LABOR DAY TRAVEL

More Americans are expected to travel over this Labor Day weekend compared to last year's holiday. A Triple-A poll is showing an increase of nearly ten-percent in holiday travel this year, with nearly 34-point-five-million people planning to roam at least 50 miles from their home.Most travelers intend to hit the road, with 91-percent saying they'll drive to their destination over the long weekend.

"DANCING WITH THE STARTS" RETURNS

The new caste of ABC's "Dancing With The Stars," was announced Monday night. "Dancing With The Stars" returns to the airwaves for an eleventh season on ABC on Monday, September 20th. Click here for the official "Dancing With The Stars," website.

Here is a list of the season eleven competitors on "Dancing With The Stars."

The Women:
1. Brandy
2. Jennifer Grey, "Dirty Dancing"
3. Margaret Cho
4. Audrina Patridge
5. Florence Henderson, 76, of Brady Bunch
6. Bristol Palin, Sarah's daughter

The Men:
1. Michael Bolton
2. Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino
3. David Hasselhoff
4. Kurt Warner, former football QB
5. Kyle Massey
6. Rick Fox

JOHNNY MATHIS TURNS 75!

Johnny Mathis is will turn "75 years young" next month. He'll be performing in Baltimore, Maryland at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on his big day, September 30th. The date is part of Mathis' extensive tour schedule through the end of 2010. Click here for concert dates...

MADONNA IN SIN CITY?

" Sin City" is reportedly trying to lure pop's Material Girl into a long-term deal. MTV reports that the Material Girl has been offered a cool one-billion dollars to perform as an artist in residence in Las Vegas.
In related Madonna news, the 52-year-old has started shooting her directorial debut with "W.E.," a romantic comedy.

CELEBRITY YEARBOOK PHOTOS

It's time once again to discover that some celebrities have always looked good and others slept late for their high school yearbook photo. Click here for the entire collection.

NEW MUSIC FROM VETERAN SOURCES

Bob Dylan is close to releasing another "Bootleg." He'll debut the ninth volume in his "Bootleg" series in October. The 48-track double album will feature the "Witmark Demos," recorded in the early 1960s when Dylan worked with publishers Leeds Music and M. Witmark & Sons.
Some of music's greats have lent their support to Eric Clapton's first solo album in five years. The album "Clapton,"is due for release in September and features Blind Faith bandmate Steve Winwood, pop star Sheryl Crow, jazz man Wynton Marsalis, R&B legend Allen Toussaint, and blues veteran JJ Cale.


Longtime collaborators Sir Elton John and Leon Russell will release a new album, "The Union," this fall. Decca Records is releasing "The Union" on October 19th.

ONE LOO FOR SALE!

An ornate toilet bowl that once occupied one of John Lennon's English homes is up for sale. It was a fixture in the late Beatle's Berkshire residence. The item is part of a sell-off of Beatles memorabilia at the 33rd Annual Beatles Convention in Liverpool, England. The audtion will take place appropriately at Paul McCartney Auditorium at the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts.

TREEHOUSES!! PROPERTY VALUE OF THE NEIGHBOR'S HOME? (dropping)

Check out these amazing photos of things made of trees and made in (and on) trees. Click here...

MOVIES SO BAD THEY'RE GOOD!!

Jonathan Crow's attached list includes some shows that are "so bad" they continue to generate profit as cult classics. (so bad that they are good) For me, Rocky Horror Picture Show comes to mind. Here's his list...

BILL AND TOM (PLAYED FOOTBALL ?)

A pair of television icons will be honored by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame this December. Comedian Bill Cosby will be the 56th recipient of the National Football Foundation's Gold Medal, while veteran news anchor Tom Brokaw will be the 39th recipient of the Distinguished American Award.

ERNEST BORGNINE HONORED

Veteran screen actor Ernest Borgnine will receive a Life Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild. Borgnine, who won an Oscar for his title role in 1955's "Marty," will be honored in January. At 93 years old, Borgnine is still working. He will appear in the upcoming movie "Red," starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren and Richard Dreyfuss. Borgnine is also remembered for his role of Lt. Commander Quinton McHale in the 1960s comedy series "McHale's Navy."

The Switch

Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston are getting parental in "The Switch." The comedy opens nationwide this Friday. Aniston plays Kassie, a single woman who decides it's time to have a baby and puts a call out for sperm donor candidates."The Switch" is PG-13. Watch the trailer here...


Vampires Suck

The "Jersey Shore," the Jonas Brothers, and the "Twilight" films are among the targets that get spoofed in "Vampires Suck," opening nationwide today. "Vampires Suck" is rated PG-13.


Nanny McPhee Returns

British actress Emma Thompson is on the big screen in "Nanny McPhee Returns" this week. The family film opens in nationwide release on Friday. Nanny McPhee's challenge in this sequel to the 2005 original is to put the household of Mrs. Isabel Green in order."Nanny McPhee Returns" is rated PG.


Piranha 3D

Set in beautiful Lake Victoria during Spring Break, the horror flick centers on a glut of deadly piranhas that take over after an underwater earthquake. "Piranha 3D" is rated R.

A BEACH BOY AND THE GERSHWIN BOYS

Brian Wilson's new album is making its debut this week. The former Beach Boy's tribute to Ira and George Gershwin -- "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin" is on sale now. Among the tracks re-interpreted by the man who co-wrote "California Girls" is "Rhapsody In Blue." Wilson has cited "Rhapsody" as his favorite song.

CHER

Not only is Cher getting ready to release the movie "Burlesque," she's also working on a new album. But don't expect to hear anything that sounds like her 1998 hit dance song "Believe" this time around. Cher says, quote, "It's a little bit more real instruments like guitars and stuff like that."

Cher stars in "Burlesque" alongside fellow pop singer Christina Aguilera. The movie is due out on Thanksgiving Day.

BOB DYLAN, ARTIST (In this case, painter)

Bob Dylan's work as a painter is going on display in Copenhagen next month. Dylan's art is part of The National Gallery of Denmark's planned autumn exhibition. Dylan's "Brazil" series will feature large canvas pieces created specifically for the gallery. Dylan's said "If I could have expressed the same in a song, I would have written a song instead." (which would have left the gallery minus a canvas or two)

RARE ELVIS PHOTOS
(click here for newly released early Elvis photos)

TOP MOVIES

1. The Expendables - 35-million dollars
2. Eat Pray Love - 23-point-seven-million dollars
3. The Other Guys - 18-million dollars
4. Inception - eleven-point-four-million dollars
5. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World - ten-point-five-million dollar

ELVIS DEATH ANNIVERSARY

The King of Rock 'n' Roll passed away August 16th, 1977 after suffering a heart attack at Graceland -- his home in Memphis, Tennessee -- at the age of 42.

"Suspicious Minds" gets the nod as the most popular Elvis song from the majority of survey respondents at ElvisTribute.us. Following in second place is "An American Trilogy," with "Always On My Mind,""Can't Help Falling in Love" and "If I Can Dream" round out the top five. "In the Ghetto" "Burning Love" "Jailhouse Rock," "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" and "The Wonder of You" complete the top ten.

FARM AID IN MILWAUKEE THIS YEAR!!

Kenny Chesney is among the confirmed performers for Farm Aid. The singer is among the new additions to the upcoming show's lineup. Also on board for this fall's show are singer-songwriter Jason Mraz, Norah Jones, and The BoDeans. Farm Aid founders Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young will perform as usual- as will Dave Matthews. This year Farm Aid is marking its 25th anniversary. Miller Park in Milwaukee will be the host on October 2nd. Tickets to the show go on sale to the general public on Saturday. For ticket info, click here.

NEW MOVIES

Eat Pray Love

Julia Roberts stars in the adaptation of the best-selling book, "Eat Pray Love." The film, based on Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir, Roberts plays Liz, a restless soul who gives up everything an American woman in her 30s is "supposed to" want to travel overseas for one year."Eat Pray Love" is rated PG-13. Watch movie trailer here

The Expendables

Sylvester Stallone teams up with some of the biggest action stars of the 1980s and 90s to do what they do best in the new action adventure "The Expendables," Aging mercenaries are called upon to take down a ruthless dictator. An all-star cast joins Stallone on the big screen including Mickey Rourke and Bruce Willis. "The Expendables" is rated R.

REESE PLAYS PEGGY

Reese Witherspoon is on her way to portraying singer Peggy Lee. Variety.com reports that the Oscar-winning actress is collaborating with FOX 2000 to produce a movie about Lee. Peggy Lee grew up in North Dakota reportedly with a cruel stepmother and an alcoholic father. Later in life, she was married four times. Lee died in Bel Air, California in 2002 at age 81.

It won't be Witherspoon's first portrayal of a music legend. She won her Academy Award for her role as June Carter Cash in the 2005 film "Walk The Line."

CELEBRITIES STUFF

Collectors of oldies memorabilia are waiting for the "Iconic Objects Auction" September 24th. Hosted by Guernsey's Auction House it will feature personal items owned by timeless stars of song and screen. Up for the highest bidder is a cigarette case used by the late actor, Clark Gable and personal effects once owned by Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, and jazz great Charlie Parker. For more information, visit www.guernseys.com.

NFL SEASON OPENER LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY (AND FEATURING THE VIKINGS!)

Pop and country star Taylor Swift will be helping football fans kick off the 2010 NFL season. Swift will be performing prior to the season opener on September 9th. Also perfoming before the game is the Dave Matthews Band. The season gets underway with a rematch of last season's NFC championship game between the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints. Game time 7:30pm at the Superdome.

THIS SHOULD LOWER THE BACK PACK WEIGHT!
(alternate headline: LOSE IT AND YOU'RE DEAD AND YOU WILL NOT BE REVIVED!)

Along with their white doctors' coats, all brand-new medical students at the University of California, Irvine have been given iPads loaded with all the textbooks, course outlines and other materials they'll need for their first year. UC Irvine says the wireless iPads feature hundreds of medical applications, have note-taking and recording capabilities and let students access audio and video libraries, along with podcasts of archived lectures.

JOHN LENNON DOCUMENTARY

PBS will show the documentary tited "John Lennon In New York." The film is scheduled to air in November. It will center on the U.S. city that the musician called home and will feature a prologue narrated by his widow Yoko Ono. New York was also the scene of John Lennon's death in front of his West Side home on December 8th, 1980.

VETERAN ACTRESS PATRICIA NEAL HAS DIED

Patricia Neal, who won an Academy Award for her role in the movie "Hud," died on Sunday at her home on Martha's Vineyard. She was 84. For the complete story her career on Broadway and in movies, click here.

FIVE HEALTHY REASONS TO HAVE A BEER TODAY!
(In the Coulee Region, being alive is a healthy reason to have a beer!)


Check them out by clicking here.

SINGER BOBBY HEBB

Rhythm and blues singer Bobby Hebb has died. Hebb passed away Tuesday at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville at age 72. Hebb's biggest hit -- 1966's "Sunny" -- had its roots in tragedy. Hebb reportedly wrote the song after two difficult moments in his life. The first was the November 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy. The second was the murder of Hebb's own brother at knife point two days after the president's death. Listen to the song "Sunny." Click here.

NEW MOVIES

The Other Guys

Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell are "The Other Guys." The buddy comedy opens in nationwide release on Friday. Wahlberg plays Terry, a tough-as-nails New York detective who gets mismatched with Allen, a sweet, but officious desk jockey played by Ferrell."The Other Guys" is rated PG-13. See the movie trailer here...


Middle Men

Luke Wilson returns to the big screen with "Middle Men" this Friday. The actor plays Jack Harris, a clean-cut businessman who develops online billing for adult entertainment websites in the mid-1990s. "Middle Men" is rated R.

BING SINGS "YOU CAN ALWAYS DRIVE MY CAR"

One of the late Bing Crosby's prized possessions is heading to the auction blocks. USAToday.com reports that the crooner's 1966 Aston Martin DB6 will be offered at auction in Monterey, California later this month. The classic car features a cherry wood steering wheel and a four-liter overhead cam straight six engine. The highest bidder will also get a copy of the car's original title, which features Crosby's name. Bing died on October 14th, 1977. He was 74 years old.

FARM AID

Willie Nelson is bringing Farm Aid to the home of the Brewers. The country legend joined Farm Aid co-founder John Mellencamp in announcing this year's Farm Aid will take place at Milwaukee's Miller Park. Tickets for the October 2nd show go on sale August 14th. Along with Nelson and Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews will also perform with others yet to be announced.
This year Farm Aid is marking its 25th anniversary. Click here for more details.

MITCH MILLER HAS DIED! (It's sing-a-long time in heaven!)

Mitch Miller of "Sing Along With Mitch" fame, has died at the age of 99. (Yes, just follow the bouncing ball and sing along please.) Who can forget the famous goatee! I was not familiar with his producing of artists though I knew he was a record exec. Click here for the complete story.

TOP MOVIES AT THE BOX OFFICE

1. Inception - 27-point-five-million dollars
2. Dinner For Schmucks - 23-point-three-million dollars
3. Salt - 19-point-three-million dollars
4. Despicable Me - 15-point-four-million dollars
5. Cats & Dogs - 12-point-five-million dollars

HERE COMES THE JUDGE (MAYBE)

Steven Tyler didn't repond to reporters questions this past weekend about his being a possible new judge on American Idol. Hollywood is buzzing over the future of the FOX series and the need for not one, but two new judges. Ellen DeGeneres announced on Thursday that she was resigning from the show. Later that same day, TMZ.com reported that singer-songwriter Kara DioGuardi had been fired. Other big names being mentioned in conjunction with the judges' panel include Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, and Bret Michaels.

• ELVIS ON TOUR! (YES, HE'S STILL OUT THERE, SORT OF)
  
  Elvis Presley is making his way to DVD and Blu-Ray Disc in a big way Warner Brothers' has restored and remastered the "Elvis On Tour" documentary. The Golden Globe-winning "Elvis On Tour" features the late "King" of rock and roll on his 1972 15-city tour of America. Also featured are montages of Elvis' career highlights and films which were supervised by Oscar-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese.