6-11-11

Ø  TODAY’s “Geez”:

·        758 - Abbasid Arabs and Uyghur Turks arrive simultaneously at Chang'an, the Tang Chinese capital, in order to offer tribute to the imperial court. The Arabs and Turks bicker and fight over diplomatic prominence at the gate, in order to present tribute before the other. A settlement is reached when both are allowed to enter at the same time, but through two different gates to the palace

·        1594 - Philip II recognized the rights and privileges of the local nobles and chieftains in the Philippines, which paves way to the creation of the Principalía (i.e., elite ruling class of native nobility in Spanish Philippines)

·        2008 - Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper made an official historic apology to Canada's First Nations in regard to a residential school abuse in which children were isolated from their homes, families and cultures for a century

Ø  Free Rambling Thoughts…

A nice day in Flag. I was able to run errands before the weekend traffic started. Then I was able to spend some time on my deck. Very nice.

HS graduation in Flagstaff was yesterday. So it makes sense that tonight volunteers are running a Grad Night Party that is drug and alcohol free. Wait, shouldn’t it have been last night? Oh well, good luck to all the Grads…you are going to need it.

The weekend is finally starting to look like summer. Day temps in the low 80’s and nights in the high 40’s. No strong winds are forecast. I looked back today and by this time last year, all the windows were open 24/7. I haven’t had to do that yet.

At the luncheon the other day, the presenter was a skier from CO. He told me A-Basin, a ski area about an hour from Denver was still open. I checked today and he was right. It still has a 67” base. Open weekends. That is amazing. No wonder they say Lake Powell will be its fullest in a decade. Good for Skiers and thank you Colorado. The fire news down here is a little better, the big fire is now 5% contained after two days of less wind. They are doing lots of back burns now, which is a good sign. Firefighters have only lost 29 homes with more than 5000 threatened. Amazing work.  This is the second largest fire in AZ’s history. The 5 largest fires in AZ have burned since 2000. We are in a decades long drought and every year is scary from May until the monsoons.  Sadly all the big fires were human caused and destroyed millions of beautiful trees, animals, and views.

Ø  Trivia Quiz…(answers at the end of post)

1.      Who is the narrator of Farewell My Lovely and The Big Sleep?

2.      In which decade of the 20th century was Ellen Barkin born?

3.      Who played Whitney Houston's manager in the Bodyguard?

4.      Which musical featured the song Shall We Dance?

5.      Little Walter is associated with which instrument?

6.      Andrew Carnegie developed the iron and steel industry in which city?

7.      Who is the actress aunt of Alessandra Mussolini?

8.      The Panama Canal Zone was returned to Panama during which president's administration?

9.      In a long-running TV series, who had a boss called Dr. Gillespie?

10.   Which single did Martika take to NO 1 in the 80s?

11.   In which country did English born US citizen Charlie Chaplin die?

12.   Which jockey rode Affirmed to the Triple Crown in 1978 aged 18?

Ø  Zoom-ed in Picture…Can you Identify what this is? (Answer at end of post)

Ø  Hmmmmm…

·        Pounds of antibiotics produced in the US in 2009 consumed by animals raised for human consumption: 28,808,023

Ø  Somewhat Useless Information…

·        New aluminum cans that are manufactured from used beverage containers use 95% less energy than producing them from virgin materials.

·        Each year, Americans throw out enough plastic film to shrink-wrap the entire state of Texas.

Ø  Yeah, It Really Happened…

EVERETT, WA — Officers at a Seattle-area police department have found themselves in a flap with some unusual suspects: an angry flock of birds.

Crows have been attacking police in the parking lot of an Everett Police Department precinct station. They've been swooping down and dive-bombing the officers as they walk to and from their cars.

Lt. Bob Johns said he recently was flanked by the aggressive birds and "got zinged."

"They're like velociraptors," Johns said.

One officer used his siren to try to scare away the crows, but it didn't work. The birds responded by decorating his car with droppings, The Daily Herald reported.

State Fish and Wildlife Department biologist Ruth Milner said the birds are simply protecting baby crows that have been kicked out of the nest and are learning to fly. Adult crows are quite protective of their young — a common trait among larger birds and birds of prey.

"All they're doing is defending their nest," Milner said.

She noted crows also can recognize people's individual features. And they hold grudges.

"If your cops have done something that (the crows) perceive as a threat, they could be keying in on them because they're all wearing the same kind of uniform," Milner said.

Ø  Guffaw…or at least smile…

An Antartian was running back and forth from his computer and his mailbox.

Then the mailman came up to him and asked him what he was doing.

He replied, "My dumb computer keeps saying 'you've got mail'."

Ø  Searchin’ “You Tube” I found…

What it Takes to be Number One by Vince Lombardi

Ø  Daybook Information…

…Happening This Week:

4-11

·        International Clothesline Week

·        National Headache Awareness Week

·        National Sun Safety Week

·        National Tire Safety Week

·        (World) Dystonia Awareness Week

6-12

·        National Automotive Service Professionals Week

·        National Business Etiquette Week

·        World Menopause Week

10-17

·        Superman Week

·        Nursing Assistants Week

Ø  TODAY IS

·        Belmont Stakes

·        Corn on the Cob Day

·        King Kamehameha Day

·        National Hug Holiday

·        The Wicket World of Croquet Day

Ø  Today’s Events:

…  IN ARTS

1892 - The Limelight Department, one of the world's first film studios, is officially established in Melbourne, Australia

1937 - Marx Brothers' "A Day At The Races" released

1953 - "Amos 'n Andy," TV Comedy, also radio from '29; last aired on CBS

1959 - Postmaster General bans D H Lawrence's book, Lady Chatterley's Lover (overruled by US Court of Appeals in Mar 1960)

…  IN ATHLETICS

1950 - Ben Hogan wins US Open golf tournament

1955 - Le Mans race car accident kills 83 spectators (race continues)

1992 - US Olympic baseball team plays 1st exhibition game, beat Venezuela 20-0

…  IN BUSINESS & EDUCATION

1578 - England grants Sir Humphrey Gilbert a patent to explore & colonize US

1859 - Comstock silver load discovered near Virginia City, Nevada

1870 - 1st-stone Amstel Brewery opens in Amsterdam

1935 - Inventor Edwin Armstrong gives the first public demonstration of FM broadcasting in the United States, at Alpine, New Jersey

1963 - Gov Wallace tries to prevent blacks registering at U of Alabama

…  FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

1752: Today, while at a conference with British authorities, Chief Shingas will be named sachem or king of the Delewares by Tanacharison of the Iroquois. The Delawares were subjugated by the Iroquois.

…  IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned, according to calculations by Eratosthenes

1509 - King Henry VIII marries wife #1 Catharina of Aragon

1921 - Brazil adopts women suffrage

1987 - Margaret Thatcher is 1st British PM in 160 years to win 3rd consecutive term

1988 - Freedomfest - Mandela addresses Wembley Stadium London

…  IN SCIENCE & RELIGION

1644 - Florentine scientist describe invention of barometer

1742 - Benjamin Franklin invents his Franklin stove

1770 - Capt James Cook discovers Great Barrier Reef off Australia

1793 - 1st American stove patent is granted to Robert Haeterick

1895 - Charles E Duryea patents a gas-driven automobile

1936 - Presbyterian Church of America founded at Philadelphia

1944 - 1st Serbian Orthodox cathedral in US, Cathedral of St Sava, NYC

1975 - 1st oil pumped from North Sea oilfield

…  IN US POLITICS

1837 - The Broad Street Riot occur in Boston, fueled by ethnic tensions between English-Americans and Irish-Americans

1838 - Iowa Territory is organized

1947 - WW II sugar rationing finally ended in US (began May 28, 1942)

… ARTISTS:  AUTHORS:  COMPOSERS…

1907 - Anton D Hildebrand, children's book writer (Man in the Moon)

1572 - Ben Jonson, England, playwright/poet (Volpone, Alchemist)

…ATHLETES

1913 - Vince Lombardi, NFL coach (Green Bay Packers)

Joe Montana, NFL quarterback (SF 49ers) turns 55

…ENTERTAINERS (ACTORS/SINGERS…)

Adrienne Barbeau, actor turns 66

Michael Cacoyannis, director (Zorba the Greek, Trojan Women) turns 89

Chad Everett turns 75

Shia LaBeouf, actor,  turns 25

Hugh Laurie, actor (House)  turns 52

Gene Wilder, American actor turns 78

… ENTREPRENEUR & EDUCATORS

▬

…POLITICIANS

1696 - Francis Edward James Keith, Scottish soldier and Prussian field marshal

Henry Cisneros, first Hispanic to serve as mayor of a major U.S. city (San Antonio), later Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Clinton Administration turns 64

…SCIENTISTS / THEOLOGISTS

1867 - Charles Fabry, discoverer (ozone layer in upper atmosphere)

Today’s Obits:

2003 - David Brinkley, American television reporter dies at 83

1911 - James Curtis Hepburn, American missionary and linguist dies at 96

1488 - James III, king of Scotland, dies in battle at 36

1999 - DeForest Kelley, American actor [Dr.McCoy—Star Trek] dies at 79

1969 - John L Lewis, formed (Congress of Industrial Org), dies at 89

1560 - Mary of Lorraine [Marie de Guise], pro-French Regent of Scotland mother of Mary Queen of Scots, dies of dropsy at 44

1985 - Karen Ann Quinlan, comatose patient, dies at 31

1993 - Ray Sharkey, actor (Wiseguy, No Mercy, Body Rock), dies of AIDs at 40

1828 - Dugald Stewart, Scot philosopher (Scottish common sense), dies at 74

1979 - John Wayne, actor (Green Berets, True Grit), dies at 72

Ø  ANSWERS:

Trivia Quiz

1.      Who is the narrator of Farewell My Lovely and The Big Sleep?

……………Philip Marlowe

2.      In which decade of the 20th century was Ellen Barkin born?

……………1950s

3.      Who played Whitney Houston's manager in the Bodyguard?

……………Gary Kemp

4.      Which musical featured the song Shall We Dance?

…………… The King and I

5.      Little Walter is associated with which instrument?

…………… Harmonica

6.      Andrew Carnegie developed the iron and steel industry in which city?

…………… Pittsburgh

7.      Who is the actress aunt of Alessandra Mussolini?

…………… Sophia Loren

8.      The Panama Canal Zone was returned to Panama during which president's administration?

…………… Carter

9.      In a long-running TV series, who had a boss called Dr. Gillespie?

…………… Dr. Kildare

10.   Which single did Martika take to NO 1 in the 80s?

…………… Toy Soldiers

11.   In which country did English born US citizen Charlie Chaplin die?

…………… Switzerland

12.   Which jockey rode Affirmed to the Triple Crown in 1978 aged 18?

…………… Steve Cauthen

Close Up Picture

Ø  …AND THAT’S ALL FOR NOW

6-10-11

TODAY’s “Geez”:

·        1905 - 1st forest fire lookout tower placed in operation, Greenville, Me

·        1939 – Charles S. Frazier and Beryl L. Webster married in Denver CO

·        1977 - James Earl Ray (Martin Luther King's killer) escapes from prison

Ø  Free Rambling Thoughts…

Thursday is lunch with the group day. Mary is still in Phoenix, so Cheryl and I had a nice lunch at Red Lobster. Flag is a small town. Because of that the Red Lobster and Olive Garden are on the same business pad with no other stores around. I had suggested Red Lobster, because we hadn’t been there for some time. So I drove over and got there about 10 minutes early. Cheryl’s vehicle wasn’t in the parking lot. I waited outside, it was a beautiful day. Cheryl is always early. It was HS graduation day and the restaurant was filling up fast. About 10 minutes after the time, I walked back to my car to call her and find out where she was. AS I got close to the car, there she was, sitting at Red Lobster. I had been waiting outside Olive Garden. I sure felt dumb. We had a good lunch and good conversation. We are both sick and tired of the wind. Felt the same about the idiot who started the fire.

The family of the guy who started the fire called police about midnight and said they were bringing him in. He is a 20 year old who graduated this year from a ‘last chance’ high school here in Flagstaff. He stated he had argument with his girl friend and was mad, so he started about 10 fires. He’s in jail. It appears he will be there for a long time awaiting trial.

Our HOA is going crazy. A couple of months ago they gave us all red parking permits so we could park here. We are not in a business area where others would want to park. We are in a basically closed residential area where everyone has plenty of parking. Today the mailman brought me a new parking permit, this one green. I was reminded that the red ones expired on May 31. Of course it doesn’t say that the permit expires. My other question is who would move out of our little complex and want to continue to park here? In another letter from the HOA we were reminded of our responsibilities while living here. We got a list of acceptable and non-acceptable window coverings—curtains good, posters bad, sheets bad, blankets bad. Don’t store anything in the bushes near the front doorway. Keep your front yard clear of unsightly things like trash and bicycles. I should mention that many of the residents do ride bikes frequently and a few have chained them up in the front area. I just thought they were not too bright, as it would be easy to steal, but did not realize the HOA police could fine them. I’m glad I don’t own this place, because when the HOA goes too far, I can always move.

Ø  Trivia Quiz…(answers at the end of post)

1.      In which country did Steve McQueen die?

2.      Whose autobiography was called The Ragman's Son?

3.      Which character did Frank Sinatra play in From Here to Eternity?

4.      How old was Shirley Temple when she received her honorary Oscar?

5.      What would Rita Hayworth's last name have been if she had used her father's name instead of her mother's?

6.      In which state did Robert Redford found the Sundance Institute?

7.      Which Marilyn Monroe co-star said, "Kissing her is like kissing Hitler?"

8.      About who or what did Elizabeth Taylor say, "It was like an illness one had a very difficult time recuperating from?"

9.      Which musical star was a cousin of Rita Hayworth?

10.   For which film did Elizabeth Taylor win her second Oscar?

11.   How old was Mae West when she starred in the film Sextet?

12.   Who has the nickname "The Stick" as a child?

13.   Who said, "I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception?"

Ø  Zoom-ed in Picture…Can you Identify what this is? (Answer at end of post)

Ø  Hmmmmm…

·        Pounds of antibiotics produced in the US in 2009 that were consumed by humans: 28,808,023

Ø  Somewhat Useless Information…

·        The National Enquirer was originally a horse-racing tip sheet.

·        Johnny Knoxville's real name is Phillip J. Clapp.

·        John Milton used 8,000 different words in his poem, "Paradise Lost."

·        In 1999, the National Geographic Society revised the official height of Mt. Everest, raising the previous 1954 elevation figure by 7 feet as a result of more precise global positioning and measuring devices.

·        A Harlem-born, African American bicycle messenger went on to win a silver medal in cycling at the 1984 Olympics. His name was Nelson "The Cheetah" Vails.

·        Barbara Bush's book about her English Springer Spaniel, Millie's book, was on the bestseller list for 29 weeks. Millie was the most popular "First Dog" in history.

Ø  Yeah, It Really Happened…

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Police in Florida said they arrested a man accused of stealing a steak from a store and throwing it onto a roof when chased by a manager. Port St. Lucie police said they were called to the Publix market in the 3200 block of Southwest Port St. Lucie Boulevard Monday on a report of a shoplifter, and a manager pointed out Daniel Schoetker, 43, who was running from the scene, TCPalm.com reported Thursday.

The manager told officers he recognized Schoetker from "past incidents" and the suspect ran when he spotted the manager coming toward him. The manager said Schoetker "reached inside the front of his shorts and pulled out some merchandise and proceeded to throw it onto the roof of Darwin Square."

The merchandise turned out to be an $11.13 top sirloin steak. Schoetker was arrested and charged with retail theft. Police said he also had an outstanding warrant on a charge of writing worthless checks.

Ø  Guffaw…or at least smile…

A man went into a dentist and said "how much will it cost to have teeth taken out"

"$90" said the dentist "that’s ridiculous" said the man.”

“I could lose the anesthetic and it would cost $60"

"That’s still too expensive,” said the man

"If I don't use any anesthesia I could knock the price down to $20".

“Still too much" said the man.”

“Well one of my students can do it for $10" said the dentist

"Perfect" said the man "book my wife for next Tuesday".

Ø  Searchin’ “You Tube” I found…

Scenes from Milton's Paradise Lost, Part I

Scenes from Milton's Paradise Lost, Part II

Ø  Daybook Information…

…Happening This Week:

4-11

·        International Clothesline Week

·        National Headache Awareness Week

·        National Sun Safety Week

·        National Tire Safety Week

·        (World) Dystonia Awareness Week

6-12

·        National Automotive Service Professionals Week

·        National Business Etiquette Week

·        World Menopause Week

10-17

·        Superman Week

·        Nursing Assistants Week

Ø  TODAY IS

·        Ball Point Pen Day

·        Iced Tea Day

·        National Yo-Yo Day

·        Portugal: Day of Portugal [marks the date of Luís de Camões' death and is Portugal's National Day. Camões wrote Os Lusíadas, Portugal's national epic poem celebrating Portuguese history and achievements.  

Ø  Today’s Events:

…  IN ARTS

1761 - Puritan version of "Othello" opens in Newport Rhode Island

1915 - Girl Scouts founded

1989 - "Tales From The Crypt," TV Anthology, debuts on HBO

…  IN ATHLETICS

1921 - Babe Ruth becomes all time HR champ with #120 

1956 - 16th modern Olympiad equestrian events open in Stockholm

1991 - South Florida & Denver picked for 1993 NL franchises

…  IN BUSINESS & EDUCATION

1720 - Mrs Clements of England markets 1st paste-style mustard

1793 - 1st public zoo opens in Paris

1847 - Chicago Tribune begins publishing

1902 - Patent for window envelope granted to H F Callahan

1935 - Dr Robert Smith & William Wilson of Akron form Alcoholics Anonymous

1947 - Saab produces its first automobile

1976 - 49th National Spelling Bee: Tim Kneale wins spelling narcolepsy

1985 - Coca Cola announces they'd bring back their 99-year-old formula

…  FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

1972 - An Act of Congressional (17 stat. 391) will further define the SAUK and FOX reserve in Kansas

…  IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

1540 - Thomas Cromwell arrested in Westminister

1882 - Anti-colonization mass society of Alexandria Egypt kills 50 Europeans

1916 - Great Arab Revolt begin

1940 - Italy declares war on France & Britain during WW II

1967 - Israel, Syria, Jordan, Iraq & Egypt end "6-Day War" with UN help

1997 - Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot orders the killing of his defense chief Son Sen and 11 of Sen's family members before Pol Pot flees his northern stronghold

…  IN SCIENCE & RELIGION

1752 - Ben Franklin's kite is struck by lightning

1809 - 1st US steamboat to a make an ocean voyage leaves NY for Phila

1955 - 1st separation of virus into component parts reported

2001 - Pope John Paul II canonizes Lebanon's first female saint Saint Rafqa

…  IN US POLITICS

1610 - 1st Dutch settlers arrive (from NJ), to colonize Manhattan Island

1652 - In Boston, John Hull opens the 1st mint in America

1760 - NY passes 1st effective law regulating practice of medicine

1793 - Washington replaced Philadelphia as US capital

1898 - US Marines land in Cuba, during Spanish-American War

1924 - 1st political convention broadcast on radio-Republicans at Cleveland

1943 - FDR becomes 1st US pres to visit a foreign country during wartime

1943 - FDR signs withholding tax bill into law (this is W-2 Day!)

2008 - The Gora Prai airstrike by the United States reportedly kills 11 Pakistani paramilitary troops

… ARTISTS:  AUTHORS:  COMPOSERS…

1914 - Saul Bellow, author (Mr Sammler's Planet, Nobel 1976)

1904 - Frederick Loewe, composer (Learner & Loewe)

Maurice Sendak, author/illustrator (Where The Wild Things Are) turns 83

…ATHLETES

Dan Fouts, NFL QB (San Diego Chargers) turns 60

Tara Lipinski, Olympic Ice Saker turns 29

Ken Singleton, baseball player (Orioles) turns 64

…ENTERTAINERS (ACTORS/SINGERS…)

1922 - Judy Garland, [Frances Gumm], actress/singer (Wizard of Oz)

Ron Glass, actor (Ron-Barney Miller, New Odd Couple) turns 66

Elizabeth Hurley actress turns 46

Shane West actor turns 33

… ENTREPRENEUR & EDUCATORS

1832 - Nikolaus A Otto, German technician (gas motor, otto motor)

F Lee Bailey, attorney (Sam Shepard case, OJ case) turns 78

…POLITICIANS

1913 - Wilbur J Cohen, 1st employee of Social Security System

John Edwards, American politician and lawyer turns 58

Rose Mofford, (18^th Gov-AZ) turns 89

…SCIENTISTS / THEOLOGISTS

1637 - Jacques Marquette, jesuit/missionary founder

1710 - James Short, Scottish mathematician

Ø  Today’s Obits:

323 BC - Alexander the Great, Macedonian king of fever or poisoning at 32

2004 - Ray Charles, Grammy winning crooner who blended gospel and blues in such crowd-pleasers as "What'd I Say" and ballads like "Georgia on My Mind" dies of liver cancer at 73

1909 - Edward Everett Hale, American author dies at 87

1998 - Jim Hearn, American baseball player dies at 77

1946 - Jack Johnson, 1st black heavyweight champion, dies in car accident at 68

1988 - Louis L'Amour, western writer dies at 80 of cancer

1967 - Spencer Tracy, US actor (7th Cross, Father ot Bride), dies of emphysema at 67

1993 - Richard Webb, actor (Captain Midnight), shoots himself at 77

2003 - Dr Phil Williams, Welsh politician and scientist dies at 64

1976 - Adolph Zukor, Hungarian/US fur trader/movie producer, dies at 103

Ø  ANSWERS:

Trivia Quiz

1.      In which country did Steve McQueen die?

              Mexico

2.      Whose autobiography was called The Ragman's Son?

              Kirk Douglas

3.      Which character did Frank Sinatra play in From Here to Eternity?

              Angelo Maggio

4.      How old was Shirley Temple when she received her honorary Oscar?

              Six

5.      What would Rita Hayworth's last name have been if she had used her father's name instead of her mother's?

              Cansino

6.      In which state did Robert Redford found the Sundance Institute?

              Utah

7.      Which Marilyn Monroe co-star said, "Kissing her is like kissing Hitler?"

              Tony Curtis

8.      About who or what did Elizabeth Taylor say, "It was like an illness one had a very difficult time recuperating from?"

              Making Cleopatra

9.      Which musical star was a cousin of Rita Hayworth?

              Ginger Rogers

10.   For which film did Elizabeth Taylor win her second Oscar?

       Who's Afraid  of Virginia Woolf?

11.   How old was Mae West when she starred in the film Sextet?

       85

12.   Who has the nickname "The Stick" as a child?

       Sophia Loren

13.   Who said, "I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception?"

        Groucho Marx

Close Up Picture

Ø  …AND THAT’S ALL FOR NOW