It’s the 85th annual Academy Awards. Hollywood movie stars will gather on February 24th to find out who will receive the coveted Oscar

These films are nominated for best picture at the 2013 Academy Awards. Picture created by Eclipse Magazine.

award. This years nominees include ‘Lincoln’ for best picture, Hugh Jackman for best actor, and ‘Brave’ for best animated film.

There is controversy over who will win the award for best picture. MSNBC shares James Lipton’s pick for best picture as ‘Lincoln” or ‘Argo.’ However, according to the LA Times film critic, Kenneth Turan, ‘Argo’ is not a strong candidate to win. He argues

“Ben Affleck’s film is smart and entertaining, but this kind of work used to be Hollywood’s bread and butter — not a pinnacle.”

For many, Oscar predictions are like the super bowl brackets of Hollywood. Many will sit around the water cooler the Monday after to see who was wrong, and who was right. While the LA Times and other critics use stylistic and overall evaluation of work to predict a winner, other sources get down to the science and numbers. NPR broke down the statistics for the biggest Oscar best picture upsets in the award show history.

These four motion pictures have been the exception to the rule for best picture Oscar winners.

1981: ‘Chariots of Fire’ beats ‘Red’

1995: ‘Braveheart’ wins over ‘Apollo 13′

1998: ‘Shakespeare In Love’ Over ‘Saving Private Ryan’

2006: ‘Crash’ over ‘Broke Back Mountain’

Political statistician Nate Silver with the New York Times, says that two preceding awards shows,

Breakdown of how often award recipient has corresponded with winning the Oscar over the last 25 years. Chart created by political statistician Nate Silver, NY Times.

the Directors Guild Awards and the Producers Guild Awards — have a greater than 50 percent success rate in predicting eventual Oscar winners. “Directors and producers are the movers and shakers in Hollywood, and any evidence about their opinions ought to count for a lot,” Silver writes.

His forecasts for the Academy Awards are based on which candidates have won other awards in their category. He gives more weight to awards that have frequently corresponded with the Oscar winners in the past, and which are voted on by people who will also vote for the Oscars. Beyond that, no other statistical factors are considered, because he doubts that doing so would give any more insight.

It’s not too late to make your predictions. Visit http://oscar.go.com/mypicks to share with your friends.

Construction in Elizabeth City, NC. Photo taken by Athena Fleming, Full Sail University

Roads are blocked, traffic is being detoured, and homes and businesses are left hiding behind construction equipment and unsightly orange barrels.

The city of Elizabeth City, North Carolina is undergoing a historic $95 million infrastructure upgrade. As many as 15 different projects are being completed at a time, with the majority of them taking place in the downtown area.

Once completed, the upgrades are being reported to help increase real estate values and tourism. Which is good news for rental property and homeowner Carol Chapman.

“Right now all this construction is a big pain,” Chapman said. “The loud noises and congestion makes me want to avoid downtown all together. But I know that this time next year this part of town is going to be better and I will be able to get more monthly on my rental property.”

Roads have been reduced down to one lane each way while upgrades take place. Photo taken by Athena Fleming, Full Sail University

Mayor Joe Peel agrees and also emphasises the necessity to upgrade. “I don’t think people realize what’s been happening in Elizabeth City,” Peel said to the Virginia Pilot. “This could set up the city’s infrastructure for the next 50 years.”

The improvements are being funded largely by state and federal grants. $10.5 million are from local funding, $4.3 million from federal grants and $80.2 million from state highway money augmented by federal funding.

“In the end, drinking water will taste better, streets will not flood as easily or as long, sewers will flush faster, four bridges will be safer, and at least a dozen streets will have new pavement free of potholes, said Mayor Peel in a recent town hall address.

“I’m pleased by the changes that I’ve seen so far,” said Chapman. “It’s nice to see my tax dollars at work. I just wish they would hurry up and keep the noise down.”

Drivers can expect delays for the next few months on Road Street, Water Street and most of Downtown Elizabeth City. Photo taken by Athena Fleming, Full Sail Univesity

City upgrades and reconstruction are expected to last the majority of 2013. Photo taken by Athena Fleming, Full Sail University.

Ridiculously tall with Amazon like beauty, the average working female model begins her career at the age of 14. There is much controversy surrounding the working conditions and environment these teens enter with the modeling industry being largely unregulated.

Models are independent contractors without unions, workplace protections, and basic working rights. It may take years for a model to even get paid for her work since there is no set minimum wage or pay requirements. In 2008 The New York Times reported that the average model made $13 an hour.

To combat this former fashion model, Sara Ziff created The Model Alliance. It is a growing network of models, lawyers, the fashion industry, and concerned citizens who are working towards providing an industry voice and improve working conditions. One of their primary goals is to ensure that existing child labor laws are enforced.

The Model Alliance Video Campaign from The Model Alliance on Vimeo.

Model Amy Lemons recently shared her concern with the alliance: “Many children model as adults in New York and there is ostensibly no regulation of our industry. It is imperative that we give these kids legal protection, not leaving it up to an agent who might not have their best interest at heart or a parent who isn’t familiar with the business.”

The state of New York is taking steps towards regulating the working conditions for child models (models ages 7-13).

Young models posing at the J.Crew Spring 2013 fashion show. New York state law requries models ages 7-13 to obtain a work permit in order to participate. Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

“While school is in session, no minor 16 or 17 years of age shall be employed more than 4 hours on any school day, 8 hours on a non-school day, or 28 hours any week. While school is not in session, a minor 16-17 years old shall not be employed more than 8 hours a day or more than 48 hours a week. Additionally, male models shall not work between midnight and 6am, and female models shall not work between 10pm and 7am.” CR 190.2

Many still worry that these laws are not being enforced. “There’s nothing funny about a work force that is overwhelmingly young, female and impoverished, working for some of fashion’s wealthiest, most powerful brands,” Model Alliance board of director Jenna Sauers told Reuters.

Photo courtesy of tumblr

With more registered voters casting ballots for the winner of American Idol over the 2008 Presidential Election, local non-profit organizations teamed up to host the Presidential Debates. On Wednesday, October 3,2012, the usual Thursday night football crowd was swapped with debate watchers.

Debate party host, Scott Bailey, explained the turnout. “We expected about 5 or 6 people to show but 20 people in my house, all here to watch the candidates, is a big deal.”

Perhaps it was the drinking games, with buzzwords like “middle class American’s” or “economy,” that enticed the late 20 something crowd to attend but spirits were high as comments  about the candidates tie choices and the Obama’s wedding anniversary were discussed.

“At the end of the day, whether they realized it or not, everyone here was a part of democracy and the election. They may have attended for the boos, but for many, they experienced their first presidential debate,” said Bailey at the end of the debate.

The director of Virginian’s Vote, Gerald Holland, was co-sponsor of the debate. He passed out voter registration materials and moderated the post-debate discussions. “The turnout was amazing. Much more than we could have imagined, and most need to register still,” said Holland. “It doesn’t matter what party or why someone chooses one candidate over the other. Just so long as they take part and vote. We are trying to get more young people excited about Mitt and Barack, just like they are about Bieber and Snookie. So we are willing to meet them at their level and show them that politics can be fun.”

photo courtesy of tumblr

The 2012 Presidential debates between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney took place in Denver Colorado, but viewing parties like Scott Bailey’s in North Carolina took place throughout the country. Non profit organizations and political groups are actively pursuing the young vote and voter apathy.

This was the first of four Presidential debates which also includes the Vice Presidential debate and town hall discussions. The Vice Presidential debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan will air at 9 p.m. EST on October 11, 2012.