Interesting Facts About SpongeBob SquarePants

          On May 1, 1999, the famous Kids’s TV series: SpongeBob SquarePants first aired on Nickelodeon. This TV show still runs today, has produced a spinoff movie, and a second movie is meant to come out in 2015. This show is widely successful, and almost all age groups find it enjoyable to watch. However, little is known about this million-dollar series behind-the-scenes. Here are some interesting facts about it that you might not know:

·         The cartoon was written by a former marine biologist named Steven Hillenburg.

·         SpongeBob was originally named SpongeBoy. However, that name was already legally owned by someone else.

·         According to SpongeBob's driver's license, he was born July 14, 1986. Meaning that SpongeBob is 28 years old.

·         SpongeBob SquarePants has had many celebrity-guest-star-voice-actors on the show, including: Alec Baldwin, Alton Brown, Amy Poehler, Christopher Guest, David Bowie, David Hasselhoff, Davy Jones, Gene Simmons, Johnny Depp, Mark Hamill, Pat Morita, Scarlett Johansson, and Ray Liotta.

·         In order for SpongeBob to do that world famous laugh of his, his voice actor, Tom Kenny, has to repeatedly smack himself in the throat while making an “ahh!” noise. The sound was originally meant to remind viewers of the sound a dolphin makes.

        These are some of the most interesting facts, however, they’re not all of them.  A lot happens behind the scenes that are equally as interesting as the show itself. The day of the show’s cancellations is still unknown, purely because it’s still going strong.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/21/SpongeBoy_by_Stephen_Hillenburg.jpg
 

What can your Watch do?

There are many different kinds of watches. There are watches that just tell time, but some watches have many more functions such as a stopwatch, countdown timer, alarms, and the date. Today there are some new high tech watches called "smart watches". Smart watches are watches that wireless connect to your mobile devices, mostly smart phones. These watches will notify you when your phone receives a incoming call, texts, instant messages, social-network updates, and several other options. Apple, Google, and Motorola are some of the companies that are producing these smart watches. They vary in prices from low hundreds to $300's and $400's.


http://i-cdn.phonearena.com/images/articles/93915-image/smart-watch2-1694509a.jpg

DLC pack for GTA Online

More new details about limited edition DLC pack have been recently making rounds on YouTube, as renowned YouTuber DomisLive throws more light on the probable DLC release based on in-game characters for Niko Bellic and John Marston in GTA 5. Dom clarifies that the multi-item limited edition DLC for GTA Online, which is available for purchase at $150 and gives you access to special items such as collectibles Steelbook with Exclusive Artwork, GTA 5 New Era 9Fifty Snapback, Blueprint Map and the GTA 5 Security Deposit Bag with Lego Key. In addition, owners of Collector's Edition pack will gain exclusive access to a bunch of perks with GTA 5 digital content including stunt plane trials, bonus outfits and tattoos, custom characters for GTA Online, special ability boost, unique vehicles and garage property, and additional weapons.

The Pumpkin House

The Pumpkin House has been an institution in the Ceredo-Kenova area for decades; soon you will be able to see the orange glow around the house once again. For 22 years, Ric Griffith has been displaying pumpkins annually. Besides carving pumpkins, Mr. Griffith also owns the Griffith and Feil Soda Fountain and is the mayor of Kenova.

The setting of these pumpkins is an 1891 Victorian home on Beech Street in Kenova, which was once visited by President Grover Cleveland! Usually, more than 3,000 jack-o-lanterns are perched on shelves, houses, and other structures around the property. This classic attraction has been featured on The Today Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and many other television shows.

Before the unveiling, however, a lot of work goes into constructing shelves, scooping out seeds, and carving pumpkins. The neat point about this is that anyone can help! Anyone can be a part of this institution by just showing up! The Spring Valley High School Beta Club and the Art Club will be helping this year! If you haven't visited or would like to help, I highly recommend checking it out starting October 23rd.

http://www.mergeministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/feature_pumpkinhouse.jpg

Rend Collective

Rend Collective is a Northern Irish Christian band that originated in Bangor, Northern Ireland. Band members include: Chris Llewellyn, Patrick Thompson, Steve Mitchell, and Gareth and Ali Gilkerson. Originally established under the name Rend Collective Experiment between 2003 and 2004, the group contains over fifteen members but tours and records with only six. The other members encourage and support the band.

 

The group has released four albums: Organic Family Hymnal, Homemade Worship By Handmade People, Campfire, and The Art of Celebration. Campfire is a live, outdoor recording of songs from Organic Family Hymnal and Homemade Worship by Handmade People. It features a live version of their popular song "Build Your Kingdom Here." The Art of Celebration was released March 17th, 2014 and features the song "My Lighthouse."

 



Photo Courtesy of:
http://www.premierproductions.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/large/artists/rc_press_shot_-_bench.jpg

Currently, Rend Collective is on their "The Art of Celebration" Tour in the United States. The last night of this tour will be October 30th, 2014 at the Hope Park Church in Nashville, Tennessee.

 

Sources:

http://rendcollective.com/tour/

http://rendcollective.com/music/

http://rendcollective.com/bio/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rend_Collective

"The Walking Dead" Season Premiere

     The new "Walking Dead" season premiered this past Sunday, October 13, 2014. People said the first episode of this season was better than all of last season's episodes combined. In my opinion, I agree. I've watched every episode of this show since season one to now, season 5, and this season already seems to be one of the best. For those of you who don't watch it, I strongly encourage you to because it truly is an amazing show from the actors to the script.


     A quick summary of the show for those who aren't engaged in watching it, it's a post-apocalyptic era in America. Groups of people who have been safe from the disease that has turned almost everyone from humans to zombies fight for their lives in the show. One of the main characters, Rick Grimes, played by Andrew Lincoln, is the Sheriff of the town the show starts out in. He awakens from a coma to find what has happened. That's when the show takes off and all the action happens.

   The first episode of this season was action packed with zombies, reuniting's, and plot twists. Some zombies were killed by the explosion Carol created, and others by the usual ways they die in the show. Many people were reunited like Rick and his son, Carol and Daryl, and others. The plot twist at the end must have surprised many of the people that tuned in to watch as it did me. Morgan is back! Most people thought he died in season one, but he has returned.

     All of the action in this season opener has definitely made an impact on fans. No one can seem to wait for what next week's episode has in store. Tune in Sunday on AMC to see what will happen.





Photos courtesy of:

http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3303920/tv-walking-dead-season-5-character-banner-sdcc/

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0e/TheWalkingDeadPoster.jpg



Red Band Society

Red Band Society is a new television series that first aired on FOX on September 17, 2014. Red Band Society is a unconventional and unique coming-of-age dramedy about a group of rule-bending friends and the adults who mentor them through the ups and downs of adolescence in Los Angeles' Ocean Park Hospital. Everything from strong friendships, and first loves, to humorous mishaps and heartbreaks, the series is a story of life, with an edgy comedic tone all its own. These teens form a life-changing bond and singular kinship, represented by their red hospital bands. They face shared experiences, both uplifting and challenging, tragic and comedic, ordinary and out-of-the-ordinary, and they do it together. When you're brought to the brink, that's when you laugh the loudest, love the strongest, and cry the hardest. This is the story of the Red Band Society. It airs every Wednesday 9/8c.

 

Photo courtesy of: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fox-orders-lee-daniels-hip-701808

Assassins Creed Unity

Assassins creed unity is an upcoming historical action adventure video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. . the game is a seventh installment to the assassins creed series. The game is set within Paris during the French Revolution, the single player campaign follows Arno Dorian in his efforts to expose the true powers behind the revolution. Combat in the game was rebuilt using fencing as an inspiration for the new system. In addition to returning weapons from previous games Assassins creed unity is introducing a weapon called the phantom blade. Assassins creed unity is also introducing cooperative multiplayer to the series, up to four players can play together cooperatively. It is set to be launched in November and December of 2014 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox one and the PC.

http://www.chinatopix.com/articles/5370/20140731/assassins-creed-unity-ubisoft-french-revolution-gaming-game-rpg-comic-con-sdcc-san-diego-comic-con-walking-dead-horror-films.htm

Corn Maze

     At the Cooper Family Farms in Milton WV you can now zip line over the corn maze. The zip line is $12 or $20 for 2 rounds. While you are at the corn maze you can also visit their Cow Train, Pumpkin Patch, Camp Fire, and Corn Crawl Crib.

       Haunted Maze

Haunted Schedule for 2014

 

Friday & Saturday 10/17/14 - 10/18/14

Friday & Saturday 10/24/14 - 10/25/14

Friday & Saturday 10/31/14 - 11/1/14

*Haunting admission $10.00 per person regardless the age.
Zombie Paintball $15.00

Call or email to make a group reservation to receive a group rate! (must qualify as group)

Photo courtesy of: http://www.cooperfamilyfarms.net/

Officially Fall.

         It is that time of the year where we begin to go crazy on Friday nights and stay warm by the night time fires. Telling ghost stories, making the famous s'mores and lastly all snuggled up in our sweat outfits! Yes, you could say this is my favorite time of the year, just because I enjoy to sit out late at night and tell all the freakishly scary stories! Sweaters, boots, leg warmers, and scarfs all follow in this time of the year. All of us girls know what it's like to introduce our outstanding, beautiful sweaters and kick back with some off the wall leggings. This is the time to make our cozy nights into cozy mornings for our new school look! Fall is when the true outfits come out, and most of all, fall is what we all enjoy!

http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/fallfoliage/slideshow/fall_foliage_09.html



Studying Techniques

     Studying is a difficult matter for many students. Why? It's just simply boring, and takes up time that we could be on Twitter or Instagram. Students have trouble concentrating on things for a long period of time so you need to find ways to make studying fun. I recently saw some innovating ways, on twitter none the less, to make the pain of studying more bearable.
 

     This one incorporates a treat into studying. When you have a reading assignment put gummy bears on each paragraph. Each time you reach a gummy bear by reading you get to eat it! It's a tasty and fun way to do your homework.



   
     Another technique to help you remember what you studied the night before a big exam is to wear a perfume/cologne while you study then wear the same perfume/cologne when you take the test. Or chew your favorite gum while studying and taking the test. This is because smell and taste help boost your memory therefore it can help you remember what you studied. Also students can set a specific time or amount of time a night to study. This helps create a routine for kids to follow and eventually it will become force of habit.

                       



 

Photos courtesy of: http://www.etechmag.com/2013/03/11/research-finds-that-chewing-gum-increases-the-ability-to-focus.html 

 http://www.pinterest.com/pin/260997740879005866/ 

 



Annabelle

 "Annabelle" is a horror movie about a mom buying her daughter a demon doll. One day the mother stopped by a hobby store to buy a raggedy doll for her daughter Donna. Donna at the time was in college study to be a nurse, she lived in a small apartment with her roommate Angie who was also going to be a nurse. Donna was pleased with the doll and placed it at the top of her bed, and never thought twice about it till a couple days later. Within that time Donna and Angie had notice there was something very strange and creepy about the doll. After awhile of still having the doll the noticed they would leave and come home to it in a different position, and as time went on it became more and more noticeable. Till one day they had came home and the doll had moved to a completely different room sitting with it legs and arms crossed. To find out more about this freaky story go watch the movie which come out this weekend!







In 1970 a mother purchased an antique Raggedy Ann Doll from a hobby store. The doll was a present for her In 1970 a mother purchased an antique Raggedy Ann Doll from a hobby store. The doll was a present for her daughter Donna on her birthday. daughter Donna on her birthday.

Gears of War

            On November 7, 2006, Epic Games shook the world of gaming and changed the view of third-person shooting forever. The ground-breaking game Gears of War has sold 5.88 million copies since its release. The game had the best graphics of its time, and a year after it was released, it had a fan-favorite online multiplayer added to it by a conjunction of Microsoft Studios and People Can Fly. Since the day of the first game’s release, two sequels and a prequel have been made. Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, and the prequel, Gears of War: Judgment all had topped the charts on sales the week following each release.

            Though the amounts of sales do speak volumes about the game, what really made Gears of War famous was the campaign storyline. The story takes place on an earth-like planet called Sera, where a battle rages between humans and a humanoid race called “locusts” that came from below the surface of the planet. With an additional enemy, the “Glowies” who appear in the third game. The Delta Squad, an elite group of Gears (soldiers) from the Coalition of Ordered Governments’ army, are the main protagonists of the series. Marcus Fenix, Augustus Cole, Dominic Santiago, and Damon Baird make up the Delta Squad throughout the series, who are later accompanied by Anthony, Ben, and Clayton Carmine, Tai Kaliso, Jace Stratton, Dizzy Wallin, Samantha Byrne, and Anya Stroud. Marcus, Dominic, Damon, Cole, Tai, and Anthony appear as players in the first game, followed by Ben in the second, and Anya, Clayton, Jace, and Samantha in the third. The characters in the game are close-knitted, and are easy to get attached to. The game allows the player to play the character while they interact with each other, and also has cinematic cut scenes. The cut scenes outline the story, and give the player a better grasp on the story line, which rarely fails to capture the attention and heart of the player as characters are lost in battle. Anthony, Tai, Benjamin, and Dominic are the characters lost (in order) in the first three games. Emotional attachments are made to all four characters, especially Dominic who is the main character’s best friend, who died in battle sacrificing himself so that his allies could survive an overwhelming attack.

            The amazing characters, clear audio, detailed graphics, heartbreaking storyline, and popular multiplayer make for a great and memorable game series for both solitary gamers, and online lovers. The millions of sales and great reviews don’t lie, Gears of War is a game to be remembered.

This Day in History...

Good Afternoon students, this is Dr. Cooper. I will admit, I had some difficulties determining what to blog about this week. I considered a post about abandoned Disney World parks, but I figured that would be more appropriate closer to Halloween. I also did not have enough time to do the lengthy, good-quality Vatican City history that I wanted. Therefore I decided to go with something easy, but somewhat fun and random: This day in history. Here are some...interesting events that happened on October 3rd throughout history.

• 2333 BC- The nation known today as Korea is founded.
• 1778- English explorer Captain Cook lands in Alaska.
• 1863- President Lincoln issues a proclamation establishing Thanksgiving in November.
• 1932- Iraq gains independence from Great Britain.
• 1935- Italy invades Ethiopia in a largely one-sided war.
• 1955- The Mickey Mouse Club airs on ABC.
• 1990- East and West Germany are reunited.
• 2008- President Bush authorizes a $700 billion bailout injection at the beginning of the Recession.

October 3rd was also the birthday of many famous people whom I have never heard of:

• Many European athletes and entertainers with names I can't pronounce.
• Many American athletes and entertainers whom I've never heard of, plus an astronaut named Charles Duke.

There were also a bunch of famous people who died on October 3rd who I haven't heard of either, with the notable exception of St. Francis of Assisi (Pope Francis' role model).

October 3rd Holidays include:

South Koreans celebrating Foundation Day.

• Germany Unity Day
• National Foundation Day (Korea)
• National Day (Iraq)
• Soldier's Day (Honduras)
• Some festival in Holland.

So it turns out October 3rd was not a very exciting day in world history. Nonetheless, we must recognize its importance to society...
Live Long and Prosper.




http://www.historyorb.com/day/october/3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_3
 Pictures: http://iftodayisyourbirthday.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/october3.gif
http://korea.panduanwisata.com/files/2014/02/south-korea-national-foundation-day-2011-10-3-4-40-42.jpg

"Birds of Prey"

 

Thursday, September 25th,  the SOAR Club had their first meeting of the year. SOAR is one of the Science Clubs at Spring Valley. Last year, I had the privilege of joining this club through Mrs. Eastham's invitation.

Photo Courtesy of: http://www.tracwv.org/scrap.html

On Tuesday, October 14th, the SOAR Club is welcoming the "Birds of Prey" presentation. Last year, the "Birds of Prey" was brought to our school and the presentation given was absolutely fascinating. Students had the opportunity to see these winged-creatures that they normally would not be able to see.

Most science classes will be invited to this year's presentation.

 

Sources:

https://www.google.com/calendar/render?eid=bHVzcWtsNW9vMTlmbGxpbTZqMDFrYm9zc2sgc3Zoc3RpbWJlcndvbHZlc0Bt&ctz=America/New_York&pli=1&t=AKUaPmbe3wefn1n-RaHv-5OE9sGKMZrDUL6GZkqIogUbXikEKWqUBuSk92BFts0MHywE1cPKatzCOBrupTzk66E61Y22Ux1c-Q&sf=true&output=xml#f

 

On the Campaign Trail

While many teenagers have no interest in politics, the decisions made by those we elect effect our lives on a daily basis. There are two House of Delegates seats open in the 19th District which includes most of Wayne County. There are four candidates: Democrat Kenneth Hicks, Democrat Don Perdue, Republican Randy Tomblin, and, the basis of my article, Republican Steve Marcum. 

Recently through Spring Valley High School's Young Republicans Club I was given the opportunity to meet Marcum, where he invited us to see what a grassroots campaign is like. Grassroots campaigns are the smallest, but often the hardest campaigns to take part in. On Thursday October 2nd, I had the opportunity to go into the battlefield as Marcum, his daughter Carri, and myself went door-to-door in Ceredo and handed out cards promoting the campaign. We had a lot of positive responses and made it to almost a hundred houses in a little under two hours.

Steve Marcum stands for the Constitution's importance in government affairs, the Second Amendment, the necessity of a well-developed education for our state's future, and is a strong supporter of coal. With Steve Marcum what you see is what you get; he is a down-to-earth candidate who cares for his state. Be sure to tell your parents to get out and vote, even if it's not for Marcum!

http://www.stevemarcum2014.com/uploads/2/5/0/9/25094364/1241065_orig.jpg

Four Bands to perform on 10/10

Five Finger Death Punch, Volbeat, HellYeah, and Nothing More are the four bands scheduled to perform at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena on October 10th. Their tour started September 16th in Salt Lake City and is to end on October 24th in Las Vegas. They are to visit 19 other cities along the way including Huntington WV.
Ticket pricing will range from 37.75$ to 83.00$. If you buy your tickets online at www.ticketmaster.com, the price will be lower than any other website. This may also be your last chance to see these bands perform in West Virginia for a long time. The last time 5FDP came to Charleston was four years ago.

http://www.metalinjection.net/tour-dates/five-finger-death-punch-volbeat-hellyeah-announce-fall-tour-dates

Problem of the week!

Do you have a difficult math problem that you just can't figure out? Submit it to The Timber Wolf and it will be blogged. If someone knows the answer or knows how solve comment below!

This weeks problem is:

simplify the expression

√9-x²

as much as possible after substituting

3sinϴ for x

 

Picture credit http://nie.wichitaeagle.com/_img/subjects/math.jpg
http://enlearn.eastnoble.net/nsparents/images1/math%2025.jpg