Toddler ditches first day of preschool

Toddler ditches first day of preschool - Hours into his first day of preschool, a 3-year-old boy Alfie Aldridge apparently decided he wanted the day off, ditches his teachers and walk home. His mother, who happened to be there when he showed up, confronted the school. The tricky toddler ditched his teachers, scaled a 3-foot-tall wall, crossed a busy street, and eventually made it to his front door. When Alfie's mother, 27-year-old Samantha Aldridge, opened the door, she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"When I opened the door and saw Alfie standing there I didn't know what to think. Thankfully I was home. It makes me feel sick to think what could have happened."

When she confronted school officials on her son's break out, the staff had no clue the toddler went missing. According to the Surrey Commet, Alridge said that she had only done the walk with Alfie twice, and that while the incident proves his cleverness, she was still "hysterical" when he knocked on the door. Despite an apology from the head teacher and the promise of a full investigation, the mother of four intends to send the toddler to a different school after she inspects their security precautions.

"I was shocked that he was there. I was happy and relieved that he was OK, but I was also angry and upset that staff at the nursery had let this happen.," she said. "It's a terrible thing for a mother to go through."

Samantha went on to say that people put their trust in the preschool to look after their children, but it didn't happen in this case. Eileen Bone, head teacher at Knoll Mead Primary said,

"The school would like to apologise for the incident and assure parents measures we have taken will ensure their children can enjoy their education in the safe and protective environment that they rightly expect."

Giuliana Rancic: I Have Breast Cancer at 37

Giuliana Rancic: I Have Breast Cancer at 37 - The E! News host Giuliana Rancic has announced, "I have breast cancer at 37."

Giuliana Rancic had an announcement to make during a Monday morning appearance on The Today Show -- but it wasn't the one she or anyone wanted or expected.

Instead of a happy pregnancy announcement, Rancic, 37, told Ann Curry: "I have early stage breast cancer." The E! News host and Giuliana and Bill star made the frightening discovery back in August, as she was preparing for her third attempt to get pregnant through in vitro fertilization.

Rancic explained that her doctor sternly insisted that she get a mammogram before going through with the third IVF treatment. (The pregnancy hormones could "accelerate the cancer," Rancic recalled her doctor as saying.)

The star, who said she has no family history of breast cancer,

"wasn't prepared to get a mammogram until i was 40 years old," she admitted. "I never in my wildest dreams expected anything to be wrong."

When the hospital called a few days later to tell her the shocking news, Rancic admits she was immediately

"sobbing...It was like the world just crashed around me."

But a visibly emotional Rancic assured fans,

"I will be okay, because I found it early. I'm doing surgery this coming week, and then I go to radiation for six and a half weeks."

At her side throughout the ordeal is husband Bill Rancic, 40.

"Bill is unbelievable," Rancic gushed. "He lets me cry when I want to cry. He just lets me feel what I want to feel."

And the spouses of four years are determined to continue in their attempts to conceive once Giuliana's medical isseus are resolved.

"I'm not gonna give up," she said. When she does get pregnant, "That baby will have saved my life," she mused. "There's some master plan. Now I know that [God] was looking out for me."

She urged all women to get tested for breast cancer.

"I think a lot of us think we're invincible," she said. "We have to start putting ourselves on the to do list."

source: yahoo

Olive Garden says no to US flag

Olive Garden says no to US flag - An Olive Garden restaurant in Alabama says no to hang a U.S. flag outside its establishment. Olive Garden is coming under fire for rejecting a request to hang a U.S. flag and has apologized for the incident.

The Kiwanis Club planned a banquet in an Olive Garden restaurant located in Alabama in the City of Oxford. 80 year old Kiwanis club member Marti Warren was outraged by the restaurant chain's policy and said she felt like she had been slapped in the face because she was not allowed to display the U.S. flag in the restaurant.

The restaurant agreed, but it wasn't until the night of the banquet Warren learned that she would not be allowed to bring the American flag inside the building. That slap came one hour before the Golden K Kiwanis club's awards banquet the restaurant manager told Warren she couldn't bring in their banner or even an American flag. Warren said,

"I said having known this earlier you can bet we never would have eaten here. And I said if we had time we would have gone to McDonald's because we know they are American all the way through,"

Warren added, "This is not my country. This is not my country I grew up with." "I was so angry. I felt like I had been slapped in the face."

Olive Garden's parent company Darden restaurants gave this statement:

"Like all Americans we have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for the American flag and everything it symbolizes. In fact, we periodically provide American flag collar pins to our employees to wear while serving our guests. We understand and appreciate the way some people have reacted to the situation in Oxford and we're very sorry if this decision has caused them any concern. The Oxford Olive Garden does not have a private dining area. To be fair to everyone and avoid disrupting the dining experience for all other guests, they're unable to accommodate flags or banners of any type in the dining room."

But Warren says that's not what they told her. In fact she says they told her she'd be in banquet room three. And as for being in the way, they were seated in the back by the kitchen.

"I resent that. I do resent that. I'm about truthfulness and that's not truthful," said Warren. 

 And now she's isn't sitting back quietly. Warren said,

"Word of mouth is powerful and if people find this out and decide not to patronage these places and it will hurt them in their pocket."

Olive Garden later has issued this apology:

“We are very sorry for any misunderstanding about this issue. We do not have a policy at Olive Garden concerning bringing the American flag into our restaurants. Some members of our team were misinformed about company policy by our corporate office. As a company we take responsibility for that and we regret it. We take pride in how we communicate to our restaurants and we are correcting this so it doesn’t happen again. Like all Americans we have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for the American flag and everything it symbolizes, and we welcome anyone who wishes to bring the flag into our restaurants. In fact, we periodically provide American flag collar pins to our employees to wear while serving guests.”

The American flag may not have been present at that Kiwanis club meeting, but that didn't stop Warren or the others from saying the pledge. Warren told the club to close their eyes, picture the flag waiving in the wind, and they did just that.

Victoria's Secret performers revealed

Victoria's Secret performers revealed - Performers for the next Victoria's Secret Fashion Show have been revealed. Maroon 5 and Kanye West will be the featured performers at this year's Victoria Secret Fashion Show.

The runway lingerie preview, which will air Nov. 29 on CBS, will feature the Victoria's Secret angels, including Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Miranda Kerr, Doutzen Kroes, Erin Heatherton, Candice Swanepoel, Lily Aldridge and Lindsey Elligson, according to a press release.

Each year, the runway show features models wearing delicate and intricately detailed angel wings with decorated Victoria's Secret pieces, as well as the "Fantasy Bra." The featured bras in the past have included one bra, thong and garter set made out of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and yellow sapphires valued at $4.5 million and one made out of 3,000 diamonds and 18-karat gold worth $2 million.

Last year's featured performers were Katy Perry and Akon.

Laziest City holds Sedentary Parade

Laziest City holds Sedentary Parade - When Lexington was named the "Laziest City in America" this summer, the group "get Healthy Lexington" sprang into action and holds "Sedentary Parade" to poke fun at the title.

"Sometimes it's important to take our work seriously, but not ourselves," says Mayor Jim Gray. "It's important to poke fun at ourselves in order to make improvements."

Lexington laziest city. Tim Francis created a moving sofa, designed with everything you could find in an ordinary living room.

"I built this a couple of years ago to be in parades, and I thought this is the perfect parade for this couch," says Tim. Lexington laziest city,

Lexington sedentary parade poke fun at title. The sofa was the centerpiece of a humorous response to Lexington's reputation for being lazy.

"Lexington may not be the healthiest, but we know we're not the most sedentary or unhealthiest either," says Gray. lexington sedentary parade poke fun at title,

But we do still have some problems.

"We're number two in the nation for tooth loss, number three in the nation for child obesity and number 4 in the nation for overall obesity," says Kathleen Martin, who organized the parade. lexington "sedentary parade" "day of physical activity", lexington sedentary parade,

After the parade, Lexington got serious about getting active. The parade kicked off what's actually the 4th annual Second Sunday. 100 of 120 Kentucky counties took part in physical activities Sunday, organized by "Get Healthy Kentucky."

The University of Kentucky Hospital believes Men's Health Magazine, who ranked Lexington most sedentary, was working off inaccurate numbers. They plan on debunking the ranking.

Famous vegetarians and vegans

Famous vegetarians and vegans - In honor of World Vegetarian Day, let's take a look at the most notable famous celebrities who stick to a vegetarian or vegan diet. We are giving you Hollywood's recently named the sexiest vegetarians of 2011.

Famous vegetarian #1 - Pamela Anderson This famous actress has taken part in some notorious campaigns for PETA, including this one, which was banned in her native country. She is now a vegan. pamela anderson her father cleaning an animal that he had hunted.

Famous vegetarian #2 - Christian Bale This former teen star lost a tremendous amount of weight for "The Machinist" and his recent Oscar-winning role. His animal-rights activist father helped inspired him to help animals.

Famous vegetarian #3 - Kristen Bell Former "Veronica Mars" star Kristen Bell owns a Labrador retriever that was rescued from this famous disaster. What was she named in 2007? kristen bell became vegetarian at age 11.

Famous vegetarian #4 - Russell Brand This comedian and actor from this country was named sexiest male vegetarian of 2011. Although he's since settled down, he attracted notoriety in his home country for various "cheeky" acts.

Famous vegetarian #5 - Jim Carrey This actor got his big break playing an animal lover in this movie, and he stays in shape off-screen with a meat-free diet.

Famous vegetarian #6 - Chelsea Clinton The former first daughter is a full-fledged vegan. Her July 2010 wedding was notable for being mostly vegan, including a vegan wedding cake.

Famous vegetarian #7 - Ellen DeGeneres The beloved talk show host sticks to a completely vegan diet as part of her commitment to animal welfare. She and her actress wife served only vegan dishes at their 2008 wedding.

Famous vegetarian #8 - Anne Hathaway This famous actress was voted one of the world's 50 most beautiful people in 2006 by this magazine. Hathaway was a lapsed vegetarian until she broke up with her boyfriend, and she credits her diet with cutting down her stress.

Famous vegetarian #9 - Tobey Maguire This actor, who is famous for playing a comic book superhero, has been a vegetarian since 1992 and a vegan since 2009.

Famous vegetarian #10 - Chris Martin The British rocker sticks to a vegetarian diet, even though his actress wife consumes meat. PETA's sexiest vegetarian in 2005 made headlines when he bought her a vegan birthday cake from this singer's New York cafe.

Famous vegetarian #11 - Paul McCartney Beatles singer/songwriter Paul McCartney became a vegetarian in 1967 after meeting his first wife, who died in 1998. McCartney and his designer daughter came up with this ingenious method of encouraging people to cut their meat consumption.

Famous vegetarian #12 - Alyssa Milano This actress was voted world's sexiest vegetarian in 2008 and has appeared in a campaign for PETA wearing a dress made of vegetables. Milano has said that she craved a certain vegetableduring her pregnancy. "I turned vegetarian after 9-11."

Famous vegetarian #13 - Kelly Osbourne This famous Brit's commitment to live a healthier lifestyle had her shedding the pounds over the past couple of years. As a vegetarian, Osbourne also helped out this '60s rocker and his fashion-designer daughter with their "Meat-free Mondays" campaign. Osbourne said, “I smell like a vegetarian I am sweating the smell of vegetables."

Famous vegetarian #14 - Hayden Panettiere An outspoken animal activist, the young Hollywood actress does not let her vegetarianism stop her from enjoying Italian food. Her latest honor? Hayden Panettiere I adore pizza I’m a complete vegetarian, though, so no toppings with meat or fish for me.

Famous vegetarian #15 - Kal Penn Though this actor and sometime White House staffer is best known for a quest to eat hamburgers in this movie series, he sticks to a vegetarian dietin real life. Kal Penn food technicians make some really good veggie burgers that looked like meat.

Famous vegetarian #16 - Brad Pitt This leading man is one of the world's most famous vegetarians. Find out why his significant other recently gave up her restrictive diet.

Famous vegetarian #17 - Natalie Portman This award-winning actress and new mom has stuck to a meat-free diet since childhood and took the leap into veganism after reading this book "Eating Animals" by Jonathan Safran Foer

Famous vegetarian #18 - Sarah Silverman Comedienne, actress and author Sarah Silverman has been a vegetarian since she was 10. She proclaimed her support of the "Healthy School Meals Act of 2010" so that kids in schools could have healthy, vegetarian meal options.

Famous vegetarian #19 - Shania Twain Country superstar Shania Twain has been a vegetarian for 18 years and enjoys vegetarian cooking. Twain is also a fan of eating "raw" foods.

Famous vegetarian #20 - Forest Whitaker Last year, this critically acclaimed actor showed off his dramatic weight loss on the Oscars red carpet. Whitaker credits his healthier body to a vegetarian diet and exercise.

Famous vegetarian #21 - Kristen Wiig This female comedienne was named sexiest female vegetarian of 2011 by PETA. Although she is a vegetarian, her love of this candy prevents her from becoming a vegan.

Famous vegetarian #22 - Olivia Wilde The Irish-American actress won the "Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity of 2010" award given out by PETA.

Famous vegetarian #23 - Weird Al Yankovic After reading a book in 1992, the parody songwriter was inspired to become a vegan.

Top Famous Smiles

Top Famous Smiles - Today is World Smile Day and we celebrate this by showcasing top famous smiles, well-known goofy grins, quirky smirks and pearly whites. Can you guess which beaming faces they belong to?

Top Famous Smile #1 - A world-famous soccer star. The clues: He began his career with Manchester United before moving on to a Spanish club, an American team and – oh yeah – marrying a Spice Girl.
Who's flashing this smile? David Beckham

Top Famous Smile #2 - A mom-to-be, "Halo" singer. The clues: She shocked the music world when she revealed her "baby bump" at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Who's flashing this smile? Beyonce

Top Famous Smile #3 - A gaffe-prone politician, Vice president of the United States. The clues: He was born in Scranton, Penn., then moved one state over, where he later served as a United States senator.

Who's flashing this smile? Joe Biden

Top Famous Smile #4 - A teen pop sensation, "Never Say Never" star. The clues: The 17-year-old "Baby" singer gave his famous girlfriend a romantic surprise.

Who's flashing this smile?

Top Famous Smile #5 - A supermodel mom, Brazilian Supermodel. The clues: She's strutted for Victoria's Secret, married a top NFL quarterback and gave birth to a baby boy in 2009.
Who's flashing this smile? Gisele Bundchen

Top Famous Smile #6 - An NFL wideout, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver. The clues: He was drafted last year by "America's Team" as the No. 24 overall pick in the NFL. He's a top wide receiver in the league.
Who's flashing this smile? Dez Bryant

Top Famous Smile #7 - A presidential candidate, Presidential candidate minister. The clues: The minister, commentator, math major and former pizza-chain CEO surprised many with his recent straw poll win.
Who's flashing this smile? Herman Cain

Top Famous Smile #8 - A Home Run Derby winner, 2011 Home Run Derby winner. The clues: The Dominican baseball player was drafted by a legendary team in 2005 and is known as one of its best postseason players today.
Who's flashing this smile? Alberto Callaspo

Top Famous Smile #9 - A longtime bachelor, "Ides of March" Clooney. The clues: The former TV star and Oscar winner – who makes his home in an Italian villa – has been spotted with a new lady friend on his arm.
Who's flashing this smile? George Clooney

Top Famous Smile #10 - Acquitted of murder in Italy. The clues: The Seattle native was studying abroad when her roommate was sexually assaulted, murdered and left for dead. Her conviction was overturned this week after four years in jail.
Who's flashing this smile? Amanda Knox

Top Famous Smile #11 - A late-night funny man, "The Late Show" host. The clues: The native Indianan has endured hosting feuds, a troubled stalker and even a sex scandal during his decades-long television career.
Who's flashing this smile? David Letterman

Top Famous Smile #12 - A music icon, "Like a Virgin" singer. The clues: Her nearly 30-year-long music career has included brief forays into acting, directing and now a fashion line with her daughter.
Who's flashing this smile? Madonna

Top Famous Smile #13 - A sidelined quarterback, Indianapolis Colts quarterback. The clues: He comes from a legendary football family and won a Super Bowl ring, but now finds himself in an unexpected role due to an injury.
Who's flashing this smile? Peyton Manning

Top Famous Smile #14 - A 'Dancing' star, Dancing With the Stars war veteran. The clues: The war veteran, who sustained severe burns during a tour of Iraq, is now a reality TV and soap opera star who is blowing away judges with his dancing skills on "Dancing With the Stars."
Who's flashing this smile? J.R. Martinez

Top Famous Smile #15 - A history-making first lady, First lady of the United States. The clues: The Princeton alumna didn't meet her future husband until they worked at the same law firm despite attending the same Ivy League law school.
Who's flashing this smile? Michelle Obama

Top Famous Smile #16 - A young Oscar winner, Sookie on True Blood. The clues: This star of a sexy, gory and popular HBO series -- who married her co-star last year – first became famous at the tender age of 11 when she won an Academy Award. Watch her acceptance speech.
Who's flashing this smile? Anna Paquin

Top Famous Smile #17 - Top-ranked male tennis player, Armani underwear model tennis player. The clues: He's currently the No. 2-ranked male tennis player in the world, behind a Serbian player. This tennis player has also added underwear model to his list of accomplishments.
Who's flashing this smile? Rafael Nadal

Top Famous Smile #18 - A royal newlywed, Duke of Cambridge. The clues: The 29-year-old prince was one of the world's most eligible bachelors until he married a commoner in an extravagant ceremony earlier this year.
Who's flashing this smile? Prince William

Top Famous Smile #19 - A former secretary of state, Former secretary of state Stanford professor. The clues: The classically trained pianist made history as the first female African-American secretary of state. Watch her swearing-in ceremony.
Who's flashing this smile? Condoleezza Rice

Top Famous Smile #20 - An Oscar-winning A-lister, "Pretty Woman" actress. The clues: The auburn-haired leading lady – known for her infectious laugh – was nominated twice before finally winning an Academy Award for this 2000 movie.
Who's flashing this smile? Julia Roberts

Top Famous Smile #21 - A Super Bowl-winning QB, Green Bay Packers quarterback. The clues: He's one of the highest-rated quarterbacks in the NFL. Before winning the Super Bowl in February, he had backed up another QB great.
Who's flashing this smile? Aaron Rodgers

Top Famous Smile #22 - An NFL QB, New York Jets quarterback. The clues: He was drafted by the NFL in 2009 as the No. 5 overall pick from a California football powerhouse.
Who's flashing this smile? Mark Sanchez

Top Famous Smile #23 - A Wimbledon champ, Women's three-time Grand Slam winner. The clues: The three-time Grand Slam winner is famous for her vocal playing style as well as her fashionable on-court attire. Who's flashing this smile? Maria Sharapova

Top Famous Smile #24 - A 'Dancing' goalie, 2011 Women's World Cup. The clues: She helped the U.S. women's team get into the final match of the 2011 World Cup before joining Season 13 of "Dancing With the Stars."
Who's flashing this smile? Hope Solo

Top Famous Smile #25 - A world-famous astrophysicist, Director of Hayden Planetarium. The clues: He's the director of a world-renowned New York City planetarium, host of a PBS series and a radio show and will soon take on a reboot of a late astronomer's popular TV series.
Who's flashing this smile? Neil Degrasse Tyson

Top Famous Smile #26 - A first-time Senate candidate, Harvard law professor Senate candidate. The clues: Before running for Senate, the Harvard law professor chaired the Congressional Oversight Panel and helped implement a brand-new government bureau.
Who's flashing this smile? Elizabeth Warren

Top Famous Smile #27 - A famous golfer, Four-time Masters winner Elin. The clues: The four-time Masters champion hasn't won a tournament since his infidelity scandal broke in 2009.
Who's flashing this smile? Tiger Woods

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