Martin Manulis, a television, film and stage producer who created the classic, Emmy-winning program “Playhouse 90,” has died. He was 92.

Manulis died Friday of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles, according to his son, John Bard Manulis.

Manulis was best known as the creator and original producer of “Playhouse 90,” a live dramatic anthology series that took on serious subjects and won critical acclaim and a constant stream of Emmys.

…

Manulis is survived by John Bard Manulis, daughters Laurie Harmon and Karen Manulis Cohen.

His wife, Katherine Bard, died in 1983.

Rest In Peace, Martin.

Topps Meat Co. on Saturday expanded a recall of ground beef from about 300,000 pounds to 21.7 million pounds, one of the largest meat recalls in U.S. history.

The recalled products are all ground beef patties with various brand names.

In a statement, the Elizabeth, New Jersey, company said the hamburger patties may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea and cramps, as well as other complications.

A statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture said 25 illnesses are under investigation in Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

The ground beef products being recalled have a “sell by date” or a “best if used by date” between September 25, 2007, and September 25, 2008, Topps’ statement said.

For more information, call Topps at (888) 734-0451.

[Source: CNN]

Lois Maxwell, who starred as Miss Moneypenny in 14 James Bond movies, has died, the British Broadcasting Corp. reported Sunday. She was 80.

The Canadian-born actress starred alongside Sean Connery in the first James Bond movie, “Dr. No,” in 1962 as the secretary to M, the head of the secret service.

She died Saturday night at Fremantle Hospital near her home in Perth, Australia, the BBC cited a hospital official as saying.

Bond star Roger Moore said she was suffering from cancer.

Rest In Peace, Lois.

Wally Parks, an automobile enthusiast who founded the National Hot Rod Association and helped turn drag racing into a legitimate sport, has died. He was 94.

Parks died Friday at Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center of complications from pneumonia, said Michael Hollander, a spokesman with the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona.

As a test driver for General Motors, Parks started organizing car races in Southern California’s dry lake beds in the 1940s.

“He effectively created drag racing,” Hollander said. “These kids were racing jalopies and he wanted to get them off the streets and start them racing in an organized manner. He set up a system of timing and scoring and turned it into a legitimate sport.”

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His wife Barbara died in 2005, Hollander said. He is survived by two sons, Richard and David.

Wally Parks is a legend in the sport, and this is a huge loss for everyone. Having created the NHRA back in the 1950’s, Mr. Parks changed the landscape of racing forever. If you’ve never been to an NHRA event, you are truly missing out.

Rest In Peace, Wally.

One of the issues we have at my company is keeping track of timesheets. When it comes time to bill a customer we want to make sure we have billed them for all of the engineering and installation hours which apply to their project, but if our timesheets are not up to par, we end up getting screwed.

Well, now we don’t have to worry because JournyX offers free timesheet software that integrates into Microsoft Project, Quickbooks, payroll software and more.

JournyX offers a free copy of Timesheet, with 10 licenses, with no strings attached. Why? They have seven reasons listed on their site, but I think it’s all about reputation and word of mouth. You see, if they give away software that works, and people like it, they will come to rely on it, and when the company grows or the person goes to work at a larger company, they are going to remember JournyX and return to purchase the software.

The company I work for? We’re small, so this offer is perfect for us. And if we grow in the future? JournyX has that covered.

What’s going on in my corner of the internet today?

On The Alligator Pit, Disney cell phone customers probably aren’t too happy this morning.

At Bits Of Dust, Gordon Ramsay is cooking up some Crispy Salmon.

Those Kooks at the UAW have settled their strike with GM. Big surprise huh?

Lately, we’ve been getting RetroMental with old television shows.

In the world of left hand turns, Kyle Petty had one good reason for being so pissed last weekend.

Does John Edwards ever talk without whining?

Paul Walker and Adrianne Curry heat things up over at TinselTown Trash.

I can’t believe it’s almost October already. It’s been three months since I started posting regularly (almost every day) at all eight blogs, and things are going well. I think I have blogged about everything out there, including the kitchen and bathroom sinks. Is it possible to have bloggers cramp? Have a great weekend!

Six people have died from this already and we haven’t heard about it? While it’s not quite as popular as West Nile Virus (which has caused 58 deaths from January through Sept 25 of this year), and is much more deadly in the United States than Bird Flu (thus far), I still think we should have been warned, especially since it can be found in warm, standing water.

With drought conditions all over this country, there is warm, standing water everywhere. Even at the feet of John Edwards who is freaking about all the money being raised this campaign season.

A 14-year-old Lake Havasu boy has become the sixth victim to die nationwide this year of a microscopic organism that attacks the body through the nasal cavity, quickly eating its way to the brain.

Aaron Evans died Sept. 17 of Naegleria fowleri, an organism doctors said he probably picked up a week before while swimming in the balmy shallows of Lake Havasu.

According to the Centers For Disease Control, Naegleria infected 23 people from 1995 to 2004. This year health officials said they’ve noticed a spike in cases, with six Naegleria-related cases so far — all of them fatal.

Such attacks are extremely rare, though some health officials have put their communities on high alert, telling people to stay away from warm, standing water.

You better watch out people, and don’t go near the water!

Our dog Flash has been known to dance. Sort of…

Click To Play

The music is “Dog Day Afternoon” by Murray Weinstock, one of Flash’s favorite musicians.

Hopefully this is the last one for the day... Well, since it’s 11:58pm, I guess it is the last one, eh?

Name of Product: Children’s Spinning Wheel-Metal Necklaces

Hazard: The clasp on the necklaces contain high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Description: This recall involves 30”-inch-long link necklaces with a spinning wheel pendant. The wheel pendant, designed to resemble car’s spinning tire rim, has rhinestones attached to the front, a silver base and measures 2 ¾-inches in diameter. The item has a clear plastic hang tag with a UPC code of 0 97138 68502 5.

Sold at: Family entertainment centers, redemption centers, and small discount stores nationwide and at www.rinovelty.com from November 2006 through May 2007 for about $2.

Manufactured in: China

For more information contact Rhode Island Novelty at (800) 528-5599 or visit their web site at www.rinovelty.com

Here’s another recall. Yes, another toy…. Made in China.

Name of Product: Children’s Toy Rake

Hazard: Surface paint on the handle of the rake can contain excessive levels of lead paint, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Description: The recalled children’s rake has a green handle with a yellow duck head attached to the handle. The rake has seven purple tines, also known as teeth. The rake is about 24 inches long. “Robbie Ducky™ Garden Collection Rake” is printed on a tag attached to the handle.

Sold exclusively at: Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores nationwide from January 2007 through September 2007 for about $7.

Manufactured in: China

For more information contact Jo-Ann Stores Inc. toll-free at (888) 739-4120 or visit their web site at www.joann.com