Technology Slice Blog

Chaminade University - Francis Fletcher, a tenacious, dominating figure on local high school and college basketball courts in the 1980s, was found dead near his home here yesterday morning, friends said. The former Maryknoll School and Chaminade University standout was 46. The medical examiner's office said the cause of death has yet to be determined. "He was as tough and hard-nosed guy as I've ever had," said Merv Lopes, who coached Chaminade for 12 seasons. At Chaminade, where he played from 1984 to '87, Fletcher was deployed as a center and power forward. "It didn't matter," Lopes said, "he was, maybe, 6-foot, 6 inches, but he played with so much heart it didn't matter how big the other guys were. He didn't back down from anybody." Lopes said Fletcher helped keep the Silverswords program winning after the celebrated Will Pounds-Chico Furtado and Richard Haenisch-Tim Dunham eras, helping Chaminade to a streak of 10 consec...

Vince Neil Hits The Ice - Vince Neil is probably the most recognizable name in the cast of Skating With the Stars. To be honest, I was actually kind of shocked to see him on the show, but then I was even a little more shocked to find out that as a kid Vince took figure skating lessons. Can you imagine if Mötley Crüe didn’t make it and we had Vince Neil pro figure skater? What more can I say about Vince Neil that hasn’t already been said? He is a legend in the music industry and is the front man for one of the biggest, most successful bands in the world. He had lived a wild, crazy life that has run the gambit from seeing him play in front of 100,000 fans to facing years in jail for vehicular manslaughter. In that case Neil along with Hanoi Rocks drummer Nicholas Dingley and other were both drunk, got into Neil’s Pantera and drove to liquor store for more booze. On the way there Neil lost control of the car and hit an oncoming car. The passengers in the other two cars were hurt and one...

TSA Workers Being Abused - Airline passengers aren’t the only ones complaining about the Transportation Security Administration’s new enhanced security procedures. Many TSA employees aren’t too happy, either. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the union that represents TSA workers, is urging the TSA to do more to protect its employees from abuse from airline passengers angry over the new security methods. The union reports that some members “have reported instances in which passengers have become angry, belligerent and even physical with TSOs (transportation security officers). In Indianapolis, for example, a TSO was punched by a passenger who didn’t like the new screening process,” the union said in a Nov. 17 statement posted on its website. “This absence of information has resulted in a backlash against the character and professionalism of TSOs,” said Gage in a statement. “TSA must act now — before the Thanksgiving rush — to ensure that TSOs are not being le...

Coach Brad Childress Fired - The chance to be an NFL head coach finally came to Frazier on Monday, when the Vikings fired Brad Childress and named Frazier the interim head coach. Frazier, 51, has six games to convince owner Zygi Wilf that he should look no further for his coach for the future. The Vikings (3-7) are not making the playoffs, but this is Frazier's chance to make a lasting impression. "Leslie is just a top-quality guy, man," said Eagles coach Andy Reid, who hired Frazier as a defensive backs coach in 1999. "A sharp, sharp, football man. He's been interviewed for a lot of head coaching jobs because of the success he's had with the Vikings. I'm sure he'll do a nice job for them." It will not be easy. The Vikings have grossly underachieved this season, and during Sunday's 31-3 loss to the Packers it looked like some of the players had quit. Frazier must quickly identify which players he can count on and demote or dismiss the ...

Oprah's Favorite Things: Garretts Popcorn - Is Garrett’s popcorn the best on the planet? Well, Oprah certainly thinks so. One of Oprah’s favorite things for 2010 was the Chicago based Garrett’s popcorn. She said, “It’s the best popcorn on the planet, I think, and you don’t have to fly to Chicago to get it.” And to celebrate Oprah (and her choice) Garrett’s created a special limited-edition tin exclusively for The Oprah Show. Her audience got a mix of their famous cheese and caramel popcorn but you can choose any flavor from Plain to Pecan Caramel Crisp. How do you get your hands on one of Oprah’s favorites? You can order the popcorn direct from Garrett’s with prices ranging from $25 to $100. Oprah's Favorite Things: Garretts Popcorn

Lalaloopsy Doll - She's cute. She's adorable. She's nowhere to be found. She's Mittens Fluff 'N' Stuff, one of MGA Entertainment's eight Lalaloopsy "Sew magical -- Sew cute" dolls, and she's flying off store shelves, according to the New York Post Monday. A spot check on Monday of retailers' websites shows how scarce the doll is: Out of stock at Wal-Mart and Target; unavailable for online shipping from Toys R Us; and one left in stock at Amazon.com at almost double the $25 suggested price. So why is the blue-haired, rosy-cheeked Mittens more popular than her seven sisters such as Crumbs Sugar Cookie or Spot Splatter Splash, each of which comes with a back story about its origins? CEO Isaac Larian told the New York Post that he thinks the doll may have broader appeal. "It's not yet another blond doll with a white face," he said. Lalaloopsy Doll

Dancing With The Stars 2010 On ABC - The finale of Dancing With The Stars 2010 ABC began tonight, and there are three contestants left. Jennifer Grey, Bristol Palin, and Kyle Massey all battled it out tonight for the title of the winner of Dancing With The Stars 2010 on ABC, but this is pretty much coming down to a battle between two celebrity moms. Which way will the Dancing With The Stars vote go? Between Bristol Palin and Jennifer Grey, which celeb mom do you think will win Dancing With The Stars 2010 on ABC? Jennifer Grey is the better dancer out of the two, hands down. She’s impressed the judges week after week, and even scored perfect 10s for her performances tonight. Bristol Palin is the underdog in DWTS 2010, but she’s proven to be a force to be reckoned with as far as the Dancing With The Stars vote goes each week. Which celebrity mom do you think will win Dancing With The Stars 2010 on ABC? Or will they both take a backseat to Kyle Massey? Dancing With The Stars 2...