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10 Makeovers For Benjamin Franklin

Emily Co — Fri, 20 May 2011 03:05:00 PDT

Don't you think good ol' Benjamin Franklin needs a makeover? A new online community project, called Make Your Franklin, invites people to tap into their inner artist and redesign the $100 bill, an American symbol. To participate, all you need to do is save the image of the bill which you can find through this link and re-create the bill to your fancy. Click through for some Friday fun to see Benjamin after his extreme makeovers.

Quick Rundown of the Unemployment Benefits Debate

Emily Co — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 12:25:10 PST

There's a huge debate going on with the government about extending unemployment benefits. If you have not been following up on what's happening, here is a quick snapshot:

Right now, there's too much squabbling in Congress on whether to reauthorize the unemployment checks and how they should fund it. It's pretty much a waiting game to see how lawmakers will react.
If the benefits expire, almost two million people will see their unemployment checks run out by Christmas as they have been collecting the benefits for 99 weeks (or about two years) which is the maximum time allotted for these checks.
The time limit used to run up to 26 weeks, but have been extended about eight times since the recession.
Some experts are saying that cutting off benefits will be bad for our economy, because it will reduce consumer spending, which will lead to less jobs.
Others say that extending it will provide less incentive for people to find jobs.
An average employment check per week costs $290, says the National Employment Law Project.
The national unemployment rate was 9.6 percent in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
8.5 million Americans currently get benefits.
To extend the benefits for another year would cost the government $60 billion.

Many of you have been there before. We've asked you in the past what's the longest you've been unemployed, and received an overwhelming number of responses. We've talked a lot about this issue and have given tips on how to file for unemployment and what you should do if you've been laid off. I want to hear from you now - do you think Congress should extend the benefits?

Where on the Bed Do Your Pets Sleep?

PetSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:00:10 PDT

Awww, how cozy they look! Does this scene look familiar to you? If you share a bed with your pet, does the furry one have a fave snuggly spot? When I chatted with Bill from Greatest American Dog, he shared the sweet observation below:

I think the bond between Star and I was pretty tight when we got to California and I don't think you could make it any better. She slept in the bed with me all the time we were out there but when we got back home, Star had moved. She had always slept at the end of the bed, and now she moved up to right beside me on my side of the bed and that may be a little bit bigger bond.

Source

What Do You Know About the Brittany?

PetSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:30:44 PDT

I loved catching up with Bill who was sent home from Greatest American Dog on Wednesday with his beautiful Brittany, Star. What do you know about this breed? Test your knowledge about these pretty pooches below!

Source

Take the Quiz

Greatest American Dog Recap: My Dog Can Fly!

PetSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:00:00 PDT

First puppies and now an elephant?! For last night's episode of Greatest American Dog, the remaining humans (Travis, J.D., Bill, Laurie, and Teresa) had to get their pets (Presley, Galaxy, Star, Andrew, and Leroy) to sit in a circle as an elephant approached them, made tons of noise and flapped its ears, and eventually got close enough to pick up a banana placed nearby. It came down to a faceoff between Presley and Andrew, and the smallest pooch there (Laurie's Maltese) didn't move a muscle – wow! Next, it was a course finishing in a doggie zipline – that J.D. and Galaxy made look like a piece of cake – but, unfortunately, two dogs (Star and Andrew) wouldn't take that leap. In the end, the judges chose to send Bill and Star packing which made me sad 'cause I was totally pulling for them, but happy since I got to chat with him this morning. . . . and, yes, he's just as sweet on the phone as he looks on TV:

On meeting an elephant for the first time: You remember, we've got our back towards that elephant? I'm watching Star and saying "sit, stay, sit, stay" and her eyes are getting bigger and bigger and it's like one of us has got to move, I hope she tells me when I'm supposed to move! That was thrilling to me, just thrilling.

Learn what happens when Star meets the elephant for the second and third (?) time when you

On meeting an elephant for the second time: Although she didn't win the challenge, later we were able to go over and visit with the elephant. Star actually ended up sitting on one of the elephant's feet and it was a positive atmosphere. They didn't want dogs to be afraid of big things running at them anymore. The elephant actually took its nose and smelled all over Star and she just sat and looked at it – I asked the guy what it was doing and he said the elephant's never seen a dog like Star so he's smelling and remembering so that, the next time he sees one, he'll know what that is.

On meeting an elephant for the third time: I feel comfortable now that if there's an elephant charging down the street here in Flint, TX, Star will sit right there and watch it go by.

On preparing for the zipline challenge: I got up there and worked with her during practice time. I shook the platform and the guys up there at the top said "don't shake this," but I banged and clanged up there for Star's benefit. I knew the wind might be blowing and it might shake so I wanted her to understand that everything's good and it's fine for your feet to move underneath you.

On doing the challenge: When she got to the edge in what you saw last night, there was one point where I actually thought she was going to jump. Then she said "nah, dogs ain't supposed to fly, my boy" and I read that. She was like "I'll sit right here and you figure it out, Bubba." I saw that expression but I spent a good 10 to 15 minutes trying to get her to jump off that.

On not jumping off: I appreciate her not jumping off that ledge. She was smarter than I thought because we work in some areas where it's high-rise parking garages and, maybe she then thinks it's OK to jump off something chasing a bird? I feel comfortable knowing she did the wise thing, she was wiser than me.

Source

10 Tips to Save on Memorial Day Grocery Shopping

Emily Co — Sat, 26 May 2012 00:15:10 PDT

It's fun to host people for a barbecue, but it can also get quite pricey when everyone isn't chipping in. Consumer expert Andrea Woroch provides suggestions to cut your grocery bill when shopping for your Memorial Day meal:

Prepare most of your meal. Woroch says, "The general rule for prepared foods is that they are more expensive, and it's cheaper to buy the ingredients to prepare yourself." For example, prepared veggie platters and fruit salads "are never a good deal" and aren't exactly the freshest produce. However, prepared potato salad at a regular supermarket is less expensive and will save you time in the kitchen.

Get chicken from the butcher. Buy chicken breasts from the butcher counter instead of the prepared packets. They tend to be cheaper and are generally more fresh.

Consider boxed wine. Save money by skipping the bottled wine and going for the box. "Boxed wine is an affordable option for large parties, and the quality has greatly improved in recent years," she says.

Buy liquor at a superstore. If you're insistent on a specific bottle, then check out warehouse clubs like Costco. There are better deals on wine, liquor, and beer at a superstore, according to Woroch. While you're there, pick the store's generic version of vodka for an even cheaper deal.

Make your own salad dressing and marinade. Check out recipes online - here's a list of over 60 different marinades to make. "Most people will already have the basic ingredients like olive oil, some type of vinegar, and herbs at home," she says. "Other ingredients like lemon or lime, soy sauce, or honey won't cost much extra."

Read on for more.

Link Time - Bill Clinton Keeps Sexy Company in Monaco

Annie Scudder — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:30:34 PDT

Should we care that Bill Clinton took a picture with porn stars? - The Frisky
15 unfortunate (yet funny) misprints - CollegeCandy
12 Memorial Day date ideas - YourTango
Stars we suspected were gay before they came out - The Daily Beast
A mashup of women dancing on the big screen - HuffPost Women
How to improve phone sex without a word - Em & Lo
See new posters from Breaking Dawn Part 2 - BuzzSugar
Adrien Brody soaks up the sun shirtless at Cannes - PopSugar
Is this the craziest proposal story ever? - The Jane Dough

Ellen DeGeneres Surprises Ellie Kemper With a Stripper

Katie Henry — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:30:53 PDT

Ellie Kemper gets a shocking surprise from Ellen - The Insider
Blossom's Jenna von Oy welcomes a daughter - People
Will Holy Motors win the Palme d'Or at Cannes? - Lainey Gossip
Jon Favreau will act in, but not direct, Iron Man 3 - HuffPost Entertainment
Kylie Minogue is showing lots of skin - D-Listed
Taylor Swift debuts a wild new look - JustJared
Is Bill Murray the coolest celebrity ever? - BuzzFeed
Kate Upton covers up in Cannes - Hollywood Tuna
Grant Bowler cast opposite Lindsay Lohan in Liz & Dick - Pink Is the New Blog
Kanye West is branching out into film - The Superficial
Are stars oversharing on Twitter? - The Daily Beast
TV marathons are taking over the holiday weekend - Zap2It
Katy Perry kisses a Marine during Fleet Week - TooFab
Check out the most stylish celebrity jet-setters - The Frisky
Is Mark Zuckerberg's new relationship status doomed? - Your Tango
Elton John's at home resting following health scare - ET Online

Moonrise Kingdom: A Retro Delight

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:00:00 PDT

Everything about Moonrise Kingdom is unmistakably Wes Anderson: the hazy cinematography, the clever dialogue, and even the use of the director's favorite actors. Indeed, Anderson isn't leaving his comfort zone as a filmmaker, but Moonrise Kingdom is still a pleasure to watch. Set in 1965, the movie tells the story of Sam and Suzy (newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward), preteen pen pals who conspire to run away together. As they set up camp all over an island off the coast of New England, they're being pursued by Sam's scout troop (led by camp counselor Edward Norton), Suzy's parents (Bill Murray and Frances McDormand), and different authorities (Bruce Willis and Tilda Swinton). Sam and Suzy's experience with young love is sweet and complicated, and made all the more dreamy through Anderson's lens.

The elements might be familiar, but Anderson proves why he's such an admired director with a film like this. It's surprisingly romantic, but there's also a real threat to Sam and Suzy in the wild. Their compelling journey paired with the optical treat of Anderson's style makes Moonrise Kingdom a must-watch for fans of the distinctive director. To find out what else I liked about the film, just keep reading.

What to TiVo: Friday

Maggie Pehanick — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:59:04 PDT

8:00 Shark Tank (repeat)
9:00 Primetime: What Would You Do? (new)
10:00 20/20 (new)
11:35 Nightline (new)
12:00 Jimmy Kimmel Live (new, with guest Charlize Theron)

8:00 Undercover Boss (repeat)
9:00 CSI: NY (repeat)
10:00 Blue Bloods (repeat)
11:35 Late Show With David Letterman (repeat, with guest Billy Crystal)
12:37 The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson (new)

8:00 Kitchen Nightmares (repeat)

8:00 Who Do You Think You Are? (repeat)
9:00 Grimm (repeat)
10:00 Dateline NBC (new)
11:34 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno (new, with guest Colin Powell)
12:37 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon (new, with guests Bill Hader and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)

8:00 Nikita (repeat)
9:00 Supernatural (repeat)