Thursday, March 20, 2008
SEC Sorting Out Refunds After Tornado Strikes League Tournament
The storm forced the SEC to postpone one game and move the last two days of the tournament
ATLANTA (AP) - The Southeastern Conference is still sorting out a refund policy for fans who couldn't attend the men's basketball tournament after a tornado struck the Georgia Dome.
The conference released a statement saying fans would be informed through its Web site, www.secsports.com, as well as the official sites of the 12 member schools when the plan is finalized.
"The SEC advises fans to retain any unused tickets for the 2008 tournament," the SEC said.
The storm Friday night, which damaged the dome and caused widespread damage in downtown Atlanta, forced the SEC to postpone one game and move the last two days of the tournament to Georgia Tech's Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
Citing the smaller capacity of the 9,191-seat coliseum, compared to 26,000 at the dome, the SEC only allowed working officials, bands, cheerleaders, and friends and family of the players to attend games Saturday and Sunday.
The crowd was estimated at 3,700 for the championship game, compared to the 20,000 that likely would have attended at the Georgia Dome.
The conference will surely issue refunds for the final two days, but is likely trying to decide how to handle Friday's evening session. One game was played, and about 20,000 fans were already in the building when the tornado struck.
Athena Technologies Home Theater Speaker with 3-1/2" Woofers (Each) - WS-60
(MPN: WS60)
'Hogan's Heroes' actor Ivan Dixon dies
Dixon died Sunday at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte after a hemorrhage and of complications from kidney failure, said his daughter, Doris Nomathande Dixon of Charlotte.
Actor Sidney Poitier said the two men became friends after Dixon was his stunt double in the 1958 movie "The Defiant Ones."
"As an actor, you had to be careful," Poitier said in a statement. "He was quite likely to walk off with the scene."
Dixon began his acting career on Broadway in plays including "The Cave Dwellers" and "A Raisin in the Sun." On film, he appeared in "Something of Value," "A Raisin in the Sun," "A Patch of Blue," "Nothing But a Man" and the cult favorite "Car Wash."
But he was probably best known for the role of U.S. Staff Sgt. James Kinchloe on "Hogan's Heroes," a satire set in a German prisoner-of-war camp during World War II. Kinchloe, in charge of electronic communications, could mimic German officers on the radio or phone.
While her father was most proud of work in plays such as "A Raisin in the Sun" and for films such as "Nothing But a Man," he had no mixed feelings about being recognized for the role of Kinchloe, his daughter said.
"It was a pivotal role as well, because there were not as many blacks in TV series at that time," Nomathande Dixon said. "He did have some personal issues with that role, but it also launched him into directing."
Dixon also earned an Emmy nomination for his performance in the CBS Playhouse special "The Final War of Olly Winter."
In addition to acting on television, he also directed hundreds of episodic shows, including "The Waltons," "The Rockford Files," "Magnum, P.I." and "In the Heat of the Night."
Born April 6, 1931, in New York City, Dixon graduated in 1954 from North Carolina Central University in Durham.
His honors include four NAACP Image Awards, the National Black Theatre Award and the Paul Robeson Pioneer Award from the Black American Cinema Society. He was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Directors Guild of America, the Screen Actors Guild of America and the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.
In addition to his daughter, survivors include his wife of 53 years, Berlie Dixon of Charlotte, and a son, Alan Kimara Dixon of Oakland, Calif. Two sons, Ivan Nathaniel Dixon IV and N'Gai Christopher Dixon, died previously.
At Dixon's request, the family said, no memorial or funeral is planned.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
American Idol March 19
Results Blogged Live Via the East Coast Feed
After another week of Beatles songs it is time to send someone to LAX and back to their hometown. Who will it be? I have a feeling it will be Kristy even though I would love for her to stick around another couple of weeks. If it isn’t Kristy though it will be Amanda or Ramielle.
Anyways it doesn’t matter what we think. All that matters is what Ryan says. Ladies and Gents, sit back and relax. This is American Idol.
Feel free to leave your thoughts about the results show in a comment or chat live with us in the shoutbox on the sidebar. We always value your thoughts and opinions.
Slim Wants To Go : Amanda Overmyer
Slim Thinks Will Go : Amanda Overmyer or Kristy Lee Cook
Note : The results were blogged live via the East Coast Feed by angie. Everything is after the jump.
Eliminated Idol: Amanda Overmyer
Well, hey guys! We survived yet another Beatles week. I don’t know about you but it about put me to sleep. *yawn* Anyway, let’s get on with the results show!
Mentors for the season, as announced by Ryan, are: Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey (did Ryan call her an actress??), Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Neil Diamond.
Time for the group song, kids! Archie sounded good, though breathy. David C and Jason trying to harmonize, not so good. Michael sounded yummiful. Brooke and Ramiele sing and I am pretty sure Ramiele’s mic wasn’t even on. Kristy was bopping around too much for such a slow song. Did anyone else notice Amanda holding up her mic but not singing during the all girl part? That was a little less painful than last week, overall. But, you all know me. I tend to think the group songs are a little too theme-parky.
The votes are in and the lights go down.
Brooke is safe (and I like her straight hair).
Carly is the first in the bottom 3!
Archie is safe.
Michael is safe! (woo hoo!)
This week, we get to go behind the scenes at the Ford ‘video’ shoot. I still call it a commercial. Whatever. The song is “Should I Stay or Should I Go.” The Idols are in a 50s UFO movie. Cute.
The lights go down, again.
David C is safe.
Kristy is in the bottom 3.
Jason is safe! YEE HA!
Ramiele is safe.
Again, we are tortured with calls from fans. Then a Kellie Pickler montage topped with a Kellie Pickler performance. I shall refrain from commenting.
We see Elliott and Fantasia visiting those who benefit from Idol Gives Back. A very nice clip.
The lights go down yet again.
Syesha is safe.
Chikeze is safe.
Amanda is the last in the bottom 3.
Carly is safe.
Amanda goes home to be ‘celebrated home.’ Or is she going back to the USSR? Well, MY heart’s not broken. Slowly, but surely, we’re whittling them down to the best of the rest. I hope Kristy goes next. What do YOU guys think? Leave your comments and let us know.
See ya next week! This is Angie and I am out…
