Friday-9/5/08

Wrapping up another week here at Wheelz 100.5! Make sure to keep it rolling and we will keep you posted on Hanna as she rolls in. Just in case you missed Carolina Country Cruizin with Matt and Dee this morning here's what we chatted about:

Fake flowers are causing a public outcry in the Illinois city of Des Plaines.  The Des Plaines City Council was considering putting silk flowers in place of real flowers hanging in baskets in downtown in an effort to save money but not everyone was pleased about the idea.  In fact, city hall was flooded with angry phone calls and e-mails from residents over it.  The message apparently got through as the council voted to keep the real flowers and trash the fake ones.  Des Plaines isn't the only city in the area to consider fake flowers as Wheeling and Niles managed to do it without any backlash. 

Moment of Thanks (www.momentofthanks.com ), a national initiative sponsored by Kodak Gallery that encourages people to say thank you to the men and women of the armed forces, has launched “NFL Week.” The feature, available at www.momentofthanks.com/nfl  highlights videos of support from top players across the League, including Peyton Manning, David Garrard, Trent Edwards, Jake Delhomme and Mario Williams. The teams participating in the special tribute include the Colts, Jaguars, Bills, Panthers, and Texans. In addition, the Houston Texan Cheerleaders have also recorded a video.

A Texas man celebrated his 22nd anniversary as a UPS driver on Wednesday. Shortly after Brent Boyd got behind the wheel the truck hit the 1 million-mile-mark. Boyd, 51, has driven the same vehicle since he started working for UPS. The odometer on Boyd’s 1987 GMC truck rolled over to all zeros as he began his delivery route near Palestine. He said his truck’s gone through at least three engines and been repainted several times, but he’s resisted offers for a new van. He says the truck is “like home” and feels like “sitting in the recliner in your house.”

An 8-year-old boy was busted Tuesday after handing out hundreds of dollars in fake $20 bills at an Ocala, Florida, elementary school. The fake bills were discovered when a child tried to use one to pay for lunch. An administrator tracked down several other students with fake bills. Those students all identified the boy. The boy was turned over to the Department of Children and Families after authorities learned his guardians had warrants for their arrest. In all, the counterfeit money added up to 44 notes, or $880. Police say they don’t know who produced the fake currency.

Firefighters in Chattanooga, Tennessee, rescued several cats during a house fire that investigators say was probably caused by the cats themselves. Firefighters responded to an alarm yesterday morning and found a fire in the kitchen. No one was home, but they found about 10 cats inside. Some of the cats escaped by themselves, but some showed signs of smoke inhalation. Firefighters used oxygen bottles and special masks to revive several cats. One cat was not expected to survive. Officials said the cause of the fire appears to be from a cat knocking over a candle in the kitchen.

There will be less firewater and more suds flowing when Mark Chesnutt celebrates his 45th birthday tomorrow. He tells us, "I used to drink whiskey and all that, but I don't really do that anymore. I just like a good, cold beer. It's refreshing. And it kind of lubricates the old vocal chords." The country traditionalist continues to tour in support of his latest C-D, Rollin' With the Flow, which includes the single "Come on In, the Whiskey's Fine." Mark appears tomorrow night in Expo Junction, Vermont. 

When Jessica Simpson takes the stage of the Grand Ole Opry for the first time on Saturday night, she'll be in great company. On the show, which is being billed as Ladies Night, is country legend Loretta Lynn, Patty Loveless and Crystal Shawanda. Jessica says of her debut, "I'm honored to be singing here -- on this stage, which has such a rich and amazing history. I get chill bumps just thinking about it." After the Opry, Jess flies to New York where she'll be on Good Morning America's Fall Concert Series, The C-B-S Morning Show, Rachael Ray, The Viewand the Late Show With David Letterman.

The gossip pages continue to fan the flames of the reported feud between Carrie Underwood and Jessica Simpson. O-K magazine cites a so-called "pal" saying, "[Carrie] finds Jessica's love of putting her life on display pretty desperate. She laughed at the People cover, because it's the same one Jess did about John Mayer -- same smile, same look, except she's a little fatter." The alleged friend doesn't say if those are direct quotes or if she's putting words into Carrie's mouth. 

A federal duck stamp is ruffling a few feathers due to a typo. People trying to call a federal phone number to order duck stamps end up calling a phone-sex line. Instead of 1-800-STAMP24, the number listed is 1-800-TRAMP24. The U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service says it’s too expensive to fix the stamps, so the stamps are still being sold. Duck stamps are required to hunt migratory waterfowl. The government uses nearly all of the revenue from the $15 stamps to purchase waterfowl habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System.

You know how I love those stories about stupid criminals… case in point: A carjackin was averted in Milwaukee recently because of the car's transmission.  One of the would-be carjackers flashed a gun and ordered the driver of an SUV to leave the vehicle.  When the suspect and his accomplices tried to drive away, they realized none of them could operate a stick shift.  Instead, the robbers stole the victim's keys, wallet and cell phone before getting away.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says the driver of a tractor-trailer rigged the front license plate of his vehicle so that it would “disappear” as he drove through a toll plaza, allowing him escape paying the toll and the $40 fee for not paying the toll. Officials said Orlando Payano ran a cable from the license plate to the dashboard cigarette lighter inside the cab of the vehicle. Pulling on the lighter flipped the plate under the truck. Police charged Payano with toll evasion and license plate destruction. Payano denies the charges.

Some men simply won't stop and ask for directions.  New York's WNBC-TV reports a school bus driver in Brooklyn circled the borough for almost five hours Wednesday with a busload of kindergartners and first graders.  The 53-year-old has been suspended.  Police say he told them he got lost trying to take the kids home from school.  No charges will be filed against the driver, though he was arrested.  The bus company is trying to figure out exactly what happened.  The company's lawyer called the behavior "bizarre."

According to Stockton, California's Record, Sara Evans won't return to the studio until January, but she assures listeners that the new project will be worth the wait. She says, "I'm excited to see how this new album unfolds. I have tons of ideas that are ready to go. I'm in a different place now than I've ever been and I'm happier than I've ever been before." Sara's new single, "Lost," is from Billy: The Early Years -- the soundtrack from the new biopic on evangelist Billy Graham. She says, "The song talks about faith and how no matter what circumstances you're encountering, if you're a Christian and have a devoted faith in the Lord, there's nothing that can keep you low." Sara is also appealing to the public for donations to the American Red Cross website to assist those affected by recent Hurricane Gustav. The country star serves on the National Celebrity Cabinet for the organization. 

Keith Urban joins Kid Rock, Beyonce and Black Eyed Peas tonight in New York City for the fifth annual Fashion Rocks concert.  The concert celebrates the unique relationship that fashion and music have with each other.  A "Fashion Rocks" insert is in the current issues of 16 magazines published by Conde Nast, which puts on the show.  The performers will fill Radio City Music Hall with music for a taped special that will air on CBS.  Others on the show include Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey and Fergie.  Proceeds from tonight's event will benefit Stand Up To Cancer.  The two-hour "Fashion Rocks" special will air on CBS Tuesday at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Charlie Daniels will sing the National Anthem at the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Houston Texans game in Pennsylvania Sunday.  He will also perform his hit "In America" during halftime.

The musical "9 to 5" opens tomorrow at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.  The show will feature 19 original songs by Dolly Parton, who starred in the original movie with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda.  Dolly says she's written a song for just about every character in the production.

Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift and Julianne Hough could consider each other mortal enemies because they are all seeking stardom in country music.  Instead, the three girls have bonded and consider each other best friends.  Their conversations include typical girl talk, including advice about guys.  In the September 15th issue of "People" magazine, the girls share what they look for in a man.  Pickler wants someone who is not needy, while Swift says the guy can't be nagging or putting her down.  Hough is interested in a guy who has his own ambitions and his own career and isn't a clinging type of person.  The girls give more advice and insight into their lives in the issue of "People" that is on newsstands today.

The Big Three Networks are presenting a united front in the fight against cancer.  CBS,  ABC and NBC will simulcast the commercial-free Stand Up to Cancer telethon, airing tonight on all three networks.  The one hour special will feature celebrities raising awareness about cancer.  Among them, Emmy nominated actress Christina Applegate who recently underwent a double mastectomy to combat her recent diagnosis with breast cancer.  Katie Couric, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston and Jimmy Fallon are also among the celebs participating in the telethon.  The program will also include a performance of the song "Just Stand Up" which was recorded by 15 female artists including Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and Miley Cyrus.  The "Stand Up To Cancer" telethon will air simultaneously on CBS, ABC and NBC tonight, starting at 8:00 pm Eastern time.

Another week has come and gone and we thank you for hanging out with us! Make sure to keep it rolling with Wheelz 100.5 as we keep you posted on Hanna. Be safe this weekend and come back on Monday for more Carolina Country Cruizin with Matt and Dee!

*Information from Premiere, Jones and Metro Networks*