Everyday Holiday

Wednesday, 14 May 2014

Dolly Parton says hello to TODAY: 'I'm as old as yesterday but hopefully as ... - Today.com

Performances

Randee Dawn TODAY contributor

20 hours ago

As a legend in her own time, with over 50 years in the music business, Dolly Parton could be forgiven if she wanted to rest on her laurels. Instead, the country music singer, songwriter and actress has just released her 42nd album, "Blue Smoke," and is in the middle of a world tour. During a visit to TODAY Tuesday, Parton said she won't be slowing down anytime soon.

"It's just amazing to me, how I came from back when we started in the music business. ... And now it's just everything is all this high tech," the stylish singer grinned, done up in her traditional blonde wig, a sparkly formfitting top and cropped pants festooned with spangled fringe. "I've just been dragged screaming and kicking into the 21st Century. ... It's wonderful that I'm still here. I say I'm as old as yesterday but hopefully as new as tomorrow."

Perhaps her sense of humor keeps her young: Following a plaza performance of her 1980 hit "9 to 5," TODAY's Matt Lauer pointed out a Dolly drag impersonator in the audience. Parton quipped that sometimes when she sings "Jolene," she changes the lyrics to "drag queen."

The singer also stuck around to share a live performance of the title track from her new album, along with the new song "Home."

Her new tunes aren't the only reason Parton is smiling; her personal life is harmonious, too. Married to the same man, Carl Thomas Dean, for 48 years, Parton says the union has lasted despite the fact that Dean is not fond of her music.

"I know every line in his face and he knows every hair in my wig," grinned Parton. "(He's) not particularly (a fan of my songs), but he loves me. He loves me."

"Blue Smoke" is now available for purchase and download.

Frontier Airlines launches new non-stop flights from Dulles - Washington Post (blog)

Frontier Airlines jetliners sit at gates along the A concourse at Denver International Airport. (David Zalubowski/ AP)

This post has been updated and corrected. Frontier Airlines announced Tuesday that it will begin non-stop service to 14 new destinations, including Chicago, Las Vegas and Tampa, from Dulles International Airport. The expansion is a boost for Dulles, where the number of domestic flights has steadily decreased over the past few years, leaving some deeply concerned about the airport’s future. The number of domestic passengers traveling through Dulles decreased to 14.7 million between January 2013 and January 2014, a 6 percent drop. While some blamed weather for the decline in travel, the number of passengers at Dulles has been declining for several years. “The addition of Frontier to the Dulles family represents a significant, positive development for passengers interested in additional low-cost domestic travel options to and from the National Capital Region,” said Jack Potter, president and chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Washington Air ports Authority, which manages Dulles and Reagan National airports, in a written statement. “With the Washington area economy growing and the Metrorail Silver Line on its way, Dulles will continue to fill the expanding air travel needs for the region and these new options from Frontier will play and important role.” To kick off the new flights, the airline is offering special $15-each-way fares ~~(note the price does not include taxes and fees)~~ taxes and fees included from Dulles to the new destinations. Travelers who want to book flights need to move quickly: The sale will only be on for 12-hours and applies to travel through Nov. 19. Additional introductory fares as low as $39 each way ~~(again, this doesn’t include taxes and fees)~~ will be available for booking through May 17. And have patience — when we tried to access the website (hey, we like cheap fares just as much as anyone) we were unable to access it. When we tried ag ain at 12:45 p.m. the site appeared to be back online. But others say they are getting error messages. A Frontier Airlines spokeswoman said they are aware of the problem.

Direct service to Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago and Tampa will begin in August. Service to Cincinnati, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Memphis, Fort Myers, St. Louis and St. Augustine/Jacksonville (Fla.) will begin in September. One might wonder how Frontier is able to offer such low fares. It turns out the airline recently changed its fare structure, so that travelers may find themselves paying a la carte for services that used to be free. For example, the airline is now charging as much as $50 for placing bags in the overhead bin depending on which fare you purchase. See details here. Frontier is a Denver-based low-cost carrier. It also offers service from Reagan National and Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International airports.

Armour: Shame belongs to Donald Sterling, not Magic Johnson - USA TODAY

NBA Hall of Famer and Los Angeles Dodgers owner Magic Johnson will get his own say about Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling in an interview Tuesday with CNN's Anderson Cooper.(Photo: Jayne Kamin, USA TODAY Sports)

Attacking Magic Johnson wasn't enough. No, Donald Sterling had to go and demonize everyone with HIV and AIDS, perpetuating the stigma that activists, doctors, policymakers – heck, anyone with a heart – have been trying to erase since Johnson put a familiar face on the disease more than 20 years ago.

"I hope this doesn't set us back," Johnson told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Tuesday, responding to Sterling's rant a day earlier on the network. "The stigma is still there. We know that. We've been fighting it for years."

That's the worst part about this latest fiasco involving the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. Most people won't take Sterling or his vitriol seriously, knowing he's a bitter and hate-filled man. That was clear to anyone watching the two interviews.

WHY?: What's behind Sterling comments?

MAGIC: Sterling 'can't buy his way out of this one'

While Sterling rambled and whined, Johnson was composed and gracious. He didn't attack Sterling personally or take cheap shots. "I just feel sorry for him," Johnson said. "I really do. It's sad."

But the fact Sterling's views even have to be addressed give them a degree of legitimacy they don't deserve.

"I felt heartsick. I felt like this man singlehandedly attempted to dismantle the progress we've made," said Phill Wilson, who was AIDS director for Los Angeles when Johnson announced in November 1991 that he was HIV positive.

VIDEO: Did Sterling do himself even more damage?

USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick discusses the headscratching remarks Donald Sterling made during his interview with Anderson Cooper.

That day, the switchboard at Wilson's office shut down because it couldn't handle all the calls coming in. The fear and shame surrounding HIV and AIDS was so great back then that the diseases were talked about in whispers and hushed tones, if they were talked about at all.

Now here was one of the country's most popular athletes announcing that he had the dreaded disease.

"His disclosure alone, I would say, saved tens of thousands of lives," said Wilson, now the president and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute. "For the first time, we could have a different conversation in black communities. It allowed us to have an honest conversation, and it allowed us to get people into treatment."

MORE: Clippers coach Rivers doesn't like owner's apology

SHELLY STERLING: 'I really think personally he has dementia'

With his high profile and frank talk, Johnson brought HIV and AIDS into the mainstream.

Understanding of HIV and AIDS is light years ahead of what it was 23 years ago, and so is treatment. There may not be a cure yet. But as Johnson so vibrantly illustrates, the diseases no longer mean a death sentence, either.

Yet Sterling's attack shows how much work remains. According to a 2012 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on national health issues, 32% of respondents said they believed it was someone's own fault for getting AIDS.

That's not much of a drop from a decade ago, when the response was 40%.

EARLIER: Sterling's interview only makes it worse

"Stigma serves the purpose of dividing society into the 'good' people and the 'bad' people -- those deserving of support and love and those who are not," Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, said in a statement.

"In particular, stigma against people who are HIV-positive is intended to make them feel as if their disease is their fault and they are not worthy of acceptance and support," Weinstein said. "Most of all, it keeps them in the shadows because they are embarrassed to tell their story for fear of being judged or excluded."

Johnson may not be perfect, but he's devoted the second act of his career to trying to build people up. His foundation has provided HIV/AIDS testing for nearly 40,000 people, and awarded millions in grants. He's given millions more for college scholarships, with 85% of the recipients graduating within six years.

His community centers have provided educational and vocational training for more than 250,000 people around the country. His business ventures have created thousands of jobs, most in low-income, urban areas.

Yet that's not enough for Sterling, who apparently has trouble with Johnson and anyone else with HIV or AIDS.

"Is that someone we want to respect and tell our kids about?" Sterling said. "I think he should be ashamed of himself."

No, Mr. Sterling, a disease is nothing to be ashamed of. But ignorance fueled by hatred and fear are.

VIDEO: LeBron's voice resonates on Sterling

USA TODAY Sports NBA writer Jeff Zillgitt discusses some of notable stories around the league.

Dolly Parton says hello to TODAY: 'I'm as old as yesterday but hopefully as ... - Today.com

Performances

Randee Dawn TODAY contributor

19 hours ago

The singer also stuck around to share a live performance of the title track from her new album, along with the new song "Home."

"I know every line in his face and he knows every hair in my wig," grinned Parton. "(He's) not particularly (a fan of my songs), but he loves me. He loves me."

"Blue Smoke" is now available for purchase and download.

Tuesday, 13 May 2014

NBA Playoffs: LeBron James scores 49 points as Miami Heat push Brooklyn ... - New York Daily News

LeBron James was already in one of those moods. Whatever set him off – and it usually doesn’t take much in big games like Monday night’s – he was fuming in the first half, scowling up and down the court, waiting to erupt.

When given the opportunity on a fast break, he elevated and cocked the ball to the side with an outstretched arm, reminding the Nets – and Paul Pierce, in particular — that they can’t match his combination of strength and athleticism.

A day earlier, Pierce said he had lobbied coach Jason Kidd to guard James, if for no other reason than his familiarity playing against the four-time MVP. But here was Pierce serving as a mere practice cone with 3:06 remaining in the first quarter, when James finished his flush and proceeded with a lengthy stare-down of his long-time nemesis. The ball then ricocheted from the hoop onto the court, right in front of James. He let it roll, standing broad-shouldered and defiant in his dominance, clearly on a mission.

“He’s tough. Especially with his strength, his speed, when he ducks his head and tries to go to the basket,” Pierce said in his postgame concession after James scored 49 points in Miami’s 102-96 win that put Nets on the brink of elimination. “It really took away a lot of my aggressiveness in the first quarter when I picked up two fouls, so I was trying not to pick up my third foul in the second quarter and he realized that and he just kept going to the hole, but at the end of the day, it’s tough to guard him one-on-one.

“You gotta try to slow him down, you gotta try to send multiple guys at him and make him kick the ball and we didn’t do that tonight. … He’s a great player. You can’t take nothing away from him.”

Pierce had no answer for James. Nobody did. The Nets trail the Eastern Conference semis 3-1 – because James tied a career playoff-high, getting into the paint early and often while hitting 16 of his 24 shots.

James could’ve reached the 50-point plateau, but missed a foul shot with one second remaining. He played 43 minutes – including all 24 of the second half — grabbing six rebounds, and afterward expressed disappointment in failing to hit the 50-point milestone. “That’s the first time I’ve been disappointed with myself in a win,” he said. “It’s a free throw, and I hate missing free throws.”

Still, the Nets wouldn’t shrink away easily. They were always within striking distance, and had two opportunities to break a tie with less than minutes remaining. But Garnett missed a 17-foot jumper (by a lot), and Joe Johnson – going isolation against James — clanged a fadeaway off the rim.

Chris Bosh then buried the biggest shot of the game, a corner 3-pointer with 57 seconds remaining to give Miami a 97-94 advantage. The Nets couldn’t recover. On Johnson’s final drive with 39 seconds left, James – who was carrying five fouls – made initial contact, but the refs swallowed their whistles and the Heat left Brooklyn victorious in one of those games that defines a series.

Johnson led the Nets with 18 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Pierce had 16 in 31 minutes. Deron Williams again came up small in the fourth quarter, missing four of his five shots and finishing the game with 13 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

In a game reminiscent of his time in Cleveland, James didn’t get much help. Dwyane Wade (15 points), Bosh (12) and Allen (11) were the other Miami players in double-digits. The rest of the roster combined for 15 points.

“It’s tough when you’re backing up against him and he’s coming at you full speed,” Williams said. “You do what you can to wrap him up.”

The Nets had a chance to make this a series heading back to Miami for Wednesday’s Game 5, but they missed when it mattered most and bowed down to King James.

Donald Sterling Slams Magic Johnson in 'Malicious' Attack - ABC News

Jealousy, not racism, fueled Donald Sterling’s rants to assistant V. Stiviano about black people, the banished Los Angeles Clippers owner told CNN’s Anderson Cooper in an interview that aired Monday.

During the exclusive interview, Sterling also criticized Magic Johnson, blaming the basketball great for his delayed apology to the controversy, and chastising Johnson for his 1991 HIV diagnosis.

“I think [Johnson] should be ashamed of himself,” Sterling told Cooper. “I think he should go into the background. But what does he do for the black people? He doesn't do anything.”

The interview was meant to be a mea culpa, marking Sterling’s first lengthy statements since racist recordings emerged last month and earned him a lifetime NBA ban. But when the subject turned to Johnson, who was mentioned in the recordings, Sterling turned contentious.

"He's got AIDS," Sterling said. "What has he done, big Magic Johnson, what has he done?"

Shelly Sterling: 'Eventually, I'm Going to' File for Divorce

"He acts so holy. He made love to every girl in every city in America, and he had AIDS, and when he had those AIDS, I went to my synagogue and I prayed for him, I hope he could live and be well. I didn't criticize him. I could have. Is he an example for children?"

Cooper corrected Sterling, explaining that Johnson was HIV-positive but did not have "full-blown AIDS."

Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

PHOTO: Donald Sterling is pictured on April 21, 2014 in Los Angeles.

Sterling briefly adjusted his language but not his tone.

"What kind of a guy goes to every city, has sex with every girl, then he catches HIV. Is that someone we want to respect, and tell our kids about?" Sterling said. "I think he should be ashamed of himself."

V. Stiviano Says Visor Made It 'Easier to Mask the Pain'

Sterling said Johnson told him to stay quiet after the scandal broke. “Wait, be patient, I’ll help you. We’ll work it out,” Sterling said in the interview.

Johnson – who’s credited for social outreach through the Magic Johnson Foundation, as well as a chain of movie theaters in urban communities – is scheduled to appear on “Anderson Cooper 360” today. As Sterling’s new comments emerged, Johnson wrote on Twitter that he’d rather focus on basketball.

“After this week, no more Sterling talk. Just the NBA Playoffs,” he wrote.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver defended Johnson in a statement.

"I just read a transcript of Donald Sterling's interview with Anderson Cooper and while Magic Johnson doesn't need me to, I feel compelled on behalf of the NBA family to apologize to him that he continues to be dragged into this situation and be degraded by such a malicious and personal attack,” Silver said in the statement.

“The NBA Board of Governors is continuing with its process to remove Mr. Sterling as expeditiously as possible."

Clippers coach Doc Rivers, who said he has yet to watch the interview, also expressed support for Johnson.

"Obviously I know who Magic is," Rivers said. "I'll stand by Magic every day of the year because I've known him for a long time. Having said that, I don't know what's going on out there. I tried not to get involved in that part of it right now. Whatever it is, that doesn't sound like much of an apology to me."

Donald Sterling Defense: Personality Changes Could Signal Dementia

That process has been ongoing since April 29, when Silver announced Sterling’s lifetime ban from the league. Recordings featuring Sterling emerged online days earlier, featuring the owner’s conversations with Stiviano.

Sterling, 80, says he didn’t know he was being recorded, and that he was simply trying to woo Stiviano, 31. “I thought she liked me,” he said. “Maybe I was just fooling myself for two years.”

In a May 2 interview with ABC’s Barbara Walters, Stiviano said she doesn’t believe that Sterling is a racist, but that it was important for him to apologize.

Clay Aiken primary opponent Keith Crisco found dead - Washington Post (blog)

North Carolina businessman Keith Crisco, a Democrat who ran for Congress against former "American Idol" star Clay Aiken, was found dead at his home Monday, his company and campaign said.

An employee at the company Crisco co-founded and his campaign each said he suffered a fall but did not immediately provide further details. Crisco was 71.

A businessman and former state Commerce secretary, Crisco had been vying for the Democratic nomination for U.S. House against Aiken in the state's 2nd congressional district. The contest was without an official winner nearly a week after the primary election.

With all precincts reporting the results of last Tuesday's election, Aiken led Crisco by fewer than 400 votes, while a third candidate, Toni Morris, lagged behind the two. Crisco did not concede the race, awaiting the results of a final count, including absentee ballots that continued to pour in for days.

In a statement, Aiken said he was "deeply saddened" by Crisco's death and called him a "good and honorable man." Aiken announced that he was "suspending all campaign activities as we pray for his family and friends."

The state Board of Elections said in a statement that it was "saddened to hear of the passing of Keith Crisco. A native of North Carolina, we are grateful for Mr. Crisco’s service to our state and his community through the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Crisco family during this difficult time."

Crisco was vying for a chance to run against Rep. Renee Ellmers (R) in a district that leans Republican.

"I am deeply saddened by this sudden and painful tragedy and wish God's blessings for Keith's family through the coming days," said Ellmers. "His kindness and dedication to his principles were models we should all strive toward, and he will be dearly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Keith's family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time."

Updated at 8:13 p.m.