Chelsea Clinton to run for office?

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Chelsea Clinton might run for political office some day, her father, former President Clinton said in an interview. Chelsea caught the campaign bug after rallying to her mother's side early in this year's primary campaign, according to Newsweek.

"If you asked me before Iowa, I would have said 'No way," said Clinton, "But she is really good at it."

New website "Saxfacts!"

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Robin Sax is not only a Deputy District Attorney, legal analyst, speaker and author she is also a consumer, and a talented one at that. Robin has made a hobby of being in the "know." From the mundane to the quirky Robin has a contact, suggestion or a resource. Whether you need to know how to scout for a nanny, where to buy the best baby gifts, when there is a great sale, how to locate an affordable web designer, or who can notarize your trust at three in the morning, Robin is your source for discovery. And best of all Robin always shares her scoop...for FREE!

As for criminals....beware!

Visit Robin's site at http://www.robinsax.com/ for further information.

Ten Commandments Auction- Are You Stoned?

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

The original tablets from the 1956 Charlton Heston classic "The Ten Commandments," will be auctioned off on July 31st as part of a movie memorable sale in Los Angeles, according to Heeb Magazine. These props, considered to be among Hollywood's greatest treasures are expected to fetch as much as $60,000.

As a publicity stunt, Cecil B. DeMille had public displays and monuments of the Ten Commandments erected around the country. Known as decalogues, most of them were placed in or near government buildings.

GOOFS: When Moses is talking to the Hebrew crowd as the deliverer for the first time, the stick in his hand changes hands as it is filmed from different positions.

Also, the orgy scene took three weeks to film and the Ten Commandments turned out to be the highest grossing religious epic in history (aside from the Passion of the Christ in 2004), earning over $65.5 million in 1956.

Cat Ladies New Website

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

There's a very funny yet strange website up called "cat ladies," and it's by far one of the weirder feline loving sites to visit. The picture says it all. http://www.catladies.com/.
Meow!

Barbie vs. Bratz

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

It was tastefully attired Barbie vs. streetwise Bratz in federal court in Riverside on Tuesday as trial began in Mantel Inc.'s lawsuit against a rival doll maker.

The big question in the copyright infringement case: Exactly when was the Bratz franchise conceived? And was it in Barbie's own house?

According to the L.A. Times, Mattel, the El Segundo owner of the Barbie empire alleges in its suit against MGA Entertainment Inc. that the man who came up with the idea for the popular Bratz line was in Mattel's employ as a Barbie designer when he made drawings crucial to the other doll's concept.

How could MGA Ent. have "suddenly over night, become one of the innovative toy companies in the world?" Mattel's attorney, John Quinn, asked the jury in opening arguements. "Simple- they took the designs from a Mattel designer."

Mattel the world's largest toy maker, owns Bryant's original Bratz drawings and therefore a stake in the Bratz line, Quinn said, because Byrant had a contractual agreement to turn over to the company his "inventions."

Born in 1959, eternally smiling Barbie, girlfriend to sporty Ken and famous the world over, has fallen on hard times as the hip Bratz dolls have grabbed a sizable piece of the market. MGA is privately owned and doesn't disclose its earnings. Analysts have speculated that it makes as much as $2 billion a year from the Bratz line.

Jacob Two-Two: Best Saturday Morning Cartoon!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Based on the celebrated author Mordecai Richer's delightfully irreverent books, Jacob Two- Two, is a stylish animated adventure series full of globetrotting, freewheeling international spies, mysterious neighbors, treacherous teachers, revolting cafeteria food and one very spirited boy.

The cartoon is accompanied by a cute, hip, Middle Eastern sounding beat. Jacob got his name two-two because he said everything twice. (Is there a little compulsive-obsessive personality disorder here?). He also manages to piss people off because he always tells the truth. Jacob's dad is an intellectual New Yorker who writes a series of adventure books.

The characters are colorful and endearing and this cartoon ain't just for kids. Grown ups watch it too!
Saturday mornings 8a.m. NBC 4.

You can also see a preview of Jacob Two-Two at: www.youtube.com

Prince Andrew Sells Home to Tycoon.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Prince Andrew has sold his home for $15 million to a tycoon from Kazakhstan with whom he is said to have had business dealings.

Energy tycoon Kenes Rakishev, 29, is said to have bought Sunninghill Park from the Prince for $3 million more than it's $12 million estimated price tag. The Prince who has a roving brief as ambassador for British trade has had increasing involvement in the energy-rich country in recent years, according to the Daily Mail.

Sunninghill Park in Ascot, a 12 bedroom house which was a wedding gift from the Queen to him and his bride Sarah Ferguson in 1986, was bought last September after sitting on the market for five years.

Oprah's Ratings Slipping.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

According to The New York Times, Oprah Winfrey is still queen of all media, but her crown is beginning to look a bit tarnished.

The average audience for "The Oprah Winfrew Show," has fallen nearly 7% this year, according to Nielsen Media Research-it's third straight year of decline. The circulation of O, the Oprah Magazine has fallen by more than 10% in the last three years according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations and the magazine is now seeking a new editor in chief after the announced retirement of its longtime steward Amy Gross.

Some of her latest book picks and show subjects have attracted criticism from longtime fans as she strayed into new-age spiritualism and perhaps, more dangerously, politics.

Her endorsement of the presidential bid of Senator Barack Obama appears to have alienated some of the middle-aged white women who make up the bulk of her television audience, many of whom support Hillary Clinton.

"There are a lot of her fans who are not Democrats or who support Hillary Clinton who feel betrayed," said Janice Peck, an author of an upcoming Oprah book and associate professor of mass communication at the University of Colorado.

Russians to Harrison Ford- Stay out of St. Petersberg!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

According to Defamer and Showbiz spy- Indiana Jones stars Harrison Ford and Cate Blanchett have been accused of being "capitalist puppets" by leaders of a Russian Communist Party.

The Communist Party of St. Petersberg, says the actors promote crude anti-soviet propoganda in their new film-"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull;" and have urged Russia's movie-going public to boycott the film.

"Your work in this film is an insult to the Soviet and Russian people who recall the difficult Fifties when our country was concluding its reconstruction after the Great War, but did not send merciless terrorists to the USA."

Harrison Ford was advised NOT to visit St. Petersberg- EVER!

Missing Croatian Woman Found.....Finally.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

A Croatian woman who went missing 42 years ago has been found dead, sitting in front of the television in her own apartment, according to The Week magazine.

Neighbors of Edviga Golik reported her missing in 1966, but it was only this week that police finally broke down the door of her apartment and found her mummified corpse in an armchair before a vintage black-and-white set.

"So far we have no idea how it is possible that someone officially reported missing so long ago was not found before," said a police spokesman.

Love, Saudi Style.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

A 50-year-old Saudi woman is asking for a divorce because her husband lifted her veil and looked at her face while she was sleeping.

The unnamed wife told "Al-Riyadh" newspaper that she had kept her face hidden for the past 30 years and although her hubby has apologized and promised never to peek again, she cannot forgive him.

"After all these years, he tries to commit such a big mistake," she lammented.

Maria Shriver Shines.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Maria Shriver had a childhood of great privilege but little privacy, according to "O" Magazine.

The daughter of JFK's sister Eunice Kennedy and Peace Corps founder Sgt. Shriver, says that life in the Kennedy clan was almost surreal.

"When you grow up in a political family, you're trotted out a lot and you're never exactly clear what you're doing. You're in a political pamphlet, in a commercial, at an event. The adults ran the whole thing. I was conscious of being in a large family with a hierarchy. The most terrifying thing of all for me was to just sit with myself. I didn't know how to be alone.

When you come from a family that has achieved so much, you're left with the challenge of either making peace with that, or finding some way to do what you want to do. It's impossible to compete with that level of accomplishment."

Shriver contends that for the first time she is comfortable at this point in her life. "For the first time I can actually say that I'm right where I want to be."

Kung Fu Panda Coming Soon to Theaters!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Kung Fu Punda had it's premiere in France this week at the Cannes Interntional Film Festival. On hand to hang with the over-sized costumed pandas were Angelina Jolie and Jack Black, two of the main stars of the film.

The flick is about Po (Jack Black), a panda who is an apprentice noodle-maker and kung fu fanatic, but whose defining characteristic appears to be that he is the laziest animal in ancient China.

Po, who learns martial arts, uses his new ability to fight his enemies. The film stars the voices of Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, and Lucy Liu.

German composer Hans Zimmer, was hired to score the film. Zimmer visited China to absorb the culture and get to know the Chinese National Symphony-all as part of his preparation to write music for Kung Fu Panda.

The films comes out June 6, 2008 at Theaters nationwide.

Chinese Babe Tony Leung to Appear in "Red Cliff" movie

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Chinese actor Tony Leung has been called the Clark Gable of Asia and its not hard to see why: he's ultra handsome and has been a star in Hong Kong for a quarter of a century. He also became very popular among US audiences with his last film Lust/Caution in which he played a collaborator with the Japanese invaders. He also had some memorable graphic sex scenes which were pretty suprising considering he's actually a very shy person in public.

"I'm very shy," he admits in an interview. "I grew up very restrained, suppressed, very quiet. I don't like to talk too much because I don't know what to do in front of an audience. I've never played that kind of character before (Lust/Caution). To prepare I watched alot of old Bogart movies. My character was a cruel man who had to kill people for a living every day."

Leung saw drama school as a way to deal with his chronic shyness. "It helped me be more open," he muses. "Less afraid of social interactions."

Audiences will get to see him again in the soon-to-be released "Red Cliff," a historical epic about the Battle of Red Cliffs in China.

"It was an ardous difficult shoot," he admits. "We were filming in the dead of winter and I was wearing 20 pounds of armour for my costume which made moving difficult. There were thousands of people on the set too."

The film is directed by John Woo and has an estimated budget of $80 million, making Red Cliff the most expensive Asian-financed film to date. The Chinese government views the film as a showcase of Chinese history and wants it released before the Olympic Games.

Korean Actor Accuses Wife of Criminal Adultery.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

SEOUL, South Korea- The scandal had all the makings of a tabloid blockbuster: a Korean soap opera actor accused his wife, another popular TV star of infidelity with his close pal and an Italian chef who was giving her "private cooking lessons."

According to the New York Times, the actor, Park Chul, pressed charges against his wife, Ok So-ri, and the two men under South Korea's adultery law, which prohibits extramarital affairs and can land those found guilty in prison for up to two years.

Then Ms. Oak 39, took the drama a step further. She admitted to having an affair with the friend, not the chef. She then filed a petition in court, challenging the constitutionality of the 55-year-old adultery law.

"I had a very lonely and unsatisfied marriage because of a loveless husband," Ms. Ok said. "We only had sex 10 times in our 11 years of marriage."
Mr. Park said he felt like "an innocent pedestrian hit by a car."

"98% of what she said was either distorted or wrong," he said at a news conference.

The punishments for adultery tend to be lenient. Last year, only 47 people convicted of adultery ended up behind bars.

According to one woman, a student at Ewha Woman's University in Seoul "Korean men, many of them still get away with adultery because women are weak," Ms. Ha said. "It was as recently as during my grandparent's days that men brought concubines and kicked out their wives. If this law is abolished, I am sure women will suffer more."

Salzburg: the Sound of Protest.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

According to the International Herald Tribune, the hills are alive....with the sound of protest.

Plans to run a hotel out of a former home of the famous von Trapp family immortalized in the movie "The Sound of Music," have triggered fierce resistance from neighbors who fear tourists will tie up traffic and make a nuisance of themselves.

"We will fight this with all means at our disposal," said Andreas Braunbruck who lives near the Villa Trapp, in an area of Salzburg already teeming with "Sound of Music" tourists seeking a glimpse of the house.

"Buses and cars are constantly in the street in front of our homes as it is," he told Austrian TV on Sunday.

The 125-year-old, pale, yellow villa trimmed in white and black is perched on the outskirts of Salzburg, where the 1965 film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer was made.

The movie, and the musical on which it is based tells the story of a WWII era Austrian nun-turned-nanny who cared for a widower's seven children, taught them how to sing and eventually fell in love with him. It altered some details of the family's history.

Wilfried Haslauer, a tourism official, announced plans last week to refashion the villa into a hotel. Haslauer said the park surrounding the villa will be open to the public. He also added that refreshments and souvenirs will be sold in a pavillion to be built there and that original furnishings that once belonged to the family would be displayed.

Hello Kitty- Japan's New Ambassador!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

(A.P.)- Tokyo-Hello Kitty- Japan's ubiquitous ambassador of cute-has built up an impressive resume over the years. Global marketing phenom. Fashion diva. Pop culture icon. Now the moon-faced feline can add "government envoy" to the list.

The tourism ministry on Monday named Hello Kitty as its choice to represent the country in China and Hong Kong, two places where she is wildly popular among kids and young women.
Officials hope that tapping into that fan base will lead to a bigger flow of tourists to Japan and closer toward their goal of attracting 10 million overseas visitors every year under the "Visit Japan," campaign.

Last year a record number of 8.35 million of foreign tourists visited Japan. Most arrivals were from China and Hong Kong with the South Koreans coming in a close second.

Japan's other goodwill tourism ambassadors include Korean singer Younha, Japanese actress Yoshino Kimora and Japanese pop/rock duo Puffy AmiYumi.

The Chris Farley Show: A biography in Three Acts

By: Vickie J. Rubinson
Book Review
Author: Tom Farley Jr., and Tanner Colby

For Chris Farley, comedy was not a craft or career. It was a way of life. He could never enter a room unnoticed or let a conversation pass without making someone laugh. No one dominated a stage the way he did. After his star-making turn on SNL his overdose at the age of 33 seemed like just another sad Hollywood story of excess and indulgence.

While fans knew Chris as the sweaty, swaggering Motivational Speaker and the hyperkinetic Chippendales stripper, his family knew him as an earnest, deeply religious, all-American guy. His sincerest desire was to make the world a more fun place and this aspiration much stronger than money or fame, drove him to develop his God-given talents.

Chris grew up in a loving, tightly-knit Irish Catholic family that was the envy of everyone he knew. But the facade belied the reality of a family crippled by addiction and emotional problems.

Featuring more than 100 exclusive interviews, this oral bio captures Farley in the words and memories of those who knew him best: David Spade, Chris Rock, Alec Baldwin and others as well as his brothers who shared the roller coaster ride of stardom; and his closest childhood friends to whom he was unfailingly loyal throughout his life. The picture they create is hilarious and heartbreaking.

Spielberg's new movie: Abe Lincoln to Start Production

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Steven Spielberg has decided to produce a movie about the United States' 16th president Abraham Lincoln. The film, starring Liam Neeson (Schindler's List fame), will begin filming early next year.

"I want to start filming Lincoln in early 2009 because it's Lincoln's 200th anniversay," said Spielberg in an interview.

Newsweek reports that Sally Field has been set to play Mary Todd, Abe's wife. The story is to be based on the acclaimed bio of Lincoln by historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.

It was reported that Spielberg's next project would be "Chicago Seven," about protestors at the historic 1968 Deomocratic National Convention, but the script wasn't ready and production had to be postponed.

Neeson agreed more than three years ago to play Lincoln and has been waiting for a start date.

Lincoln is a legendary leader that suffered a tragic end, his tale is one of inspiration and is as good a story as you could hope for, when looking to shoot a biopic.

D.C.'s New Museum of Crime and Punishment

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Washington D.C.- America's fascination with crime will take a new turn Friday, according to the L.A. Times, at the opening day for the National Museum of Crime and Punishment. In film classics such as "Dial M for Murder," "CSI," and "Law and Order," crime has long been glorified.
This 28,000-square-foot facility will also be the new home of the popular FOX TV show "America's Most Wanted."

"There's a strong message throughout the museum that crime does not pay, criminals are not heroes and there are consequences," said museum owner John Morgan. Morgan came up with the idea five years ago while trying to navigate the tourist crowds on a trip to Alcatraz Island, home to the infamous prison.

"I think we as Americans have a fascination with crime and punishment," he said.

Like other nearby attractions that opened in recent years-notably the International Spy Museum- the crime museum is charging admission: $17.95 for patrons 12 and older and $14.95 for children 5-11 and seniors 60 and older.

The museum also includes interactive features such as an FBI shooting range, a high-speed police-chase simulator and a police booking room. A "crime scene" on the first floor gives visitors the chance to look for clues and apply DNA testing, fingerprint analysis and even examination of a "body" in a morgue to determine the cause of death.

Visitors can place their head and arms in colonial stocks, participate in a Wild West shootout and flip through mug shots of infamous criminals. Folks can also view the bullet-riddled car from the 1967 film "Bonnie and Clyde," and try to fool a lie detector test.

Einstein not a Believer.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

London- Albert Einstein called religion a "childish superstition," in a previously unknown letter put up for auction in London this week. "The word God for me is nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses," he wrote, describing the Bible as "a collection of honorable but still primitive legends." Ouch!

In the newly unearthed letter written in 1954, Einstein also said he had a "deep affinity" for his Jewish heritage, but did not believe that Jews are "the chosen people." The letter, written in German had been in a private collection for more than 50 years.

Countries Lining up for the Nuclear Club.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Vienna- At least 40 countries have approached the International Atomic Energy Association in Vienna about starting nuclear power programs, according to The Washington Post. The requests come mostly from nations in the Persian Gulf and Latin America and have raised concerns about a new nuclear arms race.

"Let's not kid ourselves," said IAEA director Mohammed ELBaradei. "Ninety percent of it is insurance, a deterrence."

Among the countries seeking nuclear capability are: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Libya, Jordan Turkey and Egypt. "At which point do you reach the nuclear tipping point," asked a senior US official, "when enough countries go nuclear that others decide they must do so, too?"

Korean American Cartoonist Hits Fame with "Angry Little Asian Girl."

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

"Angry Little Asian Girl," is the brainchild of Lela Lee, a Korean American actress who lives in Los Angeles. According to the Washington Post, she has had roles in "Friends," "Charmed," and "Felicity," but thinks she'll end up making comics her day job.

When it comes to animation, Lee is a minimalist, using simple Magic Marker drawings, but boy does she have plenty to say. She's funny especially when she unleashes a torrent of foul language whenever she is offended-and that happens-a lot-by any behavior that strikes her as racist or discriminatory (or male chauvanist.)

Her alter ego cartoon is a character known as Kim, to her friends. She falls asleep in class and loooves honey nut oatmeal.
Here she is on the first day of grade school. "Hello....I'm new to the neighborhood," she smiles.
Doesn't she speak English well, remarks her teacher, to which Kim replies, "I'm an ANGRY ASIAN GIRL you stupidhead!!!!" "Read some real history you stupid ignoramus!"

Lee created the "angry little asian girl, the first day of school" her sophmore year (1994) while studying rhetoric at UC Berkley. She was too embarassed to show the short video. So it sat in a drawer for several years before she blew off the dust to add four more episodes: Pat, Saturday at the Park, Lunch with Sally and Park Bench, compiling the original "5 Angry Episodes."

The primitive, punchy video garnered much praise and press, giving Lee the crazy idea to make a batch of 300 t shirts. Lee begged her friends to buy the shirts and surprisingly, by word of mouth, her shirts sold out. This gave Lee the confidence to launch her website in April of 1998.

When asked how her fellow Korean Americans feel about her drawings she says, "They are kind of ashamed that I'm using such strong expressions, since her character is fighting against shame. One time someone wrote in that when the teacher complimented Kim's good English, it was a nice compliment, and for her to angry was shameful."

Lee says she's shooting for the "sweet spot, where people love it and hate it at the same time. Because even if people hate it so much, they'll talk about it!"

"Angry Little Girls," now appears on greeting cards, calendars, tote bags, wallets, alarm clocks, pens, pencils and lunchboxes by Nakajima USA.

Lela enjoys acting and lives happily in Los Angeles with her husband, baby boy and cat.

Celebs Celebrate Israel's 60th in Times Square!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

According to defamer, Donald Trump, Tom Cruise, Kirk Douglas, Dakota Fanning and a host of other celebs wished Israel a "Happy 60th Birthday" electronically (on two giant size TV screens) in Times Square on Tuesday.

There was also Brooke Shields holding up a sign that read "Happy Birthday Israel!" and pinti-sized acting sisters Dakota and Elle Flanning blowing out the candle on a cupcake. All this for the little "nation that could."

Francine Raubvogel, Chief of Staff at the Israeli Consulate in New York led the festivities, along with Nancy Spielberg-sister of director Steven Spielberg.

Our nations are BBF! Best Friends Forever!
Visit You Tube to catch the show which was accompanied by a cute Caribbean, Harry Belafonte type diddy.
Daaaayo Israel!

Girl Scout Sets Record in Michigan

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

A Girl Scout sold 17,328 of the group's signature cookies this year by setting up shop on a street corner, shattering her troop's old mark and probably setting a national record, according to The Week magazine.

Jennifer Sharpe, a 15-year-old from Dearborn, plans to travel to Europe with her troop with the proceeds from her feat. Sharpe sold cookies every day on a street corner, with help from her mother and troop leader, Pam Sharpe.

Jennifer Sharpe's Troop 813 raised about $21,000 in cookie sales, paying for its 10-day trip to Europe this winter. Troops get only part of the procceds from the members' sales.

"Sex and the City" Premiere in London

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

London- Sarah Jessice Parker put a blossoming green flower pot on her head and knocked the socks of England during the raucous London premiere of "Sex and the City: The Movie" in Leicester Square Monday night.

The energized crowd outside the Odeon Theater screamed "We Love Carrie" as though she was their favorite soccer team. And the vent made the front pages of most British dailies including The Telegraph, which claimed the garden-inspired headgear, designed by Irish hat sculptor Phillip Treacy, was a tribute to next week's Chelsea Flower Show.

Parker, Kristin Davis, Kim Cattrall and Cynthia Nixon all contended that the European premieres would be bested by the hoopla at Radio City Music Hall in New York on May 27.

Shimon Peres- 'Practically All of Us Were Hawks'

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Israeli President Shimon Peres, 85, is the last remaining founding father of the Israeli state still in office. A former hawk who helped build Israel's military industrial complex, in recent years, he has been a leader in the search for peace with the Palestinians.

According to an interview in this week's Newsweek magazine, Shimon says that back in the day, "Practically all of us were hawks. The minute that Israel showed its muscles and proved that you cannot overcome, it was the first time we saw some chances for peace. And then we went over to the other side. It's not that I changed my character. I found a different situation."

Regarding the current scandal involving Prime Minister Olmert, Peres said, "The prime minister is innocent until it will be shown otherwise. But, what shall I say? Better a democracy with scandals than an authoritarian system without scandals."

When asked if there is a realistic chance of peace with the Palestinians, he said, "In the political negotiations, the gaps are not very great, but they are highly emotional. It will be extremely difficult to put them on paper because each party looks to its own audience and will be very careful not to appear as losers."

Stay tuned for my interview with Yani Peres, Shimon's son the veternarian who lives in Israel and works with guide dogs for the blind.

Injuntion To Keep Out Pimps and Prostitutes

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

L.A. City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo said Monday that he had asked a judge to bar 36 convicted prostitutes and five pimps from walking anywhere on a 5.7 mile stretch of Figueroa Street, part of a larger effort to crack down on a brazen sex trade in South L.A.

The injunction is designed to provide relief for neighborhoods along Figueroa, which police say is the busiest corridor for prostitution in the city.

Prostitutes work the sidewalks in broad daylight, standing on routes used by children to travel to and from school, said Det. Bill Margolis, a 35 year veteran of the LA Police Department. As pimps seek to protect their turf, prostitution has generated more violent crimes.

"These girls are abused sexually, physically and mentally by these pimps," he said.

Prositution has spurred other crimes and made life on the neighboring residential streets viscerally unpleasant, according to police and politicians.

As a solution to the "p and p" problem, Delgadillo also said he would create a diversion program to help first-time prostitution offenders obtain counseling and testing for sexually transmitted diseases.

Pierre the Elderly Penguin Shines!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Pierre, a 25-year-old African penguin was getting so old that he was losing his feathers. He shivered with cold and refused to go near water. But his handlers at the "California Academy of Sciences," had a novel solution: a custom-made wet suit.

Scientists equipped Pierre with a close-fitting rubber garment with openings for his flippers, tail and feet. "I would walk behind him," said biologist Pam Schaller, "and look at where there were any gaps and cut and refit and cut and refit until it was very streamlined."

Since wearing the suit, Pierre has gained weight and is again splashing with his fellow penguins!
Lets hear it for the folks at Oceanic Worldwide, the supplier of Pierre's diving gear.

New "W" Movie's Cast of Characters.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

According to gossip maven Cindy Adams in the New York Post, Oliver Stone, currently filming the new Bush bio "W," in Shreveport Louisanna, calls Bush, "horrible....worst in history."

The cast of characters includes Josh Brolin as W, Elizabeth Banks, Laura; James Cromewell, elder Bush, Ellen Burstyn, old lady Bush, and Thandie Newton as Condy Rice.

Alec Baldwin Tells it Like it is.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Outspoken actor Alec Baldwin isn't just a movie and TV star. He's a political junkee who supports a wide variety of causes. From animal rights to the environment, you can count on the gregarious actor to tell it like it is.

"You have to really want to be a movie star," said Baldwin on 60 Minutes. "I actually turned down alot of roles that eventually went to Harrison Ford. Yes it's true I once said action movies can be done by your doorman," he laughed.

Regarding his well known temper Baldwin admitted to calling his ex-wife's attorney "a 300 pound monster with a face clenched like a fist. And I was being kind," he added diplomatically.

He's also been on dozens of "Saturday Night Live" skits, playing everyone from Robert DeNiro to Tony Bennett to a perverted scout master.

"There are Academy Award winners who cannot do what Alec does," gushed Baldwin's co-star on 30 Rock, Tina Fey. "The first season of the show he made us all look better. He's won critical acclaim."

Baldwin is currently writing a book on divorce and parental alienation which should be coming out later this year. Regarding how he feels about aging in Hollywood, Baldwin said, "Since I'm politically active, at least there's no age limit on running for office. I'm gonna be 50 soon. Soon I'll be in the "Law and Order" judge phase of my career."

Alec appears on "30 Rock," Thursday nights at 9:30p.m. on NBC.

Charm City Cakes-Cool Creations.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Charm City Cakes (based in Baltimore), look like cars, castles, strippers or in one unusual case- the custom design of a human tuccus.

Chef Duff Goldman, owner and operator of Charm City Cakes, makes 12 to 15 cakes a week, at prices of $175 for a simple square to $20,000 for a massive mechanized cake with edible moving parts.

"For the first time, I began to think it might be cool to have a business just doing cakes," Duff says in an interview. "Since I'm an artist and sculptor, I'm pretty confidant in my ability to make cool cakes- things people haven't seen before. We even did the face of Linda Blair in the horror movie the Excorsist!" he enthuses. "No one has ever attempted that before."

A graduate of the prestigious Culinary Inst. of America- Goldman has worked in big-time kitchens like the famous French Landry in Napa Valley. At 23, he became executive pasty chef at Colorado's "Vail Cascade Hotel," cranking out 1,200 pastries at a time. Interestingly, Duff was also a well known graffiti artist of some notoriety before becoming a famous pastry chef.

In 2002, he made a cake to resemble a piece of rare black Wedgewood china for Hillary Clinton. He's also done tons of cakes for celebrities and movie studios all over the world. He estimates that he has baked 3,000 cakes since opening his business in Maryland.

You can see Duff on his very own show on the Food Network.
Visit his website at: http://www.charmcitycakes.com/ to order some of his fabulous creations.

Speed Racer's RAIN- A Superstar in Korea!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

RAIN, (his real name is Ji Hoon Jung), 26, is a superstar in Korea and is starring in the new flick "Speed Racer," based on the 1960's animated cartoon. He is a pop singer, dancer, model and actor.

Rain became interested in R&B and Hiphop dancing way back in the 6th grade. Later, as an adult, he recalled being rejected by certain talent agents because of his looks.

"In fact I was told after one audition that my singing and dancing was great, but I didn't make it because I didn't have double eye-lids." (Now a popular surgery among many South Koreans).

After appearing on a hit Korean show "Full House," one of the highest rated dramas in Seoul, Rain was recognized across Asia and tweenie-bopper girls went wild for him.

"It was hard for me to walk down the street!" he marvels. "Screaming and yelling. It was pretty wild."

Regarding learning English Rain says, "I've been working for seven months every day for two hours. Pronounciation is very hard, but I try my best."

And on eating SEOUL food: "Kimchee is the perfect food. There are so many Korean restaurants in the United States; not in Berlin where Racer was filmed. German food is very salty."

Looking for love in all the wrong places: "It's an honor when people recognize me in Korea but it was really impossible to date. I'm thinking about dating in America. It's more comfortable."

Sex in the City Actress Speaks out about Nudity.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Actress Kristin Davis, who played conservative Charlotte in the cult show "Sex in the City," has revealed that she was horrified when she was asked to take off her clothes for a shower scene in the much anticipated "Sex in the City" movie which has its world premiere tomorrow in London.

Davis, 43, recalled the moment when the film's writer and producer Michael Patrick King told her to strip. She said, "He tried to get me to be naked in the shower scene. I really can't do that kind of stuff. I feel really panicky about that stuff."

And she added that when she agreed to shoot a cut-down version of the scene, she still found the experience "extremely stressful," even though it did not involve total nudity.

Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans- a Haunting Good Time.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

New Orleans is one of my favorite places to visit, especially in April during the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, when artists from all over the world, show up to non-stop parties, book signings and special events in honor of the famous writer.

I always stay at the famous historical landmark, the Hotel Monteleone in the heart of the bustling French Quarter. It's located on Royal Street just a block away from the fun sights and sounds of Bourbon Street.

A must-try is the well known "Carousel Piano Bar and Lounge," with it's famous revolving bar that all New Orleanians rave about. They also serve the best Hurricanes (a very strong drink) and Vodka Martinis. There's also a roof-top pool with a perfect view of the Orleans skyline. The water is also nice and warm.

There are 600 luxurious rooms that offer high speed internet access, laptops, minibars, and 24 hour movies on cable TV. They also have the best room service in town.

Here's another interesting side of the story. The hotel is supposedly haunted and many people who come to the Hotel Monteleone don't want to leave. Some never do!
Generations of hotel guests and staff have regularly experienced events that would cause even the staunchest skeptic to take pause. A restaurant door that opens almost every evening (on it's own), then closes again- even when locked. An elevator that stops on the wrong floor- leading a curious couple down a hallway that grows chilly and reveals ghostly images of children playing.

I have yet to see an actual ghost, even though I stayed in one of the "haunted" rooms on the 14th floor. Famous literary folks that have stayed at the Hotel Monteleone include Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway.

Also, a must-try are the beignets at "Cafe DuMonde," on the out-skirts of the French Quarter. It's open 24 hours and they make the best "fried" donut like desserts in the country. The atmosphere is cozy and friendly with the wait staff wearing traditional black uniforms and white aprons. It's like stepping back in history.

New Orleans-The City That Care Forgot.

Uma Thurman VS. Lancome Cosemtics.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

A.P.- French cosmetics giant Lancome and Uma Thurman are wrangling over the use of her name and image in an ad campaign. The company asked for a ruling against the actress, who it says is demanding $1 million for unauthorized use of her name and face on Canadian billboards and Asian websites after her contract expired.

Thurman's lawyer, Bertram Fields, said he was surprised by Lancome's lawsuit.

"I thought we were negotiating in good faith," Fields said Thursday. "I guess the French decided to strike a pre-emptive blow."

Lancome and Thurman signed a two-year contract in April 2000 with an option to extend the agreement for another two years. Papers were filed Wednesday in Manhattan's state Superior court. Earlier this week, 37-year-old Jack Jordan was convicted of stalking and harassing Thurman in the court's criminal part.

Oliver Stone to Make New Bush Film- "W"

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Director Oliver Stone who has made movies of past presidents including Richard M. Nixon-is now shooting "W," about President George Bush's life and the film has already stirred up controversy in Hollywood for what Stone may--or may not--say.

His first words on the film: "Bush is funny. This movie can be funnier because Bush is funny," he said in an interview. "He's awkward and goofy and makes faces all the time. He's not your average president. So let's have some fun with it!"

"W" has snapshots of a 26-year-old Bush crashing his car into his parent's lawn in WDC-interspersed with Bush, as president, playfully stealing a mint from U.S. secretary of state Condy Rice, according to Entertainment Weekly.

"It's almost Capra-esque, the story of a guy who had very limited talents in life, except for the ability to sell himself."

Meet Junichi Ihara, his wife and his cat (from Japan!)

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

There is a new Consul General of Japan to Los Angeles. His name is Junichi Ihara and he just arrived in LA from Tokyo on April 23, 2008. Oh! And he and his wife Makiko both like cats!

"I have come here with my wife Makiko and pet cat Daisuke," Ihara says on the Japan Consulate's website. "I also have two sons who are living and studying in Tokyo."

Mr. Ihara joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan in 1979 and his second assignment was to the United States. He previously worked at the embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. as Minister in charge of Economic Affairs from Jan 2005- September 2006.

Mr. Ihara was born on April 18, 1956 and graduated from Kyoto University in Japan in 1979.
There will be more to come on Daisuke, the consul general's orange feline, who you can see on their website. This is a first ever folks! A diplomat posing with his cat. Never thought I'd see the day. Meow.

Visit the consulate's website at: http://www.la.us.emb-japan.go/ to see Daisuke!

There will be a reception for Mr. Ihara and his wife May 27th at 6:30p.m. at the Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens. 120 South Los Angeles Street.

$20.00 a person.

Sponsored by the Japan America Society.

Ivanka Trump's Words of Wisdom.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

She is the beautiful spawn of one of New York's most lampooned former couples and she is also vice president at the Trump Organization. Ivanka has her famous dad's flair for public relations and self promotion and she has three important "warning signs" any Apprentice (or lay person), ought to know on "how to spot a frenemy."
One is never allow yourself to be used. Make sure not to surround yourself with people whose only interest is what you can do for them. Be generous with your friends but not in a way where they are living off of you. Another sign to watch for is insincerity. Watch the way they react and treat you and then watch the way they react and treat people they probably consider not as important as you. Duplicity is a key sign of the frenemy.

Regarding her daily schedule, Ivanka says, "The first thing I do when I get up is read the New York Post. I love to live in a free, casual way. I think big picture, but I sometimes get too obsessed with minor details and I always have to remind myself not to. But I think the beauty of being 26 is still trying to figure out what life is all about. It is certaintly not about drugs or alchohol, but there are a few personality flaws that I am looking into."

Real estate is Ivanka's main focus and she's "loving it." Forbes just wrote that she is the youngest director on a publicly traded company in America.

Barbara Walter's 70s Affair.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Famous news-hound Barbara Walters admitted to Oprah Winfrey that she had a romance of several years with then-wed Republican senator from Massachusetts Edward Brooke, 88.

"I was very infatuated," Walters said on the show. Indeed, in her book, "Audition," she tells of romantic getaways at his summer home in Martha's Vineyard and says she met his mother. She also says the Washington Post gossip columnist wrote blind items about the twosome!

Brooke, the former senator said, "I have had a lifetime policy and practice of not discussing my personal and private life."

Orazio- World's Largest Cat!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Orazio, a 35 pound kitty from Italy loves food. But not just cat food. He likes potato chips, cake and candy. According to the Sun, if any of owner Laura Santarelli's other five cats get in the way at supper time, they're likely to be stampeded by their hulking housemate.

Experts say Orazio, who is 28 pounds heavier than the average pet, may have an undiagnosed medical problem. Or he might simply be gorging on all the wrong foods.

In 2004, a British cat named Sam weighed in at 36 pounds- 1 pound heavier than Orazio. But even Sam was dwarfed by the fattest cat ever known- a massive Minnesota kitty who tipped the scales at 41 pounds!

Students Arrested in Drug Ring.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

A drug ring operating out of San Diego State University was broken up today after a five-month sting operation, resulting in the arrests of nearly 100 people- many of them college students accused of selling drugs to fellow classmates the DEA said.

The ring operated out of three different fraternity houses and distributed a wide variety of drugs to other students, authorities said. The ring included 75 students and 21 non-students.

Investigators said they uncovered more than $100,000 worth of cocaine, ectasy, perscription drugs and pot plus several weapons. Damon Mosler, the chief of the San Diego District Attorney's office narcotics division, called the operation the largest university-related drug bust in San Diego County history.

"They were very blatant about it," said Mosler. "They were also very naive yet business like."

One of the students arrested in the case was about to graduate with a degree in criminal justice, said special agent Ralph Partridge. Another was studying homeland security.

Sex and the City Movie Coming this Month!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

When Sex and the City, the movie began shooting in New York this fall, the sight of its stars was both commonplace and traffic-stopping; breathlessly chronicled by bloggers and gossip writers alike.

One website cattily called it "The Most Important Movie Ever Filmed in New York." Every outdoor setting inspired wicked speculation about storylines and the behind-the-scenes relationships. Even the cast and crew were surprised by the level of attention.

"I am amazed by how curious everyone is," enthused Sarah Jessica Parker, the film's star. "What's important to me is that my character Carrie isn't silly or frivolous and there is now some sophistication to her. She's making a serious attempt at making grown-up decisions about love and about life choices."

The film is scheduled for a May 30th release and the filmmakers have taken pains to mask the plot from curious fans and reporters.

Chinese Medicine

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

A Chinese man who ran out of money after surgeons began reconstructing his chest in 1998 has been using old cigarette packets to cover the gaping hole in his chest. Rao Jiacang, 51, says he changes the cigarette packets several times a day. Nevertheless, the 7-by-3 inch hole in his chest-which affords an excellent view of his beating heart- has become a burden to him, and Rao is now appealing for a donor to fund reconstructive surgery.

Since his surgery 10 years ago, says Rao, "I haven't dared to go outside in case people get frightened!"

Prisoner files lawsuit.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

An Arkansas man awaiting trial on murder charges has filed a federal lawsuit claiming that the small portion size of prison meals has caused him to lose weight. Broderick Laswell claims that in the eight months he has been incarcerated, his weight has dropped from 413 pounds to a mere 308 pounds and that "about an hour after each meal, my stomach starts to hurt and growl."
Hummmm. Could it have been Chinese food he was eating?
Prison officials say Laswell, like all inmates, gets 3,000 calories a day, more than sufficient for a healthy adult male.

Sarah Silverman- The Funny Honey

By: Vickie Rubinson
Sarah Silverman: The Funny Jewish Girl Speaks Out.

"I grew up in New Hampshire and everyone was very blonde and people would be like,'Are you from New York?' I was just HAIRY! I used to bleach my arm hair and it hurt so much. You don't know suffering for beauty until you're sitting on the floor of your bathroom, weeping, with white cream on your arms."

When asked about her childhood and if she was popular in school Silverman replies, "I was a late-bloomer. I didn't even get my period until I was 17 in a half! I want that in People Magazine.
I'm not a fancy person, but I do always wash my face twice at night."

And regarding her romance with comic Jimmy Kimmel: "Thank God for Jimmy, because all the things I don't like about myself are the things that he likes the most. Like my inner thigh fat. he grabs it and he's like, 'I love this!'"