text:
This is the 14-gallon gas pump with a patented siphon handle that instantly stops and starts the flow of gas, allowing you to fill a 10-gallon gas tank in five minutes. A squeeze of the handle initiates hydrostatic pressure that dispenses gas without any pumping. Two sturdy 6" wheels and the integrated handle ensure ease of transport to a dock or shed, while the 10' hose allows you to refuel hard-to-reach gas tanks without lifting the entire container. Unlike traditional gas cans, the unit has two shutoff valves�one on the hose and one on the container�that seal internal pressure and restrict gas vapors. Made from durable, high-density polyethylene, the gas pump will neither rust nor dent and it can be set up horizontally or vertically when refueling. Not recommended for diesel fuel. 34 1/2" H x 16" W x 12 1/2" D. (19 lbs.)
Lifetime Guarantee
The 14 Gallon Portable Gas Pump comes with The Hammacher Schlemmer Lifetime Guarantee. If this product ever disappoints you, for any reason, you may return your Hammacher Schlemmer purchase for exchange, credit, or refund.
Should you have any questions, we are available seven days a week (8:00 am – midnight EST). Please call 1-800-321-1484 to speak with a specialist or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com to receive a response within three business hours or less.
Shipping charges noted in parentheses apply in addition to our standard shipping & service.
We're sorry, but gift wrap is not available. Please call 1-800-395-7006 for Premium or Express delivery rates.
Oversized items scheduled for expedited delivery (Premium or Express) may incur additional shipping and services charges because of their unusual size. Please call 1-800-321-1484 for an estimate of S&S charges. International callers, please call 1-513-860-3397.
We're sorry, but gift wrap is not available for oversized items.
Shipped via truck and may require customer assistance upon delivery. You will be contacted to make an appointment for delivery.
We're sorry, but gift wrap and gift cards are not available.
GST still applies and will be charged upon processing. For complete shipping & service charges please call Customer Service at 1-800-321-1484.
May we recommend:
(based on 13 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Stars
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Best Uses
Reviewed by 13 customers
Displaying reviews 1-10
Back to top
Previous Page | Next Page »
(12 of 13 customers found this review helpful)
Very disappointing
By Myron
from East Berlin PA
The dispenser nozzle did not work, especially when I wanted to fill my pontoon boat whose fuel fill was higher than the unit. Also, the nozzle broke after a rather short period of use. I have since put a better valve on the hose (which also had to be replaced) and replaced the the vent on the fill cap with a replacement snap-in Schrader tire fill valve (the kind used to put in car tire rims) and now pressurize the tank with a bicycle tire pump.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Hammacher Schlemmer Response: It is our goal that you are completely satisfied with any item you purchase from Hammacher Schlemmer. If you would like to exchange or return this item, please call us at 1-800-321-1484 and we would be happy to assist you.
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- flag this review
(10 of 13 customers found this review helpful)
Slightly Disappointed
By Disappointed
from Pomona, CA
Well I bought this as a Valentine's Day gift for my husband who uses 5 gallon gas cans to fill our seadoos, quads, and other smaller vehicles. He also races so I thought he could take it to the track to fill his car...but sad to say that it doesn't work if what your filling is higher than the tank. You need to come up with some pressurized mechanism to make this work...can't be that hard. As a matter of fact, my McGiver husband is going to try to do just that...maybe he'll sell you his idea!
(10 of 12 customers found this review helpful)
Good product but VERY slow flow
By bl
from Boston
Good capacity and design except on the pump side. It takes 10-15 minutes to empty the container no matter what height the tank is at. I now need to find a bigger diameter hose for faster fills.
(8 of 10 customers found this review helpful)
Finally a replacement!
By Val
from Wallingford, CT
I've had one of these for years and I needed to replace it. Finally I found one to do that with. I just wish it was a smaller capacity because gas goes bad after awhile.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
gas cans are out
By Ted
from Virginia
Have gasoline engines on limb shredder, leaf blower, riding lawnmower, push lawnmower, weed eater, and backup power generator for house.That was a lot of trips to service station.Now I pick up 14 gallons at one time. Pump gas with a hose. No more struggling with safe latch gas cans.
(3 of 4 customers found this review helpful)
Excellent product!
By Farm girl
from Blackshear, GA
This container is well constructed, mobile, and very easy to use.
better than expected
By Fred
from Crozet,VA.
product is twice as substantial as my regular 5gal. containers. appreciate the lay flat feature and the manual vent cap.
(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
My husband was excited, this was a gift.
By May
from Minnesota Lake County
Service was great, very fast.
A Back Saver!!!
By Nikki
from New Jersey
Great idea to fill our existing gas generator without having to pick up a very heavy gas filled container.... during power outages.
(2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
By LUNVERZAGT
from GODFREY,IL 62035
COPYRIGHT © 2017 HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER & COMPANY, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. W106147 E. 57th ST • NEW YORK, NY • 10022 • 1-800-_321-1484


text:
Beyonce's Father To Teach Course On Entertainment Industry
Listen to Beyonce Radio on iHeartRadio
Beyonce's father Mathew Knowles has lined up a new gig.
The superstar's former manager is set to teach a course at Houston Community College in Houston, Texas. The course on the fall syllabus is called "The Entertainment Industry: How Do I Get In?" A press release describes it as "a day-long intensive boot camp" taking place on September 13th.
The course is open to those pursuing all types of career paths within show business, even those outside Knowles' expertise in the music industry. Enrollment is based on a first-come, first-serve basis and costs 295-dollars for the day.
Knowles is offering his knowledge to the Houston Community College because he was once a student there himself. He says in a statement that he learned skills from the business courses he took in the 90s that helped him turn Destiny's Child and his daughter into the stars they are.
Photo: Getty Images

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Sony SLT Alpha 58 reviewBy Ben Boswell - Monday April 29 2013 Sensor Review
Sony seems to have a liking for doing things differently to other makers: hybrid cameras with bigger sensors, compact cameras with serious, professional attitude and single lens reflex cameras with fixed, translucent mirrors. Its new SLT Alpha 58 camera shows just how good a strategy this is, close to the quality of their Alpha 77 at half the price!
Sony's SLT Alpha 58 is a single lens reflex camera with an APS-C sized CMOS sensor of just over 20 Mpix. The Alpha 58 has all of the features that you would expect in a DSLR, and unlike the majority of its competitors, it also has image stabilization built into the body rather than having it as a feature of the lenses. Stills can be captured at rates up to 8 frames per second and movies in full HD. The monitor screen, at 6.7cm, with 460k dots, is slightly smaller and lower resolution than some of its competitors and it tilts, but does not swivel. The camera's sensitivity ranges from 100 ISO to 16,000 ISO, again falling short of some competitors but not by very much. As with other Sony Alpha cameras the lens mount will accept Sony and Zeiss 'a' mount lenses and also the wide range of lenses on the second hand market with Minolta's AF mount.
Sony SLT Alpha 58 sensor performance
Sony SLT Alpha 58 versus competition
Further readings for the Sony SLT Alpha 58 review
To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.


text:
John Travolta speaks out about Idina Menzel mispronunciation
In case you missed John Travolta's intensely strange mispronunciation Oscar Sunday, John Travolta introduced Idina Menzel's "Let It Go" performance by calling her "Adele Dazim."
Well, Travolta is finally coming out of hiding after this massive mistake via a statement to ABC news:
"I've been beating myself up all day. Then I thought … what would Idina Menzel say, She'd say, Let it go, let it go! Idina is incredibly talented and I am so happy Frozen took home two Oscars Sunday night!"
Photo Credit Getty Images


text:
Winton Woods senior power forward Kwan Cheatham will visit the University of Akron on Friday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Cheatham, who is 6 feet 8, has interest from schools that include Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron and others.To read more or comment...
The Akron Zips received their second member to the class of 2013 when McKeesport (Pa.) High School quarterback Eddie Stockett gave an oral commitment Monday.
He represents coach Terry Bowden's first recruit to that position.To read more or comment...
McKeesport QB Eddie Stockett became the first signal caller to commit to the Akron Zips according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Saved my parents 70 grand a year !To read more or comment...
It would seem that the hiring of Terry Bowden to coach the Akron Zips football program is starting to yield some results with respect to recruiting.
To read more or comment...
From a University of Akron press release:
With the 2012 collegiate softball season in the books, it is the Akron softball team making headlines in Northeast Ohio as the accolades continue to roll in for the 2012 freshman class.
On June 6, it was announced that incoming freshman Kenzie Conrad was awarded the 2011-12 Gatorade Ohio Softball Player of the Year. However, Conrad is not the only future Zip making headlines.
When the Ohio High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association (OHSFSCA) released its annual All-Ohio honors, all five members of the incoming class were honored. Conrad and Keystone High School teammate Erin Pond earned First-Team honors (DII), along with Central Catholic's Erin Seiler (DI). Kenzi Rhodes (Highland High School) was named Second-Team All-Ohio in Division II while Massillon Washington's Jessica Reiman was named Honorable Mention All-Ohio (DII).
Former Zips linebacking standout Brian Wagner has left the University of Arizona, according to ESPN.com
Wagner told the TusconCitizen.com that the passion for the game was no longer there:To read more or comment...
According to a report from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Akron Zips coach Terry Bowden has landed his first commitment in the class of 2013.
Zach Guiser, a 6-foot defensive back ouf of Greensburg Central Catholic with 16 career interceptions started three of his four years in high school.To read more or comment...
The University of Akron has offered a scholarship to Mason senior-to-be safety Corey Quallen, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Quallen, who is 6 feet 2 and 205 pounds, also has an offer from Ohio University.To read more or comment...
The University of Akron has reportedly offered Chicago Simeon Vocational High School linebacker Reggie Spearman, according to Scout.com.
Simeon, who is listed at 6 feet 2 and 200 pounds, is ranked the nation's No. 57 outside linebacker in the 2013 class by Scout.com. He also reportedly has offers from Houston, Ball State, Indiana, Minnesota, Toledo and Western Kentucky, according to the website.To read more or comment...
From a UA press release:
University of Akron head men's basketball coach Keith Dambrot and members of the 2012 Mid-American Conference Regular Season Championship squad will be honored prior to the Akron Aeros baseball game on Friday, June 8.
Dambrot and the Zips will be honored by the Aeros at approximately 6:45 p.m. ET. Dambrot will be decked out in a No. 3 Zips baseball jersey reminiscent of his days as a member of the Akron baseball team.
Prior to the start of the Aeros game against the Altoona Curve, which is set to begin at 7:05 p.m., Dambrot will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Zips fans can also hear Dambrot during the second inning of the Aeros radio broadcast on 1350 AM and online at sportsradio1350.com <http://www.sportsradio1350.com> .
Several Akron student-athletes will be on-hand on the concourse to sign autographs for the first couple of innings. A fireworks show is also scheduled to follow the contest.
For more information on the Akron Aeros or to purchase tickets for Friday's game, visit akronaeros.com.
From a UA press release: The University of Akron men's basketball team has been selected as one of eight teams to participate in the 2012 5-hour ENERGY® Puerto Rico Tip-Off Nov. 15-18, 2012, in historic and picturesque San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The Zips will be joined in the field by Massachusetts, North Carolina State, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Providence, Tennessee and UNC Asheville. Games are held on Thursday, Nov. 15, Friday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 18. There are no tournament games on Saturday, Nov. 17. The bracket for the event will be announced at a later date.
"We are excited to be heading to Puerto Rico to play in this great tournament," Akron head coach Keith Dambrot said. "This will be a tremendous challenge for our program. The field is full of very talented teams that are well-coached, which should make for some great basketball."
The event will be Akron's second trip to Puerto Rico for a regular season tournament, but the first for the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Zips played in the 2005 San Juan Shootout (Dec. 19-21), defeating Mount St. Mary's 74-61 and Mississippi State 83-72 before falling to Clemson 66-59. This is also the second-straight season that a Mid-American Conference program has participated in the six-year-old event as Western Michigan competed in the 2011 edition.


text:
- Info Request
Trade-In a Vehicle
As one of the largest classic car dealerships in the world, we are always look for new inventory. If you are interested in trading your high quality car for one of ours, simply fill out this form and click Submit.
A member of our sales department will be in touch within 24 hours. No one makes the trade-in process easier than RK Motors Charlotte.
Required fields are marked with *
Contact Information:
- *
- *
- *
- *
Vehicle Information:
- *
- *
- *
- *
Additional info / Trade in Goals:
Please Note: All Sales Transactions involving trades are limited to a Basic Safety Exit Service.
Service Programs is only available on full price, straight purchase transactions.Close
- Finance this Vehicle
Transport Quote Request
Select Shipping Option
This item can be collected at:
- Share on Facebook
- Share on Twitter
- Share on Pinterest
Sorry, but this classic has been sold and is resting comfortably in the garage of a new owner
in our current inventory
1992 Chevrolet Stepside
- Stock #
- 132789
- Body Style
- Pickup Truck
- Engine
- Exterior Color
- Red
- Interior Color
- Tan
- Miles
- 60897
Trade in a Vehicle
Why Buy From Us ?
See Also
these cars might interest you
See Comparable
recent sales
- $40k in paint-work
- 18/20 inch wheel combo
- Est. $100k build cost
- Full custom interior
- 700R4 4-speed automatic
- $10k stereo system
This spectacularly customized 1992 Chevy stepside pickup was developed to showcase the abilities of one very talented painter. Covered in more than $40,000 worth of paint and graphics with a stunning custom interior, it's a highly detailed show piece that couldn't be duplicated for four times the asking price. If you're looking for something to make the judges weak in the knees at the next custom show, this is your truck.
Starting with what is arguably the best-looking truck in decades, this short-cab stepside Chevy was given a comprehensive makeover. The base color is vivid red, but there are so many layers of airbrushed graphics and custom paint atop it, that it's hard to know where to begin. The flame job is layered with white, yellow, purple, and orange licks, laid out in such a way as to make them look three dimensional, yet traditional. You'll note subtle ghost flames licking across the rockers, all the way back to the rear valence, which houses a molded-in license plate frame. Then there are the graphics on the tailgate that highlight the House of Kolor logo, and obviously, all the paint on this truck is from the world-famous House of Kolor. Look closely and you'll be amazed by the amount of hand pinstriping used to outline the flames and to add depth and detail to the graphics—there must literally be hundreds of hours of work wrapped up in the finish alone. A flush-fitting bed cover with hydraulic struts has been fitted and painted to match, complete with its own airbrushed mural on the underside. Heck, the airbrushing is so extensive that it even stretches to the door jambs and frames, the inner fenders, the engine, and even the dashboard! You'll spend hours with this truck and still not see it all.
Other custom modifications include the billet grille that hides the headlights, the smoothed front bumper, the custom side mirrors, as well as the clear tail lights, all of which are popular sport truck tricks. Notably, it hasn't been shaved or chopped, which only serves to highlight the stunning paintwork instead of drawing one's eye to sheetmetal modifications. That also means that all the original glass could be retained with replacements easy to acquire.
Power comes from Chevy's evergreen 350 cubic inch V8 sporting a modified L98 tuned port injection setup with siamesed intake runners. But the engine itself isn't really the story, it's just there to move the paint job from show to show, and with that in mind, it's beautifully rendered. Most of the hard parts that see some heat have been chrome plated, but anything that wasn't chromed was painted in more of that cool House of Kolor candy paint. The heavily modified front suspension is candy green pearl, the intake and frame are purple pearl, and you can see more of the airbrushed flames licking throughout the engine bay as if the painter just couldn't help himself. It's also highly functional, with power steering, power brakes, and A/C, all of which operate correctly and use a newer serpentine belt system to keep everything spinning. Up front, there's a giant Be Cool radiator, which is just what you need when you're cruising the fairgrounds with the A/C blasting, and the engineering is first rate, because the lowered ride height doesn't affect suspension travel.
The engine is backed by a 700R4 4-speed automatic, which makes highway drives easy, and it's tucked up tight inside the beautifully painted candy purple pearl frame. The stock rear end is still there, but now it hangs on a set of adjustable airbags and a custom trailing arm suspension, and true to form, the rear end cover has been painted and flamed to match the rest of the suspension components. A dual exhaust system gives it a rumbling voice, with side exhausts dumping just ahead of the rear wheels. There's a disc brake at all four corners, along with fat sway bars fore and aft, making this big pickup somewhat of a sports car relative to its previous life. And to complete the flame motif, a set of Colorado Custom billet wheels were whittled up that look like flames themselves, and wear 245/40/18 performance radials.
But the show doesn't stop there, not by a long shot. Those painted door jambs I mentioned earlier were just the start, because the interior is a beautifully sculpted tan leather cockpit that will win its own share of awards. Aside from the dashboard and gauges (both of which have been heavily modified anyway), there's not a single stock component in there. The door panels are works of art, and the tan leather buckets are as comfortable as they look. A custom center console was fabricated to house a pair of cup holders, controls for the power windows, as well as the head unit that controls a $10,000 stereo system. There's another skull keeping you company between the seats, and like I said earlier, the airbrushing continues on the glove box lid. Overhead, a matching leather headliner has been fitted, while new tan carpets on the floor have been bound in matching tan hides. Billet aluminum trim panels dress up the stock instrument panel and controls, while the flame theme is continued with a billet steering wheel that was designed to match the road wheels. Heck, even the door sills are custom-made billet aluminum pieces. And quite honestly, it's impossible to call the bed a work area any longer, since it has been finished to the same high standards as the interior. With custom molded panels to house all the stereo gear, including the amplifiers and crossovers, a plexiglass window to show off the custom lowered rear suspension, and a fitted spare tire, it's the nicest (and largest) trunk ever devised. Forget trips to Home Depot, the only thing you're going to be hauling back here are the trophies this truck is sure to collect.
Over the top? Maybe. But you can't argue with the workmanship, which is simply phenomenal in every single way. With a build cost that is approaching $100,000, this is not your average sport truck. Every facet of the truck has been extensively modified, and even if you're not a custom truck guy, you can definitely appreciate the massive talent that it required to make this Chevy look this good. This is one of those vehicles that will stop people in their tracks at any show it attends, and the engineering makes it a machine that can be driven to shows, not trailered, giving you the best of both worlds. In the world of customs, this truck is not only amazing, it's an amazing bargain, too.
- Year
- 1992
- Make
- Chevrolet
- Secondary Make
- n/a
- Model Name
- Stepside
- Secondary Model
- n/a
- Vehicle Type
- Pickup Or Truck
- Hobby Segment
- Pickup
- Mileage
- 60897
Engine / Transmission
- Engine Type
- Gasoline
- Engine Size
- Engine Number
- n/a
- Heads
- n/a
- Fuel Specification
- n/a
- Fuel Delivery System Type
- Electronic Fuel Injection
- Transmission Type
- 4 Speed Automatic
- Transmission Spec
- Transmission Number
- n/a
- Entertainment System Type
- AM/FM Single CD
- Battery Location
- n/a
- Battery Shut Off
- n/a
- Battery Charger
- n/a
- Power Steering
- No
- Air Conditioning
- No
- Interior Color
- Tan
- Seating Type
- Bucket
- Seat Material
- Leather
- Shifter Type
- Column
- Center Console
- Yes
- Body Style
- Pickup Truck
- Doors
- 2
- Safe Body Color
- Red
- Paint Type
- n/a
- Stripes
- No
- Front Suspension Type
- n/a
- Rear Suspension Type
- n/a
- Axle Specification
- n/a
- Front Wheel Specification
- 18x8.5"
- Rear Wheel Specification
- 20x10"
- Front Tire Specification
- Rear Tire Specification
- n/a
- Front Brakes Specification
- Power Disc
- Rear Brakes Specification
- Power Disc
- Spare
- Exhaust Type
- n/a
- Muffler Type
- n/a
- Restoration Status
- Restored
- Mileage Since Restoration
- n/a
- Awards Summary
- n/a
- Historical Documents Summary
- n/a
Contact Us Regarding this Vehicle
Call Us
- 704.445.9105
- 704.596.5980


text:
Miley Cyrus Goes Shopping in Malibu in Tiny Bikini
- 01:02 PM, Jul 26
Filming Scenes for The Movie R.I.P.D.
Photo credit: / WENN
To fit your screen, we scale this picture smaller than its actual size. The original picture size is 1000x851 pixels and this photo has been viewed 4901 times since November 25, 2012


text:
Snake slithers out of toilet and bites occupant
(Sharona Schwartz) Since we're talking "nightmare"-level scenarios, you'd be correct in assuming the wounded body part in question isn't the elbow.
It's scary. It's gross. And it ought to reinforce the habit of, you know, taking a second to scan the toilet bowl before you sit upon it.
At least that's what a 35-year-old man is probably wishing he did after getting bitten on the penis by a snake that allegedly slithered out of a toilet at his parent's home in northern Israel.
The Times of Israel quotes a report from Israel's Channel 10: "While sitting on the john, he was rudely and painfully interrupted when a snake appeared and bit his penis. The victim 'ran from the room in horror' and went to Haifa's Rambam Medical Center for treatment."
The man, whom Israeli media have not identified, told paramedics at the scene Friday night that while in the bathroom, he suddenly felt "a sharp burning sensation on his penis," Ynet reports.
One of the paramedics told Ynet that despite the location of the bite, the man stayed calm and "even had a laugh with the medical crew at his own expense."
"This is the first time I've seen a snake bite like this," the paramedic said. "Luckily…all the tests seem to be fine and the man is feeling well."
Doctors at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa determined the snake was not venomous.
A hospital spokesman told Ynet: "There is undoubtedly bite marks on the area in question…but it seems the snake is not poisonous. The man is currently undergoing a number of tests and as soon as we have the results he will be able to go home."
Photo Copyright: Shutterstock


text:
15 signs that it's more than just the blues
Dim the lights and break out the…eggs? These 10 foods will kick your sex drive into high gear.
Banish belly rolls for good with these easy moves to sculpt strong, sexy abs
We take a look at 20 common human body quirks.
Does exercise really lower fertility? We take a look at 8 common myths about fertility.
Bicycling is the new "it" way to get around. Here are 10 reasons to take to the streets on two wheels.


text:
Blackwater Founder Erik Prince: War on Terror Has Become Too Big
Erik Prince is not the kind of man one expects to make the case for slashing U.S. intelligence and military budgets. After 9-11, his company, Blackwater, expanded exponentially, winning contracts to protect diplomats and politicians in Iraq and to train and work with CIA paramilitary teams hunting terrorists.
In an interview Monday, Prince said the national security state he once served has grown too large.
"America is way too quick to trade freedom for the illusion of security," he told The Daily Beast. "Whether it's allowing the NSA to go way too far in what it intercepts of our personal data, to our government monitoring of everything domestically and spending way more than we should. I don't know if I want to live in a country where lone wolf and random terror attacks are impossible 'cause that country would look more like North Korea than America."
Today Prince is out of the contracting business and is promoting a book telling his side of the Blackwater story. To be sure, he accuses Democrats of abusing state power to wage a political war on him and the media of aiding and abetting that campaign.
Prince's new book, Civilian Warriors, recounts in detail the battles Prince waged in the last decade over his company. He writes, for example, about a conversation at one point with his accountant, who claimed an IRS auditor told him that he was never under such pressure to get someone as he was in the case of Prince. He takes shots at the left-wing lawyers who brought civil suits related to the incident at Nisour Square, a traffic circle in Baghdad where Blackwater contractors killed 11 Iraqis. Prince says the evidence shows the incident was a firefight and not, as his critics alleged at the time, a massacre of an unarmed crowd. And he complains that the media coverage of Blackwater was biased and often wrong.
But despite attacking Blackwater's many critics in the book, Prince also sounds a bit like them when discussing what he considers President Obama's counterterrorism policies.
Read The Full Article On The Daily Beast
More articles from The Daily Beast:
- Christie's Immigration Catch-22: Help Immigrants or Win GOP Primaries
- It's Time for Obama to Go on Offense on Health Care
- Why Was Firefighter-Marine Reserve Maj. Jason Brezler Betrayed?
© 2013 Newsweek/Daily Beast Company LLC


text:
Neither of these two wins against the Hawks were particularly pretty, but they go down as Ws, so the Cavs aren't about to complain.
You could tell the minute that LeBron James stepped on the floor that he wasn't about to settle in the offensive department. Unfortunately, his teammates didn't follow the lead until late.
James scored a season-high 48 points on his birthday nonetheless to lead the Cavs to a 106-101 win. Overall the Hawks outplayed the Cavs offensively outshooting them from the three-point arc and overall 48 percent to 47 percent.
The key difference: free throws. The Hawks got to the line just 15 times overall in the game, while the Cavs had 38 trips. James had 16 free throw attempts by himself.
Another key: The Cavs' defense showed up again when it mattered most - the second half. They erased a one-time 17-point lead to eventually win the game.
Sometimes sports just ain't pretty.
Post mortem: Cavs 95, Hawks 84
If you want to talk about winning ugly, you have but to look at this particular game. LeBron James had one of his worst nights of the season, but his teammates (Mo Wiliams with 20 points and Delonte West with 17) picked up the slack.
If you were looking for offensive ecstasy? Wrong game. Wrong night. Although the Cavs shot close to 50 percent on the night, 20 turnovers that led to 17 Hawks points kept Atlanta in the game.
Defensively? They were typically brilliant, especially for an 8:31 stretch where they held the Hawks without a bucket. They weren't beacons of offensive brilliance themselves, however. They hit just 32 percent in the fourth quarter.
The one thing that struck me watching this game was that it felt like a playoff atmosphere to at least one team. The Hawks, who the Cavs swept out of the Eastern Conference semis last spring, were definitely up for the game, but the Cavs maintained the calm, cool demeanor of who they are - a veteran ballclub with young talent. With James struggling, his teammates didn't panic. What they all did was ratchet up the defense.
After allowing Jamal Crawford to light them up for 24 points in the first three quarters, they held him pt just two in the final one.
First half: No defense from either team as the Hawks shoot 51 percent to the Cavs' 64 percent. Thus far the Cavs are killing the Hawks on the boards 19-12, including winning the offensive rebound battle. Mo Williams continues to shoot at a torrid pace for the Cavaliers hitting 5-of-6 shots for 15 points. But the Hawks are in this game because of a familiar Cavs problem: turnovers. They have 11 of them thus far, leading to 13 Hawks points.
Game: Cavs (24-8) vs. Atlanta Hawks (21-8)
TV: FSOhio Radio: WAKR (1590 AM); WTAM (1100 AM), WHBC (1480 AM).
Starters: Cavs: LeBron James (F); J.J. Hickson(F); Shaquille O'Neal (C); Anthony Parker (G); Mo Williams (G). Hawks: Marvin Williams (F); Josh Smith (F); Al Horford (C); Joe Johnson (G); Mike Bibby (G).
Cavs: Leon Powe (left knee surgery) - OUT. Hawks: Joe Smith (dislocated thumb) - PROBABLE.
Officials: Bob Delaney, Rodney Mott, Leroy Richardson.
I will be completely honest: Working on Christmas close to 2,500 miles from home stinks worse than a festering corpse.
It' s what I signed up for, however, and I love my job. Therefore you take the good with the bad. However, in this day and age it is very much possible to celebrate Christmas without being home. Witness just two of my greatests joys - Cameron and Matthew - in life opening gifts this morning back home in suburban Cleveland and a Merry Christmas to all:
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – No one could have asked for a better game than the one the Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings played Wednesday night at Arco Arena.
It contained enough drama, enough tension and plenty of highlight moments. It registered as one of those games fun to watch no matter who the victor.
Of course that's of little consolation to the loser and in this case the Kings, the team that came back from a 35-point deficit against the Chicago Bulls earlier this week, lost an overtime game to the Cavs 117-104 with the help of LeBron James' second triple-double (34 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists) on the season and the 26th of his career and defense that held the Kings scoreless in the final period.
James had plenty of help from point guard Mo Williams who tossed in 27 and points and dished out three assists. But backup center Zydrunas Ilgauskas contributed a season-high 25 points and added eight rebounds.
It's not the fact that Ilgauskas scored that many points, it's when he did it - hitting three consecutive three-pointers in overtime to put the game away.
''It was great for not only our team, but for Z himself to be able to come out and hit back-to-back-to-back threes like that in a close game at the time,'' LeBron James said. ''It's definitely a coming out party for Z this year.''
Indeed, Ilgauskas displayed a shot reminiscent of his prime years, hitting on 10-of-14 of the night and those three big shots in the overtime period.
''I've been shooting the ball well lately, I started real slow,'' he said. ''I got an opportunity and I was able to step in and knock the shots down.''
The Kings' Tyreke Evans showed that the hype surrounding his NBA wasn't unwarranted. The Memphis University product dropped 28 points on the Cavs, adding three rebounds and five assists. He and the Kings hung around for through the second half and cruised for the first three, hitting on 51 percent of their shots in that span.
''Neither team was defending and tonight, the first team that stepped up and defended had the best opportunity to win the game and it was us,'' coach Mike Brown said.
Indeed, Evans coasted along through the game's first three quarters with the rest of his team, the Cavs' strategy in the later stages of the game proved the deciding factor in the game as James guarded the heralded, disrupting his shot and generally frustrating him.
''It was just me taking the challenge,'' James said.
Evans couldn't get a good look from the minute James assumed those duties. Evans connected on 1-of-8 shots combined in the fourth quarter and overtime period.
It's a tactic that the Cavs could have used to start the game, but Brown decided against it.
''We knew we could go there if we wanted to, but we felt that come fourth we put 'Bron on him to see if he could score on someone with some size,'' he said.
As a team the Cavs deserve credit as a team for getting stops when they mattered the most. Despite giving up 52 points in the paint and 21 second chance points, when it counted, they delivered a stellar defensive effort as the Kings went a combined 8-of-27 in the fourth quarter and overtime period. James, however, wasn't satisfied completely with the way they played.
''We hate to continue letting teams get comfortable in the first three quarters,'' he said. ''It's a great thing to be able to turn it on defensively like that, but we need to be able to figure out how to do it as close to 48 minutes as possible.''
Buzzer beater: LeBron James' totals against Sacramento of 34 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists was James' second career game of at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. Since 1986-87, only Charles Barkley and Larry Bird have two games with at least those totals.
George M. Thomas can be reached at email@example.com. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/thomas. Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/CavsABJ and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CavsABJ
First half Cavs 57, Kings 53
Two things are keeping the Cavs from dominating the game. The Kings have hit the free throw line 14 times to just five for the Cavs and the Cavs left their interior defense back in Phoenix because the Kings are getting into the paint relatively easy with, scoring 10 points. The Kings are making the best of second chance opportunities scoring 10 points in that area.
LeBron leads the Cavs with 26 points; Omri Casspi has 16 for the Kings.
Game: Cavs (21-8) at Sacramento Kings (13-14)
TV: FSOhio Radio: WAKR (1590 AM); WTAM (1100 AM), WHBC (1480 AM)
Cavs: LeBron James (F); J.J. Hickson(F); Shaquille O'Neal (C); Anthony Parker (G); Mo Williams (G).
Kings: Andres Nocioni (F); Jason Thompson (F); Spencer Hawes (F); Omri Casspi (F); Tyreke Evans (G).
Cavs: Leon Powe (left knee surgery) - OUT.
Kings: Sean May (strained left hamstring) - QUESTIONABLE. Kevin Martin (surgery- left wrist), Francisco Garcia (surgery, right forearm, wrist) - OUT.
The Kings return home with a boatload of confidence after overcoming a 35-point deficit against the Chicago Bulls Tuesday night in the Windy City. It was the second-best comeback in the league in more than a decade.
It's a team that many saw sitting in the cellar of the Western Conference's Pacific Division, that spot is currently occupied by the Golden State Warriors. But they've played will above that level, thanks in part to Tyreke Evans, the Memphis product billed as the Baby LeBron. He's in line the be one of few rookies to average 20 or more points, five rebounds and five assists per game. Impressive indeed.
Pay attention to Delonte West once again. He's been on a roll offensively and is playing with more confidence
The Cavs became the only team in the NBA since March to beat the Phoenix Suns twice on their homecourt. The Suns are 19-0 against the rest of the league.
The team that beat the Suns 109 to 91 hardly resembled the one that folded against the Dallas Mavericks the night before. Outstanding games from LeBron James (29 points) and Mo Williams (24 points) and decent bench play (36 points) helped the Cavs pull this one out.
For most of the game the Suns remained close, but the Cavs broke things open in the fourth quarter, outscoring 27-16. The reason why? In the quarter that the Cavs needed to put Phoenix in lockdown, they did, holding them to just 36 percent shooting and forced six turnovers for 10 points. Add these ingredients and you get the Cavs going on a 15-0 run in the fourth quarter and holding the Suns scoreless for 5:22 of the fourth quarter.
Post-mortem: Mavs 102, Cavs 95
The bad: No Nowitzki? No problem. The Cavs couldn't take advantage of a Dallas team without its leading scorer and opens its four-game Western swing with a loss. While Nowitzki sat in street clothes on the bench with an elbow laceration, Tim Thomas filled in for him and tried his best to match the German's almost-27 point scoring average. Thomas poured in 22 and grabbed seven rebounds in relief. Had they been able to put any kind of clamps on him, the Cavs had a chance to win this one.
The ugly: The lack of defense in the second half. Dallas shot a mere 40 percent in the first half, but over 55 percent in the second, outscoring the Cavs 50-45 in the final two quarters. The allowed the Mavericks to bury them with timely shooting in the fourth quarter, especially from the three-point line as Jason Kidd stole back some momentum with a trey at 4:31 in the fourth quarter.
Game: Cavs at Mavericks Broadcast:
TV: FSOhio Radio: WAKR (1590 AM); WTAM (1100 AM), WHBC (1480 AM).
Cavs: LeBron James (F); J.J. Hickson(F); Shaquille O'Neal (C); Anthony Parker (G); Mo Williams (G). Mavericks: Shawn Marion (F); Tim Thomas (F); Erick Dampier (C); Jose Juan Barea (G); Jason Kidd (G).
Cavs: Leon Powe (knee surgery) - OUT, Jamario Moon (undetermined) - OUT; Dallas: Dirk Nowitzki (elbow laceration) - OUT.
Officials: Eddie Rush, Pat Fraher and Haywoode Workman.
The Cavs will not have to face the Mavericks' uber forward Dirk Nowitzki tonight. The team' s leading scorer suffered an elbow laceration after elbowing the Houston Rockets' Carl Landry the other night, getting some of Landry's teeth embedded there. The Mavs will have to rely on Tim Thomas to come off the bench and replace some of those 27 points.
The Cavs, thus far this season, are 7-2 against Western Conference teams, including a win versus the Mavericks at Quicken Loans Arena back on November 28. They jumped on the Mavs early taking a 68-55. halftime lead before eventually going on to win 111-95. LeBron James had 25 points and 12 assists in that game. Delonte West added 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Misc.: Tonight is LeBron James 500th game as a Cavalier...The Cavs are 7-2 versus the Western Conference.
Game: Cavs vs. Milwaukee Bucks Broadcast:
Radio: WAKR (1590 AM); WTAM (1100 AM), WHBC (1480 AM)
Starters: Cavs: LeBron James (F); J.J. Hickson (F); Shaquille O'Neal (C); Anthony Parker (G); Mo Williams (G). Bucks: Luc Mbah a Moute (F); Ersan Ilyasova (F); Andrew Bogut (C); Carlos Delfino (G); Brandon Jennings (G).
Cavs: Leon Powe (knee surgery) - OUT.
Bucks: Joe Alexander (hamstring) - OUT. Officials: Mark Wunderlich, Tony Brothers and Curtis Blair.
Post-mortem: Cavs 99, Nets 89
The good: There ain't a whole lot of good to take from this one, but let's go with the combined play of centers Shaquille O'Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. It probably worked just the way coach Mike Brown drew it up (facetiousness) - Shaq inside and Z from the outside.
LeBron James took over the game in the third quarter at one point scoring seven consecutive points to give the Cavs a healthy cushion. Statistically they dominated the game shooting 58 percent, grabbing 41 rebounds to the Nets 36 and putting up 58 of their points in the paint. But they lacked focus and energy. Once again: they play to the level of their competition.
The bad: Delonte West went back to the inactive list after looking as if he were back in the flow with respect to his teammates. At times it's easy to wish the team would cut times to him, but anyone who's been paying attention knows what he is capable of when he's right.
The ugly: It was unintentional, with LeBron James even offering him support, but Devin Harris' foul on Jamario Moon looked beyond ugly. Thankfully Moon wasn't hurt in the process. Harris received an ejection from the game.
Game: Cavs vs. New Jersey Nets Broadcast:
TV: FSOhio Radio: WAKR (1590 AM); WTAM (1100 AM), WHBC (1480 AM).
Starters: Cavs: LeBron James (F); J.J. Hickson (F); Shaquille O'Neal (C); Anthony Parker (G); Mo Williams (G). Nets: Josh Hassell (F); Josh Boone (F); Brooke Lopez (C); Courtney Lee (G); Devin Harris (G).
Cavs: Daniel Gibson (right pinky sprain) - GAME TIME DECISION; Leon Powe (knee surgery) - OUT
Nets: Tony Battie (sore right hip flexor) - QUESTIONABLE; Chris Douglas-Roberts (left knee sprain); Kenyon Dooling (sore hip flexors); Jarvis Hayes (strained left hamstring), Yi Jianlian (upper lip laceration) are all OUT.
Officials: Bennett Salvatore, TBD
Once again folks, I'm off into the great blue yonder. Traveling to Houston then home this time, but here are some of my favorite show tunes for your pleasure:
A recent discovery after seeing Wicked at Playhouse Square:
Idina Menzel sang the Wicked Witch of the West's part of the duet Defying Gravity from Wicked, here she's part of the ensemble cast from RENT:
Something old school from West Side Story. You can never forget the classics. And yes, I know Natalie Wood didn't do her singing in the film. Doesn't change the fact that she could act and that she was gorgeous (completely sexist remark, I know):
Phantom of the Opera has been on Broadway for more than two decades. Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford are still difficult to match:
In closing, a little symmetry. From The Wiz based on the Broadway play (therefore it qualifies) and starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Richard Pryor:
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – J.J. Hickson found himself in a position Friday night that hadn't been too familiar since late November – riding the bench. The second-year forward found himself there after just 30 seconds had passed in the third quarter as the Cavaliers struggled against the Portland Trail Blazers. The problem: an inability to keep up with the Blazers' dominating forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who seemed to score at will and from any place on the court. ''I pulled him out with 11:30 left in the third, I won't hesitate to do it again,'' Brown said. ''If he's making a mistake but he's playing hard, you have to live with the mistakes as long as they're aggressive mistakes.'' But Brown didn't see anything aggressive in the way Hickson played against Portland. ''He didn't make any physical adjustments on (Aldridge); he just continued to let him go where he wanted to. He's got to understand that can't happen,'' he said. And if he doesn't? Brown has little problem turning to Anderson Varejao, as he did Friday. And although he doesn't expect the 6-foot-10 Brazilian to breakout each time for 22 points and 10 rebounds, he knows that defensively he can rely on him to do what needs to be done. At one point in Friday's game, Varejao played for 23 consecutive minutes. ''Twenty three minutes straight is a long time, but not really for a guy like Andy,'' he said. ''His endurance is unique for his size. His (footwork) is unique for his size. He's capable of doing long spurts at a time.'' Brown has no plans to remove Hickson from the starting lineup any time soon, primarily because he doesn't want to fall into a trap; instead he's looking to maintain some consistency. He's also willing to chalk Hickson's problems up to growing pains, saying that the North Carolina State University product played off of adrenaline when he enjoyed his initial success. ''He's been a young guy that's all it is,'' Brown said. Shaq in; Gibson out Shaquille O'Neal decided to play tonight despite suffering a left eye contusion in Friday night's game. The 7-foot-3 center was examined at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute. ''Obviously the concern is if you get scratched there again, you can make it worse,'' Brown said. ''It's early in the season, if you do err, it doesn't hurt to err on the side of being precautious.'' O'Neal said the injury did affect his vision, but he started against the Thunder. Historic trio Only three players in league history have averaged 28 points or more through the first 21 games of a season at age 21 or younger. All – LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal and Kevin Durant – played in Sunday's game. *tagline George M. Thomas can be reached at email@example.com. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/thomas. Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/CavsABJ and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CavsABJTo read more or comment...
Post-mortem: Cavs 102, Thunder 89
The good: Mo Williams' borderline miraculous three-point shot from 48 minutes with five seconds left on the 24 second clock. It wasn't the shot itself - as good as it was - but its effect on the game that makes the big difference. After Williams connected on it, the Thunder played like someone had busted their ball. They missed the next seven shots after that as it helped the Cavaliers continue a 17-3 run that eventually put the game out of reach.
The better: LeBron James' 44 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Even as I write about it, it's almost an afterthought because he does stuff like this so often. It was a dominating performance adn he single handedly kept the Cavaliers in the game until Mo Williams showed up to give him a hand in the second half. In a one-minute stretch toward the end of the third quarter, James hit three consecutive three-point shots to help give the Cavs the lead at 78-76, but some momentum that Williams' shot only added to.
The best: The Cavs continue to play clamp down defense at the most important time of the game. Williams' shot not only gave them a boost offensively, but it spurred them on defensively. The Thunder shot just 30 percent in the fourth quarter.
Game: Cavs (16-7) at Oklahoma City Thunder (12-9)
TV: FSOhio Radio: WAKR (1590 AM); WTAM (1100 AM), WHBC (1480 AM).
Cavs: LeBron James (F); J.J. Hickson (F); Shaquille O'Neal (C); Anthony Parker (G); Mo Williams (G).
Thunder: Jeff Green (F); Kevin Durant (F); Nenad Krstic (C); Thabo Sefolosha (G); Russell Westbrook )G):
Cavs: Daniel Gibson (strained pinky); Shaquille O'Neal (left eye contusion) - QUESTIONABLE. Leon Powe (left knee surgery) - OUT.
Thunder: Kyle Weaver (shoulder surgery); Kevin Ollie (right knee surgery) - OUT.
Officials: Derrick Stafford, Leon Wood and Haywoode Workman.
Post-mortem: Cavs 101, Portland 99
The Good: Mike Brown called it willing a win in the second half. Given the way the Cavs played in the first, they needed something. Mo Williams said that Brown let them have it at halftime because, to be generous, they looked lazy out on the court. In the second half, different story as the Cavs flipped a nine-point lead and outscored the Trail Blazers 59-45 in the second half and held them to 39 percent shooting.
The Better: But they won because of the play of two players - LeBron James (who else) and Anderson Varejao. James came out in the third quarter and scored his team's first nine points and scored 19 points in the half and Varejao nearly matched him with 18 points. But it was Varejao's unexpected burst that did the most damage. He was key in a 10-0 run in the third quarter that tied the game at 64. Varejao scored six of those 10 points. Additionally, he was a monster on the boards with five (three offensive) of his 10 overall in the half.
The Ugly: There's got to be some ugly as the Cavs continued their propensity to turn the ball over, giving up 16 of them tonight. The Blazers scored 19 points off of them and a fair share of them were unforced.
Misc. notes: The Cavs had three players with double-doubles (LeBron James, Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao) for the first time since Feb. 24, 2008 when Zydrunas Ilgauskas, LeBron James and Ben Wallace did it against the Memphis Grizzlies...The Cavs outscored the Trail Blazers 52-28 in the paint, beat them on fastbreak points 18-7 and outrebounded Portland 40-30.
Game: Cavs vs. Portland Trail Blazers
TV: FSOhio. Radio: WAKR (1590 AM); WTAM (1100 AM), WHBC (1480 AM).
Starters: Cavs: LeBron James (F); J.J. Hickson (F); Shaquille O'Neal (C); Anthony Parker (G); Mo Williams (G). Trail Blazers: Martell Webster (F); LaMarcus Aldridge (F); Joel Pryzbilla; Brandon Roy (G); Steve Blake (G).
Cavs: Daniel Gibson (hand); Leon Powe (knee surgery)
Trail Blazers: Rudy Fernandez (sciatic pain), Greg Oden (knee surgery); Travis Outlaw (left foot surgery).
Officials: Dan Crawford, Tony Brown, John Goble.
Forwards: LeBron James (Clev) 649,327; Kevin Garnett (Bos) 533,187; Chris Bosh (Tor) 303,550; Paul Pierce (Bos) 131,379; Josh Smith (Atl) 109,404; Danny Granger (Ind) 100,122; Andre Iguodala (Phi) 75,146; Michael Beasley (Mia) 58,461; Hedo Turkoglu (Tor) 55,416); Rashard Lewis (Orl) 46,073; Luol Deng (Chi) 37,428.
Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 672,227; Vince Carter (Orl) 292,002; Gilbert Arenas (Was) 212,526; Ray Allen (Bos) 208,276 Derrick Rose (Chi) 196,059; Allen Iverson (Phi) 136,976*; Joe Johnson (Atl) 118,964; Rajon Rondo (Bos) 113,371; Jose Calderon (Tor) 68,084; Mike Bibby (Atl) 48,935. . Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 625,279; Shaquille O'Neal (Cle) 206,657; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 67,310; Al Horford (Atl) 52,747; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 45,920; Brook Lopez (NJ) 39,420; Jermaine O'Neal (Mia) 38,956; Rasheed Wallace (Bos) 36,855; Kendrick Perkins (Bos) 19,408; Brad Miller (Chi) 17,188; Tyson Chandler (Cha) 14,062; Samuel Dalembert, S. (Phi) 13,969.
Forwards: Carmelo Anthony (Den) 588,958; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 366,300; Pau Gasol (LAL) 280,758; Tim Duncan (SA) 271,321; Kevin Durant (OKC) 177,205; Trevor Ariza (Hou) 168,167; Shawn Marion (Dal) 161,653; Luis Scola (Hou) 134,321; Ron Artest (LAL) 99,209; Lamar Odom (LAL) 85,817; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 70,588.
Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 692,518; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 281,545; Steve Nash (Pho) 272,135; Chris Paul (NO) 248,049; Jason Kidd (Dal) 207,247; Jason Terry (Dal) 131,422; Aaron Brooks (Hou) 131,167; Chauncey Billups (Den) 112,509; Brandon Roy (Por) 106,416; Deron Williams (Utah) 94,715; Manu Ginobili (SA) 75,392.
Centers: Amar'e Stoudemire (Pho) 447,776; Andrew Bynum (LAL) 299,484; Nene (Den) 90,439; Marc Gasol (Mem) 75,765; Greg Oden (Por) 73,874; Al Jefferson (Min) 48,676; Antonio McDyess (SA) 46,323; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 35,606; Marcus Camby (LAC) 35,471; Andris Biedrins (GS) 28,287; Emeka Okafor (NO) 19,827; Spencer Hawes (Sac) 10,733.
*While Allen Iverson appears among Western Conference guards on the paper ballot because he began the season with Memphis, his votes will count towards the Eastern Conference guards due to his signing with Philadelphia Dec. 3.
Many of you will no doubt get to spend Christmas at home with your loved ones. Me? I'll be watching the Cavs go at the Lakers in person. However, I always find that my heart grows a little bigger and my patience increases this time of year. I'll miss my family, but some of these songs will be blasting in my car stereo and iPod over the course of the next several weeks:
David and Bing, my all-time favorite Christmas tune EVER:
The SECOND all-time favorite EVER. Quick: name the only American act to appear in this video and on the record (yes, record kids; it was on vinyl):
Yeah, Nat King Cole was smooth, very smooth:
A Charlie Brown Christmas - truly classic.
From A Year Without a Santa Claus - mediocre TV special, great tune:
Schlocky movie This Christmas was, but Chris Brown's rendition of the Donnie Hathaway classic hooked me:
Remember when MTV was fun?:
Your faves? There are billyuns and billyuns from which to choose.
A little wi-fi problem is never really a good thing. It was almost as horrible as this game. Apologies for the abbreviated blog, but after tonight's game what's left to say? This one wasn't pretty.
Post-mortem: Grizzlies 111, Cavs 109
The good: Yes, actually, there was some good to come of this - LeBron James' performance proved masterful. Scoring 43 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and dishing out six assists isn't a bad night of work. to the bad.
The bad: Only two others in the starting lineup showed up in the game - Shaquille O'Neal (16 points) and Mo Williams - they got nothing out of the shooting guard with Anthony Parker and J.J. Hickson didn't offer much in the way of offense either, each scoring two points in the game. Daniel Gibson's 13 off the bench helped to allay some of that and LeBron's performance certainly help, but that offensive output is needed.
The ugly: They committed 21 turnovers that led to 20 of the Grizzlies 111 points. That pretty much sums up the ugliness.
Misc. notes: The Grizzlies snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Cavaliers...they also broke the Cavs' eight-game string of holding opponents to fewer than 100 points.
Game: Cavs at Memphis Grizzlies
TV: FSOhio. Radio: WAKR (1590 AM); WTAM (1100 AM), WHBC (1480 AM)
Cavs: LeBron James (F); J.J. Hickson (F); Shaquille O'Neal (C); Anthony Parker (G); Mo Williams (G).
Grizzlies: Rudy Gay (F); Zach Randolph (F); Marc Gasol (C); O.J. Mayo (G); Mike Conley (G).
Cavs: Jamario Moon (left groin strain); Jawad Williams (food poisoning) - DAY-to-DAY; Leon Powe (left knee surgery) - OUT.
Grizzlies: Darrell Arthur (right pectoralis surgery) - OUT; Jamaal Tinsley (lower back contusion) - DAY-to-DAY.
Music to regale one and all from my misspent youth to make up for not posting today because I was traveling. If that's what you call one flight being late enough to cause me to miss a connecting flight:
Sheila E - The Glamorous Life The Dawn Experience | MySpace Video
The diversity in music tends to freak some people out. This from one of my favorite bands:
You can NEVER have too much of this guy:
As long as we're in Motown:
And we had his bandmates before. Enjoy this guy:
I resume blogging tomorrow.
A testy exchange between LeBron James and the Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah added some spice to what had been a lackluster affair Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena.
Noah apparently had an issue with James busting a couple of moves out on the court with six minutes left in the game. Noah said something about it to James who then walked over to the Bulls bench, drawing a technical from the officials. James was asked if the dancing upset Noah.
''I don't know. It's not my worry at all. We got a good win,'' he said. '' That's what we do, we have fun when we play basketball. If there's a problem we handle it on the court.''
When asked what happend, Noah said ''nothing'' and denied that any conversation took place. When pressed he added: ''It's just frustrating to lose, you know? It's just frustrating to lose the way we have been losing lately.'' James said that he didn't mean any disrespect toward Noah or the Bulls.
"This is not something that is new. We have fun. We love to play the game of bball. It's nothing aboout showboating on a team. I've seen it happen all last year. I think he was more frustrated about the way he played as an individual.'' Noah scored just seven points and had 10 rebounds on the night.
Buzzer beaters: The Cavaliers extended their winning streak at Quicken Loans Arena to six games…LeBron James scored his third consecutive double-double, scoring 23 points and dishing out 11 assists….The team had 11 turnovers in the first half and none in the second.
Post-mortem: Cavs 101, Bulls 87
The good: The Cavs bench players delivered significant points once again as they put up 40 against the Bulls. Daniel ''Boobie'' Gibson led the way for the reserves with 15 points. Considering how woeful bench play was a couple of weeks ago, this can only be viewed as a welcome development by Mike Brown and his staff. An educated guess says this is what they had in mind when they went out and made their offseason moves. It's the third consecutive game the bench has produced 40 points or more. In those three games, they are averaging 43 points per game.
The better: A rarity for Mike Brown - he offered effusive praise for second-year player J.J. Hickson and it was difficult not to and that's not based on his nine points on the night. It was based on the way that he played defense in the third quarter - diving for balls and contesting shots. In that period, he was dynamite.
The best: They played a flawless third quarter as they began to take over the game. The Cavs went into the locker room with 11 turnovers and didn't turn the ball over once in the second half. In the third quarter, they held the Bulls to just 25 percent shooting while shooting 54 percent themselves and building a 19-point lead and putting the game out of reach.
Game: Cavs (13-5) vs. Chicago Bulls (7-9)
TV: ESPN Radio: WAKR (1590 AM); WTAM (1100 AM), WHBC (1480 AM)
Starters: Cavs: LeBron James (F); J.J. Hickson (F); Shaquille O'Neal (C); Anthony Parker (G); Mo Williams (G). Luol Deng (F); Taj Gibson (F); Joakim Noah (C); John Salmons (G); Derrick Rose (G)
Cavs: Leon Powe (knee) - OUT
Bulls: Kirk Hinrich (left thumb sprain); Jerome James (right Achilles); Tyrus Thomas (left radius fracture) - OUT. Aaron Gray (left fibula stress fracture) - PROBABLE.
Officials: Mauer, Wright, Zielinski
The only down side to have a job as sweet as the one I do? Missing my favorite television shows. These days the show at the top of that list - Glee. Just watched Wednesday's episode, and per usual, it was phenomenal. The show has rarely hit a sour note. For the uninitiated a few clips follow. Yes, I know. My man card may get revoked for loving this show. But given my self-professed love of movie and Broadway musicals and showtunes, so be it.
From Glee:
The video and remake of a Journey classic that hooked me:
A cover of a Queen classic:
A favorite tune by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown
Lastly, combining two things I love, good television and Broadway. The best song from the musical Wicked:
An esteemed panel of Hall of Famers, major award winners, current players, executives coaches, other basketball players and the Seven Dwarfs have deemed Kobe Bryant the greatest player in the history of known man - today - in Sporting News.
The revered panel can be found by subscribing to SN Today and I'll take them at their word. In short, LeBron James came in at No. 2 behind Kobe Bryant. Before Cavaliers Nation freaks out and screams: "He wuz robbed," I have to say that is about right.
Why? Think about what Kobe Bryant has accomplished in his career - four championships including the elusive one without Shaquille O'Neal last year - a Finals MVP, a league MVP, 11 years an All-Star. Add to the mix that he's still playing at the peak of his powers and it makes sense.
LeBron, no matter how he is perceived as a player, will not supplant Bryant on any similar list until he wins multiple championships. Think that's going to happen in New York City anytime soon? The New York areas are a combined 4-33.
The only other Cavs player to make the list: Shaquille O'Neal at No. 16. Yeah, that's a head-scratcher. I like Shaq. The jury is still out on what he brings to the Cavs on a consistent basis, but No. 16? Really? Really?
In the end, Zydrunas Ilgauskas didn't want the pomp and circumstance of an in-game ceremony to mark the fact that he broke the Cavs' record for playing in the most games. He just wanted to celebrate with the fans who'd been there for his 11 NBA seasons.
''That was one of the coolest things I experienced in my life and also the closest I've come to tears on the basketball floor,'' he said.
But like any human being, he said that not playing in Saturday's game against the Dallas Mavericks, which would have represented the record-breaking moment, disappointed him. Considering the fact that he lost his starting job and graciously moved to the bench without any qualms, it's easy to see his point.
Ilgauskasdidn't take questions from the media Wednesday, which leads one to believe that there's a lot more to what happened in this situation.
''What made me more disappointed and upset were the acts that followed and this whole mess has been created. I'm not going to go into any details,'' he said. ''Once again, I'm going to be a bigger man and walk away from this. I know that when I go to at night, my conscience is clear.''
Ilgauskas said that life will go on for him: ''What I am going to continue to do is I am going to continue to do my job. I love this team; I love my teammates. They are like family to me. I am going to come every day to work and try my hardest, win some games and hopefully win a championship for this city because they deserve it.''
Z audio
CLEVELAND - Memo: superstars have the prerogative to change their minds and rightly so. After saying last season that he would likely participate in this year's slam-dunk contest All-Star Weekend in Dallas, LeBron James said that there was a 50-50 chance he would participate.
''It's a little bit watered down,'' he said of the annual event. ''I don't know if you can get it back to the '80s and '98 when Vince (Carter) was in it, but it was more about the dunks than what was going on around the dunks.''
The Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony suggested that it was time for James to get back in the event. ''I hope so. He mentioned before that he might. I want to see that,'' he told AOL's Fanhouse. James, who has been invited to participate on numerous occasions, said that he hadn't given a lot of thought to participating this season.
''I've been too focused on us playing basketball and us getting back to the form we (had) last year,'' he said.
Keeping it in house Zydrunas Ilgauskas got the chance to claim the Cavs' team record for games played with 724 at 3:50 of the third quarter, receiving a rousing ovation and that is probably where the controversy related to the record will end.
Tensions rose when Ilgauskas didn't get into Saturday's game against Dallas Mavericks this past Saturday and, according to reports, declined the opportunity to go in during the second half. As of Tuesday afternoon Brown said that he still hadn't discussed things with his reserve center. Before Wednesday's game, he said that he no longer wanted to discuss the situation in the media. Let's do time warp
About the only thing missing was Doc Brown's flying Delorean from the 1985 movie Back to the Future. For the evening, Quicken Loans Arena looked more like the Richfield Coliseum than the Cavs' new digs. Players were given '80s-era hairdos and clothing on Q-Vision and more than a few tunes from then all in honor of throwback night when the Cavs donned the jerseys that the likes of Brad Daugherty, Mark Price and Larry Nance wore.
''When you think of the guys who wore those jerseys – Mark (Price), Brad (Daugherty), Larry (Nance) and Craig (Ehlo) – they did an unbelievable job setting these uniforms up to be throwbacks,'' James said, ''and they did a wonderful job of playing the game the right way and giving the fans something to cheer about.''
Post-mortem: Cavs 107, Phoenix 90
The good: The Cavaliers showed some offensive balance as seven players scored in double figures with no one (Zydrunas Ilgauskas) scoring more than 14 points in the game. The Cavs shot a white-hot 54 percent in the first half and had 16 assists in that time span. Conversely, they held the Suns to 29 percent shooting in the half.
The better: Zydrunas Ilgauskas finally got that team record for games played.
The bad: As good as they were in the first half offensively and defensively, they dropped off considerably in the second half, shooting just 43 percent and being out-scored 61-50.
Game: Cavs vs. Phoenix Suns
TV: FSOhio Radio: WAKR (1590 AM); WTAM (1100 AM), WHBC (1480 AM)
Starters: Cavs: LeBron James (F); Ben Wallace (F); Shaquille O'Neal (C); Anthony Parker (G); Mo Williams (G).
Suns: Grant Hill (F); Amare Stoudemire (F); Channing Frye (C): Jason Richardson (G); Grant Hill (G).
Cavs: Leon Powe (knee surgery) - OUT
Suns: Leandro Barbosa (left ankle sprain) - OUT
Officials: Bob Delaney, Derrick Collins and Olandis Poole.
Pre-game observations:
The Zydrunas Ilgauskas incident appears to be dying down, although no one would have known that from the number of media members out in Independence today.
Even after the maelstrom that kicked up, coach Mike Brown said that he hadn't talked to Ilgauskas just yet over his not playing in Saturday's game versus the Dallas Mavericks, an appearance that would have broken a team record for most appearances by a player. Ilgauskas tied G.M. Danny Ferry's record of 723 against the Charlotte Bobcats.
''I have not talked to him. I intend to talk to him,'' Brown said. Although, at this point he has little idea what he will say. '' I didn't write anything out or anything like that, so I don't know yet and when I do I'm not going to tell everybody.''
The incident received a lot of publicity because of comments LeBron James made during after practice interviews. Brown said that he understood what James was doing.
''LeBron is a loyal person, a loyal individual and that's big on his agenda. That's what's made him the type of person he is today and you respect and you understand that he was trying to be loyal to Z. I have no problem with that at all.''
Look West, fans
Expect to see more of Delonte West tomorrow night against the Phoenix Suns. The reason is simple: with the Suns up tempo brand of basketball, they play a lot of small lineups. West's stature and overall skills are built to keep pace with the likes of guards Steve Nash and Jason Richardson.
West had arguably his best game of the season against the Mavericks because of they play a similar style of ball. He racked up 10 points and 10 assists in 28 minutes, reminding everyone what he can do on the court.
''To be able to play him the minutes that I did was a key to our team and us getting a win. Offensively he was great…then defensively I thought he did a great job chasing Jason Terry,'' Brown said of West's play.
Hey, everyone needs something to write about on a slow day when there's nothing really happening except Tiger Woods trying to protect his personal life and the Saints utter dismantling of defensive genius Bill Belichik's New England Patriots. So it was inevitable when LeBron James spoke regarding center Zydrunas Ilgauskas not getting into last Saturday's game against the Dallas Mavericks that there would be plenty of opinion out there. Take a peek:
From Tom Ziller at AOL Fanhouse:


text:
Jump to content
Essential Kids
Posted 05 January 2013 - 01:49 PM
Posted 05 January 2013 - 02:00 PM
Edited by sparkler, 20 January 2013 - 11:41 PM.
Posted 05 January 2013 - 03:02 PM
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users
Issues around children learning to read are rarely out of the news. Which is hardly surprising – becoming a successful reader is of paramount importance in improving a child's life chances. Nor is it surprising that reading creates a virtuous circle: the more you read the better you become. But what may come as a surprise is that reading to dogs is gaining popularity as a way of addressing concerns about children's reading.
Just when you thought it was totally safe to let your kids on social media (just kidding, nobody really thinks that), here comes another warning of ways creeps will try to contact our kids.
Find out how to help your child in the light of the new findings.
Three out of four Australians believe they are overspending on their kids by hundreds of dollars each month. And then there's the gifts.
Community Forum Software by IP.Board 3.3.4


text:
No Liftgate Fees
Lan Station, wire, 60"W, three 18"D wire shelves, four posts, 74"H overall, 30" gray laminated work surface, chrome-plated finish
- Nexel's industrial and food service storage and handling equipment is designed for heavy duty commercial use. They produce an extensive line of shelving, racks, bins, displays, and other solutions for storage, transport, and commercial displays. Their products are used extensively in restaurants, bars, schools, hospitals, retail outlets and anywhere else sturd &, sanitary storage and transport of items is needed.
Are you familiar with this product? Be the first to review this item!


text:
WATCH: Daft Punk releases music video for 'Lose Yourself to Dance'
Listen to Daft Punk on iHeartRadio
Daft Punk has released their first video in years, and it's for the second single from Random Access Memories "Lose Yourself to Dance."
The guys teased the video at the MTV Video Music Awards, but have shared the full version with fans.
The video is simple and features Daft Punk, along with Nile Rogers and Pharrell in amazing sequined jackets (which combined with the lighting make them glow!), performing to an intimate crowd who are losing themselves to dance.
Check it out below:


text:
Sedat Pakay, filmmaker and photographer, will be presenting his
short film on the life of James Baldwin, acclaimed American writer
and civil rights activist.
Pakay will show his short film From Another Place
depicting the life of his friend James Baldwin through rarely seen
candid photos of Baldwin's years in Turkey in the mid-late
This event is free and open to the public.
An exhibit of Baldwin photographs by Sedat Pakay begins on
February 4 in Curtin Memorial Library and near the Arts and Letters
office in Aquinas Hall.
In conjunction with this event, an Open Mic will take place on
February 14 at 4 pm in Curtin Memorial Library. The Open Mic will
feature works written and inspired by James Baldwin. Students,
faculty, and staff are welcome to read and listen.
While in the library, check out the books by and about James
Baldwin on display.
For more information, call Jean Minute at 845-569-3273 or email
This event is sponsored by the Division of Arts and Letters and
Curtin Memorial Library.
Share this page


text:
Winner of the Edison Award for innovation, this is the device that whitens teeth faster and provides longer-lasting results than any at-home treatment. Invented by a dentist, the included mouthpiece emits LED light and heat directly to teeth coated with the included hydrogen peroxide gel, whitening teeth by five shades in as little as five days. This enclosed treatment system prevents whitening oxygen from escaping the teeth, ensuring maximum exposure and resulting in teeth that remain white for up to 30 days. Unlike lesser methods, the gel is free of alcohol and carbamide peroxide, eliminating the discomfort for those with sensitive teeth and allowing use on crowns, caps, and veneers. Requires four daily 8-minute treatments for three to 10 days. Includes 10 gel packs that enable 40 applications. Rechargeable battery provides up to two hours of treatment after a four-hour charge via AC. 6 1/2" L x 6 1/2" W. (1 3/4 lbs.)
Lifetime Guarantee
The Award Winning Teeth Whitener comes with The Hammacher Schlemmer Lifetime Guarantee. If this product ever disappoints you, for any reason, you may return your Hammacher Schlemmer purchase for exchange, credit, or refund.
Should you have any questions, we are available seven days a week (8:00 am – midnight EST). Please call 1-800-321-1484 to speak with a specialist or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com to receive a response within three business hours or less.
May we recommend:
(based on 9 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Stars
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Best Uses
Reviewed by 9 customers
Displaying reviews 1-9
Back to top
(13 of 14 customers found this review helpful)
Easy to use
By longkey
from miami, fl
I've used strips, trays, and in-the-dentist-office treatments. This was by far the most pleasant to use treatment of all. There was no pain from the solution and the short 8 minute sessions are less stressful on your mouth muscles and there's a lot less saliva build-up. I used mine for 10 days; unfortunately, I saw very little whitening. In my case this might be attributed to my teeth having already reached their maximum whitened level. I purchased this item because my recent whitening attempts had yielded minimal improvement as compared to earlier treatments and I was hoping to find something that would take me to another level. This system would be great for the first time user because there is no discomfort and their level of whitening might be better than mine.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- flag this review
(10 of 10 customers found this review helpful)
It whitened my teeth
By DOlceracer
from Monmouth Beach, NJ
I was a little intimidated by the product at first thinking it was going to be a real challenge using it; not at all. Put the gel on your teeth, pop the mouth piece in and press the button on the battery pack and you're good to go. Do this 4xs for every 8 minutes every day for 10 days in a row. The directions tell you to do this for 5 days, but I chose to use up the entire teeth whitening gel for the 10 days. My teeth are so much whiter and cleaner. I highly recommend using this product with the Jet Water pick sold on this site. They really do complement each other very well.
(7 of 12 customers found this review helpful)
By chelseyz
from watertown wi
Didn't work as well as anticipated.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
Excellent product easy to use
By Mainducks
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Easy to use, no hassles, easy to clean after use, whitens teeth, no foul aftertaste, don't drool as much when in use, can do other things while doing it. No down side.
(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
Great Product
By Gray Smile
from Shreveport, LA
I like this product better than any others I've used. My teeth are gray, not brown or yellow from coffee, and nothing has whitened them much. This device worked better than all, but I did have to use all 10 packets. I will order more. It's a bit messy but I sure can't think of a better way.
A good product
By WLJ
from Minnesota
This product does what is advertises it will do. It is a very professional grade product.
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
Excellent product!!!
By Constance2014
from Toronto, Canada
I've tried other whitening systems but my teeth became too sensitive sometimes after one use! I am very happy with this product!
I will keep using this
By Wild Bill
from Orlando, Fl
After using for 5 days I went to the dentist for a crown. To match my teeth they had to use the lightest color. It really works!
Teeth whitner
By Zaf
from New Brunswick, Canada
The results were as claimed
COPYRIGHT © 2017 HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER & COMPANY, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. W108147 E. 57th ST • NEW YORK, NY • 10022 • 1-800-_321-1484


text:
WOW! Chris Pratt Interrupts Interview To French Braid Intern's Hair
In this video from Entertainment Tonight, actor Chris Pratt proves he's an expert at French-braiding by braiding the hair of an intern during an interview about his new film Guardians of the Galaxy.
On-Air Weekday Mornings 5 am - 10 am
I grew up Radford, Virginia but I was actually born in Bangkok, Thailand. (Army Brat) While attending Virginia Tech I worked at WKEX Radio. My first job was to wear the station's mascot costume. I was the "Wacky Bird!" After graduation I moved to Myrtle Beach and was a radio reporter for WNMB. I later worked as a reporter for a Florence based TV station. I moved on from there to a radio station in Richmond, VA then on to Cleveland, Ohio where I worked for Power 108. After one winter in Cleveland I knew I needed a little warmer climate.I was hired as the Morning Co-host and News Director of K-92 in Roanoke, VA. It is at that station where I met Mo. He was hired as K-92�s nighttime jock. After about 8 months, Mo was moved up to do mornings with me. We were dating at the time but nobody knew about it. We got married in 1994 and have been together ever since. Mo and I left K-92 and went to do mornings at B-103 in Richmond, Virginia. Then in 1999 we came to South Florida. We've been on several stations in the West Palm Beach area but KOOL 105.5 has been our professional home since 2003. We have a home in Palm Beach Gardens that we share with our cats Stifler, Stewie and Cleveland. (All strays!)(By the way if my last name seems familiar to those of you who watched the CBS Evening News back in the day, my Uncle was reporter/commentator Eric Sevareid.)


text:
WATCH: Pharell's 'Happy' as sung by the characters of 'Family Guy'
Listen to Pharrell on iHeartRadio
The entire world can't stop smiling ever since Pharrell debuted his smash hit "Happy" - even the cartoon world. The Griffins - from "Family Guy" - have all caught the happy fever thanks to the talented Mikey Bolts.
Get happy and check it out below!


text:
2014 Snowboard Gear Preview From The SIA Snow Show
Here's our final round up of new 2014 snowboard gear from the 2013-2014 SIA trade show Jan 2013. So much new 2014 products from Burton, Rome, Capita, Never Summer, Adidas, Nike, ThirtyTwo, and many more. Thanks for the good times, Denver!
Want more Snowboarding Gear? Check out more 2013-2014 gear from our SIA Day One post and Outdoor Retailer gallery.
Our 2014 Snowboard Gear Guide is out on newsstands now! Check a preview here


text:
Jessica Simpson shows off son Ace Knute for the first time
Listen to Jessica Simpson on iHeartRadio
(Yahoo!) - Nearly two months after giving birth to son Ace Knute, Jessica Simpson is ready to share her baby boy with the world!
The 33-year-old, who welcomed the newest addition on June 30, is debuting her little one on the cover of Us Weekly, posing along with 15-month-old daughter Maxwell.
The mommy-of-two, who has been engaged to fiancé Eric Johnson since November 2010, seems to be happier than ever, telling the mag, "With two kids, we have our hands full, but every day is a new adventure. … It's fun! I feel very at peace with being a mom."
But will the cute couple, who had back-to-back babies, add more to their beautiful brood anytime soon?
"Pregnancy is alot. It was hard to do two so close together," admits the fashion mogul mama. "I have this huge sense of accomplishment, and I feel in my heart that I'm done. But obviously, accidents do happen!"
Check out the video for details on Jessica's life as a mom:


text:
Florida might eliminate its 'most corrupt town'
(NEWSER) – The small town of Hampton, Fla., has caught the attention of state lawmakers—who want to see it dissolved. That's because it's wildly corrupt, per a 42-page state audit of its books released last month, which CNNreports "reads like a primer on municipal malfeasance." The town of 477 people about 20 miles north of the Gainesville essentially functioned as a glorified speed trap, with 17 officers (roughly one per every 25 residents) known for sitting on lawn chairs or taking cover behind recycling bins along a 1,260-foot stretch of well-traveled highway US 301 armed with radar guns. That's not illegal—though AAA has gone so far as to put up billboards warning about it—but from there, things have allegedly taken a turn for the criminal.
Read the full story on Newser.com


text:
Cantor will resign majority leader post at end of July
(Washington, DC) -- Eric Cantor will resign his post as House Majority Leader at the end of July. The Virginia Republican was stunned in a primary loss this week and will be out of Congress at year's end. The events have set off a leadership scramble in the House Republican caucus. Republicans will gather in a closed meeting late today to discuss how to move forward. In the Virginia primary election, Cantor was upended by political novice and Tea Party favorite Dave Brat. Cantor was thought to have been a logical successor to GOP House Speaker John Boehner if Boehner steps down in the next couple of years.


text:
Eliot Spitzer Launches His Comeback
(NEWSER) – Five years after a prostitution scandal forced him out of office, Eliot Spitzer is ready to face voters again—and, just like Anthony Weiner, he's chosen New York City for his political comeback. The former governor is running for city comptroller and says, "I'm hopeful there will be forgiveness, I am asking for it," the New York Timesreports. Asked whether he was encouraged by the mayoral run of Weiner, who is tied with Christine Quinn in the polls, Spitzer said only that he had been approached by many New Yorkers who encouraged him to seek office again.
Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images


text:
Opry hosting special events in October
Steve Wariner and LeAnn Rimes are helping the Grand Ole Opry with a couple of special events.
The Opry is turning 88 this weekend, and Wariner is headlining the Opry's Birthday Bash. He'll play a special Opry Birthday Concert Saturday afternoon. After his performance Steve will meet fans and autograph his latest album, "It Ain't All Bad," at The Opry Shop.
The two-day event begins Friday, and will feature an Opry birthday cake, games, backstage tours, a silent auction, and free performances in the Opry Plaza. Mark Wills, Kathy Mattea, and Crystal Gayle are some of the performers on board for Friday's Opry show.
Wariner will return for Saturday night's shows, which will also feature Casey James, John Conlee, "Nashville's" Sam Palladio, and others.
And later this month LeAnn Rimes will help the Opry "go pink." She's been tapped to flip the switch to bathe the Opry's barn backdrop in a pink light for the Opry's annual breast cancer awareness event. Lorrie Morgan, Pam Tillis, Natalie Grant, and Mandisa are set to perform at the show, which is set for October 22nd.
Photo Credit Getty Images


text:
Hot Pockets recalled over 'diseased' meat
(NEWSER) – As if Hot Pockets weren't questionable enough, a bunch of them are being pulled from shelves because they might contain diseased meat. Nestlé is recalling certain batches of the Philly Steak & Cheese flavor as well as the Croissant Crust Philly Steak & Cheese flavor, KTLA reports, because those batches may contain meat that was recalled by the California-based Rancho Feeding Corp. earlier this month. Almost 9 million pounds of meat are involved in that recall.
Read the full story on Newser.com


text:
Men's basketball
Nate Linhart fractured his thumb and won't play tonight at Duquesne.
He might try to play Sunday against Kent State, however, assistant coach Jeff Boals said.
Men's basketball
For the first time all season, Keith Dambrot discussed the Selection Committee and Akron's legitimate shot at an at-large bid.
With a recent boost in polls, I think he's starting to understand his team could get gain enough respect to make it to the NCAA Tournament without winning the conference.
¥ In the ABJ's preview, Tom Gaffney points out Akron has a magic number of two to earn a bye in the first-round of the MAC Tournament. ¥ I'll preview tonight's game sometime this afternoon as soon as I can get a spare minute.
Men's basketball
Akron allowed nearly 60 percent shooting, but still won 78-71.
Romeo Travis led the team with 23 points. I'll have more tomorrow.
The final recruit will not be Morgan Williams.
He is heading to Toledo as a prop-48 player, meaning he will have to pay his own way his first year while he establishes his academic eligibility.
I'll have more on recruiting tomorrow, as well.
Men's soccer
Caleb Porter believes his 2007 recruiting class is top 10 in the nation.
He said so in today's press conference. The five signees each have impressive backgrounds, so I'm inclined to believe him...
¥ Anthony Ampaipitawkong, midfielder, Dallas He's a five-time NSCAA All-American (starting in eighth grade). Double-A also particpated in the Elite Soccer Program, which takes the top 150 kids in the country. "One of the top attacking prospects in the country," Porter said.
¥ Blair Gavin, defensive midfielder, Franklin, Tenn. He starts on the U18 United States national team. Gavin "has all the tools to be a dominant player at Akron," Porter said.
¥ Aaron Henkle, midfielder, Carmel, Ind. He was the captain and leading scorer for the No. 1 high school program in the nation. "Aaron is a flat-out winner and has a tremendous upside," Porter said.
¥ Michael Nanchoff, midfielder, North Royalton, Ohio (Walsh Jesuit High School) First-team all state and NSCAA All-American his senior year. His father and uncle played at Akron and were two-time All-Americans. "His ability to probe defenses with his passing will make him a dangerous player at the next level."
¥ Steven Zakuani, forward, London, England "Steve is a special player that can break the game open at any time," Porter said. He played at the Independent Football Academy, which is probably cool.
Women's soccer Catherine Byrne also announced her eight signees for 2007.
The team started off hot last season. "As a result, we are recruiting and attracting a more complete player," Byrne said.
You can check the list at GoZips.com. Byrne mentioned two players who might contribute right away...
¥ Jordan Baranowski, forward, Gibsonia, Pa. Byrne calls her "a huge threat" in front of the net.
¥ Kyra Petrole, midfield defender, Rochester, N.Y. She led her high school to a state championship and earned first-team all-state. "Kyra has the New York attitude and plays like it," Byrne said.
Men's basketball
Here are some tidbits about today's Zips game against Central Michigan...
¥ My Buchtelite preview talks about point guard Giordan Watson, the Chippewas only weapon, but he's a good one. ¥ Tom Gaffney's ABJ preview says CMU will bring toughness and athleticism to Rhodes Arena tonight. ¥ Akron is a favorite of between 18 and 19.5 points. The over-under is 133.5. ¥ Danny Sheridan says the spread should be 19.5.
My mind is too scattered because of this recruiting craziness to give an intelligent prediction. Obviously Akron will win. How about 77-60?
Prediction: Akron 77, Central Michigan 60
Here are some additions from list number one below...
¥ Brian Brikowski, LB, Freehold Township, N.J. ¥ Deni Odofin, DL, Endicott, N.Y. ¥ Ryan Simpson, DL, Xenia, Ohio
Rivals.com and Scout.com do not list any of the three. Almondo Sewell and Shane Shead signed, but they weren't listed on the initial press release.
Only one player is missing from list number one...
¥ Jarvis Givins, DT, two stars
Rivals.com said Givins de-committed and chose Florida Atlantic.
There is one more signee that will be announced in the next day or two. It could be Morgan Williams, who has not yet committed to Indiana.
Yes, that means Vincent Hill and Paul Simkovich kept their word and signed a National Letter of Intent.
During J.D. Brookhart's press conference, which concluded about 15 minutes ago, he said he explicitly focused on defensive line. Offensive line was a secondary priority. I think he nailed the o-line and defensive end, but could have used another defensive tackle.
The Buchtelite is going to blow your socks off with recruiting coverage tonight and tomorrow. The men's and women's soccer teams also announced recruits. I'll have more on that soon.
Akron has offered a scholarship to Carl Robinson, a three-star all-purpose back from Lawrenceville Riverside Military Academy in Georgia.
Robinson is 5-foot-8 and runs a 4.4 in the forty. He holds offers from Central Michigan and Akron, according to Rivals.com. Several other schools, such as Iowa, Wisconsin, N.C. State, Memphis and Georgia, also are interested. Scout.com gives Robinson one star and says he has only one offer -- Kentucky.
Edit: Captain Kangaroo of ZipsNation.org sent me an interesting news story involving Robinson's felony assault arrest on Jan. 26. I imagine that should end most of the interest from college teams.
¥ It's time for another Vincent Hill update. He probably will not sign with either Akron or Virginia on Wednesday. The Maryland receiver looks headed to Milford Academy. Then he would sign with UVa. next year.


text:
1 person dead; multiple injured after stabbing at Houston area high school
UPDATE: Students Released From Texas School After Stabbing
(Houston, TX) -- Students are being released from a Houston, Texas area high school after a fatal stabbing today. Parents are being allowed to pick their children up at a parking lot near Spring High School following a three hour lockdown. Local media outlets are reporting at least one student is dead and another has been airlifted to a hospital for treatment. Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia is expected to provide more details about the incident at a news conference soon.
Original Story:
Harris County Sheriff's Office confirms one person is dead after a stabbing at Spring High School at 7a.m. Wednesday morning.
There are more reports of several injuries at the school. Life Flight was called to the campus on Cypresswood near the North Freeway.


text:
As with every successful event, behind every successful malware attack there's a great planning process. Now, don't think of an attacker as a mere well-organised event planner. Cybercriminals who launch data and money-robbing attacks are great strategists that make use of already existing malware-producing and distributing infrastructures called "malnets".
Malnets, short for "malware networks", have become serious internet security threats because of their scope and the difficulty in uncovering them. As they are prone to last beyond several attacks, they enable cybercriminals to adapt to new vulnerabilities in web structures, and launch dynamic attacks over and over again.
How does a malnet work?
Built, managed and maintained by cybercriminals, a malnet can serve cybercriminals' malicious purposes whenever they want to launch an attack. In order to avoid falling victim to such internet security danger, first you have to learn what it's all about:
Complex structure. A malnet comprises thousands of domains, servers, websites and cybercriminals spread over large geographical regions. They work together to compromise your internet security and drive you to the malware payload, that is: the damage caused by malware. It is important to mention that not all servers and websites in a malnet are malicious – some of them are legitimate e-mail servers and websites hacked by cybercriminals. With this infrastructure in place, they can plan and launch an attack at any time.
All-in-one-place targets. Attackers focus on places on the web buzzing with user activity, because the success of an attack highly depends on having lots of users in one place. It comes as no surprise that search engines, social networks and e-mail platforms are primarily targeted and used as "malnet entry points". So, while browsing the web, socializing or sending/opening e-mails there's always a chance you become the victim of an internet security breach or scam.
Common attacks. How do attackers trick you into "entering" a malnet? They either build malicious websites or hack trusted websites to infect them with links to their websites. Then, they start spreading links to these websites accompanied by enticing messages – these are malicious links. Usually, for the messages accompanying the links, they exploit trending news or celebrity-related content, national holidays or important world events, and even the need for certain services to lure you into the malnet funnel. But what techniques do they use to make those malicious links reach you?
Malware onto your computer. Once you enter the malnet, you're exposed to malware infections that can really shake up your internet security. You may be tricked into downloading a virus, Trojan, spyware or other type of malware disguised as some kind of freeware (internet security programs, software needed for running other programs, Flash or browser updates). In reality, after you install them on your computer they enable cybercriminals to take over your computer, data and/or identity, and maybe infect your friends as well.
Like any other criminal gang, these malnets have names. The largest malnet, and most efficient in compromising users' internet security, is called Shanukle and operates in North and South America, Europe and Asia. It spans over a wide range of threats and numerous online activities: drive-by downloads, malvertising, Firefox and Flash updates, botnets, work-at-home scams, and even pornography and gambling.
How to avoid becoming the victim of a malnet – tips that need to become habits:


text:
Did Amanda Bynes make a front desk girl cry?
(TMZ) - Amanda Bynes was unceremoniously ejected from a Ritz-Carlton in NYC Thursday after allegedly smoking weed in her hotel room and being so rude to hotel staff ... she made one poor girl cry ...sources tell TMZ.
Amanda begs to differ, telling TMZ she left the hotel voluntarily - she didn't mention the weed.
Sources tell TMZ that Amanda was a nightmare from the get go, smoking weed everyday despite warnings from hotel staff. Apparently, Amanda tried using spray chemicals to mask the weed smell.
But that's not it ... TMZ reports Amanda was unspeakably rude to the hotel staff, telling the front desk girl she was "too ugly" to check her in. Sources say Amanda then offered her plastic surgeon's services to the desk girl in question ... and the tears started flowing.
According to TMZ, the bad behavior continued until Thursday .... Amanda was scheduled to check out at noon, but the hotel staff had had enough ... and kicked her out several hours before mandatory check out.
In case you're wondering where Amanda's going next - TMZ reports she was last seen getting into a cab headed to LaGuardia Airport ... bound for L.A.
Photo Credit Splash News


text:
Woman Survives on Nothing but Starbucks for a Year
(NEWSER) – You and your New Year's resolution have nothing on a 40-year-old Seattle woman, who not only set a fairly insane goal in advance of Jan. 1, 2013—eat absolutely nothing but food sold at Starbucks for a year—but actually achieved it. The New York Daily News reports that Beautiful Existence (that would be her name) also included "Starbucks-inspired" stores or brand (ie, Tazo Tea and Evolution Fresh) on her OK list, and spent $500 to $600 monthly on Starbucks sandwiches, nuts, teas, and Bistro Boxes. Gawker notes her yearly total is about $4,000 more than the average adult woman spends on groceries in a year.


text:
WATCH: Dad pushes young son down skate ramp
A Florida father was kicked out of a local skate park after kicking his son down a halfpipe. According to First Coast News, Marcus Crossland grew impatient with his 6-year-old son, and thought it was a good idea to give him a kick to get him going.
The Florida Department of Children and Families is investigating if any charges will be filed against the father.


text:
Obama speaks to Iran leader by phone
(Washington, DC) -- President Obama says he has had a phone conversation with new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Speaking at the White House, the President cited a thaw in U.S.-Iranian relations and expressed optimism about resolving a longstanding dispute over Iran's nuclear programs. He said it's the first direct discussion between the presidents of the U.S. and Iran since 1979.


text:
Taylor Swift Gives Us The First Clue At Her New Music
Listen to Taylor Swift Radio on iHeartRadio
Taylor Swift is ever the mysterious cool cat. We all know she's set to perform at this year's MTV Video Music Awards, at which she's billed as a solo performer. She will also perform at this year's iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas this September. So, new music is just over the horizon, and to send us Swifties into a fit of hysterics, the singer-songwriter took to Instagram on Monday (Aug. 4) to give us a little hint.
"So, here's the first clue…" Swift teased, attaching a video of her pressing the 18 button on an elevator. It's still unclear if there is a direct link here to a new single, but…come on. That's all everyone is talking about these days!
And that's it. It should be noted that she continually pushes the button and the elevator door buzzes. Any predictions? The internet is already swirling with possibilities: Her new single is called "18?" The single drops on August 18? Her album is named "18" (for unknown reasons)? She already has a song called "Fifteen," from her Fearless days, so writing a song about coming of age isn't so far fetched.
By the sound of things, Swift will drop her fifth studio album this fall. Insiders have already projected an October 13 release, although nothing has been set in stone…yet.
Photo: Getty Images


text:
Obama: IRS Chief Is Out
(Washington, DC) -- President Obama is ordering immediate changes in response to the growing IRS scandal. For starters, acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller has resigned. Speaking from the White House, the President said cited "misconduct" at the IRS and called it "inexcusable." The IRS is under fire for targeting conservative groups for audits. Obama said new safeguards will be put in place to ensure that this type of thing does not happen again.
Congressional Republicans are furious about the close IRS scrutiny of conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status. In an earlier news conference, GOP House Speaker John Boehner asked -- "Who's going to jail?" Attorney General Eric Holder has ordered a criminal investigation of the IRS scandal. In a House hearing, Holder vowed to "follow the facts" and said those responsible will be held accountable.