For example, take a look at unemployment figures. During an election season, these numbers are most important, both to the incumbent and the competitor. Few things fuel the discontent of the citizens like high unemployment. The last few years have not been most favorable to the US public, with unemployment running relatively high. Regardless of the cause, the President is expected to find a cure for this illness.

Over the last few months, Federal figures have shown that unemployment has been on the decline. Yet, Citizen “A” looks at Citizen “B” and both are still jobless, as well as many of their neighbors. Where, then, are these jobs?

The strange truth is that there aren’t many new jobs. In fact, American employers have offered half the number of new jobs that they made available several months ago. Unemployment figures have fallen because benefits are no longer available and many have simply left the workforce, thus avoiding the statistical count. Unemployment hasn’t changed; just the numbers have.

The good news is that America is relying upon itself. More Americans have gone back to school to further their educations. Many are creating their own small businesses, using their skills and ingenuity to provide for themselves.

Statistics are fine for campaigns. But, for everyday use, look no further than the person next door.

Chaim Katz

In Newcastle, California, Trish and Chuck Brandt-Robuck have been the proud owners of Bella, their pet llama, for many years. Although llamas are not common pets in the United States, they are very loyal and dependable animals. They also require open space for walking and climbing.

Two years ago, Bella, who was 10 at the time, was romping in the area when she caught her right rear leg in a gopher hole. She experienced severe injuries to the leg. The owners tried to treat the injured limb but severe infection set in. They turned to the local veterinarians who were left with no choice but amputation of the infected leg.

Bella attempted to remain mobile but was unable to do so adequately. She eventually became depressed and refused to stand at all. The distressed owners were afraid that they would be forced to put her down until they consulted with prosthetist Michael Carlson of the Hanger Clinic.

Michael designed a special prosthetic leg for Bella. The project took more than 3 months. But, today, the 12 year old llama is walking once again and even setting out on the occasional short run.
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Chaim Katz

Fox is taking the dating show to a whole new level with this obvious spinoff of NBC’s “The Voice”. The concept of both shows is the same, celebrities sit in chairs with their backs to the stage and turn their chairs if they like what they hear. Only on “The Choice” the “contestants” are actually eligible bachelors and bachelorettes trying to win a date with the single panel of celebrities. If the celebrities like what they hear, they will turn their chair around to see who they have chosen for a date. Just like on “The Voice”, if two celebs turn around, the choice becomes the contestant’s.

Just this week, Fox revealed some of the celebrities set to appear on the first season of the dating show. Eligible bachelors and bachelorettes will vie for the attention of stars like Joe Jonas, Taylor Hicks, Carmen Electra, and Tyson Beckford. Other celebs filling the spinning chairs will be MTV reality stars, a Playboy Playmate, an NFL star, a celebrity chef, and a former Miss USA.
The blind dating show will debut on June 7th.

Rachelle Underwood-Lowe

Just last month, Owen shocked fans during a concert at Vero Beach High School, his alma mater, when he spontaneously popped the question to his girlfriend Lacey Buchanan. Despite the fact that Owen was not even prepared with a ring, Buchanan still said yes.

Owen later made up for it by proposing all over again in Nashville with a 2.5 carat diamond designed just for Buchanan.
Apparently the couple simply couldn’t wait to begin their lives together. The two became Mr. and Mrs. Owen during a sunrise ceremony on Monday morning. The wedding took place in Owen’s hometown of Vero Beach, Florida.
The country crooner told People magazine that he liked the idea of the sunrise ceremony “because it’s symbolic of the dawn of a new day and starting our new life together.”

Buchanan, a model, met Owen when she was in his music video for “8 Second Ride” and the two began dating when she starred in the video for “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”.

Owen took to Twitter to announce the exciting news, “A best friend for life. I now have a wifey,” he tweeted. “My face hurts from smiling. What a wonderful way to start the rest of my life.”

Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Rachelle Underwood-Lowe

It came, therefore, as no surprise when relatives and friends of Carina Pasco, 31, and Kodie Umphenour, 24, received invitations to the nuptials of the young couple. The invitations invited y’all to “Our Big Ol’ Muddy Redneck Wedding.” Being the sentimental couple that they are, the wedding took place at the Hog Waller Mud Bog & ATV Mud Pit in Putnam County, Florida, the same place where Carina proposed to his bride exactly one year ago.

The wedding ceremony, last Saturday, was preceded by free for all mud tossing by the guests and other patrons of the mud pit. ATV riders were kindly asked to silence their engines during the ceremony itself.

The unique wedding venue also served as the couple’s honeymoon, as the groom announced that he had to be back at work Monday morning.

By Chaim Katz

But, the world has changed. Who says that athletes are all muscle and no brain; certainly not the athletes and fans of Chessboxing. The latest European sports craze, Chessboxing is a unique combination of both brains and brawn in competition.

As the name implies, athletes compete in both a boxing match and a chess match. Two competitors compete head-to-head in a three minute chess match followed by three minutes of boxing. This continues for 11 alternating rounds. The winner is either determined by a knockout or checkmate, whichever comes first.

Europeans are flocking to Chessboxing matches as they enjoy the unique competition and are thrilled that the social barriers that once determined the audiences for the respective competitions are being broken down. No longer is chess the unique domain of the intellects or boxing the venue of the working class. Chessboxing erases the stigma and ensures a sporting good time for everyone.

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

By Chaim Katz

Two year old Canadian Anthony Popa Urria is the youngest Canadian ever admitted into Mensa, as well as one of the youngest members ever. Earlier this year, another toddler, Emmelyn Roettger, was granted Mensa membership just one month before her third birthday. She holds the honor of being the youngest American ever to join Mensa.

Young Anthony has a reported IQ of 154. He can count to 1,000, name all the planets in the solar system, and can recite the alphabet, both forwards and backwards. In addition to speaking English, the little lad also is fluent in Spanish and his spoken Romanian is not too bad. As early as four months, he was able to easily identify letters on flash cards that his parents showed him. His parents admit that, as an infant, he did display an extraordinary degree of curiosity.

Although genius is often hereditary, neither of the boy’s parents are members of Mensa. But, his mother does hold four college degrees, including a master’s degree in economics.

By Chaim Katz

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg appeared on Good Morning America on Tuesday to discuss the social media giant’s new partnership with Donate Life America.

USA Today reports that soon, Facebook’s 900 million members will have the option of sharing their donor status with their Facebook friends.

Currently almost 114,000 people are awaiting a lifesaving transplant according to Donate Life America’s Aisha Huertas Michel. Yet only about 43% of US adults are registered organ donors.

With just about everyone and their grandmother on Facebook these days, the partnership just makes sense.
“It’s absolutely critical at this time when online communication and social media are really the way people are communicating,” said the New York Organ Donor Network’s Julia Rivera in USA Today.

“This is great news. It has the potential to be one of the biggest campaigns to increase donor designation that we’ve ever seen,” added the Gift of Life Donor Program’s John Green.

Zuckerberg said the partnership was inspired by the role of social media in the aftermath of recent natural disasters and also by his girlfriend who is studying to become a pediatrician.

By Rachelle Underwood-Lowe

Richardson split from the once chart-topping boy band to pursue other interests almost 6 years ago. But on Sunday the band officially announced his impending return during a concert in London.

“I think we should let them in on the secret that we have” Nick Carter said. “ Since we love you guys so much, we are going to be back this year.”

“And Kevin is coming back,” Brian Littrell added.

Later the group took to their official Twitter account to let the rest of their fans in on the good news.
“Now everything is back to normal… welcome back Kevin Richardson,” they tweeted.

It is a happy time all around for the Backstreet Boys and their families. Fans were thrilled on Sunday when recently married Backstreet Boy AJ McLean and his new wife announced that they are expecting their first baby together.

By Rachelle Underwood-Lowe

Exactly 2 months later, Decker, now known affectionately throughout the country as “Tornado Mom”, took her first steps on her new prosthetic foot.

Decker told NBC that doctors originally thought it would be close to a year before the mom would walk again. But Decker’s determination and refusal to give up has paid off in a big way.

On Wednesday, Decker was fitted for the first of two prosthetic legs. She then practiced standing, walking, and turning on her new artificial right leg.

“I’ve been sitting in this chair for two months… so it’s a good anniversary to stand up, stretch, and be able to do something and not just be confined to a wheelchair,” Decker told NBC.

Decker took to her Facebook page to post a picture showing off her new prosthetic foot sporting a flashy black and pink Nike shoe.

“It’s been an amazing day for me today…Can you figure out why???” she posted.

By Rachelle Underwood-Lowe