Boston College Venture Competition produces Silicon Valley startups

New York, NY - (Zennie62's trip to TechCrunch was sponsored by Christine Smith Associates, Inc., the Premier Female Contractor in NYC.) The TechCrunch Disrupt Conference in New York City featured startups that were considered to have the best chance of "disrupting" or changing a given industry. Such a compartmentalized event makes it's easy to forget there are other organizations that support startups. One such organization is the Boston College Venture Competition (BCVC).

I learned about BCVC from Sophia Monroe, a volunteer at TechCrunch Disrupt. I ran into three of them multiple times each day and it was during those encounters that I learned about the Boston College Venture Competition.

As it turned out, Sophia Monroe is the Executive Director of BCVC, so I asked for an interview.

Boston College Venture Competition funds startups

The BCVC is a student run business plan competition at Boston College. "Next year, will be our fifth year anniversary," Sophia said, "We have three companies out in Silicon Valley right now. Two of which are funded and the third is looking for funding."

The best known of them is WePay, started by Boston College alumn Bill Clerico and Rich Aberman, who also founded BCVC. WePay allows groups to collect money online and for fundraisers,or events, or something like a bachelor party. Sophia said WePay "just raised $1.65 million from investors including Ron Conway (the founder of SV Angels)."

The second company is Wakemate, which was funded by Y Combinator (as was WePay). Wakemate produces a cell phone accessory that "will analyze your sleep to find the optimal time for you to wake up. You will feel refreshed and energized every time you wake, even from naps!" according to its website. It's developed by "Perfect Third, Inc."

The third one is called PIQC.net and is in search of funding. PIQC is an exciting visually-based student-run search engine that also needs some work. When I typed "zennie abraham" the largest bubble I got was listed as "Victorian Houses." Well, I must have done something wrong, but that aside, the three companies have exciting products and services.

Sophia said BCVC started to fill a void in the Boston College community. As much bad news comes out about our education system as a whole, this is a good news story. Boston College Venture Competition, and other programs like it, give students a chance to realize their dreams of starting a successful tech business.

Yes, one has to be a student at Boston Collage to benefit from BCVC, but if there's not a similar program at your college, contact BCVC for advice and guidance.

For more information visit their website here: BCVC.

Should Bud Selig give Tigers' Armando Galarraga his perfect game?

On early Thursday morning, this space posted a blog about the Tigers' Armando Galarraga being robbed of a perfect game by umpire Jim Joyce, who apologized to him for the bad call. Here's what was written, in brief:

Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga could just see his chance to join the Oakland Athletics' Dallas Braden and the Philadelphia Phillies' Roy Halladay in the 2010 perfect game club getting closer and closer.

Galarraga was just one out away from the perfect game mark tonight against the Cleveland Indians when the unthinkable happened. Umpire Jim Joyce called what should have been a run-to-tag-the-plate out as an infield hit. Here's the video:

As you can see Armando beat Cleveland's Jason Donald to the bag; Donald was clearly tagged out at base because Armando beat him. What was going through Jim Joyce's head at the time is anyone's guess. That Jones apologized for the bad call only makes the entire episode that much worse but Galarraga took it with class and Jones was "utterly distraught"

The dominant Internet topic

As of this writing, the Jim Joyce blown call impacting Armando Galarraga' perfect game is the Internet's dominant topic. Detroit fans are upset. Baseball fans want instant replay. But the main question, and the focus of this pole below is "Should MLB Commissioner Bud Selig give Tigers' Armando Galarraga his perfect game?"

I said he should because Jim Joyce admitted the error and that alone is rare, to take a perfect game away on a blown call, then admit it. What do you think? Should MLB Commissioner Bud Selig step in and give Armando Galarraga his perfect game?

create a free poll on pollsb.com

Jim Joyce robs Tigers' Armando Galarraga of perfect game

Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga could just see his chance to join the Oakland Athletics' Dallas Braden and the Philadelphia Phillies' Roy Halladay in the 2010 perfect game club getting closer and closer.

Galarraga was just one out away from the perfect game mark tonight against the Cleveland Indians when the unthinkable happened. Umpire Jim Joyce called what should have been a run-to-tag-the-plate out as an infield hit. Here's the video:



As you can see Armando beat Cleveland's Jason Donald to the bag; Donald was clearly tagged out at base because Armando beat him. What was going through Jim Joyce's head at the time is anyone's guess. That Jones apologized for the bad call only makes the entire episode that much worse but Galarraga took it with class and Jones was "utterly distraught" according to freelance reporter David Hogg on Twitter.

Hogg also tweeted...

@amandarykoff That might have been the most gut-wrenching interview I've ever done. The audio doesn't do it justice.
about 2 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to amandarykoff

Still, Jim Joyce's sorrow over his error is not enough to quell Detroit Tiger's bloggers. Big Al over at Bless You Boys is just plain seeing red over it:

I feel as if something was robbed from me. Something I'll never get back, and never see again in my lifetime. I cannot even fathom how Armando Galarraga and the Tigers must feel.

As I'm still livid, I could care less as to how Joyce feels, apologetic as he has been, despite his being considered one of baseball's better umpires...everywhere but in Detroit...Joyce blew the biggest call of his career, and his legacy will live on in infamy, with the likes of Don Denkinger.

The Tigers can forgive Joyce. Personally, I want my pound of flesh.

This will go down as the rarest of events in Major League Baseball history. As rare as a perfect game is, to have it taken away by an ump who admits the error is just un believable.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig should give Armando Galarraga that perfect game. It's only the right thing to do.

Stay tuned.

Paul McCartney's White House Event by: Nikky Raney

Earlier tonight Sir Paul McCartney, 67, accepted the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

The show is to be broadcast as a PBS special July 28 for those of us who were unable to attend the White House event.

Sir Paul was very grateful, "I wouldn't have believed you if you told me as a kid growing up in Liverpool that this would happen. So it's very special for me."

McCartney was happy to receive the prize, but it made him even more happy to receive the prize from President Obama. McCartney stated:

"Even though you have difficult issues (facing you), there are billions of us who are rooting for you."

Obama said of the Beatles, “They helped to lay the soundtrack for an entire generation."

As apart of this tribute Stevie Wonder, The Jonas Brothers, Faith Hill, Jack White, Dave Grohl, Elvis Costello, Corinne Bailey Rae, and other artists performed some of McCartney's best hit songs. Even though The Jonas Brothers are the last people I would ever expect, but at least it wasn't Justin Bieber.

Jerry Seinfeld made an appearance; he expressed his confusion toward McCartney's lyrical choices referring to "She was just 17. You know what I mean."

"I'm not sure I do know what you mean, Sir Paul. I think I know what you mean. And I think there's a law enforcement agency in a couple of states that might want to ask you a few questions."

Sir Paul McCartney ended the night by singing "Hey Jude." The honoree waited until President Obama left the room before saying his final bit:

"After the last eight years, it's great to have a president who knows what a library is."

The Gershwin Prize is a BIG DEAL. This is the highest award given by the American government for pop music. McCartney is the third to receive this award, after Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder.

The award is named after George and Ira Gershwin, brothers who were legendary songwriters in America.

I noticed that no one mentioned anything about Ringo Starr. Hmm, maybe he wasn't invited. I think it's a bit strange that there was no mention of John Lennon (and no mention of George Harrison). I love the Beatles, but I remember there being three other band members other than Paul McCartney... but that's a story for another time. There were over 200 guests including his girlfriend (Nancy Shevell) and his children.

Congratulations to Paul McCartney.

He was apart of one of the greatest bands of all times, and he definitely is deserving of this award.

(photo courtesy of ForgottenJournal)

Blog post written by: Nikky Raney

The Future of Journalism

p.s. make sure to read about the love song McCartney sang to Michelle Obama.

Steven Hill, porn star, killed 1 and stabbed 2 in L.A with sword

Also: Porn Actor Kills, Porn Actor Steven Hill, Porn Star Steven Hill, San Fernando Sword Attack, Stephen Hill, Stephen Hill Porn, Stephen Hill Porn Star, Steven Hill, Steven Hill Porn, Steven Hill Porn Actor, Steven Hill Porn Star, Sword Attack, Van Nuys Sword Attack, Los Angeles News

Van Nuys, CA- Steven Hill is an until now largely unknown 34-year-old porn star who according to ABC 7 News in Los Angeles, killed one person and stabbed two others with a "Samurai-type sword," and is on the loose.

It happened at the Havenhurst Airport Business Park, in Van Nuys, in the offices of a company called Ultima DVD, which is in the video distribution business but "there is filming going on their as well" according to ABC News in LA. Here's the video:

A Samurai Sword

Steven Hill was reportedly about to be fired for "inappropriate conduct" which is saying something considering the line of work he was in. The ABC 7 News' Carlos Granda obtained video from a surveillance camera that showed Hill getting out of a car and carrying what looked like the reported sword.

Steven Hill reportedly lived and worked in the office park, which one witness said she didn't event know was legal to do.

According to The Huffington Post, the incident started at a small "social gathering" late Tuesday at Ultima DVD; Hill had been told to leave the studio by Wednesday.

Los Angeles police Detective Joel Price said Hill just "went off and and stabbed people that probably had absolutely nothing to do with him being let go."

Steven Hill is now the focus of a manhunt around the L.A. Basin area.

Stay tuned.

Steve Rattner money manger to Mike Bloomberg to be banned by SEC? by Suzannah B. Troy

The New York Times reports that the SEC is considering banning Steve Rattner, Mike Bloomberg's money manager as well as a huge democratic fund raiser along with his wife.. Remember Rattner stepped down from his job at The White House as Car Czar to supposedly spend more time with his family? I guess he considers Mike Bloomberg family because he has be seen at City Hall. Read on and tune in to my YouTube about this and related issues. Most people tuned in believe Rattner stepped down from his job at the White House because of these pension fund scandals.


If the SEC gets it's way this could hurt Steve Rattner's book deal. Joyce Purnick paints Rattner as golden in her phony bio on Bloomberg and side note does the same with developer Mike "Red Square" Rosen who has brought the Lower East Side the hideous ugly Red Square development with Lenin on the roof top while Rosen lives in the symbol of gentrification which was once a welfare building called the Christa Dora. Is sure helps to have friends at The New York Times when you are trying to sell your book and of course  yourself "brand" and saint.


Well, Rattner is going to have a harder time even with friends like Mike Bloomberg, the owner of The New York Times and Joyce Purnick who like Rattner use to work for The New York Times. 


Listen to the revealing interview of mine with Michael White on "mayor Bloomberg off-shore mayor" and we talk about Steve Rattner ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5zmHtdSZNw  




Here I interview Clayton Patterson being fined by the City of New York on being fined for graffiti on his door vs. Mike Bloomberg's legalized graffiti on the steps of Grand Central Station. "> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7oQQarpO6U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbD1HWEV7g4   I would like to paint words on the steps of the public space aka Grand Central which states "Think Bloomberg".


Did you ever start to wonder if guys like Rattner and Bloomberg have gone just a little to far and need some limits?


They are not the most forthcoming and transparent of guys.
Yet Mike pushed CityTime which I renamed the tax payers Titanic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tz4eMcP2LU




Here I am protesting Mike Bloomberg's inauguration and I speak up Steve Rattner and the pension fund scandal.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRaUt2T4PN0 http://www.youtube.com/my_playlists?p=7F596B8929F6C3E0 My YouTube playlist of Steve Rattner Mike Bloomberg YouTubes

Lakers v. Celtics: the Celtics talk too much

The Los Angeles Lakers and The Boston Celtics are back to assure great NBA TV ratings and give Boston and LA yet another version of the same reason to hate each other.

In the past, these Lakers Celtics NBA Finals contests have went so far as to divide the country with whites and conservatives cheering for the Celtics because Larry Bird played for them, and blacks and hipsters rooting for the Lakers.

Today, Doc Rivers, who's black, is the coach of the Celtics, and all of their star players are black. The Celtics have the spice and the swagger. The Lakers, by contrast, have the Zen Master that is Phil Jackson coaching them in the NBA Finals for the third straight year, and has reached the NBA Finals remarkable 13 times.

Phil Jackson has learned a thing or three along this remarkable path of success; something the Celtics' Doc Rivers and the Celtics team should learn. When to talk. For the Lakers, Phil Jackson does the talking during The Finals; for the Celtics, it's everyone from Doc Rivers to the water boy. The Celtics talk too much.

Take Ramona Shelburne's ESPN article from LA and Rachel Nichols's TV segment. The Celtics, in responding to Jackson's statement that the Celtics play a smack down game, offered Rivers view, Ray Allen's view, and Kevin Garnett's view.

Then there was the Celtics' Paul Pierce, who offered this blast:

I really don't have no friends on the Lakers. I don't know who on this Boston team does. So it's going to be interesting. I'm not going to say it's going to come to blows, but it's definitely going to get fiery and it's going to get real competitive.

The Boston Celtics have done a lot of talking over the course of this week. What the Celtics need to do is shut up and play basketball.