Friday, July 31, 2009

കാവ്യ ഉടന്‍ സിനിമയിലേക്കില്ല'

ഗോസിപ്പ്‌ കോളങ്ങളില്‍ നിന്നും വാര്‍ത്തകളിലേക്ക്‌ സ്ഥാനം പിടിച്ചിരിക്കുകയാണ്‌ കാവ്യാമാധവന്റെ വിവാഹമോചനം സംബന്ധിച്ച കാര്യങ്ങള്‍. നിഷാല്‍ ചന്ദ്രയുമായുള്ള ബന്ധത്തില്‍ പ്രശ്‌നങ്ങളുണെ്‌ടന്ന്‌ കാവ്യയുടെ കുടുംബവും സമ്മതിച്ചതോടെ ആരാധകരും ദുഃഖത്തിലാണ്‌. എന്തായാലും കാവ്യ ഉടന്‍ സിനിമയിലേക്കില്ലെന്ന്‌ താരത്തിന്റെ അടുത്ത ബന്ധുക്കള്‍ പറഞ്ഞു.

കാവ്യ വീട്ടിലേക്ക്‌ മടങ്ങിയത്‌ പീഡനം സഹിക്കാന്‍ വയ്യാതെ.

കൊച്ചി: തൊട്ടതിനും പിടിച്ചതിനും നിഷാല്‍ കാവ്യയെ ദ്രോഹിച്ചു. ഭര്‍ത്താവിനോട്‌ വിധേയപ്പെട്ടു ജീവിക്കാന്‍ കൊതിച്ച കാവ്യമാധവനെ ഭര്‍തൃവീട്ടില്‍ നിന്നും ലഭിച്ചത്‌ മാനസികപീഡനം മാത്രമാണെന്ന്‌ മാതാപിതാക്കളും വ്യക്തമാക്കുന്നതോടെ ആറുമാസം പോലും ആകാത്ത വിവാഹബന്ധത്തിലുണ്‌ടായ ഉലച്ചിലാണ്‌ എങ്ങും സംസാരവിഷയം.

വീട്ടില്‍ ടെലിവിഷന്‍ കാണുന്നതിനുപോലും നിയന്ത്രണം. ഭാര്യ ഭര്‍ത്താവിന്റെ ഇഷ്‌ടം അനുസരിക്കണം.എന്നാല്‍ തൊട്ടതിനു പിടിച്ചതിനും ദ്രോഹിക്കുന്ന സമീപനം ശരിയല്ലെന്നും അതു കൊണ്‌ടാണ്‌ വീട്ടിലേക്ക്‌ വന്നതെന്നും മാതാപിതാക്കള്‍ വ്യക്തമാക്കുന്നു. സിനിമയില്‍ അഭിനയിക്കേണ്‌ടന്ന്‌ ആഗ്രഹിച്ചാണ്‌ കാവ്യമാധവന്‍ വിവാഹജീവിതത്തിലേക്ക്‌ പ്രവേശിച്ചത്‌. നിഷാലും കാവ്യയും ഒന്നിച്ചാണ്‌ സിനിമാ ജീവിതം വേണെ്‌ടന്ന്‌ തീരുമാനിച്ചത്‌.എന്നാല്‍ ഈ തീരുമാനം തിരുത്താന്‍ ഭര്‍തൃവീട്ടില്‍ നിന്നും സമര്‍ദം ഉണ്‌ടായി. ഇതോടെയാണ്‌ കാവ്യമാധവനും നിഷാല്‍ചന്ദ്രയും തമ്മിലുള്ള ബന്ധത്തില്‍ ഉലച്ചില്‍ സംഭവിക്കുന്നത്‌. പലതും ഞങ്ങള്‍ക്ക്‌ നിങ്ങളോട്‌ ഇപ്പോള്‍ പറയാന്‍ സാധിക്കില്ല. എന്നാല്‍ പല മാധ്യമങ്ങളില്‍ മകളെ കുറിച്ച്‌ വരുന്ന വാര്‍ത്തകള്‍ വെറും കെട്ടുക്കഥകള്‍ മാത്രമാണ്‌.

കാവ്യ ആത്മഹത്യക്ക്‌ ശ്രമിച്ചുവെന്ന്‌ വരെയാണ്‌ ചില മാധ്യമങ്ങള്‍ സൃഷ്‌ടിച്ചത്‌. ഇതെല്ലാം മാധ്യമസൃഷ്‌ടി മാത്രമാണ്‌. കാവ്യയുടെ വിവാഹജീവിതത്തില്‍ ചില പ്രശ്‌നങ്ങള്‍ ഉണ്‌ടായി. ഇതെല്ലാം ചര്‍ച്ച ചെയ്‌തു പരിഹരിക്കാനുള്ള ശ്രമവും നടക്കുന്നുണ്‌ട്‌. വിവാഹബന്ധം വേര്‍പ്പെടുത്തണമെന്ന്‌ ആവശ്‌്യപ്പെട്ട്‌ കോടതിയില്‍ പോയിട്ടില്ല. കോടതി പോകുന്നതിനും സമയമുമുണ്‌ട്‌. ഇതിനും നടപടിക്രമങ്ങളുണ്‌ട്‌.എന്നാല്‍ സഹിക്കാന്‍ സാധിക്കാതെവന്നതു കൊണ്‌ട്‌ മാത്രമാണ്‌ മകള്‍ നാട്ടിലേക്ക്‌ വന്നതെന്നും മാതാപിതാക്കള്‍ പറയുന്നു.

കഴിഞ്ഞ ഫെബ്രുവരി അഞ്ചിനാണ്‌ കൊല്ലൂര്‍ മൂകാംബികാക്ഷേത്രത്തില്‍ കാവ്യയുടേയും കുവൈത്ത്‌ ഇന്റര്‍നാഷണല്‍ ബാങ്ക്‌ ടെക്‌നിക്കല്‍ അഡൈ്വസറുമായ തിരുവനന്തപുരം സ്വദേശി നിഷാല്‍ ചന്ദ്രയുമായുള്ള വിവാഹം നടന്നത്‌. വിവാഹശേഷം കുവൈത്തില്‍ താമസമാക്കിയ കാവ്യ ഭര്‍തൃവീട്ടുകാരുമായുണ്‌ടായ അഭിപ്രായ വ്യത്യാസത്തെ തുടര്‍ന്നാണ്‌ നാട്ടിലേക്ക്‌ മടങ്ങിയത്‌. കാവ്യയുടെ അക്കൗണ്‌ടിലുള്ള പണം പൂര്‍ണമായും നിഷാലിന്റെ പേരിലേക്ക്‌ മാറ്റാനുള്ള ഭര്‍തൃവീട്ടുകാരുടെ നിര്‍ബന്ധമുണ്‌ടായിരുന്നു.ഇതിനായി കടുത്ത സമര്‍ദം കാവ്യയുടെ മേല്‍ ചുമത്തിയിരുന്നു. സിനിമതാരമായതു കൊണ്‌ട്‌ പണം ഇഷ്‌ടം പോലെയുണ്‌ടാകുമെന്നും ഇത്‌ ലഭിക്കണമെന്ന വാശിയുമാണ്‌ ഭര്‍തൃവീട്ടുകാര്‍ക്ക്‌.

കാവ്യയുടെ ജീവിതത്തിലെ പ്രശ്‌നത്തിലേക്ക്‌ വിരല്‍ ചൂണ്‌ടുന്ന ഗോസിപ്പുകളും പുറത്തിങ്ങിയിരിക്കുന്നു. പണത്തിനുവേണ്‌ടി കാവ്യയോട്‌ സിനിമയില്‍ അഭിനയിക്കാന്‍ നിഷാല്‍ ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടു. കാവ്യയുടെ കുടുംബവുമായി അടുത്ത ബന്ധം കാത്ത്‌ സൂക്ഷിക്കുന്ന സിനിമസംവിധായകരുടെ അടുത്ത്‌ നിഷാല്‍ അഭിനയമോഹവുമായി പോയിയെന്നും കഥകള്‍ പുറത്ത്‌ വരുന്നു. എന്നാല്‍ ഈ വിവാഹത്തിന്‌ നേതൃത്വം നല്‍കിയ മലയാളസിനിമയിലെ പ്രമുഖനടന്റെ സഹോദരന്റെ നേതൃത്വത്തില്‍ മധ്യസ്ഥശ്രമവും ആരംഭിച്ചിട്ടുണ്‌ട്‌. മാധ്യമങ്ങളില്‍ വാര്‍ത്ത വന്നതോടെ പ്രശ്‌നപരിഹാരത്തിനായി പല വഴികളില്‍ നിന്നും ശ്രമിക്കുന്നുണ്‌ട്‌. കുടുംബപ്രശ്‌നം എത്രയും വേഗം പരിഹരിക്കപ്പെടുമെന്നു തന്നെയാണ്‌ പൊതുവേ വിലയിരുത്തപ്പെടുന്നത്‌. ഭര്‍തൃവീട്ടില്‍ നിന്നു മാറിതാമസിച്ചു കൊണ്‌ടുള്ള ജീവിതമാണ്‌ പരിഹാരമാര്‍ഗമായി പലരും മുന്നോട്ട്‌ വയ്‌ക്കുന്നത്‌.

കാവ്യാ വിവാഹമോചനത്തിന്‌ തയ്യാറെടുക്കുന്നു.

തിരുവനന്തപുരം: ഒരു താരവിവാഹംകൂടി വഴിപിരിയാനൊരുങ്ങുന്നു. ഫെബ്രുവരിയില്‍ വിവാഹിതയായ നടി കാവ്യാ മാധവന്‍ വിവാഹമോചനത്തിന്‌ തയാറെടുക്കുന്നതായാണ്‌ റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ട്‌. തിരുവനന്തപുരത്തെ കോടതിയില്‍ വിവാഹമോചനക്കേസ്‌ ഫയല്‍ ചെയ്യുന്നതിന്‌ ശ്രമിച്ചതായി അറിയുന്നു. ഇതു സംബന്ധിച്ച്‌ കൊച്ചിയിലെ പ്രമുഖ അഭിഭാഷകനുമായി ചര്‍ച്ച നടത്തിയതായും റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ടുണ്‌ ട്‌. എന്നാല്‍ ഒരു വര്‍ഷം വരെ പിരിഞ്ഞു കഴിഞ്ഞതിനു ശേഷമേ വിവാഹമോചന പെറ്റീഷന്‍ ഫയല്‍ ചെയ്യാനാകൂ എന്ന നിയമോപദേശമാണ്‌ കാവ്യയ്‌ക്ക്‌ ലഭിച്ചത്‌.

സെലിബ്രിറ്റികളുടെ വിവാഹവും വിവാഹമോചനങ്ങളും വാര്‍ത്തയാകാറുണ്‌ട്‌. എന്നാല്‍ കാവ്യയുടേതു പോലെ ഒരു വര്‍ഷം പോലും വിവാഹ ജീവിതം പൂര്‍ത്തിയാക്കാതെ മോചനത്തിന്‌ ശ്രമിക്കുന്നത്‌ കേരളത്തില്‍ ആദ്യത്തേതാണ്‌. വിവാഹത്തോടെ നടി കബളിപ്പിക്കപ്പെടുകയായിരുന്നുവെന്നാണ്‌ കാവ്യയോട്‌ അടുത്ത വൃത്തങ്ങള്‍ നല്‍കുന്ന സൂചന. വിവാഹം കഴിഞ്ഞ്‌ അധികമാകാതെ തന്നെ ഭര്‍ത്താവിന്റെ സഹോദരനും വിവാഹമോചനം നേടിയിരുന്നത്രേ. കഴിഞ്ഞ ഒരു മാസമായി കാവ്യ സ്വന്തം വീട്ടിലാണ്‌. വിവാഹമോചനം സംബന്ധിച്ച വാര്‍ത്തകളെക്കുറിച്ച്‌ കാവ്യയുടെ പ്രതികരണം അറിവായിട്ടില്ല.

കൊല്ലൂര്‍ മൂകാംബികക്ഷേത്രത്തില്‍ വച്ചാണ്‌ കാവ്യയും മുന്‍ ബാലനടനും കുവൈത്തിലെ ബാങ്കില്‍ ടെക്‌നിക്കല്‍ അഡൈ്വസറുമായ നിഷാല്‍ ചന്ദ്രയും തമ്മിലുള്ള വിവാഹം നടന്നത്‌. എറണാകുളത്തെ പ്രമുഖ സ്റ്റാര്‍ഹോട്ടലിലെ കണ്‍വെന്‍ഷന്‍ സെന്ററിലായിരുന്നു സിനിമാരംഗത്തും സുഹൃത്തുക്കള്‍ക്കുമുള്ള പാര്‍ട്ടി നടത്തിയത്‌. വിവാഹശേഷം ഭര്‍ത്താവുമൊത്തു കുവൈത്തിലെ സല്‍വയിലെ വീട്ടില്‍ കാവ്യ താമസമാക്കിയിരുന്നു.

കാസര്‍കോഡ്‌ നീലേശ്വരം സ്വദേശിയായ കാവ്യ ബാലനടിയായാണ്‌ ചലച്ചിത്രരംഗത്തെത്തിയത്‌. പിന്നീട്‌ ലാല്‍ ജോസിന്റെ ചന്ദ്രനുദിയ്‌ക്കുന്ന ദിക്കില്‍ എന്നചിത്രത്തിലൂടെ നായികാപദവിയിലെത്തുകയും ഒട്ടേറെ വിജയചിത്രങ്ങളില്‍ നായികയാകുകയും ചെയ്‌തു. കഴിഞ്ഞയാഴ്‌ച റിലീസ്‌ പട്ടണത്തിനു ഭൂതമാണ്‌ വിവാഹത്തിനു ശേഷം കാവ്യയുടേതായി പുറത്തു വന്ന അവസാന ചിത്രം.

Monday, July 27, 2009

20 Ways to Waste Your Money

Whether a newbie or seasoned budgeter, nearly everyone has spending holes -- leaks in your budget that drain money with you hardly noticing.

These small drips can add up to big bucks. Once you find the holes and plug them, you'll keep more money in your pocket. That spare cash could be the ticket to finally being able to save, invest, or break your cycle of living paycheck to paycheck.

Here are 20 common ways people waste money. See if any of these sound familiar, and then look for ways to plug your own leaks.



How to waste your money

1. Buy new instead of used. Talk about a spending leak -- or, rather, a gush. Cars lose most of their value in the first few years, meaning thousands of dollars down the drain. However, recent used models -- those that are less than five years old -- can be a real value because you get a car that's still in fine working order for a fraction of the new-car price. And you'll pay less in collision insurance and taxes, too.

Cars aren't the only things worth buying used. Consider the savings on pre-owned books, toys, exercise equipment and furniture. (Of course, there are some things you're better off buying new, including mattresses, laptops, linens, shoes and safety equipment, such as car seats and bike helmets.)

2. Carry a credit-card balance. If you have a $1,000 balance on a card charging 18%, you blow $180 every year on interest. That's money you could certainly put to better use elsewhere. Get in the habit of paying off your balance in full each month.


3. Buy on impulse. When you buy before you think, you don't give yourself time to shop around for the best price. Resist the urge to make an impulse purchase by giving yourself a cool-off period. Go home and sleep on the decision. If you still want to make the purchase a day or so later, do your comparison shopping, check your budget and go for it. Oftentimes, though, I bet you'll decide you don't need the item after all.

4. Pay to use an ATM. A buck or two here and there may not seem like a big deal. But if you're frequenting ATMs outside your bank's network, the surcharges can add up quickly. Put that money back in your pocket by using ATMs in a surcharge-free network such as Allpoint or Money Pass.

5. Dine out frequently. A habit of spending $10, $20, $30 per person for dinner can be a huge drain on your wallet. Throw in a $6 sandwich for lunch and a $4 latte in the morning, and you've got quite a leak. Learn to cook, pack your lunch and brew your coffee at home and you could save a couple hundred bucks each month.

6. Let your money wallow. If you are stashing your savings in your checking account or a traditional bank account, you are wasting money. You could put it in a high-interest online savings account and get paid to save. You can even get an interest-bearing checking account through such reputable companies as Everbank, Charles Schwab, E*Trade and ING Direct.

7. Pay an upfront fee for a mutual fund. Selecting no-load funds can save you more than 5% in sales charges. Of course, no matter how well a fund has done in the past, you can't be sure how it will perform in the future. But if you pay a load, you'll begin the performance derby in the hole to the tune of the load. See the Kiplinger 25 for our favorite no-load funds.

8. Pay too much in taxes on investments. Are you investing in a tax-sheltered 401(k) or Roth IRA? If you're not maxing out those accounts before you invest in a taxable account, you're spending too much.

9. Buy brand-name instead of generic. From groceries to clothing to prescription drugs, you could save money by choosing the off-brand over the fancy label. And in many cases, you won't sacrifice much in quality. Clever advertising and fancy packaging don't make brand-name products better than lesser-known brands (see Similar Products, Different Prices).

10. Waste electricity. Of the total energy used to run home electronics, 40% is consumed when the appliances are turned off. Appliances with a clock or that operate by remote are typical culprits. The obvious way to pull the plug on your energy vampires is to do just that -- pull the plug. Or buy a device to do it for you, such as a Smart Power Strip ($31 to $44 at www.smarthomeusa.com, which will stop drawing electricity when the gadgets are turned off and pay for itself within a few months.

11. Pay banking fees. Overdraw your checking account and you'll pay $20 to $30 a pop, so it pays to keep tabs on your balance. Plus, are you still paying for a checking account? Free deals abound -- but make sure they're really free. For instance, will the bank charge a fee if your balance drops below a certain level or if you download your info into a personal-finance software program? That's not free.

12. Buy things you don't use. This sounds like a no-brainer to avoid, but how many times have you seen something on sale and thought you couldn't pass it up? Even if something is 50% off, you're spending too much if you don't use it. href=Couponing, for instance, can be a great way to save on your grocery bills. But if you buy things you wouldn't have purchased in the first place simply for the sake of using the coupon, you're wasting your money. The same goes for buying in bulk. A bargain is no bargain if it sits unused on your shelf or gets thrown away.

13. Own an extra car. Okay, so a car is a necessity for most people. But face it -- cars are a huge drain, from their loan payments to insurance fees to gas and maintenance costs. Own more than one car and you'll double or triple those expenses. Ask yourself if that second or third car is really necessary. Are you holding on to an old car for sentimental reasons? Can you or your spouse carpool, take public transportation or bike to work?

14. Ignore your local dollar store. Shopping at the dollar store can be hit-and-miss, but it's not all kitsch or junk. If you know what to buy, you can find some real bargains. For instance, my local dollar store charges 50 cents for greeting cards versus the $3-plus at a drug store or gift shop. (I have a big extended family so I figure this saves me more than $100 per year.) You can also score a deal on cleaning supplies, small kitchen tools, shampoos and soaps, holiday decorations, gift wrap and balloon bouquets.

15. Keep unhealthy habits. Smoking is not only bad for your health, it burns up your cash. A pack-a-day habit at $6 a pack costs $180 a month and $2,190 a year. A junk-food or tanning-bed habit can be costly as well. Not to mention the money you'll waste on medical bills down the road.

16. Be complacent about insurance. Your bill arrives and you pay it without a second thought. When was the last time you shopped around to determine whether you're getting the best deal? Rates vary widely from insurer to insurer and year to year. Reshopping your auto, home or renters insurance might save you hundreds of dollars.

It also pays to evaluate your insurance needs. For instance, upping your out-of-pocket deductible from $250 to $1,000 can save you 15% or more on your car insurance. Consider using the same insurer for your home and auto insurance -- you could snag up to 15% off for a multiple-line policy. And make sure you're not paying for insurance you don't need. For instance, you need life insurance only if someone is financially dependent upon you (such as a child).

17. Give Uncle Sam an interest-free loan. If you get a tax refund each April, you let the government take too much money in taxes from your paycheck all year long. Get that money back in your pocket -- and put it to work for you -- by adjusting your tax withholding. With a little discipline, you can use that extra cash each month to get started saving or pay down debt (or make ends meet to avoid going into debt in the first place). You can file a new Form W-4 with your employer at any time.

18. Pay for something you can get for free. Dust off your library card and check out books, music and movies for free (or dirt-cheap). Don't pay to receive your credit report when you're allowed to get it at no charge by law. Take advantage of kids-eat-free promotions. And dial 1-800-FREE-411 for free directory assistance.

19. Don't use a flexible-spending account. Your employer may allow you to set aside pretax dollars to pay for medical costs not covered by insurance. You can use the money for expenses such as therapy, contact lenses, insurance co-payments and over-the-counter drugs. You may be able to do the same for child-care costs.

20. Pay for unnecessary services. How many cable channels can a person watch? Do you really need all those extra features for your cell phone? Are you getting your money's worth out of that gym membership? Are you taking full advantage of your subscriptions (such as Netflix, TiVo or magazines)? Take a look at what you're paying for and what your family is actually using. Trim accordingly.

7 Surprising Facts About Sleep

Must-know info to help you get your zzz's......

Can't sleep? You have plenty of company. About half of all adults experience insomnia on occasion, and 1 in 10 battle insomnia on a regular basis, according to the Cleveland Clinic. If you fall into one of those groups, chances are you're already following the tried-and-true rules for a good night's sleep: Don't have too much caffeine (especially late in the day), don't exercise late at night, keep your bedroom at a cool, comfortable temperature, and make sure your bed, pillows and linens are comfy. Those are all good tips, but there are lesser-known things you can try to help you get more rest.

1. Set a Bedtime Alert
Most of us already use an alarm to wake up in the morning, but sleep expert Michael Breus, PhD, author of Beauty Sleep: Look Younger, Lose Weight, and Feel Great Through Better Sleep, suggests setting it at night as well. "I tell people to set their alarm for one hour before bedtime, which reminds them to begin what I call the power-down hour," says Dr. Breus, who is also a spokesman for the Zeo Personal Sleep Coach. He says you should spend the first 20 minutes of that hour taking care of any necessary chores (like walking the dog or making your kids' lunches), then spend the next 20 minutes on hygiene (washing up, brushing your teeth, etc.), and save the last 20 minutes before bed for relaxation. You don't necessarily have to meditate, if that doesn't appeal to you; you can also do deep breathing exercises, read a book or even watch a little TV (as long as it's not too stimulating).

2. Don't Clear Your Mind
Experts say anxiety and depression top the list of reasons people have trouble sleeping. Part of the problem is that many of us just can't seem to quiet that internal voice that starts rambling on about the worries of the day. Of course, if you can clear your mind, go ahead and do it. But if that's impossible, don't force it--you'll only end up panicking about the fact that you're not sleeping, says Paul McKenna, PhD, author of the soon-to-be-released book I Can Make You Sleep. Instead, try slowing down your thoughts. "Practice saying anything and everything that comes into your mind to yourself in a slow, monotonous, drowsy tone," says Dr. McKenna. It doesn't matter if you're thinking about what to buy tomorrow at the grocery store or how a big presentation at work is going to go. If you slow everything down and talk to yourself in an even tone, you'll find it's that much harder to keep worrying (or stay awake).

3. Count Numbers--Not Sheep
Another great way to quiet those racing thoughts is to count backward from 300 by 3s, says Dr. Breus. Unless you're a math ace, you probably won't be able to focus on anything else while you're doing this, which means you'll end up distracting yourself from your stressful thoughts.

4. Get Up a Half-Hour Earlier
Yes, you read that right! If you're suffering from chronic insomnia, try getting up, for example, at 6:30 instead of your usual 7 wakeup time--no matter what time you fell asleep the night before. You may be extra-sleepy for a little while, but this is hands-down the most effective way to reset your body clock, says Dr. McKenna. It works because it teaches your body that it can't catch up on sleep in the morning, so eventually you'll start feeling drowsier earlier in the evening.

5. Consider Seeing a Professional
A sleep psychologist is someone who specializes in gathering info about your emotions and your behaviors specifically as they relate to sleep. Often found at sleep centers, a sleep psychologist can usually help resolve your sleep issues in just four to six sessions, says Joseph Ojile, MD, founder of the Clayton Sleep Institute in St. Louis and a spokesman for the National Sleep Foundation.

6. Don't Worry If You Can't Sleep Right Away
You shouldn't pass out the second your head hits the pillow. If that happens all the time, it's a sign that you're sleep deprived. (Ditto for nodding off during boring meetings and long movies.) Ideally, it should take 15 to 25 minutes from when you lie down to when you drift off to sleep, says Dr. Breus.

7. Go to Bed When You're Tired
If you're having ongoing sleep troubles, don't worry so much about the fact that it's almost midnight and you have to get up in less than seven hours. Forcing yourself to stay in bed when you're not sleepy is just going to contribute to more tossing and turning, says Dr. Ojile. Instead, get up, do something relaxing, and go back to bed whenever you do feel tired. You might end up exhausted the next day (but that was bound to happen either way under these circumstances), and the following night you should have better luck getting to bed earlier.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Unraveling how children become bilingual so easily

The best time to learn a foreign language: Between birth and age 7. Missed that window?

New research is showing just how children's brains can become bilingual so easily, findings that scientists hope eventually could help the rest of us learn a new language a bit easier.

"We think the magic that kids apply to this learning situation, some of the principles, can be imported into learning programs for adults," says Dr. Patricia Kuhl of the University of Washington, who is part of an international team now trying to turn those lessons into more teachable technology.

Each language uses a unique set of sounds. Scientists now know babies are born with the ability to distinguish all of them, but that ability starts weakening even before they start talking, by the first birthday.

Kuhl offers an example: Japanese doesn't distinguish between the "L" and "R" sounds of English — "rake" and "lake" would sound the same. Her team proved that a 7-month-old in Tokyo and a 7-month-old in Seattle respond equally well to those different sounds. But by 11 months, the Japanese infant had lost a lot of that ability.

Time out — how do you test a baby? By tracking eye gaze. Make a fun toy appear on one side or the other whenever there's a particular sound. The baby quickly learns to look on that side whenever he or she hears a brand-new but similar sound. Noninvasive brain scans document how the brain is processing and imprinting language.

Mastering your dominant language gets in the way of learning a second, less familiar one, Kuhl's research suggests. The brain tunes out sounds that don't fit.

"You're building a brain architecture that's a perfect fit for Japanese or English or French," whatever is native, Kuhl explains — or, if you're a lucky baby, a brain with two sets of neural circuits dedicated to two languages.

It's remarkable that babies being raised bilingual — by simply speaking to them in two languages — can learn both in the time it takes most babies to learn one. On average, monolingual and bilingual babies start talking around age 1 and can say about 50 words by 18 months.

Italian researchers wondered why there wasn't a delay, and reported this month in the journal Science that being bilingual seems to make the brain more flexible.

The researchers tested 44 12-month-olds to see how they recognized three-syllable patterns — nonsense words, just to test sound learning. Sure enough, gaze-tracking showed the bilingual babies learned two kinds of patterns at the same time — like lo-ba-lo or lo-lo-ba — while the one-language babies learned only one, concluded Agnes Melinda Kovacs of Italy's International School for Advanced Studies.

While new language learning is easiest by age 7, the ability markedly declines after puberty.

"We're seeing the brain as more plastic and ready to create new circuits before than after puberty," Kuhl says. As an adult, "it's a totally different process. You won't learn it in the same way. You won't become (as good as) a native speaker."

Yet a soon-to-be-released survey from the Center for Applied Linguistics, a nonprofit organization that researches language issues, shows U.S. elementary schools cut back on foreign language instruction over the last decade. About a quarter of public elementary schools were teaching foreign languages in 1997, but just 15 percent last year, say preliminary results posted on the center's Web site.

What might help people who missed their childhood window? Baby brains need personal interaction to soak in a new language — TV or CDs alone don't work. So researchers are improving the technology that adults tend to use for language learning, to make it more social and possibly tap brain circuitry that tots would use.

Recall that Japanese "L" and "R" difficulty? Kuhl and scientists at Tokyo Denki University and the University of Minnesota helped develop a computer language program that pictures people speaking in "motherese," the slow exaggeration of sounds that parents use with babies.

Japanese college students who'd had little exposure to spoken English underwent 12 sessions listening to exaggerated "Ls" and "Rs" while watching the computerized instructor's face pronounce English words. Brain scans — a hair dryer-looking device called MEG, for magnetoencephalography — that measure millisecond-by-millisecond activity showed the students could better distinguish between those alien English sounds. And they pronounced them better, too, the team reported in the journal NeuroImage.

"It's our very first, preliminary crude attempt but the gains were phenomenal," says Kuhl.

But she'd rather see parents follow biology and expose youngsters early. If you speak a second language, speak it at home. Or find a play group or caregiver where your child can hear another language regularly.

"You'll be surprised," Kuhl says. "They do seem to pick it up like sponges."

Monday, July 20, 2009

Apollo 11 Facts: 40 Years Later

On the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing, get the facts on Apollo 11's historic trip, from initial skepticism to lunar firsts and the implications for returning humans to the moon.

July 16, 1969: The world watched in anticipation as three men were hurtled skyward in a rocket bound for the moon.

(Read about the Apollo 11 moon-landing mission in a 1969 National Geographic magazine article.)

The Apollo 11 launch date had arrived with just months to spare: Nine years earlier, U.S. President John F. Kennedy had said that by the end of the decade the country would put a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth.

The successful Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969, ushered in an era of moon exploration that has so far gone unrivaled (Apollo 11 quiz).

(Find out about NASA's plans to return humans to the moon in Naked Science: Living on the Moon, which airs Thursday, July 23, at 10 p.m. ET/PT.)

Moon Race

President Kennedy's moon mandate came at the height of the space race—a kind of subplot to the Cold War between the United States and what was then the Soviet Union.

(Hear sounds of the space age, including the Apollo 11 mission, with an interactive version of a pressed vinyl record that was included in the December 1969 issue of National Geographic magazine.)

The U.S.S.R. had made the opening gambit, sending the first artificial satellites into orbit, starting with the 184-pound (83.5-kilogram) Sputnik I in October 1957.

The Soviets followed that success a month later with the first animal in space, Laika the dog, which did not survive the experience. (See pictures of monkeys and other primates sent into space.)

Things came to a head in April 1961, when the Soviets sent the first human to space. Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made a 108-minute suborbital flight in a Vostok 1 spacecraft and returned safely to Earth.

A month later Alan Shepherd became the first American in space with his suborbital flight aboard the Freedom 7 spacecraft.

From there the two countries started upping the ante by increasing the number of orbits per flight. Meanwhile Kennedy's moon directive had signaled a change in tactics for the U.S.

Swallowed by Moondust?

At first a moon-landing mission probably raised a lot of eyebrows at NASA—particularly among the astronaut candidates.

"Atlas rockets [which launched spacecraft] were blowing up every day at Cape Canaveral" in Florida, recalled Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell in the 2007 documentary In the Shadow of the Moon.

"It looked like a … quick way to have a short career."

But Kennedy's idea "didn't just come out of the blue," Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin Eugene "Buzz" Aldrin told National Geographic News.

"People had been studying what could be done—the Air Force in particular—in a far-reaching manner, like sending cargo to the moon."

At that point, though, scientists still had a lot to learn about what humans and their gear might contend with on the lunar surface.

Geologists didn't know, for example, whether volcanism or meteor impacts were responsible for the moon's pockmarked surface. (Current wisdom says meteors.)

Many scientists also feared that the moon was covered with a thick blanket of featherweight dust that would engulf any landing spacecraft.

(Explore a moon time line.)

Apollo 11 Practice

Shortly after Kennedy's speech, an intensive effort got under way to prepare humans for a moon landing.

In January 1963 Neil Armstrong and four other Apollo astronauts took a field trip to Arizona's Meteor Crater and Sunset Crater, a dormant volcano. Geologists then briefed the astronauts on how those Earthly landscapes were similar to what they might encounter on the moon.

In the years that followed, Apollo 11 crew members also toured the Grand Canyon and spent time testing lunar rovers at Bonito Crater northeast of Flagstaff, where the rough, rocky surface mimicked what some geologists thought would exist on the moon.

Geologists flew over Sunset Crater and other landforms in Cessna 182s, taking aerial photos so the astronauts might better understand the lunar geology they were likely to see.

(See milestones in space photography and zoom in on a recently restored picture of an earthrise as seen by a 1966 lunar orbiter.)

Apollo Moon Program: Tragedy and Triumph

The Apollo moon-landing program carried an optimistic moniker: It was named for the son of Zeus in Greek mythology, often known as the god of light and the sun.

But the first mission almost brought U.S. moon-landing efforts to an abrupt end.

On January 27, 1967, a flash fire occurred in the Apollo 1 command module during a launch simulation, killing the three astronauts meant to pilot the mission.

"I wasn't sure if we were burying the entire Apollo program or three of our buddies," Apollo astronaut Gene Cernan said in In the Shadow of the Moon.

Following an exhaustive investigation into the accident, NASA issued a report in April 1967 that called for major overhauls of the Apollo hardware, launch procedures, and quality control.

The program swung back into gear, and by early 1969, Apollo 10 astronauts Alan Shepard and Donald "Deke" Slayton were cruising over the lunar surface—and grudgingly holding back from diving down for a landing—as they scoped out the Sea of Tranquility, the chosen landing spot for Apollo 11.

(Explore an interactive moon map, and read about the first person to map the moon using a telescope. Hint: It wasn't Galileo.)

A few months later, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins set off toward the moon.

Apollo 11 Moonwalkers

Launched from Florida's Kennedy Space Center at 9:32 a.m. ET aboard a Saturn V rocket, Apollo 11 included a command module dubbed Columbia and a lunar lander called the Eagle.

The lander was named after the bald eagle in the mission insignia.

Apollo 11's journey to the moon took three and a half days.

During that time the astronauts "just kind of gazed out the window at the Earth getting smaller and smaller, did housekeeping things, checking the spacecraft," Aldrin recalled.

As the craft passed through the shadow of the moon and started its approach, Aldrin and Armstrong got into Apollo 11's spider-like lunar module and began their descent.

The landing process didn't go flawlessly. Alarms sounded when the computer couldn't keep up with the data stream: "Nothing serious—it was distracting," Aldrin said.

"Neil didn't like what we were heading toward, and we selected a safer spot alongside a crater with boulders in it. We landed with a little less fuel than we would have liked to have had, maybe 20 seconds of fuel left."

Aldrin insists that he felt no real fear about landing on the moon.

Nevertheless, he said, "we kind of practiced liftoff [for] the first two hours. … We both felt that was the most prudent thing to do after touching down, was to prepare to depart if we had to."

Finally, with half a billion people watching on televisions across the world, the Apollo 11 astronauts emerged from the Eagle to spend another two hours exploring the lunar surface.

The pair planted an American flag and placed mementos for fallen peers.

Armstrong uttered his famous first words, reportedly unscripted: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Armstrong and Aldrin logged 21 hours on the moon—spending the last and longest portion of it trying to sleep in the frigid lander. Then they lifted off to rendezvous with Collins and Columbia for the return voyage.

The Apollo 11 crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 1969—and they were immediately put into a three-week quarantine.

As for their craft, the ascent stage of the Eagle was jettisoned into lunar orbit. Within a couple of years the lander smashed unseen into the moon. Columbia now sits on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

To Infinity, and Beyond

After 40 years, Aldrin's impressions of the moon are as fresh today as the day he landed.

"What fascinated me was the lifelessness off it," he said. "That had not changed in hundreds of thousands of years. Generations of humanity had emerged from the trees, and the moon had looked the same way."

Aldrin also remains passionate about what the Apollo 11 mission meant for the world, and what it can still teach humanity.

Today he advocates the U.S. setting its sights higher than it did 40 years ago, "accepting the role of leading other nations to achieve what we did."

"We do have this wonderful opportunity to emerge from whatever troubles us now," he said, "with a very optimistic pathway for the future."

Monday, July 13, 2009

How much water do you really need?

Drink water. Drink more water. Drink water before and after you exercise. Sure, I'd heard all of that advice a million times but somehow, when I did my first distance triathlon in the heat of the competition, I forgot all about what I’d read in EatingWell Magazine’s article “Eat to Win” about what to eat and drink while you exercise. I mean, it was sweltering out there. It was a dry hot day on a sunny course. I was doing better than I ever expected. Felt great, in fact. So why stop at the water stops? Why let someone pass me?

Then, as I started to get toward the end of the race, my body slowed down. My mind slowed down. I felt lethargic. I lost five places in the last mile. But after I crossed the finish line, the really weird things started to happen: I couldn't find my bike. Or my car. Or my friends. In fact, I couldn't remember much, to the point where I forgot that I had finished the race and went to start the bike leg again. Finally, a friend said, "You're dehydrated," a fact confirmed later in the medical tent.

Ever since then, I've become religious about drinking water before, during and after exercise. (Should you drink bottled water or tap water?) Drinking water or other fluids (I like to drink flavored, low-cal drinks) consistently through your day allows the water to get to all the organs that need it—including your muscles and your brain—while you’re still resting. So, basically, you’re just setting yourself up to start off on the right foot when you are ready to exercise. (It’s important to eat too. Try these 3 on-the-go power breakfast recipes to fuel your day.)

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) suggests sipping an additional 17 to 20 ounces of water 2 hours before you exercise. But in 1 hour of exercise, the body can lose more than a quart of water—especially when it’s hot, like it was the day of my race. So it’s important to drink while you’re exercising too: 7 to 10 ounces every 10 to 20 minutes.

More isn’t better: Too much water can make you sick, a condition called hypernutremia where you essentially waterlog your system. So can going too long without replenishing electrolytes, such as sodium. So if you’re working out hard for more than 45 to 60 minutes, you’ll want to choose a sports drink or consume a food that contains some sodium (e.g., pretzels) with your water. (As for eating, check out these 4 natural fuel foods.)

And it’s not always easy to drink on the run, or the ride, so once you finish exercising you’ll want to replenish the fluids you’ve lost by drinking more. ACE suggests weighing yourself before, and after, exercise to see how much “water weight” you’ve lost. You should sip 16 to 24 ounces of fluids for every pound you’re lighter. No scale? Drink until your urine is a pale yellow.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Celebs Tweet Final Respects to Michael Jackson

Los Angeles (E! Online) – So today was Michael Jackson's memorial. Pretty big, historical, epic moment, obviously. And pretty big, historical, epic moments don't go unnoticed by Twitter (unless you're a Hills castmember).

M.J.'s farewell dominated the entire Twitterverse and its trending topics all day, as everyone paid tribute to the King of Pop and documented their reactions to everything from Al Sharpton's powerful speech to Paris Jackson's tearful words about her father.

Our favorite tweeting celebs, whether actually at the Staples Center or watching TV like the rest of us, made sure to share their thoughts on the Michael Jackson memorial experience, 140 characters at a time...

Kim Kardashian: "Michael's children were so brave brave 2 stand there on stage & speak to the world about their father...I spoke at my dad's funeral & it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I was shaking & crying & what Paris did was sooo soooo brave!"

Nick Cannon: "A day of mourning. Here in the Staples Center, God is absolutely present."

Ryan Seacrest: "This makes the world feel so small...everyone connected right now."

Sherri Shepherd: "Loved what Al Sharpton said to MJ's kids 'wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with.' Michael's kids needed to hear that said....'nothing strange about your daddy.' "

Serena Williams: "Today, we honor Michael Jackson for his love, music, & being a genius. I'm still shocked. Please, share your favorite songs. Thriller is great. Remember the Time is such a classic as well. Life is short, but his music will never die. MJ was subjected to harsh words, but I hope that people find understanding & stop judging."

Emmy Rossum: "Beautiful memorial. I cried when Paris spoke. I hope the family is able to grieve and their privacy will be respected during this time."

Paris Hilton: "In tears watching the MJ Memorial Service on TV, so touching. Everyone loves you Michael!"

Brandy: "Michael Jackson will forever inspire my soul and forever live in my heart. He is an angel that can now see his wings. R.I.P"

Nicky Hilton: "I was in awe of how respectful all of the media and fans were. I expected chaos. Despite what is shown on tv everyone was very gracious."

MC Hammer: "May the movement and message of The Dancer continue to move the Soul of the People to Joy, Peace, Restoration and Glory. God Bless MJ"

Kelly Osbourne: "MJ's children are so brave to stand up there and remember their father while the whole world is watching!"

Paula Abdul: "Remembering MJ and the true legend that he was and will live on to be..I'm taking some time to reflect today."

Larry King: "I was surprised MJ's body was there, but it was very touching. Al Sharpton gave such a commanding speech, so dramatic in tone & content. There was so much emotion when Usher & Brooke Shields took the stage. this has all been phenomenal but I hope the stories die down soon. Let's let him have some peace."

Where Will Michael Be Buried?

Los Angeles (E! Online) – Neverland? Nevermind that, for now. But where exactly will Michael Jackson's remains wind up?

Following Tuesday's all-star tribute, Jackson's shiny, flower-adorned casket was wheeled out of Los Angeles' Staples Center.

While the family relocated to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel for a private wake, sources say the coffin was transferred to an ambulance, which was accompanined by a Hummer and destined for...

Well, we're not exactly sure, but we have some ideas.

Although Los Angeles police say there won't be a family motorcade back to Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where the Jacksons held a private funeral service earlier today, family friend and unofficial spokesman Majestik Magnificent told to E! News that Michael's body is returning to the famous burial grounds, and the cemetery has ordered all press to clear out.

Indeed, E! News has obtained a copy of Jackson's death certificate listing Forest Lawn as the mortuary. (Just because Forest Lawn is named, doesn't mean he will be buried there—just that his body had been held there after his death.)

The death certificate, signed by sister La Toya, is dated Tuesday and was filed by a deputy coroner. The cause of death is noted as "deferred." A burial permit was also filed with the Los Angeles Ccounty's Vital Records department, but that document has not been made public.

Because the burial permit was filed in Los Angeles County and not Santa Barbara, the chances of a Neverland burial are dwindling, despite brother Jermaine's stated preference for the sprawling ranch as Michael's final resting spot.

"We have not been contacted by the Jackson family or any of their representatives about a burial or a funeral service at the Neverland Ranch," William Boyer, communications director for Santa Barbara County, tells E! News.

"Because this would be on private property they would actually have to go to the state department of consumer affairs. We would know about it because part of the permitting process is the state goes through a checklist of things they would need to do...local jurisdiction would have to be asked. We have not received any contact from the state."

Dan Redmond, spokesman for the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau of the California Department of Consumer Affairs, concurrred, saying the family would have to get a "certificate of authority" from the bureau and "that has not happened."

Another reason the Jacksons may prefer Forest Lawn: Michael's maternal grandmother, Martha Bridges, is buried there.

Jackson's kids emerge from behind the veil

LOS ANGELES – For all the hasty preparations, hand-wringing over security, breathless media competition to scoop details and soul-wrenching performances, the essence of Michael Jackson's memorial service came down to 20 poignant, powerful seconds: the moment when 11-year-old Paris-Michael Jackson inched up to the microphone and, in a statement no one saw coming, referred to the late pop superstar as "Daddy."

It was a remarkably humanizing moment. Then again, it was remarkable just to see Jackson's three children in public to begin with.

A fiercely protective father, Jackson rarely brought his brood out into public, covering their faces in veils and party masks to protect their identity when he did.

Now here they were, unveiled, before an audience of thousands at Staples Center and millions more around the globe. Starting out seated in the front row, the three youngest Jacksons eventually joined the rest family onstage as the two-hour service wound to a close.

Dressed in the same dark suits and yellow ties as the rest of the Jackson men, 12-year-old Michael Joseph Jr., known as Prince Michael, chewed gum and toted the memorial service program; 7-year-old Prince Michael II, known as Blanket, held his program and clutched a Michael Jackson doll.

Paris, wearing a black dress with white trim, turned a small patent-leather purse over in her hands as other family members spoke. And then a dramatic hush fell over the crowd as family members whispered that the little girl, whose lifetime of public exposure amounted to a small handful of paparazzi photographs, Paris-Michael wanted to say something.

She furtively emerged from the tight circle of family members, who rushed to lower the microphone to her level. And with her uncle Randy on one side and aunt Janet on the other, Jackson's little girl stood center stage.

"I just wanted to say," Paris began weakly.

"Speak up, sweetheart, speak up," Janet encouraged, sweeping the girl's long hair back. "And get close."

Paris put one hand behind her neck, another on the microphone, and began again.

"Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine," she said, her tiny voice cracking.

Rebbie and Marlon Jackson moved in closer to comfort their niece. She shut her eyes tight.

Then she wrapped her hands — little fingernails painted red — around the microphone and fought back tears as she continued: "And I just wanted to say I love him — so much."

She collapsed in tears into her aunt's arms.

"It's OK, baby. It's OK," Janet Jackson said as she held Paris close. Prince joined in on the hug.

And all at once, Jackson wasn't the larger-than-life King of Pop, or Wacko Jacko the tabloid freak. He was a doting father who had left three adoring young children behind.

He was "Daddy."

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Jackson memorial gets 1.6 million ticket requests

The more than 1.6 million fans who registered for tickets to Michael Jackson's memorial service will wait until Monday to learn if they received one of the 11,000 tickets for Tuesday's ceremony.The two-day registration period for the service at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles ended Saturday. Another 6,500 tickets will be given away for the Nokia Theater overflow section next door.
Fans had to register for free at staplescenter.com between 10 a.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday for the random drawing of 8,750 names. Each person selected will receive two tickets and will be notified by e-mail after 11 a.m. Sunday.
Before the drawing, officials at AEG, the owner and operator of the Staples Center, will "scrub" the entries to eliminate duplicates and any suspected of being made by automated systems or "go-bots," said Jackson family spokesman Ken Sunshine in a statement.
Winners will receive a unique code and instructions on how to pick up their tickets at an off-site distribution center on Monday. At the distribution center, they will receive the ticket and a wristband that will be placed on their wrists at that time.
Fans must have both the ticket and the wristband to enter Staples Center on Tuesday. Wristbands that have been ripped, taped or tampered with will be voided.
Sunshine said those steps are being taken to prevent ticket-scalping.
City officials are preparing for massive crowds. Assistant Police Chief Earl Paysinger says anywhere from a quarter-million to 700,000 people may try to reach the arena, even though a wide area around Staples Center will be sealed off to those without tickets.
City Councilwoman Jan Perry strongly urged people to stay home and watch the memorial on TV. The ceremony will not be shown on Staples' giant outdoor TV screen and there will be no funeral procession through the city.
No details were given about the actual memorial events, which come as the nation's second-largest city struggles with a $530 million budget deficit. Perry said the cost of police protection for "extraordinary" events like the memorial is built into the Police Department's budget, but she still solicited help for "incremental costs."
Last month, donations covered about $850,000 of the city's $1 million cost for the Los Angeles Lakers' NBA championship parade. Critics had blasted the idea of using city money when it is considering layoffs to close its budget gap.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

DEA joins Michael Jackson death probe

The circumstances surrounding Michael Jackson's death have become a federal issue, with the Drug Enforcement Administration asked to help police take a look at the pop star's doctors and possible drug use.Following Jackson's death, allegations emerged that the 50-year-old King of Pop had been consuming painkillers, sedatives and antidepressants.
The DEA was asked to help the probe by the Los Angeles Police Department, a law enforcement official in Washington told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the investigation.
The federal agency can provide resources and experience in investigating drug abuse, illicit drug manufacturers known as "pill mills" and substances local police may not be familiar with, the official said Wednesday.
Medium Uri Geller, a former Jackson confidant, said Thursday he tried to keep Jackson from abusing painkillers and other prescription drugs, but others in the singer's circle kept him supplied.
"When Michael asked for something, he got it. This was the great tragedy," Geller said in a telephone interview with the AP from his suburban London home.
While the investigation into the singer's death deepened, passionate Michael Jackson fans spent another day in an uneasy limbo, awaiting word from the King of Pop's camp about where and when a memorial service might be held for their hero — and if they're even invited.
Speculation about the potential location of a memorial ricocheted during the day from the Staples Center to the Los Angeles Coliseum to the Nokia Theater.
One spot that was ruled out as an immediate memorial venue was Jackson's sprawling Neverland ranch in Santa Barbara County. Jackson family spokesman Ken Sunshine said a public memorial was in the works for Jackson but it wouldn't be held at Neverland.
Jermaine Jackson said in an interview that aired on NBC's "Today" show Thursday that he would still like to see Neverland as his younger brother's final resting place.
He also said that he wishes he had died instead of Michael.
"He went too soon," Jermaine Jackson said. "I don't know how people are going to take this, but I wish it was me."
The elimination of the proposed Neverland memorial came as a blow to many Jackson fans who had already descended on the estate in the rolling hills near Santa Barbara with the hope of attending a public viewing.
"We're terribly disappointed," said Ida Barron, 44, who arrived with her husband Paul Barron, 56, intending to spend several days in a tent.
It appeared more likely that a funeral and burial would take place in Los Angeles, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
Many of Jackson's die-hard fans refused to believe that the family would bury their most famous son without acknowledging the supporters who helped propel him to superstardom.
"I can't believe they wouldn't do something for his fans," said Rosie Padron, who had roped off a spot just outside the Neverland gates. "Michael loved his fans."
New Yorkers weren't willing to wait. The weekly Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater turned into a Jackson celebration, with impersonators emulating his outfits and mimicking his dance moves.
Allison Hector, who wore a T-shirt with the image of the "Thriller" album cover, ecstatically emulated moves she learned watching Jackson's music videos.
"Nobody moves like him," the 19-year-old said, her eyes filling with tears. "I feel it in my blood — I just can't help it!"
On the legal front, Jackson's 7-year-old will was filed Wednesday in a Los Angeles court, giving his entire estate to a family trust and naming his 79-year-old mother Katherine and his three children as beneficiaries. The will also estimates the current value of his estate at more than $500 million.
Katherine Jackson was appointed the children's guardian, with entertainer Diana Ross, a longtime friend of Michael Jackson, named successor guardian if something happens to his mother. A court will ultimately decide who the children's legal guardian will be.
Jackson's lawyer John Branca and family friend John McClain, a music executive, were named in the will as co-executors of his estate. In a statement, they said the most important element of the will was Jackson's steadfast desire that his mother become the legal guardian for his children.
"As we work to carry out Michael's instructions to safeguard both the future of his children as well as the remarkable legacy he left us as an artist, we ask that all matters involving his estate be handled with the dignity and the respect that Michael and his family deserve," the statement said.
The will doesn't name father Joe Jackson to any position of authority in administering the estate. Also shut out is ex-wife Debbie Rowe, the mother of his two oldest children.
The executors moved quickly to take control of all of Michael Jackson's property, going to court hours after filing the will to challenge a previous ruling that gave Katherine Jackson control of 2,000 items from Neverland.
Paul Gordon Hoffman, an attorney for the executors, told Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff his clients are the proper people to take over Jackson's financial affairs. He called Katherine Jackson's speed in getting limited power over her son's property "a race to the courthouse that is, frankly, improper."
Judge Beckloff urged attorneys from both sides to try to reach a compromise. A hearing on the estate was set for Monday.
The will, dated July 7, 2002, gives the entire estate to the Michael Jackson Family Trust. Details of the trust will not be made public.
Jackson owns a 50 percent stake in the massive Sony-ATV Music Publishing Catalog, which includes music by the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Lady Gaga and the Jonas Brothers.
Jackson, who died June 25 at age 50, left behind three children: son Michael Joseph Jr., known as Prince Michael, 12; daughter Paris Michael Katherine, 11; and son Prince Michael II, 7. Rowe was the mother of the two oldest children; the youngest was born to a surrogate mother, who has never been identified.
Rowe, who was married to Jackson in 1996 and filed for divorce three years later, surrendered her parental rights. An appeals court later found that was done in error, and Rowe and Jackson entered an out-of-court settlement in 2006.
Neither Rowe nor her attorneys have indicated whether she intends to seek custody of the two oldest children.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Jackson's funeral plans sketchy

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Details of Michael Jackson's funeral remained sketchy on Tuesday, with media reports surfacing that the family was planning a series of elaborate, head-of-state-style memorials for the King of Pop while California authorities seemed largely in the dark.

The celebrity website TMZ.com reported that Jackson's body would be driven the four hours from Los Angeles to Neverland Valley Ranch on Thursday, accompanied by a 30-car motorcade, where a public viewing would be held over the weekend.

Similar reports came from television news network CNN and Britain's The Sun newspaper, which said the entertainer's body would first be driven through the streets of Los Angeles -- and taken to the funeral service in a glass-sided horse-drawn carriage, complete with a matching glass coffin.

Jackson, the pop music star whose hits include top-selling album "Thriller," died suddenly last Thursday of cardiac arrest in Los Angeles, and since then fans have anxiously awaited details of his funeral or public memorial.

So far, his family has been silent. On Monday, patriarch Joe Jackson said it was too soon to announce funeral plans.

But if arrangements were being made Tuesday for a massive funeral service in less than 48 hours, authorities in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara seemed largely unaware of them.

Santa Barbara County Fire Department spokesman Capt. David Sadecki said his office had not been formally contacted by the Jackson family about a funeral procession. He said police and fire representatives had met about "the Michael Jackson situation" but had no further details.

"The Santa Barbara Fire Department is going to accommodate the Michael Jackson family for any request that they might have," Sadecki said.

Representatives for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff and Los Angeles Police Department said their offices had no information about funeral arrangements

Meanwhile Tom Barrack, chief executive of Colony Capital Llc, the private equity firm that co-owns Neverland, issued an open letter to the people of Santa Barbara County asking them to prepare for "a global drama of epic proportion."

Barrack offered no specifics of a funeral but admonished residents that their treatment of the Jackson family and fans would be under scrutiny.

"Let's adopt an attitude of hospitality, warmth and tolerance and allow the world to pay their respects to this global icon by conducting ourselves with grace and elegance," Barrack said in the letter.

Elsewhere, Lalosa Burns, a spokeswoman for Jackson's hometown of Gary, Indiana, said that city was planning a July 10 memorial at the US Steel Yard baseball stadium.

Burns had no further details of that service and it was not clear if Jackson's body would be taken to Indiana, where the mayor of Gary has reportedly offered to bury him.