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Daily Archives: March 12, 2012
Windows Phone Coming to China
China has the largest population in the world, which coincidentally makes them the largest business market in the world. China’s largest cell phone company, China Mobile, boasts the largest customer base in the country with over 600 million subscribers. This number is on the rise as the Windows phone is coming to China.
Until now, the Windows phone did not have support in China because China Mobile networks did not support the device. While smaller carriers like Telecom China and China Unicom did, it wasn’t plausible to enter the marketplace until the largest player was ready. Now that China Mobile has the capabilities, Window phones have tapped the worlds biggest cell phone market and won’t even have to compete with the iPhone (they are not supported by China Mobile). This move is predicted to make China Mobile’s customer base grow by 10%.
Florida Shuts Down Charter School Advocates
Charter school lobbyists came to Tallahassee, Florida in hopes of gaining support for their movement. But, these lobbyists did not find what they were looking for.
Republican Senator Stephen Wise proposed that charter schools receive part of the funding allotted for public schools. He also wanted charter schools to be able to have sports teams, which would attract more athletes and allow for recruitment. Both of these bills were shut down.
Last year, the state of Florida encouraged charter schools to grow and lowered their administrative fees. Since then, charter school advocates have been gaining momentum until these recent setbacks.
In Florida, 1 in 10 children attend a charter school, which totals to 180,000 kids statewide. When charter schools first became popular in 1996, both public schools and lawmakers welcomed them. Many public schools were overpopulated at the time, and charter schools helped solve the problem. Now, both types of education are fighting for the same students and funds.
Lobbyists, include Senator Wise, insist that they will be back next year and that the discussion of these topics was beneficial to the cause.
Photo Credit: www.newsone.com
Read more here.
Georgia Legislature Debates Charter School Decision
Photo Credit: www.libcom.org
One year ago, the Georgia Supreme Court declared it illegal for a charter school to create a program using taxpayer’s money that parallels the public school system. Now, Georgia Legislature is debating this same topic. If the bill passes, it could set the stage for reforms across the country.
The current law in Georgia does not allow a charter school to receive funding from the state unless the local school boards approve the funding. Last year, the Georgia Charter Schools Commission provided money to some charter schools without the necessary approvals, which led to the Supreme Court decision.
According to critics, the public school system would suffer the most from this bill. School districts are already facing $1 billion in cuts without the bill in place. The GOP promises that none of the funding for the charter schools would be taken from the public school system.
If the bill makes it past Georgia Legislature, citizens would be able to vote on it in November’s elections.
Read more here.
Wilson Phillips Cover Beach Boy, Mamas and the Papas
Photo Credit: http://api.ning.com/files
Wilson Phillips will be celebrating their 20th band anniversary by releasing an album titled “Dedicated,” including covers of song from both The Beach Boys and The Mamas and the Papas.
The group consists of Carnie Wilson, Wendy Wilson, and Chynna Phillips. Carnie and Wendy are the daughters of Brian Wilson, the leader of The Beach Boys. Chynna is the daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and The Papas.
Wilson Phillips covered songs from their parents’ bands before back in 2004, on the album “California.”
The album included covers of the Beach Boys song, “In My Room,” and the Mamas and the Papas song, “Monday Monday.”
The upcoming album includes Owen Elliot, another offspring from the Mamas and the Papas member, Cass Elliot.
Owen Elliot was brought onboard to sing on the song, “Dedicated to the One I Love.”
The track listing for the “Dedicated” album is as follows:
“California Dreamin’”
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
“Dedicated to the One I Love
“Don’t Worry Baby”
“Twelve-Thirty”
“I Can Hear Music”
“Monday, Monday”
“Do It Again”
“Got a Feeling”
“Fun, Fun, Fun”
“God Only Knows”
“Good Vibrations”
Tree Falls on Taking Back Sunday Lead Singer
Photo Credit: http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0fh7lLR5s1qfo293.jpg
Adam Lazzara, 30, was trapped under a fallen tree March 3, 2012, shattering his legs.
While demoing new songs in Michigan Saturday, Lazzara, lead singer of the rock band Taking Back Sunday, stepped outside for a cigarette break.
Meanwhile, strong winds knocked down a nearby tree falling onto Lazzara.
The other band members went outside when they heard the tree fall and attempted to lift the tree off of Lazzara, with no success, they called 911.
The tree was soon sawed into pieces and lifted off Lazzara by the local fire department.
Lazzara was rushed to the hospital where a cast was put on his broken leg for the next four to six weeks.
Jay-Z Involved in Law Suit
Photo Credit: http://thejayz.com/images/photos/003.jpg
New daddy, Jay-Z is currently involved in a law suit involving the violation of copyright laws.
The well-known rapper is facing some legal trouble due to the hook that appeared in Jay-Z’s hit from 2000, “Big Pimpin.”
The rapper is accused of ruining the hook from a song called “Krosara Krosara” created by Egyptian composer, Baligh Hamdy.
Osama Ahmed Fahmy, the nephew of Hamdy, claims that Jay-Z ruined his uncle’s song and his family has not been properly compensated for the song.
Although the song was in fact licensed to Jay-Z, the problem lies in the family’s claim that based on Egyptian copyright law; Jay-Z “mutilated” the song and required more permission.
Fahmy, is requesting to have a cut of Jay-Z’s revenue from the song before the filing of the lawsuit in 2007 until now.
Fahmy is also requesting a cut of the rapper’s concert profits.
Scholarship Created by Amy Winehouse Foundation
Photo Credit:http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2007
On September 14, 2011, which would have been Amy Winehouse’s 28th birthday, the Amy Winehouse foundation was created by her family.
The foundation was created in Amy’s memory in hopes to bring help and support to young adults struggling with illness, addiction, disabilities and other disadvantages.
Recently, the Winehouse Foundation has established a scholarship for the Sylvia Young Theater School in London.
Winehouse was just 13 when she auditioned and astounded the founder of the school with her own cover of the song, “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” which was composed in 1930 by Jimmy McHugh and lyrics written by Dorothy Fields.
According to Winehouse’s father, Mitch Winehouse, the scholarship will go to a young adult who cannot afford to the tuition at that school.
Sylvia Young, founder of the London School, told Reuters, “It would be wonderful to find another Amy, but there was only one Amy.”
We would be happy to find a singer, dancer or actor who has a special talent.”
Winehouse, 27, was found dead in her London apartment last year on July 23.
It was reported that alcohol poisoning was the cause of her death.
“Shahs of Sunset” Makes Changes in Television
“Shahs of Sunset”, which is Bravo’s newest reality television show, is causing concern in the Iranian-American community and sparking interest in many Americans about this group of immigrants. The show aims to follow the extravagant lives of these people while giving the history of their journey to the United States.
Photo Credit: www.hollywoodreporter.com
“Shahs” premiered on Sunday with the episode “Image is Everything”, which introduced the six cast members: Sammy, Asa, MJ, Mike, GG, and Reza. All have different jobs, hobbies and sexual orientations, but like the casts of many of Bravo’s shows, they all have wealth in common.
These Persian-Americans talk about religion, family, and of course, fashion, in front of the cameras. “Shahs” is the first show of its kind on American television, and is sure to cause waves.
“Shahs of Sunset” is on Bravo on Sunday nights at 10/9c.
Read more here.
