Studying Twilight, Botox for headaches, and saying goodbye to June Cleaver
Yes, Robert Pattison is cute, and yes, we're all for the academic analysis of fine works of literature, but is an entire university course in "Twilightology" really necessary? California State University says yes. They're offering a Twilight-themed course as part of their Women's Studies program. We're sure that some of you may be recoiling (justifiably) at the idea of a women's studies department devoting an entire class to the dissection of Edward Cullen's non-sex life, but we think the fandom and hysteria that has surrounded the books and films may warrant academic scrutiny, and the students at California State agree – when the class started there was only one spot left.
What's good for your wrinkles may now be good for your headaches. The Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. has approved brow-smoothing Botox as a treatment for chronic migraines. Botox is well-known for its cosmetic applications, but now the pharmaceutical company Allergan is promoting the benefits of the nerve calming injections to sooth the pain of migraine suffers. It may be wise to do your own research before running out for the expensive treatment: debate still rages among scientists and researchers over whether the treatment is an effective one.
Hundreds of millions of viewers around the world watched riveted as 33 Chilean miners were plucked from a cavity deep underground where they had been trapped for 69 days. Now safe on the surface, the men are requesting that the constantly swarming media back off. Chile's minister of health says the miners are exhibiting signs of post-traumatic stress and need a break from the endless attention of reporters, journalists and a fascinated public.
The woman who played squeaky-clean 1950s television mom June Cleaver has passed away. Barbara Billingsley died early Saturday morning at her home in Santa Monica at the age of 94. Best known as the moralistic mother of rascally Beaver on the hit show Leave it to Beaver, Billingsley genuinely believe in the importance of the 1950s family ideal she represented, and proclaimed that "family is so important, and I just don't think we have enough people staying at home with their babies and children."
Question: what do Farley Mowat, Nelly Furtado and Sarah Polley have in common? Answer: nothing – until this past Saturday. The three Canadian talents were honoured along with athlete Clara Hughes, actor Eric McCormack, musician David Clayton Thomas and late magician Doug Henning as this year's inductees into Canada's Walk of Fame. Howie Mandel hosted a (Canadian) star-studded tribute show that will air this coming Wednesday and features performances by Jully Black, Alex Cuba and Hawksley Workman.
