It's News to Me

As the 'It's News to Me' blog is passed to the next set of copy editors with the beginning of the Fall 2009 semester, I think I should adopt nine as my lucky number because our first post happens to fall on Sept. 9, 2009, or, 09-09-09.

The novelty of repeating in millennial calendar numbers has been around since our generation can remember. The excitement began Jan. 1, 2001, and some of us graduated high school on or near June 6, 2006, or 06-06-06. I will always look back knowing I was glued to my TV last year on Aug. 8, 2008, or 08-08-08, which marked the opening of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The Associated Press reports that nine couples in Hollywood won a contest to get married in the 99 Cents Only store on Sunset Boulevard, while 99 couples paid $99 to get married at 9:09 p.m. on the observation deck of the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas. Whew. And I bet they were all dressed 'to the nines,' too! Ha.

CNN gives a further breakdown with "Nine ways to celebrate," including watching one of the 15 (not nine) Major League Baseball games tonight -- baseball has nine innings, nine players on the field and nine strikes per inning. The news outlet also reports that Sept. 9 is the 252nd day of the year and when added together those digits equal nine.

I personally will probably remember the day most because of "The Beatles: Rock Band," the much-anticipated and much-hyped video game released today featuring the famed group's music, likenesses and instruments. The band's remastered catalog was also released on CD today. And, if you've ever listened to "The Beatles," colloquially known as "The White Album," you can make the obvious connection between the Fab Four and the number nine:

So get yourself a bottle (or nine) of Magic Hat's No. 9 beer, relax and anticipate the interesting, noteworthy and downright weird news that The Daily Collegian copy editors will post this semester in the "It's News to Me" blog.

-- Stacey

It seems like one "soccer mom" has come a long way from the traditional stereotype. A Montogomery County mom was found guilty of stealing almost $80,000 from her son's soccer league.

A Bucks County Courier Times article by Margaret Gibbons reported that a mom -- literally a "soccer mom," -- sat as the treasurer of the Valley Youth Soccer League when she used the leagues funds for online purchases and one slightly expensive purchase in Disney World.

The mom claimed in court that she was only "reimbursing" herself for expenditures that she made on the club's behalf. However, the courts did not think so, Maryann Grant was found guilty of two felony theft charges.

While the judge is waiting on Grant's background check before sentencing, the charges and amount of money taken warrant some jail time.

So next time you're driving behind a mini-van with a bunch of kids, or pass by a "soccer mom" at the grocery store, just think -- she could be the next felon you know.

-Shannon Simcox

The oldest person in the world died today, in Los Angeles, Calif. Her name was Gertrude Baines and she was 115 years old. Wow. Baines attributed her longevity to not drinking or smoking, but did admit she enjoyed a diet of fried chicken, bacon and ice cream. It's interesting to think about everything someone could experience in 115 years.

She lived through World Wars I and II; the Korean and Vietnam wars; and the Great Depression. She saw the World Trade Centers built and she lived to see them crumble. Heck, Penn State University is only 39 years older than Baines was when she died.

According to Live Science, only about 1-in-1,000 people who make it to age 100 live to be 110. And only 1-in-100,000 of those people live on to be 115. Interestingly enough, the United States is home to the highest number of "centenarians" in the world, with around 72,000 people.

Although Gertrude Baines is no longer with us, I'd love the chance to ask her if she did everything she wanted to in her life. We're always told "carpe diem" and "live your life to the fullest," because today might be our last day on this earth. But darn, Baines had around 42,200 days to live her life, I wonder if she needed or even wanted to live that long. I mean, there's only so much you can do.

Would you want to live to be 100 years old? What about 115? What are some of the things you would have liked to accomplish or have done by that time? Think about these questions and maybe even about your "bucket list" and share it with us, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Seriously. Under this post click on the comments link and let us know!

-- Erin Shields

My two years spent schlepping popcorn to ravenous movie-goers felt like an eternity, but my dedication to the fast food industry pales in comparison to that of Leonard Rhomberg, a 68-year-old man who began working at Missouri's first McDonald's restaurant in 1959 and still works there five days a week.

Rhomberg has probably seen hundreds if not thousands of kids come and go. He might even be working with the grandchildren of people he worked with in the 1960s. Considering how much the world has changed since 1959, it's a fair bet Rhomberg is the only thing about that Missouri McDonald's that has remained constant.

Are you one of many Americans who has spent a significant chunk of their time behind the counter at the golden arches? Would you be willing to work there for 50 years? Keep in mind that Rhomberg received a cake and a St. Louis Cardinals jersey for his troubles.

-Erin R.

Maybe I should leave this to the sports staff, but I couldn't resist posting this clip, from the Philadelphia Phillies' game against the Washington Nationals Tuesday night: