THE MIDWEST IS HUNKERING DOWN FOR A POTENTIALLY DESTRUCTIVE WINTER STORM. THE PLAINS AND MIDWEST WILL BE HIT WITH HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS. TRAVEL WILL BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE IN SEVERAL STATES. CHICAGO AND MILWAUKEE WILL BE ESPECIALLY HARD HIT WITH UP TO 2 FEET OF SNOW IN SOME AREAS. AN ICE STORM IS EXPECTED TO CAUSE POWER OUTAGES ALL THE WAY FROM ARKANSAS TO BOSTON.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING EVACUATION FLIGHTS TO EUROPE TODAY FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS WHO WANT TO LEAVE EGYPT. THE VOLUNTARY EVACUATION COMES AMID VIOLENT PROTESTS SEEKING AN END TO PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK’S RULE. EGYPT’S SO-CALLED APRIL 6^TH MOVEMENT IS CALLING FOR A “MARCH OF MILLIONS” TOMORROW WHICH WOULD BE THE LARGEST DEMONSTRATION TO DATE.

A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN MICHIGAN IN CONNECTION WITH AN ALLEGED TERRORIST PLOT DIRECTED AT A MOSQUE. 63 YEAR OLD ROGER STOCKHAM WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY OFFICERS WHO FOUND HIM BEHIND THE ISLAMIC CENTER OF AMERICA WITH ILLEGAL FIREWORKS IN HIS CAR.

THE GOVERNMENT IS TELLING US TO CUT OUT THE SALT. THE AGRICULTURE AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS ARE TELLING PEOPLE 51 AND OLDER, ALL AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND ANYONE SUFFERING FROM HYPERTENSION, DIABETES OR KIDNEY DISEASE TO REDUCE DAILY SODIUM INTAKE TO LITTLE MORE THAN HALF A TEASPOON.

THE MILITARY WILL RELEASE ITS PLAN TODAY FOR HOW TO TRAIN TROOPS AFTER IT DOES AWAY WITH “DON’T ASK DON’T TELL.” REGULATIONS WILL HAVE TO BE MODIFIED AS RECRUITERS, LEADERS AND ADMINISTRATORS IMPLEMENT THE NEW POLICY ALLOWING OPENLY GAY MEN AND WOMEN TO SERVE IN THE ARMED FORCES. THERE WILL BE A 60 DAY WAITING PERIOD FOR CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW.

NASA IS HOLDING A MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER IN FLORIDA THIS MORNING TO MARK THE 25^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER DISASTER. THE CHALLENGER EXPLODED OVER THE ATLANTIC JUST 73 SECONDS AFTER LIFTING OFF, KILLING ALL 7 CREW MEMBERS INCLUDING SCHOOL TEACHER CHRISTA McAULIFFE. THE TRAGEDY CHANGED AMERICA’S SPACE PROGRAM FOREVER.

SOME STATE LAWMAKERS IN HAWAII ARE CONSIDERING A “BIRTHER” MOVEMENT-INSPIRED FUNDRAISER. A BILL IN THE STATE HOUSE WOULD LET ANYONE PAY 100 BUCKS FOR PROOF THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS INDEED BORN IN HAWAII. DEMOCRAT JOHN MIZUNO SAYS IT WOULD HELP HAWAII CLOSE ITS BUDGET GAP WHILE QUIETING CLAIMS OBAMA WAS BORN OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND NOT ELIGIBLE TO BE PRESIDENT.

AIR TRAVEL ON THE EAST COAST IS BACK TO NORMAL TODAY AFTER ANOTHER MAJOR WINTER STORM HIT THE AREA. JFK, NEWARK AND TETERBORO AIRPORTS ARE ALL RUNNING NORMALLY WITH NO DELAYS. THE STORM BLANKETED NEW YORK CITY WITH 19 INCHES OF SNOW, HELPING TO SET A NEW RECORD FOR THE MONTH AT 36 INCHES.

IN LAST NIGHT’S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS PRESIDENT OBAMA CALLED FOR A 5 YEAR FEDERAL SPENDING FREEZE ON MANY GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS. THE PRESIDENT SAID THE FREEZE WOULD CUT THE FEDERAL DEFICIT BY ABOUT 400 BILLION DOLLARS OVER A DECADE. BUT HE ALSO URGED NEW INVESTMENTS IN HIGH-SPEED INTERNET, CLEAN ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO KEEP THE U.S. COMPETITIVE.

U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN GABRILLE GIFFORDS CONTINUES TO MAKE GOOD PROGRESS.  SHE’S BEING MOVED TO A REHABILITATION FACILITY IN HOUSTON TODAY. THE ARIZONA LAWMAKERS CONDITION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FROM SERIOUS TO GOOD JUST WEEKS AFTER SHE WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD AT A TUCSON POLITICAL EVENT.

INTERNET SEARCH GIANT GOOGLE IS PLANNING ITS BIGGEST HIRING YEAR IN THE COMPANY’S HISTORY. GOOGLE PLANS TO ADD MORE THAN 6,000 EMPLOYEES THIS YEAR. IN 2003 THE COMPANY HAD JUST MORE THAN 1600 HUNDRED EMPLOYEES. BY THE END OF LAST YEAR, THAT NUMBER HAD GROWN TO MORE THAN 24,000.

JIMMY BUFFETT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL IN SYDNEY AUSTRALIA AFTER FALLING OFF THE STAGE DURING A SHOW. IT APPEARED BUFFETT SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY IN THE FALL AND WAS BLEEDING ON THE FLOOR. SOMEONE IN THE 10^TH ROW OF THE CONCERT SAID IT LOOKED LIKE BUFFETT DID A “MASSIVE FACE PLANT.”

THE KING’S SPEECH DOMINATED THIS MORNING’S OSCAR NOMINATIONS WITH 12 NODS. TRUE GRIT PICKED UP 10. IN THE BEST ACTOR CATEGORY, NOMINEES INCLUDE COLIN FIRTH FOR THE KING’S SPEECH AND LAST YEAR’S WINNER JEFF BRIDGES FOR TRUE GRIT. BEST ACTRESS NOMINEES INCLUDE NATALIE PORTMAN FOR BLACK SWAN, NICOLE KIDMAN FOR RABBIT HOLE AND ANNETTE BENNING FOR THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT.

THE NATION’S ECONOMIC CHALLENGES WILL BE THE FOCUS OF PRESIDENT OBAMA’S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS TONIGHT. MUCH OF THE SPEECH WILL CENTER ON GETTING THE COUNTRY’S FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER. THE PRESIDENT IS ALSO EXPECTED TO PROPOSE SPENDING INCREASES TO HELP GIVE THE ECONOMY MORE MOMENTUM.

THERE WILL BE SOME SPECIAL GUESTS OF FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA IN THE GALLERY TONIGHT AS HER HUSBAND DELIVERS HIS SPEECH. DOCTOR PETER RHEE, WHO OVERSAW THE MEDICAL CARE OF CONGRESSWOMAN GABRILLE GIFFORDS, WILL BE THERE. OTHER GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE FAMILY OF 9 YEAR OLD CHRISTINA GREEN WHO WAS KILLED IN THE ARIZONA SHOOTING.

FORMER MINNESOTA GOVERNOR JESSE VENTURA HAS DECLARED WAR ON AIRPORT PAT DOWNS. VENTURA NAMES HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINSTRATION AS DEFENDANTS IN HIS LAWSUIT. VENTURA, WHO HAS A TITANIUM HIP, SAYS HE FEELS HUMILIATED AND DEMEANED EVERY TIME HE TRAVELS THROUGH AIRPORTS.

THE INTERN WHO RUSHED TO HELP CONGRESSWOMAN GABRIELLE GIFFORDS WHEN SHE WAS SHOT WILL BE HONORED DURING TOMORROW’S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS. DANIEL HERNANDEZ WILL SIT WITH FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA. MEANWHILE ACCUSED TUCSON SHOOTER JARED LAUGHNER IS EXPECTED IN FEDERAL COURT IN PHOENIX TODAY.

A WOMAN SUSPECTED OF SNATCHING A BABY FROM A NEW YORK HOSPITAL MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO IS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN COURT TODAY. ANN PETTWAY HAS BEEN CHARGED IN THE 1987 ABDUCTION OF CAR-LINA WHITE IN 1987. WHITE CONTACTED THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN AFTER SUSPECTING PETTWAY WAS NOT HER BIOLOGICAL MOTHER.

A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MAN IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER BEING CRUSHED BY A GIANT WAVE NEAR HALF MOON BAY OVER THE WEEKEND. 30 YEAR OLD JACOB TRETTE SUFFERED A BRAIN INJURY BUT WAS MOVING HIS LIMBS AFTER THE ACCIDENT AT THE MAVERICKS SURFING AREA. THE 25 FOOT WAVE TOOK OTHER SURFERS BY SURPRISES.

LEGENDARY FITNESS EXPERT JACK LaLANNE DIED YESTERDAY AT THE AGE OF 96 FROM RESPIRATORY FAILURE. THE BAY AREA NATIVE OPENED WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE NATION’S FIRST FITNESS CLUB IN OAKLAND IN 1936. IN 1951 HE STARTED A LIVE SHOW ON LOCAL TV WHICH WENT NATIONAL IN 1959 AND AIRED FOR 34 YEARS.

THE ANCIENT MONKS OF BURMA had an astrology system that was developed around the days of the week INSTEAD of the cycles of the moon.
EACH DAY HAS AN EQUIVALENT ANIMAL:

* MONDAY IS A TIGER- Intelligent with an eye for detail-you’re a perfectionist.

* TUESDAY IS A LION- You’re a noble leader with strength, honesty, & loyalty.

* WEDNESDAY IS THE ELEPHANT-The independent, passionate type.:)
* THURSDAY IS A RAT-That’s actually a compliment in Burmese. You’re the most clever & witty of the bunch.:)

* FRIDAY IS A GUINEA PIG-Kind, loving, & sympathetic; you’re everyone’s friend.

* SATURDAY IS A DRAGON. This is a confident quick-minded leader-with a sense of humor.:)

SUNDAY IS A GARUDA-King of the birds. You’re an inspirational optimist-& super generous.

TO FIND OUT WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK YOU WERE BORN-JUST GOOGLE THE DATE.

ARIZONA CONGRESSWOMAN GABRILLE GIFFORDS WILL REPORTEDLY BE MOVED TO A HOUSTON REHABILITATION FACILITY ON FRIDAY. HER PARENTS SAY SHE’LL RECEIVE AGGRESSIVE REHAB TREATMENT IN HOUSTON AS SHE RECOVERS FROM A GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE HEAD. HER HUSBAND IS ASTRONAUT MARK KELLY WHO LIVES IN HOUSTON.

THE HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO VOTE TODAY ON A REPEAL OF THE HEALTHCARE REFORM LAW. A VOTE IS SCHEDULED FOR 5:30 EASTERN TIME. The NEW REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IS FULLFILLING A CAMPAIGN PROMISE BY PUTTING REPEAL AT THE TOP OF THE CALENDAR. GOP HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER CALLS THE NEW HEALTHCARE REFORM LAW A JOB-KILLING MONSTROSITY.

THE FBI SAYS A BOMB FOUND IN A BACKPACK MONDAY ON A MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY PARADE ROUTE IN SPOKANE WASHINGTON WAS PART OF A DOMESTIC TERRORISM PLOT. 3 WORKERS FOUND THE BACKPACK ABOUT A HALF HOUR BEFORE THE START OF THE PARADE AND THE DEVICE WAS NEUTRALIZED.

THE PUBLIC SEEMS TO WANT A HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM TO HOST THE DAYTIME TALK SHOW “LIVE!” LONGTIME HOST REGIS PHILBIN ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT HE’S LEAVING THE SHOW LATER THIS YEAR. 2 SEPARATE SURVEYS SHOW FOLKS WANT CURRENT CO-HOST KELLY RIPA’S HUSBAND, ACTOR MARK CONSUELOS, TO TAKE PHILBIN’S SEAT.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE GOING BACK TO WORK TODAY. HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE READY TO VOTE ON REPEAL OF THE NEW HEALTH CARE REFORM LAW. A REPEAL VOTE WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR LAST WEEK BUT HOUSE ACTIVITY WAS SHUT DOWN AFTER THE SHOOTING RAMPAGE IN ARIZONA. DEMOCRATS SAY THE REPEAL WILL GO NOWHERE IN THE SENATE.

CONGRESSWOMAN GABRILLE GIFFORDS COULD BE TRANSFERRED WITHIN DAYS OR WEEKS FROM A HOSPITAL TO A REHABILITATION FACILITY. DOCTORS OPERATED ON GIFFORDS SATURDAY TO FINISH REPAIRS TO HER RIGHT EYE SOCKET WHICH WAS BADLY DAMAGED WHEN SHE WAS SHOT. GIFFORDS HUSBAND SAYS HIS WIFE GAVE HIM A 10 MINUTE NECK RUB WHILE HE WAS BY HER SIDE.

A SUICIDE BOMBER HAS ATTACKED A POLICE RECRUITMENT CENTER IN SADDAM HUSSEIN’S HOMETOWN OF TIKRIT, KILLING AT LEAST 42 PEOPLE AND WOUNDING MORE THAN 100. 300 MEN WERE LINED UP AT THE CENTER HOPING TO GET A JOB. INSURGENTS HAVE STEPPED UP THEIR ATTACKS SINCE U.S. COMBAT OPERATIONS ENDED IN AUGUST.

AN ANONYMOUS SURVEY OF SURGEONS ACROSS AMERICA HAS SOME VERY DISTURBING INFORMATION. SUICIDE IS A DISPROPORTIONATE CAUSE OF DEATH FOR U.S. PHYSICIANS. 1 IN 16 HAS THOUGHT OF KILLING THEMSELVES IN THE PAST YEAR. AMONG SURGEONS 45 OR OLDER, THE RATE OF SUICIDAL THOUGHTS WAS UP TO 3 TIMES MORE COMMON THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION.

DOCTORS CONTINUE TO BE AMAZED AT CONGRESSWOMAN GABRILLE GIFFORDS RECOVERY FROM A NEAR-FATAL GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE HEAD LAST SATURDAY. YESTERDAY HER MEDICAL TEAM CONFIRMED GIFFORDS CAN MOVE BOTH LEGS, BOTH ARMS AND OPEN BOTH EYES. TODAY SHE’LL LIKELY BE MOVED FROM HER HOSPITAL BED TO A SITTING POSITION IN A CHAIR.

THE FUNERAL FOR THE FEDERAL JUDGE WHO WAS AMONG 6 PEOPLE KILLED IN LAST SATURDAY’S SHOOTING RAMPAGE IN TUCSON IS TODAY. 63 YEAR OLD JOHN ROLL WAS CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE AT A POLITICAL EVENT FOR CONGRESSWOMAN GIFFORDS.

POPE JOHN PAUL THE 2^ND HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR BEATIFICATION, THE LAST STEP ON THE WAY TO SAINTHOOD. THE VATICAN HAS ANNOUNCED A CEREMONY FOR THE LATE POPE WILL BE HELD IN MAY IN SAINT PETER’S SQUARE AND IS EXPECTED TO DRAW HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS.

MORE PEOPLE PLAN TO CELEBRATE MONDAY’S FEDERAL HOLIDAY HONORING MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR. ACCORDING TO A NEW AP-GFK POLL, 30 PERCENT PLAN TO CELEBRATE COMPARED TO 23 PERCENT FIVE YEARS AGO. KING WOULD HAVE TURNED 82 TOMORROW AND IS THE ONLY AMERICAN WHO WAS NOT A PRESIDENT TO BE HONORED WITH A FEDERAL HOLIDAY.

A WOMAN’S TEARS CAN BE A POWERFUL TOOL-SO POWERFUL THAT THEY CAN SHUT DOWN A MAN’S DESIRE.

In a recent study, scientists showed a group of female volunteers some really sad movies, & then collected their tears.

Then they asked male volunteers to SNIFF the tears-some were real-some were saline.

A whiff of the real tears caused testosterone levels to drop significantly.
Women’s emotional tears contain a chemical signal that REDUCES
sexual arousal in men.
JUST A THOUGHT: What does a man crying do to a woman? (Larry)

Source: Weizmann Institute of Science