(5/8/02, 5 p.m. ET) -- Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson, environmental attorney Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Eastern Kentucky University President Joanne Glasser helped launch the new Kentucky Riverkeeper program at the state's Fort Boonesborough State Park on Monday (May 6). The trio, among others, christened a boat that will be used for citizen patrols aimed at fighting pollution on the 259-mile-long Kentucky River.
Illegal dumping of waste as well as runoff from coalmines, logging, and construction are among the many problems that plague the Kentucky River's water quality. "What I see makes me very sad," Richardson said at the ceremony. "We're going to make sure those responsible for polluting the water are going to pay, literally going to pay."
The Kentuckian Richardson is an Estill County native who formed his own environmental foundation called Just Within Reach last year. "The quality of that water out there is unacceptable and sad," Richardson told the local Kentucky Herald-Leader newspaper. "My mother told me she used to play hooky to go play in the Kentucky River. I want my children one day to be able to play there, too."
Kentucky Riverkeeper is a nonprofit organization established by the Center For Appalachian Studies at Eastern Kentucky University. It is part of Waterkeeper Alliance, an organization founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. whose mission is to protect and restore the quality of the world's waterways.
-- Jason Gelman, New York
Posted by Jen on Thursday, May 9, 2002 @ 09:51 p.m.
Britney Spears Videogame a True Convergence Product - Mixes Music, Gameplay, DVD Content for Complete Interactive Entertainment Experience
May 2002 (Newstream) -- THQ Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: THQI) has announced that Britney's Dance BeatTM for PlayStation®2 is now available at retailers nationwide. The videogame, being heralded by critics, takes advantage of the multimedia capabilities of the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system by placing Britney Spears music videos in the background of gameplay, and by including bonus DVD content, unlocked as players progress throughout the game.
"It is so cool that I have my very own videogame," said Britney Spears. "THQ totally captured my dance moves perfectly. I was blown away by how realistic everything looks!"
"We are thrilled with how Britney's Dance Beat turned out," stated Britney Spears Co-Manager Larry Rudolph, Rudolph & Beer, LLC. "Using PlayStation 2 as a medium to deliver Britney to her fans started out as an experimental way to reach new markets. But we are now confident that Britney fans and videogame fans alike will be blown away by this product."
"Britney's Dance Beat, with its amazingly accurate Britney renders, compelling gameplay and DVD extras, is a new form of entertainment that blends gaming with music, videos and behind-the-scenes access for fans," stated Jeff Lapin, vice chairman and COO, THQ. "These factors, combined with Britney Spears' tremendous consumer appeal, give Britney's Dance Beat the potential to expand the entire videogame market."
About Britney's Dance Beat
Players of Britney's Dance Beat for PlayStation 2 will audition to be a backup dancer on Britney's virtual concert tour by maneuvering one of six characters through a series of practices and auditions to perfect their dance moves. Rhythmic pressing of the right buttons to the beat of Britney's hit songs will unlock exclusive behind-the-scenes video footage and concert clips. True fans will recognize the authentic choreography and costumes from Britney music videos and live performances. The game features Britney's biggest hit songs, including new releases "Overprotected" and "I'm a Slave 4 U," as well as classics "...Baby One More Time," "Oops!...I Did it Again," and "Stronger."
Additional DVD content includes 360-degree immersive video in which the player controls the camera at a Britney Spears concert with the controller, deciding whether to watch Britney and her dancers on stage, or cheering fans in the crowd.
A two-player mode allows competition among friends to see who's best at getting their groove on. Britney's Dance Beat is compatible with most dance or beat pads for a more active method of learning Britney's dance moves. Britney Spears underwent a cyber-scan to create the most realistic 3D model possible. Players can watch digital Britney dance on-screen and attempt to match those authentic dance moves on the dance pad.
The game is the first to release for a next generation game system under THQ's worldwide, exclusive agreement with Britney Brands Inc. to publish games featuring Britney Spears, one of the biggest names in entertainment. The agreement grants THQ exclusive rights to publish Britney Spears games for PlayStation 2 through 2005. Britney's Dance Beat for Game Boy Advance is now widely available and a PC version will ship this June.
Posted by Jen on Thursday, May 9, 2002 @ 09:47 p.m.
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