Current Olympians and others in the ski community are mourning the loss of professional free skier C.R. Johnson, who died in a fall while skiing a steep chute at California’s Squaw Valley.

Johnson, 26, who has competed in the Winter X Games, was skiing with a group of friends when he fell while trying to negotiate a “very, very tight, rocky area,” said Jim Rogers, a member of the Lake Tahoe-area resort’s ski patrol.

He fell face-first, then spun around and struck the back of his head on rocks in the Light Towers area of the resort. Johnson was wearing a helmet, but Rogers said the helmet took a serious blow.

Ski patrol members were called shortly before 2 p.m. but were unable to revive him. Placer County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Ausnow said Johnson died on the slopes.

Johnson was well-known at Squaw Valley, a challenging resort near Lake Tahoe’s north shore that hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. It also is the home base for several members of the U.S. ski team, including Olympic alpine medalist Julia Mancuso.

She tweeted about Johnson’s death late Wednesday: “crazy day just got a little bit more unexpected… just learned that my friend and insane skier CR Johnson just died at Squaw.. my heart and prayers go out to everyone at home and CR’s family.”

Olympic snowboarder Louie Vito also tweeted his reaction: “RIP to my homie CR Johnson. He will be missed by EVERYONE. At least he was doin what he loved but CR YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!”

Johnson’s father was an avalanche forecaster at the resort for about a decade, Rogers said. The younger skier also had rebounded from a serious injury suffered during a competition in 2005 that put him in a coma for several months.

“This is a man of very, very strong skiing talent,” Rogers said. “This young man had been a fixture here at Squaw Valley for years. … He grew up at Squaw Valley.”
A statement from Squaw Valley USA described Johnson as a professional skier and member of its Freeride team.

He also competed in superpipe and halfpipe skiing at events such as the X Games. A photograph on his MySpace page said he was “X-qualified” for a skiing competition in France in 2002, while the Web site for the Ski Channel Television Network said he had been nominated for male skier of the year in 2002.

The freeskier.com Web site posted clips of Johnson in several extreme skier movies, jumping off cliffs and sailing through fresh, untracked powder. One clip includes Johnson talking about relearning to use his arms and legs after a severe injury caused by a collision with another skier while filming at Utah’s Brighton ski resort in 2005.

He recalls “being one of the best skiers in the world, overly confident in your skiing, overly confident in yourself. … Right now I’m working as hard as I possibly can to return to the sport that nearly killed me.”

Squaw Valley attracts expert skiers and is known for its difficult terrain. Johnson is the fifth skier to die on the slopes over the past three years. Two of the five died in avalanches, including one member of the ski patrol.

Attempts to reach Johnson’s family late Wednesday were unsuccessful, and a telephone message left with a spokesman for the X Games was not immediately returned.

Johnson, whose first name was Charles, had posted the following statement his MySpace page: “I feel it’s most important to keep it real and enjoy each moment, you know, take advantage of every opportunity life provides, because who knows what tomorrow may bring.” AP

Latest Updates CR Johnson Death, CR Johnson Died, CR Johnson Dead, CR Johnson Accident Video, CR JohnsonDies,CR Johnson, 26, Died Today in Squaw Valley, California while skiing.A statement was made by the Lake Tahoe resort claiming, Johnson caught an edge on exposed rocks while entering the Light Towers area above the Cornice II lift. He fell through rocks before coming to a rest several hundred yards below the entry. Ski Patrol were on the scene within minutes, but efforts to revive Johnson failed. He was reportedly wearing a helmet.

Latest Updates CR Johnson Death, CR Johnson Died, CR Johnson Dead, CR Johnson Accident Video, CR JohnsonDies,CR Johnson, 26, Died Today in Squaw Valley, California while skiing.A statement was made by the Lake Tahoe resort claiming, Johnson caught an edge on exposed rocks while entering the Light Towers area above the Cornice II lift. He fell through rocks before coming to a rest several hundred yards below the entry. Ski Patrol were on the scene within minutes, but efforts to revive Johnson failed. He was reportedly wearing a helmet.

Randy Couture vs Mark Coleman fight video latest news updates :- Coleman vs Couture Fight Video. As UFC 109 will soon end, we’ll be posting the Couture vs Coleman Replay video here. It’s one of the most awaited matches in the history of UFC and I bet after the main event, a lot will look for the replay of Randy Couture vs Mark Coleman match. Some fans around the world have no time right now to watch it, that’s why they will expect a replay video of Couture vs Coleman.

Rest assured that we’ll be updating this post for the replay video of Couture vs Coleman. As of now, here are the results of UFC 109 fight cards.

UFC 109 Preliminary card
Heavyweight bout: Rolles Gracie vs. Joey Beltran – Beltran defeated Gracie via TKO at 1:31 of Round 2.
Heavyweight bout: Tim Hague vs. Chris Tuchscherer – Tuchscherer defeated Hague via majority decision
Light Heavyweight bout: Brian Stann vs. Phil Davis – Davis defeated Stann via unanimous decision.
Lightweight bout: Phillipe Nover vs. Rob Emerson – Emerson defeated Nover via unanimous decision.

UFC 109 Preliminary card (Spike TV)
Lightweight bout: Melvin Guillard vs. Ronnys Torres – Guillard defeated Torres via unanimous decision
Lightweight bout: Mac Danzig vs. Justin Buchholz – Danzig defeated Buchholz via unanimous decision

UFC 109 Main card
Welterweight bout: Matt Serra vs. Frank Trigg – Serra defeated Trigg via KO at 2:23 of round 1
Middleweight bout: Demian Maia vs. Dan Miller – Maia defeated Miller via unanimous decision
Welterweight bout: Mike Swick vs. Paulo Thiago – Thiago defeated Swick via technical submission (D’arce Choke) at 1:54 of round 2
Middleweight bout: Nate Marquardt vs. Chael Sonnen – Sonnen defeated Marquardt via unanimous decision
Light Heavyweight bout: Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman – Couture defeats Coleman via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:09 of round 2.

Alien Vs Predator Demo, There are a lot of quality first-person-shooter games out there to choose from, but few can claim the sheer scare power of this series. Aliens vs. Predator 2 lets you play as one of three characters: a humanoid Marine, the Alien, or the Predator. Each has its own distinctive traits, but once you’re feeling your way through the dark, creepy tunnels of this game, you ll see that no special attributes make it easier on your nerves.

The graphics are great. Though much of the time is spent in the dark in this demo, what you do see amidst the flashing security lights and the light of your gunfire is fantastic. The sound will remind you of the movies that inspired the game, from the intermittent blip of the scanner that picks up aliens to the scampering, metallic-like sound of the aliens themselves as they stalk you. You have several cool-looking weapons to choose from that are different depending on which character you choose. Warning: This game is definitely not for kids or for anyone who scares easily, and the violence of this game is not for the thin-skinned. With that in mind, Aliens vs. Predator 2 rivals most FPS games of its generation, and with the undeniable fear factor, you may want to leave the lights on.

Mumbai: It’s kiss and make up time in Bollywood! After B-town’s two famous Khans – Salman and Shah Rukh burying the hatchet and sharing friendly vibes, news has it that Shah Rukh and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan are all set to mend their professional relationship.
According to the latest Bollywood news, SRK approached the light-eyed beauty to play a cameo in his upcoming flick ‘RA 1′ at a recent social event.

By the way, the last time SRK and Aishwarya shared the silver screen was in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Devdas.’ However, after the infamous ‘Chalte Chalte’ debacle, both SRK and Aishwarya never worked together.

Talking to a news daily, a close source said, “At a social get-together recently, Shah Rukh and Gauri were seen in the company of Abhi-Ash. Both the couples were bonding and had a long chat about movies and forthcoming projects. It was at this moment that Shah Rukh spoke about ‘RA 1.’”

“Shah Rukh mentioned a scene to Aishwarya where she has to play herself in the film. It is a cameo. The scene is yet to be scripted, but so far it is about a character in the film who is Ash’s biggest fan and actually gets to meet her. Abhishek, who was listening, encouraged Ash to do it. It was a general conversation that night but one hopes it materialises. It would be great to see Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in a Shah Rukh starrer,” added the source.

When enquired Anubhav Sinha, the director was unavailable for comment. Incidentally, the spokesperson of Aishwarya said, “Nothing of this sort has happened, nor has she been approached for it.”

Espn Reporter Erin Andrews Video >- ESPN beauty Erin Andrews wants maximum sentence.The ESPN beauty broke down in tears Tuesday when she first spotted peephole perv Michael Barrett.

The case has now come to court and Michael Barrett, who has admitted the charge in a plea bargain, is about to be sentenced. That plea bargain is for two years time rather than the potential maximum of five. But Erin Andrews isn’t happy with this:

“I am a victim of this sexual predator. I would like to see him immediately put in prison for as long as possible,” Andrews, 31, told the judge.

She said she fears for her safety as long as he’s free.

“I have nightmares,” she told the court.

“I walk in crowds and I see him in my peripheral vision. When I’m alone in my house, I have fears that he’s going to walk inside and hurt me.

“I don’t know him. I’ve never met him. I don’t know why he chose me. But I hope he never sees the light of day again.”

Barrett, 48, faces up to five years in prison when he’s sentenced Feb. 22. His plea agreement recommends about two years. Andrews wants the maximum.

“My career has been ripped apart, which I’ve worked very hard for,” she told Judge Manuel Real.

“I am subjected to crude comments and suggestions that I have partnered in a crime,” she continued. “I walk into stadiums, and fans say obscene things to me.”

Barrett avoided eye contact with Andrews and pleaded guilty to one felony count of stalking.

He admitted he secretly rigged peepholes at hotels in Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin in 2008 and secretly shot the videos.

NAYANA ( which means ‘eye’) – a diabetes retinopathy prevention and treatment van – is a venture funded by the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) in Karnataka state (India) and is indeed a great boon for the rural people living with diabetes retinopathy. Three year ago when the van was first introduced in this area retinopathy treatment was only been available at certain urban hospitals. This means travelling 200-300 Km to access such care, resulting in huge barrier for people who live in rural areas and semi-urban areas. However, now Karnataka has achieved impressive results after introducing a unique to bring the treatment out the patients.

Every month the van visits 23 locations across 13 districts catering to the needs of 18.31 million people. These locations consist of 8 Eye Hospitals/Eye Departments Of larger hospitals, 3 Government hospitals and 11 other clinics.

“We have completed 375 field days. We see an average of 33-34 patients per location. This is the only van in India which is providing these kinds of facilities for the prevention and treatment of diabetes retinopathy,’ said Dr. Shivaram, a senior ophthalmologist and coordinator of this mobile eye care van, based in Yalundar, Karnataka. He further said, ‘After the introduction of this van, 80 per cent of the people living with diabetes in rural areas  have started getting treatment of retinopathy.’

People living with diabetes in this area have made a Diabetes Forum. This forum organizes periodical meetings to address the problem of diabetes. Mr. Mahadev Appa, a patient of diabetes retinopathy and retired government employee, said, ‘I had been suffering from diabetes for the last 20 years. However, I had no idea about diabetes retinopathy till 2 years back when this van came to my village, B.R. Hills. Then I got myself checked and was diagnosed with diabetes retinopathy. I immediately started taking treatment and today my retinopathy problem is gone.” His 24 years old daughter Gayatri feels that her father has got a new lease of life.

The increasing number of diabetes mellitus cases pose major health care challenges in India. According to the WDF, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. In India it is estimated that one in five people who have had diabetes for more than 10 years will develop diabetic retinopathy.

The main stages of diabetic retinopathy are:

(i) non-proliferative – background diabetic retinopathy, characterized by the development of occasional small blisters (microaneurysms) caused by enlarged capillaries and small haemorrhages on the surface of the retina. Moderately severe to very severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy is also known as pre-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

(ii) proliferative – symptoms of which include: blurred or double vision; reduced vision; and dark or floating spots.

In the non-proliferative stages, abnormal blood vessel permeability results in the leakage of water, blood cells, proteins and fats into the surrounding retinal tissue. At this stage, diabetic retinopathy usually shows no symptoms unless accompanied by diabetic macular edema.

People progress from pre-proliferative to proliferative diabetic retinopathy when new blood vessels grow from, and across the retina in response to lack of oxygen delivered by the original vessels. This is called neovascularisation. However, these new vessels are very weak and are even more likely to break and bleed into the clear gel (the vitreous) that fills the back cavity of the eye, blocking vision. Scar tissues may also form near the retina, detaching it from the back of the eye and resulting in blindness.

Diabetic macular edema

This is a common complication associated with diabetic retinopathy. It corresponds to a swelling in the macula, one of the areas of the retina. When some of the small blood vessels in the retina are blocked, the surrounding ones dilate to compensate for this. The dilated vessels are generally leaky and fluid builds up in the macula, which in turn causes the macula to swell and cease to function. It is the most common cause of visual impairment in patients with non-proliferative retinopathy. Loss of vision can occur suddenly and treatment is not very successful.

Treatment

‘There is no pharmaceutical therapy available at present that stops the progression of diabetic retinopathy. However, lasers are widely used in treating diabetic retinopathy.. Laser is an intense and highly energetic beam of light that emerges from a light source and is focused on the retina’ said Dr. Shivaram.

Nayana is thus actually rekindling the light in many eyes, which would otherwise have become sightless.

Amit Dwivedi

(The author is a Special Correspondent, Citizen News Service (CNS). Email: amit@citizen-news.org,

Latest news updates about Carlos Dunlap :-Carlos Dunlap DUI: Arrested Gator Charged With Driving Under The Influence.

Florida star defensive end Carlos Dunlap was arrested and charged with drunken driving early Tuesday morning in Gainesville. Dunlap is a projected first-round NFL draft pick and is currently the Gators’ sack leader on defense.

According to  reports suggest Carlos Dunlap was found passed out behind the wheel of his car at a Gainesville intersection, failed field sobriety tests once awakened, and refused a breathalyzer. Carlos Dunlap was later released on his own recognizance.

One figures Dunlap will certainly be suspended for Saturday’s SEC title game in Atlanta, especially after the heat Florida coach Urban Meyer received in the offseason over numerous disciplinary issues concerning his players.

A DUI is a very serious offense, but Dunlap’s decision to be out drinking in the middle of the night only a few days before the season’s biggest game will certainly be questioned by team officials, fans and NFL scouts.

NFL Power Rankings week 13 updates :- Here are my NFL Power Ratings for Week 13

1. New Orleans Saints – Special teams and defense have both seen the light in the Big Easy and this team just gets better. Darren Sharper starting to look like free agent signing of the year. Beating New England on Monday night was another big test they passed easily.

2. Indianapolis Colts – Most dangerous team in the league right until the final whistle. One away from tying New England’s all-time win record of 21-straight regular season wins.

3. Minnesota Vikings – MVP talks are starting for Favre and the way things are going, the mayor of Minneapolis should probably start packing up his desk.

4. New England Patriots – Playing away from home is starting to look like a weakness for Belichick and crew. Miami, Buffalo and Houston: Take notice.

5. Cincinnati Bengals – Proving that Oakland was only a small lapse, Bengals are back on target. Beating Cleveland is not grounds for a promotion, however. RB Benson returns this week vs. Detroit.

6. Dallas Cowboys – Sad-sack opponent helps Dallas add to its overrated November numbers. Note: Cowboys were 4-1 straight-up last month vs. opponents with combined record of 24-31 (.436).

7. San Diego Chargers – Saw what the Broncos could do on Thanksgiving Night vs. G-Men and responded with a 40-buger vs. a division rival. Any questions?

8. Philadelphia Eagles – Lack of finish in Philadelphia starting to become a real concern. Once again, why was Michael Vick brought in here?

9. Pittsburgh Steelers – Ben Roethlisberger saga turning into a bad episode of Days of our Lives this week. Early prediction: Steelers will be the NFL’s Hard Knocks team for 2010.

10. Denver Broncos – Relegated to second place in the AFC West for the first time this year and Thursday we got to see how the Broncos would respond. Thanks to an overzealous cameraman, we were also able to hear Josh McDaniels’ thoughts on the subject!

11. Baltimore Ravens – Line movement was the story of the game against Pittsburgh and the first one (Baltimore -2.5) was much more accurate. OT win added to the list of phenomenal Sunday Nighters this year (Giants at Cowboys, Patriots at Colts…).

12. Arizona Cardinals – Latest victim of the resurgent Vince Young. Super Bowl losers do not have a good record the following year (71-100-2 ATS since 1999). Cards are starting to fade.

13. Green Bay Packers – Impossible to gauge impact of injuries on defense against woeful Lions squad. Week 13 Monday Night Football vs. Baltimore will be a day of reckoning.

14. Houston Texans – All style, no substance. You would think coach Kubiak would know better by now.

15. Jacksonville Jaguars – After the 41-0 blip in Seattle the Jags went on a 4-1 tear; the only loss coming against the Titans. Houston comes to Florida in Week 13 and these ratings will likely be different following that contest.

16. Miami Dolphins – An off-game against a bad squad is okay now and then but not when it’s divisional. Fish get break with Pats also losing.

17. Tennessee Titans – Mental errors at the end of the first-half were shades of a potential collapse for Vince Young. Instead, he inspires fifth-straight Titan power rating jump of the season.

18. New York Giants – Eli Manning’s problems with his foot are starting to look like the kind of thing that will cost his team a trip to the playoffs this year. Look for David Carr to finish this season as the starter.

19. Atlanta Falcons – Falcons offense is falling apart and it looks like this team will have to start planning for next year. Matt Ryan has already been ruled out for game against Philly.

20. San Francisco 49ers – At one point vs. the Jaguars Mike Singletary was between the hash marks attempting to call a timeout. Don’t ever question depth of Niners at linebacker.

21. New York Jets – Mark Sanchez has tweaked his left knee and given the state of this season we should expect the Jets’ run-game to start dominating the offensive playcalling.

22. Carolina Panthers – If you believe that handicapping turnovers is impossible to do you may want to cross the Panthers off your list each week of games to bet on.

23. Washington Redskins – Fantasy alert for next season! Remember Quinton Ganther as a bench running back; seriously. Behind 3rd stringer Rock Cartwright the second year Ganther averaged 6.4 RYPC vs. Philadelphia.

24. Seattle Seahawks – Good for you Seattle, you’ve now outscored the Rams 55-17 this year. Too bad Seattle is -65 net points against all other opponents.

25. Chicago Bears – Sounds like a lot of fingers in the Windy City starting to point at Jay Cutler. Do they not remember how bad Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton were?

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Should have won straight-up vs. Atlanta but seven-straight goal line stops in final minutes are asking a bit much.

27. St. Louis Rams – Spagnuolo sets new record for home losses as first year Rams head coach.

28. Buffalo Bills – Bills blowout Dolphins; Terrell Owens is happy again. Maybe Ralph Wilson should save a few million and just name Perry Fewell the new coach.

29. Kansas City Chiefs – Chiefs are home for three-straight starting this week vs. Denver, Buffalo and Cleveland. Given history of success in December at Arrowhead it may not be a bad idea to just play ON Kansas City all three weeks.

30. Oakland Raiders – If there was a stat for consistently having at least one good play on every drive the Raiders would actually rate fairly well.

31. Detroit Lions – Toughness aside, when do say enough is enough and sit the future of your franchise down before he gets killed.

32. Cleveland Browns – Cleveland will occupy this spot until they can win another game. It wouldn’t be right to move them ahead of the Lions, now would it?

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