LAS VEGAS – Mike Alvarado went searching for redemption and revenge against Brandon Rios, and he was forced to walk the long and grueling distance to get it.
Alvarado, who lost to Rios in October, pulled off the upset, defeating Rios by unanimous decision Saturday night at Mandalay Bay to win the interim WBO junior-welterweight title in front of a spirited crowd of 5,418.
Juan Manuel Marquez holds the WBO title, but he hasn't competed at 140 pounds in some time. Marquez will likely vacate the belt, his future appearing to head toward another fight at welterweight against Manny Pacquiao.
Judge Bill Lerch and Dave Moretti scored the fight, 115-113. Duane Ford had it, 114-113. Ford scored the second round, 10-8, for Rios. There were no knockdowns.
"The difference this time was that Mike had better legs," manager Henry Delgado said. "He worked on high-elevation training and ran up and down mountains."
Rios (31-1-1) defeated Alvarado (34-1) by seventh-round TKO in October at The Home Depot Center.
As if their instant classic last year needed any company, Saturday's clash provided it.
The fight turned into a continuation of the first meeting from the outset as the fighters took turns trading big and vicious shots.
In the second, Rios staggered Alvarado with a jab and was able to survive Rios' pressure by holding. Alvarado hurt Rios in the third round. The inside fighting continued for the remainder of the fight.
Top Rank's Bob Arum called the second round "a classic."
The second half of the fight was the key for Alvarado as he won the last half on all three scorecards. Lerch and Ford gave Alvarado four of the final six rounds, and Moretti scored five of the last six for Alvarado.
Alvarado said in the days leading up to the fight he needed to box better than he did the last time, but no one in boxing circles believed him.
The punchstats, provided by CompuBox indicated just how close the fight was. Alvarado threw 860 total punches, compared to 823 for Rios. Alvarado landed 30 percent of his punches. Rios landed 29.
Both fighters landed 21 percent of their jabs. Alvarado connected on 38 percent of his power punches, compared to 34 percent for Rios.
At the end of the night, the biggest question wasn't will there be a third, but when will it be.
"Certainly a rematch will be bigger," Arum said. "But it doesn't have to be next. I don't like to do immediate rematches. I did it here because these guys are crazy and HBO pressed me to do the fight.
"I want to see these guys against other people and then do a third fight. Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez never did immediate rematches."
Both fighters were sent to UMC Trauma Center for CT scans and precautionary measures.
"It surpassed my expectations," Arum said. "Alvarado fought intelligently, he had a game plan and he executed it."
Rios earned $1.25 million for the fight, his largest purse of his career. Alvarado was paid $625,000.
Source: By DAMIAN CALHOUN / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Alvarado gets revenge against Rios
LAS VEGAS – Mike Alvarado went searching for redemption and revenge against Brandon Rios, and he was forced to walk the long and grueling distance to get it.
Alvarado, who lost to Rios in October, pulled off the upset, defeating Rios by unanimous decision Saturday night at Mandalay Bay to win the interim WBO junior-welterweight title in front of a spirited crowd of 5,418.
Juan Manuel Marquez holds the WBO title, but he hasn't competed at 140 pounds in some time. Marquez will likely vacate the belt, his future appearing to head toward another fight at welterweight against Manny Pacquiao.
Judge Bill Lerch and Dave Moretti scored the fight, 115-113. Duane Ford had it, 114-113. Ford scored the second round, 10-8, for Rios. There were no knockdowns.
"The difference this time was that Mike had better legs," manager Henry Delgado said. "He worked on high-elevation training and ran up and down mountains."
Rios (31-1-1) defeated Alvarado (34-1) by seventh-round TKO in October at The Home Depot Center.
As if their instant classic last year needed any company, Saturday's clash provided it.
The fight turned into a continuation of the first meeting from the outset as the fighters took turns trading big and vicious shots.
In the second, Rios staggered Alvarado with a jab and was able to survive Rios' pressure by holding. Alvarado hurt Rios in the third round. The inside fighting continued for the remainder of the fight.
Top Rank's Bob Arum called the second round "a classic."
The second half of the fight was the key for Alvarado as he won the last half on all three scorecards. Lerch and Ford gave Alvarado four of the final six rounds, and Moretti scored five of the last six for Alvarado.
Alvarado said in the days leading up to the fight he needed to box better than he did the last time, but no one in boxing circles believed him.
The punchstats, provided by CompuBox indicated just how close the fight was. Alvarado threw 860 total punches, compared to 823 for Rios. Alvarado landed 30 percent of his punches. Rios landed 29.
Both fighters landed 21 percent of their jabs. Alvarado connected on 38 percent of his power punches, compared to 34 percent for Rios.
At the end of the night, the biggest question wasn't will there be a third, but when will it be.
"Certainly a rematch will be bigger," Arum said. "But it doesn't have to be next. I don't like to do immediate rematches. I did it here because these guys are crazy and HBO pressed me to do the fight.
"I want to see these guys against other people and then do a third fight. Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez never did immediate rematches."
Both fighters were sent to UMC Trauma Center for CT scans and precautionary measures.
"It surpassed my expectations," Arum said. "Alvarado fought intelligently, he had a game plan and he executed it."
Rios earned $1.25 million for the fight, his largest purse of his career. Alvarado was paid $625,000.
Source: By DAMIAN CALHOUN / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Banks made $32 billion on overdraft fees last year
Bank customers may complain about hefty overdraft fees, but they’re using the service more and paying the price.
A new report from Moebs Services, a respected economic research firm, shows overdraft revenue at banks, credit unions and thrift institutions totaled $32 billion last year. That’s an increase of $400 million or 1.3 percent from 2011.
“Consumers use of overdrafts shows no indication of going away, and is actually increasing,” said Michael Moebs, who wrote the study.
At the current rate of growth, Moebs predicts revenue from overdraft fees will hit a new record by the end of 2016, topping the old record of $37 billion set in 2009.
The Moebs study found that about a quarter of the people with a consumer checking account – that’s 38 million people – frequently overdraft. The median overdraft is about $40.
More than half of the customers who frequently overdraft – 57 percent or 20 million people – go to payday lenders when they are short on funds.
Why? Because a payday loan is significantly cheaper.
“Payday lenders are the low-price source for short-term cash needs,” Moebs said. “You can get a cash advance for $16 as opposed to $25 at a community bank, $27 a credit union and $30 at bank or thrift. Those are median prices.”
While the cost of an overdrawn account has been going up at many financial institutions, the price of borrowing from a payday lender has dropped. The median charge for a $100 cash advance dropped $1.50 from 2011 to 2012, from $17.50 to $16.
Moebs firmly believes many of the people who use a payday lender would rather not, if the cost of the overdraft penalty was more in line with what the payday stores charge. He puts that price point at $20.
What it really costs to cover an overdraft
Consumer groups have long asserted that overdraft fees are revenue generators, deliberately higher than the banks' cost of providing the service.
“It’s very clear that banks are gouging customers with incredibly high and outrageous overdraft fees that are not related to their cost,” said Ed Mierzwinski, consumer program director at U.S. PIRG.
A bill introduced in Congress last week (The Overdraft Protection Act of 2013) would require these fees to be “reasonable and proportional.”
Moebs told me his costs studies, some of which were done for the Federal Reserve Bank, show the prices charged by the big financial institutions “are legitimate” because their cost structures are so high.
He estimates that a megabank makes about $3 on each overdraft charge, the same profit the payday lender earns with a $100 loan. But because the overhead at the bank is so much higher, it has to charge $30 or $35 to make the same amount.
Smaller banks and credit unions have a smaller nut to crack, so they might be able to reduce the price on an overdraft. Moeb’s advice to these institutions: lower that price and you’ll get more customers.
Of course, the goal is to avoid overdraft charges. Check your account statement – online, by phone or at an ATM – to make sure you don’t try to spend money that’s not in your checking account.
“If you are likely to overdraft, the main street institutions are your best choice – most credit unions and community banks and some of the thrifts – because they have a lower overdraft fee,” Moebs said.
Debit-card transactions often cause an account to be overdrawn. Remember: Your bank or credit union will deny a point-of-purchase debit-card payment or cash withdrawal from an ATM if there is not enough money in the account to cover it, unless you “opt in” to their overdraft protection plan. In that case, the transaction will go through and you’ll get hit with a fee.
A recent study by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that 54 percent of the customers who had overdrawn their accounts said they did not realize they had signed up for an overdraft service that cost money. Susan Weinstock, director of Pew’s Safe Checking in the Electronic Age Project, said this shows there is “a very high level of confusion” about how this overdraft protection works.
Source: nbcnews.com Herb Weisbaum, NBC News contributor
Saturday, March 30, 2013
L.A. County Sheriff recommends Justin Bieber be prosecuted.
Justin Bieber will be prosecuted for allegedly spitting on a neighbor ... at least if the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. gets its way.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Sheriff's investigators will refer the case to the L.A. County District Attorney for review after the investigation is completed, and the Dept. will recommend that criminal battery charges be filed against the singer.
Officially, the Sheriff's Dept. will say they have no recommendation yet because the investigation is not complete. However, our sources say a clear picture has already emerged, and not just over the alleged spitting incident.
We're told members of the Dept. believe it's relevant Bieber has shown a pattern of disregard for the law, including speeding tickets, fights, threats, reckless driving, drugs and more.
Law enforcement sources say it's a cookie-cutter situation they've seen before -- small crimes that escalate over time to serious criminal conduct.
Now the lil twist ... whether Justin is prosecuted or not, people in the Sheriff's Dept. believe he needs professional help to manage his anger and behavior. And they say, it has nothing to do with the fact that he's famous -- anyone going down a "dangerous path" needs serious professional help.
Source: TMZ.com
Surprise! Very, very skinny jeans in viral ad don't exist
American Eagle Outfitters shows its cheeky side in a video ad for a new pair of skinny jeans so tight, they’re practically sprayed on.
That’s because they are.
It takes a brave person to wear the AEO Skinny Skinny, hawked in a 30-second faux ad going viral. The video features young people expressing ways to emphasize their creativity and individuality – and their preference for jeans that feel like almost nothing.
The video contains a link to American Eagle’s website, where limited edition cans of the spray on jeans are sold for $49.95 each. (They’re available in “indigo” or “bright” wash.)
But snap! Try adding the cans to your shopping bag and you get the following pop-up message:
“Sorry! The AEO Skinny Skinny is temporarily sold out. Enter your email below and we’ll let you know when the Skinny Skinny is back in stock!”
For the record, Skinny Skinny spray-on jeans don’t exist, said Bob Holobinko, vice president of brand marketing for American Eagle.
"We are not selling it, just to be clear,” he clarified Friday on TODAY, as two models showed off the "jeans." The brave pair were painted for the appearance in conjunction with CollegeHumor.com.
“We just wanted to have fun, and have fun with our fans,” he said. “And it was a good opportunity to kind of push it from a brand standpoint and the response has been incredible.”
The YouTube video has generated more than 348,000 views so far.
Story: How to find your dream jeans
In the ad, one young man says, “I like skinny jeans. Sometimes they’re not skinny enough.” He is then shown skateboarding wearing a jacket and nothing below but some dark blue spray paint.
A woman declares, “I love really skinny jeans,” before the camera shows a tight shot of her "Avatar"-blue derriere.
Peter Shankman, an independent marketing consultant, called the campaign “brilliant.” Although people watching the ad knows the product is fake, it still draws them to the retailer’s website.
“Let’s be honest, when was the last time you heard about a good American Eagle ad?” he said. “It was a while ago. So this is phenomenal. A great way to bust out from the mainstream. People are talking about it.”
Holobinko said the video is the first installment of a campaign they consider “a journey.” A second release will be issued next week and people who enter their email on the “Skinny Skinny” site will get additional information.
“So for all of our customers that have come along with us, there’s going to be a really great reveal at the very end,” he said.
Although some may consider the commercial daring, Holobinko said they were very careful putting the final product together.
“We knew we were putting ourselves out there, I think that was the goal,” he said. “But even through the edit and through the filtering process we had to be cautious of what we were showing. But we think we landed in a good spot.”
Source: tomday.com By Eun Kyung Kim, TODAY contributor
Friday, March 29, 2013
Lindsay Lohan's Brazilian Party Details: Inside Her Night Out at São Paulo Club
It sounds like Lindsay Lohan had quite the night out in São Paulo.
E! News has exclusive details on the 26-year-old actress's partying at the Lollapalooza festival after her arrival in Brazil for a promotional trip yesterday.
According to a source, Lindsay showed up at the São Paulo club last night around 2 a.m. and headed "straight to the DJ booth."
Lindsay's getting paid how much for Brazil trip?!
"She entered surrounded by many security guards," the source says. "I did not even know who it was because it was very fast from the beginning. She put a cloth on her head."
"[She] seemed to have been afraid," the source added of LiLo, who avoided mingling with local fans while at the club. "She did not to take pictures with anyone."
As for Lohan's under-the-table antics, the source said she was "talking with friends" while sitting on the ground. The Liz & Dick also star sipped on coconut water while partying throughout the night.
Lohan is in the South American country to promote John John Denim and will spend the weekend there before heading to NYC. She's also expected to be in L.A. for next month's Coachella music festival.
Source: eonline.com
by Brett Malec and Sharareh Drury
Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell & T.I. – Blurred Lines (Explicit Version)[NSFW]
It’s not like Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” music video wasn’t already controversial, what with the line between ‘objectification’ and ‘standard-issue model presence’ already being obscured in both the song and visual accompaniment. However, a new ‘explicit version’ of the video has been released, featuring Emily Ratajkowski alongside some other very lovely counterparts strutting their stuff in a topless glory (taste barely included). It should be clear from the description that this video is very NSFW, but it might be a good idea to watch this away from your girlfriend as well. In any regard, enjoy above.
Source: Hypebeast.com
Tyler, the Creator featuring Pharrell – IFHY | Video
Following a slight delay, Odd Future frontman Tyler, the Creator presents the official visuals for his Pharrell-assisted track “IFHY.” Directed by “Wolf Haley” himself, the music video sees an awkward Tyler struggling with a love and hate battle for his doll of a significant other. At the end, the video takes an unexpected turn as Tyler previews the track “Jamba” while going for a joy ride with Hodgy Beats. Look for both tracks to appear on Wolf, which drops on April 2.
Source: Hypebeast.com
Nas Talks About 'Life is Good',2Pac,Biggie, Diss Lil Wayne, Gunplay attacking 50 Cent, Amy Winehouse
Nas Sat down for an Hours Interview to talk about his Album 'Life is Good' and The state of Hip-Hop. In this interviews he mentions Notorious B.I.G (Biggie), 2Pac,He also Disses Lil Wayne, After lil wayne said 'I'm the New Pac', He talks about Gunplay attacking 50 Cent, Violence in ignorant rappers, Past Hip-Hop Album 'Hip-Hop is Dead' His favourite lyrics and what inspired him, Advising Young Generation, and a lot more.
RiFF RAFF Calls out James Franco, Reviews Spring Breakers & Buys $200K Aston Martin
RiFF RAFF aka Jody HighRoller stops by the Skee Lodge to buy his New Aston Martin from DJ Skee. Jody also discusses his views on James Franco, Selena Gomez and the movie Spring Breakers.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
XXL's 2013 Freshman Cover Shoot: Behind The Scenes
XXL drops the behind the scenes of the freshmen photoshoot featuring Action Bronson, Schoolboy Q, Travi$ Scott, Trinidad James, Ab-Soul, Joey Bada$$, Kirko Bangz, Angel Haze, Logic and Dizzy Wright.
WHITE HOUSE DOWN - Official Teaser Trailer - In Theaters 6/28
Official Description:
While on a tour of the White House with his young daughter, a police officer (Channing Tatum) springs into action to protect his child and the president (Jamie Foxx) from a heavily armed group of paramilitary invaders. Co-starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Woods and Joey King.
Directed by Roland Emmerich
The Wolverine: International Trailer
Watch the official trailer, starring Hugh Jackman! In cinemas July 26th 2013
Like us on Facebook - www.facebook.com/TheWolverineMovie
Follow us on Twitter - @TheWolverineUK
Based on the celebrated comic book arc, this epic action-adventure takes Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), the most iconic character of the X-Men universe, to modern day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world he faces his ultimate nemesis in a life-or-death battle that will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality, emerging more powerful than we have ever seen him before.
B-Real: 40 Glocc's Game Lawsuit Breaks Street Code
Legendary Cypress Hill rapper B-Real shares his thoughts on 40 Glocc suing Game over their street fight, saying that 40 broke street code. B-Real also talks about his relationship with both artists, how their beef is affecting younger fans, and the status of West Coast hip-hop.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Halle Berry Flaunts Major Bikini Boobage
The waves aren’t the only thing slamming on the beaches of Hawaii this week.
On Tuesday, the always beautiful Halle Berry was spotted on vacation with her family on the island paradise as she graced the sand with her stunning bikini bod.
Photographers caught a glimpse of Halle rocking a black bikini topped with a silky see-through coverup and looking sexier than ever.
The crevasse of her massive cleavage was on full display as she picked out a spot in the sand with her fiance Oliver Martinez and her daughter Nahla.
Source: Rumorfix.com
Cara Delevingne by Peter Lindbergh for Interview Magazine
SEXIFY
British model and goofball Cara Delevingne shows her not that goofy side for a seductive black and white fashion spread in the latest issue of Interview Magazine. The famed fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh captured Cara styled by Karl Templer and with Make Up by Emmanuel Sammartino.
Source: global14.com
Source: global14.com
Thailand’s Bearbrick-Inspired Bear House
Inspired by the their Bearbricks‘ massive display cabinet, a Thailand couple has conceived of an entire home to showcase their enormous collection of the toy bears. Aptly dubbed the “Bear House” and created by architecture firm Onion and designer Arisara Chaktranon, the space is a renovation of an existing three-story structure at famous seaside resort town Cha-Am Beach and is meant to provide a holiday getaway for the family. Mimicking the look of the bears’ main display, the entirety of the house has been covered in oak paneling while ladders and matching railings appear throughout the space. The home also features graffiti pieces by Thai artists MMFK and P7 in both the living room and on the terrace. Started back in December of 2011, the Bear House was completed in April of the following year, measures 380 square meters, and showcases a slew of rare 400% and 1000% Bearbricks throughout the space.
Author:Staff / Source: Dezeen
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Britney Spears Bikini: Singer's Body Looks Unbelievable In Tiny Two-Piece (PHOTOS)
A new relationship sure does Britney Spears' body good.
On Monday, the 31-year-old pop superstar was photographed hanging out outside a friend's house in sunny Malibu, Calif., wearing nothing but a tiny two-piece.
SCROLL FOR PHOTOS
Spears looked unbelievable in the striped strapless bikini, flaunting the abs that first made her famous nearly 15 years ago. The bronzed beauty, who recently dyed her blond locks brunette, was later photographed smoking a cigarette.
Absent was her new boyfriend, David Lucado, a 27-year-old Atlanta native whom she was first linked to last month.
Spears and Lucado were spotted holding hands on Friday in the parking lot of a shopping mall in Thousand Oaks, Calif., according to Us Weekly. On Sunday, Spears tweeted a photo of her, Lucado and manager Larry Rudolph at the Cirque du Soleil "One Drop" show in Las Vegas.
Spears will show off her amazing bod once more on an upcoming cover of Shape magazine.
T-Mobile iPhone 5 Will Be Available Starting On April 12
NEW YORK (Associated Press/The Huffington Post)-- T-Mobile will start offering the iPhone 5 on April 12.
The company is currently the only major U.S. carrier not to offer Apple's popular smartphone. At an event in New York on Tuesday, CEO John Legere said the lack of an iPhone "was such a huge void in our device portfolio."
T-Mobile is charging $100 up front, then another $20 per month for two years, on top of the service fees for voice, text and data that start at $50 per month – cheaper than others. Customers could leave T-Mobile during that time, but would still have to pay the installments.
"Stop the bullshit," CEO John Legere said, addressing competitors AT&T, Verizon and Sprint, which require customers to sign contracts to get discounts on iPhones. "Carriers are really nice to you... once every 23 months."
T-Mobile's network has, until recently, not been able to offer high-speed data service to iPhones. It's now able to offer high-speed data to iPhones in some cities.
AP/The Huffington Post | Posted: 03/26/2013 12:38 pm EDT | Updated: 03/26/2013 4:14 pm EDT
Recreational Marijuana Bars Test Limits Of Legal Weed Laws In Washington, Colorado
TACOMA, Wash. — John Connelly leaned forward on his barstool, set his lips against a clear glass pipe and inhaled a white cloud of marijuana vapor.
A handful of people milled around him. Three young women stood behind the bar, ready to assist with the preparation of the bongs, as the strains of a blues band playing downstairs sounded faintly off the exposed brick walls.
"It feels so comfortable in here," said Connelly, 33. "It's just a great social aspect."
Welcome to the Stonegate – puns welcome. It's one of a tiny number of bars, cafes and private clubs catering to the stoner class in Washington and Colorado since voters last fall made them the first states to legalize marijuana for adults over 21.
Both states bar the public use of marijuana – which typically would include bars and restaurants – and most bars are steering clear of allowing pot use at least until officials come up with rules for the new weed industry.
But a few have been testing the boundaries of what's allowed in hopes of drumming up business and making a political statement.
"I've been running a bar a few years now, and people would always go outside around the corner, into the shadows, to smoke up," said Jeff Call, the Stonegate's owner. "People shouldn't have to hide. There's no rules yet, but I'm trying to do this thoughtfully and responsibly."
Washington's law bans pot distribution by anyone but a licensed seller – and no such licenses will be issued until the end of the year at the earliest. There's also a statewide smoking ban that prohibits smoking where people work.
So the establishments are trying various strategies to allow on-site consumption.
Frankie's Sports Bar and Grill in Olympia is less than a mile from the headquarters of the Washington State Liquor Control Board, where officials are writing rules for the pot industry. It allows members of its private smoking room to use tobacco or marijuana.
The owner, Frankie Schnarr, said his revenue has jumped by nearly half since he started allowing pot smoking in December.
In Denver, Club 64 – named after Colorado's law, Amendment 64 – charges a $30 yearly membership for the privilege of getting high in a private social setting. Members receive emails alerting them to the locations of club "meetings," like a recent St. Patrick's Day party hosted by a local bar, featuring marijuana-infused green beer.
Club 64 owner Robert Corry, an attorney, wants to open a bar where he can welcome members on a daily basis.
"A marijuana club is exactly what the voters wanted," Corry said. "Colorado voters knew exactly what we were doing."
The Front Tea & Art Shop in Lafayette, about 20 miles north of Denver, offered "cannabis-friendly" evenings six nights a week at which customers over 21 were allowed to bring their own pot.
Owner Veronica Carpio said the cafe attracted 25 people a day – until last month, when Lafayette declared a moratorium on pot use at businesses. She's suing, arguing the city overstepped its authority.
Anyone who wanders up the stairs to the Stonegate's second-floor smoking lounge is charged a nominal fee – $1 a day to $20 a year – to become a member of the private club. To evade the smoking ban, there's no smoking allowed – only "vaporizing," a method that involves heating the marijuana without burning it.
Call provides space in the lounge – an L-shaped bar of blond wood, painted with portraits of Keith Richards, Stevie Ray Vaughn and other rock heroes – to the proprietor of a local medical marijuana dispensary.
People who don't have a medical authorization have to bring their own pot, then rent a vaporizer – $10 by the half-hour – or pay to have one prepared for them. For $5, those who do have an authorization are offered various preparations of "shatter" – a hardened oil of powerful marijuana extract.
Call opened his rum-and-pizza joint a few years ago in a brick building along a formerly seedy stretch of shops, bars and restaurants. The second floor had recently been operated as a brothel, he said.
On a recent Friday night, a gentle scent of fresh marijuana filled the room. At one table, a handful of 20-somethings inhaled deeply from a rubber hose attached to a rented vaporizer, a black box that toasted the cannabis to 375 degrees.
Those who wanted a more powerful dose grabbed a seat at the bar, where Jenae DeCampo, a 21-year-old in a black tube-top, pulled out a small blowtorch.
DeCampo held the hissing flame to the metal stem of a clear glass bong until the metal glowed orange. With a wand, she picked up a small piece of what looked like amber – a chunk of potent, hardened marijuana oil – and rubbed it on the scorching metal.
A white cloud filled the pipe, bubbled through the water at the bottom and rushed into Connelly's lungs.
"A lot of people are shocked by what we're doing because it's so uncommon," DeCampo said. "I like being part of something that could possibly be big."
Tacoma's code enforcement staff is reviewing the Stonegate's operation, a city spokeswoman said.
Justin Nordhorn, the state liquor board's chief of enforcement, has some concerns about bars that allow pot use. Most importantly, he said, is that marijuana can compound alcohol's intoxicating effects, meaning people might be even more dangerous when driving.
He also doubted whether the "private club" aspect of the establishments would keep them out of trouble. A truly private club that serves alcohol – say, an Elks Lodge – would have to have a liquor license specific to private clubs, and members of the public couldn't be allowed in.
For now, Nordhorn noted, there is a loophole in the state board's ability to block bars from allowing pot use. Its rules require bars to address on-site criminal violations, but public use of marijuana is only a civil infraction – meaning officials can't necessarily punish bars that let people partake, even if police could come in and write tickets to toking customers.
That's something the board could address as it makes rules for the new pot industry.
For now, Call's goal is to get more people into the bar – people who will get hungry and order pizzas.
"People are just smiling and friendly and happy," Call said. "I just really like the feeling you get when you're up here."
___
Associated Press writer Alexandra Tilsley in Denver contributed to this report.
___
By GENE JOHNSON 03/26/13 11:15 AM ET EDT
Phil Jackson - Eleven Rings
Penned by former Chicago Bulls and potential future L.A. Lakers coach Phil Jackson, Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success ($17) tells the story of Jackson’s rise from a kid in North Dakota to a leader of hyper-athletic, enormously-ego’d men, with plenty of insight on how he handled the personalities of his players and got all-time greats like Jordan and Kobe to buy into a team concept bigger than themselves.
Source: global14.com
Giants' Shaun Rogers has $430k of jewelry stolen
Shaun Rogers (pictured with Cleveland in 2010) apparently had a rough stay in a luxury Miami hotel. (Photo: Jason Miller-USA TODAY Sports)
Last month, New York Giants nose tackle Shaun Rogers signed a new one-year contract with the team for just over a million dollars. According to a CBS Miami report, a collection of jewelry worth close to half of that was swiped from his hotel room at the Fontainebleau Monday morning.
FUNNY GUY: Roger Goodell spoofs Super Bowl blackout
Via CBS Miami:
Rogers, 34, told police he left his room around 1 a.m. with some friends and headed to Club Liv. While at the club, Rogers and his group allegedly met a woman who the group would bring back to Rogers' room, according to Miami Beach Police.
Rogers told Miami Beach Police he put his valuables in the room safe when he returned around 7 a.m. and the party continued until the nose tackle fell asleep. According to police, Rogers said at 12:30 p.m., he awoke and found the woman the group had met the night before was no longer there.
Once he realized the woman wasn't there, Rogers told police he tried unsuccessfully to get into the room's safe. Hotel security then came to the room and was able to pry open the safe and found Rogers' valuables were missing.
Among the items Rogers said were stolen were: diamond earrings worth $100,000; two wristwatches worth a combined $160,000; a gold necklace with gold pendant worth $50,000; gold bracelets worth $60,000; and a diamond Cuban necklace with a gold pendant worth $70,000.
The total amount of those items - $430,000 - is only $3000 less than how much the 34-year-old Rogers will make if he ends the 2013 season on injured reserve like he did last year.
The 12-year NFL veteran, who was arrested in 2010 on a felony gun charge for having a loaded gun in a carry-on bag at Cleveland Airport and fined $400,000 by the league despite having the charges dismissed, has earned around $30 million during his playing career.
Regardless of his prior income or whether the assortment was insured, why is Rogers rocking nearly half a million in jewelry like he's a starlet at the Oscars anyway? For that kind of money, he could've supplied Buzz Bissinger's wardrobe for two years.
Jodeci Falls Off Stage (Dalvin jumps off stage and almost breaks his back) 23/03/2013 Wembley Arena
After great performances from Changing Faces, SWV, Dru Hill and Blackstreet, Jodeci came out headling the show. With high exceptions now been set, within the first 30 seconds of Jodeci's performance, Dalvin jumps off the stage almost breaking his back with another member leaving the stage immediately after!!! They tried to carry on with thier performance after that with 3 members, but thier singing was out of beat/tune, where clearly no rehearsals had taken place as THEY were all over the place, with one member singing acapella whilst another talking over him....it was safe to say they were under the influence of something (again) The crowd started booing them within a couple of minutes and the arena started to empty rapidly
Monday, March 25, 2013
Irina Shayk for ‘Natural Beauty’ by James Houston
BEAUTIFUL!!
Australian born and NYC based photographer James Houston captured Irina Shayk in all her perfection as part of his book project ‘Natural Beauty’. In collaboration with MILK Studio, the concept of the Natural Beauty project is to raise awareness for the environment and sustainable living with proceeds from book sales and supporting initiatives benefitting Global Green USA. The book will be released in late Spring so we can be sure to see more natural beauties shot by James Houston.
Source: global14.com by JD
Source: global14.com by JD
Cop Goes Crazy at Innocent Guys Filming a Wal-Mart in Houston
Cop Goes Crazy at Innocent Guys Filming a Wal-Mart in Houston
Hostile Houston Cop comes after two innocent guys video taping at a Wal-Mart in SouthWest Houston for NO REASON, the men were held against their will before later being hand-cuffed to be arrested but released after another cop came to their rescue. The incident was only resolved after the cop tried to bribe and threaten the men to ERASE this footage or go to JAIL.... (This is a REAL police officer of the Houston TX Police Department. Apparently he works part-time as a guard for Wal Mart after his shift. This information was CONFIRMED by the other police officer who came to our rescue on the scene and who's information will remain anonymous for being a better person although they also took the bad cops side when it came to erasing the footage before our release. We made them think we erased it so YOU could see this for yourself. Also what you see in this video is the FIRST contact made with the police officer which was initiated by HIM. Had he ordered we stop video taping Wal Mart or just to plain STOP video taping we would have been happy to comply, but his issue was "Don't record ME!!" when my friend asked "What? Stop Recording?" the officer replied only with "NOT ME" and both of us confirmed he was not being recorded on purpose and continued with our harmless film which would probably have NEVER even surfaced had he not done what you see here) The police department also denies this as one of their own even while his information is public knowledge. We have yet to hear about him being in anyway punished for his actions so your help would be GREATLY appreciated
Hip-Hop Rumors: Arsenio Hall and Eddie Murphy Beef!
This is sad. Eddie and Arsenio are beefing? YUP.
The National Enquirer was TMZ before TMZ and they have the scoop.
Arsenio Hall’s longtime friendship with Eddie Murphy exploded into a bitter feud after the comedy legend snubbed Arsenio’s request to appear on the premier of his new talk show!
Arsenio has been rounding up big-name guests for his return to late-night TV this fall, but when he approached Eddie, the former Saturday Night Live star told him NO WAY!
Sources say Eddie, 51, put his foot down because he believes Arsenio has been capitalizing on their friendship for years and is just trying to use him for a quick ratings boost.
And Arsenio, 58, is miffed because he believes his former pal is envious of him jump-starting his career while Eddie’s movies are fizzling at the box office.
Source: allhiphop.com by illseed
Bill Gates Offers Grant for ‘Next Generation Condom’
Bill Gates’ latest project gives a whole new meaning to the old Microsoft slogan, “Your potential. Our Passion.”
The Microsoft founder and its former CEO is getting out of software and into, er, hardware.
Gates will give a $100,000 grant to whoever can invent the “next generation condom” through The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Grand Challenges in Global Health. The estimated 80 grant recipients can then apply for a follow-up grant worth up to $1 million.
RELATED: Porn Industry Against Mandatory Condom Measure
“Is it possible to develop a product without this stigma, or better, one that is felt to enhance pleasure?” the Grand Challenge prompt asks. ”If so, would such a product lead to substantial benefits for global health, both in terms of reducing the incidence of unplanned pregnancies and in prevention of infection with HIV or other STIs [sexually transmitted infections]?”
The challenge prompt notes that condoms are effective at preventing pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections like HIV, but their design hasn’t changed in centuries and people just don’t want to use them. As such, Gates is asking inventors to create something that does the job, but increases condom desirability by preserving sensation and enhancing user experience.
RELATED: Durex’s Discreet Condom Delivery Service in Dubai
Between 69 and 80 percent of teens in the United States use condoms, but middle-aged adults aren’t so careful because they mistakenly think they aren’t at risk for contracting sexually transmitted infections, said Sheryl Kingsberg, who specializes in behavioral medicine at University Hospitals’ department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Cleveland.
Even when a condom is being used, however, it’s not always used the right way because it isn’t intuitive, Kingsberg said.
The University of Washington and a company called Origami are already working on ways to build a better condom, according to the foundation’s blog. The university is working on a fabric with tiny fibers that can physically block sperm and then dissolve within a few minutes or a few days.
Origami has three designs for rippled, folding condoms designed to enhance pleasure and be put on quickly.
Gates’ call for condom inventors is a “wonderful idea” and raises awareness, but it only solves half the problem, Kingsberg said. The other half will be encouraging people to use condoms with better education.
“There are many ways in which the current generation of condom can fail,” she said. “Maybe this is Windows Vista version. We can certainly get to Windows 7, 8 and 9, but we need to encourage people to use it.”
The deadline for proposal submissions is May 7. Winners will be notified in November.
Source: ABC NEWS BY: SYDNEY LUPKIN
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Manny Pacquiao to Join Jordan Brand?
Speculation of Manny Pacquiao‘s endorsement future continues to intensify as the Filipino boxer considers a deal with Jordan Brand, transitioning from his existing contract with Nike. Forbes has published an article in speculation of the possible move, which makes sense given the athlete’s worldwide popularity. Pacquiao would not be the only Jordan-sponsored athlete outside of basketball, with the brand having ties to the NFL, NASCAR, SuperBike racing, and a host of other sports. As an added bonus, the boxer likely stands to make significantly more money than per his current contract – further solidifying his top-ranking position on Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes. No official release has come from either the Jumpman or Pacquiao’s party, but developments will be reported accordingly.
Author:Josh Davis / Source: Forbes
Nicki Minaj Has Double Nip Slip in New Video with Lil Wayne
Nicki Minaj is many things, but shy certainly isn't one of them!
In a behind the scenes clip from her latest music video entitled High School with rapper Lil Wayne, the American Idol judge wears a bright green swimsuit while splashing around in the hot tub.
While shooting the hot tub scene, both of her boobs totally pop out of her bathing suit, yet Nicki continues filming as if nothing's wrong! What a pro.
And if that's not crazy enough, after the hot tub scene is wrapped and she's wearing clothes again, she has a security person carry her around.
Hit the clip above to see what else went on behind the scenes of the High School music video shoot.
Source: cambio.com By Cristina Gibson
ADRIEN BRONER STUNTIN' IN MIAMI - COUNTIN' CASH
ADRIEN BRONER FRESH OFF OF HIS RECENT TITLE DEFENSE VICTORY SPEAKS TO THE WORLD FROM HIS MIAMI VACATION SPOT, AND TALKS UPCOMING WELTERWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT!
Jennifer Capriati charged with battery, stalking
Tennis star Jennifer Capriati will face a judge after being formally charged with battery and stalking.
Friday, March 22, 2013
At 'Breastaurants,' Business Is Booming
While many restaurant chains are struggling, Twin Peaks, Tilted Kilt and others are thriving.
Vanessa Hudgens does a ‘booty pop’ dance for Jay Leno on ‘The Tonight Show’
The ‘Spring Breakers’ star, clad in a figure-hugging yellow dress, bounced around the couch before getting up to do a proper ‘booty pop’ for the audience.
Vanessa Hudgens showed off her dancing skills while visiting Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show" Wednesday night.
It all started when Hudgens recounted a party at Madonna's house that she attended with co-star Selena Gomez.
"We walked in and we were dancing for a while," she said, "and Selena's doing her thing and I'm like, 'this girl can dance but I need a break because I feel like my ears are ringing.'"
When Leno probed about whether the girls had a dance contest, Hudgens excitedly explained how she got in the mix with Madonna’s dancers.
"They were having a dance off so I was like, 'I gotta jump in on this action,'" she said. "They need some of Vanessa up in this. So I had a dance off with some of her dancers, and I took the prize."
"I hate to admit it but when it comes to my dancing, there's a lot of booty popping involved," Hudgens explained. Of course, Leno insisted on seeing a demonstration due to his "old" age.
With some help from the house band and cheering from the crowd, Hudgens got up and enthusiastically "popped" her rear to the beat.
Source: dailynews.com
Vanessa Hudgens showed off her dancing skills while visiting Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show" Wednesday night.
It all started when Hudgens recounted a party at Madonna's house that she attended with co-star Selena Gomez.
"We walked in and we were dancing for a while," she said, "and Selena's doing her thing and I'm like, 'this girl can dance but I need a break because I feel like my ears are ringing.'"
When Leno probed about whether the girls had a dance contest, Hudgens excitedly explained how she got in the mix with Madonna’s dancers.
"They were having a dance off so I was like, 'I gotta jump in on this action,'" she said. "They need some of Vanessa up in this. So I had a dance off with some of her dancers, and I took the prize."
"I hate to admit it but when it comes to my dancing, there's a lot of booty popping involved," Hudgens explained. Of course, Leno insisted on seeing a demonstration due to his "old" age.
With some help from the house band and cheering from the crowd, Hudgens got up and enthusiastically "popped" her rear to the beat.
Source: dailynews.com
We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks Official Trailer
Here’s the first official trailer to Alex Gibney’s new documentary We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks, a comprehensive film on the controversial platform ran by Julian Assange - Australian editor, journalist and activist. Having made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, the film received positive reviews among its share of animosity and skepticism - inevitable considering the ever-elusive topic at stake. The Oscar-winning director does a superb job at structuring the layer-heavy narrative, joining dots between the political website, the unveiling of top-secret military news by a certain solider, and above all raising the question on weather certain information should, or needs to be shared with the public. Watch the trailer above, and keep an eye out for a limited release by Focus World starting on May 24.
Author:Arthur Bray Hypebeast.com
Fucking Young! Spring/Summer 2013 Issue “1997″
The Barcelona-based fashion purveyor Fucking Young! is back with the follow-up to their premiere issue of its foray into print publications. Just in time for Spring/Summer 2013, the 247-page tome is dedicated to the single theme of 1997 – a great year for fashion – with five chapters consisting of 14 editorials focusing in on different facets of that year, including an interview with Antonio D’Amico on his friendship with Gianni Versace along with some great illustrations by Mario González. To kick things off, they’ve called upon Ton Heukels to model the quirky white-centric cover, with crystal embellishments by Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy. At the price of €15 EUR (approximately $20 USD), the spring/summer zine is now available from the Fucking Young! online store and other selected stores soon.
Author:Arthur Bray
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