Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Giada de Laurentiis and John Mayer Linked

A rumored fling by Giada de Laurentiis with Mayer has taken the internet by storm. De Laurentiis, upon hearing the rumors, was not amused and slammed the rumors. John Mayer's camp had a similar reaction. It could be that the gossip pages are making up celeb pairings to determine what sticks.
Giada de Laurentiis rumors across the internet
TV chef Giada de Laurentiis is rumored to have been seen out in New York on November 10 with John Mayer. However, as outlined by both parties involved it didn’t happen at all, and the alleged hookup had been a total fabrication by Star magazine, according to the Los Angeles Times. The parties involved say they have meet up once about something unrelated but that is it, there is no relationship. Giada de Laurentiis' representative requested an apology from the gossip magazine after spreading these rumors online. de Laurentiis is married and a mother already, not just the host of "Everyday Italian" a successful cooking show. She also comes from a line of success. Movie producer Dino de Laurentiis is her grandpa.
Dollar signs in eyes of reporters who report on celebrity hookups
Regardless of the truth behind a relationship, gossip magazines make big bucks when they report on the. Rumors about John Mayer tend to make a large amount of money. John Mayer has tried to stay out of the spotlight after a napalm incident when he discussed his relationship with Jessica Simpson. He even deleted his Twitter account. Additionally there were rumors about his relationship with Jennifer Aniston.
The term celebrity should disappear
It's not just Americans who have an awful obsession with celebrities. People need to think about taking up a new hobby and getting rid entirely of this unhealthy pointless term of a celebrity.
Details from
LA Times
latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/11/giada-de-laurentiis-john-mayer.html
Pop Eater
popeater.com/2010/11/10/giada-de-laurentiis-john-mayer-couple/

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Investment firm Terra Firma loses lawsuit over Electronic and Musical Industries

In 2007, investment firm Terra Firma purchased control of music giant EMI Ltd. $2.5 billion in the hole, Terra Firma has not done well with the investment. Terra Firma, headed by Guy Hands, sued Citibank over the investment. A jury decided in support of Citibank. Terra Firma accused Citibank of defrauding them within the obtain of Emi.
EMI bought by Terra Firma
The British business EMI was bought by Terra Firma in August 2007 for $6.8 billion. In October 2007, the obtain was funded by Citigroup right before the credit market stopped. Since that purchase, Guy Hands, who controls the Terra Firma fund, has lost billions within the business. He has additionally been the target of frustrated investors who aren’t happy with the fact two-thirds of the fund is tied up within the quickly shrinking Electronic and Musical Industries.
Citigroup and Terra Firma in the courtroom
Citigroup, which funded the Terra Firma purchase of EMI, has been on the defensive. Terra Firma states that it had been defrauded in the Electronic and Musical Industries purchase by Citigroup which led to the suit. It was not a "bidding war" to get EMI. This is what Terra Firma had been led to believe. Everybody in the jury agreed that Citigroup was no guilty. Terra Firma was not defrauded.
The upcoming place EMI will go
EMI is a music label in Britain. It’s one of the largest in fact. The Rolling Stones had been once on the EMI label. Others like Lilly Allen either have been or are on the label right now. In 2007, Guy Hands and Terra firma became in charge of the label. This meant that hardly cash was spent. This led to large acts leaving the label. The Rolling Stones was one of these. EMI cost Hands more than $8 billion he claims besides cost cuts. Hands might really well be removed as the head of Terra Firma, also as Emi. Refinancing for EMI is "much less likely" to take place with Citigroup after the suit. One more company might end up purchasing the musical industry giant due to this.
Citations
Business Week
businessweek.com/news/2010-11-04/citigroup-wins-trial-against-terra-firma-over-emi-sale.html

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

National Sandwich Day

National Sandwich Day is Nov. 3. Maybe it’s partially a relief from election results, however it is also more. An incredibly versatile foodstuff, a good sandwich could be every little thing from a hearty Reuben to the vegan-friendly cucumber stack. However you generally eat a sandwich, National Sandwich Day might be the perfect day to try something new.
Exactly why we commemorate Nov 3 as National Sandwich Day
National Mustard Day and International Beer Day aren't like National Sandwich day. National Sandwich day has a place in history. Nov 3 is a birthday. The fourth Earl of Sandwich has his birthday then. The fourth Earl is John Montagu. He is who many say the first sandwich was made by. The first "real" sandwich may have come from Earl of Sandwich requesting meat between 2 slices of bread after having an all night gambling binge. It does not matter why we celebrate it though since it is just an excellent holiday.
How sandwiches have changed
Would you like to make a standard sandwich? You will find a couple things required for this. 2 slices of bread will be needed. There will even need to be a filling in the middle. The hamburger is probably the most popular United States of America sandwich. Sandwich culture has grown to contain every little thing from fast-food incarnations to high-end cuisine. There was even a sandwich challenge in numerous Television shows. Food Network's "The Next Food Network Star" and Bravo's "Top Chef" are both included in this. In short, a good sandwich proves culinary chops also as an amazing steak.
How you can commemorate National Sandwich Day
Do you like peanut butter and jelly? Even if it is that or a hamburger you normally have, you are able to check out some other things too. If you want to check out the ultimate resource on taste-testing all kinds of sandwiches from the KFC Double Down all the way to The Philly Taco (a cheese steak wrapped in a slice of pizza), NPR’s “Wait Wait Do not Tell Me” blog has a Sandwich Monday feature that simply cannot be beat. Either way, try a new sandwich today, and raise your stacked lunch to the fourth Earl of Sandwich.
Articles cited
NPR
npr.org/templates/archives/archive.php?thingId=126351221

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Will the Sugarhouse Gambling establishment be a monetary gift?

The casino that has been in the works for the Delaware River, the Sugarhouse Gambling establishment, opened its gates. The gaming licenses issued in 2006 were very limited. The business that owns Sugarhouse Gambling establishment received one of the five permits. While the Sugarhouse Casino is expected to bring in billions of dollars of gaming taxes, there is nevertheless debate. Many residents and anti-gambling groups continue to protest the Sugarhouse Casino, and are moving forward with plans intended to cut back casino earnings.
Discussions against the Sugarhouse Casino
Residents have expressed concern about the possibility of a casino ever since the license was granted. Groups ranging from the Philadelphia Neighborhood Alliance, the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association and Casino Free Philadelphia argued that the Sugarhouse Gambling establishment would create crime, noise, pollution and companies that offer payday advances no faxing and other forms of credit. A candlelight service was held outside the casino on opening night. Organizers have stated that the vigil was “for individuals…who are sure to gamble away their savings”.
Will Sugarhouse Casino assist the local economic climate
Though there has been a strong lobby against the Sugarhouse Casino, most residents of Fishtown, where the casino is located, are happy to see the casino opened. Sugarhouse Casino has already paid $ 175,000 to the Special Services District, which is getting used for arts, sports, schools and veterans’ affairs services. Over 900 individuals have been hired by the Sugarhouse Gambling establishment, including 800 full-time employees.
Will the Sugarhouse Gambling establishment carry on the exact same route
Though the Sugarhouse Casino currently has 40 gaming tables and 1,600 slot machines, that is 400 less than initially planned. Future plans for the Sugarhouse Casino include a parking garage, luxury hotel and spa. Opponents of the casino vow to start campaigns aimed at reducing the number of customers and revenue coming in to the new area business. The monetary stimulation provided by this huge employer who’s going to pay millions in taxes could be exactly what this depressed area needs.
Further reading
My Fox Philly
myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/sugar-hpuse’s-pledge-to-keep-area-safe
Philly.com
philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20100921_SugarHouse_Casino_opens_this_week_in_Philly_to_hoopla_and_harrumphs.html?page=2 and c=y

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Obama Pumping 3 Billion Into Unemployed Foreclosure Prevention

The Obama administration is pumping $ 3 billion into programs to help the unemployed with foreclosure prevention. The Hardest Hit Fund would going to be doubled with an additional $ 2 billion was announced last week to be put to the fund. $ 1 billion was given to a program to help unemployed borrowers who have delinquencies on their mortgages called Housing and Urban Development. Experts are really just worried that banks rather than homeowners will benefit more from this.

Money pit with foreclosure prevention

To fend off an epidemic of unemployed foreclosures, the Hardest Hit Fund was launched in February as a way to help states design their own foreclosure prevention programs. 10 states are taking advantage of this initiative right now, reports the Wall Street Journal. The money is part of $ 50 billion earmarked for housing aid under the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The $ 2 billion infusion will be distributed to housing agencies in 17 states, plus the District of Columbia, that have the highest unemployment rates. HUD will get $ 1 billion for giving bridge loans with no interest up to $ 50,000 to those eligible who need to make mortgage payments for two years.

Hardest Hit Fund is nothing

The economic recovery is going down because of the housing market, which historically has helped all the recessions. Hardly everyone can refinance or buy although interest rates are at record lows, reports the New York Times. Unemployed homeowners who live in communities where values have fallen sharply are often unable to sell. Their foreclosures weaken neighborhoods and create a vicious cycle that further undermines the housing market. Until now, the Hardest Hit Fund had been projected to help about 140,000 borrowers. 14.6 million unemployed are looking at foreclosing, meaning the 400,000 unemployed helped through the HUD and Hardest Hit programs is hardly anything.


Easy comes for mortgaged lenders

It is likely that Obama has just helped a variety of banks out more than unemployed homeowners with these new programs. Banks should be hurting along with unemployed borrowers says David Abromowitz who’s the senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and had an interview with The Hill. He said the main problem with the funding is that mortgage lenders don’t have to make principle reductions on loans or any major modifications. Abromowitz suggested that lenders should be required to make concessions and possibly even match funding. Those with underwater mortgages wouldn’t be helped too much with extra funding, says Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Policy Research to the Hill. Dean feels like that homeowners need to have equity in their homes at the end or they’ll lose them anyway making it something that won’t work.

Additional reading at these websites

Wall Street Journal


online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704901104575423493999575302.html

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/08/12/business/12treasury.html

The Hill

thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/banking-financial-institutions/114349-banks-to-benefit-most-from-white-house-program-to-stave-off-foreclosures

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Kara Dioguardi and Ellen DeGeneres both leave American Idol

The reality has set in for “American Idol” supporters that Simon Cowell is not anymore a part of the TV show. But judges are now dropping like flies, reports the entertainment mass media. Ellen DeGeneres most recently informed the world that she will no longer execute her duties as a judge on the well-known reality show. Adding insult to injury, now Kara DioGuardi has been fired, reports the Los Angeles Times. Chill dog Randy Jackson may not be lonesome for long, though, as reports indicate that Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler may be filling the vacant seats.
’American Idol’ faces a bevy of questions
Fox and the “American Idol” production group seem intent on squeezing each last bit of magic out of the show’s formula, and there may nevertheless be some left. Jennifer Lopez will allegedly bring the show muchos magicos as Kara DioGuardi’s replacement, says Deadline.com. Coincidentally, Lopez started her career as a dancer, much like Paula Abdul. A return to Fox would reunite Lopez with the network that launched her dancing career on the early-1990s Wayans brothers’ sketch comedy show “In Living Color”.
’American Idol’ viewership has decreased
While “American Idol” remains America’s most-watched television program, the loss of viewers in recent seasons gave the producers pause. The Times writes how the “AI” team was close to giving Ellen DeGeneres the ax. Nevertheless, the producers allowed Ellen to leave rather than firing her as they did DioGuardi. Ellen was non-confrontational in a statement- “A couple months ago, I let Fox and the ‘American Idol’ producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me”. This mirrors what large segments of the viewing audience were thinking, as Ellen vacillated between “deer in the headlights” and saying something nice to cover up the fact that she knows very little about music.
”We love Ellen and understand and support her decision to bow out of ‘Idol’,” said Fox Networks Group chairman Peter Rice.
Better judging through chemistry
”American Idol” Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe knew that Kara, Simon and Randy didn’t click without Paula Abdul. Adding a visibly uncomfortable Ellen DeGeneres to the mix only served to underscore that fact. Lythgoe’s personal choices following the failed experiment would have been Usher, Elton John and good old Paula, but that is not close to happening. However, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler have garnered the most attention of late.
Steven Tyler won’t tell
Gossip site X17 Online spotted Steven Tyler outside the Sunset Marquis hotel in Los Angeles and asked for his take. Some sources think “Idol” plans to bring in Tyler within the head judge seat vacated by Cowell. Tyler revealed nothing. But he did not say no, either.
Find more info on this subject
Los Angeles Times
latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/07/kara-dioguardi-out-of-tune-with-american-idol.html
The Washington Post
washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/29/AR2010072905730.html
X17 Online
x17online.com/celebrities/steven_tyler/x17_xclusive_steven_tyler_tight_lipped_on_new_gig_as_idol_judge-07302010.php