Susan Boyle's Makover

The inevitable has happened: “Britain’s Got Talent” sensation Susan Boyle got a makeover. She’s ditched the drab dresses for a shiny black jacket, dyed her tangled gray locks a rich brown, donned a trendy plaid scarf.

Should we be concerned that the woman who rocketed to fame because of the unlikely juxtaposition of average-gal frumpiness and chill-inducing vocal chops has been forced to conform to conventional standards of beauty? Or should we instead applaud Ms. Boyle for her larvae-into-butterfly transformation now that she’s on the world stage? No doubt half the Boyle-ites will be wringing their hands, while the other half sings (mostly off-key) her praises.

This phenomenon is certainly not unique. Are fans bothered that Adam Lambert has largely done away with his severe, across-the-forehead bangs in favor of an Elvis-esque ‘do? Indeed, the makeover is part of the “American Idol” experience: It’s not just the Clay Aikens and the Elliot Yamins who get plucked, dyed and altogether reinvented. All manner of “Idol” hopefuls get the full-blown treatment.

When it comes to Ms. Boyle, then, her makeover is just one more step along a well-worn path in which a nobody attempts to create a lasting, lucrative career while avoiding being cast into the pit of 15-minute famedom. And what’s next? Her own reality show? After all, it turns out that — gasp! — she actually has been kissed!

Here’s a crazy theory: This isn’t a story about an unglamorous woman compelled to slather on some lipstick. Nor is it a story about “society” and “unrealistic standards of beauty.” Maybe it’s just about a 48-year-old woman with a beautiful voice that is finally being heard by millions of people — and how happy she must be about it.

Horry County Fire

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has declared a state of emergency for the 15,000 acres of land that burned throughout Horry County, destroying 40 homes and damaging 100 more.

The fire moved north into North Myrtle Beach overnight, burning dozens of homes in its wake.

The state Emergency Management Division has deployed support assets to the scene in consultation with the governor's office. The state emergency operations center has been activated, with assets dispatched to fight the fire including a National Guard helicopter and other personnel.

Horry County's Kelly Brosky says the fires raging throughout Horry County have consumed 15,000 acres of land, destroyed 40 homes and damaged 100 others.

"This has already proved to be a devastating event for Horry County, and it isn't over," Sanford said. "This fire is continuing to spread, and it's incredibly important that people near the affected area pay close attention to emergency announcements and news outlets about developments with this disaster. We are continuing to work actively with the state Emergency Management Division and the Forestry Commission in determining what state assets are needed, and this action we've taken will allow our administration to deploy whatever is necessary on this front. In the meantime, I'd ask that every South Carolinian join Jenny, the boys and me in offering thoughts and prayers to those affected, and for every South Carolinian to think about ways in which they can help."

The South Carolina National Guard responded to the Horry County wildfire in North Myrtle Beach, following a request from the Emergency Management Division to assist Forestry Service personnel.

"Within two hours of notification, our four-man Blackhawk crew was in Myrtle Beach ready to support the Forestry Service," said Maj. Jay McElveen, assistant state Army aviation officer.
Firefighters and emergency crews began evacuating some 2,500 North Myrtle Beach residents after flames spread to the Barefoot Resort area.

"I saw structures that were engulfed [in flames]," North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley said Thursday morning. "I saw structures that were destroyed."

According to Horry County Schools, all North Myrtle Beach schools closed at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Those students who were not taken home by parents were transported to schools in Loris.

Students will be transported back to their base school for dismissal and departure at normal school closure.

All North Myrtle Beach schools will be closed on Friday, April 24, for students and staff. Those schools include North Myrtle Beach Primary, North Myrtle Beach Elementary, North Myrtle Beach Intermediate, North Myrtle Beach Middle, and North Myrtle Beach High. Even though all other Horry County schools will be open, no bus transportation will be provided from the North Myrtle Beach attendance area.

Officials with North Myrtle Beach and Horry County Fire Rescue, as well as the South Carolina Forestry Commission, told WMBF News between 30 and 50 homes have been burned in the fires across the county.

No injuries have been reported so far.

Forestry Commission spokesman Scott Hawkins says while conditions are better than they were Wednesday and overnight, it's expected to worsen around noon. The commission has fresh fire crews out now.

As of 11 a.m., there were approximately 250 people registered in the shelter at the Aquatics Center and 26 at the House of Blues with dozens more milling around in the parking lot area.
Horry County Fire Rescue spokesman Todd Cartner told WMBF News that flames over 150 feet tall were being reported, and that no more evacuations were in effect in Horry County, but emergency crews are on standby.

The fire began spreading to the Barefoot area around 2:30 a.m. Roads are closed down between Highway 31 and parts of Highway 9, as well as Highway 22 in all directions. Watertower Road is also closed.

The blaze that originated near Highway 90 and Woodlawn Drive has prompted the South Carolina Emergency Operations Center to be activated at Operational Condition 2, meaning there is a disaster or emergency situation in effect and that the state is at a high preparedness level.

Scott Hawkins with the South Carolina Forestry Commission says the fire is only 25 percent contained and has spread onto the Waterway Hills Golf Course and the first hole at the Grande Dunes Golf Club. Smoke and emergency crews are describing the scene as "extremely dangerous."

Fire crews from all over the Grand Strand and Pee Dee have arrived on scene to help assist rescue teams from the Grand Strand.

Earlier Wednesday, the Woodlawn and Serenity Place subdivisions were evacuated as the fire came too close for comfort for a number of residents. For those displaced, the American Red Cross has set up a temporary shelter for assistance at the Tilly Swamp Baptist Church, located at 4619 Highway 90. That shelter was closed at 7 a.m. Thursday after the Woodlawn subdivision evacuation was lifted.

The fire had died down around 11 p.m. Wednesday, and crews were hoping for a calm night. The evacuation of the Woodlawn subdivision was lifted around 11:15 p.m. Wednesday.

In addition to evacuations, the South Carolina Highway Patrol has closed down a large stretch of Highway 90 from East Cox Ferry Road to Old Reaves Ferry Road, in addition to Highway 31 from Robert Grissom Parkway to Water Tower Road.

According to WMBF StormTeam meteorologists, the active fire season runs from January to April. South Carolina typically sees an average of 5,000 to 6,000 wildfires per year, consuming some 30,000 acres.

The largest fire in state history was in Horry County in 1976, when 30,000 acres burned.

Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler

Based on the true story of Irena Sendler, a 2007 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Hallmark Hall of Fame’s latest film, The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler, airs on CBS, Sunday April 19th from 9:00-11:00 pm. Starring Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Anna Paquin (The Piano, True Blood), this movie tells the remarkable story of Irena Sendler, a Catholic Polish health and social worker during World War II who risked her life saving 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto between 1942 and 1943.

As a health worker, Sendler (Paquin) entered the Ghetto on a regular basis often smuggling food and money. But these small acts were not enough for this woman. Through a network of contacts in the Council for Aid to Jews, called Zegota, she began smuggling children out of the Ghetto and placing them with Polish families and in convents. Her most difficult task was persuading Jewish parents to relinquish their children in order to save their lives. Sometimes she would return to a reluctant parent to find that the whole family had been deported to the work camps.

Sendler’s courageous concern extended to the task of keeping records hoping that she could someday reunite children with their families. The little slips of paper on which she wrote children’s names together with their false names and where she placed them were sealed in jars and buried to avoid discovery.

Paquin gives an inspired performance as Sendler, capturing both her fire and her fear, not for herself but for the children. She tells a little girl, “This war will end and you will survive to be a mother and tell your story. Then, one day, if we are both very clever, I will find you, I promise.” The film also stars Oscar-winner Marcia Gay Harden (Pollack) as Sendler’s mother and Goran Visnjic (ER) as a former university friend of Sendler who is Jewish and helps her smuggle the children.

Irena Sendler continued her work after the war and was able to reunite some of the children with their families. She died on May 12, 2008 at the age of 98.

Susan Boyle: My Heart Will Go On

There's no need for more introduction about Susan Boyle, the Internet sensation who was first ridiculed, then applauded on Britain's Got Talent. Recently last night, she appeared on Larry King Live, and besides the interview, she got a date and sang "My Heart Will Go On" a capella.

During her interview, it was noted that Susan Boyle had "a few months" of singing lessons over a two-year span. Get this: Only a few months!

During the interview, Britain’s Got Talent judge Piers Morgan joined in the discussion, admitting that he and fellow judges Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell had judged "a book by its cover" as did the audience. Morgan also apologized to the singer.

Larry King then subsequently asked Morgan if he thought, even without winning the contest, Susan Boyle should be able to get a contract right now. Morgan responded that he sees a contract in her future, a #1 album, a world tour, and much more.

Piers Morgan also commented on the "speed and breadth" of her success in going to "global super stardom" in just a few days.

Meanwhile, Susan Boyle remained self-effacing, saying they needed to see how things played out. Her Internet celebrity almost guarantees a sell-out, if you ask me (and many).

You can watch the video of Susan Boyle singing "My Heart Will Go On" Here.