1. Pat’s Preview: November 12

    US Adviser Stands to Make $100 Million From Oil

    If this is what unpaid means, sign me up. There’s a stunning story on the front page of the New York Times. Peter Galbraith is the American who has worked as an “unpaid” adviser to the Kurds in Iraq. But it’s now clear that related business arrangements could bring him a $100 million payday.

     

    World worried about slide in US dollar

    A slipping dollar could threaten economic recovery elsewhere in the world, reports the Wall Street Journal.  Thailand, Korea and Russia are among those stepping in to help.

     

    How to Pick the Right Exercise Class

    From pole dancing to hula hooping, it seems like there is always a new and better way to workout. The Chicago Tribune asks a group of personal trainers for recommendations to help you make the right choice next time you’re at the gym.

     

    Oprah Reveals Chimp Lady

    The woman who was attacked by a chimp last February was on Oprah yesterday. And it was a dramatic interview says the New York Post. After asking permission, Oprah removed a scarf hiding the woman’s mauled face.

     

    Doctor Accused of Using His Own Sperm to Inseminate

    A couple got quite a shock when they found out their twin daughters came from the wrong sperm - their doctor’s.  The Houston Chronicle says officials are now investigating more claims that the doctor switched his sperm for his patients.

     

    The New Rachel

    It’s the new Rachel says the New York Times. Except now it’s called “Blake Lively Hair.” The Gossip Girl star has women all over the country trying to emulate her long blond locks.

     
  2. Pat’s Picks: November 11

    The stories on Pat’s Picks are evolving throughout the morning as we make our final selections. At about Noon ET we lock down the list and send out our free e-mail summary.

    Thanksgiving Staples

    What comes first, the turkey or the sides? There’s a funny New York Times article about which is the key ingredient to a great Thanksgiving meal.  Also includes some great recipes.

     

    Fearlessly grocery shopping for one

    A giant head of broccoli is too much for a single person, says cookbook editor Judith Jones.  In the Washington Post (and in her new book) she offers “fearless” tips to help you shop for one.

     

    AMA Changes Stance on Medical Marijuana

    One of the country’s most prominent medical groups has changed its stance on medical marijuana. The AMA has changed its policy and now supports “clinical research and development of cannabis-based medicines and alternative delivery methods” reports the LA Times.

     

    Background Checks Improve, People Try to Clean Records

    As technology improves, so does the scope of background checks. And as a result, job seekers with a criminal past are trying to expunge their records says the Wall Street Journal.

     

    Bears Stearns Execs Acquitted on Fraud Charges

    The US government lost their first case stemming from last fall’s financial crisis reports the Wall Street Journal this morning. Two Bear Stearns executives were acquitted yesterday of securities fraud.

     

    Delta flights to go cashless

    The pleas from flight attendants for exact change will soon end on Delta.  The Star-Tribune says the airline is going cashless, requiring credit cards for inflight food and drink purchases.

     

    Rent the Home You (Used To) Own

    Why would you want to rent the home you already own? To avoid foreclosure says the San Francisco Chronicle. Mortgage giant Fannie Mae says it will offer a one-year lease to homeowners who opt to sign over the deed to their house instead of face foreclosure.

     

    Lost Wedding Ring Found Under Ten Tons of Trash

    Sanitation workers found a Pennsylvania couple’s lost wedding ring in an unlikely place - under ten tons of trash. But according to the Morristown Daily Record, it’s not the first time the workers have struck gold: “I think we’re three-for-three.” The wife contacted the sanitation department after her husband unwittingly threw away the ring.

     

    The Mom Salon

    There must be something in the shampoo. The Chicago Tribune has a great profile of a salon where employees have given birth to a collective 18 kids since 2005. Two more are on the way.

     

    Miss California Admits to Making Sex Tape

    Ousted Miss California Carrie Prejean confirms the stories about the sex tape in her past. She told Fox News host Sean Hannity that she made the x-rated video as a teenager reports the LA Times.

     

    Plastic Linked To Sexual Problems

    A new study has found that exposure to BPA, the building block of many types of plastics, is linked to sexual dysfunction. The Sacramento Bee says that in light of the study’s findings, the FDA plans to issue a new recommendation about BPA on December 1.

     

    Pastor Lends a Helping Hand - And Kidney

    After helping a woman pray for a new kidney, a Texas pastor found out the he held the answer to the woman’s prayers. The Dallas Morning-News says when he discovered he was a match, the priest donated his own organ.

     

    Vatican Looks to the Sky

    “E.T., Phone Rome” is the headline in today’s Star Tribune. Apparently, the Vatican has called in experts to determine whether extraterrestrial life exists and what effect it would have on the Catholic Church.

     

    “Tweet Smell of Success”

    The only place a 29-year-old man living in his parent’s basement can hope to move is up, right? The New York Post talks to Justin Halpern this morning, who has parlayed his time in the basement into a Twitter site chronicling the outrageous things his father says - and into a lucrative screenwriting gig.

     

    Essay on execution of DC sniper

    “It’s done now.”  Those are the opening words of a front page essay in the Washington Post, marking the execution last night of sniper John Allen Muhammad.

     

    Tim Burton’s Paintings at MOMA

    Tim Burton is at the MOMA. Or at least his “quirky, creepy artwork” is writes the New York Daily News. Almost 700 of the director’s paintings and photos will be on display when Burton’s first art show is mounted on November 22.

     

    Quote Me Later

    The New York Times has a great story about Supreme Court justice Anthony Kennedy’s efforts to micromanage an article in a school newspaper after he addressed students on October 28th. Said Kennedy: “You can quote me next week.”

     

    Veterans Day Op-Ed from Bob Kerrey

    On this Veterans Day, the New York Daily News has an Op-Ed submission from Navy veteran and former US Senator Bob Kerrey. He recounts the oath that today’s young men and women take as they enter the military.

     

    Playing Cards May Reduce Dementia Risk

    Break out a deck and pull up a chair. The Orange County Register says playing cards may reduce the risk of dementia. Games like bridge require a strong memory and provide exercise for your brain.

     

    9-Year-Old Boy Thwarts Carjacker

    The St. Petersburg Times has a video interview with a 9-year-old boy who took on a 32-year-old would-be carjacker. The boy says he was only trying to protect his two baby brothers, who were strapped into car seats in the back, when he grabbed the keys from the ignition and ran. BONUS: Watch Interview

     

    Youngest World Poker champ ever

    21-year old Joe Cada of Michigan wins the World Series of Poker.  Apparently you can be raised to be a card player—the Detroit Free Press reveals his mom’s a blackjack dealer.

     
  3. Pat’s Preview: November 11

    Large Crowd Listens as Obama Addresses Fort Hood

    A crowd of 15,000 gathered to hear President Obama deliver a speech at Fort Hood, the country’s largest military base, where last week a gunman killed 13 people.  The San Antonio Express-News reports that the president’s speech was somber and “dwelled on the bravery and sacrifices made by American troops in long wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

     

    Soldier Preps For Return to Civilian Job Market

    He has faced some tough assignments over his 20 years as a Green Beret. But the Boston Globe says Sergeant First Class Robert Hornbrookis about to face his toughest yet: finding a civilian job in this economy.

     

    Lost Wedding Ring Found Under Ten Tons of Trash

    Sanitation workers found a Pennsylvania couple’s lost wedding ring in an unlikely place - under ten tons of trash. But according to the Morristown Daily Record, it’s not the first time the workers have struck gold: “I think we’re three-for-three.” The wife contacted the sanitation department after her husband unwittingly threw away the ring.

     

    Big Men of NFL are Little This Season

    The big men of the NFL have something in common this season says the LA Times: they’re small. Players once thought too “diminutive” to have an impact are now making a big one.

     

    How to Pick a Healthy Chocolate

    All chocolate is not created equal. Chicago Tribune health columnist Julie Deardorff has advice for picking a kind with heart-healthy benefits. Rule number one: white chocolate is not chocolate.

     

    Puppy Love

    Puppy love matters says Sue Schellenberger of the Wall Street Journal.  According to experts, your kids’ choice of boyfriend or girlfriend in middle school has a significant impact on their development.


     

    Lohan Was Dating Ledger When He Died

    There’s some gossip in the New York Daily News this morning: Audio tapes of Linsday Lohan’s mom posted on radaronline.com reveal that the starlet was dating Heath Ledger when he died in January of 2008.

    BONUS: Listen to the audio.

     
  4. Pat’s Picks: November 10

    College Coaches Clean Up

    USA Today says college coaches are making huge money: at least 25 head coaches for college football teams make $2 million or more a year. By comparison, the average salary for a full professor is $115, 509.

     

    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Has Cancer

    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has a rare form of leukemia reports the LA Times this morning. Says Jabbar: his disease is manageable with medication and “his long-term prognosis is very good.”

     

    Celebrity Website Under Fire

    A website specializing in the addresses and satellite photos of celebrity homes has finally come under scrutiny after it was linked to a rash of break-ins says the LA Times.

     

    Reforming Black Friday

    The Chicago Tribune reports that the retail industry is going out of its way to avoid an incident like last year’s Wal-Mart stampede, when a crowd on Long Island trampled a store worker to death.

     

    Obama To Address Fort Hood

    President Obama will address mourners today at a ceremony for those killed in last week’s Fort Hood massacre reports the Houston Chronicle, his first as “consoler in chief.”

     

    Co-Sleeping with Child Dangerous

    Experts say that co-sleeping with babies can be dangerous. Excessive bedding is usually to blame says the Dallas Morning News.     

     

     

    “Too Racy” Morgan Insults Audience

    His name should be “Too Racy” Morgan says the New York Daily News after offended audience members walked out of Tracy Morgan’s Carnegie Hall performance.

     

    Public Speaking

    Detroit Free Press columnist Patricia Montemurri has some good advice this morning from a seminar called “Public Speaking Without Vomiting.” Includes tips like practicing in your car.

     

    Dr Google and the Rise of Cyberchondria

    He is the easiest doctor to get an appointment with but resist if you can says Carolyn Butler of the Washington Post. Taking your health problems to ?Dr. Google? can be addicting. People turning to the Internet with their health questions has led to a new word: Cyberchondria.

     

    The End of Aerosmith?

    Has Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler finally walked the other way? The Boston Globe says the iconic band has been fighting with Tyler.

     
  5. Pat’s Picks: November 9

    Inventing a Resume

    Embellishing a resume has moved past fudging your proficiency in a language or a sprinkling of well-placed adjectives. In this economy, lots of people - 45 to 70 percent of them - are lying about everything from their past employment to their educational history says the New York Post. The problem with this strategy is that technological tools make it much easier for employers to check the veracity of the resumes they see ? and 95 percent of them are doing just that.

     

    Netflix a Designer Dress

    Add designer dresses to the list of things you can rent through your mailbox. A new website profiled in today?s New York Times is offering women a Netflix-style opportunity to have a couture dress directly to their doorstep. For four nights and a price tag ranging from $50 to $200, Rent the Runway ships customers two sizes of their rental, ?just to be safe.? For now, the service is invitation-only, though you can sign up for the waitlist on its website.

     

    Brand-Swapping

    It?s becoming harder to find your favorite brands in their usual places says the Denver Post. Slumping sales and consolidation in the department store industry means that labels like Tommy Hilfiger and Liz Claiborne, which are sold exclusively at certain stores, are now forging new partnerships. But there?s good news for consumers amid all the shifting writes the Post: ?They’ll be able to get a taste of designer names that only two years ago were far from their grasp.?

     

    Maclaren Recall

    Baby stroller maker Maclaren is going to recall every stroller it’s made since 1999, reports the New York Daily News this morning. To put this into perspective, the Maclaren has been the most popular stroller in my neighborhood for as long as we’ve had kids. We own three of them. The company is concerned with a hinge that can sever a child’s finger and has included a million strollers in the recall.

     

    Cell Phones for Seniors

    An avid iPhone fan, I sometimes forget that there are some people who might prefer a phone not swimming in apps. For them, the San Francisco Chronicle has a great resource today - a guide to cell phones made for seniors. Five are rated on criteria like price, key size, display brightness and access to emergency services.

     

    Mandela Still an Icon

    There?s an excellent piece in the New York Times this morning about Nelson Mandela. At 91 years, the South African statesman still endures as an ideal for the country he served. The Times says some wonder who will ?bind? the country if rumors that Mandela?s heath are failing prove to be true.

     

    Dog Delivery

    A man bit off more than he thought when a dog he rescued gave birth ? to nine puppies. The Journal-Constitution says the Atlanta real estate broker planned on taking the dog he had rescued from the middle of a busy highway to an animal shelter until she went into labor in his backyard.

     

    Swear Your Pain Away

    Next time you stub your toe, you may want to try a stream of expletives to ease your pain. According to the Boston Globe, swearing can actually increase a person?s tolerance for discomfort. But before you entirely revamp your vocabulary, know that experts say the pain-relieving effects are diminished for habitual cursers.

     

    Cautious or Fluphobe?

    Are you being cautious in your attempts to avoid the H1N1 virus or are you a fluphobe? The Detroit Free Press writes that the heroic efforts people go to in order to avoid germs have made the ?the elbow into the most versatile body part since the thumb.? There is a fine line between ?fluphobia and intelligent caution,? says the paper. I suggest going through the funny checklist to decide which category you fall under.

     

    Internet In Danger of Flu

    Every thing is under attack from the flu this season, even the Internet. A recently released government report warns that with the increased traffic caused by so many people staying home sick from work and school, the country is danger of an ?Internet meltdown.? The Chicago Tribune says ?neighborhood telecommunication nodes that act as traffic cops for the Internet could be overwhelmed with data.?

     

    Sammy Sosa Light

    Sammy Sosa’s skin appears several shades lighter in a recent photo. Sosa is going through a ?rejuvenation process for his skin? reports the Chicago Tribune. According to someone close to the baseballer, the whitening effect was a surprise: ?He?s not trying to be Michael Jackson.?

     

    Jackson?s Tomb

    The New York Post has the first look at Michael Jackson?s final resting place this morning. Gifts from fans as well as a huge stained-glass version of da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” frame the tomb. BONUS: See Photo

     

    Skin Sleep

    The best thing you can do for your skin doesn?t cost a thing says the LA Times. According to experts, a good night?s sleep actually promotes the production of collagen. The Times says some spas are adding sleep-based treatments to their lineup of offerings.

     

    Fruit Juice Same as Soda

    Fruit juice poses just as much of a problem to obesity rates as soda says the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this morning. Proponents of a tax on junk food have a hard time including juice in their crosshairs because too many people think of it as a healthy choice even though it contains as much sugar as Coke or Pepsi.

     

    Hosted by George Lopez

    After ?being a guest on almost every late-night talk show,? George Lopez gets one of his own reports the Boston Herald. ?Lopez Tonight? will premiere at 11 pm tonight on TBS with guests Ellen DeGeneres, Eva Longoria-Parker and Kobe Bryant.

     

    Sawyer and Rihanna Chat

    Diane Sawyer had her celebrity swan song says the New York Post. Sawyer?s primetime interview with Rihanna may be her last with a big name celebrity as she shifts gears for her new job as ABC anchorwoman. Eight million viewers tuned in to watch the interview, Rihanna?s first since being abused by her ex-boyfriend singer Chris Brown last spring. BONUS: Watch the Full Interview

     

    CSI?s Triple Crown

    CSI has a “crossover” plot this week reports USA Today. A story line following Dr. Raymond Langston, a character played by Laurence Fishburne, will continue across all three versions of the series this week. Producers say the ?triple crown? is an attempt to introduce Fishburne to fans after a popular character played by William Petersen departed last season.

     

    Deer in Lion?s Den

    It was a gruesome day at the National Zoo yesterday when a deer literally wandered into the lion?s den. The Washington Post says onlookers were rooting for the deer as two lions tried to get their paws on it. BONUS: Watch video

     
  6. Pat’s Preview: November 9

    News of the health care bill’s passage in the hour dominates. Here are some of the other stories I found today:

    Inventing a Resume

    Embellishing a resume has moved past fudging your proficiency in a language or a sprinkling of well-placed adjectives. In this economy, lots of people - 45 to 70 percent of them - are lying about everything from their past employment to their educational history says the New York Post. The problem with this strategy is that technological tools make it much easier for employers to check the veracity of the resumes they see ? and 95 percent of them are doing just that.

     

    Oklahoma Couple Hits Elephant

    It’s a deer. It’s a cow. No, it’s an elephant. That was the list of possibilities an Oklahoma couple ran through right before their SUV plowed into a 4,500-pound elephant on their way home from church. The animal had escaped from a local circus and was making a break for it down the highway. The Enid News says the couple emerged unscathed after some quick turning but had a hard time getting passersby to believe their story. Said the 68-year-old driver: ?I thought this was wheat and cattle country but not elephant country.”

     

    Swear Your Pain Away

    Next time you stub your toe, you may want to try a stream of expletives to ease your pain. According to the Boston Globe, swearing can actually increase a person?s tolerance for discomfort. But before you entirely revamp your vocabulary, know that experts say the pain-relieving effects are diminished for habitual cursers.

     

    Cautious or Fluphobe?

    Are you being cautious in your attempts to avoid the H1N1 virus or are you a fluphobe? The Detroit Free Press writes that the heroic efforts people go to in order to avoid germs have made the ?the elbow into the most versatile body part since the thumb.? There is a fine line between ?fluphobia and intelligent caution,? says the paper. I suggest going through the funny checklist to decide which category you fall under.

     
  7. Pat’s Picks: November 6

    Oklahoma Couple Hits Elephant

    It’s a deer. It’s a cow. No, it’s an elephant. That was the list of possibilities an Oklahoma couple ran through right before their SUV plowed into a 4,500-pound elephant on their way home from church. The animal had escaped from a local circus and was making a break for it down the highway. The Enid News says the couple emerged unscathed after some quick turning but had a hard time getting passersby to believe their story. Said the 68-year-old driver: ?I thought this was wheat and cattle country but not elephant country.”

     

    Massacre at US Military Base

    A military psychiatrist opened fire at Fort Hood, the country’s largest military base, yesterday, killing 13 people and injuring at least 31 others reports the San Antonio Express-News. According to witnesses, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan seemed normal when he stopped by the local 7-Eleven where he buys breakfast every morning. But at 1:30 pm he began firing on troops, armed with a semiautomatic weapon and a handgun. Initial reports said that police had killed Hasan but it was later reported that he is alive and in critical condition at a local hospital.

     

    The End of Oprah?

    Chicago is on edge after a website specializing in Hollywood gossip broke the news yesterday afternoon that Oprah might be leaving the Windy City to start her own TV channel. But Tribune columnist Phil Rosenthal tells his fellow residents to calm down. Reports of Oprah leaving have been swirling for years and Rosenthal says “it will be true sooner or later.”

     

    Shoes Not a Guilty Pleasure

    Consumers have pared down their spending during the recession to cover only the basics. But the New York Times says in addition to food, rent, and medicine, the basics include a surprising item: shoes. According to retailers, shoe sales have held firm in spite of the stagnant economy because Americans consider shoes more of a necessity than say, handbags or cuff links. Also footwear’s versatility is credited for the sales bump; shoes can be worn every day, while a new skirt or suit can only be worn once or twice a week.

     

    Credit Card Companies Adding Fees

    The Boston Globe says credit card companies are in a hurry to raise interest rates, cut credit limits and impose new fees before February 22 when federal regulations will go into effect that limit how the companies can modify existing accounts. Even customers who pay their bill on time every month are being affected. The nine-month period Congress gave the industry to reform has been “abused” says Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank: “This is really just a way for them to make more money.??

     

    Stolen Van Resurfaced 35 Years Later

    A van that was stolen 35 years ago in Washington has resurfaced in a shipping container at a California port. The Spokane Spokesman-Review says the VW van was on its way to the Netherlands to be sold. When custom officials ran the vehicle’s identification number through a database, they were surprised to see a police report from 1974 - national databases that track auto thefts usually keep information for only five years. The insurance company that originally insured the van is going through its records trying to find its owner.

     

    Baby Accents

    Next time you hear a baby cry, listen closely says the New York Post.  Despite what sounds like a universal wail, experts say that infants actually cry in the native tongue of their parents. French babies cry with a rising tone while German babies tend to use a falling one. The news supports evidence that infants start to learn languages in utero.

     

    Japanese Baseball’s Greatest Day

    It was a Japanese baseball’s greatest day. Players from Japan are known for their “novel swings, tornado pitching windups and unorthodox workout routines.”  But the Wall Street Journal writes that when Yankee Hideki Matsui won the World Series’ most valuable player award on Wednesday, it became apparent that a Japanese ball player “can also become a team’s indispensable center.”

     
  8. Pat’s Picks: November 5

    Glenn Beck the New Oprah

    Move over Michael Jackson, there?s a new name associated with the word ?thriller? these days. Writers who specialize in the suspense genre are calling conservative TV host Glenn Beck ?our Oprah? says the New York Times. Beck has taken to endorsing the work of dozens of novelists on his show. Perhaps there is a strategy behind his critiques: Beck?s publicist says the host has penned his own thriller, due out next year.

     

    EBooks Season

    This holiday season will be crucial for electronic books reports the Washington Post. Coasting on a 177-percent sales increase this year, eBooks need to prove that they can ?cross over from geeky novelty to mass-market must-have.? But the Post says that the hefty price tag may stop them from having the same impact on regular books as MP3s had on CDs.

     

    Secret Spending

    Is your spouse making secret purchases? The chances are good says a new survey conducted by Western Union. According to an article in the Denver Post, a third of those asked say they hide purchases from their significant other to avoid arguments.

     

    Super Father

    There?s an interesting profile in the Orange County Register of a 40-year-old man who has fathered 20 children via sperm donation. Jay Kaiser participated in the Genius Sperm Bank in the 1980s, a place where the sperm of men with high IQs was offered to infertile parents. Kaiser says a recent Discovery Channel documentary about the sperm bank cast him in a bad light. But not to worry, Kaiser says he has a good lawyer: “You need (good legal representation) when you have as many kids as I do.”

     

    Technology Doesn?t Divide

    A new study has found that technology is not as socially isolating as once feared.  A report released by the Pew Research Center found quite the opposite says the San Francisco Chronicle: ?People who use the Internet, instant messaging, mobile phones, photo sharing sites and social networks benefit from being more likely to have a larger, more diverse core of close confidants.?

     

    Droid Reviewed

    Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal has been playing with Motorola’s new smart-phone all week and he’s impressed - sort of. Mossberg writes that while the Droid, which operates using Google’s Android system, will be a welcome upgrade for Verizon customers seeking a more savvy smart-phone, overall there are some glitches.


    So should Apple be worried? No, says the Journal. It’s the makers of BlackBerry that should be. The paper says that the Droid’s Friday launch “signals the opening of a new front in the smart-phone war.” Blackberry’s lack of a good Internet browser wasn’t a problem when the iPhone was the only other game in town. But now that the playing field is widening the smart-phone is “in danger of becoming the AOL of the mobile-device market.”

     

    Both Sides of Aisle Look Forward

    The Washington Post has two good post-election stories on the future of the GOP and the future of the Democrats in this morning?s paper. The Post says after Wednesday?s returns some Democrats began to question the tone President Obama has set for the party, wondering if the president?s plans are too ambitious in the face of such high unemployment rates around the country. And after winning two key gubernatorial races yesterday, Republicans are keying up for a fight in next year?s midterm elections. The Post says conservative activists plan to ?fan out nationwide and challenge Republican candidates whom they deem too moderate or insufficiently principled.?

     

    United States of Tattoos

    When 89-year-old Mille Gignac walked into a Minneapolis tattoo parlor, she got a thumbs up instead of strange looks. That?s because tattoos, once a mark of the hard core, have gone mainstream says the Star Tribune. Data from two years ago says 36 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 35 have at least one tattoo. And the trend doesn?t stop there. The paper says that instead of getting their ears pierced, little girls are getting butterfly tattoos with their parents in tow. There?s even a children?s book on the market called “Mommy Has a Tattoo.”

     

    $3 Million Shoes

    That?s an expensive pair of shoes. The Orlando Sentinel says the University of Central Florida is out $3 million after Michael Jordan?s son Marcus insisted on wearing a pair of Nike Air Jordan?s for his first game. Addidas, which had a contract with the school, rescinded its funding and terminated its six year contract after Jordan chose to wear a discreet version of the iconic shoes as well as prominently displaying the Addidas logo on his ankle braces.

     

    Toy Story

    If you want to book Barbie for an event, you?ll have to speak with her agent. Ditto for Mr. Potato Head. The Wall Street Journal says superstar toys are receiving the same treatment in Hollywood as their real-life counterparts. Insiders say part of the appeal of toys is that they come with a brand already in place. The ?craze for toy-driven feature films? has even created a new word, one that refers to a project?s ability to sell related merchandise: “toyetic.?

     

    Yankees Win World Series

    The New York Yankees won their 27th World Series last night in front of a sold-out crowd in the Bronx. George Vescey of the Times focuses on Hideki Matsui, who scored six home runs, in his column this morning. Vescey writes that despite Matsui’s age - and aging knees - the “Yankees might want to consider what Matsui could do for them next season and beyond.”


    The reason for the Yankees’ 7-3 victory last night is simple writes Phil Sheridan of the Philadelphia Inquirer: “It takes more than one pitcher and one hitter to win a World Series against a team as good and as star-kissed as the New York Yankees.”

     

     

    A-Rod?s Snot Rocket

    Kate Hudson, get your man some manners. The Washington Post appeals to the girlfriend of Alex Rodriguez to step in and stop A-Rod from performing what writer Sarah Kaufman calls the “farmer snort.” Viewers of the World Series games this year have seen more than just good baseball - they’ve seen A-Rod projecting material from his nose onto the field. And the ball-player’s public nose-blowing is more than just gross writes Kaufman - in the age of swine flu hysteria, it’s dangerous too.

     

    Breathalyzer Man Gets DUI

    An Ohio man who dressed up in a Breathalyzer costume had a perfectly ironic end to his Halloween says the Columbus Dispatch: he was arrested for drunk driving. Police caught him driving the wrong way down a one-way street without his headlights. BONUS: See his priceless mug shot

     

    Spike Your Cocktails

    Have you been drinking the same cocktail since college? The Chicago Tribune has a nice feature on how to spruce up the usual without ending up with something fruity that ends in ?tini.? The paper asked local bartenders to upgrade seven standards and prints the resulting recipes.

     

    Herb House

    Winter doesn?t have to mean the end of fresh herbs from your garden. The Cleveland Plain-Dealer has some great advice on how to start growing your favorite cooking herbs inside. Water and direct sunlight are the key ingredients.

     

    Turkey Timeline

    Thanksgiving is only three weeks away. The New York Daily News has a great day-by-day plan to help you avoid a disaster when the relatives are ringing the doorbell. And it starts today. The paper suggests ordering your turkey as soon as possible, especially if you plan on serving a fresh bird.

     

    VPL

    I don?t suffer from this problem. But apparently avoiding the VPL, or visible panty line, is a problem for women. The New York Times has a big article including some product advice on how to avoid showing off your underwear, especially when working out in spandex pants.

     

    Stuck in Spanx

    And finally, the Wall Street Journal?s Personal Journal section gets a little, well, personal today with a funny piece on Spanx, the body shaping undergarments. “There’s no graceful way of taking the thing off,” says a woman who found herself in a romantic situation after meeting a man earlier in the evening.

     
  9. Pat’s Picks: November 4

    Pay-As-You-Drive

    It?s ?car insurance by the tankful? says the Sacramento Bee. Motivated by a desire to cut the amount of time Californians spend driving, new proposal would let drivers purchase insurance plans based on the number of miles they drive. At the end of the year, either a rebate or a bill would be issued to each policy holder. Researchers predict that nationwide, driving would decrease eight percent and oil consumption would fall four percent if all drivers signed up for a pay-as-you-drive plan.

     

    For Fatter or Thinner

    If you?re looking to slim down here?s something to avoid: marriage. According to researchers, new couples risk gaining weight when they decide to settle down, especially in the first two years. The Houston Chronicle puts a nice spin on the story, writing that ?maybe they’re called love handles for a reason.?

     

     

    Obamas? Chef Serves Up More than Food

    The assistant White House chef is serving up more than just meals these days. The New York Times says 29-year-old Sam Kass has a hand in the pot when it comes to food and nutrition-related legislation. Insiders say that Kass, who has no formal training in cooking or in politics, has become a confident to both Obamas and is a “vital conduit to the first family.”

     

    Expensive Four Days

    There’s a story in today?s Wall Street Journal about a fascinating tax case. For billionaire Julian Robertson there was a lot on the line - $27 million dollars. And it came down to a question of four days. Robertson had to prove he wasn?t in New York City for a majority of days in 2000. If he slept in New York on those four days, the state would deem him a city resident and he’d pay higher taxes. The investigation looked at everything from phone calls to car service receipts to piece the story together.

     

    Football Minus the Fun

    Taking a cue from the NFL, refs are cracking down on touchdown celebrations at high school football games says the Washington Post. A recent memo from the national organization that governs the sport reminded players that overenthusiastic displays near the goal posts qualify as ?inappropriate behavior? and can result in suspension. But coaches and parents complain that the vaguely worded rule is taking all the joy out of the game.

     

    Baby Survives Train Doors

    I?ve often seen parents running to make the train and cringed a little when they hold the door with their strollers. That strategy took a dangerous turn in Chicago when a child fell onto the tracks as her mother raced to make a departing train. The doors closed on the pair, pushing the mother back onto the platform and her 22-month-old daughter into the gravel track bed. The Sun-Times says thanks to quick-acting passersby, the baby and the mother are both fine.

     

    Buffett Bets Big

    Warren Buffett is placing a big bet on the US economy. The Wall Street Journal reports that Buffett?s Berkshire Hathaway will buy Burlington Northern, the country?s largest railroad operator, for $26 billion. The Journal says he thinks the railway will be very profitable as the US economy recovers.

     

    WSJ Takes on NYC

    The New York Times has news on its rival this morning, reporting that the Wall Street Journal is hiring staff for a local New York City edition. The Times says this is the latest development in the Journal?s plans to ?expand beyond its historic focus on business news.? An exact date on the launch of the New York edition hasn?t been released but insiders speculate it will be early next year.

     

    Fake Pot

    It looks like the real thing but law enforcement officials say it?s an imposter. A ?legal pot? made of herbs and chemicals that mimic the effects of marijuana is becoming so popular that some want to make it illegal says the Kansas City Star. Called K2, the substance first gained popularity with parolees trying to avoid failing a drug test. The paper says K2 is readily available on the Internet and in specialty shops.

     

    Thanksgiving in Print

    As the only eating-centric holiday, Thanksgiving means big business for food magazines. The LA Times has a really nice round up of what to expect from this year’s turkey-themed issues, including a look inside the final Gourmet. And with Gourmet abruptly getting up from the table, Russ Parsons of the LA Times asks an interesting question: What magazine has the chops to replace the iconic food bible?

     

    Holiday Prep

    This year, when unexpected guests pop over for the holidays, you?ll be prepared. The St. Petersburg Times has a nice feature on appetizers you can make now and freeze for the holidays. The article includes a good must-have list for your holiday pantry.

     

    All in the Family

    Things are looking up for family comedies this season. USA Today says that family-centric programming is showing so much promise that shows like ?Community? are altering their plotlines. Though the paper says no equivalent to the ?Cosby Show? has surfaced yet, it concludes that “a genre on the verge of extinction has rallied.”

     

    Martin and Baldwin To Host Oscars

    Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin will team up to host the Oscars this year. The decision is surprising in light of the Academy’s stated desire to appeal to a younger audience. But LA Times critic Mary McNamara seems excited about the duo (who will star in the comedy “it’s Complicated” over Christmas) and says to expect “an evening of urbane wit, spot-on silliness and perhaps some banjo playin’.”

     

    Public Punishment

    A Pennsylvania judge sentenced a woman and her adult daughter for stealing a birthday card from a nine-year-old girl yesterday. But instead of ordering jail time for the women, he offered up a more unusual punishment says the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. When passersby, including the duo’s young victim, drove by the courthouse they saw the women bearing a sign that said: “I stole from a 9-year-old on her birthday. Don’t steal or this could happen to you.” After almost five hours of public humiliation, the mother and her daughter avoided jail time.

     

    Wacky Bomb Detector

    Iraq?s security forces have been relying on a bomb detector that the US says is useless reports the New York Times. The device, which looks like a wand with a ?telescopic swivel? attached, is in use at hundreds of roadside checkpoints across the country. And they?re expensive - the rods cost anywhere from $16,000 to $60,000 each.  But military personnel claim it resembles a Ouija Board more than a preventative tool and works with ?the power of suggestion.?

     

    ?Killer Smile?

    The New York Post calls it a ?killer smile.? A diver off the coast of Mexico snapped an amazing photo of a great white shark giving a toothy grin. Luckily, experts say the creatures are very short-sited. BONUS: See Photo

     

    ?Oddball America?

    If you were wondering what the strangest state in the union was, it?s Texas. The Chicago Sun-Times has a fun round up of the ten best attractions in ?oddball America.? The Lone Star State makes the list four times with things like the Toilet Bowl Museum and the Cadillac Ranch.

     

    Man Stabs Himself To Avoid Work

    And finally, I can understand faking a cold, but stabbing yourself? Really? According to the Denver Post, a Blockbuster employee stabbed himself in the leg to avoid working his Monday night shift. The 29-year-old employee arrived at work and told his supervisors that he had been attacked by a group of men. After a “five-agency police manhunt” for his assailants, the man admitted that he had concocted the story.

     
  10. Pat’s Picks: October 29

    This is the summary if you want it.

    Power Jeans

    From Nicolas Sarkozy to President Obama, it’s the invasion of diplomatic denim. Jeans have become a “legitimate part of the global power-dress lexicon” says the Wall Street Journal. World leaders and the business elite have started wearing denim more frequently to signal that they can be well dressed, innovative and free of fuss. The Journal’s Christina Binkley credits Apple CEO Steve Jobs with starting the trend, writing that “his uniform of Levi’s 501s and a black turtleneck was synonymous with innovation in the ‘90s.”

     

    L.L. Bean Gets Sexy

    If you had to describe the clothes sold by L.L. Bean, would “sexy” be the adjective that came to mind? Probably not. The Boston Globe says the outdoor retailer is trying to change its image with a new, edgier clothing line. Short denim skirts and hunting jackets that “look more appropriate for hunting down a good bottle of Prosecco” will supplement the brand’s signature fleece when the line hits stores early next year.

     

    Year of the Threesome

    Are threesomes becoming conventional? From pop lyrics to teen dramas, the once forbidden topic is suddenly front and center says the New York Post. It’s about to be a story line on “Gossip Girl.” Says one practitioner interviewed by the Post: “When I heard my mom use the word “?threesome, I knew they’d gone mainstream.”

     

    Sex Education in the Home

    A mother in Texas is challenging a state law that allows parents to show their children pornography. The Dallas Morning News says that the state’s “devotion to protecting parental rights” is at the heart of the issue. The woman is upset that her ex-husband showed their young daughters online video of a threesome. Experts say that while how individual parents deal with sex education in the home is private, “sexual material that parents show their children needs to have a legitimate educational purpose.”

     

    Sheriff Shaq

    Call him Sheriff Shaq. The Cleveland Plain-Dealer says Shaquille O’Neal may become an Ohio sheriff’s deputy. Police are reviewing an application submitted by the Cavaliers star. O’Neal, who has served in a similar capacity in Arizona, Virginia and Florida, would be licensed to carry a gun and would have the power to make arrests.

     

    Stars in Space

    When it comes to protecting intellectual property, lawyers are setting their sights higher than ever before: the galaxy. According to the Wall Street Journal, experts say that the proliferation of new technology and the increasing use of amateur talent has caused contract language to go “galactic” as lawyers try to anticipate every possible stream of revenue. Despite the far-reaching scope, most in the industry aren’t worried. Says one spokeswoman: “We have had very few cases of people trying to exploit rights on other planets.”

     

    Airlines Shady With Miles

    The Wall Street Journal says that 20 percent or more of the 10 trillion unused frequent-flier miles currently in the system will go unclaimed because of intentionally confusing policies issued by airlines. Airlines have tightened the rules regarding unclaimed miles after an industry change that made it a hassle to have them on their books. The Journal suggests using a service called www.awardwallet.com to keep track of your miles.

     

    Flight 737

    Today it the last day a Boeing 737 will fly the friendly skies. United, which was the first airline to start using the jet in 1968, will retire its last one after it flies across the country on a symbolic flight today says the Chicago Tribune. The decision to ground the plane is the latest attempt to help the company’s financial situation.

     

    United Breaks Guitars and Loses Bags

    Remember the struggling singer who became a YouTube sensation for his song, “United Breaks Guitars?” The New York Times says he may have material for a follow up song: While flying to speak to a group of customer service executives on Tuesday, United managed to lose his bags.

     

    From iPhone to guyPhone

    Two Florida man have taken the iPhone and made it into a “guyPhone” says the St. Petersburg Times. The $1000 homemade Halloween costumes have 42-inch flat screen TVs that can display text messages, maps and send phone calls. The costumes took more than 90 hours to make but it seems to have been time well spent - more than 300,000 people have watched a YouTube video of the pair showing them off.

     

    “Thriller” Takes To the Streets

    Zombies are invading LA says the Times. 3000 Michael Jackson fans donned their best rags and hit the street to participate in a public performance of the dance from “Thriller.” The event in Los Angeles was part of a larger event called Thrill the World, which is trying to set a world record for the most people performing the dance at once.

     

    The Case of the Missing Feet

    Something odd is happening along the beaches of British Columbia: dismembered feet are popping up. The Seattle Times says the latest foot was found inside a running shoe. In the past year seven dismembered feet have been found along the coast. Police are hoping to use DNA to identify the foot’s owner.

     

    Too Fat To Dance?

    A Pennsylvania school has been accused of keeping a “fat list” of dancers considered too big to make it as professional ballerinas reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The head of the ballet program at Point Park University, which is known for its dance program, says the list stemmed from the reality that “certain body weights are necessary to become employable.”

     

    Diabetes Defense

    A landmark study has concluded that by maintaining a healthy diet and weight people with a predisposition for Type 2 Diabetes can fend off the disease. The Denver Post says, most importantly, the study showed that major lifestyle changes can prevent the disease from manifesting for decades, not just a few years.

     

    Health Myths

    Read this before going to the drug store: The Chicago Tribune has another one of its great lists in this morning’s paper. Today the topic is busting health product myths. Ten products that promise preventative treatments are reviewed and put through the wringer. Among the treatments to avoid are colon cleansing and flu fighters.

     

    Man Serves Chicken Sentence

    Who knew all it took to beat a trespassing charge was some barbecued chicken? A judge in Illinois ordered a man sentenced to 100 hours of community service to show up with proof that he had completed his sentence or “with enough spiced chicken to feed the courtroom” reports the Chicago Tribune. After the man showed up at his hearing with “jerk chicken, bread and two sides of hot sauce” the judge said: “I give him credit - he made me eat my words.”

     

    Is That a Ferret in Your Pants?

    And finally, a Florida man has been charged with “battery using a special weapon.” What was the weapon? A ferret he had in his pants. Why was there a ferret in his pants? The Florida Times-Union says he had placed the rodent in his pants after stealing it from a local pet store.

     

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