Friday Snippets and Soundbites

• The nominations for the Academy Awards, otherwise known as the Oscars were released this week. The Coen brothers' movie “No Country for Old Men” and “There Will Be Blood,” both rated R for violence, lead the nominations with eight, including nods for directing, adapted screenplay, and the coveted best picture category.The winners will be announced during the Academy Awards live telecast on February 24.

•Anna Grant, the high school freshman who was booed at Indianapolis a few weeks ago when she appeared on the field with other winners of the Punt, Pass & Kick competition, is getting a little attention from the New England Patriots. Indianapolis fans booed Grant because she was wearing a Patriots jersey. And in Indianopolis, they really hate the Patriots. The Colts are one of New England's fiercest rivals. But the Patriots felt bad for their young fan, so owner Robert Kraft invited Grant to take part in the AFC championship. She'll be on the field for the coin toss. Her parents and two brothers also got tickets to the game.

• Radio host Rick Burgess of "Rick and Bubba" fame dealt with the death of his two-year-old son, Bronner, this week. The toddler died January 19 when he fell into a swimming pool. Burgess spoke at his son's funeral and used the opportunity to speak out about salvation. He said, "If you sit here today, the biggest injustice you can do our family, the biggest injustice you can do our Savior, the biggest injustice you can do for our baby, is to leave here unchanged, to continue to be apathetic, weak, ineffective believers of Christ." If you want to find out more about what it means to be a Christian, go here. Discuss your questions on ec's Facebook page. While you're there, become a fan and join our group.

• Maybe you're the creative type. Then you'll love this interview with artist Jennifer Maestre. She makes sculptures and jewelry from pencils. Yep, you read that right, pencils.