Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Is it just keeping up with the times, or another invasion of wireless technology?
For the upcoming presidential inauguration, a number of additional pieces of equipment are being installed in and around the National Mall to handle the expected increase in wireless traffic from advanced smartphones and tablets. While the equipment will allow attendees to update their Facebook statuses, tweet and upload images to Pinterest, it also means that there could be more opportunities for hackers to intercept communications from unwary revelers. The National Federation of Independent Business offers some tips on its website for keeping your mobile data safe. We want to know: Do you think the additional cell towers and equipment are needed to keep us up-to-date with recent technologies and forms of communication, or are they an …
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Heroines with bows, vampires, super heroes and James Bond dominated the 2012 box office.
In 2012, box office tallies increased for the first time in three years, hitting an all-time high of $10.8 billion, according to a recent Huffington Post article. Superheroes, secret agents, strong females wielding weapons, and animated fare took seven of the top 10 slots in terms of domestic gross, with Marvels' The Avengers raking in more than $623 million, The Dark Knight Rises over $448 million and the Hunger Games over $408 billion. Rounding out the top 10 were: While they may not (yet) be in the $200 million+ range, a number of other films are both critically and popularly acclaimed. The recently opened Les Miserables and Django Unchained seem likely to cross that barrier, while Lincoln, Argo and Life of Pi will probably enjoy a …
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Snowflake creators from throughout the country say they want to join the effort.
- OPINION
- Jay Corn
-
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
People across the country have had the families of Newtown, CT, on their minds during the holiday season and are searching for ways to help. What can you do? The Sandy Hook Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) recently announced that Sandy Hook students will be relocating to another building to continue school in January. To brighten the students' first day, the PTA is asking for handmade snowflakes from well-wishers across the country, to hang in their new building. "Please help these students have a 'winter wonderland' at their new school! Get creative. No two snowflakes are alike," they said. Snowflakes can be made and sent by Jan. 12, 2013 to: Connecticut PTSA 60 Connolly Parkway Building 12, Suite 13 Hamden, CT 06514 Click here to see …
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Great acting makes you join in their crusade.
The film makers want to ask you, "Will you join in their crusade?" After much promotion and fanfare, a new musical film interpretation of Les Misérables is opening nationwide. For you non-"Mis" folk, the story is of Prisoner 24601 Jean Valjean, who breaks parole, is hunted relentlessly by Inspector Javert and encounters various troubled and impoverished characters in post-revolutionary France. Based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo, it is beloved by generations of musical theatre fans. The musical version of the movie was a risky undertaking, but now promises a huge pay-off to the studio, cast, and crew, thanks largely to a career topping job by several of the lead actors. The endless marketing about the actors singing live has also …
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
It's your turn to share your thoughts on the media's coverage of the nation's latest mass shooting.
In the immediate aftermath of the shootings at an elementary school in Newtown, CT some people thought the news media coverage of the event was overkill, if not completely invasive. There was criticism of cable TV networks for interviewing kids coming out of the school following the massacre, and incorrect information was reported in the hours immediately following the news breaking. But others argue that it’s the job of the news media to be aggressive in telling these stories, and that the misinformation was only the results of erroneous information provide by officials. How would you rate the media coverage of the of the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings? Tell us in comments.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School has sparked broader debate over gun control and whether semi-automatic weapons should be banned.
The Sandy Hook shooting has opened a broader discussion over gun control and whether there should be tighter restrictions on semi-automatic weapons like the one used by shooter Adam Lanza. As Columbia Patch points out, citing an article from The Washington Post, current law bans fully automatic assault weapons, but semi-automatic assault weapons are legal, as well as high-capacity magazines. Since the shooting, Walmart stopped selling online the Bushmaster Patrolman's Carbine M4A3 Rifle, which is in the same family of firearms as the weapon Lanza used, The Huffington Post reports. Wheaton Patch is reporting that Dick's Sporting Goods has suspended the sale of "modern sporting rifles" at all of its stores. The shooting has sparked a …
Thursday, December 13, 2012
With millions of animals crowding the shelters, rescuing your next pet is the right thing to do.
Have you ever noticed that people like to tell you when their dog is a rescue? That’s because they know they played an important part in saving the life of a deserving animal, and have gotten an amazing companion out of it. They have every right to be proud; rescuing an animal is the right thing to do. We want folks to spread the word so that others will consider the incredible good and personal satisfaction that comes from choosing to rescue. Rescue has been around a long time, but it’s only recently become a part of our mainstream culture. Adopting a rescued pet is the final step in a process that involves a dedicated network of volunteers who devote their time, resources, and homes to save these once-forgotten animals from bad …
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Who will win the battle of the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., regional foes?
The brawl between the beltways takes place Sunday in Landover. We can only hope it takes place on the field and not in the stands or at your local bar. But speaking of which, check out the scripted banter between the two fans in the YouTube video we've included. Where do your allegiances lie? Are you an RGIII fanatic, too? Or do you view the Redskins "as the other team from Maryland," like the Ravens fan said? TELL US: Who are you pulling for on Sunday and why? Give us a score prediction and a key for the game in the comments. — At the game or watching it with friends? Add your fan photos to this post to show your true colors.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Study reveals we buy according to our age and life stage. But, for gifts, is cemetery lot maintenance really a crowd pleaser?
During the holiday season, many struggle with the anxiety of wondering if a recipient will really like his or her gift. Are you considering opera tickets for your great aunt? What about purchasing a photograph session for a person under 30? Or, maybe grabbing a game for granddad? If the data in a recent article on The Atlantic’s website is any indication, you may want to think foremost about a person's stage in life before purchasing. The article cites a report from HS Dent, an economic forecasting firm that looked at U.S. Census data regarding spending behavior by age groups. Some of the data is less that shocking – spending on hearing aids, prescription drugs and the upkeep of cemetery lots rises dramatically as we age. Expenditures on …
Friday, November 16, 2012
Fifth and last in the blockbuster film series debuts, based on novels by Stephenie Meyer. Rated PG-13.
Regal Germantown Stadium 14 is showing"Breaking Dawn Part 2" practically around the clock Friday and Saturday. The film debuted Thursday night to large crowds. The big finale of the Twilight Saga needs no help from anyone beyond their fans, thank you very much. You need but look to the scores of Twihards who lined up at movie theaters around the world over a week before the premiere. These fans can rest easy. Director Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters, Dreamgirls) gives them exactly what they expect. For the rest of the planet, it feels cliched and fangless until a rousing last act climbs so over the top it makes it almost worth the price of admission. The plot centers on concern that the old guard of vampires in charge, the Volturi, may…
MaryJane
4:22 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Today President Obama took brave action and stated "This is our first task as a society: keeping our children safe. " Indeed it is. Then it is time to look at electromagnetic fields and the safety of children. “The AAP strongly supports H.R. 6358′s emphasis on examining the effects of radiofrequency (RF) energy on vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant women. In addition, we are … more ›