Elderly and disabled residents in Santa Fe, Texas need to make sure their names are added to the list for evacuation assistance in Santa Fe, Texas. This suburb of Galveston, Texas is in the heart of hurricane country. The city of Santa Fe’s officials lost the list of those who need assistance, and considering it is hurricane season, more than a few of the citizens of Santa Fe, who need assistance are feeling nervous.

City officials are blaming the list’s disappearance on a computer glitch during a switchover of network systems. Either way, it is an unfortunate mistake that could cost the lives of many of the citizens of Santa Fe, if a hurricane were to form and the city had to be evacuated quickly.<

Police Chief, Barry Cook, of the Santa Fe station is requesting that those with special needs help rebuild the list, to ensure they are listed in the event of an emergency. The last time the list was used was during in Hurricane Rita. Back in 2005, when the hurricane hit the coast hard, approximately 40 residents on the list were assisted out of harms way. Without the list, their lives are in jeopardy.

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Isaiah Washington is running his mouth again…this time about why he got fired from the hit ABC television drama, Grey’s Anatomy. The “homophobic” actor is screaming racism as he was axed after more then one gay-offensive “faux pas”. Initially, Washington seemed “apologetic” for his remarks, but like everything else, actions speak louder than words. Washington’s latest actions speak of a much, harsher reality.

The first “incident” in which Washington used an anti-gay slur occurred on set during a clash with co-star Patrick Dempsey. During the tiff, Washington used the slur to refer to co-star, T.R. Knight, who admitted he is a homosexual. This set off the frenzy in the media that followed and caused fellow Grey’s star, Katherine Heigl to defend her friend T.R. and chastise Washington for his behavior.

Washington, who initially tried to show remorse for his hateful and homophobic remarks, also suggested that he could go to counseling. However, that was not enough for the network or his cast mates, especially when he brought the incident back into the spotlight during the Golden Globes. This is when he denied ever saying that “word” (yes…he did say it again), which brought even more criticism from his second slip up.

Now, it is he, who is screaming discrimination after his character was written off the popular doctor drama. It had to be because he is black and not because he is a bigoted hate monger. Of course, who would ever fire someone for a gay slur anyway? In his latest interview with Newsweek, CNN reports exactly what Washington thinks about the firing.

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The UK is on high alert as the second possible terrorist attack hit its target, when a burning car drove into the Glasgow Airport on Saturday, June 30, 2007. The car, which drove through a security barrier blocking entrance to the airport’s terminal building, was engulfed in flames as it drove into the building.

Initial reports, by CNN.com list eyewitnesses as saying the explosion in the car was not huge, so it could have been an explosion of the petrol tank. However, with the UK on high alert already from a potential terrorist attack being thwarted just a day before in London, authorities are being as cautious as possible. As information on this story becomes available, we will be updating this page.

The car that drove into the airport terminal building was in the style of an SUV (perhaps a Jeep Cherokee). Witnesses say that immediately following the crash a man jumped out of the car. After running from the car, he was quickly apprehended by police. While it is unclear if there are any casualties or injuries from this most recent potential terrorist attack, witnesses to the incident say a man (possibly a second man who left the car) was on fire. At this time, police have two men in custody.

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When we first started writing on the web and doing movie reviews, Ashtyn & I had a blog called, “Not Quite as Punny as Joel…” This was, no doubt, named in honor of Film Critic Joel Siegel. Known for his corny puns and ability to hold nearly every actor accountable for less than desirable performances, Joel Siegel was a legend amongst reviewers.

Sadly, Siegel passed away on Friday, June 29, 2007 after a battle with colon cancer. At age 63, Siegel, who was known as the “film guy” on Good Morning America, had accomplished things many of us reviewers dream of doing in a lifetime. He had a weekly spot on the morning show and won a total of five, New York Emmy’s for his work as a critic.

The ABC family, in particular ABC News and its President, David Westin, speak very highly of Siegel who was not only a “brilliant reviewer” he was also a friend who will be missed by everyone at the station. Likely, Siegel will be missed by many across the world who have to deal these days with more “butt-kissing” critics who do not come from a time when filmmakers were held accountable for their work. Instead, these people are favored by popularity.

Siegel, on the other hand, was known for his sharp criticism, and honest nature. Unlike the younger critics of today, he was known for questioning within his reviews why some of the most overrated actors and filmmakers had the appeal they did and pushing the envelope as he dissected these films in an entertaining and insightful way.

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You knew it was bound to happen. The toxicology reports are not even back yet on wrestling fixture Chris Benoit, his wife, and his son, who passed away tragically earlier last weekend and yet the rumor mill is running rampant with a virtual “whodunit”. Rather than asking why the wrestler would murder his wife and the seven year old child friends and family claim Benoit “held on a pedestal” before committing suicide, the net is abuzz with “who” could have possibly killed Benoit and his family…other than Benoit himself.

The theories run the gamut, from Chris Benoit’s wife, Nancy, having an affair, to her ex-husband Kevin Sullivan coming and killing all three. However, there is one common theme…Chris Benoit is the hero or victor in nearly every scenario. For some reason, people simply cannot accept that Benoit, one of the most popular wrestlers with the WWE, could be capable of such a heinous crime, and yet everything points to him being responsible for the deaths of all three of the Benoits.

In one theory, long time wrestling fans have Chris Benoit’s one time rival in the ring, Kevin Sullivan, coming up from his home in Florida, to murder Nancy. The theory is that if Kevin couldn’t have her, then nobody could. Jealous of the child Kevin never had with his ex-wife, the rage filled Sullivan, murdered the child. However, Benoit, who was not home during the first two killings, found his wife, and as he stood their in shock, the conspiracy theorists believe Kevin snuck up on Benoit, knocked him out, and hung him from his weight equipment…in another room in the house.

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Literary Illusions is pleased to announce a contest to win one of two copies available of the newly released movie, Bridge to Terabithia. Released by Disney on June 19, 2007, Bridge to Terabithia explores friendship, family, childhood, the imagination and aspects of life that all people, especially children must deal with in their lives. Based on the Newbury Award Winning Novel by Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabithia is a heart warming and inspiring movie for children and adults to watch together.

To enter the Literary Illusions Bridge to Terabithia contest, entries must be submitted by those over the age of 18. To enter, entries must include a name and address sent via email to be placed in the Bridge to Terabithia raffle drawing. To earn two extra raffle tickets after the initial first entry:

1. Post the URL (literaryillusions.com) on blogs, Myspaces, websites, forum signatures, etc.

2. Send an email with the URL where the LI URL was posted to the LI email

3. Each time a link is posted, two raffle entries are given (meaning an unlimited amount of entries can be posted

The drawing will be held on September 1, 2007, so entries can be in no later than 11:59 PM EST on August 31, 2007.

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Detroit, Michigan - Literary Illusions has been offered a copy of John Twelve Hawks new novel, The Dark River, for giveaway! In case you are not familiar, Hawkes is the best selling author of the novel, The Traveler. The Dark River is the highly anticipated follow up for The Traveler.

If you want to win a copy of this novel before its release date we can make that happen. Well…if you’re lucky that is. Of course, we are going to make our contest as simple as possible to ensure that plenty of people have a crack at winning this first edition, pre-released copy of The Dark River. We have listed a synopsis below for information on the novel if you are unfamiliar with the story.

All you need to do is go to our website and email us through our contact link. Then let us know the name of the last book you read. You can feel free to give us your thoughts on the novel, what you liked and what you didn’t, though that is not required to win the contest. If you prefer, you can send us a link to a post you have written on your blog or website detailing this information (on the last book your read).

If at the end of the post you make sure to let people know that they can win a free copy of The Dark River by John Twelve Hawks for writing a similar post and include a link to our site so that they can find out more information, you will receive an extra entry into our contest.

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In Games and Alawar Games bring you “Turtix”, a lively side-scrolling game featuring bigheaded turtles as its occupants. By now, if you’ve read up on Alawar Games, you know it’s downloads come fast and installation is even faster. In less than five minutes I was up and running, listening to jungle themed music as I entered my name to begin play in my own new profile. Easy to navigate and easy to read, the main menu has several options.

My recommendation is to begin in story mode, though you also have the option of arcade mode. Story mode allows you to learn more about the game and the (duh) story behind it. That, or you can keep reading here. First things first, you’ve typed in your name and now you have an extra information panel on the main menu. This panel tells you which profile is loaded, what level that profile is on, and what difficulty the profile is set to.

Clicking on story mode brings up the “new game” screen, wherein you’re able to set the difficulty rating. Easy is for beginners who haven’t played much of the arcade style games. Medium is the setting most of us who’ve played Super Mario Brothers even once will likely enjoy, and Expert is the setting for die-hard fans of side-scrolling fun. Once you’ve chosen your difficulty setting, you’re taken to the story panels. You learn that Turtix, the title character of the game, was the star pupil of an old shaman and together they ran the school of magic.

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The fun of being a critic is having the ability to see so much diversity in the area that you are reviewing. When it comes to television I have had a chance to review the good and the bad. Scrubs, in my opinion is somewhere in between. Granted, this show is one of the highest rated around. The people that love this show defend it fiercely. However, it is not a traditional sitcom comedy and therefore there will be some that do not jump on the Scrubs bandwagon.

Admittedly, this box set was my first time watching the series. So, I am coming into the show on the fifth season. Things have already happened, but with most 30-minute shows I was able to pick things up fairly quickly regardless of the fact that I was not watching the first season.

For those that have never seen the show it is about the staff of Sacred Heart Hospital. Get it, a show about doctors called Scrubs. Quirky isn’t it? I thought so, too. There are plenty of laughs to be had, but they are not your traditional jokes, gags, and pranks that are typical of your average sitcom. The episodes of Scrubs are linked more than the average show so that the characters tend to learn lessons or to grow over a period of lessons as opposed to say, every 30 minutes.

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New to the US, Jig-A-Loo dry lubricant is the new alternative for all your lubricating and water-repelling needs. You can spray it on your bowling ball to get it down the lane faster or put some on the hinges of your old lawn chair to get rid of that squeaking sound. In the winter time, try spraying it on your snow chains to avoid rust and weather damage.

Literary Illusions is giving away a Jig-A-Loo prize package and it’s as easy as can be to win! All you have to do is email us your name and address for a chance to win in our Jig-A-Loo drawing! Feel free to comment on this post to let us know you’ve entered. Otherwise, feel free to email us your entry. Those who add a link to our website (literaryillusions.com) to their Myspace, Blog, webpage, etc. receive one extra entry into the contest. We will be picking a winner on July 10th. The winner will receive the following prize pack:

-One can of Jig-A-Loo to try for all of your household, gardening, extreme sporting and outdoor needs
-One Jig-A-Loo graphic T-shirt
-One Jig-A-Loo hat
-One $25 gift card to Walmart
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