Alice Waters' Crusade For Better Food

When it comes to food, Alice Waters is a legend. At age 64, she has done more to change how we Americans eat, cook and think about food than anyone since Julia Child.

Waters was only 27 years old in 1971 when she opened her French bistro Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Calif., today considered one of the finest restaurants not just in the United States but in the world.

Waters has produced eight cookbooks, but she's more famous as the mother of a movement that preaches about fresh food grown in a way that's good for the environment. The movement, now called "slow food," is a healthy alternative to "fast food."

You might think this appeals only to the Prius-driving, latte-sipping upper crust, but Waters' ideas have gone mainstream.

It all started at Waters' culinary temple, Chez Panisse. She still shows up almost every day, as she has for the last 37 years, to oversee the cooking with her exquisite, infallible taste buds.

It's not just the cooking that has made her famous: it's the ingredients. She was one of the first to serve antibiotic and hormone free meats and insist on fresh, organic, locally-grown fruits and vegetables.

"You started a revolution in food. How we think about food. How we cook food. But do you think of yourself as a revolutionary?" correspondent Lesley Stahl asked Waters.

"I guess I do now, but when I started Chez Panisse I wasn't thinking of a philosophy about organic and sustainable. I just was looking for flavor," Waters replied.

It's flavor that comes from serving only seasonal food, one of her hallmarks; say "frozen" and Alice Waters shudders. Because all her food has to be fresh, she buys only from local ranchers, fishermen and farmers.

People who meet Waters are struck by how gentle and dreamy she seems to be, and they wonder how someone like that became so successful. Truth is, Alice Waters is a steamroller, relentlessly going after what she wants. And now she wants everyone to cook the way she does. And that has put her in the spotlight

"People have become aware that way that we've been eating is making us sick," she said.

She has become the leader of a movement to change how we eat. And she's getting traction. Now you can go to your neighborhood grocery store - even Wal-Mart - and buy organic. But in the process, she's become a target.

"People say Alice Waters is self-righteous and elitist. And these are words I've heard over and over," Stahl pointed out.

"I feel that good food should be a right and not a privilege and it needs to be without pesticides and herbicides. And everybody deserves this food. And that's not elitist," Waters argued.

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Anna Nicole Smith's boyfriend, doctors charged

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anna Nicole Smith's boyfriend Howard K. Stern and two doctors were charged Thursday with giving thousands of prescription drugs to the former Playboy Playmate in the years leading up to her fatal drug overdose in 2007.

Stern and doctors Sandeep Kapoor and Khristine Eroshevich were each charged with three felony counts of conspiracy and several other charges of fraudulent prescriptions. Prosecutors said the doctors gave the drugs — including opiates and sedatives — to Stern, who then gave them to Smith.

The prescriptions were issued between June 2004 and January 2007, just weeks before Smith's death.

"These individuals repeatedly and excessively furnished thousands of prescription pills to Anna Nicole Smith, often for no legitimate medical purpose," California Attorney General Jerry Brown said in a statement.

Brown's spokesman, Scott Gerber, told The Associated Press that Stern and Kapoor surrendered Thursday night and posted $20,000 bond, and that Eroshevich will surrender Monday. An arraignment date was not set.

The medical examiner's office has said Eroshevich, a Los Angeles psychiatrist and friend of the starlet's, authorized all the prescription medications found in the Hollywood, Fla., hotel room where the 39-year-old Smith was found unresponsive shortly before her death in Feb. 8, 2007.

Eroshevich's attorney, Adam Braun, acknowledged his client wrote some of the prescriptions using fictitious names for Smith, but said that the intent wasn't to commit fraud.

"It was done for privacy reasons," Braun told the AP. "She did the best she could under difficult circumstances in the best interest of the patient."

Braun said Eroshevich began treating Smith following the death of the playmate's son in September 2006. The doctor traveled on several occasions over a six-month period to the Bahamas where Smith was living with Stern and wrote the prescriptions.

The criminal complaint also alleges Kapoor wrote prescriptions for Smith under a patient alias Michelle Chase. Prosecutors allege the doctor gave her excessive amounts of sleep aids, opiates, muscle relaxants and methadone-like drugs used to treat addiction, knowing she was an addict.

Messages left with attorneys for Stern and Kapoor were not immediately returned.

Brown said Eroshevich and Kapoor "violated their ethical obligations as physicians, while Mr. Stern funneled highly addictive drugs to Ms. Smith."

The criminal complaint includes eight other felony charges, including obtaining fraudulent prescriptions and unlawfully prescribing a controlled substance. In all, Stern faces six felonies and the doctors each are charged with seven. Prosecutors did not immediately know how many years in prison they faced if convicted.

Rumors swirled for weeks after Smith's death, but police cleared those around Smith of any wrongdoing and the medical examiner's probe deemed it an accidental overdose.

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"Daily Show's" Jon Stewart is a one-man brawl

Whether it's Jim Cramer versus Jon Stewart or Rush Limbaugh versus everybody, media personalities are driving what used to be a quieter debate.

Who needs Sunday-morning roundtables when "The Daily Show" can eviscerate dispensers of bad advice within seconds? Amazing how a single voice can alter the national conversation under the guise of comedy.

In the YouTube age, it's possible for a late- night half-hour to derail an entire financial network, or at least let the hot air out of a gaggle of financial pundits, in the space of a clip.

In Stewart's case, that's an admirable accomplishment. He's been on a roll since CNBC's Rick Santelli backed out of a scheduled "Daily Show" appearance last week.

This week Stewart moved from Santelli to Cramer to Joe Scarborough to the entire NBC family of TV talkers in a scathing debunking of the bullish talking heads. The comic smartly shamed CNBC by calling the money network on its pundits' pro- Wall Street bias and gullibility in advance of the market's crash.

Then, as the feud inevitably got more attention than it deserved, Stewart mocked the "basic cable personality clash" that he'd started. That's typical Stewart: He demolishes his opponent, then mocks his own gamesmanship. Touche.

In the case of Limbaugh, how much publicity does the supposed intellectual leader of the Republican Party need? (Have you seen the cover of Newsweek? Even his fellow conservatives are crying "Enough!")

The media, timid to the point of irrelevancy during the Bush era, seem to be reclaiming their spine. And it's happening on the fringes.

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Samantha Knapp

Samantha Knapp is a Local 6 news reporter who will go the extra mile to get the story first and more importantly, get it right!

With a variety of experience as a producer, writer and reporter, Samantha relishes her role as a provider of news and information. She works tirelessly in pursuit of stories that make a difference in people’s lives.

Samantha has worked many extra hours filing live reports during morning and evening shows.

While at WJCL in Savannah, Ga., Knapp developed a franchise for "Crimestoppers" with the help of local police and the Crimestoppers Bureau.

"We did deep investigations into unsolved murders and helped breathe new life into supposedly cold cases," says Knapp.

Besides working in Savannah, Knapp has also reported for stations in Indianapolis, Providence, Hartford and most recently WEYI-TV in Flint, Mich.

While a reporter at WEYI-TV, she covered a live fire-safety drill performed at a fire training tower. She was able to give viewers a first-hand look at just how difficult it can be to escape the fury of the flames.

Knapp feels a great responsibility and gratitude for the career she has chosen.

"I realize that it is a gift to be able to help people process the information and news they need in a day," Knapp said. "I do not take that gift or responsibility lightly. I realize the impact our work has on the community."

Knapp has BA in Political Science and History from Indiana University in Bloomington

During her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, skiing, reading, running and sailing.

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Who is Dennis Radesky?

Yesterday, Law & Order Special Victims Unit (Law & Order SVU) ended with a note mentioning it was in memory of “Dennis Radesky”.

Dennis Radesky was best known as a “Transportation Co-Captain” for many movies and TV shows and has reportedly passed away on 25th February 2009.

Dennis Radesky acted in Philadelphia as a Santa Claus in 1993. In 1986, Dennis was a transportation captain for Something Wild, in 1988 he was an assistant transportation captain for Married to the Mob. From 1991, he became a transportation co-captain for many movies and TV shows such as The Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, The Mirror Has Two Faces, Men in Black, Sex and the City for the two episodes of 2001 and Vanilla Sky.

Radesky, was also teamster co-captain for the film Glengarry Glen Ross, in the year 1992.

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FOX toasts the 'American Idol' Top 13

If I'm Michael Corleone (and I'm not) trying to go legit, Katrina "Bikini Girl" Darrell is my Mafia. Every time I think I've gotten my last use out of Darrell's bikini-clad "American Idol" audition photo, she *pulls* me back in.

I would have guessed that Bikini Girl and I were just about through after she was finally eliminated from "American Idol" mid-way through the Hollywood Round. After all, even with a great willingness to disrobe, how many minutes of fame are "American Idol" rejects entitled to?

For Darrell, the answer appears to be "More."

Bikini Girl, it turns out, is now a legitimate reporter.

Darrell, eschewing her familiar two-piece in favor of a far more professionally responsible ensemble consisting of a skin-tight, green leopard (or fish) print mini-skirt and high heels, was working the Blue Carpet at FOX's Thursday (March 5) night party celebrating the "American Idol" Top 13.

[More after the break...]

I don't want to overstate Darrell's importance at the FOX party. She was just one of many journalists leaning over railing trying to get quotes from the "American Idol" hopefuls. Also, from little acorns, great oak trees something-or-other. I mean, four or five years ago, you'd have mocked the journalistic credentials of Kim Caldwell and Justin Guarini, but they've become the Woodward and Bernstein of former "Idol" contestants.

But Darrell was certainly attracting more than her share of attention, with her fake tan, fake extensions and, unless I'm missing my guess, recently enhanced bosom. In fact, the only person on the premises wearing more makeup than Bikini Girl was "American Idol" finalist Adam Lambert. No. Seriously.

That Darrell was carting a microphone for E!, hardly an illegitimate outlet, caused a little ire amongst other reporters who, like me, know more than a few reputable, trained and over-qualified scribes on the bread-lines.

"I went to school for this," said one ink-smudged scribe of superior breeding. "F*** you, Bikini Girl."

There were several looks of incredulity from the Top 13 contestants when they reached Darrell's place in the media line, replaced quickly and professionally.

I didn't work the Red Carpet at this year's party largely because it's an arduous and endless process and between my "American Idol" recap and my "Survivor" recap, I knew I'd have to arrive early and leave early. My goal was really just to get a sense of the event.

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Francis M's journey ends

“I look forward to the pain as I know my journey is on full speed ahead. I will not be bold to say that without asking a favor from you all. PLEASE PRAY for me as I undergo treatment. Your prayers, as always, have sustained me. And am sure the Lord will listen to all our prayers. To His will I submit myself.”—Francis Magalona

This was taken from Magalona’s last blog entry dated January 14, 2009 found on his multiply page “a Free Mind” (francismagalona.multiply.com). He succumbed to leukemia on March 6, 2009 at age 44.
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Master Rapper Francis Magalona was born Francis Michael Durango Magalona on October 4, 1964. Fondly called “Kiko” by his family and friends and “FrancisM,” “Master Rapper” or “The Man from Manila” by fans, Magalona is the son of late Philippine movie icons Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran. He has nine brothers and sisters. Magalona is married to Pia Arroyo and they have eight children, namely Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr., Elmo, Arkin, Clara, and actresses Maxene and Saab.

He started out as a break dancer in the early 1980s, before launching his vast showbiz career as an actor, host, rapper, veejay, producer, photographer and director. He is best known for his smash hit song “Mga Kababayan” from the album Yo! (1990),said to be the first commercially-released Philippine rap album in the Philippines.

According to Magalona’s Wikipedia page, Magalona is regarded as the first Filipino rapper to successfully crossover to the mainstream market. Because of this, he is known as the "King of Pinoy Rap."

Magalona released many albums including Rap Is FrancisM (1992), Meron akong ano! (I have something!)(1993), and FreeMan (1995) spanning more hits like "Ito ang Gusto Ko," “Girl Be Mine” and “Kaleidoscope World.” His greatest hits album, The Best of FrancisM,was released in 2002.

He also dabbled into hosting television shows and events. His hosting credits include being a VJ for MTV Asia, a judge in ABC-5’s “Philippine Idol” and host of noontime show “Eat Bulaga!”

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'Celebrity Apprentice 2' preview: Send in the clowns!

Let's let Olympic figure skater Scott Hamilton sum up this wonderfully absurd second season of Celebrity Apprentice: "This is the most potentially dysfunctional group. You know, the way I look at it is we're putting the fun in dysfunctional." How much more can we add? Sure, last season boasted such characters as acerbic Brit Piers Morgan and the ever-mockable Stevie B (reality TV just ain't the same without you, B!). But Trump really brought out the big guns for season 2. Dennis Rodman. Andrew Dice Clay. Joan and Melissa Rivers. I haven't seen a fiercer battle of the egos since Kanye West last looked in the mirror!

So, thank you, Donald Trump, for assembling this ridiculous group of people, who collectively produce one heckuvan entertaining premiere. Some (non-spoiler) highlights from the two-hour show: Herschel Walker holds Andrew Dice Clay's hand! Tom Green turns down his crazy dial! Dennis Rodman wears sunglasses at night -- while inside! The suitcase No. 1 model from Deal or No Deal has a name! And, finally, this quote from Joan Rivers: "I'm project manager, I think, because of age. I'm the only one in there without a tampon in my pocketbook. So they just deferred to me."

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Tracy Morgan, Glenn Beck, and Marauding Motorcycle Gangs

Last night's episode of 30 Rock featured Tracy Morgan's character obliviously fanning the flames of a financial meltdown in Asia as a guest on Larry King Live. As he warns that the ensuing financial crisis will remake the cushy, urban paradise New York of the 2000s into the crime-ridden urban hellhole of the 1970s (think The Warriors), Kenneth the Page is tagged and Liz Lemon blackmailed by a loathsome cabbie. New York City seems to collapse as banks fail, the Asian markets crash, and Jack Donaghue forsakes his buxom love, played by Selma Hayek, to save his collapsing media network.

The episode reminded me, interestingly enough, of a segment, which Josh Marshall recently flagged, on Glenn Beck's aptly titled War Room, a show which carefully warns its viewers that:

In other words, Beck and his guests (temporarily) remove their soothsayer hats and traffic in the simple hypotheses of mere mortals. (We would learn nothing more of a North American Union between the Southwest and Mexico on this day!) After all, one of Beck's guests, Gerald Celente of the Trends Research Institute, really does fancy himself a clairvoyant, having predicted the 2001 recession, the real estate fizz, and, of course, the increase in Halloween retailing in 1989. The New York Post likens him to Nostradamus and, at least according to his website, lots of MSM sources dig his work (though the NYT promotional quote on the Trends Institute website seems a bit lackluster compared to the Post's: "Mr. Celente tracks the world's social, economic and business trends for corporate clients.").

"Saturday Night Live": Dwayne Johnson, Tracy Morgan to host; Kelly Clarkson to perform

Been missing Kelly Clarkson?

You'll get a good look at the first "American Idol" victor when she performs on the March 14 edition of "Saturday Night Live." Her fourth album, "All I Ever Wanted," comes out March 10. (She is pictured performing at a pre-Grammy party on Feb. 7.)

Former "SNL" performer Tracy Morgan, who's now a force on "30 Rock," will host the show that night.

The March 7 show will be hosted by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The appearance, his third as host, will help Johnson promote his new Disney movie, "Race to Witch Mountain."

The musical guest that weekend will be Ray LaMontagne.

Tonight's show is a repeat of the Jan. 10 show, which was hosted by Neil Patrick Harris of "How I Met Your Mother." Taylor Swift was the musical guest. Check out the wonderful tribute to "Doogie Howser, M.D."

NBC's "Saturday Night Live" airs at 11:30 on WESH-Channel 2.

Will Ferrell: Overseas player?

Can Will Ferrell sell movie tickets in Madrid or Moscow?

That was the underlying question every studio found itself pondering this week during the tumultuous negotiations that led to Sony Pictures buying "The B Team," a highly sought-after pitch that teams Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg in a big-budget action comedy that Sony hopes will have the same broad appeal as the Chris Tucker/Jackie Chan-starring "Rush Hour" series. As Variety reported in its story, the comedy was pitched around town earlier this week by Endeavor and CAA, who represent the two actors as well as filmmaker Adam McKay, Ferrell's longtime partner, who will direct and co-write the script with Chris Henchy.

What Variety didn't report was the project's steep price tag, which eventually knocked New Line, Universal and Paramount--who all have various relationships with Ferrell--out of the negotiations. To land the project, which is still nothing more than a pitch, Sony had to agree to shell out roughly $100 million to make the film, with the talent pooling roughly 25% of the first-dollar gross. (If the film ends up costing less, the talent will split the underages with the studio.) The studios all loved the film's buddy cop premise, which has Ferrell and Wahlberg playing desk-jockey cops who finally get a shot at real action when the police force loses many of its top A-team members to layoffs and retirement.

But the numbers were still daunting. The big question at every studio was this: Can we make a film with this steep of a price tag if it's only going to be a hit in the U.S., when so much of our business today is geared to the international market? Ferrell is an undisputed comedy star in America, where he's been the leading man in three $100 million-plus comedy hits--"Talladega Nights," Blades of Glory" and "Step Brothers." But none of the three films has made more than $27 million overseas, with "Talladega Nights" being an unusually poor performer, considering its rave reviews, grossing $148.2 million in America but only $15 million overseas.

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RIP James Ward

James Ward, former food critic for WLS-TV and the Sun-Times, passed away today after a long illness. From his Channel 7 bio:

Ward was restaurant critic and food columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, from 1978-1984. Prior to this, he was restaurant critic for the Chicago Daily News.

From 1969 to 1974, Ward served as editorial director for R.R. Donnelley & Sons in Chicago where he was responsible for producing travel and food magazines.

He began his career as a restaurant critic as editor and assistant publisher of Restaurants and Institutions, a food service industry trade magazine from 1960-1969.

Ward, a Chicago native, graduated from Loyola University, and holds a Master's degree in political history from the University of Chicago. He and his wife reside on the city's north side.

Ward was memorable for his often flamboyant delivery and purple prose, employed here in this review of Lindy's Chili (from early 2000s, judging from the website at the end) -- and his trademark red-rimmed glasses.

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American Idol 2009 gets halfway to Top 12

American Idol is halfway to revealing their Top 12 after putting 3 more people through to the next round. The hopes of nine more contestants were dashed as they were sent home.

Host Ryan Seacrest told us that we again broke records last night, with over 25 million votes tallied. Ryan then told Simon Cowell that he was talking to Randy Jackson about how awesome Simon is this year. Simon just wants to improve every year. He also wanted the show to be about the contestants.

The group performance tonight was "Closer" by Ne-Yo. I don't know if this group practiced more on their group performance or what, but they were miles better than last week's group.

After the group performance, we were treated to a discussion with the hopefuls. Ryan asked Nick Mitchell what he will be doing if he doesn't make it. Nick told Ryan that he would be looking for employment. Matt Breitzke thought that they all have a lot to learn at this stage, but he has been having a blast. He also disputed Simon's comment yesterday that it was too late for advice. Matt B doesn't think it's ever too late for advice. Simon responded with "It's too late." Jesse Langseth still thought she made the right song choice. Jeanine Vailes stuck by her thought yesterday that she overcompensated.

Then we were up to some results. Ryan asked Allison Iraheta to come down. After a recap of what the judges said, he told her to stand to the side for a minute. He then did the same with Jesse Langseth and Matt Breitzke. Ryan asked Randy who would make it in. Randy guessed that it would be one of the girls, but hoped it would be Allison. Randy was right, Allison is in the Top 12. Allison then treated us to a repeat of her performance of "Alone" by Heart.

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Brooke White and her heart returns to Idol

Idol runs that "What a Wonderful World' clip job of the show's most outrageous moments, then last year's finalist Brooke White is back singing her first single, "Hold Up My Heart."

I liked her last year; has this classic, throwback voice. Song's not great, it's a bit boring actually. But she performs well, and I still love her husky vocal tone.

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American Idol Group 2 (Results) Three Contestants Make Top 12

American idol again seems to be struggling with change as this show was a tough one, but the group 2 results are in and if you were waiting for a big surprise you won't see it this week. The top three contestants were fairly easy, certainly the fist two were absolute locks. The Thursday night results show is another piece of the puzzle to whittle down the new format of the Top 36, down to 12 and then it's the wild card fun.

Tonight's show had only one moment where we weren't exactly certain who was staying and who would need some wild card help. The first two are anti-cliactic as the Adam Lambert is in and certainly can work a stage and you can add Allison Iraheta right into the top twelve as well.

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Gwyneth Paltrow GOOP

Gwyneth Paltrow has been a busy girl, both in the acting business and outside of it. In addition to the two movies she is currently filming (”King Lear” and “Iron Man 2″), she also has her very own lifestyle website that has become all the rage. Who needs Martha and Oprah when you have Gwyn?

But Gwyneth insists that she is not trying to become the next superstar for women. Rather, her website GOOP is there to provide information to women that Paltrow feels we want, as the tagline reads, “Nourish the Inner Aspect”.

Gwyneth talked about GOOP at a benefit for the nonprofit Bent on Learning. The program puts yoga into New York public schools, which is one of her favorite activities. Even her kids try it out with her, but she explains that they mostly just imitate.

Gwyneth spoke out in defense of her new project after coming under attack in the web world. One critic calls it a “holistic hot mess” and accuses Gwyneth of telling us how to have it all, when the average person just can’t do what she does. But she’ll try, and I’ll listen, but in the end, can’t we all use a little help, even if it’s just advice?

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Tom Delay Slams Obama's Address To Congress On Hardball (VIDEO)

Tom Delay, appearing on Chris Matthews' show Hardball opposite Harold Ford, ripped into Barack Obama's speech last night before a joint session of Congress. Delay called it "the most irresponsible, hypocritical speech I have ever witnessed," and that what Obama is talking about doing is "insane."

Delay seems alone in his strident criticism, as the reviews across the board gave Obama fairly high remarks. Ford pushed back against Delay, but the former House majority leader continued to rail against Obama.

Matthews also played a clip of prominent conservative David Brooks slamming Jindal's response to Obama, and Brooks was having none of this. Delay dismissed the criticism: "take away the conservative moniker from David Brooks."

Delay also made reference to Matthews' opening segment on the show in which the host discussed his bewilderment at the setting and tone of Jindal's rebuttal, saying to Matthews, "listening to your introduction, somebody is going to accuse you of being biased." Matthews did not look amused.

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BREAKING NEWS!! TABLOIDS REPORT THAT RIHANNA WAS PREGNANT DURING THE ATTACK!!!

February 25, 2009. MediaTakeOut.com has been walking you through all the twists and turns in the Chris Brown-Rihanna Assault Saga. Well now - here goes A DOOZY!!! According to 2 U.S. weekly gossip magazines, Rihanna was PREGNANT during the beating.

Here’s what Star Magazine is reporting:

Just days before the terrifying incident, [Rihanna] had consulted an ob-gyn after confiding in close friend sthat she believed she was pregnant.

“Rihanna was afraid to tell Chris about it because she was sure he didn’t want to have a baby, “says a source … [but] on Jan 26, Rihanna, wearing dark sunglasses, a black off-the=shoulder top, black pants and black boots, had a scheduled appointment at the office of Dr. Gregory Ewertz in Cedars-Sinai Medical center.


Here’s the National Enquirer:

”Oh, my God, I could lose the baby!”

Rihanna has told pals that horrifying thought raced through her mind as her boyfriend Chris Brown brutally beat her – because she thinks she is pregnant…

Rihanna had missed her period and told friend that she thought she was pregnant. But when she told Chris he didn’t want to talk about it and was in sort of denial.”

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The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Jerry Lewis

The comedian is honored for his work with the Muscular Dystrophy Assn.

Jerry Lewis is known as one of show business' silliest and most outrageous clowns. But when he was honored Sunday night during the Oscars for his humanitarian work, he played it straight.

"This touches my heart and the very depths of my soul, not only because of who this award is from, but who it will benefit," Lewis said in accepting the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. "My humility is staggering."

Lewis, who received a standing ovation when he emerged from backstage, also thanked the Hollywood community, adding that working in the movie industry is "the joy of everything I do."

The award, given to an individual whose "humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry," was presented to Lewis for his work on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Assn., which has raised more than $2 billion.

Lewis has been the group's national chairman since 1952, and he has been "the No. 1 volunteer" of the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon since 1966.

The short acceptance speech by Lewis, who will turn 83 next month, was a bit of a surprise. The entertainer, who can be alternately gracious, silly, cocky and prickly, was considered one of the Oscar ceremony's wild cards.

In a wide-ranging career of more than 50 films in which he often mixed his acting duties with writing, producing and directing, he had never been nominated for an Oscar. The Hersholt award is often regarded as a consolation prize, and many wondered whether Lewis -- an iconic and controversial comedic figure -- would express a touch of bitterness over the fact that he was being honored for his humanitarian efforts, not his film legacy.

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Former Gov. Gary Locke likely pick for U.S. commerce secretary

If former Gov. Gary Locke is formally nominated as U.S. commerce secretary, he would bring a squeaky-clean image and experience with global trade to a job that President Obama has found difficult to fill.

"I think he'd be a very good choice," said Bill Stafford, president of the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle.

There were multiple reports Monday that Locke is Obama's likely third pick for the post.

The Associated Press and The Washington Post said a senior administration official confirmed Locke is likely to be nominated. Paul Berendt, former chairman of the Washington State Democratic Party, said he heard from a well-placed source that Locke, 59, received a call Monday and was offered the commerce job.

"I think the Obama administration wanted someone who is squeaky clean, and certainly Gary is a Boy Scout," Berendt said.

In fact, Locke was an Eagle Scout as a teenager. He's carried that clean-cut image through his career.

The former governor is such a straight arrow that "he probably overpaid his taxes" just to avoid questions later, Berendt said.

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