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 «

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 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

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 ☼

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 «

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 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

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 ☼

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

Sunday

21 February 2010--Week 7 of 2010: 52 days this year…313 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Make new friends but keep the old, One is silver the other gold." ~unknown

“Anticipation is the key to success.” ~Monica Hortobagyi, Writer

» Free Ramblings «

Thanks to Martha for telling me the curler is Eve Murihead. She is only 19 and lives in the tiny village of Blair Atholl, Scotland.

I put a couple of quotes on this blog. I must say, ‘unknown’ sure said a whole lot of stuff. With the internet telling us so much, I am always mystified how so many of the quotes are attributed to ‘unknown’. Where does this person live? Why isn’t the name capitalized? I know that some individual with a first and last name had to have said this stuff first. Sometimes the quotes are attributed to ‘unknown’ because the web person was lazy. A quick google search comes up with the author. Way to many times all that comes up are hundreds of websites that use the quote, but ‘unknown’ is the author listed. So, if you happen to know ‘unknown’, let me know. If it is good enough to put on the web, it should be good enough to credit the author.

The weather just couldn’t decide what to do. It was cloudy, then clear. It snowed then didn’t. It was really windy, then it was just windy. I left the house to run some errands and it was snowing. By the time I had gone about 3 miles, it was sunny. When I came out of one store, after being there about 15 minutes, it was snowing again. None of the snow ever stuck to the ground, so everything just got a nice soaking. We made it to 40° but the 40mph wind gusts made it feel a whole lot colder. The weather just couldn’t decide.

I plan to catch up on the Olympics this evening. Most of the stuff today was the long cross country and I just couldn’t get into that. So tonight I’ll watch the highlights and catch some of the figure skating.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics opened on Feb 12.

At the 2006 Turin Olympics, American Shani Davis became the first African-American athlete to win gold in an individual event at the Winter Olympics, the 1,000 m. He also took home silver in the 1,500 m event. Davis is the tallest American speed skater, standing at 6'2" tall. He has a gold and a silver in 2010.

»Side Show Stories—«

Comment: Most of us have received the email joke that is a letter from Wal-Mart or other big box store, informing the wife that her husband is no longer welcome at their store. I have always smiled…guess this guy thought he would just like to be in the news.

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. - Authorities in Washington state said a Wal-Mart was evacuated after a man allegedly made patrons ill with "Stink Bombs" and "Super Fart Spray."

South Kitsap County Fire & Rescue crews said about 75 people were evacuated from the store at about 12:40 p.m. Sunday, some of them complaining of headaches from the foul odor, the Kitsap (Wash.) Sun reported Thursday. Deputies said the man had reportedly been throwing liquid onto the floor of the store. He admitted to dumping the liquid and deputies found bottles labeled "Stink Bombs" and a can of "Super Fart Spray" in his possession, officials said. The 51-year-old man reportedly told deputies he sprayed the chemicals as a joke. The man was banned from Wal-Mart and a report was sent to the local prosecutor's office.

»Random Fact: «

Knots come out easier if you sprinkle talcum powder on them.

» 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 drag (HINT: H - - -)

2 real estate quantity (HINT: - C - -)

3 desire (HINT: - - G -)

4 vegetable (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 ☼

Alzheimers and Dementia Awareness Week: 14-21

Love a Mench Week: 14-21

National Condom Week: 14-21

International Friendship Week: 17-23

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week: 21-27

☼ 21 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Card Reading Day

☼20 February Observances—by country ☼

Language Martyrs' Day or Language Revolution Day: A day celebrated by Bengali speaking people for gaining right of mother tongue since 1952.

☼ Holy Mackerel: 1911…Comanche Chief Quanah Parker dies. He is eventually buried at Fort Sill, in south-central Oklahoma. His headstone reads, "resting here until day breaks and darkness disappears is Quanah Parker “

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Erma Bombeck, in 1927, humorist
Anaïs Nin, in1903 , French novelist

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Mary Chapin Carpenter, 52, singer, musician

Charlotte Church, 24, (Cardiff, Wales) singer

Tyne Ellen Daly, 63, actress (“Judging Amy,” Emmy for “Cagney and Lacey”; Gypsy)

Larry Hagman, 79, TV actor (“Dallas” “I Dream of Jeannie”), in 1922, NYC DJ (5th Beatle)

Rue McClanahan, 76, actress (“Maude,” “The Golden Girls”)

Sam Peckinpah, in 1925, director

William Petersen, 57, actor (“CSI,”)

Jake Steinfeld, 52, exercise expert (Body by Jake)

     »Athletes

--

     »Business, Education

Alice Freeman Palmer, in 1855, educator / administrator (Hall of Fame)

Charles Scribner, in 1821, US, music publisher (Scribner Catalog)

     »Politics

Barbara Jordan, in 1936, lawyer, educator, U.S. Congresswoman

Robert G Mugabe, 86, Premier/President of Zimbabwe

Olympia J. Snowe, 63, US Senator (R, Maine)

     »Science/Religion

Helen O Dickens [Henderson], in 1909, US physician/gynaecologist

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Horace Leonard Gold, in 1996, science fiction writer/editor, @ 81

Eric Liddell, in 1945, Scottish runner (Olympics-gold 1924), (Chariots of Fire), brain tumor @ 43

Murray "the K" Kaufman, NYC DJ, cancer, @ 60

Malcolm X [Little], in 1965, black Moslem leader, assassinated @ 39

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1925…1st issue of "New Yorker" magazine published

     »Athletics

1952…Dick Button performs 1st figure skating triple jump in competition

1986…Tennis star Jimmy Connors fined $20,000 & suspended for 10 weeks

1992…Kristi Yamaguchi of US wins Olympics gold medal in women's fig skating

     »Business, Education

1804…1st locomotive, Richard Trevithick's, runs for 1st time, in Wales

1828…1st American Indian newspaper in US, Cherokee Phoenix (weekly), Georgia

     »Politics

1857…Congress outlaws foreign currency as legal tender in US

1861…Navaho Indians elect Herrero Grande as chief, "Long Walk" leader 

1885…the official dedication of the Washington Monument took place in Washington, D.C.

1958…Egypt-Syria as UAR elect Nasser President (99.9% vote)

1972…Richard Nixon becomes 1st US President to visit China

     »Science/Religion

1887…1st US bacteriology laboratory opens (Brooklyn)

1932…Camera exposure meter patented, WN Goodwin

1947…Edwin H. Land publicly demonstrated his instant camera and associated film

» Number One Songs in…

1948…I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover - The Art Moonie Orchestra

1956…Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford

1964…I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles

1972…Never Been to Spain - Three Dog Night

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

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

H A U L

A C R E

U R G E

L E E K

Saturday

20 February 2010--Week 7 of 2010: 50 days this year…315 remain

» Quote Times Two «

" Man`s horizons are bounded by his vision. " ~unknown

“Those who can adapt to change are those who will continue to grow.” ~Justin Ramalho

» Free Ramblings «

The Olympics had some great events again today. In all the commentary I learned that one of the Great Britain’s Women’s Curling Team is a Scot. The interesting information says she also is a top golfer in Scotland, and plays the bagpipes. I am such a multi-tasker I missed her name. It was mentioned during the announcer banter when nothing is really happening. I was busy reading a magazine and by the time I re-focused they never said which lady it was. If they keep playing the way they are, I’m sure I will hear it again. The Lady Brits are doing well in Curling.

My newspaper is always in the snow when I go out to get it about 6:30a every morning. It is easy to spot in the snow—as it always wrapped in a blue bag. This morning I was out there to find there was no paper. At 10a there was no paper. I was busy today doing a variety of house things and didn’t go back outside until about 4p to continue my daily task of breaking up the ice on the sidewalk. At 4p, there was the paper, right where it always is every morning. This is strange because I usually call when I don’t get the paper, but today I didn’t call. It just showed up all by itself, about ten hours late. I have to wonder where it spent the day. It hadn’t been read by someone else, so, whatever it did all day, it found its way home before dark.

I did catch Tiger’s mea culpa today. I caught it live and saw the whole thing. All the news stations are playing sound bites, but the not repeating the whole thing. I admitted that he had been in therapy and still had more ahead. His speech had all sound of therapy. He has taken a big step. I now realize that all I have ever heard from Tiger in the media are sound bites. He is not a great speaker. He had obviously written the words himself. He apologized to his fans, his sponsors, his friends and family, and the sport of golf. He looked tired, he appeared sincere, and he knows he needs more help. He has said he strayed from his Buddhist beliefs and is hoping to return to those basic beliefs. Fine, we know him as a golfer, a very rich golfer. I say, let him deal with his own devils, leave him alone. When he plays golf, let us enjoy his skill on the course.

This was a windy, windy day. Clouds blew in, clouds blew out, trees bent, snow became crustier than it already was. The birds have not been eating as much during our good weather this past week. Today they returned to prepare for whatever is in store for us. We made it to 42° but the 30+mph winds made the wind chill about 10° cooler than the thermometer. The ol’ weather people say we will get 3-4” of snow tomorrow with winds about ½ of what they were today. When, oh when, will this end? May?, June? Later?

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

The Shea Family of Lake Placid, New York, is the first to produce three generations of Olympians. Father Jack, 91, was a double-gold medalist in speed skating, son Jim, Sr., was a U.S. ski team member at the 1964 Innsbruck Games, and in 2002 grandson Jim, Jr., won a gold medal in skeleton.

»Side Show Stories—Salt«

If the world's oceans evaporated, enough salt would be crystallized to cover Britain to a depth of 50 miles.

+++

Being hygroscopic, salt spread on dusty floors in equestrian centers and indoor arenas retains moisture and keeps down dust.

+++

Until recently, salt bars were the standard currency of Ethiopia.

+++

In ancient Greece, slaves were traded for salt, hence the expression "not worth his salt".

+++

In his painting The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci put an over turned salt cellar in front of the ill-fated Judas.

+++

In old Japanese theaters, salt was sprinkled on the stage before performances to prevent evil spirits from casting a spell on the actors and ruining the play.

+++

In Arab countries salt was used to seal a bargain, and also as a sign of friendship.

+++

The Druids used salt in their rituals at Stonehenge. It is thought that this was as a symbol of the life-giving fruits of the earth.

»Random Fact: «

Refrigerating apples can help them last up to 10 times longer than those left at room temperature.

» 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 congealed blood (HINT: C - - -)

2 disabled by wounds or soreness (HINT: - A - -)

3 leave out (HINT: - - I -)

4 head (French) (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 ☼

Alzheimers and Dementia Awareness Week: 14-21

Love a Mench Week: 14-21

National Condom Week: 14-21

National Engineers Week: 14-20

National Pancake Week: 14-20

International Friendship Week: 17-23

☼ 20 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Hoodie Hoo Day: people go out at noon, wave their hands over their heads and chant "Hoodie-Hoo", a day to chase away winter and bring in spring.

John Glenn Day ( for 1st orbit in space:1962)

Love Your Pet Day

☼20 February Observances—by country ☼

World Day for Social Justice: since 2006

☼ Holy Mackerel: 1893…A Congressional Act modifies the White Mountain-San Carlos-Camp Apache Reserve, in western Arizona Territory. It is amended further on June 10, 1896. At its' largest, it comprises 2,866 square miles, and be occupied by Arivaipa, Chillion, Chiricahua,Coyotero, Membreno, Mogollon, Mohave, Pinal, San Carlos, Tonto, and Yuma-Apache tribes.

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Ansel Adams, in 1902, photographer

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Amanda Blake [Beverly Louise Neill], in 1929, actress (Miss Kitty-Gunsmoke)

Cindy Crawford, 44, model, actress

Kurt Cobain, in 1967, rock vocalist (Nirvana)

John Daly, in 1914, (South Africa) newscaster/TV game show host (What's My Line)

Sandy Duncan, 64, actress (Funny Face, “The Hogan Family,” Peter Pan)

Mary Garden, 1874, (Aberdeen Scotland) opera star

Kelsey Grammer, in 1955, (Virgin Islands) actor

Sidney Poitier, 83, actor (In the Heat of the Night; Oscar for Lilies of the Field)

Buffy Sainte-Marie, 69, (SK, Canada) folksinger

Gloria Vanderbilt, 86, fashion designer, artist

Nancy Wilson, 73, singer

     »Athletes

Charles Barkley, 47, basketball

Stephon Marbury, 33, basketball

Bob Richards, 84, 'Vaulting Vicar': Olympic pole-vaulter

Roger Penske, 73, race car driver, team owner

Robert William (Bobby) Unser, 76, auto racer

     »Business, Education, Politics

Adam Black, in 1784, (Edinburgh Scotland) politician/publisher

Gordon Brown, 59, (Glasgow, Scotland) Prime Minister of Great Britain

Cecil H King, in 1901, Irish/British daily newspaper publisher (Daily Mirror)

Patty Hearst Shaw, 56, newspaper heiress kidnapped by Symbionese Liberation Army; actress

William Prescott, in 1726, soldier: American Revolutionary War: “Don’t fire until you see the white’s of their eyes.”

     »Science/Religion

Ludwig Eduard Boltzmann, in 1844, Austrian physicist (statistical mechanics)
☼Today’s Obits ☼

Frederick Douglass, in 1895, escaped slave, anti-slavery leader, @ 78

Clarence Nash, in 1985, voice of Donald Duck, leukemia @ 80

Walter Winchell, in 1972, writer@ 74 
Dick York, in 1992, actor (Bewitched), emphysema @ 63
☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1950…Dylan Thomas arrives in New York NY for his 1st US poetry reading tour

     »Athletics

1927…Golfers in South Carolina arrested for violating Sabbath

     »Business, Education, Politics

1673…1st recorded wine auction held (London)

1745…Bonnie Prince Charlie's troops occupy Fort August, Scotland

1746…Bonnie Prince Charlie occupies Castle of Inverness

1872…Hydraulic electric elevator patented by Cyrus Baldwin

1872…Luther Crowell patents a machine that manufactures paper bags

1895…Congress authorizes a US mint at Denver CO

1929…American Samoa organized as a territory of US

1944…Batman & Robin comic strip premieres in newspapers

1947…Chemical mixing error causes explosion that destroys 42 blocks in Los Angeles CA

1985…Ireland a predominantly Catholic country after much debate allows contraceptives to be sold.

     »Science/Religion

1962…John Glenn is 1st American to orbit Earth (Friendship 7)

1989…Total eclipse of the Moon

» Number One Songs in…

1947…For Sentimental Reasons - Nat King Cole

1955…Sincerely - McGuire Sisters

1963…Hey Paula - Paul & Paula

1971…If You Could Read My Mind - Gordon Lightfoot

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

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

C L O T

L A M E

O M I T

T E T E

Friday

18 February 2010--Week 7 of 2010: 49 days this year…316 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Man and wife make one fool." ~unknown from an Indian joke website—in India.

“The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself he becomes wise.” ~Alden Nowlan; (1933-1983); Poet

» Free Ramblings «

I’m still enjoying the Olympics and can still sit for too many hours watching the competition. So many athletes performing in front of millions—everything they have done in athletics to be on this stage for such a short amount of time. In my humble opinion the Olympics is reality TV at its very best. We see some great back stories. We get to watch athletes shine. At times we see falters that just can’t be corrected. I watched a little more curling today, and am starting to understand the event a little better. It really takes a team effort and strategy. It also seems to take a whole lot of luck. The other competition that I’m enjoying is snowboarding. I remember when snowboarding first started on American Ski Slopes. Many ski areas banned them from the slopes. They were seen as crazy, mostly high kids who did little more than disrupt skiers. Times change.

The Flagstaff mail- in primary ballots have arrived. Two of the three mayoral candidates are doing a lot of free campaigning on Facebook. Interesting to read. I guess the debate next week will help me decide. The local school district has an override on the ballot. Interesting to have it on the primary ballot and not the final ballot, but this is Flagstaff. While I was traveling the town defeated the override, but due to a loophole in the law, they can have us vote again, less than three months after the defeat. Flag politics is filled with stories of not getting what you want the first time, and just re-voting by finding a loophole. Our lawmakers don’t seem to be able to write laws that aren’t full of loopholes.

Another day of almost 50°. Snow remains on the ground, and the piles are getting smaller, but still very present. At least now, there are only a couple places in town where the piles of snow make it hard to see oncoming traffic while turning.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

Snowboarding: In 1983 on 10% of ski areas allowed any snowboarding. By 1997 less than 2% forbade it. It first appeared in the 1998 Olympics, but the Gold Medal winner almost lost his medal when he tested positive for marijuana. Now Snowboarding has some great competition and the marijuana issue has died out.

»Side Show Stories—«

Peter the Great had his wife's lover executed and his head put into a jar of alcohol. She had to keep it in her bedroom.

***After having a two year affair with Catherine the Great, Gregory Aleksandrovich Potemkin remained a valued advisor to Catherine. He even helped her pick out future lovers.

***

Cleopatra married two of her brothers and was the mistress of both Caesar and Mark Antony.

***

Fernade Olivier lived with Picasso for seven years. They wanted to marry but Olivier couldn't find her estranged husband to divorce him. In the 1940's she found out he had died right after she met Picasso - 40 years earlier.

»Random Fact: «

To fix a button about to fall off, dab a little clear nail polish over the threads holding it on.

» 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 grime (HINT: S - - -)

2 sugar... (HINT: - A - -)

3 centimeter or gallon, for example (HINT: - - I -)

4 measure (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 ☼

Alzheimers and Dementia Awareness Week: 14-21

Love a Mench Week: 14-21

National Condom Week: 14-21

National Engineers Week: 14-20

National Pancake Week: 14-20

International Friendship Week: 17-23

☼ 19 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Chocolate Mint Day

International Mother Language Day

Iwo Jima Day (Landing)

☼19 February Observances—by country ☼

Astrology: First day of sun sign Pisces: 12th sign, water sign,

Bulgaria: The hanging of revolutionary leader Vasil Levski (1873)

Ethiopia : Martyr's Day (1930s)

Gabon : Constitution Day (1959)

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1913…1st prize inserted into a Cracker Jack box

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Jonathan Lethem, 46, author (Motherless Brooklyn, Fortress of Solitude)

Carson McCullers (Smith), in 1917, author: The Heart is a Lonely Hunte

William Smokey Robinson Jr, 70, singer, songwriter

Amy Tan, 58, author (The Joy Luck Club), born Oakland, CA, Feb 19, 1952.

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Justine Bateman, 44, actress (“Family Ties,” “Men Behaving Badly”)

Lou Christie (Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco), 67, singer, (Lightning Striking Again)

Jeff Daniels, 55, actor (The Purple Rose of Cairo, Something Wild, Dumb and Dumber)

Benicio Del Toro, 43, actor (Oscar for Traffic)

"Mama" Cass Elliot, in 1943, actress (California Dreamin’, Monday, Monday)

Stan Kenton [Newcomb], 1912, jazz musician/orchestra leader

Lee Marvin, in 1924, actor (Paint Your Wagon)

Seal (Sealhenry Samuel), 47, singer, songwriter

     »Athletes

Eddie (George) Arcaro, in 1916, only jockey to win two Triple Crowns

Roger Goodell, 51, commissioner of the National Football League

Penny Zavichas, in 1938, LPGA golfer

     »Business, Education, Politics

Prince Andrew, in 1960, (Duke of York) British royalty

Rene Firino-Martell, in 1927, cognac manufacturer

Keith Musa[kawukhathi] Zondi, in 1960, South Africa head (Inkatha Youth Brigade)

     »Science/Religion

Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikolaj Kopernick), in 1473, Polish astronomer

Sven Hedin, in 1865, Sweden, scientist/explorer (Tibet)

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Bon Scott, in 1980, (Scotalnd) Australian rock vocalist (AC/DC-Whole Lotta Rosie), alcohol poisoning @ 33

Deng Xiaoping, in 1997, head (Chinese Communist Party), @ 92

Grandpa Jones, in 1998, country comic/banjo wizard (Hee Haw), @ 84

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1922…Ed Wynn becomes 1st talent to sign as a radio entertainer

1960…Bil Keane's "Family Circus" cartoon strip debuts 1968 1st US Teachers strike (Florida)

     »Athletics

1928 …2nd Winter Olympics games close at St Moritz, Switzerland

1984…1st brother combo to win Gold & Silver in same event at the Olympics (Phil & Steve Mahre-Slalom)

1984 …The XIV Winter Olympic Games ended at Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.

     »Business, Education, Politics

1674…Netherlands & England sign Peace of Westminster (NYC becomes English)

1859…Dan Sickles is acquitted of murder on grounds of temporary insanity 1st time this defense is successfully used

1906…W K Kellogg & Charles D Bolin incorporate Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company, Battle Creek MI

1942…FDR orders detention & internment of all west-coast Japanese-Americans (Executive Order 9066)

1945…900 Japanese soldiers reportedly killed by crocodiles in 2 days

1954…The Ford T-Bird appears as a prototype but did not selling until late in 1954 costing $2,900

2008…Fidel Castro who has ruled Cuba since the revolution in 1959 has decided to end his presidency of the country after nearly fifty years..

     »Science/Religion

1856…Tin-type camera patented by Hamilton Smith

1878…Thomas Alva Edison patents the gramophone (phonograph)

» Number One Songs in…

1946…Aren’t You Glad You’re You - Bing Crosby

1954…Oh! My Pa-Pa - Eddie Fisher

1962…Duke of Earl - Gene Chandler

1970…No Time - The Guess Who

1978…Stayin’ Alive - Bee Gees

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

S C U M

C A N E

U N I T

M E T E

Thursday

18 February 2010--Week 7 of 2010: 49 days this year…316 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Many a family tree needs trimming."~Kin Hubbard

“Those who can adapt to change are those who will continue to grow.” ~Justin Ramalho

» Free Ramblings «

This is my first Olympics at home since I retired. (I was in Scotland during the China Summer Olympics) I had no idea how many hours of Olympics were on TV. I am getting very little done as every time I turn on the TV, there are more Olympics. These athletes spend hours every day for years to prepare for the Olympics, the least I can do is watch them show off their ability. I did watch some curling today. Not sure what I saw. It has its own language, and must take a long time to figure out. Strategy is the key. The announcer made it sound more like a chess match than anything. But it was fun to watch.

Three storms are headed our way—first one to have 1-4”, the second storm will have less, then the third one will be here but too early to tell how much. Gotta love winter in a mountain town. It was hard to believe as we reached 50° today.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

German luge master Georg Hackl is the only athlete to medal in the same event in five straight games. (1988, 1992, 1994, 1998, and 2002)

»Side Show Stories—«

WATERVILLE, Ohio - An Ohio strip club said it raised nearly $1,000 during a "Lap dances for Haiti" charity event. Bosses at Marilyn's on Monroe, which does not actually allow lap dances, said all the money from the club's $10 cover charge Sunday would go to Hope, or ISOH/IMPACT, a charity based in Waterville, Ohio, that is participating in Haitian earthquake relief efforts, the Toledo Blade reported. General Manager Kenny Soprano said local businesses wanted to give back to the community. "We'd been racking our brains for about a month or so, thinking about what we could do," he said. "You don't hear much about strip clubs giving back to the community." Some wonder if the money was all in singles?

»Random Fact: «

Licensed New York taxi drivers collectively speak 60 languages

» 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 heap (HINT: B - - -)

2 little picture (HINT: - c - -)

3 bright, short-lived star (HINT: - - v -)

4 annoying insect (HINT: - - - T)

» 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 ☼

Alzheimers and Dementia Awareness Week: 14-21

Love a Mench Week: 14-21

National Condom Week: 14-21

National Engineers Week: 14-20

National Pancake Week: 14-20

International Friendship Week: 17-23

☼ 17 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

National Battery Day

Introduce A Girl to Engineering Day

Pluto Day (Planet is Discovered by Clyde Tombaugh)

☼17 February Observances—by country ☼

Gambia : Independence Day (from UK: 1965)

Iceland : National Bun Day (cream puffs)

Israel : Mother's Day

Nepál : Constitutional Day (1951)

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1930…Astronomer Clyde Tombaugh located a new planet while in the observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Helen Gurley Brown, 88, author (Sex and the Single Girl), publisher (Cosmopolitan)

Toni Morrison, 79, Nobel Prize–winning novelist (Beloved, Jazz, Tar Baby, Sula)

Boris L Pasternak, in 1890, Russian poet/writer (Dr Zhivago)

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Bill Cullen, in 1920, TV game show host (over 20 different games)

Matt Dillon, 46, actor (Crash, There’s Something About Mary, Drugstore Cowboy)

Barbara Hale, 88, actress (Della Street-Perry Mason)

George Kennedy, 83, actor (Oscar for Cool Hand Luke)

Jillian Michaels, 36, personal trainer, television personality (“The Biggest Loser”)

Juice Newton (Judy Cohen), 58, singer

Kim Novak, 77, actress (Vertigo, Of Human Bondage)

Yoko Ono, 77, artist, musician

Jack Palance [Walter Palanuik], in 1920, actor (City Slickers)

Molly Ringwald, 42, actress (Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink)
Cybill Shepherd, 60, actress (The Last Picture Show, “Moonlighting,” “Cybill”)

John Travolta, 55, actor (Pulp Fiction, Urban Cowboy, Saturday Night Fever, “Welcome Back, Kotter”)

Vanna White, 53, television personality (“Wheel of Fortune”)

     »Athletes

--

     »Business, Education, Politics

Mary I Tudor [Bloody Mary], in 1516, 1st reigning queen of Great Britain

George Peabody, in 1795 , merchant/philanthropist

Louis Comfort Tiffany, in 1848, glassmaker (stained glass windows)

     »Science/Religion

Ramakrishna, in 1836, Hindu saint (preached unity of all religions)

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Harry Caray, in 1998, sportscaster (Chicago Cubs), @ 77

Andy Devine [Jeremiah Schwartz], born in Flagstaff, raised in Kingman, AZ, in 1977, actor (Jingles on Wild Bill Hickock), leukemia @ 71

[Ralph] Dale Earnhardt, in 2001, NASCAR driver/"The Intimidator", crash during Daytona 500 @ 49

Martin Luther, in 1546, biblical scholar/religious reformer, stroke @ 62

Robert Merrill, in 1998, songwriter (Funny Girl), suicide @ 76

Mary Stuart, IN 1587, Queen of Scots (1560-87), beheaded @ 44

Frances Willard, in 1898, founder (Woman's Christian Temperance), influenza @ 58

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1678…John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress" is published

1735…The first opera performed in America, known as either Flora or Hob in the Well, was presented in Charleston, SC

1885…Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" published

     »Athletics

1932…Sonja Henie wins her 6th straight World Women's figure skating title

1960…The VIIIth Winter Olympic Games were opened in Squaw Valley, California

1994…Dan Jansen skates world record 1000 meter (1:12.43)

     »Business, Education, Politics

1745…Bonnie Prince Charlie's troops occupy Inverness Scotland

1841…1st continuous filibuster in US Senate began, lasting until March 11

1867…The Sac and Fox sign a treaty (15 stat.495). They sell much of what remains of their reservation.

1908…1st US postage stamps in coils issued

1951…Nepál becomes a constitutional monarchy

     »Science/Religion

1688…Quakers conduct 1st formal protest of slavery in Germantown PA

1979…Snow falls in the Sahara Desert

» 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…Calendar Girl - Neil Seda

1969…Everyday People - Sly & The Family Stone

1977…Torn Between Two Lovers - Mary MacGregor

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

B I N G

I C O N

N O V A

G N A T

Wednesday

17 February 2010--Week 7 of 2010: 48 days this year…317 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Matrimony is the root of all evil." ~unknown

“Discipline isn't just punishing, forcing compliance or stamping out bad behavior. Rather, discipline has to do with teaching proper deportment, caring about others, controlling oneself and putting someone else's wishes before one's own when the occasion calls for it.” ~Lawrence Balter, Psychologist, Author

» Free Ramblings «

I think the above quote by Lawrence Balter, should be on permanent display in every classroom and administrator’s office in our schools. So many believe that discipline is forcing compliance.

Sure hope everyone got their beads and are wearing them with style. I never got into Mardi Gras, until I spent a week in New Orleans a few years before Katrina. I was there in the summer but every night there is a parade on Bourbon Street and unlike this week, we could walk around and enjoy everything with only a crowd, not a massive crowd. I was a presenter at a non-BIA workshop and stayed right on Bourbon Street. If you have been to NOLA, you already know that Bourbon Street is a very, very narrow street. If you haven’t been, I would suggest taking a taxi or shuttle to your hotel—if you are staying anywhere in the French Quarter. You can walk just about everywhere you want to go and taxis will take you everywhere else. The beads are purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power. It’s been that way since 1892. I did go to a Mardi Gras parade once…in Deadwood, SD, where it was snowing and 12° below zero. This year I’m watching it on several of the dozens of web cams set up throughout the French Quarter.

The Olympics continue to take up way too much of my time. Both Biathlons were exciting. Both the Men’s and Women’s races were messed up a little by the starter. The athletes in both races knew the mistake, and probably threw off their game plan a lot. One mistake by non-athletes should not happen. Two mistakes should never happen. A total of three mistakes, inexcusable for the athletes and for the fans.

Flag had another great weather day. We had lots more snow melt with the 43° high. It was cold last night—14°, but warmed up very quickly to make a nice day.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

Curling is one of four winter Olympic sports contested indoors. The other three are hockey, figure skating, and speed skating. No weather worries for these events.

»Side Show Stories—«

ORLANDO, Fla. - A Florida graduate who lost his 1989 class ring when it fell from a cruise ship 21 years ago said an Ohio woman called to say she found the ring. Tom Whitney of Orlando, who accidentally dropped the 1989 West Orange High ring from a Port Canaveral-based cruise ship the year of his graduation, said he received an e-mail last Monday from a woman who said she believed the ring had been found, The Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Monday. "It was just this Monday, and I got a message from a woman who said she has my ring," Whitney said. The message said the ring was found by the woman's metal detector-wielding father along Florida's Daytona Beach.

»Random Fact: «

The strike note of The Liberty Bell is E flat.

» 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 warm up from freezing    (hint: T _ _ _)

2 sound in health              (hint: _ A _ _)

3 letter sequence in m????se, a feeling of uneasiness (hint: _ _ A _)
4 fence in the water (hint: _ _ _ R)

» 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 ☼

Alzheimers and Dementia Awareness Week: 14-21

Love a Mench Week: 14-21

National Condom Week: 14-21

National Engineers Week: 14-20

National Pancake Week: 14-20

International Friendship Week: 17-23

☼ 17 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Ash Wednesday or Quiet Day

Champion Crab Races Day

My Way Day

National PTA Founders Day

World Human Spirit Day

☼17 February Observances—by country ☼

Kosovo: Independence Day since 2008

Sri Lanka : Maha Shivaratree

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1876…Sardines 1st canned (Julius Wolff-Eastport ME) 
☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Thomas Malthus, in 1766,- economist, demographer

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Brenda Fricker, 65, actress (Oscar for My Left Foot; The Field), born Dublin, Ireland

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 29, actor (Tommy: “3rd Rock from the Sun”)

Paris Hilton, 29, socialite, television personality (“The Simple Life”)

Hal Holbrook (Harold Rowe, Jr), 85, actor

Dame Edna Everidge (Barry Humphries), 76, (Australia) actor, comedian

Richard Karn, 51, actor (“Home Improvement”), game show host (“Family Feud”)

Jerry O'Connell, 36, actor

Gene Pitney, in 1941, singer/songwriter (Town Without Pity)

Lou Diamond Phillips, 48, actor (La Bamba, Stand and Deliver)

Denise Richards, 39, actress

Rene Russo, 56, actress

     »Athletes

Walter L "Red" Barber, in 1908, sports announcer

James Nathaniel (Jim) Brown, 74, Hall of Fame football player, activist, actor

Michael Jordan, 47 basketball player, sports executive

     »Business, Education, Politics

Yasser Arafat , 81,. PLO-leader

Mary Frances Berry, 72, educator/head (US Commission on Civil Rights)

William Cadbury, in 1867, English chocolate manufacturer (Cadbury)

Frederick Douglass, 1817, politician

Samuel Sidney McClure, in 1857, Irish-American newspaper editor/publisher

Huey Newton, in 1942, Black Panther leader

John Pinkerton, in 1758, Scottish historian

     »Science/Religion

--

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Reverend James Renwick hanged in Scotland for being a Presbyterian, @ 26

James Macpherson, 1796, Scottish poet, @ 60

Heinrich Heine, in 1856, German poet, lead poisoning @ 58

Geronimo (Goyaałé, "one who yawns"), in 1908, Chiricahua Apache chief, pneumonia @ 79

Lee [Israel] Strasberg, in 1982, father of method acting/actor, heart attack @ 80

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1933…Blondie Boopadoop marries Dagwood Bumstead; Dagwood's father promptly disinherits him

1958…Comic strip "BC" 1st appears

1986…The National Critics Book Circle Award to Ann Tyler for "The Accidental Tourist"

     »Athletics

1949…Men's Figure Skating Championship in Paris won by Richard Button USA

1974…49 die in stampede for seats at soccer match, Cairo, Egypt

1989…Orel Hershiser, Dodger pitcher signs record $7.9M-3 year contract

     »Business, Education, Politics

1621…Miles Standish appointed 1st commander of Plymouth colony

1817…1st US city lit by gas (Baltimore)

1854…British recognize independence of Orange Free State (South Africa)

1867…1st ship passes through Suez Canal

1897…The National Congress of Mothers (Later PTA) organized

1911…The First Electric Self Start was installed in a Cadillac By GM

1969…Golda Meir sworn in as Israel's 1st female prime minister

     »Science/Religion

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» Number One Songs in…

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

1952…Slowpoke - Pee Wee King

1960…Teen Angel - Mark Dinning

1968…Love is Blue - Paul Mauriat

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

T H A W

H A L E

A L A I

W E I R