Season’s Best Wishes on Christmas - 2011

Merry Christmas to all our Christian and other friends around the globe and other planets!



:)

May this Christmas bring everlasting peace on our planet!



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Kolaveri Di Flash Mob in Mumbai

Source: various:

Mumbai witnessed another awesome Flash Mob. This time around it was the Kolaveri Di fever creating magic in Bombay. On Wednesday, 21st of December, a flash mob organized by Mumbai Mirror and led by Kolaveri sensation Dhanush brought the entire Churchgate station to a standstill for about 10 minutes.

It was supposed to a flash mob like the one at CST on November 27 but the crowd at Churchgate went berserk after Tamil actor and singer Dhanush’s four-minute performance of the latest craze Kolaveri Di.

Wednesday being a working day, the station was crowded as usual when Dhanush arrived. There was mass hysteria as Dhanush starting singing and more than 100 youngsters joined him in the dance.



But instead of dispersing after Dhanush left, youngsters continued to dance in groups. This added to the chaos on the platform teeming with people and the police swing into action to drive away the dancers.

The reaction of the crowd left the Tamil actor stunned. “I’m overwhelmed by the response, and by the power of people coming together to sing the song. I first experienced stardom eight years ago when I made it big in Tamil films. I am living it all over again in this second innings, thanks to Mumbai Mirror. It truly feels wonderful,” Dhanush said. In the four weeks since the video went viral, it has already received 25,965,856 hits on YouTube and has inspired a slew of versions in different languages across India (and one in Pakistan).


Watch this space for the official video that will be out later today. In the meantime, you can watch this clip from Times Now.

Another video clip ...


Next stop for Dhanush was the Oval Maidan, where - with neither a loudspeaker nor a sound system in sight - he got almost 400 people to sing and dance along with him. He had finally found some space to move, and he didn’t disappoint his fans who had followed him to the Oval from Churchgate.

“My voice has gone for a toss, but it doesn’t matter. What does is that I connected with the youth and their voice. It felt amazing to hear all of them scream the song back at me. Nothing could top the sound of all our voices coming together.”


There are several versions of the original Kolaveri Di song on YouTube.com - » Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam’s son Nevaan Nigam has made a kiddie version of Kolaveri Di. Nevaan, however, ask for a glass of milk instead of scotch http://tinyurl.com/d5zgdw7

» KOLAVERI DI - NEW Big B Version By Dhanush

» There is also an Alvin and the Chipmunks version of the song, with three female chipmunks that will leave you in peals of laughter http://tinyurl.com/c4usyne

» If the viral video Dhokla Spiderman amused you, try the Gujarati Kolaveri, or shall we say, Why this chokri kharchaa di? http://tinyurl.com/dxu6lnb

» A Chinese guy singing Kolvari? Di is replaced by Da and Tamil by English even as the glass of scotch is replaced by a knife… http://tinyurl.com/ctxrl5a



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Extraordinary Blasting - Sehwag Betters Tendulkar's ODI Highest Runs Record

Source: various:

Sehwag created history today by smashing the West Indies bowlers all around the fence in the 4th ODI. In the process he not only demolished the West Indies single handedly but also bettered Sachin Tendulkar's Highest Individual batting record in ODI. Sehwag scored 219 runs off just 149 balls. He is only the second batsman in the world to go past 200 runs in an ODI.



Sachin Tendulkar, the Master Blaster, was the first to amass 200 runs in an ODI in Feb 2010. Sachin Tendulkar - The Batting God!

It took nearly four decades for a batsman to score the first double-century in one-day international cricket but less than two years for the second.

Sehwag's performance led India to 418 for 5, their highest ODI total, and sealed victory in the five-match series against West Indies. It was an innings characteristic of Sehwag's approach to batting. He went to 50 off 41 balls, to 100 off 69 balls, to 150 off 112 and past 200 off 140. The record was broken with a withering cut that sped to the backward-point boundary, and he celebrated with an aggressive fist-pump before breaking into a smile.

The Stand-in captain admitted that he never expected to score a double hundred although the thought only crossed his mind during the batting Powerplays. “I never expected to score a double hundred. While opening the innings, I told Gautam Gambhir that if we can show some patience on this track, we will be in for a big one as the wicket is a good one. The outfield is fantastic and the distance of the boundary is only 50 yards.

“It was only after the batting powerplay started, I felt that I could reach double hundred. Also when Sammy dropped me (at 170), I knew that God was with me,” Sehwag stated.

"I am very happy for Viru. It is even more satisfying that an Indian has broken my record." Sachin Tendulkar, the only other batsman to have hit an ODI double-ton to date




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Flash Mob in Mumbai - Awesome! Amazing!! Bombay Spirit!!!

Incredible! Possible only in the financial capital of India - Mumbai (Bombay).

Two hundred ordinary Mumbaikars (aged 4-60) come together one busy Sunday evening for the pure joy of dancing. The historic CST station blares 'Rang De Basanti' on their speakers while surprised train commuters rush to see what's going on.

On November 27th, Mumbai's Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station erupted into a carefully choreographed dance by a motley crew of youngsters. 200 dancers took commuters by surprise when they broke into dance on the title track from Bollywood hit Rang De basanti.

The surprise choreographed dance, which featured around 200 people singing and dancing in the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus station, took a month of planning and practice to pull together.



Thanks to Shonan Kothari, 200 people got together and danced in the middle of the crowded station, three years and a day after the November 26 attacks at the same place. The entire work was planned and choreographed in a month's time.

While it may have been city's largest, the flash mob was not the first. According to The Indian Express, Mumbai's first flash mob occurred in 2003 when some 60 people surprised shoppers at the CrossRoads Mall in downtown Mumbai.

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Good to Know - Online Safety and Privacy

Source: Google Good to Know:

Google's new "Good to Know" website is a resource for everyone to learn more about online security—"whether you're a new Internet user or an old hand," Google says. The site covers a broad range of privacy and security topics.

Good to Know, for example, offers tips for creating secure passwords, reveals how Google uses your location in Google Maps, describes phishing and malware detection, and more. It's a good starter guide to refer family or friends learning about online security or to find out more about Google's privacy and security policies.

Review the 5 tips for staying safe on the web video first ...


Continue reading the entire article at Good to Know.



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Historic Snow Storm in the NorthEast USA in October

A snow-storm in the NJ/NY

area in October! Unbelievable?
You better believe it!!

Today, 29th of October 2011 witnessed a rare October snowstorm in the Northeast USA. The forecast is for significant precipitation along the NE. The reason this is unusual is because it has been more than a generation that the first snowstorm of the season has occurred in October in New Jersey.

The trees are yet to shed their colorful leaves but that didn't stop Mother Nature from painting the landscape white.

The forecast map below shows the heaviest accumulations in the pink shadings, mainly just to the west and northwest of the I-95 corridor. This is where at least 6 inches is expected. Dark purple shading indicates the potential for a foot or more of snow.



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Season’s Best Wishes To Our Hindu Brethren On Diwali - 2011

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Help Ben Franklin Win!

My son’s school is a nominee in The Clorox Company’s Power a Bright Future grant program, and needs you to help us win much needed funding for Ben Franklin Elementary School. From Oct. 24, 2011 through Dec. 9, 2011, you have the opportunity to vote online at PowerABrightFuture or via text once a day for our program. The program that receives the highest number of votes will be awarded the $50,000 grand-prize grant, and the next top vote-getters in the Play, Create and Explore categories respectively will each be awarded a $25,000 grant. One additional lucky school will be selected to receive a $25,000 judge’s choice grant. Visit www.PowerABrightFuture.com for official rules.

I hope you’ll take a minute to vote for our program. Here’s how:

1. Text to vote**
• To vote for Ben Franklin text clorox4007 to 44144
• Vote one time every day!
• Spread the word!
**Msg and Data Rates May Apply.

2. Vote online
• Log on http://www.powerabrightfuture.com/gallery/detail/?nid=1196
• (hint: when you register, do not put hyphens or parentheses in the phone number)
• Vote one time every day!
• Spread the word!

Please pass along this link and invite your family, friends and colleagues to spread the word and help bring new resources to these students.



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Trick or Treat for UNICEF

Source: Natasha K:

Did you know that in many countries, kids don't get clean water? Some don't get food everyday. Others never get the chance for a good education. We can help them. How? By doing trick or treat for UNISEF. In 1950, children across America were inspired to collect coins for UNICEF to help children around the globe in enduring the after-effects of World War II. It was not just a charity effort—it was a call to end the needless suffering of their more vulnerable peers who don't have much in this world. Since then, for generations of Americans, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF has been a powerful way to make a difference in the lives of the world’s children. In the month of October, we can collect for those kids and families who really need our help.

Every penny counts towards saving people's lives. If you give twenty-five cents, it will give ten kids clean water to drink for an entire day. One dollar pays for protein biscuits for a starving child. Seventeen dollars keeps one kid safe from 6 killer diseases. Twenty-four dollars supplies an emergency first aid kit. Two hundred-fifty seven dollars buys a School-in-a-Box so kids can learn anywhere. Five-hundred dollars provides a water pump for a village or school. This can all help people survive. I know I am going to help. Will you help too?




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Season’s Best Wishes To Our Jewish Brethren on Rosh HaShanah - 2011

A very Happy and Prosperous New Year (שנה טובה Shana Tova Umetukah) to all our Jewish friends around the globe and other planets!

:)

May this Rosh HaShanah bring everlasting peace on our planet!



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Ben Franklin Elementary School 50th Anniversary

Author: Natasha HK

Ben Franklin Elementary School 50th Anniversary
By: Natasha HK
[An alumnae of Ben Franklin Elementary]


On Saturday, September 24, 2011, Ben Franklin Elementary School kicked off the celebration of its 50th anniversary. The current principal of this school, Mr. Chris Turnbull, got 5 of BF's previous principals to come on this special day and share what it was like to be a principal in those days.
The principals that were able to come were:
 Lawrence “Mr. K” Ksanznak 1961-1964
 Joseph Stromen 1966-1968
 Dr. Ernest H. Smith Jr. 1968-1974
 Dr. Richard Graja 1974-1985
 Russell Stanley 1985-1989
 Chris Turnbull 2010-present

They all had very interesting stories to tell and answered many questions. Mr. Ksanznak was the first BF principal. During his leadership, the Lawrence township community people would come and volunteer to make food for the kids. Also, if you brought in a dime on Monday, it would pay for the entire week's milk! They said being a principal was no easy job, yet it had its moments. Some things they said were quite funny, like when they said some had no idea how to control kindergarteners.

Dr. Ernest Smith stated that he was the first college graduate in his family. His dad told him to work hard, and always try your best. He was a 6th grade teacher, 5th grade teacher, and once he had to babysit a kindergarten class, so he was clueless. The kids helped him, and were laughing, singing, and dancing with him.

Mr.. Stanley, the 6th principal, shared that he lives in Florida now! He also mentioned that the BF playground was an airfield where helicopters landed! Once, a helicopter landed during school, awing all the students.

Mr. K said on his first year at BF, he told the students to be careful on Halloween, and not to take candy from strangers. Then he said, “If you don't have anywhere to go, come to my house, and I'll give you some candy.” He stayed a little late in school that day, and his wife called. She was running out of candy, and said that there were about a hundred kids waiting outside for candy. So his kind neighbors came and gave them all their candy, helping them make popcorn in the kitchen and hand things out. Mr. K never advertised his address ever again to his students on Halloween. He also stated that he had done almost everything in life; he had been a basketball coach, he had swept floors, he taught, was the assistant superintendent, the superintendent, and the first ever principal of his favorite school, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, also known as the Friendly School.

There were several questions asked by students and parents. One of them was, if there was ever a dress code and what it was. Mr. K said that many people wanted a dress code, but when he looked at the crowd, he saw everyone was wearing something different. A blue dress here, green shorts there, purple pigtails at the back, and so on. He thought that was what made Ben Franklin so special. If they all wore the same thing, you would not be able to tell what color they may like at the first glance. They would all be forced to look the same, which would make BF a little less special to him and the kids.

Another question was by a little girl, and she asked who thought of famous Amos? The principals concluded it was somewhere in the 1990s before Mr. Buss. The principal decided that the school needed a mascot. At that time the movie “Ben and Me” was very famous, so Amos the mouse was chosen.

One thing in common with all the ten principals of BF was that they all enjoyed the challenges and above all, they all loved the students and staff. All the 6 principals present agreed this was the best part of the entire school. The bricks and desks made it easier to learn, but staff and students actually did the work.

Mr. K challenged the current and former students of BF to make a new song for Ben Franklin Elementary. The reason behind this was because the current BF song was made by students themselves in the last 50 years to the tune of “O Christmas Tree”. Students of many generations have learned and sang this song proudly. Most still remember the words, and will never forget it, like me.

Towards the end of this memorable event, the principals happily autographed yearbooks and other memorabilia brought in by children and took pictures with everyone. To be honest, I think the principals enjoyed this event most because they saw all their old friends, secretaries, staff and students. It made them proud when they see that their students are basketball players, or math professors or teachers because they feel they have some part in what has happened to the students, and how well they have turned out.

After the autographs, everyone went outside BF to see its Peace Garden and tree. The Peace Garden was planted in memory of Martin Luther King Jr., and the tree was a Cleveland Pear Tree, commemorating the 50th anniversary. The current students of Ben Franklin made ornaments for the tree. Each class chose one date from 1961-2011 and researched it. They put all fun facts about that one year on a piece of paper which was laminated and everyone who wanted to could pick a date and hang it them selves on the tree. One day, when the tree will be tall and strong, those memories would still be there.

Mr. Turnbull also mentioned that all former students and current students could buy a brick. “Why a brick?”, you may ask. Well, they are going to build a memorial wall, right outside BF. What's to remember? The 50th anniversary of the friendly school, of course. When you buy the brick, you can write anything school appropriate on it and it will stand (hopefully for more than 50 years) and last a long time.

The Ben Franklin School is much like a quilt. It has been woven by many students, principals, teachers, staff, volunteers, and more. This year, they hope not only to celebrate the past 50 years, but to believe that the next 50 years will build upon the solid foundation of the first 50 years.




The above is written by 11 year old, Natasha HK.




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9/11 - We Will Always Remember!

Source: theFundooGeek:

As we approach the 10th anniversary of the event known as "9/11", our hearts, good wishes & prayers go to each and every family and person who lost someone - a family member or friend or neighbor or colleague. We can never be able to comprehend the sorrow and the loss but we will always stand firm together; now and forever - long after terrorism is vanquished. And terror will be defeated!


The fear will diminish and once again we will build the trust that was all but lost in the aftermath of "9/11".

We, at FundooGeek.com pay our heartfelt tribute to all the heroes who fell on "9/11". We honor and salute those who have since made the ultimate sacrifice to keep the world safe and so we can enjoy our freedom.

Peace and Happiness to every earthling!!!



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Seals of Various US Government Departments - Federal and Local

One of our avid Fundoo geek forwarded her collection of department seals. She wanted us to publish on her behalf. So here they are for your viewing pleasure.

Please note that these seals are copyright of the respective departments.



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