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Jesus: Dead Or Alive?
In fact, as I write this column, workers with CNN International are setting up a big blue tent (I kid you not) just across the street from my apartment building, preparing to broadcast a report by correspondent Ben Weideman from underneath the protective canopy on a stormy March afternoon. I should mention that the view from my central Jerusalem street is usually worth filming whatever the weather, especially facing north toward Mount Zion and the biblical Temple Mount. That was not the case with my former home in the East Talpiot neighborhood. While the view from my top floor flat was not all that bad, it was hardly noteworthy. I mainly looked out at dozens of other tall apartment buildings that dominate the southeast Jerusalem suburb. But something allegedly quite historic was lurking in the shadows of the stone-faced apartment building located just next to mine: The burial tomb of Jesus, his wife Mary Magdalene and their son Judah, not to mention his Jewish mother and other family members! Ben Weideman was among hundreds of Israeli and international journalists that recently filmed stirring reports near an innocuous cement slab located in East Talpiot.
Their movie dates are set
That Friday the Sony Pictures Entertainment executive will open another James Bond movie starring Daniel Craig, who four months ago debuted as the British spy in "Casino Royale." Which is about all Blake knows. As of today, there's no finished script and no title beyond the generic "Bond 22." But, Blake said, "two things are definite: Daniel Craig is returning, and we're going Nov. 7. After that it gets complicated." In the pressure-cooker world of opening movies, studios are reaching as far as three years into the future to grab first dibs on the most desirable weekends. With an average of 12 movies opening every week, claiming prime big-screen real estate as far in advance as possible is crucial. Studio production and marketing costs have soared past $100 million a movie on average.
Everest on his mind
At the age of 69, Werner Berger has done it six times already, scaling the highest summits on six of seven continents. And now only Mount Everest stands in his way of becoming the oldest North American to have summitted them all. At an age when most are looking to perfect their golf game, the wiry business consultant with the boundless energy is working out six days a week and sleeping in a high altitude tent to prepare for his ultimate adventure. "I believe my age has nothing to do with my abilities. I don't even know what being 69 years old feels like." Big dreams don't come cheap: He's mortgaged his Newmarket home to afford the more than $200,000 it will cost for himself and a high altitude cinematographer who will be chronicling his Everest climb for a future documentary on living a healthy life to its fullest.
What
On the inside, theres little evidence that Truth Bible Baptist Church in downtown Dover was once a shoe store. Like more than a dozen similar converts in the downtowns of Dover, New Philadelphia and elsewhere in the Tuscarawas Valley, the so-called storefront churches attract flocks every bit as dedicated as the congregations of traditional steeple churches. Virtually anywhere Truths Rev. Earl Ankrom looks, theres a reference to God. To his right is a mural with the question, Where will you spend eternity? With God or Satan? Dominating the wall to his left is a 9-by-13 1/2-foot world map with pinpoints and string connecting missionary locations with a sheet summarizing who is being supported by the church. Ankrom preaches from a pulpit with the words Are you right with God? On a wall behind him is a huge banner with a likeness of Jesus Christ among tombstones proclaiming, He is not here.
Fire Destroys The Glen Club at WGI
The Glen Club at Watkins Glen International caught fire yesterday evening, with the flames being controlled only at 6:00 am this Wednesday morning. The track was closed at the time of the fire and no one was injured, however the historic building is considered a loss. The club was located on the inside of the track midway up the famed Esses. An investigation is still taking place to determine the cause of the fire, which will not affect the 2007 race season at Watkins Glen International. The first race weekend will take place on June 8-10 during the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen. "It is sad to see the loss of such an important piece of our history, but we are thankful no one was injured. The loss of this building will in no way affect our ability to host racing events like the Cup race," stated Craig Rust, President of Watkins Glen International.
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