From About.com

The 2009 Macy's fireworks show will feature more than 40,000 shells exploding at a rate of more than 1,500 per minute (that's eight times more high-level fireworks than last year's show). At approximately 9:20 pm on July 4th, the 26-minute display will be set off from six barges positioned between 24th and 50th Streets on the Hudson River.
The fireworks will be synchronized to a score of patriotic standards, classic river-themed works, and original music. The legendary New York Pops will perform the musical score under the direction of Steve Reineke. Broadway superstars Audra McDonald and Idina Menzel will perform.
Before the big fireworks show, spectators can enjoy an FDNY Fireboat water show (featuring arcs of red, white, and blue arcing 300 feet in the air) and an Air National Guard jet flyover.

View Macy's July 4th Fireworks In Style

Scrap those plans to spend July 4th in Brooklyn or on FDR Drive. This year, the best views will be from Manhattan's West Side between 23rd and 59th Streets and choice spots along the New Jersey waterfront.
Keep in mind that the public viewing areas get extremely crowded, so arrive early (well before 7 pm if you want a decent spot) and bring chairs or a blanket to spread out and whatever other supplies you need to enjoy the wait (water, food, iPods, etc.).
The West Side Highway will eventually turn into a giant New York City block party. Just make sure you hit the loo before you get there ? public restroom facilities will be crowded and disgusting if available at all (no official word on bathroom situation as of yet). And be prepared to spend some time getting home. It takes a while for the crowd to thin out.
See below for the best places to view the 2009 Macy's July 4th fireworks.

• West Side Highway and Surrounding Area
  In Manhattan, 12th Avenue and the northbound lanes of the West Side Highway between 23rd and 59th Streets will be closed to traffic for public fireworks viewing. Pedestrian access to the viewing area will be via the following streets: 24th, 26th through 30th, 34th, 40th through 44th, 47th through 52nd, and 54th through 57th.

  New York City parking guru Gridlock Samsays the best viewing area will probably be south of 42nd Street along the pier by the Circle Line. Other prime West Side public viewing spots include:

  • Dewitt Clinton Park (access from 11th Avenue)
  • Pier 54 (limited access from 14th Street)
  • Pier 84 (limited access from 44th Street)
  • Selected side streets between 11th and 12th Avenues

  According to Macy's, the following West Side spots will NOT be open for public viewing of the fireworks: Battery Park, Battery Park City, Hudson River Piers (except Pier 54 and Pier 84 as described above, the Hudson Park Promenade between West Houston and 59th Streets, and the Hudson River Park Bike Path between West Houston and 59th Streets.

  Get tips on getting to the Macy's July 4th fireworks, including street closures and parking advice.

Jackson's mother granted temporary guardianship of children

(UPI) - The mother of the late pop star Michael Jackson is seeking legal guardianship of his three children, documents indicate.

Katherine Jackson filed a petition Monday in Los Angeles County probate court to obtain guardian status for Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., 12; Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11; and Prince Michael II, 7, CNN reported.

Katherine has a temporary guardianship until next Monday, when a hearing is set.

Michael Jackson, 50, died Thursday at his Los Angeles home, and an autopsy performed the next day failed to determine a cause of death. CNN said an Aug. 3 hearing has been scheduled for Katherine Jackson's request.

Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, told the broadcaster Sunday that he and his wife expected they would be allowed to keep their three grandchildren.

"We're not trying to get custody," Jackson said. "We will get custody and have custody."

An attorney for Jackson's personal physician who was present when the pop star was rushed to the hospital, Dr. Conrad Murray, said toxicology tests from the autopsy will disprove rumors that he injected Jackson with the painkiller Demerol before his death.

"Dr. Murray never prescribed Demerol, never administered Demerol, never saw him -- Michael Jackson -- take Demerol," attorney Edward Chernoff told CNN's "American Morning."

Police: TV pitchman Billy Mays found dead at home
Authorities say Mays was pronounced dead Sunday morning.Sunday, June 28, 2009

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Tampa police say Billy Mays, the television pitchman known for his boisterous hawking of products such as Orange Glo and OxiClean, has died. He was 50.

Authorities say Mays was pronounced dead Sunday morning after being found by his wife at home. There were no signs of a break-in, and investigators do not suspect foul play. The coroner's office expects to have an autopsy done by Monday afternoon.

Mays' wife, Deborah Mays, says the family doesn't expect to make any public statements and asked for privacy.

Mays was also featured on the reality TV show "Pitchmen" on the Discovery Channel, which followed Mays and Anthony Sullivan in their marketing jobs.

Discovery Channel spokeswoman Elizabeth Hillman released a statement Sunday extending sympathy to the Mays family.

"Everyone that knows him was aware of his larger-than-life personality, generosity and warmth," Hillman's statement said. "Billy was a pioneer in his field and helped many

Michael Jackson Dies -- Celebs Go to Twitter

Posted Jun 25th 2009 5:50PM by TMZ Staff

Since news of Michael Jackson's death today, celebrity friends and fans have released the following reactions on their Twitter accounts:
Ice T: Rest In Peace Mike. People can say what they want but you were 100% original. WE will always love , miss & remember your GREATNESS.
John Mayer: Dazed in the studio. A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ. I think we'll mourn his loss as well as the loss of ourselves as children listening to Thriller on the record player.
Miley Cyrus: michael jackson was my inspiration. love and blessings
Ludacris: If it were not for Micheal Jackson I would not be where or who I am today.His Music and Legacy will live on Forever.Prayers to the famR.I.P.
MC Hammer: I have no words.. I loved Michael Jackson.. RIP..
Kelly Rowland: Michael you left such a legacy on this earth, have touched SO MANY!!! We thank you for such a driving inspiration in music & our lives!! This has got to be one of the saddest days in music history!! Michael Rest In Peace! WE miss you!

Gossip blogger Perez Hilton posted a series of Twitter messages early this morning claiming to have been assaulted by the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am and his bodyguards.
Hilton was in Toronto attending the MuchMusic Awards. At one point he wrote: "I am bleeding. Please, I need to file a police report. No joke." His last message was from an hour ago when he wrote, "I'm going to try and nap a bit." He has not yet posted about it on his blog PerezHilton.com, but will.i.am has already posted a video response, denying all of Hilton's accusations.
News Source: EW.com
Click Here to see Will.I.Am response to Perez's accusation.
Click Here to see Perez Hilton response to Will.I.Am's video. (NSFW)

It?s official. Jon and Kate Gosselin will announce on Monday that they are divorcing, a source close to the situation tells RadarOnline.com exclusively.

The source says that Kate recently met with a divorce lawyer.

Another source told RadarOnline.com that the couple had previously agreed to separate by July 15. But that timetable has now been pushed forward.

TLC released video earlier Thursday teasing that a major announcement was coming. And while many have speculated that it centered on the couple splitting up,

RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively that the marriage is over and Jon will file divorce papers next week.

The stars of Jon & Kate Plus 8 have unwittingly used reality television to broadcast the reality of an unraveling marriage. And they?ve done it to record ratings this season as media frenzy around the battling couple has grown in recent weeks, including this past weekend when Jon and Kate spent their 10th wedding anniversary apart.
News Source: RadarOnline.com