Bored of the gym and your same-old routine? Hoopnotica might just be the solution for you. This growing fitness trend originated in Los Angeles in 2004, and has recently gained popularity all over the world. Using weighted fitness hoops and rhythmic movements, this latest fitness craze takes hula hooping to a whole new level. Not only does it allow you to have fun and get a good cardio workout at the same time, but it’s also relatively inexpensive. 


Avid fans of this workout regime can’t stop dishing about its benefits, including core strengthening and weight loss. In fact, the CEO of Hoopnotica, Gabriella Redding, claims to have lost 55 pounds just through hula hooping. The American Council on Exercise has reported that this new workout strategy burns up to 420 calories per hour – similar to that of boot-camp classes and aerobics.


Hoopnotica is now available in 13 different languages, in over 30 countries. There are trained instructors around the world, including the US, EU, Japan, and Canada. Just last year alone, this innovation has made $1 million dollars in sales, and has been nominated to appear on Forbes “Names You Need To Know 2011” List. 


More information can be found at www.hoopnotica.com.

Foam Weapon League

An inventive blend of live action role play, Dungeons and Dragons and war reenactment, the Foam Weapon League’s special brand of fighting first took shape in the mind of Los Angeles-based Scream Queen actress Michelle Morrow. 


Donning outlandish costumes, they batter each other with foam swords and clubs in the hope of seeing their opponent spurt fake blood from the pouches strapped to their suits. Breaking blood bags is the way to secure points. The one who spills the most blood, wins. 


The FWL is currently traveling the US to set up teams in other cities. They are recruiting for Major and Minor leagues to represent Los Angeles in national fight competitions.

The Real-Life "UP"

Have you ever wondered if Disney/Pixar’s movie, “Up”, were possible (minus the talking dog, of course)?  A group of scientists, balloon pilots, and engineers have made it a reality.

In about two weeks time, a wooden house 16 x 16 feet was built for flight.  Once constructed, 300 helium-filled balloons were attached to the structure, and we have lift off!

For more photos, go to the National Geographic Channel’s website.  For a more in depth look on the project, check out the series “How Hard Can It Be” on the National Geographic Channel this Fall.

Daphneyland

Walk into Daphneyland and you will be greeted by a crowd of wagging tails and long floppy ears. Daphneyland is a Basset Rescue Network that was founded in 2005 by Carol Ashley and Dawn Smith. Located in suburban Los Angeles, the shelter is comprised of volunteers from all walks of life, who donate their time, talents, and labour to assist in saving the lives of Basset Hounds.

Animal rescues and shelters have all suffered a blow due to the recession. At Daphneyland, donations have been down 40 percent, the rescue full, and volunteers have had to quit. “We are bringing in $5,200 a month in donations and we need $10,000 to survive,” Smith said. Things are starting to look up now, but the rescue still gladly accepts donations, sponsors, or volunteers.

There are also always dogs up for adoption. You can visit their website at www.daphneyland.com.

Real Life Magneto Boy Pulls Crowds

Ivan Stoiljkovic is a six year-old boy from Croatia who has become a major attraction in his local village. While he shares a liking for football and the accordion, Ivan’s fame stems from one uncanny ability that sets him apart from the other kids — the ability to attract metal objects.

Ivan has already showcased his unusual talent to a group of local journalists, sticking up to 25 kilograms of cutlery, frying pans, and dumbbells to his body. Other objects that cling to him include dishes, mobile phones, and even remote controls. According to his family, Ivan is also able to heal those in pain with his bare hands. The boy has reportedly cured his grandfather of a stomach ache, as well as put a stop to the pain in a neighbor’s leg after a car accident.

Certain people remain unfazed by this supernatural ability, and  have got together on Facebook to prove that magnetism is no big deal and is something just about anyone can do. The Facebook group ‘We are all Magneto Boy’ includes photos of various people with metal objects stuck to parts of their bodies. They claim all that is necessary is placing the metal object onto a smooth, hair-free body part.

Croatian news story on Ivan

Here’s a Community TSA Can’t Hassle

Amidst all the rain, snow and generally bad weather that’s gripped both North America and Europe, thousands of people have been stranded at airports overnight, sleeping on floors and forced to wait out the bad weather just to fly to their destination.

But what if you had your own airplane and a runway right outside your door? That’s exactly the case for a small town in northern California.

At the Airpark community in Cameron, CA, 88 homes sit nestled right next to an airport runway, a long stretch of gray tarmac covering a huge area, where, cars, kids toys and bikes are just as usual a sight as an airplane is. Over half of the residents are pilots or families of pilots, and the tightly-knit community boasts a runway that is used primarily for commercial purposes and is approximately 4000 feet long.

Street names along the runway are cheekily named “Boeing Road,” or “Lockheed Drive,” in reference to their small town’s unique nature.

The airpark’s residents usually use their planes for both work and play, often visiting family members across the country, travelling for work, or even taking off just to grab some fast food in neighboring Nevada!

As one resident said, “For most people, living next to an airport is a noisy, unpleasant existence. For the people of Cameron Park, it is the realization of a cherished dream.”

To see pictures from the whole story, click here.

Exclusive: A Look Back At Zsa Zsa Gabor’s Glamorous Life

Zsa Zsa Gabor, the world famous Hungarian actress, socialite and personality, recently had her leg amputated in a life-saving operation, which was amputated right above her knee sue to a deep lesion that threatened her life.

Though the 93-year-old former screen siren is doing better, according to husband Frederic Prinz Von Anhalt, she is still in critical condition. Anhalt has recently started to sell off Gabor’s massive collection of fur coats, which he says is necessary to pay her extensive medical bills.

According to Anhalt, the collection is valued at over $600,000, and “the doctor says she will never get out of bed so I want the coats out of our life.”

We here at Incredible Features hope for a speedy recovery for the icon, and remember her fondly as a vivacious woman who has remained  glamorous her entire life.

Back in 1985, we caught up with Gabor in her Bel-Air mansion as she showed us around her massive home in the ritzy area.

The shoot occurred one year before she married her current husband, which is her ninth. The pictures show her sitting next to her piano, posing next to her grand furniture and an arial view of her palatial residence.

Gabor is not shy when talking about how she cultivated her fame and wealth. In a Tonight Show appearance, Gabor famously said, ” I am a marvelous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man I keep his house.”

To see pictures from the whole story, click here.