Oprah has made an appearance on Michigan Avenue! She's on the Michigan Ave. bridge taping interviews on top of a double-decker bus. Who is Oprah interviewing?

The picture is below!

The folks down at the Tribune Tower have a pretty good view of this Oprah Block Party on Michigan Avenue.

Looks like the fans are having fun. Check out the view after the jump!

Are we on the verge of an international incident that could change U.S. relations with India?

By now you’ve probably heard, Muslim actor Shah Rukh Khan, the “Tom Cruise” of Bollywood was questioned for 90 minutes by customs agents at Newark Airport last Friday after his name appeared on a security checklist.

He says routine security procedures were not followed and he felt embarrassed and uncomfortable having to find a U.S. national to vouch for him.

Ironically, he was on his way to Chicago to promote his new movie “My Name is Kahn.” It’s takes a look at the discrimination Muslims has faced in the U.S. since 9/11.

This is a story that evokes a lot of emotions in people. I understand both sides of the coin. But I also find it very hypocritical that we have a system that punishes people for their crimes and supposedly rehabilitates them for their crimes; but when they are released back into society we hold their past crimes against them. Thus, blocking any attempt at personal or professional growth. I understand some crimes are just so vicious – they are deemed unforgiveable. But I think there is a difference between forgiving and forgetting.

Faithful Michael Jackson fans started flocking to his childhood home in Gary, Indiana at 4 this morning.

Samantha Moritz and her dad drove from the town of Highland, Indiana to pay their condolences to the king of pop.

Now, 15, Samantha swears she fell in love with Jackson's music at the tender age of 3. Samantha clutched a laminated photograph and autograph of Jackson. She got them during Jackson's last visit to Gary in 2003.

It was in May, 1983 that millions watched "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever"

The special had legends of music, including Michael Jackson.

He performed with the Jackson 5, but also solo with the hit "Billie Jean"

Take a look at the video. It was the first time he performed his famous "moonwalk" in public.

Please share your favorite song, video, or moment from Michael Jackson's life here. We may use it on the air.

Original Video- More videos at TinyPic

Today is one of those moments in history we will never forget. Say what you want about the man, but he was undeniably the MOST talented man to ever entertain a crowd. His death has shocked the WORLD. I woke up from a much need nap to text messages, ims, and facebook messages asking me to confirm the news that Michael Jackson was indeed dead.
I am at a complete loss for words. Those of you that know me personally know, that rarely happens. I have been a MJ fan since the moment I walk. My older sister and I used to tape his videos off MTV and learn the moves. I am sure thousands of others have done the same thing. To this day, I can not hear "Thriller", "Beat It". or "Remember the Time" without busting a move.

1970's icon Farrah Fawcett lost her battle against cancer this morning.

I polled my male co-workers. A majority of those age 40 and older admit to having a Farrah Fawcett poster at one time. Guys wanted to date her. Girls wanted to BE her. Remember how many women copied her hair-- that flip? That was long before plastic surgery became an everyday thing in Hollywood. Now, anybody can look like Farrah Fawcett with a little help here and there.

I admit I was a bit saddened when the news crossed of her passing. I guess a part of me was kind of rooting for her to beat this thing.

So, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has some beef with our Commander in Chief. Apparently the advocacy group is upset over President Obama's enormously skillful ability to kill flies. Check out this video.

As you can see, during a television interview, the President did what millions of people around the world do on a daily basis -- he swatted a fly that was bothering him.

It's wasn't the first time we've seen Patti Blagojevich on television.

But instead of reading to children or cutting a ribbon to open a hospital, Mrs. Blago was eating a tarantula and chatting with Spencer and Heidi Pratt from the Hills.

Yes, folks, I watched (some of) "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!" on Monday night.

It was interesting. It was amusing. It was embarassing.

Did you watch the show? What did you think?

I'll be interested to see what the ratings were for Chicago.

The dream isn't over for YouTube star Susan Boyle.

It doesn't matter that she finished second in "Britian's Got Talent". She's already a winner. She's won the hearts of millions worldwide. She's also reminded us-- never judge a book by its cover. Boyle doesn't walk away with the 160-thousand-dollar prize, but this may be the beginning of a lucrative career. Look how many "American Idol" runner-up's have found success. (Chicago's own Jennifer Hudson or Chris Daughtry!)

She might still get her record contract yet!

America, we have a new Spelling Bee Champion.

13-year-old Kavya Shivashankar won the entire enchilada Thursday night with the word Laodicean.

After spelling the winning word, which means lukewarm or indifferent in religion or politics, Kavya received huge hugs from her father, mother and little sister.

I find the spelling bee so interesting and inspiring.

On the news, we see so much of what's wrong with the world--especially when it comes to our children.

The National Spelling Bee, which started in the 1920s, shows that there's still a younger generation to believe in.

Do you agree?

I didn't even know this existed.

A museum dedicated to my first and favorite childhood doll: Raggedy Ann.
The Raggedy Ann & Andy Museum is located in downstate Arcola, Illinois.

This morning I was disheartened to learn that the slumping economy is forcing the museum to close.

I may be working right now but I still was paying some attention to the doings on the American Idol finale.

Would it be Kris, the folksy college student from Arkansas?

Would it be Adam, the flamboyant showman with an incredicle range from San Diego?

Adam was the judge's favorite. I suspect, had it been up to Simon Cowell, Adam would've gotten the title weeks ago.

But it wasn't Adam.

It was Kris Allen. He looked overwhemled, in a way.

Illinois' former First Lady, Patti Blagojevich, apparently now has an offer from NBC to be one of the contestants on the reality television show "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!"

If she accepts, she would take over for her husband, Rod Blagojevich, who had the orginial offer from NBC to be on the show that tapes in the Costa Rican jungle.

A judge already said the former governor couldn't leave the country to be a part of the show.

An attorney for Blagojevich says Mrs. Blagojevich made make the deal because the family needs the money.

Do you think Illinois' former First Lady should take part in a reality TV show?

From North of the Stateline...

Late Thursday, the court announced it would take up a case thrown out of Dane County court last year.

In 2006, Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and civil unions.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will look at a challenge to that vote. Namely, whether the referendum illegally put two issues to voters at the same time: whether to ban gay marriage and whether to outlaw civil unions.

It's a story out of science fiction. A woman, without a face re-emerging with another woman's face after 30 intensive surgeries.

Above, you can see the before and after photos of Connie Culp. In 2004, her husband shot her in the face with a shotgun then turned the gun on himself. He survived and got 7 years in jail.

Below, you can see what Connie looked like before the shooting.

A friend sent me an email the other day about life lessons. I thought I'd share of few of them with you. Hopefully you'll find something in at least one of them that brightens your day or at least lightens the load a bit. If you have any, please add to the list.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

3. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

4. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

5. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

6. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

7. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

8. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

9. What other people think of you is none of your business.

10. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

When Tom Joyner's morning show was taken off the air by Clear Channel's V103 last month and replaced by Steve Harvey, many of his listeners were outraged.

This week, those listeners were happy to learn that Joyner's show was coming back to the Windy City starting today.

What some folks may not understand is how his show is back.

It's called a brokered deal.

The company that produces Joyner's show is actually paying the owners of Soul 106.3, his new Chicago station, to broadcast the program.

10 years ago today, two boys, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a killing spree at Columbine High School. Prior to April 20, 1999, Littleton was virtually an unknown small town near Denver, Colorado. But, at 11:10 a.m. everything changed; the boys arrived at school and prepared to unleash a string of violence that my generation had never seen before.

Today is Record Store Day.
Independent record stores and musicians are coming together across the country to celebrate the stores themselves and the art of music.

I still can't bear to part with my old records and two record players. I miss the creativity and artistry that went into the album covers. I don't encounter many young people who share that appreciation in this day of buying music online.

To find a participating store, go to http://www.recordstoreday.com/Home

They’ve got smooth moves, their energy is contagious and everyone in the group is under 11-years-old. Make sure to watch CLTV this weekend to see our profile on Chitown Finest Breakers, the city’s youngest professional breakdancing troupe.

If you want booking or contact info, check out their Myspace page;
www.myspace.com/djwestsidemrkidd

NASA has released this picture taken from the Chandra X-ray observatory, which is orbiting more than 360 miles above the Earth.

Some have dubbed it "the hand of God."

If you look closely it looks like an outstretched hand grasping a ball of fire.

NASA says the hand was created when a star exploded in a supernova.

NASA scientists estimated the moment captured in the picture actually happened 17,000 years ago. And it has taken since then for the X-rays to reach Earth.

What do you think?? Is this the hand of God or just someone's over active imagination?

If you've ever wondered why the adage "Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover" exists, this may be a golden definition.

Simon Cowell (yes, the one on American Idol) got the shock of his life at his other job across the pond on "Britain's Got Talent".

A 47 year old, unemployed woman got up on stage. She said she wanted to be a professional singer.

People in the audience laughed. Some whistled at her (mockingly).

But what happened when the music started, brought the audience--even the judges to their feet.

It seems everyone and their mother has some kind of social networking page. I’m one of the few exceptions. I don’t have a Facebook or MySpace page, my LinkedIn page hasn’t been updated since I created it two years ago, I rarely text and “Twittering” – forget about it. This could spell the end of my TV career, so I’m told. But I’m still not moved to invest hours upon hours of my life, updating “my status,” responding to simplistic messages like “What’s going on?” and reading personal stuff that people shouldn’t be sharing on line.

Surprisingly, I’m not alone. The Pew Internet & American Life Project just did a survey and found 48% of people are indifferent to Internet social networks, overwhelmed by gadgets or often avoid using the Internet altogether. Another 7% say even though they are “connected” and always carry mobile devices, they feel conflicted about staying in constant contact. And it not just older people saying this. The survey found there are a lot of young people who grew up in this “instant internet connection” era who are getting burnt out.

How far is too far to go to get people to stop smoking?

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has a new PSA (public service announcement) encouraging people to quit. It features a lost 3-year old boy crying because his mother has left him. Then a voice says, “If this is how your child feels after losing you for a minute, just imagine if they lost you for life.”

It’s been reported that some people like the spot, saying it’s a powerful message for an important issue. But others say it’s manipulative. One person called it “atrocious, offensive and irresponsible.” There are even those that are concerned that the boy in the spot was mistreated to make him cry.

NYC health officials argue the end justifies the means, saying “In order to motivate someone to quit, you have to provoke a strong emotional response.”

But is this ad provoking the intended response?

Chia Pets have become an intergral part of American pop culture.

By now, everyone has either bought one or heard the catchy little ditty “Cha cha cha Chia.”

But have the makers of the little potted pottery have gone too far, with the Chia Obama?

Check out the commercial.

Walgreens is pulling the Chia Obama from store shelves, saying it’s not appropriate for the company’s corporate image.

Some may find it flattering that their likeness is turned into a popular housewarming gift. But should President Obama, the leader of the United States of America be reduced to a piece of pottery with green grass growing out of it head?

JWT, the famed ad agency, announced Friday that it would close it's Chicago office.

At it's height, JWT Chicago, employed 300 people and came up with some of America's most memorable ad campaigns.

Now, it's expected that the 50 employees who remain at the Chicago office will be out of a job and remaining accounts will be moved to JWT's New York office.

Take a trip down memory lane and hear the story behind the "I Wish I Were An Oscar Mayer Weiner" song:

According to a recent survey, Chicago was just voted one of the least manliest cities in the America. As a life long Chicagoland resident I don't think this is in anyway true. To be honest I think the Windy City is one of the most masculine cities in the U.S.

More and more salon's / boutiques in the city are catering to the needs of men, but that doesn't mean that the city is predominantly metrosexual. I decided to go to Chicago's first men's grooming club, John Allan's and see if the clientele was more "metro". What I saw from their penthouse location in the heart of the financial district was a spot for men to hang out, relax, get their hair cut and most importantly forget their professional lives.

I thought the lounge and cappuccino was top notch and the service seemed to be first rate. For more info check out their website.

- Matt Knutson | CLTV Producer

Rapper T.I. was sentenced to serve one year and one day in jail after pleading guilty to weapons charges. T.I (whose real name is Clifford Harris, Jr.) was arrested October 2007 attempting to add guns to an already large illegal arsenal, which is wrong on so many levels.
Federal sentencing guideline state that T.I should spend at least four year and nine months in prison for his crime, but the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports T.I.'s legal team was able to work out an "experimental plea bargain" on the his behalf.

I couldn't hold my excitement in. Take a look at the new trailer released for the upcoming big-screen adaptation of the classic children's book "Where the Wild Things Are".

I really feel bad for Shaun Gayle. I also feel bad for 41-year-old-Marni Kay Yang, the woman police say killed Gayle’s pregnant girlfriend and their unborn child in October of 2007.

A friend and business associate of Gayle’s, Yang appeared in bond court this morning in Waukegan. I was seated in the second row of the courtroom. Her name was called and police led a tiny woman in blue jeans, with tussled brown, shoulder length hair in front of the judge. The prosecutor began going over the details of the case, to make a point as to why bond should be denied for the mother of three turned murder suspect.

If you didn't get tickets the first time for the Billy Joel and Elton John concert at Wrigley Field this summer don't worry you are getting a second chance. A second show has been scheduled for July 16th. The original show, scheduled for July 21st, is still on and if ticket holders for that show would like to attend the concert on the 16th they can swap those tickets for "comparable" ones no later than 5 P.M. this Saturday February 21st. Just go to this website. Tickets for the second show will go on sale on Monday February 23rd at noon on tickets.com. The decision to schedule a second show came at the request of the Cubs and elected officials after the first show sold out within minutes of tickets going on sale.

First a DUI… now pot… Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps is he totally screwed…?
Unless you live under a rock you've heard about or seen the picture of Phelps smoking pot out of a bong pipe at college party (not one of his favorite photographs-I am sure). Well, now he's been suspended for three months by the USA swimming team, dropped from his sponsorship contract with cereal giant Kellogg, and could face possible criminal charges by law enforcement officials in the Richland County, South Carolina (where the pictures were taken and the pot smoking happened).
HMM, now correct me if I am wrong - but wasn't this party on a college campus? So does that mean the Richland County Sheriff Department will be pressing charges against some of the other students who were in attendance?

Here we go again. The extremes of being rich and famous. There's been more than enough written about Jessica Simpson and her "curvy" new figure. I'm not going there! Instead, I think people should be more concerned about "celebrities" who look like this.

On Sunday, I was outside the Hudson home gathering information for a report that night.

Dozens of people milled around outside there. Journalists, community members, and those who'd come to show their respects.

A man came up to me and asked me what the newest information was. I told him what I knew.

He told me that he knew the Hudson family. He knew Jennifer Hudson. They went to the same church.

"She was an Englewood Idol long before she was an American Idol," he said.

Then, he challenged me. "Would you even be here if it weren't dealing with Jennifer Hudson's family," he asked?

Chicago may soon become a new model for tolerance in high school.

Today, Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan recommended that the school board approve plans for 20 new schools, including the first high school for gay, lesbian, transgendered teens and allies.

Does it really teach tolerance? I don't think so.

What it does is send a message--a wrong message--that Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered people are different and need to be separate.

We all know that sex sells. But a college grad from California is adding a twist. She’s selling her virginity.

Folks, it seems that being a daddy has meant some house cleaning for Clay Aiken. Specifically, when it comes to his closet.

In the latest issue of People magazine, Aiken finally acknowledges he's gay.

The national media is taking the easy way out.

Late Tuesday, Senator Barack Obama went on the attack. He called the McCain/Palin campaign's reformist image "putting lipstick on a pig".

"The other side, suddenly, they're saying 'we're for change too.' Now think about it, these are the same folks that have been in charge for the last eight years," Obama said to the crowd.

"You can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig. You can wrap up an old fish in a piece of paper and call it change. It's still going to stink after eight years. We've had enough," he exclaimed.

Watch the video here:

Instead of covering the issues, the press is covering a darned pig statement.

Something stinks. I think it's the reporting barnyard they're wallowing in.

It’s a situation we see more often than we would like to in this country.
And once again, the issue of teen pregnancy is back in the national spotlight.
Unless you have been living under a rock, you must have heard the news that presumptive Vice Presidential Nominee Governor Sarah Palin’s 17-year-old daughter –Bristol - is 5 months pregnant.

The cover story in today’s Redeye looks at why young men are having vasectomies.

The paper talked to a young man who had one at age 27. He said the thought of getting a woman pregnant was “the scariest thing in the world.” And he’s long known that he doesn’t want to be a father and he didn’t want to take any chances.

I’m all for sharing the responsibility of making sure a life is not brought into this world too soon or unwanted, but I’m not down with young men having vasectomies.

I personally know two men who have had vasectomies. But they both made the decision AFTER having had children.

The decision to have a vasectomy should be made after men have “experienced” life. As a 30-something, I know how much my outlook on life has changed since I was 18. Things I thought I wanted back then, men I thought were “perfect” for me, my philosophies on life, career, religion, etc. have all changed. I think making life defining decisions before you have lived life are a major mistake. And trust me, you have not experienced all that life can and will throw at you before 30.

Is using a condom or just saying “no” that hard?

Ridiculous! That’s the only way I can describe the latest craze among pre-teen girls, that’s apparently being fueled by their mothers. Girls between the ages of 10 and 12 and sometimes even younger are getting bikini waxes.

What’s wrong with these mothers??? Why would anyone woman who has ever had anything waxed (eyebrow, leg, bikini, etc.) want her daughter to endure that pain?

TODAYshow.com surveyed several salon owners around the country who say the number of kids 12 and under coming in for waxing services has increased dramatically over the past three years.

An aesthetician in Philadelphia says the mothers who bring their daughters in for waxing come in two varieties: those who are concerned because their children are being teased about their body hair, and those she calls “perfectionists.”

But some experts say using hair removal to boost self-esteem is not a good idea.

“Girls are learning the worst possible lessons about body image and body hair,” said Dr. Diane Levin, professor of education at Wheelock College in Boston and co-author of the book “So Sexy So Soon.” Ultimately Levin says, the trend of tweens waxing is indicative of bigger issues, including the sexualizing of young girls. “Girls shouldn’t be taught so early to focus on how they look and that things like money, makeup and looking good buy happiness, instead of the skills that they possess,” Levin said.

So is this a case of mothers trying to protect their daughters or are they trying to live vicariously through their children? In either case, it's sad!!! It reminds me of something my mother told me, “children should be allowed to be children, they grow up too fast these days and miss out being a kid and before you know it, they’re adults.”

Michael Phelps keeps finding gold at the Beijing Olympics.

The American swimmer has claimed five gold medals at the summer games so far, and he still has three more events to go.

I think his achievements in the pool are awesome and incredible.
But I also think more attention should be paid to the accomplishments of all the other talented athletes - especially those who don't win medals.

In 1996, my oldest brother, Derrick, competed in the summer games in Atlanta.
He was a Greco-Roman wrestler and 37 years old.

As Drew Peterson left Will County Courthouse on Wednesday, he was greeted by the media and some "fans".

First, take a look at the exchange:

Okay, I've seen and heard it all.

"I love the Sisters," he said. Peterson was referring to the African American women who called out to him.

"I love you too, honey," yelled out one of them.

Really? REALLY.

Greta Garbo and Monroe, Dietrich and DiMaggio.

Years ago, these icons of pop culture held influence over what did, said and thought. So much so that they're in Madonna's "Vogue".

Take a close look at the pictures above. Notice something?

They're all smoking.

Thing is, everyone who was anyone smoked in the first half of the 20th Century. It was a status symbol. Right?

Since August I have been to 9 weddings… I was a bridesmaid in 3 of them … this morning when I looked at my mail from yesterday hidden in between my American Express bill and my car note was a powder blue envelope with silver bells spread across.
Instantly I knew what it was … my heart began racing and my hands were shaking as I ripped open yet another invitation to a wedding.
I suddenly felt this intense pressure building up in me as I tried to figure out if I should attend the wedding. My life is sort of reminiscent to the movie “27 Dresses” except I haven’t been in 27 weddings… but the concept is the same … I am always the bridesmaid/wedding guest… never the bride.
But, I never really wanted to be the bride until I started attending all these weddings. A good male friend of mine and I had this conversation just this week. I always thought of myself as one of the chicks in the Destiny’s Child song “Independent Women”… a young Oprah in training – I’ve been always been hell bent on being my own woman.
I have goals and dreams that I want to achieve before I find myself saddled down to domesticity. I want to see the world and find out what it is I want from life before I start making promises and compromises to another
So the question really is do I want to be a bride or a wife? When I mentioned to one of my fellow producers that I would be blogging about weddings today she mentioned how she sometimes feels this overwhelming pressure to be married.
And I noticed that is a recurring sentiment with a lot of my female friends who are entering their late 20s. We have been fortunate enough to group up in an era were marriage doesn’t have to be our only option. We can vote, have an education, have a career … but yet our lives still feel incomplete without a diamond sparkler resting on our ring fingers.
My good male friend, lets call him Bob, Bob so kindly pointed out to me while we had dinner the other night that it would be extremely difficult for me to find a mate (which I already knew) because it would take a strong confident man to be with such a passionate and driven person as myself. It was kind of a backhanded complement, I know it wasn’t intentional – he was being sincere and speaking from the heart. But it made me think, why is a strong confident female a liability in a relationship and not an asset?
The last wedding I attended was one of my closest friends in college. She and her husband are perfect for each other … they are also in the early 20s. So as I sat at the reception I mentally catalogued all the aspects of this wedding (and the other 8 I attended before it) that I would like to some day incorporate into my own wedding.
Bob later asked me if attending all these weddings made me want to get married? I replied that it gave me great insight into planning one.
And so as a result I have it all planned out; the dress, the color scheme, flowers, cake, and table settings... Now, to some people that maybe a little crazy or neurotic but when you have been to so many weddings you can’t help but think of these things… and want them.
I now have almost as many close married friends as I do close single friends. We are 25 were suppose to be club hopping and jet setting… instead I’ve been attending bridal showers and dress fittings.
And please do not get me wrong I am extremely happy for all of my friends who have found their “happy ending” -- their perfect somebody. But I am tired of being asked when I am going to slow down and take the plunge and I am tired of feeling like maybe I should slow down and take the plunge. Like it’s a crime that I would rather pursue my dreams and goals right now then enter into a serious relationship.
It’s hard to be a woman in the broadcast business we have to make a lot of sacrifices.
My friends always think working in TV is a glamorous job … and it can be at time. I work a lot and I am always trying to find new ways to make my shows better. I am determined and driven and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that.
My male cousin once told me not to be too picky when it came to guys. WHAT.
If guys can be picky about a women – I am damn sure going to be picky about guys.
Especially when it comes to marriage, it’s not to be entered into lightly. The 7 brides and 2 grooms whose weddings I have attended have all dated there now spouses for long periods of times, so the natural progression for them was marriage.
Each of them understands the role they now play as husband and wife. They understand the depths of what they have just committed themselves to. And they know that those vows are not to be taken lightly and with each thrill in life a tradgey will soon follow and it takes a strong firm relationship to see it out in the end.
But for some of my other gal pals they get overly giddy over the idea of marriage and its then that I know they want to be a bride and not a wife.

These are just the thoughts of a 20-somethinger ... please feel free to leave a comment

Afua
(Uh-fee-yah)
News Producer

Sometimes all it takes is a good swift kick in the pocketbook to get people to do right.

Case in point. Environmentalists have been screaming for years that disposable plastic water bottles are bad for they environment because they clog up landfills. They’ve released study after study that says tap water is just as good and safe as bottled water. And in some cases, bottled water is nothing more than tap water put in a plastic container.

The city of Chicago has even gone so far as to start taxing 5 cents per bottle of bottled water.

But to no avail. People still want their fancy bottled water. That is until the economy started to dive.

With the price of gas sky-high and grocery bills going through the roof, people are trying to find ways to cut costs.

One way appears to be, to cut back on bottled water. The Associated Press reports:

With a day's worth of bottled water - the recommended 64 ounces - costing hundreds to thousands of dollars a year depending on the brand, more people are opting to slurp water that comes straight from the sink.

I’ll admit bottled water is convenient. But at a time when we are looking to save money, wouldn’t it make a lot of sense to stop paying for bottled water when you can get tap water basically for free?

Image is everything when it comes to politics. Everything you say, don't say, do and don't do is scrutinized ad nauseam. That also goes for the politician's other half.

Take these two ladies for example, Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain. We know they are the wives of the presumptive presidential candidates of their respective parties. But for the most part, we don't know much else. We’ve heard a few sound bites from them and have maybe read a few articles about them.

Then there are the photo spreads.

In these two pictures, it looks like they are trying to let the photos tell who they are or at least who they want to be seen as. And as you can tell they are projecting very different images than they do on the campaign trail.

Both were photographed for Vogue magazine. Michelle Obama in September of '07 and Cindy McCain for the June '08 issue.

In one picture, McCain is chillin' on a chaise lounger, with her hair down, wearing jeans, no shoes and red polish on her toenails.

The Washington Post writes "the implied message is unmistakable: I am not a Stepford wife."

On the other hand, Obama is shown in a more formal, classy pose. She’s in a little black dress with pearls and pumps. The Post believes "the implied message is unmistakable: I am neither subversive nor threatening. I am not some scary 'other.' I am Camelot with a tan."

The Post surmises "McCain’s image aims to excite the eyes. Obama’s offers reassurance."

Just goes to show you, pictures do speak louder than words.

Children’s books are supposed to be just that, books for children about topics that nurture, educate and help them develop into fine young men and women. I’m not sure if “My Beautiful Mommy” fits the bill.

It’s written by a plastic surgeon for the children of women who have procedures like breast implants and tummy tucks. The author, Dr. Michael Salzhauer says the book seeks to reassure children that the bandages and bruises are temporary and mommy will be prettier when they go away.

It’s meant for kids aged four to seven. The picture book features a plastic surgeon named Dr. Michael and girl whose mother gets a tummy tuck, nose job and breast implants.

I get the concept. Kids will not be scarred for life if it’s explained to them before they see their mother all battered and bruised. But I’m not sure if this book is the best way to soothe their fears.

First of all, I’m not a fan of plastic surgery. I believe in fighting old age with a proper diet & exercise and a serious moisturizing regime.

The concern I have is the body image issues the book will create. Little girls tend to emulate their mothers. If they see their mother “getting fixed,” they may feel the need to “get fixed,” too. Couple that with societal pressures to be “perfect” and their impressionable young minds will be ruined long before they hit their teens. By that time, no one will be able to counter those destructive notions, not even beautiful mommy.

Good news for snobby wine drinkers during these trying economic times. “The Wine Trials,” a new book by food critic Robin Goldstein finds you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a good wine.

Goldstein got 500 volunteers (experts and everyday drinkers) to do a blind taste test of 540 wines, priced between $1.50 and $150, then rate them on a scale of bad, OK, good and great.

100 wines under $15 rated higher than the more expensive brands. For example, a $9.99 bottle of Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut outscored a $150 bottle of Dom Perignon. A bottle of “Two-Buck Chuck” outperformed a $55 bottle of Stags’ Leap Artemis. Several box wines even made it into the top 100.

And to further prove that people are hung up on price tags, scientists from Caltech and Stanford did a separate wine study earlier this year. Volunteers were asked to try Cabernet Sauvignon priced at $5, $10, $45 and $90. The catch was there were only two kinds of wine, they were just marked with different prices. Newsweek reports:

The $90 wine was presented at its real price as well as marked down to $10, while the $5 bottle was also marked up to $45. The results were surprising: price appeared to dictate pleasure. The wine drinkers liked the $90 bottle best, the $5 bottle least. When the same volunteers were offered sips without price data, though, they preferred the $5 option.

photo courtesy NY Daily News

Oprah Winfrey called it a “new definition of what diversity means for everybody.”
In an interview on her show Thursday, a transgender man who is pregnant told the nation he always wanted a child and considers it a miracle. People Magazine first picked up Beatie’s story and has a full spread on him on newsstands Friday, April 4th.

Here’s the background;
34-year old Thomas Beatie, a one time pageant queen, says he decided to become a man 10 years ago, taking testosterone treatments and having breast surgery to remove glands and flatten his chest. He says he kept his reproductive organs knowing he wanted a child one day. That one-day happened 6 months ago when his wife Nancy inseminated him using a syringe of sperm from a donor bank. Beatie says he stopped taking testosterone 2 years ago, and his hormone levels are normal. The happy couple also says their roles in raising the child won’t change. Nancy will be mommy Thomas will be daddy.

What his doctor says;
First, Beatie says he was turned down by several other doctors before Dr. Kimberly James, a doctor in the couple’s Oregon town, decided to pick Thomas up. Dr. James says the baby is totally healthy, and it is a normal pregnancy.

Arguments of course have erupted over this story.
Some are wondering if they are bringing the child into a healthy environment or will their be confusion because daddy gave birth. Others are wondering why the couple are parading themselves before the media and seeking out attention. To that, the couple has said they wanted to release the news on their own terms, instead of having it spread after the baby is born. By the way.. it’s a girl.

Whether good or bad, I want to hear your thoughts on this story.

I'm a "details" person. Perhaps that's why I'm a journalist. I'm captivated by the information that connects the dots that explain why things happen. The more bizarre the information, the more interested I am.

There’s an interesting article in today’s Los Angeles Times that's full of never before released details about the so-called war between east coast and west coast rappers. It uses FBI records and interviews to shed new light on what may have precipitated the deaths of two off the industry’s most prolific figures, Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace, aka Notorious B.I.G. It even implicates associates of entrepreneur extraordinaire Sean “P. Diddy” Combs.

Tupac Shakur Notorious B.I.G.

The LA Times says the feud began over a perceived diss by rapper Tupac. The article focuses on the night of November 30, 1994. The night Shakur was shot in a New York City recording studio.

Now, newly discovered information, including interviews with people who were at the studio that night, lends credence to Shakur's insistence that associates of rap impresario Sean "Diddy" Combs were behind the assault. Their alleged motives: to punish Shakur for disrespecting them and rejecting their business overtures and, not incidentally, to curry favor with Combs.

Some of the more interesting tidbits about that night include the details of the shooting.

As the rapper and his crew walked toward the elevator, the two other assailants rushed in from outside and demanded that Shakur and the others turn over their jewelry. When Shakur refused, all three attackers began to pistol-whip him.

The rapper surprised them by drawing his own weapon. Gunfire erupted, and Shakur accidentally shot himself in the groin. The assailants shot Shakur four times. He sustained injuries to the head, hand and thigh -- serious but not life-threatening.

The men beat and kicked the rapper as he lay bleeding on the ground. Then, ripping a $40,000 gold medallion and chain from his neck, they escaped into the night.

In a bizarre twist, Shakur, bleeding badly, sat on a couch and rolled a joint, witnesses said. Then he phoned his girlfriend, who contacted his mother, former Black Panther Afeni Shakur.

Shakur went on to record a few more albums and even serve time for a sex assault case before being killed in a Las Vegas drive-by shooting almost two years later. Despite witness accounts, no one has ever been charged in the attack on Shakur at the New York City music studio.

For those of you not familiar with this intriguing piece of pop culture, the article is an interesting crash course. It also offers insight into the seedy side of the music industry and the violent nature of hip-hop and rap music.

I come from an incredibly happy family. Holidays, Birthday parties, BBQ's.. all our family gatherings are loud and very social events. So I was interested to see this new study by British and Australian researchers that shows it appears you can inherit your happiness. A researcher at the University of Edinburgh studied nearly 1,000 pairs of identical and non identical twins and found genes control half the personality traits that make people happy. Factors like relationships, health and careers are responsible for the other half.
Researchers say, "It appears people with positive inherited personality traits may, in effect, also have a reserve of happiness to draw on in stressful times."

Especially in a career like this one, I've often noticed in times of higher stress people metabolize their anxiety very differently. While some are able to plow forward and work harder, others allow their stress to bubble up and over.

Take a look at how you handle stressful situations and how happy you are. Are your family members behind it, or do you think every person writes their own path to happiness?

Being asked to be a bridesmaid is a thrill, at first. The closer you get to the “big day,” the nuttier the bride gets, hence the nickname “bridezilla.” Now comes word that some brides are asking their bridesmaids to sign contracts promising not to gain weight, get pregnant or change hairstyles before the wedding.

According to a survey of 1,000 women by “You & Your Wedding” magazine, one in five brides are worried about bridesmaids letting them down. And despite the fact that 61% of brides picked a best friend to be a bridesmaid and 49% chose their sister, 48% would get rid of them if they didn’t stick to the rules.

I think brides who ask their bridesmaids to sign a contract like this have lost their minds. It’s bad enough that you have to buy an expensive dress that you will never wear again and the shoes to go along with it. Not to mention plan bridal showers and bachelorette parties and come up with a gift for the couple. And on top of that, you have to play along with the bride’s whims of how to wear your hair and what jewelry to wear.

Having only been a bridesmaid, never a bride I may have a limited view. But any bride that thinks a friend or family member is going to sign a bridesmaid contract, is probably going to end up getting their feelings hurt.

Men say it's one of the most difficult things to do. They say it takes a lot of courage to ask a woman to marry him. It's a very vunerable moment for them. They're pouring their heart out and laying it all on the line in hopes the woman will say, "yes!"

This poor guy was dealt a crushing blow. Not only did the woman say no, she said no in front of a huge crowd at the Houston Rockets basketball game. Check it out!

Why didn't he try to find out how she felt about him before he put himself on the line like that?

This is one of those stories you hear and hope as the days go forward conclusions being reached by some of the entertainment programs don't prove to be true. I was admittedly shocked to hear actor Heath Ledger died on Tuesday. In recent years he made the spotlight with the controversial film Brokeback Mountain and through all the press he seemed to remain a low profile celebrity. Not extremely involved in the 'happening' scene, Ledger and then girlfriend/fiancé Michelle Williams seem to care more about career and family than landing on the front pages of magazines.
In his death, that is squarely where Heath Ledger is landing.
On Tuesday authorities revealed 6 different types of prescription drugs were found in his apartment, including anti-anxiety medications, sleeping pills and an antihistamine. The autopsy results are so far inconclusive, and the medical examiner is waiting further testing before releasing a cause of death, likely in several days. Police also said Wednesday a rolled up $20 bill was found near Ledger's body. Lab tests show no traces of drugs on the bill and police say no illegal drugs were found in the apartment.
Was it an accident or a suicide?
Relatives are adamantly calling the death "tragic, untimely and accidental." Close friends have come forward saying Ledger was recently going out more, and very upset about his break up with Williams and spending less time with their daughter 2 year old Matilda.
In a recent interview Ledger told the New York Times he had been exhausted and was taking Ambien to get to sleep. Today fellow actors are describing him as a perfect gentleman, who touched many lives. While I realized he may not have changed the world, solved our hunger problems, or made any major life altering discoveries, he was a man with many young fans... fans who will hopefully be able to continue to look up to him and his work and not simply look at another actor who lost their life too early, to drugs.

This fall into the category of "I don't get it!" A pet rental business called FlexPetz is springing up around the country (not in Chicago yet) for people who want a dog, but only part-time. According to its website, the concept of FlexPetz originated with a group of dogs lovers who couldn't take care of a dog full-time. Reasons include, restrictive pet ownership rules where they lived, regular business travel involving days away from home and/or a busy family schedule. Keep in mind, renting a dog from FlexPetz isn't cheap. For a one time fee of $150.00, plus a monthly membership fee of $49.95, and an annual account maintenance charge of $99.95 and a weekend rate of $39.95 (per day), or a week day rate of $24.95 (per day), plus tax, FlexPetz will provide its "members with local access to a variety of dogs, all of whom are rescued or rehomed, very lovable and fully trained." Dog drop-off and pickup at a home or office is an additional $35. An "inconvenience fee" of $75 a day is added for dogs brought back late.

Animal rights groups are really upset about FlexPetz. Some believe it "promotes dogs as disposable items". Others say, "dogs need stability in their lives, they need a long-term commitment, and they need a secure environment."

I'm not an over-the-top animal lover, I don't have any pets, in fact I only had a dog for about a week growing up. So again, I say, I don't get it. If you want a pet, make the long-term commitment the dog needs and deserves. Otherwise, let someone else who has the time and desire provide the dog with a long-term home. Am I alone on this one?

As we ring in the 1st day of 2008 some are already making and breaking resolutions,
I have never been a fan of resolutions. I don't trust myself to keep one for an entire year so instead of setting myself up for failures, I like to set up "guidelines" at the beginning of every year. They are simply little mini-goals I would like to catch in the days ahead; things like getting more involved in the community, finishing a half marathon in an hour 50 minutes, maybe dropping a few pounds. I admit even my mini-goals sometimes fall a bit short. So I am tasking you readers to come up with real solutions to help people reach the difficult resolutions many often fail to meet. Resolutions including things like weight loss, smoking.. you know the toughies, and often most crucial.
The good news for all of you who have already broken, or have yet to make your New Year's Resolution, the New Year doesn't begin on January 1st everywhere only in cultures which use the 365-day solar calendar. So if you've already fallen off the horse.. another will gallop into another culture soon!

Fans of Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien will be happy to hear, they're coming back with fresh shows on January 2nd. But will fans really be happy? A better question is will they laugh? Leno and O'Brien are suppose to be comedians, but most, if not all of their material comes from writers. And they are, of course on strike. So this will be a true test of Leno's and O'Brien's comedic abilities. O'Brien is already trying to lower expectations and quiet hecklers. He issued a statement yesterday saying "of course, my show will not be as good. In fact, in moments it may very well be terrible." The fact that O'Brien is willing to put that on paper makes me wonder why he's make so much money. The only contract information I could find for O'Brien is he made about $2 million in 1997. Leno makes an estimated $27 million. That's an awful lot of money for someone who expects to bomb on national television.

Okay..
Forbes.com just released its list of Hollywood's most Influential Infants. Which almost seems like it should be an oxymoron to me, but whatever.. here goes.

5. Pax Jolie-Pitt
4. Sean Preston Federline
3. Zahara Jolie-Pitt
2. Suri Cruise
1. Shiloh Jolie-Pitt

The countdown is based on A-list babies with the most effect on pop culture, and was whittled down by the number of press clippings and consumer appeal. Oh.. and of course they had to be under the age of 5 which is why Forbes says Maddox Jolie-Pitt didn't make the list.
A fascinating or freakish study.. You decide.

Piggybacking on my colleague Tonya's blog on the Jennifer Love Hewitt pictures, I agree too much emphasis is placed on young girls these days based on appearances in Hollywood.
However, with that said, I did cock my head this morning in question as I watched the Today show discussion on the topic. Natalie Morales was talking to Jessica Weiner, author of “Do I look fat in this?”. The discussion centered around women accepting their bodies and appearances and not allowing Hollywood to dictate how their size makes them feel. The topic is one I first must say I completely agree with and one, which is crucial for young women to grab a hold of early. But I was a little surprised to see a large woman; I would say obese, telling women to love their bodies.
The obesity rate in the US is astonishing and we all know the health problems associated with obesity. So is it okay to love your body if you’re obese? Or instead of loving your body people should be taught to love their LIVES, and take responsibility to make them healthier?
Which is more important; living with an unhealthy goal of perfection or loving an obese body with potential health concerns.
Both are big problems, the question is which problem is bigger?

I think it’s time that we finally accept the fact that NO ONE is perfect! No matter how much money or fame someone has, they also have flaws. Case in point, a photographer snapped this picture of actress Jennifer Love Hewitt in a bikini on the beach.

No it’s not a flattering picture, but to be honest, not very many people look good in a “butt shot.” Unless you do 500 lunges and squats a day and restrict your calories intake to 1200 a day, 365 days a year, you’re going to have some dimples somewhere. But a lot of people have been posting mean, rude and downright nasty comments about the picture, prompting Hewitt to fight back.

Hewitt says she doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with the way she looks in a bikini. She says, “A size 2 is not fat! Nor will it ever be.” And she adds, being a size 0 doesn’t make you beautiful.” She says she’s been silent for a long time about the way women’s bodies are constantly scrutinized. And says she’s not upset for herself, but for all the girls out there that are struggling with their body image.

But it’s not just girls struggling. Older, mature women also have issues with their bodies. Take Dr. Donda West for example.

She’s educated, accomplished, acclaimed, rich, the mother of a rap superstar, etc. and was 58 years old. But even she felt the need (pressure) to change her body. In the end, it may have cost her, her life. You can’t help but ask yourself, “Is this quest for perfection really worth it?”

If you’re annoyed, like I am, by the loudmouths that are constantly talking on their cell phones in the most inappropriate places, there is a way to shut them up, a cell phone jammer. Apparently these pocket-sized wonders are quite popular. The New York Times reports, café owners, bus drivers and bunch of other people, including those who take public transportation are buying them. They cost anywhere from $50 to $1000 and can jam calls from several feet to several yards. They work by sending out a powerful radio signal that overwhelms cell phones so the signal can’t reach the cell tower. It’s simple, effective and illegal. According to the website HowStuffWorks.com, the FCC considers “jamming” property theft, because a private company has bought the rights to the radio spectrum and jamming it is just like stealing it. And if you’re caught using a jammer, you can be fined up to $11,000 for the first offense. The website also points out that jamming is a safety hazard because it blocks ALL calls within its reach. People who need help can’t call 911, kids in trouble can’t reach their parents, etc. Like with every great invention, there is a down side, in this case a dangerous side. So if you choose to jam, jam with caution!

Technology is advancing so quickly that I could soon be out of a job. Northwestern University’s Intelligent Information Laboratory is working on technology that could replace news anchors with talking avatars. For those of you not familiar with the term, the Urban Dictionary defines avatar as: a digital representation of a person who lives only through the Internet.

The site called “News at Seven” proclaims to give you the news you want, the way you want it, by generating a virtual newscast pulled from stories, images, videos and blogs on a common news topic. What you end up with is a three-minute news update with national, international, and human-interest stories, with commentary from blogs on the national story. Click here to see a sample newscast.

Before I get on my high horse about how the avatars delivery sucks and they are not the most appealing to watch, there are people out there who don't like “human” news anchors either. A study done by the Radio-Television News Directors Association and the Ford Foundation found just under 60% of people 18 and older say news is better with anchors. Just under 30% say news would be better without anchors, and just under 10% say it doesn’t matter.

I say, which would you rather see, this face

Or this face..

From good... to bad...

What’s with this unending, unrelenting, unbelievable fascination with Britney Spears? I’m part of the media and I still don’t get it. In the beginning, I could see how people wanted to know how such a successful, seemingly talented young woman who had the world in the palm of her hand could fall so far from grace. I wonder if all of this attention is driving her to do stupid stuff or if she’s really stupid.

The finally straw for me came yesterday when Ryan Seacrest interviewed the poor lost soul on the radio. Click here to listen. Between the giggles and the “uhms” the “you knows” the “likes” and the “stuff like thats,” you really get a sense of how clueless Britney Spears is. She didn’t even know how often she would get to see her kids after having just left a custody hearing less than 24 hours earlier.

At this point, I’m convinced there’s no hope for this girl. I fear the next legitimate story about her will be about an unfortunate tragedy.