The Cast of ‘America's Next Top Model’ Cycle Eleven Announced (Updated)

Photo: Courtesy of the CW

On Wednesday, September 3, new episodes of America's Next Top Model return to the CW with a two-hour premiere. It will undoubtedly be as joyous as the hippie vibes La Banks exudes in the absolutely stupendous ad for the new season at left. How could it not be when Tyra's the queen of cooking up fierceness with a side of camp? Oh, plus the CW has revealed the fourteen finalists of the new season. And for the eleventh time they sound stellar.
Eight of the fourteen finalists are 19 years old, the perfect age for not getting along with other girls you're forced to live with, especially with no media to entertain you. The oldest contestant, Joslyn, is only 23. Tyra's even throwing two Europeans into the bunch. Elina, 19, hails from the Ukraine and needs to win because she really needs a job. Why bother with annoying résumés when there's the ANTM safety net? Also 19, Marjorie hails from Marseille and is currently a student in San Francisco.

But we're most intrigued by the 21-year-old Sheena, a Hawaiian hostess and go-go dancer who currently lives in Harlem. We expect Tyra to find a way to analyze how being a go-go dancer intersects with her womanly values and self-esteem, all the while encouraging her to switch on her go-go fierceness in front of the camera to propel her modeling career (none of the other contestants have that going for them after all). We can't wait.

Update: Us Weekly reports one of the cast members is transgender. Now how's that for all-inclusive? Isis is a 22-year-old former receptionist who tells the magazine she identifies as female but was born male. GLAAD is beside itself: Its president, Neil Giuliano, called Isis's casting "unprecedented. He adds, "We applaud Tyra Banks and the CW for making this historic visibility of transgender people possible."

This ought to make the bikini-wax episode more interesting.

ROCK THE VOTE!!!

Rock the Vote Press Releases
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ROCK THE VOTE KICKS OFF CONVENTIONS WITH “BALLOT BASH” OPENING NIGHT CONCERT FEATURING FALL OUT BOY, N*E*R*D, JAKOB DYLAN AND AFTER-PARTY WITH NICK CANNON TO DJ
Washington, DC - August 12, 2008

Later this month, Rock the Vote will kick off our 2008 Democratic and Republican Convention activities with “Ballot Bash,” a star-studded event showcasing the power of the youth vote in the 2008 Presidential election. The Monday night concert in Denver, Colorado will feature world-class musical acts including: FALL OUT BOY, N*E*R*D and Jakob Dylan.

Don’t miss the action as guests, delegates, young adults, politicians and celebrities come together to rock the night away!

When:

Monday, August 25th 2008
Ballot Bash Concert: 10pm –12am MT
After Party: 12am – 2am MT

Where:

Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Denver Performing Arts Complex
Denver, Colorado

Who:

More than 2,500 guests will experience a live concert in the world-class acoustical Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The show will feature exclusive performances and collaboration by marquee artists including FALL OUT BOY, N*E*R*D and Jakob Dylan.

The party continues as 400 guests head to the official after party featuring Nick Cannon on the turntables with hottest VIPS and celebrity guests filling the room.

“Young people are critical in choosing the next President. As all eyes are on Denver and St. Paul, Rock the Vote will be front and center amplifying the voices of young Americans and ensuring that both candidates and campaigns are paying attention,” says Heather Smith Executive Director, Rock the Vote.

There is a political youth movement happening in the country right now. Young people hit the polls in record numbers this primary season and will carry that momentum to Election Day this November. Already in 2008, more than one million people have used Rock the Vote’s online tool to register to vote and by November, Rock the Vote will have registered more than two million 18-29 year olds through online, broadcast, and grassroots outreach.

Rock the Vote will be in Denver and St. Paul representing the 44 million eligible young voters. Through Ballot Bash and our other events at the conventions, we aim to make sure the political world knows that the time has come for young adults’ voices to be heard.

For additional information on Rock the Vote’s convention activities in both Denver and St. Paul please visit: www.rockthevote.com/rocktheconvention

Ballot Bash 2008 is made possible through the support of AT&T.

About Rock the Vote:

Rock the Vote’s mission is to engage and build the political power of young people in order to achieve progressive change in our country. Rock the Vote uses music, popular culture and new technologies to engage and incite young people to register and vote in every election. And we give young people the tools to identify, learn about, and take action on the issues that affect their lives, and leverage their power in the political process. Rock the Vote is creative, effective, and controlled by nobody’s agenda but our own – we tell it like it is and pride ourselves on being a trusted source for information on politics. We empower the 44 million young people in America who want to step up, claim their voice in the political process, and change the way politics is done. www.RockTheVote.com

Name that tune...no...BRAND THAT SOUND!

Potato-potato-potato!” Know what that sound is? Maybe you don’t recognize the onomatopoeia, but you must certainly know the actual sound. It’s the “Hog Call,” the rev of a Harley Davidson, and it’s one of the most recognized sounds of one of the most recognized brands in the US.

As for “potato-potato-potato,” that’s the sound that Harley tried to trademark back in the ’90s. In 1994, Harley filed a registration for a trademark of its V-twin engine sound. It read “the mark consists of the exhaust sound of applicant’s motorcycles, produced by V-twin, common crankpin motorcycle engines when the goods are in use.” Though it was denied, there are more than a few sound trademark applications that made it through. About 300, in fact. Here are 17 of the most recognized:

1. NBC’s musical notes G, E, C played on chimes. NBC was the first to trademark a sound for its radio broadcasting services in 1950.
2. MGM’s lion’s roar
3. The song “Sweet Georgia Brown” for The Harlem Globetrotters
4. Tetris’ “electronic Russian folkstyle tune,” owned by Elorg Company
5. Intel’s 5 note ding
6. “D’Oh” spoken by Homer is owned by Fox
7. The 9 bars of musical chord in the key of B Flat that typically opens a Twentieth Century Fox movie
8. Looney Toons Theme Song, owned by Time Warner
9. The spoken letters “AT&T” with a music in the background
10. “Cha-Ching,” owned by Checker’s Restaurants
11. “Yahoo!” sung in a yodeling style
12. Nokia’s default ringtone
13. Mister Softee’s Jingle
14. “Hello and Welcome to Moviefone,” owned by America Online
15. The sound of the crowd & bell from the New York Stock Exchange’s trading floor
16. TiVo’s popping sounds (in 2 and 6 tones)
17. Pillsbury Doughboy’s giggle
Can’t you just hear them already? If not, head over to the US and Patent Trademark Office where they have each of the sound files ready to refresh your memory.


Article pulled from www.mentalfloss.com

Houston Children’s Charity and Miley Cyrus!

Houston Children’s Charity will reap the benefits of an exclusive Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana auction item.

The Houston Children’s Charity 12th Annual Gala may not take place until October 25, but this week witnesses the online auction of the Charity’s star item: a package for the ultimate fan of teen superstar Miley Cyrus and her television alter-ego, “Hannah Montana.”

The package includes four VIP tickets to a taping of “Hannah Montana”; a meet and greet with the cast; four round-trip tickets on American Airlines; two deluxe hotel rooms for two nights at the Universal Sheraton; a “rock star guitar purse” used by Miley Cyrus on set bearing her autograph; and autographed and framed photos of Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, and the “Hannah Montana” cast.

The auction closes on Friday, August 15. As is to be expected, deep pockets are required to secure this package – the current bid of $25,000 was placed by Texas interior designer Sherri Zucker.

Houston Children’s Charity is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Greater Houston’s underprivileged, abused, and handicapped children who have been otherwise left behind. The fall gala is one of three annual fundraising events.

To submit a bid, email hcc@houstonchildrenscharity.org. For further information, contact Houston Children’s Charity at 713-524-2878. Check their website for bidding updates at http://houstonchildrenscharity.org/.

Father’s Cancer Scare Spurs K. Lucas Into Action

Sometime this summer, before the Carolina Panthers open training camp on July 26, Ken Lucas is going to put on a fashion show.

And no, it’s not just because the eighth-year cornerback fancies himself one of the best dressed men in the Panthers’ locker room.

Lucas’ Ken Folks Foundation is hosting a fashion show to bring awareness to causes close to his heart: homelessness and lung cancer.

“Homelessness is a big issue right now with the struggles in the economy,” said the politically astute Lucas, who has 22 career interceptions.

“And lung cancer …”

He pauses before a deep sigh.

“My father had lung cancer, but he overcame it,” Lucas continued. “That was kind of tough for me when he was going through it. I’ve never had to face any adversity like that. It made me realize how much I care for my father. It kept me from taking life for granted. That’s why, today, I want to do whatever I can to raise awareness.”

Five years ago, Lucas never could have imagined that lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men, ultimately would make a positive difference his life.

When his father, Clyde, was diagnosed with the disease, Lucas was in his second NFL season as a member of the Seattle Seahawks. Life appeared perfect for the second-round draft pick out of the University of Mississippi. Off the field, he had money and celebrity. On it, he was a big-play defensive back who everyone respected.

But he felt something had been missing from his life for quite some time.

“It’s sad to say, but up until that point, I really didn’t know if I truly cared about my dad,” Lucas said. “But I feel like (the cancer diagnosis) was a way to bring us together.

“When my mom (Deborah) called and told me, the first thing I asked her was, ‘Is my dad going to die?’ Even though things were not always peaches and cream growing up, I never really knew that I truly loved him until she called and told me he had lung cancer. That was when things got better between my dad and me.”

And as his father’s health improved, Lucas’ star continued to rise. After a stellar 2004 campaign in which he intercepted a then-career-high six passes, Lucas signed with the Panthers as an unrestricted free agent. He immediately made an impact with his new team, matching his personal best interception total and becoming an emotional leader.

In 2007, Lucas started all 16 games, registering 62 solo tackles (his second-highest total to date) and a career-high two fumble recoveries. He also returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.

But he believes he can be much better this season.

“Whatever I can do to make this team better, I want to do it,” Lucas said emphatically.

As has always been the case with the Cleveland, Miss., native, however, his earnestness will go far beyond the boundaries of the football field.

“The way I was raised, even though I was an only child, I had a giving spirit,” Lucas said. “My folks instilled in me to always give. I was better off than a lot of people in my neighborhood, so whenever [clothes] got too small for me, instead of throwing them away, we always gave them away.

“Even now, (relatives) ask my mother and father for things, and my parents call me and say, ‘Is it all right if we do this for so-and-so?’ I’m like, ‘It’s cool.’ That’s what it’s really all about. When you bless somebody else, you continue to get blessings. But you can’t do it for just that reason; you should give because it’s in your heart to do so.”

That’s why Lucas will host a fashion show this summer in the South. That’s why he’ll continue to donate money to various other charitable causes. And that’s why he was able to view his father’s cancer diagnosis five years ago as a gift and a reminder that, despite all he’d done with his life, he needed to find a way to do more.

“Since then, I try to do whatever I can to fulfill my life while I have the opportunity,” he said. “I think a lot of us do not use that power while we have the opportunity, but I wanted to take advantage of using my name to help people while I can.”

-Story written by: C. Jemal Horton, Red Line Editorial

AFLPA & Drew Brees Help School Keep on Growing

Sandwiched between downtown New Orleans and the city’s quaint Garden District sits a garden whose crops seem more suited for an Italian marketplace than an urban American schoolyard. But Samuel Green Charter School is not only a place for children to learn; it encourages students to harvest healthy snacks from their own gardens. Now, thanks to the Arena Football League Players Association and The Brees Dream Foundation, the school has yet another place to grow its produce and a pleasant spot to savor it.

Last Thursday, the AFLPA Executive Committee and staff, school officials, coaches and 40 community volunteers came together and dug knee-deep in the dirt to build a greenhouse and picnic area for the schoolyard.

“It is truly a privilege to come out and see the progress being made here,” said AFLPA Executive Committee member Ernest Allen, who was in town for the AFLPA Board of Player Representatives meeting and the ArenaBowl. “You really see the bigger picture out here in New Orleans. To help improve a community and assist them in bouncing back after the [Hurricane Katrina] devastation that happened three years ago is amazing.”

Better known as “The Edible School Yard,” Samuel J. Green teaches students about gardening and creating healthy lifestyles. At this culinary think-tank, kids from kindergarten to eighth grade learn about science and nutrition through the food they grow, harvest and eat. The school integrates organic gardening and fresh seasonal cooking into its curriculum, culture and food programs. Visitors to the garden will see rows upon rows of eggplant, tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs.

“This is a replication of a flagship program in Berkeley,” said Donna Davato, a member of the school’s faculty. “This one is meaningful because it integrates organic and seasonal cooking into the curriculum of the school, but also has cultural ties. And that makes us a strong community.”

Davato said the volunteer effort by the AFLPA and The Brees Dream Foundation (which supports the school on an ongoing basis and introduced the AFLPA to the school), in addition to financial contributions made by both organizations, will allow the school to expand its program. “We’re so grateful for the contributions,” Davato said, “which enable us to continue to create a positive and beautiful environment for our students.”

Even a brief mid-afternoon rain didn’t even dampen the spirits of the volunteers and children who came out to make the greenhouse and picnic area dream come true. During the building, a festive and celebratory BBQ lunch was served for all participants. The lunch included food donated by Whole Foods Market and fresh salads made by the Samuel J. Green kids with vegetables picked from their own garden. The food was a hit, to organic and non-organic fans alike.

“The food is the best!” exclaimed Allen. “These sweet people and their community really deserve our best.”

Moss Brothers Serve as Role Models to Youth

The Moss brothers--wide receivers Santana and Sinorice--have a motto that it’s the humble man who always comes out on top. Now, the Miami natives are working together to stay humble and keep kids on top through their newly formed foundation.

“I got my inspiration to make a difference at a young age,” said Santana Moss. “I always said that I wanted to give back to the kids once I got older. As a role model to them, I want to show them that we all came from the same neighborhoods, and if I can make it, they can make it.”

Washington Redskins Santana Moss established his Santana Moss Foundation in 2002 to help build a stronger America, beginning with its children. He said he’s always thought of himself as a role model, first to his two younger brothers and then to the young beneficiaries of his foundation. Now he’s teaming up with one of his brothers—New York Giants Sinorice Moss—and the foundation has become the Moss Brothers Foundation, focused on improving the lives of children in Miami.

One of the events held to benefit the foundation is the Moss Brothers Celebrity Weekend, an annual fundraiser in Miami that attracts some of the NFL’s biggest stars. The proceeds from this year’s event benefited the Moss Brothers Foundation and the foundation of the late Sean Taylor, former teammate and close friend of Santana’s. The weekend’s activities included the Moss Brothers Kids Day at the Movies, a community fair and a celebrity softball game.

“For the last few years we have been throwing a movie party for a couple of elementary schools in the Miami area,” Santana said. “My brother and I talk to the kids after the movie is over and give them the Santana Moss coloring book. The book has word puzzles and things they can do that deal with life situations. I have guys like Andre Johnson, Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee come out and be a part of the game.”

In addition to the Celebrity Weekend, the foundation holds the annual Santana Moss Football Camp, which provides campers with basic football skills in a constructive environment. The camp is focused on creating well-rounded student-athletes.

“My whole goal is not to touch every kid, because that is impossible,” Santana Moss said. “Hopefully there are one or two kids who remember what we did for them, and 10 years from now, they will also give back. If I touch every kid, then that is 10 times what I expected.”

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.tanaman89.com/home/foundation.

NFL Player Scores with St. Louis Schools

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Isaac Bruce may have been in his off-season this summer, but he scored big last month when the St. Louis School Board adopted a program that Bruce helped create to promote healthy living in public schools.

“I really wanted to share my passion of living a healthy lifestyle,” Bruce said. “It’s something I live by each and every day.”

Bruce, who played for the St. Louis Rams during the first 14 years of his career, founded the Isaac Bruce Foundation in 2006 to fight childhood obesity and to teach underprivileged children the importance of healthy living. Shortly after it was established, the foundation teamed up with the Healthy Youth Partnership, a coalition of community organizations that provides healthy activities, tips and resources to help fight obesity in the St. Louis area.

Through the partnership, the foundation began offering a snack room that provided healthy snacks and distributed healthy lifestyle tips to students at three schools in the St. Louis public school system. The Isaac Bruce Foundation/Healthy Youth Partnership program also focused on professional development for teachers and brought physical fitness to the classroom by donating fitness equipment to schools that lack basic resources. As a result of the program’s success, the school board decided in July to expand the initiative to include every school in the district.

“I am extremely excited about the work that the Isaac Bruce Foundation has been able to accomplish in such a short time,” Bruce said. “We have been able to see the impact these programs are having on youth, and I’m really looking forward to what we are going to be able to do in the near future.”

Bruce said he was especially happy that the St. Louis schools will be integrating the Health and Wellness Policy. “Now the Isaac Bruce Foundation through the Healthy Youth Partnership has the unique ability to expand our services beyond our initial three schools to every school in the district.”

Bruce, whose achievements include a Super Bowl win, said he would like to become a reverend after he leaves the NFL. He sees his next career as a continuation of his current commitment to giving . Through his foundation, he hopes to pass on the spirit of giving to the youth he serves.

“I hope that they will imitate what I am doing as far as giving back,” he said. “I want them to have the knowledge to live a healthy life and make positive decisions”

For more information about the Isaac Bruce Foundation, go to www.isaacbruce.org.

Okoye Golf Classic

September 16, 2008
Sierra Lakes Golf Club, 16600 Clubhouse Dr.
Fontana, CA 909 350 2500

All participants of Okoye Golf Classic will play Golf with celebrities in their foursomes; (which includes, cart, lunch, goody bag, and awards dinner after golf). Beautiful caddies from Hooters Restaurants are available for all foursomes.

Invited players include: Eric Dickerson, Marcus Allen, Reggie Doss, Richard Roundtree, Tommy Davis, Junior Seau, Andre Reed, etc...

Golf Sponsorship Levels:

$550 - For Individual golf and Dinner together
$2,000 - Bronze Sponsor - 1 foursome and t-sign.
$4,000 - Silver sponsor - 1 foursomes, caddy, banners and t-signs.
$6,000 - Gold Sponsor - 2 foursomes, caddy, t-signs and banners.
$15,000 - Dinner Sponsor - 3 foursomes, caddy, t-signs and banners
$20,000 - Presenting Sponsor - 3 foursomes, caddy, t-signs and banners

Lunch provided by OUTBACK Steak House, Dinner and Golf on Monday with celebrities, green fees, cart, beverages, 1 mulligan. (T-signs and banners included with foursomes, if you provide the banners. Beautiful caddies from Hooters Restaurants are available for all foursopmesfoursomes.

‘Maddenpalooza’ Headlines 20th Anniversary

As the start of the 2008 NFL season approaches in earnest, one much-awaited event remains. At 12 a.m. EST on Aug. 12, sports fans won’t have to wait any longer as they will finally have the chance to get their hands on the popular video game franchise Madden NFL 09.

Making this year’s game even more special, Electronic Arts will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Madden by celebrating its release with the biggest product launch event in its history.

“‘Maddenpalooza’ will be the single largest launch event in video game history,” said EA Sports president Peter Moore. “As we continue to extend the EA Sports brand, Madden acts as a leading vehicle to connect with our fans.”

With more than 70 million copies sold, the franchise is gearing up to put the finishing touches on its 20th anniversary release party. The launch event, “Maddenpalooza,” will celebrate its top-selling game with a fan festival featuring music, sports and gaming at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Launch festivities will take place on the afternoon of Aug. 11 leading up to the midnight release.

Anthony Stevenson, Senior Product Manager for Madden, explained, “We plan to pay homage to Madden’s history in a big way throughout the entire night at ‘Maddenpalooza.’ We’ll have former cover guys there to sign autographs, tons of imagery from all the old games and live musical performances from bands who have contributed to the Madden soundtrack over the years.” Headliners for the live musical performances will include Good Charlotte and Busta Rhymes.

“This event is a way to celebrate the history and future of Madden,” said Chris Erb, Director of Marketing for Electronic Arts. NFL PLAYERS Chief Operating Officer Andy Feffer agreed, adding, “The magnitude of ‘Maddenpalooza’ and the 20th anniversary of the Madden game are impressive. The fact that the Madden phenomena has grown to these proportions demonstrates the great innovation of EA Sports as an organization. We are thrilled to be partners with the leaders in the video game industry.”

The history of the Madden launch event dates back to 2006, when EA personnel began to realize that gamers were actually taking the day off from work and school in anticipation of purchasing a copy of the game.

Erb said, “With the growth of the EA Sports brand, we felt the launch of the game deserved an impact similar to that of a theatrical release.” So, in August 2006, EA trekked down to Madden, Miss. (the only town named Madden in the United States) and held an event, “Maddenoliday,” which featured retired NFL stars Jerry Rice, Marshall Faulk and Warren Moon.

“The idea was to do more to connect with our allegiance of followers,” Erb said. The Xbox-sponsored event included donations of Xbox 360 consoles to the town of Madden for everyone to get a first look at the game.


In 2007, EA took things a step further as “Maddenoliday” took place on the grandest of stages, New York City. Players and fans were able to compete against each other on the Jumbo-tron in Times Square. Not to leave any stone unturned, the midnight release of the game culminated with a countdown on the Reuters building, with New York Giants great Tiki Barber presenting the sale of the first game at a nearby Toys “R” Us.

So, how will next week’s “Maddenpalooza” top “Maddenoliday” from the previous two years?

“We want this year to be different and fresh. But most importantly, we want to get the fans more involved then ever before,” Erb said. “So, what we’ve done for the first time this year is create an interactive fan experience where the event is open to the public.”

Although the event is open to the public, there is still a bit of a VIP twist to it, as only the first 1,000 fans in line are guaranteed access. But those inside will not be disappointed—the newest version is extremely realistic, featuring authentic NFL stadiums, action shots from several angles and many added features.

Once inside, the event will include over 300 gaming kiosks, player autograph stages, the aforementioned live musical performances and even the chance to compete against NFL players on Madden NFL 09, “the best Madden to date,” according to head producer Phil Frazier. “It’s the most adaptable, visually stunning and deepest experience you’ve ever seen. I’m still amazed when I see the game in motion,” he said.

Madden fever is in full swing, and for the 20th time, there is no doubt that EA will deliver in a big way for its loyal customers. Fans have the date circled on their calendars, and don’t be surprised to see the most faithful Madden players camping out in front of the Rose Bowl. Some view it as the opportunity of a lifetime—to others, it’s simply this year’s Maddenoliday.