“Arena earns Tulsa ticket to the dance - Tulsa World” plus 4 more

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• Arena earns Tulsa ticket to the dance - Tulsa World
• Make My Day - American Reporter
• Juanes shares talent - The Miami Herald
• All eyes on Britney Spears: Singer entrances El Paso fans - El Paso Times
• Does Obama's "Bailout" mean a future for print but not profits? - San Francisco Chronicle

Arena earns Tulsa ticket to the dance - Tulsa World Posted: 22 Sep 2009 12:26 AM PDT MAY TULSA have this dance? Yes! After more than two decades of being a wallflower, our town's days of sitting out The Big Dance are finally numbered. In less than two years, Tulsans will be at the epicenter of that wonderful, wacky time known as March Madness. T-Town learned Monday that it will become Hoops City when the BOK Center hosts first- and second-round games of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament March 18 and 20, 2011. But why wait? Anyone who has been part of the exciting buildup to an NCAA Tournament understands that every one of the next 18 months can feel like March for those who love the madness of the college hoops tournament. "This is incredibly exciting," Tulsa basketball coach Doug Wojcik said. "To get the NCAA Tournament is a big coup for John Bolton and everybody involved." Bolton, the BOK Center's general manager, has demonstrated repeatedly in the arena's first year of existence that he could attract big-time entertainment to rock the house. Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen and Britney Spears are just a few of the superstars who have brought their touring acts to the sparkling $198 million facility. But for those addicted to March Madness basketball, a Beatle, the Boss and Britney pale in comparison to the NCAA Tournament. One of this country's elite sporting events, it captures the nation's attention during three exciting weeks as 65 teams attempt to travel the road to the Final Four and the national championship. So on the first day of the second week of March 2011, eight teams and thousands of their fans from all over America will converge on our little corner of the world to tip off their journey. Yesterday's announcement by the NCAA Division I Men's Tournament that Tulsa was one eight cities selected to host games the opening week of the 2011 tournament is the realization of a dream from thousands of Tulsans. Those of us who have followed the state's four Division I men's programs in previous NCAA Tournaments knew that all Tulsa needed to join the action was a new arena. Watching OU, OSU, TU and ORU play in such places as Albany, N.Y.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Sacramento, Calif.; and Tucson, Ariz., made us realize the potential opportunities for our city. So we hoop-heads had visions of NCAA Tournaments instead of concerts dancing in our heads when voters approved the Vision 2025 tax initiative in 2003, guaranteeing the arena's construction. Once the magnificent structure opened Aug. 30, 2008, we figured it would be only a matter of time. We hoped that if Bolton and the Tulsa Sports Commission could get the NCAA hoops honchos to visit the BOK Center they would be blown away by the jewel on South Denver. "It's one of those things that you think: 'This is why the building was built,' " Bolton said. "To host sporting events of this magnitude." Exactly. But nothing is ever a slam dunk with the NCAA. Especially when it comes to the highly competitive selection of cities to stage its signature event. The NCAA announcement indicated that officials from 70 cities submitted bids to be players in any or all of the 2011, 2012 and 2013 tournaments. Those city leaders were chasing the estimated $4 million to $6 million impact the event can have on a local economy. And it's impossible to put a price tag on the nationwide attention and publicity Tulsa will attract as a host city. "It's just the whole concept of March Madness," Wojcik said. "There will be a buzz for that whole week leading up to those games." There is a second reason to celebrate that Tulsa was selected for the first year it was up for bid. It's the earliest opportunity for the city to demonstrate it can run a first-class tournament, and would like to be considered in the future. The NCAA has a history of making return visits when it's impressed. For example, Tampa, Fla., one of the eight cities joining Tulsa to host the opening rounds in 2011, also was selected in 2003 and 2006. TU faced OU at the BOK Center last December, and will host OSU there in December 2010. The Hurricane also will play in the building next March in the Conference USA Tournament. But as the host school for the first- and second-rounds of the 2011 tournament, NCAA rules will prohibit TU from playing in the BOK Center if it makes the Big Dance. That's a sacrifice TU will happily make for its hometown, Wojcik said. "To me, this is similar to Tulsa getting the PGA or the U.S. Open," he said of Southern Hills Country Club hosting those major golf tournaments. "It's a national thing. And now the city of Tulsa gets to experience March Madness first hand." Time to dust off those dancing shoes. Putting our city's best basketball sneaker forward starts right now. Read Dave Sittler's blog at tulsaworld.com/sportsextra . This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Make My Day - American Reporter Posted: 21 Sep 2009 10:46 PM PDT Make My Day PARIS FOR PREZ by Erik Deckers American Reporter Humor Writer Indianapolis, Indiana Back to home page Printable version of this story INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- It was the snit heard 'round the world. The snarky, scantily-clad video response that got pundits tongues wagging about something other than politics, at least until their wives saw them. Maybe its echo has faded from the news, but it still makes me wake up screaming in the middle of the night. Paris Hilton says she's running for President. The vapid blond heiress and star of "The Simple Life," announced her candidacy in a spoof video on FunnyOrDie.com. Hilton said she was running because that "wrinkly white-haired guy" - John McCain, for those of you emerging from under your rocks - used her image in a television spot against his opponent, presumptive President of the United States, Barack Obama. "Hey America, I'm Paris Hilton, and I'm a celebrity too," she said without a sense of irony or shame. "Only I'm not from the olden days, and I'm not promising change like that other guy. I'm just hot." Oh man, this is really bad. I've always been a big supporter of third party candidates, but my one litmus test is whether they can even spell "candidate." And that they haven't starred in an Internet sex video/ I swear, if she wins, I'm moving to Canada with Alec Baldwin, unless he chickens out like he did last time. (Big wussy. The guy swore up and down he would move to Canada if George Bush became President, but we're stuck with him and his 17 brothers.) Still, I don't think she's got a real shot, so I'll probably be here for a while. "But then that wrinkly white-haired guy used me in his campaign ad, which means I guess I'm running for President," she continued. Yeah, right. By that logic, since her boyfriend used her in that sex video, I guess that would make her a slut. . . Uh, oh. This is worse than I thought! Do they get the NFL in Canada? Can I get the Dish Network to work up there? "So thanks for the endorsement, white-haired dude, and I want America to know I'm, like, totally ready to lead." Oh, good, as long as you're totally ready. I mean, we wouldn't want someone who was , like, only concerned about whether certain other world leaders are, like, hot, or whether the White House clashes with her outfits. She'll probably appoint Extreme Makerover's Ty Pennington the Secretary of the Department of the Interior to make sure. "I'll see you at the White House," she concluded. "Oh, and I might paint it pink." Looks like I've got a tough decision to make. Do I go for the big city or the small town? I've been to Toronto, and it's a nice city with a strong arts community. But if I lived in a smaller town, I'd be closer to nature and some really good fishing. Dryden, Ontario is gorgeous in the summer. But even as I pace the floor and gnaw on my fingernails, I have to admit, her energy policy made some sense. "We can do limited offshore drilling with strict environmental oversight, while creating tax incentives to get Detroit making hybrid and electric cars. That way, offshore drilling carries us until the new technologies kick in, which will create new jobs and energy independence. Energy crisis solved. I'll see you at the debates, bitches." But then she, like, totally shot herself in the foot when she said she was considering Rihanna, the R&B artist, as her vice presidential nominee. Come on! Rihanna?! Are you kidding me? Everyone knows she doesn't have the foreign affairs experience needed to re-establish the U.S. as a world leader. Plus, she was born in Barbados, so she's not a natural-born American citizen, which means she can't take on that role. While some people would say Britney Spears, Hilton's fellow celeb and John McCain commercial target, is the emotional favorite, I think Cameron Diaz is the better choice. She can shore up the Hispanic vote and improve relations with Latin America. Of course, you'll also need Ashton Kutcher to head up the Department of Homeland Security (Hey Iran, you've been punk'd!). And what do you think of Scarlett Johansen as the Secretary of State... ? Uh, excuse me. I don't know what came over me. If anything, I'm worrying too much about something that will never happen. Hilton is only 27, eight years too young to run for president, which means I don't have to worry about a global disaster for eight more years. But with her sordid past, I doubt she could even be elected dogcatcher of Putnam County. Besides, I'm hoping Lindsey Lohan will be out of rehab and ready to run for Senate by 2016. Copyright 2009 Joe Shea The American Reporter. All Rights Reserved. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Juanes shares talent - The Miami Herald Posted: 21 Sep 2009 09:56 PM PDT Juanes shares talent Protests over Juanes' concert among some in the Cuban-exile community are absolutely ridiculous. I could understand hurt feelings if this artist were Cuban, but he is not. Hasn't history taught us anything? Years of the embargo have done absolutely nothing but keep people in Cuba more isolated. Change can only occur if the new generations experience, learn and see how the other half lives. More important, instead of threatening Juanes, concerned exiles should be as eager to do something to prevent the violence that is occurring in our schools. What message are we sending the Cuban people when a Cuban teen is killed in his school in this country? His mother sent him here for a better life, which has been cut short. We need to learn to handle disputes with something other than threats and aggression. This is where people's efforts and energy should be directed, not at an artist who wants to share his talent. VICTORIA M. SUAREZ, Miami The public interest I curtailed my subscription to The Miami Herald some time ago because I felt I was reading the same old news, and the reporting was not the zealous, newsworthy reporting that Floridians are asking for. However, lately there has been much reporting about government and issues that we need and crave, news that only The Miami Herald can uncover -- and that, as a guardian of the public interest, it has an obligation to report. I am happy and applaud your efforts. Keep up the good work and never let up. M. FRANKLYN ROMAN, Miami Investigate Cheney Former Vice President Dick Cheney deserves to be investigated because he broke the laws of the land -- or bent them to satisfy his urge to torture in our name. CARLOS R. PONCHIO, Hialeah Carter is wrong The worst mistake I ever made in voting for president was 1976 when I voted for Jimmy Carter. His administration was the worst during the past 50 years. Now for him to make remarks about racism just goes to show his ignorance. The people who voted for Barack Obama because he is an African American are no less racist than the people who did not vote for him for that reason. People who did not vote for Obama just do not like his politics. People who disagree with his health plan just do not like the health plan. HARVEY JUDKOWITZ, Miami Too-cozy relationship With reference to attempts to place the Public Service Commission under the judicial branch of government as a solution to its too-cozy relationship with the utilities it regulates: Despite rules requiring judges to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, that system is seriously flawed as well. Florida elects its state trial judges, and law firms and wealthy personal-injury attorneys ply them with campaign dollars and use valuable connections to help them get elected. Even when they're appointed they're helped by influential lawyers who know the governor or the nominating committee members. And they sit and hear cases where those very lawyers, or their firms, appear. Whether they intend it or not, it's only natural for a human being to be influenced in making decisions by such favors. PSC Commissioner Katrina McMurrian is no different. Even if she didn't discuss the rate case with the FPL executive at dinner, she is unbelievably obtuse if she thinks that she won't be influenced by the perhaps cozy relationship that results from such interactions. Why does she think she was invited by Florida Power & Light to speak at the conference and to dinner? RICHARD FRIED, Miami Beach Transparency? In her Sept. 16 Other Views column, Czars avoid oversight by Congress, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, uses words like ``transparency'' and ``accountability.'' Where was she when Vice President Cheney had his secret energy meetings and wouldn't reveal anything about them? Real transparency there. And where was she when Attorney General Alberto Gonzales fired prosecutors who would not agree with him politically? And why wasn't she fired up when ``Heckuva job, Brownie'' stood by and watched the city of New Orleans drown? Tell us, where was the accountability back then? DAVID PLATT, Hollywood Nothing made at home A few weeks ago, my daughter and I visited the Smithsonian in Washington. At the gift shop, my daughter was about to purchase a coffee mug when she turned it over and saw ``Made in China.'' We looked at many other items -- T-shirts from Madagascar, etc. -- and the only items we found that were made in the USA were my daughter and I. We did not buy anything. How sad. JOAN COHEN, Aventura This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

All eyes on Britney Spears: Singer entrances El Paso fans - El Paso Times Posted: 21 Sep 2009 04:48 PM PDT Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom) Blogroll informasi lomba seo yang menarik diantaranya : -Adro textile konveksi murah indonesia - Singgasana Hotels & Resorts Pilihan Akomodasi terbaik di Indonesia - Yamaha R15 dan yamaha R25 Motor Sport Racing dan Kencang - Review Mobil Proton Indonesia Terbaik bisnisku diataranya : - Dbc Network - Bekerja dari rumah Powered by Blogger.