bio-rocks

Selena Gomez Bio: What Makes The Young Starlet Tick?

2011-10-10T21:24:00.000-07:00

Although she is still in her late teens, Selena Gomez biography lists numerous accomplishments as an actress and singer. She was born Selena Anne Gomez on July 22, 1992 in Dallas, Texas. She was raised in Grand Prairie, Texas and lived there until she was thirteen.

From 2001 to 2003, Selena played Gianna on “Barney and Friends” produced by Disney. It was on that show she met her co-star Demi Lovato who became her best friend through the years. Selena also guest starred on an episode of “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” an episode of “Spy Kids 3D: Game Over,” and three episodes of “Hannah Montana” as Mikayla. She also played a couple of small parts in “Walker, Texas Ranger” in 2005 and in “Brain Zapped” in 2006. In 2007 she began playing Alex Russo in “Wizards of Waverly Place” which is still airing four years later. It also won an Emmy in 2009 for Outstanding Children’s Program.

During 2008 Selena played the lead role of Mary in “Another Cinderella Story” which was a sequel to “A Cinderella Story.” She made her first animated movie in 2008 called “Horton Hears a Who!” She recorded three tunes for Disney and appeared in “Burnin’ Up” which was a Jona Brothers music video. Selena also became a spokesperson for Borden Milk that same year. In 2009 she starred in the movies “Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie” and “Princess Protection Program.” Her latest starring role is in the movie “Monte Carlo.”

Selena recorded her first album “Kiss & Tell” which hit gold, and followed it up with “A Year without Rain.” Her platinum single “Naturally” started her on her techno journey. She added a techno/dance vibe to “A Year without Rain” to make people want to get up and dance. The album features themes like freedom, love, and living happily in the moment. The album includes songs like “Round & Round,” “Rock God,” “Spotlight,” “Off the Chain,” “Summer’s Not Hot,” “Ghost of You,” “Sick of You,” “Live Like There’s No Tomorrow,” and a Spanish version of “A Year Without Rain.” She will be touring with her band, Scene, this year and will be releasing an album in June with Scene. No title has been chosen for the album yet, but the hit single “Who Says?” is featured on the album.

Selena has been a youth ambassador for UNICEF for which she recently made a trip to Africa. She also has volunteered at St. Jude’s Hospital for children and Disney’s Friends for Change, all of which have broadened her viewpoints on life. She has a new clothing line, Dream Out Loud, which is only sold at K-Mart.

Source http://www.screenjunkies.com/movies/actors-directors/selena-gomez-bio-what-makes-the-young-starlet-tick/

Downtown Partners works to increase foot traffic downtown

2011-07-25T23:54:00.000-07:00

Downtown Partners has always worked to promote downtown Sioux City and increase foot traffic for businesses and events.

Downtown Partners officials say downtown Sioux City already has a lot of existing great culture and now they're directing their funds towards more projects.

A recent event sponsored by them was Rock-N-Rods.

The event had more than 500 cars registered.

Officials say they hope to make this an annual event and eventually become more financially stable and pass it to another organization.

"That's really the goal from when we create something in downtown, for it to be successful and for someone to take it over and keep it going. So that maybe we can focus our efforts on another new event," said Ragen Cote, Executive Director of Downtown Partners.

Another project they're helping with is future plans for Cone Park in downtown Sioux City.

Those plans include an ice skating rink, amphitheater, farmers market and water feature on four acres of land across from the Battery Building.

Source http://www.ktiv.com/story/15144095/downtown-partners-works-to-increase-foot-traffic-in-downtown-sioux-city

Brian Epstein bio shows Beatle manager's human side

2011-06-22T22:47:00.000-07:00

After not hearing about it for so long, the recent news that the film "The Fifth Beatle," about the life of Beatles manager Brian Epstein, had locked up financing and music rights was a wake-up call that the film is alive and well.

"I started working on 'The Fifth Beatle' about five years ago, but it's not as though that's the only thing we've been doing," writer-producer Vivek Tiwary told us on the phone. "I'm currently a producer on 'American Idiot,' the Green Day musical and producer of 'The Addams Family,' both of which are Broadway productions and both of which are prepping road tours to start later this year. And I've also been developing a television sitcom, which I just sold to CBS, called 'Punk Rock Dad.'"

Tiwary says getting the music rights for the Brian Epstein film was a big hurdle.

"It's taken literally years to secure the music rights and putting some financing together, no easy feat," he says. "The music rights alone, that's a process that's been over two years just working on securing the music rights. So it was not an easy process and something that I'm very proud to have accomplished." He also said a $25 million budget has been secured from DIMI Entertainment in Nashville.

There were previous reports about a Brian Epstein movie starring Jude Law, but Tiwary makes it clear his project is separate. "We are talking about another project completely. Jude Law announced he was going to make his own Brian Epstein film about a decade ago." He says he reached out to Law to combine forces, but was told by his agents that Jude was no longer pursuing his Brian Epstein projects.

Tiwary wrote the script for the new film. "I wrote the screenplay myself. The script is finished. Speaking as a writer, your script is never really done until you're in the editing room, really. But I have a script that is at a place where I'm very proud of it."

Though the film isn't based on any particular book, there is one Brian Epstein biography that he was very much aware of.

"There's one book which I believe is out of print called 'In His Life,' which is a collection of interviews written by the late Debbie Geller, who incidentally was a good friend of mine and a big supporter of this project. She died way too young and I hope she is resting in peace. And I hope she is proud of what I've accomplished so far."

He says when he started the project, he touched base, sort of, with Brian Epstein.

"When I first started developing this project about five years, the very first thing I did was I flew to Liverpool and I went to Brian Epstein's gravesite. And I sat at the grave and I told Brian what I wanted to do and asked his permission, so to speak. In a poetic, karmic way I thought that was the right thing to do. After that, I reached out to his estate to also make sure his estate was comfortable with me and my approach. And I would say I have become very friendly with his estate in the ongoing years. They've been wonderful to me."

He said he then reached out to Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and to the two estates of John Lennon and Geroge Harrison.

Source http://www.examiner.com/beatles-in-national/exclusive-writer-says-brian-epstein-film-shows-human-side-of-beatles-manager

Last day for Arkansas Million Dollar Raffle

2011-04-06T21:08:00.000-07:00

Wednesday is the last day to buy tickets in the Arkansas Million Dollar Raffle, sponsored by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.

Two lucky players will win $1 million dollars in the raffle drawing, which is set for Thursday.

More than 400,000 tickets have already been sold according to a lottery spokesperson.

In addition to the million dollar winners, 540 $1,000 winners will also be announced.

Lottery officials say the raffle gives players the best odds for a higher tier prize than any other game offered by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.

Source http://www.katv.com/story/14393692/last-day-for-arkansas-million-dollar-raffle

Police Search for Suspect in 2004 Homicide

2011-03-28T22:36:00.000-07:00

Police are looking for a man they say was involved in a shooting death back in 2004

Detectives are looking for Antonerio D. Norris, in connection with the January 2004 death of Anthony Terry.

On January 17,2004 officers were called to a subject down in the 4000 block of Old Shackleford Rd. When officers arrived they found Mr. Terry on the ground deceased from a gunshot wound.

Anyone with information about Norris should contact Little Rock Police detectives at 501-371-4660.

Source http://www.katv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14337283

Kid Rock’s Use of Confederate Flag Sparks NAACP Protest

2011-03-09T19:23:00.001-08:00

For the past few days, media outlets have carried the news that Kid Rock is slated to receive the “Great Expectations Award” from the Detroit branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on May 1, 2010. According to Donnell R. White, interim executive director of the NAACP in Detroit, the reason Kid Rock was chosen for the award was because he has “consistently lifted up the Great Expectations of many persons … concerning the future of the city.”

And anyone who’s ever listened to Kid Rock’s music knows that his love for Detroit runs deep. From songs like “Son of Detroit” to lyrics like “If heaven ain’t a lot like Detroit, I don’t want to go” to his “Made in Detroit” clothing line, Kid Rock has proven himself an undying citizen of the motor city. And when one considers all the struggles Detroit has faced over the past few years, from the financial problems of GM and Chrysler to the large number of manufacturing plants that closed their doors, Kid Rock’s non-stop campaign to see that city return to its glory days should encourage those who live there.

But a few members of the Detroit NAACP aren’t encouraged at all by Kid Rock’s work, nor are they happy that he’s going to receive the “Great Expectations Award.” In fact, they’ve turned a blind eye to his relentless push for Detroit’s rebirth and are instead caught up in the fact that Kid Rock displays a Confederate battle flag during his performances. In their minds, the presence of that battle flag can only mean one thing: Kid Rock is a racist.

Said Adolph Mongo, head of Detroiters for Progress: “[Giving him this award] is a slap in the face for anyone who fought for civil rights in this country, …[because that flag] is a symbol of hatred and bigotry.”

Since Mongo’s use of the phrase “hatred and bigotry” is nothing more than liberal-speak for “racism,” I think it would be nice if he would quit implying that Kid Rock is a racist long enough to explain why the NAACP only seeks the advancement of colored people.

Clearly, Kid Rock is no racist, and the fact that an embittered leader of Detroiters for Progress implies otherwise doesn’t change that.

The sad thing is that this whole episode was avoidable. All Mongo needed to do was be quiet long enough to listen and he would have noticed that Kid Rock has gone on record saying his affection for the Confederate battle flag is tied to the fact that he associates it with southern rock.

Source http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/awrhawkins/2011/03/08/kid-rock-attacked-for-flying-confederate-flag-at-concerts/

The battle rages on over Theatair X

2011-02-08T22:27:00.000-08:00

It began with community complaints and a WAVE 3 News investigation. Now, Reclaim Our Culture Kentuckiana, or R.O.C.K., is again taking on the Clarksville Town Council and Theatair X with a new website it is unveiling.

In 2009, we took an undercover look at Theatair X. Our cameras found many violations of the Clarksville town ordinance. There have been other investigations by R.O.C.K., including claims of open sex acts, prostitution and drug use.

On its new website, Truth About Theatair X, R.O.C.K. takes on the town council saying the only action the body has taken is issuing four minor citations to Theatair X. After Theatair X sued, a judge ruled the ordinance had not been passed properly and therefore those citations were not enforceable.

"The simple fix is to just pass a new ordinance. Pass it according to Indiana law - simple," said Maryann Gramig, president of R.O.C.K. "There were no other issues named that were problematic with the ordinance, which indicates there were no other issues. Just go back, pass it again, fix the technical issue and you're good to go."

Paul Craft, the Clarksville town council president, said they have appealed the ruling and have been waiting for a special judge to be appointed, which was recently done. Craft said they are waiting to hear the new ruling and feels they have done everything they can.

R.O.C.K. said the council hasn't done nearly enough.

Source http://www.wave3.com/story/13993473/the-battle-rages-on

Highway 321 headaches over, for now

2011-01-19T20:06:00.001-08:00

The barricades are gone, so are the flashing signs announcing the schedule of road closures.

All four lanes of Highway 321 are now open for traffic going up into the mountains between Lenoir and Blowing Rock.

A $63 million widening project caused major traffic headaches for the past six years along the 7 mile stretch of highway.

Twice each week, for several hours at a time, the road would shut down completely for blasting. At other times, lanes were blocked, traffic slowed to a crawl and sometimes it would take an hour to get through the construction zone.

The project was supposed to be finished in August of 2008 but cutting through the mountains took longer than officials expected. There is still some paving to be done in the lower section of the project when the weather warms up but the road is in shape to stay open until then, said officials.

On Wednesday, Alan Kirby was seen directing traffic around a small work project. "There are a couple of small things left to do, but nothing major, he said. Wednesday was his last day on the job. Kirby expects to be unemployed for a few weeks "Then when they come back to do some paving I'm supposed to come back and help but after that I don't know what I will do."

The company that handled the project, English Contractors out of Virginia, paid thousands of dollars in penalties for not completing the project on time, according to state officials.

Though the barricades are down on this project, Highway 321 will see them again, say officials. The final stretch of the two lane portion of the road, between Blackberry Ridge and Blowing Rock, is slated to be widened to four lanes. Bid will be let on the project this summer with construction expected to begin next year.

Source http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13871801

Casting call for cover band reality show

2011-01-12T02:05:00.000-08:00

TriStar Entertainment is conducting an open casting call and looking for twelve enthusiastic cover and tribute bands for a Tribute/Cover Band reality television show. We are scouring the globe in search of the best cover and tribute bands dedicated to the 80's rock/metal scene. To be considered, please email a presskit that includes a bio, band photo, along with links to music and videos.

In addition to bands, we are also casting for three hosts, male and female. We are looking for someone who isn’t shy on camera and can talk about all things 80’s. Please send a bio, photos, videos, portfolio to the email below for consideration.

Please email info@foreverrockin80s.com

Source http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/1225/20865/Casting-call-for-cover-band-reality-show.html

Heavy rain does not stop revelers on Beale Street

2011-01-04T03:09:00.001-08:00

There was a soggy start to the New Year's Eve celebration on Beale Street Friday where thousands were expected to ring in 2011.

Hours before the planned Gibson guitar drop at the Hard Rock, rain dropped on Beale Street.

Thunder drowned out a drummer as the band Rock Sugar conducted a sound check in the stormy weather.

Organizers said they were on pins and needles all week.

"It's always been cold, but the precip out here hasn't been a problem," said Mike Glenn with the Beale Street Merchants Association.

Organizers anticipated upwards of 40,000 people for New Year's Eve, partly because of the crowd in town for the Liberty Bowl.

"We did not come prepared for the rain," said Beale Street visitor Eric Dunn. "Just leaving the Liberty Bowl to see the O'Jays and, man, we didn't know it was going to be like this."

"We had no rain all Summer long," said Doug Akers, visiting from Kentucky. "Anytime you get a little, 70 degrees and New Year's Eve, let it rain."

Organizers advised no one under the age of 21 will be allowed on Beale Street on New Year's Eve after 11:00 p.m.

Source http://www.wmctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13767042

Casino executives look for promising 2011

2010-12-28T01:56:00.001-08:00

Coast casino executives are looking for a more prosperous year in 2011.

The year now coming to a close included the negative impacts of a struggling national economy and the BP oil spill. But the business predictions about the new year are upbeat.

The week between Christmas and New Year's Day is traditionally a busy one for the casino industry, and this week is no exception.

"Everybody is off work, visiting family. They have a little extra Christmas cash in their pockets. Typically a pretty good week for the casino world," said Chris Kern, Hard Rock Casino Biloxi's Marketing Director.

Kern said predictions for the new year are generally positive. 2010 will be remembered as a year of challenges.

"We were kind of hoping the economic recession would lift a little bit, and we were hopeful coming into the summer. Then, of course, we had the oil spill in the Gulf, which obviously kept a lot of tourists away, particularly during those critical summer months," Kern explained.

"We're here catering to the locals that live here and work here," said Boomtown Casino Marketing Director Sunita Sailor.

That local reputation Boomtown Casino caters to may help explain why that property didn't experience a serious drop in business during the oil spill.

"Well, we don't have a hotel. And so I think most of our customers come locally and were staying informed about what was going on. And we were just hoping for the best," said Sailor.

As the New Year begins, the coast casino with the biggest expansions plans is the Palace. A construction project, already well underway, will expand the gaming area, improve the hotel facilities and add restaurant and retail space.

"The casino industry has historically been a little resilient when it comes to recessions. It took a little while, but it certainly got to us. And we certainly felt the pinch this year," said Kern.

But the promise of a new year brings predictions of an ongoing turnaround.

"I would definitely say that we're optimistic and upbeat going into 2011. We hope the residual effects of getting those tourists back to the coast after the oil spill are going to continue in 2011," said the Hard Rock executive.

Source http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=13746437

For marriage to work, it takes two to tango

2010-12-22T01:41:00.000-08:00

I have a simple metric for making a determination. Marriages need love, trust, honor, respect and desire. The people in them also need to embody the adjective forms of those words: lovable, trustworthy, honorable, respectable and desirable. If one of the persons stops being those things, or stops working to be those things, the marriage will suffer. — D.R.

On warming to flawed parents — We were brought up by a loving mother, and a father who was cranky and cold. All three of us longed for a doting dad. I finally decided he suffered, for whatever reason, from Tiny Little Heart Syndrome — there was only room in it for my mother.

Over the years I observed that the doting-dad/daddy's-little-girl relationship was not always a healthy one. Too much of a good thing can be as bad as too little. I also learned over the years that while our father was unable to relate to children, he was talented and ethical and funny and a rock we could depend on, and I know he did the best he could.

We had a wonderful friendship as adults, and my life was the better for his being part of it. Why was he the way he was? I don't know, but I do know that when he died at 89 I loved him with all my heart, and still miss him terribly. — Md.

On grieving for a grandchild not placed for adoption — My daughter became pregnant at 24 and, at the urging of her friends, made the decision to keep her baby. We are a close, middle-class family who were prepared to be supportive of her choice and to be there for her and her child. She talked herself into it because that's what others told her she "ought" to do.

Through the years, I have frequently been the primary caregiver, been there financially when things were difficult, and have been the one who has done homework, volunteered at school, and known all my grandchild's friends. I've basically been the parent, and while I adore my grandchild, had adoption been the choice, I know it would have been the best one for this child. Two parents who love this child and wanted this child so much, contact with the bio family if the bio family wants it, no regrets everyday because you know you kept the baby to make others happy, and knowing you've done what is really best for your child.

You have to understand, it isn't because I resent what I have needed to do; it is all about this child's life.

What no one thinks about in these situations is that women who "aren't ready to be mothers" aren't lying about that; they really aren't, and now, many grandparents are doing the job they had thought that daughter (or son) would step up and do. We're ready to be grandparents, not the parents.

If I had it to do over again, I would take my daughter out for a long drive and beg her to reconsider the decision to keep her child, not for my sake, but for her child's sake. — Anonymous

Source http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/relationships-and-special-occasions/columns/carolyn-hax/article_be68a19f-5ab6-5f21-939f-ab0b6be4abd0.html