A dirty baking plate

Dirt is unclean matter, especially when in contact with a person's clothes, skin or possessions when they are said to become dirty. Common types of dirt include:

• dust — a general powder of organic or mineral matter
• filth — foul matter such as excrement
• grime — a black, ingrained dust such as soot
• soil — the mix of clay, sand and humus which lies over the bedrock

Cleaning[link]

When things are dirty they are usually cleaned with solutions like hard surface cleaner and other chemicals; much domestic activity is for this purpose — washing, sweeping and so forth.^[1]

In a commercial setting, a dirty appearance will give a bad impression of a place such as a restaurant. The dirt in such cases may be classified as temporary, permanent and deliberate. Temporary dirt is streaks and detritus that may be removed by ordinary daily cleaning. Permanent dirt is ingrained stains or physical damage which require major renovation to remove. Deliberate dirt is that which results from design decisions such as decor in dirty yellow or grunge styling.^[2]

Disposal[link]

As cities developed, arrangements were made for the disposal of dirt. In Britain, the Public Health Act 1875 required households to place their refuse into a container which could be moved so that it could be carted away. This was the first legal creation of the dustbin.^[3]

Foci[link]

Computer keyboards are especially dirty as, on average, they contain 70 times more microbes than a lavatory seat.^[4]

Health[link]

Modern society is now thought to be excessively clean. Lack of contact with microorganisms in dirt when growing up is hypothesised to be the cause of the epidemic of allergies such as asthma.^[5] The human immune system requires activation and exercise in order to function properly and exposure to dirt may achieve this.^[6] For example, the presence of staphylococcus bacteria on the surface of the skin regulates the inflammation which results from injury.^[7]

People and animals may eat dirt. This is thought to be caused by mineral deficiency and so the condition is commonly seen in pregnant women.

Neurosis[link]

People may become obsessed by dirt and engage in fantasies and compulsive behaviour about it, such as making and eating mud pies.^[8] The source of such thinking may be genetic, as the emotion of disgust is common and a location for it in the brain has been proposed.^[9]

Exhibitions and studies[link]

A season of artworks and exhibits on the theme of dirt was sponsored by the Wellcome Trust in 2011. The centrepiece was an exhibition at the Wellcome Collection showing pictures and histories of notable dirt such as the great dust heaps at Euston and King's Cross in the 19th century and the Fresh Kills landfill which was once the world's largest.^[10]

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Terence McLaughlin (1971), Dirt: a social history as seen through the uses and abuses of dirt, Stein and Day, ISBN 978-0-8128-1412-5 
• Pamela Janet Wood (2005), Dirt: filth and decay in a new world arcadia, Auckland University Press, ISBN 978-1-86940-348-5 
• Ben Campkin, Rosie Cox (2007), Dirt: new geographies of cleanliness and contamination, I.B. Tauris, ISBN 978-1-84511-672-9 
• Virginia Smith et al. (2011), Dirt: The Filthy Reality of Everyday Life, Profile Books Limited, ISBN 978-1-84668-479-1 

External links[link]

• Dirt season at the Wellcome Collection

WU LYF
WU LYF Press Photo, NY, Paul McGiver
Background information
Origin	Manchester, England
Genres	Post Rock, Heavy Pop, Indie Rock
Years active	2008–present
Labels	LYF recordings
Website	wulyf.org worldunite.org
Members
Evans Kati Tom McClung Ellery Roberts Joe Manning

WU LYF (pronounced "Woo Life", stands for "World Unite Lucifer Youth Foundation") are a band from Manchester, England that originally became known for creating a mystery about themselves by declining requests for interviews and not releasing much information to the press.^[1][2][3] The band describes their music as "heavy pop".^[4] Their manager, Warren Bramley, has previously worked with Tony Wilson at Factory Records.^[5]

Beginnings[link]

WU LYF formed in the summer of 2008 in Rusholme, Manchester and comprises "Jeau" (Joe Manning), "Lung" (Tom McClung), "Elle Jaie" (Ellery Roberts) and "Evnse" (Evans Kati).^[2] Having caught the attention of the UK music industry and press after making a series of early recordings available through their website, WU LYF began a monthly residency, entitled "Play Heavy Pop", at Manchester's An Outlet coffeehouse in December 2009. The band's first gig outside of Manchester came in July 2010 at the MIDI Festival on the French Riviera. Subsequent shows include France's Transmusicales Festival,^[6][7] Berlin's Transmediale festival^[8] and sold-out headline shows in Glasgow and London. In July 2010 the band announced the formation of the Lucifer Youth Foundation, giving new members an illustrated bandit mask and a 12" single featuring the tracks "Concrete Gold" and "Heavy Pop". The band started recording their debut album in November 2010 using the money generated by the L Y F membership scheme. Deciding against the conventional studio set up, they instead took over Saint Peter's church in Ancoats, Manchester, to record their album. The album is self-produced. The band declined all offers from established record labels and released their debut album, entitled Go Tell Fire To The Mountain,^[9][10] themselves on 13 June 2011 through the L Y F recordings imprint.^[11] In support of the record's release, the band played several dates in the UK to critical acclaim,^[12][13] culminating in the curation of the Great Bridgwater Street Tunnel as part of the Manchester International Festival.^[14]

Press coverage[link]

Much of the early press coverage on the band has focused on the fact that they do not know much about the band.^[15] The New York Observer described the phenomenon as "carefully designed anonymity".^[1] One critic highlighted their "ability to maintain mystique at a time when everything is out in the open".^[16] The NME has picked the band as one that is likely to define 2011.^[17] Stereogum featured WU LYF as a “Band To Watch” in May 2010. ^[18] They were described as "The cult band of the moment in England" by Rolling Stone magazine in Italy^[19]. The Dutch magazine Kicking the Habit described them as sounding like "Tom Waits in a church under the guidance of stoned garage".^[20] The band appeared on BBC2's "Culture Show", showcasing a song off their recent album and conducting an interview.^[21] Recent press has become more concerned with WU LYF's intense, cathartic live show. ^[22] Pitchfork Media gave Go Tell Fire to The Mountain an 8.4 rating and the Best New Music accolade, stating "WU LYF in the manner of Iceage or Odd Future as musicians that have made me genuinely excited about their potential impact on listeners, the same things that make them seem juvenile---the artistic and personal volatility, the semblance of a roving gang more than a band, the invitation to indulge in your most disturbing impulses and yet feel morally superior to an ill-defined majority---are the same things that feel totally galvanizing. And it's easy to imagine Go Tell Fire to the Mountain giving disaffected listeners the promise of an entry to something beyond themselves in a way that James Blake or Bon Iver can't." ^[23]. BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe named "Dirt", the album's 7th song, the "Hottest Track in the World." ^[24]

This Wikipedia page on the band has been deleted several times, which itself has been covered by the press.^[15]

Members[link]

• Ellery Roberts — Vocals, Organ,
• Joe Manning — Drums, Piano
• Evans Kati — Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
• Tom McClung — Vocals, Bass, Guitar

Discography[link]

Singles[link]

• "Heavy Pop" / "Concrete Gold" (12" single, 2010)^[25]
• "Dirt" (7" single, 2011)^[26]
• "We Bros" (12" single, 2011)^[27]

Albums[link]

• Go Tell Fire to the Mountain (album, released 13 June 2011)^[11] (UK chart peak: #98)^[28]

References[link]

External links[link]

• wulyf.org – Official site #1
• worldunite.org – Official site #2
• WU LYF's channel on YouTube
• WU LYF on Myspace
• Vimeo – WU LYF Official Vimeo Channel
• BUY $HIT – WU LYF Official Big Cartel
• LYF – Lucifer Youth Foundation

Lee Kernaghan
Country musician Lee Kernaghan
Background information
Birth name	Lee Raymond Kernaghan
Born	(1964-04-15) 15 April 1964 (age 48) in Corryong, Victoria
Origin	Australia
Genres	Country
Occupations	Songwriter, composer, musician
Years active	1969–present
Labels	Universal, ABC
Associated acts	The Blue Devils Fiona Kernaghan Ray Kernaghan Tania Kernaghan
Website	http://www.leekernaghan.com.au/

Lee Kernaghan OAM (born 15 April 1964 in Corryong, Victoria) is an Australian country music singer and songwriter. He was the 2008 Australian of the Year.^[1][2]

Honours[link]

Kernaghan received the Order of Australia Medal in 2004.^[3]

In 2008 he was Australian of the Year.^[4]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• The Outback Club (1992)
• Three Chain Road (1993) #35 AUS
• 1959 (1995) #9 AUS
• Hat Town (1997) #7 AUS
• The Christmas Album (1999) #31 AUS
• Rules of the Road (2000) #16 AUS
• Electric Rodeo (2002) #5 AUS
• The Big Ones – Greatest Hits Vol. 1 (2004) #16 AUS
• The New Bush (2006) #6 AUS
• Spirit of the Bush (2007) #5 AUS
• Planet Country (2009) #13 AUS
• Ultimate Hits (2011) #8 AUS

Singles[link]

This list of songs or music-related items is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Musicals[link]

The Man from Snowy River: Arena Spectacular

Music videos[link]

This list of songs or music-related items is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

References[link]

External links[link]

Find more about Lee Kernaghan on Wikipedia's sister projects:
	Images and media from Commons
	Quotations from Wikiquote

• Lee Kernaghan's Official website

This article on an Australian singer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Anthony Anderson
Anderson in Los Angeles, California. Photograph taken May 22, 2010
Born	Anthony Anderson[1] (1970-08-15) August 15, 1970 (age 41) Los Angeles
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1995–present
Spouse	Alvina Anderson (1995–present)

Anthony Anderson (born August 15, 1970) is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He has starred in his own sitcom All About the Andersons, as well as the Fox sitcom The Bernie Mac Show during the fifth and final season of the show. He is also known for his leading roles in television dramas such as K-Ville, The Shield and Law & Order. He has also had supporting roles in films such as Transformers, The Departed, Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London and Scream 4.

Early life[link]

Anderson was born and raised in Compton, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. His mother, Doris, was a telephone operator and actress, and his stepfather, Sterling Bowman, was a native of Little Rock, Arkansas who moved to Los Angeles to work in the steel mill industry before opening a chain of three clothing stores. Anderson has stated that his first attempt at stand up comedy was a failure.^[2] He appeared at The Comedy Act Theater billed as comedian "Tasty Tony, the One and Only, and if there's another, he's a phony."^{[citation needed]} When his stage name was announced, he was booed off the stage before ever saying a word. Although this experience was a blow to his ego, he did meet his future friend and fellow comedic actor Guy Torry there, who consoled him after the show and encouraged him to keep getting up on stage. He and Guy would later act together in the Eddie Murphy film titled Life.^[3] Anderson is an alumnus of the Hollywood High School Performing Arts Magnet's Class of 1988 and Howard University. He trained with actors such as Avery Brooks, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.^[4]

Acting career[link]

Anderson in July 2006

His television work includes a lead role in the teen series Hang Time as Teddy Broadis. He had many one-off and guest roles on major series such as NYPD Blue, Malcolm & Eddie, In the House, and Ally McBeal. Recurring roles were on several series such as 'Til Death and The Bernie Mac Show. He was the central character in the series All About the Andersons, which lasted for one season on The WB.

Anderson joined the cast of the long-running NBC crime drama television series, Law & Order in 2008. He previously starred in two other crime series, Fox's K-Ville (as one of the lead characters) and Fox's cable channel FX's The Shield.^[5]

Anderson is in an Atom.com Web show Matumbo Goldberg.

Film[link]

Since his film debut in Liberty Heights, Anderson has been performing as an actor, often in comedic roles, for many years. Among his more prominent feature films are: Kangaroo Jack, My Baby's Daddy, Hustle & Flow, and Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London.^[6] In June 2010, he was cast in a minor role in Scream 4.^[7]

Directorial work[link]

In 2009, Anderson directed a one-minute short film featuring his Law & Order co-star, Jeremy Sisto. The short was made for the Responsibility Project, a joint initiative of NBC and Liberty Mutual Group. The short aired during the Law & Order episode "Reality Bites" on October 16, 2009.

Personal life[link]

In 1995, he married his college sweetheart, Alvina. The couple have two children. They currently live in Hancock Park, Los Angeles. Anderson has diabetes, and has been active in diabetes awareness.^[8]

Arrest[link]

On July 28, 2004, Anderson was charged with aggravated rape of a woman who police say was assaulted after being lured into a production trailer on a Memphis, Tennessee movie set. According to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Anderson and Wayne Witherspoon attacked the woman, who was an extra. The woman told police that Witherspoon forcibly removed her clothes once she was inside the trailer. She told investigators that Anderson, who was already in the trailer at the time, joined the assault, according to a graphic criminal complaint. The woman told police that Anderson and Witherspoon "both assaulted her with their hands and took pictures of her while she was nude." A witness told officers that he heard the woman screaming and managed to unlock the trailer's door. At that point, the naked woman ran from the vehicle, which was parked on the grounds of the Shelby County Corrections Center, where scenes from director Craig Brewer's Hustle & Flow were being shot.^[9] However, on October 5, 2004, a judge dismissed the charge and said that testimony by the accuser was some of the most "suspicious" he has ever heard. Judge Anthony Johnson said the accuser's testimony fell short of producing the probable cause needed to support the charge.^[10]

On September 16, 2004, Anderson and Warner Bros. Television were named in a $900,000 suit by a woman who claimed Anderson made suggestive comments, grabbed her genitalia and sexually assaulted her in his dressing room on the All About the Andersons set.^[11]

Filmography[link]

Television[link]

Anderson has also made guest appearances on Entourage, Veronica Mars, and Food Network Star. Playing for the Alzheimer's Association, Anderson won $250,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

Web shows[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Anthony Anderson

• Anthony Anderson at the Internet Movie Database
• Anthony Anderson at AllRovi

Ken Block
Ken Block in 2008.
Nationality	American
Born	(1967-11-21) 21 November 1967 (age 44) Long Beach, California
2012 Rally America
Debut season	2005
Current team	Monster World Rally Team
Best finish	2nd Overall in Rally America in 2006 and 2008
Awards
2004[1] 2005[1] 2009	• One of the most influential people (#17) in Sports Business Journal • Ad Age's Marketing 50 • One of the Fast 50 in Fast Company Magazine • 40 Under 40 Awards, Sports Business Journal • Rally America's Rookie of the Year • Gymkhana 2 was 2009's #4 most viewed viral video

Ken Block (born November 21, 1967, in Long Beach, California)^[2] is a professional rally driver with the Monster World Rally Team. Block is also one of the co-founders and recently appointed Chief Brand Officer of DC Shoes.^[1] Block has also competed in many action sports events including skateboarding, snowboarding, and motocross.

Rallying[link]

2005[link]

In 2005, Ken Block began his national rallying career with the Vermont SportsCar team.^[3] Vermont SportsCar prepared a 2005 Subaru WRX STi for Block to compete. His first event of the rallying season was Sno*Drift, where he ended up finishing seventh overall and fifth in the Group N class.^[4] During the 2005 season, Block had five top five finishes and placed third overall in the Group N class and fourth overall in the Rally America National Championship.^[3] At the end of his first rallying year, Ken Block had won the Rally America Rookie of the Year award.^[5]

2006[link]

In 2006, Ken Block along with his DC rally teammate Travis Pastrana signed a new sponsorship deal with Subaru.^[3] Through this deal with Subaru, the teammates became known as "Subaru Rally Team USA."^[3] With the new rally season, Block also got a brand new Vermont SportsCar prepped 2006 Subaru WRX STi.^[3] He competed in the first ever X Games rally event at X Games XII.^[3] In the competition, Block ended up finishing third to take the bronze.^[3] He went on to compete in the 2006 Rally America National Championship, where he finished second overall.^[3]

2007[link]

In 2007, Ken Block competed in the X Games XIII rally event, where he placed second overall and won a silver medal.^[5] In the 2007 Rally America National Championship, Block finished third overall.^[5] During this season, Block also entered in a few rounds of the World Rally Championship; Rally Mexico and Rally New Zealand.^[4] In Rally New Zealand, Block recorded two top-five stage times in the Group N class.^[4] At the end of 2007, Block had achieved 19 podiums and 8 overall victories in rally events.^[1]

2008[link]

In 2008, Block was provided with a brand new rally prepped 2008 Subaru WRX STi to compete. Block decided to compete in the Rallye Baie-des Chaleurs of the Canadian Rally Championship to gain some experience with his new 2008 rally car and prepare for the World Rally Championships later this year.^[6] Block gained his first Canadian rally win at the event.^[6] This was only the second event for the new car.^[6] Block and his co-driver were unable to get any championship points at the event due to not having a Canadian competition license.^[6] Block competed in the Rally New York USA competition and finished in first place.^[7] In the X Games XIV rally competition, Block finished tied for third place with Dave Mirra.^[8] This occurrence was due to both competitors having issues with their car. Block, who made it to the semi-finals of the event, had a radiator problem after landing the car awkwardly on a jump. With both bronze place competitors in damaged cars unable to compete, the medals were awarded to both of them.^[8]

Block competed in the 2008 Rally America National championship, which concluded on October 17, 2008. In the event, he finished second overall with a strong victory in the last event. In the Lake Superior Performance Rally stage, Block finished over one minute ahead of his next closest competitor and secured the second overall position.^[9] Next up for Block this rally season is three World Rally Championship events.^[4]

2009[link]

Block appeared in a segment of motoring show Top Gear.^[10]

2010[link]

Ken Block testing Ford Fiesta for the 2010 Rally America season

Block driving a Ford Focus RS WRC at the 2010 Rallye de France

On January 6, 2010 the Monster World Rally Team announced Ken as their driver for selected rounds of the World Rally Championship, in which he will be campaigning the Monster/Ford Racing Focus RS WRC 08. His car will be prepared and run by the North of England based M-Sport, who also prepare the official Ford WRC cars. He will be simultaneously running in his sixth season of the Rally America Championship in an open class Ford Fiesta, as well as his fifth X-games. Ken will also be the first ever American driver to campaign for the World Rally Championship. On February 27, Block won the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood (Rally America) for the 5th consecutive time. This broke the record held by John Buffum.^[11] Ken is currently being trained by former Ford factory driver Markko Märtin. At the Spain rally, he won his first 2 points in World Rally Championship.

2011[link]

On March 23, Block and his co-driver Alex Gelsomino were taken to hospital, having rolled their Ford Fiesta RS WRC during the shakedown stage of the 2011 Rally de Portugal in Faro, Portugal.^[12] A representative of the Monster World Rally team later stated that both men were fine.^[13]

Complete Rally America results[link]

(key)

Complete WRC results[link]

* Season in progress.

PWRC results[link]

Other motorsport activities[link]

On October 15, 2009, it was reported that Block was close to a deal to join the World Rally Championship in a new Ford team. Long time co-driver Alex Gelsomino is also reportedly involved in the deal. Former Subaru WRC driver Chris Atkinson has been reported to be lined up as Block's team-mate in the all-new Monster Energy Drink Ford World Rally Team.^[14]

In 2005, Ken Block along with his DC Shoes associates participated in the Gumball 3000 Rally. For the event they sent out three modified 2004 Subaru WRX STi's sponsored by DC Shoes.^[15][16]

In 2006, Ken Block competed in the One Lap of America competition along with Brian Scotto. They were teamed up in a 2006 Subaru WRX STi and finished forty-fifth overall.^[17]

In 2006, for the Discovery Channel show Stunt Junkies, Ken Block jumped his Subaru WRX STi rally car 171 feet (52 m) and a max height of 25 feet (7.6 m).^[3] The whole episode was dedicated to Ken Block attempting this stunt.

In 2007, Ken Block joined the DC Shoes Snowboarding team at New Zealand's Snow Park.^[3] Block did massive jumps and assisted in snowboarding tricks while driving his rally car on the mountain alongside the snowboarders. The session made the cover of the December 2007 issue of Snowboarder Magazine and closed out the MTN.LAB 1.5 DVD.^[3]

In 2009, for the BBC show Top Gear, Ken took James May out for Gymkhana-style driving at Block's stunt course at Inyokern Airport, an operational California airport, also starring Ricky Carmichael, whom Ken describes as 'a good friend'.

In 2010, for the BBC show Top Gear, Ken took the feature car from the previous episode (a Reliant Robin) for a lap of the Top Gear test track. He rolled the car and was unable to complete a lap but was unhurt.

On January 6, 2010, the announcement is made as Ken joins up with Ford and begins his WRC career driving both a Ford Fiesta and Focus RS WRC.

On August 24, 2010, Block released the first of a three part Gymkhana 3 video release featuring his new Ford Fiesta.^[18]

Ken Block also holds the world record for the world's fastest snow cat, a modified Subaru STI called a Trax STI.^{[citation needed]}

On September 14, 2010, Block's third Gymkhana video, featuring a Ford Fiesta, was released on YouTube.^[19] The video got more than seven million views in its first week.

On August 16, 2011, the fourth Gymkhana video, The Hollywood Megamercial was released on YouTube, featuring Block driving around the Universal Studios backlot.^[20]

Involvement In Colin McRae: Dirt 2 and Dirt 3[link]

Ken Block is featured as a driver in Codemasters Colin McRae: Dirt 2, along with his Subaru Rally Team USA Impreza.
In Dirt 3 he is seen as a driver and Gymkhana teacher, his Monster World Rally Team vehicles are available in the game.

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ken Block

• Ken Block's Official site
• Monster World Rally Team
• Rally Results and News
• Subaru Rally Team USA
• Rally America Website
• Ken Block Official Merchandise Store
• Ken Block Interview
• Gymkhana racing improved by Ken Block, Video, ~4min
• dirt2game.com