Today is World Autism Awareness Day: Light it up Blue!

Light it up blue today and show support for Autism Awareness. Autism is a silent epidemic which affects 1 in 88 children, most of them boys. Autism is more common in males, with 1 in 54 boys receiving the diagnosis. There is no cure for Autism, and no one knows what causes it. With today's technology we are perfectly capable of finding some of these answers. However, there is not enough awareness about autism to draw attention to in-depth research.

Autism Speaks is working hard to raise awareness, but they need help from people around to world. Today, April 2, 2012 is World Autism Awareness Day. Home Depot and Autism Speaks are working together to get the word out. Please help by purchasing a blue light bulb from Home Depot and placing it in your porch light for the month of April. If it is not possible to leave it in the whole month, then put a blue light bulb in for tonight.

The light bulbs are labeled with the Light it up Blue logo and the price is $1.99 per light bulb. Proceeds will go to support Autism awareness. Placing a blue light bulb in your outdoor fixtures will gain attention and show support to families who struggle with Autism every day. This support is for all types of Autism, such as Asperger's Syndrome, PDDNOS and Low Functioning Autism. Most Home Depots are open until 10 P.M. tonight (Monday April 2, 2012) and report having Light it up Blue light bulbs in stock.

Should April Fool's Jokes be Played on Palm Sunday?

What is Palm Sunday? When is Palm Sunday?

In 2012 Palm Sunday falls on April 1, April Fool's Day. This happening has some Catholics and Christians worried that the day may get marred by jokers. Palm Sunday is not on the same day every year. For example, in 2013 Palm Sunday falls on March 24th. Palm Sunday is one week before the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Palm Sunday is the day that Holy week begins.

Palm Sunday marks the day that Jesus humble entered Jerusalem. He knew that he would die, which would give mankind forgiveness for its sins. This noble act is well worthy of observance (not celebration). Seven days later, Easter is observed to mark Jesus death and resurrection.

Is Palm Sunday the Same as Passover?

The Jewish holiday of Passover occurs around the same time as palm sunday, but it is different. In 2012 Passover starts April 6th and lasts to April 14th. This is to celebrate mosses liberating the Jews.

Palm Sunday 2012

People from around the world have begun preperations to observe Palm Sunday. The Bishop has spoken out about the controversy that surrounds an April 1st Palm Sunday. He sends a message to the faithful all around the world asking them to refrain from practical jokes. Church officials feel that pranks and practical jokes, which stem from pagan practices. They do not ask that people give up April Fool's Day entirely, just take this year off. Church officials do stress that they hope Christians and Catholics will move away from superstition (which is how April Fool's Day got its start.)

Record Jackpot of Lottery Tickets May Better Schools

The sale of Lottery tickets benefits more than the winner and business. A portion of state lottery ticket sales gets donated to the public schools of that state. In fact, lottery sale donations provide millions of dollars in finding to public school. For example, in California schools have received $24 Billion dollars since the beginning, and in Ohio Public schools get 28 cents for every dollar.

For all those who feel bummed out for not winning, pat yourself on the back for playing. The March 29, 2012 Jackpot was the largest ever and sales were the largest ever too. This means that schools just got an unexpected bump in their budgets. Of course, this will only happen if the people make a stand.

What does that mean, take a stand? Schools across the state are suffering, even with funds from the lottery. That is because the state does not use lottery funds as a bonus on top of already budgeted funds. The lottery funds themselves provide the foundation of the budget. The bottom line is, without lottery sale donations schools would have almost NO money to run.

In fact, if people sat down and looked at the budget, they would realize that the school tax they pay is not going entirely to schools, some gets spent on other things. The question is, now that schools are going to get record donations, will they divert current funds to other things? Or will they use this money to improve Americas schools?

Safety Concerns For Those With Wining Lotto Numbers

In Atlanta Georgia on March 29, 2012 the six most awaited numbers ever known to man were drawn. The winning numbers are 2-4-23-38-46, Mega Ball 23. Winning Lotto Numbers were in three states: Kansas, Illinois and Maryland. The Lottery commission has not released names of the winders yet. In fact, it is unknown if all three winners have reported their winnings to the lottery commission. The winners have one year to report their numbers, which gives them time to get affairs in order.

Officials say it might be a wise decision to remain anonymous until things calm down. Americans are still in a frenzy over the biggest jackpot the Megamillions have seen. Even now, people flock to the three stores where the winning tickets were sold. Some are buying tickets for the Powerball, others rubbing the machine for lick and some waiting around to hear someone shout, "I won! I won!"

Many people are using bar code checkers at stores to check for winning numbers. Officials say it may not be the safest way to check for a winning ticket. With the massive jackpot, there is a chance a person who let on to being a winner would be mobbed. The safest thing to do is to check your ticket online at the Megamillions official website. A person who has a winning ticket should not tell anyone until a pen is found and the back is signed. An additional safety measure that the lottery commission recommends to winner is to take a picture of yourself with the ticket and save the picture to multiple locations (phone, email, printed, etc.).

How to Pick Megamillions Winning Numbers

The Biggest Jackpot Known To Man                                                                                                                                                                            

Three Americans are suddenly a little over $200 million richer after the March 30, 2012 Lottery drawing. The jackpot ($649 million) was the largest jackpot known to the world. Millions of people took a chance and a significant portion of them were first time time lottery players. With only three winners, people are asking, "How did they do it?"

How To Pick Megamillions Winning Numbers            
                                                                                 
One of the three winning tickets was an auto pick. This means that the winner let the computer pick the numbers at random. The other two tickets were self-picked numbers. While it is still too early to know how they chose them, others in the past have given clues to their tactics.

One approach is compiling a record of Megamillions winning numbers. On the Megamillions Website players can find the winning numbers, and numbers for previous drawings. The trick here is to enter the numbers in a spreadsheet and develop algorithms which will determine which numbers get picked most often. There have been hundreds of lottery winners who said this technique worked for them.

Another tactic follows the Law of Attraction. The Law of Attraction states that we draw to ourselves everything needed to live the life we WANT. When If using this method lottery players should watch for numbers that seem to show up every where in their lives. Some claim numbers that come up 3 times may prove likely to win. However, statistic shows that LOTS of numbers will come up that many times. So the trick is to look for numbers that seem to show up lots and lots of times. Some of those numbers could be birthdays, wedding day or other significant dates.

What Is Autism? What Is Light Up Blue?

                                                      Autism Overview

Autism is a disorder which is classified as a developmental brain disorder. Autism and Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect millions of people around the world. Autism is a severe condition; ASD is less severe. People who are diagnosed with autism are rated on a scale which rates how well they function. People with Autism have an overabundance of grey matter in their brains. While researchers are unclear what that means, Autism interferes with social, cognitive and language development. People with Autism have a difficult time communicating with others.

Awareness 

April is World Autism month and April 2nd is World Autism day. The goal is to spread awareness about Autism in an attempt to promote better research and more support for families. Autism is so common that some people are calling it an Epidemic. 1 in 88 children have Autism, many of them boys. To learn more about this epidemic and to see how autism affects families check out Autism is a Nationwide Epidemic.

How You Can Help - Light it up Blue

Providing support for people, and families, who are touched by Autism is very important. Anyone whose life has been touched by Autism can help by lighting up blue. Home Depot and Autism Speaks are working together to help people light up blue. To show support, buy a blue light bulb from home depot and place it in your porch light for the month of April. Spread the word to family, friends and neighbors to help stop the suffering of millions of people whose lives are touched by Autism.

                                    Light it Up Blue - Song. Please Help! 

The $540 Mega Millions Jackpot Creates a Frenzy

The Mega Millions Jackpot

The Mega Millions Jackpot is up to $540 million dollars and is becoming a grand source of entertainment. There has never been a jackpot this big, putting dollar signs in peoples eyes. Some people are talking strategy, others are in a frenzy and others are trying to profit from the frenzy. Here are some examples of the entertainment.

The Psychics

Psychics around the country who are tapping in to the super natural are attemptting to learn the winning numbers. Some are glorifying their abilities and others say they would need more time to "get in tune" with the winning numbers. Lucky for most, many psychics do not believe it is ethical to use their ability to win the lottery.

The Mathematicians

Many mathematicians say it is a statistical improbability to win the lottery. Thanks to their logical view of things they tend not to play. However, with the jackpot at $540 million some are attempting to use math to find the winning numbers.

The Hoarders

Another jackpot strategy is to buy as many tickets, from as many places, as possible. According to this strategy, the more tickets bought the greater chance to win. Unfortunately, the mathematicians harsh the hoarders buzz by pointing out the fact that spending $400 a month on tickets would have the probability of a win once every $34,000 years or so.

The Bottom Line

The winner(s) of the $550 Million Jackpot should stay away from the psychics, mathematicians and hoarders who just want to bring the winner down. Also, sign the ticket and take a picture of yourself with it. For the other 100 million people who do not win the lesson is clear. Sit back and enjoy the Mega Millions entertainment.

Autism is Officially a Nationwide Epidemic

Autism is a widely misunderstood condition. There is no cure, and many families suffer alone due to lack of awareness. Diagnosis of autism is on the rise; in fact, the diagnosis is up 23 percent. It is now said that 1 out of every 88 children is diagnosed with a form of Autism. Many of these children, and their families, are suffering because they are not getting the services or treatment they need.

Autism is rated on a scale between High-Functioning Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and Low Functioning Autism. Many children are will be diagnosed as PDDNOS (Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified). This places them on a scale somewhere between high and low functioning, but not fitting in to a specific category.

Researchers are not sure why there has been such a large increase in the number of children diagnosed with Autism. It is thought that better testing has helped identify children with autism. Still, many people and schools do not help children with autism, probably because they do not fully understand the condition.

In Ohio a single mother (who wishes to remain anonymous) struggles every day to get by. He son Josh was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome in 2008. She is going to school while raising three kids on her own. She shared some of her struggles, explaining that most people do not take her sons condition seriously. Many schools refuse to give her son the help he needs. Once school refused help on the basis that, "He does not look like he has Autism." In the end Josh faced suspension after suspension, making matters worse. His mother had to put him in a new school and start all over.

This is one of the biggest problem that families with Autism face. Most people do not realize that autistic individuals look like everyone else. The condition is a brain disorder that disrupts the child's life, and the families. Autism Speaks has started a nationwide campaign in attempts to raise autism awareness. Hopefully they will get the message across so families like Josh's do not have to suffer alone anymore.