Why towns are saying 'Try Me' to Google

Communities across the country are going gaga over Google.

With hopes of becoming a test bed for the online search giant's ultra-fast Internet network
, Topeka, Kansas, temporarily changed its name to Google.

Duluth, Minnesota, created a spoof YouTube video mocking Topeka's effort, pledging to rename every first-born male Google Fiber and female Googlette Fiber.

Highlands Ranch, a suburb south of Denver, is gathering community members to form a human "We Love Google" sign at a local high school football stadium.

"We know we have to do something unusual to get Google's attention," said Jamie Noebel, community-relations manager for Highlands Ranch.

Google announced plans last month to a build a fiber-optic network that would offer residential Internet speeds of 1 gigabit per second - about 100 times faster than the speeds available to most Americans today.

Put another way, users would be able to download a high-definition movie
in less than a minute, compared with more than an hour on speeds currently available.

The company said the service may reach up to 500,000 people and asked communities interested in becoming a trial location to essentially submit an application by March 26. Google says it will weigh factors such as "community support, local resources, weather conditions, approved construction methods and local regulatory issues."

The test community or communities will be selected this year.

Google has long had a testy relationship with traditional broadband providers, battling over issues such as "network neutrality" - an effort to prevent companies such as Comcast and Denver-based Qwest from offering tiered pricing for access to their networks.

Google doesn't necessarily want to be an Internet service provider. It's using the "experiment" to show that faster broadband speeds can be offered by companies other than cable and telecommunications firms.

"We'll manage our network in an open, nondiscriminatory and transparent way," Google states on the project's Web page.

Google will have to dig up roads and connect fiber-optic cables directly to homes, similar to the network upgrade Verizon has undertaken in its local phone-service territory.

By working directly with local governments, Google can cut some of the red tape that often slows such buildouts, such as right-of-way issues.

And city officials across the country are showing they're more than willing to work with Google.

Longmont in northern Colorado is quick to note that the city owns its own electric utility, giving Google easy access to infrastructure it may need to roll out the service.

"There's a lot of hype out there, but once you get through the hype, we've got a lot of attributes," said Tom Roiniotis, director of Longmont Power & Communications.

He said the St. Vrain Valley School District is planning a YouTube video contest to promote Longmont, which also owns an 18-mile fiber-optic ring that Google can tap into.

NDtv News

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Nomar Garciaparra | Nomar Garciaparra Stats | Nomar Garciaparra Steroids | Nomar | Mia Hamm

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Six years after he was traded away for the final pieces of Boston's World Series puzzle, Nomar Garciaparra finally got a friendly farewell from the Red Sox.

The rookie of the year, batting champion and All-Star whose trade began a bitter back-and-forth in Boston and, for Garciaparra, an inglorious slide into irrelevance, signed a ceremonial one-day contract with the Red Sox on Wednesday for the purpose of retiring in the uniform of his original team.

"From the first day I had the thrill of putting on a Red Sox uniform and playing in front of all the great fans at Fenway Park, I have felt at home in Boston," Garciaparra said in a statement that belied the ugliness that accompanied his departure. "While I had the privilege of playing with other legendary teams, I always saw myself retiring in a Red Sox uniform."

Garciaparra announced he's leaving baseball at 36 to become an ESPN analyst, ending a 14-year career in which he was a six-time All-Star and two-time batting champion. But the career that started with the 1997 AL Rookie of the Year award began to crumble when the Red Sox tried to acquire Alex Rodriguez after the 2003 season – a deal that probably would have forced them to trade Garciaparra.

Although the Rodriguez deal fell through, the talks upset Garciaparra, and an Achilles' tendon injury that kept him out until June the next season didn't help his mood. It also didn't help that the market for shortstops had plummeted since he rejected a four-year, $60 million offer from the Red Sox.

With the Red Sox struggling at midseason, general manager Theo Epstein traded Garciaparra for shortstop Orlando Cabrera and defensive first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. Accusations of disloyalty flew, and Red Sox fans were stunned to lose their "No-mah."

But they soon overcame their grief: The Red Sox went 42-18 for the best finish in baseball, capping the season with their first World Series crown since 1918.

Garciaparra watched from afar.

"I felt like I was there," he said. "In Boston there's something greater than an individual player winning a World Series. When I was there I realized there's something bigger than us winning a World Series. It's winning a World Series for these people."

Epstein, who grew up in the Boston area, knew the risk he was taking by trading away the shortstop who had been the most popular player on the team.

"We've been fortunate over the years to maintain a relationship after the trade," Epstein said. "I think both of us understood at the time that it wasn't about Nomar and it wasn't about me. It was just baseball trades that happen. They're about what's going on with the team at the time and certain things that had to happen. But, it didn't change what Nomar meant to the Red Sox."

Terry Francona, who led the team to a World Series title in his rookie season as Red Sox manager, saw just the last few months of Garciaparra's time at Fenway Park.

"His last part in Boston was tough," Francona said. "He was kind of Boston-ed out. It had kind of wore on him for whatever reasons. Sometimes it's time to move on. That doesn't mean he's a bad person. I think the fact he's come back kind of shows that."

Garciaparra's teammates – the beneficiaries of his acrobatic defense and clutch hitting – found it appropriate that he retired in a Boston uniform.

"He was a Red Sox for a long time and I think he'll always be remembered as a Red Sox," said pitcher Tim Wakefield, who was Garciaparra's teammate for the shortstop's entire stay in Boston. "For the organization to sign him to a one-day deal and have him retire as a Red Sox is pretty special. I'm really happy for him. I wish he was still playing but sometimes our careers take different paths."

Garciaparra threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, with former Red Sox and Georgia Tech teammate Jason Varitek catching.

"Nomar will always hold a special place in Red Sox history and in the hearts of Red Sox Nation," owner John Henry said. "His accomplishments on the field and in the community place him among the greatest players to wear a Red Sox uniform. We are very appreciative that Nomar is ending his career where it began."

Garciaparra spent the past five seasons with the Cubs, Dodgers and A's. He had a .313 career average with 229 home runs and 936 RBIs.

Garciaparra was in the thick of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry but always earned the respect of his opponents in New York.

"I always enjoyed playing against Boston because of Nomar," Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said. "I used to enjoy being mentioned with him."

Added Rodriguez: "I love Nomar. He's a great player and a friend."

Huffingtonpost News

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Minneapolis Public Schools | Minneapolis Schools | Minneapolis Public Schools Lock Down | Minneapolis Public Schools Lockdown | Kare11

The Minneapolis School District has locked down all of its buildings for the day after police said a threat to shoot up a Minneapolis school was posted on the Web.

Minneapolis Police Sgt. Jesse Garcia says officers learned early Wednesday that someone had threatened to open fire in a school then shoot themselves.

The threat was made on two social networking sites. He says the threat didn't specify which school was the target, so the district decided to lock down all its buildings.

Garcia says at a news conference that police are taking the threats seriously and working to track down who posted them.

District spokeswoman Emily Lowther says the 34,000 students in the district continue to go to class, but access to the buildings is restricted. She says parents have been notified of the situation.

It's likely that the alert status will last for the remainder of the day. The district notified parents with its automated telephone system. Another announcement will go out when the district knows more.

CBS News

Tags: Kare 11, Minneapolis Public Schools, Minneapolis Public Schools Lock Down, Minneapolis Public Schools Lockdown, Minneapolis Schools

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Corey Feldman | Corey Feldman at Corey Haim's Mother's Place | Corey Feldman: Haim Was "In the Best Frame of Mind That He's Ever Been"

Corey Haim was in "the best frame of mind" in his life, Corey Feldman said on Larry King Live Wednesday night, adding that people shouldn't jump to conclusions that his close friend died of a drug overdose.

Corey Haim dead at 38

Haim, who had struggled with addiction for many years, was taken to a Burbank hospital where he was pronounced dead Wednesday morning.

"They need to stop saying it's a drug overdose," he told Larry King. "Until the coroner's report comes out ... nobody knows."

Check out our gallery of Haim's most memorable roles

Haim was also dealing with his mother's cancer battle, but Feldman said in the weeks before his death he was still positive. "Most recently he's been, honestly, in the best frame of mind that he's ever been in in the past year," continued Feldman.

"He was fine. I mean, he was actually giving me some advice about something that I was upset about and he was being very positive. I had just been getting him out more recently. I had taken him up to the Playboy Mansion fairly recently for the Super Bowl party."

See photos of child stars gone too soon

Still, a source familiar with the case told TVGuide.com earlier Wednesday that Haim died of an apparent overdose.

Feldman acknowledged on King's CNN program that Haim battled addiction for many years.

"I know it better than anybody, because I've been the guy stuffing charcoal down his throat when he was ODing. I've been the guy trying to make him, you know, stand up, or — or say a complete sentence. I've been there with him through it many, many times, " Feldman said. "And it — it's happened very badly, and very intensely through the years on many occasions."

Feldman said he was still trying to "digest" Haim's death. "I don't think I've even come close yet."

Seattlepi News

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Corey Haim, Actor, Dies at 38 | Corey Haim | Corey Feldman | Corey Haim Dead | Corey Haim Movies | Cory Haim | Lost Boys |

Corey Haim, an actor whose status as a teenage heartthrob of the 1980s gave way to substance abuse and rehabilitation as an adult, died on Wednesday at a hospital in Burbank, Calif. He was 38.

His death was confirmed by Sgt. Michael Kammert of the Los Angeles Police Department. The assistant chief coroner of Los Angeles County, Ed Winter, told The Associated Press that Mr. Haim’s mother had called paramedics. “As he got out of bed, he felt a little weak and went down to the floor on his knees,” Mr. Winter said. No other details were provided. The police said they were investigating.

Mr. Haim started acting as a child and shot to fame as the gawky adolescent star of coming-of-age comedies like “Lucas,” a 1986 film in which he played the lovelorn title character, and “License to Drive,” a 1988 feature about a young man’s dreams of piloting the family Cadillac.

He was also among the stars of “The Lost Boys,” a 1987 vampire thriller directed by Joel Schumacher. The film was the first in which he appeared opposite Corey Feldman, another gangly teenage actor, whose films include “Stand by Me” and “The Goonies.” With a common first name, Mr. Haim and Mr. Feldman came to be known as the two Coreys and worked together in several more films, including “Dream a Little Dream” in 1989

In recent years Mr. Haim underwent rehabilitation for addictions to prescription pills and cocaine and outgrew his once scrawny form and image. In an interview with The New York Times in 2007, he said he had ballooned to more than 300 pounds and been offered a spot on the VH1 weight-loss reality show “Celebrity Fit Club.”

He was candid about his frequent attempts to overcome his drug problems, telling the ABC News program “Nightline” in 2007 that his habits had ruined his career “to the point where I wasn’t functional enough to work for anybody, even myself.”

After a long estrangement, Mr. Haim reunited with Mr. Feldman in 2007 for an A&E reality series called “The Two Coreys” during which Mr. Haim lived with Mr. Feldman and his wife for three months. The show was renewed for a second season but not a third after Mr. Feldman said he would not work with Mr. Haim until he had gotten “the help he truly needs.”

Mr. Haim was born on Dec. 23, 1971, and grew up in Toronto. Information on survivors was not immediately available.

NY times News

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T Bone Burnett | Crazy Heart | Crazy Heart Music | Ryan Bingham | Stephen Bruton | Did Colin Farrell Sing in Crazy Heart | Ryan Bingham, T-Bone Burnett Win Oscar for Best Song

Ryan Bingham and T-Bone Burnett won the Oscar for Best Original Song for 'The Weary Kind' from 'Crazy Heart' at the 82nd Academy Awards in Los Angeles Sunday night. It was the first Oscar win for both musicians.

Bingham, pictured, and Burnett were nominated alongside two Randy Newman songs -- 'Almost There' and 'Down in New Orleans,' from 'The Princess and the Frog,' as well as 'Loin de Paname' from 'Paris 36,' with lyrics by Frank Thomas and music by Reinhardt Wagner, and Maury Yeston's 'Take It All' from 'Nine.'

Both Bingham and Burnett accepted the award, with Bingham thanking the cast and crew of 'Crazy Heart' and his family.

The pair also won the award for Best Original Song at the Golden Globes. They will be working together again on Bingham's follow-up to his debut album with his band, Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses, as Bingham recently told Spinner in an interview.

Tags: crazy heart, crazy heart music, ryan bingham, stephen bruton, did colin farrell sing in crazy heart

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John Hughes Death | John Hughes | John Hughes Movies | Judd Nelson | Molly Ringwald | John Hughes Biography

Many people are upset that John Hughes death tribute was cut short at the Oscars. Many feel that he deserved more than just a brief clip.

The truth is that John Hughes did a lot for the music industry and his movies brought a 'spark' that no one could replace. He died of a heart attack at the age of 59.

The length of his tribute does not matter. Its the memories of his work and good deeds that will go on forever.

In fact, The Oscars are in the process of planning a very special tribute to John Hughes, writer, director and producer.

Alec Baldwin even said some kind words about Hughes at the Oscars to everyone's surprise considering that he bashed Hughes in an interview years ago for cutting his lines short in the movie, She's Having a Baby.

Tags: john hughes, john hughes movies, judd nelson, molly ringwald, john hughes biography

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Music by Prudence | Music by Prudence Documentary | Elinor Burkett | Prudence Mabhena | Music by Prudence Wiki | Roger Ross Williams

The winner of Best Documentary Short Category, is “Music by Prudence,” directed by Roger Ross Williams, and starring Prudence Mabhena.

The 33 minute documentary, focuses around a gifted young woman Prudence, who suffers from arthrogryphosis, a rare disorder which severely deforms the joints of the body.

Prudence who has had to face many odds in her young life, although this has not stopped her from living. Prudence sings in an amazing five languages, and shares her talents with the world.

Typically people with disabilities in Africa, are seen as the result of witchcraft, and they are even sometimes killed, to remove the curse from the family.

But Prudence, born in Victoria Falls did not face the same fate. When she was born, it was soon obvious that there was something not right. Her arms and legs were soon to found useless, as well as being twisted and limp.

Her paternal grandmother, told her daughter in law to refrain from breastfeeding Prudence, which would inevitably mean death for the baby. But Prudence’s mothed did not listen, and was soon ostracized. She ended up taking Prudence to her own mother’s rural home, and when Prudence turned 4, she was left in her Grandmothers care.

But Prudence’s life did not get easy from here, she had to endure things that would be too much for most people. To be viewed by the community and being treated like a disease. Prudence also had to face, not being able to be schooled by her grandmother, after she had only just started at King George VI School and Centre with Physical Disabilities, which is privately funded.

Prudence’s father could not pay for her tuition, so she was then forced to move with him. This also at a time when because her legs were now deemed useless and twisted, they were amputated.

But her father’s new wife, would not care for Prudence, she even refused to touch her. She lived in hell as no-one would take her to the bathroom, so endured sitting in her own urine and feces. And she had to crawl on the floor and eat on the floor as she had no wheelchair. But everyday She would drag herself to a mango tree, to sing, and tell herself that it would all soon be over.

Prudence was then awarded a scholarship to the school.

When arriving at the school, aged 9, she is unable to trust, and felt dehumanized, she is gifted a wheelchair, which gives her the opportunity to clean up, go to school and finally feel human again.

When a school administrator one day hears Prudence’s voice, they offer her to try out for the choir, where within a week, she is running it.

From this point Prudence’s story continues to shine, and it is a documentary that everyone should see, purely to learn the lesson of strength, human spirit and love.

Prudence now has her own Afro-Fusion band, where all 8 members have a disability.

Showing a lesson to the people who had given up on them, these children have worth, and have talent.

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Same-sex marriage and adoption law implemented in Mexico city !

Finally on Thursday Mexico City implemented the same-sex marriage and adoption of child by the same-sex partners. Mayor Marcelo Ebrard the Mexico City mayor has said that the officials will do everything to implement the law. Since gay rights activists are quite apprehensive about the implementation of the law as the conservative politicians have said that they would do everything in their power to chip away the same-sex marriage rights.

Last month the Mexican Institute for sexology held a workshop for 60 Civil Registry judges who will be performing the weddings. The institute’s founder and director Juan Luis Alvarez-Gayou said that this week another workshop for 120 civil judges will be held who might have to give rulings on domestic issues after the marriage.

The law is implemented just a day after a same-sex marriage was performed in Argentina. Previously the couple was denied the marriage by the nation’s capital, Buenos Aires officials but a civil ceremony was performed on Wednesday after a judge issued a ruling which allowed the two men, Damien Bernath and Jorge Salazar to get married. This is the first gay marriage in Buenos Aries and second in Argentina, first one took place in Tierra del Fuego after the capital city denied a permit and calling it illegal.

This law of Mexico City can be viewed as a beginning of a new era, when the Latin American nations are opening up and accepting the same-sex marriage. In many Latin American countries the same-sex marriage issue is decided on local and state level, but one can only hope it gets a wider and national acceptance soon.

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Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp: Depp’s girlfriend forbids lovemaking scenes with man-eating Jolie

The inevitable has finally happened…just when we were beginning to count the days for the release of Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp’s sexy thriller The Tourist, steps in the apprehensive girlfriend of the quirky yet sizzling hot actor Johnny Depp asking him to wriggle out of their latest celluloid venture which is reportedly replete with steamy scenes guaranteed to send the temperature rising.

Vanessa Paradis, the French singer and actress who has two children with her longtime boyfriend Johnny Depp has asked him to decline the lovemaking scenes in the currently filmed movie. Given the latest New York Post reports it is evident that the ravishing actress Angelina Jolie’s previous man-stealing escapades has not gone unnoticed by the 38 year old French model. The proverbial Hollywood wild child Angelina had made headlines when she started dating the then-married Brad Pitt on the sets of Mr. and Mrs. Smith; she was also reportedly entangled with the legendary Rolling Stones’ lead vocalist Sir Mick Jagger who was then married to Jerry Hall. Although Angelina has been accompanied by the entire Brangelina brood (Brad Pitt and her six children) we really can’t blame Paradis for being nervous when she “found out that there was a real long and intense love scene between (Depp) and Jolie”….after all Johnny Depp is one of the sexiest men in tinsel town and Angelina is known to have the hots for the hooked and booked men.

According to the Daily Star, a copy of The Tourist’s screenplay described the sexy steamy introductory scenes as “The outline of her naked body is visible in the shower. Frank walks to the shower and opens the glass door, walking in, he lifts Cara against the glass, clutching at her slithery body, kissing her frantically. She kisses him back with ardour, wrapping her dripping legs around his back” where the sexy Angelina plays the role of an Interpol agent Cara Mason who seduces an unsuspecting American tourist played by Depp to track down a criminal she once slept with.

Previously it was reported that Depp and his longtime flame Paradis were contemplating of tying the knot in April in a chapel on their 1.25-million-dollar French property after he was spotted in his quest for the perfect engagement ring in California with director Tim Burton as his best man in the ceremony.

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