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North Pole, Alaska Goes Scrooge: Won’t Answer Santa Letters

Chris Monty — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:11:27 +0000

The U.S. Postal Service has gone Scrooge this year by shutting down a program in North Pole, Alaska where volunteers responded to letters sent to Santa Claus. The program answered thousands upon thousands of letters every year.

The program will go on elsewhere in the U.S., but privacy concerns have led to more restrictions, and those tighter restrictions just aren't possible in Alaska.

Why all the fuss? In 2008, a post office employee in Maryland noticed that one Operation Santa volunteer was registered as a sex offender. Fortunately, the employee intervened before the volunteer could answer a child's letter, but the Post Office decided it was time to tighten things up.

The most visible effect of the Alaska shutdown will be that generically addressed to "Santa Claus, North Pole" won't be sent to the little Alaska town of 2,100, and therefore kids won't get a response back with a "North Pole" postmark.

North Pole Mayor Doug Isaacson isn't happy about the change. He agrees that change is necessary but he's upset that North Pole's program has been affected by a sex offender on the East Coast. He also thinks it's unfair that residents just found out about the change.

Isaacson says:

"It's Grinchlike that the Postal Service never informed all the little elves
before the fact. They've been working on this for how long?"

The three words that best describe this change are as follows, and I quote, "Stink, Stank, Stunk."

Postal service ends Alaska letters to Santa effort (cbc.ca)
Humbug! Post Office Ends Santa Mail Program (abcnews.go.com)
No more letters from North Pole? Ho ho oh no! (msnbc.msn.com)
Child Sex Scare Ends Santa Letter Scheme (news.sky.com)

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North Pole, Alaska Goes Scrooge: Won’t Answer Santa Letters

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‘2012′ Breaks Global Box Office Record

Chris Monty — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:00:27 +0000

The doomsday movie 2012 raked in $65 million during its opening weekend in the U.S. and pulled in $225 million worldwide, according to estimates from box office tracking company Nielsen EDI.

The debut was about $5 million more than experts predicted and rounded out a disastrous trilogy for director Roland Emmerich, who also directed Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow.

2012 marks the second-highest debut of his directing career. The Day After Tomorrow opened to $69 million and did $187 million overall. 2012 opened in 105 territories overseas and earned an additional $160 million.

Sony Pictures initiated a unique marketing effort to generate interest among viewers, prompting them to research the actual Mayan calendar that ends in 2012, which some believe means that the world will come to an end.

Sony reported that its global total was the best ever for an original movie not based on an established franchise, brand or best-selling novel.

'2012' Breaks A Global Total Record With Weekend Box Office (huffingtonpost.com)
'2012' Thriller Wins at Box Office, Earning $65 Million (time.com)
Review: 2012 Displays Childlike Glee Amid Destruction (wired.com)

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‘2012′ Breaks Global Box Office Record

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WalMart Arrest: Heather Ellis Trial Begins Wednesday

Chris Monty — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:38:38 +0000

It has been almost three years since Heather Ellis cut in line at a WalMart store in Missouri and triggered a racially-heated incident with white customers and police. Now, the court case is about to begin that could send the young African American teacher to prison for 15 years.

On January 6, 2007, witnesses told police that Ellis cut in front of other customers who were waiting in line at the WalMart, shoved their purchases out of the way, and turned hostile when they confronted her, according to official court documents.

What do YOU think about the Heather Ellis case? Vote below.

Heather Ellis says she was just moving into the queue with her cousin, whose checkout line was moving more quickly than her own. She went so far as to draft a formal complaint to the NAACP, in which she says she was then pushed by a white customer. She also says that WalMart employees began harassing her and hurling racial slurs at her, and the authorities mistreated her when they arrived on the scene.

According to the court documents, the police, however, maintain that Heather Ellis simply would not calm down and she would not leave the property. She also reportedly kicked one police officer and split another officer's lip while resisting arrest.

Her hearing on charges of assaulting police, resisting arrest and disturbing the peace will get underway this Wednesday in Dunklin County Circuit Court. The New York-based Your Black World has organized a Monday rally. They have also initiated an online petition at SaveHeatherEllis.com.

Ellis, 24, is a school teacher in Louisiana and is engaged to a state trooper.

"What a shame the system can destroy a young person's future like this because of bad cops," Heather Ellis wrote in her letter to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People back in April of this year.

The NAACP then organized a rally in Kennett. Prior to the start of the June 13 event, authorities found small, business card sized letters strewn about the area that the Ku Klux Klan had been there and that "the next visit will not be social."

Dunklin County Prosecutor Stephen Sokoloff said the letters were removed and no one ever found out from where they had originated, although he doesn't think the KKK was ever actually there as they have no presence in the region.

When asked whether or not Heather Ellis was truly mistreated by police, Sokoloff says that he has "seen absolutely no evidence of any kind, apart from her statements, that those things occurred."

Kennett Police Chief Barry Tate has made no official comment on the matter.

Ellis has rejected several plea deals so far.

"Why would you plea bargain if you're innocent?" said the Rev. Nathaniel Ellis, who is Heather Ellis' father.

"This is not a matter of justice," he said. "It's a vendetta."

According to her written explanation of what transpired in the WalMart, Ellis says she and her cousin had each gotten into separate checkout lines. Seeing that her cousin's line was moving faster, Heather Ellis switched over to the faster line. Ellis says that the woman behind her pushed her when she attempted to put her purchases down on the belt.

Witnesses, however, say that Ellis pushed the woman's merchandise back to make room for her own items.

Heather Ellis goes on to say that a security guard and store manager were then summoned and the manager told her to get out of the store. When she refused, they called the police.

The police officers followed Ellis out to the parking lot, using racial slurs. As her relatives pulled into the lot, Ellis claims the officers "jumped" her even though she was complying with their requests.

Officer A.W. Fisher says Ellis was given "every opportunity" to obey, but Heather Ellis refused and said she used an expletive in saying she would beat him if he put his hands on her.

Fisher then placed Ellis under arrest, but she still resisted as they were putting handcuffs on her.

Ellis then alleges that she was hurled against the doors on the way to the local jail and that a police officer tried to choke her with her own shirt while she was being held in custody.

WalMart spokesperson Lorenzo Lopez issued the following statement regarding the incident earlier this month:

"Incidents involving our customers are unfortunate and we take them seriously. In this matter, there was a disturbance and law enforcement was contacted, in accordance with our normal procedures. The police then determined how to proceed."

What do you think of the Heather Ellis case? Was she mistreated? Is she simply getting what she deserves for cutting in line? Vote below:

Was Heather Ellis mistreated?

Yes, this was racially motivated.
No, she should not have cut in line.

view results

Arrest at Walmart Leads to Charges of Racism (abcnews.go.com)
Arrest at Walmart triggers charges of racism (msnbc.msn.com)
Woman Who Cut In Line At Walmart Could Face Prison Time In Racially Charged Incident (huffingtonpost.com)

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WalMart Arrest: Heather Ellis Trial Begins Wednesday

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Vatican Says Aliens Are OK, Is E.T. Disclosure Imminent?

Chris Monty — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:36:58 +0000

The Vatican just wrapped up a five day conference on astrobiology where some of the world's greatest scientists gathered to discuss the detection and implications of extraterrestrial life, i.e.: aliens.

The man who was the impetus for this conference was Director of the Vatican Observatory, Father Jose Gabriel Funes. In May 2008, Funes conducted an interview with the Vatican’s L’Osservatore Romano newspaper in which he said that the existence of alien life did not conflict with Catholic theology.

The conference itself was convened by the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences, chaired by its religious leader Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, and was held at the Vatican from November 6-10.

So now that the Catholic Church has said that alien life is A-OK, is it safe to assume that world leaders are getting ready to let the cat out of the bag? Are we preparing for a global announcement of epic proportions...that aliens DO exist and ARE visiting Earth?

Some say yes.

The Vatican’s new policy on extraterrestrial beings is consistent with rumors of secret meetings that were held at the United Nations beginning in February of 2008.

The supposed impending disclosure announcement of the existence of alien life comes on the heels of a secret, year-long openness policy on UFOs and extraterrestrial life.

In early 2008, the UN is said to have held closed-door talks where around 30 nations covertly agreed on a new openness policy regarding UFOs and alien life. The new policy was never publicly announced due to alleged threats against UN diplomats.

Experts say that we are now ready for the next phase - official disclosure of extraterrestrial life.

Hold on tight, we haven't even gotten to the good part yet.

Some also argue that President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize was a critical step in giving him global authority in making an extraterrestrial disclosure announcement.

So that's why a UFO buzzed by during his inauguration!

The announcement would likely be made before the end of 2009. Isn't it ironic that President Obama will give his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech on December 10, 2009 in Norway?

So where is this information coming from?

One source is said to be Dr. Pete Peterson, who, in a Project Camelot interview, reveals that President "Obama is planning to disclose the reality of ET contact by the end of the year; and that most, but not all, of the ET visitors are friendly."

Another source?

David Wilcock, who has learned that the alien disclosure will occur either before the end of 2009 or in early 2010. He claimed in a recent interview that “a 2-hour international TV special has already been booked that will introduce an alien species, similar to humans, to the world.”

As a final source, popular NASA scientist, Richard Hoagland, has publicly stated that the October 9, LCROSS moon-bombing mission uncovered an ancient base on the moon’s south pole. Hoagland recently stated in an interview that “LCROSS is part of a carefully constructed campaign to prepare the populace for imminent disclosure. The President of the United States will soon announce that scientists have discovered ruins on the moon, he added. Nobody saw the LCROSS debris plume because the probes struck a building which swallowed the effects of the explosion.” (the emphasis is my own)

So, the experts predict that the alien announcement will be made either in late 2009 or early 2010. They also say that the disclosure will either a) reveal that alien life exists or that b) artificial structures were discovered at the moon's south pole.

What do you think of all this? Is it just a bunch of conjecture compiled by conspiracy theorists, or are we on the threshold of mankind's most awe-inspiring discovery?

Vote below:

Vatican looks to heavens for signs of alien life (msnbc.msn.com)
Vatican Joins Search For Alien Life (huffingtonpost.com)
E.T. Phone Rome? Vatican Looks to Heavens for Signs of Alien Life (usnews.com)
Vatican ponders extra-terrestrials | Riazat Butt (guardian.co.uk)

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Vatican Says Aliens Are OK, Is E.T. Disclosure Imminent?

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‘Balloon Boy’ Parents to Plead Guilty

Chris Monty — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:26:04 +0000

The parents of Falcon Heene, the 'Balloon Boy' who was thought to have floated away in a homemade balloon, will plead guilty tomorrow to charges related to one of the most elaborate hoaxes in modern times.

The Heenes called police in October and told them that Falcon, 6, had been taken into the sky by a homemade air balloon.

The claims sparked a massive chase and investigation, as authorities raced to save the boy they believed to be trapped in the balloon, only to later learn that it was all a hoax.

Richard Heene and Mayumi Heene will plead guilty to separate charges. She will plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of making a false report to authorities. Richard will plead guilty to a felony charge of attempting to influence a public servant.

The plea deals come after the family realized that Miyumi could be deported if felony charges stuck to her. She is a Japanese citizen.

“It is supremely ironic that law enforcement has expressed such grave concern over the welfare of the children,” their attorney, David Lane, said.

“But it was ultimately the threat of taking the children’s mother from the family and deporting her to Japan which fueled this deal.”

The couple will serve probation as opposed to jail time as part of the plea deal.

'Balloon boy' parents to plead guilty (cnn.com)
Lawyer: Colo. Balloon Boy Parents to Plead Guilty (abcnews.go.com)
Balloon Boy's Parents Deflated! To Plead Guilty Of Hoax! (perezhilton.com)
'Balloon boy' family to plead guilty: report (nationalpost.com)
Balloon boy's parents to plead guilty, says lawyer (ctv.ca)

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‘Balloon Boy’ Parents to Plead Guilty

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Charla Nash 911 Call (AUDIO)

Chris Monty — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:53:36 +0000

We did some digging and found the audio from Sandra Herold’s chilling 911 call as her 200-pound chimpanzee, Travis, attacked her friend Charla Nash, who bravely appeared on Oprah on Wednesday.

You can listen to the horrific chimp attack 911 call below.

Travis the Chimp went berzerk and viciously attacked Charla Nash as Sandra Herold begged police on the telephone to help her put a stop to the chimp attack.

In the audio below, she can be heard saying, “Hurry, please! He ripped her face off.”

You can hear Travis the chimp grunting has his owner cries out, “He’s killing my friend!”

The 911 dispatcher says, “Who’s killing your friend?”

Herold replies, “My chimpanzee! He ripped her apart! Shoot him, shoot him!”

When police arrive on the scene, one officer radios back: “There’s a man down. He doesn’t look good,” he says, referring to the disfigured Nash. “We’ve got to get this guy out of here. He’s got no face.”

The chimp attacked Nash as Herold, 70, frantically stabbed her pet with a butcher knife and pounded him with a shovel to try and get him to stop the attack.

As a young chimp, Travis was featured in television commercials for Old Navy and Coca-Cola, made an appearance on "The Maury Povich Show” and took part in a television pilot.

Listen to the 911 call audio below:

Chimp Attack Victim Pictures: Charla Nash Reveals Face (VIDEO) (blippitt.com)
Charla Nash On Oprah: Chimpanzee Attack Victim To Appear On Talk Show (huffingtonpost.com)
Chimp Attack Victim Unveils Destroyed Face (abcnews.go.com)
Chimp Attack Victim Unveils Horrific Injuries (news.sky.com)
So Brave! Woman Mauled By 200lb Chimp Reveals Her Face On Oprah! (perezhilton.com)

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Charla Nash 911 Call (AUDIO)

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Chimp Attack Victim Pictures: Charla Nash Reveals Face (VIDEO)

Chris Monty — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:26:56 +0000

UPDATE: Hear the shocking 911 call from the chimp attack here.

Charla Nash, the woman from Connecticut who was disfigured by a 200-pound chimp back in February, went on "Oprah" on Wednesday to reveal her face and share the disturbing details on her life after the attack.

Nash, 56, revealed what is left of her missing eyes, nose and lips.

Warning: The pictures below are graphic, and may disturb young readers.

Charla Nash says that she currently is in no pain but she tries not to touch her face because she doesn't really want to know the full extent of the damage that was done to her.

"I don't ask a whole lot about my injuries... I know that I have my forehead," she said.

She now drinks her meals with a straw through a small opening where her mouth used to be.

Nash lost both hands in the vicious attack, as well as her nose, an eyelid, and her lips. Doctors had to remove both of her eyes due to an infection, and she only recently found out that she will no longer be able to see.

"Only . . . in the past couple of weeks did she realize that she no longer had eyes, because she had been saying that she was hoping to be able to see at some point," Oprah Winfrey said.

Nash now walks the halls of her Cleveland hospital, from which she might soon be released, in a veil.

According to Charla Nash, she wears the veil "so I don't scare people. And sometimes other people might insult you."

See the disturbing photos and video of this brave woman below...

Chimp Attack Victim Unveils Destroyed Face (abcnews.go.com)
So Brave! Woman Mauled By 200lb Chimp Reveals Her Face On Oprah! (perezhilton.com)
Chimp attack woman reveals disfigured face on 'Oprah' (telegraph.co.uk)
Charla Nash On Oprah: Chimpanzee Attack Victim To Appear On Talk Show (huffingtonpost.com)

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Chimp Attack Victim Pictures: Charla Nash Reveals Face (VIDEO)

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Zhu Zhu Pets in Stock, Better Hurry

Chris Monty — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:03:33 +0000

The 2009 holiday toy season is kicking into full gear, and no toy is hotter this year than Zhu Zhu Pets.

Zhu Zhu Pets are revolutionary new "pets" that don't require any parental supervision.

They are essentially battery-operated hamsters that zip around in play sets at will. Their movements are incredibly like-like.

As we wrote here in August, these toys are quickly becoming the viral, must-have toy of the 2009 holiday season, so much so that many retailers are running out.

So where can you find Zhu Zhu Pets in stock? At Amazon, of course.

You'd better hurry, however. Even Amazon's supplies are limited, so the sooner you gets yours, the better.

Get your Zhu Zhu Pets at Amazon now.

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Zhu Zhu Pets in Stock, Better Hurry

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DC Sniper Execution Today

Chris Monty — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:40:17 +0000

John Allen Muhammad, A.K.A. the infamous DC Sniper, is scheduled to die by lethal injection on Tuesday night at a prison in Virginia for the killing of Dean Harold Meyers back in 2002. The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a last-minute appeal.

Muhammad,48, was the mastermind behind the 2002 beltway sniper attacks, killing 10 people with his partner in crime, Lee Boyd Malvo. Drawings by Malvo seem to depict the killing spree as part of a "jihad".

At the trial, the prosecutor alleged that the murderous rampage was part of an elaborate scheme kill his ex-wife and regain custody of his children, but the judge decided that there wasn't enough evidence to support this claim.

The sniper attacks in the DC, Maryland and Virginia areas occurred over a three-week period in October, 2002. In all, ten people were killed and three others were critically injured.

The reign of terror was executed by one man, John Allen Muhammad, and one minor, Lee Boyd Malvo. Malvo will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

In an attempt to get a stay of execution, his lawyer, Jonathan Sheldon, stated, "Virginia will execute a severely mentally ill man who also suffered from Gulf War Syndrome the day before Veterans Day."

Washington sniper to be executed without revealing how many victims he shot (telegraph.co.uk)
US Supreme Court Refuses to Stop Sniper Execution (abcnews.go.com)
Supreme Court won't halt D.C. sniper's execution (cnn.com)
Death Row Sniper Has Final Appeal Refused (news.sky.com)
US sniper execution appeal denied (news.bbc.co.uk)

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DC Sniper Execution Today

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Maclaren Stroller Recall to Be Announced

Chris Monty — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:12:38 +0000

Heads up, parents. A Maclaren Stroller recall is set to be announced on Tuesday by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

A report from by ABC News indicates that in excess of 1 million strollers will be recalled by the company due to issues with children getting fingers caught in the strollers.

Model numbers have not yet been released, but the recall could affect strollers made as far back as 1999.

Apparently, there have been several reports of children getting their fingers caught in, or even amputated by, the hinges on the strollers.

An official press release will be forthcoming on November 10 from the CPSC.

Maclaren will also be shipping out special kits to owners of the strollers to help prevent these injuries.

Read about more important Product Recalls here.

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Maclaren Stroller Recall to Be Announced

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Hurricane Ida Projected Path Worries Gulf Coast

Chris Monty — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:04:01 +0000

Residents of the Gulf Coast region are now on hurricane alert as the Hurricane Ida projected path has turned to northward.

Hurricane Ida was upgraded from a tropical storm to a full-"blown" hurricane on Saturday and has now strengthened to a Category 2 storm with maximum winds at its center in excess of 100 mph. Forecasters predict that Ida could intensify further prior to making landfall in the Gulf Coast on Tuesday morning.

The outer edge of Hurricane Ida moved through the Mexican resort city of Cancun on Sunday. The storm was heading northwest at 10 mph and was located about 650 miles to the south-southeast of Pensacola, Florida.

Hurricane Ida Projected Path

Hurricane Ida sweeps into Mexico (thestar.com)
Hurricane Ida strengthens, heads to Gulf of Mexico (nationalpost.com)
Ida strengthens, heads to Gulf Coast (cnn.com)
Hurricane Ida Takes Aim at Gulf Coast (nytimes.com)

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Hurricane Ida Projected Path Worries Gulf Coast

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Kimberly Munley: Ft. Hood Hero

Chris Monty — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:39:43 +0000

Kimberly Munley, a civilian police officer who confronted and then gunman in Thursday's horrific Fort Hood shooting, is today being lauded as a hero.

The top commander at the base, Lieutenant General Bob Cone, gives Munley credit for stopping the deadly rampage that killed 13 people even though she was wounded herself.

Cone adds that Kimberly Munley and her partner responded within three minutes of the shots being reported on Thursday. Munley had been on traffic duty just moments before she confronted the gunman.

"She happened to encounter the gunman. In an exchange of gunfire, she was wounded but managed to wound him four times," Cone said. "It was an amazing and aggressive performance by this police officer."

Munley was just a few feet away from Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan when she opened fire on him.

Kimberly Munley is listed as being in stable condition at a local hospital.

Gunman kills 12, injures 30 at Fort Hood (msnbc.msn.com)
Shooting Victims Flood Local Hospitals (nytimes.com)
Fort Hood shootings: suspect Nidal Malik Hasan in a critical condition (telegraph.co.uk)
One of Their Own: Suspected Fort Hood Shooter Was a Soldier (abcnews.go.com)

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Kimberly Munley: Ft. Hood Hero

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Ground Beef Recall 2009 Facts

Chris Monty — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:45:21 +0000

Shoppers from all along the northern East Coast are being advised to check their packages of ground beef following a death in New Hampshire and several illnesses in other states.

A New Hampshire died after eating meat infected with E. coli bacteria. Several children and adults from Rhode Island also became ill at a camp in Plymouth, Mass.

A ground beef recall of more than a half-million-pounds was declared on Friday by Fairbank Farms of Ashville, N.Y.

The tainted meat was sold under a several different brand names, ranging from Acme Markets' Lancaster Brand Ground Beef and Extra Lean Ground Beef to Giant Food Meatloaf and Meatball Mix to Trader Joe's Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef.

Consumers should also inspect any packages with sell-by dates of Sept. 19 through Sept. 28. The number "EST. 492" would also be located inside the USDA mark or on the nutrition label.

"Consumers who identify these products should return them to the point of purchase for a full refund," said Ron Allen, Fairbank Farms CEO.

Ground beef should always be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees to ensure that any bacteria mixed in by the grinding process will be killed.

Initially, the ground beef recall applied to just eight states...Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Virginia, Massachusetts and North Carolina.

Fairbank Farms has now expanded the alert, however, to include all Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states.

Here is the full list of products affected by the ground beef recall, all with sell-by dates of 9-19-09 to 9-28-09 (unless specified):

Trader Joes

1-pound packages of "TRADER JOE'S BUTCHER SHOP FINE QUALITY MEATS GROUND BEEF 85/15."
1-pound packages of "TRADER JOE'S BUTCHER SHOP FINE QUALITY MEATS GROUND BEEF 80/20."

NOTE: The sell-by dates for the above two products may be October 6 or 7, 2009.

1-pound trays of "TRADER JOE'S BUTCHER SHOP FINE QUALITY MEATS GROUND BEEF PATTIES 96/4 EXTRA LEAN."
1-pound trays of "TRADER JOE'S BUTCHER SHOP FINE QUALITY MEATS GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85/15."

Price Chopper

1- and 2.5-pound trays of "PRICE CHOPPER MEATLOAF & MEATBALL MIX."
1-pound trays of "PRICE CHOPPER EXTRA LEAN GROUND BEEF 96/4."
1-pound trays of "PRICE CHOPPER FRESH GROUND BEEF CHUCK FOR CHILI 80% LEAN 20% FAT."

Lancaster and Wild Harvest

1-pound trays of "LANCASTER BRAND 96/4 EXTRA LEAN GROUND BEEF."
1- and 2-pound trays of "LANCASTER BRAND 90/10 GROUND BEEF."
1-pound trays of "WILD HARVEST NATURAL 85/15 ANGUS GROUND BEEF."

Shaw's

1- and 2-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND BEEF 93/7."
1-, 2- and 3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND BEEF 80/20."
1- and 3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND BEEF 75/25."
1.3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND SIRLOIN BEEF PATTIES 90/10."
1.3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND ROUND BEEF PATTIES 85/15."
1.3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND BEEF PATTIES 80/20."
3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND BEEF PATTIES FAMILY PACK 80/20."
1-pound trays of "SHAW'S ANGUS GROUND BEEF 85/15."
1-, 2- and 3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND ROUND BEEF 85/15."
1-pound trays of "SHAW'S 90% NATURAL GROUND BEEF."
1-pound trays of "SHAW'S 85% NATURAL GROUND BEEF."
1-, 2- and 3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND SIRLOIN 90/10."
1-pound trays of "MEATLOAF & MEATBALL MIX."

BJ's

5-pound trays of "FRESH GROUND BEEF, CONTAINS 15 % FAT" patties.
3- and 5-pound trays of "LEAN GROUND BEEF, CONTAINS 7% FAT."
2.5-pound trays of "MEATLOAF & MEATBALL MIX."

Ford Brothers

3-pound trays of "FRESH GROUND BEEF, CONTAINS 20% FAT" patties.

Giant

1-pound trays of "GIANT EXTRA LEAN GROUND BEEF 96/4."
1-pound trays of "GIANT MEATLOAF & MEATBALL MIX."
1-pound trays of "GIANT NATURE'S PROMISE GROUND BEEF."
1-pound trays of "GIANT NATURE'S PROMISE GROUND BEEF PATTIES."

More details are available at the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) website here and via the official Consumer Product Safety Commission Guide (CPSC) here.

People with questions about a product can call the Fairbank Farms hotline with the number on the wrapper at 1-877-546-0122.

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Ground Beef Recall 2009 Facts

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7 Critical Tips for Avoiding H1N1 Flu

Chris Monty — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:36:55 +0000

H1N1 flu (A.K.A. swine flu) is everywhere. In New York City, they've declared a state of emergency to slow the spread of the nasty bug and concerns are running rampant about the H1N1 vaccine dangers.

So what can you do to avoid H1N1 flu?

Here are 7 easy things you might not have thought of that can help you can your family stay germ-free this fall...

1. Gargle with Warm Salt Water

Gargle at least twice a day with warm salt water. If you don't like the taste of salt, use Listerine. The H1N1 flu virus takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat and/or nasal cavity to proliferate and show symptoms. Gargling can prevent proliferation. In many ways, gargling with salt water is just as effective on a healthy person as Tamiflu can be on an infected one. Do not underestimate this simple, yet powerful method of prevention.

2. Clean Your Nostrils

Clean your nostrils at least once per day with warm salt water (there's that salt water again!). Use a Neti Pot or swab both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water. This can be extremely effective in lowering the swine flu viral population.

3. Boost Your Immune System

Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption. Use systems like Flu Immune to naturally raise your strengthen your body's immune system. Get at least 8 hours of sleep as well, as this will also boost your immunity.

4. Hands Off the Face

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and the mouth & throat. Resist touching any part of your face except to eat or bathe.

5. Drink Warm Liquids

Drinking warm liquids like tea or coffee will have the same effect as gargling, only in the opposite direction. These warm liquids can wash proliferating H1N1 flu viruses off of your throat into your stomach where they can't survive.

6. Frequent Hand-Washing

See #4. You simply cannot wash your hands enough...but don't overdo it with that antibacterial hand sanitizer.

7. Consider Getting a Pandemic Kit

A Pandemic Preparedness Kit is designed to protect 1 person for 1 week, during a pandemic outbreak, like swine flu. It can often be your first, and last line of defense against a major pandemic outbreak. Get a Pandemic Preparedness Kit here.

These tips are especially critical for the young and the elderly, so please pass this on to your kids, grandkids, and relatives.

Obama declares swine flu a national emergency (ctv.ca)
Kids Will Still Need 2 H1N1 Swine Flu Shots (health.usnews.com)
Flu Data: H1N1 Vaccine Highly Effective (time.com)
Has The H1N1 Flu Changed How You Use Public Technology? (centernetworks.com)
Swine Flu Hysterics (buppie.blogspot.com)
H1 N1 Virus Power Point (slideshare.net)

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7 Critical Tips for Avoiding H1N1 Flu

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Black Friday Sales 2009: Stores Prepare Early

Chris Monty — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:31:32 +0000

Ah, Black Friday. That annual event where a mass of humanity emerges pre-dawn from their caves and goes off into the wilderness, hunting for that bargain to end all bargains.

It may still seem a little early, but Sears and Target are already getting ready for Black Friday 2009.

Black Friday is the nickname traditionally given to the Friday after Thanksgiving. It signals the beginning of the holiday shopping season.

Officially, Black Friday isn't a holiday, but but many people do have the day off. Black Friday is famously known as the busiest shopping day of the year.

This is only partially true, however. People do go out in droves, but in terms of actual sales volume it usually ends up ranking somewhere between the 5th- and 10th-busiest day of the shopping year.

Get the 2010 Entertainment Book here.

Sears will start its Black Friday 2009 sales this week with a "door buster" sale. Sears is offering a wide variety of so-called "door busters" each week until Christmas with the hope that eager shoppers will come early and often.

This week, the sale will start on Friday at 5 p.m. EDT and continue through Saturday. After the first week, "Black Friday Now" will take place on Saturday mornings through Christmas.

Here are just a few of the deals Sears will be offering this week:

- 50% off Craftsman® 302-piece mechanic's tool sets
- 50% off all DieHard work boots
- $79.99 3/8 ct. tw. diamond stud earrings

Target is also looking ahead to Black Friday 2009. The store has set up a special page on the store's website. You can also sign up to receive weekly ad specials and reminders & announcements regarding Black Friday deals.

To get other super deals and savings, make sure you get your hands on the 2010 Entertainment Book.

Doorbuster deals now part of Christmas creep (sfgate.com)
Sears Starts Black Friday Offers Early (shoppingblog.com)
Sears Black Friday 2009 Targets Shoppers With October Kick Off (huffingtonpost.com)

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Black Friday Sales 2009: Stores Prepare Early

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Boston Market Extends ‘Two Kids Eat Free’ Program

Chris Monty — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:14:44 +0000

Got kids? It's time to get your eat on.

Boston Market has announced that it is going to extend its massively popular "Two Kids Eat Free" program past the original October 31st expiration date. Happy eaters can now get the same deal every weekend between November 1 - January 31, 2010.

During the initial run of "Two Kids Eat Free" offer, over550,000 free kids meals were eaten by Boston Market patrons.

"The overwhelmingly positive response from our customers tells us we’ve struck a chord. Everyone wants greater value for their dollar and more time with their families," said CEO Lane Cardwell. "Coordinating schedules is always a challenge, but weekends are family time, and Boston Market wants to help make family mealtime a reality by continuing to offer the Two Kids Eat Free deal on weekends and providing delicious, nutritious meals at an excellent price point."

Boston Market kiddie meals, which usually run between $3.79 and $4.29, come with a choice of entrée, a small side, a kid-sized drink and, of course, cornbread. Entrées include chicken drumsticks, roasted turkey, meatloaf and that ever-popular kiddie stand-by...mac & cheese.

The Two Kids Eat Free weekend offer is good for up to two kids per $6 minimum purchase and is available at all 522 Boston Market locations for dine-in, carry-out or drive-thru orders on Saturday and Sunday during the promotional time period. The offer includes up to four free kids’ meals with the purchase of a Family Meal.

Find even more awesome deals in the 2010 Entertainment Book.

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Boston Market Extends ‘Two Kids Eat Free’ Program

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H1N1 Vaccine Dangers (VIDEO)

Chris Monty — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:37:01 +0000

There seem to be major concerns developing over whether or not the new H1N1 vaccine poses medical dangers or harmful side effects.

New York Governor David Paterson signed an executive order on Wednesday, declaring a state of emergency to further combat the spread of swine flu, officials said on Thursday.

Pandemic Preparedness Kits and supplies of Flu Immune are flying off the shelves faster than stores can stock them.

Still, rumors are swirling in the U.S. and abroad that is could be a dangerous vaccine, and parents aren't sure whether or not they should have their children vaccinated. Some reports even indicate that the H1N1 vaccine is part of a bigger conspiracy.

In the Middle East, panic has set in amid rumors that the H1N1 vaccine devastates the human immune system and may lower fertility rates by up to 80 percent.

Some claim that the H1N1 vaccine could even lead to death.

CBS News recently investigated these claims and launched a thorough investigation of the H1N1 vaccine dangers...

Taxpayers on hook for any H1N1 vaccine damages (cbc.ca)
One More thought on H1N1 and Why We Prepare (totallyready.com)
Obama declares H1N1 emergency (blisstree.com)

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H1N1 Vaccine Dangers (VIDEO)

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Nikumaroro Island: Earhart’s Final Resting Place?

Chris Monty — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:00:12 +0000

After years of searching, has the final resting place of renowned pilot Amelia Earhart been found? The legendary aviator more than likely died on Nikumaroro island, according to The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR).

Nikumaroro island is a tropical island in the southwestern Pacific republic of Kiribati.

Earhart vanished over the Pacific Ocean on July 2, 1937 while attempting to to fly around the world. Her final resting place was never found.

Richard Gillespie, TIGHAR's executive director and author of the book "Finding Amelia," and his team have been scouring the Nikumaroro island in search of evidence of Earhart for years.

Nikumaroro lies approximately 300 miles to the southeast of Earhart's target destination, Howland Island.

TIGHAR has recovered several artifacts that indicate that Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan, her navigator, had to make a forced landing on the island.

Gillespie says that the duo became castaways and eventually died there. Next summer, he's going to embark on a new $500,000 Nikumaroro expedition.

According to Gillespie, a British Colonial Service officer, Gerald Gallagher, found a partial skeleton of a castaway on Nikumaroro back in 1940. Those bones have now been lost, however.

Also found were a woman's shoe, an empty bottle and a sextant box that seems to match the type used by Noonan.

Gillespie also says that many of the bones were likely carried away by giant coconut crabs.

Earhart never made it around the world, but she quickly morphed into a legend following her last radio transmission.

Search for Amelia Earhart: Was She Stranded? (abcnews.go.com)
Jonathan Kim: ReThink Review: Amelia -- Yup, It's a Biopic (huffingtonpost.com)
Amelia Earhart's Scarf Flying to Space (space.com)
Earhart mystery could be solved with help of DNA lab (ctv.ca)

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Nikumaroro Island: Earhart’s Final Resting Place?

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Daylight Savings Time 2009: Fall Back Nov. 1

Chris Monty — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:31:06 +0000

Just a reminder that Daylight Savings Time 2009 ends late for the third year in a row, on November 1st at 2am. On that night, clocks go back one hour.

Remember, you do NOT need to do this if you live in Arizona, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands or American Samoa – and if you don’t live in the U.S. of course.

The law extending Daylight Saving Time by four weeks was passed in 2007.

Daylight saving time (DST) or summer time (British English), is the widespread practice of advancing official clock time so that afternoons have more daylight and mornings have less.

Typically clocks are adjusted forward one hour near the start of spring and are adjusted backward in autumn. Modern DST was first proposed in 1895 by George Vernon Hudson, a New Zealand entomologist. Many countries have used it since then. Details vary by location and change occasionally.

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Daylight Savings Time 2009: Fall Back Nov. 1

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H1N1 Vaccine Delay Alarms Many (VIDEO)

Chris Monty — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:08:00 +0000

With the H1N1 flu outbreak sweeping across the country, health officials warn of a troubling number of child deaths and state that a vaccine delay will hamper containment efforts for at least a few more of weeks.

The delay in production means that about 28 million to 30 million doses of the vaccine will be split up around the U.S. by the end of October. That's a far cry from the 40 million-plus that had been expected. The new count from the CDC means that mane flu-shot clinics will likely need to be delayed.

It also postpones efforts to slow an increasing number of infections. Overall, the H1N1 flu is causing widespread disease in 41 states. Currently, around 6 percent of all trips to the doctor are for flu-like symptoms. Those levels usually aren't observed until much later in the fall season.

Officials revealed on Friday that 11 more children have died in the past week due to the rampant virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that roughly half of the child deaths since September have been teenagers.

Deaths from flu-like illnesses have surpassed what CDC considers an epidemic level.

Luckily, most flu victims recover from the new strain fairly easily and in their own homes.

States have tallied more than 2,000 deaths from flu-like illnesses to the CDC since August 30. Those deaths have reached the benchmark level that is used annually to declare an influenza epidemic...months early.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

US swine flu vaccines 'delayed' (news.bbc.co.uk)
First doses of H1N1 flu vaccine going out (cnn.com)
Pandemic Payoff from 1918: A Weaker H1N1 Flu Today (scientificamerican.com)
Supplies of Regular Flu Vaccine Run Short in Places (nytimes.com)

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H1N1 Vaccine Delay Alarms Many (VIDEO)

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