IMHO--In My Humble Opinion: 10

Monday

♣ 1 March 2010--Week 9 of 2010: 60 days this year…305 remain ♣
§ Two Quotes to think about…Today §
"It`s clever, but is it art?"
~Rudyard Kipling: (1865-1936) author
“Tolerance is the positive and cordial effort to understand another's beliefs, practices, and habits without necessarily sharing or accepting them.”
~Joshua Loth Leibman: (1907-1948); Rabbi, Author”
§ Free Ramblings §
March was named after the Roman God of War. March used to be the first month of the year and a good time for troops to gather and prepare for another military campaign. In Finland it is called ‘maaliskuu’ meaning earthly month—since snow usually disappears. In the Ukraine it is березень, meaning birch tree.

The US put up a valiant fight in the final Hockey game of the Olympics, drew the Canadians into overtime, but couldn’t pull it off. Still a great game. This has been a well televised Olympics and I have enjoyed every minute that I watched. Now that Olympics are over, it must be time for March Madness.

Thankfully, or not, our 8” of snow never materialized…only got about an inch or so of nice light powder here in Flagstaff. We made it to 42° today and last night only dropped to 30° so it was a fairly nice day today. Looks like March will be coming in like a lamb, so who knows what the month will bring in the way of snow.
Random Fact: «
Lobsters can live up to 50 years.
§Side Show Stories—§
In 1998, a guard was caught smuggling a wad of money in his underpants out of a bank in Atlanta when a tiny security-dye capsule exploded, blowing a hole in his trousers.
§ Puzzle §
Word Boxes are like miniature crossword puzzles, except that each word is filled in across AND down the grid. That is, the answer to 1 across is the same word as the answer to 1 down; 2 across is the same as 2 down; etc. Can you solve these Word Boxes? To solve: draw a square that has 5 X 5 sections.
1 complete environment (HINT: W - - - -)
2 not this one (HINT: - T - - -)
3 poetic device (HINT: - - Y - -)
4 assumption (HINT: - - - M -)
5 foreboding (HINT: - - - - D)
§ Calendar Information §
• March’s Month Long Observances •
BIRTHSTONE: aquamarine and bloodstone (courage) FLOWER: Narcissus [daffodil, jonquil] (vanity)
National Cheerleading Safety Month • National Clean Up Your IRS Act Month • National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month • National Craft Month • National Ethics Awareness Month •National Eye Donor Month • National Frozen Food Month • National Multiple Sclerosis Education & Awareness Month •National Kidney Month• National Nutrition Month • National Social Work Month • National Umbrella Month • National Women's History Month • Optimism Month • Play The Recorder Month • Poison Prevention Awareness Month • Red Cross Month • Save Your Vision Month • Sing With Your Child Month • Small Press Month •Spiritual Wellness Month • Women's History Month • Workplace Eye Health and Safety Month • Youth Art Month
• Observance Weeks in March•
1-5: Newspaper in Education Week
1-7: National Cheerleading Week
   • National Ghostwriters Week
   • National Write A Letter of Appreciation Week
   • National Procrastination Week
   • Return The Borrowed Books Week
   • Universal Human Beings Week
   • Yo-Yo and Skill Toys Week
• 1 March Observances—US/UN/World •
Beer Day borrowed from Iceland to celebrate in the US
Peace Corp Birthday
Pig Day
Plan a Solo Vacation Day
Re-fired, Not Retired Day
Share a Smile Day
Ohio 1803, Nebraska 1867 : Admission Day
•1 March Observances—by country •
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Independence Day from Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1992)
Iceland: Beer Day since 1989 prohibition
Panamá : Constitution Day (1946)
Paraguay : Heroes' Day/National Defense Day/Memorial Day
Scotland : Whuppity Scoorie Day: in Lanark, to welcome spring
South Korea : Independence Movement Day/Sam Il Chul (1919)
Spain : Pinzon Day: for 3 brothers who sailed with Columbus
Switzerland : Chalanda Marz/Coming of spring
UK-Wales: St. David’s Day (Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant)
§ Number One Songs in…
1948…I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover - The Art Moonie Orchestra
1956…Why Do Fools Fall in Love - Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers
1964…I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
1972…It’s Four in the Morning - Faron Young
• Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1928…Paul Whiteman and his orchestra recorded Ol’ Man River for Victor Records. The featured vocalist on the track was 29-year-old Paul Robeson. The song became an American classic.
• Born on this day •
   …The Arts
Authors, Artists and Composers
Ion Creanga, 1837, Romanian fairy tale author (Amintiti the Copilarie)
Frédéric Chopin, 1810, Polish composer/pianist (Concerto in F Minor)
William Gaines, 1922, publisher: Mad magazine
William Dean Howells, 1837, US, novelist/critic/editor (Atlantic)
Robert Lowell, 1917, poet/pacifist (Lord Weary's Castle, Near the Ocean)
Judith Rossner, 1935, author (Looking for Mr Goodbar)
Richard (Purdy) Wilbur, 89, former poet laureate of the US
Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV
Catherine Bach, 56, actress (“The Dukes of Hazzard”)
Javier Bardem, 41, (Canary Islands, Spain) actor (Oscar for No Country for Old Men; Love in the Time of Cholera, Before Night Falls)
Harry Belafonte, 83, singer
Dirk Benedict, 66, actor (A-Team)
Robert Conrad, 75, actor (“The Wild Wild West”)
Roger Daltrey, 66, singer (The Who)
Timothy Daly, 54, actor (Diner, “Wings”)
George Eads, 43, actor (“CSI”)
Mark-Paul Gosselaar, 36, actor (“NYPD Blue,” “Saved by the Bell”)
Ron Howard, 56, director (Oscar for A Beautiful Mind; Cinderella Man, Apollo 13), actor
Sonny James, 81, singer (Young Love, Running Bear
Glenn Miller, 1904, bandleader
(James) David (Graham) Niven, 1910, Academy Award-winning actor
Dinah Shore, 1917, singer (See the USA in a Chevrolet)
Alan Thicke, 63, (Ontario, Canada) actor (“Growing Pains”), host (“Thicke of the Night”)
   …Athletes
Harry (Christopher) Caray (Carabina), 1920, baseball announcer (Cubs)
Chris Webber, 37, basketball player (Magic)
   …Business, Education
--
   …Politics
Lorenzo de' Medici, 1449, Italian statesman
Yitzhak Rabin,1922, Prime Minister of Israel, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize
Suzanna Salter, 1860, 1st US female mayor (Argonia, KS/temperance leader
   …Science/Religion
Richard H. Price, 67, American physicist
Rashid Sunyaev, 67, Russian physicist
•Today’s Obits •
George Herbert, 1633, English poet, @ 39
Anna Paulowna Romanova, 1865, great monarch of Russia, @ 70
Jackie Coogan, 1984, actor (Uncle Fester-Addams Family), @ 69
Edwin H Land, 1991, inventor (Polaroid Camera), @ 81
Luis Kutner, 1993, US co-founder (Amnesty International), @ 84
Walter Kent, 1994, US composer (I'll Be Home for Christmas), @ 82
•What Happened on this Day •
   …The Arts
1941…"Captain America" appears in a comic book
1978…Charlie Chaplin's coffin was stolen from a Swiss cemetery
   …Athletics
--
   …Business, Education
1873…E. Remington and Sons of Ilion, NY began the manufacturing of the first practical typewriter.
1909…1st US university school of nursing established, University of Minnesota
1962…K-Mart opens
1996…New toll-free 888 area code introduced
   …Politics
1780…Pennsylvania becomes 1st US state to abolish slavery (for new-borns only)
1790…1st US census authorized
1913…Federal income tax takes effect (16th amendment)
1932…The Lindbergh baby is kidnapped when stolen from his crib at the family estate in Hopewell, New Jersey,
1936…The Hoover Dam ( Boulder Dam ) is completed and turned over to the U.S. government.
1937…1st permanent automobile license plates issued (Connecticut)
1954…4 Puerto Ricans open fire in US House of Representatives injuring 5 Representatives
1981…Irish Republican Army member Bobby Sands begins a hunger strike at the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland. He dies 65 days later
   …Science/Religion
1864…Louis Ducos du Hauron patents movie machine (never built)
1872…Yellowstone becomes world's 1st national park
1970…End of US commercial whale hunting
§ANSWERS to puzzle §
WORLD
OTHER
RHYME
LEMMA
DREAD
♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣

Sunday

28 February 2010--Week 8 of 2010: 59 days this year…306 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"The heart is wiser than the intellect."

~J.G. Holland

“The wise person understands that his own happiness must include the happiness of others.”

~Dennis Weaver, (1924-2006); Actor

» Free Ramblings «

My body decided to have my last day as a 60 year old with a case of angioedema. This time, it was my tongue, not the whole tongue, just the right side. I took the pills, but they are slow in working this time, think I waited a little too long, not a danger, just takes longer to get the swelling down.

Back in the day there was ABC’s Wide World of Sports with the opening line “Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport… the thrill of victory… and the agony of defeat… the human drama of athletic competition.” Jim McKay and the show are long gone. But the bar they set is very high. NBC televised their first Olympics in 1964 and have covered 12 Olympics. They certainly have had some blunders, like the PPV Red, White and Blue channels they had for one Olympics. They lost a ton of $$ ad angered a lot of viewers who couldn’t get it or wouldn’t pay the price. They did have an internet pay site where you could get more coverage, but I was happy with what was on the three channels. Tomorrow night is the closing ceremonies, and I must say, I have really enjoyed this year’s coverage. I have seen many thrills of victory from athletes spanning the globe. I have also seen a few agony of defeat events. All in all, I don’t keep up on the medal counts, but will remember some of the great finishes, the athletes who gave 110%, the athletes who showed outstanding sportsmanship in very difficult situations. For me, that’s what the Olympics has always been about.

Our ‘big’ storm hasn’t arrived yet. Maybe tonight. We got up to 45° with a heavy cloud cover this morning, then after a day of 25mph winds, it cleared up to give us a nice blue sky. They keep alerting me that I should expect about 8” of snow to come in tonight. However, the sky is clear right now, the full moon is amazing, and even I know that there has to be clouds and cold to make snow. I think this storm may be like the tsunami that fortunately didn’t make it to Hawaii. Chili is suffering but the Pacific’s Island nations seem to have been spared any tsunami devastation. Mary is heading for Hawaii on Wednesday for a week or so on the beach.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics opened on Feb 12.

Counterfeit Olympic tickets to events have always been a problem. The Vancouver games’ tickets had 14 different anti-counterfeiting methods including holograms and color-shifting inks.

»Side Show Stories—«

Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S. president, saved 77 people from drowning as a lifeguard in his youth at a riverside beach near Dixon, Illinois.

***

20th president of the United States James Garfield could write Greek with one hand while writing Latin with the other.

***

Abe Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, carried letters, bills, and notes in his notorious black, top-hat.

***

First U.S. president George Washington rejected a movement among army officers to make him king of the United States.

***

William Taft, 27th president of the United States, weighed more than 300 pounds and had a special over-sized bathtub installed in the White House.

***

The 38th president of the United States, Gerald Ford turned down offers to play professional football for the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions.

»Random Fact: «

The Eber Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian medical journal, states that inflammation should be treated with copper. Many Egyptian paintings depict their rulers and wealthy citizens wearing bracelets made of copper.

» Puzzle « New Puzzle Tomorrow

Word Boxes are like miniature crossword puzzles, except that each word is filled in across AND down the grid. That is, the answer to 1 across is the same word as the answer to 1 down; 2 across is the same as 2 down; etc. Can you solve these Word Boxes? To solve: draw a square that has four X four sections.

1 incidental benefit (HINT: P - - -)

2 ardor inspired by passion (HINT: - L - -)

3 timed competition (HINT: - - C -)

4 joint example (HINT: - - - E)

» Calendar Information «

☼ February’s Month Long Observances ☼

Birthstone: Amethyst …Flower: Violet and Primrose

Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month^AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month^American Heart Month^Bake for Family Fun Month^Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month^Grapefruit Month^International Boost Self-Esteem Month^International Expect Success Month^Jobs in Golf Month^Library Lovers Month^Marijuana Awareness Month^National African American History Month^National Bird Feeding Month^National Black History Month^National Care About Your Indoor Air Month^National Cherry Month^National Condom Month^National Children's Dental Health Month^National Laugh-Friendly Month^National Mend A Broken Heart Month^National Parent Leadership Month^National Pet Dental Health Month^National Senior Independence Month^National Time Management Month^Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month^Pull Your Sofa Off The Wall Month^Relationship Wellness Month^Responsible Pet Owner's Month^Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month^Spiritual Teachers Month^Spunky Old Broads Month^ Sweet Potato Month^Wise Health Care Consumer Month^ Youth Leadership Month^

☼ Observance Weeks in February ☼

Telecommuter Appreciation Week: 24-3/6

American Crossword Puzzle Week: 26-28

Texas Cowboy Poetry Week: 26-28

☼ 26 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Public Sleeping Day

Floral Design Day

International Sword Swallowers Day

National Tooth Fairy Day

☼26 February Observances—by country ☼

Taiwan: Peace Memorial Day, commemorating the 228 Incident: 10-30,000 massacred in anti-gov’t uprising

Finland : Kalevala Day (1835): epic poem of history of Finland

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1954…American molecular biologists James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick discover the double-helix structure of DNA

☼ Born on this day ☼

» The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Svetlana Allilueva, 84, daughter of Joseph Stalin, author (The Faraway Music)

John Tenniel, in 1820 (England), cartoonist/illustrator (Alice in Wonderland)

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Charles Blondin (Jean Francois Gravelet), in 1824, acrobat, aerialist: first to walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope [June 30, 1859]

Charles Durning, 87, actor (Dog Day Afternoon, “Evening Shade”)

Zero Mostel (Samuel Joel Mostel), in 1915, actor

Bernadette Peters, 66, singer, actress (Dames at Sea, Annie Get Your Gun)

»Athletes

Mario Gabrielle Andretti, 70, former auto racer

Jelena Janković, (Yugoslavia) 25, tennis player

»Business, Education

Charlie Frazier, 61, BIA educator now happily retired
Mary Lyon, in 1797, educator: founded Mount Holyoke Seminary, now Mt. Holyoke College, one of the first permanent colleges for women

Bugsy Siegel, in 1906, gangster created casinos in Las Vegas
»Politics

Clara Petacci, in 1912, Italian mistress of Benito Mussolini

»Science/Religion

Thomas Newcomen, in 1663, English co-inventor (steam engine)

Smokey The Bear, 1928

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, in 1977, comedian (Jack Benny Show), @ 71

Mr Ed (Bamboo Harverster), in 1979, talking horse, @ 21

Henry James, in 1916, US/British writer (Bostonians), @ 72

Jim Thorpe, in 1953, decathlete (Olympics-gold-1912), @64

☼What Happened on this Day ☼

» The Arts

1749…1st edition of Henry Fieldings' "Tom Jones" published

1940…Richard Wright's "Native Son" published

1983…The final episode of M*A*S*H, became the most-watched television episode in U.S. history, estimates at 106 million Americans.

»Athletics

1940 – Basketball is televised for the first time (Fordham University vs. the University of Pittsburgh in Madison Square Garden)

»Business, Education

1970…Bicycles permitted to cross Golden Gate Bridge

1977…1st killer whale born in captivity (Marineland, Los Angeles CA)

»Politics

1692…Salem witch hunt begins

1861…Territories of Nevada & Colorado created

1922…After 40 years of British rule following Great Britain seizing control of Egypt's government in 1882 over concerns for British interests including the Suez Canal. Great Britain announces a unilateral declaration of Egypt's independence.

1933…1st female in cabinet Francis Perkins appointed Secretary of Labor

1961…JFK names Henry Kissinger special advisor

1986…Olof Palme, the Swedish Prime Minister is shot dead and his wife Lisbeth wounded in a street ambush in central Stockholm.

1995…Denver International Airport opens

»Science/Religion

1066…Westminster Abbey opens

1638…Scottish Presbyterians sign National Convenant, Greyfriars, Edinburgh

1993…Gun battle erupts at Waco TX between FBI & Branch Davidians

» Number One Songs in…

1947…For Sentimental Reasons - Nat King Cole

1955…Sincerely - McGuire Sisters

1963…Hey Paula - Paul & Paula

1971…Help Me Make It Through the Night - Sammi Smith

1979…Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? - Rod Stewart

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

P E R K

E L A N

R A C E

K N E E

Saturday

27 February 2010--Week 8 of 2010: 58 days this year…307 remain

» Free Ramblings «

This has been a busy day. First our retirement trio went to Riordan Mansion and then to lunch. Tonight our Great Decisions group meets to discuss the envoy role in international politics.

Since my retirement I have done quite a few historical tours. I enjoy learning about how it was back then. On that count, Riordan was a very professional, well organized, interesting tour of the family home that helped build Flagstaff at the beginning of the last century. The mansion is Arts and Crafts and has a ton of Stickley furniture. Two brothers built two 6,000 sq ft homes and attached them with a 1,000 sq ft romp room. The lumber business must have been very good back in the day for these Irish Catholics.

I have been on two tours where I left angry. The first was at Robben Island where I was angry what the minority had done to the majority. Today was the second time. According to our volunteer guide, the state parks that are closing is because of our legislature. I knew that, but what I didn’t know, is that all the state parks are funded by donations, endowments, gifts, and admission…no state tax money is involved. However our legislature found a legal way to take that money and put it into other programs. So the cash cow of funds to keep these places open has been destroyed. One of the Riordan Brothers, who started the plan to make the mansions a state park, put in his will that if the state closed the park for one year and one day, the home would revert back to the heirs. Really smart man. Of course over the last 100+ years the family has grown and moved and now, there is no patriarch or matriarch so many, many family members will each own a door knob. I can imagine the arguments that would follow.

I have to do some more investigating into this bizarre story, but knowing Arizona and its incompetent legislature I won’t be surprised when I find that it is true.

It has been nice weather day for February. We made it to 41° and a light jacket was enough for me on the tour, part of which was outside. It’s now the weekend, so of course, the clouds are coming in, the temperature is dropping, and snow is on the horizon and on the peaks. It won’t make it down the mountain until tomorrow. Thankfully, this is another California storm, so the temps won’t drop below the 20’s or high teens at night.

All other regular features will return tomorrow!!!

Friday

26 February 2010--Week 8 of 2010: 57 days this year…308 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Let he who takes the plunge remember to return it by Tuesday."

~unknown

“Each contact with a human being is so rare, so precious, one should preserve it.”

~Anais Nin: (1903-1977); Author, Diarist

» Free Ramblings «

I’m a little confused. Years ago I wondered about the shows that are done daily at places like Sea World. To me is seemed strange to take these wild animals and anthropomorphize them for a show. One year we took our 8th graders behind the scenes at Sea World on a special tour. Before the tour I did some background work. I found that, back then Marlin Perkins, talked a lot about how these types of aquariums had so much more going on behind the scenes than what the general public saw. They have lots of scientists on staff who are studying just about everything of all the ‘residents’ of the aquarium. Today it’s Jack Hanna talking. Yesterday at Sea World, one of the most experience trainers was killed by an orca (killer whale) that has killed a human at least once before. He came out to talk about all the education and scientific knowledge places like Sea World provide. I know from experience that a lot is done behind the scenes. Yep, there is a but coming. The decision by Sea World to continue to let this particular orca continue to be part of their show seems very shortsighted…looking for the almighty dollar. I believe a better decision would be to remove this whale from the show and study it to maybe learn more about the why of this incident.

We have all heard or read stories about monkey-pets who lived like children in the family home, until one day…they became wild. Sometimes they injure people. We hear on the news that these cute little monkeys are WILD animals and such incidents are not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ they will happen. Duh. Why is the orca any different? Orcas have lived in the oceans for all time. They are not used to being in a tank, no matter how big that tank is. This particular orca would quickly die if released. I get that. But putting other humans at risk for a show seems just plain stupid.

I have always had problems with directions. I fail all the ‘position in space’ tests. Even in Flagstaff, if I am driving to an unfamiliar neighborhood I have to print out a map with the directions and even then I have been known to get misplaced—never lost, just in a place I wasn’t planning on going. So today I broke down and bought a GPS for my car. It is really amazing. I sat in the parking lot, hooked it up and it got me home with no problem. Tomorrow it will be put to the test as I am going to my Great Decisions Discussion group, and have only the address of a street I have never heard of.

A nice day here in Flagstaff. We made it to 43° and while there was 20mph wind, it didn’t make it difficult to be outside. More snow is due this weekend. Alas, will winter ever end?

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics opened on Feb 12.

Tickets to watch Curling run about $125 per game, Figure Skating tickets run about $425.

»Side Show Stories—«

In September 1992, robbers in Las Vegas held up a van thought to contain gambling chips, only to find that it was carrying potato chips instead.

»Random Fact: «

Almonds are part of the peach family.

» Puzzle «

1 lie (HINT: F - - -)

2 decorative material (HINT: - A - -)

3 sore (HINT: - - H -)

4 humble in spirit or manner (HINT: - - - K)

» Calendar Information «

☼ February’s Month Long Observances ☼

Birthstone: Amethyst …Flower: Violet and Primrose

☼ Observance Weeks in February ☼

Build A Better Trade Show Image Week: 21-27

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week: 21-27

Read Me Week: 22-26

Telecommuter Appreciation Week: 24-3/6

American Crossword Puzzle Week: 26-28--only 3 days? 5 across: 7 days

Texas Cowboy Poetry Week: 26-28

☼ 26 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

For Pete's Sake Day

Levi Strauss Day

National Personal Chef's Day

National Pistachio Day

☼26 February Observances—by country ☼

Liberation Day in Kuwait (1991)

☼ Holy Mackerel: 1531…Earthquake in Lisbon Portugal, kills 20,000

☼ Born on this day ☼

» The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Fats (Antoine) Domino, 82, pianist, songwriter, singer

Victor Hugo, in 1802, (France) author (Hunchback of Notre Dame, Les Miserables)

John George Nicolay, in 1832, author (Abe Lincoln's biographer)

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Michael Bolton, 56, rock vocalist

Johnny Cash, in 1932, guitarist, Grammy winning country singer

William F "Buffalo Bill" Cody, in 1846, showman,

William Frawley, in 1887, actor: I Love Lucy

Jackie (Herbert John) Gleason, in 1916, comedian, actor

Betty Hutton, in 1921, actress

Tony Randall (Leonard Rosenberg), in 1920, actor

Mitch Ryder(William S. Levise Jr.), 65, rocker (& the Detroit Wheels-Devil With the Blue Dress) frontiersman

»Athletes

Bobby "Bingo" Smith, 64, NBA star (Cavaliers)

»Business, Education

Levi Strauss, in 1829, creator of blue jeans

»Politics

Nadezhda Konstantinovna Krupskaya, in 1861, Russian revolutionary, Lenin's wife

Ariel Sharon, 82, Israeli Prime Minister

»Science/Religion

Herbert Henry Dow, in 1866, pioneer in US chemical industry (Dow Chemical)

☼Today’s Obits ☼

David Doyle, in 1997 actor, (Charlie's Angels), heart attack @ 67
Richard J Gatling, in 1903, US inventor (Gatling Gun), @ 84

Harry Lauder (Maclennan), in 1950, Scottish comic/singer, @ 75

☼What Happened on this Day ☼

» The Arts

1917…The Original Dixieland Jazz Band records the first ever jazz record for the Victor Talking Machine Company in New York.

1970…National Public Radio incorporates as a non-profit corporation.

»Athletics

1941…Cowboys' Amateur Association of America organized (California)

»Business, Education

1797…Bank of England issues 1st £1-note

1870…1st NYC subway line opens (pneumatic powered)

1891…1st buffalo purchased for Golden Gate Park

1919…Congress established Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona

1929…President Calvin Coolidge establishes Grand Teton National Park

1933…Golden Gate Bridge ground-breaking ceremony held at Crissy Field

»Politics

1993…2nd tallest building in world, NYC World Trade Center bombed, 7 die

»Science/Religion

1732…1st mass celebrated in American Catholic church, (St Joseph's Church, Philadelphia)

1935…RADAR-Radio Detection & Ranging 1st demonstrated (Robert Watson-Watt)

» Number One Songs in…

1945…Accentuate the Positive - Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters

1953…Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes - Perry Como

1961…North to Alaska - Johnny Horton

1969…Everyday People - Sly & The Family Stone

1977…Love Theme from "A Star is Born" (Evergreen) - Barbra Streisand

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

F L A M

L A C E

A C H E

M E E K

Thursday

25 February 2010--Week 8 of 2010: 56 days this year…309 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Lend money to a bad debtor and he will hate you.”

~unknown

"Open the doors of opportunity to talent and virtue and they will do themselves justice.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882); Philosopher, Poet, Author, Essayist

» Free Ramblings «

Our little retirement group had our weekly lunch today. Our plan had been to eat, and the go to Riordan Mansion, to support its efforts in staying open. With all the news about Riordan in the paper, on TV, and on the radio none of realized that it was only open Thursday through Sunday. So we had a nice lunch and decided to try Riordan again on Friday. I recall visiting Riordan soon after it became a state park back in the early 80’s. At that time, only ½ of the mansion was available for tours as a family member still lived in the other side. Now I understand, the entire mansion is open for tours. Sadly, our non-elected governor has decided to close the park at the end of March. There are many in Flagstaff and around our state who are working long hours to find a way to keep the park open. We need to have our history available so that we can move forward.

I watched an hour long debate with our local mayoral candidates. For a small town, we sure have a lot of issues. One candidate said that people choose to live in Flagstaff and therefore we must recognize that this choice will cost us more for housing, more for food, more for gas, and more for just about everything. He sure isn’t getting my vote. He doesn’t seem to realize that Flagstaff is also the hub town for most of Northern Arizona. Why should people travel to this hub, knowing they will pay more for just about everything? It is a border town for the Rez, but I have learned since moving here, it also is a hub for Sedona, Williams, Winslow, and other non-reservation towns. This vote is only a primary, and I am sure that both Sara and Kara will be on the final ballot. It was sure worth the hour to watch the debate.

It was fairly nice today, except for the 30+ mph winds throughout the day. We made it to 41° and the wind chill only dropped that about five degrees. A new storm is headed our way, so the weekend will be snowy, again.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics opened on Feb 12.

From 1924-2006 Norway had 98 gold medals at the Winter Olympics. So far at this Olympics they have added 6 golds. The US earned 78 golds in that time frame and have added 7 in this Olympics.

»Side Show Stories—«

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Catholic leaders in Connecticut said they are trying to fill confessionals during Lent by taking out billboards seeking sinners wanting to shake their guilt. Bishop William Lori of the Bridgeport Diocese said he took out a full-sized billboard urging Catholics to take advantage of the extended confessional hours being offered every Tuesday until the end of Lent, WFSB-TV, Bridgeport, reported Thursday. "I wouldn't call it commercializing. It's evangelizing. The church has always used whatever media to get the message out and it's a great message," Lori said. The bishop said many people are wary of confession. "They get scared. It's hard to admit our sins. Sometimes people wonder what the reaction will be on the other side of the screen, but it's really about love, mercy, compassion," he said.

»Random Fact: «

Antarctica has as much ice as the Atlantic Ocean has water.

» Puzzle «

1 a three-handed card game (HINT: S - - -)

2 money, or a hardy cabbage (HINT: - A - -)

3 Ladd, or an obsolete term for "wolfhound" (HINT: - - A -)

4 serve (HINT: - - - D)

» Calendar Information «

☼ February’s Month Long Observances ☼

Birthstone: Amethyst …Flower: Violet and Primrose

☼ Observance Weeks in February ☼

Build A Better Trade Show Image Week: 21-27

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week: 21-27

Read Me Week: 22-26

Telecommuter Appreciation Week: 24-3/6

☼ 24 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

National Chili Day

Pistol Patent Day (Samuel Colt)

☼24 February Observances—by country ☼

Kuwait : National Day

México : Coronado Day (1540)

Philippines: People Power Day

☼ Holy Mackerel: 1950.."Your Show of Shows" with Sid Caesar & Imogene Coca premieres :Writers include Mel Brooks, Neil Simon & Woody Allen

☼ Born on this day ☼

» The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Anthony Burgess, in 1917, essayist/novelist (A Clockwork Orange)

Larry Gelbart, 82, writer, producer (“M*A*S*H”)

Pierre Auguste Renoir, in 1841, French Impressionist painter/sculptor

Bob Schieffer, 73, television journalist

Bruno Traven, in 1882, German writer (Sierra Madre)

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Sean Astin, 39, actor (the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Rudy, Courage Under Fire)

Jim Backus, in 1913, actor (Mr Magoo, Thurston Howell III-Gilligan's Island)

Diane Baker, 72, actress (Silence of the Lambs)

Ric Flair (Fliehr), 61, former professional wrestler

Karen Grassle, 66, actress (“Little House on the Prairie”)

George Harrison, in 1943, rocker: Beatles

Tea Leoni, 44, actress (Jurassic Park III, Deep Impact, Flirting with Disaster)
[Herbert] Zeppo Marx, in 1901, comedian/actor (Marx Brothers)

Sally Jessy Raphael (Sally Lowenthal), 67, talk show host

Carrot Top [Scott Thompson], 45, comedian

»Athletes

Robert Lorimer "Bobby" Riggs, in 1918, US tennis star

»Business, Education

Charles Freer, in 1876, art collector; endowed Freer Gallery

»Politics

José Francisco de San Martín, in 1778, liberated Argentina, Chile & Perú

»Science/Religion

Howard Zahniser, in 1906, Father of the Wilderness Act

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Darren McGavin, in 2006, American actor @ 84
Thomas Moore, in 1852, Irish poet (Last Rose of Summer), stroke @ 53

George "Bugs" Moran, in1957, American gangster, in prison @ 64
Paul Julius von Reuter, in 1899, founder of the news agency (Reuters), @ 83
Thomas Lanier Tennessee Williams, in 1983, writer (Streetcar Named Desire), chokes on bottle cap @ 71
☼What Happened on this Day ☼

» The Arts

1751…1st performing monkey exhibited in America, NYC (admission 1¢)

1949…Robert Mitchum is released from a Los Angeles prison farm at the end of his two-month sentence for marijuana possession

1984…Ironweed, by William P. Kennedy, awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction

»Athletics

1952…6th Winter Olympics games close at Oslo, Norway

1964…Cassius Clay, defeated Sonny Liston

»Business, Education

1837…1st US electric printing press patented by Thomas Davenport

»Politics

1540…Francisco Vásquez de Coronado searches for 7 cities of Cibola México

1793…1st cabinet meeting (At George Washington's home)

1875…Kiowa Indians under Lone Wolf (Guipago) surrender at Ft Sill

1925…Glacier Bay National Monument established in Alaska

1932…Immigrant Adolf Hitler gets German citizenship

»Science/Religion

1836…Samuel Colt patents 1st revolving barrel multishot firearm

» Number One Songs in…

1944…Besame Mucho - The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra (vocal: Bob Eberly & Kitty Kallen

1952…Cry - Johnnie Ray

1960…The Theme from "A Summer Place" - Percy Faith

1968…Love is Blue - Paul Mauriat

1976…50 Ways to Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon

1984…Jump - Van Halen

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

S K A T

K A L E

A L A N

T E N D

Wednesday

24 February 2010--Week 8 of 2010: 55 days this year…310 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea."

~Henry Fielding : British Playwright and Novelist, 1707-1754

"Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”

~Sun Tzu: (544BC-496BC); Chinese General

» Free Ramblings «

My first ‘out n about’ day in a week or so. Weather was fantastic. Blue sky, no wind, a little chilly at 35° but very tolerable. Dentist trip took less than 30 minutes with a big hit on my bank account. After three crowns in as many months, I am now set for quite a while. I am still amazed that my insurance doesn’t pay anything on these trips. I thought that poor mouth health leads to many other medical problems and that the insurance company would want to help me stay healthy. I also know from experience with one tooth, that if the tooth does break, it is a lot more time and a whole lot more money to repair that. Oh well, doesn’t do any good to bitch about it. The insurance company doesn’t care and obviously congress can’t get it together.

One poor sport can ruin any athletic event. Of course, the Olympics, with all its athletes has to have at least one. Yep, it’s the Russian Figure Skater who received a silver—over an American Gold. He had been bragging since the Olympics started last week that he was bringing home the Gold. He started his sour grapes tirade just after the scores were posted. Today, on his website he posted a picture of himself with the Vancouver Platinum Medal. Huh…The only reason I mention this, is that Russia’s Putin, sent him a message that he, Putin, thought the skater had given the best performance of all the skaters. Putin has never been an Olympic judge, nor, to my knowledge is he a figure skater.

The 2014 Olympics will be in Sochi, Russia. Sochi is on the coast of the Black Sea and has been a resort since the time of Stalin. Its population is over 350,000. Indoor events will be held there. The outdoor events will be held in Krasnaya Polyana (Beautiful Red Glade) in the nearby Caucasus Mountains. As with many countries, there is a large population of aboriginals-- The Circassians (who call themselves "Adyghe"). Historically they were a warlike group with a very strict caste system. Today, many are Sunni Muslims.

I sure hope this poor sportsmanship / political involvement quiets down and blows over quickly…we don’t need to boycott another Olympics.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics opened on Feb 12.

Biathlon is the only current Olympic Winter Games event in which the United States has never won a medal. In 2010 the US earned its first medals in Nordic Combined--two silvers.

»Side Show Stories—«

CAMBRIDGE, England - Doctors said the case of a British baby who learned to walk unaided at just 6 months is "extremely uncommon." Mary King, 30, and her husband David, 27, of Cambridge, England, said their first child, Xavier, amazed them when he began sitting up on his own at 3 months and only further shocked them when he stood up and started walking distances of up to 6 feet on his own in January, when he was 6 months old, The Daily Telegraph reported. "Xavier is more advanced than most babies his age. It was just amazing when he got up and started putting one leg in front of the other," King said. "The only problem now is that I can't leave him alone so have had to buy a play pen so he doesn't get into any mischief." Dr. Martin Ward Platt, consultant pediatrician at Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, England, said it is rare for babies to start walking so young. "To be quite so precocious with your walking is extremely uncommon, but... it will happen from time to time," he said. "For his parents, having to cope with a much more mobile child much earlier than expected simply brings forward the moment you need eyes in the back of your head."

»Random Fact: «

There is no evidence for what Shakespeare did between 1585 and 1592, the period when he moved to London and began his writing career. Thus, there is no record of how his career began or how quickly he rose to fame.

» Puzzle «

1 crossbow ammunition (HINT: B - - -)

2 do what you're told (HINT: - B - -)

3 jump (HINT: - - A -)

4 category (HINT: - - - E)

» Calendar Information «

☼ February’s Month Long Observances ☼

Birthstone: Amethyst …Flower: Violet and Primrose

☼ Observance Weeks in February ☼

Build A Better Trade Show Image Week: 21-27

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week: 21-27

Read Me Week: 22-26

Telecommuter Appreciation Week: 24-3/6

☼ 24 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

National Tortilla Chip Day

Inconvenience Yourself Day

Indiana : Vincennes Day-George Clark's defeat of British (1779)

☼24 February Observances—by country ☼

Cuba : Baire Uprising (1895)

Estonia : National Day (1920 from Russia)

Ghana : Liberation Day (1966)

México : Flag Day (1821)

Romania: Dragobete : Rite of Spring, for lovers, like Valentine’s Day

Thailand: National Artist Day (since 1985)

☼ Holy Mackerel: 1989…Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issues a fatwā (religious edict) and offers a USD $3 million bounty for the death of author Salman Rushdie who had written The Satanic Verses.

☼ Born on this day ☼

» The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Wilhelm Karl Grimm, in 1786, (Germany), story teller (Grimm's Fairy Tales)

George Harrison, in 1943, Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famer, former Beatle

Winslow Homer, in 1836, painter

Mark Lane, 83, lawyer, author (Rush to Judgment, Eyewitness Chicago), assassination buff

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Barry Bostwick, 65, actor (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, “Spin City”)

James Farentino, 72, actor (“Dynasty,” “Cool Million,” The Story of a Woman).

Edward James Olmos, 63, actor (Stand and Deliver, “Battlestar Galactica”; Emmy for “Miami Vice”)

Abe Vigoda, 89, actor (“Barney Miller,” “Fish”)

Billy Zane, 44, actor (Titanic, The Phantom)

»Athletes

Oscar de la Hoya, 37, boxer
Floyd Mayweather, Jr, 33, boxer

»Business, Education

Steven Jobs, 55, founder of Apple computer company

»Politics

Catherine I, in 1684, Empress of Russia

Joseph I. Lieberman, 68, US Senator (I, Connecticut)

Chester Nimitz, in 1885, U.S. Navy Admiral

Paula Zahn, 54, television journalist

»Science/Religion

William Fairbank, in 1917, physicist (superconductivity)

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Tennessee Williams, in 1983, US playwright (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), @ 71

Johnnie Ray, in 1990, singer (Cry), liver failure @ 61

Malcolm Forbes, in 1990, CEO (Forbes Publishing), heart attack @ 70

Dinah Shore, in 1994, singer (Chevrolet), cancer @ 76

Henny Youngman, in 1998, comedian (Take my wife please), @ 92

☼What Happened on this Day ☼

» The Arts

1998…Elton John knighted

»Athletics

1924…Johnny Weissmuller wins his first gold medal in 100-meters freestyle in the 1924 Paris Olympics.

2002…XIX winter Olympics closes in Salt Lake City UT/Québec City

»Business, Education

»Politics

1541…Santiago, Chile founded by Pedro de Valvidia

1730…With both sides running out of ammunition, the French, and the Natchez Indians agree on a peace settlement.

1803…Supreme Court 1st rules a law unconstitutional (Marbury vs Madison)

1835…Siwinowe Kesibwi (Shawnee Sun) is 1st Indian language monthly magazine

1863…Arizona Territory created

1917…Russian revolution breaks out

1924…Mahatma Gandhi released from jail

1942… Voice of America begins broadcasting (in German)

1972…This was the day when President Nixon had visited the Great Wall of China

1974…Pakistan officially recognizes Bangladesh

»Science/Religion

0303…1st official Roman edict for persecution of Christians issued

1839…Steam shovel patented by William Otis, Philadelphia

1989…150-million-year-old fossil egg (oldest dinosaur embryo) found in Utah

» Number One Songs in…

1951…Tennessee Waltz - Patti Page

1959…Stagger Lee - Lloyd Price

1967…Kind of a Drag - The Buckinghams

1975…Best of My Love - The Eagles

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

B O L T...I checked it out and they are not called arrows, and are called bolts

O B E Y

L E A P

T Y P E

Tuesday

23 February 2010--Week 8 of 2010: 54 days this year…311 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Love is sentimental measles." ~Charles Kingsley

“A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.” ~Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906); Playwright

» Free Ramblings «

Another day of snow here in Flag. We’ve gotten a total of about 8” during this storm. It was also a little colder than I like. Our high was at midnight last night—30°, with the high during the day a very cool 24°. Did I mention the steady winds of around 22 mph. Well they helped make it feel like 6° outside. Here I was just talking about how we had snow with no cold temperatures. Our next storm isn’t due till Saturday, so maybe it will warm up.

I have always been a fan of rice. Brown rice, white rice, fried rice, whatever. Cooking rice, not so much. My mother always used a pressure cooker to get her fluffy rice. I did the same for many years, until one day when I forgot I had it cooking. Luckily, it didn’t blow, but instead burned. It was a very foul smell, and never all came off the bottom of the pressure cooker, not matter how many times it was scrubbed. So, after that, I still liked rice, but moved to ‘instant’ rice. I never really liked it and cut my rice consumption by about 90%. Then I heard about rice cookers/steamers. Perfect rice, every time was the promise. Hmm. I bought one about 2 weeks ago. It is amazing. It works on brown rice, white rice, and even vegetables. I am now a rice lover again. Steaming veggies is also easier. Too bad I didn’t find one years ago. Oh, they weren’t that good years ago, but now they are great.

Tomorrow I get my permanent crown. Of course, when I was brushing my teeth after dinner, the temporary came off. Since I won’t be eating anymore tonight, I guess it will be OK. While this temporary didn’t keep coming off, it was a real hassle. It seems to have had a real magnet for food to get between it and the teeth next to it. I’m a flosser, but not every time I eat. For the past two and a half weeks, I carried floss with me. It will be nice to have a permanent one that fits. I sure hope I never have to deal with partials or full dentures. I’m sure they would drive me crazy.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics opened on Feb 12.

Only two countries south of the equator have ever won medals at the Olympic Winter Games—Australia and New Zealand.

»Side Show Stories—«

CHARDON, Ohio - An Ohio man said he is putting the finishing touches on his winter project: a 625-square-foot snow castle built in the front yard of his family's home. Jimmy Grey, 25, of the Chardon area in Geauga County, said the 25-foot-by-25-foot structure, which boasts four rooms, a flat-screen TV, a surround-sound system, strobe lights and beer that never goes warm, was a project born out of a desire to keep busy after losing his job last spring, The Plain Dealer newspaper in Cleveland reported Monday. Grey said he started the project after an early January snowstorm using snow collected from his neighborhood and soon found himself enlisting friends to help truck snow in from around the area. The man said the luxury igloo, which uses electricity from his garage and cable TV from his house, hosts get-togethers a few nights a week and will likely remain a monument to his winter well into the warm months.

"To be honest," Grey's father, Jim Sr., said, "I'll be surprised if it's gone by the Fourth of July."

»Random Fact: «

In November 1582, Shakespeare applied for a license to marry Anne Whateley. “Anne Whateley” could be a scribal error for Anne Hathaway, whom he married on or about November 30. She was three months pregnant at the time. William and Anne Shakespeare had three children. Susanna was christened in May 1583, and the twins Judith and Hamnet in February 1585.

» Puzzle «

1 knife (HINT: S - - -)

2 rabbit (HINT: - A - -)

3 flower (HINT: - - I -)

4 sleeveless torso garment (HINT: - - - T)

» Calendar Information «

☼ February’s Month Long Observances ☼

Birthstone: Amethyst …Flower: Violet and Primrose

☼ Observance Weeks in February ☼

International Friendship Week: 17-23

Build A Better Trade Show Image Week: 21-27

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week: 21-27

Read Me Week: 22-26

☼ 23 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day

Curling is Cool Day: yeah, the sport

Iwo Jima Day (flag raised) since 1945 (Iwo Jima means ‘sulfur island’) (flag raised on 5th day of the 44 day battle)

Spay Day: to save unwanted future cats and dogs

☼23 February Observances—by country ☼

Brunei : National Day

Guyana : Mashramani - Republic Day (1970) : meaning job well done

Former Soviet Union: Red Army Day or Day of Soviet Army and Navy Now:

Russia: Defender of the Fatherland Day

Belarus: Fatherland Defenders and Armed Forces Day

Tajikistan: National Army Day

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1896…Tootsie Roll introduced by Leo Hirshfield
☼ Born on this day ☼

» The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

John Blow, in 1649, composer of 1st English opera (Venus & Adonis)

William E B Du Bois, in 1868, civil rights writer (Souls of Black Folk)

George Frideric Händel, in 1685, (Germany) organist/Baroque composer (Messiah)

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Emily Blunt, 27, actress (The Devil Wears Prada, “Gideon’s Daughter”)

Victor Fleming, in 1883, director (Wizard of Oz, Gone With Wind)

Peter Fonda, 71, actor (Easy Rider, Ulee’s Gold)

Howard Jones, 55, singer--synthpop

Patricia Richardson, 59, actress (“Home Improvement”)

Kenneth Tobey, in 1917, actor (Chuck-Whirlybirds)

Johnny Winter (John Dawson III), 66, singer, musician

»Athletes

Fred Biletnikoff, 67, NFL wide receiver (Raiders)

Roberto Martin Antonio (Bobby) Bonilla, 47, former baseball player (Pirates, Mets, Braves, Cardinals)

Edward Lee “Too Tall” Jones, 59, football (Cowboys) and boxer

»Business, Education

Sylvia Chase, 72, newscaster

»Politics

Naruhito, 50, crown prince of Japan

»Science/Religion

Agnes Arber, in 1879, English biologist/philosopher

☼Today’s Obits ☼

John Keats, in 1821, Romantic poet, tuberculosis @ 25

Thomas Woodrow Wilson, in 1924, 28th US President @ 68

Stan Laurel, in 1965, comedian (Laurel & Hardy), heart attack @ 74

Edna Ferber, in 1968, US author (Giant, Showboat), @ 80

James Herriot, in 1995, Scot author (All Creatures Great & Small), @ 78

☼What Happened on this Day ☼

» The Arts

1910…1st radio contest held (Philadelphia)

1940…Walt Disney's animated movie "Pinocchio", released

»Athletics

1874…Major Walter Winfield patents game called "sphairistike" (lawn tennis)

1980…13th Winter Olympics games close at Lake Placid NY

1988…15th Winter Olympics games opens in Calgary, Alberta

1992…16th Winter Olympics games close in Albertville, France

»Business, Education

1821…The Philadelphia College of Apothecaries established: first pharmacy U.S. college

1892…1st college student government established, Bryn Mawr

»Politics

1455…Johannes Gutenberg prints 1st book, the Bible (estimated date)

1792…Humane Society of Massachusetts incorporated (erected life-saving stations for distressed mariners)

1836…Alamo besieged by Santa Anna; entire garrison eventually killed

1903…Cuban state of Guantanamo leased to USA

1927…President Coolidge creates Federal Radio Commission (FCC predecessor)

»Science/Religion

1886…Aluminum manufacturing process developed
1954…1st mass inoculation with Salk vaccine

1987…Supernova 1987A in LMC 1st seen; 1st naked-eye supernova since 1604

» Number One Songs in…

1950…Dear Hearts and Gentle People - Bing Crosby

1958…Short Shorts - The Royal Teens

1966…Lightnin’ Strikes - Lou Christie

1974…The Way We Were - Barbra Streisand

1982…Centerfold - The J. Geils Band

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

S H I V

H A R E

I R I S

V E S T

Monday

22 February 2010--Week 8 of 2010: 53 days this year…312 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Make a wish, it might come true."~unknown

A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.” ~Henrik Ibsen

(1828-1906); Playwright

» Free Ramblings «

I woke up this morning to about 4” of powder and wind gusts of about 40mph. The wind was so strong that it woke me several times during the night. Flagstaff would have been a great site for the Olympics this year. We certainly have enough snow. I heard today that Vancouver is one of the larger cities to host the Winter Games. I checked it out, and Flagstaff, with a population of about 55,000, could certainly compete if population were the only criteria. Albertville, France (‘92) only has 18,000. Lillehammer, Norway (’94) only has 20,000. Nagano, Japan (’98) has 29,000. Of course the Winter Olympics have also been centered in much larger cities—like Grenoble (’68), Innsbruck (’64), Calgary (’88), Nagano (’98) and Salt Lake (’02). Sadly, like so many other things, size isn’t everything. This year, Flagstaff and the Peaks certainly have had the snow. From what I have seen of the Vancouver snow, our snow is much better for skiing. If Flagstaff got the Olympics, we could rebuild our ice rink, probably with a strong roof. I’m sure our city leaders would also impose a huge Olympic tax on everything, because we all know that taxes are what keep a city fiscally strong. The school board could sell those schools they are closing to the Olympic committee and those buildings could be used as venues. All our budget problems would be solved in no time. I really enjoy the Olympics and this fantasy is no more than that. The environmental impact on the sacred peaks would be enough to say no. Our quiet little mountain town would never be the same, and that would be horrific. So as I look out my office window and see blowing snow one minute and sunshine the next, I’m just happy to live here, without the whole world knowing about our great life here.

The weather alert on my computer says that storm one is leaving and storm two is right behind it. We already got about 4” of snow, and the new storm will bring another 4-6” of snow. Winds, they say, will only be around 15mph, but that sure hasn’t happened yet. Almost all of our storms this year have been from the west and south. That seems to mean lots of snow, lots of wind, and thankfully, no really cold spells. For all the hassles we have had from all this snow, it comes with temperatures in the 20’s and low 30’s. Seldom have daytime highs dropped into teens and that is good.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics opened on Feb 12.

In Albertville in 1992, Toni Nieminen, at 16, led the Finnish squad to victory in the team ski K120 event, becoming the youngest man to win gold in the history of the Olympic Winter Games.

»Side Show Stories—«

LONDON - A high-end British supermarket promises its latest brand of toilet paper, made with cashmere, is "the most luxurious yet." Carla Smith, buyer for supermarket Waitrose, said the cashmere paper is the latest in a line that includes toilet paper with aloe vera and jojoba extracts, The Sun reported Thursday. "Cashmere provides that stamp of quality to any fashion garment, from a designer suit to the finest luxury knitwear," Smith said. "It's indulgent, it's stylish and it's helping provide that extra softness to our new premium bathroom tissue collection." If the cashmere toilet paper makes it to the US, it is expected to retail for $3.60 for a pack of four rolls or, for the budget-conscious shopper, $7.52 for a nine-pack.

»Random Fact: «

454 U.S. dollar bills weigh exactly one pound.

» Puzzle «

1 sports player group (HINT: T - - -)

2 roof overhang (singular) (HINT: - A - -)

3 affirm (HINT: - - E -)

4 boundary (HINT: - - - E)

» Calendar Information «

☼ February’s Month Long Observances ☼

Birthstone: Amethyst …Flower: Violet and Primrose

☼ Observance Weeks in February ☼

International Friendship Week: 17-23

Build A Better Trade Show Image Week: 21-27

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week: 21-27

Read Me Week: 22-26

☼ 22 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Be Humble Day

Single Tasking Day

George Washington's Birthday (1732)

Girl Guides Thinking Day (1857) : to honor shared birthdays of founders Sir Robert Baden-Powell and his wife Lady Olave Baden-Powell

☼22 February Observances—by country ☼

Central African Republic : President's Birthday

Egypt, Syria : Unity Day (1958)

India : Mothers Day

México : National Mourning Day (Francisco I Madero-1913)

Qatar : Amir's Assumption of Amirship (1972)

St Lucia : Independence Day (1979 from UK)

Virgin Island : Donkey Races Day: held annually to raise money for charities

☼ Holy Mackerel: 1980…A pivotal moment for ice hockey in the United States came on this day. The ‘Miracle on Ice’U.S. victory over Russia was a dramatic, come-from-behind, 4-3, victory. The U.S. went on to defeat Finland, 4-2, two days later to win the gold medal.

☼ Born on this day ☼

» The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Frederic Francois Chopin, in 1810, composer: of more than 200 compositions for solo piano

Edna St Vincent Millay, in 1892, poet/writer/feminist

Sean O'Faolain [John Whelan], in 1900, Irish writer
Anthony Van Dyck, in 1599, (Antwerp Belgium), painter

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Drew Barrymore, 35, actress (Charlie’s Angels; E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial)

Marguerite Clark, in 1883, voice (Snow White)

Jonathan Demme, 66, director (Silence of the Lambs)

Sheldon Leonard, in 1907, actor/director (Danny Thomas Show)

Leonard "Chico" Marx, in 1891, actor/comedian

Oliver, in 1945, singer (Good Morning Starshine)

Don [Dominic G] Pardo, in 1918, TV announcer

Robert Young, in 1907, actor (Father Knows Best, Marcus Welby MD)

»Athletes

Amy Strum Alcott, 54, golfer

George Lee “Sparky” Anderson, 76, Hall of Fame baseball manager and player

Dick Van Arsdale, 67, NBA all-star (Knicks, Suns)

Tom Van Arsdale, 67, NBA all-star (Pistons, Suns, Royals, Kings, Hawks,76ers)

Michael Te Pei Chang, 38, former tennis player

Julius Winfield “Dr. J” Erving, 60, Hall of Fame basketball player (Nets, 76ers)

Vijay Singh, 47, (Lautoka, Fiji) golfer

»Business, Education

Olvae Baden-Powell, in 1889, founder: Girl Guides

Robert Baden-Powell, in 1857, founder: British Boy Scout Association/ Girl Guides

»Politics

Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy, in 1932, Senator

George Washington, in 1732, 1st American President

»Science/Religion

Adolf Kuszmaul, in 1822, German physician (stomach pump)

Pierre Jules Cesar Janssen, in 1838, discoverer of hydrogen in Sun

☼Today’s Obits ☼

David II Bruce, in 1371, king of Scotland (1331-71), (son of Robert the Bruce)@ 46

Amerigo Vespucci, in 1512, Italian explorer (America), malaria @ 61

David Susskind, in 1987, TV host (Open End, David Susskind Show), heart attack @ 66

Andy Warhol, in 1987, pop artist, complications following gall bladder surgery @ 58

☼What happened on this day? ☼

» The Arts

»Athletics

1888…John Reid of Scotland demonstrates golf to Americans (Yonkers NY)

1998…18th Winter Olympics games close at Nagano Japan

»Business, Education

1879…1st 5¢ & 10¢ store opened by Frank W Woolworth in Utica NY

1920…1st artificial rabbit used at a dog race track (Emeryville CA)

»Politics

1856…1st national meeting of the Republican Party (Pittsburgh)

1561…William of Orange appointed viceroy of Burgundy/Charolai

1630…Indians introduce pilgrims to popcorn, at Thanksgiving

1924…1st presidential radio address (Calvin Coolidge)

1944…Jack C. Montgomery, a Cherokee, is a First Lieutenant with the Forty-fifth Infantry in Italy. For his solo actions against three different enemy positions, he will be awarded the Medal of Honor.

1967…The Tet offensive by communist forces of North Vietnam against South Vietnam ends

1973…Israeli fighter planes shoot down a civilian Libyan Arab Airlines Boeing 727 killing 108

»Science/Religion

1995…Steve Fossett completes 1st air balloon over Pacific Ocean (9600 km)

1997…Scottish scientists from the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh announce they have successfully cloned an adult sheep named Dolly

» Number One Songs in…

1949…A Little Bird Told Me - Evelyn Knight

1957…Young Love - Tab Hunter

1965…This Diamond Ring - Gary Lewis & The Playboys

1973…Crocodile Rock - Elton John

1981…9 to 5 - Dolly Parton

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

T E A M

E A V E

A V E R

M E R E

IMHO--In My Humble Opinion

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