HOT : National briefs: Buzz Lightyear action figure to come back after more than year in space

Buzz Lightyear to make trip home

The astronauts aboard the orbiting shuttle and station packed up Buzz Lightyear on Monday for the ride home from "infinity and beyond." The 12-inch action figure has been at the international space station for more than a year. Mission Control asked Discovery’s crew to do a final check to make certain Buzz was safely stowed on the shuttle in advance of the closing of the hatches between the linked spacecraft. The shuttle will depart today. The toy was used for extensive filming over the past week. NASA said the video will be used in educational outreach efforts for children.

— The Associated Press

Man suspected in serial killings

WISCONSIN — A Milwaukee man whose DNA authorities say links him to the slayings of nine women since 1986 has been charged with two counts of homicide, with more charges expected this week, police and prosecutors said Monday. Walter E. Ellis, 49, was taken into custody after a struggle at a motel Saturday, days after police served a search warrant to obtain a DNA sample, police Chief Edward Flynn said. — The Associated Press

NEW : Obama’s Speech to Kids Released

President Obama is doing a planned speech to all the kids at

school, that are able to recieve it. Already this speech that hasn’t even been aired yet, has recieved a lot of criticism from parents/teachers and news stations around the US. Why? No one knew what he’d say to America’s children and objected to it.

The speech that will be aired on school televisions has been released for all that wondered, you can view it at:   Whitehouse Media

Here’s a sample of the planned speech:

I know that feeling. When I was young, my family lived in Indonesia for a few years, and my mother didn’t have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday – at 4:30 in the morning.   

Now I wasn’t too happy about getting up that early. A lot of times, I’d fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. But whenever I’d complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and say, “This is no picnic for me either, buster.”

So I know some of you are still adjusting to being back at school. But I’m here today because I have something important to discuss with you. I’m here because I want to talk with you about your education and what’s expected of all of you in this new school year. 

Now I’ve given a lot of speeches about education. And I’ve talked a lot about responsibility.

I’ve talked about your teachers’ responsibility for inspiring you, and pushing you to learn. 

I’ve talked about your parents’ responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and get your homework done, and don’t spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with that Xbox. 

I’ve talked a lot about your government’s responsibility for setting high standards, supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren’t working where students aren’t getting the opportunities they deserve. 

But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed. 

And that’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself. 

There is so much more to this speech, but I’ll let you head over and read it yourselves. I’ll probably touch more on this speech during the week. But I believe the only thing he is doing is trying to encourage our children that staying in school and getting an education is the most important thing for their futures and I agree 100%. Don’t you?

source : http://www.blisstree.com/articles/obamas-speech-to-kids-released/

NEW : JaeBum declares leaving 2PM, and sets off for hometown Seattle on 8th

 

2PM JaeBum will be leaving for the States after he declares that he will be leaving the group officially on 8th Septmber.

JaeBum posted a message on 2PM’s official fancafe on 8th September at 11.59am, with the title to the post “This is JaeBum” informing fans about his leaving of the group.

The incident happened with JaeBum’s Korean-offending messages posted on his MySpace page in 2005 were discovered on 5th September. With that, many Koreans netizens were unhappy and in just 4 days after the incident, JaeBum has decided to leave the group.

JaeBum will be leaving for his hometown Seattle on 8th September. After knowing that JaeBum will be leaving for the states, many fans have stated, “We should prevent JaeBum from leaving Korea. And there are plans for fans to come together at the airport.

After it was declared that JaeBum will be leaving the group, there was a new petition up on Agora to “Stop JaeBum from leaving 2PM”. And it seems that this affection for Korea by JaeBum has came just too late after the incident.

Meanwhile, JaeBum’s message left on the official fancafe on 8th September goes:

Hello. This is JaeBum from 2PM. I’m sorry to give a last farewell with this message. With that very apologetic heart I have, it seems it is hard for me to see everyone on stage again.”

I’m very sorry to everyone. I’m even more sorry to fans who have gave so much love. I will be leaving 2PM from today. I’m so sorry but I have to leave 2PM and you guys because I have been a leader hyung who not only did not give strength but became a burden. I’m once again sorry.”

Meanwhile, it was said that JaeBum has left Korea for the States to evade from being enlisted for military service after the incident, and the case was compared to as the ‘2nd Yoo Seung Joon’ incident.

source : http://surroundedme.com/jaebum-declares-leaving-2pm-and-sets-off-for-hometown-seattle-on-8th/

NEW : Jacory Harris is the real deal

ollege football always is a more interesting place when Miami's in the picture. And it drew a few steps closer Monday night. It didn't just outlast Florida State in a game that went to the final play.

It found a quarterback.

Jacory Harris has been advertised as that, of course. He's why Robert Marve ended up leaving for Purdue, why two other backups transferred out this August. They saw what a national television audience did Monday night.

The kid can play.

Play hurt, too.

You couldn't have drawn up a better scenario for Harris to show who he is and what he's got. he just threw a a go-ahead interception for Florida State early in the fourth quarter. His arm was numb from being hit. Even a half hour after the game, he couldn't feel the fourth and fifth fingers on his hand?

And he didn't just lead a touchdown drive - completing passes of 16, 20 and the TD of 24 to tie the game.

He then led Miami on a game-winning drive, lofting a perfect 40-yard pass to Travis Benjamin to set up the touchdown. Benjamin wasn't the primary receiver, either.

"The tight end was the first look,'' Benjamin said. "When he was covered, Jacory came to me."

After the game, Miami coach Randy Shannon rolled out some greats to compare Harris to: Kosar. Walsh. Dorsey.

We'll see. But after Monday night, no one's arguing against that.

source : http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports/columnists/hyde/blog/2009/09/jacory_harris_is_the_real_deal.html

NEW : Richard Seymour Traded to Oakland

The New England Patriots have confirmed a rather shocking trade that will send defensive end Richard Seymour to the Oakland Raiders, according to Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe. ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that New England will receive a 2011 first-round pick in return.

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Seymour, a five-time Pro-Bowler and a three-time first-team All-Pro is coming off a 2008 campaign in which he tied a career high with eight sacks.

This is the second trade between the Raiders and Patriots involving a defensive lineman in the past month, as Oakland sent pass-rushing end Derrick Burgess to New England in early August.

It appears to be a rather good move for the Raiders in the short-term -- and a very, very questionable one for the long-term -- as Seymour instantly becomes their best defensive lineman this season, and they pick him up without having to surrender their 2010 first-round pick (likely to be a high one). The problem, of course, is that he's scheduled to be a free agent following this season. If he doesn't sign, that's a steep price to pay for one year of a defensive lineman that's not likely to be the difference between a playoff season and a non-playoff season.

The Patriots, meanwhile, continue their trend of stockpiling future draft picks (on Saturday, the Patriots dealt fourth-year tight end David Thomas to New Orleans for a 2011 draft pick.) It also creates some long-term holes on the defensive line, seeing as how nose tackle Vince Wilfork is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following this season.

New England will be filling Seymour's roster spot with offensive lineman Kendall Simmons, according to Schefter.

Labor Day weekend promises to be busy Choices range from Renaissance to R&B

Looking to stay in town this Labor Day weekend? Don’t fear: Besides the obligatory backyard barbecue, there’s plenty to do all over town for anyone still on “staycation.”

Check out the Blues Fest at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at Centerville’s Stubbs Park Amphitheater. Concert-goers can enjoy three local blues bands and then cast their vote for the best performance. The winning band will be invited to return to Stubbs Park next summer to perform at their own two-hour concert.

The concert will feature the Doug Hart Band, a southwestern Ohio staple for more than a decade; Michael Locke & The Repeat Offenders, a soulful blues group; and Jimmy Baker & Blues Encounter, a high-energy funk and blues band.

Or, head over to Alter Fest at Alter High School in Kettering. Enjoy performances by The Johnsons, Bonneville and Velvet Crush, among others, and stay for their “world famous” chicken dinners.

For those looking for a carnival atmosphere, check out the Montgomery County Fair, which lasts through Monday.

Events include the annual 4-H Club shows, carnival rides and games, a demolition derby, truck and tractor pulls, a Jungle Island Petting Zoo, Ohio Xtreme Fighting and harness racing.

Kettering will host the 51st annual Holiday at Home, a community festival celebrating the holiday weekend. This year’s theme is Backyard Fun, with the weekend spotlighted by an arts and crafts show in the Lincoln Park Pavilion, a car show, a 5K run/walk, the Miss Holiday Pageant and the Holiday at Home Parade on Monday.

For even more music, visit RiverScape MetroPark on Saturday for a performance of Touch, a Dayton-area R&B band, as they perform songs from The Temptations and The Commodores from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Or, if it’s a little ye old fun you’re looking for, check out the 20th annual Ohio Renaissance Festival, which kicks off Saturday. It continues on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 25. See some jousting, eat a giant turkey leg and don’t be surprised if you’re heckled by shopkeepers insistent that you peruse their wares. Tights and chain mail are not the required dress, but encouraged.

And since Labor Day signals the end of summer, end it with a bang at the WEBN Fireworks in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, drawing crowds from all over Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Make sure to get there early — it’s a bit of a drive and people stake out prime viewing spots early in the day.

source : http://www.daytondailynews.com/entertainment/dayton-events-things-to-do/labor-day-weekend-promises-to-be-busy-279987.html

HOT : NFL's Merriman arrested, accused of choking Tila Tequila

(CNN) -- San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested early Sunday on suspicion of choking and restraining MTV reality show star Tila Tequila, police said.

Shawne Merriman is accused of restraining reality TV star Tila Tequlia as she tried to leave his home, police say.

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Authorities responded to a disturbance call about 3:45 a.m. Sunday from a woman who said she had been choked and restrained by a male, the sheriff's department of San Diego County, California, said in a statement.

When police arrived, "the reporting party identified herself as Tila Nguyen, aka Tila Tequila, and her alleged assailant as Shawne Merriman," the statement said.

"Nguyen told deputies she had been choked and physically restrained by Merriman when she attempted to leave his residence," the statement said.

Nguyen signed a citizen's arrest at the scene, andMerriman was taken into custody on suspicion of battery and false imprisonment, according to the statement.

Nguyen was transported to a local hospital. Her condition was not immediately known.

As Tila Tequila, Nguyen starred on the MTV reality shows "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila" in 2007 and "A Shot at Love 2 With Tila Tequila" in 2008.

On her Twitter account, Nguyen did not mention the incident but tweeted about going to meet Merriman on Saturday.

Merriman is entering his fifth year with the Chargers. The team begins its 2009 NFL regular-season campaign on September 14 in Oakland, California, for a game against the Raiders.

source : http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/06/merriman.arrest/