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Oxnard College is offering free English classes for workers at local businesses.The idea is to teach employees the English they need to do their jobs, said Christopher Jones, project director. So a hotel might request a class focusing on housekeeping terms. Or a hospital could offer a class on medical terms.“The gist of this program is vocational,” Jones said.The college received a $399,000, two-year grant from the chancellor of the California Community College System to start the pilot program, which has 400 spaces available.The classes are for people already working at a company, as well as for those who want to get a job but need to improve their English, Jones said. The classes can be held right at the company.So far, two companies have signed up — Catalytic Solutions Inc. in Oxnard, which makes catalytic converters, and Deckers Outdoor Corp. in Camarillo and Ventura. Deckers, which markets Ugg boots and Teva sandals as well as other products, has about 30 people in the classes, said Lou Flores, human resources manager.The company signed up for the program because it wanted to improve communication between workers and managers, he said.“Our manager likes to go out on the floor and talk to people directly,” Flores said. “We also wanted to give employees opportunities to take new positions. We look at it as an opportunity for both the employees and for us.”Before starting a class, Jones and an instructor visit the company and ask for a list of items the employer wants workers to learn. The schedule is flexible, but generally it involves two-hour classes, twice a week, over 12 weeks.

Eliza Dushku is all dolled up at the Dollhouse event during Paley Fest 09 on Wednesday (April 15) in Hollywood. (She wore a Moschino Cheap and Chic lilac sleeveless dress with tie died grosgrain straps and crystal beading.)The 28-year-old actress was recently featured in Allure magazine with four other women as part of the magazine’s annual nude issue. “I grew up with three brothers, and I was never shy about covering up,” Eliza said. “It got to the point where my mom was like, ‘OK, honey, it’s time to put some clothes on now.’”These days, Eliza says, “I’ll strip down to my underwear and my Ugg boots when I eat lunch in my trailer.” She also shared about filming intimate scenes. “Love scenes are much more multidimensional, because often you have two people who have just met and you’re rolling around, and it’s more awkward than when you’re posing alone.”30+ pictures inside of Eliza Dushku as all dolled up…

UGG boots have once again padded out of the loungeroom and on to the street in a celebrity-led revolt against teetering high heels.Former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson has long been a fan, but now teen sensation Miley Cyrus has joined the parade.Even Sarah Jessica Parker, whose character in Sex & the City was known for her love of Manolo Blahniks, has cast off the sexy heels in favour of the supersoft boot.Angelina Jolie, Sienna Miller and Leonardo DiCaprio have also been wearing them.Owner of Skinny’s sheepskin stores Bruce Harlow has been supplying the woolly footwear since the mid-1970s. “I think I’m just about the only one in Queensland who’s still making them,” he said.Skinny’s stores stock about 45 styles in 10 colours.And, if he doesn’t have it in stock, Harlow isn’t afraid to buck convention to give customers what they want.”I’ve made a lot of freaky boots for people. I made ones that went right up to the crotch,” he said.”It took a lot of skin and they had zips in them but that was what she wanted.”Harlow has even replaced soles and inner soles on boots he made 20 years ago.”I can’t tell you how many times people have come into the shop and they’ve got their boots all taped up,” he said.”They do anything to keep them together for as long as possible.”Shopper Alice Dykes, 17, from Benowa on the Gold Coast said she would seriously consider getting a pair after trying them in Skinny’s Myer Centre store this week. 

???There are many things that get under my skin: for example, slow drivers, snoring, smoking, Ugg boots, reality television and Paris Hilton. But those are issues for another time. ??? I am here to talk about campus manners ? or lack thereof. ???The last thing I should have to hear while I am reading over notes or typing a paper in the library is the latest Lil Wayne ring tone, followed by a 20-minute conversation about the mindless details of a person’s life. I mean, seriously, just put the phone on vibrate and take the call outside. ???There is no reason myself or others in the library should have to listen to you and your girlfriend or boyfriend shoot the breeze. ???Maybe their idea of a library is different from mine. I thought libraries were supposed to be quiet places where you can get work done without rude distractions. Apparently, it is a place where people can utilize their rollover minutes to talk about the previous episode of CSI or Bret Michaels Rock of Love. ???Another issue that ties into being respectful to those around you is eating. Everybody needs to eat, and if you are like me you enjoy eating. Fortunately, I am here to break the news: there is a time and place to snack and indulge. I also understand UB is a diverse population and we all come from different backgrounds, but eating chips/pretzels/Subway or Burger King in the middle of class is unbelievable. ???Come on now, I should be listening to the teacher, not the person next to me making love to their bag of Doritos. Now me, not being a confrontational person, I just grit my teeth and stand in awe of these individuals and their crazy actions. I do, in fact, find it ironic that a person can talk on his or her phone or eat food right next to me, but if I were to ask them politely to stop, I would be the rude one. ???Obviously, all people do not see these actions as rude or distracting. This is why I would be entirely in favor of some sort of enforcement of no cell phones and food allowed in libraries and classrooms. Now I’m sure we have all been there, whether you were the annoying or the annoyed, but I think it is time we consider others around us. ???Sure, there will be distractions when we are in public, but I think it’s time to start acting our age and being respectful of others around us. Hold doors, say please and thank you, chew with your mouth closed and for the love of God, be respectful of others around you. 

On Tuesday we secured our place in the World Cup Final by beating the West Indies by 146 runs. It will be the first time we have been in a World Cup Final since 1993 and is a massive achievement for all the girls.For me this meant an unrelenting list of interview requests which is phenomenal and showed that all the hundreds of people I have contacted over the past four years have been taking notice and are cottoning on to how good these players are.First up were rights holders Sky Sports followed by Sky Sports News and then Sky News. We also fitted in BBC, various national newspapers as well as the Loughborough Echo, the Leicestershire Mercury and other regional press. I’m always keen to continue to provide for the regional press as they cover us year in, year out, so it’s great to reward them when things are going well.By 9.30pm the interviews were just about finished and England had just woken up. Cue 52 more interview requests for the players. This was brilliant even if it did mean a 2am finish for me – a 20-hour day no less! We have managed to fulfil every single one of those requests so hopefully the players and the game are now getting the profile they deserve.Over the past few days I have had so many messages of good luck to pass onto the squad which has been just brilliant. It’s great to see that people back home are taking an interest and really getting behind us before Sunday. Lots of my friends (who know I’m here, but don’t really follow the cricket) have heard the scores and are emailing, texting and Facebooking me to let me know and wish us well, which is awesome. Even my Dad, who’s in Siberia, has been keeping up to date with how it’s all going and has been sending pep talks via text! All greatly received!On Wednesday night after training we had a team meeting and Clare Connor and I gave a brief media session to the players in preparation for what could be the biggest week of their lives.This was made slightly amusing by the fact that Caroline Atkins and I had swapped clothes for the evening as people keep getting us mixed up! I think I’ve got the better end of the deal there – an opening international bat vs a media manager?! While I dressed Shaggy, as she’s affectionately known, in a lovely joules skirt with a white vest top, cardi and white flip-flops, she dressed me in her baggy jeans, a salmon pink polo shirt (salmon is not my colour!) and my running trainers! Needless to say she got the best straw in the clothing stakes!When the players all saw me there was a deathly silence as they were all too polite to say anything, until one of them started laughing and then they all did with huge sighs of relief that it wasn’t real. This is no slight whatsoever on Shaggy’s clothes as everyone kept telling me – they just look a lot better on her! Caroline, on the other hand, got a lot of compliments and even managed to get served at the bar first that evening!The win over the West Indies and the fact that India had beaten Australia meant that our game against the hosts on Thursday had no relevance on our place in the final. However, we wanted to win. After winning the toss and batting we were all out for 161 and they knocked off the runs in 34 overs. This was so disappointing but, as Lottie keeps saying, we’re in a World Cup Final so we have regrouped and are now looking ahead to the most important game on Sunday.Despite the loss, the good luck messages still roll in and everyone is still very much behind us which means so much to everyone here.Today was a rare day off and after my 1am finish this morning I managed a lie-in until 8am. After a quick visit to the gym I started my first round of interviews with Isa Guha and the BBC. That was swiftly followed by Katherine Brunt with various journalists and then I returned to my computer to reply to the emails that had come in overnight.Whilst here I am still trying to keep up to speed with things back home like our PR and media plans for this year’s Friends Provident Trophy, the ICC World Twenty20, and anything else that needs doing.Anya and I then headed out to George Street to find some Ugg boots. Mine were for myself and my boyfriend’s sister while Annie’s were for her sister and her brother’s girlfriend.We eventually found a shop that sold original Uggs after traipsing round hundreds of shops, much to Annie’s annoyance! We rewarded ourselves with pizza for lunch and then a quick stop back to the hotel to catch up on a few more emails and phone calls. This afternoon we headed down to the Aquarium at Darling Harbour following a recommendation after bumping into my colleague Gill Harris in Circular Quay earlier!It was then a quick dinner before returning to the hotel to do an hour’s worth of interviews with Lottie. Another late night with training tomorrow and then the pre-final press conference and photo shoot at the SCG with Lottie again.She’s going to be extremely busy over the next few days!

That was the buzz in Northeastern Pennsylvania during the first week of November last year. It was high noon in what would become the most contentious election of our lifetime. Yet, a group of relentless students screaming themselves hoarse in the town square, daring the disapproval of former President Clinton by showing up uninvited to his rally, and storming the streets armed with literature, captivated the locals. Newspapers and television crews seemed to follow our every move, asking with a detectable degree of incredulity: why did a group of young students come all the way from D.C. to help Congressional candidate Lou Barletta?Except, what they really wanted to know was why. Why in the revolution of 2008, are all of you teenagers and twenty-somethings voting Republican?See, despite what you might hear about the Democrats being the party of now, we in College Republicans see it for what it is: a fad, and a persuasive one at that. After all, nearly two-thirds of our generation voted for President Obama.But we think, with all due respect to our liberal friends, that they were duped. His face was on t-shirts at Urban Outfitters, he had an application for your iPhone, and the DNC looked more like MTV with all of those Obama-crazed stars slinking around the place. Obama was cool, but has he earned our generation’s vote?While we knew all along that Obama’s message of change, diversity and justice is better promulgated through conservative principles, like competition and self-determination, we also get the trend. We watched with both awe and horror as Obama captivated our peers with his innovation and eloquence.To give you some perspective here, Republicans view President Obama and his policies roughly the same way guys look at UGG boots: attractive in the short-run, but ultimately too costly and impractical to sustain. Admittedly, our Party failed. It neither communicated our message in a modern way nor nominated a candidate to represent those ideals. For this, we are sorry, but before you pick up an Obama pin for your backpack, we ask that you join us, one of the most active College Republicans chapters in the nation, and help us to build a new face for the Party of Lincoln.Think you can’t make a difference? Consider this: CRs campaign for dozens of high-profile and local Republican candidates every year, rank nationally in terms of membership, knock on thousands of doors, and send our members to intern at some of the most prestigious institutions in the world.Lou Barletta was ultimately a victim of the Republican massacre of 2008, narrowly losing to the undeserving Representative Paul Kanjorski, but when CRs came to town in the final days of the campaign, where we were outspent and outmanned, Barletta won the county where we campaigned, something which a Republican candidate hadn’t done in decades. Coincidence? I think not. Terry McAuliffe and Governor Jon Corzine better prepare early, because CRs are ready to go to the mattresses this fall.

The “Brüno” trailer has arrived in all its red-banded glory, complete with outrageous public stunts, nude bedroom brawls and adult toy fights. It’s a Sacha Baron Cohen production — what did you expect?As the trailer’s opening reminds us, three years ago, Cohen introduced the world to a little-known Kazakhstani journalist named Borat, whose crude, provocative, “lavatorial” — and, of course, insanely hilarious — comedy appalled and enchanted audiences. The movie that bears his name went on to gross almost $130 million at the box office. By all accounts “Brüno” — yet another spin-off of a character from “Da Ali G Show” — is even cruder, more provocative and perhaps even more hilarious than “Borat.” And given Cohen’s increased exposure this time around, the film is looking to do even bigger business.Combining the footage in this trailer with word coming out of last month’s South by Southwest Festival, where Universal Pictures screened 22 minutes of “Brüno,” we can begin to piece together a rough idea of what this still-mysterious movie about a gay Austrian fashion reporter will deliver at movie theaters starting on July 10. Turn back now if you’re even mildly spoiler-averse.The film begins as Brüno gets ready for Milan fashion week. Perhaps in preparation for his assignment, he tries on a see-through plastic blazer and then dons a pink unitard, with matching Ugg boots and protruding genitalia. He ends up opting for a jumpsuit made entirely out of Velcro. Backstage at a show by Spanish designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, he sticks to curtains and high-priced garments before tumbling out onto the actual runway.The flamboyant Austrian gets fired for making such a mess of things, and thus begins his journey: He travels to America to become a star. Taking a cue from Brangelina and Madonna, Brüno decides to adopt an African baby. We actually see him remove an infant from a cardboard box (with air holes punched in it, of course) from a luggage carousel at the airport.From there he stages an outrageous photo shoot (Brüno hugging the baby while wearing a beekeeper suit and surrounded by a swarm of bees) and heads to the made-up “Today With Richard Bay” show, a Jerry-Springer-style talker in which Brüno says he gave the child a “traditional African name: O.J.” The show devolves into a full-on brawl.At some point, Brüno seems to lose custody of the baby and decides to reinvent himself as a straight man. The first stop in this quest might be a Sears store, where he tells an unsuspecting clerk, “You might find this very hard to believe, but I am gay.”Brüno’s other attempts to engage in purportedly macho activities include: finding his way into a swingers’ party and then into the bedroom with an aggressive, silicone-enhanced woman who mercilessly whips him; joining some sort of military training camp, where he stylizes his uniform with a little help from Dolce & Gabbana; and going on an overnight hunting trip with a group of camouflaged Southerners.”Look at the four of us,” he says as they sit around the campfire. “We are so like the ‘Sex and the City’ girls.”"Oh, no we aren’t either,” comes one uncomfortable response.”I ain’t neither one of ‘em,” another hunter says. “I’m Donnie.”"That is such a Samantha thing to say,” Brüno quips.With more than three months until the movie’s release date, we can surely expect much more of “Brüno” to trickle onto the Web. For now, we’ll just have to savor this first two minutes and 35 seconds of insanity. Brüno putting his infant on the handlebars of a Vespa? Brüno showing up at the mall handcuffed to a man wearing nothing but boxers and a few leather straps? Sacha, can we have some more please?

Though she’s disappointed her hubby Tony Parker’s San Antonio Spurs lost to the Cleveland cavaliers yesterday, Eva Longoria bounced back with a big smile on the set of “Desperate Housewives” on Monday (April 6).The brunette beauty sipped her coffee in between takes, filming scenes alongside on-screen husband, Ricardo Chavira, and their children, Juanita and Celia.Upon finishing up the morning shoot, Longoria changed into some comfy sweats and UGG boots as she made her way to her nearby car.In related news, it was recently reported that motorcycle crash victim, Gale Harold, will be returning to his role on “Desperate Housewives” beginning May 3 after six months recovering.“Quite frankly, I think he looks even better [than before the crash],” series creator Marc Cherry jokingly told press.

Students were treated to a “Freaky Friday” moment Monday night in the Marvin Center Amphitheater when the Political Satire LLC hosted a laugh-a-minute mock debate.Brand Kroeger ’09, chairman of the College Republicans, and Cory Struble ’09, president of the College Democrats, squared off in an uproarious debate where they posed as a member of the opposing political party much to the amusement of attendees, who largely were members of each student org.Michael Komo ’11, president of the LLC, posed as Anderson “Silver Fox” Cooper, and Jen Goldstein ’11, an LLC member, was Campbell “No Bias, No Bullshit” Brown. The pair moderated the speedy debate.The Political Satire LLC is a living and learning cohort residing in Guthridge Hall, and began last year as an LLC in Thurston Hall. Goldstein said the group meets once a week to watch programs like “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report,” but they also hold one or two events a month (sometimes a charitable event).Kroeger, as a Democrat, entered draped in a LGBTQ rainbow flag, wearing aviators with a bright green suit, a bright pink shirt, and Uggs. With a flamboyant attitude and exuberant responses, Kroeger kept the audience in stitches with his sexually explicit puns and egging on his opponent.Struble, as a Republican, entered accompanied by his “pro-life, trophy wife” Cindy, played by CD Membership Director Jessi Gordon ’11. With a tweed coat and waving an American flag, he spoke in a southern-esque accent, and brought along several props including an actual trophy for his wife, who he demanded was not allowed to speak.Throughout the Lightning Round of fast answers, the Crossfire section where Kroeger and Struble could question each other, and the Q&A with the audience, the laughs were nonstop, as punch lines were continuously met with raucous laughter.Below are some of the more notable remarks from each individual. As Komo reminded those gathered at the beginning of the event, all comments were made in jest as the two are actually good friends, so the audience was asked to not “get offended, and leave with a smile.”“Democrat” Kroeger said:·    his favorite senator was Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) because his “moonlight drives around the vineyard are to die for.”·    his favorite state was Florida because it’s the “you-know-what of America.”·    former Vice-President Dick Cheney actually was not a bad guy because “Dick shot a guy in the face…that’s pretty badass.”·    Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was his “second favorite lesbian.”·    President Barack Obama’s first 100 days have been successful because Sasha and Malia’s swing set was slipped into the stimulus bill, and Michelle planted a new garden.·    the government has to stand up for polar bears and unicorn ponies before former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin hunts them too.·    Struble was racist even against penguins, and they are black and white.“Republican” Struble said:·    his favorite senator was former Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) because he had a “wide stance on the issues.”·    his ideal evening would include a “hot night of abstinence” with his trophy wife.·    Ronald Reagan was his “ideological savior.”·    his most-hated country was Massachusetts because it’s the only place where “same-sex marriage is mandatory,” but hunting is illegal.·    even fetuses have a right to bear arms because “life begins at conception.”·    every child under 5 years old, including fetuses, should be given an Uzi gun.·    he was against DC voting rights because they are between a man and a woman. If DC earns voting rights then the government will have to let animals vote, then the animals will want to adopt too.·    his foreign policy objective was to “invade more countries and make some theme parks.”The comedic pair even had each other cracking up during a night when questions like “What would you do for a Klondike bar?” received over-the-top responses.Goldstein said she was happy with the success of the event, and was able to pull off a “school-wide event” rather than just for the LLC. She added that the Political Satire LLC plans to make the debate an annual event.

A row is escalating in Tasmania over the supply of sheepskins used to make ugg boots for the US market.The globe’s largest meat processing company, JBS Swift, is expected to front an Australian Senate hearing to answers questions about alleged abuse of market power.It follows a complaint made to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in February about the Brazilian-owned company.The Tasmanian hide and skin processor, Cuthbertson Brothers, has alleged that production had been halved because the business could no longer tender for skins from the Longford abattoir, which Swift bought last year.Company manager, Wayne Jones, said by locking the firm out of the Longford facility, Swift was using its market power to force Cuthbertson Brothers out of business, which was clearly in breach of the Trade Practices Act.”The majority of sheep and lamb skins we produce go to the US as high quality uggs which are then sold as a premium Tasmanian product,” Jones said.”Unless something is done to stop Swift abusing its market power, Tasmanian uggboots will be lost, as well as a valuable export market”Jones said Cuthbertson Brothers were once 80% of the market. Since December, the company had only been able to get a “dribble” of sheep and lamb skins from Swift.Becher Townsend, who represents small independent retailers in Tasmania, told Inside Retailing Cuthbertson Brothers had slipped from having 80% of the market to between 10% and 20%.”It’s savage for them. They’re copping it in the neck,” he said.”It’s a family company, over 150 years old, the same family that owns Blundstone boots.”The long and the short of it is the lamb skins are sent to the largest tannery in the world, Hinnan Proposer in China, and used to make high end consumer goods and in particular ugg boots. From what I can gather the vast majority, but not all, of branded ugg boots (Billabong, EMU, UGG, etc) sold in Australia would have come from this organisation.”The top 10% of the lambskins processed annually go to make the ugg boot and the top 10% just happens to come from Cuthberton’s in Tasmania.”That’s because of the high quality and clean-ness of the skins. Interstate, lambskins end up with grass seeds through them. Down in Tasmania, they don’t” Townsend said.”As a result of what’s happening, the ugg boot is suffering as a result,” he said.”It’s ironic, but if I walk down the road to Sheepskins & Opal World (in Hobart), I’d buy a pair of ugg boots which are probably made from Tasmanian lambskin, sent to China, value-added and sent back here to be sold to tourists, particularly from south-east Asia”.Townsend said Swift had closed an abattoir on King Island last week for six to eight weeks in order to “review services”.”So they are also jeopardising the King Island brand – all the food and dairy products – and that one is deeply distressing to watch.”