FIRST DAY OF SPRING EGG BALANCING IS ACTUALLY URBAN LEGEND!

Every year, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) comes up with its list of the Top Ten Worst Foods and here’s the list if you want to compare your daily menu!

1. Pepperidge Farm Roasted White Meat Chicken Premium Pot Pie – There are 510 calories and 9 grams of saturated fat in this baby. Oh wait – that’s just for half a pie. The whole thing has 1020 calories and 18 grams of saturated fat.

2. Romano’s Macaroni Grill Spaghetti and Meatballs with Meat Sauce – This dish will set you back a staggering 2,430 calories and nearly three days’ worth of saturated fat (57 grams) plus 5,290 milligrams of sodium – more calories and saturated fat than two Macaroni Grill Tuscan Rib-Eye steak dinners.

3. Progresso Traditional, Vegetable Classics, and Rich & Hearty soups – Half a can averages more than half of a person’s daily quota of salt. Instead, CSPI says try Progresso’s Health Favorites reduced-sodium soups with up to 50 percent less salt. Also, see: Hidden sodium in foods you wouldn’t think to check.

4. Dove Ice Cream – A half cup has about 300 calories and an average of 11 grams of saturated fat – that’s half-a-day’s worth of the bad stuff. You may be better off with these 5 frozen treats under 100 calories.

5. The Cheesecake Factory Chris’ Outrageous Chocolate Cake – It’s layers of chocolate cake, brownie, toasted coconut pecan filling, and chocolate chip coconut cheesecake. CSPI found each five-inch-high slice weighs three-fourths of a pound and has 1,380 calories, 32 teaspoons of sugar, 33 grams of saturated fat and 5 grams of trans fat. Yikes!

6. Smoothie King’s Grape Expectations II – It’s one of Smoothie King’s “Snack Rights” with 550 calories in the 20-ounce size and 1,100 calories in the 40-ouncer. Proof that not all smoothies are good for you (but these are).

7. Pop Secret Movie Theater Butter Popcorn Snack Size Bags – Just one snack-size bag has 11 grams of bad fat, 7 of which are trans fats. Instead, CSPI says choose Orville Redenbacher’s Smart Pop or Smart Balance Smart ’N Healthy – both are made with no partially hydrogenated oils. Also, see this review of microwave popcorns from Consumer Reports.

8. The Starbucks Venti (20 oz.) Caffè Mocha with whole milk and whipped cream has 450 calories and 13 grams of bad fat – more like a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in a cup. But you can lose all the bad fat and all but 170 calories if you order a tall (12 oz.) with nonfat milk and no whipped cream.

9. Chipotle Chicken Burrito – With rice, pinto beans, cheese, chicken, sour cream, and salsa, you get 1,040 calories and 16-1/2 grams of saturated fat – the same as three Subway Steak and Cheese 6-inch Subs. Plus the burrito comes with 2,500 milligrams of sodium! Ordering it without cheese or sour cream cuts the saturated fat to 3-1/2 grams, but you still end up with 810 calories and 2,300 milligrams of sodium. Ay Caramba! Here’s another burrito that will shock you.

10. Cold Stone Creamery’s Gotta Have It Founder’s Favorite – 12-ounces of ice cream, pecans, brownie pieces, fudge, and caramel adds up to a whopping 1,600 calories and 42 grams of saturated fat. That’s about the same as five single-scoop ice cream cones. And watch out before you have this frozen concoction.

Do you know why when a woman wears a leather dress, a man’s heart beats quicker, his throat gets dry, he gets weak in the knees, and he begins to think irrationally?

IT’S BECAUSE SHE SMELLS LIKE A NEW GOLF BAG!

California corrections officials released a new photograph of imprisoned mass murderer Charles Manson on Thursday, showing the balding, gray-bearded killer at the age of 74.

The picture, which was taken at Corcoran State Prison in Central California, also reveals a glum Manson still bearing the swastika he carved into his forehead during his sensational 1970 murder trial.

Manson became one of the 20th century’s most infamous criminals during the summer of 1969, when the Beatles-obsessed ex-con directed his mostly young, female followers to murder seven people.

Among the victims was eight-months pregnant actress Sharon Tate, the wife of filmmaker Roman Polanski. She was stabbed 16 times by members of the Manson Family in the early morning hours of August 9, 1969.

Four other people were also stabbed or shot to death in Tate’s home that night by the group, who scrawled the word “Pig” in blood on the front door before leaving.

The following night members of the family stabbed Leno and Rosemary LaBianca to death, using their blood to write “Rise,” “Death to Pigs” and “Healter Skelter” — a misspelled reference to the Beatles song “Helter Skelter” — on the walls and refrigerator door.

Manson was convicted and sentenced to death in 1971 but was spared execution when California abolished the death penalty the following year.

He has been denied parole 11 times and is next scheduled for a hearing in 2012.

According to the Irish Tourist Board:

St. Patrick used to use the shamrock to explain the trinity-the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit-when he persuaded the Irish to Christianity. Ireland’s climate keeps shamrocks green year round.

There are 166 churches named after St. Patrick within the republic of Ireland.

A Leprechaun is no more than 24 inches tall, dresses in bright colors, is usually skilled as a shoemaker, and if surprised, might lead you to his Pot o’ Gold. Your best chance of seeing one will come if you visit one too many pubs.

Within the last 25 years, four of the six U.S. Presidents have claimed Irish ancestry: John F. Kennedy [County Wexford], Richard Nixon [County Kildare], Gerald Ford [County Longford], Ronald Reagan [County Tipperary].

The official emblem of Ireland is a silver-and-gold Irish harp on a blue background. The oldest Irish harp in existence is the “Brian Boru Harp,” dating from the 14th century and named after the most famous king in early Irish history.

The shillelagh was named for a village in County Wicklow where oak and blackthorn trees are plentiful. It was first displayed in battle in 1209.

The tri-colour Irish flag [green, white, and orange] first gained acceptance as the flag of Irish independence in 1848, and became the national flag when Ireland finally achieved its independence in 1921.

The potato did not originate in Ireland. The lowly spud was actually brought to the Emerald Isle in the 17th century from America by Sir Walter Raleigh, who had a large estate at Youghal [pronounced "Yawl"] in County Cork.

The original “Tara” is actually a mound 500 feet above sea level that was the religious and cultural capital of Ireland in ancient times. It is about 30 miles from Dublin, in county Meath. St Patrick is said to have preached there.

In the 6th century, an Irishman named St. Brendan the Navigator is said to have discovered America and returned to Ireland to tell the tale. To prove the legend, Tim Severin sailed successfully from Kerry to Boston in 1976 using a replica of St Brendan’s 36-foot leather boat.

On Columbus’s 1492 trip to the New World, he stopped at Galway to pick up Irishman Rice de Culvy as part of his crew.

St. Patrick’s Day Facts: According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 33.1 million Americans are of Irish descent — almost 10 times the population of Ireland, 3.8 million. •

The world’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade stepped off in New York City on March 17, 1762. It was staged by Irish soldiers serving in the British army, to celebrate their heritage.

It’s not true that St. Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland, as popular legend claims. But he did convert most of the Irish from paganism to Christianity by the time he died in 461.

Watch who you’re calling Paddy: Some Irish consider this an insult. The name sprang up in the mid-1800s, when the Irish were among America’s most abused immigrants. It’s where we get “paddy wagon,” the police vehicle that hauled people to jail.

“Leprechaun” is based on an Old Irish word literally meaning “small body.” They’re a mischievous race of elves that are compelled to give up their hidden gold to anyone who catches them. According to one leprechaun story, an Irish gentleman caught a leprechaun, who took him to a bush under which his gold was buried. To mark the spot, the man tied a red handkerchief to the bush before running home to get a shovel. When he returned to the area, he found that the tricky leprechauns had tied red handkerchiefs to every bush in the field.

IS THIS AN ACTUAL LEPRECHAUN CAUGHT ON WWW.IRELANDSEYE.COM? WATCH THE TREES ON THE RIGHT ABOUT 8 SECONDS INTO THE VIDEO FOR SOMETHING STREAKING PAST THEM….IS IT ONE OF THOSE LITTLE GREEN MEN?

“May these who love us, love us. And those that don’t love us, may God turn their hearts. And if He doesn’t turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles, so we’ll know them by their limping.” — Irish toast.

For those lovely ladies who were prevented from trying out for America’s Next Top Model Saturday, fear not. Tyra Banks has your back.

“To all the Top Model hopefuls who were affected by the New York casting, we are doing everything we can to make sure that ALL the girls who weren’t seen, get an opportunity to audition—we’ll update you on our plans very soon,” read a bit of Tyra Mail released Monday.

“ALL” the girls weren’t seen because a stampede broke out among the horde of petite posers gathered in Manhattan for an open casting call, triggered by a fight further down the line, as well as by panic that ensued when rumor of a car bomb (really just a smokey BMW) broke out.

At about 6 p.m., long after the cops (three people arrested) and ambulances (two hospitalized) had done their duty, about 100 women lingered outside the Park Central Hotel. About a half hour later, they were informed that the auditions were over and they should head on home.

But Banks is determined to keep the dream alive.

“It is so important to me to redefine beauty, and make sure that everyone gets a fair chance to pursue their dream,” she said. “I am beyond excited for Cycle 13; for the first time ever, young women 5’7″ and under have a shot at becoming America’s Next Top Model! I encourage each girl to come out ready to rock the runway and show off their fiercest pose. I’m rooting for all of you!”

NOT QUITE SURE HOW THIS IS DONE, BUT IT SURE MAKES YOU LOOK!

FRIDAY THE 13th FUN FACTS . . . 13 facts about the infamous day:

1. The British Navy is said to have built a ship named Friday the 13th, or the HMS Friday, which on its maiden voyage left dock on a Friday the 13th, and was never heard from again. As LiveScience readers pointed out, however, this story seems to be a legend. The Royal Navy Museum states on its web site that this story, which has been told before, is a hoax. “There has never been a Royal Navy ship named HMS Friday – or after any other day of the week for that matter,” the museum states.

2. The ill-fated Apollo 13 launched at 13:13 CST on Apr. 11, 1970. The sum of the date’s digits (4-11-70) is 13 (as in 4+1+1+7+0 = 13). And the explosion that crippled the spacecraft occurred on April 13 (not a Friday). The crew did make it back to Earth safely, however.

3. Many hospitals have no room 13, while some tall buildings skip the 13th floor.

4. Fear of Friday the 13th – one of the most popular myths in science – is called paraskavedekatriaphobia as well as friggatriskaidekaphobia. Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13.

5. Quarterback Dan Marino wore No. 13 throughout his career with the Miami Dolphins. Despite being a superb quarterback (some call him one of the best ever), he got to the Super Bowl just once, in 1985, and was trounced 38-16 by the San Francisco 49ers and Joe Montana (who wore No. 16 and won all four Super Bowls he played in).

6. Butch Cassidy, notorious American train and bank robber, was born on Friday, April 13, 1866.

7. Fidel Castro was born on Friday, Aug. 13, 1926.

8. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal. Napoleon and Herbert Hoover were also triskaidekaphobic, with an abnormal fear of the number 13.

9. Superstitious diners in Paris can hire a quatorzieme, or professional 14th guest.

10. Mark Twain once was the 13th guest at a dinner party. A friend warned him not to go. “It was bad luck,” Twain later told the friend. “They only had food for 12.”

11. Woodrow Wilson considered 13 his lucky number, though his experience didn’t support such faith. He arrived in Normandy, France on Friday, Dec. 13, 1918, for peace talks, only to return with a treaty he couldn’t get Congress to sign. (The ship’s crew wanted to dock the next day due to superstitions, Fernsler said.) He toured the United States to rally support for the treaty, and while traveling, suffered a near-fatal stroke.

12. The number 13 suffers from its position after 12, according to numerologists who consider the latter to be a complete number – 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Jesus, 12 days of Christmas and 12 eggs in a dozen.

13. The seals on the back of a dollar bill include 13 steps on the pyramid, 13 stars above the eagle’s head, 13 war arrows in the eagle’s claw and 13 leaves on the olive branch. So far there’s been no evidence tying these long-ago design decisions to the present economic situation.

Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson are “American Idol’s” new twist this year with the introduction of a onetime-only save the judges can invoke if they feel a contestant has been voted out before his or her time—à la Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson and Michael Johns (or so went the introductory explanation of the new rule).

There were no such reprieves Wednesday, however, for 16-year-old wild-card finalist Jasmine Murray and the charming Jorge Nuñez, and now only 11 remain on Idol after Michael Jackson night made stars out of some and sideshows out of others.

If the judges ever choose to save someone, two will get the boot a week later. And once they’ve saved someone, the privilege is available to no one else.

While a save might have been in order for standouts like Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey and Lil Rounds, Cowell & Co. were not faced with such a predicament, as the trio garnered enough of the 33 million votes to sail on through to next week.

Along with Danny, Lil, Adam and Anoop, Michael Sarver, Alexis Grace, Scott MacIntyre, Megan Corkrey, Allison Iraheta, Kris Allen and Matt Giraud remain. And next week, with the double elimination out of the way, someone’s going to have to take that trip down memory lane alone.

Steve-O from “Jackass” is the latest contestant hurting on “Dancing With The Stars”.

“A physical therapist has told me that nerves are being pinched in my back, and it is in spasms because of inflammation related to torn muscles. I’m doing everything I can to let it heal—icing it, taking Advil, drinking water, visiting a chiropractor and continuing to be worked on by the physical therapist. I’m still rehearsing every day, but walking through my salsa routine rather than practicing the physical stunts and tricks that are incorporated into it. It is going to be a risky routine that I hope to pull off.”

However, his pro partner, Lacey Schwimmer, says that Steve-O, 34, was off to see a fourth specialist Thursday regarding a painful back injury believed to be related to their recent salsa rehearsals.

“They all say he has pulled a lot of sciatic nerves and that’s pretty bad,” Schwimmer says. “Everyone who has looked at him has said that it’s not good. He’s in pain.” Even so, Schwimmer says Steve-O is committed to staying in the show…

“It would really suck if he had to get out of the competition,” she says. “But if it doesn’t get better it is something the show and Steve-o are considering. His health is more important than a TV show. But Steve-O has also told me, ‘There is no way I am going to get out of this.’ He doesn’t care. He’s jumped off buildings. He’ll dance through a few minutes of pain, I’m sure.”

Steve-O can’t pinpoint exactly when things started to go wrong with his back, according to Schwimmer, but the pain escalated during this week’s salsa practice. But for now, the Steve-O show will go on.

“We’re not able to do a lot of the tricks and other plans we had hoped for,” Schwimmer says. “Hopefully, if his back gets better we can put them back in. It’s a very fun routine.”

An ABC rep did not immediately comment on Steve-O. As we all know, the Dancing With the Stars curse hit the eighth season of the hit show before it even began.

Jewel and Nancy O’Dell had to drop out just days before the season premiere on Monday. And just yesterday, computer guru Steve Wozniak was photographed leaving a dance studio with a cast on his left foot.

But he’s staying in the game…for now.

An ABC spokesperson confirmed “Woz” has injured his foot but has decided to continue: “He has seen a doctor and is taking precautions and resting his foot whenever he can.”

Patrick Swayze lashed out at the National Enquirer Wednesday over its latest cover, which features a picture of a gaunt and seemingly hairless Swayze and boasts the big, block-letter headline: “Patrick Swayze: The End.”

“It’s amazing to me that the tabloids such as the National Enquirer print such negative stories about me and my health when there are so many positive things going on in my life right now,” Swayze said in a statement to People.

“I’ve started a new chemotherapy and, once again, I am one of the lucky ones with pancreatic cancer that is responding well to the treatment.”

The Dirty Dancing star, who most recently carried the A&E FBI drama The Beast, revealed a year ago that he was fighting the good fight against the disease, having caught it early enough to keep hope of recovery alive.

Friday the 13th! — It’s bad luck to:

Begin a new job or a trip
Cut off both ends of a loaf of bread
Flip your mattress
Put new shoes on the table
Leave your hat on the bed
Walk under a ladder
Pour water on a windowsill
Plant potatoes
Lean a broom on a bed
Open an umbrella indoors
Do housework
Wear new clothes
Cut your hair
Sneeze to your left side
Have a black cat cross your path

It’s good luck to:

Cut your finger nails on a Friday to avoid a toothache during the month.
Take candy to a friend during your first visit of the New Year.
Pick the first violets of spring.
When you set the table, place the salt down first.
If you drop a spoon, expect friends to drop by soon.
If your left hand itches, money will come to you.
When you move to a new house, take a broom and a loaf of bread with you.
Put a red bow on a newborn baby.
Don’t sweep dust out the front door or you’ll sweep away good luck.
Make a wish when you see the first robin of spring. If it doesn’t fly away before you finish wishing it’ll come true.

Just after she performed her Circus act for Madonna in New York City last night, who didn’t stay for the encore, Britney Spears debuted her brand-new music for “If U Seek Amy” on her official website.

Controversy recap: This song is supposed to be very inappropriate because if you say it really fast and imagine you’re at a dancing orgy like Britney is in the video, it spells the F-word. That’s also why that news lady is so angry at the beginning of the clip. Nothing gets people’s attention like a fuss over the F-word.

But back to the video: It features a bunch of sexy people in various states of undress and Britney in these fancy shoes, following the panty trail that might lead to Amy. Dance break! Then she changes into the ideal Stepford wife with a fresh-baked pie, two perfect children and a non-K-Fed husband.

“Doesn’t make any sense, does it?” asks the angry news lady at the end.

Joaquin Phoenix has added another chapter to his wacky post-acting saga. The aspiring rapper got into quite a scuffle, which ended his Miami Beach club performance prematurely.

The 34-year-old star took the stage at LIV nightclub at Fontainebleau just before 2 a.m. with the scruffy and unkempt beard he’s been sporting of late. Shortly after he began rapping and nodding his head to a beat provided by the DJ, a man in the audience began to mock Phoenix.

That’s when Phoenix lost his cool, calling out the man and cursing. “We have a f–king a—— in the audience,” he said, continuing to bob his head. “I’ve got a million dollars in the bank. What have you got, b—-?”

Then he dove into the audience, but it wasn’t to crowd surf.

A source says the pair’s on-again, off-again relationship may have ended sometime within the last week, when Aniston returned from her overseas Marley & Me junket. “He broke up with her when she got back from her European tour,” the source said.

Aniston’s rep did not immediately comment. Mayer’s rep declined to comment on the singer’s personal life.

WANT TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LEVEL OF INSANITY? CHECK THESE!

1. At lunch time, sit In your parked car With sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down.

2. Page yourself over the intercom. Don’t disguise your voice!

3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that.

4. Put decaf In The coffee maker For 3 Weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to Espresso.

5. In the memo field of all Your checks, write ‘For Marijuana’

6. Skip down the hall rather than walk and see how many looks you get.

7. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat,with a serious face.

8. Specify that your Drive-through order is ‘To Go’.

9. Sing Along At The Opera.

10. Five days in advance, tell your friends you can’t attend their party because you have a headache.

11. When the money comes out the ATM, scream ‘I Won!!! I Won!!!’

12. When leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot, yelling ‘Run for your lives!! They’re loose!!’

13. Tell Your children over dinner, ‘Due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go.’

And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity.

14. Pick up a box of condoms at the pharmacy, go to the counter and ask where the fitting room is!

Sean “Diddy” Combs feels that he was merely giving Chris Brown shelter from the storm. While being careful to note that he does “not think it’s right for anybody to hit anybody,” the hip-hop mogul said Tuesday on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that he offered up his Miami Beach mansion as a refuge for Brown and Rihanna last month as a favor to a friend.

“It was a dark time for them, and I was there as more of a support,” Combs explained. Rihanna and Brown spent some quiet time at Combs’ Star Island estate at the end of February, what was believed to be their first reunion since Brown’s February 8 arrest for allegedly attacking Rihanna in his rental car after the pair attended a pre-Grammy party.

The Internet is abuzz with the latest Miley Cyrus screw-up; At Hollywood’s Millions of Milkshakes (where she has a shake named after her—it’s called a Miley Shake!) She parked in a handicapped spot, while there to get her treat!

Miley’s taking a lot of heat from everyone, but wait, the star has just revealed she has a heart condition called tachycardia. Though it’s not dangerous, “There is never a time onstage when I’m not thinking about my heart,” Miley has revealed.

Dept Refinance Companies
With credit card companies charging 20%+ interest on credit card balances, many are struggling to make the mininum payments. These companies can consolidate credit card debt into a payments at a much lower interest rate.

Cheaper Car Insurance
Everyone likes to save money. Car insurance is one place that many can easily save 100s.

Preforeclosure Negotiators
These are people that help home owners stop foreclosure. They basically setup a shortsale with the banks to save the homeowners credit and get the house on the market at a price that will sell. These companies do very well during a recession.

Military Recruiters.
The war on terrorism is not over yet. Unemployment is going a lot higher, and that means there will be lots of unemployed young men looking for purpose.

Rehab Centers
When times get tough, many people turn to liquor and drugs as a way of coping. With this increase in drugs and crime will come the addicts who can’t break the addiction. Rehab Centers want to find these addicts and help them.

Temp Agencies
Many are and will becoming unemployed in the next few years. Temp Agencies help match workers with jobs. They are always looking for more workers to fit specific skill sets.

Gamers Stores
Since it costs too much to go to a movie, or dinner. Many Single Males have a complete addiction to video games. Video Game rentals and subscription plans can be a very lucrative business.

MY SPECIAL GUEST ON K-EARTH 101 FRIDAY, DR. JOE SCHWARCZ!

HERE’S DR. JOE’S LATEST BOOK “AN APPLE A DAY”!

YOU CAN EMAIL DR. JOE SCHWARCZ AT joe.schwarcz@mcgill.ca

“American Idol” has a Top 13 after eight more survival-dependent performances Thursday night, which contained, as always, a few “interesting” song choices and, not as always, a couple of repeats.

Anoop Desai resurrected “My Prerogative,” which he also sang during Hollywood Week. Tatiana Del Toro didn’t do herself any favors belting out “Saving All My Love for You” for the second week in a row. Tatiana’s dramatic run finally ended, despite an impressive vocal on one of the tougher Whitney songs in the book, her big voice and Vote for the Worst-tailored personality weren’t enough to get her over the final hump. “We love you and we’ve had a lot of fun with you and you are a brilliant singer,” Paula Abdul assured the emotionally stricken singer. “And make no mistake about it, you’re going to be going places.”

Jasmine Murray, 16, an early favorite who butchered “Love Song” last week, had another chance to endear herself to America after surprising the judges with her big, booming vocal. Also earning a spot in the judges’ eyes was Megan Corkrey, whose atypical voice massaged K.T. Tunstall’s “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” into a very listenable snippet. “Not the best vocal we’re ever going to hear but it doesn’t matter. It was terrific,” Simon Cowell said. Which, coming from him, means that Megan is cute as a button.

Although Simon didn’t care for Matt Giraud’s fedora and scarf, the judges went with Matt to make the first-ever Idol Top 13.

Here are the still-in-it-to-win-it singers on tap to bring it next week:

• Kris Allen, 23
• Megan Corkrey, 22
• Anoop Desai, 21
• Matt Giraud, 23
• Danny Gokey, 28
• Alexis Grace, 21
• Allison Iraheta, 16
• Adam Lambert, 26
• Scott MacIntyre, 23
• Jasmine Murray, 16
• Jorge Nunez, 20
• Lil Rounds, 23
• Michael Sarver, 27

In a DWTS first, not one but two contestants have been sidelined with injuries before the new season has even aired. ABC has just confirmed that Access Hollywood host Nancy O’Dell and singer Jewel will not be a part of the new season due to leg injuries.

O’Dell suffered a twist to her right knee during rehearsals and has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus. Jewel has suffered fractured tibiae in both legs.

So who will replace the two ladies? Inside sources confirm that Holly Madison of E!’s reality series Girls Next Door will be coming on the dancefloor this season.

And now, Hugh Hefner himself comfirms today to Malkin that his ex-girlfriend Holly has been cast, saying he “made the arrangments” for Madison to replace Jewel on the show. “It’s a show she’s wanted to be on for a long time,” Hefner tells Malkin. “I’m delighted. It’s all good stuff.”

The other newbie will be announced on the Dancing With the Stars season premiere on Monday night. And according to ABC, Jewel and O’Dell will appear to talk about their injuries.

Sex and the City hunk Gilles Marini also has been diagnosed with tendonitis in his shoulder and groin. So far, he’s hanging in there.

Robin Williams is taking a time-out for “a little tune-up.” The Oscar winner announced today he is postponing the remaining dates of his one-man show, Weapons of Self-Destruction, to undergo heart surgery.

The 57-year-old Williams announced Tuesday he was scuttling two shows in Florida this week after experiencing shortness of breath. Following a checkup, Williams discovered he needed a procedure to replace an aortic valve.

A CLIP OF ROBIN WILLIAMS ON THE CRAIG FERGUSON SHOW A MONTH AGO!

In a statement, Williams expresses optimism that he will be able to resume his show in the fall. “I’m so touched by everyone’s support and well wishes,” said Williams. “This tour has been amazing fun, and I can’t wait to get back out on the road after a little tune-up.”

It’s the news fans have been waiting for. Michael Jackson is looking to mount a thriller of a comeback, nearly four years since he was acquitted of child-molestation charges.

The erstwhile King of Pop is aiming to reclaim his throne, announcing today at a press conference plans to play 10 concerts in London’s O2 Arena, his first string of shows in more than a decade. “I love you very much,” a fit-looking Jackson told thousands of screaming devotees. “This is it.

“I just want to say that these will be my final show performances in London. This will be it. When I say this is it, it really means this is it,” Jackson added. “I’ll be performing the songs my fans want to hear…this is the final curtain call. I’ll see you in July.”

Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are getting back to where they once belonged—on the stage. The surviving Beatles have confirmed they will play together at an April 4 benefit concert in New York’s Radio City Music Hall to support David Lynch’s eponymous foundation, which the Twin Peaks director created to teach students the value of transcendental meditation.

Other big names on the bill include Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper, Moby and Bettye LaVette. Tickets for the Change Begins Within show go on sale Monday at 11 a.m. via Ticketmaster.

MANNY RAMIREZ SIGNS 2 YEAR-$45 MILLION DOLLAR DODGER DEAL!

HERE’S THE LINK TO KCBS-CHANNEL 2′S JIM HILL WITH MANNY RAMIREZ!

http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=95307@kcbs.dayport.com

Manny Ramirez today signed a two- year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers after helping the Major League Baseball team to win the National League West Division last season. The Dodgers didn’t disclose in an e-mailed statement the terms of the agreement with the 12-time All-Star outfielder. Ramirez, who was a free agent, will earn $25 million in 2009 and $20 million next year, MLB.com said.

“Manny showed great leadership in the clubhouse and on the field last season and to say we’re very pleased that he’s back with the Dodgers is an understatement,” Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said. “Now we focus our complete and undivided attention on our primary goal — winning a World Championship.”

The 36-year-old Ramirez hit .396 with 17 home runs and 53 runs batted in during 53 regular-season games with the Dodgers last year. He was acquired by the Dodgers from the Boston Red Sox at the July 31 trade deadline along with cash considerations as part of a three-team deal with Pittsburgh.

With Ramirez, the Dodgers made their first National League Championship appearance since 1988 after sweeping the Chicago Cubs in postseason play.

“Manny has shown that he has an ability to significantly alter our lineup,” General Manager Ned Colletti said.

The right-hander batted .332 with 37 homers and 121 RBIs in 153 games with the Red Sox and Dodgers in 2008. He ranked third in the MLB in batting average, tied for fourth in homers and tied for sixth in RBIs.

Ramirez is 17th on baseball’s all-time home-run list, with 527, and is one of eight players in history with 30 or more homers in at least 12 seasons. He also is one of just nine players to have hit at least 20 home runs in 14 straight seasons.

Brilliant singer-songwriter-guitarist Kenny Loggins—who boasts hits in each of the last three decades—joins Pacific Symphony for a night of Pops paradise in the Reneé and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall on Thursday-Saturday, March 5-7, at 8 p.m.

Known as a musician who effortlessly crosses the boundaries between rock, country, jazz and pop, Loggins has earned more than 12 platinum albums, featuring such songs as “Danny’s Song,” performed during his days as half of the mega-group Loggins and Messina, and the Grammy Award®-winning “This is it.” But it’s his movie soundtrack smash hits in the 1980s and ’90s—most notably, for “Footloose” and “Top Gun”—that led to his iconic stature in the world of rock.

For the first half of the concert, guest conductor—jazz afficionado and conductor of the Honolulu Symphony Pops—Matt Catingub leads Pacific Symphony through a collection of big band favorites including “Soul Bossa Nova” and “Swingin’ Waikiki.” Ticket prices are $25-$125; for more information, call (714) 755-5799 or visit http://www.pacificsymphony.org./

TOM JONES TAKES US BACK TO WHERE HIS MUSIC ALL STARTED IN ENGLAND!

I had a neighbor who had bought a new pickup. I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of his beige truck (for some unknown reason).

I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news. He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open.
Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off. It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck.

I’m impressed! WD-40 who knew? ‘Water Displacement #40′

The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and de-greaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its’ name comes from the project that was to find a ‘water displacement’ compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.

Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.

When you read the ‘shower door’ part, try it. It’s the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It’s a miracle! Then try it on your stove top … Viola! It’s now shinier than it’s ever been. You’ll be amazed.

Here are some other uses:

1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floors that ‘just-waxed’ sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps flies off cows.
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.
18. It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn’t seem to harm the finish and you won’t have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!
20. Gives a children’s playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.
22. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes splattered grease from the stove.
32. Keeps bathroom mirrors from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37. Florida ‘s favorite use is: ‘cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.’
38. The favorite use in the state of New York , WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it’s a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.
40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.
42. Also, if you’ve discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!
43. If you spray WD-40 on a distributor cap, it will displace the moisture and allow the car to start.

THERE’S BEEN A RUMOR GOING AROUND THAT THE MAIN INGREDIENT IN WD-40 IS FISH OIL. NOT TRUE, ACCORDING TO SNOPES.COM. HERE’S WHAT THEY FOUND OUT!

The product is primarly pertroleum based, with the main ingredients being:

1. Solvent naphtha petroleum, medium apliphatic 60%
2. Pertroleum base oil as paraffinic distillate, heavy, sovent-dewaxed (severe) 15 to 25%
3. Corrosion inhibitor unregulated 1 to 10%
4. Wetting agent unregulated 0 to 1%
5. Fragrance unregulated 0 to 1%
6. Carbon dioxide 2 to 3%