Latest Merced Headlines In the MOVIES Section STYLE ICONS "MAD MEN" AND BARBIE® JOIN FORCES - EXCLUSIVE BARBIE DOLLS LAUNCHED  (3/11/2010) by: Steven Samblis Mattel, Inc., Lionsgate®, and AMC announced today the launch of four Barbie® Collector "Mad Men" dolls available to consumers July 2010. Designed by Barbie designer Robert Best, the "Mad Men" Barbie doll line features key players from the Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency. Read More           In the MUSIC Section Clapton Blu-ray Disc Released!  (3/11/2010) by: Jim Stalker Concert discs aren’t for everyone, but for those who love and collect them, you might want to check out Eagle Rock Entertainment’s A Concert by the Lake. It provides a terrific recording of a 2006 benefit concert that features a coterie of British rock royalty including Eric Clapton, Mike Rutherford, and Ringo Starr. Read More           In the MOVIES Section American Idol - Week 9 Recap - The Dudes  (3/11/2010) by: Jim Stalker Lynche found his inner-Vandross out-smoothing Maxwell’s remake of the reclusive British diva’s song. It was as Simon said, "not only the best performance of the night, but the best of the season!" In this sleepy season it wasn’t enough to generate a real idol moment. I put it somewhere slightly above Siobhan’s high note on Think. Read More           In the MOVIES Section American Idol - Week 9 Recap - The Ladies  (3/11/2010) by: Jim Stalker As for the rest if you brought in Jack Bauer and his jumper cables I think I would expire before he could "help me remember" any of their performances. There really isn’t much difference between them. As I mentioned before they all seem like they’d be equally happy with a career in movies or TV if the music thing doesn’t work out. If I were Katie, Katelyn, or Paige I would start packing. Read More           In the POLITICS Section The Right to Work  (3/10/2010) by: John Stossel The people of Louisiana must sleep soundly knowing that their state protects them from ... unlicensed florists. That’s right. In Louisiana, you can’t sell flower arrangements unless you have permission from the government. How do you get permission? You must pass a test that is graded by a board of florists who already have licenses. Read More           In the BUSINESS Section TAKING STOCK - A Bite of Apple  (3/10/2010) by: Malcolm Berko Dear Mr. Berko: In October 2009, you roundly criticized Apple’s iPod as useless and suggested that the stock should not be bought. I sent you a long letter telling you why you were wrong, but you did not answer me. The stock is now $224, so let’s see if you have the guts to publicly admit your stupidity. Read More           In the BUSINESS Section TAKING STOCK - The Future of GM  (3/10/2010) by: Malcolm Berko Dear Mr. Berko: I’m 87 years old. I started work at GM in 1943 and retired 30 years later in 1973 at 50, and I could fix anything that went wrong on the assembly line. I believed in GM back then, as did every working man in America. So every time I could save enough money, I would buy one or two shares of GM because it was my company. Read More           In the BUSINESS Section THE SAVAGE TRUTH ON MONEY - How Washington Stuck Us With the Wrong Incentives  (3/9/2010) by: Terry Savage Dear Terry: (This is an excerpt from a note posted on my blog.) We are grateful to have wonderful jobs and don’t ever want to be viewed as complainers. However, I have to admit I am frustrated and perplexed at what I am hearing lately in terms of the financial behavior of some associates, even family. Read More           In the DINING Section WINE TALK - Midwestern Wine Dazzles California Judges  (3/9/2010) by: Robert Whitley After 17 years as director of the venerable Monterey Wine Competition, I’ve come to expect the unexpected. So, surprised I wasn’t when the hands went up en masse as we polled the judges on the one Vignoles in the showdown for Best of Show white wine this year. Read More           In the MERCHANDISE Section IN FASHION - What Not to Wear for Spring  (3/9/2010) by: Sharon Mosley When the sun starts shining and the shopping days grow longer, it’s tempting to throw all our winter weary wardrobes out the window and go on a serious spending spree. But before you max out the credit cards, there are a few things you might NOT want to spend your money on this spring. Read More           In the MOVIES Section THE HOLLYWOOD EXCLUSIVE - Joseph Fiennes: ’More Thrust and Drive’ Now in ’FlashForward’  (3/9/2010) by: MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH Joseph Fiennes offers words of assurance to fans of his ABC show, "FlashForward," which returns to the lineup March 18 after an opening volley of episodes that saw ratings dive. "It’s going to get much more exciting," says the actor. "It was going to be a 24-episode season, but we pulled a lot of stuff and brought it down to a season of 22." Read More           In the HEALTH Section SUSTAINABLE LIVING - 10 Steps to Improving Your Local Economy  (3/9/2010) by: Shawn Dell Joyce Recently, most of America’s industry has been "outsourced" overseas, causing a loss of jobs and the disintegration of hometowns built around factories. Our current recession is an indication that this global economy is not working. Economist and author Michael Shuman said recently "about 42 percent of our economy is ’place based,’ or created through small, locally owned businesses." Read More           In the POLITICS Section Obama’s Oscar  (3/9/2010) by: Chuck Norris I am no pinnacle of humility, and I’ve learned my fair share of hard lessons from the camps of conceit. But I’m not sure the former Chicago politician occupying the White House ever has been schooled with a primer on the perils of pride. It’s one thing (though still distasteful) to be boastful in a sports or fighting ring; it’s quite another in the Oval Office. Read More           WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY IN... 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