plus 1, People: Lohan accuser fired from rehab job - Memphis Commercial Appeal

People: Lohan accuser fired from rehab job - Memphis Commercial Appeal

Posted: 22 Dec 2010 02:24 PM PST

A day that began with authorities confirming Lindsay Lohan was being investigated for battery on a female staffer at a California rehab facility treating the starlet ended with the worker being fired after giving an interview about the incident.

Riverside County sheriff's detectives said Tuesday they are investigating "Mean Girls" star Lohan for an alleged altercation with a worker at a Betty Ford Center facility in Palm Desert on Dec. 12.

The agency said the worker was interested in pursuing charges against Lohan.

A Betty Ford spokesman said the staffer was fired for identifying patients at the center in an interview and "disclosing a privileged document."

The worker, Dawn Holland, appeared Tuesday in an interview on celebrity website TMZ and was promptly fired. She claims the 24-year-old Lohan and two other girls had sneaked out of the facility.

Lohan has not been arrested or charged in the incident.

Chinese filmmaker picks Bale

Christian Bale will star in Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou's new project about 13 young prostitutes who help save compatriots from Japanese troops rampaging Nanjing, the latest film exploring a World War II-era atrocity that stirs nationalism in China.

Bale, currently co-starring in the boxing drama "The Fighter," will portray an American priest in the movie, which is expected to start filming in Nanjing on Jan. 10, the Chinese director said Wednesday.

The film is an adaptation of a Chinese-language novel by contemporary writer Yan Geling.

Honor for Gates

MTV's college network, mtvU, has crowned Secretary of Defense Robert Gates as its "Man of the Year."

Gates was given the honor because he "became a role model for public service, proving that it's possible to work within an institution to impart change," mtvU said in a statement Wednesday.

The network also commended the 67-year-old Republican for his focus on the youth, gender bias and the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

Rapper Nicki Minaj was named "Woman of the Year" for outdoing her male counterparts in the rap field.

Foxx's wise daughter

Call her the guardian angel for Jamie Foxx's music career.

The Oscar and Grammy winner said his 16-year-old daughter, Corinne, gave him the best advice when he began recording music.

"When I first started I was doing this little slow music, you know, just R&B ... and my daughter walked in and said, 'What you doing?' I said, 'I'm working on the album.' She said, 'I hope you don't put that on there because you going to put everybody to sleep,'" Foxx said.

-- From Our Press Services

Today's birthdays

Actor Frederic Forrest ("Lonesome Dove"), 74; actor James Stacy ("Lancer"), 74; guitarist Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna), 70; drummer Ron Bushy of Iron Butterfly, 69; actor-comedian Harry Shearer ("The Simpsons"), 67; actress Susan Lucci ("All My Children"), 64; guitarist Dave Murray of Iron Maiden, 54; singer Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, 46.

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New Year, New Job: Ten Questions 50+ Job Hunters Need To Answer - Forbes (blog)

Posted: 23 Dec 2010 07:28 AM PST

A New Year is coming. Do you want to be in the same job? Here's a round-up of questions to ask yourself to help you decide.

1. What's in my bag? Moving into a new field when you're 50+ doesn't mean you need to reinvent your skills. You need to redirect them. Not so daunting. Navy captain Don Covington, who became the company manager for the Big Apple Circus in his mid-50s, told me: "When you think about it. The military and the circus are probably much closer than most people think." What he meant is that the leadership and management skills honed in his Naval career translated to moving a circus troupe of 100-plus from town to town. I'm talking logistics, people-skills, planning and unflappable organizational mojo. Look inside and answer some important questions: What are my gifts? What am I best at? Ask friends and colleagues too. They might see things that you take for granted.

2. What gets me out of bed in the morning? You need to be passionate about your goal and dogged in pursuit of it. Lots of us have dreams about what we want to do, but you have to really put yourself out there to make it a reality. Journaling is a great way to map your new career direction. Make lists: the best times in your life, the things you really like, the experiences you've enjoyed, what you've excelled at, the best moments in your current career.

3. How much time do I have? No one makes a move into a second career overnight. Don't be impulsive and rash. There will obstacles on your way, but if you're confident in what you are doing and the direction you're headed, your persistence will pay off. True, it might take a little longer than you imagined, or you'll need to make some adjustments to your plan along the way.

4. Who can I ask for help? Any time you're shifting gears you'll need contacts in that new area to guide you along. Reach out, network, find a mentor or two working in that field. Check in with the Career Center at your alma maer. This is a great source for tips on updating your resume, interviewing practice, career coaching. Meet people – in person, that is, not merely e-mailing on Facebook or LinkedIn – and then ask them for advice rather than help.

5. Where can I give it a whirl first? Before he launched Trust Cellars in Walla Walla, Wash. Winemaker Steve Brooks did his time as a "cellar rat" picking grapes at various vineyards, working in tasting rooms, helping with bottling operations, and more, often gratis, sometimes for minimum wage. He saw the underbelly of the business and still wanted to make a go of it. He wasn't in it to dabble. He needed to make it a profit-making venture, to support his young family. By doing some hardcore sleuthing, he went in with eye's wide open.

Volunteering is a great way to get in the door. It's also a great networking opportunity. What might sound romantic and wonderful like running a B&B or a winery is not so much when it becomes your daily routine-long hours and hard work go into making it a success.

6. Am I patient? "A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step." Changing careers doesn't happen on your time table. If you need a job right now for the cash flow, then look for a temporary or part-time position to tide you over as you put together your next act with care. Once you have some picture of where you want to go, get things moving by taking small steps toward that vision. You don't need to sign-up for a Master's degree program from the get go. How about taking a class and see where it leads?

What really matters is that you do a little something on a regular basis. And nothing has to be forever. You might have several new careers for here on out. Accept that premise, and it makes a next move more manageable.

7. Do I really want to go back to school? Do your research into the skills or certifications required for your new career. Add the essential skills and degrees before you make the leap. Check out offerings at community colleges for retraining. And as for the expense, yes, budget for it, but look into what financial aid offerings and tax breaks might be available to you.

8. Am I in good shape? I don't mean you can run a mile in five minutes. It's true, however, that when you're physically fit, you have more energy and are mentally sharper to face the challenges ahead.

Consider your spiritual fitness too. A new career is often an inner quest to find meaning in your life and give back. If you've lost a job in the recession and are without a financial safety net, try to get centered emotionally. You've taken a psychological hit along with the loss of income. Fear and frustration can make for some bad decision-making. If you're switching gears, for personal reasons–burn out or angst over no longer getting promoted as quickly as you once did– understand your motivation.

When they find they're the new kid and the rules of the game are a little hazy, many people go into mourning for their old job and sense of security and senority. You might read some books on mind-body medicine. And be aware of the difference between a hobby that is an antidote to your more hectic working world and an activity that really is something you can enjoy round-the-clock.

9. What can I do to make it work financially? Money is the biggest stumbling block to making a change. For most people, a career restart comes with a financial price tag, particularly if you don't have the cushion of a partner's income or a retirement or severance package. It might mean a sizable pay cut to pursue work in a more altruistic field, the costs of a start-up if you're launching your own business, a hefty tuition bill for more schooling, or a temporary loss of medical and retirement benefits. Start by charting a budget. It's smart to have a cushion of up to six months of living expenses set aside for transition costs, as well as unexpected emergencies. Other moves; downsize and pay down debt.

10. Do I know where to start my search? Here are a handful of web sites to get you going: Encore.org, SecondAct.com, whatsnext.com, thetransitionnetwork.org, WorkForce50.com, Seniors4Hire.org, RetiredBrains.com, Bridgestar.org

Follow me on Twitter, @KerryHannon

Kerry Hannon is the author of What's Next? Follow Your Passion and Find Your Dream Job, available here www.kerryhannon.com.