Many of you have seen the deal on groupon about star naming gift set! in another word, fake certificate and several pieces of paper that make you believe that you own a star！

First of all, I was an Astronomy student in college having 4 years of experience working at an observatory. In my years of working at the observatory, I have seen numerous people coming to me and ask me to point the telescope to the star they just “bought”.

How ridiculous is that? This trick has been going on and on for decades and decades. Every time, a family present me the star they bought in the star map and told me that the star is the little girl’s birthday gift, I did not tell them the truth but instead point the telescope to a random star in that constellation!

Well, unless you are super-rich or you did contribution to astronomy, you won’t get to name a star! Please refer to the IAU (International Astronomy Union) on the rules of naming stars! It is true though there are more stars in the universe than the 6 billion population on earth.

Please, don’t buy a star! Because practically unless you found a new comet or asteroids independently as a amateur astronomer nowadays, you won’t name a star.

The following is found on Groupon website:

What You Get

• For $14, you get an instant gift-set plus from Name A Star Live (a $29.90 value), which includes:
  • Star certificate with name, registration date, coordinates, and personalized message
  • Star chart showing star location
  • Launch certificate verifying rocket flight details
  • Astronomy e-book
• For $29, you get an instant gift-set premium with Virtual Planetarium software from Name A Star Live (a $79.80 value), which includes:
  • All features included in the instant gift-set plus
  • 8.5″x11″ astro photograph
  • Virtual planetarium astronomy software
• All included materials are delivered electronically.

How ridiculous is that? This trick is played on Groupon now! and so far more than 1000 people has bought their star with certifications! I guess I could make millions of dollars by doing this on Groupon right before Valentines day! Remember, it is on Groupon! It is so sad that so few people has the knowledge and understanding of astronomy community now.

Please leave a comment to show the support and stop Groupon posting such non-sense deals! Star Naming Gift Set- simply bullshit.

Super Bowl is coming in a week! IndyRen as the largest online Chinese Community in Indianapolis is trying to help fans coming to indianapolis to AVOID the american chinese food (ACF) in indy downtown! Only 15 minutes away from the center of downtown, there are two very good authentic Chinese food restaurant, and just 30 minutes away, there are 3 more authentic Chinese food restaurants and Buffet!

Here starts the 2012 Super Bowl Ultimate Chinese Food Guide: (written by Chinese Community IndyRen)

Best 2 choices:

1. Szechwan Garden: with the best reputation, Szechwan Garden is just 15 away minutes from Lucas Oil Stadium by taking I-65North and exit at 38th Street! The exact location of the restaurant is at

3649 Lafayette Rd, Indianapolis, IN

Telephone: (317) 328-2888

Website: szechwansavory.com

It serves authentic Sichuan cuisine and Dimsun on weekends!

More info about the menu go to their website at http://szechwansavory.com/menu/szechwan-garden-menu

2. On Time Seafood Restaurant: it is just a minute away from Szechwan Garden, basically you just take the same route I-65 North from downtown, and you will arrive there in 10 minutes. On Time Seafood Restaurant is next to the international grocery store SARAGA. It serves similar authentic Chinese food compared to Szechwan Garden, but more Dim Sun Choices on the weekends.

Their location and contact info is,

3623 Commercial Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46222-1681

(317) 293-8888 ‎

More Choices:

Just to Name a few more authentic Chinese Food places near Indy, on the north side of downtown, there are:

1. Shanghai Lil right next to the Fashoin Mall at Keystone. It is less authentic compared to the best choices we have mentioned, and longer driving time from downtown. But if your hotel happens to be close to Keystone area, that’s a good place to go.

2. Also on the same street, 82nd street on the northside, Beijing 8 buffet is one of the oldest great Buffet place to go.

3. Again on the same street, 82nd street, there is a little restaurant called Taiwanese Tea House. The menu is not as fancy as the one from Szechwan Garden and On Time. But if you just want taiwanese snack, that’s the place to go in Indy.

4. In Carmel, north of downtown Indianapolis, Sichuan is also one of the best Authentic Chinese Food Place to go. On Saturday lunch time, it will serve authentic Chinese food Buffet! That’s something unique you should not miss!

Buffet Places:

1. Formosa: The Second Best seafood Buffet in Indy, serves Dim Sum!

6304 E. 82nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250 TEL: 317-595-8885

2.Journey: The Best seafood Buffet in Indy, no Dim Sum!

http://www.thejourneyin.com/

Both Buffet Places are pretty close at the north east side of the town.

This concludes the 2012 Super Bowl Chinese Food Guide! Remember to search for the coupons on Indyren.com to save some extra money!

Indiana state fair has some breaking news this morning August.14, 2011. 5 people died and 40+ people injured in the stage collapse during the Saturday night thunderstorm. I saw this news on 6 news. This is really shocking me, because I experienced that storm.

The storm starts around 9 p.m., when I finished my BK burger, and saw the sky is completely dark. The wind is blowing crazy, and it can almost move my heavy dodge. It is just a scene reminds people about the movie 2012. The bright 9p.m. indiana summer sky is eclipsed completely with dark dark clouds and thunders. At that time, I wouldn’t think of the state fair, and the stage. I just want to go home! But actually besides the wind and dark clouds, i don’t think the storm is that powerful. It doesn’t last for too long, and not too much rain poured on the ground. The wind reminds me the typhoon in Shanghai. Indiana is such a 2012 place recently including the icy storm last winter.

here is what i saw by taking pics with my galaxy S,

i was driving on I465 near Keystone exit.

I really think although there is a storm, the stage shouldn’ be that easy to collapse itself.

Here is the video from the state fair stage collapse scene.

indiana state fair stage collapse PG

The second video is rated R.  You have to sign in youtube to see it.

indiana state fair stage collapse R

So, next time, when police warn you the severe weather, do go and find a shelter!

It is so ironic that there are so many tornado drills but people are still get killed by such an obvious dangerous weather. Fear the power of nature people! Sugar land was about the perform on that stage by the way!!I am going there today by the way~the indiana state fair.