Human skin cells under an ultraviolet light (flickr, GE Healthcare)

We’ve all had days where we feel a bit run down for whatever reason. A long day at work, not enough sleep, stress, kids, whatever. For people suffering from Mitochondrial disease, it’s a feeling they suffer through every day with consequences that can be life threatening.

Mitochondria are naturally present in our cells and are often referred to as the “cell’s powerhouse” combining oxygen from the air we breathe with calories from the food we eat to produce 90% of the energy our bodies need to sustain life. According to a fact sheet provided by the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, the illness results when there is a defect in the mitochondria that prevents them from doing their job. This results in cell death causing other parts of the body to pick up the slack. This can cause the brain to become impaired, vision to dim, and muscles (including the heart) may become too weak to function properly which can result in the life of the individual to change, become comprised, or in some cases, end altogether.

Mitochondrial disease can affect any organ in the body at any age and there are currently no known treatments or cures.

Over the years, the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation has awarded over $6 million in grants to the most promising researchers which has led to important discoveries such as the revelation of a direct cause and effect relationship between mitochondrial disease and many common age-related illnesses such as heart disease.

These donations are made possible by events throughout the country like the upcoming Energy for Life Walk at Burdette Park on May 5th. Visit our events calendar for more information on how you can participate along with contact information if you or someone you know has a business that would like to be involved as a sponsor.

A puppy mill is what responsible pet owners call the backyard breeders – the people who are looking to make a quick buck at the expense of the innocent lives that they “care for”. Often times these dogs are over-bred, forced to birth litter after litter, in less than desirable conditions. There is rarely any concern for the health of the mamma dog, or the quality of the pups being born. Inbreeding is not an uncommon practice for these “breeders.” Genetic abnormalities occur in the babies… all for the sake of turning a profit. When all of the pups can’t be sold, the remainder of the litters frequently find their way to our local animal shelters. If they are one of the lucky ones, they are adopted into loving homes. More often than not, the shelter is where they will live out their remaining days.

There is nothing humane about this practice. It is appalling that any human being could have so little regard for another living, breathing creature. The video below from the Humane Society of the United States, speaks volumes. What you will see is exactly what is taking place all over the United States, even right here in the Tri-State. Please take a look, and remember the next time you are thinking of adding a new member to your family: Don’t Shop! Adopt! And don’t forget to spay or neuter your pets!!

A few local places to look for your next adoption:

The Humane Society of Henderson County

Vanderburgh Humane Society

PAAWS No-Kill Animal Rescue

Warrick Humane Society

Bullie Nation Rescue

Another Chance For Animals

Gibson County Animal Services

It Takes A Village Canine Rescue

All of these locations have adoptable dogs and cats. Some even have small animals for adoption as well.

During the news today, Kat Mykals was filling us in about drama that went down at U.K.’s Brit Awards, which is sort of like the British version of the Grammy’s.  Adele won the premiere award for 21 as British Album of the Year.  Shortly into her acceptance speech, she was cut off abruptly by the host of the show, who apologized and quickly pitched it to the band Blur.  This led Adele to flip off the host of the show, which Adele admitted later was a message to the “suits,” not to the fans or the award.

Here is the video.  While I understand the pressure and stress the producers feel putting on a live show like this, I think it was in poor taste to cut Adele off so quickly.

When not riding his bicycle, Justin Bieber moonlights as an author. Justin Bieber Facebook.

What have YOU done lately?

While still legally a child, Justin Bieber has announced he is working on his SECOND book with HarperCollins.  He confirmed through his Twitter account that his next tome will be titled Justin Bieber: Justin Getting Started.

Justin’s first literary exploit, First Step 2 Forever: My Story, went on to sell more than a million copies.

I’m not sure when this video was shot, but I have found out is that it’s from a PBS show called In Performance at the White House. A show according to the PBS website has been filmed “since 1978 and spans every administration since President Carter’s. The series was created to showcase the rich fabric of American culture in the setting of the nation’s most famous home and has embraced virtually every genre of American performance: pop, country, gospel, jazz, blues, theatre and dance.”

During a recent performance from blues legend, B.B. King, the President accepted an impromptu invite to sing a few words from “Sweet Home Chicago”. As evident a few weeks ago, Obama isn’t afraid to break out into song every once in awhile.

Using the city of Bueno Ares, Brazil as the backdrop, Livschitz super-imposes video of roller coasters and their riders into the scene setting it up in a way that at times makes it appear the coasters are using the buildings as their tracks.

Be warned…this may blow your mind.

Buenos Aires – Inception Park from Black Sheep Films on Vimeo.

There are very few successful artists in the game that were BORN famous (with the exception of Blu Ivy in the future)! Most come from some very humble beginnings, and usually had to pay some very heavy dues before making it in the game. TRUST ME, I KNOW!

Here is the first installment of a new series I call “Before They Were Famous” where I find old footage of videos and interviews artist had done BEFORE all the hype and make-up! This installment is on Nicki Minaj, seen in the video on the streets of New York, trying NOT TO GET MUGGED!

WARNING****THIS VIDEO CONTAIN SOME EXPLICIT LYRICS****** So get your parent permission before you watch this.

Let me know -  What famous artist YOU would like to see BEFORE THEY WERE FAMOUS?

spudz_n_stuff_logo

Wanna win FREE LUNCH for 6 from Spud-N-Stuff delivered to you at your workplace on Wednesday @ Noon? Register your place of business here at 1061evansville.com/contests/office-of-the-week/ and we’ll draw one winner ever week! Just make sure Wednesday is NOT your day off cause you don’t wanna miss this!

Flickr/Infrogmation

The celebrations actually begin on January 6th, which is know as the Epiphany or Twelfth Night, and it wraps up today with Fat Tuesday.  Being the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent in the Catholic community, Fat Tuesday is a day known from the custom of indulging in sweets and meats before those things are given up for the 40 days of Lent.

Even the traditional Mardi Gras colors for masks, costumes, beads, etc… have special meaning. Purple represents Justice. Green represents Faith, and Gold represents Power. These colors are seen everywhere in New Orleans, and across the country during Mardi Gras. The colors even show up on the traditional King Cakes. A plastic baby is baked inside the cake, and whoever finds it in their piece of cake has to buy the next year’s King Cake or host the next year’s celebration, according to tradition.

Flickr/Loren Javier

If you’re like me, and you’ve never been, but you’ve always been fascinated with the whole spectacle that is Mardi Gras, you can actually watch a LIVE FEED from Bourbon Street in New Orleans. With TONIGHT being the BIG night, I bet there will be some crazyness caught on this camera!

To quote my good friend Greg, laissez le bon temps rouler! That’s French/Creole for “Let The Good Times Roll” Check out the Live Feed by clicking the photo that I snagged earlier today from EarthCam.com

BourbonStreetBeat/Captured by Kat Mykals at Earthcam.com

Some of you may recognize Melissa from our sister station 103 GBF where she has been a talent at for almost three years. She started working for us here at KISS last year and is doing an amazing job. One thing I was amazed by was her ability to rap. She sang “Super Bass” by Nicki Minaj and killed it. Check out her performance. I am also featured but I lip sync because I suck at singing.

Roc a Fella

I’ve been tellin’ ya for weeks…  THEY’RE BACK TOGETHER!!! (allegedly)

Over the weekend TWO new remixes emerged featuring both Rihanna and former flame and alleged batterer Chris Brown.  One was Chris Brown rapping over Rihanna super-sexy, yet super-profane, “Birthday Cake.”  The second being a version of Brown’s “Turn Up the Music” with Rihanna lending her vocals.

I have included the audio of the “Turn Up the Music” remix below.  If you want to hear the “Birthday Cake” remix, you’ll need to locate yourself.  It’s a little too naughty for my ears.

Thousands of families jammed into the Carson Center to experience the magic of Kids Day Fun Fest!  Kids got to play games, make crafts, climb walls, bounce in bounce houses, play mine golf, bowl, and even make real Mr. Potato Heads with Spudz-N-Stuff!  There was a magician, and fitness demonstrations, and much more.

Additionally, Kids Day Fun Fest was a free event for all involved!  We hope to see you at Kids Day Fun Fest 2013!  But until then, here are some pictures from this weekend’s event!  All photos courtesy Brian Jones, Triple B Photography.

You do it. I do it. Our kids are doing it – posting pictures online from our smartphones, but are we sharing more than just a funny photo? It seems that if you know what you’re looking for, you can pinpoint, on a map no less, the exact location where a photo was taken. That means that criminals and creepers can know exactly where you and your children, live, play, and even learn.

41 Action News out of Missouri, did a story explaining how it works, and how to set up your phone to protect the privacy and location of you and your loved ones. After checking my own smartphone, I learned that my settings were already set in a way to protect my photo locations.

Listen as the crowd goes nuts when Aiken pops out on stage.

I used to be a die hard Simpsons fan. I watched the syndicated episodes that ran at 6 or 6:30 each evening along with any new episode or repeat that aired on Sunday’s. Then I had kids (and at the time no DVR) and I realized The Simpsons wasn’t exactly the best entertainment for their young eyes and minds. I haven’t gone back since. These days I prefer Family Guy as my source for good toilet humor.

If you’re unaware of the gag, part of the theme song that kicks off each weeks episode features Bart staying after school to write a short phrase on the chalkboard as punishment for who-knows-what. The joke is that each week there is a different quote. The end of the song where the family gathers on the couch to watch TV is also different each week.

Before you check out the graphic below, know that there are not 500 quotes, but only 288 (that’s right “only”). A post it note along the side about midway down reveals the fact that the show often repeats quotes.

Some of my personal favorites are:

“I did not see the teacher applying for welfare”

“Five days is not too long to wait for a gun”

“I will not mock Mrs. Dumbface”

And, “Hillbillies are people too”

Via: cabletv.com

Beyonce Facebook

What do you think of VH1′s list?

Over the past week VH1 has been counting down the top 100 women in music.  Their top 10 seems pretty solid to me, what do you think?

10.) P!nk

9.) Mary J. Blige

8.) Christina Aguilera

7.) Janet Jackson

6.) Whitney Houston

5.) Adele

4.) Lady GaGa

3.) Beyonce

2.) Mariah Carey

1.) Madonna