Trending This Morning
 

 
An arctic cold front will make it a chilly weekend for us.  Clouds increase today. Hi mid/upper 50s.  Possible rain/snow showers this evening into Saturday. Windy with gusts to 25 mph on Saturday. Hi upper 30s.  Sunday,  partly cloudy, breezy and cool.  Hi upper 30s.   Monday, we're back to the 50s. But a system Tuesday could bring us another mixed bag of weather,  with sleet and freezing rain for some, while others experience rain and damaging wind gusts.  Hi 52.
 
(Photo: USA Today)
 
 
After 5 days adrift in the Gulf of Mexico, the Carnival Triumph reached Mobile, Alabama early this morning.  Thousands of hungry and unwashed passengers - were singing "Sweet Home Alabama"  - as it pulled into dock.   If the passengers hadn't had enough, one of the buses transporting them to a hotel broke down. Yikes.   **I heard the best quote from a cruiser yesterday on CNN.  He said, "This incident will only be a "blip" on the radar.  Only 20% of Americans have cruised.   They feel its an isolated incident and it won't happen to them.  Besides, when a plane crash occurs, most of us are right back on board."   That's true.  I'd cruise tomorrow.
 
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Crews battled a blaze at the Aramark Uniform Services building in Vinton on Thursday night.  crwes arrived around 8P.  Crews found smoke coming from the building.  The blaze was confined to an area near a bin of mop heads.  The fire is under investigation.

The $11 billion merger of American Airlines and US Airways to form the world's biggest airline could make it easier for Roanoke area fliers to get to more places.   The merged airlines plan to maintain US Airways' hubs at Charlotte, with its seven daily connections to Roanoke, and Philadelphia, with its three daily connections.
 

Amazement Square of Lynchburg is one of 33 finalists for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.  They will name 10 medal winners in April.

A meteorite explosion over Russia injured dozens of people. Around 100 people were reportedly injured by glass from the explosion as it broke up over Ural Mountains.  About 6000 square feet of a roof at a zinc factory also collapsed.

Sunday is the NBA All-Star Game in Houston.

 
 
Lookin' Back
 

1953- The first American to win the women's world figure skating championship was 17-year-old Tenley Albright. She won the competition in Davos, Switzerland.
1964- Nat King Cole, singer, pianist and entertainer, died at just 45 years old.
1986- The single "How Will I Know" by the late Whitney Houston peaked at #1 on the pop singles chart.
1990- Washington Mayor Marion Barry was indicted on eight counts of perjury and drug possession.
1992- The 100th episode of Cops aired on Fox.
1998- Dale Earnhardt, on the day NASCAR celebrated its 50th anniversary, won the Daytona 500 on his 20th try, ending an overall 59-race winless streak. His son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., won the Daytona 500 exactly six years later, in 2004.


 
Cuttin' Cake 

Jane Seymour is 62 
Simpsons creator Matt Groening is 59 (Why you little...) 
Amber Riley from Glee turns 27

 

 
Joke of the Day
Why do some cities have the same stores?  ans - because it's a mall world afterall
 

 
Weird News Today
Police in Ottawa, Ontario, are circulating an image they believe a break-in suspect took of himself. The crook broke into a Ford dealership and, at one point, photocopied his face. He left the photocopy behind.   **That's NOT Ford tough.
 

 

Smarter Than Question


35-percent of men say they always ask their wives for permission before doing this. What is it?  Congrats to Robin.  She got it.  The answer is "thermostat".


Entertainment Dish


The Top 20 women and men were chosen on American Idol last night.  Some of the women included: Angela Miller, Candice Glover, Janelle Arthur, Zoanette Johnson, Juliana Chahayed, Melinda Ademi, and Kree Harrison.  Keep in mind, there hasn't been a female winner of 'Idol' in six years.

Reality personalities Kate Gosselin and Kendra Wilkinson will trade lifestyles, homes and families for one week — and its all for an upcoming episode of Celebrity Wife Swap.  The episode will air February 26.

(Photo: AP/File)

Kim Kardashian's divorce case returns to court today with an attorney for the reality star urging a speedy end to her marriage to NBA player Kris Humphries, who wants the marriage annulled.  Kardashian, is asking a judge to order a trial to end her marriage as soon as possible. Humphries, who plays for the NBA's Brooklyn Nets, wants the case to remain on hold until his season ends.  Humphries claims the televised nuptials were based on fraud, a claim that would have to be proven at trial.  The marriage lasted 72 days.

First Ricki Lake, now come word that The Jeff Probst Show has officially been cancelled after one season. No worries, he still hosts Survivor.

Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon are to be presenters at the Oscars ceremony next Sunday.

Harry Potter is getting a new look on his 15th birthday.  Scholastic, Harry Potter's U.S. publisher, unveiled on Wednesday a new cover for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the first of seven new covers for each book in the series. They will debut in September to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the first book's publication.

"A Chorus Line" - part of Broadway in Roanoke - tonight at the Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre, Roanoke Civic Center.  8P.

 

TV TONIGHT

2013 Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game (ESPN) 
Kitchen Nightmares (FOX)
Dateline (NBC)  Rock Center with Brian Williams (NBC)  Last Man Standing (ABC)
Malibu Country (ABC)  Shark Tank (ABC)  20/20 (ABC)
The Job (CBS)  CSI: NY (CBS)  Blue Bloods (CBS)

 

NEW IN THEATERS

A Good Day to Die Hard (R); Safe Haven (PG-13); Beautiful Creatures (PG); Escape from Planet Earth (PG) +

 

News from Nashville
 
(Photo: Splash!)
Band Perry says their next album will be called "Pioneer" out this April.  BTW: Kimberly Perry recently revealed that she has a boyfriend, and some diligent detective work indicates that it's Toronto Blue Jays catcher JP Arencibia.
Luke Bryan's Valentine's Day present to his wife was letting her sleep in.  He says, “Valentine’s Day is kind of just me and Caroline’s day just to go and enjoy being with one another for a full day.”  Bryan, releases his latest spring break-themed EP, ‘Here to Party,’ on March 5.  Luke plays John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville on March 23.

(Photo: BradPaisley.com)
 

‘Wheelhouse’ is set to hit the streets on April 9, and we can’t wait to hear the surprises that may be in store.  Dierks Bentley, Hunter Hayes, and Charlie Daniels appear on the album.

Brad Paisley ‘Wheelhouse’ Track Listing:

1.“Bon Voyage”
2.“Southern Comfort Zone” [Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Kelley Lovelace]
3.“Beat This Summer” [Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Luke Laird]
4.“Outstanding In Our Field” (Featuring Dierks Bentley and Roger Miller with Hunter Hayes on guitar) [Brad Paisley/Mike Dean/Chris DuBois/Lee Thomas Miller/Roger Miller]
5.“Pressing On A Bruise” (Featuring Mat Kearney) [Brad Paisley/Mat Kearney/Kelley Lovelace]
6.“I Can't Change The World” [Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Kelley Lovelace]
7.“—H —” [Brad Paisley/Justin Williamson/Randle Currie]
8.“Karate” (Featuring Charlie Daniels) [Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Kelley Lovelace]
9.“Death of a Married Man” (Featuring Eric Idle) [Brad Paisley]
10.“Harvey Bodine” [Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Kelley Lovelace]
11.“Tin Can On A String” [Brad Paisley/Ashley Gorley/Kelley Lovelace]
12.“Death Of A Single Man” [Brad Paisley/Kelley Lovelace/Lee Thomas Miller]
13.“The Mona Lisa” [Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois]
14.“Accidental Racist” (Featuring LL Cool J) [Brad Paisley/Lee Thomas Miller/LL Cool J]
15.“Runaway Train” [Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Kelley Lovelace]
16.“Those Crazy Christians” [Brad Paisley/Kelley Lovelace]
17.“Officially Alive” [Brad Paisley]

**Not sure about that Cut 7 though.  Maybe it's a "title in progress" kinda thing. 

 

In case you missed Little Big Town on The Late Show with David Letterman on Tuesday.

 

Carrie Underwood says she still loves watching American Idol.
 

Blake Shelton's album Red River Blue, released in 2011, has been certified platinum by the RIAA for shipments of 1 million copies.

Oklahoma-born Toby Keith will be presented with a certificate from the governor of Texas next month declaring him an honorary Texan

 

Rascal Flatts this Saturday at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville.

 

 
Lar's This & That
 
Dating For Success

According to a new survey, 31% of men admit that they've either BORROWED or RENTED something to try to impress a date.

Here's the five most common things to borrow:  clothes, cars, houses, pets, and expensive technology.  What? Guys borrow clothes?  The survey found 19% of women have borrowed something to impress a date. (The Auto Channel)

 

It's coming!!!

Taco Bell has announced that its Doritos Locos Tacos in Cool Ranch flavor will be launched March 7. Taco Bell hopes the Cool Ranch sequel will be as successful as the original Doritos Locos Taco, with over 350 million sold in the past year.

 

Just So You Know

It looks like GUPPIES have mastered a trick that only the most CLEVER and EVIL humans can pull off. A new study out of Italy found that when male guppies are around female guppies, the males try to hang around with other, UGLIER male guppies . . . to make themselves seem more attractive in comparison.  Woo-hoo! Date night at the aquarium.  Sounds fishy to me.   (Time)

 

Office romance - a good idea?

CareerBuilder found that 4 in 10 of us have been involved with someone at work. Most were open about the relationship, but 35% kept it low key.

On the other hand, you probably know the people you work with better than anyone else in your life! Plus, love is a nasty and unpredictable beast. It's hard to control it.

The most common industries for romance? Leisure and hospitality tops the list followed by information technology. Notice those are "non-sweaty" jobs -- I don't see sanitation engineers anywhere on this list!

 

Dumb Interview Questions


In a new survey, HR managers around the country revealed the DUMBEST question they had a candidate ask during an interview in the past year.

Some highlights were:

"Do you allow midday naps?" . . . "What job is this for?" . . . "Is the boss single?" . . . "Can I have three weeks off every month to pursue my music career?" . . . and "Would you consider going on a date with me?"  (P R Newswire)

 

The New Norm When It Comes To Job Titles

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt publishing has a Director of First Impressions instead of a receptionist . . . and there's an advertising agency with a Creator of Opportunities instead of a director of business development.  There more.  Head to the link.    (Boston.com)

 

 

Slacking on the job a good thing

Bosses who notice an employee's performance drop in one aspect of the job shouldn't immediately think the employee is slacking off.

A study led by a University of Toronto professor discovered that in many cases the employee has just shifted and refocused his efforts on a different set of tasks, which should be considered a positive sign of adaptability.

 

One More Thing...

From our cruise last week, one of the stops was Georgetown, Grand Cayman Islands.  It's important to find your way around in Grand Cayman.  Yes, there's a town named "Hell" in the Cayman Islands.

 

The day we were in port, there were two other ships besides Freedom of the Seas.   The Norweigan Pearl and Carnival Magic.  Since there's no pier right now, we had to be tendered to shore by tender boats, which hold 75 - 100 people.   Just look at that gorgeous water.  Wow!!Love to be there now.  Ahhhhh.

 

 

Good News Story 

More than a dozen couples renewed their marriage vows during a Valentine's Day celebration at Elm Park Estates retirement center in Roanoke. 

The ceremony — the idea of chef DeWayne Itson — commended and recognized the couples for continuing their love for each other and their patience, camaraderie and faithfulness to their vows.

How nice.  Here's hoping all of the couples enjoy many years of new wedded memories in their life.

 

 

Lar's Thought of the Day 

"Practice love.  Be generous"   Author unknown