David Tennant And Cats Feature In Virgin Media's New TiVo Campaign

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjmcIlYQfpAnJLmJVbpk1OcStKAlhkmmg_JDdE_XJcgN-b1YUEDN6V7_ht43syqMuf0prZYoYmF5BpOALG5sZqBytbbrbq0x910ictvtpScDifeo31rnoBYWPpec0W9Y8SrPxHI-m26WV/s1600/Virgin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjmcIlYQfpAnJLmJVbpk1OcStKAlhkmmg_JDdE_XJcgN-b1YUEDN6V7_ht43syqMuf0prZYoYmF5BpOALG5sZqBytbbrbq0x910ictvtpScDifeo31rnoBYWPpec0W9Y8SrPxHI-m26WV/s640/Virgin2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Virgin Media's new TiVo campaign, featuring David Tennant and Richard Branson, launches tomorrow, Saturday 2nd November.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first ad will run during Channel 4's Grand Designs and will feature David discussing horror movies and all of the other options available via the TiVo box,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An online campaign, also coming soon, will feature David Tennant and dozens of cats</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Richard Larcombe, brand and marketing director at Virgin Media, said: “David and Richard are a blockbuster duo so we’re excited to have them back for our latest campaign, celebrating the unbeatable choice of movies and TV box sets available on Virgin Media TiVo.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We always want to bring a sense of fun to our ads and working with them and a room full of unusually well-behaved cats raised quite a few grins. These ads are set to build on the success we’ve enjoyed with previous high profile campaigns featuring David and Richard and, of course, Stephen Fry, Mo Farah and Usain Bolt.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Get a sneak peek at the first ad here:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6cycuWQv0QY" width="640"></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

Advertising Campaign David Tennant Virgin Media David Tennant And Cats Feature In Virgin Media's New TiVo Campaign

Virgin Media's new TiVo campaign, featuring David Tennant and Richard Branson, launches tomorrow, Saturday 2nd November. The first ad wi...

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Live music, spaghetti at First Friday tonight

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c02-1ZIV_MN-e0xhlU9GKlx70ry6pJcStukc55hA9XVpBnmXrUfcL8TLgdlcHMc06RTq1-xTFG_XlUGFBwdN7ggpaq9hLyQhfdrrXbzs3R41D6tJ06QrL3rG9AFTT8nN9ERkk98ioy80/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c02-1ZIV_MN-e0xhlU9GKlx70ry6pJcStukc55hA9XVpBnmXrUfcL8TLgdlcHMc06RTq1-xTFG_XlUGFBwdN7ggpaq9hLyQhfdrrXbzs3R41D6tJ06QrL3rG9AFTT8nN9ERkk98ioy80/s400/DSC_0019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>If you will be in Payson <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT276">this First Friday</span> and are wondering what to do, consider dropping by the Community Presbyterian Church on Main Street to hear some live music.  Guitar vocalist Joanie Smith will be performing with vocalist Colleen Brown and guitarist Howard Brown and myself on drums from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  We will be playing the standards, the kind of music I know you will like.  The church door remains open on First Friday of each month, so come on by. The coffee will be on and just maybe a few goodies - including a spaghetti dinner. </b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>-Gerry Reynolds</b></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: orange;">   FESTIVITIES ALSO AT DOWN THE STREET GALLERY   </span></span></b></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Also at First Friday Nov. 1, Down the Street Art Gallery will be Featuring its newest Artist:  Photographer Shiranda Deerwoman as well as our annual tribute to "Day of the Dead."   There will be fun skull coloring pages along with color markers for the public to decorate on the porch and you are always encouraged to wear your Halloween costumes. Plan on meeting Shiranda <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1832894227" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">5-7 pm</span></span> at Down the Street Art Gallery and seeing her work.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Photography has always been a joy for Shiranda.  She recalls that since young adulthood, she would routinely study composition, lighting, contrast and color along with the subject of her photos.    Her favorite themes are landscape, southwest images, old buildings, flowers, people. Shiranda’s formal background is as a teacher and a counselor.  She worked for 21 years in the Columbus Hearing Impaired Program (Ohio) until she became involved in Alternative Healing Practices.  She moved to Albuquerque then to Payson. She is at home living in the Southwest. </b></span></span>

ENTERTAINMENT GREAT DEALS LOCAL NEWS MAIN STREET Live music, spaghetti at First Friday tonight

If you will be in Payson this First Friday and are wondering what to do, consider dropping by the Community Presbyterian Church on ...

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Five Idols in BillBoard Top 200, as Kelly Clarkson should be for All of 2013

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf5myoxGNqhCRFKlQ36W1j7K5sPn-gJtcnMf4x1f4d6FEWuvcPpPinPSaUZ1Jaq6_RAsIGhj4FOLjVX7k2oXMQKCBNNUUqnUrIVpCct00DtSBrwumGl_11AnuRwtxyDa65VfKzw_jnNfr/s1600/bb200-20131101.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf5myoxGNqhCRFKlQ36W1j7K5sPn-gJtcnMf4x1f4d6FEWuvcPpPinPSaUZ1Jaq6_RAsIGhj4FOLjVX7k2oXMQKCBNNUUqnUrIVpCct00DtSBrwumGl_11AnuRwtxyDa65VfKzw_jnNfr/s400/bb200-20131101.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">red = Scotty, lt green = Mandisa, maroon = Phillip, lt blue = Carrie, dk green = Kelly</td></tr></tbody></table>There was not much movement of the five American Idols on the <a href="http://www.mjsbigblog.com/billboard-chart-date-110913.htm" target="_blank">BillBoard 200 album chart</a> this week with all of them from last week staying on the chart. Most notable of them is Kelly Clarkson, whose "Greatest Hits: Chapter 1" has been able to stay on the Top 200 chart since its debut 49 weeks ago. With her Christmas album "Wrapped in Red" slated to open among the Top 3 next week (estimated sales of <a href="http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/rumormill.cgi#.UnPQlyGrs-Q.blogger" target="_blank">65K-70K</a>), she will likely remain in the Top 200 for the rest of 2013. In fact, since the release of "Stronger" in October 2011, Kelly has remained in the Top 200 every single week except for one (the week right before the greatest hits album was released when "Stronger" slipped off the chart.) That is a pretty impressive statistic over the course of two years!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDEClPhrNjIRAZTs6VSqWPNK2Z3BCVHSxQgJH5BNwvCy2RCyM4DMFp6R5VVJMzOMo_-1aLnzhKq0q26HVfNfXETasnTe1FWpFQnBmrhpJAwF6h7t9O8PVeKAcCDjrlybfisEQ9Xblk0dZ/s1600/hdd-rm-20131101.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDEClPhrNjIRAZTs6VSqWPNK2Z3BCVHSxQgJH5BNwvCy2RCyM4DMFp6R5VVJMzOMo_-1aLnzhKq0q26HVfNfXETasnTe1FWpFQnBmrhpJAwF6h7t9O8PVeKAcCDjrlybfisEQ9Xblk0dZ/s320/hdd-rm-20131101.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />This weeks best selling Idol was Scotty McCreery again with another 18K units sold of "See You Tonight" to reach total sales of 70K in two weeks. That was good enough to place him at #15 on the album chart (#2 country behind Luke Bryan) and actually matches the #15 he had with "Christmas With Scotty McCreery" in its second week last year, also with sales of 18K (Scotty has always been a model of consistency!) Here is a graph comparing the sales of Scotty's releases if we omit "Clear As Day":<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP8873kYwX2942WGvxIaf3LC5ZZEHNrQv9PDQsehHp7kR4rcvn7rp3miJpj8dmFmmcfLRGzZqC4XyAmQJibdDGkoKWCPLvzVEw7kCml43M-3bwggs36pqDCDcVNf-xKDPH4V6atX_LvLB/s1600/sm-sales-20131109.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP8873kYwX2942WGvxIaf3LC5ZZEHNrQv9PDQsehHp7kR4rcvn7rp3miJpj8dmFmmcfLRGzZqC4XyAmQJibdDGkoKWCPLvzVEw7kCml43M-3bwggs36pqDCDcVNf-xKDPH4V6atX_LvLB/s400/sm-sales-20131109.png" width="400" /></a></div>Incidentally, since my top chart starts when Phillip and Kelly's albums were released 49 weeks ago, it actually now shows the tail end of Scotty's Christmas album sales from last year (in red), so we can see the charting of both albums over that time period.<br /><br />Besides Kelly and Scotty, the other Idols on the album chart this week are Mandisa at #127 with "Overcomer", Phillip Phillips who stays steady at #142 with his debut album, and Carrie Underwood at #168 with "Blown Away" in its remarkable 78th week.

Five Idols in BillBoard Top 200, as Kelly Clarkson should be for All of 2013

red = Scotty, lt green = Mandisa, maroon = Phillip, lt blue = Carrie, dk green = Kelly There was not much movement of the five American Idol...

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Nicki Minaji posts nude pictures on instagram

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7782461800739473103" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; position: relative; text-align: start; width: 616px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-rBcG4khQmyXadXlj7RxFNZyaqEObzBFOmbHK5GEjuvpqyj8a5geO93CVmTTGVK9V6osqWeTa666Z_VNiDbPJ7Xsxe7tz5Yi9haYm9lb53YdTyMMDb5GmzO5qsSlTkrNiHvxdMjsYYM7/s1600/Untitled1.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px;" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AFDiLUvtWqLR4C5hA1PH1R1ZCbQBHAs5brRNhyphenhyphengJE-prsmauQUlx81IJiBa5PmObWuf5Uqeapi1VwI41gjeUCn8ZgLk6H9lHKWiLz0340BjDzXx3jTqENDms6WCrGsazKl6TeI_pw_Ck/s1600/Untitled.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px;" /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7782461800739473103" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; position: relative; text-align: start; width: 616px;"><br /></div>These celebrities and nudity! But the body on Nicki tho!  See more photos after the cut...<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="" name="more" style="cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto;"></a></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEzPkV7WqmBz0Naj-1GaALVy30-KYIhXteBlB4zWYntkjRStSZXuFyX_IiHlPXkEshr1_bJrulk8a5vgJmphSQpVd5_9dwAmv141fv_VP-0NT4zAiHu4beyCzYXLI91k6Yfm0MAfs4An3/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEzPkV7WqmBz0Naj-1GaALVy30-KYIhXteBlB4zWYntkjRStSZXuFyX_IiHlPXkEshr1_bJrulk8a5vgJmphSQpVd5_9dwAmv141fv_VP-0NT4zAiHu4beyCzYXLI91k6Yfm0MAfs4An3/s1600/1.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTFt0bP33EO9mYA5oiqVZeV1d0YxEAPHWAIzVU5aedJfubKX7pROOd94oNMl7KfpNy0NsCGS1dWvCKiU6FVdKwlJDCsGdBbk2HrjyD0H9wIPJtpwZMVPZjsvOhl7GgCqc1x9HIFCVkdTL/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTFt0bP33EO9mYA5oiqVZeV1d0YxEAPHWAIzVU5aedJfubKX7pROOd94oNMl7KfpNy0NsCGS1dWvCKiU6FVdKwlJDCsGdBbk2HrjyD0H9wIPJtpwZMVPZjsvOhl7GgCqc1x9HIFCVkdTL/s1600/2.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a></div></div></div>

Nicki Minaji posts nude pictures on instagram

These celebrities and nudity! But the body on Nicki tho!  See more photos after the cut...

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No rest for sick workers

More Americans are denied sick leave at work, thanks in part to ALEC's efforts to ban local governments from mandating paid sick days for workers.<br /><br /><a href="http://alecexposed.org/" rel="nofollow">ALEC</a>, the American Legislative Exchange Council, functions as a <a href="http://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/ALEC_Exposed" rel="nofollow">corporate dating service for state legislators.</a> In state after state, ALEC is succeeding in getting laws passed for its corporate members who don't want their workers to take sick days off.<br /><br />And more Americans are showing up to work sick -- <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/30/90-percent-work-sick_n_4174464.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003&ir=Business" rel="nofollow">over 90 percent of workers show </a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/30/90-percent-work-sick_n_4174464.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003&ir=Business" rel="nofollow">even when they know that they will infect somebody else.  </a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiF9wHWcn6n2qzeclW3EkgdU1Agl6ilSUAq1cDc_fWM39G9dI2yo8WdftYN-5XAGfb6urHvDKqRf6S_4okgD_IntmJDEZNtGTeyOEl-zPcT97Ud8CFHzqejUoXSxmmiAdS0bQtTgtaBZaC/s1600/Sick-at-Work.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiF9wHWcn6n2qzeclW3EkgdU1Agl6ilSUAq1cDc_fWM39G9dI2yo8WdftYN-5XAGfb6urHvDKqRf6S_4okgD_IntmJDEZNtGTeyOEl-zPcT97Ud8CFHzqejUoXSxmmiAdS0bQtTgtaBZaC/s320/Sick-at-Work.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/opinion/sunday/working-while-sick.html?_r=1&ref=opinion" rel="nofollow">Small wonder when over 40 million Americans</a> don't have any paid sick leave and <a href="http://www.alternet.org/story/156031/%22having_it_all%22_the_wrong_question_for_most_women?paging=off&current_page=1#bookmark" target="_blank">almost a quarter of workers</a> have lost or were threatened with losing their job because they took time off for illness. <br /><br />Last week, Pennsylvania became the 14th state to introduce the ALEC bill, <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/10/24/2828431/pennsylvania-paid-sick-days-preemption/" rel="nofollow">thanks to </a><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/10/24/2828431/pennsylvania-paid-sick-days-preemption/" rel="nofollow">ALEC member and </a><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/10/24/2828431/pennsylvania-paid-sick-days-preemption/" rel="nofollow">Pennsylvania state Rep. Seth Grove</a>.  Eight states have already passed some form of the bill including Florida, where<a href="http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-06-14/news/os-scott-signs-local-paid-sick-time-ban-20130614_1_florida-chamber-ballot-orange-county" rel="nofollow"> over 50,000 voters had already signed a petition for a countrywide paid sick leave law.</a><br /><br />These <a href="http://familyvaluesatwork.org/blog/paid-sick-days/how-corporate-giants-try-to-suppress-democracy" rel="nofollow">so-called pre-emption laws are devastating to local communities and workers</a>.  This ALEC bill forces workers to choose between paying their rent and getting better -- even in communities that want all workers to be covered with paid sick leave.<br /><br />Paid sick leave is not just pro-worker reform; it is good for businesses as well.  Studies have shown mandatory sick leave has no impact on businesses -- unless <a href="http://washington.mainstreetalliance.org/files/2013/09/PSD-1-Year-Report-Final.pdf" rel="nofollow">it helps the business make money</a>:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Multiple national studies have found that providing paid sick leave can benefit businesses through higher morale and productivity, less absenteeism, and lower rates of turnover, offsetting some or all of an employer’s direct cost of providing paid leave.</blockquote>Paid sick leave allows parents to stay home with sick kids and prevents diseases being spread to coworkers and customers.<br /><br />With all of the benefits from paid sick leave, only an heinous anti-worker group could deny workers the right to recover from illness.<br /><br />But ALEC is fine with doing just that.<br /><br /><br /><br />

ALEC paid sick days No rest for sick workers

More Americans are denied sick leave at work, thanks in part to ALEC's efforts to ban local governments from mandating paid sick days fo...

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How workers' freedom is getting chipped away

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oylO2Q0QqUoae7yD0z0rhidaGPCClRl6CKAg-bzoDwPfri-NftKd-ecTFoEJ9x2ndAEwJ73Yjes15boQslii8ufg5LiowQwJF-Q9OBtSJ4GW9m8OmN6e2OkWyvuoS1N5NwjiNXHhHlD9/s1600/Infographic-Attack-On-American-Labor-Standards.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oylO2Q0QqUoae7yD0z0rhidaGPCClRl6CKAg-bzoDwPfri-NftKd-ecTFoEJ9x2ndAEwJ73Yjes15boQslii8ufg5LiowQwJF-Q9OBtSJ4GW9m8OmN6e2OkWyvuoS1N5NwjiNXHhHlD9/s1600/Infographic-Attack-On-American-Labor-Standards.png" /></a></div>Our friends at the <a href="http://epi.org/" rel="nofollow">Economic Policy Institute</a> came up with this analysis of the attacks on workers' freedoms over the past two years. In dozens of states, workers' freedom is being undermined to take a sick day, to earn a decent living or to collect benefits they paid for.<br /><br />The war on workers is waged in states all over the country because of <a href="http://alec.org/" rel="nofollow">ALEC</a>, the corporate dating service for state lawmakers.<br /><br />EPI gives a good rundown of exactly how ALEC works:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">ALEC’s 2,000 member legislators include a large share of the country’s state senate presidents and house speakers. Legislators are invited to conferences—often at posh resorts—where committees composed of equal numbers of public and private officials draft proposals for model legislation. ALEC’s staff then drafts the legislative language and produces supporting policy reports. Thus state legislators with little time, staff, or expertise are able to introduce fully formed and professionally supported legislation. </blockquote>And this is what happens: <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">The corporations pay ALEC’s expenses, contribute to legislators’ campaigns, and fund the state-level think tanks that promote legislation; in return, legislators carry the corporate agenda into their statehouses. Over the past decade, ALEC’s leading corporate backers have contributed more than $370 million to state elections, and over 100 laws a year based on ALEC’s model bills have been adopted.</blockquote>Be very afraid. <br /><br /><br />

ALEC child labor minimum wage paid sick leave unemployment How workers' freedom is getting chipped away

Our friends at the Economic Policy Institute  came up with this analysis of the attacks on workers' freedoms over the past two years. In...

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Protein for Weight Loss

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">That a high protein diet is good for losing weight, but question; What are the best sources of protein and how much do we need? </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Protein for Weight Loss" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR16EornzIhW7Ef0gaxgIGPhMzsIhuA8SO0CJoClxbU68h_wbIMTbeCPr-4odGIhk4wart858LohLslRZ8dUqPaJQ-bhYR6xX5-CnlleK6Qku2lRCL2tsEwQjsiFWYYBkNPY_eRXvKCLA/s1600/BXDFLPaIcAAlRVb.jpg" title="Protein for Weight Loss" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <center> <script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- LargeInPost_waysforweightloss_2 --><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:600px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-5028478688240504" data-ad-slot="7474757677"></ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </center><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Protein find in two different sources; animal based or plant based.. When choosing protein-rich meals pay attention to what exists combined with the protein.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The better animal protein choices are eggs, meat,  skinless chicken, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy products. Full-fat dairy, fast food and Processed meat like bacon, sausages and ham, contain saturated fat and should be stay away from them. Vegetable sources of protein offer minerals, vitamins and fiber. Lack of fibre can cause digestive tract disorders, constipation and cancers.. </span></div><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">How much ?</span></b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Estimate how much protein we need differs according to age weight, gender, age..  Enough protein intake is required for the structure, function and regulation of the body's cells, and to ensure that we do not begin to digest our own vital organs. We are targeting just fat, therefore it is important that we consume at least 1/2 our bodyweight in grams of protein to guarantee that we maintain the protein we need and just burn off fat.</span></div><br /> <center><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- inPost_waysforweightloss_336-280 --><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-5028478688240504" data-ad-slot="6975892477"></ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></center> <br /><b><span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="en" style="font-size: x-large;" tabindex="-1"><span class="">Advice:</span></span></b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">To help achieve and preserve a healthy weight, it's essential to combine sensible portions of better quality, lean protein with low-GI carbs in every meals. The basic rule to losing weight comes down to energy equilibrium; kilojoules in versus kilojoules out. So how much you're exercising and eating.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">While there are benefits of preserving a protein-rich foods for losing weight, too much can have the contrary effect. To be on the safe side, always check with your doctor ahead of adding more protein to your diet.</span></div><br /><br /></div> <center><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- inPost_waysforweightloss_336-280 --><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-5028478688240504" data-ad-slot="6975892477"></ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></center><br />

protein Weight Loss Protein for Weight Loss

That a high protein diet is good for losing weight, but question; What are the best sources of protein and how much do we need? Protei...

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Friday: Gov. McDonnell at historical marker dedication commemorating first Thanksgiving at Berkeley Plantation

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q5-YxHFumVKHbiJglsMdCa1nNx0QY5KrGpoWQgNZ2nVtMPF0yXnbtpuNZGt1Pe-IVfo08KEsaBcagf6ptrct8bAzLAx_uN6-WpG_gSb8lucVv5MLSx9RFLBE7Wbu3Fhl9MLOb11G6Jk3/s1600/Thanksgiving+-+first+in+Va.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q5-YxHFumVKHbiJglsMdCa1nNx0QY5KrGpoWQgNZ2nVtMPF0yXnbtpuNZGt1Pe-IVfo08KEsaBcagf6ptrct8bAzLAx_uN6-WpG_gSb8lucVv5MLSx9RFLBE7Wbu3Fhl9MLOb11G6Jk3/s320/Thanksgiving+-+first+in+Va.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />You know those state historical markers you see along Virginia byways and highways? The ones that tell of an event or person of interest, often with a pull-off wide enough for a vehicle or two? Being a history geek, I love those signs and my sister even has a book that lists them all in the event you aren't able to stop.<br /><br />Today a <a href="http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/cdc6c5abcb6f4f8085ed2a271a71af5c/VA--Historical-Marker-Thanksgiving">new marker will be dedicated</a> on Route 5 near Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County east of Richmond with Governor <b>Bob McDonnell</b> addressing the dedication. The event is scheduled at 2:00 p.m. and will also include <b>Dr. William C. Bosher,</b> a respected educator in Virginia, and <b>Malcolm E. “Jamie” Jamieson</b>, owner of Berkeley Plantation.<br /><br />The unveiling by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources will commemorate the <b>First Thanksgiving in Virginia</b>, as declared by Captain John Woodlief who arrived on December 4, 1619, with 37 men who had sailed from Bristol, England, to the New World.<br /><br />A member of the Virginia Company and Jamestown settler, Woodlief carried instructions that the day of his ship's arrival would "be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to almighty God." The men celebrated their safe journey by giving thanks to God, creating a tradition that became the basis of our annual celebration of Thanksgiving.<br /><br />The celebration continues to this day and is remembered each year at Berkeley Plantation with the <a href="http://www.virginiathanksgivingfestival.com/">Virginia Thanksgiving Festival</a> that is held on the first Sunday in November. The free event will be observed this year on <b>Sunday, November 3, 2013</b>, from noon until 4:00 p.m. with a Colonial celebration that includes a parade, horse-drawn carriages, fife and drum performers, costumed interpreters, and musical entertainment. Food for purchase will be provided by <a href="http://www.williamsburgoccasions.com/">The Catering Company</a> of Williamsburg.<br /><br />The re-enactment of the landing will begin at 3:00, followed by the Chickahominy Tribal Dancers who will perform a traditional friendship dance. Master of Ceremonies will be Richmond radio personality Tim Timberlake.<br /><br />The public is encouraged to take chairs and blankets. For more information and directions, go to the webside: www.VirginiaThanksgivingFestival.com.

Berkeley Plantation Bob McDonnell Chickahominy Indians First Thanksgiving Jamestown tourism Virginia Company Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Is For Lovers Williamsburg Friday: Gov. McDonnell at historical marker dedication commemorating first Thanksgiving at Berkeley Plantation

You know those state historical markers you see along Virginia byways and highways? The ones that tell of an event or person of interest, of...

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And then there were 5: News-Virginian endorses no one for governor

Conservative Shenandoah Valley newspaper <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/opinion/editorials/no-endorsement-from-news-virginian/article_d796171c-429b-11e3-8074-0019bb30f31a.html"><i>The News-Virginian </i></a>has declined to endorse any of the three candidates for governor in the 2013 Virginia campaign.<br /><br />That now makes <a href="http://www.swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/no-gubernatorial-endorsements-from.html">five newspapers</a> who have passed on this endorsement: <i>Richmond Times-Dispatch, Roanoke Times,</i> <i>News & Advance,</i> and <i>News Progress</i> and, today, the<i> News-Virginian</i> to that growing list.<br /><br />Addressing the campaign, the <i>News Virginian</i> wrote: <br /><blockquote>It’s ... been one of the nastier ones in recent memory, with both Democratic and Republican nominees focusing too much time on attacking their opponent and too little on talking up their own plans for the Commonwealth. If that’s an indication of how their administration would be, we can’t endorse any of the candidates in this year’s race. We’ve seen too much bickering and attacking in Washington. It just takes up time and accomplishes little.</blockquote>This is notable because the <i>News-Virginian</i> is a relatively conservative newspaper in the conservative Shenandoah Valley, one of the reddest parts of the Commonwealth, with conservative representatives who often go unchallenged. Indeed, in 2013 the three local delegates for the House of Representatives who represent the SWAC area, have no opponents as noted by <i>News-Virginian</i> political reporter Bob Stuart earlier this week in his article, <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/virginia_politics/local-house-members-face-clear-path-to-re-election/article_54b2b352-41d1-11e3-a880-0019bb30f31a.html">"Local House members face clear path to re-election."</a><br /><br />Reflecting the sour mood of the electorate in this election cycle, two newspapers -- the <i>Daily Progress</i> and <i>Roanoke Times</i> suggested writing in Republican Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.<br /><br />Election 2013 has, indeed, been an odd one.

2013 gubernatorial election Bob Stuart endorsements Ken Cuccinelli Lynchburg News and Advance Lynn R. Mitchell Robert Sarvis Terry McAuliffe Waynesboro News-Virginian And then there were 5: News-Virginian endorses no one for governor

Conservative Shenandoah Valley newspaper The News-Virginian has declined to endorse any of the three candidates for governor in the 2013 Vir...

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Additional Guests Named For ExCel Doctor Who Celebration

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVBWGEy-rKSUKOarDlE3cmx0SX9SolN7bG8W8bku8iFgO8_Wo0mEmIYMtDOSEoILyFM5ir7vPG8wq0XJGPC_YjrxRX4odAkUJedO6IML5jZWbJF_326EBLzSra2YdZoSHahEroEv5zQHN/s1600/Peter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVBWGEy-rKSUKOarDlE3cmx0SX9SolN7bG8W8bku8iFgO8_Wo0mEmIYMtDOSEoILyFM5ir7vPG8wq0XJGPC_YjrxRX4odAkUJedO6IML5jZWbJF_326EBLzSra2YdZoSHahEroEv5zQHN/s1600/Peter.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BBC Worldwide have announced 40 new guests for the official Doctor Who Celebration which takes place in ExCel in London between the 22nd - 24th November.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The guests include the Fifth Doctor himself, Peter Davison, who will be attending all three days. He will join Matt Smith and other classic Doctors Tom Baker, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy. (Tom Baker is appearing on Saturday only).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other names include William Russell, Carol Ann Ford, Peter Purves, Frazer Hines, Katy Manning, Louise Jameson, Sophie Aldred, John Leeson and Lalla Ward.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over 20,000 Doctor Who fans will be attending the sold out event to celebrate 50 years of Doctor Who</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.doctorwho.tv/whats-new/article/peter-davison-and-a-host-of-doctor-who-stars-added-to-the-celebration-line-up/">Click here for the full guest list and to see which days the stars will be attending</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />

Doctor Who Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Matt Smith Peter Davison Tom Baker Additional Guests Named For ExCel Doctor Who Celebration

BBC Worldwide have announced 40 new guests for the official Doctor Who Celebration which takes place in ExCel in London between the 22nd - 2...

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George Romero Turns Down Chance at "The Walking Dead"

<div class="MsoNormal">I know what you’re thinking:  The Walking Dead is such a megahit everyone in Hollywood would love to be a part of it.  However, apparently you (and me) would be very much wrong.  According to The Big Issue, George A. Romero thinks the AMC series is <a href="http://www.bigissue.com/mix/news/3181/george-romero-interview-walking-dead-just-soap-opera-occasional-zombie">more like a soap opera</a> and he turned down the chance to direct an episode.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Before anyone goes crying sour grapes, Romero is given a lot of credit for bringing the zombie genre to life back in 1968 with “Dawn of the Dead.”  So he knows what he is talking about, but anyone who watches “The Walking Dead,” and more than <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/walking-dead-just-dethroned-high-649449">20 million people</a> watched the Season 4 premiere, realizes that the series is anything but a zombie romp full of gore and blood.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Granted, there are different techniques in making a weekly television show and a two-hour film, but the TWD isn’t about the walkers.  It’s about the people trying to survive something terrible (and things regularly go from bad to worse).  Romero is entitled to his opinion, and he’s not entirely wrong, because the show has elements of a soap opera.  By the way, those soap writers should get some credit for churning out scripts and stories on a daily basis.  While not all were good, they got the job done.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Like Yahoo TV indicates, the folks behind “The Walking Dead” will probably <a href="http://tv.yahoo.com/blogs/tv-news/george-romero-disses--the-walking-dead---calls-it-a--soap-opera--235315460.html">not worry</a> about what Romero thinks, thanks to the massive success of the show, and neither will fans of the series.  You like what you like, and your opinion is your opinion.  While headlines could read:  Romero Thrashes Walking Dead or Romero Disses, etc, it really is about one person expressing beliefs, and too often today that gets taken to the next level (thank you Internet).<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">So if you like show, like I do, fine, if you hate the show, like my wife, I’m okay with that too.  That’s is why where there are different flavors of ice cream folks.<o:p></o:p></div>

facebook george romero walking dead George Romero Turns Down Chance at "The Walking Dead"

I know what you’re thinking:  The Walking Dead is such a megahit everyone in Hollywood would love to be a part of it.  However, apparently y...

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Today's Teamster News 11.01.13

<a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/teamsters-welcome-capital-trucking-drivers" rel="nofollow">Teamsters Welcome Capital Trucking Drivers</a>  teamster.org   ...Local 696 welcomes 20 short haul dump truck drivers from Capital Trucking to the ranks after a 13-2 organizing victory on October 30. Since Labor Day, Local 696 Teamsters have worked to organize these new workers...<br /><a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/national-master-abf-negotiating-committee-accepts-abf%E2%80%99s-final-offer-central-region-local" rel="nofollow">National Master ABF Negotiating Committee Accepts ABF’s Final Offer for Central Region Local Cartage Supplement</a>  teamster.org   ...In a conference call Wednesday, the ABF Master Negotiating Committee voted that in light of the overwhelming vote against authorizing a strike, the company’s last proposal for the Central Region Local Cartage Agreement would be accepted. As a result, the ABF-NMFA is now fully ratified...<br /><a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/teamsters-request-immediate-meeting-mayor-discuss-drivers%E2%80%99-issues" rel="nofollow">Teamsters Request Immediate Meeting With Mayor to Discuss Drivers’ Issues</a>  teamster.org   ...Teamsters Local 922 President Ferline Buie sent D.C. Mayor Gray a letter requesting a meeting to discuss a moratorium on fines and taxicab impoundment, a subsidy or reimbursement for the unfair costs associated with the new regulations and the appointment of a driver to the Taxicab Commission. (<a href="http://www.teamster.org/sites/teamster.org/files/fbuielettertomayorgrayOct30.pdf" rel="nofollow">Read the letter</a>.)...<br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-10-31/more-independent-contractors-are-organizing-dot-meet-teamster-taxi-cabs" rel="nofollow">More Independent Contractors Are Organizing. Meet Teamster Taxi Cabs </a> Bloomberg   ... Some freelance writers and physicians are also moving in the direction of unionization...<br /><a href="http://www.abc57.com/home/top-stories/Teamsters-vote-in-favor-of-new-contract-with-the-city-229941801.html" rel="nofollow">Teamsters vote in favor of new contract with city of South Bend</a>  ABC 57 News   ...The 250 members of the Teamsters Local 364 were all set to vote on their contract last week until they learned about a disparity between their pay raise and the pay raises the mayor wants to give some of his department heads. In the end, the union decided to take the deal on the table that includes a 2 percent raise for each of the next three years...<br /><a href="http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Anheuser-Busch-InBev-Teamsters-to-start-talks-4939241.php" rel="nofollow">Anheuser-Busch InBev, Teamsters to Start Talks</a>  Associated Press   ...Anheuser-Busch InBev and the Teamsters union are about to begin contract talks for the first time since the Belgian brewer InBev purchased the maker of Budweiser, Bud Light and other beers five years ago...<br /><a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/teamsters-call-darigold-return-bargaining-table" rel="nofollow">Teamsters Call on Darigold to Return to the Bargaining Table</a>  teamsterslocal117.org   ...Teamster production workers and lab technicians, employed by Darigold, met throughout the day Wednesday to discuss the company’s last contract proposal... <br /><a href="http://www.agri-pulse.com/Teamsters-endorse-Senate-farm-bill-on-nutrition-dairy-10292013.asp" rel="nofollow">Teamsters endorse Senate farm bill on nutrition, dairy</a>  Agri-Pulse   ...The Teamsters Union weighed in last week in favor of Senate provisions in the farm bill, urging conferees to “reject the severe cuts” to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the House bill and dropping previous opposition to the “supply management” part of the Senate's dairy reform language...<br /><a href="http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/10/penn_state_hershey_teamsters_u.html" rel="nofollow">Four months without a contract, 930 Penn State-Hershey workers will vote on offer</a>  The Patriot-News   ...About 930 Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center support workers will vote on a proposed three-year contract to replace one that expired in June. The workers are represented by Teamsters Local 776... <br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/10/30/rich-people-think-the-economy-is-doing-just-fine-heres-why-that-matters/" rel="nofollow">Rich people think the economy is doing just fine. Here’s why that matters.</a>  Washington Post   ...any sense of urgency around getting the economy on track has almost disappeared within Congress ... Members of Congress tend to be relatively wealthy themselves, and tend to associate with big donors and other prominent folks…<br /><a href="http://www.nextnewdeal.net/show-your-invisible-hand-why-sec-should-make-corporations-disclose-political-contributions" rel="nofollow">Show Your Invisible Hand: Why the SEC Should Make Corporations Disclose Political Contributions </a> Next New Deal   ...corporate executives frequently spend on politics for their own personal advantage rather than the company’s bottom line. These personal benefits include things like prestige, a future political career, star power, or assistance for political allies...<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/10/30/rich-people-think-the-economy-is-doing-just-fine-heres-why-that-matters/" rel="nofollow">Families brace as billions in food stamp cuts set in</a>  NBC News   ...Benefit cuts to food stamp recipients kick in Friday, a move by Congress that will siphon $5 billion off a program that helps one in seven Americans put breakfast, lunch and dinner on the table...<br /><a href="http://portside.org/2013-10-30/elderly-family%E2%80%99s-eviction-fuels-growing-san-francisco-housing-rights-movement" rel="nofollow">Elderly Family’s Eviction Fuels Growing San Francisco Housing Rights Movement</a>  People Power Media   ...The Lee family’s fight to save their home appears to have become a flashpoint for a resurgent tenants’ and housing rights movement that has helped put evictions and displacement on the front pages—and, potentially, on the front burner of city policymakers who are under increasing pressure to stem a tidal wave of evictions...<br /><a href="http://www.alternet.org/personal-health/ractopamine-meat-additive-your-plate-thats-banned-almost-everywhere-america" rel="nofollow">Ractopamine: The Meat Additive on Your Plate That's Banned Almost Everywhere But America</a> AlterNet   ...The asthma drug-like growth additive has enjoyed stealth use in the US food supply for a decade despite being widely banned overseas... <br /><a href="http://www.tradereform.org/2013/10/chinese-imports-poisoning-pets/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chinese-imports-poisoning-pets" rel="nofollow">Chinese Imports are Poisoning Our Pets</a>  TradeReform   ...Recently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sounded the alarm with warnings not to purchase some jerky dog treats that are resulting in a mysterious outbreak of illnesses...<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/donald-cohen/outsourcing-food-inspecti_b_4170050.html" rel="nofollow">Outsourcing Food Inspection Is Too Hard to Swallow</a>   Huffington Post   ...For generations, Americans have relied on public service workers to inspect the food we eat. Now, the Department of Agriculture has proposed removing USDA inspectors from poultry lines and letting companies police themselves. That's right. The fox is literally guarding the hen house...<br /><a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/10/31/newts_revenge_child_labor_makes_a_comeback/" rel="nofollow">Newt’s revenge: Child labor makes a comeback </a>  The Salon   ...In just two years, right-wing legislators weakened four states' child labor laws -- and a raft of other protections...<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/social-security-set-to-announce-annual-cola-benefit-increase-to-be-among-lowest-in-years/2013/10/30/90360a82-4127-11e3-b028-de922d7a3f47_story.html" rel="nofollow">Social Security benefits to go up by 1.5 percent in 2014</a>  Associated Press   ...Social Security benefits will rise 1.5 percent in January, giving millions of retired and disabled workers an average raise of $19 a month to keep up with the cost of living—an increase that is among the smallest since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975...<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2013/10/30/arizona-election-law-will-be-put-to-statewide-vote/" rel="nofollow">Arizona election law will be put to statewide vote</a>   Washington Post   ...Arizona will vote next year on a controversial bill that made sweeping changes to the state’s election laws after Secretary of State Ken Bennett (R) certified Tuesday that opponents of the bill had collected enough signatures to force the measure onto the ballot... <br /><a href="http://oaklandnorth.net/2013/10/30/truckers-2/" rel="nofollow">Port of Oakland truckers promise to keep working through negotiations</a>   Oakland North   ...After forcing a one-day closure of the Port of Oakland over regulatory and wait-time complaints last week, independent truckers say they are pursuing negotiations with the California Air Resources Board, and have promised no further work stoppages through at least Monday, Nov. 4...</div>

Today's Teamster News 11.01.13

Teamsters Welcome Capital Trucking Drivers   teamster.org   ...Local 696 welcomes 20 short haul dump truck drivers from Capital Trucking to ...

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No gubernatorial endorsements from Times-Dispatch, Daily Progress, News & Advance, Roanoke Times ... Bill Bolling write-in suggested by two

<blockquote><i>"This marks, we believe, the first time in modern Virginia that The Times-Dispatch has not endorsed a gubernatorial nominee."</i> -- <i><b>Richmond Times-Dispatch</b></i> (October 20, 2013)</blockquote>In an editorial that laid it on the line, the <a href="http://www.timesdispatch.com/opinion/our-opinion/our-choice-for-governor-in-none-of-the-above/article_6a2c5e41-20f3-561a-a25d-52eedf4741f3.html"><i>Richmond Times-Dispatch</i></a> refused to endorse Democrat, Republican, or Libertarian for Virginia's 2013 gubernatorial race. That news ricocheted around the internet as citizens woke on a Sunday morning, met with raised eyebrows and mild surprise from some while others nodded in solemn agreement.<br /><br />This has, indeed, been an odd election year in Virginia.<br /><br />The <i>Times-Dispatch </i>notes many of the issues in question and the final results are the same: they are not comfortable endorsing. Indeed, they note:<br /><blockquote>In the past, <i>The Times-Dispatch</i> has endorsed candidates with varying degrees of enthusiasm. We find it impossible to endorse any of the 2013 candidates with even minimal zeal.<br /><br />Elections make voters complicit in the government they receive. If we would not urge a family member to vote this way or that, then we have no business recommending Cuccinelli, McAuliffe or Sarvis to our readers.</blockquote>Interestingly, the <a href="http://m.dailyprogress.com/opinion/editorials/bill-bolling-for-governor/article_38a77d40-3930-11e3-91a7-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm#.UmPLvqcRC4E.twitter"><i>Charlottesville Daily Progress</i></a>, finding itself in the same boat, endorsed Lieutenant Governor <b><a href="http://www.billbolling.com/">Bill Bolling</a></b> as a write-in candidate, noting, "Do the write thing. Put Bill Bolling’s name on your ballot on Nov. 5. Virginia needs him."<br /><br /><b>UPDATE October 28, 2013:</b> Another newspaper has refused to endorse in the 2013 gubernatorial election. On Sunday, the <a href="http://www.newsadvance.com/opinion/editorials/article_b051cb8e-3dbd-11e3-bb5b-0019bb30f31a.html"><i>Lynchburg News & Advance</i></a> wrote, "<span class="paragraph-0">Put simply, not one of the three candidates for governor of Virginia deserves the office or has made a strong case that he is the best candidate. Not one of them, neither Democrat Terry McAuliffe, Republican Ken Cuccinelli nor Libertarian Robert Sarvis." And more. Be sure to read it.</span><br /><br /><span class="paragraph-0"><b>UPDATE October 31, 2013:</b> A third major Virginia newspaper has refused to endorse in the 2013 gubernatorial election. Is this unprecedented? The <a href="http://www.roanoke.com/opinion/editorial/2337438-12/a-year-to-regret-and-regroup.html"><b><i>Roanoke Times</i></b></a> editorial on Thursday noted, "... </span>an endorsement carries with it the credibility of this institution. When a candidate who receives our support visits ridicule or even shame on the commonwealth, we share in that disgrace."<br /><br />Then in a stunning reminder of the <a href="http://m.dailyprogress.com/opinion/editorials/bill-bolling-for-governor/article_38a77d40-3930-11e3-91a7-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm#.UmPLvqcRC4E.twitter"><i>Charlottesville Daily Progress</i></a>' endorsement of Lieutenant Governor <b>Bill Bolling</b> as a write-in candidate, the <i>Roanoke Times</i> added, "Those who cannot in good conscience vote for the official candidates should consider writing in Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling."<br /><br />With five days left until election day, 2013 continues to be one of the oddest, perhaps <i>the</i> oddest, in my memory....

2013 gubernatorial election Bill Bolling Charlottesville News Progress Lynchburg News and Advance Richmond Times-Dispatch Virginia write-in campaign No gubernatorial endorsements from Times-Dispatch, Daily Progress, News & Advance, Roanoke Times ... Bill Bolling write-in suggested by two

"This marks, we believe, the first time in modern Virginia that The Times-Dispatch has not endorsed a gubernatorial nominee." -- ...

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Timing This Morning's Rain & Wind

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAKW0rr9jC3apzsgdcFvcqhKp5HcaUQzho8lKJzvqOx9ptp6xkEI0CcrmLz820Bhw7ZNtZo-nDIA-KuDmpn6kBzY1JNhyw497m2a0cRo48-afa76zKbj0cenG4RnF-vpNOmvFkhJs5KA3/s1600/110113-STW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAKW0rr9jC3apzsgdcFvcqhKp5HcaUQzho8lKJzvqOx9ptp6xkEI0CcrmLz820Bhw7ZNtZo-nDIA-KuDmpn6kBzY1JNhyw497m2a0cRo48-afa76zKbj0cenG4RnF-vpNOmvFkhJs5KA3/s400/110113-STW.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />A severe thunderstorm watch is out across Central Pennsylvania until 10 AM with a squall line of wind and rain but little in the way of thunder pushing east through the state. This will work towards us and cross the region later this morning. However, modeling does suggest that this line weakens a bit before it gets here.  That said, the potential for gusty winds does prompt the Storm Prediction Center to issue a watch until 11 AM for the city and points north and west.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bWb_keeTtq21o2bxAnnjGnSmLhuRorGhTFmD1z18T2pEyUzVwI5XoAQurw01swtpB51naET9s7CFZd4c2xR_REcxGjMk7UZPu-wb_XZTUCkesN_JyinvnlXuRT0kIywC9HM-d-Kw2d_Y/s1600/110113-STW3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bWb_keeTtq21o2bxAnnjGnSmLhuRorGhTFmD1z18T2pEyUzVwI5XoAQurw01swtpB51naET9s7CFZd4c2xR_REcxGjMk7UZPu-wb_XZTUCkesN_JyinvnlXuRT0kIywC9HM-d-Kw2d_Y/s400/110113-STW3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Severe Storm Watch until 11 AM.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Until the frontal line gets in and through the region, expect a breezy and at times windy go of things this morning in the Delaware. Rain will move through in varying levels of intensity, mostly light to moderate ahead of the front.   Winds will gust to over 40 miles per hour ahead of the front, sustained in the high teens and low 20's...and it will feel semi-tropical out.<br /><br />Timing the front, it appears we should see the band approach the western burbs by 8 AM, crossing the city over the proceeding hours thereafter. With the band of showers, rain could pick up briefly in intensity with the front itself as will the wind. We could see some 50 mile per hour gusts locally but I think the best chances for that stay north and northwest of the city (where dynamics and storm support are a bit better).<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGSRlIyNGWv9twigYtebmSmG-A95zt9C57KeaHY5izMl_KEuXwWQWHoXPmX2WLckpAxl8JmlcGmRD9_ZDtMy6_u9hq7dkjKLBh7P4yTMuURb2Vbsiaxjk-ggyYrHR48YBBiUz-nxQkfda/s1600/110113-STW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGSRlIyNGWv9twigYtebmSmG-A95zt9C57KeaHY5izMl_KEuXwWQWHoXPmX2WLckpAxl8JmlcGmRD9_ZDtMy6_u9hq7dkjKLBh7P4yTMuURb2Vbsiaxjk-ggyYrHR48YBBiUz-nxQkfda/s400/110113-STW2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HRRR guidance for 9 AM showing what's left of the Fall Squall moving in. Guidance has been a bit slower than reality in terms of timing.</td></tr></tbody></table>Dynamics are stronger out to our west, which is allowing the frontal squall to strengthen across Central PA. Those wind dynamics aren't as 'good' here, which suggests the line should weaken a bit as it crosses the region. That said, the risk for strong winds will continue through the morning, with the frontal boundary band moving through between 9 and 10 AM in the city, 10 AM and 11 AM east of Philly.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhankk6ewD2xLHvj-fnyEtIXZkfjn_Z4LrnSFQgph2TZDf__OVFns_J-X_9X-pxV0wLGWQj8E-SQyNZVL_2ZBIc8mNqEq627Xu6itS62kVGWrsAfrHdGigVXl-VvrkJ892x_XNfwz8U536G/s1600/110113-STW3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhankk6ewD2xLHvj-fnyEtIXZkfjn_Z4LrnSFQgph2TZDf__OVFns_J-X_9X-pxV0wLGWQj8E-SQyNZVL_2ZBIc8mNqEq627Xu6itS62kVGWrsAfrHdGigVXl-VvrkJ892x_XNfwz8U536G/s400/110113-STW3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HRRR at 1 PM. Most shower activity has come to an end.</td></tr></tbody></table>By 1 or 2, most of the shower activity will be winding down through the region. Sunshine should break out west of the city, gradually working its way east through the balance of the day.<br /><br />More: <a href="http://current.phillyweather.net/" target="_blank">Current Radar</a>

fall squall gusty winds Timing This Morning's Rain & Wind

A severe thunderstorm watch is out across Central Pennsylvania until 10 AM with a squall line of wind and rain but little in the way of thun...

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UPDATED: David Tennant Says He was 'Terribly Moved' By Gift Of Late Actor's Ring

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSbWIdx3taM4MnITq1O_pO5vqfCfseaEfFaTavbVcb5RpIX2pYtcLo6reZlGEJ_BqUlZOpMLt9GOz_1oumsj2DcYiS02y8UtWS_Bp5BLciInldLJOl1O7ocC3_eQloXgtb6e1PiGN4hid/s1600/Ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSbWIdx3taM4MnITq1O_pO5vqfCfseaEfFaTavbVcb5RpIX2pYtcLo6reZlGEJ_BqUlZOpMLt9GOz_1oumsj2DcYiS02y8UtWS_Bp5BLciInldLJOl1O7ocC3_eQloXgtb6e1PiGN4hid/s640/Ring.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />David Tennant, currently garnering glowing reviews for his performance in the Royal Shakespeare Company's <i>Richard II</i>, has said that he was "touched and thrilled" to receive the gift of a ring that once belonged to the late actor Ian Richardson.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFWbd9l2WXwV43w2R1RcX7dKtYpbESPKTJsWmLYcZYwI8S88ST9a1Q8jBHqC8-AkiuzJIF2QB6nLw9HUNTkMlWk5-9FCec4z57_qGaNDb3OA3s-UlaWtibnRgnh_GqDhG6QxhD4X3tLJp/s1600/_70842394_tennant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFWbd9l2WXwV43w2R1RcX7dKtYpbESPKTJsWmLYcZYwI8S88ST9a1Q8jBHqC8-AkiuzJIF2QB6nLw9HUNTkMlWk5-9FCec4z57_qGaNDb3OA3s-UlaWtibnRgnh_GqDhG6QxhD4X3tLJp/s1600/_70842394_tennant.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />The ring was sent by Richardson's widow Maroussia. The Scots actor, who is remembered by many as Francis Urquhart in the classic series <i>House Of Cards,</i> also played the lead in <i>Richard II</i> for the RSC in 1973. Maroussia explained that she was keen to maintain the Scottish connection, and as both actors had attended the same drama school it seemed apt that the ring should go to David.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“It’s very nice, I actually used to wear it myself occasionally. I’m not wearing it now, it weighs a ton, for one thing!..I read in the paper that David was about to do it and I thought, that would be a good idea.” she told Rebecca Jones of the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You very sweetly said that you suspected that I was only the second Scottish Richard II there had been and therefore there seemed to be a sort of link and it would be something to pass on.” David added</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">David explained how the ring came to him.“When I received this which arrived on the press night in a very exciting package, I was so touched and thrilled that this had been passed on to me I immediately wanted to wear it in the performance and I thought it’s lovely to have this as a sort of talisman.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Richardson's performance in the play is held up, David said, as “…one of the all-time great productions of <i>Richard II</i>. In all the performance histories that you read, this is one of the ones, if not <i>the </i>one that is always referred to. One of the great things about coming to <st1:city w:st="on">Stratford</st1:city>is that you feel like you’re stepping into a line of theatrical history. It’s also one of the things that’s rather intimidating about coming here. So, this production that had been something to aspire to, suddenly we had a physical connection to it and it felt like a blessing and encouragement from history, so it was wonderful.” Therefore he was determined to wear the item on stage that night. “I wanted a bit of that legacy. I wanted a bit of Ian Richardson on stage with me giving me a hand!”</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maroussia Richardson has gifted the ring to David permanently, although there was some debate about who it truly belonged to.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“There’s some talk in the building about whether strictly speaking this is RSC property anyway, nobody’s entirely sure! But I’m keeping it now.” laughed David</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“In the old days they never used anything twice and the prop room was absolutely crammed," Maroussia added. "You used to go and say to the prop man ‘Would anybody mind if I kept this?’ and nobody ever minded.”</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However David feels that the ring should not remain his permanent possession “I’m now committed to passing this on in the fullness of time to make sure that the legacy moves on. I don’t know when there’ll next be a Scottish Richard II. I hope I’m still alive to see it,” he said.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Listen to the interview here</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="ab-player" data-boourl="https://audioboo.fm/boos/1699359-david-tennant-s-historic-jewelry/embed"><a href="https://audioboo.fm/boos/1699359-david-tennant-s-historic-jewelry">listen to ‘David Tennant's historic jewelry’ on Audioboo</a></div><script type="text/javascript">(function() { var po = document.createElement("script"); po.type = "text/javascript"; po.async = true; po.src = "https://d15mj6e6qmt1na.cloudfront.net/assets/embed.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s); })();</script><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VFjnpoj34XXSsUf6rYLqD8HMKs97lRb4aN3jVX7x5E6i2GmD3UjK0OSpyywCj0JATzYHLX34eDPfB4u6ClT0_dTCWEvL8mr9HnJq45noS01g1G_GbF2bAsCneYLFsD4xenqWom6eqH1l/s1600/Ring2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VFjnpoj34XXSsUf6rYLqD8HMKs97lRb4aN3jVX7x5E6i2GmD3UjK0OSpyywCj0JATzYHLX34eDPfB4u6ClT0_dTCWEvL8mr9HnJq45noS01g1G_GbF2bAsCneYLFsD4xenqWom6eqH1l/s640/Ring2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Richard II</i> directed by Gregory Doran is in residence at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in <st1:place w:st="on">Stratford-upon-Avon</st1:place> until 16th November 2013. It transfers to the Barbican in <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city> on 9th December where it plays until 25th January 2014.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Both runs are currently sold out but returns may be available: call the RSC on 0844 800 1110 to check availability</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The production will be filmed on November 13th and broadcast into cinemas across the <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region> and worldwide. <a href="http://onscreen.rsc.org.uk/richard-ii/default.aspx">More information can be found on the RSC Onscreen site</a>. The recorded play will also be released on DVD.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.david-tennant.com/2009/id194.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read more about the RSC's Richard II on our website</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Source: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24755080">BBC News</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><br /><br />

David Tennant Richard II Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre UPDATED: David Tennant Says He was 'Terribly Moved' By Gift Of Late Actor's Ring

David Tennant, currently garnering glowing reviews for his performance in the Royal Shakespeare Company's Richard II , has said that he ...

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fess up friday - meet me in philadelphia

Can I get a hallelujah for the fact that its Friday? I'm hard at work getting ready for the big <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/p/one-room-challenge.html" target="_blank">One Room Challenge</a> reveal on Wednesday (light a candle that I can make the deadline) but I've got my girl Ashley from <a href="http://meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Meet me in Philadelphia</a> to fess up today. Ashley not only creates amazing spaces in her own home (I want to copy <a href="http://meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-den-big-reveal.html" target="_blank">her den</a> inch by inch) but she also sells some of her killer finds on her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/meetmeinphiladelphia" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>. If you follow Ashley, you know why I crush on her so much. If I'm introducing you to her, your welcome. Take it away Ashley...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AacgazA-sYiMsSwT0Y5n85usB-Sd-b-9jWooOKi2Go1uq2BXjF_E8Cvgw7WC0q9ZKkcewSw0m-fNAHNj19NtOVkm0sdpFGCDmVyiFm7QEBJ3QJjeMn7SsSwNhDCYQ_Kcx4UQHMD3hgnE/s1600/FessUpFridaylogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AacgazA-sYiMsSwT0Y5n85usB-Sd-b-9jWooOKi2Go1uq2BXjF_E8Cvgw7WC0q9ZKkcewSw0m-fNAHNj19NtOVkm0sdpFGCDmVyiFm7QEBJ3QJjeMn7SsSwNhDCYQ_Kcx4UQHMD3hgnE/s1600/FessUpFridaylogo.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Happy Fess Up Friday, Little Black Door readers! I want to thank the awesome Elizabeth for inviting me to spill my guts in this series. Only a wonderful, hilarious, talented blog friend like Elizabeth could get me to do this…so here goes, my confession:<br /><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I love crafting but I cringe when I say that. If I could (and if my creativity would never run out) it would be crafting all day, every day. Glue guns, glitter, embroidery floss…I love it all. Turning raw materials into something else is the best feeling as far as I'm concerned. So, what’s weird about crafting, you wonder?<br /><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">For many, crafting is a four-letter word. Crafting gets a bad rap and here’s the visual proof why:<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeu3l28im7Ifm_ETDFdbs19k1TChFsy7pE2WgrpEsOEUr23UJHZlwCWRJqI-8ZrEgNrwr02Z9zrpCKkc4h13IY789rsPZLZ6HwGnXvSeoRDYaA-KG1pb4pNTggVXPhw7G0PpSC4fLseE/s1600/collage+of+ugly+crafts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeu3l28im7Ifm_ETDFdbs19k1TChFsy7pE2WgrpEsOEUr23UJHZlwCWRJqI-8ZrEgNrwr02Z9zrpCKkc4h13IY789rsPZLZ6HwGnXvSeoRDYaA-KG1pb4pNTggVXPhw7G0PpSC4fLseE/s640/collage+of+ugly+crafts.png" width="616" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />I was at Joann Fabrics recently and snapped this picture of a huge display of these craptastic fleece no-sew blankets (read: a crapload of craptastic crap). When I took the pic I was kind of embarrassed, wondering if anyone was thinking, “She must be taking a photo because she loves them so much.” God, no.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1bcWskjE5iDdcKRYQoRaFbeargEm0b2ORm-BkMkf-dEBhXJONAYmtp-3gXVGY-pl7xSAt3i0OKwF-QDy0NA8s215Do47EUsWCBwX8PQOGkOea-UsRufQX0rHkzL1i5U6BXNoZiFdOpA/s1600/no-sew+fleece+blankets+from+Joann+Fabrics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1bcWskjE5iDdcKRYQoRaFbeargEm0b2ORm-BkMkf-dEBhXJONAYmtp-3gXVGY-pl7xSAt3i0OKwF-QDy0NA8s215Do47EUsWCBwX8PQOGkOea-UsRufQX0rHkzL1i5U6BXNoZiFdOpA/s640/no-sew+fleece+blankets+from+Joann+Fabrics.jpg" width="610" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />“Crafts” like these give a bad name to the really brilliant handiwork out there. Let me show you what I mean:<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XWAYwHSP_RVax7tAmY39Z5iY7dYkCaWOOceOcnXtR6SaKQ5e4b8HWuXPa7fgwPTp_7F4Lq7FFzelX_8I6kRldrh0SPhgG72K5JoIYjNsLcyrOl392HAMWETdIwryNzBGddgdaB_hxKA/s1600/collage+of+awesome+crafts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XWAYwHSP_RVax7tAmY39Z5iY7dYkCaWOOceOcnXtR6SaKQ5e4b8HWuXPa7fgwPTp_7F4Lq7FFzelX_8I6kRldrh0SPhgG72K5JoIYjNsLcyrOl392HAMWETdIwryNzBGddgdaB_hxKA/s640/collage+of+awesome+crafts.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://mostlovelythings.com/diy-gift-tags/#.Um_eNfmkong"><span style="color: blue;">striped gift tags</span></a> / <a href="http://sayyestohoboken.com/2012/04/diy-printed-spring-napkins.html"><span style="color: blue;">painted spring napkins</span></a> / <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://asubtlerevelry.com/temporary-confetti-dot-glasses">gold dot glasses</a></span>/ <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/112167846939934038/"><span style="color: blue;">neon lanyard necklaces</span></a>)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Good crafts are out there! I don’t want to be embarrassed to use the word craft or to call myself a crafter anymore. So, look out world, I love to craft and I’m not ashamed to admit it!<br /><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks, Elizabeth and LBD readers for having me today!<o:p></o:p><br /><br />I promise Ashley, I won't think of craft as a four letter word any longer (even though it is five words). What say you? Do you all craft?</div></div>

fess up friday - meet me in philadelphia

Can I get a hallelujah for the fact that its Friday? I'm hard at work getting ready for the big One Room Challenge reveal on Wednesday ...

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AUSTRALIA: DVD Release For Nativity 2 - Danger In The Manger

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvi1cHf9FQ-noZYM3x7av1B7G09K79UwudOaIIW3sgn_sxVz9vf9FpWHosa2yDYMIKhE9inzLtSsKiRaSuE2RmRqIHbXI2GGKD3bcxCvsYI9FlZ77XCMkSqXJZtoz8eqlYWjo-ZIn_vPf/s1600/NAT4_LD_049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvi1cHf9FQ-noZYM3x7av1B7G09K79UwudOaIIW3sgn_sxVz9vf9FpWHosa2yDYMIKhE9inzLtSsKiRaSuE2RmRqIHbXI2GGKD3bcxCvsYI9FlZ77XCMkSqXJZtoz8eqlYWjo-ZIn_vPf/s640/NAT4_LD_049.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Nativity 2: Danger In The Manger! </i>will be released on Region 4 DVD (Australia, New Zealand and Latin America) on Wednesday November 20th.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nativity 2: Danger In The Manger</span></b><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This Christmas, the unforgettable pupils of St. Bernadette’s have set their hearts on competing in the National choir contest “A Song For Christmas”. But with the headmistress not in favour of the plan, new class teacher Mr Peterson (David Tennant) has his hands full trying to curb the enthusiasm of the kids, not to mention Mr Poppy (Marc Wootton). Worse still, favourite to win the competition is his own estranged and highly achieving twin brother (also David Tennant). When Mr. Poppy's latest wild plan sees them lost in the Welsh wilderness with a bright yellow bus, a baby and a donkey, Mr.Peterson has to look deep within himself to lead them all to safety.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The film also stars Joanna Page, Jason Watkins, Pam Ferris, Ian McNeice, Jessica Hynes and Ben Wilby. It is is created and directed by Debbie Isitt and improvised by the cast.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/nativity-2-danger-in-the-manger/dp/6145824#secinfo"><span style="color: blue;">Pre-order your copy here</span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.david-tennant.com/2009/id171.html"><span style="color: blue;">Read more about the film on our website</span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many thanks to Jo Wood for the heads up</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

Australia David Tennant Debbie Isitt DVD Release Marc Wootton Nativity 2 AUSTRALIA: DVD Release For Nativity 2 - Danger In The Manger

Nativity 2: Danger In The Manger! will be released on Region 4 DVD (Australia, New Zealand and Latin America) on Wednesday November 20th. Na...

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Pirates Bounty

I am doing a Pirate themed scavenger hunt in work for Library Ireland week.  This morning I went and bought a load of chocolate coins.  This is what the children will win when they get to the end of the hunt!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCALVcOiOA0TaAprLDWLwg5c1JV6ar6XrWvQ2DZ8ItOSa5k6JAUDG81O4gfCLRHa_sMH4zJIWrIRkKNvtJZ50cho3LrA-UxpCSPpPNbv_US6g4L9M0_yPwXlo4El4RTrbE3HqkMLM8mom/s640/blogger-image--892268697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCALVcOiOA0TaAprLDWLwg5c1JV6ar6XrWvQ2DZ8ItOSa5k6JAUDG81O4gfCLRHa_sMH4zJIWrIRkKNvtJZ50cho3LrA-UxpCSPpPNbv_US6g4L9M0_yPwXlo4El4RTrbE3HqkMLM8mom/s640/blogger-image--892268697.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Marks & Spencer's are currently offering 3 for 2 on Christmas chocolate including chocolate coins.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPtV5-aupD8Z87IsLDpOXM-dk02PmqxDJGv5D14KXOgp97tdfkhWn1P8hOiwLimcM5h4addUUCd9pOvs0ifUUTX9VT7W1PHUqepd2sSqTDN-e_qu_U-g3zzRSxxuw-s3VkC7UUqiIS_oP/s640/blogger-image-308938869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPtV5-aupD8Z87IsLDpOXM-dk02PmqxDJGv5D14KXOgp97tdfkhWn1P8hOiwLimcM5h4addUUCd9pOvs0ifUUTX9VT7W1PHUqepd2sSqTDN-e_qu_U-g3zzRSxxuw-s3VkC7UUqiIS_oP/s640/blogger-image-308938869.jpg"></a></div><br></div>

Pirates Bounty

I am doing a Pirate themed scavenger hunt in work for Library Ireland week.  This morning I went and bought a load of chocolate coins.  This...

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Windy, Mild, Rain Pushes Through This Morning

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwNZkQE-ie4gGTR7UqpUtUgCxvwbp8nLUXOYnL0h7FldwlJEKF8IlNaJPP9_1Nafea4dfIvKVDAHnn6pd20swccdIfrum2dSidaU8XFfT-XLFx9spoZOuAkQWdLLWJy0xJVdVqvxkbggU/s1600/110113-AM1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwNZkQE-ie4gGTR7UqpUtUgCxvwbp8nLUXOYnL0h7FldwlJEKF8IlNaJPP9_1Nafea4dfIvKVDAHnn6pd20swccdIfrum2dSidaU8XFfT-XLFx9spoZOuAkQWdLLWJy0xJVdVqvxkbggU/s400/110113-AM1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Eventually, we will see a nicer day break out across the region as the shield of rain pushes east over the next few hours. We'll detail things in a bit more clarity around timing and detail in a bit but as of now the thinking is that showers will push eastwards. It may take until the afternoon for all of the region to get out of the showery regime, with south and east the last to see showers end. If you're north and west, we should see things dry out by as early as midday.<br /><br />A line of heavy rain and wind is across Central PA and is marching east this morning, with a severe storm watch out across the "T" out to our west until 10 AM. Thunder is limited with this line but the threat for gusty winds is not.<br /><br />Some sunshine will break out to the west and northwest in the midday and afternoon hours, perhaps reaching Philly before dinner. Sunshine may not break through the cloud deck at the Shore until this evening.<br /><br />Southerly and southwesterly breezes at 15 to 25 miles per hour will gust higher this morning, especially until the band of showers pushes through, and then in areas where the sun breaks out. We should see winds wind down towards dinner and into the evening hour. Wind advisories are out for everyone except Sussex County, Delaware until 2 PM.<br /><br />Temperatures will bounce around a bit today -- Philly is 72 at 5 AM and will probably see its highs for the day occur before the front crosses the region. Temperatures won't drop dramatically behind the front, probably holding steady for the balance of the day. Expect a general "near 70" this morning trending to the upper 60's to near 70 this afternoon, although temperatures may vary a bit within that framework later this morning with the front.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYg1_YLxq7VL_EywMwP2fDUmAjDkLrO7ih9vb0kIkU7lb31Vka8W7ijcZFy_CNaVJE1ML8zkYq5rwhxZaajlHjUJpy9gRW7AaAJsyDyeNC6HZbeEwGJzUFEQ1bbePQLkCcWo-5EpcUPcu/s1600/110113-AM2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYg1_YLxq7VL_EywMwP2fDUmAjDkLrO7ih9vb0kIkU7lb31Vka8W7ijcZFy_CNaVJE1ML8zkYq5rwhxZaajlHjUJpy9gRW7AaAJsyDyeNC6HZbeEwGJzUFEQ1bbePQLkCcWo-5EpcUPcu/s400/110113-AM2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />

daycast Windy, Mild, Rain Pushes Through This Morning

Eventually, we will see a nicer day break out across the region as the shield of rain pushes east over the next few hours. We'll detail ...

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A New Cannon Ball Run Record; 28 hrs,50 minutes!

<br /><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2480654/Coast-Coast-29-hours-Mercedes-CL-driver-sets-new-record-averaging-98mph-car-spent-months-fitting-gadgets-eye-police.html"><br />Driving over 2800 miles Coast to Coast balls out,that is faster than an airplane did it way back in the day.</a><br /><br />An <i>average speed</i> of 98 miles an hour!<br /><br />You gotta know these dudes were doing over 150 for extended periods to get that up there so high.<br />That is an incredible feat in its self, doing it without getting one speeding ticket and you are talking odds like winning the lottery.<br /><br /><b><blockquote>Coast to Coast in under 29 hours: Mercedes CL driver sets new record by averaging 98mph in car he spent months fitting with gadgets to keep eye out for police<br /><br />Atlanta Lamborghini dealer Ed Bolian used a souped up a 2004 Mercedes to speed into the record books October 20<br />Midtown Manhattan to Redondo Beach: Bolian and two friends took the classic route first taken in the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash of the 1970s<br />Bolian's time of 28 hours 50 minutes beats the previous record set by Alex Roy in 2006 when he made the trip in 31 hours 4 minutes by over two hours<br />With a distance of 2,813.7 miles, Bolian and his two-man team did the Cannonball Run at an average of 98 miles per hour</blockquote></b><br /><br /><blockquote><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2480654/Coast-Coast-29-hours-Mercedes-CL-driver-sets-new-record-averaging-98mph-car-spent-months-fitting-gadgets-eye-police.html">By Joshua Gardner</a><br /><br />PUBLISHED: 17:47 EST, 30 October 2013 <br /><br />An Atlanta man shattered the record for fastest drive from New York City to Los Angeles last Saturday by making the transcontinental trip in 28 hours 50 minutes.<br /><br />Ed Bolian spent years outfitting a 2004 Mercedes with expensive gadgetry, spare gas tanks, and, of course, bedpans and finally realized his dream October 20. That smashes the record set in 2006 by an unbelievable two hours.<br /><br />But his attempt is sure to gather controversy as it involved traveling at an average of 98mph, well in excess of many speed limits. He also used a series of gadgets to avoid getting caught for speeding.</blockquote><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfMUGeo-I0BI_puWCuhI-dQOAN0kA4wPoGvn7BrmlZPl0BiV_-eNebO9oTEZdWmcGYFp1EnJaQDE5XYjhSl5EJ1xtNEF-Jv49k5wLNF93bma1Esl1v1Uknd6UXPfi3fBMFP3FJvz8rCiz/s1600/article-0-1916C3E800000578-152_634x497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfMUGeo-I0BI_puWCuhI-dQOAN0kA4wPoGvn7BrmlZPl0BiV_-eNebO9oTEZdWmcGYFp1EnJaQDE5XYjhSl5EJ1xtNEF-Jv49k5wLNF93bma1Esl1v1Uknd6UXPfi3fBMFP3FJvz8rCiz/s400/article-0-1916C3E800000578-152_634x497.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfpih7HutbPiroTU3Kndl6Hk9eEjdv5Ez8wCmPk9kLY-9DT7Twb02jxELKXuIL5VBgUKo32ffpC9MAC1Rh9bSfmiqpCnkIfR741b2FoneJ4d9-w7CKPo6Yr3vXzt5ugOifsOvVV3yQSpX/s1600/article-0-1916C3E000000578-936_634x468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfpih7HutbPiroTU3Kndl6Hk9eEjdv5Ez8wCmPk9kLY-9DT7Twb02jxELKXuIL5VBgUKo32ffpC9MAC1Rh9bSfmiqpCnkIfR741b2FoneJ4d9-w7CKPo6Yr3vXzt5ugOifsOvVV3yQSpX/s400/article-0-1916C3E000000578-936_634x468.jpg" /></a></div>Click on the links above and go read the rest of it, it's a pretty interesting article with a lot of the history behind the Cannon Ball Run.<br /><br />Of course they made that Burt Reynolds movie back in the eighties but my all time favorite has always been and always will be.......<br /> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074597/"> <b>The Gumball Rally.</b></a><br /><br />That is a hysterically funny movie that predates Cannon Ball Run by several years.<br /><br />if you have never seen that movie by all means find it. I am dead serious.<br />It is one you will never forget,kind of like It's A Mad Mad, Mad Mad World for the 70's.<br />

A New Cannon Ball Run Record; 28 hrs,50 minutes!

Driving over 2800 miles Coast to Coast balls out,that is faster than an airplane did it way back in the day. An average speed of 98 miles a...

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