Charlotte, NC

Man, how stupid can ya get?

I’m talkin’ about those Earnhardt-wannabes who were caught drag-racing on I-85 North.  Yes, they were arrested — and not a moment too soon:  As I understand it, the 19-year-old who was caught was already doin’ 87 mph, had no license, and (if that wasn’t bad enough) resisted arrest!  All that and reckless driving, too!

Look … in my travels throughout the US and Canada, I’ve seen quite a few draggers, and, usually, the end result is a helluva lot more tragic than just bein’ caught by police!  Most of these clowns aren’t usin’ seat-belts anyway (hmph … they think it takes away from the thrill), so, apparently, they don’t mind if, when they hit someone head-on, their face goes through the windshield and ends up lookin’ like thawed pizza (WHOA!! A little rough?? Gotta calls ‘em like I sees ‘em.  Besides, I have seen a couple like that …).

In some jurisdictions, they have an unusual sentence for anyone caught and convicted of drag racing — and, quite frankly, I think the courts oughtta adopt this idea (why?  ‘Cause it works!!):
Whenever a person’s been caught and convicted of drag racing, he or she should have to visit, under police escort, a morgue.  There, they would view the body of victim of a severe auto-accident, prior to its preparation.

Then, again under escort, they’d have to attend the funeral of a child who was killed in a severe auto-accident.  After the funeral, they would return to the courthouse to be lectured by officers who’ve witnessed crash scenes, victims and their families.

Harsh?  Maybe so.  But, remember:  I’ve seen two crashes that resulted from “drag racing” (fortunately, neither was on an Interstate), and, in one case, viewed the victim myself (thankfully, there wasn’t a child involved).  And, in jurisdictions where the “sentence” I just described has been handed down, they see a reduction in these shenanigans … in fact, i reckless driving as a whole.

Look … if it saves one life, it’s worth it, right??

HAPPY NEW YEAR, CHARMECK!! If there’s one sentence that describes the beginning of ‘09 it’s the catchphrase from Monty Python:

“And now for something completely different …”

Now, most folks have made at least one resolution, right?? But, y’know, sometimes, these can come as a result of lessons learned in the year that’s just passed. One of my very first resolutions was made on December 31, years ago (and, fortunately, became an indelible part of this old bird’s psyche).
It was borne from an incident that happened on my birthday that year. That being said, here’s the Double-E’s New Years story:

LIFE and the REAR-VIEW MIRROR …

Remember your very first car? It was usually a sign that your folks finally trusted you enough to have some personal freedom and responsibility. Mine was an old 1966 Ford Fairlane — an olive green machine that ran as rough as it looked.
Oh, it was fine sitting in the driveway, but on the road, if something didn’t “clink,” “clank” or “clunk,” it fell off! And, whenever I went out for a spin, the vibration from the car shook my rear-view mirror, throwing it off-center. It seemed that, every other mile, I had to try and fix it while driving.

One Sunday afternoon shortly after getting the car, I came close to colliding with someone while I was busy trying to do just that. When I got home, I parked the car and stomped into the house, where my parents were watching TV. “Oh, THANKS, Dad,” I snapped in sarcastic frustration. “THAT car runs BEAUTIFULLY!” Then I told him about the mirror and the near-accident.
He listened intently, then, as mama reached over to turn the TV down, he asked, “You mean you were more concerned with that blamed MIRROR than you were with what was in FRONT of you?” Now feeling both embarrassed and a bit ashamed, I nodded my head “yes”.
He and mama looked at each other as he continued, “Son, you should’ve gotten that thing fixed before you went out!” Then mama added, “Besides, nobody can get where they’re going if they’re always looking at where they’ve been.” As daddy smiled at the wisdom of her statement, I stood there, thinking about it.

Concentrating on the past is like driving while focusing only on your rear-view mirror. It doesn’t take long before you end up with an accident! Just as you’d watch the road in front of you to drive safely, the only way to move ahead in any endeavor is to focus on what’s ahead … and don’t look back!

Of the Top Forty things that causes depression, retrospection — the “shoulda, woulda, coulda, didn’t” factor — tops the charts. Of course, qualified counselors and psychotherapists will occasionally use that as part of a successful therapy, but, otherwise, we need to get away from it as fast as possible! You see, it’s nothing but thought-poison! Living in the past while wanting a happy, progressive life is like wanting a smooth, fizzy soft drink — but drinking water out of the toilet!

The past is something we’ve experienced, but there’s no way to go back and change it. It’s gone. Let’s put it this way: When we’ve put our trash on the curb for pickup by the city, we let it go! We don’t run after the trash truck yelling “WAIIIIIIT!” We move on …

“Moving on” also means changing our way of thinking a bit. There’s a popular and appropriate saying these days: “If you keep thinking what you always thought, you’ll keep getting what you always got.”
If we’re constantly dwelling in the past, and they’re negative memories, then we’ll keep battering our emotional selves and NEVER move into any sort of wellness! Rev. Leroy Boyd (from Tirzah, S.C.) told me that “dwelling on the past is like walking through the devil’s back yard at midnight. You’re either gonna wake him up or step in something that’ll make you stink!”
Look — we can’t change the past, and it’d be foolhardy to try and relive it. But it’s easy to become retrospective in our thought process. The words “If only I had done …” or “I should’ve/would’ve/could’ve/didn’t”, or just a simple reflection on past situations can depress us and cause us to lose focus on those things we really need.

Now, when we’re lookin’ ahead at the ‘09 in Crown Town and vicinity, we’ve gotta make sure that we’re focused on what we’ve got before us. I’ve run across people from Fort Mill to Kannapolis who’ve said “If she’d just … we’d've had …” or “I wish this hadn’t happened …” or “(fill in the space) did this-or-that … and I miss …”. Hey … remember the resolution part: Do your best to make the best out of every situation NOW, and you can avoid most negative responses!

Okay … now, go on and enjoy the rest of this first day of 2009. Hope it’s a fantastic and optimistic year for you all!

Hey … what’s a New Year without ‘em, huh?? Well, if you’re havin’ a hard time makin’ ‘em, let Double-E help(’member? Now the Electric Eagle? I left the Relic behind in the old year …).

But, first, this breaking story:
The U.S. Postal Service just announced that a series of stamps are gonna be released August 11 to honor the old black and white television shows of the past. Among them: The Dinah Shore Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, Red Skelton Show, Steve Allen’s Tonight Show, The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet (son Ricky Nelson does not appear on that one), I Love Lucy, Dragnet, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Burns & Allen, Hopalong Cassidy, The Honeymooners, Howdy Doody, Kukla Fran and Ollie, Lassie, The Lone Ranger, Perry Mason, The Phil Silvers Show, Texaco Star Theater and The Twilight Zone.
Hmph … it’s about time! If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the old shows we watched on BTV and SOC, it’s that ya can’t beat quality!

NOW … THE RESOLUTIONS (actually, they’re called AFFIRMATIONS here):

As I read these the first time, it seemed obvious that these could help anyone! So jot ‘em down:

1. As I let go of my feelings of guilt, I am in touch with my inner sociopath.

2. I have the power to channel my imagination into ever-soaring levels of suspicion and paranoia.

3. I assume full responsibility for my actions, except the ones that are someone else’s fault.

4. In some cultures what I do would be considered normal.

5. My intuition nearly makes up for my lack of wisdom and judgment.

6. I need not suffer in silence while I can still moan, whimper, and complain.

7. When someone hurts me, I know that forgiveness is cheaper than a lawsuit, but not nearly as rewarding.

8. I am at one with my duality.

9. Blessed are the flexible, for they can tie themselves in knots.

10. I will strive to live each day as if it were my 50th birthday.

11. I honor and express all facets of my being, regardless of state and local laws.

12. Today I will gladly share my experience and advice, for there are no sweeter words than “I told you so!”

13. A scapegoat is almost as good as a solution.

14. Just for today, I will not sit in my living room all day in my underwear. Instead, I will move my computer into the bedroom.

15. I will no longer waste my time reliving the past; I will spend it worrying about the future?

16. The complete lack of evidence is the surest proof that the conspiracy is working.

17. Before I criticize a man, I walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he’s a mile away and barefoot.

Okay … with those bein’ said, and th’ clock tickin’, lemme wish for you and yours and theirs and mine and ours and others a GREAT year comin’ up (hey … it’s just as good as we wanna make it, right??).

So …

C’mon, 2009 — hit us with yer best shot!

Since we’re comin’ down toward the end of the year, why not leave it with some good news for a change? Ya with me?
Great. Well, here’s the first installment:

It happened just before Christmas: Searchers had combed the brutal backcountry of rural Ontario, Canada for the housewife from the city of Hamilton, who had left her home three days earlier in the middle of a blizzard to grocery shop.

With his search-and-rescue dog Ace, Ray Lau tramped through the thick, ice-covered brush of a farmer’s field that Monday, not far from where Donna Molnar’s van had been found a day earlier.

He kept thinking: Negative-20 winds? This is a search for a body!

“Then, oh, all of a sudden, Ace bolted off,” Lau said. “He stooped and looked down at the snow and just barked, barked, barked.” Lau rushed to his Dutch shepherd’s side.

“There she was, there was Donna, her face was almost totally covered except for one eye staring back at me!” he said. “There was a thousand thoughts going through my head. It was over the top.”

With one ungloved hand near her neck, Molnar, 55, mumbled and tried to scream as Lau yelled to other rescuers. Dressed in a leather coat, sweater, slacks and winter boots, Molnar was carefully pulled from a 3-foot-deep mound of snow that had apparently helped to insulate her.

Then, rescuers got their second shock.

“She was lucid, and said, ‘Wow. I’ve been here a long time!’ and then she apologized and said, ‘I just wanted to take a walk, I’m sorry to have caused you any trouble,’ “ said Staff Sgt. Mark Cox of the Hamilton Police Department, one of the leaders in the hunt. “And we’re all thinking this is incredible, this is really something. I’ve been doing search and rescue for seven years, and this is the wildest case I’ve had in finding someone alive,” he said.

She was rushed to a hospital and immediately sedated to begin the agonizing steps of hypothermia treatment.

“I think the snow must have worked to trap her body heat, and that’s what really saved her,” Cox said. “This really speaks to what’s possible.”

David Molnar is understandably calling his wife’s survival his “Christmas miracle.” Especially …

especially when her body temp at extraction was only thirty degrees!!!

He wasn’t able to speak with her immediately after she was taken to the hospital. But while she was under sedation, he leaned over her and whispered in her ear, “Welcome back, I love you.”

“My wife, you know, doesn’t pump iron. She is strong physically and spiritually,” he said. “When people say to me how do I explain how she survived, I said I believe God reached down and cradled her until the rescuers could find her, because there’s no rational explanation.”

In addition to hypothermia, Donna Molnar is being treated for severe frostbite, and her recovery will take months.

Now … who says that visits from angels, Christ, and miracles don’t exist? (I’m referring to the infant in Presbyterian Hospital whom I wrote about a few posts ago).

GOTTA STAND FOR TV

Have you ever gotten a cool-looking LCD TV, with clear screen and great sound and set it on some kind of stand — just to have it collapse on ya? (This happened to a friend of mine this past Christmas!)
Well, you won’t have to worry about that anymore — especially if you click on the link I’m about to give you!
You see, not only do they have a fantastic assortment of stands, but also TV lifts for the foot of your bed, so you can watch in maximum comfort; they also have other lift mechanisms, cabinets and more!
They even have measurement guides, in-home delivery, great prices and a superb guarantee!
Now, with the weather gettin’ a colder and (as of now) snow or rain pelting everybody, it seems, it only makes sense to visit the folks who can provide you with the best tv stand you could ever hope for! You’ll be amazed at what you see!!

Well, let’s face it … there isn’t much hope that a theme park, whether it’s a Hard Rock park or something else, will open in 2009 in Fantasy Harbor.

The Hard Rock Park, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection three months ago, is still looking for a buyer — with no luck.

An auction earlier this month with a minimum bid of $35 million failed to attract a winning buyer, according to court documents saying the park is still actively trying to find a buyer.

Public officials say the park would need millions in upgrades, including new rides, and marketing, and wouldn’t reopen until 2010. Months ago, a Hard Rock Park spokesman said the park couldn’t open in 2009 without a new owner.

If nobody buys the park, it’ll probably go into liquidation (the infamous “Chapter 7″ bankruptcy), or the judge could dismiss the case and those whom the park owed could foreclose on –or repossess — the property.
There’s already talk of turning into a residential/commercial district, a shopping strip-mall or property for condos and/or other housing.

Mark Lazarus, who owns Wild Water and Wheels in Surfside Beach, said he wants to see the park work, because it will draw more attention to all of Myrtle Beach’s entertainment venues. But he says it’ll take someone with some pretty deep pockets.

“To me, it never had the real right mix of rides in it, and it’s going to need some tweaking, and that takes money,” he said. “I certainly hope that somebody can come in and resurrect it and make a go at it, I do. I think it would be great for our whole economy.”

Hey … parks come and go, and it’s a cryin’ shame that this one did; but, remember, rock-n-roll (be it hard, soft, pop, Brit, alt or any other) will never die!

ABOUT MESOTHELIOMA

A few years ago, a national push began to remove all asbestos from schools, offices, homes and the like.  There’s a good reason for it; constant contact with the stuff can cause a terrible cancer called mesothelioma. It destroys the mesothelium, the serous membranes that surround many of the body’s vital organs — membranes that secrete a lubricant that provides easy movement of the internal organs.

If you or a loved one has this cancer, the link I’m about to give you will be of a tremendous help to you.  Even if you or yours don’t have mesothelioma, this is your chance to become well-informed about it!  I’ve seen a few of these cases personally (in my visits to Kentucky for the wrestling show), and I’m sure that, if you asked the hospitals, you’ll find it’s not uncommon here!

The site will give you so much information about the disease, along with pertinent news updates, recommended reading, clinical trials of different meds used to treat it, and much, much more.  You’ll even find treatment options and a state-by-state doctor search!

So, if you or a loved one has this cancer, or you just want to learn more about mesothelioma, just click that link, okay? You’ll be glad you did …

I know the title of this sounds a little odd, but think about it for a moment: Across our country, there are literally thousands of new homeless people — victims of either the economic crunch, foreclosures, or both.

For years, the homeless have been criticized, ostracized and categorized as lazy, shiftless and drunks who are too irresponsible to work or maintain a residence. This, Charlotteans, is B.S.!! I oughtta know; I was homeless at one time in my own adult life!
Yes, there are shelters to take them in (for example, the Uptown Shelter here in town). But they’re becoming full, thanks, in part, to the economy.
And it’s not just “poor” folk who are applying to these shelters; now you’ll find middle class and above … those who once “had”, but lost it all …

As the harshest of winter may be yet to come, and our population grows while the economy is still trying to break out of this rut it’s in, we can be thankful for the assistance programs we have in the city (e.g., Dove’s Nest, Crisis Assistance Ministries, Salvation Army, Goodwill), as well as some of the most benevolent churches and individuals in the United States.

So, as we turn our thoughts toward the New Year and the hope of a better tomorrow with the new Administration, let’s not forget those who are on the streets. And NEVER be judgmental about them! Remember the old saying? There but for the grace of God go I?

After all, these are human beings, too … and have a soul and heart that can be lifted to become better and happier … more hopeful … in this city of ours!

TOO MUCH TO HANDLE?

Whether you’re in a get-your-hands-dirty job or not, chances are you’re still looking for something to make the material you’re working with a little easier to handle. For example, if you’ve got items that have to be lifted by cantilever or need a box dumper for large amounts of scrap, then you know how rough it can be without the right equipment!
Fortunately, the link that I’m gonna give you in a moment will take you to the folks who can provide you with exactly what you’re looking for! They not only have the best equipment to handle any large loads, but controls, clamps, hardware and much more!
They’ve been in business for 60 years now, and their track record for quality, durability and price are second-to-none!
So, for the best in material handling equipment, just click on that link you just passed! If you wanna save time, effort … and money … this is the place you’ll want to visit!

I’ll bet the cardiac unit at Presbyterian Hospital could tell ya this, but:

DIDJA KNOW that one out of every five people recovering from a heart attack is still having chest pain a year afterward?  That’s what a new US study is saying.
The Archives of Internal Medicine reported some suffered angina every day, despite bypass surgery.
A team from Colorado University quizzed nearly 2,000 patients and say that it’s linked to smoking  — even depression in some cases.

Chest pain, or angina, is a common symptom of heart disease, but doctors expect some heart attack patients to continue to have it, regardless of efforts to treat their underlying disease.

The team looked at the progress of 1,957 patients, who filled in questionnaires a year after their heart attack. All told, 19.9% of the patients said they still had angina pain one year after their attack, and although this was once a week or less for most, 1.2% of them had daily pain.

Those most likely to have chest pain were younger men who had undergone heart bypass operations, or men who smoked or had depressive symptoms. The researchers said these links might help doctors monitor “at risk” patients.
A spokesman for the British Heart Foundation, who keenly studies the findings,  said:  “Targeted services for these people - such as helping them quit smoking - may help to improve the quality of life and health of heart patients by alleviating or preventing angina”.

Needless to say, this can be of tremendous help to everyone — not just here in the Queen City, but around the world! The bottom line here:  If you need help in treating smoking habits, depression or both, just reach out to your doctor.  He (or she) will be glad to refer you to someone who can help if they can’t!

LIGHTING UP … THE BATHROOM!

Everybody spends quite a bit of time in the bathroom every day — whether for showers/baths, makeup, washing hair, getting stuff from the linen closet or … well, “other” duties.
But wouldn’t it be great if our bathroom lighting was as warm and welcome as that in other rooms of the house?  And if that lighting gave superb illumination to prevent falls or slips?

Well, there’s one place that not only offers the best and most beautiful in lighting fixtures for your loo (British for “bathroom”), but at great prices, too!  And you can select your favorite finishes, brands, styles and applications (2 bulbs? 3? 4 or more?) … and even your own price range!

On top of all that, you get secure shopping, no sales tax since you live here in Charlotte and free shipping (if your order’s over $75.00)!

By now, I know you must be interested, so why not click the link that’ll take you to the best bathroom lighting you’d ever want?
Believe me, you’ll “see” what I’m talking about when you get there!! So make your bathroom a place of beauty and click there now!

Well, it looks like the people have spoken …

A new national poll shows that three out of four Americans feel he’s leaving not a moment too soon.
Seventy-five percent of those questioned (it was a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey) released Friday said they’re glad Bush is going (hey … twenty-eight percent of those said President Bush is the worst president in U.S. history); only 23 percent said they’d miss him.

“Earlier this year, Bush scored some of the lowest presidential approval ratings we’ve seen in half a century, so it’s understandable that the public is eager for a new president to step in,” the polling director, Keating Holland, said.
And CNN’s senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, added, “As President Bush prepares to leave office, the American public has a parting thought: Good riddance. At least that’s the way three-quarters feel.”

Now, compare that with the 51 percent who said they wouldn’t miss President Bill Clinton when he left office in January 2001. Forty-five percent of those questioned at that time said they would miss Clinton.
So it obviously shows that Bush compares poorly with his presidential predecessors.

Only a third of those who were polled said they hope he’ll remain active in public life after he leaves the White House. Still, that’s 22 points lower than those in 2001 who wanted Bill Clinton to retain a public role.

What’s your take on President (for now) George W. Bush? Either leave a comment or email me and let me know. (NOTE: Many of the comments I’ve received of late have been rude or downright vulgar, no matter which post they were directed to. I will NOT accept any of those at ANY time!

TRUCKING ALONG

Have you ever tried to move yourself or your family through winding roads, over mountains or other “iffy” terrain? I have … and, let me tell you, it’s no fun!
So I’ve learned of a place that’ll have drivers pack and move you professionally, with extreme care of your belongings (including your vehicle) — and at great savings to you!
You see, when you drive your own rental truck, you’re not only responsible for the packing, lifting, etc., but also for the space you don’t use (meaning, money out of your pocket!).
And what about the stress? Suppose you were driving, say, from Charlotte, up toward Hickory, around Grandfather’s Mountain (and those winding roads), to some other town? You’d be tied in knots wondering how things were in the bed of the truck, right?
There are so many advantages to letting the “pros” do it … and, when you click on the link that’ll take you to the best in truck rental, you’ll see what I mean.
So, if you’re planning to move anytime in the near future, trust me: It’ll be worth your time to click on that link! You’ll find they’ll be more helpful than you’d ever expect …

Was it a holiday miracle … or optical illusion?

A Charlotte family says it’s an angel that came to watch over their sick daughter, Chelsea, who was born five weeks premature and wasn’t expected to live.

Colleen Banton says she was sitting by her daughter at Presbyterian hospital in Charlotte when the image first appeared on a monitor. Suddenly, Chelsea’s heart rate went up and her condition improved!

Chelsea is now home in time to enjoy the holidays! The family says that’s what matters, whether you believe in angels or not.

Now, I reported that to say this:

If you’ll check back into hospital archives, you’ll find quite a few people who say that angels — or Christ Himself — were in the room when they were undergoing surgeries, at death’s door, or whatever. In fact, I have a close friend who saw his grandmother (who died in 1990) at his bedside when he was undergoing a serious operation.

Listen … miracles do happen, folks! Who are we to dispute whether there are angels, past loved ones or whomever sitting at our bedside — or with us right now? Just because it’s normally unseen to the naked eye, does it mean it’s not real??

Personally, I believe Mrs. Banton. And what more wonderful Christmas gift than that of life itself!

THE RIGHT 7%

Now, what that means is that, while you’re trying to take off those extra pounds you added from the holiday dinner (or any other time), 93% of the so-called “fat-burners” you see advertised so heavily (pardon the pun) don’t work!
But, by clicking the link you’re about to see, you’ll find a review of twenty-five that are known to work! Not only will you get the scoop on their effectiveness, but these folks also find the best prices of these diet supplements! You can study each one and determine which one is right for you!
With 2009 just a breath away, why not take a moment to click on the link that’ll take you to the best in fat burner reviews? You could be on your way to a sleeker, slimmer, more fit “you”! And that’s a pretty good resolution!

Okay … if you get stuck uptown today, don’t say I didn’t warn you!  Y’see, a load of fans are expected uptown at The Square (Trade and Tryon Streets, for you newbies) for a pep rally.  It’ll be from 11 AM to 6:30 PM, but the roads are gonna be closed from 7 AM to 10 PM!

Now, what it’s all about is the big football game comin’ up between our Tarheels and WVU.  It starts at 1 P.M on Saturday at the Bank of America Stadium (I know people from both sides of the tracks, so don’t go askin’ questions … well, at least not until UNC-CH tromps ‘em good!). Oh … and it’s called the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

(awww, okay … I’ll answer one: I was up in the area a coupla weeks back for a wrestling show, and heard ‘em talkin’ about this game.  They said they were gonna beat our (heh-heh!) ‘redneck butts’!  Man, talk about the pot callin’ the kettle black!)
There are a lot of alternate routes to take on Friday, but remember:  They’re gonna be flockin’ in from every part of the Queen City, so get an early start on your drivin’ to avoid the heavier traffic!

Santa Claus may be able to fly around the world in a sleigh, but even he can’t cross North American airspace without NORAD (North American Air Defense Command) knowing about it.
For more than a half-century, this joint American-Canadian venture that keeps this continent safe against aerial attack has used its technology to follow Santa’s journey and provide real-time updates on his location to children worldwide.

The North Warning System, a network of 47 radars strung across the continent’s northernmost frontier, tells NORAD when St. Nick takes off from the North Pole. Infrared satellites track the jolly old elf’s flight path once he’s airborne.
“The satellites actually pick up an infrared signature from Rudolph’s nose,” Navy Lt. Desmond James says.

Once he touches down, a little-known network of surveillance cameras called “Santa Cams” transmit images of Santa making deliveries. This network went online 10 years ago,
and NORAD officials swear it’s used only on Christmas Eve.

HOW IT STARTED

Sears-Roebuck had put an ad in the local paper listing Santa’s phone number, but the number was misprinted. Instead of ringing the department store, it rang a national defense operations center.
A technician got the first call, and rather than being a Scrooge, he told the tyke, “Let me check the radar.”

A tradition was born.

In the half century since, NORAD has expanded and updated the program, which provides updates in seven languages. “We added the online component ten years ago,” James says. “And today, Google software outputs images from the Santa Cams, and Google Maps and Google Earth, we can track Santa Claus’ trajectory.”

Now your child can keep an eye on where Santa is, and if he’s close to your house. Just click on the noradsanta.org website.

Okay … we’ve got more comin’ up in less than 24 hours. So keep it right here, and remember …

When ya see the shadow crossing … the Eagle’s in the air!”

DRIVERS, SLOW DOWN THIS SEASON!

Over the Christmas holidays (including New Year’s Eve and Day), the Highway Patrol will be out in force conducting DWI checkpoints and strictly enforcing state DWI laws. The HP will add more troopers on the interstates and other heavily traveled highways, and for good reason:

Y’see, last year, 27 people were killed and 1,118 injured during the week between the two Holidays. The primary cause: speeding.

“Holiday travel can be very dangerous on our highways if people don’t obey the laws and use common sense when they travel,” Highway Patrol Col. Walter Wilson said.

During the holiday week, they’ll participate in the state’s “Booze It and Lose It” campaign and the national Combined Accident Reduction Effort (CARE). The checkpoints will be set up throughout the state that week.

The patrol is urging motorists to buckle up, slow down and allow plenty of time for traveling. They can use cell phones to report safety hazards to the Highway Patrol by dialing “HP” toll free.

CHRISTMAS MEWS

To most of us, there was no doubt: The pitiful little remains in the bag they found near the Anthony home were those of little Caylee. And, last week, word from Orange Country ME Dr. Jan Garavaglia, proved us right …
Nonetheless, it still tore everybody up; not just the deed, but that it was an innocent, two-year-old (at the time of her abduction) child who was cruelly murdered at the hands of …

who, exactly?? That’s what we’re waiting to find out from investigators. As it stands now, it appears Tot Mo — er, biological mother Casey Anthony is the sole killer; but will the results show an accomplice? Were her parents, boyfriend(s) — anyone else involved?

Stay tuned for the latest on this case, which is developing more turns than a pretzel …

BLAGOJEVICHIN’ Didja see that half-cocked “announcement” made by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (he of “Honest Roddy’s Used Senate Seat Emporium”)?
Man, that sucker could fake his way outta anything! Oh, I know … he sounded sincere, but … well, did anybody think to check out his body language while he was talkin’?

He was hopping and twisting around like he was in severe need of a bathroom break! His eyes looked like those of a kid whose mom had just caught him with his hand in the cookie jar!
Now, news reports have already told of his impulsiveness and anger (including choice ‘&*!@’ words at times), so how can anybody buy his excuses?

Legally, the state Senate can still proceed with impeachment hearings against him. For the sake of the state’s political reputation, it’s the least they can do.

THERE AUTO BE SOME RELIEF NOW

The recent bail-out of the General Motors and Chrysler Corporations (it was also offered to Ford, but they said [bless 'em] they didn’t need it) can (I said “can) mean a boost for other companies as well.

AK Steel in Kentucky had to lay off hundreds of workers, due in part to the flagging auto industry; Firestone, Goodyear and other tire and rubber plants, the same; glass manufacturers, parts warehouses, etc. — many of whom have had to go “belly-up” (if only partly) due to the near-demise of the car crunch — may benefit from the effects of this bail-out (as long as GM/Chrysler keep their part of the bargain).

So, though the price tag is still pretty steep, maybe it’s providing a little “light at the end of the tunnel” after all!

IF MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECTLY …

then my PC should be running okay. But, all too often, it becomes bogged down with so many downloads, songs, articles and such that I need more memory for it!
Actually, it’s one of the best ways to improve performance as well as speed! Now, you can go to a big computer-repair places for a memory component (and maybe be charged an arm-and-a-leg for one you’re not familiar with) or you can click the link I’m about to give you! It’ll take you to a spot where you can not only buy your own component, but at a much lower price! And they have such a selection that you’re bound to find a component that’ll fit your computer’s needs exactly!
In fact, you can even show them what price range and memory capacity you want, and they’ll provide you with a tailor-made selection. In many cases, you also get free shipping included!
So, if your PC’s dragging and you need a boost in speed and performance, just click on this link for the best in computer memory.
When you see your music playing smoothly, your downloads running a lot quicker and your games more playable, you’ll really be glad you did!

Over the past two weeks, we’ve read or heard about the number of pedestrians that’ve been hit in our area. Whether it was on Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Milton Road or on a road in South Carolina (where a man was “relieving himself”!), it’s still a terrifying experience for both victim (if he/she lives through it) and the driver who hit the victim!

Listen — there are certain “rules of the road” that can help drivers miss these pedestrians (like being sure you’re driving at a slower speed through heavily-populated neighborhoods, scanning the road ahead of you where possible for any sign of “walkers” and, especially, watching out for cars parked on the side of the road! You can’t tell if a man or woman [or, worse, a child] will step out between bumpers of two parked cars!) just as there are for pedestrians to help drivers (such as wearing light clothing or jacket [preferably white or bright yellow], staying at least two feet away from the road itself where possible and being aware of any and all traffic coming!).

By following these simple steps (and there are so many others, I’m sure), we can make this a safe and happy holiday for everyone. No one wants to be in the hospital — or worse — at Christmas, right?

IPOD, YOUPOD?

Being a music lover, I can tell ya that one of the most invaluable little gadgets on the market is the Ipod. Now, what this is (as if you didn’t already know!) is a palm-sized, electronic device primarily created to play music.
They’re extremely portable, and can carry more tunes than a CD or cassette. Now, there’s one out called the “Ipod nano” that also can let you enjoy movies and TV shows — and all on a two-inch display!
And there’s one spot where you can buy these at a lower price than most (if not all) retail outlets. It has a fantastic selection and also has a great low-price guarantee as well as nifty gift certificates for those on your list!
Considering the weather (it’s gettin’ colder!), one of the best things about shopping with these folks (I’ll give ya the link to click in just a moment) is that you can do it online and securely!
Quality, price, selection, guarantee — what more could you ask for? Then just click the following link to find the best in ipods. Believe me, it’s worth it!