Developer behind proposed City of Industry football stadium drops consultants, lobbyist

Billionaire developer Ed Roski Jr., who hopes to build a football stadium in the City of Industry in a competition with one proposed by AEG in downtown Los Angeles, has dropped his team of lobbyists and public relations consultants.

Senior Vice President John Semcken said work on their project has moved to a new stage and they no longer need the help they required.

"We decided a couple of months ago that we would be hiring some local people to make sure message and benefits of our project are understood by the L.A. City Council when they are making their deliberations," Semcken said.

"We hired someone to help us with meeting members of the council and that part is done. We also hired someone to help get our message out to the general public and we think we have done that."

Semcken said the contracts with John Ek and Maureen Kindel in Los Angeles and Donna Lukas in Sacramento have ended.

Efforts to contact the three were unsuccessful.

"They were very successful for us and now we are moving on to the next aspects of this," Semcken said. "We have been talking to teams and are waiting for the NFL to complete its collective bargaining agreement so we can move forward."

Semcken said Roski still retains a number of lobbyists in Sacramento, working on other projects being developed by Roski's Majestic Realty Co.

"We are now at the point where we are ready to break ground tomorrow," Semcken said. "All we

need is a team."

Semcken would not identify the teams he's been talking to about a move to Los Angeles. However, speculation has centered around the San Diego Charters, Jacksonville Jaguars and Minnesota Vikings.

Roski, who partnered with AEG to build Staples Center, has been working on his own plans for a stadium to host professional football for several years and won an exemption to the state environmental laws that allow lawsuits once the environmental impact reports are completed.

As part of that, Roski had hired a team of four lobbyists in Sacramento and one in Los Angeles to help him through the bureaucratic process.

AEG last year developed its own plan, which is making its way through City Hall, to build a stadium-event center on the site of the West Hall of the Convention Center.

The stadium, with a retractable roof, could seat between 64,000 and 72,000 people and also serve as an addition to the Convention Center.

AEG President Tim Leiwecke has said AEG will pay the $1 billion construction cost for the stadium, but would need the city to issue $350million in bonds to replace the West Hall. Leiwecke said said AEG will pay off the bond with a surplus charge or tax on tickets to be sold.

Roski has developed plans for a 75,000-seat stadium, with an estimated cost of $800 million. It would be at the junction of the 57 and 80 freeways in Industry.

A working group of city officials has been meeting with AEG to work out details of a contract before it is considered by the City Council. Also, a blue ribbon panel of business and civic leaders has been meeting and will report to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on their recommendations.

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Heidi Montag, We Don?t Like You

Posted by ILookFlyChick - Friday March 18, 2011 15:18

Heidi Montag, We Don?t Like You

My name is AmiBeth, and I wrote this song this is my Personal Opinion of Heidi Montag and her lovely little way with the media. The the video was editted by Justin Williams, and the actors playing Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt are from www.youtube.com/thepartyshop. Please check out their videos as well.

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Josie Gibson: I want to interview Charlie Sheen - he's a legend

Big Brother winner Josie Gibson tells Charlie to get out of his Jacuzzi

Big Brother winner Josie Gibson visits dog attack girl in hospital | Big Brother | Now Magazine

Josie Gibson is now working as a TV presenter

Big Brother 11 winner Josie Gibson has made it her mission to interview bad boy Charlie Sheen by the end of the year.

And she's determined to get him to agree via Twitter.

'@charliesheen Hi charley, I'm a hard working presenter. Pls can I interview u! I think that u are a complete legend. Love josie. X,' she's Tweeted.

'u need to let me interview u charlie! The uk needs feed back from the Sheen

'Mate if ur on a humongous bender bender I understand but I really want to interview u! Just take 15 mins out of ur jacuzzi. 

'Come on, don't b mean the U.K. Is so keen to hear from the legend.

We understand why Josie, 26, is so keen to have a chat with the out-of-control actor who reckons he's on a drug called 'Charlie Sheen'.

Here are a few things she might want to ask him to talk about...

1990 Charlie Sheen accidentally shoots then-fiancée Kelly Preston in the arm

1995 Charlie Sheen named as a client of former madam Heidi Fleiss

2005 Then-wife Denise Richards files for divorce from Charlie Sheen after two years of marriage. She later accuses him of alcohol and drug abuse

2009 Then-wife Brooke Mueller has Charlie Sheen arrested on charges of domestic violence

Feb 2010 Charlie Sheen takes a break from filming to go to rehab

Aug 2010 Charlie Sheen pleads guilty to the 2009 misdemeanour assault charge and goes back to rehab

Oct 2010 Charlie Sheen destroys a room at The Plaza Hotel in New York. NYPD officers escort him to a local hospital

Nov 2010 Charlie Sheen files for divorce from Brooke

Jan 2011 Charlie Sheen's admitted to an LA hospital with 'severe abdominal pains'. After he checks out, he begins rehab at home under the care of therapists

23 Feb Charlie Sheen jets off to the Bahamas with his soon-to-be ex-wife Brooke, porn star Bree Olson and former nanny Natalie Kenly

1 Mar Charlie Sheen goes on US TV and 'comes out' about his ménage à trois living situation, saying: 'It's an organic union of the hearts.'

Charlie Sheen's Twitter>>

SEE PICTURES Celebrity splits 2010>>

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO Behind the scenes at our Josie
Gibson
Marilyn Monroe shoot>>

NEW PICTURES John James' best quotes on Josie,
life and love>>

PHOTO GALLERY Josie Gibson on John James,
Sam Pepper and being a randy mare>>

SEE PICTURES John James Parton's Big Brother story>>

MORE PICTURES Josie Gibson and John James'
love story>>

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UCLA women outlast Montana 55-47 to advance in NCAA Tournament

CLICK FOR PHOTO GALLERY

UCLA women beat Montana 55-47 to advance in NCAA Tournament

SPOKANE, Wash. -- UCLA felt slighted by getting a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament.

The Bruins did very little in the first round to prove they belonged any higher.

Jasmine Dixon scored 15 points, including a key up-and-under basket with 56 seconds left, and the Bruins finally shook 14th-seeded Montana in the closing moments for a 55-47 victory Saturday.

UCLA's trapping pressure defense did its job, forcing the overmatched Lady Griz into 25 turnovers and long stretches without points. But every other part of UCLA's game was out of rhythm and sloppy. The Bruins (28-4) committed 19 turnovers, shot just 42 percent and leading scorer Darxia Morris finished with four points and five turnovers.

Montana, which won the Big Sky

UCLA's Markel Walker, left, wrestles the ball from Montana's Alyssa Smith during a full-court press as Rebekah Gardner looks on in the first half of their first round NCAA women's college basketball tournament game, Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Conference tournament with three straight wins, was led by Alyssa Smith's 14 points. Montana (18-15) closed within 36-30 midway through the second half and 47-42 with 3:35 left but couldn't get any closer.

UCLA coach Nikki Caldwell talked Friday of how last year the team just enjoyed being back in the tournament for the first time since 2006. UCLA lost to Nebraska in the second round a year ago.

This year, it's about advancing past the first weekend, especially after feeling slighted by the selection committee and given a No. 3 seed when many believed the Bruins deserved a No. 2.

Getting to the regional semifinals won't be an easy task for the Bruins. They'll face No. 11 seed Gonzaga on Monday night on the Bulldogs' home floor in the second round. Gonzaga beat sixth-seeded Iowa 92-86 earlier Saturday.

Most of the 6,000 fans that crammed McCarthy Athletic Center to see the hometown team win didn't stick around for the back end of the doubleheader.

UCLA might be glad they didn't. The Bruins led 47-36 with 5 minutes left, only to see Montana close within 51-47 on Stephanie Stender's two free throws with 1:16 remaining.

Dixon then scored in the lane to push the lead back to six, then stole a pass in the backcourt and was fouled. She finally put the game out of reach by hitting one of two free throws. Dixon made four of nine shots and was 7 for 12 at the free throw line.

Rebekah Gardner and Doreena Campbell both finished with 11 points for the Bruins.

On many occasions, it looked as if the Bruins might be able to put away Montana and cruise to an expected easy victory.

UCLA pushed its lead to double figures for the first time right at the start of the second half and appeared ready to finally put away the Lady Griz, only to see Montana continually hang around. UCLA's lead was just 36-30 with less than 12 minutes remaining after Smith's third 3-pointer of the game and could have been closer if Montana had finished a few opportunities around the basket.

Atonye Nyingifa's two free throws pushed the lead to eight, Campbell hit a jumper from the wing and Gardner's two free throws gave UCLA its largest lead at 42-30. Montana refused to go away, putting a scare into the Bruins until the final minute.

Sarah Ena added nine points for Montana, but the Lady Griz could never recover from 19 turnovers in the first half and 33 percent shooting for the game. Leading scorer Katie Baker, who comes off the bench, finished with just six points. Montana went 7 minutes without a field goal in the first half, yet trailed only 26-17 at halftime.

Montana was making its 19th NCAA appearance but hasn't won in its last nine trips. The Lady Griz last won an NCAA tournament game in 1995 with an upset of San Diego State.

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THG Caption Contest: Cheers For Lindsay Lohan!


Welcome, gossip fans, to another edition of THG's Caption Contest!

When celebrity train wreck Lindsay Lohan (with her sister Ali) attends a New York Knicks game, the material for your captions is basically Limitless.

What are she/they thinking or saying here? Tell us! All you do is click "Comments" below and submit your best caption(s) - as many as you like.

We'll announce a winner Monday. Go to town and good luck ...

Lohan at the Game

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The Killers pledge to reunite

19 March 2011

Despite embarking on various side projects, The Killers insist they still plan to record together again.

The Killers' side projects won't stop them getting back together.

The 'Mr. Brightside' hitmakers are currently on hiatus, with frontman Brandon Flowers bringing out solo album 'Flamingo' last year, drummer Ronnie Vanucci preparing for the release of his 'Big Talk' LP and bassist Mark Soermer also going into the recording studio alone, but the group insist they will make a new record when they are ready.

Ronnie said: "I'm very anxious to get back to the studio with these dudes and make some tunes. The next record's gonna be on our own terms as far as scheduling goes, it'll come out when it's ready.

Because everybody knows where their bread is buttered and that what we do is special, you can't throw it away. It's guarded and heavily cared for. We don't want to be away for too long.

"Because everybody knows where their bread is buttered and that what we do is special, you can't throw it away. It's guarded and heavily cared for. We don't want to be away for too long."

Ronnie believes working on their own solo ventures is "healthy" for the band - which also includes guitarist Dave Keuning - as a whole.

He added: "I can see the solo projects being healthy for is. The Killers are my guys, this is just fun for me.

"We just want to make the next record our best one, that's important for us as a band."

Buy The Killers DVDs
  • The Killers - Live From The Royal Albert Hall [Blu-ray] [2008]

    £19.99

Buy The Killers Music
  • Live From The Royal Albert Hall

    £17.99

  • 3 CD Brick

    £38.99

  • Don't Shoot Me Santa

    £4.99

  • Sawdust

    £8.99

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Mark Ballas' 'Dancing' journal: Bring on Season 12

By Mark Ballas, Special for USA TODAY

Last year,Dancing With the Starsprofessional Mark Ballaschronicled the ups and downs of Team Ballin (his nickname for himself and partner Bristol Palin). He's back blogging for USA TODAY once more, this time as part of Team KanenBall, which has him teamed with Disney actress Chelsea Kane. You can find his dispatches here on Wednesdays following the Tuesday night results show and on Fridays, when he'll let us know how rehearsal for the next Monday's show is going

  • Meet Team KanenBall: For the 12th season of Dancing With the Stars, Mark Ballas is partnered with Disney actress Chelsea Kane.

    By Rick Rowell, ABC

    Meet Team KanenBall: For the 12th season of Dancing With the Stars, Mark Ballas is partnered with Disney actress Chelsea Kane.

By Rick Rowell, ABC

Meet Team KanenBall: For the 12th season of Dancing With the Stars, Mark Ballas is partnered with Disney actress Chelsea Kane.

Welcome back! I'm so happy to be able to share my thoughts and inside information with you again this season. Last Fall, Season 11, was a blast and I'm really looking forward to Season 12!

It's been nearly four months since I've checked in, so let me catch you up on what I did in between Seasons 11 and 12. Right after the whirlwind of the finals and traveling to New York for Good Morning America and The View, I went straight into the ballroom dance theatrical show Burn The Floor for three weeks. That was an extremely fun production and I can't wait to do another run with them soon.

Starting in January I did a six week music tour to support my new CD HurtLoveBox. We traveled throughout the East Coast and Midwest, enduring many blizzards and extreme weather. I played 33 shows in 35 days, in 16 states and the District of Columbia. It was a grueling trip, but so worth it ... That's rock 'n' roll, baby!

After the tour, I took a relaxing vacation (my first in four years) back to England to see my Nan. I was raised in England, but haven't been back to visit my family and friends since I started Dancing with the Stars. It was a lot of fun and it makes me miss everyone I saw even more, but the trip was exactly what I needed to recharge for another run at the Mirrorball Trophy!

At the end of February, we met our partners and I was thrilled when I found I'd be partnered with Chelsea Kane. She works really hard, is full of energy, has a sense of rhythm and is absolutely lovely. Chelsea's been so much fun to spend time with ? it's impossible to be in a bad mood around her! We get along great, although, I do annoy her by constantly sending her photos of this DJ I've become obsessed with, Deadmau5. He wears gigantic neon mouse heads, which I find hilarious.

When Chelsea found out I was shooting a music video for Hotwire a few weeks ago, she offered to be in it. We had a blast filming especially since Chels just goes with the flow. The video will be released in a few weeks and I'm super excited about it.

Back to dancing ? I'm looking forward to wowing the judges and the fans this season with her ? I think we make a great team.The Foxtrot is our first dance and we've been working to perfect it these past two weeks.

I haven't spent a lot of time around the other couples yet, but as soon as the show starts, we'll be hanging out a lot. Some of the teams that I think will do well this season are Hines and Kym (the footballers always do well), Chris and Cheryl (the only other multi-champ on the show), Romeo and Chelsie (he can move and has to avenge his father), and Petra and Dmitry (welcome back D!).

Here's what I'm aiming for this season: having fun, entertaining everyone, and making a run at my third Mirrorball Trophy.

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Drake Almost Gets Blurped Jamaica

Drake almost got himself tossed behind bars on Monday night for testing Jamiaca’s strict policy on cursing onstage. A hyped Drizzy let the word “blood clot”—considered an expletive in the country—fly out of his mouth during his brief appearance as Mavado’s special guest at Brit Jam 2011 concert. Luckily he was only issued a warning by police to [...]

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Kate Gosselin's 36th Birthday in the Big Apple

Getting an early start on the celebrations, Kate Gosselin enjoyed a pre-birthday outing in New York City on Friday night (March 18).

The TLC reality star mom was all smiles while clad in a little black dress as she was escorted to STK for a fun-filled birthday dinner, despite the fact that she actually turns 36-years-old on March 28th.

The Big Apple dinner excursion comes as Miss Gosselin is readying for the family's return to TV next month.

Following a recent hiatus, Kate and the brood can be seen on TLC beginning on Monday, April 4.

During the season premiere, viewers will see the famous mommy and her eight children in Australia, the kids' farthest trip from home yet.

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