Rihanna and Chris Brown

On Feb. 20, Rihanna’s birthday, she released a remix to her song “Birthday Cake,” and included her ex-boyfriend on the track. Brown begins his part on the track by singing, “Girl I wanna f— you right now, been a long time I’ve been missing your body, let me turn the lights down.”

In addition, a remix of Brown’s “Turn Up the Music” was released with Rihanna as the guest vocalist on the track. The two entertainers have performed together before, but that was before Brown pled guilty to assaulting Rihanna, his then girlfriend, in a 2009 incident and was sentenced to community service and probation. What do you think of the two singers collaborating on music after their violent split? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

SOURCE

Deron Williams

Star-divide

At the end of this season, Dallas will have $54.35 million in salary due, courtesy of Shamsports.com for the information. Alas, the NBA salary cap will be at or below that number. It may be a tad bit higher, but due to the loss of revenue via the lockout, it is next to impossible that the salary cap rises. However, Dallas can make a few cuts to save money: Brandan Wright and Sean Williams can be waived with no penalty on the 2012 salary, freeing up about $2 million. Vince Carter can be waived, but he has $2 million guaranteed for the last two years he is signed. Waiving Vince will only free up $1 million, and would leave $2 million stuck as useless space in the Maverick salary cap. Lamar Odom has a partially guaranteed contract for next year; if Lamar Odom is waived, the Mavs would only have to pay $2.4 million instead of the $8.2 million Odom is currently due.

Even with all the previously mentioned salary shed, the Mavericks total salary for 2012 is at $45.57 million, not close to sign even Deron Williams or Dwight Howard by himself. Deron will be owed 17,779,458 next year and Dwight would be owed a higher amount at 19,536,360. For the Mavs to sign both, a lot of salary has to be dissolved. Vince Carter and Lamar Odom have to be traded away so their partially guaranteed salary does not stay on the books next year. By trading away Vince and Lamar instead of waiving them, the Mavericks gain an additional $4.4 million in cap space. Brendan Haywood would be an amnesty candidate, and his $8.39 million salary would not be seen as taking cap room.(If no one bids on Brendan, his salary would still be paid by the Mavs organization). Shawn Marion, who has been playing some of his best games since he played in Phoenix, would have to be traded to a team who has enough cap room or a trade exception so Dallas would receive no salary in return. With all of these drastic cuts, the total salary that Dallas would be paying (on the books) is close to $24 million, the players being Dirk Nowitzki, Rodrigue Beaubois, and Dominique Jones.

All in all, almost purging the roster still is not enough to sign both Deron Williams and Dwight Howard to max level deals. The Mavs will be able to gain both if they are willing to take less than the maximum allowed, similar to what Chris Bosh and Lebron James did to sign with the Miami Heat in 2010. Just like with the 2010 Heat though, the rest of the roster would be filled up with minimum payed players. If the gears fall into motion, the 2012 Mavericks roster would look something like:

PG: Deron Williams/Rodrigue Beaubois

SG:Dominique Jones/ Free Agent (Possibly Jason Terry for the Room exception)

SF: Free Agent/ Free Agent (Possibles include Tracy McGrady to start)

PF: Dirk Nowitzki/Free Agent (Possibles include Brandan Wright returning for the minimum)

C: Dwight Howard/ Free Agent (Possibles include Sean Williams returning for the minimum)

More than likely, only a few gears would turn on, and the Mavericks roster will only have enough room for either Deron Williams or Dwight Howard to come. Which brings up the critical question which must haunt Donnie Nelson at this moment: Is Dwight Howard or Deron Williams more important for the team? As fans, we will find out the answer in July 2012.

SOURCE

Services Calendar Of Ash Wednesday

Silver Creek Presbyterian Church, 6 Old Rockmart Road, Silver Creek, will be have Ash Wednesday worship service at 6 p.m. For more information, call the Rev. Jack P. Foley at 770-548-0385.

St. Andrews’s Anglican Church, will have Ash Wednesday services at 7 p.m. with Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes. For more information call 706-235-5892.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 101 E. Fourth Ave., will have an Ash Wednesday service at 7 a.m. in the chapel, at noon and at 7 p.m. in the church. For more information call 706-291-9111.

Trinity United Methodist Church, 606 Turner McCall Blvd., will have an Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 706-291-0033.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1941 Shorter Ave., will commence the season of Lent with its Ash Wednesday worship service at 6:30 p.m. The service will include the imposition of ashes.

SOURCE

Stephen Colbert

“As the hub around which the republic turns, I can understand why the machinery of this great nation ground to a halt last week when you were denied this,” he said, pointing to his face.

Colbert joked about all the “wild rumors about why I was gone — actual rumors from the actual Internet” that surrounded his two nights of going dark, including that the FCC had shut him down because he was about to declare his presidential candidacy, that he’d angered the pope with a crack about his hat, that he was in rehab, or that he might have stayed home to recover from plastic surgery. “Wrong, Joan (Rivers!)” He did not have work done on his face, nose or eyes.

He did get serious for a moment, saying, “Oh, one more thing. Evidently having 11 children makes you tough as nails,” said Colbert, before adding, “Confidential to a lovely lady.”

It was a nod to his mother, who was said to be ill. Stephen is one of 11 kids. His father, James Colbert, and two of his brothers were killed in an airplane crash in 1974.

VIDEO

SOURCE

Bethenny Frankel

When asked if she and hubby Jason Hoppy, who have a daughter, Bryn, who is almost 2, were considering expanding their family, Frankel said, “I’m 41. … It’s a very personal question that I get asked a lot. We were pregnant with a second baby and at eight weeks I miscarried and that was a very emotional experience. It had a lot of different things that came with it.” (It did not happen during the taping of her show.)

“Thinking about women who can’t have their own baby, even the first baby, I’m really lucky,” Frankel continued, holding back tears. “I have the most beautiful daughter in the world and I’m grateful for her.” She added, “The window’s closing.”

Frankel will give birth to a new project — a talk show airing on Fox stations starting on June 11. “It’s a girlfriends show, but it’s really honest,” she said Monday night. “Just what’s really going on, have an honest conversation without it being just me being in the fishbowl. I want to involve everyone in the conversation.”

SOURCE

Manny Ramirez

The deal is pending a physical, but Ramirez is expected to report to spring training by the end of this week. He must serve a 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s drug policy for a second time, meaning he would become eligible for a May 30 game at Minnesota, on his 40th birthday.

A’s general manager Billy Beane, who had been looking for a veteran D.H. for several weeks, is expected to address the signing with the media Tuesday. If Oakland adds Ramirez to the major league roster after his suspension, his salary is expected to be around $500,000.

“A guy like that can only help out,” second baseman Jemile Weeks said. “Being loose, him having his goofy side — if he still has it, that helps the camaraderie of the team.—

Ramirez ranks 14th on the majors’ all-time list with 555 home runs and carries a .312 career batting average. But considering his age, it’s fair to ask how much impact he can make, especially since he’ll miss almost a third of the season.

Ramirez hasn’t played since last April, when he abruptly retired after playing five games for the Tampa Bay Rays. He tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs for a second time, then gained reinstatement in January when his 100-game suspension was reduced to 50 games.

His signing assures the A’s will get plenty of national attention in the next few weeks. They’re also expected to finalize a four-year, $36 million deal with highly touted Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes in the next week or two.

Ramirez brings a carnival-like atmosphere on his own, thanks to his “Manny being Manny” persona and frequent oddball behavior. His effort on the field also has been questioned, raising the question of how he’ll affect the A’s clubhouse chemistry.

But former A’s first baseman Scott Hatteberg, who played alongside Ramirez with Boston in 2001, had nothing but praise for him.

“He’s about the best hitter I ever played with,” said Hatteberg, who counted Ken Griffey Jr. among his teammates during a 14-year major league career. “I have no doubt he’s going to have a great work ethic. He’s not a great communicator, but he walks the walk.”

Starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy is taking a wait-and-see approach.

“If it’s the Manny we all know, it’d be nice — a middle-of-the-order bat that can make an impact,” McCarthy said. “I know it’s a long time until we’ll get to see him (because of the suspension). I’m curious to see how it all works out.”

A’s reliever Grant Balfour said he welcomes Ramirez’s addition.

“He might have messed up a couple times,” Balfour said, “but as long as he’s willing to come in here and give it all he’s got, and just, you know, stick by the books like we’re all supposed to do, it would be awesome to have him around.—

According to a recent Fox Sports report, Ramirez can play in spring training games and extended spring training games while on suspension. He can also train with the major league club or a minor league affiliate during the regular season but must leave before the gates open for a game.

As his suspension nears an end, Ramirez can participate in a 10-game minor league assignment.

The A’s seemingly face long odds to compete in the American League West this season. Will they still be close enough to first place to benefit from Ramirez’s presence once he returns?

When Cespedes joins the outfield, it will leave Seth Smith and Jonny Gomes as a potential left/right platoon at D.H. What if one or both are hitting well when Ramirez is eligible?

Because he’s on a low-cost deal, the A’s could simply release Ramirez if they like the way their offense is clicking. Time will tell if this high-profile experiment is worth the fuss.

SOURCE

Fastnachts

In New Orleans, they celebrate Mardi Gras but in Pennsylvania it’s all about the Fastnachts!

But before you can enjoy them, someone’s gotta make them!

There’s a lot of people working in the kitchen at Christ Lutheran Church in Mount Bethel, Northampton County.

They have to make enough batter for 300 dozen Fastnachts.

“We use flour,shortening, nutmeg, eggs and mashed potatoes,” said Fastnacht baker Blanche Narrow.

The church has been selling the Pennsylvania Dutch treat for 15 years.

“I grew up in this church. Came to Sunday school, came to church here. I’ve seen them be made before, this is the first time I’ve actually helped,” said Jeff Horn.

While some have the making of the batter down to a science, others are trying their hand at the mixer for the first time.

“We’re still getting everything together as far as an assembly line, making this all come together so we’ll know better next year,” said Michael Eckroth of Salem United Church.

People at Salem United Church are making 50 dozen fastnachts.

“I thought it was going to be a lot harder, a lot more tedious,” said Kristopher Whalen.

It’s the first time the church has tried it but everyone there knows the history of the treat.

“It’s a time to use up all the leftover yeast, and eggs, and elements that go into baking that you would refrain from using during the season of Lent,” said Eckroth.

So it’s another year of tasty goodness but if you haven’t placed your order, good luck finding them.

“They can take their chances, I don’t know if we’ll have extra or not,” said Narrow.

SOURCE

Bret Michaels

Michaels, the bandana-wearing Poison frontman, and Lauper were the celebrity riders in Orpheus, the parade club founded in 1993 by New Orleans native actor and crooner Harry Connick Jr.

Just as the Orpheus ball was to wind down early Tuesday, revelers were gearing up for the Fat Tuesday parades rolling shortly after daybreak. Some revelers would party through the night.

Clarinetist Pete Fountain will be leading his marching band from the city’s Garden District to the French Quarter. The float parades follow Fountain and his “Half Fast Marching Club” — first the African-American Krewe of Zulu, the group known for the decorated coconuts it hands out to revelers, and the parade of Rex, King of Carnival.

Lent follows Fat Tuesday. It is the period of fasting and repentance before Easter Sunday.

The stakeout for prime spots along the Mardi Gras parade route started Monday, with legions of Carnival die-hards jockeying for the best places to vie for beads thrown from floats on Fat Tuesday.

For many, the celebration would be a continuation from the day before. Monday, or Lundi Gras as it’s called in New Orleans, included the ceremonial meeting between the king and queen of Zulu and Rex and his queen. The event was marked with live music, dancing and revelry on the riverfront Monday. Revelers in costume danced and posed for pictures with Mardi Gras Indians wearing elaborate costumes with feathers and beads.

Wearing a purple, green and gold afro-style wig, Syreeta Grace bobbed to the tunes of a brass band as Mardi Gras Indian in a blue feathered headdress strutted through a crowd of thousands. Revelers danced for hours to live music along the Mississippi River and some were staking out spots for Monday night’s celebrity-studded Orpheus parade.

Brenda Bonnette of Vidalia, La., had folding chairs set up on Canal Street hours before Orpheus was to roll. She was with her husband, 16-year-old daughter and her daughter’s two friends.

“We’re having a great time just waiting,” Bonnette said. “The girls are looking forward to the parade. They’ve been dancing all day.”

Tuesday marks the culmination of weeks of Carnival parades and parties. Sunday night, actor and comedian Will Ferrell rode in the Bacchus parade, and heavy rain didn’t stop the Endymion parade from rolling Saturday night with the pop-rock group Maroon 5 as its celebrity riders.

SOURCE

Gentlemint: A Social Discovery Network For Men

Upon access, you’re greeted with an interface that seems reminiscent of the Pinterest , just with the irrepressibly metaphorical scent of man. For founders Brian and Glen, this project started as a 12-hour momentary alternative to another project which they’d been working on for two years. A glass of bourbon and a half day later, the true gentlemen can now breathe a sigh of relief, knowing he now has a place on the internet to communicate and share with likeminded individuals.

So far we’ve seen images of pure masculinity like World War 2 Navy Mines converted to furniture, a Grizzly Bear chair, a step-by-step guide to making an airsoft gun out of a soda bottle, and Abraham Lincoln carrying an assault rifle & The Declaration of Independence while riding a grizzly bear.

Truly delectible to say the least.

Dino Beatdown - Dinosaurs, Jetpacks, And Quake-Like Gameplay

Dino Beatdown requires up to five players to complete various objectives within “huge, endless environments” while simultaneously fending off an onslaught of Dinosaurs. Dino Beatdown features an upgrade system that enables players to strengthen their weapons and abilities, as well as call in vehicle drops. So far, Dino Beatdownsounds like it has the potential to be on par with the games that inspired it. With a Quake-inspired combat system, upgrades, three open-world levels, vehicles, and Dinosaurs, Dino Beatdown has a lot going for it.

If you’re interested in purchasing ORION: Dino Beatdown, you can pick it up on Steam and OnLive for $9.99 later this year. For those that supported Spiral Games Studios last February, you’ll be getting the game free from a Steam CD Key that will be emailed to your KickStarter email.

ORION: Prelude, essentially Dino Beatdown with more features, was also announced last for PSN, XBL, and Steam, but sadly a release date has yet to be discussed. More on Prelude and Dino Beatdown can be found on Spiral Games Studios website. Spiral Games Studios will also be attending the Games Developers Conference 2012 next month with “two huge announcements”. I’m guessing they’ll announce the release dates for Prelude and Dino Beatdown.