Abercrombie

This guy was everywhere — on billboards, in magazines, on Abercrombie & Fitch shopping bags — and then he disappeared. Who was he?

In case you’re one of those people who treat hott guys as more than just a piece of meat, the male model’s name is Maxwell Zagorski. And he didn’t disappear. Zagorski was one of Abercrombie’s shirtless and sexy studs from 2006-2008, and then he was quickly picked up by International Jock in 2009 and became the face and body model for Levi’s Underwear.

We’ll be keeping an eye on this one, that’s for sure.

Mariano Vivanco

International Jock

International Jock

International Jock

Here’s a look at this year’s nominees in the major categories. Let your voice be heard and tell us who you think will win!

‘Hugo’ leads the way with 11 nominations. Will it end the evening with the most wins? You tell us:

Paramount/DreamWorks/DreamWorks

Frazer Harrison/Kevin Winter/Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Kevin Winter/Carlos Alvarez/Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Frazer Harrison/Jason Merritt/Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Jason Merritt/Frazer Harrison/Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Gareth Cattermole/Valerie Macon/Jamie McCarthy, Getty Images

DreamWorks/DreamWorks/Blind Wink Productions

When you go to Google today, you will see something other than “Google” at the top of the page. What is it? I’ll give you three guesses:

1. Cristie Alley’s Diet plan.
2. The asphalt surface of 8th Ave. in Bozeman Montana.
3. A caricature of Donald Trumps Hair.

Actually it’s a celebration of Rudolf Hertz’s 155th Birthday today! Mr. Hertz was the German physicist who, according to Wikipedia, “clarified and expanded the electromagnetic theory.” Say what? He also invented the comb over….Ok not really. You can read more by clicking on the Google Hertz (Hz) WAVE.
Happy Birthday Rudy!

Rudolf Hertz

Sun Studio Legends

My trips to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital have allowed me time to explore the wonderful city of Memphis, TN.  If you haven’t ever been – let me fill you in on some of my favorites!

The Peabody Hotel – This is THE historic hotel directly off of Bealle Street.  The Hotel has been there since 1869, and is where the rich and famous stay when they visit Memphis.  The Peabody is famous for their Peabody Ducks, which come down from their “duck house” ever morning via elevator, walk the red carpet to their fountain, where they stay most of the day.  Then there’s a big ceremony (every day) where they walk back down the red carpet, into the elevator, and back up to their duck house.  The Peabody is amazing in every way, from their food, to the spa, service and more – its a must see (even if you can’t afford to stay) on your Memphis tour.

Graceland – You gotta go.  BUT – I will forewarn you – it’s smaller than you think.  Long live Elvis

Sun Studios – Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, ELIVS, and many others recorded their legendary tunes at Sun Studios.    And the cool part, you can actually stand in the room at the mic they used.  This is a must see if you make it to Memphis.

Beale Street – “Walking with my feet 10 feet off of Beale” is the line in the famous “Walking In Memphis” . If you want to really FEEL music, you gotta see Beale.  According to Wikipedia –   On December 15, 1977, Beale Street was officially declared the Home of the Blues by an act of Congress.  BB King, Elvis, Aretha Franklin, Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters, Albert King, Memphis Minnie, Rufus Thomas, Rosco Gordon and other blues and jazz legends played on Beale Street and helped develop the style known as Memphis Blues.

These are just some of my favorites!  Do you have others?

St. Jude Radiothon Starts Tomorrow!

We are getting excited!  Tomorrow and Friday is our annual Radiothon to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital!  Please join us starting at 6am tomorrow morning in the battle to fight Cancer!  These are our favorite 2 days of the year, and it wouldn’t be possible without you!  Have the number ready and become a Partner In Hope! 1-800-942-8771!!!

Making Progress!

I am a winter junkie.  I love the snow, and with that I love the clothes.  Scarfs, Beanies, Gloves, Sweaters, Slippers – I love them all.  Because of the cost of these items, and how most of the time they almost fit – I have always wanted to learn is how to knit – and this weekend my mom started to show me how!  I think now I officially have my slip knot, I can “cast on” , and I have the basin knitting stitch!  NOW – I need to learn where I am going wrong and why.  Anyone have any tips or tricks for knitting?  What should I start out trying to make?  A scarf?

Frazer Harrison / David Livingston, Getty Images

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today:

Jeri Ryan
Age: 44
Occupation: Actress
Known For: Playing the liberated (“de-assimilated”) Borg, Seven of Nine, on ‘Star Trek: Voyager,’ roles on other shows like ‘Leverage,’ ‘Boston Public,’ ‘Dark Skies’ and ‘Shark,’ and her current role as Dr. Kate Murphy on the ABC drama ‘Body of Proof’

Drew Barrymore
Age: 37
Occupation: Actress, Producer and Director
Known For: Her star-making childhood role in ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,’ two stays in rehab by the time she was 14, rebounding nicely with adult roles in ‘Boys on the Side,’ ‘The Wedding Singer,’ ’50 First Dates’ and the ‘Charlie’s Angels’ film franchise, co-founding the prolific Flower Films production company, her recent engagement to art consultant Will Kopelman, and just being all-around adorable

Kyle MacLachlan
Age: 53
Occupation: Actor
Known For: His roles in the cult films ‘Blue Velvet,’ ‘Showgirls,’ ‘Dune’ and ‘The Doors,’ work on the TV shows ‘Twin Peaks,’ ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Desperate Housewives,’ and a lengthy relationship in the 1990s with supermodel Linda Evangelista

Rachel Dratch
Age: 46
Occupation: Actress and Comedienne
Known For: Being a cast member of ‘Saturday Night Live’ from 1999 to 2006, appearing in movies including ‘Down with Love,’ ‘Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star’ and ‘I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,’ and her enviably close friendship with Tina Fey

James Blunt
Age: 38
Occupation: Singer, Songwriter and Musician
Known For: Singles including ‘You’re Beautiful’ and ‘Goodbye My Lover,’ being nominated for five Grammys, selling 18 million albums, and having a long string of model girlfriends

Steve Powell, Getty Images

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history:

1819 – By the Adams-Onís Treaty, Spain sells Florida to the United States for $5 million (More info)

1879 – In Utica, New York, Frank Woolworth opens the first of many of five-and-dime Woolworth stores (More info)

1924 – President Calvin Coolidge becomes the first commander-in-chief to deliver a radio broadcast from the White House (More info)

1980 – In what would come to be called the Miracle on Ice, the US men’s hockey team beats the heavily-favored Soviet Union team 4-3 at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York (More info)

2006 – At least six men stage Britain’s largest robbery in history, stealing $92.5 million from a Securitas depot in Kent (More info)

FOX

This week’s episode of ‘Glee,’ ‘On My Way,’ was all about choosing life and not backing down, but the last two seconds were shockingly somber.

It seemed like Quinn was back on top after her rebellious phase and attempts at stealing her child back earlier this season. She’s forgiven. She’s been forgiven. She’s been accepted to Yale, and in ‘On My Way,’ she was accepted back onto the Cheerios. She even made peace with Rachel, telling her she’s happy that she and Finn are getting married. But the end of ‘On My Way’ threatened to change everything for Quinn.

After Rachel hears that Quinn is okay with her getting married to Finn, she invites her to be a bridesmaid in the wedding. On the wedding day, while Finn gets sentimental and the lovebirds’ parents devise a disruption, Quinn is caught in traffic after going home to get her bridesmaid’s dress. She gets several frantic texts from Rachel, asking urgently “where are you??” As she is texting “on my way,” her car is hit by a truck.

We’ve seen Quinn go througfh a lot in her senior year, too much for her to be a victim of texting-while driving. Please be okay, Quinn, PLEASE!

Source: PopCrush.com

YouTube

Batman will generally only don his bat-suit when there is crime that needs to be fought. However, there is another caped crusader — Toronto Batman — who has no problem slipping into the iconic costume just because he wants to enjoy a night on the town.

Toronto Batman was kind enough to record his latest experiences in his Canadian hometown.

As you can see, Batman doesn’t have to take down bad guys to contribute to society. His mere presence seems to cheer people up, even when he is rambling on about his dead parents or berating moviegoers for being way too early to see ‘The Dark Knight Rises.’ And, yes, Toronto Batman will pose for pictures.

The video would’ve probably been better if Batman was little easier to understand. Although his often inedible utterances work as both a parody of Christian Bale’s unusually low register when he plays the part and the controversy surrounding ’The Dark Knight Rises’ villain Bane, whose muffled dialogue has been difficult to decipher in the movie’s trailers.

We’re also pleased to see that superheroes also struggle to open up a beef jerky. Since it’s 2012, Toronto Batman is on Twitter, and you can follow him here.

Source: TheFW.com

20th Century Fox

You might remember Tom Hardy from when he bulked up and went shirtless for the movie ‘Warrior.’ But now he’s slimmed down, put on a fitted suit and turned himself into the gent of ‘This Means War.’ Reese Witherspoon’s character had a hard enough time deciding between this guy and Chris Pine, but everyone’s a sucker for a romantic smooth talker.

We’ll be seeing more of Hardy in the future ’cause he’s appearing in ‘The Dark Knight Rises‘ movie as — drum roll, please — Bane! This may not bode well for his gentlemanly image, but if he looks anything like he did in ‘Warrior,’ we can cut him some slack. See what we mean below.

Lionsgate

Lionsgate

Lionsgate

Lionsgate

Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images

Nickoli, Regan & I at Mount Rushmore

This past weekend, I spend a few days with my family in Deadwood, SD. Now don’t get me wrong, I see my family a few times a year – but this is the first time in my adult life that we have all gone on vacation together.  Thirteen of us, and of course my three doggies, stayed together in a beautiful cabin in the Black Hills.

We spent a day at the local ski resort, where my cousin’s kids (Regan, 5 & Nickoli, 7) took their very first ski lesson.  We ate dinner at a great place in Deadwood, traveled to Mt. Rushmore to see “the faces” and spent many hours catching up in front of the fireplace. I loved spending this time with my family.

Usually we are always on the farm – where there are chores to do, food to make etc.  This was different, everyone was in a way more relaxed mood.  There was one moment during a game of Taboo that I literally saw tears of laughter coming out of my aunts eyes. Without going into personal details, the family as a whole has been through a lot over the past couple of years – and it warmed my heart to see everyone so happy.

When was the last time you spent some real time with your family?  If it’s been awhile – suggest it.  Then suggest it again and again until it happens.  You will be amazed at how wonderful it is. I am such a lucky girl to call them “My Fam.”

Visiting St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital

I am very lucky, because I have a job where I am paid to do good things.  Volunteer work, emceeing events, helping non profits, raising money – it’s all part of what I am supposed to do.  And I love it.  It’s one of the things in my life I feel most fortunate about.  And the cause that I hold closest to my heart is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Why you ask?  It’s hard to narrow it down to just a few reasons.

Both my aunt Carol (who along side my single mother helped to raise me) , and my professional mentor and friend Pete, are cancer survivors.  These two people have shaped my world so tremendously and I can’t imagine where my life would be without them.  I believe in heros – and these two would be on my list.

St. Jude is a research hospital.  They work every day to get closer to a cure for cancer.  Danny Thomas created the hospital in 1972 with the dream that “No Child Shall Die In The Dawn Of Life”.  Living in the deep South at that time, Danny also had the dream of a place where all children could be treated – regardless of their race or inability to pay.  Such a place was unheard of at the time, and he just simply didn’t care.

When the doors of St. Jude where opened – childhood cancer was a virtual death sentence.  In 1972 had you lined 100 kids up with A.L.L (the most common form of childhood cancer) 10 would have survived.  Today if you line up 100 kids – 90 would be looking at a bright future.  This is the work being done at St. Jude.

This research will carry over into cancer as a whole, and I truly believe the cure/treatment/cause/whatever will come out of the doors of that hospital. The research done at St. Jude is not kept under lock and key (think how much money the person who finds the cure will make), it’s published to anyone and everyone who wants to know about it.  I get emails about every 3 months about a major advancement they have achieved, and most the time I can’t understand more than a handful of words.

It’s a magical place and I can’t wait to spend 2 days sharing my experiences during the St. Jude Radiothon.  Please become a Partner In Hope and Join Me on this crusade.  Together, we can make a huge difference!

“Don’t think that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens cannot change the world.  Indeed, that’s all that ever has.”  Margaret Meed

Kevin Winter / Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today:

Kelsey Grammer
Age: 57
Occupation: Actor
Known For: His two-decade portrayal of psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane on the hit sitcoms ‘Cheers’ and ‘Frasier,’ providing the voice for characters like Sideshow Bob on ‘The Simpsons,’ currently starring in the Starz series ‘Boss,’ and a tabloid-friendly personal life that’s included four marriages

Jennifer Love Hewitt
Age: 33
Occupation: Actress
Known For: Starring in the ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ film franchise and on the TV shows ‘Party of Five’ and ‘Ghost Whisperer,’ popularizing the weird vajazzling trend, and previous relationships with celebrities including singer John Mayer, who reportedly wrote his hit song ‘Your Body is a Wonderland’ about her

Tyne Daly
Age: 66
Occupation: Actress
Known For: Winning a 1989 Tony for her work in ‘Gypsy,’ earning six Emmys for her roles in ‘Cagney & Lacey,’ ‘Judging Amy’ and ‘Christy,’ and being the older sister of actor Tim Daly

Mary Chapin Carpenter
Age: 54
Occupation: Singer, Songwriter and Musician
Known For: Country hits like ‘I Feel Lucky,’ ‘He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,’ ‘I Take My Chances’ and ‘Shut Up and Kiss Me,’ being the only woman to have won four consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, and writing or co-writing songs for other artists like Joan Baez, Cyndi Lauper and Wynonna Judd

Ellen Page
Age: 25
Occupation: Actress
Known For: Her Academy Award-nominated work as the quirky title character in ‘Juno,’ roles in other films including ‘Inception,’ ‘Whip It’ and ‘X-Men: The Last Stand,’ and being the spokesperson for Cisco Systems in a series of ads

Express Newspapers, Getty Images

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history:

1848 – Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels publish ‘The Communist Manifesto’ (More info)

1878 – The first telephone book is issued in New Haven, CT (More info)

1948 – The National Association for Stock Car Racing, aka NASCAR, is officially incorporated (More info)

1965 – Malcolm X is assassinated by members of the Nation of Islam at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City (More info)

1972 – President Richard Nixon arrives in China, becoming the first US president to visit to the world’s most populous nation (More info)

Miguel Villagran, Getty Images

As people continue to search for explanations of why Whitney Houston died on Saturday at age 48, some are taking a second look at the singer’s alleged heavy drinking and repeated visits to her doctors in the days before her death.

CNN sources claim that Houston was “partying the night before her death in the bar.” Another source says the singer ordered multiple drinks on Wednesday and Thursday mornings in the lobby and pool area of the Beverly Hilton, then complained the drinks were too “watered down.” The reports about Houston’s drinking seem to support the story that she left a Grammy party on Thursday looking disheveled.

While everyone is entitled to have a few cocktails now and then, the discussion about Houston’s drinking is relevant since the exact manner of her death is still unknown, and alcohol might have played a role, along with prescription medications she was taking. The anti-anxiety medication Xanax was found in her hotel room, but no sedatives such as Valium were present. Toxicology reports could take up to eight weeks. The coroner has declared no foul play was involved.

Star magazine is reporting that Houston visited the doctor on Feb. 2, Feb. 7, and Feb. 10, though it’s not clear whether she saw the same physician each time or whether she received any prescriptions. The last of the three visits was to a throat doctor, according to ‘X Factor‘ winner Melanie Amaro, who bumped into the ‘I Will Always Love You’ diva.

Houston’s funeral is this Saturday in New Jersey. Though the ceremony is private, fans can stream the funeral live online.

Source: PopCrush.com

Franklin Roosevelt holds the record for the most times a president got the honor, hurling nine different times (eight opening days and an All-Star Game). Here’s a look back at some of the more memorable performances of presidents over the past century:

PRESIDENT OBAMA

President Barack Obama tossed the ball to Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, kicking off the 2010 baseball season in the nation’s capital. His pitch sailed high and wide. After the President was criticized for taking time off to attend a baseball game, he stayed home in 2011. With his reelection in mind, will Obama take the mound at a ballpark this spring?

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH

After the September 11 attacks, America looked to President George W. Bush for leadership. He delivered it in many ways in the days afterward, including his appearance at Yankee Stadium for Game 3 of the World Series. His fastball represented much more. At that “troubled time,” said a blogger on the National Archives website, “a baseball game helped us come together” and “a pitch showed the resolve of a nation.”

PRESIDENT CLINTON

President Clinton was the first president to make his pitch from the mound — previously they came symbolically from the stands. He let go of a slow, hanging pitch that he says he wasn’t happy with. “Most of my practice pitches were much better,” he said.

PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON

On Opening Day in 1965, President Johnson opened the season with the Washington Senators. Even some of the opposing Red Sox players were amazed by the moment, as you can see in the footage below.

PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT

In his first Opening Day pitch, President Roosevelt misses his mark. “Roosevelt’s pitch is wild but we’ll forgive him. Everybody knows he has plenty on the ball,” the announcer says.

PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON

A jovial President Wilson throws out the first pitch at an unnamed game. Could it have been the 1915 World Series? That was when President Wilson became the first president to get the ceremonial honors at a World Series game.

DoctorWho, Flickr

After Hurricane Katrina devastated the Atlantic Coast in 2005, New Orleans, and the region as a whole, gained more prominence in the national and international news, and rightly so.

Although the folks living there have been through a great deal recently, their spirit still shines through. Nowhere is that more evident than in the riotous party known as Mardi Gras.

The origins of Mardi Gras stretch way back into time, thousands of year before the advent of Christianity. It was a wild festival in honor of fertility and the arrival of spring. As Christian emperors began to rule in Rome, the celebrations were integrated into the new faith. ‘Carnival’ became one last crazy party before the austerities of Lent, when people had to give up some, if not all, of the vices they so cherished.

The French were the first European settlers of New Orleans. They brought with them the tradition of carnival, and held Mardi Gras on the North American continent as early as 1699. When the Spanish took over the region later, they promptly outlawed the parties. The festivities were only reinstated after Louisiana was acquired by the United States in 1812.

Many of the costumes and ideas of Mardi Gras come from traditional Catholic carnivals celebrated all over the world, plus a few innovations unique to New Orleans. The krewes, or organizations that host balls and parades as part of the celebrations, were first created in the American South — Southern culture at its finest. The music, marching bands, beads, King Cake and colorful floats evolved over time, making Mardi Gras the grand party that it is today.

[History]

Source: TheFW.com

YouTube / CNN

Alicia Keys paid a moving tribute to Whitney Houston at the late singer’s funeral yesterday (Feb. 18). Prior to her musical performance, Keys, visibly devastated by the loss Houston, offered some endearing anecdotes about her experiences with Houston during her tragically short life.“We came up with this funny nickname for each other,” Keys revealed about her relationship with Houston. “I don’t even know where it came from. “She called me Mema, and I called her Mema. Whenever I’d text her, I’d say, ‘Hey Mema!’” Keys said, wiping her eyes.

Keys then revealed a haunting but beautiful moment she shared with her son, Egypt. “Just last night when we were getting ready to get on the plane and come back, my son said, ‘Mema! Mema! Mema!’ He kept saying, ‘Mema,’” Keys said, her eyes widening. “He didn’t know that. I just thought that was beautiful,” Keys said. “I just felt really surrounded by her.”

Keys let out a heavy sigh. “I just think it’s so obvious, the way she just crept into everybody’s hearts,” she said, breaking to grab some more tissues, “and the way that she was just such a beautiful human being. A really caring, beautiful human being, who would call you for no reason at all — just to say ‘hi.’ And that’s rare.”

Just before launching into a roaring, tearful rendition of ‘Send Me an Angel,’ Keys went on to reflect on Houston’s efforts to give back and reach out to all the artists lucky enough to work with the legend. “I just think she’s been an angel to us,” Keys said, “and I think we’ve been sent an angel for a long time.”

Watch Alicia Keys Perform at Whitney Houston’s Funeral

Source: PopCrush.com