Noon Nonsense: Nothing but the Net

Watch this video of a basketball coach who made a half court shot . . . blindfolded!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

"To Save a Life" - "Big Grassroots Hit"!

I had a minute and thought I would check out some information about the "To Save a Life" movie on boxoffice.com. To my surprise, Phil Contrino is predicting a good weekend for the film! Let's pray he is right. Here is part of his article:

It will be interesting to see how To Save a Life holds up this weekend even though it probably won't end up in the top five. Flixster is reporting that post-opening activity and trailer views jumped a combined 633 percent for the faith-based flick. The IDP/Samuel Goldwyn release grabbed $1.5 million from only 441 locations last weekend, and it could become a big grassroots hit in the weeks to come.

See the full article here: http://boxoffice.com/featured_stories/2010/01/early-weekend-predictions-47.php

Sand Art

I saw this guy live in Ocean City, Maryland a few weekends ago. He really had the audience engaged. Very talented.

About Sandstory from Joe Castillo on Vimeo.

Noon Nonsense: Fish Skeletons and a Movie

Last night I took our youth group to see "To Save a Life" movie. While I am sure many kids got popcorn and other snacks to watch the movie, I am not sure many would eat some of these unusual movie snacks from around the world.

Noon Nonsense: The Living Dead

Ooooooops! What would you say if you found out you had pronounced someone dead who really wasn't dead? ? ? This really happened to a Polish beekeeper who was found to be alive! Check out the story here.

Haiti Adoption Update: Finally Home

Our Friends from Maryland were able to bring home their adopted daughter from Haiti last night. See the Washington Post article and video here.

Noon Nonsense: Bed Warmers?

I know that companies are looking to find things to get more customers but I am not sure about this. http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/19/holiday-inns-human-bed-warming-services/

Great Showing for Podunk, PA!

Just got this from Outreach Films:

The "To Save a Life" film opened in 440 theaters across the country with many of them being in large cities. Out of those 440, we ranked 39th in ticket sales with 924 tickets sold on opening weekend! That is tremendous!

Thanks to all for your hard work! Keep on letting people know about this movie.

We now need to do at least two things. . . 1) Begin reaching out and "saving lives" and 2) Take others to see this film - At least talk about it with people. Put it on your Facebook page. Let people know what you thought about the movie. If it really impacted you, you will want to do something about it.

Noon Nonsense: Baloon Boy the Movie?

Someone is actually thinking about making a movie about the family who "fooled" the world into thinking one of the boys were in the balloon. What are your thougths. http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/balloon-boy-movie-01-19-2010

1 - 2 - 3 Dodge Ball

Last night a group of youth pastor and churches, Highway 35 Student Ministries, held a Dodge Ball Tournament. We were very surprised at the amount of people who came to watch.


The team that some of our guys got together did rather well but the didn't have enough fire power to win the tourney.

After a bit of confusion in the beginning, it turned out to be a great evening. I loved that all the youth workers did their jobs and worked so well together.

Noon Nonsense: One Way to Pay for Your Wedding

In today's economy, people have really had to be creative to make enough money to do the things they want to do. The couple in this story have decided to collect cans to pay for their wedding! Their goal: 400,000 cans. One company is willing to give them an early wedding present. Here's the link:

http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/2010/01/13/20100113wedding-cans-gift.html


Go to www.weddingcans.com to donate if you like.

Somebody's Got to Do It!?!

I could not do this. I love working with teens/people! This is an interesting and well done video.

Noon Nonsense: i want 2 c u in ny

Can you text and talk at the same time? It can be done! I have seen it happen! If you can, maybe this event is for you. According to the USA Today, the World Cup of Texting Championships is being held in New York city. Maybe I will go. LOL. TTYL

Competitors from more than a dozen countries are participating in the LG Mobile World Cup. The winning team, judged on speed and accuracy, will take home a $100,000 prize.

See the entire story here

New Leadership Blog

I have been working with teenagers at the same church for 23 years - I'll start my 24th year on April 1 - and in the those years I have made a lot of youth pastor friends. I love meeting people and especially people who have the same desire to work with kids as I have. One of my newest YP Friends is Mike Hammer from Punxsutawney, PA. Not only is he a youth worker in Punxsutawney but is the "rural" youth ministry guru at the Simply Youth Minnistry Conference. I have appreciated getting to know him and look forward to more opportunities to spend time with him. He has started a new blog on "Life and Leadership" which I am going to follow. If you are a leader or want to be, I would encourage you to check out his site as well.

Bat Bites Man - Man Gets $1500

An Ohio man gets $1500 from a little known law about getting bit by rabid animals. The AP report says that the man was bitten by a rabid bat and that his hospital expenses were $5000.

An Ohio county has agreed to pay $1,500 to a man who was bitten by a rabid bat and turned to a little-known state law that allows for compensation. Commissioners in Delaware County, north of Columbus, voted Thursday to provide 61-year-old David Froehlich with the maximum reimbursement under the law. . .

See the entire article here.

Process Moving Faster for Family Trying to Adopt Haitian Orphan

This is one of the stories done on Jana's best friend from college and her husband and family. It is so cool that out of tragedy comes triumph! Below is another link to another report as well.

Process Moving Faster for Family Trying to Adopt Haitian Orphan

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0110/697521_video.html?ref=newsstory

Motion Detector Clears School

A science project made by an 11 year old boy caused an evacuation of an entire school in San Diego, CA. According to the Baltimore Sun, the project looked a lot like a bomb. Read the article here.

Are You Willing "To Save a Life"

How far would you go?
How much would you risk?
How hard would you fight...To Save A Life

This is the theme of the new indie film, "To Save a Life" coming to theaters (Selinsgrove Cinema Center for those of you in Central PA) January 22. I have seen the movie at a pre-release showing and think every teen, teacher, parent, pastor, youth worker, politician - anyone working with people - should go to see it. This life changing, thought provoking film is being touted as a "Christian" project, but, while it was produced by a faith based person/organization, there is nothing in the movie that should offend anyone. It is about a teenager who realizes that life is more important than status and more valuable than financial gain. In a day and age when we can immediately see hurting people around the world, (Donate to Haiti victims here) we need to open our eyes to the hurting people in our own community as well. The "To Save a Life" movie might encourage us to do just that.

You can see more information about the movie here, here and here.

Dieters Need to Find New Home

The headline reads: "Floor Caves Under Weight Watchers Weigh-in.
No one injured — but dieters might have extra motivation to shed pounds." Now I want you to know. . . I consider myself very overweight and understand the struggles that entails. However, you have to admit, this is funny!! You can see the entire MSNBC report here.

Tebow to Appear in Super Bowl Commercial

According to the USA Today, Tim Tebow will be the centerpiece of a commercial being aired during the Super Bowl. A portion of the announcement is below:

The former Florida quarterback and his mother will appear in a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl next month. The Christian group Focus on the Family says the Tebows will share a personal story centering on the theme "Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life."

The group isn't releasing details, but the commercial is likely to be an anti-abortion message chronicling Pam Tebow's 1987 pregnancy. After getting sick during a mission trip to the Philippines, she ignored a recommendation by doctors to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim.

And Here is the link to the entire article.

Fun with Duct Tape

While I was researching some ideas for the affinity group I am going to lead in February, I came across this post that I thought some of my CRUX kids might be interested in. Check it out and let me know what you think. http://www.mitchross.com/blog/index.php?itemid=243

Jana Interviews Starfield

My wife, Jana, had the opportunity to interview Tim and Jon from Starfield at the conference we attended this weekend. Maybe you'll
hear it on her radio show - Get Real with Dave and Jana on WGRC. If
not, we'll put it on her website and Youtube.

Colt McCoy

Like him or dislike him, I appreciate what he has to say!

Mayor Twittered And Responds!

Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark, NJ, has a Twitter account. And, someone who "followed" him is sure glad. You need to read this CNN report about the mayor and his response from one of his constituents.

To Save a Life Movie Trailer

As promised, here is the "To Save a Life" movie trailer.

To Save a Life Movie

I was able to preview the new movie "To Save a Life" over the weekend. I will write a review soon, but today I don't have time. Suffice it to say, I think people everywhere should consider the themes in this movie. Here is what the movie is about . . .

TO SAVE A LIFE is the story of an all-American teen Jake Taylor, who seemingly has it all. After a childhood friend’s death, Jake’s world turns upside down, and he is forced to make a decision that could change his life forever. TO SAVE A LIFE is about making unexpected choices and sacrifices, while having the courage and determination to persevere against all odds.

TO SAVE A LIFE stars Randy Wayne (THE DUKES OF HAZZARD, FOREIGN EXCHANGE, THE LAST HURRAH), Deja Kreutzberg (CSI MIAMI, LAW AND ORDER, HOPE AND FAITH), Kim Hidalgo (BALL DON’T LIE, NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE) and Sean Michael Afable (CHANNELS, AKEELAH AND THE BEE, PHIL OF FUTURE.)

Brian Baugh directed this project with the screenplay written by Jim Britts. Grammy winner Charlie Peacock is the music supervisor and Grammy, Emmy and Interactive Academy Award winning composers Christopher Lennertz and Timothy Wynn created the score.

I'll post the trailer soon.