7-2-11

Ø  TODAY’s “Geez”:

·        1776 - NJ gave all adults who show a net worth of 50 pounds right to vote

·        1862 - Lincoln signs act granting land for state agricultural colleges

·        1979 - Susan B Anthony dollar is issued, 1st US coin to honor a woman

Ø  Free Rambling Thoughts…

Another very warm day with very low humidity. Thankfully no fires. Traffic is here. I was in and out today and every time I went out there was more traffic. Not being the brightest firework in the package, I went to Sam’s Club this afternoon about three. I was going to get gas, but gave up, as it looked like the 1970’s gas lines. Going inside Sam’s wasn’t too bright either. Every register was open, every register had a line. I did get what I needed. They even had two people, with lines, checking our purchases as we left. What a mess.

I had lunch with Cheryl and two of her grandkids—an 8^th grader and a sophomore. She will be taking them Michigan in a week or so. They are typical teenagers, with cell phones in hand, texting all the time. They are polite and did carry on a conversation. We ate at La Fonda, and it too was really crowded, being the first of the month. Still had really good food and good service. Also, good conversations.

Much of our complex has headed out for the long weekend. People were packing up early this morning, and now that everyone is off work, more are packing up. I have never been a big traveler over the fourth. I used to come to Flag and spend a couple of nights, then head back to the Rez. Now that I’m here, no need to head anywhere. I’ve never been big on crowds and certainly never liked being on the highway when traffic is heavy. So, I’ll hang around Flag and have a great time.

I have been watching an unusual trend in state government. Many of the conservative legislatures and governors do not want government regulation. AZ wants to ignore EPA rules. Many of these states are in financial difficulty or are already broke. Yet they have also made two kinds of laws that are more restrictive on their populations. One is on abortion and the other on voter registration. States are making it harder and harder for women to have the right to choose. That is a social issue, not a fiscal issue. States are also requiring more and more paperwork to register to vote. Another social issue. While their states are broke, they aren’t answering any of the tough fiscal problems. Minnesota actually shut down all government operations..because the legislature couldn’t agree on a budget that was filled with social change issues. This action closed all the state parks over the Independence Day weekend. Prisoners in their state prisons can no longer visit the library; have church services, weight rooms or TV. There will be no family visits during the shutdown of the state government. The zoos are closed, although someone will stay on to feed the animals. If the shutdown continues until after the long weekend, the people of MN will quickly see what it is like to have no state government services. They had closed down back in 05 when Presidential candidate Pawlenty was governor. Today he said that the 05 shutdown was only 9 days and now he wished they hadn’t caved in so quickly and that he hopes this shutdown will last longer. This is total insanity.

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

1.      In football, where do the 1990s Titans come from?

2.      Who was younger when they became President, Clinton or Kennedy?

3.      The novel Airport was a best seller for which author?

4.      Which female sang the Bond theme to Goldeneye?

5.      Golfer Bernhard Langer comes from which country?

6.      The D Day landings took place in which country?

7.      Who was the first man to fly in space?

8.      In which decade of the 20th century was Chevy Chase born?

9.      What is the postal abbreviation for Missouri?

10.   Who was Bill Clinton's first Vice President?

11.   Which Box gave Mariah Carey a multi-million album success?

12.   Which Bruce declared he was Born In The USA?

13.   Oakland international airport is in which state?

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

Ø  Hmmmmm…

·        Minimum number of people prosecuted so far by the Obama Administration for leaking classified document”: 4

·        Number prosecuted under the Bush Administration: 0

Ø  Somewhat Useless Information…

·        The rose family of plants, in addition to flowers, gives us apples, pears, plums, cherries, almonds, peaches and apricots.

·        84% of a raw apple and 96% of a raw cucumber is water

Ø  Yeah, It Really Happened…

JACKSON, N.J. — Police remain on the lookout for a baboon after fielding calls reporting the animal was seen roaming a New Jersey neighborhood.

Authorities say it may have escaped from the nearby Six Flags Great Adventure's Monkey Jungle, which is home to 150 baboons.

"To our knowledge, none of our animals have left the premises, but it is not impossible," Six Flags spokesperson Kristin Siebeneicher told msnbc.com.

The baboons sleep outdoors at night and as a result, they are not rounded up every morning and evening, which is typically when park staff would take count. “There is breeding happening since we let them live as naturally as possible,” Siebeneicher said.

She did not know when the park last counted the baboon population. She also said they did not notice any “tampering” with the fences.

The baboon has not been identified, though the animals in the Monkey Jungle are microchipped. Siebeneicher said the animal would need to be very close to be identified by a chip reader. “It could be be identified if you had a chip reader, but  you’d need to have the [the baboon] in your possession.”

The first baboon sighting came Thursday, when a driver said the animal was near Interstate 195, and later that day a woman said a baboon was sitting on her back porch in Jackson. On Friday morning, two residents in developments not far from the park reported a baboon was in their neighborhoods.

Ø  Guffaw…or at least smile…

Teacher: Now, you must not say, “I ain’t goin’.” You should say, “I am not going, he is not going; we are not going; they are not going.”

 Student: Wow! Ain’t nobody goin’ then?

Ø  Searchin’ “You Tube” I found…

Ken (Festus) Curtis

Ø  Daybook Information…

…Happening This Week:

·        1-4  International Chicken Wing Week

·        1-7  National Unassisted Homebirth Week

Ø  TODAY IS

·        I  Forgot Day

·        International Cherry Pit Spitting Day

·        International Day of Cooperatives

·        Visitation Of The Virgin Mary Day

Ø  Today’s Events:

…  IN ARTS

1955 - "Lawrence Welk Show" premieres on ABC

…  IN ATHLETICS

1902 - John J McGraw becomes manager of NY Giants (stays for 30 years)

1943 - Indians score 12 runs in 4th inning & beat Yankees 12-0

1963 - Giant Willie Mays' HR in 16th inning gives them a 1-0 win over Braves

…  IN BUSINESS

1867 - 1st US elevated railroad begins service, NYC

1901 - Butch Cassidy & Sundance Kid rob train of $40,000 at Wagner Montana

1937 - Amelia Earhart & Fred Noonan disappear over Pacific Ocean

… IN EDUCATION

▬

…  FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

  695 - Maya Smoke Imix, king of Copán, Honduras is buried, according to some sources

1754 - According to some reports, a peace agreement is reached by representatives of the British in Massachusetts and the Norridgewock Indians.

…  IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

1561 - Menas, Emperor of Ethiopia, defeats a revolt in Emfraz

1928 - British parliament accept female suffrage

1972 - India & Pakistan sign peace accord

1976 - Formal reunification of North and South Vietnam

… IN RELIGION

1865 - William Booth founds Salvation Army (Army of the Salvation)

2008 - Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other FARC hostages are rescued by the Colombian armed forces

…  IN SCIENCE

1843 - An alligator falls from sky during a Charleston SC thunderstorm

2002 - Steve Fossett becomes the first person to fly solo around the world nonstop in a balloon

…  IN US POLITICS

1613 - The first English expedition from Massachusetts against Acadia led by Samuel Argall

1679 - Europeans first visit Minnesota and see headwaters of Mississippi in an expedition led by Daniel Greysolon de Du Luth

1777 - Vermont becomes 1st American colony to abolish slavery

1881 - Pres Garfield shot by Charles J Guiteau a disappointed office-seeker

1890 - Congress passes Sherman Antitrust Act

1964 - Pres Johnson signs Civil Rights Act ; Voting Rights Act into law

… ARTISTS:  AUTHORS:  COMPOSERS

▬

…ATHLETES

Jose Canseco, Havana Cuba, outfielder (Oak A's, Red Sox, 1988 AL MVP) turns 47

Johnny Weir, American figure skater turns 27

…ENTERTAINERS (ACTORS/SINGERS…)

1894 - Walter Brennan, actor, singer (Real McCoys, At Gun Point; Old Rivers )

Yancy Butler actor, turns 41

1916 - Ken Curtis, [Curtis Gates], actor (Ripcord, Festus-Gunsmoke)

Larry David actor, director turns 64

Polly Holliday actor turns  74

Lindsay Lohan actor turns 25

Ashley Tisdale singer, actor turns 26

… ENTREPRENEUR & EDUCATORS

1893 - Ralph Hancock, Welsh garden designer (Rockefeller Center) (d. 1950)

1932 - Dave Thomas, founder (Wendy's Restaurants)

…POLITICIANS

1820 - George Law Curry, Newspaper publisher and Governor of Oregon (d. 1878)

Vicente Fox, Former Mexican president turns 69

Imelda Marcos, politician/shoe collector/1st lady of Philippines turns 80

1908 - Thurgood Marshall, 1st black Supreme Court justice (1967-91)

John H Sununu, US Secretary of State (R, 1989-91) turns 72

…SCIENTISTS / THEOLOGISTS

▬

Ø  Today’s Obits:

1993 - Don Drysdale, pitcher (Dodgers), dies of a heart attack at 56

1994 - Andres Escobar, Colombia world cup soccer star, shot for losing to US at 27

1973 - Betty Grable, US actress (How to Marry a Millionaire), dies of lung cancer at 56

1995 - Gail Gordon, actor (Our Miss Brooks, Lucy Show), dies of cancer at 89

1993 - Fred Gwynne, actor (Herman-Munsters), dies of pancreatic cancer at 66

1961 - Ernest Hemingway, writer, commits suicide at 61

2006 - Jan Murray, American comedian dies at 90

1566 - Nostradamus, [Michel de Nostre-Dam], French astrologist, dies of dropsy at 62

1999 - Mario Puzo, American author dies at 79

1991 - Lee Remick, actress (Days of Wine & Roses), dies of cancer at 55

2007 - Beverly Sills, American operatic soprano dies at 78

1997 - Jimmy Stewart, actor (It's a Wonderful Life), dies at 89

Ø  ANSWERS:

Ø  Trivia Quiz

1.      In football, where do the 1990s Titans come from?

a.      Tennessee

2.      Who was younger when they became President, Clinton or Kennedy?

a.      Kennedy

3.      The novel Airport was a best seller for which author?

a.      Arthur Haily

4.      Which female sang the Bond theme to Goldeneye?

a.      Tina Turner

5.      Golfer Bernhard Langer comes from which country?

a.      Germany

6.      The D Day landings took place in which country?

a.      France

7.      Who was the first man to fly in space?

a.      Yuri Gagarin

8.      In which decade of the 20th century was Chevy Chase born?

a.      1940s

9.      What is the postal abbreviation for Missouri?

a.      MO

10.   Who was Bill Clinton's first Vice President?

a.      Al Gore

11.   Which Box gave Mariah Carey a multi-million album success?

a.      Music

12.   Which Bruce declared he was Born In The USA?

a.      Springsteen

13.   Oakland international airport is in which state?

a.      California

Close Up Picture

Ø  …AND THAT’S ALL FOR NOW

7-1-11

Ø  TODAY’s “Geez”:

·        1200 - In China, sunglasses are invented

·        1862 - Internal Revenue Law imposes 1st federal taxes on inheritance, tobacco & on incomes over $600 (progressive rate)

·        1899 - Gideon Society established to place bibles in hotels

Ø  Free Rambling Thoughts…

A windy day…again. The local paper told us today that Flag had more wind this spring than normal. Duh. Some of my day lilies lost their blooms, even though they were ‘protected’ from the worst wind. Oh, well. After a morning and afternoon of high winds, it is now calm. Kinda nice.

My Colorado River trip is only 13 days away. I am getting really excited. I did realize today that it has been about 10 years since I have done any camping, and about 20 years since I have done more than a long weekend. This will be an adventure.

My brother is headed for Chicago for the weekend, then on Sunday, back to NYC for the fourth. Sounds like fun. Mary is having a birthday BBQ at her house on the 4^th. Should be fun. She starts Medicare tomorrow, so this is a big birthday. She really enjoys being a ‘born on the 4^th of July Babe.’ She still believes the entire country is doing the fireworks for her. LOL. Of course I will be at the annual parade in downtown Flagstaff.  Nothin’ like a small town parade on the 4^th.

I’m still working on my letter to Rep. Gosar about my decreased SS check. I want to be short and succinct. Not easy for me. I’m still a little too emotional and tell more than I need to. I’ll get it done.

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

1.      Which character is the most famous creation of Edgar Rice Burroughs?

2.      Which state is called the Bear State?

3.      Who played Emma Peel in the 90’s film version of The Avengers?

4.      Which Michael starred in Doc Hollywood?

5.      What is the capital of the state of Louisiana?

6.      Which veteran pop singer has the first names Roderick David?

7.      What came after The Brady in the sitcom title?

8.      What did teenager Anne Frank leave behind that was published after her death?

9.      Who had a 60’s No 1 with Stop In the Name Of Love?

10.   Who liked Richard Burton so much that she married him twice?

11.   In which decade did pole last get the chance to see Halley's comet?

12.   At what time of year did Eddie Cochran get the blues?

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

Ø  Hmmmmm…

·        Number of ‘Aerial Achievement Medals’ awarded by the US Air Force to drone operators since January 2009: 3497

·        Number awarded to pilots of manned aircraft during that time: 1408

Ø  Somewhat Useless Information…

·        The town of Tarzana, California, is named for the fictional character Tarzan, having been the home for many years of Edgar Rice Burroughs, the creator of the Tarzan saga.

·        Battleships are always named after states, submarines after fish, cruisers after cities, and destroyers after naval heroes.

·        Until 1796, there was a state in the United States called Franklin. Today it is known as Tennessee.

·        The blazer jacket is named for a British ship, H.M.S. Blazer. The ship's captain insisted that his crew always wear blue jackets with metal buttons, even for casual duty.

·        The name "pumpernickel" was coined by Napoleon's troops during the Napoleonic Wars. His men complained that although they were often poorly fed, there was always bread for Napoleon's favorite horse, Nicoll. Thus the word "pumpernickel" was coined - pain (bread) pour (for) Nicoll.

·        When the planet Uranus was discovered by Sir William Herschel in 1781 it was named "Georgium Sidium" in honor of King George III of England. FOr many years the planet was known as the "Georgian." Not until 1850 was it christened Uranus in accordance with the tradition of naming planets for Roman gods.

Ø  Yeah, It Really Happened…

GOLD COAST, Australia - An Australian beach volleyball player says she is selling ad space on her body to help her attempt to make it into next year's Olympic Games in London. Claire Kelly said she is selling tattoo space on her body for $10,400 to $52,000 so she and her partner, Carla Kleverlaan, can join the beach volleyball world pro tour and play the required 12 events to qualify for the Olympics, Melbourne's Herald Sun reported Monday.

"It's taken me months to get the courage to do this and now I'm going through with it," Kelly said.

"I was thinking, 'Tattoo my body with a business logo just so I can have a chance to play for my country at the Olympics? I'm crazy'!”

"This is my dream and it seems crazy not to try to do something to realize the dream. We need to head off on the world tour before the end of July. We need financial backing, so I can't let fear stop me," she said.

Kelly said she is not concerned about potential criticism of her moneymaking scheme. "The tattoos mean much more than just the money or the business," she said.

"The tattoos signify having the courage to have a crack at something bigger, having the guts to at least try."

Ø  Guffaw…or at least smile…

A bar owner locked up his place at 2 AM and went home to sleep. He had been in bed only a few minutes when the phone rang. “What time do you open up in the morning?” he heard an obviously inebriated man inquire.

The owner was so furious, he slammed down the receiver and went back to bed. A few minutes later there was another call and he heard the same voice ask the same question. “Listen, the owner shouted, “there’s no sense in asking me what time I open because I wouldn’t let a person in your condition in—“

 “I don’t want to get in,” the caller interjected. “I want to get out.”

Ø  Searchin’ “You Tube” I found…

There is no Poop Fairy  This is where I grew up.

Ø  Daybook Information…

Ø  …Happening This Month:

·        Air-Conditioning Appreciation Days

·        Bereaved Parents Awareness Month

·        Bioterrorism/Disaster Education & Awareness Month

·        Cell Phone Courtesy Month

·        Dog Days

·        Eggplant and Lettuce Month Link

·        Family Reunion Month Link

·        Family Golf Month Link

·        Freedom From Fear of Speaking Month

·        Hemochromatosis Screening Awareness Month

·        Herbal/Prescription Awareness Month

·        International Blondie and Deborah Harry Month

·        International Group B Strep Awareness Month Link

·        International Women with Alopecia Month

·        International Zine Month

·        Mango and Melon Month Link

·        National Black Family Month

·        National Blueberries Month

·        National Child-Centered Divorce Month

·        National "Doghouse Repairs" Month

·        National Grilling Month

·        National Ice Cream Month

·        National Horseradish Month

·        National Hot Dog Month

·        National Make A Difference to Children Month

·        National Recreation & Parks Month

·        National Share A Sunset With Your Lover Month

·        National Wheelchair Beautification Month

·        Nectarine and Garlic Month Link

·        Sandwich Generation Month

·        Smart Irrigation Month

·        Social Wellness Month

·        Tour de France Month (2-24)

·        Women's Motorcycle Month

…Happening This Week:

·        1-4  International Chicken Wing Week

·        1-7  National Unassisted Homebirth Week

Ø  TODAY IS

·        Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day

·        Build A Scarecrow Day

·        International Chicken Wing Day

·        Second Half of The Year Day

·        U.S. Postage Stamp Day

·        Zip Code Day

·        Burundi--Independence Day (from Belgium 1962)

·        Canada--Canada Day (1867, became a self-governing dominion of Great Britain and a federation of four provinces: Nova Scotia; New Brunswick; Ontario; and Quebec)  

·        China--Half-Year Day

·        Rwanda--Independence Day (from Belgium 1962)

·        Ghana--Republic Day (since 1960)

Ø  Today’s Events:

…  IN ARTS

1929 - US cartoonist Elzie Segar creates "Popeye"

…  IN ATHLETICS

1903 - 1st Tour de France bicycle race begins

1904 - 3rd modern Olympic games opens in St Louis

1917 - Robins (Dodgers) play their 1st Sunday game in Brooklyn

1948 - Brooklyn's Roy Campanella debuts as catcher

1997 - Nevada Athletic Commission suspends Mike Tyson for biting Holyfield

…  IN BUSINESS

1874 - 1st US kidnapping for ransom, 4-year-old Charles Ross, $20,000

1916 - Coca-Cola brings current coke formula to the market

1931 - Ice vending machines introduced in LA 25 lbs, 15 cents

1941 - Bulova Watch Co pays $9 for 1st ever network TV commercial

1979 - Sony introduces the Walkman

… IN EDUCATION

▬

…  FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

1520 - According to many sources, Hernán Cortés and his followers will attempt to escape from Tenochtitlán (modern Mexico City) by way of one of the causeways.

1675 - The first scalps are taken by whites in "King Philip's War."

…  IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

1535 - Sir Thomas More goes on trial in England charged with treason

1543 - England & Scotland sign Peace treaty of Greenwich

1858 - 1st Canadian coins minted (1, 5, 10 and 20 cent)

1999 - The Scottish Parliament is officially opened by Queen Elizabeth on the day powers are officially transferred from the old Scottish Office in London to the new devolved Scottish Executive in Edinburgh.

… IN RELIGION

1517 - 1st burning of Protestants at stake in Netherlands

1656 - 1st Quakers (Mary Fisher/Ann Austin) arrives in Boston (arrested)

1879 - Charles Taze Russell publishes the first edition of the religious magazine The Watchtower

…  IN SCIENCE

1874 - 1st US zoo opens (Philadelphia)

…  IN US POLITICS

1776 - 1st vote on Declaration of Independence

1847 - 1st US postage stamps go on sale, 5 cent Franklin & 10 cent Washington, NYC

1861 - War Dept decrees the KA & TN are to be canvassed for volunteers

1862 - Congress outlaws polygamy (1st time)

1863 - Battle of Gettysburg, Pa; Lee's northward advance halted

1863 - Free city delivery of mail begins in 49 US cities; postage 3 cents per oz

1898 - Teddy Roosevelt & his Rough Riders charge up San Juan Hill

1907 - World's 1st air force established (US Army)

1916 - Dwight Eisenhower marries Mary `Mamie' Geneva Doud in Denver Colo

1943 - "Pay-as-you-go" - 1st withholding tax from paychecks

1950 - 1st 407 US soldiers flown to South Korea

1961 - Haleakala National Park forms in Hawaii

1966 - Medicare goes into effect

… ARTISTS:  AUTHORS:  COMPOSERS

1934 - Sydney Pollack, director (Tootsie, Presumed Innocent)

Twyla Tharp, choreographer (Twyla Tharp Dance Troupe) turns 70

1902 - Billy Wyler, director (Ben Hur, Mrs Miniver)

…ATHLETES

▬

…ENTERTAINERS (ACTORS/SINGERS…)

Daryl Anderson, actor (Animal-Lou Grant) turns 60

Pamela Anderson actor, model turns 44

Dan Aykroyd, Ottawa Canada, comedian/actor (SNL, Dragnet) turns 59

Andre Braugher actor turns 49

Leslie Caron, Boulogne-Biliancourt France, actor (Lili, Father Goose) turns 80

Jamie Farr, Toledo Oh, actor (Klinger-M*A*S*H, AfterMASH) turns 77

1916 - Olivia de Havilland, Tokyo Japan, actress (Adventures of Robin Hood)

Deborah Harry singer turns 66

Tab Hunter, actor (Tab Hunter Show, Lust in the Dust) turns 80

1941 - Sally Quinn,  CBS newscaster (Morning Show) turns 70

Liv Tyler actor turns 34

… ENTREPRENEUR & EDUCATORS

1807 - Thomas Green Clemson, mining engineer, endowed Clemson University

1908 - Estee Lauder, CEO (Estee Lauder's cosmetics)

1869 - William Strunk Jr., American grammarian 

…POLITICIANS

1912 - David Brower, environmentalist/president (Sierra Club)

…SCIENTISTS / THEOLOGISTS

1840 - Robert S Ball, Irish mathematician/astronomer

Ø  Today’s Obits:

2004 - Marlon Brando, actor ("The Godfather", "A Street Car Named Desire" and "On the Water Front") dies at 80

1860 - Charles Goodyear, American inventor dies of heart attack on hearing of his daughter’s death at 60

1995 - Wolfman Jack, disc jockey (Midnight Special), dies of heart attack at 57

1991 - Michael Landon, actor (Bonanza, Hwy to Heaven), dies of cancer at 54

2000 - Walter Matthau, American actor dies at 80

1997 - Robert Mitchum, actor (Winds of War), dies at 79

1974 - Juan D Peron, president of Argentina (1946-55, 73-74), dies at 78

1894 - Allan Pinkerton, American private detective dies at 75

1681 - Oliver Plunkett, Irish saint dies at 51 (hanged, drawn, quartered)

1896 - Harriet Beecher Stowe, US author (Uncle Tom's Cabin), dies at 85

2005 - Luther Vandross, American singer dies of heart attack at 54

Ø  ANSWERS:

Ø  Trivia Quiz

1.      Which character is the most famous creation of Edgar Rice Burroughs?

a.      Tarzan

2.      Which state is called the Bear State?

a.      Arkansas

3.      Who played Emma Peel in the 90’s film version of The Avengers?

a.      Uma Thurman

4.      Which Michael starred in Doc Hollywood?

a.      Michael J Fox

5.      What is the capital of the state of Louisiana?

a.      Baton Rouge

6.      Which veteran pop singer has the first names Roderick David?

a.      Rod Stewart

7.      What came after The Brady in the sitcom title?

a.      Bunch

8.      What did teenager Anne Frank leave behind that was published after her death?

a.      Diary

9.      Who had a 60’s No 1 with Stop In the Name of Love?

a.      Supremes

10.   Who liked Richard Burton so much that she married him twice?

a.      Elizabeth Taylor

11.   In which decade did pole last get the chance to see Halley's comet?

a.      1980s

12.   At what time of year did Eddie Cochran get the blues?

a.      Summer time  (Summertime Blues )

Ø  Close Up Picture

Brick Saw

Ø  …AND THAT’S ALL FOR NOW