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June 2007
Did you buy an iPhone?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Were you among those purchasing the new iPhone this weekend? Tell us about your experience with the hot new gadget.
Test drive: Your iPhone review
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is it indeed “off the chain’?
The new iPhone is going on sale at 6 p.m. Friday. If you are making a purchase Friday night or over the weekend, we’d like your review.
Please return here after you use your phone and tell us whether the iPhone lives up to the hype.
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Summertime and the reading is easy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Summer reading brings a certain kind of bliss you can’t find other times of year. As Kirsten Tagami points out, there are a few key ingredientsthat are similar, but everyone has a special summer reading memory.
What about you? What are you reading this summer? Do you have a favorite summer book memory?
Is drought bringing animals out?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The drought may be responsible for bringing more critters into populated areas.
Have you seen any animals that you don’t normally see in your area?
Deep thoughts on BET
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Big stars, big voices, big hair and big girls were poppin’ at this year’s BET Awards. While we are never quite sure what might hit the stage during any awards show, I’m happy to say that this year’s broadcast was pretty good — despite some questionable moments.
THE GOOD
—Jennifer Holliday put her dukes down long enough to perform her “Dreamgirls” claim to fame, “And I’m Telling You,” with Jennifer Hudson (though we still can’t account for Holliday’s facial contortions or Hudson’s dress).
—Mo’Nique showed out! Whether you appreciate big girls or not, her glam squad’s intro performance could give Beyonce a run for her money any day.
—Speaking of … I was a bit worried when Beyonce emerged in her “Star Wars”-style gear. But as usual, she shed the extra layers and showed us why being nick-named “bouncey” is a compliment.
THE BAD
—Someone please, please tell Snoop Dogg he is too old for plaits and barettes!
—I really need Lil Kim to take a moment and pull it together. Could anyone even understand her?
—I suspect that not enough artists felt (or even heard) Diana Ross’s plea for a bit more class in the music industry.
WHAT THE?
—For those who didn’t catch it, 50 Cent (who is cut enough for his next endorsement deal to be with LA Fitness) gave a shout-out to endorser Vitamin Water after his performance.
—After watching Atlantan Ciara’s outstanding, high-energy performance, I had the strange urge to download Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation.” Could it be the boots, the pants, the dance moves?
—Yes, that was Erykah Badu dwarfed under the massive blowout that could end up in the Guinness World Records Book. But she rocks it like nobody else can.
Paris out of jail
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After a bizarre few weeks in the slammer, Paris Hilton has been released.
What happens next to the heiress? Do you think she’ll fly the straight and narrow or will she be unable to stay out of trouble until March 2009?
Pro wrestling shocked by deaths
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The death of pro wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife, Nancy, and their young son has shocked wrestling fans.
Are you a pro wrestling fan? What is your response?
Personal trainers for children?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Figures from sports club associations indicate that nearly a million American youngsters, some as young as 6, rely on personal trainers to shape up, lose weight or improve in sports.
And parents are shelling out the $40 to $60 an hour that trainers generally charge.
Huh? Shouldn’t kids just run outside to play?
Pit bulls
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A Roswell woman’s mauling by a pit bull as she walked in her neighborhood is likely to rekindle the debate over whether it’s safe to keep the controversial breed as a pet. What do you think?
What happened to R&R?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Aren’t the summer months supposed to be relaxing? As staff writer Faith Dawson points out, that simply isn’t the case for most folks.
In fact, with kids out of school, the summer months can increase your stress level. Her article offers some solutions.
What about you? Do you find these days more stressful? What do you do to stem the tide?
10 Commandments of driving
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Vatican has issued a “Ten Commandments” for drivers, including “thou shalt nots” such as don’t kill anybody with your car. Do you have any good ideas that might make motoring more of a heavenly experience? Give us your suggestions.
People mag’s ‘Hottest’ list: Who’s MIA?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
People magazine names Matthew McConaughey its “bachelor of the year” in its “Hottest Bachelors” issue. Check out the list and tell us who you think should be on there.
2nd whale shark dies at Georgia Aquarium
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First Ralph, now Norton.
The death of a second whale shark at the Georgia Aquarium once again raises the controversial issue of whether the world’s largest fish should be kept in captivity.
Share your thoughts.
The best albums of ‘07
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’re nearly halfway through 2007, there are already plenty of candidates for those year-end Top 10 music lists everyone compiles. (Click here to read about AJC music writers’ picks for the best albums of the first half of the year.)
What are your favorite CDs of ‘07 thus far? What CD releases are you looking forward to?
Vikki Locke resigns from Star 94
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After a successful 17-year run at Star 94, “Steve and Vikki in the Morning” co-host Vikki Locke turned in her resignation Tuesday.
When contacted by Buzz, Locke cited ongoing health concerns as the reason behind her decision. As Buzz readers will recall, Locke was hospitalized last year after doctors detected a blood clot that had traveled from her arm to her shoulder. Despite weekly tests and monitoring, Locke’s doctors have been unable to completely dissolve the clot or diagnose its origin.
“My husband [Atlanta businessman Michael Hughes] and I have discussed it at length and as he has told me, ‘Your health is really the most important thing,’ ” Locke said. “I haven’t been sleeping and my schedule has been ultra-busy, which is just the nature of the beast in this business. I’m not blaming anyone but me for that. I just decided that I can’t do this anymore.”
Locke said that she told McCoy, her long-time on-air partner, about her decision first.
Said Locke: “He’s been very supportive throughout. He wants the best for me.”
Locke’s contract with Star 94 runs through December.
“We’re certainly saddened,” said Star 94 general manager Mark Kanov. “Steve and Vikki are in the top one percent of the top morning shows in this country. I couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve accomplished.” Kanov said that Locke will remain on air through the end of her contract.
Added Kanov: “We’ll have to decide on January 1 what course mornings will take at Star 94.”
McCoy and Locke first teamed at Atlanta’s old Power 99 in 1989 when she was the station’s self-described “news chick.” Aside from concentrating on her health, Locke says she has no immediate plans beyond Star 94.
Cracked Locke: “It hasn’t really sunk in yet. The thought of unemployment is a little scary.”
Cure for hiccups
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A case of the endless hiccups is a rare medical condition, but everybody gets them from time to time. And everyone seems to have a sure-fire method for getting rid of them. What’s yours?
Genarlow Wilson case
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A judge has ruled that Genarlow Wilson should be released from prison, where he is serving a 10-year sentence for having consensual oral sex with a 15-year-old girl. What do you think of the judge’s ruling?
So what happened to the Sopranos?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Things were just slightly unclear Sunday night on the last episode of the TV show “The Sopranos.”
What’s your take on the ending? What really happened?
Do you feel robbed?
Why does etiquette get trashed with e-mail?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Why do people think it’s OK to send you their so-called humor, which is really about as funny as gum disease?
Who appointed these knuckleheads the keepers of good taste and wisdom, as they send their political whines and religious dissertations as fresh and clever as a pet rock?
And where do they get off addressing you by your first name? If they knew you at all, they wouldn’t be sending you this junk.
AJC staff writer John Blake talks to metro Atlantans about some of their worst e-moments in his story about e-mail excesses.
How about you? What bugs you the most about empty-headed e-mailers? How do you stop ‘em?
Are you a recovering e-mail abuser? What made you finally see the light?
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Isaiah Washington and other disruptions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Isaiah Washington has been booted off “Grey’s Anatomy,” five months after creating a stink for his use of an anti-gay slur. (Read the full story here.)
What about other disruptive personalities on the set or in the workplace? We thought about Shannon Dougherty and her days on “90120.”
Who are some other famous malcontents?
You pick the pardon: Paris or Scooter?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If there were only one pardon available, who would you give it to…Paris Hilton or Scooter Libby?
Feel free to explain the reason for your choice.
Celebrity justice?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Paris Hilton has been released from jail. Read the full story here.
Is this a case of celebrity justice?
Bar code: Pub-hopping 101
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What’s a pub crawl? We wandered around metro Atlanta neighborhoods to create a few bar hops of our own (click here to read the story). What’s your itinerary for the perfect pub crawl? What are your favorite spots to grab a beer or drink (alcoholic or otherwise) and walk it off?
How to protect trees
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How much should government step in to keep trees from being cut?
In Atlanta, the City Council approved an amendment Monday limiting the number of people who can challenge a homeowner’s request to remove a tree.
In Decatur, city officials are moving in another direction. The city is preparing to expand the reach of its 17-year-old tree ordinance, to protect trees that are threatened by home expansions and include neighbors in discussions about tree removals near property lines.
The approach taken in Sandy Springs was to count trees by the extent of the leaf canopy, rather than by the number or size of trunks per acre. Arborists say that could encourage preservation of shade trees. Many residents, though, say the ordinance isn’t tough enough.
What approach is best?
Which candidates said it best?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Which GOP presidential candidates did the best in the New Hampshire debate on Tuesday night?
Did you change any of your opinions as a result of this debate?
Diana crash photos: insensitive or appropriate?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Princess Diana’s sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, call a British TV channel’s decision to air photos taken immediately after their mother’s fatal car crash a “gross disrespect” to her memory. Is the decision inappropriate, or should the channel respect the royals’ wishes?
House of Payne
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“House of Payne” premieres Wednesday night on TBS. Tyler Perry’s popular Medea character will make a guest appearance, but she’s not part of the new show.
Will you watch the show without Medea?
It’s not easy being a father!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dads, here is your chance to share your bit of wisdom about fatherhood. What’s the best advice you can give to those men who are new to fatherhood or are about to become dads? And what would you say to those fathers who are trying to become more meaningful to their children?
What’s the best advice Dad ever gave?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Father’s Day (June 17) is just around the corner, and we’d like to hear the best advice your dad or an important father figure ever gave you. Was it truly a case of “father knows best”? Did it help you avoid major pitfalls, or bounce back from life’s disappointments? Do you still live by those words of wisdom?
