Olivier Giroud Banned 3 Matches for Red Card vs. QPR

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Arsenal will be without star striker Olivier Giroud for the foreseeable future, as the Frenchman received a straight red card in the team's Boxing Day match against Queens Park Rangers for an apparent head-butt.

The forward tumbled to the pitch after rushing into QPR's Robert Green, stood back up and clashed with QPR's Nedum Onuoha. The two seemed to clash heads, and after much confusion, the official reached for his back pocket and brandished the red, per ESPN FC:

Arsenal's official Twitter feed didn't see it that way, as they felt the 28-year-old did little more than shove:

Former England international Gary Lineker disagreed, and he couldn't believe the forward would lose his temper like that:

Arsene Wenger agreed with Lineker, per Arsenal's Twitter feed:

According to the Daily Telegraph's Henry Winters, the red carries an automatic three-match suspension:

Arsenal had dominated QPR up until the sending off, and facing a very busy holiday schedule, the Gunners will have to find a way to stay in the Premier League title race without their most consistent threat at the striker position.

Giroud's fury at the decision of the official was somewhat understandable given the fact Onuoha shoved him into Green, a dangerous move at full speed, but he clearly wasn't thinking when he got back up and clashed with the defender.

While the red card will be hotly debated in the coming days, there's no denying the France international forced the official into making a decision by launching himself at Onuoha in the first place.

Follow this link:

Olivier Giroud Banned 3 Matches for Red Card vs. QPR

Red Devils lose pink basketball game at Green River

by Jeff Richards Contributing Writer Moab Times Independent

A sea of pink jerseys surrounds a Green River player holding the pink-and-white game ball, during Grands junior varsity win over the Pirates on Dec. 19. Photo by Jeff Richards

The two teams would have normally been decked out in the appropriately festive Christmas colors of red and green, but just for that night, the players on both teams instead wore pink jerseys as part of the games Slam Dunk for a Cure promotion to raise money for the battle against cancer. Green River wore light pink uniforms, while the Red Devils donned shirts that were a darker fuchsia.

Grand won both the freshman and junior varsity games handily, after which the Red Devils varsity squad managed to take a slim 30-29 halftime lead over the Pirates.

However, two of Grands starting players, senior Ronnie Dolphin and junior Brayden Ward, had conked heads while going for a rebound late in the second quarter, putting both players out of the game.

Ward suffered a gash underneath his eyebrow that will likely require stitches. He was attended to by spectator Dr. Ken Williams of Moab, who came down from the stands and patched Wards cut using a squirt of super glue. Ward was able to briefly return to the game after that, but didnt remain in for long.

Dolphin, who also had sustained a small cut on his head, was believed to have suffered a concussion and did not return to action.

GCHS head coach Scott Horton said the unfortunate collision took away any momentum the Red Devils had going for them in the first half.

Right after they hit heads, we lost our spark, he said.

The Pirates went on a scoring tear during the third quarter, outpacing the Red Devils 30-4 over an eight-minute span. During the third period, the Red Devils suffered two more setbacks when Jasen Christensen fouled out of the game and fellow senior Brendan Bennett was sidelined with a knee injury.

Read the original:

Red Devils lose pink basketball game at Green River

Fearne Cotton looks effortlessly chic as she heads to radio studio

By Nola Ojomu for MailOnline

Published: 10:18 EST, 24 December 2014 | Updated: 10:51 EST, 24 December 2014

She has her own fashion collection for Very and is known for her love of all things stylish.

So it comes as no surprise that Fearne Cotton made an impressive sartorial display when she arrived for work at the BBC studios on Wednesday morning.

The 32-year-old Radio One presenter looked chic in a black and white contrast cape by Gina Bacconi.

Scroll down for video

Monochrome magic: It comes as no surprise that Fearne Cotton made an impressive sartorial display when she arrived for work at the BBC studios on Wednesday morning

The Celebrity Juice co-host teamed her outerwear with skinny jeans and studded black boots.

She accessorised with a large white handbag and wore her blonde locks naturally straight.

Fearne drew attention to her pout with red lipstick while she highlighted her natural features with barely-there make-up.

See more here:

Fearne Cotton looks effortlessly chic as she heads to radio studio

Salvation Army Appeals For Help In Meeting Red Kettle Donations Goal

December 23, 2014 3:48 AM

Kim Glovas has been covering breaking and developing news as a...

By Kim Glovas

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) The Salvation Army is coming up short on holiday donations to its iconic red kettles.

The Salvation Army depends on donations to provide social services, shelter, food and other assistance to the poor and hungry. Major Robert Dixon, who heads the Philadelphia division, says the number of those in need is greater this year than last, and he is appealing to individuals, corporations and groups to help.

People are in desperate need of assistance from the Salvation Army and they continue to come to us, Dixon says. And we dont want to say no. We want to be able to help people. Their generosity and donations will help us to do that.

Online donations are also acceptedthrough the Salvation Army website.

Major Dixon says the goal of the 2014 Red Kettle drive is $700,000. So far, about half of that has been raised.

Were just asking that they dig a little deeper, he says, so that we can continue to meet needs.

The bell ringing stops Christmas Eve.

Here is the original post:

Salvation Army Appeals For Help In Meeting Red Kettle Donations Goal

Review: Avenue Theater's "Santa's Big Red Sack" is back

Jeff Kosloski, with a in festive Christmas yarmulke, and Jane Shirley in "Santa's Big Red Sack."

The sixth edition of Avenue Theater's "Santa's Big Red Sack" is bursting with merriment, much of it directed at seasonal excesses including chirpy, well-meaning folks, passive-aggressive bell-ringers and PG-13 jokes.

* * * comedy

The improv-style show is a series of sketches escorted by Christmas music (real carols, not parodies). The four cast members set the tone before the show by forcefully distributing Hershey's Kisses and spray-cheese on crackers.

Two uber-cheery carolers break into "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," thoughtfully providing the cold with jackets and scarves, feeding the hungry, then helping an awkward stoner light his pipe, and kindly handing a mugger the handbag he's dropped.

"Merry Hanukkah" continues that earnest theme as a Christian couple, wearing lookalike argyle sweaters, visits a bewildered Jewish neighbor. They warble a Hanukkah tune and proudly offer a festive Hanukkah ladle and handmade green-and-red yarmulke that definitely would turn heads at temple.

The jaunty smugness continues with an increasingly frustrated father reading "The Night Before Christmas" to children whose questions reinterpret the phrase "threw up the sash" and snigger at "breast of newfallen snow." Then come a cannabis-inspired rearrangement of "Carol of the Bells" and an innovative Spanish-to-English translation of the word "Christmas."

And the cast throws in a repeating white-elephant joke based on Sarah MacLachlan's tear-jerking commercials for the American Humane Society, finding new, seasonally relevant causes to champion. (Is there anything sadder than a mall Santa surprised by his own rapidly cooling soaked lap?)

The show continues through Sunday, comic relief from more earnest productions. If you go, wear a Christmas sweater ironic or not and you might get a stocking stuffer-size reward.

Claire Martin: 303-954-1477, cmartin@denverpost.com or twitter.com/byclairemartin

Read the original post:

Review: Avenue Theater's "Santa's Big Red Sack" is back

New Red Sox pitcher Miley: Gluten-free? What would the Babe say?

Updated DEC 20, 2014 12:28p ET

Wade Miley kind of has a point.

Miley, whom the Boston Red Sox acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks last week, said earlier this week that he butted heads with his former club last season because of a disagreement concerning its stance toward players' diets.

The new Red Sox pitcher clarified things Thursday, suggesting his initial comments were overblown.

"I said something a little sarcastic, and I guess it got taken a little further than it needed to be taken," Miley said Thursday on WEEI's "Hot Stove Show" in reference to the idea Arizona required him to be gluten-free.

"They did not require you to be gluten-free. They would like you to be a little healthier than I would think, than I would expect, but no, they definitely don't require you to be gluten-free. They just really worry about your health a lot."

Miley, 6 feet tall and 220 pounds, struggled a bit in 2014 after back-to-back solid seasons, including a 2012 campaign in which he earned a National League All-Star selection. The left-hander doesn't see his preparation or diet as being an issue, though.

In fact, Miley was able to make light of the supposed beef.

"I'm a big fan of old-school guys," Miley said. "You can't tell me Babe Ruth ever stopped eating gluten."

Well played, Wade.

Link:

New Red Sox pitcher Miley: Gluten-free? What would the Babe say?

Red Soxs Wade Miley Jokes About Babe Ruth While Explaining Diet Drama

Miley, whom the Boston Red Sox acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks last week, said earlier this week that he butted heads with his former club last season because of a disagreement concerning its stance toward players diets. The new Red Sox pitcher clarified things Thursday, suggesting his initial comments were overblown.

I said something a little sarcastic and I guess it got taken a little further than it needed to be taken, Miley said Thursday on WEEIs Hot Stove Show in reference to the idea Arizona required him to be gluten free. They did not require you to be gluten free. They would like you to be a little healthier than I would think, than I would expect, but no, they definitely dont require you to be gluten free. They just really worry about your health a lot.

Miley struggled a bit in 2014 after back-to-back solid seasons, including a 2012 campaign in which he earned a National League All-Star selection. The left-hander doesnt see his preparation or his diet as being an issue, though. In fact, the 220-pounder was able to make light of the supposed beef.

Im a big fan of old-school guys, Miley said. You cant tell me Babe Ruth ever stopped eating gluten.

Well played, Wade.

Thumbnail photo via Benny Sieu/USA TODAY Sports Images

Read this article:

Red Soxs Wade Miley Jokes About Babe Ruth While Explaining Diet Drama

Hurst Chapel's Youth Explosion Today, Saturday

Published: Friday, December 19, 2014 at 1:06 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, December 19, 2014 at 1:06 a.m.

WINTER HAVEN | You can have a red Mohawk and still love God.

That's one of the messages Katina Campbell said Hurst Chapel AME is trying to get across at its Youth Explosion event today and Saturday.

"We want to show our youth that you don't have to change who you are or what you look like to love God," said Campbell, event coordinator.

The event starts at 7 p.m. today with minister and singer Alexis Spight. The 21-year-old was runner-up on Black Entertainment Television's fifth season of "Sunday Best" a national gospel singing competition. She's the one sporting the red Mohawk and red eyebrows to match.

Evangelist and gospel singer Jekalyn Carr is Saturday's special guest. The 17-year-old is a Stellar-Award winner and her song "Greater Is Coming" debuted third on Billboard's gospel music chart. EBONY magazine lists her alongside Oprah and Beyonc on its Power 100 list for 2014.

"We're trying to motivate our young people by showing them these young women who are in their age group, have a good spiritual foundation and are using their special talents to live their lives as people of God," Pastor Ronnie L. Clark said.

The idea for an event catered to young people came from a strategic planning meeting, Campbell said, which included church heads and the youth group. The youth group is made up of about 150 young people from 6 weeks old to 18 years old.

The church has hosted gospel concerts before, but feedback from the youth told Campbell that they had a tough time relating because the artists were not from their generation or genre of music.

"We decided to showcase Alexis and Jekalyn because they're both dynamic in that they'll preach the word of God in their blue jeans," Campbell said.

Read the original here:

Hurst Chapel's Youth Explosion Today, Saturday

Heads up, Pittsburgh: TWO Andy Reids are comin' to town Sunday

Updated DEC 18, 2014 4:45p ET

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Heads up, Pittsburgh: You're about to get two Andy Reids on your hands.

Fake Andy Reid -- or rather, his alter ego, Kansas City Chiefs fan Chris Wilhelm, whose appearances in Buffalo the last two years have caught the eyes of national television cameras -- tweeted out that he's bringing his Big Red tribute act to Steelers-Chiefs on Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field:

Besides being a dead ringer for the real Andy Reid, Fake Andy, who makes his home in Neola, Pa., brings a little good karma to the party as well. Kansas City is 4-0 over the last two seasons whenever he is in attendance and in costume as Reid, with victories at Philadelphia, Buffalo and Washington in 2013 and another at Ralph Wilson Stadium earlier this fall.

And the Chiefs (8-6) could use all the mojo they can get right now. Kansas City is a three-point underdog at Heinz Field, hasn't won in Pittsburgh (9-5) since 1986, and has dropped the teams' only two meetings at Heinz by a combined margin of 61-20. It's a big one as far as the AFC postseason picture goes, too; a win would launch Kansas City back into the wild-card picture (and provide a huge head-to-head tiebreaker over Pittsburgh), while a loss in the Steel City likely eliminates the real Andy Reid from playoff consideration.

You can follow Sean Keeler on Twitter at @SeanKeeler or email him at seanmkeeler@gmail.com.

More:

Heads up, Pittsburgh: TWO Andy Reids are comin' to town Sunday

Here Are the Best Dressed Stars, Constant Red Carpet Winners of 2014

by Nicole Adlman Tue., Dec. 16, 2014 8:00 AM PST

If there was ever a time to overuse the word "chic," this would be it.

Our style stars showed out on the red carpets and in the streets this year looking better than ever, but we've narrowed the list down to four leading ladies whose sartorial choices really turned our heads (or, in some cases, unhinged our jaws). That's right: These gals owned their looks whether daytime casual or red carpet-ready, and continually surprised us with unique takes on classic closet staples.

Read on for our picks of the best dressed stars in 2014!

PHOTOS: Celebrity street style

Emma Stone "I've always admiredThe Amazing Spider-Manactress' red carpet style, but in 2014 I became president of her fashion fan club when she stepped out in ensembles like this yellow Versace dress, pink Thakoon number and a seriously swoon-worthy Valentino gown. This year Emma proved once and for all that there is no color or silhouette she can't pull off." Cinya Burton, Senior Editor

PHOTOS: The 2014 British Fashion Awards

Emma Watson "When it comes to effortless class, we could all take a lesson from Miss Watson. I am so in love with her understated elegance and wonderful knack for hitting the right style note, no matter what the occasion. From this oh so simple yet still totally stunning Ralph Lauren Collection white gown, to a contemporary take on classic tailoring in Saint Laurent, Emma has emerged as a style icon for the modern minimalists." Jacqueline Lee, Photo Editor

PHOTOS: Blake Lively's pregnancy style

Blake Lively "Reasons to worship Blake Lively? She's Blake Lively. Since her Gossip Girl days, she's been a consistent member of best-dressed lists everywhere. But this year especially, the blond beauty stepped up her red carpet game like never before. She turned the Cannes International Film Festival into her own personal runway with one drool-worthy look after the next, wearing stunning Gucci gowns and a glittering Chanel Couture halter dress. Safe to say, Blake's a true Queen B of all things glamorous." Lindsey Sirera, Intern

Read more from the original source:

Here Are the Best Dressed Stars, Constant Red Carpet Winners of 2014

Are Redheads more prone to Bullying? NoBullying Article Released Today

London, UK (PRWEB) December 15, 2014

With red haired people thought to be an obvious minority worldwide, the world is now only beginning to take note of the bullying of redheads or ginger haired people. NoBullying attempts to understand the phenomena of bullying redheads in an article released today.

According to this article, published by the BBC in August 2014, Shows such as South Park have triggered a significant increase in bullying against people with red hair. In one of their episodes they created a holiday called Kick a Ginger Day. This was essentially a holiday where physical abuse against red heads was tolerated because redheads have no soul. Even though most adults can look at this and understand that this is simply comedy meant to poke fun at the ridiculous thought process behind bullying, it has actually started to turn this into a real issue as many younger viewers did not understand this and went on to bully their red haired classmates.

The source article also alludes to the ongoing estimation that almost half of all women with red hair will face bullying or discrimination at some point in their life due to their red hair, ginger haired women tend to face sexual innuendo or insulting derogatory statements about their red hair.

The best way for schools to handle bullying behavior is to confront it head on. By getting everyone involved in taking a stand against bullying and shaming, schools have a better chance of minimizing this abusive behavior on their campus. As adults, teachers, parents and school staff need to lead the way in demonstrating an acceptance of all students in their classrooms, regardless of differences in appearance, race, nationality or physical and mental abilities. Even friendly teasing of students with red hair needs to stop. Teachers who tease their students pave the way for bullies to pick up where they leave off. By treating all children the same, teachers send the signal that everyone is accepted for who they are.

Students can do their part to stop redhead bullying by befriending redheaded students and making them feel welcomed in class and social activities. All students need to feel like they belong. By accepting redheads into their circle of friends and standing up against abusive behavior, students can help break the bullying cycle. Less bullying makes for a more inspiring school environment thats conducive to learning.

Ciaran Connolly, Co Founder of NoBullying says We hear from parents of bullied red haired children that it seems logical to get the children to change their hair color to avoid bullying, making changes about your appearance wont solve any bullying problem.

He elaborates Bullies use physical appearance as an excuse to bully others, if the victim changes a physical aspect the bully will find something else to use as a reason for bullying, it is an ongoing circle of aggression that can only be broken with kindness, education and strict anti bullying policies.

He added that parents and teachers should make a point to educate the younger generations about the sad outcome of neglecting online safety and photos safety. According to Connolly, it is quite imperative to press for more firm laws condemning all acts of bullying and harassment.

NoBullying.com features many pages dedicated to parents, teens, teachers, health professionals as well as posts related to cyber safety and the latest news about law making concerning curbing Bullying worldwide as well as inspirational Bullying Poems and famous Bullying Quotes.

Read more:

Are Redheads more prone to Bullying? NoBullying Article Released Today

Red Sox Celebrate Christmas at Fenway Atop Santa's 'Naughty List'

Merry Christmas at Fenway on Saturday.

Select single-game tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, as well. Automated web pages are standing by.

Me thinks the virtual waiting room will like the drive-thru at Dunks at 3 in the morning. A quick in-and-out.

The Red Sox have been very naughty this year.

Much like the Grinch, they "stink, stank, stunk."

They were moving away from Santa's "Nice" list even before the 2014 season began. They discounted the value and worth of Jon Lester early and often. They mocked the Yankees and others for spending wildly, or as some may say, paying market value for players. They snookered us all into thinking they would be a playoff team for the second straight year.

Just back up the coal truck to Yawkey Way.

Meanwhile, we loaded up on 2013 World Series championship swag and 2014 tickets.

Ho-Ho-Hosed.

Things got far worse-than-expected once the games began. The team quickly found last place and stayed there for pretty much the entire season. State Run Media trumpeted each rare, coveted victory as the long-awaited "turnaround" that would right the Ship of Sox.

More:

Red Sox Celebrate Christmas at Fenway Atop Santa's 'Naughty List'

Red Sox focus is a moving target

The Red Sox have a plan this winter, and its like something out of the limbo dance: How low can you go?

Virtually every move the team has made so far this offseason shares one trait, and its not something youd find on the back of a baseball card.

With research revealing that the strike zone has dropped by the diameter of a baseball over the last few years, the Red Sox have targeted pitchers and hitters who can control that area of the plate, and it will be fascinating to see if their gambit pays off this season.

Third baseman Pablo Sandoval, signed to a five-year, $95 million deal, is one of the best lowball hitters in the game, batting .321 lifetime on pitches at or below the knees.

Slugger Hanley Ramirez, meanwhile, may not be Sandovals equal in that regard, but hes a lifetime .346 hitter in the lower third of the zone, and a lifetime .283 hitter on pitches at or below the knees.

Then theres the pitching side of the equation. Left-hander Wade Miley and right-handers Rick Porcello and Justin Masterson may not strike out a ton of batters (Masterson is the best of the bunch at 7.5 Ks per 9 IP), but each rates above average in groundball/flyball ratio, with Masterson (1.33) one of the most extreme examples in the game. Both Porcello (1.12) and Miley (0.96) easily top the league average (roughly 0.80) as well.

The Red Sox downplay the notion that theyre trying to reinvent the wheel There are different ways to pitch, and not a certain type of pitcher were looking for, general manager Ben Cherington said recently but its clear they believe theyre on to something. And theyre not alone.

Consider the responses last month at the GM Meetings when executives were asked if theyd consider targeting hitters who controlled the bottom of the zone.

White Sox GM Rick Hahn smiled broadly. Im not sharing anything about that, he said. Its a good question.

Indians GM Chris Antonetti changed the subject. Im going to stay away from that level of detail, he said. Id prefer to keep things on the macro level.

Read the original post:

Red Sox focus is a moving target