Friday, March 27, 2009

LOVE DARE #'s 36-37-38

The Morning Show
on
Spirit FM
with
JIM & KAREN


LIFE CHANGING WORD

LOVE DARE # 36 MONDAY

Love is God’s Word

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

For some people, the Bible seems just too big to understand. It’s like an impossible challenge. They don’t know where or how to begin. But as a Christian, you’re not left alone to try grasping the major themse and dep meaenings of the Bible. The Holy Spirit, who now lives in your heart by way of salvation, is an illuminator of truth. And because of His internal lamp, the Scriptures are now yours to read, absorb, comprehend and live by. But first, you have got to commit to do it.

Wise couples build their house on the rock of God’s Word. That’s why you must determine to build your life and marriage on the solid rock of the Bible, and then you can plan on a srtonger fruture, no matter how bad the storms get.

TODAY’S DARE: Commit to reading the Bible every day. Find a devotional book or other resource that will give you some guidance. If your spouse is open to it, see if they will commit to daily Bible reading with you. Begin submitting each eara of your life to its guidance and start building on the rock!


LOVE DARE # 37 TUESDAY

Love agrees in prayer.

If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by my Father. Matthew 18:19

If someone told you that by changing one thing about your marriage, you could guarantee with near 100 percent assurance that your life together would significantly improve, you would at least want to know what it was. And for many godly couples, that “one thing” is the daily practice of praying together.

When you were joined together as husband and wife, God gave you a wedding gift – a permanent prayer partner for life.

TODAY’S DARE: Ask your spouse if you can begin praying together. Talk about the best time to do this, whether it’s in the morning, your lunch hour, or before bedtime. Use this time to commit your concerns, disagreements and needs before the lord. Don’t forget to thank him for his provision and blessing. Even if your spouse refuses to do this, resolve to spend this daily time in prayer yourself.



LOVE DARE # 38 WEDNESDAY

Love fulfills dreams

Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

What is something your sppuse would really, really, love? And how often do you ask yourself this question?

Common sense tells us we can’t give our wife or husband everything they might like. Our budgets and account balances tell us we probably couldn’t afford it anyway. And even if we could, it might not be good for us. Or for them.

But perhaps you’ve let “no” become too quick a response. Perhaps you have let this negative default setting become too reasoned and rational, too automatic. What if instead of dismissing the thought, you did your best to honor it. What might happen if the one thing they said you’d never do for them became the next thing you did?
Christ is your model. He’s the One your love is designed to imitate. Though you weren’t a likely candidate for His love, He gave it anyway. He paid the price.
Dreams and desires come in all shapes and sizes. But love takes careful notice of eachone.

TODAY’S DARE: Ask yourself what your mate would want if it was obtainable. Commit this to prayer and start maping out a plan for meeting some (if not all) of their desires, to whatever level you possibly can.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

TODAY IS FRIDAY - MARCH 27, 2009

The Morning Show
with
Jim & Karen
on
Spirit FM


LIFE CHANGING WORD

LOVE DARE # 35

Love is accountable.

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with man advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22

Everyone needs wise counsel throughout life. Wise people constantly seek it and gladly receive it. Fools never ask for it and then ignore it when it’s given to them.

As the Bible so clearly explains, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel”.

Good marriage mentors warn you before you make a bad decision. They encourage you when you are ready to give up. And they cheer you on as you reach new levels of intimacy in your marriage. You and your spouse need these types of friends and mentors on a consistent basis.

If you marriage is hanging by a thread or already heading for a divorce, then you need to stop everything and pursue solid counseling as quickly as possible. Even if your marriage is fairly stable, you’re in no less need of honest, open mentors – people who can put wind in your sails and make your marriage even better!

TODAY’S DARE: Find a marriage mentor. Someone who is a strong Christian and who will be honest and loving with you. If you feel that counseling is needed, then take the first step to set up an appointment. During this process, ask God to direct your decisions and discernment.



TODAY IS…..

The #1 Adult Christian song was "Let Us Pray" by Steven Curtis Chapman

Today is Education and Sharing Day, by presidential proclamation.

Today is Kite Flying Day, a great day for families to go fly a kite.

Today is Downtown Day, a day to go downtown just to see if it’s still there.

Today is National Joe Day, honoring anyone named Joe.

On this day in 1790 the shoelace was invented.

Wilhelm Roentgen, the physicist who discovered the x-ray, was born on this day in 1845.


In The News…..

The Cross debuts in theaters this weekend. The movie is about Arthur Blessitt, who is known for carrying a cross around the world and spreading the message of Christ. If you want to learn more about the film, or see if it is showing in your area you can log onto:
http://www.thecrossfilm.com/


More Auto Loans
President Obama's auto task force is recommending more loans for GM and Chrysler, but only if there are sacrifices... like not making any cars for 4-5 years.

Wall Street to Public School
The state of New Jersey is looking to hire unemployed Wall Street traders as public school teachers. Students in those classes will learn how $170 billion in losses somehow equals a $165 million bonus.

President Obama has announced another Faith-Based program…called: The Budget
Last week President Obama sent a videotape message to the Iranian people. This week he plans to send a message on an 8-track tape to the Cuban people.


In the news, a construction worker from Queens, N.Y., used Bernie Madoff’s prison number to play the lottery — and he won $1,500. To which Madoff said, “See — I can make money!”


George W. Bush has signed a deal to write a book. He got $7 million. In his book, he’ll discuss his “12 toughest decisions.” Like, “Should I heed Al Roker’s warning about Hurricane Katrina?” “Should I let Cheney carry a loaded shotgun?”


"A small political party angry at bonuses paid to staff of bailed out insurance giant American International Group is organizing a bus tour to the Connecticut homes of several AIG executives.'We're all mad at AIG,' the Connecticut Working Families Party, a small liberal party, said on its Web site, inviting people to sign up for its 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Infamous' bus tour and a rally at the company's Wilton, Connecticut, headquarters, on Saturday."



Money Talks:
Coupons.com reports a 120 percent increase in the dollar amounts of coupons downloaded last month. Consumers downloaded $39 million worth of coupons compared to $21 million in February 2008. Below are the top ten most popular items purchased using a coupon:

10. Bathroom tissue
09. Carbonated soft drinks
08. Nutritional/diet products
07. Frozen vegetables
06. Baking ingredients
05. Portable snacks
04. Personal care products
03. Salty snacks
02. Yogurt
01. Cereal

GROCERY AUCTIONS ARE A GROWING TREND IN SEVERAL STATES
As consumers seek relief from the recession and spiraling food prices, bidding on goods at grocery auctions is gaining in popularity as an easy way to cut costs.
The sales operate like regular auctions, but with bidders vying for dry goods and frozen foods instead of antiques and collectibles. Some auctioneers even accept food stamps.

When Kirk Williams held his first grocery auction in rural Pennsylvania last month, nearly 300 people showed up. Astonished by the turnout, he's scheduling auctions at locations throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.

The auctions sell leftover or damaged goods from supermarkets, distribution centers and restaurant suppliers. Some of the goodies are out-of-date. But the auctioneers stress that they're still OK to eat. The FDA does not generally prohibit the sale of food past its sell-by or use-by date




WANT TO SAVE MONEY? TURN OFF YOUR PC AT NIGHT
SAN FRANCISCO — Even during an economic meltdown, when companies are scrambling to cut costs, businesses are wasting billions of dollars by leaving their PCs on at night.

U.S. organizations squander $2.8 billion a year to power unused machines, emitting about 20 million tons of carbon dioxide — roughly the equivalent of 4 million cars — according to a report to be released Wednesday.

About half of 108 million office PCs in the USA are not properly shut down at night, says the 2009 PC Energy Report, produced by 1E, an energy-management software company, and the non-profit Alliance to Save Energy. The report analyzed workplace PC power consumption in the USA, United Kingdom and Germany.

Wastefulness does not just affect a company's bottom line, it creates environmental concerns, the report says. If the world's 1 billion PCs were powered down just one night, it would save enough energy to light the Empire State Building — inside and out — for over 30 years, it says.




NEW TREND: BUCKET BATHS FOR BABIES?
Anyone who has spent time with a newborn knows how stressful bath time can be. Now a Dutch company has come up with a product that claims to “make bath time enjoyable from birth.”

Behold the Tummy Tub: It's a small bucket that parents can fill with warm water, allowing babies to enjoy a warm bath without fearing they'll drown. The makers say that the tub is “designed to replicate the comfort of the mother’s womb, and once in the Tummy Tub, babies naturally adopt the fetal position and instantly feel reassured and relaxed."

The manufacturer recommends filling the Tummy Tub with water that covers the baby’s shoulder, to keep the baby warm.

According to its maker, the Tummy Tub has been endorsed by maternity hospitals, physicians, midwives and child caregivers throughout Europe. But to many of us who grew up in countries where overhead showers were deemed exotic, the bucket bath for babies is hardly a new concept.

Still, there’s no denying that these seven babies in their seven Tummy Tubs make a very cute picture. And they don’t look unhappy either.
And while the Tummy Tub retails at about $36, you can buy an ordinary bucket for a lot less, making this a recession-friendly way to make your baby happy.



What Do TV News Anchors Do When Commercials Are On?
They practice their dance moves of course!

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/offbeat/2009/03/25/moos.dancing.anchors.cnn

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

TODAY IS WEDNESDAY - MARCH 26, 2009

The Morning Show
on
Spirit FM
with
Jim & Karen

LIFE CHANGING WORD

LOVE DARE # 34

Love celebrates godliness.

(Love) does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:6

Love rejoices most in the things that please God. When your mate is gorwing in Christian character, persevering in faith, seeking, purity, and embracing roles of giving and service – becoming spiritually responsible in your home – the Bible says we should be celebrating it. The word “rejoices” in 1 Corinthians 13:6 carries the idea of being absolutely thrilled, excitedly cherring them on for what they’re allowing God to accomplish in their lives.

And what more could we want for our wife or husband than for them to experience God’s best in life?

TODAY’S DARE: Find a specific, recent, example when your spouse demonstrated Christian character in a noticeable way. Verbally commend them for this at some point today.



TODAY IS…..

Today is Make Up Your Own Holiday Day, a day to name for whatever you wish.
So let’s do it! How about:

Cut Congress in Half Day.

Find Out Why Super Glue Doesn’t Stick to the Tube Day But Will Glue Your Fingers Together.


This is National Bubble Gum Week. I had planned a special bubble gum promotion, but I figured I'd blow it. American's spend over $200-million a year on bubble gum, not counting the dental bills.

Actress-singer-talker Vicki Lawrence is 59 today. So I guess now she's almost old enough to play "Mama" without any makeup.



In The News…..

First daughters MALIA and SASHA OBAMA may be the most popular little girls in all of America. Not only have they received a personal visit by the JONAS BROTHERS, sources tell the NY Daily News' Gatecrasher gossip column that FERGIE is going to pop into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to perform for the pair. We may not hear about it even if she does make an appearance, since the story was denied by both her reps as well as those for the President.


Spend to Save?
At a newsconference last night, President Obama promised to reduce the deficit by borrowing another two trillion dollars. President Obama insists we can spend more and still reduce the deficit... mostly by using identity theft.
President Obama says Americans are angry. We are angry. But we don’t want a press conference — we want to see the President pelting AIG executives with a sock full of quarters shouting, “Here’s change we can believe in!”


Save the Papers
Democrats in the Senate want to help save newspapers by designating them as non-profit organizations.... which is funny because that's what Senate Democrats have been trying to make the entire country for the last 40 years.


Dodd & AIG
It turns out Senator Chris Dodd's wife was a director at a company controlled by AIG. Dodd insists he doesn't remember marrying her.


President Obama has filled the three remaining top jobs at the Treasury Department. Their job is to collect taxes from all the Cabinet members who haven’t paid them yet.

On “60 Minutes” the other night, reporter Steve Kroft asked President Obama how he could laugh with all this financial trouble going on. The president said that it’s necessary to have a measure of gallows humor to get you through the day. You know why Obama likes gallows humor? It works much better for him than bowling humor.
You know this whole thing with the Octo-mom is wearing me out. Her behaviour is so bizarre these days and then on top of that it seems like you can’t believe anything she tells you. I’m scared to death the help is gonna clean behind her couch and find two more kids!!



4,800 Calorie Burger. The West Michigan Whitecaps, a minor league baseball team, will be offering up major league cholesterol, carbohydrates and calories in an enormous hamburger being added to the menu this year at the Fifth Third Ballpark .The 4-pound, $20 burger features five beef patties, five slices of cheese, nearly a cup of chili and liberal doses of salsa and corn chips, all on an 8-inch sesame-seed bun. That's a lot of dough! "You won't need a 7th inning stretch at that ball park. You'll need a 7th inning STRETCHER.



In Ganzhashan Qian village, China, a 42-year-old woman says she has been howling like a wolf for 26 years, but can't help it. She says: "My howls are like sneezes or yawns, they can't be controlled." She feels a "release of gas" inside her when she howls. The woman's neighbor said that when she heard the sound for the first time she thought there were wolves outside”



"As Americans forgo expensive vacations, costly dinners and shopping mall splurges, many are opting instead for the quiet simplicity of fishing, according to the sport fishing industry and reports from bait shops and fishermen.

From the icy north to fly-fishing streams in Texas, angling is on the rise. For families, it's an inexpensive outing. Those with a knack for it can trim their grocery bills. And for newly unemployed, it's something to do."

Of course you can tell if a person is a fisherman. Here are the signs:

You call your boat "sweetheart" and your wife "skeeter".

You name your black lab "Mercury" and your cat "Evinrude".

Bass Pro Shop has a private line just for you.

You have a photo of your 10 lb. bass on your desk at work instead of your family.




Guilty Pleasures:
Facebook may be the hottest social networking tool out there but now there's a facebook just for the rich. As the site says, membership to Affluence.org is completely free but requires you have a minimum net worth of $3 million or a minimum annual household income of $300-thousand. Or you could convince five members to vouch for you.The site actually checks your credit report to verify you're net worth. Average net worth of its 25-thousand members: $32.7 million.

So far, the site hasn't turned a profit but about 400 to 500 new people join each day, suggesting that the recession has hit the very wealthy as much as the middle class.




Chains Offering Cheap Eats
Chains have little choice. Cash-strapped consumers are holding back on eating out. Same-store sales have been falling for 14 months and were down 3.6% in February, says researcher Knapp-Track. Here's who's doing what:

• Chili's. On April 6, the chain will offer a "10 meals for under $7" deal. Officials declined to discuss details until closer to rollout.
• T.G.I. Friday's. This month, Friday's began a promotion featuring 10 entrees priced at $9.99 — in some cases a 29% price cut. "We need to offer deep value to drive traffic," says Andrew Jordan, marketing chief.
• Applebee's. Since mid-November, the chain has offered a "2 for $20" special of two entrees and one appetizer. "While we can't fix the economic challenges, we are offering … value," says Shannon Scott, marketing chief.
• Outback Steakhouse. For months, the chain has marketed 15 meals for under $15. "We decided to get back to the DNA of the brand," says Dan Dillon, marketing chief.
• Cheesecake Factory. A "Small Plates and Snacks" menu includes a $4.95 Pizzette, a flat, football-shaped pizza some folks are ordering as a meal. "We're making Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) more accessible," says Mark Mears, marketing chief.




Nickelodeon will ask kids to unplug their games and gadgets for a minute on Earth Day to symbolize a commitment to helping the environment.

The unplugged minute will come at nine o'clock in the evening on April 22, when many of Nick's viewers should arguably be in bed. It doesn't extend to television sets, but is largely targeted at household lights, hand-held games and cell phones
Nickelodeon has previously asked kids to turn off the TV for one day each year and go out and play, and will likely do so again.



Bigger Face Means More Confidence?
Personology is the study of a person's facial structure and how it correlates to behavior. It's meant to help people tune into others thinking, feelings emotions, values, desires and interests, according to proponents.
2knowmyself.com touts itself as the complete source for face reading on the Internet. It also provides various descriptions and what they mean about an individual's personality.

The Web site says a person with a broad face is confident by nature.

"This person has got good influencing abilities; he usually has a relativity larger distance between his two eyes because of his broad face," the site says.

A person with a thin face is confident by experience and not by nature. A broad-faced person is not usually interested in details. These types of people may also not be as adventurous.

The site says the round-faced person may also be friendlier.
A person's lip size also provides insight, according to personology. People with big lips tend to be talkative. The site says, "When you want to ask for directions down the street, pick someone with big lips; he will give you the full details on how and where to go."



10 Surprising Fitness Tips – Jim Do You Do All Of These?????


Don't exercise with your "BFF."Many experts recommend working out with friends to increase motivation, but it can backfire. "People end up talking more than exercising or slowing their speeds or [lowering] intensity levels to chat," says Stacey Rosenfeld, Ph.D., a psychologist at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. Plus, walking or running with friends can prevent you from following your body's cues. If you want to speed up or slow down, for instance, you may not be able to coordinate that with someone else. Arrive at the gym with friends to increase motivation, but save the bonding for later.

Choose your workout clothes carefully
According to psychologists, red can increase blood circulation and body temperature, which can boost workout efficiency .For example: reds and oranges increase body temperature, which pumps you up for exercise and keeps you energized for a longer workout.

Drink pickle and pineapple juices.
The salt and vinegar in pickle juice can help muscles recover from sodium loss and decrease cramping. "If you're training on a hot day or doing intense activities, drink four to eight ounces of pickle juice 45 minutes and eight to 10 ounces of water 30 minutes before your session," says certified nutritionist and fitness trainer Majid Ali of the Healing Center in Culver City, Calif. "If your stomach can handle it, drink four to six ounces after or during your session to speed recovery." Pineapple juice can also reduce post-workout inflammation. "The bromelain [an enzyme] in pineapple juice removes lactic acid buildup in the muscles, which causes inflammation," he says. Ali recommends drinking six to 10 ounces, 30 minutes after training.

Get off the elliptical trainer.
"The elliptical is mindless and by far the least effective machine for fat loss," says L.A.–based Torri Shack, who's certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. "It uses momentum, not muscle force. Most people don't use enough resistance." This machine may increase your heart rate and sweat level, but to burn fat using one, Shack says you'll need to exercise for 45 to 60 minutes and vary your levels of intensity and resistance. Shack adds that the elliptical machine is best for warming up before weight lifting or rehabilitating injured body parts. "If you can watch television or read while doing cardio, you're not working hard enough, and therefore not burning fat," she says.

Don't sweat it.
Sweat is your body's way of regulating your rising temperature, not a clear sign of increased calorie burn or an intense workout. "In the sauna, you'll sweat buckets, but you aren't burning fat," says Brad Schoenfeld, certified strength and conditioning specialist and author of The 28-Day Body Shapeover (Human Kinetics, 2005). "The best indicator of calorie burn is either heart rate or Rate of Perceived Exertion." RPE is a self-reported scale that determines intensity; it ranges from 1 (complete rest) to 10 (maximum effort). High intensity exercise—such as interval training—increases your heart rate, which equals more fat burn. So, don't aim solely for a sweaty workout. Go for an intense one.

Practice your "Get-Up."
"The Get-Up is one of the best kept secrets in the fitness industry," says Houston-based certified strength and conditioning specialist Sean Cashman. "It's one of the most functional exercises [meaning it trains your body for real-life situations], yet the majority of gym-goers have never heard of it. You move from lying down, up to a standing position, and back down, all while holding a weight above your head." Cashman suggests a 10- to 20-pound weight to start. "The Get-Up integrates all joints and muscles in one sequence," he says. "It increases your whole body's strength, stability, balance and flexibility."

Say "shhh."
As you say it, "Put your hands on your stomach and feel the contraction," says Jonathan Angelilli, a personal trainer in New York City. "That's your transverse abdominus and diaphragm contracting, creating tension in the core and strengthening your extremities." The louder your "sshhh," the better. It's most effective for core stabilization exercises such as squats, push-ups, and Pilates moves. Angelilli says, "'Sshhh' also helps you breathe with your abs. Stress, [poor] posture at work, and sitting too much over-activates our secondary breathing muscles in the neck and inhibits our primary abdominal breathing muscles." Saying "sshhh" oxygenates the body, increases strength, tones abs, and reduces neck tension.

Beware the hump.
Most of us work our "sexy" muscles: the chest, the shoulders and the arms. "This neglects the upper back, where many of us have a distinctive hump, manifested by forward-rounded, contracted shoulders and a forward-leaning neck," says Andrew Sherman, M.D., associate professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Miami. "This can lead to neck and shoulder pain." To fight the hump, stretch your chest muscles and do exercises that retract your shoulder and neck, such as rows, front lat pull downs, and upward dumbbell flys. "Don't forget to stick out your chest while doing them!" says Dr. Sherman.

Run barefoot.
According to proponents of shoeless running, shoes inhibit foot growth, development, and flexibility. David Jenkins, D.P.M., professor at Midwestern University's Arizona Podiatric Medicine Program, says, "Running barefoot may increase foot flexibility and strengthen intrinsic foot muscles. This can improve toe function, balance, and structural support, but more research is necessary." Running barefoot could decrease the likelihood of plantar fasciitis, a running epidemic unknown 30 years ago, which is possibly caused by over-controlling shoes and/or orthotic arch supports used on normal feet, says Dr. Jenkins. "A gradual buildup to barefoot sports is imperative," says Dr. Jenkins. "Barefoot running is an extreme change for people who have worn shoes most of the time." Of course, be careful to watch for hazards like broken glass and rocks when running shoeless.

Kick and shout!
IntenSati is "moving meditation"—a fitness program that uses the voice and mind to intensify physical workouts. Participants chant or shout empowering affirmations while kicking, jumping or lunging. For example, while punching, they yell, "I. Am. Strong. Now!" IntenSati creator Patricia Moreno says, "The repetition of a single statement moves you into a state of focused awareness—it's a very powerful practice." She claims these motivational chants boost emotional strength, increase self-confidence, and distract participants from feeling fatigued, which increases the effectiveness of their workouts



American Idol News

Jennifer Hudson makes a return visit to American Idol for one night only
The Grammy- and Oscar-winning actress, singer and "Idol" alum taped a performance in front of the studio audience on Wednesday after the live broadcast had ended, says a person close to the show who did not want his or her name used because the person was not authorized to speak to reporters.

Hudson's appearance will air on an upcoming segment, the person says. It will be the 26-year-old superstar's first time as a performer on the stage that made her famous since the slayings last year in Chicago of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.
Hudson will likely sing a song from her self-titled debut CD, which won the Grammy for best R&B album in February. She was a finalist on the third season of "American Idol."

In other Idol News….

Simon Cowell told Jay Leno this week that President Obama called and wanted to have dinner with him recently, but Cowell said he couldn’t make it and had to decline the invitation.




Notre Dame Bishop Will NOT Attend University’s graduation Ceremony Because of President Obama’s Attendance

NOTRE DAME, Indiana, March 24, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The bishop of the diocese where the University of Notre Dame is located, Bishop John D'Arcy, released a statement this afternoon strongly criticizing the university's decision to invite President Obama to offer this year's commencement address and receive an honorary law degree on May 17. The bishop said that he would boycott the event.

This past Friday afternoon it was announced that President Obama had accepted the invitation put forward by the university. The announcement sparked a strong backlash from Catholics and Notre Dame alumni, who say that Obama's liberal policies on abortion, embryonic stem cell research and other social issues should preclude him from being honored at the prestigious Catholic university. As of Tuesday afternoon, a petition launched by the Cardinal Newman Society protesting against the president's appearance had been signed by over 75,000 people.

Bishop D'Arcy wrote that his decision to boycott the event is "not an attack on anyone, but is in defense of the truth about human life."

D'Arcy also explained that while he has "always revered the Office of the Presidency," and means no disrespect to the president, "a bishop must teach the Catholic faith 'in season and out of season,' and he teaches not only by his words — but by his actions."

Reflecting on a U.S. bishops' statement that stimpulates that Catholic institutions should not honor pro-abortion politicians, Bishop D'Arcy wrote: "Indeed, the measure of any Catholic institution is not only what it stands for, but also what it will not stand for."

The bishop said that he was not informed about the invitation until shortly before the White House announcement confirming Obama's acceptance Friday afternoon.
University president Fr. John Jenkins stated over the weekend that despite the protest he would not reconsider the invitation.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

TODAY IS WEDNESDAY - MARCH 25, 2009

THE SPIRIT FM MORNING SHOW
WITH
JIM & KAREN


LIFE CHANGING WORD

LOVE DARE # 33

Love completes each other.

If two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? Ecclesiastes 4:11

God creates marriage by taking a man and a woman and uniting them as one. And although love must be willing to act alone if necessary, it is always better when it is not just a solo performance. Love can function on its own if there is no other way, but there is a “more excellent way”. And love dares not to stop loving before it gets there.

The effctiveness of your marriage is dependent upon both of you working together. Loe realizes that God put you together on purpose. And though sometimes you may wind up disagreeing with your spouse’s perspecitives, you should still give their views respect and strong consideration. This honors God’s design for your relationship and guards the oneness He intends.

Joined together, you are greater than your independent part. You need each other. You complete each other.

TODAY’S DARE: Recognize that your spouse is integral to your future success. Let them know today that you desire to include them in your upcoming decisions, and that you need their perspective, and counsel. If you have ignored their input in the past, admit your oversight and ask them to forgive you.


TODAY IS…..

Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan was born on this day in 1937. And wouldn't you know it? He was delivered in under 30 minutes.

Domino's delivers 400 million pizzas a year (2007) that's a pizza (and an extra slice) for every man, woman and child in the United States - or more then 1 million pizzas a day.

Domino's drivers cover 9 million miles each week in the U.S. alone. That's about 37 trips to the moon every week. (I wonder who actually crunched the numbers to come up with this!)

History:
• In 1960, brothers Tom and James Monaghan borrowed $500 and purchased 'DomiNick's' pizza in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

• In 1961, James traded his half of the business to Tom for a Volkswagen Beetle.

• In 1965, Tom renamed the business 'Domino's Pizza, Inc.'

• In 1967 the first franchised Domino's Pizza store opened in Yipsilanti.

• In 2006, Domino's opened its 8,000th store in Huntley, Illinois and its 3,000th international store in Panama City, Panama.


1996: The new U.S. $100 bill went into circulation.

On this date in 1776, George Washington received the first medal awarded by the U.S. Congress. Congress is very generous in awarding medals. The only things that outnumber the medals Congress gives to citizens are the pay raises they give themselves.

Today is Global Understanding Day, a day to try to understand why foreigners act the way they do. So go ahead, call Osama bin Laden and tell him you understand.
That number is 1-800-NUT-CASE.

Today is Waffle Day in Sweden. But hey, I say we can share that holiday..so bring on the waffles!!

On this day in 1954 in Bloomington, Indiana, RCA began producing the first television sets equipped to receive color programs. Today's sets, of course, are even equipped to receive off-color programs.

Today is Cagney & Lacey Day. The TV show debuted on March 25, 1982, starring Meg Foster as Chris Cagney and Tyne Daly as Mary Beth Lacey. Sharon Gless took over the Cagney role after the first season. In the original TV movie, Loretta Swit played Cagney.

Cagney and Lacy not only caught the bad guys, they kept their clothes on.!!


1985: Stevie Wonder won an Academy Award for "I Just Called to Say I Love You."


On this day in 1991 seven Academy Awards went to the movie "Dances With Wolves."


In The News…..

In a study released this week: Human mental abilities begin to decline at age 27. This explains why the average age of radio DJs is 28.

It is true….Harrison Ford got engaged to Calista Flockhart over the weekend. This is the first time six carats doesn’t mean her lunch.

CORRECTION FROM TUESDAY’S SHOW: Winne did NOT marry Bruce Willis…Danika McKellar married composer Michael Verta. Emma Hemming married Bruce Willis!!! “Winnie Coopers” reputation is still in good standing!!!

Married: late-night talk show host DAVID LETTERMAN and his longtime girlfriend, REGINA LASKO. Dave broke the news last night during a taping of his show. He's 61; she's 48, and their five-year-old son, HARRY, was present at the ceremony which took place before a Justice of the Peace last Thursday (Mar 19) in Choteau, MT. On the show, Dave admitted he never thought he'd tie the knot. "I had avoided getting married pretty good for, like, 23 years," he said, "and I ...secretly felt that men who were married admired me, like I was the last of the real gunslingers."

Auto Deadline
GM and Chrysler have about a week before they find out if they'll get additional help from taxpayers... so they better give their top executives those outrageous bonuses now before it's too late.

AIG Givebacks
About half of the AIG executives who received those controversial bonuses are giving them back. The other half are making more donations to Chris Dodd.

Just when you think this story can’t get any worse…More problems for AIG: It turns out that the bonus money was actually $218 million, not $165 million as originally reported. AIG says they misplaced $53 million in bonus money


Florida International University is now offering students valet parking. To give you an idea how bad the economy is, that’s not for their cars, that’s as a career choice! It’s a major.


Obama on TV... Again
President Obama adressed the nation last night in a prime time news conference. Most of the news conference covered what he's been doing since he last addressed the nation on "60 Minutes" a whole two nights ago.

The Obama news conference forced a postponement of the latest episode of "American Idol," creating a huge amount of confusion for 25 million Americans who tried to phone in and vote Tim Geithner off the administration.



"NASA's online contest to name a new room at the international space station went awry. Comedian Stephen Colbert won.

The name 'Colbert' beat out NASA's four suggested options in the space agency's effort to have the public help name the addition. The new room will be launched later this year.

NASA's mistake was allowing write-ins. Colbert urged viewers of his Comedy Central show, 'The Colbert Report' to write in his name. And they complied, with 230,539 votes.

NASA reserves the right to choose an appropriate name. An agency spokesman said NASA will decide in April, but will give top vote-getters 'the most consideration.'"




Octo-Mom update: RadarOnline also reports that NADYA SULEMAN is facing a new cash crisis as a result of the huge backlash over her 14 children.

The problem --corporate America is deserting her because of that public backlash and sponsors — including Pampers and Huggies — have dropped sponsorships. Baby food manufacturer Gerber has also said it won’t donate, either. Now, friends are wondering whether the 33-year-old single mom will lose the financial support she needs to care properly for her mega-brood.

Nadya also tells the website she's decided to no longer use the services of Angels In Waiting, that non-profit charity organization that had offered to provide 24/7 care for her octuplets and six other children. Instead, she reportedly wants to hire her own nannies. We'll find out more when both parties tape an episode of Dr. PHIL's show today.



Sir PAUL McCARTNEY's ex-wife, HEATHER MILLS, has signed a 4.3-million dollar deal with Burger King. The British tabloids say she will promote the fast food chain's new veggie burger which will be introduced at its more than 11,000 locations all over the world. Heather says she can change the eating habits of millions.
****There is no truth to the rumor that Heather's veggie burger will be called The Hopper.


DO YOU WANT FREE STUFF! WELL YEAH!!!!

COPY AND PAST THIS INTO YOUR SEARCH BAR TO SEE ALL THE SITES:
http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/53/how-to-find-free-stuff.html

Want free furniture, a place to stay, or even a bike? Thanks to the Internet, it's fairly easy to find a wide variety of free products and services.

Dozens of websites are dedicated to helping you locate stuff your neighbors want to unload, opportunities to swap what you no longer need, ways to find giveaways from businesses, and more.

Obviously, seeking out free stuff is great for your budget, but it can also be good for the planet. Reusing things, for example, keeps valuable items out of the landfill and saves the resources needed to make a new product from scratch.

Here are some of the best ways to find free stuff:

• Log onto Freecycle and other reuse groups to search listings of items being given away by people in your town.
• Craigslist has a whole category dedicated to "free stuff" for each of its participating cities. Find everything from cardboard boxes to electric sewing machines to computer games.
• Search for free reusable items with the Local Reuse application on your iPhone.
• CouchSurfing connects travelers with hosts around the globe. The result: You get both a free place to stay and locals to hang out with for an inside glimpse of other cultures.
• Want free accommodations while travelling, but aren't up for sleeping on a couch? Use Digsville, Home Base Holidays, HomeExchange.com, and HomeLink to find traditional home-exchange opportunities.
• Favorpals is all about helping you trading skills and favors. Clean someone's house in exchange for dog walking when you're at work or for tutoring your kid in math. Or offer painting services and get help with designing a website.
• You can trade anything from babysitting and calligraphy lessons to pianos and foosball tables to cars and boats at U-Exchange.
• Swap books, music, DVDs, or video games via mail through Swaptree. Print a postage label right from your computer for easy mailing.
• You can trade clothes, accessories, shoes, and even cosmetics at Swapstyle.
• Trade kids' stuff you no longer need at Tots Swap Shop or Kizoodle.
• Get free new jewelry at Silver Jewelry Club. What's the catch? This jewelry manufacturing company is looking to get the word out about its designs. Be prepared to pay modest shipping costs.
• MyOpenBar.com helps people find free (or cheap) drinks in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Honolulu, and Miami.
• ThefreeSite.com, StartSampling, and Free Stuff Channel are just some of the websites dedicated to helping users find giveaways, samples, trials, and other promotional items.



OBAMA SUSHI

COPY AND PASTE THIS SITE INTO YOUR SEARCH BAR AND SEE THE PICTURES!
http://inventorspot.com/articles/obama_sushi_adds_good_taste_executive_brunch_25186

The "Obama Sushi" made by an exceptionally creative sushi chef pays tribute to America's 44th president in a most unusual - and dare I say, tasteful - manner.

There's still room for more Obama mania... if the room is the kitchen and you happen to be Kawasumi-sensei, a sushi chef who teaches at Tokyo University. Kawasumi has whipped up a feast for both the eyes and stomach that looks so good, it had to be framed.

Kawasumi-sensei's masterpiece features, in addition to a startlingly realistic pair of Obama futomaki rolls, a variety of nigiri-zushi and futomaki that together must cost any purchaser a hefty chunk of change - we can believe that! But while the cars and happy faces are undeniably cute, it's the Obama sushi that are the highlights.

Creating the perfect Obama futomaki roll took considerable trial and error according to Kawasumi-sensei. Careful selection of ingredients was just the start: brown rice for the skin, black sesame seeds for the hair, tiny shrimps for the lips and a gleaming fish-paste smile.

It appears that rich red Maguro tuna and white Ika (squid) were used to mold the stripes of the American flag, with cooked egg spelling out "USA" and, of course, a big "V" for Victory.


IS SATAN FOR REAL? The subject will debated on national television laster this month.

The question was debated yesterday by four unusual suspects – one megachurch pastor, one former preacher branded by some as a heretic, the alternative medicine guru Deepak Chopra and the founder of Hookers for Jesus – in a taped debate that will air on national television later this month.

Mark Driscoll is the preaching pastor at the Seattle-area Mars Hill Church, a congregation that welcomes 7,500 people in attendance each week and that hosted the debate.

"The existence of God has been debated many times," Driscoll wrote in an e-mail reported by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. "But (a discussion about) the existence of Satan is far less common, which makes it a curious topic to debate."

The Satan discussion will be the latest in a series of "Face Off" debates created by ABC TV's late-night news program, Nightline, and will air March 26.

Driscoll is joined in arguing for the existence of Satan by Annie Lobert, a former Las Vegas escort who founded Hookers for Jesus, an organization that offers a Christian message and ministry to women in the sex trade.

Arguing against an actual evil-embodying being are Chopra and the Rev. Carlton Pearson, a formerly televised preacher on Trinity Broadcasting Network and author of "The Gospel of Inclusion," a book outlining a doctrine of universal reconciliation to God that prompted the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops to brand him a heretic for denying traditional Christian understandings of heaven and hell.

James Goldston, the show's executive producer, told the Seattle Times, "We went for the most interesting voices we could find."

Driscoll told the paper that the curious lineup – a diverse group of people outside the world of theology's hallowed halls – helps ensure that "this is not just an academic debate but also a practical discourse."

Goldston told the Times that a debate about Satan is not just a theological curiosity for Christians.

"There's always an interest in these topics," Goldston said. "Every time we've done one, the response has been pretty dramatic."

In fact, Goldston said, the very first "Face Off" segment from over two years ago – a debate on the existence of God – is still abcnews.com's most-commented-upon story.
Driscoll believes that Satan is an actual spirit at work in the world for evil, identified clearly in the Bible and evidenced in the world around us.



JOHN 3:16 NOT WELCOME AT THE NCAA TOURNEMENT
Well, there goes the First Amendment

TYPE THIS ADDRESS INTO YOUR SEARCH BAR AND WATCH THE VIDEO:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=92704

Has the Bible verse John 3:16 become too controversial to be displayed at sporting events?

Some might be asking that question after a basketball fan at the NCAA Tournament had his sign featuring the famous New Testament quote snatched away from him by a security guard.

The incident took place last week during Round One of the annual contest, as Siena College, a Catholic school, was taking on Ohio State.

CBS Sports coverage posted on YouTube shows the sign being confiscated by a security guard, who then folds it up several times so it can't be seen.
Well, there goes the First Amendment," wrote one commenter online.

While the action may seem harsh, NCAA guidelines actually ban sports fans from displaying signs, though the rule is not always enforced at some venues.
"They don't allow signs at NCAA events because they block people's view," wrote another online commenter. "I for one am glad they don't. It's not pro 'rasslin,' it's a real sporting event that people pay to see."
John 3:16 is considered to be among the most well-known verses from the Bible.

It states: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

The verse has appeared in various forms at nationally televised sporting events over the years.

And as WND reported in January, after University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow inscribed it on his eye black for this year's BCS National Championship game, the biblical reference became the most popular search item on Google.com.

"I am fortunate to have family members, coaches and teammates around who can help me stay focused on the right things for us to be successful," Tebow said. "For me, every day includes four things: God, family, academics and football, in that order."



VALEDICTORIAN SILENCED WHEN SHE STARTS SHARING HER FAITH

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Attorneys for a high school valedictorian whose microphone was turned off when she began sharing her Christian faith say they'll appeal her case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Rutherford Institute is representing Brittany McComb, whose lawsuit against school officials was dismissed Friday by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
In June 2006, McComb strayed from her school-approved script to tell how faith in Jesus had filled a void in her life. Her microphone was shut off in mid-sentence as she said, "God's love is so great that he gave up -- gave up his only son." The audience responded with boos and shouts to turn it back on.

The Rutherford Institute says it will now ask the Supreme Court to rule that school officials violated McComb's constitutional rights.

AND…..The ACLU wants to stop the Gideons from passing out Bibles at some schools.



ANOTHER CASE OF DO WHAT I SAY NOT WHAT I DO

Brought to you by the Ohio Legislature…..

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio legislative panel has rejected Miami University's plan to spend $167,000 on office chairs after learning officials picked the priciest ones available.

The 333 Aeron-brand chairs cost $522 each.

The Controlling Board, a panel of lawmakers that oversees state spending, voted 6-1 Monday against what normally would be a routine request. Board members say they were dissatisfied with an architect's explanation for why staff and faculty needed the expensive chairs.

A spokeswoman for the Oxford school didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Jay Hottinger, a Republican from Newark, was one of the lawmakers who opposed Miami's request. He reminded his colleagues on the panel that they were sitting in $2,000 leather chairs.



A DELCIOUSLY ROMANTIC WHITE CASTLE WEDDING

For one couple, it was a fairy tale wedding, castle and all, but it also included a side of burgers and fries.

Kurby and Krystal McDonald's love story began behind the counter.

"I started working here and her mother was working here and she said, 'my daughter's going to start here soon.' Is she single? 'yeah,'" said Kurby.

Soon after they started dating, and now nearly a year later, family and friends came together at the White Castle in London for their wedding, slider cake and all.

"Usually people get married in a church, but think about it, it's going to be a wedding to remember. How many weddings can you go to and then talk about it later and say 'hey, I had a wedding in a White Castle?'" said Kelli Vanarsdale, a friend of the bride.

"I decided it would be a good idea. This is where we met and I asked her about it and she said no way," said Kurby. "Yeah I wasn't too up for it at the beginning," said Krystal.

But at the end of the day, it only seemed right.

"I think it's a beautiful thing. It's where they met, it's where they fell in love. You know, so why not start out the union in the same place they started out their courtship?" said Vernon Vechene, the groom's brother.

Plus, it included all the food that comes with a white castle wedding.

"It was awesome, we had burgers and chicken and fries and we eat until we just couldn't eat no more, so we had a really good time and i think it went great," said Harlen Lockhart, the groom's brother-in-law.

The couple says it does not matter what others think.

"No, no, not really. It's about the union. I'm just happy to be with him," said Krystal.

And for her that is enough to make it a fairy tale wedding.


HERE’S THE WEBSITE TO SEE THE VIDEO!!
http://www.wkyt.com/wymtnews/headlines/41656182.html

Sunday, March 22, 2009

TODAY IS MONDAY - MARCH 23, 2009

The Morning Show
with
Jim & Karen
on
Spirit FM

LIFE CHANGING WORD

LOVE DARE # 31

Love and Marriage

A man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

This verse is God’s original blueprint for how marriage is suppose to work. In involves tearing away and a knitting together. It reconfigures existing relationships while establishing a brand new one. Marriage changes everything.
Couple who do not take this “leaving “ and “cleaving” message to heart will reap the consequences down the line when the problems are much harder to repair without hurting someone.

Are you and your spouse still living with unresolved issues because of a failure to cut the apron strings? Do either of your parents continue to create problems within your home – perhaps without their even knowing it?

TODAY’S DARE: Is there a “leaving issue you haven’t been brave enough to conquer yet? Confess it to your spouse today, and resolve to make it right. The oneness of your marriage is dependent upon it. Follow this with a commitment to your spouse and to God to make your own marriage the top priority over every other human relationship.


TODAY IS…..

This month the World Wide Web is celebrating its 20th birthday. The World Wide Web - one small step for computer related technology -- one giant leap for clicking.
Today is National Chip and Dip Day.

Today is Cuddly Kitten Day.

Today is National Puppy Day. In one day, sponsors hope to save 10,000 homeless puppies across the nation.

1743: Handel's "Messiah" premiered in London. King George rose to his feet during the "Hallelujah Chorus," prompting the entire audience to rise and creating a tradition that remains during live Messiah performances to this day.

1775: Patrick Henry made his famous call for American independence from Britain, telling the Virginia Provincial Convention, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" On this day in 1775 Patrick Henry screamed, "Give me liberty or give me death!" Today, to mark the occasion, the American taxpayer will scream, "Give me a break!"

1998: The movie Titanic won 11 Oscars, tying Ben Hur for most Academy Awards won by a single film. In 2004, Lord Of The Rings, The Return Of The King also won took home 11 Oscars.



In The News…..

March Madness Hurting Productivity at Work
Statistics show when the NCAA college basketball tournament rolls around, there's just not as much getting done.
The employment consulting firm Challenger Gray & Christmas estimated that March Madness "watching" cost employers as much as $1.7 billion in wasted time last year and this year could be worse.


Wal-Mart Bonuses
Wal-Mart is handing out $933 million worth of bonuses to every one of its hourly employees. It's encouraging news for the dozens of former AIG executives who are now working part-time at Wal-Mart.


Buick Wins
Buick is now the #1 car model for customer reliability according to the latst J.D. Power & Associates survey. It turns out the one guy in America who owns a Buick really likes it!


JD Power and Associates says Buick and Jaguar are tied as the most reliable new cars on the market. Both of them dethroned Lexus for the first time.
Toyota won awards for five of its models — more than any other nameplate


In Geneva, Switzerland, researchers announced the results of a two-year study, which concluded that women's underarms typically smell like onions, while men's underarms more often smell like gouda cheese.


"President Barack Obama has apologized to the chairman of the Special Olympics for his late-night talk show quip equating his bowling skills to those of athletes with disabilities."

Well, you know what they say: "An apology is a good way to have the last word."

Evidently a lot of people need help apologizing. There is even a website that specializes in "I'm Sorry"poems:

http://www.perfectapology.com/im-sorry-poems.html

"The top bowler for the Special Olympics looks forward to meeting President Barack Obama in an alley. Michigan's Kolan McConiughey said: 'He bowled a 129. I bowl a 300. I could beat that score easily.' McConiughey, who is mentally disabled, is just the bowler for the job. He's bowled five perfect games since 2005. The 35-year-old McConiughey has been bowling since he was 8 or 9. His advice for Obama? Practice every day."



"The Clorox Company is offering a $5,000 reward and a year's supply of toilet cleaning products for tips leading to the arrest of San Francisco's notorious portable potty pyromaniac.

The Oakland-based chemical company deployed a 'potty patrol' team in the city to make residents aware of its offer marrying marketing and community service.
Since November, more than two dozen construction site toilets have been set on fire in the city, causing an estimated $50,000 in property damage and leaving a trail of foul-smelling evidence."



Sometimes Homemade Can Save BIG bucks!

Here's the grand total for a year's supply of spaghetti sauce:
Ragu (two jars a week): $286
Make it yourself, with ingredients from a local grocery store: $166.63
Make it yourself, with ingredients from Sam's Club: $89.68
That means with some smart shopping and a little labor, you could save between $120 and $200 a year ... just on spaghetti sauce.
Make it yourself? It's a chore, sure. But the savings in this particular case add up quickly.



Another Effort to Keep You and Your Kids Safe

Doctors are warning kids across the country to stop "smoking Smarties" -- a fad they say can lead to infections, chronic coughing, choking and even maggots feeding off sugary dust in your nose.

Adolescents and teens have been crushing and inhaling candy, and then exhaling it, in an effort to look as though they’re smoking cigarettes, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

Countless youths have even posted how-to videos, like this one on YouTube, of themselves engaging in this behavior.

Health experts fear the behavior may lead to harmful conditions. Some kids have already shown signs of developing a “smoker’s cough.” Oren Friedman, a Mayo Clinic nose specialist, cautioned that frequent use could lead to infections or even worse, albeit rare, conditions, such as maggots inside the nose.

The trend came as a surprise to officials at Summit Middle School in Frisco, Colo., in the fall when a clique of sixth graders started “smoking” Smarties -- a popular, disk-shaped sugar candy.

Though they call it “smoking,” the kids aren’t actually lighting a match to the candy. Instead, they crush it into a fine powder in its wrapper, draw it into their mouths and then blow it out in a cloud of dust.

The fad worries Corinne McGrew, the school nurse at Summit School District. "My biggest concern was that they would aspirate the wrapper or a whole Smarties and it would be a choking hazard," she told the Wall Street Journal.

The problem is happening all over the country — and Smarties isn’t the only candy of concern, said Eric Ostrow, vice president of sales and marketing at Ce De Candy Inc., which manufactures Smarties in Union, N.J.

“It can be done with anything made with sugar and compressed — Necco Wafers, Conversation Hearts, SweeTarts, Lik-M-Aid is already pulverized and so is Pixy Styx,” Ostrow told the Journal. “I don’t want to be complimented that we’re the number one choice.”



94% of Facebook Users Give a Thumbs Down to the New Design

So there's a new Facebook app out there, designed to poll users on the social network's latest redesign. The results? Hundreds of thousands have responded. 94 percent give it a thumbs-down. Ouch.

Comments range from "WHY FIX IT, WHEN IT WASN'T BROKE, you will be SORRYYYYYYYYYYY" to "It feels counterintuitive and less technologically advanced than the last layout."

Now, this is clearly not an official vote. Chances are, you're not going to install a third-party polling application with the sole purpose of voicing an opinion on the new Facebook design unless you're really opinionated about it. So the 94 percent might be kind of high.

But still. Facebook is so big now - over 175 million members - that even an interface change may throw many of the less technical users completely off-guard. And from what we've heard, non-geeks really do find the new design more difficult to use. The new site, particularly the activity feeds on member profiles, really do look different. The blurring between status messages and wall posts doesn't make much sense in my opinion - though I do like the improved news feed filtering tools.

The new layout is a forward-thinking one, inspired by streaming content services like Twitter. Executives from Facebook have said that they see "the stream" as the next evolution of how we interact on the Web.

Facebook's last redesign was finalized in September. That's only six months ago. If a site is putting out changes every six months that a mainstream audience sees as drastic, they could get fed up with it fast.



GOOGLE Introduces “Un-Do Send Feature

Oh dear. You didn't really mean to send that nasty e-mail to your boss, did you?
Until Thursday, your only recourse would have been the "rescind e-mail" in corporate versions of Microsoft Outlook. And that only works under certain conditions, and is useless if your boss has already opened the message.

Now Google's stepped up to the plate to save your bacon.

Its "Undo Send" feature, just added to Gmail, actually holds your outgoing e-mails for 5 seconds, giving you enough time to say "Ulp!" and cancel delivery.

To turn it on, sign in to your Gmail account, click "Settings," click on the "Labs" header and scroll almost all the way down the page to "Undo Send."

Then breathe a bit easier.



The Rapping Flight Attendant is Now A YouTube Hit!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5015315/Air-steward-who-raps-safety-announcement-becomes-YouTube-hit.html

David Holmes made the unusual preflight announcement to entertain customers on the flight and to relieve his own boredom with the familiar routine.

He was captured on video asking passengers to "stomp and clap" while he rapped the instructions over the public address system.

"Shortly after take-off, first things first/there's soft drinks and coffee to quench your first," he announced. "Carry-on items go under the seat/in front of you so none of you have things by your feet.

"Before we leave, our advice is/put away your electronic devices."

The lyrical announcement was made to passengers on a Southwest Airlines domestic flight to Oklahoma City in the United States, one of whom recorded it on camera and posted it on YouTube where it has been viewed more than 200,000 times.

"I've had five flights today and I can't do the regular boring announcement again otherwise I am going to put myself to sleep," said David in the video.

"If you have a seat on a row with an exit/we're gonna talk to you so you might as well expect it. You gotta help us out in case we need you/if you don't want to then we're gonna reseat you."

The rap finished to a roar of applause from passengers.

Speaking about his musical entertainment Mr Holmes said: "I didn't know how they were going to react, but I like to have fun at work. People started getting off the plane and said to me 'that's the first time I have listened to the emergency instructions'."



President Obama’s Gift to British PM Doesn’t Work

Alas, when the PM settled down to begin watching them the other night, he found there was a problem.

The films only worked in DVD players made in North America and the words "wrong region" came up on his screen. Although he mournfully had to put the popcorn away, he is unlikely to jeopardise the special relationship – or "special partnership", as we are now supposed to call it – by registering a complaint.

A Downing Street spokesman said he was "confident" that any gift Obama gave Brown would have been "well thought through," but referred me to the White House for assistance on the "technical aspects".

A White House spokesman sniggered when I put the story to him and he was still looking into the matter when my deadline came last night.

By the way, when Obama's unlikely gift was disclosed, a reader emailed me to ask if Clueless was among the films. Funnily enough, it was not.

Brown, on the other hand, presented a rather more thoughtful gift to the American President in the form of a penholder carved from the timbers of an anti-slavery ship. The sister ship, in fact, of the one that was broken up and turned into the desk in the Oval Office.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

TODAY IS FRIDAY - MARCH 20, 2009

THE SPIRIT FM MORNING SHOW
with
JIM & KAREN


LIFE CHANGING WORD

LOVE DARE # 30

Love brings unity.

Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. John 17:11

Unity. Togetherness. Oneness.

These are the unshakable hallmarks of our God.

From the very beginning of time, we see His unity at work through the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Father, Son and Spirit are in pristine unity. They serve each other, love each other, and honor each other. Though equal, they rejoice when the other is praised. Though distinct they are one, individual.

And because this relationship is so special – so representative of the vastness and grandeur of God – He has chosen to let us experience an aspect of it. In the unique relationship of husband and wife, two distinct individuals are spiritually united into “one flesh” and “what God has joined together, let man not separate”.

There love this one who is as much a part of your body as you are. Service this one whose needs cannot be separated from your own. Honor this one who, when raised upon the pedestal of your love, raises you up too in the eyes of God, all at the same time.

TODAY’S DARE: Isolate one area of division in your marriage, and look on today as a fresh opportunity to pray about it. Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your own heart that is threatening oneness with your spouse. Pray that He would do the same for them. And if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity.



TODAY IS…..

Today is Proposal Day, a holiday for those seeking to marry. Go ahead, propose

Today is National Agriculture Day.

National Bubble Week begins today, a great time to have fun outdoors with children and bubbles.

On this day in 1969, John Lennon married Yoko Ono. The wedding photographer recommended a heavy-duty veil.

Today is Master Gardener Day - A great day to celebrate that wonderful invention called the Garden Weasel



In The News…..

President Obama was on the Tonight Show Last Night.
President Obama is the first “sitting” president to appear.


"New information on Antarctica's regularly melting distant past is giving scientists a glimpse into what may be a flooded future as the planet warms up." The Antarctica is melting faster than AIG's reputation.


Citi Office Remodeling
Bailed-out Citigroup is going to spend $10 million to remodel some executive offices. The offices need new windows that don't open so the executives stop trying to jump out of them.


Bonus Givebacks
Several AIG executives have agreed to give back their controversial bonuses. They've all decided to go after the real easy money and run for Congress.


"Bernard Madoff's longtime accountant was arrested on fraud charges as authorities blamed him for failing to make the most basic auditing checks that would have exposed an epic fraud that cost investors billions of dollars.
"Speaking of accountants: Why are they putting the accountants at the bottom of the ocean? They found out that deep down they're really not so bad.


China Spending
A new survey shows that China's 1.3 billion consumers won't dip into their savings and buy enough products to avoid a global recession... mostly because the Chinese make most of those products and know just how dangerous and poisonous they truly are.


Everyone’s favorite wacky dictator Kim Jong Il has demanded that North Korea open its first pizzeria. He wants to call it: “Papa Jong’s.”


"Former President George W. Bush, who once famously called himself 'The Decider,' is writing a book about decisions.'I want people to understand the environment in which I was making decisions."You know, maybe I should write my memoirs too. Mr. Bush calls himself "The Decider." Maybe I would call myself “The Hungry One”.


"Kelley Davis of North Carolina said she had an extra $400 in cash to deposit after working extra hours as a physical therapist. She told the News & Observer of Raleigh that she planned to deposit the money, but it wasn't in her pocket.She remembered leaving it in the bedroom and it occurred to her that the family's 2-year-old greater Swiss mountain dog, Augie, might have eaten it.Davis said when she took Augie for a walk she found parts of three $100 bills and five $20s in his leavings. She washed them with a garden hose and hopes to find enough pieces to exchange them for cash. Good luck. All I can say is that it adds new meaning to to the term "Dirty money."



In Sick bay: "Star Wars" actor DAVID PROWSE, who played the guy in the Darth Vader costume in the original "Star Wars" trilogy (JAMES EARL JONES was the voice). The now-73-year-old Prowse revealed during a radio interview in England that he’s been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and has had two months of radiotherapy already. "I feel fantastic, no problems whatsoever," he said. "The only thing I've had is hot flushes. I've also lost some of my hair on my legs and the hair on my chest has all got very fine. But other than that I've had no after effects."



STAR-TREK FANS CAN NOW HAVE THEIR OWN STAR-TREK COLOGNE
Genki Wear, known for its licensed science fiction jewelry and perfumes, has produced what might be the most unusual Star Trek product ever: Star Trek colognes and perfume based on the original 1960s television show. In our latest look at Trek’s big Spring Collection, TrekMovie has all the exclusive first details and images on this unique addition to the pantheon of Star Trek merchandise
Genki Wear Star Trek Perfume - A trio of scents from the final frontier
There are three fragrances planned for 2009 with the monikers "Tiberius" "Red Shirt" and "Ponn Farr."

Tiberius
The Tiberius cologne, named in honor of the Mirror Universe James T. Kirk’s challenges users to "Boldly Go" with a perfume described as being spiked with "notes of freshness and sensuality." According to Genki Wear, the perfume has sweet citron zest, black pepper, and cedar as its top notes (top notes refers to those scents that are noticeable first) and warm vanilla, white musk, and sandalwood as its base notes (scents perceived last, usually about a half hour after application). Genki Wear promises that "Tiberius Cologne for men is difficult to define and impossible to refuse" which is also a pretty good description of the Mirror Kirk himself.


Red Shirt
Genki’s "Red Shirt" cologne (whose tag line "Because Tomorrow May Never Come" is priceless) celebrates the sacrifices of those often nameless crew of the USS Enterprise. Described appropriately as a cologne for those with a "devotion to living each day as it could be your last" the cologne has top notes of green mandarin, bergamot, and lavender, with base notes of leather and grey musk.


Pon Farr
The most risqué titled of the new Star Trek fragrances is "Ponn Farr" which is a perfume designed to "drive him wild." It should only be used once every seven years (okay, that isn’t true). Named for the Vulcan mating ritual first introduced in the episode "Amok Time," this perfume is one of the newly designed products meant to appeal to female fans. More details and an image on Ponn Farr will be available soon.

Star Trek First
While there was a cologne included in the 1996 Star Trek First Contact travel set (that also included a wallet and soap), this is the first time that Star Trek is getting a first class fragrance treatment in the perfume area. The First Contact cologne had a generic label and was in an inexpensive plastic bottle. The Genki Wear line, however, includes uniquely designed containers and specially crafted boxes, as well as carefully prepared fragrances that the company believes is comparable to Chanel or Cartier. What is especially exciting about this line is that it has something that most Star Trek products don’t…a practical purpose. Not only are fans getting a collectible, it is a collectible that could and should be used. It is also nice because it allows the partners of Star Trek fans (whether fans or not) to buy this perfume for that special "Captain Kirk" in their lives.

All the Star Trek fragrances will be available this April at department and retail stores, and at online retailers. Genki Wear has invited Trekmovie.com readers to send their questions or suggestions to them at questions@genkiwear.com regarding this and possible future fragrances.



Obama Family Plants Kitchen Garden on the Lawn of the White House
For more than a decade, food activists have rallied, cajoled, even pleaded for a garden on the White House lawn. Now they're finally going to get it.

On Friday, Michelle Obama will host a groundbreaking for a White House kitchen garden on the South Lawn. She will be joined by students from Bancroft Elementary in Washington, who will be participating in the project during tomorrow's event as well as by planting in the coming weeks and harvesting later this year.

The 1,100 square foot garden will include 55 kinds of vegetables, including peppers, spinach, and, yes, arugula. (The list of vegetables is a wishlist put together by White House chefs.) There will also be berries, herbs and two hives for honey that will be tended by a White House carpenter who is also a beekeeper. The chefs will use the produce to feed the first family and for state dinners and other official events.

The White House will be using organic seedlings, as well as organic fertilizers and organic insect repellents. The garden will be located near the tennis courts and visible to passerbys on the street. The whole Obama family will be involved in tending the garden, White House spokeswoman Katie McCormick Lelyveld said.

Proponents of the garden see the move as a victory for fresh, wholesome food. With the Obamas as role models, it could also be a turning point in their battle to overturn the perception of organic food, farmers markets and gardens as the preserve of the elite.

"Nothing could be more exciting," said Alice Waters, chef of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Calif., who has been lobbying for a garden on the White House lawn since the first Clinton Administration. "The symbolism of putting a seed in the ground is a promise of a real nourishment and education for the population who visits, the people who plant the crops and the people who pick from it."

The White House appears to be casting the garden as just another strategy to encourage healthful eating. Barack Obama famously learned the political perils of being too familiar with "elite" vegetables such as arugula. In several interviews, Michelle Obama has talked about the importance of healthful eating and the challenges of persuading her children to eat fruits and vegetables. But she tends to use words such as fresh and nutritious rather than organic and sustainable. "We want to use it as a point of education," the first lady said in an interview in the April issue of O Magazine. We want "to talk about health and how delicious it is to eat fresh food, and how you can take that food and make it part of a healthy diet."

The Obama's garden will not be the first at the White House. John Adams, the White House's first tenant, planted a garden shortly after taking up residence in 1800.

Woodrow Wilson brought in sheep to mow and fertilize the White House lawn in 1918, an effort to conserve resources for the war effort. In 1943, over the objection of the Agriculture Department, Eleanor Roosevelt planted a victory garden, inspiring millions of Americans to grow their own food.

Recent efforts have been more modest. Jimmy Carter, a Georgia farmer who extolled the virtues of gardening during his campaign, declined calls in 1978 to plant a vegetable garden at the White House. During the Clinton years, a small garden was planted on the roof; the White House rejected the idea of a larger garden on the lawn, saying it was not in keeping with the formal nature of the White House grounds.



Idol Finalist Says Performing on the Show Reminds Him of Church

(CBS) After "American Idol" finalist Kris Allen first stepped onto the stage of the Fox singing competition, the 23-year-old college student later confided in his pastor that feeling the warm stage lights and seeing the eager audience looking up at him reminded him of only one thing: going to church.

Two weeks into the finals, and religion is playing a big role for Allen and many other singers this season on the popular show. More than half of the remaining 11 finalists have regularly performed at places of worship. Three of those six contestants - including Allen - have worked as worship leaders at their respective churches back home.

"Kristopher was in a position where he was singing on a weekly basis in front of a large number of people," said Brandon Shatswell, executive worship pastor at the New Life Church in Allen's hometown of Conway, Ark. "I had him learning new songs quickly, things that he might not readily choose for himself, so I do think working here helped him be more comfortable in the competition."

Not only has regularly performing in churches prepared many singers for the big "Idol" stage, religion may also be providing some contestants with a built-in voting bloc. Joanne Brokaw, who blogs about "Idol" and Christian music at BeliefNet.com, believes many Christian viewers have been rallying for this season's Christian contestants.



As The Recession Deepens More Americans Go Fishin’

MEREDITH, New Hampshire (Reuters) - From his wooden fishing shack on Lake Winnipesaukee's thinning skin of ice, Mike MacDonald doesn't need to think twice about why more Americans are going "fishin'" in the deepening U.S. recession.

"This costs $6 to get a bucket of bait and it will last the whole day," he said, skinning a fish next to a hole drilled into the frozen New Hampshire lake. "Compare that to skiing -- one day of skiing would cost $80 just for the lift ticket."

As Americans forgo expensive vacations, costly dinners and shopping mall splurges, many are opting instead for the quiet simplicity of fishing, according to the sport fishing industry and reports from bait shops and fishermen.

From the icy north to fly-fishing streams in Texas, angling is on the rise. For families, it's an inexpensive outing. Those with a knack for it can trim their grocery bills. And for newly unemployed, it's something to do.

"I'm seeing a lot more fishermen down here," said John Miller, owner of Bob's Sport & Tackle in Katonah, New York. "With the economy the way it is, people are getting laid off from work and don't want to sit at home and do nothing.

"The cheaper alternative," he said, "is to go fishing."


Town To Spray Paint Lawn Bald Spots – Apparently, this relates to the housing slump.
PERRIS, Calif. (AP) -- A town is going green to combat foreclosure blight: A contractor has been hired to spray-paint lawn bald spots. Perris spokesman Joe Vargo said contractor Dave Milligan uses an environmentally friendly dye that lasts up to six months and is harmless to people and pets. The city hopes the foreclosed properties are purchased and occupied before the lawn needs a touchup.
It costs about $550 to spray-paint a lawn. The city, some 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles, has set aside $2 million in an effort to stabilize foreclosure-fraught neighborhoods.


Flying Car Takes Maiden Flight
It's not really a flying car. But it's still pretty cool.

The Transition "roadable aircraft" has made a successful maiden flight, according to Terrafugia, the company that is developing it.

Media were not present at the airstrip in Plattsburgh, NY when the test took place, but the company has released photos and videos chronicling the event.

With front-wheel drive and fold up wings, the aircraft is capable of being driven on public roads at highway speeds and will fit in a standard garage. What it can't do, legally, is take off and land from anywhere other than an approved general aviation airport.

The vehicle is expected to go on sale as early as 2011 for around $194,000. A small price to pay to say you have a "flying car." Air quotes are required whenever you do.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

TODAY IS THURSDAY - MARCH 19, 2009

THE MORNING SHOW
WITH
JIM & KAREN
on
SPIRIT FM


LIFE CHANGING WORD

LOVE DARE # 29.

Love’s motivation.

Render service with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men. Ephesians 6:7
It doesn’t take much experience to dsicover that your mate will not always motivate your love. In fact, many times they will de-motivate it! More often than you’d like, it will seem difficult to find the inspiration to demonstrate your love. They may not even receive it when you try to express it. That’s simply the nature of life, even in fairly healthy marriages.

But although modds and emotions can create all kinds of moving motivational targets, one is certain to stay in the same place, all the time. When God is your reason for lioving, your ability to love is guaranteed. The love that’s demanded fromyour marriage is not dependent on your mate’s sweetness or suitability. The love between a husband and a wife should have one chief objective: honoring the Lord with devotion and sincereity. The fact that it blesses our beloved in the process is sikply a wonderful, additional benefit.

TODAY’S DARE: Before you see your spouse again today, pray for them by name and for their needs. Whether it comes easy for you or not, say “I love you”, then express love to them in some tangible way. Go to God in prayer again, thanking Him for giving you the privilege of loving this one special person-unconditionally, the way He loves both of you.


TODAY IS…..

Today is Swallows Day at San Juan Capistrano, California. Traditionally, the swallows return each year on St. Joseph's Day.

Today is Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, a day to honor the nation's youth, Write a letter of love and encouragement to the absolutely incredible kid in your life.

Today is Companies That Care Day
http://www.companies-that-care.org/
Mission
The Center for Companies That Care is a national, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing the well-being of employees and communities by educating and inspiring employers to practice employer engagement* and to integrate the 10 Characteristics of Companies That Care into their daily business practices. *
Employer engagement exists when the values and practices of the employer support the needs of society as well as the profitability of the business
Vision
By encouraging and assisting business in practicing the 10 Characteristics that enable individuals and communities to thrive, we strengthen our communities and our society, resulting in a sustainable future for the generations to come.
Goals
 All employers are Companies That Care
 Businesses value and respect their employees
 Businesses create a work environment that enables individuals to thrive
 Businesses and communities develop partnerships to strengthen future generations of employees
 People and communities are sustained and prosper



Today is Let's Laugh Day.


On this day in 1959 Tibet's Dalai Lama fled to India. The Indians welcomed him with a rousing chorus of "Hello, Dalai." Honestly, sometimes I embarrass even myself.


The first bank robbery in U.S. history occurred on this day in 1831 when City Bank of New York was robbed of $245,000. The biggest bank robbery in U.S. history occurred last year when some banks raised credit card interest rates to 28%.


1985: After ten years, the TV comedy series Alice ended when Mel Sharples sold his diner. Linda Lavin played Alice, Philip McKeon was her son Tommy. Vic Tayback was Mel, Polly Holliday was Florence Jean Castleberry, and Beth Holand played Vera.


On the final episode of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," the entire WJM-TV news staff was fired on this day in 1977, except for dippy anchorman Ted Baxter. Hey, c'est la vie! The goofazoids always survive.
Just look at Congress.


2003: U.S. forces bombarded Baghdad with cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs, starting the Iraq War.



In The News…..

Pelosi Caught on Tape
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is in hot water after new video captures her having a friendly talk with illegal immigrants. Pelosi insists she doesn't favor amnesty, and that she was just trying to score some Mexican botox.

In a speech yesterday, President Barack Obama lashed out about the excessive AIG bonuses. He was so upset he changed his slogan from “Yes We Can” to “Oh No You Don’t.”

AIG Clawback?
The government is working on taking away those taxpayer-funded bonuses paid out to failed AIG executives. Congress is promising to get most of the money back by forcing those executives to give them bigger campaign donations.

You what AIG stands for? Adventures in greed.
Actually AIG executives have asked those paid bonuses to “do the right thing” and give half of it back.

Isn't it funny how the word 'politics' is made up of the words 'poli' meaning 'many' in Latin, and 'tics' as in 'bloodsucking creatures’


The economy is so bad, everybody is cutting back. At the supermarket -- the lady who hands out free sausage samples on the little sticks -- she cut me off after my ninth sample.


The producer of "Survivor" predicts reality shows will get "edgier and nastier". One network is already planning "So You Think You're a Bigger Weasel Than That Guy On The Bachelor".


Octo-Mom update: NADYA SULEMAN has taken the first two of her eight children home from the hospital. People magazine reports the two healthiest and heaviest infants — NOAH, weighing 5 lbs., 13 oz, and ISAIAH, weighing 5 lbs. — were released yesterday from the Kaiser Permanante Medical Center.


Auto World /Gas Guzzlin' Update:
Today's Bad Timing Award goes to the beleaguered hybrid car.
The LA Times points out that demand for hybrids has plunged just as automakers are releasing more of the fuel-efficient cars than ever before.

It's hardly a secret that the whole auto industry is doing badly, but hybrids are particularly difficult to get off the sales floor because consumers are reluctant to pay a premium for fuel-efficiency when the average price of gasoline has dropped below $2 a gallon.

Automakers, however, feel as though they have no choice but to keep producing these types of vehicles because of pressure from Washington. In other words, as one analyst put it, they need to pacify politicians with expensive fuel-efficient cars because the politicians have the power to bail them out. Or not.



Ways To Boost Your Metabolism
Working out with weights will raise your metabolism
Practicing portion control helps to keep you from overloading on unusable energy
Study: Metabolic rates of people watching funny videos rose by 10 to 40 calories

Metabolism" is the name of the bodily system that converts food calories to energy needed to perform various tasks, like pumping oxygen to muscles during a long walk. Many variables contribute to your metabolism, including heredity, gender and age. But you can quicken yours; here's how.

Exercise more. When you walk, run, or lift weights, you increase the energy required of your body, which raises your metabolism then, and for hours afterward.

"It's not a huge spike, but it makes a difference," says Gary Miller, PhD, associate professor of health and exercise science at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Work out with weights. During weight training, muscle tissue is stressed; afterward, it's repaired -- which raises metabolism.

A woman who strength trains three times a week for six months can build enough muscle to burn 10 to 32 extra calories a day, according to Robert Wolfe, PhD, professor of geriatrics at the University of Arkansas. CookingLight.com:

Practice portion control. This helps ensure you don't overload your metabolism with a surplus of unusable energy (that is, food).

Use a food scale or measuring cups to identify proper portions. Or use your hand as a guide. A fist equals a serving of fruit, a cupped hand equals a serving of cereal or grains, two cupped handfuls equal a serving of leafy green vegetables and an open palm equals a serving of meat. CookingLight.com: Exceptional recipes

Eat smaller meals more often. Some experts recommend eating smaller meals throughout the day, known as grazing. "Grazing helps normalize blood sugar levels rather than producing three large spikes, which is what happens eating three meals a day," says Nick Flynn, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas.

Determine the amount of calories you need at Mypyramid.gov. Then keep that number in mind as you transition from eating three ordinary-sized meals to five smaller ones. CookingLight.com: We compare similar foods so you can decide which to eat

Laugh it off. When researchers from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, put people into a "metabolic chamber" (a small room that measures heat output in order to calculate a person's metabolic rate) and showed them funny videos, the subjects' metabolic rates rose by 10 to 40 calories. It's a small increase, but every calorie counts for those seeking weight loss, says lead researcher Maciej Buchowksi, PhD



It’s A “BABY BOOMLET”!
More babies were born in the United States in 2007 than any year in the nation's history, topping the peak during the baby boom 50 years earlier, federal researchers reported Wednesday.

There is both good and bad news from the more than 4.3 million births:

-The U.S. population is more than replacing itself, a healthy trend.
-However, the teen birth rate was up for the second year in a row.
The birth rate rose slightly for women of all ages, and births to unwed mothers reached an all-time high of about 40 percent, continuing a trend begun years ago. More than three-quarters of these women were 20 or older.

For a variety of reasons, it's become more acceptable for women to have babies without a husband, said Duke University's S. Philip Morgan, a leading fertility researcher.

Even happy couples may be living together without getting married, experts say. Some cited a growing trend among all adult women to have children regardless of their marital status.

The new numbers suggest the second year of a baby boomlet, with U.S. fertility rates higher in every racial group, the highest among Hispanic women. On average, a U.S. woman has 2.1 babies in her lifetime. That's the "magic number" required for a population to replace itself.



State Farm Recalling Good Neigh Bears..Apparently they are a choking hazard
State Farm® Recalls Good Neigh Bears® Due to Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: State Farm Good Neigh Bears
Units: About 800,000 in the United States and 27,000 in Canada
Distributor: State Farm, of Bloomington, Ill.
Hazard: The eyes on these bears can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: State Farm received one report of the plastic eye of a bear coming off and a child placing it in her mouth. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves the 11-inch (28 cm) and 18-inch (46 cm) State Farm Good Neigh Bears with plastic eyes. The bears are brown and wear a white and red State Farm shirt.
Sold at: The bears were given away free through State Farm agents and at State Farm sponsored events from September 2005 through March 2007.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take these bears away from young children and discard them.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact State Farm toll-free at (877) 226-8079 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT or visit the company’s website at www.statefarm.com or www.statefarm.ca




Is It Possible That American Idol Is Fixed? Could Be!
Is it possible the great FOX show American Idol could be fixed? According to reports the final four have already been chosen despite there being 13 idols left. One of the show's staffer's reportedly has gone around telling anyone she can of who is to be entering despite the singing of the final 13 to begin.

According to NY Daily News, "One of the hit show's staffers is running around telling anyone who'll listen that the team of producers and judges has already picked the final four contestants — despite the fact that 11 kids are still battling to be the latest pop star."

So who are the final four you ask? The female American Idol staffer is proclaiming it will be Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds, Adam Lambert, and Alexis Grace according to NY Daily News. The female staffer said that those contestants WILL be the people in the final four. FOX has yet to comment and people are pretty upset right now. Although they have not yet named the woman who said this and her position, everything should be taken with a grain of salt.



Elementary Student A Finalist in Ketchup Contest
Restaurants across the country could soon see ketchup packets designed by a 2nd Grader from our area.

Pittsville Elementary School Student Colleen Lassa is a Finalist in the Heinz Ketchup Creativity Contest.

Her Art Teacher, Kris Doering says no one from Wisconsin has ever won.
"The Heinz Corporation called the school and informed us that Colleen was the only Finalist from our school."

Using only 6 colors, and templates from the company's website... 1st through 12th grade students across the country had an opportunity to design a ketchup packet.
Doering says the school submitted 300 entries for the contest.

Heinz narrowed the 45,000 entries from across the US down to just 3 finalists from each grade level.

"This is really exciting for Pittsville, the exact center of the state and for the state of Wisconsin cause Heinz says nobody from WI has won before this is very exciting."

Unfortunately, the school doesn't have a copy of Colleen's drawing, but the public will get an opportunity to see it and vote for their favorites when the online voting begins March 20th.

Colleen says her design was inspired by the swing set at her house.
"I did like a sun and the sky and then I had some grass and a swing set with the ketchup bottle on it."

Each winner will receive $1,000, their school will receive $1,000 toward art supplies,$1,000 worth of Heinz ketchup packets for their school cafeteria, and a poster of their winning design.

To vote for Colleen look for her name among the other second grade finalists.
You can cast your vote from March 20th through the 25th.



Teens Take Picture of Outer-Space with a Camera Tied to a Balloon
Proving that you don't need Google's billions or the BBC weather centre's resources, the four Spanish students managed to send a camera-operated weather balloon into the stratosphere.

Taking atmospheric readings and photographs 20 miles above the ground, the Meteotek team of IES La Bisbal school in Catalonia completed their incredible experiment at the end of February this year.

Building the electronic sensor components from scratch, Gerard Marull Paretas, Sergi Saballs Vila, Marta Gasull Morcillo and Jaume Puigmiquel Casamort managed to send their heavy duty £43 latex balloon to the edge of space and take readings of its ascent.

Created by the four students under the guidance of teacher Jordi Fanals Oriol, the budding scientists, all aged 18-19, followed the progress of their balloon using high tech sensors communicating with Google Earth.

Team leader Gerard Marull, 18, said: "We were overwhelmed at our results, especially the photographs, to send our handmade craft to the edge of space is incredible."
Completing their landmark experiment on February, the Meteotek team had to account for a wide variety of variables and rely on a lot of luck.

"The balloon we chose was inflated with helium to just over two metres and weighed just 1500 grams," said Gerard. "It was able to carry the sensor equipment and digital Nikon camera which weighed 1.5kg.

"However, when we launched at 9.10am on that morning the critical point for the experiment was to see if the balloon would make it past 10,000m, or 30,000ft, which is the altitude that commercial airliners fly at."

Due to the changing atmospheric pressures, the helium weather balloon carrying the meteorological equipment was expected to inflate to a maximum of nine and a half metres as it travelled upwards at 270 metres-per-minute.

"We took readings as the balloon rose and mapped its progress using Google Earth and the onboard radio receiver," said Gerard.

"At over 100,000ft the balloon lost its inflation and the equipment was returned to the earth.

"We travelled 10km to find the sensors and photographic card, which was still emitting its signal, even though it had been exposed to the most extreme conditions."

The pupils' incredible school science project has already caught the attention of the University of Wyoming in the US.