Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Apr 6, 2011

Political Racket /Dirty Tricks:

It's THISCLOSE. Washington is planning for a government shutdown. The budget deadline is this Friday night and the White House has instructed government agencies and department heads to prepare contingency plans, while the GOP is distributing pamphlets to lawmakers about how a shutdown will work.
   If the government does shut down, federal tourist attractions like parks and museums would close. Employees who process things, like tax refunds, and applications for passport, veterans benefits, Social Security, food stamps, work visas, which means you'll see a delay in what you're due.
   TSA and border patrol workers are considered essential, so they would still report for duty. (Maiman)

What's the Buzz:

There are 77 million baby boomers out there and a lot of them are worried about retirement.
   A new, widely quoted online poll conducted by a California research firm finds a lot of people resigned to working longer than they expected and hoping to stay both sharp and competitive.
   Just 11 percent are convinced they will be able to live comfortably in retirement. Forty-four percent of boomers feel they might not have enough money to retire as planned. One in four say they'll never retire, which is the same number who say they have no retirement savings. Turns out a large portion of those with no retirement savings are unmarried, earn under $50 grand a year, or admit they did a poor job of financial planning. (Maiman)

Guilty Pleasures:

No winner in Saturday night's drawing for the Powerball Lottery. That means tonight's drawing is valued at $218 million ($109.9 million cash value). Powerball is played in 44 states, Washington DC and the U-S Virgin Islands. Chances of winning the grand prize (all five numbers plus the powerball) are 1 in 195.2 million.

Royalty report:

KATE MIDDLETON may have lots of help preparing for her big day, but certainly doesn't need six different stylists. Although rumors were swirling she'd have a half-dozen beauty technicians on-hand, sources tell Us Weekly it's simply not true. Two fellows named JAMES PRYCE, RICHARD WARD and their team will be responsible for beautifying the bride and her ladies-in-waiting.
   Also, look for the future princess to don a real tiara from the royal collection. Word is she'll be topped off with a ten-and-a-half-million-dollar bauble that hasn't been worn in almost one-hundred years! (Lee)

In related news, that famous cream-colored blouse that KATE MIDDLETON wore in her engagement portrait with PRINCE WILLIAM is now back in stock at the British clothing store, Whistles.
   Of course, like anything in hot demand, the price has jumped from $155 to $203 --but if you gotta have it, look for The Kate Blouse at Whistles.co.uk.

The impending nuptials between PRINCE WILLIAM and KATE MIDDLETON are prompting rare culinary tributes from fast-food retailers herein the colonies, according to the Boston Globe.
   Dunkin' Donuts will be offering a Royal Wedding Donut, described as a heart-shaped donut filled with jelly and sublimed with vanilla icing and a chocolate drizzle.
   Dunkin's sister chain, Baskin-Robbins, is introducing a commemorative Royal Wedding ice cream cake topped with white and blue roses, meant to be "reminiscent of an English Garden." (Kaye)

Grace notes from Vinny Marino:

GWEN STEFANI is on the cover of Elle magazine for its May issue. The 41-year-old singer and frontwoman for NO DOUBT says her greatest accomplishment has been staying married to BUSH singer GAVIN ROSSDALE all these years. Gwen also reveals that performing while she was pregnant was no fun. She said that doing certain songs made her want to puke on stage. And, in a very revealing quote, Gwen said she has nothing in common with LADY GAGA, RIHANNA and KATY PERRY. She said (quote), "I don't see myself in those girls. I usually put pants on." (Marino)