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Celebrities contribute to Katrina relief

Published:Wednesday, September 7, 2005Updated:Saturday, September 10, 2005 (Travolta, Preston, Moore, Stones, Three Doors Down, Johnson, Smith)

After Hurricane Katrina passed across the United States, various artists and media stars have leapt at a call to action.

John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston flew his private plane to deliver a load of supplies and tetanus vaccine to Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Part of a Scientology project which has been using their non-massage “assists”, in an interview Preston mentioned that “auditing” had also been performed on victims.

Kevin Smith is holding an online auction on his Web site.

Sean Penn actually went to Louisiana. After loading down a small boat with his entourage, it was discovered one of them had neglected to seal a hole in the bottom. Penn was wearing a white vest rather than a life vest while bailing. After the motor wouldn’t start, the crew paddled down a flooded New Orleans street. Bystanders jeered at whether any victims could fit aboard the crowded craft. No report on rescue stunts. Local authorities had previously been criticized for not allowing volunteer boaters in to help.

Morgan Freeman, whose home fared well, is organizing an online auction of celebrity items at charityfolks.com, to benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Curt Schilling opened his home to a family of nine driven out of their New Orleans home. The Schilling family will provide housing for the Fields for a year while their home in New Orleans is rebuilt and repaired.

Some celebrities “graced” disaster zones with their presence in the days following Katrina.

Singer Macy Gray and television personality Phil McGraw visited Houston’s Astrodome.

Celebrities visiting New Orleans include Michael Moore (opposite side of lake), singer Harry Connick, Jr., CNN’s Anderson Cooper, actor Jamie Foxx, singer Faith Hill, actor Matthew McConaughey, singer Lisa Marie Presley, comedian Chris Rock, and The Oprah Winfrey Show contributor Lisa Ling and interior decorator Nate Berkus.

Oprah Winfrey visited New Orleans, Houston, and Mississippi.

Ontario Votes 2007: Interview with Green candidate Doug Anderson, Whitby-Oshawa

Monday, September 24, 2007

Doug Anderson is running for the Green Party of Ontario in the Ontario provincial election, in the Whitby-Oshawa riding. Wikinews’ Nick Moreau interviewed him regarding his values, his experience, and his campaign.

Stay tuned for further interviews; every candidate from every party is eligible, and will be contacted. Expect interviews from Liberals, Progressive Conservatives, New Democratic Party members, Ontario Greens, as well as members from the Family Coalition, Freedom, Communist, Libertarian, and Confederation of Regions parties, as well as independents.

Helicopter

Tips For Planning The Perfect Wedding In Hawaii

byAlma Abell

Weddings in Hawaii can be some of the most amazing events that can happen to a wedding, especially if you let the professionals at the Island Wedding Gallery handle the details for you. There are so many islands and resorts in Hawaii to choose from that it’s hard for any couple to make a decision, much less do all of the planning. Below you will find some tips on how to plan for that perfect Hawaiian wedding that you have always dreamed about. Getting the actual marriage license is pretty easy, it’s the planning that you have to watch out for.

The first thing you want to do is research, this means to Google everything and anything to do with weddings planners in Hawaii. This is the best way to get a broad overview of the many islands and resorts that you can get married on in Hawaii. Whether you want traditional or non-traditional, there is something for everyone from waterfalls to helicopter rides. You need to find out everything you can about the islands in Hawaii, while all of them have some of the same things, they have their own unique qualities as well.

The next thing you will want to do is decide on a budget. While a Hawaiian wedding is a great thing, you don’t want to start your life together in debt, after the honeymoon. There are various packages on the Hawaiian Islands, ranging from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars apiece.

Estimate your guest count and remember that fewer people will be able to make it, than would if you were getting married in your hometown. Don’t get upset if they can’t, just have fun and celebrate with the guests who can afford the trip.

The best thing you can do is hire a wedding planner if you are planning a wedding in a place like Hawaii. It is hard to plan a wedding when it is being held at the church in your hometown; it’s even harder when it is being held thousands of miles away. Don’t forget that you can take care of all of your wedding clothing needs as well at Masako Formals.

SpaceX scrubs Falcon I rocket launch

Monday, November 28, 2005

SpaceX called off the much-delayed inaugural launch of their new Falcon 1 rocket on Saturday from Kwajalein’s Omelek Island launch site. The intent was to launch the U.S. Air Force Academy’s FalconSat 2 satellite, which will monitor plasma interactions with the Earth’s upper atmosphere and magnetosphere.

The launch was delayed, then finally cancelled after an oxygen boil-off vent had accidentally been left open. The oxygen was unable to cool the helium pressurant, which then proceeded to evaporate faster than it could be replenished. A main computer issue, probably serious enough to cause a scrub on its own, was also discovered.

This long-anticipated flight was originally expected to be launched in January 2005, however a series of setbacks forced a series of delays, with the flight most recently scheduled to be in early 2006. It was intended to be launched from the Kwajalein atoll in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The maiden voyage was originally intended to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California with a Naval Research Laboratory satellite and a Space Services Incorporated space burial payload.

Home Improvement

Portable Solar Shower: An Useful Item For Campers And Home Shower

Portable Solar Shower: An Useful Item For Campers and Home Shower

by

crishmart

Have you ever thought how useful a portable solar shower can be? What is solar shower? It is a plastic bag that can hold water of varied quantities and has a nozzle that helps water to sprinkle out when opened hung from a height with the help of support. And the water inside the bag gets warm or heated by solar radiations. That is why it is called solar shower. The water bag is an important item for people who go to camping, adventure events, festivals and other places away from civilized comforts. It also enables one to use the shower at home in the backyard or near swimming pool to save electricity and water.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VP5jEAP3K4[/youtube]

The usability of the shower makes it popular among the campers and festival goers. It facilitates one to enjoy a relaxed hot shower in the open and unwind from the weariness of camping and hiking. It is the most eco-friendly practice of getting your hot water and enjoying a warm shower. The solar showers are so accepted and admired that people make use of them at homes also to reduce the bill units of electricity. Simply fill up the bag with water and put down the polished or plain side out in the open to direct sunlight. In an hour or two the water contained by the bag gets geared up for the shower. You see, how easy it is to use a water bag. The portability of the bag is also an important feature to note. The bag is foldable and can be folded to space saving size which you can put into your gear along with festival tent, camping gadgets and other essentials for the backpacks. At home you can keep it folded in some corner after use without any requirement for extra space. Moreover the water bag can be hung from a support that can withstand the pressure and weight of 5-6 gallons of water inside it. Campers use twigs or such other natural support to use the shower and home users buy portable stand for solar shower. The stand has hooks to hang the water bag at comfortable height for easy passage of water through the nozzle. Campers always think of weight when they choose objects to take along. One cannot afford to carry heavy objects during camping trip or some other expeditions. And a solar shower bag is the right choice for finding solutions for a comfortable shower during breaks. Author Bio –

The author is a traveler and writes about equipments and items that make camping easy and simple. For more information on

Solar Shower

and

Festival Tent

log into http://backpackingshop.co.uk

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com

Iran says it’s ready for standoff over nuclear activities

This article features in a News Brief from Audio Wikinews:

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stated that his country is prepared to have a standoff with the United States.

The move comes as the U.S. decided to send another aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

According to the U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the USS Stennis was dispatched to the region to “impress on Iran that the four-year war in Iraq has not made America vulnerable.”

In response to the deployment of additional troops, Ahmadinejad said that Iran was prepared for any possibility in the standoff with the West over its nuclear activities.

“Today, with the grace of God, we have gone through the arduous passes and we are ready for anything in this path. Their aim is to frighten Iran and weaken the resistance of the Iranian nation but they will not succeed,” stated Ahmadinejad.

Iran has stated that its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes, but the United Nations disagrees and imposed limited sanctions on the nation last year.

“Unfortunately, some inside the country try to fabricate news and portray a bad image of the great achievement of the Iranian nation […] prescribe compromise, repeat the words of the enemy. Of course, this will have no effect,” added Ahmadinejad.

Ahmadinejad’s announcement comes as Iran announces that the country is prepared to begin the installation of nearly 3,000 centrifuges at its nuclear facility, the Natanz uranium-enrichment complex.

According to an unknown European diplomat, “everything has been prepared for assembling [and installing] the centrifuges at Natanz for the beginning of the industrial phase of enrichment. The hardware is now in place.”

Ahmadinejad also said that enrichment of uranium will begin at the Natanz facility “very soon” and “bit by bit.”

Off Road Carts

Quad Bike Hire: What You Truly Have To Know Before Entering Quad Biking

Quad Bike Hire: What You Truly Have To Know Before Entering Quad Biking

by

Christopher Greweling

In this world where most adventure sports activities are ruled by means of either younger folks or the male gender, it\’s fresh to find that there is yet still this sort of adrenalin packed activities that everybody can enjoy. Any person can get to power their ultimate private adrenalin device! A must do adventure with a large number of must see vistas, quad biking is an job that everybody can do and will love.

There are extra places to move every year within the area, to pursue this process, and there\’s little question that this may increasingly stay the case for a long time to come. The lessons within the area are smartly laid out over massive swathes of land and supply without equal problem over many kinds of terrain! As well as this some lessons offer more tough quads to extra skilled Quad riders. Whatever your degree of talent you are going to be flying alongside rather optimistically in no time at all and taking part in considered one of lifestyles little pleasures. All in all moderately a rewarding and invigorating experience.

For young ones, the feat of using a quad bike in a guided excursion will also be as exciting as riding a car for the primary time. This is a a laugh and secure process as speed isn\’t a factor. The youngest that may participate on this journey recreation is 14 years old. Both exciting and educational for young folks, those 4 wheeled monsters deliver you to scenic places with breathtaking sights. There is a lot to be informed whilst driving quads and so much learning is interrelated to safety in coping with the vehicle. Discipline and the usage of not unusual feel is applied to verify a fun however protected quad riding experience.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYG7mR2MVhs[/youtube]

other fun thrills, one even together with a pleasant relaxing jacuzzi afterwards. How absolutely outstanding is that for a fascinating time out? Do go along and you are going to not be disappointed!

Single unit ATV trailers do come in a variety of sizes. Small tilt ATV haulers with ramps fit so much hitches and satisfy fundamental hauling needs. Do-it-yourselfers can enjoy equipment trailers that you simply construct your self for a discounted price. The size are 4\’ or five\’ by eight\’ and have a weight restrict of lower than 1,000 pounds. Swivel wheel trailers, regularly used with SUV\’s, reduce tongue weight and likewise the chance of jack knifing. Then again, those often have a lower weight prohibit than better trailers.

Quad bike riding promises an exciting experience. Quad hiking services at the moment are being offered by various quad rent venues. Quad motorbike using seems to be a low-cost process that you simply and your folks can enjoy. Discover the wasteland even as traversing fascinating and diverse vary of terrains. Regulate the motion as you pressure at the same time as taking excitement in the beauty of the scenic areas and mountain trails.

Multiple capability trailers accommodate different configurations of quad vehicles. The size of the trailer resolve whether the ATVs will take a seat end to finish or facet by way of side. Double ATV trailers have an open development and are built to maintain two ATVs. Look intently at the development of these trailers. Double haulers won\’t fit two fully sized ATVs. Smaller tires can sometimes indicate a weaker construction. You should definitely get the most productive high quality for you money.

As an journey recreation, quad biking truly stands out. The characteristics of the sport make it one that can be accessed via everyone, giving mild to the fact that it is likely one of the absolute best cherished action adventures out on the market.

Of course, briefing is done prior to the task to ensure that regulations are to be adopted for safety. Classes offered are normally for half an hour mini treks to an hour and 1 / 4 of longer exploration. There are also on-your-own journey being presented the place you\’ll be able to trip through open fields, streams, woodland and tracks fully on your own. Treks usually run all the way through weekends of all of the year although there are quad trekking venues which might be open all over weekdays. Costs range depending on the motorcycle rented and the trekking duration. Pre-reserving is a good option as a few venues can most effective accommodate a most of six individuals to go on a trek at a time.

When keeping off in the course of the geographical region, be ready to get wet and muddy. Experience the joy of quad hiking and problem yourself in weaving your way in the course of the woodlands or a whole throttle around the fields. Quad bike hiking is surely a a laugh and invigorating adventure via a non-stop action path which will unquestionably get you grubby but happy.

If you are really looking for a

quad bike hire

place, go to my new

quad bike hire

website and compare prices today!

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com

Manitoba volunteers go to war against Red River flooding

Monday, April 6, 2009

Over 1,600 volunteers registered to help build approximately 65,000 of the 500,000 sandbags to create dikes 20.5 feet (6.2 meters) high to protect the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba in the war against the Red River of the North flood.

700 volunteers answered at the rural municipality of St. Andrews alone. Once sandbags are filled for West St. Paul, St. Andrews, and Selkirk, then frozen culverts must be cleared.

The height of the river is expected to be Thursday, and predictions are that it will be less than Flood of the Century of 1997. There is no precipitation in the forecast, and snow in the province should be melted by the end of the week.

“The fear right now is we have to get that ice out of the river. The Amphibex [Excavators] are still working and breaking the ice apart, and everyday we buy with the warm weather and the current, it is thinning the ice down a bit, so when it does start to move, the better chance it’ll move right out into the lake,” said Paul Guyder, the emergency coordinator for the RMs of St. Andrews and St. Clements.

“I feel that we’ve done everything humanly possible to get ready,” said Gary Doer, Premier of Manitoba, “But … there are fallibilities with human behaviour. We can take every preventative measure as human beings possible and we can still get Mother Nature proving again she is superior.”

Communities with ring diking will partially or fully close their dikes at the beginning of the week. Provincial officials are considering opening the Red River Floodway gates around mid-week before ice is fully melted.

Ice jams could cause flooding within the city, however opening the gates could spare neighbourhood flooding when the river rises to the estimated 6.3 meters (20.7 feet) height. The province does have back up plans for dealing with ice jams within the city if they do occur. The unpredictability of ice jams and the ensuing water level rise may cause neighbourhood flooding. The city is raising dikes where the river has jammed with ice in the past such as on tight curves and past bridges. Likewise there are excavators and backhoes positioned at these points.

Vulnerable neighbourhoods on the river banks have been reinforced with sandbag dikes at vulnerable areas from the massive volunteer effort over the weekend. Guyader feels no more extra volunteers are needed, however volunteers are still being asked to leave their names and number in case of unpredicted need. Existing personnel will assess roads, and help with clean up.

Approximately 400 of the 800 people who evacuated the Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation have returned to their homes.

Former Premier, Dufferin Roblin, brought forward the floodway as a protection for Winnipeg residents and economy following the 1950 Red River Flood. The Red River floodway, “Duff’s Ditch” was finally finished in 1968, and its floodway gates have been opened 20 times saving Winnipeg from an estimated CA$10 billion in damages. The floodway expansion began in 2005 at a price of $665 million.

Polish and Chinese experts have come to survey the Red River Floodway, and Dennis Walaker, mayor of Fargo, North Dakota recognises the need for Red River flood defences down river. “Every town that you drive by from the Canadian line up to Winnipeg is either elevated or ring-diked,” said Walaker.

Ban on YouTube spreads to Google services in Turkey

Monday, June 7, 2010

Access to search engine Google has been limited and most of Google’s online services cannot be accessed in Turkey. The access limitation happened due to the blocking of an IP set that belongs to Google. These IP addresses were shared between YouTube and other Google services.

The Turkish news site Hürriyet Daily News reports that Turkey’s Telecommunications Communication Presidency (TCP) (a government agency that manages Turkish ISPs) indefinitely shut off access to several Google services. The shut-off came after the banning of YouTube for alleged insults against Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. TCP released an official statement Friday, saying it had blocked access to some Google IP addresses “because of legal reasons”. Under Turkish law, it is an offence to “insult Turkishness.”

Softpedia states that the limited access to Google could be a result of the government trying to block specific DNS addresses that relate to Google, as part of its ongoing attempts to block YouTube. Since Google services share common software and IP addresses, the search engine itself suffers from access restrictions. Turkish citizens are concerned that this move of the governmental agency was another step towards a complete ban on Google, as exists in China.

Several Internet sites have been banned in Turkey in recent years, and although some of them were subsequently unbanned, most of them remain inaccessible. Engelli Web, a website listing banned sites reports that currently YouTube (since May 2008), Last.fm (since June 26, 2009), and Spanish newspaper El Mundo (since May 14, 2010) are among the banned sites in Turkey. MySpace and WordPress were also among banned sites for a period of time. Websites will be blocked following a court decision or if TCP decides to block on its behalf.

RetweetToday reports that Turkish citizens on Twitter have also reported access problems. Comments about the blockage are being shared using hashtags such as TurkeyCensorGoogle and TurkeyGoogleBan, as well as NoGoogleNoWeb.