Guns. Can’t Live With Them, Can’t Live Without Them

Posted on January 25, 2014 by jessicafsmith1002

So we are now 25 days into 2014, and all I see in the news is guns! There have been 14 days of school so far and 8 school shootings! That is more than one every other day! Not to mention, a shooting today, January 25th, in the Columbia Mall in Columbia, Maryland. Howard County Police say they found 3 people dead, including the shooter, but are still doing a thorough search of the mall as I am writing this blog post. Although this shooting is sad and unnecessary, along with the hundreds more that have happened in several cities and neighborhoods across the nation just in 2014, I want to focus on school shootings this year. As I stated earlier, 8 school shootings in only 14 days of school. That is 101% unacceptable! This is a list of the school shootings so far this year:

  • Liberty Technology Magnet School, January 9: one student shot
  • Berrendo Middle School, January 14: two students shot
  • Albany High School, January 17: one student shot
  • Delaware Valley Charter Elementary, January 17: two students shot
  • Widener University, January 20: one student shot
  • Purdue University, January 21: one person shot and killed
  • Wakefield Elementary, January 21: one person shot
  • South Carolina State University, January 24: one person shot and killed

Apart from the school shootings listed above, there has also been several near misses. A few are:

  • An eighth grader was arrested in Georgia last week after he brought a gun to school on consecutive days and robbed a classmate.
  • Portland police rushed to an area high school after a student was reportedly showing off his gun to a fellow classmate during lunch.
  •  Four teenagers were arrested after they were seen pointing a gun at a school bus in Norfolk, VA.

Clearly there is a need for gun regulation.

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New upcoming expansion for Harry Porter World in Universal Orlando.

Posted on January 24, 2014 by chelsiesloan

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter first debuted in Universal Orlando’s Resort in June of 2010. The Harry Porter World consists of two major rides, stores, a restaurant and pub. On Thursday afternoon Universal stated that this upcoming summer the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be expanding into both parks in Universal Resort. The estimated cost of this new expansion is about $400 million dollars and is expected to be ready summer 2014.

Today, the Harry Potter world is located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, where as this new expansion area will be located in Universal Studios. This new area will be called Diagon Alley as in the books by J.K Rowling , and will be built where the former ride Jaws use to be. “We’ll bring even more Harry Potter adventures to life,” said Universal Creative president Mark Woodbury, who promised “a whole new level of storytelling.”

Since this new expansion will take between both parks, visitors will have to purchase two-park tickets in order to enjoy both sides of the Harry Potter World. Universal will be adding “The Hogwarts Express” train that will connect Universal’s two separate parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. The train will be available for visitors with tickets to both parks.

Among other new shops in Diagon Alley:

-Borgin and Burke’s, a shop devoted to “Dark Arts” that sells masks, skulls and other “sinister items.”

-Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, where park visitors can buy Hogwarts school uniform ties, scarves and jumpers, to authentic wizard’s robes and character costumes.

-Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, where folks can buy telescopes, binoculars, armillary spheres, compasses, magnifying glasses and hourglasses.

-Quality Quidditch Supplies, for Quidditch sweaters, brooms, Golden Snitches, Bludgers, Bludger bats and Quaffles — all items used to play the game featured in the book and movie.

-Scribbulus, which will sell feather quills, ink and inkwells, bookmarks, journals, parchment paper, seals, stationery sets and postcards.

 

Click the video below for a 3-D Tour of the upcoming expansion.

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Quicken Loans and Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathawa offer one billion dollar challenge for Perfect College Basketball Bracket.

Posted on January 24, 2014 by kelly casas

Quicken Loans and Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathawa offer one billion dollar challenge for Perfect College Basketball Bracket.

The nation’s fourth largest mortgage lender, Quicken Loans, which has joined forces with Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway to offer a chance at a $1 billion prize for completing the perfect bracket in this March’s men’s college basketball championship tournament.

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway insures grand prize while nation’s fourth largest mortgage lender guarantees an additional $2 million in prizes for 20 most accurate brackets submitted nationwide and $1 million for funding of inner-city educational efforts

Any qualified entrant who correctly enters the contest and predicts the winners of every game in the tournament will share the total $1 billion prize paid in 40 annual installments of $25 million. Alternatively, the winner(s) may elect to receive an immediate $500 million lump sum payment or share in that lump sum payment if there is more than one perfect bracket submitted.

“We’ve seen a lot of contests offering a million dollars for putting together a good bracket, which got us thinking, what is the perfect bracket worth? We decided a billion dollars seems right for such an impressive feat,” said Jay Farner, President and Chief Marketing Officer of Quicken Loans. “It is our mission to create amazing experiences for our clients. This contest, with the possibility of creating a billionaire, definitely fits that bill.”

I think this contest is just an advertise of Quicken Loans because I have never heard of this company before. Also it wants people to like them on Facebook, so people can receive the advertising in the future. I will still going to try it because it is a chance to get one billion dollar free.

Contest begins at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (“EST”) on March 3, 2014 and ends at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (“EST”) on March 19, 2014 One entry per household.

for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/QuickenLoans

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First Batch!!! Lebron, Melo, and Paul George Among NBA All-Star Starters

Posted on January 24, 2014 by jmandel

In just a few short weeks, the NBA will bring its annual hardwood celebration to the party capitol of the world…New Orleans!!! The cresant city will play host to the 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend bringing the NBA’s brightest stars, celebrities, legends, and fans. But before the party of the year starts, the NBA revealed the starters for the 63rd All-Star Game that will take place the Sunday of that weekend. For the Eastern Conference, Miami Heat stars LeBron James and Dwayne Wade make their 10th trips to the All-Star game, rising superstars Kyrie Irving and Paul George are set to make their second All-Star appearances but first starts, and New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony rounds out the east starters for this year.

As for the western conference, Kobe Bryant is voted in as he is sets to make his 16th All-Star appearance but it is uncertain that he will play due to his injury. Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant are starters once more as both make their way back to the all-star game. In one shocking turn of events, Timberwolves forward Kevin Love beats out Dwight Howard for the starting spot making it his first start and 3rd all-star appearance. Rounding out the pack for the west, Stephen Curry makes his long awaited all-star debut as he prepares for his first appearance and first all-star start.

The reserves for the all-star game are yet to be revealed for they will be announced on January 30th on TNT. Early speculations suggest players like Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh lead the list of possible reserves. We all look forward to seeing who the coaches deem worthy of the mantle as All-Star weekend fast approaches.

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My First Actual Interaction With a Television Reporter From Fox News

Posted on January 23, 2014 by bosimpson

This morning, I was about to head out to class when I open the door to my community and see a police officer with a shotgun standing next to my car and telling me to go back inside my apartment. I was wondering what was going on. I went back upstairs and looked from my bathroom window to find out what was happening. All the sudden I hear the one of the 7 police cars’ speakers say “Patrick, this is Orange County police, come out with your hands up”. I decided to record the scene and the police car demanding for the culprit to exit the building.

Shortly after, the police knocked on my door and asked me and my roommates to evacuate the building. So I recorded a little more because I needed to show my professor proof that I could not get to class because my car was being held hostage in the middle of the crime scene and I had nothing on me, not even my wallet to go anywhere. As I stood there I noticed a reporter and camera man from Fox come onto the scene. I automatically became excited about this and started conversation as we all waiting to see what was going to happen.

As the reporter was leaving, she gave me her card to e-mail her any interesting videos or photos that I take. I gladly took her card and started to e-mail her some of the footage that I had on my phone. We had a few emails sent back and forth to each other and I told her how I was an aspiring Broadcast Journalist. I was really excited and it really made me look forward to my future as a new reporter. I hope to be contacting her again soon to see of any available internships at Fox 35 News. Although, I missed class and was stressed at the situation that was going on in my neighborhood and in the apartment right next to mine, the opportunity I got from this today was my silver lining and it just goes to show that there’s always a bright side to everything.

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Super Bowl XLVIII: Will the Superbowl be Manning’s last game if he wins?

Posted on January 23, 2014 by christie jauch

Get your popcorn ready everybody! This is a match up that we all have been waiting for. The number one offense going up against the number one defense. It doesn’t get any better than this! Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos outplayed Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship on the offensive side and defensive side of the football in last weeks match up. Manning finished the game with 400 yards and 2 touchdowns. So, I guess we all know who’s the better quarterback after the show he put on. Meanwhile, it was an emotional game and win for the Seattle Seahawks after they defeated the San Francisco 49er’s 23-17 in the NFC Championship last week. Defensive Back Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks had an outstanding performance and is continuing to show the National Football League why he’s the best cover corner. The All-Pro defensive back out of Stanford University made the play of the game by deflecting a pass in the end zone that was intended for San Francisco wide receiver Michael Crabtree. It was intercepted by Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith which sealed the deal as Seattle was able to hold on and take home a huge win.

So, everyone is wondering will Peyton Manning retire if he wins the Superbowl? What do you think? In my opinion, I honestly don’t know. However, I think he should. The way Peyton has been playing, he seems to have some gas left in the tank; but, what else does he need to prove to people? Peyton Manning is a future Hall of Famer, he’s won countless awards for his hard work, and he displays a good image on and off the football field. Manning has over 64,964 career passing yards with a quarterback passer rating of 97.2. If Peyton wins Superbowl 48, he will be the only quarterback to start and win a Superbowl for two different teams. It can’t get any better than that if he actually makes it happen. With all due respect to Peyton Manning, if I were him, I’d retire. If he wins the Superbowl, he can leave on a positive note.

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Justin Bieber Arrested Because of Suspicious Activity (DUI, drag racing)

Posted on January 23, 2014 by joecool12

Justin Bieber was arrested on Thursday in the morning because he was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and also responsible for drag racing. Two SUVs were used to block streets in Miami, so Bieber could race in his yellow Lamborghini on the streets of Miami, in particular 26th and Pine Street.

I think that Bieber is just being himself. How the media hold celebrities responsible for being “goody two shoes” is stupid. Humans are humans, and even if they have to act a certain way to appeal to a certain audience member(s), in reality they will do other activities when they are not performing in public.

It is also very silly how parents and once again the media blames these celebrities for not being good role models for children. In my opinion, parents should be their children’s role models, not rely on a celebrity to inspire their children how to act or carry themselves in life. A true parent can set the way of life for their children, after all these parents do not truly know who these celebrities are as individuals. It is only what they see or hear on either the television or radio that allows them to understand somewhat who this celebrity is.

This is Bieber’s first time being arrested, and a police department said that they were investigating officers that were escorting Bieber’s caravan from strip clubs in Miami with authorization. Also not too long ago, as a matter of fact last week, sheriff deputies from Los Angeles had a search warrant to raid Bieber’s mansion concerning an investigation involving vandalism.

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Super Bowl XLVIII Showdown in the Meadowlands: But where is the Meadowlands?

Posted on January 22, 2014 by College of Sciences

As workers start on preparing Metlife stadium for the upcoming game, they now have logos to work with as the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos have earned the right to represent their conferences in the 48th playing of the NFL Superbowl.

While players following both games where photographed with Daily News covers that read “Start spreading the news! NEW YORK HERE WE COME!”, the paper flames up an old lingering issue.  Metlife stadium in the Meadowlands Sports Complex is not in New York; the Superbowl is NOT in New York.  The stadium has been located in East Rutherford New Jersey since 2010 and was predated by Giants stadium near the same location in 1976.

So the New York Giants and New York Jets play in New Jersey; why keep the New York name attached to the franchises then?  Marketing plays a big role in the ultimately false name.  While a good majority of fans are from the Garden State, New Jersey just doesn’t seem to roll off the tongue as well as New York.  The market for New York just carries a heavier economic benefit than to change it to New Jersey.  In an interview last September with NFL Network’s Melissa Stark, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie reiterated the issue saying “…they practice in New Jersey, they play in New Jersey; most of their players live in New Jersey.  There’s nothing left from New York about the Giants or the Jets, except for the name. It’s kinda odd that they’re called what they’re called. But, you know as long as everyone understands that they are New Jersey’s teams and that the Super Bowl this year is in New Jersey, not New York, then I’m fine.”  But the harsh reality is, when a “New Jersey” team wins the Super Bowl, the ticker-tape parade is held in lower Manhattan; not New Jersey.

This 38 year controversy culminates in 2 weeks with the first Superbowl played at a New Jersey venue.  Typically, the Superbowl is played in warmer regions, and never has their been snow during a Superbowl.  The New Jersey based stadium has a chance to host history with weather predictions coming in around freezing temperatures and chances of snow.  Rain, snow or shine there’s bound to be a great game at hand in the most watched sporting event in the U.S.  So tune in to see  the Denver Broncos take on a young Seattle team at Super Bowl XLVIII in New Jersey.

 

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Google planning to release special contacts for diabetics.

Posted on January 21, 2014 by maraya figueroa

It has recently been reported on various news stations and websites that Google Inc. is in the process of creating contacts that help people with diabetes check and track their blood sugar. This announcement has everyone stunned and curious. How is Google planning on accomplishing such a task through the use of contacts? The answer is quite amazing.

Google’s ambitious creation will track the users blood sugar levels through the use of their tears, saving diabetic patients from countless painful finger pricks just to check their blood sugar. Tears have been used before to test sugar levels, but has never been truly effective until now. Once the sugar levels have been tested, Google plans on implementing extremely small LED lights that will warn the user of their blood sugar is high or low.

Google has reported that this product is still very far from being released, as they require the help from medical partners and, the very difficult to obtain, clearance from the FDA. However Google has revealed that they do have a prototype and have conducted many tests so far.

If Google is able to receive the help they need and get approval from the FDA, they will not only help the daily lives of diabetics everywhere, but they will also be revolutionizing the medical world forever. As a diabetic patient, I speak for all of us when I say that I will be praying and hoping that such a revolutionary invention will be made available in the relatively near future.

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500 Million Miles from the Sun, German Probe Awakens

Posted on January 21, 2014 by earl m

A German comet-chasing probe named Rosetta has awoken after traveling for 31 months. The probe was set out to land on and analyze the ancient rocks of our universe.

German scientists at the European Space Agency received a signal from the probe, whose as far away as Jupiter, early Monday morning. The comet in particular that Rosetta is tracking is comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, whose path goes all the way around the sun. The estimated date that the comet should complete its analysis and orbit is in 2016.

So far, Rosetta has snapped photos of Earth, Mars, and other asteroids and has sense been in hibernation starting in May 2011. The spacecraft was launched on March 2, 2004 for a 10-year mission in which its goal was to reach the outer solar system and land on comet 67P.

Mission manager, Gerhard Schweh, told reporters “the spacecraft is there, it’s awake, and I think we are all overwhelmed.”

The scientist had mapped out the hibernating spacecrafts travels and knew that Rosetta would be awakening and making contact any day now. However, there is only a one hour window in which the signal could make contact with Earth and have it only take 45 minutes to travel from so many million miles away. A roar of celebration shook the space agency when they received Rosetta’s signal. Whats coming is now 2 years of research that the agency is eager to start.

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