THE HURLEY TIMES Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 Did you that the most popular name in the world is Muhammad, Thomas Edison was afraid of the dark and that dolphins sleep with one eye open? Well, now you do. And that's just the beginning. The Hurley Times is always filled with pearls of wisdom like these. So read on, and then go audition for Jeopardy. THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES 1. KEARNEY-VAL Not sure if you've noticed, but our music studio has really been shaping up lately. Adrian and crew dressed it up all pretty. Davey, Teal and Jeb have been bringing in the talent, and the web/video team has been documenting it all pitch-perfectly. The latest success was Nashville singer Mat Kearney's live performance last week, with more than 800 constant viewers and more than 7,000 who logged on and checked it out. Be sure to check the highlight reel on www.hurley.com. 2. DRIFTER UPDATE NO. 346 After this Drifter tour, Rob Machado will be ready for politics. No surf movie in recent memory has had more mainstream attention than this one, and Rob is handling it like a Deserts freight train. Where other guys would be frozen in front of the camera, Rob has been taking it on with a silver tongue and a single dreadlock. The most recent success was a full segment on "Last Call with Carson Daly." Couple this with double spreads of his own photos in uber-cool art mag Monster Children, and Rob just might be surpassing Megan Fox as the media darling of 2009. 3. A MILLION SHADES OF GREY More than 300 people showed up this weekend for the Hurley-sponsored Alex Grey art show at the Frank M Doyle Pavilion. Grey, whose work is now proudly displayed in a line of tees for Hurley, was on hand to reflect on his Chapel of the Sacred Mirrors and other weighty questions about the universe. Check our interview with Grey (http://www.hurley.com/index.cfm/aid/37161/FEATURED-ARTIST--ALEX-GREY) to learn more about this COSM-ic dude. 4. DILLON PERILLO TAKES ON THE WORLD Remember how cool it was when Kai Barger won the world junior title last year? Well, now we have a chance to keep the title in the family. Malibu's Dillon Perillo will be competing at the World Pro Junior at Narrabeen in January, and we like his chances. He dominated the West Coast circuit this year and is overdue to break through. He also had an intense training session with the West Bev Surf Team on 90210, so he should be ready. 5. ANOTHER "W" FOR WILSON From a cynical volleyball in Castaway to the coveted pages of Life & Style... Wilson's come a long, long way. One of three choices for the grown-up grunge look in L&S, the Hurley Wilson shirt is every girl's best friend. 6. JAKE HALSTEAD: GROM SEARCH CHAMP La Jolla up-and-comer Jake Halstead is bound to be a star. He makes classic videos where's bodyboarding on the sidewalk and pulling off other prankster       stunts. And now, he's the 2009 Under 14 Rip Curl Gromsearch National Champ. Halstead dominated the event last weekend at Pat's home break, picking up $500 and another boost in street cred. Keep your eyes on our Open Mic site for more Halstead antics. 7. ASHER ON THE PULSE One of the biggest swells in recent years hit the East Coast this past weekend, and EC team captain Asher Nolan was on it. He darted up to New York and found bombs like this one, featured in Surfline with 50,000 views and counting. Way to lead by example, Ash. 8. HURLEY/PENDLETON ON THE WIRE The Hurley/Pendleton collaboration is getting some attention, featured in influential blogs like Racked and Thrilllist. And since studies show that respected blogs rank just below the Bible and Koran in power of influence, things are looking high and mighty for the Hurley/Pendleton boardshirt. 9. CAMP DOM The Phantom Man was a bit out of breath yesterday. He along with the rest of the Hurley Oz crew -- Mitch Crews, Cooper Chapman and a bunch of cadets -- have been at Whale Beach near Sydney lately, training up for another run on the North Shore. Thanks to coach and former world champ Barton Lynch for giving our beloved Phantom Man abs of steel and thighs of thunder. 10. THE BUTLER IS IN Across the pond, Hurley UK's Tom Butler came just shy of winning the overall ratings on the UK Pro Tour. His consolation prize: he's now heading to Oz and Indo for some slab research. Jolly good, Tom. UP NEXT: 1. DRIFTER UPDATE NO. 347 The instant classic Drifter Premiere tour is winding to a close and it's time to give it a proper send-off. Join us tomorrow, Thursday at 7 p.m., for the Laguna screening at South Coast Theater. We'll also have a pre-screening pep rally at 225 Forest. Swing by at 5:30 and talk story. 2. HAPPY HOUR ON LOCATION If you saw Episode No. 2, you'd see that it's so much better than it used to be. It's getting so good, we're going mobile today and webcasting live from PK's "Ridiculous Pool" in San Bernadino. Be sure to log on to www.hurley.com/live today at 4 p.m. Oh, and cross your fingers that it works. 3. GET COOKING The Ambassador of Fun has spoken. The chili cook-off is this Friday, and there are at least 15 chefs ready to blow you away (literally) with their secret recipe. It all begins at high noon in town hall. Did you know that H. Allen Smith was the first ICS World's Chili Champion in 1967? Now you do. We'll give you that one on the house. Until next time, use your knowledge wisely. It's powerful stuff.