Governor Backs Down on Bill for Fossett’s Widow May 3, 2008

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Gov. Jim Gibbons said he won’t bill the widow of Steve Fossett, but instead will send a letter asking her to help pay for the month-long search for the famed aviator last fall.

A Gibbons spokesman said Peggy Fossett will be asked to voluntarily contribute to help as the state faces a projected $900 million budget shortfall.

 

The 63-year-old Fossett took off Sept. 3 from Barron Hilton’s Flying M Ranch, south of Yerington, in a small plane, on what was supposed to be a short pleasure flight.

 

During a month-long search, ground crews, the Nevada National Guard and the Civil Air Patrol scoured a 20,000 square-mile area, but turned up no sign of Fossett or his plane.

The search cost the state $687,000. Hilton sent a check to cover $200,000 in costs.

 

Fossett was declared legally dead Feb. 15 by an Illinois judge.

Merlin’s Miracles Founder Dies After Beating the Odds May 3, 2008

‘Miracle Marine’ dies after beating odds

Nov. 15, 1985 - Apr. 11, 2008

Marine Sgt. Merlin German, seen in May 2007, died last month of complications after surgery.

(CNN) — A Marine who survived being burned over more than 95 percent of his body in Iraq and established a charity to help burned children has died, the military has announced.

Marine Sgt. Merlin German, seen in May 2007, died last month of complications after surgery.

Sgt. Merlin German was 22.

He was severely wounded February 21, 2005, en route to Camp Ramadi when his Humvee hit a roadside bomb.

He was not expected to survive, but he was transported to Germany and then to Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas, which has the U.S. military’s top burns unit.

He spent nine months in intensive care and underwent more than 100 operations.

German moved out of the hospital into his own home after 17 months of treatment.

He founded Merlin’s Miracles, a charity that aims “to assist burned children and their families to take vacations, trips, outings or anything the families needed to make life a little easier,” according to its Web site.

German died April 11 at Brooke Army Medical Center of complications after surgery.
“He beat all odds and then on top of that continued to serve as an inspiration and motivator for others,” said Dr. Evan Renz, a critical-care surgeon who treated German.

“It is very difficult to describe the sense of loss. He endeared himself to all he came in contact with. It’s really impossible to describe, except to say: Imagine the loss of dear family or friend.”

Renz remembers being impressed with German from the start.

“This young man was clearly showing us signs he was going to fight through this from the very first minute,” he said.

“There was consensus he was going to be a someone who would probably break some of the previous expectations about survivability. If someone was going to survive, he was going to be that individual.”

CSI’s Gary Dourdan Expresses His Embarrassement May 3, 2008

After getting busted with cocaine, heroine, ecstacy and other drugs, is this really the best CSI’s Gary Dourdan could come up with?

Be sure to check out the link to the text exchange revealed by Access Hollywood included in the post below.

Gary Dourdan ‘Embarrassed’ About Arrest

Gary Dourdan Photo by: Joe Kohen / WireImage

CSI star Gary Dourdan is speaking out about his recent arrest.

“Obviously I am embarrassed to find myself in this situation, and I am profoundly grateful to everyone for their support,” Dourdan said in a statement to PEOPLE. “I have complete confidence in and respect for the justice system and will cooperate fully with any investigation.”

Earlier today on Accesshollywood.com, host Shaun Robinson revealed a detailed e-mail exchange she had with Dourdan, a friend.

A spokesman for Dourdan tells PEOPLE, “This was a personal text to a friend taken completely out of context.” The exchange was not intended for air or publication.

In the e-mail to Robinson, Dourdan, 41, apologized to his fans and explained the circumstances that led to his arrest Monday in Palm Springs, Calif., where police discovered him asleep in his car, which was parked on the wrong side of the road.

“Obviously I certainly wish I hadn’t been responsible for so many people getting to the festival’s VIP area,” Dourdan wrote, referring to the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. “And the after party, it ran me ragged, but I’m glad pulling over did prevent a DUI.”

He also goes on to say, “I am blessed that the Sgt. realized that the luggage carrying whatever they found was not mine and that my tests have been coming back negative.”

Dourdan was found in possession of suspected cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and prescription pills, police say. He posted $5,000 bail and was released.

Dourdan returned to work on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation shortly after his arrest.

The actor has not been formally charged. His arraignment is set for May 28.

Hairy Haiku Wanted By John Mayer May 3, 2008

John Mayer Wants a Haiku About His Hair

 

After a May Day blog post about his new look, John Mayer –and his new feathered ’80s-haircut–headed out to New York’s Soho Friday night, still talking about, yes, his newly shorn tresses. “I want everyone who reads PEOPLE magazine to know how important this haircut is,” Mayer said outside the Comedy Cellar after performing a standup routine. It’s important because it draws people together. Feel it. Run your fingers through my hair, and tell me what it feels like. It feels like silk.” And hair was the only topic on Mayer’s mind, having brushed off questions about his Miami weekend with Jennifer Aniston, saying, “Forget about blogs.” Instead, Mayer took this reporter’s hand and insisted that she run her fingers through his hair again– and again. “Run your fingers through it all the way and describe what it feels like,” he said, before demanding, “Now, write a haiku about what my hair feels like.” It couldn’t be done on the spot. “That’s the thing,” he said. “No one can do it,” before climbing into the front seat of his car and driving away.

Can you write a haiku about John Mayer’s hair?

Lindsay Lohan Mug Shot Used in Ad Against Ignition Interlocks May 3, 2008

Lindsay Lohan mug shot used in liquor industry ad

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) — Lindsay Lohan is not exactly toasting her latest public appearance.

A mug shot of the 21-year-old actress, who has been in and out of rehab after two arrests last year on drunken driving and cocaine charges, was prominently featured Friday in an advertisement attacking legislation for devices that measure a driver’s blood alcohol level before their vehicle can start.

The full-page black-and-white ad appeared in USA Today on Friday and was paid for by the American Beverage Institute, a trade group that supports the interests of the alcohol industry. The ad reads “Ignition interlocks are a good idea for” above Lohan’s mug shot from her July 24, 2007, arrest and “But a bad idea for us” above smaller photos of people drinking.

“The reason that we used Lindsay Lohan is because she’s had multiple DUIs that have been high profile,” American Beverage Institute managing director Sarah Longwell told The Associated Press. “We needed to create the distinction for the public what someone with multiple DUIs looked like versus a low blood-alcohol-level first-time offender.”

Lawmakers in several states have passed bills that would require drunken driving offenders to pay for and install an ignition interlock system. Under many such laws, the interlock requirement extends to first-time offenders driving while “highly intoxicated” — or with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 percent or higher.

The ad suggested that ignition interlocks were fine for “hard-core” drunk drivers, but suggested they would bring an end to champagne toasts at weddings, wine at dinner and ballgame beers.

“USA Today is idiotic to run such an irresponsible advertisement suggesting that drinking and driving is some kind of American ‘tradition’ we should protect,” Lohan’s lawyer, Blair Berk, said in a statement. “Not identifying that this ad was paid for by the liquor and restaurant industries is profoundly reckless.

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“Drunk, white businessmen, drunk housewives out for girls night out and drunk wedding parties should be kept off the roads of America,” Berk continued. “Lindsay Lohan fully endorses ignition interlock devices, which have been well-proven to save lives.”

The American Beverage Institute stood by its use of Lohan’s image.

“People magazine, Smoking Gun and a lot of people have republished this mug shot,” said Longwell. “It was publicly accessible. We’re not using it for any kind of commercial gain. So we’re well within our rights to use it.”

Reached for comment about Berk’s statement, USA Today spokesman Ed Cassidy issued the following statement: “Advocacy advertising is a big part of what we do. Our pages function as forum for competing views.”

Big Brown’s Derby Win Overshadowed by Tragedy May 3, 2008

Unbeaten Big Brown comes through to win Kentucky Derby

Horse Racing Gallery

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)—Big Brown backed up his trainer’s boasts with an explosive finishing kick and won the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, a commanding victory turned somber by the fatal breakdown of the filly Eight Belles on horse racing’s biggest day.

The cheers for the winner’s 4 3/4 -length victory were cut short when Eight Belles, the runner-up, collapsed while galloping out near the second turn. She broke her two front ankles and was euthanized on the track minutes later.

“When we passed the wire I stood up. She started galloping funny. I tried to pull her up. That’s when she went down,” said her distraught jockey, Gabriel Saez.

Eight Belles was attempting to become the fourth filly to win the Derby.

The unbeaten Big Brown’s start from the outside post did little to hamper his charge when the 20-horse field turned for home at Churchill Downs. Under the urging of jockey Kent Desormeaux, the 2-1 favorite cruised to an easy victory to become the seventh unbeaten Derby winner with his fourth consecutive win. The last one was Barbaro in 2006.

That wasn’t the only reason thoughts of Barbaro were hard to ignore on this Derby Day.

The breakdown brought back memories of the 2006 Preakness, where Barbaro shattered his right rear leg just after the start. The colt was euthanized months later, after developing laminitis from the catastrophic injuries.

The tragedy undoubtedly drained some of the joy from Big Brown’s victory, which sends him to the Preakness in two weeks as the only 3-year-old with a chance to become the first Triple Crown champion since Affirmed in 1978.

“We’re ready to roll,” Big Brown’s confident trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. said.

All week, Dutrow told the world he had the best horse in the field—and the big bay colt justified every accolade tossed his way.

“I can’t describe the feeling that all of us have right now,” he said.

The colt became the first Derby winner since Regret in 1915 to have raced only three times previously. He is only the third in 60 years to win after racing in just two Derby preps—Sunny’s Halo in 1983 and Street Sense last year were the others.

In addition, Big Brown became the second winner to start from the No. 20 post. The gelding Clyde Van Dusen did it in 1929.

Big Brown covered the 1 miles in 2:01.82 in front of the second-largest crowd in Derby history at 157,770. He paid $6.80, $5 and $4.80.

Eight Belles paid $10.60 and $6.40, and Denis of Cork, at odds of 27-1, returned $11.60.

Dr. Larry Bramlage, the Derby’s on-call veterinarian, said the filly’s injuries were too severe to even attempt to move her off the track.

“She didn’t have a front leg to stand on to be splinted and hauled off in the ambulance, so she was euthanized,” Bramlage said.

Larry Jones, who trains Eight Belles paid tribute to his filly, who was scratched out of Friday’s Kentucky Oaks for a chance to take on the boys.

“There was no way to save her. She couldn’t stand,” Jones said. “She ran an incredible race. She ran the race of her life.”

Tale of Ekati was fourth, followed by Recapturetheglory, Colonel John, Anak Nakal, Pyro, Cowboy Cal, Z Fortune, Smooth Air, Visionaire, Court Vision, Z Humor, Cool Coal Man, Bob Black Jack, Gayego, Big Truck, Adriano and Monba.

The colt earned $1,451,800 for the win and boosted his earnings to $2,114,500 for owners IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr. Pompa, who named Big Brown in honor of United Parcel Service, a client of his trucking business, sold a 75 percent interest in the colt to IEAH for about $3 million after his first race.

Desormeaux won the Derby for the third time, having won aboard Real Quiet in 1998 and Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000. Only three other riders have won more—Eddie Arcaro, Bill Hartack and Bill Shoemaker.

“It was smooth sailing all the way,” Desormeau said. “The horse was very comfortable.”

Big Brown was the third favorite to win in the past five years. Smarty Jones won in 2004 and Street Sense won last year.

All eyes were on Big Brown at the start. Dutrow called his colt the fastest of all and he proved it when Desormeaux gunned him close the lead on the mad dash to the first turn. Desormeaux did a masterful job of keeping Big Brown free and clear of any traffic issues.

As the field headed into the backstretch, Big Brown was in sixth place and just waiting for Desormeaux’s signal to make his move. It came around the far turn, and Big Brown took the lead at the top of the stretch and was never challenged to the wire.

“I don’t even know what we just did,” Dutrow said. “I can’t express my feelings, only that it was one of the most incredible feelings I ever had, and I can’t wait to feel it again.”

Star Jones Is A Cougar May 3, 2008

Dwyane Wade on Star Jones rumors: We’re just friends

 

Dwyane Wade has finally spoken up about his alleged romance with Star Jones: “Star is an unbelievable woman. We have a great, great relationship. As friends.”

“We’re friends, just like a lot of celebrities. We are friends,” the pro basketball star said Thursday during a guest appearance on “Inside the NBA,” the jocular TNT show featuring Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson.

“Are y’all close friends?” Smith asked.

“We’re good friends,” Wade responded.

“Are you the kind of friends that drink out of one cup with two straws?” Smith persisted, referring to a much-discussed photo of Wade, 26, and Jones, the 46-year-old TV personality who recently filed for divorce, at a tennis match. “Those kind of friends?”

“We are friends. That’s all,” said Wade, who is married to his high school sweetheart and has two sons.

“Good friends?” Barkley interjected.

“Naw, Chuck,” Wade said with a smile.

Some hilarity ensued. Barkley broke through the commotion to say, “I like Star. She’s a cougar.”

“What’s a cougar?” Smith asked, not so innocently, a perfect lob to Barkley.

Sir Charles promptly slammed the ball home: “Preying on a young Dwyane Wade.”

Representatives for Jones did not immediately return a call for comment Thursday night

Wacky Celebrity Hair: Travolta Tones It Down May 3, 2008

Here’s the thing. John Travolta looks ridiculous with that mustache, but this hairdo is a BIG improvement over his recent look. I don’t know if that thing on his head is a really bad toupee, an overdose of Rogaine or the aftermath of an attack by a small chinchilla, but Kelly Preston must sleep better at night knowing she isn’t going to wake up to Cousin It every morning.

Stockholm on $250 a day May 3, 2008

Stockholm has a reputation for being one of Europe’s most expensive cities. Hit the streets of the fashionable capital and prove otherwise.

Stockholm’s Strommen River

9:00 a.m.

I plot my day over a complimentary breakfast of homemade yogurt and knäckebröd (crispy bread) at Hotel Anno 1647 (3 Mariagränd; 46-8/442-1680), housed in a former tobacco and clothing factory in the hip island neighborhood of Södermalm. My room ($170), No. 21, is small and peaceful, with rustic pine floors, an antique crystal chandelier, and, thankfully, blackout drapes — essential in a city that gets 18 hours of sunlight a day in the summer.

10:00 a.m.

The hotel is around the corner from Götgatan, one of Stockholm’s most seductive shopping strips. Though it feels a little early to start spending, I can’t resist a jar of cloudberry honey ($6) from Iris Hantverk (37 Götgatan; 46-8/641-9190), a store that specializes in handmade items by visually impaired artisans. I crave almost everything I see in DesignTorget (31 Götgatan, 46-8/462-3520), which carries an eclectic range of accessories by Swedish designers, including hand-printed dish towels and colorful kids’ toys. But I force myself to move along.

12:00 p.m.

For lunch, I circle back to busy Slussen square — Stockholm’s answer to Grand Central. The main attraction here (besides a major subway stop) is the humble Nystekt Strömming (fried herring) wagon, encircled by picnic tables crowded with locals on their lunch breaks. I sidle up and order the signature dish ($6.25) topped with a dollop of crème fraîche. From my bench, I can see the silhouette of Gamla Stan, the old section of the city just across the bridge.

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1:00 p.m.

Down along the harbor, a freckled blond girl at a candy cart snips off a sample of her salt licorice (free), a delicious flavor called Häxvrål — “scream of the witch,” she translates. After a short stroll past the steamboats and Baroque mansions of Östermalm, I arrive at the Vasamuseet (14 Galärvarvsvägen; 46-8/5195-4800), a maritime museum built around a meticulously reconstructed boat that was shipwrecked in the 17th century. I buy a ticket ($15) and explore the gigantic ship, feeling a little like an extra on the set of “Pirates of the Caribbean.”

3:30 p.m.

Risking museum burnout, I head to the galleries ($12.50 admission) of the Moderna Museet (Skeppsholmen; 46-8/5195-5200), designed by the Spanish architect Rafael Moneo, to see its collection of 20th-century European and American art. Here, I discover the contemporary Swedish painter Karin Mamma Andersson, whose lush, layered paintings look like dreamscapes. I also find one of the city’s best photo ops — the panoramic view of the port from the glass-walled museum café.

5:00 p.m.

I forgo a pricey taxi ride across the city in favor of an infinitely more charming and scenic walk toward Gamla Stan, which is touristy but irresistible once I’m weaving through a knot of cobblestoned streets and storybook 17th-century houses. My reward is a hot chocolate ($4.70) at Kaffekoppen (18-20 Stortorget; 46-8/203-170), a candlelit cellar with tea-stained walls and low vaulted ceilings.

7:00 p.m.

While wandering the alleys of Gamla Stan, I stumble upon what may be the city’s top bargain: a classical music concert ($11) at Storkyrkan, Stockholm’s central cathedral (1 Trangsund, Gamla Stan; 46-8/723-3016). I take a seat in a wooden pew as a local pianist fills the space with the music of Chopin. Dusky evening light filters in through leaded glass windows and shimmers off the golden angels on the high brick ceiling. Divine.

9:30 p.m.

The lingering sunlight has affected my eating schedule, but I’m finally hungry again. On the patio of Babylon (4 Björns Trädgårdsgränd; 46-8/640-8083), surrounded by chattering clusters of young fashion plates and artist types, I wrap myself in one of the restaurant’s green fleece blankets and gobble down a late dinner of potatoes and röding ($25.80), a local fish. From my barstool, I watch skinny blond skateboarders dip and sail around a cement half-pipe in the adjacent park, and revel in a priceless travel high: the giddy feeling of having discovered the coolest place in town.

TOTAL SPENT:

$251.25