Sometimes we like to toot our own horn, and today is that day.

Journal staffers took some time out of their busy schedule to shoot this satirical look at saying “No” to all that holiday snacking and goody grazing.

Now here’s a cute video… and a change of pace from what’s usually captured on dashcam video. A police officer in central Texas pulls over a Ford Explorer and approaches the vehicle to write the driver a ticket. As he is standing there, a black cat comes up to the officer, rubbing against his leg. The cat eventually crawls up the cop’s leg and walks along his shoulders. Despite the policeman’s attempts to shoo the cat, he keeps coming back, as though it’s a game. Watch the full dashcam video here, by clicking on the arrow to play:

Some employees at a zoo in Leipzig, Germany, are dealing with severe hair loss. But not their own loss of hair, but that of three black bears living at the zoo. The bears are almost completely bald, with the exception of some tufts of fur around their neck. And with the threat of winter weather ahead, the zookeepers are turning to experts worldwide, for helping understanding this bizarre bear condition. As a result of this news, folks have been flocking to the zoo, to get a glimpse of these poor coatless creatures.

A photo of naked Dolores, one of the black bears who has lost her fur coat.

Here’s a video from the Associated Press, that shows the balding bears in their zoo habitat.
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Show notes:
Link Siouxland Area Red Cross

No one can get enough of Balloon Boy and the antics of his Colorado family.

The Huffington Post got into the fun by offering a downloadable photoshop image of the family’s saucer-shaped balloon. Readers can make their own image and upload it to the site.

You can find dozens of examples (like the one above) by readers, make your own and vote on your favorites by clicking here.

Capturing summer in a jar is easy. Watch as a canning enthusiast shares tips while preserving three-berry jam.

Do-it-yourself approach with apothecary jars and gravel highlights seasonal colors. Watch how:

Have a noisy or wobbly appliance? The problem could be its fan. Cleaning and servicing is quick and simple, as shown in this week’s Your Home video.

The Sioux City school board election is Tuesday. Here are a number of links to information that will help you make a decision at the polls.

Five vie for seat on school board – profiles of candidates.

League of Women Voters Q&A with each candidate.

School board candidates raise, spend little.

Residents query candidates at forum.

NAACP hosts school board candidate forum.

Finally, if you don’t know where to vote, here are precinct voting locations:

Precinct

1. Heartland Community Church, 3601 Country Club Blvd.

2. Central Assembly of God, 2300 W. 19th St.

3. West Middle School, 3301 W. 19th St.

4. Emerson School, 2410 W. First St.

5. Riverside School, 2303 Riverside Blvd.

6. Faith Lutheran Church, 3101 Hamilton Blvd.

7. Crescent Park School, 1114 W. 27th St.

8. Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1421 Gene, a St.

9. Lincoln School, 115 Midvale

10. Clark School, 4315 Hamilton Blvd. (plus Plymouth County residents)

11. Lamb Productions, 417 Market St.

12. Boys and Girls Home, 2101 Court St.

13. Sioux City Transit System, 2505 Fourth St. (Plus Concord Township residents)

14. Boys and Girls Home, 2101 Court St.

15. Unity School, 1901 Unity Ave.

16. Trimble United Methodist Church, 1424 27th St.

17. Bryant School, 821 30th St.

18. Calvary Lutheran Church, 4410 Central St.

19. North Middle School , 2101 Outer Drive North

20. Nodland School, 5000 Mayhew Ave.

21. Washington Heights Chapel, 2600 S. St. Mary’s St.

22. Morningside Branch Library, 4005 Morningside Ave.

23. Community Action Agency of Siouxland, 2700 Leech Ave.

24. Morningside Lutheran Church, 700 S. Martha St.

25. Eppley Auditorium, 3625 Garretson Ave.

26. East Middle School, 5401 Lorraine Ave. (Plus Woodbury Township residents)

27. St. James United Methodist Church, 2032 S. Cypress St.

28 Irving School, 901 Floyd Blvd.

“Man cave” essentials

1. Massive TV. Bigger is always better. Using an LCD projector, as
shown in this week’s video, will bring the game action close. In the off season, enjoy DVDs like you own a cinema.

2. Powerful surround sound system. Enjoy movies and music — loud.

3. CD juke box. Loaded with classic albums, including the Rolling
Stones and CCR, there’s a selection everyone can agree on for the pre-game warm up.

4. Bar. One word says it all.

5. Popcorn machine. After time at the bar, this’ll satisfy the munchies. Great call.