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ARLINGTON, Va., March 22 /PRNewswire/ — On April 22, PBS KIDS will host “Share the Earth Day” as 15 different series present eco-friendly, earth science and outdoor exploration-themed episodes. Families can join favorite characters from CURIOUS GEORGE, SESAME STREET, SUPER WHY! and more as they learn about solar power, pollution, water conservation, biospheres and saving the rainforest. 2010 marks PBS KIDS’ largest “Share the Earth Day” event.

“‘PBS KIDS Share the Earth Day’ encourages kids to explore earth science as part of their daily lives, from backyard adventures with Sid the Science Kid to cooking using solar energy with Curious George,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice President of Children’s Media, PBS. “PBS KIDS is a leader in science learning, with the most comprehensive, dedicated content and resources on TV, on-line and in classrooms.”

Continuing the Earth Day learning on digital platforms, PBSKIDSGO.org/video will feature the online premiere of WORDGIRL’s “Earth Day Girl” episode, as well as a themed channel of Earth Day episodes. Beginning today, PBSKIDSGO.org will launch new content on EekoWorld, an interactive website designed to introduce children to the basics of ecosystems, conservation and pollution, and on April 5th, PBSKIDSGO.ORG/designsquad/contest will feature the launch of the 2010 Trash to Treasure competition which challenges kids to recycle, reuse and reengineer everyday items into new inventions. PBSKIDS.org will feature more than 20 environment and nature games, as well as an Earth Day specific playlist at PBSKIDS.org/video.

PBSPARENTS.org will feature tips for making recyclable crafts, throwing an eco-friendly birthday party and supporting children’s interest in nature. The site will also host an Expert Q&A with Kimberly Brenneman, education advisor for SID THE SCIENCE KID. PBSTEACHERS.org will host a webinar on April 5, titled “Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day,” exploring environmental curriculum and its impact on student preparedness for green jobs.

Earth Day Episodes, Airing on “Share the Earth Day,” April 22 (check local listings)

For preschoolers:

(NEW) CURIOUS GEORGE – “Something New Under the Sun”

It’s too hot to do anything except cool off in front of the air conditioner…until the power goes off. To beat the heat, George and the Man with the Yellow Hat visit the museum, which is the only place in town with power, due to its new solar energy panel. George sees how the sun can charge batteries, and the Man agrees to make his famous lasagna for Dr. Levit’s birthday. But how can the Man make his lasagna without power for his electric oven? Can a monkey’s knowledge of solar power be the key to baking the world’s first solar energy birthday lasagna?
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LOS ANGELES, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Daddy, Cesar Millan’s inseparable partner and beloved pet died peacefully surrounded by family at the age of 16. In honor of Daddy’s legacy, an Emergency Animal Rescue Fund has been established by the Cesar and Ilusion Millan Foundation.

Daddy, often referred to as America’s pit bull ambassador because of his gentle disposition and intelligence, lived with the Millans from the age of four months. He stood as a champion for calm-submissive pit bulls everywhere, and was instrumental in helping to repair their image as violent and uncontrollable.

As fans of Millan’s hit National Geographic Channel television series Dog Whisperer know, Daddy was a key fixture in more than 50 episodes, often assisting Millan with his toughest cases, bravely interacting with and calming the most unmanageable dogs with his natural balanced energy. Daddy helped shape the behavior of entire generations of dogs by showing them the way to balance.

Cesar states: “I’ve always seen Daddy as my teacher of life. He brought my family and me so much joy over the years. Personally, he represented what my grandfather taught me, never work against Mother Nature. He will be greatly missed, but his spirit lives on.”

Daddy’s Emergency Animal Rescue Fund will provide funding and assistance for dogs who are victims in large-scale disasters (hurricanes, fires, and other natural catastrophes), man-made disasters (hoarder and puppy mill rescues), and one animal victims of abuse or violence.

An initial contribution by the Millans and the Dog Whisperer team has established the fund in Daddy’s honor.

If you would like to honor Daddy’s memory and the contributions he made to improving the lives of animals, you can make a donation by visiting www.millanfoundation.org/daddyfund.

In Daddy’s memory, National Geographic Channel has a photo gallery posted at natgeotv.com/dogwhisperer.

SOURCE Cesar Millan

Newest Single ‘Back Against The Wall’ Hits #1

NEW YORK, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Cage The Elephant tops the charts with “Back Against the Wall” which claims the No. 1 position on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart this week.

This is no small feat for the Bowling Green, KY based band that has sold over 250K records since their self-titled debut less than one year ago. The success of the current single follows the band’s gold-certified single “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked” which peaked at #3 on the Alternative Songs chart selling over 620K digital downloads. Cage The Elephant’s current headlining tour includes two New York area sold-out shows, the Bowery Ballroom on March 2nd and the Music Hall of Williamsburg on March 4th.

Cage The Elephant burst on the national music stage in 2007, building a solid following and earning critical attention with their riveting performances in the U.K. and the U.S. at Coachella, Lollapalooza and All Points West.

Cage The Elephant is comprised of brothers Matt (vocals) and Brad Shultz (guitar), Daniel Tichenor (bass), Lincoln Parish (guitar) and Jared Champion (drums).

Remaining tour dates are as follows:

February 22 Charleston, SC

February 23 Carrboro, NC

February 25 Washington, DC

February 26 Towson, MD

February 27 Philadelphia, PA

March 1 Asbury Park, NJ

March 2 New York, NY

March 4 Brooklyn, NY

March 5 Boston, MA

March 6 Portland, ME

March 8 Burlington, VT

March 9 Montreal, QC

March 10 Toronto, ON

March 12 Buffalo, NY

March 13 Cleveland, OH

March 14 Columbus, OH

March 17 Cincinnati, OH

More info: www.cagetheelephant.com

FLEMINGTON, N.J., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Results from a national media study among 1,090 Americans revealed that Tiger Woods’ apology for his extramarital affairs was ranked second among other celebrity apologies in 2009 and 2010.

The results were based on a series of studies that were conducted by HCD Research using its MediaCurves.com® website during 2009-2010. The studies were conducted among Americans who ranked various celebrity apologies on a scale based on levels of sincerity. Respondents ranked celebrities who were featured in news stories that were tested by MediaCurves.com® in 2009 and 2010. To view detailed results go to: www.mediacurves.com.

Chris Brown’s apology for assaulting Rihanna scored a 17.2 with regard to the change in perceived sincerity levels, compared to Woods’ apology, which scored a 7.9 with regard to the change in perceived sincerity levels. Additionally, men and women rated the sincerity of Woods’ apology similarly after viewing the press conference, with 61% of women reporting that it was sincere and 58% of men reporting that it was sincere.

Among the findings:

The scores below indicate the percent change in celebrities’ sincerity scores based on a scale of 1-7 before and after respondents viewed the apologies. Higher scores indicate higher levels of perceived sincerity. Positive scores indicate an increase in perceived sincerity and negative scores indicate a decrease in perceived sincerity.

                                  SINCERITY
    Chris Brown apologizing for assaulting Rihanna          17.2
    Tiger Woods apologizing for his affairs                  7.9
    David Letterman's sex scandal confession                 4.3
    Governor Mark Sanford apologizing for his affair         3.2
    David Letterman apologizing for Palin joke              -2.3
    Jaimee Grubbs apologizing to Tiger Woods' wife          -5.9
    John Mayer Apologizing for Playboy Interview           -13.6

Do you think that Tiger Woods’ apology was sincere?

                                        Men                  Women
    Yes                                 58%                   61%
    No                                  42%                   39%

While viewing the video, participants indicated their perceived levels of sincerity by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. The participants were also asked to respond to post-viewing questions.

First Superman Comic Shatters All Records with Unprecedented $1,000,000 Sale

NEW YORK, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ — They said it couldn’t be done. They said that no comic book—no matter how rare—would ever sell for $1,000,000. This week, they were proven wrong. And in the midst of a recession, no less!

That’s because ComicConnect.com, one of the industry’s leading online auction/consignment sites, just sold an extremely rare, top-condition copy of the world’s most coveted comic book for exactly $1,000,000. That figure is more than three times higher than the prior record-holder, also set by ComicConnect.com.

That comic book, of course, is Action Comics #1, which marked the debut of Superman in 1938 and promptly changed the course of pop culture forever.

This particular copy has been in a private collection for more than 15 years, and it’s likely to disappear again once it’s been turned over to its new owner. However, ComicConnect.com will allow the media to view it briefly in its New York City showroom (873 Broadway, Suite 201, 212-895-3999). The showroom is also home to ComicConnect.com’s affiliate, Metropolis Collectibles (metropoliscomics.com), the largest vintage comic book dealer in the world.

“It’s the Holy Grail of comic books,” says founder Stephen Fishler, one of the leading experts on collectible comics.

“Before Action Comics #1, there was no such thing as a superhero or a man who could fly,” notes Fishler, who created the 10-point grading scale which today is used universally to evaluate the condition of comic books.

“It’s the single most important event in comic book history,” adds ComicConnect.com co-owner and COO, Vincent Zurzolo.

Only about 100 copies Action Comics #1 remain in existence, and of those 100, only two have received a grading of 8.0 (Very Fine) or higher. This particular book is one of them, making it among the rarest of the rare.

Up until now, the record-holder was another Action Comics #1, this one with a grading of 6.0. It sold on ComicConnect.com for $317,200 in 2009.

According to the Overstreet Price Guide to Comic Books—the industry bible—Action Comics #1 is indisputably the highest-valued comic book of all time. In second place is Detective Comics #27, which marked the first appearance of Batman in 1939. An Action Comics #1 graded 8.0 or higher is priced about 25% higher than a comparable Detective Comics #27.

Until last week, some collectors weren’t aware of the existence of this million dollar copy. Fishler, however, knew it well, because 15 years ago, he sold it for $150,000.

But why the big jump in price?

“High-grade copies are rarely, rarely offered for sale,” explains Zurzolo. “When they do come on the market, you can expect to see a big leap in value.”

“I knew that someday, there would be a seven figure comic book sale, and I dreamed of being part of that historic moment. But I didn’t think it would happen so soon, particularly given the current state of the economy.”

Imagine: back in 1938, this very comic book sold for ten cents, its sole purpose to entertain a child. 72 years later, some very fortunate adult is willing to spend $1,000,000 for the privilege of owning it—something most experts believed would never happen.

“Is it worth it?” says Fishler. “Absolutely. There is nothing else like it.”