Author Archives: Chuck Gregory

James Bond's New Installment 'Quantum of Solace' Trailers Hit The Web June 30

Moviegoers eager for their first look at Quantum of Solace, the highly anticipated Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Columbia Pictures release of EON Productions' 22nd James Bond adventure, will be able to catch the new theatrical trailer for the film, featuring expanding footage of the film, on television and on the internet Monday, June 30th, and in theaters when it is attached to Columbia Pictures' Hancock. The trailer will make its debut on AOL.com (domestic) and MSN.com (international) in an exclusive two-hour window Monday morning, 9:00am – 11:00am PDT. The trailer will be dubbed or subtitled in 13 languages.
 

Following the exclusive online break, at 11:00am PDT (2:00pm EDT; 7:00pm London time), the trailer will be sent via satellite to media outlets worldwide.
 

For media outlets seeking to download the trailer, the satellite coordinates are:
 

NORTH AMERICA

1st Feed
Monday, June 30th 2008
2:00PM-2:15PM ET
(11:00AM-11:15AM Pacific)

2nd Feed
Monday, June 30th 2008
5:30PM-5:45PM ET
(2:30PM-2:45PM Pacific)

Galaxy 26, Transponder 14 C-Band
Downlink Frequency: 3980 H
Audio: 6.2/6.8
Trouble Number for Domestic Feeds: 310-287-3800

EUROPE
1st Feed:
Date: 30th June 2008
Time: 1800-1815 GMT

2nd Feed:
Date: 30th June 2008
Time: 2100-2115 GMT
Satellite: Eutelsat W1 TXP F6 CH-4
Downlink Frequency: D/L: 12703.83 V
Symbol Rate: 5.632
FEC: 3/4
Color: PAL
Uplink: PBL Ref 113683 & 113684 +44 207 432 5155

Also available at BT Tower from Pacific Television Center's ABQ H11UK
broadcasters can call Pactv London for complementary refeeds via Tower.
+44.207.702.1427

ASIA / PACIFIC
1st Feed:
Date: 30th June 2008
Time: 1800-1815 GMT

2nd Feed:
Date: 30th June 2008
Time: 2200-2215 GMT
Satellite: IS-2/08C Chn 4 Orb Loc: 169' E;
Downlink Freq:: 3901 Mhz Horizontal;
FEC: 3/4
Symbol Rate (Ms/s): 30.80
Virtual Channel: Four
Color: NTSC
Uplink: Intelsat NAPA +707.253.9466 – Intelsat Ref 367.815 & 367816

LATIN AMERICA

1st Feed:
Date: 30th June 2008
Time: 1800-1815 GMT

2nd Feed:
Date: 30th June 2008
Time: 2200-2215 GMT
Satellite: IS-9/10C Channel 7 Orb Loc: 58'W
Downlink Freq: 3880 Mhz Horizontal;
FEC: 7/8
Symbol Rate (Ms/s): 27.69
Virtual Channel: Seven
Color: NTSC
Uplink: Intelsat NAPA +707.253.9466 – Intelsat Ref 367.815 & 367816

Quantum of Solace will be released in the U.K. on October 31, 2008, in the U.S. on November 7, 2008, and around the world in November.
 

Daniel Craig reprises his role as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007 in Quantum of Solace, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures release of EON Productions' 22nd adventure in the longest-running film franchise in motion picture history. The film is directed by Marc Forster. The screenplay is by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Paul Haggis. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli produce.

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SeaEscape Just $10 This Summer!

SeaEscape, South Florida’s premier place to dine, party, and gamble at sea, has just introduced its “Sizzling Summer Super-Saver Sail,” and it is just too hot to be missed. From July 7th through August 29th, passengers get to sail for the incredible price of only $10 per person, including all taxes and security fees, on day and evening cruises, Monday through Friday. For an additional fee, passengers will get to choose from an elaborate brunch or dinner buffet, a gourmet dinner, or their favorite snack bar items – all at great prices. As always, drinks are complimentary in SeaEscape’s Las Vegas-style casino, for guests who are actively gambling, those who love to play now, right in the moment. Weekend cruises include SeaEscape’s dinner or brunch buffet, and upgraded gourmet dining is available on Saturday and Sunday nights for an additional fee. Rates for weekend cruises are available on SeaEscape’s website (www.SeaEscape.com) or by calling their Reservations Department at 954-453-3333 .

SeaEscape is the REAL DEAL, and is the only place in Broward County to enjoy everything from blackjack (starting with $5 and $10 table minimums) to roulette, craps, mini-baccarat, Caribbean Stud PokerTM, Three Card Poker, Let It RideTM, and, of course, classic slots and video poker machines. Keep an eye out for hundreds of new slot machines later this summer, and some of the hottest electronic tables to hit the town. SeaEscape is also about to become the only place to bet on sports in Broward County and has big plans for an introductory sports book promotion in the very near future. For reservations call 1-877-SeaEscape.

SeaEscape, South Florida’s largest party cruise, offers 5- and 6-hour entertainment and party cruises twice a day every day onboard the M/V Island Adventure. The ship is 15,400 tons and 512 feet long and features classic cruise ship amenities, including a Las Vegas-style Casino, sumptuous buffet and gourmet dining, swimming and wading pools with poolside activities, live music, karaoke, bingo, cabin accommodations, a nightly happy hour, Thai massage, and the Sky View Disco featuring refreshing drinks and cool DJ’s. Prix fixe gourmet dining is available on evening cruises only.

Group cruises, weddings, corporate events, a casino player’s club (with valuable benefits and rewards) and many special theme cruises are also offered. Check out www.SeaEscape.com for the latest calendar of events, casino promotions and specials and register to receive the latest SeaEscape news by e-mail. The M/V Island Adventure departs twice daily from Terminal 1 at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and is registered in the Bahamas.

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Kutztown Festival Celebrates Pennsylvania Dutch Culture and Art

The week-long event is also where the whole family can learn about and enjoy Pennsylvania Dutch folk life.

“The Kutztown Festival is the perfect place to experience the culture, artistry and cuisine of the Pennsylvania Dutch,” said Mickey Rowley, deputy secretary of tourism in the Department of Community and Economic Development. “While being immersed in the Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, visitors can choose a quilt from the largest selection available in the nation.

“And, with the festival just a day's drive for more than half of the U.S. population, this is a must-do for people looking for an affordable and unique getaway.”

The Kutztown Festival is and less than three hours from New York City and Washington, D.C.

Pennsylvania Dutch dialect and folklore will fill the Kutztown fairgrounds as blacksmithing, weaving, woodcarving and metalworking are demonstrated daily by more than 200 unique artisans.

Other highlights of the festival include:
— George Washington, portrayed by Carl Closs, and Benjamin Franklin,
portrayed by Dean Bennett, will entertain audiences as they reminisce
about the nation's history at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 28.
— Wine enthusiast can enjoy a sampling at the Pinnacle Ridge Winery
booth. Each year, a special festival commemorative wine is offered; a
number of other varieties available for tasting. Pinnacle Ridge
received multiple awards at the 2008 Pennsylvania Farm Show and
secured a silver and bronze medal at the 2007 Los Angeles
International Wine & Spirits Competition.
— Each day, craftsmen will demonstrate the timber-framing building
process and show how to raise a small frame. Timber-framing is a
historic building method that uses local timber to construct the
durable buildings commonly found on Pennsylvania German homesteads.

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Phoenix – The Sweat Shop Capital Of The World?

In celebration of the beginning of summer, Old Spice, the No.1 selling anti-perspirant/deodorant stick and body wash brand with guys, today announced its Seventh Annual Top-100 Sweatiest Cities List — just in time for the season's hot weather. In addition, this year Old Spice is introducing its list of Biggest Sweat Producers, taking into consideration the total sweat produced by entire city populations.

Famed desert city Phoenix burned up the charts again to take the No. 1 spot as America's Sweatiest City in this annual ranking of the nation's heaviest sweaters (based on amount of sweat produced per person). To earn top spot as Sweatiest City, Phoenix's average temperature was 95.1 degrees in June, July and August 2007, resulting in the average Phoenix resident producing 26.4 ounces of sweat per hour (more than 2 cans of soda). With scorching temperatures often in the triple digits, the Valley of the Sun also took this top honor in 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2003. 

"People might be surprised that a city known for its 'dry heat' tops the Sweatiest Cities list," said Dr. Paul Ruscher, associate professor and associate chair of meteorology at Florida State University. "However, sweat tends to evaporate from the skin much more quickly in places like Phoenix and people just don't feel it as much as say in New Orleans or Miami where high humidity leads to that dreaded sticky, 'muggy' feeling. Regardless of where a city falls on this list, there's one thing we can all agree on — hot weather means sweating."

Biggest Sweat Producers

For the first time, Old Spice looked at sweating through the lens of just how much sweat could be produced if the entire population were walking around for one hour on a typical summer day.

New York City leads the list when it comes to Biggest Sweat Producers in the US, even with an average temperature of 73.8 degrees during June, July and August 2007 (that's 20+ degrees cooler than Phoenix). On an average summer day, New Yorkers can produce 1.3 million gallons of sweat per hour — enough to fill the 106-acre Central Park Reservoir in about one summer month (32 days, to be exact!)

The Big Apple is clearly the big winner when it comes to producing the most sweat, more than double the amount than second-place Los Angeles (608,664 gallons of sweat per hour). Our nation's other Biggest Sweat Producers include: Chicago with 449,285 gallons (No. 3); Houston with 387,790 gallons (No. 4); Norfolk, VA with 376,087 gallons (No. 5); Phoenix with 311,629 gallons (No. 6); Philadelphia with 238,869 gallons (No. 7); San Antonio with 229,606 gallons (No. 8); Dallas with 222,420 gallons (No. 9) and San Diego with 184,929 gallons (No. 10).

Other Study Highlights

– On a typical summer day, residents of Los Angeles — the city with the most cars on the road in the nation — can collectively produce enough sweat to fill the gas tanks of 27,667 SUVs in just one hour. With national gas prices soaring past per gallon, it's too bad sweat can't be used as an alternate fuel option!

– Living up to its nickname, the Sunshine State has four cities appearing in the Top 10 Sweatiest Cities, more than any other state — Tallahassee (No. 3), Miami (No. 6), Tampa (No. 8), and Fort Myers (No. 10) — collectively producing enough sweat to fill Shamu's tank in 9.9 hours (that's 6.5 million gallons)!

– This summer, the race for president will be heating up. When it comes to the Sweatiest Party, it's a close contest — however, with slightly warmer temperatures, delegates heading to Minneapolis (No. 79) for the Republican National Convention will be sweating it out more than those heading to the Democratic National Convention in Denver (No. 82).

– When taking a look at what region reigns when it comes to producing sweat, that honor overwhelmingly goes to the South, where residents can collectively produce 3,634,581 gallons in just one hour on a typical summer day. This is nearly double the amount of second-place West region, with 2,088,923 gallons. Next is the Northeast, producing 1,942,536 gallons. The Midwest rounds out the list, with 1,494,856 gallons.

– Like hometown hero Elvis, Memphis burned up the charts, coming in at No. 5 (up from No. 14 last year) and breaking into the Top 10 Sweatiest Cities for the first time since 2002!

– San Francisco is the nation's least sweaty city included on the list, coming in at No. 100. Yet even with an average temperature of just 63.5 degrees during the summer months, each San Franciscan can still produce over 17 ounces of sweat per hour — clear evidence that sweat happens even in cooler weather conditions.

Tips to Stay Cool, Dry and Sweat Free This Summer

– Water — Drink plenty of fluids to replace what you lose through perspiration — at least eight to 10 glasses of water per day – more if you're outdoors and very active.

– Replace Salt and Minerals — Sweating removes salt and minerals from the body. If participating in a strenuous activity where you anticipate heavy perspiration, drink fruit juices and sports beverages to replace the lost minerals.

– Choose Clothes Wisely — Wear lightweight, light-colored clothes that breathe easily.

– Reduce Sweat Output and Stay Odor Free — Use an anti-perspirant/deodorant daily, such as Old Spice Pro Strength, the first clinical-strength offering from the brand. Designed with heavy sweaters in mind, Pro Strength is an advanced solid that provides all-day clinical strength odor and wetness protection.

Methodology

The Sweatiest Cities rankings are based on computer simulations of the amount of sweat a person of average height and weight would produce walking around for an hour in the average temperatures during June, July and August of 2007 for each city.

TOP-100 SWEATIEST CITIES IN AMERICA
Brought to You By the Sweat Experts at Old Spice

1. Phoenix, AZ
2. Las Vegas, NV
3. Tallahassee, FL
4. Tucson, AZ
5. Memphis, TN
6. Miami, FL
7. Houston, TX
8. Tampa, FL
9. Baton Rouge, LA
10. Fort Myers, FL
11. Huntsville, AL
12. New Orleans, LA
13. Birmingham, AL
14. Jacksonville, FL
15. West Palm Beach, FL
16. Montgomery, AL
17. Orlando, FL
18. Dallas, TX
19. Little Rock, AR
20. Corpus Christi, TX
21. El Paso, TX
22. Waco, TX
23. Austin, TX
24. Columbia, SC
25. Mobile, AL
26. Jackson, MS
27. Nashville, TN
28. San Antonio, TX
29. Honolulu, HI
30. Fresno, CA
31. Savannah, GA
32. Shreveport, LA
33. Charleston, SC
34. Chattanooga, TN
 
35. Louisville, KY
36. Tulsa, OK
37. Raleigh, NC
38. St. Louis, MO
39. Salt Lake City, UT
40. Kansas City, MO
41. Knoxville, TN
42. Oklahoma City, OK
43. Atlanta, GA
44. Wichita, KS (TIE)
Charlotte, NC (TIE)
46. Greensboro, NC
47. Evansville, IN
48. Washington, DC
49. Richmond, VA
50. Norfolk, VA
51. Albuquerque, NM
52. Springfield, MO
53. Roanoke, VA
54. Lexington, KY
55. Omaha, NE
56. Reno, NV
57. Indianapolis, IN
58. Baltimore, MD
59. Cincinnati, OH
60. Des Moines, IA
61. Charleston, WV
62. Philadelphia, PA
63. Springfield, IL
64. Harrisburg, PA
65. Sacramento, CA
66. Cleveland, OH
67. Chicago, IL
68. New York, NY
69. Dayton, OH
70. Asheville, NC
71. Los Angeles, CA
72. Columbus, OH
73. Toledo, OH
74. Detroit, MI
75. Grand Rapids, MI
76. South Bend, IN
77. Providence, RI
78. Hartford, CT
79. Minneapolis, MN
80. Boston, MA
81. Pittsburgh, PA
82. Denver, CO
83. Madison, WI
84. Milwaukee, WI
85. Buffalo, NY
86. Rochester, NY
87. Albany, NY
88. Wilkes-Barre, PA
89. Colorado Springs, CO
90. Flint, MI
91. Syracuse, NY
92. San Diego, CA
93. Youngstown, OH
94. Green Bay, WI
95. Burlington, VT
96. Spokane, WA
97. Portland, ME
98. Portland, OR
99. Seattle, WA
100. San Francisco, CA

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Dress Like a Cow, Get a Free Chick-fil-A Meal on Cow Appreciation Day

Holy cow! It's time to break out your cow suit and leave your wallet out to pasture. On Friday, July 11, the Chick-fil-A(R) chain will celebrate its annual Cow Appreciation Day event by offering a free meal to any customer who isn't “too chicken” to visit any of the chain's stores.

Customers fully dressed as a cow will be rewarded with a free Chick-fil-A Meal, which includes an entree of choice, a side item and a Dr Pepper (or another beverage of choice). And for those who are a little timid to wear spots from head to toe, Chick-fil-A will award a complimentary entree to customers partially dressed in cow attire, such as a cow-spotted scarf, purse, hat or other accessory.

The July 11 event marks Chick-fil-A's fourth annual Cow Appreciation Day celebration. Last year's event — and the resulting turnout — confirmed that Chick-fil-A has a strong following of customers willing to go to great lengths to show their appreciation for cows. Thousands of customers visited Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country dressed in cow-themed costumes, ranging from simple cow-spotted t-shirts to full cow suits complete with furry ears, cow bells and homemade sandwich boards with personalized renditions of Chick-fil-A's “Eat Mor Chikin(R)” Cow messages.

“Cow Appreciation Day is a great barometer of how passionate our customers are,” said Steve Robinson, Chick-fil-A's senior vice president of marketing. “If you're willing to dress up like a cow for a free meal, you're obviously a loyal and even raving Chick-fil-A fan. While the event is a natural tie with our cow-themed marketing campaign, Cow Appreciation Day is intended to be a fun day to reward some of our most loyal customers with free food. We enjoy watching the event grow year after year.”

It was “udder insanity” at Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country last year for the Cow Appreciation Day celebration. The Chick-fil-A restaurant in Hendersonville, N.C. hosted a herd of 350 cow-spotted customers from summer camps, daycares and preschools. Another group of ambitious college students — self dubbed “The Herd” — set out on a “cattle drive” from Knoxville, Tenn. to Atlanta, Ga. on a mission to visit 30 Chick-fil-A restaurants in one day.

The excitement around Cow Appreciation Day is further proof that the love for Chick-fil-A's beloved bovines is as strong as ever. For the past 13 years, the renegade “Eat Mor Chikin” Cows have entertained consumers with their desperate, self-preserving antics in an effort to convert beef eaters into chicken fans. The Chick-fil-A Cows and the “Eat Mor Chikin” campaign have enjoyed such widespread public success that the chain has turned the theme into a fully integrated marketing program. In addition to clever roadside billboards, the “Eat Mor Chikin” Cows are the focal point of Chick-fil-A's in- store point-of-purchase materials, promotions, radio and TV advertising, and clothing and merchandise sales.

In 2007, the Chick-fil-A “Eat Mor Chikin” Cows were recognized as one of America's most popular advertising icons in a public vote sponsored by Advertising Week and became the newest members of New York's Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame. A permanent banner to recognize this achievement will be unveiled on Madison Avenue in 2008.

The Cows and their witty messages also have contributed to Chick-fil-A's business, as the chain's sales have more than quintupled since the Cows' first full year as unofficial icons for the brand, from $502 million in 1995 to more than $2.64 billion in 2007.

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Homeland Security Hits New York Nightspots

Last weekend the New York Bar Show gave liquor makers, bar managers and industry professionals the chance to sample new products and roam around the Javits Center. One of the more unique exhibitors is trying to replace the scrutiny of bouncers by pushing a technology that would make it easier for nightclubs and bars to catch fake ID’s.
 

Intelli-Check – SecurityInfo (https://www.securityinfo.com/) is a technology company that has built a business in ID verification and install surveillance cameras. They produce wireless handheld devices that read and analyze the data in barcodes on government issued ID (drivers licenses, passports, etc.). While their products were once confined to military bases, government installations and industrial parks, Mobilisa is now planning to provide the same technology to clubs so they can keep underage drinkers out.

While this might seem like another infringement of big brother into nightlife, systems like this are already developed and there might be a logical reason for clubs to adopt the Mobilisa system. With today’s technology, fake ID’s are not difficult to acquire. Dram shop laws traditionally hold clubs liable for serving drinks to minors and there has been an increased crackdown on fake ID’s in the past year (See Nightlife News Crime 10/19/07) so clubs need something to combat the increased sophistication of forgery. A system like this will work within the new guidelines that the NYPD worked out with the New York Nightlife Association late last year (See Nightlife News Crime 10/19/07).

With all the pressure to keep kids out of clubs, it might make sense to put less trust in a bouncer staring at thousands of ID’s in the dark (and maybe hooking up his friends) and more trust in the barcode. As long as the system doesn’t get abused by the police, telemarketers or hackers, it might help everybody.

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Beauty and the Geek Hottie Jillian Beyor Is the Playboy Special Editions 2008 Model of the Year

Playboy Special Editions fans have crowned Jillian Beyor, 22, their 2008 Model of the Year. Readers chose the Northfield, New Hampshire native from a pool of 50 models who appeared in various Special Editions titles throughout 2007. Jillian is featured in a 7-page nude pictorial in Playboy's Lingerie August/September 2008 issue (on newsstands July 1 until September 1).

Jillian grew up on the East Coast and graduated from Winnisquam Regional High School in New Hampshire. She then migrated south where she attended Daytona Beach Community College and earned a degree in real estate. The brown-eyed beauty's legions of fans first took notice when she appeared in Playboy's College Girls 2006. She then went on to appear in a total of eight Special Editions. She has appeared as Playboy's Coed of the Month, Playboy's Cyber Girl of the Month, and is even a Playmate in the Mexican edition of Playboy.

On the fifth season of the CW's hit show, Beauty and the Geek, Jillian competed alongside eight couples for the ultimate prize of $250,000. Unfortunately, she did not make it past week three, but she did win over dozens of viewers and adoring fans. Jillian currently resides in Miami and runs her own website, http://www.jillian-beyor.com/. In her free time you can find the Model of the Year skiing, riding four-wheelers, dirt bikes, and snow mobiles.

Playboy Special Editions publishes 25 themed pictorial magazines a year, two 96-paged magazines a month, and an extra issue published in the fall. Visit Playboy Special Editions' website at http://www.playboyse.com/ for additional information.

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The Troubled Times at The Washington Examiner

It used to be that in order to survive in the corridors of powers in the local journo establishment you had to work all sides of the aisles – politics, lobbying and the press. But these days, going by the goings-on at The Washington Examiner newspaper, the turnstiles are all about going back and forth between the same employers, or jumping ship even before the vessel has sailed.

Take the famed Pentagon ace Rowan Scarborough as an example. He was a star correspondent for years at the Washington Times snagging exclusives-after-exclusives (he had one yesterday splashed across the top of the front page) but then he got sucked into the Examiner by the newly-minted editor, Stephen Smith (whose married to the more prolific and more successful Vanity Fair chronicler Sally Smith who takes him around the party circuit) and he quit the Times to go work for The Examiner. Part of the deal also was to get his columns to run nationally on the Examiner website (more on that later) and promote a book he was putting to bed.

[PIC CAPTION: Rowan Scarborough's stint at the Examiner was marred by sloppy copy editing and constant clashes with the ME on when to post stories to the web. One day Exec Editor Steve Smith clashed with the online desk on posting Scarborough's stories. The next day Scarborough's desk was empty.]

The honeymoon barely lasted a few months. Sloppy editing of his stories across town where the copy desk sits in Virginia editing both the DC and Baltimore papers, constant clashes with the then Managing Editor, and a showdown with Steve Smith over placement of hot stories on the web, and one fine morning, the newsroom found his desk empty. Rowan had had enough, and he bolted.

After a sabbatical, Scarborough has resurfaced to helm the Pentagon coverage for his old employer: The Washington Times.

He's not the only one not to get a goodbye from Smith and his entourage. Ace Capitol Hill reporter Charlie Hurt also had a turbulent time with Smith at the Examiner. He lasted there but a few months even though his Pork coverage ranked high in online traffic for the paper's website and left without a goodbye party.Not to mention that more than a dozen staffers since Smith took over have quit took over his management style and people began to complain about his mercurial ways and short-temper bursts and quirky monday morning quarterbacking in daily editorial meetings where he's known to shoot suspenders and plot strategy to defeat the online powers-that-be in Denver that run the online arm of the paper. Among Smith's new hires was also a New York-based investigative reporter but the ink was barely dry on his pieces that soon he too was gone. No word on why he left.

But more than anything, Smith's relationship with the then-Managing Editor Nicholas Horrock spoke volumes of the fractures within the newsroom. Just a few months after Smith cemented his boots on the table, he trained his guns on Horrock and he was one of the earlier casualties of the Smith weapon about to be unleashed on the newsroom. Horrock was essentially fired for speaking up against his boss (and sometimes taking power cat naps at his desk). Soon thereafter a bevy of editors left the editing operations in Virginia where a editor was dispatched from the newsroom to clean up copy (and the mess). He also soon departed taking a couple of eds with him. On some days there are a couple of eds scurrying to bed both the DC and Baltimore editions and using AP copy to fill the pages seems the most likeliest exit.

[PIC CAPTION: Charlie Hurt didn't last long enough to make an impression but his stories did get a lot of impressions on the website.] Rubbing elbows with the online team – headed by a now-deposed Dave Schafer who ran the online operations from Denver with three editorial types including Gil Asakawa who was popularly nicknamedDave's Garage Door Opener

– was a royal treat for Smith who rallied against the online team on a daily basis inside the newsroom. Often jockeying for more power to control the online version of the local paper, he found himself at loggerheads with senior Denver management on how best to position local content getting to an excruciating low by cutting off content access to the Denver online team from the local eds. Things got so heated between him and the online team that he cut the cord with Denver. For a while there was a logo for the paper and right next to it a globe-trotting new logo for the online edition that appeared in the paper. Today, you only see one logo on the paper. The globe's been replaced by a link to a local online site he's reportedly developing called DCExaminer.com. So, in a nutshell, you've got a publication within a publication. If you belong to the Denver camp, you visit examiner.com. If you belong to the Smith camp, you visit dcexaminer.com. Nowhere is what more visible than on the website where the co-existing Israeli-Palestinian accord has been carved out where both staffers for examiner.com and dcexaminer.com learn to co-habit. Of course, they don't like talking to each other.

Smith is known to hire cronies and seldom does he like to venture beyond favoritism. There is no meritocracy when it comes to hiring. After Horrock was shown the door, Smith hired a former colleague from the Austin newspaper he felt compelled to leave to take on the job. Michael Hedges, a notorious web-basher , was hired as a hatchet man who put the brakes on any support to the Denver online team. Few weeks into his job, Hedges began to roll back any promises the desk made to the online team in Denver to post stories during the day and also began to question the reach and readership of the online edition as a justification to put the web initiative on the back burner.

Lets just put it this way, said a Denver staffer who quit in disgust: They're not FOOLs out there in DC. By FOOLs just what did he mean? "Friends Of On Line," he quipped as he drove of to a restaurant.

[PIC CAPTION: Mike Hedges was known by Denver as a notorius web-basher.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PIC CAPTION: Then-Publisher Herb Maloney, Patrick Gavin, Executive Editor Vivienne Sosnowski and Jeff Dufour back in the heydays. Maloney quit in no time, Sosnowski was sent upstairs to corporate and the Y&N gossip guys rarely cover the shenanigans within the paper. Pic courtesy of Washington Life. ]

ALSO READ: EXAMINER.COM: NEW REDESIGN, BUT WILL THEY COME?

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Splashlight to Debut Images from India by Award Winning Marc Ecko Photographer

Angkor award-winning photographer and Marc Ecko
Enterprises executive Peter Ruprecht has partnered with Splashlight to debut
his “Monadic Nomad” collection. Splashlight will host a star-studded gala on
July 29th at its new headquarters in SoHo.

The Monadic Nomad-“A Journey of Chance” collection will be on display
through September at Splashlight in its brand new 60,000 square foot space
in Soho.

The exhibition features 40 color and black-and-white images that were taken
on Ruprecht's journey across India in late fall 2006. Notable collectors of
Peter's work include The Marley family in Miami, as well as Marc Ecko,
Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Marc Ecko Enterprises.

Ten percent of all proceeds from the sale of the work will benefit charity:
water, a non profit providing water to people in developing countries. The
collection will specifically fund freshwater wells and sanitation projects
in India. Recognized for its work around the globe, charity: water has
garnered national press coverage, celebrity endorsements and corporate
support.

“By consciously excluding historical references, Peter composes images that
transcend time. His photographs are less bound by material references to
particular eras,” said world-renowned travel photographer James Whitlow
Delano. “As a result, his compositions engage the viewer in direct
relationship with his human subjects. The forms, lines and colors become
organic elements enhancing the subjects. Even perspective and motion are
endowed with intrigue and mysticism. “

The “Monadic Nomad” collection will feature one-of-a-kind pieces printed on
handmade paper from Nepal, as well as environmentally safe canvas. The
eclectic combination of images and printing processes will convey the
complex mix of sights and sensations that Peter experienced while on his
journey and capture the spiritual, mystical essence of India's exotic
culture. Images will be available for presale at www.ruprechtstudios.com.

The invitation-only opening party will feature cuisine inspired by the
country. The press preview will take place on July 29 from 6-8 pm.

Splashlight Soho is located at 1 Hudson Square, on the corner of Varick and
Canal Streets.

The public will be able to view the collection free of charge Monday through
Friday, 9 am to 6 pm through the end of September. For more information
about Splashlight, please visit: www.splashlight.com.

About Peter Ruprecht
Peter Ruprecht is an award-winning photographer and filmmaker and Vice
President of Interactive and New Media for the global lifestyle and fashion
company Marc Ecko Enterprises. In 2004, Peter co-founded Forza Films, a
South American documentary production company that has produced work for
leading networks. Peter has also had a long-standing career consulting
companies of stature, including Merrill Lynch, Price Waterhouse Coopers and
Opera Solutions. Born in Argentina to the great granddaughter of President
Manuel Quintana, Peter was raised in Vermont and attended Dartmouth College.
He was ranked as a top skier in the United States and has traveled the world
extensively.

About Splashlight
Splashlight is a world class resource for photography, offering a full range
of photographic services including studio rentals, state-of-the-art
photographic equipment, digital capture, retouching services, CGI,
production, event space and more. With locations in New York, Los Angeles
and Miami – and the ability to deliver “on location” anytime, anywhere
around the world – Splashlight provides the very best services to meet the
photographic needs of creative agencies, retailers, publishers,
photographers and producers. Splashlight's renowned staff is always on hand
to provide support and management for shoots of any size and complexity.

About charity: water
charity: water is a non-profit providing clean and safe drinking water to
people in developing nations. In less than 2 years, charity: water has
funded more than 600 projects in 11 countries that will provide 250,000
people with clean and safe water. 100% of donations go directly to water
and sanitation projects in Africa, India, and Central America. In March of
2008, charity: water teamed up with Gram Vikas, a non-profit NGO, to help
bring clean water and basic sanitation to poverty-stricken communities in
the state of Orissa, India. Households in this area will receive piped
water supply and toilets, significantly improving health and wellbeing.
charity: water has been profiled in national and local media outlets,
including CBSNews.com, ABC News, Fox News, PEOPLE, USA Today, New York Post,
Travel & Leisure, InStyle and Forbes.com.

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The Devil May Wear Prada – But The Pope Doesn't

The devil may wear Prada – but the pope does not.

According to the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, the bright red loafers that Pope Benedict XVI wears are not designed by the Milanese fashion house, as has long been rumored.

"Obviously the attribution was false," the Vatican newspaper said in its Thursday's editions.

"Such rumors are inconsistent with the simple and somber man who, on the day of his election to the papacy, showed to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square and to the whole world the sleeves of a modest black sweater," it said.

Still, Benedict's fashion sense has often drawn media attention.

Three years ago around Christmas, he showed up for his weekly public audience in St. Peter's Square wearing a fur-trimmed stocking cap that could have passed for a Santa Claus hat. The hat, as it turned out, is a "camauro," which dates back to the Middle Ages and figures in many papal portraits.

On a separate occasion, Benedict sported a sumptuous red velvet cape trimmed in ermine – another piece of traditional papal attire that had long been abandoned.

L'Osservatore Romano said the pope's interest in clothes has nothing to do with fashion and everything to do with liturgy – what symbolism traditional garments can bring to the Christian liturgy.

"The pope, therefore, does not wear Prada, but Christ," L'Osservatore said.

 

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Zagat Releases New Chicago Restaurants Guide

The annual yum-fest known as the Taste of Chicago is blowing into the Windy City, and in the next two weeks, an estimated 3 million food lovers will sample the best bites in town. Thanks to Zagat's 2008/2009 Chicago Restaurants survey, released today, residents and visitors alike can get the lowdown on the best food the city has to offer either in book form or via ZAGAT.com or the award-winning mobile website, ZAGAT.mobi.

“Chicago's culinary scene is continuing to expand,” said Tim Zagat, co-founder of Zagat Survey. “From fresh fusions to small plates, chefs are raising the bar with unique menu offerings and adventurous food preparations.” Zagat recently served as a guest diner in the finale episode of Bravo's Top Chef Chicago, and along with his wife and Zagat Survey co-founder, Nina, will be present at the Taste of Chicago's opening ceremony.

The survey results, containing signature ratings and reviews of 1,089 eateries, are based on the experiences of more than 5,370 food-savvy residents. The guide also includes ratings and reviews of the best restaurants in Milwaukee.

On average, the Zagat surveyors dined out 3.1 meals per week; thus, this year's ratings and reviews are gleaned from roughly 860,000 annual meals worth of experience. Although the average meal cost in Chicago rose about 2% annually to $35.17, compared to $33.75 two years ago, 81% percent of Chicagoans say that they are eating out as much as or more than they did two years ago. Chicagoans are also tipping more than ever, giving 19.1%, which is slightly above the national average of 19%.

Favorites: The surveyors indicated that they enjoy new fusion and small plate menus, but by a 26% plurality prefer Italian food. American at 16%, French at 12% and Mexican and Japanese each at 11% followed as favorite cuisines.

Surveyors chose Wildfire, Frontera Grill and Tru as their top three most popular restaurants. Charlie Trotter's dropped from the number one favorite last year to the number four place, followed by Gibson's Steakhouse. As for food ratings, Alinea jumped from fifth place last year to first place. Tallgrass came in second, Carlos' third, Les Nomades fourth and Topolobampo fifth.

Newcomers: Among this year's newcomers, in order of food ranking, Old Town Brasserie came in first, followed by TABLE 52, Otom, Sepia, and Bluprint. In the works are venues from a number of celebrity chefs including Terrance Brennan, Alain Ducasse, Todd English, Gordon Ramsay, Joel Robuchon and Marcus Samuelsson.

The following list shows 2008's winners by cuisine type.

By Cuisines:

American (New) – Alinea Italian – Spiaggia
American (Trad.) – Kuma's Corner Japanese – sushi wabi
Asian (Misc.) – Le Lan Mediterranean – Avec
Barbecue – Smoque BBQ Mexican – Topolobampo
Cajun/Creole – Pappadeaux Middle Eastern – Noon-O-Kabab
Chinese – Lao Nuevo Latino – Nacional 27
Coffee Shop/Diner – Manny's Pizza – Spacca Napoli
Eclectic – Lula Seafood – Spring
French – Tallgrass Small Plates – Avec
French (Bistro) – Barrington Country Spanish/Tapas – Meson Sabika/ Tapas
Greek – Artopolis Valencia
Hot Dogs/Burgers – Hot Doug's Steakhouses – Joe's Seafood
Indian – India House Thai – Arun's
Vegetarian – Green Zebra

Not surprisingly, most of the above restaurants tend to be on the pricey side, however the guide also includes 80 best buys, led in order by Potbelly Sandwich, Superdawg, Hot Doug's, Hannah's Bretzel and Margie's Candies.

Greening and Health-Consciousness: Following a national pattern, 64% of Chicagoans indicate that they consider eating locally grown food to be important. Likewise, 65% say they are voting for more low-carb, low-fat, heart-healthy menu items. As for trans fats, 56% feel they should be banned entirely from restaurants' preparation. A majority are so concerned about issues of this kind, they are willing to “pay more” for food that is sustainably raised or organic.

Irritants: As elsewhere in the country, service is by far the biggest complaint among diners. In Chicago this year, 78% of surveyors cite service as the most irritating part of dining out, while cumulatively all other complaints, including noise, food, prices and traffic, amount to only 22% of complaints. Nina Zagat, Co-Chair of Zagat Survey says that service is clearly “the biggest problem facing the restaurant industry today.”

Milwaukee: Just a car ride across the Wisconsin border, Milwaukee's culinary scene is flourishing with unique, high-quality dining options. Residents voted Sanford's New American cuisine an all-around Top Food favorite while Ristorante Bartolotta, The Riversite, Dream Dance and Mangia followed closely behind. In a perfect trifecta, Sanford also received highest honors for Service and Decor.

The Guide in Detail

The guide features expansive ratings and reviews of the best restaurants in Chicago and Milwaukee, broken out by location, cuisine and special features, including Singles Scenes, Quick Bites, Outdoor Dining, Child-Friendly and Celebrity Chefs. The guide also contains useful neighborhood maps for both cities and a convenient wine chart.

The 2008/2009 Chicago Restaurants guide ($14.95) was edited by Alice Van Housen, Ann Christenson and Allison Lynn, and is available at bookstores and other retail outlets, through ZAGAT.com, or by calling 888/371-5440.

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