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 «

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 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

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 ☼

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