Did your neighbor stay warm during the winter? Do they have lights at night? In this time of economic recession, it is important for all of us to pitch in and help each other. That is why utility companies, local churches and non-profit agencies have joined efforts to give you the opportunity to do your share. Complete and sign a pledge card with the amount you wish to add to your payment each month. Pledge cards can be found at your local electric company. Your donation, no matter how large or small, will make a difference in the life of one of your neighbors. For more information, call your local electric company or contact Jeannie Wallace at 256-279-0046.
Sand Mountain cancer victim needs help
Kathy Ballou of Albertville is a young mother of two. Two years ago she was diagnosed with myeleodysplasia syndrome, a form of cancer that requires her to travel regularly to Birmingham for treatment. With an income of just $600 a month, the cost of travel takes up a lot of the household budget. Nancy Chandler, a friend of the family, is accepting cash donations on behalf of the family. For more information, call 256-878-9090.
Spectacular view of the International Space Station
As America celebrates its 233rd birthday this weekend, there will be an extra light in the sky along with the fireworks. Across the country, Americans will be treated to spectacular views of the International Space Station as it orbits 220 miles above Earth. Many locations will have unusually long sighting opportunities of as much as five minutes, weather permitting as the staiton flies almost directly overhead. It will be brighter than most stars at dawn and dusk, appearing as a solid, glowing light, slowly traversing the sky. It moves across the sky too fast for conventional telescopes, but a good set of binoculars can enhance the viewing experience, even revealing some detail of the station's structure. The station circles Earth every 90 minutes. To find out when you can see the station from your city, visit
Enter the Oscar Mayer "Top Our Best Dog Contest" for a chance to win a Labor Day grill-out. Submit a photo showing how you top an Oscar Mayer Jumbo Beef Frank along with your favorite hot dog memory to www.hotdoggerblog.com. Oscar Mayer will choose one "lucky dog" to receive a Labor Day cookout complete with a visit from the Wienermobile, a top-of-the-line grill, and a year's supply of hot dogs.
Frank Facts About Franks
Americans will eat more than estimated 7 billion hot dogs between Memorial Day and Labor Day, with more than 150 million consumed on July 4th alone, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. But what will top all those dogs? Oscar Mayer conducted a survey to find out how Americans like to dress their dogs:
Among the 10 markets surveyed, mustard (77%) was the No. 1 hot dog topping, followed by ketchup (58%), onions (50%), relish (47%) and chese (41%).
Nearly 40% of men and 45% of women said that backyard cookouts are their favorite summer hot dog eating occasion, while 34% of men and 44% of women said they don't need a special occasion; they eat hot dogs all summer long.
More than half of Americans plan to have more hot dogs at cookouts or family gatherings due to the economy.
Toll House cookie dough recalled,
linked to e. coli
Two federal agencies warned consumers Friday not to eat raw Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough. The company said it is recalling an estimated 300,000 cases of the dough as a precaution after reports of food-borne illness in 28 states.
They advise consumers to throw out all prepackaged, refrigerated Nestle Toll House cookie dough products. Retailers and restaurateurs should not sell or serve any Toll House cookie dough products, the agencies said.
The recall does not include already-baked Toll House cookies, varieties of Toll House morsels, chocolate baking bars or cocoa or Dreyer's and Edy's ice cream products with Nestle Toll House cookie
Smack Down. You just knew this was coming. The folks at PETA --People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals-- are miffed at PRESIDENT OBAMA for smacking a fly during an interview that aired on CNBC this past Wednesday. PETA spokesman BRUCE FREIDRICH said, "We believe that people, where they can be compassionate, should be, for all animals." So to help the leader of the free world, PETA has reportedly sent the president a "humane" bug catching device, see below. Warning: Never eat at a PETA member's house, since they obviously don't exterminate. Attention PETA: You are People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, not People for the Ethical Treatment of Insects. If you haven't noticed, a fly is an insect.
From the PETA Catalog website ethical gift collection:
Humane Bug Catcher' Are you the kind of person who wouldn't hurt a fly? Is your motto "live and let live," even when it comes to tiny, six-legged, uninvited house guests? Then the Katcha Bug Humane Bug Catcher is for you! Simply place Katcha Bug over the bug and slowly slide its plastic trapdoor shut. The bug will step onto the trapdoor as it closes, and you can carry Katcha Bug outside, where all you need to do is slide the trap door open, allowing the bug to walk away. You'll have no problem catching even large spiders with this handy gadget. Katcha Bug measures 9 inches in length, so you won't have to get too close for comfort.
Item Number: HP220 Price: $8.00
You might also like ourHumane 'Smart' Mousetrap.
Man finds Jesus in coffee cup stain
A New York state man says he discovered a coffee stain in the shape of Jesus Christ's face on the inside of a mason jar drinking mug. Jerry Stolfi of Ravena, said he noticed the image, which is smaller than a square inch, of Jesus' face wearing the crown of thorns after finishing a cup of coffee April 29 and has since kept the mug carefully stored in a cupboard that has been re-dubbed a "shrine. "It doesn't smell, though, and I will never be washing it," he said. Stolfi said not everyone sees the same image when they look at the glass. "It's 50-50," he said. "I don't blame those that don't see the image. I saw it straight off the bat." The former alter boy and aspiring playwright said he has no plans to attempt to profit from the stain, but his girlfriend convinced him to share it with the world as a message of hope. "You don't hear about an image like this coming to everybody every day," he said. "It's so rare. He selected me for some reason."
World Statistics Updated in Real Time
Interesting website if you want to find out world population, how many bicycles were sold this year, how many email messages were sent today, how many obese people in the world, how many people died of hunger today, and much more.
Consumers are being warned to stop using three over-the-counter cold remedy products due to their links with anosmia, or the loss of the sense of smell. The FDA says the condition is associated with Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs and the discontinued product Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size. The loss of smell from using the medications can be long-term or permanent. According to the FDA, more than 130 reports of anosmia have been linked to the Zicam items. Many who experienced loss of smell say it occurred with the first dose of the product, while others report it took place after multiple uses. Those who have suffered anosmia or other problems after using the Zicam products are being advised to contact a health official. That can also be done through the FDA's MedWatch program online or at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Shoe Robber
A fox has been unmasked as the mystery thief of more than 100 shoes in the small western German town of Foehren, authorities said Friday. A forest worker stumbled upon shoes strewn near the fox's den and found a trove of footwear down the hole which had recently been stolen overnight from outside locals' front doors. "There was everything from ladies' shoes to trainers," said a local police spokesman. "We've found between 110 and 120 so far. It seems a vixen stole them for her cubs to play with." Although many were missing laces, the shoes were in good condition and their owners were delighted to reclaim them, he said, adding that no reprisals were planned against the culprit.
Guilty Pleasures.
Freebies for choco-holics! The Mars Real Chocolate Relief Act offers free, full-sized samples of Mars chocolate, product discounts and coupons around a "Free Chocolate Fridays" theme.
Now through September, Mars will give away up to seven million full-size packages of M&M's, Snickers, Milky Way, Twix, Dove and 3 Musketeers bars in the U-S.
Get one of 250,000 coupons every Friday at 8 a.m. CST to 10:59 a.m. CST by visiting RealChocolate.com. Coupons are snail-mailed and distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each coupon is redeemable for any full-size Mars real chocolate product and limited to one per person, per week.
Click on links above and below to help feed hungry shelter dogs and cats.
marshallcosheriff.org
Rolling Stone has called it "the most famous event in rock history." The Woodstock Music and Art Fair, on a 600-acre farm in the township of Bethel, New York, from August 15-18, 1969, represents more than a peaceful gathering of 500,000 people. FUN 92.7 celebrates the 40th anniversary of 3 days of peace and music with your chance to win a special collector's edition CD of one of the featured Woodstock artists including Jefferson Airplane, Sly & The Family Stone, Janis Joplin, Santana and Johnny Winter.
One entry per person. Must be 18 to enter. Winners will be randomly selected from all eligible entries and announced daily during the Fun House morning show, 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Winners will also be notified by telephone and must pick up their prize at WAFN-FM, 981 N. Brindlee Mountain Parkway, Arab, AL within 10 days of award or prize will be forfeit .
The winning continues as we're stimulating the FUN this summer with family four packs to area attractions, music CDs and more. Here's a list of winners in our current on-line contest.
First cases of novel H1N1 influenza identified in Etowah and Mobile counties
The Alabama Department of Public Health has identified 14 new cases of novel H1N1 influenza, including the first cases identified in Etowah and Mobile counties. This brings the total number of probable and confirmed cases in the state to 55.
Of all probable and confirmed cases, 32 individuals are residents of Madison County, seven of Jefferson County, six of Montgomery County, three of Limestone County, two of Pike County, two of Mobile County, one of Shelby County, one of Calhoun County, and one of Etowah County.
The age range of novel H1N1 cases is from two to 70, with a median age of nine. Thirty-six of the state's 55 total cases are children under 13 years of age. Of the 32 cases in Madison County, 27 are also children under 13 years of age.
The Alabama Department of Public Health laboratory has received more than 1,500 samples and more than 900 have been tested for novel H1N1 influenza. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has validated the laboratory to perform the testing that confirms novel influenza H1N1 cases.
CDC recommends implemtnation of measures that focus on keeping all students, faculty and staff with symptoms of influenza out of schools and child care facilities during their period of illness when they are potentially infectious to others.
Students and faculty with influenza-like illness should stay home and not attend school or go into the community except to seek medical care until they meet both of the following criteria: a minimum of seven days from onset of illness at arrival or become ill during a school day should be isolated promptly in a room separate from other students and sent home.
The Alabama Department of Public Health does not recommend cancelling large group events based on concerns of novel H1N1 influenza. Individuals should try to curtail the spread of influenza by realizing the virus is circulating in the population. Individuals who are ill should not attend group events to avoid spreading the virus to others. Persons with underlying medical conditions which would place them at greater potential risk are also advised to avoid group events.
Prescription antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza are available and provide effective treatment. They should be taken within the first 48 hours of illness.
The symptoms of novel H1N1 influenza are similar to the symptoms of traditional and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with novel H1N1 influenza. close associates should limit their contact with others for a period of seven days from the time they were exposed.
The incubation period from the moment of exposure to novel H1N1 influenza until symptoms develop is two to seven days. Indivuduals are infectious to others one day before until seven days after symptoms develop. Persons who develop symptoms of respiratory illness should contact their medical provider.
The department Web site at www.adph.org will provide regular updates of case counts of novel H1N1 influenza within the state.
Red Cross urges Preparedness during Swine Flu Outbreak
Release Date: 04-30-09
Huntsville, AL - The recent documented cases of swine flu causes many people to wonder what they can do to better protect themselves right now. The American Red Cross offers the following tips to stay healthy and prevent disease transmission.
Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleaners.
Cough into your sleeve or arm when tissue is not available.
Keep hands away from eyes, nose and mouth.
Stay home if you are feeling ill.
Keep living and work areas clean.
Avoid sharing objects, glasses, cups, bottles and telephones.
Contact your physician with any flu-like symptoms.
This is an excellent time for individuals, families, businesses and organizations to review and update their emergency preparedness plans. If a person does get sick and has extra supplies on hand, they will help reduce the spread of the flu by staying home.
Store a two-week supply of food, water, and household necessities.
Use checklists for necessities, such as medicines, baby formula, other medical items, and cleaning supplies your family will need.
For more information on preparedness, visit www.redcrossrelief.org. For information on
human swine flu, visit www.cdc.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).
Your BBB offers the following advice to avoid swine flu scams:
Avoid opening e-mail from an unknown source and do not click on any links in the body of the e-mail or open any attachments. Instead, delete the e-mail or report it to the Federal Trade Commission by forwarding the e-mail to spam@uce.gov.
Dont believe online offers for vaccinations against swine flu because a vaccine does not exist. For more information on swine flu and updates on progress in fighting the outbreak, go to www.cdc.gov/swineflu
Make sure your anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up to date and all operating system security patches have been installed. If your computer becomes infected as the result of a spam e-mail about swine flu, you can report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
If it's Fun it must be Us 
Top Dog Contest 
Among the 10 markets surveyed, mustard (77%) was the No. 1 hot dog topping, followed by ketchup (58%), onions (50%), relish (47%) and chese (41%).
Toll House cookie dough recalled, 
Smack Down. You just knew this was coming. The folks at PETA --People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals-- are miffed at PRESIDENT OBAMA for smacking a fly during an interview that aired on CNBC this past Wednesday. PETA spokesman BRUCE FREIDRICH said, "We believe that people, where they can be compassionate, should be, for all animals." So to help the leader of the free world, PETA has reportedly sent the president a "humane" bug catching device, see below. Warning: Never eat at a PETA member's house, since they obviously don't exterminate. Attention PETA: You are People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, not People for the Ethical Treatment of Insects. If you haven't noticed, a fly is an insect. 
Zicam Warning 
Guilty Pleasures. 
This week's FUN Favorites 
Alabama Department of Public Health Update
Avoid opening e-mail from an unknown source and do not click on any links in the body of the e-mail or open any attachments. Instead, delete the e-mail or report it to the Federal Trade Commission by forwarding the e-mail to spam@uce.gov.