WebProNews

Author: Val Powell

  • Romain Dauriac Expecting First Child With Actress Scarlett Johansson

    Scarlett Johansson, 29, is reportedly on her fifth month of pregnancy. The Her actress started dating 31-year-old French journalist Romain Dauriac in November 2012 who she met through a mutual friend, Fuzi Uvtpk, who is a tattoo artist.

    Dauriac was an editor for Clark, an urban art magazine in France, before he started managing a creative agency. Uvtpk is the tattoo artist who did Johansson’s “Lucky You” tattoo on her ribcage, and Dauriac is said to have gotten a tattoo that reads “Lost Illusions” from the same tattoo artist.

    The two have been keeping mum about their relationship and have managed to keep their engagement a secret for about a month. Rumors about their engagement were confirmed when Johansson attended the 70th Annual Venice International Film Festival in 2013 wearing a vintage art deco diamond ring on her left ring finger.

    The couple’s engagement came as a surprise to some of Johansson’s fans, as they have only been dating 10 months.

    Johansson was married from 2008 to 2010 to actor Ryan Reynolds. In an interview with Elle UK in January 2013, she mentioned that she never thinks about marriage and that it was not important to her. However, that soon changed when she appeared in public proudly wearing her engagement ring.

    In an interview with the Daily Mail last December, Johansson said that she would like to have her own family, and that she is looking forward to it. She also made an appearance on Good Morning America in January where she said that she is not doing any wedding planning because the wedding is still far off.

    Recently, there have been reports that Johansson’s wedding will take place sometime in September, and the couple is expecting their first child to arrive in August. There is still no word if they are having a boy or a girl.

    Image via YouTube

  • ZR1 Blue Devil Corvette Recovered From Sinkhole

    The National Corvette Museum has started recovering the eight cars that fell into the sinkhole that appeared in the museum last month.

    The museum, which is located near the assembly plant where Corvettes are built, houses more or less 80 vehicles. The sinkhole appeared in the museum’s Skydome and swallowed eight vehicles. The hole has grown to 30 feet deep and 40 feet across. Cars that fell into the hole include a 2009 White 1.5 Millionth Corvette, 2001 Mallet Hammer Z06 Corvette, 1993 Ruby Red 40th Anniversary Corvette, 1992, White 1 Millionth Corvette, 1984 PPG Pace Car, 1962 Black Corvette, 2009 ZR1 Blue Devil, and the 1993 ZR-1 Spyder.

    The first vehicle to make it out of the sinkhole is the “Blue Devil” that made its way out of the doorway using its own power. The “Blue Devil” was driven a short distance and the only problem that they saw so far was an oil leak.

    Museum authorities reported that the vehicle came out nearly intact, but Chevrolet will still meticulously inspect it. Chevrolet has also offered to restore all the cars that fell into the hole, and all of them will be displayed in the museum for the public until August 3.

    A timeline for the other vehicles’ recovery was also provided by the museum. Next to be recovered is the Ruby Red 1993 40th Anniversary Corvette, followed by the 1962 Black Corvette that will be recovered tomorrow. The latter is said to be tricky to retrieve as a big concrete slab is partially resting on the front part of the car. They will be using two cranes to lift the concrete slab and the car at the same time.

    The museum has positioned webcams throughout the Skydome and time-lapse videos have been provided by the museum on their official YouTube channel.

    Image via YouTube

  • EGOT: Filipino American Songwriter Robert Lopez Joins The Club

    Not all actors may admit it, but almost anyone in the entertainment industry aspires to win an acting award. Making it in Hollywood is no small feat, let alone being singled out for giving an exceptional performance in the film, television, theater, or music industry. However, there is a small and exclusive group called EGOT that consists of individuals who managed to snag the four most prestigious awards in Hollywood: the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.

    To date, there are only 12 members in the EGOT club. Acclaimed composer and one half of the duo Rodgers and Hammerstein, Richard Rodgers, was the first to complete all four awards in 1962. Aside from composing nearly a thousand songs for numerous Broadway musicals, Rodgers also wrote songs for film and television. He is also one of two EGOT members who received a Pulitzer Prize for the musical score of the 1949 film South Pacific. Rodgers has a total of 13 awards under his belt.

    Actress Helen Hayes became an EGOT member in 1976 when she won a Grammy for her spoken word album entitled Great American Documents. The first female to get the coveted EGOT slot, she received her first major award in 1932 and waited 45 years to complete the collection. Hayes has 7 awards that consist of three Tonys, two Oscars, one Emmy, and one Grammy.

    The third member is another actress – Rita Moreno. She managed to accomplish a number of “firsts” in the EGOT club, the first of which is being the first Hispanic actor to be admitted to it. She is also the first to win a Grammy award for a song performance as opposed to a music composition.

    Actor Sir John Gielgud is the oldest winner to become an EGOT. He has a total of six awards that include three Tonys, two Grammys, one Emmy, and one Oscar. The theatrical actor was also the first EGOT member to win a non-Oscar as his first major award.

    Audrey Hepburn was the first actor to make the EGOT club through a posthumous award. Her last distinct award was granted in 1993 for her work in the television documentary Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn.

    Composer Marvin Hamlisch was the second EGOT member to receive a Pulitzer award. He has three Oscars, the most number received by a Grand Slam winner. He took home the Grammys for Best Artist and Song of the Year in 1974, as well as a Grammy and Oscar for the title song, “The Way We Were”

    Composer and musical director Jonathan Tunick received one of each award, while comedian Mel Brooks received 11 awards. The Graduate director Mike Nichols has a total of 15 awards and has the most number of Tonys of any Grand Slam winner.

    The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg officially joined the EGOT club in 2002 when she won a Tony for co-producing the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. Her inclusion in the list has been quite controversial as she received a Daytime Emmy as opposed to a Primetime Emmy. Producer Scott Rudin won his fourth award in 2012 for the children’s TV program He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin’.

    The most recent and youngest member of the EGOT club is Filipino-American songwriter Robert Lopez. Along with his wife, Lopez won Best Original Song at the Oscars for the song, Let It Go, which is part of the official soundtrack of the Disney animated film, Frozen.

    Image via Twitter

  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Interested In Owning Milwaukee Bucks

    Former NBA star, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, has showed interest in owning the Milwaukee Bucks – one of the teams he played for in his basketball career.

    Abdul-Jabbar started playing for the Milwaukee Bucks in 1969 when he was chosen No. 1 in the draft. He continued to play for the team for six seasons, and holds the record for being the franchise’s biggest scorer with 14,211 points under his belt.

    The Hall of Famer was in town for the promotion of a tourism ad and he answered questions from the reporters just before the Milwaukee Bucks vs. the Utah Jazz game started at the Bradley Center.

    Rich Kirchen of the Milwaukee Business Journal interviewed Abdul-Jabbar and the basketball legend says that he would take the chance to be part of the Bucks if they need his services. However, there is no offer on the table as of now. Abdul-Jabbar has expressed his interest in getting back to the NBA as a coach. He has already worked as a special assistant for the Lakers and Clippers.

    In December, Milwaukee Bucks owner and former Senator Herb Kohl stated that he is seeking minor investors for the franchise in order to keep them in Wisconsin. The team has been in an all-time low with an 11-46 record. In addition to that, Forbes has recently reported that the Milwaukee Bucks was the least valuable franchise with an estimated value of $405 million.

    Bringing Abdul-Jabbar to the team may be one way to get the Bucks out of their slump, but there has yet to be a discussion between Abdul-Jabbar and Kohl.

    Despite of this, Abdul-Jabbar still sees the team as a viable market in the NBA. He says that the team has to have the right business model in order to be in a good position and attract the right players.

    Abdul-Jabbar Promotes Wisconsin Tourism

    Image via YouTube

  • Richard Sherman Against Banning The N-word

    The NFL Competition Committee is all for banning the use of racial slurs during games, and they are giving emphasis on the N-word. The committee was in Florida over the weekend discussing the penalties for players.

    Richard Sherman, cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, has said his piece on the matter to Peter King of Sports Illustrated. Sherman is against the idea saying that it is atrocious and almost racist that they are specifically targeting the N-word.

    Sherman continued to say that the N-word is not always said as a racial slur, especially when it’s said to a fellow African-American player. “It’s in the locker room and on the field at all times,” he says.

    King also got the opinion of two other African-American players, D’Qwell Jackson and Jason McCourty. McCourty agrees with Sherman saying that the N-word is just like calling someone “man” or “bro.” D’Qwell, on the other hand, disagrees with the two.

    Jackson adds that implementing the rule would make it harder for referees to officiate the game, as they will have to keep a lookout for players who use the N-word in the field.

    Ryan Clark, safety for the Steelers, also mentioned that chairman Dan Rooney already tried getting rid of the word and only had temporary results. Clark says that the word was never muttered for a day, but after a while, it came back. “It’s the culture.”

    The committee is in talks about giving players a 15-yard penalty for saying racial slurs on the field. According to Ozzie Newsome, Baltimore Ravens general manager who is also part of the competition committee, they are not only targeting the N-word, but homophobic slurs as well.

    The NFL will be addressing the issue and a new rule may be implemented if it gets approval in the upcoming owners’ meetings, which will be held from March 23 to 26 in Orlando.

    Image via YouTube

  • Bill Murray Honors Harold Ramis At The 2014 Oscar Awards

    Last night’s Oscar ceremony definitely had its share of touching moments, and Bill Murray was responsible for one of them. In a rare Oscar appearance, the comedian paid tribute to his late friend Harold Ramis while presenting the award for Best Cinematography with actress Amy Adams.

    After announcing the names of the nominees, the Lost in Translation star cleverly added Harold Ramis at very end for his work in Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, and Groundhog Day. The poignant tribute was greeted by the audience with warm applause. Emmanuel Lubezki won the prize for his work in Gravity, his first Oscar after having been nominated six times.

    Murray and Ramis had been friends way before their famous film collaborations. They were both members of the Chicago improv comedy troupe Second City and were recruited by fellow comedian John Belushi to join the comedy radio show, The National Lampoon Radio Hour.

    After being head writer of the sketch-comedy TV series SCTV for three years, Ramis brought his writing talents to the set of the comedy film, National Lampoon’s Animal House. Ramis’ film partnership with Murray started with the comedy film Meatballs, which Ramis co-wrote and Murray starred in. In the film Caddyshack, Ramis directed Murray and other famous comedic actors like Chevy Chase, Ted Knight, and Rodney Dangerfield. But the biggest hit of the Murray-Ramis partnership is arguably Ghostbusters, which Ramis co-wrote with Saturday Night Live alum Dan Aykroyd. Murray played Dr. Peter Venkman and Ramis played Dr. Egon Spengler.

    Murray and Ramis had a long feud after making Groundhog Day together, and did not speak to each other for decades. Murray, who was going through marriage problems at the time of filming, displayed erratic behavior that eventually put a strain on their relationship. In a 2004 interview with Time magazine, Ramis said that their falling out left a “huge hole” in his life.

    Murray released a statement to Time magazine one day after Ramis passed away, saying that “he earned his keep on this planet”.

    Image via Twitter

  • Michael Jackson’s Estate Earns $600 Million In Revenue

    The King of Pop’s estate is now generating cash, sources say. When Michael Jackson died almost five years ago, he was overwhelmed with debt. He has made millions in his lifetime from endorsements, concerts, and his own music, but his earnings could not keep up with his luxurious lifestyle.

    Jackson lived an extravagant lifestyle and reportedly spent around $30 to $50 million annually on himself alone. By the time of his death in 2009, unpaid bills had piled up with his publicists, agents, and lawyers.

    One of his biggest purchases was the Neverland Valley Ranch, a private amusement park and Jackson’s home from 1988 up to 2005. The cost of the ranch alone was $17 million, and cost $5 million a year just to maintain the property. Along with that purchase, he also spent millions on a divorce settlement, lawsuits, antiques, clothes, Bentleys, and his diamond-encrusted gloves.

    Jackson was also known to spend millions of dollars on several video projects, which amount to about $65 million.

    After Jackson’s death, his executors planned a comeback to make the King of Pop’s finances shift to the positive side. This was carried out mainly by doing licensing and publishing deals, so that they did not have to sell the singer’s music portfolio. Jackson’s future music rights, which amounted to $250 million, were sold to Sony. His lawyers also joined several home videos to come up with the movie “This is It,” which to this day is said to have made more than $500 million.

    In new court documents filed under California, Jackson’s estate now has $600 million in revenue and $18 million in cash.

    Jackson’s three kids – Prince, Paris, and Blanket – are the chief beneficiaries. They get to spend $8 million yearly — $3 million on education, $28,500 monthly rental for a mansion, $600,000 in security, and $300,000 for a vacation.

    Michael Jackson’s Estate

    Image via Michael Jackson, Twitter

  • Jim Parsons Plays Johnny Weir On SNL

    First time Saturday Night Live host Jim Parsons was able to separate himself from his character Dr. Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory. Parsons has been playing the character since the show’s pilot in 2007. The Big Bang Theory is currently in its 7th season.

    Some people have associated Parsons with his character, thinking that Sheldon Cooper is exactly like him in real life. Parsons has several awards under his belt including a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series and three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, so it is easy to see how convincing he can be as an actor.

    On Saturday night, Parsons came out and introduced himself to the audience while reminding them that he is not a scientist and he can’t speak Klingon. He then did a musical number singing that “he’s not that guy.” He also made references on other actors on television that have been known as their characters including Jaleel White played by Jay Pharoah in Family Matters, and Bobby Moynihan played by Jason Alexander on Seinfeld.

    Parsons also did a sketch wherein he played figure skater and NBC commentator, Johnny Weir, while being interviewed by Ellen DeGeneres played by Kate McKinnon. Parsons came out sporting leather pants and a hot pink blazer. More accessories were added each time the camera panned back to him.

    When asked if he had fun in Russia, Cooper answered “I looked like a local… it was like a gay Where’s Waldo.”

    When asked where he got his fashion sense, he simply answered from his parents, and continued that his mother is a high school teacher and his father is a Christmas ornament.

    Other characters he portrayed include serial killer Mark Alan Henry and Peter Pan. Parsons was able to commit and deliver on all the sketches to the audience’s delight. It also reminded everyone that Jim Parsons is not Sheldon Cooper.

    Image via YouTube

  • ’12 Years A Slave’ Wins Best Picture At The Oscars

    The historical slavery drama 12 Years a Slave bagged the award for Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. Just as noteworthy, British film director, Steve McQueen, made history as the first black director to win the Best Picture award since the Academy Awards’ inception.

    12 Years a Slave went against The Wolf of Wall Street, Philomena, Nebraska, Dallas Buyers Club, Captain Phillips,  Her, American Hustle, and its biggest contender Gravity.

    12 Years a Slave is based on the 1853 memoir with the same title. It focuses on the story of Solomon Northup (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor,) a New York-born man who was kidnapped by slave traders, sold into slavery, and worked in Louisiana for years under William Ford (played by Benedict Cumberbatch), the owner of a plantation.

    During his acceptance speech, McQueen dedicated the golden statue to the millions of people who are still enduring slavery in the world today saying, “Everyone deserves not just to survive, but to live.”

    The movie took home two other awards – Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Lupita Nyong’o who is a newcomer in the business. The Mexican-born actress who was raised in Kenya won the award a day after her 31st birthday. In her speech, she reminded everyone that dreams do come true, no matter where you are from.

    Other winners are Alfonso Cuarón as Best Director for Gravity, Matthew McConaughey as Best Actor for “Dallas Buyers Club,” Cate Blanchett as Best Actress for “Jasmine,” and Jared Leto as Best Supporting Actor for “Dallas Buyers Club.”

    Other highlights from the Academy Awards included musical performances from U2, Pharell Williams, Bette Midler, and Pink. The ceremony also had a tribute segment for famous personalities that the industry has lost in the past year including James Gondolfini, Harold Ramis, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

    Image via YouTube

  • Valeria Lukyanova Converts To Breatharianism

    Ukrainian model Valeria Lukyanova, also known as the Human Barbie, has made the headlines once again. The 28-year-old Barbie wannabe has declared that she is converting to Breatharianism – a new age practice wherein survival is dependent on only light and air.

    Lukyanova gained worldwide fame in 2007 when she won the title of Miss Diamond Crown of the World. She emerged the winner among 300 women. The beauty pageant did not have rules against women with plastic surgery.

    Lukyanova makes use of contact lenses and makeup to make herself look like a human Barbie, which she says is the perfect body image for her. She admits to having breast implants, but says that the rest of her body, even her 50 cm waist, is all natural. Her slender figure is the result of special diets and routine gym workouts. Lukyanova has been on a strict liquid diet and was a vegetarian until she turned to Breatharianism.

    The model says that she has not felt hunger the past few weeks and she is hoping that it is the final stage before she can fully convert to Breatharianism and live on light and air alone. The practice has stirred controversy, as people who adapt to it tend to die of starvation and be dehydrated within the first few days of practice.

    Aside from achieving to have the “perfect” body, Lukyanova also claims that she is able to speak to aliens and can travel through time. She is also a spiritual teacher, an interest that she has had since she was a young. According to reports, Lukyanova said that her out-of-body experiences started when she was a little girl.

    While her announcement to live on light and air alone comes as a shock to some, it has not been the strangest news that came from the Human Barbie.

    Unbelievable video of a real life Barbie

    http://youtu.be/EIXyHTuL-TY

    Who is Valeria Lukyanova?

    Image via YouTube

  • George Lopez Passes Out On Casino Floor; Arrested For Public Intoxication

    George Lopez might have enjoyed himself a little too much at a Canadian casino on Thursday. The Mexican-American comedian and actor reportedly passed out on the floor of the Caesars Windsor Hotel and Casino and was subsequently arrested for public intoxication, according to TMZ.

    The celebrity news site also reported that in-house casino security called the local police shortly before midnight when they spotted Lopez lying on the floor of the casino bar. No charges are being filed against the 52-year-old talk show host, although he stayed in police custody until he sobered up. Lopez was eventually released several hours later.

    Lopez gave a performance at the casino before the incident happened. Caesars Windsor spokesperson Jhoan Baluyot said that the Lopez Tonight star has another scheduled show on Friday, February 28, which will continue as planned.

    The comedian released a statement to PEOPLE, which included a humorous jab at the intoxication incident. Lopez said that he was “not feeling great this morning” and he “was trying to sleep it off”; however, he fell asleep on the casino floor.  He also joked about doing what he did in Ontario “what Bieber does to America” during his Friday show.

    A Twitter photo allegedly taken by onlooker Chad Maury showed Lopez lying on his left side with his stomach partially exposed. The photo went viral almost as soon as it surfaced.

    George Lopez was “discovered” by acclaimed film actress Sandra Bullock, who served as executive producer of his own self-titled television sitcom. George Lopez ran from 2002 to 2007 and in 2009, Lopez ventured into talk show hosting with Lopez Tonight. He suffered kidney problems, which required him to get a kidney transplant in 2005. His then-wife Ann served as his kidney donor. Lopez is due to star in the sitcom Saint George, which will premiere in March, 2014.

    Image via YouTube

  • Chris Brown Diagnosed With PTSD And Bipolar Disorder

    Chris Brown Diagnosed With PTSD And Bipolar Disorder

    Chris Brown’s name has been synonymous with trouble ever since his 2009 assault on ex-girlfriend Rihanna. After the altercation between the two, Brown has had several encounters with the law including a brawl with Canadian recording artist Drake and an assault on a man in Washington, D.C. The most recent bout with the law happened when the singer threw a brick through his mom’s car window.

    Brown’s diagnosis came out during a hearing that was held in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday. The singer was sentenced to spend 90 days in rehab, which started in the fall. Based on the court documents, Brown’s records from the rehab facility state that his mood swings are the cause of his bipolar disorder and PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.)

    Brown has been through several hardships in his life. In an interview in 2007, he revealed that his stepdad used to beat his mother. The beating terrified him, and at the same time made him feel like he wanted to beat his stepdad with a baseball bat.

    The singer, 24, will require close supervision by a physician to treat his disorders and make sure that he remains in a stable condition. He was also ordered to remain another two months in the program to get better. Reports from the facility have also said that Brown has been fulfilling his requirements and has been more than exemplary.

    Even after hearing that he is doing well in rehab, the singer expressed his dismay over the ruling by tweeting “Never really goes the way u plan. #LIFE.

    Reports say that Brown has already accomplished 250 hours of service and has 750 more hours to render. His community service should end in the middle of October if he continues to do his duties three times a week.

    He is scheduled to report back in court on April 23 for another hearing.

    Image via YouTube

  • Da Brat Ordered To Pay $6.4 Million For Assaulting Cheerleader

    A Cobb County court jury has ordered Grammy-nominated rapper Da Brat to pay $6.4 million in damages to the Atlanta cheerleader she assaulted in 2007. The punishment was meted out on Thursday afternoon.

    Da Brat, whose real name is Shawntae Harris, served almost three years in prison for brutally attacking former Atlanta Falcons cheerleader Shayla Stevens with a rum bottle during an argument at an Atlanta nightclub owned by Jermaine Dupri . According to Stevens’ lawyer Mark Link, his client sustained grave injuries that affected her brain’s functions. Although Stevens has survived her brain injury, she has suffered from mental anguish as well as a permanent scar on her face, both of which have prevented her from pursuing her cheerleading career.

    Stevens filed a civil lawsuit against the Funkdafied hit maker in 2009 to which Harris pleaded guilty. Apart from serving three years at Arrendale State Prison, Harris was also ordered a seven-year probation period, 200 hours worth of community service, anger management classes, mental evaluation, and treatment for substance abuse. Now, Da Brat must pay Stevens $3.7 million and $2.7 million in compensatory and punitive damages, respectively.

    Shayla Stevens, Da Brat’s victim, testifies in court

    Harris’ lawyer B.J. Bernstein is surprised that his client was still ordered to pay millions despite that fact that she admitted to the charges and served her time. He said that they are still in the process of planning an appeal.

    The 39-year-old rapper and actress rose to fame when she released her debut album entitled Funkdafied. Hip hop tycoon Jermaine Dupri signed her to his label So So Def and molded her to be the “female Snoop Dogg”. Harris was previously involved in a misdemeanor reckless conduct charge in 2001 when she beat a woman with a gun at another Atlanta nightclub. Harris pleaded guilty to the charge and paid a $1,000 fine, served a year-long probation period, and put in 80 hours of community service.

    Da Brat: Life After Prison (explicit language)

    http://youtu.be/EAKmQI48iww

    “Funkdafied”: The Hit That Made Da Brat Famous

    http://youtu.be/LHXlk_h51-c

    Image via YouTube

  • Jimmy Fallon Takes Polar Plunge With Mayor Rahm Emanuel

    Jimmy Fallon, host of The Tonight Show, asked Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago, to be one of his guests on the show. The Mayor responded to Fallon’s invite on his Twitter account by saying that he would only be a guest on the show if Fallon takes part in the Chicago Polar Plunge.

    Emanuel agreed to participate in the Polar Plunge after challenging students in Chicago to read 2 million books over the course of the summer.

    Chicago’s Polar Plunge is an annual event wherein participants take a dip into the freezing Lake Michigan to raise money for the Special Olympics.

    On Wednesday night, Fallon told his audience that he would be taking part in the event, and that he has no idea what the Polar Plunge is. He then replied to Emanuel’s tweet by saying he’s in on the Polar Plunge with a hashtag #SwimmyFallon. On March 1, Fallon again tweeted saying that he got his ticket and he’s wearing a suit for the plunge. He then urged participants to show solidarity by wearing a necktie. Fallon also said that he is a man of his words and a man of his tweets.

    On Sunday Morning, Fallon showed up in a suit, as he promised, and plunged into the 32-degree water in 10-degree weather with the Mayor. A few moments before the event started, Chicago firefighters went into the water and removed ice chunks in the area.

    Fallon had a shocked expression on his face as he took the plunge. Both Fallon and Emanuel were completely soaked from head to toe as the crowds cheered while watching them.

    After taking a dip in the cold Lake Michigan, Fallon posted on Instagram and Twitter with the caption “Officially PLUNGED!!!!!”

    Sunday’s Chicago Polar Plunge had 3,200 people in attendance and just a little less than $1 million was raised for the Special Olympics, breaking the record for Chicago.

    Image via Twitter

  • Wanapum Dam: Huge Crack Causes Concern

    Authorities have discovered a crack at the base of the Wanapum dam in Washington State. Measuring 65 feet (or 20 meters) long and two inches (or five centimeters) wide, the crack is found specifically in the spillway of the hydroelectric power plant, which is located on the Columbia River. Officials started decreasing the dam’s water level by 20 feet to allow inspectors to assess the real amount of damage the dam is in.

    While the Public Utility District  spokesperson of Grant County, Thomas Stredwick assured that the crack poses no harm or danger to the public, he said that the forebay is being lowered to lessen the pressure on the spillway during the investigation. The spillway is a crucial channel that enables controlled water release from a dam.

    Earlier this week, The Seattle Times reported that one of the engineers working on the repairs spotted minor “bowing” right above the area of the spillway gates where vehicles pass through the dam. Divers were sent out to check the status of the crack on one of the spillway piers, so that public utility district officials could analyze their findings. They declared on Friday that the risk of failure was high enough to prompt notification to downstream water users and concerned government agencies.

    Since the Wanapum Dam sits downstream from the town of Vantage in Washington, its failure would make a significant impact on farming, fishing, and power generation in the area. The dam has a generating capacity of more that 1,000 megawatts of hydroelectric power. It caters to more than 45,000 customers in Grant County and provides electricity across the Pacific Northwestern region.

    The 55-year-old dam was named after the Wanapum Indians and did not officially operate until 1963. It has 10 spillway gates that are supported by multiple piers, which each has a height of 126 feet, width of 65 feet, and depth of 92 feet.

    Image via YouTube

  • USS Somerset Commissioned In Honor Of Flight 93

    On March 1, the USS Somerset was commissioned to become a Navy warship to honor Flight 93, which was hijacked and headed for Washington D.C., but crashed in Pennsylvania killing 40 passengers and crew. The plane was one of the four that was hijacked in September 11, 2001.

    The Navy ship was sponsored to be built on December 2007 by Mary Jo Myers, wife of General Richard Myers who is the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The ship was named USS Somerset after Somerset county in Pennsylvania where Flight 93 crashed in 2001. USS Somerset is the third ship to commemorate lives lost to the 9/11 attacks, the first and second ones are the USS New York and USS Arlington. It took $1.2 billion and four years to build the USS Somerset.

    According to Senator Pat Toomey, the ship was built in commemoration of the day America began to fight back.

    USS Somerset carried Marine Corps and the Navy during the ceremony. After hours of waiting, Mary Jo Myers finally said the words “Man this ship and bring her to life.”

    The sailors were stationed on the upper decks and the brow of the ship, looking like dwarves in the vessel that weighed 25,000 tons. Also in attendance were the shipbuilders, politicians, the military, and families of those who were killed in Flight 93.

    The President of Families of Flight 93, Gordon Felt, reminded the Marines and sailors to use the tragedy as motivation to serve the country. He also said that “heroism is not achieved, it is revealed.” – just like the passengers and crew of Flight 93 who set out on the morning of 9/11 not knowing what was going to happen.

    A lifeboat emerged as a door on the ship was opened and the ship’s horn then boomed loudly.

    The ship is set for leaving its homeport in San Diego on Tuesday morning. Reports say that the USS Somerset will also be utilized for humanitarian efforts. Captain Thomas Dearborn, the ship’s commanding officer, told his crew that they will be helping those in need in any way they can – through typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and even piracy.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Leah Remini On Leaving Scientology: ‘I Was A Hypocrite’

    Leah Remini of King of Queens fame opened up about her decision to leave the Church of Scientology in an interview published on Wednesday.

    She had been in the Church of Scientology for over 30 years. Her decision to leave had to do with the well-being of her daughter Sofia, 9. Remini said that her daughter was nearing the age when her adaptation into the church would have to start.

    Remini recalled how it was when her mother joined the church. She was barely 10 years old when her family moved into the church’s compound in Clearwater, Florida. It was her stepfather who convinced her mother to join the organization, but he never showed up after that.

    Remini and her sisters were separated from their mother, who worked for the church and was “never home.” She came to resent her mother for not being able to take care of them. Remini said that her mother had the belief that she was “helping the planet—that’s what the church tells you.”

    It was a life Remini did not want for her daughter. “In my house, it’s family first,” she said, “but I wasn’t showing that.” She calls herself a “hypocrite” for spending more time at the church instead of with her family.

    Remini had expressed her desire to change the situation, but she said she was met with opposition. According to her, the church “Didn’t care about doing the right thing,” prompting her to comment that everything she had been taught by the church was a lie.

    Her decision to leave resulted in an uproar. Actress Kirstie Alley who practices Scientology called Remini a bigot when she became a guest on The Howard Stern Show in December.

    The Church of Scientology also responded to the remarks made by Remini. In their statement, they said they were not surprised that Leah Remini’s “insatiable craving for attention” and self-absorption would make her exploit Scientology as a “publicity stunt” and that she omitted saying she had been part of a program that would make her remain a Scientologist by choice.

    Remini, according to the statement, was actually on the verge of being discharged from the church due to her ethical lapses.

    Image via YouTube

  • Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler Sing Duet on ‘Tonight Show’

    Longtime friends and on-screen partners, Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, were guests on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday night to endorse their upcoming movie Blended, which is set in South Africa. The two play single parents who end up going on a vacation together in Africa.

    Barrymore and Sandler first worked together in the 1998 romantic comedy film The Wedding Singer, and then again in 50 First Dates, which came out in 2004. In both movies, the on-screen couple had undeniable chemistry that was effortless. The pregnant actress said that they get to fall in love with each other every 10 years, and Sandler agreed by saying that they have a lot of fun together.

    http://youtu.be/_bhU3NsCIDs

    http://youtu.be/H1SVxJZTgI4

    Fallon then asked the two to express their feelings by doing a duet. Barrymore and Sandler obliged to the audience’s delight, and Fallon provided accompaniment with his guitar.

    In the song, Sandler asked Barrymore if he is her best movie husband. Barrymore responded by singing “Of course you are, Adam.” He then asked if he was better than Hugh Grant, Barrymore’s co-star in Music and Lyrics, and Ben Stiller her co-star in Duplex. Barrymore answered the he was much better than them.

    The last question Sandler asked was if he is better than Fallon, Barrymore’s co-star in Fever Pitch. The actress responded by singing that they have both have great qualities.

    Sandler ended their duet by singing a few lines from Grow Old with You, a song featured in “The Wedding Singer.” Barrymore was moved to tears and the two hugged each other.

    Barrymore shared a photo on her Instagram account with Fallon and Sandler. The caption read “Two of my favorite men on this earth!!!!! @jimmyfallon and adam my love! #bestnightever.”

    Barrymore and Sandler’s romantic comedy film Blended hits theaters on May 23.

    Image via YouTube

  • Adam Driver In Talks To Play Villain In Star Wars: Episode VII

    Adam Driver, best known for his quirky character on HBO’s Girls, has reportedly been in talks to play a villain in J.J. Abrams’ anticipated film Star Wars: Episode VII, which is set to come out on December 2015. There are no details regarding the role, but he will definitely be part of the Dark Side if plans push through.

    Episode VII will be directed by Abrams. The script was written by both Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan after they took over the duties from Michael Arndt. Kasdan already has a history with Lucasfilm, serving as a screenwriter for several blockbusters including Return of the Jedi, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and The Empire Strikes Back.

    Driver, a Julliard graduate and former Marine, has earned praises for his charismatic portrayal of his character on Girls. He has also played supporting characters in films such as Inside Llewyn Davis and Lincoln. According to sources, the delay in securing the role is caused by scheduling issues that have already been resolved and the deal should be done within the next few days.

    Lena Dunham, creator and Driver’s co-star in Girls, said in her tweet that they are proud of Driver for being part of the upcoming Star Wars movie.

    Fans of the Star Wars franchise can expect more cast members to be revealed within the next few weeks, as shooting is set to start in April at the Pinewood Studios in London. Some of the actors will also need to engage in Jedi training before the shoot begins. Original actors from the film, such as Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher are also rumored to make an appearance, but there are no official announcements as of now.

    Driver is also said to appear with Andrew Garfield and Ken Watanabe in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming film entitled Silence.

    More rumors on Star Wars VII cast. Watch video.

    http://youtu.be/5PigfCGWk98

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Gentrification: Spike Lee Explodes Into Expletive-Filled Rant

    Famed film director Spike Lee burst into an expletive-filled rant when an audience member posed a question regarding the gentrification of the New York boroughs at an African-American History Month lecture on Tuesday held at Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute.

    Lee, who was raised in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn, claims that it is no longer the same place he grew up in. Clad in a casual attire that included a “Defend Brooklyn” hoodie and a Knicks beanie, the “Do the Right Thing” director cut off the audience member after being asked about the “other side of gentrification”. He snapped “Let me kill you right now” and proceeded to discuss a New York Times article about the benefits of gentrification.

    Spike Lee “kills” a man in Brooklyn

    http://youtu.be/61kq0RJJhY0

    For seven minutes, Lee went on an impassioned rant about the drastic improvements that have taken place in many parts of New York ever since more white residents started moving in. His speech also expressed resentment toward the “Christopher Columbus Syndrome”, which he says is shown by the gradual eradication of the neighborhood’s customs and traditions, as well as the changing of some of the neighborhood’s names.

    The audience member – Brooklyn resident and director of the Brooklyn Innovation Center, D.K. Smith – tried a few times to interject Lee’s rant, but was unsuccessful. The outspoken director appeared on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 to explain his tirade. Lee said that although he is not entirely opposed to new people inhabiting formerly poor areas, he believes that they ought to have “respect for the history and culture” when moving into the neighborhood.

    CNN was able to speak with Smith regarding Lee’s claims and he said that while he does not completely disagree with Lee, he feels “tired of moaning and groaning about being black”. Smith, an African-American, also said that gentrification gives black Americans a huge opportunity for economic improvement by virtue of the skyrocketing real estate prices.

    D.K. Smith responds to Spike Lee’s rant

    Image via YouTube

  • Lanai Plane Crash Leaves 3 Passengers Dead

    Shortly after taking off from Hawaii’s Lanai Airport on Wednesday evening, a twin-engine plane crashed and burst into flames, killing the pilot and two passengers, both employees of the Department of Planning. Three other passengers were injured: two are also from the Department of Planning and the other is the Corporation Counsel’s deputy attorney. The Corporation Counsel provides legal services for Maui County.

    The group had attended a Lanai Planning Commission meeting earlier on Wednesday. They had contracted Maui Air for a return flight.

    According to Maui County spokesman Rod Antone, the plane was about a mile from the airport when it crashed at around 9:30 in the evening on Wednesday. Ian Gregor, a spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration, said that the Piper PA31 plane burned upon impact. There are still no details about how the crash occurred.

    The crash site was located a mile southwest of the airport. According to Lanai Times editor Alberta de Jetley, the site was off a dirt road near the power plant of the Maui Electric Co., and is mostly flat grassland.

    According to a statement released by Maui County officials on Thursday, the deputy attorney was the one who called 911 for help. He had managed to pull two of the planning employees away from the fire because they were unable to move on their own. The three suffered burn injuries and were airlifted to a hospital in Honolulu.

    Inter-island travel is common in Maui County, where departments are spread over various areas, such as Lanai Island and Molokai. Lanai representative Sen. J. Kalani English said that Hawaii has very safe airports and flight routes, but the risk of accidents is high for frequent flyers, including government officials who move from district to district to conduct business. Last December, Health Director Loretta Fuddy died when the plane she took from the Molokai airport crashed into the ocean.

    Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa

    Image via YouTube