97.7 The Breeze Mornings

Thank You!

2008-08-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

After my show on Friday (August 22), I was informed I was released from my position with Buckley Broadcasting and 97.7 The Breeze. I am not sure what direction they will be taking their morning program.

For all who have allowed me into their lives each weekday morning over the last three years, I want to thank you for being a dedicated listener. It was a pleasure to get to know you, and to share my life with you. Thank you also to Tony Lee, Kathy King, Willie Waffle, Mrs. Fix It, and all the others who routinely joined me on the show.

I hope you will continue to support 97.7 The Breeze, and I wish my former colleagues at the station much success. I hope to pop up somewhere else on the radio dial soon, and until then, aloha!

Brent Michaels

AUGUST 22, 2008

2008-08-22T07:40:00.000-07:00

IS THIS THE NEW "DANCING WITH THE STARS" LINEUP?
ABC won't officially announce the lineup of "celebrities" for the upcoming, seventh season of "Dancing with the Stars" until Monday... but some celebrity gossip site called GossipSauce.com claims to have a leaked list. Here it is...

--KIM KARDASHIAN... (--from E!'s "Keeping Up with the Kardashians".)
--'N SYNC’s LANCE BASS
--TONI BRAXTON
--BROOKE BURKE
--(Former Olympic sprinter) MAURICE GREENE
--CODY LINLEY... ( played Jake Ryan on "Hannah Montana")
--("All My Children" star) SUSAN LUCCI
--(Former NFL star) WARREN SAPP... (He was a defensive tackle.)
--(Olympic gold medal-winner) MISTY MAY-TREANOR
--TED MCGINLEY... (played Jefferson on "Married... with Children".)
--(Singer) MARK MCGRATH... (who has also hosted "Extra".)
--("Mary Tyler Moore Show" actress) CLORIS LEACHMAN...
--(Comedian) JEFFREY ROSS...

YOU CAN ATTEND MILEY CYRUS' SWEET 16 PARTY
MILEY CYRUS is having a Sweet 16 party at Disneyland on October 5th, and you could be there. If you have 250 bucks to spare.

Miley... who doesn't turn 16 until November 23rd... is going to sell 5,000 tickets to the party for $250 a pop.

She says, quote, "I only turn 16 once, so it's going to be an awesome party with my favorite rides, hanging out with friends, fireworks and more. I'll even get to sing a couple songs."

For Miley's birthday, the park will be divided into, quote, "Special Party Zones", each with a different Hannah Montana theme... whatever that means. The party will also honor people from the community activist group Youth Service America.

As for what she wants for her birthday... well, what did YOU want for your 16th??? She's hoping for a car, obviously.

For tickets, click on http://disneyparks.com/miley

ARE YOUR KIDS LOOKING FOR A MAJOR?
Let's be honest... you want to make a lot of money, right?

With that in mind, here's a list of the FIVE most in-demand majors and their average starting salaries... according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

#5.) Civil Engineering ($50,940.)
#4.) Business Administration/Management ($44,195)
#3.) Finance ($48,616)
#2.) Accounting ($47,429)
#1.) Mechanical Engineering ($57,821)

AUGUST 21, 2008

2008-08-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

YOU CAN BUY A MICROWAVE... FOR YOUR CAR???
You've got your cell phone, your MP3 player, and maybe a few bratty kids screaming in the backseat of your car. But if you feel that you still don't have enough distractions while you're driving... maybe you should pick up a mobile microwave.

What's a mobile microwave?

According to the website that sells it, the mobile microwave is just like a regular microwave... only it plugs into your car's cigarette lighter so you can have, quote, "meals on the move." Seriously.

This way, if you're on the road and you're too busy to stop for lunch, you can just pop a burrito into the mobile microwave... and you're good to go. It’s $180.

SO CAN THEY STILL CALL IT "THE 99-CENTS ONLY STORE"?
Earlier this week, it was announced that the "99-Cent Only Store" in L.A. would be raising its prices. According to the store's president, rising costs and the slow economy led to a $1.5 MILLION loss last quarter... which forced them to jack up their prices.

THURSDAY TRIVIA QUESTION
93% of people eat at least one of these a month... (PIZZA!)

AUGUST 20, 2008

2008-08-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

WELL, WOULD YOU?
Nearly 30% of Americans avoid public restrooms for fear of germs, according to a recent Quilted Northern "Bathroom Confidential" survey. The poll found that of the people who use a public restroom, more than 40% flush with their feet rather than touch anything potentially "germy." 60% said they never sit down and don't touch a thing.

THE WORST OBITUARY EVER
Last night, I was looking at an online issue of the "Vallejo Times Herald" (which is the newspaper for Vallejo, California... a city just north of Oakland), and I found a crazy obituary... in which these people TOTALLY SLAM their dead mother.

According to the obituary, Dolores Aguilar was born in 1929 and died on August 7th. She had, quote, "no hobbies, made no contribution to society and rarely shared a kind word or deed in her life.

"I speak for the majority of her family when I say her presence will not be missed by many, very few tears will be shed and there will be no lamenting over her passing.

"Her family will remember Dolores and amongst ourselves we will remember her in our own way, which were mostly sad and troubling times throughout the years. We may have some fond memories of her and perhaps we will think of those times too.

"But I truly believe at the end of the day, ALL of us will really only miss what we never had . . . a good and kind mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. I hope she is finally at peace with herself.

"As for the rest of us left behind, I hope this is the beginning of a time of healing and learning to be a family again.

"There will be no service, no prayers and no closure for the family she spent a lifetime tearing apart. We cannot come together in the end to see to it that her grandchildren and great-grandchildren can say their goodbyes. So I say here for all of us, good bye, mom."

ANOTHER REASON FOR ANGER MANAGEMENT
In an intriguing experiment, researchers at Ohio State had 98 participants fill out questionnaires that measured how well they control expressions of anger. Then the scientists made eight small blister wounds on the subjects' forearms. (Okay, why would anyone agree to that??!!) On average, hotheads were four times more likely to take longer than five days to heal, compared with three days or less for people who said they can almost always calm down quickly. The link? During the blistering procedures, the angry group had higher spikes of the stress hormone cortisol, which slows healing. If you're quick to erupt, try cognitive therapy or relaxation techniques like yoga, advises researcher Jean-Philippe Gouin.

AUGUST 19, 2008

2008-08-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

MRS. FIX IT
Mrs. Fix It joined us this morning to chat about car washing mitts. For dusting, buy an inexpensive car washing mitt to use as a dust rag. You'll find you clean much faster, it cleans easily around corners and legs and you'll use less polish because the mitt will hold it and become a pre-treated duster!

1ST BIRTHDAY TIME
According to a poll of more than 5,000 parents, the amount spent on a baby's first birthday party is all over the map, from less than $50 to more than $500. A majority — 61 percent — of parents spent $200 or less, 25 percent spent between $200 and $500, and 11 percent dished out more than $500.

AUGUST 18, 2008

2008-08-18T08:08:00.000-07:00

CMN BOUNCE-A-THON
Could your kids be let loose in Pump It Up and jump, and jump, and jump for hours and hours! Well, this event is perfect for them, and will help raise money for a great cause.

September 13, 15, and 16, we'll be opening the doors at Pump It Up for kids of all ages to jump and play on the inflatables for as many hours as they like... while earning money for the Children's Miracle Network. Participants will take pledges for every hour they bounce, and then come in to jump the day away!

Whether they can raise $20 or $200, we want everyone to take part. Every penny counts, and it all stays in Kern County to help the children at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. Got questions? Go to www.977thebreeze.com or call (661) 393-1900.

OLYMPIC SPORTS THAT SHOULD BE REMOVED
A buddy of mine and I were in the office Friday and discussed the Olympic sports that should not be allowed. There are three...

First and foremost, GET POWER WALKING OUT OF THE OLYMPICS. I power-walk every day... when I'm trying to beat someone to the counter at a fast food restaurant, when I'm trying to get to the fridge faster than my wife to open the last soda, and when they open the doors at an all-you-can-eat buffet. (Is it weird that all my examples involve food?)

Second, lose the Trampoline. That's not a sport. Bouncing on a trampoline?

Third, table tennis. It's ping pong. Nothing more, nothing less.

GREATEST THING ABOUT BAKERSFIELD-- TOP 32
Bakersfield Life magazine released results of the first round of voting, and I guessed 22 of the 32 winners right. Our final four is still alive... Vote on the next round at www.bakersfieldlife.com.

AUGUST 15, 2008

2008-08-15T08:14:00.000-07:00

HOW MUCH IS A GOLD MEDAL WORTH?
When you get down to it, the value of an Olympic gold medal is completely relative. But that doesn't change the fact that gold is a precious medal with a price tag.

So that got us thinking... how much is a gold medal actually worth?

According to the Olympic Charter, each gold medal must contain SIX grams of gold. Right now, the current price of gold is about $26.50 per gram. That works out to about $160 worth of gold.

But gold medals actually contain about 92.5% silver... and right now, silver is worth around $15 per ounce. If you do the math, the value of the silver in a gold medal works out to about $60.

That leaves us with a grand total value of $220.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU BE SPENDING?
Expenses vary widely depending on where you live, but these ranges offer smart guidelines to a girl trying to budget her cash...

Housing - 35 to 45% of Net Monthly Income
Auto and Transportation - 15 to 25% of Net Monthly Income
Food - 10 to 20% of Net Monthly Income
Monthly Bills (credit card, cell phone, etc.)- 10 to 20% of Net Monthly Income
Utilities - 8 to 15% of Net Monthly Income
Medical (insurance premiums and prescriptions) - 8 to 15% of Net Monthly Income
Personal (entertainment and haircuts) - 5 to 10% of Net Monthly Income
Savings and Investments - 5 to 10% of Net Monthly Income
Clothing - 3 to 5% of Net Monthly Income

AUGUST 14, 2008

2008-08-14T08:45:00.000-07:00

SAVE A WET CELL PHONE
Ever dropped your cell phone in a puddle or worse, the toilet? If your cell takes an unexpected dunking, follow these steps to avoid a trip to the gadget graveyard

·Turn off the phone and remove the battery. And no matter what, do not turn it back on. Electricity and water don't mix. The circuits may survive if the power is cut quickly.

·Dry it off as much as possible to prevent more liquid from seeping in.

·Put the phone and battery in a dry, warm spot with good ventilation so the remaining water evaporates.

·Let the parts dry for two days and not a minute less. You may short circuit the system if any wires are damp.

After two days, reattach the battery, turn it on and make a test call. With luck, your phone is back in working order.

7 FEMALE OBSESSIONS MEN WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND
Frizzy hair -- Guys don't even know what frizzy hair is... Does it have static cling? Is it like a bird's nest? Totally loses them every time. Frizzy hair looks like cotton candy hair. And it is very, very real, boys...

Panty lines -- So they can see the outline of your underwear. Women figure that's almost like seeing your underwear!

Too-tight jeans -- Aren't jeans on women supposed to be tight? Yes. But not overly tight.

Being overdressed -- To men, going out means either a) wearing a suit and tie, or b) wearing khakis and a collard shirt, or c) wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Guys wonder why women make it so complicated. They have more choices -- dresses, skirts, slacks, pants, jeans -- thus making it more complicated, thank-you-very-much! And don't get us started on the shoes...

Getting a pedicure before going to the beach -- Won't your feet be covered with sand? Um, no. They'll be barefoot, thus, women want them to look as cute as possible.

Hurting a friend's feelings -- Feelings are hurt all the time, but men recover in about 20 seconds. What's the big deal? Women are a little more brutal in their passive-aggressive attacks...

Buying the absolute perfect wedding/birthday/anniversary gift -- There are Target/Home Depot/Borders gift cards available everywhere. Stick one in an envelope and be done with it.

THE CLEANEST RESTAURANTS IN THE U.S.
Here are the five cities whose restaurants had the FEWEST health code violations:

#5.) St. Louis, Missouri
#4.) Seattle, Washington
#3.) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#2.) San Francisco, California
#1.) Tucson, Arizona

And here are the five cities whose restaurants had the MOST health code violations:

#5.) Kansas City, Missouri
#4.) Colorado Springs, Colorado
#3.) Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#2.) Austin, Texas
#1.) Boston, Massachusetts

AUGUST 13, 2008

2008-08-13T07:46:00.000-07:00

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Got an email from a friend of mine in San Francisco who has an upstairs neighbor, that she's said "hi" to a few times, yet she's worried about him. His car is in the driveway and he hasn't been around for 2 weeks. His newspapers started piling up, so she's been collecting it for him. She's worried that something happened to him up there, or that he's even dead.

We asked you what you would do in this situation. Someone suggested contacting the landlord and let them investigate. Someone else said knock on the door, listen for sounds in the apartment, or smell for the scent of gas or foul odors. Our listeners also said you should wait at least 2 weeks before calling.

COCONUTS ARE 30 TIMES MORE DEADLY THAN SHARKS...
If you turn on the news on any given day... chances are there will be a story about someone getting attacked by a shark, or dying in a natural disaster. But it turns out there are a lot of deadlier things out there... which you might not even know could kill you.

--Worldwide, about FIVE people die in a shark attack every year.

--24 people die in champagne cork accidents every year.

--25 people die in saunas every year.

--31 people die from dog attacks every year.

--53 people die from bee stings every year.

--62 people die from lightning strikes every year.

--80 people die in tornadoes every year.

--150 people are killed by coconuts every year.

--Around 560 men die from taking too much Viagra every year.

--3 MILLION people worldwide are killed by mosquitoes every year.

It was kind of a morbid show today, huh?

CALLING ORVILLE REDENBACHER
Daily popcorn snackers may be more likely to hit their quota of whole grains, reports a study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Researchers surveyed more than 15,000 people and found that popcorn poppers consumed an average of 2.5 servings of whole grains per day; non-'corn connoisseurs got .7 servings, the recommended daily allowance is three servings. Let's face it: We snack. But grazing on high fat or sugary treats often comes at the expense of eating fiber rich grains, says Kristin J. Reimers, Ph.D., manager of nutrition for ConAgra Foods. One six-cup serving of dry popcorn such as SmartPop! has about 90 calories and supplies two servings of grains.

AUGUST 12, 2008

2008-08-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

SPELL CHECK?
Last week, a professor from the United Kingdom named Dr. Ken Smith published an article where he argued that we should all start accepting so-called "spelling variants" of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language. Why?

Because, according to Dr. Smith, people misspell some words so often... that it's useless to even try to teach people to spell them correctly.

So what are some of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language... and what would be their accepted as "spelling variants"?

--Occurred (--the accepted variant spelling would be OCCURED)
--Argument (as ARGUEMENT)
--Weird (as WIERD)
--Truly (as TRUELY)
--Wednesday (as WENSDAY)
--February (as FEBUARY)

THE THINGS NEVER TO TALK ABOUT
According to a poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Media for CreditCards.com, 82% of U.S. adults are reluctant to openly discuss their credit card debts. Here's the top 9 topics we don't want to discuss:

1. Credit card debt
2. Salary
3. Monthly mortgage or rent payments
4. Health problems
5. Death of a loved one
6. Weight
7. Religious views
8. Political views
9. Age

FORTUNE COOKIE
Bids start at $9,995 for a fortune cookie, sealed in a package but crushed to reveal that it does not contain a fortune. The seller wants you to believe that there is an “ancient story” that the person who holds a fortune cookie without a fortune in it will, by opening the package, be able to choose his or her own fortune. Tempting, no? Well if bidding gets way out of control on this one (and yes, there are absolutely no bids yet) you can skip to the Buy It Now price of $23,700. (Shipping is free though!)

AUGUST 11, 2008

2008-08-11T07:47:00.000-07:00

HERE'S A LIST OF THE TEN MOST DEPENDABLE CARS
Late last week, J.D. Power and Associates released its annual list of the Most Dependable Cars. Here's a rundown of the TOP TEN: (So you know, these are the car MAKERS... not the specific MODELS.)

#10.) Jaguar
#9.) Honda
#8.) Lincoln
#7.) BMW
#6.) Buick
#5.) Acura
#4.) Toyota
#3.) Cadillac
#2.) Mercury
#1.) Lexus

HOW TO PICK A BABY NAME WITHOUT PICKING A FIGHT
The worst part about picking a baby name with him is that you have to compromise with him. Or, you could do what a lot of couples are doing these days ... You pick the name of your first child, while he gets to choose the name for the second child (of course that only works if you have two children). So if you're having trouble coming to an agreement, TheBump.com gives you a few tips so get through it without hating one another...

*Pick your battles: How important is it, really? "With all the names out there, do you like this one enough to risk placing a lasting strain on your marriage?" asks Jeff Palitz, a marriage and family therapist in San Diego. YES! "

*Create a win-win situation: Remember that both of you need to be happy with your choice. "In every relationship there are occasions where one party wins, but too many of them create the opportunity for resentment within a marriage," says Palitz. "You don't want to be arguing ten years from now and have your husband blurt out, 'You named our child Apple!'"

*Be prepared to compromise something big: What bargaining points can you pull out? In order to get, you sometimes need to give ... and in this case, it better be something he really wants. "This isn't what's for dinner -- its long term," explains Palitz. Yes, we're talking about that big screen TV that will completely dwarf the living room.

*Work together: If you husband consistently vetoes your choices, ask him to supply a reasonable alternative. Maybe the problem is that he's feeling left out of the process. By brainstorming side by side you'll be less likely to form separate camps and have a better chance of finding the perfect name ... together.

RAW JEANS
The hottest new trend in blue jeans is "raw jeans." Sold in boutiques with a retail price of $150, these jeans are made with raw denim, with instructions not wash them for six months! Yes, six months. This is supposed to personalize your jeans so the untreated, unwashed fabric can form to your body and daily routine. The idea is to wear them at least twice a week while you do whatever you usually do in jeans, from taking the dog outside to trudging through snow and rain to wiping your greasy fingers on them while munching on potato chips.

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
SPAM accounts for more than 80 percent of Internet traffic. While 78 percent of us delete spam, 20 percent of Americans actually click on it, read it, and then buy something advertised in it.

AUGUST 8, 2008

2008-08-08T08:10:00.000-07:00

DOMINIQUE MOCEANU AND CARLY PATTERSON
This morning two former U.S. Olympic gymnasts joined us... Dominique Moceanu who won gold in the team competition in 1996 and Carly Patterson who won gold on her own in 2004.

Dominique talked about recent comments she made about the selection of the team and the injury rate of gymnasts. While critical of the system, she did say she is cheering for Team USA and thinks they'll win a lot of medals, and be in the running for the team gold that she won in 1996.

Carly talked about what it's like to live in the Olympic village (people are friendly, but focused) and how much of an honor it is to be one of a select few people ever to represent the United States at the Olympics.

Today, Dominique is a new mom (of a seven month old) and Carly is getting ready to launch a singing career.

DANCING WITH THE STARS LEAK!
Tom Selleck is rumored to be on the new season along with Toni Braxton, Florence Henderson, Lance Bass, and Dan Marino. The official cast will be announced August 25th.

BE MY NETFLIX FRIEND...
If you missed it yesterday, and you subscribe to Netflix, join my Netflix community. Help Julie and I decide what to rent next. If you're a subscriber, click here.

AUGUST 7, 2008

2008-08-07T07:50:00.000-07:00

DO YOU NETFLIX?
If so, be my "Netflix" friend... we'll swap reviews and you can help Julie and I pick what to rent next. Just click here.

WORST SONG. . . EVER
Spinner.com and AOL Radio have put together a list of The 10 Worst Songs Ever . . . and the super annoying track, "Who Let the Dogs Out?", by BAHA MEN, took the top spot. It was followed by VANILLA ICE'S "Ice Ice Baby". Here are the Top 10:

#5.) "U Can't Touch This", MC HAMMER (1990)
#4.) "Barbie Girl", AQUA (1997)
#3.) "She Bangs", RICKY MARTIN (2000)
#2.) "Ice Ice Baby", VANILLA ICE (1990)
#1.) "Who Let the Dogs Out?", BAHA MEN (2000)

FAVORITE FLICKS REVEAL PERSONALITY
The kind of flick you choose offers a rare glimpse into your psyche, according to mental health experts. "Movies capture our imaginations and transport us out of our daily lives and into a world where we can forget all our troubles," says psychologist Ernest Van Dusen. "And the kind of film you are drawn to is a vital clue in understanding your personal needs and desires." So what's showing? Choose from one of the following categories, and then read on for a close-up of your personality.

· Fantasy -- If "Lord Of The Rings" is your idea of great entertainment, you're a person with a rich imagination who lives in your head much of the time. People may think you're a bit of a flake, but they're way off the mark. You're just preoccupied with your own thoughts. The select few in your circle of pals appreciate your intellectual gifts and sparkling wit.

· Mystery -- You love to be challenged, and the intrigue and double-crosses in movies like "No Way Out" fit you to a T. You enjoy solving puzzles, pitting your ability to interpret motivations against the writer's craftiness. You're a born leader, often at the forefront of projects both at work and in your community. Others know you are the go-to guy to get the job done with style and panache.

· Science Fiction -- You are endless fascinated with the future, and the far-out worlds in flicks like "Blade Runner" draw you in. If you could, you'd live forever because you hate the thought of missing what comes next. Your interest in tomorrow is reflected in your clothes and your home -- you're sure to have the newest trends in your closet and the latest electronics in your living room.

· Romance -- Just as the characters in "Breakfast At Tiffany's" are fated to be together, you believe there's a soul mate meant for you. A passionate love relationship and a cozy family life are the linchpins of your existence, and you can't be happy without them. Your devotion to your loved ones is legendary, and they return your affection in equal measure. You're a homebody, but not a stick in the mud -- your parties are always a hot ticket.

· Adventure -- You thrive on setting goals for yourself and either meeting or exceeding the expectations of others. Just as Indiana Jones defeated his foes in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" with a combination of brains and brawn, you'll use whatever it takes to succeed. You can be a powerful advocate when the project is something that stirs your passions, raising both awareness and donations for causes that fully engage your heart and mind.

AUGUST 6, 2008

2008-08-06T07:51:00.000-07:00

THE GADGET YOU COULDN'T DO WITHOUT
Do you remember how different things were back before you had a cell phone? Well we came across a survey which asked people to name the one technological gadget that changed their life the MOST. Here are the top ten life-changing gadgets:

#10.) Video game consoles
#9.) Microwave
#8.) Upright Vacuum Cleaner
#7.) Washing Machine
#6.) DVD Player
#5.) GPS Systems
#4.) Digital Camera
#3.) MP3 Player
#2.) Laptop Computer
#1.) Cell Phone (nearly one in 4 people said this)

It didn't make the list, but I think TiVo or DVRs totally should have. What's your vote? This morning, many of you agreed with the top two. You can vote all day at www.977thebreeze.com.

TAKE OFF CALORIES ONE AT A TIME
Wanna lose weight from eating out, but don't have time to exercise? Don't worry -- just going about your daily activities can burn more calories than you think. Here's a list, from the book "The Fidget Factor" -- figures are based on someone weighing 150 pounds. Lighter people will burn fewer calories:

Changing position in your chair -- calories burned per minute: 1.9
Crossing and uncrossing legs -- calories burned per minute: 2.3
Twirling pencil -- calories burned per minute: 1.5
Humming loudly -- calories burned per minute: 1.4
Folding laundry -- calories burned per minute: 1.9
Clearing table -- calories burned per minute: 2.7
Walking to the TV to change channel -- calories burned per minute: 2.4
Playing with your kids -- calories burned per minute: 3.0
Surfing the 'net -- calories burned per minute: 1.4
Pillow fight -- calories burned per minute: 4.8

SORRY, I'M A DOG PERSON
When researchers from the University of Minnesota tracked 4,435 people, ages 30 to 75, for up to 20 years, they found that cat owners were 40% less likely to die of a heart attack than people who lived in feline free households. Researchers can't yet say why, but "it's plausible that cats offer stress relief," says Adnan Qureshi, M.D., a neurological researcher at the university. As for man's best friend, there weren't enough dog owners in the study to determine whether pups also protect your health. No doubt, America's 44.9 million dog owners would attest that they do.

AUGUST 5, 2008

2008-08-05T08:04:00.000-07:00

MAYBE THEY PRINTED THE WRONG DATE IN THE PAPER
When you see the "American Idol" audition episodes every January... endlessly long lines of "Idol" hopefuls funnel into a packed stadium or arena in each city.

But when "Idol" took their auditions to San Juan, Puerto Rico, over the weekend... they could have held it in a high school cafeteria. Instead of having to sift through ZILLIONS of "singers"... they merely had to evaluate 300 PEOPLE.

In comparison, 7,000 people camped out overnight in San Francisco last month... just to secure their chance to audition for "American Idol".

THE BEST RESTAURANTS FOR YOUR KIDS
If you could, you'd probably cook a healthy meal for your kids every night. But chances are... between work and all the other stuff you've got going on... that's not really a possibility, right?

So to help you out, we tracked down a list of the healthiest fast food chains for kids... based on the average number of calories in each restaurant's kids' entrees. Here are the ten healthiest restaurants for your kids:

TIED at #4.) Panera Bread, Arby's, KFC and McDonald's

TIED at #3.) Boston Market, Fazoli's and Jamba Juice

TIED at #2.) Subway and Wendy's

#1.) Chick-fil-A

So which restaurants are the WORST for your kids? That would be Applebee's, IHOP, Olive Garden, Outback, Red Lobster and T.G.I. Friday's.

SUMMER VACATION FUN STATS
13: Average number of vacation days per American per year. Italians, on the other hand, get 42!
438.9: in millions, the number of vacation days Americans don't use each year.

1983: The year the Griswold family set off for Wally World in National Lampoon's Vacation.

6: Number of world tours on which Madonna has performed "Holiday," her first pop hit (and one of her best-loved songs).

64% -- percentage of vacationers who DON'T check their e-mail while on vacation -- up from 60% in 2006.

51% -- percentage of people who prefer to travel with their families (16% prefer to travel with only their partner).

AUGUST 4, 2008

2008-08-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

VOLKSLAUF
Okay, if you know me, this will sound crazy. But I think I am going to attempt the Volkslauf this year.

Three years ago, with a different radio station, I attempted to do the obstacle sections at the end, and it ended with me being attended to by a medic, slumped over in a chair.

But I'm 30 pounds lighter, a little more physically fit, and a good friend of mine and my brother-in-law, want me to train to do it this year.

I am excited about having a tangible goal to help get to my goal weight of 185... I weighed 209 this morning... and weighed 237 the last time I tried it. I think if I train the right way, get good conditioning, and save my energy appropriately during the run, I might actually be able to do this. I haven't signed up yet... but what do you think?

SAY SOMETHING NICE TODAY
This week is... Copious Compliments Week -- August 4-10. But you may have to compliment a woman more often than a man... Men will fall, err believe this 60% more than women will! The study showed that women need to be told the same compliment 5 to 6 times before they actually believe you mean it!

PROTECT YOUR KIDS' HEARING
Over five million American kids ages 6 to 19 already show signs of hearing loss. Instead of telling your son to turn his iPod down, again, hook him up with headphones designed to block background noise. He'll lower the volume on his own, say researchers who tested four styles. "Kids using in-ear noise blocking headphones kept their listening levels as low as if they were in a quiet room," says Brian Fligor, Sc.D., director of diagnostic audiology at Children's Hospital Boston. These aren't the clunky, pilot style headsets he'd refuse to wear.

TAKE MORE BREAKS TODAY!
Standing by the water cooler may help you stay trim. When researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia strapped an accelerometer, a device that measures not just steps but movements, onto 168 healthy and active men and women for one week they found that those who incorporated more breaks, like standing or walking, into their workdays were about 2.3 inches slimmer around the waist than those who parked it in their swivel chairs for hours on end. They also had healthier blood fats, lower triglycerides. Breaks were as short as one minute, very doable, and defined as anything but sitting. So touch your toes at your desk, stand while on the phone, or, at the very least, stretch.

BREAKING DAWN
Did you read the new book in the Twilight series? What did you think? Email me and vote at www.977thebreeze.com

AUGUST 1, 2008

2008-08-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

COLLEGE RANKINGS
If you still haven't decided what college you want to go to next year, the Princeton Review is ready to help. They just released a list of the 368 best colleges based on a variety of factors.

Top 5 party schools:
#5.) Ohio University - Athens, Ohio
#4.) West Virginia University - Morgantown, West Virginia
#3.) Penn State - University Park, Pennsylvania
#2.) The University of Mississippi - University, Mississippi
#1.) The University of Florida - Gainesville, Florida

Top 5 most sober schools:
#5.) Grove City College - Grove City, Pennsylvania
#4.) College of the Ozarks - Point Lookout, Missouri
#3.) The Coast Guard Academy - New London, Connecticut
#2.) Wheaton College - Wheaton, Illinois
#1.) Brigham Young University - Provo, Utah

Top 5 colleges with the best campus food:
#5.) James Madison University - Harrisonburg, Virginia
#4.) Saint Olaf College - Northfield, Minnesota
#3.) Virginia Tech - Blacksburg, Virginia
#2.) Bowdoin College - Brunswick, Maine
#1.) Wheaton College - Wheaton, Illinois

Top 5 colleges with the most beautiful campus grounds:
#5.) Mount Holyoke College - South Hadley, Massachusetts
#4.) Wagner College - Staten Island, New York
#3.) Colgate University - Hamilton, New York
#2.) Sweet Briar College - Sweet Briar, Virginia
#1.) Princeton University - Princeton, New Jersey

Top 5 colleges where the overall happiness level amongst the students is highest:
#5.) Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering - Needham, Massachusetts
#4.) Claremont McKenna College - Claremont, California
#3.) Princeton University - Princeton, New Jersey
#2.) Brown University - Providence, Rhode Island
#1.) Clemson University - Clemson, South Carolina

SEARCHING THE INTERNET?
Are you completely dependent on Google for navigating the old Interweb? Well even if you are, you might want to check out a new search engine that was developed by a group of former Google engineers called www.Cuil.com (--pronounced "cool").

So why might Cuil be superior to Google?

1) According to the people over at Cuil, their search index spans 120 BILLION web pages... which they claim is THREE TIMES as many as Google.

2) Cuil has a slightly more user-friendly, magazine-like format... as opposed to Google's somewhat outdated, vertically-stacked format.

3) Unlike Google, Cuil claims they do not keep info about users' search histories or surfing patterns.

JULY 31, 2008

2008-07-31T07:56:00.000-07:00

AT LEAST IT'S LESS JUNK MAIL!
It's no secret that the economy has seen better days... but it turns out there might be a silver lining to the economic downturn. According to a recent survey, 70% of financial institutions say they've cut back on credit card solicitations because the economy is in such bad shape.

NEED EXTRA MONEY FOR YOUR WEDDING?
You could have been in Kelly Gray’s wedding. Gray is a 23-year-old hairdresser auctioning off a chance to be one of her bridesmaids. Gray and fiancé Karl Gua make a combined annual salary of about $32,000. Gray says they’re also caring for a 1-year-old daughter and can’t really save for their wedding. Instead, they’re looking to cut corners - using an iPod instead of a DJ for music and baking their own cake. And then there’s the auction. The auction was up to $202.50 earlier this week. It ended at 4:27 p.m. yesterday. Gray hopes to cover the winner’s dress and shoes, and make a profit. She says whoever wins will be in the wedding, no matter what.

SIX "WEIRD" SLEEP THINGS THAT ARE VERY NORMAL
1. Talking in your sleep. 56% of the young women Glamour polled say they've done it. (And 11% have sleepwalked.)

2. Needing help to doze off: 22% of women use things like prescription or over-the-counter meds or alcohol a few times a week to fall asleep faster.

3. Feeling sadder on less sleep. "The last hours of sleep, which usually get cut off, help regulate negative moods," says sleep expert Rosalind Cartwright, Ph.D.

4. Waking up in the middle of the night every night: 30% of women do.

5. Hitting the snooze button more than once. 39% of women say they usually do it two or three times each morning. 16% say they do it four times or more!

6. Cuddling up with an old friend. 27% of women say they still sleep with a stuffed animal.

FINANCE CAMP FOR KIDS?
If you're like me, you learned next to nothing about personal finance when you were a kid.

But now, you can give your kids the edge that YOU never had... by sending them to summer Finance Camp. What's a Finance Camp?

Finance Camps are basically three- to six-day courses where your kids will learn lessons about personal finance, such as:

#1.) How to balance a checkbook.
#2.) How to invest in the stock market.
#3.) How to deal with credit card companies . . . and avoid fees.
#4.) How to start a business. (ABC News)

http://www.campsertoma.org/camp/challenge.shtml
http://www.yacenter.org/
http://www.creativewealthintl.org/campmillionaire.php
http://www.youngbiz.com/

JULY 30, 2008

2008-07-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

EARTHQUAKE REACTION...
We didn't really feel the earthquake from L.A. here in Bakersfield yesterday... but look at these fools at a Judge judy taping. First rule is STAY CALM, PEOPLE!

HARRY POTTER TRAILER
Check out the preview for the new Harry Potter movie!

DEALING WITH A BAD BOSS
Tired of your boss blaming YOU for everything THEY do wrong? Here are four diplomatic ways to deal with a toxic boss.

1) TALK IT OUT. Instead of silently resenting your boss, discuss any problems that come up with them. The sooner you do it, the easier it'll be to avoid future conflicts.

2) PROVE YOUR INNOCENCE. Save all your sent e-mails. That way, your boss can't say they didn't get an important message from you.

3) TALK TO HR. If things get REALLY bad, arguing with your boss will just make things worse. Take your conflict to the Human Resources Department. They can transfer you to a different department, or even discipline your boss.

4) KNOW WHEN TO GO. If all else fails, be prepared to leave... And have some job interviews lined up before you start packing.

NOW YOU CAN BUY MAKEUP . . . FOR MEN???
Hey guys... have you always secretly wished you could wear makeup? If so... you're in luck.

That's because a company called Taxi Cosmetics has just released a new line of makeup... that's exclusively for men.

According to a spokesman for the company, Taxi Cosmetics has created, quote, "[makeup] essentials that ANY guy would borrow from his other half"... such as eyeliner, which they call "Guy-liner", and mascara, which they call "Manscara".

I think they made a SERIOUS miscalculation on this. I don't know anyone who will buy this garbage. What do you think? Vote at www.977thebreeze.com.

JULY 29, 2008

2008-07-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

BRENDAN FRASER
Actor Brendan Fraser, star of The Mummy movies joined us today... He talked about how cool the 3D is in Journey To The Center of the Earth. Also, he said fans of the Mummy movies will like the new flick coming out Friday... it's along the lines of the last two films, but Jet Li is the!

GUMMY BEARS ARE GOOD FOR YOUR TEETH
According to a new study from the University of Washington, it turns out eating Gummy Bear candies might actually be good for your health. Why?

Gummy Bears are made with a natural sweetener called XYLITOL. Xylitol has been shown to kill a certain bacteria called streptococcus mutans. And streptococcus mutans causes tooth decay.

In other words... Gummy Bears prevent tooth decay.

MY, HOW NAMES HAVE CHANGED!
You could be forgiven for thinking that baby names like "Apple" and "Sunday" are common these days... but really, only celebrities with no sense of reality give their kids stupid names.

And even though most parents give their babies pretty ordinary names... the top baby names of today look nothing like the top baby names of 1950. Check this out...

In 1950, the top ten baby names for boys and girls according to the Social Security Administration were...

#10.) Gary and Kathleen.
#9.) Charles and Carol.
#8.) Thomas and Sandra.
#7.) Richard and Deborah.
#6.) William and Nancy.
#5.) David and Susan.
#4.) Michael and Barbara.
#3.) John and Patricia.
#2.) Robert and Mary.
#1.) James and Linda.

You still hear those names often today... but here are the names you probably hear the most, according to this list of the top 10 baby names from 2007...

#10.) Andrew and Elizabeth.
#9.) Matthew and Hannah.
#8.) William and Abigail.
#7.) Anthony and Olivia.
#6.) Christopher and Sophia.
#5.) Daniel and Madison.
#4.) Joshua and Ava.
#3.) Ethan and Emma.
#2.) Michael and Isabella.
#1.) Jacob and Emily.

ARE YOU NORMAL ABOUT CELEBRITIES?
51% of 18-to-25-year-olds say that one of the most important goals for people their age is to be famous. Just 29% of 26-to-40-year-olds feel the same way.

50% of women say that regularly reading about stars is a fun, harmless, distraction for them.

92% of women say celebrities don't sway their vote.

68% of women say the star's fashion choices do influence their personal sense of style. 87% of people say celebrity scandals receive too much coverage.

JULY 28, 2008

2008-07-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

YOUR VOTES ARE IN!
You picked Luigi's over the weekend as your single greatest thing about Bakersfield from our final four... We'll see how the overall results turn out. Vote at http://www.bakersfieldlife.com/.

BETTER TO LAUGH THEN LEARN FROM HIM
73% of women say a man's sense of humor is a turn-on. 46% of women say the same about a man's intelligence.

WHAT YOU COULD SAVE IN A YEAR IF YOU...
... eat dinner out twice a month instead of once a week -- $1,080
...bring your lunch to work three days a week -- $1,050
...buy just two 3 lattes a week instead of five -- $450
...get a pedicure once a month instead of twice a month -- $300
...color your hair at home instead of a salon -- $560
...stop buying a new book a month and use the library instead -- $360
...Replace 4 bulbs that burn 2 hours a day with compact bulbs -- $35

FOUR WAYS TO MAKE YOUR CAR MORE ECO-FRIENDLY
So, you can't carpool to work... but that's not the only way to reduce the environmental impact of your daily commute. Here are four ways to cut down on your car's emissions...

1) GET YOUR VEHICLE SERVICED REGULARLY. Keeping your car in shape will increase your fuel efficiency, which is nice for both the environment AND your wallet.

2) CHECK YOUR TIRES. Under-inflated tires are a common cause of both carbon emissions and bad gas mileage. Checking your tires once a week is an easy way to help the environment.

3) SKIP THE DRIVE-THRU. It's not hard to figure out that leaving your car running for five minutes without going anywhere is a bad idea... Instead, park and order your food inside.

4) SLOW DOWN. Whether you're suddenly speeding up, or abruptly slowing down... it's horrible for your gas mileage... Instead, try to drive at a slower, steadier rate all the time. It's better for the environment, and you'll drive more safely.

JULY 25, 2008

2008-07-25T08:18:00.000-07:00

WOW...
Five months 'til Christmas.

YOUR FINAL FOUR DETERMINED...
Okay, so all week we've asked you to email us your Final Four. We got close to 50 responses... Here was the winner in each category. Refresh your memory on all 64 choices here...

Bracket One...
You, like me, picked CLOSE TO EVERYTHING. It is true... Bakersfield is within driving distance to... Pismo Beach, L.A., Hollywood, Disneyland, San Francisco, and Las Vegas!

Bracket Two...
The Kern County Fair... a good choice! Some of you said the Kern County Fair is your pick because it represents everything good about Bakersfield... local entertainers, local chefs, local photographers, local businesses, etc.

Bracket Three...
Relay For Life. As you know, I am a proud supporter of this, but I think one of our Breeze Family Members put it best... "I picked Relay For Life because it shows how many caring, giving people Bakersfield has".

Bracket Four...
Luigi's. A Bakersfield institution for over 100 years, I believe. And the Butterfinger Pie makes it that much more deserving.

So vote over the weekend at www.977thebreeze.com on your favorite of these... and we'll keep track of the Bakersfield Life official voting... I wonder how many of our Final Four will make it...

VALLEY PLAZA
We talked about the latest incident at the Valley Plaza this morning, and got a wide variety of opinions. Everyone agreed on this-- it is a sad day when you can no longer go to the mall during daylight hours and feel completely secure that you will be safe.

Let me be clear, this is not an indictment of local law enforcement or mall management. They do a fine job, and as one caller indicated today, "Kids who want to break the law, are going to do so whenever and wherever they can".

However, it's disturbing that there have been three separate incidents in as many years where a violent attack has occured on the mall premises. I am a patron of the mall, and will continue to be, but I must admit I hesitate to send Julie and Gracie there on their own while I'm not around.

What do you think? Send your opinions to bmichaels@977thebreeze.com. My opinions, of course, do not necessarily reflect those of other personalities on 97.7 The Breeze, or of station management.

JULY 24, 2008

2008-07-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A GROWN-UP WHEN...
.....rather than criticizing an old friend for her quirks, you realize you've grown to love her for them
......you don't wait for a man to buy you a bottle of your favorite expensive perfume.
.....the phone rings at midnight and your first thought is NOT that it must be a bunch of your girlfriends calling to ask you to go out and party
......getting rid of stuff feels every bit as good as getting new stuff (or better!)
......you've had enough life experiences to realize that what goes around really does come around
......you fume silently about all the screaming babies on the airplane, then remember that one of them is yours
....you fully appreciate your ability to have yourself a good laugh - as well as a good cry
......on the rare occasions you allow yourself to eat dessert first, there's no guilt, only pleasure!

I read this list yesterday in a magazine at my mother's. I thought most of them to be very true and wanted to share!

HELP OUR TROOPS CALL HOME!!
The Cell Phones for Soldiers program was started in April 2004 by 13-year-old Brittany Bergquist and her 12-year-old brother Robbie of Norwell, Massachusetts.

Robbie and Brittany's goal is to help our soldiers serving overseas call home. They hope to provide as many soldiers as possible with prepaid calling cards. Through generous donations and the recycling of used cell phones, Robbie and Brittany have already distributed thousands of calling cards to soldiers around the globe.

Click here for more details.

JULY 23, 2008

2008-07-23T08:02:00.001-07:00

TURNED IN YOUR FINAL FOUR YET?
Click here for all the details. I want to know your "four greatest things about Bakersfield"!

HOW TO GET ON THE PLANE QUICKLY
A long wait at the airport can be a horrible start to a perfectly good vacation. Follow these tips to get out of the crowded airport and on your way to your summer vacation.

1) PACK LIGHT. A large carry-on takes longer to go through security... so only pack what you'll need for the flight.

2) BE FIRST IN LINE. Not only can you store your overhead luggage without trouble, you get dibs on those precious few armrests.

3) DON'T HOLD UP THE FLIGHT. No one wants to be that guy, so store your luggage and sit down as soon as possible.

4) MIND YOUR MANNERS. It will be a very long plane ride if you find a way to annoy the other people around you. Treat both passengers and crew with respect and don't invade anyone else's personal space.

JULY 22, 2008

2008-07-22T08:12:00.000-07:00

HOW TO LOOK TALLER
Height is one of the physical attributes that both guys and girls seem to agree on... the taller the better. So here are FOUR helpful tips for those of you out there who are vertically challenged...

1) WEAR ONE COLOR. We're not exactly sure how it works, but sticking to one color in your fashion choices can actually make you appear taller to other people.

2) DON'T WEAR LOOSE CLOTHING. Baggy clothing will make you look wider... and no one wants that.

3) THINK VERTICAL. Vertical stripes and interesting ties will draw people's eyes up and down, making you look taller in the process.

4) GOOD POSTURE. And you thought your mom's lessons about sitting up straight were nonsense... She just forgot to mention that good posture can help you look taller. Thanks Mom!

AIRLINES... TAKE NOTE!
Over the last few months, the airline industry has been charging for simple services that were... until recently... free.

But who knew the expectations we put on the airline industry had dropped THIS low?

According to a new survey, 40% of Americans say they would give up the right to use the airplane restroom if it meant they could get their ticket for half-off.

And more than ONE in FOUR people say they would agree to STAND UP for the duration of a cross-country flight if it meant they could get their ticket for half price.

YOU PROBABLY WON'T WIN THE LOTTERY!
The other day, I heard a random statistic... that ONE in THREE Americans feel the ONLY way to become financially secure is to win the lottery. (For the record, your odds of winning the lottery are about ONE in 18 MILLION.)

So we're clear, here's a list of things that are statistically MORE LIKELY to occur... before you strike it rich in the lottery:

Odds of being elected president of the United States: ONE in TEN MILLION.

Odds of being in a plane crash: ONE in 500,000.

Odds of being wrongly declared dead by a Social Security data entry error: ONE in 23,483.

Odds of being murdered: ONE in 18,000

Odds of bowling a 300 point game: ONE in 11,500.

Odds of dying from heart disease: ONE in THREE.

JULY 21, 2008

2008-07-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

THE GREATEST THING ABOUT BAKERSFIELD

I have to admit... I love this idea. Over the next six months, readers of Bakersfield Life magazine in the Bakersfield Californian will vote tournament style to determine the Greatest Thing About Bakersfield.

None of the first round choices were that hard... it was the ones after that which were tough.

Okay, fill out the bracket and decide... what is your final four? Email me at bmichaels@977thebreeze.com.

The way it worked out for me was this... (Bakersfield is) Close To Everything, Buck Owens, the Fox Theater and Relay For Life. I wish some other choices had been in the Fox Theater bracket because I was forced to pick that one (barely) over Brews In The Village (which for people who know me, will say is a baffling choice and I am really reconsidering right now).

Here are the original 32 choices you need to make...

BRACKET ONE:
1) Starbucks vs. Local Bands
2) The Park at River Walk vs. Festival of Beers
3) Mexicali vs. Casey Mears
4) Marketplace vs. Kern County Museum
5) Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace vs. Bill Lee’s Bamboo Chopsticks
6) The Weather vs. Lloyd Lindsay Young
7) CSU Bakersfield vs. Rosemary’s
8) Close to everything vs. Emporium Western Store

BRACKET TWO:
1) Wool Growers vs. Fishlips
2) Local golf vs. Downtown nightlife
3) CSUB Basketball vs. Hart Park
4) Kern County Fair vs. Zingo's
5) Buck Owens vs. Father Garces
6) Kern River vs. Hodel's
7) Bakersfield Museum of Art vs. Sequoia Sandwich Co.
8) Rabobank Arena vs. Seven Oaks

BRACKET THREE:
1) Dewars vs, Downtown Street Fairs
2) Meadows Field vs. Jake's Tex Mex
3) Petroleum Club vs. BC Football
4) Harvey Hall vs. Lake Ming
5) Smith's Bakery vs. CALM
6) Korn vs. Trout's
7) Northwest Promenade vs. Stars Theater
8) Relav For Life vs. The Bakersfield Sound

BRACKET FOUR:
1) Luigi’s vs. Cruisin’ 99 Car Show
2) Brews In The Village vs. Arts District
3) Bakersfield Sign vs. Chester Avenue
4) Kevin Harvick vs. Jim Scott
5) Condors Hockey vs. Beale Library
6) Valley Plaza vs. Merle Haggard
7) Trader Joe's vs. John's Burgers
8) Fox Theater vs. Oildale

From there, in each bracket, you keep pairing your winners against each other. The winner of #1 vs. the winner of #2. Then if the winner of #1 wins, and say the winner of #3 wins (against winner of #4)... you pick between those two until you have one winner left per bracket.

Good luck... some decisions were hard! If you need any of the 64 choices explained, click here.

MORE KISSABLE?
A recent poll from online dating website Match.com found that 77% of Americans think that BARACK OBAMA would be a better kisser than JOHN MCCAIN... no matter what their political leanings were.

WHO ARE THE WORST DRIVERS?
"Auto Trader" magazine recently asked its readers which cars they think are driven by the WORST drivers. Here are the top FIVE responses:

#5.) Porsche
#4.) Land Rover
#3.) Mercedes Benz
#2.) Subaru
#1.) BMW

JULY 18, 2008

2008-07-18T08:10:00.000-07:00

WHICH BAKERSFIELD STARBUCKS WILL CLOSE?
Apparently... none... yet. Starbucks released a list of stores that will close yesterday, after announcing last month they were closing 600 locations nationwide. Luckily, no Bakersfield stores made the list. However, Starbucks will continue to update the list as they make future decisions.

THIS OPERATOR SHOULD BE FIRED...
You'd think a 911 operator has been trained to handle lots of different situations. Guess not.

Last month, 18-year-old Cristobal Jaimes of Dallas, Texas, drove past his ex-girlfriend's (no name or age was given) house and saw her hanging out with a guy named Manuel Martinez (no age was given). According to Cristobal, he became so overcome with jealousy that he completely lost his head... and shot and killed Manuel on the spot.

Three days later, Cristobal's conscious got to him, and he decided he'd better turn himself in to police. So he dialed 911 and told the dispatcher that he needed the police to come arrest him.

But instead of asking Cristobal WHY he wanted to turn himself in, the dispatcher told him that the police wouldn't come pick him up... and if he wanted to turn himself in, he'd have to somehow get down to the police station on his own. So Cristobal hung up.

A few minutes later, Cristobal called back and got a different dispatcher... who asked him what he'd done, before sending police right over to arrest him where he was.

As of Tuesday, the dispatcher who told Cristobal to find his own ride to turn himself in for murder was still on the job... and hadn't even been disciplined for her actions.

SLEEP BETTER WITH PASTELS
Having trouble falling asleep? Try switching to a pale pink comforter or powder blue sheets. Studies show pastels induce relaxation and even help with insomnia. And since they also are proven to increase cooperation and reduce arguments, the soft colors might help sweeten your relationship with your mate.

THE EMMY NOMINATIONS ARE IN!

2008-07-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

Here are the nominees for the 60th Prime-Time Emmy Awards.
Brent's picks are in Italics...

DRAMA
Boston Legal
Damages
Dexter
House
Lost
Mad Men

COMEDY
30 Rock
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Entourage
The Office
Two and a Half Men

LEAD ACTOR, DRAMA
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
James Spader, Boston Legal

LEAD ACTRESS, DRAMA
Glenn Close, Damages
Sally Field, Brothers and Sisters
Mariska Hargitay, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

LEAD ACTOR, COMEDY
Alec Baldwin, 3o Rock
Steve Carell, The Office
Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men

LEAD ACTRESS, COMEDY
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

REALITY SHOW COMPETITION
The Amazing Race
American Idol
Dancing With the Stars
Project Runway
Top Chef

REALITY SHOW
Antiques Roadshow
Dirty Jobs
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List
Intervention

REALITY SHOW HOST
Tom Bergeron, Dancing With the Stars
Howie Mandel, Deal or No Deal
Heidi Klum, Project Runway
Jeff Probst, Survivor
Ryan Seacrest, American Idol

SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA
Ted Danson, Damages
Michael Emerson, Lost
Zeljko Ivanek, Damages
William Shatner, Boston Legal
John Slattery, Mad Men

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA
Candice Bergen, Boston Legal
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers and Sisters
Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment
Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy

SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Kevin Dillon, Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Rainn Wilson, The Office

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY
Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies
Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live
Jean Smart, Samantha Who?
Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty

JULY 17, 2008

2008-07-17T07:40:00.000-07:00

HOW TO CANCEL ON YOUR FRIENDS...
We all want to hang out with our friends, but sometimes you have a change of plans at the last minute... and sometimes THEIR plans are just lame. Luckily for you, there are ways to cancel on your friends without hurting their feelings.

1) HAVE A SYMPATHETIC EXCUSE. If you're bailing on your friends for a better offer... like a hot date, they might think you're ditching them... Instead, tell them there's a last minute family or work situation you have to attend to.

2) CANCEL VIA TEXT. Texting allows you to avoid the inevitable follow-up questions from your friends, and gives your message a sense of urgency, making your excuse more believable.

3) IGNORE THE RESPONSE. If your friends text or call back, don't respond... You may feel like a jerk, but it's the best way to keep your excuse believable.

4) HAVE MAKE-UP PLANS. Come up with more interesting plans for the next weekend or a few days down the road... This way your friends won't feel like they're getting the short end of the stick.

WHO WOULD YOU VACATION WITH?
George Clooney is the celebrity most people would like to go on vacation with, according to a poll by some British travel company. Here's the Top 5...

1) GEORGE CLOONEY
2) PAUL MCCARTNEY
3) BARACK OBAMA
4) MADONNA
5) REESE WITHERSPOON

JULY 16, 2008

2008-07-16T08:20:00.000-07:00

PROFESSIONAL LOVE ADVICE -- FOR FREE!
Women are paying big money ($100-plus an hour) for tips like these from dating coaches ... But for you? Free! Take a look...

Breathe! And smile.
"My coach Patti kept drilling into my head, 'Just have fun -- no expectations!' On the phone, before our first date, my husband confessed, 'I'm really nervous.' Without even thinking, I repeated Patti's words back to him. He still says that it was the best thing I could have ever told him." --Meredith, 40, Atlanta

Positives attract.
"After I tried online dating, I hired a coach to redo my profile. It had said things like 'I don't want this' or 'I don't like that,' and he made me turn them into positives. The change in the quality of men was outstanding! Now, in general, I'm conscious of framing things positively -- it does affect who I attract." --Jennifer, 29, L.A.

See yourself as others do.
"As a dating coach, I'll occasionally spend a weekend with a client to see how she acts, including on a date. Hearing how others perceive you often brings huge changes. I also stress that unless you want a man to focus on your flaws, you should be more accepting of his" (oh -- that doesn't sound like any fun). --Evan Marc Katz, whose rates start at $1,500 for phone counseling

WHAT'S IN A KITCHEN?
The kitchen is a mainstay in most people's homes and according to a recent Consumer Reports' poll, everyone has their own kitchen habits: who does the cooking and cleanup, how often they entertain, and what causes kitchen clutter. In conjunction with the magazine's Annual Kitchen Remodeling report featured in the August 2008 issue, the Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a poll of 1,009 Americans to determine what consumers have and what they what they do in their kitchens. Here are some of the highlights:

Dinner, Cooking & Cleanup
-- Dinner as a family is still a tradition, with over half (56%) always eating together.

-- Forty percent (40%) of adults eat dinner in the kitchen as opposed to the 29% who eat dinner in their dining room.

-- Eight in ten (81%) women do most of the cooking, with a little over half (54%) of the men pitching in and cleaning up afterwards.

Entertainment
-- Overall, adults are doing slightly more entertaining in their kitchens today than ten years ago, 44 percent entertain at least a few times a month, with over a quarter having guests spend most of their time in the kitchen.

-- Adults enjoy media entertainment in their kitchen: 35% have a music system and 24% television.

Appliances & Clutter
-- Dishwashers are prevalent in American homes, with 71 percent of adults owning one. Eight out of 10 (81%) of those with a dishwasher rinse their dishwashers before loading them into the machine. This is not always a seamless process, as 12% of adults say that loading and unloading the dishwasher causes disagreements in their home.

-- Among adults with cluttered kitchens, small appliances were the chief culprit. Small appliances rob counter space - microwaves, electric can openers, toaster/toaster ovens, and coffeemakers are the worst offenders. Over half of adults with these appliances keep them on their countertops.

Green Kitchens
-- Almost half of adults (42%) are being eco-friendly in the kitchen by having a designated recycling area.

JULY 15, 2008

2008-07-15T08:10:00.000-07:00

MRS. FIX IT
Today Mrs. Fix It reminded us that packing for a camping trip is a lot of hard work, but she had a few items that are must haves that you probably don't have on your list.

1. Don't forget the baby powder, not only can you use it for a dry shampoo or dry shave, but it is perfect for cleaning sticky sand from kids skin and toys, just sprinkle some on, it will absorb excess moisture and the sand will fall away.

2. Plastic zipper bags are a great way to pack for camping. Stash everything from snacks, to matches, to first aid kits inside them and you'll have see-through, water proof storage!

3. Dryer sheets will keep bees and other pests away. Put them in your pockets and the bees and bugs will go another way. Before you pack up, slip dryer sheets in your tent and sleeping bags to keep them smelling fresh.

4. Bar soap rubbed on the bottom of camp pots will make them much easier to clean up when you're done cooking over the campfire. Soap is also indispensable if you get some nasty insect bites. Just dampen the bar, and rub it over your bite for an instant anesthetic effect.

HOW... AND WHY... YOU SHOULD EXERCISE IN THE MORNING
Exercise in the morning can give you the energy and confidence to get you through the rest of your horrible work-day... but it's easier said than done. Here are five tips to get you out of bed and active before work.

1) LAY OUT YOUR WORKOUT CLOTHES THE NIGHT BEFORE.
This will save you time, and give you that extra bit of motivation you'll need when you wake up.

2) WAKE UP AT THE SAME TIME EVERY DAY.
Even if you don't work out every morning, getting up at the same time will train your body to be alert and active earlier . . .

3) FIND A FRIEND TO HELP YOU STICK TO YOUR SCHEDULE.
Tell your friends about your workout plan... Whether it's an exercise buddy or a support group, other people can help keep you motivated to work out every day.

4) EXPLORE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES.
Keep your workout interesting by trying different exercises, so you have some variety to keep you engaged... whether it's jogging, heading to the gym, or just stretching.

5) CREATE A PLAN OR A FITNESS GOAL.
You need a way to measure your progress, so come up with a specific goal, and when you start seeing results, you'll be more motivated to put exercise before sleep every morning.

GO TO THE MOVIES!
Yesterday, an online ad network called Mindset Media released a study about people who go to a lot of movies.

According to the study, people who attend THREE or more movies a month are 38% more optimistic... 58% more assertive... 76% more creative... and 99% more dynamic (meaning they're more likely to thrive on being where the action is) than people who go to TWO or less movies a month.

SLASH PERSPIRATION WITH SAGE TEA
A new study reveals that consuming sage leaf extract can slash perspiration in people who sweat excessively by 50%. And that’s not all: Sage’s natural plant oils also have antiseptic properties, which reduce the bacteria that causes odor. Simply steep dried sage in boiling water for five minutes, using 2 tsp. of the herb per cup of water. Add lemon wedges and ice.

JULY 14, 2008

2008-07-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE NEWS
We'd already reported Tony Danza is rumored to be in the next edition of "The Celebrity Apprentice", but (75-year-old comedienne) JOAN RIVERS claims she's going to be on it too.

In an interview with the "The Canadian Jewish News"... Joan rattled off her upcoming schedule... quote, "I'm in a series called 'Z Rock' coming to IFC, doing a TV pilot, offered another game show and will be on 'Celebrity Apprentice'."

HOW TO BEAT MONDAY MORNINGS
Face it, most of us aren't exactly at our best on Monday mornings... but it doesn't have to be that way. Here are five tips to help you maintain your sanity on everyone's least-favorite day.

1) SLEEP IN. This sounds like a recipe for disaster, but hear me out. You have to get enough sleep on Sunday night. So, even if it's just 15 more minutes on Monday morning, extra sleep will keep you happier and more alert.

2) HOP OUT OF BED. When it IS time to get up, lying there and dreading the start of your day will just make things worse. Getting out of bed on Monday is half the battle.

3) END YOUR SHOWER WITH COLD WATER. The extra jolt at the end of your relaxing shower will make you more alert and ready to face the day.

4) LET THE SUN IN. Whether it's during a morning walk or just by opening the blinds, exposing your body to bright sunlight will convince your body to wake up.

5) PREPARE AHEAD AT WORK. Being greeted by a clean desk and a to-do list on Monday can ease you into the work week. Do what you can on Friday afternoon to make your Monday easier.

SEVEN FRIENDS WOMEN DON'T NEED
Here are seven types of friends no woman needs...

1. The whiner -- Every day, everywhere, she complains about everything wrong in her life.

2. The leech -- She's only friends with you because of what you can do for her ...

3. The busy bee -- The woman who is always running around, too busy for her friends.

4. The chatterbox -- All she does is talk about herself.

5. The adviser -- She's always trying to give you unsolicited advice on how to run your life.

6. The dumper -- Whenever something or someone better comes up, she kicks you to the curb.

7. The bragger -- She's always bragging about her expensive clothing, her great job, hot boyfriend, or exotic places she's traveled. Shut up, already!

NEED TO FIND A NEW JOB IN THIS ECONOMY?
Whether you're a recent college graduate, have just lost your job or are just looking for something new, we need all the help we can get finding a job in today's economic market. Here are a few tips to help you get that important advantage...

1) RESEARCH YOUR OPTIONS. Let's face it, some industries are doing better than others. Now's the time to step back and consider getting into either a more lucrative field, even if you have to start lower, or just one that's more likely to be hiring.

2) CHANGE YOUR FOCUS. Prepare for your interview like you're doing your potential employer a favor . . . and tell them what you can do for them instead of the other way around.

3) SELL RESULTS, NOT SKILLS. Instead of providing a list of what you can do on your resume, provide specific examples of what you did.

4) START TALKING MONEY. In hard times, employers want someone who can help them make money or help them save money… show them you can do one or both.

5) ADD ACHIEVEMENTS TO YOUR RESUME. Listing specific examples on your resume will set you apart from your competition... More importantly, they work as great talking points during the interview.

JULY 11, 2008

2008-07-11T07:57:00.000-07:00

iPHONE
Okay, I'm not going to lie. I really, really want one of the new iPhones. Do you? They come out today. Vote on the Morning Show Poll at www.977thebreeze.com. And if you have an iPhone from last year, are you upset you paid $600 for one, when the new phones are better and costs $199?

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE NEW MILK JUGS?
A simple change to the design of the gallon milk jug, adopted by Wal-Mart and Costco, seems made for the times. The jugs are cheaper to ship and better for the environment, the milk is fresher when it arrives in stores, and it costs less. The jugs have no real spout, and their unorthodox shape makes consumers feel like novices at the simple task of pouring a glass of milk. The new jugs have many advantages from their point of view, and Sam’s Club intends to roll them out broadly, making them more prevalent. The redesign of the gallon milk jug, experts say, is an example of the changes likely to play out in the American economy over the next two decades.

GOOD NEWS ABOUT GAS PRICES... SORT OF.
So, the price of gas is completely outrageous, and that stinks... but here's one GOOD thing about expensive gas.

A new study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham has found that for every 10% increase in gas prices... the number of traffic deaths drops by about 2.3%. Why?

Because when people can't afford as much gas, they drive less. And when they do get behind the wheel, they're driving slower in an attempt to get the best gas mileage...

According to the researchers, if the price of gas stays at $4 a gallon for the rest of the year, the number of traffic fatalities in the U.S. could drop by more than 1,000 per month.

JULY 10, 2008

2008-07-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 NEWS
If you'd like to score some points with your pre-teen, let them know that the trailer for "High School Musical 3: Senior Year", will premiere this Sunday night at 7:55 P.M. on the Disney Channel.

It'll be online at Disney.com on Monday the 14th.

THE TOP 10 MOST STOLEN CARS
Every year, the National Insurance Crime Bureau compiles a list of the TEN most stolen cars in the U.S. Here are the cars that were ripped off the most last year:

#10.) 2007 Toyota Corolla
#9.) 1998 Toyota Pickup
#8.) 1994 Nissan Sentra
#7.) 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
#6.) 1994 Acura Integra
#5.) 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500 Pickup
#4.) 1997 Ford F-150 Series Pickup
#3.) 1989 Toyota Camry
#2.) 1991 Honda Accord
#1.) 1995 Honda Civic

USE A FOOD DIARY
If you've ever tried to lose weight, you know how difficult it can be. But it seems there's something really simple you can do... which could help you lose about twice as much weight as dieting alone.

So what's the secret to this miracle weight-loss plan? Just keep track of EVERYTHING you eat.

A new study has found that dieters who keep a food diary (--which is just a fancy way of saying they record every food and drink they take in) lose about twice as much weight as dieters who don't.

According to researchers, a food diary can help keep dieters accountable for what they eat... because they can actually see just how many calories they're taking in.

It also helps them figure out where extra calories are coming from... which makes it easier to cut them out.

And get this... a separate study found that if you're able to reduce the amount of food you eat by only 15%... you can add about FIVE extra years to your life.

FOUR WAYS TO LOOK GOOD IN PHOTOS
You can't always be 100% prepared when someone suddenly wants to take a photo. So here are four steps to make sure you're looking your best in case your picture winds up on the internet.

1) KNOW YOUR BEST SMILE. Dig up old pictures to find your best smile, and practice it in front of the mirror until you can duplicate it... quickly and genuinely.

2) GET OUT OF DIRECT LIGHT. Bright light will highlight your faults... like making your receding hairline or bad complexion more noticeable. Find an excuse to get out of direct light when you see a camera pointed your way.

3) DON'T LOOK STRAIGHT AT THE CAMERA. Looking straight ahead can come across as posed or stiff... like a deer caught in the headlights. Ask some friends of the opposite sex to help you find your best side and then be sure it's always showing to the camera.

4) BLINK BEFORE THE PICTURE IS TAKEN. This is a surefire way to avoid the infamous "mid-blink" scenario that has ruined a million perfectly good photos. Don't be that guy.

JULY 9, 2008

2008-07-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

NEW DICTIONARY WORDS
Every year, the people over at Merriam-Webster add a bunch of new words to their Collegiate Dictionary which have become part of the American lexicon (which means you use them in everyday life).

--This year, just over 100 words were added to the dictionary. Here's a list of some of the more interesting additions, along with their definitions:

--Air quotes: A gesture made by raising and flexing the index and middle fingers of both hands, used to call attention to a spoken word or expression.

--Dirty bomb: A bomb designed to release radioactive material.

--Dwarf planet: A celestial body that orbits the sun and has a spherical shape, but is too small to disturb other objects from its orbit.

--Edamame: Immature green soybeans, usually in the pod.

--Kiteboarding: The sport of riding on a small surfboard propelled across water by a large kite, to which the rider is harnessed.

--Malware: Software designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning.

--Mental health day: A day that an employee takes off from work to relieve stress or renew vitality.

--Subprime: 1: Having or being an interest rate that is higher than a prime rate and is extended especially to low-income borrowers; 2: Extending or obtaining a subprime loan.

--Supercross: A motorcycle race held in a stadium on a dirt track having hairpin turns and high jumps.

--Texas Hold 'em: Poker in which each player is dealt two cards face down and all players share five cards dealt face-up.

FIND THE BEST BANK IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES
Who has countless hours to hunt down the bank with the lowest fees? Now you don’t have to. A new website, www.findabetterbank.com, does the legwork for you - for free. Simply answer a few quick questions about location, fees and what else you’re looking for and presto, you’ll get a list of the best options for you. Once you make your choice, you’ll be given a direct link and phone number to your new bank to make the switch.

SUNDAY ROSE?
Okay, yesterday I gave Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban grief for naming their daughter Sunday Rose since she was born on a Monday. Turns out I'm the one who's not that bright.

NICOLE KIDMAN and KEITH URBAN named their daughter Sunday Rose Kidman Urban. Would you like to know why? "Sunday" came from Sunday Reed, a famous muse and patron of the arts in Australia. Nicole's father suggested it.

"Rose" was the name of Keith Urban's late grandmother.

JULY 8, 2008

2008-07-08T07:54:00.000-07:00

WE PROMISED...
Here are some pictures from "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"... which hits theaters on November 21st...

WHAT WOULD YOU BUY?

According to a new survey, people spend almost six months of their life dreaming about landing a huge financial windfall. People spend 12 minutes a day - or almost an hour and a half a week - dreaming about unexpectedly receiving a pot of money. That adds up to a total of three days of every year. The survey also found that 39% of people wouldn’t tell anyone if they won a fortune. And amazingly almost 15 percent of people said they’d keep the windfall a secret from their own partner.

HOW TO SPOT A SCAM

Here are some tips on how to spot a scam, according to Woman’s Day magazine.

It might be a scam if…

It’s just too good to be true. A free car just for taking a survey? A laptop computer for a single mouse click? No way.

You’re a winner…but you have to pay a fee to claim your prize.

It’s free with shipping and handling if it’s five or six bucks, fine. But make sure it’s not $59.95.

The website offers nothing but free stuff. It’s probably an e-mail collection site for spammers.

There’s a lot of fine print and you have to agree to accept all the terms.

You have to make a purchase to get the freebie.

You must give a credit card number to get the free item.

There’s a free “trial period.” This may be true, but the company can make it difficult to cancel, and if you forget, wham! You’re on the hook.

5 SURPRISING USES FOR TOOTHPASTE
Here are 5 surprising uses for toothpaste.

REMOVE CRAYON MARKS - Squirt a small dab of non-gel toothpaste on the wall where the mark is. Rub gently with a soft cloth, then rinse with warm water.

DEODORIZE HANDS - Can’t get garlic or onion odor off your hands? Wash them with a blob of toothpaste.

BUFF A DVD - Get rid of light scratches by squeezing a little non-gel toothpaste onto a cotton ball. Wipe over the DVD from the center out to the edge. Rinse with water and dry with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth - all gone.

DEFOG GOGGLES - Coat the inside of swimming goggles with toothpaste, then wipe off - they’ll be crystal clear.

CLEAN JEWELRY - Rather than take your prized pieces to the jeweler, you can get the same shinbe at home with a non-gel toothpaste!

JULY 7, 2008

2008-07-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

SERVICE LETS DRIVERS LOCK IN GAS PRICES
A new service called MyGallons.com allows drivers to fill up their tanks sometime in the future but at current prices, using a debit-like card which banks gallons rather than dollars.

“The price of gasoline was changing all the time. It seemed unpredictable,” Steven Verona, founder and owner of the Miami-based company, said on Monday. “It seemed there had to be a way to fix the price,” he said. Working on the assumption that the price of gas will continue to rise, Verona started about two and a half years ago to put together the company which gives the driver some measure of control of what he pays for gasoline.

Since a soft launch in January, about 2,000 people have signed up with MyGallons.com to be able to help them find ways to cope with the rising price of gasoline. On Monday, the average retail price for gasoline hit a new record of $4.10 a gallon, rising 1.6 cents over the last week and up $1.14 from a year ago. While the high price of gas has cut demand by about a percent from last year, the record high price of crude oil over $140 a barrel seems to ensure that prices will stay high.

Using regular unleaded gasoline as the benchmark, drivers pre-buy gasoline based on their zip code. MyGallons.com determines what that price is based using established providers of oil prices. Drivers using a premium gasoline or premium pay an additional price over benchmark regular gasoline for the higher-priced fuel. At the pump, the driver swipes his MyGallons card like a debit card. MyGallons.com said that the card is accepted at over 95 percent of U.S. gas stations.

The risk to the consumer is if the price of gasoline in the future becomes cheaper rather than more expensive. “There is that risk that the price could fall significantly,” said Verona. “But I think that most people would agree that risk is pretty minimal.”

SAY THIS AT WORK AND GET FIRED
The f-word means you’re fired. Curse words may be standard fare in most offices, but cussing could cost you your job. A survey of more than 2,000 executives conducted by TheLadders.com reveals that 36 percent of U.S. bosses have issued a formal warning for swearing, and six percent have actually fired someone for swearing. The survey also found that 81.2 percent of senior executives find a foul-mouthed colleague unacceptable to work alongside in the office. Nearly 100 percent of the respondents believed that the idea of office etiquette does exist and that the majority (69.7%) said they would fire an employee for bad office manners.

Of managers who have terminated employees for office etiquette offenses, the top five most common causes were:

1. Bad language (38.4 percent)
2. Excessive workplace gossip (36.5 percent)
3. Drinking on the job (35.2 percent)
4. Leaving the office without telling anyone (33.6 percent)
5. Too many personal calls (28 percent)

When asked to rate the worst affronts to office etiquette, survey respondents selected the following:

1. Eating someone else's food from the fridge (97.8 percent)
2. Bad hygiene (95.6 percent)
3. Bad habits (88.2 percent)
4. Drinking on the job (85.7 percent)
5. Wastefulness with paper (82 percent)
6. Cooking smelly food in the office microwave (74.1 percent)
7. Sneaking peeks at the BlackBerry in meetings (63.5 percent)

WHO'S YOUR HERO OF CHOICE?
Usmagazine.com poll asked: "Which summer superhero would you want to be saved by?"

Christian Bale's Batman -- 50.68%
Will Smith's Hancock - 27.05%
Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man -- 22.32%

You can vote for your choice at www.977thebreeze.com

SO WHAT'S THE OTHER 58%?
On Friday, a court in the U.K. ruled that Pringles potato chips are NOT subject to a 17.5% value-added tax (which is basically a form of sales tax) like other potato products... because the chips are only 42% potato.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM VACATION SHOWS

2008-07-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

TOP WEDDING SONGS FOR THE FIRST DANCE
Ah, the first wedding dance ... Whatever song you pick -- it's "your song" for all of eternity. Here are some of the most requested first dance songs:(according to a mobile DJ survey conducted by discjockeys.com)

Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)
Can't Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)
Can I Have This Dance (Anne Murray)
The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)
It Had To Be You (Harry Connick Jr.)
What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
Endless Love (Diana Ross and Lionel Richie)
Faithfully (Journey)
No Ordinary Love (Sade)
Here And Now (Luther Vandross)
I Swear (John Michael Montgomery or All 4 One)
I Can Love You Like That (John M. Montgomery)
Power Of Love (Celine Dion)
I'll Be There (Mariah Carey)
On Bended Knee (Boyz II Men)
At Last (Etta James)
Unchained Melody (The Righteous Brothers)
When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge or Michael Bolton)

STAY COOL THIS SUMMER AND SAVE MONEY
Here are some tips on how to stay cool this summer and save money at the same time.

-Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed. About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows. Simply drawing blinds and curtains, which act as a layer of insulation, can reduce heat gain to your apartment or home.

-Turn off all unnecessary lighting and appliances. For example, turning off your desktop computer and monitor for two additional hours per day could reduce your annual electric consumption by up to 1.5 percent.

-Raising your air conditioner thermostat by five degrees could save you up to 1 percent on your annual electric bill. Also, use programmable thermostats, timers for indoor and outdoor lights and other automated devices to further reduce energy use.

-Changing your central air conditioner air filter monthly could save you up to 2 percent on your annual electric bill.

-Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes and do so during cooler times of the day.

-Also, use a microwave to cook instead of an oven, or barbecue outside, if possible.

-Look for an ENERGY STAR(R) label when replacing or installing ceiling fans, window air conditioners or refrigerators. For example, replacing your old refrigerator with a new unit could save up to 7 percent on overall electric use.

RECALL NOTICE
About 320,000 Jardine cribs sold by Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores are being recalled because four children became trapped. The wooden slats and spindles on the crib frames can break, allowing children to get trapped in the remaining gap. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 42 incidents of broken slats and spindles. This includes four instances of children getting trapped, two of whom suffered cuts and bruises.

The recalled cribs were manufactured in China and Vietnam by Jardine Enterprises and sold by Toys “R” Us retailers: KidsWorld Stores, Geoffrey stores, Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us.

KidsWorld and Geoffrey stores are no longer in operation, but sold the recalled cribs when they were open.

The cribs were sold around the country between January 2002 and May 2008. For more info, call 800-646-4106.

JUNE 26, 2008

2008-06-26T07:27:00.000-07:00

VACATION
Well, I'll be on vacation for the next week, but make sure you join us all week as I'm gone... We've saved some great stuff for you, and of course, we'll start your morning with all your favorite songs! Have a safe 4th of July, and we'll be back live on July 7th!

CAN YOU BELIEVE...
Christmas is six months away...

TODAY IS NATIONAL HANDSHAKE DAY
Today is National Handshake Day. Get a grip on a professional handshake today. The handshake is an important part of corporate America and can make or break a business deal, interview or other encounter. Take this day to perfect your own handshake and put it into practice.

WORDS WOMEN USE
(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around
the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time
standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says "Thanks a lot" - that is PURE sarcasm
and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say "you're welcome".... that will bring on a "whatever").

(8) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying (something not nice)!

(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to # 3.

OUTRAGEOUS REQUESTS
Pop stars are famous for their outrageous requests for luxuries that must be placed in their dressing rooms. Now a new book has collected these lists of diva-ish demands, past and present...

Paul McCartney:
Nineteen leafy 6ft plants. Four leafy 4ft plants. Vegetarian catering (including no meat by-products).

Mariah Carey:
Cristal champagne. One box of bendy straws. One special attendant to dispose of used chewing gum. Tea service for eight. A Honey Bear pack of honey. Two air purifiers. Puppy. Kittens.

Keith Richards:
A guitar strap. Chicken sandwiches. Diet Coke. Cigarettes.

Prince:
A physician. All food to be covered in clear plastic wrap.

Frank Sinatra:
An ear, nose and throat specialist with the anti-inflammatory drug Decadron.

David Hasselhoff:
Life-size cut-out of David Hasselhoff.

Sammy Davis Jr .:
Assortment of groovy chicks.

Barbra Streisand:
Rose petals in toilet.

Madonna:
A new toilet seat. 25 cases of Kabbalah water.

Jennifer Lopez:
White flowers. White tablecloths. White curtains. White candles. White couches. Low-watt lightbulbs. Coffee to be stirred counter-clockwise. Skittles.

JUNE 25, 2008

2008-06-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

GET PEOPLE TO STOP SENDING YOU FORWARDS
Remember when sending email forwards was totally in vogue and not at all annoying? It was about, oh, 1999 or so, and you and your friends would send each other chain letter forwards, quizzes about yourself that you filled out, inspirational poems about girlfriends and sisters, warnings to each other about deodorant causing cancer, and how to save a kid dying of a life-threatening disease you've never heard of.

However, some people haven't really gotten that memo and if you're afraid to tell them straightforwardly, the website StopForwarding.us will send an anonymous message on your behalf with a gentle but firmly-worded cease-and-desist email. Really, you're doing all of their email contacts a favor.

FLYING WITH A CHILD... UPDATE
We talked about it yesterday, and then what do you know, CNN did a whole segment on it. Here's what they said...

1) SCHEDULE YOUR FLIGHT AROUND THEIR "NAP TIMES". Some kids sleep on planes... and others CRY the entire time. Try to schedule your flight around the time your kid usually takes naps, so there's a better chance that they'll sleep.

2) PACK A LOT OF TOYS. You have to keep your kid occupied on the plane ride... or else they'll get bored. And what happens when they get bored? They become OBNOXIOUS. So pack a lot of toys to keep them busy.

3) BOARD EARLY. This is especially true if it's only YOU and your kid. Take the time to get your kid comfortable on the plane, and set up all the supplies you'll need to keep them entertained.

4) GET YOUR KID A SEPARATE SEAT. Don't make your kid sit on your lap the entire time... they'll get really fussy. Shell out the extra cash to get them their own seat. Just don't let them kick the seat of the person in front of them.

THE McDONALDS DIET GUY... UPDATE
Health experts at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) have weighed in on a weight-loss story in the headlines, warning that the "McDonald's Diet" adopted by one man is little more than a crash diet, not the kind of behavior change that results in safe, permanent weight loss.

Chris Coleson, a 42-year old Quinton, Virginia man who shed 80 pounds in six months by eating most of his meals at McDonalds, has attracted much media attention. Last December, at 278 pounds, the 5-foot-8 Coleson started eating two meals a day at the fast food chain (he skips breakfast.) Coleson spurned burgers and fries for salads and wraps and now weighs 199 pounds. According to AICR Nutritionist Sarah Wally, RD, "We applaud Mr. Coleson's resolve, and his recognition that it was time to take action. Being overweight increases risk for heart disease, stroke, hypertension and Type 2 diabetes, and a recent AICR Expert Report concluded that excess body fat is a major cause of many cancers as well."

But Wally was less enthusiastic about Coleson's chosen method. "Mr. Coleson's weight loss was the result of extreme calorie deprivation. His reported daily intake - between 1200 and 1400 calories - was far below his body's needs. "Rapid weight loss like Mr. Colson experienced is inevitable when calorie intake is cut so drastically, regardless of what - or where - you are eating. But it doesn't lead to sustainable, long-term weight loss and it can be dangerous," Wally said.

The chain offers wraps and salads, which can be healthful options - but which ones you choose, and how many extras you add, can drive up the calorie count quickly.

The bottom line: Mr. Coleson's experience doesn't make McDonald's a haven for dieters. While some of the chain's offerings can fit into a healthful diet, the majority of menu options are calorie-dense choices that have been shown to promote weight gain.

JUNE 24, 2008

2008-06-24T08:18:00.000-07:00

HELP! I NEED YOUR ADVICE!
So Julie and I are taking Gracie to Hawaii on Thursday afternoon, and it will be her first time on an airplane. We've heard the horror stories, so we asked you, what are your tips, if you've been through it?

Here's what you said...

*Make sure she has a pacifier or bottle to suck on during take off and landing

*Try to keep her up all day, so she'll nap on the plane

*Bring snacks, toys, etc. to keep her occupied

*Stay calm... babies can sense when their parents are anxious

No one mentioned Benadryl, which is what a lot of people suggest... I found that interesting, although I've heard horror stories about that too. Thanks for all the suggestions! We need 'em!

THE AMERICAN IDOL EXPERIENCE
Thinking about going to Walt Disney World next year to try the American Idol Experience? Go early in the day... you may win a "get out of line" pass for the next Idol auditions... Read all about it here.

FOUR WEIRD THINGS THAT ARE NORMAL
1. Wanting a star's salary, but not her job. 56% of women most envy celebrity's money; only 7% crave their careers. Yeah -- but how many want to be famous?

2. Wishing you lived next door to party girl Paris Hilton. She's women's second most desired celebrity neighbor, after Oprah. That's quite a spectrum -- from Paris to Oprah!

3. Turing to celebrity gossip to deal with bad news. "With Iraq and a recession, escapism is very attractive right now," says Jake Halpern, author of Fame Junkies.

4. Having higher regard for politicians. In a gallop poll, Hillary Clinton was voted "Most Admired Woman." (Angelina Jolie was the only actress in the Top 10.)

JUNE 23, 2008

2008-06-23T07:58:00.000-07:00

GEORGE CARLIN DIES AT 71
Irreverent US comedian George Carlin, who became known as a voice of the 1970s counterculture and was one of the country's best known funny men, died on Sunday aged 71, US media reported.

The Grammy award winner, whose career spanned five decades, died of heart failure, his publicist Jeff Abraham told the New York Times.

Carlin had a history of heart problems and passed away in Santa Monica, California after checking into the hospital with chest pains.

He won four Grammy Awards, including one for his 1972 comedy recording "FM & AM," in which he combined his older, more conventional material that entertained audiences in the 1950s and 60s, with his new, edgier and more controversial style.

Gray-bearded and often dressed in black casual attire, Carlin frequently admitted to drug use and shocked 1970s audiences with his hit "Seven Words That Can Never Be Said on Television."
When a radio station played the album on air, Carlin's use of numerous swear words sparked a legal case over obscenity regulations that made it all the way to the Supreme Court.

The material was judged indecent, though not obscene, and a 1978 high court ruling upheld the government's right to penalize stations that broadcast such material during hours when young people may typically be tuned in.

DOES THE PUNISHMENT FIT THE CRIME?
Occasionally we'll hear a story that makes NO sense at all. This is one of those stories.

Earlier this year, an 18-year-old high school kid named Omar Khan of Orange County started to get concerned about his grades.

See, Omar's been underachieving... and he was worried he wouldn't be able to get into college with such a low GPA.

So to improve his chances, Omar stole a master key to his school, and broke in late at night. Then he used teachers' passwords to hack into the school's computer system a few times to change his grades from C's, D's and F's to A's.

But when Omar's teachers noticed his grades had been changed, they became suspicious and called the cops.

Omar's now been charged with 69 counts of altering and stealing public records, computer fraud, burglary, identity theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy.

He's being held on $50,000 bail... and if he's convicted, he could get up to 38 years in prison.

Now, I'm not saying Omar shouldn't be punished... but 38 years? There are killers who get less time in prison. The saddest part is this kid probably still could've gotten into half of the party schools in the country, even with the F's.

PC OR MAC?
The guy who plays Hodgman ("the PC" in the Mac commercials) has been outed before for being an iPhone user (scandal), and I have heard rumblings that he is not, in fact, a PC user. Now I've got it straight from the horse's mouth!

He recently came clean and admitted his devotion to Apple... "I play a PC only on television. I've used Macs since 1984. When I was a kid, I talked my dad into getting the very first Mac and I've been loyal to the brand ever since."

So how about you? Vote at www.977thebreeze.com.

JUNE 20, 2008

2008-06-20T07:59:00.000-07:00

SO, WHY DID I MOVE?
According to "Men's Health Best Life", the list is based on which cities are considered relatively safe, have good schools, modest house prices, available pediatricians, shorter commutes, and plenty of museums and parks. Here are the top 10 places to raise a family:

#10.) Santa Rosa, California
#9.) Colorado Springs, Colorado
#8.) Madison, Wisconsin
#7.) Minneapolis, Minnesota
#6.) Des Moines, Iowa
#5.) San Diego, California
#4.) Columbus, Georgia
#3.) Billings, Montana
#2.) Virginia Beach, Virginia
#1.) Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu schools spend almost $9,000 per student... their unemployed rate is half the national average... and the island consists of 125 free beaches that are great for family outings.

WORST PLACED
#5.) Waco, Texas
#4.) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#3.) Fayetteville, North Carolina
#2.) Beaumont, Texas
#1.) Clarksville, Tennessee

With a high violent crime rate and low education spending, you might want to stay away from Clarksville...

A WEEK AWAY FROM VACATION
Got tips for flying with a baby on an airplane? Gracie's a year old and we're making the 5 hour flight to Hawaii next week... We'll take your suggestions next week... I need 'em!

JUNE 19, 2008

2008-06-19T07:42:00.000-07:00

SUPER SIZE THIS!
Do you remember the documentary "Super Size Me" from 2004? If you've never seen the movie... or just don't remember it... a guy named MORGAN SPURLOCK decided to see what would happen if he ate only McDonald's for a month.

Morgan gained 25 pounds (and it was pretty disturbing).

Well, last year, 42-year-old Chris Coleson of New Kent, Virginia decided to go on a similar diet... but his results were a little different.

Since December 3rd of last year, Chris has eaten at McDonald's twice a day... and has slimmed down from 278 pounds to 199 pounds in just over six months. Overall, that's a loss of 79 pounds... or about 13 pounds a month.

(For the sake of comparison, Jared lost 245 pounds in a year by eating Subway sandwiches. Still, Chris is doing pretty well for himself.)

But before you run out and ingest half a dozen McRib sandwiches, there are a few things you should know about Chris's all-McDonald's diet:

#1.) Chris only eats two meals a day... and only takes in between 1,200 and 1,400 calories a day (which is about 600 fewer calories than he really should be getting).

#2.) Chris isn't stuffing his face with Big Macs (which have nearly 600 calories) and fries (500 calories). He'll have an occasional cheeseburger without the bun... but mostly he sticks to the salads, wraps and apple dippers (without the caramel sauce).

#3.) Even though Chris is losing weight... he probably isn't getting all the nutrients his body needs.

ANYONE CAN GET A CREDIT CARD
Every time you get your mail, you probably end up throwing out a bunch of junk-mail from credit card companies.

But Amy Christiansen from Aurora, Illinois, noticed she wasn't the only one in her family getting credit card applications... they were also being sent to her son Bennett... who's only 6 years old.

So like any caring mother who wants her son to build good credit, she asked Bennett to fill out the application truthfully, just to see what would happen.

He wrote that his birthday was in 2002... he wasn't a homeowner or a renter... and his annual income was $0. When he was done, the application was covered in the sloppy handwriting of a 6-year-old... but Amy sent it out anyway.

A few weeks later, Bennett received a new credit card from Bank of America with a $600 limit.

When Amy contacted Bank of America about the mishap, they said it wasn't their policy to issue credit cards to a minor... but there was no word if the card was actually cancelled.

OK, how much does that stink for anyone who's ever applied for a credit card and gotten denied? That means the banks trust a 6-year-old with a card more than YOU.

WOULD YOU PAY $200 FOR A BURGER?
If you can afford a transatlantic flight to Britain, you probably have enough money to splurge on a $190 burger.

It's made with wagyu beef (which is special because of its heavy marbling)... white truffles... high class Italian prosciutto... Iranian saffron... pink Himalayan rock salt... and onions deep fried in Cristal champagne.

No, you can't buy this burger at some high-end, hoity-toity restaurant... you can only get it in the U.K.... at Burger King.

JUNE 18, 2008

2008-06-18T08:21:00.000-07:00

THE TOP 10 MOVIES BY GENRE
The American Film Institute has unveiled its lists of the Top 10 movies in 10 different genres. Here are the top movies in each genre...

ANIMATION: "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", 1937

FANTASY: "The Wizard of Oz", 1939

GANGSTER: "The Godfather", 1972

SCIENCE FICTION: "2001: A Space Odyssey", 1968

WESTERN: "The Searchers", 1956

SPORTS: "Raging Bull", 1980

MYSTERY: "Vertigo", 1958

ROMANTIC COMEDY: "City Lights", 1931

COURTROOM DRAMA: "To Kill a Mockingbird", 1962

EPIC: "Lawrence of Arabia", 1962

Want to see the Top 10 in each category? Click here.

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE
If you're hitting up Starbucks for a pick-me-up at least once a day, you're blowing about a grand a year on coffee. But here's a way to save some money and get the buzz for free... walk into Starbucks, take a whiff, and leave.

That's right... just smelling coffee can actually wake you up the same way drinking it does, according to scientists from South Korea.

Normally you down a cup of joe because the caffeine makes you feel less like a zombie. But scientists found that antioxidant compounds in the aroma of coffee also gives you pep.

They did an experiment with two groups of sleep-deprived rats... and the group that was allowed to smell coffee became less stressed and more awake than the group that didn't smell coffee.

If the same holds true for humans, you might be able to experience the effects of a cup of coffee without ever drinking one.

ARE YOU ANNOYING A CO-WORKER?
You know how the jerk in the next cubicle is always blowing his nose really loudly? Or how the office secretary clips her toenails at her desk? It probably drives you nuts. And apparently... you're not alone.

According to a recent survey, ONE in FIVE employees say their co-workers have at least ONE annoying habit that drives them crazy.

So what sort of stuff can make your co-workers hate YOU?

1) Talking too much while you're supposed to be working.

2) Gossiping about other people in the office, or eavesdropping on a co-worker's conversation.

3) Eating smelly food... or neglecting to bathe, so YOU actually stink.

4) Slurping your coffee.

5) Passing your work off to other people.

6) Constantly complaining.

YOU THINK OUR GAS IS EXPENSIVE?
You're probably tired of paying $4.60 for a gallon of gas... so how far are you willing to go for cheap gas? How about Mexico?

That's what people in San Diego, and even as far north as L.A. are doing. They're taking the drive down to Tijuana, Mexico, to get gas for as low as $2.50.

Even though it burns two gallons of gas waiting in traffic for two hours to get back into the U.S., many drivers say it's worth going out of their way to get half-price gas.

But if you think you're paying a lot for gas... try living in countries where gas costs twice as much.

Out of a survey of 155 countries, gas prices in the U.S. ranked 108th. That means 107 other countries are paying MORE for gas.

WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE GAS
#3.) Turkey . . . $10.14
#2.) Norway . . . $10.37
#1.) Sierra Leone . . . $18.43

WORLD’S MOST INEXPENSIVE GAS
#3.) Nigeria . . . 38 cents
#2.) Turkmenistan . . . 30 cents
#1.) Venezuela . . . 19 cents

JUNE 17, 2008

2008-06-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

GO TO THE DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS
Ever wanted to see an awards show up close? The Daytime Emmy Awards are on Friday night at the Kodak Theater and you can get tickets 2-for-1. Type "emmy" in the promotional code box when clicking here.

HERE ARE FIVE EXERCISES TO KEEP YOUR BRAIN HEALTHY
Doctor Marie Savard has come up with five easy exercises you can do to keep your brain healthy:

1) Do activities with your non-dominant hand. That means if you brush your teeth or write with your right hand... try switching it up and doing it with your left hand.

2) Close your eyes during a safe activity... like when you're eating or showering. That makes you more aware of your other senses.

3) Play games. Strip poker qualifies, but try a board game or a word game or anything with strategy.

4) Break out of your repetitive funk. If your spot on the couch has a permanent mold of your backside, try sitting on the other side of the couch and see things from a new perspective.

5) Eat things you didn't want to when you were a kid. Fruits and vegetables have antioxidants... and certain types of fish are high in omega-3s... all of which boost your brain power.

JUNE 16, 2008

2008-06-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

MITCHEL MUSSO
He plays Oliver on the hit series Hannah Montana, and he called in this morning to chat. Here's what he had to say...

On the Hannah Montana movie...
He couldn't share many plot points, but he did say fans can look forward to Lilly's Sweet 16 in the film. Also, he said the cast hadn't been together for a while, so it was a nice reunion.

On Miley Cyrus and the constant paparazzi attention...
Yes, paparazzi are always trying to get the picture of Miley, but he says she's such a down-to-earth, cool girl, and his best friend for the last four years. Plus, it's a blessing to work with the rest of the cast too including her dad, Billy Ray, and Emily Osment.

On his song "If I Didn't Have You"...
He didn't pick it... Disney picked it for him to sing on Disney Mania 6. They asked him if he wanted to do it, and he said yes. He thinks it came out great!

On his date to Dolce that had everyone on his blog guessing...
The date was... Chelsea Staub. You'd know her from the Bratz movie, and has done some work with Disney too. Only thing is... it wasn't a date. They were just hanging out as friends, he says.

On whether he'll be coming with his tour to Bakersfield or Southern California...
Not anytime soon... but we'll keep checking his tour schedule.

DON'T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN
How much does it stink when you come back to work after a weekend at the beach... and everyone points out the ONE spot where you forgot to put on sunscreen?

Well, Doctor Doris Day from the Dermatologist and Skin Cancer Foundation wants to make sure you never have to go through that embarrassment again. So here's a list of five body parts where people usually forget to put on sunscreen:

5) The top of your chest. This is the area that scars most easily... so make sure to apply enough sunscreen to your lower neck and upper chest area.

4) The back of your neck. A lot of people with long hair forget to put sunscreen on the back of their neck... but it can still get burned since your hair moves around when you're outdoors.

3) The top of your feet. Sunburned feet are the worst because it hurts every time you take a step... and it hurts even more when your flip flops rub against the skin.

2) Your ears. People, you've GOT to remember the ears. When you've got sunburned ears everyone can see those things glowing red and it looks nasty when they start flaking.

1) Your hair. Yes, your hair. Your hair and scalp are hit with a ton of sunlight... so get that spray-on sunscreen and run it through your hair. It also prevents your hair from fading and getting damaged.

THE MOST DEPRESSING AGE
According to a new study of people of all ages from all across the world… overall, in almost every country, happiness goes in a "U"-shaped curve... you're happiest as a baby... progressively get less and less happy until you bottom out at 44... then start getting happier again, until you're as happy as you were as a baby right before you die.

Andrew Oswald is an economist at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England, who co-authored the study. He says that age 44 is when your depression peaks... but, of all the decades of your life, your ENTIRE time in your 40s is pretty brutal.

Quote, "It's midlife. It's something deep, beyond all the controls in our equation. It's a developing midlife low."

Why does that happen? Oswald says that he and his team aren't 100% sure... but their best theory is that in your 40s, you finally realize your dreams AREN'T GOING TO COME TRUE.

Quote, "My best conjecture is that people eventually learn to quell their infeasible aspirations. They manage to get their expectations into line with what they can actually achieve."

JUNE 13, 2008

2008-06-13T08:31:00.000-07:00

BEST ADVICE DAD GAVE YOU
This morning we asked you if there was any advice that your dad gave you that still sticks with you today... I said for me, my dad stressed the importance of being on time. Even now, when my dad travels or needs to be somewhere, he leaves a lot of time to make sure he isn't late...

Here's what we heard from you...
*I won’t ask you not to (smoke), but I would really like it if you didn’t.
*Always appreciate a gift from your husband, no matter what it is
*Use your head for something other than a hat rack
*You can do it glad, or you can do it mad… but you still need to do it.

DEAL OR NO DEAL CALLBACK
So yesterday was my Deal or No Deal callback audition… Couldn’t really take pictures, but I do have the scoop. Like I said in the last DOND post, it’s still a LONG WAY before appearing on the show. In fact, getting on the prime time NBC version would take a miracle.

At 4 PM yesterday, 40 Bakersfieldians and I went to the Culver City Studios and were taken to a small room with about 50 chairs. The casting director told us 98% of what they are looking for right now is for the new syndicated version of Deal or No Deal. It will air Monday-Friday, and the top prize is $500,000 (still a lot of money)… If someone was really good, they could get on the main version, but I’ll be honest, I don’t think there was anyone (in our group, at least) who seemed to blow the casting guys away so much that they’ll do that.

There are a lot of people they’ll be taking for the syndicated version… If you’re picked, you’ll be one of 22 people on the show for a week. Five of those 22 will actually play the game, the other 17 will spend the time opening cases (there are no models in the syndicated version, but it is hosted by Howie Mandel). The selection of the five is totally random.

So long story short, you just need to impress them so you can be cast in one of those groups of 22.Each of us had about two minutes to talk about whatever we wanted… basically, who we are, where we grew up, what we do for a living… maybe a funny story, or why you want to be on the show. We did it in front of the other 39 people, as well as a panel of five casting people, and a camera.

I think I did all right… the judges are so hard to read… they basically smile and nod at everyone… I would say of the 40, any of 25 people has a legitimate shot at getting on the syndicated show, and I would like to think I was interesting enough to do that. They said we could get a call in two weeks, or for up to a year.

Guess I’ll just have to wait and see!

FATHER'S DAY FACTS AND FIGURES
To celebrate Father's Day, "Men's Health" compiled a list of interesting facts and stats about fatherhood. Here they are:

--The average man has a 50% chance of becoming a dad in his lifetime.

--ONE out of every 100 dads will faint in the delivery room.

--A man's testosterone level drops 65% during the first three months after a kid is born.

--On average, men will have two kids.

--But one in 10 men will have four or more kids.

--One in 10 men say they feel uncomfortable holding a baby.

--One in 13 dads will name their kids after pop-culture icons.

--ONE in FOUR guys think having kids will prevent a bad marriage.

--One in 10 dads will experience postpartum depression.

--THREE out of FOUR dads will take a paternity leave.

--143,000 men a year will leave work to become stay-at-home dads. Meanwhile, there are 5.6 MILLION stay-at-home moms.

--42% of dads say they spend less than 2 hours a day with their kids.

--The biggest fear a father has is that his kid will wind up hanging with the wrong crowd.

--95% of dads say they would still want kids if they had the choice to do it over.

--22% of dads think their kids should reimburse their parents for raising them. Mind you, the average cost to raise a kid until the age of 18 is $181,480.

JUNE 12, 2008

2008-06-12T07:48:00.000-07:00

IS HE MR. RIGHT?
Want to know whether your current Mr. Right could be your mate for life? In this excerpt from Is He the One? 101 Questions That Will Lead You to the Truth, Whatever That Is, author Susan Swimmer says the honest answers to a few key questions could help you find out. Here are 10 to get you started...

1. Does he think he's a lucky guy? A man who feels fortunate to have you in his life, will make sure you know you're adored. And how lucky is that?

2. Are his little faults things you can handle? Accepting someone, little faults and all, is part of love.

3. Can you name the parts of you that he finds most beautiful? If you know right now, without asking, then he must have told you more than once. And that's a beautiful thing.

4. Would he take the last sip of milk for his morning coffee? Even in a sleep-deprived, late-for-work, barely-able-to-select-a-tie stupor, the man who leaves you the last splash of milk for your coffee is a man who understands consideration.

5. Can he keep a secret? What's most important is that the two of you categorize secrets, both large and small, in the same way.

6. Do you know how much money he has? Not to the penny, but a ballpark figure. And here's the catch: You should know because the two of you have discussed it openly and honestly, not because you secretly accessed his computer files while he was grilling out back.

7. Has he seen you when you're at your worst? Worse than no makeup. Beyond bad hair. It's the you that nobody should be subjected to. You know the you we're talking about here. Yes, that one. If he's seen that you and he can handle it, then he may be a keeper.

8. Does he kiss you firmly? A listless, uncommitted kiss is like a limp, clammy handshake (nice to meet you, sort of).

9.Does he wear a seatbelt? Wearing a seatbelt is a tiny gesture that says he cares about himself and his well-being ... Takes a minute, lasts a lifetime.

10. Is he fun? He enjoys life and lives in the moment. And most of all -- you have fun when you're with him.

WHAT YOUR DESK SAYS ABOUT YOU
Did you know that those silly posters and pictures you have hanging in your tiny cubicle actually say a lot about the type of person you are? They do! Here's what your workspace says about you...

1) FAMILY PHOTOS. These show your co-workers that you're able to manage relationships outside of work over long periods of time.

But on the opposite side of the coin, having too many family pictures may make it seem like you'd rather be at home than at work. Even if that's true, stick to only two or three family pictures on your desk.

2) SPORTS PARAPHERNALIA. Having mugs, or pens, or whatever, that show off your favorite sports team can actually be BENEFICIAL to your career... because they can lead to some interesting conversations with the higher-ups.

3) READING MATERIALS. Books or magazines that relate to your field of work will also make you shine in the eyes of The Man, because it shows that you're intelligent and you care about your job.

4) CLEANLINESS. Always leaving your desk clean and stocked means that you're organized and reliable... and you'll be the go-to person for when your boss needs something quickly. But don't be too anal about cleaning, that'll get on people's nerves.

JUNE 11, 2008

2008-06-11T07:49:00.000-07:00

CARRIE UNDERWOOD-- BREAKING NEWS
According to Carrie's official website, she'll be performing at the Rabobank Arena on November 11. No word as to when tickets go on sale... we'll keep you posted.

JORDANA SPIRO
My Boys on TBS is back tomorrow night (and season 1 came out on DVD yesterday), so we talked with Jordana Spiro who plays PJ. She says last season's cliffhanger is immediately resolved, and she was surprised with the direction the writers went in! Also, she said look for this scoop... Bobby + Swedish nanny = Sad P.J.

By the way, her favorite shows? The Office, The Daily Show, Project Runway, and Top Chef.

MRS. FIX IT
Need to re-organize your home office? Here's what Mrs. Fix It said to do...

IT'S JUST A PENCIL, RIGHT?
If you pillage the supply closet at work like it's a treasure trove of highlighters and binders... you're not the only one.

According to a new survey (--by the Spherion Corporation), 19% of workers admit to stealing office supplies from work... even though 74% of them know it's wrong.

66% of workers say the most common things they take are pens, pencils and rulers... but get this: 8% of workers say they take big ticket items like PDAs, cell phones and laptops.

JUNE 10, 2008

2008-06-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

THE TOP 20 MOVIES THAT MAKE MEN CRY
SportingNews.com has come up with a list of the Top 20 Movies that Make Men Cry. Here they are...

#1.) "Field of Dreams", 1989
#2.) "Old Yeller", 1957
#3.) "Brian's Song", 1971
#4.) "Braveheart", 1995
#5.) "Rudy", 1993
#6.) "Pride of the Yankees", 1942
#7.) "Saving Private Ryan", 1998
#8.) "The Green Mile", 1999
#9.) "E.T.", 1982
#10.) "The Passion of the Christ", 2004
#11.) "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King", 2003
#12.) "Seabiscuit", 2003
#13.) "Big Fish", 2003
#14.) "The Shawshank Redemption", 1994
#15.) "The Natural", 1984
#16.) "Forrest Gump", 1994
#17.) "Dead Poets Society", 1989
#18.) "Frequency", 2000
#19.) "Schindler's List", 1993
#20.) "It's A Wonderful Life", 1946

We also heard from you movies like Earnhardt and The Pursuit of Happyness. I added The Rookie and (yep) Homeward Bound.

FIVE FACTS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW
Cosmo put together five things we should all know...
1. What man is on the front of the U.S. 20-dollar bill? (Andrew Jackson)
2. Which is longer -- one kilometer or one mile? (One mile)
3. The cerebrum is the biggest part of what organ in your body? (The brain)
4. How long is one regular term for a U.S. representative? (Two years)
5. What is the world's second largest country in terms of land area? (Canada -- Russia is the largest)

SHOULD YOU TRADE IN YOUR SUV?
General Motors announced its closing four plants that make trucks and SUVs, and the company may get rid of the Hummer.

So... with General Motors slashing truck and SUV production, maybe the American love affair with big rigs is over.

One expert (Nicole Middendorf, President of Strategic Financial Inc.) confirms that there's a glut of used SUVs and trucks on the market. But she said it probably doesn't make sense to dump the vehicle. One person figured that trading in the SUV for a hybrid he would save more than $2,400 in gas.

But the expert says, "It is a lot of money, but when you're buying a car for more than $20,000, it's generally not worth it". It would likely take six years of gas savings before even breaking even. Of course, the more you drive the more it makes sense to make a change.

JUNE 9, 2008

2008-06-09T07:47:00.001-07:00

TRAVELING?
The summer travel season is here... and we know that when you're searching the web for sweet deals. Well, save yourself some time and listen to this list of the best websites for travelers:

1) Momondo.com. This is the best place to find good deals. It's a search engine that checks prices of airfares, hotels, and rental cars from almost 500 other sites.
http://www.momondo.com/

2) Yapta.com. This site finds the best airfare deals on the web and sends you alerts when a new or cheaper fare comes out.
http://www.yapta.com/

3) LuxuryLink.com. It's kind of like eBay for hotel packages. You bid on auctions... everything from exclusive hotels to cruises... and most packages sell for less than the amount you'd pay for everything separately.
http://www.luxurylink.com/

4) Indagare.com. This site costs way too much money for most people... it's $250 a year for a membership... but if you're a sophisticated traveler who wants expert advice from travel journalists and customized planning services, this is your site.
http://www.indagare.com/

5) FabSearch.com. When you go to this site, pick your destination and it will provide you with a ton of travel articles from magazines like "Vanity Fair" and "Town and Country".
http://www.fabsearch.com/

6) CellularAbroad.com. If you've ever used your cell in another country, you know it can wind up costing you as much as your whole trip. So go here to buy cheap international cell phone plans.
http://www.cellularabroad.com/

7) CouchSurfing.com. If you want to save some money and get in touch with the locals, become a CouchSurfing.com member. It's kind of like being an exchange student. You get to stay in someone's house for free on your next trip... as long as you agree to offer your place for free to other travelers.
http://www.couchsurfing.com/

8) InsureMyTrip.com. It's always a good idea to insure your trip in case you lose luggage or need medical assistance. This site gets quotes from a bunch of insurance companies and lists the lowest prices.
http://www.insuremytrip.com/

THE SECRETS TO LASTING LOVE
1) Happy couples felt at home with each other from the start.
Most of the couples felt a rapport almost immediately. Sometimes it was shared values, physical attraction, or emotional connection. The rapport includes a delicate balance of friendship, which is based in sameness, and passion, which is based in difference.

2) Happy couples share routines and dreams.
Routines in and of themselves do not produces happiness, but they instill confidence and trust in the natural existence of the marriage. Working together to make a dream come true makes a couple glow.

3) Happy couples don't hold a grudge.
When a conflict arises, they become angry, storm about--and then move on.

4) Happy couples look for the best.
Couples thrive when spouses focus on what is good and true in the other. Positive expectations exert a tremendous force.

5) Happy couples learn to change.
Most couples said they had changed a great deal throughout their marriages. A surprisingly large number of the very happy couples had experienced a crisis in their relationship. The marriages survived — and Flourished — because one or both partners changed whatever it was about himself or herself that was causing conflict in the relationship.

6) Happy couples understand the importance of closeness.
There is often a strong and vibrant intimacy.

7) Happy couples do not struggle for the upper hand.
Regardless of the contributions made, the efforts of each were viewed as equally important within the household. Without exception, every happy couple reported that the money was theirs not his or hers.

8) Happy couples usually describe their mate as their best friend.
These husbands and wives simply liked each other above all others.

MAKE SURE YOUR KIDS ARE ACTIVE!
According to a new study, 60% of teens spend at least 20 hours a week in front of their TV and computer screens... 33% of teens spend at least 40 hours a week watching TV and on the Internet... and 7% of teens spend at least 50 hours a week in front of a screen.

Overall, teens spent more than FIVE TIMES the amount of time watching TV as they did on the Internet... and boys spent more time on both than girls.

Dr. Tracie Barnett led the study. She says that boys whose parents had, quote, "lower educational attainment" were most likely to spend a lot of time in front of the TV and Internet…

She then makes the leap to her conclusion that those kids are, quote, "at increased risk of obesity."

JUNE 6, 2008

2008-06-06T08:17:00.000-07:00

RIDERS AND RODS
Tomorrow, if you have kids who love cars, go to the 6th Annual Riders-N-Rods Car Truck & Motorcycle Show & Shine at Chuy's Grille on 8660 Rosedale Hwy. It runs from 8 AM until 3 PM. Admission is free.

This show is to benefit the Bakersfield Firefighters Burn Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, very special needs children by raising the funds to send them to Summer Camp. If you have a vehicle you want to enter, stop by. Registration includes lunch for (2) two at CHUY's grille, and the first 300 receive a Goodie Bag & Dash Plaque. Day of event registration is $40.

ALL makes and years of vehicles are welcome and 100 trophies will be presented with merchants choice trophy judging, Spectators trophy, and a Peoples choice trophy. Come to the largest single day event in the Central Valley of California and have a great time supporting some very special kids. Good Food, Good Friends, Good Fun!

DEAL OR NO DEAL
So the producers of Deal or No Deal were in Bakersfield yesterday to perhaps find contestants to be on the show. Of course, the show airs once a week on NBC, but they are also starting a syndicated version of the show (like Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune which will air each night).

So I, along, with close to 1500 other Kern County residents went to see if we could get on the show. Here's how it worked...

When you got there, they had you fill out an application with seven basic questions like, "What would you do with the money if you win?", "What's the weirdest job you ever had?", etc. I had filled mine out before I got there, which was good, because there were no pens, but bad, because it gave me nothing to do. So I sat with a crowd of people until it was my turn.

When it was my turn, I went up with a group of 10 people. Each person was given 30 seconds to tell a little about themselves. I had talked about this on the show yesterday... they're looking for personality. If you stand out, they give you a coveted green ticket. A friend of mine who was there handing out the applications said they had told them earlier in the day, they can tell within the first three seconds whether or not they want you.
I guess they want me! I moved on to the second round of interviews. Now, Thursday, I'll go down to L.A. and go through a longer process (about three hours), which includes me filling out a much longer application (which among other things asks if I've ever had a restraining order filed against me or if I have been convicted of a felony or worse), and I'll get a longer interview in front of a camera.

Now, I'm still FAR AWAY from being on the show. I would say of the 1500 people they saw today, 200-250 got green tickets... but for now, I need to ask myself... Deal or No Deal!

JUNE 5, 2008

2008-06-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

WANT TO BE ON "DEAL OR NO DEAL"?
There's an open casting call today for Deal or No Deal...

2-6 PM
The Bright House Networks Amphitheatre
11200 Stockdale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA
(The Bright House Network Amphitheatre is located at The Park at River Walk at Stockdale Hwy. and Buena Vista Road )

Our tips...
I've got no inside information on today's casting call specifically, but I've helped them run one of these before, so here's what I can tell you about the experience...

You will NOT be playing a simulated game with briefcases and models. You WILL be interviewed in a group of 10 people or so, and will get about 30 seconds to answer a question like "Why do you want to be on the show?", "What would you do if you won $1 Million?", or "What's your most embarassing moment"?

They are looking for personality. Period. If you've seen the show, even once, you know what kind of personality they are looking for. If you're shy, or hate talking in front of others, don't show up. You will not be seriously considered.

It doesn't really matter if you're there first or last-- they know what they're looking for, and when they find it, they make a note. (Producers say anyone who is there in line by 6 PM will be seen)

Be real-- don't be fake. They've seen costimes, and every act you can imagine.

If you want to save time, print and fill out an application here. Good luck!

PRACTICE GOOD BUSINESS MANNERS, LADIES
You don't want people at work to know who you REALLY are, do you? Keep them thinking you're a hard-working, conscientious, and responsible person by avoiding the worst business blunders (in order)...

1) Arriving unprepared for a major meeting.
2) Arriving late for an important meeting.
3) Drinking too much at a business dinner or party.
4) Sending e-mails with multiple spelling and grammar errors.
5) Sending obnoxiously large attachments.
6) Using language or slang inappropriate for the workplace.
7) Not returning phone calls quickly enough.
8) Sending obscene or dirty forwards or jokes.

GAS ISN'T THAT EXPENSIVE...
It may seem like a gallon of gas is expensive... but not compared to other things... Read this.

JUNE 4, 2008

2008-06-04T07:59:00.001-07:00

FLY THE SKINNIER SKIES?
This morning we asked what you thought about the idea of airlines charging airfare based on weight-- similar to how they handle cargo and freight.

The results were pretty one-sided... Most everyone thought the idea was discriminatory, and would cause a lot of problems. However, one caller said anyone over 300 pounds should be charged for more than one seat because it does infringe upon the comfort of other passengers.

What do you think? Weigh in at www.977thebreeze.com and vote on Brent's Daily Poll!

TAKE A NIGHT HIKE!
A generation ago, the city of El Alberto, Mexico (north of Mexico City), was a thriving agricultural town. But over the last several years, El Alberto's economy has pretty much collapsed.

So in order to get by, the local people have started giving guided tours called Night Hikes... which simulate the experience of illegally crossing the U.S. border. Seriously.

Every Saturday night, performers dress up as Border Patrol agents, coyotes (which are guides who escort migrants for a fee) and other migrants... and lead tourists over a seven-mile hike to simulate what it's like to illegally sneak into the U.S.

"Border Patrol agents" chase the "migrants" in trucks... and fire guns loaded with blanks to scare them. And if the "migrants" are caught, they're handcuffed and placed under arrest.

And even though this might not sound fun to YOU, some people must like this sort of entertainment... because according to city officials, thousands of tourists have paid to go on Night Hikes since the tour started in 2004.

The Night Hike experience costs $10.

WHAT PROMPTS YOU TO SPLURGE?
So what would make you break down and spend a lot on an outfit? Here's what Glamour magazine readers said...

Finding something that fits perfectly -- 56%
Seeing a piece in a magazine -- 22%
Dealing with a breakup -- 9%
Getting a promotion -- 7%
Knowing a celebrity wore it -- 6%

JUNE 3, 2008

2008-06-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

CHECK THIS OUT!
Want to know what people think of YOUR face? Upload a photo of your mug at www.FaceStat.com, a website that offers, quote, "market research for the individual".

Here's how it works: Go to the site, upload your picture, and they'll ask random people to answer questions about your age, ethnicity, intelligence, political affiliation, trustworthiness, wealth, and relationship status... based only on your photo.

Within a few hours, they'll give you a free set of detailed statistics showing how people feel about your face.

SELL YOUR GIFTS FROM YOUR EX!
There's a website specifically for ex-girlfriends and ex-wives who want to get rid of the stuff given to them by their former boyfriends and husbands.

Appropriately enough, it's called Ex-Boyfriend Jewelry dot com, and proudly displays the motto, quote, "You don't want it, he can't have it back." The site allows users to buy, sell, trade, and even blog about the gifts they no longer want.

In addition to the more commonly traded items of rings, necklaces, and earrings, there's a section called, quote, "Gifts That Should Have Been Jewelry", where jilted lovers can unload everything from sexy underwear to vacuum cleaners.

The women using the site aren't necessarily bitter about ditching the stuff their men gave them. Most say they're just looking for some extra cash, either to pay rent, or to cover the expense of a new relationship.

R.I.P. PRINGLES GUY
You've probably never heard of 89-year-old Fredric J. Baur of Cincinnati, Ohio... but he blessed the world with one of the greatest inventions ever... the Pringles can.

Even though Pringles cans just look like tennis cans filled with chips... the can was designed with a special lining that keeps potato chips crisp.

Of all the things Frederic invented, that was his proudest accomplishment. In fact, he was so proud of his invention that when Frederic died last month, it was his final request that he be buried... inside a Pringles can.

Yes... after Frederic was cremated, his family poured some of his remains into a Pringles can and buried him.

JUNE 2, 2008

2008-06-02T08:41:00.000-07:00

WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Ask a bunch of guys what they'd like best about being famous, and you'd probably hear which famous women they'd like to meet. This month's issue of "Glamour" magazine asked women which celebrity perk they wanted most. Here's what they said:

10% of women would want a personal fashion stylist to help them shop for clothes.

16% said they would want to go to exclusive parties and red-carpet events.

24% of women want a personal make-up artist to do their hair and make-up whenever they want.

46% said they want a personal chef and nutritionist to keep them healthy and skinny.

TRIM THE FAT-SOMETIMES!
According to iVillage.com Wellness, between 7 and 10% of our daily calorie intake should come from fat. And your best bet is sticking to the healthy kind. Here's their advice for eating a healthy balance of fats for better heart health:

1. Scratch ALL trans-fats - those are the nasty little additives found in packaged cookies, baked goods, and chips. (Look for code names: hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils.)

2. Go with vegetable fats instead of animal fats.

3. Choose leaner protein sources (like fish or turkey) over red meat.

4. Enjoy foods like walnuts and salmon for your super-important Omega-3 fatty acids-they're one of the "good" fats!

5. Get your anti-oxidants, which make your blood vessels more flexible. They're found in the fruits and veggies like peppers, bok choy, pomegranate. and blueberries.

MAY 30, 2008

2008-05-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

GO TO THE REUNION!
Classmates.com reports that 20% of people said they met their true love before graduating from high school.

HEY, IT'S YOUR MONEY!
Earlier this month, the IRS sent out the first round of economic stimulus checks to taxpayers around the U.S.

If you've been hiding under a rock and don't know about these things... the gist is that in order to jumpstart the economy, the IRS is sending out checks for $600 to people who make less than $50,000 a year... or $1,200 to couples who make less than $75,000.

The idea is that if people have more money to spend, they'll blow it on frivolous junk they don't even need... and according to a website called HowISpentMyStimulus.com, that's exactly what's happening.

So what sort of stuff are Americans blowing their stimulus check on?

Some 28-year-old dork from Joliet, Illinois, bought a life-sized set of "Star Wars" Stormtrooper armor.

A 24-year-old woman from Madison, Wisconsin, got a pair of truly ridiculous, matching diamond tattoos... on both her elbows.

A 22-year-old woman from Hood River, Oregon, got acupuncture... for her dog.

A 29-year-old guy from Ephrata, Pennsylvania, used his money... to bail himself out of jail.

And a 26-year-old woman from Wolcott, Connecticut, says her check went right back to the IRS... to pay off what she owed in taxes.

MAY 29, 2008

2008-05-29T08:32:00.000-07:00

WHICH BATHING SUIT IS FOR YOU?
You should choose a bathing suit for your body type if you want to look as good as possible. Here are some tips -- from Marie Claire...

Body type: Athletic
*Halters show off your shoulders and minimize your bust.
*If surfing or running are on the schedule, choose full-cut bottoms.
*Big prints break up a straight silhouette and create curves.
*Wear bright colors to highlight your most shapely assets.

Body Type: Curvy
*Pear shaped? Mix a print top with a solid bottom.
*Use ruching to distract the eye from the waist.
*Hide flaws and accentuate assets with a one-piece or bottoms with coverage.
*Skip skimpy -- go for wide bands to keep the look streamlined.

Body Type: Petite
*Don't overwhelm a delicate frame with oversize prints or stripes.
*A plunging neck or halter elongates your upper body.
*High-cut bottoms make legs look longer.
*A padded top gives a little oomph -- but don't overdo it.

A GOOD TIME OUT-- UPDATED AT 9:30 AM
97.7 The Breeze will not be at A Good Time Out this afternoon. We apologize for the inconvenience.

MAY 28, 2008

2008-05-28T07:58:00.000-07:00

WOULD YOU PASS?
A new survey (by the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test) found that 16.4% of American drivers wouldn't pass the written portion of the DMV test if they took it today. That's 33 MILLION Americans who don't know the rules of the road.

But let's see if you do. Here are the two questions that tripped people up the most:

What should you do when you approach a steady yellow traffic light?
A.) Run it before it turns red.
B.) Stop if it is safe to do so.
C.) Slow down and proceed with caution.

If you said A or C, you're wrong... but so were most people. 84% of drivers didn't know that when you approach a steady yellow... you should stop if it's safe to do so.
Here's the other question that stumped drivers: What is a safe following distance?

A.) Ride the bumper of the person in front of you to make them go faster.

B.) Leave a 3-second cushion.

C.) Leave a 10-second cushion and hold up traffic.

73% of drivers got this wrong. The correct answer is B. You're supposed to leave a 3-second cushion between you and the car in front of you. That means that when the car in front of you passes a sign... it should take 3 seconds before you pass the same sign.

DO YOU TALK ON THE PHONE WHILE DRIVING?
A new survey from Nationwide insurance found that 80% of people talk on their cell phones while driving. Surprisingly, we can't blame young people on this one...

While 60% of teens admit to using their cell phone while driving... older people are even worse. 80% of people between the ages of 31 and 44 talk on the phone while driving.

And this is even more disconcerting: 40% of drivers between the ages of 16 and 30 are so busy reading, composing, and sending text messages, that they don't watch the road.

Overall, 40% of people say they almost hit another driver, or were almost hit by one, because they weren't paying attention to the road while they were on the phone.

DON'T MAKE THIS MISTAKE!
If you're out looking for a job and you've made it to the interview, don't mess it up by doing something stupid. This survey from Career Builder lists the common mistakes you want to avoid on a job interview. Here they are:

30% of hiring managers surveyed said that a big mistake is not providing specific answers.

44% said that they were turned off by an applicant who appeared arrogant.

48% of managers said that they were disappointed in applicants who appeared disinterested in the job they were applying for.

49% did not appreciate the applicant bagging on their old job.

And the most common mistake that 51% of hiring managers say applicants make is... dressing inappropriately.

MAY 27, 2008

2008-05-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

KIDS CAMP 2008
It's back! Free family field trips all summer!

You've been asking where we're going, so here's the scoop. Mark your calendar; we know you'll want to join us!

Week of June 9- AMF Southwest Lanes
Week of June 16- Valley Feed and Party Corral
Week of June 23- Color Me Mine
Week of July 7- Pump It Up
Week of July 14- Valley Feed and Party Corral
Week of July 21- Kern County Museum/Lori Brock Discovery
Week of July 28- California Living Museum
Week of August 4- Dewars

This week, we'll be giving away four-packs of passes into our first Kids Camp at AMF Southwest Lanes all day long!

SUMMER TV PREMIERES
Tuesday, May 27
The Moment of Truth, 8 p.m., Fox

Wednesday, May 28
Men in Trees, 10 p.m., ABC (final three episodes premiere)

Sunday, June 1
Million Dollar Password, 8 p.m., CBS
The Next Food Network Star, 10 p.m., Food Network

Monday, June 2
Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods, 10 p.m., MTV
The Mole, 10 p.m., ABC

Tuesday, June 3
30 Days, 10 p.m., FX

Wednesday, June 4
Tyler Perry's House of Payne, 9 p.m., TBS
She's Got the Look, 10 p.m., TV Land

Thursday, June 5
Fear Itself, 10 p.m., NBC
Swingtown, 10 p.m., CBS

Friday, June 6
Meerkat Manor, 9 p.m., Animal Planet

Sunday, June 8
Design Star, 9 p.m., HGTV
Law & Order: Criminal Intent, 9 p.m., USA
Army Wives, 10 p.m., Lifetime

Monday, June 9
Nashville Star, 9:30 p.m., NBC

Wednesday, June 11
Celebrity Circus, 9:30 p.m., NBC

Thursday, June 12
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, 8 p.m., Fox
The Bill Engvall Show, 9 p.m., TBS
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, 9 p.m., Bravo
My Boys, 9:30 p.m., TBS

Tuesday, June 17
America's Got Talent, 9 p.m., NBC
Flipping Out, 10 p.m., Bravo
Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood, 10 p.m., Oxygen

Tuesday, June 24
Wipeout, 8 p.m., ABC

Wednesday, June 25
The Baby Borrowers, 8 p.m., NBC
Shear Genius, 10 p.m., Bravo

Friday, June 27
Dance Machine, 8 p.m., ABC

Tuesday, July 1
Celebrity Family Feud, 8 p.m., NBC
Secret Life of the American Teenager, 8 p.m., ABC Family
I Survived a Japanese Game Show, 9 p.m., ABC

Thursday, July 10
Greatest American Dog, 8 p.m., CBS
Burn Notice, 10 p.m., USA

Friday, July 11
Flashpoint, 10 p.m., CBS

Sunday, July 13
Big Brother, 8 p.m., CBS
I Love Money: Challenge Show, 9 p.m., VH1

Monday, July 14
The Closer, 9 p.m., TNT
Saving Grace, 10 p.m., TNT

Friday, July 18
Monk, 9 p.m., USA
Psych, 10 p.m., USA

Sunday, July 20
High School Musical: Get in the Picture, 8 p.m., ABC

Monday, July 21
Wanna Bet?, 9 p.m., ABC

Sunday, July 27
Jingles, 9 p.m., CBS

And the Summer Olympic Games kick off on August 8 on NBC.

WHAT DO THEY REALLY MAKE?
Have you noticed it's not what you make -- but what you do? Meaning if your job sounds impressive, people think you make a lot of money. Let's say you work in TV, for instance ... People's eyes will widen, saying, "Really?" But little do they know that unless you're WAY high up on the TV ladder, you're making as much as someone who answers phones. A garbage man makes more than a lot of people who work in TV. But that doesn't get the eyes of other people quite as big.

Glamour found out what some other people are making ...
Jewelry designer: $30,000
Third grade teacher: $44,000
Director of a day-care center: $35,000 (notice it's LESS than the 3rd grade teacher?)
Research scientist: $57,000
Marine Corps sergeant: $26,000
Equine veterinarian: $57,000
Physical therapist: $80,000
Recovery room nurse: $65,000
PR representative: $70,000
Cocktail waitress/bartender: $26,000 (but the fun? Priceless!)
Owner of a chain of boutiques: $500,000
Salaries vary depending on location.

SOMEONE'S READING...
A new survey found that 41% of large companies with over 20,000 employees have a staff of people whose sole job is to read the e-mails you send from work. The survey also found that...

11% of companies have busted employees for improper use of blogs and message boards in the last year.

13% have disciplined employees for using social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace.

And 14% of large companies reprimanded employees from using media sharing sites like Limewire in the last year.

MAY 26, 2008

2008-05-26T07:57:00.000-07:00

YOU TWO MET WHERE?
Even though more than 50% of married couples met through friends or family, over 40 million people turn to the Internet each month looking for love. And for those who are looking for a very specific sort of person, there seems to be a dating site for every taste.

Dateagolfer.com, "to share your passion for golf." Sample profile entry (or more appropriately, the kind of nut you'll meet here): "I really want to find a woman who loves playing golf and is good enough to enjoy playing with. I am an 18 handicap and hope to be down to the single figures by next year." Why not just marry a golf ball? Problem solved.

Animalattraction.com, "where pet lovers meet." Sample profile entry: "My dog would describe me 'as a pretty generous guy, as long as I have enough kibble ... He can't wait to come home and tell me about his day, and I wish he had someone else to do that with.'" Um, no thanks -- this guy sounds like a monkey anyway -- BANANAS!

Farmersonly.com, for "organic farmers, student farmers, cowboys, cowgirls, or just farmer wannabes!" Sample profile entry: "Ideal match -- a fun-loving girl who loves cattle as much as I do and isn't scared of getting dirty. What if you like to EAT cattle? Does that count?

SEATBELTS STUFF
A new study has found that 90% of women almost always wear their seatbelt... while only 77% of men regularly buckle up.

But the study also found that if a woman is riding in the front passenger seat of the car... men are MUCH more likely to wear their seatbelt than if they're driving alone or with another man.

MAY 23, 2008

2008-05-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

HOW TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS ON AN AIRPLANE
When you're thrown into the mix with a couple hundred other wage-slaves on a long, boring commercial flight... it just seems inevitable that some sort of problem is going to go down. Here are four airplane issues... and how to handle them...

1) THE KID BEHIND YOU IS KICKING YOUR SEAT. You may want to ream the kid out . . . but DON'T. Talk nicely to the kid's parents. If the kid still won't stop, ask the parent if they wouldn't mind switching seats with their bratty kid.

2) THE PERSON IN THE SEAT NEXT TO YOU WON'T... STOP... TALKING. Set some clear signals that you're just not up for talking: Put your iPod on, read a book, or go to sleep.

3) YOU HAVE TO GET UP... BUT THE PERSON NEXT TO YOU IS SLEEPING. Well, the only way to deal with this one, unfortunately, is to wake them up. Don't try to climb over them, that's just weird.

4) YOU AND THE PERSON NEXT TO YOU ARE JOCKEYING OVER THE ARM REST. Apparently, the armrests in between the seats are for the person sitting in the MIDDLE. So if you're that person, then awesome. If not, deal with it.

SESAME STREET LIVE
"Sesame Street Live... When Elmo Grows Up" is coming to the Rabobank Theater on June 10 and 11. Want FREE tickets? Meet the Cookie Monster today from 4-6 PM at the Barber Honda Showroom, 4500 Wible Road and get pictures with the character, cookies and enter to win tickets to "Sesame Street Live...When Elmo Grows Up". Sponsored locally by Barber Honda.

MAY 22, 2008

2008-05-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
We have a winner... David Cook! I think he deserved it. He really was the most original and best performer of the season. I'm just happy one of my picks to be in the finals made it there.

I thought the finale was pretty good...

Loved... Jimmy Kimmel, the duet of Carly Smithson and Michael Johns, Carrie Underwood's performance, and the Gladys Knight and the Pips song with Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr.

Hated... Simon's apology at the end (stick to what you said!), the Mike Myers bit, and the Ronaldo bad audition recap.

Don't forget the Idol Top 10 will be on tour in Fresno on July 3rd. Your first chance to win tickets with us is next week!

CALLING FOR A BOYCOTT!
Just when it seemed like the major airlines couldn't possibly come up with a new way to make your flying experience even MORE miserable... they have.

Yesterday, American Airlines announced they're going to start charging passengers $15 for EACH piece of luggage they check. That means even if you only check ONE bag... you'll still get hit with the new fee.

According to a spokesman for American Airlines, the airline industry isn't, quote, "built to withstand oil prices at $125 a barrel, [especially] with a weak U.S. economy."

(Right, these multinational, billion-dollar corporations aren't built to deal with high gas prices... but YOU can swing it.)

So far, no other airlines have announced plans to charge passengers for checking luggage... but United Airlines is supposedly, quote, "seriously studying" American's new business plan.

The new policy goes into effect next month.

ADVANCED WOMEN'S HEALTH CENTER
Join me from 2-4 PM today for the grand opening of the Advanced Women's Health Center on 8501 Brimhall Road. There will be hors d'oeuvres, prizes, live entertainment and more! Learn about their cosmetic and spa services... See you there!

MAY 21, 2008

2008-05-21T07:59:00.001-07:00

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
Both Davids performed last night... and one out-did the other. Clearly, David Archuleta did a better job with song selection and performance on Tuesday night's show... but you know what? I don't think it will make a difference either way.

If you like David A... you voted for him. If you like David C... you voted for him. So as much as I hate to stray from my pick of David Archuleta at the beginning of the season, my official pick for tonight's winner is David Cook.

Look for the following on tonight's finale...

*David Cook and Mariah Carey will duet on “Always Be my Baby”

*David Archuleta and Neil Diamond will duet on “America” (this is still a rumor)

*Seal, Donna Summer, ZZ Top, The Jonas Brothers, and George Michael will perform.

*Each of the Top 5 will sing a duet with an artist... Jason Castro has a clue for one of the guest stars, he says that one was known as “codename Virgin Airlines”

*Two Idols from each of the previous six seasons will come back to perform a group number. Hooray! Bo Bice has already confirmed.

*Carrie Underwood will perform her new single “Last Name”, according to her My Space.

*Paula Abdul will debut a song from her upcoming album, and the Top 12 will also be performing alongside Paula for a special group number.

DANCING WITH THE STARS
Kristi Yamaguchi captured the hearts of the judges and of America to become the season six winner of Dancing With the Stars. Kristi and her partner Mark Ballas scored nine perfect tens over the last two nights, giving them a combined score of 90 and putting them ahead of second place competitor, footballer Jason Taylor -- whose combined scores for the two nights was 81. Though fans had the final say, it was clear that Kristi, who had the highest scores for all six seasons, would take home the mirror ball trophy. Kristi becomes only the second woman to win the competition since Kelly Monaco took the honor in the first season. Cristian de la Fuente, who was eliminated early in last night's show, rounded out the top three.

7 HIGH-PAYING JOBS THAT ARE IN DEMAND
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these seven jobs not only pay well, they'll be in high demand for the next eight years:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER. In the next eight years, the U.S. will need 200,000 more teachers... and the salary is about $45,000. Plus, you get those sweet summer vacations.

COMPUTER SYSTEMS ANALYST. The starting pay for a computer systems analyst is $50,000.

ACCOUNTANT. The market for accountants grows every year... and the typical salary is $54,630.

MARKET RESEARCH ANALYST. The typical salary for a market research analyst in 2006 was $58,820.

PERSONAL FINANCIAL ADVISOR. The typical salary for a personal financial advisor in 2006 was $66,120.

COMPUTER SOFTWARE ENGINEER. What about that IT guy who can never fix your computer? He's making around $80,000 a year.

STOCK BROKER OR INVESTMENT BANKER. And in the next eight years, there's supposed to be 80,000 new openings in financial sales... and within a few years of starting you could be making six-figures.

TRAVELING?
If you plan on blowing your stimulus check on a vacation, you might want to hear this first. According to AAA, these are the five most expensive vacation spots in the U.S.:

5) Boston... costs $287 per day for food and lodging for two adults. And that doesn't count getting there, or whatever you do once you're there.

4) Orlando... costs $289 per day.

3) Las Vegas... costs $301 per day for two people.

2) New York... costs $320 per day.

#1.) Honolulu... is by far the most expensive destination in the U.S. The price for two adults to stay and eat in Hawaii... minus the plane ride... is $793 per day.

That's over three times the national average of $244... and more than twice what it costs for two adults to visit New York.

But the Hawaiian tourist bureau says the number is grossly inflated... and that it only costs $358 per day for a couple to visit Hawaii. But that STILL makes it the most expensive vacation spot in the U.S.

MAY 20, 2008

2008-05-20T08:14:00.000-07:00

TEACHER OF THE MONTH
My apologies for not announcing the winner yesterday! Congratulations Mrs. Terri Baker at William Bimat Elementary, our May Teacher of the Month!

DANCING WITH THE STARS
Kristi Yamaguchi bolted out of the gate at the start of this season's Dancing With the Stars, and after last night's performances she's still the odds-on favorite to win. After a group cha-cha-cha to Lionel Ritchie's "Dancing on the Ceiling," Kristi and partner Mark Ballas brought in the first perfect 30 of the night. Cristian de la Fuente showed all the hip action that the Latin number required, but his injured arm prevented a complete performances, and earned he and partner Cheryl Burke a 26. At six-feet, six-inches Jason Taylor's lines are more suited to ballroom, but what he lacked in technical prowess he made up for in personality. Still it wasn't enough to keep he and partner Edyta Swilinska from the bottom of the first face-off.

Kristi and Mark (our pick to win!) topped the leader board with their perfect 60, ahead of Cristian and Cheryl with a 52 and Jason and Edyta at 51. Tonight the couples perform again for the judges alone, but the audiences votes from last night's performances will still count for half of the overall scores.

WHY I WILL NEVER BE AN ASTRONAUT
Have you ever wondered how astronauts get their drinking water in space? Right now it comes from a machine that turns their sweat and laundry water into clean drinking water. But that's about to change.

When the Shuttle Endeavor heads to space this fall, it'll bring the astronauts on the International Space Station a $250 MILLION machine... that will turn their PEE into drinking water.

After the astronauts pee in the toilet, the machine filters the urine, kills off the microbes, and cleans the liquid... turning it into drinking water. That might sound pretty gross (pretty gross?)... but NASA says the water will be cleaner than tap water.

OOOH... PUMPKIN!
Most of us have probably heard that stupid cliché that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. But now it turns out that the way to get a guy's attention... is actually through his nose.

A new study from the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago has found there's a connection between the smell of food and attraction. That means people get enamored by smelling certain foods.

According to the study, 9% of men are attracted by the smell of buttered popcorn.

31% of men are attracted by the smell of donuts or black licorice...

And 40% of men are attracted by the smell of pumpkin pie.

As for the ladies... 4% are attracted by the smell of chocolate.

11% are attracted by the smell of pumpkin pie or lavender...

And 13% are attracted by the smell of Good & Plenty candy!

MAY 19, 2008

2008-05-19T07:50:00.000-07:00

ROAD RAGE
Auto Vantage released its third annual Road Rage Survey yesterday. This is a list that ranks U.S. cities according to how filled with rage the average driver is. Here's what they found:

The TEN cities with the MOST ROAD RAGE are:

1) Miami
2) Boston
3) New York
4) Baltimore
5) Washington D.C.
6) Atlanta
7) Los Angeles
8) Phoenix
9) Dallas and Tampa were tied for the final spot on the list.

And the TEN cities with the LEAST AMOUNT OF ROAD RAGE are:

1) Pittsburgh
2) Portland
3) Seattle
4) Minneapolis
5) Cleveland
6) Cincinnati
7) Sacramento
8) Chicago
9) San Diego
10) San Francisco

So maybe now you're wondering which activities are MOST LIKELY to enrage your fellow commuter?

44% of people say they're enraged by drivers who cut across lanes without signaling.

49% say they're enraged by drivers who eat or drink while they drive.

56% say they're enraged by drivers who tailgate.

59% say they're enraged by people who drive too fast...

And 88% of people say the activity that's most likely to send them into a fit of road rage... is people who talk on their cell phone while driving.

FYI... Bakersfield wasn't measured because it's not one of the 25 biggest cities, but using their testing method, we would have come up in the middle... closer to the Road Rage list, though.

CAN'T WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS?
While only 8% of American women have an hourglass figure like a supermodel -- wherein the waist measures at least 9 inches less than the bust -- most new clothes (95%) are designed to fit that shape. That's not to say they don't make new outfits in different sizes, they are just designed and planned with the hourglass figure in mind.

MAY 16, 2008

2008-05-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

THREE MYTHS DEBUNKED
There's a lot of misinformation floating around out there... and it's gotten to the point where it's sometimes tough to separate the fact from the fiction. Here are SIX things you might think are true... but actually aren't.

1) You accidentally swallow eight spiders a year.

The idea here is that while you're asleep, spiders crawl inside your mouth, which... if you go by the numbers... happens about once every six and a half weeks.

This rumor's actually been around since the '50s, but it didn't get kicked into high gear until 1993 when a "PC Professional" columnist named Lisa Holst decided to prove that people will believe anything they read online.

So Lisa wrote a column presenting this statistic as fact, then spread it all over the Interweb... but it's not true.

2) You only use 10% of your brain.

This rumor was born out of the discovery that the brain can survive after pieces of it are surgically removed. Over time, the idea that a person could survive without a full brain was misinterpreted to mean the brain only uses a fraction of its potential.

People probably buy into this myth because they like the possibility that they could be 90% smarter than they already are... but it's just not true.

3) You have to wait 30 minutes after you eat before swimming.

Your mom might have told you this one... that if you don't let your food digest before jumping in the pool, you'll cramp up and drown. The idea's that your stomach needs so much oxygen for digestion that your muscles don't get the oxygen they need to swim.

The truth is your body gets enough oxygen to swim regardless of whether you just ate. And actually, getting into the water after you eat has no more effect on your body than if you were to take a walk after eating... and how often does that make you cramp up?

CLEAN FLOOR... HAPPY PEOPLE
A ridiculous new survey by The Soap and Detergent Association asked adults what clean surface in their house made them the happiest. Here's what they found:

--3% said clean mirrors made them happiest.
--7% said a spotless sink.
--12% said clean windows.
--15% said a clean shower.
--20% said clean countertops.
--And with 21% of the vote each... shiny floors and a clean toilet tied for the cleanest surface that made American adults the happiest.

MAY 15, 2008

2008-05-15T07:49:00.001-07:00

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
t'll be the two Davids in the finals of American Idol next week -- David Archuleta and David Cook made it through, and Syesha Mercado is on her way home to Florida. The trio opened last night's show with the McFadden and Whitehead classic "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now," then yielded the stage to a fiery-haired Fantasia, who did her hit "Bore Me." During the behind-the-scenes features, David Cook revealed that he had gone to the American Idol tryouts to support his brother Andrew and threw his hat into the ring only after the cameras took footage of him backstage. Unlike in previous weeks, host Ryan Seacrest didn't divulge who was "safe" or in the Bottom Two, but after 56-million votes, America said goodbye to Syesha. She closed the show with Alicia Keys "If I Ain't Got You."

FREE CHICKEN
It's morning in America and McDonald's is pretty sure you want to eat fried chicken on a biscuit. The Chicago Tribune is reporting that McDonald's has seen so much cash from their chicken menu items that they're adding some to the breakfast menu. Get ready to sink your teeth into the Southern Style Chicken Biscuit and the Southern Style Chicken Sandwhich. Chicken sandwich experts (or whatever) accuse McDonald's of copying Chic-Fil-A which apparently has been offering a chicken breakfast biscuit since 1986. Today, customers who buy any medium or large drink at McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants can receive a free Southern-style sandwich or breakfast biscuit.

NEED OUT OF A PARKING TICKET?
If you live in a city, chances are you spend WAY too much money paying off stupid parking tickets. Well, there's a website that's designed to help you get out of paying your ticket. It's called ParkingTicket.com... and here's how it works:

Log onto the website and enter details about your car and how you got your ticket. When your form is complete, the program scans the info and flags any inaccuracies or mistakes that could be vulnerable to a challenge in court.

The site then creates a personalized dismissal letter which details exactly WHY you should be let off the hook... and if your ticket is dismissed, you only have to pay ParkingTicket.com HALF of what your original fine would've been.

(So if your ticket was for $100, you'd owe the site $50.)

And so you know... if ParkingTicket.com isn't able to get you out of your ticket, they won't charge you anything (which means they'll work hard to get you out of your ticket... because it's the only way they'll get paid).

http://www.parkingticket.com/

SO COULD YOU MAKE THE GRADE AS AN ADULT?
Remember those Presidential Fitness tests you took in school? If you were the chubby kid who didn't do so well, now is your time for redemption.

Yesterday, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports introduced a fitness test for adults. It's basically the same test you took in school (--only this time, it's not mandatory).

The aerobic part of the test involves a one-mile walk or 1.5-mile run... The muscular strength part of the test is push-ups and crunches... and the flexibility test is a sit-and-reach exercise.

When you took the Presidential Fitness test in school, the kids who scored in the top 15% of the country made the rest of us look bad and got a sweet certificate signed by the president.

But you don't get that validation with this test. Instead, you can go online and compare your results to the rest of the nation, and see where you rank in your age group.

http://www.presidentschallenge.org/home_adults.aspx

THURSDAY TRIVIA QUESTION
Question: 36% of married men would do all the household chores for an entire year if their wives did this.

Answer: Agree to the purchase of a big screen HDTV.

MAY 14, 2008

2008-05-14T07:52:00.000-07:00

SANAA LATHAN
Thanks to Sanaa Lathan for joining us this morning. She called to tell us about "A Raisin In The Sun" which was a TV movie on ABC in February, and is now out on DVD.

She also told us she doesn't shop on her own for the red carpet, she borrows dresses for designers. Besides, the pressures of Hollywood don't allow her to wear a dress for a premiere more than once. The best movie she's seen recently is "Iron Man", and she loves action movies. In her down time, she likes to play with her two dogs, go out to eat, go to movies, and just be, well, normal.

Thanks for emailing in your questions!

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
Is it just me, or has a season filled with so much promise been so disappointing? Julie and I used to love watching American Idol, and now it's kind of hit or miss for me.

Here's what I'd do to fix the show...

*No more kids under 18. No more stage parents, no more immature vocalists...

*Show every contestant who you know makes it past the Hollywood rounds early, and give them equal screen time.

*Get rid of Paula and Randy.. get two more hard-to-impress judges like Simon Cowell. Former contestants already admit that Simon's is the only opinion they care about.

*Only big and broad themes... let the kids pick a song that fits them. Someone who sings a country style of music, should be able to do that every week... How about themes like "songs that were ever #1 on the charts", "songs that other contestants pick for one another", etc. Really broad themes that you can pick from. No limits on one artist.

Anyway, last night, all three contestants did okay. David Cook was the best overall, but I thought David Archuleta did very well with the Billy Joel song that Paula Abdul picked for him. Syesha has NO CHANCE to make it to the finals tonight.

DANCING WITH THE STARS
There were no surprises in last night's Dancing With the Stars elimination show as fan votes couldn't help Marissa Jaret Winokur and partner Tony Dovolani secure a place in next week's finals. Dancing for the coveted mirror-ball trophy Monday will be frontrunning skate champ Kristi Yamaguchi, actor Cristian de la Fuente and football star Jason Taylor.

ARE YOU AN "OFFICE" FAN?
Melora Hardin, who plays Jan on NBC's "The Office", joins us tomorrow about 6:30 AM!

MAY 13, 2008

2008-05-13T07:48:00.000-07:00

DANCING WITH THE STARS
Kristi Yamaguchi regained the lead during last night's Dancing With the Stars by a single point. The Olympic skating champ took the top spot by performing a near-perfect tango and jive, which judge Bruno Tombioli called "delicious." The judges remarked that the injury suffered by Cristian de la Fuente a couple of weeks ago actually raised his game -- putting him second. Jason Taylor was two points out of the lead after putting in two solid performances with the foxtrot and paso doble. Marisa Jaret Winokur is at the bottom of the leader board again this week. Last week Marisa proved that it's anyone's game as the fans voted to keep her in the competition while giving the higher-scoring Mario the boot. Tonight one couple leaves the show and the remaining three move on to the finals next week.

Dancing With The Stars Leaderboard
Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas- 57
Cristian de la Fuente & Cheryl Burke- 56
Jason Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska- 55
Marissa Jaret Winokur & Tony Dovolani- 52 (our elimination prediction)

EVER BEEN TO...?
According to a new survey by Greyhound, most of us haven't seen some of the most famous American sights in person. The survey found that even though 82% of Americans go on a vacation within the U.S. at least once year...

Only 42% have seen the Washington Monument.
Only 35% have been to Niagara Falls.
Only 27% have seen the Liberty Bell.
And only 19% have been to Mount Rushmore.

The survey also found that 37% of Americans have been to LESS than 10 states in their lifetime.

UPCOMING GUESTS...
Tomorrow, actress Sanaa Lathan joins us ("A Raisin In The Sun", "Love and Basketball") and Thursday, Melora Hardin (Jan on The Office) joins us to dish on the season finale!

MAY 12, 2008

2008-05-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
From USA Today...

The Associated Press and other news outlets reported over the weekend that David Archuleta's father has been banished from rehearsals by Idol producers.

The reports say that the action came after Jeff Archuleta demanded phrasing from Sean Kingston's Beautiful Girls be inserted into David's rendition of Ben E. King's Stand By Me last week. The change cost the show additional song-clearance fees. The AP cited an unidentified source associated with Idol who was familiar with the situation; an Idol spokesman declined to comment Sunday.

David's dad has been a strong presence behind the scenes, and observers wonder what effect the loss of backstage support would mean for David, 17, as the show enters its last two weeks Tuesday (8 PT, Fox).

It's hard to tell without knowing the family dynamics, says Charlie Toft, who covers television for film.com and is on USA TODAY's Idol coach panel, which offers weekly advice to contestants. "Of all the major teenage contestants Idol has ever had, David appears to be the most heavily programmed and least spontaneous, and his stereotypically showy way of singing suggests he and his father have been aiming at this goal for a long time."

Toft theorizes the ban might be a "shot across the bow" by the show, warning the family that if Archuleta wins, his career will be in the pros' hands.

Says Rona Elliot, former VH1 and Today show staffer and also a USA TODAY coach: "Sooner or later, David Archuleta will get the big picture and be royally ticked off at his father, and how his father's behavior not only alienated Idol's staff, but threatened his potential success."

In an interview with Us Weekly last month, Jeff Archuleta denied that he was a "stage dad" and said he was more a "music consultant" for David. "I'm definitely involved with my son, and I encourage him, but I think that's a lot different from forcing and threatening."

Toft says that whatever happens next "will be attributed to the dad turmoil. A good night will 'prove' Idol was overdue to take action, while a bad night will be seen as a sign that David can't hack it without his father.

"His fans will respond either way with power voting, so the net effect may be that David is now more bulletproof than ever."

FOODS TO BETTER YOUR MOOD
There are certain foods that have been proven to be able to actually alter our moods and make us happier. Here's a list of foods that dieticians and nutritionists recommend if you want to be in a better mood:

SALMON. Salmon has a lot of omega-3, which is good for your heart. But omega-3s can actually boost your mood and prevent depression.

MILK. You already know that milk has loads of calcium that can help build strong bones. But calcium can also ease your nerves so you don't feel stressed or anxious.

COFFEE. The caffeine can make you feel happy... but don't drink more than a small cup or you'll get feelings of withdrawal when the caffeine buzz wears off... and that can cause depression.

CHOCOLATE. Chocolate... especially dark chocolate... can cause you to get excited...

BRAZIL NUTS. These nuts have B-vitamins, which calm you down. They also contains selenium... which is a mineral that can prevent depression and put you in a good mood.

WHEY. This is the stuff you see in a lot of protein shakes. It contains tryptophan... which can put you in a good mood. (But it can also make you sleepy.)

SPINACH. There are tons of minerals in spinach that stop anxiety and depression (--like magnesium).

COMFORT FOODS. Okay, things like mac and cheese aren't really that healthy for you... but they do make you feel good. That's because we get emotionally tied to food, and when you reward yourself with food you like, you feel better.

You just have to remember to eat comfort foods in moderation.

But you definitely want stay away from FAST FOOD. It's loaded with processed junk that can actually be a downer and put you in a bad mood.

MAY 9, 2008

2008-05-09T08:08:00.001-07:00

WOMEN WILL IRON 215 MILES IN THEIR LIFETIME
A new survey found that women will iron 215 miles in their lifetime. That means that when a woman is ironing clothing, all that back and forth motion will add up 215 miles before she dies.

Guys, on the other hand, only do 73 miles of ironing in their lifetime.

The survey also found that 45% of men will intentionally do a bad job ironing just so someone else will iron their clothes for them.

25%... or ONE in FOUR... men admitted that they still run home to mom and have her iron their clothing.

More than half of men and women admit that their ironing skills are so bad that they've actually ruined clothing.

And even though ironing clothing appears to be a monotonous and boring task, a quarter of people actually enjoy ironing because they consider it therapeutic.

MOM WORTH $800,000?
You probably think your mom is priceless... but you're wrong. According to financial advisor Ric Edelman's Annual Mother's Day Index, you can put a price tag on your mom.

Here's how: Think of all the things moms do on a daily basis... whether it's cleaning the house, cooking dinner, or driving the kids to school. Now imagine she gets a yearly salary for each one.

For example: when mom cooks a healthy meal for the kids, she's doing the work of a personal chef... a dietitian... and a food service worker. In the real world, the salaries of those three jobs combined would total about $105,000.

Mom also cleans the house and drives the kids to school... but she doesn't get $19,000 like a housekeeper, or the $33,000 salary of a bus driver.

So if mom got paid a full-time salary for all 17 or so jobs she does on a daily basis... she'd be worth $800,000.

FAVORITE CELEBRITY MOMS
KELLY RIPA is America's favorite celebrity mom, according to a "USA Today" poll. Of the 13,300 people who responded, 25% chose Kelly as the mom they most admire.

ANGELINA JOLIE finished a close second with 23%... while JULIA ROBERTS and JADA PINKETT SMITH tied for third, with 22%.

MAY 8, 2008

2008-05-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

THE MOM SONG

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
Well, no big surprise. Jason Castro went home last night. And I was wrong on David Cook, he was sent to safety.

We talked with Constantine Maroulis from American Idol Extra on the show, he says he expects David Archuleta to win and David Cook to come in second. Syesha won't make it to the final. He was surprised David Cook kind of phoned it in this week, but maybe he'll step it up.

I must admit, aside from David Archuleta, I didn't have this as a final 3. I had Jason Castro and Carly Smithson coming this far.

ONE WAY TO SAVE MONEY ON GAS
It seems like every day, the price of gas goes up... so it's about time we had some GOOD news to report on the gas front.

Yesterday, Chrysler announced a new program called "Let's Refuel America".

Basically, the deal is that ANYONE who buys a new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle between now and June 2nd will only have to pay $2.99 per gallon of gas for the next three years... and Chrysler will pick up the difference.

That means if gas reaches $10 a gallon like some market researchers have projected it WILL in the next two or three years... you'll continue paying only $2.99 through 2011.

Of course, there are some restrictions. The deal only applies to gas for the first 12,000 miles a year (or 36,000 miles total), and only to regular unleaded and diesel fuel.

DID YOU MAKE A MISTAKE AT WORK?
Everyone makes minor little errors at work. But when you mess up, and you actually get called into your boss's office to have a meeting about it, it can be gut-wrenchingly FRIGHTENING. Here's how to handle a major screw-up at work...

1) TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. Don't even think about passing the blame on to someone else, because trust me... eventually, you WILL be found out. Be a grown-up and take responsibility for what you did wrong.

2) TAKE INITIATIVE. Instead of waiting for people to find out that you screwed up, tell the higher-ups that you made a mistake. Don't wait to do this. The sooner you act, the better.

3) FIX IT. Do as much as you possibly can to solve the problem. Even if it means that you have to work on your day off. This'll also show your bosses that you actually CARE that you messed up.

4) GIVE 100%. Especially when you're trying to fix whatever you screwed up. Actually work hard on what you do. And from here on out, focus on doing a good job at work.

MAY 7, 2008

2008-05-07T07:54:00.000-07:00

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
David Cook began the night with his big rock voice set to gruff for Duran Duran's "Hungry like the Wolf." After his three competitors sang, Cook was back on stage for a take on The Who's "Baba O'Riley." It started slow and cool, and built to a screechy peak. He was okay, but not great.

Syesha Mercado did a classic take Creedence Clearwater Revival classic "Proud Mary." Mercado next did a version of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" that stayed sweet and low until the soaring finish. The second song was much better and may launch her to next week.

Dreadlocked Jason Castro had his guitar going to a reggae beat for Eric Clapton's "I Shot the Sheriff." Simon said, "Stand back, that was utterly atrocious. That is a song you just don't touch. It was like a first-round audition massacre." Castro next strummed his guitar to Bob Dylan's "Mister Tambourine Man," and dropped some lyrics in the middle of the song. Simon said, "I'd pack your suitcase." I'd agree.

Favorite David Archuleta was the last of the Final Four to perform. He did Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" with a kick of gospel and soul that soared to a high-note end. Randy said, "There is one guy trying to win." Archuleta ended the night with a sugary sweet croon of Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender." Simon said, "You crushed the competition tonight."

Here's your elimination prediction...
Bottom Two: Jason, David Cook (not a misprint)
Out: Jason

DANCING WITH THE STARS
Mario was sent packing on the night that Dancing With the Stars celebrated it's 100th episode. The R-&-B star didn't get the news until the end of the show -- after a first hour reviewing the Top 10 dances of show's first five seasons, and a second hour filled with celebrities recalling their favorite moments of the past seasons, dances by former contestants, and a live performance by Rascal Flatts.

With Mario gone, Kristi Yamaguchi, Jason Taylor, the wounded Cristian de la Fuente and Marissa Jaret Winokur, who survived despite registering the lowest score of Monday night's competition.

THE PERFECT GIRL CONTRACT
A men's magazine released this "contract" for the perfect girlfriend. True, we can't really have a "contract" for our relationships (or can we?) but at the very least this will help give women some insights into the male mind. Take a look...

Clause 1: Dates
*The Lady will eat more than a side salad.

*The Man will not be expected to plan every date. He will be chivalrous, but he will not be the cruise director of the relationship.

Clause 2: Dialogue
*The Lady will never discuss an ex-boyfriend.

*If The Lady wants something or wants to know something, she will ask. There will be no hints or guessing games.

*Any cute nicknames that The Lady has devised for The Man will never be spoken in public.

Clause 3: Extracurricular Activities
*The Man will be guaranteed at least one Guys' Night per week, chosen at his discretion. He will also retain at least two extra "floating" Guys' Nights per month in case of an important sporting event or should an impromptu post-work visit to the bar arise.

*The Lady can never be angry with a man for attending Guys' Night.

*The Lady will not call The Man more than once per Guys' Night.

What would you put in a contract that MEN needed to sign?

CHECK YOUR KIDS PROGRESS
How many times have your kids told you they were doing well in school... and then you get their report card and find out they never even showed up to class?

Now parents don't have to wait until the end of the semester to find out how their kids are doing. 49 states already use online software that gives parents direct access to school records whenever they want. Here's how it works...

Teachers upload information into a database that tracks each student. Then parents log on to the system and check their child's progress... and it's not just their grades.

The software allows Big Mother to see if little Jimmy goes to class, turns in homework... even whether he attends choir practice or not.

Call your child's school to see if they participate in this program.

BAKERSFIELD... NOT SMART?
Bakersfield is on another hot list, but this time at the end of it.

A study was conducted by the American Business Journal to look at the brain power in the top 100 metropolitan cities.The findings were based on education levels and job income. They suggest we're not the sharpest tools in the shed.

Bakersfield ranked 99 on the brainpower list of the 100 largest cities in the U.S. Five Central Valley cities were in the bottom ten.

The American Business Journal does the study every year based on education. In Bakersfield, 7.5 percent stopped at an associates degree in college, that's a two year degree. Ten percent have a bachelors degree and less that five percent of Bakersfield residents are considered brainiacs with graduate or professional degrees.

Richard Chapman from Kern Economic Development Corporation said Bakersfield brain power is due for a boost."I think with the 20,000 folks moving in per year the education level is starting to bump," said Chapman. "Plus, we're bringing in higher value jobs."

Top five cities on the list are Madison, Wisconsin, Washington, San Jose, Bridgeport, Conneticut and Boston.

MAY 6, 2008

2008-05-06T07:59:00.000-07:00

DANCING WITH THE STARS
Cristian de la Fuente's injured left arm wasn't enough to stop him from shooting to the top of the Dancing With the Stars leader board for the first time after last night's judging. Though doctors recommended immediate surgery on the injured wing, Cristian opted to continue in the competition. Thanks to brilliant choreography by partner Cheryl Burke and Cristian's determination, the pair pulled off two nearly flawless dances. Unfortunately for Jason Taylor, life at the top of the leader board was short lived. The N-F-L star and partner Edyta Sliwinska tumbled to fourth place after their sexy tango was canceled out by a so-so samba. Kristi Yamaguchi held steady in second place followed by Mario. Though the judges seemed pleased with Marissa Jaret Winokur's two dances, it wasn't reflected in the scores as she and partner Tony Dovolani landed in last place.

Tonight is the 100th episode of the show. In addition to the elimination, many stars of the past will be on tap to present the Top 10 dances of the series.

Dancing With The Stars Leaderboard
Cristian de la Fuente & Cheryl Burke- 57
Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas- 55
Mario & Karina Smirnoff- 53
Jason Taylor& Edyta Sliwinska- 52
Marissa Jaret Winokur & Tony Dovolani- 50 (our elimination prediction)

WOULD YOU PAY $60,000 TO MEET THE NEXT PRESIDENT?
Every year, the people behind the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial auction off a bunch of pretty cool stuff for people with a ridiculous amount of disposable income.

Here are the ten best things you can bid on before the auction closes on Wednesday (May 7th) and their current bids:

10) For $42,000, you can share a scene with JOHNNY DEPP in the upcoming movie "Public Enemies" as a 'featured extra' . . . which means you don't have any lines.

9) You can get a private, one-hour tennis lesson with ANDRE AGASSI for $75,000.

8) $18,500 gets you tea at the Four Seasons with ALAN GREENSPAN... the former Chairman of the Federal Reserve.

7) Or, you can meet OPRAH after sitting in the VIP section during the taping of her show... for $12,000.

6) $1,800 is how much it'll cost to meet up with BARBARA WALTERS after a taping of "The View".

5) Also for $1,800, you can meet OWEN WILSON at the L.A. premiere of his new movie "Marley And Me".

4) One of the cheapest things you can bid on is a meeting with DIANE SAWYER during a visit to the set of "Good Morning America". Bidding is only at $1,100.

3) You can have dinner for five in the private wine cellar of STEVE FORBES' New York townhouse for $3,250.

2) $750 will get you the dress SHARON STONE wore to the premiere of "Basic Instinct" in 1992

1) And how'd you like to be in Washington for the inauguration of our next president? You get VIP sitting during the ceremony... go to a bunch of balls and functions... and you get to meet the next president... all for only $60,000.

http://rfkennedy.charitybuzz.com/viewLots.do

FREE TIME OR MORE MONEY?
According to a new survey, more Americans would rather have FREE TIME... than money.

67% of the people surveyed said having free time was most important to them… while only 13% of people said money was the most important thing.

Most Americans said that free time was also more important than a successful career... getting married... and having children.

You, however, TOTALLY DISAGREED! 89% of the listeners in our poll said, "Show me the money!"

BABY NAMES
According to a new survey, the amount of time it takes before parents come up with their baby's name is... 45 HOURS. (Julie and I did not spend that long on Gracie!)

Just so you know, here are some of the most popular baby names in the U.S. according to BabyCenter.com. The top 10 girl's names are:

1) Sophia
2) Isabella
3) Emma
4) Madison
5) Ava
6) Addison
7) Hailey
8) Emily
9) Kaitlyn
10) Olivia

And the top 10 boy's names are

1) Aiden
2) Ethan
3) Jacob
4) Jayden
5) Caden
6) Noah
7) Jackson
8) Jack
9) Logan
10) Matthew

MAY 5, 2008

2008-05-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

RELAY FOR LIFE
Thank you to everyone who came out to Relay For Life over the weekend. You raised an all-time Bakersfield record... $1.7 million! They also filled every available slot for the CPS 3 study. This community is so passionate about this cause, and it's a pleasure to be a part of it. It was a pleasure to co-host with Jim Scott, Robin Mangarin, and Kenn McCloud.

Can't wait for 2009!

MICHAEL BUBLE WINNER
Congratulations to Christiana Rossi, our Breeze Family Member winner, going to see Michael Buble in Fresno tomorrow night to sing "Home", "Everything", and "Lost". I surprised her too... She'll be going backstage to MEET Michael. See, being a Breeze Family Member pays off!

GOOD TIMING
Whenever anyone says they'll "do it later," or "talk about it later," it's a good clue that they SO don't want to do it or talk about it EVER. When people are completely interested in doing something, they do it right then and there if they can. The only reason people want to do it "later" -- is because they're hoping "later" never comes.

Trying to figure out the best time to broach a touchy subject, or ask your guy a favor or convince him to do something you know he'll dread? It's easier than you think if you learn how to tune in to his body clock, says Gabrielle Lichterman, co-author of 28 Days: What Your Cycle Reveals About Your Love Life, Moods, and Potential.

If you need his help moving, fighting, or fixing something...
Ask: from 9-12 a.m. Guys wake up bursting with testosterone, and this surge in hormones makes him ambitious and determined. This is the perfect time to ask him for a favor, particularly one that makes him feel like Mr. Fix-It.

If you want to get him to agree to your plans ...
Ask: from 3-4 p.m. This late-afternoon window is the perfect opportunity since his super-low testosterone levels will make him mellow and agreeable to pretty much anything you throw on the table.

If you want to broach a touchy topic...
Ask: from 8-10 p.m. At this hour, the hormone oxytocin -- aka the "cuddle hormone" due to its intimacy-inducing effects -- is on the rise in his bloodstream. That means this is a prime time to resolve a lingering spat ("It hurt my feelings when you didn't call today") or get a grievance off your chest ("Will you please shave your goatee?").

MAY 2, 2008

2008-05-02T07:46:00.000-07:00

RELAY FOR LIFE 2008
Today we spent a lot of time talking about Relay For Life this weekend at Cal State Bakersfield. There's a lot going on this weekend, but I hope you'll take an hour or two, at least, to stop by the AYSO soccer fields at CSUB and see what Relay is all about.

Of course, it's a fundraiser... teams raise money, and keep at least one person of their group walking during each of the 24 hours on the track. It's also a celebration-- hundreds of cancer survivors will walk the first lap, learn more about the American Cancer Society's services and be honored for their courage in their fight with cancer. Sadly, it's also a memorial... a realization that there are some who have lost that fight, and we remember their lives while trying to make a difference for future generations.

Bakersfield's Relay For Life is the second biggest in the world. Only Atlanta (which is the home city of the American Cancer Society) is bigger. By the way, it takes them six counties to edge us out, while Bakersfield's Relay does not include the result of Kern County's outlying areas. The goal this year is to raise $1.7 million. We raised $1.5 million last year, and every last penny goes to providing education, services, and programs for the American Cancer Society, and of course, research to find a cure.

We have an extremely generous community. There are lots of ways to still be a part of Relay if you are just finding out about it. You can come and make a stand-alone donation. You can come and stop by all the campsites and purchase souvenirs or enter prize drawings (any money you spend at any campsite goes to the Relay fund). You can purchase a Luminaria in honor or in memory of someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. And even if you are unable to donate, you can still be involved-- become a volunteer for a few hours, or just show up. Spending an hour at Relay For Life is an educational experience alone-- and that's a very big part of what the event is all about.

Chances are, you know someone who has faced or is currently facing cancer. If not, there's a good chance you will during your lifetime. Breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer... the list goes on. That's why we Relay. I was extremely honored to have served on the Steering Committee this year, helping to put together this magnificent event, and will stay on the committee for years to come.

10,000 people will be at CSUB this weekend. I will be one of them. I hope you will be too.

HOW MUCH FOR A DOG HOUSE?
People LOVE their dogs... I get it. But THIS is pretty ridiculous.

Apparently, there's a company called La Petite Maison which makes dog houses... but they don't just make REGULAR dog houses. No, they make LUXURY dog houses.

So what's a luxury dog house?

According to La Petite Maison's website, the dog houses are, quote, "custom made to compliment the main house and the grounds." Basically, that means they'll make an exact (at least from the outside) replica of YOUR house... for your dog.

The replica dog houses cost between $6,000 and $25,000... and they can even come equipped with electricity and air-conditioning... among other amenities.

DON'T E-MAIL THIS
When saying these three things -- an actual, real letter is better than an e-mail...

1. "I love you." Don't e-mail if it's the first time you're saying it. "It won't seem genuine," says Samara O'Shea, author of For the Love of Letters. Tip: It's okay to keep it short. A one sentence "I love you" is more powerful.

2. "Thanks, boss!" Switching jobs? A note is a classy way to maintain contacts. "Colleagues may have no idea they've impacted you," says O'Shea. Tip: Include your new info.

3. "I'm mad." Never fight over e-mail," cautions O'Shea. It's too tempting to say something rash." Tip: Set a time to discuss the problem in person.

MAY 1, 2008

2008-05-01T07:47:00.000-07:00

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
We got it wrong. American Idol voters sent Brooke White back to Mesa, Arizona last night. The 24-year-old folk-friendly singer was in tears as she sang off with Neil Diamond's "I Am, I Said." But Brooke took a back seat to the controversy created by Paula Abdul. Early in the show, Ryan Seacrest reassured America that rumors of Paula's remarks being scripted were false. Abdul critiqued two of Jason Castro's songs when he'd only sung one. Yesterday on Seacrest's L-A based radio show, Paula confirmed the long-suspected practice of judge's using rehearsal performances to guide them in judging the final song. The fact that judges watch rehearsals has been previously mentioned both on Idol and in press interviews.

Not to be outdone, Simon Cowell had his own kerfuffle. Cowell confirms rumors that he and guest star Neil Diamond were at odds. Simon tells us, "I don't think he took very kindly to some of the things that I said about his songs. That's the trouble when you get an artist and you sing their songs, some of them take it a little bit personally. I didn't buy any of his records, and I guess he found out." As for the song that sank Brooke, Cowell holds to his "nightmare" critique of "I'm a Believer." He insists, "It's the sort of thing that would wake you up at night. You wouldn't want to wake up to that in your alarm clock, would you?"

EWWWW...
Every now and then, we'll hear about a study that found that the typical doorknob contains more bacteria than your garbage disposal, or whatever.

Well today, we thought we'd fill you in on the latest hotspot for festering bacteria... your computer keyboard.

A recent study found that ONE in TEN people NEVER clean their keyboard, and ONE in FIVE don't clean their mouse.

And overall... the average computer keyboard is FIVE TIMES filthier than the average toilet seat.

ART FOR SALE
Starting May 8, you can bid on the doodles of stars to benefit NF, Inc., an organization that provides support to folks and families affected by neurofibromatosis. "What's that?" you ask. It's a genetic disorder that affects one in every 2,500 births. (Dallas' Pam Ewing had it, you may recall.) You can check out his drawing, along with everyone from Ellen DeGeneres to Scarlett Johansson's, at DoodleDayUSA.org.

HERE ARE FIVE FOOD SAFETY MYTHS
Here are a few things you've probably heard about food safety that are complete myths:

"I can eat cooked food a week later." Cooked food only stays good for two to three days in the fridge.

"I'll eat around the mold." If you see mold on your food, get rid of it. Don't eat around the mold on a piece of cheese. That green fuzz is just the tip of the iceberg and mold has probably penetrated the block of cheese further than you can see.

"I don't have to put cooked rice or pasta in the fridge." Not true. If you're at a picnic and you leave pasta or rice sitting out in the sun, that bowl is going to become a breeding ground for germs.

"I'm going to stay away from seafood because it's more susceptible to food poisoning." You have the same chance of getting food poisoning from seafood as you do any other kind of meat.

"I've got three seconds to eat this piece of food I just dropped on the floor." Even if food makes contact with the floor or an unclean surface for just a split second, the food will be covered in germs that you cannot simply brush away. If you drop it, throw it away.

APRIL 30, 2008

2008-04-30T07:49:00.000-07:00

NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH
There are three events this month that you can take part in for National Foster Care month.

Friday, May 2-- donate new or gently used pieces of luggage or duffle bags at 3628 Stockdale Highway. Many foster children do not have bags to transport their belongings, so this can really help. Get a 15% discount at Kohl's when you say "Dayton" or call 322-1021 to find out how to get a discount at Burlington Coat Factory.

Tuesday, May 6-- a portion of your purchase from 6-9 PM at Coldstone Creamery on Rosedale Highway will be donated to the Child Guidance Foster Family Agency.

Wednesday, May 14-- 10% of the payments for all haircuts at Silk Passages on 6300 White Lane will be donated to the Child Guidance Foster Family Agency. Call 834-6626 to make an appointment.

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
The American Idol Top 5 took on the tunes of Neil Diamond last night. The show was extremely rushed, and the biggest moment of the night had nothing to do with any of the contestants. It was planned that the group got to do a round of songs without comment before getting back onstage to sing a second before the judges.

However, Ryan Seacrest quickly asked the judges what they thought in between rounds, and Paula started commenting on Jason Castro's two songs.

Does that mean she was commenting on his dress rehearsal footage? Are her comments scripted? Was that fair to Jason who then sang his second song with a negative review already in his pocket?

Jason first did "Forever in Blue Jeans" and then tried his hand at "September Morn." Randy Jackson said, "That was just another just okay performance for me. Simon Cowell said, "This is not the Jason we put in the competition. You struggled through both songs."

Syesha Mercado brought out her big Broadway voice for "Hello Again," and followed it up with a funky gospel-infused version of "Thank the Lord for the Night Time." Randy said, "You have finally realized who you are. That was in the zone." Simon said, "You are a very good actress-singer. I think you may be in trouble tonight."

David Cook did "I'm Alive," and had his smoky rock voice in full force for "All I Ever Really Need Is You." Randy said, "I am huge fan because again you rocked the house." Paula said, "I am so proud of you. I feel like I am already looking at the 'American Idol.'" Simon said, "That was brilliant."

Brooke White first did stepped-up version of "I'm a Believer," and was at the piano for "I Am I Said." Randy said, "Nice job." Paula said, "Everyone loves who you are and it works." Simon said, "I really hated the first song, but this [second] is the Brooke that we like."

David Archuleta was in high melody mode for both "Sweet Caroline" and "America." Randy said, "You are in the zone. Another good performance." Paula said, "Your voice is so on point." Simon said of his second, "That was a smart choice of song."

On tonight's elimination show, Neil Diamond will perform "Amazing Grace," and Natasha Bedingfield will perform "Pocket Full of Sunshine."

Here's the official elimination prediction...
Bottom Two: Jason and Brooke
Out: Jason

DANCING WITH THE STARS
We were right! Shannon Elizabeth was the odd dancer out during last night's Dancing With the Stars elimination show. In was a surprising turn of events, Cristian de la Fuente and Cheryl Burke, who drew the lowest scores on Monday night, were sent to safety. The injury Cristian suffered to his arm Monday is more serious than previously thought and will require surgery, which Cristian will have after the show. Despite a third-place finish Monday, Marissa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovolani placed in the bottom two after the fan vote. But while Shannon's expressive tango won her high praise from the judges, her second scored dance left the judges cold. Obviously fans agreed and Shannon and partner Derek Hough were voted off.

WHO WOULD DO THIS?
Have you ever thought it'd be cool to be relentlessly hounded by your own personal paparazzi photographer? Yeah, me neither... but apparently, some people have. And now... they can.

That's because paparazzi-for-hire services... which allow you to hire your own personal paparazzi... are popping up all over the country.

So what do you get when you hire paparazzi? Basically, a photographer will follow you around and take pictures of you as you go through your day... as if you were an actual celebrity.
At one personal paparazzi company, you can pay $250 to have four photographers follow you around for an hour and a half. For your money, they'll take pictures and shout questions at you about your personal life.

But if you're really looking to go all out, for $1,500 you can have six paparazzi follow you around and take your picture. They'll even provide actors to act as your "publicist" and "personal bodyguard"... just to make your experience that much more real.

http://www.celeb4aday.com/Home.html
http://www.privatepaparazzi.com/home/

APRIL 29, 2008

2008-04-29T08:30:00.000-07:00

BAKERSFIELD CHRISTIAN PARADE
Samantha Levy joined us this morning to talk about all the week's events. Click here to get a rundown of what's happening this week.

DANCING WITH THE STARS
Last night on Dancing With the Stars, the celebrities put their stamina to the test by performing two scored dances -- one ballroom and the other Latin. For the first time all season, Kristi Yamaguchi and her partner Mark Ballas got knocked out of their cozy nest atop of the leader board by Jason Taylor and his partner Edyta. Jason rose above last week's mediocre scores with a perky quick step and a powerful paso doble. Marissa Jaret Winokur continued to improve and impress the judges enough to place third. Shannon Elizabeth and Mario both had one strong performance offset a weaker one tying them for fourth. Cristian de la Fuente pulled a muscle in his arm while performing the samba with his partner Cheryl Burke. Though clearly in pain, Cristian finished the dance then was immediately taken to the hospital for evaluation. Unfortunately the judges could only score their second dance up to the point of injury, leaving them in last place.

Dancing With The Stars Leaderboard
Jason Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska- 55
Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas- 54
Marissa Jaret Winokur & Tony Dovolani- 52
Shannon Elizabeth & Derek Hough- 51
Mario & Karina Smirnoff- 51
Cristian de la Fuente & Cheryl Burke- 46 (our elimination prediction)

NO AUDITIONS?
"American Idol" is suffering through its first major ratings decline in its seven-season run... and last Wednesday's results show was the lowest-rated episode in five years. It's not an emergency, since "Idol" is still, by far, the most-watched show on TV.

But just in case the "Idol" format is becoming stale and / or annoying, Fox and the show's producers are brainstorming some possible improvements to keep it fresh.

One of those ideas may be to cut out the weeks of long, drawn-out audition shows.

Instead, the season would begin with the Hollywood round... and they'd show audition footage here and there until the actual, live competition started.

That concept was floated to a recent "Idol" audience via a questionnaire that also asked the following questions...

"Is the banter among the judges too much or too little?"... and "Do you want to see more of host Ryan Seacrest, or less?"

FIVE LIES WE ALL TELL AT WORK
Here are five lies we've all told at work... just don't do it again!

1) "I'D BE HAPPY TO". Honestly, think about the last few times you've said you'd be happy to do something. Were you actually being SINCERE? Probably not. If you have too much work on your plate, just say you can't do it.

2) "NO, I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS". If something doesn't make sense to you... ASK about it. It's better to make sure you know what you're doing than to not know and screw it up.

3) "MY ALARM DIDN'T GO OFF". Excuses are completely worthless to your boss. If you're late... then you're late. You'd probably be better off not saying anything unless you're asked about it. And if you are asked about it, tell the truth.

4) "I'M NOT SICK". No one wants to use their personal days to stay home sick, but sometimes, we have to. Don't go into work when you're ill and make everyone else around you sick, too. That's not cool.

5) "I'M RIGHT ON SCHEDULE". If you're behind, and you have to make a deadline... don't lie and say you've got everything under control. Instead, say you're working on it... and if need be, ask someone to help you.

APRIL 28, 2008

2008-04-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

RELAY FOR LIFE- CPS 3
One great reason to come to this year's Relay For Life is to participate in the Cancer Prevention Study 3. Bakersfield is one of more than 100 relays nationwide — 18 in California — participating in the study, funded and managed by the American Cancer Society’s Department of Epidemiology and Surveillance Research. Adults ages 30 to 65 who have not been diagnosed with cancer are the targets of the study.

The initial enrollment takes 20-25 minutes and includes a short medical survey as well as a waist measurement and small blood sample, said Steve Pressley, volunteer chairman for the study at the Bakersfield relay.

About a month after signing up, participants will receive a longer survey that asks for a more detailed medical history, he said. Participants are contacted periodically for follow-up surveys.

“It’s not a huge time commitment,” Pressley said. “But it’s a huge philosophical commitment.”

It requires participants to update the American Cancer Society of any address changes, he said.

So far, 24,000 people have signed up nationwide, Patel said. The organization hopes to reach its goal number of participants by 2011.

Participation does not cost anything, and participants will not be paid.

You do not have to be a registered participant in the American Cancer Society fundraiser to enroll, but you do have to go to the relay to sign up.

MICHAEL DAMIAN
We missed Michael Damian today... (live radio, you have to love it, right?). We'll try and reschedule... Sorry for the inconvenience.

APRIL 25, 2008

2008-04-25T08:21:00.000-07:00

LOST... FRIDAY EDITION
Okay, either you are really smart or the clues aren't that good. I write the clues, so we'll go with the first one.

Alex Wulsekuehler (don't worry, I can't pronounce it, either!) won with the first clue this morning... "When you think about it, it just makes sense ('cents')... She guessed the Marketplace, because that clue referred to the fountain.

Here are the other clues we would have used had the game continued...

1) When you think about it, it makes a lot of sense/cents
2) One of the reasons to stop here is 31 more
3) Eddie. Johnny, and Joey live together here
4) Mama makes a mean plate of spaghetti
5) When Harry Potter visits Bakersfield, he pops up all over the place here

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
97.7 The Breeze is sending you to Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A. and home of the all-new Simpsons ride! Each weekday, win a four-pack of tickets to check out the Theme Park, Studio Tour, CityWalk, Cinemas, Concerts, and more!

Listen to me each day at 7:10 AM for the Song of the Day... Then, listen all day as you work! When you hear the Song of the Day, be caller 6 to 1-866-977-KSMJ, and you win! Plus, Breeze Family Members, you'll get the inside info as to what specific hour to be listening!

Flex your funnybone on the all-new Simpsons Ride, coming soon to Universal Studios Hollywood! Listen and win with 97.7 The Breeze!

ICE CREAM SUNDAY
Join 97.7 The Breeze and Junior Achievement for a day of ice cream, contests, carnival games, bounce houses and more… Sunday, April 27 at Stramler Park from 1-4 PM! Tickets are $7.50 each, or $25 for a family four pack and available at Washington Mutual! See Kristin tomorrow at Merle Norman to win free tickets too! Presented by Dreyer’s, KGET TV 17, Brighthouse, and 97-7 The Breeze!

APRIL 24, 2008

2008-04-24T08:26:00.000-07:00

GRACIE'S FIRST STEPS

LOST... THURSDAY EDITION
Today, Eva Taylor guessed it after the first clue... Here were the clues we would have used if the game kept going...

1) Look for me by today! (reference to Today Cleaners next door)
2) Twinkle, twinkle little star (Walk of Stars out front)
3) I’ve seen Chicago (the band has performed there many times)
4) Hunt for me Downtown
5) My office is inside a box

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
American Idol voters sent Ireland's Carly Smithson packing last night. The tattooed once-favorite sang off with "Jesus Christ Superstar." Oddly, her version was one of Simon Cowell's favorite performances on the last round of competition. When asked for a final thought, judge Randy Jackson said, "I am shocked. It must have been a bit of a popularity week in the vote." There was just a Bottom Two last night, in place of the usual three, and Syesha Mercado shared stool time with Smithson. Mercado got high marks for her previous performance of "One Rock and Roll Too Many" from the show Starlight Express.

We also talked with Gina Glocksen (and current co-host of AI Extra), who finished sixth last season. Here are some of the highlights...

*She believes at this point in the competition, the performances almost don't matter (see: Brooke). People have decided their favorites or have found someone to relate to, and that's who they vote for good or bad. She called that "unfortunate".

*She says if she were Brooke, she also would have stopped and started over-- as long as it was a ballad. If it had been a fast song, or she was farther into it, she would have fought through it.

*I asked her if the contestants care more about what Simon has to say than the other two judges (ie. the look they get on their face before Simon speaks). She said, for her, Simon's opinion was the only one that mattered. The contestants know he's going to be honest, and America listens to what he has to say.

*I asked her about whether she felt she was pidgeon-holed into the "rocker chick" role (like Carly was) and if that was frustrating. She said she did feel that way, and it was frustrating. One of her favorite weeks was singing "Smile" in Tony Bennett week. She likes to dress the part, but she doesn't define herself as a musician that way, and it was frustrating (see below)

*I asked her about personal lives on Idol. We see Carly, Brooke, etc., who are married... Do they ever see their significant other? She said, yes, but it's very difficult and limited. NO ONE (family, friend, etc.) is allowed into the apartments but the contestants. She said, "I guess if you're a rocker chick, you figure it out". (Wonder what that means?)

*We talked about Carly's assertion that she would change her outlook next week... She says the contestants have already picked songs by Wednesday's results show... they're told the theme well in advance. They wouldn't have started arranging it until today.

*Tonight on AI Extra, Gina performs, a surprise appearance by another Idol, and the first interview with Carly Smithson.

APRIL 23, 2008

2008-04-23T08:11:00.001-07:00

LOST-- WEDNESDAY EDITION
It took three clues this morning to figure it out...

1) Find the girl next to the wide opening (Macy's is next to the Gap)
2) Beware of the grizzly construction going on (Build-A-Bear Workshop)
3) You won’t find the Crimson Cardinal, but close (See Red Robin)
4) Take a break at the watering hole (The Oasis food court)
5) It’s where Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny stop when they’re in town

Answer: The Valley Plaza

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
Okay, whoever came up with this theme last night needs to be fired. Don't get me wrong, I like Andrew Lloyd Webber, but these two genres (contemporary TV music reality show & Broadway) don't mix.

Syesha Mercado started us off with a snappy-jazzy roll through "One Rock and Roll Too Many" from Starlight Express. Randy Jackson said, "I feel tonight not only is this your element, but you could be a huge Broadway star." Paula Abdul gushed, "This is your happy place and you are really good at it." Simon Cowell said, "That was very sexy. I actually agree with Randy, one of your strongest performances so far."

Jason Castro left the guitar at home and got soft and whispery for "Memory" from Cats. Randy said, "I thought vocally it was a little bit of a train wreck. It's not your thing. Too much melody for me for you." Paula said, "I think it was a wise choice for you to do this because it allows you to put your influence in it. It sounds like a pop ballad." Simon said, "It felt to me that it was the longest two minutes of my life. Came over as a young guy being forced to sing that song at a wedding you didn't want to be at. It was a struggle."

Brooke White had the big blunder of the night. She faltered 15 seconds into "You Must Love Me" from Evita, and had to start over. Randy said, "There were parts that were okay after you got started. Vocally it was a little tough." Paula said, "You must never start and stop." Simon said, "It was so dramatic. You were so tense that your voice was straining. This is a tricky one. I think you are going to be very disappointed when you watch this back."

David Archuleta lifted up his big Broadway voice for "Think of Me" from Phantom of the Opera. Randy said, "You are exactly what this show is all about. Dude, it was the bomb. This boy is the one to beat." Paula said, "It was absolutely perfect." Simon said, "I thought it was pleasant, one of your weakest performances of the live shows. It isn't one of those performances you will remember, but it will get you through to the next show."

Carly Smithson pulled out all of the stops to do "Jesus Christ Superstar" with a booming chorus. Randy said, "I don't know if it was your best performance, but it was defiantly good." Paula said, "I love what you did in the chorus." Simon said, "It was actually one of my favorite performances of the night."

David Cook was in musical-theater mode for a soaring rendition of "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera. Randy said, "That was an amazing vocal performance." Paula said, "This song just proved more and more that you are a well-rounded performer." Simon said, "You made the most of the song. It was too rounded off."

So here's the official prediction...
Bottom Three: Syesha, Brooke, and Jason
Out: Brooke

DANCING WITH THE STARS
Marlee Matlin didn't get the fan support she needed to offset her low scoring mambo, and was sent home on last night's elimination show. Joining Marlee and her partner Fabian Sanchez in the bottom two were Mario and Karina Smirnoff, whose mambo got mixed reviews the previous night. Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough were the first couple sent to safety despite their low score and continuous whining about not being judged fairly. Internet sites have been buzzing that the fiery brunette and her cool blonde partner are having more than a "showmance." Reports that the couple have been seen canoodling on the beach in Malibu have surfaced on various entertainment sites, including Access Hollywood. Next week the remaining stars do double duty as they perform two dances to impress the judges.

APRIL 22, 2008

2008-04-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

LOST... TUESDAY EDITION
Did you guess today's answer? Here are the clues... We only got to the first three before Pamela Tatum guessed it!

1) A good place to stop if you’re on a Budget
2) This place is a must see for many visitors
3) We stand United
4) We’ve got more wings than Kentucky Fried Chicken
5) To get there, follow Merle Haggard

Answer: Meadows Field Airport

DANCING WITH THE STARS
Kristi Yamaguchi and partner Mark Ballas racked up the first perfect score of the season with their jumping jive, putting them at the top of the competitors on last night's Dancing With the Stars.

Judge Len Goodman called Mario's steamy rumba "raunchy." Despite the comment and an illegal lift, the judges rewarded him with second place.

Cristian de la Fuente redeemed himself from his finish in the bottom two last week with an impressive fox trot that landed him and partner Cheryl Burke in third.

Marissa Jaret Winokur continued to improve, and the judges took notice giving her elegant waltz a score of 26.

Jason Taylor and Shannon Elizabeth, who were tough to beat in early weeks, tied for fifth place.
Though the judges praised her as an inspiration, Marlee Matlin's mambo suffered from poor timing and put her in last place.

Dancing With the Stars Leaderboard
Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas- 30
Mario & Karina Smirnoff- 28
Cristian de la Fuente & Cheryl Burke- 27
Marissa Jaret Winokur & Tony Dovolani- 26
Jason Taylor& Edyta Sliwinska- 24
Shannon Elizabeth & Derek Hough- 24 (our elimination prediction)
Marlee Matlin & Fabian Sanchez- 21

HAPPY NATIONAL HUMOR MONTH!
Ha-Ha Stats...

300 to 400: The number of times a day children laugh (adults average 15 times a day).

50: The number of calories you burn by laughing for 10 to 15 minutes.

7: In hours, the longest stand-up routine in history (by Dane Cook, at L.A.'s Laugh Factory in January, breaking Dave Chappelle's record of 6 hours and 12 minutes, set one month earlier).

126%: The percentage that women laugh more than men.

APRIL 21, 2008

2008-04-21T08:14:00.001-07:00

LOST... MONDAY EDITION
Congratulations to Kathy Baird... All she needed was one clue to get the answer to today's "Lost". Of course, all week we'll give you clues to a location in Bakersfield starting at 6 AM. Listen to the clues, and as soon as you figure it out, call us at 1-866-977-KSMJ. First person to correctly guess the location every day wins a pair of tickets to see Michael Buble in Fresno, on May 6th.

Here were the clues we would have given this morning, had the game continued...

1) Birds live here…
2) People love to come here to gaze at the stars…
3) This is one place where getting a ticket is a good thing…
4) When you visit me, we have fun under bright lights, or sometimes in the dark…
5) Look me up on a map around “N”
6) My friend Elton visited me last Friday

Answer: Rabobank Arena

TRUST ME?
So maybe you completely trust your significant other, and the idea of keeping tabs on who they communicate with is out of the question. But does your spouse feel the same way? According to a recent survey, there's a pretty good chance they don't.

Researchers at Oxford University in England found that ONE in TEN married couples keep an eye on their significant other's Internet browser history to make sure they aren't cheating.

And ONE in FIVE couples admit to secretly reading their spouse's emails and text messages.

HOW TO AVOID A MIDDAY SLUMP AT WORK
We've all hit that midday slump at our jobs... where we feel absolutely exhausted and just DON'T WANT TO WORK ANYMORE. Here's some good news: That slump can be avoided. Here's how...

1) SLEEP. This is pretty cut and dry: You have to get at least seven or eight hours of sleep every night... or else you'll, obviously, be tired... and you're not going to make it through a full day of work.

2) EAT HEALTHILY. You know the drill. Make sure to eat plenty of fruits and veggies. This basically guarantees that you'll have steady sugar levels throughout the day... so you don't crash.

3) EAT SMALL MEALS. Don't just do one massive meal... and think that it'll hold you over. It won't. Eat small snacks every few hours, even before and after lunch. And drink water instead of sodas.

4) GET OUT OF THE OFFICE. Most of us can't up and leave whenever we feel like it. But instead of staying in during your lunch break, go out for a 15 or 20-minute walk. It'll clear your mind, and help you to de-stress.

5) PLAY GAMES. Unless it's totally frowned upon by The Man, keep some Sudoku or crossword puzzles at your desk. They keep your brain going when you're feeling sluggish.

APRIL 18, 2008

2008-04-18T08:35:00.001-07:00

THANKS JAXON!
I had a very special co-host with me in the studio this morning for our Elton John show! Want to learn more about Jaxon? Watch his story here. When we first heard about this on the news, they reported he wanted to be a Radio DJ when he grew up, so we gave him his big break!

CAREER DAY
So, we asked you to call in and tell us what you wanted to be when you grew up. One gentleman called in and said he wanted to be a professional singer. We also heard from kids who said everything from scientist to doctor to a worker at Disneyland!

ELTON JOHN CONCERT
You can look forward, perhaps, to these songs tonight at the Rabobank Arena... Here's the set list from Elton's show last weekend...

Funeral For a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding
Madman Across the Water
Tiny Dancer
Levon
Believe
Take Me to the Pilot
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Daniel
Rocket Man
Holiday Inn
All the Girls Love Alice
I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word
Candle in the Wind
Pinball Wizard
Bennie & The Jets
Philadelphia Freedom
I'm Still Standing
Crocodile Rock
Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
Your Song

APRIL 17, 2008

2008-04-17T08:49:00.000-07:00

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
American Idol voters sent Kristy Lee Cook back to Selma, Oregon last night. The 24-year-old singer impressed guest coach Mariah Carey with her rendition of Carey's "Forever," but the apparently America disagreed.

Ryan Seacrest started the night with usual toying as he honed in on the Bottom Three. Former Idol singer Elliott Yamin took the stage to sing "Free," and Mariah came out to perform her new single "Bye Bye." Then it was down to the business of the Bottom Three, and Brooke White and Syesha Mercado joined Cook at the back of the pack. But, as predicted by Simon Cowell, Cook was the girl to go. She was in tears as she took the stage for her final performance of "Forever," which seemed to be directed at Simon.

LOTS OF FILLER
According to a recent study in England, TEN PERCENT of our speech is wasted on "filler" words like "um", "you know" and "like".

British speech experts analyzed 80 hours of conversations between 150 people, and they found that the average person uses meaningless conversation fillers such as "basically" and "at the end of the day" every NINE seconds.

According to the researchers, people in countries like the U.S. and Britain use more filler words than other countries because we don't take care of our language the way other cultures do.

That means we don't pride ourselves on our use of language... like French people do, for example... and that's led to the dumbed-down version we now speak.

APRIL 16, 2008

2008-04-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

KEYS TO THE CONCERT
Congratulations to Kendra Cowart, the winner of our Keys To The Concert contest... She'll be sitting thiiiis close to Elton in the front row on Friday night at the Rabobank Arena!

Remember, tickets are still on sale at www.ticketmaster.com!

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
Frontrunner David Archuleta opened the night in a simple T-shirt for a soft melodic take on Carey's "When You Believe." Randy Jackson said, "Dude you can sing anything. That was the bomb." Paula Abdul said, "You made Mariah proud." Simon Cowell said, "I thought it was very, very good. You have set the benchmark."

Irish favorite Carly Smithson donned black for a heart-tugging rendition of "Without You." Randy said, "I liked that you challenged yourself. You have to believe and trust in yourself. It was pretty good. Paula said, "I actually like that you shared some vocal restraint." Simon said, "I really wanted you to sing this song. I don't think you pulled it off."

Resident diva Syesha Mercado wore gleaming gold for a strong take on "Vanishing." Randy said, "You did a good job on it all things considered." Paula said it was "unbelievably magical for you." Simon said, "Technically it was very good. I am not sure I would have chosen a song though that not many people know."

Brooke White was at the piano for a stripped-down take on "Hero." Randy said, "I was really digging it till the bridge." Paula said, "I think this unplugged version was a very brave thing to do, and you sounded really good." Simon said, "It was like ordering a hamburger and only getting the bun. The vital ingredient was missing."

Country-leaning Kristy Lee Cook did "Forever," starting softly and building to a big finish. Randy said, "I didn't think it was amazing, but I gotta tell you, that stepped up at the end." Paula said, "It wasn't just the end. You have this all worked out. Kristy Lee Cook, I am blown away. You could have a hit with that in country-western." Simon said, "You didn't give me chills. You managed with what you could."

David Cook, known for his daring non-traditional takes on songs, did a cool smoky rendition of "Always Be My Baby" that spiraled up into a big finish. Randy said, "You are ready to make an album. I thought that was the most brilliant performance yet." Paula gushed, "That's pretty awesome. That could be in a movie soundtrack right now." Simon agreed, "It was like coming out of karaoke hell into a breath of fresh air. It was original, it was daring, and stood out by a mile."

Dreadlocked Jason Castro left his guitar at home for a down-tempo bongo-heavy take on "I Don't Wanna Cry." Randy said, "I didn't love that -- weird beach luau." Paula said, "I would love to be at that luau. You are in that zone." Simon said, "I am going to have to agree with Paula. Not the best vocal, but it was identified with you."

Here's the official elimination prediction...
Bottom 3: Syesha, Brooke, Carly
OUT: Carly

DANCING WITH THE STARS
We were right!

Priscilla Presley's ambitious split at the end of her rumba Monday on Dancing With the Stars wasn't enough her as she and her partner Louis Van Amstel were eliminated last night. Though disappointed, Priscilla said the experience was "life-changing." Christian de la Fuente and his partner Cheryl Burke, who were in the bottom two, will need to step up their game as the group gets smaller and the judges get tougher. Kristi Yamaguchi, who continued her reign at the top of the leader board, got to do an encore of her nearly flawless rumba. Other highlights of the night included a rousing performance by Grammy winners Ozomatli and pop singer James Blunt, who sang his latest single, "Carry You Home."

APRIL 15, 2008

2008-04-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

DANCING WITH THE STARS
The ice princess sizzled on the hottest night of Dancing With the Stars. Olympic figure skating champ Kristi Yamaguchi garnered two more perfect tens during last night's Latin night, and finished with the top score for the fifth straight week. Latin night featured the contestants performing either the sexy samba or the sensual rumba. N-F-L star Jason Taylor continued to give Kristi some competition, finishing in a tie for second with Mario. The R-&-B singer's smooth samba earned him his best score of the competition. Marissa Jaret Winokur also impressed the judges, with Len Goodman saying the chubby actress's energetic performance had "more bounce to the ounce." Shannon Elizabeth, Cristian de la Fuente, Marlee Matlin and Priscilla Presley turned in less-than-stellar performances, landing them in the bottom four.

James Blunt and Ozomatli will perform during tonight's elimination episode.

Dancing With the Stars Leaderboard
Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas-29
Jason Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska-27
Mario & Karina Smirnoff-27
Marissa Jaret Winokur & Tony Dovolani-24
Shannon Elizabeth & Derek Hough-23
Cristian de la Fuente & Cheryl Burke-23
Marlee Matlin & Fabian Sanchez-22
Priscilla Presley & Louis Van Amstel-21 (our elimination prediction)

TAX TIME
Don't forget…your taxes are due today. The Post Office on Pegasus will be open late to handle last minute filings.

In the meantime, here are some random tax and money facts...

* According to a recent survey, 79% of Americans say they think it's morally wrong to not report ALL your income on your tax form, while 5% of Americans think it's morally OK to cheat on your taxes. Another 14% say they don't think cheating on taxes is even an issue of morality.

*The federal government claims that around $345 BILLION goes unreported on federal income taxes EVERY YEAR. And of that money, about $290 BILLION is never recovered by the IRS.

*According to an IRS report, the average American spends 26-and-a-half hours... and spends $207 in out-of-pocket costs... preparing their tax form. (The cost includes people who do their own taxes.) That means that the average tax refund... which is just over $2,400... is actually more like $2,200 when all is said and done.

APRIL 14, 2008

2008-04-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

ELTON JOHN KEYS TO THE CONCERT
Our Keys To The Concert contest is coming up Wednesday morning...

Breeze Family Members... you still have a chance to play! Remember, 80 of the 88 contestants will be Breeze Family Members! We've only received about 60 entries so far, so your chances of getting in are really good! Follow the instructions in your email if you want to play!

Non-BFMs... First of all, sign up! Secondly, you can still play... The remaining contestants will be drawn on-site at Stockdale Music on Wednesday. Stop by starting at 7:30 AM to register. The drawing will be right at 8 AM!

Questions? Email me. Good luck, from 97.7 The Breeze!

WHAT PEOPLE EARN
Parade magazine's annual "What People Earn" issue came out yesterday. Oprah Winfrey pulled in a hefty $260 million dollars in 2007, more than double the $115 million dollars earned by Tiger Woods.

Here's what some other celebrities made last year...

--OPRAH WINFREY, $260 million
--TIGER WOODS, $115 million
--STEVEN SPIELBERG, $110 million
--DR. PHIL, $90 million
--GISELE BUNDCHEN, $33 million
--MARY-KATE OLSEN, $17 million... (No word what Ashley made.)
--RYAN SEACREST, $12 million
--ELI MANNING, $11.5 million
--KATHERINE HEIGL, $11 million
--JEFF FOXWORTHY, $10 million
--JESSICA ALBA, $9 million
--CARRIE UNDERWOOD, $7 million
--MARISKA HARGITAY, $7 million
--SCARLETT JOHANSSON, $5 million

HOW TO ANSWER TOUGH INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
#1.) "WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?" Don't take this LITERALLY and start listing off things that you totally suck at. Instead, put a positive spin on a potential weakness . . . like, "I'm very detail-oriented, sometimes to a fault." Pretty simple, yeah?

#2.) "WHY DID YOU LEAVE YOUR LAST JOB?" This is another tough one that you'll want to put a positive spin on. Don't berate your old boss, or call your former co-workers morons. Say something like, "I wanted to go to a job that was a little more challenging."

#3.) "WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK HERE?" I cannot emphasize this enough . . . ALWAYS research your company before you go to the interview. This is what they're asking here. Add a couple facts that you've learned about the company into your answer.

#4.) "TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF." Don't go into your entire life history. No one cares about that. Just list some traits and accomplishments that you think are relevant to the position you're interviewing for.

#5.) "TELL ME ABOUT THE WORST BOSS YOU'VE EVER HAD." This is a total trick. They're basically leading you in this question. Don't fall for it. Just say that none of your past bosses were awful, but you learned from some more than others.

WHAT YOUR HANDSHAKE SAYS ABOUT YOU
You can tell a lot about a person from that very first handshake... so you definitely want to make sure that it's a GOOD ONE. Here's what your handshake says about you...

1) AN OVERLY-POWERFUL GRASP. If you do this, you're trying to exert your POWER over the other person. And honestly, there's really no need for that. Ease up on the grip a little.

2) A WIMPY GRASP. This one conveys absolutely no affinity for the other person whatsoever. While you don't want to crush bones, you don't want to give a weak handshake, either. Stay somewhere in between the two.

3) THE SWEATY PALM. This is pretty self-explanatory... and DISGUSTING. Please... do NOT shake someone else's hand if yours is sweaty. Wipe your hand off first. Or just don't shake their hand at all.

4) THE "NEVER LET GO". This, too, shows a power struggle. It's OK to be the first person to drop out of the handshake. A good rule of thumb is to shake for two or three pumps, and then let go.

5) COVERING THE OTHER PERSON'S HAND. This usually means that the handshake is SECRETIVE... and you don't want other people to see it.

APRIL 11, 2008

2008-04-11T07:50:00.000-07:00

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
Voters sent Michael Johns back to Australia on last night's American Idol. Johns was considered an early frontrunner that stood out from the pack with a booming rock voice, but his last performance earned him the boot. Randy Jackson heard classic pitch problems, and while Simon Cowell thought he gave a good performance, Simon said, "I don't like it when you do an impersonation of a rock star."

Ryan Seacrest started out the evening with a report that the previous night's charity event had already raised more than 60-million dollars. The Top 8 sang the anthem "Shout to the Lord." Former Idol Jordin Sparks was joined on stage by Chris Brown for a duet of "No Air." Then it was down to narrowing the Bottom 3. Before Johns got the boot, Syesha Mercado and Carly Smithson feared for their spots at the back of the pack.

I have to admit, I was surprised. So were most people... I belong to an online pool for Idol predictions (I know, how sad). Only 1 out of 302 participants guessed Michael Johns. (By the way, for the season, I'm in 17th place out of 302... not bad).

COCKTAIL PARTY TO SUPPORT RELAY FOR LIFE
Purple & Black Party in Support of Pancreatic Cancer
Friday April 11 @ 930pm
Replay Lounge & Grill
4500 Buck Owens Blvd.
$20 presale $25 at the door $5 drink specials “ hope”
21 over crowd only!
Cocktail attire strictly enforced!

Sponsored in part by CBCC and the law office of Emilio Huerta

All proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life!

Any questions you can call, (661) 281-5820.

APRIL 10, 2008

2008-04-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

"IDOL GIVES BACK"
Well, certainly more star-studded than last year, it was quite an experience watching Idol Gives Back on TV... Here are my thoughts...

#1) I know Miley Cyrus is popular with kids, but two songs last night, when an Idol alum like Carrie Underwood or Chris Daughtry only got one?

#2) I think it was in poor taste for Robin Williams to joke about "Meal or No Meal"... I know he didn't intend to be offensive, but know your audience, man.

#3) Speaking of Carrie Underwood, how good was she last night. I've already downloaded "Praying For Time" on iTunes. I suggest you do the same. We played it on the air this morning.

#4) Julie and I laughed at Peyton Manning because he was mouthing Eli's lines off the cue cards as he was reading them and waiting for his turn to speak.

#5) Teri Hatcher isn't a totally bad singer.

#6) Forrest Whitaker's segment gave me goosebumps.

#7) Whether it's the IGB charities, or somewhere else, I think it's great that American Idol is urging its viewers to give back to charities in some capacity. This show makes mega-millions... commercials, video games, ice creams, etc. And it was good to hear that Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul donated their salaries for the week to the cause. For Cowell, that's over $1 million.

KEYS TO THE CONCERT
Breeze Family Members... check your email!! Next Wednesday, we'll be giving away front row tickets to Elton John and you've got the best shot to win!

You've heard of those contests where people come out and try their key in a car to see if it starts, right? Well, the only keys that matter to Sir Elton are those on his piano... So, we'll be qualifying 88 listeners to each press one key on a piano-- one of which won't make any sound at all. If you pick the right key, you'll be watching Elton John in the FRONT ROW!

In your email, you'll find the instructions on how you can be one of the 88 players in the game... Good luck!

MOST PRESTIGIOUS JOBS
According to a recent survey by Harris Interactive, U.S. adults see firefighters, scientists, teachers, doctors, military officers and nurses as the most prestigious occupations. The least prestigious? Real estate brokers, actors, bankers, accountants, entertainers, stockbrokers, union leaders, journalists, business executives and athletes!

Actors and athletes -- who make the MOST money? Hmmm... People SAY teachers have an important job, but their paycheck says otherwise. In fact, their paychecks make it seem as though they are not doing something very important -- unlike actors -- who get paid ridiculous sums to play "make believe."

APRIL 9, 2008

2008-04-09T07:48:00.000-07:00

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
Aussie rocker Michael Johns began the evening with a rockin' version of Aerosmith's "Dream On." Randy Jackson said, "It had some pitch problems but I thought it was a good song choice." Paula Abdul said, "You sound as good as you look. You were unbelievable." Simon Cowell said, "I thought it was a very good performance [but] I don't like it when you do an impersonation of a rock star."

Syesha Mercado was in full diva mode for a soaring rendition of the Fantasia song "I Believe." Randy said, "It was okay, just okay. I felt no connection with you." Paula said, "Not many people can take on songs like that. You flipped it and made it all your own. I think it was one of your most shining nights." Simon said, "Technically you sang it very well. It lacked that big weight of emotion that I got when Fantasia sang it."

Dreadlocked Jason Castro had his guitar in Hawaiian mode for "Over the Rainbow." Randy said, "Dude, Jason Castro is back in the hunt. That was molten hot." Paula said, "You have the most definitive sound with the guitar. You did a great job." Simon said it was "fantastic."

Kristy Lee Cook belted out Martina McBride's "Do It Anyway." Randy said, "A couple of little pitch problems, but really good." Paula said, "I think you outdid yourself. This was your best by far. Excellent." Simon said, "I thought you were very, very good indeed. Tonight you look like a star."

David Cook was in a Sergeant Pepper-inspired jacket to do the Our Lady Peace song "Innocent." Randy said, "I am a huge fan of yours, but I am not sure this was one of your strongest weeks." Paula said, "You are so well-defined as being the whole package." Simon said, "I didn't like this performance very much. I didn't like the white jacket."

Ireland's Carly Smithson was showing shoulder tattoo for a throaty rendition of Queen's "The Show Must Go On." Randy said, "Started out good, a little pitchy in the middle and ended up okay." Paula said, "Your voice as always is pretty perfect, I just didn't feel the connection." Simon said, "You look good. I thought it was an unusual choice of song. You over sang it. It came over as an angry."

David Archuleta sat at the piano for a soft version of the Robbie Williams song "Angels." Randy said, "That's the David that I love. That was the hottest moment of the season." Paula said, "That sums it up for me, fantastic." Simon said, "Best song choice of the night so far. I am not going to say it was your best vocal though. It was a bit nasally."

Brooke White ended the night with an emotional stab at James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend." Randy said, "I don't think it was your best performance." Paula said, "Perfect way to close the evening." Simon said, "A pleasant walk in the park. It was nice. Was it original? No."

So here's the official elimination prediction...
Bottom Three: Syesha, Carly, Michael
OUT: Syesha

DANCING WITH THE STARS
The typically sarcastic and irreverent Adam Carolla was uncharacteristically sweet and philosophical when he said farewell after last night's Dancing With the Stars results show. He commented, "I lost 20 pounds of fat and gained one-hundred-and-five pounds of angel." That last comment referred to his professional partner, and budding country music star, Julianne Hough.

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow performed her hit, "Have Some Fun," and her current single, "Children of Abraham." But the kids stole the show when professional youth ballroom dancers "competed" for judges and showed the celebrity dancers how it's really done. Next week, the dancers go toe-to-toe in the Latin round.

BURN CALORIES WHILE YOU CLEAN
Here is a list of the top 10 highest calorie-burning chores… the good news is that the more you clean, the more calories you'll burn through.

10. Dust and polish (burn 2,288 calories per year). Light dusting burns about 170 calories per hour (assuming you weigh 150 pounds) heavy dusting burns 204 calories per hour.

9. Change the bedding (burn 2,728 calories per year). You can burn 136 calories per hour. Of course, none of us will take an hour to make the bed, but even at 15 minutes, you've burned enough calories to make up for half a glass of wine.

8. Clean the bathroom (burn 2,891 calories per year). You can burn at least 231 calories per hour.

7. Sweep the floor (burn 2,896 calories per year). This activity burns 272 calories per hour.

6. Tidy up (burn 4,541 calories per year). Even a light tidying up lets you burn over 170 calories per hour. Step it up and you can get it to over 240 calories burned per hour.

5. Scrub the floor (burn 5,117 calories per year). You'll burn about 258 calories per hour, enough to make up for a serving of chicken nuggets.

4. Wash and dry the dishes (burn 6,781 calories per year). Give that dishwasher a rest and do your dishes by hand. You'll burn 156 calories per hour, just for standing and washing the dishes but if you dry them by hand and put them away, you'll get even more bang for your buck.

3. Iron your clothes (burn 6,794 calories per year). You can burn about 156 calories per hour.

2. Vacuum the floor (burn 6,800 calories per year). Vacuuming burns about 238 calories per hour, but you can get more out of it by vacuuming the couches and pillows.

1. Do the laundry (burn 9,464 calories per year). Doing the laundry only burns about 150 calories per hour, but because it takes a while to go through several loads (especially if you have kids or major cleaning to do), the calories burned do add up.

EXTRAS: If you have outside space, you can burn even more calories by gardening (246 calories per hour), raking (264 calories per hour), or mowing the lawn (a whopping 363 calories per hour).

FRIENDS DON'T LIKE WHEN FRIENDS DIET
If you're trying to lose weight, the one thing that is most likely to derail your best diet plan is your family and close friends. Don't believe it? Test it. Go on a diet. Lose a few pounds. Brag a little. And then see what happens. Chances are you'll find you're the recipient of fattening food gifts. Your spouse may buy you a candy bar at the movies or your co-worker will offer you cookies when the afternoon munchies hit.

You can fight the sabotage by understanding why it happens. Colleen Pierre, a registered dietician and an associate professor of aging, nutrition, and fitness at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, offers these reasons ...

1. They feel guilty. You're successfully losing weight. They're not. Giving you food is one way to get you back to "normal."

2. They don't understand. This is most common with people who have never had a weight problem and just don't realize that you can't go back to eating anything you want just because you lost a few pounds.

3. They miss the old you. And they miss the cookies you baked, the after-work "happy hours" spent with co-workers, or the restaurant dinners out with the spouse.

APRIL 8, 2008

2008-04-08T08:10:00.000-07:00

DANCING WITH THE STARS
It was an evening of fasts and slows, and highs and lows as the Dancing With the Stars competitors performed either the staccato paso doble or the lilting Viennese waltz. The first tens of the season were also handed out to Kristi Yamaguchi, Jason Taylor and Shannon Elizabeth. Though Shannon and injured partner Derek Hough got the lowest total score of the three, judge Len Goodman said theirs was the best dance of the night. Marlee Matlin's waltz that brought tears to Carrie Ann Inaba, who could hardly collect herself after the poignant performance. One-wheeled wonder Adam Carolla incorporated a unicycle into his paso with Julianne Hough, but the stunt did nothing to prevent him from rolling into last place. During tonight's elimination show, Grammy winning singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow performs and the next generation of Dancing With the Stars professionals takes the floor for an exhibition.

Dancing With The Stars Leaderboard
Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas- 29
Jason Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska- 29
Shannon Elizabeth & Derek Hough- 28
Cristian de la Fuente & Cheryl Burke- 26
Marlee Matlin & Fabian Sanchez- 24
Mario & Karina Smirnoff- 24
Marissa Jaret Winokur & Tony Dovolani- 24
Priscilla Presley & Louis Van Amstel- 22 (our elimination prediction)
Adam Carolla & Julianne Hough- 19

FREE COFFEE TODAY
STARBUCKS must be hurting. First they closed down the stores for an afternoon while they taught all the baristas how to make better espresso drinks. Now they're handing out free coffee.

Today, Starbucks will be giving away free 8-ounce cups of its new coffee. It's called Pike Place Roast, and Starbucks CEO Howard Shultz wants you to know, it's the, quote, "best coffee that we have created, maybe, in our history."

The free coffee will ONLY be handed out during a thirty minute window... starting at 9:00 AM on the west coast.

COUPLES-- DON'T DO THIS TOGETHER
89% of women prefer to do this alone.

Shop.

The top reasons cited are their man's impatience and the way he stands around OUTSIDE the store she's in. The number one reason men don't like to shop with their ladies: She has to go in EVERY SINGLE STORE.

APRIL 7, 2008

2008-04-07T07:46:00.000-07:00

BEST MOM WEBSITES
www.Listigator.com
(organize, compile, and share lists)

www.Madsci.org
(ask real scientists questions)

www.Yahookids.com
(safe search engine for kids)

www.Familyreads.com
(book reviews for children’s books)

www.smithsonianeducation.org/students
(endless supply of scientific and kid-friendly trivia)

PAY MORE FOR A SECOND BAG
The list is growing... Add Continental to the ranks of United, Delta, Northwest, and US Airways who will be charging an additional fee for a second checked bag starting next month.

For frequent business travelers, it's probably not a big deal... Many of them just fly with overnight bags anyway...

For families, though, it's a problem. Julie and I already know we'll have two bags each when we fly to Hawaii this June. One each for us, and then Gracie's pack-and-play and car seat, since she's not using a ticket.

Look, they already raised ticket prices, eliminated food, and on some airlines are charging for pillows and blankets... do they need to do this too?

APRIL 4, 2008

2008-04-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

BREEZE FAMILY RESOLUTION RESULTS
Congratulations to The Food Fighters, winners of The Breeze Family Resolution... every member lost at least 10 pounds, and as a whole lost the highest percentage of body weight. Also, congratulations to Julie from The Stunners, the biggest individual loser.

And also congrats to our own Erik Daniels, losing almost 45 pounds!

KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFE ONLINE
Attend a free workshop called "Do You Know What Your Kids Are Doing On The Internet?". It's April 29, 2008 at 5060 California Avenue. Space is limited, so RSVP at 831-0064.

APRIL 3, 2008

2008-04-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
American Idol narrowed the field to eight last night. The show opened with the group singing "Nine to Five" -- circling the judges' table -- in honor of this week's celebrity guest, Dolly Parton. Dolly came on later to perform her "Jesus and Gravity," off her new album Backwoods Barbie. Up-and-coming country act The Clark Brothers were also on, doing a cover of "Let It Shine." The bottom three this week were all gals -- Kristy Lee Cook, who did a tepid version of "The Coat of Many Colors"; Ramiele Malubay, whose take on "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" was bland and safe; and Brooke White, who kicked off Tuesday's show with a somewhat awkward take on "Jolene." And as Randy Jackson predicted, a tearful Ramiele was sent home.

WHAT PEOPLE EARN
Parade’s annual “What People Earn” comes out Sunday, April 13.

A reader favorite, it includes photos of people — everyone from CEOs to tow-truck drivers — plus their name, age, city of residence and annual pay.

We’re preparing our own list of Bakersfield and Kern County wage-earners for the same day.

Would you like to be included?

Send an e-mail with the above information and a mug shot to reporter Courtenay Edelhart at cedelhart@bakersfield.com. Be sure to include a phone number so we can reach you with any questions.

Come on, you know you want to share ...

GET ALONG WITH ANY BOSS
It doesn't matter if you like your boss or not. What does matter is they think you do. It's a no-win situation, really, so you might as well play the game to your advantage. Business psychologist Joel Mausner, Ph.D., offers some tips ...

Your boss is a screamer: When you're feeling belittled, it's easy to forget how competent you are, and your performance may suffer. So do this: Mentally list your boss's failings. Seeing a bully's weaknesses will make him seem less intimidating.

You're not your boss's favorite: Sometimes personalities don't click. But before you quit, schedule a meeting with your boss and ask, "Is there something you think I can do better? I'd really like to know because I want to succeed here."

You think you threaten your boss: If your boss sees you as a rival, they may not promote you. Reassure your boss by making it your job to make them look good. They're more likely to reward your loyalty and hard work.

APRIL 2, 2008

2008-04-02T08:22:00.000-07:00

AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
The Top 9 took on the songs of Dolly Parton last night on American Idol. Following the show's typical guest-star format, each performance was preceded by footage of the contestant rehearsing with Dolly interwoven with interview bits.

Brooke White was up first and took the stage with a guitar and some accompanying musicians to perform "Jolene." Paula Abdul said Brooke has "an emotional connection with the songs," but Simon Cowell disagreed, saying, "I think what was lacking was any emotion."

Next up was rocker David Cook, who did his own arrangement of "Little Sparrow." Dolly said his voice is "absolutely beautiful," and the judges seemed to agree. Randy Jackson was the most enthusiastic, calling it "another hot, consistent performance."

Ramiele Mulabay performed "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind." Randy rated it a six-and-a-half out of 10, but Simon said, "We're not going to remember this in 10 years."

Heartthrob Jason Castro covered Dolly's "Travelin' Through" accompanied just by his guitar. In her taped interview, Dolly said, "I though he went a little outside himself," and Paula agreed, calling it "one of your strongest performances." But Simon, who was sour on most of the night's songs, said, "I didn't like that at all."

Irish transplant Carly Smithson took on the Barry Mann-Cynthia Weil composition "Here You Come Again." Dolly loved it, saying, "She killed it, I thought." Randy and Paula agreed, as did Simon -- but he saved his criticism for Carly's clothing choices, suggesting she talk to "whoever is dressing you."

17-year-old David Archuleta turned in the performance of the night with his rendition of "Smoky Mountain Memories." Dolly said, "I could feel he was so into it." Simon paid a rare compliment, saying David was "absolutely on the money."

Kristy Lee Cook came on stage barefoot and sang "The Coat of Many Colors." Paula called it "your best performance," but Simon said it was "pleasant but forgettable."

Syesha Mercado took on what Randy said was the "biggest tiger of the night," "I Will Always Love You." Both Randy and Simon felt that it fell short of the mark Whitney Houston set with her chart-topping cover of the song.

The evening wound down with Michael Johns doing "It's All Wrong, but It's All Right." Johns told Dolly his first concert was one of her shows in 1986 and that he was a huge fan. His performance reflected that -- Randy said, "You keep on bringing it up a notch every week."

So here's the official prediction...
Bottom Three: Brooke White, Ramiele Malubay, and Kristy Lee Cook
Out: Tough call... Ramiele Malubay

DANCING WITH THE STARS
It wasn't much of a surprise that the Dancing With the Stars competitors bid "Gutte"-bye to actor Steve Guttenberg and partner Anna Trebunskaya during last night's elimination. The judges did see fit to invite him back for the encore dance, but not with Anna. Due to illness, she was unable to rehearse and her husband, professional Jonathan Roberts, took over teaching Steve the tango. It was that pair who performed what the judges called the "mango."

Kylie Minogue and the Alvin Ailey Dancers took over the performances during tonight's show while the celebs and their partners prep for next week's round of competition.

YOUR DREAM DAY
Recently, Billy Crystal celebrated his 60th birthday by playing a game with the New York Yankees-- his favorite baseball team. He called it his "dream day".

So what would you do on your dream day?

I said I'd like to work on a TV show-- maybe do Ryan Seacrest's job... or work for ESPN. Even being able to follow the President for a day would be neat.

We heard from you... everything from having one more day with loved ones who have passed away, to opening a much needed animal sanctuary in Kern County.