| Family huddle for Belichick
GLENDALE, Ariz. - It was Bill Belichick's chance to defend himself, to set the media - or at least what passes for media on Media Day at the Super Bowl - straight, to rewrite history before his team does. "Your personality - how close is the perception of you to the reality?" asked one questioner yesterday inside University of Phoenix Stadium. In a manner that belies his complicated persona, Belichick replied, "I don't know, next." Belichick is guarded, but he's not the X's-and-O's automaton he's often made out to be. The coach has flashed some of his personality here at Super Bowl XLII. Maybe it's a calculated move to take some of the pressure off his team and its pursuit of a perfect season, or maybe he's actually showing a softer side. The coach revealed that he's expecting both of his sons, Stephen, who is a freshman at Rutgers (where he plays lacrosse, just like his old man did at Wesleyan), and Brian, a high school sophomore, to be on the sideline with him Sunday.
Diller vs Malone
With friends like John Malone, the world's most powerful media executives could do without enemies. The cable industry mogul – who won the nickname Darth Vader because of his ruthless dealmaking style – is at it again, and in spectacular style. He has turned on his long-time ally, the television executive-turned-internet entrepreneur Barry Diller, and is trying to oust him from the helm of his internet empire, IAC/InterActiveCorp. Mr Diller has shot back that Mr Malone's reasons are "incomprehensible" and that his people have gone "insane", but the situation last night was that both men stubbornly insisted that they controlled the company. It promises to be a doozy of a media feud. IAC is Mr Diller's publicly quoted holding company, whose businesses include the box office website Ticketmaster, the upstart search engine Ask.com and the home shopping channel HSN.
Malls head to NYC for retailers
Trademark is expected to sign a contract soon, maybe as early as next week, to buy Padre Staples Mall, negotiations which have been in the works since May. "It's just a long, complicated process," said Trademark's Bill Morris. Trademark officials also have said they will seek retail tax incentives, and while they haven't determined the exact amount they will request, they have said it will be less than the $40 million Crosstown Commons requested. Assistant City Manager Oscar Martinez and Trademark declined to discuss details because many of the numbers still are being finalized. As a requirement of the city's incentive policy, approved this summer, Trademark must show a financial gap, that they can't do this project without the city's help. But the specifics, such as the company's bank records, often are kept confidential because companies don't want to reveal too much financial data to the public, Martinez said.
Valley Briefing
The United Way of Central Kane County is accepting new board leadership applications. Applicants must live and/or work in the central Kane County. United Way is looking for candidates who have legal, business and not-for-profit experience to serve on the board. Call Paula Yensen, executive director, at (630) 377-1930 or e-mail stcuw@yahoo.com. Geneva Heartmath gives Delnor two awards Delnor Hospital has received two awards from Heartmath, a research, technology and training organization which is helping hospitals create healthful environments for both staff and patients. Delnor is the first hospital in the U.S. to receive the HeartMath Hospital designation, the highest recognition awarded by HeartMath to honor those hospitals that meet or exceed standards of quality, staff well-being and patient care.
Hardware Pornographic Film Industry Still Firmly Behind HD DVD
Despite Blu-ray Disc's momentum, adult video still likes HD DVD Despite all the talk regarding Blu-ray Disc's momentum after Warner Bros. gave its support exclusively to the format, the high-definition format war is far from over. With the overall high-definition market barely a drop in the bucket when compared to DVD sales, there is still a lot of ground still to be claimed. Analysts looked early to the adult industry as a strong decider of the format war. The adult industry is often credited with giving VHS its support, helping the format to edge out Betamax – and some believe that history may repeat itself with the HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc battle. Digital Playground founder and director Joone originally backed HD DVD, but at this year's Adult Entertainment Expo he reportedly told German publication Heise Online that his company will be shifting its support to Blu-ray Disc by the end of the year.
The Most Foolish
In an interview with Fool co-founder David Gardner several years ago, Mackey reflected on how he was turned down for early financing by a venture capitalist who said the business would be a fad. Some fad. The company's well on its way to its goal of $10 billion to $12 billion in sales by 2010. Part of the secret sauce is not just that the company's benefiting from healthier eating trends -- particularly among Baby Boomers -- although that is certainly a part of Whole Foods' success. Another important element is that the company functions as a lifestyle brand by pursuing the same kind of "third-place" mentality that Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX) has mastered -- the "third place" being a special place where people like to spend time between home and work. Although some traditional grocers are trying to jazz up their stores to address current trends, places like Safeway (NYSE: SWY) don't quite make that third-place cut.
Housing boosts growth
This month the Liberal Party observes its 62nd anniversary. Instead, the two factions claiming party leadership have decided to celebrate the milestone on separate dates. The wing led by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza got together Jan. 19. The faction under Sen. Mar Roxas is set to hold its assembly on Wednesday, Jan. 30. What split the LP was the call made in July 2005 by then-Senate President Franklin Drilon and other party members for President Arroyo to resign in the wake of the Hello, Garci scandal. Atienza and his wing have remained loyal to GMA. Last November Drilon and company appointed Roxas as party president. They did so by virtue of a Supreme Court resolution, which they claimed affirmed their hold on the party. However, former Northern Samar Rep.
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