American Music Awards 2011

American Music Awards 2011 Winners List

Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift

Favorite Pop/Rock Album: Adele, "21"

Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist: Beyoncé

Favorite Latin Music Artist: Jennifer Lopez

Favorite Country Female Artist: Taylor Swift

Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj

Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist: Bruno Mars

Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group: Lady Antebellum

Favorite Rock/Pop Band, Duo or Group: Maroon 5

Sprint New Artist of the Year: Hot Chelle Rae

Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album: Nicki Minaj, "Pink Friday"

Favorite Soul/R&B Album: Rihanna, "Loud"

Favorite Country Album: Taylor Swift, "Speak Now"

SHFT

SHFT is a multi-media platform founded by film producer Peter Glatzer and actor-filmmaker Adrian Grenier. Their mission is to convey a more sustainable approach to the way we live through video, design, art and culture.

Peter Glatzer and aker Adrian Grenier

As filmmakers who are concerned with climate change, they felt that they could bring something creative to express the changes they wanted to see and were, gratefully, starting to observe. They feel that video, art and design are powerful and inspiring ways to convey this narrative. That SHFT was their particular tool to tell this story.  They also embrace the idea that consumers have the power to make change. Businesses respond to the demand of their customers. SHFT celebrates the burgeoning sustainable marketplace where great design and innovation meet. People vote with our dollars and can have a powerful impact when they do.

Finally, they wanted to explore the idea that “environmentalism” as a movement, as a separate category, has become anathema. They beleive sustainability should be folded into the fabric of our lives, a part of our consciousness that touches everything we do. They note that it should be reflected in our culture, our art, our music and design, and nudge us further towards the sustainable direction in which we’re inevitably headed.  (SHFT)

Chuck Leavell, Joel Babbit and Mother Nature Network

Joel Babbit and Chuck Leavell

Mother Nature Network was co-founded by Chuck Leavell and former advertising executive Joel Babbit.

Chuck Leavell, 59, is an American pianist and keyboardist who has played with the likes of Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones and The Allman Brothers. Chuck Leavell is actually a part of The Rolling Stones and has been touring with the band for years. Leavell joined the Stones in the early 1980s, after a stint with The Allman Brothers, as a touring member and a second keyboardist to the main man, Ian Stewart. After Stewart died, Leavell became the primary guy who tweaks the keyboards when the Stones go on tour and, indeed, he’s also been credited with being the band’s musical director, planning and drawing up (with Mick Jagger), the nightly playlists for the famous band’s gigs.

Prior to launching Mother Nature Network, Joel Babbit spent over 20 years in the advertising and public relations industry – creating two of the largest and most awarded advertising agencies in the Southeast – Babbit and Reiman (acquired by London-based GGT) and 360 (acquired by Grey Global Group). He also served as President of GCI, which was one of the world's 10 largest public relations firms with 40 offices in 22 countries. His clients have included The Home Depot, Coca-Cola, Dell, USA Today, American Express, Holiday Inn, UPS, and Citigroup. He is especially noted for his marketing work related to corporate transitions which have included the acquisition of RJR Nabisco by KKR, BellSouth by AT&T, Georgia –Pacific by Koch Industries, and numerous acquisitions during the formation of Coca-Cola Enterprises.

The mission of  MOTHER NATURE NETWORK (MNN) is to provide the most accurate and up-to-date news and information available on the broadest scope of environmental and social responsibility issues on the internet. As opposed to scientists, activists or experts, MNN is designed for everyday people who simply want to make our world better. MNN content is divided among 8 different channels—each offering in-depth news and information updated throughout the day: Earth Matters, Lifestyle, Green Tech, Eco-Biz, Transportation, Your Home, Food, and Family.

Lisa Jackson on "Real Time With Bill Maher"

REAL CLEAR POLITICS VIDEO

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson appeared on HBO's Bill Maher Show last night [October 21, 2011] and she aggressively represented the importance of EPA regulations. Administrator Jackson talked about the politicization of our environment under the House Republican's pseudo-jobs plan, “Too Dirty to Fail,” which she discusses in her oped in the LA Times. Jackson noted that "Pollution affects red states and blue states alike, and it is time to stop politicizing our air and water." LPJ was last on Real Time on Oct 2 2009.

Post Show Overtime Video

"Body Politic" the Web Series

Corruption. Money. Power. Sex. Water.

"Body Politic," the web series, centers on charismatic Los Angeles city councilman Joe Nevin, who is unexpectedly on the cusp of being the city's next mayor. Angelenos love him, his peers resent him and private interests see a bankable brand. As his populist campaign grows, Nevin crosses paths with beautiful and ambitious TV news reporter Holly McHale. How far will Joe and his team go to avoid any hint of scandal, please the powers that be and preserve his ultimate legacy?

In response to viewers in search of a dramatic fictional web series "that's actually good," this is it. Inspired by our favorite critically acclaimed shows ("The Wire," "The West Wing," "Six Feet Under," "Boardwalk Empire"), "Body Politic" is a character-driven drama from 917 Films and the brilliant mind of writer/director and former playwright Steve Rousseau. It aims to change the game by raising the bar for dramatic web series. It will both entertain you and stimulate your brain with smart, sensational writing and acting.

While "Body Politic" seems at first glance to be about politics, it's about much more. It's about human beings trying to make it in a brand-driven, power-hungry world. It's about how different reality can be from the story we get through the media. It's about an individual who's trying to do the right thing when the lines of morality are blurred. And it's about quality scripted programming, the kind many of us crave, getting to see the light of day. (IndieGoGo)

More "Body Politic"

Charismatic Los Angeles city councilman Joe Nevin is unexpectedly on the cusp of being the city's next mayor. Angelenos love him, his peers resent him and private interests see a bankable brand. As his populist campaign grows, Nevin crosses paths with a beautiful and ambitious TV news reporter, Holly McHale. Body Politic is the story of the lengths Joe and his team will go to avoid any hint of scandal, please the powers that be and preserve his ultimate legacy.

917 Films

George Bailey and The Building and Loan versus Mr. Potter

It's George Bailey and The Building and Loan versus Mr. Potter run amuck! We all know how this is supposed to work, and yet we are allowing our country to be turned into Pottersville!

Sly Stone Reduces Carbon Footprint: Lives In Van

NWF & Warner Bros. Pictures Promote "Dolphin Tale"

National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has teamed up with the Warner Bros. Pictures and Alcon Entertainment to promote the film Dolphin Tale to inspire kids and families to learn about dolphins and protect ocean habitat.

Dolphin Tale opens nationwide on Friday September 23, (today) with NWF serving as the production's environmental education partner. NWF has developed a Dolphin Tale activity guide that is full of ideas for helping dolphins and protecting ocean habitat. The guide, designed for kids to use at home with their families or at school.

The film is inspired by the amazing true story of a brave dolphin and the people who worked together to save her life. After being caught in a crab trap, the bottlenose dolphin, later named Winter, is rescued but loses her tail. A dedicated marine biologist, a brilliant doctor and a devoted young boy bring about a miracle: a prosthetic tail to help Winter swim again. It stars, Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr. and Kris Kristofferson.

National Wildlife Federation also is asking children and families to help protect dolphins and play an important role in wildlife conservation with symbolic adoptions of the species featured in the film. These adoptions help NWF in its efforts to protect species, restore wildlife habitat and connect people to nature. (NWF Press Release)

Riot Act Comedy Theater

Riot Act Comedy Theater is a state of the art comedy club and event facility located in the heart of Penn Quarter, on the back of the Spy Museum and one block from the Verizon Center in Washington, DC.

Riot Act features the nation's greatest comics while also providing a work place and open mic for local and aspiring comics.

202-697-4900

801 E Street NW
Washington, DC 20004

get directions »

Sly Stone Drops New Album

I'm Back! Family & Friends

Sly dropped his new album today.  And it is a killer.  The new tracks could be teasers for more such brilliance to come.  Yikes.  The new cuts have sprirt.  And gospel.  Sly's "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" marks his entry into gospel. Okay, "Que Sera Sera" was gospel in tone.  But it wasn't intended to be a gospel tune.

Elvis copied Sly's studded jump suit, buckle and sideburns, Sly is following the King into the gospel arena.  Michael never got a chance to go gospel.  But maybe there are some hidden tracks somewhere.  Regardless, Sly left no musical STONE unturned during the entirety of his career.  Some might question his down period, but nobody can question his musical genius and production - - both onstage live and in the studio.

LISTEN TO THE TRACKS

'The Five' Replaces Glenn Beck on Fox News

Andrea Tantaros

Tantaros is a commentator and Fox News contributor. Follow her on Twitter

Bob Beckel

After a political baptism as a college student in Robert Kennedy's 1968 campaign, a tour of duty in the Peace Corps and a successful stint heading up his own consulting firm, Beckel joined the government in 1977



Eric Bolling

Bolling joined Fox Business Network in March 2008 and is the host of 'Follow the Money,' exposing corruption, abuse of power and shocking betrayals of public trust

Kimberly Guilfoyle

Guilfoyle joined Fox News Channel in January 2006 as the host of the one-hour crime-based program, 'The Lineup.' She also currently serves as a legal analyst for FNC

Greg Gutfeld

Gutfeld has been called 'outrageous and outspoken,' neither of which he denies. A libertarian political satirist, humorist, magazine editor and blogger, he is perhaps best known as the host of 'Red Eye With Greg Gutfeld'

Judge Andrew P. Napolitano

Napolitano joined Fox News Channel in January 1998 and currently serves as the senior judicial analyst. He is also host of FOX Business' 'Freedom Watch'

Dana Perino

Perino is a former White House Press Secretary. She is a Fox News contributor, president of Dana Perino and Company, and executive director of Crown Forum.

Geraldo Rivera

Geraldo is currently host of 'Geraldo at Large' on Fox News Channel, which is also nationally syndicated by Twentieth Television. Rivera recently celebrated 40 years in journalism

Juan Williams

Williams, who joined Fox News Channel in 1997 as a contributor, recently had his role expanded at the network. Williams serves as a Fox News political analyst.

(Fox News)

Sly Stone To Release New Album

Sly Stone

It is being reported that Sly Stone is set to release his first album in 29 years. I’m Back! Family & Friends" is due August 16, with Sly, 68, redoing some of his hits, including "Everyday People" and "Family Affair," with the help of Jeff Beck, Johnny Winter, Heart’s Ann Wilson, Bootsy Collins, the Doors’ Ray Manzarek and others.

The 11-song album will feature three previously unreleased tracks, including the traditional tune "His Eye Is on the Sparrow." Cleopatra Records, a longtime Los Angeles indie label, is releasing "I’m Back."

Sly’s last studio album was "Ain’t But the One" in 1982. (StarTribune, 6/23/2011)

The Obamas' Fourth White House Dinner: For German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Place Setting for First Lady Michelle Obama

President Obama and Michelle Obama
Angela Merkel, Germany’s chancellor, and Joachim Sauer

Naomi Aberly and Larry Lebowitz

Jeremy Alters and Lina Guerrero
Leo Apotheker
Joerg Asmussen, deputy German finance minister
Mark and Deborah Ayers
Stewart W. Bainum and Sandra Bainum
Tom Barrett, mayor of Milwaukee, and Kris Barrett
Vice President Biden and Jill Biden
David Billings and Rebecca Goodhart
Stephen and Sabine Bittel
Antony Blinken, national security adviser to Biden
Sara Bloomfield
Wolfgang Boehmer, former minister-president of Saxony-Anhalt
Volker Bouffier, minister-president of Hessen
Ulrich and Dorothea Braess
John O. Brennan, White House homeland security and counterterrorism adviser, and Katherine Brennan
Robert E. Buccini and Elizabeth Buccini
William Burns, State Department undersecretary for political affairs
Gen. James E. Cartwright, Joint Chiefs of Staff vice chairman
Robert Clark and Raschelle Burton
Hillary Rodham Clinton, secretary of state
Sen. Daniel Coats (R-Ind.) and Marsha Coats
John and Barbara Cooney
Tom Corbett, governor of Pennsylvania
Jon Corzine, former governor of New Jersey, and Sharon Corzine
Sevim Dagdelen, German parliament member
William M. Daley, White House chief of staff, and Bernadette Keller
Thomas de Maiziere, German defense minister
Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, U.S. Army chief of staff, and Deanie Dempsey
Kai Diekmann
E.J. Dionne Jr. and Mary Boyle
Thomas E. Donilon, national security adviser, and Cathy Russell, chief of staff to Jill Biden
Kirk and Barb Dornbush
William Drozdiak and Natalia Drozdiak
David and Heidi Duffy
Leni Eccles and Norma Douglas
Susan Eisenhower and Bucky Clarkson
Christoph Eschenbach and Jeanette Weaver Ruesch
Richard and Janine Fante
Daniel E. Fass and Jessica Fass
Otto Fricke, German parliament member
Hans-Peter Friedrich, German interior minister
Carol and Bernie Fulp
Eric Garcetti and Amy Wakeland
Timothy F. Geithner, U.S. Treasury secretary, and Carole Geithner
Robert J. Gillette and Lisa Bunch
Austan Goolsbee, Council of Economic Advisors chair, and Robin Goolsbee
Philip Gordon, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, and Rachel Gordon
Thomas Gottschalk
Emily Haber, political director of the Federal Foreign Office
Robert D. Hansen and Kathleen L. Hansen
Thomas Hesse and Gwendolyn Bellmann
Christoph R. Heusgen, adviser to Merkel
Bruce and Vicki Heyman
Doug T. Hickey and Dawn Ross
James Hoffa and Meaghan Wolff
Kate Hughes and Robert J. Del Tufo
Helmut Jahn and Deborah L. Jahn
Valerie Jarrett, assistant and senior adviser to President Obama
Hans-Peter Keitel
Craig Kennedy and Karen Guberman
Lena Kennedy and Teena Hostovich
Katja Keul, German parliament member
Klaus and Birgit Kleinfeld
Freya Klier
Juergen Klinsmann
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and John Bessler
Hans-Ulrich Klose, German parliament member
Stefan Kornelius
Bernhard Kotsch, deputy head of the German chancellor’s office
David and Laura Leonhardt
Daniel Libeskind and Nina Lewis-Libeskind
Bryan Lourd and Bruce Bozzi
Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) and Stephen Lowey
Noah Mamet and Jennifer P. Lindberg
Capricia Marshall, State Department chief of protocol
Marissa Mayer and Zachary Bogue
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Elaine L. Chao
Robert A. McDonald and Diane McDonald
Denis R. McDonough, deputy national security adviser, and Karin McDonough
Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-N.Y.) and Simone-Marie Meeks
Darlene M. Miller and Terry Lee Strout
Karen Mills, Small Business Administration administrator
Norman Y. Mineta and Deni D. Mineta
Elizabeth Mohn and Markus Dohle
Andreas Muhe
Stefan Mueller, German parliament member
Philip Murphy, U.S. ambassador to Germany, and Tammy Murphy
Thomas Nides, deputy secretary of state for management and resources, and Virginia Moseley
Sam and Colleen Nunn
Samuel Palmisano
Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), House minority leader, and Paul Pelosi
Antonio M. and Lori Perez
David Plouffe, White House senior adviser, and Olivia Morgan
Douglas Rediker
Bruce Reed, chief of staff to Vice President Biden, and Bonnie LePard
Susan E. Rice, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and Ian Cameron
John G. Roberts, Supreme Court chief justice, and Jane Roberts
James and Mary Anne Rogers
Irene B. Rosenfeld and Richard Illgen
Philipp Roesler, German minister of economics and technology
Diane Sawyer
Klaus Scharioth, German ambassador to the United States, and Ulrike Scharioth
Wolfgang Schauble, German finance minister
Eric Schmidt
Olaf Scholz, mayor of Hamburg
Juergen Schulz, head of division, German federal chancellery
Jon Schumacher and Mary J. Briggs
Jerry Seib and Barbara Rosewicz
Steffen Seibert, German government spokesman
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and William Shaheen
Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, special assistant to the president and senior director for European affairs, and Jeffrey Randall
Eric K. Shinseki, veterans affairs secretary, and Patty Shinseki
Jim Steinberg, deputy secretary of state, and Sherburne B. Abbott
Ellen Tauscher, undersecretary for arms control and international security affairs, and James Cieslak
James Taylor and Caroline Taylor
Tina Tchen, chief of staff to Michelle Obama
Steven L. Ullestad and Ruth Ullestad
Bernd Ulrich
Arnold Vaatz, German parliament member
Tom Vilsack, agriculture secretary
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and Steven Schultz
Perry and Felicia Weitz
Guido Westerwelle, German foreign affairs minister

10 Ways To Cool Off

When Your Air Conditioning Breaks Down

When you’re dealing with summer heat and humidity, losing the use of your air conditioner can be miserable. There are several things you can do to make yourself more comfortable in the meantime. Here are ten suggestions that may help you cool off without the use of an air conditioner.

1. Head to downstairs – It is always several degrees cooler in a basement, than it is in the aboveground floors. This is partly because the ground insulates it from the hot air, and partly because warm air rises. If you don’t have a basement, the lower floor of a two story home will still be cooler than the top floor.
2. Get out the fans – If you have fans, use them to circulate the air. It may even be worth it to purchase one or two to use, if the AC will be out of commission for more than a day. Use them to draw in cooler air in the evenings from open windows.
3. Cool showers – Rinsing your body in a cool shower can feel very refreshing when there is no cool air available.
4. Lawn sprinkler – Kids use sprinklers all the time to cool off. Why not join the fun? If you’d rather not run through the sprinkler, just set your lawn chair in its path, and let it spray you each time it turns your way.
5. Visit the pool – Get out your bathing suit and spend some time at the pool. The water will cool you off, and you’ll feel refreshed before you have to head back to the heat at home.
6. Go the beach – If you are near fresh water or ocean beaches, this would be the perfect time to spend the day there. Even if you don’t go in for a swim, the air coming off the water will be much cooler than it is at home.
7. Sit in the shade – It may actually be cooler to sit outside in the shade than to sit inside your home. Sitting under a shade tree or a sun umbrella with a cool beverage may help you to cool down some.
8. Cool your feet – Putting your feet in a basin of cool water or a kiddy pool will help your whole body cool, since your body radiates heat from your extremities.
9. Chill your wrists – To help bring down fevers, medical professionals will sometimes place ice packs on a patient’s wrists. Just as with the feet, cooling your hands and wrists will help your whole body feel cooler.
10. Close the blinds – Keep your blinds closed, to keep the heat of the sun out. Keeping the heat out of the house can be as important as trying to bring cool air in.

Heat stroke can be a real danger when your body does not have the opportunity to cool down. Keeping your body cool, and drinking plenty of fluids to replenish what is evaporating through perspiration, can be critical to your well-being when your air conditioner isn’t working. (Compare Electricity Rates, 5.16/2011)

Babies Making Babies - Alternate Version - Sly & Family Stone

White House Poetry

The President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities hosted an event last night in the East Room of The White House to promote the importance of poetry and the arts.  The event is part of Michelle Obama’s White House Music Series.

Performers included Common, singer-songwriters Aimee Mann and Jill Scott; former U.S. poets laureate Rita Dove and Billy Collins; avant-garde poets Alison Knowles and Kenneth Goldsmith; and comedian-banjoist Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers. (Wash Post, 5/22/2011)

Sheryl Crow Tour Sponsored by Tom's of Maine

What does green living activist Sheryl Crow and Tom’s of Maine new Simply White toothpaste have in common? They’re working together to bring back natural beauty by greening Crow’s spring “100 Miles from Memphis” Tour and restoring the natural beauty of smiles everywhere with the launch of Tom’s of Maine’s new Simply White toothpaste.

Through support from Tom’s of Maine, Crow’s spring tour will reduce its carbon footprint with biodiesel fuel, recycling bins at every venue, and a commitment to eco-friendly cleaning products, local and organic catering and reusable/biodegradable hospitality products, among other initiatives.

You can chat with Crow -- live from the road -- on the Tom’s of Maine Facebook page on May 19 at 7 p.m. ET, where Crow will take questions from fans about living a green life, her music, motherhood, life on the road, healthy cooking tips and more.

Click on the link for the multimedia press release and all the details on the chat, free Crow song download, recipes and more.

Eman to be on "Dancing With The Stars," "American Idol," "Voices," "America's Got Talent" & "X Factor"

Eman

Environment Man is scheduled to perform on "Dancing With The Stars," "American Idol," "America's Got Talent" and the new shows "Voices," and Simon Cowell's "X Factor."  Eman will be dancing and singing and pontificating on the latest quantum theories of gravity.  Eman's spokesperson, Patricia Green, says that, "this is an unprecedented coup.  Eman has the talent to conquer all media.  This is just a starting point.

Eman claims to be the best dancer, singer and musician on the planet.  He also claims to be the greatest lover of all times.  That last claim has been disputed.

New Wonder Woman

Adrianne Palicki is the actress who will suit up in rock star spandex pants to play Wonder Woman.

The planned NBC series is both rebooted and re-suited.

Diana Price (Wonder Woman's alter ego) reportedly will be a modern executive by day.

This Wonder Woman still has the telltale Golden Lasso of Truth and the bulletproof bracelets, plus the mighty-eagle bustier.

This new Wonder Woamn will have tight pants as opposed to Lynda Carter’s bare-legged look. 

(WashPost, 3/18/2011)

Cynne Simpson & Gordon Peterson

By Susie Centsitiv

Chilly Onscreen Chemistry between the 6 p.m. cohosts of local Washington, DC ABC News

You can't create chemistry.  And watching Cynee Simpson, right, and Gordon Peterson, left, trying to deliver the news together is painful.  The body language speaks volumes.  Gordon clearly being more uncomfortable than Cynne.  Is it a generation gap?  Does Gordon resent the young upstart?  Is there personal animosity?  Whatever it is, it clearly shows up onscreen.  The news producers at the show can surely see it.  It is further contrasted by the excellent chemistry between Simpson and her 5 pm cohost, Leon Harris.  Gordon had and has great chemistry with legnedary local newscaster Maureen Bunyan.  Of course, she is closer to his age.  They also kind of came up together on the Washington, DC news scene.  Maybe he just wants Maureen sitting next to him instead of Cynne.

Eman To Be Music Host For Sheen's Korner?

Winning

Hollywood rumor mill placing Environment Man as music/guru co-host of Sheen's Corner

Charlie Sheen's internet show, Sheen's Korner, is a huge worldwide hit.  Methane is not discussed but passed.  No hydraulic fracturing needed by Charlie and his posse.  Rumor has it that Eman might be joining that posse via live Skype from his Santa Catalina Island single wide retreat.  Will Natalie Kenly provide background vocals.  Inquiring minds want to know.

Sheen, right, is at the top of his gaem with estimates of 100 million tuning in for his new online show.  Eman , left, should easily bring millions more to that count.  Eman's chat board cult status should propel the show to new heights.  An E spokesperson says possible discussions about possible particulars are possibly being worked out now.  Asked why Eman prefers to appear from his island retreat instead of Sheen's Beverly Hills mansion, Eman stated, "Technology makes it possible for me to be there without burning fossil fuels."

Eman is possibly considering the possibility of developing programming for billionair Mark Cuban's HDNet. Charlie is talking to Cuban about a new show too, but Charlie is under contract to CBS and Warner Brothers. "Dan Rather Reports" is on HDNet.

World Surfing Reserves

Santa Cruz, California & Ericeira, Portugal Approved as World Surfing Reserves

Storied surf zones in Northern California and Portugal join Malibu, California, and Australia’s Manly Beach as sites to be formally dedicated

World Surfing Reserves has announced that two nominated surf zones – Santa Cruz in Northern California and Ericeira in Portugal – have been formally approved and will be dedicated as World Surfing Reserves (WSRs). The two iconic surf regions will join Malibu, California, which was dedicated as the first World Surfing Reserve in October 2010, and Manly Beach, Australia, which was approved in 2010 and is awaiting dedication sometime in 2011, as the first sites to receive the prestigious WSR designation.

The Santa Cruz zone, approximately 7 miles of coast extending from Natural Bridges on the western end to Opal Cliffs just east of Pleasure Point, is made up of a dense collection of cold-water dream waves and is steeped in surfing tradition. The zone is best known for the iconic spots at Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point, both world-renowned righthand pointbreaks.

The Ericeira area of Portugal is a surf mecca for Portuguese and international surfers alike. The approved Ericeira surf zone consists of 4 km (2.5 miles) of coastline that contains a highly concentrated group of quality surf breaks, several of them world-class, including the popular Ribeira d’Ilhas and other world-renowned breaks.

World Surfing Reserves seeks to designate and protect the most important and cherished surf areas around the world, in partnership with local surf communities. WSR sites are nominated and selected based on four major criteria: quality and consistency of waves, importance to surf culture and history, environmental characteristics, and community support. So far over a hundred sites have been submitted for consideration for WSR status from 34 different countries.

Beyond its cultural and aesthetic significance, each WSR is a meeting of land and sea selected for the unique and salutary nature of its waves and natural setting. The dedication of each WSR seeks the protection of this coastal zone of waves and habitat from inappropriate development, through international and local partnership that builds community around conservation, to improve and dictate stewardship of the area.


About World Surfing Reserves (WSR) proactively identifies, designates, and preserves outstanding waves, surf zones and their surrounding environments, around the world. WSR is an initiative launched by Save The Waves Coalition in 2009 in conjunction with National Surfing Reserves - Australia, and through additional partnerships with the International Surfing Association (ISA) and Stanford University’s Center for Responsible Travel (CREST).

Contact:

USA contact: Dean LaTourrette, WSR Executive Committee, Executive Director – Save The Waves:  +1-415-596-7873 • Portugal contact: João De Macedo, WSR Ambassador: +351 913 718 921 • joaodemacedo7@gmail.com
Australia contact: Brad Farmer, WSR Executive Committee, Founder – National Surfing Reserves Australia   +61-413 031 870 •

Mel B Helps Children's Hospital Los Angeles

MEL B DESIGNS “SOFT & DARING” PUMP FOR SHOEDAZZLE

 Proceeds to Benefit Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Mel B

ShoeDazzle^® has announced the release of Melanie Brown’s “Mel B” shoe. The limited-edition, blinged-out pump will be sold exclusively to ShoeDazzle members, with 100% of profits donated to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Mel B, best known as a Spice Girl and “Dancing with the Stars” contestant, was inspired by the patients of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles who attended her ShoeDazzle design session. The finished product, available on March 14, 2011 at ShoeDazzle.com, is a pump with a stunningly bejeweled high-heel and a leopard print inside.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is L.A.'s first and largest hospital dedicated to treating children.

About ShoeDazzle® ShoeDazzle is the leading online styling service delivering personalized monthly shoe, handbag and jewelry recommendations to members from its team of top celebrity stylists. Each recommendation speaks to au courant fashion trends and is selected based on each member’s own distinctive sense of style. The company, which was founded by Brian Lee, Robert Shapiro, MJ Eng, and Kim Kardashian, who serves as the site’s Chief Fashion Stylist, was launched in March 2009 and now boasts over 600,000 Facebook fans.

About Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is one of the nation’s best children’s hospitals serving more than 97,000 patients each year with physicians specializing in more than 100 subspecialties. Children’s Hospital is one of only eight children’s hospitals in the nation – and the only one in the western United States – named to the national “Honor Roll” of children’s hospitals in the 2010 U.S. News & World Report rankings for clinical excellence.  Children’s Hospital is preparing to open a $636 million, 317-bed state-of-the-art facility in July 2011 that will further expand services and capabilities at its main campus on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, Calif., as well as increase the ability to provide family-centered care to residents throughout the region.

Contacts

Hayley Scheck                                                              Kristina Levsky

B|W|R Public Relations                                                  ShoeDazzle

310.550.7776                                                                 213.389.8889

hscheck@bwr-la.com                                                    klevsky@shoedazzle.com

Samara Swanston Appears In "Gasland"

Samara Swanston

Noted environmentalist Samara Swanston, counsel for the New York City Council Committee on  Environmental Protection, appears in 'Gasland,' the HBO documentary on hydraulic fracturing.  Ms. Swanston appears in a scene with James Gennaro, Chairman of the New York City Council Committee on Environmental Protection.

Film Description From Its Website: "The largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history has swept across the United States. The Halliburton-developed drilling technology of "fracking" or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a "Saudia Arabia of natural gas" just beneath us. But is fracking safe? When filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination. Part verite travelogue, part expose, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown."

GASLAND will be broadcast on HBO through 2012.

Ed Begley, Jr to Speak at 7th Annual Lake Home & Cabin Show

Ed Begley, Jr.

Ed Begley, Jr., co-star of the television series Living With Ed, will be a guest speaker on behalf of Envirolet  at this year’s annual Lake Home & Cabin Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minn. set to take place on February 11-13.

Begley, who is known as an environmental leader in the Hollywood community, will speak on the main stage at noon and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 12, and will be at the Envirolet booth directly after both speaking engagements. Begley will reach audiences through his moving talk, “Live Simply So That Others Can Simply Live.” Begley is constantly raising awareness about green products and technology, and he will also discuss the premium eco-friendly line of composting toilet systems by Envirolet.

Before the Lake Home & Cabin Show, Begley will be talking to Minneapolis media about his involvement with the show and his well-known green lifestyle. Begley will have appearances on the 92 KQRS Morning Show with the KQ Morning Crew, Cities 97 FM Morning Show with BT & Lee, and KARE 11 News Morning Show.

Begley has a long history of initiating change and serving in several major roles including chairman of the Environmental Media Association and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. He is also involved in other environmental groups such as Friends of the Earth and Tree People. Because of his strong involvement and dedication, he has won a number of awards from several prestigious environmental groups including the California League of Conservation Voters and the Natural Resources Defense Council, among others.

Begley doesn’t just promote green living and technology, he actually lives it. He currently resides in a self-sufficient home powered by solar energy just outside of Los Angeles.

The Lake Home & Cabin Show, now in its seventh year, is a unique three-day event brining more than 250 exhibitors from across the country to showcase everything related to the lake home and cabin lifestyle, including the latest trends in interior design, décor, furniture, architecture, building, remodeling and landscaping. The show is a great one-stop resource for anyone decorating, remodeling, building or buying a second home. Learn more about the show.

About Sancor Industries Ltd: Headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario, Sancor Industries Ltd. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of advanced environmental composting toilet systems under the brands Envirolet and Santerra Green. Envirolet has been sold factory direct to consumers worldwide since 1977. Santerra Green is sold through select retailers and dealers in the United States and Canada. Sancor continues to manufacture in North America and offers the longest warranty in the composting toilet industry. The newly introduced FlushSmart Series has revolutionized the industry by changing the perception of what a composting toilet looks like. For more information, visit Envirolet or Santerragreen.

Esperanza Spaulding Sings and Plays Upright Fretless Bass

Esperanza Spaulding

"Terra Nova" - "Little House on the Prairie" With Dinosaurs

"Terra Nova," an adventure series about a family from the year 2149 which travels back 85 million years in an attempt to "restart" humanity.  It might be the most expensive broadcast television series ever made.  The first two hours of the show cost about $16 million.  The per-episode cost is expected to be more than $4 million. A typical hospital or lawyer drama is more on the order of $2.5 million per episode

Production in Australia includes hundreds of extras and towering sets that took nearly 15 weeks to build.  The Terra Nova "colony" is the size of a football field inside 18-foot walls, complete with a market, hospital and residences. An 8-foot animatronic velociraptor makes a cameo in the second hour.

Terra Nova" tells the story of the Shannon family in the year 2149, when the Earth is overcrowded and the majority of plant and animal life is extinct. A portal into primeval history gives the Shannons and thousands of other families a chance to travel back to pristine, prehistoric times. At first the Terra Nova settlement seems idyllic, but the Shannons quickly encounter man-eating dinosaurs; the colonists become disenchanted and restive.  The show is "Little House on the Prairie with dinosaurs.

Steven Spielberg and Peter Chernin are the executive producers of the show. (WSJ, 1/21/2011)

Attendees at The White House State Dinner for Hu Jintao

The White House

Office of the First Lady
For Immediate Release

January 19, 2011

State Visit and Dinner Program

THE PRESIDENT and MRS. OBAMA

HIS EXCELLENCY HU JINTAO

      The Honorable Madeleine Albright, Washington, D.C.
      Ms. Alice Albright
      Ms. Christiane Amanpour, ABC News, New York, NY
      Mr. James Rubin
      The Honorable David Axelrod, Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor
      Mrs. Susan Axelrod
      Mr. Jeffrey Bader, National Security Council
      Ms. Rohini Talalla
      The Honorable Elizabeth Bagley, Washington, D.C.
      Mr. Kevin Frawley
      Mr. Steven Ballmer, Microsoft, Redmond, WA
      Mrs. Connie Ballmer
      Ms. Bette Bao Lord, New York, NY
      The Honorable Winston Lord
      Mrs. Denise Bauer, Belvedere Tiburon, CA
      The Honorable Howard Berman, Representative from California
      Mrs. Janis Berman
      Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
      Dr. Jill Biden
      The Honorable Joseph Beau Biden, III, Attorney General of Delaware, Wilmington, DE
      Mrs. Hallie Biden
      His Excellency Zheng Bijian, Chairman, CIIDS
      His Excellency Dai Bingguo, State Councilor
      Mr. Lloyd Blankfein, Goldman Sachs, New York, NY
      Mrs. Laura Blankfein
      The Honorable Antony Blinken, Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor, Office of the Vice President
      The Honorable Stephen Breyer, United States Supreme Court
      Dr. Johanna Breyer
      Mr. Greg Brown, Motorola, Schaumburg, IL
      Mrs. Anna-Louise Brown
      The Honorable Dr. Zbigniew Brezezinski, McLean, VA
      Mrs. Emilie A. Brzezinski
      The Honorable Kurt M. Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
      The Honorable Lael Brainard, Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs
      The Honorable James E. Carter, former President of the United States
      Mrs. Rosalynn Carter
      Mr. Jackie Chan, Beverly Hills, CA
      Mr. Phillip Button
      The Honorable Elaine Chao, Washington, D.C.
      Dr. James Chao
      His Excellency Wang Chao, Vice Minister for Commerce
      His Excellency Tung Chee Hwa, Vice Chairman, CPPCC, former Hong Kong Chief Executive
      Mr. John A. Chen, Chairman, Committee of 100, New York, NY
      Mrs. Sherrie Chen
      The Honorable Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey, Trenton, NJ
      Mrs. Mary Pat Christie
      The Honorable Judy Chu, Representative from California
      Ms. Chiling Tong
      The Honorable Steven Chu, Secretary of Energy
      Mrs. Jean Chu
      The Honorable Hillary R. Clinton, Secretary of State
      The Honorable William J. Clinton, former President of the United States
      The Honorable James E. Clyburn, Representative from South Carolina
      Mr. John Clyburn
      The Honorable Richard Daley, Mayor of Chicago, Chicago, IL
      Mrs. Maggie Daley
      The Honorable William Daley, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff
      Ms. Bernadette Keller
      His Excellency Chen Deming, Minister of Commerce
      Mr. Jamie Dimon, JP Morgan Chase & Co., New York, NY
      Mrs. Judith Dimon
      The Honorable Thomas Donilon, Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor
      Ms. Cathy Russell, Chief of Staff to Dr. Jill Biden
      The Honorable Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education
      Mrs. Karen Duncan
      Mr. James Fallows, The Atlantic, Washington, D.C.
      Mrs. Deborah Fallows
      Mr. Xie Feng, Director General, MFA
      Mr. Thomas Friedman, The New York Times, Washington, D.C.
      Mrs. Ann Friedman
      The Honorable Michael B. Froman, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs
      Ms. Nancy Goodman
      His Excellency Wan Gang, Minister of Science and Technology
      The Honorable Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense
      Mrs. Becky Gates
      The Honorable Timothy F. Geithner, Secretary of the Treasury
      Mrs. Carole Geithner
      Mr. Mark Gilbert, Boca Raton, FL
      Mrs. Nancy Gilbert
      The Honorable Chris Gregoire, Governor of Washington, Olympia, WA
      Ms. Courtney Gregoire
      His Excellency Zhu Guangyao, Vice Minister for Finance
      His Excellency Zhang Guobao, Vice Minister for NDRC
      Mr. Herbie Hancock, Los Angeles, CA
      Mrs. GiGi Hancock
      The Honorable Dr. John P. Holdren, Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Science and Technology
      The Honorable Robert Hormats, Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs
      The Honorable Steny Hoyer, Representative from Maryland, Democratic WHIP
      His Excellency Wang Huning, Director of the Policy Research Office of CCCPC
      The Honorable Jon Huntsman, U.S. Ambassador to China
      Mrs. Mary Kaye Huntsman
      Mr. Robert Iger, The Walt Disney Company, Burbank, CA
      Ms. Willow Bay
      Mr. David Ignatius, The Washington Post, Washington, D.C.
      Dr. Eve Ignatius
      Mr. Jeff Immelt, General Electric, Fairfield, CT
      Mrs. Andrea Immelt
      The Honorable Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement
      His Excellency Li Jiaxiang, Vice Minister for Transportation
      His Excellency Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs
      His Excellency Ling Jihua, Director of the General Office of CCCPC
      Mr. Robert Kagan, McLean, VA
      Ms. Victoria Nuland
      Mr. Michael Kempner, East Rutherford, NJ
      Mrs. Jacqueline Kempner
      Mr. Muhtar Kent, Coca-Cola, Atlanta, GA
      The Honorable John F. Kerry, Senator from Massachusetts
      Mrs. Teresa Heinz Kerry
      Mr. Robert King, UAW, Detroit, MI
      Ms. Julie Kushner
      The Honorable Ron Kirk, United States Trade Representative
      Mrs. Matrice Ellis-Kirk
      The Honorable Henry Kissinger, New York, NY
      Mrs. Nancy Kissinger
      Mr. Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times, Scarsdale, NY
      Ms. Sheryl WuDunn
      Ms. Ellen Kullman, DuPont, Wilmington, DE
      Mr. Michael Kullman
      Dr. Zhang Kunsheng, Director-General, Protocol Department
      Ms. Michelle Kwan, Torrance, CA
      Mr. Lang Lang, New York, NY
      Mrs. Zhou Xiulan
      The Honorable Jacob Lew, Director, Office of Management and Budget
      Ms. Maya Lin, New York, NY
      Mr. Daniel Wolf
      Ms. Limin Liu, Reno, NV
      Dr. Hugh Shapiro
      Mr. Andrew N. Liveris, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI
      Mrs. Paula Liveris
      The Honorable Gary Locke, Secretary of Commerce
      Mrs. Mona Locke
      The Honorable Christopher Lu, Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary
      Ms. Kathryn Thomson
      The Honorable Richard Lugar, Senator from Indiana
      Mrs. Charlene Lugar
      Mr. Yo Yo Ma, Burbank, CA
      Ms. Jill Hornor
      The Honorable Capricia Marshall, Chief of Protocol, Department of State
      Mr. W. James McNerney, The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL
      Mrs. Haity McNerney
      Mr. Evan Medeiros, Director for Asian Affairs, NSS
      His Excellency Jiang Mianheng, Vice Chairman, CAS
      Mr. Mel Monzack, Wilmington, DE
      Mrs. Ann Monzack
      Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
      Mrs. Wendi Deng Murdoch, New York, NY
      Mr. James Murren, Las Vegas, NV
      Mrs. Heather Murren
      The Honorable Thomas Nides, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources
      Ms. Virginia Moseley
      Mr. Paul Otellini, Intel, Santa Clara, CA
      Mrs. Sandy Otellini
      The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Representative from California, Democratic Leader
      Mr. Paul Pelosi
      His Excellency Zhang Ping, Minister of NDRC
      The Honorable David Plouffe, Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor
      Ms. Olivia Morgan
      Mr. Tom Pritzker, Pritzker Organization, Chicago, IL
      Mrs. Margot Pritzker
      His Excellency Wang Qishan, Vice Premier of the State Council
      Ms. Jean Quan, Mayor of Oakland, CA
      The Honorable Edwin M. Lee, Mayor of San Francisco, CA
      Ms. Azita Raji, JP Morgan Securities, Inc., Belvedere, CA
      Mr. Gary Syman
      The Honorable Ben Rhodes, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speechwriting
      Ms. Ann Norris
      The Honorable Susan Rice, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, New York, NY
      Mr. Ian Cameron
      Mr. Robert Roche, Shanghai, CN
      Mr. Kenneth Roth, The Human Rights Watch, Washington, D.C.
      Ms. Annie Sparrow
      The Honorable Pete Rouse, Counselor to the President
      Ms. Courtney Chapin
      Mr. David M. Rubenstein, The Carlyle Group, Washington, D.C.
      Mrs. Alice Rubenstein
      Mr. Kirk Rudy, Austin, TX
      Mrs. Amy Rudy
      The Honorable Brent Scowcroft, The Forum for International Policy, Washington, D.C.
      The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services
      The Honorable Gary Sebelius
      The Honorable Susan Sher, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the First Lady
      The Honorable Neil Cohen
      Mr. Robert Sherman, Boston, MA
      Ms. Kim S. Sawyer
      His Excellency Chen Shiju, Chief of the President’s Office
      The Honorable George Shultz, Stanford, CA
      Mrs. Charlotte Shultz
      Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Culver City, CA
      The Honorable Phil Gordon, Mayor of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
      The Honorable Gene Sperling, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy & Director of the National Economic Council
      Ms. Allison Abner
      The Honorable Jim Steinberg, Deputy Secretary of State
      Ms. Sherburne B. Abbott
      Ms. Barbra Streisand, Malibu, CA
      Mr. James Brolin
      The Honorable Tina Tchen, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Public Engagement
      Mr. John Thornton, The Brookings Institution, HSBC North America, Palm Beach, FL
      Mrs. Margaret Thornton
      His Excellency Cui Tiankai, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs
      Dr. Stanley Toy, Jr., Pasadena, CA
      Ms. Lana Toy
      Mr. Luis Ubinas, The Ford Foundation, New York, NY
      Dr. Deborah Tolman
      Mr. Jose Villarreal, Commissioner General, Shanghai Expo, San Antonio, TX
      Ms. Sara Villarreal
      Ms. Vera Wang, New York, NY
      Mr. Arthur Becker
      Mr. Steve Westly, Menlo Park, CA
      Ms. Anita Yu
      Ms. Anna Wintour, Vogue Magazine, New York, NY
      Mr. Shelby Bryan
      Ms. Patricia A. Woertz, Archer Daniels Midland, Decatur, IL
      Mr. Kelvin R. Westbrook
      Mr. B.D. Wong, New York, NY
      Mrs. Roberta Wong
      Mr. Charles Woo, Mega Toys, Los Angeles, CA
      Mrs. Ying Woo
      The Honorable David Wu, Representative from Oregon
      Ms. Anna Kopperud
      His Excellency Xie Xuren, Minister of Finance
      His Excellency Zhang Yesui, Chinese Ambassador to the United States
      Madam Chen Naiqing
      His Excellency Sun Yibiao, Vice Minister for Customs

Chinese state dinner seating chart