By Sarah Masker
Elm Staff Writer
1.) It’s flu season again, and medical company Johnson & Johnson has recalled 9 million bottles of Tylenol, raising the total number of bottles recalled in the past year to 209 million. Trace amounts of alcohol appear in the flavoring, and while the back of the label mentions the presence of less than 1 percent, the information does not appear on the front of the bottle. Msnbc.com
2.) What would you pay for a bottle of tequila? The Mexican distiller Hacienda La Capilla already holds the Guinness record for the world’s most expensive bottle of tequila, which sold for $225,000 in 1996. Today, the company hopes to sell a 1.3 liter bottle of seven year old tequila for $3.5 million. The bottle, made of ceramic and encased in 5 pounds of platinum and 4,000 diamonds, certainly won’t be earning any bids from thirsty college students. Msnbc.com
3.) Four-year-old Jack Szablewski was expelled from his Catholic pre-K school when his parents missed the deadline to cut his hair to the school-approved length. Jack, who had never experienced more than a trim in his life, sat calmly while 12 inches of his trademark hairstyle were cut off. The hair will be donated to make a wig for cancer patients, but even though his hair now complies with school regulations, Jack will not be returning to St. Dominic’s. Msnbc.com
4.) It seems like every year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates obscure films that have mainly appealed to older audiences. This year, in an attempt to bring in younger viewers, Anne Hathaway and James Franco will be hosting the 83rd Academy Awards. In the words of the Academy, the two actors “personify the next generation of Hollywood icons – fresh, exciting, and multi-talented.” Nytimes.com
5.) The days of going to the mall for a picture with Santa are coming to an end. This year, simply fly Southwest Airlines at one of 26 airport locations for an opportunity to personally request your wish list. The “Holiday Photos on the Fly” program is intended to promote Microsoft’s Windows Live, which must be used to edit, print, and share the pictures. Not a fan of Santa? Technologically challenged? Simply choose a winter backdrop or ask a “Windows Live elf” for assistance. Nytimes.com
6.) Forget Four Loko—just grab some alcoholic whipped cream. Or, if you want the energy without the alcohol, snack on some caffeinated popcorn, just another weird food item to make the news lately. Just one bag of the all-natural caffeine-infused popcorn BioFUEL has as much caffeine as a strong cup of coffee. Starting in April, the popcorn will be available for purchase domestically and internationally. Until then, coffee, soda, and energy drinks will just have to do. Aolnews.com
7.) Colleges offer clubs of all sorts—and at the University of Maryland, a group of students have founded what very well could be the nation’s first collegiate competitive eating club. Keith Solomon, founder and president of the club, said, “The University of Maryland motto is ‘Fear the Turtle. Our motto is ‘Feed the Turtle.’” College students, infamous for their insatiable appetites, seem to have finally found an excuse to eat their fill. Aolnews.com
8.) Don’t like an iPhone app? Sign a petition to have it removed. After more than 7,000 people signed an online petition opposing Manhattan Declaration, a “call for Christian Conscience” that denounced gay marriage, Apple removed the app from its App Store. Apple has released a statement saying, “We removed the Manhattan Declaration app from the App Store because it violates our developer guidelines by being offensive to large groups of people.” Concerns have been voiced as to how the controversial app was even approved by Apple in the first place. Abcnews.com
9.) Hitting the president seems like a very dangerous thing to do. For President Barack Obama and friend Rey Decerega, a simple game of morning basketball turned into a cut lip and 12 stitches. Decerega, an employee at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, said, “I learned today the president is both a tough competitor and a good sport.” After being given a local anesthetic, the president received stitches of a smaller filament than the regular sort, which will result in a smaller scar. Abcnews.com
10.) Celebration, FL, sounds like such a happy place. The community, planned and developed by Disney in the early 1990’s, however, is not without crime. Police are currently investigating the community’s first ever murder case. It’s a small, quiet town where everyone knows everyone, and residents hope their very own villain is not lurking in the shadows. Cbsnews.com