Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

The White House:

Today marks the one-year anniversary of PRESIDENT OBAMA signing a $787-billion-dollar federal stimulus package. The White House has scheduled an all-out public relations push to back its claim that the package saved and/or created thousands of jobs.
   Different administration officials will fan out to events across the country today and for the rest of the week, hitting a total of 35 communities for meetings and events with governors, mayors and members of Congress touting the benefits of the spending.
   The president will mark the anniversary with a White House event featuring people from across the country who benefitted from the stimulus bill. (Pacelli)

Saving the planet:

Church leaders in the U-K want people to give up their iPods for Lent, which starts today (Wednesday).
   According to Reuters, Bishops RICHARD CHARTRES and JAMES JONES are calling for a 'carbon fast' to help save the planet. They want Christians to stop using all electronic devices instead of giving up chocolate or other treats.
   The two bishops are also suggesting flushing the toilet less often to save water and using candlelight instead of electricity.
   Editor's note: Okay, but I draw the line at commuting to work on a camel. (Still)

Filling a need:

Maybe it's those commercials with sexy references, but today more men now lather up with body wash than soap.
   Body wash outsold bar soap for the first time ever last year, and Advertising Age reports that men are responsible.
   It should come as no surprise that new body washes for men dominate the shelves: What you use in the shower is a $1.5-billion-dollar business.
   Editor's note: But what you do in the shower is not my business unless you're wanna put it on the web. (Maiman)

On, off and way-off Broadway:

Two former "American Idol" finalists are joining the Broadway cast of the musical "Hair." Playbill.com says ACE YOUNG will play the tribe leader Berger, while DIANA DeGARMO takes over the role of Sheila. They both put on the tie-dye and love beads beginning March 9th. (Marino)

Lowering expectations:

A theme park in England has started offering dried insects to visitors as snacks. Yum! There's good eatin'!
   The Daily Telegraph says Chessington World of Adventures is handing out chocolate covered larvae, cheese and bacon flavored crickets and chocolate ant wafers.
   General Manager DAVID SMITH says the insects --which are 100-percent real --will be given out free at first. He says, "I have tried the sample snacks and I think if you can exercise mind over matter you will find that they are actually quite tasty."
   If all goes well, they plan to start charging money for the bug-treats next month. (Still)

Culture Shock:

Reuters reports that U-S Olympic Men's Hockey Team goalie JONATHAN QUICK of the Los Angeles Kings has been told to remove the slogan "Support Our Troops" from his protective helmet. Seems that slogan violates Olympic rules on "political propaganda."
   Another U-S goalie --RYAN MILLER of the Buffalo Sabres-- has been told to cover-up the slogan "Miller Time" from his helmet, because it's an advertisement. And the third American netminder --TIM THOMAS of the Boston Bruins-- has already placed a sticker over a slogan on his mask. (Pacelli)