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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Sep 9, 2015
September 9, 2015
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The President at play:
PRESIDENT OBAMA hosted Duke University's men's college basketball champs at the White House yesterday. Saying he has a lot in common with the Blue Devils, Mr. Obama joked, "I can relate to this program: does well in the classroom, won twice in the past four years, knows what it's like for people to oppose you no matter what you try to do."
He then said, "When I flip on ESPN and I see a documentary about how people still hate CHRISTIAN LAETTNER, a guy who played for Duke 23 years ago, I realize, well, maybe I don't have it so bad... Or maybe I think this is going to be a long 23 years." (Pacelli)What's the Buzz:
England's QUEEN ELIZABETH, who ascended the throne upon her father's death when she was just 25, will become Britain's longest-reigning monarch today. The Queen, who's now 89, will surpass the 63 years, seven months, two days, 16 hours and 23 minutes that her great-great-grandmother, QUEEN VICTORIA, spent on the throne.
Although she wasn't planning to mark the event publicly, she bowed to public pressure and will be taking a journey on a steam locomotive in Scotland to mark the opening of the longest domestic railway to be built in Britain for more than 100 years. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said she might even make a rare public speech afterwards.Setting a good example:
A North Carolina prison inmate is offering to help save the life of a judge who put him behind bars.
Superior Court Judge CARL FOX has blood cancer and needs a bone marrow donor, but hasn't found a match. Franklin Correctional Center inmate CHARLES ALSTON is serving a 25-year sentence for armed robbery. Alston reportedly sent a letter to Judge Fox that reads: "There is no hatred or animosity in my heart towards you … I know you are in need of a matching donor for bone marrow. I (am) willing to make the sacrifice if needed." No word on whether Judge Fox has accepted the offer or if Alston's marrow is even compatible with Fox's. (Still)Trendspotting:
Warning --note drug content:
"Cannabis bars" are a hot new wedding trend in Washington, Oregon and Colorado --states where marijuana is legal. This is according to a website called Leafly.com, which provides reviews of cannabis strains and medical marijuana. The website interviewed wedding planners about how they hosted a cannabis bar at a wedding held just last month in West Linn, Oregon.
The wedding planners say the outdoor wedding and reception was held in a wooded area, where they set up a "weed bar" in an area just off of the main reception area. They said the groom is a "master grower" in California and was very hands-on with planning, "picking out different cannabis strains and hand-blown pipes" for guests. They added that the groom also hired a "budtender." Just like a bartender, the budtender "oversaw the distribution of product and made sure guests were being safe." The bride and groom also had a separate open bar, and they provided transportation for guests who needed it. (Bartha)Grace notes from Vinny Marino:
BRUNO MARS will be the halftime performer at the Super Bowl for the second time, if he accepts the offer. The NFL says he's been asked to be the entertainment for the 50th big game, and has been named "curator" for the event. Bruno did it two years ago with RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS as special guests. Since he's curating this time, there could be more artists joining him on stage.
FYI: GLORIA ESTEFAN did the halftime show three times (1992, 95 & 99.) JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE did it twice (2001 & 2004) and so did NELLY (2001 & 2004.) No, we're not counting UP WITH PEOPLE. (Marino) -
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