Thumbs up, thumbs down

To the new Family Y - The new Family Y on Trolley Line Road celebrated its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday. The beautiful facility includes a wellness center with cardiovascular machines, weight machines and free weight equipment, a full-court volleyball and basketball court, a water park and child care facilities. It's the first Family Y in the country built in collaboration with a church. On Sunday, Cedar Creek Church's West campus will hold services in the Y's gym and in some of the classrooms.

To the Aiken High rifle team - The team, made up mostly of sophomores, is participating in the Navy Nationals in Ohio this weekend. The team has steadily improved as they continued practicing and working together.

To the mild winter temperatures - We've had so many lovely days lately, which is a welcome change from the usual cold dreariness of this time of year. The thumbs down to Springlike weather is it may harm plants, some that are already confused and blooming.

To Project Sam - A mystery company planning to invest at least $10 million into a facility that would manufacture renewable energy from carbonaceous waste, is considering locating in Aiken County.

To nest boxes - Members of the South Carolina Bluebird Society installed 10 new nest boxes at USC Aiken last week, establishing the 27th bluebird trail in the county. This new trail is sparking hope that younger generations will also become interested in the education and conservation of bluebirds or other cavity nesters, said SCBS President Jim Burke.

Thumbs down

To U.S. Rep. Edward Markey - The Massachusetts Democrat has proposed a bill that would eliminate the $4.8 billion MOX Fuel Fabrication Facility at the Savannah River Site. Not only would it hurt us locally, MOX will perform a vital service of turning surplus weapons-grade plutonium into reactor fuel to be used in commercial nuclear power plants.

To throwing out the dog - A 58-year-old Spartanburg has been arrested after authorities say she put a small dog in a trash can twice. An employee of a private trash collection company found the small, black and white Shih Tzu in a trash can and took it to the house, where the woman said it was hers. The employee called animal control officers, who found the dog back in the same trash can when they arrived. The good news is the dog is now up for adoption.

To getting to close to a do you don't know - During a live report about a dog rescued from a frozen lake, a Denver news anchor put her face too close to the A never news anchor made the mistake of putting her face too close to the 85-pound Argentine Mastiff. The dog bit her on the face, sending her to the hospital for reconstructive surgery.