I don’t know about you, but I’m still trying to get my arms around the notion that school starts on Monday. In the East where I grew up, school always began after Labor Day and ended in late June. My Midwest friends tell me that used to be the case here, too, though somewhere along the line things changed.

Don’t get me wrong: I wouldn’t mind if school was year-round, though I know that idea wouldn’t fly with my son and his friends. And I suppose, as eager as I am for him to begin the eighth grade (and the routine of school and its schedule), I am sad that summer vacation is officially over.

So in an effort to prolong summer vacation, or at least its memories, I invite you to submit your summer vacation pictures to the Jewish Light, where we will post them online at www.stljewishlight.com/summervacation.

E-mail them to [email protected]. Be sure to include your name, a daytime phone number and a caption with pertinent information in the email such as where the picture was taken and who is in it. Please keep your submission to one or two pictures only. And be sure to print “vacation picture” in the subject line.

Oh, and of course this goes without saying, but we will only post G or PG-rated photos. This is a family newspaper, after all.

Cruising for losers

So you watched NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” for seemingly ever, hoping that one day you could shed major poundage at a plush California ranch surrounded by the nation’s top personal trainers. Well now’s your chance.

Casting agents for the show will be at the Chesterfield Mall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 13) looking for contestants. Individuals and teams of two who have at least 85 pounds to lose are encouraged to try out. According to a press release about the tryouts, producers are looking for charismatic and outgoing individuals and teams of two who are at least 18 years of age. People are encouraged not to line up prior to three hours before the start of the casting call. Those trying out are also asked to bring a non-returnable picture of themselves and their partner, if they are applying as a team. For those not able to attend, you can submit a videotape at www.nbc.com/casting and www.thebiggestlosercasting.com. Grand prize winners of “The Biggest Loser” receive $250,000, along with the best bragging rights around.

Black and Jewish

If you need a good laugh, run, don’t walk, to your computer and Google “funny or die and black and Jewish.” The URL is www.funnyordie.com/videos/d056b3dd60/black-and-jewish-black-and-yellow-parody, but my way is a lot easier.

“Bridesmaids” Kali Hawk and “Vampire Diaries'” Kat Graham have created a laugh-out-loud music video set to Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow” song. With nods to Drake, Lenny Kravitz and Rashida Jones as well as to circumcision and Birthright, this new Funny or Die parody is as good as it gets. Be warned though, it’s definitely R-rated, as in raunchy.