chuck yeager

1953 - U.S. test pilot Chuck Yeager reaches Mach 2.3 (2.3 times the speed of sound) in a Bell X-1A rocket plane.

1963 - Kenya becomes independent within British Commonwealth and a republic a year later.

1969 - Greece, under fire on charges of violating human rights, withdraws from the Council of Europe before it can be expelled.

the secret garden restaurant

This week, Kitchen Nightmares offers up two back-to-back previously aired episodes. The first episode features The Mixing Bowl, which is a small restaurant in Bellmore, New York. When Chef Gordon Ramsay visits The Mixing Bowl, he encounters an owner in the kitchen and an inexperienced manager running the front of the house.

The Mixing Bowl isn’t making money, likely because their specialty appears to be coupons and special discounts. Chef Ramsay has to institute some major changes in order to keep the restaurant afloat. The Mixing Bowl episode of Kitchen Nightmares airs on Thursday, December 4 from 8 PM to 9 PM ET/PT on FOX.

donna d errico

Iniziativa per lotta ai tumori al seno organizzata dall’assessorato alla Sanità. Allocca: «vicini alle donne sul terreno della prevenzione».

Il seno rappresenta la femminilità e scoprire un tumore alla mammella può essere per la donna devastante, non solo a livello fisico, ma soprattutto psicologico. A Somma Vesuviana, presso la sala Convegni dell’Istituto Suore Trinitarie, si è svolto un incontro sulla prevenzione di questo cancro che colpisce una donna su dieci e che ogni anno vede circa 36mila nuovi casi.

Alla conferenza, organizzata dall’Assessorato alla Sanità in collaborazione con la Lilt (Lega Italiana per la Lotta contro i Tumori), sono intervenuti i medici Vincenzo Carrella, assessore comunale alla Sanità, e Raffaele Allocca, sindaco di Somma Vesuviana, il professor Adolfo Gallipoli D’Errico, presidente della Lilt Napoli, Giovanni Manganella, medico Lilt, Patrizio Napolitano, chirurgo, Antonio Casillo, chirurgo plastico, e la giornalista Gemma Tisci.

Barbara Walters rounds up the most fascinating people

There aren’t many surprises on this year’s list of The 10 Most Fascinating People.

But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Maybe for this 16th annual edition, host Barbara Walters has rounded up the logical choices.

For instance, who’s gonna quarrel with including Olympic superswimmer Michael Phelps?

Or the country’s most famous hockey mom, Sarah Palin (who also happens to be governor of Alaska, a former vice presidential candidate and, some say, the future of the Republican Party)?

Or what about Will Smith and Tom Cruise, who, to put it simply, are Will Smith and Tom Cruise?

“This was almost the easiest year that we’ve ever had, because we had so many naturals,” says Walters, summing up the selection process for her special, which airs tonight at 9 p.m. on ABC. “Some of the people you just know you have to do.”

Like 30 Rock star Tina Fey, who helped define Palin to a national electorate with her hilarious impersonation on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Or Rush Limbaugh, the powerful conservative pundit who is now getting ready to take on a new Democratic president.

Or like 16-year-old singer-actress Miley Cyrus. Though wildly popular as star of Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, she’s become “a new Miley Cyrus,” says Walters. “She’s growing up.” (Cyrus also hit a bumpy patch this year due to arguably racy photos by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz that were published in Vanity Fair.)

Maybe not so obvious: Thomas Beatie, who will be interviewed as a representative of what Walters calls a larger subject — the emergence of transgender couples.

Frank Langella is yet another name on her list. Why? After decades as an acclaimed actor, the 70-year-old Langella has the buzz of a latter-day breakout star thanks to his new film, Frost/Nixon, Walters says.

By now, she has the winnowing process down to a science — including how she handles those who didn’t make the final cut.

“If a celebrity’s press agent calls, we say, ‘You were right there, you were the 11th! Maybe next year,’ ” Walters jokes.

As usual, the No. 1 Most Fascinating Person of 2008 will be announced on the program.

But even here, a jaw-dropping surprise seems unlikely. After all, could it be anyone but President-elect Barack Obama?

“I would be the last one to tell you,” laughed Walters, refusing to give her interrogator even a hint. “You could very well be right — but, then again, you never know.”

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/tv/6145461.html

john tucker must die

"I feel like I'm coming to you today with some very good news," Bandera County Attorney Kerry Schneider told commissioners Nov. 24.

Referencing the progress thus far forged with the county's formerly slapdash animal control policy, Schneider said there is still room for improvement, but steps are being taken toward public-friendly procedures that should ultimately benefit the stray, abandoned and lost animals within the county. At the helm of a court-appointed committee charged with rewriting the rabies and animal control order, Schneider said officials have listened to the public and citizens' concerns are being addressed.

"We have heard," Schneider said. "I think we got the message. We have heard your message."

Acknowledging that the community has been concerned about the disposition of animals after being placed in the county's custody, Schneider informed commissioners that with the exception of two dogs, every dog that has funneled through the county since the beginning of November has been sent to a rescue organization, adopted or retrieved. Of the two dogs in question, Schneider said one was euthanized after being diagnosed with a brain tumor and the other died in a veterinarian's office after being shot by a rancher.

Since Nov. 4, Senior Animal Control Officer Rick Neely has picked up 22 dogs. According to reports, the county has collaborated with D and D K-9 Concepts, Homeward Bound Dog Rescue, the Humane Society, the Animal Defense League, Joanna Benedict, Animal Welfare Society of Bandera, SNIP San Antonio and Homeless Halo to find appropriate placement.

In order to further continued momentum, Schneider advised the creation of a community liaison on animal control issues, both to make the proposed system more efficient and enable communication between the county and the public. Commissioners approved the move, but not without contention and a question of legality. Schneider recommended the duty of community liaison be assigned to Jennifer Gaertner, who already worked on a part-time basis in the county attorney's office. Gaertner's additional responsibilities, which include working with each animal control officer who comes into the sheriff's office; handling applications for destruction, livestock kills and animal seizures; tallying and recording stray and unwanted animals; updating the county website with pictures and information of impounded animals; and working with animal rescue organizations, would increase her hours to full-time status. Schneider said Gaertner has already worked numerous hours toward the establishment of a structured animal control facility, both on county and personal time.

"I think it's a new approach. I'm not sure if any other counties have done this before, but I think it sets a good example," Schneider said. "We are going to listen to the citizens of our county, but we also ask them to understand that the county is limited in its statutory authority."

Pct. 2 Commissioner Bobby Harris, who also sits on the animal control planning committee, expressed some concerns regarding Gaertner's appointment, specifically whether the court had the appropriate authority to create a position that is detailed in an as-yet unapproved animal control order.

"I think we're trying to put the cart before the horse," Harris said. "I would like to ask for the attorney general's opinion." Harris also queried whether the creation of a community liaison for animal control during the 11th hour of Schneider's tenure as county attorney was appropriate.

"Let me remind you that we have a new county attorney coming in January," Harris said. "She's leaving office Dec. 31. He's the man who has to enforce this."

Schneider argued that County Attorney-Elect John Payne would have the same authority to change the arrangement of liaison as he would any other policy or staffing arrangement currently in place once he takes office. She also countered that the county had the authority to approve a county employee position. County Treasurer Kay Welch said that the county could add additional duties to an existing position by modifying the job description.

"My vision of the order was that the position would be a full-time community liaison," Schneider said. "I'm asking the court to consider trying this on a part-time basis."

County Auditor Christina Moeller said that the transition from a part-time to full-time position, including the benefits package, would cost the county $14,000. For now, Moeller said, the funds would come out of the county attorney's office contingency funds. Sheriff Weldon Tucker said that Gaertner's liaison status would free at least 50 percent of one animal control officer's time, who could perform other relevant job tasks.

"It's going to give us back the opportunity to do other things," Tucker said. "You betcha'."

Harris was the lone opposition to the approved motion, stating for the record that he would like to have an attorney general's opinion, as well as input from Payne. The vote passed four to one.

"It's nice not to have hearings to euthanize a dog," County Judge Richard Evans said. "That's a terrible hearing. It's the only time that you have to execute the victim."

http://www.banderabulletin.com/articles/2008/12/03/news/560.txt

zoe pound!!

Shout out to Gorilla Zoe! The Block ENT artist is kicking off his New Year's resolution off a bit early.

Here's the press release I received from publicist extrodinaire Tahira Wright.

Block Entertainment/Bad Boy South/Atlantic recording artist, Gorilla Zoe, is set to release his sophomore album "Don't Feed Da Animals" for a first quarter release. In preparation for the album, Gorilla Zoe has decided to take on a 12 week weight loss challenge perfectly titled "Don't Feed Da Animal" to lose 40 pounds from his 230 pound frame. Block Entertainment CEO, Russell "Big Block" Spencer, and fitness expert Ed Bowen of Body by Bowen, have teamed up to create a regime to completely change Gorilla Zoe's physique and promote a healthy lifestyle for him and other Block Entertainment recording artists.

The weight loss campaign will feature Before & After photos, a nutritional plan and weekly journals charting ongoing progress. Gorilla Zoe fans can also join the weight loss challenge by logging on to www.dontfeeddaanimal.com to create a profile, upload their Before & After photos along with submitting journals of their progress.

[Go Here To Check Out New Site]

What do we think about this? Personally, I feel that this a very good look for Zoe. Weight loss is becoming a bigger and bigger every day in hip-hop. Lil Cease, LL Cool J, Yung Joc, Trey Songz, etc are all striving to get their bodies tight.

I ran into Zoe at his new video shoot for "Lost" and homie was grubbing on a chicken breast and water.

I wonder if Ricky Ross is going to be the next oen to jump on the weight loss movement.

This is what Zoe looks like now.

Are you feeling inspired to get the weight off?

Talk to y'all lata,

--SOHH Gyant
http://blogs.sohh.com/atlanta/2008/12/gorilla_zoe_don.html

head-coaching job to USC's Steve Sarkisian

USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will be offered the job as Washington's head coach, a source with knowledge of the situation said Thursday.

Sarkisian, 34, interviewed for the job over Thanksgiving. He said he spoke to Washington officials Wednesday but had not been offered the job.

"I'm one of some number of candidates, which I'm honored to be, but nothing has been finalized in any way shape or form," Sarkisian said.

The source, who declined to speak on the record because the offer had not been formally made, did not give a timetable for the job offer.

Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach and Fresno State Coach Pat Hill also were among those who interviewed, but they pulled their names from consideration Thursday.

Washington fired Tyrone Willingham, effective at the end of the season, on Oct. 27 in the midst of what has been a winless campaign heading into Saturday's finale against California. ESPN reported Thursday night that Sarkisian would be named the Huskies' coach.

Scott Woodward, Washington's athletic director, would neither confirm nor deny the report, according to the Seattle Times website.

Sarkisian said he was focusing on the fifth-ranked Trojans' game against UCLA on Saturday at the Rose Bowl. He said he would not consider an offer until after the game.

"My goal is to go out and for our kids to go out and play really well and win that ballgame," he said.

Sarkisian's agent, Gary Uberstine, could not be reached for comment.

Sarkisian, who was quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2004, turned down the chance to coach that NFL team in 2007. That job went to then co-offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, who was fired this season and was hired Monday as coach at the University of Tennessee.

USC Coach Pete Carroll declined to comment on Sarkisian's situation and would not discuss possible replacements.

Former Trojans quarterbacks coach Carl Smith, who was most recently the Jacksonville Jaguars' offensive coordinator, attended Saturday's game against Notre Dame and attended practices this week.

"He was coming out for some personal stuff and I got him to come by and hang with us," Carroll said. "He's been with us before, and he's a great friend and all of that.

"I called him a month ago about coming out here and just being around."

Several players, when informed of the ESPN report, said they would congratulate Sarkisian if it proved true.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez said, "I'll worry about it next week."

Klein is a Times staff writer.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-sarkisian5-2008dec05,0,6823736.story