OMFUG : CBGB & OMFUG Returns To New York City

OMFUG

A team of people, including some of Hilly Kristal's own family, dedicated to keeping
CBGB & OMFUG alive managed to add parts of the club as an installation in the new Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ANNEX opening this week in New York City.In October 2006, the iconic club and birth place of several punk stars, CBGB closed its doors due to a rent dispute over the property. Owner Hilly Kristal planned to move the club to Las Vegas until we lost him too in August 2007 to lung cancer.

But today some of the club's former employees, members of Kristal's family and others with a love for the historic nightclub have formed CBGB Holdings based in New York City to help manage the business. Just last month, the club signed a worldwide accessories and clothing deal to sell their logo T-shirts and other paraphernalia with Bravado, a Universal Music Group company. The club had moved CBGB Fashions, it's clothing and gifts store, from the Bowery location to a spot on St. Mark's after nightlife operations were shut down; the physical location of the clothing store closed this past summer but, thanks to this deal, the online store is still going strong.

CBGB Holdings is also still exploring opportunities for the club in Las Vegas, recognizing Kristal's ambitions in his last years. Meanwhile, CBGB will go on tour with the Vans WARPED tour, bringing an interactive, traveling exhibition to an entire new generation who may never have had the chance to visit the original location.

For more about OMFUG and CBGB please see source site:

Source:

http://www.digitalcity.com/2008/12/04/cbgb-and-omfug-returns-to-new-york-city/

Alamo Bowl : Northwestern Headed to San Antonio

Alamo Bowl

Northwestern will make its sixth bowl appearance since 1995 when it travels to San Antonio to meet Big 12 runner-up Missouri (9-4) in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29.

The Wildcats (9-3, 5-3) will attempt to bust a bowl losing streak that dates back nearly 60 years. The last time Northwestern won was the 1949 Rose Bowl, when it beat California 20-14.

Missouri and Northwestern have played nine times, but the last meeting was a 28-3 victory by the Tigers in 1987. This will be the 26th bowl game for Missouri, and its 13th different bowl.

Northwestern most recently played in the Sun Bowl in the 2005-06 season, losing to UCLA.

Northwestern last played in the Alamo Bowl in 2000, when the Wildcats were blown out by Nebraska 66-17.

Chance of victory would increase if running back Tyrell Sutton is able to play. The senior broke his wrist against Indiana on Oct. 25 and has said he expects to learn of his bowl availability between Dec. 15-22.

Read more about the Alamo Bowl :

Source:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/chi081207-northwestern-bowl,0,7250767.story

The Librarian : Curse of the Judas Chalice

The Librarian : Curse of the Judas Chalice

There's a vampire theme in "The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice," which in these "Twilight"/"True Blood" days might feel like, um, overkill, but try not to let it bother you.

For one thing, like its predecessors "Quest for the Spear" and "Return to King Solomon's Mines," this third "Librarian" film is an old-fashioned family flick with an emphasis on humor, adventure and chaste romance over disturbing sexual metaphor.

It stars, once again, the doe-eyed, PG-appealing Noah Wyle as Flynn Carsen, a callow brainiac pried out of his 15-year college plan to work for the mysterious Metropolitan Library, where, under the watchful eyes of the head librarian (Bob Newhart), many treasures of yore are kept safe. There's Pandora's box and Excalibur, the Ark of the Covenant (apparently whatever Indiana Jones found was a fake) and a real live unicorn. Flynn's job is to procure more of the same, usually a half a step ahead of some dastardly band with nefarious plans.

"Curse of the Judas Chalice" opens in Bucharest (and really, all you have to do is flash "Bucharest" across the screen to know something at least semi-wicked this way comes), where the frail but feisty Professor Lazlo (Bruce Davison) is finishing up a lecture on Romanian history, after which he ruefully acknowledges that all anyone cares about is Vlad the Impaler , a.k.a. Dracula. Minutes later, Lazlo is kidnapped by Russians searching for the cup made from the 30 coins paid to Judas for his betrayal of Jesus. They hope to use it to reanimate, you guessed it, Dracula.

Meanwhile, our man Flynn has problems of his own. He's bidding on a Ming vase that has its own little secret, but he's also trying to placate his girlfriend, who's getting sick of him disappearing for no good reason (his adventures are, of course, secret).

He gets the vase but loses the girl and finds himself reading the riot act to the head librarian and his curmudgeonly head of personnel (Jane Curtin).

So instead of accepting the assignment to find Lazlo, he goes on vacation. A dream of a beautiful woman takes him to New Orleans, where he not only finds her, Day One, but he is also instantly drawn into the whole Judas chalice situation. Soon he's racing around colorful New Orleans with a canny local sidekick and the mysterious Simone (Stana Katic), trying to stop a bunch of guys who are probably all named Boris from bringing Dracula back to life.

See, when you say it out loud, it sounds silly. But it's very fun to watch, and if the theory that Judas Iscariot was the world's first vampire might not stand up, well, it's as nifty a plot twist as any. It helps that Katic is as good as she is, but what's great about "Curse of the Judas Chalice" and the Librarian films in general is that they are the rarest of breeds -- high-end family entertainment. (Writer Marco Schnabel and director Jonathan Frakes again did the honors.)

Wyle is funny and charming and dispenses just enough fascinating arcane knowledge to keep things semi-educational, the special effects are great, Newhart and Curtin are always great to see, the ubiquitous Davison ("Knight Rider") is obviously having a blast as Lazlo, and really, who doesn't like a good vampire story?

Find more on The Librarian here:

Source:

http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/cl-et-librarian6-2008dec06,0,3977936.story

Constitution Arms : Guns On Prescription For Elderly

Constitution Arms

A small arms manufacturer in the US is taking deposits for a gun specially designed for elderly and disabled people, who may be able to get it on prescription.The Palm Pistol is the world's first ergonomic firearm, according to Constitution Arms.

The single-shot 9mm weapon is grasped in the palm of the hand, with the barrel pointing out between the fingers.

Instead of pulling a trigger to fire the gun, users press their thumb on a button at the top.

"Point and shoot couldn't be easier," the New Jersey-based company claims on its website.

And it goes on to say: "It is ideal for seniors, disabled or others who may have dexterity limitations or difficulty sighting and controlling a traditional revolver or semi-automatic pistol."

The Palm Pistol has been certified as a Class I Medical Device by the US Food and Drug Administration, Constitution Arms said.

That means doctors could prescribe it to certain people, such as those who have had fingers amputated.

And patients could be able to claim back the cost on their medical insurance, if the manufacturer is successful in an attempt to have the gun defined as "durable medical equipment".

The Palm Pistol will cost around $300 when it goes on sale.

Constitution Arms has not confirmed when that will be, but is taking deposits of $25 for anyone interested in buying one.

For more information about Constitution Arms visit the source below.

Source:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Palm-Pistol-Gun-Designed-By-Constitution-Arms-For-Elderly-And-Disabled-People/Article/200812115173123

Refinance Calculator : Interest Rate Drop Opens Door to Refinancing

Refinance Calculator

The recent sharp drop in mortgage interest rates is creating a window for homeowners nationwide to refinance and providing an incentive to people who have been holding back on buying a house.

In the past week, mortgage rates for 30-year fixed loans have dropped to as low as 5.5 percent, down from about 6.5 percent a week ago, according to Bankrate.com. Some lenders are advertising rates below 5 percent for 15-year loans.

But some Austin mortgage brokers said rates could jump again because of volatile financial markets.

Brokers said that except for a few days in February, rates haven't been this low since 2003.

"Volatility has been the overall trend in our industry over the past year," said Dan Reagan, a certified mortgage planner with Cornerstone Mortgage Co. "I like the idea of taking advantage of these rates now rather than later. There is a chance that this refinance miniboom may be short-lived."

The trigger for the drop was a move last week by the Federal Reserve to buy up to $600 billion in debt and assets from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the biggest buyers of mortgages.

Lower interest rates could help the battered housing market, as well as provide relief for homeowners with higher fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgages.

"If you have been on the fence about refinancing or buying a new home, then these incredibly low interest rates should help push you in the right direction," said John McClellan, branch manager at Supreme Lending in Austin.

On a $165,000, 30-year loan, a drop from 6.5 percent to 5.5 percent cuts the monthly payment more than $100, to $936. On a 15-year loan, the difference is about $90, according to Bankrate.com's calculator.

Wendy Dabrusin, a senior loan officer with Supreme Lending, said she is contacting clients who had been interested in refinancing but could not because rates weren't low enough to make a meaningful difference.

Now, she said, it could pay off. "If they have a 7 percent rate, or even 6.75 percent, it's probably going to be worth it to refinance," she said.

For homeowners with adjustable-rate mortgages that are due to reset within a year, it is absolutely a good time to refinance, even if the new rate isn't a full point lower, she said.

But Dabrusin and other mortgage brokers said homeowners also should consider how long they plan to keep the house. Closing costs can add several thousand dollars to a refinancing and should be added to any calculation of savings.

David Reed, president of CD Reed Mortgage Bankers, said a simple calculation can show whether refinancing makes sense: Compare your current rate with a potential new one, and then figure the monthly savings. Divide the closing costs by that figure, and the result is the number of months needed to recoup closing fees.

It typically takes three to five years to recover the costs, Dabrusin said.

Reed and others warned that lenders have imposed more stringent standards on borrowers, whether first-time buyers or homeowners refinancing a loan.

"Buyers today know that lenders will require decent credit, some down payment and an income that can support a house payment," Reed said. "If you're a buyer, especially a first-timer, you couldn't have waited at a better time in my opinion. Home prices are stabilizing, rates are at record lows, and traditionally the real estate market cools down in the winter months."

Finally, Reed advised: "Don't get greedy. If you can refinance today at 5.5 percent and you're currently at 6.5 percent, don't wait out for another one-eighth percent. You might just bet the wrong horse and rates go back up."

Peter Sajovich, owner-broker with RE/MAX, said lower rates — which he thinks will stick around for months — will go a long way to help the housing market.

"Keep the mortgage rates here, then you'll see the mortgage market rebound quickly," Sajovich said. "In Austin, it's going to really spur real estate activity."

For more refinance calculator and refinance calculation information please see:

Source:

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/12/02/1202refi.html