Wednesday

10 February 2010--Week 6 of 2010: 41 days this year…324 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Now and then an innocent man is sent to the legislature." ~Frank McKinney ‘Kin’ Hubbard, (1860-1930)-American humorist, cartoonist

“Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.” ~Antoine de Sainte-Exupery (1900-1944); Aviator, Writer

» Free Ramblings «

An amazing billboard popped up on I-35 somewhere in Minnesota. Half of the board is a picture of George Bush looking down at the highway. The other half says “Miss me yet?” I guess not everyone is happy with the work our President is doing. What a shock.

The Cheyenne River Tribe, in South Dakota, has been in at least one news program for a couple of days. The last big storm hit that rez hard, cutting off most electricity and water to the entire Rez. Eagle Butte and the other 12 communities already live in poverty and this winter is making it even worse. Our local news has talked about the problems the Navajo and Hopi are experiencing during our big storm, but even that barely got recognition on National news. I continue to be amazed that so few Americans are aware of the living conditions on many of our nation’s reservations. News crews rush to Haiti and show the world the poverty. Yet, in our own country, many Natives live much like the Haitians, only in our country they don’t have tropical weather. The summers are hot, the winters are bitter cold. When a bad storm hits, life becomes much more difficult than usual. Until the plight of the tribes becomes news on all the major networks, most Americans will continue to be unaware of the problems associated with poverty, freezing weather, and the real life on the Rez.

High 35°, low 24°, snow flurries at various times during the day. Flagstaff weather is becoming so predictable and so boring.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

Did you know…

There are 16 categories at this Olympics:

4. Speed Skating: began in the 1200’s in Holland, with the first recorded completion in 1676. It was introduced to the Olympics in Chamonix in 1924. Originally, only men took part in competition. At the Lake Placid 1932 Games, however, women’s speed skating was a demonstration event and became a full medal event at the Squaw Valley 1960 Olympic Winter Games. Men and Women now compete in 500m, 1000m, 1500m, and 5000m races. Women have a 3000m and men also have a 10,000m race. There are also team pursuit races. Skaters can reach 60km/hr (38mph).

There are 180 athletes participating—US has 18; Great Britain has 0; Ireland has 0; and South Africa has 0.

»Side Show Stories—«

PRESTWICK, Scotland - A Scottish motorist who was ticketed for blowing his nose while his car was stopped in clogged traffic said he will take the charge to court.

Michael Mancini, 39, of Prestwick, said he was in stationary traffic with his parking brake on when he reached for a handkerchief to wipe his runny nose, leading police Constable Stuart Gray to issue him a $97 fine because he was "not in control of his vehicle" while blowing his nose, the Daily Mail reported. "It's beyond a disgrace," Mancini said. "Surely it would have been more dangerous to drive with a blocked nose?" Mancini said he will not pay the ticket and is now likely to face a criminal trial later this year, the newspaper reported. "I am really angry. I made sure it was safe to blow my nose. It's doubtful I'll get legal aid so this could potentially cost me thousands of pounds in legal fees," he told the Daily Mail. "But I won't be paying the fixed penalty." Gray previously made headlines last year when he issued an $80 littering ticket to a man who accidentally dropped a 10-pound ($16) note in the street.

»Random Fact«

Cape May, NJ is the oldest seashore resort in America.

» Puzzle «

In each of these puzzles, there are two double blanks. Fill in the blanks with the same pair of letters to complete an English word. For example, use the letter-pair ac in b_ _ckp_ _k to make the word backpack.

1 p _ _ dl _ _

2 _ _ p _ _ zard

3 h _ _ g _ _ lin

» 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 ☼

Dump Your Significant Jerk Week: 6-12—It takes a full week?

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week: 7-14

International Coaching Week: 7-13

Jell-O Week: 7-13

Just Say No to Powerpoints Week: 7-13

Publicity for Profit Week: 7-13

Rejection Risk Awareness Week: 7-14—for those who get rejected by someone

Freelance Writers Appreciation Week: 8-13

Love Makes the World Go Round; But, Laughter Keeps Us From Getting Dizzy Week: 8-14

World Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week: 8-14

International Flirting Week: 8-14

Celebration of Love Week: 10-16

Children of Alcoholics Week: 10-16

☼ 10 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Umbrella Day

☼10 February Observances—by country ☼

Italy: National Memorial Day of the Exiles and Foibe, commemorate Italian Istrian and Dalmatian exiles and Foibe massacres (especially in Trieste)

Malta: Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck, celebrate the birth of Catholicism

UK: Plimsoll Day: to honor Samual Plimsoll who made world waterways safer

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in ☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Jerry Goldsmith, in 1929, pianist/composer (Twilight Zone)

Frances Moore Lappe, 66, author (Diet for a Small Planet, Rediscovering America’s Values)

Boris L Pasternak, in 1890, Russia, novelist/poet (Dr Zhivago, Nobel 1958)

William Allen White, in 1868, editor (Pulitzer 1942)

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Dame Judith (Frances Margaret) Anderson, in 1898, actress

Lon Chaney Jr, in 1906, actor

Laura Dern, 43, actress (Blue Velvet, Rambling Rose)

Donovan P. Leitch, 64, (Scotland), singer, songwriter

Jimmy Durante, in 1893, long-nosed comedian

Roberta Flack, 71, singer

Sharon Stone, 52, actress

Robert Wagner, 80, actor (“It Takes a Thief,” “Hart to Hart”)

Don Wilson, 73, rock guitarist (Ventures-Walk Don't Run, Batman Theme)

     »Athletes

Leonard Kyle (Lenny) Dykstra, 47, baseball player (Mets; Phillies)

Gregory John (Greg) Norman, 55, (Australia), golfer

Mark Andrew Spitz, 60, Olympic gold medal swimmer

Jim Whittacker, 81, mountain climber (1st American to climb Mt Everest)

     »Business, Education, Politics

Jim Cramer, 55, financial analyst, broadcaster (“Mad Money with Jim Cramer”)

George Stephanopoulos, 49, presidential adviser (Clinton); news anchor

     »Science/Religion

Walter H Brattain, in 1902, (China), US physicist (Nobel 1956-transistor)

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Joseph Lister, in 1912, surgeon (pioneer of antiseptic), @85

Laura Ingalls Wilder, in 1957, US author (Little House on Prarie), @ 90

Alex Haley, in 1992, US writer (Autobiography of Malcolm X, Roots), @ 70

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1951…"John & Marsha" by Stan Freberg peaks at #21

1956…"My Friend Flicka" premieres on CBS (later NBC) TV

1964…Bob Dylan releases "The Times They Are a-Changin"

1960…Jack Paar, the host of The Tonight Show had walked off the set on this day, in protest of censorship

     »Athletics

1961…AFL's Los Angeles Chargers move to San Diego

1968…Peggy Fleming wins Olympics figure skating gold medal, Grenoble, France

     »Business, Education, Politics

1535…12 nude Anabaptists run through Amsterdam streets

1676…Wampanoag Indians under King Philip kill all men in Lancaster MA

1824…Simon Bolívar named dictator by the Congress of Perú

1846…Beginning of Mormon march to west US

1855…US citizenship laws amended all children of US parents born abroad granted US citizenship 1870 City of Anaheim incorporates (1st time)

1890…Around 11 million acres, ceded to US by Sioux Indians opens for settlement

1897…New York Times begins using slogan "All the News That's Fit to Print"

1931…New Delhi becomes capital of India 1940 Tom & Jerry created by Hanna & Barbera debut by MGM

1954…Eisenhower warns against US intervention in Vietnam

1962…Francis Gary Powers, an American who was held by Russians after being shot down while flying over the Soviet Union, was released

1967…25th Amendment (Presidential Disability & Succession) in effect

1971…American Mensa, Ltd incorporates in New York

     »Science/Religion

1720…Edmund Halley appointed 2nd Astronomer Royal of England

» Number One Songs in…

1945…Don’t Fence Me In - Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters

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

1961…Will You Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirelles

1969…Crimson and Clover - Tommy James & The Shondells

1977…Blinded by the Light - Manfred Mann’s Earth Band

1985…I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

1 peddled

2 haphazard

3 hobgoblin

Tuesday

9 February 2010--Week 6 of 2010: 38 days this year…325 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Of all forms of caution, caution in love is the most fatal." ~unknown

“I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.” ~Mother Teresa (1910-1997); Founder of the Missionaries of Charity

» Free Ramblings «

I am getting very tired of cloudy days and snow. I know, the forest needs the moisture. I know the water table needs the moisture. I like snow. I just don’t like it every friggin’ day. Sometimes we get huge flakes, sometimes tiny flakes. Sometimes it is mixed with rain. Sometimes it is fluffy powder, other times it is wet and sticky. It may come in four feet, or in six inches, or in two inches, or just enough to wet the sidewalk. Lately it has not been enough to make driving dangerous, or to keep one at home. It just snows. I can look out my office window and see blue sky then fifteen minutes later I can’t even see the trees because it is snowing so hard. Then in a few minutes, back to no snow. It has been sunny and snowy on and off all day. Never a lot of wind, just blue sky then whiteout. What does one wear when going outside? Today I had a routine doctor appointment at 8:30. It was 17°. I had a layer of ice, not frost, on the windshield. I cleared it off and headed out. I was out of the Drs. Office by 9:00. The sun was shining, I didn’t need my heavy jacket, it was about 30° with a clear sky. I stopped at the grocery store. When I came out it was snowing and my heavy jacket was in the car. This type of weather continued all day. Maybe I’m just not able to handle change. Anyway, this kind of weather will continue most of this week. I hope I don’t lose my mind.

I enjoy Facebook. I learned that a former colleague is running for State office. He commented that his ‘handlers’ may be putting up a facebook page. What? His ‘handlers’? I live in a different district, so can’t vote either way. I guess this is part of politics in 2010. But the term just hits me the wrong way. I want someone who will fight for me in Phoenix, not someone who has handlers. A handler is one that directs someone or something. Like at the AKC Dog Show?

I learned that the Mayor of our town likes my Facebook status—at least sometimes. When I commented that I wouldn’t believe the train noise would be gone until I didn’t hear it anymore, I got no response from her post. When I posted a clever comment on the Saints win, she marked that she liked it. How cool is that? Stop the presses, the Mayor reads my Facebook posts and she takes that extra millisecond to click on ‘like’. But wait, who doesn’t like the Saint’s win? I think I will start responding to her many, many posts. Maybe she will ‘like’ or add a comment to something a little more substantial than the Saints win.

I must say I have trouble understanding the ‘like’ choice on Facebook. I get it when someone posts something like “My grandson just took his first steps.” I quickly hit ‘like’ and to me that means that I like the fact that the kid walked. Then there are the news posts. NPR posts that Obama’s speech was a success. I click like because I’m glad that our President’s speech was successful. Then NPR posts that “Rep. Murtha, D. PA, dies at 77”. I have to wonder why 12 people like this. Do they like the fact that NPR told us? Do they like that a Democrat died? Do they like that Murtha died? What about all the Haiti Disaster Posts? If I click ‘like’ does that mean that I like knowing the latest news? That I like that so many people died? That I like that more people didn’t die? Facebook doesn’t have a ‘dislike’ button, but in the news story cases that wouldn’t work either. So, until Facebook comes up some better choices, I will not respond with ‘like’, and wonder about the people who do respond. I will hold off, hoping that Facebook realizes that multi-dimensional posts just can’t be made so one dimensional.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

Did you know…

There are 16 categories at this Olympics:

3. Biathlon: Shooting and skiing have been around as early as 2000BC to put food on the table. In the 16th century Scandinavian armies began using shooting and skiing against enemies. The Men’s Biathlon first appeared in the 1960 Squaw Valley games and the Women’s Biathlon started in Albertville in 1992. In 2010 there will be 5 separate events for men, and 5 for women.

There are 220 athletes participating—US has 9; Great Britain has 1.

»Side Show Stories—«

STUART, Fla. - Police in Florida said a man who found $3,100 cash in the frame of a picture he pulled from a dumpster in his apartment complex may be able to keep the money. Warren Bendix of Stuart told police he pulled a framed picture of a space shuttle from the trash while he was dumpster diving at Sierra Condominium Apartments, where he lives, at about 1:45 p.m. Bendix said he took the photo home to change the frame and discovered 24 $100 bills and 35 $20 bills hidden behind the picture. Sgt. Marty Jacobson, a police spokesman, said Bendix turned the money over to officers. "If there isn't a legitimate claim to the property, he can claim it," Jacobson said. "We want to give a legitimate owner an opportunity to claim it if it's theirs."

»Random Fact«

In the game Monopoly, the properties are named after streets in Atlantic City.

» Puzzle «

In each of these puzzles, there are two double blanks. Fill in the blanks with the same pair of letters to complete an English word. For example, use the letter-pair ac in b_ _ckp_ _k to make the word backpack.

1 d _ _ tingu _ _ h

2 _ _ s _ _ de

3 _ _ od _ _ rk

» 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 ☼

Boy Scout Anniversary Week: 3-9

Dump Your Significant Jerk Week: 6-12—It takes a full week?

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week: 7-14

International Coaching Week: 7-13

Jell-O Week: 7-13

Just Say No to Powerpoints Week: 7-13

Publicity for Profit Week: 7-13

Rejection Risk Awareness Week: 7-14—for those who get rejected by someone

Freelance Writers Appreciation Week: 8-13

Love Makes the World Go Round; But, Laughter Keeps Us From Getting Dizzy Week: 8-14

World Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week: 8-14

International Flirting Week: 8-14

☼ 9 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Read in the Bathtub Day

Toothache Day

☼9 February Observances—by country ☼

Wales: St. Teilo (Latin: Teliaus; also Eliud) Day: founded 1st church in Llandaff

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1922…Snow on Mauna Loa, Hawaii

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Brendan Behan, in 1923, (Ireland), author/poet (Hostage)

Amy Lowell, in 1874, US, critic/Imagist poet (Patterns, Sword Blades & Poppy Seed)

Alice Walker, 66, author (The Color Purple)

Vasili A Zjukovski, in 1783, Russian folk poet/translator (Homer)

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

(Waldo) Brian Donlevy, in 1901, (Ireland), actor

Mia Farrow, (Maria de Lourdes Villers), 65, actress (“Peyton Place,” Rosemary’s Baby)

Carole King (Klein), 68, singer, songwriter

Gypsy Rose Lee (Rose Hovick), 1914, actress, dancer, stripper

Judith Light, 61, actress (“Ugly Betty,” “One Life to Live,” “Who’s the Boss?”)

Carmen Miranda [Maria do Carmo Miranda Da Cunha], in 1909, (Portugal), vocalist/actress (Copacabana)

Roger Mudd, 82, journalist

Joe Pesci, 67, actor (Raging Bull, Goodfellas, My Cousin Vinny)

Smokey Robinson, in 1940, rocker (& The Miracles)

Shakira (Isabelle Mebarak Ripoll), 33, singer, (Colombia)

Charles Shaughnessy, 55, actor (“The Nanny”) (England)

(James) Travis Tritt, 47, country and western singer

Ernest Tubb, in 1914, guitarist/singer

     »Athletes

Vladimir Guerrero (Nizao Bani), 34, baseball player, (Dominican Republic)

Lennox Lewis, 45, (England), Super heavyweight boxer (Olympics-gold-1988)

     »Business, Education, Politics

William Henry Harrison, in 1773, (Whigs) 9th President

(David) Dean Rusk, in 1909, US Secretary of State

Samuel Jones Tilden, in 1814, philanthropist for New York Public Library

     »Science/Religion

Ulrich Walter, 56, German Federal Republic, cosmonaut

Andrew N Meltzoff, 60, developmental psychologist

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Feodor M Dostoevski, in 1881, Russian novelist (Crime & Punishment), @ 59

Bill Haley, in 1981, vocalist (Rock Around Clock), heart attack @ 55

[George] Gabby Hayes, in 1969, actor @ 83

John Hooper, in 1555, deprived Bishop of Gloucester, burnt for heresy @ about 57

Princess Margaret, in 2002, sister of Queen Elizabeth II of England, stroke @ 71

Sophie Tucker (Sonia Kalish), in 1966, Russian/US singer/actress (My Yiddish Mama), @ 79
David Wayne [Wayne McMeekan], in 1995, US actor, @ 81

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1997 Fox cartoon series "Simpsons" airs 167th episode the longest-running animated series in cartoon history

     »Athletics

1895…Volleyball invented by W G Morgan in Massachusetts

1932…America entered the 2-man bobsled competition for the first time at the Olympic Winter Games held at Lake Placid, NY.

1964…9th Winter Olympics games close at Innsbruck, Austria

2002…XIX Winter Olympics opens in Salt Lake City UT

     »Business, Education, Politics

1674…English re-conquer New York from Netherlands

1822…American Indian Society organizes

1867…Nebraska becomes 37th US state

1886…President Cleveland declares a state of emergency in Seattle because of anti-Chinese violence

1909…1st federal legislation prohibiting narcotics (opium)

1943…FDR orders minimal 48 hour work week in war industry

1943…The Battle of Guadalcanal ends with US victory

1950…Senator Joseph McCarthy charges State Dept infested with 205 communists

     »Science/Religion

1863…Fire extinguisher patented by Alanson Crane

1969…The Boeing 747 flew its inaugural flight this day

1996…The legendary Russian Chess Grandmaster Kasparov loses his first chess game ever to IBM's chess computer Deep Blue

» Number One Songs in…

1944…Pistol Packin’ Mama - Al Dexte

1952…Slowpoke - Pee Wee King

1960…Teen Angel - Mark Dinning

1968…Green Tambourine - The Lemon Pipers

1976…50 Ways to Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon

1984…Karma Chameleon - Culture Club

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

1 distinguish

2 cascade

3 woodwork

Monday

8 February 2010--Week 6 of 2010: 39 days this year…326 remain

» Quote Times Two «

“Nothing truly valuable arises from ambition or from a mere sense of duty; it stems rather from love and devotion towards men and towards objective things.” ~Albert Einstein (1875-1955); theoretical Physicist, Philosopher, Nobel Prize Winner

"One family builds a wall, two families enjoy it." ~Chinese saying

» Free Ramblings «

Super Bowl Sunday…Here’s hoping the Saints can win and if not win, at least put on a good game.

It must have snowed much of the night, as I awoke to about 5” on light fluffy snow this morning. It sure made a beautiful site. It was sunny, then cloudy, then snowing, then sunny again, then snowing again. Not a lot more accumulation, but a post card picture day. It only dropped to 27° last night and reached an amazing high of 32°. Snow is much nicer when it isn’t really cold outside.

Turns out it was one of the better Super Bowl Games. And those Saints just kept marchin’ down to the goal line. I must say that Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey were not able to re-produce their classics. Sometimes being over 60 means you have to say “We’re retired.” The Who were the first rockers to destroy their instruments, the first to do a ‘rock opera’. Two original members have passed away. The two remaining were unable to perform at their previous level. I’m sure there are many youngsters wondering why they were such a hit.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

Did you know…

There are 16 categories at this Olympics:

2. Skeleton: Was in the Olympics in 1928 and 1948, then returned in 2002. The ‘sled’ resembles a human skeleton, the one rider runs with the sled for about 50 yards, then belly flops onto it to go down the course, much like a bobsled or luge course. It has men’s and women’s races—each taking 4 runs, with the lowest combined time the winner. This year there are 50 entrants with 5 Americans, 4 Brits, and 1 Irishman.

»Side Show Stories—«

BELLEVILLE, Ill. - An Illinois man who was awakened in the night by a ruckus in his home said he walked into his kitchen and was shocked to find a 10-to-12-point buck.

Mark Page of Belleville said he and his wife, Cassia, woke up early Saturday morning to the sound of glass breaking in their kitchen and he walked down the steps to find his dining room window shattered and the large deer standing in his kitchen, KSDK-TV, St. Louis, reported. "He was standing right here, with his head in the sink," Page said. "I looked at him for seriously not even a fraction of a second," he said, "and I ran back upstairs because I don't mess with deers." Page said the deer found its own way out by crashing through another window, leaving a trail of blood through the house as his signature. The homeowner, who said there are no wooded areas near his home, said police told him they used dogs to try to track the buck, but they never found the animal.

»Random Fact«

In 1999, the IOC adopted Agenda 21: Sport for Sustainable Development, which includes the objective to “strengthen the inclusion of women, youth and Indigenous peoples in the Games.”

» Puzzle «

In each of these puzzles, there are two double blanks. Fill in the blanks with the same pair of letters to complete an English word. For example, use the letter-pair ac in b_ _ckp_ _k to make the word backpack.

1 p _ _ sev _ _ e

2 tr _ _ bad _ _ r

3  _ _ da _ _ ted

» 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 ☼

Boy Scout Anniversary Week: 3-9

Dump Your Significant Jerk Week: 6-12—It takes a full week?

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week: 7-14

International Coaching Week: 7-13

Jell-O Week: 7-13

Just Say No to Powerpoints Week: 7-13

Publicity for Profit Week: 7-13

Rejection Risk Awareness Week: 7-14—for those who get rejected by someone

Freelance Writers Appreciation Week: 8-13

Love Makes the World Go Round; But, Laughter Keeps Us From Getting Dizzy Week: 8-14

World Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week: 8-14

International Flirting Week: 8-14

☼ 8 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Boy Scout Anniversary Day—founded in 1910

Laugh and Get Rich Day

☼8 February Observances—by country ☼

Iraq : Ramadan Revolution since 1963 coup

Norway : Narvik Sun Pageant Day: Vinterfestuka is held annually in northern Norway on this date to honor the Sun Goddess, Sunna and her return to Norway

Slovenia: Prešeren Day, the cultural holiday honoring the death of Poet France Preseren in 1849.

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1969…The last issue of the Saturday Evening Post was published, ending a magazine tradition that began in 1821.

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Elizabeth Bishop, in 1911, US poet (North & South)/Pulitzer Prize (1956)

Samuel Butler, in 1612, (England) poet/satirist (Hudibras)

John Grisham, 55, author (The Firm, The Client)

John Ruskin, in 1819, writer/critic/artist/Gothic Revivalist

John Williams, 78, pianist, conductor (formerly with Boston Pops), composer (scores for Jaws, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List)

Jules Verne, in 1828, (France) pioneered sci-fi (From the Earth to the Moon)

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Gary Coleman, 42, actor (“Diff’rent Strokes”)

Seth Green, 36, actor (“Family Guy,” “Greg the Bunny,” Austin Powers)

Robert Klein, 68, comedian, actor

Ted Koppel, 70, journalist, (England)

Nick Nolte, 69, actor (Affliction, Prince of Tides, “Rich Man, Poor Man”)

Mary Steenburgen, 57, actress

     »Athletes

Alonzo Mourning, 40, basketball (Heat)

»Business, Education, Politics

William Tecumseh Sherman, in 1820, Major General (Union Army), “War is hell”

     »Science/Religion

Chester F Carlson, in 1906, inventor (xerography)

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Mary Stuart Queen of Scots, in 1587, beheaded @ 44

Peter I "the Great" Romanov, in 1725, czar of Russia @ gangrene @52

Connie Mack, in 1956, baseball manager (Philadelphia A's), @ 93

Marvin Miller, in 1985, actor (Michael Anthony of "The Millionaire") @ 71

Del Shannon, in 1990, rock vocalist (Runaway), shoots self @ 55

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1926…Walt Disney Studios is formed

     »Athletics

1983…Shergar is stolen from a stud farm owned by the Aga Khan in County Kildare, Ireland. The five-year-old thoroughbred stallion was worth $13.5 million and commanded stud fees of approximately $100,000. Shergar was never seen again and no ransom was paid and the case was never solved.

1992…The XVIth Winter Olympic Games opened in Albertville, France

2002…The opening ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah lasting until February 24

     »Business, Education, Politics

1837…1st Vice President chosen by the Senate, Richard Johnson (Van Buren administration)

1887..Dawes Act passed (Indians living apart from tribe granted citizenship)

1918…The Stars and Stripes, the weekly newspaper of the American Expeditionary Forces, was published for the first time.

1944…1st black reporter accredited to the White House, Harry McAlpin

1957…San Francisco Public Library's bookmobile initiated in front of City Hall

     »Science/Religion

1922…Radio arrives in the White House

1929…KOY-AM in Phoenix AZ begins radio transmissions

» Number One Songs in…

1951…Tennessee Waltz - Patti Page

1959…Smoke Gets in Your Eyes - The Platters

1967…I’m a Believer - The Monkees

1975…Fire - Ohio Players

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

1 persevere

2 troubadour

3 undaunted

Sunday

7 February 2010--Week 6 of 2010: 38 days this year…327 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"One man tells a falsehood, a hundred repeat it as true." ~unknown

“Love consists in this, that its own should be another's; to feel the joy of another as joy in oneself, that is loving.” ~Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772); Philosopher, Scientist, Theologian

» Free Ramblings «

Today started out with nice weather, even if a little cloudy. I had to go find some more ice melt for my sidewalk. The daily dripping has made a nice hard hump about three inches high, and it has nowhere to go, so it just stays frozen. I really don’t like to go shopping on the weekend. But I didn’t find any on my last errand trip. It’s Flagstaff, how can no one have ice melt? Anyway, good ol Home Depot had a whole pallet. So I am set.

Just as I figured we had missed any snow, it started really coming down. So maybe the 6” predicted will actually get here. Guess I shouldn’t complain with the mud slides in LA and the mess on the east coast.

Last night Flag’s Mayor Sara used Facebook to invite everyone to a “photostrip contest” in downtown Flagstaff. Any ideas as to what we were all invited to? Well, I never would have guessed either. Turns out, people went into one of those portable photo booths, like at the mall or at a fair. You get four or five shots that are printed out on a strip of photo paper. I had no plans of attending after I found out what it was. She never told us who won, or what the requirements of the contest were. Life in a small mountain community can be made to sound very interesting, until all the facts are in.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

Did you know…

There are 16 categories at this Olympics:

1. Alpine Skiing has the Downhill, Super G, Slalom, Giant Slalom, and Super Combined for both men and women. Downhill is the fastest, Super Combined is really two races (downhill and slalom with times combined). 325 athletes will compete in this category, with 22 Americans, 4 Brits, and 2 Irish.

»Side Show Stories—«

Pittsburg, PA: A western Pennsylvania man has been ordered to stand trial on charges he burglarized a home after getting a ride to the crime scene from his mom. That woman, 50-year-old Judith Martin, still faces a preliminary hearing on conspiracy and other charges she faces in the break-in allegedly committed by her son, 20-year-old Robert Martin.

Police said Robert Martin took knives, jewelry, a telephone answering machine and other items from the home in Liberty Township, about 50 miles north of Pittsburgh.

Police said a neighbor recognized Martin and police said they later found some of the stolen items at his mother's house.

»Random Fact«

It's illegal to own a red car in Shanghai, China.

» Puzzle «

In each of these puzzles, there are two double blanks. Fill in the blanks with the same pair of letters to complete an English word. For example, use the letter-pair ac in b_ _ckp_ _k to make the word backpack.

1 a _ _ a _ _ a

2 s _ _ tim _ _ t

3 who _ _ sa _ _

» 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 ☼

Children's Authors & Illustrators Week: 1-7

National Patient Recognition Week: 1-7

Solo Diners Eat Out Weekend: 1-7

Women's Heart Week: 1-7

Boy Scout Anniversary Week: 3-9

Dump Your Significant Jerk Week: 6-12—It takes a full week?

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week: 7-14

International Coaching Week: 7-13

Jell-O Week: 7-13

Just Say No to Powerpoints Week: 7-13

Publicity for Profit Week: 7-13

Rejection Risk Awareness Week: 7-14—for those who get rejected by someone

☼ 5 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Charles Dickens Day

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, creating awareness on AIDS in the African American Community

☼5 February Observances—by country ☼

Grenada : Independence Day (from UK in 1974)

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1943…Shoe rationing begins in US

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Charles Dickens, in 1812, (England), novelist (Oliver Twist, Tale of 2 Cities)

Sinclair Lewis, in 1885, novelist/social critic (Main Street, Nobel 1930)

Laura Ingalls Wilder, in 1867, writer: Little House series

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

(James Hubert) ‘Eubie’ Blake, in 1883, ragtime composer/pianist (I'm Just Wild About Harry)

Garth Brooks, 48, country singer

Miguel Ferrer, 56, actor (“Crossing Jordan,” “Twin Peaks,” RoboCop)

Jimmy Greenspoon, 62, rock organist (3 Dog Night)

Ashton Kutcher, 32, actor (“That 70s Show,” Dude, Where’s My Car?)

Jock Mahoney (Jacques O'Mahoney), in 1919, actor (Tarzan, Yancy Derringer)

Chris Rock, 44, actor, comedian

James Spader, 50, actor (“Boston Legal,” Secretary, Stargate)

     »Athletes

Marilyn Cochran, in 1950, skier: first American to win a World Cup title

Clarence Linden "Buster" Crabbe, in 1908, swimmer (Olympics-gold-1932)/actor (Tarzan the Fearless, Flash Gordon)

Steve Nash, 36, (Johannesburg, South Africa), basketball player (Suns)

     »Business, Education, Politics

Frederick Douglass, in 1817, 1st high ranking black in US government

Sir Thomas More, in 1478, statesman, author; found guilty of treason: beheaded July 6, 1535; sainted in 1935

     »Science/Religion

John Deere, in 1804, pioneer manufacturer of agricultural implements

Godfrey H Hardy, in 1877, England, number theorist

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Nick [Aloysius Adamschock] Adams, in 1968, actor (Johnny Yuma-The Rebel), ODs @ 36

Arthur Ashe, in 1993, tennis star (Wimbledon 1975), AIDS @ 49

Richard Bissell, in 1994, US under director of CIA (Bay of Pigs), @ 84

Lillian Copeland, in 1964, US discus thrower (Olympics-gold-32), lengthy illness @ 59

Hermann A J Kees, in 1964 German Egyptologist, @ 77

Josef Mengele, in 1979, concentration camp doctor, drowns @ 68

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1940…Walt Disney's 2nd feature-length movie, "Pinocchio", premieres

     »Athletics

1882 - The last bareknuckle fight for the heavyweight boxing championshiptook place in Mississippi City.

1998 - The XVIIIth Winter Olympic games opened at Nagano, Japan.

     »Business, Education, Politics

1301…Edward of Caernarion (later Edward II) becomes 1st prince of Wales

1795…11th Amendment to US Constitution ratified, affirms power of states

1839…Henry Clay declares in Senate "I had rather be right than president"

1861…Convinced that they will get better treatment from a southern government than from the one in Washington, D. C., Today, the CHOCTAWs will announce their support of the Confederacy.
1905…Dominican Republic signs treaty turning over customs collection to US 1905…Oklahoma admitted to statehood

1936…A flag is authorized for the Vice President

1962…President Kennedy begins blockade of Cuba

1964 : The Beatles arrive on their first visit to the United States

     »Science/Religion

1964…Cassius Clay becomes a Muslim & adopts the name Muhammad Ali

1976…World's largest telescope (600 cm) begins operation (USSR)

» Number One Songs in…

1950…Dear Hearts and Gentle People - Dinah Shore

1958…Get a Job - The Silhouettes

1966…Barbara Ann - The Beach Boys

1974…The Way We Were - Barbra Streisand

1982…Centerfold - The J. Geils Band

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

1 alfalfa

2 sentiment

3 wholesale

Saturday

6 February 2010--Week 5 of 2010: 37 days this year…328 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Ours is a world where people don`t know what they want and are willing to go through hell to get it." ~ Don Marquis, American Humorist

“Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that.” ~Michael Leunig; Cartoonist

» Free Ramblings «

It’s the weekend. So, being Flagstaff, here comes da’ snow. Just as people were getting off work, it started snowing. Not a lot yet. Time will tell if we get the 6” predicted.

As was jumping around the web I found this quote by American journalist Ellen Goodman, “In journalism, there has always been a tension between getting it first and getting it right.” That is so true, in the past. Now, with all the 24/7 ‘news channels’, I’m afraid that ‘first’ won out. Too many ‘journalists’ no longer wait to make sure the story is ‘right’. Instead they plaster the airways with stories with little or no substance and just tell us that ‘this is just in and we are attempting to verify the story.’ I don’t need to waste my time listening or watching that. The other thing that drives me crazy is ‘local news’ teasers to get me to watch the next newscast. “We have the full story on how to cut your electricity bill by 90%. More at 10pm.” When you listen, they suggest that you keep your doors and windows closed, and turn off lights you aren’t using. Hardly news, and hardly a way to save 90% of your electricity bill, unless you get up every morning, turn on all your lights, open all your windows and doors and leave them on or open until you go to bed. I sure wish we could just have real news stories…that were really news.

So I will take a break. It’s Super Bowl weekend. The Saints, The Colts. Playing in Florida. I have always been for the underdog in most sporting events. This is the first time the Saints have played in the big game. It is being touted as a way to show that New Orleans is on its way back. They are not favored, but then, strange things happen at the Super Bowl. We will hopefully see a great game. We will see lots and lots of commercials. We will eat way too much food. We will be able to escape the everyday world to hear some great stories of overcoming life’s obstacles. These stories will be about the teams, the players, and probably some of the fans. For four hours plus, football will rule. Sometimes a good escape is worth it. Go Saints.

Today melted a little more snow. We only got up to 39° and it was cloudy on and off before the snow began to fall. I may be watching the game with friends, or I may be snowed in, watching the game by myself. Time will tell.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

Did you know…

The Olympic flame is lit in front of the ruins of the Temple of Hera in Olympia, emphasizing the connection between the ancient Games and the modern Games. An actress playing a high priestess uses a parabolic mirror to focus the rays of the sun, igniting a flame. (In case of cloudy weather, a backup flame is lit in advance.) A long relay of runners carrying torches brings it to the site of the Games. There, the final torch is used to light a cauldron that remains lit until it is extinguished in the Closing Ceremony.

***

After the cauldron is lit, doves are released, as a symbol of peace. This was first done in the 1896 Olympics, and then in the 1920 Olympics. Since 1920, this has been an official part of the Opening Ceremony of the Summer Games. They are generally not released during the Winter Games, because it's too cold for the birds, but symbolic substitutions are sometimes used. In the 1994 Winter Games, for example, white balloons were released.

»Side Show Stories—«

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Police in Arizona said someone broke into a smoke shop and stole nearly $300 worth of fake marijuana. Flagstaff police said someone broke the glass front door January 18 at Kind Connection and made off with nearly $300 worth of "Spice" fake marijuana and a $200 incense vaporizer, The (Flagstaff) Arizona Daily Sun reported. Employees were alerted by an alarm and arrived to check on the store at about 9:45 p.m. Police said they collected possible suspect information from workers.

»Random Fact«

Only 1 person in 2 billion will live to be 116.

» Puzzle «

In each of these puzzles, there are two double blanks. Fill in the blanks with the same pair of letters to complete an English word. For example, use the letter-pair ac in b_ _ckp_ _k to make the word backpack.

1 v _ _ lat _ _ n

2 h _ _ dw _ _ e

3 _ _ rses _ _ 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 ☼

Children's Authors & Illustrators Week: 1-7

National Patient Recognition Week: 1-7

Solo Diners Eat Out Weekend: 1-7

Women's Heart Week: 1-7

Boy Scout Anniversary Week: 3-9

International Snow Sculpting Week: 3-6

Dump Your Significant Jerk Week: 6-12—It takes a full week?

☼ 5 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Lame Duck Day

MOBIUS Awards Day—acknowledging Creative Excellence Worldwide

☼5 February Observances—by country ☼

Massachusetts : Ratification Day (1788)

New Zealand : Waitangi Day-New Zealand Day

(1840—treaty to make it a British commonwealth and give Maori Tribal rights)

International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

Finland and Scandinavia: Sami National Day

recognizing the Sami Indigenous people. The Sami, often referred to as Laplanders, find that term derogatory as it translates into something that is easily discarded.

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1974 : President Nixon has urged Congress to approve a comprehensive national health insurance plan

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Christopher Marlowe, in 1564 English poet/dramatist (Dr Faustus)

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Natalie Cole, 60, singer

Fabian Forte, 67, singer, actor

Mike Farrell, 71, actor (“M*A*S*H,” “Providence”)

Zsa Zsa Gabor, 91, actress

Bob Marley, in 1945, Jamaican reggae vocalist

Elmore Rip Torn, 79, actor

Axl Rose [William Bailey], in 1962, rocker (Guns & Roses)

Mamie Van Doren, 77, actress

     »Athletes

George Herman (Babe) Ruth, in 1895, baseball great (Yankees)

     »Business, Education, Politics

Sarah Brady, 68, handgun control activist

Eva Braun, in 1912, mistress of Adolf Hitler

Tom Brokaw, 70, journalist

James Ewell Brown "JEB" Stuart, in 1833 Major General (Commander of Cavalry, Confederate Army)

Aaron Burr, in 1756, 3rd US Vice-President (1801-05), dueler

Ronald Reagan, in 1911, actor (Bedtime for Bonzo)/40th President

Anne Stuart, in 1665 Queen of England (1702-14)

     »Science/Religion

Mary Nicol Leakey, in 1913, paleontologist

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Charles II King of England/Scotland/Ireland, in 1685, @ 54

Jack Kirby, in 1994, cartoonist (X-Men, Spiderman, Hulk), @ 76

Guy Madison, in 1996, actor (Wild Bill Hickok), @ 74

Hugo Montenegro, in 1981, Orchestra leader, emphysema @ 56

Danny Thomas, in 1991, comedian/actor, heart attack @ 76
Carl Wilson, in 1998, rock vocalist (Beach Boy), cancer @ 51

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1869...Harper's Weekly publishes 1st picture of Uncle Sam with chin whiskers

1935...Board game "Monopoly" goes on sale for the 1st time

1948...KNXT (now KCBS) TV channel 2 in Los Angeles CA (CBS) 1st broadcast

     »Athletics

1971...1st time a golf ball is hit on the Moon (by Alan Shepard)

     »Business, Education, Politics

1508...Maximilian I crowned Holy Roman Emperor

1693...Royal charter granted College of William & Mary

1820...86 free black colonists sail from New York NY to Sierra Leone, Africa

1891...1st great train robbery by Dalton Gang (Southern Pacific #17)

1911...1st old-age home opened in Prescott AZ

1933...20th Amendment goes into effect; Presidential term begins in Jan not March

1956...University of Alabama refuses admission to Autherine Lucy (because he's black)

     »Science/Religion

1832...1st appearance of cholera at Edinburgh, Scotland

1948...1st radio-controlled airplane flown

1959...US 1st successful Titan intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)

» Number One Songs in…

1949…A Little Bird Told Me - Evelyn Knight

1957…Banana Boat (Day-O) - Harry Belafonte

1965…You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’ - The Righteous Brothers

1973…Crocodile Rock - Elton John

1981…Celebration - Kool & The Gang

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

1 violation

2 hardware

3 horseshoe

Friday

5 February 2010--Week 5 of 2010: 36 days this year…329 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"People will buy anything that`s one to a customer." ~Sinclair Lewis; writer

“No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true.” ~Nathaniel Hawthorne; writer

» Free Ramblings «

Ninety one year old Nelson Mandela was at a celebration today. He was celebrating his release from prison twenty years ago. Even his ex showed up. What a man.

James Ray, the sweat lodge guy, was arrested yesterday. Today he had to walk from the Yavapai jail to the courthouse. Not a long walk but made harder as he was shackled at the ankles and on his wrists—for the media, I’m sure. He is being held on a $5million bond on three manslaughter counts. While he charged $15K or more to attend his workshop, he claims he can’t make that bail, which is actually only about ½ million if he shows up for trial. Looks like the self-professed guru of positive thinking didn’t work out well for him. His web site promises “mentoring individuals to create wealth in all areas of their lives: financially, relationally, mentally, physically and spiritually.”

A couple of days ago I talked about JD Hayworth running against McCain. Now it seems that John really is concerned. Several news articles today say that John’s “Don’t Ask” stance is more for the conservatives in AZ than his leadership ability. He doesn’t want JD to have ammunition in the upcoming Republican primary. Politics sure sucks sometimes.

The dusting of snow never arrived. It was a fairly good day today. The 42° helped melt more snow; however it will still be a long time until we see grass, dirt, or any small bushes. It used to be….that after a snow fall; it only took a couple of days to melt all the snow, ice, and leftovers of the storm. Those days seem to be gone. This slow melt is probably very good for the forest, the water table, and Flagstaff in general. So we will enjoy the now dirty snow as long as it lasts.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

Did you know…

The Olympic Anthem was written for the first modern Games in 1896, composed by Spyros Samaras to lyrics written by Kostis Palamas. Each subsequent Olympics through 1956 had its own musical composition, played as the Olympic flag was raised during the Opening Ceremony. From the 1960 Games onward, the Samaras/Palamas work has been the official anthem played at every Olympics. It is usually sung in the hosting country’s official language.

»Side Show Stories—«

LONDON, Ontario - A Canadian man was sentenced to two years in prison for three home burglaries in London, Ontario, in which he left DNA behind each time. Kevin St. Germain, 43, was convicted of the 2006 and 2009 burglaries in which a total of $72,000 worth of loot was taken, the London Free Press reported Thursday. He was sentenced Wednesday after court heard an empty soda can with two straws in it was found at one break-in site, which yielded his DNA. At another site, an open bottle of peach juice had St. Germain's fingerprints on it, and at the third site, a cigarette butt that had his DNA on it, the report said. His fingerprints and DNA were on file based on burglary convictions in 2000, the newspaper said. None of the stolen items were recovered.

»Random Fact«

When Scott Paper Company first started manufacturing toilet paper they did not put their name on the product because of embarrassment.

» Puzzle «

A list of words is given. To solve the puzzle, think of a single word that goes with each to form a compound word or word pair that functions as a compound word. For example, if the given words are volley, field, and bearing, the answer would be ball, because the word ball can be added to each of the other words to form volleyball, ball field, and ball bearing. Answers are at the end of blog.

1 oil, rattle, eyes

2 rocket, night, lark

3 neck, snapping, dove

*note: tomorrow will have a new puzzle format

» 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 ☼

Children's Authors & Illustrators Week: 1-7

National Patient Recognition Week: 1-7

National School Counseling Week: 1-5

Solo Diners Eat Out Weekend: 1-7

Women's Heart Week: 1-7

International Networking Week: 1-5

International Hoof Care Week: 2-5

Boy Scout Anniversary Week: 3-9

International Snow Sculpting Week: 3-6

☼ 5 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Weatherman's [Weatherperson's] Day

Wear Red Day: Awareness of Women’s Heart Disease

World Nutella Day since 2006 to honor the chocolaty hazelnut spread

Bubble Gum Day: a day for schools to raise money by having students donate money to chew gum.

☼5 February Observances—by country ☼

Finland : Runeberg Day (1804) to honor National Poet

Japan : Japanese Martyrs Day (26 Christians become martyrs-1597)

México : Constitution Day (1857 & 1917)

San Marino : Liberation Day (1739) against Cardinal Alberoni of Spain

Tanzania : Afro Shirazi Party formed in 1964 to oust Arabs from Zanzibar

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1989…The last Russian troops withdraw from the capital city of Kabul. In 1979 in attempts to destroy Afghan rebels, who had been armed by U.S. hundreds of thousands of Soviet troops are sent to Afghanistan where the fighting is bloody, costly, and ultimately 13,000 Russian soldiers are left dead and over 22,000 wounded. Less than two weeks later, all Soviet troops depart Afghanistan entirely, ending what many observers referred to as Russia's "Vietnam."

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

John Guare, 76, US writer (6º of Separation)

John Watkinson, in 1833, founder of British Chess Magazine (oldest chess magazine)

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Red Buttons [Aaron Chwatt], in 1919, comedian/actor

     »Athletes

(Henry Louis) Hank Aaron, 76, baseball player (record 755 home runs, 1957 NL MVP)

Craig Morton, 67, NFL quarterback (Dallas, Denver)

Roger Staubach, 68, NFL quarterback (Cowboys); Heisman Trophy

     »Business, Education, Politics

Robert Peel, in 1788, English statesman, ‘bobbies’ are nicknamed for him

Adlai E Stevenson, in 1900, (Governor-D-IL), presidential candidate (D)

Norton Simon, in 1907, business executive (Simon & Schuster)

     »Science/Religion

John Boyd Dunlop, in 1840 (Scotland), developer (pneumatic rubber tire)

John Jeffries, in 1744, physician and one of America’s first weather forecasters

Arthur Keith, in 1866, Scottish anthropologist

John Lindley, in 1799, English botanist (Elements of Botany)

John Witherspoon, in 1723, clergyman/signed Declaration of Independence

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Thomas Carlyle, in 1881, historian/essayist, @ 85

Robert E Park, in 1944, sociologist (human ecology, marginal man), @ 79

Anthony G de Rothschild, in 1961, British philanthropist, @ 73

Dean Jagger, in 1991, US actor (Mr Novak, Rawhide, Oscar), @ 87

Doug McClure, in 1995, US rodeo rider/actor (Trampas-Virginian), cancer @ 59

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1870...1st motion picture shown to a theater audience, Philadelphia

1922...DeWitt Wallace and his wife Lila Wallace publish the first Reader's Digest magazine designed to provide abridged articles on a wide variety of subjects, for easy reading

1967..."The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" premieres on CBS

     »Athletics

1956...7th Winter Olympics games close at Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

1972...Bob Douglas became the first black man elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame

     »Business, Education, Politics

1644...1st US livestock branding law passed, by Connecticut

1778...Articles of Confederation ratified by 1st state, South Carolina

1817...1st US gas company incorporated, Baltimore (coal gas for street lights)

1881...Phoenix AZ incorporates

1917...Congress passes the Immigration Act which required a literacy test for immigrants and barred Asiatic laborers, except for those from countries with special treaties or agreements with the United States, such as the Philippines

1918...1st US pilot to down an enemy airplane, Stephen W Thompson

1931...Maxine Dunlap became the first woman licensed as a glider pilot
1952...The first “Don’t Walk” sign was installed in New York City
1958...Gamel Abdel Nasser nominated 1st President of United Arab Republic

1969...US population reaches 200 million

1988...Arizona House of Representatives vote to impeach Republican Governor Evan Mecham

     »Science/Religion

1631...Rhode Island, founder, Roger Williams arrives in Boston from England

1736...Methodists John & Charles Wesley arrive in Savannah GA

1936...National Wildlife Federation forms

1974...US Mariner 10 returns 1st close-up photos of Venus' cloud structure

» Number One Songs in…

1948…Golden Earrings - Peggy Lee

1956…See You Later, Alligator - Bill Haley & His Comets

1964…I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles

1972…American Pie - Don McLean

1980…Do that to Me One More Time - The Captain & Tennille

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

1 SNAKE: snake oil, rattlesnake, snake eyes

2 SKY: skyrocket, night sky, skylark

3 TURTLE: turtleneck, snapping turtle, turtledove

Thursday

4 February 2010--Week 5 of 2010: 35 days this year…330 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Put your brain in gear before starting your mouth." ~unknown

“We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.” ~Anonymous

» Free Ramblings «

My trip to the dentist was successful. My temporary is now permanent and work on the last crown started. I’ve been going to this office for over fifteen years, and while the dentists have changed a couple of times, the receptionist was always the same. My first dentist there got a weird cancer and had to quit his practice, but miraculously recovered and returned to practice. Then he realized life was more than work and retired to enjoy his life. A dentist from California bought the practice. I think he is Hawaiian or Samoan, and is a good dentist. Felicia was always there with a nice greeting and knew each patient by name, and recently always asked about my latest travel. Today I was told she had ‘retired’. She is a single mom in her late forties or early fifties. Anyway, while I don’t buy the retirement story, she is gone. She will be hard to replace. They have a temp in there right now, and the dental assistant is helping with the front office. Not a good plan. They don’t really know how to bill. They don’t really know how to send forms to insurance companies. So I pay a little, and wait to see what happens.

Our expected storm hasn’t arrived yet, but the weatherman says ‘maybe tonight’ with a dusting of snow—that’s down from 1-3” yesterday. It was a nice day, as we got up to 40° and it was only 19° night. Little breeze made it OK to be either inside or outside. About ½ of the ‘snice’ on my neighbor’s roof found its way down with a small crash. Luckily no one was outside at the time and it all fell onto the huge snow pile, so didn’t mean anybody had to shovel.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

Did you know…

The Olympic rings and flag were designed by de Coubertin after the 1912 Games in Stockholm. Those Games were the first to include athletes from all five continents. The rings were going to be used in the 1916 Games, but those games were cancelled because of World War I, so the rings made their debut in the 1920 Games in Antwerp, Belgium.

»Side Show Stories—«

BROWNSBORO, Texas - A Texas woman said she bit into a Milky Way candy bar and found a tooth with a silver filling in the candy. Sue Calhoun of Brownsboro said she brought the candy bar and a Coca-Cola along for the ride to Dallas with her husband to pick up a new tractor on New Year's Day and she noticed something strange about the chocolate bar, KLTV, Tyler, Texas, reported. "I took one bite and it was fine, so I took another bite and bit down on something and thought, 'Well, it may be a peanut,'"

Calhoun said. "I thought, 'Well, Milky bars don't have peanut or any kind of nuts in it," she said. "I looked at it and I thought, 'Oh, gosh! Gross! How terrible! (It's a) tooth!'" Calhoun said she called Mars Candy, manufacturers Milky Way, about the find. "She (a Mars representative) said, 'I'm going to send you a package to send the tooth and the candy back in.' But, I'm not real sure I'm going to send it back to them or not because they could keep the evidence and I'm not sure if I would ever see it again," she said. Calhoun said she is planning to have her local dentist examine the tooth.

»Random Fact«

Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison were all 27 years old when they died.

» Puzzle «

A list of words is given. To solve the puzzle, think of a single word that goes with each to form a compound word or word pair that functions as a compound word. For example, if the given words are volley, field, and bearing, the answer would be ball, because the word ball can be added to each of the other words to form volleyball, ball field, and ball bearing. Answers are at the end of blog.

1 video, board, waiting

2 cheese, guitar, along

3 master, wedding, side

» 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 ☼

Children's Authors & Illustrators Week: 1-7

National Patient Recognition Week: 1-7

National School Counseling Week: 1-5

Solo Diners Eat Out Weekend: 1-7

Women's Heart Week: 1-7

International Networking Week: 1-5

Intimate Apparel Market Week: 1-4

International Hoof Care Week: 2-5

Boy Scout Anniversary Week: 3-9

International Snow Sculpting Week: 3-6

☼ 4 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Create A Vacuum Day—remember the old egg into a milk bottle experiment?

Liberace Day

Quacker Day: Commercial advertising day for the selling of their ‘stuff’ on QVC. Those who wear Quacker Factory Clothes are to greet fellow wearers with “Quack Quack.”

USO Day—United Servicemen’s Organization since 1941

World Cancer Day: by WHO (World Health Organization) since 2005 to educate

US : Kosciuszko Day for General Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Lithuanian, served as George Washington’s aide

“Across the Universe” Day: in 2008 NASA beamed this Beatles Song out into the universe toward the North Star on the 40th anniversary of the song, and the 50th anniversary of NASA

☼4 February Observances—by country ☼

Angola : Outbreak of Fighting Against Portuguese in 1961—continues until independence in 1975

Sri Lanka (Ceylon) : Independence Day (1948 from Britain)

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1968 : The continued persecution of Asians in Kenya is forcing many thousands to leave the country and many are choosing Britain for their future . Kenya has introduced new tough immigration laws which only allow work permits to Kenyan Citizens.

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

 Authors, Artists and Composers

Betty Friedan, in 1921, feminist writer (Feminine Mystique)

 Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Clint Black, 48, country singer, songwriter

David Brenner, 65, comedian

Gary Conway, 74, actor (“Burke’s Law”)

Alice Cooper (Vincent Damon Furnier), 62, singer, songwriter

Eddie Foy Jr, in 1905, actor

Ida Lupino, in 1914, English actress

John Schuck, 70, actor (“McMillan and Wife”)

     »Athletes

Oscar De La Hoya, 37, champion boxer

Woody Hayes [Wayne], in 1913, college football coach (Ohio)

Lawrence Taylor [LT], 51, NFL's greatest linebacker (New York Giants)

»Business, Education, Politics

Constance Gore-booth Markiewicy, in 1868, Irish patriot/playwright/MP

Rosa Lee Parks, in 1913, civil rights activist (bus protester)

J. Danforth (Dan) Quayle, 63, 44th vice president of US

     »Science/Religion

Raymond Dart, in 1893, Australian paleoanthropologist (Australopithecus)

Charles A Lindbergh, in 1902, pilot (1st fly solo across Atlantic)

Clyde William Tombaugh, in 1906, astronomer (discovered Pluto)

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Robert Blair, in 1746, Scottish poet (Grave), @ 46

Joseph Hardaway, in 1957, creator of Bugs Bunny, heart attack @ 66

Thelma Ritter, in 1969, actress (All About Eve, Pillow Talk), heart attack @63

Karen Carpenter, in 1983, singer/drummer (Carpenters), anorexia @ 32

Wladziu Valentino Liberace, in 1987, pianist, AIDS @ 67

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1938…The animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released and had major success in the box-office

1959…Today was the first day of the invention of the Barbie Doll. This doll was created by Ruth Handler, who was one of the founders of the Mattel Company. Barbie was named after Ruth’s daughter. Later on, when the Ken doll was made, it was named after Ruth’s son.

1977…Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" released

2004…Facebook, a mainstream online social network is founded by Mark Zuckerberg.

     »Athletics

1932…The first Winter Olympics was held in the United States--Lake Placid, New York

1939…Glenn Cunningham (top miler) says 4-minute mile beyond human effort

1971…Baseball announces a special hall of fame wing for blacks

     »Business, Education, Politics

1789…1st electoral college chooses Washington & Adams as President & Vice President

1822…Free American Blacks settle Liberia, West Africa

1854…Alvan Bovay proposes the name "Republican Party"

1861…Confederate constitutional convention meets for 1st time, Montgomery AL, GA, FL, LA, MS & SC elect Jefferson Davis President of Confederacy

1865…Hawaiian Board of Education formed

1895…1st rolling lift bridge opens, Chicago

1899…Revolt against US occupation of Philippines

1945…FDR, Churchill & Stalin meet at Yalta

1957…1st electric portable typewriter (Smith-Corona) placed on sale (Syracuse NY)

1964…24th Amendment abolishes Poll tax

1969…Yassar Arafat takes over as chairman of PLO

1974…Patricia Hearst (19), daughter of publisher Randolph Hearst kidnapped by Symbionese Liberation Army

1985…20 countries (but not US) sign UN treaty outlawing torture.

1993…The “Family and Medical Leave Act” was passed by the U.S. Congress this day

2004…The Massachusetts high court declare that gays are entitled to get married.

     »Science/Religion

1846…Mormons leave Nauvoo MO for settlement in the west

» Number One Songs in…

1947…For Sentimental Reasons - Nat King Cole

1955…Sincerely - McGuire Sisters

1963…Walk Right In - The Rooftop Singers

1971…Knock Three Times - Dawn

1979…Y.M.C.A. - Village People

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

1 GAME: video game, board game, waiting game

2 STRING: string cheese, string guitar, string along

3 RING: ringmaster, wedding ring, ringside