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Jesse James American Chopper

March 4, 2012 by · Comments Off on Jesse James American Chopper 

Jesse James American Chopper, Jesse James is ramping up the smack talk as his live American Chopper bike-building battle against Teutuls looms.

With James set to compete against the Junior/Senior team on American Chopper: The Build Off starting Dec. 5, the former Monster Garage star says Discovery gave him the chance to star in Chopper first — and he turned it down.

“I was offered that show first,” James says. “And I turned it down. Because bike building is what I’m supposed to be doing and it’s from my heart and soul. I don’t just bedazzle a bunch of s–t for TV … [my bikes] are outlaw-looking and dangerous … I’ve never needed six motherf—ers to tell me my bike is cool.”

James also explains why he’s doing the live battle and claims he taunted the Teutuls into agreeing using a “Jedi mind trick.” Check it out in this exclusive video below. The best part is that James is inexplicably loading an assault rifle throughout the interview.

Actress Buys House In Garden District

March 4, 2012 by · Comments Off on Actress Buys House In Garden District 

Actress Buys House In Garden District, Actress Sandra Bullock, who has donated generously to Warren Easton Senior High School since Hurricane Katrina, has purchased a historic home in the Garden District from entrepreneur John Russell Lee Sr., whose I CAN Learn educational software was at the center of the Mose Jefferson trial.

The ornate 6,000 square-foot home, replete with gables and iron-work, is near properties owned by actors John Goodman and Nicolas Cage and the home previously owned by writer Anne Rice.

It sold in June for $2.25 million in cash to Big Easy Bebe LLC, which was incorporated a few days earlier by John Chamblee, a lawyer from Austin, Texas, who has represented Bullock in other real estate transactions. Chamblee declined to discuss anything about the corporation.

Bullock, who may be best known for the 1994 movie Speed and the 2000 movie Miss Congeniality, also starred in the Divine Secrets of Ya-Ya Sisterhood, a 2002 movie that was set but not filmed in Louisiana. This fall, she will star in a film written by New Orleans native Michael Lewis called The Blind Side, the true story of financial and racial integration about the destitute son of a crack addict who is sent to an elite private school and becomes a big-time college athlete.

Since Hurricane Katrina, Bullock has become a major patron of Warren Easton, the first public high school for boys in Louisiana. The school, which dates to 1845 and survived going co-ed and desegregating, was having trouble opening after Hurricane Katrina because the storm caused $4 million in damages at the brick Canal Street building where it has operated since 1913.

Mardi Gras publisher and Warren Easton alumnus Arthur Hardy, who serves on the charter foundation’s board, said Bullock learned of the school’s needs from a lawyer in Rex who was working with Warren Easton through the Mardi Gras krewe’s public school philanthropic efforts and who had a mutual acquaintance with the actress.

Since then, Bullock has donated several hundred thousand dollars to the school, helping to renovate the school’s auditorium, buying new Fighting Eagle band uniforms, chipping in for scholarships and helping to fund a new health clinic. “She liked what she heard. That’s how it all started,” Hardy said.

In being inducted into Warren Easton’s hall of fame in May, shortly before buying the house, Bullock said she was “embarrassed” by the federal government’s slow response after Katrina and felt compelled to help the city.

Bullock has called her donations to Warren Easton “the best investment I ever made.” She said she wanted to invest in a school, and Easton’s history and architecture caught her attention. “This school is an architectural gem. .A¥.A¥. It gives the kids a sense of pride.”

Bullock lives in several places but comes to New Orleans frequently, Hardy said. Like other celebrities, she likes the fact that people leave her alone. Now that she owns a home in the city, Hardy believes New Orleans will see even more of her efforts to shine a spotlight on worthy causes. “She loves the city. I think she has other plans for things she’d like to do,” Hardy said.

Her husband, Jesse James, who hosted the Discovery Channel reality show Monster Garage, where teams of people with fabricating experience would modify vehicles into new forms, has also gotten involved in the New Orleans philanthropic spirit.

James, a frequent celebrity guest at Steel Pony Express motorcycle gatherings in New Orleans, wants to open a metal shop in New Orleans where kids can learn art and trade skills that will earn them $20-an hour jobs. James donated an autographed, desk-sized, limited-edition tool box from his West Coast Choppers bike business to a silent auction hosted by Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co. last month, and raised $6,850 for Warren Easton.

In a May interview about his new Spike TV show, Jesse James is a Dead Man, James talked about opening a branch of West Coast Choppers in New Orleans.

“I kind of had a notion to get a building down there and build a little shop so I can come down there and work part of the year,” he said. “I used to do a lot of riding down there. I love the vibe in Louisiana. It’s like a magnet for me. I feel very calm and relaxed there, and it makes me want to put a stake in that town and live there.”

The 1876 home that Bullock bought has a storied history of its own. It was designed by renowned New Orleans architect William Alfred Freret, who designed dozens of buildings around the country for the U.S. government after the Civil War, and built for James Biddle Eustis, who served in the U.S. Senate and as an ambassador to France.

More recently, it was owned by Owen “Pip” Brennan Jr., who operates Brennan’s restaurant with his brothers and who has presided over the Krewe of Bacchus since it first rolled in 1969. In 1998, Brennan sold the home to Lee, the owner of JRL Enterprises Inc., which makes the I CAN Learn algebra software program.

Last month, a federal jury convicted Mose Jefferson, brother of former Congressman Bill Jefferson, for bribing a former Orleans Parish School Board member to get Lee’s product into local schools. During the trial, former U.S. Rep Bob Livingston testified that he secured a Congressional earmark to help get the program in schools, then became a lobbyist for the software days after resigning from Congress.

Lee, who moved his company’s offices from the Texaco building at 400 Poydras St. to his new, more modest home on Constantinople, said that the sale of his Garden District home had nothing to do with JRL Enterprises and the trial.

Before settling on Lee’s house, luxury-home Realtor Eleanor Farnsworth said that Bullock had been interested in buying a home in New Orleans for some time. The actress looked at one of her listings back on the day in December when it snowed, and was concerned about tracking snow inside.

What’s popular in America?

January 18, 2012 by · Comments Off on What’s popular in America? 

What's popular in America?What’s popular in America?, A few of our favorite things

Americans have no problem picking favorites. From rants on Facebook to “American Idol” voting, we know what we love and hate, and we’ll tell anyone who wants to listen. As a result, it’s pretty easy for researchers to get a good idea of the things America goes for….

Popularity is a funny thing. Fads pop in and out of style, but some of our biggest treasures are those that have survived the test of time. Consistency, quality and longevity are the keys to our hearts.

Most popular person in America

It’s hard to stay in the public’s good graces. Just ask Tiger Woods or Charlie Sheen.

But many models have truly stood the test of time to become the most popular people in America….

Abraham Lincoln and George Washington are in the top five, showing that while recent presidents get mixed reviews, the ones who helped shape our country are adored. Jesus is also one of the most beloved figures in America, of course.

Only one sports figure made it into the top five, as measured by polling firm Public Policy Polling. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers led his team to a spectacular season, and was rewarded by becoming a favorite of Americans.

Most popular smartphone

It’s hard to stay a favorite in the fast-changing world of smartphones. The BlackBerry line by Research In Motion (RIMM) has plunged in popularity over the last couple of years, while phones running on Google’s (GOOG) Android platform have surged….

Users of Apple (AAPL) iPhones swear their devices are better than chocolate, rainbows and puppies — combined. And the EVO 4G from HTC has won rave reviews for its two cameras, decent 4G connection speeds and crystal-clear screen.

Users also gush over the sleek Motorola Droid 3, with its slide-out keyboard, as well as the social networking powerhouse Samsung Intensity II.

But the most popular smartphone in America comes down to the iPhone or the HTC EVO 4G.

Most popular stock

You can use several standards for most popular stock, but let’s consult hedge funds, which often invest big bucks for large institutions, such as university endowments, pension funds and foundations. Hedge-fund managers are paid extremely well and must be absolutely on top of their game….

It’s a little surprising, then, that the most popular stock picks at these funds are the same ones the average investor might pick. They are well-known names with strong businesses built to survive recessions.

The fundies love three technology companies in particular: Microsoft (MSFT) (see financial performance), Google (GOOG) (see financial performance) and Apple (AAPL) (see financial performance). (Microsoft owns and publishes MSN Money.)

They’re also highly invested in one pharmaceutical company: Pfizer (PFE), which makes the popular Lipitor, Zithromax and Viagra drugs. And while many investors are staying far away from banks, hedge funds favor JPMorgan Chase (JPM).

Most popular pizza topping

We take our pizza seriously. Every man, woman and child in America eats an average of 46 slices a year, according to the Agriculture Council of America.

But not many of those slices have anchovies. That’s the least-favorite pizza topping of them all….

What we do like are the basics. Pepperoni. Cheese. Tomato. Onions and mushrooms are also in the top five, according to a survey of some 235 pizza joints by Technomic’s MenuMonitor.

Most popular summer vacation spot

Now that the holidays are over, doesn’t it seem like summer vacation should be here already? Baseball games, bike rides and fruity drinks can’t arrive fast enough.

Americans love to visit big cities during summer break. People flock to Chicago in the summer, lured by the city’s great shopping and stunning architecture….

And who can resist a good deep-dish pizza or a hot dog with all the trimmings?

Don’t forget the siren call of Orlando when temperatures rise. The city (and its surrounding area) is home to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and a number of other theme parks. Rounding out the top five cities based on hotel occupancy are New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

Most popular dog

Americans love their dogs. There are an estimated 78 million pooches in America, and 39% of U.S. households own at least one.

Different cities have their own preferred breeds, however. Boston and Los Angeles are fans of the bulldog. Detroit likes the Rottweiler, and Honolulu favors the shiba inu….

But nationwide, the most popular pups are the friendly, happy breeds that get along well with children and other animals. That means the retrievers — golden and Labrador — are particularly loved. And the loyal, intelligent German shepherd ranks in the top five as well, according to the American Kennel Club. The Yorkshire terrier and beagle are also favorites.

In the end, two breeds topped the list: The Labrador retriever and the German shepherd.

Most popular celebrity

It seems like we’re up on celebrities’ every move, thanks to the always-there paparazzi and the spread of gossip sites. We know more than we ever wanted to about Britney Spears’ parenting skills, Mel Gibson’s tirades and Ashton Kutcher’s private life….

As a result, it’s tough for many stars to maintain the public image that icons of the past so carefully crafted. But a few celebrities have won our affection over the years, mainly by being extraordinarily talented and rising above the Hollywood scene.

We love the handsome intelligence of Denzel Washington, the down-to-earth allure of Sandra Bullock and the timeless effervescence of Betty White. Rounding out the top five are Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks, two masters of their craft.

Most popular state

Excluding your current state, which state would you most like to live in? Polling company Harris Interactive asked Americans that question in October and, not surprisingly, the balmy regions with beautiful beaches topped the list….

California and Hawaii were favorites — too bad it costs a fortune to live in either place. Florida, a favorite of retirees, came in third, with its beautiful coastlines and low tax rates. Texas and Colorado rounded out the top five.

By the way, Harris also asked which city was least desirable to live in. The top answer was New York City, followed by Detroit and Los Angeles.

From left: Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant; Five Guys Burgers and Fries / © M. Spencer Green/AP; Richard Levine/Alamy
Most popular fast-food chain

Let’s just get one thing out of the way. McDonald’s (MCD), the largest fast-food chain in the country, doesn’t even make the top five here. You won’t see Burger King or Taco Bell on Zagat’s list, either….

But a company that McDonald’s was once a huge investor in — Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) — came in third. Chipotle is one of several chains on the list that focus on fresh ingredients and good quality, a combination that Americans can’t seem to get enough of.

Chick-fil-A (try one near you) and In-N-Out Burger were also in the top five. Both are rising in popularity as they expand to more parts of the country.

Two chains vied for the title of most popular. Five Guys (find a location near you) has been nothing short of a phenomenon, drawing packed crowds wherever it opens. And Panera Bread (PNRA) has become one of the fastest-growing chains in the country.

Most popular prescription drug

Prescription drug use is skyrocketing. In any given month from 2005 to 2008, about 47.2% of Americans used a prescription drug, according to government statistics. That’s up from 39.1% in the period from 1988 to 1994….

But times are changing for the pharmaceutical industry. Last year, for the first time, the 10 most popular prescription drugs were generics, according to IMS Health.

And they aren’t all painkillers, believe it or not. The only painkiller on the list of the top five drugs is hydrocodone (Vicodin).

Doctors also love to prescribe the cholesterol drug simvastatin (Zocor). Two others on the list are used to treat high blood pressure and related ailments: lisinopril (Prinivil) and amlodipine besylate (Norvasc). And then there’s levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid) for hypothyroidism.
Most popular job

Ah, if only there were more openings for chocolate tasters, waterslide testers or Victoria’s Secret photographers. Unfortunately, those jobs are few and far between….

The most popular positions in America involve interacting with people, usually customers or patients.

Cashiers at supermarkets, gas stations and other stores are among the most common jobs, as is the related position of retail salesperson. And there’s always a need for office clerks and food preparation or food service workers.

One job that is in increasingly high demand is a registered nurse. The number of nurses 23 to 26 years old hit 165,000 in 2009, up from 102,000 seven years earlier, The Los Angeles Times reports.

Most popular dessert

Dessert choices in America keep getting more interesting and complex. Take the chai latte cupcakes at Sprinkles Cupcakes, for example, or the lemoncello cream torte at The Cheesecake Factory….

But even with all the options, dessert eaters tend to stick with the basics. Chocolate cake (check out these recipes) is a timeless winner, and chefs keep it popular with dozens of delicious variations. The same goes for apple pie (make your own). And Americans love to top desserts with ice cream or enjoy a scoop all by itself.

Also in the top five are Jell-O, made by Kraft Foods, and cheesecake. Are you drooling yet?

Ryan Phillippe

December 29, 2010 by · Comments Off on Ryan Phillippe 

Ryan Phillippe, (AP) – Reese Witherspoon is engaged to Hollywood agent Jim Toth. A representative of the actress confirmed the couple will get married and said they are “extremely happy”. The appointment was reported by Us Weekly.

The 34 year old actress was previously married to actor Ryan Phillippe. She has two children with him and they divorced in 2008. Witherspoon won an Oscar for her performance in “Walk the Line.” She plays in the recently released comedy “How Do You Know.” Toth is an agent for Creative Artists Agency. Witherspoon is a CAA client, but is represented by another agent.

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Sandra Bullock Baby

April 28, 2010 by · Comments Off on Sandra Bullock Baby 

Sandra Bullock BabySandra Bullock Baby:In public, Sandra Bullock has been through the best and worst moments this year – winning his first Oscar for supporting the breakup of his marriage. In private, he was keeping a secret quietly joyful – his name is Luis, and he is her baby.

“He is perfect, I can not even describe it another way,” Bullock reveals exclusively in the new issue of PEOPLE, announcing that she is the proud mother of Luis Bardo Bullock, a 3 ½ months old, born in New Orleans . “It’s like he has always been part of our lives.”

Bullock, 45, and her husband Jesse James, 41, began the adoption process four years ago and brought home Louis in January, but decided to keep the news to themselves until after the Oscars. His close friends and family – including children of Sunny James, 6, Jesse Jr., 12, and Chandler, 15 – were essential to maintain the secrecy of adoption.

Then, after only 10 days, the Oscar March 7, James Bullock and James had separated following reports deceived. Bullock says he is finalizing the adoption as a single mother.

Sandra Bullock Photos:

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