the scoop

the scoop

a good question

Everyone loves to eat conversation hearts around Valentine’s Day. In what other shapes have “conversation” candies been made?

A. Watches

B. Baseballs

C. Horseshoes

D. All of the above

Answer: D. In 1902, the Necco company began manufacturing “conversation mottoes” in various shapes, including watches, horseshoes and baseballs. (Source: necco.com)

journalism contest

Why do you want to be a journalist? For many their reasons include wanting to make a difference — and that’s exactly what the Allstate Foundation wants you to do.

The foundation is holding a contest for all high school journalism students. All you have to do is get an article published in your school paper that deals with smart driving. The foundation is even helping you get started by offering story ideas, tips and facts on smart driving and other resources on the site keepthedrive.com.

But you better act fast, the contest ends March 6, 2009. The story needs to have been published between Aug. 1, 2008 and March 1, 2009. Winners are rewarded with up to $3,500 in cash. For more contest details visit www.keepthedrive.com/journalist.

swing town

Tiger Woods has been keeping a low profile as he prepares for his comeback from knee surgery — and a possible round of golf with President Barack Obama. But he did take time to check out the Gillette-EA Sports Champions of Gaming tournament in Orlando.

Woods said he’s been playing a lot of his own game, “Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09,” while he recuperates. “When my buddies are in town we always play it,” he said. Not to mention the kids in his neighborhood, who, Woods said, “are always proud when they finally beat me.”

Woods had a few words about the next edition of his game: “It’s a lot harder. We did make the putting more difficult.” He said he’s gotten more involved with the game’s development over the years, and “it’s amazing how realistic it is. But five years from now this will look archaic.”