Friday, May 29, 2009

Were you one of the millions?

CBS aired "George Strait: ACM Aritist of the Decade All Star Concert" and the show proved to be a success. With the show CBS lead the Wednesday night ratings, but if you watched it you are probably not surprised. It was a great show and George's comment at the end that he was glad he got the songs before the other artist was right on. I felt the artist did a great job honoring George Strait and I would love to hear a few of the songs again on the radio or maybe Thursday night at Country Jam!

Can you feel it?

Festivals, softball games and practice, work in the yard, planting the garden, longer nights and nothing on TV but re-runs means one thing - SUMMER! It is wonderful! It is busy as always, but it is great to have friends over for a bonfire in the backyard or a grill out (or both if you can handle it). Summer seems to be the time that kids get to be kids (wait I think they always do). Maybe it is more like summer is the time when adults get to be kids again for that week vacation or just one day at the amusement park. But it is here. I hope you step back and smell the roses and enjoy your summer because before you know it - it will be over.

Breaking News....

Adam Lambert, runner up on this season of American Idol, is gay!?
Kara DioGuardi answered the question on Friday's "The View" - "He's gay."
I don't know if anyone is surprised with this revelation. He has appeared on websites dressed in drag and it is rumored Adam will make the "official" announcement in the upcoming Rolling Stone. Either way he currently has four songs sitting on the Billboard 100 with one song at 19.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

May 30th
Happy Birthday to Wynona Judd. She is 45.

Some Good from Facebook

Facebook, the popular social network, people either love it or hate it. But this time it is a good thing Facebook is around. After 27 years a British mother and son have reunited thanks to Facebook. Back in 1982 when the boy was three his father told the mother he was taking the boy to the zoo, but instead abducted the boy and took him to Budapest, Hungary. Since Hungary was a communist country at that time the mother's pleas for help produced nothing. The mother even asked then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for help, but again nothing.
Not until this week, after 3 decades, mother and son were reunited because his aunt found an internet link to someone with his name. And the rest they say is history.
I highly doubt this story will change the opinions of Facebook haters, but it does prove a point that is not all bad.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Congratulations Graduates!

Some have graduated already, some this weekend and others a few weeks from now, but either way Congratulations to all Graduates!

Guilty

A Wausau, WI mother, Leilani Neumann, was found guilty of her 11 year old daughters death today because she only prayed instead of taking her daughter to the doctor with untreated diabetes. Her husband is set to go on trial in July for the same crime. The jury did not find the decision easy as they deliberated for about 3 1/2 hours. She faces up to 25 years in prison.
Read the whole story

Area Memorial Day Events

Memorial Day is always nice because it creates a 3 day weekend for most, an extra family get together, a cookout to enjoy or just one more day to get chores done at home. But as well all know the reason for Memorial Day is to take time and honor those you served our country and pay our respect. You have the chance with numerous programs on Monday.
Here are a few with places and times:
1. Memorial Day Parade in La Crosse at 9am, starts at 6th and King streets and ends at the Oak Grove Cemetery for a program at 10:15.
2. A Naval Reserves program at 11:15 at Riverside Park
3. Holmen Parade starts at 9 am at the American Legion and ends at the Holmen Middle School for a program at 9:30 am.
4. Onalaska Parade starts at 9:30 am at the American Legion and ends at the Onalaska Cemetery.
5. LaCrescent Parade starts at 11:30 am starting on Walnut St. to Veterans Park for a program at 11:45.

Services -
1. Campbell Cemetery at 7:30 am
2. Woodlawn Cemetery at 10:15 am
3. Mormon Coulee Memorial Park at 10:45 am
4. French Island Cemetery at 11 am
5. Gate of Heaven Cemetery at 11:30 am
6. Jewish Cemetery at 12:15 am

7. Village Park in West Salem at 10 am

6. Dresbach, MN at 8:30 am
7. Dakota Catholic, MN at 8:45 am
8. Dakota Public, MN at 8:55 am
9. Nodine, MN at 9:15 am
10. Nodine Lutheran, MN at 9:25 am
11. Toledo at 9:45 am
12. Prince of Peace at 10 am
13. Pine Creek Catholic at 10:10 am
14. Crucifixion Catholic at 10:25 am
15. South Ridge Lutheran at 10:40 am
16. South Ridge Methodist at 10:50 am
17. Prospect at 11:05 am

Happy Memorial Day

FUN Vacation Places for Summer

According to a new "Ritz Cracker FUNomenal Places" study - Seattle, Washington is the most fun city in the U.S. Knowing this wouldn't you love to go there for a summer vacation?
Maybe you would like to know how they are deciding on Seattle well the study was done by exploring 50 of America's largest metropolitan areas for their indoor and outdoor recreational and entertainment opportunities; the amount of money people spend on sports, amusement and recreational activities. Also participation in fun, social and cultural activities.
If Seattle is too far to travel with the family for fun you can go check out the city that holds the #2 spot and that is our very own Minneapolis, MN with what this study claims as one of the best park systems.
California is the state that earns the title as the most fun state because they have 4 cities in the top 10 and 2 in the top 20.
Here's the list of "Ritz Cracker FUNomenal Places" Top Ten -
1. Seattle, WA
2. Minneapolis, MN
3. San Francisco, CA
4. Chicago, IL
5. Washington, DC
6. San Jose, CA
7. Los Angeles, CA
8. Boston, MA
9. San Diego, CA
10. New York, NY

Friday, May 15, 2009

Shop for big savings and support CMN

The 16th Annual GRAND Garage Sale is scheduled for Saturday, May 16th from 8am-11am. Once again this sale takes place at the ACE Hardware Distribution Center (500 Fanta Reed Pl. - Airport Exit 2 - La Crosse, WI).
Save on ACE Hardware retailers' surplus merchandise, seasonal carry over, close-out inventory including:
- tools, toys, housewares and fertilizer
- automotive, electrical and plumbing supplies
- home decor and crafts
- and much more!
All to support the Children's Miracle Network.

100 miles per Gallon?

Yes, you and I are watching as we drive by the gas stations day after day that the gas price continues to climb up. So what can we do to make the effects of higher gas prices a little easier on our pocket books?
Here are a few tips -
1. Easy on the throttle, then glide
2. Anticipate traffic
3. Slow down on the Highway (Drive between 65-70 miles per hour)
4. Drive with the terrain and drive smoothly (Cruise control can be our friend)
You want to know more go ahead a read the rest of the story.

Let's take a Walk

Saturday, May 16th is the day to run or walk for a cause. The Michael Troy Wieser 5K Run/Walk is planned for Saturday at the La Crescent Community Arena (Hockey Rink). Registration and packet pick-up starts at 8:00 and will go until 8:45 and the race begins at 9 am.
All proceeds from this run/walk will go to the Wieser Family and a future scholarship in Michael's name.

Danny Gokey Moves On

By now you have heard that WI native Danny Gokey was voted off of American Idol last Wednesday, but now what?
Well his next step is not involved with music, but with Sophia's Heart Foundation. Danny's wife, Sophia, passed away during heart surgery last summer and this foundation is set up for her memory. There is a website for the foundation that you can visit www.sophiasheart.org
I'm not worried that Danny will do something great with his music and this foundation. I, as well as many others, look forward to hearing more from him and about him. Good Luck Danny with all your future plans!

District Judge rules teen must be treated for cancer

Daniel Hauser, the 13 year old from MN, who has Hodgkin's Lymphoma, must be treated for his cancer despite his own and his families' objections. Daniel will have to have a chest x-ray by this Tuesday to find out how much the cancer has spread and if the Doctors are not too late with treatments. Read the whole story

Friday, May 8, 2009

Take the Chemo or Go Without

There is a 13 year old boy who has Hodgkin’s lymphoma and needs to have chemo treatments, but after one treatment has decided against any additional. Now there is a court case going on where his doctor has testified to the fact he needs chemo to live.
Daniel, (the boy) said in the affidavit, reported by the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, "I am opposed to chemotherapy because it is self-destructive and poisonous, I want to live a virtuous life, in the eyes of my creator, not just a long life.’’
Don't worry there is more to this case it is not so cut and dry. Read the whole story.

This Week in Pictures


This is my favorite. What's yours? View this week in pictures from MSN - I'll make it easy here is the link - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3842331?GT1=43001
Enjoy!

Danny Gokey Day in Milwaukee

Yes - Friday was the day for Danny Gokey in his hometown of Milwaukee. There was a mini-concert at the Summerfest Grounds, drop bys at the local radio stations, a stop at his church, parades, an appearance at Miller Park including the 1st pitch and singing of the National Anthem for the Brewers-Cubs game, but don't forget the stop at bronze Fonz.
Be watching with the rest of America to see Danny Gokey day cut down to a 2 minute segment on American Idol this Tuesday. I wonder if the Fonz will get air time?

Emma and Jacob on Top

As parents we spend hours, days, weeks wondering what name our baby. A name is not just a name, but what our children will be known as for the rest of their lives. So we think about what the names we have choosen rhyme with, who else we know with that name, how it goes with our last name and so many other things.
Well according to government released data the most popular baby names are Emma and Jacob. This is the 1st time Emma has held the number one spot, but for Jacob (I have one of those) this is the 10th year. What other names made the list - well try clicking this link to find the whole story. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30624090/?GT1=43001

Friday, May 1, 2009

More Idol Rumors

Is Kara DioGuardi too much for American Idol to handle? We have all heard the rumors - Kara was added this season to replace Paula, Kara will not come back next season, Kara and Paula are fighting, Kara and Simon are fighting, Kara is...(you fill in the blank).
No matter what the rumors are I like Kara and feel she has some great freeback for the contestants and has bought out some good comments out of Paula. Paula will always be Paula, but it seems she has managed to bring a few helpful comments to this season's American Idol vs. just the smile and mindless chatter as in the past.
So who is Kara DioGuardi -
1. She is Regis Philbin's Cousin
2. She is a song writer. Writing songs like Ashlee Simpson's "Pieces of Me," Kelly Clarkson's "Walk Away," and songs for David Archuleta, Carrie Underwood and Katharine McPhee.
3. And more rumors for you - she may start writing and recording with Jason Castro.

FDA Recall on Diet Pill

Hydroxycut, the popular diet pill, I'm sure we have all heard advertised is now being recalled. The FDA has linked the pill with reports of liver damage and other health problems. You can read the whole story at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30518843?GT1=43001

Hydroxycut was always advertised as the all natural weight loss pill and at least 9 million packages were sold - WOW! This is troubling. One death may be due to this weight loss pill. What are we missing? Isn't this stuff get tested before it is sold to innocent people - I guess not according to the story. Why? The pill is advertised as a miracle pill for some people and here to find out it may have caused so many more problems than just a little extra weight. It is very sad.

Vern Gosdin Remembered

Vern Gosdin died Tuesday, April 28th at an area Nashville Hospital at the age of 74 after suffering from a stroke a few weeks ago. He will be remembered for his award winning song "Chiseled in Stone" as well as hits like "Set 'em Up Joe," "I Can Tell by the Way You Dance," "I'm Still Crazy," "That Just About Does It," "Who You Gonna Blame It on This Time."
Vern Gosdin Aug 5, 1934 - April 28, 2009.

Who is on the list?

Christina Applegate is People Magazine’s choice for the most beautiful of 2009. Christina just dealt with breast cancer last July and feels that after the double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery she as a “feeling of purpose.” Also making this year’s list are First Lady Michelle Obama and Cindy Crawford. See who else made this list for 2009 in the current issue of People Magazine on sale now.

Prom, Graduations - Not This Year?

Prom, graduations, sporting events, dates and other multi-student activities in some areas are taking a back seat to the swine flu. Unfortunately some students are putting their lives on hold while the whole world figures out swine flu. The good thing is that the events are getting canceled and schools are doing their part to keep the flu from spreading.
Can you imagine not having a graduation ceremony, but instead receiving your diploma by mail or what about not having your senior prom? Hard to imagine if you don’t have to but a reality for too many.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/01/swine.flu.schools/index.html?iref=werecommend