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“They” say that too many people are STILL providing too much online information about themselves on social network sites such as Facebook.

There’s over 600 Million users world wide on Facebook, and almost 10 million users are still not using privacy controls. Technology Editor Jeff Fox with consumerreports.org says there’s also still carelessness like posting your child’s name and face on Facebook, adding that it’s not a good idea. Millions of people are just exposing too much information online with Facebook.

I agree we really do live in a world of Too Much Information!!! But there is some satisfaction with Facebook. And I am guilty of posting pictures of my kids online. But I have high privacy settings, post pictures to Friends Only and usually tag my kids as my husband. It’s a great way to “showoff” your kids to the people you care about. It’s a great way to share with family around the world. What are your thoughts… is that too much, with high privacy settings, or am I setting myself up for trouble down the road?

Most of the kids of today will all have parents who’ve posted the silly pictures and videos of their kids on the internet. Is this wrong? Should we go back to the old fashioned way of sharing pictures… and actually print them and mail them to family? Or should we EMBRASE the ways of today, and go with the flow?

Bonus Code: INFORMATION

Radio in the morning! Here’s a tour of what happens around here early in the morning. I love being back to my regular shift, keeping you company while your work. But while I was filling in on the morning show with Terry Reid, you get to see so many great people at work. We work with 660 News, The Fan 960 and Jack FM. Here’s my tour.

From top left to right: Ted Henley is the Morning Anchor on 660 News. Read More about Ted Followed by the lovely Cindy White, also Morning Anchor on 660. Learn more about Cindy Next is Kevin Usselman who has been with the station for over 20 years!! And on the Jack side, the adorable Eric Francis. So great seeing Eric as we used to work together many many moons ago. But the day I went in to say hello to Eric, his partner Matt O’Neill was on holidays. Little did I know (okay I did know) that Calgary Flames Craig Conroy was co-hosting with Eric. So I got a “sqeeze” from Craig. Thanks Craig!

So if you’ve ever wondered if working in radio is fun… the answer is YES! And it’s my pleasure to hang out with YOU everyday!!

Christina

BONUS CODE: RADIO

Over 40 thousand fans at the Heritage Classic game at McMahon Stadium. WOW! What an experience. Sure it was cold… but extra layers and a cup of hot chocolate cured that. The game was GREAT. The astmosphere was AWESOME. The drunks behind us were… well… drunk. They only said a few stupid things… and some of it was funny. But hey, they were having a great time.

Did you go, or did you watch at home? Or at the bar? No matter where you saw the game, it was the experience. And nice that the boys won 4-0!!

We’ve seen some huge weather jumps and falls in the past week. Last Friday we broke a record getting up to almost 14 on the plus side… and then the past few days we’ve been in the deep freeze.

I don’t mind the cold so much when it’s sunny. As long as you bundle up, it’s not too bad… But still it’s freezing. So to make the most of the cold weather, I went out after the show to take some beautiful pictures of our winter wonderland. Here’s some pretty pictures from the ridge along McKenzie Lake. If you have a fantastic picture you want to share, email them to me at christina.rowsell@rci.rogers.com

BONUS CODE: PRETTY

Where DO the Jack Rabbits come from??? I’ve googled and researched… and I can not figure it out. Why do we have so many rabbits in Calgary? And these aren’t just cute fluffy bunnies that we usually have as pets… these are BIG rabbits. The size of a small dog!

I know the rabbits have been around forever. I asked around the station if anyone knew where they came from, and no one knows. David Spence told me he’s seen them here since he was a kid, and that was a LONG time ago… like a hundred years ago… (Just kidding David).

In Kauai Hawaii there are chickens everywhere! Why does Kauai have so many wild chickens? Most people suggest that the chicken population can be traced back to when Hurricane Iniki hit Kauai in 1992. It’s been reported that the devastating hurricane destroyed a number of chicken farms. But as for the rabbits in Calgary… I have a hard time believing that a storm brought them?

So if you can shed some light on where the rabbits came from I’d appreciate it. Just wondering, that’s all.

BONUS CODE: RABBIT (good until Sunday Jan 16th)

Just incase you were wondering, yes it’s still winter here. And with that, there’s been road closures and school closures. I’ll keep you posted on what’s going on and where!!

Monday school closures and bus services from our sister station 660 News.

The Separate school and Catholic school Administration in Strathmore are closed, Monday, January 10th.

This also includes the Golden Hills Division and the following schools:

Hussar, Standard, Rockyford, Sequoia Outreach, Westmount, Wheatland, Brentwood, Storefront, Golden Hills Learning Academy, Trinity Lutheran Academy, Crowther Jr. High, Strathmore High, Carseland and Central Bow Valley.

Check www.660news.com for the latest updates.

Traffic

City Police are advising against any unnecessary travel within the city and on surrounding highways. Highway #1 east of Calgary, is open until Strathmore but remains closed east of the town. Drifting and blowing snow are making roads in the Calgary area impassable. RCMP and CPS would appreciate the public’s cooperation to reduce further traffic issues.

Crews will of course be clearing the priority routes first so some of the outlying communities may not be a priority right now.

HIGHWAYS:

Highways around the city remain in poor condition with blowing snow causing snowdrifts and icy stretches with reduced visibility.

The worst part is to the east and south of the city with the Trans Canada closed between Strathmore and Bassano with a number of motorists stranded.

Highway 1 is also closed west of Brooks at Range Road 163A until further notice.

Highway 1 is closed westbound at Highway 36 just outside Brooks. Eastbound lanes should still be able to get to Medicine Hat or Brooks.

If you are stranded or know of someone who is stranded please contact the local RCMP, who are coordinating rescue efforts with local agencies. Please contact the RCMP at 403-934-3535.

The QE II north of the city is listed as poor all the way to Edmonton while the number 1 west is fair but police are advising drivers to stay off all the highways until conditions improve.

Police have not officially closed many areas highways yet but they should be considered essentially closed as they’re reportedly pretty much impassable.

IF YOU SEE STALLS, ACCIDENTS OR SPEED TRAPS — OR IF YOU CAN UPDATE ANY OF THE INCIDENTS WE’RE REPORTING — LET US KNOW AT: 403 — 291- 0066 or STAR or POUND 660.

New to Lite 95-9 is the latest release of Michael Jackson with Akon. The video is beautiful… Check it out here. WOW~~ That’s all I have to say!!! Awesome!

Here’s a look at My Favorite Things! I’m no Oprah, but I am a mom and here are a few things that make my life easier. Use it as your own must haves or some great ideas for the Mom in your life.

On the web:
1.) Bubble Friends Forever – http://bubblefriendsforever.com/
Fun fun fun… all kinds of great products and ideas from a Calgary mom who has an amazing imagination! From Bubble Name bobbles (for your kids coats and to collect) to awesome backpacks and kids activities. There are ALL kinds of great Christmas gift ideas there. Unique and wonderful fun for your kids!

2.) Heritage Makers – http://www.getphotosmart.com
I CAN’T live without my pictures and memories. Maybe it all started when I lost all my pictures when I was a kid in a house fire. To me, “THINGS” aren’t as important as our memories. And what a better way to preserve your memories, than in an amazing keepsake book. I’ve made great photo books for the grandparents, a honeymoon book for my husband and yearly memory keepsakes for my boys. This is a MUST in my books!!!!

FREE FREE FREE:
3.) Family Fun Calgary – http://www.familyfuncalgary.com AND IT’S FREE!!!
EVERYTHING you need to know… This site was created by Melissa Vroon and Voula Martin, two Calgary women who have known each other a long time. One day, Melissa said to Voula, “Why isn’t there a website where you can go and find all the fun things to do in the city with the kids? Someone should make a site like that.” And Voula replied, “So why don’t we create it together? Thank you ladies for this GREAT site and reference guide for all parents!!

4.) Lite 96 Christmas Music – www.lite96.ca
Free free and free. Yes I know I work here… but it’ll put you in the Christmas spirit. It’s not always about just one song; it’s about what Christmas music means. It’s about the season it represents. Christmas. Christmas is about remembering your childhood and how excited you would get about the presents under the tree. Christmas is about going to church with your parents to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to listen to your dad sing… as bad as he was… It’s also about remembering loved ones who have gone before us. It may bring a tear to your eye, but in loving memory.

5.) Portable North Pole – Go to http://www.portablenorthpole.ca
Technology has come such a long way. If you have kids you HAVE to send them this personal message from Santa! Yes it’s free. Only costs if you want to make your message into a keepsake… if not you can watch it again and again and again for free! . PNP – Portable North Pole console will be online throughout the Holiday season, allowing you to send personalized video messages FREE to your children, parents and friends. Your kids will LOVE this!!!

Not too expensive:
6.) Starbucks – non fat Latte or Tim Horton’s Cafe Mocha – This is an easy stocking stuffer for your coffee lover!!!

A little bit more:
7.) Body Shop Bubble Bath and Essential oils- http://www.thebodyshop.ca
Aromatherapy doesn’t just smell good, it so beneficial as well. It helps you relax and gives you stress relief. It’ll help your mood and well being. Aromatherapy can also give relief of minor discomforts; boost your immune, respirator and circulatory system. Aromatherapy doesn’t “cure” major illnesses but it is effective at alleviating many of the discomforts associated with them. Essential Oils are the heart of aromatherapy. They have been used to heal wounds, energize, improve skin tone, relax muscles, improve sleep, and relieve tension headaches and so on and so on!!

8.) Massage Gift Certificate
Its soooo important to take some time for yourself… Get a massage. Get a pedicure. Or just get a sitter!

On the Good list – More Expensive:
9.) iPhone
If you’ve been thinking about the iPhone… stop thinking about it. Do it! As a mom it’s not only good as a phone… but the apps are SO GREAT!!! Great for you and great for entertaining your kids!!! There are times when you’re at the grocery store or at the doctors’ office, and the kids are getting restless. With an iPhone you can get the “Kid” friendly apps. We have flashcards, memory games and even movies!!!

But with the iPhone, you’ll need an iTunes gift card!!! So Mom can get the Starbucks or Tim Hortons App. The Grocery app “Bread and Butter”, or my favorite Sudoku!! AND you can also add Lite 96 to your iPhone – go here to download the APP!! It’s FREE!

And my FAVORITE:
10.) Canon T2i Rebel – on the expensive side.
But since pictures mean SO much to me, I was getting fed up with pictures not turning out and not being the quality I wanted them to be. It’s intimidating at first to use an SLR camera, but with time you’ll figure it out, and be glad you did. (Plus, there are some GREAT classes you can take to get familiar with your new best friend.) http://www.mtroyal.ca/programscourses/continuingeducation/arts/photography/

Bonus Code : MUST

Waskada Manitoba got it’s shot at fame when David Letterman propped up a copy of a Winnipeg Free Press story this week to show his audience a picture of the mayor of Manitoba’s tiniest incorporated municipality. Dave told his audience that Waskada Mayor Gary Williams “kinda looks like me.” And he does! Check it out for your self! Click here!

Gary Williams doesn’t know who sent Letterman the article, but he’s tickled-pink about his first appearance on the Late Show.

Bonus Code : LETTERMAN (good until Midnight Sunday Nov.28th)

You are looking at the WINNING pumpkin at the 24th Annual UNICEF Pumpkin Carving Contest! On Tuesday, the Lite 96 team competed at the Hyatt. After a brain storming meeting we came up with our WKRP Venus Flytrap.

The event was in support of UNICEF. UNICEF is there to help a staggering number of children who die every day around the world, becasue they don’t have clean water, vaccinations, medications, enough to eat or a safe shelter. Please help UNICEF.

Bonus Code – UNICEF – (expires at midnight Sunday Oct.24th)