What has two legs, a fighting spirit, and was escorted out of a tree this week? No, it's not your drunk uncle, it's Daryl Hannah. After weeks of protesting the takeover of a public garden [0] used by more than 300 working class families, the eco-active movie star was taken from her walnut tree in South Los Angeles and the garden was closed after a raid by L.A. sheriff deputies [1]. Joan Baez, Julia Butterfly Hill [1], Willie Nelson, and Danny Glover also supported the garden. You've got to admire the efforts and energy of these stars, but many feel that they just didn't know when to quit [2]. Others were frustrated by the chaotic end to the protest. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa called the events "disheartening and unnecessary," and mourned the loss of "an oasis in a sea of industry and concrete." Our view? If you've ticked off your city's richest residents, poorest residents, and the mayor, you might want to reconsider your actions. Shame on developer Ralph Horowitz.
Toronto basketball [3] star Mike James, who's coming off a breakout season, has revealed one of the secrets to his success on an ESPN.com Motion segment. The short video shows James preparing for and partaking in an intense Bikram Yoga [3] class. The Raptors' guard says that more than anything, he does yoga for the mental concentration, calling his practice, "food for your mind." "Breathing is the hardest part," he says. Actually, Mike, for most of us the hard part is averaging more than twenty points per game in the NBA. But breathing, yeah, that's hard too.
There are other sports stars [4] looking for a (slightly... very slightly) more LIME lifestyle. Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Scott Riggs, and other Nascar drivers have taken an interest in healthy eating in hopes of increasing their chances of victory, the New York Times reported. The automobile-athletes say they've been eating increasing amounts of salmon, sweet potatoes, and whole wheat pasta. The long term implications of the story have executives in the squirrel grilling industry concerned, but it's certainly a positive change for the drivers. Now if only we could get them to ride bicycles.
No plans for the weekend? Check out the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival [5]. The organizers of the Manchester, Tennessee event plan to use new waste management strategies and technologies to keep 60% of the waste materials produced from going to landfills. The event also aspires to bring more attention to global warming [6]. Artists include Ben Folds, Matisyahu, Bonnie Raitt, Sonic Youth, Radiohead, Buddy Guy, Les Claypool, Beck, Elvis Costello, the Neville Brothers, Rusted Root, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Medeski Martin & Wood, Cypress Hill, My Morning Jacket, Death Cab for Cutie, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Cat Power, Andrew Bird, Blues Traveler, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, as well as comedians Louis Black and Patton Oswalt. Apparently the kitchen sink just couldn't make it to this one. Maybe next time.
Biggie and Tupac. Lindsay and Paris. Could Madonna and Britney be next? Sources report [7] a riff between the cross-generation kissers after Britney abandoned her Kabbalah study and moved on to the religious practice of worshipping herself baby. "I no longer study Kabbalah, my baby is my religion," wrote Britney on her website. Madonna reportedly feels as though she's "wasted time, money, and precious gifts" on Spears. The quarrel leaves some wondering when celebrities will finally agree to appropriate and bastardize just one spiritual outlook, or better yet, stick to Scientology.