In between Chris Brown's crying fit and Kanye West's volcanic act, the BET Awards felt the rhythm of the night this weekend.
'80s hit maker El DeBarge, who has been out of the spotlight since the early '90s, returned to the stage to perform his hit song "Rhythm of the Night" Sunday evening.
Celebrating the release of his first album in 16 years, DeBarge also sang his new single, the appropriately named title track "Second Chance."
The former lead singer from the Motown family group DeBarge, Eldra Patrick DeBarge reached the peak of his solo fame in 1985.
That year, he released the Billboard-topping hit "Rhythm of the Night" from the album of the same name.
In 1986, DeBarge buoyed his success with the hit song "Who's Johnny," from his self-titled debut solo album. The track was featured in the movie "Short Circuit" and cemented the singer's position among the biggest musical stars of the era.
DeBarge released his last solo album in 1994, "Heart, Mind & Soul," a collaboration with Babyface.
The 49-year-old musician's long-awaited fifth album will be released this September and features songs co-written by big name music veterans such as Terry Lewis, Mishaka and the Avila Brothers.
ENDICOTT, N.Y. (ABC 4 Sports) -- Provo resident Dan Forsman shot a 6-under 66 on Saturday and gained a one-shot lead over Brad Bryant after two rounds at the Dick's Sporting Goods Open.
Forsman sits at 12-under and he's lucky to be there alone after Bryant (67) bogeyed the final hole. Russ Cochran (66) and first-round leader Wayne Levi (69) are tied at 10-under.
Bill Glasson (66), Mark Calcavecchia (68), and Nick Price (66)--who is third in the Schwab Cup standings--are another shot back.
Andy Bean, who shot an 8-under 64, the best round of the day and just two shots off his career low, is tied with Loren Roberts (68) at 8-under. Fred Funk (70) is alone at 7-under.
Ken Green, in just his second start in a stroke-play event since an RV crash a year ago resulted in the loss of the lower part of his right leg, shot a 2-over 74. It was the best round in his comeback.
Forsman, who won the Regions Charity Classic in May, one of six top-10s on the season, birdied the first three holes to quickly erase Levi's one-shot lead. He followed that with birdies at Nos. 7 and 8 to reach 11-under at the turn.
Bryant, tied for second with Forsman to start the day, kept pace with the lone eagle of the tournament at the 379-yard, par-4 2nd hole. Bryant's soaring second shot from 80 yards at the dogleg left landed on the green and bounced right into the cup, eliciting a smirk from Bryant and a roar from the gallery.
Bryant matched Forsman with birdies at the 7th and 8th holes and headed for the back nine one shot behind.
Both men birdied Nos. 10 and 12, and Bryant finally drew even at the 215-yard, par-3 14th hole when Forsman drove the rough to the right of the green and couldn't get up and down, missing an 8-foot par putt. It was Forsman's first bogey in a span of 33 holes, but he averted a two-shot swing when Bryant pulled a short putt for birdie.
Bryant escaped trouble at No. 15 with a clutch shot out of a stand of trees after an errant drive and saved par. He got lucky on the final hole when his drive sailed toward the trees that line the right side of the fairway and caromed into the rough. His second shot landed in rough at the back left of the green and he was unable to save par, missing a 12-foot putt.
As Mick Jagger said: Chris Bosh is not waiting on a lady, he's just waiting on LeBron. (Well, he said something like that, it was a long time ago and I was pretty stoned last time I heard that song.)
Chris Bosh admitted on ESPN radio this morning what we all knew already: LeBron eats first at the free agent table. Then others can have the leftovers. (Thanks to the Contra Costa Times for transcribing.)
"Am I waiting on LeBron? Pretty much," Bosh said. "I think everyone has to. I have to as well."
"He's a great player and I would be crazy to think that all the teams that are considering him, they would talk to somebody else first," Bosh said. "I think everybody is going to be going at him first.
"They'll probably call him at 12:01," Bosh added. "Hopefully they'll call me at 12:02."
If LeBron and Dwyane Wade stay home, that is when things get interesting for Bosh. Does he see if Cleveland can work a sign-and-trade to pair him with LeBron? Or do the same thing with Wade in Miami? Or be his own man and pair up with Derrick Rose in Chicago? Bosh instantly makes any of those teams a serious threat. And he could be the one that shifts the balance of power this summer.
Soccer fans are already gearing up for this afternoon's World Cup map between the USA and Ghana, but the biggest winners in the World Cup may be the places pouring pints for fans. Bars around the city have been cashing in on the quad-annual soccer madness, inspiring even quiet lounges to redesign themselves around the games. Jack Keane of Nevada Smiths told the Post, "If there was no World Cup right now, we would have no business. Literally, there'd be nobody here." Instead, they've had to hire six bouncers and open five hours earlier than usual to meet demand. Prof. Thom’s in the East Village has had to double their weekly order of beer, and had to order extra cases of Bud Light tall-boys and Jaegermeister. They might need even more, as today's match is supposed to have double the turnout as any so far. Joseph Jacobino of Tonic Sports Bar said, "People will be coming in draped in American flags, the red, white and blue makeup, red, white and blue eye-liner and the Uncle Sam hats." Alternately, Ghana fans will be decked out in flags or more hardcore Batakari warrior robes. One fan said, "When Ghana score, the beat accelerates. It's like wind from the ocean coming to the shore like a hurricane." Does anything that cool happen when USA scores?
There is no better way for a busy executive to celebrate a successful deal or unwind from boardroom pressure by enjoying favourite pastimes such as watching a game, boating, golfing or fishing - and a cigar makes a great addition when you really kick back and relax. Exec Digital knows selecting the best smoke to suit your lifestyle can be a challenge, so here's our guide to the best celebratory smokes.
1. Gurkha Archive Origin: Honduras Individual Price: £6 approx. This is Gurkha's 20th Anniversary cigar and only 1000 boxes have been made for the world. This labour of love cigar has been in the works for two years, featuring a gorgeous silky Connecticut Maduro wrapper with a superbly-aged Cameroon binder and outstanding tasty Nicaraguan filler. Kaizad Hansotia, the Master of packaging, has done it again with this 92 count rustic wood box featuring fabulous engraving that has made the Gurkha 20th Anniversary a must-have.
2. Gurkha His Majesty Reserve Origin: Honduras Individual Price: £450 approx. The combined cost of every other cigar on this list doesn't touch His Majesty Reserve. There is some justification for the world's most expensive cigar - each box of 20 is uniquely infused with one of the world's finest cognacs, originally sold only to dignitaries all over the world, but now available to all. The amazing aroma as well as the taste of the cigar promises to be unforgettable.
3. Camacho Liberty Origin: Cuba Individual Price: £10 approx. Only 40,000 Camacho Liberty 2009 cigars were made and are currently available on a Cigarsfirst come, first served basis. This latest edition was blended by Christian Eiroa in an attempt to outclass the 2005 Liberty, touted as the best Camacho Liberty to date. This particular issue is being offered with much anticipation as they were made in October 2007 using their one and only crop of Habano, a seed that has not been grown since and only yielded enough for a small amount of cigars. The blend is rich and complex and the body is medium to full. With this kind of flavour, strength is secondary.
4. Padron Serie 1926 80 years Maduro Origin: Nicaragua Individual Price: £20 approx. This incredible cigar commemorates the birth year of the company's founder; Jose Orlando Padron. The company uncovered some of its oldest barrels of tobacco leaves for this special stick.
5. Casa Magna Colorado Robusto Origin: Nicaragua Individual Price: £3 approx. As far as high quality cigars go, there hasn't been any cigar in recent years that touches the Colorado's price tag. This cigar has been found at the top of numerous prestigious annual cigar lists, and when you combine the cost, there is no competition.
6. La Floror Domominicana Double Ligeroeroero Chisel Origin: Dominican Republic Individual Price: £4.50 approx. Warning: only indulge after a very heavy meal. This is considered by many to be the strongest cigar made in the Dominican. Full-flavoured and full-bodied, this is no beginner's stick.
7. Cohiba Exquisitotos Origin: Cuba Individual Price: £8 approx. Cohiba makes many cigars that could have made this list, but the Exquisito happens to be Emilia Tamayo's personal favourite. She is the first female to manage a cigar factory in Cuba, and smokes two of these thin sticks a day.
8. MonteCristo Conneticut Corona Origin: Dominican Republic Individual Price: £6 approx. The Corona is Exec Digital's recommendation for anyone just beginning to smoke cigars. Montecristo is a renowned premium cigar brand, but the Corona is very mild. Beginners will love the rich flavour and the reasonable price.
9. CAO America Origin: United States (sort of) Individual Price: £4 approx. This cigar comes in a red, white and blue wrapper and actually uses some American grown tobacco as filler. Basically the only quality cigar you can find that does that, so if you are American and looking for a good patriotic smoke, this is your only choice.
10. Mr. B Lonsdale Maduro Origin: Nicaragua Individual Price: £0.50 approx. This is the best cigar for anyone tightening their belt during the recession. The rustic looking Longsdale is an incredible value for an everyday smoke. Great for someone that is starting out cigar smoking on a budget.
"Mother and Child" arrives with no hype or big advertising campaign behind it like the rest of this summer's offerings, but it just might be the best film released through the first half of the year. What started out as just another indie drama, sad characters in sad situations, quickly took another direction to become one of the most touching films of 2010. Director Rodrigo Garcia Barcha brings this film to the screen with the help of director turned producer Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu ("Babel", "Amores Perros").
The film has three separate storylines that deal with the relationships between a mother and her child, but much like Inarritu's films they end up interweaving with each other at some point. Karen (Annette Bening) gave up her child for adoption several decades ago and with it a piece of her metaphorical heart. Elizabeth (Naomi Watts) is an adopted child and a very successful independent, childless woman. Lucy (Kerry Washington) and her husband are not able to conceive of their own child so they are desperately trying to adopt one.
Plot seems simple enough and for the most part it is and there is a little predictability to it. However, the complex characters do not match the film's simplistic plot. Each one of the female leads is fully developed with their own personalities and maternal issues. These are real people; therefore the viewer can easily make an emotional connection with each of the characters and becomes invested in their lives. Although I did find Bening's storyline a little boring; she whined and cried the whole time.
Even though Barcha takes director's credit Inarritu's fingerprints are all over it. The plot is very much in the vein of his previous films such as "21 Grams." Everything about the film oozes Inarritu. The direction and acting are top-notch. Everyone turns in a fantastic performance. Watts is always good and Bening shows she still has something left. Samuel L. Jackson goes against his recent typecast, which is always refreshing to see, successfully playing a fatherly, more sedated role to great success. Then there is Kerry Washington who is, for the most part, is an unknown. Having only starred in films such as "The Fantastic Four" or "Lakeview Terrace" the spotlight on her talent has shown dim, but in this film it shines bright. Washington has made a statement with her performance that she is a talent to be reckoned with.
"Mother and Child" is a very touching and beautiful film that deals with heavy subject matter, but does not leave the viewer depressed when the credits begin to role. On the contrary, you walk out with a renewed faith in the bond, not only between a parent and child, but in humanity in general; a hidden gem of a film. This is quite possibly the best film of the year. Unfortunately, it will be lost to mainstream audiences.
His name is Lonesome George and he was first discovered in 1972 on Pinta Island. The unusual tortoise was brought to Charles Darwin Research Station. Lonesome George is the last one of his kind Geochelone elephantopus abingdoni. The researchers tried to find tortoise George a female, so he could have a companion but none was found. That’s why George became Lonesome George, the last La Pinta Tortoise. The scientists from the Charles Darwin Research Station have posted rewards of $10,000 for the person who finds a female of La Pinta Tortoise.
So in order for George to have a female to reproduce, the biologists brought female tortoises of Isabela Island, a tortoise specie genetically similar to the La Pinta Tortoise. But George showed little to none interest in the females. He is a symbol of the Galapagos National Park, at the same time becoming one of the world’s most famous reptile.
The first record of a La Pinta Tortoise was in 1906 when a group of scientists from the Californian Academy of Science visited the Galapagos Islands. This tortoise specie has become rapidly known as the most rare animal in the world and one of the Giant Galapagos tortoises a man have ever seen.
Although there were collected other three tortoise males from the Pinta Island, the researchers could not find a female to help this specie survive. Of course, there is a chance that there are other members of this specie in the wild, because these tortoises are shy and secretive and when they’re young they’re very small.
But if there aren’t any other La Pinta Tortoises in the wild, then the specie could die with Lonesome George.
Pinta Island (also known as Abingdon Island, after the Earl of Abingdon) is an island situated in the Galapagos Islands group, Ecuador. It has an area of 60 km² and a maximum altitude of 777 meters.
