DVD Review: Happily Divorced - Season One by R.J. Carter Published: March 27, 2012

Her post-The Nanny career has had a few hiccups ("The Beautician and the Beast," Living with Fran), but it seems Fran Drescher has found her groove again with the Nick at Nite original comedy Happily Divorced. Based on an incident in her own life when her husband, Peter Marc Jacobson (who co-produces this show with her) confessed his homosexuality, Happily Divorced follows the lives of Fran and Peter Lovett (the latter played by John Michael Higgins) as they remain best friends as well as stumbling blocks to each other's dating lives. Part of the problem is that the real estate market is in such a lull neither one of them can afford to move out of the home they shared, so they continue to cohabitate, with Peter moving to the den.

Hijinks ensue -- as do regular and guest appearances by several TV sitcom veterans. Drescher and Higgins are joined by cast regulars Tichina Arnold (Everybody Hates Chris), Valente Rodriguez (George Lopez), Robert Walden and Rita Moreno as their inner circle of friends and family. Arnold portrays Judi Mann, a chanteuse at the local gay bar Fran and Peter frequent, while Valente plays the overly nosy assistant at Fran's floral shop. Walden and Moreno are cast as Fran's parents, Glen and Dori, who are eager to see her get remarried but still see Peter as their son.

The show is a bit racy for the home of classic television that airs it, which may put some of the more staid viewers off. It's great to see Charles Shaugnessy guest star, and all the old bits from The Nanny winked at; but to find he's a bisexual with a sneaky intent to bed both Fran and Peter at the same time? Of course, looking for love in all the wrong places is the consistent theme of the series, with Peter striking out at every turn and Fran having even less luck -- usually because the relationships are accidentally sabotaged by the needs of the other ex-partner. Peter Marc Jacobson himself appears as a potential beau for Peter, which made for some nice self-referential humor, and Renee Taylor has come on as a friend of Dori's who misunderstands which of the two came out as gay.

Perhaps the longest trial relationship of the show begins in the first episode (several weeks having passed during the commercial break) as Fran meets Elliot (Friday Night Lights' D.W. Moffett), a music producer. Their on-again, off-again romance gets slightly spoiled however when Elliot tries to make up with his ex-wife, and then still wants to see Fran afterward. Whether he'll return in the second season is up in the air, but certainly possible.

Bonus features on this 2-disc release are comprised of multiple interview segments -- Fran Drescher and Peter Marc Jacobson; John Michael Higgins; Valente Rodriguez; Rita Moreno and Robert Walden -- as they talk up their characters and interactions with the others on the set. Of course, any show with Fran Drescher is going to be an excercise in fashion, so we also get an interview with costume designer Brenda Cooper, followed by an interview with Gavin Lurrsen and Ran Pink about the composing of the catchy theme song (on accordion and ukelele). Rounding out the extras is a Public Service promo from Drescher for her cancer awareness foundation, Cancer Schmancer.

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DVD Review: Happily Divorced - Season One

THIS IS DANIEL MORRISS IN HIS AP CALCULUS CLASS AT VESTAVIA HIGH SCHOOL........AND THIS IS ABIGAIL KNIGHT AN 8TH GRADE STUDENT AT HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL........THEY DON'T KNOW EACH OTHER BUT THEY HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON AND IN MAY WILL TRAVEL TO WASHINTON D.C. TO BE HONORED AS RECEIPIENTS OF THE EPRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARD.

THESE PICTURES WERE TAKEN AT EVENTS DANIEL STARTED A FEW YEARS BACK CALLED M-RAVES......THEY'RE SOCIAL EVENTS.....A DJ....DANCING.....NO ALCOHOL, NO DRUGS.....JUST A SAVE ENVIORNMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

: Daniel Morriss/Vestavia Hills High School

"Around the 4th I threw, I started charging at the door for them, and my Dad gave me the idea to give, taking some of the money I earned an donating it to the American Cancer Society."

DANIEL'S EVENTS AND THE MONEY HE'S RAISED FOR CHARITY CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF THE TEACHERS AND THE COLLEGE COUNSELOR AT VESTAVIA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL KARIN BELL WHO LOVES THE EXAMPLE DANIEL SETS FOR OTHERS.

Karin Bell/College Counselor, Vestavia H.S.

"Students coming behind see, you know what can I do, how can I get involved, how can I make a difference and I think finding something that they love and can capitalize on....that is the winning combination."

ABBY KNIGHT MIGHT JUST BE AN 8TH GRADER, BUT SHE'S FOCUSED.

Abigail Knight/Hewitt-Trussville Middle School

"well, I want to join the military and when I get out I want to have all my schooling, then go through med school and interning...and then hopefully

Original post:
Spirit of Alabama: Student Volunteers

Dude, wheres my yoga?

Its in Somerville, Mass., where a yoga class for men called broga is helping guys feel macho doing the downward dog.

It seems inevitable, doesnt it? Nowadays there are more kinds of yoga than there are butts in a yoga class. And we as a culture cant get enough of dude-tastic portmanteau wordplay mancation, bromance, a whole new brocabulary, in fact.

We chose the name broga because its funny, catchy and familiar. It lets men know this is for them, Adam ONeill, the president and co-founder of broga, told MSN.

The thinking behind it: A lot of guys might want to try yoga but would be uncomfortable in classes taught and attended by women. Broga sessions are open to all, but they are geared for guys, Mr. ONeill said.

How so? For one, talk of chakras is kept to a minimum, with classes favouring familiar language over Sanskrit. And the music played in classes is what you might expect to hear in a garage, including the Black Keys, Radiohead and Bob Dylan.

The class focuses on balance, building strength and an awareness of breath, said Robert Sidoti, brogas co-founder, who teaches the classes. A side benefit becomes increased flexibility.

And since many men who do not have the flexibility required to perform the poses one might find in a traditional yoga class, broga offers exercises that are specific to students lives.

A lot of guys come here after years and years of sports, but their bodies are out of whack. Some have cement shoulders or really tight hips, Mr. Sidoti said, adding that brogas poses and movements are geared toward mens lifestyles, whether theyre sitting in a office chair all day or working as a carpenter.

However ridiculous its name might be, brogas ultimate goal is a laudable one. Broga is about men feeling better in their bodies. And taking an active, preventive role in their own lives, Mr. ONeill said.

Continued here:
Broga: Yoga for guys means more Radiohead, less Enya

Yoga enthusiasts go through their exercises at the entrance of Venice Beach in January.

VENICE - Trainer Elin Larsen, the pied piper of Venice yoga enthusiasts, routinely draws crowds of 300 or more to her free beach sessions.

Seven days a week, three times a day, Larsen leads her followers though 30-minute yoga routines on Venice Beach. When the free classes end, participants patrol the area to make sure it is as clean as when they arrived.

More than 100 of her followers broke their yoga routine Tuesday to join Larsen at Venice City Hall. Their message: Larsen's beach workouts should remain free, even as Sarasota County Parks and Recreation Department wants her to pay a newly imposed hourly fee.

Carolyn Brown, Sarasota County Parks and Recreation Manager, said Larsen will be permitted to use the beach for free through May, but then she will have to pay the same $13.50 hourly fee other medical classes and yoga exercise groups already pay to use the public beach on Siesta Key.

"The fee is about making sure things don't get double-booked and we're equitable to other activities," Brown said. "What if yoga instructors started competing against each other for use of the beach?"

James McNabb of Venice spoke on Larsen's behalf before the Venice City Council. After relating how yoga has helped the health of many of Larsen's followers, McNabb turned more pragmatic.

"There's also a lot of economic benefit to the Venice business community," he said. "These people spend their money in town. People are drawn here because Venice has this amenity."

The end of McNabb's five-minute statement was met with loud applause from the yoga contingent, which was not disruptive despite its size.

Outside City Hall, Larsen said Sarasota County special events coordinator Ann Marie Persico told her the yoga group will have to pay a permit fee to use the beach. Larsen disagreed.

More here:
Yoga enthusiasts back beach instructor as county tries to charge

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrC_D__gbNQ

26-03-2012 03:23 http://www.worldsbiggestgymcoach.com A results-focused, tailor-made life coach training course for health, fitness and wellness professionals. Perfect for yoga instructors to take their business, results and positive influence to the next level.

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The perfect Life Coach Training Course for Yoga Teachers - Video

Longtime Whitman-Hanson girls basketball coach Jim Daley believes that his life stacks up with just about anyones.

Jimmy Stewart had a wonderful life, he said, but mine has been better.

A major component in Daleys wonderful life has been coaching at his alma mater, where he has patrolled the sidelines during girls basketball games since 1979.

But Daleys life is about to enter a new chapter as the longtime coach has retired.

Its just time, said Daley, 58. Im just getting tired. Not physically. Everythings great, it was just the right time to go. Its time for some new blood in there.

During his 33-year tenure as varsity coach, Daley won 510 games and captured 15 league titles. According to records at Whitman-Hanson, Daley won more games in a single sport than any other coach in school history.

That just means that Ive had good players, said Daley, a resident of Hanson. Ive been really blessed here. Ive had so many great kids throughout the years and still keep in touch with a lot of them. Thats what you remember.

After graduating from Whitman-Hanson in 1971, Daley began his coaching career in 1976 as the boys freshman basketball coach.

After one year as the boys coach at Whitman-Hanson, Daley was offered the chance to coach the girls freshman team.

I had just gotten engaged so I really wasnt sure if I wanted to take the job, explained Daley. But my wife told me that shed help me coach because she was a basketball player herself, so we both did it.

Link:
Whitman-Hanson girls basketball coach Jim Daley steps down

Sean Payton and Bill Parcells are close friends from Payton's time working on Parcells' Dallas Cowboys staff.

AP

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- At the NFL meetings every year, there's a Monday night reception with a band (Adele seemed to be the flavor of the evening last night) and most of the coaches, owners, GMs, league people and media mixing it up. At this little soiree, I got one question about 18 times: "You think Bill Parcells would come back?''

I do, under the right circumstances.

I covered Parcells for four years as a Giants beat writer for Newsday in the '80s, and have known him well since then. I watched a spring training game with him in Jupiter, Fla., on Monday. And so I've spoken with him about the Saints situation at some length. And there may never have been circumstances more right than these for Parcells to get back on the sideline.

Five reasons why:

1. It's a 10-month job. Nine-, maybe, by the time Parcells would take over. Parcells, who will be 72 on opening day, insists on a one-year contract with ESPN because he doesn't want to be pinned down for longer than that.

2. It's with a legitimate Super Bowl contender. He's had Phil Simms and Drew Bledsoe, who were very good quarterbacks, but never a quarterback who's the complete package playing at this high a level as Drew Brees. It's a passing league. He knows he'd be able to basically cede control of the offense to Brees and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, sit back, and watch them put 30 points on the board most weeks.

3. He really likes Sean Payton. He'd be doing Payton a solid.

4. The money's good, or should be. Parcells owns horses and likes money.

Read the rest here:
Peter King: Five reasons Parcells would consider coaching Saints; mail

The Nation March 28, 2012 1:00 am

Jean-Francois Cousin, Kriengsak Niratpattanasai, Apiwut Pimolsaengsuriya and Jimi Potchanart.

In this special book, coaches Jimi Potchanart, Kriengsak Niratpattanasai, Apiwut Pimolsaengsuriya and Jean-Francois Cousin explain why executive coaching is more and more recognised by the human resource community in Thailand as the most effective tool to unleash leadership potential.

They offer many simple keys to tap managers' potential, and practical tips on how to best leverage executive coaching. They also explain what is "situational coaching", how life-coaching is tightly linked to executive coaching, what really happens in the coachee's brain when the coach asks questions, what are the pitfalls, secret recipes and success factors in executive coaching, how to select the best coach for you, among others.

The book is an easy read, inspiring with many stories from real life and a quiz. It can be a friendly companion for all HR professionals in Thailand. The first edition is in Thai, with an English version likely to follow.

The four authors will be present to sign their book and discuss the "best of" the chapters at the event from 6pm on launch day.

More here:
A manual of coaching wisdom

New Life Coaching Certification Website Helps More People Attain Certified Life Coach Dreams

A brand-new website at http://lifecoachingcertificate.com/ offers details on becoming a certified life coach. The Spencer Institute for Life Coaching offers a wide range of coaching courses.

In addition, the new site offers several free gifts for life coaches to help them start their coaching careers.

If youve been curious about life coaching and certification options and are ready to take the next step, this website can take you step-by-step through the certification process, said Dr. John Spencer Ellis, CEO and president of The Spencer Institute. Whether you have a passion for food coaching, stress management issues or more global life coaching, we offer a variety of life coach certifications for all interests.

Some of the most popular Spencer Institute life coaching training programs include:

Life Strategies Coach: The perfect introduction to a life coaching career, this certification includes basic through advanced life coaching techniques and business strategies. Wellness Coach Training: A life coach certification focused on helping clients develop healthy living habits, reducing stress and improving overall happiness. Stress Management Coach: Designed for life coaches and fitness and wellness professionals, this training focuses on the growing, lucrative field of stress management. Food Psychology Coach: This one-of-a-kind professional training program is perfect for life coaches who need tools for helping clients with behavior modification as it pertains to food and eating habits. Holistic Life Coach: Holistic life coaches enhance personal development from a multi-directional approach, viewing the person as a complete being and focusing on a wide spectrum of needs. Sports Psychology Coach: A life coaching certification that blends into careers in sports, fitness, coaching or psychology.

All of the self-paced online life coaching certificates provide cutting-edge techniques and time-tested principles for becoming a successful life coach. In addition, the Spencer Institute life coach training also focuses on creating and growing a profitable life coaching business.

About the Spencer Institute and Life Coaching Certification Founded by Dr. John Spencer Ellis, an international leader in wellness coaching, personal development and fitness, The Spencer Institute offers life coaching, holistic education, nutrition coaching, sports psychology and wellness training certification programs delivered in online and distance learning formats that are designed to provide a step-by-step blueprint to success. The programs were developed to help people find the career of their dreams while helping others live better lives. For more information about the Spencer Institute or online life coaching certification, please visit http://lifecoachingcertificate.com/

Link:
New Life Coaching Certification Website Helps More People Attain Certified Life Coach Dreams

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36moCatseoo

26-03-2012 14:29 Learn how you can apply your knowledge of health and find chances to exercise in the American workplace. You'll be amazed by how fit you will be in no time at all. Also included are scenes from "The Health Table," a new hit talk show, explaining how fitness can be applied in the workplace. Enjoy!

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Health and Fitness in the Workplace - Video