Friday, September 24, 2004
Hurricane Jeanne forces postponement of college games
September 24, 2004
MIAMI (AP) -- Four college football games set for Florida this weekend were postponed or had their start times moved Friday as Hurricane Jeanne threatened the state's east coast.
And the Miami Dolphins said they may consider delaying Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, depending on the storm's course. Coach Dave Wannstedt said the hurricane could postpone the game until Monday or Tuesday.
The hurricane is expected to hit Florida this weekend, most likely Sunday morning.
September 24, 2004
MIAMI (AP) -- Four college football games set for Florida this weekend were postponed or had their start times moved Friday as Hurricane Jeanne threatened the state's east coast.
And the Miami Dolphins said they may consider delaying Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, depending on the storm's course. Coach Dave Wannstedt said the hurricane could postpone the game until Monday or Tuesday.
The hurricane is expected to hit Florida this weekend, most likely Sunday morning.
Florida Residents Urged to Flee Hurricane
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By JILL BARTON, Associated Press Writer
FORT PIERCE, Fla. - More than half a million residents of Florida's east coast were urged to evacuate — again — as Hurricane Jeanne churned westward Friday and threatened to become the fourth hurricane to pound the state in the last six weeks.
AP Photo
Reuters
Slideshow: Hurricanes & Tropical Storms
Hurricane Jeanne Takes Aim at Florida(AP Video)
Nat'l Hurricane Center Jeanne Update (AP Video)
The 100-mph storm could come ashore somewhere on the state's east coast by Sunday, targeting some of the same areas hit by previous storms and potentially turning piles of still-uncleared debris into deadly missiles.
"I'm not staying in this bunch of junk," 76-year-old Ed Oglesby said as he patched his torn roof in a Hutchinson Island mobile home park still littered with twisted metal and insulation from homes wrecked by Hurricane Frances.
A single state hasn't been hit by four hurricanes in a single season since Texas in 1886. Jeanne could continue a devastating run that has thrashed Florida's Panhandle (Ivan), southwest coast (Charley) and the state's midsection (Frances). Together, they have caused billions of dollars of damage and at least 70 deaths in the state.
"I know people are frustrated, they're tired of all this," Gov. Jeb Bush said. "Trust me, their governor is as well."
Crews with bulldozers worked Friday to clear the mess of flattened homes, torn roofs and snapped trees left over when Frances tore through the heart of the state earlier this month. But many acknowledged it was a losing battle.
"With another hurricane, there's just too much there — we just don't have the manpower to get it all done," said Martin County spokesman Greg Sowell, who estimated nearly 80 percent of debris remained from Frances. He said some streets had debris piled 5 feet to 6 feet high.
Pam Custis shed tears Friday as she looked at a heap of smashed furniture and flooded carpets in front of her Fort Pierce condominium, which has been stripped to a skeleton of concrete floors and metal frames. The debris pile was as tall as she is.
"This is all we have left," she said of her condo's shell. "When this other hurricane comes, this pile is going to be knocking down the rest of it."
Six counties along nearly 250 miles of coastline issued evacuation orders for residents on barrier islands, low-lying areas and mobile homes. That includes more than 512,000 people.
But with almost the entire state in Jeanne's danger zone and a hurricane warning stretching from Miami-Dade County in the south to St. Augustine in the north, some questioned whether there was any safe place to run.
"I ain't going anywhere unless they make me," retiree Larry Ruby said as he patched the roof of his Hutchinson Island mobile home. "I don't think you can get away from it."
Jeanne, already blamed for at least 1,100 flooding deaths in Haiti, looked earlier this week like it had turned north and safely out to sea, but it whipped around in a loop and headed straight for Florida.
At 5 p.m., Jeanne was centered about 400 miles east of Miami and moving west at 12 mph. Forecasters said it could strengthen as it reaches warmer waters closer to Florida's coast.
An eventual turn to the northwest was predicted, but it was unclear when that would happen, and some models show the storm strafing the East Coast all the way up to North Carolina by Tuesday.
Rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches were expected in the storm's path and flooding could be a major concern because previous hurricanes have already saturated many canals, rivers and lakes.
The timing of the storm raised concern for Jews observing Yom Kippur. The holiest day on the Jewish calendar begins at sundown Friday and ends sundown Saturday. During that period, observant Jews usually do not work or carry cash and many do not travel by car, all of which could hamper their hurricane preparations.
The National Hurricane Center (news - web sites) advisory even asked people to consider that Jewish neighbors may not be listening to radios or watching television and may be unaware of the situation.
"I don't know if I will evacuate or not," physician Armand Braun said as he stocked up supplies at a grocery store in Satellite Beach. "Jewish law says you put Jewish requirements aside if there is any danger."
Taking nothing for granted, residents up and down Florida's Atlantic coast went about what has become an all-too-familiar ritual.
In Broward County, lines of cars spilled onto streets outside gas stations as people, remembering gas shortages from Frances, filled up their tanks. Kennedy Space Center (news - web sites), still trying to repair damage to a massive assembly building caused by Frances, was ordered closed Friday to all nonessential personnel.
Three other tropical systems were spinning Friday, but none of them threatened Florida.
Hurricane Ivan's weakened remnants rolled ashore into east Texas and threatened to dump up to 10 inches of rain in the Houston area. But except for some isolated downpours in southeast Texas, the average rainfall amounts were less than 2 inches as of midday Friday.
___
On the Net:
National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
37 minutes ago
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By JILL BARTON, Associated Press Writer
FORT PIERCE, Fla. - More than half a million residents of Florida's east coast were urged to evacuate — again — as Hurricane Jeanne churned westward Friday and threatened to become the fourth hurricane to pound the state in the last six weeks.
AP Photo
Reuters
Slideshow: Hurricanes & Tropical Storms
Hurricane Jeanne Takes Aim at Florida(AP Video)
Nat'l Hurricane Center Jeanne Update (AP Video)
The 100-mph storm could come ashore somewhere on the state's east coast by Sunday, targeting some of the same areas hit by previous storms and potentially turning piles of still-uncleared debris into deadly missiles.
"I'm not staying in this bunch of junk," 76-year-old Ed Oglesby said as he patched his torn roof in a Hutchinson Island mobile home park still littered with twisted metal and insulation from homes wrecked by Hurricane Frances.
A single state hasn't been hit by four hurricanes in a single season since Texas in 1886. Jeanne could continue a devastating run that has thrashed Florida's Panhandle (Ivan), southwest coast (Charley) and the state's midsection (Frances). Together, they have caused billions of dollars of damage and at least 70 deaths in the state.
"I know people are frustrated, they're tired of all this," Gov. Jeb Bush said. "Trust me, their governor is as well."
Crews with bulldozers worked Friday to clear the mess of flattened homes, torn roofs and snapped trees left over when Frances tore through the heart of the state earlier this month. But many acknowledged it was a losing battle.
"With another hurricane, there's just too much there — we just don't have the manpower to get it all done," said Martin County spokesman Greg Sowell, who estimated nearly 80 percent of debris remained from Frances. He said some streets had debris piled 5 feet to 6 feet high.
Pam Custis shed tears Friday as she looked at a heap of smashed furniture and flooded carpets in front of her Fort Pierce condominium, which has been stripped to a skeleton of concrete floors and metal frames. The debris pile was as tall as she is.
"This is all we have left," she said of her condo's shell. "When this other hurricane comes, this pile is going to be knocking down the rest of it."
Six counties along nearly 250 miles of coastline issued evacuation orders for residents on barrier islands, low-lying areas and mobile homes. That includes more than 512,000 people.
But with almost the entire state in Jeanne's danger zone and a hurricane warning stretching from Miami-Dade County in the south to St. Augustine in the north, some questioned whether there was any safe place to run.
"I ain't going anywhere unless they make me," retiree Larry Ruby said as he patched the roof of his Hutchinson Island mobile home. "I don't think you can get away from it."
Jeanne, already blamed for at least 1,100 flooding deaths in Haiti, looked earlier this week like it had turned north and safely out to sea, but it whipped around in a loop and headed straight for Florida.
At 5 p.m., Jeanne was centered about 400 miles east of Miami and moving west at 12 mph. Forecasters said it could strengthen as it reaches warmer waters closer to Florida's coast.
An eventual turn to the northwest was predicted, but it was unclear when that would happen, and some models show the storm strafing the East Coast all the way up to North Carolina by Tuesday.
Rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches were expected in the storm's path and flooding could be a major concern because previous hurricanes have already saturated many canals, rivers and lakes.
The timing of the storm raised concern for Jews observing Yom Kippur. The holiest day on the Jewish calendar begins at sundown Friday and ends sundown Saturday. During that period, observant Jews usually do not work or carry cash and many do not travel by car, all of which could hamper their hurricane preparations.
The National Hurricane Center (news - web sites) advisory even asked people to consider that Jewish neighbors may not be listening to radios or watching television and may be unaware of the situation.
"I don't know if I will evacuate or not," physician Armand Braun said as he stocked up supplies at a grocery store in Satellite Beach. "Jewish law says you put Jewish requirements aside if there is any danger."
Taking nothing for granted, residents up and down Florida's Atlantic coast went about what has become an all-too-familiar ritual.
In Broward County, lines of cars spilled onto streets outside gas stations as people, remembering gas shortages from Frances, filled up their tanks. Kennedy Space Center (news - web sites), still trying to repair damage to a massive assembly building caused by Frances, was ordered closed Friday to all nonessential personnel.
Three other tropical systems were spinning Friday, but none of them threatened Florida.
Hurricane Ivan's weakened remnants rolled ashore into east Texas and threatened to dump up to 10 inches of rain in the Houston area. But except for some isolated downpours in southeast Texas, the average rainfall amounts were less than 2 inches as of midday Friday.
___
On the Net:
National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
Oh baby, it's a wild world for the artist formally known as Cat Stevens (+909%). The ex-folk rocker who now goes by the name Yusuf Islam (+449%) was kicked out of the country (or "deported") when his name appeared on a "no fly" list. Apparently security officials believed his activities could be linked to the ongoing war on terrorism, a charge Mr. Islam calls "ridiculous." While it was no surprise that interest in the singer-turned-peace activist took off when news of the incident broke, some related "cat" searches were less obvious. Interest in the schmaltzy father-son ballad "Cat's in the Cradle" shot up a whopping 450%, driven, no doubt, by those laboring under the mistaken belief the song, written and made popular by Harry Chapin, was recorded by the once feline-named singer. Those who didn't limit themselves to just one Cat hit sent searches on "Cat Stevens Lyrics" up 769%. Inquiring minds seeking the singer's whole story pushed searches on "Cat Stevens bio" from near nil into the thousands. Meanwhile, interest in "who let the dogs out" remains scant. Priorities, people.
Beatles Manager Brian Epstein Committed Suicide
Recently the American cable TV network A&E released information in connection with the airing of a biography about Brian Epstein perpetuating the myth that he had committed suicide. This is not true. The official medical inquest at the time of his death in 1967 declared it was an accidental death. Many dangerous drugs were found in his room, yet the medical evidence showed that he had simply taken some of the less dangerous drugs in an accidentally fatal combination.
The Proof:
Besides the medical evidence and official inquest verdict, official Epstein biographer Ray Coleman documents several reasons we can know Brian was not planning suicide at the time of his death. Brian's father had died six months earlier, and Brian was very dedicated to his mother, Queenie, who was very devestated by Brian's father's death. He was also engaged in purchasing a London flat for her at that time. He would have never intentionally left her at such a time. Further, Brian was very meticulous, in both his business and private lives, yet he died without first arranging a will. In addition, he wrote a letter to Derek Taylor days before his death, outlining exciting plans for the future, including being excited about the news that Cilla Black, another of his artistes, had just been offered her own TV show on the BBC. Here is sound clip of Derek Taylor talking about Brian Epstein and how his final days lead to his accidental death.
Recently the American cable TV network A&E released information in connection with the airing of a biography about Brian Epstein perpetuating the myth that he had committed suicide. This is not true. The official medical inquest at the time of his death in 1967 declared it was an accidental death. Many dangerous drugs were found in his room, yet the medical evidence showed that he had simply taken some of the less dangerous drugs in an accidentally fatal combination.
The Proof:
Besides the medical evidence and official inquest verdict, official Epstein biographer Ray Coleman documents several reasons we can know Brian was not planning suicide at the time of his death. Brian's father had died six months earlier, and Brian was very dedicated to his mother, Queenie, who was very devestated by Brian's father's death. He was also engaged in purchasing a London flat for her at that time. He would have never intentionally left her at such a time. Further, Brian was very meticulous, in both his business and private lives, yet he died without first arranging a will. In addition, he wrote a letter to Derek Taylor days before his death, outlining exciting plans for the future, including being excited about the news that Cilla Black, another of his artistes, had just been offered her own TV show on the BBC. Here is sound clip of Derek Taylor talking about Brian Epstein and how his final days lead to his accidental death.
Friday September 24, 10:38 PM
Cars on Track in Chinese Grand Prix
Photo: APClick to enlarge
Formula One drivers began testing the new track for the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix, and Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello found it "amazing" with lots of chances for passing.
Drivers and crews took the time to experiment during Friday's first official practice leading to Sunday's race.
Michael Schumacher, who has 12 wins this season and is assured his seventh drivers' title, finished 15th. He and Barrichello have helped Ferrari capture a sixth consecutive team title.
Anthony Davidson, the test driver for BAR-Honda, led the way on the 3.388-mile track with times of 1 minute, 35.369 seconds and 1:33.289. Barrichello was seventh in the first practice run and fifth in the second.
"I like the track very much and think it's amazing," Barrichello said. "The numbers of corners and different lines into corners make it interesting. It will be tough physically and I think there should be good overtaking possibilities."
Schumacher wasn't particularly concerned with his 15th-place showing.
"If you look at the time difference, we are pretty close together," the German said. "Usually we are up front, for whatever reasons we are not today. I am pretty sure we will find solutions for that."
Ralf Schumacher, Michael's brother, came in second at 1:35.465 in his return to Formula One racing. He missed six races after crashing into a wall at the U.S. Grand Prix in Indianapolis in June.
Juan Pablo Montoya was third with 1:35.761, followed by Felipe Massa in 1:36.088.
Cars on Track in Chinese Grand Prix
Photo: APClick to enlarge
Formula One drivers began testing the new track for the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix, and Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello found it "amazing" with lots of chances for passing.
Drivers and crews took the time to experiment during Friday's first official practice leading to Sunday's race.
Michael Schumacher, who has 12 wins this season and is assured his seventh drivers' title, finished 15th. He and Barrichello have helped Ferrari capture a sixth consecutive team title.
Anthony Davidson, the test driver for BAR-Honda, led the way on the 3.388-mile track with times of 1 minute, 35.369 seconds and 1:33.289. Barrichello was seventh in the first practice run and fifth in the second.
"I like the track very much and think it's amazing," Barrichello said. "The numbers of corners and different lines into corners make it interesting. It will be tough physically and I think there should be good overtaking possibilities."
Schumacher wasn't particularly concerned with his 15th-place showing.
"If you look at the time difference, we are pretty close together," the German said. "Usually we are up front, for whatever reasons we are not today. I am pretty sure we will find solutions for that."
Ralf Schumacher, Michael's brother, came in second at 1:35.465 in his return to Formula One racing. He missed six races after crashing into a wall at the U.S. Grand Prix in Indianapolis in June.
Juan Pablo Montoya was third with 1:35.761, followed by Felipe Massa in 1:36.088.
Peter Morton to Develop $1 Billion Hotel/Condominum Project Adjacent to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas
Peter Morton to Develop $1 Billion Hotel/Condominum Project Adjacent to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas Peter Morton to Develop $1 Billion Hotel/Condominum Project Adjacent to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las VegasPeter Morton, chairman and founder of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, today announced plans to build a $1 billion, 1.5 million square-foot hotel/condominium project on the 24 acres adjacent to his Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.When combined with the current Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the two properties will cover a total of 41 acres. Mr. Morton recently acquired the 24-acre parcel for $86 million."This new project will be unlike anything ever seen in Las Vegas," he said. "It is being designed by world-renowned architects Richard Meier and Michael Palladino of the Richard Meier firm. It will have elegant, unique finishes both inside and out."We have designed this project to be a mixed-use, master-planned development," Mr. Morton continued. "Current plans call for it to be comprised of four buildings and at least 1,500 hotel condominium units. It will include a collection of unique restaurants and nightclubs, a number of world-class retailers, a state of the art health club and spa and a variety of other recreational facilities."Mr. Morton said that he is meeting with restaurateurs and retailers from around the world for this project, which would incorporate the same excitement and innovative features that have made the Hard Rock one of Las Vegas' most popular destinations."Over the years, patrons have come up to me and told me how much they enjoy the Hard Rock experience," he said. "What we are doing here is giving people a chance to own a little piece of the Hard Rock. Owners of the new hotel/condominiums will have complete VIP access to all Hard Rock facilities. They will have a chance to not only live the Hard Rock experience, but to own a piece of it, as well."When the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino opened some nine years ago, I recognized that twenty and thirty-year olds were an untapped market in Las Vegas," Mr. Morton said. "By creating an environment that was geared to that market, we have not only been able to attract this important demographic, but, people from all age groups who were looking for the same kind of excitement and experience."The Hard Rock is already known for such renown restaurants as Nobu and such sought-after acts as Velvet Revolver, the Rolling Stones and Norah Jones," he said. "Our new project will allow us to give our patrons even more."Mr. Morton said that preliminary plans call for condominium units to range in size from studio apartments, to one and two bedroom units to 6,000 square foot penthouses. He said that poolside Bungalows and Villas are being planned, as well."The Hard Rock and the audience and guests it attracts are the trendsetters in any city," he continued. "Keeping our audience and guests stimulated, particularly in what has become America's fastest growing city -- a city that attracts guests from all over the world -- is a very exciting challenge. I've always loved that part of what I do."Construction is expected to begin on the Hard Rock's hotel/condominium project next year. The first phase of the development is expected to be completed approximately one year from the start of construction.
Peter Morton to Develop $1 Billion Hotel/Condominum Project Adjacent to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas Peter Morton to Develop $1 Billion Hotel/Condominum Project Adjacent to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las VegasPeter Morton, chairman and founder of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, today announced plans to build a $1 billion, 1.5 million square-foot hotel/condominium project on the 24 acres adjacent to his Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.When combined with the current Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the two properties will cover a total of 41 acres. Mr. Morton recently acquired the 24-acre parcel for $86 million."This new project will be unlike anything ever seen in Las Vegas," he said. "It is being designed by world-renowned architects Richard Meier and Michael Palladino of the Richard Meier firm. It will have elegant, unique finishes both inside and out."We have designed this project to be a mixed-use, master-planned development," Mr. Morton continued. "Current plans call for it to be comprised of four buildings and at least 1,500 hotel condominium units. It will include a collection of unique restaurants and nightclubs, a number of world-class retailers, a state of the art health club and spa and a variety of other recreational facilities."Mr. Morton said that he is meeting with restaurateurs and retailers from around the world for this project, which would incorporate the same excitement and innovative features that have made the Hard Rock one of Las Vegas' most popular destinations."Over the years, patrons have come up to me and told me how much they enjoy the Hard Rock experience," he said. "What we are doing here is giving people a chance to own a little piece of the Hard Rock. Owners of the new hotel/condominiums will have complete VIP access to all Hard Rock facilities. They will have a chance to not only live the Hard Rock experience, but to own a piece of it, as well."When the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino opened some nine years ago, I recognized that twenty and thirty-year olds were an untapped market in Las Vegas," Mr. Morton said. "By creating an environment that was geared to that market, we have not only been able to attract this important demographic, but, people from all age groups who were looking for the same kind of excitement and experience."The Hard Rock is already known for such renown restaurants as Nobu and such sought-after acts as Velvet Revolver, the Rolling Stones and Norah Jones," he said. "Our new project will allow us to give our patrons even more."Mr. Morton said that preliminary plans call for condominium units to range in size from studio apartments, to one and two bedroom units to 6,000 square foot penthouses. He said that poolside Bungalows and Villas are being planned, as well."The Hard Rock and the audience and guests it attracts are the trendsetters in any city," he continued. "Keeping our audience and guests stimulated, particularly in what has become America's fastest growing city -- a city that attracts guests from all over the world -- is a very exciting challenge. I've always loved that part of what I do."Construction is expected to begin on the Hard Rock's hotel/condominium project next year. The first phase of the development is expected to be completed approximately one year from the start of construction.
