In The Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience, excerpts from the musicians' "Burning Up" concert tour combine with behind-the-scenes footage, unscripted segments, and plenty of good-natured humor. Also on DVD: 12 Rounds, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li and Two Lovers.
In Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail, Perry stars once again as the mischief-prone older woman whose exploits this time lead her to jail, where she befriends and reforms a prostitute named Candy. Also on DVD: Friday the 13th.
He's Just Not That Into You follows the love lives of a dozen or so characters. The film is an adaptation of Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo's best-selling self-help book. Also on DVD: Defiance and Revolutionary Road.
Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr. headline New In Town about an ambitious Miami executive who meets the man of her dreams and begins reassessing her big-city values after accepting a temporary transfer to the middle of nowhere. Also on DVD: Forever Strong.
A New Jersey rent-a-cop gets his moment to shine as the holidays approach and Santa's little helpers stage a coup at the local shopping mall in Paul Blart: Mall Cop, starring Kevin James. Also on DVD: Valkyrie, My Bloody Valentine 3-D and Fanboys.
Best MP3 Playlist of Summer Songs for Any Summer BBQ Party
Here are the Best Summer Love Songs, Summer Fun Songs, Summer BBQ Songs, Summer Tailgate Party Songs, Summer Graduation Songs, and Summer Travel Songs. Enjoy this MP3 media player with the best summer song playlist for any summer party.
The MP3 video media player includes these best summer songs on the playlist:
Six Pack Summerby Phil Vassar Sommer of Loveby the B-52s Summer’s Almost Goneby The Doors One Summer Dreamby Electric Light Orchestra Summer’s Comingby Clint Black Summertime Bluesby Alan Jackson Summer of 69by Bryan Adams All Summer Longby The Beach Boys Summertime by Billy Stewart Summertime Bluesby The Who Schools Out for the Summerby Alice Cooper Summer Nightsby Olivia Newton John and John Travolta Cruel Summerby Ace of Base The Boys of Summerby Don Henley In the Summertimeby Mungo Jerry Endless Summer Nightsby Richard Marx Hot Fun in the Summertimeby Sly and the Family Stone Summer in the Cityby The Lovin’ Spoonful Saturday in the Parkby Chicago Summer Breezeby Seals & Croft It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhereby Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet
Click on the media player to begin a summer song. Click on the Channel Guide in the media player to select a different summer song.
There is no better sunset in Central Texas than at The OASIS Lake Travis, in Austin, Texas. They have great margaritas and good Mexican food. Click on the name above the picture to read the restaurant review.
If you ever make it to El Paso, Texas - this is a MUST visit destination! Even military members in Iraq ask loved ones at home to send Chicos Tacos in a care package. They have moved from their McRae Street location. I will provide an update on the address of their new location.
Posted on March 15th, 2009 by Party Mama Aly Adair
Enjoy Your Dining Experience When You Travel to Denver, Colorado
The Best Restaurants in Denver, Colorado Are Reviewed Here
If you are planning to attend The Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado from August 25-28 or if you are planning any vacation or business travel to the Denver Metro area, check out these great Mile High Denver Colorado restaurant reviews.
Cafe Colore in Denver: Larimer Square Four-Star Bistro
Located in “Lodo” - Downtown Denver
by Gary Davis
Best Restaurants in Denver: Steuben’s Restaurant Review
by Bernadette
Vesta Dipping Grill in Denver: A True Dining Experience for DNC Visitors
Vesta Dipping Grill Leaves Diners Warm and Well Fed
by Jessica V
The Dish Bistro: One of the Best International Restaurants in Denver
by Renee Japanese Restaurants in Denver, Colorado
8 You Don’t Want to Miss!
by Sylvia Cochran
Posted on February 22nd, 2009 by Party Mama Aly Adair
How Do You Build A House in 160 Hours for Ty Pennington’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition?
Ask Randy O’Leary, Owner of Desert View Homes in El Paso, Texas!
by Aly Adair
Photo: Randy O’Leary, Owner of Desert View Homes in El Paso, Texas
Ever wonder what it is like to build a home in 160 hours with Ty Pennington and his amazing team from Extreme Makeover Home Edition? Check out the Q and A with Randy O’Leary, owner of Desert View Homes in El Paso, Texas. He did it! Would he do it again? “In a heartbeat.”
I was so excited to get an email from my friend in El Paso telling me about the amazing story of his nephew, Randy O’Leary and their volunteer efforts for Ty Pennington’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition El Paso episode airing Sunday March 15 (ABC 8/7 C).
I grew up in El Paso, Texas so for me this story has heartfelt deep meaning in many ways. My friend, Cliff, together with a team of volunteers and sponsors in El Paso, gave their hearts, their time, and their resources to help an extraordinary Mexican family for Ty Pennington’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition.
In an email from my friend Cliff he writes: “Ty is as good natured off camera as he is when being filmed. The entire production staff (over 100) was as concerned for the charity as El Paso was for having them here.”Volunteers and spectators who participated in the Extreme Makeover Home Edition El Paso episode were asked to bring one or more canned good products.Here’s why:
Posted on February 19th, 2009 by Party Mama Aly Adair
Things I Learned About Taking Care of Pets
This is Spike
by Aly Adair
I’ve had a few experiences and learned a few things about pet care, pet safety and pet health. Here are some articles I wrote about taking care of your pet and keeping your pet safe and healthy.
Posted on December 31st, 2008 by Party Mama Aly Adair
Print Your Own Message on Any of 22 Different Colors of M&M’s for Valentine’s Day, Summer Weddings, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, or Birthdays
by Aly Adair
The Maya Indians referred to cacao as “food of the gods.” In 1868, Richard Cadbury decorated a box with a picture of his daughter holding a kitten. Inside the box were chocolate candies and the first “chocolate box” was born. In fact, according to a survey reported by the Chocolate Manufacturers Association (CMA), 68% of men aged 50 and over would rather receive chocolates over flowers.
You may be searching for a unique chocolategift for business parties, weddings, birthdays, holiday parties, baby showers, anniversaries, thank you gifts or hostess gifts. If you are looking for an impressive delicacy to offer your holiday or special occasion guests, you may want to consider some of these unique chocolatecandy ideas:
Posted on December 31st, 2008 by Party Mama Aly Adair
My Favorite Movies and DVDs About the
Best Real Life Love Affairs in History
Listen to the Academy Award winning song Falling Slowly from the independent film Once based on the real life love story of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.
What else can I say about Johnny Cash and his relentless pursuit of June Carter to be his wife? This real life romantic love story has to go down in history as one of the most endearing love stories ever to end happily for two people in love. Despite tumultuous times, the love of Johnny Cash and June Carter was unconditional and something we all strive to achieve in our own lives, but few may actually know. It shows that people really can change when they love someone enough to not want to lose them. John and June met in 1956 and were married for 35 years. John and June are buried next to each other in Hendersonville, Tennessee. It was there where they lived most of their 35 years together in an 18-room home on Old Hickory Lake. After Johnny’s death, Barry Gibb and his wife Linda bought the 13,880 square-foot Cash family home to use for songwriting.
Although this movie was banned in Thailand because of historical inaccuracies and disrespect for the monarchy, the love affair of King Maha Mongkut of Siam and British governess Anna Leonowens is passionate, romantic, and classically untimely. Anna and the King is a remake of The King and I, but provides viewers with compelling scenery and gripping performances by Jody Foster and Yun-Fat Chow. In real life, Leonowens wrote two books about her life in Siam and romance with King Mongkut. Margaret Landon later used Leonowen’s books for the novel Anna and The King of Siam. The love story inspired a movie with Rex Harrison, and a Broadway play, a movie, and a television series with Yul Brynner.
Napoleon was a young soldier who rose to become the Emperor of France. Josephine was a beautiful widow who narrowly escaped the guillotine during the Terror in Paris in 1794. In 1796, they married but divorced in 1810 after Josephine failed to produce an heir. The romance between Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine de Beauharnais that shocked the whole world is one of the best in history. Ultimately, Napoleon was exiled to Elba. Their passionate love story is further illustrated by the letters Napoleon wrote to Josephine, including this sample:
Dec 29, 1975 I awake all filled with you. Your image and the intoxicating pleasures of last night, allow my senses no rest.
Cleopatra was a queen of ancient Egypt and one of the most fascinating women in history. According to legend she was not a particularly beautiful women, but rather a charming, seductive one. Cleopatra developed relationships with Julius Caesar as well as Mark Antony, two of the greatest Roman leaders of the day. We get a special bonus in the movie Cleopatra since Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton also had their own historic real life love affair.
The real-life 1950’s romance between British writer C.S. Lewis and divorced American poet Joy Gresham is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The sheltered life of C.S. Lewis brought us his mythical, magical fantasy land of Narnia. In 1952, at age 54, Lewis would find that life is not just about fantasy as he met with Joy Davidman Gresham, a married mother of two and an award winning poet. Prior to their meeting, Gresham had corresponded with Lewis about his Narnia works, enjoyed by her children. In 1954, Gresham divorced her also famous writer husband after he asked Gresham to participate in a threesome with his mistress lover. In 1956 C.S. Lewis and Gresham married. After a long bout with cancer, Gresham died in 1959. During their short life together, Gresham and her children brought C.S. Lewis the happiest times of his life; ironically the fantasy he never wrote about as a bachelor became the best real life love story of his career.
Reds is the epic real-life love story of political activist John Reed and journalist Louise Bryant during the Communist revolution in Russia. In real life true Warren Beatty hopeless romantic fashion, Beatty wanted his long-time love Julie Christie to play Louise Bryant. Beatty was passionate about the making of Reds and he wanted it to be “their” movie together. Julie Christie was game to the idea up until Beatty was ready to film and then she backed out saying the role should be played by an American.
The unimaginable ending of a family is played out in this gripping real life love story between mother and housewife Kate Soffel and killer Ed Biddle. Kate Soffel regularly visited inmates to comfort them and read to them at a rural jail where her husband Peter was warden. Kate falls in love with inmate Ed Biddle and leaves her children and her husband. In real life, Ed and Jack Biddle were on death row for murdering a grocer during a robbery and for murdering Detective Fitzgerald from Pittsburg during their arrest. On January 30, 1902, Kate Soffel abandoned her children and husband to help Ed Biddle and his brother Jack escape from the Allegheny County Jail. Two days later, both Biddle brothers were killed and Kate was injured. Kate Soffel served two years in prison for her role in the escape. Kate Soffel died in August 1909 from typhoid fever at a Pittsburg hospital where her daughter Margaret was a nurse.
Clark Gable and Carole Lombard met while filming No Man of Her Own in 1932. Lombard was married to actor William Powell, and Gable was married to a Texas widow with money who was 10 years older than Gable. However, it wasn’t until 1936 when they attended a party, danced all night together, and began one of Hollywood’s most notorious love affairs. In March 1939, while Gable was filming Gone With the Wind, Lombard and Gable were married in Kingman Arizona. Frankly my dear, this real life love story was meant to be.
This is the story of Jane Austen’s life and while not historically accurate, the plot leads viewers to believe that at a young age, Austen’s love affair with Irishman Tom Lefroy inspired her to write the romantic novel Pride and Prejudice published in early 1813. In fact, the real life romance was described as more of an adolescent crush. Austen was not known outside her circle of friends and family for writing Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen went on to write Emma and Mansfield Park. Austen died on July 18, 1817 at age 42 and later would become one of the most loved writers of British literature. Anne Hathaway, who stars as Jane Austen, learned to play the piano and worked with a dialect coach to prepare for the making of Becoming Jane.
William Shakespeare, while a minor, married Anne Hathaway who was 26 years of age and pregnant with Shakespeare’s child at the time of their marriage. Some scholars believe Shakespeare was in love with another woman, Anne Whateley, while others believe Anne Hathaway and Anne Whateley was the same woman. It’s a mystery! While the movie Shakespeare in Love includes fictional characters, the romantic plot does portray the insatiable lust and love Shakespeare had for women.
Amadeus is not your typical romantic love story movie, but the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri fills our romantic hearts with a love of classical music, while ripping our hearts in half with the portrayal of jealousy and tragedy from a rival composer. Aside from falling in love with Mozart’s music all over again, we see Mozart and his love Constanze Weber in their glory. In real life, Mozart fell in love with Aloysia Weber in 1977 while looking for work in Mannheim. After four months in Mannheim, and no work, Mozart spent the next several years traveling around before settling in Vienna. In 1782, he married Constanze Weber, Aloysia’s younger sister.
Photos: The real Von Trapp Children and the real Baroness Maria von Trapp
The real-life love story of Maria and Captain Von Trapp cannot be left off this list. What are the odds of a singing nun leaving the convent after falling in love with a widowed singing Naval Captain with seven singing kids, and then marrying him? This real-life love story is just too much for hopeless romantics everywhere.
This is the real-life story of skier Jill Kinmont destined to win the 1956 Olympics but tragically paralyzed for life after a skiing accident during training in Alta, Utah. Jill’s husband left her after the accident, but Jill became a teacher and later found true love with Dick Buek played by Beau Bridges. Once again, Jill’s courage and strength is tested when Dick dies in a plane crash during their engagement to be married. Olivia Newton-John sang the Oscar nominated theme song Richard’s Window for this movie. Get the kleenex box for this one, but know that Jill is happy and currently living in California. Jill Kinmont is an inspiration to all.
The real-life love affair of West Virginia burlesque stripper Blaze Starr with Louisiana Governor Earl K. Long from 1958-1960 shocked the nation. Mrs. Blanche Long had her husband committed thinking this would end the love affair, but Long and Starr stayed lovers until he died in 1960.
The real-life love story of John Forbes Nash and Alicia Larde may not be romantic but it certainly is another fascinating story of unconditional love. The movie shows us Alicia’s commitment to helping her husband overcome paranoid schizophrenia and later go on to win the 1994 Nobel Prize in economics. In real life, Alicia has to deal with a lot more than Nash’s mental illness. Nash had secret homosexual affairs and a child out of wedlock with a nurse while he dated Alicia. Despite Nash’s colorful lifestyle, Alicia and Nash married in 1957. The couple had a son in 1959 who suffers from episodic schizophrenia, and they divorced in 1963. Still devoted to their love for each, Nash and Alicia began living together again in 1970.
This is the real-life love story of divorced Rose Parks, who falls in love with Robby Smith, a mentally challenged man. Smith’s family is not happy about the relationship.
Another Warren Beatty classic real-life love story teams Beatty and Faye Dunaway in a timeless portrayal of love between Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. Everyone knows the ending, but who can argue that this real-life love affair was one of the most bizarre tales of dominance and commitment in romance history?
Finally Warren Beatty marries the real love of his life, Annette Bening, after playing real-life lovers Ben “Bugsy” Siegel and mistress Virginia Hill. Bugsy Siegel, a celebrity gangster who seized the mob opportunity of Las Vegas, and Virginia Hill, his outspoken Georgia peach, was a match made in Heaven - or Hell. Either way, their love affair was steamy, dangerous, and short-lived. It is thought that Benny and Virginia were married in Mexico in April of 1947. Benny summoned Virginia from Paris to their Hollywood home in June. Virginia came home only to fight with Benny, break a bottle on a Flamingo customer’s head, and flee to Zurich. On June 20, 1947, Benny Siegel was sprayed with gunshot and killed in their Hollywood home. Only five people attended Benny’s funeral, none of who were Virginia or Meyer Lansky. Nobody knows who killed Bugsy Siegel.
Mask is the true story of Roy L. “Rocky” Dennis played brilliantly by Eric Stoltz, who finds love with beautiful Diana Adams played by Laura Dern. Roy died in 1978 from a rare disease, craniodiaphyseal dysplasia, at age 16. Sadly in 1987, Roy’s 32 year-old brother Joshua died of AIDS. Ironically, Rocky’s overly protective but loving mother, Florence “Rusty” Tullis played by Cher, died at age 70 from an infection almost a month after a motorcycle accident. Tullis was riding a three-wheeler when a tire fell off causing her to lose control and throwing her into a telephone pole. During Rusty’s rehabilitation from two broken legs, she complained about stomach pain and was taken to a hospital where she later died. The lesson learned: all of these family members, while not perfect, lived life to its fullest and accepted each other despite their faults.
Once is a modern musical based on the real life romance of Glen Hansard of the Irish band, The Frames, and Marketa Irglova, a Czech singer/songwriter. In a serendipitous twist, Marketa’s vacuum cleaner broke and it just so happened that Glen repaired vacuum cleaners for his dad’s production down the street from where Marketa sold flowers. During the next week they play music together using a borrowed piano in a nearby store and by the end of the week, record an album together.
This is the wild story of mistress Judith Campbell Exner who was made famous from her real life love affairs with Frank Sinatra, mob boss Sam Giancana, and most controversially John F. Kennedy. Judith died of cancer in September 1999.
Sam Giancana was no stranger to romance and love. The nation was once again stunned as we learned of the unlikely real life romance of Sam Giancana and Phyllis McGuire of the famous McGuire Sisters singing act. Sam and Phyllis met in 1960 in Las Vegas when The McGuire Sisters were on top of their world. Years later, during the production of Sugartime, Phyllis became furious and wanted nothing to do with it. The movie is criticized for its historical inaccurate and insensitive content, however the story of this real life romance still captures people’s curiosity of how a beautiful, successful McGuire sister, raised in an Evangelical setting, could fall in love with a notorious mob killer.
You either love this movie or hate this movie. I still think this is one of the best romantic movies based on a real life story that was ever made. Even though the Titanic story is so tragic in real life, the fictional love affair of Jack and Rose in the movie seemed to pay tribute to the real people aboard the Titanic whose love was lost that fateful day. I cannot even imagine the grief of those families as they watched their loved ones die or know that they will die, never to see their loved ones again.
While this movie is more about Howard Hughes as an accomplished aviator, it still grabs the intriguing romantic involvement of Howard Hughes with Hollywood’s Katharine Hepburn and Ava Gardner. There is just something about a real life daredevil bad boy falling in love with real life Hollywood glamorous stars that makes The Aviator a die-hard romance story.
The real life love affair and marriage of former prostitute Evita Duarte with Argentinian president and dictator Juan Perón has to be one of the greatest rags to riches love stories in history. The chemistry between Madonna who plays Evita, and Antonio Banderas who musically narrates the love story, as Ché, is so passionate you will melt. Argentina was changed forever with the controversial leadership of Eva Perón.
Posted on December 31st, 2008 by Party Mama Aly Adair
Say I Love You in a Very Special Way
on That Very Special Big Day
by Aly Adair
Birth month flowers have very special meanings that will pay great tribute to your loved one on that very special day. You can give these birth month flowers with special meanings for birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day, Grandparents Day, or just to say I Love You in a very special way. Don’t forget to include a little card that gives the meaning of the birth month flower of your special person.
If your special person loves Horoscopes, you can also give flowers on holidays that have special meanings by the Zodiac Signs. Since Zodiac Signs cross over two months, the flowers and their special meanings for Astrology Signs are a little different. Check out this informative article for flower meanings by the Astrological Sign of your loved one:
Born in January - Birth Flower is Carnation or Snowdrop
Don’t give yellow carnations since this means you have disappointed me or rejected me. If your special person is not near you, striped carnations will be nice since these flowers mean wish I could be with you. Pink carnations mean I’ll never forget you and white carnations mean sweet and lovely. Carnations originally came from Asia around 2,000 years ago.
Born in February - Birth Flower is Iris or Violet
The Iris has three petals that stand for faith, wisdom, and valor. In Greek mythology, Iris was the messenger of Ancient Greek gods; the link between heaven and earth; and the personification of a rainbow. The purple Violet stands for modesty, and the Blue Violet stands for watchfulness and faithfulness.
Born in March - Birth Flower is Daffodil or Jonquil
Daffodils signify rebirth and new beginnings. One of the first flowers to emerge in spring, the Daffodil promises happiness and joy. The beautiful Jonquil says “love me’ or gives your special person the message of affection being returned to her.
Born in April - Birth Flower is Daisy or Sweet Pea
Daisies will make your special person feel young forever and playfully happy. According to myth, a nymph transformed herself into a daisy with charming and unassuming beauty in order to avoid unwanted attention. The Sweet Pea stands for good-byes or departures and can also signify thanking that special person for a lovely time.
Born in May - Birth Flower is Lily or Hawthorn
The Lily has a long history tied to the Virgin Mary to express purity of heart, honor, and majesty. The Lily of the Valley stands for sweetness and humility. Ancient Greeks believed the Lily sprouted from the milk of Hera, Queen of the Gods. The Day Lily is the Chinese emblem for Mother. The Tiger Lily stands for wealth and pride.
Born in June - Birth Flower is Rose or Honeysuckle
Roses can have different meanings depending on the color, but has long been the flower of love and passion. The rose as a birth flower stands for beauty and perfection. A rose bouquet of roses that are fully opened stands for gratitude. White and red roses mixed together in a vase signify unity. Honeysuckle stands for happiness.
Born in July - Birth Flower is Delphinium or Larkspur
Larkspur and Delphinium is the same flower signifying open heartedness and sincere attachment. Larkspur is hardy, majestic in its beauty and creates a wonderfully refreshing fragrance.
Born in August - Birth Flower is Gladiola or Poppy
The word Gladiola comes from the Latin word for sword, gladius and signifies strength and moral integrity. It is the flower of the Gladiators and can call out to your special person with expressions that you are really sincere. The Poppy stands for eternal sleep or imagination.
Born in September - Birth Flower is Aster or Morning Glory
The Aster is the symbol of enduring elegance. Ancient civilizations believed that burning Aster leaves could chase away evil. They believed Aster flowers had magical powers. Today, Asters stand for daintiness and remain a strong symbol of love. Morning Glory flowers mean I love you.
Born in October - Birth Flower is Marigold or Cosmos
Christians often place Marigold, or Mary’s Gold under statues of the Virgin Mary. The Marigold signifies affection and grace. Marigolds can also stand for cruelty, grief or jealousy so it might not be a good flower pick for Mother’s Day unless you include a note about the nice meaning of the Marigold. The Cosmos is symbolic of modesty.
Born in November - Birth Flower is Chrysanthemum
Mums are considered to be the flower of nobility in some cultures. In Japan, the orderly opening of the petals on the Chrysanthemum represents perfection. White Mums signify truth, optimism and cheeriness. Some believe that if you put a single petal in the bottom of a wine glass, you will have a healthy long life. You might want to stay away from Yellow Mums since these represent slighted love.
Born in December - Birth Flower is Poinsettia or Narcissus
The Poinsettia stands for cheer and merriness. According to legend, the Poinsettia was a weed brought to a church alter by a little girl. The weeds miraculously turned into beautiful flowers. The Narcissus sends a message that says, “stay as sweet as you are.”
Posted on December 29th, 2008 by Party Mama Aly Adair
Powerball Gets Better and Florida Joins: New Game Odds and Fun Facts About Lottery History
Before You Spend Your Millions, Read the Tragic Story of Powerball Winner Jack Whittaker
by Aly Adair
Winning the lottery is the only chance for many people to ever become a millionaire. The popular Powerball multi-state lottery game will change in 2009 and make your chances of winning any Powerball prize even better. The Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) is owned and operated by member lotteries and runs multi-state games like the Powerball game. The first Powerball drawing was held on April 22, 1992 and has since become the number one lottery game in the United States. Powerball is played in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In 2009, the state of Florida is joining the MUSL and will offer the popular Powerball lottery game. The MUSL is changing the Powerball game to make it easier for more people to win prizes and make the Powerball jackpots even bigger. But, before you make your list of how to spend your millions of Powerball dollars, be aware that not all Powerball winners have had positive life changing experiences. One tragic story about a Powerball winner is Jack Whittaker who won the $315 million Powerball jackpot on Christmas morning in 2002. You can read the tragic story of Jack Whittaker at this page: ABC’s 20/20 to Air Tragic Story of Powerball Winner Jack Whittaker
New Odds and Prizes in the Powerball Lottery Game
The Powerball changes expected in January 2009, will create better overall odds for more people to win any of the Powerball prizes. The odds will drop to one in 35.1 of winning some Powerball game. This drop in the overall odds of winning any Powerball prize means that an estimated 3 million extra prizes can be won each year.
The Powerball jackpot odds will increase to one in 195.2 million, but with the addition of Florida, the average size of a Powerball jackpot is expected to increase to exciting levels. It is expected that the average Powerball jackpot will increase from $95.5 million to $141 million. In addition, the starting Powerball jackpot will increase from $15 million to $20 million. The Powerball jackpot pool percentage will increase by about 2% to help make the jackpot grow faster and larger. These new odds in the Powerball lottery are a result of adding 4 new white balls and removing 3 red balls.
The Powerball lottery ticket will still cost $1 with the option to Power Play with random prize multipliers for a cost of $2. The Powerball lottery game will also still include the Match 5 BONUS. More than half of the Powerball lottery players have used the $2 Power Play prize option.
Myths About Lottery Ticket Buyers
Many people think that the lottery is played by very poor people who cannot afford to be gambling. In fact, a 1999 Gallup Poll study was done called Gambling in America and found that 57% of American adults reported buying a lottery ticket in the past 12 months. People with incomes of $45,000 to $75,000 were the most likely to play. 53% of those people with incomes less than $25,000 a year were least likely to play lottery.
Read about lottery fun facts and the history of lottery here: Associated Content
The Ultimate MP3 Playlist of Lucky Songs:
Music videos for these songs about luck are included on the MP3 music video player below.
Luck Be A Lady Tonight - Frank Sinatra
I Feel Lucky - Mary Chapin Carpenter
The Lucky One - Faith Hill
Lucky - Britney Spears
I Got Lucky - Elvis Presley
Good Luck - Mirsa
We Are the Lucky Ones - Charmed
Trying Your Luck - The Strokes
Good Luck Charm - Jagged Edge
Lucky Song - Dean Martin
Click on the start button to hear a song. Click on the More button to change songs.
Pandora Internet Radio Station is a free Internet music station that individualizes your music playlist based on what you tell it you like and don’t like. Pandora has grown to over 12 million registered users since it began from the Music Genome Project in 2000. Now, your individualized Pandora music stations can be streamed free to the new Apple iPhone 3G using the Pandora App Store Download. You do not need Internet access to stream the Pandora personalized music stations like you do on your laptop or desktop version of Pandora Internet Radio.
Check out the demonstration of Pandora Internet Radio Station on the new Apple iPhone 3:
You can also use Pandora Personalized InternetRadio services on as many as 50 other types of cell phones. Some cellphone companies charge a fee for streaming your individualized Pandora Music Stations to your cell phone. You can learn more about using the mobile services from Pandora InternetRadio Station by visiting the Pandora Demonstration link above.
In case you have never heard of Pandora Personalized InternetRadio Station, you should check it out. Using the Music Genome Project, Pandora can individualize your music stations based on the first song or artist you enter into your station. You can help Pandora customize your music playlist by giving their next song choice a Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down. You can also build multiple stations based on different music genres. One cool service by Pandora is that you can view music videos from popular music festivals like Austin, Texas’ South by Southwest Music Festival (SXSW).
Posted on December 23rd, 2008 by Party Mama Aly Adair
A Tribute to Paul Newman: My Favorite Larger Than Life Actor
by Aly Adair
My heartfelt wishes go out to Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman’s family as they cope with the loss of Paul Newman. Paul Newman was an inspiration to all people in the world who had the privilege of enjoying his talent, learning from his philosophy about life and love, and following his generous example for helping others. Paul Newman will always be number one in my heart and soul.
Paul Leonard Newman made his first movie, The Silver Chalice in 1954, two years before I was born. Newman actually apologized for how bad the movie was, but in 1956 Newman redeemed himself in Somebody Up There Likes Me. I cannot recall how many times I have seen Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, The Color of Money or the countless other Paul Newman movies in my lifetime. There has not been another gorgeous hunk of an acting team like Paul Newman and Robert Redford in my lifetime.
I love Paul Newman not just because he is one of the greatest actors of my generation, but also because Newman is the extraordinary example of life, love, family, and generosity that all people should aspire to be. I love Paul Newman’s sense of humor as shown in his quotes about life, humor and his marriage to Joanne Woodward.
My Favorite Paul Newman Quotes
About infidelity: “Why fool around with hamburger when you have steak at home?”
About successful marriage to Joanne: “I never ask my wife about my flaws. Instead I try to get her to ignore them and concentrate on my sense of humor. You don’t want any woman to look under the carpet, guys, because there’s lots of flaws underneath. Joanne believes my character in a film we did together, ‘Mr. and Mrs. Bridge’ comes closest to who I really am. I personally don’t think there’s one character who comes close . . . but I learned a long time ago not to disagree on things that I don’t have a solid opinion about.” Later, Newman answered the same question yet again by saying, “I don’t know what she puts in my food”.
About his Newman’s Own: “Once you’ve seen your face on a bottle of salad dressing, it’s hard to take yourself seriously.” “The embarrassing thing is that my salad dressing is out-grossing my films.” “You can only put away so much stuff in your closet.”
The MP3 video player below includes my some of my favorite stories about Paul Newman and his larger than life legend. Click on the MP3 player to begin. Clilck on the More button to change videos. The video clips on the Paul Newman MP3 video player include:
Paul Newman Interview Clips
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward Story
Seiskel & Ebert Review The Color of Money
Paul Newman Gives Barbara Walters a Race Car Ride
Paul Newman Foundation Donates $1 million to Charity
Paul Newman Racing #79
Paul Newman Famous Quotes
Paul Newman Movie Video Montage
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward - 50th Anniversary
Paul Newman and James Dean Screen Test
Did You Know?
The role of Rocky Graziano in Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956) was originally awarded to James Dean, who died before filming began. Due to Dean’s death, Newman was cast in the role. Dean also was signed to play Billy the Kid in The Left Handed Gun (1958), but that role was also inherited by Newman after Dean’s death. Dean and Newman had shot their last screen tests for East of Eden (1955) together; the six-years-younger Dean got the part and Newman went on to star in The Silver Chalice (1954), a notorious bust for Newman. You can see the Paul Newman and James Dean screen test on the MP3 video player above.
Posted on December 15th, 2008 by Party Mama Aly Adair
My Top 20 Favorite American Idol Performances on MP3 Videos
by Aly Adair
I know I left off a few of the favorite American Idol performances like Fantasia’s Summertime and David Archuleta’s Angels - OK I’ll add them to the player to make it best 22 favorite American Idol performances. If you tell me your favs, I’ll add them also. I added Paul Potts and Leona Lewis from Britain - they are outstanding performers. I threw in a few National Anthems and other American Idol star performances who sang great songs on other television shows.
If you are really going through American Idol withdrawal like I am, you can check out all the articles I wrote about one of my fav American Idol celebrity star, David Archuleta. I was temporarily in Utah at the time of the show and was amazed at the Archie Angel craze in Salt Lake City. Links to my American Idol articles are below. Enjoy these American Idol stars favorite video performances.
The Best 20 American Idol Video Performances on the American Idol MP3 Playlist are:
Angels - David Archuleta at Las Vegas American Idol Summer Tour 2008
Bohemian Rhapsody - Constantine Maroulis
Always on My Mind - Fantasia Barrino
I Have Nothing - Jennifer Hudson
Sweet Home Alabama - Ruben Studdard
Solitaire - Clay Aiken
Islands in the Stream-Carrie Underwood and Kenny Rogers
Apologize - One Republic and David Archuleta
MacArthur Park - Carrie Underwood
Hallelujah - Jason Castro
Dream On - Michael Johns
You’ll Never Walk Alone - Jordin Sparks
I Walk the Line - Chris Daughtry
Let It Be - Brooke White
Super Bowl 2008 National Anthem - Jordin Sparks
Billie Jean - David Cook
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me - David Archuleta
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Clay Aiken
Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Katherine McPhee
Nessun Dorma - Paul Potts, BGT
National Anthem at Utah JAZZ Game - David Archuleta
Summertime - Fantasia Barrino
David Archuleta Stole the American Idol Crown from David Cook David Archuleta Proved He is Equally Worthy of the American Idol Title
OK – we all know David Cook won the American Idol title, but David Archuleta did turn in a better performance on the Dueling David’s American Idol Show.
Posted on December 11th, 2008 by Party Mama Aly Adair
August 9-17 is Elvis Week
A Tribute to Elvis Presley, The King of Rock N’ Roll
A Hunk of Still Burning Love!
Elvis Aron Presley was born January 8, 1935 in a two room house in Tupelo, Mississippi. Elvis’ father and uncle built the house themselves. His middle name Aron was actually spelled this way so that it would similar to the middle spelling of his twin brother Jesse Garon who died at birth. However, when Elvis was older he changed the spelling to Aaron.
Elvis’ first record was That’s All Rightfollowed by Blue Moon of Kentucky. The single was recorded in 1954 and it lead to who we know today as The King of Rock N’ Roll.
Elvis met Priscilla Beaulieu when she was 14 while he was in the service stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany. They later married on May 1, 1967 when she was 21. Exactly nine months later, Lisa Marie Presley was born February 1, 1968. Elvis and Priscilla later divorced October 9, 1973.
Elvis charted more songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 than any other artist with 149 Hot 100 songs.
Here are 35 of the best Elvis Presley songs and video performances on an MP3 media player. Click on the media player to begin an Elvis song. Click on the More button to change Elvis songs.
My Way
Green Green Grass of Home
CC Rider
Blue Suede Shoes
Return to Sender1962 Heartbreak Hotel/Hound Dog/All Shook Up
Heartbreak Hotel1956 If I Can Dream- Elvis with Celine Dion on American Idol Love Me Tender
I Want You, I Need You, I Love You CBS Special of Last Live Concert Hurtfrom Last Live Concert Viva Las Vegas
You Gave Me A Mountain
It’s Over
What Now My Love
Take My Hand Precious Lord
I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You
Blue Christmas It’s Now or Never
Blue Moon Pieces of His Life; A Tribute to Elvis That’s All Right Mama
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Wooden Heart
How Great Thou Art
Burning Love American Trilogy
In the Ghetto
Hound Dog
Unchained Melodyfrom Elvis’ Last Live Concert Suspicious Minds
Always on My Mind
Jailhouse Rock
Amazing Grace
Posted on December 8th, 2008 by Party Mama Aly Adair
Click on the audio button in the upper left corner of screen to hear the song.
Photos Copyright 2008 Aly Adair
A special thanks to the members of the LDS Mormon Temple at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah who provide the most awesome gardens for public viewing. These photos were taken in Spring of 2008 at Temple Square.
