Do you ever feel like a mosquito magnet? New research has shown that 20% of us, or 1 in 5 people, are more attractive to mosquitoes than the rest of the population. Popular myths will tell you it's your hair color, blood sugar levels, or perfume that attracts the annoying insects, but that's just not true.

The exact science of why some people get bitten more than others is still something of a mystery, but researchers have narrowed down some characteristics that contribute to becoming a mosquito buffet: 

• Weight: The heavier you are, the more carbon dioxide you produce, and CO2 is a siren song for mosquitoes. This is why adults are bitten more than children and men more than women.
   
• You just exercised: Mosquitoes are also attracted to lactic acid, and after a workout you've got some building in your muscle tissue.
   
• You have a fast metabolism: People who metabolize cholesterol quickly – not those who have higher cholesterol blood levels – may attract mosquitoes because byproducts of that metabolization are present on the skin.
   
• You smell to them: This has nothing to do with B.O. Everyone produces bacteria on their skin that emits an odor that mosquitoes can smell. Some people give off stronger odors than others, and scientists believe that some individuals actually produce chemicals in their skin that repel or mask the smell of their bacteria and make them less appealing to the pesky bugs.

If you are one of the 20% who gets eaten alive at every summer BBQ, there isn't much you can do besides using an EPA approved repellent or covering up.

Three cheers for Miss Cheerwine 2013! She's none other than Tar Heel native, Kendall Grubb, long-time resident of Lexington, NC!

Grubb was voted by Cheerwine's Facebook fans as the candidate who best embodied the iconic values and Southern roots of the bubbly, tall drink of good cheer. She currently lives in Nashville, but grew up 20 miles from Cheerwine's headquarters in Salisbury, NC and the effervescent soft drink was a staple of her childhood. "Cheerwine has always been a part of my family gatherings, community events and special memories," Grubb recalls. "So for me, Cheerwine is more than a soft drink; it's an experience that connects me to a very special time in my life. As Miss Cheerwine, I'm most excited to share my experiences with fellow enthusiasts, as well as introduce new fans to the 'Nectar of the South.'"

A self-proclaimed "Cheerwine Fanatic," Grubb attended college at Belmont University in Tennessee. In her new role, Grubb will travel throughout the South sharing good cheer with fans of the soft drink and giving others the chance to try it for the first time.

A real legend of the South, Cheerwine is a 96-year-old company that has been owned and operated by the same family in North Carolina for four generations. The bubbly beverage has been produced with its original recipe since 1917, making it a staple of soft drink lore for nearly a century. In 2010, the Miss Cheerwine contest was first introduced with a mission to find the modern day muse who most exemplifies the distinct characteristics of the sparkling drink.

"Cheerwine is an independent, Southern company that has real passion, real stories and real cheer—and Kendall shares all of these qualities. We admire the fact that she is community-minded, family oriented and spirited. She could not be a more perfect fit as our newest brand ambassador," says Joy Ritchie, Assistant Brand Manager for Cheerwine.

It’s amazing what some people believe. It’s even more amazing what a LOT of people can be led to believe. For example, there are some urban myths that have floating around out there for so long that they just “feel” true.

They’re not.

Here’s a rundown of some urban myths that people still believe:

• The Dissolving Tooth – There are a lot of urban legends about Coca Cola, but the most popular is that if you leave a tooth in a cup of Coke overnight, it will completely dissolve by morning.
   
• Walt Disney is Cryogenically Frozen – Records show that Disney was cremated in 1966.
   
• The Kidney Heist – Nobody has ever been drugged and had a black market kidney stolen from their body without their consent.

• Snuff Films – For those of you who don’t know what snuff films are, they are movies in which a person is murdered during the course of filming. Usually they are said to be funded by twisted rich people, but as of yet not a single snuff film has been legitimately found in spite of numerous rewards going to anyone with information on their production.

Also...Mr. Rogers was NOT a Navy Seal, the Daddy Long Legs is NOT the most poisonous spider, and there was never a photo of a tourist on top of the World Trade Center on 9/11, as a plane was about to strike the building. Want more Urban Myths debunked? Click here.

Eric Krupa, president of the South Atlantic League, has announced the rosters for the 54th Annual SAL All-Star Game, scheduled to be played on June 18, 2013, at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood, New Jersey, home of the Lakewood BlueClaws.

The Asheville Tourists contribute four players, including starting shortstop Rosell Herrera, who received more votes than any other player on either squad.  Asheville also contributes starting right fielder Derek Jones. Catcher Tom Murphy and Outfielder Francisco Sosa were named as reserves.  

Both all-star teams will be represented by 25 players, selected by the votes of the team’s managers and coaching staffs, local media and front office executives.  FirstEnergy Park will be hosting its second SAL All-Star game.  The other time the All-Star Game was held in Lakewood was in 2002, when the Northern Division defeated the Southern Division 5-2..  The annual SAL All-Star Game dates to 1960, when the All-Stars defeated the Salisbury club, 6-2, in Newton, NC.

A variety of events have been scheduled in Lakewood along with the SAL All-Star Game.  On Monday, June 17th, there will be an opportunity for fans to get autographs from and pictures with the SAL All-Stars at FirstEnergy Park, followed by a Celebrity Hitting Contest, featuring talent from TV, professional sports, entertainment and more.  On Tuesday June 18th, the Class of 2013 SAL Hall of Fame inductees will be honored in a pre-game ceremony and the first pitch of the 2013 SAL All-Star Game is scheduled at 7:05pm.  More information can be found on the website of the Lakewood BlueClaws at www.blueclaws.com/allstar.

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