In this era of Internet-based, narrowcast dating services, one individual is taking a decidedly retro, wide-net approach to to finding that special someone. Dean Morrow, a 44-year-old Orange County, California investment banker has put up a billboard in Los Angeles at the corner of La Cienega and Santa Monica Blvd., …

Disneyland and The Mickey Mouse Club share their 50th anniversaries in 2005, and 10 of the original Mouseketeers are returning to Disneyland on Monday, October 3, to celebrate the golden milestone (I’m not sure which 10, however, hmm). In a ceremony in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Mouseketeers will …

While we waxed rhapsodic about the gentle breezes, hypnotic beaches, groovacious vibes and the overall pleasantry of a musical visit to the Cayman Islands, we also noted that the lineup of last year’s Cayman Jazz Fest had only a tenuous connection to jazz. This year’s is a bit jazzier, with …

Like tobacco companies scolding against underage smoking and alcohol makers counseling “responsible drinking,” there is cognitive dissonance in hearing Nickelodeon telling kids to turn off their TVs and go out to play: “You must watch us to find out how to not watch us.” But there you have it. Nickelodeon …

All preschool, all the time – our almost-2 year old will likely burst with programming-induced joy. PBS announced this week the launch of a new 24/7 preschool channel, called PBS KIDS Sprout, available on digital cable and satellite, and a companion website, which are “dedicated to offering little ones safe, …

I was kidding you not when I said my sweet, unassuming mother-in-law was going to the big ripsnorting Operation Ceasefire anti-war rally and concert in Washington, D.C. last weekend. Not only did she go, but she was featured in a Washington Post story on the event: Leslie Darling, 60, came …

To help celebrate Halloween, the film Academy will screen the classic 1925 silent film, The Phantom of the Opera, featuring a disfigured composer, a fatal obsession, the Paris Opera House and silent film stars Lon Chaney and Mary Philbin, on Thursday, October 20 at their Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly …

The insurance company GEICO must have an exceptionally large ad budget: it is almost impossible to escape their onslaught of radio and TV ads, varying between straight, informational “15 minutes could save you 15% on car insurance” spots; their edgy, parodic “but there’s good news, I just saved a bundle …

The Chinese government, feeling threatened by the flow and exchange of information among its 100 million Internet users, announced yesterday the imposition of new regulations intended to limit access to news and commentary not pre-approved by the government’s Propaganda Department. The new rules will allow only the posting of “healthy …

Hey, any other year, Hurricane Rita would have been big news, forcing the evacuation of more than 3 million people from the border region of coastal Texas and Louisiana, dumping up to a foot of rain, unleashing 120 mile per hour winds, pushing a 15-foot storm surge that swamped Cajun …