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Double Nickel May 31, 2007

Posted by denmick in Uncategorized.
43 comments

The star 55 Cancri observed with the coronagraph: possibly one of the
highest quality stellar images ever made. The symmetric “speckles” arising
from atmospheric effects and imperfections in the telescope optics are clear.
Today’s Birthdays

People born on May 31
Brooke Shields (1965): Actress who began a modeling career at 11 months as the Ivory Snow baby. Shields starred in her first movie, Holy Terror at age 9, and was a top model by the tender age of 12. Shields has graced the covers of hundreds of magazines including, “Time” and “Life.” Her film credits include, The Blue Lagoon, Endless Love, The Weekend, Black and White, and After Sex. In 1994, Shields starred on Broadway as Rizzo in the award-winning musical, “Grease,” and in 1996 starred in the NBC sitcom “Suddenly Susan” which ran for 4 years. In 1997 and 1998, Shields was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series, and won the People’s Choice Award in 1997 for Favorite Female Performer in a Television Series. Shields is the author of two books, “The Brooke Book” and “On Your Own.”
Lea Thompson (1961): Actress who began a career at the age of 14 as a professional ballet dancer. At 19, Thompson decided to pursue acting and quickly was cast in Burger King and Twix commercials. The role which brought her to the attention of critics was as Tom Cruise’s girlfriend in the 1983 film, All the Right Moves. Thompson went on to star in Red Dawn and The Wild Life, but it was the 1985 smash, Back to the Future that launched her into superstardom. Thompson played Lorraine McFly in all 3 of the Back to the Future films, and her transformation from a middle-aged parent to a bubbly teenager, prevented her from being typecast as just a “teen star.” In 1995, Thompson started work on the TV series, “Caroline in the City,” which ran for 4 years. Thompson won a People’s Choice Award in 1996 for Best Female in a New Comedy Series, for her role as Caroline. She most recently starred in the Lifetime TV series, “For the People” and the USA Television Movie Haunted Lighthouse.
Joe Namath (1943): Football player who began his successful career in High School, leading his team to an undefeated season. In 1962, Namath played college ball at the University of Alabama and was drafted by the New York Jets in 1964. Namath was named the American Football League’s Rookie of the Year and the Most Valuable Player in the All-Star Game in 1965. From 1966 to 1977, Namath lead the league in passing attempts and completions. In 1969, Namath received the American Football League MVP award, the Hickok Belt and the George Halas award for Most Courageous Pro Player of the Year. Namath retired in 1977 to begin his broadcasting career, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
Clint Eastwood (1930): Actor and director who was given a contract with Universal Studios in 1954 and was dropped in 1956. A few years later, Eastwood was given his big break when he was cast as Rowdy Yates in the series, “Rawhide.” In 1971, Eastwood made his directorial debut with, Play Misty For Me and he filmed the blockbuster, Dirty Harry. Eastwood took a break from his film career in 1985, when he was elected Mayor of Carmel, California. His hiatus was brief though, for in 1988 Eastwood starred in The Dead Pool, and went on to be the leading man in such box office hits as, Unforgiven (1992) and In the Line of Fire (1993). Eastwood won the Best Picture and Best Director Oscars for Unforgiven in 1992, and the honorary Irving G. Thalberg Award from the Academy in 1995. He has since gone on to star in and direct The Bridges of Madison County, Absolute Power, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, True Crime, Space Cowboys and Blood Work.
Walt Whitman (1819): Poet who started to write after learning the printer’s trade at the age of 12. Whitman’s education in the art of the written word was self-taught through his readings of the works of Shakespeare, Dante and the Bible. From 1836 to 1841 Whitman was a teacher, and he later decided to pursue a career in journalism. Whitman founded the weekly newspapers the “Long Islander,” and the “Brooklyn Freeman,” and began to develop his own, unique poetic voice during his years as an editor. In 1955, Whitman published a compilation of his poetry entitled, “Leaves of Grass.” In 1856, Whitman released the second edition of his work containing 33 poems and a letter from Ralph Waldo Emerson, praising his talents. “Leaves of Grass” is a classic work of free verse that continues to touch students of poetry to this day.