Vice-President Cheney and Barack Obama Related

I'm not sure how much I believe this one, but hey I'm supposed to be a descendant of Robin Hood. I guess that anything's possible.

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Though they may spar across the political aisle, Vice President Dick Cheney is close enough to Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama to call him "cousin."

Eighth cousin, that is.

Lynne Cheney, the vice president's wife, revealed this tantalizing bit of political trivia during a television interview Tuesday. She said she uncovered the long-ago ties between the two while researching her ancestry for her latest book, "Blue Skies, No Fences," a memoir about growing up in Wyoming.

"This is such an amazing American story that one ancestor ... could be responsible down the family lines for lives that have taken such different and varied paths as Dick's and Barack Obama ," Lynne Cheney told MSNBC.

According to her spokeswoman, Sen. Obama , D-Ill., is a descendent of Mareen Duvall. This French Huguenot's son married the granddaughter of a Richard Cheney, who arrived in Maryland in the late 1650's from England, said Ginny Justice, a spokeswoman for Lynne Cheney. The vice president's full name is Richard B. Cheney.

A spokesman for Obama, who wants to be the first black U.S. president, offered a tongue-in-cheek response.

"Every family has a black sheep," said spokesman Bill Burton.

Lynne Cheney did not reference the ancestral ties between her husband and Obama in the book.

Vacation in Cardiff? Yes!

Many of us plan winter vacations in the Caribbean, Mexico, or other warm climate areas. I have another idea for you. Try Cardiff in the UK. There are many different events you can enjoy in Cardiff this winter

The Wales Rally GB is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and Cardiff continues as the host city. Or enjoy Winter Wonderland where the city hall lawn is transformed into a fun and festive area with an open air ice rink, craft stalls and fairground rides. Viva La Diva brings together the talent of Prima ballerina Darcey Bussell CBE and international opera superstar, Katherine Jenkins to create a musical. Taking place at the Cardiff International Arena on Saturday 1st December 2007, an un-forgettable experience at Viva La Diva is guaranteed.

When you schedule your visit you will need to find Hotels in Cardiff, or you may want to consider Birmingham Hotels as it is easily in reach with high-speed Inter City trains or coaches. My point is that you can find wonderful deals to make your stay in any of the Cardiff Hotels memorable and affordable.

Two-alarm fire in Lockland

I heard the sirens last night, but so often they are called in to other areas I had no idea the fire was in Lockland. If I had known I would have gone down to see if there was anything I could have done to help the people who were displaced by the fire. I hope that they are ok, and being taken care of properly.

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Firefighters battled a two-alarm fire that broke out in an apartment building late Tuesday.

Around 11:30 p.m., fire officials received report of heavy smoke on Mulberry Court.

A second alarm was called several minutes later to battle the blaze.

There were no injuries, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, which dispatches for the Lockland Fire Department.

The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen. The cause of the fire and amount of damage were not immediately available as firefighters continued working past midnight.

The American Red Cross is helping the family displaced by the fire find temporary lodging.