Finally Friday October 31 st 2008

A very interesting visual of the US 2009 proposed budget... where are federal tax dollars going? This is only a small part of larger image, click to see the whole picture - read info and buy the print here .

Catherine Zeta-Jones Tapped to Play Famed Egyptian Queen Monday, October 27, 2008 She already has the looks and charm to make audiences swoon, and now actress Catherine Zeta-Jones may get the opportunity to play one of history’s most intriguing female figures. The actress is reportedly in talks to star in “Cleopatra,” a 3-D live action rock musical directed by Steven Soderbergh, E! Online is reporting. The film will profile the life of the Egyptian queen and her love affair with legendary Roman politician Marc Antony. The project would be the first for Zeta-Jones, 39, since her Oscar-winning portrayal of Velma Kelly in “Chicago.” According to E!, Soderbergh is looking to fill Antony’s role with another talented Thespian, Hugh Jackman. The $30 million film will reportedly follow Cleopatra as she begins her romance with Antony, which ends in her suicide after she and Antony are defeated by Emperor Julius Caesar. FOX NEWS

Woman survives blast probably started by TV remote October 28, 2008 BILLINGS, Mo. (AP) - Authorities in southwest Missouri say a TV remote control probably triggered an explosion that destroyed a Christian County home on Tuesday morning. The only person in the home at the time, Cindy Curry, 66, was blown outside but had only minor injuries. Firefighters said it's amazing she survived at all. Curry's husband, Jerry, said he smelled propane gas in the 10-year-old house late Monday. But the smell was gone Tuesday morning, so he went out to have breakfast with friends. His wife then turned on the TV, and Billings Fire Chief Henry Bos said it appears the remote control ignited propane still in the house. The couple lost two of their dogs and a bird.

Health The Stink in Farts Controls Blood Pressure 23 October 2008 A smelly rotten-egg gas in farts controls blood pressure in mice, a new study finds. The unpleasant aroma of the gas , called hydrogen sulfide (H2S), can be a little too familiar, as it is expelled by bacteria living in the human colon and eventually makes its way , well, out. The new research found that cells lining mice’s blood vessels naturally make the gas and this action can help keep the rodents’ blood pressure low by relaxing the blood vessels to prevent hypertension (high blood pressure). This gas is “no doubt” produced in cells lining human blood vessels too, the researchers said. “Now that we know hydrogen sulfide’s role in regulating blood pressure, it may be possible to design drug therapies that enhance its formation as an alternative to the current methods of treatment for hypertension,” said Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Solomon H. Snyder, M.D., a co-author of the study detailed in the Oct. 24th issue of the journal Science. Hydrogen sulfide is the most recently discovered member of a family of gasotransmitters, small molecules inside our bodies with important physiological functions. This study is the first to reveal that the CSE enzyme that triggers hydrogen sulfide is activated itself in the same way as other enzymes when they trigger their respective gasotransmitter, such as a nitric oxide-forming enzyme that also regulates blood pressure, Dr. Snyder said. Because gasotransmitters are common in mammals all over the evolutionary tree, these findings on the importance of hydrogen sulfide are thought to have broad applications to human diseases, such as diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. The research was supported by grants from the U.S. Public Health Service and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research as well as a Research Scientist Award. Live Science

Gun Sales Thriving In Uncertain Times By Fredrick Kunkle Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, October 27, 2008 Americans have cut back on buying cars, furniture and clothes in a tough economy, but there's one consumer item that's still enjoying healthy sales: guns. Purchases of firearms and ammunition have risen 8 to 10 percent this year, according to state and federal data. Several variables drive sales, but many dealers, buyers and experts attribute the increase in part to concerns about the economy and fears that if Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois wins the presidency, he will join with fellow Democrats in Congress to enact new gun controls. Obama has said that he believes in an individual right to bear arms but that he also supports "common-sense safety measures." "Even though [Obama] has a lot going for him, he's not very pro-gun," said Paul Pluff, a spokesman for Massachusetts-based Smith & Wesson, which has reported higher sales. Gun enthusiasts are "going to go out and get [firearms] while they still can." Gun purchases have also been climbing because of the worsening economy, which fuels fears of crime and civil disorder, industry sources and specialists said. Industry experts and law enforcement officials point to several examples over the years. In 1994, there was a rush to buy guns when President Bill Clinton pushed for a ban on military-style semiautomatic rifles. Handgun sales jumped last year after the massacre at Virginia Tech as some worried about personal protection and others feared sweeping restrictions on handguns, pushing applications for concealed gun permits in Virginia alone up 60 percent. People also rushed to buy guns after the 1992 riots in Los Angeles and the breakdown of order in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina . Washington Post

Ferrari in pole position October 28, 2008 07:00pm A YOUNG man wrecked a Ferrari worth $250,000, but escaped serious injury, when he crashed into a Stobie pole at Walkerville, in Adelaide, today. The driver and his passenger have been taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment after the accident just before noon, AdelaideNow reports. Both men walked from the wreckage, leaving the expensive five-year-old 360 Modena model literally wrapped around the pole on Lansdowne Ave. The car, valued at around $250,000, crashed a few minutes after residents saw it "zinging" past their homes at high speed. "I was outside my house talking and we heard something fly up and it was this black Ferrari," said Vlado, who did not give his surname. "It sounded just like, `zing, zing", as it want past." Vlado said he walked "two blocks" around the corner when he saw a fire truck arrive to see the Ferrari smashed against the pole. He said the men were "lucky to be alive". "The Stobie split the car in two and it's basically up where the gear stick should be," he said.

Ferrari in pole position October 28, 2008 07:00pm A YOUNG man wrecked a Ferrari worth $250,000, but escaped serious injury, when he crashed into a Stobie pole at Walkerville, in Adelaide, today. The driver and his passenger have been taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment after the accident just before noon, AdelaideNow reports. Both men walked from the wreckage, leaving the expensive five-year-old 360 Modena model literally wrapped around the pole on Lansdowne Ave. The car, valued at around $250,000, crashed a few minutes after residents saw it "zinging" past their homes at high speed. "I was outside my house talking and we heard something fly up and it was this black Ferrari," said Vlado, who did not give his surname. "It sounded just like, `zing, zing", as it want past." Vlado said he walked "two blocks" around the corner when he saw a fire truck arrive to see the Ferrari smashed against the pole. He said the men were "lucky to be alive". "The Stobie split the car in two and it's basically up where the gear stick should be," he said.

Pictured: The forty-something ex-Bunny Girl who has spent half a million pounds having 100 cosmetic surgery operations to turn herself into a real-life Barbie 29th October 2008 Former Bunny Girl Sarah Burge has spent half a million pounds turning herself into a real-life Barbie doll. The 49-year-old housewife and beautician from St Neots, in Cambridgeshire has spent £539,500 transforming herself - breaking the world record previously held by American Cindy Jackson. Come on Barbie, let's go party: Sarah Burge has spent half a million pounds perfecting her face and body The mother-of-three has undergone more than 100 surgical and cosmetic treatments. Her passion for going under the knife having started after she had reconstruction surgery to her face after being beaten up and left for dead. All mine! Sarah spent £26,500 on her bust The half-million pound costs include: £32,000 have her whole face lasered to remove a layer of skin to give it a more youthful look; £26,500 on perfecting her bust - including having it reduced and the nipples moved; £30,000 keeping her jawline firm; nearly £15,000 on her tummy; and £14,000 on keeping her bottom pert. She has become a walking advert for the surgeons who carried out work on her - sometimes they've even carried out procedures free. DAILY MAIL.UK

Davenport man tells police he was ripped-off trying to buy ‘grass,’ arrested Philip Waldbauer, 29, allegedly told officers that he approached a couple of men about buying $10 worth of “grass,” the colloquial term for marijuana. A 29-year-old Davenport man is facing a charge of conspiracy after he reported to police that he had been ripped off while trying to buy marijuana, Davenport police said. Police said that a call of a strong-arm robbery came into the station at 5:01 p.m. Thursday. Officers, including agents with Davenport’s Tactical Operations Bureau, responded to the scene in the 500 block of Main Street. Philip Waldbauer allegedly told officers that he approached a couple of men about buying $10 worth of “grass,” the colloquial term for marijuana. And that is what Waldbauer received; a baggy full of grass. Lawn grass, that is. Waldbauer said he was ripped-off and wanted to report the offense. Officers then arrested him on a charge of conspiracy for the attempted illegal purchase of illicit drugs. Also arrested was Troy Harrington, 20, who is charged with conspiracy and possession with intent. Both men were being held Thursday night in the Scott County Jail. Waldbauer has convictions in Scott County for assault and impersonating a public official in 2006, and assault causing bodily injury from an incident in July. Harrington is awaiting trial on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon from an incident in September. The Quad-City Times, Davenport, IA

Dead deer carved inside Hamburg restaurant Oct 25, 2008 A shocking story tonight out of Hamburg involving the carcass of a dead deer ending up in the kitchen of a local restaurant. Investigators with the Erie County Health Department got a tip Friday morning that roadkill was spotted being dragged inside the China King restaurant. When investigators arrived for an unannounced inspection, they did indeed find a dead deer being carved inside the kitchen. As you can imagine, that is a serious public health violation. Outside the restaurant, there is a trail of red blood droplets that lead to the China King's side door. Erie County Health Commissioner immediately issued an order closing the restaurant when he heard about the gruesome discovery. "My understanding is that it was the whole deer," said Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Anthony Billittier. The Health Department will now launch an investigation into this case to find out where the deer came from and what the employees of the restaurant intended to use it for. "In New York State, we have laws like you can't butcher a wild deer and sell it because we want to make sure the meat is safe, obviously," said Billittier. Only raw meat purchased from a licensed vendor is allowed to be brought inside a restaurant where it can be prepared and then served. Some of China King's regular customers were shocked and disgusted when they heard about what happened. "I was shocked... People don't do that! Its disgusting, I mean, you don't know what kind of parasites were on that deer," said Kathy Sitek. "I think they should be out of business. I think its wrong to feed that to people," said customer Sara MacAllister. There will be a hearing next week at the Health Department, which is the China King owner's chance to present his side of the story.

Denied sex, Manitowoc man urinates on roommate's dog MANITOWOC — A dog received an unwelcome soak early today when a south-side man took revenge on his roommate by allegedly urinating on her pet, according to Manitowoc Police Department reports. Torey L. Devaux, 36, was arrested and charged with domestic violence-related disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property. The incident took place at 1:30 a.m. in the 1100 block of South 11th Street. According to police: An argument between an intoxicated Devaux and his female roommate began after Devaux allegedly pursued sexual contact with the woman and she refused. Devaux was intoxicated and upset, the woman told police, so he went to the basement and urinated on her dog and on the floor. A verbal argument continued and the woman’s sister stood up in defense, at which point Devaux allegedly grabbed the sister and pushed her into a wall. He then left the home and allegedly punched an exterior window, causing it to shatter. Officers located Devaux on foot near South 10th and Columbus streets and took him into custody. Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter

Homer Simpson was painted next to the 180ft giant in the hillside above Cerne Abbas, Dorset - an ancient fertility symbol, which has been there for many centuries.

The Best Carved Pumpkins.

Creepy Dolls