Indy Champion Dan Wheldon dies in tragic crash

Indy Champion Dan Wheldon dies in tragic crash 

Dan Wheldon 33 ,died from injuries shortly after a collision at the 2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on 16 October 2011, . Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon born 22 June 1978 was from England. Weldon was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011

Wheldon was as they say born to race and moved to the United States in 1999, where he spent several years in lower open-wheeled circuits like the U.S. F2000 Championship Series, the Toyota Atlantic series and the Indy Lights series.

For Wheldon Indy racing started In 2002, when Wheldon moved up to the IRL IndyCar Series for two events, with Panther Racing . The following year Wheldon joined Andretti Green Racing, taking the spot of Michael Andretti following Michael's  retirement. Weldon collected Rookie of the Year honors and in 2004, he won his first IRL race at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan, ultimately finishing as runner-up to teammate Tony Kanaan in the championship with three wins.

Wheldon met his untimely death this week at the 2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The tragic 15-car pile up came during lap 11. The multi-car pile-up resulted in a race stopping red flag. Wheldon had to be extricated from his car and airlifted to a local hospital with what were described as "serious injuries."Weldon subsequently died .

The IndyCar officials and drivers decided that the race should be abandoned, and held a five-lap salute in Wheldon's honour, with his number 77 being displayed alone at the top of the scoring pylon.Michael Andretti later revealed that Wheldon had just signed with Andretti Autosport for a multi-year deal to replace driver Danica Patrick.

Lady Gaga Shoots ‘Marry The Night’ in Harlem

Lady Gaga Shoots ‘Marry The Night’ in Harlem

Back in September it was announced that Lady Gaga’s fifth single off of Born This Way would be “Marry The Night,”. This week Lady Gaga was spotted Uptown in Harlem shooting the music video for the single.

After shooting "You and I," in Nebraska Lady Gaga returned to her home town the big apple for her fifth single off "Born This Way". The weather was not so kind and greeted her with gloomy weather and raindrops as she shot an epic dance number uptown.

Earlier in the week, Gaga filmed at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center on Staten Island, where extras donned ballerina attire, hospital gowns and of coarse leopard print. While Gaga keep her costume under wraps by reportedly hiding behind a sheet, she did appeared happy to show off her oversized headgear and icy blue lipstick to photographers.

The Annual Columbus Day Parade

The Annual Columbus Day Parade 

The Annual Columbus Day Parade features 35,000 marchers and over 100 groups, including bands, floats and contingents. Nearly one million spectators.

On October 10, 2011, Fifth Avenue will be transformed by the Columbus Day Parade, into the world’s largest celebration of Italian-American culture. The parade was led by Grand Marshal Joseph Plumeri, philanthropist, and Chairman and CEO of Willis Group Holdings. The Annual Columbus Day Parade features 35,000 marchers and over 100 groups, including bands, floats and contingents. Nearly one million spectators.The Columbus Day Parade has been organized by the Columbus Citizens Foundation in New York since 1929.

The Columbus Day Parade is a fun filled Parade that gets bigger and better every year.The Parade Committee has spent countless hours reviewing many talented Bands and entertaining acts in an effort to make this year’s Columbus Day Parade the most exciting event yet! This year, the Parade will be marching up Fifth Avenue from 44th to 72nd Street and the grandstands are located on Fifth Avenue between 67th and 69th Streets.

This year features many talented performers like Pia Toscano from American Idol as well as the Italian Musical, “The Italian Fairy” .The Sacred Heart University Marching Band as well as Stony Brook University Marching Band will be just a few of the dozen high school bands, as well as virtuosi professional groups from the United States and Italy, marched up Fifth Avenue and filled the canyons of midtown with joyous, heart-pounding music.Traditional folk groups will perform centuries-old dances, and cutting-edge designs were brought to the parade route in displays of the vibrant culture that is Italy today.

The Annual Columbus Day Parade celebrates the spirit of exploration and courage that inspired Christopher Columbus’s 1492 expedition and the important contributions Italian-Americans have made to the United States.

Al Davis NFL icon, Raiders owner dies at 82

Al Davis NFL icon, Raiders owner  dies at 82

Al Davis, maverick owner of the Oakland/Los Angles Raiders whose iconoclastic reign over the Raiders led to three Super Bowl titles and made the silver-and-black franchise a symbol of renegade toughness, died this past Saturday at age 82.

Davis was known as brilliant, enigmatic and unapologetically independent turning the Raiders into one of the most successful franchises in pro football in the 1960s and '70s.Davis was a keen judge of talent, and was willing to accept other team's castoffs and troublemakers and he was able to get the best out of them.

Davis one of the NFL's most enigmatic personalities feuded with NFL commissioners, coaches, and cities on his way to three Super Bowl titles. Those who grew close to him often referred to him as 'Coach Davis' a tribute to his stint as head coach in the early years of the franchise and to his wealth of football expertise.

A Raiders spokesperson said Davis died at his home, which in his final years was a hotel near the Oakland airport , cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

The NFL will feature a moment of silence for Davis at every game this weekend. The Raiders posted a stirring, 90-second tribute video on their website and issued the following statement :

"Al Davis was unique - a maverick, a giant among giants, a true legend. ... He was an innovator, a pioneer with a deep love ... for the game of football. His contributions to the game are innumerable and his legacy will endure. ... Al Davis was a champion of diversity who maintained the courage of his convictions. His passion for the game we all love is best exemplified by his famous phrase, 'COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE.' "