'Recalling 1993' transforms Manhattan pay phones into audio time capsules
March 27, 2013

New York City was a very different place twenty years ago. Recalling 1993 surfaces memories of early-nineties New York City by turning every Manhattan pay phone into an audio time capsule. The campaign lets anyone dial 1-(855)-FOR-1993 from a pay phone to listen to a memory specific to the local area. There's a map that locates all of Manhattan's pay phones over on the project website, and a select few recordings are also available online. Recalling 1993 was created by Manhattan-based marketing firm Droga5 in collaboration with the New Museum to promote NYC 1993: Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star, a new exhibition that showcases art made in New York City over the course of the year.

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People are just too fat these days to be riding horses
March 27, 2013

The human health costs of the obesity epidemic have been well documented, but a new study is shedding light on another set of victims: horses mounted by overweight riders.


One-third of recreational riders are too obese for their steeds, putting the animals at risk for health problems including lameness and back pain, reports the U.K.'s Daily Mail, which cited a study from the Journal of Veterinary Behavior.


That may lead to higher health care costs for horses, which can already be considerable. While amounts vary, horse owners typically spend about $300 a year on routine health care for their animals, although that can increase to thousands if a horse is injured or ill, according to Equine.com.


Overweight riders can also cause the animals to develop behavioral problems, such as bucking and rearing, the Mail notes. (Whether the horses are trying to get the overweight riders off their backs or are just annoyed, the article doesn't say.)


"People tend to think horses are such big animals they must be okay, and not to take notice of the weight issue of riders. But the health impact on the horse can be quite extreme, quite quickly," Hayley Randle, one of the study authors, told the newspaper.


Recreational riding adds $11.8 billion in spending to the U.S. economy, with 2 million horse owners in America alone, according to the Equestrian Channel. To be sure, the academic study looked at the U.K., but weighty riders are likely an issue for American horses as well, given that the U.S. is the third-fattest country on earth, while the U.K. comes in at No. 10.


Adding to the problems of overburdened horses, plus-size saddles are hitting the market. The WOW "Bounty" saddle has a seat that's "designed to offer supreme support and comfort to the larger rider," according to Horse and Hound. Another company is also working on a saddle for heftier behinds.


A rider shouldn't weigh more than 10% of her horse's weight, the Mail notes, citing vet guidelines. But weight ratios aren't commonly known in the equine community, Randle said. She added, "People do seem generally to be a bit heavy for horses. That is just a consequence, I suppose, of our average weights going up."

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Karen Black fundraising for cancer treatment
March 26, 2013

Karen Black's husband has thanked fans for their generosity after they donated in their droves to help pay for the ailing actress' cancer treatment.

The Easy Rider star's partner Stephen Eckelberry set up an online fundraising page in a bid to raise $17,000 to cover the costs of sending the 73 year old to visit specialist doctors in Europe.

Juliette Lewis, Alan Cumming and Patricia Arquette were among Black's showbiz pals who called on their Twitter.com fans to help boost donations, and the target was smashed within several hours, with the fundraising page reaching over $24,000 by Monday night.

Eckelberry took to the site to express his gratitude, writing, "Everybody thank you so much for the donations and kind thoughts. Karen and I are touched beyond belief. It's so great to know she can make this trip. I promise to keep everybody updated. Any additional money that is raised beyond our goal will go towards my going with her. This is amazing thank you so much."

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Father Writes Letter To Victoria's Secret Explaining Why He Doesn't Want His Daughter To Shop There
March 26, 2013

The news that Victoria's Secret is amping up its marketing toward tweens has been polarizing.
Some parents, like this mother who went on Good Morning America, failed to see what all the hoopla was about.
But Evan Dolive, an ordained minister and father to a 3-year-old girl, wrote an open letter to the company about why he wouldn't want his daughter to shop there as a tween.
His letter, which references the Bright Young Things advertising campaign, struck a chord and is going viral.
Here's the letter, reprinted from his blog.
"Dear Victoria's Secret,
I am a father of a three year old girl. She loves princesses, Dora the Explorer, Doc McStuffins and drawing pictures for people. Her favorite foods are peanut butter and jelly, cheese and pistachios.
Even though she is only three, as a parent I have had those thoughts of my daughter growing up and not being the little girl she is now. It is true what they say about kids, they grow up fast. No matter how hard I try I know that she will not be the little ball of energy she is now; one day she will be a rebellious teenager that will more than likely think her dad is a total goof ball and would want to distance herself from my embarrassing presence.
I know that this is far down the line and I try to spend as much time as I can with her making memories of this special time.
But as I read an article today posted on The Black Sphere, it really got me thinking that maybe the culture that we currently find ourselves in is not helping the cause.
Recently I read an article that Victoria's Secret is launching a line of underwear and bras aimed at middle school aged children. The line will be called "Bright Young Things" and will feature " lace black cheeksters with the word "Wild" emblazoned on them, green and white polka-dot hipsters screen printed with "Feeling Lucky?" and a lace trim thong with the words, "Call me" on the front."
As a dad, this makes me sick.
I believe that this sends the wrong message to not only my daughter but to all young girls.
I don't want my daughter to ever think that her self-worth and acceptance by others is based on the choice of her undergarments. I don't want my daughter to ever think that to be popular or even attractive she has to have emblazon words on her bottom.
I want my daughter (and every girl) to be faced with tough decisions in her formative years of adolescence. Decisions like should I be a doctor or a lawyer? Should I take calculus as a junior or a senior? Do I want to go to Texas A&M; or University of Texas or some Ivy League School? Should I raise awareness for slave trafficking or lack of water in developing nations? There are many, many more questions that all young women should be asking themselves... not will a boy (or girl) like me if I wear a "call me" thong?
I want my daughter to know that she is perfect the way she is; I want my daughter to know that no matter what underwear she is wearing it does not define her.
I believe that this new line "Bright Young Things" thwarts the efforts of empowering young women in this country. "Bright Young Things" gives off the message that women are sex objects. This new line promotes it at a dangerously young age.
I implore you to reconsider your decision to start this line.
By doing so you will put young girl's self-esteem, self-worth and pride above profits.
Sincerely,
Rev. Evan Dolive
Houston, TX"

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'Rap Quotes' By Jay Shells Maps Out Lyrics With Guerrilla Street Sign Installation
March 26, 2013

For the project "Rap Quotes," Jay Shells put his graphic design skills to use with a series of bright red signs emblazoned with lyrics from famous hip hop artists including Mos Def, Jay Z and Big Daddy Kane.

Using lines that shout-out specific locations in New York City, Shells traced these locations and covertly installed his signs at the famed intersections with just a step stool and some screws.

"I have no idea how long they're going to stay up," he says in the video above. "It all depends on what one happy-go-lucky hip hop fan walks by one and scratches their head."

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Kate Upton Too Busy to Be Teen's Prom Date
March 26, 2013

It was a nice try, but it's looking like a no-go for the teen who asked supermodel Kate Upton to be his prom date.

Los Angeles high school senior Jake Davidson, 17, asked the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model to be his prom date via a YouTube video. In the clip, titled "Kate Upton, Will You Go to Prom with Me?" Davidson explains why Upton should be his date, including that they have a lot in common. For example, Upton poses in Sports Illustrated and Davidson reads it.

There was a glimmer of hope last week, when 20-year-old Upton tweeted Davidson, "How could I turn down that video! I'll check my schedule ;)" That hope has dimmed, however, with Upton now telling People magazine that it appears her dance card is too full to be Davidson's prom date.

"I'm not sure if I'll be able to go with him or not, due to my schedule," Upton said. "I want to, but I just don't know if I can make it work. But I really appreciated being asked; it made me feel really great!"

If you're going to let someone down gently, Upton certainly knows how, calling the video "so flattering."

"When a guy has a good sense of humor and confidence, that's attractive," she said.

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New Jersey Gas Station Manager Says He Sold Winning $338 Million Powerball Ticket
March 25, 2013

A single Powerball ticket sold in New Jersey matched all six numbers in Saturday night's drawing for the $338.3 million jackpot, lottery officials said today.
The jackpot was the sixth largest in history.
Thirteen other tickets matched five numbers but were missing the Powerball. Those tickets will earn a payout of $1 million each, according to lottery officials, and were sold in New Jersey, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.
Lottery officials said there was one Power Play Match 5 winning ticket sold in Iowa, which is worth $2 million.
The winning numbers were 17, 29, 31, 52, 53 and Powerball 31. If the winner chooses to take the lump sum payout, he or she will receive $221 million.

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Dozens of people in 7 states report seeing fireball in sky Saturday
March 25, 2013

More than two dozen people from seven states - including Ohio -- reported seeing a fireball in the sky over the weekend.

The American Meteor Society posted Monday on its website that 25 people submitted reports about the sighting Saturday, which apparently happened at about 7 p.m. Nearly half of the reports were from Ohio.

Here are a few of the narratives submitted by the observers:

"I was driving on SR 39 heading NW when I saw this very bright white ball with a tail in my left peripheral vision. I turned to look, saw it had a tail, then disappeared for a split second, then a bright flash and it was gone. Amazing and beautiful." - Shelia H. / Millersburg, Ohio

"Smoky trail like a com trail. the head looked like it was glowing." - Andrea S. / Cleveland, Ohio

"This is the second time I have witnessed a meteor during the day. I regularly view meteor showers during nights they are expected. It was very exciting. Just happened to be looking in the right direction at the right time!" - Linda F. / Green, Ohio

NewsChannel5 reporter Paul Kiska saw the fireball, too. He also submitted a report:
"I've seen a few meteor showers and but never a fireball this huge, this bright, this beautiful!"

Kiska also posted this description on his Facebook page:
"Around 6:50PM Saturday, about 20 minutes ago, I just saw the most stunning, amazing meteor of my life blazing, burning & glowing from east to west mostly across the south to southwest sky. Remarkable. It really was breath taking. Angela, Olivia & I were at the park kicking the soccer ball, still twilight, and I tried to yell to them but the words didn't even come out at first then I yelled meteor meteor meteor, but they kept looking straight up, I was pointing but it was low southwest and lasted quite long time it seemed. Just beautiful."

People in Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia all posted reports.

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Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" Turns 40
March 25, 2013

"'The Dark Side of the Moon' was an expression of political, philosophical, humanitarian empathy that was desperate to get out," Pink Floyd's Roger Waters states at the start of the "Classic Albums" retrospective dedicated to the record. Revered as one of the greatest rock albums of all time, "Dark Side" -- which tackles weighty themes of greed, conflict, religion, mortality and mental illness -- was first released in the U.S. exactly 40 years ago on March 17, 1973.

Despite only reaching the No. 1 spot for one solitary week, the album continues to hold the record for the most weeks charted on the Billboard 200 (over 800 weeks!) and was a constant feature on the Billboard 200 from its initial release until 1988 - returning to the chart in late 2009 after Billboard revised its chart eligibility rules regarding older releases. It is estimated to have sold over 45 million copies worldwide, while its artistic legacy is arguably even greater.

Recorded at London's Abbey Road Studios between May 1972 and January 1973, and having been developed and rehearsed during a series of live performances in the months preceding, "The Dark Side of the Moon" is the ultimate expression of Pink Floyd's sonic artistry - an Olympian psychedelic concept album that, despite being very much of its time, still retains the ability the dazzle and astound in the digital age.

Lyric writer, bassist and principal architect Roger Waters deserves much of the credit for its record-breaking success, as do bandmates David Gilmour (vocals and guitar), Nick Mason (drums) and Richard Wright (keyboards and vocals), who were all similarly at the top of their game. "There was something about the symbiosis of the musical talents of the four of us that worked really well," Waters told Billboard in 2006, looking back on the record. The ground-breaking work of engineer Alan Parsons meanwhile, can be heard in the myriad of tape loops and then-revolutionary effects that run throughout the album's hypnotic grooves.

A landmark record in every respect, including its now iconic prism sleeve (courtesy of Storm Thorgerson), "The Dark Side of the Moon," which was the band's eighth studio album, transformed Pink Floyd from ambitious art-house hipsters to international superstars, while influencing virtually every rock band of the past forty years. It also famously inspired an unsubstantiated theory about the album's deliberate synchronicity with "The Wizard of Oz." But the album needed no help to imbue listeners with inner visions. Here's our exploratory, mind-warping journey through the deepest reaches of each song on Floyd's 1973 studio masterpiece.

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Westboro Baptist Church's new neighbor paints house rainbow colors
March 25, 2013

The most controversial church in America has a new neighbor that just wants to share a little love. Aaron Jackson recently purchased a house in Topeka, Kan. that happens to be right across the street from the Westboro Baptist Church. You'll remember them as the group that likes to picket the funerals of soldiers killed in action, among other events, and spout message of hate, usually aimed at homosexuals, grabbing for media attention wherever they go.

Jackson, a co-founder of the charitable group Planting Peace, which promotes rainforest conservation and supports orphanages around the world, was looking for a way to help kids who commit suicide after being bullied over LGBT issues, the Washington Post reports. "I was 'walking' down the street [on Google Earth]," he says, "and saw a for sale sign." When he contacted the real estate agent, he found that the house was no longer for sale. Luckily, that agent found another, right across the street from the WBC compound. The charity purchased the house sight unseen.

Not long after, Jackson moved from Florida, relocating to Topeka. Once the weather warmed up a bit, he began his painting project. His plan was to paint the house the colors of the gay pride flag, in other words a rainbow. However, he had a hard time finding a painter in Topeka who would take on the job. "I think they're spooked," Jackson says.

Mike McKessor, a Kansas City, Mo. contractor was up for the job, though. "I don't like them [Westboro] messing with veterans," he explains. The home, which Jackson has dubbed the "Equality House," easily gained the attention of Shirley Phelps-Roper, often the spokeswoman for the church. She says she loves the paint job, because "it keeps the eyes of the whole earth on this message." That message, of course, is "God will not have same-sex marriage."

For Jackson, he hopes it's the start of something more. He plans to use the home as a place to house volunteers, and wants to start an anti-bullying program. "I want to show where there's hate, there can also be love."

It's been an interesting year for the WBC. Phelps-Roper's daughters Megan and Grace Phelps-Roper left the church in February. Megan's leaving the church made headlines, as she was at the front of the social networking arm of the church, often acting as the online face of the group. She says she made the decision to leave after a series of discussions with a Jewish man named David Atibol. While Megan now says the church's beliefs sound "crazy to me," she still loves and misses her family, saying, "I don't want to hurt them."

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