" and disclosures in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 1, 2006 and subsequently filed reports. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding expected cost reductions; anticipated or expected results of the implementation of the Company's restructuring initiatives, cost-reduction initiatives and new business initiatives; the development of its business; anticipated revenues or capital expenditures; and its ability to improve gross margin percentages on the sale of its products and projected profits or losses. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent our estimates only as of the date hereof, or as of such earlier dates as are indicated, and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements in the future, we disclaim any intent or obligation to do so, even if our estimates change.

ZAP Expects to Move to OTCBB

November 06, 2006 -- Electric car pioneer ZAP (NYSE Arca: ZP), a leader in advanced transportation and energy technologies, announced today that it expects to move to the OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) (http://www.otcbb.com) after the NYSE Arca Exchange on October 31 decided to discontinue ZAP's listing. Trading is expected to continue on NYSE Arca as ZAP makes its transition to another marketplace and a new symbol will be announced shortly.

ZAP CEO Steve Schneider regrets the decision by the NYSE staff, but added that the expense of maintaining the Company's common stock listing with NYSE Arca is significant. The time management and personnel the Company is dedicating to continued compliance with NYSE Arca requirements could, instead, be dedicated to developing the business and pursuing strategic opportunities.

"We believe that a listing on OTCBB would result in material savings to the company and allow our team to focus on the exciting opportunities that are coming our way," said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider.

Schneider noted that ZAP has projected record sales so far in 2006. Sales for the XEBRA are continuing to grow at an accelerating rate. ZAP is holding a second dealer sales and service training given the level of interest shown for its production electric cars, which will debut at the San Francisco International Auto Show November 18-26.

About ZAP

ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 90,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. ZAP is at the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, alcohol, hybrid and other innovative power systems. For more information, visit http://www.zapworld.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that relate to future plans or projected results of ZAP are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the PSLRA, and all such statements fall under the "safe harbor" provisions of the PSLRA. ZAP's actual results may vary materially from those described in any "forward-looking statement" due to, among other possible reasons, the continued acceptance of ZAP's products, increased levels of competition, new products and technological changes, ZAP's dependence on third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and the realization of any of the other risks described in ZAP's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, or in any of ZAP's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers of this press release are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Wal-Mart Turns up Holiday Savings; Turns Down Prices on the Coolest Electronics

Nov. 3 Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) continues to brighten the holidays for families everywhere with significant price rollbacks on nearly one hundred of the season's must have electronics- the second set in a series of price cuts on thousands of key gift, entertaining and holiday goods. Key merchandise -- rolled back at Wal-Mart in the month of November through December 31-- includes High Definition Televisions, digital cameras and cell phones.

While gathering to watch hot new releases such as "MI3," "Cars" or "Over the Hedge," families will be thrilled with the crisp picture, vibrant colors and superior sound of a new HDTV. Top television prices rolled back include the Panasonic 42" HD plasma TV (was $1,794/now $1,294) and the Polaroid 37" LCD HDTV (now $1,297/will be $997) and the RCA 32" LCD HDTV (was $997/now $847).

"Wal-Mart recognizes that Mom wants to get the perfect gift for the best value," said Gary Severson, senior vice president and general merchandise manager Electronics, Wal-Mart Stores. "We've lowered prices so that families can afford to get and give more of the best brands and technology in electronics this season."

Families will enjoy game time and find it easier to capture special holiday moments with rollbacks on products like Madden 2007 (was $49.00/now $37.88), and the Kodak C875 digital camera (was $298.77/now $249.64). And, for those spending this Christmas far away from their loved ones, home is just a phone call away with rollbacks on the Cingular C139 prepaid phone (was $29.98/now $19.97).

According to the Consumer Electronics Association, electronics will account for more than one-quarter of all holiday gifts this year. At Wal-Mart, shoppers can save nearly $400.00 when they purchase the Polaroid 37" LCD HDTV ($997.00), Panasonic mini DV camcorder ($268.76), C875 Kodak digital camera ($249.64), Lexmark z600 printer ($134.44) and Net 10 1600 prepaid phone ($39.98).

"From iPods to the soon to be released PS3 GameSystem, to the newest HDTV's, we have all the coolest electronics at the best value," says Severson. "Wal-Mart helps people shop sensibly while they embrace the technology craze this holiday season."

About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Every week, more than 176 million customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, SAM'S Clubs or a subsidiary location in 15 countries around the world. In each of the countries where Wal-Mart operates, the company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of operating globally and giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to these local communities. To learn more, visit http://www.walmartfacts.com/ , http://www.walmart.com/ or http://www.walmartfoundation.org/ .
Rolls-Royce receives Singapore Distinguished Partner in Progress Award
03 November 2006
Rolls-Royce, the world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in air, has been awarded the Distinguished Partner in Progress (DPIP) Award by the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Singapore in recognition of its ‘exemplary contributions to Singapore’ in the economic, social and community areas.
The award was presented to Sir John Rose, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce plc, by Professor S. Jayakumar, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Law, at a ceremony held in Singapore today. The annual DPIP Award was initiated by EDB in 1991.
Sir John Rose said, “Our partnership with Singapore increasingly reflects our global activity and Rolls-Royce is especially proud to receive this prestigious award in recognition of this partnership. We have had a presence in Singapore for 50 years and now all four of our global business sectors – civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy - are well established here. We also enjoy a strong relationship with Singapore Airlines (SIA), beginning in 1995 when the Trent 800 was selected for its fleet of Boeing 777 aircraft. Our relationship with Singapore has been further strengthened through delivery of additional Trent engine types to SIA, and partnerships with Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE), Silk Air and all the budget carriers operating out of Singapore through the supply of V2500 engines for their respective fleets of A320 aircraft."
“Rolls-Royce has benefited from the valuable business opportunities, excellent talent pool and solid infrastructure that Singapore offers, and in turn, we have been able to contribute to the phenomenal growth of the country through our joint ventures and research and development (R&D) collaborations. We look forward to many years of further development and growth with our partners here."
The Rolls-Royce relationship with Singapore has grown significantly since setting up its representative office in the 1950s. It has diversified and expanded its operations to span the full value chain of activities, from maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), sales and marketing, warehousing, headquarters functions and procurement to research and development (R&D).
One of its most significant contributions has been its role in enhancing Singapore’s status as a global aviation hub. Rolls-Royce is a major player in Singapore’s aerospace industry, accounting for over ten per cent of the country’s aerospace output. Through the company’s joint ventures with key local industry partner SIA Engineering Company – Singapore Aero Engine Services Limited (SAESL) and International Engine Component Overhaul (IECO), Rolls-Royce currently employs over 800 people in Singapore, accounting for nearly five per cent of the total industry workforce.
Being one of UK’s top ten investors in R&D, Rolls-Royce has also been active in carrying out R&D activities in Singapore, through investments in setting up Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems and the Rolls-Royce Singapore Advanced Technology Centre to look into a broad portfolio of technology fields.
In his speech at the award ceremony, Professor Jayakumar said: “Since the 1950s when it first set up its representative office in Singapore, Rolls-Royce has been our partner in progress, growing in tandem with our economy through the decades. It continues to be a key player in the development of Singapore’s aerospace and marine industries, and has actively contributed to Singapore’s R&D scene. We look forward to working closely with Rolls-Royce, to seek opportunities for more activities here across the value chain that will be of mutual benefit to Rolls-Royce and Singapore.”
Jonathan Asherson, the group’s Regional Director for Singapore said: “Our choice of Singapore as a regional hub for many of our activities stems not only from its position as a world-class business and manufacturing centre in the rapidly-growing Asian market, but also the mature and rewarding partnership we have with the EDB.”
Beyond business and industry, Rolls-Royce also contributes to the training and development of the local talent pool by supporting undergraduates at Nanyang Technological University’s aerospace engineering degree programme with scholarship schemes and participating actively in the Economic Development Board Training and Attachment Programme (TAP) which focuses on the training of engineers in aerospace, energy and naval fields.
Rolls-Royce senior executives have also contributed to Singapore’s economy and community. Sir John Rose has advised Singapore on its economic strategies as a member of EDB’s International Advisory Council since 2003. Jonathan Asherson has sat on the councils of the Singapore Business Federation and the Singapore British Business Council. He has also previously served as the President of the British Chamber of Commerce and is currently on the advisory panels of Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the Board of Trustees of Youth Business Singapore.
Ko Kheng Hwa, Managing Director, Economic Development Board (EDB), added: “This year marks EDB’s 45th anniversary as well as the 15th anniversary of the DPIP Award. We would not have been able to achieve our success without the long-term commitment and support from our valued investors and business partners, such as Rolls-Royce, which has been in Singapore since the 1950s. The DPIP Award is our way of thanking them for their continued strong commitment to Singapore.”
Rolls-Royce joins 21 other leading international corporations such as Hewlett-Packard, Exxon Mobil and Philips which have been conferred this prestigious award since its inception.

About Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce, the world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, operates in four global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy. It is investing in core technology, capability and infrastructure that can be applied across these sectors to take a competitive range of products to market. These investments create high barriers to entry.
The company has established strong positions within programmes that will shape the power-systems market for many years to come.
The success of its products is demonstrated by the company’s rapid and substantial gains in market share. The company now has a total of 54,000 gas turbines in service worldwide and they generate a demand for high-value services throughout their operational lives.
The company seeks to add value for its customers with aftermarket services that will enhance the performance and reliability of its products. Services revenues have grown by 11 per cent per annum compound over the past ten years.
Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces and more than 2,000 marine customers, including 70 navies. The company has energy customers in 120 countries. Rolls-Royce is a technology leader, employing around 37,000 people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in 50 countries.
Annual sales total £6.6 billion, of which 54 per cent are services revenues. The firm and announced order book is £25 billion, which, together with demand for services, provides visibility of future levels of activity.
About EDB
The Economic Development Board (EDB) is Singapore's lead agency responsible for planning and executing strategies to sustain Singapore's position as a global hub for business and investment.
We work closely with local and foreign companies across a diverse range of activities in both manufacturing and services to help them move towards higher value-creating operations in an increasingly knowledge-based and innovation-driven environment. We also encourage companies to use Singapore as a headquarters and total business centre to manage their global or regional functions to service their global or Asia Pacific operations.
Singapore is today a “Global Entrepolis” – a unique marketplace where deals are made, funds are raised, creative ideas are exchanged and realised, and new innovative enterprises incorporated and partnerships forged. EDB acts as a catalyst and facilitator to ensure a thriving “enterprise ecosystem” in Singapore. We encourage innovation and entrepreneurship by helping to create an environment which is conducive for start-ups and companies of all sizes to interact with each other with good corporate governance practices and where intellectual property is protected.
For more information on how EDB can help in your business and investment, please visit www.sedb.com.
About the Distinguished Partner in Progress (DPIP) Award
The DPIP award is the Singapore government’s highest honour for corporations and businesses. The objective of the programme is to acknowledge these companies for their significant economic and community contributions to Singapore.
Since its inauguration in 1991, 22 foreign companies have received the award in recognition of their significant contributions to Singapore, and for their involvement in the nation’s social and economic projects. These recipients are often pioneers in their fields or have operations which encompass a wide range of activities with significant spin-offs in Singapore.

ROCHESTER HOSTS “TURNING GREEN INTO GROWTH”

Experts focus on the link between green technologies and economic
development Senator Clinton keynotes industry forum hosted by U.S. Green
Building Council and Greater Rochester Enterprise to help regional
businesses and institutions learn how to harness green technology

Rochester, NY, October 30, 2006 - Business, education and construction
industry leaders from across the Greater Rochester, New York Region
joined together today at a forum examining ways of “Turning Green into
Growth.”

The forum was hosted by Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE), an economic
development organization dedicated to revitalizing the Rochester
regional economy; Stantec, an international architectural and engineering
firm; and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit coalition
of industry leaders working to promote buildings that are
environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy. The event aimed to give local
industry leaders practical tools to move toward “green” building, and to
help move Rochester toward the goal of being a clean energy leader.

The day-long forum, held at Benderson Development’s HSBC Auditorium in
downtown Rochester, was the brainchild of Senator Hillary Rodham
Clinton, who is committed to looking at ways to position Rochester and the
region as one of the nation’s centers of innovation for alternative
energy technologies.

“Green building means big energy and cost savings for communities
across America,” said Sandy Wiggins, chairman-elect of the U.S. Green
Building Council. “On average, LEED-certified green buildings save 30
percent on energy costs, 50 percent on water-use costs, and pay for
themselves in less than three years. Going green is a key strategy for our
nation’s energy independence and a peaceful, prosperous future. It just
makes sense.”

“This forum is about building a “green” Rochester and harnessing the
region’s strengths to make it a leader in clean energy research and
development,” Senator Clinton said. “Alternative energy holds tremendous
economic potential, and by focusing on “green” technology, Rochester can
be at the forefront of the alternative energy push in more ways than
one.”

In June of this year, Senator Clinton joined with New Jobs for New
York, Greater Rochester Enterprise, and RENEW NY to host a conference in
Rochester showcasing the job creation potential of the alternative energy
industry in New York State. The conference, “Alternative Energy in New
York: Expo 2006,” brought together entrepreneurs and academic
researchers from Upstate New York with investors and industry leaders from
across the country to create the partnerships needed to accelerate job
growth and ignite investment in alternative energy companies and
technologies in the region. Following the conference, Senator Clinton’s office
contacted the Green Building Council, which agreed to hold the “Turning
Green into Growth” forum.

The “Turning Green into Growth” morning session included Senator
Clinton’s keynote speech and a discussion moderated by Senator Clinton that
included panelists Peter Arsenault, Principal Architect, Stantec
Architecture; Eric Reiser, Vice President, Strategic Programs, Johnson
Controls; and Jay Murdoch, Technical Marketing Manager, Insulation Systems
Business, Owens Corning. Arsenault highlighted Stantec’s role in the
design of the Frito-Lay green-building project in Henrietta, a suburb of
Rochester.

“It was a great experience for Stantec to work with Frito-Lay, a client
that had a true desire to make an impact on the built environment by
pursuing a sustainable facility,” Arsenault said. “If the entire
Rochester Region embraced these same green-building goals, one can only imagine
the possibilities for the future.”

The morning session was followed by an afternoon charrette design
session, which highlighted the Rochester Region’s assets and focused on
potential green-building opportunities for the entire area. Stantec and
USGBC led this meeting of community leaders, including architects,
engineers, developers, and municipal and university planners.

“GRE is proud to support the growing alternative-energy industry in
Rochester,” said James Senall, managing director, business development, at
GRE and the organization’s expert on alternative energy. “Events like
today’s can only help in educating local business, government and
university leaders - as well as the general public - about Rochester’s
potential. If we work together, we truly can become a national center by
turning green into growth for the Rochester Region.”

###

About the U.S. Green Building Council
Based in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is
the nation’s foremost coalition of leaders from every sector of the
building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally
responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. Its more than
6,400 member organizations and network of more than 80 regional
chapters are united to advance a mission of transforming the building industry
to sustainability. Go to www.usgbc.org <http://www.usgbc.org> for more
information.

About GRE
Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE) is a public-private partnership
established to professionally market the Rochester metropolitan region as a
competitive, high-profile place for business location and growth. Its
efforts support business attraction and expansion, as well as
entrepreneurship and innovation. GRE collaborates with businesses, universities,
not-for-profit organizations and government leaders to ensure a unified
approach to regional economic development. For more information,
please go to www.RochesterBiz.com <http://www.RochesterBiz.com>.

World's Leading iPod Resource iLounge.com Releases 2007 iPod Buyers' Guide as Free Download

November 01, 2006 -- iLounge, the world's leading independent resource for iPod-related information, today released The 2007 iPod Buyers' Guide, its third annual guide to the world's best iPod accessories and iPods, designed to help readers choose and receive the best possible holiday gifts. Weighing in at 180 pages, this edition is iLounge's biggest and best Buyers' Guide ever, a massive jump from the original 82-page edition published two years ago, and reflection of the ever-increasing size of the iPod accessory economy and iPod user base.

"Our 2007 Guide is a must-read for iPod fans, and completely free of charge," explained Jeremy Horwitz, Editor-in-Chief of iLounge and the Buyers' Guide. "With 69 million iPods and over 3,000 accessories now in the marketplace, we had an incredible amount to write about this year. After literally sifting through stacks of accessories, we've picked only the very best ones to feature in the Guide and recommend to iPod owners everywhere."

(Click here for details)

As the recipient of numerous accolades for its impartial, timely coverage of iPod and accessory products, iLounge has been hailed by publications such as Forbes, Time Magazine, cNet, and The Wall Street Journal as the leader in iPod-related information online, the former deeming iLounge "the ultimate in product reviews and tutorials on all things iPod." iLounge's most recent tutorial-focused publication, The Free iPod Book 2, has been described as "the iPod Bible" by top international Apple enthusiast publications such as Mac Format UK, and the "free manual on getting the most from your iPod" by Walter Mossberg of The Wall Street Journal.

Highlighted Links

2007 iPod Buyers' Guide

In keeping with tradition, The 2007 iPod Buyers' Guide features an incredible number of exclusive accessory previews and reviews. Leading headphone maker Etymotic debuted the world's first-ever in-canal Bluetooth wireless earphones, while other companies showed a clear replacement front shell for iPods, incredible new iPod nano cases, speaker systems, in-car-accessories, and much more. World first reviews of Made For iPod wearable video goggles from MicroOptical and Icuiti are joined by karaoke accessories from Griffin, doPi, and other incredible new options. Sunglass manufacturer Oakley also debuts its new Thump Pro performance eyewear in the Guide, showing the incredible miniaturization of MP3 player technology into lightweight, water-resistant sunglasses.

The 2007 Guide also provides a complete comparative breakdown of all current and past model iPods, including eBay resale information, a complete history of the iPod and iTunes, and extensive tips for buying new or used iPods. Over 1,100 iPods and accessories are rated inside, spanning more than 40 different categories of products, with fewer than 20 products selected for iLounge's Best of the Year awards. Beautiful pictorial sections highlight the integration of iPods into any home ("The iPod Home") and the results of iLounge's amazing iPod Colors photography contest.

"Our 2007 iPod Buyers' Guide is a better-than-magazine-quality publication, available once again at no charge to iLounge's readers," explained Dennis Lloyd, Publisher of iLounge. "Thanks to Adobe's open PDF format and a layout optimized for on-screen reading, we have been able to make this edition easier than ever on the eyes and the pocketbook. In the holiday spirit, we encourage our readers to print pages with their favorite items as 'wish lists' for family members and friends, and welcome them to e-mail or transfer copies of the Guide at no charge."

Downloads of The 2007 iPod Buyers' Guide are available immediately from http://www.ilounge.com/buyersguide/, and earlier editions of the iLounge Buyers' Guide and The Free iPod Book can be downloaded from http://www.ilounge.com/library/

About iLounge

Headquartered in Irvine, California, The Media LLC's iLounge.com is the world's leading resource for iPod and iTunes information, not affiliated with or owned by Apple Computer or any other vendor of iPod accessories or services. Founded only days after Apple announced the first iPod in 2001, iLounge has exploded in popularity, today boasting millions of visitors and tens of millions of page views each month. Its annual Best of the Year awards are independently judged and in no way influenced by advertising, paid placements, or other unsavory practices. In addition to numerous awards for its content, the site, its publisher and editors have been spotlighted by the Associated Press, CNBC, The Guardian (UK), Italian Vogue, The Los Angeles Times, National Post (Canada), The New York Times, PC Magazine, Reuters, Stuff (UK), TechTV, The Age (Australia), The Sun (UK), and USA Today, amongst many other leading newspapers and magazines worldwide

Boeing [NYSE: BA] successfully transferred fuel for the first time Oct. 23 from its KC-767 Tanker advanced boom to a simulated receiver on the ground.

Through a series of tests at the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems facility in Wichita, Kan., boom operators on-board the aircraft used the aerial refueling systems to offload fuel from the new tanker to an aircraft receptacle on the ground. Fuel flow, delivery and surge pressure all were measured while the fuel was pumped to nearby trucks.

"The KC-767 aerial refueling systems exceeded our expectations during these initial ground tests, and we're on track to deliver fuel to various aircraft receivers during flight in the near future," said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president for Tanker Programs. "The tests also show future customers, like the U.S. Air Force, that Boeing will deliver a proven boom and refueling system for their KC-X Tanker."

Surpassing 400 flight hours recently, the KC-767 Tanker also has extended the boom's telescoping tube while in-flight. The advanced boom will be able to transfer 900 gallons (3,400 liters) of fuel per minute to receiver aircraft, provide more responsive controls to the operator and has 2,600 fewer parts than previous booms.

Boeing has delivered nearly 2,000 tankers in its history and is building tankers for Italy and Japan, with delivery to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force in February 2007, followed by delivery to Italy in mid-2007. In addition to flight-testing the KC-767 for international customers, Boeing is competing for a contract to build the U.S. Air Force's next-generation tanker aircraft.

The KC-767 Global Tanker is a fuel-efficient, long-range aircraft specifically sized for diverse air-refueling; cargo, troop and passenger transport; and aeromedical evacuation missions.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's

Boeing-built Satellite for XM Satellite Radio Successfully Launched

Following a successful launch last night of the Boeing-built XM-4 satellite, Boeing [NYSE: BA] has acquired the first signal from the satellite, indicating that the spacecraft is healthy and operating as planned. Over the coming weeks, the satellite will be maneuvered up to geostationary orbit where a series of in-orbit deployments and tests will be conducted to ensure that the satellite meets its specifications and is ready to begin operations for XM Satellite Radio, Inc., the Washington, D.C.-based provider of the nation's leading satellite radio service.

Sea Launch's Zenit-3SL vehicle lifted off at 6:49 pm EST (3:49 pm PST; 23:49, GMT) and the powerful Boeing 702's first signals were received approximately 63 minutes later at the Hartebeesthoek ground station in South Africa.

"XM Satellite Radio now reaches more than 7 million subscribers and Boeing is very proud of our partnership," said Steve O'Neill, president of Boeing Satellite Systems International, Inc. "XM-4, also known as 'Blues', is the 13^th Boeing 702, our most powerful satellite product line, and joins 'Rhythm,' which was successfully launched in February 2005."

As with the first three XM spacecraft, Alcatel Alenia Space of Toulouse, France provided the S-band Digital Audio Radio Service payload for XM-4. XM-4 also features a number of upgrades including a bi-propellant back up to its Xenon Ion Propulsion System (XIPS). The satellite also is using advanced triple junction solar cells. The cells make possible the 18 kilowatts of power the satellite can generate at the start of service and the 16.3 kilowatts at the end of its 15-year design life.

Southwest Airlines Offers Low Fares From $39 to $79 One-Way to and From Dallas Love Field

Travelers Will Net Big Savings to and From Big D Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) is
celebrating its freedom in Dallas with low fares its Customers will love from
Dallas Love Field. Fares range between $39 and $79 one-way with a 14-day
advance purchase by Dec. 1 for travel beginning Dec. 1 through end of schedule
(see Fare Rules). To book these low air fares, go to:
http://www.southwest.com/?src=PR_FS_11106

"Southwest Airlines created low fares for travelers," said Gary Kelly,
Chief Executive Officer. "Now, with through ticketing at Dallas Love Field,
Southwest's low fares will take you farther."

Examples of the $39 one-way fares are between Dallas Love Field and
Austin, Houston Hobby, Little Rock, or Oklahoma City. Examples of the $49
one-way fares are between Dallas Love Field and New Orleans, Kansas City, or
St. Louis. Examples of the $59 one-way fare are between Dallas Love Field and
El Paso or Harlingen/South Padre Island. Examples of the $69 one-way fare are
between Dallas Love Field and Chicago Midway, Albuquerque, and Louisville.
Examples of the $79 one-way fare are between Dallas Love Field and Tampa Bay,
Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, or Seattle.

"With Southwest, you get more airline for less money," Kelly said. "We've
cut your fares, not our service."

Fare Rules

All fares are available for purchase today through Dec. 1, 2006, and are
valid for travel from Dec. 1, 2006, through March 9, 2007. All tickets must
be purchased 14 days before departure. Fares are available one-way and are
combinable with all other fares (except Senior Fares). When combining fares,
all ticketing restrictions apply. Seats are limited. Fares may vary by
destination and day of travel and will not be available on some flights that
operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods such as Christmas
and New Year's. Fares do not include a federal segment tax of $3.30 per
takeoff and landing. Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility
charges (PFC) of up to $9 one-way and U.S. government-imposed September 11th
Security Fees of up to $5 one-way. Fares are subject to change until
ticketed. Tickets are nonrefundable but may be applied toward the purchase of
future travel on Southwest Airlines if unused. Fares are valid only on
Southwest-published, operated, and scheduled service and are not available
through the Group Desk. Any change in itinerary may result in an increase in
fare. Standby travel requires an upgrade to the full unrestricted fare.
Fares are not necessarily common rated in the Washington, D.C. area (Baltimore
and Dulles), Bay Area (Oakland and San Jose), or the Los Angeles Basin.
Hawaii is not included in this sale.

After 35 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to offer the best
value in airline travel. Southwest's fares top out at only $319 one-way;
meaning, Southwest Customers can travel nonstop throughout the country at a
very low fare. Southwest offers a very comfortable ride with all premium
leather seats and plenty of legroom. Southwest does not charge Customers an
extra fee for changing their reservation and continues to offer free
amenities. Customers enjoy complimentary pillows, blankets, snacks, juice,
soda, and water on all flights.

Since 1987, the airline has maintained the fewest overall Customer
complaints as published in the Department of Transportation's Air Travel
Consumer Report. Southwest Airlines, the nation's largest carrier in terms of
domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 63 cities in 32 states. Based
in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,100 flights a day and has
more than 32,000 Employees systemwide.

State Department Taps OC Business Leader for MENA Businesswomen's Summit 2006

Suzanne Frindt Joins Roster of Executives to Support Women in U.A.E.

October 29, 2006 -- Suzanne Frindt, co-founder and principal of 2130 Partners, a leadership development firm, has been invited to participate in the 2006 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Businesswomen's Summit from October 29 through November 1 at the Beach Rotana Hotel in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. The summit will bring 250 dynamic women from the region together with women executives from the United States to share solutions and help take business in the region to a new level.

The Summit is part of the U.S. Department of State's Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) that supports the reformers who are working to build a more peaceful and prosperous Middle East. In the last four years, MEPI has devoted more than $293 million to reform efforts -- so democracy can spread, education can thrive, economies can grow, and women can be empowered. The Beyster Institute at the Rady School of Management at the University of California, San Diego, is managing the Summit.

"One of my personal passions for many years has been the empowerment of women, particularly in the area of sustainable self-sufficiency and business opportunities," Frindt said. As a result, she has been an initiator, leader and teacher in a variety of arenas for women from philanthropic and business perspectives. She was invited to participate by Ray Smilor, executive director of the Beyster Institute, because of her extensive executive leadership coaching experience through her work with Vistage International (previously known as TEC International), as well as for her signature leadership development program, Vision Focused Leadership™. She has been an investor/activist for the Hunger Project, with an overarching focus on the development of women as leaders.

"We are extremely grateful for the dedication of Suzanne and all of our presenters, who are generously sharing their real-world experiences and leadership skills to help these women face the same challenges that confront women in business everywhere," Smilor said. "Their guidance in financing growth, opening new markets and finding and keeping good employees, while contributing to the community and their families is invaluable."

At the MENA Businesswomen's Summit 2006, Frindt will lead a workshop on Vision-Focused Leadership, and facilitate a dialogue with women entrepreneurs who have been selected to present during a plenary session about the key issues they are facing in their businesses. Frindt will be joined by Patricia Cloherty, chairman and CEO of Delta Private Equity Partners; and Laura Kilcrease, founder and managing director of Triton Ventures, LLC, to provide insights and coach these entrepreneurs through their issues. The session will be witnessed by nearly 250 conference participants, and will be translated simultaneously into French and Arabic. She will also facilitate a roundtable discussion group titled "Enhancing Personal Leadership Skills."

Other featured presenters include: H.E. Suhair Al Ali, Minister of Industry and International Cooperation, Jordan; The Honorable Karen Hughes, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy; The Honorable Michele Sison, U.S. Ambassador to U.A.E.; Raja Easa Al Gurg, managing director, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group (ranked #4, Forbes 50 Most Influential Women in the Arab World); Afnan Al Zayani, Bahrain Businesswomen's Society; Laura Nash, author and former Harvard Business School professor; Lori Brock, trade expert, Booz Allen Hamilton; and Carmen Neithammer, director, Gender Entrepreneurship Market, International Finance Corp.

About 2130 Partners

2130 Partners unique approach is anchored in the philosophy of Vision-Focused Leadership. "VFL" is a proprietary combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies that satisfy the need for "hard facts," and data, while integrating the "heart and soul" of an organization. Using VFL methodologies, we facilitate client's ability to design strategies and actions that evoke individual and collaborative fulfillment of a shared vision. The results radically fuel an organization's financial growth and the personal growth of its members. The firm's Web site also features a blog dedicated to global women's business issues. Visit www.2130Partners.com.

About MEPI

The Middle East Partnership Initiative of the U.S. Department of State is designed to support innovative, sustainable and locally led economic, political and educational reform efforts in the Middle East and North Africa, and to champion opportunity for all people of the region, especially women and youth. Visit www.mepi.state.gov.

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Tokyo-based ANA (All Nippon Airways) today announced that the airline exercised options for two additional 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighters. ANA launched the 767-300BCF passenger-to-freighter conversion program in October 2005 with an order for three conversions and four options. Now the airline holds a total of five firm orders and two options.

ANA plans to use the converted freighters as part of its joint venture cargo operation called ANA & JP Express, with partners Japan Post, Nippon Express, and Mitsui O.S.K Lines.

Boeing will induct ANA's first airplane in April 2007 and redeliver by December. The value of the agreement is not being disclosed.

"Once again, Boeing has the right product mix," said Tomohiro Hidema, ANA executive vice president, Purchasing. "As our joint venture moves forward, we do so with confidence that both the 767 production and converted freighters will help us provide high quality, competitive air cargo services through ANA & JP Express."

"We are gratified that ANA has again chosen the Boeing family of freighters - this time a Boeing Converted Freighter - as a solution to meeting its needs," said Dan da Silva, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. "This deal is further evidence of the deep, long-term relationship with ANA that Boeing values so greatly."

Boeing's two Converted Freighter programs (the 767-300 BCF and 747-400 BCF) feature solid engineering and program management, quality workmanship, on-schedule delivery, access to MyBoeingFleet, an extensive suite of manuals, and the same level of ongoing customer support as the production airplanes

Boeing Airborne Laser Team Rolls Out Modified Aircraft and Prepares for Flight Tests

The Boeing Company [NYSE:BA], along with industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, rolled out the Airborne Laser (ABL) aircraft today from a modification facility in Wichita, Kan., during a ceremony marking major program achievements on several fronts.

Boeing presented the aircraft to a crowd of hundreds of government customers, industry partners and Boeing employees gathered at its Integrated Defense Systems facilities in Wichita.

The ceremony highlighted the following accomplishments:

The Airborne Laser team in Wichita fully integrated the Lockheed Martin-designed beam control/fire control system inside the ABL aircraft, a modified Boeing 747-400F. Two solid-state illuminator lasers, which are part of the beam control device, and a surrogate high-energy laser were installed and fired repeatedly at a simulated ballistic missile target. The track illuminator laser is designed to track a target, while the beacon illuminator laser is intended to measure atmospheric turbulence that the high-energy chemical laser would encounter in its path to the target. During the ground tests, results from the illuminator firings were fed back to ABL, allowing the surrogate high-energy laser to shoot down a simulated target. The program achieved most of the objectives of the ground tests and expects to satisfy the remaining ones in the coming months.
In Wichita, the team, including a Boeing-Northrop Grumman contingent on temporary assignment from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., added floor reinforcements and chemical-fuel tanks to the back of the aircraft to prepare the jet for installation of the high-energy laser in 2007.
The team, with ABL partner Northrop Grumman in the lead, completed a significant milestone for the high-energy laser. In California, Northrop Grumman finished ground-testing the optics that will shape the high-energy laser beam and direct it from the laser to the beam control/fire control system. The optics underwent inspection and refurbishment after the laser achieved lethal power and run-times in a ground laboratory in December 2005.

The team is preparing for another major activity later this year. The program will begin firing the illuminators in flight at an instrumented target board located on a missile-shaped image painted on a test aircraft. This activity will verify ABL's active tracking and atmospheric compensation capabilities.

"This rollout ceremony symbolizes many significant accomplishments," said Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems. "The collective team has done a phenomenal job integrating the aircraft and demonstrating its capability in ground tests. Now we are ready to go fly. We are ready to demonstrate the aircraft's ability to close the fire control loop against a flying target. Once again, we made and demonstrated enormous progress toward ushering in a new age of technology, namely directed energy weapons."

Boeing is the prime contractor for ABL, which will provide a speed-of-light capability to destroy all classes of ballistic missiles in their boost phase of flight. Boeing provides the modified aircraft and the battle management system and is the overall systems integrator. ABL partners are Northrop Grumman, which supplies the high-energy laser and the beacon illuminator laser, and Lockheed Martin, which provides the nose-mounted turret in addition to the beam control/fire control system.

Rolls-Royce wins largest ever offshore marine order

27 October 2006

Rolls-Royce has won its largest ever marine order in the Offshore industry in a deal worth around £60 million.

Farstad Shipping has ordered four new anchor handling ships at a total cost of more than £200 million, to be built by Aker Yards in Norway. The ships have been designed by Rolls-Royce marine architects and will be fitted with Rolls-Royce engines, propellers, deck machinery, dynamic positioning systems and automation equipment.

The four UT-Design vessels are the latest to be ordered from Rolls-Royce and mark another chapter in one of the most successful ship design stories in commercial shipbuilding. Since the mid-1970s, over 530 of the vessels have been built or are currently on order.

The new vessels being constructed are all UT 731 CD variants. These ships can operate as construction vessels as well as acting as supply vessels – a unique capability. Designed to operate under extreme conditions and work at depths of up to 3,000 metres, the ships are also capable of functioning in arctic environments.

Anders Almestad, President – Offshore said: “Our Offshore business has been built on giving customers what they want. We are delighted to be trusted yet again to supply this kind of revolutionary, new capability to them.”

Notes to editors

The Marine business of Rolls-Royce employs 7,400 people in 34 countries with the main manufacturing centres being in the UK, the Nordic countries, the United States and increasingly Asia.
Supply and anchor-handling vessels are still the most common ships to be ordered in the UT- Design, but in addition special variants have been developed for surveillance, coastguard duties, cable laying, seismology, oil-well intervention, operations on the sea floor, and for use in Arctic waters.
Rolls-Royce, the world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, operates in four global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy. Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces and more than 2,000 marine customers, including 70 navies. The company has energy customers in 120 countries.
Rolls-Royce is a technology leader, employing around 37,000 people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in 50 countries. Annual sales total £6.6 billion, of which 54 per cent are services revenues. The firm and announced order book is £25 billion, which, together with demand for services, provides visibility of future levels of activity

Yahoo!, MSN and AOL Top Financial News Destinations

A deeper look at the sites, demographics, advertisers, and ad specs for Financial News and Information Internet sites.

Top 10 Online Financial News and Information Destinations Week ending September 24, 2006 US, Home and Work
*Brand or Channel*	*Unique Audience (000)*	*Active Reach (%)*
Yahoo! Finance	6,668	4.98
MSN Money	6,055	4.52
AOL Money & Finance	5,024	3.75
Dow Jones Online	3,105	2.32
Forbes.com	2988	2.23
Reuters	2,858	2.13
CNNMoney	2,439	1.82
Bankrate.com	1,307	0.98
BusinessWeek Online^	1,135	0.85
USATODAY.com Money	1,040	0.78
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings NetView

Demographic Data for Financial News and Information Category Month of August 2006 US, Home and Work
*Category*	*Target*	*Unique Audience (000)*	*Audience Composition (%)*
Total		51,473	100
Male		28,620	55.6
Female		22,852	44.4
Age	2 - 11	672	1.31
	12 - 17	1,609	3.13
	18 - 24	1,824	3.54
	25 - 34	7,997	15.54
	35 - 49	19,613	38.1
	45+	26,787	52.04
	55+	13,281	25.8
	65+	5,143	9.99
HH Income	$ 0 - 24999	2,433	4.73
	$ 25000 - 49999	9,566	18.59
	$ 50000 - 74999	13,027	25.31
	$ 75000 - 99999	10,100	19.62
	$ 100000 - 149999	9,521	18.5
	$ 150000+	5,868	11.4
	No Response	957	1.86
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings NetView

Data on the Web Media Industry, Finance and Economy Segment Week ending September 24, 2006 US, Home and Work

Top 20 Advertisers
Company	Impressions (000)	Share of all Impressions
INVESTools	14,343	26.7%
SpendOnLife.com	8,487	15.8%
Dow Jones & Company, Inc.	7,218	13.5%
The Motley Fool, Inc.	5,612	10.5%
Money And Markets	4,369	8.1%
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.	1,882	3.5%
FutureSource	1,348	2.5%
Salary.com	1,321	2.5%
Entrepreneur Media	1,197	2.2%
LowQuotes, Inc.	1,037	1.9%
The Options Clearing Corporation	795	1.5%
Forbes, Inc.	672	1.3%
Bloomberg L.P.	521	1.0%
CountryWatch.com	518	1.0%
StockCharts.com, Inc.	478	0.9%
Bankrate, Inc.	464	0.9%
Investor's Business Daily	385	0.7%
Pickamortgage	355	0.7%
SmartMoney Magazine	315	0.6%
Zacks Investment Research, Inc.	314	0.6%
Total	53,653	100.0%
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings AdRelevance

Top Ad Sizes
	Dimensions	Impressions (000)	Share of all Impressions
Leaderboard	(728x90)	20,957	39.1%
Medium Rectangle	(300x250)	10,791	20.1%
Wide Skyscraper	(160x600)	4,915	9.2%
Vertical Banner	(120x240)	4,633	8.6%
Full Banner	(468x60)	3,050	5.7%
Non-Standard Dimension		1,537	2.9%
Button #1	(120x90)	1,476	2.8%
Half Banner	(234x60)	1,409	2.6%
Button #2	(120x60)	1,294	2.4%
Rectangle	(180x150)	1,266	2.4%
Large Rectangle	(336x280)	821	1.5%
Micro Bar	(88x31)	720	1.3%
Skyscraper	(120x600)	604	1.1%
Square Button	(125x125)	109	0.2%
Square	(250x250)	72	0.1%
Total		53,654	100.0%
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings NetView

Ad Delivery Types
	Impressions (000)	Share of all Impressions
In-Page	52,905	98.6%
Pop-Under	457	0.9%
Pop-Up	138	0.3%
Expanding	94	0.2%
Over-Page	59	0.1%
Total	53,653	100.0%
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings NetView

New Independent Research Report Positions Proforma as "a Leader" in Business Process Modeling Market

ProVision Ranked #1 Current Offering

October 27, 2006 -- Proforma Corporation announced today that it was named a Leader in the "Forrester Wave: Business Process Modeling Tools: Q3 2006," September 29. The report positioned eight vendors' current offerings, strategy and market presence. Proforma received the top score for current offering with its ProVision enterprise business modeling solution.

"Proforma offers a functionally rich, leading business process modeling suite for enterprise deployments. Coupled with strong template, model, and graphical functionality, ProVision is a blessing for business users wanting an easy to use but truly comprehensive package that can lead companies to true SOA governance," the report says. "Proforma offers an enterprise architecture modeling environment with enhanced process analysis capabilities (BP design and simulation) capable of competing with BP modeling pure plays."

On a scale of 0 (weak) to 5 (strong), the report gave ProVision a 5 for its templates, 4.37 for its design, 4.25 for simulation capabilities and 4.65 for installation base. Proforma also received the highest score possible, 5, for its revenue growth and system integrators.

Highlighted Links

http://www.proformacorp.com

"It has always been Proforma's philosophy to focus on the importance of integrating business and IT without imposing technical concerns on the business user," said Ron Pellegrino, president of Proforma. "We are pleased that our leadership and innovation in business process modeling, enterprise architecture and service-oriented architecture continue to be acknowledged in the industry, and we look forward to releasing even more powerful versions of ProVision that will further enable our customers to optimize their business processes and supporting systems."

This recognition by Forrester adds to Proforma's recent accolades and positive momentum. This summer, Proforma announced it achieved record earnings in the fiscal year ending June 30, posting year over year revenue growth of over 20 percent. Proforma also has been ranked among the Software 500 for the third consecutive year, received an Export Achievement Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce, and was named a Jolt Award finalist by Software Development Magazine.

To learn more about Proforma and ProVision, individuals can call 888.789.6903, write to info@proformacorp.com, or visit www.proformacorp.com.

About Proforma Corporation

Proforma's enterprise business modeling solutions enable effective visual collaboration for business and IT -- empowering the agile enterprise. The ProVision visual modeling environment provides modeling, analysis and simulation tools for all aspects of the enterprise, including strategy, business and technology. Using a model-driven approach, entire organizations can see and evaluate the impact of change and continually manage and deliver improved performance. With Proforma, global enterprises, government agencies, and systems integrators achieve success in business process analysis and management, service-oriented architecture, enterprise architecture, simulation, ITIL, requirements analysis, supply chain, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and Six Sigma. Know More. Do More™. www.proformacorp.com

Boeing Exhibits at Sixth China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition

Oct. 27, 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] will have a strong presence at the sixth China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (also known as Airshow China 2006) held in Zhuhai, Oct. 31 - Nov. 5. During the biennial event, Boeing will demonstrate the products that will shape the future of the commercial aviation market, showcasing the features of the 787 Dreamliner.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the aviation industry's best-selling new airplane, provides the nucleus of the Boeing exhibit with a mock-up of the passenger-pleasing 787 interior cabin.

In addition, Boeing will focus on the industry's most complete commercial airplane product line, from the best-selling single-aisle airplane, the Next-Generation 737, to the long-range 777 and 747-8 Intercontinental families -- the world's most technologically advanced airplanes -- in a series of graphic panels, plasma screens and models.

Boeing Commercial Aviation Services will be a key element, showing the comprehensive capabilities, solutions, and unmatched customer support that are of utmost importance to airlines around the world.

On Oct. 31, in the Airshow's press center, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President of Marketing Randy Baseler and Regional Director - Product Marketing John Bates will brief media about China's market requirements, Boeing's market strategy, the 787 and other Boeing technological innovations, and Boeing's presence in China.

"The China aviation market is very promising, with the expected annual air traffic growth rate of 7.4 percent, the highest of any region in the world; we expect the demand for airplanes to be particularly high," said Baseler. "As a key partner in Chinese aviation for more than 30 years, Boeing's commitment to China reflects our intention to maintain and grow our partnership -- providing superior value through the most complete line of high-technology aviation products and services."

"Passengers will demand more nonstop, point-to-point flights and increased frequency choices. Our strategy is to develop new products and technologies for these future needs," added Bates.

Boeing Media Briefing
Date: Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Time: 09:00-12:00 noon
Venue: Room 2029, Zhuhai Airshow Press Center, The 6th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition site

Boeing Exhibit
1D1/1, Hall 1
The 6th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition site

Boeing Airborne Laser Team Rolls Out Modified Aircraft and Prepares for Flight Tests

, Oct. 27, 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE:BA], along with industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, rolled out the Airborne Laser (ABL) aircraft today from a modification facility in Wichita, Kan., during a ceremony marking major program achievements on several fronts.

Boeing presented the aircraft to a crowd of hundreds of government customers, industry partners and Boeing employees gathered at its Integrated Defense Systems facilities in Wichita.

The ceremony highlighted the following accomplishments:

The Airborne Laser team in Wichita fully integrated the Lockheed Martin-designed beam control/fire control system inside the ABL aircraft, a modified Boeing 747-400F. Two solid-state illuminator lasers, which are part of the beam control device, and a surrogate high-energy laser were installed and fired repeatedly at a simulated ballistic missile target. The track illuminator laser is designed to track a target, while the beacon illuminator laser is intended to measure atmospheric turbulence that the high-energy chemical laser would encounter in its path to the target. During the ground tests, results from the illuminator firings were fed back to ABL, allowing the surrogate high-energy laser to shoot down a simulated target. The program achieved most of the objectives of the ground tests and expects to satisfy the remaining ones in the coming months.
In Wichita, the team, including a Boeing-Northrop Grumman contingent on temporary assignment from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., added floor reinforcements and chemical-fuel tanks to the back of the aircraft to prepare the jet for installation of the high-energy laser in 2007.
The team, with ABL partner Northrop Grumman in the lead, completed a significant milestone for the high-energy laser. In California, Northrop Grumman finished ground-testing the optics that will shape the high-energy laser beam and direct it from the laser to the beam control/fire control system. The optics underwent inspection and refurbishment after the laser achieved lethal power and run-times in a ground laboratory in December 2005.

Lufthansa confirms selection of Rolls-Royce Trent 700 for new A330s 26 October 2006

The Rolls-Royce Trent 700 has been selected in a follow-on order to power a fleet of five Airbus A330s ordered by Lufthansa. The deal includes a TotalCare® long-term services agreement and is worth around $300 million at list prices.

Deliveries of these new aircraft will begin during the first quarter of 2008.

The Trent 700 has provided consistently reliable service to Lufthansa. Charles Cuddington, Chief Commercial Officer, Civil Large Engines at Rolls-Royce, said: “Lufthansa is going through an exciting period of growth in its long-haul operation and we’re pleased that they are relying on Rolls-Royce power for this expansion. Receiving a repeat order from Lufthansa is a further endorsement of the Trent 700 and seals our position as the market leading engine maker for widebody aircraft.”

Lufthansa currently operates a fleet of 22 Rolls-Royce powered aircraft, including 10 Airbus A330-300s in operation and 12 A340-600s, plus a further five on order, powered by the Trent 500. The airline also has selected the Trent 900 to power the 15 A380s it has on order.

The Trent 700 is the market leader on the A330 with a 40 per cent share of orders and 32 customers and operators. It was the first Rolls-Royce Trent to enter service in March 1995 with Cathay Pacific.
The A330-200, powered by two 72,000lb thrust Trent 700 engines, is capable of carrying 260 passengers up to 6,650 nautical miles.
TotalCare agreements, tailored for individual customers, offer a range of services extending to aspects of support such as provision of lease engines, as well as repair and overhaul. Rolls-Royce takes full responsibility for care of the engine fleet in return for payment by the customer of an agreed dollar rate per flying hour.
Rolls-Royce and Lufthansa have launched a 50/50 joint venture engine overhaul, N3 Engine Overhaul Services (N3EOS), located near Erfurt in Thuringia, Germany. Once operational, the €100 million facility will be one of the largest and most modern aero-engine maintenance facilities in Europe, servicing Trent 500, 700 and 900 engines of Lufthansa as well as other European, North American and African airlines.

Boeing Delivers 747-400 Freighter to China Airlines

Oct. 25, 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and China Airlines celebrated the delivery of the airline's 20th Boeing 747-400 Freighter. Today's delivery of the new airplane continues China Airlines' leadership in the market with the world's largest 747-400 Freighter fleet.

The Taiwan-based national carrier operates15 Boeing 747-400 passenger airplanes as well as 12 Boeing Next-Generation 737s.

Boeing projects growth of Asian air cargo markets will continue to lead the world with the domestic Chinese and intra-Asian markets expanding 10.8 percent and 8.6 percent per year, respectively. In Boeing's World Air Cargo Forecast 2006/2007, Boeing forecasts that world air cargo growth is expected to expand at an average annual rate of 6.1 percent during the next 20 years.

The Boeing 747 Freighter family is the standard of the air cargo industry, providing more than half of the world's freighter fleet capacity.

RAYTEL Announces the Only Aftermarket Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit That Easily Integrates With Installed In-Car Video Displays

October 25, 2006 --

About the new TellPhone 5000 Video Interface

The TellPhone 5000 Video Interface allows the use of any display (e.g. navigation or DVD monitor) equipped with a composite video input in combination with the most advanced hands-free car kit available -- the TellPhone 5000.

All information normally displayed on the TellPhone 5000 separate display module is now displayed onto the built-in display monitor. Only the sleek wireless remote control is mounted in the driver's desired location -- everything else is hidden behind the dashboard, like in factory OEM installations.

It is even possible to use factory installed display systems from Acura, Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, Lexus, Lincoln, Toyota, Mercedes, VW, GM, Nissan and Infinity.

There is no other aftermarket Bluetooth hands-free car kit in the world which provides this level of sophisticated integration.

http://www.tellphone.com/press/TellPhone5000vi.pdf

More new products from RAYTEL

Highlighted Links

www.TellPhone.com

EZ-BLUE -- Portable Bluetooth hands-free system for car, office and home

The compact and sleek EZ-BLUE comes with a backlit 10-digit Caller ID display, a sun visor clip, and complies with current and coming hands-free laws. Noise-canceling technology and a high-end speaker guarantees superior audio quality, always staying connected while driving or cooking at home.

EZ-BLUE allows the use of voice tag and speech-to-text functionalities, when supported by the mobile phone, and is ideal for the person who doesn't want to use an uncomfortable headset.

http://www.tellphone.com/press/EZ-BLUE.pdf

TellTune -- Bluetooth audio streaming for car, truck and boat

Streaming audio via Bluetooth is available in many of today's and future devices, such as MP3 players, PDAs, laptops, mobile phones and smart phones. TellTune connects any Bluetooth audio source with audio amplifiers having a standard line or auxiliary input, such as car stereos and home entertainment systems.

Uncompromising music enjoyment is guaranteed by the TellTune's high end and crystal clear stereo audio output.

http://www.tellphone.com/press/TellTune.pdf

Availability

All products are available through RAYTEL LLC's nationwide dealer and distribution network. Please visit www.tellphone.com or call 858.566.2159 for more information.

About RAYTEL LLC

RAYTEL LLC together with Funkwerk AG and Funkwerk Dabendorf GmbH (FWD) combine more than 65 years of mobile communication expertise, and introduced the TellPhone state-of-the-art hands-free voice activated car kits to North America. All TellPhone systems accommodate proven and award-winning German technology, making it safe and convenient to talk hands-free on a mobile phone while driving. Due to industry-leading quality standards and automated manufacturing technologies, major European car manufacturers have already decided to integrate special European versions of the TellPhone systems as factory installed new car options.

© 2006 by RAYTEL LLC. All rights reserved. TellPhone and RAYTEL are registered trademarks of RAYTEL LLC. TellTune is a trademark of RAYTEL LLC. Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. EZ-BLUE is a registered trademark of Jerilou, Inc.

Brandywine Announces Intention to File Registration Statement for the Registration of 3.875% Exchangeable Guaranteed Notes Due 2026

October 25, 2006 -- Brandywine Realty Trust (NYSE: BDN) and its subsidiary, Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership"), have announced their intention to file an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 for the resale of up to $345 million aggregate principal amount of the Operating Partnership's 3.875% Exchangeable Guaranteed Notes due 2026 ("Notes") and 2,500,000 common shares of beneficial interest of Brandywine, which common shares may be issued, under certain circumstances, upon exchange of the Notes. The Notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Operating Partnership that were originally sold on October 4, 2006 to qualified institutional buyers in a private placement under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Brandywine. Selling security holders specified in the resale automatic shelf registration statement will be able to use the prospectus contained therein to offer and resell the securities covered by the registration statement. Neither Brandywine nor the Operating Partnership will receive any of the proceeds from the resale of the securities.

Brandywine expects to file the resale automatic shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about November 9, 2006, at which time it will become effective immediately. In order for a security holder to be included in the prospectus and the registration statement, such security holder must prepare and deliver to Brandywine a selling security holder notice and questionnaire in the form attached as an appendix to the offering memorandum relating to the offering of the Notes.

This release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

About Brandywine Realty Trust

Brandywine Realty Trust (NYSE: BDN), with headquarters in Radnor, PA, is one of the largest full-service, completely integrated real estate companies in the United States. Organized as a real estate investment trust (REIT), Brandywine owns, manages or has ownership interest in office and industrial properties aggregating 45 million square feet.

For more information, visit Brandywine's Web site at www.brandywinerealty.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Note: Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, achievements or transactions of Brandywine Realty Trust and its affiliates or industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or transactions expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors relate to, among others, Brandywine's ability to lease vacant space and to renew or relet space under expiring leases at expected levels, the potential loss of major tenants, interest rate levels, the availability and terms of debt and equity financing, competition with other real estate companies for tenants and acquisitions, risks of real estate acquisitions, dispositions and developments, including cost overruns and construction delays, unanticipated operating costs and the effects of general and local economic and real estate conditions. Additional information or factors which could impact Brandywine and the forward-looking statements contained herein are included in Brandywine's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Brandywine assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.

Canada Web Hosting Earns Microsoft Gold Partner Status; Managed Hosting Provider Showcases Expertise With Hosting Competency

Canada Web Hosting (www.canadawebhosting.com), a Managed Hosting Provider with Operations Centers in Toronto and Vancouver, has attained Gold Certified Status in the Microsoft Partner Program with competencies in hosting solutions and networking infrastructure solutions.

"Being one of the first Gold Certified Managed Hosting Providers in Canada to achieve the Microsoft hosting solutions competency is a proud moment for Canada Web Hosting," notes Kelly Beardmore, Chief Technical Officer at Canada Web Hosting. "It reflects the leadership role we have in this industry."

To become a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Canada Web Hosting demonstrated its expertise with Microsoft-based technologies and its ability to meet customer's need for enterprise-class hosting solutions that balance performance, reliability, scalability, security and cost. The certification shows the depth and flexibility of Canada Web Hosting's engineering and technical support departments. It also displays the company's passion to deliver the highest quality of managed hosting services through a partnership approach that encompasses the entire IT service cycle -- planning, implementation, maintenance, measurement and review.

"Microsoft's Gold Certified Partners demonstrate a high degree of competence in working with Microsoft-based technologies. This achievement further demonstrates Canada Web Hosting's commitment to deliver high quality, fully integrated software solutions to their customers," said Lora Gernon, Director of Partner Group, Microsoft Canada Co. "Today, Microsoft is pleased to recognize Canada Web Hosting as a Gold Certified Partner."

As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Canada Web Hosting will receive a rich set of benefits including access to training and support which gives them a competitive edge in the marketplace.

About Canada Web Hosting:

Named one of Canada's fastest growing companies by Profit Magazine in 2006, Canada Web Hosting [CWH] delivers mission-critical Windows and Linux hosting solutions to clients from world-class operations centers in Toronto and Vancouver. Its mission is to provide the highest quality enterprise-class hosting solutions available in Canada through a comprehensive, customer-focused sales and technical support model in combination with robust network and data center services

Amazon.com Launches New Automotive Parts and Accessories Store with over 1 Million Automotive Products Available

100,000 Items Eligible for Free Super Saver Shipping and Amazon Prime

Oct 23, 2006 -- Amazon.com (Nasdaq:AMZN) today announced the grand opening of its Automotive Parts and Accessories Store (www.amazon.com/auto) featuring over 1 million new, used and remanufactured parts from leading parts and accessories manufacturers.

A key feature of Amazon's Automotive Store is its innovative Part Finder, allowing owners of approximately 10,000 different American car and truck models to find the parts that fit their vehicles. Amazon customers can simply enter the year, make and model of a car into the Part Finder and trust that they will find items that fit their specified vehicles. Leveraging Amazon's unique technology platform for auto part data, the Part Finder enables third-party data providers and retailers to share part and vehicle information that helps Amazon customers make informed buying decisions.

"We're providing a broad selection of products for auto enthusiasts, who are passionate about the appearance and performance of their cars, but also making the Automotive Store convenient for the everyday motorist who is looking for basic car care and maintenance items," said Steve Frazier, vice president, Automotive at Amazon.com. "Amazon's core principles of selection, convenience and low prices will help us meet the needs of this growing segment in the online marketplace."

Amazon.com provides Free Super Saver Shipping and Amazon Prime on 100,000 automotive products sold by Amazon. In addition to Free Super Saver Shipping, Amazon's Automotive Store is offering $20 off any purchase of $99 or more on products sold by Amazon.com through Nov. 14th. (Restrictions apply; see www.amazon.com/auto for details.)

Core brands carried by Amazon's Automotive Store include Actron, Fram, Holley, Hurst, K&N Engineering, Lund, Meguiar's, Raybestos and Schumacher. And to enhance site selection, hundreds of thousands of additional items are listed on the Amazon site by more than 250 independent auto, truck and motorcycle parts retailers, such as Auto Barn, HoursepowerFreaks, Midway Auto Supply and Summit Racing Equipment. Products are easy to find in categories across Amazon's Automotive Store, including Interior and Exterior Accessories, Replacement Parts, Car Care, Performance Parts, Tools & Equipment and Motorcycle Parts & Accessories. The store also features tires and wheels from The Tire Rack.

About Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime, Amazon.com's first-ever membership program, is available to customers for a flat fee of $79 per year. Amazon Prime members receive unlimited, express two-day shipping for free, with no minimum purchase requirement on over a million eligible items sold by Amazon.com. Members can order as late as 6:30 p.m. ET and still get their order the next day for only $3.99 per item, and they can share the benefits of Amazon Prime with up to four family members living in their household. Sign up for Amazon Prime at www.amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon.com

Amazon.com, Inc., (Nasdaq:AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as health and personal care, jewelry and watches, gourmet food, sports and outdoors, apparel and accessories, books, music, DVDs, electronics and office, toys and baby, and home and garden.

Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, and www.joyo.com.

As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, significant amount of indebtedness, inventory, limited operating history, government regulation and taxation, payments, fraud, consumer trends, and new business areas. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and all subsequent filings.

SOURCE: Amazon.com, Inc.

Top Chinese official visits Rolls-Royce

23 October 2006

One of the most senior members of China’s government, Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Consultative Conference (CPPCC), today visited the Rolls-Royce facility in Derby, UK, which produces many of the aero engines used by China’s airlines.

Mr Jia is in the UK as part of a European tour. He was accompanied to the Rolls-Royce facility by a large delegation of senior government officials.

Simon Robertson, Chairman of Rolls-Royce plc, who welcomed Mr Jia to Derby, said: “We are delighted that another of China’s senior leaders has come to visit Rolls-Royce. Our relationship with China stretches back more than 40 years. China is important for us, not just as a market for our products and services, but also as a collaborative partner in training, manufacturing and technology.”

During his visit, Mr Jia became the first visitor to be shown the new Customer Delivery Centre, where Rolls-Royce aero engines are prepared before being shipped to airlines around the world.

In recent months, Rolls-Royce has won a number of significant orders from Chinese airlines, including Air China’s selection of the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 to power its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Air China has also this year begun taking deliveries of Airbus A330s powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent 700.

The Trent 700 has achieved a clean sweep in China, being selected by all the A330 operators. The other operators are China Southern, China Eastern, Hainan, Cathay Pacific and Dragonair. Other Rolls-Royce engines in service or on order for Chinese airlines include the Trent 500 for the A340, Trent 900 for the A380, RB211-535 for the Boeing 757, AE 3007 for the ERJ 145, and the IAE V2500 for the A320 family.

Note to editors

1. Rolls-Royce powered aircraft are currently operating with 11 Chinese airlines, including those based in the Hong Kong and Macao SARs.

2. Rolls-Royce has offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian and Hong Kong, and in 2005 opened a new marine facility in Shanghai. The company is also involved in two joint ventures – Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Limited (HAESL) in Hong Kong, and Xian Rolls-Royce Aerocomponents (XRA) in Xian.

3. Rolls-Royce is working with the CAAC on the Senior Executives ‘Top 300’ development programme, which this year celebrated its 10th anniversary, and the signing of a 10-year extension.

For more information about Rolls-Royce in China, please go to:
www.rolls-royce.com/china

Taiwan reigns as tech champ

Taiwan scores knockout in ICT ring

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, October 23, 2006 ?An interesting introspection: the global tech industry bears a lot in common with the sport of boxing ?multiple weight classes / product divisions; many pretenders and few contenders; and some classic battles in which somebody leaves bruised and bloodied.

The United States is the obvious heavyweight champ, making the most noise and garnering all of the coverage. China is the newcomer everyone is buzzing about, yet remains without a true test.

The titles of “all-around best fighter?and “pound-for-pound champ,?though, go to Taiwan, as the island has displayed superb technique across multiple divisions.

Undisputed champion

Taiwan has an unsurpassed legacy in the tech industry, having been crowned king of multiple product divisions. Taiwan is the world’s number one producer of: notebook PCs, LCD monitors, motherboards, PDAs, and network routers, among other items.

Taiwan rules the lightweight divisions of wireless technology. According to statistics from the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers?Association, in 2004 Taiwan maintained worldwide market shares of 89.2, 83.0, 70.9, 66.3, and 59.0 percent for routers, WLAN products, DSL CPEs, cable modems, and switches, respectively.

Moving up to the welterweight division, Taiwan continues exhibiting its flawless technique, securing a 79.0 percent total market share of PDA production.

However, Taiwan is not all finesse and technique, as the island has proven it can fight in a slugfest. Taiwan has done such in the middleweight class motherboard manufacturing, taking 77.9 percent of the market.

As Taiwan has moved up the ranks, it too has moved up the tech ladder. Made By Taiwan has secured hard knockouts in the notebook PC and LCD monitor manufacturing divisions. In this light heavyweight group, Taiwan secures worldwide market shares of 72.4 percent and 68.0 percent, respectively.

The stakes and rewards are better in the higher divisions as well. The notebook PC knockout brought USD 21.8 billion in production value to Taiwan, while the LCD monitor purse secured an additional USD 14.4 billion.

Taiwan now has the heavyweight division of branded IT production in its sight. This is where the true fame and fortune are earned, but Taiwan will have to prove it can hold its own against the current heavyweight champ, the US.

Moving at the speed of tech

Former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali once proclaimed that while fighting, he would “float like a butterfly,?floating slowly out of harm’s way, and “sting like a bee,?striking quickly to hurt his opponent.

Taiwan, perhaps, is then all bee, as speed remains one of the island’s greatest assets. Taiwan produces at breakneck speeds to supply the world with the latest tech.

The Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers?Association commissioned a study to determine the speed at which Taiwan’s ICT industry manufactured certain computer and communications goods. The results are amazing.

On the slow side, every 15 seconds Taiwan produces a server computer. Speeding up a bit, Taiwan manufactures one PDA unit every 3.5 seconds, and manufactures one digital still camera every 1.5 seconds.

Entering the sub one-second barrier, Taiwan’s ICT industry starts “moving at the speed of tech.?Every 0.9 seconds, Taiwan produces one notebook computer, one desktop computer and one CDT monitor.

Faster yet, at every 0.7 seconds Taiwan makes an LCD monitor; every 0.6 seconds a mobile phone; and every 0.5 seconds produces a WLAN product.

Taiwan finds its true niche at the 0.3-second speed, the speed at which Taiwanese companies produce one optical disk drive unit and one motherboard.

For more than a decade, Taiwan has proven itself as the undisputed king of the ring in the manufacturing industry. Segmenting multiple product lines across different levels of technology, Taiwan has risen to the challenge of its competitors and has consistently delivered the knockout punch.

Please visit www.taiwantrade.com.tw or www.taiwaninnovalue.com for more information.

Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers? Association

www.teema.org.tw

Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) was founded in 1970 to promote Taiwan ’s foreign trade and competitiveness in world markets. Over the past 35 years, TAITRA has played a key role in the development of the Taiwan economy. TAITRA is jointly sponsored by the government and commercial associations and is viewed by all as the business gateway to Taiwan for the international business community.

IBM Completes Acquisition of Internet Security Systems

ISS Becomes Business Unit of IBM Global Services

Oct 21, 2006 -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced it has completed its acquisition of Internet Security Systems, Inc. (ISS) (NASDAQ: ISSX) of Atlanta, GA.

IBM announced a definitive agreement to acquire ISS, an industry leader in preemptive enterprise security, on August 23, 2006. IBM acquired ISS to bring its unique ahead-of-the-threat security approach to a broad range of customers worldwide. ISS provides security solutions to thousands of the world's leading companies and governments, helping to proactively protect against Internet threats across networks, desktops and servers. ISS software, appliances and services monitor and manage network vulnerabilities and rapidly respond in advance of potential threats.

This acquisition advances IBM's strategy to utilize IT services, software and consulting expertise to automate labor-based processes into standardized, software-based services that help clients optimize and transform their businesses. IBM and ISS have been working together since 1999.

"For the past 12 years, ISS has provided thousands of customers with leading-edge, innovative and effective security products, services and intelligence," said Val Rahmani, General Manager, Infrastructure Management Services, IBM Global Services. "Incorporating ISS' proactive, integrated security platform into IBM's portfolio will provide customers with the protection they expect from an industry leader."

"ISS has been a part of the security industry since its inception, pioneering both vulnerability assessment and intrusion detection/prevention technologies and setting the security agenda for many of the world's largest organizations, including the U.S. government," said Thomas Noonan, ISS General Manager at IBM and former CEO of ISS. "Today's acquisition is about bringing trusted security to additional organizations around the world. Being a part of IBM will propel ISS' preemptive security vision to a much wider audience."

As an integrated business unit within the Infrastructure Management Services organization of IBM Global Services, ISS will retain its offices in Atlanta, GA and be led by Noonan.

IBM plans to expand sales and development of the ISS Proventia® product line and ISS Managed and Professional Security Services, integrating capabilities with IBM offerings when applicable and developing new, integrated solutions over time. ISS provides more than 11,000 customers with a comprehensive, integrated and extensible platform of technologies and services, which are designed to protect critical infrastructure and assets from unwanted intruders. Its line of network, desktop and server protection products and services complement IBM's security and privacy portfolio.

The ISS X-Force® research and development team will also play a key role in this acquisition. IBM will link the expertise of the X-Force with its own world-class research organization and grow this capability by continuing to recruit and train leading security specialists.

ISS threat protection systems complement IBM's Tivoli identity and access management software, addressing and managing customer security and privacy needs.

About IBM

For more information about IBM, go to www.ibm.com

About Internet Security Systems, Inc.

Internet Security Systems, Inc. is the security advisor to thousands of the world's leading businesses and governments, providing preemptive protection for networks, desktops and servers. An established leader in security since 1994, the ISS integrated security platform is designed to automatically protect against both known and unknown threats, and helps to keep networks up and running and shields customers from online attacks before they impact business assets. ISS products and services are based on the proactive security intelligence of its X-Force research and development team -- a world authority in vulnerability and threat research. The ISS product line is complemented by comprehensive Managed Security Services and Professional Security Services.

Internet Security Systems is a trademark and Proventia and X-Force are registered trademarks of Internet Security Systems, Inc., an IBM Company. All other companies and products mentioned are trademarks and property of their respective owners.

MoneyTV, Week of 10/20

October 20, 2006 -- MoneyTV is the nationally syndicated television program all about money and what makes it happen, (http://www.moneytv.net), featuring informative interviews by hosts Donald Baillargeon and Skip Lindeman with company CEOs, providing insights into their operations and outlooks for their futures.

Free information packages from the featured companies can be requested by sending an email to info@moneytv.net.

The television program can also be viewed online immediately at www.moneytv.net.

Featured companies on this week's show include:

Stronghold Industries, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: SGDS) Sr. VP Tony Breeden and Director Don Moore told of the company's high end entertainment and security systems for the showcase homes of celebrities and captains of industry.

Rhino Outdoor International, Inc. subsidiary President Howard Pearl spoke of two marquee events the company will be participating in.

XsunX, Inc. (OTCBB: XSNX) CEO Tom Djokovich appeared via satellite from the Solar Power Convention in San Jose, CA and showed some of what the company is displaying to attendees.

Atlantis Holding Corporation (PINKSHEETS: AHDG) CEO Robert Thompson demonstrated the company's vertical TV 3D technology.

Holmes Biopharma, Inc. CEO John Metcalfe discussed how business is "lining up" for the company.

Spice Depot, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: SDEP) Business Development rep Bob Donas (aka Dr. Spice) announced the company was attending the largest food expo in Canada next week.

Manhattan West Mortgage CEO Roger Schlesinger discussed moderate income housing opportunities.

Viewers of MoneyTV can receive free information in the mail about featured companies by calling the toll-free phone number on their TV screen. The weekly television program debuted in 1996 and is broadcast nationally in the USA to 70 million U.S. homes on Saturdays at 11:00 AM ET, Sundays at 8:30 AM PT, 8:30AM ET, 9:30 AM ET, 3:30 PM ET and Mondays at 6:30 PM ET.

Highlighted Links

http://www.moneytv.net

MoneyTV is broadcast to 45 million TV homes in Western Europe, Wednesdays at 5:00 PM.

MoneyTV is also broadcast on UPN-TV in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Sundays at 8:00 AM.

A complete menu of TV listings is available at the MoneyTV web site, http://www.moneytv.net.

MoneyTV television program, Copyright MMVI, all rights reserved. MoneyTV does not provide an analysis of companies' financial positions and is not soliciting to purchase or sell securities of the companies, nor are we offering a recommendation of featured companies or their stocks. Information discussed herein has been provided by the companies and should be verified independently with the companies and a securities analyst. MoneyTV provides companies a 3- to 4-month corporate profile with multiple appearances for a cash fee of $11,500.00 to $17,250.00, does not accept company stock as payment for services, does not hold any positions, options or warrants in featured companies. The information herein is not an endorsement by the producers, publisher or parent company of MoneyTV.

PayChest Announces 30 Day Action Plan

October 20, 2006 -- PayChest Inc. (PINKSHEETS: PYCT) today announced a 30 day action plan, relating to PayChest's operations, under the restructuring guidelines of CEO Lawson Pillay.

The initial strategy calls for immediate changes in staffing and technology. All existing PayChest relationships with directors, employees and contractors have been terminated. PayChest now has direct access to staff and technology through Genfin and its strategic partners. These resources will provide PayChest with intellectual property, financial processing software and connectivity to currently operational financial gateways.

Highlighted Links

PayChest

PayChest will also appoint an independent stock transfer agent, a new SEC attorney and move all operations into new premises in southern California.

"This 30 day restructuring action plan reiterates my allegiance to shareholders by laying a solid foundation for the future. My commitment is not to focus on stock price volatility, but to introduce tangible change. Also, expectations of future news will be limited to quantifiable actions taken. In my recent radio address on http://www.zshare.net/audio/pyct-mp3.html, I have covered many of these aspects," said Mr. Pillay.

Safe Harbor Statement

The foregoing press release contains forward-looking statements. For this purpose any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of factors.

Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Acquires PLIVA, d.d. for $2.5 Billion
STORY SUMMARY:
Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has acquired Zagreb, Croatia-based PLIVA, d.d., creating the world's third largest global generic pharmaceutical company. The Croatian Central Depository Agency ("CDA") issued the final results of the tender process confirming that Barr has secured the overwhelming majority of outstanding shares in PLIVA, and the transaction is expected to formally close on October 25, 2006. Barr acquired PLIVA for approximately $2.5 billion in a public tender offer process that began with the Company's bid for the Croatian pharmaceutical company in June 2006.
As a result of the acquisition, the combined company, which will operate under the Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. holding company, will have annual revenues of approximately $2.4 billion. The combined company will market approximately 120 generic pharmaceuticals in the U.S. and more than 550 products globally. In addition, the new company will have more than 50 new drug applications pending at the U.S. FDA, an annual investment in new product research and development of more than $200 million, and will more than triple the number of pharmaceutical products in development to 220 projects.
The new company will have more than 8,000 employees worldwide.
Barr will continue to market generic pharmaceuticals in the United States under the Barr Laboratories name, and brand pharmaceuticals under the Duramed Pharmaceuticals name. PLIVA, which will keep its name, will serve as the European business for both generic and branded products

Google Announces Third Quarter 2006 Results

October 19, 2006 - Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG)
today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30,
2006.

"Our third quarter results are a testament to the strength of our
network of advertisers and partners, as well as our continuing focus on
users," said Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google. "We were particularly
pleased with the contributions of our international business in a
seasonally weaker quarter. In addition, we continued to forge
significant partnerships with companies such as eBay, Fox Interactive
Media, and Intuit that will be of great value to all involved."

Q3 Financial Summary

Google reported revenues of $2.69 billion for the quarter ended
September 30, 2006, an increase of 70% compared to the third quarter of
2005 and an increase of 10% compared to the second quarter of 2006.
Google reports its revenues, consistent with GAAP, on a gross basis
without deducting traffic acquisition costs, or TAC. In the third
quarter of 2006, TAC totaled $825 million, or 31% of advertising
revenues.

Google reports operating income, net income, and earnings per share
(EPS) on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis. The non-GAAP measures are
described below and are reconciled to the corresponding GAAP measures
in the accompanying financial tables.

· GAAP operating income for the third quarter of 2006 was $931
million, or 35% of revenues. This compares to GAAP operating income of
$815 million, or 33% of revenues, in the second quarter of 2006.
Non-GAAP operating income in the third quarter was $1.03 billion, or
38% of revenues. This compares to non-GAAP operating income of $925
million, or 38% of revenues, in the second quarter.

· GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2006 was $733 million as
compared to $721 million in the second quarter. Non-GAAP net income in
the third quarter was $812 million, compared to $772 million in the
second quarter.

· GAAP EPS for the third quarter of 2006 was $2.36 on 311 million
diluted shares outstanding, compared to $2.33 for the second quarter,
on 310 million diluted shares outstanding. Non-GAAP EPS in the third
quarter was $2.62, compared to $2.49 in the second quarter.

· Non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, and non-GAAP EPS
are computed net of stock-based compensation (SBC). In addition, in
the second quarter, we excluded investment gains of $55 million related
to the sale of our investment in Baidu from the calculation of non-GAAP
net income and non-GAAP EPS. In the third quarter of 2006, the charge
related to stock-based compensation was $100 million as compared to
$109 million in the second quarter. Tax effects related to SBC charges
and the sale of the investment in Baidu have also been excluded from
non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS. The tax benefit related to SBC
was $21 million in the third quarter and $26 million in the second
quarter. The tax expense related to the investment gains from the sale
of the Baidu investment in the second quarter was $23 million.
Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to GAAP operating income, net
income, and EPS are included at the end of this release.

Q3 Financial Highlights

Revenues - Google reported revenues of $2.69 billion for the quarter
ended September 30, 2006, representing a 70% increase over third
quarter 2005 revenues of $1.58 billion and a 10% increase over second
quarter 2006 revenues of $2.46 billion. Google reports its revenues,
consistent with GAAP, on a gross basis without deducting traffic
acquisition costs, or TAC.

Google Sites Revenues - Google-owned sites generated revenues of $1.63
billion, or 60% of total revenues, in the third quarter of 2006. This
represents an 84% increase over third quarter 2005 revenues of $885
million and a 14% increase over second quarter 2006 revenues of $1.43
billion.

Google Network Revenues - Google's partner sites generated revenues,
through AdSense programs, of $1.04 billion, or 39% of total revenues,
in the third quarter of 2006. This is a 54% increase over network
revenues of $675 million generated in the third quarter of 2005 and a
4% increase over second quarter 2006 revenues of $997 million.

International Revenues - Revenues from outside of the United States
contributed 44% of total revenues in the third quarter of 2006,
compared to 42% in the second quarter of 2006 and 39% in the third
quarter of 2005. Had foreign exchange rates remained constant from the
second quarter through the third quarter of 2006, our revenues in the
third quarter of 2006 would have been $19 million lower. Had foreign
exchange rates remained constant from the third quarter of 2005 through
the third quarter of 2006, our revenues in the third quarter of 2006
would have been $35 million lower.

TAC - Traffic Acquisition Costs, the portion of revenues shared with
Google's partners, increased to $825 million in the third quarter of
2006. This compares to TAC of $785 million in the second quarter. TAC
as a percentage of advertising revenues decreased to 31% in the third
quarter from 32% in the second quarter.

The majority of TAC expense is related to amounts ultimately paid to
our AdSense partners, which totaled $780 million in the third quarter
of 2006. TAC is also related to amounts ultimately paid to certain
distribution partners and others who direct traffic to our website,
which totaled $45 million in the third quarter of 2006.

Other Cost of Revenues - Other cost of revenues, which is comprised
primarily of data center operational expenses, as well as credit card
processing charges, increased to $223 million, or 8% of revenues, in
the third quarter of 2006, compared to $204 million, or 8% of revenues,
in the second quarter. Other cost of revenues also included
stock-based compensation of $2 million in the third quarter of 2006,
compared to $2 million in the second quarter of 2006.

Operating Expenses - Operating expenses, other than cost of revenues,
were $710 million in the third quarter. These operating expenses
included $382 million in payroll-related and facilities expenses, $98
million in stock-based compensation, and $50 million in advertising and
promotional expenses, of which $14 million was related to certain
distribution deals.

Stock-Based Compensation - In the third quarter, the total charge
related to stock-based compensation was $100 million as compared to
$109 million in the second quarter.

For the full year, we expect stock-based compensation charges for
grants to employees prior to October 1, 2006 to be $377 million. This
does not include expenses to be recognized over the remainder of the
year related to employee stock awards that are granted after October 1,
2006 or non-employee stock awards that have been or may be granted. We
currently anticipate that dilution related to all equity grants to
employees will be approximately 1% to 1.5% per year.

Operating Income - GAAP operating income in the third quarter of 2006
was $931 million, or 35% of revenues. This compares to GAAP operating
income of $815 million, or 33% of revenues, in the second quarter.
Non-GAAP operating income in the third quarter was $1.03 billion, or
38% of revenues. This compares to non-GAAP operating income of $925
million, or 38% of revenues, in the second quarter.

Net Income - GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2006 was $733
million as compared to $721 million in the second quarter. Non-GAAP
net income was $812 million in the third quarter, compared to $772
million in the second quarter. GAAP EPS for the third quarter was
$2.36 on 311 million diluted shares outstanding, compared to $2.33 for
the second quarter, on 310 million diluted shares outstanding.
Non-GAAP EPS for the third quarter was $2.62, compared to $2.49 in the
second quarter.

Income Taxes - Our effective tax rate was 29% for the third quarter.
We currently anticipate that our effective tax rate for the full year
will be at or below 30%.

Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures - Net cash provided by operating
activities for the third quarter of 2006 totaled $1 billion as compared
to $841 million for the second quarter. In the third quarter of 2006,
capital expenditures were $492 million, the majority of which was
related to IT infrastructure investments, including data centers,
servers, and networking equipment. Free cash flow, an alternative
non-GAAP measure of liquidity, is defined as net cash provided by
operating activities less capital expenditures. In the third quarter,
free cash flow was $512 million.

We continue to expect that the growth rate in capital expenditures in
2006 will be substantially greater than the revenue growth rate for the
year.

A reconciliation of free cash flow to net cash provided by operating
activities, the GAAP measure of liquidity, is included at the end of
this release.

Cash - As of September 30, 2006, cash, cash equivalents, and
marketable securities were $10.4 billion.

On a worldwide basis, Google employed 9,378 full-time employees as of
September 30, 2006, up from 7,942 full time employees as of June 30,
2006.

WEBCAST AND CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

A live audio webcast of Google's third quarter 2006 earnings release
call will be available at http://investor.google.com/webcast.html. The
call begins today at 1:30 PM (PT) / 4:30 PM (ET). This press release,
the financial tables, as well as other supplemental information
including the reconciliations of certain non-GAAP measures to their
nearest comparable GAAP measures, are also available at that site. A
replay of the call will be available beginning at 7:30 PM (ET) today
through midnight Thursday, October 26, 2006 by calling 888-203-1112 in
the United States or 719-457-0820 for calls from outside the United
States. The required confirmation code for the replay is 2704080.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties, including statements relating to the value of
our partnerships with eBay, Fox Interactive Media, and Intuit, our
plans to acquire YouTube, invest in our business, our expected
stock-based compensation charges, the expected dilution related to
equity grants to our employees, our anticipated tax rate for 2006, and
our expectations regarding the growth rate in our capital expenditures.
Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted and
reported results should not be considered as an indication of future
performance. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ from the results predicted include, among
others, the failure to receive regulatory approval for our proposed
acquisition of YouTube, the failure of the other closing conditions in
our agreement to purchase YouTube to be satisfied, risks related to our
hiring patterns, the amount of stock-based compensation we issue to our
service providers, the uncertain and complex nature of tax forecasting,
the fact that we may have exposure to greater than expected tax
liabilities, and our need to expend capital to accommodate the growth
of the business, as well as those risks and uncertainties included
under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in
our report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, which is
on file with the SEC and is available on our investor relations website
at investor.google.com and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Additional information will also be set forth in our quarterly report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, which will be
filed with the SEC in November 2006. All information provided in this
release and in the attachments is as of October 19, 2006, and Google
undertakes no duty to update this information.

ABOUT NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which statements
are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use the
following non-GAAP financial measures: non-GAAP operating income,
non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP operating margins, non-GAAP EPS and free
cash flow. The presentation of this financial information is not
intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or
superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in
accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial
measures, please see the tables captioned "Reconciliations of
non-GAAP results of operations measures to the nearest comparable GAAP
measures" and "Reconciliation from net cash provided by operating
activities to free cash flow" included at the end of this release.

We use these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational
decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period
comparisons. Our management believes that these non-GAAP financial
measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our
performance and liquidity by excluding certain expenses and
expenditures that may not be indicative of our "recurring core
business operating results," meaning our operating performance
excluding not only non-cash charges, such as stock-based compensation,
but also discrete cash charges that are infrequent in nature, such as
gains from the sale of investments and the related tax effects of such
non-cash charges. We believe that both management and investors
benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in
assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing
future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate
management's internal comparisons to our historical performance and
liquidity as well as comparisons to our competitors' operating
results. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to
investors both because (1) they allow for greater transparency with
respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and
operational decision making and (2) they are used by our institutional
investors and the analyst community to help them analyze the health of
our business.

Non-GAAP operating income and operating margin. We define non-GAAP
operating income as operating income minus stock-based compensation.
We define non-GAAP operating margin as non-GAAP operating income
divided by revenues. Google considers these non-GAAP financial
measures to be useful metrics for management and investors because they
exclude the effect of stock-based compensation so that Google's
management and investors can compare Google's recurring core business
operating results over multiple periods. We believe that, given our
recent adoption of SFAS 123R, it is difficult for investors to evaluate
our GAAP results of operations on a year-over-year basis because our
GAAP results of operations for 2005 calculated our stock-based
compensation expense in a different manner than that required under
SFAS 123R. Therefore, investors cannot compare the year-over-year
results of our recurring core business operating results unless we
exclude these non-cash charges that result from two different
accounting methods. Moreover, because of varying available valuation
methodologies, subjective assumptions and the variety of award types
that companies can use when adopting SFAS 123R, Google's management
believes that providing a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes
stock-based compensation allows investors to make meaningful
comparisons between Google's recurring core business operating
results and those of other companies, as well as providing Google's
management with an important tool for financial and operational
decision making and for evaluating Google's own recurring core
business operating results over different periods of time. There are a
number of limitations related to the use of non-GAAP operating income
versus operating income calculated in accordance with GAAP. First,
non-GAAP operating income excludes some costs, namely, stock-based
compensation, that are recurring. Stock-based compensation has been
and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant
recurring expense in Google's business. Second, stock-based
compensation is an important part of our employees' compensation and
impacts their performance. Third, the components of the costs that we
exclude in our calculation of non-GAAP operating income may differ from
the components that our peer companies exclude when they report their
results of operations. Management compensates for these limitations by
providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from
non-GAAP operating income and evaluating non-GAAP operating income
together with operating income calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS. We define non-GAAP net income as
net income minus stock-based compensation and, for the second quarter
of 2006, the gains from the sale of our investment in Baidu, as well as
the related tax effects of such items. We define non-GAAP EPS as
non-GAAP net income divided by the weighted average shares, on a
fully-diluted basis, outstanding as of September 30, 2006. We consider
these non-GAAP financial measures to be a useful metric for management
and investors for the same reasons that Google uses non-GAAP operating
income and non-GAAP operating margin. However, in order to provide a
complete picture of our recurring core business operating results, we
exclude from non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS the tax effects
associated with stock-based compensation and the gains from the sale of
our investment in Baidu in the second quarter of 2006. Without
excluding these tax effects, investors would only see the gross effect
that excluding these expenses and gains had on our operating results.
The same limitations described above regarding Google's use of
non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating margin apply to our
use of non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS. Management compensates
for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the
GAAP amounts excluded from non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS and
evaluating non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS together with net
income and EPS calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Free cash flow. We define free cash flow as net cash provided by
operating activities minus capital expenditures. We consider free cash
flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to
management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the
business that, after the acquisition of property and equipment,
including information technology infrastructure and land and buildings,
can be used for strategic opportunities, including investing in our
business, making strategic acquisitions and strengthening the balance
sheet. Analysis of free cash flow also facilitates management's
comparisons of our operating results to competitors' operating
results. A limitation of using free cash flow versus the GAAP measure
of net cash provided by operating activities as a means for evaluating
Google is that free cash flow does not represent the total increase or
decrease in the cash balance from operations for the period since it
excludes cash used for capital expenditures during the period. Our
management compensates for this limitation by providing information
about our capital expenditures on the face of the cash flow statement
and under Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations in its Form 10-Q.

Google has computed free cash flow using the same consistent method
from quarter to quarter and year to year.

The accompanying tables have more details on the GAAP financial
measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial
measures and the related reconciliations between these financial
measures.

Boeing to Build More Wideband Gapfiller Satellites
Oct. 19, 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE:BA] and the U.S. Air Force MILSATCOM Systems Wing have signed a $1.067 billion contract for up to three more Wideband Gapfiller Satellites (WGS), if all options are exercised.
The Block II satellites will be similar to the three Block I satellites already in production. Under Block II, Boeing will add a radio frequency bypass capability designed to support airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms requiring ultra-high bandwidth and data rates demanded by unmanned aerial vehicles.
"This new Block II contract gives the Air Force the flexibility to independently exercise options for long-lead material, production and launch services for WGS F4 through F6," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Adam Mortenson, WGS Block II program manager. "One WGS satellite will provide more throughput than the entire Defense Service Communications Satellite (DSCS) constellation currently on station, which translates into improved effectiveness of our worldwide forces, and ultimately, into lives saved."
In February, the Air Force authorized Boeing to begin non-recurring engineering and advanced procurement of parts for the fourth WGS satellite. Boeing anticipates Air Force authorization to proceed with full production of WGS F4 and to begin long-lead work for F5 by the end of 2006. These revolutionary, 13-kilowatt WGS satellites are based on Boeing's 702 models and are designed to provide improved communications support for America's warfighters.
"We have designed an incredibly capable satellite system with tremendous operational flexibility, which will become even more apparent when the first vehicle is launched next year," said Charles Toups, vice president of Navigation and Communications Systems for Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. "We are very pleased the Air Force has chosen Boeing to fulfill this critical communications need."
Boeing is preparing the first WGS satellite for launch in 2007. The Block II contract calls for the launch of F4 by the first quarter of 2011 and subsequent launches every year thereafter. WGS will augment and eventually replace the DSCS currently on station. Boeing has leveraged a wealth of experience and capability for WGS, including extensive investments in the 702 satellite bus, digital signal processors and phased array antennas. These capabilities enable the tremendous capacity and operational flexibility the U.S. military requires.
The results contained in this submission were generated in whole, or in part, through work supporting the MILSATCOM Systems Wing.

Groen Brothers Aviation Elects David Groen as Chairman of the Board
October 19, 2006 -- Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. (OTCBB: GNBA) announced today the election of its President & CEO, David Groen, to the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. David's brother Jay Groen had served with distinction as Chairman until his recent passing on October 9th. "We deeply regret the loss of Jay Groen. In many ways, he is irreplaceable. GBA's Board of Directors has complete confidence, however, in David's ability to continue to lead us in this important endeavor," said GBA board member Robin H.H. Wilson, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Development.
October 19, 2006 -- Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. (OTCBB: ) announced today the election of its President & CEO, David Groen, to the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. David's brother Jay Groen had served with distinction as Chairman until his recent passing on October 9th. "We deeply regret the loss of Jay Groen. In many ways, he is irreplaceable. GBA's Board of Directors has complete confidence, however, in David's ability to continue to lead us in this important endeavor," said GBA board member Robin H.H. Wilson, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Development.
David Groen has performed in a GBA executive management role for more than twenty years, nearly a decade and a half of which as its President & CEO. Immediately prior to forming Groen Brothers Aviation, David Groen was a founding partner and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Seagull Recycling Company.

READY, SET, GO! SONY RENEWS ITS COMMITMENT TO AUTOMOTIVE PERFORMANCE AT SEMA SHOW

	The Xplōd® Sound Expression Showcase Features Sony’s New 2007 Xplōd in-car Entertainment and Marine Products LAS VEGAS (SEMA Booth #11066), Oct. 31, 2006 – Start your engines – Sony’s mobile electronics showroom at the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s annual tradeshow features spankin’ new 2007 Xplōd and Marine products, plus PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system where attendees can view a demo of Gran Turismo™ HD, inside a fully-laced Scion xA. Sony’s centerpiece Scion is one of 24 customized rides parked near 14 new Xplōd products on display. Sony Xplōd equipment is featured in 59 vehicles at the show. In It to Win It "This year, we added two outdoor sections,” said Brennan Mullin, general manager for mobile electronics at Sony Electronics. “Combined with our indoor showroom, we have the largest square footage in the North Hall. We’ve got something for everyone – from the SPEED Channel’s “Street Tuner Challenge” Mustang to a vintage low rider." All My Friends Know the Low Rider Sony has announced a new Team Xplōd member, Marco Patino, whose first Sony vehicle has prime real estate in the street-themed section of the Xplōd showroom. His 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport is an authentic low rider classic with its lay-and-display hydraulics and multiple wheels and tire combinations. With four Xplōd amps and three pairs of two-way speakers, this car’s boomin’ audio system will knock you down. Patino served as the features editor of Lowrider magazine for 15 years and is an old-school builder with several magazine covers under his belt. Cars with Attitude Team Xplōd members Shawn Bennett and Rodney Findley are back in the booth this year showcasing their new cars: a 2006 Porsche Cayman S and a Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy Duty. Using Xplōd GTR amps and specialty speakers in a 3-way component system, Bennett lays the audio quality on thick in his Porsche Cayman, which contains the only Vortech supercharger specially designed for the Cayman S. Findley unveils his Dodge Ram with Xplōd audio, including three component systems, four 12-inch subwoofers, and four amplifiers. Pump up the Volume Sony has unveiled its new GT Series speakers, the perfect complement to the GT Series head units. Four new models, XS-GT6935A (6 x 9-inches), XS-GT1625A (6.5-inches), XS-GT1325A (5.25-inches) and XS-GT5725A (5 x 7-inches) feature sleek new designs and high sound quality. Pricing starts at about $60 for the XS-GT1325A and XS-GT5725A speakers and about $80 for the XS-GT6935A speakers. The GT Series speakers will be available in January. Additionally, Sony has introduced its new capless subwoofers. Besides delivering low frequency bass, the new subs also feature a new capless design on the back, giving more style options for car audio builders and designers. The XS-L154P5B subwoofer (15-inch), XS-L124P5B subwoofer (12-inch) and XS-L104P5B subwoofer (10-inch) will be available in January and will be priced at about $170, $110, and $90, respectively. Size Does Matter The Scion features some of Sony’s hottest new Xplōd products, unveiled at SEMA. The Sony slim subwoofers and amplifiers take up less room and are a great fit in both pick-up trucks and sports compact vehicles. With ten new small amps, six subs and two-way speakers, a component system and the head unit with Bluetooth® capability, the Scion is outfitted in the latest audio gear. By Land or Sea Outside of door 21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Sony’s “toy world” showcases a ski boat and off-road vehicle decked out with Sony marine head units, subs and amps. The new splash-proof head unit is installed and on display in the ski boat. Visit toy world for a demonstration of the new marine splash-proof head unit subs and amps in the Malibu Wakesetter or visit the Sony booth (#11066) to see Xplōd slim subs and amps and nav-u™ (NV-U71T) with real-time traffic (service subscription required, sold separately). For information about these products, visit http://www.sony.com/Xplod. Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines! Sony reinforces its leadership role in car audio and portable navigation as an official sponsor of the National Hot Rod Association for the second consecutive year. Sony Electronics has signed up to remain the title sponsor of the NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series for 2007. This year's racing events, including eight standalone and three PowerAde events, will take place at designated NHRA sites nationwide

Retail Merchandise Categories - 90 Day Outlook (October 06 compared to September 06 and October 05)
*Category*	*VS. Sep. 06*	*VS. Oct. 05*	*Category*	*VS. Sep. 06*	*VS. Oct. 05*
Children's	UP	UP	Toys and Games	UP	UP
Women's Dress	UP	UP	CDs/DVDs/Videos/Books	UP	UP
Women's Casual	UP	UP	Electronics	UP	UP
Men's Dress	UP	UP	Groceries	UP	UP
Men's Casual	UP	UP	Home Improvement	UP	UP
Shoes	UP	UP	Lawn & Garden	DOWN	UP
HBC	UP	UP	Home Furniture	UP	UP
Dining Out	UP	UP	Decorative Home Furnishings	UP	UP
Sporting Goods	UP	UP	Linens/Bedding/Draperies	UP	UP
Source: BIGresearch, October 2006

(Click here for details) Booster Shot / Photo Credit Red Bull / C Pondella	(Click here for details) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Toro Rosso / Photo Credit Red Bull / C Pondella
(Click here for details) Jump the Shark / Photo Credit Red Bull / C Pondella	(Click here for details) Max's Maryland Flyer / Photo Credit Red Bull / R Brown
(Click here for details) One-Eyed, One-Horned, Flying Purple People Eater / Photo Credit Red Bull / C Pondella