Philadelphia Marathon 2009

Philadelphia Marathon 2009: latest news about, The Philadelphia Marathon got underway Sunday morning with great weather for runners. This is only the 16th running of what is also known as the Philadelphia Independence Marathon. Runners started off at 21st Street and the Ben Franklin Parkway, and will make their way down to Old City in this 26.2 mile race.

About 20,000 runners are participating in the 26.2-mile Philadelphia Marathon 2009 that kicked off at 7a.m EST. An additional 8,000 runners are registered for the half-marathon and more than 2,000 will run the 8K.

Spectators are encouraged to find a location to watch the marathon early. Race routes will close at 6a.m. and will re-open after 4p.m. The follow street closures will be in effect:

· Eakins Oval/Parkway Art Museum to 22nd
· Ben Franklin Parkway 22nd St to 16th St.
· Arch Street 16th Street to 4th Street
· 4th Street Arch Street to Race Street
· Race Street 4th Street to Columbus Blvd
· Columbus Blvd. (S/B lanes) Vine to Washington Ave.
· S/B I-95 at Washington Avenue
· Washington Ave. Columbus to Front Street
· Front Street Washington to South Street
· West on South Street to 6th Street
· 6th Street to Chestnut Street
· West on Chestnut Street to 34th Street
· North on 34th Street across Girard Ave on Lansdown Drive
· Lansdowne Drive to Old Lansdowne Drive
· Old Lansdowne Drive to Sweetbrier Loop, to Black Road
· East on Black Road to MLK Drive
· North on MLK Drive to Montgomery, then to Eakins Oval
· North on Kelly Drive to Sedgley Drive
· East on Sedgley Drive to Lemon Hill Drive
· West on Lemon Hill Drive to Kelly Drive
· North on Kelly Drive to Ridge Ave
· Main Street Ridge Ave to Green Lane

Some of the traffic throughout the marathon will be pulled through the gaps in the race by police who are on hand to help, but expect delays if you are driving in the historical city.

According to the Philadelphia Marathon website, the course is fast and crowds will be out in full force. The Philadelphia Marathon 2009 is sure to be a great day with weather cooperating and runners being cheered on by what already looks like record crowds.
Source: huliq.com

Target Black Friday Ads 2009

latest news about, Target Black Friday Ads 2009: Target Black Friday ads 2009, Best Buy Black Friday deals 2009 and Walmart Black Friday sales. Black Friday enthusiasm is building up and sales are being announced in almost all sectors. From toys as cheep as $3 to almost thirty percent discounts on Apple iPod and iMac besides mobiles and laptops coming at dirt cheep rates, it is as good as it gets.
Even car companies are offering great sales option and a reviewer has rightly said that Black Friday is the best time of the year when you can buy cars and automobile products as it is cheapest during Black Friday.

Meanwhile retailing companies are doing everything to make it memorable and safe for shoppers.

Black Friday as a term has been used in multiple contexts, going back to the nineteenth century, where it was associated with a financial crisis in 1869.

The earliest uses of “Black Friday” to mean the day after Thanksgiving come from or reference Philadelphia and refer to the heavy traffic on that day.

The earliest known reference to “Black Friday” (in this sense), found by Bonnie Taylor-Blake of the American Dialect Society, refers to Black Friday 1965 and makes the Philadelphia origin explicit:

JANUARY 1966 — “Black Friday” is the name which the Philadelphia Police Department has given to the Friday following Thanksgiving Day.

It is not a term of endearment to them. “Black Friday” officially opens the Christmas shopping season in center city, and it usually brings massive traffic jams and over-crowded sidewalks as the downtown stores are mobbed from opening to closing.

Philadelphia police and bus drivers call it “Black Friday” – that day each year between Thanksgiving Day and the Army–Navy Game. It is the busiest shopping and traffic day of the year in the Bicentennial City as the Christmas list is checked off and the Eastern college football season nears conclusion.
Source; khabrein.info

Kurbaan Pays Attention to Global Terrorism

MUMBAI: After delivering two back to back hits in the form of light-hearted comedies Dostana and Wake Up Sid, producer Karan Johar is set to showcase global terrorism in his forthcoming film Kurbaan, which is releasing Friday.

Distributed by UTV Motion Pictures, the thriller is the directorial debut of Rensil D’Silva and stars Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Vivek Oberoi in lead roles. Om Puri, Kirron Kher and Dia Mirza also feature in it.

“Kurbaan has a deep-rooted love story to it, but it is not a frothy romantic film that we are time and again exposed to. The love story is much deeper here. There is a definite meaning, purpose and reason to it. Also, the film is quite powerful in its own way since it’s the voice of moderate Islam,” Kareena had told.

Shot in Philadelphia and Brooklyn, it is about Avantika Ahuja (Kareena) who lives in the US and returns to Delhi after her father has a cardiac arrest. While in Delhi, she meets Ehsaan Khan (Saif), a professor whom she marries and returns to the US with.

But soon Avantika realises that she is a pawn in Ehsaan’s game as he turns out to be a terrorist who marries her in order to cover his identity. Avantika is kept under house arrest where she also finds out that Ehsaan plans to hijack a flight. One of the passengers on that flight is Riyaaz (Vivek), a journalist.

Shooting for the movie didn’t come easy for the actors courtesy sub-zero temperatures in the US.

“Kurbaan was hard work. In fact, the Philadelphia schedule was plain hell. It gets dark there at 4 p.m. Moreover, it’s so cold and at minus 10 degrees it can actually get really depressing. Since we were shooting in sync sound, it was extremely difficult to get the pitch and tone right while delivering our dialogues,” said Saif.

The actors had to wear layers of clothing to protect themselves from the Philadelphia cold but for continuity’s sake, they also had to wear the same clothes in the summer of Mumbai, after the US shoot was over.

Kurbaan has generated considerable buzz but it had its share of controversies too thanks to the secrecy about its title while it was being filmed and then Kareena’s backless shot being used for the publicity posters of the movie.

Brandon Jennings’ 55 Points Sets NBA Record-Video

Brandon Jennings’ 55 Points Sets NBA Record-Video: Brandon Jennings dominated tonight’s game against Golden State, scoring 55 points – including 29 in the third quarter. Jennings amazing performance set a record in the NBA, going to LeBron James as the youngest player to score 50 points.

Jennings was drafted 10th in the 2009 NBA Draft after playing in Europe for a year instead of attending college in the U.S.

WATCH:

The AP has more: Brandon Jennings scored 55 points, breaking the rookie Kareem Abdul-Jabbar franchise record, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to come from behind in Saturday’s 129-125 victory at Golden State Warriors.

Jennings poured in 29 points in the third quarter and scored 10 in the final 2:15 to hold off the Warriors and become the third Bucks player to score more than 50. The last player to do so was Michael Redd, who set the franchise record with 57 points against Utah on Nov. 11, 2006.

Jennings scored 15 straight points in the third period to help the Bucks overcome a nine-point deficit and win four straight for the first time in over two years. The Bucks (5-2) had their best start since 2005 last season the team to the playoffs.

The Jennings 29 points were the most ever scored in a quarter against the Warriors. During the period, Jennings hit four 3-point and a variety of jumpers and layups driving, as he took over the game. At various points after scoring, waving his arms in the air to get the crowd to cheer louder. In total, hit 12 of 13 shots in thequarter, his only miss a 3-point attempt with 5.9 seconds left.

Abdul-Jabbar scored 51 points on 21 February 1970. The rookie record in the NBA was established by Wilt Chamberlain to Philadelphia with 58 points a game against Detroit in January 1960 in Bethlehem, Pa.

Andrew Bogut added 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Bucks.

Monta Ellis led the Warriors (3-6) with 26 points and Corey Maggette added 25.
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Jennings hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 2:15 to give the Bucks a 117-115 lead. Luke Ridnour then click on a layup with 1:40 remaining to increase the Bucks a 119-115 lead.

After an offensive foul on Maggette, Jennings, hit another jumper to make it 121-115.

Maggette made a layup, was fouled and hit the free throw to cut the lead to 121-118, but Jennings again and hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 34 seconds remaining and the Bucks held on to win.

The Warriors lost starting guard Kelenna Azubuike in the first quarter. Azubuike drove across the lane with 9:12 left in the quarter and slipped on the floor. He immediately took his left leg and screamed in pain. After a delay of five minutes, Azubuike left the court on a stretcher and went shopping inthe Warriors locker room.

NOTES: Redd, regardless of left patellar tendon strain during the last four games, will try again next week for the Bucks play Dallas on Monday and New Jersey on Wednesday. Bucks forward Kurt Thomas played in his 900 game career.
Source: sportingnews.com

What happened? Michael Phelps misses finals in two events

Superman had kryptonite. Michael Phelps apparently has non-polyurethane swimsuits. Since those body-length, polyurethane suits will be banned starting January 1, 2010 , Phelps went back to an old textile suit (which was thought to be the height of technology when it was released in 2008) to prepa…

Blackwater Said to Approve Iraqi Payoffs After Shootings

Former executives said it was unclear if the payoffs of about $1 million were made, but the goal was to hush criticism and buy support after 17 civilians were killed in 2007.

One slain in W. Phila shooting

Police are investigating a shooting in West Philadelphia this morning that left one man dead.

Mummer Parade

Latest news about, Mummers parade is held every New Year’s Day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Local clubs called “New Years Associations” compete in one of four categories of “Comedy, fantasy, String Bands and Fancy Brigades. Organized by elaborate costumes and scenery are transportable to have months. This is done in clubs, many of which are in or near the street 2 street in the neighborhood “Pennsport” South Philly, which also provide places for social gatherings for members.
Mummers Parade is one of the world’s largest parades around 15,000 Mummers perform in the parade. You can estimate the cost of costumes and other expenses by this than in previous years, about $ 400,000 in prizes was awarded. The city is paying the prize money this year. Oath of pecuniary support from Verizon include $ 10,000, Geno’s owner Joey Vento the Electric Factory $ 40,000 “$ 10,000 a year for 10 years,” Forman Mills $ 22,000, and the Delaware Valley Regional Economic Development Fund $ 100,000 .

Mummers parade tradition started back to 400 BC and the Roman Saturnalia festival where American workers demonstrated in masks throughout the day of parody and gift exchange. This distinction integrated Celtic trick-or-Treat “and making terrible noise away evil spirits for the New Year. Reports of rowdy groups “parading” on New Year’s Day in Philadelphia date back before the revolution. Prizes were offered by traders of the 1800s. January 1, 1901 was the first “official” parade offered about $ 1,725 in prize money from the city.

The Mummers Parade is a celebration of New Year, but Philadelphia think of it as a serious business. The clubs in the locker room and practice all year to the day of her only in the sun (… wind, rain or snow). There are many lively debates over reach by the judges and obedience to the complex set of rules to be followed when protesters being judged. String Bands are judged on their musical presentation as well as the costumes. See and hear String Band in concert at the parade is a one-of-kind experience.

The outdoor parade was postponed in 2003, the first time in 13 years. There have been 22 weather-related postponements since 1922. There was no parade in 1919 due to WW1 and in 1934 due to depression and lack of prize money.
Source: makli.com

Oldest College Football Stadium

Oldest College Football Stadium: The essence of college football is found in three stadiums that stand as the clocks in a maze around 300-miles of Interstate 95 between Philadelphia and Boston.

No longer attract the country’s largest and rarely its participants will play in the NFL on Sundays, but Penn’s Franklin Field, home of Harvard and Yale Bowl stand as monuments to the past.

Photos yellowish allusion to their history, but only tell part of the story. What those photos do not reveal is how visionaries turned a bloody mess of a game in the most popular sport in the nation.

The NCAA deems Franklin Field (33rd Street at South Street, Philadelphia, Web site), which organized the University of Pennsylvania sports since 1895, as his old football stadium. The facility is believed to have hosted the most games of any team in college football – Penn No. 800 is scheduled Saturday against Dartmouth – although the NCAA does not have official records in this category.

Harvard Stadium (95 N. Harvard St., Boston, Massachusetts, Web site), opened in 1903, is the oldest permanent concrete structure in the country.

The cup of Yale (276 Derby Ave, West Haven, Connecticut, website) hosted its first tilt, against Harvard University on 21 November 1914.

Together they represent three of the four oldest Division I stadiums in the country, Bobby Dodd Stadium at Georgia Tech opened in 1913.

Ed Mahan / Penn Athletic CommunicationsBack in the day, Quakers fans actually could raise a glass to toast “dear, old Penn.” Now throw toast instead. Industrial toasters provide toast before games, and a “toast Zamboni” invented by a Penn engineering student cleans up after.
The basic elements of the game began at three schools and three stadiums, essentially setting up football and college athletics as we know.

Almost every aspect of modern game has its roots in the stadiums – the number of casualties and the game being broadcast on radio and television pet band, the halftime entertainment and shouting from upstairs.

To be sure, Franklin Field, home of Harvard and Yale Bowl have undergone renovations – the latter two only in recent years. But essentially remain unchanged, mostly through carefully planned projects.

The first night game in Harvard Stadium’s history, for example, last September was played before 18,898 fans as Harvard beat Brown 24-17. Renewal of Harvard, also gave a bubble dome for year-round use. The playing field was named Yale Bowl 1954 class field last year after a generous donation. Fortunately, through the best lines of all stages “have been excellent unobstructed view.

In its beginnings, football epic in these areas was more like going to a mosh pit – a mass of pushing and shoving, sometimes with 40 players on the field at the same time.

Walter Camp, a Yale graduate of 1880, with letters in all sports offered by the school, helped revolutionize football and away from this rugby scrum. Among his many contributions were the line of scrimmage; low and patios-To-Go, 11 players per side, the quarterback position, and the standard formation of seven linemen and four players in the line of scrimmage.

He is credited with starting All American teams and wrote over 30 books on football and amateur athletics. He also coached Yale to a 67-2 record from 1888 through 1892.

American football in 1900 was a brutal game popular, but in which serious injuries, broken bones and even deaths were not uncommon. In 1904, 21 players were killed and over 200 were seriously injured, the following year players with 18 dead and 149 seriously injured, according to reports a day. Football was so rugged that even the original Rough Rider, President Teddy Roosevelt, a Harvard graduate himself, considered banning the nation.

In late 1905, Harvard coach Bill Reid – chosen by the opposing football at Harvard and president Charles Eliot – was part of group of representatives who later became the NCAA.

Reid, Roosevelt and others, worked with the newly formed committee to establish standardized rules for football, with an eye toward eliminating roughhousing. Reid informed his constituents that unless new rules were adopted Harvard not play football in the future. The rules were adopted, making the game more consistent and put to rest its rudimentary beginnings.

Sometimes, as in the case of Harvard Stadium, the game has changed literally by design.

When colleges were discussing how to make football less bloody, Camp proposed the field was expanded from 40 feet out to play and reduce the risk.

One problem: Harvard concrete structure standing Stadium to ensure that the field can not be extended. Instead, the step was legalized, although its use was limited due in part to an incomplete pass led to a 15-yard penalty. Finally, the rules were relaxed and the forward pass led to the safest aspect many schools had sought.

In addition to hosting one of the floors of the nation rivalries – Harvard against Yale – the stadiums have held numerous civic and sporting events from football and ice hockey to presidential speeches.

Indeed, Franklin Field debuted the Penn Relays in 1895 and has hosted the competition since then (making a record 113,000 spectators for three days in 2006). Franklin Field also produced one of the runs more miles in history, when Marty Liquori beat Jim Ryun by a few steps in the Dream Mile on May 16, 1971.

Gail Zachary, who has served in many capacities with Penn athletics, said he remembers when the Cornell-Penn game on Thanksgiving was the highlight of the year.

The three stages have been home to professional football teams – the Eagles at Franklin Field from 1958 to 1970, the Patriots at Harvard Stadium in 1970 and the New York Giants at the Yale Bowl in 1973-74. The likes of Jim Thorpe, Red Grange and Chuck Bednarik famous have left their mark on the lawn – where Grange, through mud ankle Franklin Field in 1925 in an amount of 363 total yards.
Source: apakistannews.com

Yankee Parade Tv Coverage

Yankee Parade Tv Coverage: Today, New York City will host a parade in honor of the World Series champion, 2009 New York Yankees, his record ninth trip to the so-called Canyon of Heroes.

Yankee Parade Live The Fall Classic Wednesday night ended with the Bronx Bombers win their 27th championship by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3.

Hideki Matsui received MVP honors for his outstanding performance, which included a two-run homer off Pedro Martínez, who set a tone early for the side of Joe Girardi. It was the first time the title has gone to a player born in Japan or full-time designated hitter.

It will be a sunny but very cold in New York City. Beginning at 8 am, the streets near the parade formation area will be closed to prepare for the celebration.

Fortunately, many of the additional trains and ferries are scheduled. Run Metro-North Hudson Line and Harlem three additional trains / Grand Central for fans who want to attend the parade.

Alex Rodriguez, Matsui and the rest of the team will be swimming in a sea of confetti and cheers of congratulations in the battery place around 11 am, before heading north to Chambers Street and ends at City Hall Plaza de la victoria a few comments. Mayor Michael Bloomberg will present the Yankees with the keys to the city. (streaming live video)

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