by Claudine Zap
The true sufferers of premenstrual syndrome? Men, if an ad campaign from the California Milk Processor Board is to be believed. But help is on the way: The dairy group has a new marketing strategy that slyly suggests men should buy milk for women to alleviate those monthly symptoms that males fear. And it's just the latest campaign from the milk industry to make waves.
The newest marketing campaign includes billboards, a website, and radio ads that advise men on how to deal with their hormonally challenged wives and girlfriends. One ad shows a man holding a gallon of milk with the headline: "We can both blame myself."
The spoof website -- EverythingIDoIsWrong.org -- includes a color-coded “current global PMS level,” a “puppy dog-eye-zer” that supposedly gives your face a look that’s hard to stay mad at, and a “video apology enhancer.” The site also provides an “emergency milk locater,” natch.
Responses on Yahoo! News have been mixed. One commenter sniped, "Udderly ridiculous." Another gave it the thumbs-up, writing, "This ad campaign is hilarious. I don't get why it's considered controversial. It pokes fun at men and women."
The board's executive director, Steve James, said the ads are directed at helpless men: "It was certainly not meant to be offensive. None of the humor is aimed at women. The humor is aimed at how clueless men are in dealing with emotional situations."
The science behind the ads? The Milk Board’s website points to a 1999 study from the Journal of American College of Nutrition, which had ties to the calcium manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline, according to the Associated Press. The story noted that Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr, chairwoman of the University of California, Davis Department of Nutrition, was skeptical, saying, "I'm not familiar with research supporting that relationship at this time."
The campaign has already generated plenty of buzz –- and controversy. And it’s not the first time that’s happened. A 2009 campaign launched by the Milk Board encouraged schools to serve flavored milk. Their argument: Kids who missed out on the nutrients of the white stuff would drink the sweetened beverage. Still, others argued that sugar is sugar -- a factor that contributes to childhood obesity.
The campaign doesn’t seem to have had much effect. School districts across the country that banned the sugary drinks from their cafeterias include D.C., Boulder, Colorado, and most recently, the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Another campaign that churned up complaints: a claim that drinking milk could make you thin. A 2006 billboard featuring a svelte Sheryl Crowe states, "Studies suggest that the nutrients in milk can play an important role in weight loss.” However, the studies had mixed, non-conclusive results, according to USA Today.
by Claudine Zap
Bride-to-be Rachelle Friedman and her groom, Chris Chapman, give new meaning to the marriage vows to love each other "in sickness and in health." One year after the bride was paralyzed from a freak accident during her bachelorette party, the couple will marry.
The dance instructor made news last year when during the poolside horseplay, she was pushed in the shallow end of the pool by one of her bridesmaids. She told ABC News that she knew immediately something was wrong. The 25-year-old said, " I instantly just stopped moving." She told her friends it wasn't a joke and to call 9-1-1.
The bride-to-be was paralyzed from the waist down with the wedding one month away. The two postponed the wedding, but their commitment to each other remained strong. The two will finally exchange vows and honeymoon in Fiji.
Chapman, who teaches middle school science, said he never thought, "'What am I going to do?' It was 'What are we going to do.' … It was one step at a time." The 28-year-old will be by his bride's side when she is wheeled down the aisle by her father.
The bride has refused to name the woman who caused the accident, who will also be attending the wedding. Says the loyal friend, "She was tragically hurt, mentally and emotionally. And I was tragically hurt, physically."
In the past year, Friedman has learned to to become active, learning wheelchair rugby and texting with friends using her knuckles instead of her fingers.
For his part, Chapman can't wait to be married. "I'll be happy and relieved to see her coming down the aisle," Chapman says. "It's something we've been working on for quite a while."
The two will tie the knot on Friday.
by Claudine Zap
This bundle of joy must be bringing an extra helping of happiness: a couple in Texas are the proud parents of 16-pound, 1-ounce, 2-foot-long JaMichael Brown.
Nicknamed "the Moose" at the hospital where he was born, the parents, Janet Johnson and Michael Brown, welcomed the largest child ever born in the hospital, and possibly the state.
So exactly how big is a 16-pound baby? Let's put it this way: The average newborn is about 7 ½ pounds. This baby's weight is just about equivalent to a six-month-old.
In a video for the "Today" show, JaMichael's parents said they had been told by doctors to expect a big baby, maybe 12 or 13 pounds, before the cesarean birth. But the extra heft was a huge surprise. The 39-year-old mother suffered from gestational diabestes, which can result in bigger births.
As large as JaMichael is, there have been babies born bigger. The heaviest baby, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, was born in Ohio in 1879 and weighed 23 pounds, 12 ounces.
More recently, in 2005 a newborn nicknamed "giant baby" (born in Brazil) weighed in at a massive 17 pounds. (The baby was delivered by C-section to the 38-year-old mother, who was also a diabetic.)
But a bruiser of a baby born in Indonesia in 2009 tipped the scales at a hefty 19.2 pounds -- and captured global attention on the Web. That giant newborn set the record for the largest ever born in that country. We sure hope that record stands for a long time.
by Claudine Zap
It sounds like something out of a disaster movie, but Carmageddon is very real. For 53 painful hours, the busiest roadway in the country, the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles, will be closed. This shutdown will reroute the typical 500,000 cars on the freeway during the weekend, and worst-case scenario, cause a 64-mile traffic jam.
Only in L.A. would the idea of -- gasp -- not driving for an entire two days strike fear in the hearts of so many residents -- and cause so many lookups on the Web. Concerns for the weekend have driven up searches on Yahoo! 2,000% in the past week.
Here, a primer on the apocalyptic weekend.
What is it?
For the upcoming weekend, a 10-mile stretch of the 405 Freeway will be under construction. The closure will begin at the Ventura 101 Freeway interchange and stretch to the Santa Monica 10 Freeway. The closure will allow for the planned tear-down of the Mulholland Bridge, add a carpool lane, and improve on-ramps. Great, but the lifeline to the Westside usually carries about 281,000 cars a day. Residents have dubbed the traffic nightmare “Carmageddon.”
Already, locals have created posters and are even selling T-shirts ("I survived Carmageddon") for the impending two doomsdays. And businesses have offered deals, from JetBlue’s $4 flights from Long Beach to Burbank (sold out) to discounted movie tickets.
When does it start?
Ramps will begin closing at 7 p.m. Friday, July 15. (Start that evening commute early.) Lanes will begin closing at 10 p.m. The entire freeway will be shut down at midnight Saturday. Officials hope to reopen the freeway by 5 a.m. Monday. Ramps and connectors are scheduled to be reopened at 6 a.m.
What are alternate routes?
On the website of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the message is simple: “Plan ahead, avoid the area or stay home July 16-17." If you plan to drive, there is a list of detours here.
This might be the weekend to check out public transit, especially because many of the subway and bus lines will be free. See a list here. Amtrak will also offer discounted trips from Union Station to the Burbank airport.
There are also mobile apps that can keep you moving: The Waze app has teamed up with the local ABC station, KABC-TV, to give drivers real-time traffic updates. AT&T will be texting customers within 25 miles of the 405 to warn cars away and encourage them to use its Navigator app.
If driving is unavoidable, one blogger offers tips such as allow for extra time, leave home with a full tank of gas, take a first-aid kit, and remember to bring plenty of water.
Even Tom Hanks encouraged going local for the weekend. The star tweeted to fans, "This weekend, LA! Avoid Carmageddon, Gas-zilla, 405-enstein, Grid-lock-apalooza! STAY HOME. Eat & shop local!" Perhaps you’ll see him, “Larry Crowne”-style, on a scooter.
by Claudine Zap
The summer blockbuster "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" brings back the battle between good and evil robots -- this time with a pulsating score, bigger explosions, and 3D action that's coming right at you.
The action flick spends a good deal of time blowing up Chicago, and includes a scene of actual base jumpers leaping off a high-rise. Many of the actors have returned from the last "Transformers" movie: Shia LaBeouf, John Turturro, Josh Duhamel, and Tyrese Gibson.
But following a feud with director Michael Bay, the star Megan Fox, who played LaBeouf's girlfriend, was very publicly replaced with Victoria's Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. To put it mildly, the critics have not fallen in love.
The Daily Mail may have fired the first warning shot over the new actress. Baz Bamigboye gave the movie three out of five stars and pleaded: "Come back Megan Fox, all is forgiven." The critic does note the movie is "technically sublime" even if the human supermodel "can't act."
Entertainment Weekly's Lisa Schwarzbaum grades the movie a respectable B, but that may be despite the presence of the actress. The review notes, "In the interchangeable role of sex doll, Victoria's Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley assumes the spot vacated by Megan Fox."
Wesley Morris of the Boston Globe assigns the sci-fi thriller just two out of four stars, and describes the English-born actress as "a replacement for Megan Fox, who is Judi Dench by comparison."
Both women get ripped in Bill Gibron's take for Filmcritic. He rated the movie a four out of five stars and called the third in the series a "crowd pleaser." Still, the review calls out Huntington-Whiteley as "no better or worse than the curt Kewpie Doll she replaced."
Get the picture? Good looking does not mean good acting. Well, you can't have everything.
by Claudine Zap
Nothing quite says Independence Day like "Independence Day." The all-American, alien-invasion movie opened on the July fourth weekend 15 years ago. What better excuse to watch it again?
The movie takes place as aliens attack Earth, and a group of survivors converge to stage a counter-strike led by Will Smith -- on July 4, natch. The 1996 movie, which also stars Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum, was a huge success, taking in $817,400,891 worldwide, and ranks as the 27th highest grossing movie of all time. All that, and no 3D.
This weekend, consider hitting the couch for your freedom-themed flicks. For the all-American holiday we've got explosions, alien invasions, and underdogs. And what's more patriotic than that? Here, a list to choose from before the fireworks.
Born on the Fourth of July. The title says it all. The movie is based on the autobiography of Ron Kovic, a Vietnam-war vet who returns to the U.S. -- paralyzed -- and becomes a critic of the war. Tom Cruise stars in the Oliver Stone drama.
1776. Do you know the Declaration of Independence? No? We'll hum a few bars so you can follow along. This is the movie musical of how the American colonies declared independence from Great Britain. Featuring all your favorite founding fathers: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Ben Franklin.
The Patriot. Another Revolutionary War-era drama, this one stars Mel Gibson as a plantation farmer who wants no part of the rebellion until a sadistic British officer murders his son. The tragedy leads the farmer to become a fighter as a leader of the Colonial Militia.
Rocky. A young and unproven boxer has a million to one shot at the heavyweight championship. (Queue theme song.) The contest takes place in Philadelphia on -- wait for it -- the fourth of July. A Sylvester Stallone classic.
Jaws. OK, this Steven Spielberg thriller might seem like a stretch. But the story of an island resort menaced by a flesh-hungry shark actually revolves around the July fourth weekend -- because you can't close the beaches during the most popular weekend of the summer, right?
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. One man can, and does, make a difference. Jimmy Stewart in all his aw-shucks glory stands up to politics as usual.
Election. The dark comedy features Reese Witherspoon as a high-school version of Mr. Smith: The high-achieving Tracy Flick fights the injustice of a corrupt election orchestrated by her teacher, played by Matthew Broderick, who should have made her class president.
by Claudine Zap
Call it "the Hollywood/politics switch": Offspring of the rich and famous who move away from the proven path of their parents' career (see above) for an unexpected choice of their own. This shuffle between the two fields made news for two up-and-comers.
Mr. Lowe goes to Washington. Rob Lowe's role on "The West Wing" may have had more influence on his son than his real-life role as actor. The star's son, Matthew Edward Lowe, is heading to Washington to intern for the House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor.
Papa Lowe played Democrat Sam Seaborn on the hit TV series. His son will be working for a Republican, causing some outrage in the blogosphere by those who seem to think the son should share the politics of his dad.
And how's this for art imitating life? Rob Lowe was in D.C. filming a reality show about young Washington political players. Would that be a real-life "St. Elmo's Fire"? The 17-year-old Matthew Edward starts his internship next week.
Must-see Kennedy TV. The Kennedy clan has always had the sizzle of show business around it. Now Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy -- daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and granddaughter of RFK -- has gotten an actual big break.
The young newbie has been cast in the Aaron Sorkin pilot "More As This Story Develops," for HBO. The plot centers around the cable news world and stars heavy hitters Dev Patel of "Slumdog Millionaire," Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer, and Olivia Munn.
In further marriage of Hollywood and politics, the New York Post reports that Kick has been getting a boost from her dad's girlfriend, Cheryl Hines, who has been introducing the novice around L.A. "to meet casting agents and producers."
This sure makes it clear to us: No matter what business you're in, what matters is who you know.
Not that these two are the only ones: Here are more examples of famous kids who made "the switch."
Bristol Palin. The teen became part of an international media frenzy when her conservative mom's candidacy for vice president brought her daughter's pregnancy to light. But Bristol turned that fame into a spot on "Dancing With the Stars," as well nabbing speaking engagements against teen pregnancy, and she'll now star in her own reality show.
Jenna Bush. The fraternal twin daughter of President George W. Bush, Jenna is certainly public-minded, but she avoided politics. Instead she became a teacher and author, and is now a correspondent for the "Today" show on NBC.
Patti Davis. The daughter of President (and former movie star) Ronald Reagan, Patti became an actress and author. But more than a divergent career path, she had divergent views from Mom and Dad: She is pro-choice and for gay rights, and against nukes.
by Claudine Zap
The wait is over: The first reviews are in for the final movie of the much beloved "Harry Potter" series based on the J.K. Rowling novels. The last installment, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows -- Part 2," directed by David Yates, opens next week.
The second and final installment depicts the battle between good and evil in the wizarding world as it escalates into war. Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe) is called upon to possibly make the ultimate sacrifice in his showdown with Lord Voldemort. The young wizard is joined by Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, who reprise their roles as Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
So what do the critics have to say about the end? Let's take a look.
Todd McCarthy for the Hollywood Reporter raves that the franchise goes out with a bang: "An outstanding capper to the most lucrative film franchise of all time."
The reviewer adds, "Fully justifying the decision, once thought purely mercenary, of splitting J.K. Rowling's final book into two parts, this is an exciting and, to put it mildly, massively eventful finale that will grip and greatly please anyone who has been at all a fan of the series up to now."
Variety's Justin Chang gripes at the short film time -- at 131 minutes, it's the shortest in the series -- and unsatisfying ending. The critic notes that the movie "surges ahead with tremendous urgency, superb spectacle and powerful, even overwhelming emotion, only to falter with a hasty sendoff that seems to buckle under the weight of audience expectations. Tears will be shed as fans bid farewell to Hogwarts, but catharsis remains just out of reach."
Chang adds that fans may actually prefer the lively pacing of this movie to the first installment: "'Part 2' will strike many viewers as a much more exciting, involving picture than the slower, more atmospheric 'Part 1.'" But the critic is left unhappy with the quick ending: "While Yates' economy is admirable, this is one picture that had every right to take its time and allow viewers the courtesy of a more ceremonious and protracted farewell."
The Telegraph disagrees, preferring this cinematic version of the tale, writing, "Perhaps the greatest triumph of this final film is its ability to overcome the deficiencies of J. K. Rowling’s writing," adding, "But Yates here transmutes it into a genuinely terrifying spectacle, as bloodied students fight desperately against a horde of screaming black-robed Death Eaters."
Parting is such sweet sorrow. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows -- Part 2" opens Friday, July 15.
by Claudine Zap
On July 4, the U.S. throws itself a big birthday party. That usually means town parades, backyard barbeques, and lots and lots of fireworks. This year, not so much. Given belt-tightening budgets and bone-dry lands, fireworks displays have been canceled across the country.
Here are some guidelines about whether it's safe -- and legal -- to get your own sparklers.
Regulations are set locally and vary by county, even within the same state. So, check with your local government -- the neighborhood fire station should set you straight -- before you plan your own show.
Severe droughts have put a dimmer on light shows from Florida to Arizona. And statistics back up the fears: The National Fire Protection Association notes that more fires are reported on Independence Day than on any other day of the year. In 2009, fireworks were blamed for an estimated 18,000 fires.
According to Yahoo! News, fear of wildfires has led to bans on fireworks in many counties in Texas, where burn bans are in effect that restrict even sparklers. The state, which usually allows the sale of roadside fireworks for the Fourth of July, has shut down the stands. San Antonio even canceled its fireworks show.
In Florida, residents are usually allowed to buy sparklers. And a loophole for purchasing explosives to scare away birds or other pests is rarely enforced by police. This year, the wildfires mean that most counties in the state have banned all sales of the rockets.
New Mexico has placed a ban in parts of the state. Governor Susanna Martinez explained in a statement, "The conditions in New Mexico are simply too dangerous for anyone to buy, sell, or use fireworks this summer."
California normally allows ground and hand-held sparkling devices. Banned: firecrackers, rockets, Roman candles, or sparklers measuring 10 inches long. In L.A., residents who get a permit can set off firecrackers on the beach.
Local governments can, of course, decide to limit the state law even more.
If you decide to light up this holiday, please be safe. The National Council on Fireworks Safety offers these commonsense tips: Keep water nearby, obey local laws, and don't let anyone under 12 handle a sparkler. Keep in mind your pets may not enjoy the sound or sight of your show, so keep them inside.
by Vera H-C Chan
Summer arrived, but there were no fair-weather breaks for rioters, sinners and humorists grappling with the double-entendre scandal of the season. In a month jam packed with news, politician disowned his briefs and lost his job instead, marriage rites became a right, and two questionable protests had very different endings. Forget mediocre blockbusters and fizzling finales, here is where the online action on Yahoo! Search buzzed this June.
Mis-Tweeted and mistreated
Gotta love New York in summer. Sure, the humidity makes you feel like you're wearing a cashmere wetsuit soaked in llama drool, but where else can you witness the sexual self-destruction of a man called Weiner, followed later by progressive triumph of same-sex marriage? The sins of Anthony Weiner (+18,039% Search surge) had been preceded this year by NY Rep Chris Lee's Craigslist fumble, former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's love child and IMF director Dominique Strauss-Kahn's sexual assault charges. The New York congressman mesmerized the nation after he denied sending a photo of bulging briefs to 45,000 Twitter followers, rather than the intended recipient — one of many women who wasn't his wife. After days of dodging, embarrassing revelations and raucous headlines and an action figure, Weiner resigned June 16. His high-powered wife Huma Abedin (+21,448%), pregnant with their first child, will take a leave from her State Department job and head out to an "undisclosed location" while Weiner attends counseling. The couple's first year anniversary is July 10.
Pride and marriage
A more disciplined campaign was underway in New York: Freshman governor Andrew Cuomo (off the charts) herded hedge fund managers, hesitant Republicans, tormented Democrats, and fractious gay rights groups to help pass the Marriage Equality Act, on the eve of Pride weekend. New York is the sixth state to pass same-sex marriage, following Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, and Vermont. (Washington D.C. and an Coquille Indian Tribe of Oregon also has grant same-sex marriage licenses.) As the most populous state to do so, however, New York CNN calculates the "number of Americans live in states covered by same-sex marriage laws has [now] more than doubled." Same-sex couples will be allowed to be wed starting July 24.
Riotous behavior
Protests and conflicts amounting to near civil war continue across the Middle East and North Africa. (See Aljazeera and the BBC for various timelines.) Two very different types of riots though erupted in June, and one in the unlikeliest of places: The Boston Bruins won its first Stanley Cup in 39 years, but it wasn't the winningest sport city on the continent that erupted into chaos. Instead, alcohol-fueled and not-very-bright hooligans ran amuck in Vancouver and triggered Search breakouts for "vancouver riots." The embarrassed city quickly rallied: Anti-riot Facebook page sprung up, volunteers and corporate donors cleaned up, Canucks emailed their apologies to the Boston Globe, and schoolkids wrote to cohorts to congratulate the Bruins on their win. Explains why Vancouver managed to get nicest city award just days later.
In Greece, however, yogurt-tossing citizens took to the streets again after its government voted to swallow bitter austerity measures for a bail-out loan. Greeks wanted out of the European Union. Some observers however aren't as sympathetic, in a country where its official admits "virtually everyone cheats, and virtually everyone evades taxes." (The swimming pool scandal made headlines in 2010.) The Economist listed "a malfunctioning justice system, a kleptocratic civil service and impunity for the corrupt" as drivers that may override citizen resistance, but many obstacles remain. And yogurt.
|
Search Terms with Significant Percentage Changes
|
Biggest Search Terms
|
