S.C. Supreme Court Will Hear Student's Suit Over Stimulus Money By DAN MCCUE
COLUMBIA, S.C. (CN) - The South Carolina Supreme Court granted a high school student's request for an expedited hearing on whether state lawmakers can force Gov. Mark Sanford to accept federal stimulus money for education. Casey Edwards, 18, says Congress wants legislatures to be able to request federal money apportioned to states in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act even if a governor does not. Sanford, viewed as a potential Republican candidate for president in 2012, has blocked about $700 million earmarked for education and police and other first responders.

Vision of High-Speed Rail in America
Federal Railroad Administration: "President Obama proposes to help address the nation's transportation challenges by launching a new and efficient high-speed passenger rail network in 100-600 mile corridors that connect communities across America. The Strategic Plan outlines the President’s vision that would transform the nation’s transportation system by rebuilding existing rail infrastructure while developing a comprehensive high-speed intercity passenger rail network through a long-term commitment at both the federal and state levels. This plan draws from the successful highway and aviation development models with a 21st century solution that focuses on clean, energy-efficient rail transportation.
High-speed rail (HSR) is a family of transportation options that address longer-distance passenger transport needs in heavily populated corridors. Implementing HSR will promote economic expansion (including new manufacturing jobs), create new choices for travelers in addition to flying or driving, reduce national dependence on oil, and foster urban and rural livable communities. With the successful completion of the original phases of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) Transportation Project offering Amtrak's 150 mph train service, known as “Acela,” between Washington, New York, and Boston, efforts have expanded beyond the NEC. A number of high-speed rail corridors are being planned by States that range from upgrades to existing rail lines to entirely new rail lines exclusively devoted to 150 to 250 mph trains.
High-Speed Rail Strategic Plan
High-Speed Rail Corridor Route Map
High-Speed Rail Fact Sheet
Announcement by President Obama
Get information on FRA and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

New GAO Reports: Maritime Security, Superfund, SBA and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Small Business Administration's Implementation of Administrative Provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, GAO-09-507R, April 16, 2009
Maritime Security: Vessel Tracking Systems Provide Key Information, but the Need for Duplicate Data Should Be Reviewed, GAO-09-337, March 17, 2009
Superfund: Greater EPA Enforcement and Reporting Are Needed to Enhance Cleanup at DOD Sites, GAO-09-278, March 13, 2009

Notes on the 1948 film Easter Parade More than half of the songs performed in Easter Parade were written by Irving Berlin in the four decades prior to the film, and many of the songs were performed in various stage and film musicals. John Arnold was responsible for creating the first ever slow motion synchronization with sound. The slow motion effect, used in the "Steppin' Out with My Baby" sequence, features Astaire dancing in slow motion in front of a chorus moving and singing in real-time. Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse withdrew due to injuries, and were replaced by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. Vincente Minnelli was removed as director to relieve pressure on his wife, Judy Garland. http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=2332&category=Notes

Mockumentary blends the words mock and documentary. It is a movie or television program with fictitious and often satirical subject matter. http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_561537863/mockumentary.html

Example of a mockumentary
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/'BEST+IN+SHOW'+A+CHAMPION+'MOCKUMENTARY'-a083401677

Artyom Sidorkin went for a check-up after suffering symptoms of coughing up blood and sharp, prickling pains in his chest. After having an x-ray at the Izhevsk hospital, Russia, the doctors found a shadow on his lung. Fearing the worst, Sidorkin was promply booked in for investigative surgery. When the doctors pared back his lungs they found green pine needles. Upon further inspection the surgeons were amazed to find that a 2 inch fir tree was growing and thriving there. It would seem that the patient would have inhaled the seed from a fir tree. This would have been able to grow by receiving nutrition from the blood and oxygen from the patient’s airways, allowing the tree to thrive. The fragment of lung which contained the tiny fir tree has been preserved for further study.
http://www.knx1070.com/Fir-Tree-Grows-Inside-Man-s-Lung/4222211

In Toledo
Sunday, April 26, 2:30 p.m. "Beneath The Twelve Mile Reef" (1953) Cinemascope underwater adventure starring Robert Wagner, Terry Moore and Peter Graves. Theatre organ overture at 2:30, movies at 3 p.m. Collingwood Arts Center, Info: 419-389-9334

Sunday, May 10, 3 p.m. “DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE” silent movie starring John Barrymore. Accompanied by Ann Arbor organist Stephen Warner at the 3/8 New State Theatre organ, Collingwood Arts Center, Info: 419-389-9334

Sunday, May 17, 2:30 p.m. "Mr. Moto's Last Warning" (1939) starring Peter Lorre and John Carradine in a great mystery adventure with the Orient's master of disguise, Mr. Moto! 2:30 p.m. organ overture, Collingwood Arts Center, Info: 419-389-9334

Saturday, May 30, 3 p.m. FATHER ANDREW ROGERS Theatre Organ Concert and silent comedy film at the Rivoli 4/12 Marr & Colton theatre organ at Ohio Theater, Lagrange at Central Ave. Info: 419-241-6785

Sunday, June 7, 3 p.m. SPRING SILENT COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL, 4 hand-picked silent comedy shorts accompanied by ace theatre organist BRIAN BOGDANOWITZ at the 3/8 New State Theatre Organ, Collingwood Arts Center, Info: 419-389-9334

Sunday, June 14th, 2:30 p.m. "A STAR IS BORN" (1937) The original--and best--version of this wonderful Hollywood story in OLD TECHNICOLOR. 2:30pm organ overture, Collingwood Arts Center, Info: 419-389-9334