Media Consolidation

Source: Frugal dad

2012 54th Annual Grammy Awards

A partial list of 2012 Grammy winners:

Album of the year:

Record of the year:

Adele

“21,” Adele “Rolling in the Deep,” “Own the Night,” Lady

Best new artist:

Bon Iver

Song of the year:

Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth (Adele)

“Rolling in the Deep,”

R&B album:

F.A.M.E., Chris Brown

Rap performance:

West

“Otis,” Jay-Z and Kanye

Pop solo performance:

You,” Adele

“Someone Like

Pop vocal album:

“21,” Adele

Traditional pop vocal album:

Tony Bennett and various artists

“Duets II,”

Pop duo/group performance:

Soul,” Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse

“Body and

Short form music video

Deep,” Adele

: “Rolling in the

Long form music video:

Back and Forth,” Foo Fighters

“Foo Fighters:

Compilation soundtrack for visual

media:

Boardwalk Empire: Volume 1

Score soundtrack for visual media:

King’s Speech”

“The

Rap/sung collaboration:

Lights,” Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and

Fergie

“All of the

Rap song:

Malik Jones, Warren Trotter and Kanye West

“All of the Lights,” Jeff Bhasker,

Rap album:

Fantasy,” Kanye West

“My Beautiful Dark Twisted

R&B performance:

Bailey Rae

“Is This Love,” Corinne

Traditional R&B performance:

You,” Cee Lo Green and Melanie Fiona

“Fool for

R&B song:

and Jack Splash

“Fool for You,” Cee Lo Green

Pop instrumental album:

Memphis,” Booker T. Jones

“The Road From

Country solo performance:

Taylor Swift

“Mean,”

Country duo/group performance:

“Barton Hollow,” The Civil Wars

Country song:

“Mean,” Taylor Swift

Folk album:

Wars

“Barton Hollow,” The Civil

Hard rock/metal performance:

Limo,” Foo Fighters

“White

Rock song:

“Walk,” Foo Fighters

Rock album:

“Wasting Light,” Foo Fighters

Alternative music album:

Iver

“Bon Iver,” Bon

Song written for visual media:

Light” (from “Tangled”)

“I See the

Recording package:

Suburbs”

“Scenes From the

Boxed or special limited edition

package:

the Edge of Town Story”

“The Promise: The Darkness on

Album notes:

Ballads & Beyond as recorded by the San

Francisco Bay”

“Hear Me Howling! Blues,

Historical album:

McCartney Archive Collection — Deluxe

Edition)

Band on the Run (Paul

Engineered album, non-classical:

Airplane”

“Paper

Best remixed recording, non-classical:

“Cinema (Skrillex Remix)”

Surround sound album:

Assorted Love Songs”

“Layla and Other

Instrumental composition:

Eleven”

“Life in

Instrumental arrangement:

Blue”

“Rhapsody in

Instrumental arrangement

accompanying vocalist(s):

Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)”

“Who Can I

Gospel/contemporary Christian music

performance:

“Jesus,” Le’andria Johnson

Gospel song:

“Hello Fear,” Kirk Franklin

Contemporary Christian music song:

“Blessings,” Laura Story

Gospel album:

“Hello Fear,” Kirk Franklin

Contemporary Christian music album:

“

And If Our God Is for Us . . . ” Chris Tomlin

Latin pop, rock, or urban album:

Y Luz,” Mana

“Drama

Regional Mexican or Tejano album:

“Bicentenario,” Pepe Aguilar

Banda or norteño album:

Norte and Friends,” Los Tigres Del Norte

“Los Tigres Del

Tropical Latin album:

Cachao

“The Last Mambo,”

Engineered album, classical:

Elmer Gantry”

“Aldridge:

Producer of the year, classical:

Sherman

Judith

Orchestral performance:

Symphony No. 4,” Gustavo Dudamel,

Conductor (Los Angeles Philharmonic)

“Brahms:

Opera recording:

Adams, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and

Chorus

“Doctor Atomic,” John

Choral performance:

Eric Whitacre, conductor

“Light and Gold,”

Small ensemble performance:

Motel, Music From Slide,” Rinde Eckert and

Steven Mackey, Eighth Blackbird

“Lonely

Classical instrumental solo:

“Schwantner: Concerto for Percussion and

Orchestra,” Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor;

Christopher Lamb (Nashville Symphony)

Classical vocal solo

Didonato

: “Diva Divo,” Joyce

Contemporary classical composition:

“Elmer Gantry,” Robert Aldridge and

Herschel Garfein

New Age album:

Metheny

“What’s It All About,” Pat

Reggae album:

of Life,” Stephen Marley

“Revelation Pt. 1: The Root

Spoken word album (includes poetry,

audio books and storytelling):

Me (And of Course You Won’t),” Betty White

“If You Ask

Musical theater album:

Mormon”

“The Book of

Dance recording:

Nice Sprites,” Skrillex

“Scary Monsters and

Dance/electronica album:

Monsters and Nice Sprites,” Skrillex

“Scary

Children’s album:

and Small,” various artists

All About Bullies . . . Big

Comedy album:

“Hilarious,” Louis C.K.

Improvised jazz solo:

Chick Corea

“500 Miles High,”

Jazz vocal album:

Terri Lyne Carrington and various artists

“The Mosaic Project,”

Large jazz ensemble album:

Feeling,” Christian McBride Big Band

“The Good

Jazz instrumental album:

Clarke and White”

“Forever: Corea,

Americana album:

Ryman,” Levon Helm

“Ramble At the

Bluegrass album:

Krauss and Union Station

Paper Airplane, Alison

Blues album: “

Band

Revelator,” Tedeschi Trucks

Regional roots music album:

New Orleans,” Rebirth Brass Band

“Rebirth ofWorld music album: “Tassili,” Tinariwen

Country album:

Antebellum

House of Lies

Hottest New Show On Cable

By Korben Dallas

Now that "Entourage" is off the air to prepare a movie for theater release, "House Of Lies" is my favorite program. Even beating out "Boardwalk Empire."  Don Cheadle is great in this type of role, which he showed in the movie "Crash."  His laid back roles do not do him justice.  Are you listening producers of the "Oceans Eleven" films?  I guess Don needed to have control of the product to really let his light shine.  He is the show's primary producer.

Don Cheadle stars as Marty Kaan, one of the country’s most successful and ruthless corporate consultants.  By day, Marty and his team are duplicitous, foul-mouthed, money-grubbing slimeballs and after hours they charge impressive steak-dinner and strip-bar tabs to the clients.  "House of Lies" is like a mix of other shows, including "Californication," "Entourage," "Shameless," "Weeds," and "Boardwalk Empire" (without the violence).  Marty talking directly to the screen is also utilized in a dynamic form, particularly when he freezes action and describes his 'victims' and uses graphics and pens to highlight his points.  It is a uniquely interesting device that adds to the coolness of the show.  We are fascinated by sharks, but we don't want to get in the water with them.

Marty’s team is peopled by an interesting supporting cast.  They are not as strong as the "Entourage" ensemble, but they are interesting caricatures — a Harvard nerd who crunches numbers (Josh Lawson), an overconfident dork (Ben Schwartz) and a pretty striver (Kristen Bell) who mistakenly seeks validation by being as naughty and tough as the guys. At home, Marty lives in a high-rise L.A. condo with his retired-shrink father (Glynn Turman) and his son, Roscoe (Donis Leonard Jr.). There is also Marty's gender-questioning fifth-grade son who auditions for the female lead in his private school’s production of “Grease.” Marty also has to cope with his batty ex-wife (Dawn Olivieri), a cruel competitor in the consulting game. They work out their issues with occasional bouts of hate-sex. (Wash Post, 1/6/2012, photo courtesy Wash Post)

Sly Outdoes Original 'Thank You' With New 'Thank You'

By Environment Man

I never would have thought that anyone could or would try to top Sly & The Family Stone's "Thank You."  Then again, what better person to achieve it than the originator of "Thank You," Sly Stone himself.  In his 2011 release, "I'm Back! Family & Friends," Sly revamps "Thank You" and ramps it up at least 33%.  Everything is firing more potently.

The energy level is raised on the new version as to  render the original version as just an incredible Top 10 hit.  The new version lifts the 60's hit to a cult like status. In other words, there is 'the Stone sound,' but Sly got back on his game by elevating his own greatist hit, "Thank You."

Oh. And there is that unadvertised "Music Lover" at the end of the Dance To The Music Extended Version.  Sly has left a lasting legacy if this is to be his last disk.  Put out your best stuff while you're still alive, Sly.  Cause you know they are going to put it out after you are gone.

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.