Normally on Wednesdays we go back into our vault to play some of the hits from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, and of course we did during our 8 o’clock hour.  But we also discussed some modern things on today’s show, primarily focusing on the vocabulary of the newest generation, Millennials.  He are some of the terms we discussed.

Keep it 100 – This term refers to “keeping it 100%”, this means you are acting in a way that is true to yourself, essentially being genuine.

Hundo P – This term also refers to 100%, but is used in agreement with a statement.  For example if someone asked you if you liked the chicken, you might say “Hundo P, this chicken is delicious.”

Suh – It is a combination of “sup” and “huh.”  It is used as a greeting to express both confusion and interest.

Trill – This one is another combination.  It simply means “true” and “real.”  True + Real = Trill

Goat – An acronym that stands for the “Greatest Of All Time.”  Used a lot in sports discussion.

Salty – Being Salty means that you are bitter or angry, normally about an event that happened in the past that you haven’t quite gotten over.

Low Key – Similar to the phrase “on the down low.”  It mean’s this is a topic that you might not want everyone to know, a guilty pleasure of sorts.

We hope some of these definitions help you out when one of your kids says something to you and you are not quite sure what they meant.  Have an excellent Wednesday and “keep it 100!”

As we head back to school its hard to avoid the back-to-school blues. Its a real condition! But, The Morning Thing is here to help you fight the unavoidable back-to-school blues! This morning we dug into an article from Huffington Post about steps you can take today!

To read the full article, click HERE!

We also looked at what God had to say about change and transition. We found 24 different scriptures that are perfect for the back-to-school blues. Click HERE to read through them.

Deuteronomy 31:6 says “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

YOU’RE NOT DREAMING, IT’S REAL

Although back-to-school blues don’t sound like a real medical condition, it’s a very real problem and can be easily detected among students at the beginning of the school year, according to Matthew Thatcher, a mental health counselor at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital.

“In the first two weeks of school we have a lot more kids who are coming in with signs and symptoms of depression,” Thatcher said. “It is a real thing and something to be concerned about.”

TOUGH TRANSITIONS

Though the anxiety of going back to school often affects students before classes even start, others feel the effects well into the first half of the school year. Hinsdale Central senior Sara Ramasastry said she just couldn’t shake her blues junior year.

“Last year I had an awful case of back-to-school blues,” Ramasastry said. “I just wasn’t ready, and for the first month or so I couldn’t even settle myself down to do homework or study or anything school-related. I didn’t have the motivation.”

TALK IT OUT

Venting about the long school day with friends can be a Band-Aid to the problem, but what if your depression or anxiety isn’t improving? The thought of talking about it with your parents can be tough — especially when there’s not a common understanding of the problem.

MAKING CHANGES

It’s important that you don’t isolate yourself. Even though you’re going to school and socializing with your classmates and teachers all day, pay close attention to what you’re doing at night. Just because you’re using social networks doesn’t mean you’re being social.

If you’re spending hours checking Facebook and Instagram, you could be isolating yourself without even knowing it.

The Dan Emmett Music and Arts Festival kicks off today! The Big Blue Crew is excited to bring you updates and live coverage of the 30th annual festival in downtown Mount Vernon.

We had a chance to talk with the many of committee members planning the event to find out all the details for the 2017 Dan Emmett Music and Arts festival. Click HERE to hear our full conversations!

We hope that you will join us in downtown Mount Vernon as we “Celebrate the Legacy” at the Dan Emmett Festival.

You can find the Big Blue Crew in front of the fountain on the public square. Make sure to stop by and register for a prize. We have prize baskets for everyone in the family. You can register at the Dan Emmett festival or online at wnzr.fm.

Adults, 18 and older, can register to win a basket
Employees and immediate family members of Southside Diner and WNZR are NOT permitted to participate in this giveaway. Immediate family members are mother, father, spouse, child, brother or sister.
– $80 dollars in gift certificates to Southside Diner.
– $20 dollar gas gift card courtesy of Southside Diner– 2 On The Road with Big Blue T-Shirts
– a Bible (New International Version)
– Lifeline 2017 Car Sunshade- Lifeline 2016 Blanket
– 2 Lifeline 2016 Travel Coffee Mugs
– plus WNZR goodies including a 3 Frisbees, guitar flyswatter, chip clips, magnets, cup, hand fan, jar opener and a WNZR LED glow bracelet.
Each adult prize is valued at approximately $150 dollars
**Winners must be present or listening to WNZR, 90.9 FM to win. For a complete list of rules visit our website, HERE!

KIDS of EVERY age can WIN at the Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival!
We’ll have a Kid’s ultimate summer fun prize basket to give away Thursday through Sunday –that’s FOUR incredible baskets. Kids (10 and under) can register at the festival or online. The basket includes:
*sidewalk chalk
*bubbles
*Frisbees
*water balloons
*beach ball
*water shooter
* light-up bouncy ball
*Each basket winner will also receive a Children’s Bible Story Book, the VeggieTales DVD “Larry Boy and the Bad Apple”, the 2017 On The Road with Big Blue t-shirt and lots of WNZR goodies.
**Kid’s Prize baskets are for kids 10 and under. Each basket is valued at $40.
**We will give away a kid’s prize basket every day of the festival.
**Winners will be drawn at random on the following days and times:

We also have an AWESOME student prize backpack for ages 11 – 17 courtesy of WNZR and the Office of Admissions at MVNU.
* An MVNU Cougar drawstring backpack that is stuffed full of goodies!
* 3 T-Shirts
* 4 frisbees * 3 keychains
* beach ball  * mini-basketball
* water bottle
* sunglasses
* a light-up bouncy ball
* WNZR LED glow bracelet
* WNZR drawstring backpack
* WNZR guitar flyswatter
* NIV Student Bible
* “To Save a Life” DVD and devotional (that dares you to make a difference in your school)
* ONE ticket to Sonfest 2017 at MVNU.

For more information about the Dan Emmett Music and Arts Festival, visit their website HERE!

For the complete schedule of events and performers, click HERE!

Its International Cat Day!

Did you know that an estimated 500 million cats are thought to be frolicking in neighbours’ gardens across the world! Even if you claim to be a dog person, give our lovable furry friends a few extra minutes of love and affection today! You won’t regret it! According to healthfitnessrevolution.com there are health benefits to owning and petting a cat. Studies have shown that our relationships with cats can improve mental health, relieve stress, anxiety, depression and so much more!

• Reduces stress and anxiety: Owning a cat can can be soothing and trigger calming chemicals in the body, decreasing stress and anxiety levels. Cats are known for being low-maintenance, so a simple petting session is often enough to relax owners and distract them from other worries.
• Decreases risk of stroke: Studies show that cat owners are less likely to be at risk for having a stroke than any other pet owner. Scientists speculate this is also because of a cat’s low-maintenance ownership.
• Therapeutic benefits: The calming effect of owning a cat triggers the release of oxytocin, the hormone known for inducing feelings of love and trust. People going through difficult times of grief or mourning report that talking to their pet helps work out their feelings, since it is often easier to talk to something that won’t respond and can’t judge than to another human being. In addition, a study found that children with autism were more likely to be less anxious and calm while petting a cat.
• Boosts immunity: Exposure to pet dander and fur in the house results in increased resistance to allergens, decreasing risk for allergies and asthma.
• Lowers blood pressure: Cat owners are known to have lower blood pressure than non-cat owners due to the calming presence cats provide. One study was conducted with a room full of cat owners. In the study, the owners would speak aloud, which naturally elevated blood pressure levels, but when the owners were observed speaking with their cats, their blood pressure remained constant.
• Decreases risk of heart disease and heart attacks: A study conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Stroke Institute in Minneapolis have shown that those who do not own cats are 30-40% more likely to die of heart attacks than their cat-owning counterparts.
• Lowers triglycerides and cholesterol levels: High triglyceride and cholesterol levels contribute to heart disease and are symptomatic of type 2 diabetes as well as strokes, liver and kidney disease. Naturally, reductions in these levels lead to a decreased risk in these diseases.
• Increase sociability: Cat ownership provides a natural conversation starter and can enhance the owner’s ability to socialize. One study revealed that women were more attracted to men who owned cats because cat ownership often suggests sensitivity and intelligence.
• Provide companionship: Owning a cat reduces feelings of loneliness. Though cats are often known for their independence, the bond between a cat and its owner reinforces companionship. A Swiss study conducted in 2003 revealed that owning a cat is similar to having a romantic partner.
• Reduces your carbon footprint:  A 2009 study found that over its lifetime, the resources needed to feed a dog make the same eco-footprint as that of a Hummer. Meanwhile, cats—which eat less in general and are more likely to eat fish than corn or beef flavored products—only have the approximate carbon footprint of a Volkswagen Golf.

We also found a list of 82 crazy and astounding facts about cats! Did you know that cats sleep 70% of life? Even with that statistic hanging over their heads, two cats have risen above the rest!

• A cat has been mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, for 15 years. His name is Stubbs.
• And another cat, Morris, one ran for mayor of Mexico City in 2013.

For more fun and interesting facts about our feline friends, check out the list of 82 Astounding Facts about Cats, HERE!