The most shocking Hollywood romances

  

By Yahoo!

Hollywood has no trouble shocking the unsuspecting public with news of the craziest new films, dramatic makeovers or recent embarrassments. Therefore it comes as no surprise that they continually drop relationship bombshells that leave us with wide eyes and open mouths…

Here are some of the romances that shook the Hollywood hills to their very core.

Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox
Shia LaBeouf’s recent revelations that he “got it on” with Megan Fox during the filming of ‘Transformers’ made for pretty big headlines across the globe. Although perfectly timed to fit in with the release of the third ‘Transformers' film it sent waves through Tinsel Town. The news lit up the Hollywood hills, not only because two of the hottest movie stars were shacking up, but also because Megan was rumoured to have started dating Brian Austin Green around the same time.

[See also: Hollywood's highest paid actresses]

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
The shock romance to beat all shock romances, Brad Pitt’s split with the loveable Jennifer Aniston and hook-up with bad-girl Angelina Jolie was splashed across the media for weeks. Having met and fallen for each other during the filming of the laughably appalling ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’, they soon got serious and had kids.

Sean Penn and Scarlett Johansson
No-one, but no-one could have seen this coming. Johansson, 26, and Penn, 50, made headlines when they took a whirlwind trip to Cabo San Lucas after being spotted getting flirty in Los Angeles. Unfortunately they broke up at the beginning of June. Oh well.

Daniel Craig and Rachel Weiz 
OK, so we all knew they were together, but what we didn’t know was that THEY GOT MARRIED! The 'James Bond' star pulled off a mammoth undercover mission and married his love without anyone knowing! No wonder he got the part. Still, it was a shock move that surprised the lot of us, especially as Weiz had only just broken up with her partner of 10 years, director Darren Aronofsky.

Benicio Del Toro and Kimberly Stewart
When it was confirmed that Kimberly Stewart, the daughter of OAP rocker Rod Stewart, was pregnant with Oscar-winning actor Benicio Del Toro's baby we all took a big step back. It was such a strange revelation that we are still coming to terms with it even to this day. Although they are not a couple anymore, Del Toro has promised to be “very supportive” and they are looking forward to the arrival of the baby.

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore 
No one knew if it was a joke or not when word got out that 42-year-old Demi Moore had married 27-year-old Hollywood heart-throb, Ashton Kutcher. Clearly, the obvious age gap was a shock in itself, but should that not be enough, Demi had already hit the highest point of her career, been married and divorced twice, and was the mother of Hollywood tough guy Bruce Willis’ three children. Not the most conventional of relationships.

Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn
The 62-year-old film director married his step-daughter Soon-Yi Previn in 1997. Yes. Step-daughter. Allen was dating film star Mia Farrow, whom had adopted eight-year-old Previn while on a trip to Korea. Farrow later dated Allen for more than a decade and starred in many of his films. However, one day, Farrow discovered nude pictures of her step-daughter, then 21, in Allen's apartment.

Lindsay Lohan and Sam Ronson
Lindsay Lohan is one of those celebrities that can’t seem to stay out of the headlines, whether it’s being caught drink driving or filming an advert while under house arrest. But this relationship may just take the biscuit. In 2007 she was linked to a host of famous women and eventually revealed that she was bi-sexual. Her first fling with a female partner apparently came in the spring of 2007 with Samantha Ronson, daughter of Mick Jones out of Foreigner and sister of DJ-turned-popstar Mark Ronson. Cue more shocked media headlines.

Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton 
The dark temptress that is Angelina Jolie has made this shocking list not once, but twice. Her relationship with rugged Billy Bob Thornton was wrapped in so many weird antics that it just couldn’t stay off this blog. Snapped with vials of each other’s blood hanging round their necks, strange tattoos and a widely reported sex life… this has to be one of the most shocking Hollywood relationships.

Last space shuttle comes home, ends 30-year era

By MARCIA DUNN, AP

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Atlantis and four astronauts returned from the International Space Station in triumph Thursday, bringing an end to NASA's 30-year shuttle journey with one last, rousing touchdown that drew cheers and tears.

A record crowd of 2,000 gathered near the landing strip, thousands more packed the space center and countless others watched history unfold from afar as NASA's longest-running spaceflight program came to a close.

"After serving the world for over 30 years, the space shuttle's earned its place in history. And it's come to a final stop," radioed commander Christopher Ferguson.

"Job well done, America," replied Mission Control.

The twilight landing, just before dawn, came 30 years and three months after the very first shuttle flight in 1981. It will be another three to five years at best before Americans are launched again from U.S. soil, with private companies gearing up to seize the Earth-to-orbit-and-back baton from NASA.

The long-term future for American space exploration is just as hazy, a huge concern for many at NASA and all those losing their jobs because of the shuttle's end. Asteroids and Mars are the destinations of choice, yet NASA has yet to settle on a rocket design to get astronauts there.

Thursday, though, belonged to Atlantis and its crew: Ferguson, co-pilot Douglas Hurley, Rex Walheim and Sandra Magnus, who completed a successful space station resupply mission.

Atlantis' main landing gears touched down at 5:57 a.m., with "wheels stop" less than a minute later.

"The space shuttle has changed the way we view the world and it's changed the way we view our universe," said Ferguson. "There's a lot of emotion today, but one thing's indisputable. America's not going to stop exploring.

"Thank you Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Endeavour and our ship Atlantis. Thank you for protecting us and bringing this program to such a fitting end."

The astronauts' families and friends, as well as shuttle managers and NASA brass, gathered near the runway to welcome Atlantis home — and bid the shuttle program goodbye. Mission Control in Houston also was packed, teeming with past and present flight directors. Hundreds of other Johnson Space Center employees stood outside, watching the landing on a jumbo screen.

NASA's five space shuttles launched, saved and revitalized the Hubble Space Telescope; built the space station, the world's largest orbiting structure; and opened the final frontier to women, minorities, schoolteachers, even a prince. The first American to orbit the Earth, John Glenn, became the oldest person ever in space, thanks to the shuttle. He was 77 at the time; he turned 90 this week.

Born with Columbia, it was NASA's longest-running space exploration program.

It was truly a homecoming for Atlantis, which first soared in 1985. The next-to-youngest in NASA's fleet will remain at Kennedy Space Center as a museum display.

This grand finale came 50 years to the day that Gus Grissom became the second American in space, just a half-year ahead of Glenn.

Atlantis — the last of NASA's three surviving shuttles to retire — performed as admirably during descent as it did throughout the 13-day flight. A full year's worth of food and other supplies were dropped off at the space station, just in case the upcoming commercial deliveries get delayed. The international partners — Russia, Europe, Japan — will carry the load in the meantime.

It was the 135th mission for the space shuttle fleet, which altogether flew 542 million miles and circled Earth more than 21,150 times over the past three decades. The five shuttles carried 355 people from 16 countries and, altogether, spent 1,333 days in space — almost four years.

Two of the shuttles — Challenger and Columbia — were destroyed, one at launch, the other during the ride home. Fourteen lives were lost. Yet each time, the shuttle program persevered and came back to fly again.

The decision to cease shuttle flight was made seven years ago, barely a year after the Columbia tragedy. President Barack Obama nixed President George W. Bush's lunar goals, however, opting instead for astronaut expeditions to an asteroid and Mars.

Last-ditch appeals to keep shuttles flying by such NASA legends as Apollo 11's Neil Armstrong and Mission Control founder Christopher Kraft landed flat.

It comes down to money.

NASA is sacrificing the shuttles, according to the program manager, so it can get out of low-Earth orbit and get to points beyond. The first stop under Obama's plan is an asteroid by 2025; next comes Mars in the mid-2030s.

Private companies have been tapped to take over cargo hauls and astronaut rides to the space station, which is expected to carry on for at least another decade. The first commercial supply run is expected late this year, with Space Exploration Technologies Corp. launching its own rocket and spacecraft from Cape Canaveral.

None of these private spacecraft, however, will have the hauling capability of NASA's shuttles; their payload bays stretch 60 feet long and 15 feet across, and hoisted megaton observatories like Hubble. Much of the nearly 1 million pounds of space station was carried to orbit by space shuttles.

Astronaut trips by the commercial competitors will take years to achieve.

SpaceX maintains it can get people to the space station within three years of getting the all-clear from NASA. Station managers expect it to be more like five years. Some skeptics say it could be 10 years before Americans are launched again from U.S. soil.

An American flag that flew on the first shuttle flight and returned to orbit aboard Atlantis on July 8, is now at the space station. The first company to get astronauts there will claim the flag as a prize.

Until then, NASA astronauts will continue to hitch rides to the space station on Russian Soyuz spacecraft — for tens of millions of dollars per seat.

Ever since snagging this plum assignment last year, Ferguson and his crew have tried to stay upbeat — focusing on the 30 years of success. They pointed to the delivery and repair of Hubble — one of 180 satellites and other spacecraft launched from the shuttles — and the completion of the space station, more than 12 years and 37 shuttle flights in the making.

But with thousands of layoffs coming as early as Friday — on top of thousands of shuttle jobs already lost — even Atlantis' determinedly optimistic crew found it difficult at times to put on happy faces.

Local businesses and communities chimed in, hoping to ease the pain.

"Thank you shuttle workers," read the sign outside Cape Canaveral City Hall.

After months of decommissioning, Atlantis will be placed on public display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex. Discovery, the first to retire in March, will head to a Smithsonian hangar in Virginia. Endeavour, which returned from the space station on June 1, will go to the California Science Center in Los Angeles.

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AP writers Mike Schneider at Cape Canaveral and Seth Borenstein in Houston contributed to this report.

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Online:

NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

AP Exclusive: Iran prez said pushing for nukes

By GEORGE JAHN, AP

VIENNA (AP) — Iran's president wants to shed the nation's secrecy and forge ahead openly with developing nuclear weapons but is opposed by the clerical leadership, which is worried about international reaction to such a move, says an intelligence assessment shared with The Associated Press.

That view, from a nation with traditionally reliable intelligence from the region, cannot be confirmed and contrasts with assessments by other countries that view Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as relatively moderate on the nuclear issue compared to the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Attempts to interpret Iran's goals are important because as it expands uranium enrichment, it is moving closer to being able to make a nuclear weapon by the day, even as it asserts that it is not interested in such arms and its programs are geared only to making reactor fuel.

A U.S. official cited one assessment he has seen suggesting Ahmadinejad may be more "moderate" — more open to talks with the international community on resolving nuclear concerns than Khamenei. He asked for anonymity because his information was privileged.

But a blunt comment by Ahmadinejad last month raises questions. While repeating that Iran does not want nuclear arms, he openly reinforced its ability to make them, telling Iranian state TV that "if we want to make a bomb, we are not afraid of anybody."

That defiant statement fits the scenario laid down by the intelligence assessment shared with the AP, depicting Ahmadinejad as wanting to move publicly to develop a nuclear program.

Ahmadinejad is pushing "to shake free of the restraints Iran has imposed upon itself, and openly push forward to create a nuclear bomb," says the assessment. But Khamenei, whose word is final on nuclear and other issues, "wants to progress using secret channels, due to concern about a severe response from the West," says the report.

Officials at the Iranian president's office were not available for comment Friday.

The varying views reflect the difficulties that intelligence agencies face when probing a secretive nation that plays its cards close to its chest. Lines of division are murky. Alliances shift and positions change, leaving governments and private analysts frustrated as they try to nail down Tehran's nuclear end game.

They converge, however in noting that recent political divisions between Ahmadinejad and Khamenei have spilled over to encompass Iran's nuclear activities to a greater degree than before.

While much about Iran's nuclear program is opaque, the growing capacity — if not the intention — to make weapons is on the record, captured in International Atomic Energy Agency reports documenting the expansion of Iran's enrichment program from its clandestine beginnings more than a decade ago to one that has produced enough material for more than two nuclear bombs.

More recently Iran has begun enriching to higher levels that would lessen the time needed to make weapons-grade material. And its stonewalling of an IAEA probe based on U.S. and other intelligence of secret work on components of a nuclear weapons program is adding to concerns raised by Tehran's refusal to freeze enrichment despite U.N. sanctions.

"They claim that all of their activities are for peaceful purposes," IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano told the AP Friday. "But we have information that might have military implications and there are other activities that we don't know well, so it is difficult for us to draw a conclusion it is exclusively for peaceful purposes."

Intelligence reports of tensions between Ahmadinejad and the ruling clerics are in line with other signs showing Ahmadinejad at odds with Khamenei with less than two-years to go into his presidency.

In recent months, Ahmadinejad apparently fired — and was forced by Khamenei to reinstate — his interior minister in what some analysts see as a rebuffed attempt by the president to eliminate rivals to candidates he would like to see in positions of power, once his second and last term ends in 2013. That prompted an outburst of public criticism and led rivals in parliament to start proceedings that could in the most extreme case lead to impeachment.

Reports of disagreement on nuclear issues predate that dispute, but some officials from member nations of the Vienna-based IAEA see tensions over the future of the nuclear program sharpening.

Proliferation expert David Albright of the Institute for Science and International Security says his briefings from European government officials who have seen the latest U.S. intelligence assessment on the Islamic Republic seem to support the assessment shared with the AP that Khamenei is worried about how the world would react to a nuclear-armed Iran.

"There is a lot of caution in the regime about the implication of building nuclear weapons," says Albright. Asked whether Ahmadinejad or Khamenei have been the most circumspect, he says "the implication is that it was the Supreme Leader."

The leadership is "worried about starting a nuclear weapons race and worried about the international impact," said Albright, naming reactions from regional powers Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey as that of greatest concern to Tehran. Both Egypt and the Saudis have indicated that they would contemplate acquiring nuclear weapons if Iran had them.

One theory voiced by government officials and private analysts is that Iran might be looking to reach the level just short of making nuclear weapons — but able to do so quickly if it feels threatened. That would fit in with Khamenei's reported cautious stance.

In any case, Ahmadinejad seems to be further weakened by the dispute. That leaves the Revolutionary Guard — the military-industrial powerhouse that is increasingly asserting itself in most aspects of Iran's society — as a beneficiary says the intelligence assessment.

"Khamenei has decided to transfer engagement with the most sensitive parts of the nuclear program, including activity that can be used for nuclear weapons, from ... the group of scientists at the Defense Ministry, who are identified with Ahmadinejad, to a special body in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp.," it says. "This, due to the increasing lack of trust the Leader has in people in sensitive positions, who are identified with the President."

The summary interprets the apparent decision to give the guard greater say over nuclear issues as a boost to its quest "to establish its status as a leading power force in the regime."

One Movement Music Festival cancelled indefinitely

The One Movement Music Festival and conference has been cancelled indefinitely due to financial losses and lack of commercial sustainability.

The announcement follows the decision made in April by organisers to postpone the 2011 festival.

Since the inaugural event at Perth's Esplanade in 2009, Eventscorp has allocated $1.58 million in funding to the festival but poor ticket sales to the concert series and other showcase events recorded losses of more than $2 million.

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Event promoters Sunset Events and Chugg Entertainment worked to reinvigorate the festival for 2012 and are disappointed the event will not be back to offer a platform for emerging talent to perform for music industry leaders.

"Whilst we are disappointed that a commercially sustainable model could not be found moving forward for the event, One Movement is very proud of what was achieved in its inaugural and second year for artists, the industry and the City of Perth," a joint statement said.

Following poor attendance rates at the 2010 event, the Estimates and Financial Operations Committee launched an inquiry into WA Tourism's involvement with One Movement, however Eventscorp and One Movement said the decision to cancel the event was unrelated to the Legislative Council's inquiry.

"From Eventscorp's perspective One Movement did deliver some good results in its first two years, with the Conference, Fringe and Showcase elements attracting national and international bands, delegates and international music industry decision makers to Perth," Eventscorp Executive Director David Van Ooran said.

"But the festival component of One Movement held on The Esplanade didn't work for the organisers and that impacted on the viability of the whole event".

Since 2009, the One Movement event conducted industry conferences with more than 700 guest speakers, private industry showcases featuring emerging artists and an interactive Fringe Festival in Perth's CBD.

Artists including Paul Kelly, Operator Please, Hilltop Hoods, Art Vs. Science and Kate Miller-Heidke have all taken part in the musical expo.

CALIFORNIAN: Community Events for July 24-30, 2011

Arts & Crafts Fair ---- Drink wine and spend money; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m (also Saturday); Maurice Car'rie Winery, 34225 Rancho California Road, Temecula; free; 951-676-1711.

Murrieta Farmers Market ---- Featuring 15 certified California farmers, a dozen local artists and 10 food vendors; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; northwest part of Village Walk Plaza off Village Walk Place and Kalmia Street, Murrieta.

Farmers Market and Swap Meet ---- Now behind Carl's Jr., Diamond Drive and Auto Center; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Elsinore Farmers Market & Swapmeet, 279 San Jacinto Road, Lake Elsinore; 951-235-4770.

NEW "Entertainment Extravaganza" ---- Presented by the Menifee Woman's Club. Entertainment lined up includes Virgil Gibson, former lead singer for and an original member of the Platters; Robert "Hollywood" Moreno, a veteran of film, television and stage productions; Fleet Easton, a performer with an extensive stage and television career; Leila Rose and her one-woman show; and singer, actress, business owner Mignonne Profant, president of Open Voice Live; 2 to 5 p.m.; Webb Hall on Cherry Hills Blvd., Sun City; $6 per person and include refreshments; 951-679-8048 or 951-255-9200.

NEW Blending Seminar ---- Why is wine blended? What specifically might be better in a blended wine vs. non-blended? What are the blending rules? What are the business reasons for blending? Work with Winemaker Doug Wiens to learn about these things, then create your own personal blended masterpiece and see how it's judged among others. Light appetizers will be served; 6:30 p.m.; Wiens Family Cellars, 35055 Via Del Ponte, Temecula; $5; 951-694-9892.

NEW   Moonlight Movie in the Park ---- Bring a blanket and a picnic dinner and come on down to the park for a free family movie under the stars. "How to Train Your Dragon" will be the featured movie; 6 to 10 p.m.; Temecula CRC Amphitheater, 28075 Rancho Vista Road, Temecula; free; 951-694-6480.

MONDAY, JULY 25

Fun Booth ---- Stop in any time to do a fun, quick craft or activity; all day; Grace Mellman Library, 41000 County Center Drive, Temecula; 951-296-3893.

Excavation Summer Camp ---- Learn the basics of excavation with Western Science Center. Get your hands dirty, have fun and learn the field excavation techniques of archaeology and paleontology using the Simulated Dig Site. This simulation allows you to learn the basics of field work as you map, excavate and research your discoveries; through Friday; Western Science Center, 2345 Searl Parkway, Hemet; $99 WSC members, $119 non-members; westerncentermuseum.org .

NEW Taiwanese String Dolls ---- Create a Taiwanese String Doll; 2:30 p.m.; Sun City Library, 26982 Cherry Hills, Menifee; 951-679-3534.

NEW Movie Night ---- Free family movie with popcorn and juice; 4 p.m.; Canyon Lake Library, 31516 Railroad Canyon Road, Canyon Lake; 951-244-9181.

NEW Golden State Paranormal Presentation ---- Interested in the paranormal? Want to know more about ghosts and how to investigate them? Come to the library and join a lively discussion about paranormal occurences and investigations by the GSPRS team; 6 p.m.; Mission Trail Library, 34303 Mission Trail, Wildomar; 951-471-3855.

NEW FAM: Temecula's Got Talent ---- Tap dance, whistle your favorite tune or do a dance routine. Show us some great Temecula talent; 6:30 p.m.; Temecula Community Recreation Center, 28075 Rancho Vista Road, Temecula; free; 951-694-6480.

TUESDAY, JULY 26

NEW   Genealogy with Victor ---- 1 to 5 p.m.; Sun City Library, 26982 Cherry Hills, Menifee; 951-679-3534.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27

NEW   Mother/Son Baseball Night ---- Grab your mom, aunt or grandmother and bring them out to cheer on the Lake Elsinore Storm. For $7 event includes parking, game admission, dinner, a souvenir baseball cap and a private kids run on the field. Sponsored by the city of Temecula; 6 p.m.; The Diamond, 500 Diamond Drive, Lake Elsinore; 951-694-6480.

NEW   Teen Movie Night ---- "Red Riding Hood" (PG-13) will be screened; 4 p.m.; Mission Trail Library, 34303 Mission Trail, Wildomar; 951-471-3855.

THURSDAY, JULY 28

Promenade Pals ---- It's back, bring the kids; 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Food court, Promenade Temecula, Winchester and Ynez roads, Temecula; promenadetemecula.com .

NEW   Build Your Own Igloo ---- Get creative with marshmallows and frosting and create your very own Alaskan Igloo. Take it home and see how fast that igloo "melts"; 4:30 p.m.; Sun City Library, 26982 Cherry Hills, Menifee; 951-679-3534.

FRIDAY, JULY 29

NEW   Winemaker Dinner ---- A five-course meal by Chef Michael from the Ritz Carlton, as he pulls out all the stops. Reservations required; 6 p.m.; Oak Mountain Winery, 36522 Via Verde, Temecula; $75-$85; 951-699-9102.

NEW   Movie night ---- Screening of "Up!" After a lifetime of dreaming of traveling the world, 78-year-old homebody Carl (voiced by Ed Asner) flies away on an unbelievable adventure with Russell, an 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer (Jordan Nagai), unexpectedly in tow. Together, they embark on a thrilling odyssey full of jungle beasts and rough terrain. Other voices in the Oscar-winning film include the renowned Christopher Plummer and Pixar stalwart John Ratzenberger; 4 p.m.; Sun City Library, 26982 Cherry Hills, Menifee; 951-679-3534.

Farmers Market Fridays ---- Valley-Wide Recreation to host the market featuring fresh produce, food, crafts, pet items and more; 5 to 8 p.m.; Brookfield Park, Winchester and Pourroy road, French Valley; 951-894-1468.

NEW   Water Works ---- If you are interested in dihydrogen monoxide, you will definitely want to be at the Professor's Workshop on this night. There will be lots of experimentation with its remarkable properties ---- hopefully none will get on your clothing. Don't worry, it dries quickly. Plus you can play with it and drink it; 5:30 p.m.; Pennypickle's Workshop, 42081 Main St., Temecula; 951-308-6376, pennypickles.org .

NEW  Family Fun Night ---- Bring a blanket and a picnic dinner and come on down to the park for "Furry Vengeance." There will be animal games and crafts, an interactive small-animal show by "Wild Wonder" as well. The movie starts at dusk; 6 p.m.; Temecula CRC Amphitheater, 28075 Rancho Vista Road, Temecula; free; 951-694-6480.

Summer Nights in the Park ---- Have fun in your own backyard with family activities and movies in your local neighborhood park. The fun is free to all. The evening starts with crafts and activities. The movie will follow when it's dark, with tonight's feature "Tangled." Rapunzel meets the wiley thief Ryder, only to discover a whole new world beyond her tower. Bring blankets and chairs for comfortable viewing; 6:30 p.m.; Creekside Park, 3200 Lost Road, Lake Elsinore; free; lake-elsinore.org .

SATURDAY, JULY 30

Car show ---- All street rods welcome every Saturday morning; 7 to 9 a.m.; Yellow Basket on Newport Road, Menifee; 951-301-8322.

NEW   10th Anniversary Celebration ---- The Friends of the Mission Trail Library invites you to Mission Trail Library's 10th anniversary celebration ---- there will be fun crafts and raffle prizes for children; 10 a.m.; Mission Trail Library, 34303 Mission Trail, Wildomar; 951-471-3855.

NEW   Futures Barrel Tasting ---- Sample Stuart Cellars' select wines straight from their barrels at the only Futures Tasting event in Temecula Valley. Taste handcrafted Zinfandel, Cab Franc, Melbec, Petite Verdot, and many more. These fine wines will be paired with food chosen for the specific varietals. Reservations required; 6:30 p.m.; Stuart Cellars Winery, 33515 Rancho California Road, Temecula; $60-$70; stuartcellars.com .

Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/entertainment/attractions/article_4c3cc636-7ea4-55cf-b656-942e3c671371.html#ixzz1T2Wk2CUL

CLOSING TIME: JACOBY ELLSBURY TWO-RBI SINGLE IN SEVENTH GIVES RED SOX, JOSH BECKETT WIN

For Jacoby Ellsbury, deuces might as well be wild because things are coming in twos for the Red Sox centerfielder lately.

With two strikes and two outs in the seventh inning, Ellsbury, who bears No. 2 on his back, stroked a single to center off Seattle pitcher Blake Beavan to score the two go-ahead runs Boston needed en route to its 3-1 win over the Mariners Saturday night. The hit was Ellsbury’s second of the night, giving him a streak of three straight games with two hits. The speedy outfielder later stole home on a wild pitch to round out the scoring.

Red Sox ace Josh Beckett certainly welcomed the effort after the Red Sox offense had failed to produce a run for him in the previous 19 2/3 innings before Ellsbury’s clutch hit.

The hard-throwing righty allowed just run on seven hits and one walk over seven innings of work while striking out seven. The performance lowered his ERA, which was already second-best in the majors to start the night, to 2.07, its lowest level in more than a month. The lone run came on a home run into the Red Sox bullpen by Mike Carp to kick off the seventh. Since receiving a decision in just six of his first 12 starts, Beckett is 5-1 in his last seven starts to improve his season mark to 9-3.

As a result of the Boston win, manager Terry Francona earned the 1,000th victory of his managerial career while at the other end of the spectrum, the Mariners tied a team-record with their 14th-straight loss.

Here’s more on what went right and went wrong in the Red Sox win.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

–Beckett was able to get Mariners hitters to swing and miss 19 different times in his seven innings of work. His ability to mix all four of his pitches (fastball, cutter, changeup and curveball) kept the league’s worst offense off-balance for most of the night. That was no more evident than in the sixth and seventh frames when he was able to strand multiple runners on base, including one on third in both innings.

–Dustin Pedroia extended his career-long hitting streak to 20 games with a double in the first inning. That streak is the longest by any Red Sox player since Victor Martinez hit in 25 straight in 2009. Pedroia ended the night going 2-for-4 to raise his average to .301, marking the first that it’s been above .300 since April 22. He also stole his 20th bag of the season when he took second base in the seventh inning.

–Adrian Gonzalez‘ double in the sixth was his first extra-base hit since the All-Star break. Put that together with his 6-for-12 showing at the plate in his last three games, and there are signs that the Sox No. 3 hitter may be putting his post-break funk behind him.

–Daniel Bard threw his 24th straight scoreless inning in the win, but it took some work to get there. A single, a walk and a botched bunt attempt loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth inning. Bard then got Carp to fly out to seventh, Jack Cust to simply stare at a backdoor slider that would have frozen any MLB hitter and Franklin Gutierrez to ground out to third to end the threat and hold the score at 3-1.

–Jonathan Papelbon tossed his fourth consecutive scoreless outing and notched his 23rd save in 24 attempts. In 21 1/3 innings for his career against the M’s, the Red Sox closer has allowed just one earned run for a lifetime ERA of 0.42.

WHAT WENT WRONG

–A few baserunning errors almost did the Red Sox in at inopportune times. With runners on first and third and one out in the second inning, David Ortiz was sent home on a Jason Varitek flyball to Mariners centerfielderFranklin Gutierrez, who has not made an error since Aug. 21, 2009 and had five outfield assists coming into Saturday night. Gutierrez’s throw from mid-range center was true, and Ortiz was nailed at the plate by catcherJosh Bard.

In the sixth, Gonzalez followed up a double by trying to advance to third on a grounder to the hot corner. Mariners third baseman Adam Kennedy almost look surprised to see the slow-footed Gonzalez jogging over and consequently tagged him for the second out of the inning. Instead of having a runner in scoring position, the Sox were left with Kevin Youkilis standing at first base instead.

–Even though they were finally able to scrape together three runs in the seventh, the Red Sox offense again showed a vulnerability against pitchers it hasn’t seen before, highlighted by a 1-f0r-8 showing with runners in scoring position before Ellsbury’s two-RBI single.

Release: Upcoming Events at the Burlington Public Library

The Burlington Public Library has a bunch of upcoming events and ongoing programs residents can check out. The following is a press release listing what is currently happening and coming soon.

Children and Teens

Look for some changes in the J paperback section of the library: our spinners are gone, and all the paperbacks are now on shelves, starting with the chapter books A-Z under the window around the corner, then series books (older and younger audience shelved together) in the spot where the spinners used to be.  Massachusetts Children’s Book Awards, Travel Books and new Picture Books and Non-Fiction continue on display on the round tables.  Take a book on vacation, or take a vacation in a book today!

The Summer Reading Program in Youth Services will continue through the second week of August this year with plenty of exciting programs to keep kids happy and involved. Our last Family Folktale Storytime is Tuesday, August 9, at 10:30, a.m.; the last Toddler Storytime is Wednesday, August 10, at 10:15, a.m.; and the last Baby Storytime is Friday, August 12, at 11:00, a.m. 

Most of our Reservation Events are already full, but there may still be space in the kids’ and teens’ Beading Classes on Friday, August 5. Check our online calendar for openings in the 1:00, p.m. program for elementary children and the 2:15, p.m. program for middle school and up.  Everyone is invited to our last two programs.  First, a Fancy Nancy Party--complete with fancy stories, crafts, and snacks—on Wednesday, August 10, at 1:00 p.m.  And, to end the summer on a high note, join us for the Summer Reading Finale, featuring Roger Tincknel with a multicultural musical journey from Canada to Chile, on Thursday, August 11, at 1:00 p.m.

New Public Internet Computers

Thanks to the partnership between the school and the town Information Technology Departments, the library is the recipient of 15 new computers and flat screen monitors for the public internet stations.  For those who rely on the library work stations for free internet access, you will see improved service as a result. 

“Novel Destinations”, Adult Summer Reading Program

The summer reading program for adults continues right through the month of August.  Participation in this stress-free program is easy. Just read or listen to a book, fill out a form, and drop it in the box at the Circulation Desk to enter the two monthly drawings. The prizes for the month of August include a $50 gas card donated by Northern Bank and Trust and a picnic basket with goodies.