WebProNews

Author: Lacy Langley

  • Scarlett Johansson Ready To Film Coen Bros. Movie

    Scarlett Johansson has played many a role on the big screen, but her latest two movies are shaping up to be quite interesting.

    Lucy, which comes out July 25th, stars Scarlett Johansson as a drug mule who absorbs some of the drug she is charged with into her system.

    This drug allows her to use way more of her brain than the average person. However, this new brain power comes at the expense of her humanity.

    Awesomeness ensues…

    Scralett Johansson destroys a good chunk of Paris in the movie during a crazy car chase.

    She also has the power to slow and speed up time, as well as a few other super-human tricks she keeps up her sleeve.

    Watch the trailer:

    Scarlett Johansson’s Lucy will open at the 67th Locarno Film Festival on August 6th. It looks pretty fantastic, but not as interesting as her new role in the new Coen brothers movie Hail Caesar. She is set to join the likes of Jonah Hill, Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Channing Tatum, Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes.

    Quite a star-studded movie! Who wouldn’ t want to be part of a Coen brothers production, after all?

    Scarlett Johansson plays an actress in the 1950’s who gets pregnant in Hail Caesar.

    It shouldn’t be too difficult to play that part, as Scarlett Johansson announced in March that she actually is pregnant with her first child with fiance Romain Dauriac.

    Sounds like a full load for the mom-to-be! For now, Scarlett Johansson is just enjoying her work and being engaged. She said of her relationship with Dauriac, “We do different things. He’s in the whole art-scene world. So it’s nice, because we can enjoy each other’s worlds, but we don’t have our crazy conflicting schedules and all that other stuff to contend with.”

    Hopefully she has time to rest between work and romance!

    Image via YouTube

  • Jennifer Lawrence: Her Workout For Hunger Games

    Jennifer Lawrence’s trainer, Dr. Joe Horrigan, has revealed the workout that whipped her into fabulous shape to play Katniss Everdeen. For the actress, who has been very vocal about her eating habits and disdain for exercise, it’s surprisingly intense.

    Jennifer was an utmost professional.” Horrigan said of the hilarious actress. “She was never late. She never missed a workout. She never complained. She did everything that was asked of her and she usually did so with a smile.”

    That was clearly some good acting on her part.

    Jennifer Lawrence has said in the past, “I’m never going to starve myself for a part. I keep waiting for that one role to come along that scares me enough into dieting, and it just can’t happen. I’m invincible.”

    Well, apparently that role did come along.

    Her workout consisted of a sensible four-day routine that rotated between cardio, strength training, and yoga. For cardio, Horrigan recommends a five- to 10-minute warm-up before 20 minutes of high-intensity cardio, like “running, cycling (road, mountain, classes, or simply a regular stationary bike), or various aerobic classes such as dance classes and hiking.”

    For strength training like Jennifer Lawrence, Horrigan suggests a 20-minute high intensity routine of “bodyweight squats, push-ups and sit-ups” and the like.

    On the fourth rest day, Jennifer Lawrence indulged in low-intensity yoga including sun salutations, reverse warriors, chair poses, planks and tree poses to help her muscles relax between those intense workouts.

    Seems doable. If Jennifer Lawrence can be like-“At the end of the day there’s probably nothing that makes me feel better than junk food and reality TV.” and “The other day I had pizza for breakfast, buffalo wings for lunch and pizza for dinner. Probably my favorite food is a potato — just a potato, because I like fries, boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes.”-and then work out and still kick butt as Katniss, then surely the average Jane can make it work!

    Image via YouTube

  • Katy Perry Makes It “Roar” in Manhattan

    Katy Perry is continuing her efforts in her partnership with Staples to fund classroom projects for teachers around the nation. “Make Roar Happen” has helped many teachers get desperately needed money to fill in the gaps where independent school district funds run thin.

    The latest recipients of Katy Perry’s and Staples’ good deeds are in Manhattan where 144 local classroom projects have been funded. The money is provided through Staples’ $1 million donation to Donorschoose.org. The funds will help 103 teachers take care of classroom needs and will impact over 11,000 students in the Manhattan area.

    Katy Perry has been a proud and outspoken partner of Staples and is thrilled to help teachers.

    She said of the partnership, “I’m glad to partner with Staples on my Prismatic World Tour to raise awareness and funds for DonorsChoose.org, and to remind my fans that a small gesture can have a huge impact on the very basic materials classrooms need for teachers to help students reach their full potential.”

    So far, the “Make Roar Happen” initiative has provided $1 million to DonorsChoose.org, which has helped fund more than 450,000 classroom projects for teachers and impacted more than 11 million students across the nation.

    Katy Perry isn’t the only one thrilled with the impact that the partnership has created. Alison Corcoran, senior vice president of North American stores and online marketing with Staples, said, “We are so thrilled to have Katy Perry supporting ‘Make Roar Happen’ and look forward to working together with DonorsChoose.org to ensure teachers have the supplies they need. Our recent survey found almost three-quarters of parents with teens agree that teachers in their communities inspire their students so it’s imperative we support these everyday heroes.”

    That teachers are severely underfunded is no shock to anyone, but did you know that most teachers spend an average of $408.71 of their own money each year to provide supplies and materials for their classrooms that aren’t provided by the schools? That is surprising.

    You too can help Katy Perry “Make Roar Happen” for local teachers. You can give $1 to DonorsChoose.org at nearby Staples stores or online at www.staples.com/makeroarhappen.

    Such a great cause!

    Image via YouTube

  • Marriage Counseling: Can It Save Jay-Z and Beyonce?

    Marriage counseling is reportedly the last hope for Jay-Z and Beyonce’s faltering marriage. After months of marital imbalance and rumored controversies, the rapper is giving it his all to save his relationship.

    The therapist who is conducting their marriage counseling was reportedly recommended by the couple’s friend, Gwyneth Paltrow. If that therapist had a hand in saving her marriage to Chris Martin and causing the headline-exhausting “recoupling” efforts of the two, then perhaps there is hope for Jay-Z and Beyonce after all.

    Marriage counseling will hopefully heal some of the wounds that have been opened in the extended family. The fight with Beyonce’s sister, Solange Knowles, last month at the Met Gala was rumored to be over Jay-Z’s flirting with Rachel Roy, whom he has been linked to for some time. However, there are suspicions floating around that Jay-Z has had numerous affairs during his marriage to Beyonce.

    For several months, Mr. Carter has been awash in rumored hook-ups with the likes of Rihanna and Rita Ora. Rita Ora, however, vehemently denied such tabloid fodder.

    If I were facing the nasty, ugly side of Beyonce, I would deny as well.

    The most disturbing of all the rumors came out last month when a source said, “When people talk about Jay-Z and his mistresses, they often forget about a mainstay who has been there forever. She is the person he calls when he needs to be discreet and thinking about old times. She is that very short named R&B singer who hasn’t had a hit in awhile and doesn’t really even act or record any longer. She basically lives off the generosity of Jay-Z and a couple of other guys. She peaked at A-.”

    The “source” was insinuating that Jay-Z has had a long time behind the scenes relationship with hip-hop singer Mya. Whether that is true or not, the fact remains that Jay-Z is allegedly ready to part with his wandering ways and repair his marriage with Beyonce. Hopefully, marriage counseling will be the fix they need.

    Image via YouTube

  • Michelle Howard: First Female Four-Star Admiral

    Michelle Howard became the first woman promoted to four-star admiral in the Navy’s 236-year history. That rank also makes her vice chief of naval operations, meaning she is the number two admiral in the service.

    She has accomplished many firsts in her lifetime, including becoming the first African-American woman to command a naval ship and the first to be promoted to a three-star officer in the U.S. Military. 54-year-old Michelle Howard was presented with her four-star shoulder boards on Thursday during a ceremony at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.

    “If you don’t believe today was a first, when I called to order four-star shoulder boards for women, they didn’t exist,” Howard said during the ceremony. “You folks are seeing the first set in the United States Navy.”

    Michelle Howard is best known for leading the strike force that accomplished the rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips after he was taken hostage by Somali pirates in 2009.

    Michelle Howard said of her difficult and impressive rise through the ranks of the Navy, “For those of us [women] who started in the service academies in those years, there were people who did not want us there. The men did not want us there,” recalls Howard. “So there were physical challenges as well as mental challenges.”

    Michelle Howard was often the only woman on board a ship. She said that she found these types of situations to be among the greatest challenges of her career. “There is not someone else there who has a shared experience set, or even a common way of communication…there is an additional set of pressures and stressors that come with that, that you have to figure out how to work your way through.”

    Well she certainly figured it out! What’s her secret?

    “Maintain your sense of humor,” she said.

    Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said of the historic choice, “There is no news here. The Navy picked the best officer to be [vice chief of naval operations]. That is the only thing that happened here today.”

    Congratulations to Michelle Howard on such an inspiring accomplishment!

    Image via YouTube

  • Casey Anthony: Does She Deserve Life Of Loneliness?

    Casey Anthony has all but disappeared off the face of the planet after her sensational murder trial back in 2011. While photo upon photo of Casey Anthony partying it up while her daughter was missing was shared during her trial, it seems she now lives a life of nervous solitude according her lawyer-turned-friend, Cheney Mason.

    Mason, who just that year had been selected by Florida Monthly magazine as one of Florida’s top lawyers, was brought on board pro-bono. This was after giving extensive advise to Casey Anthony’s then unknown and under-experienced lawyer, Jose Baez.

    Mason said he joined Casey Anthony’s team not only because he believed she was innocent of the murder of her daughter, Caylee, but also because he was upset about the way the media at the time treated Baez.

    “I was offended by it. I was offended by the fact that he wasn’t being treated fairly. I didn’t know Baez. I had never met him,” Mason said.

    He says that Casey Anthony still insists that she is innocent. He says that during the trial Casey Anthony became very upset when a plea deal was brought up.

    “Casey got very angry about that. She got very angry to hear talk about it. She didn’t want to hear it.” Mason said. “Casey would fight it ’til her last breath. She didn’t kill her daughter.”

    Even though Casey Anthony maintains her innocence, she is still guilty in the eyes of many Americans who sat for hours watching the details of her trial as they were released. Therefore, it is nearly impossible for her to live a normal life.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmjlT8hUuc4

    “I think Casey has a lot of world left to have to deal with. She hasn’t been freed from her incarceration yet ’cause she can’t go out. She can’t go to a beauty parlor, she can’t go shopping to a department store, she can’t go to a restaurant, she can’t even go to McDonald’s. She can’t do anything”, Mason said of Casey Anthony’s life of solitude.

    If she is innocent, it’s sad that Casey Anthony’s life has been even more destroyed after the murder of her daughter. If she is guilty, then I suppose a life of rejection and loneliness is the best she should have hoped for and way better than she deserves.

    Image via YouTube

  • Amelia Earhart To Fly Around The World. Again.

    Amelia Earhart is going to embark on a journey to circumnavigate the globe and break a record. This is a familiar storyline to most of us, but this isn’t 1937. And this isn’t your grandma’s Amelia Earhart.

    Amelia Rose Earhart is the namesake of Amelia Mary Earhart who was the first woman to attempt to circumnavigate the globe until her mysterious disappearance over the South Pacific.

    In honor of the first Amelia Earhart, Amelia Rose Earhart hopes to complete the original’s journey and ceremoniously close the book on that tragic story. She might just give Amelia Earhart’s story a happy ending.

    In February 2010, Amelia Rose Earhart got her pilot’s license. Then she retraced the other Amelia’s historic transcontinental flight from California to South Florida in the summer of 2012.

    Amelia Rose Earhart left her career as a TV news and traffic reporter to realize her dream and to dedicate her life to inspiring young girls. In 2013, she founded the Fly With Amelia Foundation, which is a non-profit that provides flight scholarships to young women, as well as aviation career mentoring and STEM education programs.

    “We’ve raised more than $100,000 so far as part of the Fly with Amelia Foundation,” she said of her philanthropic achievements so far. That’s nothing to sneeze at!

    Amelia Mary Earhart had similar intentions when she set out to make her historic flight, “My ambition is to have this wonderful gift produce practical results for the future of commercial flying and for the women who may want to fly tomorrow.”

    Both Amelia Earharts have been quite successful in their joint goal to inspire young women to reach for the sky.

    Amelia Rose Earhart departed early Saturday morning on the journey, which will span 24,000 miles and two and a half weeks.

    “We tried to keep the route as close as possible to the original,” Earhart said. She did disclose that some deviations have to be made to account for safety and flight restrictions.

    Her first stop will be Trinidad and Tobago, then on to Brazil. Good luck, Amelia Earhart!

    Follow her flight at ameliaearhartproject.com. You can also participate in a way by following Amelia Rose Earhart on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

    Image via Instagram

  • Jennifer Garner Not Friends With Mark Ruffalo

    Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo haven’t kept in touch so well in the decade since they starred together in 13 Going on 30.

    One would have thought that after such cozy publicity appearances and an obvious on-screen connection, they would still be friends.

    Mark Ruffalo may have disclosed the reason on Thursday night’s Watch What Happens Live during his appearance with Keira Knightly.

    They were visiting with host Andy Cohen about their new film Begin Again when Andy, the gossip hound that he is, stubbled onto the juicy bit about Jennifer Garner when he asked if they were still friends.

    Andy asked Ruffalo about his surprisingly vaporous relationship with Jennifer Garner and Ruffalo replied without hesitation, “We had a great time together, and I think we would, but then Ben came on the scene, and that was the end of that.”

    Hmmm. So, is there truth to the rumors of Ben Affleck’s jealous guard of wife Jennifer Garner? Maybe, according to Mark Ruffalo.

    Andy Cohen responded gleefully with, “I heard he doesn’t allow her to have male friends. I made that up.”

    To that statement, Mark Ruffalo simply shrugged and said he would “neither confirm, nor deny” those rumors. Which pretty much means confirm.

    It’s not likely that there was any sort of romantic relationship between Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo. Ruffalo was, and still is, married to actress Sunrise Coigney since 2000. At the time they had a child together.

    During filming of 13 Going on 30, Jennifer Garner was in a relationship with Alias co-star Michael Vartan whom she left for Ben Affleck after wrapping on 13 Going on 30.

    Jennifer Garner met Affleck on the set of the movie Daredevil in 2003. They started dating in mid-2004 and married in June 2005. They now have three girls together.

    Here’s hoping, for Jennifer Garner’s sake, that the rumors are not true.

    Image via YouTube

  • Alanis Morissette Stars In “Radio Free Albemoth”

    Alanis Morissette stars in the new movie, Radio Free Albemuth, along with Shea Whigham. The sci-fi movie is about an alien who sends trasmissions to Earth to the mind of an earthling in order to start a revolution. Through pop songs.

    Sci-Fi novelist Philip K. Dick is one of the greats and his book of the same title was published posthumously in 1985 to a wide fan base and great reviews. However, it’s general knowledge that turning a book with such a weird premise into a good movie would probably be fairly difficult. That kind of a storyline needs more than an angst-ridden pop star from the 90’s like Alanis Morissette.

    That’s why, when Steven Spielberg (Minority Report) and Paul Verhoeven (Total Recall, 1990) made movies from Philip K. Dick books, they had to take fairly excessive liberties with the material they had to work with.

    The story goes that a record store clerk, played by Jonathan Scarfe, receives weird visions that tell him to move to Las Angeles and get a job in the music industry. There he meets Sylvia, played by Alanis Morissette, who has been appearing in his visions.

    The pair then proceeds to write a pop song that will lead to the overthrowing of the U.S. government.

    Hmmm. Even with Alanis Morissette that sounds like a doomed flop. Unfortunately for new director John Alan Simon, who really wanted to take “a purist approach” to a story many believe to be Dick’s most autobiographical work, this proved to be closer to the truth than he probably hoped.

    The critics weren’t thrilled.

    Sara Stewart of the New York Post said, “Despite the dramatic dystopia, performances here are uniformly low-affect, which isn’t helpful given the exposition-heavy dialogue and unremarkable set (though Nick’s extraterrestrial visions have a pleasantly kitschy look). Also puzzling is the fact that the pivotal song is not actually performed by Morissette.”

    She added, “It’s pretty underwhelming, though interesting for its premise — a semi-autobiographical account of Dick’s own trippy experiences in the ’70s.”

    Ouch.

    Jeanette Catsoulis of the New York Times said, “The result is a quaint labor of love blinkered by fidelity to an outdated text. Stiff staging and not-so-special effects accompany Jonathan Scarfe and Alanis Morissette as they endure a despotic alternate reality and get communications from an alien intelligence. The excellent Shea Whigham, as a science-fiction writer, is our guide and narrator, but even his gravitas won’t keep you from laughing at an extraterrestrial who thinks that hiding subliminal messages in pop songs is the way to start a revolution.”

    Perhaps the next director to take on a Philip K. Dick novel shouldn’t take such a “purist” stance.

    Image via YouTube

  • Danica Patrick: Just Like Us. Sometimes.

    Danica Patrick: Just Like Us. Sometimes.

    Danica Patrick has endured a few exciting changes recently.

    The lovely racing starlet has teamed up with the Florida Lottery, and as a result has added a little pink to her No. 10 GoDaddy Chevrolet. The Florida Lottery has come on board to co-sponsor Danica Patrick for the July 5th Coke Zero 400 at the Daytona International Speedway and on Nov. 16th at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

    The day will be full of contests from the Florida Lottery for the fans of Danica Patrick. Some will have the privilege of meeting the fast female, others will get to hang out with her pit crew. That sounds fun!

    Still, the luckiest Danica Patrick fan will get to take home her worn fire suit from the race.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLuwo2HSscQ

    Racing company Stewart-Haas Racing made the announcement via Twitter:

    In other big news, it seems that racing super star Danica Patrick can also be…well…just like us.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFNXRIe9jU0

    She celebrated a milestone that many of us peasants also celebrate: Her puppy’s solid poop!

    Yes. Yes it is.

    If you’ve ever had a dog with digestive issues, this is totally acceptable.

    Danica Patrick’s puppy, 4-month-old miniature Siberian husky Dallas Stenhouse (who happens to have his own Twitter account), has digestive issues and even has to use a special water bowl to drink from as a result.

    Sometimes, in the midst of all the celebrity worship that goes on, it’s just nice to see the normal just-like-everyone-else side of people that are famous for one thing or another. Danica Patrick is usually good for one of these moments.

    Image via Twitter

  • Weight-Loss Tips: Use Common Sense

    Weight-Loss Tips: Use Common Sense

    Weight-loss tips abound on the internet. Anywhere you turn there are plenty of pills, crazy diets, and a plethera of cardboard-tasting frozen and prepared meals to make for a million years of trial-and-error testing. All for the sake of losing those extra pounds that have been holding you back.

    There are some that go gluten-free for health reasons and some that do Paleo because it makes sense. I get that.

    However, after decades of fad diets, dangerous pills, and gag-inducing shakes, many are turning back to a simple plan of eating better and getting more exercise. In other words, for real weight-loss, just burn more calories than you take in and try to make most of those calories count.

    You know the drill. Eat whole grains, lots of vegetables and fruit, and go for lean meats and fish. These classic methods will work for natural weight-loss!

    If you burn 500 more calories than you take in, that will result in a healthy weight-loss of 1-2 pounds per week. These are changes that will become habit and actually last, unlike a crash or fad diet. Of course you don’t want to severely limit the calories you take in. That can be very dangerous and won’t even give you the energy you need to implement the exercise part of the plan!

    Reducing sodium and starchy foods is also a good way to boost weight-loss.

    “When you reduce sodium and cut starches, you reduce fluids and fluid retention, which can result in up to 5 pounds of fluid loss when you get started.” says Michael Dansinger, MD, of NBC’s The Biggest Loser.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pTE-pecXEQ

    He also tells clients looking to boost weight-loss to eat a diet that minimizes added sugars and animal fat from meat and dairy.

    Keeping a weight-loss or diet journal could also be a great way to keep track of what you’re eating, says Bonnie Taub Dix, MA, RD, author of Read It Before You Eat It.

    “Even if you write it down on a napkin and end up throwing it away, the act of writing it down is about being accountable to yourself and is a very effective tool for weight loss.”

    So forget the weird fads and the harmful crash diets. For real lasting weight-loss, use your common sense.

    Image via YouTube

  • Obamacare: Messing With Your Subsidies

    Obamacare has hit another snag in its wobbly existence. “If you like your plan, you can keep it” rings false again, but now the victims are not those who were already perfectly happy with what they had. Now, the victims of Obamacare are the poorer recipients who qualified for taxpayer subsidies to take the edge off of high premiums.

    In 2015, the rules for Obamacare’s taxpayer-funded subsidies will change, and out the window will go the plans that used those subsidies. Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington Obamacare customers will all have their two lowest premium silver plans change and will see the subsidy calculation change for the worse.

    Those who are using the Obamacare subsidies will have to change plans to avoid paying the high premiums, because the premiums just keep climbing.

    “Those receiving federal premium subsidies may need to switch plans in 2015 to avoid paying more than the limits established by the ACA, and the impact will be more profound for lower-income consumers,” said Caroline Pearson, Avalere Health’s vice president.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsnBOommc1Q

    Now, we face the joy of the website.

    For, not only does the website have to handle new Obamacare sign-ups, it has to deal with all of the customers who received subsidies in these states (which means the majority) that now need to scramble to find a new plan.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRKFwj8RHcM

    The Obama administration has not even finished building the back end portions of the federal Obamacare website, but hopes to have it up and running with all the updates soon.

    The Department of Health and Human Services said on Tuesday that they would offer automatic re-enrollment for those on subsidies who want to stick with their current plan, but they warned that a double-check should be made on the price of that Obamacare plan for 2015.

    Hopefully the changes won’t have too much of a negative effect on those who are already struggling to keep up with rising costs.

    Image via YouTube

  • Bindi Irwin: Part of A New Movement?

    Bindi Irwin: Part of A New Movement?

    Bindi Irwin ignited a debate recently which started with an interview with News Corp Australia. She spoke of modesty and how girls her age should cover up and just be who they are.

    Bindi Irwin, who will be 16 next month, said this of her peers that bare too much, “I’m a big advocate for young girls dressing their age. I mean, for me, I look around at a lot of young girls that are my age and they’re always trying to dress older. Whether it’s wearing revealing clothes or hardly wearing any clothes at all, I feel really bad for them. It kind of has the opposite effect in some ways … it kind of does the opposite where it makes you look younger and like you’re trying too hard.”

    The daughter of Steve Irwin, the late Crocodile Hunter, and Terri Irwin seems to be the next sign of a trend that is seeing more young women covering up, being themselves, and leading a more simple life.

    The trend Bindi Irwin is riding involves those like Duck Dynasty star Sadie Robertson, Preacher’s Daughters star Kolby Koloff, and the Duggar daughters from 19 Kids & Counting.

    The movement toward a more subtle and confident self for teenage girls is a breath of fresh air for the girls that are coming into that age (and a relief for those of us with pre-teen daughters). It seems that the days of seeing just how brash and nasty a girl can be, lead by the likes of Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga, are starting to fade and some would call that a good thing.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-REK1VHyHVA&list=PLaLH435dM80ySnwJDQWYCIB4G2xKKza3O

    So where does Bindi Irwin, who admits she has an 86-year-old soul, get her inspiration to just be herself and enjoy the lack of pressure to out-raunch her peers?

    “To be able to have that outlook on life is such a blessing,” Bindi said. “I’ve gotten that from my mum especially. The way I choose to dress, I want to influence other people around me, I suppose.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66DoNYWVg4o

    “I love a cup of tea and a good book and none of that [other stuff] really interests me… I guess growing up at [the] Australia Zoo and getting to travel all over the world, I have this great outlook on life and that’s what I hope I inspire other kids to have.”

    I think Bindi Irwin’s stance has encouraged many young girls out there to just be who they are and, despite the over-reaction and backlash she received for her honesty, Bindi Irwin will be an inspiration to a generation of girls searching for a simple solution for the question of how they should be.

    Do you agree or disagree with her stance?

    Image via YouTube

  • Lisa Whelchel Reunites With Facts Of Life Co-Star

    Lisa Whelchel had lunch on Tuesday with her former co-star from The Facts of Life, Charlotte Rae. These two might be known to you children of the 80’s as Blair and Mrs. Garrett.

    Lisa Whelchel shared the moment with the world in the form of an Instagram selfie captioned with, “Selfie with Charlotte Rae today at lunch. She gave me some good advice. (Just like old times.:)”

    Those who know Lisa Whelchel only from her stint on Survivor Philippines are missing out on the nostalgic magic that was made here. Mrs. Garret was always the one that rich, spoiled Blair could go to for advice. Blair (Lisa Whelchel), along with fellow roomates Tootie (Kim Fields), Jo (Nancy McKeon) and Natalie (Mindy Cohn), were all supported, loved and inspired to good deeds by Mrs. Garrett.

    So was a wide TV audience of kids who learned many a life lesson at the knee of the kind and big-hearted lady.

    Lisa Whelchel has said that one of her biggest struggles while doing the show was her body image.

    “The biggest fact of life I wish I knew while on the show is to be a little proud of being a little heavier than the typical girls on TV.”, LisaWhelchel said in a recent interview.

    “Because it gave the opportunity to give the girls who watched the show a point of reference for a reality of what girls look like and accept themselves at a normal weight.”

    Body image has been a struggle for most girls, but seeing the normally proportioned young women on the show probably helped many in the audience be okay with the way they were.

    Man, do I miss shows like The Facts of Life! Do you?

    Image via Instagram

  • Summer Dress Shopping Turns Into Cause

    Summer Dress Shopping Turns Into Cause

    Summer dress shopping will never be the same for two women in the UK who were shopping for pretty summer dresses when they got a dose of ugly reality.

    The two women didn’t know each other, but each one was shopping at the same Primark store. When they got home and decided to wear the garments, they discovered that each of the items contained a hand-sewn plea for help.

    One label said ‘degrading sweatshop conditions’ while the other said ‘forced to work exhausting hours’.

    Rebecca Gallagher said that the label changed the way she thinks about how her clothes and summer dresses are made.

    “I was amazed when I checked for the washing instructions and spotted this label. It was stitched by hand to say ‘Forced to work exhausting hours’ and sewn in with the other normal labels. To be honest I’ve never really thought much about how the clothes are made. But, this really made me think about how we get our cheap fashion. I dread to think that my summer top may be made by some exhausted person toiling away for hours in some sweatshop abroad.”

    The label she found also contained Primark addresses in Spain and also in Ireland.

    Gallagher added, “I’ve got no idea who put it there but it really took the wind out of my sails. It makes me think that it was a cry for help – to let us people in Britain know what is going on. I even rung Primark to ask them about it. But I was put on hold for 15 minutes before being cut off. I would dread to think that this might involve child labour and people’s terrible working conditions. You hear all sorts of stories about people working in sweatshops abroad – it made me feel so guilty that I can never wear that dress again.”

    Rebecca Williams found the other label and she had a similar reaction. “‘I was really shocked when I saw the label saying it was degrading sweatshop conditions. I used to shop a lot at Primark but not so much now. The label has made me think about how my clothes are made. I have no idea who made the label or how it go it there – but it does make you think.”

    Both women tried to contact the summer dress and clothes maker, Primark, with very little success.

    She also said, ‘I tried to ring them as well but I was put on hold forever and then it just went dead. But then I heard about the other label from the same shop. I think Primark should get to the bottom of it.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX178pSGtZQ

    Primark has been in trouble before for these kinds of conditions, so it’s hard to believe that they’re trying super hard to improve their workers’ environment. In 2011 the collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh killed 1,000 workers, 580 of whom were employed by a Primark supplier. The factory was found to have inferior working conditions and crowding.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHWC4pougz8

    Primark is going to have to do a lot better than assure those who are concerned with a weak, “We are investigating the origins of an additional label which has been found in one of our dresses and whether there are issues which need to be looked into.”

    Hopefully, these hand-sewn labels will draw some heat back on Primark so that this year’s summer dress won’t be tagged with horror.

    Image via Twitter

  • Jillian Michaels’ Loser Exit Due To Scandal

    Jillian Michaels’ Loser Exit Due To Scandal

    Jillian Michaels is leaving the popular show The Biggest Loser for the third time, though if she’ll be back again is unknown.

    “After helping hundreds of contestants transform their lives and inspiring millions of viewers at home, The Biggest Loser and Jillian Michaels have decided to part ways and she will not be returning for season 16 when it airs in the fall,” NBC said in a statement.

    The departure is not that big of a surprise to Jillian Michaels fans or her close circle of friends.

    Trouble was obviously on its way when back in February, contestant Rachel Frederickson won the contest with a shocking 155 pound weight loss and appeared extremely thin and unhealthy.

    Her appearance sparked major controversy on the show and had critics of the show asking if perhaps the show and its trainers, including Jillian Michaels (who was not Frederickson’s trainer), were focusing too much on body size and weight and not putting enough focus on health.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrTah_CXO9Q

    After the scandal broke, Jillian Michaels was rumored to want off of the show.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFPCdZkpVm4

    “She wasn’t happy with how last season went. The shocking weight loss of Rachel [Frederickson] doesn’t do the brand any favors and she wants to distance her name from it.”, said a source that is reportedly close to Jillian Michaels.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6sLrhpbksI

    Michaels was, by all appearances, just as shocked as anyone else at the contestants’ big reveal. She began to question the ethics of The Biggest Loser herself.

    “We are allowed to speak with our contestants after they go home…but no one had told me, ‘Hey, Rachel is very, very thin.’ Bob [Harper] and I had no idea. Nobody had told us, nobody had said anything to us, so yes, I was stunned,” JIllian Michaels said. “Obviously, I thought she had lost too much weight and I was immediately concerned and wondering how this happened, how no one had said something to me and how the checks and balances that have been put into place, in my opinion, this had fallen through those checks and balances.”

    Therefore, her departure is understandable, but will the show be the same without Jillian Michaels? We shall see.

    Image via YouTube

  • Katy Perry And Staples “Make It Roar”

    Katy Perry, along with Staples, announced yesterday that 55 local Washington D.C. classroom projects have been funded as part of Staples’ $1 million donation to DonorsChoose.org. Staples’ $43,994 donation helped 47 teachers fulfill classroom needs. They also helped meet the needs of more than 3,900 students attending D.C. public schools.

    “I’m glad to partner with Staples on my Prismatic World Tour to raise awareness and funds for DonorsChoose.org, and to remind my fans that a small gesture can have a huge impact on the very basic materials classrooms need for teachers to help students reach their full potential,” said Katy Perry.

    Through the “Make Roar Happen” program, Katy Perry will help Staples raise awareness of how to help teachers. With a $1 donation either in store or on Staples.com, you too can be part of the solution to under-funded and overwhelmed teachers.

    Alison Corcoran, senior vice president of North American stores and online marketing for Staples, said of the successful partnership, “We are so thrilled to have Katy Perry supporting ‘Make Roar Happen’ and look forward to working together with DonorsChoose.org to ensure teachers have the supplies they need. Our recent survey found almost three-quarters of parents with teens agree that teachers in their communities inspire their students so it’s imperative we support these everyday heroes.”

    That same survery also pointed out that 76% of parents of teen students believe that a lack of school supplies is a significant challenge for schools today. Of course this has been a growing problem for years. What a great way for Katy Perry and Staples to give back.

    Charles Best, Founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org said, “The tremendous support Staples and Katy Perry have provided to DonorsChoose.org through ‘Make Roar Happen’ has made a great difference in classrooms across the country. We understand the financial hardships teachers in the Washington, D.C. area face when it comes to providing their classroom with the right resources. Thanks to Staples and Katy Perry, local teachers are able to get what they need and ‘Make Roar Happen’ in the classroom.”

    What a great cause! If you can donate online or at your local Staples, please consider it.

    Image via YouTube

  • Jillian Michaels Leaving The Biggest Loser

    Jillian Michaels will not be a trainer for The Biggest Loser‘s upcoming 16th season. NBC and the show’s production company said on Wednesday that they are parting ways with Jillian Michaels for the time being.

    This is the third time that Michaels has left the show. In 2012, Jillian Michaels returned for the shows 14th season after an absence she took to focus on the adoption of her daughter, Lukensia.

    Whether or not she will return later was not announced and neither was her replacement.

    Jillian Michaels’ story of growing up as an overweight and unhappy girl who went on to turn the fitness world upside down as a super fit drill sergeant mega-trainer has inspired many to shed their extra weight and be healthy. Jillian Michaels has sold millions and millions of workout DVD’s because people look up to her and some need that tough love.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC0aY7bl2n8

    What many want to know is whether or not this split is due to the controversy that shadowed The Biggest Loser back in February when contestant Rachel Frederickson won after a huge weight drop that took her (rather quickly) from 260 to 105 pounds. She shocked the nation with her boney appearance and had many questioning if the show or the trainers, including Jillian Michaels, had gone too far.

    Whether or not that was the cause, critics of the show started wondering, after the Frederickson fiasco, if the show focused too much on body size. They say that perhaps the show should focus more on health.

    As The Biggest Loser returns for season 16 without Jillian Michaels in the fall, will we see some changes to the way they present true health? Either way, The Biggest Loser has always been an inspiration to the millions who watch and are struggling with their own weight and health. No doubt it will continue to be so without Jillian.

    Image via YouTube

  • Student Loan Debt: More Parents Not Helping

    Student Loan Debt is becoming more and more the responsibility of the student, and less that of the parents. According to a Discover student loan survey, only 52% of parents said they were going to help their kids pay for student loans. That’s down from 58% last year.

    This news comes as student loan debt is skyrocketing and one in 10 student loans across the nation are at least 90 days delinquent.

    Danny Ray, the president of Discover Student Loans, doesn’t know why more parents are refusing to help their kids with their student loans. Could they be more confident in their child’s ability to pay them back or could they be just plain ready to say “no” and let kids learn to deal with student loan debt?

    Outstanding student-loan debt hit $1.08 trillion, up $114 billion over the course of 2013.

    For those who cannot pay student loan debt, there are many repayment options that you could exercise before you go into default. Options such as the consolidation or income-based options are readily available. Also, Obama has recently extended the Pay As You Earn initiative that could benefit many students that are exiting college and trying to find steady work.

    Pay As You Earn helps those with mounting student loan debt, as it caps your payment at 10% of your income.

    If you lose your job or have a major life change that effects your ability to pay, deferment or forbearance could help by hold off payments for a period of time until you can get back on your feet.

    However, forbearance should only be a last resort to keep your student loan debt from going into default according to Abby Harper, spokesperson for Upromise by Sallie Mae. Forbearance allows you to stop your payments for a time, but interest continues to build up.

    As parents, if you do plan to help your kids pay back their student loans, it’s a good idea to sit down with them and write up exactly what you expect to do and exactly what is expected of your student.

    If you don’t, you could at least be sure they know all of their options so that student loan debt doesn’t ruin their bright future!

    Image via YouTube

  • High School Diploma Finally Given To 87-year-old

    A high school diploma was awarded last Thursday, but this was no normal graduation ceremony. The honored recipient of this particular high school diploma was 87-year-old veteran George Bush.

    Bush was set to graduate, for the first time, in June of 1945. However, fate had other plans. Instead of earning his high school diploma on schedule, he was drafted that January and never received that diploma.

    “He never really talked about it, but I think he always wanted it,” said Bush’s daughter, Diane Knowles.

    Back in November, Bush happened to be watching a news program about certain veterans from the Scranton area who were receiving their high school diplomas in a special ceremony.

    “He looked at my mom and said, ‘Do you think I can get mine?’” Knowles said.

    Knowles then asked the school about her aging father being able to receive his high school diploma. Well, about a month ago, George Bush received news that he would be awarded his high school diploma at the following special school assembly.

    “I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’” Bush joked about getting the news.

    George and Emma Bush, who have five children that are all graduates from the same high school, celebrated their 65th anniversary last Wednesday. He never thought he’d see his high school diploma, but he wasn’t bitter about being pulled out of the last months of high school to go to war. Like so many kids his age, it was just a part of life back then.

    “When I was 18, I knew it was going to happen,” Bush said.

    After serving in Vietnam, he returned to his hometown of Stroudsburg, Delaware and worked for Instrument Specialties in Delaware Water Gap for 56 years.

    What a great story! See kids, it just goes to show that you’re never too old to reach your goals.

    Image via YouTube

  • Cat Perches On Cop, Looks For “Mew” Evidence

    A cat perched on a cop during a burglary investigation. Then, like so many cats before it, it went viral.

    Portland Police Sgt. Pete Simpson said that officers were responding to a call from a woman who arrived home and found out that she’d been burglarized. Officer Sarah Kerwin saw broken glass on the floors of the basement and a bathroom and noticed that a large orange cat was walking around on it. Having a big heart, Officer Kerwin picked up the cat in order to prevent it from cutting its foot.

    Then, the cat perched on the officer’s shoulders and stayed there while the investigation continued. No burglar was ever found, but the cat that perched on the cop’s shoulders stole all of our hearts.

    At least it went somewhat better than this cat/cop run-in:

    And it certainly went better than this animal control officer and cat confrontation:

    Or this one:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xi4WodnCP4

    Although the burglar was never located, the description was released.

    “The suspect is described as being between 30 and 40 years old, 5-feet tall, and skinny, with curly brown hair. Authorities told the newspaper that the male suspect was wearing a dark-colored track suit with pants tucked into his socks and boots. Another witness said they saw an older white van, driven by a man with dark hair and sunglasses, in the neighborhood.”

    Yep, it’s always the man in the creepy white van wearing the track suit. No word yet on whether the orange feline was offered a position on the force, but obviously that will be in the works.

    Image via Twitter