Bees Swarm Philippine Airport

Swarms of bees mysteriously appeared at several air bridges at the Philippines main international airport on Thursday, briefly interrupting the boarding of passengers, an airport spokeswoman said.

The bees swarmed around the control panels of six air bridges, the mobile corridors that connect the aircraft to the terminal, preventing the operators from using the equipment, said airport media officer Consuelo Bungag.

"What we did was use the vacuum cleaners to clear them out of the control panels. We also resorted to manual swatting to hasten the process," she said.

Passengers on two domestic flights were forced to board their flights using mobile stairs because of the insects, said Bungag.

Airport authorities are working with the quarantine bureau to find out where the bees could have come from, she added.



George Lucas Helps Open New Star Wars 3-D Attraction at Disney World

The new 3-D attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios sends guests on a virtual journey through the world of Star Wars. With 50 possible adventures, guests never know if they will end up on the icy planet of Hosh, in the jungles of Kashyyyk or underwater on Naboo or who they will meet. This is one ride you can’t go on just once!

The opening of “Star Tours-The Adventure Continues” kicked off the Star Wars Weekends that take place every Friday-Sunday through June 12, 2011 and consists of special attractions dedicated to Star Wars.

Disneyland will open its version of “Star Tours-The Adventure Continues” on June 3, 2011.

"Star Tours immerses guests into the Star Wars universe like never before," Iger said. "The innovative technology and storytelling take guests on thrilling new adventures, bringing George Lucas' iconic characters and locations to life in a completely new way."

With a powerful score and motion simulator based technology, Walt Disney Imagineering, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Industrial Light & Magic have been working since 2010 to bring this Dolby 3-D masterpiece to Star Wars fans and Disney lovers alike. Guests will once again be able to experience the popular ride that has been a part of Disney since the 1980’s, yet see it like never before.



ATP Tour Match of the Week: Almagro vs. Hanescu

The last ATP match before the French Open begins.

It's on clay, in Nice, so that favors the Spaniard, Almagro.  Hanescu has done well to get to the finals here.  His run will come to an end as Almagro owns Hanescu in three career meetings.

Both players are looking for momentum heading into Roland Garros, and Almagro should be able to pick up another clay court title.  He's kind of a reincarnation of Albert Costa.  Costa would travel the world looking for clay court events, even though he was competent on hard courts.

Prediction:  Almagro in two sets.

'Macho Man' Randy Savage Dies in Car Accident

Accoring to media reports, Randall Poffo, better known as wresting great Macho Man Randy Savage, has died.

According to the site, Randy's brother, Lanny, said he suffered a heart attack while he was driving around 9:25 this morning and lost control of his vehicle.  Yes, Macho Man's brother is "Leaping" Lanny Poffo.

He veered across a concrete median, through oncoming traffic and "collided head-on with a tree."

Savage was transported to Largo Medical center, where he died from his injuries, according to the report.

Savage, who grew up near Sarasota, Fla., was a minor league baseball outfielder in the Cincinnati Reds farm system in his earlier years.

He also played minor league ball for St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox.

Savage enjoyed one of the longer careers in professional wrestling; winning numerous titles, faking multiple retirements, holding grudges in high profile feuds and even enjoying time as a color commentator when he wasn't busy in the ring.

He was 58 and is survived by his wife of only one year, Lynn Payne.

Here is a classic Macho Man interview with Mean Gene.

Lifeguard Pay of $200K Raises Eyebrows

Some memebers of the Newport Beach, CA lifeguard crew make $200,000 per year in reports released this week.

With benefits and overtime pay that in at least two instances of the 13-member crew tops $200,000 (with $400 for sun protection) as the city struggles to rein in pension costs.

The ensuing debate over the merits of having lifeguards as well-paid as some CEOs has divided this wealthy coastal city, spawned a pro-lifeguard Facebook page and created headlines as far away as England ("Time for a Career Change? California's Baywatch lifeguards paid up to $210,000 per year!").

The swell of anger from beachgoers and budget-watchers alike has blindsided the lifeguards, who have for years enjoyed the prestige of their jobs in an ocean-centric town that banks on summer tourism. Now, as the pressure mounts, they are balking at their portrayal as suntanned slackers lounging in beach towers as the surf rolls in.

Those whose salaries are in question point out that they hold management roles, have decades of service and are considered public safety employees under the fire department, the same as fire captains and battalion chiefs. The fulltime guards train more than 200 seasonal lifeguards who make between $16 and $22 an hour, run a junior lifeguard program that brings in $1 million a year and oversee safety on nearly seven miles of sand.

Base salaries for Newport Beach lifeguards range from $58,000 for the lowest-paid officer to $108,492 for the top-paid battalion chief, according to a 2010 city report on lifeguard pay. Adding in overtime, special compensation, pension, medical benefits, life insurance and other pay, two battalion chiefs cleared more than $200,000 in 2010, while the lowest-paid officer made more than $98,000.

All lifeguards received $400 in sunscreen allowance and two cleared $28,000 apiece in overtime and night duty pay.

Newport Beach's lifeguards can also retire at 50 with 90 percent of their salary with 30 years of service, according to state data.

Newport Beach attracted more than 7 million beachgoers last year during a slow summer of cool temperatures and lackluster surf. Lifeguard supervisors nevertheless oversaw 2,190 water rescues and more than 5,000 medical aid calls, while tower guards intervened more than 76,000 times to warn people of rip currents or high surf. Two people died each year in 2009 and 2010.