Triple-digit temperatures drive crowds to the blue water and ocean breezes for heat relief

Crowds escape the heat and flock to the beach at Santa Monica Pier, Saturday, July 2, 2011. (Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer)

Click the image above to learn how to deal with the heat.

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ANTA MONICA - With crowds flocking to the beaches Saturday to escape triple-digit temperatures in the San Fernando Valley and other inland communities, business was better than usual for Tamboura Baptiste.

As swimsuit-clad children dashed toward the water and beachgoers showered on the sand just off the Santa Monica Pier, the street musician from Winnetka treated them to the live strains of Bach and Chopin from his weathered violin.

"This is the biggest crowd I've seen," said Baptiste, a classically trained violinist. "It means there are a little more artists to compete with on the pier, but this is the X-factor spot."

Indeed, masses of people hit the coast this weekend, with a heat wave slamming Southern California at the start of the three-day holiday weekend. Temperatures hovered around 100 degrees in many inland areas, even reaching 112 in the Antelope Valley on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. In Santa Monica, however, the mercury stayed at a far more pleasing 72.

Lifeguards estimated some 150,000 people showed up Saturday to Santa Monica's beaches.

For Baptiste, who also performs at the Canoga Park Farmers' Market, it was a chance to show off 15 years of training without being drowned out by the more raucous artists or jostled by the masses on the

pier.

"The trick with the violin is to find the right spot," Baptiste said. "It's kind of a softer, more delicate instrument, so if you find a spot that's not in the midst of everything else, then it's more appreciated."

Finding a relatively quiet spot became harder though, when the crowds grew and the sun struggled to burn through the marine layer.

Even though it was overcast, the water was 70 degrees, having just warmed up in the last week, said Capt. Dennis Morales of the L.A. County Fire Department Lifeguards.

"You can't ask for better water temperatures than that," Morales said.

But the warmer temperatures also bring stingrays close to shore to nestle in the sand. The rays could pose a danger to unsuspecting swimmers or splashers, said Morales, who suggested that those taking a dip go slowly, shuffle their feet and kick up some sand first to scare them away.

Water critters were nowhere near 3-year-old Noah Noblit's mind though, as he laughed in delight, splashing in the waves in his T-shirt and shorts on his first visit to a California beach.

"He wasn't supposed to get wet," his father, Dave, said as he smiled with resignation.

The Noblits, from Colorado Springs, were visiting family in Burbank and hoping to catch a fireworks show on July 4 at the Starlight Bowl. The show would be a treat since fireworks have been banned in Colorado due to wildfires, Dave Noblit said.

Just sitting in the sand under a shady umbrella was nice enough for Lancaster resident Diny Rombouts, who had only read 10 pages of her book and had given up to people watch instead.

The 70-year-old had gotten on a crowded bus and made the trip from the Antelope Valley to escape the heat.

"It's nice to come from the desert," she said. "It's nice to cool off like this."

Forecasters predict the heat wave will peak on July Fourth, followed by cooler temperatures at midweek.

Source: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_18399879?source=rss

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Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux's Post-Premiere Date Night

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux's Post-Premiere Date Night | Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston

Jason Merritt/Getty

They may not have made their red carpet debut together at Thursday's Horrible Bosses premiere in Los Angeles, but Jennifer Aniston's boyfriend Justin Theroux was there to keep her company.

After meeting up inside the premiere, the couple hit Chateau Marmont just past 10 p.m. with a large group of pals, including Aniston's BFF Courteney Cox and Chelsea Handler.

Aniston, 42 ? still clad in her Balenciaga dress from the film's premiere ? wore Theroux's jacket walking in. Theroux, 39, played the part of dapper boyfriend in a black suit, white shirt ? and a clean-shaven face!

"They were super cute," says an onlooker. "He had his arm around her and kissed her on her cheek. They were whispering in each other's ears."

Theroux seemed to fit in with Aniston's close-knit crew just perfectly. "Everyone seemed to be getting along and in a celebratory mood," adds the source. Vignette StoryServer 6.0 Sat Jul 02 18:01:26 2011

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Source: http://feeds.people.com/~r/people/headlines/~3/jXi3tHlw9Tc/0,,20507388,00.html

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Lady Gaga's Taipei Yoga Fitness

Not letting her travel-intensive schedule impede her quest for fitness, Lady Gaga stepped out for a yoga class in downtown Taipei on Saturday night (July 2).

Wearing a black and gold themed outfit coordinated with her yoga mat, the "Edge of Glory" singer took to Pure Yoga for the one hour session before exiting to find a crowd of nearly 500 fans gathered around the gym's door.

In Taiwan for the first time ever, Gaga is gearing up for a big day tomorrow, as Taichung Mayor Jason Hu will be out to proclaim July 3rd as "Lady Gaga Day" to coincide with the American pop idol's visit.

Insiders tell Gossip Center that the city government will throw a party to welcome the 25-year-old, during which Hu will present her with the keys to the city.

Later in the day, the newly-crowned Rolling Stone "Queen of Pop" is expected to hold her album launch event at the Taichung Arena.

On a side note, it was also confirmed the Gaga will indeed be a guest judge on "So You Think You Can Dance" - though no specific date has been set as of the current time.

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/lady-gaga/lady-gagas-taipei-yoga-fitness-520615

Gretha Cavazzoni Bijou Phillips Karen Carreno Kasey Chambers Piper Perabo

The Situation Settles Feud with Mr. The Situation


A simmering feud between Situations has been settled.

Jersey Shore star Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino filed papers today to dismiss a lawsuit he had set in motion against his dad, Frank. Son had been angry that father had been blasting him the press and attempting to profit off his (hilarious) name.

Close-Up of The Sitch

Frank has promised to avoid the same mistakes in the future, but he also places most of the blame on Robert Fletcher, a publishing agent who Frank claims was behind this video.

Frank has taken down his anti-Situation website and writes in court documents: "I regret getting involved with Robert Fletcher and I am sorry that I participated, to the detriment of my son Michael."

Fletcher actually paid Mike $5,000 as part of this settlement. What a ridiculous... sorry, but it's true... situation.

[Photo: WENN.com]

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2011/07/the-situation-settles-feud-with-mr-the-situation/

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Rih Rih Wears ?Rihanna Navy? Hoodie On Tour In Toronto [PHOTOS]

Rihanna was spotted in Toronto wearing a ?Rihanna Navy? sweatshirt and red, curly locks. Rihanna wore the sweatshirt to promote her ?Loud? tour and represent for her fans. She continuously gives to charities even while on tour. Recently, Rihanna and 50 Cent teamed up to find a bone marrow donor for Ayelet Galena.

Rihanna will be performing a series of shows in Toronto.

For more pics of Rihanna in her ?Rihanna Navy? hoodie, check out:

For more on Rihanna look at:

Rihanna Gives A Female Fan A Lap Dance During ?Loud? Tour [VIDEO]

Rihanna Calls Into ?106 & Park? To Address Controversy Over ?Man Down? [VIDEO]

Does Rihanna?s ?Man Down? Video Display A Double Standard?

Hello Beautiful » Celeb Pics

Source: http://ilookfly.com/black-celebs-gossip/rih-rih-wears-%E2%80%9Crihanna-navy%E2%80%9D-hoodie-on-tour-in-toronto-photos/

Angela Marcello Heidi Montag Bonnie Jill Laflin Mariah OBrien Taryn Manning

Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Reynolds -- Divorce Final


Scarlett Johansson and "Green Lantern" star Ryan Reynolds are officially back on the market, because their divorce just became final.

Scarlett Johansson Divorce

Final divorce papers were just filed in L.A. County Superior Court.

Sources tell TMZ ... the divorce was amicable.  Neither Scarlett nor Ryan asked for spousal support and there was no prenup, so they divided the property and earnings accumulated during the marriage 50/50. 

The papers were filed by Ryan's lawyer, Laura Wasser, this afternoon.

The couple married in September, 2008 and have no children.

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Tags: Scarlett JohanssonRyan ReynoldsCelebrity JusticeCelebrity Divorce


Source: http://www.tmz.com/2011/07/01/scarlett-johansson-ryan-reynolds-divorce-final-married-2-years-green-lantern-star-split-prenup-property-earnings/

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