College Unplugged

Amherst College has a message for students-- unplug. The Massachusetts liberal arts school is asking students to turn off their gizmos -- at least for a few minutes this coming Friday. The idea is to get the students thinking about the harmful effects of excessive technology use. The school would like students to power-down their laptops, smartphones and iPods for at least 15 minutes Friday. Who knows? The college kids may find that friending doesn't have to involve a computer or Facebook.

Hey Amherst students, my suggestion is to just take 15 separate minutes off from each, than you'll still have the other things while your taking a break from the one item. 

Crash Tax Repealed

The "crash tax" has hit a dead end in Sacramento, California.  The controversial ordinance would have charged out-of-towners hundreds of dollars if firefighters had to respond to a car crash.  While the measure was passed by the City Council in January, members decided to vote on it again.  A local paper (Sacramento Bee) reports the council voted 6-2 to repeal the crash tax.

Code of the West

The Code of the West is a step closer to being the law of the land in Oregon.  The State House has voted to adopt Cowboy Ethics as a symbolic standard for Oregon.  The Code of the West includes principles like live each day with courage and when you make a promise, keep it.  Critics point out the Old West had its problems, too.  The Code of the West measure now moves on to the Oregon Senate.

Forged Doctor Note

It was a doctor's note -- but it was a fake.  Authorities in Southern California say a woman showed up in court seeking a delay in her sentencing.  Michelle Elaine Astumian had pleaded no contest to forging drug prescriptions.  Prosecutors say her doctor's note asking for a postponement was also forged.  Officials tell a local paper (San Luis Obispo County Tribune) she will be sentenced a later date.   This woman receives the Morning Buzz Dumb Criminal of the Week Award.

Fish Tank Wedding

Taking the plunge isn't just a figure of speech for Leonard Sonnenschein and Valentina Machlich.  They got hitched in a giant fish tank at the World Aquarium in St. Louis.  The idea isn't all wet.  Sonnenshein is the C-E-O of the aquarium.  They didn't have to worry about the stingrays and the other aquatic creatures that circled them, either.  The couple and a rabbi who officiated stood on a dry platform in the tank.  The groom tells KSDK-TV his love of the sea and the creatures in it made the aquarium wedding a natural.  Anyone who loves the Morning Buzz, is welcome to discuss with us the possibility of getting married in studio.

Hollywood Diner

The Hollywood Diner isn't in Hollywood.  But you might recognize it from a movie.  The diner has been a Baltimore landmark ever since local-native Barry Levinson filmed parts of his breakout film "Diner"  there in 1982.  Catering company owner Cheryl Townsend reopened the Hollywood Diner earlier this month.  She tells the Daily Record of Baltimore that business has been great, despite the sagging economy.  Townsend is advertising "good food at 'recession-friendly' prices!"  We may make this the next Buzz Tour stop.

TechShop

"Lasers and Beer."  Just the thing to attract techies in the San Francisco Bay Area.  TechShop is a little like a gym.  But instead of workout equipment, TechShop has two floors of tools for members to use.  One of the most popular is a $30,000 laser cutter, so accurate it can etch everything from paper to glass.  Chief executive Mark Hatch says one of TechShop's most popular evenets is an evening called "Lasers and Beer".  He jokes that members first engrave mugs, then drink the beer.  Hopefully, we will see one of these in Cleveland very soon.