With her role in "North Country" former model Charlize Theron again gets gritty in a bid to take home Oscar at next year's Academy Awards. It's a formula that seems to get results. Since 1999 every Best Actress winner has cozied up to Oscar by dressing down and out.
1999 - Hilary Swank won as the homeless, gender bending Teena Brandon/Brandon Teena in "Boys Don't Cry."
2000 - Julia Roberts got a lift playing the brassy, struggling titular single mom in "Erin Brokavich."
2001 - Halle Berry served up a single mother waitress who loses her son and his father and takes comfort in the arms of a racist prison guard in "Monsters Ball."
2002 - Nicole Kidman finally won by adding a prosthetic schnoz in "The Hours."
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2003 - Theron (above) was serial killing prostitute Aileen Wuornos in "Monster."
2004 - Swank won again as a punching bag in "Million Dollar Baby."
What to do in an Indiana blackout
MUNCIE, Ind. - Hospital officials say a January ice storm that kept thousands in the dark and without heat for days might have led to a baby boom in eastern Indiana.
St. Vincent Randolph Hospital in Randolph County was up 40 births for early October over 2004, said Kathy Brookbank, director of patient care services.
Stephanie and Kevin Klinger's first child, J. Wesley, was born at Ball Memorial Hospital on Sept. 27 - a day when 10 babies were delivered at the hospital, compared with a daily average of less than five.
During the ice storm about nine months ago, the Klingers were without power for four days. They cooked in a cast-iron skillet over a fireplace and spent time under piles of blankets in a closed-off room filled with candles.
Associated Press
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Nacho birthday
Sure, Friday's always a good reason to kick back and enjoy life, but this Friday in particular there are a few extra reasons to celebrate.
According to the graphic novel "Good Omens" by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, the Earth was born on this day in 4004 BC, some time around 9 a.m.
Perhaps that's why today was declared International Day of the Nacho in the 1990s. The cheese-dripping chip was invented in 1943 by Ignacio Anaya of Piedras Negras, Mexico.
Source: Wikipedia.com
If there's something you want to see in The Rail, e-mail features editor John Lamb at jlamb@forumcomm.com
Today's best bet
Fargo Fantasy Festival: ValleyCon 31
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Events include golf with "Hercules" star Kevin Sorbo, various booths and vendors, the Batmobile and Fargo Fantastic Film Festival.
Civic Center, Doublewood Inn and Fargo Theatre.
(701) 276-4500
