According to research released today, 15 per cent of Brits have embraced blogs, or online diaries, in a bid to make their opinions count.

Perhaps its the appeal of creating an online persona, or the freedom to speak behind the veil of complete anonymity.

Whatever the reason for Britains love affair with blogging, millions of us are getting friendly with our laptops in a bid to make ourselves heard - to whomever will listen.

The Welsh are the most active bloggers with a massive 23 per cent heading for their PCs.

Of those who blog, one in five are logging on at least once a day and female bloggers are more keen than the lads, with 23 per cent blogging daily or more often against 17 per cent of men.

Opportunities Available With United Way's Volunteer Center

Take a Hike...Into Volunteering Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Come learn about the Lookout Mountain Land Trust, Reflection Riding Arboretum & Botanical Garden, the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, and Jeffrey Hunters work with the American Hiking Society and the National Park Service Trails during this informative 3.5 mile hike. We will start at LMLTs John C. Wilson Park on Cummings Highway, take you along the LMLTs Guild Trail and part of the NPSs Gum Springs Trail and will conclude at Reflection Riding. Along the way, you will learn about these active organizations and how you can help fulfill their missions as a volunteer. At the Riding, a free lunch will be served and you can choose to picnic or eat in the Humphreys House before a caravan will take you back to your cars at John C.

Stan Hywet restoration projects are under way

Market St., Akron. Raffle tickets are $5. Admission to the show is free. Raffle winners will be announced at 9 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Details: 330-671-3792.

Art Extravaganza — Jackson High School and Jackson School for the Arts holds the second annual All District Arts Extravaganza from 5 to 10 p.m. in the new Jackson High School commons area, where the evening's events include performance of one-act plays, a silent auction, a gift basket raffle, a 50/50 raffle, performance of the Jackson Memorial Middle School Chamber Choir, a special performance of Suessical by Jackson Memorial Middle School students, plus an exhibit of student art work.

Hip-Hop Rumors: We Don't Need No Rumors Today!

I would like to quickly clarify what happened at the Kanye West show in California. Actually, it was a Common show that Kanye popped up on. Last week I said that Kanye dissed the Grammys. Well, it wasn't at the Anaheim show like I said. This apparently occurred at the Hollywood show at the House of Blues. I wasn't there so I didn't hear it or anything. Also, I heard that in a third verse freestyle, Kanye said “I beat 50."
Thanks a lot, Peter!! (See the pics down below)

There was another crappy Eminem rumor coming out that the Detroit rapper was going to be wrestling in the WWE. Shame on you if you believed that one. It was refuted faster than any other rumor in the history of man.

Trial begins in crosswalk death of council aide

Nakata, 29, suffered severe head injuries in the accident and broken bones including a broken leg. He died later at Harborview Medical Center.

Vargas said he plans to call Schwartz to testify.

Cravath Veteran Recalls Law Firm Life of Yesteryear

Your father tells me you started a job at Cravath, Swaine & Moore earlier this fall. Perhaps you are aware that I spent some of my formative years at that firm.

Actually, the window was the province of E. Gabriel Perle, a more senior associate who got the desk nearest the window in the office we shared. "Gabby" took me out to lunch and dinner and introduced me to the many stanzas of "The Partners' John," a song telling the story of the rise of a young associate to the long-anticipated moment when he receives a key to the partners' john.

Website anything but shy about dismantling disability stereotypes

Disaboom co-founder Glen House, center (at his office door), and Dr. Pio Guerrero, left, tell colleagues about their experience a week earlier when Guerrero had to help House out of his truck and up an embankment after House's truck slid off an icy road. (Mark T. Osler, The Denver Post ) .

TONAWANDAS: County needs more doctors

In years past, doctors were willing to be on-call every night to build patient volume, but many new doctors aren't willing to adapt to that kind of lifestyle, Owens said."When we're recruiting for positions, many say they want to work in an office space," Owens said. "They want to work Monday through Friday, nine to five and don't want to round at the hospital. Typically, that kind of nine to five position worked at the hospital and rounded on weekends, but it's a different environment than it used to be."Olivia Smith-Blackwell, MD, started her practice in North Tonawanda six years ago and said her patient list has grown rapidly. Even so, starting a private practice is just as much about juggling the overhead as it is about good medicine, she said."I think it's challenging no matter where you set up," Smith-Blackwell said.

Police chief explains Children's Theatre probe

The letter, released late Friday morning, says department investigators are working "tirelessly" to complete the probe and that the department understands the importance of the theater to the community.

Summer Heights High's Mr G gets set for musical stardom

I also see a lot of me in Chris Brown. Obviously not skin tone-wise, but for attitude and funkiness we're on a par. You've always set high goals for yourself -- what are your aims for the single? I'd be lying if I didn't say I wanted a Grammy. There are always some great surprise collaborations at the ARIAs. If you were invited to perform, who would be your dream duet partner? I think Darren Hayes and I would sound incredible together. I'd consider Natalie Bassingthwaighte, but she tends to shout a lot, and maybe Anthony Callea with him singing a chorus in Italian. You worked with Paul Mac on this single. Was he impressed with your musical prowess and vision? Which one was he? If he was the dark-haired fellow then yes he was noticeably impressed with my studio skills. He said I have a great recording voice, which is what Mark Holden said about Anthony Callea a few years ago and look at him now! Have you been pumping up the dance mixes of Naughty Girl in your car? Yes.

Lawmakers face tough vote on smoking ban

The legislation highlights the inconsistencies in the smoking debate. If it's important to protect the health of restaurant and bar employees, why shouldn't casino employees be afforded the same protection?Ultimately, it's difficult to predict what a smoking ban might look like after it snakes its way through the legislative process. Some House GOP members are set to offer amendments that would exempt bars and family farm corporations from smoking bans.Who can say no to family farmers? And if smokers can't go to a bar to puff, where can they go?It all raises some difficult questions for state lawmakers, who likely will have to take votes that will anger some people back home. The question is, which people. .