ART CONTEST AND BUZZ…
HERE’S THE LATEST BUZZ
Real vs. Fake – Can you tell what each photo is?
In this era of Photoshop and artistic “manipulation” of pictures, it gets harder and harder to tell the real from the fake. About.com has a quiz to see if you can sort reality from fiction. Give it a shot (click here) and see how you do! Here’s a hint: The photo above is one of the fakes.
George Washington’s schoolboy efforts still a good lesson for today
When George Washington was 16, he wrote out something called “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” Long title, but what it means is how well-behaved, civil people are supposed to act. You can read the list here at the Colonial Williamsburg site, but be warned, the spelling and style of speech are old-fashioned and not the easiest to read.
Why read it at all? Because there’s a new interest in Washington’s schoolboy writings. George Washington strove his entire life to live by these rules, with admirable results. David Brooks of the New York Times wrote an op-ed piece yesterday praising Washington’s moral character (guided by these rules) and the unique sort of hero that it helped him to be. The dignity code is all but gone now, Brooks bemoans, but perhaps someone like Barack Obama, who is by all accounts a dignified and civil man, will help bring back some interest in the rules of decent behavior.
Disney monorail crash? Can that even happen?
The Walt Disney Monorail system had a crash over the weekend, killing one Disney cast member.
Most people who have been to Walt Disney World near Orlando, FL, can’t even fathom the monorail trains crashing. The system, which has been running for 38 years, seems so smooth and computer-orchestrated! And the 21-year-old cast member who was running one of the trains and who died in the crash was said to be a level-headed guy.
A little research shows that this isn’t the first monorail accident or incident at WDW, but they are indeed very rare, especially when you consider how much the trains run each and every day. Disney isn’t saying much right now except for condolences to the victim’s family, but the investigation continues, and the monorails are closed at the moment.
As for me, I’m going to WDW in August, and I’ll be riding the monorail if it’s running. I just won’t sit in the front car.
Stingray and Whale… Wow
This is just about the coolest pic we’ve seen today (of course, it’s early yet):
AP Photo/New Zealand Herald Photograph, Brett Phibbs
It’s also one of the most-emailed pics out there right now, according to Yahoo!. It’s a pic of a stingray leaping out of the water to avoid a killer whale, of which you can see just the little fin sticking out of the water.
If a killer whale was hunting me, I think I’d find a way to fly, too!
Photo Credit: AP Photo/New Zealand Herald Photograph, Brett Phibbs
Steve McNair Homicide: What a Mess
You’ve probably heard about this already, but in case you were asleep all weekend, former football star Steve McNair, 36, was found dead on Saturday, the victim of four gunshot wounds. A woman, Sahel Kazemi, 20, was found dead with him, also shot. McNair’s death was officially ruled a homicide, but Kazemi’s is still under investigation. As the story develops, news sources report that the two were having an affair for the past several months (McNair was married with four sons), that the mistress thought McNair was getting a divorce (though there’s no record that he ever filed for divorce from his wife), and that there’s a chance that this is a murder-suicide over a relationship gone bad.
Police are still conducting tests and investigating the situation, but no matter what they find, this is a tragic situation for all involved. McNair’s wife is said to be blindsided by the news, and sources say she didn’t know about the affair. McNair, a former quarterback with the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens, was said to be a great guy who was active in the community.
How could such a great guy cheat on his wife and now end up like this? I guess it’s another example of how complicated people, even famous ones, can be, and how many different faces they can show to the world. His good deeds and football prowess (he led the Titans to their only Super Bowl appearance) could forever be shadowed by the evidence of his affair and the grisly ending to it.
Further investigation will indicate whether this was indeed a murder-suicide or if another party was involved. Police are also investigating the gun used in the crime to see if it was McNair’s gun or another person’s. In the meantime, there seem to be more questions than answers in this tragedy.
Eeeew, worms!
Have you seen the video of the pulsing blob of slime in the Raleigh, NC sewer? For a while, it seemed to be a mystery creature, something unidentified by experts. Blogs, sci fi fans and other enthusiasts of the unexplained went into overdrive trying to solve the mystery. But Raleigh officials are now saying that it’s a colony of tubifex worms.
How could a worm colony be so mistaken? The theory is that the light and/or heat of the camera made the colony act differently than usual. The worms generally live in sediment and sewage and don’t get out much.
Even though the worms regularly live in the sewer, it’s still pretty rare to see them. That’s probably why they were so quickly misidentified as a mystery creature. As Ed Buchan, environmental coordinator at the Raleigh Public Utilities Department, told Wired, “I’ve seen a lot of sewer TV before and I’ve never seen them,” he said. “We were surprised. We didn’t know immediately what it was.”
No-Texting Law Takes Effect Today, July 1, 2009
It is now a crime in Tennessee to text-message while operating a motor vehicle. According to the Tennessean , “violators of the texting prohibition would be fined $50, but the action would be considered a nonmoving traffic violation, meaning no points would be added to a person’s driving record.” The law does not draw a distinction between texting, checking email or using a web browser in the phone… all are covered by the legislation.
According to the Overclockers Club site , the law also bans texting while the car is stopped, as at a red light. If you must text, pull off and put the car in park before you do it.
The law’s opponents say that it’s tough to tell whether someone is texting or just dialing a phone, and that texting was already covered under the state’s distracted driving law. But the law’s supporters say that it’s necessary and will reduce the number of fender-benders and other accidents on the roads.
So if you’re driving in Tennessee (or any of the more than a dozen other states that ban texting while driving), put down the phone and focus on the road. You’ll avoid fines AND accidents!
Obesity rankings released; Tennessee is one of the worst
Tennessee has one of the highest percentages of fat adults in the country, the latest obesity rankings say. According to the new report from the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the adult obesity rate in Tennessee is 30.2 percent, meaning that almost one out of every three adults is obese. This makes Tennessee the fourth-fattest state for adults, with Mississippi coming in first (at 32.5 percent) for the fifth year in a row.
Across the board, obesity rates rose in 23 states, and no state declined in obesity rate. That’s not good news, especially when you consider the rising health care costs as obesity goes up. Obesity is linked to diabetes, heart disease, some cancers and lots of other health issues, all of which will start taxing the Medicare pocketbook as the population gets older. The Yahoo! News story about this issue noted that “studies show Medicare spends anywhere from $1,400 to $6,000 more annually on health care for an obese senior than for the non-obese.” That’s a big jump in expense thanks to obesity.
So what can we do now to stem the obesity epidemic? Visit the Trust for America’s Health to learn more about eating right, getting healthy and living longer without health problems. Start young and take care of the only body you get in life. And help make Tennessee one of the healthiest states in the country, not one of the fattest!
July 4th Fun in Tennessee
This weekend, our nation will celebrate the 233rd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The day is usually marked with cookouts, fireworks, red-white-and-blue bunting, and patriotic displays that entertain both kids and grown-ups alike. If you can’t make it to our Nation’s Capital this weekend for the fun, check out what you can do in your own backyard…
Gatlinburg Midnight Independence Day Parade – Join 100,000 spectators for this decades-old parade, led by a reenactment of FDR’s presidential motorcade of 1940. Floats, bands, balloons and other entertainments will follow the motorcade, and pre-parade festivities will also be available.
Let Freedom Sing! In Nashville – Head to Riverfront Park in Nashville for a full day of concerts, entertainments and family fun. The grand finale is a show-stopping fireworks display, accompanied by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.
Pops on the River, Chattanooga – Coolidge Park is the site of a festive 4th of July concert in Chattanooga. Visitors can bring lawn chairs and blankets, and food is available on site.
Memphis has so many local July 4th festivities planned that there’s an entire list of them here, at About.com
Jonesborough Days – July 3-5 marks this historic town’s festival, called “Red Rockets, White Lies and Bluegrass.” More than 30,000 people come to enjoy this party each year.
Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival – The 38th annual Jamboree and Festival are July 3-4. Musicians, craftspeople and spectators from around the world come to celebrate our nation’s birthday in this small southern town.
Madoff gets the maximum sentence
Today, Bernie Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in jail, the maximum penalty, for bilking thousands of people out of billions of dollars over the past few decades. Since Madoff is already 71 years old, the sentence will ensure that he dies in prison (unless he finds a fountain of youth or something, in which case he’ll still spend more time in jail than he’s already spent on this earth).
In court for his sentencing, Madoff was face-to-face with many of his victims, all of whom argued passionately to the judge that Madoff deserved the worst possible punishment. The judge, US District Judge Denny Chin, said that not one person had written a letter of support to the court regarding Madoff’s character, and he himself blasted Madoff for his behavior. From the nearly 9,000 people who have filed claims for losses from Madoff’s financial tricks, it is estimated that he took roughly $65 billion, living in luxury and avoiding scrutiny of his Ponzi scheme.
Madoff’s defense unsuccessfully argued that he deserved just a dozen years in jail. While he got the maximum sentence of 150 years, some say that there’s no punishment harsh enough for a man who stole so much from so many people. But whether there is such a thing as fair punishment in this case, one thing is true: Madoff will forever be a poster child for the greed and corruption that helped to bring the US economy into crisis.
World’s Ugliest Dog Crowned
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner … or maybe it’s a loser.
The World’s Ugliest Dog was declared last week. His name is Pabst, and he’s a 4-year-old Boxer mix from California. Pabst beat out the former winner, a Chinese Crested named Rascal, to take the honor, the $1,600 prize money and the modeling contract with House of Dog. Check out some pics of the other contenders here .
What makes Pabst so ugly? His HUGE under bite, for starters. Overall, the dog looks just plain angry. He may not be a looker, but he’s one lucky pooch: Pabst was a rescue dog, a mutt picked up at the shelter by his owner, Miles Egstad. Yet another argument for skipping the puppy mills and pet shops and getting a dog from a shelter!
If you’re in the market for a dog (cute or otherwise), try your local adoption center . You’ll make a best friend for life and save a life in the process!
Pabst
Lynndie England is back in the public eye
Remember Lynndie England? She was the Army Reservist pictured in the shocking 2004 photos of abuse that came out of Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. England and others involved served jail time for the prisoner abuse scandal that rocked the world, but now, she’s on a book tour, hoping to tell her story and make a better life for herself and her 4-year-old son.
The Washington Post reports that England can’t get a job anywhere, despite sending out hundreds of resumes. She says that she’s recognized whenever she leaves the house, and that people point and whisper about her. When asked about the images taken of her in the prison, photos that include her holding a prisoner by a neck restraint, and one of her giving a thumbs-up and pointing to a naked prisoner’s genitals, she claims that she and the 10 other soldiers found guilty of misconduct were pawns. She said she was following orders from higher-ups on how to treat the prisoners, higher-ups who then let them take the fall when the photos were released. Prosecutors say otherwise, of course, and say that the prisoners in question weren’t even suspected terrorists.
England claims that she’s paid her dues and apologized for the incidents, saying that she was only in the photos for a second and that she wasn’t a vile torturer as many paint her. Her biography, Tortured: Lynndie England, Abu Ghraib and the Photographs that Shocked the World, was written by Gary Winkler, an author who admits that even he couldn’t decide whether he liked or hated England.
England appealed her conviction and will have another hearing in July. As for the court of public opinion, it remains to be seen whether she’ll be a monster or a victim in the eyes of those around her.
Death or Hoax?
With all the legitimate and unexpected celebrity deaths in the past few weeks, it seems that some people are beginning to post celebrity death hoaxes online. Claiming that yet another famous person has met an untimely end can be great for driving traffic to a website or starting a Twitter frenzy, even if it’s not remotely true. So what’s real and what’s fiction among celebrity death reports? Let’s break it down:
Michael Jackson: Deceased. Not a hoax
Miley Cyrus: Still alive. Death reports are a hoax
Farrah Fawcett: Deceased. Not a hoax
David Carradine: Deceased. Not a hoax
Louis Anderson: Still alive. Death reports are a hoax This hoax has been around for years!
Gale Storm: Deceased. Not a hoax
Britney Spears: Still alive. Death reports are a hoax
Ed McMahon: Deceased. Not a hoax
Billy Mays: Deceased. Not a hoax
We hope this has cleared up the rumors/questions about recent celebrity deaths. If you see a “tweet” about a celebrity death or receive a forwarded email about it, check news sites like www.CNN.com and hoax sites like www.snopes.com to verify before passing the news along.
Michael Jackson and Elvis: Two Legends Taken Too Soon
As you probably know (if you don’t live under a rock), Michael Jackson died yesterday at the age of 50. He was the King of Pop, the star beloved worldwide for his music despite his occasional eccentricities. As fans pay tribute to Jackson today, many are recalling similar tributes to other lost musicians, especially Tennessee’s own Elvis Presley.
Presley and Jackson have been compared in the past, but never more so than now. Both were the top of the music world in their time, both were the subject of countless rumors and speculations, both died too young (Elvis was 42 when he died in his Graceland mansion in 1977), and both inspired outpourings of grief around the world upon their sudden deaths. As the public waits for the autopsy results for Jackson, many can’t help but wonder whether the toxicology will indicate a drug-related death, which would be still another similarity to Elvis.
Jackson was even briefly married to Elvis’s daughter, Lisa Marie, in the 1990s. They divorced after less than two years of marriage, but Lisa Marie said in a statement that she is “sad and confused” at Jackson’s death, and that she is “heartbroken for his children.”
It is a tragedy to lose two of the brightest stars of American music far too young, first Elvis, now Michael Jackson. As the tributes continue, one can only hope that the celebration of Jackson’s life and music will help the grieving come to terms with his death.
NBA Draft 2009 – Who did the Grizzlies get?
The NBA Draft of 2009 has permeated the sports world over the past few days. While most people knew that Blake Griffin would be chosen first (and chosen he was, by the Clippers with their number one pick), some players fell down the list, while others moved up higher than expected. So who ended up on the Grizzlies’ roster?
The Memphis Grizzlies had the second overall pick in the draft, and with it, they took Hasheem Thabeet, the 7’3” center from UConn. They also had the 27th overall pick, with which they took DeMarre Carroll, the 6’8” forward who played for Vanderbilt, then Missouri. How were these picks received?
Mostly well, according to observers. The Memphis Commercial Appeal said that, while there was some debate over which player to take at number two, Thabeet’s name was met with cheers from most of the crowd. NBA.com calls Thabeet “an imposing physical specimen who protects the basket,” while describing Carroll as a “tenacious interior player with terrific physical ability.” The Grizzlies also took Sam Young, 6’6” forward from Pittsburgh, at pick number 36 (round two of the draft); he’s described as “an aggressive defender and rebounder.”
While the draft is never a perfect indication of a team’s performance in the coming seasons, it does seem that the Grizzlies got a couple of talented players who could contribute a lot to the team. Watch for the 2009-2010 NBA season, starting this fall, to see just how the team does on the court.
Steve Jobs doing well, says Tennessee Hospital
Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Inc. (the company that makes iPods, iPhones, iTouches, and i-everything), was the “sickest patient on the waiting list” before his liver transplant, but now he’s doing well, according to Methodist University Hospital’s transplant institute in Memphis. Jobs had had liver cancer, but now, his prognosis is excellent, which is great considering that his status with Apple means that any illness for him can (and does) make Apple’s stock fall.
Probably because of the link between Jobs’s health and the company’s stock, news of Jobs’s health was kept fairly quiet while the latest iPhone successfully launched. Jobs had been on a medical leave of absence for several months leading up to the transplant, which happened sometime in April; the transplant was not reported until a week ago, at the end of the day that the iPhone 3G S came out. First the iPhone, then the news about the boss… Makes sense when you’re trying to make sure that hysteria over medical news won’t overshadow a new product release.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Jobs will be back to work by the end of the month, which is good news for Apple and Apple-lovers worldwide. He might work part time at first, but that’s certainly better than not working at all. So kudos to the Memphis health care professionals who performed Jobs’s liver transplant and gave him the care he needed to recover!
Summer In Tennessee
It’s summer in Tennessee! But what is there to do? Check out this list of fun summer events and ideas to help you enjoy the sunshine and make the most of the season!
Water Parks and other Wet Fun
Tennessee is home to several great water parks! There’s bound to be one within a short drive of your house. Check out Dolly’s Splash Country, Wetlands Water Park, Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park, Nashville Shores and Zorb Smoky Mountains. Nothing says “summer” like water fun!
Concerts
No matter what type of music you like, you’ll find a concert in Tennessee this summer that suits your tastes!
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Take the nationaldriverstest.com challenge
Hey Everyone:
Before you get your permit to drive and get out on the road, visit:
http://www.nationaldriverstest.com
and take the challenge and play the defensive driving game. Quite the challenge and driving really isn’t a game.
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College terms YOU need to know
College Terms to Get You Ready
Getting ready for college can be exciting, but it can also be confusing….
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Cool jobs in college-there is such a thing!
Need a job while you’re in high school or college?
You might have heard that the job market isn’t too great right now, and that the economy is making part-time jobs scarce for teens. Don’t despair, though! There are still options for finding a job. Do your research, be persistent, and don’t give up. Ask everyone if they’re hiring, and be prepared to show up for interviews whenever asked. Here are a few more tips to help you score a job…
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Enter The Mind2it Art Contest!
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You could win an IPOD TOUCH or NANO by loading your art work, sharing it with your friends and getting the most views before July 14th.
New! Check out and vote on the latest entries!
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