'Bohemian Rhapsody,' Muppet-Style

By DAN FLETCHER

While the lovable felt monsters of Sesame Street celebrate their 40th anniversary this year, Jim Henson's other creations, the Muppets, have been largely out of the spotlight. Let's be honest: the last time most people have seen a Muppet was in a TV commercial (and even then, it was Kobe and Lebron, not Kermit and Miss Piggy). That changed this week with an assist from Queen's songbook. The puppet ensemble released a cover of the classic Queen anthem "Bohemian Rhapsody" to commemorate the death of Freddie Mercury 18 years ago. Whether it's Muppet nostalgia or a love of rock ballads, the video clearly struck a chord: it's had some 7 million plays in just a week's time.

It's not the most faithful of renditions: the Muppets do gloss over some of the song's racier lyrics. "Mama, just killed a man/ Put a gun against his head/ Pulled my trigger/ Now he's dead" becomes a monosyllabic riff ("Mama! ... Mama?") by the drummer Animal. But these are kids' show characters, after all, and by the time Miss Piggy finishes the song with an epic solo delivered atop a piano, the few omissions seem like a trifling complaint.

The video, an official production of the Muppets Studio, is the puppet clan's first foray into covering music on the Web (Beaker's solo "Ode to Joy" not withstanding). With all the buzz for its release, it's a safe bet that more videos will follow. "Bohemian Rhapsody" is a tough number to top, but who wouldn't want to see Henson's creations stretch a little with, say, a "Thriller" cover? It's a YouTube franchise in the making.

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Artist Khurelbaatar Gets Exhibition

Written by E.Zandarmaa

The artist known as Ch.Khurelbaatar got an independent exhibition of exclusively his own work in the Artist Union of Mongolia on November 26.

Experts considered his compositions to be a valuable contribution to the history of Mongolia’s fine art. This exhibition included pieces from his last 10 years of work, and included over 40 exhibits done in either crayons, or watercolor.

He approaches his compositions with sensitivity as to attract the attention of many learned art enthusiasts . The Ch.Khurelbaatar exhibition will continue through, until December 3rd..

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Stroking pets can cut painkiller use after surgery

Stroking a pet can help patients cut their amount of painkillers in half, according to a new study.

he research found that patients who had undergone hip or knee replacement operations needed less painkillers if they used pet therapy.

It is well known that animal owners are generally healthier than non-pet owners because they can help reduce stress and encourage exercise.

In Britain a charity called Pets and Therapy has been taking animals into care homes, hospices, hospitals and children's wards to help patients recover and reduce stress levels since 1983.

A conference in America has heard that patients recovering from joint-replacement surgery needed 50 per cent less pain medication if they used pet therapy.

Julia Havey, from the Loyola University Health System (LUHS), Chicago, who led the research, said: "Evidence suggests animal-assisted therapy can have a positive effect on a patient's emotional and physical well being.

"These data further support these benefits and build the case for expanding the use of pet therapy in recovery."

Ms Havey and colleague Dr Frances Vlasses raise puppies to become assistance dogs through a program called Canine Companions for Independence.

Dr Vlasses said: "As nurses, we are committed to improving the quality of life for others.

"This service experience has provided us with a unique way to combine our love for animals with care for people with special needs."

The findings were presented at the 18th Annual Conference of the International Society of Anthrozoology and the First Human Animal Interaction Conference (HAI) in Kansas City.

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Child entrepreneur gives back for holidays

By C. Garcia - NBCSanDiego.com

AN DIEGO - In the home of eighth-grader Jason O'Neill, teddy bears are everywhere. They're white, black or brown. Some have bow ties and some have ribbons. They sit on chairs, tables, counter tops and the floor.

Thanks to O'Neill, a young entrepreneur who started his own company at age 9, they're all going to sick children for Christmas.

"At Christmas I wanted to do something special, so I started a fundraiser this year to raise money for buying a bunch of bears," O’Neill said.

All of the bears will be given to children at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego.

O'Neill has been giving money to charity since he started Pencil Bugs four years ago. The company's main product is pencils with hand-painted Styrofoam toppers designed to look like bugs. He's sold hundreds of them in the last four years — and he's also expanded his product line. His products now include Pencil Bugs T-shirts and greeting cards, and he's working on a Pencil Bugs board game.

"In the beginning of my business, I knew that I was very fortunate being a kid and being able to do all of this, so I wanted to help other kids in some way," said O’Neill.

'Every little bit helps'
This year, O'Neill decided to donate more than money. He wanted to give less fortunate children something tangible for Christmas. He thought of teddy bears.

He began a fundraising campaign, encouraging children across the country to donate. He's received more than $700 in donations. A group of students from Michigan sent him $119 from a bake sale. Other kids have sent only a few dollars.

"What I always say is that every little bit helps," O'Neill said. "Those kids that just donate five or 10 dollars out of their own money, that helps and that will change somebody's life."

O’Neill and his mom are now busy tying special tags to hundreds of bears, each one thanking children for donating to make the project possible.

O’Neill is still trying to raise money on his Web site to buy more bears before the end of the month, the deadline for holiday donations at the hospital.

"I haven't had any big tragedies in my life, but I know that there are always people more and less fortunate that you, so it's good to help out," O’Neill said.

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New Movie Produced about Mongolian Opera and Ballet Theater

Written by E.Bayannasan

N.Lkhamsuren wrote screenplay of the movie named “Ikh Nairal Egshiglen” (Great Symphony Orchestra) dedicated for the 85th Year Anniversary of National Symphony Orchestra.

Contemporary professional symphonic orchestra was founded in Ulaanbaatar in 1924 with a group of players of folk music instruments, which later became foundation stone of National Central Theater in 1931.

In addition, modern-day Opera and Ballet Theater of Mongolia, a home to the National Symphony Orchestra, made its first ever opening on May 18, 1963 with Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin.

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