Happy Birthday Reba!

Today is Reba McEntire's birthday. She turns 52 today.

Ritchie McKay

Ritchie McKay is the new head coach of the Liberty Flames. McKay, 41, comes to Liberty from New Mexico where he spent five seasons at the helm of the Lobos’ basketball program compiling a 82-69 record. In 10 years as a head coach, McKay has posted a 165-158 career coaching record, including two-year stints each at Portland State (1997-98), Colorado State (1999-00) and Oregon State (2001-02).

Alford New Head Men's Basketball Coach at New Mexico

Steve Alford, has a 308-183 (63%) career record in 16 seasons as a collegiate head coach. In eight seasons at Iowa, Alford compiled a 152-106 record with a school-record seven consecutive winning seasons, and six postseason appearances. Prior to Iowa, Alford posted a 78-29 record in four seasons (1992-95) at NCAA Division III Manchester (Ind.) College and a four-year (1996-99) record of 78-48 at Southwest Missouri State.

Rene Portland Out At Penn St

Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland resigned, ending a 27-year tenure. Portland compiled a 606-236 record at Penn State, and earlier this season became the ninth women's basketball coach to win 600 games at one school. Penn State played in 21 NCAA Tournaments under Portland and advanced to the 2000 Final Four. Portland won five Big Ten championships and two conference tournament titles. As a player, Portland won three national championships with Immaculata College (1972-74) at the tournament sponsored by the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women.

Gators In The White House

The BCS national champion Florida football team was honored by President George W. Bush on Monday afternoon at The White House.

Amaker out at Michigan

The University of Michigan fired basketball coach Tommy Amaker after six seasons without an appearance in the NCAA tournament. Amaker had a 109-83 record at Michigan, including 43-53 in the Big Ten Conference. He also compiled a 68-55 record in four seasons at Seton Hall before taking over at Michigan.

Cheryl Burnett-RETIRED

Michigan women's basketball coach Cheryl Burnett retired on today. She had a record of 35-83 (10-54) in four season at Michigan.

Rebirth International

Rebirth International is the outgrowth of our founder Mo Leverett’s calling and vision to advance spiritual and community revitalization in pockets of poverty both stateside and worldwide. Mo grew up in the Deep South and even as a young man became increasingly burdened to see his South live up to its professed Christian ideals, especially in regard to the historic issue of race and the entrenched problem of multi-generational poverty. That passion has grown to a life’s call and mission and led Mo and his wife Ellen, after receiving his Masters of Divinity degree from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi to move into the Desire neighborhood of New Orleans in 1990 to launch his first urban ministry called Desire Street Ministries.
Of course the Desire neighborhood and the entire 9th ward that enfolds it are infamous for its poverty, crime and other social problems. The housing project which was built in this community was ranked the nation’s worst by HUD and was the center of most the cities murders and poverty. Mo and his team succesfully developed a ministry that became one of the leading young urban ministry models in this country. Within a multi-purpose facility that was built, a church, a school, an off-site medical clinic, and many other ministry programs were set into motion.But after 16 years of succesful yet arduous front-line incarnational urban ministry - the organization and community that he served was devastated and ruined by Hurricane Katrina. Mo went to work with a team of dedicated staff to rescue and redesign the ministry he founded in 1990. Yet through a series of events, it became apparent that God’s call on Mo to expand urban ministry initiatives in other pockets of poverty was the providential next step for Mo’s spiritual journey.
While leaving Desire Street Ministries was among the most painful circumstance Mo has faced in his professional life, the vision of Rebirth was always where Mo’s gifts and passions lied.

Carolyn Peck-FIRED!

The Gators have lost a program-worst 13 straight games and are 6-20 overall and 0-11 in the SEC. Peck is 69-74 overall and 22-45 in the SEC at Florida. She led the Gators to two NCAA Tournaments and one WNIT Tournament in five seasons.

Florida Gators

The Florida Gators defeated the Kentucky Wildcats in Men's Basketball yesterday 64-61. Florida won its fifth straight against Kentucky and two and a row at Rupp for the first time since 1988-89.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Cristina Ferrare. She turns 57 today.

New on DVD Today

Flags Of Our Fathers and Running With Scissors. Both are available from Amazon.

Judy Rodman

Power, Path & Performancefor Maximum Voice
Now, renowned vocal instructor and award-winning recording artist Judy Rodman gives you access to the ultimate vocal technique!
Singers can spend years searching for a method that teaches them how to have it all -- a powerful, healthy voice that can move the heart through authentic communication. After intense personal study and over 30 years of professional singing experience, Judy Rodman offers her comprehensive technique for the contemporary performer.
Power, Path and Performance is available in a series of six CDs. You will receive:
Two audio CDs, from which you’ll learn the method’s basis
Three audio CDs with vocal exercises
One video CD-ROM, viewable on Windows Medial Player, of Judy demonstrating the exercises (45 minutes)
11 color illustrations
Male and female vocal routines
Sounds effects and humor to make your intense learning fun!
With over four hours of instruction, Power, Path and Performance is easily a $400 value. Right now, you can buy the entire course for $130, plus $5 (U.S.) or $10 (outside U.S.) shipping.
More about Power, Path and Performance
Power, Path and Performance features instruction in three essential areas that Judy believes are necessary to master when developing your maximum voice:
“Power”: Breathe correctly, understand your voice’s “engine” and sing with extraordinary strength and volume.
“Path”: Learn how to keep your throat open and easy, maintaining your power withoutstraining your vocal chords.
“ Performance”: Move your audience to tears, joy or profound reflection by entering the song and “making it real.”
Using tools of anatomy, imagery and vocal exercises to connect the mind and body to the voice, you’ll reap the following rewards:
A powerful yet controlled voice with no vocal-cord strain
Pitch accuracy and vocal “lick” ease (stylized ad-lib or embellishment)
Evenness of volume and intensity yet passionate and believable delivery
Healed vocal “breaks” (unwanted yodels) and blended registers (high and low voices)
Vocal uniqueness from access to one’s own resonances
Floating, sustained tones
Expanded vocal range
Freedom of expression due to lack of tension and fear
Confidence and joy in the ability to communicate and to move the heart
Who Benefits?
Beginners, highly advanced professionals and even classical vocalists desiring a more contemporary sound will benefit from this ultimate vocal technique. Public speakers will gain powerful yet pleasant, communicative voices that are not easily fatigued.
Power, Path and Performance starts working quickly but can be studied for a lifetime, as the concepts become clearer and the techniques more entrenched in muscle memory.

Patricia Neal

Happy 81st birthday to Patricia Neal, the greatest actress of all time. Here is a link to the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center.

The World War II Memorial

The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home. Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people. The Second World War is the only 20th Century event commemorated on the National Mall’s central axis.

Upper 84 Ranch

Former Dallas Cowboy Jay Novacek, invites you to be a guest on his PRIVATE HUNTING RANCH.
It is known as the Upper 84 Ranch, but Jay Novacek refers to it as his little slice of heaven in Nebraska. Jay, known as the tight end who went to five Pro Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys in the 90s, has turned 3,500 acres of land near Brady Nebraska into something he has dreamed of since his youth.

Ronald McDonald House

A strong mind. A strong body. And a safe, supportive place to grow. These are things that every child needs - and deserves. Helping to provide these things is what we do. By creating, finding and supporting programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is working to better the lives of children and their families around the world. The three core programs of RMHC - the Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile - are focused on helping families in need. Our cornerstone Ronald McDonald House program began in 1974 based on a simple idea: Provide a "home away from home" for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Since that time, more than 10 million families around the world have benefited from the comfort provided by a Ronald McDonald House.The Ronald McDonald Family Room program extends the comfort of a Ronald McDonald House to a hospital setting. Typically located just steps from neonatal or pediatric intensive care units, the Family Room provides a place to escape the stress and tension of the hospital.Through relationships with local health care providers, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program brings cost-effective medical, dental and health education services directly to underserved children in both rural and urban areas around the world.In addition to supporting the core programs, RMHC and our global network of local Chapters in 49 countries have awarded more than $440 million dollars in grants and program services worldwide to make an immediate, positive impact on as many children as possible. Together with support from hundreds of thousands of passionate and caring volunteers, donors and RMHC staff, we've had plenty of success.

National Down Syndrome Society

The National Down Syndrome Society envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to realize their life aspirations. NDSS is committed to being the national leader in enhancing the quality of life, and realizing the potential of all people with Down syndrome.

National Champs!

The Florida Gator Football Team won the National Championship last night beating Ohio State 41-14.

Special Olympics

Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Special Olympics offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round training and competition.