US – Friday, July 30
Arlington graves may be mixed up
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has just gotten quite a bit of company: As many as 6,600 graves at the country’s hallowed Arlington National Cemetery for fallen U.S. service members may be mislabeled, one lawmaker said on Thursday.
 
COLLEGE DROPOUTS
Political movements are becoming ever more like a match tossed into a room full of dynamite: No matter which stick you are aiming for, chances are a lot of others will fire off, too.
 
Talking about the ‘C’ word
A drama about a woman diagnosed with terminal cancer doesn’t exactly sound like the most entertaining new series on the fall prime-time slate. But there is more buzz surrounding Showtime’s “The Big C” than perhaps any other series premiering this season, and the incomparable Laura Linney is a major reason why the series is high on critics’ must-see lists.
 
Rabbis, controversy, and jail time at Chelsea’s wedding
Although facts on the famed Clinton-Mezvinsky wedding, which is rumored to happen this weekend, are tighter than Hillary Clinton’s smile, some details have leaked out. Sources report that groom Marc Mezvinsky  has “hurt” his father’s family by not inviting them to the wedding (Ed Mezvinsky pleaded guilty in 2002 to swindling investors out of $10 million.
 
Table for two
For Paul Rudd, the decision to star in Jay Roach’s new comedy, “Dinner for Schmucks,” was an easy one. “I thought the script was really funny,” he says. “That was it. It was kind of a no-brainer.” Of course Rudd, who’s built an impressive resume of smart comedies, was just as enamored of the man behind the camera.  
 
Short-term living in Jersey City
Subletting in NYC typically involves some kind of covert transaction. Try to find a budget traveler who hasn’t enjoyed the risk of Craigslist’s lease-free rentals. But thanks to a bill Gov. David Paterson signed into law last Friday, renting an apartment for less than 30 days isn’t kosher. Fortunately, there’s a saving grace for those in search of short-term living: Jersey City.
 
Jobless claims fall, still high
New claims for unemployment benefits slipped last week, but stayed at a stubbornly high level that underscored the labor market recovery was having trouble gaining traction.
 
So long, Snuggies. Hello, Acushakti
Could nail mats like the Acushakti be the next Snuggies?

It’s possible, according to a top consumer survey.
 
Taking a joy ride through Italy
Unless the locals covered you in meatballs and sang “Nessun Dorma” upon arrival, this vacation could hardly be more Italian. For this is a “Vespa vacation” — a two-wheeled tour of the nooks and crannies, the winding back roads and the off-the-beaten-track hidden gems of breathtaking Umbria, a beautiful region located in Central Italy.
 
It’s so hard to say goodbye
For many job-hopping careerists, smuggling a resignation letter in their bag like a guilty secret, there are few workplace rituals so hard as saying so long.
 
Published 21:07, July the 1st, 2009
 

Pols’ holiday leaves unfinished business

“If we don’t perform our jobs we get disciplined. The legislators are going to take a holiday.”  

Fillman
 

 PENNSYLVANIA. Who thinks about work — even if it's crafting a state budget — when there's barbecues and fireworks to get to? Not state legislators apparently.

With state workers' paychecks and livelihoods on the line, lawmakers plan to leave Harrisburg for their districts and three days off after some budget negotiations Thursday.

"I hope it's a busy day [Thursday], but I fear people are going to start putting it in low gear and we're going to have a little vacation this weekend," state Sen. Michael Stack said candidly Wednesday afternoon. "Sadly, we're off Friday through Sunday."

After seven straight years without a new budget July 1, as required by law, lawmakers' annual breaks for July 4 continue to frustrate state workers, the leader of the state's largest union said.

"It does make my members very angry that if we don’t perform our job we get disciplined. The legislators are going to take a holiday," Council 13 executive director David Fillman said. His union represents roughly half the state's 80,000 employees. "This is supposed to be a time to relax and take a vacation. But that's impossible for workers."

One political expert, Saint Joseph's University Professor Randall Miller, said politicians wouldn't miss the opportunity of shaking hands and eating hot dogs with their constituents to stay in Harrisburg.

"They have to do the patriotic stuff," he said.

 
 
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MMMpod
In the July MMMpod, Young Veins talk about breaking away from Panic! at the Disco, Keith Lockhart talks about Buckwheat Zydeco throwing the Boston Pops for a loop, Zooey Deschanel talks about how Roy Orbison inspired a She & Him song, Derek Miller of Sleigh Bells talks about how awesome Funkadelic is, and we talk about how awesome Jimmy Cliff is, who in turn talks about Sam Cooke and divine intervention. An explosive show for July! Oh yeah, and we also test your knowledge of America songs in the MMMPod medley.







 
 
Metro Life Panel