| Village: Racino, raceway move could cost Monticello millions
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Weekly entertainment calendar
Cirque du Soleil's Saltimbanco": This acrobatic show explores the urban experience in all its aspects, 1 & 5 p.m. Joe Louis Arena, 600 Civic Center Dr., Detroit. 313-983-6606. $37.50-$67.50. Home Improvement Show: More than 300 exhibitors, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Rock Financial Showplace, 46100 Grand River, Novi. 248-737-4477. $10, $9 seniors. Free for ages 12 and younger. Parking fee is $5. Lenny Kravitz: 7:30 p.m. The Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward, Detroit. 313-961-5450. $35, $45. Moiseyev Dance Company: A company of more than 200 that preserves the best traditions of Russian folk dancing, 6 p.m. Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University, Ann Arbor. 734-764-2538. $10-$40. North American International Auto Show: Entering its 20th year as an international event, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Reviews of all the latest DVD releases
Investigative reporter Rowena Price (Halle Berry) goes undercover in cyberspace to track down her mate's killer. Her on-line target is top advertising executive Harrison Hill (Bruce Willis) - a man she's also trying to trap by getting a job, under a different alias, as a temp in his empire. Murky stuff which gets murkier by the minute as the two worlds - real and cyber - threaten to collide. Just who is Rowena talking to online? Is someone else out there? It's complicated stuff which takes a fair amount of unravelling, owing its origins to Rowena's own troubled childhood. But it's more than enough to hold your attention for a reasonably entertaining couple of hours of shadow-boxing and second-guessing - an effective thriller with twists ever more twisted as Rowena seems increasingly ensnared in a web of her own making.
The Price of Power
But as the potential benefits began to materialize, it didn't take long for the big picture to start coming into focus. "Companies soon realized that the rates fluctuated so significantly that just beating their utilities might not be the best objective," McLeish explains. "Instead, many found that it was better to get on a risk management platform with a supplier, looking for opportunities when the market dips and trying to avoid exposure to price spikes." .
U.S. Hwy. 199 to receive two upgrades by fall 2008
GASQUET The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced Tuesday that two upgrade projects on U.S. Hwy. 199 are slated to be completed by fall 2008. Both projects were initiated by Caltrans for safety measures. The Hardscrabble Creek Bridge, also known as the Viggo "Vic" Meedom Memorial, was built in 1929. Caltrans is currently replacing the bridge before it becomes a safety hazard. The project started over the summer and will cost an estimated $3 million. "We're replacing it before it does wear out," said Julie East, spokesperson for Caltrans. "Bridges only last so long. We can stave off problems." The new bridge will be wider with 8-foot shoulders to better accommodate pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The contractor, American Civil Constructors, is using a technique known as the "jack and slide" method to replace the bridge.
Sound Advice: How to find an independently owned TV store
I recently spoke with the manager of my favorite CEDIA store and as we looked at his beautifully decorated showroom, divided into separate viewing areas with big comfy couches, I mentioned how much better off people would be if they went to his store rather than the big-box places. He laughed and said, "When people see all this they think it is going to cost them more to do business here than the big places, when it costs the same or less." CEDIA members usually have special financing offers available from manufacturers, and many of them are also members of Brandsource as well. I've preached the value of independently owned retailers for years, and in writing this column it made me reflect on each major purchase. In each case I received a better deal and truly impressive service from people who own the store and make it their profession, not just an hourly job.
Time to look back on some horrible predictions
Your faithful servants at ESPN.com offered no fewer than 16 dueling complete NFL forecasts for division winners, wild-card teams, Coach of the Year, MVPs and the like. The Super Bowl predictions: New England over Chicago (predicted three times), New England over Seattle (predicted twice), New England over New Orleans (predicted twice), New England over Dallas (predicted twice), San Diego over New Orleans (predicted twice), Baltimore over New Orleans, Baltimore over Chicago, New England over Philadelphia, New Orleans over San Diego, Baltimore over Philadelphia. All wrong! Of 32 ESPN.com predicted Super Bowl entrants, 15 did not make the playoffs. Four ESPN.com predicted Super Bowl winners did not make the playoffs. One ESPN.com prediction had Brian Billick as Coach of the Year; Billick was fired.
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