5 things you need to know this weekend
Let the Games begin! (And the medals flow)
That moment when athletes step onto the podium and tears stream down their faces as the medal is placed around their necks. OMG we are there! It's the first official day of Olympic competition (the opening ceremony was Friday) after Rio nailed a thought-provoking celebration that spawned parties across the city. Team USA is expected to reach medal rounds of a few sports this weekend; swimming, archery, cycling and judo, to name a few. Here's everything you need to know for Day 1 in Brazil.
Football Hall of Fame enshrines Brett Favre and 2016 class
Like always, ol’ No. 4 plans to wing it during his Hall of Fame induction weekend, just as he approached the game on autumn Sundays. Brett Favre and seven other football legends will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday in Canton, Ohio. Owner Eddie DeBartolo, Jr., coach Tony Dungy, linebacker/defensive end Kevin Greene, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, offensive tackle Orlando Pace, quarterback Ken Stabler and guard Dick Stanfel also share the special honor. The following day, NFL action gets underway with the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts, the first exhibition game of the preseason.
The World’s Longest Yard Sale continues through Sunday
If you live in Michigan, Alabama or anywhere in between, prepare your wallets for the World’s Longest Yard Sale. Thousands of vendors with saws, costume jewelry, historic relics, clothes and more await bargain hunters at the annual sale that stretches 690 miles along the U.S. 127 corridor. The loosely organized Highway 127 sale, which began Thursday and runs through Sunday, has become increasingly popular since its 1987 inception. There is even a website with resources to help vendors and buyers make the best of the weekend-long sale.
Statue of Lucille Ball to be unveiled, replace 'Scary Lucy'
“Scary Lucy” is getting a makeover. A new statue of Lucille Ball, the comedian who starred in I Love Lucy, is set to be unveiled Saturday in her hometown of Celoron, N.Y., on what would have been her 105th birthday. It will replace the current statue, which has received national attention for its unpleasant portrayal of the actress. Dubbed “Scary Lucy,” the original statue was unveiled in 2009 and prompted locals to call on the town to remove it. It received widespread attention last year when local and national media picked up the story.
Thailand votes on controversial constitution
Thailand holds a referendum Sunday on a controversial new constitution that would give the military some of its broadest powers in decades, including the direct appointment of a 250-member senate. Critics say it would weaken democracy and entrench the rule of the armed-forces junta that seized power two years ago. Supporters say it would clean up political corruption and heal divisions that have ravaged Thailand's political landscape. The results, however, may not have much impact, says a local political expert. The military has "made it so that they'll be in charge either way,” said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, associate professor of political science at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University.
And the essentials:
Be inspired: Mini horse gets his groove back with special hoof
Weekend TV: Wondering what to watch this weekend? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at The Olympic Games and Masterpiece Mystery: Inspector Lewis.
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