Chicago Bears

North Platte native Nathan Enderle was drafted on Saturday by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round with the 160th overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Going into this weekend's draft, the former Idaho quarterback was projected to be a late round selection. But he went higher than most predicted when the Bears, who only currently have two other quarterbacks in Jay Cutler and Matt Gutierrez, selected him with their fourth draft pick.

After graduating from North Platte High School in 2006, Enderle was redshirted in his first year at Idaho. But was named the starting quarterback at the beginning of the following year by new head coach Robb Akey.

In his first start under center, Enderle and the Vandals played then No. 1-ranked USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in a nationally televised game. The Pete Carroll-coached Trojans had no problems with Idaho, winning 38-10. But Enderle seemingly held his own against a defense that was loaded with future NFL players like Clay Matthews, Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga and Keith Rivers, among others.

In Enderle's first two years as quarterback, Idaho struggled with a combined record of 3-21. But in his junior season, the Vandals showed some life and became bowl eligible for the first time in 11 seasons with a 7-5 regular season record.

Then in the Humanitarian Bowl, Enderle led Idaho from behind to a 43-42 win over Bowling Green. With just four seconds left in the game, Enderle threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Max Komar to bring Idaho within one point and then on the two-point conversion, Enderle found Preston Davis to win the game.

As a senior this fall, Enderle and Idaho went 6-7. On Sept. 11, Enderle returned to his homestate to play against Nebraska. In Lincoln, Enderle completed 16 of 31 passes for 141 yards but threw five interceptions. He did have one touchdown pass, however, connecting with Michael LaGrone from two yards out in the third quarter.

In the NFL, Enderle will join fellow NPHS graduate and New England Patriot running back Danny Woodhead, who went undrafted in the 2008 NFL Draft before signing as a free agent with the New York Jets and making a name for himself with the Patriots. In Woodhead's senior season at NPHS in 2003, Nathan Enderle served as the backup quarterback to his older brother, Derek.

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos took another linebacker in the draft, selecting Mike Mohamed of California in the sixth round Saturday.The 6-foot-2, 238-pound Mohamed was rated eighth among inside linebackers in Mel Kiper Jr.'s 2011 Draft Report, ahead of North Carolina State's Nate Irving, who was selected by the team in the third round.

Denver also took Von Miller of Texas A&M with the second overall pick as the team tries to fix the league's worst defense.
Mohamed can play both inside and outside linebacker, splitting time between both spots in his time with the Bears. He finished with 339 tackles in his career, the fourth-best total in school history.

Oakland Raiders

For the Oakland Raiders, The 2011 NFL Draft may not have provided the bonanza of impact player picks of the 2010 NFL Draft, paced by speedster Jacoby Ford, but the Silver and Black did add beef in two top college lineman prospects: Stefen Wisniewski and Joseph Barksdale.
Stefen Wisniewski, from Penn St., is the nephew of popular Oakland Raiders Legend Steve Wisniewski, and a player Zennie62.com NFL Draft expert Dr. Bill Chachkes says can play "either left or right tackle, but really is best suited as a left tackle." By contrast, Joseph Barksdale, from LSU, is best at the right tackle position.
In between the two linemen, the Raiders added Miami's Demarcus Van Dyke, one of the fastest defensive backs at the 2011 NFL Combine.
And in addition to fast, both Van Dyke and Chimdi Chekwa are at, or in the case of Mr. Chekwa, over 6-feet tall. Both are also knowns as DBs who can cover and hit - perfect for the Raiders style of play.
Adding Skill People
The Raiders added skill position players in the lower rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft, including Eastern Washington RB Taiwan Jones, Tennessee receiver Denarius Moore, and Miami Tight End Richard Gordon in rounds four, five, and six.

Of those thr

ee, Richard Gordon just may be the steal of all Raiders picks for this year thus far. Hammered by injury, his "good blocking but no-catch" rep was almost stuck on him for much of his time in college, but in 2009 he did make six grabs, and then-Miami Head Coach Randy Shannon remarked Gordon was even better in practice.
Looks like the Raiders got a player who's just seeing the upside of his potential.
No Quarterback
No, the Raiders didn't get Nevada's Colin Kaepernick, who was snagged by fast-trading San Francisco 49ers, who got Colin before Oakland could even get within sniffing distance. But the Raiders have a solid group of veteran signal callers who will be under the close guidance of new Head Coach Hue Jackson, paced by Jason Campbell.

Green Bay Packers

Some college players have a hard time waiting when their name doesn't get called as early as they expect during the NFL draft.
Given D.J. Williams' personal story, that hardly qualifies as adversity.
Williams survived a difficult childhood to become a standout tight end at Arkansas. Now he's a member of the Green Bay Packers after the Super Bowl champions took him in the fifth round on Saturday.
"We've been through a lot as a family," Williams said. "We've come a long way, pretty much from nothing to where we are now. Just hearing my name called today, getting the phone call from the Green Bay Packers was an awesome moment."
Having won the John Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end this year, Williams didn't expect to wait this long. He thought he might have gone as early as the second round, but realized that his less-than-ideal size for a tight end—6-2, 251 pounds— and other perceived deficiencies in speed and strength might have hurt his stock with NFL scouts.
"They always says I look a lot bigger on TV," Williams said. "And I think that's just because I play big. So I'm excited to see what happens."
Williams was especially surprised when the Miami Dolphins passed on him in the fourth round.
"That's who I thought was really interested and I was surprised they didn't pick me, but I feel like I'm in a great situation now," Williams said. "What better place? One of the best quarterbacks in
the league throwing the ball."Williams was one of four offensive players the Packers took with their first five picks.
Green Bay took offensive players with its first three picks Thursday and Friday, then finally went defense on Saturday when they picked New Mexico State cornerback Davon House with their compensatory pick in the fourth round.
House has been a starter since his freshman year, with 11 interceptions in 49 games. He enters a crowded Packers secondary, where Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams and Sam Shields form a formidable cornerback trio.
House tried to pattern his game after one of his new teammates—not Woodson, but Williams.
"I just watched him all last year and what he does is amazing," House said. "He's a ballhawk and that's what I feel like I believe I am, a ballhawk, too, and I'm excited.
The Packers traded down three times Saturday. But the most intriguing pick was Williams, who said his life turned around when his family left what he described as an abusive situation when he was in fourth grade.
"We lived in shelters for a while but when we moved into our home and sat there that first night with no furniture in it, but the fact that it was our home in our new life that we're starting, that's when it all kind of turned around," Williams said. "We have a clean slate, and we can make what we want out of it. With our strong mother and our strong family, we can do what we want."
Now he wants to use his stature as an athlete to speak out about domestic violence.
"I think sports gives us athletes a platform to raise awareness for situations that need to be (raised)," Williams said. "Mine was domestic violence, and I had a platform where if I said something, a lot of people would hear it. I thought it was something that could help people out in the long run."
On the field, Williams joins a team already stocked with tight ends—including standout Jermichael Finley, who will be returning from an injury.
"What better person to learn from?" he asked?
Packers tight ends coach Ben McAdoo expects big things from Williams.
"He may not have the best measurables, he may not be the tallest guy, he may not be the longest guy, he may not be the fastest guy, but when you turn on the tape he's one of the best players on the field," McAdoo said.
For now, Williams would like to celebrate with his family. But the NFL remains under a lockout and Williams doesn't have much money, so he suggested they might go to McDonald's.

Even when Williams is able to sign, he knows he won't be able to live extravagantly—but he'd still like to do something to help his mother.
"Being a fifth-rounder, you don't have 50 million bucks to spend," Williams said. "I just want to get her out of the neighborhood that we are currently in in Little Rock, put her somewhere nice, where she doesn't have to worry about, did she lock the door every night."

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks continued to address their secondary by drafting Clemson cornerback Byron Maxwell in the sixth round of the NFL draft on Saturday.

Maxwell was the second cornerback and third defensive back taken by the Seahawks on the final day of the draft.
Maxwell tied a school record by playing in 53 games at Clemson, but started only eight games, all of those coming in his final season. Maxwell had 48 tackles and two interceptions his senior season for the Tigers.
Maxwell also played extensively on special teams at Clemson and fits Seattle's framework of drafting larger defensive backs. Maxwell is 6-foot-1, 205 pounds.

Dallas Cowboys

East Carolina wide receiver and return specialist Dwayne Harris was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round (176th overall) of the 2011 National Football League Draft Saturday.

Harris is the eighth ECU receiver in history to be drafted and immediately follows defensive end C.J. Wilson, who was taken by the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of last year's draft after defensive tackle Linval Joseph and punter Matt Dodge were selected earlier by the New York Giants.

The Pirates have had at least one player chosen in the last six consecutive years and in 17 of the past 22 drafts.

Harris, who was a first-team all-conference selection as a wide receiver and punt returner in 2010, set Pirate single-season records with 1,123 receiving yards and 101 receptions. He became one of only three ECU pass catchers to ever record over 1,000 receiving yards in a year and the only one with 90 or more grabs during a season. In his final campaign, Harris led C-USA in receptions per game (7.8) while standing third in receiving yards per game (86.4) and all-purpose yards per game (176.0), and fourth in punt return average (11.7). Among all 2010 FBS players, he ranked fourth in all-purpose yards per game and sixth in receptions per game. Harris also finished in the top 25 at the FBS level in total reception yards (15th), receiving yards per game (18th) and punt return yards per game (21st).
In the East Carolina career record books, Harris established program-best marks for receptions (268) and receiving yards (3,001) and is the only Pirate to ever surpass even the 2,000-yard milestone. He also ranks second on the program list in career touchdown catches with 20. In C-USA history, Harris stands fifth in career receptions and all-purpose yardage, seventh in kickoff returns and kickoff return yardage and 10th in receiving yards.

An all-around threat, the Stone Mountain, Ga., native owned East Carolina's longest punt return (56 yards) and rush (49) last season while also contributing a 39-yard touchdown pass. He had a team second-best 48 receptions resulting in a first down and squad-high 20 grabs on third-down plays. Harris was also the Pirates' offensive leader with 13 "big plays" (20-plus yards), all receptions.

Harris, who will turn 24 on September 16, joins Aundrae Allison(Vikings/2007),Troy Smith (Eagles/1999), Larry Shannon (Dolphins/1998), Dion Johnson (Oilers/1992), Walter Wilson (Chargers/1990), Ricky Nichols (Colts/1985) and Tim Dameron (Oilers/1973) on the list of Pirate wide receiver draft picks. He is also the first ECU offensive player chosen since tight end Davon Drew was a fifth-round selection of the Baltimore Ravens in 2009.

Including Harris, other Pirates selected by the Cowboys include RB Leslie Strayhorn (1973), LB Harold Randolph (1978), DB Chris Hall (1992) and LB Robert Jones - a first-round choice in 1992.

ALL-TIME EAST CAROLINA FOOTBALL DRAFT HISTORY
(year, round, pick, overall pick, name, team, pos)
2011, 6, 11, 176, Dwayne Harris, Cowboys, WR
2010, 2, 14, 46, Linval Joseph, Giants, DT
2010, 7, 14, 221, Matt Dodge, Giants, P
2010, 7, 23, 230, C.J. Wilson, Packers, DE
2009, 5, 13, 149, Davon Drew, Ravens, TE
2008, 1, 24, 24, Chris Johnson, Titans, RB
2007, 5, 9, 146, Aundrae Allison, Vikings, WR
2006, 4, 32, 129, Guy Whimper, Giants, OT
2004, 7, 45, 246, Brian Rimpf, Ravens, OT
2002, 4, 10, 108, David Garrard, Jaguars, QB
2002, 7, 30, 241, Leonard Henry, Dolphins, RB
1999, 5, 20, 153, Roderick Coleman, Raiders, DE
1999, 6, 32, 201, Troy Smith, Eagles, WR
1998, 3, 21, 82, Larry Shannon, Dolphins, WR
1997, 5, 1, 131, Lamont Burns, Jets, OG
1996, 4, 16, 111, Emmanuel McDaniel, Panthers, DB
1996, 5, 2, 134, Jerris McPhail, Dolphins, RB
1994, 6, 4, 165, Bernard Carter, Buccaneers, LB
1994, 7, 8, 202, Carlester Crumpler, Jr., Seahawks, TE
1993, 6, 8, 148, Tom Scott, Bengals, OT
1992, 1, 24, 24, Robert Jones, Cowboys, LB
1992, 6, 26, 166, Jeff Blake, Jets, QB
1992, 8, 14, 210, Luke Fisher, Vikings, TE
1992, 9, 26, 250, Chris Hall, Cowboys, DB
1992, 10, 22, 274, Dion Johnson, Oilers, WR
1991, 9, 3, 226, Ernie Logan, Falcons, DE
1990, 3, 14, 67, Walter Wilson, Chargers, WR
1990, 5, 1, 110, Junior Robinson, Patriots, DB
1990, 7, 14, 179, James Singletary, Colts, LB
1990, 10, 27, 275, Anthony Thompson, Broncos, LB
1988, 8, 5, 198, Anthony Simpson, Buccaneers, RB
1988, 10, 4, 253, Ellis Dillahunt, Bengals, DB
1986, 6, 27, 165, Kevin Walker, Buccaneers, DB
1986, 10, 3, 252, Tony Baker, Falcons, RB
1985, 3, 24, 80, Stefon Adams, Raiders, DB
1985, 8, 4, 200, Ricky Nichols, Colts, WR
1984, 2, 27, 55, Steve Hamilton, Redskins, DE
1984, 4, 27, 111, Terry Long, Steelers, OG
1984, 5, 3, 115, Clint Harris, Giants, DB
1984, 5, 13, 125, Jeff Pegues, Redskins, LB
1984, 5, 21, 133, Hal Stephens, Rams, DE
1984, 10, 1, 253, Norwood Vann, Rams, TE
1984, 10, 28, 280, Earnest Byner, Browns, RB
1984, 11, 4, 284, John Robertson, Eagles, OT
1983, 2, 18, 46, Jody Schulz, Eagles, LB
1982, 4, 2, 85, George Crump, Patriots, DE
1982, 4, 7, 90, Tootie Robbins, Cardinals, OT
1981, 2, 19, 47, Tony Collins, Patriots, RB
1980, 11, 11, 288, Sam Harrell, Vikings, RB
1980, 12, 9, 314, Mike Brewington, Chiefs, LB
1979, 2, 28, 56, Zack Valentine, Steelers, LB
1979, 6, 21, 158, Eddie Hicks, Giants, RB
1978, 6, 28, 166, Harold Randolph, Cowboys, LB
1977, 6, 27, 166, Reggie Pinkney, Lions, DB
1974, 4, 2, 80, Carl Summerell, Giants, QB
1974, 4, 17, 95, Carlester Crumpler, Bills, RB
1973, 16, 1, 391, Tim Dameron, Oilers, WR
1973, 17, 22, 438, Leslie Strayhorn, Cowboys, RB
1969, 17, 1, 417, Wayne Lineberry, Bills, LB
1964, 14, 5, 187, Tom Michel, Vikings, RB
1961, 5, 8, 64, Glenn Bass, Cardinals, TE
1951, 28, 12, 339, Roger Thrift, Browns, QB

Rosie Huntington Whiteley

A new trailer for Transformers: Dark of the Moon is out, and the one thing that people might be asking themselves is: who is that girl playing alongside Shia LaBeouf?
It is Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, the British-born Victoria’s Secret model that replaced Megan Fox in the third installment of Michael Bay’s action-packed Transformers series.
Fox had a falling out with Bay, who is the director of all three movies.  Out was Fox, and in came Huntington-Whiteley.
It was curious decision by Bay, because the model has no acting experience.  He also told a Yahoo! movie blog that he would never hire a model.  Nonetheless, he encouraged Huntington-Whiteley to audition and chose her over 500 other girls who wanted to play LaBeouf’s love interest.

“She was very spunky. She’s got this cute English accent, and she’s got a great head on her shoulders,” Bay told the blog, explaining why he chose the 24-year-old model over more experienced actress’.

Potato Salad

Potato Salad

In case you've missed hype for the movie Hop, Easter is on the horizon. It will arrive April 24, one week after Jewish Passover and the first full moon of spring.
Beyond linking colored eggs with new life or, perhaps, lamb as a symbol of Christ, none of the traditional Easter foods such as ham, asparagus, potato salad, strawberries and chocolate bunnies correlates with the resurrection of Christ.
However, that won't stop most families from gathering and enjoying these and other timeless Easter classics.
One of the biggest challenges of any Sunday dinner, particularly one after a lengthy Passover or Easter service, is making sure it can be prepared quickly and ready to eat when guests gather. Maybe that's why ham is so popular for a spring dinner. Most hams are fully cooked and can be reheated while the rest of the dishes are finished.
And what would an Easter lunch be without potato salad?
Despite its pale, banal appearance, potato salad can be tricky and time-consuming to prepare. There's the bubbling vat of hot water, scraping of the stubborn skin and boiling and peeling of eggs. Finding the right combination of mayonnaise, pickles and seasonings loses its appeal after all that prep work.
Let's be honest, most potato salads are somewhat mushy and lacking in eye appeal. The exception to this rule was Red, Hot and Blue's version.
The Jackson barbecue restaurant served a dish filled with large chunks of potatoes coated with a tangy sauce. Although the restaurant closed a few years ago, its potato salad lives on in a recipe that comes as close as possible to the real thing.

Added Bliss Potato Salad

10 pounds new potatoes, skins on, boiled and cut into chunks
6 strips bacon, fried and crumbled into large chunks
1 bottle bacon Ranch salad dressing
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup green onion tops
4 boiled eggs, grated (optional)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
Dill weed, to taste
Celery seed, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste
Combine all ingredients except potatoes and mix well. Add potatoes and toss gently to coat. Top with additional chunks of fried bacon if desired.

Chevy Volt

Chevy Volt

Chevrolet is claiming that the average Volt owner needs to only fill up their car with gasoline about once every month, or roughly every 1,000 miles. According to the company, 80% of Americans drive fewer than 40 miles a day, which would be just in the ballpark of the Volt’s all-electric capabilities.
The Chevy Volt has a top speed of 100 miles per hour when in electric mode, and a range of 35 miles when fully charged, but the company says the true capability of the plug-in hybrid could be between 25 and 50 miles.
In order to highlight the potential performance the Volt has, the automaker is bragging about two owners – one in Florida and one in South Carolina. Steve Wojtanek of Boca Raton says he averages 122 miles per gallon in the vehicle, while Gary Davis of Greenville says he’s seeing a fuel economy of 547 miles per gallon. Impressive numbers for sure, but keep in mind the source of results aren’t exactly unbiased.

Enchanted

Enchanted

It’s the perfect recipe for an enchanting evening: Picnic with family and friends, mix in some great music provided by the state’s premier symphony, add a dash of beautiful artwork and sprinkle in a gorgeous sunset over scenic Bayou Bonfouca and voilà!
The city of Slidell is serving up this recipe for a remarkable evening through its ninth annual Some Enchanted Evening with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra on April 23 in Heritage Park. Admission is free.
Leading the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra this year is guest conductor David Torns. As assistant conductor of the Baton Rouge Symphony and music director of the Louisiana Youth Orchestras, Torns conducts outreach, educational and pops performances.
Torns will lead the orchestra in playing a wide assortment of popular classical selections, patriotic music, show tunes and movie themes, including “The Star-Spangled Banner,” John Williams’ “Suite from Star Wars,” Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” and a special tribute to Louisiana legend Pete Fountain. The LPO takes the stage at 6 p.m., but concertgoers will want to arrive much earlier to enjoy the pre-concert festivities.
ENCHANTED ART WALK
The Enchanted Art Walk, featuring a variety of talented artists, begins at 4 p.m. It’s a great opportunity to browse artwork, meet the artists, enjoy artist demonstrations and purchase original works and prints. Among those scheduled to display their work are Mickey Asche, Milo Asche, Elliott Bowser, Keith Dellsperger, Courtney Dusang, Phil Galatas, Kelly Landrum Hammel, Thomas Owens and many local arts organizations. Individuals considering purchasing artwork are advised to arrive early for the best selections.
MAYOR’S PICNIC CONTEST
Grab your picnic blankets and ice chests, and get ready to show off your creativity, as Slidell Mayor Freddy Drennan is challenging the community to participate in the Mayor’s Picnic Contest.
Cajun feasts, Hollywood soirées, Gilligan’s Island, Phantom of the Symphony, birthday celebrations, patriotic themes and even wedding parties are but a few of the creative picnic themes of Enchanted Evening’s past. The best picnic spread selected in four categories will receive a special prize: Perfect Interlude (most romantic setting); Chromatic Overtures (most creative picnic spread); Grand Staff (best presentation by an organization or office group); and Minor Scales (little folks with big ideas, ages 12 and younger).
Participants should register near the gazebo between 4 and 5 p.m. Winners will be announced during intermission.
Be sure to bring your chairs and blankets, ice chests and picnic baskets and enjoy onsite selections from Baskin-Robbins, A Touch of Italy Café and Times Grill. For guests who don’t want to bring their own tables, the park’s smaller pavilions may be rented by contacting the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at 985.646.4375. Pavilion rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Guests who arrive early may bring tents to provide shade during the daytime, but all tents must be taken down by 5:30 p.m. so that everyone can enjoy the view of the stage. Park regulations prohibit barbecue grills, pets, bicycles, scooters and skateboards.
UNLOADING ZONE, PARKING
To make it easier to participate in the Mayor’s Picnic Contest, there will be an unloading zone in the front of Heritage Park for those wanting to decorate their picnic areas. Drivers will be allowed to enter the park from the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance from 1 to 3 p.m., and follow the signage directing them to the unloading area. Drivers will then exit the park at the same gate, and should park in the lot on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Bayou Lane. The entrance to the park will be closed at 3 p.m. to ensure the safety of concert attendees.
Whether or not concertgoers take advantage of the unloading zone, everyone should plan to park in the lot on the corner of Bayou Lane and Pennsylvania Avenue immediately outside of Heritage Park. Complimentary shuttle service will be provided from 3:30 p.m. until after the concert.
The Fremaux Avenue entrance to the park will remain closed to all traffic, as will the boat launch area, which will be used to provide parking for the orchestra members. A parking pass will be required for admission at this entry.
A limited number of parking spots for handicapped accessibility will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible guests must have a fixed license plate or passenger driver’s license with handicapped designation. All other parking within Heritage Park is reserved for musicians, vendors and staff.
For more information on this event, one of the most popular cultural activities of the year in Slidell, call the Slidell Department of Cultural and Public Affairs at 985.646.4375 or visit www.slidell.la.us.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be rescheduled for May 1. Cancellation updates will be posted on the city’s website or by calling the Department of Cultural and Public Affairs after 1 p.m. on the day of the event.

Amy Smart

Amy Smart

Just three months after announcing that they were a couple, Amy Smart and her TV carpenter boyfriend Carter Oosterhouse are getting married.
The 35-year-old revealed the happy news that Oosterhouse, 34, had proposed at the Celebration of Earth Day event in New York yesterday.
She told Us Weekly that the engagement is 'very new' and 'very exciting' after referring to her man as her 'fiancé'.
A source told the magazine: 'He's an eco-carpenter; Amy drives a hybrid and is the greenest girl I know. They are perfect for each other.'
Oosterhouse is best known for playing the carpenter on the TLC show Trading Spaces and for hosting shows such as Carter Can and Red Hot & Green on HGTV.
The smiling couple were then spotted this morning walking hand in hand out of their hotel in New York.
Road Trip star Amy clearly couldn't wipe the smile off her face as they strolled through the East Village area of the city.
The pair met at a green-charity party in November last year.
The exciting news comes just months after Amy's best friend and college room mate, Heroes actress Ali Larter, welcomed her first baby with husband Hayes MacArthur.
This year is set to be an exciting year for the actress professionally as well as personally.
She currently has three films on her slate for 2011 including the TV movie, 12 Dates Of Christmas and the crime drama House Of The Rising Sun, both of which are in post production.
She has also signed on to play a beautiful female cop who foils a complicated art heist at a castle banquet at which she is a guest in the action movie Art Of The Heist, alongside Vinnie Jones.
The movie is set for a November 2011 release.

Food Network

Food Network

There seems to be a gluttony of cake-themed  reality shows on two cable networks. TLC currently feeds viewers “Cake Boss” and “D.C. Cupcakes” while Food Network serves up “Last Cake Standing,” “Cupcake Wars” and its newest offering, “Have Cake, Will Travel.”
“Have Cake, Will Travel” focuses on Ashley Vicos, a vivacious McDonough mom of three who runs a specialty cake business. She builds massively complicated, audaciously impressive cakes at prices that could buy you a brand new car: don’t call if you don’t have at least $20,000 to spare.
Now who would spend such a ridiculous amount on something that could get consumed in less time than it takes to cook a turkey?
“Big corporations, rodeos and rock concerts will spend $500,000 on a party,” she said. “What I charge for a cake is nothing to them. And oftentimes, it feeds 4,000 people. That works out to $5 or $10 per serving. It only seems crazy if you look at the final number.”
Vicos began her cake-making business in Heritage High School, charging $75 to $100 for a 30-person cake, hefty back in the day. She continued baking at Clayton State University and afterwards, started her own business, Sweet Ashley’s. She never took a cooking class, never spent a penny on marketing. She’s relied purely on word of mouth.
“People benefit from my perfectionism,” Vicos said. “They love awesome cakes. It becomes a focal point at their event.” She also takes pride that her cakes not only look cool but taste great, too. “It breaks my heart when people say their amazing looking wedding cake tasted like cornbread. If I just wanted my cakes to look pretty, I would make them with cement and plaster!”
Not surprisingly, she is drawn to TV. She’s been a contestant on “Wheel of Fortune” and “Deal or No Deal” (where she won a whopping $100.). She caught the eye of cable executives first on Food Network’s “Food Network Challenge,” then two seasons of TLC’s “Ultimate Cake Off.”
At TLC, she learned how to create cakes with moving parts and electronic components. “The cakes had to practically jump off the table and dance!” she said. But last year, she went back to Food Network.
What sold Food Network on her was her bubbly personality, which as “unpredictable as her cakes,” wrote Food Network General Manager Bob Tuschman in an email Thursday.
He defended yet another cake-related reality program: “I think there’s room for another cake show if it offers something unique. We think Ashley and her business do that.” The timing is good if Vicos clicks with the audience: Food Network’s long-standing “Ace of Cakes” was retired in February after ten seasons.
“Have Cake, Will Travel,” which debuted Sunday night in a sneak preview but begins in its regular time slot this Tuesday at 9 p.m., features her and her colleagues traveling around the country to do cakes at big events. (She said she travels two to three weeks out of the month.) Sunday’s episode featured her creating a castle cake for this past February’s Mardi Gras. Tuesday’s episode she’ll design one for the Harlem Globetrotters. In later episodes, she’ll work with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, New York Fashion Week and an anniversary event for the Marine Corp.
She said she gets her ideas by looking at everything around her. “I have cake brain,” she said. “I’ll go to the local Lowe’s or Home Depot just to get inspired. One time, I walked around Lowe’s with a naked mannequin. I was trying to find hardware and support for the internal structure. Employees gave me strange looks.”

Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf, the zero-emission electric car, powered by a lithium-ion battery that can be recharged in about eight hours and has a 100-mile range, has been selected as the 2011 World Car of the Year.
The Nissan Leaf was chosen from an initial entry list of 39 new vehicles from all over the world, then a short list of ten, then three finalists: the Nissan Leaf, the Audi A8 and the BMW 5 Series.
The World Car Awards jurors, announcing the award at the New York International Auto Show, commented:
“The Leaf is the gateway to a brave new electric world from Nissan. This 5-seater, 5-door hatchback is the world’s first, purpose-built, mass-produced electric car. Dropped onto a unique platform and body, the Leaf’s lithium-ion battery modules and electric motor generate 108hp and 206 lb ft of torque, propelling the hatch from zero to 60mph in 11.5 seconds and a top speed of 90mph.
“It has a range of over 100 miles on a full charge claims Nissan, takes around 8 hours to recharge using 220-240V power supply and produces zero tailpipe emissions. Its low center of gravity produced sharp turn-in with almost no body roll and no understeer. The good news? It feels just like a normal car, only quieter.”
The Leaf was ranked No. 2, behind the natural gas-powered Honda Civic GX, in the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s Greenest Car list last year.
The Leaf has a sticker price of about $33,000, but after a federal tax credit of $7,500, the car costs about $25,000. The Leaf is considerably less expensive than the Volt, which costs around $40,000, or about $32,500 after the tax credit.
Previous World Car of the Year winners were the Volkswagen Polo  (2010), Volkswagen Golf (2009), the Mazda2/Mazda Demio (2008), Lexus LS460 (2007), BMW 3-Series (2006), and Audi A6 (2005).
World Car of the Year candidates must become available for sale on at least two continents during the period beginning January 1, 2010 and ending May 30, 2011.
Vehicles are selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised 66 top-level automotive journalists from 24 countries. Each juror was appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of his or her expertise, experience, credibility and influence.
Now in its seventh year, the annual World Car were launched in January 2004 to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to recognize and reward automotive excellence on an international scale.

Google Offers

Google Offers

Google posted a video tour of one of its data centers today, highlighting some of the steps it takes to keep data secure and maintain reliability.
Google has been notoriously tight-lipped about its data centers, and doesn't even disclose exactly how many it operates.
So why the sudden openness? There are several likely reasons:

• Yesterday's Amazon Web Services outage is creating new questions about the viability of cloud computing -- including services like Google Apps

• Also yesterday, environmental activists Greenpeacereleased a scathing report on data center efficiency and use of dirty energy sources like coal (PDF here). The group admitted it didn't have all the information it needed to make the report perfectly accurate, but blamed data center operators for not sharing enough information. The group had some particularly harsh words for Google, giving it an F on transparency.

• Last week, Microsoft called into question whether Google Apps was secure enough for government use. Google's slow response made it look like it had something to hide.

• Earlier this month, Facebook made Google look silly by open-sourcingthe details of its own highly efficient data center design. Facebook's move is also meant to undercut Google's big data center advantage by letting the rest of the industry work together to improve efficiency.

Google isn't exactly going the Facebook route, but today's video is a big step given how secretive the company has been so far.

Water For Elephants Review

Water For Elephants

“Water for Elephants”
Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Step right up, step right for “Water for Elephants” – the big screen adaptation of Sara Gruen’s best-selling novel, which succeeds on so many levels, it’s hard to know where to begin.
Before we get to that, let’s start with the fact that so far this year, movies from the Hollywood studios have been pretty awful – it’s no wonder that the year-to-date box office is down almost 20% when compared with the same frame last year. Fortunately, “Water for Elephants” should help reverse that trend, thanks to an emotionally engaging love story and strong performances – both of which help it rise to the occasion as the best movie so far this year.
But let’s address the proverbial “elephant” in the room here – specifically, how important this lavishly produced romance is for the viability of Robert Pattinson’s career. Up to this point, Pattinson has been best known as Edward Cullen, the love-struck vampire from the “Twilight” film series. He’s a hit with the Twi-hards, but despite his best efforts in last year’s little-seen melodrama “Remember Me,” he has yet to break through with the rest of the moviegoing public.
“Water for Elephants” should do the trick, for not only does Pattinson give an impressive performance, but he also holds his own alongside his Oscar-winning co-stars, Reese Witherspoon (Best Actress for 2005’s “Walk the Line”) and Christoph Waltz (Best Supporting Actor for 2009’s “Inglourious Basterds”).
Pattinson plays Jacob, an aspiring veterinarian in the 1930s who abandons his studies after the death of his parents to run off with a traveling circus. He offers his services to August (Waltz), the domineering ringleader, but he soon becomes smitten with Marlena (Witherspoon), the star attraction who also happens to be married to the hotheaded August. Jacob tries to resist his feelings for Marlena, but after witnessing August’s brutal treatment of her (and the rest of his stable), he risks everything in an effort to come to her rescue.
Despite taking place at a circus, “Water for Elephants” still feels a lot like 1997’s “Titanic.” It’s a love story that’s told as a flashback from the perspective of a much older Jacob, played with moving conviction by Hal Holbrook (an Oscar-nominee for 2007’s “Into the Wild”). And just like the love triangle in “Titanic,” the one here involves a sociopath (August) who intimidates his lover (Marlena) while fending off a dirt-poor, but charming newcomer (Jacob).
Not that “Water for Elephants” will come close to grossing the $1.8 billion take of “Titanic,” but it’s still an immensely entertaining and downright wonderful film. On top of the beautiful cinematography and great turns from Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz, Robert Pattinson finally becomes a star attraction in his own right – and for that reason alone, moviegoers should step right up and see it.

Starbucks

Starbucks

Save a tree by bringing your own mug to Starbucks, and you'll be handsomely rewarded with a free fill-up.
In celebration of Earth Day, Starbucks is playing to its iconic green color with an eco-friendly initiative. Grab your reusable travel mug and head to your nearest Starbucks (if you're in a city like NewsFeed, you can probably see three from your office window). But in a crazy twist from usual – you can forget your wallet.
Starbucks will top up your cup with a brewed coffee or tea, on the house. The options are fewer than usual – hot or iced, coffee or tea, but the primary perk is that it comes at no cost.
The promotion is an attempt to get us to bring in reusable mugs in on a daily basis – but let's be honest, the deal is made much sweeter by the free java. While today the coffee is on their dime, any other day they will give you an actual dime off for bringing in your own mug.
Last year, Starbucks reports it filled more than 1.2 million mugs on Earth Day. Though we bet that number dropped substantially on April 23.

Earth Day Activities

Earth Day

Patch Picks highlights editor and reader picks for great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more.
You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids’ party places, parks and more.
Today’s list is a list of great local ideas for celebrating Earth Day.

1. Lewis University: Lewis University’s Environmental and Energy Conservation Council are hosting an event to remove invasive plant species from the nature trail and replace the invasive species with native trees.  Volunteers are welcome at both events. All volunteers will receive a “going green” T-shirt for helping to make the university a more sustainable campus. Volunteers are needed from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, at the university, 1 University Parkway, Romeoville. For more information, visit http://www.alumni.lewis.edu/green.
2. Comcast Cares: Join Comcast employees, members of the Exchange Club of Joliet and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties for brush clearing, picnic table painting, wood chipping and assisting with trail maintenance in trails throughout Joliet. Volunteers will meet from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 30, at St. Sava Church, 3457 Black Road, Joliet. The volunteer efforts will benefit the native plants, animals and the community. To volunteer, contact Renee Gauchat at 815-722-7364 or at rgauchat@fpdwc.org.
3. Plainfield Public Library: The Plainfield Public Library will celebrate Earth Day with a host of activities for the family. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 22, families can explore how worms work, make treasure from trash, add a book leaf to the Go Green Tree and see what floats or sinks at the “Four Elements Science Stations.” Attendees can also participate in the Recycling Raffle by bringing old batteries, flags, eyeglasses, cell phones and ink cartridges to the lower-level lobby.
4. Naperville Park District: The Naperville Park District is looking for volunteers to make the community a better place to live by sprucing up local parks. Volunteers are needed through Sunday, April 24, to pick up litter, weed and remove fallen twigs from one of 16 local parks. Contact Lynnette Hoole at lhoole@napervilleparks.org or 630-848-3606 to sign up.
5. Conservation Foundation: Support the work of the Conservation Foundation by attending anEarth Day Benefit Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at Bobak's Signature Events in Woodridge. The event serves as the foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year. This year’s event will unveil a new campaign to “protect the lands and rivers you love.”  Tickets are $100 each.

SIRI

Sirius XM 

Grace Digital Inc. announced today the new availability of the Sirius XM Internet Radio service on all of their Internet radio products. Previously only available to Sirius subscribers, the entire family of Grace Digital Audio internet radios is now open to all XM subscribers as well.
Starting today all XM customers can now sign up for SiriusXM service on all our radios. We are excited to open up our internet radios to the XM customers. The addition of SiriusXM to our line of services is just another reason Grace Digital radios are the most complete internet radios on the market.
Greg Fadul, Grace Digital Audio’s Chief Marketing Officer
This is yet another important milestone in the evolution of the merged Sirius XM. Via a recent software update, Sirius XM also upgraded their TTR1 Internet radio product so that XM subscribers could have access as well. Previously known as the TTR1 Sirius Table Top Radio, Sirius XM has renamed the radio and it is now called the TTR1 SiriusXM Table Top Radio.
In February, Sirius XM also unified their online players in conjunction with a newly updated, combined website for both Sirius and XM services and products. The new SiriusXM online radio player also added the ability to purchase songs through either Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iTunes or Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN).

Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese's 'The Union' premiered on the opening night of the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival at The Winter Garden, World Financial Plaza in New York.
The Tribeca Film Festival helps filmmakers reach the broadest possible audience, enable the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema and promote New York City as a major filmmaking center. It is well known for being a diverse international film festival that supports emerging and established directors.
Founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 following the attacks on the World Trade Center, to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of the lower Manhattan district through an annual celebration of film, music and culture, the Festival brings the industry and community together around storytelling.
The Tribeca Film Festival has screened more than 1,100 films from more than 80 countries since its first edition in 2002. Since inception, it has attracted an international audience of more than 3 million attendees and has generated an estimated $600 million in economic activity for New York City.
The festival is running now thrugh May 1, 2011 in New York City.

Asparagus Recipes

Asparagus Recipes

I've always loved Robert Frost's line about home being the place where, "when you have to go there, they have to take you in." Perhaps I'm putting an overly optimistic reading on it, but it's reassuring that even on our darkest nights, there is always a place with a light in the window. That's kind of the way I feel about having eggs in the refrigerator.
It doesn't matter how gruesome the workday has been or how late it is when I get home, give me a couple of eggs and some of this and that from the fridge and I know I can fix a meal that will not only get me through the night, it will even redeem the day.
One of my favorite late-night dinners is scrambled eggs. These aren't your typical diner eggs, though. They're more like the ones you get at great restaurants, cooked long and slow, often over a double boiler. The result is glorious — rich and creamy.
Several years ago I came up with a trick that makes them really easy to prepare at home. The secret is butter. Cold butter, specifically. The trick to getting that creamy texture in scrambled eggs is monitoring the heat really carefully.
The proteins in eggs begin to set at a relatively low temperature, about 150 degrees (that's roughly correct — the whites and yolks set at different temperatures). And once they start to set, they get very firm very quickly.
The way I get around that is to add just a little bit of cold butter to the eggs once you can them getting thick and see them looking creamy. Adding the cold butter moderates the temperature, keeping it just below the point at which the eggs will actually set.
Oh, and the butter also emulsifies into the eggs, making them absolutely delicious.
The eggs will be done when they have formed tiny, creamy curds.
Another favorite dinner is based on a recipe for eggs fried in bread crumbs that I learned from an old friend. They're even simpler to make than scrambled.
Put a generous handful of fresh bread crumbs in a small bowl. Stir in some chopped fresh thyme and just enough olive oil to moisten them nicely.
Cook the bread crumbs in a skillet over medium heat until they begin to toast. You'll see the color change from pale to light tan, and you'll also hear the change as the crumbs crisp and sizzle when you stir them.
Gather the crumbs into two low mounds that are as near to a single layer as you can manage, and then immediately crack an egg over each mound.
Cover the pan and, if necessary, adjust the heat so the eggs cook evenly without scorching around the edges. When the yolks are as firm as you like (they really should still be runny but thickened), transfer the eggs to a plate and quickly sizzle about a tablespoon of vinegar in the pan to free up any stuck crumbs or bit of eggs and pour that over the top.
These recipes, plus two more for a frittata and a spinach pie that uses eight eggs, are on Page 2E.
Asparagus With Bread Crumb-Fried Eggs
1/2to 3/4 lb. asparagus
Olive oil
Salt
1/4cup fresh bread crumbs
A few leaves fresh thyme
2 eggs
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon red wine or sherry vinegar
Prepare the asparagus: If it is thin, simply cut off the bases. If it is thicker than a No. 2 pencil, cut off the bases and peel, starting at the tips with light pressure and gradually increasing the pressure as you work your way down the stalk until you're pressing quite firmly at the base.
In a tightly sealed pot over rapidly boiling water, steam the asparagus until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes for thin asparagus, 4 to 5 minutes for thick. Drain, pat dry, dress lightly with 1 tablespoon oil, season with a pinch of salt and keep warm.
Place the bread crumbs in a bowl. Season lightly with salt and thyme leaves and then add enough oil to generously coat, about 1 tablespoon.
Transfer the bread crumbs to a small nonstick skillet and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to darken. When they have fried enough that they feel dry when you stir them and make a dry, static-y sound, 2 to 3 minutes, divide them into 2 equal batches and pat to make a thin layer.

Crack the eggs over the bread crumbs. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper, cover tightly and cook the eggs until they're as done as you like (they are best with the yolks left runny; if you prefer over-easy, you can flip them).
Divide the asparagus in half and arrange it on two warm plates. When the eggs are done, drape one egg over each asparagus bundle. Add the vinegar to the empty pan and let it sizzle for a moment before drizzling it over the eggs. Serve immediately. Makes 2 servings.
The Wichita Eagle—04/20/11
Creamy Scrambled Eggs With Fines Herbes
4 eggs
3/4teaspoon minced herbs, from a mixture of fresh tarragon, parsley, chives and/or chervil, divided
1/4teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes, divided
4 slices hot toasted and buttered baguette
Freshly ground black pepper
Crack the eggs into a small bowl and beat briskly with a fork to break them up and homogenize them. There should be no trace of white remaining. Beat in half the fresh herb mixture and the salt and stir in about 1 tablespoon of the cubed butter.
Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. When it is warm, pour in the egg mixture and stir briskly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, scraping the bottom and sides to make sure the egg doesn't set too quickly. If you feel the cooking is too fast, remove the pan from the heat for a moment or two, stirring constantly, then return it.
After a couple of minutes, the butter will be melted and the eggs will have begun to thicken into a creamy sauce. Add the remaining cold butter in 2 or 3 portions, continuing to stir briskly. When the eggs are thick but not yet set, arrange the hot toast on warm plates.
The moment the eggs begin to set firmly (they will still be slightly creamy), spoon them over the toast, season with just a little black pepper and the remaining fresh herbs and serve immediately. These must be eaten hot to be appreciated fully. Makes 2 servings.
The Wichita Eagle—04/20/11
Frittata With Goat Cheese and Vegetables
2 tablespoons butter
2 shallots, sliced
1 pkg. (8 oz.) sliced mushrooms
3/4lb. asparagus, chopped
8 eggs
1/2teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper
3 oz. goat cheese, in chunks
1 tablespoon minced parsley
Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Cook shallots until wilted, 2 minutes. Stir in mushrooms; cook, stirring often, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove mushrooms from skillet with slotted spoon. Add asparagus to the skillet, adding more butter if necessary. Cook, stirring, until crisp-tender, 3 minutes. Remove asparagus. Wipe skillet clean with paper towel.
Heat broiler. Mix eggs, salt and pepper to taste in a bowl. Return skillet to stove over low heat. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon of the butter; pour in the beaten eggs. Arrange the cooked vegetables over the eggs. Cover; cook until the eggs are set, 10-12 minutes. Crumble goat cheese over top; broil until cheese is lightly browned, 2 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley. Cut into wedges. Makes 4 servings.
The Wichita Eagle—04/20/11
Penelope's Spanakopita (Spinach Pie)
3 lbs. fresh spinach
1/3cup olive oil
1 bunch green onions, white part only, finely chopped
2 to 3 medium yellow onions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh dill, stems removed, minced, or to taste
1/2cup minced parsley (optional)
8 eggs, beaten
1 lb. crumbled feta cheese
Salt
1/2pkg. ( 1/2lb.) phyllo pastry, thawed if frozen
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
Wash spinach, cut off stems, dry completely with paper towels and chop.
In large saute pan, heat oil. Brown both types of onions and the dill over medium-low heat until tender, watching closely to avoid burning. When about three-fourths browned, add spinach and cover pan to wilt spinach slightly.
Squeeze excess liquid out of spinach mixture and cool.
In large mixing bowl, combine cooled spinach mixture, parsley if using, beaten eggs and feta cheese. Season lightly with salt, mixing well.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush butter lightly over bottom and sides of 13-by-9-inch baking pan.
Lay down one sheet of phyllo and brush melted butter over top, then add two more sheets, brushing butter over each. Set pan with long side toward you, and lay down two more phyllo sheets on the left side, buttering between each sheet, and allowing half of each sheet to hang over side of pan. Repeat with two sheets on the right side of pan, buttering between each one and allowing half to hang over side of pan. (You should have used 7 sheets by this point.)
Spread spinach mixture over top, and then fold overhanging phyllo over filling. Top with remaining sheets of phyllo, brushing between each one with butter. Using knife, poke holes in top of phyllo and brush with remaining melted butter.
Bake in preheated oven about 20 minutes, then rotate pan so pie bakes evenly. Bake until browned on top, monitoring closely, about 40 to 45 minutes total.
Cool and cut into squares. Serve hot or cold, as an appetizer in small squares or as a vegetable side dish in larger squares. Makes 10 to 12 servings.

Apple Stock

Apple Stock

The powerhouse that is Apple’s stock has had a few shaky months prior to Wednesday night’s blockbuster earnings report, but J.P.Morgan analysts expect the company’s share price to rebound in a big way.
Apple Inc. announced a massive profit beat after market close on Wednesday, posting earnings per share of US$6.40 — way above analyst expectations of  US$5.36 EPS. Revenue meanwhile was an impressive US$24.42-billion as strong iPhone sales and market growth in the Asia-Pacific region lined the pockets of the world’s largest tech company.
The strong numbers evaporated concerns about weak iPhone and Mac sales, as well as worries that margin pressure would emerge due to supply chain weakness after the Japanese earthquake.

“Apple squashed the recent parade of investor concerns.,” J.P.Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz said in a note. “The company exhibited momentum where it matters. There was no deterioration in iPhone sales velocity, total gross margin, or Apple’s supply chain.”
Mr. Maskowitz added that he believed the recent pullback in Apple’s share price — stemming from the concerns mentioned above — was overdone, and that the big profit beat stands to put Apple shares back on an upward track.
Apple shares did see an immediate boost Thursday, with the stock rising nearly 3% to US$352.57. J.P.Morgan currently has a year-end price target on the company’s stock of US$450.
Mr. Moskowitz did add though that investors will continue to play close attention to Apple’s product line and its growth overseas. He also said the company’s ability to handle iPad demand will be of concern.
“Questions will linger over Apple’s ability to ramp adequate supply of the iPad to serve demand and take advantage of the first mover advantage in tablets, all keeping upside potential in the numbers,” he said.
J.P.Morgan kept its overweight rating on Apple unchanged.

TV On The Radio

TV On The Radio

TV On The Radio bassist Gerard Smith has passed away from lung cancer at the age of 36. He was diagnosed with the disease after the band finished recording its new album, Nine Types of Light, and they disclosed the news to fans about five weeks ago when they announced that Smith would not be able to tour with them because he was receiving treatment. He originally joined TV On The Radio before they began recording their last album, 2008's Dear Science. "We are very sad to announce the death of our beloved friend and bandmate, Gerard Smith, following a courageous fight against lung cancer," reads a message posted on the group's website "Gerard passed away the morning of April 20th, 2011. We will miss him terribly." The band cancelled all concerts between April 20 and 26 as a result of his passing.

Beyoncé dropped the official version of her new single, "Run the World (Girls)," on Thursday morning via iTunes, and it also was sent to radio. The girl-power anthem is a cleaned up version of the demo that leaked online earlier in the week. The new track was produced by Switch, Beyoncé and Shea Taylor, and Beyoncé also co-wrote the song with The-Dream. There is still no word on when the video might debut, but director Francis Lawrence has promised that it will be epic. "It'll be big, it'll probably be one of the bigger Beyoncé music videos ever done," he told MTV News. "And I can say that I think the song is unbelievable."
Dave Matthews Band has announced two more of their Caravan festivals. The show will come to New York City's Governors Island on August 26, 27 and 28 and The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA on September 2, 3 and 4. The events will feature a diverse lineup of musical acts performing on multiple stages during the day and a full set by headliners Dave Matthews Band each night. The lineup for the Governors Island event will include Dispatch, The Roots, Gogol Bordello, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones and many more to be announced. The lineup for The Gorge event will include Dispatch, The Roots, John Butler Trio, Gogol Bordello, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zerosand more.
Nikki Sixx's new book, This Is Gonna Hurt: Photography and Life Through The Distorted Lens Of Nikki Sixx, has debuted at #4 on the New York TimesBest Sellers list. The book is part journal, part memoir, and part social commentary and features his original photography. The new Sixx: AM album, This Is Gonna Hurt, is a companion to the book and will be out May 3.

The Kanye West Foundation, which was founded by his mother Donda West and was intended to prevent teens from dropping out of high school, has closed its doors after four years in operation. The news was made public by former executive director Joseph Collins, who sent an e-mail to associates stating that he was out of a job. "I am reaching out to let you know that the Kanye West Foundation has officially closed it doors after a successful 4+ years of programming and events," he wrote, according to AOL's PopEater blog. "It has been an incredible experience working with Kanye and the board to realize his mother's vision and I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead the Foundation." No reason for the closure has been given, but the 2007 death of Donda West may have contributed to the program's ending.
Biffy Clyro took part in Spin's "Liner Notes" series this week, alongside author Mark Z. Danielewski. The Liner Notes events pair musicians and authors in live performances. Biffy Clyro's latest album, Only Revolutions, took its name from Danielewski's 2006 book of the same name. Video from the event, including performances of "God And Satan" and "The Captain," can be found here.

Actor-turned-director Michael Rapaport has spoken to Rolling Stone about all the drama and controversy surrounding his documentary film Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest. At first rapper Q-Tip said he did not support the film, and then most of the group did not attend its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. In March, Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammadand Jarobi went on MTV to give their side of the story, saying that they didn't get creative control over the movie and they were being deprived of producing credits. "Let me say this," Rapaport toldRolling Stone. "They don't have final cut. I don't think in a documentary as intimate as this – as emotional, as personal as it is – that the people it's about should have a say. It's hard for them to have perspective." Meanwhile, the movie premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 27, and Rapaport hopes he can gain the band's support. "Q-Tip, Ali, and Jarobi have yet to see the final cut, or to see the film with an audience. It's only been on a computer screen, and that's no way to watch a movie," he said. "I'm sure once they see it in its entirety, they'll realize it's a positive depiction of the group. It's my love letter to them. And I hope we get past all this."

Heather Morris

Heather Morris

As "host" of Esquire magazine's guide to 50 Songs Every Man Should Be Listening To, Glee star Heather Morris shows whether the choices are good for dancing.
Titles guys should be listening to include works by Brett Dennen, Jamaica, The Decemberists and many you've probably never heard of.

Free Realms

Free Realms

New list of wares includes latest Commander Shepard add-on, free-to-play MMORPG; PS3 download spot adds Rush 'N Attack, Sonic, latest Back to the Future episode; PSP download hub adds WWE All Stars, Dragon's Lair.
It's a bustling week on the PlayStation Network as new content, including the latest add-on pack for Mass Effect 2, is now available alongside a slew of other PS3 and PSP games.
Leading the pack this week is the Arrival ($7) content for BioWare's critically lauded sci-fi role-playing game. Arrival sees Commander Shepard investigating clues to an impending Reaper invasion on the edge of the galaxy. The downloadable content will also see the return of actor Lance Henriksen (Aliens,Stone Cold) lending his voice to Admiral Hackett.
Being released on the PS3 today after more than a year as a PC exclusive is Sony Online Entertainment's Free Realms (free). Aimed at the family-friendly set, the game is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game where combat is optional. It includes an assortment of quests, minigames, themed events, and social-networking features, including the ability to upload in-game videos to YouTube.
Also out now for the PS3 is Rush 'N Attack: Ex Patriot ($10). In the game, players will control a lone soldier sent into Russia to find a missing ally, equipped with nothing more than a knife. As in the original, different weapons can be picked up from dispatched enemies, but the game will also include a stealth mechanic to mix up the old formula.
Gamers looking to grab a title from yesteryear can download Sonic the Hedgehog ($5) today for the PS3. The original Sonic game has players zooming through colorful zones and rescuing animal friends from the nefarious Dr. Eggman.
Staying with the time-traveling trend, Sony has added the second episode in the Back to the Future: The Game series to the storefront. Titled Get Tannen (free with season pass), this latest chapter in the saga sees players controlling Marty McFly and tasks them with stopping Kid Tannen from meddling with McFly's family and forever changing the future.
Other new games out for the PS3 are futuristic side-scrolling action game Moon Diver($15), Disney's racing game Split/Second ($30), and musical block puzzle game Chime Super Deluxe ($10).
Switching to the PSP download space, Sony added four new games to the spot this week, the first of which is WWE All Stars ($30). The arcade-style wrestling game has players fighting in between the ropes as any of many classic fighters, including Hulk Hogan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage.
Also out now for the PSP is The 3rd Birthday ($30). The game stars Parasite Eve franchise protagonist Aya Brea, who once again is put in the position of saving humankind from a monstrous biological menace. Set in Manhattan in 2012, the game sees the city beset by the monstrous creatures known as the Twisted, and Aya is once again tasked with saving the day.
The last two games out for the PSP now are Don Bluth's arcade game Dragon's Lair ($8) and the role-playing game Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky ($30).
A full list of the week's deals and new PlayStation Store content, including themes, wallpapers, demos, discounts, and add-on content, is available on the PlayStation Blog.

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II

It's Queen Elizabeth II's birthday, but she's the one handing out the presents.
For the first time, Elizabeth's birthday has coincided with Maundy Thursday, the day marking Jesus' Last Supper, when the queen traditionally gives special coins to as many men and as many women as the years of her life.
So this year 85 men and 85 women received two coin purses during the ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
The red one contained a 5 pound ($8) coin commemorating the 90th birthday of her husband Prince Philip and a 50 pence coin marking the 2012 London Olympic Games. The white one held specially minted Maundy Money of one, two three and four pence pieces, adding up to a total of 85 pence.
The ceremony comes just over a week before the monarch's grandson Prince William is due to wed Kate Middleton in a ceremony to be watched by hundreds of millions, and it served as a kind of dry run for the big event.
It gave musicians and choirs from the abbey and the monarch's Chapel Royal to perform in public, while technicians had the chance to test cameras, lighting and other equipment.
"Maundy" comes from the word "mandatum," the "new commandment" to love one another that Jesus made at the Last Supper, as recorded in the Bible's John 13:34.
Royal Maundy ceremonies date to the 12th century, but a custom of the monarch washing the feet of others as Jesus did ended with the reign of James II in the 18th century.
"Like many people I was a little hazy about the details but it is an ancient ceremony that I am proud to be part of," said one recipient, Henry Hely-Hutchinson, 85.
He recalled attending another royal occasion — the queen's 18th birthday party at Windsor Castle. He was among four students at a local school invited, he says, "to make up the numbers."
"It was a very glamorous occasion in the middle of wartime when there were not many celebrations going on," he recalled.